You need to watch this powerful 17 minute video, then scroll down below for my take on things and then it is your turn to comment on what you think of this video.

I found this video to be very profound.  Not only because of her story of reversing some of the MS symptoms, but also her own pursuit towards what works.  Now much of what she was saying has been said in different ways before, but I guess how she said it really hit me.  I have been eating mostly paleo for the past 3 months and feeling pretty good on it.  I am staying leaner then I have in the past couple years with less effort, I am much less bloated, my skin is clearer, and haven’t been sick, not even a cold.

Her 3 plate recommendation seems pretty overwhelming, even for a single guy, let alone having to feed a whole family on it.  But I think if you even just take what she said and cut it by half you will experience much of the benefits.  I am guessing it would be far better then what you are currently doing.  It is weird, since I don’t really ever eat bread anymore (except for my cheat pizza meals), I don’t really even think about it.  Vegetables, nuts, fruit, and lean meat and fish have become what I am use to and now it isn’t even hard.

Whether or not you believe anything she said, I encourage you to double your vegetable intake and reduce your starchy carbs.

After watching this video, here is what I am going to do.

1.  Eat more seaweed.

2. Incorporate an organ meat at least once per week.

3.  Increase my vegetables by another 25%.

4.  Eat more variety of vegetables, and not just the same 4 or 5.

What did you take away from this video?  Please share in the comment section below

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30 Days of Awesomeness is a program that I am running exclusively for my MamaToners and Fit Fun Bootcampers.  It is a challenge based game where participants get awarded points for doing healthy things.  We have a private FB group that has about 130 participants and over the course of the first 3 weeks has had over 300 pictures uploaded and over 2500 posts and comments.  The community that is being built there is amazing.  People are getting insane results and are discovering things about themselves that they didn’t know.

Unfortunately I can’t give you access to this group, but each Tuesday we have “dear diary days” where everyone shares what they have learned about themselves over the past week.  I got permission from Lara to share this with everyone.  Those in MamaTone and Fit Fun Bootcamps really connected with this and I thought you might too.

After reading it, please post a comment in the section below sharing what you were thinking when you read Lara’s personal thoughts.

Here is Lara…

“So I have completed the first week of “30 Days of Awesomeness”. It’s been an interesting rollercoaster ride so far. Having to post my before photos on the facebook private group plus my measurements was not something I was expecting that I had to do. I figured we had to email them privately to Dustin so I was ok with that but putting them out there for all to see was very humbling. But on the flip side, seeing all the fun 80’s  photos people were uploading right away was fun and I love the fact that there is so much support from everyone on the facebook page. So this past week has definitely had many ups and downs for me.

It’s funny how this is tied to my emotions so much. One would think this is a fairly mechanical process at first glance… buy these groceries off the list, prepare the meals listed, complete 4 work outs per week, take pictures and measurements for tracking purposes. It all sounds very cut and dried, and not something that should make me feel like an emotional rag doll. And yet, there have been deep-seated emotions coming out that have completely blindsided me this week. It’s crazy.

One example of this is when I had my daughter take a picture of me making a smoothie last weekend to upload for one of the human bingo squares. I had her take several shots luckily- so I could find one that showed me in the best light! It’s incredibly hard when you look at yourself in the bathroom mirror and you think you look one way, but then someone takes a photo with a camera moments later and you look 20 lbs heavier. How does this happen?!?! I struggled with this for awhile, and was generally depressed about it much of the weekend until I finally figured it out what was happening. Continue Reading →

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I am writing this from a plane on my way to DC to give the biggest 60 minute presentation of my life.  I have been asked to speak at one of the most prestigious business conferences for CEO’s who do their business online.  Tony Shea of Zappos, Bob Parson’s of Godaddy, and Ted Leonosis of AOL are just some of those who have spoken at this event.  To speak in front of 500 CEOs, many of whose companies generate 7 and 8 figures per year is very humbling and daunting.

