29 by 29

We all have dreams, right? Goals we want to achieve to ensure better futures for ourselves and those we love? Even if you haven't written them out (yet!! Do it!!!), most all of us have a vision of the days to come. It's probably no surprise to you that I have a picture in my head of how my future is going to play out... The kind of house I think would be comfortable for my family, the kind of life we would live, how we'd feel financially... But I also have a vision for the people who I can help enable make incredible changes in their life because I know that we all need a push and that gaining self confidence can be the biggest catalyst ever to achieving bigger dreams. 

Why am I sharing all this with you? Because I learn everyday about people in my life - people I love dearly - who are holding themselves back, denying themselves their dreams, letting their goals be lost in dust, because they don't feel like they can or should get to shoot for the stars. 

Lemme tell you a little story... Some of you have heard this before, this will be new to some, but we can all use a little reminder sometimes. I'm not perfectly self confident but I used to be even more unsure of me. I wasn't standing up for myself, I wasn't expecting the right things out of relationships, and I definitely wasn't dreaming. A health incentive program started at work and I figured an extra $200 savings on my health insurance would be cool so I signed up. I was tracking food, started lifting a little and running again... But I was so so nervous. I had never tried to lose weight before. I had never been close to someone who openly talked about changing their health habits to get a particular result. This was uncharted territory. 

Imagine my surprise when it started working!!

A couple weeks in, I stepped on the scale and I had lost weight. WOW!!! It wasn't a huge amount of weight but it was an acknowledgement of the fact that I had decided to do something for myself, committed to doing it, and succeeded in getting some kind of result. 

Because I didn't really have someone by my side and this was a line wolf effort for me, it took me about 3 years to really get where I wanted to be, but there were some pretty amazing changes that I was able to make in my life thanks to this feeling of empowerment. Not all of the changes were easy - nothing worth it ever is - but they've made my life so much better. My only frustration was having to seemingly go it alone. 

Then I met Jenelle Summers when I got on twitter to learn more about this new workout I wanted to try... A little sweat session called TurboJam. Thanks to Jenelle, I learned about what it means to be a coach and that it meant never again having to go it alone. Where do I sign? 

It's been a few years since I made that leap of faith into Jenelle's organization and I can honestly say that being a coach has changed my life in a thousand ways. The coaches I have met are my best friends. The future I'm building allows me to be sure that I am in control of the days ahead. This is how life is supposed to feel.  

However, the best part of coaching, being a fitness instructor, or just putting my story out there is the fact that I get to help people write their own story! What do you want your "after" story to be? 

I have a GOAL to help 29 people through the Beachbody challenge by my 29th birthday (January 31, 2014) - are you one of those 29? If you didn't already know, the Beachbody challenge is just submitting your before and after pictures from completing a program for a chance to win some serious cash prizes. Imagine what you could do with a renewed sense of confidence and empowerment that comes with a side of cash!!! I'll be hosting a number of challenge groups between now and then so let me know (gabriella@addictedwithgabriella.com) if you want to make your dreams come true. 

I want YOU to be one of my 29... Will you claim your spot?

There's nothing in your way and having had to start on my own, I will do everything I can to be sure YOU don't have to do the same. I'm right here... We can do this!! 

#100GoneOrCubsOn - Let's get this started!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to one of my awesome #TeamAddictedBB coaches - Scott Montgomery! I met Scott through Twitter thanks to some friendly sports banter between our beloved baseball teams, the Cubs and the (can't believe I'm going to type this) Cardinals. For those who don't know, Cardinals and Cubs is one of those classic rivalries, like Michigan and Ohio or Green Bay and the Bears. Through our conversations, we got to know each other and found out that we could have more in common than our devotion to our baseball teams - we both want to be in better health so that we can be our best for those we love.

Scott got started on Shakelogy and T25 along with the P90X he already had which got him going on healthy habits and good progress! As a diabetic, Scott has been well aware of how food and exercise could improve his quality of life and by making the right changes and consistently eating smart and working out, he has already been able to cut his insulin needs in HALF on a regular basis! How cool is that?!?

Like so many of us, making these lifestyle changes isn't always easy for Scott. The father of two (adorable!!) active children, he's often on the go, traveling for kid activities on the weekends, and it's tough for him to always stick to his plans! Oh, and have I mentioned he has a full-time job too? Yeah. Because of these challenges, he felt he needed a challenge - some accountability. That's where I and these blog posts come in.

