Archives for 2016

From 250 pounds to Fitness Coach in one year

Beth placed in our last Venus Transformation Contest and has evolved into the most amazing online person and coach.  It was so fun to have the pleasure of watching it all unfold before my very eyes.

 

Beth saved her own life, listen to her podcast to find out how.

Beth saved her own life, listen to her podcast to find out how.

 

I first came upon Venus Factor back in August of 2015. Back then I weighed 220 pounds and was embarrassed about how I looked. I wouldn’t leave the house, nor did I want to be seen in any pictures. I hid behind clothing and was depressed with no self confidence.

What was worse, I had already spent money, time and effort into other companies who all claimed to help me loose weight and inches.

Nothing was working and as a result of being so desperate, I ended up in hospital in liver failure.

So, naturally, when I came upon Venus, I was skeptical. I figured this was just another ploy to get money and leave me in worse shape than when I started.

However, it did not take me long to start seeing results for myself. Results I had wanted and hoped for all along. This past May I decided I would go for the 12 week challenge to help push me towards my last goals. I wanted to be challenged and push like I hadn’t been before.

I was! Not only have I lost weight and inches, more importantly, I have gained my self image back. My confidence!

Now, I like being involved in pictures, and I don’t feel the need to hid behind clothes. I enjoy getting out with my family and am able to be more actively involved with my kids!

I have seen so much change in myself these last 12 weeks, that I often have to look twice in the mirror to be sure that what I am seeing is real!

I am stunned with what I become, like I am still dreaming a dream I never want to wake up from. I know I still have some work to do, and that’s OK.

I know that as I continue to follow the calorie deficit days, the eat up days, fasting and the exercises I will finish what I have started!

I am excited for that.

Being healthy is more than just looking good. It’s a deeper level of loving yourself, in spite of our flaws, that marks us.

 

 

Beth is no longer depressed or facing liver failure.

Beth is no longer depressed or facing liver failure.

 

Weight is something that I have not always struggled with. I was always the tall, athletic one. The one out running, playing sports and, on the occasion, breaking bones. Ya. Fun, huh!

I noticed that my weight really didn’t start to get out of hand till during my first pregnancy. From there, I kept climbing up the scale. Each pregnancy, and I had 4, I gained another 20-30 pounds till with my last one, I weighed 250 pounds. Over an 8 year period of time, I had gained 100 pounds.

I was obese. I was. And that was very depressing. I hid from life. I hid behind clothes, didn’t want to leave the house. For months I tried to loose the weight, I ate salads and started making smoothies because that’s what the internet said was the healthy thing to do. I ate less, ate more, tried this and tried that.

All my searching for that “quick fix”, that “thing”, that would magically reverse all the weight. Nothing was working. All it did was destroy my body till I was in the hospital with a severely damaged liver. It wasn’t until I found The Venus Factor that I actually started making progress. Started to see the results that I had been waiting to see all along.

That was all the motivation that I needed to keep on doing what I was doing!

With this last 12 week contest, I decided that I was close enough to my goal that I may slack off if I didn’t have that kick in the butt I needed. So, I signed up in May. It was a roller coaster, that’s for sure! I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone to do this.

I didn’t do it so that I could win. Winning really never was a thing for me. I needed the motivation to keep on keeping on. There were times that it wasn’t easy, times when I didn’t want to, and times where cutting corners and giving up would have been easier than finishing. But, I pulled though. I had the support of my family and friends around me, and I pulled through.

 

Beth really had fun with her contest photo shoot!

Beth really had fun with her contest photo shoot!

 

Moving forward, I am not really sure what is in store for me. I know that journey will be fun. I know that I cam able to do a lot more than I first thought possible. But where I finish up, the sky is the limit!

If we learn to push past our dreams, learn to make higher goals that we think may be attainable, you will find this drive within yourself to just keep pushing!!

So that’s what this next part of my journey will be.

– Coach Beth

 

Beth-VT17-blue-shirt-plank

Feel free to follow Beth on Instagram or find her on Facebook.  You can email her or find her posting daily in the Nibbles Fitness Facebook group.

