My PiYo Training Adventure

This past weekend I decided to do something that would take my totally outside of my comfort zone.  While it was a hard decision to make and execute, I’m so glad that I did it.  In my quest to become a better me and to help others, I decided a good method to accomplish my goal was to become certified to teach a fitness class.  I’m excited to state that I attended and completed PiYo training.

You’re thinking:  What is PiYo?  PiYo is all about strength training and core conditioning to increase core strength, flexibility, and stability.  It is a hybrid, athletic workout combining the mind/body practices of yoga and Pilates, as well as the principles of sports stretch, strength training, conditioning and dynamic movement.  It does not involve chanting, meditating, or spirituality.  When performed on a regular basis, it helps to increase strength, flexibility, and balance, while offering a way to reduce stress reduction and improves the overall fitness level of the individual.  PiYo is strength fusion.  And let me tell you:  THIS WORKOUT IS NO JOKE!

PiYo was created by Chalene Johnson and is distributed by Powder Blue Productions. To complete the training, I traveled to Charlotte, NC. The magnificent Meredith (Roy) Campbell was the Instructor.  Upon arrival, I got to meet her in person which was like meeting a celebrity since she’s in the Turbo Fire workouts.

At the beginning of class I was given a PiYo Training Manual, DVD/CD of one of the latest PiYo lessons, and lesson notes to use while teaching.  All of these items will help develop and bring out the instructor inside of me!  Hmm…definitely with more confidence and practice on my part.  We had a good balance of discussion and hands-on experience throughout the training.  The morning session ended with a lesson workshop (the lesson on the DVD we were given).  Even though the room was slightly chilly at this time, I was soaked and left plenty of sweat on my sticky mat.  In fact, I was still sore two days later.  I used muscles I didn’t even know I had.

After lunch, the discussion continued mainly focusing on form, technique, and teaching skills.  In small groups we completed a brief demonstration, and then it was test time.  The test consists of a practical exam and a written test.  I don’t find out my results for a few weeks but I’m confident with how I performed; even if I need improvement.  One item that was pointed out early in the day is that I have bad posture.  I hunch my shoulders forward.  Guess I should have listened to my mom all those years.  At least I know that is one thing that I need to focus on while practicing.

This being my first time attending a training of this type, I didn’t know what to expect.  The day played out different than I thought but I got so much out of it.  I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to attend and learn from one of the best.  Would I do it again?  Heck yeah!  Off to practice I go…next training, Turbo Kick!

My Top Five Favorite Shakeology Recipes

My name is Candy and I’m a Shakeology addict!  I admit it.  While I was hesitant about drinking a meal replacement shake (based on previous experience), I have become a lover of Shakeology:  Chocolate and Greenberry.  I drink it on a daily basis.  It’s my go-to breakfast choice during the workweek.  When I send samples, I always provide a variety of recipes to allow someone to choose the best recipe for his/her taste.  Shakeology is good without any additional ingredients but it’s even better with a piece of fruit or peanut butter added to it.  Since I enjoy it so much, I wanted to share my five favorite recipes with everyone.  Yes, the cat is out of the bag!

Strawberry Cheesecake

1 scoop Chocolate 4 large strawberries 1 tsp. Jello Cheesecake Pudding mix (Fat free/sugar free) 1 cup water Ice and blend Cinnamon Roll 1 scoop Chocolate 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup water Ice and blend

Banana Split

1 scoop Chocolate

1/2 medium banana

2 fresh pineapple rings

2 large strawberries

1 cup water

Ice and blend

Strawberry Lemonade

1 scoop Greenberry

Juice of 1 small lemon

1 cup water

Ice and blend

Strawberry Peach Punch
1 scoop Greenberry

½ cup strawberries

½ cup peaches

½ cup water

Ice and blend

If you're interested in finding out more about my favorite shake, please visit my site:  www.myshakeology.com/feincandy

Does This Make Me Look Fat?

How many times have you caught yourself asking this question?  Are you guilty of asking this question to your friend, spouse, or significant other?  I know I’ve asked my husband this once in awhile.  Since he knows that there’s no right or wrong answer to the question, he’ll either roll his eyes and say nothing or make a witty comment such as, ‘Why are you blaming the jeans?’  Thanks for the reassurance Babe!  One would think that I would know better by now then to ask him but I still do in hopes that one day I’ll get the response I was hoping for.  Heck, when I ask my daughter she gives me a better answer than he does and the good thing about her answers is that I know she’s being honest.

