Happy Anniversary to Me! :-)

Today is my 18th wedding anniversary, so I am taking the day off from posting. Going to a bed & breakfast for some quality R&R. ;-)

R.I.P.

Sad day yesterday...enough said.

Wise Choices: Keeping Weight Off

The National Weight Control Registry continues to give us clues about how to keep weight off:

• Keep eating fewer calories.
• Exercise regularly. Over 90% of those who’ve kept their weight off use physical activity as part of their weight control program.
• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Weigh yourself daily. Plan for how to get back on track if your weight begins to creep up.
• Watch the fast food. People in the registry eat fast food less than once a week, and eat out no more than 3 times a week.
• Don’t be a couch potato. Almost 2 of every 3 people in the registry watch less than 10 hours of TV per week—much less than average. Try to exercise instead of eating while you watch.
• Stay consistent. Those who “go off their diet” on weekends, vacations or holidays have a harder time keeping weight off.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEITH!

I want to wish my wonderful husband, Keith, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. Hard to believe that it was 20 years ago that we started dating!!!

I love you, babe!

My NEW Coaching Thread

I am spread out all over...in different forums, blog, email, Facebook, Twitter...to name a few. In an effort to consolidate everything and to be able to find important, pertinent info when you or I need it, I have started my own COACHING THREAD!

Will I still be available via email? Of course. Will I still be on Facebook? Come on, can anyone LIVE without FB? :P Will I still be on Twitter? Yep, I'll be doing my share of Tweets. Will I still blog? Now you are just being silly.

Huh...what's that? So what's the point of a coaching thread too?

Well, sometimes we just need more SPACE to say what we need to say. Space for YOU to post your meal plans and let me break them down. Space for YOU to vent about the bad food day. Space for ME to archive those great articles and information that WE may want quick access to. The list goes on and on. Oh, and page flips always feature a HOT GUY too...that's reason enough! (Come on, men, don't give me a hard time. It's MY thread, so I can have the hot guy! :D)

So, please join me. I don't care what you are doing for exercise...a program, the gym, outside activities, nothing and need to start. ALL ARE WELCOME!

My Coaching Thread

Doc's Great Summer Coaching Challenge

Just like last year, the prize is GREAT!

You and up to 4 guests will be Doc's guest for 7 nights at the fabulous Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman - voted 2009 Luxury Travel Advisor - Best Luxury Family Resort in the World and 2008 Condé Nast Traveler - Readers’ Choice Awards #1 Resort in the Caribbean.

This incredible private poolside 2,400 sq. ft. residence is exquisitely furnished with 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, and a private patio overlooking a lush tropical garden, just a few steps from the pool and world-famous Seven Mile Beach.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, in the heart of Seven Mile Beach, is truly one of the finest resorts in the world. Among its features are Blue Tip, a world-class Greg Norman-designed golf course; Silver Rain, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean; two restaurants by acclaimed chef Eric Ripert from New York’s Le Bernardin; a Nick Bollettieri designed tennis program tennis with both clay and grass courts; the Ambassadors of the Environment Ritz Kids program designed by Jean-Michel Cousteau; and the incomparable service of the Ritz-Carlton.

The condo normally rents out for as much as $2,000 or more per night! But one lucky coach will stay on Doc for a week! Sorry, airfare not included (See below).

Contest rules:

The contest runs from June 6th through August 29th, 2009.

To qualify to win, you must:

1. Be a Beachbody coach in Doc's downline.

Helllooo...if you are not a coach yet, what are you waiting for? If you become a coach under me (ROCHELLE,) then you WILL be in Doc's downline. Simply click the BECOME A COACH link near the top of my blog for more info.

2. Talk to people.
Document that you've talked with 25 or more people about Beachbody products or coaching. Email does not count, it must be in person, over the phone, via Skype, or some other live verbal method of communication. You can initiate contact by email, but cannot count a contact until you've actually talked to them.

3. Build your business.
Personally sponsor two new coaches during the contest period. You and your 2 new coaches must all be active by the end of the day (Midnight Pacific time) on August 29th.

Achieving the above will give you an entry in the drawing for a trip-of-a lifetime to the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. One coach will be picked to win the trip from all the eligible entries.

Chances of winning will be related to the total number of eligible entries. This is not open to all 20,000+ coaches in Team Beachbody. This is only to Doc's downline- about 300 or so. Of that group, not everyone will qualify. In fact for last year's contest we only had about 10 eligible entries! Your chances to win will be phenomenal. You may never have such good odds for such a big prize again!

Stack the odds: Build your business bigger!

