Back to School!

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

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

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

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

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

T25 Workout Review!

I cannot say enough about FOCUS T25. I had the opportunity to be in the test group for this product. They wanted 20 people to use it and see what results they got before the product was released to the public. Well let me tell you I GOT GREAT RESULTS!! I am a 41 year old mom and I have had the hardest time losing weight every since 35 came and went. That was until I found T25!!

This program has changed how I look at fitness and nutrition. I worked out for 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  With T25, every second counts because it's only 25 minutes. So you go hard for those 25 minutes and you are done!!! No weights or equipment is needed for this workout. It shipped with an exercise band and that was all I needed.  I went to Mexico and Las Vegas during the 50 days I was doing this program and still lost weight!!!! I took my program with me and did it in the hotel rooms and on the balcony of my condo.  I had no excuse for not doing it.  I waste more time on Facebook than I did working out each day.  NO EXCUSE!! T25 came with a nutrition guide that was simple to follow. Each recipe only had 5 ingredients in it. So it wasn't like I was at the grocery story trying to find weird unheard of items.  I also drank Shakeology...a vital key factor in getting my results. I drank it for breakfast each morning and also drank it for some dinners.  It was refueling my body with the energy I needed and it was a low calorie meal. It helped that it tasted great.

The T25 trainer is Shaun T, the same trainer that does Insanity and Asylum. He is great in this workout. The queuing is fantastic in it.  Very easy to follow.

The idea behind FOCUS T25 is to give you a workout program that is only 5 days per week, only 25 minutes per workout, but that pushes you to the MAX during those 25 minutes so that you get an incredible calorie burn and amazing results with limited time.

Focus T25 is broken down into an “Alpha” phase and a “Beta” phase.  There are 12 total workouts =

Alpha Phase workouts:

Cardio

Speed 1.0

Total Body Circuit

Ab Intervals

Lower Focus

Beta Phase workouts:

Core Cardio

Speed 2.0

Rip’t Circuit

Dynamic Core

Upper Focus

There is also a Stretch workout and the bonus workout Core Speed (if you order through a teambeachbody coach like me).

In the Alpha phase, you’ll build your foundation using just your body weight.  Plus, there is beginner and advanced levels so everyone can get it done.

After you spend 5 weeks building your foundation, it will be time to step it up with the Beta phase and focus on your core.  These workouts feature new dynamic moves to burn fat and sculpt lean muscle with an emphasis on your core so your abs get shredded too.  With Focus T25, you don’t waste a single second!  “Don’t stop when you’re tired.  Stop when you’re done!” – Shaun T.

Focus T25 comes with a workout calendar, nutrition guide, and resistance band.

I want everyone, especially moms to get these results. So I am starting a Focus T25 challenge group to help coach each mom through this program. I have one starting on July 1st an one on July 15th. If you want to be a part of this group, message me or comment below and I will add you. You must be willing to commit to yourself, the program and the challenge. You must purchase the T25 Challenge Pack that will include Shakeology (you pick your favorite flavor) and you must be my customer.  I have a discounted link that will save you over $60! I love a discount and I hate to pay for shipping so this will provide you with both.

If you have more questions, just message or comment and I will respond.

My husband is also doing a Focus T25 Challenge group, so men...you can get awesome results too!! Click on the BUY Button to connect you to the discount package.  

Let's get fit together!!

Shamrock Smoothie

Considering it's St. Patrick's Day, I thought this would be a great, healthy way to celebrate!

This minty Shakeology recipe satisfies your sweet tooth and your desire to raise a glass to St. Patrick, but it's great any time of the year.

Total Time: 15 min. Prep Time: 15 min. Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients: 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened 1 kiwi fruit, peeled and diced ¼ cup fresh mint leaves 1 tsp. pure maple syrup 1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology 1 cup ice cubes

Preparation: 1. Place almond milk, kiwi, mint, maple syrup, Shakeology, and ice in blender. 2. Cover and blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories: 254

Fat: 4g

Saturated Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 10g

Sodium: 280mg

Carbs: 39g

Fiber: 6g

Sugars: 25g

Protein: 18g

Weight Loss Conundrums

There is nothing more frustrating than committing to a weight loss program and then finding out that you are still gaining weight. Steve Edwards, over at Team Beachbody, has a new article about common weight loss conundrums. Below are three of the five points that I found most interesting and relevant to my fitness. 1. Cortisol. This performance enhancing stress hormone is present in your body for the "survival instinct". When you begin a new workout program, your body believes it is in survival mode until it adjusts to the demands of the program. So, you retain water to help rebuild muscle tissue. Once your body adjusts to the program, it will release less cortisol.

