My experience with the *new* 3-Day Refresh program. (I’m a PB addict)

Okay Okay!!
I’ve had a LOT of questions about the new program from Team Beachbody called the 3-Day Refresh. I HAD to try it because I cannot expect you to spend money on something that I wouldn’t spend my money on! I firmly believe in knowing the products I’m promoting to make sure I feel they are legit, quality, and worthy of being in your home. That’s why I have over 13 home workout programs! Alright…that’s a lie. I have 13 home workout programs because I get bored easily and need a lot of different choices for challenging myself during my basement workouts!! I love it!!

What is the 3-Day Refresh? To put it simply, it is 3-day program of specially formulated shakes, healthy snacks, and easy-to-prepare meals that have been scientifically designed to help you break the cycle of bad eating while improving the way you feel. Chances are… you’ll lose a few pounds/inches too!! This is perfect for those who want to kick bad food habits or lose a few pounds for a special event such as class reunion, wedding, vacation, holiday, or just to feel better.
How is this different than other cleanses? Unlike juice fasts or liquid cleanses that are high in sugar and low in protein (which can leave you feeling weak and sluggish), the 3-Day Refresh is scientifically designed to help support your metabolism while nourishing vital organs. Plus, you actually get to eat delicious, real food during this program. This is NOT a starvation diet and is NOT intended to have you running to the bathroom due to an angry GI tract.

Now, onto my experience. I have ulcerative colitis and fully anticipated a flare up. Other programs/products have caused flare ups (Diarrhea) and cramping. This NEVER caused ANY of those symptoms and to be honest… I was shocked.
Now, I eat fairly well 80% of the time, so healthy eating is not difficult for me. However I did learn that when someone tells me NOT to eat a food item, I focus on it. That’s why I do not tell my clients to throw out all the food in their cupboards and start fresh. That is just not my style because it doesn’t work for me and won’t work for most. That being said….. there is a long list of items you can eat! PB and tuna are NOT on the list…. And I struggled with that. Although, I didn’t cook for myself in 3 days which was awesome!

Details:
Day1:

  • Wake Up and drink 8-12 ounces of water.
  • Breakfast was Shakeology + a fruit.
  • Mid-Morning snack: Fiber drink. (TIP> drink this quickly after making it or else it gets thick. Add a little lemon juice to make it tastier).
  • Lunch: Vanilla Refresh (protein drink) + 1 veggie/1 fruit/1 healthy fat.
  • Snack: an option from the fruit/veggie list.
  • Dinner: Vanilla Refresh (protein drink) + dinner recipe list provided. No worries…they are easy!

You are to drink tea (optional) and plenty of water.
Repeat for 2 more days. 

I was NOT hungry to be honest. The special fiber drink and protein drink kept me full. My problem was the inability to eat PB and tuna (I love canned tuna with relish & mustard) YUM.
Did I cheat? YEP. I have a goal to run 100 miles this month, and I know as a long distance runner that I needed different carbs to fuel that 5 mile run, so I needed to eat a few pretzel crisps with hummus. I will also admit that I had a couple spoonfuls of Peanut Butter. GASP!
Like I said earlier…. I am great at portion control and controlling cravings when I’m allowed to have anything I want. When I’m told “NO”……I focus on it.

So….what were your results??
For me, the point was not to lose weight and to be honest…. Fast weightloss is probably due to decreased water retention and less food intake over 3 days. It’s not healthy to focus on fast weight loss, however, this program creates it naturally.
I lost 2.8 pounds and 3 inches. (1.5/waist, .5/hips, .5/chest, .5/thigh)
However… I FEEL much leaner and have conquered the bad cravings the July 4th holiday created. Holidays get me every time!!!!

Did I think this program was simple?
Yes….The program is super easy to follow.
Was it challenging? Most definitely!
I struggled with cravings sometimes…. And as a runner, I needed the extra carbs for a good run. A good run is crazy important for my brain and self-esteem!!
Was I ever hungry? Day 1……a little but on Day 2 & 3…. nope.
Would I recommend this program? If you need to break bad food habits or looking to lose a few pounds for event…… yes, I recommend it!!

THIS MONTH ONLY (JULY), you can get this program for FREE when you order a month of Shakeology. And, a month of Shakeology is 30-35 meals! This type of order is called a CHALLENGE PACK. When ordering a challenge pack this month, I will send you a FREE gift (value of $25.00). Certain rules apply, so you need to talk to me prior to ordering!! Please email me at Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com

For the updates on monthly deals; I’ll post them on my website each month!
www.YourFitness-411.com

I’ll also tweak any food regimens to help power you through a plateau or change your body for FREE.
Thanks for reading and have a great summer!!
3 day refresh

’21 DayFix’ or the ’24 Day Challenge’?…..which program will help you to lose weight?

Team Beachbody’s 21Day Fix or Advocare’s 24 Day Challenge?  Hmmm…..

