What Could Ruin Your Relationships?

An excerpt from "Who You Are When No One's Looking" by Bill Hybels:

Most people have no idea how much their physical condition undermines their attempts to love other people. They fail to realize that it takes physical energy to listen, to serve, to confront and to encourage people who need help sorting out life. Not only are physically run-down people short on energy; they also tend to be easily irritated, critical, short-fused, defensive and negative. (Any names coming to mind?) It is hard for them to love others, and it is equally hard for others to love them.

You and I both know the three rules for staying fit: eat right, sleep enough and exercise. Most Americans eat far too much sugar and fat; consequently, many are overweight. It is also why people suffer from sugar highs and lows, and it has a lot to do with the high rate of heart disease. It is impossible to maintain good physical reserves on a junk-food diet.

In addition, some people add insult to injury by being careless about sleep. If you don't wake up reasonably refreshed, you're probably not spending enough time in bed. Or maybe the time you spend there is less than refreshing because the coffee you drank all day or the greasy slice of pizza you ate at midnight is keeping you awake.

But the real kicker is exercise. Here's a good clue: If your only form of physical activity on a typical day involves walking down the hall to the next meeting, you're missing the exercise boat. I know, I know, there's not enough time to exercise. Trust me, either take the time to workout or you'll be spending all of your time cleaing up the relational messes you make because you're always wiped out.


I know when I think of exercise I think in terms of health conditions, maintaining a certain weight, looking my best, etc. but this page really jumped out at me of why so many people might be so darn crabby. They aren't moving enough!

I've seen it happen in my own life. I remember a point last school year when I took about a week off to write papers, study for exams and make sure everything was turned in. That week was HELL! I remember thinking to myself, "Why the heck are you SNAPPING at EVERYBODY!?" Omg I was a bitch.

And I didn't realize I missed working out until I did it. I decided one night that I would wait to write the paper and go do a 45 minute workout dvd, I felt SO much better!

But there are so many people who have never tried to exercise - meaning they don't know what they are missing out on. I've personally seen it, someone's personality will do a 360 once they start working out. The crabbiest person can transform into the one with the most spirit! That person becomes the one attracting people instead of pushing others out with their off-personality.

Don't let something like exercise ruin your relationships with others. You never know who you could be sending the wrong message out to!

You Are What Your Friends Eat: How Social Networks Affect Our Health

By Stephanie S. Saunders

Everyone knows that you are what you eat. But what if you actually are what your friends eat? What if obesity was not hereditary, but contagious? Sure, it's easier to blame your parents for that sort of thing. After all, why wouldn't the size of your hips be the result of bad genes? But a few years ago, two scientists published an extensive study of 12,067 people in the New England Journal of Medicine that seems to prove that we are directly affected by the habits of others.

Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler theorized that weight gain in an individual is associated with weight gain in his or her siblings, spouse, and neighbors. The phenomenon is called a "contagion" and can be described as a kind of social virus that is transmitted by proximity. It seems a person is 57 percent more likely to become obese if they have a friend who becomes obese. If a sibling becomes obese, the other sibling has a 47 percent increased chance of having the same thing happen to them. And a person has a 37 percent chance of serious weight gain if their spouse starts tipping the scales. No one is exactly sure how it occurs, but our social environment seems to infect us, and we in turn, spread it.

Yes, you read it right. It seems weight gain and the flu have a lot in common, except Walgreens® isn't doling out shots to keep you thin. Many public health leaders, including the National Institute of Health, now believe that this growing science of social networks can be used to improve health on a huge scale. By either creating new social networks, like a dieting group, or by influencing the leaders of already-existing health-related groups such as the Team Beachbody® Message Boards, positive health messages will become contagious. But how can we affect those we care about, and not be affected by unhealthy behaviors?

