How do you BUILD your own MOTIVATION?

Gold Run Sunset Sept 23 2015 FRAMED

Motivation happens when you STEP into it and then feed it.

You can’t feed your own momentum with negative thoughts.

And you can’t feed it with positive thoughts without ACTION first.

The other persons success that you might admire does not give it enough fuel.

You must create your own momentum.

By taking steps.

By taking action.

And the focus on your own process and your own momentum with those positive thoughts.

You have to have the end goal in sight, but even it is not enough.

You have to EMBRACE the process.

You have to BUILD the constant reminders in your mind, the mnemonics, of why you make those hard little choices throughout each day.

Make those choices your daily victories.

Make each day a victory in your mind then.

Have a string of daily victories.

And ride each victory to the next.

Constantly tuning out the negative from yourself and others.

What action will you take today?
What step will you take today?

To build your own motivation.

BOOM!

Never give up
Never settle
Live your dream

-Coach Roberta

Be stronger than your EXCUSES!

Coach Carla is stronger than any excuse!

Coach Lita is stronger than any excuse!

 

The thing I love the most about Coach Lita is she never stands behind a list of excuses.  Like all of us, she wears a lot of different hats, and her life is full of other things called LIFE.  She just owns it and moves on.

I’ll tell you a secret.  Even once you are done raising kids, life still fills up your plate.  You move from one season to the next, and life just keeps throwing things at you. The parents have aging issues, the other jobs place demands on you, the car breaks down, the bills pile up, your spouse needs your support, forest fires, tornado’s, hurricanes and other natural disasters threaten your home, your friends get sick and need help, tragedies happen around you and your community needs you, your aging pets get sick.  Family members have tragedy and illness. You have illnesses. It is endless. There will always be a huge list of excuses.

But they are not really excuses, it’s just life.

So, the best thing to do is just own it and keep moving.

Today is a new day.

We all have 24 hours.

We all wear different hats.

We all have responsibilities.

We all have stress.

We all have adversity.

We all have our own unique genetics.

We all have possible excuses.

We all make mistakes that give us doubt.

Even yesterday.  Whatever mistake you made, let it go.

Today is a new day.

Learn from it and move on.

DECIDE what you want today.

Make it a victory.

Nobody wants to hear the excuses.

Just do what you gotta do without the excuses.

If someone else succeeded in what you want, applaud them instead.

Don’t demean them just because you haven’t done it yet.

Don’t make excuses as to why you have not achieved it yet.

Just do it.

Just do it anyway.

Once again it’s the little steps every day and biding your time.

YOUR time will come too.

If you let go of the excuses already.

If you make today a new day and let yesterday go.

This is how we do it!!

Never give up
Never settle
Live your dream

Have a wonderful weekend.  It’s full of opportunity to make good choices.  A clean slate.  Like every fresh new morning.

And of course if you need help with those day to day choices, you can always choose your own Venus coach, or you can find friends in the Venus forum, or the Venus Facebook group.

-Coach Roberta

 

 

Nutrition the Venus Way – Podcast

Liss Nutrition and Dumas Venus ladies

In this podcast which was recorded live in front of an audience for a seminar in Dumas, Texas, at the Moore County YMCA- Coach Liss answers:

  • What is the fitness hierarchy?
  • Why is rest and stress important to consider?
  • What are the 3 ways of eating?
  • Why, when, and how should we eat in a deficit.
  • Why is eating to maintenance level important?
  • Why we should consider error in our nutrition.
  • Why is protein important?
  • How a weekly and daily eating pattern might look.
  • Does meal timing matter?
  • What supplements should I consider?
  • Why should I consider gut health?
  • What is the Anything Goes Diet?
  • How might I consider actions instead of only goals

Goal to Actions Graphic

Along with many practical tips and actual examples of what Liss’ nutrition looks like on a daily basis.

 

Listen to the free Venus Factor Podcast below:

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Tracie finally found something that worked to drop the baby weight

Tracy before and after

Tracie placed in our recent VT13 Venus Transformation Contest.

She did a phenomenal job and her results display the hard work she put in. She was late entering into the contest, so she did not even get a full 12 week run at it, and still she showed stunning results.

Tracy after

Here is what Tracie had to say in her own words

My decision to join Venus was fueled by looking at some pictures of myself & realizing that it was time to get rid of the baby weight. I tried a calorie counter & following various “drop weight fast” diets. It taught me a lot about how I had been eating. I did pretty good on my own & dropped about 20 lbs in 6 months (not exercising.) Then I plateaued & couldn’t get anywhere. I tried cardio & it only helped me to be hungry. I had heard of Venus & seen some of the results in person and online but I wasn’t ready to commit quite yet. The months dragged on with no real progress & I finally thought “What do I have to lose?” I joined with my best friend and the results were spectacular! In 8 weeks I’ve dropped 15 lbs & lost inches like crazy! My body is toned in ways that I hadn’t been since early high school. I’ve been shocked at the amount of people who have noticed & ask me what I’m doing – I’ve told so many people! People I’ve never really spoken to have approached me to comment on how great I look. Venus has given me more confidence in how I look & in how I deal with my children, spouse, & people in general. I want everyone to have the opportunity to transform themselves with the Venus program & I tell anyone who will listen about my Venus transformation. It truly is life changing. You don’t have to be perfect just trying my very best has provided amazing results! As a mother of 3 I love that I can do everything at home. I never dreamed I could have this great of a physique after having 3 kids. Thanks Venus!

Tracie with her best friend Erin

Tracie with her best friend Erin

Tracie loves the online Venus community

You can find Tracie active in the Venus community and read her blog!

Tracie Venus Community

tracie before and after with same friend

 

Tracie’s Metrics Results

Weight Height Waist Shoulders Hips
Before 153 lb 70 in 30 in 42.5 in 39 in
After 140 lb 70 in 28 in 42 in 37 in
Deltas -13 lb 0 in -2 in -0.5 in -2 in

tracie before and after with baby

 

Tracie’s Written Interview (scroll down for podcast)

How did you find the Venus Factor?