I’ve had personal experience with both of these programs and I must say that BOTH of them will change your body and eating habits.  By now, we all know that food is the major culprit of the growing waistlines in this country.  Over the years, our food has gotten sweeter, manufacturers know this and cater to that by sweetening most every processed food out there (yes, even milk) and if they don’t do this, typically people will not purchase their products!  As the foods get sweeter, we develop habits of eating the wrong foods.  I blame manufactures on this too because their advertising and labels can be VERY misleading and trick people into eating foods that really aren’t as healthy as they seem!  Regardless, all this is leading to wrong food choices and higher numbers on the scales.  It’s disheartening because it’s not only adults being affected, it’s children too.
Therefore, both of these food challenges change the way you view food.  And, that’s ALWAYS a good thing!  Both products promote healthy habits, water intake, and clean eating.  However, there are some very different aspects to each program too.

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21 Day Fix:

  • Includes 7 30 minute workouts.  Exercise is an important aspect to body health.  Exercise boosts brain power, memory, moods and decreases stress levels along with making the body look great!
  • No weighing food, No calorie counting, No Weight Watcher points…. It’s a basic container system.  You figure out which caloric range you are in, and then the instructions tell you how many containers of each food category you get per day.  (Protein, veggies, fruit, complex carbs, healthy fats, seeds, oils and sweet snacks).  You simply eat those foods each day.  You decide which foods you want to eat each day.  Love cottage cheese?  That’s a red container.  Want a whole grain waffle?  That’s a yellow container.  How about a glass of wine?  Better save your yellow containers and exchange them for wine.  J
  • The program is 21 days in length.
  • The focus is on food (portion control and making better food choices, however allows for sweet snacks and wine occasionally) and exercise.
  • No pills and not a consumable product other than if you choose to use the nutrient dense meal replacement Shakeology, with it.  Recommended but not necessary to achieve results.
  • Program can be repeated as often as you wish, however you will learn what to eat and portion control and incorporate that into daily life.
  • Program is $60 and if you order it with Shakeology, (meal replacement) the total is $160.00

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24 Day Challenge:

  • This program does NOT come with an exercise program.
  • The food program is based around the 3 food categories:  Protein, Carbohydrates, and Healthy fats.  The program clearly lays out when you should eat from each category.
  • There are foods listed that you are to avoid.  And alcohol should be avoided also.
  • 2 parts to this program.  The first part is a 10 day ‘cleanse’ but it’s not intended to give you diarrhea or make you ill.  It’s a high fiber cleanse.  Not all bodies respond well to the fiber drink.  The focus of the first 10 days is to rid your body of toxins.
    The second phase of this program is 14 days long and referred to as the Max Phase. It involves fueling your body in order to achieve maximum results.
  • Timing of food intake is crucial to this program.
  • This program involves supplements and many pills.  It’s a consumable program meaning you take the product and then need to order more.  It comes with clear instructions on when to take the pills and when to eat food.  The pills and food work together to help your body lose weight.
  • This challenge is 24 days in length and may only be done 1x every 90 days.
  • Post challenge, you have options of continuing without supplements and with the knowledge of food and timing of eating the food (proteins, carbs, fats)….or you can continue with a variety of supplements to assist the body with weight loss.
  • Spark is the energy drink that is recommended to use with the program since you are encouraged to not drink coffee.  Spark has the artificial sweetener, Sucralose in it as well as some of the other products.
  • Roughly $200 for all the products in this program, however it can be personalized so that you only use the basic necessities, which varies pending your needs and lifestyle.

Both programs have helped people to lose hundreds of pounds!  Both companies offer large support systems for their customers and you have ‘coaches’ or ‘reps’ to help answer any of your questions.

There are positive and negative aspects to both programs.  Personally, I favor the 21 Day Fix because I found it to be easier and more ‘natural.’  I have memorized the portions of each container and it’s easy to do!!  I am a runner and in order to run long distance, I need to add an extra container of carbs though to power me through the miles.  Once again, it’s all about paying attention to your body!!

I have family members who have found a lot of success with Advocare’s 24 Day challenge too!!  They feel healthy and empowered taking herbal supplements.  I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 11 years ago and I became very malnourished and ill (fiber drink wreaked havoc on my intestines) while doing the 24 day challenge.  I was put on steroids and it took about a month before my system calmed down.  However, my husband and in-laws loved the challenge and it worked well for him!  I have many friends who use the program and LOVE it!!

You need to decide which program fits your lifestyle the best and which one you will stick with.  BOTH programs encourage food changes and food education, and that’s why they both are popular programs.
If you need assistance determining which program is best for you…. Contact me!  I have experience with both and have seen success with both…. Therefore, I will help you decipher which one you would be most successful using.  Losing weight is the ultimate goal and both programs teach you food lessons, which I find valuable!!  If it doesn’t ‘teach’ you anything about something you make decisions with all day long (food)…… then it’s not a program you should be using.

Feel free to contact me at any time.  Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com.
Are you on social media??  Say “HELLO” and follow me for recipes, motivation, home exercise ideas/programs, and body health information!!  My passion is teaching you about YOUR FITNESS!

Have a great day & remember…. You are what you eat!  Don’t be cheap or fake!!

XOXO – Lisa Bashford

www.instagram.com/YourFitness411
www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo

Need a way to track your food and fitness?  Contact me! I have a beautiful 30+ page Health & Fitness planner to help you stay on track!  Simply download it! Use the address above to email me for more information!

100% honesty about being a Team Beachbody coach on my team. 411 exposed.

