Success is an Iceberg

This is such a great analogy for what I do as a Beachbody coach!

1. I post often about these awesome transformation stories! So you see a snapshot of day 1 and day... 30, 60, 2 years... but unless you personally follow the person you don't see days 2, 4, 10, 22. You see the result. The success.
"Hey Piyo is on sale! Look at this girl, she has abs!" That's how it comes off, I get it!
But it takes all of those things listed under the iceberg to get to day 60 or whatever, to get that success.
That's why I offer challenge groups, because I find it extremely hard to stay on track and trust the process. To trust that there will be a day I can take that 2nd picture and say "Here's my transformation"
In a group we hold one another accountable, we keep each other on teack, and we help when there's a set back.

2. I have a lot of coaches who see these insanely awesome successful coaches and wonder... When will it be my turn?
What they don't see are the long hours, sacrifice, time away from family, late nights, set backs, rejections, doubt.... All that stuff they themselves feel.

But the Beauty of consistency and hard work, and never giving up... is there is always a reward at the end. Always. God sees the bottom of the iceberg, and knows that you're meant for so much more than struggle.

If you believe, keep going, jump in, and trust... The rewards are just on your horizon.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Keep going. Whatever you're doing. Keep moving.  :)

Mommyburgh@gmail.com

www.beachbodycoach.com/erikalevarse

Sample Piyo Workout

Well now that I'm officially certified, I can start teaching!

I was practicing the newest release for Piyo, Round 36, and decided to record part of it!

It's a great sample of what to expect at a Piyo class, plus it's a fun extra move if you gave the dvd set!

I'm starting a home dvd Piyo workout Challenge Group in a week. Order YOUR Copy today, GET It BEFORE THANKSGIVING!  What an awesome way to get started before all the crazy festivities!

Here's my workout sample!

www.beachbodycoach.com/erikalevarse

Be Our Next Star!

My team is HIRING! 

Back by popular demand! 

The Bombshells on the Rise

21 Day Smart Start training ♡♡

A year ago I went through a pretty big change. I quit my high paying retail job and went to a lesser paying, less hours, retail job. 

I thought I knew what I wanted. To be a manager, move up in the company, and be someone they recognized as a strong asset to the brand. I had PASSION for it.

I soon found out that passion would get crushed by the silly politics of retail. I would have taken down anyone in my way. Step over bodies to get to that manager position. But I truly saw an ugly side to people who were friends, and people who I saw as mentors.

I got out. And never looked back.

Crying on my way to work, being there late nights/early mornings, not having time for my kids, missing every holiday and family event... that's not living. 

I was already a coach and I knew deep down I could turn my little hobby business into something magical. 

It took a while. I didn't flourish like some right away. But this past summer things just clicked! 

I finally got what PASSION meant. I loved helping others get fit, be happy and realize their potential. 

I loved the family feel of our team. I had awesome relationships with WOMEN, I never had that before. I was used to gossip and being used... I was being lifted up and praised constantly! They CARED for me and reached out, never expecting a thing in return. 

From the outside it may seem what I do is sell dvds.... and I do. But being a coach is so much more.

I was scared to sign up too! I didn't have time for some goofy home business. But I'm glad I stuck to it. It turned out to be an awesome gift!

I'd love to invite YOU to apply for my new coach training. It's fun and I give you every tool you need to start. 

To apply please fill out this short application! 

https://beachbodyerika.wufoo.com/forms/application-for-beachbody-coaching/

Pittsburgh Piyo Certification

                               

Today I got Piyo Certified!

I spent my Sunday doing something I never would have imagined doing... I got certified to teach a class!

Ever since signing up as a coach I have been absolutely fascinated with the instructors. I love the workouts, I love the results, I love being a part of something awesome like Beachbody... but the instructors/trainers are the real reason why I stick with it. They are dynamic, funny, and great to watch. 

I did Jillian Michaels dvds years ago, and honestly, I really disliked her style. I'm sure a lot of people got awesome results from her workouts, and she is awesome on her show, but when I put in the dvds I never felt... engaged.

Fast forward to 2.5 years ago, I decided the gym was just not doing it for me anymore. I basically paid to go on a treadmill and elliptical. BORING!

So I found my friend Kati on Facebook, asked her some questions, and ended up ordering Turbofire. I loved it right from the start. And little did I know, that cute blonde woman on the screen would completely change how I viewed fitness... then and now! Her personality and presence was incredible. She made me do burpees... I never did one before! She made me jump and punch... I never did that before! Crazy!

So here we are now. In September I decided to take the leap and sign up to get certified. I own the own workout dvd set for Piyo, and honestly, I was pretty good at it in my living room. I owned that room. I loved how it made me feel, and I am the type of person that puts down yoga... no offense! I learned to appreciate it! But I like faster tempos and weights... and Piyo brought that strength and flow all together for me!

So how did the day play out???

What to bring!

• water
• mat
• change of clothes (you get so sweaty!)
• your Piyo manual and pen
• snacks/light lunch
• bare feet (recommended but not required)
• your smile!!!!

