Why am I doing this thing called BeachBody?

Honestly, why? When I joined BeachBody, I wasn’t sure I had an answer, other than the fact that I didn’t want to go to work in an office anymore. Oh, sure, losing weight would be nice, and making money? Well, bonus! But, as I grew with this opportunity, I started asking myself seriously, just why am I doing this?

The answer I got was numbing.

It all started long time ago, in a galaxy..wait, that’s not right. It all started when I was younger, when I would find myself wanting to try new things, and being told no. I wanted to participate in the talent show. I was told I had no talent. I wanted to take gymnastics. I was told I would just quit. I wanted to take violin lessons. I was told it was too loud. I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. I was told its a nice hobby, but I needed a real job. My entire life has been dictated by someone else’s negative, limiting beliefs. I said I would be a successful writer one day. I was told it wouldn’t happen, because Lawrence was my last name. We aren’t successful. It isn’t our luck.

Even if that was a joke, imagine being told that almost every day for your entire life. Don’t you think at some point, you would actually start believing it to be true? It’s the power of suggestion, used on an innocent mind.

That’s when it hit me. That is why I joined. It was something all the naysayers would balk at, but if I could prove I was a success (as well as lose weight and make money!), then there would be nothing that could ever be said to make me feel insignificant, unimportant, and more importantly, a failure, ever again. They wouldn’t be able to touch me. I joined BeachBody, maybe not for the reasons most do, but a reason which is important to me. It is my motivation.

I know that with BeachBody I can be a success. I have a wonderful team around me that constantly supports me, even when I start ruminating in the negative. They believe in me, which in turn, reaffirms my belief in myself.

However, I joined BeachBody also because I believe in the products. I have been a customer for years, and when I saw the opportunity, I knew this was something I could get behind and support. I use the products. I know the company. It isn’t like I’m investing time and energy into some random company. It is BeachBody. I know them.

Additionally, I joined to lose the weight, but I think in my discovery, I will be losing weight — emotional weight. And I think it is this emotional weight which has been plaguing me for years. Weight I’ve been carrying around for no reason. It wasn’t even my thoughts, it was someone else’s and I let their negative thinking affect me! I could just beat my head against the wall. How could I be so blind? All these years, right in front of me!!

But this is why I joined BeachBody. This is why I will be successful. This is why I want to help others find their own BeachBodyRevolution. Getting healthy is so much more than eating right and exercising. Its about getting to the root of physical, emotional and mental stressors which trigger the accumulation of weight. Honestly, weight is just a way of putting boundaries between your inner self and the outside world (at least, that’s how I see it).

I am my own Revolution!!

Team BeachBody

Eating emotions

The last few days I have been doing some soul searching, trying to figure out just what was keeping me from losing weight, keeping me from maintaining motivation. Whether you believe in the Law of Attraction, it doesn’t matter, but something I read on the Abraham Hicks website got me to thinking. What if my weight gain and subsequent difficulties in losing weight was actually an emotional weight I was carrying?

So I started thinking. When did I begin to gain weight? Determined the time period. What were the major stressors? Determined those as well. So what was the common thread?

I have always been an emotional eater, but before, I would deny myself food to deny emotions, now I was feeding my emotions because I was tired of hearing them. If I could eat, then I couldn’t think. I couldn’t focus on my emotions. So, now that I know, I can stop it.

Granted it goes deeper than that, but all in good time. Everything will unveil itself, all in good time.

So what is triggering you?

Team BeachBody

What did you do today?

As I am discovering as a fitness coach for BeachBody and as a fitness nut, it is true that it takes a team effort to see results. BeachBody has team beachbody which is a forum where members can discuss their workouts, weight loss, motivations, etc with others who have the same issues. It is a great way to keep yourself accountable and make friends who are happy to see you lose.

I just joined the forums, mostly to help me find people who will WOWY with me (another beachbody program), so that I have someone asking, hey what did you do today? In fact, that is exactly what happened. I have been talking with another member who is a YBB junkie like me, and she asked, which work out did you do today? Even though I had an unfortunate run in with an Asian chicken salad from a food chain who will remain nameless and I was sick pretty much all morning long, I decided to work out, because I didn’t want to wuss out.

I’m glad I did.

I actually feel better now, and my illness has subsided.

The only problem is my village (aka my cats) decided that my clothing hanging down while I was in downward dog pose was too entertaining to pass up. So while I’m trying to center, they are attacking the ties on my belt. That’s cats for you.

