I’ve had the great fortune to be among the P90X/P90X2 cast for the QVC showcases over the last year.  These are typically long days with up to 6 shows in a 2-day period, leaving sleep and muscles beyond the definition of fatigue.

That being said, it tends to create some of the most gut wrenching belly laughs and over the top goofy-antics.  After each trip out to QVC, I typically get a flood of emails with questions like, “what’s it like behind the scenes”, “how is Tony Horton off camera”, “does everyone get along” or “are you really working out the ENTIRE show” – YES, that’s real sweat people!

So I thought I’d share a little sneak peak into what goes on behind the scenes while at QVC headquarters.

As many of you saw from all my Facebook posts and pictures, we just returned from a 7 show stint, in a 24 hour period.  It was grueling, but since Beachbody always does a stand up job of selecting a cast that compliment one another, here’s what our 48 hour trip entailed:

Day 1:

3:15am (PST): Wake up, shower and ready for flight

4:15am: Car pick up for Airport

6:10am: First leg of flight to Philadelphia by way of O’Hare

1:45pm (CST): Second leg of flight to Philly

4:30pm (EST): Arrive in Philly and it’s off to the airport

5:00pm – 10:00pm: Free time/Rest/Nap/Work

10:00pm – Meet in lobby to head to QVC studios for 1^st show

12:00am (EST): First 1 hour airing of P90X2 showcase (full cast)

2:00am: Back at hotel for 3 hours of sleep

Day 2:

5:00am: Wake up, shower and prep for 2^nd show – just 20 minute Hit.

7:00am: 20 min Hit of P90X2 (1^st half of Cast only – myself included)

9:00am: 20 Min Hit of P90X2 (1^st half of Cast only)

9:30am: Breakfast…FINALLY!!

12:00pm: 20 Min Hit of P90X2 (2^nd half of cast)

12:30pm: Head to local gym for a workout of Shoulders & Arms w/ Tony and cast.

2:30pm: Back at QVC to rest, eat lunch and prep for LIVE show.

6:00pm: Live studio audience; 1-hour showcase (full cast, split 30 mins)

7:00pm: Meet n’ greet with audience

7:30pm: Rest and snack and lots of delirious conversation

9:00pm: 20 Min Hit of P90X2 (partial cast – myself included)

10:30pm: FINAL 20 Min Hit of P90X2 (partial cast – myself included)

11:00pm: Back to hotel for pre-ordered dinner and BED!

Day 3:

7:30am: Get ready to head home!

Nuts, isn’t it??

In between each of the shows and the 16 hour time period we were at QVC, we sure had a lot of fun and certainly learned a ton about one another, perhaps more so than one would desire – LOL.

We were beyond delirious as we entered into the later afternoon and evening show times.  We would find ourselves laughing at an iPhone app that would repeat back to you in a cat voice (Talking Tom Cat app), whatever you say.  I had tears running down my face with laughter.  I come home to do it and show my kids, not as many tears of laughter, but still entertaining.

Then we turned to Facebook to get some good laughs….were the posts funny?  Probably not, but when working on 6 hours of sleep in a 48 hour period, EVERYTHING was funny.

For the ladies, we probably had to reapply our makeup between each show, as we all came to the same decision that it was too much effort to wash and re-wash after each show.  That being said, LOTS of deodorant and toothpaste!  Haha.

I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to be apart of this experience.  I feel blessed to be able to share my story of my P90X transformation and how it changed my frumpy Mommy figure into a fit n’ lean Mommy, and to be able to share that with viewers, is truly an honor.  Not to mention, Tony and each of the hosts had amazing rapport with one another.  They could be successful selling brown paper bags if they had to!  P90X2 certainly came easy to get excited about for Tony, as he genuinely has a passion for functional fitness changing the lives of America!

We are always looking for success stories with P90X, P90X2 or any of the Beachbody related products.  If you have one, please share it below!

