Would you drink that?

I totally love, love, love my chocolate Shakeology.  So much so that I had no desire to try the greenberry.  I heard a lot of mixed reviews on the greenberry, that I decided without trying it that it wasn't for me. 

Well for lunch today I tried greenberry with vanilla flavored soy milk, 1/2 a frozen, sliced banana, and a little bit of peanut butter.  Guess what! It was pretty good.  I don't think I will convert from my chocolate, but there are some people who just don't like chocolate and this makes a nice alternative.  I also imagine it blends well with fruit flavors that might not be so good with chocolate.

Here's something else I learned from a coach/friend of mine. If you add unsweetened cocoa (the kind you bake with), you can turn your greenberry Shakeology into chocolate like magic.  That's all Beachbody does to it.  Same ingredients, nothing artificial, just one has cocoa and the other doesn't. 

Shakeology is a meal replacement shake designed to be enjoyed every day, one meal a day.  You can use it to lose weight or maintain your healthy weight.  Here's a video that explains what you'd have to blend up to get all the nutrition that's packed in one shake:



Again, I really love the stuff.  If you want more info, just send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or you can visit mt website by clicking here.  I can also show you how to save 25% on your order.

I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below.

One of the best decisions I've made - becoming a Team Beachbody Coach

February 17, 2011, marks my 1 year anniversary as a Team Beachbody Coach! I'm happy to say its one of the best choices I've made.

Okay, when I first thought about becoming a coach, I really wasn't so sure it was a good choice.  It took me about 4 weeks before I made a decision and even then, I was hesitant.  Why did I sign up? Well, things started out great with my fitness career.  I lived in a neighborhood where word of mouth was really easy.  I taught Pilates, was a personal trainer and also taught pole dancing classes.  Things were going great!  But then we moved to another town and that "social network" I was in slowly dwindled.  The town I live in now is pretty big, and most people keep to themselves.  So it was hard to make friends and to promote my classes. 

We also had our 4th child, and that made it difficult to go out and teach or train people. I also started exercising less since I wasn't teaching more than 2 times per week.  I was also getting stressed out trying to find a sitter to watch my kids when my husband worked late, or trying to get dinner ready, lunches for the next day made and out the door on time to teach.  All this stress for $60 per week.  I needed to do something different.

Team Beachbody really came at a perfect time for me.  I'm not going to say its easy, or a get rich quick thing, but so far things have really turned out great.  I'm proud to be part of a company that offers so many great fitness and nutrition products, like P90X, Shakeology, Insanity and many more.  Becoming a Coach with Team Beachbody has enabled me to do what I'm passionate about and be home for my kids.

Listen, we all should be exercising and eating right.  Some of us need a coach, like me to help get them started and keep them on the right path.  Let me know if I can help you by sending me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or leaving a comment below.

If you're interested in becoming a coach and helping transform people's lives through health and fitness let me know.  I can help you get started and keep you on the right path with that as well.

Keep your heart beautiful, healthy and ready to love

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, let's talk about our hearts.  Keeping your heart beautiful (well maybe beautiful to the medical world) and healthy is of vital importance.  Our heart pumps blood through our bodies and when its not functioning properly, well we can have some major set backs or even death.

Surprisingly so many of us take for granted this beautiful, beating, pumping organ.  We smoke, we eat badly, we don't exercise and we stress ourselves out to the point where we get our blood pressure up.  The American Heart Association says that "Thirty-nine percent of Americans believe they’re in ideal heart health — but less than 1 percent actually are."

So how do we get our heart healthy and keep it that way?

Calm, breathe, relax. This sounds easier said than done, but learning to not sweat the small stuff, enjoy life and be grateful for what you have is a start.  You can also try meditation and yoga. Playing with your kids, laughing, not taking life so seriously will help your mental and physical being. If you have problems learning to de-stress, you may want to seek the help of a professional.

Get moving and grooving! Physical activity is good for mind and body. Try to get at least 20-30 minutes per day of physical activity.  I know people who only do this one time per week.  People we need to move, we were made to  move. Go for a walk, go swimming, ride a bicycle, participate in a group fitness class.  You can even workout at home. Beachbody has several fitness programs for every level from beginner to highly advanced.  Need help deciding what program you should do? Just let me know:)  Exercise is not only good for your heart, but this is also a great way to get rid of stress!!

Lose the belly.  Well, you can start by getting up and move! But you also need to watch what you eat too. And believe it or not, holding on to stress produces cortisol, which helps us hold onto belly fat.  Try to get a good night of sleep, eat right and exercise to lose the belly.

