Enjoy my high quality video! This is what is inside my Ultimate Reset Kit.

Found this great article by Collette DeBenedetto on the Team Beachbody Newsletter and thought i'd share!

Summer (aka drinking) season is upon us—sun, fun, barbecues, and brewskis with your broskis. Ah, the good life. But with shirts off, where are you going to hide the burgers and beer? You wouldn't think of telling your buddies that you're passing up the booze to watch your weight because, let's be honest, you were Spring Break King of '93 and you have a reputation to uphold. How do you keep the six-pack, while still having fun? It's all about balance. You don't have to say no to all of the goodies, but you do need to make conscious choices to keep your days healthy. I would not recommend going cold turkey. This is not a "diet" or practice in social suicide; rather, this is a lifestyle change.

Evil spirits abound . . .Just because you're logging hours on the treadmill and embarrassing Arnold in the weight room doesn't mean you can put the cast ofJersey Shore to shame in the bar and not have consequences. One does not cancel the other. There are some major side effects, including packed-on fat, slower recovery, and disrupted sleep, to name a few. It's common knowledge that alcohol is a powerful diuretic and can cause major electrolyte imbalances, which puts you at a much higher risk for musculoskeletal injuries and brain impairment. Other effects include altered reaction time, decreased testosterone levels, and sleep disturbance. Furthermore, alcohol is stored as fat in your body and destroys amino acids. When you've had one too many drinks, your body's glycolysis process becomes impaired. This means your body begins to produce lactic acid, causing a decline in energy, as well as decreased muscle recovery, and increased soreness.

In 2010, the University of Houston created a 3-week experiment on alcohol and exercise using rats. The scientists took a group of alcohol-loving rats and made half of them use running wheels while the other half stayed sedentary. Once the scientists took away the wheels, the active rats drank more alcohol than the sedentary rats. J. Leigh Leasure, PhD, told Fitbie that "it's possible that exercise could cause cross-tolerance to alcohol meaning, it may make alcohol less rewarding, so people would therefore drink more of it in order to get its feel-good effects." So the more curls you tackle in Back & Biceps may just have you wanting more 12-ounce curls on the weekend.

And whatever you do, don't pop a cold one post-exercise. When you work out, your blood sugar naturally drops. After you're finished, your body focuses on replacing your glycogen stores. If you consume alcohol post-workout, your glycogen stores will not be replaced since your body will be busy metabolizing alcohol, causing your blood sugar levels to stay at an unhealthy level. It's important to first replenish with a proper recovery drink post-workout, like P90X® Results and Recovery Formula® or alternative post-workout snack.

. . . And yet, we raise our glasses.Regardless of these issues, most people reading this will still hoist a tankard this coming weekend. You can drink alcohol, have a social life, and still be healthy. Yes, I dared to say it. I promise. You do have to make choices and moderate those choices because after all, alcohol is made up of calories. And the calories usually don't stop at the alcohol. Think of the sugary mixers and the post-bar grub. How many times has eating cheese fries with gravy from a diner in North Jersey at 3 AM seemed like a "great idea"? The keys are in choices and in moderation.

Once you're at the barbecue or bar of choice, which drink do you choose? Let's take a look at your best bets from a caloric standpoint:

1. Hard alcohol. Most distilled spirits have under 100 calories and limited carbohydrates in their 1.5 ounce serving size. If you can stick to hard alcohol with a 0-calorie mixer, your waistline will thank you. We recommend water or club soda. You can also use diet sodas or juices, but then you're getting into artificial sweetener territory. Proceed at your own peril.
2. Wine (red/white/sparkling). A 5-ounce serving of wine will pack in about 100 calories. But be wary here. Many restaurants will pour larger servings.
3. Light Beer. Light beers have limited calories and carbohydrates, which makes them a great choice for the calorie conscious. Look for brands that have under 100 calories in a 12-ounce serving.

When looking at what to stay away from, try to nix mixed drinks and full-calorie beers—although if you're not counting calories, full-calorie, craft-brewed beers are your best bet from a holistic perspective, in that they're made from naturally healthy ingredients and free of additives, fillers, and other chemicals. Mixed drinks are packed with syrups, sugars, and sodas that can easily add in hundreds of calories to your cocktail. And no, it's not healthy even if the mixer is made from fruit. That fruit is high in sugar! They may look and taste sweet, but mixed drinks can wreak havoc on your body. Fruit by itself is great for you, but I don't think the bartender at Joe Shmo's pub down the street is grating coconut and chopping up pineapple . . . he's probably mixing canned fruit juice. The reason why fruit by itself is good for you is because it packs FIBER with it, which helps slow the digestion and absorption of the fructose, or sugar. Fruit juices have all the sugar, but none of the fiber, leaving your insulin response to skyrocket and fall. Furthermore, sugar masks the taste of alcohol and you may not realize how much alcohol you're consuming.