Since our friendship started over some good-natured sports banter, we've made a baseball related deal! If (when!) he loses 100 lbs from his starting weight of 300 by September 2nd, 2014, I will wear a St. Louis Cardinals jersey to a Cubs vs. Cards game. Should he come up short (which I doubt will happen!), he will wear a Cubs jersey to the game. (These are my favorite kinds of bets - the ones that inspire you to become better!)

We'll track and share his progress, keep him accountable, cheer him on, and I have no doubt that he is destined to be an inspiration to many! Look for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and blog post updates with the hashtag that is sure to remind him of the bet - #100GoneOrCubsOn - and feel free to use that when you share notes of encouragement!

I'll be sharing his weekly updates here (think we can convince him to write a few notes for you guys?) and every month, we'll work on having updated photos as well!

Here's the starting point and first update!

August 15
Weight: 300 lbs
Waist: 48 inches
Hips: 49.5 inches
Chest: 50.5 inches
Right and left arms: 15 inches
Right Thigh: 24.5 inches
Left Thigh: 23 inches

October 2 (when the bet began!)
Weight: 298 lbs
Waist: 45 inches
Hips: 48 inches
Chest: 49.5 inches
Right and left arms: 15.5 inches
Right thigh: 27.5 inches
Left thigh: 25 inches

Ready for 2013?

The cookies have been eaten, the presents unwrapped...time to get ready for the new year! We all have different goals and New Years Resolutions for 2013 but I'm going to be running 3 challenges in January because I'm not going to let anything stop me and I want to invite you to join me!

Feel free to participate in more than one of these challenges - this is about helping you achieve YOUR goals!

Shake It Off - starts January 2nd and is about changing just one meal each day to improve your health. DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 so don't delay!! Yes, this is a Shakeology challenge!

Healthy New Year - starts January 7th and is a Biggest Loser type challenge. Fitness, nutrition, and accountability. We're gonna rock this! I have only 2 spots left and the deadling to sign up is DECEMBER 31!

PUSH - starts January 1st and is about achieving your wildest goals. I have been using Chalene's system all year and am loving the results I'm seeing but everyone can use a refresher course. I have some big goals for this year and will be kicking them off by doing this 30 day program again. Join me!

No matter your goals, I'm here to help! Email me at gabriella@addictedwithgabriella.com or message me on Facebook at fb.com/addictedwithgabriella and we'll make your dreams come true.

I want to put you on stage with @DanCortese!

Wooohooo!!! Who wants to be on stage with Dan Cortese in the MGM Grand next year? This October we're laying the groundwork with my Power of 3! Challenge and starting November, I'll be hosting MONTHLY challenges starting on the 10th to help you be in better shape, live a better life, and maybe even help you get on stage with Dan! From what I can tell on twitter, he's a nice guy! :-)

Want to get in better shape or work your way towards a cash prize? Send me an email at gabriella@addictedwithgabriella.com and we'll get you started!

THIS is what it's about!!!!

Love this clip from The Doctors! Want to know about the Beachbody Challenge or the great discount you can get on a challenge pack? Ask me!!

Who missed Shaun T on Conan?

I'm doing Hip Hop Abs with Shaun-T for the Beachbody Challenge right now and after P90X2, I'll be doing Insanity so I was excited to see this and I have to say I love this clip!! Enjoy!!

Free $25 gift card? Tell me more!

Challenge packs, Shakeology, and workouts - OH MY! You hear me talking about health, wellness, nutrition, blah blah blah all year. Right? So if it's important for you to be healthy to be there for and with your loved ones, isn't it important that your loved ones be healthy too?

So here's the deal: Anyone who places an order of $100 or more (without taxes or shipping charges) will recieve a $25 Beachbody gift certificate for free! This offer is even valid on Challenge Packs which is awesome because the only thing that makes getting a great deal better is getting money back on top of it! All I ask is that if you give the Challenge Pack as a gift, you let me know so I can send you a letter to the recipient. I want to help them make sure that they stay on track as their coach and the letter will have information about how to get in touch with me and go through this program together! What's a Challenge Pack? Well since a picture is worth a thousand words....(click to enlarge)

Ok ok...there is a catch...just a little one though, I promise...and really it's to help you make sure you get your perfect present in time for the holidays. You have to place your order by the end of the week (midnight CST 12.4.11) and you must place your order through my Beachbody site (www.beachbodycoach.com/GabriellaH99). Not too tough, right? I do try to keep things simple for you! If you already have a Beachbody account, please be sure that I'm your coach. If you have a coach you like and keeps in touch with you, please don't switch coaches just for this deal. However, if you'd like me to be your coach, let me know and we'll make sure that we get that switched before you place your order. Don't know if you have an account? Here's a hint: if you've ever ordered any Beachbody product online, you have a coach. Don't have an account? Then just go to www.beachbodycoach.com/GabriellaH99 and place your order!