I watched Coach Liss’ amazing transformation a few years ago. I wasn’t ready to start at that time because I was still having babies. Then when I finally was ready, I tried to just “eat healthier” but that wasn’t the answer for me. My best friend Erin is Liss’ sister-in-law & we decided to give Venus a try together. Having that accountability really pushed both of us to continue on!

What things had you tried in the past?

I found a diet on Pinterest that was a 10 day shred plan. I stayed on it for 14 days & it taught me a lot about how to make better eating choices. I also learned the importance of protein during that time! I was on & off that shred diet for around 6 months. I did dance workout DVD’s also & I lost about 20 pounds. But, I still wasn’t happy with my overall body shape.

What aspect of the program was most beneficial to you?

I think the fasting for 14-16 hours overnight helped me most. Thinking about my appetite as an on off switch made so much sense! Plus when I had 1100 calories to eat in an 8 hour period, I rarely felt hungry. Plus I love that no food was off limits. I LOVE pasta & the 11th & 12th week were the best because I finally could eat most of my calories as pasta!

Which workout(s) did you use during the contest?

All I did during the contest was the Venus workouts 3 times week. The only other thing I did was take walks with my kids.

What did you enjoy about those workouts?

They only took me an hour or an hour & a half to do. I was willing to commit that amount of time 3 days a week. Also, I always feel incredible after I’ve lifted! I might not enjoy doing the workout but I always look forward to the high afterwards!

Did you use a particular style of eating?

I get stuck on a particular food for lunch & I eat it for weeks at a time. I’m currently eating mushroom pizza made on a sandwich thin almost everyday for lunch. I don’t know if I have a “style” but, what helped me most was planning what I was going to eat for the day before I ever took a bite of food. That way I know what I can eat & when to eat it, so I’m not starving at 7 pm with no calories left.

What was your nutrition strategy?

Don’t go over my calorie limit & always hit my protein goal! I know I stay fuller longer & feel better if I eat all my protein. I also weigh everything I put in my mouth.

Did you use any supplements?

I take a multivitamin, fish oil, & a probiotic. The original shred diet introduced me to doing those daily.

Did you use the online community and if so, how was your experience with it?

I would get on & search if I had a question. There were posts answering every question that I ever had! I got more active after I completed my 12 weeks & I wish that I would’ve been active sooner because the women are all so amazing & encouraging!

What was the hardest obstacle to conquer?

I think it was not eating until I felt full. I cook big portions & my family enjoys eating my food. So I’d eat with them until I was full. Second helpings were not uncommon for me. I enjoyed the taste of food so I’d eat a lot very quickly & be miserable afterwards. Now that I weigh my portions I try to savor each bite!

What kept you motivated?

My best friend Erin was the best help. We’d ask each other about workouts & made sure the other one finished all 3 workouts each week. My husband was also very encouraging. He always told me that I was hot no matter what. But, the more I progressed the more he told me daily how awesome I was looking. Also, I started under growing my clothes so he told me that when I reached my goal I could buy new clothes. That really motivated me!!!

How did you feel about your final pictures?

My mom took my final pictures the day before they were due. So it was a bit rushed but I think they turned out so well! I still do a double take at my pictures because I remember how I looked before & I always think “that’s not me!”

Is this a lifestyle you will continue?

I always want to be a Venus woman! I believe that they are beautiful inside & out. They’re so encouraging & supportive of each other & they’re hot!!!

What advice do you have for other women going through the contest or considering the contest?

I hope everyone enters the contest! It helped push me on days when I just didn’t feel as motivated. Even if you don’t do the contest, take before & after photos. Photo results are very dramatic! They truly show how far you progress.

Tracie_Collage small

Listen to Tracie’s interview with Liss and Jenny below:

What happens internally and externally when you diet? Uncensored Podcast

Get ready for a lot of change in your life ahead.

Get ready for a lot of change in your life ahead.

 

Do you want to know what happens in your life once you start dieting? There is a lot more going on than just eating less and losing fat.

Not only does it change your awareness of what you eat, but it changes your awareness of what others eat.

It improves your health and it will change your relationships in almost every aspect in your life.

 

  • What is a true caloric deficit?
  • At what point does your body use body fat for energy?
  • Why do we need to make different food choices when we diet?
  • What happens to awareness of cause and effect of what food does to the body?
  • What is your intent of dieting?
  • What actually happens when you actively intervene with diet?

 

 

Listen to what John and Brad have to say about this topic:

 

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(If you are using Venus Index Mobile, go to the left menu -> My products -> right menu -> Uncensored Season 3 -> enjoy, you can assign star to add it into Favorites for easier access next time, if you don’t have access to Uncensored Podcasts you can purchase Immersion Package inside the App Shop)

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Is there room for lifting when you are training for a half marathon?

Liss and Jenny

Liss and Jenny

 

This past weekend, I met up in Memphis with Coach Jenny to run the St. Jude Half Marathon. The run was really an excuse to go see her, meet her family, and vacation. And by vacation, I mean eat at all the great places in Memphis!

Jenny and Liss at the Arcade Restaurant

Happy, happy, happy! Jenny and Liss at the Arcade Restaurant

It turned out to be a little experiment to see what would happen if I did the bare minimum training for  the race while continuing my Venus workouts. I did not want to:

  • run more than I had to
  • experience the hunger that comes with all that cardio
  • give up any of my normal 5 days a week of lifting

 

The plan

So my plan was to:

  1. Lift Monday-Friday
  2. Do one long run on the weekend
  3. Take a rest day each week
  4. Maintain metrics

I try to run most weekends whether I have a race or not. It keeps up my lung capacity and  helps my asthma.  It has its purpose but I  don’t love running; I love lifting.  The change I experience from lifting is more tangible.  I can see it, feel it.

 

I wrote up my own running plan to taper up a mile every few weeks before the race, topping out at 12 miles. Unfortunately, I got sick and wasn’t able to run for the 3 weeks before the race. I saved what energy I did have for  lifting.  It took priority.

Liss running in Memphis

Liss running in Memphis

The results

I did a pretty good job of maintaining my metrics.  I stayed within a half inch. I tried to make sure to save extra calories for the day of the run and the day after to help with hunger.  I kept up with my weekday lifting schedule, although some days  there just was not much gas in the tank.

