"Goodnight Tweetheart" Book Review

I only knew two things when I picked this book up – it was about Twitter and it was a love story – that’s all I needed to know!

This was such a quick read. Even if it wasn't easy to fly through on its own, the fact that I really liked it would have still made me read it in only a few hours (which I did).

“Goodnight Tweetheart” is a love story in 140 characters or less.

If “140 characters” means NOTHING to you…we need to talk after you get out from under your rock!

Okay, it’s actually the limit Twitter gives you to make a tweet, or tell others “What’s happening?”. It’s similar to a Facebook status but much shorter and brighter. The book is told in tweet form, one of the reasons it’s so fast to read.

It’s a story (or conversation) about two strangers who chat on Twitter, and it’s not creepy (which you might have thought like I did before reading it), instead it’s really cute! I'd also say its funny & flirtatious.

In my opinion, this couple is hilarious, extremely witty and two smartasses who know a lot about pop culture. The woman is an author trying to write her second novel, which has to compete with her first novel that made it to Oprah’s book club. Her agent makes her a Twitter account and BAM the magic starts...or maybe it takes time & Tweetdeck. The man is extremely mysterious, never revealing his location. It's a book that will lift you up and touch your heart, maybe even make you shed a tear!

Now go read the book!

And of course you can follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/caterina88

Goodnight Tweethearts! <3

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!

How To Make A YouTube Video

I’ve gotten many messages lately about creating Youtube videos. I figured I might as well put the information I knew into some place handy!

First off, if you haven’t made a Youtube video before, TRY IT. It’s actually a lot of fun (and kind of addicting)!

Here we go...

1. Record yourself! Just about everything can record a video now-a-days, from your cell phone, digital camera, webcam, computer, flip camera, etc.
Since you’re going to ask, I’ll let you know, I started with my basic Sony Cyberspot digital camera (in pink!!) to make my videos & I’m still using it! One day I’ll upgrade but it hasn’t steered me wrong yet! You can get cameras that will record in HD & do all kinds of fancy stuff for you – do your research & you’ll find one!



^^I'm not saying run out & get this one - I'm saying to use whatever you've got handy!

2. Make your video! Keep it under 5 minutes, ideally under 3 works best! Remember, most people aren’t just focused on one thing and you want to make sure you hold their attention. At this moment, I have Microsoft Word open along with 4 web browsers.

“Nobody wants to watch long videos, so keep it short, simple and to the point. I follow the two-minute rule. You should come up with a similar rule for yourself. If you have to create a longer video, consider dividing it into parts that make it easier for your viewers to digest.”
Ryan Paugh, co-founder of Brazen Careerist

When you are making the video, remember to look into the camera! Pretend your talking to your best friend or your mom.

3. Edit! Many computers come with their own editing system. If yours doesn’t have one, Youtube has a basic one in place for you! Windows offers “Windows Movie Maker” and Mac has “iMovie.” Also, many cameras come with a program you can use to edit your photos & pictures, check to see if you have one!

When you are editing, that’s the time you can add music (make sure it’s ROYALY FREE MUSIC), text, pictures to spice it up! You can also edit to trim down your video or cut out any distractions.




4. Upload. Head over to Youtube.com (or a website that will upload your video to MULTIPLE sites: facebook, youtube, twitter, myspace) and click “Upload.”




Make sure to give your video a title, description and tags.

After UPLOADING - you can pick between 3 thumbnails to be the photo that viewers will see when your video comes up. To learn how to do that go here. If you're looking to beat the YouTube system & pick any picture you want...go somewhere else!


5. Share!! Best step of all! Post your video on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, emails to friends, where ever your heart desires!

And I'll leave you with my YouTube channel that I'd love for you to subscribe too!
http://www.youtube.com/coachcaterina

I'll subscribe back!

I'll Be Your Accountability

Working out with a friend is truly a great tool for losing weight. I read an article that said when you workout with someone else you are 3 times more likely to stick to the program.

Now, you might be thinking, “but I don’t have anyone to workout with!”

Let’s change that!

Losing weight is about accountability – to YOURSELF and to OTHERS.

If you told me that you were going to workout 5 days this week but never had to tell me if you actually did it… would you? My guess is probably not (depending on the kind of person you).

If you told me that you were going to workout 5 days a week but at the end of each week you had to report back to me – would you get your workouts done?

My guess… you would.

Why?

I’ve noticed that when I have to report in to others (personal trainer, business advisors, professors) that I don’t want to let anyone down…including myself!

So let me help you!

I want to create an accountability group. What this includes is SIMPLE and will take 5 seconds out of your day, just once a week.

I’m willing to collect emails (or do this through facebook) where whoever wants to report in how they are doing on their fitness program – whether it’s a DVD program like P90X or you are hitting the gym – can easily contact me!

We come up with what’s the best day for you to “report in,” figure out your workout goals and then start right up! Along the way there will be recognition & motivational prizes. :)

Think of me as your online accountability buddy!

My hand is reaching out to whoever wants it! Just send me an email or a facebook message & let's get started.

Yours in health,
Caterina
xoxo

What Can We Learn From Victoria's Secret?

Last night was the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show. During, immediately after and still today there’s an explosion of talk about the models. Twitter freaked out and of course it was a treading topic.

There were the expected comments that the models are too thin, they don’t workout, they’re anorexic, whatever. You can have whatever opinion that your heart desires. But that’s not the point of this blog post.

What I did notice during the brief hour the show was on TV, many real-life women & girls started talking about their own bodies. “Thanks a lot VS, now I’m just going to starve myself” – what WAIT?!

Watching tall, beautiful women strut their stuff in only lingerie will make the most confident person feel inferior. But that’s also not the point of this blog.

