Coni Fitness

Cathe's Imax 3~ The Sound of Fat Cells Crying

2012-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

That is all. Just finished the bad boy and NAILED IT. Go me :-)

NEW Energy and Endurance Pre-Workout Drink

2012-01-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

Just ordered mine...can't wait to try it and give you a review!! So far I've only heard good things. I will be honest and say I'm not a huge fan of "sports drinks" in general but if this baby can deliver the goods I'm willing it add it to my supplements. Stay tuned! For more info and ordering details HERE.

Spicy Paleo/Primal Chili

2012-01-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love chili on a chilly winter day? By popular demand here is the Paleo recipe that goes with the pic I posted on facebook a couple days ago. I like LOTS if heat so there are lots of peppers. Feel free to adjust according to you taste :-)

Spicy Paleo/Primal Chili

Ingredients~

2 lbs ground beef chuck
1 lb ground pork
1/2 package bacon, chopped
4-5 carrots, sliced into bite sized pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 green pepper, chopped
2 habaneros, diced
3-4 stalks celery, sliced
2 jalapenos, diced
5-6 cloves of garlic, finely diced
4 14.5 oz cans fire roasted tomatoes
4T Chili Powder
2 tsp Paprika
1.5T Oregano
1.5T Basil
1.5T Cumin
1T Pure Baking Cocoa Powder
Salt and Pepper to Taste
1 Cup Strong Black Coffee
Chicken/Beef broth to cover

Directions~

Brown the meat (ground meats & bacon) on medium high heat until bacon starts to cook and meat is no longer pink. About 5 minutes Drain most of the excess grease off.

Add all vegetables to the pot (carrots through garlic) and continue cooking until veggies start to soften. About 5 minutes more.

Add spices (Chili powder through salt & pepper) and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 more minutes.

Add canned tomatoes, coffee, and broth to cover. Stir well and bring to boil. Once boiling lower heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for at last another 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Garnish with avocado, plain yogurt, more sliced hot peppers and cilantro if desired.

ENJOY :-)

AWESOME Barre Workout!

2012-01-04T19:01:00.000-08:00

Today I took a slight detour from my Les Mills Pump hybrid rotation and tried out one of my fairly new (and never done before!) Cathe workouts, Turbo Barre. Love, loved, LOVED it! I substituted my X-Pole for the barre and it worked quite well.

The upper training segment was high reps/low-moderate weight and challenging if you pick the right resistance. The leg/butt work on the barre was TOUGH. Seriously, I feel like I can squat for days but this kicked my bootay lol.

It concludes with a brief but tough core workout and and a much welcomed stretch to keep things long and lean. If you need to keep your workouts low impact but still want to feel the burn, or if you are just looking for a change of pace from crazy high impact workouts with losing the challenge this is definitely for you!

I would like to think I looked as graceful as Cathe and the girls but not so sure hehehe. It made me FEEL like a dancer anyway :-) Check it out!

Click here to visit Cathe dot Com.

Finding Clarity

2012-01-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

OK, I'm going to get a little zen today but that is one of my priorities this year. Sometimes the harder we search for answers or solutions to a problem the more evasive they become! Let go, don't force. Go within and find that little still place at the center. Let the truth reveal itself on it's own. Trust in your wisdom and let it happen. Here is a little haiku I use to remind myself of this. Namaste friends xoxo

Sitting silently,
Doing nothing,
Spring comes,
And the grass grows by itself.

Osho

Balance

2012-01-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

I snapped this photo on a hike yesterday in Griffith Park. I love how downtown L.A. is peeking out behind these pretty little flowers. Peacefulness in the middle of bustle. Nature in the middle of urban. Being in the middle of doing. Balance. Something I want more of in my life this year :) Big HEARTS to you Dear Reader.

xoxo

Coni

365 Days of Blog Posts

2012-01-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

Can I do it?? I have several goals I want to accomplish this year but only one true resolution. To finish EVERYTHING I start (unless I make an informed decision to change course based on evidence that I may be going down the wrong path) and do every action I commit to doing. OK, I guess that's 2 things :-) Anyway, the point is that I tend to take on too many projects, over commit, and generally get distracted by shiny things. The latter is likely my biggest obstacle.

Last year I made a half-assed commitment to blogging EVERY SINGLE DAY. A quick look at my archives will show you THAT did not happen. So I am committing to the same promise AGAIN and putting it in writing. Coming from someone who is going on her 3rd year of completing her 12 Burritos of Christmas series this should not be taken lightly!!

Do here I go....day 1 is in the books! I will see YOU tomorrow :-)

xoxo

Coni

Les Mills PUMP

2011-12-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting for this baby for a looong time! I am so freakishly excited to start it that I will be combining it with P90X2 which started earlier this week :-) Are you ready to get that long, lean body you've always wanted? Join me on this journey and order yours today HERE!

Pork and Sweet Potato Burrito Soup #8 in the 12 Burritos of Christmas!

2011-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

OK, better late than never :-) I have committed to finishing my 12 Burritos of Christmas THIS year but I also am now sticking to a mostly paleo/primal diet. Soooo, that means some unwrapped (or non-carbed wrapped) concoctions. I hope you enjoy them! Today's recipe is based on the Pork Burrito Soup recipe from Pots & Plots but I made a several tweaks. Both versions are equally awesome imo!

Pork and Sweet Potato Burrito Soup

1 2-3 lb. boneless pork roast
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chili powder
1 pinch of sea salt
3-4 slices of uncured bacon, uncooked and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 cloves of garlic, smashed or minced
1 splash of tequila (optional and you can determine the definition of "splash")
1 jar (about 2 cups) salsa. I used Trader Joe's low sodium chipotle
4 cups of chicken broth, water or combo of both
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 cups of green beans or other favorite veggies, frozen or uncooked NOT canned

Combine cumin, paprika, chili powder and salt in a small dish. Rub all over pork roast.

Heat bacon over medium-high heat until it just starts to cook and gives off a little fat. Add roast to the pan and brown lightly on each side. (about 2-3 minutes per side)

Add onions and garlic to the pan and saute until onions start to brown and soften, about 3-5 minutes. Add the tequila splash and deglaze the pan by scarping up ant browned bits that may have gotten stuck.

Add the salsa and 1/2 broth and/or water to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until pork is tender.

Remove pork from pot and shred or cut up meat into bite-sized chunks. Return to pot and add sweet potato chunks and vegetables. Simmer over a low - medium heat, uncovered, for another 30-45 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.

If desired you can garnish with plain yogurt, cilantro, diced spicy peppers, avocado and tomatoes.

Enjoy! :-)

The Power of Doing Something Scary That (Probably) Won't Kill You

2011-12-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

I always love it when my workouts act as life lessons that I can carry over into my other 22-23 hours a day. Today did not disappoint! I'm in one of my most favorite places in the world, Joshua Tree, CA and today I went for one of my not so favorite but really is one of my favorite hikes to Ryan Mountain. Translation~ It is a great workout but scares the crap out of me! I'm really fine with steep treks but not when a good portion is on a narrow, rocky path on the outside of the hill. You may have guessed that I'm scared of heights :-) The way UP is generally OK but coming down and seeing just how far I could tumble if I lose my footing freaks me WAY out. Did I mention I'm accident prone? I've actually resorted to butt scooting my way down particularly steep hills. I guess my rationale is that I can not fall on my ass if I'm already on it.

So why do I voluntarily do stuff like this when I know it will make me feel super uncomfortable? Because I also know that it will make me a little bit better each time I stare fear down and do it anyway. It will make the next, even scarier, mountain possible to climb. If I push myself to be better I will be better! So how did I make it down the mountain in one piece and feeling pretty freakin fantastic about myself? One step at a time and by focusing on the climb down, moment by moment. This is where the life lesson part comes in. If you have a BIG, scary thing you need or want to get done (ie a goal you keep putting off because you think it's not possible) take it one bit at a time and don't let yourself get overwhelmed by the big picture. Chip away at it, small task by small task, and the next thing you know it's DONE. (and you feel pretty amazing!)

I swear it was even scarier in person!

As I was thinking about all of this it dawned that this feeling of being overwhelmed, being intimidated by BIG goals has held me back in areas I would much rather be excelling in. Yes, we need to be realistic but if we truly want to live out loud we need to push ourselves to GO BIG. This is something I'm keeping in mind as I set my goals for 2012, who's with me? Are you up for making it the year of making the impossible, possible? If we commit to doing something just a little scary on a daily basis it can happen.

xoxo

Coni

2012 Beachbody Challenge Groups are Forming NOW

2011-12-13T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'm looking for a few ~~good~~ great Challengers! Will one of them be you?

I'm forming a Challenge group based on the Beachbody Challenge. Here's a short 5-minute video explaining more.

Watch this video, and if you’re serious about getting the absolute best results in the shortest amount of time I’ll connect you to the next step! Check out the video and then contact me at Coni@ConiFitness.com for next step, which includes sharing additional information such as specific details, what we’re committing to, and what you can expect to gain!

Sound fair?

Bring on 2012!!!

Coni

Resolutions Shmezolutions!

2011-12-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey Boys & Girls!

It's that time of year again and many of ~~you~~ us are *starting* to think about what we want to accomplish in the New Year. A list of goals & dreams that we RESOLVE to make a reality in 2012. Now you know I love goals, and you know I love people to push themselves, but I have a question for you. Why must we wait until an arbitrary date on the calendar to take action toward what we REALLY want? Why not start NOW?

Did you know the number one broken resolution is to lose weight and get fit? Is that something you backslid on last year? It can be sooooo tempting, with the Holidays right around the corner, to set you sights on 1/1/12 as THE day you will get it all together fitness and nutrition wise. It's also super easy to give yourself a hall pass for the rest of the year when it comes to over indulging in not so great food and drinks. What can it hurt, right? You will be hitting it HARD and eating SUPER clean all year long starting 1/1, right? Um, more than likely, NO. The reason is because fitness and healthy nutrition is a lifestyle, not a yearly ideal you strive to meet. I've said it before and I will say it again, every choice counts. Make the best ones you can, all year long.

OK, now that that's out there, who wants a little help making those good choices all year long? If you answered ME!! please join on my facebook page where you can get a daily dose of motivation, yummy recipes, random funny things and daily fitness challenges! I was going to start the last one on the 1st but after reading this blog I figure, WHY WAIT??? :-)

Love and light friends!

xoxo

Coni

How Does P90X Compare to P90X2?

2011-12-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad you asked ;) Here's a quick video from the creator, Tony Horton, on the major differences. Shipping started TODAY so if you want in (and want you copy before December 25th!) you need to order now. FREE shipping has been extended unto December 7th so head on over to www.beachbodycoach.com/ConiConstantine to get yours!

What Do Running and Wine Have in Common?

2011-12-02T09:01:00.001-08:00

Me :) Some people have a couple glasses of wine and start drunk dialing old friends. I sign up for races. I feel that it's a healthy mix. All the great benefits of resveratrol AND committing to heart healthy cardio to boot ;) In all seriousness though, after some awesome Cab the other night, I signed up for not one, but three 5K's before the end of December. After a 29:59 time at the Burbank YMCA Turkey Trot last week I decided to dive into improving my speed in short runs and give up on long distance running. The boring truth is I get bored running more than an hour so this is perfect for me!

First up is the Pasadena Tiger Run this Saturday! I've only been training for a week but I feel like I will get closer to my ultimate goal for the month which is to get my 5K time under 28 minutes. I hope you will join me (and my blog) for the journey! I promise to report back with all the race details :)

You know it is against my nature to end a blog post without a call to action to you, Dear Reader, so here it is~ even with the busyness of the holiday season surrounding us, make it a point to create a personal fitness goal for the end of the year. Don't be in the majority and wait until January 1st to commit to a goal, DO IT NOW and message me on facebook or at Coni@ConiFitness.com if you want to share :)

Here's to ENJOYING LIFE!!

Until next time...

xoxo

Coni

Habanero Cranberry Sauce

2011-11-27T18:11:00.000-08:00

I was determined to have a Primal Thanksiving with a Southwestern flair this year. This recipe did not disappoint! My original plan was to add a dash of cayenne but I figured that, since I had some extra habaneros lying around, why not? The sweet and SPICY flavor of these beauties made for one killer cranberry sauce. If you are not a fan of extreme heat in your foods PLEASE CAREFULLY SEED THE PEPPERS. OK, there's the disclaimer, now here's the recipe :-)

HABANERO CRANBERRY SAUCE

Ingredients~

1 tsp coconut oil
1 fresh habanero chili, minced (I left the seeds IN but please adjust to suit your taste)
1 1 lb bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 water
1/3 cup PURE maple syrup (add more after the dish is done if you want it sweeter)
1 tsp cinnamon or to taste

Directions~

Heat coconut oil over med-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add minced habanero and saute until softened, about 1 minute.

Add all other ingredients and bring to simmer. Lower heat and simmer until sauce is desired consistency. For me that is about 20 minutes but if you want a lumpier sauce a bit less.

Let cool for a bit and taste. Add a bit more syrup if desired.

Enjoy the heat!

xoxo

Coni

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

2011-11-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Just popped the turkey in the oven and I wanted to take just a few moments to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! I truly hope that you day was, and continues to be, filled with blessings and abundance.

My day started out with a Turkey Trot in Burbank where I came in just under 30 minutes in a 5K. Not the fastest time for sure but bot too bad for someone who has just gotten back into running and now as a PR to beat. Have I mentioned I love a challenge? I really look forward to sharing my future races and times with you!

OK, so I did want to mention my race but that is not the main point of this post. The main point (and true confessions time!) is that I did not wake up in a grateful mood at all. Truth be told I am SO not an early bird. That couple with the fact that I had a poor night's sleep resulted in a not such a great mood. This is something I'm not proud of but you know I have to keep it real! If there is one day a year we should wake up with a heart full of gratitude it's today and here I was grumbling about EVERYTHING right out of the gate. (have I mentioned I'm REALLY not a morning person?) It was too early, it was too cold out, OMG is it RAINING?? The race started late and I began to get impatient going over all the things I felt I needed to get done to get a monster dinner on the table later that night. Mmph : /

Then I started running. I started running and started realizing what a flippin immature jerk I was being. And on Thanksgiving to boot!! Don't get me wrong, I do not get into these moods often but when I do, look out! Suddenly all those little annoyances started to vanish. I WAS grateful. I was grateful for strong legs that kept me moving forward. I was grateful for my husband who was running this race with me. I was grateful that I had the means to put a monster dinner on the table. I was grateful for a career that I LOVE and that I get to help people get fit every single day. I was grateful for my kitties (even the naughty ones!) and my friends and my family and people I have never even met yet but that I know are in my future. You get the picture ;)

Before I knew it I was back to my I Love Everything About Life Self and was pretty freakin happy about it!! So what is the point of this post (I feel like I may be rambling a bit) There are actually 2 points. The first is that each and every one of us has SO much to be thankful for each and every day. The second is that we also have the choice to recognize, or not recognize that every single day. It's always there, sometimes we just need to give ourselves a little tough love to inspire an attitude adjustment to see it.

So there it is boys and girls. My little moment of zen for you on this most awesome of Thanksgiving days. Many of us find it easier on this day to reflect on and be grateful for what we have. How much more awesome would our lives be if we did that EVERY SINGLE DAY?? It looks like I know have 2 PR's to beat :-)

Love & Light my friends!!

xoxo

Coni

PS~ My turkey recipe will be coming soon!

Primal Friendly Spicy Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf

2011-11-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been adopting Primal Lifestyle habits, especially with my nutrition. I've decided to branch out from my staples of steaks, broiled seafood, and roast chicken and make something with more than a handful of ingredients. Below is the result of my culinary adventures last night! I hope you love it as much as we did :-)

Ingredients

1/4 cup quinoa (I used red but regular would be fine too)
1/2 cup water
1 small onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 large Jalapeno, finely chopped (I like to keep the seeds in for heat)
3 slices no nitrate bacon, uncooked and chopped into small bits
1 (20 ounce) package ground turkey
1 tablespoon tomato paste (no salt added, organic if possible)
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (not officially primal but well within the 20%)
1tsp Mexican oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 egg
1tsp black pepper

Directions

Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat the bacon bits over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion & jalapeno; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent and the bacon is cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute; remove from heat to cool.
Stir the turkey, cooked quinoa, onions, tomato paste, hot sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire, egg,cumin, oregano, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. The mixture will be very moist. Shape into a loaf on a foil lined baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let the meatloaf cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy!

Get Fit Now! Beachbody Challenge Packs are HERE.

2011-11-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey Boys and Girls!

I've been getting tons of questions about the Beachbody Challenge and Challenge Packs so I decided to write this blog post to give you the 411.

