P90X Day 90

Good afternoon Friends!

YAHOO!  Today is Day 90 of our P90X challenge that began the day after our coach summit in California.  This day is amazing on so many levels.  I believe in my heart of hearts that this is the first time that I've actually made it all the way to Day 90!  You know how there are many Day 1's and maybe even Day 30's, but how many times have you actually sought a program all the way through to the end?  Well, my friends, this would be the first time I've achieved Day 90!  AND, it couldn't have happened without all of you encouraging and motivating me to keep pushing play every day!

So, Day 90.  No, this isn't the end.  You just cannot stop!  So, Monday is the beginning of another 90 Day journey with Turbo Fire!  I am super excited!  I believe Chalene will be challenging me many mornings at 5am, especially for those HIIT's!  Yikes!  My body is definitely going to go into shock!  Alas, isn't that what this is all about anyway?  I mean, if we just kept doing the same thing over and over again we wouldn't ever get anywhere, right?  So, off to another program it is.  Please, come join us!

I started this 90 Day P90X challenge with one real goal in mind and that was to finish the program all the way through. (Not like that was an option...) But, I just wanted to use the program to get me more healthy, more flexible, increase muscle mass, just genuinely become better in my health and fitness journey.  I never went into the program with the mindset that I had "X" amount of weight to lose.  In fact, the scale stayed the same!  My body has began the sculpting process and I'm definitely fitting into smaller jeans than what I was 90 days ago.  I'm now in a size 8-10 whereas before I was in a 10-12.  Now, that may not seem like that big of a difference, but overall health has improved in strides!  Pictures will follow soon, I promise!  They don't lie!
Anyways, I wanted so share a bit of my joy today with you!  Not because I wanted to brag or even want the attention of finishing the program.  I wanted to share this epic milestone with you because you can do anything you set your mind to.  Think about it: if you want something bad enough you go get it, right?  Well, it's not that different in terms of your health and fitness.  If you want to feel better, look better, not be out of breath when you climb 4 flights of stairs, or even wrestle with your kids, make the decision to start paying attention to your health and fitness.  Make tiny choices every day and tell people what you are doing.  They will hold you accountable.  I will hold you accountable.  If you want it, go after it.

That's all for now.  Be sure you eat smart and get plenty of rest!  Your body will thank you!  "If you take care of your body, it will take care of you! Cuz time keeps tickin'...." -Tony Horton

Upcoming Labor Day Weekend

Dear Friends,

The year 2011 is, without any question, coming rapidly to an end.  Tomorrow is September 1, 2011.  Before long, we will be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's 2012.  But, Labor Day has historically been the key indicator that summer has ended, school is now in session, and children wish they could start summer vacation all over again to avoid the havoc of doing homework and writing papers.

Growing up, I remember school starting Tuesday after Labor Day.  Let me tell you, that is definitely NOT the case here in TX!  Peter has been in school since August 17th!

Anyways, I really wanted to emphasize this upcoming holiday weekend as a time to really spend with your family and friends.  Let's face it, we work really hard so a national holiday is certainly the opportunity to sit back and relax for a bit!  I know I am!  BUT, it's no excuse to go hog-wild with your diet.  Remember all those weeks of busting your butt?  All the sweat you poured out in your garage or in your livingroom or in your spare bedroom?  Please don't blow it this weekend.  Be safe and enjoy yourself within reason. Exercise and remember to take care of yourself.

Tomorrow is Day 74 of this P90X program.  Man, only 16 more days of Tony Horton before we are going to tackle Chalene Johnson's Turbo Fire.  I'm so excited!  These past 73 days have been hard and have really pushed me to get outside my comfort zone, to really go after it.  I really don't have a magic number on the scale that I'd like to achieve.  And, I really don't have a specific pair of jeans or size of clothing I'd like to fit into.  Silly, huh?  Not so much in my head.  I just want to be the healthiest person I can be.  It wasn't a mere 2.5 years ago that I was a completely broken person who was struggling with self-image, confidence, and basically every aspect of my life.  That's because my mind was not healthy.  Let me tell you, if your mind isn't focused on the right perspective, your entire body will decline at a rapid pace.  You may not notice it, but those around you certainly do because they are watching you. Casting Crowns have a song entitled, "Slow Fade"...check it out.

