The Simple Life

I live a very simple life.

I know that most of you who follow my blog don't personally know me. About 4 years ago, I was working as a nurse manager making $60,000/year. I chose to leave the job behind for a more simple life and to be able to be home with my son. It was a HUGE pay cut.

Little luxuries are not taken for granted. I have learned to go without and am blessed that today's economy hasn't really affected our way of living as a result.

Anyways, my mother-in-law literally lives about 200 feet from us on the same property. She bought a hot tub a week ago and put it on her porch. The porch has a roof, but the sides are open. We live in the country, so I have a wonderful view of nature.

I'm sitting here typing, dripping wet. I was just in the hot tub, all by myself, and reflecting on the stress in my life. The past 15 months have been so terribly stressful with my brother's brain tumor.

I have a habit of talking to myself outloud when I'm alone. I sat in the tub, praying to God, talking about the situation, and imagining giving all my problems like a stack of folded laundry to Jesus.

It's funny. I read the Bible. I go to church. I "know" that God says he will take care of us. It's hard, sometimes, to really really "know" it though. Jesus tells us to give Him our burdens...that He can easily carry them...if only we will trust.

As I'm having this conversation with God in the hot tub, I look in the woods and see a squirrel running through the trees. I realize that the squirrel has no worries. It's not concerned with tomorrow. Yet, the Bible tells us that God loves all of His creations...even the squirrel. If He is willing to take care of the squirrel, He will take care of me.

I guess that I'm just writing this for myself because I want to remember this moment. God spoke to me.

Now, I think I'll get up because my carpet is wet!

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

TAKE CONTROL OF DIABETES

Fitness guru Kathy Smith is helping people battling type 2 diabetes with her new nutrition and exercise program Kathy Smith's Project: You! Type 2 (three payments of $39.95). The program, which includes exercise DVDs, a 12-week workout guide, cookbook and fitness-and-food journal, will get you moving and eating right to help manage diabetes and reduce risks for complications. Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes to the American Diabetes Association.Fitness guru Kathy Smith is helping people battling type 2 diabetes with her new nutrition and exercise program Kathy Smith's Project: You! Type 2 (three payments of $39.95). The program, which includes exercise DVDs, a 12-week workout guide, cookbook and fitness-and-food journal, will get you moving and eating right to help manage diabetes and reduce risks for complications. Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes to the American Diabetes Association.

Click here to order!

Source: People.com

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Stress Relievers Part 2

1. Get organized so everything has its place
2. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life
3. Write thoughts and inspirations down
4. Everyday find time to be alone
5. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until tis time to go to bed to try and pray
6. Make friends with Godly people
7. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand
8. Laugh
9. Laugh some more!
10. Take your work seriously, but yourself, not at all
11. Develop a forgiving attitude because most people are doing the best they can
12. Be kind to unkind people because they need it the most
13. Sit on your ego
14. Talk less, listen more
15. Slow down
16. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
17. Every night before bed, think of one thing that you are grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
    
18. Remember, God has a way of turning things around for you!

Author Unknown

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Why Network Marketing?

This is a reprint from Carl's Blog. Please be sure to read the very bottom where I included one of the comments and Carl's answer.

I love creating things, building something that will be productive and solve a problem. I also like building income over the long term. Creativity, contribution, and constant steady year-over-year growth... that's how I approach what I do.

Beachbody exceeded $300 million in sales last year, largely due to the success of infomercials like Turbo Jam, P90X, Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in 6 and Hip Hop Abs. We have the most compelling pipeline of new products and infomercial since we launched the company. So, why network marketing?

I believe the real opportunity in fitness is not in building a huge monolithic company that simply sells product to people. Companies have been trying to leverage fitness to build huge businesses for decades. Yet the obesity trend grows, and no fitness company has really succeeded in getting people to REALLY embrace what it takes to get healthy and fit. Not the equipment makers. Not the gym chains. Not the weight loss centers. Not even Beachbody. Yes, we continue to grow, infomercial by infomercial, selling great product to people, and we've had some amazing success stories. But many people still will start-then-quit just like everything else they've tried unless there is another dynamic at work.

That's what the Beachbody Coach Network is about -- adding the powerful dynamic of peer-support, the "Share" of "Play, Shake and Share", to help people stay accountable to their desire to get healthy and fit.

Our network marketing business is 16,000 coach-distributors strong and growing fast. We assign customer leads to qualified coaches (for free) when one of our TV customers says they want support to succeed with their program. The coach helps that customer set their start date, and stay accountable to consistency. Our coaches are not fitness experts or nutritionists -- but friends who care about revolutionizing how people approach their own health and fitness.

