Fajita-style chicken breasts seasoned with the Mexican spices, topped with bell peppers and pepper jack cheese, and roasted in the oven. Easy dinner recipe!

Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Grease the bottom of the casserole dish with olive oil. Add chicken breasts to the casserole dish. Note about chicken: use 4 thin chicken breasts, or use 2 large thick chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally each to make 4 thin chicken breasts. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt.

Mix the spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika) together, and sprinkle half of that mixture evenly over the chicken.

Prepare to top the chicken with sliced bell peppers. Note: Do not put too many bell pepper slices on top or chicken – there should be just one layer of bell pepper slices over the chicken breasts (use small bell peppers). If your bell peppers are large, you might have to use only half of each bell pepper (yellow, green, red) for roasting on top of chicken.

After you added sliced bell peppers on top of chicken, sprinkle the remaining half of the seasoning mixture over the peppers. Top with torn pepper jack cheese (Monterey cheese).

Bake, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts.

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Oven-Roasted Fajita Chicken with Cheese

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 chicken breasts (use 4 thin chicken breasts, or use 2 large chicken breasts, sliced in half, horizontally)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 6 slices (about 1 cup) of pepper jack cheese (Monterey cheese), torn

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Grease the bottom of the casserole dish with olive oil. I used the the oval casserole dish measured 13 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches deep.
3. Add chicken breasts to the casserole dish. Note about chicken: use 4 thin chicken breasts, or use 2 large thick chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally each to make 4 thin chicken breasts.
4. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt.
5. Mix the remaining spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika) together, and sprinkle half of that mixture evenly over the chicken.
6. Top the chicken with sliced bell peppers. Note: Do not put too many bell pepper slices on top or chicken - there should be just one layer of bell pepper slices over the chicken breasts (use small bell peppers). If your bell peppers are large, you might have to use only half of each bell pepper (yellow, green, red) for roasting on top of chicken.
7. Sprinkle the remaining half of the seasoning mixture over the peppers
8. Top with torn pepper jack cheese (Monterey cheese)
9. Bake, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts.

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Tomato Asparagus Chicken Fettuccine Pasta – delicious, healthy dinner, perfect if you love Mediterranean food! Lots of healthy ingredients: fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, asparagus, and olive oil.

This is a perfect Spring and Summer recipe! It’s a healthy pasta dinner but it tastes like comfort food. I used garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes to add lots of flavor to this dish. I also recommend that you add 3 tablespoons of high quality olive oil to stir into the final dish, off heat. It adds a nice kick and adding olive oil in this way is really good for you!

It’s easy to make this chicken pasta dinner gluten free – all you have to do is use gluten free fettuccine.

I hope you really enjoy this easy chicken pasta recipe!

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Tomato Asparagus Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, drained of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, drained from sun-dried tomatoes, or regular olive oil
• 1/2 pound asparagus, ends trimmed, cut in half
• 1/2 pound chicken boneless, skinless (preferably, boneless skinless thighs), chopped
• salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 8 oz fettuccine pasta (use gluten free pasta for gluten free version)
• (OPTIONAL) 3 tablespoons high quality olive oil or oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar

Instructions

1. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of olive oil (drained from sun-dried tomatoes or just use regular olive oil) to a large skillet, on medium-low heat. Add asparagus (ends trimmed, cut in half), chopped chicken (I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and prefer to use them, but you can use chopped chicken breast, as well) to the same skillet, sprinkle red pepper flakes and salt over all of the ingredients in the skillet, and cook on medium heat, occasionally stirring, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, and the asparagus is cooked to your liking (crunchy or crunchy-soft), about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add chopped roma tomatoes, chopped fresh basil leaves, and chopped garlic to the skillet with chicken, cook on medium heat about 3- 5 minutes until the tomatoes release some of their juices. Remove from heat. Taste, and add more salt to taste, if needed. Cover with lid and keep off heat.
3. Cook pasta according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain, and add cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and vegetables. Reheat on low heat, mix everything well, add more seasonings (salt and pepper), if desired. Remove from heat.
4. At this point, when the pasta and vegetables are off heat, you can add more high quality olive oil, which is really tasty. Or you can add more olive oil from the jar from the sun-dried tomatoes.

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Ever gotten to the gym and realized you left your earbuds at home? Then you know all too well that good music can make or break a workout. So if country music isn’t really your thing, you may have already written off the idea of ever trying Country Heat from your list of workouts on Beachbody On Demand.

If you’re thinking, “You can pry my Drake playlist out of my cold, dead hands,” we get it. Country music is totally a love-it-or-hate-it thing — and no one understands that more than Country Heat creator Autumn Calabrese. “I hated country music up until I was about 16. Hated it!” she says. Then her family moved from Cleveland to St. Louis, and her friends got her hooked on Garth Brooks and Leann Rimes and Shania Twain. Now, she says, “When I’m in my car, I probably listen to country the most.”

Who knows? You may have a country music obsession lurking within you, too. Or not — but there’s only one way to find out, right? Here are a few reasons to give Country Heat a chance even if you don’t love country music (yet!).

1. Country music is more upbeat than you think.

If you don’t listen to a lot of country music, you might assume it’s mostly just sad songs about pickup trucks. But don’t write off the whole genre just yet. There are plenty of upbeat country songs out there, not to mention a lot of songs that are a fusion of country and pop or hip-hop, such as Justin Timberlake’s country-inspired “Drink You Away,” or Nelly’s cover of Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man.”

“The term ‘country music’ has a negative connotation for many people — they think it’s old school, twangy music, and that’s just not what it is anymore,” Autumn says. “You can take country music and dance to it. If you go to a line dancing bar, you’re coming out covered in sweat.”

Still skeptical? Here’s an example: According to jog.fm, Luke Bryan’s “Kick the Dust Up” clocks in at 172 beats per minute, a similar tempo to high-energy workout tracks like Eminem’s “Till I Collapse” or Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood.”

2. Country Heat isn’t “just line dancing.”

Country Heat isn’t a line dancing instructional video — it’s a high-energy, calorie-burning dance workout — although the moves are inspired by line dancing. They’re also easy to learn, accessible to just about any fitness level, and loads of fun. “Country Heat feels less like working out, and more like you’re dancing,” Autumn says. “That’s something people can get behind.'” (If you like a good old-fashioned line dance, though, there are two bonus line dancing workouts.)

