tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6613509662340642452024-03-13T12:30:46.450-07:00The Val BlogTips and strategies to get fit and live healthy!Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-22463088321729437162009-05-07T15:01:00.001-07:002009-05-07T15:03:41.835-07:00I Want My Bikini Body - Sneak Peek!!The girls from <a href="http://www.diet.com">Diet.com</a> stopped by a couple weeks ago to get a sneak peek at one of my upcoming <a href="http://www.iwantmybikinibody.com"> "I Want My Bikini Body" </a>workouts . . . <br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/meANVksJ5ZU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/meANVksJ5ZU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />Like what you see?<br />This is just a small sample of what's you can expect from the "I Want My Bikini Body" workouts.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.iwantmybikinibody.com">"I Want My Bikini Body"</a> is coming Monday, May 18th!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.iwantmybikinibody.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgNaYY350qI/AAAAAAAAAPA/5qQOyw10iOA/s320/bikinibanner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333205758777086626" /></a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-50736023387832739282009-05-05T10:27:00.000-07:002009-05-05T11:17:03.778-07:00Happy Cinco De Mayo!Today on the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by native Mexican (and American) people everywhere. This observance of the Cinco de Mayo victory is a special symbol for all Mexican people who celebrate their rights of freedom and liberty. In the spirit of this holiday I'm sharing 3 of my favorite Mexican recipes, ole!<br /><br />I love mexican food! I could eat it every day at any meal. However, if you're eating your basic American/Mexican (you know, cheese quesadillas, enchiladas, taquitos, and chips) you are seriously de-railing your chance for a bikini body anytime soon. Fortunately, there is a way to get your Mexican food fix without having to fall off the <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> track.<br /><br />Here are 3 of my favorite Mexican recipes - one for each meal of the day!<br />The third recipe (and what I believe to be the best recipe) is brought to you by my good friend and <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> contributor, Gavan, <a href="http://www.thehealthyirishman.com">The Healthy Irishman</a>.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">For Breasfast: Val's Easy Breakfast Taco<br /></span><br />Servings: 1<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />1-2 corn tortillas<br />1/2 cup of Eggology or 3-4 egg whites<br />1 tablespoon shredded cheese<br />1 tablespoon of salsa<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What To Do:</span><br />Spray Pam in a non-stick pan and heat the pan on medium.<br />Add the egg whites and cheese, and turn the heat to low.<br />Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.<br />Meanwhile, heat tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds.<br />Serve the cooked egg whites in the tortillas, top with salsa, and enjoy!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgB-dAHpoeI/AAAAAAAAAOg/GA2yeMCf7ks/s1600-h/img_0042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgB-dAHpoeI/AAAAAAAAAOg/GA2yeMCf7ks/s320/img_0042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332400995520061922" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">For Lunch: Ay Caramba! Chicken Salad</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />1 Chicken Breast<br />2 cups of roughly chopped lettuce<br />1/2 chopped tomato<br />1/4 of an avocado, sliced<br />1 tablespoon of shredded cheese<br />1 tablespoon of prepared salsa<br />1 tablespoon dressing of choice<br />Chipotle seasoning by Mrs. Dash<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What To Do:</span><br />Pound the chicken breast to make grilling faster.<br />Season your chicken with Mrs. Dash Chipotle spice, and grill on the BBQ or in a stove top grill pan, on medium/high until the meat is fully cooked through (about 8 minutes total).<br />Allow the chicken to cool off before chopping.<br />Assemble your salad - lettuce, tomato, and you dressing of choice.<br />Place the chopped chicken on top of your salad and then add cheese, salsa, and avocado.<br />Enjoy!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgCAlWFRl5I/AAAAAAAAAOo/mJ-Rf3B_4_4/s1600-h/DSCN1011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgCAlWFRl5I/AAAAAAAAAOo/mJ-Rf3B_4_4/s320/DSCN1011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332403337877886866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">For Dinner: Cinco de Mayo Red Snapper Veracruz</span><br />All recipes are made with the finest quality farmers’ market whole foods, natural and non-processed ingredients.<br /><a href="http://www.thehealthyirishman.com">www.TheHealthyIrishman.com</a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.</span><br /><br />Veracruz is a central Mexican city on the Gulf of Mexico. Food is the passion of virtually everyone who lives there and seafood in particular, is eaten all through out the day. This sauce, although Mediterranean in style, is a classic dish from this area and goes down as a treat with all the locals. You'll love how easy this is and the taste--man, outrageous!<br /><br />RECIPE: Serves 4<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />4 x 5 oz Red Snapper fillets<br />1/2 cup white onion - fine dice<br />2 garlic cloves - minced<br />1/2 large Jalapeno - cut in 1/2 lengthwise<br />28 oz can crushed tomatoes<br />1/4 cup green olives - pitted, chopped<br />2 tbsp capers - drained & chopped<br />1/4 cup fresh oregano - chopped<br />2 bay leaves<br />2 tbsp olive oil<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Directions:</span><br />Preheat skillet on medium heat for 1 minute. Add olive oil. Saute onion for 1 minute, stirring. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add chopped tomatoes, olives, capers, oregano and bay leaves. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer on low until sauce begins to reduce and thicken about 25 minutes approx. Taste and season.<br />Preheat oven to 425F. Lay 4 tbsp of the cooked sauce in bottom of baking dish. Season each snapper fillet with S&P and place fish on top of sauce. Spoon remaining sauce over each fillet and bake uncovered for 15-18 minutes, until fish is firm to touch.<br />Fresh, simple, healthy and muy delicioso! (says the Irishman)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgCBeSM3l1I/AAAAAAAAAOw/eDeik3lik-E/s1600-h/3485545740_824004a4ec.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SgCBeSM3l1I/AAAAAAAAAOw/eDeik3lik-E/s320/3485545740_824004a4ec.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332404316088538962" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.redcarpetready.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 246px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sf9Od1PpoiI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Q-J5Ig39MrI/s320/rcrbanner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332066758245851682" /></a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-7966227573825908362009-05-04T12:43:00.000-07:002009-05-04T17:14:22.680-07:00Secrets Of The Red CarpetOne of the perks of being a celebrity trainer is that something you get to go to movie premiere. Last week and I had the good fortune of attending the premiere of "Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past", starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. I loved this romantic comedy about a notorious photographer (McConaughey) with a bad boy reputation of loving beautiful women and dumping them when they fall in love with him. On the eve of his brothers wedding, the infamous bachelor is haunted by the ghosts of his past girlfriends and gets a huge wake up call.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sf9L0qrVLBI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/isXaB3vVmEk/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sf9L0qrVLBI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/isXaB3vVmEk/s320/16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332063852011269138" /></a><br /><br />Jennifer was radiant in the movie, and luminous on the Red Carpet - just 3 and a half months after giving birth. While celebrities have resources that might not be as readily available to most of us, there are some secrets that can have you on your way to looking Red Carpet Ready.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sf9Ld1McfmI/AAAAAAAAAOI/oLZ5RczIjOk/s1600-h/610x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sf9Ld1McfmI/AAAAAAAAAOI/oLZ5RczIjOk/s320/610x.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332063459697524322" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Start Now</span><br />Jennifer knew months ago when this premiere would be, so we circled it on the calendar and started exercising a few weeks after Serafina was born. In the weeks in between, other press opportunities came up. Fortunately, we had not delayed getting started. You may not have a movie premiere coming up, but with Summer fast approaching, you may be invited to the beach or a pool party. How would you feel if you were asked to put on a bikini, today? It's possible that you would skip the event or keep yourself covered up if you did attend. Then don't wait! Start a comprehensive fitness program such as <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> today, and notice results in less than 2 weeks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Eat Better</span><br />You cannot look and feel your best if you are eating junk. You will see the most dramatic weight loss if you eliminate processed foods and refined carbohydrates.<br />- Focus on real food<br />- Eat 5-6 times per day (3 meals, and 2-3 snacks)<br />- Include a small portion of protein and a large portion of veggies at each serving<br />- Get adequate fiber, this means 25-30 grams, spread throughout the day<br />- Drink lots of water. About 80-100 ounces/day<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Be Accountable</span><br />People are more likely to stay committed to their diet and exercise program when they have someone to be accountable to (this is part of the reason personal trainers are so popular). Try getting a workout buddy, or creating your own blog, so that you can share your progress and your slip ups. Online communities and forums are also very popular for the very same reason. Many of the women in my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> Club find the support they receive to be invaluable. Regardless which avenue you choose, you are more likely to stick with it if you have someone counting on you, and visa versa. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.redcarpetready.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 246px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sf9Od1PpoiI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Q-J5Ig39MrI/s320/rcrbanner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332066758245851682" /></a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-54456929091286915482009-04-30T09:49:00.000-07:002009-04-30T13:44:02.411-07:00Red Carpet Ready on E! News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sfn-MhpMnNI/AAAAAAAAANo/BppQuFme7kc/s1600-h/enews.