When I do ask him he often rolls his eyes or refuses to justify my question with a response because to him it’s an absurd question that brings him into a no-win situation.  Whether you ask yourself or someone else, you’re asking the question for a reason.  And in all honesty, if I’m asking the question it’s because I already feel that way and I just want some reassurance one way or the other.  I just want someone else’s opinion for crying out loud.  Deep down I keep asking with the hope that one day he’ll tell me what I want to hear:  that I look great!  I’ve even toyed with the idea of making flash cards with appropriate responses for him to give.  That way he can give a mixture of “safe” answers!

Here are some examples I came up with for the prewritten responses:

·         You look great!  Stop worrying.

·         Don’t be silly.  That looks good on you!

·         That shirt makes your (insert body part) look (insert compliment).

·         It looks good but I like how you look in (insert item) better.

·         You’re beautiful in anything that you wear!

In reality, I know he is giving me the reassurance that I seek but in his own way and it is not always in verbal form.  I’ll catch him smiling or staring at me and occasionally he’ll give me a pat on the bottom.  These gestures give me some peace of mind.  I just wish that when I ask him a question he’d give me an honest answer.  Truly, that is the reason I’m asking him; not to start an argument.  Promise!

When I look in the mirror I see things different than what everyone else may see.  Rather than focusing on the whole package I concentrate on specific parts; those I’m not happy with. 

Since I’ve began my journey to a better me, I’ve become more confident and comfortable in my own skin but I’m still not happy with everything I see in the mirror.  I can’t pinpoint why I’m so hard on myself, but I guess it’s a way that I hold myself accountable.  If I’m not living up to my own expectations, then how can I meet the expectations of someone else?  It would be nice for someone to meet mine one day.

Perhaps, I’ll make those cards after all.  I may even include example questions to match with the response; that way it’s always a “safe” answer!

The Cost of a Healthy Meal

Shakeology is a protein shake that is full of nutrients with high-quality ingredients. Its amazing nutritional value and low caloric content make it a perfect meal replacement.  It also has a certified low glycemic index.  When you taste it, you may think you are drinking a milkshake!

As a Team Beachbody Coach, people ask me all the time if Shakeology is worth the cost.  I’ve heard it all:  “How much does it cost?” “It seems so expensive!” “How can I afford that?” “Isn’t the meal replacement shake cheaper at the warehouse store?”

By the way, you won’t get a cheap product that delivers the same nutrition level that you get from a single serving of Shakeology!

Most people are so worried about the cost they forget that Shakeology is a high quality product that is packed with nutrients and health benefits.  Instead of asking “How much does it cost?” you should be asking, “What can Shakeology do for me?”

What really amazes me is how people get so concerned over the cost of something healthy like Shakeology, but think nothing of spending $4 to $6 on an unhealthy, fattening coffeehouse drinks or fast food!  There’s no comparison.  The $4.00 per serving of Shakeology is definitely money well spent!

Due to Shakeology’s formulation, one shake will cover most your body’s normal daily requirement for vitamins and minerals.  Shakeology uses several whole-food sources of nutrients, rather than using only synthetic extracts or isolates (like some multivitamin pills do).  The benefit of whole-food derived ingredients is that the nutrients are preserved as close to their natural state as possible and are therefore delivered to your body in the most holistic way possible.  Your body will better absorb and more efficiently use nutrients from whole-food sources.

And, if you are following the Weight Watchers program, Shakeology is equal to 3 points!

Make this your year to be healthy! To learn more about Shakeology visit my site:  www.myshakeology.com/feincandy

The Battle Of Folding the Towels

I admit it…I’m a bit of a control freak!  I like things to be done in a certain way and I’ve learned that most of the time it’s just easier to do them myself.  So they’re done the right way…my way!  I’m also big on routine.

I tend to do things the same most days in the same order.  It keeps my sane.  I get ready in a particular order, prepare to leave for work a certain way, start my day off at work the same, and finish the evenings at home without fail watching television before I fall asleep.  Don’t judge me.  It’s my stress relief.  I like my routine but I’m not always as strict with it on the weekends; which works against me sometimes.  Live and learn.  I’ll get it right someday.

