Guess how many HOURS of activity it would take to get rid of those calories?  Check this blog post to see just a few of the scary stats…

Some further stats to digest along with the holiday leftovers:

• North Americans gain an average of 1.5 to 4* pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day
• The average holiday meal can see us consuming as many as 3,500 calories
• It has been proven that new habits can be achieved in just 21 days

We get comfortable living lives in a constant state of “un-health”.  Our state of mind becomes accepting of our normal every day, so much so that we forget what it’s like to feel good, energetic and full of vitality.  We lose touch with our health/fitness and accept the status quo and find our enjoyment through past-times whereby we consume too many calories and lead a sedentary lifestyle.  (Did you know that if you sit for more than 8 hours a day you’re killing yourself?)  And the weight goes on and on and on… so let’s ask ourselves a few questions:

1. Why do we do it?
2. Why don’t we make a change?
3. What do we have to gain by making a decision that challenges the status quo and puts us on a path completely different than that which we are following now?
4. Ask yourself, “What can I do about it”?
5. If I could commit to making a change for 90-days that would impact me and my family’s health and wellness forever… would I be prepared to do it?

For the next 96 hours the #1 health and fitness platform in North America is on SALE!  Find out why over 150,000 people per month are accepting the Body by Vi 90-day challenge and changing their lives forever.  Don’t wait until after the holidays to start your challenge – don’t be a stat – start 2013 off ahead of the curve and 30 days in to your 90-day challenge.

To get started today, place your order here.  We will be in touch with you personally to walk you through the program to ensure you get the results you are after.  And don’t worry, you aren’t alone.  We’re here to help you get the results you want.  It all starts with a goal and then following a proven plan to succeed at reaching that goal!

Are you ready?  See what happened to these people who accepted the challenge and entered the 90-day challenge…

TOP FITNESS TIPS: TO END 2012 & KICK-OFF 2013 THE RIGHT WAY

1. Start with the things you enjoy. Getting fit and active doesn’t have to be a chore. Incorporate it into something you love or have a passion for. Make it fun, competitive and set incentives. There’s no point in starting to run if you really don’t enjoy running – you’ll only give up.
2. Be realistic, be gradual. What works for one person, may not work for the next. You have to decide what is realistic for you and your lifestyle. Set achievable goals, reassess them often and reward yourself with a small treat when you smash your targets.
3. Make time. It’s as simple as that. You have to schedule your activity times otherwise they just won’t happen. Sadly, it’s always easier to not do something than it is to do it.
4. Start a blog or get yourself a trainer. Make yourself accountable in other words! When you have others tracking your progress, it’s hard to get out of it. Keeping a fitness and nutrition journal also allows you to analyze your progress at the end of each month. Consider investing in an expert to give you feedback, help you discuss areas for improvement and next steps. Networking with other health professionals and enthusiasts can also motivate and inspire you.
5. You are what you eat. It’s an old one but a good and true one. Cut back on sugar and sodium, eat lots of green, leafy veg, and remember to drink plenty of water. Sticking to a balance of unrefined carbohydrates like whole grain food, fruit and veg never fail.
6. Challenge yourself. It takes just 21 days to form a habit. In the grand scheme of life, that’s not long. So once you’re confident that you’ve set a good foundation, try something new and add a new dimension to your fitness.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you and your families,

If you’re pursuing a degree in business, working long hours probably isn’t anything new for you. If you one day find yourself (or perhaps you already do) regularly pulling long hours at the office—whether your office is an actual office, your home, or even a coffee shop with your computer—then try to remember the power of taking a break. Studies show that taking regular breaks in your work actually makes for much better progress.  A “break” can be a 10-minute walk around outside, or it can be a 30-second stretch session at your desk. There are benefits to both short breaks and long ones—even a 15-second break can reduce your fatigue. While many workers are reluctant to take breaks, feeling that it cuts into their productivity, the opposite is actually true: Breaks are good for you, and they make you an overall better worker. The following infographic takes a look at the benefits that come from taking a break, whether long or short. Whether you’re trying to break into the business world or you’re already overseeing multiple employees, this infographic is a good reminder for both you and your colleagues to break regularly and promote productivity and good health.

What makes up a calorie?  Are all calories equal?

