The Nutrition side of being Fit

Tammy and I put great importance in what we use to fuel our bodies. I do not know where each of you is in your “journey” toward better health, but it seems we all want to feel better. We like to go about this as naturally as possible and want to share information on a how we get a large about of what now are called “super foods”. Do your research.

You may have already heard me “rant” amount the good fitness being a combination of proper exercise, nutrition and rest. Without each of these the time spent in others can be not as productive. So no matter if you are doing P90X, Insanity or any other exercise regime, without proper nutrition you are honestly doing yourself a disservice. Tammy and I believe Shakeology is the best nutritional product on the market, but there are others. While not as complete Sequel Naturals produces Vega Health Optimizer. I have tried for weeks to get a sample and I may finally get on soon they say. (Their number is 1-866-839-8863) we will see if it tastes any good. You can purchase Vega at the Whole Foods (or at New Moon for the Truckee locals). Shakeology Ingredients PDF can be found at the bottom of the Shakeology page.

I received the samples since writing the above paragraph; they are Vega "Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer" flavors Natural, Vanilla Chai & Berry. I started by trying the Natural flavor using 12oz. of Fat Free Milk and 6oz. of Ice. It tasted very poor to me, almost "fishy". Added some frozen blueberries, which did not help. I was going back-and-forth on whether to finish it. In the end I dump more than 1/2 down the Drain. I am mostly sad about the Blueberries wasted. Few days later I tried the Vanilla Chai flavor and it was ok, at least I did not have to dump it. The Chai aroma was nice but a bad after taste was hardly worth it. Today I tried the Berry flavor and again nice aroma, not so much on the flavor. It has hard to get it all down... but it's good for you, right? They did not send a Chocolate sample for some reason. While I am not a huge "Must have Chocolate" guy I would have thought that would be their best, but maybe not.

Another option, while again not nearly as complete as Shakeology, is a Rainbow light product called Protein Energizer™ Whey (you can also find links to the Acai, Chocolate and Vanilla flavors.) I should be receiving samples soon from Rainbow Light. (update: The sample tasted pretty bad, but could choke them down, not something I would want to use on a regular bases)

Even if you are familiar with Shakeology and even using it here is some great information that explains why we are so happy with it.
See What Doctors are Saying - Testimony from 100 Doctors about Shakeology

Shakeology: From the Fields - Follow Darin Olien (Shakeology co-creator and chief ingredient hunter) on a journey around the world for many of the Super foods in the "Healthiest Meal of the Day"

If you cannot devote time to watch a video – Here is an Audio link that you can listen too
Advice from 100 Doctors (mp3). I can also get you a CD with the 28MB mp3 file on it if you like. It is about 25 min. in length. I would appreciate your opinion.

If you are on Facebook you can view some PowerPoint slides on Shakeology here.

To your Health.

Doctors are using Shakeology®

The Complete "100 Doctors Don't Lie" video Click here (or viewing in Facebook find it on Original blog post)


here are two more highlighted Doctor's reviews:

Doctor #37, bariatric surgeon Dr. Long, tells us how Shakeology can serve as a tool for weight loss patients.

And Dr.Yosaitis, doctor #42, talks about the prevalence of malnutrition in Americans and how Shakeology can help. We are malnourished like stated in video from all the boxed goods with no nutrients. We are killing ourselves.

Chocolate Shakeology® Pie! (updated for coconut option)

Finally found a recipe for this pie. (Thanks Brian Hin) It's very easy and fast to make and has all of the nutritional value of Shakeology® and then some! :)

. 1-1/2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
. 1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
. 1 container silken tofu (12 oz.) {my Container was 16oz.}
. 2 Tbsp. soy milk
. 2 Tbsp. agave nectar (or maple syrup)
. 1 "Healthy" graham cracker pie crust (recipe below)

(Edit: Recently saw a similar Recipe with more Peanut butter [1 cup] & the addition of 1 cup of reduced fat / unsweetened shredded coconut for topping. Additionally the Whole Wheat Graham cracker crust was basted with one egg white before baking crust in oven)


Ingredients ready with food Processor

Blend or food-process peanut butter, tofu, Shakeology, soy milk, and agave nectar until smooth and creamy, adding more soy milk if necessary. Pour into pie crust and refrigerate until firm (about 1 hour). Serves 8.


After you blend ingredients together just pour it into pie crust


Above picture is a regular crust w/ Butter that I made.