And it does get better! In case you missed it in the picture above, the coach sign up fee is waived with the purchase of a Challenge Pack! That means that you could give the gift of health and then build a business around helping others! Be sure to ask me about that...coaching is pretty awesome! :-)

tl;dr? Here's the summary: spend at least $100 at www.beachbodycoach.com/GabriellaH99 (great gift for you or a loved on!) by midnight CST 12.4.11 and I'll send you a $25 Beachbody gift certificate! This offer is also valid on Challenge Packs! If you're going to order a Challenge Pack, ask me about becoming a coach as your sign up fee ($40!) is waived with the purchase!

The only exclusion on this deal is that the $100 purchase may not include or be paid for with any number of gift certificates.

30 days of accountability

Editor's note: My hip was acting up and in great pain so I gave myself some extra time off with plenty of stretching. I will be starting the program over again tomorrow and will be accountable to all of you! - G 11.29.11

If you follow my Facebook page or Twitter you may have noticed that every day I've been posting a workout accountability photo and telling you when I drank my Shakeology. Why? Ultimate accountability.

For 30 days (starting last Monday), I'm sticking to the Hip Hop Abs schedule and drinking one shake each day. I took before pictures and I'll post those soon along with my measurements. Then, after I complete the program, I'll post my "after" photos and stats! Why is this so important to me? Three reasons:

• My number one priority right now (until it's ingrained deep in my psyche) is my health. If I'm not healthy I cannot give the time and energy I want to Nate, my family and friends, my job, or my fitness business. I need to be healthy and I need to stay on track to do this.
• The Beachbody Challenge! A chance to win cash just for working out?? Sounds good, right?  
• To share my results! I hear so many excuses all the time about not having enough time, not wanting to count calories, this that and the other. I am working out less than an hour each day and drinking 1 shake each day. That's it. I'm not counting calories (although I maintain that I know how to eat better because I spent a decent amount of time doing this at the beginning of my lifestyle change and I still recommend this for starting out, breaking a plateau, or checking to make sure you're on track!). I'm not doing two workouts each day. I'm not going to the gym. Nothing like that. I put in a DVD each day and push play. 

My scheduled off day with the plan is Sunday but I'll still drink a Shakeology at some point. I won't count calories but I will be smart about what I eat and be careful not to overindulge. I'll also be sure to be drinking my water but nothing I do will be so far out of the ordinary that anyone could take exception and declare that they couldn't fit choices like these into their life.

For those of you who have made these excuses (you know who you are) - I hope you're listening and watching because my blog post in 30 days will be mostly for you. It's not about being perfect, it's about getting started and ANYONE can do that!

Win up to $100,000 just for working out?!?!

It's as simple as logging in and staying on track which will reap rewards regardless of whether or not you win the cash! Check it out!

Slight change in plans

I was alllllll sorts of excited to start the Beachbody Challenge on the same day as Chalene Johnson's PUSH release - 11.11.11. It seemed so natural to start a new workout program on the same day that I start reading a book I know will change my life.... but after Hip Hop Hustle training this weekend, I'm going to have to listen to my body. I've been tired, sick, and far less than 100% for the past couple of weeks with the marathon, travel, and lack of sleep. When I woke up on Sunday with a sore throat that I couldn't shake and ended training with a very hurt hip, Kristy (bless her heart) looked at me and said "You are taking the full week off! I said so!" in the tone that says "You are not allowed to argue this...do as I say...NOW!". So I'm giving in.  If the weather keeps up, I'll go for a bike ride or do something simple like that but for the most part I'm going to focus on eating right and getting my rest. I'll start Hip Hop Abs on 11.14.11 and I'll use rest days as make up days or double up as needed for the weekend of USMC Ball. This means that I should finish the 30 day Hip Hop Abs program on December 10!