While many people are planning to hit it hard come January 1st, this is a challenge to GET FIT NOW. I have always been dedicated to helping you get the results YOU want, not from a quick fix or over hyped diet, but by combing fitness, nutrition and accountability. THAT is what it takes to succeed and these Challenge Packs will help you achieve your goals at a sweet discount! How flippin cool is that?

So, what is in a Challenge Pack (CP)? A premium workout program of your choice, your first order of Shakeology HD, a 1 month trial membership to the Team Beachbody Club (where you can create personalized meal plans and get even more support) and personal support from ME as your coach. Below is a chart showing your choice of the current workouts in the packs and the prices.

So what does this mean for you? What is the best way for you to get the most out of these discounted bundles? Here are 3 options you can choose from.

1~ Purchase a CP and join a dedicated Beachbody Challenge Group hosted by moi. This is the perfect option for someone who is ready to take charge and make a change with their nutrition and fitness habits! You will be in a group of 5 people who all have similar goals and who will all be doing the same workout program for 30-90 days. We will check in DAILY and you will receive intensive personal support from me as your coach to keep you in check with your workouts and nutrition. I will only be able to host a limited number of these each month so please email me at Coni@ConiFitness.com for current group availability or to be placed on a waiting list.

2~ Purchase a CP without being in a group. This is for people who's main goal may be to switch up their current routine and who may already have an accountability plan in place. You will still have my full support as a coach and can always opt to join a group at a later time! I highly recommend option 1 but life is all about choices, yes? If you feel like you can't, or don't want to, commit to a group at this time option 2 will still give you a great discount and breathe some new life into your fitness routine.

3~ Purchase a CP and become a Beachbody Coach at the same time! Your initial start up fee will be waived and you will receive a Game Plan Tools Kit and Business Essentials Starter Program at no extra charge! Looking for an extra layer of accountability? Are you already inspiring others with the lifestyle changes you've been making? Do you have people you would be referring to a Challenge Group yourself? Maybe you've always been curious about coaching but held back from taking the plunge? THIS OPTION IS FOR YOU! You can still choose to be in a group or not and you have my promise that I will match your commitment level 100%, with your fitness and coaching goals.

Not sure what program is best for you or you have other questions? Hit me up on facebook or email me at Coni@ConiFitness.com.I'm here to help :-)

Want even MORE incentive to take on the Beachbody Challenge? Check out this short video to see how you can benefit AND win some serious cash just for getting healthy and fit!

So, are you up for the Challenge??I truly hope the answer is YES! :-))

To purchase a Challenge Pack as a customer visit~ http://bit.ly/takethebbchallenge

To purchase the Challenge Pack and register as a coach visit~ http://bit.ly/ChallengeCoach

Do Your Actions Match Your Priorities?

2011-10-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

It's something to think about, yes? Last weekend I attended Beachbody's Leadership Retreat for their top coaches and I had a lot of little epiphanies. This was one of them. Of course I think it's essential that we all determine what our priorities are in order to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Priorities for health, family, work, giving back to our community to name a few. If we don't know what is most important to us, how do we know what to focus on?? But I don't think that's enough.

I think determining what is most important to us is only the beginning. I urge all of you, dearest readers, to take it to the next level and take a good hard look at whether or not your ACTIONS are in line with your priorities. Sadly oftentimes they are not and it can lead to feeling unfulfilled and frustrated. Who wants to feel unfulfilled and frustrated???

So here is my homework for you. Step 1~ Determine your priorities. Maybe it's your kids, your health, your work, your own business or giving back through charity. Whatever it is make sure it's important to YOU. Step 2~ Take a nice, long, HONEST look at whether or not your actions match your priorities. For example, if one of your priorities is to get your weight into a healthy range (or even just to shed those last pesky 5 lbs!) are your actions reflecting that? Are you eating cleanly and getting plenty of exercise and sleep? Maybe you're dead set in starting your own business, a business that has been a passion of yours for as long as you can remember. Are you truly making it a priority? Are you focusing all of you extra time on it or do you find yourself dropping down in front of the TV night after night as your passion quietly fades into another item on your wish list? You get the picture.

So are you up for the challenge? One of the many things I've learned over the last few years is that is possible to achieve pretty much ANYTHING we want if we are willing to invest in our dreams and ourselves. The key to that is us taking 100% responsibility and taking action. This means keeping ourselves in check when we tend to stray (do you REALLY need to be looking at your cousin's high school boyfriend's pictures on facebook???) This can be scary and even annoying sometimes but I promise you, SO worth it.

Soooo, what do YOU want? Go get it!! I know you can :-)

To Your Awesomeness!

Coni

FREE Shakeology Samples. You Deserve It!

2011-07-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Boys and Girls!

Would you like to try a sample? Of course you would! Read and I will tell you why I love, love, LOVE Shakeology and how you can get your mitts on a sample.

I know I've mentioned this awesome product over and over but I realized today that I've never really taken the time to share with you guys WHY I love it so much and how it became a staple in my daily nutrition. Rewind almost 2 years ago to Beachbody's annual Coach Summit. As coaches we had been hearing the buzz for over a year about this incredible product that was due to launch. The most amazing health shake EVER. Life changing, fire your other meal replacement shake and dump your multi vitamin AMAZING. Um, I will not lie, I was SUPER excited but also just a little bit skeptical. Obviously I'm a huge fan of Beachbody's products but could this Super Shake live up to the hype?

Yes.

Yes and THEN SOME!! I instantly fell in love with the taste of the chocolate, super rich with no funky after taste, and also enjoyed the Greenberry (once again, not gonna lie, the chocolate is by far my favorite!) The real awesomeness happened the following week though, after I was able to score a bag a Summit and try it daily. Yowzers!! The promises of having more energy, improved endurance for my workouts and increased regularity (hey, everyone has to poop, there I said it!) were not over hyped at all. I look and felt better than ever and I could actually feel myself leaning out. My life long battle with sugar addiction began to lose it's grip on me and I began to crave more and more healthy foods. Fill your body with super nutrients and it repays you by making you look and feel amazing. Who knew?? ;)

Some people experience slight sticker shock at the price but I guarantee you it is worth each and every penny. At $3- $4 a serving it is a bargain in my opinion. Especially considering other things many of us spend our money on each day. Trade one gourmet coffee or a trip through the drive-thru or a sugared up juice bar and you've made up the cost of treating yourself to the healthiest meal of the day. Use it as a meal replacement and it will actually end up SAVING you money! The bottom line is that it's worth the cost and YOU'RE worth the cost. Period. When you factor in all of the things Shakeology can help reverse or prevent it becomes even more valuable. I could go on and on about that but think that this video says it best. Check it out and then learn how to receive your FREE sample below.

So are you ready to take what very well may be the most nutritionally superior health shake on the market for a spin today? I just need a few things from you and you sample will be on the way!

#1 Be SERIOUS about purchasing Shakeology if you like the taste.

#2 Make sure I am assigned as your Team Beachbody Coach. If I'm not you're TBB Coach you can register for a FREE member ship HERE. Even if you're not ready to try Shakeology yet feel free to register for the free membership. It would be an honor to be your coach and we can all use a little extra kick in the pants sometimes!

#3 Email me your name and address at Coni@ConiFitness.com and your chocolate sample will be on the way. That's it. Easy peasy :-)

Thanks for reading and I really hope you decide to take me up on this offer. You only get one body, you DESERVE to make it as healthy as possible.

xoxo

Coni

Paleo Posole a la Coni

2011-07-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

I.m on a Paleo/Primal kick lately so expect some yummy and meat & veggies recipes :-) Here is one I tried 2 nights ago. Even better without hominy I think!! The original recipe can be found in The Paleo Diet Cookbook. Of course I added a little more kick and made it more stewy cause that's how I roll ;) Enjoy!

Paleo Posole

1 1/2 lb. pork, trimmed of fat and cut into chunks (I used boneless pork ribs)
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2-3 Habanero pepper, minced (OPTIONAL)
1 Jalapeno, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (especially if you don't use habaneros)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups 1-inch cubes peeled acorn squash
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot or dutch oven over medium flame. Brown pork pieces on all sides (about 5 minutes) Add onion & minced peppers and continue to cook until softened (about 5 more minutes) Add garlic, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes and cook for about a minute, stirring frequently. Add water & chicken broth and bring to simmer. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

Add cubed squash to the pot and return to simmer, covered, for an hour to 90 minutes (until meat and squash are very tender) Stir in fresh cilantro and serve. Serves 4.

Let me know what you think!

xoxo

Coni

Someday is TODAY Peeps!

2011-07-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

Obvious but true!! As a fitness coach, and general kick in the pants motivator, this is something I find myself reminding people of all of the time. Whether it's starting a new fitness program, adopting healthier eating habits, taking the that class you've always wanted to take, planning that trip you've always wanted to plan, making that career change that will get you out of a job you hate…all of these things somehow get pushed to a fuzzily defined LATER. I will start on Monday. Once the kids are back in school. After this current project ends. As soon as the weather is warmer. As soon as the weather cools down. After my next birthday. Sometime before Christmas. When there is not so much stuff going on. Blah, blah, blah!! The time is NOW kids!!

I tend to be a "no time like the present" kind of girl so I feel obligated to tell you SOMEDAY IS TODAY kids!!!If there is something you want GO FOR IT! Taking full responsibility for your life can be a little (or a lot!) scary but I guarantee it will also be incredibly liberating. When you fully embrace that YOU are the catalyst for change in your life, good and bad, the world becomes a much more awesome place. Trust me, I was a "sit it out and wait for the world to show me what will happen next" person for more years than I would like but I also took action and changed that. It was a beautiful thing :-)

If you are living your life on your own terms and living the life of your dreams, good for you! If not, and you are on the fence about taking the next step toward fulfilling your dreams, let me give you a little shove ;) It may be a little scary but it won't kill you and it WILL be worth it. Do it because you CAN and I'm always here to help.

xoxo

Coni

Beachbody's Going to Atlantis in The Bahamas! Want To Come With Us?

2011-06-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yet another reason why I love this incredible company :-)) I get paid (well!) just for making friends and helping them lead healthier lives. How cool is that?? If YOU want to join me on this trip next March I can help you get there! Just message me today at Coni@ConiFitness.com or check out more about Beachbody Coaching HERE.

Are YOU Up For the Summer of Success Challenge??

2011-05-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's CHALLENGE time girls and boys! Are you in? Summer is right around the corner so this is a great time to focus on leaning out, getting fit and giving ourselves more energy to enjoy every last drop of awesomeness that this season brings!!

Support and accountability are KEY to success so please feel free to post your daily food intake and workouts here. I will be posting mine daily on our event page on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202842889753056.

***For the people I personally coach*** If you have questions about meal planning or a workout rotation do not hesitate to reach out to me! That's what I'm here for :-) Also, if you feel like you are stuck, or that you are not getting the results you want, reach out and we will work on a solution together. If you do not already have a Team Beachbody Coach I would be honored to be yours :) Simply register for a free membership at http://www.beachbodycoach.com/ConiConstantine

OK, enough chatter. It's time to get BUSY. Below are the guidelines of the challenge. I hope you will join us and make this the MOST FIT SUMMER YET!!

30 Day Get Ready For Summer Challenge (May 16-June 14, 2011) If you're coming to this a bit late no worries! Just start where ever you are :)

Guidelines

1. Workout at least 5, but no more than 6, days a week. You can find some great programs at Team Beachbody that WILL deliver results but your workouts are not limited to that. The important thing is to have a good mix of cardio, strength and flexibility. Make sure to push yourself to YOUR limits and never skip your rest day. That's when the magic happens ;)

2. Drink water frequently. Your body will run more efficiently and flush out more toxins when you are well hydrated. At least 8, 8 ounces glasses a day but feel free to drink more, especially if you are doing intense workouts.

3. Eat often. Smaller meals every 2-3 hours which will end of being 5-6 small meals in a day.

4 a. Eat as cleanly as possible. No processed foods! Whole foods = good, packaged foods = bad. To simplify things, our goal is to eat ONLY for the top 2 tiers of Michi's ladder. http://teambeachbody.com/eat-smart/michis-ladder I also choose to omit most dairy and soy but that is up to you. If you must dip into the 3rd tier for a few tiers that's ok, just do it SPARINGLY. You will see me there for shrimp :)

I'm not a huge fan of counting calories but if you are PLEASE do not go below 1300 a day for women and 1800 for men. Yes you want to lean out in this challenge but it's not about starving yourself. Eat until you are satisfied but not stuffed.

4 b. (optional) Drink your Shakeology EVERY day! I can not say enough about this incredible product or what it has done for me. You can see results without it but if you want to drastically increase your energy level, lean out faster and give your nutrition a super charge you will want to include it in your daily meal plan. More info can be found at http://www.Shakeology.com/ConiConstantine

5. Treat yourself to one cheat meal a week. This can be anything you want it to be but please note that it is a cheat MEAL and not a cheat DAY. Enjoy whatever you want and then get back to clean eats ;)

6. Get plenty of rest! 7-8 hours of sleep a night is ideal.

7. Limit alcohol consumption. I'm not saying you have to be a teetotaler for the next 30 days but eliminating or really limiting your alcohol intake will make the results come that much faster.

That's it! I'm trying to keep this simple so we don't get so caught up in the details that it keeps us from staying on track. If you stick with this plan you WILL see some big changes in the next 4 weeks. If you DO slip up don't freak out and don't use it as an excuse to throw in the towel. Dust yourself off and get right back on track.

So who's in?? Let's do this!!!

Sample Meal Plan~

Breakfast:
Shakeology w/banana and peanut or almond butter

Snack:
oatmeal cooked with egg whites
1 tsp almond butter and fresh fruit mixed in

Lunch:
veggies & protein: about 6 ounces of chicken, fish, eggs. Here is where you need to vary it up. Try different veggies, different fish, spices, etc. I personally LOVE fresh salsa on almost anything :)
Brown rice or sweet potato

Snack:
Hummus and veggies

Dinner:
1 or 2 cup of veggies and protein (Again, vary it up!) about 6 ounces

Sometimes I have a 2nd Shakeology or salad with spinach, mushrooms and egg whites with a little balsamic and olive oil if I get hungry or if I worked out crazier than normal. I also will have a 1/2 serving of Beachbody's Results & Recovery Formula after a heavy lifting workout since it helps with soreness and muscle repair.

Coni

Spicy Hot Turkey Mole Spinach EXTRAVAGANZA Burritos: #7 in the 12 Burritos of Christmas!

2011-04-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

Spicy Hot Turkey Mole Spinach EXTRAVAGANZA Burritos

#7 in the 12 Burritos of Christmas! (Yeah, yeah, I know it's May lol) For those of you new to my blog I started a series of burrito recipes at the end of last year to commemorate the holiday season. Let's just say that, unlike my workouts, I got a little off track with the posts ;) Expect burritos 8 through 12 before 2011 is over! LOL

So here’s the deal – first, make the mole sauce. It’s a little bit of work and sooooo worth it :)

· 1 large onion, chopped

· 1/2 tsp coriander seeds

· 3 tbsp chili powder

· 2 tbsp sugar (I used Turbinado)

· 1 tsp cinnamon

· 1/4 tsp ground cloves

· 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

· 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

· 2 tbsp peanut butter (YAY!!)

· 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium

· 2 cups chopped tomatoes

· 2 tbsp raisins

· 3 cloves garlic, sliced

· salt to taste, I used just a dash

Chop onion and set aside. Add about three tbsp of oil (either vegetable or canola) to saucepan and heat on stove over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add onions. Cook onions until they are tan, about ten minutes.

While the onions cook, prepare the other ingredients. This will make the cooking MUCH easier. Get a large mixing bowl and a small mixing bowl. In the small mixing bowl, combine coriander seeds, chili powder, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin seeds. In the large bowl, combine cocoa powder, peanut butter, chicken broth, tomatoes, raisins, garlic, and salt.

Once onions are tan, stir in the ingredients of the small bowl. Allow these ingredients to cook for one minute. Then, stir in the ingredients of the large bowl. Allow the mixture to cook for thirty minutes, while periodically stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to thoroughly mix.

Once the thirty minutes have passed, blend the ingredients to a sauce-like consistency. Make sure to allow the steam to vent in the blender to avoid having the blender explode. This is important. Take my word for it.

Now on to the rest of the ingredients and prep!

10 oz. bag of baby spinach

1 lb. LEAN ground turkey

2 habaneros, diced (OPTIONAL, we like it very HOT)

2 cups cooked brown rice

4 burrito sized whole wheat tortillas

Preheat oven to 350

Heat oil in large skillet over med-high heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté until leaves are very tender. Set aside.

Add ground turkey to a skillet and brown over medium-high heat Add two chopped habaneros for an extra kick and continuing browning until the entire mixture is a golden brown color. You may have a little water to the pan as the mixtures cooks to keep it from drying out. Once everything is golden remove from heat and set aside.