I was so excited that my Insanity Asylum arrived – and what beautiful packaging, at that, but I was torn if I should start it with the borage of other Team Beachbody friends, or wait out my husband’s Achilles injury and hope he can pick Insanity back up with me.

So, with little to no improvement and the copious amounts of Insanity Asylum reviews being posted, photographed, video taped, etc., I was feeling left out.

Took the plunge, asked my  hubby to film my doing the Insanity Asylum Athletic Performance Assessment (aka Fit Test), to not only assure my form was on point, but to document this BEAST of a workout.  And this was just the Fit Test!  Holy heck…hang on.

Last week I shared what this freakish 30-day program was all about (click here to read Insanity: The Asylum is Here!), but to now have it in my hands and taunting me to no end…that’s a whole new animal!

So, I previewed the Athletic Performance Assessment the day prior, so I was mentally prepared, so I thought.  The day of, a whole new story.  With a 3 year old up, before he usually is in the morning, and trying to work through that perfect camera angle, I was already frustrated (sorry hun!).

Now, add the agility ladder and rapid rounds of rotations (1 minute per move), one is guaranteed to be defeated.

But I stuck it through and here’s how it went:

Oh, but WARNING – you may throw up in your mouth!

I say I faired pretty well…although this is just the beginning!   Stay tuned as I embark on the next 30 days of this BEAST of a challenge!  Insanity Asylum…where’s my straight jacket?

Your partner in health & fitness.

Who doesn’t want to proudly boast that they are a P90X grad?  It’s amazing how people look at you in a whole new light,  not to mention strikes up some great conversations.

So, I had some exclusive P90X apparel made in both Men’s & Women’s sizes, so be sure to take a look at them and get your order in.  I have only a few left, as they FLEW out the door!

See below for a BONUS offer!

Here’s the FRONT and BACK of the Men’s (as shown on my strikingly handsome, husband):

Women’s FRONT and BACK (on yours truly):

Get your order in and whether you are currently doing P90X, about to start, a P90X Grad or simply supporting a loved one through their journey – WEAR IT WITH PRIDE!

 

Sizes:

Women’s Small Women’s Medium Women’s Large Men’s Small Men’s Medium Men’s Large Men’s X-Large

Quantity:

1 2 3 4

As a P90X and Insanity grad, my husband and I were looking for an extra challenge.  Lucky for us, we have an incredible library of Beachbody programs to work with.

Since we both saw great results with both P90X and Insanity, we wanted to marry the two and decided to commit to a 90 Day hybrid of them both.  That 90 days has come and gone and we were both thrilled with the outcome.

I am down about 5% in body fat and my husband lost close to 25lbs, in the 90 day period!  Pretty sweet.

So what did the P90X & Insanity Hybrid look like?  Here is what our general calendar consisted of:

As a 6x grad of P90X, variety is one of the most important aspects of fitness. As that continues to follow the famed path of MUSCLE CONFUSION.  What I’ve come to learn, is that no matter how complex or challenging your respective workout program is, if you don’t switch it up, your body will stop responding to it. And that’s what led me to P90X in the first place, as I was running circles at the gym and seeing ZERO results.  WTF??

Fortunately for us, having the library that we do, we’ve got the great opportunity of combining various trainers’ fitness workout programs.  Thus, creating an intricate web of muscle-confusing possibilities and make it virtually impossible for your training program to go stale.

So what’s next?  I’m thinking a ChaLEAN Extreme & Insanity Hybrid, until Insanity Asylum comes out!  Oh, and to make you jealous, mine gets shipped NEXT WEEK!!  WOOOHOO.  Want your own copy?  Send me a message!

If you have a similar library of workout programs and need a little guidance on how to create your OWN hybrid, hit me up!  Happy to offer some suggestions.

Your partner in health & fitness.

What a great success our first 14-Day Challenge period was!  I felt like a proud Mama when I checked in with our group each day and read posts of success and encouragement.

This is what it’s all about and why I LOVE doing what I do!