(Update: the above crust held up much better, although not as healthy)

My new "Healthy" Crust recipe is this:
(Crust did not firm-up like I would have liked; may have to go back to the Crust with butter, at least the filling is super healthy)
. 1-1/2 cups graham cracker (I used 12 sheets)
. 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
. 1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
. 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
Bake at 350°F for 10 min.



Refrigerate until firm and then serve!!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes, plus 60 minutes refrigeration time

(True Confession: if you really want it as a Substitute Dessert top it with a small amount of real whipped cream; not included in Calorie counts below ... but sometimes I am worth it)

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Cut into 8 Pieces
Filling
Calories: 168
Carbs: 11 g
Fat: 9 g
Protein: 9 g

Healthy Crust
Calories: 113
Carbs: 22 g
Fat: 2 g
Protein: 2 g

TOTALS for 1/8th Pie : Calories: 281, Carbs: 33 g, Fat: 11 g, Protein: 11 g

Cut into 10 Pieces
Filling
Calories: 134
Carbs: 9 g
Fat: 8 g
Protein: 9g

Healthy Crust
Calories: 90 g
Carbs: 17 g
Fat: 2 g
Protein: 2 g

TOTALS for 1/10th Pie : Calories: 224, Carbs: 26 g, Fat: 10 g, Protein: 11 g

Enjoy everyone!!

Tony Horton in Dallas, TX (Sept 18th)

Tony Horton - Dallas, Texas Super Saturday, September 18, 2010
Register to see Tony in Dallas, TX »



Well many of you have been waiting for this event ~ Dallas Super Saturday with Tony Horton. The wait is over. Tony is coming to lead you in a full day of fitness training and fun. You will have the opportunity to hear Tony talk about turning your fitness into a business with Team Beachbody. You will hear from local coaches, Robert and Melissa Hudgens, how P90x and Team Beachbody has literally changed their lives. Tony will be leading you in TWO workouts, plus you will hear how to Simplify the P90X Nutrition guide and make it easy to follow everyday. There is also a fantastic healthy lunch being provided. During that time Tony will be answering some questions submitted by attendees. The last workout of the day will be yoga. As you know Tony is a huge fan of yoga. He says it is the Fountain of Youth!! Much of this is taught at Tony's camps that cost $400, this one day mini-camp is only $79.00. Space is limited so register today!!

More obvious News - Brown Rice is Good!

Also note that half-milled (Haigamai) and incompletely milled (Kinmemai) rice contain the healthy ingredient.

Brown Rice Tied to Better Heart Health in Study - healthfinder.gov

Brown Rice Tied to Better Heart Health in Study Conversion to white rice strips vital ingredient, researchers believe. MONDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Two kinds of rice -- brown and half-milled rice -- may reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure by interfering with a protein linked to those conditions, research suggests. In a new study, researchers report that the findings could indicate that brown rice is better than white rice when it comes to protecting the body from high blood pressure and artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). "Our research suggests that there is a potential ingredient in rice that may be a good starting point for looking into preventive medicine for cardiovascular diseases," said researcher Satoru Eguchi, an associate professor of physiology at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Eguchi and colleagues said their experiments show that an ingredient in brown rice appears to combat a protein known as angiotensin II that contributes to high blood pressure and clogged arteries. The ingredient is in a layer of rice that is stripped away when brown rice is converted to white rice. But the layer can be preserved in half-milled (Haigamai) and incompletely milled (Kinmemai) rice, which are popular in Japan. The study is slated to be released at the Experimental Biology annual conference, April 24-28, in Anaheim, Calif. More information The U.S. National Library of Medicine has details on nutrition. (SOURCE: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, news release, April 26, 2010)

Sharing the Obvious - Soda is Bad!

FASEB News - April 26, 2010

Phosphorous in Sodas and Processed Foods Accelerates Signs of Aging say Harvard Scientists

New research in the FASEB Journal shows that high levels of phosphate in sodas and processed foods accelerate the aging process in mice and contribute to age-associated complications such as chronic kidney disease

Here's another reason to kick the soda habit. New research published online in the FASEB Journal (www.fasebj.org) shows that high levels of phosphates may add more "pop" to sodas and processed foods than once thought. That's because researchers found that the high levels of phosphates accelerate signs of aging. High phosphate levels may also increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification, and can also induce severe muscle and skin atrophy.

"Humans need a healthy diet and keeping the balance of phosphate in the diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity," said M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. "Avoid phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life."

