XALO!

I am EXTREMELY excited to inform my friends, family, and followers all about the products I have been using to keep me going!

Personally, I am not a fan of coffee. I was told before going to college there was no way I wouldn't start drinking coffee. Here I am today...still not drinking coffee. I do not like the taste of it. Never have and probably never will. I have tried pre workouts such as N.O. Explode and other energy drinks such as Rockstar. Maybe it is because I am sensitive to caffeine, but I noticed my skin itching and that I wasn't able to sleep well at night despite me drinking them in the morning. I was twitchy and at times shaky. Despite me getting headaches from them, I kept drinking them because I felt I needed caffeine to get through my 4-5 group fitness classes a day. At least until I was introduced to XALO...

What is synthetic caffeine exactly? 

*Taken right from XALO website*

If it says the word “caffeine” on the label then, surprise! It’s not real caffeine. It’s synthetic. Chemicals created in a lab. Why is this bad? One reason is that it’s a lot more potent than natural caffeine — in a bad way. Artificial means a quicker spike and, of course, a quicker crash. Another con to taking fake caffeine is that the entire process of extracting it means you’re consuming something that’s probably been exposed to a number of harsh chemicals including: methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide.

If you need caffeine, your best bet is to go “au naturel.” Natural caffeine (in its botanical form) actually has the ability to regulate your body’s reaction to it. This means a dramatic reduction in all the negative side effects associated with caffination: sleeplessness; nervousness; heart palpitations; nausea; looking like a crazy person, etc. (Okay, we added that last one — but you know it’s true.)

http://www.abundantlyhealthy.co.za/5-reasons-to-kick-the-can/

XALO: Life is for Living

So you are all probably wondering what is the deal with these products? Let me break it down for you.

LIMITLESS

 XALO Limitless FAQ

What is XALO Limitless?

XALO Limitless is an all-natural energy drink alternative. We take electrolyte-rich coconut water, add the natural energy of green tea, taurine and Korean ginseng, then finish it off with a mangosteen boost. 

What are the key ingredients in XALO Limitless?

XALO Limitless features an all-natural blend of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), Korean ginseng, taurine, apple extract, green tea, mangosteen powder and coconut water. 

How do I take XALO Limitless?

XALO Limitless is not for everyone and should not be taken if you are on heart medication or on blood thinners. Begin with . serving and increase to 1 serving. Limit intake to one serving daily.

How much caffeine is in XALO Limitless?

XALO Limitless contains 150mg of naturally occurring caffeine from green tea. If you are currently on any heart medication or blood thinners, we do not recommend taking XALO Limitless.

What do GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) and Gotu Kola do in the body?

GABA is a neurotransmitter that provides a calming effect on the body.* Gotu kola is used to improve blood circulation to the brain.* Both of these ingredients are included in XALO Limitless to help your mind focus on the task at hand.

Why are Korean ginseng, taurine, and green tea added to the formula?

This combination of ingredients is included in the formula to provide a natural energy boost.

Why does XALO Limitless include coconut water?

Coconut water contains naturally occurring electrolytes that hydrate your body. 

xalo.xango.com

Personally, I love to use this product almost every day. It gives me a kick start to my day.

Ignite

 XALO Ignite FAQ

What is XALO Ignite?

XALO Ignite is a specially formulated vasodialator that allows you to boost your cardiovascular and exercise performance. Our key ingredients help your blood vessels relax and dilate, delivering more critical nutrients and oxygen to your muscles, tissues and organs for for peak mental and physical performance.*

What are the key ingredients in XALO Ignite?

XALO Ignite features an all-natural blend of L-Arginine, L-Norvaline, L-Citrulline, beet root powder and mangosteen. All support optimal body-oxygen circulation, cardiovascular health, endurance, sexual wellbeing and anti-aging.* 

How do I take XALO Ignite?

XALO Ignite is not for everyone. If you are on any heart medication, please consult your health care professional before consuming. For best results, drink one packet mixed with 6–8 oz. of cold water daily. Stir well and drink immediately. Do not shake when mixed.

Can I take XALO Ignite with XANGO® Juice?

Yes. XANGO Juice and XALO Ignite can be taken together. 

How often should I use this product?

We advise taking XALO Ignite once to twice daily.

Tell me about L-Arginine.

L-Arginine is an amino acid and is a precursor to nitric oxide, a blood vessel-widening agent. It is formulated to increase oxygen circulation in the body and also promotes optimal athletic performance.

Tell me about L-Norvaline.

L-Norvaline is involved in the increase of increase of nitric oxide levels in the blood, causing relaxation of the blood vessels. 

Tell me about L-Citrulline.

L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that supports arginine content in the body. 

Why does XALO Ignite include beet root powder?

Naturally high in nitrates, beets allow our blood vessels to relax and widen—a process known as vasodilation. Increased oxygen to the muscles, organs and other tissues allow them to perform at higher intensity. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

xalo.xango.com

This is by far one of my favorite pre workout supplements. It gives me energy to push myself during my own workouts and my patrons when I lead them. I am able to sleep perfectly fine at night and I do not get a crash. FINALLY!