Normally my weekends are the time to get my “chores” done; except for vacuuming.  That has to be done daily.  I have four dogs, two of which are Siberian “We Never Stop Shedding” Huskies.  In my house the division of the household chores pretty much aligns with gender but on occasion, if asked or out of need, my husband will willingly conquer one of my “chores”.  Just the other evening I asked him to empty the dishwasher for me.  When I got home the dishes were put away and that’s great.  One less “chore” to do that evening while cooking dinner.

As I was opening cabinets during the cooking process I noticed some items were not put back in the right spot or not the way I’d do it.  I could get annoyed and nag but instead I put the items in the correct place and neatly rearranged the flatware and left it at that.  It’s the same as when he folds laundry or towels.  They’re done.  Not necessarily they way I’d fold them but they’re folded.  99% of the time I do the laundry so I can’t complain about how the items are folded; just about having to fold them period. 

I’ve learned it’s not worth getting upset about it in the long run.  I’ve realized he’s doing the things for me because I asked or he wants to make me happy.  I see it as one of the ways that he tells me he loves me.  And I’ll take that any day and live with rearranging the flatware or refolding towels the right way…my way.  All because I know my husband loves me.

New In Town

The devotees of Shakeology will be happy to know that Beachbody recently announced the release of a new flavor.  And the new flavor is (drum roll)…Tropical!  It’s pink and nourishes your body while tasting like an exotic island getaway.

It’s a combo of berries, pineapple, papaya, acerola cherry, and smooth banana.  Yum!  I know I can’t wait to start my morning off with a taste of the tropics.  It will be a great addition to the current flavors:  Chocolate and Greenberry.

The new Shakeology Tropical flavor will be available later in the year.  At the 2011 Beachbody Coach Summit it received rave reviews.  No shortcuts were taken by Beachbody while creating the new flavor in order to ensure the quality of the ingredients.

I’m very excited about the new flavor and it’s leaving me pinkalicious! 

To learn more about Shakeology, its benefits, or testimonials from users and doctors, visit my website: www.myshakeology.com/feincandy  

If Only There Were 25 Hours in a Day

So much to do, so little time.  How many times have you thought this to yourself or uttered those exact words aloud?  I know that I find myself doing so often.  To try to bring some calm to the storm of my so called life I make a daily To Do list.  During the week I maintain a paper version and a virtual version on my cell phone.  On the weekend, since my time is a bit more flexible, I just keep the list on my phone.  My To Do list is great for helping me determine how to focus my day and prioritize what must be done but one thing my list doesn’t do for me is find the time I need to get it all done.  Now talk about an app…someone needs to create that!  Heck, I’d even pay for that one!

What kinds of things do I keep on my list?  Pretty much anything and everything.  If it needs to be done, it gets jotted down on the list.  If it’s something basic like showering, eating, etc., then I don’t include those since I’ll remember to do them.  In general, my daily list includes work and home-related tasks.  Some items are routine (e.g., make calls, empty the dishwasher, timesheet, etc.) while other items are must do’s for that day (e.g., doctor appointment, meeting, pay bills, etc.).  Do I always include everything that has to be done on my list?  No.  I’ll admit there are some things that I forget or will pop up last minute and they don’t go on the list.  I have found the list is effective when it comes to keeping me on task.  And I’ll admit; I like the sense of accomplishment I get when I check something off the list.  Like today:  Write blog…check!

Maintaining my To Do list has been great for me.  It helps keep me organized and focused.  Having a full time job, being a mom to 1 child and 4 fur kids, and a being fireman’s wife keeps me busy and I’ve discovered that what I plan to do may not always come to fruition.  I’ve realized that my To Do list is my guide on the road to success.  And it’s OK if I manipulate it and push something to the next day.  For it to work, I have to use it the best way it suits me.

I get what I can and needs to be done, happily checking those things off the list, and then have slight disappointment about not getting it all done.  Well, life doesn’t always follow a list and I have to go with the flow too.  Since starting my To Do list, I have accomplished more than before I used one.  So it has been beneficial for me and my life.  Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned (or listed) and I’ve come to accept that.  I also learned that even if my day had 25, 30, or 35 hours in it, I probably still would need more time.  After all, it’s my list and accomplishments.  While I get through my day getting things done or pushing them off to the next day, I’ll be waiting for someone to invent that app!