So what’s the point?

The point is… if you watched and wanted to make a change (an HONEST change), what’s stopping you?

There’s a few options when watching something like that… either use that new “motivation” you found, forget you ever watched it (Victoria who?) or continue to hate on your body.

Why hate on yourself? The way you treat yourself is the way other people will treat you.

Maybe you’ve hit the “enough is enough” point in your life and now you’re ready to do something about it. Let’s GET MOVING. Don't sit and hate on them or yourself - instead put in the work. Hit the gym, sign up for a race, press play on the workout dvd, do something!

This isn’t about Victoria’s Secret, models, bikinis, Katy Perry, whatever. It’s about YOU being the BEST version of yourself.

If I can help you do that, let me know. I'm happy to help!

Yours in health,
Caterina
xoxo

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!

Why am I NOT losing weight?

here's the link if the video doesn't show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrQZSUL5iuc

Anti-Aging Secrets From The Dollar Store!

Dr. Oz is at it again! I remember the day when Pamela, Mat and I made fun of my mom for loving Dr. Oz…I’m following in her footsteps I guess!

How many women spend too much money on their beauty products? Here's a good article for you!

A Dermatoligst came on one of his shows & gave some great Anti-Aging products that you can get from the DOLLAR STORE!

1- Exfoliation mitts & canned pumpkin pie filling (PLAIN, not flavored!)
-Pumpkin filling contains a fruit acid which helps smooth the skin as an exfoliator!
-If you have time, let the pumpkin pie sit for a few minutes & then just scrub it off

2- Moisturizer with Vitamin C: keeps the skin from sagging
-Look for the ingredient: ASCORBIC ACID


3- Lip Plumper: maintain those kissable lips. ;)
-Read the label for Tribehenine which plumps & restores volume
-Traps the moisture

4- Ginseng Tea Bag: relaxes the muscles & limits lines
-Take the tea bag & moisten it in water (not dripping wet!) & then lay it across the crows feet area of your face & if you want on the bags under your eyes.

If you want to watch the video & see Dr. Oz put on some lip plumper, here it is:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dollar-store-anti-aging-secrets

Balancing School, Work, Family & Owning Your Own Business

I’ve gotten this question many, many times & as more and more students (and people with multiple jobs) join my team (which EXCITES me!!) I want to explain how I balanced being a full-time student, having a part-time job and owning my own online fitness business (Beachbody).

(If you aren’t a student you can still use these guidelines for work or taking care of your kids, etc.)





First thing I did was invest in a DAY PLANNER. I had to have everything in one central spot so I could easily flip through it. This eliminates the PANIC that comes from having things on many pieces of paper.

Then after the first couple days of classes I’d sit down with my syllabi and put everything into the planner:

-Homework
-Test
-Quizzes
-Papers
-Midterms/Final exams

Not only did I put that information on the specific days but I’d include the TIME of each class,”ENG 270 1-2:47 – Paper 1 Due.”

The same idea went for:

-Going to work
-Teaching Turbo Kick
-After school clubs
-Hanging out with friends & family
-Workouts (which one's & when)
-Beachbody

When it came to Beachbody I would write down SPECIFICS too!

-I would plan the TIME OF DAY when I would be working on my business
-I’d also plan what I’d be DOING.

What that means is I would make a list (on a separate sheet of paper) of where I’d spend my time:

-Facebook – what will I be doing? Expanding my network, replying to e-mails, etc.
-2 expos
-Send my weekly email
-Make a YouTube video
-Listen to the team calls (recorded or live)
-Read 15 minutes of personal development books

You get the picture.

Don’t make excuses for not getting your homework done, doing your daily reading or not working on your business. You're only hurting yourself.

I don’t always have a set schedule (other than classes), so the days CHANGE, and that’s okay, just figure it out and PLAN!

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! :)

Shakeology No Bake Cookies

You've all been asking.. here's the recipe:

Chocolate Shakeology® No-Bake Cookies

How did cookies become the Healthiest Meal of the Day®? When an enterprising Team Beachbody® chef figured out how to have their Shakeology and eat it, too. Simple to make and delicious to eat—you'll never guess how healthy you're being.

1 cup of raw almond butter
1 cup of organic oatmeal (quick)
1/3 to 1/2 cup of organic honey (according to desired sweetness)
1 cup of Chocolate Shakeology

Combine in bowl and mix well. Roll into balls (about a heaping teaspoon). Makes 10 cookies.

Optional: Roll the balls in crushed nuts or unsweetened coconut flakes before serving.

Nutritional Information (per cookie)
Calories Carbs Protein Fat Saturated Fat Fiber
249 22 grams 10 grams 15 grams 1.5 grams 2.5 grams

What Did I Read This Summer?

I’m looking over at my bookshelves and realizing that I have a huge pile spilling over… how many books have I recently read? Recently means in the last few months. Let’s take a look through some of my summer reads…



I started the summer with Chelsea Handler’s three books:

1. “My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands”

2. “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea”

3.“Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang”


4. “American Wife” by Curtis Sittenfield
This book is loosely based on the life of a president’s wife, which president is never named BUT she gets in a car accident and kills someone AND the war on terror begins… I think we can all agree it’s Laura Bush. Strong start but at the end I felt like I was forcing myself to finish it.

5. “Twenties Girl” – Sophie Kinsella
Another classic Sophie Kinsella book – London girl meets guy, lots of humor but this one is different in that the main character, Lara, has the ghost of her dead great aunt, Sadie, following her around. It’s cute! Many things were predictable along the way but there was a twist at the end even I didn’t see coming.

