Always in Beta Lifestyle with New Balance

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Consideration was provided by New Balance  

I’ve always been inspired by women with stories of challenge and triumph. One of my first and favorite books I ever read was called, “Don’t You Dare Give Up,” a book about a gymnast who was paralyzed doing the sport she loved, but out of her tragedy she reinvented herself, and continued to inspire and work in other ways. I am a student of personal development. I am constantly looking to improve my lifestyle in so many ways, and always looking for something that can make just that 1% change. I am “always in beta.”

“Always in Beta. Beta is a state of relentless improvement. Where there is no finish line to what’s possible. We dream. We wake up. And improve upon yesterday.”

I am teaming up with New Balance to promote women who also live the “Always in Beta” Lifestyle. The new Fall Catalog is packed with awesome new gear, but also lots of women’s stories that will inspire you, push you, and motivate you!

NB1

If you download the Blippar App, you can Blipp the page to see awesome content, videos and get to know the NB Women and their stories in a really cool way!   I was obsessed with this new collection, especially the colors and feel of the NB Ice Collection!   The contrast of the blues and bright yellows makes me feel unstoppable!!

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The Capris have an awesome, wide and flattering waistband and feel amazing on my skin.  

NB3

Let’s talk bras. Let’s get real here, sports bras are my best friend, but I don’t always like how they can smash everything and make me look like I wasted $4000 on a boob job (hahaha) The “Tenderly Obsessive” bra is seriously genius. I need one for every day of the week.

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First, it’s cute and matches my hot shorts. (Bonus) There is a soft, shaped, cup on each side, with a nice bit of padding for smoothness (but not those awful removable pads that bunch up and you can never fit back in!!) It’s comfortable, stylish and gives great support and lift. #winner Speaking of shorts. I’ve never been a shorts kind of girl. Mostly because I was too worried about things being squeezed and creating more bulges and bumps than necessary. The Premium Performance Hot Shorts are so flattering, with the wide waistband, great coverage, and they stay put when running or stretching.

NB5  

Last, it’s fall, and I LOVE the weather and cozy, soft sweaters, jackets and windbreakers. New Balance nailed it with the Heat En Route Jacket; it’s gorgeous, comfy, has the fun thumbholes that I love and feels so soft!

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I’m so excited for fall hiking, long walks, trail running and pumpkin lattes and of course, Always Living in Beta. What are you excited for this fall and what pushes you to always live the Beta Lifestyle?     WE THE WOMEN of New Balance have created this collection of fitness apparel and footwear inspired by our shared LOVE OF SPORT, drive to discover what’s next, and passion for WHAT’S POSSIBLE. Welcome to NB WOMEN where every tight fits right, every layer works hard, and every shoes lets you moved with perfect freedom. Take a look and find WHAT YOU LOVE. www.newbalance.com  

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How to use a foam roller

How to use a foam roller

Foam Rollers are a great form of Self-Myofascial Release.

You may see many in the gym, white, blue, grey, bumpy ones, smooth ones and people rolling around like its fun

(I’m telling you, its not! LOL)

Foam rolling helps relieve muscle soreness and tension, loosens knots, allivates IT Band syndrome and helps with full range of motion and increasing mobility.
Its one of those love/hate things. I’ll be honest… its hard to “not be a bitch” when I’m lying on one… I whine, cry and all but curse my mother.

But afterward… wow! I’m a new woman!
Here are a few techniques I use and teach my clients for IT band, inner thighs, upper back, traps, lats and even feet for plantar fascitis.

The foam roller I use in this video is from The Pro Unit
*I am not a paid affiliate for The Pro Unit

Why I joined an MLM

BeYouJan

The one thing I said I’d NEVER do.
Not “one of those“.

I recall, growing up, my aunt and uncle having my parents go to presentations for different businesses they wanted to get involved in.

I remember my parents snide remarks in the car on the way home, how those never work for “people like us”.

(they never did join any of them or even try, even though I do remember being impressed by many of the presentations)

When I was 18 I was approached by an Herbalife Distributor.

For the first time I was very intrigued and interested.

When I mentioned it to my family they warned me that it was “one of those things your Uncle’s did”.
That was enough for me to understand, that I wasn’t supposed to get involved.