When imbibing, try to alternate between alcoholic beverage and water. This will aid the absorption process; keep you hydrated; and help you slow down, keeping your alcohol intake to a moderate level. Plus, when your buddies are on drink number four, you'll only be on drink number two. At that point, they may be too drunk to notice or care that you're not drinking alcohol! If you want to look like you're still drinking, one of my favorite tricks is to just get a club soda or diet soda and garnish with lemon or lime. It gives the appearance that you're drinking so you won't have to explain yourself to anyone.

If you overdo it, that's okay. Overdoing it is not an excuse to jump into a downward spiral. It's an opportunity to recognize that you didn't like the outcome of something and you can change it moving forward. Perhaps, waking up in Tijuana after a night of too much tequila doesn't feel or look so good. Your body will remind you of that in the days following. Moving forward, recognize you may need to balance and make different choices in the future.

So how much is too much? The National Health Service of the UK recommends that men should limit their intake to 3 to 4 units a day (that's about 2 to 3 standard drinks here in the States) while women should limit their drinks to no more than 2 to 3 units a day (1 or 2 drinks). You can still lift weights and drink beer too, just don't think you'll be able to drink scotch like Ron Burgundy at night and train like Rocky the next day at the gym.

Resources:

• Effects of Alcohol on Performance. UC San Diego. Web. 28 March 2012.
  http://www.nmnathletics.com/attachments1/507.htm?DB_OEM_ID=5800
• For the Athlete: Alcohol and Athletic Performance. Princeton University. Web. 28 March 2012.
  http://www.princeton.edu/uhs/pdfs/NCAA%20Alcohol%20and%20Athletic%20Performance.pdf
• Jegtvig, Shereen. Should I Avoid Fruit Juice? About.com Nutrition. 1 April 2012. Web. 10 April 2012.
  http://nutrition.about.com/od/eatmorefruitsandvegetables/f/Should-I-Avoid-Fruit-Juice.htm
• Kovacs, Betty, MS, RD. Alcohol and Nutrition. MedicineNet.com. 14 June 2011. Web. 11 April 2012.
  http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_nutrition/page4.htm
• Patton, Robert. Binge Drinking. BBC Health. Web. 28 March 2012.
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/addictions/aboutaddiction_drinking.shtml
• The Risks of Drinking Too Much. National Health Services. 3 Jan. 2012. Web. 22 March 2012.
  http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Effectsofalcohol.aspx

The clock is ticking to the start of the 21 Day Ultimate Reset...and I can't wait. 

At one point in my life I considered myself a model of health and fitness, last few months have been a bit of a challenge with one personal 'stressor' after another. Just little issues like..getting divorced and moving house.... 

Though it's not entirely accurate for me to make that 'model' claim at present, it is reasonable to state that I am determined to get back on track and that every little setback is just that...a stall, a hiccup, a siesta. It happens to all of us and the worst thing we can do is let this 'short break' turn into 12 months, 3 years...longer! 

My body is calling out for this,sleep has been sporadic of late and when I'm tired, I tend to grab less than ideal foods and my workouts suffer. My skin is showing signs of congestion too. So..time to restore the factory settings!      

Ultimate Reset Kit arrived, super excited! I'm still reading over all the info and instructions, but I'll post a video soon with details!

To help you succeed in transforming your life with the Beachbody Ultimate Reset™, the clever folks at Beachbody have even developed a Participant Portal with a downloadable app, containing everything you need to get the most out of the program, including easy-to-follow daily schedules, cooking videos, shopping lists, fitness and wellness tips, science and nutrition information, and an extensive support network where you'll find advice and encouragement!  

Today I used the shopping list and ordered much of the condiments, nuts and beans through Vitacost.com. We do have a couple of healthfood stores here but they are a little on the pricey side. The Produce Box provides my weekly fruits and veggies but I will probably have to supplement more specific ingredients via the local Wholefoods that opened today, YAY! Judging by the crowds of people lined up outside, I'd say the town is as thrilled as I am! Until the sea of bodies, tents and cops dies down a little (it's that big of a deal..), I'm sticking with VitaCost for the bottles and dried foods. Free shipping and really great discounts. It's been a while since Mirin, Miso and Umeboshi Plum Vinegar have graced my shelves, it may be the first time for you, but I LOVED eating this way not so long ago and I just can't tell you how eager I am to clear out the gunk and be guided back to better health with all the tools provided in this kit and just 21 Days. Cake! Ummmm, cake...  :)

Stay tuned! I'll be posting a daily journal of my experience with the Reset! 

Eating healthy doesn't need to be complicated or boring! Here are 30 easy-to-prepare snacks, each under 100 calories, that will keep your tastebuds happy.