6. “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned” by Michael J. Fox
After reading this book, I realized I really didn’t know much about Fox. He doesn’t set it up in a preachy, lecture way instead he talks about starting his acting career off and things he did that taught him lessons. It’s a very short read; I started and finished it quickly in the car on the way to South Carolina. I even read some parts to Mat out loud because I thought they were funny or interesting! (I did that with “American Wife” too!)

7. “Think Big” – Donald Trump
I flew through this book! I loved it! Again, I realized I didn’t know much about Trump. Other then he has a ton of money, loves real estate, has his own TV show, says “you’re fired” and has bad hair. His book is no bullshit, tell it like it is, truth hurts and I was pumped up after reading it.

8. “Ten Stupid Things Couples Do To Mess Up Their Relationships” – Dr. Laura
I wanted to throw the damn book across the room! She gets on my freaking nerves. I can’t listen or take advice from anyone who “blames” feminism for ruining relationships. I think my Women Studies professor would be extremely disappointed in this book. A lot of the ten points were common sense and true! Don’t get my wrong, stupid things ruin relationships, but her advice and two-sense along the way actually made me put the book down fuming at certain times. Ah!

9. “Vows, Vendattas & A Little Black Dress” – Kyra Davis
If you haven’t noticed I was really hitting up the “New Author/Chick Lit” section at Target! This is the first novel I’ve ever noticed by Kyra Davis but apparently there are other novels in this series about Sophie Katz and I wish I would have picked one of those up firsts. I didn’t feel like I was missing out but there were some interesting things brought up, that I’m sure came from the other books, and I’m nosey! Overall, it takes the cute chick lit book and adds a murder mystery to it.

10. “Developing The Leader Within You” – John C. Maxwell
Makes you think a lot about the people you work with and the person you want to be. There is a different between a “manager/boss” at work and a “leader” at work – BIG difference.

11. “Start Late, Finish Rich” - David Bach
Even though I’m start EARLY therefore finishing RICHER. ;)

12. “The Ultimate Sales Machine” – Chet Holmes
Saw it recommended in a blog by Chalene Johnson, enough said.

13. “Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day” – Mari Smith & Chris Treadaway
After finding Mari Smith on twitter, then watching her youtube videos, I really enjoyed her content so when she published a book about one of my favorite things… FACEBOOK… I knew I had to read it.

14. "Summer At Tiffany" - Marjorie Hart
This is a memoir about Marjorie's summer of 1945 - she's a student who goes to NYC during her summer break & becomes one of the first female floor sales pages at Tiffany & Co. She also recalls the news of the atomic bomb & being in Times Square after the Japanese surrender. I liked it! That could be because I love anything that has to do with that little blue box and I have an idealized, romantic view of the 1940s & the war. Quick, easy read!

I feel like there was more but I just can’t remember.

Now that it’s “back to school” time, even though I’m all done… I think I should reread a classic, just so I don’t let chick lit consume my life (even though it’s fun)!

I'll take recommendations at any time!

Project 31 minus 1 = Project 30!

I saw this idea on Tonya Lewis' facebook profile & thought it seemed like a lot of fun! She wrote that she saw several other coaches doing it & I want to try it out too!

Tonya's calling it "Project 31" and you document one new picture a day of what you are doing for a month. Since I'll be starting today on September 1st, I've only got 30 days so I'm doing "Project 30"... for some reason 31 sounds better?

Follow along on facebook! :)

And fellow reality show junkies, like myself, do it with me! ;)

The first time I watched "Entourage"

was because I heard SHAKEOLOGY made an appearance!

Yes the delicious shake I talk about 24/7 was just sitting on the kitchen counter during the most recent episode of the HBO show "Entourage"!


Here take a look:



Not only is that Greenberry Shakeology but it's also a Beachbody shaker cup! ;)

Shakeology - It's Kind Of A Big Deal

Fun Summer Read

DISCLAIMER: Don't look past this post because you aren't a fan of Chelsea Handler -- I wasn't either! I used to change the channel because I just wasn't amused... but there I was standing in the Target book aisle, waiting for Mat to return from either looking at video games or Blu-Rays... I picked up her book "My Horizontal Life: A Collection One-Night Stands" and I literally LOL-ed.

Chelsea can write!

I finished this book in probably less then 2 days.

The book starts with her being a little kid and her older siblings daring her to walk in on her parents having sex & take a picture....and that's where it all began!

She's ridiculously random and I'm really surprised she didn't talk about getting an STD (she's had to have gotten something with that crazy lifestyle!). She talks about midgets, skid-marks and her love for black men.

But if you aren't a fun of lude humor, don't get the book!! You'll probably hate it. If you want to get a good laugh, get it!

I did go on to read her other books, "Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea" and "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" but I would have to say the first one is my favorite!

Hungry Girl on "The View"

We all know that I love Hungry Girl's tips & tricks...

Stop DRINKING your calories!

Don't get me wrong, I drink coffee and sometimes I cave into the energy drinks (especially working midnights now) but you have to know the amount of calories it is and you have to ADD it to your food journal.

Can't figure out how many calories are in your food/drinks -- google search it. It's that simple, "how many calories in sugar?" You'll find it.

Good sites:
www.dailyplate.com
www.calorieking.com

Droid App: Calorie Counter by FatSecret

Yummy Shakeology Recipe

Hey everyone! I'm drinking a Mocha Frap Shakeology at the moment and thought I'd share the recipe. I got this recipe from Healthy Chick AG aka Ashley Grimwade, a fellow Beachbody coach & cousin to the fabulous Chalene Johnson & Jenelle Summers. (Follow her on Twitter by clicking her name!)