3. You don’t have to be an expert dancer to nail it.

If you’re not the most graceful dancer, you may be hesitant to try any dance workout. Take Beachbody dance workout Cize — while anyone can have a blast learning the routines, you need at least a little bit of rhythm to feel like you really killed it. But the basic moves in Country Heat are easy to master, even if you’re a beginner.

Each workout also comes with a 15-minute primer that breaks down each move, so you can learn the footwork before you put it to music. “That’s my number-one tip — do the move breakdowns,” Autumn says. “Even though it’s basic choreography, taking 15 minutes to learn those moves makes all the difference. When you then put on the routine, you’ll be more confident, because you’ve seen and practiced what’s coming at you.”

4. You won’t get burnt out.

Even your favorite song can get old if you hear it enough times in a row. But each 30-minute Country Heat workout features six different songs, so you won’t have to hear the same song over…and over…and over again. (We can’t keep you from getting “Footloose” stuck in your head, though. Sorry.)

5. Country Heat is designed for beginners — but anyone can break a sweat.

One awesome thing about this style of dancing: It’s not about precision or perfection, which means you can have fun, put your own spin on it, and push yourself as hard as you want. “It’s not going to make or break results if your arm isn’t moving in the exact same way that mine is,” Autumn says. “You’re going to get the most out of it when you’re having the most fun — when you immerse yourself into it, and don’t worry about the technique, and just worry about challenging yourself.” And you don’t have to be a diehard country fan to appreciate that.

Each workout also comes with a 15-minute primer that breaks down each move, so you can learn the footwork before you put it to music. “That’s my number-one tip — do the move breakdowns,” Autumn says. “Even though it’s basic choreography, taking 15 minutes to learn those moves makes all the difference. When you then put on the routine, you’ll be more confident, because you’ve seen and practiced what’s coming at you.”

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Not able to make it to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby? Embrace the spirit with this Blackberry Mint Julep Smoothie, a healthy Shakeology version of the classic Southern cocktail. The Mint Julep-inspired smoothie blends Vanilla Shakeology with blackberries, fresh mint leaves, and bourbon extract to taste almost just like the original.

Don’t have Shakeology? Get it here!

Blackberry Mint Julep Smoothie

 

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The Blackberry Mint Julep Smoothie blends Vanilla Shakeology with blackberries, fresh mint leaves, and bourbon extract to taste just like the original--without the calories.

Author: Beachbody

Recipe type: Shakeology

Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup ice
• 1 scoop Vanilla (or Vegan Vanilla) Shakeology
• ½ cup fresh (or frozen) blackberries
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp. pure bourbon extract

Instructions

1. Place water, ice, Shakeology, blackberries, mint, and extract in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

3.5.3208

 

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 178
Total Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 216 mg
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 7 g
Sugars: 11 g
Protein: 17 g

P90X/P90X2 Portions
1 Protein
½ Fruit
½ Single Serving Snack

P90X3 Portions
1 Carb
1 Protein

Body Beast Portions
½ Vegetable
½ Fruit
1 Protein Liquid

Portion Fix Containers
1 Red
½ Purple

Not familiar with Portion Fix? Find out how Portion Fix can make losing weight simple.

If you have questions about the portions, please click here to post a nutrition question in our forums so our experts can help. Please include a link to the recipe.

Photographs by Anguel Dimov and Brianne B of Natural Girl Modern World

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One-Pan Pesto Chicken, Tortellini, and Veggies – healthy, easy-to-make Mediterranean-style dinner that is good for you and it tastes like comfort food!

This easy chicken dinner is packed with colorful vegetables: red and yellow grape tomatoes, asparagus, and sun-dried tomatoes, combined with the delicious cheese tortellini.   Everything is generously smothered with basil pesto and olive oil.   I love how well-balanced this dish turned out to be thanks to the combination of the veggies, healthy oils (olive oil and basil pesto), protein (chicken), and a moderate amount of carbs (tortellini).

Everything is cooked in one pan – which means quick and easy clean up after you’re done eating this deliciousness!

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One-Pan Pesto Chicken, Tortellini, and Veggies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, sliced into strips
• salt
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained of oil, chopped
• 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed, cut in half
• 1/4 cup basil pesto or more, to taste
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, yellow and red, halved
• 1 cup uncooked tortellini

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet on medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, add sliced chicken thighs, season chicken generously with salt, add half of chopped sun-dried tomatoes - and cook everything on medium heat for 5-10 minutes, flipping a couple of times, until the chicken is completely cooked through.
2. Remove the chicken and sun-dried from the skillet, leaving the oil in.
3. Add asparagus (ends trimmed), seasoned generously with salt, remaining half of sun-dried tomatoes, and cook on medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the asparagus is cooked through. Remove the asparagus to a serving plate.
4. Cook tortellini according to the package instructions, drain.
5. Add chicken back to the skillet, add pesto, stir to coat on low-medium heat until the chicken is reheated, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, mix with the pesto and the chicken. Add more pesto if desired. Taste, and add more salt if needed. Add chicken and tomatoes and tortellini to the serving plate with asparagus.

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Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, red pepper flakes in a delicious creamy Mozzarella pasta sauce, made from scratch. A great recipe for shrimp lovers!

I am always looking for new, interesting ways to cook shrimp, and I also happen to have lots of really high quality shrimp in my freezer.  So, my today’s recipe is a very flavorful, creamy shrimp pasta dinner.

This recipe was a total success in my house! I hope you will try it, too!

Enjoy!

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Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• Pasta:
• 8 oz penne pasta (for gluten free, use gluten free brown rice pasta)
• Shrimp:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (drained from sun-dried tomatoes jar or just use regular olive oil)
• 1 pound shrimp, without shells, and deveined
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Sauce:
• 1 small jar (3-4 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, or use 3-4 oz oil-free sun dried tomatoes
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (never frozen)
• 1 tablespoon basil (if using dry basil), if using fresh basil you can add more
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (at least, add more to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• NOTE:
• WHAT IS HALF AND HALF? Half and half is the US milk product that combines half milk half cream to form a lighter cream. To make 1 cup of half and half, combine 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup heavy, or whipping cream.