Divide mixture evenly down the center of the 4 tortillas. Add 1/2 cup of rice over meat mixture. Layer about 1/2-3/4 cup of drained spinach on top and pour a healthy dose of mole sauce over the whole thing.

So you know what to do from here…roll burritos up, and place, seam side down, in baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 20 minutes, until piping hot.

Serve with chopped tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, plain yogurt and more peppers (if you dare!) on the side.

Enjoy! :-)

Shaun T's, Insanity: The Asylum is HERE!

2011-04-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

That's right kids!! The wait is over, the punishment you've all been waiting for us HERE and available exclusively through your Beachbody Coach. Don't have a BB Coach? Register for a FREE membership through my Team Beachbody website at www.SparkyFitness.com and I will hook you up! So who else is planning on stepping int the Asylum with me?

Tomatillo Avocado Sauce a la Leslie

2011-03-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

OK, first off I KNOW I need to deal with myself for posting WAY less than once a day. I will give myself a virtual butt kicking in another post. For now I MUST share with you this fabulous recipe I got from my friend, and fellow coach, Leslie Cash LaFaye. Not only does Leslie bring it hard in her workouts, she ROCKS in the kitchen too. In a recent request for clean eating recipes she provided me with this gem, Enjoy!!

Tomatillo Avocado Sauce

1 lb. tomatillos, husks removed, halved
1 small onion cut into large chunks
1 jalapeno, halved (if you are a spicy freak like me keep the seeds IN)
2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled
juice of 1 lime
handful of chopped cilantro (to taste, I happen to love it!)
1 avocado, peeled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine tomatillos, onion chunks, jalapeno and garlic on a baking sheet and drizzle with just a little olive oil. Mix to coat and roast in oven for about 20 minutes.

Puree vegetable mixture with the lime juice, cilantro & avocado. Enjoy n chicken, fish, veggies, beans, whatever! I promise your taste buds will be happy :-))

Thanks for sharing Leslie!

xoxo

Coni

Countdown to the Caribbean Rotation

2011-02-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

In 20 short days I will be heading out on a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Oasis of the Seas courtesy of Beachbody. Soooo excited as since I've never been to the Caribbean before and am also well aware that there will be some bikini sporting in my very near future! That being said I was stoked to find out that Cathe Friedrich's February rotation was called Rock Bottoms ;) Below is my version of week 1 that I just completed. I added a few extras and let's just say I'm enjoying my rest day. The workouts highlighted in purple are by Cathe. Her workouts can be found at www.Cathe.com or downloaded here. Stay tuned for updates as the sail date approaches!

WEEK ONE:

Mon: Cardio Core Circuit, Pyramid Upper ("up" part only) plus 300 walking lunges and stretch
Tues: Lower Body Blast (without the Bonus Barre segment), Rodney Yee's Hip Opening Yoga, Extreme Core Circuit from ChaLEAN Extreme
Wed: Kick Punch and Crunch, Muscle Max Upper weights ONLY, 2 mile run
Thurs: HIIT 40/20 Plus Ab Circuits (weights and plates), Bryan Kest's Power Yoga 1
Fri: Pure Cardio from Insanity plus BBW**
Sat Split: STS Plyo Legs in morning and do Kick Max later in the day
Sun: OFF or Stretch Workout

**

Bonus Butt Workout (abbreviated as BBW):

1) One minute of squats with a challenging barbell weight chased by 20 seconds squat jumps.

2) One minutes of walking lunges with a 10 pound weighted vest (or with 8 pound hand weights per hand) chased by 20 seconds of deep controlled power scissors.

3) One minute of Plie squats with a challenging barbell weight chased by 20 seconds ice breakers.

4) Two minutes of firewalkers with a medium tension band (4 to 6 steps each direction until two minutes are up)…chased by your favorite choice of words for me, wink!

5) Barbell Deadlift...2 slow sets of 15 reps

***Conclude the Bonus Butt Workout with the Bonus Barre segment on Cathe's Lower Body Blast DVD

So there it is kids, week 1 is in the books! I will be making some additions and few tweaks for next weeks version of so I will report back in 7 days. All I know right now is that my legs feel really sore but at the same time really strong! I will post some pics with my next update.

Oh, almost forgot, if you want to learn more about how Beachbody will also pay YOU to earn free trips send me an email at Coni@ConiFitness.com Seriously, if you love health & fitness and have a genuine desire to help others this is the best gig ever!! It would be an honor and a blast to have you on my team of coaches :-)

Coni

Maple Buttercup Chocolate Shakeology, oh yeah!

2011-02-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

This is just too stupidly good not to post, so here it is :-) I still have to smack myself when I try a recipe that is this sinfully tasty and realize that it is one of the healthiest things I could be eating ever. For more information and ordering details for all the awesomeness that us Shakeology check go HERE.

MAPLE BUTTERCUP SHAKEOLOGY

1 packet chocolate Shakeology OR 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

1 Tbsp. almond butter

1 cup almond milk

1-2 tsp. maple syrup (depending on how mapley you want it)

handful of ice (this will make it super creamy, like a milkshake)

Blend and enjoy!!

Coni

Turkey Chipotle Meatballs in Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce

2011-01-15T20:39:00.000-08:00

Turkey Chipotle Meatballs in Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce

Ingredients-

1 lb. LEAN ground turkey breast
1/3 cup brown rice
1 egg
1 tsp Mexican oregano
1-2 TBSP Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped.
1 1/4 tsp dehydrated onion flakes
1 15 oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes-pureed in blender
3/4 c. low sodium chicken broth

Mix first 6 ingredients thoroughly. Shape into balls the size of a large egg. In a large skillet combine pureed tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to simmer. Add meatballs and simmer, covered for 1 hour. Turn meatballs half way through cooking time.

Garnish with a little yogurt, cilantro and minced serrano peppers if you like :-)

Enjoy!

ChaLEAN Extreme, $30 Off Until 1/31/11 through ME!

2011-01-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

Hey Fitness Friends!

I'm guessing you love a bargain as much as I do so I wanted to let you know that, for a limited time, Chalene Johnson's ChaLEAN Extreme is on sale for $30 off the retail price! That means you can get all that muscle building, fat-burning magic for only $89.95! Coaches price is just $67.39! So what are you waiting for? If you are looking to re-charge you New Years resolutions this is just the ticket. Go heavy or go home peeps!! Ordering details can be found through my Team Beachbody site at www.sparkyfitness.com

Gratitude and Perspective

2011-01-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

Without getting into the nitty gritty details of my day let's just say that it was a bit of a challenge. We don't always know what the hell life is going to through at us and sometimes we just need to roll with it. Two things come to mind when I begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed, gratitude and perspective.

Gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life AND for the fact that things can always get worse but don't (that is your western zen thought of the day btw) Perspective because how we think about things determines how we will react. Put in another way, we don't always have control over what happens to us but we DO have control over how we react. Freaking out never helped anyone and stepping away from a situation without freaking almost always leads to more clarity for a resolution.

I am hoping that was not too rambly Dear Reader, it has been a long day.

Wishing you love, health, abundance and peace.

Namaste :)

Tony Horton's Pay It Forward

2011-01-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

Today I want to share something that could potentially have the power to change someones life forever, maybe even save it. I spend my life motivating people to get in shape and to be their best selves. I help people from the entire spectrum of fitness levels and realize, that for some, getting started may be downright scary and intimidating. Maybe someone has gotten so out of shape or has gained so much weight that it seems impossible to change. I say to this, NEVER!! YOU CAN DO IT! Below is a full length video that you, or someone you love, can use to take those first steps. New Year, New YOU peeps. Anything is possible if you take the first step and commit. If you need support I am always here for you!

Enjoy and PAY IT FORWARD!

Coming Soon to an Olympics Near YOU

2011-01-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

So Dear Readers I would love your opinion on this one! Should Pole Dancing be an Olympic Sport? I say yes but I also say discuss :) All I know is that it is wicked good for the core!

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie with Honey

2011-01-10T21:38:00.000-08:00

As much as I love Shakeology I do love to experiment with other shakes and smoothies too. This is one of my favorites as a quick breakfast or as a super tasty recovery shake after a really hard workout. Somehow I always workout just a little harder when one of these babies is waiting for me after ;)

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

1 banana~ I like to freeze mine first and then break up or slice before blending
2/3 cup almond or rice milk (because dairy is BLECH)
2 tablespoons all natural peanut butter

1 tablespoon honey
3 to 4 ice cubes

Combine banana, milk, peanut butter, and honey in blender. Blend at high speed until
smooth and creamy. Add ice and blend until smooth and ENJOY!

The Million Dollar Body Game is BACK!

2011-01-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

Hey Kids~

Have you gotten great results with P90X or Brazil Butt Lift? If so you have until January 14 to submit your success story for a chance to win up to $25,000 in Beachbody's Million Dollar Body Game! Check out the video below for more details. Not already a Team Beachbody member? No worries! Click here to register for a free membership.

Someday

2011-01-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

There is NOT a day of the week called "someday" kids! I apologize in advance if I get up on my soapbox here a bit, but one of the things that drives me crazy in my life is when people with goals* fail to embrace their full potential by putting things off until later because they think that they have an infinite amount of time and/or that some external force will bring them their heart's desire. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN PEEPS UNLESS YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN. There I said it. Kind of tough love but it's how I feel.

As a coach for Beachbody I hear about people's dreams and goals every single day, both physical and financial. The cool thing is that almost no dream is too big and that each and every one of the people I coach has the ability to make those dreams a reality!! The sad thing is that many won't :( Something will get in the way or become a priority. Dreams, goals and what people really want get put in the "someday" category.

I'm a pusher, that's what I do. I LOVE to see people stretch and go for what they really, really want! That being said, don't let "someday" gobble up your dreams and goals!! Start small and go bigger. Each time you have an opportunity, TAKE IT! You may have to step outside of your circle of safety a bit but promise you that your life will be richer, more fun and more meaningful if you do.

So what do YOU want?

xoxo

Coni

* I use the term goals loosely here since goals without an action plan are really nothing more than wishes imo.

I Heart Lashes

2011-01-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

These are great tips :) I seriously feel like I need to start wearing lashes more because the are pretty and fun. Be beautiful friends!

Banana Orange Muffins

2011-01-06T22:55:00.000-08:00

Someone got an awesome deal on oranges tonight and ended up doing a little recipe hunt. Fingers crossed that these babies taste as good as they smell baking. Yummers!! My mornings just got a little happier :-)

Banana Orange Muffins

Ingredients:
3/4 cup (about 2 medium) ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups oats (uncooked)
1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
8 ounces plain nonfat yogurt
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup raisins, chopped (optional) or dates (optional)

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line 12 medium muffin cups with paper baking cups (or lightly spray the bottoms only with cooking spray).
3. In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and raisins or dates (if using); mix well.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the bananas, yogurt, egg whites, vegetable oil and orange peel; blend well.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients; stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened (do not overmix).
6. Fill the muffin cups until they’re almost full.
7. Bake for about 20-22 minutes (or until the muffins turn golden brown).
8. Cool the muffins in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes; remove from the pan.
Servings: 12

The Toast Post

2011-01-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Boys & Girls~

End of the day and I am TOAST, kaput, finito, stick a fork in me I am done. I love that :-) I love it because I know I ended the day with my gas tank on empty, not because I ate like crap, filled my body with garbage or did not move around enough, but because I gave everything I had and then gave a little more (one of those things being this post) Why?? Because I know I can do better and I want even mote out of this year than I did the last.

So before I start rambling on and scaring people let me leave you with this~ there is almost ALWAYS a little more you can give or do. Imagine how much that would add up if you did it on a daily basis?? A little more in the savings account, 1 more awesome experience had, 1 more thing to put you ahead of the game tomorrow.

Give your all peeps, it IS worth it :)

OK, off to chill for a bit, rest up and hit it hard again tomorrow!

xoxo

Coni

My Top 10 Principles to Live By in 2011 to be Super Happy and Successful

2011-01-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

OK, here it is. My Top Ten Principles to Live By in 2011. I have been thinking a LOT about goals in the last few weeks, which is awesome, but I found that my attitude and perspective has EVERYTHING to do with actually achieving them. The list below is not exhaustive, and is not in a particular order, just ten simple things that are easy to do to make your life happier and more successful :) One word of warning though, what is easy to DO is also easy NOT to do so be mindful of that.

Oh, and a quick note. These principles do not just apply to your workouts but to all areas of your life. Live the best you peeps :-) As for the pigs, they look like they have a very happy and abundant life, no?

Talking about and intending to do things is a great first step but action steps are what will get you results. We here talk, talk, talk all day long. Talk without action makes your goals into nothing more than a wish list. Get busy!

Don't get distracted by what other people are doing, you are only in competition with yourself! Commit to being the best YOU you can be and leave the rest behind. each one of us comes with a different genetic background and life experience. Focus on outdoing yourself, not everyone around you.

Find the humor in everything. Enough said, it will lighten your load, make you happier and work your abs. Only the most heinous situations do not have a humorous side (and even most of those do, just keeping it real!)

Strive to be your best every single day but respect that your best is relative. Your "best" will be considerably different on a day you are sick, tired and worn out compared to a day you are fresh, energized and in the zone. Don't judge or freak out, just push yourself to your personal best on any given day.

ALWAYS do a little more. Simple. Do your best and do a little more. Maxed out at 8 reps? Do one more assisted. Plan your outfit for the next day. Donate to your favorite charity and then donate $5 more. (Um, OK, shameless plug if you happen to favor animal charities ;) I am running the Miami Marathon on 1/30 for Team ASPCA and am accepting any and all donations through my fund raising age at http://aspca.donordrive.com/participant/Coni )

Pay attention to your words, they have more power than you may give them credit for! Constantly talking about negative things or what you DON'T want will only invite more of that into your life. Choose your words with care. Also, avoid things like "hopefully", "maybe", "if I'm lucky". Make your own luck! Leaving things up to chance means leaving the door open for not getting what you want. We are can do people, people!

Become what you want to attract. Do you want happiness, success, kindness, fun and love in your life? Be a happy, generous focused, kind, fun and loving person. Like tends to attract like ;)

Always give the benefit of the doubt. We have no clue what another person or organization may be going through at first glance. Make sure to get all the facts before you form a judgement. Pre-judging can cause some pretty silly and useless misconceptions.

Never take ANYTHING for granted. Appreciate every single thing you love in your life right down to your favorite breakfast cereal. Each on is a gift to be cherished.

Someday is today friends!! I realize that there are only 24 hours in a day but don't put things off because you think you have an infinite amount of time or that things will be better one day down the road. YOU have the power to make your life better every single moment with every single decision you make. Life is meant to be LIVED, not wished for ;)

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!!!!

xoxo

Coni

Peanut Butter Vegetable Chicken Stew

2011-01-03T21:48:00.000-08:00

Hey PB Lovers! The following recipe has been tweaked from several others and is our current favorite. So it's a pretty cold night here in Los Angeles (can you say 50??) and a PERFECT time to make this stew. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did :-)

Peanut Butter Vegetable Chicken Stew

Ingredients

8 cups chicken broth
2 cups diced, cooked chicken meat
1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup canned whole tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup peanut butter (all natural is best for this recipe)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh italian parsley or cilantro
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large stock pot, combine the broth, chicken, potatoes, and carrots. Bring the soup to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium. Cook for about 10 minutes, till vegetables are tender.
Add zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, onion, green pepper, and garlic. Simmer for about 8 minutes.
Add peanut butter, parsley, salt, and pepper; stir until peanut butter is fully blended. Simmer for 3 minutes longer.

Day 2 of 365 Days of Blogging...go ME + a FREE Workout ;)

2011-01-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

I know I can be totally honest with you and admit that I simply was not feeling writing this blog tonight!! OMG, day TWO and I am already slacking? That was a pretty mortifying thought so here I am, doing it anyway :) Now that I am here it's not so bad either! OK, for fear that I am rambling after a long run, long rain day I will get to the point. The reason I am here is because I made a promise to you Dear Reader and to myself, that I would post every single day in 2011. Why post every day? Because I know from experience that the more I post, the more people follow and read my posts and the result is that I reach more people with my ultimate message of health, fitness and being your personal best. (please don't judge the grammar of that sentance)

That being said I will leave you with the following point. Consistency breeds results. It's one thing to intend to do something and another to take consistent action. With all the resolutions flying around this time of year I thought it would be a good reminder ;)

Oh, and if one of your goals this year is to get in shape you may want to check this out. It's REALLY good for the back of your feet hehehehe

365 Days of Blogging, Can I Do It?

2011-01-01T19:07:00.000-08:00

OK kids, you KNOW I have talked about me blogging more frequently before. Actually in the last month or so I have been a lot more consistent but since I'm pushing myself to DO BETTER this year I have taken on the challenge of writing a blog post EVERY SINGLE DAY in 2011. Thank you Jenn Mitchell for the inspiration :-) Fitness tips, silly cat stories, motivation and the final 6 Burritos of Christmas are all coming up! 2010 was a freakin awesome year for me but I know I can DO BETTER in 2011 and I want to share that with all my favorite peeps! Should I miss a day feel free to call me out for the slacker that would make me but you won't have too because I'm going for it!