Mocha Frap Shakeology

*8 oz ICED coffee (never want to put HEAT in Shakeology)
*6-8oz milk
(I use unsweetend vanilla almond milk- only 40cals)
*1 scoop chocolate Shakeology (140 cals)
*About 1 cup ice cubes- more or less for the consistency you want
*1 packet of Splenda or sweetener

This contains my daily vitamins/minerals, antioxidants, 17 g of protein and 3 g of fiber, all for less then 200 calories! :) And hello I love love love coffee so it's a good mix for you coffee lovers too!

Still don't know what the heck this Shakeology stuff is, that's okay, click here.

Holy Crap! Amazing Grocery Store Shopping List

Here's a GIANT list that was put together by Hungry Girl! I get her helpful emails and when I saw this one I couldn't help but want to share it with all of you:

Take a look, she's even got it in PDF format!
http://www.hungry-girl.com/girls/biteoutdetails.php?isid=2115

It's the Summer 2010 edition of The Official Hungry Girl Supermarket List!!!

Has options for DAIRY, MEATS, CEREAL, SEAFOOD, VEGGIES, FRUITS, BREAD, the list goes on and on...

ENERGY! (Article by TONY HORTON)

Words of Wisdom: Energy
By Tony Horton, creator of P90X

So you bought P90X off the tube and you're all pumped up to kick some butt. Do you remember that shift in ENERGY the day you picked up the phone and started dialing? Any number of thoughts could've been racing through your mind at the time—fear, doubt, excitement, hope, anticipation—you name it.

Then the DVDs arrived.

Some of you ripped the package open, read all the material, and got started that day. Some of you looked at the box as if it were filled with anthrax—keeping it sealed and placed on a shelf for some future investigation.

You're all at different stages of the program: newbies, start-agains, and even round 5-ers. I'd like to reveal four key components for success with P90X, and quite possibly other aspects of your life.

Have you ever noticed that some days just flow? Even on days when you have tons of things to do, you seem to have all the ENERGY in the world to handle anything. Yet other days feel like you live on Saturn. The weight of the world feels 10 times heavier than normal.

It comes down to the amount of ENERGY you have on any given day. Your ENERGY always dictates your REALITY. When you're filled with ENERGY, you're sharp, ready, enthusiastic, and willing. When you're pooped . . . forget about it! Organizing a sock drawer feels like climbing Mt. Everest.

So what causes these shifts? The big four are:

1. Food and supplementation. I know, I know. Here I go again. Hold on to your hats! There's no way on God's earth you can maintain a consistent level of ENERGY and enthusiasm for any 90-day program by eating the same old crap. You must . . . you have to . . . you need to make "The Change." Proper ENERGY levels only come from eating the right food the right way at the right time of day. If you don't know what that means, then you haven't read the material and you're doing this program the wrong way.

You are what you eat! If you eat the same old tired food that put you in this mess in the first place, that's just what you'll get. Tired and old before your time. You know what to do, so do it! It's not Atkins® or Slim-Fast® or fast food or soft drinks or fried food or candy bars or doughnuts or liquid diets or any panoply of misleading ways of consuming food. Get your mind right about what goes in your mouth or continue to live in the land of the wannabes!




2. Sleep. This probably seems like the most obvious and simple component of the four. But it's often the most abused. Recent statistics have shown that the leading cause of traffic accidents in this country is NOT alcohol, but sleep deprivation. If we don't have enough ENERGY to stay awake while driving a car, how will we have enough ENERGY for a 6-day-a-week workout program?

We're not sleeping enough hours at night, and even when we do, they're often filled with so much mind chatter that we don't get the proper rest we need. My new Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines "sleep" as follows: "the natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored." In Taoist philosophy, there's the yin (not ying) and the yang. These are opposing ENERGIES that create balance. P90X is yang ENERGY. Sleep and rest are yin ENERGY. There must be proper balance between vim and vigor (yang) and inward calm (yin). If you don't get enough sleep and rest, your body will not receive the proper restoration it needs to complete or succeed with this program, or anything else in life, for that matter.

3. Stress management. Do you realize that if you took the fear, worry, and anxiety out of every "stressful" situation in your life, the end result of that situation would still occur? You can panic and freak out all you want, but time will still pass and the end of that moment will still happen, whether you freak out or not. So why not choose something different? When do fear, worry, and anxiety ever really help a situation?

So what is stress? It's the inability to move through a situation logically, peacefully, positively, productively, and gracefully. To be stressed out takes lots of ENERGY. Being stressed out can severely affect how well you'll sleep at night. Stress is when you assess blame and don't take responsibility. ("I'm stressed out because of______, and that's why I can't______.") Don't let stress be your scapegoat.

There's a story about 10 people in line at a bank when three armed robbers come flying in, screaming and yelling and pointing guns. They terrorize everyone and steal all their money. The moral of the story is that these 10 people will be affected by this experience in 10 different ways. The two extremes range from one having a wild story to tell at work the next day to another being severely traumatized for the rest of his or her life. Where would you fall in that spectrum?

There's a saying that there are three kinds of business: "God's business"—things that happen in this world that are out of my control; "their business"—the choices other people make based on their life experiences so far; and "my business"—the choices I make that shape my life. If I focus on what I have to do to make my life the best it can be, and NOT on God's and everyone else's business, I will have less stress, which in turn will give me the ENERGY to live the life I've always wanted.

Don't waste your time on gossip, ridicule, envy, self-pity, anger, guilt, arrogance, need, impatience, regret, manipulation, jealousy, fear, worry, and anxiety, because they'll zap your ENERGY and cause you stress!

Choose understanding, truth, clarity, patience, devotion, gratitude, vulnerability, acceptance, wisdom, hope, forgiveness, empathy, discipline, perseverance, community, and peace. Because if you do, you will gladly kiss stress goodbye and say hello to all the ENERGY you'll need.