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water. Drain the pasta.
2. Note: if using sun-dried tomatoes in oil (in a jar), make sure to drain sun-dried tomatoes from oil, before using them. Reserve 2 tablespoons of this drained oil for sauteing the shrimp as described below:
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil (reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes jar - see note above, or use regular olive oil) in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add shrimp, minced garlic and cook the shrimp on one side for about 1 minute, until shrimp turns pink or golden brown on that side. While it cooks, sprinkle the top of shrimp with salt to cover every single shrimp. Make sure not to crowd the shrimp in the skillet, otherwise moisture will form and shrimp won't sear right. After 1 minute, Flip the shrimp over to the other side and cook for about 30 seconds or 1 minute more. The shrimp should be golden color or pink on both sides and not overcooked.
4. Remove the shrimp to a plate, being careful to leave all the oil in the skillet.
5. To the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil and sliced into smaller chunks, if needed) and more minced garlic, and saute in olive oil (remaining from shrimp) on medium heat, stirring, for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant. The skillet should be hot.
6. Add half and half to the hot skillet with sun-dried tomatoes and bring to boil. Add shredded cheese to the skillet, and stir in while boiling. Immediately reduce to simmer and cook, constantly stirring, until all the cheese melts and the creamy sauce forms. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of half and half or reserved cooked pasta water. Add basil, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika. Stir.
7. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt gradually, stirring on low heat and tasting (you might need slightly less than 1/4 teaspoon).
8. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, and reheat gently on medium heat. Add the cooked shrimp, stir it in. Taste, and add more salt, if needed. Add a small amount of half and half or reserved cooked pasta water, if the sauce is too thick. Let everything simmer on low heat for a couple of minutes for flavors to combine.
9. Note: Make sure to salt the dish just enough to bring out of the flavors of basil and sun-dried tomatoes.

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One of our most successful Team Beachbody Coaches wanted to take a moment to share her thoughts on some of the most common Shakeology myths floating around. Here’s what she had to say!

4 Shakeology Myths You Might Have Heard:

• Shakeology is just a protein shake
• Shakeology doesn’t contain whole food ingredients
• Shakeology is expensive
• Shakeology is only for weight loss

Myth #1: Shakeology is just a protein shake.
Meaning just a shake that provides extra protein. I can’t blame the general public for thinking this since “protein shake” has become nearly an interchangeable term for any shake. But, all shakes are not created equal—especially ones that contain superfoods. Shakeology is a very nutrient-dense shake.

You’d have to eat a whole lot of different foods to get the fiber, phytonutrients, protein, vitamins and minerals in a single glass of Shakeology—and it would be tough to do that for fewer than 170 calories. Truth be told, the majority of people are way more nutrient deficient, than they are protein deficient. So why would Beachbody have created just a protein shake?

 

Myth #2: Shakeology is just a bunch of extracts, with no whole-food ingredients.
Whenever it’s possible and sustainable for the formula, the superfoods in Shakeology are whole ingredient powders processed in a way to help preserved in their nutrient value. It’s more difficult to source these specialty ingredient, but Beachbody has a whole team of scientists whose mission it is to help maximize the nutrition in every ingredient used in Shakeology. Imagine trying to eat all those superfoods! Shakeology is way less expensive and a huge time-saver.

When you compare other shakes against Shakeology, take a look at the calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrate amounts, but also look at the ingredients. For instance, you might notice other shakes have zero grams of sugar.

How do you think those shakes achieve that? Hint, it’s not natural, as even fruit has sugar in it. Shakeology has no artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives.

 

Myth #3: Shakeology is expensive.
To anyone who feels this product is expensive I know that I have not done my diligence in breaking down its real value. Most healthy shakes out there cost between $3 and $10. Shakeology, at $4.33 per shake, comes in on the low end of the average.

When you buy a bulk bag of Shakeology, you’re buying 30 of your shakes upfront. And, means you’ll spend less money at the grocery store. Because of the grocery savings, I actually deduct my monthly Shakeology from my grocery budget. I cannot duplicate its vast quality of ingredients and nutrients for the price.

 

Myth #4: Shakeology is only for weight loss.
Most shakes are marketed this way. Shakeology is about health. When you put the right nutrients in your body, you may ultimately have more energy, fewer cravings, and feel better. As a result, you might eat less and become more active. With Shakeology, weight loss is a byproduct of dense nutrition and a healthier lifestyle.

When was the last time you dieted and cut calories only to feel tired, grouchy, and battling against a ton of cravings? That is because you may have been nutrient deficient. Because it’s so nutrient rich, Shakeology helps you in your battle to lose weight.

Shakeology isn’t magic. It’s clean, dense nutrition made super easy. It’s my family’s “fast food” on the counter.

Don’t have Shakeology yet? Get it here!

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Chicken Pot Pie Wild Rice – easy, flavorful, creamy, perfect weeknight dinner! All the yummy ingredients of a pot pie, but with the wild rice instead. It’s a comfort food made completely from scratch, with fresh, whole ingredients, and it’s also gluten free!

I always liked the idea of a chicken pot pie for dinner, but I don’t really like to mess with the pie crust when I am in a hurry to get the dinner on a table, so this recipe works perfectly for me. All the flavors of a chicken pot pie, and no need to mess with the pie crust! It’s so delicious, you might want to double the recipe next time!

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Chicken Pot Pie Wild Rice

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked wild rice
• 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled, finely grated
• 1 pound chicken breast, chopped into small chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup green peas (frozen type)
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• more salt, to taste
• *What is HALF & HALF?* Half and half is the US milk product that combines half milk half cream to form a lighter cream (unlike heavy cream). To make 1 cup of half and half, combine 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream or whipping cream.

