Beachbody August Sale Promotions

Save more than $70 with the August promotion compared to buying separately with the TurboFire Challenge Pack.

Offer expires August 31, 2013.

TurboFire is the intense cardio conditioning program from fitness innovator Chalene Johnson. Get leaner with exercises that can burn up to 9x more fat and calories than regular cardio, set to smoking-hot music.
TurboFire includes 12 workouts on 5 DVDs, plus sizzling support tools to help you ignite your TurboFire program—fast.
Exclusive BONUS: Order TurboFire on Team Beachbody and you'll receive two workouts—Ab Igniter and Greatest HIITs—a $29.95 value—FREE! Order Here.

Your Challenge Pack also includes:

• Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology—the superfood shake that helps give you energy, reduce cravings and accelerate your fitness results—delivered on Home Direct, our monthly autoship program.
• A FREE 30-day trial membership in the Team Beachbody Club, where you'll find all the support you'll need to complete your Challenge.
• Plus FREE standard shipping!

You save over $80 with this pack compared to buying each item separately with the Body Beast Challenge Pack.

Hungry to work out with weights, but don't want to bulk up? Combine Shakeology with our pro-level bodybuilding program to get your lean, strong and hard body in just 90 days. Our patented superfood shake is a fast, delicious way to cut calories without cutting vital nutrition, making it a killer tool to help you achieve your Lean Beast best.
Exclusive FREE gift! Get the Body Beast "Lucky 7" workout FREE when you purchase through your Team Beachbody Coach or Team Beachbody. A $19.95 value. Order Here.

Your Challenge Pack also includes:

• Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology, the Healthiest Meal of the Day, providing antioxidants, phytonutrients, a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, prebiotics and enzymes for better digestive health, plus 15 grams of protein, all in just 140 calories, delivered through Home Direct, our autoship program that ensures timely delivery of Shakeology to your doorstep every month.
• A FREE 30-day trial membership in the Team Beachbody VIP Club, where you'll find all the support you'll need to complete your challenge.
• Plus FREE shipping!

You save over $90 with this pack compared to buying each item separately with the Focus T25 Challenge Pack.

Offer expires August 31, 2013.

Get an hour's results in 25 minutes a day! Trainer Shaun T gives you everything you need, nothing you don't. 25 minutes. 5 days a week. 100% results.

Your Challenge Pack also includes:

• Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology—the superfood shake that helps give you energy, reduce cravings, and accelerate your fitness results—delivered on Home Direct, our monthly autoship program.
• A FREE 30-day trial membership in the Team Beachbody Club, where you'll find all the support you'll need to complete your Challenge.
• Plus FREE standard shipping! Order Here.

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Break Your 5 Bad Summer Habits

By Denis Faye

"Summertime and the livin' is easy."—George Gershwin, Porgy and Bess

There's truth in that classic song lyric. Long hours in the sun. Staying up late. Drinking one more brewski by the pool.

But autumn is just around the corner, and that means the rules change. That extra hamburger might have been okay after a day of playing beach football, but when you're on the couch watching the NFL®, it's your worst enemy. Add to this the fact that you're returning to work after a long vacation and the kids are heading back to school. With that, our stress levels tend to skyrocket.

But they don't have to. The weigh station between those hot August nights and the cold November rain is a great time to get back on track. You might want to take this opportunity to do a transformation program like the Beachbody Ultimate Reset® to help you kick some of those bad summer habits and get yourself ready for the excesses of the upcoming holiday season.

1. Backyard BBQ binging. We eat like pigs in the summer. Fried chicken, funnel cakes, macaroni salad, perhaps if you've gone really off the rails, fried butter. 
   
   But you're probably also spending a lot of time outside, so you're burning off some of those calories. As the temperature drops and you retreat indoors, you'll likely be moving around less. And, unless you adjust your diet, you're probably going to pack on the pounds. 
   
   That's where the Beachbody Ultimate Reset comes in. The 21-day program is designed for just such a situation. It helps you reduce your calories and fill your diet with foods and supplements that cleanse, revitalize, and train your body and mind to function better while consuming less. It will help stabilize your blood sugar so you're craving fewer sweets. You'll also find that by eating less, your stomach will shrink, and you'll feel fuller faster. 
   
   Doing the Reset now can prepare you for the holiday onslaught of goodies. Avoiding candy and calorie-rich foods is much easier when your system is already acclimated to eating healthy foods in smaller portions.
2. Partying all night long. Odds are, you didn't get your 7 to 8 hours this summer and you probably didn't miss it. With less stress, lots of sunshine, and more outdoor time, you were unwittingly avoiding telltale signs of exhaustion such as depression, lethargy, and illness. Once you're housebound, it's a different story. The kids will be bringing home heaven-knows-what from school (and you from the office) where those germs cycle around and around in the closed environment of your home. 
   
