I can’t believe that I’ve finished my second week already… 

Actually, let me rephrase:  I can’t believe I’ve finished my second week…period.  Every step I took on every run was pain.  My calves are knotted up and my knees feel like brittle branches one pinecone away from breaking.  I feel like the pace of these workouts is increasing too rapidly.  It cast doubt as to whether or not I can finish into every corner of my mind as I laced up for each day’s gauntlet.  I say gauntlet, because it truly feels like every molehill, gust of wind, ray of sunshine, skinny girl in spandex and pebble that lay before me was conspiring to stop me.  I’m sure I was a sight to see, wincing in pain with that bitter-beer face scrunched up, as I made my way though the run.

The cool part about my week though was that I heard from several people in the company about their own struggles to be consistent…  whether that was in workouts or diets or what-have-you.  It was actually encouraging for me to see that I was not alone in my increasing desire to quit or to go easy.  I think I was under the impression that it was a cakewalk for them- like somehow they had it all together because they seemed better off than me.  The real interesting part is how different we all are- how we are in such different spots in our health and fitness (and in life) and yet, somehow, we can still relate.

There are a group of women from my work that can literally run circles around me…  one actually did because I was plodding along so slowly (I was harnessing my inner turtle!).  They are in such better shape than I am, but are still challenged daily with eating right and exercising to the standards they’ve set for themselves.  In that sense we are very much in the same boat- in a constant state of construction to erect discipline and devotion in our lives.  Since they made themselves vulnerable, I benefitted and became empowered to forge ahead knowing new challenges await me!

It makes me think about my life outside of training and how when I’m going through a difficult time, I may be reluctant to share in that with someone. There may be fear of sounding weak or like a drama-king… or it could be that I just don’t want to burden anyone with my problems.  The crazy thing is that sharing hardships isn’t just about you dumping on someone else about your life.  It can help the other person (or people) to gain perspective- to see that their situation is better off than yours!  It can also foster an environment where the person you’re unloading on feels safe to discuss their own challenges.  Finally, it gives someone else the opportunity to pour love and compassion into you which can do wonders for their own self-apathy.  Nothing works better to pull you out of your mud-hole like doing something for someone else!

The parallels between running or working out and real life is staggering to me.  I was always a sucker for a good sports analogy, but living it out and seeing fruit has been quite the maturation process.  I have definitely reaped more than I bargained for in accepting this 5k challenge.  The encouragement and advice I get from my support system at Designer Whey is profound.  Someday I will be on the other end of this and that gets me excited.

I’m curious to hear what workout epiphanies you’ve realized?  Leave a comment and I look forward to doing this again next week…  why don’t you have your people call my people and we’ll do Facebook.

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It’s been a little longer than I would have liked since my last post, but the past few weeks have held a few surprises.  After a couple of “almosts” and a few “false alarm” trips to the hospital, our little bundle of joy (finally) arrived at 38 weeks. Weighing in at a healthy 7lbs 9oz, all of the hard work from the past nine months seems to blur into a peaceful sigh.

Lying in the hospital bed laboring away is difficult (they don’t call it “labor” for nothing, right?). With only clear fluids (water, juice, broth, etc.) and maybe a Jell-o cup here and there to sustain you, it’s no wonder we get cranky! Like most people (especially those who are pregnant) I don’t do well without food. Labor or not, I was HUNGRY! I honestly considered begging the hubby to sneak me in a sandwich, but then he reminded me that across the street from the hospital was a GNC. If I could have liquids, I could have some Designer Whey Protein-2GO! Ten grams of protein would help tame my growling tummy and give me the energy I needed to work through this final hurdle. The Orange Mango flavor was so yummy I think I made the nurses a little jealous! As you can see below, that “extra pick me up” definitely helped and made things (including my hunger monster) a lot easier to deal with.

In the coming weeks as we settle into our new routine as a family of five, there are bound to be times that I will need a little extra energy (what parent doesn’t). Knowing that I can reach for Protein-2GO to help me through the day (or night) is a true comfort. I plan to keep a stash in the car, the diaper bag and of course, mommy’s “snack” cabinet! I even sent my Mom-in-law home with a few to try. Now the real fun begins!

