The Masters Hammer & Chisel Details

Have you heard about the new program The Masters Hammer & Chisel?

It's a new program created by the people who made 21 Day Fix and BodyBeast and it's got a lot of buzz already...probably becase of photos like these:

And you may be wondering if it's a program you should try, so I'm here to answer that for you!

What is The Master’s Hammer and Chisel™? 

For the very first time, trainers Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese have teamed up to create an expert program designed to help you craft a powerful, perfectly defined body. The Master’s Hammer and Chisel is an innovative resistancetraining system that incorporates three muscle-sculpting phases—Stabilization, Strength, and Power—or SSP Training.

This is how Sagi and Autumn help you efficiently build, chisel, and refine a masterpiece physique in just 60 days.

About your Trainers 

Co-creators Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese are experts when it comes to incredible physical transformations. Sagi has been crowned Mr. Israel— twice—and is a Master Professional Personal Trainer, IFBB Pro, member of the IFBB Propta Hall of Fame, Certified Nutrition Specialist, and Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist.

Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity trainer, best-selling author, and working mom who has held certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA), and has competed at the national level in various bikini competitions.

What makes The Master’s Hammer and Chisel incredibly effective and unique?

The Master’s Hammer and Chisel is built on the three phases of SSP Training— Stabilization, Strength, and Power. Other workouts only focus on one or two phases, which might give you decent results. But The Master’s Hammer and Chisel program incorporates all three methods to help you relentlessly chip away fat and carve every muscle for a strong, visually stunning body in 60 days.

It has 12, 30- to 40-minute workouts that combine Sagi and Autumn’s proven techniques for 60 days of hardcore resistance training.

Sagi and Autumn make eating for your goals simple. That’s why they included their easy-to-follow and completely customizable nutrition plan, along with 7 portion-control containers that show you how to portion out the right amount of food to help you reach your unique fitness goals.

The flexible nutrition nutrition plan allows you to lean out, sculpt and maintain, or build muscle, you decide depending on your specific goals.

Includes options to adapt certain exercises if you have limited access to equipment. (Though you can get all the equipment you online pretty easily)

Includes a modifier who demonstrates some moves at a lower intensity.

Who is this program for?

Anyone looking for a comprehensive resistance-training or muscle-sculpting program, ideally you would have had some experience with weight training before, so if you're new to weights then something like the 21 Day Fix may be better for you.

Any who enjoyed Body Beast®, 21 Day Fix®, or 21 Day Fix EXTREME® will LOVE this program...I've done both 21 Day Fix and BodyBeast as well as gotten to preview some of the workouts in this program and they are awesome...this is my plan for January 2016.

Those who like the motivating styles and proven training methods of trainers Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese...I personally love the way Autumn coaches in her videos, and Sagi is hilarious because I feel like I'm being coached by Arnold...which would be awesome!

If you crave a simple, flexible nutrition plan to reach your unique goals then this is definitely for you as they make it really easy to follow and stick to a plan.

What equipment do you need?

This program is designed for people who already have a weight lifting background, so either you have access to what you need at a gym, or you can start to build your home gym (this is what I do ;) )

For this program you'll need some weights or a set of bands (though I highly suggest you use dumbbells as you get a better workout...I have bands and use them for certain things and for travel), a bench or stability ball, and a chin-up bar (and maybe an assistance band for it) or resistance band with a door attachment kit.

1. Stability Ball
2. Red Resistance Band

3. Door Attachment
4. 8-lb. Medicine Ball - if you go with the Delux upgrade this comes with it!

What supplements will I need for this program?

NUTRITION IS EVERYTHING!

You can't get the physique you want and stay healthy for the long term unless you're fueling your body with the nutrients you need.

I have a whole post about the supplements I take on a daily basis and that I recommend for all my clients, however for this program you'll probably want an extra boost in order to get maximum results.

1. Shakeology - The Challenge Pack comes with your first month's supply of Shakeology, and this is the most cost effective way to get it...it's a total nutrition shake and so much more than just protein. The adaptogenic herbs alone are worth adding this in to your daily routine.
2. Performance boosters - this program is designed to build muscle and sculpt your body, so you really need to pay attention to what you give your body in terms of nutrition to do that. The following supplements are going to help you get maximum results, but they aren't 100% necessary (but definitely recommended)
1. Energize - Blast through your toughest workouts with a surge of energy! Take Energize before every workout to help sharpen your focus, push harder, and last longer—because every ounce of extra energy means better results. Energize contains key ingredients scientifically shown to buffer lactic acid buildup and delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue, improve performance, and help you push with maximum intensity
2. Hydrate - Boost hydration during your workouts for outstanding performance. Typical sports drinks have too much sugar and artificial ingredients that can actually dehydrate you. And water alone doesn't effectively hydrate during exercise or replace what you lose through sweat. Hydrate is specially formulated for all-out performance with an optimal balance of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and water that quickly replaces what's lost and improves endurance, so you can work out longer and feel better
3. Recover - Help combat exercise-induced muscle soreness and jump-start recovery so you can hit every workout with strength and intensity. Recover takes advantage of the critical post-workout window with the ideal combination of time-released proteins and phytonutrients to help facilitate muscle recovery while helping to reduce muscle breakdown. Take Recover after every workout to help combat exercise-induced muscle soreness, speed muscle recovery, support muscle growth, and restore your strength
4. Recharge - Support your body's recovery overnight with Recharge. It's specially formulated to help accelerate overnight recovery, combat exercise-induced muscle soreness, and promote muscle growth when your body is primed to accept it—while you sleep! Slow-release protein, amino acids, and powerful phytonutrients help reduce muscle breakdown, promote lean-muscle synthesis, and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
5. Creatine - Blast through high-intensity exercises and turn your last rep into the second or thirdlast rep. Creatine helps you get extra strength so you can push that much harder in every workout, for ultimate performance and quicker results. Creatine monohydrate is the purest, safest, and most effective form in the world—it's scientifically shown to help boost strength and power, improve high-intensity performance, and enhance the effects of resistance training
   You can also get them as a pack that saves you over $45, one with creatine and one without creatine...or try out a single serving of each before you decide if you want to go for the whole thing

What’s included?