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 148px; height: 249px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sfn-MhpMnNI/AAAAAAAAANo/BppQuFme7kc/s320/enews.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330571125112741074" /></a><br /><br /><br />As many of you might already know, I have a segment airing on E! News every Monday. I am coaching 2 women (Julie & Maria) to lose weight and reach their fitness goals. The girls have been following my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> program and both of them have seen amazing results. Maria has already lost 20 pounds, and Julie is down a could dress sizes, in just 6 weeks!! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SfnoXZv3MCI/AAAAAAAAANg/LWe1iCsJrzk/s1600-h/egirls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SfnoXZv3MCI/AAAAAAAAANg/LWe1iCsJrzk/s320/egirls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330547122715963426" /></a><br />I'm so proud of Julie and all of her hard work. Julie started the program with no exercise experience and struggled through the first couple weeks. Now, she is starting to enjoy the process and has been successful in making Red Carpet Ready a part of her new and healthy lifestyle.<br /><br />Maria, while familiar with exercising, found out that in order to see <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> results she needed to increase the intensity of her workouts. Additionally, Maria enjoys going out with her friends and co-workers, so it was an initial challenge for her to get over the hump of Happy Hour temptations. However, she is now able to make smart choices when it comes to her diet, even when eating out.<br /><br />In an upcoming segment, my friend Gavan - The Healthy Irishman - stops by to show the girls, and E! News viewers some delicious and healthy meals that anyone can cook in the comfort of their own home. I'll be sure to keep you posted!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.redcarpetready.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 244px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SfoErDwE2UI/AAAAAAAAAOA/xhxOMALOEdg/s320/rcrbanner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330578246734240066" /></a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-39800341969699122592009-04-22T13:14:00.000-07:002009-04-22T16:29:29.161-07:00Happy Earth DayEarth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. With all the talk about global warming and the current condition of our Earth, we have to wonder: what can we do to help protect our planet? There are organizations online that offer the opportunity to adopt a rainforest, or donate money to preserve our wildlife, but what would you say if I offered a suggestion that would help you lose weight, save you money, and help the environment all at once?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bring your lunch to work.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Se99EbDkFZI/AAAAAAAAANY/EtE3DvaowNc/s1600-h/lunchbox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Se99EbDkFZI/AAAAAAAAANY/EtE3DvaowNc/s320/lunchbox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327614399138239890" /></a><br />Believe it or not, something as simple as bringing your lunch to work can reduce your carbon footprint - which means that you can be proud of yourself on Earth Day (and every day) that you're not contributing to the 1.8 million tons of trash created by the packaging that take-out food comes in. That's a whole lotta trash!! An added bonus is that you're not only helping preserve Earth's environment, you're also saving yourself the money of eating out. If you were to eat out during the work week, let's say spending $7 a day on your eats, you'll be saving yourself a whopping $140 a month by bringing your lunch to work! Additionally, you'll be sparing your body the aftermath of what you might have consumed had you gotten your fast food fix. Even if you were attempting to make a healthier decision by heading to Subway for a tuna sandwich, you'd be consuming around 700 to 800 calories (that's after the drink and bag of chips to make your meal a combo). By packing your own lunch, you will be much more aware of what you're putting in your body and therefore less likely to overdo the sodium, fat, carbohydrates, and overall calories. So come Summer, not only will you be rockin' your hot <a href="http://www.iwantmybikinibody.com">bikini bod</a>y, you'll know that you've done your part to preserve the planet we live on.Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-38018989085863932752009-04-20T12:04:00.000-07:002009-04-20T15:42:03.863-07:00Kicking Off Motivational MondaysThis past weekend in LA was truly spectacular - it was a little taste of Summer! Many people were enjoying their time on the beach, soaking up the sun. If the thought of being in a bikini has you in a bit of a panic, don't worry, my "<a href="http://www.iwantmybikinibody.com">I Want My Bikini Body"</a>, the ultimate beach beach body workout, is coming soon. <a href="http://www.iwantmybikinibody.com">These workouts</a> will help you burn excess body fat, flatten and tighten your belly, lift and shape your butt, and tone your arms. Some of the girls in my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready Club</a> have been sampling these workouts for the past couple weeks, and loving them. Here is what one of them had to say:<br /><br />"Oh, my gosh. What an incredible workout! In my opinion, this workout was one of the most intense workouts, but incredibly enjoyable ... I loved this workout. I liked the combination of valslide/valband cardio, traditional strength and then the sculpting exercises. Val, I cannot tell you how excited I am to get this ebook. I think my body will really respond well to these workouts."<br />-Jennifer Hardy<br /><br />Since my beach body workouts aren't quite ready for release, I wanted to provide another form of motivation to get everyone fired up for Summer - it's just 5 weeks away!! I've found that we often respond very well to a visual stimulus of what we hope to achieve in terms of goals having to do with how we look. Taking that into consideration, here are what I believe to be bikini worthy bodies:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sez6IhYz0RI/AAAAAAAAANQ/vduWGEtrJ8w/s1600-h/mini-kim-kardashian-bikini-1-04.0.0.0x0.432x615.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sez6IhYz0RI/AAAAAAAAANQ/vduWGEtrJ8w/s320/mini-kim-kardashian-bikini-1-04.0.0.0x0.432x615.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326907483580780818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sez6IZHyyTI/AAAAAAAAANI/U52SpN-5-hk/s1600-h/janiston.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sez6IZHyyTI/AAAAAAAAANI/U52SpN-5-hk/s320/janiston.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326907481361926450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sez6IaACubI/AAAAAAAAANA/K8XB78JzM20/s1600-h/cindy_crawford_L.0.0.0x0.432x485.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/Sez6IaACubI/AAAAAAAAANA/K8XB78JzM20/s320/cindy_crawford_L.0.0.0x0.432x485.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326907481597852082" /></a><br /><br /><br />All of three of these women have made diet & exercise a priority in their life, and it shows!Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-23484856906504349562009-04-17T11:57:00.001-07:002009-04-17T12:23:14.515-07:00Your $30 TreadmillWant to get a kick-butt, heart thumping cardio workout without going to the gym, or having to spend $3000 on a treadmill? I specialize in fast pace circuits that burn a ton of calories, while sculpting a lean and sexy physique. <br /><br />Here is a new workout that I created to beat beach body panic and to get you bikini ready in time for Summer. You might be skeptical and wondering how the workout below is going to take the place of a treadmill, but trust me on this one. The combination of these exercises will get your heart rate up and I promise, you will feel this all throughout your body!<br />All you need are your <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslides</a> and about 8 square feet. You might want to also have a bottle of water, because you're going to get thirsty!!<br /><br />Take a few minutes to warm up, and then get ready to SWEAT:<br /><br />Squats - 20 reps<br />Skater Jumps - 20 reps<br />Valslide Reverse Lunge - 20 reps (each leg)<br />Valslide Side Lunge - 20 reps (each leg)<br />Valslide Tricep Push-Up - 10 reps<br />Valslide Mountain Climber - 20 reps<br />Valslide Painful Push Away - 20 reps<br />Valslide Sliding Crunch - 20 rpes<br /><br />Do this circuit 3-4 times, with 1-2 minutes rest in between each circuit<br /><br />To find out more information about the Valslide, visit <a href="http://www.valslide.com">www.Valslide.com</a><br /><br />In you're interested in additional workouts, such as the one featured in this blog, be sure to check out my e-book Red Carpet Ready at <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">www.RedCarpetReady.com</a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-17323257730352386512009-04-06T13:37:00.000-07:002009-04-07T12:21:49.075-07:0025 Random Things About ValA few weeks ago I got tagged on Facebook with with a chain letter message. Unlike a typical chain letter, this one required me to fill in 25 things about myself that most people may not know, and then continue the chain by tagging my friends with my post. I had a lot of fun filling this out and thought it would be even more fun to share with you, 25 random things about me!<br /><br /><br />1. It's been more than 18 years and I still get a thrill out of training clients. I love seeing their lives change as a result of becoming more fit.<br /><br />2. I believe in manifesting, karma, and intuition.<br /><br />3. Lessons I learned at High School track practice still influence me today.<br /><br />4. I grew up in "The OC".<br /><br />5. Cindy Crawford was my first celebrity client, and we worked together for 15 years.<br /><br />6. I used to eat Tom Ramen or Taco Bell Bean Burritos nearly everyday (fortunately, I got over this!).<br /><br />7. I work at being motivated to exercise. I often remind myself of my motto, "You are only one workout away from a good mood", to get myself to the gym.<br /><br />8. I love my dogs, Cody & Lexi, and feel so blessed to have them. They bring me joy each day.<br /><br />9. Growing up, I owned a horse.<br /><br />10. I love to surf, even though I'm afraid of waves over waist high, I am afraid of running into someone, I don't like seaweed and I freak out when fish touch me. In spite of these issues, I keep trying.<br /><br />11. I prefer "1 on 1" or small groups rather than big parties or events.<br /><br />12. Mexican food is my favorite!! I could eat it everyday.<br /><br />13. I love Twitter! Twitter changed my life - follow me at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/valeriewaters">www.twitter.com/valeriewaters</a>.<br /><br />14. You will never find me at a horror movie. I don't even like seeing the commercials or trailers for them. They give me nightmares.<br /><br />15. My parents had a small garden when I was a kid. I think it is so cool that I was able to watch things grow, pull them from the ground, and eat them for dinner. One Halloween, we planted the seed from our Jack O Lantern, and about 10 months later we have a gazillion pumpkins. We made pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins,pumpkin pie, and more!<br /><br />16. I am very proud to have created <a href="http://www.valslide.com">The Valslide</a>. This very simple exercise tool can add dozens of new exercises to your repertoire.<br /><br />17. I love to read. Recent favorites are: The Outliers (by Malcom Gladwell), Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul (And, of Course, Surfing) (by Laird Hamilton), and Words That Work (by Frank Luntz)<br /><br />18. I used to be a workaholic. I am so much happier and healthier since I cut back.<br /><br />19. Kauai is my favorite place. One of my best friends owns a company called <a href="http://www.purekauai.com/">Pure Kauai</a> that provides luxury health and fitness services. I go at least once a year to surf and take in the beauty of the island. <br /><br />20. I attend a lot of trainer conferences such as Perform Better, to learn new stuff, but also so that I can run with my tribe.<br /><br />21. I love LA! I am truly a sunshine girl.<br /><br />22. I stepped into a weight room for the first time at the age of 15. I haven't stopped lifting since!<br /><br />23. As a trainer, the people who have inspired me the most are Mike Boyle, Alwyn Cosgrove, Gray Cook, and Mark Verstegen.<br /><br />24. I have a love/hate relationship with Yoga. I love how good it makes me feel when I'm done, I love my instructor, and I know it's good for me. But, it is still torture while I'm there. I would rather be lifting weights.<br /><br />25. Favorite Sundays go something like this: Wake up and have coffee, walk the dogs, go surfing, take a hot shower, eat a mexican breakfast, crawl back into bed and read/nap (Cody & Lexi like this part too!), go to farmers market, go to yoga, see a movie with a friend.Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-32102683269979771132009-04-03T15:41:00.000-07:002009-04-06T18:53:16.064-07:00Hooray for New Playlists!I am off the gym with my IPOD filled with a new playlist that one of my clients sent me. I always feel like my workouts go up a notch when I have new music I love. Check it out and let me know what you think!
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Val's Latest Playlist</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"> <object width="435" height="270"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D61818085%26t%3D1239069023&wid=os"></param> <embed style="width:435px; visibility:visible; height:270px;" allowScriptAccess="never" src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http://www.indimusic.us/loadplaylist.php?playlist=61818085&t=1239069023&wid=os" width="435" height="270" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0"/> </object> <br/> <a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/create_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Get a playlist!"/></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/standalone/61818085" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/launch_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Standalone player"/></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/download/61818085"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/get_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Get Ringtones"/></a> </div>
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<br />If you need some extra motivation right now, the girls in my Red Carpet Ready Club have a Bikini Challenge going on. Come join in on the fun at <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">www.RedCarpetReady.com</a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-37183604676624098432009-04-02T13:40:00.001-07:002009-04-02T15:39:36.418-07:00Celebrating The ValslideOne of the things I enjoy most is getting e-mails from customers sharing with me how pleased they are with their <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslides</a>. I designed the <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a> with simplicity in mind, and knew that this effective exercise tool would provide results in record time. It makes me feel so great when <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a> users contact me to share their positive feedback and their love for my product.On that note, about a month ago I opened this e-mail:<br /><br /><br />Hi Val,<br /><br />I just had to write & thank you!<br />I have worked out my whole life. Everything from step aerobics (way back when), yoga, pilates, weights, the ball, the bean, etc. etc. Although, I was blessed with great genes, I always disliked my little pooch of a stomach and the lack of a backside. (I am 5'5 and about 118 lbs since forever.) <br /><br />I was never able to rid myself of the little shelf I called my stomach no matter how hard I tried. I just figured that's the way I was born.<br /><br />Well, at 44, thanks to less than three months of the Valslide, I have a different body! I have a butt and a defined, flatter midriff which just amazes me!<br /><br />I absolutely love my Valslides and tell everyone about them. I am a true believer!<br /><br />Thank you, Val!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Hallie H.<br /><br /><br /><br />When I read this e-mail, it makes me so happy! The <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslides</a> really can change your body, and they do really work. No matter what other workouts you've tried, you will not be disappointed with the results you see from using the <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a>.<br /><br />Because the Valslide is such a versatile exercise tool, I'm always coming up with new exercises. The latest new move, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Valslide Reverse Lunge With A Reach</span>, is a modification of the original (and highly effective) Valslide Reverse Lunge - check out the video below.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OOSKECVmuIk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OOSKECVmuIk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-54268111806341720292009-03-31T14:22:00.000-07:002009-04-01T12:14:36.337-07:00Val's Top 5 Bikini Body ShortcutsSpring has sprung, and bikini season will be here before we know it. Can you imagine yourself on the beach in a bikini? If that thought has you mortified then read on for my "Top 5 Bikini Body Shortcuts".<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Start Now!</span><br />Don't wait for Monday or until you're less busy, stressed, tired, etc. You can make simple changes right now that will have you feeling bikini ready by June. <br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kitchen Purge.</span><br />This is a great place to start. If you've decided that you're ready to get a bikini body, then it helps to take immediate action. Get a large trash bag and throw out all the junk. This includes cookies, crackers, white rice, bread and pasta, sodas, peanut butter that isn't all natural, and any other overly processes food. The reason for this is to eliminate temptation. I believe that if you have to rely on willpower, your program will ultimately fail. If your trigger food is not in the house when a craving hits, you are far less likely to eat it. If you want to be bikini ready, you will need to learn how to eat "clean". In my book, <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a>, I share with you the best foods to have on hand, but to get you going, choose foods with few ingredients, ie. chicken breast, spinach, eggs, oats, apples ... you get the idea.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Strength Train.</span><br />The best shortcut to a bikini body is to use resistance. It can be body weight, stretchy bands, machines, or free weights. My specially designed circuits will blast fat and create sexy curves in record time. You can do them at home or at the gym, so there is no excuse!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Val's Sample Circuit:</span><br /><br />Valband side to side hops (20 reps)<br />Single leg reach across (15 reps)<br />Valslide reverse lunge with 2 arm row (12 reps, each side)<br />Dumbbell chest press with twist (15 reps x 10lbs)<br />Stability ball roll-aways (15 reps)<br />Crunches on stability ball (20 reps)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">**do circuit 3 times**</span><br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Be Accountable.</span><br />One of the reasons I am so successful with getting clients in shape is that I hold them accountable. I have my clients write down the foods they are eating and I review this with them. While not everyone has a trainer to be held accountable to, the Red Carpet Ready Club (members' forum) does an amazing job. As one <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> member said, "The forum is one of the first things I think of when I might get off track with my eating or exercise. To know that everyone is supporting me and cheering me on towards success keeps me motivated to stay on track, be accountable for my workouts and think twice before I eat something I know I shouldn't" -Nikki<br />Get 2 months free access to the <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> Club when you purchase the e-book at <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">www.RedCarpetReady.com</a><br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Get Valslides.</span><br />The <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a> was voted "Best Stability Trainer" by Men's Health magazine for good reason. The <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide </a>will accelerate the results of any fitness program and will add dozens of new exercises to your repertoire. You will be amazed at how fun yet challenging using the<a href="http://www.valslide.com"> Valslides</a> can be. Get yours at <a href="http://www.valslide.com">www.Valslide.com</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SdO7WRFeg4I/AAAAAAAAAM4/i6Sof8HHVFA/s1600-h/01VALERIE_116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SdO7WRFeg4I/AAAAAAAAAM4/i6Sof8HHVFA/s200/01VALERIE_116.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319801576072577922" /></a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-7856925560484658932009-03-17T16:21:00.001-07:002009-03-17T17:11:57.295-07:00Happy St. Patrick's DaySt. Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland observed to commemorate one of their patron Saints. Here in the US we've taken it upon ourselves to use the day as an excuse to turn things green. <br /><br />To show my holiday spirit on St. Patrick's Day, here are a few of my favorite and not so favorite green things:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA0GyjCAfI/AAAAAAAAAMA/OiRX9qm_oLY/s1600-h/st-patricks_dogs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA0GyjCAfI/AAAAAAAAAMA/OiRX9qm_oLY/s200/st-patricks_dogs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314304851549749746" /></a><br />Cody & Lexi wearing GREEN bandanas to show their holiday spirit! (a favorite)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA3g73EXfI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/PDi4spYehjs/s1600-h/Green_bagel.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA3g73EXfI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/PDi4spYehjs/s200/Green_bagel.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314308599261191666" /></a><br />GREEN Bagels, NOT a favorite. Bagels are not on the <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> plan when they are NOT green, so adding the food coloring just doesn't help!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA4Y5prW1I/AAAAAAAAAMY/ze-HN4fXY2M/s1600-h/VALSLIDE_059.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA4Y5prW1I/AAAAAAAAAMY/ze-HN4fXY2M/s200/VALSLIDE_059.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314309560740830034" /></a><br />Show your St. Patrick's Day spirit by taking your <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslides</a> (they're GREEN and a total favorite) to the gym with you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA4x3siwGI/AAAAAAAAAMg/Me4SkIKvvlE/s1600-h/Green_eggs.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA4x3siwGI/AAAAAAAAAMg/Me4SkIKvvlE/s200/Green_eggs.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314309989712707682" /></a><br />GREEN Eggs & No Ham - delicious and <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Read</a>y. How could this not be a favorite?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA0ypJLl1I/AAAAAAAAAMI/qcQeLAklbQM/s1600-h/green_beer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA0ypJLl1I/AAAAAAAAAMI/qcQeLAklbQM/s200/green_beer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314305604939650898" /></a><br />GREEN Beer, NOT a favorite and NOT great if you want to look<a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com"> Red Carpet Ready</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA5R7-klJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/16WauH4ItDo/s1600-h/green_smoothie.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/ScA5R7-klJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/16WauH4ItDo/s200/green_smoothie.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314310540617880722" /></a><br />The Luck of The Irish Tropical GREEN Smoothie. Nutritious, delicious, GREEN & a favorite!<br /><br />I've listed below the recipes for the Green Eggs and the Green Smoothie, enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Green Eggs & No Ham (serves 1)</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />1-3 egg whites OR 1/2 cup Eggology liquid egg whites<br />1 green onion (chopped) including the green part but reserve the green part for topping<br />3 cooked asparagus spears (I used grilled asparagus from a left over dinner, but you could easily microwave 3 spears in about 30 seconds)<br />A bit of cheese (I used about 2 tsps of goat cheese but any or none will do)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Directions:</span><br />Spray skillet with Pam cooking spray and heat to med-high.<br />Add green onions and cook until it begins to wild (1-2 minutes).<br />Meanwhile, whisk egg whites with a teaspoon of water and salt & pepper.<br />Add the chopped asparagus spears and give a bit of a stir.<br />Add the egg whites and turn heat to low.<br />Gently stir your mixture and add the cheese.<br />Cook for about 2 minutes.<br />Top with green part of the green onion.<br />*Serve with fruit or 1 piece of Ezekial toast<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Luck of The Irish Tropical Green Smoothie (serves 2)</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />2 big handfuls of raw spinach<br />1 mango<br />1 banana<br />1 cup of water<br />Some ice cubes<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Directions:</span><br />Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-13256360070093006722009-03-16T15:39:00.000-07:002009-03-16T18:17:50.705-07:00Valslides In The Media<a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslides</a>' popularity is growing!!<br /><br />In the past month alone, <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslides</a> have been featured in Men's Health magazine (pg.92), on an E! News segment, and on a television show in the UK called "Superzise Super Skinny", which swamped us with international orders.<br /><br />In celebration of Valslides success, I made you a video with two new exercises:<br /><a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a> Reverse Lunge to Overhead Lift<br /><a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a> Tricep Push-Up<br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hpli4aWXOwc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hpli4aWXOwc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-17730911072203700162009-01-29T18:35:00.000-08:002009-02-18T10:06:15.552-08:00Scoring BIG on Super Bowl SundayThe Menu:<br />Val's "Holy Mole" Guacamole - Baked Chips - Spicy Buffalo Chicken Strips served with Celery & Carrot Sticks along with Blue Cheese Dip - Spinach & Artichoke Dip - Val's Black Bean Soup - Val's Beef & Raisin Chili - Chocolate Covered Strawberries<br /><br />Super Bowl Sunday isn’t a day associated with healthy eating. In fact, some say that the idea of a healthy Super Bowl Sunday is an oxymoron. The Super Bowl is more than a football event, it has become an eating event. It should come as no surprise that after Thanksgiving, Americans eat the greatest amount of food on Super Bowl Sunday. Let’s keep in mind that when we say “food” we are referring to fried finger treats, hot & spicy buffalo wings, loaded nachos, pizza, and a variety of chips & dips (just to name a few). According to the Calorie Control Council, “the average Super Bowl armchair quarterback will consume 1200 calories and 50 grams of fat”, and that’s just from snacking. Factor in your meals for the super day and you’re not headed for a touchdown or even a field goal, but 2500 calories or more --- not the makings of a MVP.<br /><br />Everyone knows that the proper execution of any play requires a game plan. Super Bowl Sunday eats are no different. To ensure that the men are satisfied and that the ladies can still fit into their jeans the day after the big game, I’ve put together some tasty Super Bowl recipes that wont threaten your waistline or your mans taste buds. To ensure that everything runs smoothly on Sunday, and that you score big with the crowd, here’s the game plan:<br /><br />The day before Super Bowl, make the Beef & Raisin Chili and the Black Bean Soup. This way, you’re not stuck in the kitchen during game day. Plus, both of these delicious recipes taste even better the day after they’re cooked. I didn’t think they could taste any better than they already do, but trust me! On Sunday, all you’ll have to do is place your soup and chili on low heat over the stove an hour before the game, and they’re ready to serve. The Black Bean Soup is a perfect option for vegetarians, but I can guarantee that non-vegetarians will love this soup too. <br /><br />VAL'S BEEF & RAISIN CHILI<br />Servings: 8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br />A little over 1 lb of lean ground beef<br />Vegetable Oil<br />1 whole red onion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSbFsPHhVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/BFzRIMLW42I/s1600-h/DSCN0760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSbFsPHhVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/BFzRIMLW42I/s200/DSCN0760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270507986006541650" border="0" /></a><br />1 cup of sliced mushrooms<br />2 stalks of celery<br />1 cup California Raisins (secret ingredient!)<br />1 - 28 oz. can whole tomatoes<br />2 - 28 oz. crushed tomatoes<br /> 1 small can of sliced olives<br /> 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)<br /> 1 Teaspoon garlic salt or garlic powder (optional)<br /> 3 Tablespoons cumin<br /> 3 Tablespoons chili powder<br /> 1 Teaspoon of ground clove<br /> Salt<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br />Brown the ground beef over the stove in a little bit of vegetable oil. Be sure to break up the meat so that it browns evenly and cooks thoroughly. In a separate pot on the stove, combine chopped red onion, chopped celery stalks, and sliced mushrooms with a little vegetable oil.<br /><br />Once the ground beef has browned, drain the excess fat and add to the pot with onions, celery, and mushrooms. Mix in chili powder, cumin, garlic salt or garlic powder (optional), ground clove, sugar (optional), and salt to taste.<br /><br />Stir in crushed tomatoes with the meat, vegetables and spices. Add the whole tomatoes to your chili pot, making sure to break up the tomatoes as you stir them in. Mix in small can of sliced olives and California Raisins<br /><br />Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce and allow to simmer for at least an hour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSb0yGRfII/AAAAAAAAAJw/3vROzj0S-tI/s1600-h/DSCN0770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 258px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSb0yGRfII/AAAAAAAAAJw/3vROzj0S-tI/s200/DSCN0770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270508795033910402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br />Garnish with shredded cheese (optional) & serve hot<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />VAL'S BLACK BEAN SOUP<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br />1 tablespoon olive oil<br />2 (15oz) cans of black beans<br />1 cup of chopped celery<br />¾ large onion, chopped<br />2 cups of water<br />2 teaspoons of finely chopped jalepeno<br />2 cloves of garlic, minced<br />¼ cup of cilantro, chopped<br />1 teaspoon of ground cumin<br />1 (14.5 oz) can of Rotel (tomatoes with green chili’s)<br />Red pepper chili flakes<br />Soy Bac-o-Bits (optional for garnish)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br />Combine ¾ of the beans with ¾ of the tomatoes, and water in a large non stick pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and use an immersion blender to puree contents in the pot. *if you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer mixture to a blender and pulse until well pureed.<br /><br />Add the celery, onions, jalepeno pepper, garlic, cumin, along with the remaining beans, and remaining tomatoes. Season with black pepper and red pepper flakes. Cover pot, leaving lip slightly ajar to allow the steam to escape, and reduce heat to low.<br /><br />Simmer 25 to 30 minutes (or until vegetables are tender)<br /><br />Serve soup while still hot, and top with Soy Bac-o-Bits or real Bacon Bits (optional)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYJw9MAzmFI/AAAAAAAAALI/fhx5j-4NPgU/s1600-h/blkbean.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYJw9MAzmFI/AAAAAAAAALI/fhx5j-4NPgU/s320/blkbean.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296920308240062546" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On the day before the game, be sure to also prepare you veggies. Wash & slice the vegetables you'll be serving with your blue cheese dip/dressing and those you'll be serving with the Spinach & Artichoke dip. You can separate your cut up veggies in plastic bags or containers and place them in the fridge until you're ready to set them out the next day. The chicken that you'll be using for your Spicy Buffalo Chicken Strips can be marinated on the day before to ensure that they are juicy and savory when served during Super Bowl. Also, fully prepare your Spinach & Artichoke dip and refrigerate it - on the the day of the game all you have to do is heat it up,add Parmesan cheese on the top and place under the broiler (just enough to melt the cheese). The only item that you'll be preparing on Super Bowl Sunday is the Guacamole, which should take you no longer than 5 to 10 minutes - I'm all about keeping it simple! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP<br />Servings: 8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br />1 can (14oz) artichoke hearts in water, rinsed, drained, and coarsely chopped<br />4oz reduced-fat bar cream cheese<br />¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan<br />1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice<br />1 small garlic clove, chopped<br />1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper<br />2 scallions, sliced<br />1 package (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry<br />Raw veggies for dipping (red & yellow bell peppers, asparagus, carrots, celery, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br />Place half the artichokes in a food processor; add cream cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, cayenne pepper, and 3 tablespoons of water. Process until smooth.<br /><br />Add scallions, remaining artichokes and spinach; pulse briefly. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. <br /><br />Top with Parmesan cheese (1 tablespoon) and place under broiler just until cheese has melted. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKCh69Sv8I/AAAAAAAAALY/TU9gZed5bgk/s1600-h/DSCN0914.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKCh69Sv8I/AAAAAAAAALY/TU9gZed5bgk/s320/DSCN0914.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296939631014756290" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SPICY BUFFALO CHICKEN STRIPS (Men's Health)<br />Servings: 2 (we had to taste these... but this recipe will yield more than is pictured below in final photo)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br />12 chicken tenders<br />3 teaspoons of honey<br />3 tablespoons of hot sauce <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKCwrE50JI/AAAAAAAAALg/sJhrrY2jx1c/s1600-h/DSCN0906.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKCwrE50JI/AAAAAAAAALg/sJhrrY2jx1c/s320/DSCN0906.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296939884449747090" /></a><br />2 tablespoons of low sodium Worcestershire sauce<br />1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic<br />1/2 teaspoons paprika<br />Blue Cheese Dressing, low in fat (Ken's Steak House Lite)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br /><br />Stir together the hot sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and paprika in a small bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds, stirring if the honey clumps.<br />Place the chicken and half of the spice mixture in a large ziplock bag and shake until coated. Refrigerate until you're ready to grill.<br /><br />When ready to cook the chicken, put the coated tenders on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, checking to make sure they're cooked sufficiently inside. Baste with the remaining spice mixture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKEiD9H8TI/AAAAAAAAAL4/fQUJNSV1zws/s1600-h/DSCN0912.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKEiD9H8TI/AAAAAAAAAL4/fQUJNSV1zws/s320/DSCN0912.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296941832453222706" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />VAL'S “Holy Molé” GUACAMOLE<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br />2 large avocados<br />2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped<br />1 teaspoon Jalepeno pepper, finely chopped<br />2 teaspoons Mexican spice<br />1 teaspoon garlic salt<br />½ teaspoon pepper<br />½ teaspoon salt<br />2 tablespoons salsa <br />1 tablespoon chopped cilantro<br />Juice of ½ to 1 lime<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br />Peel and mash 2 avocados, then add the remaining ingredients and mix well.<br />Garnish with cilantro & serve with baked chips, pita chips, and veggies. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKEIIoGUcI/AAAAAAAAALw/5Y3K9khQ0Yo/s1600-h/DSCN0909.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKEIIoGUcI/AAAAAAAAALw/5Y3K9khQ0Yo/s320/DSCN0909.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296941387030614466" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Don't think I forgot about dessert...<br />Chocolate covered strawberries, and you guessed it, prepare these delectable treats the night before the game. <br /><br />CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br />16 large strawberries (about 1lb)<br />2 4oz bars of dark chocolate<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br />Melt the chocolate either in the microwave or by using a double broiler.<br /><br />Wash the strawberries and make sure they have dried.<br />Dip each strawberry in the melted chocolate and then place on a cookie sheet that's been lined with parchment paper.<br /><br />Refrigerate until 1 hour before serving<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKDo8IefsI/AAAAAAAAALo/WvViukGuzjI/s1600-h/DSCN0921.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SYKDo8IefsI/AAAAAAAAALo/WvViukGuzjI/s320/DSCN0921.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296940851100810946" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I hope you enjoy the menu that I've put together for Super Bowl 2009. While you're enjoying these delicious and good for you eats, be sure to pay close attention to the commercials during the game ... the trailer for GI Joe (which features Action Hero Babe, Rachel Nichols) is scheduled to air right before kick off!!Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-5595443619920726102008-12-15T18:48:00.001-08:002008-12-15T19:19:22.391-08:00All I want for Christimas ... is a SUPER SEXY BODY!Why wait to January 1st to get your best body ever? Start now and you can have a jump start on every one else. There are a few things that will assure you are a success.<br /><br />1. You have to want it, baby! <br />There is a big difference between wishing you looked better and deciding right now, to get in shape. Make fitness a priority and your body and life will change.<br /><br />2. Have the right program. <br />It is obviously frustrating to work really hard, only to find that they program you were following produced little or no results - or worse, it bulked you up! If you like the toned and sexy look, favored by my Hollywood A-listers, then my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> system is for you. Check out my webshow, <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv">RCR TV</a>, and see how two "regular" women get in amazing shape using this program. <br /><br />3. Get support.<br />All of us at one time or another need encouragement or guidance to make sure we are on the right track and to cheer us on when we need it most. As part of my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a> system, you get 2 free months in the Red Carpet Ready Club. Here, not only will you find workouts, exercise videos, recipes, and motivation, you will also find a group of women dedicated to being in shape, and willing to help you on your journey.<br /><br />4. Motivation.<br />This comes in many forms. I think the biggest is a deadline, real or self imposed. Nothing lights a fire like deadline. Sometimes though, we need mini motivators like a great movie, a new workout outfit, or a new play list.<br />My current fave play list:<br /><br />1. Just Dance - Lady Gaga<br />2. Love Lockdown - Kanye West<br />3. Because The Night - Cascasda<br />4. Circus - Britney Spears<br />5. Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolf (Feat. Lil Wayne)<br />6. When I grow Up - Pussycat Dolls<br />7. Live Your Life - T.I. (Feat. Rihanna)<br />8. Hot & Cold - Katy Perry<br /><br /><br /><br />5. New equipment.<br />It is true that the body adapts, so we must continue to shake it up with new exercises. Try the <a href="http://www.valslide.com">Valslide</a>, which not only will accelerate your results, but give you dozens of new exercises. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.valslide.com">www.Valslide.com</a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-19635063717024210212008-12-02T11:35:00.000-08:002008-12-03T14:25:29.404-08:00The 3 Best Butt Exercises You Can Do At HomeNearly every client I work with wants to know if I can reshape their back side. They either want to pick it up, fill it out, slim it down, or make it rock solid. Fortunately for them, I consider this my specialty. Fortunately for <em>you</em>, I am going to share a few secrets. If you are already doing squats and lunges, then congratulations, you're off to a good start. Compound moves like these not only create size and shape for your butt, they also burn a ton of calories. The problem is, these exercises also develop the quads. That's no problem if that's your goal, but what if it's not?<div> </div><br /><div>Before we get into my favorite butt exercises, lets start with some important information. </div><div> </div><br /><div>1. Even the best exercises in the world can't overcome a bad diet. If you have cellulite and/or excess body fat, I am willing to bet that you're eating too many refined carbohydrates. I can't emphasize enough, if you want to have a lean, sexy body (and a great butt!), then stop with the junk!! No fast food, no chips, no cookies, no white flour or sugar! Whew! Glad we got that out of the way...</div><div> </div><br /><div>2. You need to burn the fat. So, I want you to do 3 full body workouts each week to add some muscle and rev up your metabolism.</div><div> </div><br /><div>3. To burn more fat you will also do 3 cardio sessions each week. I outline specifically what to do in my transformation system, <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a>, but for now, any cardio will do. Even better if it's intervals.</div><div> </div><br /><div>4. Do special butt shaping exercises.</div><br /><div><strong>My 3 current favorites are:<br /><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valband Forward backward marching<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STcC43RikqI/AAAAAAAAAKY/prsuYJ2FwHc/s1600-h/forbackmarch.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 93px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STcC43RikqI/AAAAAAAAAKY/prsuYJ2FwHc/s200/forbackmarch.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275688664421274274" border="0" /></a><span>Place Valband above your knees. Your feet should be hip width apart and band should be taught. Sit back into a squat and march forward but slightly out to the side, maintaining squat position and resisting the band from pulling your knees together. In the same position march backward to your starting position. </span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.valslide.com/">Valslide</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> reverse lunge with kettlebells or dumbbells</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STcCZrHsQlI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Q15Bo8t8H68/s1600-h/revlunge.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STcCZrHsQlI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Q15Bo8t8H68/s200/revlunge.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275688128582795858" border="0" /></a>Stand with feet together, place the ball of your right foot on the Valslide®. Slide your right foot back; Left leg will bend at 90˚. Slide your right foot up to start position, pulling up with the glute (butt) of your left leg. Finish reps and switch sides. NOTE: be sure to use the stationary leg to return to start, not the sliding leg. Think of the sliding leg as just going along for the ride.<br />**You will feel this in your glutes and quads<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Single leg - 2 arm RDL's</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STcBbANSkBI/AAAAAAAAAKA/QCBhteEWSV8/s1600-h/2arm1legDL.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 99px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STcBbANSkBI/AAAAAAAAAKA/QCBhteEWSV8/s200/2arm1legDL.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275687051911663634" border="0" /></a>Hold a bodybar or barbell and lift one foot off the ground slightly. Pinch the shoulder blades back together as this helps keep the spine in the proper position. Begin by pushing your hips backward while keeping the non-working leg extended and in alignment with your torso. Continue to push the hips backwards with the working leg and keep a neutral/flat back throughout the movement. Stand back up by squeezing the glutes, pushing the hips forward and standing up straight.<br /><p> </p><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-27614229280297275152008-12-02T10:09:00.000-08:002008-12-02T10:26:04.219-08:00Who's Gonna Win?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv/"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/STV9Rt3lFEI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/CfUcK9L-ga0/s200/smallposter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275260281858364482" /></a><div>Mary Bess and Cody Kennedy are in the fight of their lives. Each has struggled with years of dieting and many failed attempts at reshaping their bodies. Some of these past attempts worked for a while, but always in the end, the scale would beat them back down.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, Mary Bess and Cody has been training hard and following the principles of <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com">Red Carpet Ready</a>. Now, here they are in the fourth round (week) and they are ready to deliver some knockout blows. See how they do it, LIVE tonight at 5pm PST at <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv/">www.redcarpetready.tv</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cody's one-two punch of 11lbs gone and a tight flat stomach is going to send the scale to its corner. Mary Bess' commitment to the diet and the conditioning program has her weighing in at 8lbs lighter and makes her a formidable competitor.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv">Tune in tonight</a> to see how they do it. Learn their secrets to staying with it, and I will be there LIVE to answer any questions you have regarding diet and exercise. </div><div><br /></div><div>You too can finally transform your body and live as if your are ready for the Red Carpet. </div>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-86392294846144727782008-11-19T14:20:00.000-08:002008-11-19T19:00:03.287-08:00Val's Raisin Chili RecipeWhen the days are short and the nights are cold, who doesn't enjoy warming up with steaming bowl of chili? To make sure that you stay Red Carpet Ready during the infamous weight gaining Winter months, I'm sharing with you my favorite chili recipe (RCR approved).<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7aZPTbxUkYA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7aZPTbxUkYA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> INGREDIENTS</span><br /><br />A little over 1 lb of lean ground beef<br />Vegetable Oil<br />1 whole red onion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSbFsPHhVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/BFzRIMLW42I/s1600-h/DSCN0760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSbFsPHhVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/BFzRIMLW42I/s200/DSCN0760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270507986006541650" border="0" /></a><br />1 cup of sliced mushrooms<br />2 stalks of celery<br />1 cup California Raisins (secret ingredient!)<br />1 - 28 oz. can whole tomatoes<br />2 - 28 oz. crushed tomatoes<br /> 1 small can of sliced olives<br /> 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)<br /> 1 Teaspoon garlic salt or garlic powder (optional)<br /> 3 Tablespoons cumin<br /> 3 Tablespoons chili powder<br /> 1 Teaspoon of ground clove<br /> Salt<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECTIONS</span><br /><br />Brown the ground beef over the stove in a little bit of vegetable oil. Be sure to break up the meat so that it browns evenly and cooks thoroughly. In a separate pot on the stove, combine chopped red onion, chopped celery stalks, and sliced mushrooms with a little vegetable oil.<br /><br />Once the ground beef has browned, drain the excess fat and add to the pot with onions, celery, and mushrooms. Mix in chili powder, cumin, garlic salt or garlic powder (optional), ground clove, sugar (optional), and salt to taste.<br /><br />Stir in crushed tomatoes with the meat, vegetables and spices. Add the whole tomatoes to your chili pot, making sure to break up the tomatoes as you stir them in. Mix in small can of sliced olives and California Raisins<br /><br />Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce and allow to simmer for at least an hour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSb0yGRfII/AAAAAAAAAJw/3vROzj0S-tI/s1600-h/DSCN0770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 258px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SSSb0yGRfII/AAAAAAAAAJw/3vROzj0S-tI/s200/DSCN0770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270508795033910402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Serves about 8</span><br /><br />Garnish with shredded cheese (optional) & serve hotValerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-17595759662754725132008-11-17T12:12:00.000-08:002008-11-18T15:17:55.475-08:00The 3 Best AB Exercises You're NOT DoingYou probably know by now that the Plank is the one of the best exercises for your abs. I agree that it is an important exercise to include in your fitness routine, the problem is, it becomes boring to hold your Plank position past 60 seconds.<br /><br />You can create a bunch of new variations of the Plank with just 2 inexpensive exercise tools, the <a href="http://www.valslide.com/">Valslide</a>, and an Airex pad. Chances are, you are not familiar with these two excellent exercise tools because many magazines won't feature new equipment (regardless of how amazing it is) unless it can be assumed that at least 70% of people have it or have access to it. I understand that people who buy magazines might be disappointed if they had to spend additional money to do the workout the magazine provides, however, if there is no infomercial, and the magazines don't write about it, how are you supposed to know about it?<br /><br /><br />By familiarizing yourself with a few variations of the Plank exercise, not only will you avoid the boredom that may occur, you'll also be able to challenge yourself with some new moves in your routine.<br /><br />Below are my 3 favorite variations of the Plank. You can do these as a circuit (if you're advanced) or mix them into your regular routines.<br /><br />For these exercises you will need your <a href="http://www.valslide.com/">Valslides</a> and an Airex pad (or other squishy surface).<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytD49Q-uaQDULPTGuOtvNrEH6tFvCeBgDximSDd6RlGYAK3m8YS-AgFtjoeBZe1-Fe0yWKvjhQz0JDZo4VWg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />To download a PDF file of these exercise descriptions with pictures, <a href="http://rcrclub.s3.amazonaws.com/3AbExercises.pdf">click here</a><br /><br />If you would like to see more of these workouts, make sure to <a href="http://twitter.com/valeriewaters">follow me on Twitter</a>.Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-91704901795156935872008-11-12T12:28:00.000-08:002008-11-12T14:26:40.299-08:00Parties & Turkeys & Pies, Oh My!<div>With the holidays around the corner, the opportunity for diet disasters are everywhere. Holiday parties, Christmas cookies, stuffing and pie, it seems temptation is everywhere. Couple that with the stress that many experience from shopping, traveling, or too many commitments, and it is no wonder that people gain weight between now and Super Bowl Sunday. Rumor has it that Americans gain a whopping 7 to 10 pounds during the holiday season, but it doesn't have to happen!!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Not only is it possible to make it through the holidays <strong>without gaining weight</strong>, but you can actually experience <strong>weight loss</strong>. More willpower is not the answer, what you need is more effective strategies. Here are a few of my faves:</div><div></div><ul><li>Focus on what you <strong>can </strong>eat, not what you can't.</li></ul><p>I will show up at my Dad's for Thanksgiving, looking forward to some turkey, green beans, and a bit of sweet potatoes. I know he will make me try his new brussels sprouts recipe (yuck!) and I will have a small piece of pumpkin pie. I will not feel sad about missing out on the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pecan pie. I would rather be able to still fit in my "skinny jeans" the next day.</p><ul><li><strong>Reduce</strong> stress</li></ul><p>Stress makes you fat! The best way to reduce stress is to exercise. You need to take that energy and blow it out. Whether you go for a run or to the gym, it doesn't matter, just get moving!</p><ul><li>Have a <strong>Plan B<br /></strong></li></ul><p>Do your best to stick to your regular workouts, but have a backup plan. If you can't make it to the gym, have a few things you can use at home (<a href="http://www.valslide.com/">Valslides</a> perhaps?). If you don't have an hour, do an intense 2o-30 minute circuit training or interval workout.</p><ul><li>Get <strong>Support</strong></li></ul><p>If you know that you struggle during the holidays, then get support! Find a fitness buddy that will hold you accountable and visa versa, or join an on-line community like the <a href="http://www.redcarpetreadyclub.com/">Red Carpet Ready Club</a>. Here you will find inspiring stories, great workouts, and most important, encouraging words.