Are you suffering in your life right now?  Do you want your life back so bad that it hurts?  Janet did and she did something about it – even working out in secret when she started.  Below is her story from the Team Beachbody Success Story contest.  She entered The Beachbody Challenge and won $500.00, so not only did her dream come true, but she has money to reward herself, too.

You can follow the same path that Janet did with the Tai Cheng Challenge Pack.  It not only comes with the workout, but also the Shakeology that Janet drank that fueled her workouts and enhanced the progress of her results.  To learn more about the Tai Cheng Challenge Pack and to purchase it for yourself or a loved one,  please click here.  To read Janet’s success story, keep reading!

“Have you ever wanted something so bad it hurts? Well, as a sufferer of fibromyalgia, what I wanted so bad was NOT to hurt—physically or emotionally. Not only was I suffering with frequent episodes of pain that could last for days at a time from this condition, I was overweight, depressed, exhausted, had little flexibility, and suffered from balance issues, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, sensitivity to smells, heart palpitations, and migraines. But the thing that brought me the most pain was the thought of not being able to actively participate in the lives of my grandkids or possibly not be around to watch them grow up. Trying to lose weight on my own left me frustrated, still experiencing pain and all the other symptoms. So when I found out about Beachbody and all the success others have had with the programs, I decided to give Shakeology and Tai Cheng a try. I truly had nothing to lose!

Once I began drinking Shakeology, I immediately had the energy to workout, which resulted in me losing weight. I secretly began doing Rockin’ Body® at home. I even started going to Fit Club. And even though I had to modify the workouts, I pushed myself by repeating the phrase: “DO YOUR BEST AND FORGET THE REST!” I did. And I did.

Then for my 60th birthday, my kids gave me Tai Cheng and it was the best gift ever! The combination of Tai Cheng and Shakeology made me feel amazing. Tai Cheng worked on my strength, stamina, and flexibility while Shakeology fueled my body with the nutrition it needed to support my new lifestyle. Together they gave me an increased feeling of happiness and wellness—something I hadn’t felt in forever.

In a little over a year, I went from 300 lbs. down to 165, and went from a size 26 to a 10. And even though I still deal with pain issues daily, my pain has so greatly improved that I’m now able to lead an active life. I’ve recently run/walked several races, and my flexibility, balance, and strength has skyrocketed. Plus, I still go to Fit Club twice a week and do my workouts at home (though they’re no longer a secret) and even post my progress on facebook.

Thanks to these amazing programs and supplements, I’m no longer standing on the sidelines being the “cheerleader”. Now I’m actually doing the races and have medals to prove it! But what’s more important is that I’m a healthier person for my husband, children, and grandchildren—and now that I have another new grandbaby, I’m more motivated than ever to continue down this path of eating healthy and working out. Thanks Beachbody, you saved me.”

Janet participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for May 10th!

Before doing P90X I was completely miserable. I was 25 years old, stood 5’ 7”, had high cholesterol, and weighed in at 225 pounds. With those stats, I wasn’t fat, I was obese. I knew I needed to workout but kept putting it off until tomorrow. And when “tomorrow” finally did arrive, I’d exercise for a few days—but within no time I was right back on the couch playing video games, gorging on chips and chocolate chip cookies. I even tried to convince myself that it was okay to be overweight; I was happily married and fat is just how people are these days. That’s when I knew I had a problem.

I kicked off my transformation with P90X and found incredible success. But if it wasn’t for Coach Wayne and the support I received through him and my Challenge Group, there’s no way I would have stuck with the program. They held me accountable every single day and kept me going when times got tough.

Then for Christmas my family gave me P90X2, which was the best gift they could ever give me. Not only did the workouts train me like an athlete, every time I was on the verge of giving up, Tony Horton would crack a corny joke or spout off some motivating line that made me dig deeper. Plus, I loved X2’s moves and its element of instability, which really developed my core while strengthening my weak spots.

My proudest moment was when I could finally do pull-ups without a chair or the chin-up max assist band. When I first began my journey I couldn’t do a single pull-up, but when I was finally able to keep up with Tony and the gang during Base & Back, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to tell my wife when she got home. In that moment, I finally started feeling confident about myself. If I could complete P90X2 workouts, I could do anything!!!

But I can’t attribute my entire transformation to hard work and sweat alone, Shakeology had a LOT to do with it as well. Shakeology made me feel strong, lean, and kept me satisfied throughout the day. It also helped lower my cholesterol tremendously. My Dr. never did bring up putting me on cholesterol meds ever again, instead he was completely curious as to how I lost all that weight.

Now a days, I’m no longer obsessed with pant sizes or numbers on the scale, instead I care more about feeling great and never losing this sense of being on top of the mountain. I know that if I continue to work hard, drink Shakeology, and eat clean healthy foods, that I’ll remain strong, healthy, and happy. I’m most thankful for Coach Wayne’s support, Tony Horton’s unique attitude, and these success stories. They just made the entire journey so enjoyable. Today, fitness is no longer a chore; it’s just a part of my life—like brushing my teeth or taking a shower.

Gaston participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for May 9th!

