Focus on Healthy, Not Skinny

It’s Not About Skinny. It’s About Healthy.

Why do you exercise? (Or why DON’T you exercise?) Your “why” is important.

If your focus is to “get skinny,” then you probably won’t be successful. It takes time and commitment to get to a specific weight and many of our ideals are unrealistic and maybe even unhealthy. You may try a new fitness program or go on some fad diet for a few weeks and when you don’t see huge number deficits on the scale, you’ll probably just stop until the inspiration hits you again a few months down the road. And really, is skinny the only definition we have of beautiful?

It may be time to take a closer look at some different numbers. (I’ll only share a few because numbers make my head hurt.)

$147 billion – the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S.

530 – the number of additional daily calories Americans are consuming today as compared to 1970

6 million – estimated number of new diabetes cases in the next 20 years

5 million – estimated number of heart disease and stroke cases in the next 20 years (Burgess, 2013).

Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are just some of the serious health risks associated with obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2013) also report concerns over obesity-related cancer, liver disease, and sleep apnea and respiratory problems. And the CDC estimates that more than 1/3 of adults in the U.S. are obese.

Ok, that’s all I can take of the numbers. Here’s the thing. This issue is totally treatable. WE can change it. WE can change the course that we are on. WE can End The Trend of obesity in America.

It’s not about being skinny or meeting some ridiculous air-brushed starving Victoria’s Secret super model expectation (I almost want to punch them in the face when I see them, but I’m pretty sure none of them can take a punch and I’d feel really bad about breaking an expensive model). It’s not about seeing some unrealistic (and also unhealthy) number on a scale. And it’s not about being able to wear skinny jeans (though I am freakishly curious about how they would look on me) or impressing other people (because quite honestly, I’m way too busy obsessing about how I look to worry about how you look).

It is about being healthy. It is about the numbers that show up on your annual medical exam. It is about lowering your risk for the list of obesity-related illnesses (the really serious ones that don’t go away and often lead to death). It is about improving your quality of life, because for real, who wants to get winded just walking to the car? It is about finally learning to love that amazing feeling you get after putting strong, physical effort into running, kick boxing, strength training, SOMETHING! Being able to run around the yard with your kids or your dog. Reducing the time and money you spend at the doctor’s office and on prescription medications.

Find your REAL why. When you find that, come on over and join me in my fitness journey at https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow. We’re more successful when we have someone to hold us accountable.

So, when you see me posting about my next fitness challenge (*cough* T25 *cough* *cough*), it’s not about pressuring you to try to be skinny. I don’t want you to be skinny. I want you to be healthy. Because, in the end, I don’t want to be the only one left to deal with the Zombie Apocalypse. I’m gonna need some back up and if you can’t even get yourself up off the couch, how are you gonna help me fight off the attack?

References

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. (2013). Adult obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html.

Burgess, A. (2013). A supersized problem. Success From Home, 9(8). 12-16.

- See more at: http://sunshinerichards.com/fitness-journey/skinny-healthy/#sthash.b2b4ov0r.dpuf

Extreme Combat Elite Group

Extreme Combat.

Need I say more? Ummm, ok. Yeah, I should probably elaborate.

Ok, well during my time with Beachbody, I have tried several programs, all of which I have enjoyed. I have found two, however, that I am absolutely and totally head over heels in love with.

ChaLEAN Extreme provided me with fast and effective weight loss and overall toning. Seriously, my legs and arms have never looked so badass as when I was doing this program.

Les Mills Combat provided me with fun and powerful confidence, plus some really cool moves that would no doubt come in handy during that street fight that I may find myself engaged in someday. I have never felt so badass as since starting this program.

So, I said to myself, what could be more badass than combining these two programs? Right? Pure genius.

I challenge you to join me in what I'm calling the Extreme Combat Elite Group. Make no mistake. It will be a challenge. This is not for the uncommitted. You will push your body and your mind to new levels of endurance. You will experience muscle soreness and fatigue. You will want to give up. You won't. I won't let you.

You think you got what it takes? I do. Join the Extreme Combat Elite Group on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/171731276347143/

Closing Doors

There are some doors about to close in my life. I can feel it.

A year ago, that feeling would have sent me into a tailspin of panic, shame, worry, and depression.

Today, I know that when doors close, it is for a reason. Instead of dwelling on the negative emotions that come along with unexpected change, I refocus and look for the other doors that are opening as a result of those closing doors. It's not easy and I am not yet a master of this approach. But we can only master that which we practice.

So, as I sense the doors closing on some major areas of my life, I look around and see that other doors have already begun to open. I am uncertain of the future of one of my employers that currently represents the core of my income. That is scary.

Instead of focusing on that fear, I am viewing this as the push I need to really engage in my Beachbody business. Anyone can be successful in this business with the right dedication and focus. I don't know how long it will take me to be successful doing this work part-time, but I do know one thing: most people fail in building a home-based business because they are too quick to give up.

I welcome the closing doors and happily turn towards the new doors opening up to me.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
-Thomas A. Edison

You can learn more about my opening door by clicking here: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/SunShineStrong?bctid=1805534547

Fit & Faithful Ain't No Joke

I've spent the past few months rebuilding my body, developing more strength and fitting back into my jeans.

I recently purchased a program called Body Gospel largely out of curiosity. I figured it may not be a particularly challenging workout, but I've always enjoyed the uplifting feeling of gospel music. I was curious to see if I could experience that same feeling while working out.

