Saturday, July 23, 2016

Shakeology Peanut Butter Cups



Talk about totally to die for!!!!  When we just need a chocolate peanut butter fix this is the way to go!!!  It's not exactly the best nutritional value but it beats eating trans fat and empty calories.  At least you get some healthy benefits of Shakeology and peanut butter to curb your cravings!!!  Enjoy!!!!

Renee Smith
Independent Diamond BeachBody Coach


Sunday, July 17, 2016

What Is Country Heat By Autumn Calabrese


Do you like Country Music?
Do you like dance cardio?
Do you want to spice up your cardio?
Do you DISLIKE working out?
Do you need your workouts to be fun in order to do them?

No matter what your reason, if you are looking for something to spice up your fitness regime or you want to get started this could be the program for you!

Beachbody is releasing a BRAND NEW fitness program on July 28th 2016 to the network!  COUNTRY HEAT is going to knock your socks off!  At first I was a little skeptical of a country music workout because I didn't think line dancing was much of a workout, I'm not very coordinated and I just want to get in, get my workout done and get out.  I really wasn't excited about this new program!  BUT..... that all changed when I got the chance to do the Sneak Peek!!! This program had me literally DRIPPING sweat and I didn't feel lost or confused by the moves.  Anyone can do it!  It is not hard at all.  Plus my legs were on fire, my core was burning and I could tell it is way more than cardio.  It's great for your entire body!  



I am really excited for the launch of this program and I'm going to be walking a select group of people from beginning to end through the program!  I'm going to be making sample meal plans, giving you recipes, tips and guidance on how to rock this program!  The people in the test group are getting incredible results and one even lost over 60 pounds in 90 days!!! That is so cool.












So lets talk about WHAT this program actually is?

First of all it features all of the hottest country music!  There is NO CHOREOGRAPHY to remember, just follow along for the 27-30 minute workout!  This workout program is high energy, low impact dance workout that is super fun and easy to follow.  Autumn Calabrese created this program and has also created the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Co Creator of Hammer and Chisel, author of the Fixate cookbook, mom and bikini competitor.  She has her certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. She is extremely talented and gifted at getting you results.

There are 5 high energy, cardio based dance workouts, 1 dance conditioning workout, and the portion controlled eating plan! 


WHAT MAKES COUNTRY HEAT EFFECTIVE?

First of all it is a workout you will actually stick to!  Autumn makes it fun and easy.
You get 5 high energy dance workouts and 1 dance conditioning workout to give you all the calorie burning benefits of a great cardio workout while using every muscle in your body to fire up your metabolism.

There are no complicated moves, NO WEIGHTS OR EQUIPMENT required.

Autumn uses her portion control container system and meal plan to help you lose weight by eating what you want in the right amounts each day.  

WHO CAN DO COUNTRY HEAT?

ANYONE from beginners to 21 Day Fix Graduates to those advanced in their fitness that want something different and fun!  It is great for all ages and sizes!  People who like Zumba, people who want to lose weight and are looking for results in 30 days!  People who generally don't like to exercise or who want a lifestyle change, but aren't sure where to begin!  {DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU??}  

This workout is great for people who have tried and failed at complicated diets and exercise programs.  The reason is that it's easy to follow the portion controlled container system and you have ME as your coach to guide you every single step of the way!  I will teach you how to meal plan, prep, and stick with the workouts from beginning to end.  Plus the workouts are fun and you don't even know you are working out!!!  

If you want to lose weight then yes that is accomplished in the program!  I encourage everyone to do at least 2-3 rounds of the program. The reason is that in the first 30 days you are just learning the ropes.  You are getting a good handle on your nutrition and understanding the portion controlled containers.  As you dial in your nutrition you can increase your results!!

This program is great for those that like to dance but are intimidated by choreography.  THAT IS ME!!!  I have two left feet and I want to get in, sweat and get out!  So I'm pumped for this!


WHAT DO YOU GET WITH THE PROGRAM?

When you purchase your Country Heat you will get:

- 6 workouts on 3 DVDs in 30 minutes or less.

-7 Color coded portion controlled containers to efficiently help you portion out your food

-Country Heat Nutrition Plan which is an easy to follow guide that has recipes, tips, and more to help you get results.

-30 Days of Shakeology in any flavor 

-Quickstart Guide- This is a simple 3 step guide that preps you for your fitness journey by giving you the low down on the nutrition plan and workouts.