I didn’t have a personal best time for the race but it was not my slowest half either! I finished the half marathon in 2:05 which was a pleasant surprise. John has always said that a strong muscle is a fast muscle. Lifting does pay off for running!

The best part of the race was the course.  It was amazing! We ran by the Mississippi River, down Beale Street, and through the St. Jude campus where millions of children have been and will continue to be cared for.   I will never forget it.

In the corral before the race started

In the corral before the race started

The memories

Though Jenny and I have hung out many times together as we have become close friends, our families had never met. Our kids and husbands became fast friends.  We hit all the sites and spent our down time learning how to finger knit along with the kids. We even went to an NBA game.  Everyone had a blast!

Liss and her husband at the Grizzlies game

Liss and her husband at the Grizzlies game

It was an amazing trip!  I am so thankful for the friends I have found through Venus and I look forward to more trips in the future.

Liss and Jenny at the Wolf River

Liss and Jenny at the Wolf River

 

X- Liss

 

 

How about a life in a new and improved body at age 45?

At age 45 Sue has discovered life in a new and improved body!

At age 45 Sue has discovered life in a new and improved body!

 

Sue placed 10th in our VT11 Venus Transformation Contest

 

Here’s what Sue has to say in her own words:

I discovered the Venus Factor program in March 2014 and really liked the structure of it and the community.  I weighed 172 pounds and while I’m 5’10” tall, excess weight on me is still fat and looks horrid.  I took some photos at that point (I have included them to show my whole journey), just so I could look back and see where I’d come from.  This would be at least the seventh time that I would have lost over 20 pounds in the last 15 years, so my struggle isn’t so much in losing the weight (I can be dedicated for a period), but in the maintaining and keeping it off.  The addition of getting older (I’m 45) and having recently started HRT were added bonuses in the equation!

The thing that struck a chord in me with Venus was the simplicity in the overriding diet philosophy – I can eat anything I want, provided I am accountable and responsible for it.  And I can bank up my calories for special events.  I LIKE THAT!  It makes the whole thing so much more manageable .. and livable!  I also loved that I didn’t need to plan my own workouts .. just print it out and go do it.  Brain interference = Zero.

From March to May 2014 I followed Venus, although since I do karate at a fairly high level and train regularly, I was more intermittent than structured with the workouts.  I lost about 15 pounds during that time and then decided to enter the contest.  At the same time, I also entered an adventure race, which is trail running, mountain biking and kayaking in the Australian Blue Mountains, outside of Sydney.  I needed to train for this as I hadn’t run or ridden a bike in over 30 years!  I was also training for my first dan black belt grading in karate, which I achieved at the end of June.  So I was getting quite a bit of varied training but all the extra load then caused my knee to start giving me grief. The doctor has since said I have Osteoarthritis in both knees, but I’m working with a physiologist to manage that, as I’m not willing to give up any of my training.

In the middle of the contest period, I got sick.  I tried for a while to control my diet, but my body was just CRAVING carbs.  I would go DAYS where the thought of bread and butter and honey was at the forefront of my mind!  Eventually I gave in.  I also didn’t train in any way for about three or four weeks.  I was disappointed in my lack of progress, given the race and the contest had end dates that were fast approaching.  I made the decision then that I would not be where I wanted to be at the end of the contest, so I would not get a professional photographer.  I would still take the pictures myself AND submit them .. since I committed to myself up front that I would.

Well, race day came and went and it was a blast!  About 17 miles covered and we didn’t stop for over four-and-a-half hours.  I was completed exhausted by the end .. but I did it!  Only one week to go to the end of the Venus contest from there.  I had incorporated two Eat-Stop-Eat style fasts into my week a while ago and since I was under instruction to completely rest my knee (no training in the last week for me) and I had work commitments and meetings that would make the water loading of Slim in 7 problematic, I decided to just eat super-clean, in calorific deficit and do an extra day fasting.  The result was astonishing!  Not only did I make my Venus Index metrics on weight and waist, I went under them!  Unbelievable.  The photos, while very ordinary quality, do show the incredible transformation and I couldn’t be happier with the hard evidence in front of me.  And yes, I am KICKING myself for not going professional for them!

Aside from losing weight using the Venus Factor program, I have learned a couple of other really valuable things from this experience.  During the time I was sick and recovering and also not training, I learned how to relax on the program and how to maintain – which is HUGE for me.  I also learned how much I can change my body in just one week when I want to, and how vital diet is.  I discovered through the Venus community that maintaining a healthy and fit body isn’t the effortless, anything-goes lifestyle that I’ve always assumed .. that healthy, fit people have to actively maintain their bodies and take responsibility for it.  And I’ve found that while I don’t need to count calories (I haven’t for most of the contest period), I DO like to weigh myself every day to keep myself accountable .. and motivated!

Thank you for the Venus program, the incentive of this contest and the incredible community you’ve built.  I am so happy with myself and my journey and with my new starting point .. and I can’t WAIT to see what else I can do with this old bod!

 

Sue lost 15 pounds in 12 weeks in spite of some setbacks.

Sue lost 15 pounds in 12 weeks in spite of some setbacks.

 

Sue is active in the online forum

Sue is an energetic, fun, and super supportive member of our community where you can find her often giving an encouraging word to others.

We have a very popular thread in the forum called “The last 10 pounds” because this seems to be a very difficult part of the process and requires much patience.  This is the time where your food intake needs to be almost as precise as a lab experiment.  It requires tremendous discipline and consistency.

Here is a sample of the fun Sue brought to our community right from the start:

Shaeshae, I’m with you .. have just been wandering through the Forum halls and came across this thread of awesomeness!!

Hi guys! I’m down to within my last 10lbs now, which is quite exciting. The whole process has worked REALLY well – dropping 19lbs and 3.5″ off my waist in just over 9 weeks. ESE has REALLY helped me to manage the whole process and it will be an invaluable tool in maintaining things going forward, as will the VF education on how much food really makes up my maintenance level.