Regardless of the program you do, try to find friends to do it with you. You will find that you have more success and enjoy your work out even more. Just watch out for the ties.

BeachBody Products
My BeachBody Profile

Spring is in the air

I decided today that instead of being indoors and sweating, I would go outside to enjoy the nice (82 degree) weather. I went down to the park, which has a track that follows by the river and curves behing the recreational fields. It was a rather nice afternoon, as I watched the little league games and the little kids trying to keep up with their running parents. It was rather nice seeing families out exercising together. I felt my heart skip when I saw the older couple walking in the afternoon sun. So sweet.

But in my mile and a half walk, I thought about a lot of things, which is why I so enjoy exercising. It so freeing to thoughts, just let it go and let it think. I thought my goals and dreams, the things that have been weighing me down, the things that I should be placing my energies into. The mind got such a clarity that I felt as if I was walking in the clouds. The sun against skin, the slight breeze over the river, it just reaffirmed my belief that the best therapy for an individual is exercise.

If I could bring YBB outside, I totally would.

I enjoyed my time outside, which I don’t do during this time that much (due to me being allergic to just about everything that blooms), it was a nice little adventure into a lovely spring afternoon.

So what did you do today?

Team BeachBody

Getting back on the (exercise) horse

So, after feeling sorry for myself for several days now, and fighting a nasty sinus thing, I decided even if I couldn’t breathe, I was exercising. So out came Yoga Booty Ballet Live Cardio Cabaret and I brought the sexy back, in all my sinus glory.

I really can’t tell you how wonderful YBB is, nor can I fully explain the beauty of yoga. There is something so peaceful about, something that makes me feel connect to the world around me.

When I do yoga, I feel like I finally belong. Everything makes sense.

A little eccentric, yes, but, that’s me. I tell it like it is.

It was rather enjoyable to do YBB with my cats, as they have a tendency to join in during the warm up and cool down. They are particularly fond of savasana, though my little man express an interest in the breath of fire this evening, and I have the scratches to prove it. Apparently the rapid motion was too interesting to ignore.

During this brief hiatus, I realized just how important exercise was to my mental health. Simply not doing some sort of activity for a few days sent me into a spiral quick. I began to doubt myself. I began to question everything. I realized that I had been suffering the last few years, going through bouts of depression, all because I wasn’t engaging my mind-body-spirit connection enough. Now that I’m exercising more, I can feel the connection re-emerging and I feel healthier, more whole, more alive.

In my family, exercise has been a side effect of medical conditions. No one really exercised for mental and emotional well being. It was either to lose weight, or keep a disease in control. While I would like to lose weight, I would rather lose the weight of the mental and emotional baggage I’m carrying, rather than lose 25 pounds so I can get a guy to wink at me.

Though I have a sneaking feeling that when the emotional baggage is gone, the weight will be too. Bonus!

I’ve readjusted my attitude. I don’t care about the numbers. I don’t care about the size of my jeans. I care about being healthy, happy and stable. Exercise is not a solution, it is a way of life. It is now my life.

It can be yours too, if you choose.

Yoga Booty Ballet

Finding motivation when there's none there

I admit, I’ve been feeling less than motivated lately. Perhaps I tried to do too much the first week. I was on a roll. It was an awesome feeling. I enjoyed it. But then my body went ‘yeah I don’t think so.’ And I went into a valley of lack of energy and motivation. It happens, but we have to fight through it. I’ve been fighting through it, even if it isn’t at 100 percent, I’ve been sticking to a schedule, incorporating some bit of cardio or weight training in my day in some way.

That’s the key to it.

It also helps to have friends around to help motivate and inspire you. That’s one thing I like about BeachBody, they have plenty of forums for you to join to find people who are going through the same thing as you are. I’ve come to rely on the forums, as a means of keeping me accountable for my actions.

Maybe that’s all that I needed.

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/coachcaro

Shakin' your booty and burnin' the fat away

So, I brought Yoga Booty Ballet Hip Hop and Cabaret into my workout, and I was so exhausted afterwards. I would have never thought I would have worked out so hard with a video at home, but the YBB work outs are incredible. Even my cat Ferris gets into it, well, he’s more into the savasana pose, but what cat isn’t? He did seem to master Bhujangasana (cobra) pose pretty well, but I can’t seem to get him to incorporate the ballet portion into his daily work out program.