4. Purpose. Purpose is the driving force to get you from here to there. If you don't have purpose, all the best food, supplementation, sleep, and stress-free days won't help you one bit. You have to have a powerful burning desire to want it.

My dictionary tells me that "purpose" is "seeking resolution." Searching for answers to solve a problem. An intention. This all goes to the core of . . . why? Why do I want to spend the next 90 days turning my life upside down, maybe even for the second or third time, or more?

You're looking for resolution. You're searching for answers to help solve this problem. And most importantly, you must be clear about your intention. No one ever does anything just for the heck of it. There's always some intention behind everything we do. Different kinds of behavior have different levels of intention and purpose. Eating fast food and leaving the DVDs on the shelf is one level. Following the program the way it was designed is another.

I know I've said this before, but if your intention and purpose are based exclusively on esthetics and bragging rights, you miss the whole point of P90X. If your intention and purpose are based on good health, quality of life, athleticism, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular endurance, you're doing P90X for all the right reasons. If your intention and purpose are based on lifestyle, you will have plenty of ENERGY to succeed with and complete P90X. You will also have the ENERGY to be everything you always knew you could be.
May the Energy Revolution begin!

Peace,
Tony Horton

What I know about Turbo Fire...

I know I keep updating TURBO FIRE this and TURBO FIRE that. But if you aren't familiar with what's behind all that I figured I should let you know what it is I'm talking about.

What is TURBO FIRE? It's a workout DVD program that has amazing cardio HIIT workouts, the kind of music you blast in your car or around your house when you just want to MOVE, hands down my favorite instructor ever, Chalene Johnson and the best spot in class. This workout dvd is filmed with you standing in class, the camera is a class member! You really feel like you are there!! (Wow now I'm quoting myself from the infomercial? dorky...)

First let's take a look:
http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/caterinapass?bctid=82703972001

The BASE KIT will come with 12 classes on 10 DVDS: Fire classes, HIIT classes, Core/Scuplt/Tone Classes, Stretch classes, instructional dvd, fitness guide, 5 day inferno guide, nutrition guide & much much more.

The DELUXE KIT will come with 5 more classes and 4 more dvds including Abs. You also get a 30 day supply of the recovery formula, bands and a turbo tracker.


You DO NOT need to have done any other kind of TURBO workout before to try this. If you have done a Turbo workout then you already know how fun it is and you'll definitely love the program too!

I'm currently making a big list of everyone I know who is interested in ordering the program when it comes out and if you want to know ASAP then send me your email address so I can add you to that list! Whatever I find, I pass along to YOU!

Strengthening your Relationship

Hey everyone! I wanted to share this article with you written by the inspirational Chalene Johnson. You can find her on facebook, here! That's where you'll find many more gems of advice, like this one.


7 day To-Do list to Strengthen your Relationship

Sometimes we spend so much time working on our business, our body, our image, our clean home that we forget to put the most important thing first!


1 Read or listen to at least one book or CD on how to improve your relationship

2 Greet your partner as if it's the happiest moment of your day!

3 Start having more sex tonight! Not in the mood? Tired? Too bad! Just start!

4 Set a non-negotiable date night each week.

5 Figure out your partners desired expression of love.

6 Plan to deliver your partners desired expression of love 3x this week.

7 Write your significant other a quick "I love your because" note.

8 Ask your partner for one thing you could be doing to make them happier

9 Tell your spouse or partner all the things you find "sexy" about them.

10 Work to improve something you know drives your spouse batty

11 Tell your partner how important their support is on your fitness journey.

12 Figure out a way to spend more time with your spouse and less time apart

13 Ask your partner to set a 5 year list of goals for your family.

14 Do/say something to make your partner feel like the center of your universe

15 Listen with your full attention

16 Compliment your partner on something you know they take pride in

17 Do something care taking, but unexpected for your partner

18 Vow to join your partner doing "their favorite" activity

19 Commit to spending less time consumed by media when your home

20 Write a long love letter to your spouse.

21 Remind yourself daily of your blessings.

How to Change Your Youtube Thumbnail

Or you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxnAfgUPHD8

If you have any more social media questions...let me know!

Exercise & Skin Care- they go hand in hand!

This article came from Yahoo! Shine, click here to see it.

Why Exercise is Good for Your Skin
Working out is fantastic for firming up flabby areas and losing weight. As if you needed another excuse to get your fitness on, it's no secret both your inner and outer health improve when you exercise. Proving that glowing skin not only comes from a bottle, jar or a tube, here are four ways that getting physical can pack amazing results for your skin.

1. Sweating clears out your pores. But let everything stay on your skin and it could have adverse effects. Be sure to wash your face post-workout and shed your workout clothes to avoid chest and back breakouts.

2. Exercising will firm you up, making your skin look toned and firm—doesn't a set of toned legs or strong arms always look nicer?

3. As Elle Woods in Legally Blonde put it, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands. They just don't." Rising stress levels can cause trauma to the skin in the form of wrinkles, acne or breakouts. Any physical exertion will reduce the level of stress you have.

4. When you work out, you should be drinking more water. Although your body is using that to hydrate itself as it sweats, it's also nourishing and cleansing to the skin.

How to start a workout journey

If you'd rather skip the video and just read:

Before you start exercising, whether your doing a DVD program, hitting the gym or you just downloaded a running schedule from Google, you should know there is one BIG step you need to take before you dive in!

What are you going to need for this BIG step?
-A camera
-Scale
-Tape measurer
-Notebook

You figure it out yet?

You've got to TRACK YOUR PROGRESS. When the pounds and inches starting melting off your body, how are you going to know what you've accomplished without tracking from DAY ONE?

