Cassey Ho's Blog, page 118

PIIT28 1.0 ROUND 1 Transformations!

Hey guys!

Soooo to celebrate the conclusion of PIIT28 1.0 and The 28 Day Reset, round 1…I am posting a mirror selfie in a sports bra! *GASP* I rarely ever wear clothes that show off my mid section because, to be honest, I’m very self-conscious of it! Growing up chubby, then losing a ton of weight for my Bikini Competition back in 2012, then gaining all of it back the few years following the competition put my body in a very bad stage of metabolic disruption. (I was eating close to 1000 cals a day and working out 4+ hrs a day during the comp prep.) You can watch my video on “Why I Will NEVER Diet Again” here. No matter what I ate or how I worked out, I would gain weight constantly. I’m talking eating a salad and doing HIIT vs eating a pizza and watching TV. Same results. In fact, sometimes, the pizza would make me lose weight. It was weird and incredibly frustrating. My body just wasn’t working for me anymore. I felt like it was working against me.

So, a year and a half ago, I started developing the beginnings of what would eventually become PIIT28. Tired from all of my travels and strapped for time, I put working out as a last priority. It sounds crazy (especially as a fitness instructor) but I was just so upset! I wanted to stop it all! Nothing I did seemed to work, so it was incredibly unmotivating. But…I noticed that I was also unhappier.

And that’s something I can’t accept – whether or not I have abs showing through.

I was determined to find a solution to find my JOY in exercise again. I paired together my 2 loves, Pilates and HIIT and created PIIT – Pilates Intense Interval Training. It was so intense that I knew under half an hour would do it if I went full max effort.

Slowly but surely, my body started changing. Tiny tiny things that only I could see, but it was SO SATISFYING to be able to dig myself out of this 3 year plateau. I personally tested all moves and routines over and over to make sure they would be safe, fun, and of course, effective for myself and for you guys. The truth is, I needed PIIT28 more than anyone. And I am SO HAPPY and SO PROUD that I gave my body time to heal. Because now, everything is working again :) But more importantly, I am HAPPY and I am STRONG.

So many POPsters (or shall I say PIITsters!?) dared to endure the fury of PIIT28 1.0 with me when I released my program in March. And now, I have some REALLY COOL results to share with you guys after just 28 days of working out 28 min and 40 sec a day! I am so impressed by everyone’s dedication! Some girls did PIIT28 1.0 alone and some did The 28 Day Reset too, which was co-written with the Blogilates Exec Chef and Head of Nutrition, Erin Woodbury.

Now…get ready for some serious inspiration before we head off into Round 2 of PIIT28 1.0 on April 1st!

Meet Ilinca, @frostykitten

“Final day of #PIIT28 and #PIITSTAGRAM! Wow what a trip it’s been!

I never thought I’d be able to shed all this weight that’s accumulated from all the bad eating and lack of cardio, but here we are. I’ve lost weight before, but I’ve never had so many people tell me they notice a big change in my appearance. I’ve never had people go out of their way to compliment my body. I always thought I’d just be a bit chubby and that was OK. I learned to accept that.

I started this workout series not because I wanted to lose weight, but because I wanted to support Cassey and her hard work and improve my health. I truly never expected such big change and I can honestly say I look forward to round 2…and 3 and 4 and however many rounds there will be!

I love looking in the mirror and seeing myself as a strong person. I see muscles I never thought I’d see and definition I never knew was possible for my body.

But most importantly, piit taught me that there’s always time and energy for a 30 min workout and that to me is the biggest success because if I don’t workout consistently I have to endure health issues that so far have only been prevented or avoided by working out.

Thank you Cassey for such an amazing workout plan and not to mention amazing meal plan! I’m always well fed and my cravings are nonexistent. #piitprincess for life!”

Meet Brina, @fitbribri

“Last day of #piit28 is here! I’ve noticed huge changes in my body. My abs are tighter, my waist is smaller, my arms are stronger, and my confidence has improved! In terms of abs, mine were probably looking better last week since I’ve been a bit bloated recently, but looking at these two pictures side-by-side is so encouraging! I can’t believe that I’ve improved so much in only 28 days! I’ve lost around 10 lbs since I first starting working out in January and I’m down maybe 5 lbs from Cassey’s program. Now it’s time to gain it all back in muscle!”

Meet Jordan, @popster_jordan

Day 28: The last day of PIIT. How bittersweet. I have accomplished so much in these last 28 days and my journey is far from over, this is only the beginning. I can see a difference in myself. I have lost 13 lbs and 15.5 total inches, but I have gained much more than that. I have gained better posture, a happier mood, huge confidence in myself, a new found love of my body and deep appreciation for what I am capable of doing. I know I have a ways to go but PIIT gave me the tools and the courage to keep going. PIIT gave me my life back! I finished #PIIT28 and I am a #piitprincess!

Meet Katie, @katie.piit28

“Today is the final day of the challenge! This past month really has flown by. I’m so surprised by my results, especially since I wasn’t following a meal plan or counting macros or anything. I tried to mostly eat clean, but I would have a couple treat meals a week (still all vegan though). I feel so much stronger and am able to do better at each workout. I plan to restart the program from the beginning. Who else is restarting the program? .

How to Make a Happy Bowl!

Hey guys!