Quit smokin da butts!! I know this is so hard to do.  I used to love smoking! I found it enjoyable.  But you all know the harmful effects of smoking on your health.  Oh and just think of how much money you will save by quitting! I can't believe how much a pack of cigarettes goes for! So quit now. Find a support group or talk to your doctor about this.

Feed your body well.  You would think this would be a no-brainer, but its not.  Fast food, overly processed convenience food, high fat treats all are just so tempting and easy, right? But what are you sacrificing for shaving off a few minutes? I know its hard to get in the habit of cooking healthy and making healthy choices. Although once you get in the habit, it becomes a lot easier.  And guess what, you eat better, you will feel better and look better. Eating from the top 2 tiers of Michi's Ladder is a great place to start.  But if you need help with recipes and what to eat when, then look into the Team Beachbody Custom Meal Planner that comes with Club membership. You can get dozens, upon dozens of heart healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  These meals are all easy to make and most dinners take less than 30 min to make. The weekly price is a lot less than Weight Watchers, plus you get something that WW doesn't offer - me as your support person and coach!

Shakeology is another great way to get good nutrition fast! You won't be tempted to hit the drive-thru if you pack a rich, chocolatey smoothie with you.  And its been shown to improve cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Eat the right fats. Not all fats are bad for you!! I repeat, NOT ALL FATS ARE BAD FOR YOU! Dietary fats are essential to give your body energy and to support cell growth.  They also help protect your organs and help keep your body warm.  Fats help your body absorb some nutrients and produce important hormones, too. Your body definitely needs fat – but not as much fat as most people eat.

Using oils like olive and canola are a good choice, but watch your serving sizes.  Also eating foods like avocado, walnuts, salmon are an awesome way to get healthy fats into your diet.  These fats also help raise your good cholesterol, and lower the bad cholesterol.  You can also take a supplement like Core Omega-3, which gives your body the support it needs for optimal heart, brain, and joint health.

So this Valentine's Day, give the gift of love to yourself, by taking care of your heart.  This gift is the gift that keeps on giving.  You'll be able to spread love to your family and friends.  If you love someone who need to take better care of their heart, ask them to do it for you:)

If you need help with nutrition and fitness, send me an email to fitiwthjessica@live.com.  I'd love to hear from you!!! Please make my heart happy and leave a comment below:)

What to do when your lover doesn't want you getting fit

Sometimes the people we love the most and think will support our weight loss goals are the ones who derail us the most.  It may be intentional, but there are a lot of people who are unaware that they do this. 

And its not just spouses or significant others that can do this,but our friends and other family members can be our worst enemy when it comes to fitness.  Most people don't like change.  And when you decide to change for the better, it sends up a warning signal to your spouse, friend, parent, that you may not be happy. 

Then you have the people who show love with food. The food pushers get insulted when you turn down a second helping or dessert.  They feel that you're not accepting their love.

Here is a great article by Stephanie Saunders on how to go about getting your healthy on even when your mate might not be supportive.

Unsupportive Partners: Ways to Placate Your Mate When They Don't Feel Great about You Losing Weight


By Stephanie Saunders

To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in weight loss and muscle building; till death do us part. It is unlikely that these were your actual vows on your wedding day, but often the most difficult struggle a couple can face is when one member is considering a change, while the other prefers the status quo. That includes having kids, changing careers or homes, and, yes, getting into shape. You'd assume that the more attractive your partner becomes, the happier you would be, but this isn't always the case. Increased attractiveness can foster insecurity, jealousy, resentment, and in extreme cases, emotional withdrawal and sabotage.


When a significant other becomes more attractive, and as a result, receives more and more attention, it can make the other person insecure. And if everyone starts turning their heads, look out! That person may start to wonder, "Why is my partner seeking so much attention? Is something already going on? If I find them attractive as they are, why isn't that enough?" The answer is, of course, that we want to change to feel better about ourselves. Not that having heads turn as you enter the Christmas party is not a bonus, but it really is about meeting your own goals. And when the love of your life suddenly forgoes snuggling on the couch with Chinese takeout for a P90X workout, resentment can enter the picture.

So how do you continue toward your fitness goals without letting it affect the relationship you have with your partner?