You can change your life, too. Take The Beachbody Challenge™, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody® program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.

I have been heavy throughout my whole life and have lived in solitude, escaping to my games, which got very lonely at times. I have been on food stamps for at least 2 years because I have been unemployed and was forced to live out of my car while I was in Oregon because I had no money. I interviewed for several jobs but once they saw me I was pretty much told that the position was filled…no one would hire me in the condition I was in. I had pretty much given up hope on life. I was destined for certain death if I did not make some type of change. It was time to do or die.

David participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for May 8th!

My mom had recommended I try the Ultimate Reset because of all the testimonials she was hearing from all the people who were using it. She offered to have me come and stay for 21 days and monitor everything. I reluctantly agreed.

I’m not going to lie, I was really hesitant to try the program because I saw some of the foods on nutrition plan and knew most of them were not my favorites. My meals prior to the Ultimate Reset consisted of fast food pizza, Angus 1/3 pounds burgers with fries and a large soft drink and that was pretty much a revolving door for me. But the Ultimate Reset foods were delicious! I didn’t expect that. I was going to bed early and actually getting a good night’s rest. It taught me the proper way to prepare my meals and that I could eat smaller portions and not be hungry. Seeing the weight drop off has motivated me to make this a way of life.

I began the reset at 736 pounds and lost a total of 40 pounds in the entire 21 days. While I was hesitant in the beginning about the whole thing, I stuck by the menu plan the entire 21 days. I actually have continued the program and now lost a total of 93 lbs! I experienced things on the reset that I never expected to see in my life: more energy and waking up and realizing that I had a good night sleep. Can’t remember the last time I had either one of these two things. The Ultimate Reset was a great start to my new future & even though I know I have a long way to go, it’s given me hope of a normal life. Once I get down to what I believe is a good weight for my height, I will set out to help young kids who are in the same predicament that I was in and I think my testimonial will be a great start for all of them.

You can change your life, too. Take The Beachbody Challenge™, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody® program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.

Question: What’s different in the new Greenberry Shakeology formula?

Answer:

• Reduced calories from 140 to 130 per serving
• Reduced Sugars from 11g to 6g per serving! (5 grams less than before!)
• Reduced Total Carbs from 19g to 13g per serving
• Increased Protein from 16g to 17g per serving
• Fiber increased from 3g to 4g due to the addition of pea protein and increase in super greens.
• Reduced fructose necessary in the formula due to the addition of Luo Han Guo
• We added Shakeology’s newest superfoods: Luo Han Guo, Moringa and Himalayan Salt.
• We increased the amount of super-greens (it is Greenberry after all!) and included an even more delicious natural flavor which works more harmoniously with the formula to makes Greenberry sweeter and fruitier.
• Green tea used is no longer decaffeinated — therefore it is less “processed”.
  • (Note: Green tea is naturally very low in caffeine).
• Plus we incorporated the improvements we made recently to Chocolate:
  • More concentrated grasses. We’re using grass juice powders. The grasses are first pressed into juices—which allows us to concentrate the nutrients—then the juice is further concentrated into a powder. (Before we were just grinding the grasses themselves into powders)
  • Better strain of probiotics
  • No suma root or blue-green algae
  • Still Low Glycemic Index

Q: Can I still get the Original Greenberry Formula?

A: For those of you who loved the original Greenberry, you can still purchase it (24-count cartons only) for limited time, beginning Tuesday, May 7^th. Just go to the Shakeology Shop page on TeamBeachbody.com to place your order.

Q: Does the New Greenberry Formula still have whey protein?

A: Yes, Greenberry Shakeology still has whey protein in it. We also added natural pea protein to round out the amino acid profile.

Q: Does the New Greenberry Formula still have fructose in it?

A: Yes, but nearly half of what it had before. In this latest formula evolution, new superfood ingredient Luo Han Guo (monkfruit) lends natural sweetness to the formulation without the carbs or calories.

Q: Why are the calories lower in this new Greenberry formula? (130 vs. 140 in the old formula)

A: This is mainly due to the reduction of fructose in the formula.

Q: What is Himalayan Salt? Why was it added into the new Greenberry Shakeology formula?

A: Salt and sodium are necessary in our diets. Unfortunately, common table salt has been stripped of its natural minerals. Himalayan salt is completely natural, relatively untouched, and as a result, still contains over 70 trace minerals. All these natural minerals found in Himalayan salt actually make this salt healthier for you than regular table salt. Additionally, as most people who bake know, adding a pinch of salt contributes to the sweetness of a product. Keep in mind that the RDA is 2400 mg. People who follow a low sodium diet generally restrict sodium to as low as 1500mg/day. So at 200mg, Greenberry Shakeology only represents 8% of the recommended daily intake.

Q: What are all ingredients now listed in blends on the 24-count cartons?

A: Ingredients on the Greenberry Shakeology packaging have been grouped in such a way to help customers more easily understand the categories of ingredients and their benefits.

Q: Why was Suma Root removed from Greenberry Shakeology?