As I have become more and more successful with my personal training business and my online presence, I started to get approached pretty regularly by distributors or brand partners for various companies: Visalus, Beach Body, Vemma, Monavie, Isagenix, Juice Plus, just to name some of the most popular ones. There are dozens more.

I admittedly thought that I was “too good” for that, and I even felt offended that people would see my fans and just want to make money off of me and not provide them with a real service or something of value!

Long story short, I was approached last March by a company that seemed to really offer something I was looking for.

It was a product that contained the herbs and formulas that I used to heal my metabolic damage from extreme dieting. A protein powder that I actually thought had some real substance and was different!

I was very excited about it and I started to see why Network Marketing was such a great model; I was able to see how I could build an excited and supportive team that helped others and also created an income for people.

Wow! This was cool!!
I had just paid off all my student-loan debt, was riding on the high of being DEBT FREE and now I had a vehicle to share with others to do the same thing as me…. but…..

that business, ultimately was in the pre-launch stages and didn’t really take off.
I had put my WORD and my FAITH in the company and product on the line and it failed.

I had joined.
I had failed.

I was struggling with wondering if I made a mistake and if I should just give up on the idea of this business for good.

“That was a sign Danny-J! See? You shouldn’t get involved in those kinds of things. They don’t work for people like us”

I started listening to a few of my mentors, like Dani Johnson, Guy Kawasaki, and other financial experts.
I was fighting with the thought that I should try again, but remembering that I already failed. I was worried about what people would think of me and especially the people on my team that may have felt that I dragged them into a failing company. I was pretty torn.

I had many companies wanting me to join them, and while a fitness product (shakes, bars, vitamins) seem like the obvious choice, none of them just “felt right” to me. Besides, I don’t even use shakes that often these days and I’ve already posted a ton of blogs on what I think about protein shakes.

Along came Nerium.

OK Actually, Nerium had been there all along.

My beautiful sister-in-law started it over a year ago, but I stubbornly refused to even look at the product, which I was SURE was a gimmick.
But… in my search… I started talking to her more.

I saw her pictures.

I saw her results.

I went to her events and the company impressed the hell out of me!
So much so, that my husband and I decided to become Bigs with Big Brothers Big Sisters when Nerium partnered  with them as a sponsor.

Me and my "Little" Kelly

Me and my “Little” Kelly

I did my research, I used the product.
I LOVED it.
It’s natural.
It makes me look better, which makes me feel better.
It is aligned with how I love to help people with their bodies.
The company’s motto is to “LOOK BETTER and LIVE BETTER”
and also to create a RIPPLE that affects everyone.

AND.. my sister was successful!!
“People like us CAN do this!! She has 5 kids!! If she can be successful with 5 kids, then I can be successful with just me to handle!”

I LOVED it.
I joined.

The thing I said I’d NEVER do.

So today I’m excited to announce that Nerium International; not only has been tweeted by Jenny McCarthy, was shown on CBS, The View and on The Doctors last week… but now is on newsstands in the Beautiful You magazine at your Barnes & Nobles and Books-A-Million Bookstores!

Here is ME at Barnes & Nobles with the latest magazine! Yay! Congratulations Nerium!!

BeYouJan

If you’re interested in the product or becoming a brand partner, please email me at [email protected] or click here.

They ALWAYS give a 30-Day Money Back guarantee, because we want you to LOVE our product.

What is something you always said you’d NEVER do and you ended up doing it?

earned an ipad my first month

earned an ipad my first month

 

 

How can I get rid of loose skin on my belly?

this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**

I get emails with training and diet questions all the time. I also get this question (or version of it a lot)

<<<Q: I used to be a size 18 and now am a size 2. I eat clean, weight train and do cardio, but I still have this loose skin. How can I tighten  my belly?? (or I have loose skin after pregnancy)>>>

these stretch marks will not go away, but her skin most likely will still tighten more

There are many factors

*age

*amount of weight lost

*how long you were overweight

*how fast you gained the weight

*how fast you lost the weight

 

……….and a lot of genetics.

Some people gain and lose a ton of weight and have hardly any issues while others are covered in stretch marks and are trying to fix that sagging skin.