   A great way to fight cold and flu season (besides opening the windows sometimes) is to stay rested—and the best way to stay rested is to sleep. While Western and Holistic medicine disagree on plenty, they're universally agreed on the way a night's sleep recharges the immune system. So make a point of missing the late show. Turn off the tube and hit the hay.
3. Having a lazy brain. Summer is a great time for physical activity. When you're out and active, odds are that your chess game probably suffers. 
   
   Take the opportunity of the approaching cool weather to find a class to enroll in for the fall. Take an arts course. Learn a new language. Learn how to make new healthy dishes at your local cooking school. Make a habit of playing chess or doing the crossword daily. Reengage your brain and you may not only help ward off brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, you'll also discover fun new activities that you may fall in love with for a lifetime!
4. Bad time management. All that sunshine does wonders for your mood. But what happens when the days get shorter and cooler and the bad weather hits? And, if you're in school or have kids who are, couple that with the stress of a tighter schedule. 
   
   Here's some ways to get a grip on stress before it takes ahold of you. 
   
   
   • Get a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lamp to help combat the blues that can come on when you're getting less sunlight every day.
   • Meditate every morning or evening for 10 to 15 minutes. A recent UCLA study showed that subjects practicing Kirtan Kriya Meditation for 12 minutes daily experienced a reduction in overall inflammation—the body's response to stress.
   • Schedule at least 10 minutes every day in your calendar just for you. Take this time to do something that gives you pleasure. Drinking a cup of tea, watching the sunrise (or sunset), taking a walk, reading, or listening to music are just some ideas you could try. It may not seem like much, but these 10 minutes of peace will probably gain you 30 minutes of productivity.
5. Exercising. Wait, what? Actually, this is the summer habit you don't want to break. Just because you might not be wearing a bathing suit for the next eight months doesn't mean you should stop exercising. 
   
   You should avoid most exercise during Beachbody Ultimate Reset (except gentle exercise such as Tai Cheng, restorative yoga, and walking), so use that time as a recovery phase to let your muscles experience some deep healing after all those summer activities. 
   
   Once you're done, maybe consider giving yourself a fall or winter challenge. Try a Beachbody program that you haven't mastered yet. Join a soccer or basketball league and make some new friends. Try a sport or activity you've never attempted before.

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8 Superfoods for Summer

8 Superfoods for Summer

By Kirsten Morningstar
 
Wondering what to snack on this summer? Here are eight of our favorite summer superfoods! All of these fruits and veggies are in season all summer long. That means they're not only available locally, but they're at their peak of deliciousness!
And, as always, go organic when you can. Organic foods will help you avoid pesticides and herbicides, and often contain higher levels of nutrients than their nonorganic cousins.

Blueberries

There's not much in nature that's naturally blue, but these tiny berries are! They're also one of the richest sources of antioxidants. Studies suggest that 1–2 cups of blueberries a day could help reduce cholesterol, and a diet high in blueberries (2–2-1/2 cups of blueberry juice made from fresh blueberries) may improve memory. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention . . . they're high in proanthocyanidins, a component that may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Avocados

Buttery avocado is a dieter's dream. It tastes rich and creamy (in fact, in some parts of India, it's known as "butter fruit"), thanks to its high concentration of monounsaturated fats. But, don't worry—not all fat is bad for you. A study conducted at the Reina Sofia University in Spain revealed that avocado's high monounsaturated fats, when consumed as part of a reasonable, balanced diet, may help reduce belly fat! And, that's not all. Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol, as well as decrease the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Lemons

Lemons not only bring out the flavor of food, but they're also great for digestion. Dr. Oz recommends combining lemon juice and ground flaxseeds to aid digestion, thanks to the pectin in the lemon juice and the fiber in the flaxseeds. But, they do much more. They also contain a compound known as limonin that stays in the body up to 24 hours after consumption and can help cancer cells from rapidly growing, and their high levels of vitamin C—one lemon contains 1/3 of your recommended daily allowance (RDA)—can help protect the body against osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and help you absorb iron. So, go ahead, squeeze it on everything!
 

Raspberries

In need of fiber? In just one cup, these little jewels contain 30% of your daily dose of fiber and 60% of your RDA of manganese, a mineral critical for building strong bones and cartilage. They're also a great post-workout snack, due to their high levels of ellagic acid, a compound that reduces inflammation. However, don't get too excited about their ketones, the chemical that gives them their unique scent, just yet. While it's been touted as a "miracle fat burner," the scientific jury is still out on whether the supplement works for people as well as it did for mice.