A: Recently, the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and the National Football League (NFL) released a new list of nationally banned substances. Because current drug screening technologies are unable to differentiate between natural, healthy substances and synthetic banned substances, the list now encompasses a group of all-natural phyto-chemical compounds known as ecdysteroids, which are found in various plants around the globe. Since the ecdysterone found in Suma Root can be erroneously detected as a banned synthetic substance, we have chosen to exclude it from Greenberry Shakeology.

Q: Why was Blue-green algae removed from Greenberry Shakeology?

A: The numerous benefits derived from blue-green algae are found in the other ingredients found in Shakeology’s Phytonutrient / Super-Greens blend.

Q: Why is only one strain of probiotics listed on the new Greenberry Shakeology label rather than the 6 listed on the old formula?

A: Bacillus Coagulans is a powerful strain of probiotics proven to survive the acids in the stomach and reach the intestine where it is intended to function. Probiotics are good bacteria that help create a healthy environment in the intestines, to maintain healthy and improved digestive function. These friendly organisms may also help fight bacteria that cause diarrhea and there’s also evidence that probiotics help maintain a strong immune system. This is why the probiotics need to reach the intestines instead of being eaten up in the stomach and why we have upgraded our probiotic strain.

Q: Is Greenberry Shakeology gluten-free?

A: The Shakeology formula does not contain any gluten-based ingredients and we make every effort to prevent any ingredients with gluten from coming into direct or indirect contact with our products. However, because of our high standards we do not feel it is appropriate to make a gluten-free claim since Shakeology is produced in facilities that also handle gluten based ingredients. If you have a concern about gluten it is best to consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.

Q: Original Greenberry Shakeology used to say it was Gluten–free. Why has it changed?

A: Because the safety of our customers is extremely important to us we felt it was prudent to include the statement that Shakeology is made in a factory that also handles gluten (wheat) based ingredients and we removed the Gluten Free statement. This does not mean that Shakeology contains gluten, in fact the Shakeology formula does not have any gluten based ingredients and we make every effort to prevent any ingredients with gluten from coming into direct or indirect contact with our product. This is taking a very conservative approach—however, the health and safety of consumers is our number one priority.

Q: When will Shakeology be certified gluten-free?

A: There are no gluten-based ingredients in the Shakeology formula. Although we can apply for a gluten-free certification, the safety of our customers is extremely important to us and until we are satisfied that our high standards can be met we will not put a gluten-free certified statement on the package. To meet our internal standards, we are reviewing our entire supply chain of nearly 100 ingredients to ensure that there is no potential exposure to gluten-based grains from the farm to the Shakeology product being sealed in the final package. At this point we cannot say when that assessment will be complete.

Q: Is Greenberry Shakeology free from allergens?

A: Shakeology is formulated to be free of the common 8 allergens, however, Shakeology is made in a manufacturing facility that also process allergens such as soy, wheat, milk and gluten. While our manufacturing procedures follows strict, required FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which include cleaning and breaking down of equipment between production runs and proper air filtration systems as precautionary measures, the possibility of cross-contamination can never be 100% eliminated, therefore we include the warning statement as a precaution to make our customers aware that Shakeology is manufactured in a facility that also processes soy, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, and wheat (gluten) ingredients.” We feel this is a responsible approach to help those with extreme sensitivities to such ingredients make an informed decision about the use of Shakeology.

Kristjan won the Team Beachbody $500 Daily Prize for May 6th!

My whole life I’ve BEEN big, and LIVED big—spent my teens and 20’s in the 300+ club. Though overweight, I was still a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. I loved life and overindulged in things that brought me immediate gratification. But sadly, all those indulgences were also cutting my life short. So when I rocked the scale at 365 pounds, I had had it—enough was enough! Life’s too short to be entombed in an unhealthy body.

I tried to diet and exercise on my own, but after months of struggling I had only lost 20 pounds and that’s when it became evident that I needed help, so I turned to the great Tony Horton, P90X, and Beachbody. Over the next two years I completed FOUR Beachbody programs (sometimes doing them several times), changed my diet, lost 150 lbs., and went from a 58” waist down to a fit 35.

How’d I do it? By plowing through P90X THREE times back-to-back, a round of P90X2, then a round of P90X/INSANITY hybrid with my cousin. And if that wasn’t enough, I did one more round of P90X2 which shredded so much fat that got down to 205 lbs. WOW, 365 to 205! I could barely believe it myself. Now it was time for the “real” fun to begin. My cousin and I set out to bulk up (with muscle, not fat) and crushed it with a super elongated series of Body Beast which packed on 10 pounds of Grrrrrrr. All that in 2 years—WHEW! But I didn’t stop there. I’m currently doing P90X, AGAIN, to see what my body can do fully fueled.

In the two years I did those workouts I never plateaued, instead my performance continually excelled. If I wasn’t losing fat, I was gaining endurance, and my body was improving daily. I never had to worry about what to do or what to eat, I just followed the plan Beachbody laid out for me and it worked. Especially the part about drinking Shakeology daily. I absolutely LOOOOOOOVE Shako!!! It’s the ultimate health shake that you can bring it ANYWHERE. It’s full of goodness without all the artificial garbage found in most other so-called nutrition shakes. And then there’s the P90X Recovery Formula which was also key to my success. After putting my body through massive strain, Recovery refueled my body and helped me build muscle mass.