I can already see me doing another program targeted at muscle and muscle shape development once I reach my goal of 145lbs (I’m 5’10”) .. and I’m excited about that already!

I have a grading coming up (I do karate) at the end of June and I’m hoping to be selected to attempt for my first dan black belt! I plan to be at or very close to my goal weight by then and already into the strength improvement side of things .. will feel wonderful doing a 4 hour grading and not feeling bogged down with excess weight or lack of strength or fitness. For the first time I look forward to the challenge with only excitement and no underlying feelings of dread or fear!

You guys are awesome, the way you share your experience with newbies like me. And you make us feel like no question is too stupid (even if it might be!). Thanks so much!!

Note:  ESE is the acronym for the book Eat Stop Eat by Brad Pilon.

 

Sue's before and after data.

This is only a small window of time in Sue’s overall weight loss journey.

 

Note:  The Adonis Golden Ratio is the men’s version of our fat loss and muscle building program.  Many Venus’s husbands and boyfriends use this program. We are starting to get requests for a “couple’s contest” so if there is enough interest please let me know and we can roll that idea around.

 

Sue keeps an online blog in our private community

Sue’s blog in the community is named “Life in a new and improved body” and yes, that is exactly what she has found with the Venus Factor!

After just a few months in the community Sue posted a picture in her blog to share some very wise words:

What are the most powerful words in the universe?

The ones you use to talk to yourself.

Talk with love.

 

Sue is an energetic and helpful personality in our online community.

Sue is an energetic and helpful personality in our online community.

 

Sue’s favorite supplements

Sue uses a variety of health supplements which she talks about in the podcast.  Among them she likes some of the BioTrust products.  She likes the probiotic and the frosted oatmeal protein cookies.  She has the IC-5 and the AbsorbMax and would like to incorporate those into her regimen soon.

 

You can listen to her story and words of wisdom here:

VT11 12-Week Transformation Winners Announced

The VT11 results are in and the transformations and final pictures are simply amazing!

One thing I love about the focus for women in the Venus program is “The focus is proportions and shape (rather than weight loss at all costs or building muscle like a guy)” – John Barban.

Congratulations to everyone who entered and finished!  This took hard work on the part of everyone and it shows.

Here are the winners:

First Place – Leann

Venus Factor is not just some diet. It has been a lifestyle change, for it has provided me with the right tools, skills, and mindset to manage my eating habits and get into the best health and shape of my life. Portion control, calorie budgeting, and lifting heavy are key. Flexibility and freedom to choose what and when you eat reigns. Finding balance in what you eat—and in life—is imperative. The online community is so supportive.

Venus Factor is not just some diet. It has been a lifestyle change, for it has provided me with the right tools, skills, and mindset to manage my eating habits and get into the best health and shape of my life. Portion control, calorie budgeting, and lifting heavy are key. Flexibility and freedom to choose what and when you eat reigns. Finding balance in what you eat—and in life—is imperative. The online community is so supportive.

 

Second Place – Malissa

Wow is all I can say. I accidentally clicked on this ad on facebook six months ago and its the best mistake I've ever made. Went into this with no expectations just wanted to lose 20-30lbs and discovered I love weights and I'm so mad at myself for having a gym membership and using it for cardio classes. This program has helped me get to a level of fitness that I have never had in my entire life. The program has changed my life forever and helped me find a new passion.

Wow is all I can say. I accidentally clicked on this ad on facebook six months ago and its the best mistake I’ve ever made. Went into this with no expectations just wanted to lose 20-30lbs and discovered I love weights and I’m so mad at myself for having a gym membership and using it for cardio classes. This program has helped me get to a level of fitness that I have never had in my entire life. The program has changed my life forever and helped me find a new passion.

 

Third Place – Tiffany

In regards to fun I didn't know exercise could be fun, who knew?! Also the access to the Venus community, woman across the world all having ups and downs in life and sharing with each other. Very empowering! So without Venus yes I could live my life but would it be were it is today...no! No because the goals I talked about still wouldn't be fulfilled and I have had them for a very long time, with no success from other programs. Thank you Venus coaches and creators, this is apart of me now.

In regards to fun I didn’t know exercise could be fun, who knew?! Also the access to the Venus community, woman across the world all having ups and downs in life and sharing with each other. Very empowering! So without Venus yes I could live my life but would it be were it is today…no! No because the goals I talked about still wouldn’t be fulfilled and I have had them for a very long time, with no success from other programs. Thank you Venus coaches and creators, this is a part of me now.

 

Fourth Place – Joan

I felt stuck in a body I didn't want. I thought I had tried everything. I lacked willpower to follow through with the hard work of trying to avoid certain foods. I don't have to avoid anything with Venus. As long as I am accountable for the calories I consume, I can eat whatever I want. How cool is that? The variety in the workouts keep me from getting bored of the same thing day after day. I like change, and I love the change in my body. This is a process that has become my healthy lifestyle. Yay Venus, thank you for giving me my life back.

I felt stuck in a body I didn’t want. I thought I had tried everything. I lacked willpower to follow through with the hard work of trying to avoid certain foods. I don’t have to avoid anything with Venus. As long as I am accountable for the calories I consume, I can eat whatever I want. How cool is that? The variety in the workouts keep me from getting bored of the same thing day after day. I like change, and I love the change in my body. This is a process that has become my healthy lifestyle. Yay Venus, thank you for giving me my life back.

 

 Fifth Place – Tabitha

This has been a true lifestyle change for my entire family. We no longer shop the way we used to, we find ourselves primarily shopping along the outside aisles of the store...no more boxed & processed food. We weigh & measure everything we eat. We very rarely eat fast food anymore and we don't even miss it! Even my 11 year old daughter has started making healthier food choices (on her own) and she has started working out with me in the evenings! We have started cycling has a family and have gone several times over the summer. We have truly changed our lives thanks to Venus and Adonis!

This has been a true lifestyle change for my entire family. We no longer shop the way we used to, we find ourselves primarily shopping along the outside aisles of the store…no more boxed & processed food. We weigh & measure everything we eat. We very rarely eat fast food anymore and we don’t even miss it! Even my 11 year old daughter has started making healthier food choices (on her own) and she has started working out with me in the evenings! We have started cycling has a family and have gone several times over the summer. We have truly changed our lives thanks to Venus and Adonis!

