10 Reasons to Avoid Drinking Soda

The average American drinks approximately 56 GALLONS of soda a year. Some people even admit to drinking more soda than water each day, or no water at all. Soft drinks are a multi-billion dollar product, and they account for a quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States.

With Americans consuming this large amount of soft drinks each year, it becomes important to evaluate how soft drinks can influence a person’s health. With a little research, it becomes clear that even moderate consumption of soda can be dangerous.

1. The Sugar! – A single can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This amount of sugar, especially in liquid form, skyrockets the blood sugar and causes an insulin reaction in the body. Over time, this can lead to diabetes or insulin resistance, not to mention weight gain and other health problems. Soft drink companies are the largest user of sugar in the country.
2. Phosphoric Acid -Soda contains phosphoric acid, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to osteoporosis, cavities and bone softening. Phosphoric Acid also interacts with stomach acid, slowing digestion and blocking nutrient absorption.
3. Artificial Sweeteners– In diet sodas, aspartame is used as a substitute for sugar, and can actually be more harmful. It has been linked to almost a hundred different health problems including seizures, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, diabetes, and emotional disorders. It converts to methanol at warm temperatures and methanol breaks down to formaldehyde and formic acid. Diet sodas also increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, which causes belly fat, high blood sugar and raised cholesterol.
4. Caffeine– Most sodas contain caffeine, which has been linked to certain cancers, breast lumps, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, and other problems.
5. The Water– The water used in soda is just simple tap water and can contain chemicals like chlorine, fluoride and traces of heavy metals.
6. Obesity– Harvard researchers have recently positively linked soft drinks to obesity. The study found that 12 year olds who drank soda were more likely to be obese than those who didn’t, and for each serving of soda consumed daily, the risk of obesity increased 1.6 times.
7. Extra Fructose– Sodas contain High Fructose Corn Syrup, which obviously comes from corn. Most of this corn has been genetically modified, and there are no long term studies showing the safety of genetically modified crops, as genetic modification of crops has only been around since the 1990s. Also, the process of making High Fructose Corn Syrup involves traces of mercury, which causes a variety of long term health problems.
8. Lack of Nutrients– There is absolutely no nutritional value in soda whatsoever. Not only are there many harmful effects of soda, but there are not even any positive benefits to outweigh them.  Soda is an unnatural substance that harms the body.
9. Dehydration– Because of the high sugar, sodium and caffeine content in soda, it dehydrates the body and over a long period of time can cause chronic dehydration.
10. Bad for the teeth– Drinking soda regularly causes plaque to build up on the teeth and can lead to cavities and gum disease.

9 Things That Successful People Do Differently

How to MEASURE progress in your fitness journey!

HOW DO YOU MEASURE PROGRESS??? 

Is it SOLELY by the number on your scale??? I mean, seriously... IF you KNOW you have been eating healthy food... and working out more than you usually do... and your scale goes up 2lbs, do you really let that TRASH your day and erase all of the HARD WORK and DEDICATION you've put in??? 

Working with FEMALES can be TOUGH!!! So many of us are SOOOOO FIXATED on that damn "ideal" number that we forget to FEEL PROUD of ourselves for waking up early 4 days this week and getting our workout in... or choosing to SKIP the donuts at the office... or walking the stairs instead of taking the elevator. All of those LITTLE choices that will end up COMPOUNDING over time and defining your health as a whole. 


Your weight may actually GO UP as you build lean muscle and shed fat! (as seen in the pic below!!!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

Here are just a few others ways to MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS:

- MEASUREMENTS (Take BEFORE measurements of chest, waist, hips, arms, and thighs) *INCHES are far more important than POUNDS!*

- BODY FAT (You can use a scale that has a body fat measurement tools built in it, you can use Calipers, or they even have tests you can have done at the gym... Whatever you choose... be consistent using ONLY that one way to measure)

- HOW DO YOU FEEL? Are you sleeping better, do you have more energy, feeling more positive, happy? (These are ALL results of a healthy diet and regular exercise!!!) 

- HOW DOES YOUR SKIN LOOK? YEP! With a healthy diet, you should even see your skin tone improve and clear!