Check out who our first Challenge winner is:

You want to be a part of this challenge?  It’s on-going and we are always looking to have more energy and motivation from anyone that wants to take control of their health!

Here’s the information with full detail of the Rapid Results Challenge and what it took for our winner to get their hands on a new Beachbody workout program* of their choice: http://bit.ly/Shakeology14Day

Who’s next?

Your partner in health & fitness.

*Winner can select one of the following workouts: Turbo Jam, Power 90 or Master Series, Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs or the equivalent value to contribute to their most desired program!

Sometimes we all just need that little “boost” or accountability to fire things back up, right?  Well, that’s what I need, as I prepare for a cruise with 300 of my favorite fitness & nutrition buffs in a few weeks.

For you, maybe it’s time to do some Spring-cleaning in the ol’ diet, create a new nutrition habit or just hit the RESET button.

Regardless of why you decide to join the program, have faith knowing you are doing something GREAT for yourself.  And you know what, share it with other people!  I’ve got many of my friends, family, customers and partners doing it with me, because there are power in numbers.  I know I won’t fail if I have encouragement.

So, thank you to my dear friend Steph Perez, it’s come to this: The 14-Day Shakeology Rapid Results Challenge.

Here’s the game plan – starts on MONDAY FEBRUARY 28TH:

1. Get on Shakeology Home Direct (HD = get yourself free shipping & 2 Free workouts).  FREE stuff, yeah! **Psst: if you are new to Shakeology and purchase it on HD as my new customer or upgrade to a Club Membership or Coach account on HD, I will send you a Tony Horton One on One workout of your choice OR Insanity’s Fast & Furious workout at the completion of the contest period.

2.  Commit to replacing just ONE meal a day with your favorite Shakeology and recipe. (Check out the 30 Day calendar).

3.  Press play at least 4 to 6 x’s a week and CHALLENGE yourself!  Don’t just go through the motions.  If it’s your 2nd round of P90X or ChaLEAN Extreme, up the weight, do 2 more reps or SLOOOOOW down your repetitions.

4.  Either at kick off or end of the 14-day program, do the 3-Day Shakeology Cleanse.  For me, it will come at the end.

5. Request to join our Facebook Group – Success with Taryn: Accountability Group (please, only customers of Taryn’s – no Coaches) and post your success (so we can celebrate), questions (so you can be successful), tips (if you have ‘em to share with the group) and any feelings that may come during the challenge period.

6. Check into the group page as often as you can.  I’m not going to set any daily requirements, but by posting AT LEAST, 3 x’s a week, may just enter you into winning some end of challenge prizes!

As as participant AND my customer in the 14-Day Rapid Results Shakeology Challenge, I will assure your success in feeling better about your nutrition selections and helping you establish realistic expectations and a strategy to get there (success will only come with YOUR commitment to change bad habits).  I will also share with you how and what I eat to keep my energy up and sustain my weight through tools available as a Team Beachbody community member (free member and club member).

It’s not rocket science or a deprivation of foods and taste, but more of learning to make smart choices, with which, in my opinion, really clicked as I had Shakeology as my staple in my diet.

Ok, so you saw PRIZES and said, “pick me, pick me”!!  Now, on to the FUN PART!

You stay within the 14 Day Challenge period (but it doesn’t’ end there, right?), there’s some prizes in store for the remaining participants!  Here’s how staying motivated can win you some loot:

• When the challenge begins, check in as often as you can.  I’m not going to set any daily requirements, but at a minimum, check in and post on the Group Page, 3 x’s during the 14-day challenge.
• As mentioned above, if you become a new Shakeology HD customer, upgrade to a Club Membership or a “discount” Coach account (you’ll need to confirm TARYNPERRY is your Coach via TeamBeachbody.com), I will send you a One on One video of your choice OR Insanity’s Fast & Furious DVD for free!!  BUT, you also have to commit to sticking through the challenge to earn it!
• At the end of the 14-Day Challenge period, for anyone still active and successful (you’ve been on Shakeology HD, posted in the group page, pushed play, etc.), I will select 2 winners, AT RANDOM, to receive a another special gift.