To make this discovery, Razzaque and colleague examined the effects of high phosphate levels in three groups of mice. The first group of mice was missing a gene (klotho), which when absent, causes mice to have toxic levels of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived 8 to 15 weeks. The second group of mice was missing the klotho gene and a second gene (NaPi2a), which when absent at the same time, substantially lowered the amount of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived to 20 weeks. The third group of mice was like the second group (missing both the klotho and NaPi2a genes), except they were fed a high-phosphate diet. All of these mice died by 15 weeks, like those in the first group. This suggests that phosphate has toxic effects in mice, and may have a similar effect in other mammals, including humans.

"Soda is the caffeine delivery vehicle of choice for millions of people worldwide, but comes with phosphorous as a passenger" said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal. "This research suggests that our phosphorous balance influences the aging process, so don't tip it."

Shakeology® and P90X®

By Steve Edwards



Can Shakeology replace one of my meals in the P90X nutrition plan?

I'd hope so, given that it's a meal replacement shake! [laughs] But seriously, Xers do have a different nutritional equation to consider than most people. Generally, meal replacement shakes are designed so that you drink them instead of eating a meal to help you lose weight. Of course, Shakeology fits into this mold just fine. In fact, given how nutrient-dense it is, I'd say it's better than anything on the market. And even though it contains an entire day's worth of many nutrients, it's still only 140 calories.

Aren't most of the meals in P90X nutrition plan in the 400 to 500 calorie range?

Exactly, and the average Xer won't be served well to cut out calories. The reason is that as you get fitter your nutritional requirements change, along with your body composition. When you first start to exercise, you can lose weight by just restricting your caloric intake. But as you gain muscle, you need to eat more to continue losing weight, and this is often a lot more than you ate when you first began losing weight—sometimes it's more than double. If you eat too little during P90X, your weight loss will plateau, along with your ability to do the workouts.

This is why we give you a lot of smoothie recipes and options. Shakeology, like any other meal replacement shake, can be a component of something larger. For meals, we suggest adding more calories from healthy fat sources, like nut butters (almonds, cashews, etc.), along with more standard smoothie-like ingredients such as fruit. This not only brings your calories into line with your diet plan but balances meals so they digest more slowly, as normal meals would.

Can Shakeology replace one of the snacks in the P90X nutrition plan?

Shakeology is a ridiculously nutrient-rich snack, a perfect snack for Xers. Because it doesn't have much fat, its nutrients are put to use very quickly by your body. This makes it an ideal pick-me-up snack when you're on the go. It's better, in fact, than a lot of energy drinks. While something like Red Bull might give you more up-front punch, Shakeology will give you sustained energy because it's providing nutrients your body needs to get things done.

Shakeology's macronutrient ratio splits the difference among sports drink, protein shake, and recovery drink, but it can substitute for all of them in any given situation because it also has an excellent micronutrient profile. Most people are focused only on macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbs), but they're only part of your nutritional equation. Micronutrients are things like phytonutrients, adaptogens, and other scientific-sounding stuff. While we refer to these as "micro," nutritionally, they are anything but small. Many of them are absolutely essential for a healthy life. Shakeology speeds these micronutrients into your system, which enables you to perform better.

Why don't we hear more about the importance of micronutrients?

Not to dwell too much on conspiracy theories, but "big food," as we call the American food industry, doesn't want us focusing on micronutrients because they've been destroyed in most of the foods we eat. Things like food processing and pasteurization kill most of the micronutrients in food. These processed foods are then sprinkled with what have been lobbied to be "important" ingredients, which in reality only provide enough nutrition for surviving, as opposed to thriving. As you can observe by watching society grow larger, this is leading to all sorts of problems.

In nature, food doesn't come this way. It has a balance of nutrients that help sustain life. It's possible for food scientists to recreate this balance in processed foods, but this is expensive. Essentially, if it doesn't fit the numbers, shareholders want to see it doesn't happen. So they make cheap food and keep us in the dark about nutrition. This is exactly why we're in the predicament we're in today (with obesity), because we can make calorie-rich but nutrient-poor food cheaper than we can produce natural food.

This is why Shakeology is designed the way it is. There is no one food in nature that has all the micronutrients we need to fill the nutritional gaps in our diets—that's why we need to eat a variety of foods. But most of us don't do that. So at its core, this is what Shakeology is doing—filling in our nutritional gaps.

I'm doing the Portion Approach in P90X. What block(s) could Shakeology replace?

The portion plan is basically little chunks of macronutrients portioned out to help you easily balance your diet. Shakeology is equal parts carbs and protein, with almost no fat. So Shakeology can replace one block of protein and one block of carbs.

Can Shakeology substitute for Results and Recovery Formula?