• 12 workouts on 6 DVDs that rapidly build, chisel, and refine your body using SSP Training. 
• A set of 7 portion-control containers and a Shakeology® shaker cup to help you master the art of nutrition— and sculpt your ultimate physique. 
• The Master’s Hammer and Chisel Program and Nutrition Guide, with your straightforward eating plan, easy-to- make recipes, and Sagi and Autumn’s expert tips for getting the most out of your workouts. 
• Quick-Start Guide lays out your 3-step blueprint for building the body you’ve always wanted.
• 60-Day Calendar that shows you which workout to do each day for efficient and effective training. 
• PLUS 2 FREE BONUS WORKOUTS 
• 10 Min Ab Hammer: Carve definition into your core while strengthening your entire ab complex.
• 10 Min Ab Chisel: This core-crusher will transform your midsection, without ever getting on the floor.
• Access to the program online from anywhere
• When you purchase The Master’s Hammer and Chisel and become a Premium Team Club member, you’ll get unlimited access to On Demand, where you can stream The Master’s Hammer and Chisel and hundreds of other proven workouts via any desktop, tablet, TV, or mobile device—wherever you have an internet connection.

The Base Kit

So what does it cost?

Always an important question...you have lots of options when it comes to this program, which means you can choose the best fit for your goals and budget

• Shakeology Challenge Pack - $160.00 full program with Shakeology, the nutrition guide, and portion containers
• Performance Challenge Pack - $160.00 full program with the Performance line instead of Shakeology, the nutrition guide, and portion containers
• Base Kit - $89.95 includes the full program, the nutrition guide, and portion containers
• Deluxe Kit - $179.70 includes everything in the base kit plus 4 advanced workouts, an 8lb medicine ball, and an extra set of containers
• Deluxe Upgrade - $89.85 would be good to add to either of the challenge packs or to get later on
• Deluxe DVD's only - $44.85 would be good to add to either of the challenge packs or to get later on if you don't need the medicine ball
• Basic Performance Pack - $109.95 adds on the Energize and Recover performance supplements and would be good to get along with any of the options above if you're interested in getting maximum results and don't want to do the full Performance line talked about above
• Full Performance Pack - $214.95 has the full line of performance supplements for ultimate results

Did I mention that if you sign up as a discount member with me you can get 25% off all of the programs and supplements? If this is interesting to you please reach out to me to talk about what this means (Hint: it's really easy to do!!)

Hopefully this answers all the questions you may have about the program! But if it doesn't please don't hesitate to reach out to me and ask, I'm always here for you!

Read More

What is the Beachbody Performance System?

Beachbody Performance is a balanced and complete supplement system of 5 products that combines performance-enhancing ingredients with plant-based nutrients scientifically shown to make a difference in energy, focus, stamina, strength, and recovery. 

Performance makes it possible to hit workouts harder and see results faster.

Check out the nutrition labels for each of the different products:

Energize Hydrate Recover Recharge Creatine

Who should use Beachbody Performance products?

People who like extreme workouts (e.g. P90X, INSANITY, and Body Beast), advanced exercisers or fitness enthusiasts (such as people who run marathons or do triathlons) will love these supplements.

These high quality supplements can aid in pushing past personal limits with better energy and muscle recovery for incredible results. Performance can also be helpful for beginners or those new to fitness, especially if soreness or lack of energy/motivation is an issue. 

The "weekend warrior" is another type pf person who can benefit. These are people who generally only have time to play sports on the weekends when they are not working. They may play basketball, tennis, soccer, or other sports for several hours at a time.

For more information check out the website dedicated to the Performance Line: www.MyBeachbodyPerformance.com

Pretty soon there will be a Product Recommender tool on their so you can figure out which one is right for you!

If you want to get all of the details about the product check out this webinar.

Here's what each of the products does:

Energize 

Help ignite your energy and sharpen your focus by taking Energize before workouts. It's specially formulated to help you push harder and last longer, because every ounce of extra energy means better results. Key ingredients include beta-alanine, low-dose caffeine from green tea, and plant-based quercetin scientifically shown to delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue, improve performance, and help you push with maximum intensity.

Hydrate 

Hydrate your body more effectively than water alone for all-out performance by drinking Hydrate during workouts. Typical sports drinks have too much sugar and artificial ingredients that can actually dehydrate you. And water alone doesn't effectively hydrate or replace what you lose through sweat during workouts. Hydrate is specially formulated to give you an optimal balance of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and water, which quickly replaces what's lost and helps improve your endurance, so you can work out longer and feel better.

Recover 

Take advantage of the critical post-workout window to help speed recovery and reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness with Recover. Key ingredients include high-quality time-released proteins to support muscle recovery, an optimal ratio of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to help build muscle, just enough carbohydrates to stimulate muscle glycogen recovery, and a powerful ellagitannin-rich pomegranate extract to help improve strength recovery and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness.

