This weekend is all about getting outside, being with friends, and of course, firing up the grill. I asked my friend, and favorite healthy chef, Gavan - The Healthy Irishman, to share a recipe that wont derail you from your “I Want My Bikini Body” program . . .

SUMMER SLIMMING SHRIMP SKEWERS

Barbecue season is officially under way. I love the idea of picking something up at the market, going home and throwing it on the grill. There’s a lot to be said for the simplicity of that, not to mention the fact that you can make it delicious and healthy.

RECIPE:
Serves 2 (with leftovers for salads tomorrow!)

SHRIMP
about 1 lb of medium shrimp (30 shrimp total=5 per skewer) peeled & deveined
1 orange zested & juiced
1 lemon zested
2 tbsp. fresh ginger - grated
Drizzle olive oil
S&P to taste

VEGETABLES (leftovers for salads tomorrow!)
1 zucchini – sliced lengthwise ¼” thick
1 yellow squash – sliced ¼” thick
1 Japanese eggplant – sliced ¼” thick
1 bunch of fresh asparagus – trimmed
1 tbsp fresh thyme – chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsps balsamic vinegar
S&P

DIRECTIONS:
Before skewering the shrimp soak the skewers in cold water for a couple of hours. This helps stop the skewers from burning on the grill. Makes sense, right?

When I’m grilling I like to keep things as simple as possible so this is a very straightforward recipe. Citrus is one of my favorite ingredients to use in my cooking, especially during summer. I use this mixture more as a glaze than a marinade because you have to be careful when marinating shrimp in citrus as it begins to cook the shrimp the longer it sits.

Very important to make sure your grill is hot. Thread 5 shrimp per skewer. Refrigerate until ready.

Once the coals are ready, grill the vegetables for 3-5 minutes each side (depending how hot your coals are) or until cooked through. Easy! Next, brush one side with the glaze and lay that side down on the hottest part of the grill for 2 minutes. (You want to hear the ’sizzle’ when you put them on.) Brush the other side and once ready flip them over for another couple of mins. Shrimp cooks really quickly so be careful not over cook them as there’s nothing worse than rubbery shrimp. They’ll be opaque and firm to the touch when ready, about 4 mins total depending on how hot your grill is.

Just before serving brush both sides of the skewers with any remaining glaze. And that my friends is it! Enjoy your 4th of July!

Of course, make sure to grill some EXTRA VEGGIES, so the next day you can throw them on a salad, add them to some couscous, or make my “More Veggie Than Egg Summer Scramble”. Enjoy!!

MORE VEGGIE THAN EGG SUMMER SCRAMBLE

What You’ll Need:
Up to a cup of mixed, grilled veggies *any will do* (I used portabello mushrooms, zucchini and red onion)
1/3 cup of Eggology liquid egg whites OR 4 egg whites

What To Do:
Spray a pan with cooking spray, heat on medium.
Add the veggies, and turn the heat to medium/low, then add the egg whites.
Scramble the egg whites until the eggs are set.

Serve hot! Top with salsa, if desired.

Hey it’s Val!

This is a video I released during the launch of my I Want My Bikini Body program. I’ve been getting a lot of emails asking if I could repost it… so here ya go:

Its an interview I did with super skin expert, Nerida Joy.. fascinating stuff!

As you read in Part I of this blog post, movie stars really are just like us when it comes to getting their workout in, and staying in shape. The preconceived notion that stars have it easier than us just isn’t true. No matter how small your space, no matter how busy you might be, and no matter what food is set out on a table in front of you, it’s in your hands to work with what you’ve got and make the best decisions for you and your body.

When you make your fitness and well being a priority, and when you make exercise a “MUST” instead of a “SHOULD”, you’ll be taking a huge step towards your success.

Check out what Rachel sent us from the set of Meskada, giving us yet another glimpse into the luxurious on set lifestyle of a movie star!

Keep in mind that when you want it bad enough, you can make it happen!