Posted in Andrea M. | 2 Comments

Everyone faces constant struggles with life, relationships, and other, but though we all face the same battles, we all respond differently to the situations. For some find solace with food, others head right to the bar and tavern, but for me, the moment I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders I head right for the gym or the track. My “coping” mechanism is to use exercise, rather than to use a substance or a vice. I luckily turned what could easily be a negative habit, into what has become a positive. Without failing, the moment I feel stressed or overwhelmed with life and RELATIONSHIPS, I instinctively get into my car and head to the gym or to the track, and relieve that stress in the healthiest and MOST EFFECTIVE of ways; by exercising. Nothing helps me clear my mind greater than the feeling I get after an “angry” or “frustrated” workout or run. All the testosterone that is raising my anxiety and blood pressure dissolves with each set or lap. If you tend to turn to cigarettes, alcohol, or even food to provide the feeling of euphoria which you may momentarily receive, it only takes a few days to turn what is a harmful reaction to a positive reaction. It will initially take a conscious effort at first, but I promise you, like me, you will soon turn what could be potentially a destructive habit into a healthful and beneficial habit. Before you reach for the cigarette or the beer, or the ice cream, take a deep breath, put on your sneakers and head to the gym or the track.

Posted in Nick Ferroni | 1 Comment

Just as a car runs best with a full tank of gas, your body needs the right kind of “nutritional fuel” for peak performance. Training for a race? Make sure you’re refueling your muscles with protein. Everyday!

Protein, and only protein, provides your body with the amino acids it needs to build and repair muscle tissue. Protein also provides the necessary components to keep your immune system healthy and make hormones, enzymes, skin, hair, nails, organs and blood.

Ask any athlete, bodybuilder or fitness junkie what their most important source of protein is and you’ll get the same answer: Whey Protein. It is the one protein source that consistently lives up to the hype and delivers every time! Studies back-up the claim of how valuable pure whey protein is. Hands down, it produces the best results for beginning athletes all the way to the pro’s.

Protein Pre-Race? You bet!
Around 30-45 minutes before your run, have a pre-workout meal. The first component of this meal – you guessed it – is protein. Protein will keep your body in an anabolic state throughout your workout and will help to prevent muscle breakdown as you train.

How much protein you ask? 30-40 grams of whey protein should do the trick. Short on time? Mix two scoops Designer Whey Protein Powder, 1 cup skim milk and a handful of ice cubes in a blender. You’re off and running.

Whey protein makes for a great pre-workout choice because it is naturally high in BCAA’s, which help to prevent muscle catabolism (muscle loss & fat gain) during your workout. Mixing your whey with milk is a good idea because this will slow down the release of the protein and provide your body with a steady stream of amino acids throughout your workout.

Your Run’s Over. Time to Refuel
After exercise is when your body needs protein the most—when your tank is on “empty.” You have a 30-minute window, post-workout, where your body is most receptive to refueling. That’s why protein is most effective when taken immediately following a workout (within 30 minutes). University studies have confirmed that the faster protein enters the body, the quicker and more thorough your recovery. Next time you work out, your body will feel the difference.

So after your workout, make sure you refuel your body and build your muscles with your favorite Designer Whey products. You can find delicious shake recipes at www.designerwhey.com.

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It doesn’t matter whether or not you can run a mile at all. Just training to walk or run a 5K is a great way to get in shape. Join Designer Whey and Biggest Loser Protein on our quest to get into great shape. So here we go…lace up your running shoes and let’s get going!

Week One Training Tip: Get good running shoes and clothing that fits properly

If you are uncomfortable in what you are wearing or if your shoes don’t fit right, running is not going to be an enjoyable experience and you probably won’t stick with it. Let’s start with your running shoes – they are a runner’s most important piece of equipment. Buying the right running shoes is important, both for comfort while running and to prevent injury. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause back, leg, hip and foot pain. Good running shoes also may help your running gait be more efficient.

Go to a reputable sports shoe retailer and ask a qualified salesperson to help you pick out a shoe for your purposes (running or walking). Next, walk around for a while in the store with the shoes on (and run if you can) to make sure they fit right while you are moving.

To help you get the best shoe for you, here are some tips that will help:

• shop in the later part of the day – feet get bigger during the day and they will get bigger when running
• wear the socks that you would normally wear during running
• a number of other factors should be taken into account when deciding which shoe is best for you – such as how much you run; how heavy you are and whether or not you have any specific foot problems
• if possible bring an old pair of shoes with you so the salesperson can see where your shoes tend to wear the most

We recently went to Road Runner Sports for a custom fitting on a good quality running shoe. If you’ve got one in your area, we highly recommend getting a foot analysis to determine which shoe is best for you.

The clothes you wear are also important. You want to make sure the clothes you wear don’t chaff, rub or cause blistering. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather. Remember you will build up body heat as you run so make sure the clothes you wear pull the sweat away from you. Once you stop running your sweat will cool and cause muscles to tighten and cramp.

And last but not least, a good jogging bra is an absolute must! Breast movement during jogging can be uncomfortable and painful. You can eliminate this altogether with a good quality, snug-fitting sports bra. 