- HOW DO YOUR CLOTHES FIT? As your body composition changes, you will notice your clothes fit differently! (THIS IS ONE OF MY FAV WAYS to MEASURE MY PROGRESS BECAUSE I LOVE ME SOME SKINNY JEANS!!!)

- A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS!!! ((MY ABSOLUTE FAV WAY to MEASURE PROGRESS!!!)) Pleaseeee do yourself a favor and take progress pics!!! (I mean, seriously, PIC below... Need I say more???)

- BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER!!! When it comes to exercise... this is one of the FIRST signs of progress and the EASIEST to MEASURE!!! On day ONE see: 
How many push ups you can do? 
What size weights are you using? 
How far into your workout video can you make it? 
... and then take note as the weeks go by how much BETTER, STRONGER and FASTER YOU BECOME!!! It doesn't take long to see this type of progress!!!

ALL of these contributions should be added together to measure YOUR PROGRESS!!! 

Weight really is JUST A NUMBER... that NO ONE has to know but you!!! 

Don't JIP yourself and forget so CELEBRATE ALL OF THE AREAS of PROGRESS ABOVE!!!

Make it COUNT... and COUNT MORE than JUST POUNDS, Ya hear?!?!

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BECOMING A COACH!

So you are looking into this whole “COACHING” thing?

Here are 5 things you need to know before making the BEST decision for YOUR life!

#1 - Coaching is NOT a “Get Rich Quick Scheme”

If your number one priority is making bukoo bucks... You might as well save your $39.95 (sign up cost) and keep looking for the right opportunity for you... Because coaching will be a big fat waste of your time... NOT because you cannot end up making BIG MONEY... because you DEFINITELY CAN... but because in THIS business, the only people who make money are the ones who actually care to make a difference and help people change the course of their lives! Your income will ALWAYS be a direct reflection of the number of lives you help change!

#2 - You have to “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN... YOUR BUSINESS!”

You’ve probably wondered, what the heck do you actually DO as a coach, just SELL stuff? Absolutely not! It’s SO much more than that! As coaches we are BEACONS of light. (okay, slightly dramatic... but it’s TRUE!!!) We use our life, and the way we live it, to inspire and encourage others. What happens when you see a friend that you haven’t seen in a few months... and they have lost 20lbs, are beaming with energy and a whole new outlook on life? Well, I know what I DO... I ask them, “What the heck have you been doing girl!? You look INCREDIBLE!!! I want your secret!” -- That’s the best way I can explain the basis of coaching. YOU are that person who, in this story, committed to changing their lives for the better... and thus EVERYONE around you wants to know YOUR SECRET. Mine, well, it’s BEACHBODY! P90X first changed my life after having my daughter London... then came Shakeology that literally was a health GAME CHANGER for me and has helped me to avoid being sick for coming on 3 years!!! and NOW, COACHING... which has taken me from a BANKRUPT BARTENDER with zero business experience... to a Top ranking Business owner making well over six figures a year... in just TWO YEARS mind you! WHY? Because I focused on changing ME first... Then shared my “secrets” with others who followed suit! 

#3 - Coaches are Independent Business Owners.

When you become a coach you don’t the work for BEACHBODY... You work for YOURSELF! No one gives you deadlines, tells you how much you have to work, when you have to work, WHERE you have to work, nor do they decide your salary... YOU DO! And yea, I KNOW... SOUNDS INCREDIBLE, right? *and it IS*... IF you are willing to learn to manage your time effectively, stay consistent, be self-motivated and most of all, self-disciplined. MOST of us have never worked for ourselves... We have had all of our tasks and responsibilities laid out for us, a BOSS to hold us accountable and scare us from losing our job if we didn’t stay on point, a pre-determined salary or hourly rate GUARANTEED to us (even if it wasn’t great... we at least knew exactly what we would make.) and business hours (good ole 9-5!). The BEST comparison I can give you to describe the difference between working for someone else and working for yourself is the difference between HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE. Everyone HAS to go to High School... there is set rules, schedules, learning materials, teachers, subjects, tests, etc... But college... College is for the ELITE, the ones who want MORE out of life! The ones who are willing to take responsibility and make something of themselves. No one calls your mom when you skip class... tells you what to wear, which major to pick, nor which class times you will choose. If you drop out... Well, that’s on YOU. Owning your own business is the SAME WAY... So are you ready to Graduate to the BIG LEAGUES?