If you want to improve your odds even more, just add more coaches. After you meet the initial qualifications, every additional coach that joins your team will earn you one additional entry in the drawing.

Become a coach, then I (ROCHELLE) will fill you in on all the details!




Last year's winner Coach Josh on Seven Mile Beach.


Could it get any better?

Of course. If at least 12 different coaches qualify for the drawing, with at least 6 coming from each of Doc's left and right legs, Doc will pay for your airfare! Up to $800. (Multiple entries in the drawing by the same coach only count as one coach for this purpose.)

Good luck!

Beachbody Buyer Beware

CLINTON TOWNSHIP: Man charged in counterfeit DVD case

A Clinton Township man is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 17 on charges that he counterfeited a video workout DVD set that retails for about $120 and sold it on Craigslist for less than half that price.

Salvatore Joseph Finazzo, 48, is charged with two counts of copying audio-video recording for gain and one count of using a computer to commit a crime, township police Capt. Rich Maierle said. Finazzo was released after paying 10% of a $7,500 bond, authorities said.

Maierle said Finazzo was counterfeiting P90X workout sets, selling them and delivering them to buyers. Police said they arrested him after setting up an undercover buy. They found other sets in Finazzo's Jeep Wrangler and found equipment to copy the videos during a search of his house, Maierle said.

Folks, PLEASE be sure to only purchase Beachbody products from Beachbody coaches. As coaches, we are familiar with the products and do much more than sell them. We COACH you through them. If you buy them via Craig's List or other "outlets," you may be missing very important pieces of the program. The guides that come with them are like GOLD and so important. You will short-change yourself in the long run. It's not worth it.

Shaun T Insanity Sneak Peek!

This INSANE program will be available NEXT month!

What We Do Is Patriotic!

**This is from Beachbody's CEO, Carl Daikeler, blog.**

I spent the last two days in Washington, DC speaking with Congressmen, lobbyists, and the President's Personnel Office (PPO) about Team Beachbody, and the importance of promoting a balanced approach to health and fitness.

I urged everyone I met to use us as a resource and sounding board, thinking beyond the highly publicized insurance aspect of the health care crisis to how we get people HEALTHY.

Beachbody and its coaches do it everyday, with intense focus on how to make health and fitness exciting, convenient, and affordable. And we have invested millions in connecting people to a new site of peer support that will be the epicenter of it's own revolution after it launches June 10th.

I asked the PPO, which is steering the formation of the President's Council on Fitness and Health on behalf of President Obama, to consider alternatives to the traditional appointments and instead look for ways to empower individuals to take accountability for their health and fitness.

As important as scientific advice is to helping make sure people are doing the right thing to get healthy results, and as inspiring as speeches by fitness celebrities can be to attract attention to the concept, what we need is a grassroots movement where millions of people take accountability for themselves and their health - the way so many Beachbody coaches and customers are doing every day.

Normally faced with blank stares and responses like "what's an infomercial guy going to tell me about getting people healthy?", I was incredibly encouraged by the attitude and enthusiasm for what we are doing.

Between meetings I managed to get in my own run around the Capital. I stopped at the Lincoln Memorial and took a moment to read the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the wall. It's truly one of the greatest speeches in American History, and will inspire anyone to fight for the preservation - and underlying health - of this country and its constitutional freedoms. I felt a sense of patriotic duty to continue investing in our momentum and celebrating the people who are helping us succeed.

From time to time I will return to DC to create new relationships and expand awareness of Beachbody's mission to help people achieve their goals and lead healthy fulfilling lives. And I will always be proud of the connection our company and our coaches have to reversing the health crisis. We are the change. I believe that. We are helping restore the health and prosperity of this country by inviting our friends and neighbors to get active and paying them for helping others get healthy and fit.

I am so proud of what we do and the enthusiasm with which we do it. Thank you for being a part of building this, as we only just begun on our quest for one million coaches and 100 million customers!

Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity

Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than old-fashioned exercise.

The merits of exercise — from preventing chronic health conditions to boosting confidence and self-esteem — are hard to ignore. And the benefits are yours for the taking, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing? Check out seven specific ways exercise can improve your life.

1. Exercise improves your mood.

Need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help you calm down.

Exercise stimulates various brain chemicals, which may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out. You'll also look better and feel better when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Exercise even reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.

2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent osteoporosis? Regular exercise might be the ticket.

Regular exercise can help you prevent — or manage — high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. Regular exercise boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol while decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in your arteries.

And there's more. Regular exercise can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.

3. Exercise helps you manage your weight.

Want to drop those excess pounds? Trade some couch time for walking or other physical activities.

