Les L. Lost 99 lbs and won $500.00!

Meet Les L.! He participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for March 3rd!




Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?*
Around the time my first wife, Kim, became pregnant, working out and exercising was very much hit and miss. Eventually, I stopped exercising altogether, and because of that, as well as my very unhealthy eating habits, my weight climbed to over 250lbs. Some guys made comments that I must have been powerlifting at the time, but I knew better. Others, would comment here and there about my weight. I would pretend it didn't affect me, but deep down, I knew it wasn't me and I needed to change. Over time, my weight skyrocketed close to 300 pounds, and I started wearing size 44 pants, as well as wearing some 3X shirts.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?*
My life continued down this unhealthy path, and then in the spring of 2010, my wife was diagnosed with melanoma. I supported her throughout her battle with cancer, but unfortunately, in January of 2011, she died. A week later, I knew I needed to do something to take care of myself and be here for our two little girls. I had joined a local gym, and that seemed to go well for a while, and while there were some results here and there. I was still really hit and miss. I really wasn't getting the progress I wanted to lose weight and get healthy. My brother then told me about something he was doing for his workouts, called P90X. I thought about it, but had brushed it off at the time, although I knew I needed to do something different. Then, in September of 2012, I was walking my older daughter to her bus stop for school, and I could barely hold a conversation with her, and, I was having some chest discomfort. That was it for me. I became serious about wanting to do P90X.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?*
As I was looking into P90X, I took a look at the fit test and what it said regarding what level of fitness I should be at when I started it. But I knew that there was no way that I could do some of what it said I should be able to do. So, I ordered Power 90. I had the motivation, I just needed something more for my level at the time.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?*
Power 90 showed me in the beginning how out of shape I really was, especially when I could only do a few pushups. But I felt that as long as I stayed consistent, I would see definite progress, and that's what happened. After losing an initial 30 pounds with Power 90, I moved on to the Power 90 Master Series, which I felt was a good in between program that would help me get ready for P90X. And then, after losing an additional 27 pounds, I moved on to P90X. Even though I had around six months of the two Power 90 programs behind me, P90X was still very challenging. I wasn't used to doing pullups or chinups, and yoga was tough. In fact, I was one who groaned whenever yoga X was the workout for the day. But, like many in my group, the P90Xplorers, I would eventually like yoga more and more. P90X has been great because it has a variety of workouts to challenge you and keep things fresh.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?*
I just completed my third round of P90X, and since September 2012, I have lost 99 pounds! I know it's not just about the scale. I know it's not the end of my journey, as Beachbody has resurrected a life of health and fitness for me.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?*
I feel so much better, and I can enjoy time with my family and do other activities without getting winded so much. Even as a pastor at a local church, I feel so much better as I minister to those in the church and community. I honestly feel that I have been given a second chance at life and am in the best shape I've been in 20 years, if not my entire life. Thank you Beachbody and Tony Horton!

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 am looking for people to take a journey with me. If this sounds like something you would be interested in let me know. I want to help people and I am very passionate about helping others. I feel as a christian if there is one thing I can do well here on this earth it is to help my fellow man. I want to help you if you are looking for help getting fit and well. Please email me at sarahbowiethawl1@beachbodycoach.com or click this link to learn more about how I can help you. My coaching is free and if you want to change your life for the better contact me. Together as friends we can help you reach your goals!




Love #CoachSarahThawley

Ever Feel Like This?