Instructions

1. Cook wild rice + 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large pot of boiling water according to the cooking instructions on the package (usually, wild rice cooks about 45 minutes, so plan accordingly).
2. When wild rice is almost cooked, heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, finely grated carrots, and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, until carrots start to soften.
3. Add chopped chicken, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Add 1 cup green peas (I used the frozen ones). You can add them either frozen or thawed. Stir them in and mix with chicken-carrot mixture.
5. When the wild rice is done, add cooked wild rice to the skillet with the chicken and mix everything.
6. Add 1 cup half and half, 1/3 cup chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken and rice and bring to boil. Add 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir, until the cheese has melted, on medium-low heat. Taste and add more salt if needed, about 1/8 teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon more.

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Staying in shape is hard enough when you’re at home—when you’re on the road it can be downright impossible. Don’t want to bulk up a suitcase or overpack your roadster for the trip of your dreams? Good news: you don’t have to. In fact, you can carry a whole Beachbody-worthy gym in a large carry-on without the equipment taking up much space.

While many hotel gyms increasingly carry some of these items, many vacationers prefer road trips, roughing it and camping spur of the moment. Just because you’re going off road or overseas, though, doesn’t mean that you have an excuse to throw your fitness regimen out the window. Along with your access to Beachbody on Demand, just a handful of items can help you stay in shape, and have even more healthy fun on your next getaway.

5 Pieces of Exercise Equipment You Can Travel With

Here’s some portable exercise equipment you should never travel without—and most fit perfectly strapped onto the back of your camper or minivan.

Resistance Bands

These give you some of the most band—sorry, bang!—for your buck. You can use resistance bands for everything from squats to pushups to stretches across your chest. There are entire workout routines online that allow you to work every part of the body, with both a push and a pull exercise. There are a wide array of resistance bands out there, tailored for all levels of strength training. Pack two or three to give yourself some range.

Jump Rope

A jump rope is the perfect cardio compliment to a resistance band. You might not be somewhere that’s conducive to long runs. However, you can always break out the jump rope and get 20 minutes of solid, hardcore aerobic exercise in. Add a weighted jump rope into the mix for an even more significant impact on your workout. If you can only pack one item, make it the trusty jump rope.

Suspension System

A suspension system, plus resistance bands and a jump rope, and you basically have a gym in your weekender bag. A suspension system lets you expand upon the basic palette of bodyweight exercises with angled pushups, pull ups, and inclined squats.

Speed Ladder

If you’re looking to get cardio without the impact of a jump rope, a speed ladder might do the trick. You can also pack a speed ladder as a way to get some agility training while you’re on the road. One of the best features of a speed ladder is that it takes up next to no space inside your bag. So throwing it in alongside a jump rope, a set of bands and a suspension system isn’t going to make much of a dent in the space you’re already using.

Exercise Mat

Every workout calls for a warm-up and a cool-down, so your handy exercise mat is a must—unless you like the idea of planting your face in someone’s yoga may sweat. Alternately, it can be an excellent tool to instantly convert a hard floor into something a bit more accommodating for Sun Salutations, forearm planks and other body weight exercises requiring you to get down on the floor. The down side? Of all the items on our list, this is the bulkiest, so it’s going to dramatically alter the amount of available space you have.

Depending on the vacation of your dreams, other fitness gear to toss into the backpack might include a frisbee or a baseball. This trip just might be a new opportunity to stay in shape, vary your workouts and embrace new exercise opportunities.

Of course, the least obtrusive piece of exercise equipment you can travel with is the Beachbody On Demand app. Available on most set-top boxes and mobile devices, it allows you to stream hundreds of workouts from Beachbody programs like 21 Day Fix Extreme, CORE DE FORCE, Focus T25 and Insanity Max 30. To learn more, click here.

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Let’s be frank: Cooking for one can be challenging.

And it’s not just single folks who face this issue. If you’re trying to eat healthy and the family wants to stick with their old standbys, you’ve probably tried to figure out how to eat healthy, feed your family, and stay on budget.

Here are some tips and tricks that will make going it alone on your healthy journey a bit easier.

7 Tips for Grocery Shopping When Cooking for One

Hit the store twice a week
Kudos to you for doing Sunday meal prep. But if your life is such that once the week gets started, plans change, things come up after work, and most of those meals go to waste, considering going to the grocery twice or three times a week instead of doing one big trip.

By hitting up the market more often, you can more readily consider what you have left on hand that still needs to be used like that leftover takeout chicken and the asparagus that you bought on the last trip.

Save on salads
Instead of buying greens and salad toppings individually, it is often cheaper to purchase small portions of pre-made salads at the salad bar, points out Lisa Lee Freeman, savings expert for the coupon app Flipp. Be smart about it though: Since you pay by the pound at the salad bar, skip heavy-but-cheap toppings, like cucumbers. Buy those separately and add when you prep.

Buy dry goods in bulk
“The secret to shopping smart is know how long things last, and figuring out what you can and cannot buy in bulk,” says Freeman. You can freeze extra portions of chicken or turkey and store nonperishable food—like dry beans or grain—in your pantry.

Opt frozen over fresh…
Good news: Frozen fruits and vegetables are close to just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, according to a study in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. They’re a great choice if you’re cooking for one since they don’t spoil as quickly as fresh produce and who doesn’t love frozen berries in their smoothie?

… And freeze everything
Use your freezer for everything that may spoil, from bread and meat to leftovers. Doing so will make sure you always make sure to have a few single-serve frozen meals on hand for when you need a meal in a pinch. Chilis and soups are some meals that freeze well, but so are healthy chicken enchiladas and egg cups!

Reach for canned fish
While canned fruits and veggies aren’t as nutritious (put down that can of peaches in syrup), canned fish is OK. “Buying fresh fish is always ideal, but canned light tuna and canned wild salmon are great options when buying fresh isn’t possible,” says Chelsea Fuchs, New York-based R.D. Canned tuna and salmon are great sandwich and salad toppings. “Look for light canned tuna packed in water… and when it comes to salmon, look for the wild variety because it is a terrific source of omega-3 fats and vitamin D.”

Look at your bigger picture shopping list
“Most foods go on sale in cycles of about three to four months, as well as during seasonal changes and holidays,” says Freeman. “Instead of buying the same stuff on your shopping list week after week, figure out what you can buy every few months and store. Then go for it when it’s on sale.”

