Exercise Keeps You On Top Of Your Game ~ And It Keeps Me Sane!

Exercise keeps me on top of my game. Keeps my mind sharp, helps me to stay in good health and good spirits. In fact, I think I might just crawl up into a ball and cry myself to sleep if it wasn’t for my regular endorphin rush. Sound a little extreme? Well, this is my personal blog – and I can give you my personal experience, right?

This healthy addiction to exercise began at around age 16 with a desire to be fit and beautiful ~ as most young women strive to be. Thankfully I really liked food, so starving myself was never part of my regimen. Instead I studied healthy eating and began to exercise regularly. At 18 I would drive over to Philadelphia to go into the dance clubs and dance from the time they played the first song to close. I’d dance for 4 or 5 hours straight ~ drinking nothing but ice water and riding the endorphin rush.
Sound wacky? Don’t care ~ this is MY reality.

Throughout college I kept sane by hitting the gym a few times a week, and hitting the trails behind the campus. I know these workouts helped to keep me from gaining a ridiculous amount of weight – cause remember… I like to eat!

There is a good correlation between those who regularly exercise and a healthy diet as well. If you are hitting the gym and running, you KNOW you must fuel your body properly. You feel absolutely horrid otherwise.

So fast forward to Mom of two and gonna be 35 in just a few hours… and I can tell you that if it wasn’t for my workouts I would not be where I am today! I’m home, self employed, living life by design.

Today, I head to the gym 4 or 5 mornings a week to do some sort of fun exercise like Zumba, kickboxing, and even the not so fun womens strength training. I often head in there with racing mind and a body that is holding onto the stress of the day before. By the time I am halfway through I feel the endorphins flood in, and the happy thoughts begin to flow. The creative problem solving part of my mind kicks in and divine inspiration begins to download into an open, happy mind. Some of my most profitable ideas were conceived while in the middle of a Zumba class … who woulda thought?

I’m still dancing…

If I sit in front of my computer, my mind and creativity begins to stagnate. If I workout, I return to work enthusiastic about the task at hand.

My point of this long, personal post about why I simply must workout, or my life falls apart???
To inspire you ~
If you feel that the words ’stagnate, blue, depressed, bored, or unhealthy’ resonate with you and your current lifestyle ~ try incorporating some exercise into your life.

The human body is not at all designed to sit ~ to be lazy. It is meant to move and do physical work. Our entire physiology was created in such a way that if we do gentle exercise and eat healthily, we can live an optimum life.

If you know you are on the other extreme, start with moving some – on a regular basis. If you are eating junk ~ its because your mind really craves the endorphin rush and you are getting it from the foods you are eating. If you give it the endorphins in a regular workout – you can begin to SHIFT your diet to one that will actually add years to your life, instead of killing you slowly.

Why do I care? Because I truly do want to see all people fit, healthy and happy – as we were designed. Your potential really is squashed if you aren’t exercising – and you were designed for greatness.

Hey, its almost my birthday. Give me a present and tell me you have committed to getting in shape. You don’t have to be like I was at 18… dancing hours on end. But commit to something. Cause You Love You

Originally posted by Melanie Milletics at: Strength training

My Official Body Fat Percentage calculation, For The ViSalus Body By Vi Challenge

Have you ever had your Body fat percentage measured with the ‘pinch test’ ? Essentially they take a special ‘caliper’ and pull the skin up on your arm, belly and thigh and pinch it. This supposedly gives a measurement of your body fat percentage, but I’m not so sure.
If I take a measure of my BMI using an online calculator, I get a nice 21.7%. The mean ‘pinch test’ to get my body fat percentage using the digital caliper gave me a 23.3%.
However, the purpose of the test was to get a baseline on record that I could work with to set goals for the rest of the challenge. I still have 68 days to watch my diet and increase my muscle mass- and now I have some numbers to work with.

Without shame, my starting numbers (oh, how I hope to see significant change in these stats!):

In inches (don’t ask me why they didn’t use metrics…)

Bicep : 10.5
Chest : 33.5
Waist : 30
Hips : 36.5
Thigh : 18.5
Calf : 13

and Body fat percentage, 23.3%

That’s what I’m working with. I was on just a “Shape Kit“, which provides the high protein and nutrient meal replacement shake for 2 meals a day… but honestly most days just have a morning shake. I have now ordered a “Transformation Kit” and the minute it arrives, I will start on the 2 shakes per day, appetite suppressant and metabolism booster. I expect the 4 lbs I want to lose will fall off within the first week, then I can go back on maintenance mode. I’ll use the metabolism booster and appetite suppressant left over at some point, I am certain!

I ran out of my Vi-Pack over the weekend and could really feel a difference in soreness this week. In other words, I HURT! The Omegas (essential oils) that come with the Transformation Kit are excellent for helping with recovery…. and so I await my shipment!

After I had my Body fat percentage calculated I pushed through a kickboxing class. Intense calorie burning and a great muscle building workout as well. I work muscles in my kickboxing class that I don’t get to in any other workout – and I’m certain it is the class that blasts the most calories!