I am super excited to share with you a recipe that I have been making for YEARS now ever since I moved down to LA. It’s my Happy Bowl! This is a version of a macrobiotic bowl which follows the macrobiotic diet. So…what does that mean?

Macrobiotics is about balancing yourself with the natural world so that you can bring peace, a healthy well-being and balance to your own life! Believers of the Macrobiotic way of eating boast that it can make you live longer and help you avoid illnesses. Whether or not this has been scientifically proven, I CAN tell you from personal experience that I rarely ever get sick – maybe once every few years if there’s someone sick in the office – and it’s because of the way I eat.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates

Ready to make your own Happy Bowl? Here are the percentages that you should follow:

Veggies should make up about 60% of the bowl. 

Whole grains should make up about 30% of the bowl.

Beans, soy protein or sea vegetables should make up about 10% of the bowl.

Fermented food (for the probiotics) should also be added on top.

 

Yield: 1

Serving Size: 1 big bowl

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients:

1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed

1 cup cauliflower florets (round element)

Pinch sea salt

1/4 cup black beans or garbanzo beans, drained

1/2 cup cooked quinoa

1 large handful of kale leaves (leafy element)

1/2 small yellow onion

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Pinch sea salt

2 tablespoons sauerkraut (fermented element)

Handful of spring greens

1 carrot, peeled into ribbons

1/4 cup red bell pepper

1 green onion, chopped

Dressing:

3 tablespoons coconut milk

1 tablespoon roasted, salted almond butter (or tahini)

1-2 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon coconut aminos (or soy sauce alternative)

1/2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

Pinch stevia

Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray. Lay out potatoes and spray the tops. Sprinkle with salt. Place in oven for 10 minutes.

2. Pull the baking sheet out and add the cauliflower to the baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt, and return to oven for 12 minutes. Remove from oven.

3. Massage kale leaves with the olive oil, lemon juice and salt until tender.

4. Coat a small nonstick pan with cooking spray and add the onions. Sauté for 5-6 minutes or until caramelized. Deglaze the pan with drops of water as needed.

5. Assemble the bowl by filling the bottom of a medium-sized bowl with spring lettuce. Lay down the beans, kale, quinoa, sweet potato cubes, cauliflower, onions, and sauerkraut. Garnish with carrot, bell pepper and green onion.

6. In a small glass bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients. Microwave for 25 seconds and stir, or prepare stovetop. Drizzle on top and serve.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 522 | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Carbs: 79g | Fiber: 17g | Net Carbs: 62g

Why I Don’t Step on Scales

Hey guys!

I’ve told you before that I don’t weigh myself because the number on the scale doesn’t hold that much value to me. Plus, there are other more reliable ways to measure my progress!

For some people, stepping on the scale can be a healthy way to stay motivated and on track in the weight loss journey. But for others it can become a problem.

An obsession.

Think about it, are you someone who steps on the scale, and the number dictates your mood for the day? (In fact, I admit that I’ve been that person for years.) THAT IS NOT GOOD. Why?

Well, for one, a number should not determine how you feel about yourself! And secondly, did you know that your weight naturally fluctuates due to many reasons that have NOTHING to do with ACTUALLY gaining unhealthy weight?

For example…

How long ago you last ate  – Did you finish eating yesterday around 7pm or did you have a later dinner at 10pm? This can cause a change in your weight the next morning, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you GAINED unhealthy weight overall.
The time you weigh yourself – most of us are much lighter in the morning versus at night after we’ve eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner! So if you want an accurate reading, weigh yourself at the same time each day. It’s just food weight!
Water retention – Maybe you consumed a little more sodium than normal and that’s causing your body to hold water weight (which will go away over time).
Dehydration – When you don’t drink water, you are omitting extra potential weight from your body. But purposefully taking out water from your diet just to make the scale move down is a bad idea. You will begin to feel thirsty, weak, and unfocused quickly before it becomes a larger medical problem.
Illness – When you’re sick, you tend to eat less because it’s hard to hold down food, therefore making you weigh less.

Is it really necessary to weigh yourself so much? Really what we should be concerned with is the accumulation of body FAT. Not just body weight. ‘Cuz…

More realistic ways to measure your progress after starting a workout program:

1. How are your energy levels?

Assess yourself. Tune into your body. Do you have more energy? Not only with your workouts, but also in daily life? Do you notice daily chores becoming easier? Walking up those stairs becomes a breeze. Being physically active actually INCREASES your energy levels and leaves you feeling motivated in all aspects of life. There is no way the scale can measure that!

2. How do you feel emotionally?

Are you happier? More confident? Higher self-esteem? You’ve been working hard for your goals, and because of that you will notice an increase in happiness and becoming more comfortable in your own skin. There’s no greater satisfaction than FEELING amazing.

3. How are your clothes fitting?

Are your clothes getting a little bit looser? Or maybe your jeans are fitting a little bit better from those squat gains? Do you feel more confident in your favorite dress? Even if the number on the scale doesn’t change (or even goes up) your body is still changing in a good way! Remember that the scale doesn’t know the difference between fat and muscle. You may be leaning out AND building muscle at the same time, and the scale can’t recognize that.

Take a look at the pic below. I’m holding 5 lbs of muscle and 5 lbs of fat. Muscle does not weigh more than fat. 5 lbs is 5 lbs. Muscle just takes up a lot less space for the same weight!

