One on One with Tony

Playing again with the embed tool. I just love these workouts!

Nutrition Simplified

Checking out a new blogger embed tool from my Beachbody site. What better way then to show a great product. It comes in two favors (Chocolate & GreenBerry). If you live near me, you can come by for a sample of each of them. Check out the www.shakeology.com site for information.

More Acclaim for my buddy Dallas Carter

I am always so inspired by this guys heart, and happy that he is now has a great platform to pay it forward. I had the opportunity to meet him last March and even every day I get a chance to Workout with many others that have the same zest for a changed life in WOWY (the Work Out With You online "gym") Come Join us!

Take your Pick

BEACHBODY Products

Earl Broughfman says it best at the end of the Video "People Helping People to get fit"

I can Only Imagine - Father Son

Reminder of a great story.

Father to Son - Amazing and truly inspiring story. -- Slight changes in your beginning probably cause the most profound differences in your results. Choose Life!




The story of Rick and Dick Hoyt - Team Hoyt

Are we called "Pushers"?

There are many famous people out there, but of them, what percent would you really want a great friendship with. Well, I can not say that I even know Chalene (we are Facebook friend ... does that count), but I have welcomed her in our home to lead me in a Workout many times, so it is like we are old friends. After hearing her speak in person last March, I was sold on what a truly caring and great person she is and would love being friends with her and her family.

That said here is a note from a "friend" of mine. (Note if you want to sample either of the two Shakeology flavors, you are welcome to come on by for a visit anytime.)
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MY SHAKEOLOGY APOLOGY by Chalene Johnson

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 am 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 relationship with Shakeology, other than 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 12 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 world’s 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 too 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. "Leili, 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 the 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 excitement 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 supplement. You can imagine because of the huge network of instructors and customers of my company http://www.turbokick.com, on a monthly 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 its 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 you’re a coach with Team Beachbody. Now I am ineligible to be a coach (because I'm a trainer with BeachBody) so I've been ordering it from my coach as a 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 till 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 little 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... 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

Prebiotic 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.

Drop and give yourself a workout

More than a mere exercise, the humble push-up can be viewed as nothing less than a metaphor for life itself.

Think of its motion as mirroring the cyclical, up-and-down nature of existence, almost Sisyphean in movement. Often, as in life, you are pushing against your own weight, seeking to overcome self-imposed limits. To perform it well, it takes backbone both literally and in terms of fortitude.

Push-ups aren't guaranteed to be easy and can be harsh in the pain they inflict. Yet, done well, the exercise offers moments of sublime bliss where mind and muscle meld. Like life.

"The push-up should be a little scary," says Chip Conrad, owner of Body Tribe Fitness in midtown Sacramento. "You can't take the quick and easy route with a push-up. It takes practice, so you need some fear and reverence of it. As with anything, it can either empower or destroy."

Then again, put aside deep thinking. Push-ups may just be a great workout. And certainly one for this age of frugality.

Such utility, really, is the overriding reason such an old-school exercise has endured in this era of fancy gym equipment, elaborate cross-training regimens and scientific advancements.

What other single exercise in a fitness buff's repertoire involves muscle groups such as the chest, shoulders, back, arms, abdomen, hips and legs? And if you perform enough push-ups in a short enough amount of time, it even can provide an aerobic workout.

All that can be accomplished by putting one's body in a rigid, planklike position and raising and lowering your weight. Amazing in its simplicity.

"It is very versatile," says Richard Cotten, an exercise physiologist at the American College of Sports Medicine. "I'd recommend it to anyone, but I also wouldn't limit my clients to just doing the push-up."

Indeed, man (and woman) does not live by push-ups alone.

Though some have tried.

See, the push-up has long been seen as a symbol of virility and vigor, creating a certain cultural cachet.

Who could forget aging actor Jack Palance dropping to perform one-armed push-ups to show his fitness after accepting the Oscar? Why would a 1950s TV audience become so enthralled with Jack LaLanne's televised world record of 1,033 push-ups in 23 minutes? And would Japan's Minoru Yoshida be a celebrity in his country if he performed a record 10,507 squats in a row rather than push-ups?

The push-up has the power to capture the imagination. That certainly was the case for Ted Skup, a 57-year-old Indiana man who, more than 25 years ago, decided to perform 1,000 push-ups a day, every day, for the rest of his life.

More than 11 million push-ups later, Skup remains true to his vow. He is so dedicated to promoting his exercise of choice that he even wrote an entertaining, self-published book, "Death, Taxes & Pushups" (Abox Publishing, $18.95, 214 pages).

Skup's lofty goal: Use the push-up as a force for good in curbing America's rising obesity rate and alerting the populace to an effective and inexpensive exercise option for recessionary times.

"People living on the lower income don't have the luxury of personal trainers, gym memberships, supplements and flex machines this is free and portable," Skup said in an interview. "You come home from work and got to take kids to basketball or swim practice. In the real world, you don't have time to drive to the gym, spend two hours there on a complete workout. Life doesn't work like that."