So, have a safe and fun-filled weekend.  Take this national holiday as a time to regroup and refocus on those goals you set for 2011.  120 days.  That's what you have left to make them come true.  Go after it with all you have and you just might be pleasantly surprised when Dec. 31st rolls around and you have accomplished everything on your list. 

Let's go!

P90X Challenge Day 60

Good evening, Friends!

Well, today is Day 60 of this awesome P90X Challenge.  I went the entire day just marveling in the fact that we are 2/3 of the way done with the program.  No, this doesn't mean we are done, done.  It just means that we persevered, we survived, we fought to keep pushing play when the world around us kept throwing obstacles in the way to distract us from accomplishing a goal.  Believe me, there were plenty of times when I would rather have not pushed play to work my machine than lace up the shoes and beat myself up.  But, the rewards are astounding!

I read today, "People are opportunities, not distractions."  What does that mean to you?  Really, think about that for a minute.  Do you go throughout the day with tunnel vision, with your eyes set only on the next task where you miss opportunity after opportunity to engage those around you?  Are people just strangers who are out to get you for what you're worth so you just hang your head low and not say a word as you pass by?  I used to be that person and I fight to open my eyes and pay attention to those around me every day.  You never know what is going on in the life of that person sitting next to you on the bus, or standing in line at the grocery store, or sitting next to you in the church pew.  Just say, "Hello!" and smile.  See what they say.  Be nice.  You might be surprised when you make a new friend.

I've noticed a few things about myself throughout the past 60 days during this challenge.  Chances are when you don't like a particular exercise, it is because your muscles aren't developed enough to perform the exercise as it should be done with proper form and you are uncomfortable.  It is hard!  It pushes you to your mental limits.  All forms of pushups, back flys, crouching cohen curls, flip-grip twist tricep kickbacks, banana's, 50% of Ab RipperX, pike presses, floor flys, single-leg wall sits, and crane are just a few examples of the exercises which push me to the limit every time they come across the TV screen.  I'd rather poke my eye out with a dull spoon than do those...yes, it's that bad.  BUT, I have learned to endure and to modify.  To my surprise, I've gotten better at them each time and actually have increased weight and/or reps with each one.  Stick with the program, never give up, and the results will come.  You just have to make it up in your mind that you are going to do it, then go do it.

For the past 2 weeks I've been waking up at 5am to workout in the morning.  What a switch that was!  I used to be the afternoon/evening workout kind of girl.  Now that Peter is playing football and 2nd grade has began, there's zero time to workout at night.  So, morning it is.  Once you make exercising and taking care of yourself a priority, there really is zero time to make excuses about when you are going to workout.  It's that simple.  I know that it's impossible to workout in the evening now, so I must wake up early and knock it out.  You know what?  My workouts are just as intense as they were in the evening.  It was just a mental hang-up that that time of the day was my prime.  Not so much the case anymore.  The perfect time of the day to workout is the time you schedule.  There isn't a magic time.  It's when you schedule it into day and then you get it done.

Even though today is Day 60 for me, it doesn't mean that it cannot be Day 1 for you.  Please join me on this health & fitness journey.  Take charge of your life.  You can have a healthy fulfilling life.  The only obstacle  preventing you from having all your dreams come true is YOU.  Take the first step.  We are here for you.  Now, let's to make a difference.

Go After It

Good Evening Boys & Girls:

I found this image while paging through a magazine during lunch and was inspired.  No, you don't have to be a runner to see the depth of the message.  Actually, this goes out to all the winners out there, who know that it isn't about luck, fitness, or sometimes even destiny.  It's about passion, purpose, and listening to that voice inside your head to do what is right. It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Today is Day 39 of the P90X Challenge that was set forth into action on June 19th in Los Angeles, CA at the Beachbody Coach Summit.  Coach Tim and I decided to complete a full round of P90X in preparation for P90X MC2 that will be released later this fall.  Actually, we have approximately 37 people who are participating in this challenge via Facebook.  It's really neat to know that you are not alone in this fitness journey.  Actually, this is what separates Beachbody in the marketplace.  We have a proven system of accountability with Coaches to keep you motivated.  You are not alone. Decide, Commit, and you will Succeed.