4. Progress Pics!

Progress pics are one of my favorite ways to assess physical changes. Before you start a new workout routine or change in diet, take a pic of yourself. A full-body picture – you don’t have to show anyone. It may be uncomfortable at that time, but just think about how amazing it will feel to look back at the old picture and compare it to where you’re at today. There’s nothing more motivating than your own before and after picture!

Read Veen’s Transformation Story

5. Body Fat Percentages!

If you’re the type that likes numbers, then paying attention to your body fat percentage is a much more reliable way to measure progress towards a lean body. Here are some accurate ways to measure your body fat:

Bod Pod – Uses air displacement to measure your body mass, volume, and density. About $75 a session.
DEXA Scan – Takes a full X-ray of your body composition and gives you a bunch of cool numbers. I did this once and my body fat % turned out to be about higher than what I thought it was. About $50-$150 a session.

What does body fat say about you? Well here’s a chart from The American Council of Exercise (ACE) that explains this to us:

Not sure what that looks like? This may help:

I consistently stay around the “Fitness” range, but have gotten down to the mid “Athlete” level before. These pictures are fairly accurate in my experience. Do you think you could pick your body fat percentage by looking at these pics? Of course, body fat can look so different on everyone just based on how it is distributed on you!

Personally, I don’t really like calipers or those scales with the body fat calculators on them because they really can be so inaccurate. But also keep in mind that the 2 methods I listed above can also fluctuate between one another. So if you’re trying to rely on it, then just use one type of way throughout your progression.

Also…be cautious and don’t let body fat percentage rule your life either. Sure, it’s a more reliable number for leanness, but leanness isn’t everything!! A number should never ever control your mood. If you have enough self confidence to understand that, then good, you can handle scales, Bod Pods, and measuring tape. But if you know those things even have a chance at controlling you, don’t let them. Dismiss those tools from your life and focus on what matters…how you FEEL!

 

Keep training hard, eating clean, and being happy! That’s the biggest reward of all.

Does Eating Fat make you…Fat?

Hey guys!

The world of nutrition changes every single day…and it seems that what our moms once taught us about how to eat healthy no longer rings true! They grew up in a world where low fat foods, bread and cereal, and tons of cardio were promises for a healthier, sexier body. This was the food pyramid many of us were taught in elementary school:

Look familiar? Just recently, that entire 90’s pyramid has been turned on it’s head. In fact…the USDA no longer advises Americans to eat 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta a day. According to the new 2015-2020 dietary guidelines, we should be making HALF our plate fruits and veggies and half of our grains, WHOLE GRAINS!

choosemyplate.gov

The old pyramid also taught us to avoid fat and oil as much as we could in order to be “healthy”. But is that true?

Recently, I’ve been adding in more healthy fats into my diet and have been feeling full, energized, and happy. I haven’t gained any extra weight, in fact, I think I’ve lost some, but I don’t step on the scale anymore.

Talking with Erin, the new Head of the Blogilates Nutrition Team & our Executive Chef, she totally agrees that fat shouldn’t be getting the bad PR it’s been getting all these years! Phew – glad I’m not the only one who feels this way! So let’s get down to it then…what’s the deal with fat and does fat (the macronutrient) make us fat (around the middle)?

Obviously the extra fat we carry is not healthy and contributes to a whole host of medical issues such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and depression. But fat, the kind we eat as part of our trio of macronutrients (the others being protein and carbs) is a necessary part of our diet. Fat is structurally essential in every single cell in our bodies, not just our booties and thighs! So to begin this discussion, let’s take a look at fat’s highlight reel:

Fats are required in order to properly digest and absorb our fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E and K.
Fat is a smooth burning type of energy that keeps us fuller longer and it slows food absorption.
You need fat to properly utilize protein, so don’t be afraid to eat that egg yolk with those egg whites.
High quality fat is responsible for managing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to everything from disease to joint pain, so the less you have, the better.
Digesting fat triggers your satiation (fullness) mechanism. This is why low-fat diets never work. Your body is never satisfied without fat, despite the number of calories you ingest.
For the last two decades or so, we were sold a bill of goods that had us believing fat made us fat. It’s part of what still scares some people today. Fat-free foods lined grocery store shelves, and we ate up those skinny-branded cream-filled cookies and BBQ chips with wild abandon because the USDA told us to eat fats sparingly.

The big problem with that logic was that in order to make things taste good without the fat, manufacturer’s had to add sugar, corn syrups and extra carbs into these products, creating highly addictive Franken-foods that ended up making Americans fatter than ever! Why? Because…SPOILER ALERT…fat does not make you fat!! Refined carbs and sugar make you fat and tired and are the culprits for disease.

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, internationally renowned physician and NYT best-selling author, 75% of people who end up in the E.R. with a heart attack actually have NORMAL overall cholesterol levels. What they DO have is pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, which is actually caused by diet and lack of exercise! So…we should be fearing sugar and refined carbs – not fat!

Ok, I know you’re thinking “But which fats are the good fats?” – great question.

We know that getting our food from the earth is a good idea, so let’s start there. The whole food train isn’t going anywhere, and it’s the ride that produces the least amount of controversy, provided it’s organic…but I digress. The fats that come from mother nature will serve us better than those that are processed. Highly processed oils, for example, actually create inflammation in the body. So even though vegetable oils sound healthy (I mean, the word vegetable is right on them), they are anything but!