Watermelon

Watermelon and summer were made for each other. Clocking in at 92% water, this classic summer snack is one of the most refreshing ways to hydrate on a hot day. And, while we don't suggest you skimp on the sunblock, its beta-carotene and flavonoids have been shown to reduce the risk of sunburns and skin damage caused by UV-B rays.
Also, did you know that its red hue isn't just for looks? It comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant most often associated with the tomato, known for fighting inflammation in the body and promoting cardiovascular health. And a final fun fact about this fruit packed with vitamins A and C: The black seeds are a good source of protein, zinc, and iron. They're not very tasty raw, but try them toasted like pumpkin seeds.

Strawberries

As a kid, our favorite treat was strawberries . . . blanketed in powered sugar. But, while that snack is undoubtedly sweet, we've come to love these berries without their fattening topping, which is great because a single cup of them provides 100% of your vitamin C for the day and a mere 47 calories! Additionally, these little fruits contain the antioxidant anthocyanin and other phytonutrients that can reduce inflammation, and their ellagitannins may be responsible for helping to decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes when they're eaten 3 times a week or more. For the fruits with the most flavor, choose smaller berries over larger ones. Another easy way to check sweetness is to cut them in half—easier done at the farmers' market than the supermarket. The redder the center, the sweeter the taste.

Tomatoes

This staple of Italian cooking actually originated in Mexico. It's also one of the easiest fruits to grow in your backyard or on your patio. This shiny, bright red globe is a nutrient-packed powerhouse that has been attributed with the ability to prevent prostate cancer, breast cancer, and promote heart health. They can help you absorb calcium, thanks to all that lycopene, as well as vitamins A, C, and E. To get even more benefits from tomatoes, cook them in heart-healthy olive oil as the lycopene is fat-soluble.

Cucumbers

Pickled or raw, these crunchy veggies are great for you! Cucumbers contain three types of the polyphenol lignan, a compound that may reduce the risk of heart disease and guard against a variety of cancers. Enjoying a pickle with your sandwich isn't only tasty, it could also improve your immune system's ability to ward off disease.

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Is Cardio or Weight Lifting Better For Losing Weight?

Ask the Expert: Is Cardio or Weight Lifting Better For Losing Weight?

By Steve Edwards
 
If you're looking to lose weight, you might be wondering: Should I focus on doing cardio or should I weight train? The answer, for those of you not interested in hanging around for the "why" part of the answer, is both. What matters most is the way you train, the system you train under, and your lifestyle.



The cardio vs. weight lifting question stems from the days when "cardio" usually meant going to a low-level aerobic class and "weight lifting" meant spending a couple of hours in the "free weight room," chatting with your buddies between attempts at "out-benching" each other.
These days, most workout programs incorporate both, often during the same workout. Most "cardio" work has an element of resistance training, either in the form of added weight or plyometric movements, while most "weight lifting" work has a cardio element because it's done in circuits.
There are two myths inherent in this age-old question. The first is that weight training will make you bulky. The second is that cardio doesn't build muscle. Let's dispel these once and for all.

 Myth 1: Weight Training Will Make You Bulky

Gaining bulk is hard. I wish I had a nickel for every time I've seen a hardcore gym rat who's been lifting for months, desperate for a few pounds of lean muscle mass, blow his stack when he hears a woman say, "Weight training will make me bulky."
It takes a ton of energy for your body to add muscle. During the initial stages of any kind of intense training, especially one you're not used to, your body releases excess amounts of the hormone cortisol, which causes your body to retain water. Some people think this means they are bulking up when, in reality, it's just the body adapting to the training. It happens whether you are trying to gain or lose weight and has nothing to do with gaining actual muscle mass. Once your body adapts to the new training, the cortisol release ceases and your body flushes the excess water.

Myth 2: Cardio Doesn't Build Muscle

This second myth is trickier. Low-level, steady-state aerobic training will atrophy muscle, so it can be true. But "cardio" hasn't meant aerobic zone training since Richard Simmons' heyday in the 80s. Cardio is a catchall term for any training that elevates your heart rate for the entire workout. These days, since almost all weight training is done circuit style, your heart rate remains elevated during both cardio and weight training workouts. Modern cardio training is almost always an offshoot of interval training, which means it's a mix of aerobic and anaerobic training. And this builds muscle.
Probably the easiest example to help you understand this is to look at some of the Beachbody Success Stories. Take a look at the results from INSANITY and those from P90X. INSANITY is a "cardio" program that uses no equipment. P90X, on the other hand, requires you to lift weights every other day. Yet, the results you'll see from the two programs are remarkably similar. People tend to both lose weight and gain muscle. Adding muscle increases your metabolism and that's what helps you lose weight . . . as long as you're not eating too much.

What Is the Best Way to Lose Weight?

The best way to lose weight is to follow a solid training system that targets weight loss. A system takes into account your entire lifestyle, workout, diet, sleep, and supplements. Why? Because all of these things affect your body's ability to change.