Reload

 XALO Reload FAQ

What is XALO Reload?

XALO Reload provides you with key ingredients designed to build lean muscle, increase strength and reduce muscle loss. It’s the go-to recovery supplement that curbs the wear and tear of daily living. Promotes a lean and strong physique.*

What are the key ingredients in XALO Reload?

XALO Reload features an all-natural blend of glutamine, BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), D-ribose, mangosteen powder and coconut water. 

How do I take XALO Reload?

XALO Reload can be taken at any time, but is best taken right after exercise to reduce soreness. Mix one packet with 10–12 oz. of water. May be consumed up to 3x daily.

How much caffeine is in XALO Reload?

There is no caffeine in XALO Reload.

What is Glutamine and how does my body benefit from it?

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid (building block of protein) in the body. “During times of mental or physical stress, your body may need more glutamine than it can make.” Glutamine is important because it removes excess ammonia (a common waste product in the body), helps your immune system function and appears to be needed for normal brain function and digestion.*

What are branched-chain amino acids?

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs - leucine, isoleucine and valine) are among the nine essential amino acids for humans, accounting for 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins and 40% of the pre-formed amino acids required by mammals. Branched-chain amino acids are used to reduce protein and muscle breakdown and improve exercise performance.*

Why is D-Ribose included in the formula?

D-Ribose supports the body’s natural process of energy synthesis. It helps to reduce the loss of energy during stress and accelerates energy and tissue recovery. D-Ribose helps muscles regenerate lost energy and potentially minimizes any physiological consequences of energy depletion.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

xalo.xango.com

Personally, I love to use this product because I am not a fan of protein shakes. If I am hungry post-workout, I need actual food. Most of the time I am on the go so this is perfect for me to get BCAAs in my system as quickly as I can to aid in muscle recovery and regeneration. It tastes so good too!

These products truly work!

My friends and family know that I am a work out fanatic and I am passionate about helping other reach their goals mentally and physically. These product help me tremendously daily and I would NOT endorse them if they didn't work for me. This can help you too! If you have and questions or are interested, I would LOVE to talk to you more in detail. Anything is possible!

Change Requires Taking a Leap of Faith

Hello hello!

 
I have not posted in my blog in MONTHS. I moved home this past January not knowing where I would be 8 months later. As I expected, time has flown on by! I love being home and enjoying my family and making new friends. I also have had the opportunity to work at six gyms this past year. 2014 has been a heck of a lot better than 2013 to say the least. I will say the only reason I ever had the opportunity to do what I do is to have hit rock bottom. I am a very private person. No one likes to tell the world that they have failed many times but I truly believe there is a reason for everything. Trust the timing in your life. 

 

I am grateful to have such caring and loving bosses at all of my jobs. I am learning so much and never expected to be where I am at. It's scary not knowing what was ahead but I knew I had to take chances. I did not know 3/4 types of fitness there was here a year ago. I am proud and honored to work for all the people I do. Between learning how they run a business, lead and treat their employees, I have to say I am a mile ahead then if I stayed where I was. One boss of mine started her business a year ago. She didn't know anything about the fitness industry yet she tried it anyways. She just got back from a fitness conference in Toronto. I admire her eagerness to learn more and be more. She now runs a successful business that is continuously growing. Another boss of mine started as an LA fitness instructor and went on limb to hand out her own business cards to her followers. She began her private business in a small space and what do you know...it exploded! She now offers some of the neatest classes I have ever seen and had to move her business to a larger space. Two of my other bosses are husband and wife and are extremely generous and always on the go. They travel to multiple facilities to share their love of fitness. I could not ask for better people to work for. That being said...I love what I do.

 

Recently, I spoke to someone who told me their goal was to retire at the age of 40. It made me double take for a moment. I thought to myself, "40 years old?!? That's a hefty goal." But then again I asked myself, "Why not me?" Why do we not set goals that may seem unreachable or what others say impossible? Is it because we are afraid of failure or is it because we are afraid of success? That one statement really made me think hard of where I am currently at. I realize I need to make changes. I will never settle. It's easy for someone to get comfortable and decide to never make any changes. How do you know what your interests may be if you never try something new? You may find you LOVE something you thought you never would. 

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am skeptical of people selling products to me, especially when it comes to supplements. Why? Because I graduate with a bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State and I know a lot of it is bull. I have been approached by multiple people from different companies about joining their "team" and selling their products. I turned down every single one of them until now. I was approached by Chris Desmond on LinkedIn. He noticed I take interest in nutrition and exercise. I thought to myself, "Great another person trying to sell me something." He told me about Xalo and it's products. Now for everyone wondering what I am talking about, it is a company that sells ALL NATURAL powders for before your workout, after your work out, and an every day energy supplement. He sent me samples and I decided to try them. I loved the way they worked! He then had me speak to Lynee Palacios on the phone. She is sold me on the product. She is nutritionist, personal trainer, bikini competitor, and a medical student. She explained the metabolic process of each supplement to me. I was VERY impressed with her explanations and how well she knew the products. One thing that makes these products COMPLETELY different then most is that there is NO synthetic caffeine and they are natural. I am very excited to start my journey with XALO! I will be continuing to blog these wonderful products. I have decided to become a distributor for XALO and have a great group of people that are very supportive.  