Steer clear of soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil. The process by which they’re produced, and their chemical makeup, makes them very unhealthy. Avoid trans fats at all cost, but I think that little tidbit is universally understood by now. It’s also not necessary to eliminate all saturated fat either. I know-scary thought right?! We’ve been told that saturated fat leads to heart disease for years and years. But yes, doctors and the government CAN be wrong, which is why it’s all changing, and we need to climb aboard.

Here are the best of the best fats and why you need them ASAP!

Avocado: higher in potassium than bananas, loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, high in fiber and they can DECREASE your bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the good (HDL).
Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans & macadamia): Helps blood sugar control plus they contain a little protein, fiber, Omega 3’s and 6’s.
Seeds (pumpkin, hemp, chia, flax, sesame): Protein, fiber, anti-inflammatory, vitamins, calcium plus Omegas.
Olive oil: Lowers risk of heart disease, benefits insulin levels, anti-inflammatory.
Coconut (oil, butter and dried): Can increase calorie expenditure, kills hunger, boosts brain function.
Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel): These are rich in Omega 3’s, which many people are deficient in. It’s recommended we get 250-500 mg of combined EPA and DHA per day.
Organic meats: less inflammatory than regularly raised meats.

So…I challenge you to give fat a try and see how you feel! Comment below if you used to be a fat-phobic like so many of us, me included! Let me know if adding in some nuts on your salads, avocado in your wraps, eating the whole egg and cooking in coconut oil instead of cooking spray leaves you feeling fuller longer. You might even notice a boost in mood, a trimmer tummy and more glowing skin. Because YESSSSS, those are even more of the scientifically proven happy side effects of our friend, fat :)

 

 

 

RESOURCES:

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/dietary-guidelines

https://authoritynutrition.com/top-13-nutrition-lies-that-made-the-world-sick-and-fat/

http://drhyman.com/blog/2016/01/29/why-oil-is-bad-for-you/

http://drhyman.com/blog/2016/01/08/why-fat-doesnt-make-you-fat/

Happy Hard Core Abs, Nightmares, and a new website!?

Hey guys!

Happy Monday! Hope you had a lovely weekend. I decided to take the weekend to ACTUALLY rest this time. I cooked a bunch…made some healthy chicken pho (I used shredded cabbage and sauteed onions instead of vermicelli noodles so that it would still work within my 28 Day Reset meal plan), I made chili, and also curried chicken salad! It felt sooooo good to just listen to podcasts and cook. Been getting my PIIT28 on daily, feeling strong, and feeling very refreshed and relaxed.

The only thing that has been bothering me lately are my dreams. I have no idea why but I’ve been having nightmares every night and then I wake up at 4am consistently. They are very dark dreams too – I’m usually fighting for my life or trying to escape from predators or something. It’s odd too because I would say I’ve been more relaxed than usual and I have been getting more sleep than usual. I don’t feel stressed at work at all…so it’s peculiar. Anyone have an inkling as to why this may be happening?

Anyway, here is your new Monday video! I decided it was time to switch things up and hit you with some never before seen abdominal exercises! You ready for Happy Hard Core Abs? It may make you a little unhappy to begin with…but promise you will be smiling when you’re done!

Also! Did you have a chance to try Quick Cardio Booty Blast yet? This one is a KILLER that only takes a few minutes to complete. Give it a shot and challenge yourself! It’s kind of like a PIIT dance on the mat. You’ll love it.

 

Also guys…there will be a huge update coming to this blog soon. A whole new look and a whole new way of navigating! We’ve been working on the design for over a year now and we cannot wait to debut it to you! I am hoping to release the new look sometime this month. Not sure when…but soon!

Ah, and speaking of updates…there is a new Blogilates App update! You can now SAVE YOUR WORKOUTS in the Workout Timer! For those of you who do HIIT or PIIT28 workouts, you know that this feature is LIFE.

And if you don’t have the app yet, well what’s holding you back? It’s free to download!!! (The timer is a one time in-app purchase though!) Go download the Blogilates App on the Apple App Store or in the Google Play Store!

To everyone working hard and killing it – whether you’re doing PIIT28 1.0 or the Blogilates Workout Calendar – super proud of you for taking it way past January. You’re showing me that you’re motivated and in it for life.

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The Problem with Fit Teas & Skinny Teas

Hey guys!

Ever since I did my post on why I don’t believe in waist trainers, you’ve asked me to do a blog post on skinny teas and teatoxes! So, after much careful investigation, it is time for me to tell you what I HONESTLY think about this particular tea industry as well as my conclusions on the research I did. So let’s begin.

If you’re an Instagram user, I know you’ve come across pictures that may look something like this on your explore page:

Hot girl baring her midriff with a large chest, skinny waist, and long hair, holding a prominent cup of tea and the bag that it comes in. What could be more natural?!

Oh look! It’s another hot girl with big boobs, abs and long hair – but this time in a bikini, sitting at the front of a yacht with her tea. I mean yeah, I do that all the time! Not.





Oi! Another fit beauty with…oh you get the point. It’s the same formula. But seriously though, someone needs to get to the weights, can you drink your tea elsewhere while kneeling?

The marketing for these teas are simple and brilliant! I mean, get a hot girl, have her hold your product, and claim that she uses it to look like that and people will start to wonder. Get HUNDREDS of hot girls and models to do it and suddenly people will believe. And finally, get celebrities to endorse it? Well, then there’s no holding me back…TAKE MY MONEY!!! JUST TAKE IT NOW!!!!

