Back to School!

The end of August is almost here... back-to-school sales have begun, the weather will soon be cooling down (fingers crossed!) and kids will soon be headed to their next year of school. Seriously - Where has the time gone?! This new season is right around the corner, and with that comes so much busyness with new schedules and after-school activities for the kiddos. It always seems like we are always on-the-go! With this crazy schedule, our own personal fitness can easily be pushed to the back of our brain - you know, back there with all the other tasks we have all been procrastinating...cleaning our closets, for example. It is so easy for us to want to hit snooze to get in a few more minutes of sleep, and then before we know it the day is busy, busy, busy until we put our feet back into bed.

Let this autumn be a bit different. Let's FALL into a new routine that will be oh-so-easy to fit into anyone's schedule. Shaun T., the creator and instructor behind Insanity, has a new workout called FOCUS T25. And you can get your workout done in just 25 little tiny minutes. Crazy! Swap out a few minutes from Facebook surfing and Pinterest pinning, to put yourself first and get so much in return! You will find so much more energy in your day and when done 5 days a week with the correct nutritional guide, you will see great results!

This workout requires no equipment just FOCUS. You have to sign over 25 min. to Shaun T. for him to push you hard but in return you are DONE for the day. One of the best aspects of this workout is that you can do it right at home in your living room. No need to tack on extra time getting over to the gym, just flip on the TV while the kids are doing homework or taking a nap.

As some of y'all may know, I had the awesome opportunity to be in the test group for this product before it hit the shelves. I got amazing results - even with being a busy mom with 2 growing boys, owning my own business, and being an active member in the community - I lost 21 pounds and 14 inches! It is so do-able! Just carve out those 25 min. and FOCUS on you! You will be amazed at how great you feel. It comes with a nutritional guide with easy meals to make, and a workout schedule. Plus you get me as your personal motivator! I have an online accountability group where I post my tips on how I got these results so that you can get them too.  You get your own personal workout cheerleader!! :)   Just drop me a quick message and I will add your to our next group.

So before you forget, add T25 to your to-do-list and get to work. Remember the best part: 25 minutes and you are done! It is just that easy. Email me:  melissa@monsterhomefitness.com. I hope to hear from you!! Don't delay because you can quickly melt the pounds away!!!

The Ultimate Reset!

Both Robert and I have started The Ultimate Reset in preparation for a big trip this spring. We are only on day 3, but so far so good. Beachbody has a great video up with Ingredient Hunter, Darin Olien. In it he explains what the reset is, why you should take time to do it, and what you can expect from it. I can't wait to see the result we will have!!

New Year, New You!

I want you to take a moment and think about what New Year Goals YOU want to achieve? Perhaps one of these questions hits home for you:

1. Do you want to get healthy? 2. Do you want to fit in your skinny jeans? 3. Do you want to look in the mirror and feel GOOD about what you see? 4. Do you want to have energy? 5. Do you want to add years onto your life ? 6. Do you want to set a good example for your children? 7. Do you want to have a more positive attitude? 8. Do you want to build relationships with others going through the same things? 9. Do you want to strength your current relationships? 10. Do you want to have more confidence? 11. Do you want to get your life on track and start a new healthy lifestyle?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, I would love to help you get on the path to acheiving your goal! I have a new Challenge group starting SOON. Please check out my Facebook page for more details, or contact me directly!!

Melissa

Getting the Most from COMBAT!

The Beachbody newsletter has some great tips for those of you that have finally received Les Mills COMBAT. This is a program that requires a serious commitment and you will want to prepare your body for the challenge. Make sure you are getting serious sleep. You will need to give your muscles plenty of recovery time, and sleep is the best way to do it!

Eat small meals more frequently. Eating on a regular schedule will help reduce your chances of overindulging and will keep your blood sugar and metabolism at a good level.

I can't wait to hear about your experience with COMBAT. Feel free to click LIKE in the right side bar and leave me a comment about your experience with the program!

Sleep: How You Can Get Enough

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.

Happy Holidays and HAPPY NEW YEAR from Monster Home Fitness!

We had a very busy Holiday break here at the Hudgens household. We took a short trip to Cancun before Christmas to escape the cold here in Dallas and we had a blast.  After what seemed like a short Holiday break the kiddos are back in school and 2012 as begun. Everyone always makes their new year resolutions to lose weight, or be healthy, or get fit. But you have to actually commit if you want to see the changes take place. Ask yourself, how many times have you told yourself you were going to lose weight as your new year resolution? And whether it's 5 pounds or 50 pounds have you lost that weight yet?

Chances are you've lost a couple pounds but still want to shed some of that excess weight. Well we at Monster Home Fitness have all the answers and solutions for your fitness needs. 