It's not an exact swap, but you could do a lot worse. When you're training very hard, like those times when your body is shaking during, say, P90X Chest & Back, Results and Recovery Formula is better because your body is bonking—essentially out of glycogen, or blood sugar. Any time you're in this state, the quicker you can recharge your glycogen, the less damage you'll do to your muscle cells, and hence, the faster you'll recover. It's the one and only time sugar is a preferred nutrient in your diet.

Shakeology doesn't have nearly as much sugar as Results and Recovery Formula. It only has a little for nutrient transport. But because its other ingredients also support your digestive process, you have rapid assimilation of nutrients. The science from the '90s showing that a small amount of protein can "piggyback" sugar and be put to use more rapidly, during or after exercise, holds true for Shakeology. It's not as effective as a Results and Recovery Formula for your hardest workouts, but at any other time, it's pretty darn good.

How about as a protein shake?

Shakeology has an ample amount of protein. While many protein shakes on the market may have more grams of protein, the type of protein they use often digests so slowly that you can't drink them when you're active. Shakeology uses whey protein, which is one of the most (if not the most) bioavailable sources of protein. That means it absorbs quicker into the system than other proteins. Most proteins, especially when you get them in a whole food, take forever to digest. This means that eating protein right before, during, or right after exercise is generally a waste because your body is using energy to digest something that won't help you for hours, energy that it could be using to enhance your workout or recovery. But when you combine whey protein along with Shakeology's other nutrients, you have a high-protein shake that can fit into many different nutritional slots in your day, something lacking in a standard protein drink.

Should I still bother taking P90X Peak Health Formula or ActiVit Multivitamins if I'm drinking Shakeology every day?

We get the vitamin question a lot because Shakeology has so many vitamins in it already. However, using my above example of processed foods, most of us only get a fraction of the nutrients that we should consume on any given day, even when we're eating more calories than we should. This is exactly why we have vitamin supplements in the first place. Throw exercise into the equation, which accelerates your body's usage of nutrients, and you can see why we recommend so many times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for certain vitamins and minerals.

For an average person, Shakeology might eliminate the need for a multivitamin. But if you remember that movie Supersize Me, the average American takes about 600 steps a day—which isn't even your warm-up for a P90X workout! No one doing a Beachbody program is average. Xers, especially, are advised to take additional vitamin supplements.

It's also great to take your supplements along with Shakeology because they will digest more easily. One of the limiting factors with supplements is how well your body can assimilate them, so adding them to something that you know is broken down easily by your digestive system is a plus.

It's important to mention two other variables here as well. First, many—if not most—of our customers are trying to lose weight. This requires reducing caloric intake while adding exercise, which increases nutrient requirements. Starting to see an equation where multivitamins and supplements make sense? The body can be a complex organism, but this comes down to simple math. The key to losing weight is not just about reducing calories; it's about finding a way to reduce your caloric intake and still get enough nutrients to keep you body functioning at its highest level. The key to doing this is to seek out nutrient-dense foods. As I said before, you'd be hard-pressed to find something as nutrient-dense as Shakeology.

Then there's the RDA, which is the "recommended daily allowance" for everybody. Imagine one nutritional number for every person on the planet, from a 100-pound computer programmer who sits all day to a 350-pound NFL lineman. How absurd is that? Anybody who is doing P90X is no longer an average individual. So chances are the RDA won't fit the bill if you want your body to perform as well as it can.

When's the best time to drink Shakeology during a P90X day?

One of the beautiful things about Shakeology is how versatile it is. Because it helps you digest anything you consume along with it, there isn't really a wrong time to have it. Ideally, its best slot in an Xer's day is as a pre-workout snack, taken about 1 hour prior to your warm-up. Your impending workout will help you get the most out of Shakeology and it will help you during the latter part of your workout, especially if your glycogen stores are slightly depleted. It can be effective pre-workout, post-workout, or any time during the day when your energy is flagging and you need a pick-me-up. Or you can make smoothies and simply replace your meals. You basically can't go wrong.

Is there anything else you'd like to add about Shakeology?


Price holds a lot of people back, and I can understand that it looks expensive on the surface. We tend to look at foods in a cost-to-calorie ratio, instead of a cost-to-nutrient ratio. Sure, you can buy a Big Gulp and you get 800 calories for a dollar (or something like that). But what good are they? There are no micronutrients. It's man-made sugar, chemicals, and by-products of genetically modified corn and soy production—no nutrition whatsoever. Whereas if you tried to find all the nutrients in Shakeology, you'd spend forty bucks.