"Be the change you want to see in the world." —Mahatma Gandhi

The first thing we can do is be an example. You're reading this newsletter, so you already have some interest in your health. It's more than likely you're also on a kick-butt exercise and nutrition program that's altering your appearance. You're already creating the change in yourself, and that will, in turn, have an effect on others. If you want to make a real difference, stay on the path. It is quite easy to reach our goals, only to let them slip away over an extended vacation, holiday season, or traumatic event like a breakup. What this says to an outsider is: "If Tom couldn't keep the weight off, how is there any hope for me? Why even bother?" If you want to inspire others, continue to be an inspiration.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own." —Benjamin Disraeli

Who really has time to talk anymore? We have emails, IMs, and text messages that have pretty much replaced verbal communication. We're all running around trying to accomplish things, which will fall behind schedule if we meet someone for coffee. Yet, sometimes just talking to people about their health and encouraging them to change can be the difference between being healthy and having a lifelong struggle with obesity. You've gone from a size 8 to a size 4, or from a beer gut to a six-pack. People around you will most likely ask how the heck you did it. When they do, ask them to grab a nonfat latte and sit down, because you have something to share with them.

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." —Oprah Winfrey

Removing yourself from every situation that has unhealthy people in it is impossible and unnecessary. We're all tied into our friendships, jobs, and families by many threads, most of which we couldn't sever if we wanted to. You know your best friend from junior high would hunt you down if you moved to a small island off the coast of Madagascar. So instead of losing your relationships, make it a point to tip the scales and add a few more. Finding like-minded people—be it at a gym, a cooking class, a yoga studio, a fitness retreat, or a well-known local hiking spot—can open you up to new ideas and new positive influences. As your resolve becomes strengthened by your new friendships, you will be that much more able to assist your more established friendships.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." —Buddha

If you truly want to create a change in the health of others, there are thousands of programs out there that need volunteers. From the national organizations designed to raise money for diseases, to the local car wash that supports the high school athletic program, there's always someone who could use your assistance. Or better yet, create your own network of people making a difference, in whatever way you feel driven. Organize that 10k to benefit the YMCA, petition your state school board to increase physical education and remove vending machines full of sugar from your schools, or create a foundation to bring food to famine-stricken parts of the world. Making a big difference in the health of others can begin with one person, and it could be you.

Conclusion

Why we are so susceptible to the influences of others remains a mystery. From the time we are babies, we learn to mimic gestures and language. As adults, we still mimic yawns, laughs, and often aggression, as the mob after a recent NBA playoffs game proved. And now it seems we can mimic weight gain or loss, along a host of other behaviors. Before getting swept up in the crowd, take a moment and decide what you want for your life. You can choose your own destiny, and maybe help shape the lives of others in the process.

References:

Christakis, N. A. and J. H. Fowler,. "The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years." New England Journal of Medicine 357 (July 26, 2007): 370-379.
Eric Jaffe, "The 'contagion' of social networks," Los Angeles Times, September 13, 2010, http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/13/health/la-he-social-networks-health-20100913
Clive Thompson, "Are Your Friends Making You Fat?" New York Times, September 10, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/magazine/13contagion-t.html
R. William Doherty, "Emotional Contagion and Social Judgment," Motivation and Emotion 22, No. 3 (1998), 1-2.

Here's the link if you want to see the article!

10 Most Effective Workout Videos Of All Time!

I found this list on www.livestrong.com & would you look at that 4 out of the 10 are Beachbody! ;)

Workout DVDs overrun the shelves at the store. There are DVD routines that tone abs, rear end or whole body. These videos can be an efficient workout for busy people, who don't have time to make it to the gym. With so many choices, however, it is not easy to pick the right video. With a little help, the perfect workout video can be at one's fingertips; these top 10 stand the test of time.

10 Minute Solution
This DVD allows you to choose from 5 different programs. You can either combine the five programs for a 50 minute workout, or just work on one area for a 10 minute workout.

Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Amped
Billy Blanks provides the most successful workout for burning calories. Blanks was a pioneer in the Tae Bo workout video field. His Tae Bo Amped five disk set combines Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing and aerobics. According to Consumer Search, this video set will get your heart rate up and burn calories.

Brazil Butt Lift
Leandro Carvalho shares his secrets on sculpting the butt. Super models use this video to avoid surgery. It is effective for creating a firm rear end.