Today, I’m in the best shape of my life—something I never thought I’d be able to say at 30. Having gone through this battle empowers me to help others who are traveling down a similar path. And while the road is sometimes long, and often seems scary, like most things in life, most of the fear is simply in your head. If there’s one thing I learned from my journey it’s this: Be patient with the process, yourself, and your body. You didn’t pack the weight on overnight, and it’s not going to come off overnight. But find a workout that’s fun and you’ll keep going when the going gets tough. And finally, “Just do your best, and forget the rest.” Thanks Tony. Thanks Beachbody. And thanks cousin, Frank. You guys saved me. And 150 less-pounds later, I REALLY love life!

You can change your life, too. Take The Beachbody Challenge™, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody® program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.

By Zack Zeigler – From the Team Beachbody Newsletter

Once you’ve mastered basketball’s fundamentals—how to properly dribble, shoot, pass, and trash talk—you can improve your game by fine-tuning the way you train off the court. This exercise collection, courtesy of former basketball coach, veteran baller, and Beachbody’s Director of Fitness Steve Edwards, will increase your stability, stamina, and strength while aiming to keep you off your team’s injured reserve list.

“When we were creating P90X2®, I went over the training diaries of many NBA® players, and these are movements almost all of those players did,” Edwards says.

Some exercises you’ll recognize from P90X2 and INSANITY®, while others were borrowed from Dr. Marcus Elliott and his team from the P3 Peak Performance Project. Edwards recommends a thorough warm-up before engaging in this workout, and performing one set of each exercise in sequence. When one round becomes a slam-dunk, add another to make it more of a challenge. Also, we promise that’s the last cheesy basketball-related pun.

FRONT SQUAT
A solid base is important if you don’t want to lose your balance every time some lummox hand-checks you. “Along with making your legs, trunk, and lower back strong, front squats will teach your body proper biomechanical alignment,” Edwards explains. “Tall people tend to naturally squat wrong by bending forward instead of sitting deep—and that’s not a strong position. When doing these, only squat down until your knees are at 90 degrees, since that’s the range of a defensive stance.”

How to Do It

• Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Raise the dumbbells upward and rotate your hands so they’re in the same position they’d be for a barbell squat (might require a lower body “kip” [dynamic move to hoist the weight] if you’re using heavy weight).
• Descend into a squat position while keeping your back straight, your chest upright, your elbows parallel to the floor, and your butt over your heels.
• Once your knees reach 90 degrees, return to the starting position.
• Perform 8–15 reps.

LATERAL SKATER
Breaking news: NBA scouts are not attending your pickup games. So exiting the game without spraining or tearing anything should trump all other concerns. Lateral skaters work the quads, hamstrings, and calves, but they also play a key role in strengthening the entire pelvic girdle, especially the gluteus medius. “The gluteus medius—a small muscle in the butt—helps with hip stabilization and puts your body into a biomechanical alignment that greatly reduces knee and lower-extremity injuries,” he says. No wonder the folks at P3 make them a staple in their basketball-centric workout routines.

How to Do It

• Stand in an athletic position with your feet close together; bend at the waist with your knees and arms slightly bent.
• Jump off of your left foot and land on your right foot while keeping your left foot off the ground. The opposite leg from the one you’re launching off of will naturally pendulum across your body.
• Reverse it (jump off of the right foot and land on the left foot).
• Perform 6–10 reps total (3–5 each leg) at 100%.

HEEL SLIDE
As Edwards notes in his blog, you’re far more susceptible to non-contact lower-body injuries when hip alignment is askew. Enter the heel slide. The form can be tricky, but perfecting the movement enables you to maintain proper hip alignment. “If the middle of your butt isn’t hurting by the time you’re done, you’re doing it wrong,” Edwards says. The downside: You’ll need adequate wall space, so contemplate taking down the enormous Kurt Rambis portrait to free up some room.

How to Do It

• This one’s a little complicated, so we’re going to let Steve take it away in this video.
• Perform 15–20 reps (or 30 seconds) per side.

SIDE PLANK LEG RAISE
In every facet of the game—shooting, defending, sprinting off the court in shame after launching an air ball—you’re using core strength. For side plank leg raises, Edwards suggests raising both the upper leg and arm to provide more stability and to force the hip into place. He also stresses the importance of pointing the toes down on your elevated foot. “Turning the toes downward will strengthen the gluteus medius along with your core,” he reveals. “Pushing the belly button forward will help maintain verticality. When the upper leg hangs out from the body, it most likely means you’re using the back and gluteus maximus muscles (in other words, cheating) instead of the gluteus medius.”

How to Do It

• Lie on your side, keep your legs straight, and prop yourself up on your arm or elbow.
• Raise both the upper leg and arm (remember to point that upper toe downward).
• Hold the position for 30 seconds, then switch sides.

