Fitness is Fun!

I was looking at the last few tips of the week I sent to you and noticed "Consistency is the Key," "Don't Get Discouraged," "You're Where You're Supposed to be,""Its Not Easy," etc. etc. and thought to myself, "Gee Whiz...you're kind of a downer, Joe!"


I've been overlooking the most important component: Being fit, doing these workouts, pushing yourself to your limits and beyond and achieving your goals is FUN! Let's face it...don't you feel better after you've completed that tough workout? When you've kept up with the kids on the DVD don't you feel like you've accomplished something? When you see the number on that scale or go down a loop in your belt, don't you get that goofy smile on your face?


And the best feeling is when someone says, "Have you lost weight?" or "Wow, you look great! What are you doing?" I'm sure some of you have already gotten that high. And those of you just starting out...it's coming!


So when your sweating and cursing your TV and you get through it anyway, don't be surprised when the thought pops into your head, "That was fun," even though you're a hot mess. I always say it takes a lot of work to look this good, but the work is fun...even if it hurts!

Joe

Its Not Easy...It's Not Supposed To Be

I'm supposed to do Plyometrics, part of the P90X workouts, today and I really don't want to. It's uncomfortable, it hurts, you sweat, you can't breathe, and you may even feel like throwing up. It's not easy.


And its not supposed to be. Getting fit, losing weight, doing these workouts (especially Insanity) is tough. We all know that. We've all decided we have to do something to get in shape, we've committed to doing that, and because we've done that we will succeed! Luckily, here at Beachbody, there is a community dedicated to helping us all achieve that goal.


From our CEO, Carl Daeikler, down to me and every other Beachbody Coach, we're committed to making the "not easy' a bit more bearable. That's why I'm here - to encourage and motivate - and hopefully help you along on your fitness journey.


I wish it were as easy as rubbing the DVD's on our bodies and, presto change-o, whole new physique...but it's not. But I hope that knowing there are thousands more out there just like you and me, doing the same thing, feeling the same pain, and getting the same success, will spur us on to greater heights.


You can reach your goals. I know it.


How do I know?


I believe in you.

Joe

The Stigma of Obesity - Hate Crime or Motivation?

The following is from a New York TImes article about a study done by Arizona State University:


"an article by Tara Parker-Pope that focuses on a recent report by Brewis and a team of ASU anthropologists, which found that fat stigma is rapidly and widely being adopted around the globe. The results show that, even in places that traditionally held fat-positive or -neutral attitudes, like American Samoa and Puerto Rico, negative perceptions of large bodies are now prevalent. Of concern is that, as fat stigma proliferates in areas that historically did not view obesity as unhealthy or undesirable, emotional and social trauma are likely to follow."


Really? The worry is not the trend of obesity or the many other health risks that come with it, but that someone's feelings might get hurt?!? This is what we've come to? In America 1 out of 3 people are considered obese. It may be time to hurt some feelings!


We spend 8 hours a day watching TV or playing video games, we go through the drive thru with alarming regularity - we can't even be bothered to get out of the car and go into the restaurant! I'm sure the day is almost here when we can watch mobile satellite television in our cars while we're going through the drive thru!


I've said before my main job as a Beachbody coach is to believe in someone before they believe in themselves. My other job is to tell you the truth. Sometimes I have to be a bit harsh like when I told you your level of success or failure is directly proportionate to your effort. It other words...its your fault!


So now, take a look at yourself. Are you happy with your current level of health and fitness? Are you fat? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Now, I know there are people with valid medical reasons why they are heavy but the rest of us have to do something, do our part to end the trend of obesity in the USA or instead of this:


Boy: "Cheerleader Sue, would you like to go out?"


Cheerleader Sue: "No! You're too fat."


Boy: "Wow! That really hurt my feelings. I'm going to work hard and lose weight and get ripped with P90X (unabashed plug ;)) and I'll show her!"


we're going to get this:


Boy: "Cheerleader Sue, would you like to go out?"


Cheerleader Sue: "No! You're too fat."


Boy: "Wow! That really hurt my feelings. I'm calling Attorney General Eric Holder and have you arrested for committing a hate crime. And then I'm going to McDonald's for a supersized everything."