When I believe in something…. I throw 100% of myself into it.  Whether it’s a child’s birthday party, the perfect Christmas gift, preparing for a race, running a fitness booth at an event, cyber coaching an accountability weight-loss group, or mentoring a group of people who have trusted me to teach them how to make an extra income by becoming a Team Beachbody coach on my team.  

Sometimes, my 100% intimidates people.  They feel that’s what they have to do also, and although I greatly appreciate that thought and the effort…it’s simply not true.  My passion for helping others to learn more about health through proper food choices and exercise seeps out my pores.  Is it a great thing or a fault?  Probably a little of both.  Don’t allow my passion to stop you from taking a leap of faith!

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I want everyone to enjoy the perks of being a Team Beachbody coach on my team and helping others to get healthy!  The more people I talk to, the more I hear people say “I don’t have time for it.”  So, I feel it’s time to be 100% truthful and speak clearly about this gig that makes me an extra $1000+ a month which will continue to grow.
Here are some things you do NOT need in order to be a successful coach on TeamBelieve (my team’s name).

  • Age doesn’t matter unless you are younger than 18 years old. 
  • It doesn’t matter what physical shape you are currently in.  Waiting until you are ‘the right weight’ is a complete mistake.  You may not get there anytime soon and others NEED to see your journey!  Your journey is what helps others.  You respect someone when you’ve seen the dedication, discipline, and struggles they are practicing in order to achieve those goals.  Don’t use that excuse anymore.
  • More than 15 minutes a day. 
  • Educated on food/fitness.
  • A lot of money.
  • Place to store products because you don’t store any!  People place orders and the company does the rest for you!
  • A monthly order.  To be a baseline coach, you do NOT need a monthly product order! 
  • A lot of fitness loving friends (although it helps).
  • No evening ‘parties’ to host.

Let me explain.  If you have social media – you have the ability to grow an amazing business and make extra money right at your fingertips.  Thanks to social media, small businesses continue to grow and are very successful.  All you need is 15 minutes a day thanks to social media.  I will send you a checklist that I have created to help you if you only have 15 minutes a day.  A quick email, a post on social media, answering a client’s questions (which there aren’t many) only takes a few minutes.  You don’t need time, you need consistency.  You don’t need to have an educational foundation in nutrition or fitness to do well at this business.  Did you know that Tony Horton (Creator of the P90X workout line) never graduated from college?  He went to college and did normal college things like drink beer and chase girls, but he never actually graduated.  Thankfully, I have a nutrition background (which I acquired in 2013 specifically so I can help my team better) and have been a Physical Therapist Assist. For 17 years so I know quite a bit about weight-loss, muscle building, injury prevention, and rehabilitation of injury/surgery/disease.  I’m also a runner, athlete, and have my own weight loss story >>> experience is the best teacher.  As your upline sponsor, I will help you with your client’s questions, your questions, and educate you at the same time!  Win/Win/Win! I’ve also purchased social media courses which have taught me quite a lot about social media/small businesses.  Trial and error has taught me a lot too!! I’ll teach you everything I know! 

Unlike other home businesses, you do NOT NEED a monthly order placed or a set amount of money made per month.  All you need is $15.95.  Let me repeat that in case you missed it…… All you need is $15.95.  That is the price for owning your own business each month!  You get 3 beautifully designed websites for only $15.95/month!  If you have a friend that purchases the new 21DayFix challenge pack from your site, you earn $40. That means 2 months of your monthly fee is taken care of! 

A basic coach gets the 25% discount and 25% commission just like the rest of us.  Many people like to be a basic coach for the discount and option to make money if they choose to.  Other coaches want to expand and see what income they can generate.  I like either kind of coach on my team!
If you want to grow to the next status which is called an Emerald coach….all you need to do is sign up 2 coaches onto YOUR team!  Once all 3 of you are ‘active’ (meaning you have accumulated 50 volume points either through your orders or a client’s orders), then you are an Emerald Coach!  Emerald coaches get some amazing perks from Team Beachbody! You get a FREE client assigned to you almost weekly from the infomercial orders, you earn free prizes when you make success club, and you get to earn money with cycle bonuses ($14.00 per cycle).  I’ll explain that when you get to that status!  Just know that you can cycle numerous times in one day (I’m talking around 90x!)
I always send a little ‘Congratulations’ give to my coaches when they advance ranks too!  You may be thinking…. “Yes, Lisa, but how hard is it to get 50 volume points?”  One order of Shakeology is 90 points, so it’s pretty simple.  All supplements and programs have volume points and it’s roughly $1.00/point as a coach.  Coaches would get Shakeology for $97.50 whereas a non-coach has to pay $130 for 30 meals.  There is a HUGE variety of energy drinks, recovery drinks, protein drinks, meal replacements, workout programs, workout equipment, vitamins, and much more to choose from!! And, did you realize I said that those volume points can come from a client too?  So, if you have a client who purchased Shakeology, then you are qualified as an ‘active’ status and don’t need to worry about it!  It’s great having a few reliable clients!

The various ranks of Team Beachbody coaches are:

  1.  Basic
  2. Emerald
  3. Ruby
  4. Diamond
  5. Star Diamond (I am currently a 1-Star Diamond coach)

Each rank has various perks and income opportunities.  Many Emerald coaches are making more than Diamond coaches!!  In my opinion, rank doesn’t matter as much as your income.  You’d rather have a fat check than a lot of people clapping for you because you advanced in rank, right? 