Hello!  It was tough, but I managed to get a picture of me, in my cabin, doing one of Valerie’s workouts!  I feel great.  I went for a run (approximately 3 miles) and then I came back to my cabin and and did one of Valerie’s “I Want My Bikini Body” workouts. There’s not a lot of space, but it wasn’t a problem!  Xxx, Rachel

- Gotta love the Valslides! Love, Val

Check out this top of the line sound system!!

Hello!
Today it rained all day…and it’s still raining.  We are shooting nights, so even though it’s 10pm I won’t get picked-up for work until 11pm and I’ll probably be shooting until 5am…such a crazy schedule. Anyway, due to the rain, I was trapped in my cabin for most of the day…aside from the two trips I made to the local WalMart and lunch at a nearby diner…the food here isn’t very healthy and although I’m usually quite good at behaving myself, I sometimes can’t fight a terrible craving.  However, I bit the bullet and bought speakers for my Mac…and had the greatest solo workout ever!  I closed the windows, blasted the heat, turned on the best rev-it-up music, and went crazy.  I also have to admit that I was partially motivated by the 5 onion rings I ate at lunch…  Xxx,  R

- Way to get back on track after the onion ring slip up! Love, Val

Fine Dining on a Movie Set

So…this was part of lunch yesterday and as we all know, grilled-cheese sandwiches are not exactly on the health food menu.  I opted for a hamburger wrapped in lettuce instead and I passed on the pasta and potato salad.  There’s usually fruit at Craft service in case I need something sweet after lunch.  It has been really tough to eat well here…I freely admit to caving-in and ordering onion rings at the diner today, but in headed out for a run in the rain and then a Valerie-crafted workout!         Xxx, R.

OK, there ARE some perks to being on a movie set!!

Hello!

…one of my co-stars…somehow he managed to get a workout in during a break on set.  I was really impressed!  It just goes to show that the opportunity to work up a sweat and get fit can present itself in even the most peculiar places.  Just grab a couple of sandbags - they are everywhere on a film set - and work those arms!  Mmm.  Xxx. -R

So, how bad do you want your Bikini Body?

I am so excited to be a spokesperson for the new Reebok Easy Tone sneaker.

These new Reebok sneakers “incorporate stability balls under the heels and forefoot to create a natural instability to force muscles to adapt and encourage toning.” Easy Tone’s make you feel like you’re walking on soft sand, and provide “28% more gluteus maximus muscle activation, and 11% more calf and hamstring activation.” These shoes aren’t meant to replace your workout, but they will definitely enhance your workout! I would definitely feel like I had gotten more out of my usual walking around and daily workout.

To celebrate the launch of their new shoe, Reebok had a really fun party on Tuesday night in Beverly Hills. I attended the party with my assistant, Nikki, where we got to see a bunch of celebs walking around in their Easy Tone sneakers. They even had a section set up where you could try on the shoe and see what it felt like. We had a lot of fun!! Here is Nikki, holding up her favorite version of the Easy Tone:

Part of being a spokesperson involves doing a satellite media tour (SMT), which I just completed this morning for Reebok. I had to wake up at 1:30 in the morning to get to the shooting location at 2am. First things first, I had to get my hair and make up done. The interviews began at around 3am, and lasted up until 8:30am. I finally made it home at 9:30 this morning to get back into bed and catch up on my sleep. Below is a picture of me and my make up artist for the media tour, Jen, taken bright & early this morning!

If you’re in need of some new workout shoes, it’s worth looking into these new Reebok Easy Tone’s.

With these new sneakers and your Valslides, you can double up on your workouts to get that Bikini Body you’ve always wanted!

Maybe you’ve occasionally thought, heard, or even read somewhere that celebrities have it easier when it comes to working out, eating right, and maintaining their Hollywood body. But, celebrities really are just like us when it comes to keeping their bodies looking good. If anything, it’s often even harder for the celebs to get in their workouts and make good decisions when it comes to their diet. Shooting films on location with schedules that are anything but convenient, can make getting your workout quite a challenge. And, have you ever been near a Craft Service Table? Talk about temptation!!

My client Rachel Nichols (star the new Star Trek, and the upcoming G.I. Joe movie) is currently in Catskill, New York, shooting the independent film, Meskada. While it’s true that sometimes on big budget movies there are trainers and chefs, more often than not, it’s up to the actors themselves to keep fit. Often, they work long hours with food temptations everywhere. Rachel offered to give us a behind the scenes look at what it’s really like to keep fit while making a movie…

Here we have the fancy movie star lodging:

Of course, no movie set would be complete without healthy, gourmet snacks to maintain a bikini worthy body:

This is part of the Kraft Service table…there were donuts earlier, but they were taunting me so I walked away and by the time I came back they had disappeared.  Now, let’s see, I had breakfast at 6:30am and am definitely wanting a snack, but, for some reason, the apples don’t look as appealing as the Peanut M&Ms.  Why is that?  Bah.  I’ll grab a water instead… - Rach, Xxx!

–Good job, Rach! Love, Val

And don’t forget to take a peek at the luxurious, well equipped workout area:

For anyone worried about having enough space to do a full workout…just show them this picture!  It has been raining here, so I’ve had to workout on the floor in my tiny cabin…and it hasn’t been an issue.  The booties (for the Valslide) have been a lifesaver as well.  Thankfully I have a TV so I can put it on in the background to keep me company since I don’t have you!  -Rach, Xxx!

–Thank goodness for Valslides!! The booties allow you to convert your Valslides for use on hardwood or tile floors.

Some celebs have the luxury of having a personal trainer with them at all times.. but I’m not one of those trainers. I enjoy working with multiple clients and though I used to be one to go “on location” all of the time, I just haven’t been doing that recently. And so I need to apply some other ‘lil tricks to ensure my clients success because I’m not with them 24/7.

One of my strong suits is my ability to keep motivation high! I do this thru a number of methods, but I thought I’d share a few quick ones today that I think you can apply starting immediately.. so take a look and let me know what you think!

1. Set a deadline. Few things will get you more committed than a deadline.  Knowing that you’ll be in a bathing suit on the beach or walking down the aisle in 6 weeks will keep you committed to your program. Even if you don’t have a special occasion, create a self-imposed deadline, then circle that day on your calendar and start counting down!

2. Take a photo. Take a picture on day 1 of your program. While you follow the program, use it as a reminder and motivation. At the end of your program, take your “after” photo. You will see the difference and feel proud of what you accomplished!  Danielly did in the photo above and just look at what she accomplished!  Amazing!

3. Visualize your end result. Picture yourself winning the race, looking down at the scale to see a lower number, or fitting into your skinny jeans. Imagine how great you’ll look in your bikini when summer time comes around. Visualization makes any of your goals more tangible and seems to speed up results.

4. Go Shopping. Few things make me want to hit the gym more than a new workout outfit. I don’t know what it is about new clothes (or shoes!) that get me fired up to workout, but it’s a great reason to go shopping.

5. Assess yourself. You’ve got to know where you’re at before you can decide where to go. On day 1 of the program, take your measurements and weight and write them down. Take them again every 2 weeks so you can monitor your progress.  If you’re not where you want to be, you may need to ask yourself how committed you’ve been. The point of this is not to judge yourself or criticize your body, but simply to have a clear picture of where you are. You will be happy you did when you can look back and see the progress you’ve made.  My I Want My Bikini Program comes with a complete Bikini Body Blueprinting Kit, that details exactly what I do with my clients

Have any motivational tips or you tricks you use that you’d like to share? Leave your comments below!

Do you have any last minute strategies you’d like to share? I’d love to hear what you think!