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Maintenance. That has been quite a scary word since my finale last December. Everyone warned me about it, but I would always think to myself that it would be a whiz. Peace of cake! Truth be told, the daily struggles of maintenance are something that I believe I will deal with for the rest of my life. 

Like I’ve stated before, I went back to lifting weights soon after my finale. I hit the weights hard and put myself on a muscle building program with the help of ProteinBlitz’s 60g of protein per serving. I figured I would need all the calories I could get while building, so my eating got a little out of control. Now, it is nearly physiologically impossible to pack on a bunch of muscle without adding on a little fat as well. So for three months I bulked and bulked and bulked. I was working out a lot so I felt as though I needed those calories to add muscle, but I took in more than I could handle, so my weight jumped up more than I expected. It was kind of like a slap in the face when I stepped on the scale. 

I needed to change things up. For the last two months I have been in the cut phase of my program. I had to trim a little more than expected, but I knew it had to be done. I increased my cardio and actually added more protein shakes with the Protein Blitz while dropping my overall caloric intake. I’m proud to say I’ve actually dropped more than 15 pounds, but more importantly, I’ve packed on even more muscle than before. I’m two notches in on my belt, my pants are a lot looser, and I’m actually starting to see abs again! Who knew they would come back. 

I feel unbelievable right now. There are two weeks left until the next Biggest Loser finale and I will be the on stage correspondent for DietsInReview.com. I was almost dreading doing it in the shape I was in a couple months ago, but look forward to doing it in the shape that I am in now. I can’t wait to wow everyone with my new muscular frame. I pick things up and put them down! 

Note: Mark Pinhasovich received free product in exchange for his blog. 

Posted in Mark Pinhasovich, The Biggest Loser | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

One of the great things about living in Utah is we have four beautiful seasons. However, I think we may be the only state to have two seasons in one week. We had frost and snow on Monday and today its going to be 80 degrees. Yesterday, as I sat at my daughters track meet watching my son eat a snow cone I couldn’t help be a little jealous (because I am trying to watch how much sugar I eat) that I was “enjoying,” plain water. Well, this morning as I was preparing for day two of the track meet I decided I could also have a frosty treat. I’m going to attempt to make a Lemonade Designer Whey Protein 2Go®  icee. Doesn’t sitting in the sun sipping frozen lemon aide sound wonderful! I love Biggest Loser Protein 2Go® Lemonade!

Enjoy your weekend

Burgandy

 Burgandy Keel received free product in exchange for her blog.

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Who’s making your decisions?

Have you ever felt out of control? Lately I tell you I feel like I’m not getting it all together as if I can’t get anything right. I was talking to a friend and we were talking about the different pressures we put on ourselves that are often unattainable and then we never get a chance to celebrate or be done or take a break. Lately I have felt as if a teenager has been making my decision’s and trust me when I say I wasn’t the most pleasant teenager. I was that “WHATEVER” teenager and that is how I’ve been feeling lately and honestly it’s not ok, not anymore.

I realized that at different points in my life when I have felt uncomfortable or alone or scared or nervous or sad or out of control or even just bored I have let that teenager inside me that wanted to be noticed make decisions for me or shall I say sabotage me. Well there is nothing I can do about my past but I can stop the cycle and do something different. I refuse to let my insecurities sabotage me.

I have been at this point in my life many times before and I’m sure I’ll be here many times again I just hope that each time I catch myself a little faster than the time before and as long as I do that I will continue to win. As I continued the conversation with my friend and tried to pinpoint why I might be sabotaging myself, I realized that I need some new goals, I need to break it done to basics!

I need to rest my weekly plans and get focused on some specific goals that I am achieving each and every week so I can feel proud of my accomplishments. I realized that a lot of my “whatever’s” as of lately is because I haven’t been feeling the greatest about my self, about my body. I have been feeling weak, out of control and soft. I realized that I was experiencing what probably many others are feeling at this time of year…. I’m dreading swimsuit season!!!! I don’t feel as strong as I have in recent years years so I took a look at that and to tell you the truth there were some obvious voids in my routine that will help me feel better with just the simplest of tweaks.

So my swimsuit ready routine is going to be focusing on building more muscle, I want to hit it hard and really start to see all the definition that I love again. When I am able to see the definition in my body I truly feel BEAUTIFUL, with that having my definition which is strength and confidence. There are some transitions in my life right now and I want to feel prepared to address them head on. Hit me up on the Biggest Loser Protein  FaceBook page and tell me what kind of strength training programs and ideas you have as well as any new shake recipes for summer protein shakes! I’m trying CrossFit and just bought the TRX system so I’ll let you know how it’s going.

