My Upcoming Challenge Groups for July!

I am so excited to share that I have set my new July Challenge groups up and I can't wait to get started!  I already have people ready to start with the 21 Day Clean Eating Challenge Group and the 7 Day Shakeology Clean Eating Challenge Group.  Both of which, are going to be fun!

For further details and how to sign up, please see below!


Monday, July 14 - Sunday, August 3, 2014

Facebook Event Link for Sign-up:  https://www.facebook.com/events/686479161418628

I would LOVE for you to take part and INVITE some of your friends and family so you can also hold each other accountable! :) It's FREE and will be LOTS of fun!

If you're interested, just simply add yourself to the event group, say that you'll be "attending" and I'll add you to the FB group for our Pre-Season the week of July 7th!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NOW?
- Let me know that you're planning to attend via the FB event post.
- Sign up to be on my team! It's completely FREE and mandatory for this group. If you're not on my team then you cannot participate in this challenge.

HERE IS THE LINK TO SIGN-UP:
http://www.teambeachbody.com/en_US/tbbsignup?referringRepId=330957

(NOTE: If you have purchased a Beachbody product in the past and already have an account, please let me know and I can tell you how to make me your coach).

So are you ready to focus for 21 days?! 


***
Monday, July 21 to Sunday, July 27, 2014

Facebook Event Link for Sign-up: https://www.facebook.com/events/939597379389794

WHO? Anyone that would like to try Shakeology and LOSE weight! Shakeology will help curb those sweet cravings and help you tackle weight loss. It is what helped me lose 15 pounds!!! 

WHY? I will be giving a clean eating meal plan for 7 days (FOR FREE) and providing you with yummy recipes for Shakeology. This is going to be a FUN week of eating clean and you WILL lose weight if you stick to the plan! PROMISE!

WHAT DO I NEED? 3 things:

1) You need to join my team so that I am your coach. It's completely free and only takes 2-3 minutes to sign up. This is mandatory.

LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY TEAM: 
https://www.teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free?referringRepId=330957

2) You need to order 7 packets of Shakeology. I will be getting some packets shipped to me personally and can offer some to people that don't want to purchase a 30 day supply online, but I have a limited supply, so you will need to let me know ASAP. Just send me a message and I'll send you the details! 

If you'd like to order the 30 day pack, I'd highly recommend ordering HD, that way you don't have to pay for shipping.

Here is the link for Shakeology:
http://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MDSUSH311G?referringRepId=330957

3)  Let me know that you're planning to attend via the FB event post.  Link is here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/939597379389794

WHERE? I will be creating a special Facebook group for those that would like to participate. It will be a private, supportive space and you'll be doing it with others that want to get a "kick-start" into HEALTHY eating habits.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SHAKEOLOGY AND THE WONDERFUL BENEFITS, WATCH SOME OF THESE VIDEOS - I personally love CHOCOLATE VEGAN, I have it everyday!:

Shakeology A Labor of Love:http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/m4mckim?bctid=35137129001

Doctors Don't Lie:http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/m4mckim?bctid=637865717001

Three Reasons to Drink Shakeology:http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/m4mckim?bctid=16675436001

Internal Health and Regularity:http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/m4mckim?bctid=34934886001

RECIPE: Red, White, and Blueberry Parfait

Recipe: Red, White, and Blueberry Parfait

(Makes 8 servings, about 1-1/2 cups each)

Celebrate Independence Day with this colorful parfait! Bring this to any party, and it's sure to be a hit! 

Ingredients:

·         8 cups       nonfat plain Greek yogurt

·         2 cups       fresh strawberry slices

·         2 cups       fresh blueberries

·         1 Tbsp.      raw honey

Preparation:

1.     Place 2 cups yogurt in a 1½ quart glass dish. Top with 1/2 cup strawberries and 1/2 cup blueberries.

2.     Repeat layers four times.

3.     Drizzle with honey.

Note: Want to make an individual serving? Place 1/3 of the yogurt in a tall glass. Top with 1/3 of the strawberries and 1/3 of the blueberries. Repeat layers twice. Drizzle with 1/2 tsp. of honey.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories	Fat	Saturated Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Protein
162	0 g	0 g	0 mg	91 mg	20 g	2 g	17 g	23 g

Here’s the lowdown on the NEW and IMPROVED Vegan Shakeology®.

Beachbody is on a never-ending quest to make every flavor of Shakeology rich and delicious while also improving its health benefits, so they recently made a few tweaks to their vegan shakes that you’re absolutely going to love. Really, you are!

Better for your taste buds.