Kylie Jenner’s 53 million young IG fans now think she takes tea everyday to look like this.

Really Victoria Justice?

I really like Vanessa Hudgens…but I don’t like this at all.

And take your money they do. They take it and pay the models and celebrities to hold their tea in a very awkwardly posed ad. (Who does that!??? Ok well it looks like a lot of people.) I honestly can’t even imagine how much these people get paid to do that. Especially KYLIE JENNER? I am sure Kris scored her a BIG campaign deal for that one. It makes me wonder how lucrative that industry is and how many gullible, hopeless people are falling for this magic weight loss shortcut. It’s truly sickening.

There’s no amount you could pay me to do that. If I don’t believe in a product and I know that it won’t bring value to your life, it would be SO IRRESPONSIBLE and SO DISHONEST of me toshare that product with you. I’d be hurting you like I’d be hurting my mom or sister. The most valuable thing about our relationship here is TRUST. And as your friend, I wouldn’t dare risk our relationship for money.

So why? Why am I so against these teas? Simple: Irresponsible advertising and lack of integrity for their product and their customer. They are in the business of selling FALSE HOPE.

THE CLAIMS

After researching many different tea companies and their products, most of them have the same general claims.

Their product will help you: 

Lose weight
Burn calories
Boost your metabolism
Cleanse and detoxify the body
Suppress appetite
Increase energy levels

That’s interesting. So how does it work?

Well, most of them have a system. You basically buy a kit that can last anywhere between 7 days to 1 month. Some companies have a morning or daytime tea combined with a nighttime tea, while others just want you to drink 1 cup a day. Usually the morning tea claims to help increase your energy levels throughout the day, while the night tea will help cleanse and detoxify your body (AKA help you lose weight).

THE RESEARCH

Did you know that because these teas are considered dietary supplements, they aren’t required to prove any claims on their labels? So even though they “claim” that drinking this tea will result in weight loss and a metabolism boost, there is NO published research to show that these statements are true!

In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, Senna (the laxative herb used in many fit teas) has INSUFFICIENT evidence for weight loss! But it can cause stomach troubles, cramps and diarrhea. It makes you go to bathroom, so obviously you’ll lose that kind of weight. AND if you’re using it for more then 2 weeks (which most tea plans do), it can cause unusual bowel functions, and changes in electrolyte balance that can lead to HEART PROBLEMS, muscle weakness, and liver damage!

In the short term, Senna can help you move your bowels, but if you use it for too long, you intestines will become dependent on it for stimulation, and then you will be constipated if you don’t use it anymore.

In June 2013, SkinnyMe Tea’s IG page was shut down because the Australian Medical Association expressed concerned over the company’s portrayal of unrealistic weight loss which caused at least one customer to be hospitalized after using the tea.

Since then many knock off tea companies have popped up, each with a significant amount of followers! Check this out – Skinnybunnytea has over 1.3 million followers!

But take a look at the likes and comments. It’s very very low. An account with 1.3 million fans gets under 1000 likes and like an avg of 10 comments? That leads me to think that they are either buying followers and/or spending money to run those annoying sponsored ads. You will notice this low like to follower ratio on many tea account pages as well.

In terms of the companies being open about their claims, I had to dig REALLY DEEP to find the truth. Nowhere on the ads or packaging do the teas tell you that you need to eat healthy and exercise, however if you look further into FAQ’s on their websites, they finally admit that drinking their tea should be combined with a healthy diet and exercise! Some of them give you “free” ebooks with workout plans and meal plans. But, who knows if a licensed professional wrote those or not. Doesn’t say.

Of course they wouldn’t put any of this on their labels or packaging because they KNOW people are looking for a “quick fix” and they KNOW that people will buy into almost anything that promises amazing results with little work.

SO HERE’S THE TRUTH!

Drinking tea will NOT MAKE YOU LOSE WEIGHT or help you get abs. What’s actually happening are two things:

1. You are losing WATER weight from drinking the tea.

By drinking extra water, you are allowing your body to “flush” the excess salt out and to release the retained water. This keeps you from looking bloated or swelled up.

2. You are probably eating fewer calories because you’re drinking more water to fill up your stomach, so you feel fuller.

I tell you this all the time! HYDRATE! Sometimes you think you’re hungry but really you’re thirsty. So if you’re constantly staying hydrated, there’s less of a chance for you eat for no reason.

3. You paid for it, so it means you’re serious about doing whatever it takes to achieve your dream body.

Psychology people. If you pay for something and you are more likely to take it seriously. So I BET that the people who buy the tea are also more conscious of what they eat and how they work out because they don’t want to waste their money or their time. So if there are any results, it’s most likely from a combination of that person’s new lifestyle, not just from drinking the tea.

SO…HOW DO YOU LOSE WEIGHT AND GET ABS?

First of all, I don’t think you should buy the tea. If you want to drink tea, go buy a green tea at the store. It’s more or less going to do the same thing while costing a fraction of the price.

Time and time again, I’ve told you…nourish your body with whole foods and reward it by letting your muscles move! I’m saying: eat clean and exercise!

The problem is, people tend to think that working out and eating healthy are difficult and not fun things to do. They tend to dread it and find shortcuts around it. But, there is no shortcut to success! Whether it’s in your education, your career, your business, or your body – you’ve got to work!