Begin with communication. In the same way you should consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program, talk to your partner about what you are looking to accomplish. Explain that this is not motivated by a desire to attract other people, or anyone already in your life, but simply because you want to be healthier and feel better about yourself. Going into detail about your exercise plan and nutritional goals can take the unknown out of the equation, and possibly spark a desire in your mate. If you are still met with resentment, explain that you do not expect your partner to change just because you want to, and that you love him or her exactly as he or she is.

Ask for support. The road to health can be a tough battle, and we can use all of the support we can get. Asking your partner to be supportive along this road can make a huge difference. Ask your mate to use positive comments regarding your progress, and to only ask if you are making a wise choice, if you actually slip up. This will allow your partner to feel like he or she is part of the process without giving him or her the power to control it. Encouraging your partner to join you along this path will elicit the greatest amount of support of all.

Get a training partner. If your mate is unwilling to join you, find someone who is. Having a training partner creates greater motivation and retention than doing it alone. Obviously, find someone of the same sex, or at least someone who won't threaten your mate. If you're meeting resistance from your mate, working out with Lorenzo Lamas won't increase the love at home. In addition to pushing one another to work out and eat healthy, talk with the training partner about your frustrations and ask about his or her own. If you are unable to find a Workout Buddy, remember your Beachbody® Coach is always available to give you added motivation.

Don't fall into eating pitfalls. Grocery shopping, meal preparation, and snacking can be challenging in a household on the same eating path. But when you are trying to eat lean protein and vegetables, and your partner would prefer macaroni and cheese with a side of fries, the challenge can become World War III. If you are the primary shopper and food preparer, you have a lot of power over what your family consumes. Healthy food can taste great, and your mate might have no idea that you have altered his or her diet. With that said, you might need to make concessions for what your mate desires and make alterations to meal plans that can satisfy both people's needs. Something as easy as adding an extra side for your mate can keep the peace. If you are not the primary meal provider, be prepared to take control over what you consume.

Also, make sure tempting treats are out of immediate reach. If you have a countertop full of potato chips and Oreos®, eating carrot sticks might lose its appeal. Put all of your partner's junk food in a specific drawer, and avoid it.

Try to work out around family time. There are only so many hours in a day, and you should spend at least eight of those hours asleep. Finding time to exercise can be challenging as it is. And if that exercise time cuts into time that can be spent with a loved one, resentment can build. I have several friends who began workout programs that took them immediately from work to the gym daily, which got them home at 9 PM. Basically, they didn't see their mate until Saturday, which did not go over well. Here is where P90X and INSANITY® workouts are so helpful. If you can manage to crawl out of bed a bit earlier in the morning, you can begin your day with an amazing workout, and still be home in time to have dinner with your partner. If you're a night owl, try working out after your love has retired for the evening. Being considerate of your time together can make all the difference in the world.

Keep the peace, but honor thyself. Sometimes all of the communication and consideration in the world will not help a partner to understand your desire to change. If this is the case, short of seeking therapy, you must continue toward your goals and try to make it as undisruptive as possible to your partner. We realize that this is one of the most important relationships in your life, but no relationship is more important than the one you have with yourself. Walking away from health and fitness to please someone else will just lead you down the path of resentment. Keep moving forward, creating positive change, and try to still give energy to the relationship. Maybe your partner will not understand, but perhaps over time, he or she can learn to accept.

Relationships can be incredible adventures that offer great opportunities for growth, happiness, and security. Learning to navigate that adventure can be challenging, but ultimately well worth it. Always remember that your greatest tools are communication and compassion. Sometimes, trying to understand why our partner is resistant can help you figure out a way to explain your needs to them. And know that change will come in life, whether we create it or not. Figuring out how to foster support over something like lifestyle change can make the harder struggles in life easier to deal with later on. Having six-pack abs should not destroy "till death do us part." And with communication, consideration, and some effective planning, perhaps your mate might learn to love your new look.

If you have questions or are having a hard time sticking to your workouts and healthy eating because of a loved one, send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com

I would love to hear from you!! Please leave a comment below:)

Got the winter blahs?

So far my mood has been far better this winter than last.  Why? EXERCISE!! I'm exercising 6 days per week as opposed to last year, only 2 days per week.  Last year, I was only exercising on the days I was teaching a class. It was hard for me to teach more than 2 days per week, so that's all I got in.  Better than nothing, but my body and mind needed more. 

Enter P90X and becoming a Team Beachbody Coach.  P90X was a "god-send" for me.  I didn't have to think about a routine to do at home, it was all right there in front of me.  And it came with an extensive nutrition/recipe guide which made figuring out how much to eat easy for me.  I'm a busy mom of 4, with slight attention deficit (so I think), so for me to sit down and try to figure something out for myself was the last thing I wanted to do.