If I am going to be totally honest with you I am a bit nervous.  Not to talk to a crowd that size, that will be fine, but from a level of confidence.  My inner critic is saying, “what can you tell these big whig CEO’s that they don’t already know?”

Can you relate to this in your life?

Maybe it isn’t a speech you need to give, but maybe it is the thought that you aren’t good enough for that job promotion, or not athletic enough to complete a certain race, or not attractive enough to land the perfect mate.

So how can you overcome this?  How am I overcoming my fear and nervousness?

Here are a couple ideas:

1.     I am reflecting back on past successes, even if they are small, in order to build up the confidence needed to achieve a bigger task or goal.  I am using a technique called “stacking” where I combine many small accomplishments together in order to exponentially build up my self-esteem and confidence.  So if you are looking to lose some weight and tone up, think about times in your life where you were able to stay away from junk food, incorporate healthier foods, make the time for exercise and so on.  Write out a list on a piece of paper and look at it each day until your confidence builds to where you know you can achieve what you are about to set out on.

2.     Surround yourself with people who are encouraging and positive.  These people won’t question whether or not you have the ability to do it, but rather they will see all the good and potential you have.  I have been blessed over the past 2-3 months to receive emails and calls from my friends congratulating me on receiving the honor to speak at this event as well as words of encouragement of how great I am going to do.

3.     Don’t put anyone or anything on a pedestal.  As I have rubbed shoulders the past couple years with more and more influential people, who from the outside seem to have it all together, I have realized that they are human just like you and I and have similar struggles in the same areas in our lives.  I have learned that we all have special unique talents, skills, and knowledge that others don’t possess.  We are all equal.  So don’t think you are a hot shot, and don’t think you are a failure and a dud.  So how does this relate to your quest for health?  Some of you look at others that seem to have a better body, better skin, more energy, and wish you were like them.  You tell yourself you could never ______________ fill in the blank, like they can.  For example, I could never exercise 5 days per week like they do.  But I am telling you that you possess greatness and they aren’t any more or less special then you.

I have been asked to speak to these CEO’s about how I have created such a strong local community and how that has been able to transition to a large international online community.  I have realized that I might not make as much money as these other people, or have as big of a staff, or have my own air plane.  But I do have an amazing group locally in Madison, and an incredible community online that many of these CEO’s wish they had and want to learn how to create.  I can add value to their lives, I am no better or worse then them.  You are no better or worse then the next person, go out there and achieve greatness!

Keep moving,

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When I travel I don’t always have access to a gym, so it is good to improvise.  In this video you are about to watch, my brother and I and my friend Leanne had to use what we had, which wasn’t much.  We had just finished this workout before filming, so I was pretty tired and shaky, but it was definitely fun to do, especially with others to do it with.  Before I show you this video I just want to give a shout out to Leanne in the video.  She has been a friend of mine for sometime and has lost 100 lbs, and has become a personal trainer and does bootcamps in Orlando.  So proud of all she has accomplished.

Enjoy the video!

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As thousands of more moms start the Fit Moms For Life program and lifestyle, I am getting more and more case studies on how working out quite intense during pregnancy can have tremendous benefits to both baby and mom.  I am hoping over the next decade I can help doctors rewrite the recommendations that they give to pregnant women.  It just seems like yesterday when doctors were recommending 9 months of rest.  How dumb does that sound?  Rest for 9 months so that the moment you give birth, you will have to test your body more than at any other point in your life, and then after you deliveer you will be getting very little sleep, carrying a baby that weighs 10 lbs and more, and many times be in charge of older kids at the same time.

No wonder new moms get injured, tired, depressed, and overwhelmed.  I will jump off my soap box now, and show you this video of Jesse who has been coming to MamaTone throughout her entire pregnancy.  Not only does she fee WAY better than her first kid, she gained half the weight, and overall feels 100 times better then her first kid.  I know many of you who are going to watch this aren’t pregnant but if Jesse can do this at 8 months pregnant, what can you do not pregnant?

Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you are looking for a book that addresses fitness for pregnant and new moms, click here to learn more about Fit Moms For Life.

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I have talked about pushups for many years and my annoyance with women not believing that they can do push ups on their toes.  This limiting belief has to stop and has to stop RIGHT NOW.  That belief is just as bad as telling yourself you are not a good mom, or will never amount to anything.  Negative self talk needs to stop.

I have also said many times on this blog and to my clients, that I can get just about any woman up to 15-20 pushups within three months of training with me.  Now if someone is obese it might take them a little longer but it should happen.  I would estimate that the average female client I work with can do at least 30 perfect toe pushups with a few of the ladies breaking 100!  (That is more than I can  do).

Check out this video and read my comments below:

Did you catch the age of Ellen and Michelle? 54 and 48 respectively.  Now that isn’t really that old, their best years are still ahead of them, but I hear people in their early 40′s complaining saying they are too old to be doing certain things, or using age as an excuse.  I can also hear that small voice in your head saying, “Yeah they can do it, they are millionaires, and have trainers and chefs, blah, blah, blah.  If I had to be on TV so much and look good all the time I would look like them too.”

I also believe that if you saw what a typical day looked like for these two ladies, it would make your head spin.  The reason why they look the way they do, and are as fit as they are, is because they make it a PRIORITY.  I have heard Michelle in other interviews gets up between 4-5 AM to workout.  These women don’t possess anything special that you don’t have.  You have all the knowledge you need to get in the best shape of your life right here in the over 500 videos and articles I have posted throughout the past few years.

I would love to hear your feedback from this video and blog post.  Please comment below.

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I have been having a great time first in Park City Utah skiing, now in Maui.  I wanted to take advantage of my brothers being with me and film a quick video.  We had just got done at the beach and wanted to get a quick workout in before dinner, but we didn’t have any equipment so we had to improvise.

Enjoy the video!

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Holly a year ago

I have a confession to make.  When I first read Holly’s story (which you are about to read), I shed a few tears.  This is a very honest story Holly is sharing with us, and I want to thank her for her brutal honesty.  This story is something that most everyone can relate to at some level.  The weight loss is great, the smaller clothes are great, and so is the increased energy.  But what made me cry while reading this is how Holly now views herself, how her kids view her, and how her husband views her.

I don’t think I would still be in the fitness industry after 8 years if the only reason for helping people was to make them smaller and stronger.  Those are the external changes that occur, but I believe that exercise and nutrition is the most powerful set of jumper cables I can give a person to break out of their mediocre lives and into the life they want and deserve.  As you will read below.  Holly finished a race.  In that one race, she beat some of her demons, her negative self talk, and her lack of confidence in her abilities.

If you can relate to any part of Holly’s story, I encourage you to take some massive action.  If you live in Dane county, come to Fit Fun Bootcamps, or if you are a SAHM, MamaTone might be a perfect option.  If you just don’t know where to start regarding exercising and nutrition, invest in some of my DVDs.  It will be as close to me training you in person as possible.  Eating plans are included with the DVDs.

Enjoy her story!

December 2010….

5:30 am the alarm goes off and I hit the snooze. 5:45 am alarm…snooze. 6:00 am alarm…dragged myself out of bed. Today was the day I was going to get up early and try to start exercising. Well, I guess I will start tomorrow. I stood in my closet, looking through my outfit options. Well, that does not fit…that is too tight…that makes me look like an egg….ahh! so very frustrated. Next on the agenda…get the kids ready for school. My little Noah, age 5, at the time, popped out of bed and started running down the hallway. “Mom, come chase me!” I yawned and started my slow jog and followed him up the stairs. I was so out of breath and I was only half way up the staircase, oh my…”Mommy, are you ok…why can’t you breath? Do you have a lung problem?” responded Noah. I rolled my eyes and preceded to wake my other 2 children up, Hannah age 11 and Caleb age 9 (at the time). Both of them were chatting about wanting to play the Wii after school. I heard one of them say…”no, mom can’t do that…she is always tired and quits after just a minute…” The morning continued. I asked my lovely husband the regular question, “Do I look fat in this outfit?” Lovingly, he always said, “you look good to me or what do you think…” which really meant, yes you have put on weight but I do not want to hurt your feelings.