“But Lisa, I don’t want to be responsible for my customer’s or have the time to ‘coach’ people.”  Do you know what I say to that??  “Awesome, because you can add your customer’s to one of my many facebook groups and I will coach them!!”   The same goes for your new coaches too!  Add them to my facebook group called ‘Team Believe’ and I will coach them for you!! 
Seriously….. how could I make it more simple for you?? 

 Being a Team Beachbody coach holds you responsible for your own weight-loss/fitness goals and allows you the opportunity to get a discount on quality products along with providing you the chance to make some extra spending cash!  Best part is that there is no termination fee!  I only ask that you give it at least 6 months so that you can let everyone know you are a coach and they can order from you!  Plant the seed and wait for it to grow!  If it’s not for you, simply quit.  I won’t hold a grudge or take it personally.  Even if it’s not for you….. ya know what?  You still tried it and added a new chapter to your life of things you have tried!  It’s a Win/Win!!  I have a coach that stopped coaching & then came back to my team 1-2 years later and now she’s very successful!  She just earned a FREE ticket to next year’s Team Beachbody convention in Vegas next year that’s worth $295!!! 

I could go on and on about some of the Superstars on my personal team (not to mention Shinedown’s drummer, Barry Kerch).  I have some coaches making more in 1 week than they make in 2 weeks at their normal 40 hour/week job!  I have other coaches who simply want the discount and no interest in making money.  Regardless, they are a part of a huge supportive fitness family that has a HEALTHY addiction!  Amazing people from all over the country are bonding because of Team Beachbody.  My team is growing….now is the time to join! 

I’d love to hear your fears now that I’ve killed some of them for you.  I love to put excuses out of their misery!! Join my team! Now is the time to hold yourself accountable, lose the weight, have a strong fitness family behind you, and make money for that summer vacation.  Why are you hesitating?? 

Surprise me by going to www.beachbodycoach.com/LisaBashford and clicking the COACH button.  I can’t wait to welcome you to Team Believe and get you started!!!  That $32.50 savings on your monthly Shakeology is waiting for you!!!!  
ImageYou can always contact me at:  Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com if you have more questions/concerns.  

I waited 6 months before I told anyone of my symptoms thanks to Fear.

Intermittent lower abdominal cramping, diarrhea, blood in stool, frequent trips to the bathroom……. I didn’t know what was causing this for almost 6 months and I was fearful of telling someone and finding out the truth.  The symptoms were embarrassing and I didn’t want anyone to know.  Thankfully, I wasn’t suffering from weight loss, so it wasn’t too obvious and I became real good at controlling ‘diarrhea’ – sounds crazy, but true!
Finally I blurted it out to a co-worker while we were working on our daily patient progress notes, “Do you ever have blood in your BM?”  He looked at me and slowly said, “NO….. Do you?”   Once I told him my symptoms had been occurring for 6 months, he strongly urged me to see a doctor.  That was in 2003 and I made an appointment with my family physician that week.  That appointment was awful.  I was embarrassed and he wanted to do a rectal exam looking for a fissure.  I refused and agreed to try more fiber in my diet. A week later when I was getting worse and fatigued, I called again and reluctantly allowed the exam.  NO FISSURE.  He then referred me to a GI doctor and I quickly had my first colonoscopy.
The colonoscopy revealed a disease called ‘Ulcerative Colitis.’  This was one of those days that my life forever changed.  I was informed that I had a disease that would never truly go away.  I would take meds the rest of my life and the goal was to remain in ‘remission’ or ‘symptom free.’  I also experienced my first introduction to prednisone, a drug that I quickly learned to love and hate.  Love how it calms down the flare quickly; hate all the symptoms & how slow the weaning can be from the drug.  I was young at that time (28 years old) and did some research, thought I had it all figured out and followed the Dr’s orders.
Then I had another flare-up the next year which meant more prednisone.  Within 2 years, I had another colonoscopy and was on more prednisone.  My bouts with Prednisone were 4-12 weeks in length and I cried every time I was told I’d have to take it.
Prednisone is a steroid.  My symptoms are horrible on this drug:
achy joints
little sleep
jittery/wired
hungry/thirsty
water retention (especially in belly and face)
hot flashes
nightmares.  My nightmares are always the same.  I’m at a random person’s funeral and the cadaver sits up and stares at me.  It’s horrible.  I can’t sleep and when I do…. That is where my brain goes!

I had an argument with my first GI doctor after the second colonoscopy and more prednisone.  He told me there were no other options for treatment.  I actually woke up while they were taking a biopsy during a colonoscopy!  OUCH!  I didn’t know much about nutrition at that point, but was able to control the disease with meds and lower stress levels. (I’m a Type A personality….. decreased stress levels rarely occur!)
I switched doctors and am pleased with my current GI doctor.  His goal is to keep me off prednisone and gives me a lot of freedom when it comes to my prednisone dosage and weaning.  As a means of learning more about my body/disease,  I received a certification through the ISSA as a ‘specialist in sports nutrition’ and that education greatly helps me with my disease, family nutrition, and assisting clients towards weight loss/muscle building.  I have also spoken many times to a friend of mine who is a doctor and he helps me determine my next step.  I have considered becoming part of a university study to find more treatment options.