Till next time,

Ali xo

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The month of May is filled with many reasons to celebrate from Mothers Day to Memorial Day..and my birthday somewhere in the middle! :)
 
This month I want to celebrate, give thanks to and honor someone very special in my life. The Biggest Loser show brought us together and through the magic of the casting process and a little help from the internet, a bond was created that holds strong to this day!
 
I met Joeinne after her brother, Captain Tom, had attended and received a “call back” interview for Season 10 of the Biggest Loser…I attended the same casting call and received a “call back” interview also.  The casting call turnout was huge-3000 people…just trying to put into perspective how amazing it was ! We stood maybe a dozen people away from each other in line that day but it wasn’t until after the casting call that we all met!
 
Through the social networking process and our love of all things Biggest Loser and the desire to become healthy, Joeinne and I met via the internet! Joeinne was on a crusade to help get her brother, Captain Tom, on the show since he was well over 300 lbs and heart disease runs in their family.
 
Over the next several months friendships blossomed, our families all got together …Captain Tom took us for a sail on his boat, an authentic Sternwheeler! With season 11 Biggest Loser casting call now fast approaching, Captain Tom and I decided to apply for a spot on the show as a team! Joeinne had recently lost 125 lbs and was doing well with maintaining her weight loss. She not only was rooting for her brother to get on the show but was rooting for me now, too..I often told her that she was our “cheerleader” !  She was and is so much more then that though, she once drove over 400 miles just to help me make my casting video! She was and is our rock through this whole process!
 
In the end when neither Captain Tom or I were selected for Season 11,  there was Joeinne once again encouraging us to stay strong. She feels that we can lose weight and get healthy on our own. Her positive energy never ends and is quite infectious as well!
 
Three months ago Captain Tom and I attended the Season 12 Biggest Loser casting call. Joeinne was helping to attend to every little detail and cheering us on as usual! Joeinne had been so focused on being there for both her brother and I that she hadn’t noticed that she had gained back 36 lbs!  She had once weighed 320 lbs and gotten down to 187.
 
Joeinne noticed she wasn’t feeling as energetic as usual, so she visited her Doctor for a check up. One month after the Season 12 Biggest Loser casting call, she found herself in Double Bypass Open Heart surgery to correct a severely clogged artery.  She had also suffered a mild heart attack as well.
 
Almost 6 weeks post surgery, Joeinne is healing and looking forward to getting back on track with eating healthy. She has begun walking to stay fit. 

I can’t think of a nicer person that I have ever met in my life as Joeinne. When my family and I visited Joeinne and Captain Tom in their hometown for the first time, it was as if we had stepped back in time to a story book fairy tale….it was enchanting and beautiful….just like Joeinne!

Sometimes we want to help others so much and in doing so, we lose sight of ourselves. Keeping ourselves in focus helps us to be able to keep doing what makes us happiest, like helping others.  I’m sending Joeinne a “get well/care package”…not flowers, not candy….but, something that will help her get healthy ….a basket of ‘Biggest Loser Protein Products!’  She knows it on the way and couldn’t be any more excited!
 
Have a wonderful May everyone! See you back here in June!
Stephenie

Stephenie received free product in return for her blog.

Posted in The Biggest Loser | 2 Comments

I recently spent a wonderful week in Los Angeles for both professional and personal reasons. During my time there I have come to one profound epiphany when it comes to our nutrition and eating habits: we treat holidays and vacations as most adults treat Vegas. We are under the impression, that what we eat there or then, stays there or then… unfortunately it is not the case. I find it so much easier to disregard all our nutrition strategies and goals when we are celebrating a holiday, but most importantly, on vacation or traveling.

The only problem is if you decide to put all your hard work and good habits aside for a few days or even a week, the result and extra pounds will not be staying behind at your vacation location. It will be with you when you return and probably put you a few steps back from where you previously where. I am by no means telling you to not enjoy yourself when you are away or on vacation… I am just saying you shouldn’t disregard all your hard work for just a few days. While I was in LA I did enjoy some fine foods and dining, but I also had my Designer Whey protein with me to maintain my eating habits at the same time. It is not difficult to eat healthy in this day and age. I was able to pack my protein without putting my luggage over the weight limit.

Holidays tend to be a little less of a problem, as long as you know it’s a one day affair and a not week long of binging. Another thing I have come to find is people tend to crave something only when they tell themselves they can’t have it. You may not desire or even be thinking of having ICE CREAM, but if I were to tell you that YOU CAN’T HAVE ICE CREAM you would immediately desire it. So rather than tell yourself you CAN’T have something, just tell yourself you CAN, but you just choose not to. You may go on vacation, but your health and habits should never. Do not treat your health like Vegas, because regardless of where you devastate your diet, the results will follow you home.

Posted in Nick Ferroni | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG