A half marathon and the Barbarian Challenge this weekend!

So unbelievably, I have decided to do a half marathon in September.  It's here in state only about an hour away so that really helps.  www.talladegahalfmarathon.com.  If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be training to run a half marathon right now I would have told you that you were crazy.  I have never been "a runner".  Run for fun, for exercise, for whatever but not seriously like this.  I am in week two of training.  Training is not horrible.  It's about 3 days a week right now and it actually has started out at distances I am pretty used to running but at much slower paces - now that just drives me crazy.  I see no reason to slow my pace at this point if I am running the same distances I have been.

My husband has decided to do the half too.  And he has NEVER been a runner, not even the casual runner I am.  It should be fun!  At this point, I just cannot imagine running 13.1 miles.  The longest I have ever run is 6 miles.  Doubling that and then some just seems an unsurmountable task, but I am going to try.

Today is speed training.  One mile warm up, about a mile at a pace a little faster than I am used to running, a half mile recovery, a mile at the faster pace again and then a half mile cool down.  I am experimenting too.  It is getting lighter earlier here so I am up in the hopes that it will be light enough in about 20 minutes to go run before work.  It's getting too hot to run on my lunch hour outside at work.  Plus I know the distances around here and at work it would be a little harder to figure out.  I hear the birds already so that's a good sign.

This weekend is the Barbarian Challenge in Gadsden.  www.barbarianchallenge.com  Now this one I am nervous about.  I think it will be fun as we are doing it with a couple other people but I am a little worried about the obstacles and the course.  Plus it's almost a mile longer than the Warrior Dash we did in Jackson, MS a couple months ago.  I think I will finish it but will I finish it faster than the three guys I am running with? That's really my goal - to beat the boys!  Wish me luck!

Be a Beachbody Coach! It's easy!

So, maybe you are thinking of signing up to be a Beachbody Coach or maybe the thought has never crossed your mind.  Here I will try and explain the pros (and cons) and why I signed up to be an independent Beachbody coach.  If I don't answer your question, please feel free to email me (coachcrystal@coachcrystalfitness.com) or comment on this blog and I will get back to you asap!

So why did I become a coach?  Two reasons (i) discount on products, and (ii) accountability.  First, discounts.   When you become an independent Beachbody coach, you get 25% off all of your purchases.  I am buying the stuff anyway, why not get it cheaper!  Some people become coaches just to get the discounts and there is a huge benefit in doing that.
Second, accountability.  Before I even heard the phrase "be a product of the product" I knew that if I became a coach, I would be more focused on my fitness and push myself harder.  I mean, how can I tell you that you should focus on your health and fitness if I am sitting on my couch eating potato chips all day and not working out?  What a hypocrite I would be!  I wanted to keep focused and push myself to the next level and knew that becoming a coach would help.  Plus, I love working out with other people and getting people to push themselves to a new limit!  It's so much fun to watch people accomplish something new or even be challenged myself (like I have been lately by my running buddies).

If those two reasons are not enough there are other benefits to becoming a coach: You also get (i) 25% commission from your customers’ purchases (unless they are Club members. Then your commission is 15%), (ii) 50% commission on your customers’ Beachbody Club member dues, (iii)  bonuses as you increase your business and coaching level, (iv) once you reach a certain Coach level (called Emerald) customer referrals from Beachbody (the Customer Lead Program), (v) free websites maintained by Beachbody (but I highly recommend also creating an independent website like I did www.coachcrystalfitness.com), and (vi)  free support and advertising to grow your business (if that is your goal).  No one is going to force you to grow your business, however.  You can do as little or as much as you want - it's up to you!

There are some costs associated with becoming an independent Beachbody coach and it would not be fair if I did not provide those as well.  So here they are:

The initial cost is $39.95. This gets you your tool kit, access to an online office, training programs, coach support to grow your business, written materials, national coach calls, resources to get answers to all your questions as well as any questions of those you are coaching and three of your own Independent Coach websites (one for Shakeology, one for Ultimate Reset and one for everything else).

The monthly cost after the initial start up cost is $14.95 per month. This continues your access to all of the above and Beachbody’s maintenance of your websites.

In addition to these costs, you are “encouraged” to purchase or sell at least $50 to $55 worth of products every 35 days. I say “encouraged” because if you don’t have these sales, you will remain in “inactive” status. This means you will not get referrals from Beachbody (though this requires more than just “active” status) and you will not be eligible for certain coach programs. When you first start your Independent Beachbody Coach business, you will likely be purchasing the products yourself. For most, making sales of $50 to $55 every 35 days will not be a big deal as you are likely buying Shakeology and other supplements monthly.  We buy so much Beachbody stuff for ourselves and for our families that we have no problem meeting this requirement.

When I first signed up to be a coach, my very first customer was a huge surprise to me and the last person on Earth that I thought would buy anything from Beachbody - my mom.  She didn't work out regularly and really wasn't focused on her health and eating habits.  She came to visit one week and we sat down with the website and determined what her goals were and which program she should start with.  We narrowed it down to two.  She thought about it for a couple of days and when she got home, she ordered the one she was most comfortable with.  She loves it and is always sending me emails about how great she feels on the days she works out and how happy she is that she started the program. 

Don't worry, you don't have to run out and become an expert about anything.  Beachbody provides you with all the support you could ever need.  They are the experts!  And you don't actually have to be with someone while they are working out to be their coach.  You are there for support and encouragement, just like I am for you!  I love working out and really like getting others involved and focused on their health and fitness.  I wish the world were a healthier place and being a coach is my attempt to spread information about how we can all be healthier while becoming and remaining healthier myself.

I hope this blog helps.  If you still have questions, email me at coachcrystal@coachcrystalfitness.com or comment on this blog and I will get back to you asap.  If you are ready to be a coach just click the button below and get going!  I would love to help you grow your business!  I can (and would love to) be your coach when you sign up and will give you all the support you need!  All you have to do is list me as your referring coach either by (i) screen name: CrystalHolmes; (ii) email: coachcrystal@coachcrystalfitness.com or (iii) Coach ID: 135090, when prompted.  So, let's go!