Lisa's phone early May2014 371

Now-a-days, I control my colitis by limiting my gluten intake, exercising, proper fluids, meds, vitamins, and making sure to eat plenty of fruits/veggies.  Many folks with GI disorders are malnourished, so it’s important to eat well.  Also, green leafy veggies act as little scrubbers in the intestines.  Great for most people, bad for those of us with ulcers in the intestines!!  I have found that too much fiber makes my GI tract VERY angry VERY quickly!  I’ve also found that artificial sweeteners make me bloat and look 5 months pregnant. Ain’t nobody got time for that!  

Fast forward to the past few months —-> I had probably my worst flare up this past November while on vacation in Alabama.  I struggled to walk along the beach, go on adventures with the kids, and eat.  I was trying a new drug that was not working and my energy level was the lowest it had ever been.  I had more energy after running marathons than I did in November!   (Marathons aren’t great for colitis either…. But I’m NOT going to allow this disease to boss me around!) Needless to say, I went back on prednisone.  I was told to start a more intense level of drugs, which I refused based on research and probability of skin cancer.  I tightened the diet, focused on de-stressing, focused on my running/fitness, and was diligent about my daily meds.  I had my 4th colonoscopy in late February 2014.  This week was the post-exam appointment.  What would they tell me?  Did the disease progress?  Were the polyps cancerous?  Do I need the more intense meds?

“Your colonoscopy revealed that the polyps were not harmful and your test results looked BETTER than they did in 2009!  That’s not common, so whatever you are doing is working!”

Whoo-hoo!!!  I was certain that last flare-up had ruined me!!  Once again, my life proves that a healthy lifestyle involving better food choices (not perfect because I LOVE my PB M& M’s and tortilla chips) and exercise = a healthier mind, body, and soul.  I’m embracing my body the older I get and I am fully aware that with age comes more health issues.  I feel as though I am fighting hard against that though!  My fitness level is better now than it was as an athlete in high school.  I am educated on food and how it affects the body.  I live with asthma and ulcerative colitis, yet I have accomplished marathons and running events that only a few people EVER attempt in their lifetimes.  I continue to build muscle in my body.  I don’t have the typical joint aches that many my age have after playing recreational sports or doing new activities.
The moral of my story?
Listen to your body and treat it well.  Don’t be shy about your symptoms!  Go to the doctor and get educated about your body and diagnosis!  Just because you are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (or anything else) does not mean that your active life has come to an end.! Learn how to stay active with the disease and when a doctor tells you that you should decrease your exercise without solid reasons….. tell him “Hell NO!”  My asthma and GI doctor both understand that they are going to have to work with me vs. tell me what to do, because I am NOT slowing down.  They and I work together to find solutions that I can live with and that benefit my body. That’s why I love them so!  I have goals and children that need an active Mom & I love setting an example for others.  I realize that my chance of Colon Cancer is higher than the average person and that I’m going to have more flare-ups in my lifetime.  I’ll probably once again be on prednisone at some point and get frustrated with my swollen face.  But for right now…. My colon looks better than in 2009!  I couldn’t be more pleased!
Each person’s body responds to treatment differently and I am NOT a GI doctor.  But, I listen to my body, read the research, experiment with food, pray for health, and stay active.  If there is any way I can help you along the journey of Ulcerative Colitis, please contact me.  I mentor many weight loss accountability/support groups via social media and have many clients who have found success.  I’d be honored to help you too.
Find me on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo
Find me on Instagram at:  www.Instagram.com/YourFitness411

#21DayFix is the newest program from Team Beachbody.  It teaches the person food portion control & proper eating habits along with 6 workouts that are 30 minutes in length!!  Most people struggle with proper food intake….but this program is the first of it’s kind to help you with your food!  No calorie counting, no weighing your food.  If it fits in the containers, you eat it!  Great results! Contact me if you want to try this program!  It’s only $60!  Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com

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Late night workout done. ROLL TIDE.

It has been a LONG day with the kids on Winter Break. Today was full of errands with the kids on very snowy roads and a trip to the theater to watch the movie ‘FROZEN.’  I highly recommend this movie! 
(It’s more about sibling love vs. prince/princess romance.  Make sure to chat about that aspect with your kiddos post movie! Good lesson!) 

Tonight was dinner and baths before getting them to sleep so I could watch someof the Oklahoma/Alabama game.  I had yet
to do a workout, so decided to use part of the third quarter for a 30 minute workout.  I drank my beverage to get the body ready and opened up my BRAND SPANKING NEW workout program that arrived today. 

—-> P90X3  <—-

It’s NOT necessary to do P90X & P90X2 prior to doing P90X3.  Which is good…. Because even though I
completed P90X, I didn’t make it through P90X2. Honestly, I didn’t like it. Enough said. 

Yep, it’s 11:30pm and I just completed the first workout called ‘Core Synergetics’ and I have a nice little muscle quiver happening in my arms/legs.  Know what I love MOST about the P90X workout programs?  The fact that the exercises use MANY muscle groups at ONE TIME to get the most out of limited time (vs. the machines at the gym that typically work one major muscle group at a time). 

  More bang for your buck. 