For starters, Chocolate Vegan Shakeology now has more cocoa for an even more intense chocolate flavor. And who doesn’t want their chocolate shake to be as chocolaty as possible? Then they added sweet and tangy guava to Tropical Strawberry Vegan, which really adds a bold tropical punch to the palate.

They’re smoother than ever!

And while they beefed up our vegan flavors to make them more delicious to our 10,000 taste buds, they also added GMO-free oat protein to their original vegan protein blend of pea and rice, making the texture and consistency of their vegan shakes incredibly smooth and creamy. Plus, oat protein is a nutritious protein source that’s rich in essential amino acids (including leucine, isoleucine, and lysine). Nevertheless, you can’t go wrong with smooth and healthy.

But don’t take my word on the improved deliciousness and smoother texture. Trust the words of other Coaches and customers from a recent taste panel study:*

“Tropical Strawberry now actually tastes like a berry shake. It was smooth and sweet, but not too sweet!”

“Loved this new Chocolate Vegan formula! It smelled rich and mocha-like.”

 ”Love the texture. No gritty or chalky taste! Nice ‘fresh’ flavor!”

Better for your body.

Not only does Shakeology taste good, it IS good. Now both Chocolate Vegan and Tropical Strawberry Vegan Shakeology use organic agave fruit powder which is a wholesome, non-GMO ingredient that adds the perfect amount of sweetness. Although Shakeology was originally very low in sugar, this upgrade also lowered both the total sugar content slightly as well as its carbs.

As with most fruit, agave contains fructose and has the added benefit of being naturally high in inulin, a prebiotic fiber, which supports digestive health. So now that the vegan shakes have both agave AND yacon root, they’re even better at supporting healthy digestion.** And unlike many of the cheaper sources of agave on the market that use low-quality materials and are enzymatically treated (similar to high fructose corn syrup processing) the organic agave used in Shakeology is naturally extracted without enzymes or chemical additives.

Vegan-shmegan.

But you don’t have to be a vegan to LOVE Vegan Shakeology. So why would you want to drink a vegan shake? Great question! Besides loving the way they taste and simply wanting to enjoy their yumminess, sometimes it’s a good idea to give your body a break from animal proteins. And here’s why…

Replacing animal proteins with plant-based proteins helps you:**

§  Maintain a healthy weight

§  Have fewer digestive issues

§  Feel lighter and more energetic

And you don’t have to follow a 100% vegan diet to enjoy the incredible health benefits that come with eating more plant-based proteins.

Replacing one meal a day with either NEW Chocolate Vegan or Tropical Strawberry Vegan Shakeology is all you need to make a huge difference in your body. Sometimes it’s the tiny changes in life that create the biggest impact, and in ways you never imagined.

Try Shakeology for $19.95!

Sold on trying vegan Shakeology but not sure which flavor you’ll favor the most? Then the Shakeology Vegan Taste Sampler is for you! For $19.95, you get 2 Chocolate Vegan and 2 Tropical Strawberry Vegan packets, a Shakeology Welcome Guide, as well as several mouthwatering recipes. This is the easiest and most economical way to find your favorite flavor before committing to a full-sized bag.

And that’s the scoop on what to expect in every scoop of our new and improved Chocolate Vegan and Tropical Strawberry Vegan Shakeology. Now it’s time to stop reading and start blending.

Try the NEW Vegan Shakeology today!

*Quotes taken from panelists sampling new Shakeology flavors which include Beachbody employees, consultants, and Coaches.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Words of Wisdom

Here are some inspirational quotes and words of wisdom for the week! 

TRICKS TUESDAY: Grocery Shops, Shop The Aisles Only

I want you to picture your favorite grocery store. Chances are the fresh produce section, the meat and seafood departments, and the dairy case are all located around the perimeter of the store. This is where you should concentrate most of your shopping time. 

Why? 

It's where all the fresh, clean eating foods are!  Fresh and clean foods are so much healthier than the ready-to-eat, processed, highly added chemical foods found in the middle aisles. Doing this simple trick every time you're at the store will automatically help you gain control with the fat and sodium in your diet.

**I am HAPPY to help support & encourage you no matter what your health or fitness goals are. I work with a new group of women EVERY month in a private group on Facebook. I'd love for you to reach out & contact me if you need some support!**

SUMMER BEACHBODY SALE! Ends June 9th!

It's that time of year again folks and I didn't realize this but the first day of summer is right around corner (JUNE 21)!  I just spent the day at Ocean City yesterday with my fiancee and I felt the best I've felt in a LONG time.  Seeing myself in photos, I find myself no longer saying "ugh, I look fat" or "man, I need to lose weight".  Now, I look at my photos and say, "Dang, that hard work paid off!" or "I look so happy!".  I am so glad that I put in all that work over the long and grueling winter, because I'm really proud of the body I have right now - it is definitely summer ready!  