If you're serious about your health, you should consider what you spend your money on. People drop three to four bucks a day on things that are a detriment to their health without batting an eye. We're talking the price of a latte or smoothie or any number of things that are much worse than that. The consumer is at war with a lot of corporations that are trying to poison them to make a quick buck. The obesity trend will only stop when we take some responsibility for our health and begin to make better food choices.

Insanity with Bonus Workout

If it is the Challenge of INSANITY that you want and you are ready to "Dig Deeper" (Get Fit or Get out Clip & Program Overview)

Right now INSANITY Purchases get an extra workout called Fast and Furious.


Get it INSANITY here

P90X with 2 Bonus Workouts

If you have been contemplating the chance to "BRING IT" with P90X, now is a good time. When you buy P90X from Team Beachbody you will get two FREE DVD workouts
Fountain of Youth – Tony's favorite yoga moves in less time. Perfect for when you don't have the time to complete Yoga X.


Mammoth UML – Tony's ultimate Upper-Middle-Lower workout. Great for when you're on the road.


Get it at P90X

Nutrition information - Nutrition 911

Here is some great Nutrition information, in a Newsletter Series called Nutrition 911

Nutrition 911: Here's the straight 411, so you can avoid a dietary 911

Nutrition 911, Part II: What to Eat

Nutrition 911, Part III: Deciphering Marketing Jargon

Nutrition 911, Part IV: What "Fat Free" and "Low Carb" Really Mean

Nutrition 911, Part V: 5 Quick Steps to Mastering Food Labels

Nutrition 911, Part VI: Sweeteners

Nutrition 911, Part VII: Sugar vs. Fat: Which Is Worse?
(also a highlight in this newsletter an interview with my buddy Dallas Carter)

Nutrition 911, Part VIII: Pop Goes the Diet— The Worst Food in the World

Nutrition 911, Part IX: 10 Reasons to Drink Water

Nutrition 911, Part X: What's in Your Water?

Nutrition 911, Part XI: Coffee, Tea, and Caffeine

Nutrition 911, Part XII: Jumbo Juices and Crappuccinos

Nutrition 911, Part XIII: Juice, Juicing, and Fruit – The Differences

Nutrition 911, Part XIV: Energy Drinks – Do They Really Give You Wings?

Nutrition 911, Part XV: The Best and Worst Cocktails

Nutrition 911, Part XVI: To Fast or Not to fast?

Nutrition 911, Part XVII: The Best Food on the Planet

Nutrition 911, Part XVIII: Nutrient Timing: What and When You Should Eat

Nutrition 911, Part XIX: Supps, Drugs, and Rock and Roll

There is a lot of good info here. I often copy and paste the article into a word document, print it and read at my leisure. Tell me what you think?

P90X:MC2

If you like working outs created by Tony Horton like I do, you should check out One-on-One workouts. (Purchase any of the One on One Workouts here)

Volume 1 and 2 are in the Books and Volume 3 is in creation and will later be packaged as P90X:MC2 for those that love a challenge.

Past One-on-One Workouts to check out.

Volume 2 (click on Links to watch sample clip)
Cardio Intervals (July 2009)
Core Ball Sandwich (August 2009)
Patience Hummingbird (September 2009)
Ten Minute Crusher Pack (October 2009)
Butt & Belly (I Dare You) (November 2009)
Back & Belly (December 2009)
On One Leg (January 2010)
Iso Abs (February 2010)
Cardio Confusion - Mason's Choice (March 2010)
100/30/20 (April 2010)
One on One 4 Legs (May 2010)
One on One Upper Body Balance (June 2010)

Volume 1 (click on Links to watch sample clip)
Plyo Legs (July 2008)
Road Warrior (August 2008)
Killer Abs (Sept 2008)
Just Arms (October 2008)
Thirty-Fifteen (November 2008)
Fountain of Youth (December 2008)
Super Cardio (January 2009)
Mammoth UML (February 2009)
Bun Shaper (March 2009)
Medicine Ball Core Cardio (April 2009)
Recovery 4 Results (May 2009)
Diamond Delts (June 2009)

If it is not One-on-One that you want, Many P90X graduates want to know what to do next ? (If you do not know about P90X here is the 28 minute information video P90X The Answer or the short P90X | "The Answer" or short P90X | What comes next). But if you have finished, keep up the journey Some stop after there 90 Days and Coast, before getting back at it. I have done 5 rounds of P90X (pat on back) and still love the routine, but I have also incorporated other routines. So for the Grads you may want P90X+ (Purchase here)

Keep Pushing Play!