Denise Austin: Boot Camp Total Body Blast
This DVD is perfect for the time-crunched individual. According to Fitness Magazine, each workout burns approximately 350 calories. It provides three workouts in 30 minutes or less, including cardio, strength and stretching. The short sessions, in this video, are just enough time to burn fat and see results.

Insanity Challenge
This DVD provides drills, intervals and strength training in one-hour increments. Shaun T utilizes MAX Interval Training so that the participant can get an awesome body in 60 days.

Jane Fonda: The Workout
The Workout works your whole body, by combining low impact and high intensity movements. According to the Jane Fonda website, it is the highest-selling workout video of all time.

Jillian Michaels: The Complete Workout for Beginners
According to "Fitness Magazine", Jillian Michaels created the most efficient back to basics workout. This program focuses on circuit training and toning the body. The format is facilitative and easy to follow.

Richard Simmons: Sweatin' to the Oldies
Richard Simmons' video Sweatin' to the Oldies is the best video for making you sweat. The video features classic music that you can enjoy while working up a sweat.

Tony Horton's P90X
The P90X is the greatest workout for building muscle mass. It is a 90-day extreme challenge. By never allowing muscles to get used to a workout, it builds muscle. An intense and highly recommended workout to bulk up.

Turbo Jam
Turbo Jam is the most effective video for having fun. According to Beachbody, it blends cardio, kickboxing, body sculpting and dance so that you can enjoy working out.


It makes me smile to see that TURBO JAM made the list. That program changed my life! :)

NEW VIDEO!!!

HEY EVERYONE! :)

I realized I've done videos on ChaLEAN Extreme and Shakeology but not TURBO JAM!! What the heck was I thinking?? Turbo Jam is my EVERYTHING. Seriously, I love it more than I would my first born child (if I had one)...okay maybe that's a little much??

So here is a preview of one of the TURBO drills during the workout video FAT BLASTER. Fat Blaster is in the Fat Burning Elite package and it's one of my favorites! It's a 30 minute video (I know, that's it!) and Chalene takes you through 4 Turbo drills but you do them 2x each, so that's 8 TURBOS!!! Turbos are higher intensity drills than the rest of the workouts, when you hear the siren you know what's up!

Click HERE if you want to see me get my butt kicked! I wish I could have talked a little more during the video but I was out of breath!


PS- I just realized how many exclamation points I used in this blog, dang I am on an endorphin high right now so excuse me! ;)

REMEMBER that I am a BEACHBODY COACH, which to clear up any confusion, that means I can sell you TURBO JAM or ChaLEAN EXTREME or p90x or Shakeology or ANYTHING beachbody related. It also means that you if you need some motivation or want to talk to someone else about working out that you can sign up to have me as your coach, which is for FREE. :)

Here is a link to MY beachbody website (where you can $hop or just sign up if you want a coach)- www.cardiopartycat.com

Are you passionate about something? Want to earn some cash? Let's go!!

Hey everyone!!

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the business that I am in and what my job is (I LOVE THESE KINDS OF QUESTIONS!). :) So I am an Independent Beachbody Coach.

Let me answer some questions:

What is a coach?

Beachbody refers to their reps as “coaches”. They call them coaches because they are more than just “distributors” or “reps”. Yes, they have the ability to sell and suggest fitness products and workouts, but they also have a vested interest to “coach” the people they are in contact with into a better way of life. Look at it this way…I’ve thought of myself as a coach for many years while working in the fitness industry or just by working out in the gym and offering advice to my neighbor. Now I can make it official and start earning money to do what I’ve been doing passionately for all those years.


Who can be a coach?

ANYONE! You do not need to be invited; you can make this decision yourself and sign up today! We strongly encourage those to join in the coaching business who have a strong desire to reach their deepest goals. This is a home based business working as the “go-to” person, for helping people get fit! You do not need to have certifications, degrees, or years of experience working in the fitness industry to do this. All you need to do, is to continue to be an example yourself and share your successes with others! You can be a fitness professional, in the best shape of your life, or working your way to the best shape of your life….as long as you are committed and dedicated to staying accountable, you can help others become accountable in their goals too!


What do I “do” everyday as a coach?