I'm committed to include more video, pictures and varied content this year. Oh, and I'm not sure if this is wrong to say on Blogger but I will be moving to WordPress within the next week to make it easier for my readers to navigate my posts and just have an overall cuter looking blog. Cute is good, right?

OK, off to wrap up my goal planning for 2011 so I can get this year off to the rockin start it deserves! I've been using lots of tips from Darren Hardy. I will be talking more about his influence in my life as the year goes on but in the meantime I strongly urge you to check out his blog if you want a successful and happy life!! Good stuff boys and girls :-)

Wishing each and every one of you an 2011 filled with an abundance of health, happiness, prosperity and love!

Until tomorrow...

xoxo

Coni

P90X Inspired German Potato Burrito! #6 in the 12 Burritos of Christmas

2010-12-28T17:16:00.000-08:00

You have to love P90X because it's a kick ass workout but all of Tony and crew's banter is what makes it fun! You won't find this in the meal guide but it was fun to create and enjoy :) Once again, I totally get that bacon is a sometimes food. In preparation for all those New Years resolutions the remaining 6 burritos will be as clean as possible. Oh, and I know that Xmas has come and gone but that the burrito recipes will just keep rolling into 2011 ;)

German Potato Burrito

Ingredients

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 15 oz can of chicken broth
5-6 slices of bacon (you can use olive oil if keeping it vegan)
1 large onion, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, diced
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 cup cooked pink beans (or white if you can not find pink canned)
1 lb packages sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup apple juice
4 whole wheat burrito tortillas

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Place potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile saute bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to crisp. Drain some of the drippings (I will let your clean eating conscious be your guide) Return pan to heat and add onions, green peppers and red or green jalapenos. Continue to saute until veggies soften up a bit.

Add drained sauerkraut, caraway seeds, apple juice and about 1/3 cup of broth to veggie/bacon mixture and simmer until thickened slightly.

Mash potatoes with broth to desired consistency. (You may have another way of making mashed potatoes, feel free to do that, this is just how I make them.

Divide mixture potato mixture evenly down the center of the 4 tortillas. Top with evenly divided beans and make the last layer the veggie bacon mixture.

Roll burritos up, and place, seam side down, in baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot. Garnish with paprika spiked yogurt or sour cream if you want.

BRING IT to your mouth ;) hehehehe. Sorry I know that was lame but could not resist.

The Hawaiian Tropic Burrito. #5 in The 12 Burritos of Christmas

2010-12-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

Tonight we take on a more exotic burrito. Mele Kalikimaka friends!

The Hawaiian Tropic

Ingredients

1 lb. pork loin, cut into small cubes
1/2 lb. bacon (c'mon, it's Christmas! Feel free to omit if you want it super clean though, just add more pork)
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 minced habanero peppers (they are my FAVE!!)
1 cup drained pineapple chunks in juice
1 plantain, sliced and lightly fried in olive oil until just cooked
1 bunch of greens (I used collards), rinsed, stems removed and chopped into small bits
3/4 cup low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
4 whole wheat burrito sized tortillas

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Place collard greens in large saucepan with broth, heat over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes, partially covered, until greens are very tender.

While greens are simmering, add bacon and chopped pork to a skillet and brown over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Add chopped onions, pineapple and habaneros and continuing browning until onions are super soft and the entire mixture is a golden brown color. You may have to add a little water or pineapple juice to the pan as the mixtures cooks to keep it from drying out. Once everything is golden and the pork is tender remove from heat and set aside.

Fry sliced plantain in about 1 tsp olive oil until slightly softened and just beginning to brown.

Divide pork/onion mixture evenly down the center of the 4 tortillas. Add a few slices of plantain on top of that. Lastly, layer about 1/2-3/4 cup drained greens on top of the plantains. (You may have some leftover greens depending on the size of the bunch)

By now you know the drill ;) Roll burritos up, and place, seam side down, in baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot.

Spicy Chicken Tequila Burritos~ #4 in the 12 Burritos of Christmas!

2010-12-21T21:10:00.000-08:00

OK, those of you who know me know that I love, love, LOVE spicy food. That is why this recipe exists. Enjoy :)

Spicy Chicken Tequila Burritos

3 cups cooked rice (I prefer brown but it's up to you)
1 15 oz can of low sodium chicken broth
2-3 teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce
4 chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
15 oz package of frozen southwestern veggie blend (mine had corn, peppers, black beans, etc)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons minced hot peppers WITH SEEDS if you dare ;) (ie habanero, jalapeno)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tequila
juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
6 burrito sized tortillas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix hot rice with hot sauce & frozen veggie blend and set aside.

Poach chicken in broth. Simmer gently until chicken can be shredded with a fork, about 30 minutes.

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add onion. Cook for 5 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add garlic and minced peppers. Continue to saute for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tequila and lime juice and cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat.

Shred chicken and mix with onion/tequila mixture.

Lightly oil a large baking dish. Divide rice mixture equally in the center of 6 tortillas and then top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle cilantro over chicken.

Roll burritos up, and place it, seam side down, in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot.

Serve with salsa, chopped tomatoes, avocado slices & more cilantro on the side if desired.

GIVEAWAY Time! Enter To Win a FREE Beachbody Workout of Your Choice

2010-12-21T17:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey Fitness Friends!!

It's that time of year again and many of us are making New Year's resolutions. Not surprisingly, after over indulging a little too much in the last couple of months, many revolve around health and fitness. Have no fear boys and girls, I'm here to help you stay on track and get the results you want!! I will be doing several posts about goals and resolutions over the next couple of weeks but I wanted to take a moment today to highlight a promotion I will be hosting through December 31st.

It's pretty simple. Every customer of mine, new or existing, who starts a new Shakeology HD order before Dec 31 will automatically be entered into a drawing for a Beachbody workout program of their choice. Have you been wanting to try P90X, Insanity. Turbo Fire, Rev Abs or any of our other complete programs? If you win, you pick!

If you decide to take advantage of the free coach sign up promo through me and get a 25% discount you will receive 2 entries. Some people do this to start their own coaching business, others just like the generous discount. How you use it is up to you. I will be there to support you every step of the way. :-)

Already someone I coach who has an existing HD order? No worries, you can still enter! Simply refer a friend and you will BOTH receive an entry when they start a Shakeology HD order as a customer or coach.

Shakeology is simply one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and a great way to kick off a happy, healthy 2011. We only get one body peeps, let's give it the very best!

So, are you feeling lucky? ;) I would love to have you join in!

If you have questions, comments or need registration and/or ordering links just send me an email at Coni@ConiFitness.com.

Happy Holidays and here's to making 2011 THE BEST YEAR YET!!

Coni

Bacon, Sweet Potato & Kale Burritos, #3 in The 12 Burritos of Christmas

2010-12-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

Check out the awesomeness that is the 3rd day of Burrito Christmas! So far this is my husband Keith's favorite. I totally get that this much bacon is NOT within the borders of clean eating but it's sooo flippin good! As long as it's a sometimes food I say all is well :) *** Special note*** I used habanero peppers in this which are SUPER hot. If you prefer less heat use a milder pepper or just skip.

Bacon, Sweet Potato and Kale Burritos

Ingredients~

5 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
3/4 lb uncooked bacon, coarsely diced (if you prefer a vegan version simply use 2 tablespoons of olive oil to cook the onions, etc. in)
2 large onions-diced
1 bunch of fresh kale, rinsed and chopped
4 garlic cloves-minced
2 habenero chilies, minced, keep the seeds in if you dare!!
1 tsp dried thyme leaves

2 tsp Mexican oregano
2 15 oz. white beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp salt
8 eight inch whole wheat tortillas

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the potatoes are cooking, saute bacon over medium heat in skillet until just starting to crisp. Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of drippings. Add the onions, garlic, and chilies to pan with bacon. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, and the bacon is fully cooked about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
With a fork or potato masher combine the white beans, salt, oregano, thyme and cooked sweet potatoes and mash until smooth. Transfer the potato mixture to a large mixing bowl and mix in the cooked onion/bacon mixture and spices.

Lightly oil a large baking dish. Spoon about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of the filling in the center of each tortilla, roll it up, and place it, seam side down, in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot.

Serve with salsa, chopped tomatoes, avocado slices & cilantro on the side if desired.

Pinto Bean and Potato Burritos- #2 in the 12 Burritos of Christmas!

2010-12-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

On the 2nd Day of Burrito Christmas my True Love gave to me....

Pinto Bean and Potato Burritos

A variation on our first recipe but tastes way different! And as a complete dork I could not resist today's picture. FYI, there will be no cheese in any of my burritos :) If you want to add it that is totally up to you.

Ingredients

5 cups peeled & cubes potatoes
2 tsp olive oil
2 large onions-diced
4 garlic cloves-minced
2 Tablespoons fresh chilies-minced. I like serranos or jalapenos
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder2 tsp Mexican oregano
2 15 oz. pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2/3 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tsp salt
8 eight inch whole wheat tortillas

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the potatoes are cooking, heat the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan and add the onions, garlic, and chilies. Cover and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 7 minutes. Add the chili powder cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside.

With a fork or potato masher combine the pinto beans, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, oregano and cooked potatoes and mash until smooth. Transfer the potato mixture to a large mixing bowl and mix in the cooked onions and spices.

Lightly oil a large baking dish. Spoon about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of the filling in the center of each tortilla, roll it up, and place it, seam side down, in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot.

Serve with salsa, chopped tomatoes, avocado slices & cilantro on the side if desired.

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burritos- #1 of the 12 Burritos of Christmas!!

2010-12-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

Everybody sing!! OK, based on the positive feedback I've gotten on this recipe and my current obsession with burritos I will be posting 12 tasty recipes this holiday season. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do :) My goal is for all of the to taste freakin awesome but if they don't I will warn you. Oh, and I will do my best to keep these recipes super clean but expect a few indulgences.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me.... OK, I'm a dork but I don't care. Grab a bottle of beano and let's go on a journey!

This was dinner last night. Awesome!! Feel free to cut back on the chilies and seed them if you don't like super spicy. Feel free to pile them on if you do ;)

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos

Ingredients

5 cups peeled & cubes sweet potatoes

2 tsp olive oil
2 large sweet onions-diced
4 garlic cloves-minced
2 Tablespoons fresh chilies-minced. I like serranos or jalapenos
4 tsp ground cumin
4 tsp ground coriander
3 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2/3 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tsp salt
8 eight inch whole wheat tortillas
1 tsp honey

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, heat the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan and add the onions, garlic, and chilies. Cover and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 7 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside.

With a fork or potato masher combine the black beans, cilantro, lime juice, salt, honey and cooked sweet potatoes and puree until smooth. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a large mixing bowl and mix in the cooked onions and spices.

Lightly oil a large baking dish. Spoon about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of the filling in the center of each tortilla, roll it up, and place it, seam side down, in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot.

Serve with salsa, chopped tomatoes, avocado slices & cilantro on the side if desired.

Stay tuned for another recipe tomorrow!

Coni

Use It Or Lose It

2010-12-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

For realz! OK, as a trainer and life long fitness fiend this is something I KNOW to be true but we can all use a reminder from time to time. As many of you know, for the last 10 weeks I have been training for the Miami Marathon which I will be running for Team ASPCA. (no donation is too small!)

At the risk of sounding full of myself I have to say I have been doing a kick azz job too :) My speed and endurance is way better than I expected it to be at this point. After overcoming a minor speed bump involving not enough stretching I am back and rockin it hardcore! My legs feel great and I think I'm pretty freakin awesome......um except for one thing.

It dawned on me that I have not done a solid upper body workout in the last month so I returned to one of my faves, Cathe's Pyramid Upper Body. A standard for me. Last time I did it I even lifted HEAVIER than Cathe. Go me :) This time, not so much. Not cute, not cute at all. I had to go at least a couple pounds lighter on each and every exercise-boo!

I beat myself up over it for a second and then realized this just needed to be a learning experience. While I know it's not likely that I will gain much upper muscle mass while marathon training there is no need at all for my strength to diminish. I neglected those muscles and they responded my getting weaker, plain and simple. Lesson learned.

So I am still training hardcore to run as fast and well as I can on January 30 but plan on adding at least 2 days of full upper work each week. After all, I don't want to lose too much mass or definition since my next goal is a bikini competition ;) Challenges are what keep life interesting!

So the moral of the story, next time you feel like slacking, don't! It's much easier to maintain results than to get them back.

Coni

Cinnamon Red Hot Shakeoloy

2010-12-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah! OK, you all know that I am a Shakeology fiend and that I love, love, LOVE all things spicy. That being said this new recipe, courtesy of my coach Perry, is a match made on heaven. I tweaked his original version just slightly and then end result was A M A Z I N G. Your taste buds will thank you for this one :)

If you have not had the chance to try the awesomeness that is Shakeology yet, now is the time! From now until December 31st, every person who begins a new home direct order through my site will be automatically entered into a drawing to win their choice of P90X, Insanity, ChaLEAN Extreme or Turbo Fire! Already have an order? No worries, you can still enter! Simply refer a friend. If they place their first HD order on or before 12/31/2010 you both get and entry!

Cinnamon Red Hot Shakeology

* 3-4 dashes cayenne pepper, or to tatse. I heart spicy!!
* 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
* 1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
* 8 oz water or almond milk (almond milk will make it creamier)
* Ice to desired thickness

Blend to perfection and enjoy!

It's All About Balance

2010-12-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hello Boys and Girls~

Just a short message today about something I've learned as I'm training for my first marathon. Of course I'm learning that I AM capable of great things if I really push myself but that's topic for another day ;) What I want to touch on today is BALANCE. I'm 10 weeks into an 18 week schedule and have to say I am super happy with my strength, speed and endurance gains. Who knew I would be such a good runner??? All that being said, my flexibility has taken a MAJOR nose dive. Of course I stretch after each run, especially the longs ones (um, really I do, um most of the time) but in the last week or so this lack of flexibility and tightness in my hips has actually decreased my speed and endurance. Crap!!

I have to admit my first impulse was to panic. Om Geee!!! I have a MARATHON coming up in 8 short weeks, this is no time for injury or for my training to slow down. Instead I took my own advice and was a little kinder to myself. This week I am still running but backing off a bit. I've also been doing hip opening yoga EVERY day to regain flexibility and to just chill out. The result, today's run was once again awesome :) For those of you that know me, you know that I heart awesome!

So lesson learned. I believe it IS good to really push yourself to achieve your goals but not at the expense of other areas that are also important. Even more importantly I've learned that adding these more gentle exercises and backing off just a bit from the speed and endurance work has actually increased my speed and endurance. Yeah baby!! As a trainer these are things I KNOW to be true but putting them into practice can be a whole other story. Sometimes I just need to take my own advice.

Take time to relax and restore peeps, you body will thank you. Also, why not apply this principal to other areas of your life? Sometimes backing off is just what we need to do to realize success in work, relationships and just in living a happy life. Go with the flow more often and just see how much positive energy opens up!

Namaste

Coni

Herb Roasted Root Vegetables a la Missy Costello Yum Yum Yummity!

2010-12-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

Hey Boys and Girls~

Here's another great recipe from Missy Costello, Tony Horton's personal chef. Everything takes on a red hue in this dish because of the beets but it is soooooo freakin good :) Enjoy! For even more recipes and fitness tips make sure to sign up for my email list on the right or for a FREE Team Beachbody membership HERE

Happy Winter! :)

Pay It Forward Day- Today and EVERY Day

2010-12-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

With over half a million people attending, I'm sure most of you have heard about the Pay It Forward Event that is going on today on facebook. Half a million people, how freakin awesome is that?? I love that this has brought awareness to the concept of paying it forward and I propose to take it a step further. Why not make EVERY day Pay it Forward Day? What kind of impact could that have on the world and on ourselves.

If each and every day we all committed to doing at least one act of kindness the ripple effects could be HUGE!! So what do you say? I hear a lot from others about the stress of everyday life, people wishing they had more, wishing things were easier. How about every time we have one of those thoughts we choose instead to acknowledge and be grateful for all we DO have and perform a random act of kindness for someone else without expecting anything in return? Oh, and that someone else does not have to be just humans, let's not forget our fellow animals ;) Stop focusing on "what's in it for me" and instead look at "how can I help?"

No act of kindness is ever to small or wasted! Just my thought for the day :)

Coni

Peanut Butter & Jelly Shakeology. It's What's For Breakfast!

