That first night, as we savored the delicious (and nutritious) meal, we couldn’t help but notice that Steve Ross was eating his own concoction, that appeared to be just mixed lettuce and avocado.  Apparently he mostly just consumes smoothies and fruit, so this was a feast for him.  As we dug into the amazing zucchini lasagna (zucchini noodles, roasted tomato sauce and some ricotta cheese), one of the guests said to Steve, “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

His reply, “I’m not missing it,” got my attention.

For most of my life, I had a piece of toast with breakfast.  Sometimes with an egg on it, sometimes with almond butter, sometimes just dry cinnamon raisin toast, to go with my smoothie.

Of course, it was always the “good” bread like Ezekiel sprouted grain or spelt bread.

None of that long-shelf-life, preservative laden stuff for me! No way! I was always careful to choose whole grains, or better yet, sprouted grains.

I also “believed” in breakfast within an hour of waking.

In fact, I was absolutely sure this was the best way to lose weight and be healthy.

Hundreds of my clients got in amazing shape following my principles, and this was always the first rule.

I knew this was the best way.

Until now.

I no longer have toast for breakfast.

In fact, I don’t really have breakfast.

I just stopped.  I really missed it for about a week.

Then one day, I didn’t.

I am no longer a person who eats toast every day.  I no longer eat as soon as I get up.

I cannot begin to explain what a game changer this has been for me.  I’m not starving all day anymore.

I’m not “afraid” of getting hungry.  I don’t get light headed and I don’t feel like I will pass out or…  die.

In fact, I feel better!  This has been incredibly liberating for me.

Eliminating toast, as well as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa (cereal was eliminated a couple of years ago) radically changed my breakfast until eventually I eliminated breakfast all together.

At least at the traditional time.

I still call my first meal “breakfast” because I still do typically choose some sort of “breakfast” type food, but I usually have it around 10:30 or 11am…

Sometimes I have eggs but most often I have my Hottie Shake.

I used to think I couldn’t live without my breakfast.  And especially… MY TOAST!

It took about a week to be free.  I now can honestly say, “I’m not missing it.”

From a Steve Ross/Tom Morley Yoga Retreat on Kauai. At breakfast, when questioned and told he was missing out on some yummy food, Steve said “I’m not missing it.” It has stuck with me ever since.

What food do you think you can’t live without?

What would it mean to you if you could?

It’s not my favorite of Holidays, but it does happen to be the perfect arbitrary date to use as a deadline for a “resolution reset” … just in case any of our goals from New Years have fallen to the wayside.

I say all of us unite and use it as a deadline to look and feel as fabulous as possible.

Whether or not we have a significant other to share it with.

If you do, great – wouldn’t it be nice to look like a hottie for him/her? There’s your motivation.

If not, awesome – you’re on my team.

Let’s pretend we have a date and we want to look and feel our hottest ever that day!

Just because!

And we should start today.

Here are 7 things that if we all agree to do together, come Valentines Day – our collective hotness will surely be felt across the globe.

I, for one, predict record temperatures.

A note about the Break in Case of Fabulous Checklist.

Ideally, you do all of these. Some should be done every day… others, like #1, only need to be done once.

But even if you were to only start with one or two, you’d see results.

We’re Hotties though, damn it! So we’re doing all of them.

1. Trash the Trash.

Every one of my programs starts with a kitchen purge. You want to get the bad stuff out of the house to clear your path and make it easier for yourself.

Otherwise you are constantly battling willpower. It is easier to remove the temptation.

Start with this list but feel free to add to it. Read labels. Obviously I don’t have to tell you Doritos are bad, but what about the “healthy chips”? They need to go.

• Cookies, cakes, candy, chocolate (except dark chocolate), ice cream,
frozen yogurt
• Anything containing gluten: bread, muffins, pasta, frozen diet foods
• Quinoa, wild rice, brown rice
• Sugar or added sugar (be sure to check the labels, that will get your
attention) – processed peanut butter, jams and jellies, ketchup – most
processed foods
• Anything that has a bunch of words you can’t pronounce on the label
• Deli meat that comes in a package ( instead, ask your butcher to thinly
slice organic, hormone free chicken or turkey)
• Sodas
• Alcohol
• Fruit juice ( too much sugar)
• Milk, including lowfat and nonfat
• Nothing labeled “low carb” or “fat free”. If they need to label it, it’s filled
with crap you don’t want!

2. Sleep better.

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. Here’s how:

Create a sanctuary by removing all electronics, picking clothes off the floor and clearing any additional clutter.

Clutter is exhausting.

Next, make your room as dark as possible.

I recently removed my glow in the dark alarm clock and installed black out blinds, and it’s made a huge difference.

3. Go Gluten-Free.

In Hot in a Hurry there is a meal plan that will make this easy for you, but for now just ditch the pasta, cookies, crackers and anything else you have made from wheat.

Do this during your kitchen purge but also be hyper-aware when ordering out. It’s okay to question your waiter. Tell them your allergic if that’s easier but most will want to accommodate you.

4. Stop wearing your schleppy workout clothes.

Wear things that flatter you. If you would be embarrassed running into someone you know, wearing what you have on, it’s time to change.

Perception drives reality. It does matter what you wear. So put your cute clothes on.

5. Do Metabolic Circuit Training

Or as my friend Robert Dos Remedios calls it ‘Cardio Strength Training.’

Hands down this is the best way to train for fast visible results, and by far my favorite. (For an example, check this video out.)

6. Photoshop your life.

Real-life Photoshop. I got my sparkle back in a spray-tan!