The key to weight loss is to change your metabolism. While it's easier to alter your metabolism through weight training than cardio, both will do it if the workouts are well designed. The word you're looking for to make this happen is intensity. By that, I mean you need to force your body to work in the anaerobic realm. Because your body depends on air to live, forcing it beyond its ability to breathe causes it to release performance-enhancing hormones to survive. When done consistently, these hormones change your metabolism.

Of course, you'll die if you stay in the anaerobic zone for too long, which is why you only do anaerobic work in short intervals. In between these intervals, your heart is working out aerobically to recovery. As long as the breaks between your anaerobic sets are strategic, you get a powerful cardio workout during every anaerobic workout. For example: circuit weight training—consisting of many sets to failure, with short breaks—is not only a great anaerobic weight training workout, but also a very effective workout for your cardiovascular system as well.

The next factor when it comes to boosting your metabolism and losing weight is recovering properly between workouts. This is why having a system is so important. Intense anaerobic training is stressful for your body. You need this stress to change your hormone balance, but if you overstress yourself, it will lead to problems in the form of overreaching and, if you do it too long, overtraining (both responsible for maladies from lack of results to injury or illness). A proper exercise program takes this into account by scheduling different styles of workouts next to each other to create a balance between intensity and recovery.

Your nutrition and lifestyle are very important for proper recovery. The better you eat, the faster you recover. Ditto for sleep. (I don't care how many episodes of Game of Thrones you need to catch up on.) Sleep is when your body produces its natural PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs). So get your shuteye!
All of this is why Beachbody never sells individual workouts that aren't attached to a program—or system—for your training. It's not that doing random exercise isn't good for you. It can be. However, we design workout systems that synergistically combine aerobic and anaerobic training (along with sundry other types of training, not to mention proper nutrition) to give you results. That way, it's much easier for your body to change its metabolism, and for you to lose weight.

To recap, whether your exercise routine is focused on cardio or weight training has very little to do with whether you'll lose weight. The best training programs have elements of both aerobic and anaerobic training and the important factors for weight loss are: pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone (aka intensity), eating enough to recover (but not too much), and resting enough between your workouts. Balance these factors correctly and your metabolism will shift and the pounds will melt away.

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Vanilla Chia Pudding

Chia seeds, what are chia seeds? Well chia seeds are native to South America and have been a staple in Mayan and Aztec diets for centuries. Today, they draw the interest of many people for their health benefits and uses in cooking. It turns out the South American staple is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants.

Let's go over some of the benefits of Chia Seeds...



Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Chia seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds' lipid profile is composed of 60 percent omega-3s, making them one of the richest plant-based sources of these fatty acids, specifically, of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. The omega-3s in chia seeds can help reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive performance and reduce high cholesterol.

Fiber
Fiber is associated with reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, with a whopping 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons. That is one-third of the daily recommended intake of fiber per day.

Antioxidants
Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals, aging and cancer. The high antioxidant profile also helps them have a long shelf life. They last almost two years without refrigeration.

Minerals
Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 18 percent of the DRI for calcium, 35 percent for phosphorus, 24 percent for magnesium and about 50 percent for manganese. These nutrients help you prevent hypertension and maintain a healthy weight, and are important for energy metabolism and a part of DNA synthesis.

Satiety
Satiety is the feeling of being full and satisfied, which helps lower food cravings between meals. The combination of protein, fiber and the gelling action of chia seeds when mixed with liquids all contribute to their satiating effects.

Blood Sugar Regulation
Chia seeds can play an important role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

Dyslipidemia
A study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" showed that chia seeds as a dietary fat source can lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels while increasing HDL or "good" cholesterol. The study also found that when substituting chia seeds for other fat sources, such as corn oil, the ALA was able to prevent high triglyceride levels and reduce central obesity.

Can Be Digested Whole
Unlike flaxseeds, which are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and minerals, chia seeds do not need to be ground in order to obtain their nutrient or egg- replacement benefits. 

Egg Replacer
The outer layer of chia seeds swells when mixed with liquids to form a gel. This can used in place of eggs to lower cholesterol and increase the nutrient content of foods and baked goods. To make the egg replacement, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let sit for 15 minutes.

Gluten-Free
Chia seeds contain no gluten or grains. Therefore, all of the nutritional benefits of chia seeds can be obtained on a gluten-free diet.

So what better way to have chia seeds then in yummy vanilla pudding, chia seeds can also be put into about anything because they have no taste, I have added them to salads, eggs and more.Okay lets move onto the yummy recipe.


Vanilla Chia Pudding has a bright vanilla flavor with a texture resembling a tapioca or rice pudding. Chia seeds are simply mixed into your favorite milk and left overnight to gel, the process couldn't be any simpler. This pudding is healthy enough for a morning breakfast, a snack or after dinner dessert. Serve with fresh berries and add pure maple syrup or honey for taste but personally I don't add any other sweetner because my almond milk is already sweetened. Note: Chia seeds are available in the health food section of the grocery store (or in specialty health food stores). Hope you enjoy it as much as me and my family do!