 

Sixth Place – Lorie

I babysit for my 2 year old grandbaby while my daughter goes to work. In that 2 years I have enjoyed eating way too many snacks, cokes and just about whatever I wanted. I did not go to many places, so I just wore my sweats all day and the weight has just crept up on me. I really was feeling depressed, and it was harder to run and play with my grandbaby. I decided to do something about It. I joined the Venus contest, and now 12 weeks and 24 pounds later I am seeing muscles I thought were gone forever.

I babysit for my 2 year old grand baby while my daughter goes to work. In that 2 years I have enjoyed eating way too many snacks, cokes and just about whatever I wanted. I did not go to many places, so I just wore my sweats all day and the weight has just crept up on me. I really was feeling depressed, and it was harder to run and play with my grand baby. I decided to do something about It. I joined the Venus contest, and now 12 weeks and 24 pounds later I am seeing muscles I thought were gone forever.

 

 Seventh Place – Johanna

John, Roberta and his team have done an awesome job with the program structure because, it offer the flexibility I needed with my busy schedule and hectic life. This program gave me all the tools I needed to obtain the figure I wanted to recover. I felt I was having a personal coach that was leading me and encouraging me through my journey. I never thought it was possible to have the same weight and size again that I have when I was 20 years old. This is real and it works, consistency is the key. I was looking myself in the mirror dreaming about having a tone body again and I decided the moment is now, “I just don’t dream about it anymore , I make it come true” and thank you John and Venus team for helping me and supported me to make my dream come true!!!!! :-)

John, Roberta and his team have done an awesome job with the program structure because, it offer the flexibility I needed with my busy schedule and hectic life. This program gave me all the tools I needed to obtain the figure I wanted to recover. I felt I was having a personal coach that was leading me and encouraging me through my journey. I never thought it was possible to have the same weight and size again that I have when I was 20 years old. This is real and it works, consistency is the key.
I was looking myself in the mirror dreaming about having a tone body again and I decided the moment is now, “I just don’t dream about it anymore , I make it come true.”
Thank you John and Venus team for helping me and supported me to make my dream come true!!!!! 🙂

 

Eighth Place – Arionna

I have come to love the Venus Index system because for the first time I have learned that this is a journey that is not just about losing pounds. It's not even really about losing inches (which is a great side benefit, don't get me wrong!) but this is about a mindset. Anyone who can successfully do this can do absolutely anything because it's all about setting priorities and gaining some mental clarity and self control. I seemed to have epiphany after epiphany doing this system. Some days were really really hard and some days were super easy and some days were just days with nothing special about them. I started this contest right during my husband's third deployment while my kids and I were living in a foreign country and my sister and her husband came to visit and we also traveled to seven different countries while I did this. I feel like I could have blown this out of the water if all of this hadn't been going on but the thing is, it's about real life. And these are the things that happen in real life. People don't exercise and diet in a vacuum. I had to learn to do it during real life, during stress, heartache, confusion, happiness, celebration, and vacation and it's definitely do-able. I will definitely continue with this system for the rest of my life.

I have come to love the Venus Index system because for the first time I have learned that this is a journey that is not just about losing pounds. It’s not even really about losing inches (which is a great side benefit, don’t get me wrong!) but this is about a mindset.
Anyone who can successfully do this can do absolutely anything because it’s all about setting priorities and gaining some mental clarity and self control. I seemed to have epiphany after epiphany doing this system. Some days were really really hard and some days were super easy and some days were just days with nothing special about them.
I started this contest right during my husband’s third deployment while my kids and I were living in a foreign country and my sister and her husband came to visit and we also traveled to seven different countries while I did this. I feel like I could have blown this out of the water if all of this hadn’t been going on but the thing is, it’s about real life. And these are the things that happen in real life. People don’t exercise and diet in a vacuum. I had to learn to do it during real life, during stress, heartache, confusion, happiness, celebration, and vacation and it’s definitely do-able. I will definitely continue with this system for the rest of my life.

 

Ninth Place – Loretta

I've had so many people compliment me and some quite vocally (like today at a soccer game, one of the other moms was astonished to see how much I'd lost and said so very loudly!). Many ask me how I did it and I've come to the conclusion that weight loss is like smoking. You wont lose weight until you're tired of seeing yourself and hurting every day from joints that are taxed by your weight. Once you reach that point, Venus is the way to get your life back! Thank you Venus, John, Roberta, and all the wonderful ladies for the constant support in the blogs. I'm not quite to my goals, but I am very close - closer than I have been in over 20 years!!!

I’ve had so many people compliment me and some quite vocally (like today at a soccer game, one of the other moms was astonished to see how much I’d lost and said so very loudly!). Many ask me how I did it and I’ve come to the conclusion that weight loss is like smoking. You wont lose weight until you’re tired of seeing yourself and hurting every day from joints that are taxed by your weight. Once you reach that point, Venus is the way to get your life back!
Thank you Venus, John, Roberta, and all the wonderful ladies for the constant support in the blogs. I’m not quite to my goals, but I am very close – closer than I have been in over 20 years!!!

 

Tenth Place – Sue

The thing that struck a chord in me with Venus was the simplicity in the overriding diet philosophy – I can eat anything I want, provided I am accountable and responsible for it. And I can bank up my calories for special events. I LIKE THAT! It makes the whole thing so much more manageable .. and liveable! I also loved that I didn’t need to plan my own workouts .. just print it out and go do it. Brain interference = Zero. Thank you for the Venus program, the incentive of this contest and the incredible community you’ve built. I am so happy with myself and my journey and with my new starting point .. and I can’t WAIT to see what else I can do with this old bod!

The thing that struck a chord in me with Venus was the simplicity in the overriding diet philosophy – I can eat anything I want, provided I am accountable and responsible for it. And I can bank up my calories for special events. I LIKE THAT! It makes the whole thing so much more manageable .. and liveable! I also loved that I didn’t need to plan my own workouts .. just print it out and go do it.
Brain interference = Zero.
Thank you for the Venus program, the incentive of this contest and the incredible community you’ve built. I am so happy with myself and my journey and with my new starting point .. and I can’t WAIT to see what else I can do with this old bod!