20 Secrets of Very Fit People

20 Secrets of Very Fit People Written by: Chalene Johnson Taken from: http://wwww.beachbodycoach.com/sarahbowiethawl Here are a few Turbofied tips. Read these tips, then print and post them so you have them as a daily reminder. Look at exercise as a pleasure and a privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will produce. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout! Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise. Work to take your exercise to new levels of intensity. Make it your goal to do some form of exercise 6 or 7 days a week. If some days you exercise once in the morning and once in the evening, even better! If you're eating right, exercise will fuel your energy level! Create an exercise schedule the day before instead of leaving it to chance or waiting to "find" the time. If the last three Presidents of the United States can make time to work out every day, you can make time too! Enjoy contributing to the health of others by having a partner or friends to exercise with, as well as recruiting others who want to feel better and have more energy. Have a neighbor who's sitting on the porch every morning when you walk by? Ask him or her to join you on your walk! Avoid monotony by taking up new forms of exercising, or using things that keep you motivated and inspired, like new shoes or great music. Invest in the right tools—good shoes, a portable MP3 player or iPod®, fitness equipment, a new series of tapes, etc. Subscribe to fitness magazines to keep focused on health as an overall way of life. Eat well-balanced meals and remember that excess calories, even if they're from food that's fat free and high in protein, will turn to excess weight. No matter what the latest fad diet says, extra calories equal extra weight! Limit caffeine and exposure to even secondhand smoke. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often. Water should always be your drink of choice. To kick things up every once in a while, try adding lemon, lime, cucumber, or a few berries to liven up the flavor without adding significant calories. Stick with eating plans you can maintain indefinitely. Remember that no matter how hard you're working out, if you're consuming too many calories, you'll never see the muscles that lie beneath layers of fatty tissue. Keep a daily log of what you're actually eating. This includes every time you grab a handful of chips here or eat the crust of your kid's sandwich there, and ALL of your snacking. Enjoy an occasional (once a week) "unhealthy" treat, but never an unhealthy week or unhealthy vacation. If your diet is unbalanced, take daily vitamin and mineral supplements for total health. Don't compare your body to others'. Instead, work to be your personal best. Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into total fitness. Measure success by the way your clothes fit, not some number on a scale. Get adequate amounts of sleep, but remember that people who exercise regularly fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Limit alcohol intake to special occasions.

7 Spices to Try This Fall

7 Spices to Try This Fall

By Kirsten Morningstar
TAKEN FROM: HTTP://WWW.BEACHBODYCOACH.COM/SARAHBOWIETHAWL

What's to love about spices? Everything! Spices add flavor and aroma to your healthy meals without increasing salt, sugar, fat, or calories. They can be used whole, crushed, or dried and ground into powder, and each adds a distinctive spicy, sweet, or earthy flavor. Some, like turmeric, even add vibrant color!

Ancient trade routes were established, economies were built, and wars were fought with the sole purpose of bringing spices from the Far East to European dinner tables. Why? Because they make food taste so good! That, and many have health benefits. As Paul Sherman and Jennifer Billing proclaimed in their study of spice use across the globe, "Spices taste good because they are good for us."¹

Herbs vs. Spices

What's the difference between herbs and spices? Generally speaking, herbs are the tender leaves of plants that don't have woody stems (think parsley and cilantro). Spices include just about any other plant part, including seeds, pods, flowers, buds, stems, roots, and bark.

Buying and Storing Spices

The flavor and most of the health benefits of spices come from the oils and phytochemicals they contain. These are extremely volatile when exposed to air, and their potency begins to fade as soon as they're ground. It is best to buy whole spices when possible, and use a coffee grinder dedicated to spices (you don't want coffee flavor in your soup!) to grind them just before use. Clean your grinder between uses by placing a piece of bread or some dry rice in the machine and giving it a spin. Or, use a mortar and pestle to do it the old-school way.

Buy spices in small quantities to ensure that you'll use them while they're still potent. A two-pound tub of cinnamon from Costco® is a good deal, but unless you are a professional baker, you're never going to finish it.

No Time to Grind Your Own?

When you're trying to get food on the table in a hurry, pre-ground spices are convenient. They have less zing and a shorter shelf life than whole spices, but they get the job done in a pinch. Store spices in tightly sealed containers in a cupboard away from exposure to heat and light. That spice rack next to the stove may look cute, but the contents of those little jars will quickly lose their flavor. Smell spices before adding them to your recipes. If they have a weak or dusty smell, it is time to replace them.