Depending on where you want to take your business or the direction of your goals, this answer can be different for everyone. But primarily the common answer is to – Share your Story! As a coach, you have the ability to sell any Beachbody item from their nutritionals all the way to their workout videos. Just start telling your story and letting people know of your new business venture. The word will spread! You may also spend your time getting in touch with your network and circle around you. You will have the greatest gains in your business if you build your down line team of coaches.


What are the fees to join?

Beachbody really wants to make this as affordable as possible, so that we can make a HUGE difference in our direction to change one person at a time in becoming more fit and healthy!
Initial Join in Cost: $39.95
This includes your:
• Business Kit which will be shipped to you (s/h extra)
• Your FIRST month’s fee of your personal Coaching Webpage
Monthly Webpage Fee: $14.95
Your webpage will serve for multiple purposes. Beachbody automatically updates and maintains your webpage! They build it for you! All you need to do is personalize it with your photo and bio! Your page will be used for:
• Your customers to make purchases from your virtual store!
• Those interested in getting into the CLUB MEMBERSHIP so they can receive 10% discount on any item they buy
• Signing up your coaches!
• COACHING BACKOFFICE- this is your business center for your coaching business. You will securely access this to build, maintain, and watch your business grow from your down line coaches to your weekly pay checks.


Club Membership: $38.87 (OPTIONAL FEE: 4 times a year total- billed quarterly)
• As a club member, you will have access to additional fitness and nutritional programs available to you on your webpage. BUT the #1 reason to be a part of this is Beachbody’s LEAD GENERATION PROGRAM!
• As an active Emerald coach, you will be GIVEN FREE CUSTOMERS from Beachbody! Beachbody spends over 100 million dollars each year in advertising. When those customers contact Beachbody to purchase something or to get more involved, Beachbody assigns those contacts to ACTIVE EMERALD (or higher) coaches!


Beachbody actually GIVES me customers?

YES! Just reach the basic level of EMERALD and maintain and active status, and you will receive customers in your database possibly everyday! Beachbody receives about 20-30,000 customer leads a week! Those come in and get assigned to the next active emerald coach (or higher) in line. You will earn commissions from these customers REPEAT business! You will also earn BONUS Commissions off of their CLUB MEMBERSHIP dues! (billed and paid quarterly) Just for being ACTIVE!

How do I earn income as a Beachbody coach?
• There are several very detailed ways of earning income and the many ways to really make a significant income. But in general, here are the basics:
• Any sales to customers of products from your website or directly from yourself- 25% commission
• Customers who join the CLUB MEMBERSHIP- you earn 50% of their quarterly membership dues
• Personally sponsored coaches who are in the CLUB MEMBERSHIP earn you 50% commission
• ADDTIONALLY- Your Downline TEAM CYCLE BONUSES can pay out when you bank a certain amount of points.
• Customers in the Club Membership- you receive 15% commission on any of their purchases
• As a Beachbody Coach, you get a 25% discount on any item you personally want to purchase as well!

Do I have to stock inventory?

No, you do not. This is a virtual business. However, you can purchase items in greater amounts and sell them at your leisure or as drop shipments.

How can I fit this in my daily life?
I’m already way too busy!?If you are involved in fitness already, this will be MUCH easier for you! This will be natural and follow what you normally do already! Opportunity always presents itself, now you’ll just have a way of earning commissions on the programs you’ve already been suggesting. The extent to which you develop your “downline” is up to each individual. You can be very aggressive to create a long downline of coaches and retail sales. As someone involved in fitness, you’ll find yourself having the same conversations you would naturally when people ask you the many questions they often do about “getting fit” and losing weight.


Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. You can cancel in your first 30 days, and be completely refunded the first months fees. Thereafter, you can cancel at anytime and only be out, the amount of time you were in the business. However, if you decide you want to rejoin, you will lose your seniority position and level you were once in the company as well as have to wait a 6 month period from cancellation before you can re-join.

Do you have more questions about coaching?

Contact me! I'd love to talk to YOU about coaching. It has been a GREAT experience so far and as my business continues to grow it gets better & better! :)

You ready to be a coach?
Click here!!

Feel free to leave me a comment, e-mail me or facebook me! :)