If you are bored with your exercise routine, mix it up! You won’t stick to it if its boring, and worse, your body will adjust to your workout and burn fewer calories! So you have a boring, less effective workout… no good!
Spice it up instead. I do womens strength training, zumba, kickboxing, swimming and occasionally take a spinning class. Keeping this variety in my routine is crucial – cause I am one woman who hates getting bored!

All of these classes are held at the local YMCA, for just $71 a month for the entire family. You don’t have to join an expensive gym, or hire a personal trainer to get fit. But I do suggest you join a fitness facility with a variety of classes so you don’t get bored! I find that I workout much harder in a group setting than if I were to just hop on the elliptical trainer, or pop in a workout video at home. The live instructor and music definitely motivate me to up the intensity of my workout.

I’m working harder on increasing the lean muscle mass of my body. And it feels GOOD!

Join the Challenge! Whether your goals are weight loss, lowering your blood pressure or your cholesterol – you can make fast health gains with the ViSalus Body By Vi!

Originally posted by Melanie Milletics at: Body by vi

Zumba workout + Womens Strength Training Body by Vi Challenge, Day 21!

Its Monday, and I survived the weekend. I managed to workout AND watch what I ate. I awoke this morning feeling lean and strong. In fact, I felt better than I have in years!
The truth is, I am thinner now than I have been in almost 10 years! The last time I was below 125 was just before my pregnancy with my daughter. Ever since then I have held on to a little cushion. I know I didn’t look bad… but I didn’t feel great. Knowing that my body weight is right about where it was before kids is a triumph!

Tomorrow morning I go in for my official BMI calculation and fit test. Would have been great to have this done 21 days ago… but such is life and schedules, and well…LIFE! I’m excited to have some real numbers to go on. I’m a great lover of statistics and will work to beat them all day long in my business. I’ll be doing the same with the numbers I get tomorrow!
Watch for the posting of the real numbers tomorrow.

I’m a mom of two – and they are glorious beings. Now its time to get ME back. I have a life to live past motherhood of little ones, and this is part of my journey.

Day 21 of the ViSalus Body By Vi Challenge!

My calorie blaster of choice today was Zumba, followed by some free weights.

Monday morning has been a Zumba workout morning for almost a year now. I’m so grateful for the day I decided to try this Latin dance style cardio workout. I remember being majorly winded and being totally lost on the choreography. But the music moved me- and I knew I had to master that Zumba class!

I’ve always been a dancer- but never had any real training. Sure, I danced African style Samba way back when… but I was really led by the drums and it was hard to get it wrong! I wasn’t even a cheerleader, OK? So I was totally lost in Zumba at first! But I stuck with it. I learned the steps over time, and how to follow the instructors cues. It feels awesome to learn to follow choreography at this point in my life.

You can learn to do anything, if you set your mind to it.

What do you want to learn to do? Whats stopping you?
I’d love to know! Post it in the comments!

Originally posted by Melanie Milletics at: Visalus Body By Vi

Zumba Baby! Day 10 of the ViSalus Body By Vi Fitness Challenge

Zumba on Day 10 of the ViSalus Body By Vi Fitness Challenge.
Day 10? Does that mean I’m 1/10th of the way through? Am I 1/10th of the way lighter, thinner, and stronger? You bet I am! But perhaps more importantly, I’m following through – I am meeting one daily goal at a time to ultimately meet this ViSalus Body By Vi Fitness Challenge.

I only know one way to get anything done ~ and that’s through consistent, persistent, work!

You can wish your day away, you can repeat your positive affirmations over and over – but nothing ever came of a wish or affirmation alone. It comes from inspired ACTION, otherwise known as WORK.
The Law of Attraction could just as easily be called ‘the law of positive action gets you what you expected’…

I’m certainly not gonna lose weight and get stronger by hoping it will happen! No way!
Instead, I’m up and out the door to Zumba with my Trim Slim Shake in hand -
I’m dancing up a storm and blasting calories while those powerful endorphins rush through my mind.
Those endorphins are truly ‘happy juice’ and they make the rest of the day go so much sweeter!

If you need some happy juice yourself, know it doesn’t come in a bottle- get it through cardiovascular exercise and the satisfaction of meeting your daily goals

Do You Zumba? Lose more weight while you do with the ViSalus Transformation Kit:

Originally posted by Melanie Milletics at: Body By Vi

Is the Body By Vi Challenge only for those that are serious about losing weight???

The Body By Vi Challenge is for those that want to Lose Weight, Get Fit, Get Healthy or Feel Better!

With the rising cost of health care, people need to start taking better care of themselves NOW by taking STEPS to get themselves healthy again.

Calculate your BMI and find out if you are overweight and then read on to pick the Kit that’s right for you and begin your 90 Day Body By Vi Challenge too!

STOP! Did you fill in the form to calculate your BMI? I know scary thought, right. Take ACTION to get results. I did and so can you! It’s the reason why I started my challenge.

With the Body By Vi Challenge there are three options you have how you want to change your body.

The “Balance” Kit is designed to help your body get good nutritional balance, and begin your journey.

The “Shape” Kit helps you to see results and start shaping your body.