Recharge 

Help accelerate recovery, combat exercise-induced muscle soreness, and promote muscle growth when your body is primed to accept it: while you sleep. Recharge is specifically designed to help support your body at night, with key ingredients like micellar casein protein to support overnight muscle recovery and repair while combating breakdown, an optimal ratio of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to help support muscle growth, and a powerful anthocyanin-rich tart cherry powder to help reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Creatine 

Blast through high-intensity exercises and turn your last rep into the second or third to last rep. Creatine can help you push that much harder in every workout, for ultimate performance and quicker results. Creatine monohydrate is the purest, safest, and most effective form in the world--it's scientifically shown to help boost muscle strength and power, improve high-intensity performance, and enhance the effects of resistance training.

Check out the sampler pack if you want to try them all before buying a whole tub!

Performance Stack 2 products: Energize & Recover

Power up your performance and get a jump start on recovery with two crucial formulas--Energize and Recover--with key ingredients to help give you energy, sharpen your focus, improve your performance, and speed recovery.
Save almost $20 vs buying each product separately (including savings on s&h).

Advanced Performance Stack 4 products: Energize, Hydrate, Recover, Recharge

Get that lean, toned body faster than you ever thought possible. This stack includes 4 formulas with key ingredients so you can shatter your personal limits while helping you charge harder, last longer, perform better, and recover sooner.
Save over $45 vs buying each product separately (including savings on s&h).

Ultimate Performance Stack 5 products: Energize, Hydrate, Recover, Recharge, Creatine

Unleash your extreme body breakthrough for epic muscle-building results. The key ingredients in these 5 supplements can help propel your physique to the next level as you train with incredible intensity, strength, endurance, and recovery.
Save over $50 vs buying each product separately (including savings on s&h).

Check out the Guide Book online for FREE

21 Day Fix Creator Autumn Calabrese even did a little video about how these products fit into the container system:

For those that have been wondering how the new Beachbody Performance like fits into the Fix container system. Here is my short answer on it. Hope this helps.
Posted by Autumn Calabrese on Saturday, August 1, 2015

Here are some FAQ's about the product line:

1. What causes the bright yellow color in Energize and Hydrate? The ingredient quercetin (a natural phytonutrient present in fruits & vegetables) causes the yellow color.
2. What does the yellow color indicate? Yellow indicates high purity & potency in quercetin; Beachbody uses the highest quality in the industry.
3. Is the beet sugar in Energize GMO-free? PCR analysis testing by the supplier for the presence of GMO DNA showed no measurable GMO DNA.
4. Why is Soy Lecithin in Performance Recover? Click HERE for information of Soy Lecithin and Beachbody Performance.
5. Is the Soy Lecithin in Recover GMO free? PCR analysis testing by the supplier for the presence of GMO DNA showed no measurable GMO DNA.
6. Is there anything in Recharge that could help with better sleep? Tart Cherry is naturally high in melatonin which may help with sleep. The scientific studies on sleep are on tart cherry juice, however the tart cherry used in Recharge is an extract.
7. Does Beachbody Performance contain artificial ingredients or flavors? No. There are no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
8. Does Beachbody follow strict FDA required Good Manufacturing, What are the practices to prevent possible allergen contamination? Yes. However cross contamination can never be ruled out. See FAQ 5093 for details on manufacturing processes.
9. Does Beachbody Performance contain heavy metals or lead? Please see FAQ 9071 for more information on Prop 65.
10. Do the supplements contain caffeine? Energize has a very low dose of caffeine derived from green tea (100mg).

RECOMMENDED USE

1. When should Energize be taken? Energize should be taken within 30 minutes of starting exercise.
2. When should Hydrate be taken? Hydrate should be taken during intense or prolonged exercise.
3. When should Recover be taken? Recover should be taken within 30 minutes after exercising.
4. When should Recharge be taken? Recharge should be taken within an hour before going to sleep.
5. Can other supplements be combined with Beachbody Performance? To ensure safety, consult a physician prior to taking other supplements.
6. Should Recover or Recharge be mixed with Shakeology? No. For best results, do not mix Recover or Recharge with Shakeology. Instead consider the Boosts
7. While using Beachbody Performance, when should Shakeology be taken? Take Shakeology at least 30-60 minutes after consuming Recover.
8. What is the minimun age requirement for the Performance Supplements? Beachbody products are formulated for adults. Consult a physician for any other use.

MEDICAL

1. Are the products safe for pregnant/nursing women? View FAQ 9903 for advice.
2. Where are additional medical or nutritional concerns answered? View FAQ 9902 for additional medical or nutritional concerns.
3. While using Performance, can prescribed medications be taken? Please consult a physician for individual medical advice.

~Order here~

Read More

What is the Master's Hammer and Chisel?

The Master's Hammer and Chisel is the expert workout system that delivers breathtaking, body-changing results in as little as 60 days.

Trainers Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese are sought-after experts at sculpting spectacular physiques, and they have shelves full of competition prizes to prove it!

In the Master's Hammer and Chisel, they share their winning strategies in this breakthrough system of resistance training to shape powerful muscle, shed body fat, and build a ripped, statue-perfect physique.