It’s not too late to achieve your own dream and join our current Venus Transformation contest.

In the meantime, be inspired by coach Beth in her podcast below, listen now or save it for later:

Today is the start of VT18 of the Venus Transformation Contests

Wow, time is sure flying by.  It doesn’t seem that long ago that I entered VT3 back in the day.  And the days just keep rolling by.  So the time to do this is NOW.

There is always life in the way, so the more we do this the more the healthy lifestyle becomes just a part of who we are.

Here’s the duration of the contest:

VT18:   Start August 22 – End November 21

The link to join is RIGHT HERE.

 

What is the Venus Transformation Contest and who can join?

Any Venus customer with a login to the downloads area can join.  If you don’t place in a contest you can enter as many times as you want.  There is no fee.

But there are amazing prizes.  The best prize of all is the empowerment and health in your own life.  The ability to enjoy life more, gain confidence, and improve every aspect of your life.  Many have improved marriages and improved confidence in their jobs, hobbies, and activities in their communities and families.

There are the other prizes too:

The Transformation Contest place has prizes for placements:

  • First place: $500
  • Second place: $350
  • Third place: $250
  • Fourth place through tenth place: $200

Or each winner can choose the Immersion Membership instead of the cash prize.

Watch the short video to learn more about how it works and when to enter your pictures during the window of time:

To find out about previous contests go HERE, and please read the RULES and REGULATIONS.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year bring to all the amazing Venus ladies.

 

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CONTEST ENTRY INFORMATION:

If you are a previous contest winner, or have already “transformed” and want to share professional pictures and your story you can join the contest as a “cover or calendar girl”, simply email me for details.

OR, if you have made a transformation and have a story and before and after pictures to share and are willing to do a podcast interview with us like Heidi did in VT17, you can still have a chance of placing, simply email me and let’s get this party started!

Never Settle!

Never Give Up.

Live Your Dream.

-Coach Roberta

PS Anyone who wants coaching is welcome to sign up for Premium One-On-One-Coaching and pick the coach of their choice.

VT17 Contest Winners Announced (beautiful pictures included)

And the VT17 winners are…  Drum roll please…

And it is important to note this is merely a 12 week window in the journey of all these women.  They all have a much bigger story to tell.  That is why we did something special in this contest and we will continue to do this going forward if you submit your stories to us.  You have a chance to win even when the contest time period does not fit your current season of life.

First Place – Deborah

VT17 Deborah BnA Collage

 

Second place – Lisa

VT17 Lisa BnA Collage

 

Third Place – Kimmy

VT17 Kimmy BnA Collage

 

Fourth Place – Teresa

VT17 Teresa BnA Collage

 

Fifth Place – Amy

VT17 Amy BnA Collage

 

Sixth Place – Anita

VT17 Anita BnA Collage

 

Seventh Place – Elizabeth

VT17 Elizabeth BnA Collage

 

Eighth Place – Melissa

VT17 Melissa BnA Collage

 

Ninth Place – Monica

VT17 Monica BnA Collage

 

We did something special for our tenth place this time.  It will come as a complete surprise to her because she did not enter the contest.  Heidi just turned 60.  She has a special story to tell and you can listen to it in the podcast below.  She really struggled even after getting Venus because the fact of the matter is that some people need a little help understanding how to use the program.  Once she figured it out, everything clicked for her.

If you have a unique success story to tell and are willing to share your pictures and do a podcast with us, simply contact me and let’s do it.  It does not matter how long it takes you, make it a lifestyle.  Sometimes the 12 week contest fits your life and other times it doesn’t.  We all have the various seasons in our life.

Tenth Place – Heidi

VT17-BnA-Heidi

Heidi recently celebrated her 60th birthday with an 18 mile bike ride. She is super happy with her life now and you can hear the enthusiasm in her podcast interview. She is very inspiring!

Heidi recently celebrated her 60th birthday with an 18 mile bike ride. She is super happy with her life now and you can hear the enthusiasm in her podcast interview. She is very inspiring!