Who’s with me??

Have questions or need help ordering up?  Send me an email and I’m there for you: taryn@choose2befit.com.

Your partner in health & fitness.

We are all looking for short cuts or “quick references” on the foods we SHOULD eat and the ones we should STAY AWAY from, right?

Well, here’s a great quick reference, dubbed Michi’s Ladder, on what foods will aid in weight loss (Tiers 1 & 2) and which ones will work against it (Tiers 4 & 5).

Of course, having a diet rich in whole foods, meaning those that aren’t processed, laden with MSG and other “non-foods”, the better off your body will be.   So reach for the foods that are on the outer skirts of your favorite grocery store.  The ones that are in the center aisles, are generally loaded with fillers and MSG to maintain their shelf life, hence why they are on the SHELF!!  Right??

If in doubt, GO RAW!  Eating raw, whole foods will re-energize and get your metabolism back in check and to be a more efficient fat burning machine.  Check out renowned author and respected fitness trainer, Alissa Cohen, and her articles on how LIVE FOODS are where it’s at!

Go back to the basics and fuel your body with what we were intended to eat – colorful fruits & vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates (great sources CAN be found in the produce section – think sweet potato, squash, etc).  Trust me, your body and health, will THANK YOU!

Your partner in health & fitness.

* Please note – I am not a nutritionist or registered Dietician, so the information posted above is just MY recommendation based on what has worked for ME to get back into better health.  I have more energy and a faster metabolism, that allows me to perform and sustain better at my workouts.  In regards to Michi’s Ladder above, this is a quick reference as recommended by the Team Beachbody nutritional specialists/staff.  To access your own meal plans and recipes, active a Club Membership (and save 10% on your favorite at home workouts and/or Shakeology).  Everybody needs to start somewhere, and hopefully these suggestions will open the doors to YOUR health’s future.

This was a call I hosted to my Team Beachbody Coach organization and all others that wanted to tune in and ask questions about joining the business or being a part of it.

There were a great many of questions, most asked by current Coaches and a few questions that were emailed in, prior to the call.   Questions ranged from How to leverage Social Media/Network Marketing to How you can hold a Coach account without being a “Coach”.

TUNE IN TO HEAR THE ANSWERS:

If you have ever thought about becoming a Coach and have questions of your own, be sure to check out my FAQ’s post, our MyFitnesspays.com site or email me directly: taryn@choose2befit.com.

Your partner in health & fitness.

So I’ve done the 3-Day cleanse once before, although didn’t track my daily feelings and experience, so 2nd time around, I decided it was necessary to share it.

Here’s my journal in detailing my 2^nd experience with the 3-Day Shakeology cleanse.  If you haven’t already, check out my post on The Science Behind the Shakeology Cleanse.  Please do your research, don’t go in blindly looking for a quick fix.

Here is the general menu that I followed, as previously mentioned in an earlier blog post.

Day 1:

Although the day started out a little rough, not due to the cleanse, but more of my  kids waking up on the wrong side of the bed, the day quickly changed for the better as we got through the day.  The cleanse has so far treated me well!  Although I’ve done the cleanse before, I still am surprised at the energy and lack of bloat I felt, just after the end of Day 1.  Wonderful feeling.

I decided to switch the schedule around a tad, as I teach 2 group fitness classes on Tuesday’s, not to mention had my own workout in the AM.  So instead of having the salad for dinner, I elected to have it for lunch, store my veggie and lean (white) protein spinach salad as energy and fuel to get through my classes, and end my day with a tasty Greenberry Shakeology.  It was a wonderful way to cap off the evening, coupled with some Yogi Peach Detox tea.

Time to head to bed, gear up for tomorrow’s P90X workout – Shoulders/Arms & Ab Ripper X.  I know a good night’s rest is in the cards, and as I recall from last cleanse, I slept like a baby each night.