You can cry about it or just learn what you can do and accept what you can’t.

There are tips for preventing stretch marks; like cocoa butter and moisturizing, but honestly, if you’re bodies’ genetics are likely to get stretchmarks, no amount of cocoa butter is going to stop that. At this point, the damage is done. So….what is my answer for what you can do?

Assuming you already eat clean, lift-weights and “do what you’re supposed to”…. you may not like the answer.

Preparation-H does not work.

Saran Wrap does not work.

Crunches, reverse crunches, planks or any abdominal exercise you can think of will not work.

There are a few lasers (usually very painful, expensive, and not largely effective) that are available that MAY have some effect on small areas or small amounts of skin “wrinkling”

this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**

 

The only true thing that can actually get RID of loose skin is a tummy tuck.

They actually CUT. IT. OFF.

Even this only works if you have a significant amount of skin…. annnnnnnnd $8-$10k and about 3 months to recover.


Sooooo–  the BEST thing you can do is: love yourself, don’t stress over it (its probably worse in your head) and think of it as a symbol of your hard work or your souvenir of your beautiful child or your hard work on losing the weight.

Surgery is a personal choice but realize that if you aren’t ok inside, it’s not going to fix everything. That being said, if you worked hard, there’s no reason you should be held back because of some loose skin.

Whatever you choose, be ok with that.

I would never judge and I’d be in line for a tummy-tuck if I worked my ass off to lose a bunch of weight and it was really bothering me.  

We don’t all look/stay young forever.

Just be strong, be healthy, be beautiful.
and sorry I wish I had some better tips… but I am here to tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. Please Leave your comments!

you are MORE than some silly scars :)

Flourless Pizza

Flourless-Pizza

Flourless-PizzaFlourless Pizza

Serves 4
Crust:
3/4 cup chickpea flour or rice flour( plus some more for rolling)
2 eggs
1/2 cup cashew nuts
1/2 tsp baking powder
Italian seasoning
Sea salt n pepper
Preheat oven to 350F

Put every ingredient in the food processor (eggs last) form a ball with the dough, sprinkle some more chickpea flour and roll between two sheets of parchment paper, transfer to cookie sheet and bake for 15 min at 350F, then add homemade tomato sauce, organic grass-fed cheese and all the veggies you like, bake 15 min more at 370F or until cheese is melted and crust is golden.

Chef Vanessa Lee

Back-to-School September Challenge

Back-to-School Challenge

Remember back in the day (maybe 4th grade-ish) the Presidential Fitness Tests? (or similar fitness testing?)

Well… its Back-to-School Time —time to do it again! Lets establish a baseline!

Here’s the Challenge: 

 

Only 3 tests:

1. Walk/jog/run 1 mile for time: You can do this on a track or treadmill. Just do your best!
2. Sit-ups for 1 minute: Lock your feet down (or have a partner hold them) then cross your arms over your chest and go!! (elbows must touch your knees to count)
3. Push-ups to Failure: Do as many push-ups as you can (with good form) you may do them on your knees. As soon as you “come down” thats it!

The main goal is to TRY! Do your best! Then for the next 4 weeks, lets work on that fitness level and we’ll test again! Can’t wait to see the results!! READY… SET… GO!!

RULES:

1. RECORD YOUR SCORES THIS WEEK 

2. POST YOUR SCORES IN THE COMMENTS

3. Work your ass off for a month— (incorporate the exercises during the week!)

—— Mondays: Do 3 sets of 30 sit-ups at the end of your workout

——-Wednesdays: Walk/Jog 1.5 miles as warm-up for cardio

——-Fridays: Do 3 sets of 15-25 push-ups

4. Record Scores Again October 26-30th

5. POST YOUR PROGRESS!!

Ambassador Spotlight: Brooklyn Fit Chick

Me on Fear

My next ambassador spotlight is Margo, the writer and brains behind Brooklyn Fit Chick!! I will be honest,  often I just want to call her “Brooklyn” and I’m sure she gets that a lot! A really cool thing about Margo, is that I actually WENT to New York City in June and she totally helped me find my way around Brooklyn and the city and I was so intrigued with her city life! Margo has some cute kitties, lives in a cool New York neighborhood and is one of the sweetest, coolest people you’ll ever meet… and she has lots of stories of celebs she has worked with over the years!