You can’t avoid the work BUT you CAN make the work FUN! That’s what Blogilates is all about…helping you find THE JOY in working out! Because, if you can wake up in the morning super anxious to get your workout clothes on and start sweating, OMG, you’re set for success. You’re working out because YOU LOVE IT. And when you do anything that you love, the results will follow because you put your whole heart into it.

So, if you’re curious as to what workouts you should be doing and what you should be eating, here are my personal recommendations:

#1. Try PIIT28 1.0

It’s my newest workout program that requires you to only work out for just 28 min and 40 sec a day using a combination of Pilates and Cardio exercises. This will get your sweating within the first few minutes AND you will continue to burn extra fat and calories way after you’re done working out. I honestly LOVE IT. By joining, you get a lifetime membership to PIIT28 1.0 – which includes the ebook, the exclusive workout videos, the forum etc. Plus you get a free completion tank if you successfully finish the challenge! Learn more here.

#2. Try The 28 Day Reset

If you feel like you’ve plateaued and everything you’re eating, no matter if it’s healthy or unhealthy, doesn’t show a difference in your body, this is what you need! We begin with a 4 week “reset” where I take you through an omission challenge to discover your body’s food intolerances and sensitivities. Then after the 4 weeks, we slowly add make certain foods to see what you’re allergic too and what could have been causing that extra bloat, weight gain, etc. You also get 150+ easy eat-clean recipes to choose from that you get to keep forever. See more here.

If you want to get both PIIT28 1.0 and The 28 Day Reset together, click here for a discount!

#3. FREE WORKOUT CALENDARS

If you aren’t sure if you can commit to the programs above just yet, no worries! On my blog, you can find my free Monthly Workout Calendars as well as my Beginner’s Workout Calendar. Click here to check them out!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Let me know your thoughts below! Have you ever tried one of these teas?

 

 

 

RESEARCH:

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/652.html#Safety

http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/health-lifestyle/healthy-eating/2014/1/spit-out-your-skinny-tea/

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/teatox-newest-way-detox

http://www.teenvogue.com/story/tea-detox-teatox-bad-for-health-dangers

PIIT28 Changed My Body

Photo by Rod Foster

Oh man guys! I think this is the coolest picture I have EVER taken! I bought this bathing suit from Nasty Gal a few weeks ago half thinking it wouldn’t make it as the outfit of choice for the PIIT28 cover, so I had a couple backups in case. But I am SO glad I stuck with it!

I can’t tell you how good it feels to look at this photo and be 100% in love with the way I look, not wanting to change a single thing. The way I felt when I took this picture and the way I feel right at this very moment are no different. I didn’t have to “diet down” or do anything weird for this. I was just working out and having fun! I had just finished testing out 4 weeks of my routines for my new workout program PIIT28 – working out only 28 min and 40 sec day, 6 days a week.

PIIT28 paired with eating well had me feeling SO STRONG, SO POWERFUL, and SO UNSTOPPABLE!

I am happy to say that after testing all the routines, I couldn’t be prouder of this program. It works, it’s fast, and best of all, it’s fun! In fact, the entire Blogilates office gets together to do PIIT without fail, EVERY single week! We just love it that much!

The program has been in development for over 1 year. I was supposed to release this in January, but I didn’t think it was perfect for you, so we slowed down. I am so glad we did. Because we gave ourselves extra time, we also set up a private PIIT28 Portal for all members of the program. So, it’s not just an E-book. It’s a community complete with exclusive follow along videos and animated GIFs!

So guess what? To celebrate, I want you to join me on March 1st to embark on the first ever PIIT28 Challenge!

 

Get PIIT28 1.0

It’s less than half an hour of commitment 6 days a week! In fact, to kick off the PIIT28 Challenge, I will be hosting a LIVE workout on Facebook.com/Blogilates on March 1st at 10am PST with the Blogifam and a few friends! You’ll get to work out with us all in real time for the full 28 min and 40 sec! We can scream together, laugh together, and sweat together! I am really excited for this!! Mark your calendars and please tune in!

Also, beginning March 1st, I will personally be doing the 28 Day Reset. This gem right here has been in development for 2 years and I worked with dietary experts to make sure every single one of your meals are nutritiously dense and tasty.

Every time I do the reset, I notice SUCH a difference in how light and energetic I feel! Plus my skin gets clearer too! It’s perfect. I really recommend that you do PIIT28 1.0 and The 28 Day Reset together. You’ll see your body changing in ways you didn’t know were possible.

 

Get The 28 Day Reset

I hope you guys join me and POPsters from all over the world on March 1st for the PIIT28 Challenge! I am soooooo super excited. This is going to be such a blast. You can find more information on what PIIT28 and The 28 Day Reset are all about on www.PIIT28.com.

Ok who’s in!??!!!

I wore a romper and people got mad.

Yesterday I had the honor of sharing a sofa with the founder of Virgin and superhuman extraordinaire, Richard Branson, the CEO of Tinder, Sean Rad and the CEO of WeWork, Miguel McKelvey. I felt very proud to be representing female entrepreneurs on such a powerful stage! We did a panel in Los Angeles called “Business is an Adventure” and spoke on mind-opening topics like the future of global business, to silly, candid topics like embarrassing real life Tinder stories. Haha – it was a blast!