#4 - Perceived PERFECTION = NO CONNECTION

Your success as a coach is directly linked to how CONNECTED others feel to you. So many times when I talk to people who are trying to decide whether or not they are going to become a coach... They mention “not being at their goal body yet”  as one of their reasons they doubt they would succeed. TRUTH IS... People don’t connect to PERFECTION... They connect to your STORY. The struggles you overcome on your JOURNEY... and the honesty and openness you are willing to share with them. THOSE are the things that inspire them to change! You want them to think, “Well, if SHE can.... So can I!”... NOT “Well, she is perfect... so, of course she succeeded!” Until I opened up and shared my story of losing myself after pregnancy... and having to file bankruptcy after acquiring $400,000 in medical debt.... Only THEN did they start to see I was human, just like THEM... with struggles, hold backs and experiences that I could have let hold me down. Question is: Are you willing to let down your guard and share? 

#5 BIG DREAMERS make BIG DOERS!

ALL successful coaches have ONE THING in common... They started with BIG DREAMS that fueled their fire to succeed! You have to have a CLEAR vision for YOUR LIFE and know what you are working for! Just like college... You go through the learning process (not making money) all the while KNOWING it will be WORTH IT in the end when you graduate and land the career of your dreams. Only difference here is that college could put you THOUSANDS of dollars in DEBT with no guarantee of a job... when in Beachbody you can actually MAKE MONEY while learning the ins and outs of your trade. IMAGINE if you spent FOUR FOCUSED YEARS, the way people do in college, on BEACHBODY!!! You would likely be earning more than most DOCTORS by the time you “graduated” with no debt to speak of! My point is... You have to know where you want to go... and more importantly WHY! The more defined your WHY... the HIGHER you FLY!

I hope this gave you a better idea of whether or not coaching is right for you and your goals, it is truly not meant for everyone... but when it lands in the lap of the person described above... MAGIC HAPPENS and DREAMS COME TRUE!

When and If you are ready to take the next step... I would love to lock arms with you and be your Coaching “professor” of sorts to show you why I love this business so very much and why I think you just may too! When you become a coach on my team... Your dreams become MY dreams... and THIS dreamer is most certainly a DOER!

Let’s make it count!

16 Points why Being a Beachbody coach and Relational Marketing is better than any business

16 Points why Being a Beachbody coach and Relational Marketing is better than any business. 

Now lets compare what you're  doing.

1. A level playing field , everyone starts at the same level. Build as big as you want. Equal playing field

2. Little investment to start $140.00!!! (Are you kidding me!?)

3. Depends only on you, U decide how much money u make!

4. Immediate Mentorship program! We want you to succeed! Your success is our success. No competitors for job positions, we are a team and work as one.

5. Seniority means nothing! You could out earn your sponsor! (I did)

6. You choose the level of success and income you want. What do you want? When do you want it?

7. Part time, less risk. You put 100% or your effort not 100% of your time.

8. Residual income. Invest your time, NOT trade time for money.

9. Exponential  growth, not limited by hours.

10. You get to pick your team,. How many do currently work with you don’t like?

11. Building a business for the next generation, hand it off to your kids.

12. Your business is based on effort. You work you get rewarded.

13. The larger your business gets, the less you have to put in. in the beginning you do a lot for a little then a little for a lot, walkaway income if you choose to. Freedom of time

14. Recession proof.

15. Success and significance simultaneously How Significant are you everyday?

16. Never fail, your business is based on a 2000 yr old rule, you give, you shall receive.

6 Surprising Money Habits of Millionaires

Most millionaires aren’t driving Lamborghinis and eating caviar. They’re driving reliable used cars and eating mashed potatoes and meatloaf.

Just like us.

In The Millionaire Next Door, authors Thomas Stanley and William Danko interview multimillionaires to find out the secrets to their success.

Turns out millionaires are just normal people who live frugally, invest wisely and budget frequently. After years of following this simple equation, they become wealthy.

And it’s a formula anyone can follow. Including you! Here are six money habits we can learn from millionaires:

1. They spend wisely. Status isn’t important to most millionaires. They’d rather be financially independent than buy expensive stuff. In fact, only one in four of them have ever spent more than $100 on a pair of shoes! Jimmy Choo, who?