Not sure where to start? Here are seven basic spices you should add to your pantry that can improve almost any recipe, plus a few recipes that use them.

Cinnamon	Fruits, yogurt, whole grains, coffee, tea
Turmeric	Lentils, eggs, meats, fish, vegetable soups
Cayenne Pepper	Poultry, meats, fish, vegetables, beans, grains, sauces
Ginger	Asian stir-fry, fruits, marinades
Fenugreek	Meat and chicken stews, sauces, vegetable soups
Cumin	Poultry, meats, fish, vegetables, soups, lentils
Garlic	Poultry, meats, vegetables, grains, beans, marinades

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known to man. Used for centuries as a traditional herbal remedy for cold and flu symptoms, its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory powers have been backed up by modern science.² It helps balance blood sugar and cholesterol,³and research suggests that it may inhibit the onset of Alzheimer's disease.⁴

The smell of cinnamon always makes me think of baking cookies with my grandmother. Even though it's most often thought of as an ingredient in desserts, cinnamon is just as tasty in savory recipes. It gives a distinctive aroma and flavor to Mexican sauces, lamb dishes, and North African stews. Try it sprinkled in oatmeal, applesauce, rice, and yogurt, or use it whole as a stir stick for your coffee or tea.

Turmeric

Turmeric is the golden spice that gives most curry mixes their intense hue. The powder is also used to add natural color to mustards, cheese, and butter. Turmeric has a mild flavor, so add it to lentils, grains, meats, fish, soups, Middle Eastern dishes, and Indian curries. It is delicious in scrambled eggs. Just watch out, this spice leaves a stubborn stain on anything that comes in contact with it.

Turmeric has been used medicinally for 4,000 years and is prescribed in ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat inflammation and bellyaches, and as a salve for wounds. It contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin that has been shown to prevent and treat several types of cancer.⁵ Pair it with black pepper to increase its bioavailability up to 2,000%.⁶

Cayenne Pepper

If you really want to crank up the heat, reach for cayenne pepper. Your body will thank you. It is an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin A, and improves heart health by reducing cholesterol and improving circulation.⁷

Originally cultivated in Central and South America, chili peppers were not introduced to the rest of the world until Christopher Columbus brought them to Europe. They have since worked their way seamlessly into cuisines all over the world, especially in regions with hot climates like Asia and Africa. Lovers of spicy food can add cayenne pepper to just about anything, including poultry, meats, fish, vegetables, canned beans, grains, and sauces. Feeling adventurous? Try it in baked goods and recipes that call for dark chocolate.

Ginger

You only have to taste a little bit of ginger root to know that it is good at relieving sinus congestion. But its potency doesn't stop there. This spicy rhizome alleviates all sorts of everyday complaints, including nausea, indigestion, headaches, arthritis, and colds. It is a loaded with compounds called gingerols that can prevent chronic diseases associated with inflammation, like cancer and heart disease.^8,9

Choose fresh ginger when possible, as it contains a more powerful concentration of anti-inflammatory agents—and flavor—than powdered. Both are readily available in most grocery stores. Add it liberally to stir-frys, marinades, and vegetarian dishes. Sprinkle the powdered version into baked goods and oatmeal. For a warming cup of tea that will soothe what ails you, steep fresh ginger in hot water with a teaspoon of honey.

Fenugreek

These are small, squarish seeds that smell and taste like maple syrup when heated, so much so that they're an ingredient in fake maple syrup! When raw, it is incredibly bitter, but when toasted lightly and blended with other spices into dishes like curries and chutneys, it imparts a complex sweetness. It is a common spice in Indian, Ethiopian, and Middle Eastern dishes, and in ethnic markets it's often called methi. Use it in small amounts in meat stews, vegetable dishes, sauces, and soups to complement other herbs and spices. When sprouted, the seeds are a delicious addition to salads.