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Q: What are strawberries?
A: Strawberries are little, red morsels of sweet deliciousness. This is probably why they’re rated the most popular berry in the United States — yeah, no joke. There are more than 200 different varieties grown just in the U.S., and while most varieties are some shade of red, there are white and yellow strawberries, too. Sweet with a hint of tartness, juicy strawberries are packed with vitamin C and other health-boosting antioxidants.

Q: When are strawberries in season?
A: Although you can find them at your local grocery store most months out of the year, spring and summer are when strawberries really shine. Want to make them last all year? Pick up some extra cartons during the peak months and freeze them for the fall and winter months.

Q: How do I choose strawberries?
A: Bigger is better, right? Wrong. At least when it comes to strawberries. Typically, the smaller the berry, the more intense the flavor, while larger, water-filled berries may have a more diluted flavor. Look for plump strawberries that are firm and bright red, without bruises. The caps should be bright green and fully attached. Also, be sure to check the carton for mold.

Q: What are the health benefits of strawberries?
A: We often think of oranges and other citrus as the kings of vitamin C but one cup of strawberries halves has 149 percent of your daily needs of this important vitamin. They also deserve props for their fiber, manganese, folate, and potassium content too. Strawberries contain several phytonutrients — including phenolic acids — which may have distinct health benefits.

Q: How do I store strawberries?
A: Strawberries are delicate and should be handled with care. Before storing, toss any squished or damaged berries — they can contaminate the rest of the batch. Store unwashed strawberries in the refrigerator until ready to eat; in a single layer if you can. Keep the green caps on until you’re ready to use the berries. They should stay fresh for up to three days.

Q: How do you eat strawberries?
A: Keep it simple and eat them as a snack on their own. Not your jam? (Yeah, we went there.) Go the more sophisticated route and pair strawberries with balsamic vinegar — this combo takes any salad, whole grain, or even dessert to the next level. Make a smoothie like a boss by keeping frozen strawberries on hand — they’ll help to thicken it up.

Q: How do I get my kids to like strawberries?
A: This one shouldn’t be too hard – ripe strawberries pretty much taste like candy to begin with! Play up their vibrant red color by hulling and slicing a few strawberries and arranging them on snack plate with slices of bright green kiwi, a sliced banana, and a handful of blueberries. What kid can say no to a parfait? Make a healthy breakfast parfait by layering Greek yogurt, strawberries, and other fresh fruit.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 cup, halves or 1 purple Portion Control Container

Calories: 49
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 2 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 12 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Sugars: 7 g
Protein: 1 g
Vitamin C: 149% DV
Manganese: 29% DV
Folate: 9% DV
Potassium: 7% DV
Magnesium: 5% DV
Copper: 4% DV

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Planning your meals in advance takes the guesswork out of healthy eating, which can make it easier to lose weight. But what happens when you’re late for work and don’t have time to make a spinach and broccoli omelet? What if you have an exhausting day at work and don’t exactly feel like roasting a chicken and sautéing a side of mixed veggies when you get home?

That’s where meal prep comes in. Having a meal prep container filled with a healthy, delicious meal can help save you time, money, and it certainly reduces the stress of figuring out what to eat that day.

Meal prep helps you hack the meal-planning process by cooking a week’s worth of meals at once, so you can just grab and go for the rest of the week. But once your cooking marathon is done, you’ll need to store all the healthy grub you made. And you don’t want it stored in recycled takeout containers that can crack, leak, or leach who-knows-what chemicals when you throw them in the microwave. If you’re serious about meal prep, it’s worth investing in a few fancypants meal prep containers that simplify the process.

 

I’m doing one of the Beachbody programs and following the eating plan…don’t I need to store everything in the color-coded Portion Control Containers?

Nope! While you can keep food in the Portion Control Containers, you use the color-coded containers to create meals and then you can store your batch-prepped food in any container you’d like. No need to use every red container you own to store the dozen eggs you hard-boiled on Meal Prep Monday. Here are a few products that can make meal prep easier and more enjoyable.

The Best Glass Meal Prep Containers

Glass storage containers don’t get as much love as they should. Yeah, they’re heavy and breakable. But they’re also eco-friendly, oven-proof, dishwasher-safe —and perfect for long-term food storage. And when you’re using strong spices to ramp up the flavor of your food, glass is non-porous and won’t trap odors. Here are a few good glass options:

Pyrex Glass Containers
It’s hard to beat these as far as bang-for-your-buck goes. The nestable lids make it easy to stack food, and you can clearly see what’s inside (because, you know…glass) so nothing ends up rotting away in the back of your fridge. Just don’t nick them with anything. Otherwise, explosionsville.

Glasslock
Another awesome glass option. These are oven-safe, easy to clean, and come in a wide range of sizes. Bonus: The lid snaps into place, making it basically impossible to spill.

SmartPlanet Glass Bento Box, $17.99
This only has two compartments, so if you love the idea of bento boxes but aren’t a big fan of plastic, it’s a perfect compromise.

Mason Jars
Even if you’re not meal prepping, these should be a staple in your kitchen. They’re super-versatile and can be used for anything from grab-and-go salads to overnight oats. Or fill them with smoothie ingredients — when you’re ready for a smoothie, just add coconut water or almond milk, blend, and pour it back into the jar to enjoy.

The Best Metal Meal Prep Containers

Like glass, stainless steel is environmentally friendly, dishwasher-safe, and because they’re metal, they can even go safely on the stovetop. Stainless storage can be pricey, and it’s definitely not microwave-safe — but it’s not as heavy as glass, you don’t have to worry about it shattering, and it can bring back those old-school metal-lunchbox memories.

LunchBots Quad Stainless Steel, $25.99
Perfect for grazers, this four-compartment bento box is small (only 6 inches wide) and keeps your snacks separated. The lid isn’t leak-proof, though, so you’ll need to stick to mostly-dry grub like nuts, apple slices, and hard-boiled eggs.

Happy Tiffin Raja Domed Tiffin Box, $39.95
These stackable silver tins are airtight, spill-proof, and keep your foods completely separated — so you can pack soup, a sandwich, and orange slices, for example, without worrying about soggy bread issues.

U Konserve Stainless Steel Nesting Trio, $18.87
These tiny containers — the biggest one is a pint — are great for packing sandwiches, veggies, nuts, or hummus. The lids are BPA-free, and if you’re short on cabinet space, the containers nest inside each other when you’re not using them.

The Best Portable Plastic Meal Prep Containers

Plastic gets a bad rap — and yes, certain types can warp in the dishwasher, leach chemicals in the microwave, or crack in the freezer. But that doesn’t mean you should ban plastic from your kitchen completely — just invest in durable, reusable plastic containers that are heat-safe and BPA-free.

Bentology Bento Box Set, $19.99
Bento boxes make everything more fun — they basically turn your lunchbox into a sampler platter. This set comes with five different inner containers — three with lids, two without — so you can mix and match whatever you need for the day.

Sunsella 3-Compartment Bento Box, $13.99
Another bento option — this one has a snap-on lid that makes it leak-proof, and the compartments are completely separate so you don’t have to worry about your raspberry yogurt mingling with your quinoa salad.

Prepworks by Progressive Lettuce Keeper, $12.99
No…wilted…salads…ever. Store your leafy greens in this container, which has a water reservoir and venting to keep everything crisp and delish all week.

Freshware 15-pack Reusable Bento Box, $15.99
They’re not quite as sturdy as the bento boxes we mentioned above, but these budget versions are still microwaveable and leak-resistant — and since you can stock up without breaking the bank, you can pack a week’s worth of lunches ahead of time.

The Best Disposable Meal Prep Products

No matter how eco-friendly you may be, occasionally you need something you can use once (or a few times). Instead of grabbing an old takeout container — they’re not always meant to be reused or reheated — pick up some of these economical storage options instead.

Gladware
These are sturdy enough to wash and reuse, and they’re safe for the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. But they’re also cheap enough that you won’t feel bad tossing one out if it gets cracked or won’t let the smell of those cumin-spiced chickpeas go.

Ziplock Freezer Bags
If you’ve ever wondered if there’s a difference between “storage bags” and “freezer bags,” the answer is yes — freezer bags are designed to prevent against freezer burn. Use these to freeze smoothie ingredients, egg cups, and leftovers.

The Best Meal Prep Bags

Baggies can be a great way to portion out foods — especially fruits and veggies — without using up every container you own. But if you feel guilty sending all that plastic to the landfill, you’ll feel better using these reusable storage bags.

BlueAvocado (Re)Zip Storage Kit, $3.99-$49.95
These reusable plastic bags are BPA-free and PVC-free, and the company estimates you can replace 300 disposable baggies with a single bag. A double-lock closure keeps them airtight, so you don’t have to deal with freezer-burnt leftovers.

Stasher Bags, $9.99-$11.99
Stasher Bags are stackable and durable — and because they’re made of silicone, they’re safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. Plus, each bag can be reused thousands of times. Time to go meal prep crazy.

Helpful Meal-Planning Tools and Tech

Before you can prep, you have to plan — these tools will help you figure out your week. Just start with one of the Beachbody Blog’s dozens of nutritionist-approved meal preps and go!

Knock Knock What to Eat Pad, $7
If you’re not hyper-organized enough to plan Friday’s afternoon snack on Monday morning, this well-designed notepad will help you ease in to the structure of meal planning. There’s a column for each day’s dinner plan, and another with spaces for breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas that you can pick and choose from throughout the week.

Ubrands Dry Erase Weekly Planner, $3.99
There are a ridiculous number of options in the weekly-planner department, but we like the super-simple design of this one — you can give yourself a visual reminder of what’s on the menu today without cluttering up your fridge.

Where to Buy Meal Prep Containers

Meal prep containers and bags are available at most department stores and home goods stores — Target, Kohl’s, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath & Beyond all carry a variety of food storage containers — and you can always check Amazon if you want to be completely overwhelmed with options. Choose one or two that appeal to you, and test them out to see if they can make the meal prep process easier for you.

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You’ve been asking for it. You’ve been patiently waiting. And now we can let you in on the exciting news—the Beachbody On Demand Android app is arriving soon!

We know, it’s been a long time coming. But we’ve been meticulously preparing this app so it’s the absolute best it can be when it gets to your phone. Trust us—it will be well worth the wait. The Beachbody On Demand Android app will put all of your favorite workouts and meal plans in the palm of your hand… along with a few extra perks.

Currently, we’re in the design phase of the app’s creation. Our designer, Ashley, is laying out the look and feel of your BOD app for Android now. Sit tight as she works on placing simple navigation, vibrant imagery, and functional graphics into one convenient package for your Android phone.

Sign up for updates as we progress in the app’s development. By entering your google email here, you’ll be informed every step of the way as we approach the finish line. It will also allow you to be one of the first people to download the app once it’s available.

Meanwhile, here are some details about what you can expect from the soon-to-be ready Beachbody On Demand Android app.

Features of the Beachbody On Demand Android App 

This app includes the same features you love on BeachbodyOnDemand.com… plus a few extras!

Through the home screen, you’ll be able to access your Member Library (with over 400 workouts!), the Challenge Du Jour (aka your workout of the day) and exclusive content from your favorite super trainers like Autumn Calabrese, Tony Horton, and Sagi Kalev.

In your Member Library, you’ll find all of the complete workout programs that are included with your Beachbody On Demand subscription, such as P90X, FOCUS T25, Body Beast, INSANITY, 3 Week Yoga Retreat, and many more. Every time you log on, you’ll be directed back to the last program you viewed. That way, you can jump right back into your workouts without missing a beat.

Additionally, we highlight a new workout within Beachbody On Demand in the Challenge Du Jour section every day. There, you’ll find a mix of brand-new workouts from Super Trainers like Joel Freeman and Jericho McMatthews, as well as workouts from programs you might not have tried yet.

With the Android app’s casting function, you’ll be able to enlarge your workouts and fling ‘em on to a big screen. This will give you the ability to stream and view your favorite workout videos on your TV using Roku Players, Amazon Fire TV, or Google Chromecast devices.

No Wifi? No problem! If you’re going to be traveling and won’t have an internet connection, we’ve got you covered. The Offline Mode feature will allow you to download up to seven full workouts to the app. Once a workout is downloaded, you can access it at any time in the app, even if you’re without a mobile or WiFi connection. 

What Is Beachbody On Demand?