BULGARIAN SQUAT
Bulgarian squats build lower-body muscles. They also provide a reason to thank Bulgaria for contributing something to the world. When paired with split squat jumps (we’ll get to those next), the two exercises team up to both strengthen the legs and enhance explosiveness. “This is a basketball-specific movement that you use in the game,” Edwards explains. “You want your back leg to be about 12 to 18 inches off the ground with your back knee almost touching the ground [like a lunge when you descend]; finding the proper weight and distance to use here will be trial and error.”

How to Do It

• Grab a pair of dumbbells and put them at your sides with your arms straight, or move them into the same position you would when doing a barbell squat.
• While you’re in a staggered stance (your left or right foot forward), place the top of your back foot on top of a bench (or a chair, couch arm, or stability ball—whatever’s available or at your comfort level).
• Perform 8–15 per leg.

SPLIT SQUAT JUMPS
The folks at P3 rely on split squat jumps regularly with their basketball clientele. Why? They enhance explosive power off of one leg, and that’s something players need to snag rebounds, hit jump shots, and execute 360-backflip dunks . . . or layups. “Doing a heavy contraction exercise like the Bulgarian or front squat before a dynamic movement makes the latter move safer,” he explains. “Your muscles are thoroughly warmed up, so it’s much harder to injure yourself. The cool thing is that you also free up something called high-threshold muscle cell motor units that will help you jump higher.”

How to Do It

• Get into a split stance.
• Drop into split squat position so your front upper leg is parallel to the floor and your rear knee is almost touching the ground.
• Jump upward and quickly switch the position of your legs so you land in the opposite stance.
• Perform a squat and repeat.
• Perform 6–10 reps total (3–5 each leg) at 100%.

SQUAT HOPS TO WALL SQUAT
“The first thing you do when you’re tired in basketball is start to stand up and lose the position where you are strong and laterally quick,” Edwards says. And if you can’t sink down into a stance and D up, you might as well wear the other team’s jersey. This squat hop to wall squat duo will supply your lower body with strength and stamina. “Go for speed, not distance,” he says. “Move as fast as you can, tapping the feet as quickly as possible. And when you’re done, do a wall squat until failure.”

(Something to consider: If you sweat worse than a broken spigot and you’re doing wall squats at home, Superman a towel over your back to preserve the paint.)

How to Do It

• Get into a defensive stance (legs bent at 90 degrees, back straight, head up), arms out like you’re guarding someone.
• Perform 16 jumps rapidly (4 forward, 4 sideways, 4 to the other side, and 4 backward) and repeat it 4 times.
• Find a wall and get back into your defensive stance with your arms and fingers extended.
• Stay in that position as long as possible.

FINGERTIP PUSH-UPS
Whether you’re shooting, passing, or giving someone a Dikembe Mutombo finger wag after blocking a shot, your fingers play a crucial role. And they take a serious beating during basketball games. Fingertip push-ups will toughen your digits and boost strength in your upper body and core. “Work up to 25 reps, but aim for 15 or as many as you can do to start,” Edwards suggests. “Do some of them from your knees to build up strength if you need to.”

How to Do It

• Get into a push-up position (wide- or narrow-grip).
• Support your body weight with your fingertips instead of your palms.
• Keep your head, neck, hips, and torso straight, and your back and shoulders stable as you descend.
• Push up and repeat.
• Perform up to 25 reps (unless you can do more).

LINE HOPS
Proprioception is an internal mechanism that allows us to do cool things like control our limbs without having to look at them while they work. (That’s how we can drive without the need to stare at our hands and feet.) Trouble is, that can be a detriment with basketball. We remember how to run, jump, and shoot from balling when we were kids, but if we haven’t played in a while our bodies may not be conditioned to carry out those in-game movements without suffering an injury. “Line hops help with neuromuscular patterns,” he explains. “Just jumping on the balls of the feet will help get your body used to [those movements] again, as well as help with speed and quickness.”

How to Do It

• Tape an “X” onto the floor.
• Hop quickly over a line, changing direction after every 5 jumps.
• After 30 jumps, rest 30 seconds and complete another set.

CURL TO OVERHEAD PRESS
Owning a Bieber-esque physique will get you punished in the paint and leave you out of position when you’re hit with a hard screen. In other words, don’t neglect strengthening your upper body. “With this movement, you’re building strength through a squat position, which you spend a lot of time in on the court,” Edwards says.

How to Do It

• Grab a pair of dumbbells and let them hang at your sides.
• Perform a squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
• Return to the standing position and do a biceps curl.
• When the dumbbells reach your shoulders, flip your hands over and press them over your head by thrusting from your hips (called a push-press).
• Reverse the move, slowly, to the starting position, and repeat.
• Do 8–15 reps, or until failure.

You can save $25.00 when you purchase the Tai Cheng Challenge Pack in May (offer ends May 31st) and you save over $90.00 if you were to buy everything separately.  Whether for yourself, a Mother’s Day gift or even planning ahead and buying it for Father’s Day, Tai Cheng, Shakeology and the Team Beachbody Club membership are an unbeatable combination for health and wellness.