 

Vanilla Chia Pudding

About 3 servings
1 1/2 cups almond milk or milk of your choice (I use vanilla almond milk)
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey (optional)

Just add all ingredients in a container, I use a large mason jar and mix altogether, make sure you mix really well and place in refrigerator for a few hours all the way up to over night, over night is best (I make mine at night and have some in the morning). 


Please feel free to share your thoughts on this recipe!

 

 

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IT'S HERE! Rich and creamy Vanilla Shakeology

"YES!" There's a NEW Shakeology in town and this one's going to send your taste buds into a blissful state of jubilation. Not only does our NEW Vanilla Shakeology taste good, it IS good. So very good—in so many incredibly good ways.

Vanilla Shakeology is GOOD FOR YOUR BODY. While this rich and creamy shake tastes like the world's most delectable dessert, it's actually your daily dose of dense nutrition. Packed with more than 70 super-healthy ingredients from around the world, Shakeology is the healthiest shake on the planet (and that goes for all of our five amazing flavors).


Replacing one meal a day with Shakeology can help you:*

• Lose weight
• Reduce junk food cravings
• Increase your energy
• Improve your digestion and regularity

Vanilla Shakeology is GOOD FOR YOUR TASTE BUDS.
One of the best things about this new flavor is that because vanilla is a neutral base, you can customize recipes to make your shakes taste like anything you want. You can have a "Vanilla Latte" for breakfast one day, a "PB & J" for lunch the next, or a "Tiramisu" when you're craving dessert. You can NEVER go wrong with just vanilla.



So where do Shakeology's prized vanilla beans come from?
They come from a place where the soil is rich, the air is pure, and the water is untainted. They come from where natural resources available for growing vanilla beans are absolutely perfect. They come from the lush jungles of Madagascar, a remote island perched off the eastern edge of South Africa. And under this tropical rainforest's vast canopy, indigenous Malagasy farmers meticulously hand-pollinate each vanilla orchid by hand—then hand-harvest, blanch, sweat, sun-dry, and condition the beans (over a six-month period!) to release their incredible essence and aromas. So pretty much, these beans come from paradise.



Vanilla Shakeology is GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
Through the purchase of these particular beans, we're helping invest in a wide variety of training for the rural Malagasy vanilla farmers. Not only are they learning optimal and sustainable growing and harvesting practices to help lower their costs, increase yields, and standardize their processes, they're also learning how to build a better infrastructure for their volatile vanilla bean industry. We're doing everything we can to help put an end to the prolific "slash-and-burn" agricultural harvesting that causes deforestation and soil erosion, putting unique crops (like vanilla), as well as natural resources, at risk.




Vanilla Shakeology is GOOD FOR MADAGASCAR'S LOCAL ECONOMY.
In addition to all the training these farmers will be receiving through our purchase of these beans, we're also helping to invest in the building and ongoing maintenance of new schools in this developing nation. These schools are being built with renewable resources and are currently enhancing the education of more than 3,000 local children.



Vanilla Shakeology is GOOD FOR KEEPING CHEMICALS OUT OF YOUR FOOD.
Vanilla comes in many forms, not all of which are pure. There are a lot of knockoffs out there that are labeled as vanilla, but aren't 100% pure vanilla because other elements have been added. Unfortunately, the food industry's dirty little secret is that most "natural vanilla" flavors use chemical additives and "vanilla-like" fillers which substantially cheapen the product, yet these companies are passing it off as the "real" thing.
BUT NOT US—OUR VANILLA IS 100% PURE!



How do we know Shakeology's vanilla is pure?
We've partnered with a highly reputable vanilla source that certifies complete traceability, from bean to bag. You see, Madagascar's current vanilla supply chain in this impoverished nation lacks standards and quality control. And sadly, once the cured vanilla beans leave Madagascar for flavor extraction elsewhere, far too many companies are taking less-than-ethical shortcuts to bring their "vanilla-like" products to market. So unless vanilla says it's 100% pure—it's not.



Simply put, Vanilla Shakeology is just . . . GOOD!
Sure, it took us a while to hunt down an untainted, flavorful, and ethically sourced vanilla bean that would meet Shakeology's standards. But we did it. And we're so incredibly proud of our incredibly delicious and ridiculously healthy Vanilla Shakeology—and we think you'll love it as much as we do.



But don't take our word for how amazing this stuff is; trust the words of some of our biggest fans:

"I loved it! I thought it was amazing! I was sad when the whole shake was gone!"

"Very nice addition to the Shakeology lineup!"

"Amazing! Is this really healthy? Hands down one of the best tasting shakes I've ever had.
Homerun, Beachbody!"

"I have always been more of a vanilla girl than chocolate, and for me this tasted like heaven in a glass."