This one's a no-brainer. When you exercise, you burn calories. The more intensely you exercise, the more calories you burn — and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. You don't even need to set aside major chunks of time for working out. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk during your lunch break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Better yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk. Dedicated workouts are great, but activity you accumulate throughout the day helps you burn calories, too.

4. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs.

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Don't throw in the towel. Regular exercise can leave you breathing easier.

Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular exercise helps your entire cardiovascular system — the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet! When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.

5. Exercise promotes better sleep.

Struggling to fall asleep? Or stay asleep? It might help to boost your physical activity during the day.

A good night's sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. And, you guessed it, exercise is sometimes the key to better sleep. Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. The timing is up to you — but if you're having trouble sleeping, you might want to try late afternoon workouts. The natural dip in body temperature five to six hours after you exercise might help you fall asleep.

6. Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life.

Are you too tired to have sex? Or feeling too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Exercise to the rescue.

Regular exercise can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Exercise improves your circulation, which can lead to more satisfying sex. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise, especially as they get older.

7. Exercise can be — gasp — fun!

Wondering what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Looking for an activity that suits the entire family? Get physical!

Exercise doesn't have to be drudgery. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Push your kids on the swings or climb with them on the jungle gym. Plan a neighborhood kickball or touch football game. Find an activity you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new. If you're moving, it counts!

Are you convinced? Good. Start reaping the benefits of physical activity today!

Source: The Mayo Clinic Staff

12 Ways to Spot a Fad Diet

Identifying Weight Loss Scams
-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

The next time you watch an infomercial, read an advertisement, or spot a new supplement reporting miraculous weight loss results, we wouldn’t blame you for cocking a wary eyebrow. When evaluating claims for weight loss products, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends a healthy portion of skepticism; most don’t come close to fulfilling their claims. And in the rare cases where a product might result in some temporary weight loss, it is almost never a permanent solution and is usually unsafe.

Before you spend money on products that promise fast and easy results, weigh the claims carefully. You might even consider contacting the FTC directly for more information or if you have concerns.

These 12 tips will help you critique and evaluate weight loss claims and spot a scam before it’s too late:

1. "It’s so easy to lose weight without dieting or exercising!" Face it—permanent weight loss takes work, effort and time. Pass on any products that promise miraculous results without the effort. Buy one and the only things you’ll lose are money and confidence.

2. "Eat whatever you want and still lose weight!" Losing weight requires sensible food choices, not overloading on high-fat, high calorie foods.

3. "Lose weight forever…you’ll never need to diet again!" For weight loss to be permanent, it requires lifestyle changes. On-going maintenance is always a must.

4. "Block the digestion and absorption of fat, carbs, or calories!" There is no magic potion that will allow you to block the digestion and absorption of fat, carbs, or calories. A little pill to curb cravings and suppress appetite just doesn’t exist.

5. "Rapid weight loss: Lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks!" Looking to lose weight rapidly for your high school reunion or wedding? Products that safely produce lightning-fast weight loss just don’t exist. A weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week is the safest and most effective way to take off weight and keep it off.

6. "Finally, a weight loss formula for everyone!" A diet that claims to be perfect for all is erroneous. One-size-fits-all just doesn’t work. Your lifestyle habits and health concerns are unique.

7. "Lose weight with this miracle diet patch, cream or gel!" You’ve heard it all before—"Apply and watch the fat melt away!" But truthfully, all that melts away is your hard earned money.

8. "Scientifically Proven! Doctor Endorsed!" Where is the proof and how was the research conducted? Were people studied, or rodents? Were there 3 subjects in the study or 3,000? Has the research been published in a medical journal and reviewed by peers? A doctor of what profession? Or is the "professional" as purely fictitious as your weight loss will be? Be sure to check the details.

9. "Money-back guarantee!" It may make you feel safer to give the product a try, but realize that many companies do not follow through with this promise. You’re left holding an empty promise and an empty pocketbook.

10. "100% safe!" Just another attempt, trying to get you hooked with a meaningless phrase. Think of it this way – if there were no reason to doubt, why would they need to make this claim at all? Many products have been removed from the market due to safety issues, but not until too many lives were already destroyed or lost. Does ephedra ring a bell?

11. Those convincing testimonials: We can all look 10 pounds slimmer by: standing up straight, shoulders back, and stomach in; having a good hair day; applying the right make-up; and hiring a professional photographer. Remember, just because you recognize the actor or actress doesn’t make the product any more reliable. They are now just a little richer and you a little poorer.

12. "A miraculous breakthrough!" Turn and run the other direction when extravagant claims make the product sound to good to be true.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).