But I must state, if you want to make a change, you don't need an entire winter to start making one!  If you want to look and FEEL amazing, confident, carefree...then it's time to buckle down!

For those of you who have workout A.D.D. like me or who just want to get started with something new... now is the perfect time to stock up on some new workout programs because TeamBeachbody is having a Summer S-A-L-E!!  YIPPEE!

When: WEDNESDAY,  June 4th at 12pm PST until MONDAY,  June 9th 12pm PST (that's 3pm EST)

What: Beachbody Summer Sale MANY items are marked WAY down for a limited time

Why: Beachbody wants to help you feel CONFIDENT this Summer ;)

**I am HAPPY to help support & encourage you no matter what your health or fitness goals are. I work with a new group of women EVERY month in a private group on Facebook. I'd love for you to reach out & contact me if you need some support!**

So.... here we go guys!!!

I can't emphasize this enough - if you see something you WANT -- you better grab it! 

This stuff sells out VERY quickly! ..... like cupcakes!

RECIPE WEDNESDAY: Clean Eating Tacos!

I love Mexican food!  It is practically a "go-to" for Johnny and me one night per week.  He loves to eat the actual crispy flour tortillas while I go for the lettuce wrap.  So this is a win-win recipe!  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  Super easy to make and fast!

Clean Eating Tacos!

4 servings

1 TBSP chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp paprika

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp Himalayan pink salt

1/2 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp corn starch

1 lb ground Turkey

Lettuce leaves

Salsa (optional)

Low fat sour cream (optional)

Low fat cheddar cheese (optional)

Brown Turkey in skillet. Add 2/3 cup water- add more as needed by the tbsp

Add spice mixture (about 3 TBSP of mixture per pound) and let thicken into meat.

Serve the meat wrapped up in large lettuce leaf topped with desired optional toppings. 

MOTIVATION MONDAY: You are what you eat

I love Mondays. I always feel like Mondays are a great way to start over.  Sometimes I look forward to Mondays so much that I tend to over eat on the weekends because I know that Monday is my start over day.

Does this sound like you too?

If it does then you were someone like me who was going back-and-forth between the yo-yo dieting and the exercising and never really understanding the concept of clean eating.  Clean eating is a lifestyle change.  It is something that you can't expect to have happen overnight.  For me, it took me nearly 2 months to fully understand and grasp the concept of eating 5 to 6 mini meals a day and exercising 30 minutes or more a day.  What did it for me?  I immediately started to know the difference in how I felt and how my mood was a direct correlation to the food that I put into my body that day.

You know the saying, "you are what you eat"?  Well it appears that this concept is actually very right on and to the point.  Some of us will eat away our feelings and go to the freezer for that ice cream sandwich even though we aren't hungry or really need it.  I've even been there, it happened just yesterday!  We all have ups and downs when it comes to our eating and our exercising throughout the week.   But the important thing to remember out of everything is that we ultimately "are what we eat".  I don't know why this concept isn't pushed on us more often because I certainly would be making different choices if I look at food and "think oh my gosh I am what I eat".  Maybe I won't go for that greasy doughnut that's full of sugar and will probably make my pancreas work twice as hard just to keep me normal! Make sure that when you go for that doughnut or you go for that piece of cake that you really do think about whether or not you're actually hungry for it or if you just want to taste it because it'll bring you some happiness in a split moment. What are you really hungry for?  Perhaps it's more companionship or someone to talk to you about an issue that happened at work.  What is the underlying reason that you are moving towards that food?

This is just some food for thought on Monday. I wanted to share a great visual of dieting versus clean eating - sometimes seeing the changes that take place within your body in a visual format can help give you a clearer understanding of why it is that we gain weight and lose weight.  I don't know about you, but for the longest time I was on the yo-yo diet plan.

I used to do South Beach, "the low-carb diet" and even Weightwatchers and then I'd eventually gain all the weight I had lost back again.  If this sounds like you too, then look no further. Beachbody and Clean eating is the way to go as it will help you and keep you on the healthy track for life!  I love the fact that I don't have to pay for gym memberships anymore and that I merely have to roll out of bed every morning, turn on my beach body program and begin my work out for the day followed by a wonderful clean eating meal plan for the full week.  It is a lifestyle change and it took me a long time to get to this place in my life.  However if I can do it, I know that you can do it.  This is a lifestyle change!  

This is merely some food for thought as you begin this week. If you ever have any questions or would like any advice please don't hesitate to contact me via email at coachmelissamckim@gmail.com.