The cabaret was the first time I did it the other day, and the next day, I was slightly stiff. I could tell I had worked out muscles that needed to be moved. I loved it. Its entertaining, its fast paced, and I felt like I had accomplished a strong program when I was done. If you want a program that doesn’t feel like a work out, YBB caberet or any YBB program is for you.

The great thing about YBB is that it incorporates the principles of centering and breathing that is central to yoga. I love the sense of peace I get from not only a strong work out, but a work out that has such relaxing yoga poses. I can’t go on about YBB enough. I just love it.
It’s like meditating the fat away.

For more information, visit my profile: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/coachcaro

Shakeology

I really don’t like taking vitamins. I do, but I hate taking the eight different vitamins and minerals first thing in the morning to help me feel better and be healthier. Well I found a replacement, and I love it. Its tasty and refreshing and its so filling. Shakeology is so good, and I love making it into this thick, cold smoothie. It’s almost so filling I can’t finish it.

Okay, now there is a lot of good stuff packed into this one little shake. Anti-oxidants. A great serving of daily vitamins. Loads of fiber and protein. It is after all, the healthiest meal of the day!
If you have a problem with swallowing those giant horse pills, you should try Shakeology. I promise you won’t be sorry.

In addition to the Shakeology, I’ve also started taking BeachBody supplements (yes, I’m still choking down pills, some things just wouldn’t taste right in a shake!!). I’ve added the Slimming Pack and the Joint Renewal to my diet. I have to admit, I’ve been using them for only a week, but I’ve already lost five pounds and I’ve never felt better. My knees, which I have really bad arthritis in those joints, hasn’t bothered me at all. Between the Shakeology and the additional supplements, I have had so much energy and want to get out to work out. I enjoy work outs more, because I do have energy, I don’t have pain and I’m seeing results.

I mean, come on, five pounds in basically 10 days? That’s incredible. I owe it all to BeachBody.

Day Six

I just finished Yoga Booty Ballet Hip Hop Abs, and I’m beat. The program really works up a sweat while helping you maintain a goddess balance. I think that’s what I love most about YBB is that it really incorporates the principles of yoga with great cardio and ab work out. My thighs and gluts are killing me.

I’m happy to say I’ve lost 1 pound. While I wish it was more, one pound is normal and natural.
Check out the video and see if YBB is for you. If so, let me know. Visit my profile at BeachBody to get more information and place an order. I promise you won’t regret it, YBB is awesome! I love Gillian and Teigh.

Yoga Booty Ballet

Day Four

Well now that the migraine has subsided, I stepped up the work out a bit. Though my knees are killing me. I started adding lunges and squats, which are hard for me to do because I have beginning arthitis from playing competitive sports for so many years. Granted, I was also the idiot who believed if I wasn’t bruised and bloodied, it wasn’t a good day. But I started doing them.

I’m anxious about getting my supplements from BeachBody. I ordered the slimming set and the rejuvenating set to help with my weight loss and arthitis problems. I’m considering ordering the Shakeology too, to help with the process.

If you don’t know what Shakeology is, here’s a video to tell you about Shakeology.

If you are interested in trying Shakeology, visit my BeachBody site or contact me for more information: info@carolyn-lawrence.com

Day Five

Yesterday was a stressful day and I just don’t think I put the energy into working out as I should have. And to be honest, when I finally tried to go to sleep, the notion of not getting a proper work out weighed on me. I’m finding that I really enjoy working out, it’s a part of who I am. It helps me to focus and center, so that I can be more productive. I know I probably should take time off to allow my muscles to heal, but I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything unless I’ve worked out.

I’ve only been working out solidly for a week, and most experts will tell you that it takes at least a month to create a habit. That’s the key to being successful with working out, making it a habit. Creating a schedule that you can stick with so that you don’t feel like its an effort to include working out into your schedule. It should come naturally, just another part of your day. I know its only been a week, but I already feel like its a habit, which is great.

Day Three

I feel terribly, partly because I didn’t work out today, but mostly because I’m fighting a migraine, which kept me from working out.

While some people will tell you that working out can in fact reduce migraine pressue, it isn’t always the best remedy. Yes, exercising, light exercise can in fact reduce the intensity of a migraine, but there is a fine line between relief and relapse. Working out can also increase the intensity of your migraine with a rebound effect.

Fearing a rebound, I decided that today would be a rest day. I’ve been trying to fight the migraine with homeopathic medicines, such as inflammation reducation pills and the rub-on migraine medication, applied directly to my forehead! It is still giving me problems, but it is easing off.

Tomorrow I will return to my routine. Migraine or no.