Budget Lesson: Don’t buy stuff because you want to impress people. Buy stuff because you want it, you saved up for it, and you will actually use it.

2. They set goals. Two-thirds of millionaires set goals daily, weekly, monthly, annually and for their lifetime. Maybe that’s why they accomplish so much with their time!

Budget Lesson: Author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar famously said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” Name goals for all areas of your life and work hard to make them happen.

3. They buy modest cars. Millionaires don’t lease. Most don’t even buy new cars! They purchase modest, reliable vehicles with cash and drive them for years.

Budget Lesson: Forget about car loans and leases. Save up, buy the car you can afford, and drive it as long as possible. Then buy another with cash. Works every time.

4. They budget and track their spending. Everyone needs a budget, even millionaires. They religiously plan and track their expenses each month. And they know where their money is going at all times.

Budget Lesson: Make an easy, online budget with EveryDollar before the month begins. Do this every month, and track your spending as you go. Make adjustments as needed, and always budget to zero.

5. They save and invest. Most millionaires invest around 20% of their income. And while they have accounts with investment firms, they never put their money on autopilot. They make their own decisions and stay in control of their portfolios.

Budget Lesson: Invest at least 15% (or even more after you pay off your house!) of your income in good, growth-stock mutual funds. And stay involved. Make sure your money is doing what you say.

6. They’re happy. The authors concluded that, “Financially independent people are happier than those in their same income/age cohort who are not financially secure.” Why? Because they don’t have to worry about money, like their peers who are spending money as fast as they make it.

Budget Lesson: The greater your net worth (assets minus debt), the less you have to worry about money. You know you can fund your retirement, pay for your kid’s tuition, and buy your home outright. It’s a good feeling.

The Bottom Line

Millionaires aren’t wealthy because they’re lucky. They’re wealthy because they follow simple money habits year after year. See how much you can accomplish by doing the same.

Team Alpha Elite: Beachbody Coach Business Basics

Basics to know before signing up as a Team Alpha Elite Coach!

* As you know , Beachbody is a HIGHLY reputable company w/ products featured on news media, in magazines, on talk shows, used by celebs,

* 25% commissions on any sales from your website whether you’ve ever brought or sold anything or not;

*No pressure to make sales or increase rank..if you WANT to work it great, if not or not right now, that’s cool..enjoy the discounts

*Team Cycle Bonus, paid weekly, if you decide to build a team

*25% discounts on all products and programs

*First access to all new products and programs

*Free trainings, webinars, conference calls you can attend if you want to learn to be successful;

*I’d be your mentor, so any questions/struggles you have, I’m here to help!

*No stocking of product, or shipping products, or dealing with customer service issues,

*No need for home parties (unless you want to, but that’s not necessary);

*A HUGE support system from other coaches online!! You will feel like you have a whole new family!

*Start up is just $39.95 and then you pay $15.95/ month as a website fee

*Incentive programs to get customers assigned to you!

*You can cancel at any time..no obligation to stay in or penalty fees or anything like that

Does that make sense? Any questions so far?

Canadians: US Dollars, No stocking Product, No recruiting Meetings

YOUR EXCLUSIVE INVITE TO JOIN MY EPIC HEALTH & FITNESSS ADVENTURE

Greetings World! 
I have great news to share! 
I am launching my online fitness business this fall! 
October 2017!

Check out my new fitness blog for updates!! :-)

I will be hiring/recruiting and accepting applications for rockstar business partners this fall to join my team. 

I am super thrilled to be offering a MILLION+ dollar ROI opportunity for serious people that want to become an entrepreneur in the health and fitness industry.

I wanted to share my new blog with the world and invite you along my health & fitness journey. Let's be friends! <3
http://aixifitness.blogspot.com

PASTURE-RAISED, GRASS-FED COLLAGEN PEPTIDES

My favorite Protein Supplement gives me the added energy I need to crush all my fitness goals!

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hides to ensure a natural, high quality, and sustainable source of this ancient nutrient. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body ensuring the health and vitality of your skin, hair, tendon, cartilage, bones, and joints.** These natural peptides are highly bio-available, digestible and soluble in cold or hot liquids.

