"Simplicity is the secret of seeing things clearly." - Oswald Chambers

Living a health-filled life doesn't have to be complicated! God designed our bodies to be fit, healthy and available for His use.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

ATTENTION ALL ACTIVE MILITARY!!!

Good morning from the beautiful island of Guam!

I'm still on vacation and LOVING it, BUT I couldn't wait any longer to share the great news of Team Beachbody's new offer for Active Military!  The Coaching Opportunity is now FREE to Active Military!!!!  This is a great way to supplement your income while helping others get fit and healthy!  Plus, you get the 25% discount off all Beachbody products!  If you or someone you know is Active Military and interested in this offer, PLEASE email me right away so we can you signed up and on your way!  Those of you serving our country in the US Military, thank you for your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your family to help us enjoy the freedoms that we do.  I'm so glad that Team Beachbody has chosen to honor you in such a way.  

For more info on the Coaching Opportunity for Military, click HERE.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Healthy Vacation! An Oxymoron or not?

So, you've planned and saved for this vacation for a LONG time.  Now, how do you enjoy the vacation without gaining 20 pounds?????  We're enjoying ourselves on our family vacation in Guam.  It's not very often that we get to enjoy the luxuries and restaurants available here since we live on a smaller island that's pretty remote.  So here are some of my tips for keeping off those extra pounds while still having a good time:

  • Aim for getting a hotel that has a fridge.  That way you can make a trip to the grocery store to get some healthy snacks, whole grain breakfast cereals, yogurt, fruit, and other foods to keep in your room - it saves on money and calories by eating in for breakfast and other snacks.
  • We indulge in treats and meals while on vacation but try to combat it by drinking extra water, taking echinacea and Beachbody Herbal Immune Boost - also, it's not necessary to go overboard - you don't HAVE to eat junk every meal while on vacation!
  • Get in those workouts!  My husband and I have both been making sure we get in a daily workout or morning run.  Plus, swimming lots is helping to burn off those extra calories.
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Drink plenty of extra water while traveling; this will help flush out your system as well.
  • Take your supplements along with you!  We have our P90X vitamin packs with us as well as Shakeology - I even packed my little Magic Bullet Blender to make our shakes each day!
So, to be honest with you, I've worked hard for this vacation (and I've worked hard to fit back into a size 4 for this vacation!) - I'm going to enjoy some meals that I normally wouldn't eat at home, I'm going to enjoy some desserts, and I'm going to relax and enjoy time with my family.  But what I'm not going to do is go home   back to the size I was after giving birth to my 5th child!!!  Hope these tips can help you as well!  Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Vacation Time!

Only a few more days before our family leaves for a much-needed, much-longed-for vacation!  It's been over 2 years since we've been off our little island in Micronesia and even though we are just going to another little island in Micronesia, it's great just to get away for a bit!  At least where we're going (Guam) has American stores, restaurants, and attractions!  I'm thankful for the Beachbody business I've been able to build over the last year which has given me an extra source of income to set aside for a trip such as this!  If you're interested in how you can build an extra income as well, email me for more info or go here to sign up!  It was one of the best decisions I've ever made!  Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to a great vacation!  I will NOT however, be taking a vacation from my coaching!  I LOVE what I do, so feel free to contact me with questions or whatever; I'll have my laptop with me.  If I don't already coach you, go here to sign up to have me coach you for FREE!  

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Beyond Pain Relievers

This week's edition of "Extraordinary Health" has a great article in it by Jordan Rubin about common, everyday foods that can relieve pain.  So for those of you faced with joint and muscle pain from your workouts or other causes, this may be the answer to getting rid of those bottles of pain killers!  Here is the link for the original article (there is also a good article there on toxins!).  


From Jordan's Desk: Beyond Pain Relievers


Drop that pain reliever. That’s the news from scientists in the U.S., Italy, Spain and Australia who say that extra virgin olive oil has the ability to help reduce pain and inflammation—among other health benefits. Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia identified an antioxidant called aleocanthal, which is found only in extra virgin olive oil. This antioxidant has the uncanny ability to inhibit the cyclooxygenas (Cox) enzyme that incites pain and inflammation—much in the way ibuprofen does.
Likewise, Italian researchers say that the phenols in extra virgin olive oil provide extra antioxidant power as well as anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive and anti-cancer benefits. Scientists from Spain add that extra virgin olive oil supports healthy aging and increased longevity. Australian researchers say that extra virgin olive oil is also antimicrobial—to fight off certain bacteria. Other benefits of extra virgin olive oil include helping to maintain a leaner body weight, to support brain and mental health, healthy blood sugar, joint health and heart health. Just a few spoonfuls a day is all it takes.
Cherries can also help reduce pain. In fact, research out of Michigan State University says that the anthocyanins in cherries (and other berries like blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries) that give them their rich color also help relieve pain more effectively than aspirin does. Anthocyanins inhibit cylcooxygenase-1 and -2 in a way that’s similar to how anti-inflammatory drugs work.
Muralee Nair, Ph.D., professor at Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources and lead researcher of the studies, says that cherries are “as good as ibuprofen and some of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” Nair said that his lab results indicate that consuming 20 tart cherries could provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Cherries can also reduce uric acid levels, help ease pain after workouts and are a great source of vitamin C, potassium and boron—a mineral that supports bone health.
But wait…there’s more. You might be surprised to know that there are more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in celery and celery seeds, including one called apigenin. Similarly, ginger reduces pain-causing prostaglandin levels in the body, while turmeric is more effective than steroid meds for acute inflammation.
Eating salmon, mackerel, herring and other fatty fish can help, too. The omega-3s found in fish convert to hormone-like substances that support healthy inflammation levels and decrease pain. Dr. Alfred Steinberg, a National Institute of Health arthritis expert, says fish oil is an anti-inflammatory agent. It acts directly on the immune system by suppressing 40 to 55 percent of the release of cytokines—compounds that damage joints.
Other foods to enjoy include flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, raw walnuts, walnut oil, grapes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, avocados, grapefruit, oranges, apricots, anchovies, sardines, high omega-3 eggs, nectarines, tangerines, papayas, peaches, plums, watermelon, nuts and seeds, apples, bell peppers and cranberries. 
What a delicious way to go beyond pain relievers!

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Keeping Track!

Hitting a plateau in your weight loss can be frustrating!  Switching up your workout routines is one way to break a plateau.  Another thing that can really help is tightening up the eating!  Journaling everything you eat can really make a difference in tracking your caloric intake and can really open your eyes to just how many calories you're consuming in a day!  I like to use My Fitness Pal!  Membership is free and you can track your eating as well as your exercise and calories burned.  It's been pretty helpful to me lately in breaking the plateau I hit!  After a week of tracking calories, I lost a total of 4 lbs.!  I was pleased, AND motivated to keep going!  Vacation is just around the corner for our family and I have a goal weight in mind that I hope to be at before then.  Keeping track of what I eat and really bringing it with the workouts will get me there!   If you need help getting started in  your own weight-loss journey, I can coach you for FREE!  Just click on this link to sign up for my free coaching and you'll hear from me soon!  Or you can go ahead and email me!

Disclaimers

I am not a doctor or health care professional in any way. Information posted on this blog is simply what I have found to be helpful to me and is never intended to be used in place of professional medical advice.

Beachbody does not guarantee any level of success or income from the Beachbody Coach Opportunity. Each Coach's income depends on his or her own efforts, diligence, and skill. See our Statement of Independent Coach Earnings for the most recent information on the actual incomes for all our Coaches.