Example:  standing on one leg (balance) while doing hammer curls with 10lbs. dumbbells. 
Another Example:  planks which progress to a side plank and oblique crunch. 
**BOOM**

Overall body exercise, baby.  Another thing I like about these workouts is that you go at YOUR pace and there’s plenty of
time between exercises to write your stats & get new weights/water.  It’s NOT like the Insanity program where it’s
fast, fast, fast…… go, go, go.  P90X3 is more about the quality of exercise and….. we all know the slower you do a
weighted exercise, the more the muscle burns. 

If you are one of the people who don’t like to listen to Tony talk or tell jokes, then simply mute it after you learn the moves.  Yes, I was a bit clumsy since this was my first time doing the workout.  But, if it were easy, I’d be disappointed in the program because it wasn’t challenging me.  Challenge = body changing.

Contact me if you are using P90X3 to change your body too!  I’d love to swap notes and push one another!!  I will need to deviate from
the program somewhat since I am continuing to increase my running mileage in prep for the Florida Ragnar Race next month, but I’m hoping to stay as close to the schedule as I can. 

Hey…. And check that out —- the football game is in the 4thquarter.  Sweet Nectar!! I like shorty
workouts that still create muscle burn!  I didn’t miss much of the game and still can watch the end.  ROLL TIDE! 

www.YourFitness-411.com

Healthy Weight Loss Strategy

eat clean, train dirty

Dieting.  Such a happy word!!  Cross that out….. Ugh….. doesn’t that word put a bad taste in your mouth right away??  Are you thinking ‘broccoli & fish’ for every meal?  I hate that word with a passion.
However, it’s the best word to describe changing your eating habits and it gets a bad rep thanks to fad diets.

Dieting to lose weight evokes a strong counteraction by the body to conserve energy.  When you start a diet, one of the means to weight loss involves eating fewer calories.  This acts as an alarm & signals the body t prepare for a future starvation state, something your body is extremely efficient at protecting against.  You will read some articles that contradict this thought process….. but I firmly believe it.

To counter the decrease in calorie intake & keep you alive, the body conserves energy by slowing down the resting metabolic rate or number in which your body burns calories throughout the day.  A slower metabolic rate results in fewer calories burned than normal, which conserved energy but also may allow more fat to be stored.  A drop in metabolic rate is one of the toughest obstacles for dieters to overcome.  Check out what happens… this may have happened to you:

  • > Start a diet & eat fewer calories.
    > Lose a little weight… or maybe a lot pending your starting size.
    > The body starts to signal starvation & the metabolic rate slows and fewer calories are burned.
    > Energy is conserved and you don’t have the energy to power through a workout, maybe get tired more quickly, grumpy, and the body starts conserving fat.
    >  You gain some weight back.  OR….. eat normal for a couple of days and the # on the scale jumps up.

What does the body start to use for energy when starved?  PROTEIN.  What’s protein?  MUSCLE.  What burns more calories at rest in the body?  MUSCLE.  Do you want the body to burn muscle?  NOOOOOOO!!!!! Here are some tips to fight against a slower metabolic rate and preserve muscle.  Many ‘body builders’ have an uncanny way of building muscle & losing fat.  Through my Sports Nutrition course, I’ve learned that Body Builders have some of the BEST diets and discipline over other athletes/people.  Yes… they workout hard & hit the weights hard with little cardio…. more than likely they are doing explosive cardio vs. long sustained sweat sessions.
But…their ‘diets’ are spot on in regards to carbs/proteins/healthy fats.  Maybe we should make an effort to mimic more of their food plans than sprinkling magic dust on our food for weight loss.
Here’s some strategies they use that are very effective.

  • Eat more protein.  Add a lean protein-source to each meal/snack.  Think: non-animal protein.  (beans, nuts, vegetarian burger, cottage cheese, cheese, milk, Greek yogurt, protein bars, protein shakes).
  • Drink a protein shake in the afternoon between lunch and dinner…. which is usually the second longest fast of the day after sleeping.  (Shakeology is NOT marketed as a ‘protein shake’ but with 16+ grams of protein, pre/pro-biotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods….. it makes a great snack and gives you energy to power through the afternoon.)
  • Add resistive/strength training to your workout!!!!  Not sure how to do this or want a program to do at home?  Contact me at: Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com

Don’t forget……. Muscles is a GREAT weapon in the fight to lose weight.  Don’t skimp on that part of your workout and don’t be a ‘cardio queen’ everyday!!  No sense in being hungry and running on a treadmill for an hour to lose weight when you don’t have to!  And… it doesn’t work anyways!!
Not wanting to leave the house on cold mornings & go to the gym?  Get an amazing workout at home…. I do every day!  Check out your options at www.beachbodycoach.com/LisaBashford

Lisa S. Bashford
Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
Owner of YourFitness-411.com

You get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off…then stand.

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“Cause when push comes to shove,
You taste what you’re made of.
You might bend till you break
Cause it’s all you can take.
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough.
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand, then you stand!!

Ever feel like you have NO support from those who are supposed to have your back?  Yep…. me too.  That happened this week…… but someone recently told me that it’s your FRIENDS who will support you the most and stand up for you.  So, build a strong friend network of about 2-4 tight friendships and have each other’s backs.
I hear often from friends and clients that their own families don’t support their weight loss efforts and it brings them down.  I had one lady tell me that her Mother always said, “You look great, honey!” even though she was 75+ pounds overweight.  Was her Mom trying to keep her fat?  I sure hope not.  Instead, I believe it was her Mother’s way of trying to build her confidence.  Unfortunately, I believe she went the wrong way about it, because she could have added, “But I know you want to lose weight, and it would be better for your health.”  Sometimes, just a few small words make all the difference.

