Beachbody

It's that time again. The official start to summer is just day's away, time to get buff for the beach. Time to break out the Bikini, skinny jeans, tank tops and all the fun clothes made for people with the body of a Greek god or goddess. For some this is what comes to mind when they hear the word "beachbody".

I would like to put a different idea into people's noggins. Yes "beachbody" is a word often associated with the things I mentioned above. However, it is also a company that helps people literally transform their lives for the better. (No this is not a paid review). I just know that this time of year can be stressful with unrealistic images bombarding people on a daily basis. It puts unnecessary pressure on people to be fitter, and it can be confusing to sort through all the information and programs available out there. Many people have injuries that have made physical activity difficult if not impossible sometimes. So, I would like to offer a little insight into my experience as a beachbody customer since 2002.  

It all started with Slim in 6 with Debbie Seibers, a program put out by Beachbody. I've always been active and loved exercise. At the time I had been working out with Tae Bo by Billy Blanks for about a year and I wanted to try something new. So I ordered it and loved it. Then I discovered Tony Horton and the original P90, oh what fun that was.

I have always been fascinated by the fact that people who exercise and eat right look so young. Tony Horton at the time was about forty-four and he looked no where near it. I was thinking wow if this guy looks so young and healthy this program is definitely something I want to try. To this day he still looks nowhere at all near his age, and like one of my other fitness heroes Jack LaLanne, he has continued to defy the norm, giving a new face to what the human body can and should be at a particular age.

Anyway without going off into a novel of my fitness journey over the last fifteen years, the point is that there are always options. Since that time, Beachbody has produced countless programs for nearly all fitness levels. Almost every program has modification options, which makes "excuses" for not putting your health first obsolete.   

I have many fitness heroes, some not even affiliated with Beachbody. I love Jillian Michaels, Jackie Warner, and I also really like the Firm fitness programs. Not every body is the same and even the same body will not always need or like or even be capable of doing the same program forever. Which is why it is important to always stay in the game no matter what is going on with your body. It's not about getting a ripped hard physique (although I'm guessing everyone would like that). It's about being the best possible you that you can be. To get and stay healthy and strong so you can enjoy life to the fullest. 

Injuries happen to the best of us. Slips, falls, work, overuse injuries, accidents, you name it. For me it was two close dated car accidents. People with herniated disks simply should not jump, period. So that takes things like running and plyometrics training off the table. Does that mean you can't exercise? No, it simply means you modify your workout. So for example; if you're doing a workout program like say 21-Day Fix (which is not an extreme program by any means) but there are jumping jacks, etc., what do you do? You modify the jacks, by doing step jacks instead. Almost every program will have a modifier doing the workout so you can see exactly what options are available if you are not able to jump or do the advanced version of a particular move.

There are so many options, walking, yoga, pilates, one workout program I particularly love, love, love, (did I say love) is Piyo created by Chalene Johnson. Piyo combines yoga, and pilates, and gets your heart rate up like crazy. It sculpts, and stretches your body and you feel like a million bucks after a workout. The best part is no jumps, no weights, so it is fantastic when traveling. Which by the way, is a major excuse people use for skipping workouts.

The thing is you can make excuses or you can make results. The choice is up to you. There are super short workouts, even as short as twenty minutes. Everyone has twenty minutes. Endorphins really are God's medicine. Exercise is good for your mood, and really should be something you do every single day, just like brushing your teeth.

So what are you waiting for? Get to that phone, computer, or iPad, and find out what you      like and get started on that beachbody ;o) or shall I say healthy body. One that will carry you into your golden years if you treat it right. Remember the saying... use it or lose it. Happy working out!   

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

My Right To Blog

I'm Greek. I have a tendency to want to explain why I do anything and everything. I've been writing songs my whole life, but this blog thing is a whole new animal for me.  So I really do appreciate the encouragement.

Today I think I want to talk about why I am writing this blog. When I was doing my workout my mind was going over everything I had to get done. I thought to myself why am I also committing to writing a daily blog? But after thinking about it in-between the lunges and the cardio moves I realized that I am doing this for several reasons. (Yes I often have these internal conversations with myself.)

First off, by sharing what's going on in my life there are now people all over the world who have to put up with the same muckery I do. I guess I don't quite feel so alone anymore. Hey, a big shout out to my blog readers in Ambon, Indonesia!

I figure this is way cheaper than paying for therapy. There also isn't a doctor in a white jacket staring at me shaking their head in disbelief at what I am saying like there would be in therapy. At least I can write the blog and have no idea of who is rolling their eyes as they read it. Ignorance is bliss. (Disclaimer) Well, I must admit I actually don't know if a therapist would shake their head in disbelief from my muckery because I have actually never gone to therapy. I think the closest I've ever come to therapy is having lunch with my manager Mr. Bricks and he was rolling his eyes the entire time. Now that I think about it, maybe Mr. Bricks has that medical diseases called Strabismus, it is a disorder  where it looks like a person has a "lazy" or "wandering eye."  Note to self: Ask Mr. Bricks why do his eyeballs wander all over his face.

OK, that was me being a little silly. Guess what? That's the great thing about a writing blog. It's just like real life!! It's not suppose to be serious all of the time. I love to laugh and goof off, as much as I like to work really hard. So I do get a little silly on here especially if I am writing early in the morning before I have had my coffee, so  reader be warned....No Coffee and the horns come out. I'm just sayin'

I remember in school when the teacher would ask who would want to come up in front of the class and read a short story they just wrote, my hand was always the first one up in the air. My Teacher Mrs. Dawson would say, "OK, Ava we have heard quite a few of your stories, don't you think we should share and let the rest of the class read some of their stories?"  I was like, "No."

Blogging is great for me because I've always had way more things to say, than places to tell them. That is why I started writing and recording my songs at such an early age.  All of my little girl friends (the imaginary and real ones) would be wanting to play dress up with their dolls and I would be sitting crossed legged on my bed with a pencil and a notebook writing songs. No wonder my life seems so mucked up, maybe I didn't have a normal childhood after? No, I had a fabulous childhood.

I can let more of my personality out on this blog. It's not that I am trying to be wicked funny, because I don't think I'm funny at all. Although, when I am on stage I am pretty entertaining, or so I have been told. I just try to always do my best. Wicked funny or not.

I've done a heck of a lot of radio interviews lately and the Dj's or radio hosts are kinda left scratching their head after my segment is done. They all keep saying I have way too much energy for such a petite little girl. I keep reminding them...I'm Greek.  I'm not just going to sit somewhere and not talk. I can't do it. If I had to sit somewhere and be quiet for very long I think I would just burst into flames. People would be like..."What was that?" And someone would say, "Oh Ava Aston just exploded again." If God didn't want us to talk he wouldn't have given us a mouth to talk with and ears to listen with. I can't help it if he supersized my mouth!  And while we are on the subject...I don't get why they would ever call me a little girl. What, do I look like I am a 2-year-old for Pete sake? I bet I could kick their butt any time, any place if I had to... I'm just sayin'  I'm tougher than I look. I'm not no girly girl, but I do clean up pretty nice.

So where we're we? Oh yah, I was talking about why I blog.

I blog because I have to.

Have a blessed Day,

Ava

xox

Photo Image of Ava Aston  Copyright 2010 Ava Aston All rights reserved.