As always, you can get FREE shipping on Vanilla when you order on Home Direct—AND for a limited time only (until July 7th, 2013) you can also get FREE shipping on a ONE-TIME order of Vanilla as well. So try it now! Order Yours Here.

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Shakeology Peppermint Sorbet

Satisfy your chocolate and mint craving with this frozen treat.



Total Time: 1 hr., 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
• 2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
• 1 cup skim milk or coconut milk
• 4 to 5 drops peppermint extract
• 6 to 8 ice cubes

Preparation:
1 Place all ingredients in blender and blend until mixture is very thick.
2. Pour into container and freeze for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

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10 Popular Diet Tips to Ignore

By Kara Wahlgren

If you've ever tried to lose a few pounds, you've probably been inundated with diet tips. But take them all with a grain of salt—some advice may sound legit but can actually derail your diet. Here are 10 tips you don't want to follow.

BAD ADVICE: Choose fat-free or sugar-free foods
BETTER ADVICE: Don't believe the hype. "They usually use fat and sodium to replace sugar, and sugar to replace fat—or chemicals to replace both," says Denis Faye, Beachbody's nutrition expert. And Rania Batayneh, MPH, a nutritionist and author of the upcoming book, The 1:1:1 Diet, adds, "Removing fat from a food makes it less satiating, so you ultimately may end up eating more." Stick with the original versions, and watch your portions or better yet, eat more unprocessed foods.

BAD ADVICE: No cheating ever!
BETTER ADVICE: Relax your diet rules, and you'll be more likely to stick it out long-term. "If 80% of your diet is tight, then 20% can be a party," Faye says. "It keeps you from getting stressed—and stress is a huge obstacle in weight loss." Just plan your splurges ahead of time so you're not giving in to every temptation that crosses your plate.

BAD ADVICE: Stop snacking.
BETTER ADVICE: Choose snacks that offer a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats—like apples with peanut butter, or carrots with hummus. "A healthy snack can help maintain steady blood sugar levels, which keeps your appetite in check and your energy stable," Batayneh says. Skipping a snack can cause your blood sugar to dip, leaving you moody and famished—and more likely to overeat at mealtime.

BAD ADVICE: Don't eat fruit—it's full of sugar.

BETTER ADVICE: Let fruit satisfy your sweet tooth. "Yes, fresh produce is full of sugar and carbs," Faye says. "But sugar itself is not the enemy. Fruit is packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals; it's also rich in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar. I've never met a human being who got fat because of bananas." When you're craving sugar, there's no debate that a handful of grapes is healthier than a hot fudge sundae.

BAD ADVICE: If it's organic, it's good for you.
BETTER ADVICE: According to the USDA, organic food is produced without antibiotics, growth hormones, conventional pesticides, and synthetic ingredients.1 The problem is that many people assume organic foods are all low in calories, too, which isn't necessarily true. Don't get us wrong—we'd rather eat food that doesn't resemble a science experiment. But, Faye cautions, "You need to use common sense. If it's bad for you with conventional ingredients, it's still bad for you when it's organic." A cookie is a cookie, no matter how all-natural it is.

BAD ADVICE: Calories in, calories out—it doesn't matter what you eat.

BETTER ADVICE: What you're eating matters. Compare a 100-calorie candy bar to 100 calories of avocado—the latter is packed with nutrients and has healthy fats and fiber to keep you full. Or compare 50 calories of spinach (about seven cups) to 50 calories of ice cream (about two tablespoons). To feel full when you're cutting calories, look for foods loaded with water and fiber, like veggies or broth-based soups. Plus, "Hormones have a huge impact on our health. Junk food can trigger bad hormonal responses that, over time, can lead to all kinds of problems, including weight gain," Faye says. Occasionally, someone will pop up in the news claiming they lost a ton of weight while eating nothing but Subway®, Starbucks®, or Snickers® bars—but don't put too much stock in those success stories. "When you go that route, you're not educating yourself," Faye says. "It's like the teach-a-man-to-fish adage. If you give someone a gimmicky diet, they might lose weight for now; but provide them with knowledge, and they can be healthy for life."

BAD ADVICE: Try XYZ Extreme Diet—it works for everyone!
BETTER ADVICE: Find a plan that works for you. Gender, age, genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle can all play a role in weight loss—so even if a fad diet has worked for others, that doesn't mean you'll get the same results. "There's no single diet that works for everyone; our biochemical needs are different," Faye says. Talk to a dietitian or nutrition consultant to find a long-term eating strategy that is tailor-fit to you.

BAD ADVICE: When in doubt, order the salad.
BETTER ADVICE: Choose your greens wisely. Leafy greens and vegetables may be virtuous, but not if they're slathered in creamy dressing and topped with bacon, candied nuts, croutons, deli meats, or cheese. "Fatty fixings can add hundreds of calories to your meal, and sometimes contain more calories than that juicy burger!" Batayneh says. Salad can be a healthy choice, but order dressing on the side and limit the add-ons.