So before you PRESS PLAY make sure you take your before pictures and make sure you track often- day 1, 30, 60 (this could change depending on your program). Also get your before weight and before measurements (biceps, stomach, chest, thighs)- sometimes you won't lose weight right away from you'll notice a different in your inches. If you can figure out how to calculate your body fat that is something equally, and sometimes MORE important, to know.

It's a FIYA!!

Alright Turbo peeps! The time has come to announce the ETA of TURBO FIRE...it's the day after my birthday & yes you can send me presents..."alright alright enough already" is that what your yelling at me? It's....


JUNE 18th!

And that date is *ONLY* for the fabulous Beachbody coaches! You really really want to get your hands on all that is TURBO FIRE...sign up to coach, duh! ;)

Coach Price: $89
Retail Price: $119.85 for the Base kit- and you have to wait 2 weeks for it to be released to you.

Deluxe Kit comes with 8 more workouts!

Want a sneak preview:




Yes, that is me in the preview. So you know what that means...I've done TURBO FIRE! So you can take my word for it- it's an insanely FUN yet SWEAT BREAKING workout! I was drenched in sweat after each workout but I had a blast doing them which made me want to keep PRESSING PLAY!

You don't know where to sign up to coach- click here! And click on "Coach" or you can shoot me a message and I'll give you more details!

Shakeology Cleanse: Day 2

Hey all!

Today is day two of the Shakeology Cleanse. I'm happy to announce that I am still alive and that today was WAY better than yesterday. :) I reminded myself to drink more water, I think I didn't have as much yesterday, so that's one tip I have- don't be afraid to drink up!

I've gotten a lot of emails & facebook messages about what kind of green tea and fruit I'm eating. I just picked up an organic brand of green tea at Meijer and called it a day. And for the fruit I'm eating organic apples. But whatever fruit works for you is fine.

As for lightheaded-ness or hunger, that improved so much from yesterday. I think that previous to starting the cleanse I was putting too much caffeine in my body and I was craving that.

Also its great to have other people doing this with me. Being able to text and talk to Kathy, Jola and Jamie to see how they are doing and what they are feeling is GREAT. I recommend doing this with a friend if you are going to try. Makes you feel like you aren't alone. :)

I've also had a lot of people ask me for the schedule & for more details, here you go.

One more day to go! I'll let you know the details tomorrow! :)
If you have questions, feel free to ask!

Shakeology Cleanse: Day 1

Today is day one of the Shakeology Cleanse. A cleanse is something I have NEVER done before, I was scared and intimated. It's 8:45 p.m. and day one is almost over and all I have to say is THANK GOD.

In the "Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse" webinar it was said that the first day would be the hardest, well if that's so, then it won't be SO bad. I can do this!

I woke up, weighed myself and then started the day with a cup of green tea, which is probably one of the worst parts, I'm not a big fan of tea. I pretty much wait until it cools down and then I chug it. Next I drank my chocolate Shakeology with water/ice and 1/2 cup of fruit, lunch again was Shakeology with water/ice ONLY followed by dinner which was the salad with 4 oz of chicken and vegetables. I saved my last shakeology snack for after dinner, I haven't had it yet because I know that I get really really hungry in the evening.

I have been hungry several times throughout the day which made me realize how much I eat within a day and I'm not going to lie, normally I eat A LOT. Also my house is FULL of temptations. In the kitchen at this moment there are three different cakes and brownies just staring at me. Why oh why!

I have energy, that is not a problem. I did get a little light-headed but again let's remember I normally have a lot more food in my system. I can get light-headed easily, so that wasn't something that worried me.

I'm off to hang out with Mat and drink my last Shakeology snack for the night! Tomorrow I will update you all on how day 2 goes.

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

DECIDE.COMMIT.SUCCEED.
http://www.cardiopartycat.com

The Facts behind the Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse

A week or two ago I saw on every one of my Beachbody friends facebook statuses mention of the infamous "Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse." A cleanse...which to me sounds a little intimidating and kind of scary, intrigued me because I love Shakeology. So I jumped at the chance to listen to the Shakeology Cleanse experts when they put on a Beachbody webinar all about it! I figured I'd share what I learned with all of you!

What is the Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse?
It's a 3 day calorie restrict nutrient-dense eating plan that acts like a cleanse to flush out toxins and help get your body running more efficiently.

You can use it as a JUMP START to a new program or during a recovery week. You can also use it as a PLATEAU BREAKER! Remember, this is a PERFORMANCE cleanse, so it's different from many other cleanses, like the Master Cleanse, were you aren't getting hardly any calories, no nutrients and those last anywhere from 7 to 30 days. And you should be able to maintain light exercise during the Shakeology Cleanse.

Goals:
-Rid toxins
-Nutrient efficiency
-Reduce bloat/weight loss
-It will bring you hydration levels into homeostasis (which if you remember from health class is your HAPPY place!)
-Renewed engery

Results:
A lighter, cleaner and healthier YOU! :)

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Here is the 3 day cleanse schedule:

All 3 days-

Start: 1 cup of green tea (no milk or anything extra in your tea!)

Breakfast: Shakeology with water, ice and OPTIONAL 1/2 cup fruit

Snack: 1 piece fruit

Lunch: Shakeology with water & ice ONLY. Followed by 1 cup green tea.

Snack: Shakeology with water & ice ONLY. (You can have this snack AFTER dinner if you want, it's up to you)

Dinner: Salad with greens, 3 servings of vegetables and 4 oz grilled white meat.

**Drink plenty of water
**ABSOLUTELY NO DAIRY OR SUGAR!

Potential negatives to be aware of:
-Headaches: If you are normally a caffeine drinker you might be experiencing some withdrawals.
-No weight loss: Measure your inches too!
-Hunger
-Lack of energy
-Light headed: modify the exercises you are doing, keep them light! if you have to add a small snack (5-10 almonds, 1/2 banana)



So who is in it with me to do a SHAKEOLOGY CLEANSE...I mean what have we got to lose but some weight! ;)

Let's see what we can do in 3 days!