I’m thrilled I can experience this journey with my fellow cleansing friends – Beverly, Donna, Jayn, Tim, Jessica and all others that are doing it well.  Great encouragement to get by.  I mean, it’s only 3 days, right??

Good night.

Day 2:

Well day started off on the right foot with a great workout – P90X Shoulders/Arms & Ab Ripper X.  This week I’m focusing on lifting heavy and I was amazed at the strength I had being on this cleanse.  Noticing some major definition – but ladies, its LEAN definition.  No bulk here.

My energy was up the entire day and I didn’t feel hungry with how I spaced out my shakes and salad.  I was nervous on  how I was going to work around  my day in my daughter’s Co-Op classroom, but I came prepared and make up my shake before I left and stored it in the fridge to enjoy during their snack time.  While all the kids and parents enjoyed a great spread of veggies, fruit, Ting-Tings and a homemade gluten free snack bar, I sipped away, guilt and regret free.  Not to mention, I shared my experience with a few of the Mom’s.

In talking with my friends that are joining me on the cleanse, they have already experienced great results – losing from 2.5 to 6 lbs in just 2 days.  I haven’t stepped on the scale, as I have a superstition to wait until the final day, so I can really enjoy the full results.

So, ending the day with a great attitude, fun filled with the kids and great energy.  Looking forward to tomorrow and what the day begins.  I know it will start off great, as Yoga X is on the docket.

Good night.

Day 3:

Final day.  I’m feeling awesome, really.  I have tons of energy.  Less bloat, less desire for the bad stuff and overall clarity.  I’ll take that.  Today’s workout was Yoga X and it felt wonderful.  I felt more fluidity in my poses and strength in holding form longer.  The cleanse or just gaining strength?  Hmm…jury’s out. Regardless, I was stoked.

Again, I opted to have my salad for lunch, instead of dinner.  I found that gave me that mid-day boost to fire through the rest of the day, and allowed me to unwind from the day with my final Shakeology after I got home from my Thursday evening class I teach.

There you have it.  3-Day cleanse came and went.  I plan to do this once a month or every other month.  This feeling of clarity is addicting!!

Drum roll…………………………………

FINAL RESULTS – 5 lbs down and an inch of my waistline.  Now, I’m not saying that my overall goal was to drop weight (that came as a bonus), but more of clean out the “gunk” that gets built up.  Mission accomplished.

Now, onto my maintenance program of continuing with my Primal (Blueprint) lifestyle and having 1 Shakeology a day.

If you are interested in hearing more about Shakeology, check it out here: www.shake4wellness.com.  There is a new tab called “The Doctors”.  See what they are saying about the product.  If you want to try the cleanse yourself, you can order from my website as well – but let me suggest that you get it ordered via Home Direct (HD) and get FREE shipping and other free loot.  Well worth it!

Your partner in health & fitness!

*This was recently discussed in last week’s “3-Day Shakeology Explained”, webinar, and since so many missed it or had questions, I wanted to post this written explanation by Steve Edwards, one of the masterminds behind this amazing cleanse.  For more information or to view my experience, visit my website and check out My Blog.

I like to call the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse a “performance cleanse.” This is because it was designed to be done with a workout program. Let’s take a look at how this differs from other cleanses, how to tailor it to your needs, and what to expect if you or your customers decide to try it.

First of all, it’s not a true cleanse. It’s a calorie-restricted and nutrient-dense diet plan. Traditional cleanses contain very few calories and nutrients. Compared to the much more popular Master Cleanse, it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Traditional cleansing diets are done to rid your system of toxins and bring it into homeostasis. They also contain a spiritual aspect. This process can take a long time, which is why you may have seen coworkers walking around the office in a zombie-like state for weeks on end—swilling a strange concoction of lemons and maple syrup.