The program won't be out until December of 2015 (can you say New Year's Resolutions!) so to be kept in the loop about it and be one of the first to get your hands on it, be sure to sign-up for the email newsletter

#HammerAndChisel

Read More

Best Workout Programs for Busy Women

Let’s face it… Trying to figure out the best workout programs for busy women can be a HUGE challenge! 

You have an active schedule and you often have a busy life that keeps you dashing from place to place all day long. 

With a hectic schedule it is hard to fit in a visit to the gym. Plus the truth is, a lot of days you most likely don’t have the self-motivation get there. 

Waking up in the morning over an hour early just to cram in thirty minutes at the gym, doesn’t appeal to most. Heading to the gym on your lunch break, how does that sound? Everyone knows that only works if the gym is close enough to your office to make that realistic. 

Then you have the stay-at-home moms who try to fit their workouts in between nap times, snacks, and all the responsibilities that come with being the parent home with the children all day; it takes twice as long to get to everyone packed up in the car to go to the gym, and that's only if your gym has a child-care center you can leave in them while you exercise. 

I get it, well, not the mom part, not yet anyways, but between owning my own store, seeing clients, and keeping up with house and yard-work when my husband is working in a different state, sometimes it feels like you’re never going to find the time to exercise.

So let’s get real. 

You need a workout that will fit into your schedule and allow you to strengthen your body, increase your cardiovascular fitness, and won't take up so much brain power that it's never going to happen.

There’s no need to go to the gym and waste 30-60 minutes of your time round trip to sort of get a workout; or worse, pay for a gym membership that you never use. 

So how do you get all of this? Well, thanks to the power of the internet, you can stream workouts directly to your computer, phone, or tablet.

OnDemand streaming offers the best workout programs for women and men alike, all in one place. 

You have easy access 24/7, and all you have to do is choose the routine that works best for you (or design your own routine based around a selection of several different videos). 

On-Demand offers plenty of workouts that are easy to incorporate into any schedule and it offers a huge variety of programs for the beginner and experienced exerciser alike. 

Your biggest decision is to choose the time of day that works best for you! You can pull up any of a selection of videos and get your workout in whenever and wherever you want. Yes that is what I said…you can work out anywhere. 

Recently when I was in Alaska, I would stream the programs to my cabin, or a field in a park, or wherever I happened to be. (If you want to see, you can watch me doing a dance workout here)

You can choose from some of the most popular programs like P90X®, P90X2®, P90X3®, INSANITY®, TurboFire®, ChaLEAN Extreme®, Brazil Butt Lift®, 10-Minute Trainer®, and Hip Hop Abs®. All of them are available for you to stream at your convenience. 

Another great feature is you get insider sneak peeks. With these sneak peeks you get access to try programs like PiYo®, 21 Day Fix®, Body Beast®, or FOCUS T25®. Plus, new titles are added to the library each month, so you’ll never run out of fun, exciting new workout routines that will help you get results. You get all of this for one low monthly fee.

It is time to stop feeling like you will never find a workout program that works for you. It is time to stop wasting money on gym membership. It is time to stop wasting time driving to and from the gym. The Beachbody Challenge is what you need to get results and save you time and money. Beachbody programs allow you to work out from home (saving time and money), get access to nutrition and meal planning membership benefits, and provides you with a FREE health, fitness, and nutrition coach. 

Tell me what gym membership ever gave you a FREE Coach?

Read More

Strength Training Exercises: Without a Gym Membership

With your busy schedule, you don’t always have time to get to the gym. Whether you’re working full time outside the home, working from home, or a stay-at-home spouse or parent, your schedule is packed with things that you need to get done. That is understandable but that shouldn’t prevent you from being healthy and having the body you’ve always wanted. Strength Training Exercises can be accomplished right in your living room, or any other room in your house. No fancy gym equipment needed, and Without a Gym Membership!

Simply pick a Beachbody On-Demand program that works for you. With Beachbody On-Demand you can fit your workout in no matter what time of day it is, and you can do it anywhere. One of the best things about the Beachbody On-Demand programs, is there is something for every fitness level. Each program has a modifier for each exercise and will show you how to perform the exercises correctly to avoid injury. No matter what your fitness level, beginner to super experienced there is a Beachbody On-Demand program that will work for you.

Strength Training Exercises: Without a Gym Membership

Ideally, you want a program that will challenge you without pushing you too hard. Most of the at-home strength training programs progress at the level that is needed to give you that push. Of course you can always use the modifier if necessary to fit your current activity level. You can choose body weight exercises, or try a workout that uses weights, bands, or other basic tools that you might already have sitting in your home. Of course if you are just getting started and don’t want to commit to buying equipment you can always use canned food or water bottles for hand weights.

If it’s been a while since you last engaged in regular exercise, it’s probably unrealistic to expect yourself to dive in to exercising five or more days per week. If this is the case it would be suggested to start with a basic exercise program that allows you to get in some strength training two or three days per week. It is would also be recommended that you follow the calendar for the program to help keep you on track. Be sure to give yourself small rewards for staying on track. Maybe there’s a movie that you’ve been desperate to see or a book that you’ve been waiting to read. Promise yourself that if you stay on track with your strength training program for an entire week, you’ll allow yourself that treat.

Mix it up! With the huge library offered by Beachbody On-Demand, you can easily access different programs and workouts that will keep your routine fresh and interesting. Having a steady regimen for 3-4 weeks and then changing it up is always a good thing. This can help create greater results.

Workouts and strength training through Beachbody On-Demand is an easy way to get in shape from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to go anywhere and it will save you some money by not having a gym membership or driving to the gym. All you need is a television, tablet, or computer and a commitment to getting in better shape. What more could you ask for?