What’s the difference between Red Carpet Ready and I Want My Bikini Body? Click Here To Find Out

This is a video response I made to some questions that were popping up in my Red Carpet Ready Club forum:

What do you think? What are you favorite types of cardio exercises? Have you had experience with certain types bulking up or slimming down your legs? I’d love to hear what you think!

What’s the difference between Red Carpet Ready and I Want My Bikini Body? Click Here To Find Out

Originally posted in March of 2008

This is a big topic in the athletic world, and the general consensus among my colleagues and peers is a resounding no. It likes to be said that because women don’t have enough testosterone they should quit worrying about getting bulky and start lifting HEAVY weights, yet my entire (and very successful) business has been built on the premise that they can get too muscular. I have created programming that assures that my girls, while looking fit, won’t come off as overly buff or ripped. So what gives? How can the majority of some of the top fitness professionals believe it is a myth that women can get too muscular, much like before Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile it was believed to be physically impossible to do. This is a topic I am so passionate about, that I recently gave my first ever presentation on the subject.

During my seminar I broke down the secrets I use to get my clients in the shape that I call ‘Red Carpet Ready’

I think that the confusion lies with not clearly understanding the word “too.” According to Webster’s dictionary, the adverb “too” means: more than desirable, more of an amount or degree of something than is desired, necessary or fitting. Frankly I think this explains things perfectly. It means the term “too muscular” is subjective to the person desiring the muscle and not the person doing the programming.

Maybe not for her, but too big for my clients? Probably.

Here’s a comparison: I am a novice surfer. I have the basics down but I will not be going out on the tour anytime soon. While I know how to catch a wave, I get very scared when the waves are “too big.” My instructor often laughs at what I consider “too big.” More skilled surfers wouldn’t waste their time on the waves I take because they could be considered “too small.” So who’s right? Does it matter to me that they say it can’t be considered to big unless the wave is overhead or the swell has a certain amount of volume or intensity? No, because once the waves hit shoulder height I’m sitting on the beach.

Phenomonal athlete, but is she 'too' bulky?

One more example. I love to look at the magazines and see what the stars are wearing. Sometimes I think “wow, her clothing is too revealing” other times I think, “she dresses too conservatively.” Am I right? I am sure the person in question thinks they look nice and really, who am I to judge?

So the next time your client, girlfriend or fellow gym goer says “I’m afraid of lifting weights because I don’t’ want to get too big,” please don’t tell her she is being ridiculous. Instead, ask her what that means to her. Better yet, get her to show you pictures of what body type she likes and what she thinks isn’t right for her. She has her reasons and it just might open your eyes.

What do you think?  Can women get TOO bulky?  Leave your comments below.

For more information on how I get my clients in shape WITHOUT the extra bulk that many programs provide:  Visit Red Carpet Ready and I Want My Bikini Body!

My Red Carpet Ready Transformation segment on E! News wrapped last week!  The girls did fantastic!

Both of them lost about 30 pounds - I asked them to share what they felt helped the most.  Here’s what they said:

“Drinking LOTS of water.  I had no idea this would help so much!”

For a lot of people, though, drinking plain water gets boring so try adding natural flavors to keeps things interesting,

Fruits and veggies can boost nutrition too. Here are some quick and healthy ideas for putting some splash into your next glass of water.

Try adding:

• cucumber slices
• fresh squeezed lemon
• mint
• sliced strawberries
• watermelon chunks
• frozen grapes
• lemon grass
• ginger (to boiling water to make a tea)

“There’s no such thing as maintenance.”

I feel like the drinking more water and keeping a food journal were great tips, but the biggest thing that has affected me is when you said that there’s no such thing as maintenance.   I understand that now it is a life style and it doesn’t end because the shoots are over.  What you said then is helping me now.  I have had some treats since the end of the show, but like you said I’m always one meal away from getting back on track.   I just had to have a margarita and mexican food after the last shoot.

Wanna try the same exact program they used? It’s right here: Red Carpet Ready! Completely makeover your body in 6 weeks.. or my new and improved I Want My Bikini Body program! Both will get you in top shape