Uses:

• Stir into water, fruit juice, or other beverages
• Add to smoothies as protein booster
• Mix with oatmeal, soups, or sauces

http://www.vitalproteins.com/

10 Benefits to Drinking Warm Lemon Water Every Morning

HOW TO DO IT:

You should be using purified water and it should be lukewarm not scalding hot. You want to avoid ice cold water, since that can be a lot for your body to process and it takes more energy to process ice cold water than the warm. Always use fresh lemons, organic if possible, never bottled lemon juice. I squeeze 1/2 a lemon with each glass and I drink it down first thing before I eat a single thing, or workout, etc.

BONUS: try adding freshly grated ginger or a little cayenne for a boost.

10 Benefits to Drinking Warm Lemon Water Every Morning

1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.

2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.

3) Boosts Your Immune System. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds.  They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function. Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the body.

4) Balances pH Levels. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Sure, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood. Disease states only occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.

5) Clears Skin. The vitamin C component as well as other antioxidants helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it helps to combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance. Since lemon water purges toxins from your blood, it would also be helping to keep your skin clear of blemishes from the inside out. The vitamin C contained in the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.

6) Energizes You and Enhances Your Mood. The energy a human receives from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes. Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

7) Promotes Healing. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.

8) Freshens Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have  been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. Be aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should be mindful of this. No not brush your teeth just after drinking your lemon water. It is best to brush your teeth first, then drink your lemon water, or wait a significant amount of time after to brush your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified water after you finish your lemon water.

9) Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed, just to name a few.

10) Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster. I personally find myself making better choices throughout the day, if I start my day off right, by making a health conscious choice to drink warm lemon water first thing every morning.

HIGHER FAT LOW CARB DIET

Although eating a higher fat, lower carb diet is about your health…many people do it in order to lose weight (because it works). For many, it works perfectly from the start but for others, they wish it would happen faster. And sometimes, they get great results at first but then hit a plateau. Here are some things to consider…read up if you feel you aren’t getting the results you were hoping for OR you’ve stalled:

1. Don’t focus on the scale…take selfies instead. Pay special attention to your waistline. THAT is a true measurement of your inflammation and fat loss.

2. Don’t let that fruit sneak in, especially if trying to lose weight. Have fruit as a treat but not everyday. The sugar in fruit elevates your blood insulin which turns off your fat metabolism.

3. Avoid those “fake” products! There is no such thing as low-carb pasta, low-carb ice cream, low carb bread and low-carb chocolate bars. If it sounds too good to be true…guess what, it is! You can only be truly healthy from real food!

4. Don’t use sugar substitutes, period. Stevia is ok in small doses. Sweeteners stimulate your cravings and has shown to increase weight in rats (are you a rat?).

5. Hormones play a huge, I mean HUGE role in your weight loss efforts. If you don’t get enough sleep, your cortisol level rises and that causes weight gain. It is a VERY important step in your weight loss journey. Get adequate sleep!

6. Check your portion size for dairy products, cream, cheese and nuts. It’s very easy to overdue those and the calories can really add up even though you are eating lower carb.

7. Are you getting enough vitamin D? It plays a role in weight loss too. Either get some morning sun everyday or consider supplementing.

8. Intermittently fast. I cannot sing it’s praises enough. Eat your total calories in a shortened time frame. I suggest 8 or 10 hours. Most people have great success pushing their breakfasts out a few more hours allowing the body a bit longer to tap into the fat stores before having it to burning the food we eat.

NUTRITION IN A NUTSHELL

Nutrition in a Nutshell:
.
Eating Papa John’s Pizza won’t make you a better Football Player
If the ingredient list sounds like a chemistry chart, skip it
Choose “Nature’s Food” not “Health Food”
Gluten Free crap is still crap
Lean beef doesn’t need to be eliminated from cholesterol-lowering diets
A candy bar with 30g of protein is still a candy bar
Organic crap is still crap
Hydroxycut will not make you look like a Fitness Model
Except for those poisonous mushrooms, if it comes from the ground, a bush or a tree, eat it
.
We were meant to eat fish, meat, eggs, fruit, roots and vegetables. Avoid the packaging, commercial hype and guarantees. Modern technology is great for our communication and transportationbut HORRIBLE for our hearts and waistlines.