Original article: http://www.gettingfittogether.com/strength-training-exercises-without-a-gym-membership/#!328

Read More

How to Get Fit Fast

All of us want to get fit but many of us don’t want to wait six months or a year to see results. We want know, How To Get Fit Fast. When you start seeing results in a couple of weeks and your body starts shaping up within a month or so, you feel more motivated to keep going. 

At the same time, you need to make sure that you’re not overdoing things. Your body can only take so much, in terms of exercise and diet. You don’t want to develop any type eating disorder or gymnorexia. 

So always keep in mind that you are perfect no matter what, and that it's a life-long process to get healthy and STAY healthy, and trying to achieve a weightless goal too quickly can cause problems.

With that said, here are some of my favorite tips to help you get in shape:

• Eat More Protein. If you want your muscles to heal faster so that you can put more effort into your workouts, you’ll need to give your body more protein. Most of us get a certain amount of protein everyday but you’ll probably need to up this number in order to build more lean muscle. Good, easy sources of protein include eggs, chicken and fish. Additionally, you could add a meal replacement shake like Shakeology to get about 16 grams of protein. Make sure you have one source of protein at every meal and you’ll see your body toning up faster. (if you need help determining how much protein you need to be eating, then get in touch with me and we'll set-up an appointment to work on your specific needs)

• Lift More. No matter what, if your goal is to loose fat (notice I said lose fat not weight) or gain muscle, you need to be lifting weights. Many times, women are under the mistaken impression that if they lift heavier weights, they’ll end up looking more masculine. However, a woman’s body is just built differently. So it’s not possible for them to develop the type of muscle tone that men have unless they’re really lifting very heavy weights and potentially supplementing with not-good-for-you stuff. If you’ve been using three pound weights and you want to see more results, it’s not going to hurt you to move to five pound weights. If you’re at five pounds, you can easily move to seven. Pick a program that helps you progress with weights so you know you're going to be making changes. BodyBeast is a great one for really focusing on muscle gains, and P90X3 or ChaLEAN Extreme are wonderful for over-all muscle building and fitness.

• Eat Fruits and Veggies. We all know that fruits and veggies are important if you want to have a balanced diet. But more than that, eating fruits and vegetables will give you the energy you need to keep going and will help you maintain your health because they are full of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to produce energy. You don’t want to have the kind of weight loss which results in your looking pale and becoming weak. In order to avoid this, try to get as many bright colors as you can on your plate. You may also want to consider whether you should start taking vitamins.

• Do Something You Enjoy. You can get immediate results by doing a number of different workouts. However, many of us get a little bored when we keep going for a full hour on a treadmill or elliptical trainer.  An incredible option is that you can subscribe to Beachbody On Demand where you get access to over 150 different streaming workout videos and you can pick and choose one that interests you. If you get bored of one video, you can always switch to another. Beachbody On Demand also gives you an incredible variety of on-line tools like meal planners, shopping list, as well as support from a Beachbody Coach  (that's me!!) at no additional cost to help you stay on track!  Plus, you have the option of doing something that is in tune with your fitness goals which may include weight loss, toning or advanced body sculpting.

Read More

A Balanced Workout Routine

So often people get stuck doing the same type of exercises at the gym. Typically you will see the majority of women on cardio equipment, while men are lifting weights, but this separation between what men and women tend to do at the gym isn't a good thing, the truth of the matter is that you need to find a balance and have variety in what you do to get the best results.

Often women are nervous about using weights but comfortable with cardio, so they tend to gravitate toward the cardio section of the gym. Most men have been trained to view an extremely muscular body as the ideal, and feel the only way to obtain this is by slinging weights around the weight room while ignoring cardio exercise. Unfortunately this is not good for either men or women, and a lot of times this comes with bad form in both the cardio and weight areas of the gym.

The truth is if you want to achieve a slim toned look (like most women) or achieve muscle definition (like most men), you will need to create a balance between cardio at the right intensity level and weight training that provides the appropriate repetitions and sets. It is also always good to have some flexibility and balance training to round out your routine, and it will enhance both your cardio and weight training regimens and help prevent injury.

Here are some tips for a balanced workout routine:

Assess Your Goals

Determine what you are aiming to obtain through health and fitness. 

For example if you’re overweight, your overall goal may be to lose weight. Now you need to create smaller goals to work toward the overall goal. 

The first thing you will want to do is determine your body composition which is the percentage of body fat you are currently carrying on your body. To figure this out you can either go to a gym to have it measured or you can create a FREE account at Team Beachbody and use the body fat calculator that is found under Fitness Tools. You can also buy a body fat caliper and a tape measure to get really accurate measurements. This will provide you with your current percentage so you can set up realistic, safe, and progressive goals each month to get your body fat to normal levels.

Combine Cardio and Weights

To have a balanced weight loss workout regimen, you must combine cardio and weight training. The key here, is to be sure you are working at an intensity that will provide results. To know this you should know your target heart rate. Again you can use the tools on Team Beachbody to figure your target heart rate. 

A good daily balance of cardio and weights would be to alternate cardio and full-body resistance training. You can also do a combination of cardio and weights on your weight training days if you so choose.

Some examples of balanced workout regimens would be the P90X program which consists of 12 workouts that include resistance training, cardio training, plyometric training, abdominal training and yoga. 