So be motivated to be better. Don't be motivated to be a victim. Just the fact that you're here means you've already taken the steps to End the Trend.


Keep Pushing Play!


Joe

You're Where You Deserve To Be!

Let me explain. Your current level of fitness, health, physique, even your attitude, is exactly equal to the effort you've put into it.

In other words, its your own darn fault!

 I know some of you are saying, "That's exactly right." Others are saying, "That's the kick in the pants I needed to hear." Still others are saying, "Wow, coach, that's kind of harsh!"

And it is. Its supposed to be. My main job as a Team Beachbody Coach is to motivate, encourage, answer your questions, and just generally help you reach your goals. My real job is to believe in you before you believe in yourself. And so sometimes I have to say things like, "You're out of shape/fat because you're not doing what you're supposed to do. Its not P90X or Insanity or the program...its you."


Now I know that there are many valid reasons. You've been sick, you care for a parent or a child, your work schedule keeps changing. Real life has a habit of saying, "In your face." I'm talking about those of us who do two workouts, skip three days, go to McDonalds, skip a week, do a workout, and then tell me P90X didn't work for them because they still have a 40" waist or didn't lose the 20 lbs they wanted to.


Do you recognize yourself? If so, your level of success or failure is exactly what you've earned. Now is the time to make the change. If you want reach your goals, fit into that bikini, take off your shirt and not feel ookie about it, its time to tell yourself "I'm going to do it. I'm going to stick with it. I am responsible!"


And now when you get serious and complete Insanity, P90X, Rev Abs, Slim in 6, Turbo Fire etc, you'll say "I DID IT!" and it will show!

Little Things Lead to Big Successes

I'm sure we've all seen the athlete who's won Wimbleton or the Masters, who's made the game winning catch or basket or homerun and as a rule they all thank God or their parents or their coach...which are all quite valid. But what got them where they are, what enabled them to excel, were the tiny, little, insignificant things they preformed without fail.

You'll never hear them credit the 2 extra hours a week they worked on their drives or serves, or the extra half hour they stayed late to run stadium stairs. But it was these little things that got them there!

The same is true in our lives - the tiny decisions we make serve to bring us closer or further away from our ultimate goals! You want a snack - the apple or the candy bar. You want a magazine - People or Success Magazine. You want to read a book - "Love's Reckless Rash" or "Think and Grow Rich"? Tiny little choices. And the worst part is that the decisions made that bring us closer or further from our goal are equally as easy to make!

I encourage you to pick up the book The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. He explains this so much better than I can. It might even change your life!!


Until next time!

Don't Get Discouraged!

Many times you'll be working out and not be able to reach the goal you set for yourself that day or look in the mirror and say, "Why do I still look this way?" or even, "This isn't working!"

Nothing could be further from the truth! So what if you didn't do 25 pushups or squat 350 lbs? And really...how many people see what you see in the mirror? Are you doing your best? Are you pushing yourself every time you work out?

If you are then I'm here to tell you - results will come. In fact, results are already here! I'd be willing to bet there are changes under the surface that you don't recognize yet. Your clothes are probably fitting better. And you are healthier by far! All the internal stuff your doctor is going to check for at your next physical are going to be dramatically improved. That's the truth.

So don't get discouraged because its been 2 months and you haven't lost 35 lbs! Or you think you still look the same. You don't...inside or out!

Consistency Is The Key!

Every Beachbody program comes with a workout schedule/calendar which lets you know what day (depending on the day you start!) to do which DVD. The thing is...you have to do it!

It would be great if all we had to do was rub the DVD's on our bodies and presto - we're hot, but its a liitle more involved than that. You have to get out there and do it. Usually 6 days a week. It's tough but I'm sure we can find an hour a day to get fit.

And its not just you being affected. You'll be heathier. You'll set an example for your family. You'll add years to your life so you can be there for them (or to annoy them more...your choice!). But you have to get into the habit. I know real life rears its ugly head more often than any of us would like and missing a day or two here and there is fine.

Follow the program. Don't reinvent the wheel. You'll succeed beyond your dreams...you just have to dream big!

Joe