 

Cover Model Category – Julie

This category is for any previous Contest winner who wants to participate. These photographs may be used for future book covers or calendars.

Julie shows us all how we can still have fun at age 53 with the help of the Venus Factor program. "The mental energy required to get off the last 20 pounds was surprisingly challenging and required much more focus and diligence in sticking to my deficit eating than was required of me during the VT8 contest. I really had to toughen up my mental game. I learned that persistence beats perfection and to just put my head down and grind it out when the going got tough. Thankfully, I had a lot of support and inspiration and examples to follow from the Venus community in doing just that!"

Julie shows us all how we can still have fun at age 53 with the help of the Venus Factor program.
“The mental energy required to get off the last 20 pounds was surprisingly challenging and required much more focus and diligence in sticking to my deficit eating than was required of me during the VT8 contest. I really had to toughen up my mental game. I learned that persistence beats perfection and to just put my head down and grind it out when the going got tough. Thankfully, I had a lot of support and inspiration and examples to follow from the Venus community in doing just that!”

 

Prior Miss Texas got her Venus back at age 52, and the pageant dress fits again!

Bonnie said "I fit back into the sequin dress now, my rear is smaller and my shoulders are bigger.  Glory hallelujah!"

Bonnie said “I fit back into the sequin dress now, my rear is smaller and my shoulders are bigger. Glory hallelujah!

 

Bonnie Thwaits came in second place in our Venus Transformation contest VT10

 

Bonnie’s own words regarding the Venus Factor:

Howdy,

I was a senior at Texas A & M in 1985, I was also in the Corps of Cadets at A&M with an Amy contract.  Women were not allowed in the school band and out of 21 female fish (freshman, like a plebe at Westpoint or Annapolis), only 4 of us (women) made it to our senior year.  There were plus or minus 3000 guys in all branches at the military program which is the heart of Texas A & M.  So about 4 army women out of 900 guys for the class of ’85.  There was also a Texas superior court case argued at the same time to force A&M to allow women into the band and other military groups. (started in 1979) .  We were controversial to say the least.

Staying in shape was not a problem! But getting respect as women was.  I went out to prove that the girl with the rifle could look like the girl in the contest AT THE SAME TIME!

I was selected as one of the top four ROTC cadets in the nation, as well as top cadet in the third region over all ROTC Cadets.  It is important to note that Texas started their women’s program before Westpoint.

So way back in the day!

But the guys accepted us as sort of neuter.  We couldn’t be a Venus and a cadet at the same time. Hah!  So I went on to represent Texas A &M in the miss Texas USA pageant.

The beach photo is myself sandwiched between two of my children in June of 2013.  Ruh-Ro.  What happened?  I was 52, already owned the Venus program, (for a few months) and just sort of drifting.  Like I kinda sorta thought I might not be wearing my old clothes anytime soon, but it wasn’t that bad? Right?

We took my son in the beach picture back to start as a Plebe at the Naval Academy, so ‘glory days’ by Bruce Springsteen was sort of playing in the back of my head.  THEN I saw the beach picture.

I had to own that.  That was what I looked like.  I didn’t feel like I looked like that, but I did.  So I plunged into immersion and got to work.

I do listen to the podcasts.  Sometimes I even run one when I go to bed, similar to sleeping on one of my Veterinary Books on Surgical technique in the hope of getting smarter, or brainwashing myself, or.. or …something!

Most of the time I listen while I’m commuting.  Yet another new habit.  It’s hard to pull into Wendy’s while you are committing your time to STOP pulling into the same fast food joint for a quick pick me up (with a few thousand calories) on the way home from work.

Would you like to super-size that, ma’am?

Not anymore.

 

Questions and Answers with our Venus winner Bonnie

 

How did you find the Venus Factor?

 

I originally started with Isabel de Los Rios before she even had the beyond diet program, I also bought the workout booty for wife and a basic get a shape program from John Romanello .  I didn’t adhere strictly, but liked the idea of a workout designed to give me curves.  I use the bio trust supplements and that dropped me into the email list that led to your link.

I:

A) liked the name Venus Index, ‘I’m your Venus, I’m your fire, instantly played in my head

B) just evaluated the unflattering ‘moment of truth photo‘ (beach picture at the top)

C) never thought about a shape or number ratio as a goal.  This was rather objective rather than subjective.  My ever vigilant scientist popped out.

 

What aspect of the program was most beneficial to you?

 

Workouts I could do at home with my kid, watching TV!  Whole new habit.  Instead of eating popcorn/chips/ice cream, I do a workout.  John asked me what about listening to podcasts?  Well…I want to look forward to having relaxing time, playing with my kid while watching TV that I normally would not have time to do, that is sponge bob or finding Bigfoot, not CNN, while my seven year old boy laughs and jumps around on my ball.

I replaced a bad habit with a good one, listening to Venus podcasts!

 

Did you like the Venus workout?

 

See above, it’s like twister at my house. Nor am I secret about it.  I just do it while husband attempts to watch seventeen shows at once.  Now he is forced to peer around whatever position I happen to be in.  Assuming you can edit this!  One morning husband queried/hinted…’ You could do that naked you know’. That was the day I got it!  He had not been supportive during my transformation.  Suddenly he had formed a new habit as well, and was not afraid of the new me.

 

Which workout(s) did you use?

 

I just stayed at 12 week level one the whole time.  Now that I moved onto operation build a booty, I’ve moved up to level 2- building muscle is harder than losing fat.  I understand the tightrope analogy now.

 

What kept you motivated?

 

I OWNED that hideous beach picture.  I have pictures of who I was but I needed to face what I had become.  I used that beach photo as my avatar, I posted it on Facebook.  I knew if I didn’t do something, nobody else would do it for me.

 

Do you have a particular style of eating?