If you found your way to this exciting Android app announcement but aren’t really sure what Beachbody On Demand is, here’s a brief explanation.

Beachbody On Demand is a website that allows you to stream P90X, INSANITY, 21 Day Fix EXTREME, INSANITY MAX:30, FOCUS T25, 3 Week Yoga Retreat, or any of over 400 world-famous Beachbody workouts that have helped millions transform their lives.

Beachbody On Demand also lets you sample Beachbody’s newest workouts, including CORE DE FORCE, Country Heat, and 22 Minute Hard Corps. Inside, you’ll find the program nutrition guides, workout calendars, and exclusives like Shaun T’s CIZE: The Next Level dance workout and FIXATE, Autumn Calabrese’s brand-new cooking show.

No matter where you are in the world—whether you’re in your house, at the gym, or on vacation—you can access your program guides, your workouts, and more on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet. As long as you can connect to the Internet, you can work out with Beachbody, no DVDs required. What are you waiting for? Sign up now!

 

Be one of the first people to download the Beachbody On Demand app for Android by signing up here!

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Sleep. A good night of it readies you for the physical and mental challenges of the day ahead. But over time, an optimal quality and quantity of sleep can also help you stay healthy, achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

You can see why you would want to do all you can to ensure that you are snoozing like a champ each night. To that end, you might get a white noise machine, invest in some blackout curtains, avoid using your devices or watching TV in the hour or two before bed.

But all that forethought and consideration might be undercut if you’re eating foods that aren’t conducive to you getting some restorative, rejuvenating, reparative sleep. It seems a shame, no?

To help you sleep better, here’s a list of some of the best and worst foods to eat before your body powers down for crucial maintenance work each and every night.

Some of the Best and Worst Foods to Eat Before Bed

The Worst

It’s not always going to be possible to avoid these before bed, but this list might make you think twice about grabbing that slice of midnight pizza.

Frozen, Prepackaged, Processed Dinners
Frozen meals can be convenient when you’re short on time, but frozen dinner diners beware: you could be setting yourself up for a night of disrupted sleep. Why? Because frozen dinners typically have a very high sodium content.

According to the American Heart Association, over 75 percent of the sodium we eat comes from processed, prepackaged, and restaurant foods. Research has reported that there may be associations between higher sodium intake and compromised sleep quality. However, this connection has not been firmly established.

Excessive Amounts of Fatty Foods
While avocado, nuts, and other foods high in healthy monounsaturated fats aren’t likely to prevent you from getting a restful night’s sleep, that large pepperoni and sausage pizza might. For some, high fat foods can trigger acid reflux — commonly called heartburn — which is very unpleasant. And, even if you don’t suffer from heartburn, you might find it hard to sleep simply because you’re feeling so stuffed.

Alcohol
This one might seem a little counter intuitive because an alcoholic drink can be relaxing and can leave you pining for bed. But while a drink might aid your ability to initially doze off, over the course of the night, alcohol will actually disrupt your deep sleep. Decades of research have found that alcohol consumption can cause you to wake up throughout the night.

The Best

Ok, so now you know to avoid alcohol, dessert, and late night takeout before bed… so what can you eat?

Casein protein
If you’re working out regularly, trying to build and/or maintain muscle mass, casein protein can help your body do just that. Casein is a milk protein and that is absorbed by the body at a slower rate than whey protein or soy and has been shown to help support protein synthesis and helping muscles grow over a long duration (like night). That’s why Beachbody created the Beachbody Performance Recharge. It includes 20 grams of slow-release micellar casein and is intended to be taken within an hour of going to sleep.

Cherries
In addition to casein, Beachbody Performance Recharge also includes tart cherry powder. Tart cherry’s anthocyanins have been shown to help reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Dark leafy greens
Magnesium is needed for 300 biochemical reactions in the human body, and one of those includes muscle contraction and relaxation. While the jury is out with regard to magnesium as a sleep aid, one recent double-blind, randomized clinical trial of 46 elderly participants demonstrated that magnesium had a positive effect on the quality of their sleep, and impacted not only the length of time they slept but also how easy they found waking up. Foods high in magnesium include dark leafy greens like spinach and chard, almonds, pumpkin seeds, black beans, and quinoa.

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There’s nothing easy about weight loss. You can often feel like you’re trading the things you find pleasurable for things that you don’t enjoy (yet) that are far outside your comfort zone. Losing weight successfully — ideally shedding body fat while gaining lean muscle — requires some sacrifice and dedication, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. In fact, you should find ways to inject fun into the process of losing weight. It’ll help you stick with your newer healthier habits, and consistency is the key to realizing your weight-loss goals.

“Be mindful that you’re not going to change in one day. Be patient, and the most important thing is to try to be consistent,” advises Leandro Carvalho, Super Trainer and creator of Beachbody’s YOUv2 program, a four-week dance and sculpting routine that gives people a fun, positive, confidence-boosting place to begin their weight-loss journeys.

Here’s Leandro’s advice on how to start losing weight:

• If you can’t do the 30-minute workouts all at once, do 10 minutes. Maybe next week you can do 15, then 20 minutes the week after.
• Be patient. If you try to do too much, it can backfire and you might hurt yourself so start easy and take your time.
• Start drinking more water.
• Make better choices in your diet.
• Stick with it. Be persistent and be committed so you can improve each time.

It might be easier said than done to just start, but it’s more about simplifying. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Pick one or two healthier new things to try, such as drinking a glass of water before each meal or adding one non-starchy vegetable to each meal, and practice those new things until they become second nature. Then pick another one or two healthier new things to try. Soon these little things will start to show big returns.

How the Cast of YOUv2 Started to Lose Weight

Bethany Xan Jeffery

After gaining close to 80 pounds in one year during college, Bethany knew she needed to make some changes. She tried sensible plans, such as Whole30, and achieved success while following these types of plans, but didn’t enjoy what she was doing and struggled to keep it up longer term.

“With YOUv2, Leandro gets me motivated the minute the routine starts,” says Bethany. “I really look forward to doing each routine, rather than dreading it like I do with other workouts. I’m positive that other people will feel the same.”

Bethany’s best advice for how to start losing weight: “Just make yourself start. I promise you’ll feel amazing afterwards!”