I was 210 lbs which was the same weight I was when I delivered Noah over 5 years ago. I was frustrated, embarrassed, and fatigued. I needed to make a change. I hated how I looked. I hated how I felt. I hated how I could not keep up with my children. I hated knowing that I was on a downward spiral toward hypertension, diabetes, etc…But I tried exercising before and I tried dieting before, and it did not work. I blamed everything and everyone for my past attempted failures. I had not taken responsibility for my own poor choices.

Holly Currently

I finally decided it was time to “own up”, “face the music” and make a change.

I had seen Dustin on several Channel 15 health spotlights and was intrigued. I researched his website earlier that year. I was very interested but concerned of not being able to “keep up” and did not want to be embarrassed. It finally took a groupon offer at the end of December 2010 to get me to finally try this “boot camp thing”. January 3, 2011 was the day.

January 3, 2011 was the first day of what has become my healthy addiction to bootcamp. Yes, I was the “largest” one there, and yes, I could not even do 1 push up, and yes, I always came in last (very very last) with all of the sprints/suicides/etc. Was I embarrassed…yes. But everyone was very positive and supportive and cheered me on when I was the last one to complete something and almost ready to pass out because I could no longer breath…:) It was hard, but for some odd reason, I really liked it. I faithfully went 3 times a week. As time went on, I slowly started to notice changes. I began feeling stronger, less fatigued throughout the day, and my face started to look a bit thinner. Then finally, the weight slowly started coming off and my clothes began to fit “better”. Did I want the changes to happen quicker? Of course I did. Were there times I became frustrated and want to quit? Of course there were. But I kept coming. The choices I made led to this unhealthy body, therefore, only I could make the choices to change the cycle. I found going to bootcamp was not only good for my body, but also for my soul. The atmosphere was so positive and supportive. About 3-4 months into my new “addiction”, I met a woman by the name of Alecia. She was very sweet and I was able to connect with her as a “mother”. Her attitude was so very positive in our chats. Well, she chatted and I nodded as I could not speak during the warm up. I soon found out that she was going to be the new trainer.

I continued to be faithful and continued to see results. I became stronger, faster, and yes, I was not last that one time! I continued to absorb everyone’s positive attitudes and support. I actually started to gain a little of my self esteem back. My clothes were loose and I was feeling great. I even decided to step out of my comfort zone and participate in the Warrior Dash. I just wanted to finish and not be the last person. Well, I did it. I did it all by myself and I was not last. My husband and kids came to watch me. Noah yelled, “I can’t believe my mom jumped over fire..” Hannah was grinning ear to ear, “Mom, I can’t believe you did that, even in the rain.” My husband looked and smiled and said, “I can’t believe you just did that. I am so proud of you.” Tears began to fall. Actually, I can’t believe I did that myself. I would have never been able to do something like the Warrior Dash physically or mentally without Alecia and “my” bootcamp workouts. As the months went on, I continued to feel great. I even ran in the Madison Mud Run…well, ok I did do alot of walking but hey…I did easily complete all of the obstacles.

December 2011…

4:45 am the alarm goes off…. I jump out of bed as I need to get to bootcamp. As I run out of the house, I looked once again at the picture my son Noah drew of me. I was running with a number on my shirt and big smile on my face. I enjoy Alecia’s insane workout and head back home. I easily found a cute new outfit in my closet, chased Noah around and actually beat him to the bathroom, and made a playdate for the Wii with Hannah and Caleb. My weight is now 170 lbs. I have lost over 19 inches. I am happy. I am energetic. I love my life. I love my healthy addiction to bootcamp.

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