2010-11-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

OK I admit, I have NOT been a huge fan of the Greeberry flavor of Shakeology. I'm pretty sure there was an audible "cack!" when I first tried it at it's debut at the Team Beachbody Summit in 2009. Recently I've made it my mission to come up with recipes that I actually like. What can I say? Variety is the spice of life and I need a break from the chocolate every once in a while. I've tried a few good combos so far but this one stands out for sure!! I may just become a Greenberry girl yet ;) Thank you to my husband Keith for the perfect name.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Shakeology

1 scoop Greenberry Shakeolgy
1 Tablespoon (generous) Natural Peanut Butter
8 oz Almond Milk
Ice to Taste (if you don't use ice, add some extra milk or water, the shake will be waaaay too thick without it)

Blend and enjoy! :-)

Questions about Shakeology and why it is my favorite meal replacement, protein, anti-oxident, phyto-nutrient, pro-biotic, all around make you feel AWESOME shake in the world?? Just send me a message at Coni@ConiFitness.com or check in with me on facebook. I can even hook you up with free shipping, who doesn't love free??

Coni

The Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse- Your Secret Weapon Against Holiday Flab!

2010-11-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

The average American will gain 7-10 pounds this Holiday Season. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Even with the best of intentions, most of us tend to overdo it in the last 2 months of the year. Temptation seems to be at every turn and it's hard to resist all those goodies. Even the most health conscious of us can not be good ALL the time ;)

Never fear! This year you have a secret weapon at your disposal. One that will keep the weight off, keep you on track with your fitness goals, and have you feeling great & looking amazing at that New Years Eve party ;) It's the Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse and I plan on doing it this season to gently clean my system, keep my metabolism running at it's peak and to increase my workout performance. Who else wants in???

The Shakeology Cleanse is simple and WORKS. Unlike harsher options, like the Master Cleanse, this easy 3 day cleanse allows you to eat real food and will not zap your energy level to zero during this busy time of the year. Below is an outline of the cleanse, you can also read more about it here.

Daily Regimen:
1 cup of green tea to start the day

Breakfast:1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories) 1/2 cup of fruit (60 to 90 calories)—optional Ice to taste 8 to10 oz. of water

Snack 1 (85 calories): 1 piece of fruit (apple, pear, orange, banana mango, etc.)

Lunch:1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories) Ice to taste, 8to10oz.of water
1 cup of green tea or a detox tea

Snack 2: (you can have the second snack before or after dinner) 1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories) Ice to taste 8 to10 oz. of water

Dinner:Salad with grilled white fish or poultry (roughly 340 calories) Greens—3 servings of vegetables, plus 4 oz. of grilled white meat (fish or poultry) 2 tablespoons of dressing—no more!

So if you're ready to get started I'm here to help! Ordering through me will assign me as your personal Beachbody Coach and allow me to be there for you to help and support you with all of your fitness goals, not just through the cleanse. If you are not already getting Shakeology you can order at www.Shakeology.com/ConiConstantine

Choosing the Home Direct option when ordering will give you free shipping and some other goodies for free (the Shakeology workouts, etc). Even if you are not sure at this point that you want monthly shipments I would still encourage you to choose HD because you can cancel with no obligation should you decide to get the shakes less frequently. I don't know about you but I like free ;)

But WAIT, there's more.... (omg I've been waiting forever to say that hehehe)

For all NEW customer HD orders that are placed through my site from now until December 31st I will send you a FREE box of organic green tea to use with the cleanse or to just enjoy whenever.

But WAIT, there's even MORE!!

Interested in getting 25% off all your Shakeology orders? Register as Team Beachbody Coach through me and you can take advantage of that generous discount. To top things off, Beachbody has waived the normal coach sign up fee until December 31, 2010. So you can register for FREE and still get your discount. For more details contact me or check out the link above.

So who else wants to feel and look fabulous this Holiday Season??? I hope you will join me and be a happier and healthier you on January 1st. Why wait?

Peace and love~

Coni

Fartleks. Fun To Say and Do!! hehehehehe

2010-11-16T17:35:00.000-08:00

Today's post was inspired by a facebook update I did yesterday. As I stated there, maturity is not a strong point for me so please excuse my 12 year old boy humor ;) Seriously though, fartleks are something that I've been introduced to as I train to run the Miami Marathon in January. They've already had a positive impact on my speed and endurance and truly are fun. (to say AND do!)

A fartlek workout is a type of speed work but not necessarily done on a track or marked course. Basically it's a hard effort ("on"/85% effort) followed by an easier effort ("off"/65% effort). The point of this is to inject some speed/turnover into your training, while keeping it fun.

So, for example, an easier fartlek may look something like this. Start with a 15 minutes warm up of easy running and follow it with 6 intervals of 1 minute "on" and 4 minutes "off". Wrap up the session with a 10 minute easy cool down run/walk.

As you progress you can increase the number of intervals as well as the on/off ratio. So for example, a step up from the run mentioned above would be 8 intervals of 2 minutes on and 3 minutes off keeping the warm up and cool down the same to give the body plenty of time to prepare for, and recover from, your hard work.

If your not a runner, or can not do impact, there is no reason the same outline can not be followed on an elliptical or bike. Do whatever works for you, just get moving ;)

Happy fartleking peeps!

C

What I Eat (and Don't Eat)

2010-11-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Since I have been getting lots of requests for my personal meal plan lately I thought I would address it here. The answer may not be as exciting as many of you have hoped but here it is :) The the truth is that I don't really have a plan as much as I have a set of guidelines I follow. I have never been very good at counting calories, portions, carb to protein ratios, sugar grams etc, etc. I know that works for LOTS of people but it's just never worked for me. I end up eating too little and am starving or eating too much and feeling like crap. So I generally let my body be my guide as to when I should eat and how much as well as follow the general guidelines below.

~ Eat as CLEANLY as possible. To me this means food in it's most natural state. For example, an apple is clean. An apple pie al a mode, not so much. This does not mean that all my food has to be raw, just that I AVOID PROCESSED FOODS as much as possible.

~ Eat a diet primarily consisting of whole grains, fresh or frozen fruits & veggies, good fats (ie monounsaturated fats like olive oil, avocados, and nut oils) and LEAN proteins.The important thing to remember here is that this is not a temporary diet but a lifestyle. THAT is what will break you out of the up and down weight gain/loss cycle and keep you healthy for life :)

~ Drink LOTS of water. Once again, I don't have an amount I shoot for but I always have a bottle with me and sip on it throughout the day. If you wait until your thirsty to drink you may already be dehydrated.

~ I allow myself 1 cheat meal a week. This is a cheat meal NOT a cheat day. I enjoy a good burger as much as the next guy but giving myself license to eat like a pig all day, one day a week doesn't do me any good since it takes too much time to undo the damage and get back on track. Plus it just makes me feel like garbage

~ NO DAIRY! OK, maybe a little yogurt ;) I can not tell you how much this 1 simple thing has changed how I look and feel. I have way more energy and never feel bloated any more.

~ Limit processed sugar intake. Luckily, with the exception of my occasional Nutella binges, I don't really have a sweet tooth.

~ Drink at least one Shakeology everyday. What can I say? It's perfect food in a glass.

So that's it! Easy peasy for me :) For those of you who are also not counters I hope you find it useful. I eat a lot of easy stuff like egg whites, turkey burgers, steamed veggies, salsa, hummus, peanut butter and oatmeal but I also like to cook from time to time. Below is one of my new favorite recipes. If you want the downloaded recipe just send me a quick email at Coni@ConiFitness.com It's also super good with chicken breast. Enjoy!

Sub 4- BRING IT ON!

2010-11-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

OK, the purpose of this blog post is 100% accountability to myself. As many of you know, I've been training for the Miami Marathon as part of Team ASPCA. Up until now my goal has been simply to finish the race. Make no mistake, that in itself is a HUGE accomplishment but I know how I operate. As much as I LOVE running I know that there are so many other fitness goals I want to achieve (um, BIKINI competition in 2011 baby!!) I also have to be realistic and admit that I have exercise ADD. What I'm getting at is that, while there is no doubt in my mind that I have the ability to run future marathons, I'm not so sure that I will want to after I've done one. Did I mention I'm attracted to shiny things? LOL

Seriously though, I may be WAY off base and this will be the beginning of a long line of races, but in case it's not, I want to finish knowing I kicked ass and gave it my all. That being said my new goal is to not just finish, but to finish in under 4 hours. There, I said it, no backing out now!!

So far so good with the speed work, I will keep you posted on my training :) There is a good chance I may be crazy but we will find out come January 30th. Remember, we ALL have the ability to push ourselves beyond self imposed limits. If you're not doing that already get some goals and CRUSH them, because you can! I would love to hear about what YOU want, big or small. Every goal does not need to be huge, it just needs to be followed by action.

As always, thanks for reading and keep moving!

The Best Meatloaf EVER!! Turkey Loaf To Live By

2010-11-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

I made this last night and, OMG!!! It is only the best meatloaf EVER, seriously. I think the only thing that could make it better is the addition of habeneros but I would add peppers to everything if I could.

This is originally from Tosca Reno's The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook. The only tweaks I made is that I used all spinach instead of the spinach/arugula, used white wine instead of water to de-glaze the onion pan and to wilt the spinach, and pressed the whole thing into a 9 x 13 glass pan coated with cooking spray. So it was more meat squares than loaf. This makes a LOT but is so yummy it won't last long. Enjoy!

Turkey Loaf to Live By from The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 medium purple or Vidalia onions, finely chopped ( I used 1 large Vidalia)

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

6 cups baby spinach leaves, washed

6 cups baby arugula leaves, washed

1tsp water (I used white wine)

1 cup basil leaves-DON'T SKIP, this makes it AWESOME

1/4 cup minced cilantro

4 egg whites + one yolk

1TBSP tomato paste mixed with 1 TBSP water

3/4 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

2 1/2 lb. LEAN ground turkey breast

3/4 cup oat bran or oatmeal ground in a blender

1/4 cup ground flax seeds

Cooking spray

Preparation:

1- Preheat oven to 375 F. Make sure there is a rack in the center of the oven. Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan and cook onions and celery until they are translucent but not brown. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a small bowl to cool.

2- Add baby spinach and arugula leaves to the pan with one tsp of water. Cook until greens are wilted. Remove from heat and let cool. Add basil and cilantro to the wilted greens and mix well.

3- In a large bowl add egg whites, yolk, tomato paste mixture and broth. Mix well. Add ground turkey, oat bran and flax seeds along with cooked onions and celery. Spray clean hands with cooking spray and mix the turkey concoction well.

4- In a 10" loaf pan coated wit cooking spray, place half of the turkey mixture. Spread evenly, Using clean hands, transfer wilted greens and herbs to loaf pan. Distribute evenly on top of the turkey mixture already in the pan. Now place remaining ground turkey mixture on top of the wilted greens, Make the top smooth with your hands.

5- Bake the turkey loaf for 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer registers 160 F. Remove loaf from oven and let cool for 15 minutes so everything sets properly. Once cool, remove loaf from pan and cut into one-inch thick slices using a very sharp knife. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers and use for lunch.

Success is in Overcoming Obstacles

2010-11-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is one of the things I learned from Beachbody's CEO, Carl Daikeler, last month at our annual leadership conference in Dallas. So simple but so POWERFUL. How often do we fall short of our goals, of achieving success, because we gave up when the going got tough instead of finding a solution to a temporary setback? (and believe me, almost everything is a temporary setback!) It's about perspective and it's about attitude. We are capable of far more than we give ourselves credit it for , why not embrace that greatness??

I hear all the time in emails, on facebook, on Twitter, etc about how motivating and inspiring I am. As a generally positive and motivated person that means the world to me, TRULY! If I can inspire just one person it is so worth it. That being said, if I am going to be 100% honest with myself, and with YOU, I have to admit that even I have my doubts from time to time. The last week or so has been a bit of a struggle for me but instead of fighting it I have decided to embrace it. Success is in overcoming obstacles, right?? We all have our own roadblocks, it's how we deal with them that determines the ultimate outcome.

It can be tempting to look at successful people or those who have what we want and consider them lucky, somehow more fortunate than us. I am here to tell you that luck has nothing to do with it. We ALL have the ability to reach our goals and make our desires a reality if we are willing to stay consistent and spring into action. Our dreams, wants and desires are nothing but a wish list without action. And action means overcoming obstacles which is what leads to success. The simple difference between staying in the game and throwing in the towel. Which will you choose? I'm going to end 2010 with a bang, why not join me?! NO EXCUSES PEEPS!!

October Promo~ Try Shakeology and Help Find a Cure!

2010-10-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey Fitness Peeps!

My dear friend Barbie brought up a great point in a recent facebook post. Instead of loading each others facebook inboxes with pointless messages about "where we like it", why not do something more constructive to help raise awareness (and funds!) for this worthy cause. My friend, and fellow Beachbody Coach, Carmen responded with an excellent idea. For the month of October, why not donate profits from each new Home Direct sale of Shakeology to help fund support and research?

I'm TOTALLY on board with this, so for the remainder of this month, I will donate $15 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for each NEW Shakeology Home Direct order placed through my site. This applies to both new and existing customers. I will also donate $15 for each new coach that signs up this month and goes on Shakeology Home Direct before October 31st.

If you are not familiar with Shakeology you owe it to yourself to learn more. These shakes are quite likely the most nutritious calories you can put into your body! This whole food mix will give you more energy, help with weight loss, improve regularity reduce cravings for junk and help you look as healthy on the outside as you feel on the inside. In short, they ROCK!! I've been drinking them daily for over a year and it has taken my health and fitness to a whole new level.

Why not take this chance to try the do something super healthy for yourself and give back at the same time?? Choosing Home Direct will guarantee that your shipment arrives monthly and you will also get FREE shipping and FREE workouts. Who doesn't like FREE?? ;) There is no obligation to continue with shipments after the first month should you decide to get the shakes less frequently.

It's estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with this evil disease within their lifetime. I've seen friends and family members battle this crappy disease and that is not acceptable to me!! If you've been on the fence about ordering, or just want to feel better and look better, NOW is the time to try Shakeology. Help me give peeps!! Oh, and feel free to spread the word about this promo if you really want your friends to take a stand against breast cancer. There's no limit to how much I will donate.

As always, thanks for reading and make it a FIT day :-)

xoxo

Coni
Coni@ConiFitness.com
www.Shakeology.com/ConiConstantine

Why I'm Running

2010-10-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Fitness Friends!

I'm am SUPER pumped to announce that I will definitely be running the Miami Marathon this year as part of Team ASPCA, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As many of you know, animal rescue and animal advocacy is a HUGE part of my life, and I could not be more thrilled to be combining that passion with my love for fitness. Running a marathon has always been on my bucket list but now that many furry little lives will be impacted it has taken on a whole new meaning and relevance to me.

Why do I run? One of the reasons is pictured above. Her name is Verushka Svetlana Constantine Harris. aka Rushie, aka Mrs. Rushbaum. She was a barn cat in rural Virginia with a young litter of kittens when someone thought it would be entertaining to use her as target practice. Not one to give in to adversity, Rushie dragged a dangling and increasingly infected front arm around as she continued to provide for, and nurture her babies. Luckily for her (and us!) this all happened close to a friends weekend cabin. They were able to get her the medical attention she so desperately needed and we were able to place the kittens in loving homes and personally provide a safe and loving forever home for Roosh Roosh (did I mention she has lots of names??) Sometimes there are happy endings :)

The point is that I would LOVE to reach out to every single sick, injured, abandoned and neglected animal out there but it is just not physically possible, not for lack of trying ;) So I'm doing the next best thing and doing things like running to raise money to help animals who have stories like Versushka and her babies. Together we CAN make a difference. This is where you come in dear reader. I'm not big on pressure but if this is a cause that is also dear to your heart I would be forever grateful for a donation, no matter how small to help me reach my goal. Rushie would be very grateful too :)

To visit my donation page just go to http://aspca.donordrive.com/participant/Coni
Have I ever run 26.2 miles before? Hell no but I am training my butt off (literally!!) to run the best race possible on January 30th.

Happy Fall to all of you and thanks for taking the time to read Rushie's story :-)

xoxo

Coni

Spicy Vegan Potato Curry

2010-09-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

I completely HEART spicy food and this recipe delivers!! PLEASE be careful when chopping the peppers. Many would recommend that you wear gloves but at the very least to not touch your eyes, or any other sensitive parts ;), until you have thoroughly washed your hands after dealing with the peppers.

Spicy Vegan Potato Curry

Ingredients

5 potatoes, peeled & cubed
2 T olive oil
1yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 habenero peppers + 1 jalepeno, diced ( I do NOT seed mine, use at your own risk, it's HOT)
2 tsp ground cumin
4 tsp curry powder
4 tsp garam masala
1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled & minced
1 tsp salt (unless you don't like it, like me)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans/chickpeas, rinsed & drained
1 1/2 cup of frozen peas
1 (14 oz.) can of lite coconut milk
1 (15 oz.) can vegetable broth

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, garlic & peppers: cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.