Sir Richard Branson is INCREDIBLY down to earth and he knows how to make someone feel comfortable. I really admire that. I was initially intimidated and kind of speechless when I met him, but then he started talking to me about Blogilates! I was so stunned that he knew more about me than just the surface level info. A great reminder to ALWAYS do research on the people you’ll be meeting with – be it an interview, a panel, a meeting – whatever. DO YOUR BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Right before we got on stage, I asked him what he was up to later today and he casually said something along the lines of, “Oh we’re launching my new rocket ship into space and figuring out how to create a floating hotel that will orbit around earth.”

UHHHH.

WHAT.

Sir Richard Branson is a super human who is PIONEERING galactically. He’s totally living on another level! So for him to be able to keep it real with me when I met him – wow – major respect. You can’t imagine how many people I meet that have the most egotistical attitudes when they’ve barely accomplished anything.

The thing to remember about entrepreneurs is that we’re not just selling things. We do we what we do because we know that we are creating solutions that will change the world.

THAT is what gets my heart pounding and my eyes glittering. Entrepreneurs are risk takers, creatives, believers, and most importantly, doers.

I’ve had the entrepreneurial spirit in me ever since I was a child – before I even knew what the word “business” meant. I’ve sold chocolate candy to cookies sandwiches to extravagant corsages. In other words, I created convenient solutions for hungry students and fashionable prom goers :)

Anyway, here is where the story gets a little interesting.

After the event, I took a mirror selfie (as I always do) and posted it to Instagram and Facebook, sharing my outfit details and how I felt about being on the panel.

 

Had so much fun on my “Business is an Adventure” ️ panel today alongside Sir Richard Branson, the Tinder CEO and the…

Posted by Blogilates on Thursday, February 18, 2016

 

One would think the comments would be flooded with either “Cute romper!” or “Loved what you had to say on the panel!”

Except there was a whole conversation about the bad taste in my outfit choice.

People were telling me that I should “cover up” and that I can’t dress like that until I become an icon, that I am not a real businesswoman if I look like I’m going to a club, and that they “bet” even Richard Branson wore a suit.

WHOA. Hold on.

Are we really changing the ENTIRE POINT of the post so that I can get criticized for what I am wearing on a panel? Why does it even matter? Why are we even talking about this?

Perhaps it is because I am a woman. Perhaps it is because I have to fit into some type of a mold to be respected for what I say.

Well. Here’s what I have to say to the criticizers:

I think y’all need to check yo-selves.

I will dress as I please and I will dress in a manner that makes me feel confident. No, I will not wear a suit because I simply don’t want to. Don’t tell me to cover up and act a certain way because that means you’re telling me who to be.

My actions, my service, my products, my designs, and my IMPACT as a entrepreneur speak way louder than this red romper. Which by the way, was a hit because I chose to wear it to match Virgin’s company colors. Richard Branson was a fan.

What silly talk.

End rant.

Do you want to learn something interesting? Do you know why a lot of female CEOs and women in positions of power wear suits and cut their hair short? It’s because when they look more like men, they get more respect in the board room. Check out Indra Nooyi – CEO of Pepsi, Hillary Clinton – former US Senator, and Meg Whitman – CEO of HP:

According to a study published in The Journal of Social Psychology, when you look more “attractive” that is a negative point against you in corporate managerial positions. P&G funded a study that was directed by Yale University psychology professor Marianne LaFrance, Ph.D., who concluded that, “…women with shorter hair are perceived as more intelligent and confident than those with longer styles.”

It is sad but it’s true. This sexist prejudice exists. But I don’t blame these women for having to look a certain way to in order to gain and maintain respect in those male dominated industries. Do what you need to do to get your work done with as little distraction as possible. I got it. I would do the same.

No matter their haircut or the color of their suit, I have major admiration for their intellect and accomplishments.

At the Blogilates HQ, you will step into a world that may be different than what corporate America is used to. I wanted to create an environment that was non-competitive, open-minded, creative, inspiring and supportive. Here you will be surrounded by intelligent and driven women (and some guys) who respect one another whole-heartedly. We work as one big family. Each one of us ladies also happen to be fashionistas who love to have fun with our clothes. So, none of us feel like we need to protect ourselves against judgement and criticism when it comes to the way we dress. We all produce high quality work no matter if we are wearing suits or shorts.

So will I ever be cutting my hair and wearing more blazers?

I’ll never say no, but I will say that as of now, I love my hair long, my rompers colorful, my heels high, and my jewelry sparkly. If anyone wants to judge me for the way I dress instead of how my brain works, then that’s shallow and shortsighted. The way I dress is an expression of how I feel inside and I am not afraid to let the world know. So if someone can’t handle it, well, they need to figure it out, or else they will be missing out.

Now, can we get back to talking about something that ACTUALLY MATTERS?

 

 

POP Pilates Instructor Trainings 2016!

Hey guys!

Take a look at that spectacular side plank! That’s me and a few of my POP Pilates instructors, Steph, Isabella, and Lexi during our official POP Pilates photoshoot! I love this pose so much because it’s strong, powerful, and so POP!

Have you ever thought of getting POP Pilates certified? Do you feel like you want to start a career in inspiring people? Do you want to get paid to do what you ALREADY love doing? Guys – when I got Pilates certified as a sophomore in college, I didn’t know it at the time, but I made the MOST IMPORTANT decision of my life – it paved the way for the magic that was to come.