My personal website is: http://my.xango.com/beyourinspiration/

http://www.xaloageless.com/

If you have any questions OR comments, please let me know! 

 

 

New Year, New Beginnings, New Classes

  December rolled around and I was still in the same position as I was in August. Working three jobs (2 which I didn't care for), didn't know what I was doing with my life, living pay check to pay check, and not particularly happy. In August I wasn't ready to go home but when November came around and I came home, I knew it was time to move on from Penn State. I will always love Penn State but there is so much out there that I have yet to experience and learn.
   When I came home in November for Thanksgiving, my mom confronted me one night about what my plan was for coming home. I had not looked into jobs yet, taken my ACE certification, or had any kind of plan. I was in denial. The conversation went from angry, to sad, to understanding, and then motivating. She is the one person in my life that knows how to push me and get me going again. I was not motivated and I was waiting for things to come to me. I wasn't doing anything to change my situation. Of course I did not want to hear anything she was saying at first but afterwards I knew it was for my best interests.

 As soon as I went back to Penn State, I started e-mailing gyms in the Poconos and researching dietetic internships. I set a deadline to get my Group Fitness Instructor ACE certification completed. Basically, set goals. Let's just say it paid off. Before I knew it, I was getting e-mails back from gyms, figuring out where I want to apply for dietetic internships, and had my ACE certification under my belt. I was beyond happy with everything. I came to realize time never slows down so make the most out of every minute and opportunity presented to you.

 

 My last week at Penn State really hit home for me. It didn't seem real. I couldn't believe I completed three years of teaching group fitness classes at Penn State. I have grown so much as an instructor and would not be who I am without all of the experiences I had teaching there. I had taught amazing faculty members as well as college students. I loved teaching everyone and pushing them to their limits. I teach to help people grow confidence and make them become mentally strong. Fitness is a mental game and I hope they learned that from me. I only wish the best for them. They made my day with their constructive criticism as well as the compliments. I will never have a group of patrons like the ones I had. I miss all of their smiles, enthusiasm, pools of sweat, and hard work. Keep on keepin on!

 It wasn't until when I was driving home when I knew one chapter of my life had ended and a new one was beginning.

  I like to just listen to an album rather then the radio when driving home. I decided to listen to Rascal Flats album "Me and My Gang". Each song for some reason I could relate to. When it came to the songs, "He Ain't the Leaving Kind" and "My Wish" I couldn't help but cry. 


But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

He ain't the the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave Him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

No matter what you do, no matter where you go
He's always right there with you

  It made me think how much I have to be grateful for. It made me think that dreams really can come true and that someone is always watching over you. Karma is real and when at moments in your life when you think you hit rock bottom and you think you'll never get out of it, someone seems to help you. I am not super religious but I do believe in a God and I know that he has helped me out this whole year. Even when things were bad and felt angry or sad, I believe it was a lesson. It occured to teach me something. The song "He Ain't the Leavin Kind" also reminded me of my mom. I know she is one person who won't ever leave me and always will be my #1 cheerleader. I know we all have someone like that in our life. No matter what fights you go through, they will be there to love you and help you. You can get so mad at them sometimes but they know it is only to help you. When someone is trying to help you, try not get angry at them, just take a step back and think about what they have to say to you. Because if my mom didn't say the things she said, I do not know if I would have accomplished all that I have. They are there for your triumphs and your failures. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me through the thick and thin.

 Home SWEET Home...

Now since I have been home, I am SO excited! Being exposed to different gyms and and their styles of teaching has already opened up my eyes and it's only been a few weeks. Each gym is so unique and I love it. 

 Currently I am a fitness instructor at:

-Sweat Like a Girl

http://www.sweatlikeagirl.com/

- GCMC

http://www.movewelllivewell.com/

- Stroudsburg YMCA
 http://www.poconoymca.org/poconos_ymca_group_exercise_schedule.html

- Pocono Mountain Fitness
http://www.poconomtfitness.com/

I will be doing nutrition counseling at Sweat Like a Girl.

There were so many opportunities presented to me when I came home and then I knew that all of the hard work I put in at Penn State had paid off. Just when you don't know your worth, something shines through or someone sees something you didn't see before. I am so thankful. 

 So you NEVER know what could happen to you or when. When everything seems to be going wrong, take it as a lesson. 2013 wasn't the best year for me, but 2014 is a new start. I do not do New Year's resolutions BUT I do goals. I plan to stick to my goals and not just reach them, but crush them. 

So keep your head up and keeping moving forward no matter how hard it may be.