Season with cumin, curry powder, garam masala, ginger, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes more stirring constantly.

Add tomatoes, vegetable broth, coconut milk, potatoes & garbanzo beans. Bring to simmer. Cover pot and simmer 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add more liquid if necessary.

Add peas and cook 1-2 minutes more.

Serve over rice with cilantro and diced serranos on the side (if you dare!!!) I also like to serve yogurt or raita with it to balance the heat.

Enjoy :)

Dream Vacation on Oasis of the Seas! This is Gonna be a FIT and AWESOME Trip!!

2010-09-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

I'll be on this cruise, will you?? Team Beachbody Coaches, remember, you get DOUBLE Success Points for the month of September so that will get you that much closer to this amazing vacation!

If you're not a coach yet and want to join us send me a message at Coni@ConiFitness.com and I can hook you up!! Beachbody rewards us WELL for getting fit and helping others, I heart my job!!

Make Your Own Luck

2010-09-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

"The Best Way To Predict the Future is to Create It"

Peter Drucker

The little gem above is what was in my "quote if the day" email this morning and SO appropriate for today's blog topic.

The last week has been jam packed but awesome!! I spent a week in Dallas with a dear friend, got to hang out with lots of other friends, met some people that I've been coaching online, attended a Tony Horton Super Saturday event and the prior night's VIP dinner, AND got fake eyelashes for the very first time ever!!! (They are flippin the best thing ever btw) In between I kept up with my workouts and my beloved coaching duties. All in all a pretty freakin amazing week :)

As I've been sharing with friends and posting on facebook I've heard more than once how lucky I am to be experiencing all this. Make no mistake, I will be the first to say that I feel fortunate and grateful for all the things I get to do, including the 2 super intense live workouts with Tony last week, BUT I don't think for a second that luck has anything to do with it. It's been the result of choices I've made, specifically in the last year. I had an "aha! moment" listening to Darren Hardy speak about personal responsibility at a Beachbody leadership event last year and my world changed in an instant.

Since then I've watched my Team Beachbody coaching business take off to heights I never thought possible, have gotten in the best shape of my life and FINALLY moved back to Los Angeles (yay me!!!!)

Taking 100% responsibility for everything that happens in my life, good or bad, was SCARY but majorly empowering. No more excuses, no more blaming others and, best of all, NO MORE SETTLING!!! I stopped seeing what wasn't possible and decided to create the life I wanted. I stopped letting my own doubt and fear hold me back and things began to flow. Who says I can't? Why not me?

Most importantly, WHY NOT YOU???? Seriously. Tomorrow is today and there isn't a day called Someday. Totally cliche I know but TRUE!! What would you do if you had no limitations? Write down a list of all the things you think are holding you back and then find ways around them. If you want me to help just send me a message. I love coaching people to their personal best in fitness but I also love to see people reach their full potential in all areas of their lives.

Just do it!!!

xoxo Coni

Bring it on 39!!! Personal Best Baby ;)

2010-09-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

I totally intended to publish this blog the day after my birthday but, as you know, life has a way of taking on a life of it's own. That's not always a good thing but in this case it is since I am having FUN :) Anyways, what I wanted to share with you today some of my hopes, dreams and goals for my 39th year.

On September 12 I turned 39, which is almost 40, which makes many people go YEEKS and make some crack about how they will just keep repeating 28, blah. blah, blah. I would be lying if I said that it did not bother me at all but it IS just a number and I've truthfully never look at 40 as that old anyway. My reality is that I am happier, healthier and more fit than I have ever been and I feel it's only up from here. That being said I want to take anyone who will read this blog on a journey with me through the next 365 days (um, 361 days) to keep me accountable in making 39 MY BEST YEAR EVER!!!!

So what's in store? Of course I can not say for sure but I will be sharing more with you as the year goes by in frequent posts. This week I'm in Dallas with some dear friends for a Beachbody related event and I will be getting plenty of BHAG's on paper. Stay tuned!! This year is going to be SO much more than just fitness too (although that will be a big part of it, can you say Miami Marathon???) I want to to take my coaching business to crazy new heights and give back as much as I can. I want to help more people with find their dreams and reach their goals. I want to save countless furry little lives! LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO LIVE IT BY DEFAULT PEEPS!!

This year I plan pushing myself further than I thought possible in so many aspects of my life. No more excuses, no more some days. If I want it, I'm going to create a plan and make it happen. That is how I've been learning to live my life anyway but it's time to seriously put it into practice.

OK, that's all for know...it's time for action! I look forward to the journey :) Feel free to join me!

Coni

MIAMI Baby!!!

2010-09-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

So guess who's part of Team ASPCA and will be running in the Miami Marathon in January...MEEEE!!!!!!! As many of you know, I had my heart set on running NYC this year but that just did not happen. I did keep up with my training though and set my sites on Philly in late November. Of course that is still a possibility but I have committed to Miami because, well because it seems totally freakin cool and I've never been there PLUS I get to raise some serious cash to help rescued, injured and abused animals Combining the fitness fiend in me with animal advocate is a perfect match I think.

So faithful fitness friends, I will be counting on you for your support over the next months and I would like to support you too!! The goal of 26.2 miles is not a small one but I'm not a person who thinks we should settle for small goals, no one should!! I know it's cliche but life IS too short not to go after what we want and try to make a difference whenever we can. We ALL have something we're passionate about and I hope that each and every one of you reading this makes the conscious choice to go after what you want, no matter how crazy, big or scary it seems. I say, GO FOR IT!! I've got your back.

Who knows, I may just decide to keep Philly in there as well ;) Stay tuned!!! In the meantime, what do YOU want? I'd love to hear about it!

Shiny Happy (and Fit) People

2010-08-28T20:13:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends!!

I want to talk a little bit today about who we hang out with. What do all the people in the picture above have in common? Lot's of things I'm guessing but for now we will focus on that they are all positive, ambitious, caring, funny, people. They are also, I'm happy to report, friends of mine :) Many people would say I'm super fortunate, and I am the first to agree with that, BUT the fact that my circle of friends is made up of people like this is no accident. It's a choice. You have the same choice.

The truth is that is if you allow negative people into your life and spend any amount of time with them they WILL drag you down to your level. You know the types of peeps I'm talking about, always complaining, gossiping, making excuses for why their life isn't better. People who talk smack about others who have big dreams and the ambition and commitment to make those dreams happen. People who are just plain DOWNERS. Glass half empty my life sucks and it's someone else's fault. We all know the type. These people are emotional POISON and will suck they life force out of you if you let them, so they easy answer is DON'T. Avoid them at all costs, even if they are close to you. This may be a tough decision to make but will improve the quality if your life infinitely. Trust me, I've been there ;)

The simple truth is that positive, happy people attract other positive, happy people so if you want to be surrounded by people who will support and challenge you to be a better person you need to become a person like that. Be like who you want to be around!! What are some of the most important qualities your ideal friend would have? Compassion? Sense of humor? Ambition? Positive outlook? Generosity? Whatever it is, work on those qualities within yourself and amazing things will start to happen for the better!! For realz.

And speaking of happy people, just one more common point about the peeps in the above picture. We all love fitness and make it a priority!! All those endorphins make it that much easier to have a sunny outlook on life. The bottom line is that fit people are generally happier. They feel more comfortable in their skin and are just healthier. Does this mean you have to be a size 2 with a 6 pack? Absolutely not, BUT regular physical activity and good nutrition is essential to being healthy and healthy people are usually happier people :)

So the message today is simple, choose your friends and actions wisely, it will have a huge impact on your quality of life, I promise. We're here for such a short time, who wouldn't want to make the best of it??

xoxo

Coni

21 Day Clean Eating Challenge-Who's in???

2010-08-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hey hey Friends!!

Here it is, my 21 day challenge to myself to eat SUPER DUPER clean!! I would love to have you join me :) I normally eat pretty cleanly anyway BUT I've developed a nasty hamburger addiction as of late. I'm also becoming overly dependent on creme brulee rice cakes soooooo this challenge is something I feel I need to do right now. 21 days to change or adopt a habit, right? Let's GO!!

I will be starting today but the challenge will officially begin tomorrow August 25 and go to September 14. Not coincidentally right before I have a fitness trip to Dallas planned ;) If you are stumbling across this after August 25, no worries!! Jump on board anyway, any day you're eating clean is a good day.

The rules are going to be pretty simple and will give you a pretty wide range of food choices. Let's start by what I mean when I say "clean eating". To be that mean NO processed foods and NO refined flours or sugars and NO funky additives. Basically lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits & veggies and good fats I've eliminated dairy from my diet and highly encourage you to do the same if your goal is to feel better and look better :)

I will be posting some recipes as we go along but no specific menu plans. You can check out Tosca Reno's Clean Eating Diet Cookbook for some great recipe ideas as well.

Lastly, I will be drinking at least one Shakeology shake a day to make sure my body stays super charged with all the nutrients I need. No matter how cleanly we eat it would be next to impossible to give our bodies the pure, whole food nutrition in this awesome product. It has made me feel and look healthier than I ever have and I've been into this whole health and nutrition thing for quite some time ;) If you value your health you owe it to yourself to try it for at least a month!! You've probably heard the hype about Shakeology and it's all true!! It comes with a bottom of the bag guarantee so you have nothing to lose, plus with with HD ordering you get FREE shipping and some other goodies, even if you decide to cancel future orders. Orders can be placed directly through my Shakeology site at www.shakeology.com/ConiConstantine

So just to recap-

The challenge starts Wednesday, August 25 and goes to Tuesday, September 14.

NO processed foods allowed, with few exceptions, keep to the outer aisles of your grocery store.

Fresh, whole food rules!! Stick to lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits & vegetables and good fats.

Dairy is optional but NOT recommended

Drink one Shakeology a day. Optional but HIGHLY recommended. You only get one body and it deserves the best.

Drink PLENTY of pure, clean water. Aim for 6 8 oz. glasses a day but more is better!! Especially of you are working out like a fiend. Green tea is also an excellent addition to your daily fluid intake.

Join and check in once daily on my facebook fitness event page.

Only 1 cheat meal per week. Note that it is a cheat MEAL and not a cheat day :)

That's it!! Here's to a crazy healthy 3 weeks!! As always if you have any questions just send me a quick note on facebook or an email at Coni@ConiFitness.com

Let's do this!!!!

FREE PB2 Giveaway with Shakeology!

2010-08-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Health Loving Friends!

I've been getting lots of inquiries about Shakeology lately and I know several of you are on the fence about getting it, soooo I've decided to host a special promo for the month of August. For any new Home Direct orders placed through my site between now and August 31st I will throw in a full size jar of PB2 for you to try. Haven't heard of PB2??? It's only one of the best things to hit the market since, well since peanut butter and Shakeology! It's powdered PB with all the taste but way less fat and calories! Haven't heard of Shakeology? Check out the video below to learn a bit more about the smartest calories you can put into your body. Full information can be found at www.shakeology.com/coniconstantine

Choose the Home Direct option when ordering you will get free shipping and some other goodies from Beachbody too! (the Shakeology workouts, etc). Even if you are not sure at this point that you want monthly shipments I would still encourage you to pick that option because you can cancel always cancel with no obligation should you decide to get the shakes less frequently. I don't know about you but I like free :-) Also, the PB2 is yours to keep no matter what and each bag of Shakeology comes with a "bottom of the bag" guarantee which means you can try a full month's supply and still get your money back on the off chance you decide it's not for you!

Please note that this is something I am doing ONLY for my customers who start a new HD order or new coaches who sign up in August and go on Shakeology HD. The PB2 will be sent to you directly from me and not from Team Beachbody.

So if you are interested in giving the healthiest shake out there a test drive you now have nothing to lose and some freebies to gain! Order today at www.shakeology.com/ConiConstantine and then send me a quick note at the address below with PB2 in the subject line.

If you have questions about the shakes, coaching or or want to learn more about our great products send me a message at Coni@ConiFitness.com or call me at 323-513-7401.

To your health!

PS- To my customers and new coaches who have already started a new HD order this month your PB2 will be on the way soon!

PSA for the Day- Don't Quit!

2010-08-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

"The difference in winning and losing is most often... not quitting."

Walt Disney

Sometimes the universe gives us nudges :) I've been meaning to write a blog post about not quitting for the last week or so when I came across this as the "quote of the day" in my inbox this morning. Message received Universe, write the damn post!

The words above are so simple but so true. How often have we been on the verge of success with something when we simply give up? Maybe times got tough, things got hard, everything seemed against us. We felt like we were working our tails off with no results. What's the point?, we ask ourselves. The point is that quitters rarely succeed, plain and simple! It's tempting to point the finger at everyone and everything besides ourselves when we feel we're not seeing results as fast as we want (I know I've done that!) and it's easy to throw in the towel BUT it will never be as rewarding as sticking with actions that will get you the results that you want. This can be in personal goals, business goals, fitness goals, WHATEVER. Persistent and consistent action gets results every time.

As a coach I all too often see people give up before they reach their true potential and it always makes me sad and also a little angry. More than once I've heard. "I'm not like you", It's not easy for me to be fit like it is for you", "I wasn't born that way", "It's easy for you to coach, I'm not like that", "I don't have the time", etc, etc. etc. You get the picture. Well I'm going to share a little secret...It's not always easy for me either. 100% truth! That's not to say my life is a constant struggle, far from it, only that behind every single one of my successes is a plateau that I broke or a sticking point I got through. More than likely a moment where I said "screw this! it's not worth it" but knew in my heart of hearts that it was so I dusted myself off and kept going.

Take my running for example. I've set a personal goal of running a marathon this November and have been diligently training for it. Some days my runs ROCK and some days I honestly would rather be back in bed. It's on those days when I get stronger by running anyway since I know it is just one more step closer to my goal. If I set out my first day, tried to run 20 miles, found I couldn't do it and gave up would that make sense to anyone?? Absolutely not and that is why we have to trust that all those little actions we are doing to get to where we want to be will add up and leads us there. 8 weeks ago I could not run 9 miles straight, no I can. Now I can probably not run 20 miles straight but in 8 weeks I will :)

So the take away from this is that if you truly want something, believe in yourself and DON'T QUIT!! That alone will put you ahead of the game. Trust me I've tried it both ways ;)

It's up to you to create your best life peeps, what do YOU want??

Coni

I'm Baaaaack!!

2010-08-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

OK, let me first just say, I know I had been slacking on blog posts but I did not realize it had been THIS long-yeeks! It's funny how life can get in the way of us doing things we actually like to do. It can be fitness, blogging, whatever. The point is to MAKE TIME. It can be so easy for us to get caught up in the drama and details of everyday life that we fail to carve out sections of the day to do positive things for ourselves, things that we enjoy.

For me it was letting myself get bogged down in the closing of our Virginia house which seemed to take foreeeeeever. Trying to close on a house that is 3000 miles away is not always easy and I found my self at the mercy of the closing company dropping everything at a moments notice to sign, fax or notarize whatever they sent my why. After stressing out I realized I needed to let it go. YES, these things needed to get done but not at the expense of me living my life. They were important but no longer at center stage. So make time peeps! We all have busy lives but it's just as important to enjoy those lives as it is to get everything done. Maybe even more so.

So here us my challenge to you today, let something NOT get done and see how good it makes you feel. Examine all the things you feel you have to do and let the non-essentials go. It's a simple thing but can make a big impact in your stress level.

So expect more frequent posts cherished readers, I promise not to suck so hard at posting more frequently. And thank you to my friend Sherry for reminding me about blogging ;)

Marathon Training Starts TODAY

2010-06-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Kids!

So today is the first day of my 20 week training schedule leading up to the NYC Marathon in November. I plan on running to raise money for the ASPCA and am a little nervous but a lot PUMPED!!! :) This will be my first but I'm thinking it will not be my last. I look forward to sharing my journey with you guys as the weeks and months go by.

As I get ready to set out for my very first run on the schedule, a quick 2 miler, I can't help feeling like it should be more, that I should be running further. The fitness fiend in me says. more, more, more!! Yet the trainer in me knows that it's important to lay and foundation and that today's baby run is just the first step. As much as I would love to crank out a super long run today I know you can't go from A-Z without hitting B-Y on the way there ;) I think that's a reminder all of us can use when we are reaching for our fitness goals...success does not happen over night but WILL come with consistent action.

So what's the lesson for the day? Set realistic goals and get going with everyday actions steps to complete them! We can't get from flab to fab overnight any more than I can jet out my door this morning and knock out 26 miles. Besides, the journey is as rewarding as the end result I think!! I look forward to sharing the next 20 weeks and beyond!! We can do whatever we set our mind too :)

Cerveza-Marinated Chicken Skewers

2010-05-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

Cerveza-Marinated Chicken Skewers

(From Team Beachbody's Thin Kitchen Cookbook)

Keep the grill going with less fat!!

