Beasting up to become a stage-worthy beauty

Now, before anyone starts worrying about my self-confidence because of how I phrased that title... Don't worry. It's taken a long time and I still have my shakey moments but on the whole, I'm pretty confident in my physical appearance and even my physique. That being said, my next challenge and goal for myself is going to require a level of confidence I haven't had to gather before. What started as a joke now has a workout schedule, meal plan, and timeline... That's right - I'm preparing for my first ever Physique Competition (assuming they hold it again next year - for now, I'm assuming they will!). Sparkly bikini has yet to be acquired.

Those who have known me for a long time can tell you that I'm not one for bikinis and when I do wear them (that's even only been the past few years!), I'm super conscious of how I move and I'm constantly adjusting my suit. Parading around on a stage in a show suit is going to be a whole new level outside of my comfort zone but hey, that's where amazing things happen!

As of yesterday, my accountability partner and I started a hybrid that he (I can't take credit here!) cleverly named "Bulk BeasT25". Anyone familiar with the Beachbody program line-up will quickly - and accurately - deduce that this will be a blend of the bulk cycle of Body Beast and workouts from ShaunT's (yes, of Insanity!) awesome program Focus T25. I'm also going to be cleaning up my eating habits and continuing one super healthy, nutrient rich, Shakeology per day (at least) ... and I should work on sleeping more regularly too because my body is going to need the recovery.

I'll log my progress, adjustments, and thoughts as we go through this and share it with you here. Feel free to ask questions and I'll be sure to cover them! Oh, and before you ask, yes - this will be all natural - no insulin, steroids, or other artificial performance enhancing drugs. No judgement but that's just not for me!

In order to show progress, I suppose we need to know my starting point, huh?

As of Sunday, October 20.
Weight: 176 lbs
Body Fat %: 27.6%
Waist:  34.75 inches
Chest: 40.75 inches
L Arm: 12 inches
R Arm: 12.25 inches
Hips: 42.25 inches
L Thigh: 24.5 inches
R Thigh: 24.5 inches

Starting pictures

Rockin' Body Sale!!

He brought you Insanity, Asylum, and Hip Hop Abs... and Rockin' Body!  Shaun T puts together amazing workouts...why not give the gift of a Rockin’ Body this holiday season? It’s easy, and so ridiculously affordable, why WOULDN’T you?

For an extremely limited time only, we’ve dramatically reduced the price on the classic Shaun T workout—Rockin’ Body. Here’s how it breaks down:

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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!!

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!

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!

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! :-)