So, as mentioned previously, today is Day 39.  It doesn't matter where you are in your fitness journey.  Perhaps you've been distracted lately and know in your head that you need to start again but just don't know where.  Or, maybe you've been working out faithfully every day to your program and haven't missed a beat.  Even further, maybe you've had your battles of ups and downs with food and making healthy choices.  It doesn't matter what the circumstance is.  You can always do better, you can push harder, you can take it to the next level.  Run like you've never run before.  Step it up.  Set goals and work towards them.

I haven't really been a fan of Yoga in the past.  This morning I knew my coach was going to be doing P90X YogaX at 5:30am.  There was no room in my head for excuses.  I rose to the occasion and pushed play at that time as well.  I know that my prime time to work out is in the afternoon/evenings, but something has clicked during the past couple days.  It's just nice to have it out of the way early in the morning.  It provides a guilt-free evening with Peter and even more time to reach out and help others on their journey.  Slowly, I am adapting to a new schedule.

Run like you've never run before.  There's something that I really like about that.  It pushes me and it makes me evaluate where I am in this health and fitness journey.  I do not have a magic number in mind for the scale.  To date it still reads 170lbs.  I'm 5'8" and 170lbs.  That's 15lbs lighter than what I was when I enlisted in the Navy 12 years ago.  Since then I've had my series of ups and downs with my weight.  I've overcame a lot of demons in my head, specifically eating disorders.  I've come to peace with my body and food isn't an obstacle anymore.  I'm fighting every day to make healthy decisions, to push play and to workout, to be a great example for Peter on how important it is to make physical activity an integral part of your life.  It's tough, but that's not an excuse to NOT fight.

Run like you've never run before.  Funny thing, I never thought of myself as a runner.  As I look back on this journey that started January 2009, I've completed around 10 5K's.  That's a lot of T-shirts!  I've committed to a 10K on September 10th, and won an entry to a 1/2 Marathon in March 2012.  If I'm not a runner, I must be one crazy woman running away from something chasing me!  Alas, I run as a form of freedom.  Out there on the trail it is just me and nature.  I do not listen to any music, but I sing my prayers to God.  I find myself singing in worship more and more as the miles accumulate.  It's the strangest thing I've ever noticed before.  I don't like to carry anything in my hands, and I really don't like to have a water bottle strapped to my waist.  The longest run I've completed recently was 10 miles in PA 3 weeks ago.  Nobody can just get up and run 10 miles without dying if they haven't practiced.  So, I guess I must be a runner.  I am a runner.  Wow.  That's pretty awesome!

So, my heart is calling each and every one of you to take a look at  your goals.  Re-evaluate and chase after them with the desire to finish strong.  I know you can do it.  Just put the plan into action and stick with it.  Before you know it, you'll accomplish something that you never thought you could do before!  THAT is what it's all about! 

Hugs.
-Angela

Now What?

Good afternoon Friends~!

The title of this post is called 'Now What?' because what do we do when the excitement is over, when the party is complete, when the vacation has ended? Ultimately, the answer is, "Get back to work!"

I spent this past week (June 15-19, 2011) in Los Angeles, CA attending the annual Team Beachbody Coach Summit. There were 2,500 of us "coaches" who traveled from all over the United States to engage in the company, to network with other coaches, to learn & grow personally and professionally, to recognize & celebrate achievements of the top performers, to recapture the feeling of why we are coaches in the first place. There are so many reasons why people go to Summit. These are just a few of mine.

Beachbody's mission is to help people achieve their goals while living a healthy and fulfilling life. When it comes down to business, it's always about people. People helping people get what they want. Fortunately for us all, every active coach has a specific drive and passion for helping people. It doesn't stop with getting fit & healthy.