Introductions!

I arrived at Faster, a really awesome fitness facility by the Robinson Mall in Pittsburgh. I was met with lots of smiles and my nerves of doing something new completely went away. I settled in.. I was not thinking of sitting front and center, but somehow managed to sit FRONT AND CENTER! Turns out it was a great spot.. I'm short so I got to see everything and really engage with what was going on.

Our instructor Kam is really nice and funny and makes things very easy going. She gave us each a goody bag... I loved this! The items inside were really cute and personal, each little item held a special meaning and I loved that personal touch. But also inside was the current round of Piyo being taught in classes, 35.

We learned how to introduce Piyo to our classes or to people who stop is and are like "hey you, what's Piyo??" I'm sure that will happen! 

                                    

Run Through A Class

Next we ran through the current round of Piyo, 35. 

I have taken Piyo classes live before, but I usually only pay attention to the fact that I am so sweaty I may die. Today I really focused on the class and the moves. Kam did a great job of showing us what a seasoned vet can do in front of a class. There were parts where I got a little lost because we moved so fast, but I was really just concentrating on getting the sequences of the moves... I can practice the moves and get better form later at home! She also stopped between the songs and sets, which was great so we could preview the next moves.

Break Down of Class

She then broke down the trickier parts of the class. This is where we saw how each move went into the other, how to correct form, and modifications. It was a quick review because we got more into the tempo and counting along to the music in the afternoon.

LUNCH!

Had a great talk with another Beachbody coach!

This also gave us a chance to sign up as VIP... which I did! That means we get the newest rounds of Piyo sent directly to us every other month when they come out. Awesome!

Questions, Breaking Down Piyo

After lunch and changing my shirt... I was so gross!!!! we sat and went over the manual. It gives really awesome information on not only the program, but the yoga poses used and how to conduct a class. We went through this quickly because the real result is that we want to be able to teach the class. 

Piyo is set to music. The moves and the flow of the workout are synced to pre-set music that the company sends you with the program. So counting and listening to the music is key, all while calling out the next move and DOING it! Really tricky stuff and the most intimidating. 

Learning How To Teach

Here was the real meat of the class and the part that made everything click for me.

Kam went over how to count each section and put the moves to the music. We counted out loud a lot and repeated the same moves. 

We then broke up into groups and were given a section to count and put to music. I really liked working with the other students because I knew we were all on the same level and only wanted to help one another out. 

After we reviewed our section several times, we all went up as a group to teach it to the class. A few of us had to wear the mic to learn how to be a presence in front of a class. Kam counted out the music for us and we went through moves in a sequence. 

What appeared to be hard at the beginning of class started to really become within my grasp. I knew that once I got home and turned on the dvd that was given to us showing the moves for the round, I could count it out and get it on my own.

Final Questions

We then were able to ask more questions and review the class. I learned a ton from the other students. And at the end, I felt really confident that I could go home and learn this on my own. 

Overall it was a really fun day. I met some new friends, and really learned how to stretch myself out of my comfort zone.

I would never have thought this could be something I was able to do. Going there today and learning was a blast. I was so intimidated when I first signed up, I thought I'd have to be certified in group fitness, been to a million Piyo classes, and know people who are instructors to succeed. I quickly learned that not only is the workout for EVERYONE but literally anyone can get certified to teach a class... if it is something you feel in your heart is right for you!

Stay tuned... I'm going to work really hard at learning this round at home, and hopefully will be able to teach a class soon. Or at least bribe a few friends into doing it with me in my house!

Week 2: P90

Hello!

So here we are, week 2 of P90!

To recap, I've done P90X and P90X3, along with other Beachbody programs. But honestly, Tony Horton style is what really hooks me and gets me my best results!

In an earlier post I explained my initial reactions to the differences between the traditional P90X and P90.

The biggest difference, the modification!

Not only does he have a TRUE modifier for the entire workout, but he also shows you the moves (in the Sculpt series) before you do it. This is super different from really any Beachbody program. Gone are the days of busting out 25 push ups in P90X or trying to keep up with Insanity.  They really are taking the time to market extreme athletes and those of us who may need more help, or are just starting.

After doing this for 2 weeks, I've noticed more differences...

● Tony sets up the basics of the program by taking core techniques, and repeating them for a few weeks before moving onto harder moves and longer workouts.
● No more individual workouts. He mixes up styles in each workout. You go from martial arts to cardio to push ups to running to stretching or yoga all in one workout. But each one targets a different outcome: sculpt or sweat.

I'm still on A, and I like that I'm given all this time to repeat each move but choose to follow a different person on the screen depending on what ability level I am that day.

● Ab Ripper is now 3 dvds!
I struggled from start to finish with AbRipperX on P90X. I could do some moves but core is my weakness. Building up to harder moves in P90 has been really helpful!  I don't lay on the floor and pretend to do the workout anymore!  (Shhhhh)


Excited to kill it in week 3!!!!!