So what does this mean for you? Well I want to start the Beachbody Challenge with an exclusive group of  committed people and this gives you a couple extra days to decide that this is what you want to do. You don't have to do Hip Hop Abs with me - I get that this might not be THE program for you. But commit to doing one of these programs and being accountable to the team and I'll help you make sure that you hit your goals! For those of you who pre-ordered P90X2 who will be starting it with us 1.1.12, I highly recommend getting your core in shape...which I why I'm doing Hip Hop Abs! Your core is so important for all exercises - you can't go wrong with a core program!

So there you go - my body just bought you a couple extra days to decide! Let's decide together....commit together, focus together...and most importantly - SUCCEED TOGETHER! I know we've got this!

The Beachbody Challenge

I can't add to what Carl has to say here...this is amazing. I want to help you with this Challenge! Chances to win cash, get more fit, and be healthier and happier? Who couldn't be on board with that. But you HAVE TO COMMIT! My Beachbody Challenge group starts 11.11.11. Are you in?

My Beachbody Challenge Program

Post marathon, almost all studies, research, and experts say that you should take a month off of hard cardio and really working out. HA! Like I was going to be able to do that. Besides, I'm starting P90X2 on 1.1.12 and I have to be strong if I'm going to push play on that! No time to waste!

As a compromise between marathon / P90X2 intense and not doing a thing, I'll be focusing on core work starting 11.11.11 and through the end of the year with Hip Hop Abs. This will be the program I do for the Beachbody Challenge as I work to get in even better shape and make sure my habits are SOLID going into the holiday season. Check out the video below to learn more about Hip Hop Abs and if you'd like to join me in the Beachbody Challenge, let me know!

11.11.11 is all about the #PUSH

As you saw in my previous post, Chalene Johnson is publishing a book and many of us have signed up to get a FREE copy and be a part of the PUSH party on 11.11.11. If you haven't already read it, check out that post but what you really need to know is that you should go to http://www.chalenejohnson.com/pushjumpstart and sign up! Make sure you list Team Addicted as your team with team leader Gabriella Harrison and let me know that you're signed up! 

In addition to Chalene's PUSH, I will be starting an EXCLUSIVE 5 member program with the highest level of accountability EVER. I mentioned that I'd be starting this with a post before but I thought maybe if you had more information, you'd be more interested! 

You have to commit to being part of this. I'll be setting up a group on Beachbody and each person will have my cell phone number. If you don't check in on the page and tell me that you drank your shake and did your workout, you'll be getting a text from yours truly. I'll also set up a Facebook page to share questions, motivation, and support to all 5 challenge members. No Excuses! 

To make it easier for you to participate, I am offering Challenge Packs through Beachbody to be available for order starting November 1st. When you commit to doing this, let me know and I'll send a reminder to order your challenge packs on November 1st so you have them in time for 11.11.11. The Challenge Pack includes: 

- Workout program of your choice

- Shakeology on home direct

- Beachbody Club Membership (meal planning!!) - 30 days FREE

By logging your workouts on WOWY (the Beachbody Super Gym) you also have the chance to win cash! $500 daily, $1000 in the weekly prize, $5,000 quarterly prize and the Grand Prize of the Beachbody Challenge could win up to $100,000!!!

Now you could enter the Beachbody Challenge without ordering a Challenge Pack but if you need to change up your workouts, have a new goal, or are starting from scratch, the Pack is the way to go!

The Packs available are:

...and remember - that includes Shakeology on Home Direct and 30 days FREE of the Beachbody Club Membership that does meal planning for you! There is a savings to getting the program this way. (click the image to see it larger). 

And don't forget - I will be there EVERY. SINGLE. STEP. of the way to make sure that you succeed. 

To prepare my core for P90X2 I will be doing Hip Hop Abs to make sure that my core is tight and I'm ready to go! This will also be a great way for me to enjoy a workout with Shaun T before I start Insanity next year (post P90X2!). You can join me with that program and we'll do the same workout together each day OR pick the program that sounds best to you!

If you've ever considered joining Team Addicted as a coach, now is also a great time to do that with the Challenge Pack so let me know if you're interested! (Great time as in your start up fee is waived...that's a $40 savings!)

So what are you waiting for? Email me at gabriellah99@beachbodycoach.com if you're interested and we'll get you going to your BEST SHAPE EVER! :-)