Check out this infographic from DailyInfographic before you answer…  

Not all calories are the same…

If interested in more options, check out our list of the top 131 Visalus Shake Recipes…

FEATURED RECIPE

CHAI LATTE

• 2 scoops Vi-Shape® Shake Mix
• 1 packet Banana Energy Charge Health Flavor
• 3 tbsp. Ice Tea Mix (powder)
• Cinnamon to taste
• Dash of Ginger, Clove, and Black Pepper
• 8-10 oz. Non-Fat Milk, or Soy, Rice or Almond Milk
• 4-6 Ice Cubes

FROZEN CHOCOLATE BANANA

• 2 scoops Vi-Shape® Shake Mix
• 1 packet Banana Energy Charge Health Flavor
• 1 packet Chocolate Cardia Care Health Flavor
• 8-10 oz Non-Fat Milk, or Soy, Rice or Almond Milk
• 4-6 Ice Cubes

With so many different options on the market to satisfy your nutritional needs during all the stages of a workout, it can be hard to pull everything together for a complete plan. Fear no more! Our friends at Greatist compiled this comprehensive infographic to breakdown the rules of fueling your body properly.

For just $24, you can donate 30 Vi–Shape® Nutritional Shake Mix meals to children in need, and ViSalus will match each donation meal for meal. You can make a big difference with even a modest donation. Just one of many ways the ViSalus community strives to give back.

Did you know?

Today in America there are more than 15 milliion poor and undernourished children who face immediate and life-long risk to health, growth, and school achievement.

Click here to make a donation today…

If you enroll in a weight-loss (health & fitness) program with three friends or colleagues you already know, the odds of maintaining your weight loss 10 months later goes up to 66%…versus 24% if you enroll in a program alone**.

That’s why ViSalus™ awards a FREE Body by Vi™ Challenge Kit to consumers who take The Challenge with others.

It’s easy:  Simply select the Challenge Kit that best matches your personal weight-loss or fitness goal.  Help three Customers get on a Challenge Kit, of equal or greater value to your own, and GET YOUR NEXT KIT FOR FREE!

**Source: Well Being: The Five Essential Elements by Tom Roth & James K. Harter, Ph.D.

Here’s Laykyn’s story:

I decided to join the Body By Vi challenge because I am only twenty years old and have struggled with being overweight for most of my life. I have tried every diet under the sun since I was in the seventh grade. The different diets I tried worked for like two weeks and then things always seemed to go haywire. So I always gave up in the end when things got tough. Throughout junior high and high school I struggled with being overweight and I had low self-esteem because of it. But during the summer of 2011 that little light bulb finally went on in my head. I told myself that I could not continue on like this because there are places I want to see and things I want to accomplish and also I did not want to die young. I finally realized that if I wanted this bad enough I had to put in the hard work, effort, and have the determination in order to make it happen.

So I officially started with my journey working out at next level fitness on august 1, 2011 at 320 pounds with a goal in mind to lose 170 pounds in one year. I couldn’t believe I actually loved working out and was seeing awesome results, but I was looking for something more with the diet/nutrition side of it. So many people that I’ve worked out with would always talk about Body By Vi and how easy it was. So I decided to try it out for myself and see what would happen. I will admit I was a little hesitant at first because I have tried so many things before. I started my first 90 day challenge with a few other people on September 21, 2011 at 295 pounds. My goal for this challenge was to lose 30 pounds and feel good about myself. It was a little weird at first drinking a shake for breakfast and lunch but then I realized how much easier it was to make a shake then do a quick run at the drive-thru. I was finally feeling good about myself and was amazed at the results I was seeing. I ended my first 90 day challenge on December 19, 2011 at 252 pounds. I could not believe I lost 43 pounds in 90 days and I definitely passed my goal of 30 pounds.

I was so happy with the results I received, that I started my second 90 day challenge the next day. I made a new year’s resolution to reach the 100lb lost mark by Valentine’s Day or else I would do a Crossfit WOD of 100 Burpees & a 1 Mile Run (these are the two things I dislike the most). February 14 came and I made it, I weighed in at 118.8, which translates into 101 pounds since I started my journey august 1, 2011. I am not done yet, I have 69lbs. to go and the determination to make it. Thank you visalus for creating the 90 day challenge and changing so many people’s lives.