I've been talking to Kathy about this and we figured we would do it on MAY 3rd, 4th and 5th that's MONDAY, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY! If you want to join us, LET US KNOW! =) We are going to be relaying on each other for motivation & support, so you might as well do it with a group!

What do you need: Green tea & Shakeology. If you don't already have some Shakeology you can get it here: www.cardiopartycat.com




If you don't have the slightest clue what the heck Shakeology is, check out my youtube video from inside my kitchen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSJ_2Kr-0us

Questions? Let me know!

Shakeology Series- Does it really make you feel full?

Want to get your hands on SHAKEOLOGY!? Go to my site: www.cardiopartycat.com

Want to compete in the SUMMER SHAKE DOWN and WIN PRIZES!

For the month of MAY I will be drinking Shakeology for 30 days along with a bunch of others who want to change their lives too! ;)

Questions? Contact me!

MY SHAKEOLOGY APOLOGY

HEY! I just wanted to share with you a blog post from the fabulous CHALENE JOHNSON which she did a year ago (dang shakeology has been around that long already!) about her love for it! You all know that I drink it EVERYDAY for lunch but if you want a fitness professional's advice, read her blog post:

MY SHAKEOLOGY APOLOGY

I’m a pretty humble person. I don’t ask for favors, or special treatment. I don’t name drop or expect that people should treat me like a VIP. I won’t cut in line even when a friend waves me up. I play by the rules and know that everyone is important. I think it’s rude when people act like they are entitled or that people should help them out because of their name, or who they are, or what they’ve done, their money, their status, whatever. One of my biggest pet peeves is my fellow fitness instructors who think they’re “all that” and the “club” owes them something because their classes are full. Get over yourself! In my book, the grocery store CEO is just as important as the kid who bags your bread and milk.

Which is why today I an apologizing. Publically.

The truth is in a moment of weak desperation, I pulled a “J.Lo” on Wednesday. Well I didn’t request white M&M’s and all white flowers in my dressing room. Nope. Just a little help in the Shakeology department. And I know an apology with an explanation is not really an apology, but I believe my Shakeology Apology warrants a teeny tiny explanation. You see…ever since Shakeology arrived at our door step, things in my household have changed.

Now before I go further.. know this. I’m not paid to endorse Shakeology. I have no stock in the company. No one at Beachbody has ever even asked me to “try it” let alone to talk about it. I have no relationhip with Shakeology, other than we since we met, I have fallen madly in love. First I fell head over heels which peaked Bret’s curiosity. Skeptical, Bret was a “believer” after two shakes. Next, my 11 year old (who refuses to eat anything green or that comes from nature), then my 9 year old, my father-in-law, my Mom, and all my exercise partners all fell under the spell of Shakeology. I admit when my bag of shakeology was full and heavy, it felt like it was last forever. I shared my bag of shakeology readily back in those early days of this month. I passed around my Shakeology like MC Hammer shared his money in those early days when record deal money was plentiful.

I’m a “pusher”. When I find something that’s amazing, whether it’s a new push-up bra, the worlds greatest George Foreman Grill, self-tanner, whatever it is that works like a charm, I tell the world. I push it. I like things that work! I share my findings.

So, naturally I grabbed my bag of Shakeology to pack for our upcoming family vacation (8 days in Maui, Hawaii.) If felt light. Panic overcame my being. A wave of hot blood rushed into my face. I thought, “Oh my gawd! We leave in 3days. This will NEVER last and I don’t have time to order more!!!” I freaked. There was only one thing to do.

I puffed my chest up and decided to see if I could pull any strings at Beachbody. I’ve sold ‘em a couple of million videos. That should be worth a favor or two.. right?? “May I ask whose calling?” the receptionist asked. “Yes, Chalene Johnson of Turbo Jam and ChaLEAN Extreme” I announced proudly. She was unimpressed. Probably President of the Shawn T fan club. Next, I found my go-to-girl, the gal with the beautiful smile who always says, “of course! What else can I do to help”, The lovely Leili in the production department. I pleaded my case. I told her how I had been to generous with my monthly supply and now I was nearly out! I begged her to ship me two bags…FedEx..priority am delivery. I didn’t expect it for free or anything. I mean, come on. I’m not a mooch. “Lieli, I don’t expect it for free. Just charge it to my friend Tony Horton’s account (I mean come on… P90X is on tv all day everyday! He can spot me on this one… right???)

She did. It worked. Leili came through! It was mid afternoon the next day when the UPS man drove up. I sprinted to his truck, my eyes bulging, body bloated and weak. Digestion irregular and blood sugars all a skew. I was panting, shaking and foam was frothing from he corners of my mouth (I was 4 hours past my daily scheduled Shakeology). He started to dismount his truck, box in hand. “Give it to me!” I shouted as I grabbed the package from the man dressed in brown.

I apologize for my behavior. With blender whirling and smell of chocolate with a hint of wheat grass, I felt the anxious excitment that a drug addict must feel when they score another hit of heroine.

Beachbody has several protein and meal replacement shakes. I’ve tried and used them all. You’ve never seen me blog about them. I’ve been in the fitness profession for 20 years. I’ve tried every shake, vitamin and protein suppliment. You can imagine because of the huge network of intstructors and customers of my company http://www.turbokick.com, on a monthlly basis I’m sent samples of every miracle nutrient, drink, vitamin, water, protein source, and shake you can imagine. I’ve tried them all. You’ve NEVER heard me encourage people to try them. I’ve talked about things I find yummy or tasty with decent nutrients. But Shakeology is in a class of it’s own. Period.