Another man I worked with said that his family were all overweight and he felt as though they were sabotaging him by always trying to get him to make poor food choices at parties.  “Hey Jimmy, you’ve been good and lost 10 pounds, have a piece of cake!  One piece won’t hurt you!”  >>>  Have you heard THAT one before??  YES???

Actually, that’s VERY hurtful to the person who is trying to get healthy.  Why try to ‘get them to eat’ a piece of junk?  Is it to make themselves feel better about their own laziness??  (I think we are onto something with that one!) 
Actually, when a person has been eating clean and enjoying the benefits, often times “one piece of cake/pizza” will hurt them and make their stomach upset.
So, why do we do this to each other?  Why do the people who are supposed to be the closest to us…. leave us out of family dinners, try to get us to ‘eat’ unhealthy foods, aren’t excited about our endeavors regarding our own health or even running a successful business??
I can’t answer that question, but I can tell you to stop trying so hard.  Those aren’t the people who ‘have your back.’  Sure, they will be there in a time of crises, but on the day to day situations…… if you don’t feel supported by them and they aren’t lifting you up and helping you to succeed……then you need to re-evaluate how much you want them to participate in your life.  Find people who empower you, who make you feel successful, who lift you up when you are down….people who ‘have your back.’

So, the next time you are feeling as if you have no one in your corner… if you are my client or friend, just know that you have me.  I may give you tough love, but it’s only because I have a keen 6th sense and you probably need it.  Don’t write off those other folks, but there’s no need to try to explain something they aren’t attempting to understand.  Just find others who ‘get’ it.  Your life will be so much better for it and less drama/disappointment.

If your goal is fit, healthy, and to weigh less, but you feel you have no support and have fallen off the wagon, YourFitness-411 is here to help.  I pride myself on giving others personal attention to get them started on the right path and then nudge them as needed.
I had a rough week on a few levels ….and then my 14 mile run was horribly long & painful.  I felt broken and doubted my abilities to complete another marathon.  Today’s 7 mile run wasn’t fun either.  But, thanks to supportive running friends, I was reminded that “The bad runs are the best teachers.”  I truly have amazing people from all over the world picking me up when I need it and I’m back to feeling as though I can do this.  Yes, thanks to Team Beachbody, I can say… ‘world.
“Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place.”

Rascal Flatts has it right…… it’s the song that I quoted in the beginning, that I must quote in the end.  I got back up….and I’m back in the race…. and through this past week I’ve learned how strong I really am and who I can lean on.  It’s all falling into place. I hope you can do the same.

(the song is called STAND, by Rascal Flatts)

Facebook.  I <3 it.  I hate it.  But it’s helping to end Obesity.

Facebook.  I ❤ it.  I hate it.  It sucks me in & yet it’s my best marketing tool for my Fitness Biz.  All those emoticons, the slang, the appropriate, the helpful posts, the inappropriate posts, the drama, watching someone have a melt down, and then others celebrate their child’s success; it’s the world we live in these days.  My business page, facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo is a way for me to not only market myself, but allows the person following me to get a glimpse into my life and struggles as  Mom trying to stay fit and accomplish fitness related goals. The main thing I want people to get from my facebook biz page, is a better understanding of their body, how it works, and how to treat it well so that they get the MOST benefit from a healthy life/body.  The more people I reach, the more I can educate.  And…I truly believe that ‘Education is Key.’  When you are educated, you can make better choices, feed your body the way it needs, and participate in life, vs. sitting on the sidelines and just watching.  Many people just watch.  They have no idea what to buy at the grocery, let alone how to make a healthy meal.  They grew up in a home where mashed potatoes, gravy, and noodles was a staple.  (I did too!!)  But listen…..those ‘days’ are long gone.  Kids were active then and fruits had more nutrition than they do these days.  Now, kids play hand held games, rarely use the imagination, being outside is bothersome when they can chill in a cool, air controlled house, and they eat POORLY!  Constant snacks of chips, crackers, granola bars, and MAYBE a piece of fruit.  (I can feel myself getting onto a soap box, and I don’t want to do that….. for now).

Where was I?  Oh….that’s right, education.

I enjoy simply teaching the reader a little more about carbs/protein/fat intake on a daily basis or how to modify exercises so they have no excuses.  It’s my thing and I love it.  I always say, “Simple changes = big results” and to ‘BELIEVE‘ in the journey. (I even had orange wristbands made to give people with the word ‘BELIEVE’ on it as a way to say focused!)
Sometimes, on my facebook page, I have to show some tough love, and other times I get to have fun with slightly inappropriate posts.  (Relax, nothing too bad!)  But, I posted something the other day that I believe more people should read.  It’s a hard truth and people need to realize that Obesity is a growing trend.  It saddens me because there is no need for it.  No need for adult men to look 7 months pregnant, women to have a waist line as big as a hula-hoop or children unable play outdoors because they get tired too easily.  I feel it important to share this site with you and allow you read it too. If it can help just ONE person, then I am a happy lady!! It’s written by a doctor and is titled “FAT CITY – what can stop Obesity.”
www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2013/march/1361848247/karen-hitchcock/fat-city