The Shakeology cleanse is nothing like that. Depending on how you decide to do it, you’ll be eating frequently and consuming between 800 and 1,200 calories per day, and it could be even more should you feel the need. The point of this cleanse is not calorie restriction, per se—it’s nutrient efficiency. The aim is to get the most nutrients possible into the fewest number of calories. The goal is to put all of these calories to use as a part of your exercise program, to rid your body of undigested foods and toxins, and to bring your hydration levels into homeostasis. The result you’re after is not weight loss—though it will likely occur—but for your body to be running more efficiently. This should make you feel lighter and more energetic, even though you’re doing an exercise program.

How It Works
Your eating structure doesn’t change. You still eat every few hours while you’re awake. Each meal should have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. And while you’re not eating as much food as you’d normally eat, your calorie-to-nutrient ratio is extremely high. This means that you shouldn’t restrict the actual nutrients you’re getting by too much, so activity can continue as normal.

We recommend you try to keep your shakes to just Shakeology. Adding fruits of any kind, or seeds (for fat and fiber), or the Shakeology Fiber supplement, can and should be done as you see fit.

Ditto for your one solid meal—a salad. As we all know from any salad bar, the definition of salad can be varied. The goal of the salad in the plan is to keep your calories coming from natural sources (no artificial ingredients should be added, including artificial salad dressing). Aside from that, you can add ingredients as necessary. Keep your meat intake to four ounces or less, but add veggies, seeds, nuts, fruits, and legumes in quantities to satiate you.

The goal of the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is to optimize your performance. You want to eat enough to fuel your day AND your workout. The foods you’re eating are so high in fiber and nutrients that it’s virtually impossible to overeat. You’ll be consuming so much fiber, along with enzymes and digestive aids, that your body’s ability to flush excess foods quickly will be at its peak.

What to Drink
Water, of course, is recommended in quantity. This is vital to any cleanse, because one of your goals is to bring your hydration into homeostasis. When your electrolytes are out of balance—the main problem we have is salt—you often retain water outside of your cells. This situation, which we refer to as retaining water, is cured by drinking more water. As the excess salts are diffused, your body begins to hydrate your cells (using sodium as it should be used) and flush the water held outside the cells. So, oddly enough, you drink water to eliminate water retention.

Sodas, alcohols, juices, etc., should be eliminated entirely during a cleanse. Coffee and tea, which are diuretics, should be minimized at the very least and eliminated if possible. Again, performance is the key, so if you need a cup of Joe as a pick-me-up, go ahead. Just use only as needed, and don’t use additives. Eliminating sugar and chemicals is vital. However, do not use energy drinks or soda for this purpose, including the ones with artificial sweeteners. Coffee drinkers may find that switching to black tea during a cleanse will give you the energy you’re looking for with less upset. Coffee’s acidic nature can heighten the effects in a negative way during your cleanse.

Why You Won’t Lose Weight
I should say why you might not lose weight, but I wanted to get your attention. Most people will lose some weight during a cleanse, but that is not the goal. Those with a lot of undigested gunk in their systems will lose weight as it’s flushed out. Those of you who are properly hydrated and already eat well are less likely to lose. For those of you who need to lose weight, take heart: you are setting up your system to use nutrients more efficiently and improving your ability to lose weight through structured diet and exercise. So while you may not lose much on the cleanse, you’ll be more prepared to lose weight later.

Another reason why we don’t always lose weight on cleanses is due to a stress hormone called cortisol. Restricting calories is stressful to the body, and it reacts by releasing cortisol. Cortisol is performance-enhancing in the short term, but if you somehow keep your body stressed for long periods, it creates havoc in your system and can cause you to doggedly hang onto weight in a type of survival mode. We don’t want this to occur, which is one reason the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is short. It’s important not to remain in a highly calorie-deficient state for long periods of time, especially when you are trying to exercise hard.

View the entire Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse regimen here >>

If you want to get going on the 3-Day cleanse yourself, check out my website and kick start your metabolism.  *Free shipping on all Home Direct (HD) orders!!!

Your partner in health & fitness.