In exchange, in the future when those customer leads purchase another product from Beachbody, the coach gets the commission.

And it's a win-win that will continue to grow. I know that because I get so many emails like this one from part-time coach Joey Petri. While many coaches are still working their way to their first check and income is always a factor of skill and effort, here's a young coach who is one of the many people who are turning this opportunity into a dream job:
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I just wanted to share this with you guys because I'm super excited.

I added up all my commission checks from 2008 and I earned $13,394.98!!! This is amazing to me and I know that 2009 will be an ever bigger and better year. This money allowed me to go to school full time and pursue a 2nd degree in Phys Ed, this allowed me to live in my place and not move home, this paid my bills and my gas. (Disclaimer I also had some help from my savings as a pharma rep.) This is going to make 2009 an amazing and exciting year. Thanks again for all of your support!!

Joey
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So when people ask me "Why Network Marketing", I respond that it is an imperative. Growth is one thing, contribution is another. This business model has both, and instead of one giant company, we're going to be a company of a million coaches, each their own independent company, helping 100 million people get healthy and fit. That's what we will achieve, and that's why network marketing is a priority!

Comments:

At 11:52 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Though there may be certain benefits of the coach network, I think it's a net loser for Beachbody. Even for die hard, loyal customers like me, the whole coach thing wreaks of a multi-level marketing scam. I believe you're well-intentioned, but the coach set-up appears unscrupulous from the outside. In the end, I think it leads to people doubting the integrity of your fitness programs, and that's too bad because they are absolutely the best DVD workouts available. If I were you, I'd ditch the coach network and put more resources into keeping your customers happy by improving customer service and shipping.

At 1:39 PM, Blogger Carl Daikeler said...

First, thanks for your business. As far as looking like a scam goes, that's what they said about infomercials... but we've shown that a marketing medium of ill-repute isn't what's guilty, it's simply misused by unscrupulous people. Look at the P90X infomercial. It's more entertaining than most of the stuff I see on TV! And it's promoting a product that's getting people into incredible shape.

Network marketing as a business model has been abused for decades. But the power of people-helping-people is undeniable. The last the society needs is a giant "Wal-Mart of fitness". What I think is needed is a million people with an incentive to help those around them incorporate fitness and portion control into their lives. We've created that incentive. And that incentive, combined with "absolutely the best DVD workouts available" (thank you!) plus constant improvements in customer service and shipping equals a revolution in health and fitness.

All I know for sure is, many of the people who get involved are making money helping people succeed where they failed with fitness and weight loss for years. That's a win worth perpetuating. And that's why this is so important to see through.

My prediction is that in five years, people will look at this business model and wonder why gyms were ever so popular in the first place.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Eating on the run may lead to a poor diet

Reuters Health

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many young people say they lack the time to sit down to a meal, and that may be pushing them to make less-than healthy food choices, a new study suggests.

In a survey of nearly 1,700 college-age adults, researchers found that 35 percent of men and 42 percent of women said they lacked time for sit-down meals.

Those time constraints also seemed to push them toward more junk food and less healthy fare, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Men and women who said they typically sat down to dinner with other people tended to have better overall diets, including a higher intake of fruits and vegetables. In contrast, those who tended to "eat on the run" often opted for fast food and had higher intakes of saturated fat and soft drinks.

"The findings suggest it is important to make time for having meals and, whenever possible, to share mealtimes with friends or family members," said lead researcher Dr. Nicole I. Larson, a research associate at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Even though real meals can be hard to fit into a busy day, she told Reuters Health, people should schedule time for them like they would for any other important activity.

Larson added that colleges and workplaces could do their part by providing scheduled break times for meals, as well as facilities with healthy snack options.

When there is no other option than eating on the run, Larson advised reaching for healthy fare instead of junk food. Fresh or dried fruits, pre-washed bagged vegetables, whole grain crackers and "string" cheese are some convenient, healthier choices, she said.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Dietetic Association, January 2009.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Stress Relievers Part 1

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed
4. Say NO to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health
5. Delegate tasks to capable others
6. Simplify and unclutter your life
7. Less is more
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time. Don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget and don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases
13. Have backups...extra car key in your wallet, extra house key buried in the garden, etc
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut.) This simple piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble
15. Do something for the kid in you everyday
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line
17. Get enough exercise
18. Eat right

Author Unknown

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Press Release: "The Beachbody Revolution” Turn Your Weight Loss into Profit" system

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Diet pills from Brazil pose health risks: report

Reuters Health

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new report highlights the potentially serious health risks of using imported Brazilian-made prescription diet pills that combine amphetamines and other prescription medicines, such as anti-anxiety agents and antidepressants.