In 2010 Beachbody donated a total over $500K to a variety of charities. Raincatcher is a non-profit organization that’s committed to providing clean drinking water for those who go without. We were fortunate to donate over $280K to this charity by our hard work and dedication to people. It feels great to give back! Go to: www.raincatcher.org for additional information.

So, how do we help people? We listen with our ears to those around us. We actively engage and react to things such as, "I'm so tired." "I'm so tired of being sick and tired." "Where do you get all your energy from?" "Does that stuff really work?" All we do is share our stories and tools. And, YES, they do work!

Now that the Summit is all over, we have marching orders. Our orders are to help end the trend of obesity one person at a time. This can be done in a variety of ways: starting fit clubs, inviting people to workout with you, educating people on how to eat healthy, teaching the importance of rest and truly listening to your body, committing to a healthier lifestyle. But it doesn't end there.

This past Sunday I casually mentioned to my coach that I was going to start another round of P90X so that I can be ready for the new P90XMC2 that's coming out later this fall. Little did I know that he was going to join me. Furthermore, I had no idea that there was a higher level of accountability attached to this commitment. I am posting videos to the Facebook page, I am keeping track of calories consumed and burned, I am stepping outside the realm of comfort into a whole new level of accountability. But, isn't this what it's all about? To get something you've never had you must do something you've never done. Well folks, I never completed a full round of P90X before. Even though I've lost 40lbs with the program, I never finished. This time is different. When you partner with somebody, it makes it fun and enjoyable because you can share your experience. That's the Beachbody difference. We are here for you to support, mentor, and encourage. You just don't get that personal one-on-one when you buy a fitness DVD off the shelf.

Let's get to work. Let's help some people realize they were destined for greatness. Let's remove the blinders from their eyes so that they can dream again. I truly believe you can do anything you want to if you share your dreams with people and work for it. You have to believe in yourself that you can and will achieve success. Tell the whole world what you want to do and let them tell you that you can't. It will only make the fire within rage with hunger to prove them wrong.

I'd like to help you achieve your goals. This is what I desire, this is where my passion lies.

Thank you,
Angela

Compliments of Dawn Kingren

Portions! Portions! Portions!

One of the key elements to losing weight and keeping it off is practicing portion control. You can eat the best food for your body, but if you are intaking too many calories daily, you will not be able to lose weight. Here are some easy tips for keeping your portions in check to effectively lose weight.

Portion Control Tip #1: Don't Leave Food in Sight

Eating meals family style (where the dishes of food are in your sight) can make it much easier to reach for seconds. If they are not in the same room, you are much less likely to want more. Leave the pots and dishes in the kitchen, and fix yourself one serving. Let it settle for at least 20 minutes so that you acquire the feeling of being full.

Portion Control Tip #2: Use Meat as a Side Dish

Don't make meat the main course of your meal. Load up on healthy grains and vegetables instead, and have meat or a meat-based side dish. This way you will feel full faster and pack your diet with more vitamins and fiber, which is better for you in the long run.

Portion Control Tip #3: Split a Serving

When eating out, try splitting a meal with a friend or taking half of your meal home. Most restaurants provide more than one serving in a typical meal. By splitting it up, you can save money and save on the extra calories.

Portion Control Tip #4: Learn Serving Sizes

By learning to visually identify some simple serving sizes, you can better control your portions. When eating a typical serving size of meat, it should be about 3 ounces or the size of a deck of cards. A standard serving of grains or raw vegetables is about the size of a tennis ball or your fist.

Portion Control Tip #5: Eat Small Meals

Keep your blood sugar even throughout the day by eating small meals. You can keep your energy up and eat less overall because you do not get ravenous and overeat. People who eat 5 to 6 small meals a day are much more likely to maintain portion control because they never become too hungry.

Portion Control Tip #6: Portion out Food

When you are having a snack, be sure to divvy up your portions before you begin eating. It is quite difficult to eat just one portion of any snack food when eating straight out of the bag. By separating out one portion, it is much easier to stick to it, and not eat too much without even thinking about it.