 

Congratulations to all the winners!  What beautiful pictures.  What hard work.  It all paid off.

And the journey continues.

We will be contacting all of the 1st to 9th place ladies to see if they want to share their story and possibly do an interview, and of course Heidi already shared her story and I’ll contact her about her prize.

The Transformation Contest place has prizes for placements:

  • First place: $500
  • Second place: $350
  • Third place: $250
  • Fourth place through tenth place: $200

OR, any of the winners can choose Immersion which is worth more than any of the prize dollars.

Find out more about the Venus Transformation contests, they can be very motivating.

What about online coaching?

Many of our successful clients decide to invest in one on one coaching. You are welcome to choose which coach you would like to work with.  Our premium coaching program works for many!  Contest winner Andrea talks about what coaching did for her in our Venus podcast.

 

When is the next contest?

VT18: Start August 22 – End November 21

So next Monday there will be a post here on the blog with the link to enter, in the meantime check out the rules and regulations.

So get ready for more awesomeness this year!

Never Settle!

Never Give Up.

Live Your Dream

-Roberta

 

Listen to Heidi’s energetic story in the podcast below or download save it for later:

The Deadline for VT17 is in ONE WEEK. Are you ready?

The deadline to get your before and after pictures in is August 1st at midnight Eastern Time.

 

FAQ Video on the Venus Contest:

 

 

Contest Rules and Regulations

How to enter a Venus Contest

Check Out the Previous Contests

Most of the winners had no idea how far they came and some almost didn’t finish. So don’t let your own mind stop you from finishing.  If you need some help deciding what to do please feel free to email me roberta.saum@gmail.com.  You are not alone, although the process feels lonely sometimes.

Remember this is a lifestyle you want to keep.  The contest is merely a stop along the tracks.

If it’s something you want to do, go for it!

We are here for you.

-Coach Roberta

The 2016 Venus Transformation Contest Schedule:

  • VT16:   Start January 11 – End April 11

  • VT17:   Start May 2 – End August 1

  • VT18:   Start August 22 – End November 21

The Deadline for VT17 is in TWO WEEKS. Are you ready?

The deadline to get your before and after pictures in is August 1st at midnight Eastern Time.

Contest Rules and Regulations

How to enter a Venus Contest

Check Out the Previous Contests

 

Most of the winners had no idea how far they came and some almost didn’t finish. So don’t let your own mind stop you from finishing.  If you need some help deciding what to do please feel free to email me roberta.saum@gmail.com.  You are not alone, although the process feels lonely sometimes.

 

Remember this is a lifestyle you want to keep.  The contest is merely a stop along the tracks.

 

Here’s a video of of many Venus Veterans having fun (except the handsome young man G’Angelo  in the first clip), some are previous winners and all the rest are Venus ladies who never entered the contest. Not everyone needs or wants to enter a contest. It’s not a requirement to have a Golden Venus Life!

 

If it’s something you want to do, go for it!

We are here for you.

-Coach Roberta

 

The 2016 Venus Transformation Contest Schedule:

  • VT16:   Start January 11 – End April 11

  • VT17:   Start May 2 – End August 1

  • VT18:   Start August 22 – End November 21

Previous VT contest winner is now one of our BEAUTIFUL cover winners

Meet Malissa again, she placed in our VT11 contest.

Meet Malissa again, she placed in our VT11 contest.

With only 3 weeks left in VT17 it’s perfect timing for learning from someone who has figured out how to do things after a contest and stay successful.  Malissa has done an amazing job of maintaining!

Malissa is one beautiful woman who has learned how to keep going with the Venus lifestyle.  She felt she over shot the mark a little during her previous contest.  She has now found her happy size range and has learned to roll with the seasons over the years.

 

She's pretty happy with her life right now!

She’s pretty happy with her life right now!

 

Malissa’s diet has evolved, she found that she can’t eat as low as she did during the previous contest.  What she eats has changed a little, and it ebbs and flows with the seasons.  She has a tough battle as she works night shift as a nurse.

Malissa loves to share her recipes and workouts on Instagram.  She is a constant source of inspiration knowledge and is very active in the Nibbles Fitness support group.