BAD ADVICE: Don't exercise—it'll only make you hungrier.

BETTER ADVICE: Get moving—an hour-long workout isn't going to make you suck down calories like Michael Phelps. "Exercise isn't just for losing weight—it improves your cardiovascular health and strengthens your bones," Faye says. You might feel hungrier while recovering from a grueling workout, but that doesn't mean you're going to pack on pounds. "As long as you're eating clean, your body is amazing at self-regulating," Faye adds. "It should crave the calories you need to fuel your workouts, not to get fat."

BAD ADVICE: Treat yourself for a job well done!
BETTER ADVICE: Rethink your reward system. After an intense workout, you may feel like you've earned a cocktail or cupcake. But splurging after every workout can quickly undo all your hard work. If you've been good all week, go ahead and grab a guilt-free beer on Friday. But, Faye says, "Don't let every workout become a Pavlovian thing where you need to eat cake afterwards." After all, the best reward for a killer workout is getting one step closer to the body you want.

article: http://www.teambeachbody.com/about/newsletters/-/nli/274#232814182

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10 Reasons Why Women Need to Lift Weights

By Whitney Provost

Many women believe that the only way to lose weight is to do cardiovascular (aerobic exercise). So they jog or take aerobics classes five times a week. Eventually, though, they notice that while their bodies are a little smaller, there are still a lot of flabby and jiggly bits. Sound familiar? Aerobic exercise is important for good health, but it's only half of the equation. Keep reading for the other half. For optimal fitness, longevity, and a lean body, weight training is essential. If you avoid pumping iron because you're afraid of getting "bulky," then you're missing out on one of the best fat-burning methods around. When you're weight training, you shouldn't rely exclusively on the scale to gauge your progress. You can use a body fat tester or a tape measure to track how many inches you're losing. The size of your body will shrink as you shed fat and build muscle, but your weight may not change as dramatically as you expect. Besides, what's more important, the number on the scale or how you look in your skinny jeans? If you're still not convinced that you need to lift weights, here are 10 reasons why you should reconsider.  

1. Burn more fat Researchers at Tufts University found that when overweight women lifted heavy weights twice a week, they lost an average of 14.6 pounds of fat and gained 1.4 pounds of muscle. The control group, women who dieted but didn't lift weights, lost only 9.2 pounds of fat and gained no muscle. When you do an intense weight-training program such as ChaLEAN Extreme®, your metabolism stays elevated and you continue to burn fat for several hours afterward. During regular cardio exercise, you stop burning fat shortly after the workout.
2. Change your body shape You may think your genes determine how you look. That's not necessarily true. Weight training can slim you down, create new curves, and help avoid the "middle-age spread." Just look at the amazing body transformations of the women who've completed P90X®. Dropping only 3 percent of your body fat could translate into a total loss of 3 inches off your hips and thighs. And no, you won't bulk up—women don't have enough muscle-building hormones to gain a lot of mass like men do. If you keep your diet clean and create a calorie deficit, you'll burn fat.  
3. Boost your metabolism The less muscle you have, the slower your metabolism will be. As women age, they lose muscle at increasing rates, especially after the age of 40. When you diet without doing resistance training, up to 25 percent of the weight loss may be muscle loss. Weight training while dieting can help you preserve and even rebuild muscle fibers. The more lean mass you have, the higher your metabolism will be and the more calories you'll burn all day long.  
4. Get stronger and more confident Lifting weights increases functional fitness, which makes everyday tasks such as carrying children, lifting grocery bags, and picking up heavy suitcases much easier. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular weight training can make you 50 percent stronger in 6 months. Being strong is also empowering. Not only does it improve your physical activities, it builds emotional strength by boosting self-esteem and confidence.
5. Build strong bones It's been well documented that women need to do weight-bearing exercise to build and maintain bone mass, and prevent osteoporosis. Just as muscles get stronger and bigger with use, so do bones when they're made to bear weight. Stronger bones and increased muscle mass also lead to better flexibility and balance, which is especially important for women as they age.
6. Fight depression You've probably heard that cardio and low-impact exercises such as yoga help alleviate depression, and weight lifting has the same effect. The endorphins that are released during aerobic activities are also present during resistance training. Many women find that regular strength training, in conjunction with psychological treatment, helps lessen their depression symptoms substantially.  
7. Improve sports fitness You don't have to be an athlete to get the sports benefit of weight training. Improved muscle mass and strength will help you in all physical activities, whether it's bicycling with the family, swimming, golfing, or skiing . . . whatever sport you enjoy.  
8. Reduce injuries and arthritis Weight lifting improves joint stability and builds stronger ligaments and tendons. Training safely and with proper form can help decrease the likelihood of injuries in your daily life. It can also improve physical function in people with arthritis. A study conducted at the University of Wales in Bangor, United Kingdom, found that mildly disabled participants who lifted weights for 12 weeks increased the frequency and intensity at which they could work, with less pain and increased range of movement.
9. Heart health More than 480,000 women die from cardiovascular disease each year, making it the number-one killer of women over the age of 25. Most people don't realize that pumping iron can also keep your heart pumping. Lifting weights increases your "good" (HDL) cholesterol and decreases your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol. It also lowers your blood pressure. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that people who do 30 minutes of weight lifting each week have a 23 percent reduced risk of developing heart disease compared to those who don't lift weights.  
10. Defend against diabetes In addition to keeping your ticker strong, weight training can improve glucose utilization (the way your body processes sugar) by as much as 23 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 weeks of strength training can improve glucose metabolism in a way that is comparable to taking diabetes medication. The more lean mass you have, the more efficient your body is at removing glucose from the blood, which can reduce complications from diabetes or even help prevent type 2 diabetes in the first place.