If 90 days sounds like too much to commit to right away you can start with the 21 Day Fix Extreme. This program still provides you with that amazing combination of cardio and weights, but in quick 30 minute workouts that you do for 21 days.

If you are interested in a program that has a greater amount of cardio but still provides resistance training, TurboFire is a 90 day program that would work. 

You always want to choose a program that best aligns what you like and your goals. 

Of course if you prefer to do something different every day, you can always create a hybrid of multiple programs as long as you create a good combination of weights and cardio, and still allow for appropriate muscle recovery. A great options for creating a hybrid is Beachbody On-Demand. Beachbody On-Demand gives you access to over 150 workout programs plus a coach. With an online coach and Beachbody On-Demand you can definitely get the right mix of strength-training and cardio to reach your goals.

The Importance of Flexibility and Balance

Flexibility and balance is an important part of any routine, and most of us don’t do it enough or do it at all. The more you stretch and work on flexibility and balance the quicker you will recover. This means less aches and pains, and greater results with your workouts. You will also be less likely to skip a workout because your entire body is stiff and sore.

Some strength and cardio programs already have flexibility and balance training as a part of the program. Even if they are a part of the overall program, it is still a good idea to take an extra 5-10 minutes after each workout to stretch the entire body. As you utilize flexibility and balance training you will see your overall performance improve, and that your body will truly feel better.

If you're looking for a program that focused on flexibility but also includes some cardio and strength then check out PiYo, a pilates/yoga hybrid program that's harder than it looks

Get Your Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition

Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day. I know you have heard that before, and we all know that not everyone feels they have the time to prepare breakfast. Some of us barely have time to find our keys, let alone brew a cup of coffee before we’re out the door and on our way to work.

You do need to remember that if you’re looking to lose weight you have to have breakfast. If time is an issue then why not try a protein packed and nutrient-dense shake? They’re fast, easy to make, and your breakfast options becomes endless with your creativity. Make breakfast a priority and get total nutrition with Shakeology from Beachbody.

It is great when you can whip up breakfast with one of these delicious shakes in LESS THAN ONE MINUTE. Shakeology is truly YOUR Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition. It is packed with incredible amounts of high quality protein, antioxidants, phytonutrients, pre and probiotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods that your body desperately needs and craves.*

Plus, Shakeology can help to increase your energy levels, and reduce junk food cravings. Because Shakeology’s key ingredients are derived from whole food sources, your body will be able to easily absorb and utilize the nutrients immediately.

Often people get stuck at the gym because they weren't told how to effectively mix of their workout routines, and unless you want to pay a personal trainer a bunch of money to create a program for you, you may find yourself in a rut.

Any easy solution to this problem is to get a done-for-you program that provides you with a balanced approach so you never get stuck not knowing what to do next.

And if you want to be even more successful, get a challenge pack that includes the first month's supply of Shakeology.

P.S. When you order a product or a program through the links on this page, I get a small commission from it, and you get access to me as your personal coach...for FREE!! So now you now have everything you need to be successful!

Read More

3 Easy Steps to Get Fit Fast

Because who doesn't want to be fit faster!!

Most people I know LOVE the idea of getting in shape quick, the "Magic Bullet" idea has been around FOREVER in the health and fitness industry: "This new pill will help you lose 10 pounds over night!"

But it really doesn't work that way, you're body is smarter than that, and it's going to adapt and it's going to find ways to get you to go back to doing something less extreme, because it doesn't like extreme, for the long-haul anyways.

That's why our New Year’s Resolutions don’t stick quite as easily as the weight does, because we make this big lofty goals of going to the gym for hours everyday, but then life happens and we forget all about it. 

The truth of the matter is that you have to find a plan that works for you, for the long-term, something that you can do day in and day out, because if you can't stick to it, you won't do it, and then it won't work.

With summer upon us and nearly half the year over, many people are starting to feel that their beach body may not elicit the ‘wows’ they had hoped for.

That being said, there are some things that you can do to get yourself started off on the right track Faster...whether your goal is to lose weight, slim down, build muscle or gain strength, this guide will help you along on the way.

How To Get Fit Fast in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: The Diet

The diet – perhaps one of the most difficult actions to take in your fitness regime. 

Let’s first discuss the foods you should be eating, rather than the meal choices that will compromise your progress. You want foods that are full of nutrients and protein and fiber that start slimming down your waistline the moment they enter your mouth. 

Vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, and for those who can tolerate them, legumes and dairy products build muscle, burn fat, and keep your body well-nourished and performing optimally.

Try to eat as many of the foods below:

• Wild-caught salmon, tuna, and mackerel for quality omega-3 fats and easy to digest muscle building protein.
• High quality meats like organic chicken and turkey, as well as wild game meats like buffalo to build muscle and strengthen your immune system.
• Spinach and kale to boost your nutrients, fight free radicals, and improve muscle recovery.
• Beets for stamina, berries for satiety, grapefruit for metabolism.
• Yogurt and cheese for quick and easy protein as well as calcium to strengthen your bones and fire up weight loss.
• Beans and legumes to provide fiber, burn fat, and regulate digestion.

These foods are chock full of proteins, nutrients, and health benefits to help you get into shape faster and your muscles roaring. It goes without saying (but let’s say it anyways ) that pizza, fries, chocolate cake and the like should be eaten sparingly, or you’ll put right back on whatever weight you lost.

Don't go crazy with restricting your favorite foods (because that will back-fire later on), just learn how to make healthier versions of them!