1 lb. of skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup beer
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray

Combine the beer, lemon juice, oil, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper in a zip-lock bag; add the chicken. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag; shake lightly and turn to coat the chicken. Refrigerate 1 hour, turning the bag occasionally.

Transfer the marinade from the bag to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 5 minutes.

If using wooden skewers, soak them in hot water 30 minutes (to prevent them from burning).

Spray the broiler or grill rack (I made them on the grill) with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray; preheat; or alternatively-spray a nonstick ridged grill pan with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray and set over high heat.

Divide the chicken among 12 8-inch skewers. Grill or broil the skewers 4 inches from the heat until lightly browned, about 3 minutes; turn and brush with reduced marinade. Cook until the chicken is thoroughly done, about 2 more minutes. Serve immediately.- 6 servings

**This chicken also makes a great topping for a main dish salad: toss the cooked chicken with crunchy fresh greens and drizzle with equal parts of sherry vinegar and olive oil.

The Shakeology Cleanse Summer Slim Down!

2010-05-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

I have been getting a TON of questions lately about the super popular Shakeology Cleanse. I know there is a little conflicting information out there on the net so I wanted to post the version Beachbody as provided to us coaches. Remember, this is a performance enhancing cleanse and not a strict flush. The goal is to jump start your metabolism and fine tune your system so you can bring it that much harder in your workouts!! Any questions, you know where to find me! Coni@ConiFitness.com

I will be starting my next cleanse on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. I would love for you to join me!

If you have not tried Shakeology yet you can get it at www.Shakeology.com/ConiConstantine Choosing the Home Direct option will even give you FREE shipping plus some other goodies :-) There is no obligation and you can cancel at any time. Also, remember that Beachbody Coaches receive 25% off all Beachbody products, including Shakeology!! If you would like to chat more about that just let me know :-)

PS~ This cleanse ROCKS!!

The Shakeology® 3-Day Cleanse The key is to follow the same regimen all three days.

Essentials:
3 Shakeology shakes per day
2 cups of green tea per day
1 or 2 pieces of fruit per day (optional)
No dairy or extra sugars (this includes almond and soy milk)!
Drink 2 to 4 liters of water every day
Only use low-fat dressings, and go easy on the salt and/or pepper to taste
2 snacks before/after any of the major meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Fruit is optional, and it is discouraged (however, some of you will need the calories while others may not)
Power-workout participants (those who are already super conditioned) are recommended the higher numbers of calories
For maximum results, do NOT use additives

Daily Regimen:
1 cup of green tea to start the day
Breakfast:
1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories) 1/2 cup of fruit (60 to 90 calories)—optional Ice to taste 8 to10 oz. of water
Snack 1 (85 calories): 1 piece of fruit (apple, pear, orange, banana mango, etc.)
Lunch:
1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories) Ice to taste 8to10oz.ofwater
1 cup of green tea or a detox tea
Snack 2: (you can have the second snack before or after dinner) 1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories) Ice to taste 8 to10 oz. of water
Dinner:
Salad with grilled white fish or poultry (roughly 340 calories)  Greens—3 servings of vegetables, plus 4 oz. of grilled white meat (fish or poultry)  2 tablespoons of dressing—no more!

Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse FAQ Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:

1. How many calories per day? 800 to 1,100 calories per day

2. How often can I do the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse? Ideally, you should do it once per quarter (every 3 months) As the seasons change Before starting a new workout program When you feel you need help breaking through a plateau

3. Should/Can I still do my workouts during the Cleanse? Depends on the individual
You’ll have less energy than normal, so consider doing it during a recovery week
Try not to do in the middle of P90X® or INSANITY®

4. Can I do a 1-day or a 2-day cleanse instead of a 3-day?
Yes! Some people will see results with one or two days
We recommend against continuing the cleanse for more than three days

5. Should/Can I take other Beachbody® supplements during the Cleanse?
Results and Recovery FormulaTM: No, too much sugar/calories  Others (Omega-3, etc.): Not necessary, but won’t hurt either

21 Day Summit Smackdown Rotation

2010-04-07T15:47:00.001-07:00

Hey Kids! OK, so as most of you know, I'm a Beachbody Coach and our BIGGEST event of the year is right around the corner. Coach Summit 2010 begins April 30th and I'm challenging myself to be as fit as possible by then!! I've been ramping things up since late last year but now I'm REALLY bringing my A-Game. Below is the rotation I will be following for the next three weeks (week one is already in the bag) If any one cares to join me with their own challenge, feel free! I love company :-)

Of course eating well is half the battle so I will be posting more about my nutrition guidelines tomorrow.

Remember, ordering through a Beachbody Coach will give you the lowest possible price on genuine Beachbody products AND give you more personal attention. If you don't already have one feel free to purchase though my site at www.OnlineFitClub.com or register for FREE and I will be assigned as your coach.

I officially declare the next 21 days a NO WHINING ZONE!! Who's with me??

4/8- REST
4/9- Cathe HiiT workout + Cathe Core Cardio Circuit + STS Meso 2 Chest, Shoulders & Tri's
4/10- 5 Mile run + ChaLEAN Lower Body Extreme Zone + Tummy Tuck from Brazil Butt Lift
4/11- Insanity Pure Cardio + STS Meso 2 Back & Bi's
4/12- One on One Plyo Legs + Rodney Yee Hip Opening Yoga + Core Max Mat Workout
4/13- Imax 2 + Bryan Kest Power Yoga 1 or 2
4/14- Travel Fit by Cathe (last day of my Shakeology fast so I'm being nice ;)
4/15- REST
4/16- Imax 3 + Meso 2 Chest, Shoulders, Tris + Tummy Tuck from BBL
4/17- 5 Mile run + BBL Bum Bum Live + One on One 10-10-10 Crusher Pack
4/18- 2 Cathe HiiT's back to back + Power Yoga 1 or 2
4/19- 3 Mile Run + STS meso 2 back & Bi's + ChaLEAN Extreme Core Circuit
4/20- Plyo Legs + Hip Opening Yoga + ChaLEAN Lower Body Extreme
4/21- Insanity Plyo Circuit + Cathe Pyramid Upper Body + Ab Ripper X
4/22- REST
4/23- 5-6 Mile run + Meso 2 Chest, Shoulders & Tri's + Both ab routines from ChaLEAN Deluxe
4/24- Cathe Core Cardio Circuit + BBL High & Tight + BBL Tummy Tuck
4/25- 1 Cathe HiiT workout + Bryan Kest Power 1 or 2 + ChaLEAN Yoga
4/26- Insanity Max Sports Conditioning + Meso 2 Back & Bi's + Ab Ripper X
4/27- Plyo Legs + Butt & Belly + Bum Bum Rapido
4/28- 1 Cathe HiiT workout + Pyramid Upper Body + Tummy Tuck or Core Max on the ball
4/29- REST and fly to Los Angeles :-)

Spring Cleaning For Your Insides

2010-03-31T09:20:00.000-07:00

Three-Day Shakeology Cleanse- It's like Spring Cleaning for your insides :-)

I will be starting this cleanse on Monday, April 12th and hope you will join me!! Accountability is key in sticking with an exercise or nutrition plan so I will create a page on facebook where we can check in for motivation and share our experience.

This is a healthy cleanse that Steve Edwards recommends on his blog, and was put together by Mike Karpenko.

Steve is a nationally recognized fitness expert who oversees Beachbody's fitness and diet program development, and he serves as Fitness Advisor for our message boards.

This cleanse incorporates Beachbody’s HOTTEST product, Shakeology. There is NOTHING on the market that compares to this shake (see below for links/info on this).

This is a performance-oriented system...IT'S NOT THE Master Cleanse. The goal is to promote flushing junk from your system and regulating hydration levels.

It’s calorically restricted to be sure. But in its 1500 or so calories will be more nutrients than most people get by eating well over twice that amount. The key is caloric efficiency; getting the most nutrients possible out of the fewest number of calories. It’s too far restrictive for a lifestyle plan, but perfect for a three day jump-start to looking and feeling better.

People are getting great results with this cleanse, why not you???

Three Day Shakeology Cleanse Summary:

Have 3 Shakeology Shakes* a day
- If the shakes are plain (Shakeology and water only) you can add three pieces of fruit.

Have a Salad in evening:
- Unrestricted as far as veggies go
- 4 oz protein source
- 2 Tbs of an olive oil/vinegar dressing.
- For fatty acids, each salad will also contain 1 Tbs of chia seeds (or flaxseed or hempseed)

Drink Plenty of water
- Coffee, tea, and herb teas are fine also, as long as they don’t have additives.

I plan on working out regularly during the cleanse but will NOT be pushing myself extra hard. These will be perfect days to do lighter or recovery workouts. If you would like suggestions just let me know.

This is a GREAT way to Jump-Start your weight loss and get your body healthy! 30-day bottom of the bag money back guarantee and you can even get free shipping... there's n0 risk!

For information on Shakeology, contact me or go to:

www.Shakeology.com/ConiC

~Interested in getting wholesale prices? Save 25% by becoming a coach. More info can be found at www.OnlineFitClub.com

Contact me if you have any questions and/or if you want to join us with the cleanse!

Let's do this together!!

Coni

Chocolate Avocado Mousse Part Deux

2010-03-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is the recipe for the Shakeology version of the Chocolate Avocado Mousse from my last post. It's flippin GOOD!! Feel this heathy never tasted so good! If you haven't had a chance to check out Shakeology yet do yourself a favor and visit www.Shakeology.com/ConiC for more details and ordering info. If you sign up for monthly shipments you will also get free shipping and other goodies! Gotta love free :-)

Enjoy!

Chocolate Avaocado Mousse with Shakeology

1 scoop chocolate shakeology
1/2 small avocado, mashed
5-6 ice cubes
8 oz. low or non-fat milk (I prefer almond)

Combine all ingredients in blender to blend. Yummy!!!

Chocolate Avocado Mousse- Yummers!

2010-03-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

I never thought about this combo before but when I saw it in my Team Beachbody newsletter I knew I had to give it a try. It was surprisingly good! I may even need to incorporate it into a Shakeology recipe....hmmmmm?

Enjoy!

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Chocolate is full of great antioxidants and is actually pretty healthy in its unadulterated state. It's when we add cream, butter, and sugar that it starts to get unhealthy. It may not sound intuitive to add avocado, but it provides a delicious creamy texture, without all the saturated fat of actual cream. The flavor of avocado is usually mild enough that you won't even taste it with the chocolate, and you get all those heart-smart unsaturated fats with the antioxidants in your chocolate.

2 ounces dark unsweetened chocolate (70% to 85% cacao solids)
1 avocado
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp. agave nectar (could substitute maple syrup)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Microwave chocolate in large mixing bowl until melted. Add remaining ingredients, and mix until smooth. For best results, use a hand mixer or food processor. Serves 2.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Nutritional information (per serving):

Calories	Fat	Carbs	Fiber	Protein
395	27 grams	39 grams	11 grams	5 grams

When It's Time To Change.....

2010-03-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Happy (almost) Spring everyone!!! I know the clocks getting pushed ahead an hour this morning may have thrown many of us off. This year, instead of looking at it as an annoyance (I want my hour of sleep back dang it!!!!) I've decided to roll with with and relish in the slightly off kilter feeling I've had all day. Something feels a little off which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, but that's a good thing!! When we become to complacent and NEVER move out of our comfort zone is when life starts happening to us, instead of us creating the life we want. This may sound overly simplistic but I've found it to be totally true.

When we push past our comfort zone we grow and get better. Think of it in terms of exercise, if we stick to the same routine for too long we stop seeing results, we hit a plateau. To get things moving again we have to work harder and push further, maybe do things we REALLY don't like doing (stupid push ups lol) in order to see results. This may indeed be uncomfortable at first but a magical thing starts to happen...we get stronger and the things that seemed like such a huge flippin deal just a short time before become easier and more enjoyable :-) Try it, it works!! With our bodies and our lives.

So this is my challenge to you this week, the next time you come across something that you know will make you stronger (physically, mentally, financially, whatever) but makes you a bit uncomfortable because it seems to hard, DO IT ANYWAY!! I bet you will surprise yourself with the results :-)

Coni

Baby Steps

2010-03-08T13:06:00.000-08:00

Now that the weather has FINALLY warmed up in my current neck of the woods I'm happy to report that I've resumed my running schedule. Good thing as I learned an important lesson on this morning's run. First off, I just have to say that I am definitely a glass half full kind of girl. I always try to look at the positive side of things and feel humbled and honored if I can pass that outlook on to others. That being said, even I have "those" days. Days when I'm not feeling it. Days when I feel like there is just too much going on and no way I will reach my goals successfully.

As many of you may know, my MAIN goal right now is to move back to the Los Angeles area by spring. Keith and I have been in VA for the last 7 years and lets just say that has been more than enough ;) I'm ready to GO. No biggie if it was just the two of us, BUT we somehow managed to pick up a houseful of rescued cats in out tenure in the Old Dominion. Moving the entire tribe west will be no small under taking. That is when the panic sets in. How will we move everyone? WHERE will we move everyone? How long will it take for the house to sell? How are we going to get the house ready to sell in time? I need to get a new car before then, do I get it here? There? Gaaaaaaagh!!! It seems like way to much to think of all at once. And it is.

As I said, I was just not feeling it today and that included my run. Only 3 miles but it might has well been a marathon. I was NOT into it but started anyway. As I continued I was determined not to stop so I started looking at a point a few yards in front of me and I would tell myself "Just get to there" It seemed FAR easier to imagine running a few yards than the whole three miles. Little goals. Manageable goals. Eventually I was back at my house and the 3 miles was in the bag and a light bulb went off in my head, Little goals added up to the bigger goal and I did NOT feel overwhelmed. Ding! Ding! Ding! Hmmmmm, maybe I could apply this to other areas of my life as well? Bingo!!!! So I run I didn't even want to go on led me to an insight that I've so desperately been needing. It's good to have goals big & small to strive for, but it's all those little (and sometimes seemingly insignificant) action steps that get you to where you want to be. Not rocket science but a valuable lesson for me and I feel so much more relieved to stay focused on the little things that are right in front of me getting me closer and closer to everything I want :-)

Cardio Confusion for Just ONE CENT!!

2010-03-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Start your subscription to Tony Horton's One one One series anytime in March and receive your very first workout for 1 tiny cent!! Ordering details can be found at www.OnlineFitClub.com

The 2010 Coach Summit is Coming Up!

2010-02-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

Getting fit and getting PAID has never been this much fun!! I know that may sound like a lot of hype but it's 100% TRUE. Being part of the Beachbody Coaching community over the last two years has been one of the best experiences of my life and I feel like I'm just getting started :) If you are already a coach and want to take your business to the next level I hope you will join me at the 2010 Summit this year. If you're not a coach yet, but have a passion for health & fitness, contact me today to find out how you can earn a substantial income sharing that passion with others!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

Hello Health & Fitness Peeps~

Today I want to share a simple but SUPER TASTY Shakeology recipe with you that is perfect for all those V-Day cravings. Like many people, I over indulged a bit too much in the sugar department today and paid for it by crashing hard and feeling like crap for a good portion of the day. While I can not deny that I LOVE sweets, I do know that I need to keep them in moderation and healthy when possible. This is why I love, love, LOVE Shakeology. It tastes like it could be sooo bad for you but is one of the healthiest things ever you could drink. A match made in heaven :-) Below is the recipe I promised and perfect for a post Valentine's Day indulgence.

Chocolate Covered Cherry

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 cup skim milk (or nut or soy milk, I prefer almond)
1/2 cup frozen cherries
1 small handful of ice cubes

Blend to perfection and ENJOY!!

If you have not had a chance to try this awesome shake mix yet you can check out more information at HERE. If you have any questions or want more info on how you can get free shipping and up to 25% off each order just send me a quick email at Coni@ConiFitness.com.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

It's Almost February 1st, Have You Broken a Resolution Yet?

2010-01-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, if you're like most American's the answer is "YES" How is it that, even with the best of intentions, we all too often find ourselves sliding back into old habits or finding reasons to justify why we can't do the very thing we resolved to do? I think there are several reasons but I believe the main one is that we never fully resolved to do what we set out to do (or not to do) in the first place. Sure it would be nice to weigh less, or smoke less or finally take those classes we've been meaning to take to finish that degree, but if we don't get a clear vision of how that will play out and commit to actions steps there is very little chance it will happen :(

Did this happen to you this year? Don't despair! It's never to late to get back on track and you certainly don't need to wait until January 1st rolls around again to make good on your promises to your self. Below are some of the main ways I've used to make my intentions a reality. So don't beat yourself up if you've fallen short of your goals. Forgive yourself and move forward :)

1- Put it in writing!!! I can not stress this enough. The very act of getting your intentions on paper makes them immediately more real.