In ayurvedic medicine, fenugreek is used to aid digestion, and it is said that swallowing a few of the seeds before a meal helps prevent acid reflux and belching. It is a common herbal remedy used by both men and women for reproductive health. It helps lower bad cholesterol and regulates blood sugar.¹⁰

Cumin

Cumin is second only to black pepper as the most popular spice in the world. In fact, the ancient Greeks kept it at the dinner table in place of pepper, which was then very expensive and hard to come by. Once you are familiar with the warm, earthy flavor of cumin, it is easy to recognize it in all sorts of different cuisines, from Indian curries to Tex-Mex tacos. It complements poultry, meats, fish, vegetables, soups, chickpeas, lentils, and grains. Try something surprising and add it to scrambled eggs or sprinkle it on air-popped popcorn. Cumin has been shown to be antimicrobial, antioxidant, and effective at lowering cholesterol.¹¹ It is an excellent source of iron and has long been used as an aid to digestion. If beans give you gas, add cumin to reduce that musical side effect.

Garlic

Have you ever heard of people eating whole raw garlic cloves to protect against illness? Well, besides being 100% effective at preventing vampire attacks, there might be something to this stinky remedy. A University of California Irvine study showed that garlic juice is effective at fighting even very resistant strains of bacteria.¹² The study showed garlic to be effective even in very diluted amounts. One or two cloves in your favorite sauce or marinade is enough to reap the germ-fighting benefits. Use garlic to season meats, vegetables, and legumes. It is very pungent and spicy when raw, but mellows and sweetens as it cooks. Roasting garlic makes it especially sweet. Be careful not to burn garlic, or it will become bitter and ruin the flavor of your dish.

How would you feel if someone else had to raise your sons?

"How Would You Feel If Someone Else Had to Raise Your Sons?"

 By Amy Ludwig

 Article from the newsletter of beachbody.com 

"How would you feel if someone else had to raise your sons?" That question got Jeremy Y.'s attention. At 33, he weighed 370 pounds. His weight affected his ability to be a good father and husband. He had no energy for his two active young sons, his wife, or anything else. Most nights, he'd do nothing at home after work but watch TV. Making things worse, he had severe ankle arthritis, walked with a limp, and took daily medication for high blood pressure. Jeremy had let himself go, nearly all the way to death's door. Fortunately, a good friend of his cared enough to speak up. He'd already had another friend die very young due to obesity-related illness. He worried that Jeremy would be next. After talking with his friend, Jeremy realized that he wouldn't be the only person affected by his excessive weight if he died. How would his family manage? He made two lists, "Why Get Healthy" and "Why Not Get Healthy," and listed the reasons on each. It was clear he couldn't let his family down. Then came the question: What to do? Jeremy had several friends doing P90X®. Not only were they getting fit, but their eyes lit up every time they talked about doing the program. Jeremy decided to try it. A former high school athlete, he soon fell in love with P90X's mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility. Its intensity fulfilled his desire for accomplishment—and then some. Not that Jeremy was able to do all the exercises right away. He had painful arthritis from an old ankle injury. So he went to the Message Boards, where he found out how others modified the exercises to accommodate their injuries. He learned Tony's philosophy: "Do your best and forget the rest." P90X got Jeremy burning calories and raising his heart rate, which helped him to drop weight. The variety within the program helped him avoid repetitive stress injuries. Over time, losing weight took pressure off his ankle. Now he's pain free, no longer limps, and can do most exercises without modifying them. "I truly feel like a new man," Jeremy says today. "My energy is through the roof." He's lost a whopping 161 pounds. He's active with his sons, going swimming, fishing, and to the park. His change has affected many people around him, inspiring them to exercise and eat healthily, too. Beyond all the compliments he now receives about his appearance, Jeremy is gratified to be an inspiration to others and see their healthy success.

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/sarahbowiethawl

Healthy Eating with Super Fruits - beachbody.com

Healthy Eating with Super Fruits - beachbody.com


http://www.beachbodycoach.com/sarahbowiethawl