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.

Help me with this fire hose, I'm going in...

On Friday, Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler posted a blog challenging Team Beachbody Coaches: "Are you REALLY a first responder in this battle?" which I diligently read, got fired up about...and then closed. The thoughts kept with me all day but I'll be honest... the gravity of the situation didn't sink in until I looked at the numbers and listened to Carl speak yesterday. 

Let's start with the numbers (most people find those boring so let's get them out of the way!). According to USA Today

"About two-thirds of adults in Mississippi and several other states will be obese by 2030 if the obesity trend continues to climb at its current rate, says a new analysis out today."

2030 is only 18 years away...that means that the child you're holding in your arms, the one your wife is about to deliver, the one who started Kindergarten this year...that kid...that bundle of potential and dreams and energy has a nearly 66% chance of being OBESE - not just overweight - OBESE before they even really start living their life. I don't know about you, but that makes me downright sick.

Even the lowest predicted obesity rates (in DC) is 32.6% - that's roughly ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE!!! Tennessee is predicted to have an OBESITY rate of 63.4%!!! 

That said, I see light in USA Today's statement. I see hope. Where??? 

"if the obesity trend continues to climb at its current rate"

That means we can do something about it!! 

 Beachbody coaches in Tennessee are already reacting.. check it out!

I got goosebumps when Richard was recognized at Summit and I get goosebumps and teary eyed every time I watch this video.

So what can we do?

Yesterday, Carl referred to this alarming trend as a slowly burning building and we're standing in it.

This trend isn't happening "tomorrow", "over the next 12 years", "in a couple months", or "someday". It is happening NOW. It isn't happening to "them", "those guys", or "someone else". It is happening to US. WE are the crisis. WE are the obesity rate. WE are the national health concern.

Take a good honest look around...see the fire? See the timbers that are feeding that fire? Each fast food, grease and bad-fat loaded, real food lacking, meal we feed ourselves and our loved ones adds another timber to that fire. Each day we say that we'll start being healthier "tomorrow", "next week", "next month", or "next year", we pour gasoline on the flames.

In this situation, I think you can be in one of three places... where are you?

Are you inside the building as the flames grow? You may be ignoring or putting off your health. You may not know where to start. Be honest with yourself...that's where your journey out of the house starts. I want to help you if that's where you are but you have to start with realizing that the roof over your head is on fire and going to collapse.

Are you outside the building watching the flames grow but not sure what you can do?

Or are you outside, fully aware of the flames and danger ... and feel anxious to run in and help? Help me with this fire hose...I'm going in. 

The only way we can change those numbers is by taking action. We all have to take responsibility and be aware of what is happening to US... and recognize that it's happening NOW! I won't accept anything less out of myself - will you? Who's with me?

Want to rush the flames with me? Let me know here or shoot me an email at gabriella@addictedwithgabriella.com.

Feel trapped in the burning building but don't know where to start? Check out my Power of 3 Challenge starting tomorrow or contact me at gabriella@addictedwithgabriella.com and we'll get you started!

I'm done. #CoachSummit #Commit

Yesterday was the last day of Summit and there is one big conclusion....one big decision that continues to echo in my mind as I think back to the last few days.

I'm done. So so very done. No really...that's it. I'm throwing in the towel. D. O. N. E. Done. 

I'm done apologizing for being "that girl" who wants to help others be better.

I'm done apologizing for my passion.

I'm done hiding that the fact that the potential to impact lives just by sharing the success stories of myself and others is what gets me up in the morning. 

I'm done telling myself that it "would be nice" if this is what I could do for the rest of my life instead of making it happen.

I'm done feeling bad when you seem so uncomfortable because I asked you "what do you want for your life?" because I know that discomfort will drive you to do more when your time is right.

I'm done with being afraid of rejection because if I can help be a catalyst for change in just ONE person's life, it will be worth a thousand "No"s to see them get to celebrate that moment when they realize they are who and what they have always wanted to be. 

This is who I am...it's not a change, this is who I have always been. So far in my life though, this kind of passion for this kind of mission has made me a minority. There's nothing right or wrong about that, it's just the way it's always been. But this week was different... You know when you watch those movies, or walk into a place and there seems to be a glow over a certain group of people? That gold shine that seems to emanate from a tribe who has everything - laughter, beauty, and camaraderie? We often refer to that group as the beautiful people and so many spend so much energy and money to try to fit into that group. This week, I got to spend 3 whole days with the beautiful people and it had nothing to do with how hard I was trying to fit in or how many designer labels I could wear at once. In fact, my dress came from a sale on amazon, my shoes came from Target, and the only person I was this week was me.

Yet I fit in. I felt like I really truly belonged there. We laughed, cried, danced, sweat, learned, talked, ate, and shopped (of course!) together. We applauded the tears of pride and compassion shed by executives of Beachbody, fellow coaches, and individuals who have changed their lives forever simply by learning to be healthier. Each success story and Beachbody trainer who took the stage because they had changed our lives, thanked us for changing theirs. We heard trainer, after coach, after exec, after speaker talk about letting out your inner nerd, being weird, and that we need to stop trying to hold back a passion that could change someone's world. 

So I've decided I'm done. I'm done because I truly want to help others achieve their goals and the life they have always imagined for themselves - and more - and the only way I know how to do that is by not hiding that passion anymore. My passion is my power and with great power comes great responsibility. Too many times though we struggle to discover what our responsibility, our charge, our mission in life really is and we don't get to use our power in all the ways it was meant to be used. I know my responsibility. I know my mission. And I know I've finally figured it out because even as I type this, I have tears in my eyes and my hands are shaking.

My mission is to challenge YOU to live the life that lies beyond your wildest dreams and I'm done apologizing for how scary or uncomfortable that journey can be because I know that in the end, it will be worth it. 

I'm done.... so let's get this started!

Me (top) with (R-L) fellow coaches Kristy Ford and Annette Gorden cheesing it up and dancing with Beachbody CEO, Carl Daikeler. 

Beachbody coaching in less than 2 and a half minutes!

This information is amazing.... this is why I love being a coach. What do you think? Comment on this blog post and I'll send you info! (Or just "like" if you're seeing this on Facebook!)