Banned amphetamine-based weight loss pills are easily available via the Internet and are being illicitly imported into the United States, warns the report's author, Massachusetts-based internist Dr. Pieter A. Cohen from Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge and Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Cohen became concerned about the pills' use when he noticed that many patients were experiencing unexplained chest pain and other symptoms, a statement from Cambridge Alliance explains. Eventually, some of these patients admitted that they were using the imported diet pills.

In the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Cohen describes one patient -- a 26-year-old woman -- who made several trips to her doctor complaining of chest pain, palpitations, headaches, insomnia, nausea and fatigue.

Her symptoms started soon after she began taking Brazilian-made diet pills in an effort to lose weight after her daughter was born. Amphetamines (stimulants) and benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs) were detected in her urine and the specific stimulant fenproporex, which is banned in the US, and the anti-anxiety drug chlordiazepoxide, were identified in her diet pills.

After the woman lost 30 pounds, she stopped taking the pills and her symptoms disappeared, although she said she had cravings for the diet pills. When the woman started to regain the lost weight, she restarted the diet pills at which point her symptoms returned.

Another patient, a 38-year-old municipal truck driver who admitted to using imported diet pills, was suspended from work after testing positive for amphetamine on a routine occupational drug screen. Fenproporex and the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) were identified in his pills. While taking the pills he experienced insomnia and palpitations. He reported losing 12 pounds in 2 weeks.

In both cases, according to Cohen, the pills were acquired from an acquaintance and written on the pill vials were another patient's name, a physician's name and a pharmacist's name, as well as a regional council of pharmacists' license number.

"Since the pills are prescribed by physicians, some people assume they must be safe," Cohen said in a statement. "In fact, since the labels are misleading, people have no idea what dangerous cocktail of medications they are actually using."

In Brazil, prescriptions for these "compounded" diet pills are usually obtained from doctors in private practices who often market themselves as obesity experts, Cohen also notes. However, "none of the medications included in these diet pills are indicated for the treatment of obesity according to commonly accepted practice guidelines."

SOURCE: Journal of General Internal Medicine, December 2008.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Beachbody Changed My Life

Beachbody has asked the coaches to email a paragraph to them on how Beachbody has changed our lives. Here is my response:

"Coaching has not only been a blessing for me, but it has blessed my family. My younger brother had to undergo brain surgery in June last year for a brain tumor. He suffered an operative brainstem stroke and had to relearn how to do basic things again like walk & eat. His insurance did not cover inpatient rehab, which he needed. My husband and I decided to private pay for the services. I am using my Beachbody profits solely to pay off those medical bills. I've been able to pay off several thousand dollars so far and know that I'll have it paid in full by the end of 2009. I'm forever grateful for my Beachbody business. My brother can now walk and is considering becoming a coach himself!"

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Squish the Girls

I turned 40 this year and am now at that wonderful threshold of yearly mammograms. I know that some women despise them, but I'm not one of them. I also don't mind paps, so perhaps I'm a freak. I mean, I don't consider it equivalent to a fun day at the zoo, but I do what I need to do to stay healthy.

I'm not menopausal...yet, but I have started to think about whether or not I will take hormones. Well, I just read an article this am about a new study that is a tad scary. I am leaning towards not taking them when the time comes.

I'm not here to tell you one way or another what to do. You need to do your own research and weigh all the pros and cons. I am going to tell you, however, that despite whatever you decide, get your girls squished. Have a baseline mammogram done at age 35 and then yearly starting at 40. Of course if you or your family has a family history of breast cancer, discuss the best plan for you with your doctor.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Self, I mean, scale-hatred

I HATE scales. I LOATHE scales. They are nothing but a source of frustration and lies.

I can't begin to tell you how many people I have had to talk down from the ledge because of what that little piece of #&$* has said to them.

So many factors can affect that little number that drives us to sweat bullets. What we are wearing, what we had to drink, what we had to eat, what our health status is, etc.

The scale doesn't tell us the most important part...what our muscle to fat ratio is. I know people who are 140 lbs but wear a size 2 because they are muscle and compact. I also know people who are 140 lbs but wear a size 10 because they are more fat than muscle. Fat takes up more space.

Here is a picture to illustrate:


This is one pound of muscle and one pound of fat. Both weigh the same, but you can see that the muscle takes up less space. Be less concerned about what your scale says and more concerned about your body fat percentage. Get yourself a pair of body fat calipers. If you need more info about how to find out your body fat, go to my website and click contact. I'll be happy to guide you.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Brian's Brain Update

Just got off the phone with mom. They are on their way home from the neurosurgeon now.