Renew your youthful energy in just 90 days through the healing motion of Tai Cheng! Developed with Dr. Mark Cheng, this low-impact program combines the 18 fundamental moves of Tai Chi with 21st-century sports science.

It includes 12 workout DVDs, plus a Master Scroll reference DVD and valuable fitness tools to help you turn back the clock and feel absolutely fantastic.

Exclusive BONUS: Order Tai Cheng on Team Beachbody^®, and receive the Tai Cheng Body Alignment for Better Living DVD—a $19.95 value—FREE!

Your Challenge Pack also includes:

• Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology^®—the superfood shake that helps give you energy, reduce cravings and accelerate your fitness results—delivered on Home Direct, our monthly autoship program.*
• A FREE 30-day trial membership in the Team Beachbody Club, where you’ll find all the support you’ll need to complete your Challenge.**^†
• Plus FREE standard shipping!

MOBILITY, AGILITY, VITALITY.
EVERYTHING IS ABOUT TO GET BETTER.

Tai Cheng is based on the ancient Chinese martial art, Tai Chi, which is practiced for its physical and mental conditioning benefits. Through the program, you’ll awaken your natural energy, increase your flexibility, tone muscle, engage your core, and improve your balance and range of motion. For all these reasons, Tai Cheng is a life-changing workout.

Here’s what your Challenge Pack includes:

12 workout DVDs, plus, a Master Scroll DVD:

• Master Scroll DVD: Learn everything you need to master Tai Cheng. Dr. Cheng breaks down each of the 18 Tai Cheng moves, so you can watch exactly how each move is done and be ready to learn them from Day 1!
• DVDs 1–3: You’ll learn 6 Tai Chi moves, combining them into a fluid routine that builds strength, increases your overall range of motion, and reduces pain.
• DVDs 4–6: Dr. Cheng teaches you 6 new moves to increase your energy, burn off excess fat, and build greater stability, strength, and balance.
• DVDs 7–9: You’ll be introduced to the final 6 moves that you’ll need to learn on your way to becoming a Tai Chi Master.
• DVDs 10–12: The last 3 disks will guide you through performing all 18 moves, in a powerful, yet graceful health-boosting routine.

You’ll also get these valuable tools:

• The Easy Does It Fitness Guide: Filled with practical tips on form, technique, and mind-body realignment: it shows you how to complete Tai Cheng to improve your health, energy, and mobility.
• Feel Better Food Plan Nutrition Guide: Use this guide to find delicious, easy-to-make meals and snacks that’ll help you feel younger, healthier, and more energetic.
• 90-day Daily Workout Calendar: We’ve done the work for you so you always know which sequence to do and when. Just follow along and chart your progress.
• Blue Foam Roller: Work out everyday kinks and pains and loosen tight muscles as you develop better balance, posture, and flexibility.
• Tai Cheng Tape Measure: Track the changes in your entire body as you get healthier and stronger.

In addition, you’ll receive these 6 FREE BONUS gifts (A $250 VALUE!):

1. Applied Tai Cheng: Travel and Sport (BONUS DVD): Learn how to use Tai Cheng to get more enjoyment out of your favorite sports. And, discover exercises you can do while traveling—even on a plane!
2. Low-Resistance Strength Band: Use it to build up your strength and balance.
3. Medium-Resistance Strength Band: Step up to the green band for more resistance.
4. “Just Eat This” week-long menu plan: Receive a week’s worth of healthy meal recipes to help you make the right food choices.
5. Removeable Floor Tape: Create your Tai Cheng foot placement grid with low adhesive strips that leave no sticky marks to clean up afterwards.
6. FREE Team Beachbody 30-day VIP Club Membership: Stay motivated with positive peer support, chat with trainers, receive expert diet and fitness tips, and get 10% off Beachbody^® gear, programs, and nutritionals.

Exclusive BONUS: Order Tai Cheng on Team Beachbody, and receive the Tai Cheng Body Alignment for Better Living DVD—a $19.95 value—FREE!

Ready to improve your well-being, mobility, and posture? On this DVD, Dr. Cheng will help you understand how your body works, how to correct mobility issues, and how to prevent injury. Plus, you’ll learn how to combat flat arches, strengthen your core, walk with proper posture, and fix bad joint mechanics. You’ll also see how using a foam roller can help you work out everyday kinks.

PLUS:

• A 30-Day Supply of Shakeology—The Healthiest Meal of the Day.*
  Simplify your nutrition with the convenient and delicious daily superfood protein shake that helps give you energy for your workouts, reduces junk-food cravings and may help you reach your fitness goals faster. A nutrient-dense combination of antioxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogens, and many other rare ingredients gives your body superfoods you can’t get from a normal diet. 100% vegan option now available.^‡

PLUS:

FREE 30-Day Trial Membership in the Team Beachbody Club.**^†
When you’re part of the Team Beachbody community, you have all the tools, support, and accountability you need to commit to a healthy lifestyle. Including:

• 10% discount on all purchases
• Meal plans personalized for your goals
• VIP access to your favorite trainers and Beachbody experts, including live chats, exclusive videos, nutrition tips, and delicious recipes
• Your own personal Coach for guidance and support
• Access to SuperGym^®, where you can win cash or prizes just for logging your workouts every day
• Message boards and chatrooms to help you find new friends and workout partners, and get advice and support from the entire community

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
We’re so sure you’ll love this Challenge Pack, we’re giving you our 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied, simply call Customer Service to return it within 30 days for a refund of the purchase price (less any S&H).