The Benefits of Whole Raw eggs

Carl Daikeler posted on a friends Blog about the values of whole eggs. I know Carl is just another person like most of us, but to have him (the CEO of the amazing Beachbody Company which I am a part of) comment on your blog, that is a highlight. We all welcome ANY comment. Anyway he brings up great points on the value of the whole Egg. HERE is the post.

Other area for information about the egg can be found here:

Eggs have no impact on dangerous cholesterol, new study

Reevaluating Eggs' Cholesterol Risks

Reevaluating Cholesterol

Get Crackin': Things You Should Know About Eggs by Shaun T (Insanity Creator)

Looking Good Isn't Good Enough

The following is a Blog post by Tony Horton (P90, P90X, P90X+ & One-on-One). They are my exact thoughts also. Maybe spending time Workout with Tony is actually brain-washing me to think like him. I hope to think that I always had this perspective. Okay I will admit it publicly, I do not want a "Dad Body". But I do want to be a great Dad, and that is what Exercise helps me to be.

Looking Good Isn't Good Enough

I've been sitting on this title for weeks and I've been having the toughest time trying to figure how I want to approach this topic. I like to focus on tangible ideas that help me live the lifestyle I preach about. I was in Atlanta last week at a Team BeachBody event talking about the effects of fitness and clean eating on the body and brain. My mantra is based in the belief that if you exercise today you get fitter today. If you exercise and eat whole foods today, your health improves today. If you exercise today the quality of your lives improves today because the area inside the temporal lobe of the brain releases proteins and chemicals that make you happy, confident and productive. And last but not least is the effect of exercise on your bodies ability to fight disease and injuries. All these amazing things will (not might) occur the same day you choose to exercise. Wow! So good!

What makes me crazy is that most people on this planet are so hung up on their looks. I'm one of them. Who am I kidding right? I'll show off my biceps and 6-pack at the opening of a letter. It feels good to look good. I understand this as well anyone. The problem lies in the thought that changing your looks is going to make your life better or more manageable somehow. Or that thinking a better body in the future is a sustainable motivator right now. Wanting to look good is great. Thinking that looking good is the end all be all holy grail is disastrous. If looking good is your first priority then it's probably also true that you live your life for others. It means that you care more about what others think of you, than what you think of yourself. This typically results in behavior that is contrary to consistent healthy living. Weight lose thru diets, diet pills, starving yourself before events like weddings and reunions, living and dying for the numbers on your scale all reflect the vicious cycle created by the look-at-me world we live in.

I think our egos can coexist with a more important and powerful energy that can give us purpose on this planet. This energy is the desire to be better. To be stronger, healthier, smarter, more patient and more productive. It's the desire to figure out what you're fighting for. What are YOU fighting for? Is it shapelier calves or to enter and finish your first 10K? Is priority 1 to lose the belly or to do 40 perfect push-ups? Is it looking good in a red dress at a wedding in front of a bunch of people who care too much about what they look like in front of you? BORING! I'm more impressed with the fit girl who can do splits on the dance floor. Success comes from a very gentle shift in priorities. From look-like to can-do. For some this shift is as simple as an on-off switch. For others it will be like cracking a safe. If you find that life has been filled with too many ups and downs then it might be time to make the shift. Constant focus on looking good will only disappoint you. Discover that fighting to be better, brings thrills and chills you never thought imaginable.

Right On Tony!

P90X and what is Next

Many P90X graduates want to know what to do next – (If you do not know about P90X here is the 28 minute information video P90X The Answer or the short P90X | "The Answer" or short P90X | What comes next). But if you have finished keep up the journey Some stop after there 90 Days and Coast, before getting back at it. I have done 5 rounds of P90X (pat on back) and still love the routine, but I have also incorporated other routines. So for the Grads you may want P90X+ (Purchase here)

Or try out any of Tony Horton’s One-on-One workouts, (if Tony is not too goofy for you)
(Purchase any of the One on One Workouts here)
Volume 2 (click on Links to watch sample clip)
Cardio Intervals (July 2009)
Core Ball Sandwich (August 2009)
Patience Hummingbird (September 2009)
Ten Minute Crusher Pack (October 2009)
Butt & Belly (I Dare You) (November 2009)
Back & Belly (December 2009)
On One Leg (January 2010)
Iso Abs (February 2010)
Cardio Confusion - Mason's Choice (March 2010)
100/30/20 (April 2010)
One on One 4 Legs (May 2010)

Volume 1 (click on Links to watch sample clip)
Plyo Legs (July 2008)
Road Warrior (August 2008)
Killer Abs (Sept 2008)
Just Arms (October 2008)
Thirty-Fifteen (November 2008)
Fountain of Youth (December 2008)
Super Cardio (January 2009)
Mammoth UML (February 2009)
Bun Shaper (March 2009)
Medicine Ball Core Cardio (April 2009)
Recovery 4 Results (May 2009)
Diamond Delts (June 2009)

Keep Pushing Play!