Me on Fear

My name is Margo and this here is my very own Blog (www.brooklynfitchick.com) I like to write about fitness, health, Paleo living, music and pop culture. Brooklyn is where I both live and work with my certifications in Group Fitness and Personal Training from NASM, AFAA, ACE and TRX. I am an ambassador for Fit Approach/Sweat Pink, Fit Mapped and Sweaty Betties. You can also find me was a writer for Fit Bottomed Girls www.fitbottomedgirl.com)

I got into fitness a little over 11 years ago when I quit smoking for good. (I was a two-pack a day smoker for a while there. Gross!) It’s not easy to give a bad habit for a good one (bad habits can feel more fun sometimes) but I know I am adding years to my life and will be around a little longer with those who love me.

When I am not working, cycling, reading, listening to music, shopping, cooking or attempting a power chord on my dusty guitar–you can find me catching up on my favorite shows on my DVR.  I am a big fan of furry creatures with two kitty cats (Sarah & Tennessee.)

In my “day job” I work as a PR/Marketing consultant and have worked with everyone from Queen Latifah to Elmo (before we knew about Elmo…)

Margo Headshot2

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/BrooklynFitChik

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooklyn.fitchick

Instagram: http://instagram.com/brooklynfitchick

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/brooklynfitchik/boards/

I earned my degree in Speech-Communications from San Jose State University.

Ambassador Spotlight: Life As the Fat Friend Blog

Deanna

Life as the Fat Friend

What a great title, no? It brings many images and I’m sure many can relate.
I was never “the fat friend” and yet I have so much empathy and I was intrigued by this blog.
Deanna is the amazing creator of this brand, and she gives encouragement and talks openly and honestly about her struggles of the journey she is still on.
Deanna has lost 84 lbs. to date, and I’ll be honest, even if she had 184 lbs. more to go, I’d still have her as a Sweaty Betties Ambassador!

Deanna

I told my team:  I didn’t ask for a picture. I didn’t ask for your weight. I asked for STORIES.
What matters to me is that Deanna has an amazing story. She hasn’t always had the perfect life and she still struggles and she’s REAL. She’s relatable, she’s funny, she’s sarcastic at times, insanely creative and smart. Deanna's Kiddos

She is on a journey that many women struggle with in her weight-loss, she is open about her health, her kids, her family and yet she changes her attitude to make the most of it daily.

Deanna also runs an awesome business as an Origami Owl Consultant, where she helps design beautiful and personal lockets. They are great as gifts for new moms, remembering the loss of someone, graduation gifts, friendship gifts and more!

Best Things in Life Workout

BestThingsInLife

BestThingsInLife

 

Here is a great workout sure to make you sweat– and remember– tag @SweatyBetties on Instagram or on Facebook with #SBSweatYourself and you’ll get free stickers!! yay!
Then make sure to SHARE and PIN the workouts!

BestthingsWorkout

 

Ambassador Spotlight: Crystal Honeycutt/Train Dirty Fitness

TDF

crystal

What can I say about Crystal Honeycutt?
First of all, I have to give her credit for giving me the idea to have an ambassador program. I really wanted to find a way to get more women involved in the mission of The Sweaty Betties and share their stories and my ambassadors make me so proud.

TDF

Crystal has quite a story and if you’re lucky enough to know her, you instantly love her.
She is a booty poppin’ Southern Belle who tells it like it is and has a 100 lb. weight-loss story—> sweet southern charm with a little sass!!
Crystal is the owner of Train Dirty Fitness and she and I actually run online group weight-loss coaching together (which will start again in the fall)

Recently Crystal hosted the very first Train Dirty Fitness and Sweaty Betties Bootcamp certification, so now other fitness instructors can be certified to teach her methods.

Training Dirty is no Joke!!

Training Dirty is no Joke!!

If you want to find out more about Crystal’s Programs check out all her links!!

Iron Bombshell 12 week lifting program
http://traindirtyfitness.com/iron-bombshell-muscle-builder/

Bombshell Bootcamp
http://traindirtyfitness.com/bombshell-bootcamp/