Portion Control Tip #7: Break Down Leftovers

Instead of storing leftovers in a big container, separate them out into single servings. Then you can easily reach in the fridge and pull out one single serving to reheat. This will help you limit how much you are eating with very little effort.

Have a fit & healthy weekend!!

Thank you very much, Dawn! You're awesome!

Shakeology: Love Potion!

You've Got To "Move It-Move It"

Good afternoon All!

Your body craves movement! Think about it for a minute. Whenever you stay immobile for too lengthy of time, your brain sends a signal for you to MOVE your body!

This tiny revelation came to me today when sitting in the cube. Now, I don't really sit in a tiny cube at work. But, I spend a large portion of my day staring at a computer screen. If I don't get up and take a little walk to the opposite side of the building, to the restroom, or randomly make a reason to get up and stretch, my body pays the price.

Movement should be considered "therapy" for the body. Not only is it good for the brain, it is good for ALL of you. Movement equates to exercise. So, if movement is good for the entire body, wouldn't exercise be as well? And, if that is true, why do so many people dislike exercise? Why is exercise such a chore? Why do people get bored? Simply, it is because people haven't found the right type of movement they enjoy.

Remember when you were a little kid? Perhaps your mom would say something like this to you, "If you have that much energy, go outside!" or "No running in the house!"or "Keep the noise down!" I don't know about you, but I heard those phrases quite often growing up.

My point is simply that we cannot allow life to get in the way of being active. If you work in an office setting, go for walks on your breaks or stand up and stretch at your desk. Just move your body and it will like you.

I encourage you to find an activity that you enjoy! Perhaps, it is playing volleyball, softball, swimming, outdoor walking/running, basketball, football, kickboxing wrestling, dancing, etc. Whatever turns you on, just do it! Find at least an hour in your day to dedicate to YOU. Maybe it's 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night. That part doesn't matter. The more you move your body at an intense rate will ultimately change who you are. It's like the curtain will be removed and you'll be able to see more clearly, think sharper, focus, and have a sound state of mind. You will actually be more HAPPY and pleasant to be around and your confidence will increase. Don't trust me? Just try it for a month. Purposefully move your body at least 5 times a week and tell me I am wrong.

You've Got to Move-It, Move-It...just like the song in Madagascar!

Yoga Socks & Gloves

Whew! I just completed a full session of yoga and I feel compelled to tell you how I finally did it! The key for me was a tiny investment in yoga socks and gloves. I know that sounds really silly and twisted, however, I always became frustrated when I'd slip & slid all over the mat. These tiny tools enabled me to stay with it and complete the poses. Now, I'm not going to lie to you and pretend like I didn't fall a time or two because I did. BUT, I could go deeper in the lunges, float my heels higher into the sky while in downward dog and not slide. To me, this is huge!

I've always known that being flexible is important. Some people are extremely flexible while others are not quite that advanced. It doesn't matter what category you fall into, the bottom line is that you need to work at your flexibility. The best time to stretch is when your muscles are warm. So before you start static stretching, run in place, do some jumping jacks, or some squats. The objective is to get some blood pumping into your muscles before you stretch them. This will prevent injury and tearing of the muscle tissue.

How do they feel? Warm, especially if you sweat a LOT. The cotton will absorp the water so don't worry about it. Clear your head and stick with it. The socks are toe socks so each individual toe has it's own slot. This can feel uncomfortable at first but doesn't last long. The gloves are like weight lifting gloves with the finger tips exposed. They have tiny rubber grips on the soles and palms which enable you to grip the yoga mat and not slide. Very cool.

Give 'em a try and let me know what you think!

Live the Dream | Joe Markiewicz

Live the Dream Joe Markiewicz

Please take a moment to listen to this video clip. Many of you may not know Joe. He is a man of passion. He is a man of purpose.

Just listen to his story because it is much like mine...don't let anybody stop you from pursing your dreams. If you have ambition, don't let corporate america frustrate you.

I have a solution. Ask me what I do to pursue my dreams. Don't be surprised when I tell you it's helping other people accomplish theirs...just ask me and I will share with you how.

Let's go 'Live the Dream'. It's real. It's out there. Let's go for it!