Article: http://www.teambeachbody.com/get-fit/fitness-tip/-/ftip/171525854/

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Green Smoothie

I was out of my Shakeology for like a week because my husband decided to use it more then usual, so I ran out of it sooner then I usually do! So I had to come up with some replacement until my Shakeology came in the mail! I have heard about green smoothies before but never really made one because I always thought it would just taste leafy BUT I was so wrong! I thought I would give it a try, I searched online for some green smoothie recipes and came across a recipe that was a post workout/breakfast and/or meal replacement, so I gave it a try but changed it to what I had in my frig and loved it! I didn't know green smoothies could be so good, and its very filling. Feel free to play around with the ingredients to alter it the way YOU think you might like it.
Here you go, I hope you enjoyed it like I did!




Chocolate Peanut Butter Green Smoothie

- 2 Small Bananas
- 1 scoop of Shakeology or you could use 2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder or raw cacao powder.
- 1 Tablespoon of any butter of your choice. (Almond or Peanut Butter, I used Chocolate-Coconut Peanut Butter from Wild Friends, which is so yummy.)
- 2 Cups of spinach if your using Shakeology, if your not using shakeology use 3 cups of Spinach or greens (kale) of your choice!
- 8 or more ounces of almond milk or milk of your choice.
- Ice

Place all ingredients into blender placing greens and ice last, blend and enjoy! This green smoothie is so filling, it would be considered a meal replacement IF you use Shakeology BUT if you don't have Shakeology its still filling enough to use a meal replacement. I like this for a post workout/breakfast, hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this, I would love to hear it!

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David Lost 97 lbs With The Ultimate Reset!!

WOW! Get ready to be inspired, David lost 97lbs with the Ultimate Reset and Shakeology!! Amazing, take a look at his story...

I have been heavy throughout my whole life and have lived in solitude, escaping to my games, which got very lonely at times. I have been on food stamps for at least 2 years because I have been unemployed and was forced to live out of my car while I was in Oregon because I had no money. I interviewed for several jobs but once they saw me I was pretty much told that the position was filled…no one would hire me in the condition I was in. I had pretty much given up hope on life. I was destined for certain death if I did not make some type of change. It was time to do or die.

My mom had recommended I try the Ultimate Reset because of all the testimonials she was hearing from all the people who were using it. She offered to have me come and stay for 21 days and monitor everything. I reluctantly agreed.

I’m not going to lie, I was really hesitant to try the program because I saw some of the foods on nutrition plan and knew most of them were not my favorites. My meals prior to the Ultimate Reset consisted of fast food pizza, Angus 1/3 pounds burgers with fries and a large soft drink and that was pretty much a revolving door for me. But the Ultimate Reset foods were delicious! I didn't expect that. I was going to bed early and actually getting a good night’s rest. It taught me the proper way to prepare my meals and that I could eat smaller portions and not be hungry. Seeing the weight drop off has motivated me to make this a way of life.
I began the reset at 736 pounds and lost a total of 40 pounds in the entire 21 days. While I was hesitant in the beginning about the whole thing, I stuck by the menu plan the entire 21 days. I actually have continued the program and now lost a total of 93 lbs! I experienced things on the reset that I never expected to see in my life: more energy and waking up and realizing that I had a good night sleep. Can’t remember the last time I had either one of these two things. The Ultimate Reset was a great start to my new future & even though I know I have a long way to go, it's given me hope of a normal life. Once I get down to what I believe is a good weight for my height, I will set out to help young kids who are in the same predicament that I was in and I think my testimonial will be a great start for all of them.

Can you relate to this post at all? If you want to learn more about how the Ultimate Reset and how it could help you regain back your health, click here: Ultimate Reset.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!

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