First things first. Your nutrition. Like Tony Horton says 

So you HAVE to make the right decisions EVERY SINGLE TIME you open your fridge or pantry door. Our best recommendation is with SHAKEOLOGY. If you've never heard of Shakeology it is the very best in meal replacement nutrition. It's 5 trips to the salad bar, all your fruits and veggies for the day its simply incredible. If you've never tried Shakeology and would like to then let us know ASAP. Comment on this post or go back to our home page and click on our free sample button!

Second we have to work on your fitness.

Thus  and then eventually .

I've done P90X 22 times all the way through and I have achieved incredible results! As you may or may not know, P90X2 has just recently in the past month been released. Being good friends with Tony Horton I got a chance to be in the new videos. I'm in the P.A.P Upper P90X2 DVD! I told myself when I started P90X that one day I would be the ripped guy in the video working out with Tony Horton and look at me now. The same exact thing could happen for you! If you commit then anything can happen. If you want to lose 5 pounds of 50 pounds P90X is the right first step for you! I wouldn't recommend P90X2 until you've completed P90X first. It's a whole different ball game. If you have any questions about nutrition, fitness, health and wellness then we offer FREE coaching! All you have to do is take that first step and ask! Leave a comment or email us at robert@monsterhomefitness.com or to my wife Melissa at Melissa@monsterhomefitness.com

Tony Horton demonstrates P90X2 Chata-Rocker move to NATO US Troops

Hey everyone, this video is a little more clear than the previous and you can see the demonstration better. Check out this extreme P90X2 move the Chata-Rocker as Tony Horton does it for the US Troops in Holland.

Tony Horton demonstrates P90X2 Chata-Rocker move to NATO US Troops

Tony Horton does Extreme Burpee Push Up from Naples, Italy

Check out this video of Mr. Tony Horton demonstrating the Extreme Burpee Pushup from Naples, Italy. Click the photo above or the link below to watch!

Tony Horton does Extreme Burpee Push Up from Naples, Italy

The importance of a good recovery drink

Just like an automobile needs gasoline (fuel) in order to operate at high levels of performance, your body needs the same thing.  Glycogen, or sugar, is what your body uses as fuel.  The same way that your car uses more fuel when you drive it "harder", so does your body.  When you work out really hard your glycogen levels go down.  Once it’s gone it needs to be regenerated but your body takes a little time doing so. One of the best ways to replenish your fuel, is with the help of a post-workout recovery drink.

Studies have shown that with the right nutrition during the very first hour after a workout, you can increase your bodies ability to recover dramatically. So a recovery drink is very important. If you don’t replenish your bodies fuel tank after a workout, then your body will need to find some source of fuel for energy and will break down the muscle.  Muscle that you have worked long and hard to gain.

Of course it depends also on how hard your workout was. If it’s a light workout like X Stretch or something similar that’s a mild cardio workout then you don’t need a recovery drink because you’re not depleting your glocygen levels. You also need to think about if you really had a tough workout. With all the vitamins and antioxidants you need itll reduce muscle soreness and assist in repair and growth. I’ve been using the P90X recovery formula now for years and I always take one after a tough workout, which seems like an every day thing. :)  

Time Management. Working out is possible.

All right, so everyone has their own excuses for not working out, but usually it's the same one... " I just don't have the time."  Well I’m here to tell you that if I can run a business, be a great husband and father to two boys (which includes taking them to practice and coaching their football teams) and I can still fit in AT LEAST one workout a day, then anyone can. 

I think you need to look at why you want to workout. The only person you should be doing this for is yourself. That will give you the most motivation. You should workout and do it for YOURSELF so that YOU can be healthy, so that YOU can feel better, so that YOU can be more confident. See, it's about YOU!

So it comes down to time management. Whatever it may be that’s preventing you from bettering yourself you need to get over that. If you’re realistic, you can really squeeze in at least a 30 minute workout. Granted, everyone may not have time for the hour plus Yoga X in P90X, but you can work up a good sweat and burn some calories in a 30 min workout. Whether it’s half of a P90X video, maybe it’s a couple Ten Minute Trainers or something else, just do something every single day that gets your heart rate up and will keep it there for at least 30 min. On top of that, try to eat as cleanly as possible.  Remember, 80% of the battle of the bulge is about diet and nutrition. You will never see the results of your hard work if your eating habits are poor.  So, what's it worth to you?  Are you willing to give up a little TV?  Are you willing to wake up a little earlier?  Are you willing to make small sacrifices so that you can feel better, look better and live longer?  The answer should be obvious.  Now, it's just your time to make it happen.  Let's get started!