Doctors are using Shakeology® and recommending it to their patients.

Blog Post @ Reverse the trend -
Please take some time to watch this video. Tammy and I use this product as a great nutritional help and are so glad we found it. And many have heard me say before that Tammy’s cholesterol has reduced from 210 to 131, and we really feel we are getting some of the nutrients our diets use to lack. This video is 9:44 min and full of good information from doctors.

Link

Reverse the Trend and enjoy the process.

Body Gospel & TurboFire will be out this summer.

With the great variety of Beachbody’s many workout routines available there is really something for everyone. I personally love all of Tony Horton’s workouts like P90X, P90X+ & One-on-One. But I also have enjoyed some of the beginning workouts like Slim in 6, Project You. Currently I am doing Insanity and it is ... well, advanced.

This message is to introduce a two new workout coming this summer.
Body Gospel (beginner)
Following Test group stories are about 1-2 minutes each:
Body Gospel Success Story : Kat and John
Body Gospel Success Story: Ron and Kerry
Body Gospel Success Story : Heather
Body Gospel Success Story: Frank Wilson
Body Gospel Success Story: Pastor Eddie and Roxanne

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Turbo Fire (advanced)
New Beachbody Product: TurboFire®

You can go Here to ask to be alerted when TurboFire becomes available.

I hope to have a Home Party soon to show what fitness tools are available. Time to Reverse the Trend.

Science behind the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse

I like to call the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse a "performance cleanse." This is because it was designed to be done with a workout program. Let's take a look at how this differs from other cleanses, how to tailor it to your needs, and what to expect if you or your customers decide to try it.

First of all, it's not a true cleanse. It's a calorie-restricted and nutrient-dense diet plan. Traditional cleanses contain very few calories and nutrients. Compared to the much more popular Master Cleanse, it's like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Traditional cleansing diets are done to rid your system of toxins and bring it into homeostasis. They also contain a spiritual aspect. This process can take a long time, which is why you may have seen coworkers walking around the office in a zombie-like state for weeks on end—swilling a strange concoction of lemons and maple syrup.

The Shakeology cleanse is nothing like that. Depending on how you decide to do it, you'll be eating frequently and consuming between 800 and 1,200 calories per day, and it could be even more should you feel the need. The point of this cleanse is not calorie restriction, per se—it's nutrient efficiency. The aim is to get the most nutrients possible into the fewest number of calories. The goal is to put all of these calories to use as a part of your exercise program, to rid your body of undigested foods and toxins, and to bring your hydration levels into homeostasis. The result you're after is not weight loss—though it will likely occur—but for your body to be running more efficiently. This should make you feel lighter and more energetic, even though you're doing an exercise program.

How It Works
Your eating structure doesn't change. You still eat every few hours while you're awake. Each meal should have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. And while you're not eating as much food as you'd normally eat, your calorie-to-nutrient ratio is extremely high. This means that you shouldn't restrict the actual nutrients you're getting by too much, so activity can continue as normal.

We recommend you try to keep your shakes to just Shakeology. Adding fruits of any kind, or seeds (for fat and fiber), or the Shakeology Fiber supplement, can and should be done as you see fit.

Ditto for your one solid meal—a salad. As we all know from any salad bar, the definition of salad can be varied. The goal of the salad in the plan is to keep your calories coming from natural sources (no artificial ingredients should be added, including artificial salad dressing). Aside from that, you can add ingredients as necessary. Keep your meat intake to four ounces or less, but add veggies, seeds, nuts, fruits, and legumes in quantities to satiate you.

The goal of the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is to optimize your performance. You want to eat enough to fuel your day AND your workout. The foods you're eating are so high in fiber and nutrients that it's virtually impossible to overeat. You'll be consuming so much fiber, along with enzymes and digestive aids, that your body's ability to flush excess foods quickly will be at its peak.

What to Drink
Water, of course, is recommended in quantity. This is vital to any cleanse, because one of your goals is to bring your hydration into homeostasis. When your electrolytes are out of balance—the main problem we have is salt—you often retain water outside of your cells. This situation, which we refer to as retaining water, is cured by drinking more water. As the excess salts are diffused, your body begins to hydrate your cells (using sodium as it should be used) and flush the water held outside the cells. So, oddly enough, you drink water to eliminate water retention.