Becoming a Team Beachbody Coach put the icing on the cake.  Now I am accountable not only to myself, but to everyone I coach and reach out to.  This has really put a fire under me to get up and get moving.

Well, enough about me, please read the article below by Amy Ludwig on beating the winter blahs.

Beat the Winter "Blahs" with Exercise


By Amy Ludwig

Feeling a post-holiday letdown? Tired of shorter days and early nights? Wondering how you can get through the dark months as you pine for summer sunshine? Fear not. You can walk—or jog, run, or lift—your way to a brighter mood with exercise.

When you're feeling low, moving may be the last thing you feel like doing. As Sir Isaac Newton pointed out, an object at rest tends to stay at rest. But increasingly, science is proving that if you can peel yourself off the couch and put one foot in front of the other, you'll feel better, both about yourself and the world.

So how do you make this happen?

Working out "cheers up" your body chemistry.

When you're physically active, your body releases natural chemicals that actually make you feel good. Neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine help you feel relaxed and happy.

Exercise also reduces your body's production of hormones like cortisol, which are released at high levels during chronic stress and depress the immune system.

Working out has a calming effect on the body. When all else is equal, the harder to exercise the calmer you'll be.

You can help support these positive results with the right supplements, like ActiVit® Multivitamins, Core-Omega 3 or Shakeology®.

Move your body, change your mind.

Exercise has been proven to:

•Boost confidence: Achieving a fitness goal, no matter how small, will give you a sense of accomplishment.

•Burn calories: How else does the weight melt away? Plus getting thinner and feeling more fit is likely to cheer you up.

•Redirect your focus: You'll be too busy trying to do one more rep of that crunch, curl, or kick to think about anything negative.

Show you can do something positive: By choosing to get up and move, you're taking care of yourself, and coping in a healthy way. And when you observe that, you'll believe you can take other steps forward.

How much exercise makes a difference?

As little as 10 to 15 minutes of activity can improve your mood, especially if you're doing something dynamic, like running or cycling. Harvard psychiatrist John J. Ratey, M.D., writes that a single workout can jump-start the feel-good chemical changes. So the most important thing is getting started. To get the greatest benefits, work your way up to at least 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week.

What kind of workout is best?

One you enjoy. Seriously. If it's not something you like, you're less likely to make the effort. For instance, I don't happen to be a fan of plyometrics, despite its many benefits. When I work out, I opt for cycling, yoga, or low-impact programs instead. They still get me sweating my way into a great mood. Identify the activities you enjoy, and get going.

How do you get started?

Choose something accessible. The power of exercise doesn't come from fancy equipment, but from the effort you put in. If you pick something you can get to and that fits your timetable, you've lowered the barriers to beginning. For example, you can:

•Turn everyday errands into workouts when you do them on foot or by bike. (Extra points for adding a hill, or taking the long way home.)

•Check out the activities offered at your local park, like swimming, basketball games, or fitness classes.

•Commit to an in-home Beachbody® workout program that's sure to fit your schedule.

So start today. Boost your activity level and help put a smile on your face. Because you don't have to wait for the sunshine to feel good.

I'd love to help you you get started with a new fitness goal.  Let's make 2011 your healthiest year ever.  Send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com

And feel free to leave a comment below!

17 Weeks until Memorial Day!!!

Okay, so you may be by a cozy fire right now, or you just finished chipping the ice off of your car, but in just 17 weeks it will be Memorial Day - the unofficial start of summer!!!

So how will your Memorial Day and summer be this year? Will you be feeling full of energy? Will you be more active this summer than last? Will you not be afraid to wear shorts? Will you wear a swimsuit and not be embarrassed?  Will you wear that shirt without sleeves and feel confident?


If you want to feel more energetic and be excited about swimming, boating, tennis, softball, or any other outdoor activity, you need to start now.  17 weeks is going to fly by! If you want to feel like a superstar this summer, you need to take charge of your health now.  Starting a fitness and nutrition program now will improve how you feel and look this summer. 

Think about it. If you were too tired to "play" outside last year, or if you were to embarrassed to wear a swimsuit and relax at the pool or beach, you can change all that. But its going to require action starting now.

Again, think about it, and let me know what I can do to help you over the next 17 weeks.  2011 is going to be the healthiest year you've had.  But you have to want that and make the changes now.

Let me know how I can help.

Please feel free to email me at fitwithjessica@live.com or leave a comment below.