-30 Day Calendar so that you know exactly what workouts to do in what order to maximize your results.

-Plus when you get the challenge pack you get access to Country Heat On Demand which means unlimited access to stream Country Heat and all the other workouts to any desktop, laptop, tablet, TV or mobile device.  So you can start your workouts the minute you make your purchase.




SO DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A PROGRAM YOU WANT TO DO??


Did you know you can get it right here from me?  

Plus I am going to be launching my first official COUNTRY HEAT TEST GROUP on Monday August 1st and workouts start on the 8th of August!  You can get personal, 24/7 mentoring, guidance and support from me in a closed online accountability and support group!  I am going to basically walk you through the entire program from beginning to end.  I will teach you how to navigate the nutrition plan, how to choose healthier snacks, swap out your bad habits for better choices and how to truly make a lifestyle change vs. a crash diet.  

I will be there to help you stay accountable, to track your food, to keep you motivated when you are not feeling it!  My job is to be your support system and sounding board!  I don't want this to be another program you invest in and don't complete!  This time it will be different!! TRUST ME!!

All you need to do is get your name on the list to be the FIRST to know about the program launch!

If you DO NOT HAVE A COACH the first step is to make me your FREE COACH.  Click here to sign up for free.  If you already have a coach that you work with please reach out to your coach for details on their launch groups!

If you do not have a coach and would like to be in the official test group then complete the application below to be considered for a spot in the group.  I will be hand selecting a group of people who are committed, dedicated and ready to make some changes in their health and fitness!  So don't delay, spots will absolutely fill up fast.  http://goo.gl/forms/EcNnjDZZ943jt3V72

Are You Part Of The Facebook EVENT?  Stay up to date on launch details and information by joining here!



Renee Smith
Independent Diamond BeachBody Coach

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Healthy Foods That Are Not Really Healthy


Fresh Fruit

Did you know that there are a lot of foods that have been advertised as being healthy or diet foods that are actually working against you?  I know this because I was definitely a victim of it as well.  I thought low fat yogurt, 100 calorie packs or lean beef was still a good choice!!  Diet Pepsi and low fat chips...the label tells you it is a better choice!  
Unfortunately we are sadly misguided by the media and food companies.  It's time to start taking your health and wellness into your own hands and being educated about what you are eating.  I'm not saying you need to go crazy and refuse to eat anything in a package but I'm saying start to slowly make that transition.  When you make small changes you are going to see the reflection in the mirror change as well.
So here are a few misleading foods that you would have never even suspected:

1. Yogurt

It starts out as good stuff. Fat aside, there's the calcium and protein you find in all milk products, along with probiotics, which make it easier to digest for those with lactose issues. The only problem is that straight yogurt can be pretty bitter, so manufacturers load the stuff with sugar and masquerade those carbs as fruit in an effort to make the whole thing more palatable. Have a look at most flavored yogurt and you'll find the second ingredient to be sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. One container of Yoplait® Original Strawberry has 170 calories, with 5 grams of protein and 33 grams of carbohydrates, 27 of which are sugar. Oddly enough, these are the exact same nutrition facts for Yoplait's other, less healthy-sounding flavors, including Key Lime Pie and White Chocolate Raspberry.
Solution: Buy plain yogurt and flavor it yourself. You'd be amazed at how far a handful of raspberries or a tablespoon of honey will go to cut the bitter taste.  Try 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt with 1/2 cup strawberries and a drizzle of honey!  
Kirkland Greek Yogurt

2. Wheat Bread

Slice of BreadWhole-grain wheat is better for you than refined wheat. By keeping the bran and germ, you maintain the naturally occurring nutrients and fiber. But, for some reason, manufacturers constantly come up with new ways to lead you back to the refined stuff. One of their latest tricks is to refer to refined flour as "wheat flour" because, obviously, it's made of wheat. But just because it's wheat-based doesn't mean it's not refined. The distracted shopper can mistake this label for "whole wheat flour" and throw it in his cart. Another loaf of cruddy, refined, fiberless bread has a new home.  Also note that most breads have high fructose corn syrup in them, even the whole wheat bread does!  I always read my labels and actually Costco has a great bread!
Solution: Slow down when you read the label. That word "whole" is an important one.  I eat Ezekiel bread which is found in the freezer section of the grocery store.  I rarely eat bread but when I do it's usually toasted and eaten with my omelet.