Sodas, alcohols, juices, etc., should be eliminated entirely during a cleanse. Coffee and tea, which are diuretics, should be minimized at the very least and eliminated if possible. Again, performance is the key, so if you need a cup of Joe as a pick-me-up, go ahead. Just use only as needed, and don't use additives. Eliminating sugar and chemicals is vital. However, do not use energy drinks or soda for this purpose, including the ones with artificial sweeteners. Coffee drinkers may find that switching to black tea during a cleanse will give you the energy you're looking for with less upset. Coffee's acidic nature can heighten the effects in a negative way during your cleanse.

Why You Won't Lose Weight
I should say why you might not lose weight, but I wanted to get your attention. Most people will lose some weight during a cleanse, but that is not the goal. Those with a lot of undigested gunk in their systems will lose weight as it's flushed out. Those of you who are properly hydrated and already eat well are less likely to lose. For those of you who need to lose weight, take heart: you are setting up your system to use nutrients more efficiently and improving your ability to lose weight through structured diet and exercise. So while you may not lose much on the cleanse, you'll be more prepared to lose weight later.

Another reason why we don't always lose weight on cleanses is due to a stress hormone called cortisol. Restricting calories is stressful to the body, and it reacts by releasing cortisol. Cortisol is performance-enhancing in the short term, but if you somehow keep your body stressed for long periods, it creates havoc in your system and can cause you to doggedly hang onto weight in a type of survival mode. We don't want this to occur, which is one reason the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is short. It's important not to remain in a highly calorie-deficient state for long periods of time, especially when you are trying to exercise hard.

View the entire Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse regimen here >>

Ryan dedicated to P90X

This link is from Politico.com but although many know me as a political junkie (I'm all about We The People) the clip is of Paul Ryan (one of my Favorite representative) talking about our common passion and that is fitness and P90X. If you are my buddy and want to join me, I am ready encourage you in this journey. Anyone want to Bring IT! Join me for free at Join Jay

Shakeology vs. Mona * Vie

Here is a Comparison Chart for
Shakeology Vs. Mona * vie

Spring Cleaning - for our insides

While it snowed last week, based on the weather this weekend Spring may be showing itself. This is always a great time of transitioning, but with it comes the work out re-claiming the outdoors and the yearly decision of how much of it do we want to try and tame. This has already been preparing the past month in having a Garage sale, which may proof to reduce a little clutter. Although she promises to spend and Garage sale proceeds on “re-doing” some of the rooms in the house. The ladies out there know more about the details of such matters. For us guys it is often seen as more garage sale fodder, but in reality we do appreciated what you ladies can do to the what would be just our caves of existence.

So along with this year’s spring cleaning inside and out, Tammy and I are planning to do some cleaning on our insides. There is a 3-Day Cleanse that we have been researching and plan to do it on May 5-7. It came about in a fitness test group for the soon released Gospel Soul Workouts with Donna Richardson. To Jump-start successful fitness result during the testing of Gospel Soul, they had a group participate in the 3-Day Cleanse every 30-days. For now Tammy and I are just doing it in May. We are doing it during the Recovery Week in our Insanity Workout program. While we are not necessarily doing it to lose weight, the test group had those results. We are looking to just clean out our insides to help our bodies function more efficient and just better our overall health. This is not like the standard Master Cleanse that is a calorie restrictive plan, but a reduced calorie but nutrient dense plan. We look forward to see what it does for us. If you want to participate following are some of the details. Would love to have as many come along and post comments back to the Blog to report how it went.

(Steve Edwards has a good post about Cleansing, Part III )

Also see Science behind the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse

Video link: Shakeology | "The Breakthrough"

Further information about Shakeology and P90X

CLICK on the pictures to enlarge.










If you want a sample to try first go to http://teambeachbody.com/jay21 and click the "Join Team Beachbody" button than the "Try free membership" button at the bottom of next page. Enter you shipping address there and send me a message so I can get the samples right off to you.

Treating Lower Back Pain

I found this discussion interesting and of course I am all for strengthening & stretching the body. It is a shame that the discussion often revolves around comparing medication costs. We are over medicated.

Treating Lower Back Pain

Love the new P90X ad

New infomercial is out. It was one of these that got me motivated 3 years ago. Enjoy

Please call or order from me and I am your free coach. Order P90X from Jay

Link: P90X The Answer Part 1


Link: P90X The Answer Part 2


Link: P90X The Answer Part 3


You want to give it or any other fitness routine a try, shoot me a message.