Dr VanLovern doesn't feel that the current situation is an emergency. He wants Brian to get stronger and take off some weight. Dr V would like to do surgery at the end of March/beginning of April. If push comes to shove, he WILL do it in February, but he would prefer not to.

The pressure that Brian is feeling IS probably coming from the residual tumor. Also, and I COMPLETELY FORGOT about this, after brain surgery, people can experience severe headaches for a year afterwards. His nerve endings are waking up, so he is getting this sensation now.

Brian will just keep taking the pain meds as needed. Although he has a gym membership, he fatigues so quickly that he hasn't been going. The fatigue is tumor-related. I have a nice treadmill that I may ask Keith to help talk over there. If Brian can jump on it in 5 or 10 min spurts when he does feel good, it can help. They are also going to adjust his steroids.

So, I feel like I can breathe because we know exactly where we are and have a plan. The unknown piece sucked sooo much.

...and I've decided to jump on the ChaLEAN Extreme bandwagon!!!!! I'll finish out this week doing various workouts, and officially start it on Monday. I may have to stop in the midst of phase 3, but that is ok.

WHEW!

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

My Coaching Journey Can Be YOURS!

When my husband's unit was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2004, I was working 50-60 hours a week as a nurse manager and our then 3-year old was in daycare. It was a difficult time. When my hubby came home for a week of R&R, he came home to a stressed out wife and angry little boy. Because I was living it day-to-day, I didn't see it. I made the decision that week to quit my job and become a stay-at-home mom. Although we took a MAJOR pay cut, I don't regret the decision in the least.

Over the last few years, I've worked occasionally as a nurse, but I have primarily been a SAHM and homeschooled my son. We have learned to live very basic. Again, no regrets.

In 2007, I discovered Beachbody workout programs on an infomerical and made a spontaneous decision to order Slim in 6. That decision has changed my life in so many ways. At the time, I had NO CLUE about the online fitness community or the business opportunity. Once I did find out the possibilities, I jumped at the chance.

I have now been an online fitness coach for a full year, but I have only really "worked" the business since March. In that time, I have watched my income increase into something meaningful...all while remaining at home with my son. It has been a Godsend because we have incurred thousands of dollars of debt due to my brother's medical issues.

It is hard to put into words the incredible opportunity that coaching provides. I try to explain to people that we are TRULY on the ground floor and that 2009 is THE pivotal year. When the Beachbody Revolution infomerical hits the airwaves, this opportunity will break wide open!!! People, I'm serious, DON'T miss out on this!!!!

NOW is the time to become a coach. When you become an Emerald coach (meaning that you have personally sponsored 2 coaches,) you are eligible to receive weekly cycle bonuses AND customers directly from the company. When you are under a Diamond coach (such as myself,) your weekly bonuses actually can increase dramatically because the Diamond coaches will be receiving the coaches coming into the company via the infomerical.

I know...I know...clear as mud.

With some hard work and elbow grease, I went from making less than $20/week to $1250/month in a year's time! People, that is a mortgage or credit card payment!!!!! A coach who is 3 coaches above me (my coach's coach's coach) made over $370,000 in a year!!!!!!!

I know that this sounds too good to be true, and some days, it feels like it. I'll be happy to make time to personally talk with you about it. Shoot me an email, and we can arrange a time.

***At this time, the coaching opportunity is open to US residents only.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Shameless Plug

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! It is a new beginning for many people. More people make resolutions this time of year than ANY OTHER TIME!!!

Can you guess what that resolution is???? Come on...I give you one guess.

WEIGHT LOSS!

So, here comes my shameless plug. I can HELP you!!!!! I can help you for FREE!!! No joke. I coach people for free. I do it online via email and message boards, so I literally coach people all over the USA and in other countries. You don't have to use any specific products, but I am very partial to Beachbody products because they ROCK! I can help guide you with your food choices, your workout choices, etc. I am someone for you to be accountable to.

Do you want to change your life? Now is the time to do it! Go to my website and see what I can offer. Click on Coach Ro and read my story. I am JUST LIKE YOU! Then click About Beachbody and click Free Membership. You will fill out a short form and, like magic, I'm your coach!

Let's make positive changes in 2009 together...for ourselves, our health, our families!

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

Enroll now...

A plug shall be coming tomorrow...but...until then...

I am very excited to be able to offer a FREE 14 week "Great Results" E-Course, written by a physician who I personally know and is a fitness coach just like me. This course will help you tackle the number one resolution: GET IN SHAPE!

If you would like to receive these weekly emails, subscribe in the side bar! Oh, and did I mention that this is F-R-E-E!?!?!?

Start 2009 off on the right foot. Cheers to our health!

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

http://www.GoFitCoach.com