One of the tools that I highly recommend to all my clients who need help with their nutrition is the 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack. It come's with an easy to follow guided nutrition plan, a nutrient dense superfoods shake mix (to make life even easier!) and a 21 day fitness plan. I will also help walk you through it and personalize it just for you and your needs and goals. It's really so easy to get started.

Step 2: The Cardio

To lose weight, you must create a caloric deficit, meaning your body needs to burn off more calories than it takes in. Cardio workouts are not only the best way to create a caloric deficit and shed some pounds, but it also encourages a healthy heart, improves blood circulation, and makes your body lean.

Whether you decide to bike around your neighborhood, get some miles in on the treadmill, or swim laps in a pool, you should aim for at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity to reduce the risk of heart disease and fight off any gains in weight. 

The trick is to not over do it on the cardio, excess cardio can be a stressor on your body, and excess stress contributes to weight gain and makes fat loss harder.

When people think of cardio they often think of hours on a treadmill or elliptical, but that doesn't have to be the case, your options aren’t limited to the gym: mow the lawn, play with the dog, go dancing, or my all time favorite, take a walk!

Walking is one of the best cardio activities you can do, in fact leisure walking for 30-90 minutes just after your workout has been shown to help reduce stress levels and increase your fat burning.

Step 3: The Workouts

Now it’s time to get your body looking toned and fit. 

Adding strength training to your fitness regime will enhance your metabolism, improve your strength, and help you develop shapely muscles, which will make you look leaner. It's also the only way to gain mass for those looking to do so.

To sculpt your arms, upper back, shoulders and chest my favorite exercises are push-ups, pull-ups, tricep dips, bench presses, and shoulder presses. You can do all of these at home with some simple exercise bands, or invest in some weights (it's worth it, I promise)

Squats, lunges and deadlifts are the best exercises for your lower body, there are a TON more that you can do, but starting with the basic three is crucial.

Building your muscles through resistance training is a great way to spike your metabolism, and get a lot stronger. Try to do some weight training 3-4 times a week. 

Remember to start off light, gradually adding more weight to avoid injuries, and to take a day or two off to let your body rest. If you need help with a program there are lots of great ones out there.

Don't forget about your core either, sit-ups, air bikes and Russian twists will help flatten your midsection without the need for equipment. If these are a bit mundane for you, search or ask around the gym or web for tummy toning exercises that will also help and won't leave you bored with the same-ol'-same-ol' stuff..

To top off your fitness regime, add some yoga to the mix for a bit of mind and body exercise. Whether you join a class or practice in your living room, yoga is a great way to improve your balance, flexibility and your overall health and well-being.

Staying Motivated

Getting fit requires discipline and motivation. Getting fit fast requires the same. But both start with the right mind-set. In fact, the only obstacle preventing you from a beautiful body and exceptional health is your motivation.

Getting fit alone can quickly get frustrating. Without the right guidance and advice it can even be dangerous. But support is there.

If you’re looking for the best place to get fit fast, Beachbody On Demand provides hundreds of online workouts proven to get you burn off calories and get you ripped. You can stream all the world-class programs right from your computer as soon as you sign up, get unique meal plans customized to your goals, and connect with others, so you don’t have to do it alone.

It’s a great way to stay motivated. On top of that, you’ll get your own personal coach (me!) for one-on-one guidance and support to help you get fit even faster.

~~~~~

If you have any questions don't hesitate to email me, and make sure you're signed up for my email newsletter to be the first one to get access to special deals.

You get a FREE recipe book of 101 Healthy Smoothies when you sign up!!

~~~~~

(Adapted from: http://www.gettingfittogether.com/how-to-get-fit-fast-in-3-easy-steps/#!328)

Read More

Women Want Muscles too!!

Hopefully by now you no longer believe the old paradigm of women lifting = bulky women ...it just doesn't work that way for us females (unless you try really really hard and perhaps take some crazy un-healthy drugs). 

In fact, lifting weights as women is SUPER IMPORTANT for a huge variety of reasons:



1. Bone density maintenance = no osteoperosis in old age
2. Muscle building = increased metabolism = more fat burned on a regular basis
3. Muscle definition = looking more toned, slim, and fit

It's one of my goals in life to never become one of those little old ladies who can't carry her own purse around. Kael used to get upset when I wouldn't let him help me with my luggage when we travelled and I told him that if I brought it I should have to carry it (and be ABLE to carry it).

Of course there are times when I still need his help with heavy things, but it's nice to be able to do some heavy lifting of my own...plus the look on the employee's face at Home Depot when you go to pick up the 60 lb. sand bag and put it in your cart on your own is priceless. 

Never underestimate (or judge in anyway) someone based on their looks.

For many women, the idea of going over to the weight section in a gym, full of grunting, sweating, beefy looking guys is downright terrifying. Not only do you not want to look like you don't know what you're doing, you also don't want to get in the way, or be stared at, am I right? I know I felt this way for a long time, and it wasn't until I had a guy to workout with who could show me all the moves did I feel comfortable eventually going over there on my own.

So what do you do to get these so called muscles?

If you're like me and don't have the money to pay for a personal trainer for a few months (hello $$$$$!), and are uncomfortable in the weight section of the gym, then Body Beast may be your answer.

Check out this interview with a former body builder woman where she tells you everything you need to know about the program

As a former female bodybuilder, I’ve always loved the weight room. It’s my sanctuary—my place to strengthen and build the muscular temple of my dreams. Getting physically stronger makes me mentally stronger—and the aesthetic benefits aren’t too shabby either.

