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Nutrition
Making the decision to become healthier is exciting but getting started can be difficult. There are so many different ways to incorporate fitness and clean eating into your life that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Beachbody offers a host of great workouts that you can do right from your home- INSANITY, TurboFire, P90X and P90X2. They also offer great eating plans and dieting resources. One of those resources, the Beachbody Newsletter, has a great article on some of the most common dieting myths. These are the ones that stuck out to me:
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1. It's organic...it must be healthy. Organic foods are great and you should try to eat them as much as possible. But, just because it is organic doesn't mean that it is good for you. Organic simply means that it does not contain or been produced using antibiotics, growth hormones, conventional pesticides, and synthetic ingredients. But, no matter how organic a cookie is, it's still just a cookie. The calories don't magically disappear in organic foods, so be careful!
2. Order a salad if you don't know what you should eat. This myth can be a good option in many scenarios, but again you have to be careful to know what you are ordering. Salads slathered with creamy dressings and topped with bacon, eggs, candied nuts, etc are not a healthy choice. It's best to go with dressing on the side and only fresh veggie toppings.
3. Avoid snacking on fruit- it's just sugar. Yes, fruit contains sugar. But it also contains antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A candy bar doesn't offer any of those! So, while sugar can be an enemy to you weight loss, fruit is the perfect alternative to junk!
To see the full list of myths, head over here!
Back in October, I got sick and was faced with the dilemma of whether or not I should continue my workout regimen. I had always heard that if the cold was in your head, continuing exercise was fine, but if it was in your chest it was best to rest. As we approach flu season, it's important to know how to handle illness and exercise. Steve Edwards wrote a great article in the most recent Beachbody newsletter that addresses this issue. In his article he gives a few pointers for what to do in regards to fitness when you come down with an illness.
Because our bodies use its recovery properties to fight illness, most of the time it is best to take a break from your fitness routine in order to allow your body to fight whatever is attacking it. Steve suggests increasing vitamin C and water intake the moment you feel like you are coming down with something. As the illness progresses, make sure to rest as much as possible-whether that is taking off work or missing out on a weekend party. It's also best during this time that you eat as cleanly as possible-no soda, sweets, or junk food. It can be better during this time to eat small meals throughout the day to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs without burning lots of energy digesting a large meal. When the illness has run its course, ease back into exercising- don't rush. Slowly working your way back up to the level you were at before you got sick gives your body time to acclimate.
Try to remember...as hard as it might be to skip out on some workouts, it is better for you in the long run to let your body rest and recover. It might even make you stronger on the other side!
The holidays are upon us, and for most people, the biggest battle to fight is going to be against the enormous temptation to overeat. But, there is another, more silent threat to your health during the holidays: sleeplessness. This foe can come in many forms...stress over shopping or looming deadlines before vacation, the kids being home during the day and wanting to stay up all night, and of course the holiday parties that end late.
So, in preparation of this sleepless season, here are some great tips to help ensure a good night's sleep. And the best thing is that these tips can and should be applied to your life year round. Sleep is such a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle!
1. Exercise. It's so tempting to skip out on workouts during the holidays. But, exercise actually helps prepare your body for a good night's sleep.
2. Keep Things Quiet. Avoid falling asleep to the news or the Late Show. If necessary, invest in a good pair of earplugs!
3. Adjust the Lighting. Using blackout curtains or wearing a sleep mask can actually help you get better sleep by supporting your natural circadian rhythms.
4. Take a Bath. The bath helps to reset your body's internal temperature, allowing a period of cool down afterwards, which is the optimal time to sleep.
5. Time Your Caffeine. Try not to drink caffeine right before bed.
6. Try a Bedtime Drink. Warm milk with a pinch of cinnamon and cardamom might just do the trick.
7. Choice a Bedtime. And, stick to it! Your body needs the consistency in order to create good sleep patterns.
8. Try Some Aromatherapy. Lavender or chamomile are great herbs that calm and soothe our nervous systems. Try some oil in a bath or a scented candle as you wind down for the night.
It's probably been awhile since you participated in the Trick or Treating of Halloween. But, now you are probably taking your kids. As kids, gorging on Halloween candy was looked forward to and fun. As an adult, it is not in your best interest to continue in that tradition. So, here's a few tips to get you through this sweetly tempting day:
-Snack on some healthy options. The photo above is a great alternative to a handful of FunSize candy bars. Add a little chocolate or caramel to a juicy apple and enjoy!
-When our children were little, we invented the Candy Fairy. After a night of Trick or Treating, the Candy Fairy would swoop in a take the excess candy while leaving a fun alternative, like a toy. This prevents the whole family from overdoing it for days after Halloween.
I hope these tips are helpful and that you and your family have a safe and healthy Halloween!
Simply click on the photo to order now!!!