The “Transformation” Kit is packed with the ultimate in shaping and nutritional ingredients to help you see and feel maximum results.

I started my journey on August 13th on the Shape Kit wanting to lose 10 lbs. I decided to upgrade to the Transformation Kit because I want to lose about 15 lbs and get my muscle tone back. I have been walking every chance I get but want to add something new to the mix. A friend highly recommended taking a Zumba class. I am always up for suggestions, so please feel free to leave me a comment with them.

Join the Challenge, we will work together and support each other to reach a common goal!

And remember, invite you friends to join you because you will get the next month free with just three!

Here is something for those looking to grow there business.

Click here to learn about the August Promotion with an Amazing Bonus.

Originally posted by: Agnes Vigh at: Moms Lose Weight

Why Zumba Makes Me Rich! Body by Vi ViSalus Fitness Challenge Day 7

Its Monday, and most people dread them right? I mean, its usually the end of the weekend and the day you need to set the alarm again and drag yourself to work. I mean, people do have to WORK, it makes the world go round…

But I have to say I’m totally ecstatic about Mondays! I look forward to Mondays as I know I get to dance with the wild and crazy Wendy at Zumba!
At 10am at our local YMCA, at least 50 women convene for 60 minutes of high energy Latin inspired dance moves done to an international mix of music. The result is massive calorie blasting, endorphin pumping and pure FUN on a Monday morning! Its the perfect start to the week.

Zumba makes me RICH!
It truly enriches my life. I was born to dance – am made to dance, as we all were. Before Zumba, I felt a sense of loss for not being able to express this aspect of my self regularly. As a Mom, I found that I went out less and less to dance. I certainly did not spend my weekends clubbing anymore, or even as I had in the past – traveling to festivals to dance! Could you say I smiled less because I wasn’t dancing? Absolutely! Was I aware of how much I missed dance? Oh yes, I was!

In an effort to smile more , I resolved to join a dance class locally. In the past I had danced with a troupe that performed with a Batucada ensemble. That is, I danced an African style Samba with a group of about 80 drummers! Talk about high- energy and fun! It was an incredible time. However, its not something I was going to find in my little Florida town…
I was a member of the YMCA though, and in looking over the schedule I saw this class called Zumba that was described as a Latin inspired workout – and I figured, why not try…
I was hooked! My instructor is this incredibly tight blond Irish chick who speaks not a word of Spanish, but moves like she was born of Latin blood. Turns out she has been a dancer and cheerleading coach for years and years – so she does alot of her own choreography and is an excellent teacher. I feel really lucky to have Wendy as my Zumba teacher at the Y! I get my dance class, as many as 3x per week if I like, and its included in my membership

I smile more now that I take Zumba – I really do! I smile as I enter, as my freinds and I know we are about to have a blast – and I smile as I leave sweaty and full of the happy endorphins that start my week. I am grateful that I am an American woman with the freedom to dance my azz off on a Monday morning!

I make more money now that I take Zumba? Could it be true? Zumba makes me rich? I do believe so- it is an expression of life – of living an ecstatic, joyful life and for me that includes dance. It helps to break my mind out of a rut. You cannot jump around and sweat for an hour, learning new dance routines, and not have a shift in consciousness – its just impossible! I have walked out of there with inspired ideas – and keep a notepad in the car for jotting such ideas down… Some of my best work is done on a Monday, after Zumba. So yes… Zumba makes me Rich!

I forgot to load the battery into the camera today – so I couldn’t get Wendy on film – sorry! I told her to dress in her Zumba wear for next Monday’s class and I’d film one of her original choreographed dances. Until then, here is a great vid I found on YouTube . As you can see, Men SO Zumba too! In fact… Beto Perez created this revolutionary fitness program – and he is most definitely, a MAN! Check him out in the vid below:

Zumba is part of my weekly fitness regime for the ViSalus Fitness Challenge, Body by Vi ! Join me to morph your body into the YOU thats hiding inside

Originally posted by Melanie Milletics at: Body By Vi

Zumba! Was the Exercise of Choice for Day 3 of the Body by Vi Fitness Challenge

What the heck is Zumba?

Well... when you take a Zumba class, essentially you get to do some wild and crazy dancing in the morning!
I can't imagine where else you could dance to Latin, African, hip hop, belly dance and trance music, all within an hour, and NOT end up with a hangover!

Watch here.

Zumba is a high energy aerobic workout done to a fusion of Latin and International Music. The variation of fast and slow rhythms means you are getting an aerobic workout with intervals of high intensity to burn far more calories than if you were going at just one pace. The moves are fun and sexy and totally tone and sculpt the body - and all your doing is dancing! You'll start to take a Zumba class for the health benefits - you'll continue because it will become the highlight of your workouts! Its truly a fun workout that leaves you feeling really happy!

Find a Zumba class if you think exercise is boring - a guarantee you will change the way you think about fitness! Try Zumba and you will want to work out, will love working out, and get hooked. You'll achieve long term benefits while having a blast in one exhilarating hour of body-energizing,caloric-burning,awe-inspiring movements that will totally keep you hooked!

Originally posted by Melanie Milletics at: ViSalus Body By Vi 90 day challenge