Happy Anniversary Karla!!!

There are times in your life that come along and alter your life forever.

• When I was 10 and started my ADD medication and became a whole new child
• When I was 14 and started public high school after being “the weird kid” at the private school.
• When I was 16 and a teacher pushed me to be more than I was.
• When I was 21 and had my heart thoroughly broken by a boyfriend I thought I was going to marry.
• When I was 24 and married my husband Dave and my son was born.
• When I was 26 and my daughter was born and we started attending the Bridge Church.
• And then last year on November 28^th Karla sent me a friend request on facebook.

Immediately she took me under her wing when I was feeling lonely, lost and broken.  She helped me rebuild my confidence that had been shattered by yo-yo dieting, being unhappy with myself, and not knowing where I fit in life. Shortly after we met I joined one of her challenge groups. I was able to get on track with my health and fitness. By February 14^th I was signed up to be a Team Beachbody Coach just like her.

Our Team at Summit

 Since then I have lost 35 pounds, traveled to Las Vegas for one of the best weekends of my life, started a fit club, hosted trainings for local coaches, spoke on stage in front of a very large crowd, spoke on a national team call, and the best part is I have met so many other people whose hearts are just as big. Now I get to help others on their journey to health just like Karla has helped me.

Karla and her Daughter Katheranne

Karla is the type of woman who would drop everything to help you. She is incredibly funny and smart. She has nurtured an amazing relationship with her daughter that I hope I can do the same with my children. She is really cool! How many people do you know who like to dress up as zombies, play like pirates, and workout like a body builder? Not many :) She has an amazing relationship with her husband. Something I bet many around them envy.  As a family they have persevered through some very tough times and become stronger because of it.The world is a much better place because Wonderful Woman is in it!!!

Karla,

I want to thank you so much for your love, wisdom, guidance, and most of all for you just believing in me. Your friendship is one of those life altering moments for me! I wouldn't have been able to do the things I have in the last year without you. Sometimes all someone needs is to have someone believe in them. I will forever be thankful for you. For the way you love others unconditionally and the passion you have for helping others. You brought me out of a place that I desperately needed saving from. Your Friend for life,

Beckey

Summit 2012

How to Use Shakeology in Your Daily Life

How to Use Shakeology in Your Daily Life

1. As a supplement meal: One of the best and most popular ways to use Shakeology is to prepare it as a healthy shake for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Shakeology formulas vary from 140-170 calories depending on the formula. Adding extra calorie dense ingredients like fruit, nut-butters, or milk gets you to a healthy caloric content that is both highly satisfying and nutritious.
2. Snack: Shakeology is an incredibly nutrient-rich snack, perfect for someone that's doing an intense workout program like P90X. Since Shakeology doesn't have much fat, its nutrients are put to use very quickly by your body. This makes it an ideal pick-me-up snack when you're on the go. You can either make yourself a ½ scoop serving of Shakeology or a full scoop if you're really famished. The key to losing weight is to eat small meals throughout the day, so if you feel like you're getting hungry Shakeology is a good, convenient option; a Shakeology snack will keep your metabolism revved and your body burning fat.
3. Pre-Workout Supplement: If you're doing an intense workout program, a good way to use Shakeology is as a pre-workout snack, taken about 1 hour prior to your warm-up. Your workout will help you get the most out of Shakeology, and Shakeology will help you during the latter part of your workout, especially if your glycogen stores have been slightly depleted. 
5. Post-Workout Supplement: When it comes to a serious workout, one of the many reasons trainers like P90X's Tony Horton and RevAbs' Brett Hoebel recommend drinking Shakeology post-workout is because your body is in a state of depletion. Here are several reasons why Shakeology is a good post-workout supplement:
   • Calories: Many people make the mistake of eating too many calories afterward. The general range is 100 to 250 calories, post-workout. At 140 to 170 calories, Shakeology fills this requirement perfectly.
   • Protein: Protein is critical after a tough workout because it works to repair your muscles. With 15 to 18 grams of quality protein in each serving, Shakeology works great as a muscle building tool.
   • Replenish Electrolytes: The magnesium, sodium, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in Shakeology will boost your electrolytes.
6. Natural Energy Boost: Next time the 3 PM slump rolls around, make Shakeology; it's better for an energy boost than a lot of energy drinks! While something like Red Bull^® might give you more up-front punch, Shakeology will give you sustained energy because it's providing nutrients your body needs to get things done, and it has a low glycemic impact, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable.
7. Late Night Sweet Cravings: Sometimes at the end of the day you crave something sweet; this happens to the best of us. Instead of grabbing something high in sugar and low in nutrition, whip yourself up some Shakeology with your favorite recipe. This Double Chocolate Recipe is sure to knock your chocolate craving out of the park: 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology, 1 cup chocolate almond milk, 1 ½ cup ice. True, this isn't the most opportune time to eat for weight loss - try to keep your larger meals earlier, so you have time to burn off the calories before bed; but drinking Shakeology is better than binging on cake or brownies!
8. Healthy Dessert: Finally, even the most dedicated dieter needs to let loose every now and then. There are plenty of creative dessert recipes you can make with Shakeology such as pies, peanut butter cups and easy chocolate mousse. The best part is all of the desserts have 70+ healthy ingredients in them. See, you can have your cake and eat it too!

** RED BULL GMBH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AUSTRIA

A New Addition to Our Family

We had an eventful week within our family. My husband and Son were both sick the first of the week. My Sister flew in from Arizona for the Thanksgiving holiday and will be here for a week and most importantly my nephew was born!!!! My Sister in law had an amazing pregnancy. She took very good care of herself and it shows. She ate well and exercised regularly. Because of those decisions she is alert, happy and moving around right away. Brayden is just perfect!! A healthy newborn with no complications. My brother is like a kid in the candy store loving and admiring his new little boy. My nephew Riley, Braydens big brother, fell immediately in love. We couldn't be happier! A new baby is such a blessing!

Proud Aunt

How can Shakeology work for you?

I drink Shakeology everyday for many reasons. One of them is the quality of the ingredients and the nutrition it provides. The following is a list of nutrient groups and ingredients. Each nutrient group helps your body on a variety of levels. Here's the breakdown!

Protein and Amino Acids:Whey, Pea, Brown Rice, Chia, Quinoa, Amaranth, Flax, Sacha Inchi. What these do in your body: Help build lean muscles, improve skin and hair, support optimal brain function, improve mood, and reduce cravings.

Antioxidants and Super-Fruits:Cacao, Coconut Flower Nectar, Acerola Cherry, Pomegranate, Camu-Camu, Bilberry, Goji Berry, Blueberry, Acai, Green Tea, Rose Hips, Cinnamon, Luo Han Guo. What these do in your body: Help reduce oxidative damage from free radicals, promote heart health and ideal blood pressure, support joint health, and keep your brain healthy. 

Phytonutrients and Super-Greens:Moringa, Spirulina, Chlorella, Spinach, Barley Grass, Kamut Grass, Oat Grass, Wheat Grass. What these do in your body: Help alkalize the body and promote detoxification of the liver, kidneys, and blood to restore health and vitality. 

Adaptogen Herbs:Maca, Astragulus, Ashwagandha, Maitake Mushroom, Cordyceps, Reishi Mushroom, Schisandra, Ginkgo, Tulsi (Holy Basil). What these do in your body: Help protect the body from stress, support the immune system, and balance the endocrine system. 

Prebiotics and Probiotics:Yacon Root, Lactobacillus Sporogenes (Bacillus Coagulans). What these do in your body: Help promote regularity, support a balanced microflora environment in the intestinal tract, and improve digestion.

Digestive Enzymes:Amylase, Papain, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Protease, Bromelain.What these do in your body: Help the body break down foods and increase absorption of nutrients. 

For more information about shakeology feel free to email me at BeckeyG@beachbodycoach.com 

I think I found my workout soul mate

 

  I don't know what it is but I feel renewed. I am at a point in my journey to health that feels like a light bulb has gone off. I am putting myself first. I am saying no to commitments that will interfere with my scheduled workout time. I am consistently doing my First Place 4 Health Bible study.

 "Now what I am commanding you today is NOT too difficult for you or beyond your reach." Deuteronomy 30:11

There have been so many times in my life that I have been paralyzed with the fear that something was going to be too hard and I was going to fail. So instead of even trying, I would avoid whatever task it was. I have been really focused on this verse. I even hung it up in my office area. A friend asked me to speak on a team call and my first reaction was "no, I don't know what I am doing!! I am not a leader yet!" I saw this verse and my self doubt went away. I do have something to offerand I am now looking forward to the call. Even the little things like maintaining my house. I look around and think "WOW there is just to much to be done." So I don't start. Well that's changing too. 

  

So, on to my workout soul mate. Everyone I know has at least one physical activity that they enjoy.  One that will get them off the couch and moving. For my sister in-law it is Jazzersize. For my friend it is Zumba, For my best friend it is the Just Dance games for the x-box. For a few friends it is running. Others, love going to the gym. Lately I have tried a few different Team Beachbody workouts. Although I liked them I wasn't excited to complete them every day even though I did.

 Then Turbo Fire arrived. I LOVE Chalene Johnson!!! I am on my 5th day of workouts and I am not looking back!! I love them so much that I am going to get certified to teach Turbo Kick classes. I have done other programs from Chalene Johnson so this isn't a decision I am making lightly. I have wanted to teach group fitness classes for about 10 years now. This brings me back to the Bible verse. I have always thought that I would love to teach classes but was afraid to fail so I never even tried. Well things have changed! I feel called to this profession and I can't wait to get started. So stay tuned, I will be teaching by next summer!

Check out the video below. Some of my thoughts about Turbo Fire.

 

A Week of Joy and Sorrow to Put Life in Perspective.

Holidays are so much more fun with children. We get to see the joy of things being new and the excitement that the holidays can only bring to children. We started Halloween off with our annul picture in front of Tigger. Had pizza and daddy took  all the cousins out with the aunties and Grandma. My very pregnant sister in law (due any day now) and I stayed and handed out candy. It was so much fun seeing their joy.

My daughter of course was a princess, she is all girl! My son loves Mario Bros. So he was a one eyed vampire Luigi. Awe the imagination of children. My nephews were Iron man and Darth Vader. too cute. I think next year we will plan a family costume. So far we are Debating between Mario Bros. and  Zombie wedding party. Tough decision!

The best part is my children are going to trade in the rest of their candy for a toy, and we are going to send the rest to a friend who is serving in the military in Afghanistan. It will get it out of our house and make a friend happy. I am very proud of my kids!

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________

 I love my Great Uncle J.C. He is the only one who calls me "Pecky Beckey" One of only two nicknames I have ever had. He is a talker! You can sit with him for hours and talk about anything. He has some of the best stories and a wonderful laugh. He has an uncanny way with numbers. He remembers everyone's birthdays! We have a large family so that is pretty impressive. He has been hospitalized this week. I won't go into the details but as a family we are heart broken.

It has put in perspective that life can change in an instant. He was fine a week ago. It helps hammer in that I HAVE to take care of my health so I can be 81 years old and be in great shape just like J.C. I want to be around long enough to know my Great Great nieces and nephews. I HAVE to teach my children to take care of their own health as they get older. To be able to give them the building blocks to a long healthy life. It is not an option. It is not something to be taken lightly. I want to live every day to the fullest and I don't ever want to look back and say "I wish I could have climbed that mountain, but my health wasn't good enough"

My husband and I had also talked about the possibility of moving to another state if his job offered him a promotion. My parents and In-laws are in good health but I know if things changed in an instant, like it did this week, and we couldn't be there in person for them in would devastate us. My children need a relationship with their grandparents, cousins, aunt, uncles,and any others we have around. Family is amazingly important! So no moving for us.

I Love You J.C.!!!!

Uncle J.C. clowning around