2. Under-eating. Some of Beachbody's programs have a kick-start eating plan in the beginning which asks that you not eat too much until you work yourself back up to a healthy eating plan. You may see weight gain during this time because of...you guessed it, cortisol. It's important that, while working out, you maintain a healthy eating plan so that your body does not think it's in survival mode.

3. The plateau. If you have been doing the same routine or workout for an extended period of time, you will stop seeing results. It's important to push past a plateau by adding resistance, increasing your intensity, or changing your workout program altogether.

Making it Stick!

The new year is well underway, and I'm sure that many of you, myself included, have made resolutions and goals for 2013. It east to make the resolution, but much harder to stick to it. This month's issue of the Beachbody newsletter has some great tips on how to make your commitment stick.

• Plan ahead. Having a well thought out plan or goal is the best way to be successful. Jumping into something without the proper preparation can be more frustrating and difficult than if you write out your goals and know them before hand.
• Shout it from the rooftops. Tell someone, or a group of people about your goals. Facebook has provided us with a great forum for accountability.
• Strategize. Reaching your goal takes strategy. You have to have small steps in place  in order to reach the larger objective.
• Think positive...but not too positive. It's important to admit that failure is possible. Make a Plan B in case you don't reach your original goal.
• Know thy enemy. Don't bank on your self-control. Sometimes you will be more successful by avoiding the temptation entirely.
• Reward yourself. Long term goals take time. It is wise to reward yourself along the way. But make sure that your rewards are in line with what your goal is. If losing weight is the goal, instead of eating a cake after working out all week, buy a new outfit you can't yet fit into. The reward is waiting when you've reached your goal!
• Don't let setbacks derail you. You will mess up at some point. Instead of throwing in the towel for the day, salvage the rest of it and make good choices that get you to your goal from that point on.

I think the most important point of this whole article is accountability. Whether you are trying to lose weight, eat better, get out of debt...whatever your goal- accountability is key. Robert and I would love to help hold you accountable if you need it. Follow these links to our Facebook fitness pages, click LIKE and we can encourage one another in reaching our goals for 2013!

Robert's Page                               Melissa's Page

Goal Setting for 2013

Every year about this time Robert and I go to a nice dinner and write down our goals for the upcoming year. We also look back on the ones we wrote down the year before. We have our own set of goals in categories of Faith, Fitness, Family, Financial, Business, and personal growth(ex..learn Spanish, take a cooking class). This year Robert and I are taking a free online class from my friend and mentor Chalene Johnson. I took this class August 2012, and it was this course that helped take my business from Diamond Rank to 2 Star Diamond while increasing my weekly checks by 45%. That's a nice raise!! This is not for Beachbody Coaches only. It's for anyone who has a goal he/she wants to achieve like new job, lose weight, increase your income, organize your house..whatever it is, join us and do this course. It's free what can you lose right?

Here is the link: 30 Day Challenge

New Year, New You!

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

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

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

Melissa

Getting the Most from COMBAT!

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

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

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

Staying Fit Through the Holidays

It's so important during this tempting season to continue to remind yourself of ways to stay fit and healthy. When the treats call your name from the break room, or you find yourself at yet another holiday party, remember these tips to stay on track. -Write down what you eat. You are less likely to put a third cookie in your mouth if you have to write it down and be held accountable for it.

-Eat before parties. If you know you will be heading out to a party with lots of treats, eat a healthy meal before hand so you will feel satisfied and less likely to over indulge with sweets.

-Offer to bring a healthy option. There are so many great recipes out there for healthy snacking. You don't have to bring a dessert to a party- opt instead for a healthy dip or veggies.

Most importantly this season, don't stop exercising! It's so easy to use the holidays as an excuse to take a break, but you will find that it will be so much harder to start back up if you stop. Keep pushing and don't give up this holiday season!!!

LOSE Weight in December!

The holidays present plenty of opportunities to indulge. But, you can still shed the pounds in December. All you have to do is replace one meal a day with Shakeology! You will be shocked to see that you can actually lose weight this way.

(click on the photo to order NOW!)

Shakeology is a daily nutritional shake that helps your body gently eliminate toxins more efficiently while allowing for better absorption of the essential nutrients you need. A proprietary blend of digestive enzymes and prebiotics helps your body progressively eliminate the toxins that build up over time from eating today's highly processed foods.

At the same time, whole-food ingredients deliver the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to curb cravings, allowing your body to shed stored fat while the more than 20 different antioxidants and phytonutrients help reduce free radical damage that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and stroke.

So, don't let the holidays be an excuse! Use the month of December to "shake" away the weight!!