 

I usually do a lot of less than 50 calories snacks through the day, even if I am not on deficit mode. Other than that I do fruit in the morning, salad or veggies at lunch and a big salad with some protein at night.

I’ve always been a natural faster.  It’s my work schedule combined with a busy mind.  That also means I have been a natural binge eater.  ‘I haven’t eaten all day, better suck down a gallon of blue bell, while cooking dinner’

 

Did you use the undulating  diet protocol?  If so how did it work for you and did you make any modifications?

 

I always try to put the bike together before I read the instructions so I was on 2:1 for the first seven weeks, oops. I found I sort of broke through to an ‘eat up’ day on my own.

 

Did you use any supplements?

 

I use the bio trust protein powders and make smoothies, I also use leptiburn, ic-5, absorb max, prox10, and now I use the omega desert.  I was using athletic greens and still have the packs for on the go.  I make my own green smoothie now.  I also use the krill oil 5x supplement that’s a pill.  All as directed on label.

 

Did you use the online community and how was that experience?

 

The entire experience was an evolution.  I started excruciatingly slowly.  First I bought the program about 2 months before I looked at it.

Then I tried to do the sneaky, not doing anything special with my food approach.  I did not work out at home and still went to gym.

Yet another hour not spent with my seven year old son.  I did not do much with community.  Sort of looked at it….sighed….what an ant nest.

Tried VT9 and just stopped program slowly.  Died off with a whimper.  Finally one day I realized I wasn’t doing it.

When I faced that beach picture again, that was STILL me.  Uh oh.  Then I jumped into the community and started pushing buttons, dialing knobs, checking out stories.  My motto was ‘no fear’.  I try to not repeat the same mistakes.

I Committed myself with the family.  Not an ‘I would like to lose weight comment’ but a forceful commitment.  An ‘ I am out here in the living room to exercise.  I am not waiting for you all to go to bed and yes I am doing push ups and lifting weights ‘ approach!

 

Did you find support with friends and family?

 

I was shocked that husband thought I was taking diet pills or starving.  He did some sort of negative intervention with me. ‘We are worried about you’ Do what?  I thought he would be ecstatic.  I got on scale for him.  I then got out wedding pictures.  Then I found the inner strength NOT to use this as an excuse to go graze in the fridge.  Looking back I understand he was worried about where our relationship and comfort zones were going.  He felt insecure in my affection for him. If I did not have the community I would have broken that day.  I was devastated.  Everyone on the blog was supportive, including YOU Roberta!  Thank you Bobbie, if I may call you that.

 

What was the hardest obstacle to conquer?

 

See above AND I  had to give up alcohol .  I love a glass of wine or a cold bottle of beer when I get home and plop onto the couch.  Something about drinking liquid grain or sugar leads to the desire to eat crunchy, salty fatty foods, or cake!  Why?  But I had to own this as well.  This also removed obstacle to working out.  Part of the new habit protocol. Come home, watch TV, play with kiddo, work out.  Best multitasking ever!

 

How did you feel about your final pictures?

 

Is that really me?

 

Is this a lifestyle you will continue?

 

That’s the good  and bad thing about habits.  They are hard to break.  The taper up program was also a game changer.  When I got here.  I knew how to stay here.  I am doing second contest VT 11 to get a better booty, smaller waist, better shoulder definition.

 

What is your best advice for other Venuses?

 

Do not be shy.  Out yourself.  Avoid the negative, and the negative will come.  I need to give credit to the author of the community quote ‘stumble forward’.  I made mistakes.  I used the positive affirmation of the others in the community when I was laid low. There is a roll model for every personal Venus.

Example:  my plot= I had a great body! I Had a very physical lifestyle.  I ended up with job of my dreams! great kids! lovely ranch. Lots of very bad, lots of very good.

I wanted to look like I used to, I saw Roberta’s pictures and knew it was possible for a 53 year old to get back in shape.

I included the before I looked bad photos, the beach photo and I will get photo shoot pix and send those with the essay tomorrow

Thank you Venus and my personal role model, Roberta.

 

You can find Bonnie active in our online community, always ready to give a helping hand.

 

A common theme with Venus women in their 50’s and beyond

There is a common theme here at The Venus Factor with women becoming successful in mid life.  We are finding that what the rest of the world says about us not being able to lose fat in mid life is not true.  Here are several more stories from our most successful women who found the same success as Valerie here at The Venus Factor:

Putting it all Together: VI Open Winner Naomi Sandoval

Lift Heavy for Longevity: Interview With Denise DeGrazia

Be in the Best Shape of Your Life at 50

The Girl Who Gets To Wear Cute Clothes Into Her 50′s

52 Year Old Cancer Survivor, Wife, and Mom of 5 Ditches Her Chocolate Pity Parties and Loses 100 Pounds

50 is the new 20!

Starting a Fitness Career at Age 51

Yet another mid life Venus throws out the fat pants and gets the body of a 20 year old!

 

Dear Bonnie,

I loved hearing about your owning your beach picture and finally making the commitment.  It was totally awesome how you cam full circle from the young woman as Miss Texas to even better that in mid life. It’s a very cool story and it’s an example for all women in mid life that we can age like a fine wine.

You are truly living the golden Venus life, maintaining and not rebounding, and living life to its fullest.  Thank you for sharing your story and for being such a bright beacon of light for many.  Your bright smile matches the bright light and passion that burns inside you.

All my best,

Roberta

How to Stay Motivated When You Over Eat and Don’t Feel Like Exercising?

MalissaMichelleRoberta-Mirror

How do I stay motivated when I over eat and don’t feel like exercising?

It is two weeks into the current Venus Transformation contest.  Whether you are in the contest or not, we are all striving to be our best and make positive changes in our lives.  We all want our dreams.  Keep the dream, go for the dream, live the dream!

You might be on a motivational roll, or you might be in a motivational slump.  We all have these ebbs and flows and need motivation to get back on track.

If you find yourself in a slump know this is normal.  It happens to all of us. Don’t give up. We are all human.  We all make mistakes.  We all have to motivate ourselves to get back on track.  None of us gets a free pass on this.

 

Listen to Dr. Nicola and John in our free podcasts:

Ask Nicola; Overcoming Inertia

Ask Nicola; What is Self Sabotage?