3. Chicken

Just because you made the switch from red meat doesn't mean you're in the clear. Three ounces of raw chicken breast, meat only, has 93 calories, 19.5 grams of protein, and 1.2 grams of fat. Three ounces of dark meat (wings, thighs, and legs), meat only, has 105 calories, 18 grams of protein, and 3.6 grams of fat. It may not seem like much, but it adds up. Also when buying chicken go with the fresh chicken breast versus the frozen chicken.  
The frozen chicken is infused with salt water which just causes you to retain fluids, thus not losing weight.
Solution: Go for the breast, and while you're at it, ditch the skin. It's nothing but fat.  

4. Frozen or Canned Fruit

Pineapple RingsAny food swimming in juice or "light syrup" isn't good for you. Furthermore, most canned fruit is peeled, meaning you're being robbed of a valuable source of fiber. Frozen fruit is a little trickier. Freezing preserves the fruit itself, but some manufacturers add sugar during the freezing process to preserve color and taste.
Solution: Read that ingredients list! You want it to say fruit, water—and that's it.

5. Canned Vegetables

"What?!" you declare. "There's light syrup in canned string beans too?!" Nope—actually, they add salt to preserve this produce. A half-cup serving of canned string beans has approximately 300 to 400 milligrams of sodium. 

Solution: Many companies offer "no salt added" options. If you can't find one to your liking, go frozen instead—many of these don't contain salt. Or better yet, buy what's fresh and in season.  Right now being is fresh asparagus, green beans, zucchini and peppers.

6. Peanut Butter

Grind up peanuts, maybe add a little salt. How hard is it to make that taste good?

Apparently, it's so difficult that many companies feel compelled to add sugar or high-fructose corn syrup into the mix. Why? I don't know. Some manufacturers, such as Skippy®, are up front enough to admit this and call their product "Peanut Butter Spread," but many others still refer to this sugary concoction as good old "peanut butter."
Solution: Read the label. (There's a theme emerging here.) Considering real peanut butter has one ingredient—two ingredients, max—it shouldn't be too hard to figure it out. The Smuckers all natural, Kirkland brand and the Mara Natha Peanut butter brands are the best ones that I have found! 
All Natural Healthy Peanut Butter

7. Juice

Green SmoothieThe range in the nutritional value of store-bought juices is massive. On one end, you have "fruit drinks" with barely any actual juice in them. On the other end, you have fresh-squeezed, 100% preservative-free juices like Odwalla® and Naked Juice®. But no matter which you choose, it's important to remember that it's never going to be as healthy as whole fruit. And if you're trying to lose weight, it's a flat-out bad idea.

First off, it's been stripped of fiber, so you absorb it faster, which makes it more likely to induce blood sugar spikes. Secondly, you consume it faster and it's less filling, so you're more likely to drink more.

There are a few instances when juice is okay. For example, a home juicer can make predominately veggie-based drinks that are loaded with vitamins and minerals and lower in calories. If you're using this as part of a supervised juice fast, or you're trying to target a particular nutrient while concurrently 
not trying to lose weight, go for it. Otherwise, it's simply not worth it.
Solution: If you must buy it, go fresh-squeezed, but you're usually better off just skipping it entirely.  I can honestly tell you that I NEVER drink juice and I stick to mainly water.  I just would rather eat the real fruit vs the juice.  Plus it doesn't give me anything that is going to keep me full.  

8. Canned Soup

As is also the case with canned veggies, you're entering a sodium minefield. Half a cup of Campbell's® Chicken Noodle Soup has about 37% of the recommended daily allowance—and who eats half a cup?
Solution: Read those labels carefully. Most companies make low-sodium versions.


9. Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Dressing by definition is supposed to be fatty, and thus, highly caloric. You use a little bit of it, and in doing so, you get a healthy hit of the fats you need for a nutritionally balanced diet. Unfortunately, people prefer to buy fat-free versions so they can drown their greens while avoiding excess fat. Nothing's free. All this stuff does is replace the fat with carbs and salt, so you've basically gone from pouring a little healthy unsaturated fat on your salad to dumping on a pile of sugar.
Solution: Make your own salad dressing. One part vinegar and one part olive oil with a blob of Dijon mustard makes an awesome vinaigrette. And here's another trick: Make your salad in a sealable container, add a tiny bit of dressing, and shake it up. It'll coat so much more than tossing will.

Renee Smith
Independent Diamond BeachBody Coach