Many people just don't know where to start when it comes to improving their health. Jumping into a workout can seem daunting, cutting back on favorite foods is easier said than done. While both fitness and eating right are essential to a healthy life, a great way to ease into the process is by using Shakeology. This patented daily nutritional shake helps your body gently eliminate toxins more efficiently while allowing for better absorption of the essential nutrients you need. Check out this comparison!
This great shake comes in three different flavors: Chocolate, Greenberry, and Tropical Strawberry. There is even a Chocolate Vegan option for those who prefer dairy free! We would love to get you started on this amazing product. It could be the first step in your fitness journey...and it's the easiest step you can take!
For more info on Shakeology, as well as success stories and statistics visit their site at www.shakeology.com. To order, simply click on the photo above!
Robert and Melissa’s fitness journey is not that different from most people except for the fact that they have been doing it together. The whole thing started when Robert found P90X on the internet back in 2005. When Robert first told Melissa that he had bought it, she was not too happy. Feeling that he has just wasted their money, she challenged him to get the same results that others had. Well, that was just the challenge that Robert needed. In those first 90 days with P90X and following the nutrition guide, Robert experienced incredible results, including 18 pounds lost, 17% body fat lost and seven inches around his waist lost. But it wasn’t so much about all that was lost, it was more about all that he gained. He gained his self-esteem, his self-image and his “swagger” back! Well, once Melissa saw what the program did for Robert, she was a believer and as you can see from her 90 day results, the program worked just as good for her as it did for Robert. And since that first 90 days with P90X, Robert and Melissa have been working out together, mixing in some other programs like P90X+, One-on-One, Insanity, Turbo Fire, ChaLEAN Extreme and more. Plus, with their daily Shakeology, they continue to maintain their healthy lifestyle and enjoy the opportunity to help others do the same as Independent Coaches for Team Beachbody.
Life has definitely been great for Robert and Melissa and they are excited to be able to help you get these types of results as well. Their coaching is free, just contact them.
For many people, junk food is not just an occasional indulgence but a true addiction. Our society does us no favors with its constant promotion of fast food, sweets and energy drinks. To simply say that we need to eliminate sugars and junk from our diets isn't enough- frankly, it's a hard task to take on. But, it's a necessary war to wage if you want to see dramatic changes in your appearance and over all well being. Denis Faye recently wrote a great article for the Beachbody newsletter in which he shared how he conquered his addiction to junk food. He states that it took him over 10 years to finally rid himself of his constant overeating and that it took a concerted effort to do so. The following are some of his tips to a healthier, junk-food-free life. To read the article in its entirety, including his story, head over the the Beachbody newsletter here.
6 Ways to Conquer Junk Food Habits
- Get rid of all the junk food that is in your home. You can't snack or binge on it if it's not there. Refill your empty shelves with healthy options like baby carrots, fresh fruit, etc.
- Strive for clean eating 80% of the time. The other 20% should be left to give yourself a break. The reality is, you will have moments of weakness. Faye suggests assigning one day a week to a treat- like Cookie Friday.
- Make eating healthy a ritual. Although there is no scientific proof, habits tend to form after about 21 days. So, make an effort to stick to your healthy snacking for that long and chances are the practice of healthy eating will become first instinct.
- Carry healthy foods with you. If you have a healthy option with you at all times you are less likely to grab whatever is available (typically cookies, fast food, or vending machine options).
- Adverse to certain fruits or veggies? Try some you've never had before so you don't have an opinion about them yet. Farmer's markets are full of variety- you are sure to find something you like.
- If you have to binge, do it on healthy options first. Fill up on fruits or veggies, so if the worst happens (i.e. ice cream or chips) you will have already filled up on the good stuff.
Obviously these tips may not work for everyone, but they offer any junk food junky a few ways to start on their journey to clean eating.
A few weeks ago Beachbody made a huge announcement...the pre-launch of Team Beachbody Canada. For the first time Canadian customers have the opportunity to become a Beachbody coach and grow their own businesses in their own country. While this new opportunity is exciting, there are a few important things to know if you are thinking of becoming a new coach. Per a FAQ by Beachbody, the company is still in the process of completing registration and regulatory approvals with the Canadian government. This means that until the official launch, which is anticipated to take place in early 2013, Canadian coaches will be operating a U.S. independent business. However, once the official launch occurs a Canadian resident's U.S. business will transfer to a Canadian business.
Despite a few technicalities, Canadian coaches will have all the benefits of being a part of Team Beachbody, including:
- Saving 25% on all Beachbody products.
- Earning a 25% commission on all products sold through coaches sites.
- Recruit U.S.. or Canadian citizens to become coaches.
- Access to all marketing and training tools.
- Compensation Plan
This is an exciting new phase for both current Beachbody coaches and Canadian citizens. The amazing products, community, and life change that comes with being a member of Team Beachbody is going to change Canada for the better!! We can't wait!