Unfortunately you can only get it from a coach. Some say it’s expensive. I say… DO YOUR RESEARCH! It’s cheap! You show me a meal with this many veggies, protein, enzymes, fruit blends, probiotics and vitamins that is this low in calorie and I’ll show you something much more expensive or that doesn’t have as much ! it can’t be done. It’s less than a cup of Starbucks. Get a clue! It’s cheap. Sure it’s more than what you’ve been paying for your normal meal replacement, but this is a total health drink. It’s super cheap if you become a coach. Don’t quote me here, but you get it about $30 cheaper if your’e coach with http://www.TeamBeachbody.com Now I am ineligible to be coach (because I’m a trainer with BeachBody) so I’ve been ordering it from my coach as customer. (Well, except for in this recent tantrum!)

BeachBody has just come out with Shakeology and it is truly amazing. Not only does it have all the great stuff I just mentioned but it tastes really really good (I have some GREAT recipes to really make it taste like a dream! Don’t just mix it with water and shake it. Boring! Visit my blog later this week for my fav recipes!

It really does take great! You don’t have to just take my word for it, take the word of a “very picky eater!!!”, my son 12 year old son Brock. Now let me tell you about my sweet son Brock, he HATES vegetables. I understand. I hated veggies til I was an adult. For years my Mom tried and for years, I found creative ways to dispose of the green stuff on my plate without her knowing. The other day Brock and I had a very touching moment. I made him is afternoon protein shake. He gulped it down, commenting, “That was good, but it tasted different today. Did you put something different in it?” I sat down next to him and broke the news to him. “Son, you just had your daily serving of veggies!” For the first time in his 12 year life, a complete days serving of fruits and vegetables and he liked it! Now granted… I needed his shake to taste a lot like what he’s used to, so I added the same stuff I always put in his protein shakes, a lil peanut butter and some fat free frozen yogurt. But it was the most nutritious meal he had probably had in his life. I felt a tear roll down my face. ( oh come on! Not really, but it makes the story). Seriously as a mom it gives such peace of mind knowing I can whip up a yummy shake hand it to my child and know he is getting so many great things his growing body needs.

Learn more… http://www.milliondollarbody.com/shakeology/

More details

WHATS IN IT

More than 70 different ingredients were chosen from around the world for their potency and bioavailability (the ability to deliver the nutrients your body needs). Here are the key nutrient groups that these ingredients deliver:*

Protein and Essential Amino Acids to help build long, lean muscles and reduce food cravings

Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in improving digestion, regularity, and nutrient absorption

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients to help counteract free radical damage that can lead to degenerative diseases

Vitamins and Minerals your body needs to function for optimal health.



LOVE IT!
If you want to check out Shakeology you can look at one of my two sites:
My Beachbody Site

My Shakeology Site

Do you have any questions? Get at me!

Insanity: Behind the Scenes

Are you ready to put your body to the test? Get at me!

TURBO FIRE

^^Can you spot me?

GET READY for the BEST workout around.....TURBO FIRE!

But guess what? You have to be a Beachbody Coach if you want to save 25%! OR if you want to be one of the first to purchase then you better make sure you are send up through a Beachbody Coach. Create a free account on my website- www.cardiopartycat.com simply click JOIN then create the FREE account and I'll let you know RIGHT AWAY when TURBO FIRE is released and you can purchase that second!

Don't miss out on transforming your life!!

Congress is doing P90X!

From athletes to actresses and now even CONGRESS! Everyone is doing the X!

I'm giving away a FREE P90X shirt!

^I always CHANGE the video still that youtube picks because it makes me look ridiculous but guess it didn't work yet! ER!


Contest ends NEXT MONDAY- March 29th!

Communicate to Motivate by Chalene Johnson

Words are a powerful thing. Be careful what you say and who you say it to. With a word or certain tone of voice you can lift someone up or rip them down.

Why are you exercising?

Recently someone asked me, "How long are you going to do that Turbo thing?" I of course immediately replied, "Forever!"

Then I thought about it...I don't ever see a point in my life where I wouldn't be working out. Why would I stop? It's something that I LOVE to do and I'll continue it until I possibly can not move my arms and legs, I hope to be sporting a leotard & rocking out with my walker in the old folks home! There are so many health benefits to working out, but on top of all that, it's a passion, habit and way of life.

Caterina's Reasons to Exercise (I feel like this will be a currently updated blog with more & more reasons)
-I love the why it makes me feel during & after a GREAT workout.
-I love working up a sweat and then jumping in the shower because I know that I earned it.
-I love to eat, trust me I'm Italian! So what better way to get to enjoy delicious foods then to workout to avoid putting extra calories into your body?
-Superficial alert: I love cute workout clothes & new shoes (and they aren't just for looks you have to USE them).
-I would not know what to do with myself/my time. Everyday I plan what my day will consist of, if I go a couple days without a good workout, I feel like my life is upside down. No not because I beat myself up over the guilt (even though I do feel guilty) but it's more of disrupting my pattern. I have made exercise a part of my life. I can't go back now, not even if I wanted to.
-I think it's fun! :)
-I like to feel good about my body.
-I want to live a long life.
-I know that in my family there is a big history of every kind of illness you can think of- I don't want ANY of that!!
-This one is a no brainer and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner- I enjoy losing weight/inches! It makes me happy to see my hard work pay off.
-I like working out and hearing that other people are interested in doing the same workouts as me.
-It brings me closer to my friends! I love working out with my close friends and meeting new friends along the way on my fitness journey! :)
-I get paid to do it! ;) That's always a nice bonus.









So what about YOU? What are YOUR reasons?! Let's make a BIG list!