fat city pic  >>>> If you would like me to help you out with some tips and techniques for weight loss, don’t hesitate to contact me.  I hope you will check out my facebook business page & hopefully you will walk away with the ability to stay disciplined, try a healthy new recipe or exercise, and BELIEVE in your journey.  I’m just a simple Mom of 2, living in Indiana, who still has about 10 pounds to lose….so I am there with you!  However, I focus daily on healthy choices and have NOT allowed anything to stop me from my fitness goals such as completing a marathon, getting strong muscles, or staying active even as I get closer to the big 40. I am a physical therapist assistant, Team Beachbody fitness coach, and VERY soon to be a certified sports nutritionist.   I know the struggles….. I live them…… and I have a passion to help you Beat the Trend of Obesity.  You can be my client, or join my business team for more accountability.  Either way….. make the choice and start your journey today.

I’m sorry you feel that way.

Yes, I am a Team Beachbody Coach.

Does that scare you away?  Intimidate you?  Make you roll your eyes?  If so, I’m sorry you feel that way.  It’s brought me great joy in helping others (which I often do for FREE) and has helped me lose 15 pounds, meet fitness goals, and cont. to be held accountable.

Two years ago, I was chatting with a highly educated and respected co-worker (physical therapist) and she told me she was a Team Beachbody Coach.  At that time, I was working minimal hours as a therapist because I was staying home and raising 2 children, and was finding the desire to coach a team or somehow help others.  Being a Team Beachbody coach seemed to fit that need, yet I was concerned with marketing, pyramid schemes, and didn’t want to fail or embarrass myself.  After praying about it for almost 2 months and educating myself on the company, I signed on in October 2010.

Within months, I climbed the ladder to ’emerald’ status and hope to cont. climbing, but for now, I’m feeling pretty comfortable with where I am.  Do I make a lot of $$ every month?  Nope.  I make extra to pay for fun things for myself and the family.  It has paid for a new grill, my Sports Nutrition Class, some bills, etc.  But, even though the cash is helpful, I’m more interested in actually ‘helping’ people get started in the right direction.  As a coach, you do not HAVE to start your own business, assist others, or let it be known that you are a rep for Team Beachbody.  I chose to take this path with the title.

I mentor FREE 30 day challenge groups to help educate people on starting to lose weight, get stronger, start a running program, and much more.  I started a facebook accountability page that has taken on a life of its own, and I recently started a running group that is EXTREMELY supportive of one another (did you know that runners are comedians?  I seem to have a few in this group 🙂 .  I receive texts and emails almost daily from friends/clients (all over the world) telling me of their small and large successes and it pleases my heart.  Seeing someone smile because they are in a smaller jean size….honestly, is better than that $30.00.  I REALLY enjoy it.

Team Beachbody coaches (reps for the company) often get a bad reputation, or for some reason are just not well liked by some.  You will often times hear false statements about us from other company reps.  I’ve heard many myself and try to set the record straight.  We are not pushing a product…..we are sharing what has worked for us and hundreds of other people.  It’s proof positive.  I mentor people and DO NOT require them to use ANY Beachbody products.  I really don’t care…I just want you off the couch, moving your body, and stop drinking soda. 🙂   I want to see you succeed. 

Coaching has been a blessing to me, personally.  I found a product, Shakeology, that has helped me control my diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis.  I have pride in saying I have completed P90X and the INSANITY program (2x!).  Since becoming a coach, my running skills have gotten stronger and I have completed 3 half marathons, a full marathon, and numerous 10K & 5K races.  Talk about checking things off the bucket list!  I have lost 15 pounds and am working on losing another 10…..never to see again!!  My eating habits have changed for the better and I am MUCH more educated on proper choices for my family (kids) and myself.  I want my children to live healthy lives without the worry of weight gain, sore joints, disease, and fatigue…and what better way for them to learn that to watch me and live it!

So, you can smirk, roll your eyes, sigh, etc. as much as you want about the fact that I am a Team Beachbody Coach.  You can ‘dislike’ my facebook business page if you must.  But, I hope you realize that my page, my mission, and my desires go beyond a title, they are about personal accomplishments for you and for me.  They are about getting into that smaller jean size, chasing your kids to the bus stop, crossing the finish line of your first 5K, not taking medication for disease that can be controlled through diet/exercise, and being able to look at yourself naked in the mirror without grimacing.  (Who doesn’t want to look good naked?)

Team Beachbody has done wonders for me personally and professionally.  I have found support through other coaches on personal levels….including spiritually.  Having the title of “Beachbody Coach” makes me want to ‘look’ more fit…….so that I can cont. to be proud of owning that title.  It’s my accountability.  It’s a part of what cont. to push me forward.  And, I WILL meet my personal and professional goals….one day at a time.

I don’t know where this title will lead me in the future, but right this very moment, it’s allowing me to help others.  And, isn’t that what we are on Earth to do?  Help others and bring them joy which developes joy within ourselves?  Whoa…is that getting deep or what? Ha! 

Decide.  Commit.  Succeed.

For more information (411)….you can find me at www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo or my website at www.YourFitness-411.com