1. Strawberries and chocolate: Dip 4 or 5 (depending on their size) strawberries into 2 squares or melted dark chocolate.
2. Mini quesadilla: Melt 1 tablespoon of cheddar onto 1 small corn tortilla. Top with shredded cabbage or diced tomato if desired.
3. Chocolate banana: Dip one-half of a banana into 2 squares of melted dark chocolate.
4. Frozen grapes: Freeze 1 cup of grapes and enjoy them as if they're sorbet.
5. Greek yogurt with honey: Mix one teaspoon of honey into half a cup of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.
6. Cinnamon apple: Sprinkle an apple with cinnamon for a treat that tastes more decadent than it is.
7. Bitter chocolate: Enjoy 1 large block or 3 small squares of dark chocolate.
8. Hot chocolate: Mix 2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup with 6 ounces of nonfat milk.
9. Almost apple pie: Try 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce with a hint of cinnamon.
10. Jicama: Chop one and a half cups of jicama and add a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt for a tangy, refreshing treat.
11. Café Au Lait: Enjoy 8 ounces of skim milk with a shot of espresso.
12. Carrots with hummus: Crunch on 9 or 10 baby carrots with a side of 2 tablespoons of hummus.
13. Nuts: A handful of 25 pistachios, 14 almonds, or 16 peanuts will provide you with the protein and fat your body needs.
14. Eggs with guacamole: Hard boil an egg and replace the yolk with 2 tablespoons of guacamole for a protein-packed snack.
15. Edamame: Boil or steam one-half cup of unshelled edamame with a pinch of salt for a fiber-rich snack.
16. Mediterranean tomato: Dice one medium tomato and top with 2 tablespoons feta cheese and a pinch of salt.
17. Bell peppers with balsamic vinegar: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar on top of 2 cups of sliced bell peppers.
18. Eggs with spinach: Scramble 3 egg whites with one-half cup of raw spinach and 1 tablespoon of feta cheese.
19. Corn with garlic: Coat one-half of an ear of corn with a 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 minced garlic clove. Grill until tender.
20. Santa Fe black beans: Combine one-quarter cup black beans, one-quarter teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of nonfat Greek yogurt for a hearty snack.
21.Caprese: Top one ounce of mozzarella cheese with half a cup of cherry tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.
22. Tuna salad: Mix together 2 ounces of water-packed tuna with 1 tablespoon of fat-free mayonnaise.
23. Sweet potato: Enjoy one small baked sweet potato plain or with a pinch of salt.
24. Popcorn: Munch on 2 cups of all-natural popcorn.
25. Olives: For a salty snack, enjoy 9 kalamata olives.
26. Watermelon twist: Top 1 cup of watermelon with 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta.
27. Peanut butter: Even on its own, peanut butter makes for a protein-rich treat.
28. Cottage cheese and melon: Combine three-quarters of a cup of melon with one-quarter cup of nonfat cottage cheese for a sweet dessert.
29. Strawberry and spinach salad: For a savory and sweet salad, mix together 1 cup of baby spinach with one-half cup of sliced strawberries. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
30. Shakeology: Mix one-half serving of your favorite flavor of Shakeology with water.

Have you tried any of these snacks? Which ones do you like? What are your easy and tasty low-calorie snack ideas? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Real people, real results with P90X and Shakeology: Lisa J, a 23 year old woman who lives in Colorado, lost 73 pounds and dropped from 44 to 12% body fat with P90X and Shakeology. 

After playing sports through college, Lisa started gaining weight when she stopped competing. Family and health issues caught up with her and at age 22 she was told she was at high risk of having a heart attack. While she was dealing with medical issues, she commited to getting back in shape. 

In her own words: "Using Shakeology and walking everyday after I was released from the hospital, I lost about 20 lbs. Once I was medically cleared to exercise, continuing to use Shakeology and completing the full P90X program, I lost a further 52 lbs, countless inches and 28% body fat. I went from larger than a size 16 to a size 4. Then after completing 30 days of Asylum, I lost 9 more lbs, 4% body fat, and now hover somewhere between a size 2 and a size 4. I am truly most proud of the fact that I feel as though I have reclaimed myself and my life. I am fulling living now and no longer feel like I need to "hide" or "escape" from my own life. I am happy, confident, and excited for each and every day. I fought to get my true self back and I won." 

If you're ready to take control of your health and fitness with P90X and Shakeology, give me a shout and let's talk about it, or you can just check out the P90X Challenge Pack Here!

I love that Team Beach Body members can be a part of this! Voting is live now! 

Beach Body is giving away some serious cash--$100,000 for the male and the female with the most inspirational fitness transformations. Help us decide who should win!

But that's not all. $25,000 will be awarded to the male and the female with the best Shakeology® Health Transformations! Sign up for FREE and join the Challenge for next month and make sure to show your support for the stories that inspire you the most!