Yesterday I thought I'd try the core workout just to see what it was all about. So, yeah, um Donna Richardson Joyner ain't no joke. I'm feeling my abs today and REALLY enjoyed the workout yesterday. Loved using the cool resistance bands with the foot strappy thingies. I plan to start working this program into my other programs on a regular basis.

Anyone that wants to try bringing their faith into their fitness should try this program. It truly is a good workout and is uplifting at the same time.

Starting September 30th, I will guide you through this program in my Fit & Faithful Facebook group. Email me today or message me on Facebook for more information.

Some of the songs that will get you moving include:

• Hallelujah (The Highest Praise)

• Again I Say Rejoice

• Friend of God

• Going to Another Level

• Testify

• We Win

• The Presence of the Lord

 

...and many more

 

Just Do What You Love

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally." - David Frost

"The beauty of direct selling is that you join a team of people who have similar interests and dreams to do and be more." - David Bach

A few months ago, I made a decision that would change the course of my life. (Yes, I'm getting dramatic here. Let me have my moment.) I chose to invest $180 to purchase what's called a Challenge Pack. It included a workout program that helped me transform my body and a meal replacement shake that helped me transform my eating habits.

*Disclaimer - This is where I tell you I have never been truly overweight. And while I used to joke about wanting to be called Big Momma when I finally become a grandmother (a loooooong time from now), I'm not sure that my body is made to ever really be obese. So, yeah, sorry about that. It is what it is.

My body is, however, fully capable of getting flabby and unhealthy and no longer fitting into the jeans I have owned for years and can't afford to replace. This is where I was back in March, 2013. The Challenge Pack I purchased (ChaLEAN Extreme for those who don't obsessively follow my every blog and Facebook post) helped me shed the flab and tone some serious muscle.

Yeah, I look amazing. It's true. (I have no time for modesty, people. I'm a Leo.)

The other thing purchasing that Challenge Pack allowed me to do was enter the world of Beachbody coaching. It's part of my plan to improve my financial situation. I am tired of living paycheck to paycheck. I am tired of deciding which bills get paid this month. I am tired of talking to Joe at the bank. (Joe's nice and all, but he keeps asking me for things I don't have, like money.)

So, I invested in myself which also allowed me to become an independent Beachbody Coach as an added source of income. Here's the deal. Not everyone will get rich doing this. MOST people won't get rich doing this. And while it would be nice to get rich doing this, that's not the point. I don't need to be rich. I just want to be able to pay off my debt and give back to my children and community. I want to be able to save for retirement and donate to charities regularly. And dangit, I want to be able to go to the store every now and then and just buy something pretty.

That's the benefit of direct selling. I keep my day job, which is my mostly secure source of income, while also building a business on the side to bring in additional income. An extra $500-$1000 a month would make life much more livable.

It has taken time and it has and will continue to take hard work. But it's doable and I love it. There are a lot of opportunities out there and I say find one that reflects your goals and priorities and go for it. You will find a whole new group of friends that share your interests and goals. You will develop yourself beyond who and what you are today. And you will get the opportunity to add to your income by doing something you enjoy. You may even be able to fire your current bosses someday!

The bonus of Beachbody, incidentally, is that I get to watch the people around me become healthier and happier. It's a powerful feeling.

So, this is not me saying "Join my team so I can make more money!" This is me saying I never realized direct selling could be fun and inspiring and didn't have to involve me booking parties and trying to pretend I knew anything about cooking or makeup; which I don't. Clearly. There are opportunities out there that don't require you to make a heavy up-front investment or maintain inventory. There are opportunities out there that don't require you to host parties if you're not comfortable doing so. There are opportunities that you can have fun with and fully believe in. I have friends and family involved in several different businesses that they truly enjoy and I'm sure they'd be happy to talk to you about them.

However, if you want to know more about Beachbody, I am more than happy to share with you what I have learned. You can send me a quick email at sunshinestrongbb@gmail.com or message my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow.

Want to see one of the websites Beachbody created for me? Check out www.BeachBodyCoach.com/SunShineStrong.

Kia Kaha!

Kia Kaha! Don't quote me on this, but I think it means stay with the fight. Dan and Rach like to say it a lot during my Les Mills Combat workouts. So, now I like to say it in response to pretty much anything anyone says to me. And you can't just say it. You have to yell it and throw up a quick front kick as you're yelling it. It's a thing. Yeah.

I've tried a lot of at-home fitness programs. I've enjoyed many of them. If you know me, you know I have a thing for Chalene Johnson and Shaun T workouts. But nothing ever in the history of at-home fitness ever compares to Les Mills Combat. Nothing. Ever. Never ever.

In all seriousness, I think it's a great intro into various styles of martial arts and boxing for anyone that has ever dreamed of having a black belt...in something. And it's a great way to feel like a total badass at least once a day.

Contact me for more information.

sunshinestrongbb@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow

http://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/LMCBase?referringRepId=228212

TurboFire is HOT this August!

This is a great program, lots of fun, and highly effective. Order now and I'll provide you personalized support throughout the program. We've got great support groups on Facebook, so make the decision to change today! Click on the link below to get started!

https://www.teambeachbody.com/checkout/-/bbcheckout/challengepack?referringRepId=228212