So Skup weaned himself from the gym and started doing push-ups during breaks at work, at home, at the mall any time he could fit in five minutes or so.

"After a year, I looked in the mirror and saw I looked just as good as I did when I lifted weights," he says. "It's like being in a health club and doing everything at once. It's the most portable exercise ever invented."

Conrad, the Body Tribe owner, says push-ups are a core part of "a medley of exercises I give to people when they're traveling and can't get to a gym." (Others include squats and yoga moves.)

Even if you have access to a gym full of fancy machines, the push-up trumps even something as basic as the bench press.

Trainer Alwyn Cosgrove, in Men's Fitness magazine, recently wrote, "A guy shouldn't even attempt to pick up a dumbbell until he can handle his own body weight. Most guys don't realize how tough body weight-only training really is. I'm continually amazed by how many people I meet who can bench press a very heavy load but can't complete 10 good push-ups."

Conrad, who often trains personal trainers, says many weightlifters don't show push-ups the proper respect.

"The other day, I was working with this one guy (who) loves working chests," Conrad says. "I told him, 'I know you love your bench press and dumbbell press, but it's not helping your performance much. We're going to do nothing but push-ups today.' He said, 'OK, but then I'm going to go do some iron stuff.' I said, 'We'll see.'

"We ended up doing 45 minutes of push-up variations and he can barely move the next day. He touched his pecs and goes, 'Ow.' I love hauling iron but, frankly, with push-ups, your body weight with all the variations is plenty, whether it's for vanity or performance."

Many variations of the standard push-up exist. Body position determines the emphasis on a particular muscle group. For instance, if one's hands are set closer than the shoulder width, the triceps receive a greater workout.

Other popular variations include, from easiest to hardest, the modified push-up (knees, rather than toes, supporting your weight), the incline push-up (hands braced on the wall or bench) and the decline push-up (feet elevated on a bench).

Conrad often combines standard push-ups with yoga moves for hybrid exercises that tax the body more. But he also is a big proponent of the regular old push-up.

"I think slower push-ups, where you want to be like a table top, teach postural concepts so that you can know your proprioception (an inner sense of the position of your body parts)," Conrad says. "More explosive push-ups are great for sports performance, where you need to turn everything on quickly. You can change your body positioning in a push-up, too, steal some things from yoga."

Yet for the common man, the iconic, straight-backed position suffices.

Robert Boggs, a 68-year-old Elk Grove man, read Skup's push-up manifesto last year and decided to make the exercise the cornerstone of his fitness routine.

"I've tried weight and jogging and so forth, but I've found this is addictive," says Boggs, who does about 300 to 500 push-ups a day. "It's a refreshing approach. You aren't killing yourself, but you're working your whole body."

And the mind, according to Skup.

"It keeps my sanity," says the man who's done in excess of 11 million push-ups, "It centers me. Keeps the aggression down. Keeps everything in check. It's a perfect time to reflect on your past, contemplate the present and future."

TIPS ON PROPER PUSH-UP FORM

* When pushing away from the floor, focus on using your arms and keeping your body in a straight line throughout the movement. Avoid lifting your buttocks higher than your hips or hunching your neck and shoulders. Go slowly and exhale on the upward phase of the exercise.

* Don't allow your chest to actually touch the floor when you come down. Instead, stop the downward portion of the movement when your chest is 2 to 3 inches away from the floor. This will protect your shoulders and still provide plenty of range of motion to make the exercise effective. Try placing a book, a rolled-up towel or a tennis shoe under your chest to remind you when to stop lowering your body during the exercise.

* If you are unable to complete a full push-up, execute the exercise from your knees and/or place your hands on the edge of a sofa or bench (instead of the floor). These positions will make it less challenging, and allow you to build your strength over time. Then progress to a traditional push-up when you are able to complete eight to 12 repetitions of this easier version of the exercise.

* If push-ups bother your wrists, try holding on to small dumbbells on the floor instead of placing your hands directly on the floor. The dumbbells will allow you to straighten your wrists and minimize pressure on them while doing the exercise.

* Though push-ups can strengthen several muscle groups, it is important to do some exercises that emphasize the "pulling" muscles, such as pull-ups, pull-downs or rowing exercises. This will ensure balanced upper-body strength.

Jay Blahnik, Los Angeles Times

WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

Here is a funny story about a summary of a “WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM”. I know I can relate to the mental battle a morphed attitude as things get tough.

WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrong with you. This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.
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MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile.
Woo Hoo!!

Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!
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TUESDAY:

I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.
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WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals.. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other crap too.
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THURSDAY:

Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny witch to find me. Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

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FRIDAY:
I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.

Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the stupid barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
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SATURDAY:

Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.
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SUNDAY:

I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little brat) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!