2- Create a plan. Resolutions may just be wishful thinking if you don't map out a plan to get them done. Success is not magic so simply setting an intention or expressing a want is not good enough.

3- Do your action steps DAILY. Once you determine what it is you will need to do it get what you want, stay committed to consistent action to get there. Our success and failure is almost always determined by lots of little actions repeated over and over. An excellent resource to help with this is The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. I was turned on to this book last year and it was a total game changer for me.

4- Don't go overboard. This does not mean that you should not set your sights high, I completely recommend that, it just means to limit the number of goals you set. The more narrow your focus the better you will be at accomplishing what you set out to do.

5-Be flexible. This does NOT mean justifying slacking off, it just means that sometimes life throws us curveballs. Don't let the unexpected knock you off course. Re-adjust and continue with your plan.

Want to get SUPER pumped about your resolution? Check out this awesome video post by Tony Robbins!

If you slipped up don't be mean to yourself about it, just get back on the path...

Happy 2010 :)

Coni

The Shake Weight-I'm Skeptical

2010-01-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

By now many of you have seen the infamous "Shake Weight" commercials on TV, the Ellen Show, youtube or even on my facebook page. I posted the one for men last week just for laughs and actually got a few inquiries into whether it really works or not. Being the smart a** that I've been known to be, my initial reaction was that, "Hell yeah it works! Laughing is good for the core" All kidding aside though, is there anything to this "dynamic inertia" theory that would cause you to get completely ripped just by, um, shaking the weight with rapid, short & powerful thrusts? I set out to find out answers to this burning questions and in my quest came across this blog entry, which pretty much confirmed everything I suspected and intuitively knew. You may get build up some wrist stability that could come in handy for other activities (sorry, I couldn't resist!!!) but I don't think you can significantly change your physique with this piece of equipment (ugh, that sounds bad too!) OK, before I say anything else bordering on perverted I will leave you with the product promos and let them speak for themselves and let you decide. All I can say is, I'm not buying it. If you want to get seriously in shape you know where to find me :)

But I Don't Feeeeeeel Like It!

2010-01-16T15:10:00.001-08:00

Truth be told, sometimes neither do I. Like now for example. I should be doing my chest, shoulder & tricep workout from Cathe's STS but I am seriously procrastinating. I admit this doesn't happen often, but it DOES happen, even to hardcore fitness fiends like me. You're not alone :) Sure, there a dozen reasons that I could come up with. I already ran this morning and went farther than I planned on! I need to finish the laundry. How long ago has it been since I ate...maybe I should wait a bit longer. You know what, I'll just get up extra early an tack it on to tomorrow's workouts. Gaaagh!!!! What I need to do is STOP MAKING EXCUSES!!!! And that is exactly what I'm going to do girlies and boyz. So here I go because even if I have to kick myself in my own rear to get a move on tonight I know that I will be just a little bit healthier today for having done it AND I know I will feel better after I do.

Do YOU need a little extra kick in the pants sometimes? Feel free to sign up for a free Beachbody membership here. Not only will you get me as your coach, you will have even more fitness options to choose from so you NEVER get bored :)

See ya on the flip side peeps!

Coni

Creative Hydration

2010-01-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Kids!

I've been getting a lot of questions lately from friends and people I coach about alternatives to plain water. Personally I LOVE it but I know that for many of you getting at least your minimum 64 oz daily requirement is not so easy. Don't despair! There are ways to jazz up your boring old H2O :-) Below are some great ideas adapted from the Fat Burning Foods Guide that came with the workout series, Brazil Butt Lift Now you have no more excuses. Drink up!

Mint Water- Ice water with fresh, torn mint.
Lemon, Lime or Orange Water- Ice water with a slice of lemon, lime or orange (I heart orange!)
Basil Lemon Water- Ice water with lemon slices & fresh basil
Party Time Water- Ice water with colored ice cubes
Frozen Water- Ice water with frozen grapes
Sweet Citrus Water- As above with a little drop of Stevia
Cucumber Water- Ice water with 2-3 thin slices of cucumber
Fruit Water- Ice water with a slice of melon, kiwi or strawberry
Mango Water- Ice water with 2-3 mango chunks
Apple Water- Ice water with 2-3 thin Granny Smith apple slices

New Year, New Rotation

2010-01-03T15:36:00.001-08:00

Hey Boys and Girls!

It's a new year and I'm have to say that I am more committed to my fitness than ever! December 09 was a bit of a rough month for me workout wise due to an illness earlier in the month and uber crappy weather in the 2nd half. One of my goals for 2010 was to run the LA Marathon in March but I'm super bummed to report that my training is waaay off track. My overall fitness level has not dropped but unfortunately, as a Southern California girl, I completely underestimated how hard it would be for me to run in such cold temperatures. I still train when I can, and will run if I can complete 20 miles at once at least a few weeks before the race, but for now I'm focusing on some super intense cardio indoors with a mixture of Insanity and Cathe's new Shock Cardio series. Oh, and on shaping my back side with Brazil Butt Lift ;) I will be doing some upper training but the next month I plan to focus mainly on cardio endurance, leg strength and definition and core. This is what the next 2 weeks looks like for me. I will post the 2nd 2 weeks soon, since being the complete home fitness freak that I am, I have DVD's coming this week :P

1/3 Shock Cardio Hiit 40/20 + Brazil Butt Lift High & Hight + Abs Rapido
1/4 SC Travel Fit + Upper Body Work and Abs from Body Max 2
1/5 BBL Bum Bum + SC Athletic Step
1/6 BBL High & Tight + Tummy Tuck + SC HiiT Double Wave Pyramid
1/7 BBL Bum Bum + SC Step Moves
1/8 Yoga
1/9 BBL Sculpt + Insanity Pure Cardio

1/10 BBL High & Tight + SC Step Moves + Ab Work
1/11 BBL Sculpt + SC MMA Boxing
1/12 BBL Bum Bum + Plyo Cardio Circuit/Cardio Abs from Insanity
1/13 BBL Sculpt + MMA Kickbox
1/14 BBL High & Tight + SC Cardio Core Circuit
1/15 Yoga
1/16 Body Max 2 Step + Pyramid Upper (both Cathe)

So that is what the first half of January looks like for me fitness wise. I'd love to hear what it looks like for you! For extra support and motivation feel free to check out my accountability group on facebook. or visit my Team Beachbody page at www.OnlineFitClub.com. The more the merrier :-)

Make it a great year everyone!!

Coni

More Shakeology Holiday Recipes!

2009-12-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Just when I think Shakeology can't get any better, it DOES!! The Almond Butter one is my fave. If you haven't had a chance to check out the awesomeness that is these shakes you can learn more at www.Shakeology.com/ConiC Getting healthy never tasted so good!

Get into the spirit—and your skinny jeans—with these delicious Holiday Shakeology recipes:

Thin Mint Treat
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 cup ice (or to taste)
Blend till frothy and enjoy!

Nutrition Info:
152 calories
17 grams protein
17.5 grams carbohydrate
3 grams fiber
1 gram fat

---

Fall Egg Nog or "Shake Nog"
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
1 cup low-fat eggnog
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
1 cup ice (or to taste)
optional: 1/2 tsp fresh whipped cream (if you're really festive!)
Blend till frothy and enjoy!

Nutrition Info (w/out Whipped Cream):
321 calories
23 grams protein
47 grams carbohydrate
3 grams fiber
5 gram fat

---

Pumpkin Pie
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
1 cup rice, soy, almond, or low-fat milk (plain or vanilla)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin, unsweetened
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Ice (optional)
You can substitute pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon and nutmeg or add more pumpkin for a thicker shake.

Nutritional Information (with low-fat milk):
Calories: 284
Protein: 27 g
Fiber: 7 g
Carbs: 40 g
Fat Total: 3.5 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g

---

Cranberry Relish Surprise
1 scoop greenberry Shakeology
2 cups cold cranberry juice
7 segments mandarin orange
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup ice (or to taste)
optional: orange zest twist for garnish
Blend till frothy and enjoy!

Nutrition Info:
315 calories
17 grams protein
51 grams carbohydrate
4 grams fiber
1 gram fat

---

Chocolate Almond Butter:
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 Tbsp. almond butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups ice

Nutritional Information:
405 calories
14 gram fat
27 gram carbs
46 gram protein
7 gram fiber

Brazil Butt Lift is HERE!!

2009-12-15T07:05:00.000-08:00

My three favorite words in the world when I'm waiting on a new workout program, Out For Delivery :-) Woo-hoo!! I'm so excited about our newest program and and hope you are too. Who else wants their bum-bum to be bikini perfect by Spring? Brazil Butt Lift is available EXCLUSIVELY through Team Beachbody coaches (like me!). You can can get your regular and deluxe upgrade kits at www.OnlineFitClub.com today!

No Time Like the Present!

2009-11-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

I was having lunch with a friend last week when the topic of fitness inevitably came up (shocker I know!) She mentioned that her husband really needed to get back into shape and that he has always had a dream of running a marathon. "Someday" he said. As I sat there I realized I had the very same thoughts, even though I never verbalized them. Someday I will run a marathon, someday. It dawned on me in that moment to make that someday NOW. We're not getting any time back so why not make every moment count? Why put off until later what we can do now? Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Total cliches, I know, but TRUE. Sooooo, Dear Reader, that is when I decided to commit to running the Los Angeles Marathon on March 21, 2010. Game on!! I started my training this morning and will keep you updated on my journey :-) Now that running is a big part of my week I've created a new rotation for myself for the next 4 weeks and will update every 4 (see below). I'm still keeping my beloved Insanity in this program since it ROCKS and also because it was designed to help with these long endurance events.

Week 1

Mon- Rest
Tue- Run 3 mi + Pyramid Upper Body + Body Max 2 Abs
Wed- Run 3 mi + Insanity Cardio Abs
Thu- Run 3 mi + Pyramid Upper Body
Fri- Plyo Legs (1 on 1) + Crusher Pack Abs (1 on 1)
Sat- Run 6 mi + Yoga
Sun- Body Max 2 + Crusher Pack Abs

Week 2

Mon- Rest
Tue- Run 3 mi + Insanity CPR + Insanity Fit Test (will do 1st)
Wed- Run 4 mi + PUB + 15 minutes of abs
Thu- Run 3 mi + Bryan Kest Power Yoga
Fri- Insanity Max Interval Plyo + PUB
Sat- 6 mi + Insane Abs
Sun- Insanity Plyo Cardio Circuit + Plyo Legs

Week 3

Mon- Rest
Tue- 3 mi + Plyo Legs + 15 minutes of abs
Wed- 4 miles + Slo Mo (back & shoulders only) + Cardio, Core, Balance
Thu- 3 mi + Max Interval Circuit
Fri- Imax 2 + Slo Mo Chest, Bi's & Tri's + 10-15 min abs
Sat- 9 mi + 45 min. Yoga
Sun- Max Interval Circuit + Cardio & Weights

Week 4

Mon- Rest
Tue- 3 mi + Max Sports Conditioning + Slo Mo Back & Shoulders
Wed- 5 mi + Plyo Legs + 10-15 min Abs
Thu- 3 mi + LoMax + Slo Mo Chest, Bi's, Tri's
Fri- Fit Test + Power Yoga
Sat- 10 Miles + Crusher Pack Abs
Sun- Cathe Boot Camp Cardio & Weights

Holiday Shakeology Recipes Are Here!!

2009-11-18T09:48:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought this super food in a glass could not get any tastier, it does! Check out these scrumptuous new ways to enjoy Shakeology during the Holidays :-) Thin Mint is TOTALLY on the menu at my house tomorrow morning. Not Shakeologized yet? Go to www.Shakeology.com/ConiC for more details on this amazing drink and to order.

Turkey Curry Meatballs a la Coni

2009-11-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

This was originally going to be a facebook note but fb is being a butt so I'm making it a blog post. I whipped this up last night and found it to be super yummy :-) Enjoy!

OK, like I said, these were a spur of the moment creation so the measurements are not exact but pretty close. Feel free to adjust the amount of curry powder to suit your taste.

Turkey Curry Meatballs a la Coni

Ingredients-

1 lb. LEAN ground turkey
1/3 cup brown rice
1 egg
1 T curry powder ( I like madras)
1 1/4 tsp dehydrated onion flakes
1 15 oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes-pureed in blender
3/4 c. low sodium chicken broth

Mix first 5 ingredients thoroughly. Shape into balls the size of a large egg. In a large skillet combine pureed tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to simmer. Add meatballs and simmer, covered for 1 hour. Turn meatballs half way through cooking time.

Garnish with a little yogurt, cilantro and minced serrano peppers if you like :-)

Insanity Round 2 - Fit Test Results

2009-11-14T06:54:00.000-08:00

Hey Friends!

OK, so yesterday began week 3 of my 60 day Insanity hybrid rotation (see below) and I wanted to share my Fit Test numbers with you. There has been some improvement for sure over the last 2 weeks but what really blew me away was when I came across my ORIGINAL numbers from Day 1 of Round 1 back on 7/15/09.

That these numbers continue to climb never ceases to amaze me and is a true testament to the effectiveness of this program, I NEVER thought I would have cardio endurance like!! Running is so much easier, as are other hardcore cardio intervals like Cathe Friedrich's IMAX 3. Let's just say I'm LOVING these workouts and that the idea of completing a marathon or triathlon is not so foreign to me now :-) So here goes, not the bets numbers ever I'm sure but I'm excited about them and look forward to seeing what the next 2 weeks bring!

The area I'm looking to improve the most on is PUSH UPS so I expect some more upper body challenges from me on facebook LOL

10/30/09 Insanity Fit Test

Switch Kicks 133
Power Jacks 61
Power Knees 113
Power Jumps 55
Globe Jumps 10
Suicides 15
Push Up Jacks 19
Oblique Crunches 90

11/13/09 Insanity Fit Test

Switch Kicks 160
Power Jacks 61
Power Knees 120
Power Jumps 64 (Yay me!!!)
Globe Jumps 11
Suicides 18
Push Up Jacks 19
Oblique Crunches 85

Did deeper people!!!! See ya next time :-)

Coni

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

2009-11-08T11:17:00.001-08:00

Sounds easy, right? In theory it is. What could be simpler? We all want to be successful at something and it's not too hard to decide what that "something" is. Then there's that middle part...COMMIT...which is what trips even the most well intentioned of us up, yet is the most important part of the whole concept! A decision is the essential first step and the success is your reward for a job well done but both are just wishful thinking if action steps aren't taken toward your goal. Whether it's fitness, personal, financial, you need to commit yourself to persistent action, even when the going gets tough (and goings have away of getting tough from time to time lol)

So here's my promise to you as a fellow fitness enthusiast and Beachbody coach, if you take the first step and make the decision on where you want to go with your fitness goals, I will be with you every step of the way. I know commitments can be tough but I also know that with support and a clear vision of what you want they can be highly achievable! I know this is true because, not only am I a coach, I also have one, and he has helped me get to places I never would have thought possible on my own.

If you're ready to get started I'm her to help you! Simply register for a free or club membership today at www.OnlineFitClub.com and step one will be in the bag ;)

To your health!

Coni

CLEAN Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2009-11-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

OK, I know I've been promising everyone on the challenge this recipe so here it is :) My version of a recipe from Clean Eating Magazine. The original recipe called for 1/2 cup of oil-BLECH so I omitted that and used apple sauce and peanut butter instead.

Not part of my Pre- New Years Challenge yet? Feel free to join us on facebook

Looking for even more motivation? You can register for a free Beachbody membership here and I will be assigned as your coach :-)

Oatmeal Cookies- adapted from Clean Eating Magazine

Nonstick Cooking Spray (I didn't use with an air bake sheet)
1/2 C. Apple Sauce
1/3 C. Natural Peanut Butter (just peanuts people!!)
1/3 C. + 2T Sucanat
1 Egg White
3/4 tsp. Vanilla
3 T. Water
2 C. Old Fashioned Oats (not quick kind)
2/3 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
2/3 C. Raisins
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease baking sheet with cooking spray (I did not do this to mine) In a large bowl hand mix apple sauce, peanut butter and sucanat. Add egg white, vanilla and water, mix well. Add oats, flour, salt, baking soda, raisins and cinnamon, and mix until just blended to retain texture of the oats. Roll into tsp size balls and place on baking sheet. Bale for 14 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. (You can also add a little chopped dark chocolate or grain sweetened chocolate chips but I just made them with raisins)

The original recipe called for the dough to be dropped by the teaspoonful onto the sheets but they seemed a bit crumbly to me that way so rolling them into balls seemed to help.

Enjoy!!

Coni