</p><p>Also, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv/">Red Carpet Ready TV</a>, my live internet reality weight loss program. I am doing to help transform the bodies (and lives) of Cody and Mary Bess using the workouts and strategies that I use with my Hollywood clients. You can follow along (or join in) as I coach them through the next 6 weeks. </p><p>You too can make the commitment and be <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a> by January!</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Red Carpet Ready beings airing LIVE today, November 12th, at 5pm PST (8pm EST) at <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv/">http://www.redcarpetready.tv/</a></p><p>When you tune in make sure to say hi (there will be a live chat as well). Hope to see you there!!</p>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-71852090644904063542008-11-10T16:33:00.000-08:002008-11-11T14:58:36.275-08:00What If You Don't Need To Be A "Big Loser?"What if you only need or want to be a medium, or even small loser?<br /><br />NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser" is now in it's sixth season, featuring overweight contestants vying to win $250,000. While I find the show inspirational and mildly entertaining, it certainly doesn't educate people on how to live a healthy and balanced life. You probably know the premise, overweight contestants competing to win by losing the highest percentage of their starting body weight. The contestants are isolated from "the real world" for 13 weeks, and put through grueling workouts accompanied by a drastic diet overseen by a team of "drill sergeants". The conditions under which these contestants lose weight, working out for 8 hours a day, while being completely removed from daily responsibilities is obviously unrealistic<br /><br />I specialize in helping women lose 5 to 40lbs, and create a lean, sexy body. While I am mostly known for helping Hollywood beauties such as Jennifer Garner, Cindy Crawford, and Poppy Montgomery get <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a>, I recently began coaching a group of women on-line via the <a href="http://www.redcarpetreadyclub.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Red Carpet Ready Club</span></a>. These women come from varied backgrounds, some single, some married, some married with kids, some working, some not. They all seem to be a bit stressed and pulled in many directions (aren't we all?), but they all have the desire to be what I call, <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a>. That is when you feel confident in your body, and you don't have to worry about what clothes you pull out of the closet - because they all look good.<br /><br />After only 6 weeks on the<a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/"> Red Carpet Ready</a> Program, here is what one of the members had to say about her experience and results:<br /><br />"Val,<br />I want to thank you for changing my life! ... Your style of diet and training has become my way of life. I used to spend at least two hours in the gym, four days a week, doing more of the "traditional" lifting exercises followed by an excruciating hour of cardio. My diet was "decent", but I felt deprived a lot of the time ... I have been trying to lose five pounds for the past 6 months and you helped me lose it in 6 weeks. I spend about half the amount of time training as I used to and I can eat real food again. Amazing! ... Thanks again Val, for creating a wonderful program along with a great network of support and motivation made up of amazing women."<br />-Kristi Shumway<br /><br />To give you the <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a> experience, we are bringing it to you LIVE via the web.<a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv/"> Red Carpet Ready TV</a> will begin broadcasting Wednesday, November 12th, at 5pm PST. Tune in and follow along with two women on their journey to achieving the body of their dreams.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Red Carpet Ready TV can be viewed at<a href="http://www.redcarpetready.tv/"> http://www.redcarpetready.tv</a><br />Our first episode airs this Wednesday, November 12th at 5pm PST - tune in!<br /><br />For more information about Red Carpet Ready visit <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">http://www.redcarpetready.com</a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-61282662971670238762008-11-07T12:13:00.001-08:002008-11-07T17:37:39.543-08:00When The Going Gets Tough ... The Tough Go WorkoutIt is nearly impossible to read the newspaper or watch the news without hearing about another doomsday prediction. Even with the election behind us, people are experiencing a lot of fear and anxiety, and rightfully so. The stock market is all over the place, the housing market is still dropping, corporations are making massive layoffs, and country is badly in debt.<br /><br />It would seem that there are more important things to focus on than your workout. I urge you to reconsider. Your fitness program is one of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">most</span> important things you <span style="font-weight: bold;">can</span> focus on. This is not just about fitting into your "skinny jeans" or looking "<a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a>" (although there is nothing wrong with these goals), this is about having the energy and mental clarity to do all the things you need to do. Exercise not only helps you look better, it helps you<span style="font-weight: bold;"> feel </span>better. Exercise reduces stress, gives you a sense of empowerment, and increases your energy levels. In the fabulous book, "Power of Full Engagement", Jim Loehr explains that it is energy, not time, that is our greatest commodity. After all, what good would an extra hour in the day be if you spend it flopped in front of the TV?<br /><br />If anyone has earned the right to sleep in and spend the day watching TV it would be President-elect, Barack Obama. After all, he has probably had a little stress theses past <span style="font-weight: bold;">2 years</span>, and has been pushing pretty hard. Yet I read in the LA Times, that Barack Obama hit the gym the day after winning the election! Clearly he understand the importance of exercise. What about you? Have you worked out at least 3 times this week? If not, why not? Until you decide that exercise is a "must" not a "should", not only will you not have the body of your dreams, but you wont be functioning at your best.<br /><br />In the last 6 weeks when it seemed the whole world was coming apart at the seams, I led a group of women through my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a> 6 week transformation program. The results were nothing less than astounding. They re-shaped their bodies and changed their view about diet and exercise. Many have said that they now "get it" and will continue on this program so that they can live their lives feeling <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a>.<br /><br />Here are what a couple members of the Red Carpet Ready 6 week transformation program had to say about their personal experience, and the results they achieved:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SRTNn6GzXfI/AAAAAAAAAHY/TkW1yYY2RcU/s1600-h/Side_Steph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uLKmVYzRH3g/SRTNn6GzXfI/AAAAAAAAAHY/TkW1yYY2RcU/s200/Side_Steph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266059949799333362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"HOORAY! I am now officially 10 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight!! Not only that, but my clothes are starting to fit again!! There aren't words enough to describe just how excited I am! <span style="font-weight: bold;">I can't thank you enough, Val!</span> Not only for putting together such a fantastic and effective program, but for creating a community where we can be encouraged and held accountable. Honestly, without this program, I would most likely have finished off a batch of cookies and be sitting in front of the TV, sobbing about how fat I am this evening. Instead, I just finished a fantastic shopping trip with my husband, where I was able to try on "normal clothes" and actually feel good about how they fit! THANK YOU!!!"<span style="font-weight: bold;"> - Stephanie Morrison<br /><br /><br /></span><span>"First I have to say that I believe this eating and exercise is not going to be temporary for me. It has definitely become a lifestyle. The tools and support that Val has provided has made a huge different in my commitment and sustainability, and I will continue far beyond these six weeks. Prior to stating RCR, I had been working with a personal trainer for two months with no results at all. From the moment I watched my video assessment, I was convinced that RCR was a much better path for my health and fitness goals, and now I have the proof! Thank you so much , Val! </span>I am amazed at the changes in my body in such a short time!" <span style="font-weight: bold;">-Sonya Shelton</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>For more information about Red Carpet Ready visit <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">http://www.redcarpetready.com</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-59107648305521755482008-11-03T17:06:00.000-08:002008-11-07T12:37:50.514-08:005 Things That Could Possibly Go Wrong on Election DayYou have been hearing about the long lines, confusing propositions, and potential for chaos on Election Day. With only hours to go, here are 5 things that could go wrong and how to avoid them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. You are not clear on your intentions</span><br />Intentions are a big part of the <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a> program and they can help you on Election Day. Intentions are a combination of goals and a "to do" list, but I believe, infinitely more powerful. Not only do intentions help clarify where you want to go, they are your road map for getting there. The clearer your intentions, the more spectacular your results will be. It's as if you are have sent a broadcast signal to the universe - the stronger the signal, the more clear and fast the reply. Much like the Verizon networks slogan, "Can you hear me now?" Get clear on your intentions for the day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. You skip breakfast</span><br />Studies show that eating breakfast helps improve memory, and positively affects the tasks that require the retention of new information. This would be especially important for those of you still studying propositions while standing in line to vote.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. You miss your workout</span><br />Most of you recognize that exercise is good for the body, but did you know that it can also boost your brain power? Several recent studies have found that exercising increases the speed of decision-making, and helps to provide mental clarity. These additional benefits have obvious consequences for Election Day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. You don’t bring your lunch (and snacks) with you</span><br />Much like skipping breakfast, this could put your brain in a fog. As your blood sugar drops, your mental clarity diminishes, and you may feel "spaced out". If you were planning on voting in the afternoon, skipping lunch and forgetting your snacks could have some serious repercussions on your voting record.