 

Malissa posts on Instagram daily!

Malissa posts on Instagram daily!

 

It’s been extremely rewarding to watch Malissa grow on social media and gain a following.  She’s found the Golden Ticket to happiness and health.

Here's one of her recent recipe posts, yummy!

Here’s one of her recent recipe posts, yummy!

 

Malissa-side-lying-pose-couch-blue-dress

Check out what Malissa has to say about dealing with the ebbs and flows of life and maintaining.  She’s proved it can be done, with class!

Listen to her podcast now or save it for later:

 

Venus Veteran Kimberly Shares Her Secrets to Maintenance Success

Kimberly has been using Venus systems for over 5 years and placed in Venus’ very first open contest.

Kimberly placed in the VT1 Open Category back in 2011

Since 2010, she has continually improved her physique despite health challenges and global relocations. Kimberly knows what it takes to maintain and improve your physique!

Kimberly, Liss, Jenny, and Lou Ann in Vegas

Kimberly, Liss, Jenny, and Lou Ann in Vegas

So when I thought about interviewing veterans about maintenance, this sweet friend came straight to mind. I have seen her in person and even worked out together; we got to meet in 2014 in Vegas at a Venus meet up. Kimberly looks every part Venus.

IMG_20140808_124200

Liss, Jenny, Roly, Carla, and Kimberly after workout at the Cosmopolitan

Here is what Kimberly has to say-

During the VT1 competition back in Jan to April 2011, I set a goal for myself.  An “Every Day Venus”.  I wanted a body shape and appearance that I could have everyday.  A body that was not dependent on heavy dieting, posing or lighting tricks.  I wanted to learn a way to maintain a look that is athletic and lean….all the time.  There is no doubt Venus has taught me that.

Kimberly August 2011 After Venus Contest

Kimberly in August 2011 After Venus Contest

I have maintained at Venus for over 5 years now.  Every Day.  At first it took some work and focus as I built new habits and ‘normals’ for myself.  I was also a little scared about losing this new body that looked good and was strong and healthy.  It took a while to realize that I didn’t have to be perfect and worry about things, I just needed to be consistent and gently correct the process when I got feedback from my waistband or body that I was slipping a little.

Kimberly 2012 Maintenance Venus Index

Kimberly in 2012 at Maintenance

My key learnings have been:

  • Aim for consistency not perfection. Don’t stress the small things; a big day of eating or a missed workout doesn’t matter.  Intervening early when the pendulum swings out makes it easier to stay on track
  • Find a pattern to keep calories within your target zone as a lifestyle. For me it is easy to skip breakfast and eat normally the rest of the day.  Look for low calorie substitutions you can use for every day eating
  • Lift heavy. You won’t look like a man and even if something does get a little more than you would like, it is easily reversed by changing exercises
  • Even if you have health issues, don’t give up. A strong and healthy body makes such a difference in managing symptoms and may even enable you to fix some of the root causes

 

Over the past few years I have continued to improve my metrics (refer to table).  I am actually a little ‘extreme’ in my unders and overs.  Each one of us is unique but we all have the potential to create our best body with this program.  It is important to recognize that we all have our own look, and that you cannot ‘shop’ about for the best body parts from others.  Celebrate what you have.

Kimberly 2014 Maintenance Venus Index

Kimberly in 2014 at Maintenance

In my original VT1 essays, I wrote “This is a competition and someone will win.  Whatever happens, I have already won – I know my dream body, I know how to get it and I know how to maintain it.”

 

Five years on…..and I am still winning!!!!

Kimberly in 2015 at Maintenance using Venus Index

Kimberly in 2015 at Maintenance using Venus Index

Kimberly’s Metrics Using Venus

Height 5’3.5″ Venus  May 2011 (VT1)         Current
Weight 122 lb 105 lb 110 lb
Shoulder 39.1 39.1 42
Waist 24.3 23.5 23
Hips 34.4 33.0 36.5
Bicep   9.4 10.5
Chest   33.3 34.5
Upper thigh   17.6 17.6


Kimberly’s transformation story
Kimberly’s VT1 interview with John Barban – An Everyday Venus

Kimberly in the Venus Community

Watch Kimberly’s interview with Liss below:

Listen to Kimberly’s interview with Liss below:

 

 

 

Venus friend of a Venus friend sheds 60 pounds.