Healthy at a Cost

http://www.kcet.org/living/food/food-rant/the-problem-with-7-elevens-new-healthy-options.html

This Article just came out talking about the healthy food options that Tony Horton (P90, P90X, P90X3) has recently released to 7-11 customers in select stores.
He provides healthy wraps, salads and juices. http://www.tonyhortonkitchen.com


I love how Tony addressed this.

"The Problem With 7-Eleven's New Healthy Options is a piece written by RICK PAULAS for KCET.ORG. 

You might be asking yourself why in the world I'd be posting an article that bashes my attempt to give more people convenient healthier options at 7/11? 

My man Rick here thinks the THK offerings are TOO expensive. If he knows a way to deliver fresh salads, wraps and sandwiches for 5 to six dollars, and $4.99 for fresh cold pressed juices, I'm all ears. He also says P90X is risky btw.

I think Mr. Paulas is capable of finding something wrong with puppies.

Maybe I'm supposed to ignore curmudgeons like Rick Paulas. But I'm not the type of guy who can sit on his hands when someone has the gall to attack the team, who had the courage to try."

And I hear it a lot too... I'd eat healthy if it was cheaper.
I'm thinking you'd find the money in your budget if you 1. Tried and 2. Stopped eating out so much, bought TONS of bad food, and shopped at local farms.
I bought a bag full of fresh produce from a local farmer for $8. It was enough to fill our plates for almost a week.
Sure his options are pricey, more than a burrito and pop from 7-11. But I don't think you need to blame the company for not being healthy, I think it's just deflecting the real issue. You.
Maybe cook a nice meal at home, keep healthy snacks around, and be prepared for the day instead of turning to 7-11 in the first place.

OK I'm done ;)

How is P90 Different From P90X

THE BIG QUESTION!!!!!!

I get it a lot when a new program from a popular trainer comes out... why? Why do another program? Won't it basically be the same as the rest of their programs? What more can he really teach me?

As someone who not only owns most of the stuff from Beachbody and has tried a lot of the programs... P90 is very different from the rest of Tony Horton's library.

I started doing P90X about a year and a half ago. I was met with a lot of resistance, a lot of people told me it was too hard. Honestly? It was. It was tough! I made it through the 90 days, barely, but in the end I still accomplished my goal... I lost weight and felt great!

BUT!

Could I have used something to springboard myself into the program? YES! I was able to do a lot of the exercises because I was pretty athletic my entire life, I was just lazy during my pregnancies and gained a lot of weight. However, it was still really hard. To be able to jump in and just do push ups, pull ups, jumping, squats, lifting weights... it is all a bit much. I saw what everyone was telling me before I started.

I tried P90X3 thinking the shorter workouts would help. That means doing less stuff right?? Well it was still really hard, just in a shorter amount of time.

Tony has a system. He does not really have a modifier, he just tells you how to modify each move, but never really shows you how to do it. He assumes, that if you are doing this program, you are healthy and able enough to handle it. 

Here is where the differences come!!!!!!

1.Like P90X3, the workouts are a lot shorter than P90X. 

They range from 25 minutes to 45 minutes

If you asked Tony back when he made P90X is someone could get fit working out for 30 minutes a day, I bet he would say no. However, since he made P90X3 he has really changed his mind. Why? Because he knows how to pack in the right stuff in a shorter amount of time. Plus there are a lot less breaks! Slow pace of P90X? Gone.

2. Less time but more thoughtful.

He may be crunching everything into shorter workouts, but his approach is a lot more thoughtful. Back in P90X he was more into TELLING you what to do, and expecting you to do it, much like a football coach during practice. Now? He takes his time to explain things and move with the camera to show you how each person is doing the moves. He isn't trying to torture them, but to show the viewer that there are multiple roads from point A to point B.

3. The plan is a little different.

P90X had one big calendar on workouts of follow. You could choose 3 different paths to take, but there weren't really levels. 

In P90 he has a map laid out for you. Start slow and learn the basics, and build from there. Sort of like Shaun T's T25. 

You get an A, B, and C group and as you advance, the moves advance. If you need to stay with A, go for it. He makes it really easy to stay at your own pace if you are recovering from injury... or moving on if you really want to get the most out of the program.

4. The modifications.

I don't really remember too many modifications in P90X. There were bands instead of pull ups and weights, or there really wasn't much else. He breezed through each move, and by the time I was able to struggle through a few push ups on my knees, they were done and writing down their numbers. 

P90 is completely different. He basically bases the whole program around modifications. From showing you the moves BEFORE you get started, to having the camera go to each person and talk about form, Tony really slows down and makes sure he is on EVERYONE'S level.

Example of the modifications before each move.

He shows you how to do each move before you start it.

It's a mini break but you get good info on form!

So what comes with P90?

• 10 Workouts
• Calendar with two training options
• Meal plan with shopping lists and recipes
• 4 Step Power Plan
• 6 Day Shred
• Buy it from a coach... bonus workout!

DAY ONE!

I'll post more about the program as I move through it!

Want to join me?

Please email me at

mommyburgh@gmail.com

or

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/erika.levarse