Ingredients and Nutritional Information for Shakeology Chocolate Flavor Download PDF
Ingredients and Nutritional Information for Shakeology Greenberry Flavor Download PDF
Ingredients and Nutritional Information for Shakeology Tropical Strawberry Flavor Download PDF
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*With Shakeology Home Direct, you’ll receive this item every 30 days, shipped directly to your door and billed to the credit card you use today in the amount of $129.95 a month—only about $4.00 a day!—which includes FREE shipping to your doorstep. You may cancel at any time to avoid future charges by calling Customer Service.

**After your first 30 days, you’ll be automatically billed to continue your Team Beachbody Club membership at a cost of $2.99 a week, billed $38.87 per quarter in advance to the credit card you provide today. You can cancel anytime to avoid future charges by calling Customer Service.

***Strength Band contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions.

Offer not valid for current paying Team Beachbody Club members.

An open letter to my team of Beachbody Coaches:

Coaches, you can change your body in eight weeks, you can change other people’s bodies in eight weeks and you can change lives forever over the next two months.

I am proof of how successful you can be changing people’s lives and I want all of you to commit to the next eight weeks and focus on the 3 Vital Behaviors, using the resources in the Coach Online Office like the 7 Day Quick Start Guide, the Memory Jogger and the Business Activity Tracker and more importantly to step out of your comfort zone to see what is possible.  I am asking for eight weeks to lay the foundation for income for a lifetime.  Today is the day to become one of the real people with real commitment who are achieving real success with the Team Beachbody referral marketing business model.

Linear Income v. Residual Income

The focus of Super Saturday this time is a commitment challenge – a challenge to commit to the next eight weeks with pure focus.  I brought my Albuquerque coach, Bernie Smith, with me to the Albuquerque Super Saturday and he made the comment to the group, most of whom were half his age, that you will never make enough money with linear income and I am not sure how many understood what he said.

If you are interested in learning more about the Team Beachbody referral marketing business model, the most successful ever created in the health and fitness industry, please click here or email me at howtobefit@aol.com.

From the Team Beachbody Newsletter

Back in Paleolithic times, stress and its associated hormone release was an important survival tool. Things like adrenaline gave us the juice we needed to dodge a famished cheetah, while cortisol helped out should that cheetah decide to pursue us for a long, long time.

The problem is, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Prolonged exposure to stress and its merry band of hormones can lead to all kinds of problems, including inflammation, fatigue, and many modern ailments, such as fibromyalgia and IBS.

In our busy, always on, always online world, it’s like we’re all being chased by cheetahs every single day. So it’s time to take that cat by the whiskers and let stress know who’s boss. Here are 30 quick tips to help you release stress in a matter of moments:

1. Smile. When you smile, feel-good chemicals are released into the bloodstream, taking the place of stressful chemicals.¹ So smile and watch the world smile back at you.
2. Take a deep breath. The act of deep breathing allows your mind to focus on the present moment and stop the worry train. Take a deep inhalation through your nose, allowing your lungs to fill up completely, and as you exhale through your nose, allow your lungs to empty entirely.
3. Calm music. Relaxing music’s long, slow, spaced-out beats require less energy for the brain to process, and its predictive structure can be almost meditative.
4. Call a friend. Research suggests that people who have close ties with friends and family are all around happier, healthier people. Hearing the comforting sound of a loved one can help make a stressful situation less so.²
5. Visualize. Whether you take a few minutes to visualize a serene setting that you’d love to be in, or imagine what the life of your dreams looks like, visualization gives your mind a break from the stress you’re feeling.
6. Scream. This is a quick, harmless way to relieve pressure that has built up. When you are all plugged up, sometimes all you need is to let your steam out. So be a little teapot short and stout; when you get all steamed up, give it a shout.
7. Make to-do lists. Knowing what needs to be done can help you navigate what you need to do for the day, and it allows you to focus on the tasks at hand and not on remembering all of them. As you finish them, check them off. At the end of the day, you’ll see how much you have really accomplished. Making this list the night before can even lead to a less stressful morning.
8. Focus on the positive. Some researchers believe that your thoughts can affect your physical body. Anxious, sad, and angry thoughts can make your entire body feel more stressed because they cause the brain to release the stress hormones, while pleasant, peaceful thoughts can make the body feel less stressed because they can cause the brain to release the pleasure hormones dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin.
9. Relax your muscles. Focus on one muscle at a time; tense it for a few seconds then relax it and notice that sensation of relaxing. Begin at the top of your body and work your way all the way down until your body is completely relaxed.
10. Play a game. Getting together with a group of friends to play catch, engage in a board game, or jam out on Rock Band^® will take your mind off what’s causing you stress, at least for a little while.
11. Aromatherapy. Research has proven that lavender, chamomile, and sage all have stress relieving properties when taken in through the olfactory system. Burn a scented candle, use an oil diffuser, drink some tea, or bring those herbs into your space to lower your blood pressure.³
12. Laugh. Laughing gets endorphins and dopamine coursing through the bloodstream. These feel-good chemicals will help you feel happy and relaxed.⁴
13. Get a good night’s sleep. Staying up too late can cause one to wake tired and depleted, and even everyday tasks will take more time and energy. Having trouble getting a great night’s sleep? Click here to find out how to improve your sleep tonight.
14. Imagine them in their undies. If people stress you out, why not try the age-old idea of imagining them in their underwear? How intimidating is a person walking around in their skivvies?
15. Journal. Mental health professionals currently promote journaling as a proper behavioral technique to reducing stress. Get the anxiety and negative emotions going on inside your brain onto paper. That way it doesn’t weigh the mind down.⁵
16. Have a cup of tea. Chamomile tea to be exact. Chamomile tea has calming agents that can relax the body both through breathing them in and drinking them.
17. Take a hot bath. Soaking in a hot bath relaxes the muscles that tense up every time stress hits the body. Ease them by slipping into a warm tub for a half hour or more.
18. Go for a walk. When it’s too much, step away from it and get some fresh air into your lungs. Even a short, five-minute walk can help give you a fresh perspective and relieve stress.
19. Have a good cry. Being brave and keeping a tough exterior can create a pressure cooker effect. Seeing a sad movie, listening to a touching song, or just allowing emotions to flow when faced with something sad can help give your body the release it occasionally needs.
20. Plan something fun for the future. When you’re under a lot of pressure, this can give you a light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to. Just don’t make planning this stressful too.
21. Get sweaty. Exercise relieves stress. Research even says that if you have a hard workout right before bed, you’ll get longer, more restorative sleep.⁶
22. Have a glass of wine. The ritual of a single glass of wine can help you relax and sink into the present moment a bit more. Less is more on this one.⁷
23. Be affectionate. People who kiss, touch, and hug produce less stress hormone and more feel-good chemicals than those who do not. When we are touched, our pre-frontal lobe gets a signal that we have another “carrying the load.” Our body then gets the “OK” to relax.^8,9
24. Orgasm. This can be a solo or shared activity. Right before you orgasm, your entire body tenses up; when you reach the point of orgasm everything in your body relaxes, thus giving you a decrease in blood pressure and the euphoric feeling of completely letting go.¹⁰
25. Tell a joke. Step away from the seriousness of the stress you’re under and share a joke with someone else. You’ll improve his or her day and you’ll get the satisfaction of bringing joy to someone else.
26. Drink less caffeine. I know that’s just mean, right? But it’s true. If the body is all jacked up on caffeine, it has more energy but is also in a very reactive state, which can lead to mega stress.
27. Create a mantra. Negative self-talk can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Create a positive mantra instead such as: “I live in a loving, peaceful world” or “It feels like a lot, but I can handle it. I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”
28. Have a dance party. Pump up the volume and break out any move that feels good. You might feel silly, but the combination of exercise and feel-good music will put you in a better frame of mind.
29. Stretch. When you are faced with a stressful situation, your body tenses up immediately and quite often does not relax unless you consciously make an effort to relax it. Stretching is a great way to relax those tense muscles. Stretch several times a day. Your body will thank you.
30. Play with your pet. Research suggests that people with animals live longer, happier lives. Dogs love to lavish you with bouncy attention and some cats are content to rest in your lap for hours. Either way, their unconditional love will ease your stress.¹¹

Resources:

1. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=smile-it-could-make-you-happier
2. Scherer, K. R. (2003). Vocal communication of emotion: A review of research paradigms. Speech communication, 40(1), 227-256.
3. Motomura N, Sakurai A, Yotsuya Y. Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Percept Mot Skills. 2001 Dec;93(3):713-8.
4. Bennett MP, Zeller JM, Rosenberg L, McCann J. The Effect of Mirthful Laughter on Stress and Natural Killer Cell Activity. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, March-April 2003
5. Richardson, K. M., & Rothstein, H. R. (2008). Effects of occupational stress management intervention programs: a meta-analysis. Journal of occupational health psychology, 13(1), 69.
6. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-stress/SR00036
7. Eckardt, M. J., File, S. E., Gessa, G. L., Grant, K. A., Guerri, C., Hoffman, P. L., … & Tabakoff, B. (1998). Effects of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on the Central Nervous System*. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 22(5), 998-1040.
8. Carey, B. (2010). Evidence that little touches do mean so much. The New York Times.
9. Harlow, H.F. The nature of love. American Psychologist, 1958, 13, 673-685.
10. Brody, S. (2006). Blood pressure reactivity to stress is better for people who recently had penile–vaginal intercourse than for people who had other or no sexual activity. Biological Psychology, 71(2), 214-222.
11. Siegel JM, Angulo FJ, Detels R, Wesch J, Mullen A. AIDS diagnosis and depression in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study: the ameliorating impact of pet ownership. AIDS Care. April 1999.