Today the VT17 contest deadline is 5 weeks out so we figured you would like to hear from one of our last contest winners.  Andrea is friends with Danell who placed in a Venus contest.  Andrea was pretty impressed with Danell’s results and decided to give the Venus program a shot.

The VT17 contest deadline is August 1st, 2016, it will be here before you know it!

Speaking of Danell, she is still doing great and I recently had a little Venus meetup with her and we had a blast together!

 

Andrea is pretty happy with her results! I would be too!

Andrea is pretty happy with her results! I would be too!

 

And she did a pretty amazing job in the Venus contest too!

And she did a pretty amazing job in the Venus contest too!

 

Here’s what Andrea had to say in her own words:

 

I have always been fairly active,I was big in to body building 24 yrs ago, I ran marathons about 15 yrs ago, then about 11 years ago I tore my ACL snowboarding. Well after surgery and coach time the lbs came creeping back.

I had several life challenges and relationships that contributed to a negative mind set toward my health and fitness and decided a few extra lbs was no big deal.

Well hello 222lbs and my body rebelling against the extra lbs and I decided it was time to make a change! I joined a gym 4 years ago and was successful at taking off 60lbs over a years time.

I then moved changed jobs and eventually met an amazing man who I am blessed to have in my life! With that new relationship though my routines suffered I put them in the back burner and the lbs crept up again.

Andrea-D-Venu-holding-medal

I struggled with getting back on track. I did create an exercise space that I love so that I would want to be in it, going to the gym is just not an option with work hours and travel time so I love my home gym!

In December or around there I saw a post from my friend Danell about winning a Venus contest her after pictures were amazing so I clicked on the link and read more. I asked her a few questions and jumped in.

Wow finally an easy to follow doable program that fits me. This is definitely a lifestyle anyone can live with!

-Andrea

Andrea is still happy and enjoying life!

Andrea is still happy and enjoying life!

Both Danell and Andrea are active in the Nibbles Fitness Facebook group and Andrea can be found enjoying life and active on her personal facebook profile.

Listen to Andrea talk about her experiences in the audio podcast below or save it to listen to later:

 

The Stay At Home MOM Venus makes it happen! (Meet Tara)

Tara is one of our amazing success stories! And her story is not over yet.

Tara is one of our amazing success stories! And her story is not over yet.

 

We all have a story.  We all have struggles. And the journey continues for all of us as we reach our goals and learn to live our lives.  It is not easy so there is no reason to be jealous or feel bad when you see others succeed.  I know it tends to make us all feel just a little insecure.

So just KNOW, that it is never easy for anyone.  Everyone has their battles you know nothing about. No one is ever perfect at this game, they just learn to never give up.

Even you.  You just need to keep going and never give up!

One of our Venus Veteran’s, Pam, was Tara’s local trainer and it’s how Tara learned about Venus.  So the three of us (Pam, Tara, and I) decided to get together to put Tara’s story in a video and podcast (audio podcast is below).

 

Tara (in blue), and Pam (in pink) and I decided to get together to document Tara's success story.

Tara (in blue), and Pam (in pink) and I decided to get together to document Tara’s success story.

 

Here’s what Tara wrote in her own words:

I have been on a long weight loss journey. In 2013 I decided to make a change. Weighing 211#’s, and not wanting to go up another pant size, I started eating clean and biking.

It worked out well with a weight loss of 40#. With that, I got comfortable and a little more lazy with my food choices.

However, I kept up the cycling a few days a week. By January of this year, I had put on a few pounds. Enough to make me uncomfortable.

I joined a weight loss challenge. I had some success with that, but again bounced back to the uncomfortable range after a necessary surgery.

So, with some input from friends, I looked into the Venus Program.