I remember teaching my first Pilates class ever. It was traditional Pilates – slow music, slow movements. I only had like 3 people at this small, intimate studio for all women, but I really got to know each one so so well. That studio ended up paying for my entire Pilates certification because they believed in me. That was the true beginning.

Because of that, I was able to start selling my own classes at the local Recreational center. Then I auditioned at 24 Hour Fitness and got hired at my first big box gym! That was the first time I started teaching to classes of 30+ with a microphone headset and I almost died from nervousness! Luckily, I was paired with a veteran instructor who team-taught with me that day. Eventually, I got more and more comfortable. With practice, I become more confident and knowledgeable and started acing other auditions. I eventually taught Pilates everywhere from luxurious studios to huge gyms like Crunch and Equinox.

But it wasn’t until I started adding pop music to my classes that my class numbers and following started to BLOW UP! I knew it was something special. So in 2009, I started teaching my own trademarked format, POP Pilates and putting that on schedules and on and YouTube (which is probably how you found me)! Then in late 2014, 24 Hour Fitness approached me and asked to partner with them alongside huge formats like Zumba and Les Mills BODYPUMP! I was SHOCKED!!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!!??? It was such an honor to even be considered in the first place.

Here’s a taste of what POP Pilates feels like:

POP PilatesThis is the next evolution of Pilates. Welcome…POP Pilates! It’s a dance on the mat choreographed to your favorite Top 40 hits. This class is BLOWING UP right now. Get certified ASAP because gyms are looking for POP Pilates instructors like crazy! The program is open WORLDWIDE. www.poppilateslife.com

So how is POP Pilates different than classical Pilates?

“POP Pilates is a dance on the mat! We take traditional Pilates to the next evolution, combining music with movement to turn the group exercise experience into a high energy, infectiously upbeat 55 min mat-based workout. Rhythmically flowing from one exercise to the next, your class will learn classical favorites like the Hundreds and the Roll Up and advance their way towards our signature fusion exercises that will leave everyone shockingly sore. POP Pilates releases gorgeous new choreography every 3 months, but unlike other strict choreo-based formats, we encourage our instructors to practice “Freedom of Choice” in song selection, pacing, and reps. By offering this freedom, POP Pilates instructors are able to let their own personality shine, while blowing up class numbers and still staying true to the brand!”

POP Pilates is incredibly intuitive to learn and we teach you EVERYTHING you need to know to become a successful instructor. Our educational training program is ROCK SOLID and will ensure that both new instructors and veterans are teaching effectively, safely, and in an engaging and entertaining manner. That’s why the class numbers for POP Pilates have been shockingly high in the gyms we’re currently in. It’s replaced other formats and attendance has doubled, tripled, and in some cases…quadrupled! No, seriously.

When we first launched, we were exclusive to 24 Hour Fitness but as of 2016, you can get certified in POP Pilates and teach anywhere!

I know you’ve been waiting a super duper long time for the new POP Pilates Instructor Trainings to be announced, so without further adieu, here are the training dates for Spring and early summer 2016!

Click here for specific locations

Also, to encourage you guys to sign up early, we are offering an Early Bird Special! For anyone who registers for a training at least 2 weeks before the date of the workshop, we will give you a nice 15% off discount! Just use the code “EARLYBIRD15” at checkout!

The above locations are our initial 2016 stops in the US. If you’re from a place that you don’t see up there, but you really want to get certified, then contact us at info@blogilates.com and tell us where you’re from. (International POPsters can get certified in our POP Pilates Online Workshop – PPOW) If you own a gym or are friends with a gym owner, and you’re able to secure a studio space for us to come and hold a training, then it will increase your chances of getting us over there. Either way, everything is possible and we want to do our best to get you certified and a part of the POP Army!

Every member of the POP Army gets this Official Instructor Bracelet.

Finally, I need to thank this lovely lady right here. This is my POP Pilates Program Director, Jules Fultz who teaches a ROCKIN’ POP Pilates class in Texas! If you live in the Austin area, you guys need to go find her and take her class at 24 Hour Fitness! She’s full of sparkle with a genuine, loving soul. I only add people to my team who really get us POPsters. And she gets the Blogilates philosophy for real – so don’t you worry, she’s “one of us”! Haha. Also, she’s been teaching group fitness for over 25 YEARS (legend!) and worked with me to create the scientific, fool-proof education behind our POP Pilates manual, choreography, and the Master Trainer program.

Many of you will get to meet Jules when you attend the trainings – you may see her name listed. Go follow her on Instagram @julefultz – she always does the Blogilates challenges and provides modifications for most poses that I ask you guys to do!

Finally, for anyone who may be confused as to where to sign up for POP Pilates trainings, the only valid place to do it is on poppilateslife.com. POP Pilates and myself are no longer affiliated with NAFC and split ways with them last year for reasons that I hope to one day be able to share with you. Do not sign up with NAFC or any other site, as all those training programs are infringing on my trademark and their training program is not up to date or correct. You will also not have access to our new killer manual and our mind-blowing choreography that is released every quarter if you sign up there. If you are confused, please email info@blogilates.com and we can help you get what you need.

We’re here to help YOU become a successful POP Pilates instructor so that you can spread the POP magic! That is all that matters!

Yay! Now tell me, where are you from? Comment below!