But the thought of having a “bodybuilder” physique, complete with massive biceps and bulky thighs, sends many women running straight for the elliptical, which is sad considering how beneficial a proper lifting regime can be. In this article, I’ll address the concerns you might have about weight lifting and help you answer whether or not Body Beast is the right program for you.

Q. Can women do Body Beast?

A. Absolutely. Body Beast is designed to promote muscle growth with limited cardio. That doesn’t mean you won’t burn calories or reduce your body fat. The program uses a technique called Dynamic Set Training™ that maximizes your muscular pump, caloric burn, and testosterone-filled hormonal cascades in order to create rapid changes in your body composition, whether you are male or female.

Q. How does a woman benefit from weight lifting?

A. As you age, you lose muscle mass. Through weight lifting, you can help offset this and increase your bone density. Women who lift weights during their teen and young adult years benefit as adults. Stronger muscles and denser bones make walking up stairs, carrying the groceries, and lifting your children easier. But that’s not all. When you weight train properly, you can improve your balance and build muscles that protect your joints, which helps ward off injury.

Weight training also has a positive effect on disease control and prevention. According to the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes can experience “improved insulin sensitivity, improved glucose tolerance…and a lower risk for heart disease.” To see results, they recommend strength training at least 2 to 3 times a week.

Q. Will I become huge and burly?

A. No. Women simply don’t have enough testosterone to build bulk like men do. If you’re worried about bulking, focus on how many calories you’re eating. That includes calories from protein. Contrary to another fitness myth, excess dietary protein is stored as fat. Unless you’re supplementing your diet with a testosterone-enhancing hormone cocktail and overeating, it’s almost impossible for a woman to get bulky.

Q. Can I use it as a weight loss program?

A. While BB is structured to help you gain lean muscle, whether this means that you ultimately gain or lose weight is reflected in your diet. Increased muscle mass speeds up your metabolism. If you don’t overeat you’ll burn body fat like butter. If you want to get huge, you’ll need to eat and eat to support your new muscle. The Book of Beast shows how to do both.

Q. What is the difference between the Huge and the Lean Beast?

A. There are two different Beast training schedules: Huge and Lean, both of which come in the Body Beast kit. If you are solely focused on getting big, follow the Huge Beast schedule. It focuses on building muscle with heavy weights and little cardio. If you choose the Lean Beast schedule, you’ll do more cardio and spend additional time shredding in the third phase of the program, the Beast phase.

Q. Why would a women need testosterone?

A. A woman’s body produces testosterone, just not at the level of a man’s. Testosterone strengthens the libido, provides a sense of well-being, and improves muscle tone. The training in Body Beast increases your testosterone levels so that you benefit from all of the above. Beachbody does not recommend taking synthetic forms of testosterone as these can shut down your natural testosterone production.

Q. Do I have to eat all that food?

A. If you don’t want to gain mass, use a caloric calculator from a different Beachbody program: P90X, P90X2, INSANITY, THE ASYLUM, TurboFire, etc. After you’ve calculated your caloric content, use the portions and recipes in the Body Beast guidebook. Nutritional supplements will also work in your favor as long as you time them correctly (see the answer to the next question). If you’re looking to be a Huge Beast, stick with the Body Beast guidebook and supplements. Some women want to gain as much mass as possible, and the crux of becoming an Amazon is eating enough.

When I was bodybuilding, I wanted to add muscle to all areas of my body. I did, but I also found that I was dropping clothing sizes as I trained. My plan was similar to the Beast plan in that I ate multiple times of day and my meals were composed of complex carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables. The Beast supplements were not around when I was bodybuilding, but I did supplement with protein bars and protein shakes to help my muscles grow.

P.S. I can help you calculate your calorie needs for your goals and work with you on the supplements that you may benefit from, it's part of what I do as a coach when you order your program through me.

Q. Do I have to take supplements? Will they make me too big?

A. If you want to gain muscle and get big, it helps to add a little something extra to your diet. Body Beast offers four supplements to help boost your performance, your recovery, and your results: Fuel Shot, Hardcore Base Shake, M.A.X. Creatine, and Super Suma. They can work for women as well as men.

Fuel Shot and Hardcore Base Shake contain a mixture of protein and electrolytes as well as carbohydrates to restore glycogen. If you are following a nutrition guide from another program, you probably won’t need to supplement with these unless you’re trying to gain mass or you’re a vegetarian. In the case of the latter, I recommend supplementing with Hardcore Base Shake protein to ensure you’re getting enough protein.

M.A.X. Creatine isn’t necessary for women looking to lose weight, but it is a great supplement if you want to increase your strength gains for short burst and explosive activities. When I’ve supplemented with creatine in the past, I’ve bloated a bit. This is a common side effect. If you’re not comfortable with the extra bloat, cut back on the supplement.

Suma, also known as Brazilian ginseng, is an adaptogen that, according to the Tropical Plant Database, “increases the body’s resistance to adverse influences.” It also normalizes the cardiovascular system, the central nervous system, and acts as an immuno-stimulant. If you’re a competitive athlete, suma may be on your banned substance list, so please check with your governing body before taking this supplement. Otherwise, it is completely healthy for both men and women to take.

While not all women will be interested in Body Beast, if done correctly, it can add effectiveness to almost any exercise program. But if you’re someone who has always envied Xena’s physique, Body Beast might just be the program to release your inner warrior princess.

Read More