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. You forget to be grateful</span><br />Regardless of who wins the election, be grateful that you have the right to vote. Regardless of how much you weigh, be grateful for your body that (if you choose) it can run, jump, and play. Be grateful that your body can think, feel, and love. Be grateful that even in times of uncertainty, America is still the land of opportunity.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">How To Tackle Possible Problems on Election Day </span></span><br />Here are some simple steps to ensure your Election Day goes well …<br /><br />• Start by preparing for Election Day the night before. Lay out your workout clothes, or pack your gym bag.<br /><br />• Organize your food.<br />Make a lunch with leftovers from dinner – this could be a salad with chicken or even a turkey sandwich. Anything made at home will not only save calories, but also money (now more important than ever), and the hassle and stress of having to go out to get something.<br /><br />• Don’t forget to pack 2 snacks: one for morning, one for the afternoon.<br />This doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated. Try 2 tablespoons of California Raisins and 2 tablespoons of almonds in a snack size baggie for one, and an applesauce, and a piece of string cheese for the other. Or, a slice of turkey with a slice of cheese rolled up, and a handful of grapes on the side.<br /><br />• Write your intentions for the day.<br />Example: I intend to eat a balanced breakfast that includes some carbs and some protein.<br />I intend to finish my <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a> full body circuit workout (or other strength program).<br />I intend to be clear on the issues & cast my vote based on what I believe to be the best for me and the planet.<br />I intend to be grateful for the democratic process, regardless of who wins.<br />I intend to love and appreciate my body as I work to make it stronger, thinner, better (use your own words, obviously).<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Election Day Success!!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1:</span> Read Your Intentions<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 2:</span> Eat A Healthy Breakfast<br /><br />Example:<br />- 1/3 cup scrambled egg whites (eggology) with veggies<br />- ½ broiled Florida Grapefruit (retro, I know) and ½ cup vanilla yogurt topped with crushed walnuts<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 3:</span> Do a Full Body Circuit Style Strength Workout (a la Red Carpet Ready)<br /><br />Sample:<br />Valband Side Steps 15 (each leg)<br />Bodyweight Squats 20<br /><a href="http://www.valslide.com/">Valslide</a> reverse lunge 15 (each leg)<br />Push ups 10<br />Squat/row with stretchy-band 15<br />Valslide mountain climbers 20 (each leg)<br />Ultimate toe touch 15 (each)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do Circuit 3X</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 4:</span> Bring your lunch and snacks with you to work (hopefully you packed these the night before)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 5:</span> Make a Gratitude List<br /><br /><br />To learn more about Red Carpet Ready visit <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">www.RedCarpetReady.com</a><br />To learn more about the Valslide visit <a href="http://www.valslide.com/">www.Valslide.com</a>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-26791868095580437102008-10-30T12:48:00.000-07:002008-10-30T13:29:04.209-07:00Happy Healthy Halloween Strategies Is it possible to enjoy Halloween without completely derailing your diet? Of course it is, but you might need a few strategies. Remember, strategy always trumps willpower. Don't try to white knuckle it through Halloween. You might be alright for a few hours or even that day but studies show that willpower is actually in limited supply, so resist the candy today, you probably won't be able to tomorrow. <div><br /><div> Here are a few of my top strategies for surviving Halloween:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Leave it to the last minute- </span>I know that doesn't sound like me (I'm all about pre-preparing) but when it comes to Halloween candy, it is best not to buy it too soon. If you do have to buy it early, under no circumstance should you open the bag prior to handing out the candy. You will be asking for trouble.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Have Healthy Options</span>- You don't have to be the crazy fitness lady handing out apples and nuts on Halloween. Kids like candy and that is partly what the holiday is about. However, it's going to be a long night so you might want to have some fun healthier options for you to munch on. Try Pumpkin Pie Popcorn mix with Raisins. Recipe at www.loveyourraisins.com</div><div>I had this recently and it is yummy!!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Not Your Favorite! </span>-Don't buy your favorite candy, you know, the one that is always calling your name. Choose something that is not a trigger for you. For me, that means no Reeces Peanut Butter cups. I could easily eat 4 (and I don't mean the mini) before I realized what I had done. Instead, I will purchase Milky Ways and Hershey's Chocolate Bars. I will enjoy having one snack size treat but they won't continue to taunt me from the bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Get Moving</span>- Don't forget to do an extra good workout in the morning before the festivities. This is like fitness in the bank. Do a little extra now so when you make a withdraw (splurge) later, you won't notice it on the scale.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Morning After</span>- Get all candy out of the house! You don't need it around and frankly neither do your kids. A friend of mine has a great strategy with her kids; they each get to pick 5 pieces of candy to keep and then when they donate the rest they get a gift card for Target or Border's. I think it is an excellent trade-off.</div><div><br /></div><div> I hope you all have a very happy, healthy, fun Halloween.</div><div><br /></div><div>Val</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">ps: </span> If you need any help getting started on your fitness program, check out my 6 week transformation system at www.redcarpetready.com.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661350966234064245.post-51820755990807472702008-08-19T17:44:00.000-07:002008-08-19T17:49:03.307-07:00How Michael Phelps Won 8 Gold MedalsWhile I don’t know Michael’s exact training strategy and haven’t met him personally, I am pretty confident I know some things that helped him win 8 gold medals, and they are the same strategies you can use to get <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/">Red Carpet Ready</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. He decided. </span> That’s right. He made a very clear decision that he would win 8 gold medals at the Olympics in Beijing. I feel confident saying, he probably wrote this down somewhere. Then he held that vision very clearly in his minds eye and did not waver from his goal.<br /><br />Here’s what you can do:<br /><br />Decide right now to get fit or more fit. Take some immediate action so you can get some energy behind your decision. This could be something simple like a kitchen purge and restock or buying new workout shoes or a pair of Valslides.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. He told everyone about it.</span> Accountability is a powerful thing and telling everyone about your plan is like giving them your word. Michael told his plan to the world; it was announced through every form of media. Once he did this, I don’t think he ever considered missing a workout.<br /><br />Here’s what you can do:<br /><br />Tell your friends and family you are starting a new program and you would like their support. You could also start a blog (I have seen this be very effective for people) or you can join an online community. To find out about the Red Carpet Ready club go to <a href="http://www.redcarpetready.com/blog">www.redcarpetready.com/blog</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. He put forth the effort. </span> It is hard for me to imagine that this young guy blew off workouts because he wasn’t in the mood, he was tired, busy or hung over. You might want to argue that swimming is Michael’s job. He’s an athlete and his job is to be fit. Newsflash: “Swimming and being fit is his job because he put the effort in.” His amazing god given talent would have meant nothing had he chose to miss practice and play video games.<br /><br />Here’s what you can do:<br /><br />Make your workouts non-negotiable. Schedule them in your calendar like any other important appointment. Ideally first thing in the morning. Implement the 10-minute rule. No matter how bad you feel or how busy you are, you will do at least 10 minutes. Chances are you will complete the workout. Crank up the intensity. You will not achieve a Red Carpet Ready body if your whole workout consists of walking or doing a workout that does not challenge you.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Recognize that recovery is important. </span> Michael Phelps has someone measuring, testing and analyzing anything that can be analyzed. 3 minutes after Phelps’ race, someone will prick his ear with a needle and that blood will be measured to see how much lactic acid is in his system and he will swim slowly until it has dropped to an acceptable level. The coaches know how much to push him, how much sleep he needs and when he should start tapering his swims before a meet.<br /><br />Here’s what you can do:<br /><br />While you may not have a team of people looking after you, you can take one full day off each week. Build in some kind of soft tissue work. This could be massage or foam rolling. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Don’t eat junk food. Fuel your body with lean protein and veggies. Don’t’ forget to hydrate.<br /><br />It is true that Michael Phelps was incredibly blessed. His body was built for speed. He has come of age during a time of advancement in training and equipment technology and he has the ability to turn off the outside world when necessary. Talent and blessing, however, are never enough. It is effort that brings forth the rewards. The way to your best body lies in your decision to have it and the effort you are willing to put into it. You have it in you. Dig a little deeper. The rewards are on the other side of effort and it’s not just the great body you will have. The latest magic potion or exercise pill will NOT give you the same as what you’ll get when you work for your goal. You might have to trust me on this in the beginning but you will thank me later!Valerie Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10001722750974724717noreply@blogger.com2