I’m a ‘stay at home’ mom, so the 3 day a week workouts seemed reasonable. I joined a gym and made my workout schedule with every intention of fulfilling it.

We are all feeling pretty Venus "bright" in Pam's backyard. Letting our Venus Light SHINE!

We are all feeling pretty Venus “bright” in Pam’s backyard. Letting our Venus Light SHINE!

 

Three Venus days and 2 cardio days per week. The food was a tough hurdle to leap, but I managed to maintain a deficit on most days.

With the tools that Venus has given me, I am currently at the lowest weight since having my first baby 16 years ago.

That’s a HUGE milestone for me.

I also know how to keep improving.

The knowledge of my deficit calories vs my maintenance calories empowers me to accomplish my next milestone.

One of these days I will see the abs that are hiding from me now. I know they’re there and they’re strong, yet they still hide.

The ever changing workouts keep me from getting bored and help me to feel my progress in strength.

This is so MOTIVATING!!

I’m proud of my accomplishments over the past 12 weeks and can’t wait to continue along this journey.

-Tara

Tara is very motivated to keep going and is currently in our Venus Transformation challenge.

 

And the video interview in Pam’s beautiful California backyard:

 

 

You can listen to the audio podcast below or download it for later:

Tara is very happy!

Tara is very happy and enjoying her new empowered life!

 

 

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Mom of four sheds the Frumpy with Venus!

Scotti is a mom of four.  She gained 100 pounds after her first born set of twins!  She lost and gained it back before finally embarking on the Venus journey.  She’s lost 35 pounds since starting Venus. As she says in her podcast, this all makes sense now.  It’s simple.  Not easy but simple.

Scotti is a mom of four, and is a NO EXCUSES woman. Amazing!

Scotti is a mom of four, and is a NO EXCUSES woman. Amazing!

 

She turned it around and it feels like for good!  Here’s what Scotti said in her own words:

 

Since finding the Venus Index Program late August, 2015, I have lost 35 lbs. I found Venus at a time when I was about to give up on the idea of losing weight and accept that I was a frumpy mom.

I stumbled upon Venus through a Facebook recipe link. I watched the video and thought, “Why Not!” Little did I know, I was about to change my outlook on food consumption, losing weight, cardio, and weight training.

I found Venus to be easy to follow and very flexible. I started with eating at a deficit first. I had never counted calories before.

Previously, I had success losing weight using Weight Watchers and Herbal Magic, but neither program taught me about calories and I gained the weight back.

I started delaying my first meal of the day, which made eating at deficit sustainable. I loved the inclusion of maintenance days. I knew that once or twice a week, I could have my favorite ice cream, pasta dish, or date night at a restaurant.

Once my food consumption was on track, I added in weight training.

I had been taking a kickboxing class three mornings a week for the past 2 years, I decreased my kickboxing classes to twice a week and incorporated the Venus 12 Week weight program twice a week.

It took me almost 5 months to complete the first 12 week weight program. Then, I moved on to Final Phase. I really, really like Final Phase. The first 12 weeks on the Venus Program, I lost 20 lbs.

I decided to join the contest for some extra motivation.

I told a friend about the contest and asked if she would take my pictures.

The contest, combined with being accountable to my friend, really helped me stay focused. I had some difficult weeks during the contest where I just wanted to eat. I listened to many Immersion podcasts to help keep me focused.

I shopped for photo shoes, a bikini, and booked my tan at various low points to help with motivation. I also took progress photos at the end of each month so that I could see my progress.

During the contest, I lost a further 15 lbs and 4.5 inches off my waist.

I can now see my beautiful muscles and I love it. I am not finished yet. I have some more fat to shed and some muscles to build.

I now have the tools to make this a reality. I am NOT a frumpy mom.

-Scotti

 

Scotti is active in the Nibbles Fitness Facebook group and in her last post there she said “I have increased my strength so much with the Venus Program that the ladies in my kickboxing class will no longer partner with me. I have mixed emotions about this – proud of the strength gains I have achieved and sad that I no longer fit in with the general population.

Listen to Scotti’s podcast now or save it for later:

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