Ask Nicola; Are You Your Own Worst Self Critic?

Ask Nicola; Perfectionist Mindset

Ask Nicola; What Can You Do About Distorted Body Image?

Ask Nicola; Learn to Love Your Body

Ask Nicola; Three Things That Can Hinder Your Success

Ask Nicola; Can food be a reward?

Ask Nicola; What is closet eating?

Ask Nicola; Emotional Eating vs Emotional OVER-Eating

Ask Nicola; Identify Emotional Eating

 

Why the Venus program works

All of us love food. This is where we learn to manage it in a healthy manner for life. All of us have learned how to diet, and all of us have learned how to eat too much, but we have a hard time learning the middle ground. It is swimming up stream against society and social pressure to constantly eat high calorie foods. So we all have to learn to manage it like a budget.

Once the debt is paid off then we simply learn to have a one or two deficit days to offset the higher eating days.  We balance it like a checkbook for the week or over a period of time. It takes a bit of effort to get used to and then it just becomes second nature.

Just like kids who get money from their parents when they are young and don’t have to worry about where it comes from or how much is in the checkbook; we all have to grow up and become responsible with food intake. If not, we spend calories like it’s a credit card with no limit and then we get into fat debt again.

There is a lot of science behind why the workout is designed the way it is, and why the eating schedule is designed the way it is; both of those give you an advantage as well as keep leptin up.   But also not depriving yourself of foods you love is KEY.  Most other diets restrict you from foods you love and you go crazy eventually and over compensate for depriving yourself.

 

 I don’t like working out

Just do the best you can. It does not have to be all or nothing. Do something every day.  Do just enough to so that you don’t dread it. Think of ways to make it fun. Is it music, time to yourself, a new piece of workout gear, shoes, clothing, something new to look forward to, spending time with friends? Try something to make it fun.

The more you do it the more you will see things about your body change and that will motivate you. It might just be walking to the end of a driveway without getting winded anymore. For some of us who are older we find our arthritis doesn’t bother us as much. Rejoice in the health changes.

The more conditioned you become the better you will feel, and the more good biofeedback you will receive to keep you rolling on a positive trend.

Any little effort you put into exercise gives you “skin in the game” to keep rolling with all your other choices like food and not let the day go to wasted effort.

 

How to deal with over eating?

None of us are perfect. As John says in the in the Fat Loss Manual, give yourself “Permission to be Imperfect”; It’s a great message. We are not machines, we are human, so we bumble along the best we can.  The process still works if we are patient and don’t let peak eating days go on for a long string of time endlessly. Just increase awareness, live life, learn some new tools and tricks, be patient, and give it some time.

Day to day effort is all it takes. It is the daily choices.

You are not alone when you feel like you always want more food. Pretty much all of us want more, especially on a deficit. For three years while mostly on a deficit I had to constantly remind myself after every meal, and after finishing my small portions; “I can have more next time!” Drink a big glass of water or tea and walk away and get busy on a project, work, chores, whatever. Keep busy. Get away from food and get your mind on something else.  I still have to use this technique today.

My biggest advice on the over eating is that you can STOP whenever you decide to stop. You don’t have to think this is the end of the world and that you are doomed just because you over ate (and thus keep eating for no reason), just stop!

You may have to bump up your calories a bit. Anything under maintenance is a deficit. A slower more sustainable deficit is better than too low and then binging.  Sometimes binging is a sign that it’s too low of a deficit for you.  You might have too much stress in your life.  You might have some emotional issues to deal with (we all do); it does not mean there is anything wrong with you.  Hunger is our body’s natural reaction to any stress.

It does not matter what others are doing.  Quit comparing what you eat with what someone else eats.  What they do does not matter. You need to find what is right for YOU. All you need is a slight deficit over time, more deficit days than maintenance days, and keep the peak eating days to a minimum.

 

Looking at your string of positive days often

If you are using a calorie counting tool like MyFitnessPal then look at the 30 and 90 day calorie charts often to make sure your peaks are not too high, and not too often.

Get a calendar and use some fun pretty sparkle stickers for all deficit days, a different sticker for maintenance days, no stickers for over maintenance peaks, and a different sticker for workouts.  No negative stickers!

Remember that maintenance eating days are always a WIN. They are not backsliding.  They are eating normal. It’s the way you were meant to eat. It is just enough.  The calorie deficit is not the way you were meant to eat; it is corrective action to fix a health problem.  None of us are meant to stay on corrective action forever.  We need breaks from corrective action.  Corrective action is stress.

Then be motivated by the string of stickers or the graph of progress you see over time.

We all make mistakes. Every single one of us. We are all human, not machines.

Just stop where you are at if you are not on track and decide to get back on track.

Just DECIDE and DO IT.

Know you don’t have to be perfect.

Know you start with little steps.

Know you will feel pain.

Know you have to break through your fears.

 

The simplicity of Eat Less, Move More

The simplicity of “eat less and move more” is powerful. Sometimes we get far too caught up in the tools and letting them mess with our heads, when deep down we all know it’s just go to the gym and eat slightly less.  Listen to your body when you need to eat a little more some days (not binge!)  Rest from the gym when you need it. People figured this out before the age of technology.

Sometimes the age of technology is information overload, when this happens take a deep breath and listen to the simplicity in your heart and mind, it’s there. Then after a breather start looking around and navigating the technology if you want.

It doesn’t always matter about “counting” calories, so long as over all the calories in are less than the calories you ate to get you where you are today. That can mean smaller servings, or one less pudding, or don’t drink soft drinks.

Likewise, it doesn’t matter about being perfect with the exercise, doing something is better than doing nothing.

If you want to get stronger that doesn’t have to be perfect either, as long as the amount of exercise you did this week is somehow a little more than the amount of exercise you did last week. That can be going a little longer, or lifting a little heavier, or walking a little faster. Bodies take time to change, and lives take time to change too.

I hope this helps!

-Coach Roberta

 

If you want a Venus Premier Coach <<– Sign up here

PS You don’t have to be in a contest to get coaching.

 

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