Carrie Packin

Carrie enjoyed being in shape for most of her life, but found it difficult to lose weight post-pregnancy. She needed something that wasn’t too time consuming or overly strenuous to help her slim down while balancing the demands of motherhood (and being sleep deprived).

“This program is a great way for mothers to let go and escape the challenges of the day,” says Carrie. “Leandro keeps you motivated and makes me feel like I can achieve anything I want while breaking a major sweat! YOUv2 is a great start for new mothers looking for a way to get back into shape while also being there for their new bundle of joy.”

Carrie’s best advice for how to start losing weight: “Thirty minutes of effort equals a whole day of happiness.”

Darlene Dues

Darlene has been overweight on and off since the fourth grade — more than 25 years. She tried nearly everything, from gym memberships to buying a treadmill (which quickly become an overpriced clothes rack) to diet pills, to lose weight. Nothing worked to keep her motivated and focused on her goals. She needed to find the right mix of people to inspire her to keep moving.

“I think YOUv2 will help you achieve your health and wellness goals because you’re not working out by yourself,” says Darlene. “Every day you get to work out with women who are there for the same reason you are: to become the healthiest version of themselves. Every time I watch the videos, I feel like I’m with my friends and we’re pushing each other toward our healthy goals.”

Darlene’s best advice for how to start losing weight: “You must not give up on yourself. Know your self-worth.”

Katie Sedlock

Katie has struggled with her weight her entire life. She remembers blowing out the candles of her birthday cakes over the years, wishing she would wake up the next day and be skinny. After trying group fitness classes, different gyms, and juice cleanses, Katie found that working out at home suited her busy schedule best.

“My schedule is always changing so it’s extremely hard to get into a healthy flow that works for me,” says Katie. “YOUv2 is extremely fun and accessible. It’s on your own time and schedule. You can laugh through the sweat and forget about your daily stress.”

Katie’s best advice for how to start losing weight: “Find something that’s fun so you don’t even realize how much you are actually working out.”

Micki Fernandez

A 50-and-fabulous-year old, Micki was able to maintain her weight, give or take five pounds, for most of her life until she broke her wrist, limiting the type of exercise she could perform, and suffered from a hormonal imbalance. Both of these things caused her to put on weight. Micki tried other workout programs, and found that putting too much weight on her wrist or lifting heavy weights caused pain.

“YOUv2 is going to help me achieve my health and wellness goals because it awoke my love and passion for dancing,” says Micki. “Not only is it helping me achieve my goals, but it also makes me feel like I’m 18 again!”

Micki’s best advice for how to start losing weight: “Make yourself a priority. Believe in yourself; you’ve got this!”

Nina Millan

Nina, who became a mom at the age of 16, believes that pregnancy changed the way her body reacted to food and exercise, and her weight has yo-yoed ever since. After getting into the best shape of her life for her wedding, she got pregnant again soon after and struggled to lose the post-baby weight.

Also a self-identified emotional eater, Nina turned to food for comfort when she lost loved ones or endured periods of stress. “My Beachbody progress over these last couple of years has completely changed my relationship with food,” she says. “I do not have the same emotional eating setbacks that I had.” She credits the Portion Fix Containers and Shakeology with helping her make food choices with confidence.

Nina’s best advice for how to start losing weight: “One of the downfalls many people face is, when they fall off [the health wagon], they take too much time to try something new. They feel like they won’t ever see the results they want. When they finally start, it’s often too challenging and they lose motivation to continue.”

Samantha Croce

Although very active as a child, Samantha says she was always heavier than the other kids. She lost some weight in high school with a low-carb diet, but couldn’t maintain the loss. By the time she graduated from college, she weighted 267 pounds and was miserable. She joined Weight Watchers and lost an incredible 100 pounds, but felt the plan got stale after a while and she wanted more.

“I think YOUv2 is great because it adds the exercise component that my body needs that other weight-loss programs did not have. And the meal plan is more of a lifestyle change than a strict, boring diet,” says Samantha. “Sometimes I lose steam with new programs because it’s too much of a challenge and a drastic change, but YOUv2 is gradual and focuses on what you’re capable of doing.”

Frequently Asked Questions About YOUv2

Will I have fun doing this program?

“YOUv2 allows you to let loose, have a great time, and let go. My favorite part is at the end of each workout when we put the moves together we learned during the workout into a dance routine. It is really a super fun time!” says Katie.

Is it challenging enough?

“YOUv2 kicked by butt — and I loved it,” says Bethany.

Do I have to give up a lot to follow this program? What if it’s too hard?

“It’s all about being and becoming your best you. It’s not about giant leaps, but the little steps you put into place to become a healthier version of yourself,” says Samantha. “Come as you are, and don’t change you… enhance you!”

But I don’t know how to dance; I’m really uncoordinated.

“Just keep dancing, girl! You’re amazing!” says Bethany.

“To all the uncoordinated people who think they can’t handle the moves: I’m here to tell you, you can! It’s OK if you get off beat from time to time as long as you keep moving,” says Darlene.

Working out intimidates me. What if I mess up or trip?

“Dance like nobody’s watching; it’s just you, Leandro, and his girls!” says Carrie.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned from following YOUv2?

“YOUv2 has reminded me that I am a beautiful plus-sized girl. I am just as capable, talented, and worthy as anyone else,” says Bethany.

I don’t know if I’m too heavy to do a workout; will I be able to do the moves?

“YOUv2 is for people of all shapes and sizes — people who are overweight just like me,” says Darlene. “Together we are pushing toward a happier, healthier self.”

How do you stay motivated, especially if the scale isn’t showing progress?

“Remember, progress not perfection,” says Nina. “Just show up every day, and focus on that new lifestyle change. Forget the scale! Think of all of your big wins: more energy, looser clothes, and consistent habits.”

I feel like I’m not seeing results quickly enough.

“Don’t get frustrated if you are not there yet; every step in the right direction, no matter how small, is one step closer to the new version of you,” says Samantha.

I don’t have time to work out. I work, take care of a family, and have to keep the house together.

“Taking time to take care of me allows me to take the best care of others,” says Nina. “It’s OK to be a little selfish so I can be selfless.”

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