Who needs Photoshop express when you can do this real life version? A couple of months ago when I was desperately in need of a quickie pick-me-up, I got a spray tan, blow dry, mani/pedi, I did one of my intense strength training circuits to make my muscles pop, then put on a cute outfit. Within 24 hours, I felt so much better. It’s about finding your sparkle.

7. Believe!

You can really, truly, honestly get more fit, look ‘hotter’ and feel sexier in just 10 days. You will also have more energy and be well on your way to better health. It is remarkable what can happen when you focus your energy.

But you have to believe.

In yourself.

And in the process.

I think one reason I’m so successful as a trainer is because of my track record.

Clients coming to me believe I can (and will!) transform them quickly.

They believe in me, they believe in my program, so they follow it. And guess what happens? They transform. You can too!

My Hot in a Hurry program integrates all of this into a tight little package you can follow along for 10 days.

The $30 off sale has been extended until Friday. So you’ve got about 48 hours to get yours.

A little preview of After Hot in a Hurry.

Introduction

There are many reasons to workout: better health, more energy, blah, blah, blah. The most compelling reason:

To look like a hottie…

It’s mid-winter (in the US) and just far enough from January 1 for the New Years Resolutions to be falling to the wayside.

Do you want to hit the reset button? Do you want to have your sparkle back?

What if I told you, you can have it back in 10 days?

What if you could coax your inner hottie out?

Yes. We all have one.

Halle Berry is quoted as saying “Sexiness is a state of mind…,” and while I believe this to be true, I also think it’s difficult to achieve this “state of mind” while feeling like a puff-ball and doing a Charlie Brown impression.

And I certainly can speak from [recent] experience.

My job is getting actors in shape fast. When I do it right, they usually stay there – or at least close. My reputation is built on my ability to just get the job done, no matter, no matter how much time is left.

So I know what I’m doing. I know what to eat. I know how to exercise. In fact, I was what most people would consider to be in really good shape.

Part of me feels like I have to stay that way because my clients look to me for inspiration…

Yet, near the end of last summer, I lost my sparkle.

A back injury had sidelined my workouts and forced me into physical therapy – on top of that, taking on a few too many projects, left little time for play and heaps of stress.

I had to change.

And change I did.

Not only did I get my sparkle back, but I got my bodyweight down to the lowest than since I was 25 years old! While it wasn’t a crazy amount of scale weight, it’s significant because this 8 pounds was the most stubborn of the stubborn. And truthfully I didn’t realize I had 8 pounds to lose.

3 things pushed me in the right direction.

1. I read Fight Club.

Actually, first I read a post about Tyler Durden on The Minimalists.

Then I read the book.

Aaaand then I watched the movie.

3 times.

After that, I wrote my own blog post about it.

Clearly, I was a little obsessed.

Reading the book helped me understand that it wasn’t about fighting at all. (something about seeing it in print.)

It wasn’t violent… it was about a man ‘waking up’ and realizing he’s not really living his life. The Minimalists said it’s a “narrative about life and about getting rid of the corporate and cultural influences.”

It’s a beautiful book with a powerful message.

There was one quote in particular that really moved me and I hope it has the same effect on you.

“It’s your life and it’s ending one minute at a time.”

Think about that. What are you doing? What are you NOT you doing? What changes could you make right now that would make your life better? What conversation could you have? What habit could you stop? or start?

Would you like to get Hot in a Hurry?

2. I changed my diet.

I had been leaning into the paleo style of eating for a while, but I decided to be much more strict with the “no bread, no grains” rule.

“Everything in moderation” is not an option for me.

I was also doing a lot of studying about intermittent fasting but I didn’t really embrace it until I re-read Jason Ferruggia’s “Renegade Diet.”

He made it clear and more exciting. It lit a spark.. the way that he explained the science just made sense to me.

He explains that while we are fasted – especially when we’re ‘deep’ into the fast – as part of our bodies own survival mechanism – our nervous system operates in what’s known as ‘sympathetic mode’ – which is associated with the ‘flight or flight’ response, alertness, focus, clear thinking.

And it’s when we eat our first meal, that our body switches to parasympathetic mode, where we relax and let our guard down. This often shows itself as sudden yawning, feeling foggy or tired, or just less-focused and distracted.

Some foods will illicit a bigger response than others – but I think you’ll find, as many people do, the fasting period becomes your most productive of the day – and you may even be looking for ways to extend it! :-O

So Jason’s book is just amazing – and then a few of my friends were following the plan with pretty amazing results.

So I decided to try it… with a few little tweaks.

Nothing mindblowing here, I know. I stopped eating a traditional breakfast… extending the time I was “fasted” by a few extra hours. I usually have my last meal at around 7:30pm. So by not eating until 10:30a, I’m at about 15 hours of fasting.

This is essentially what my friend Jason Ferruggia teaches in his book about Intermittent Fasting, The Renegade Diet. 16 hour fast, 8 hours of eating.

Until I read his book, I thought this sounded crazy – I thought I had to eat breakfast or I would DIE! (surprisingly though, since putting a lot of my clients on the new diet, many are relieved to not have to be eating breakfast.)

Jason said:

The great thing about this style of eating is that it works incredibly well for active, busy individuals. Who has the time or desire to eat 5-6 meals per day?

Therefore the diet provides you with an incredible sense of freedom and adds productivity to your day. Without all the time spent preparing and eating food you will have ample amounts of time to do more productive things.

You will also have infinitely more energy during the day because of the fact the diet turns on your sympathetic nervous system, aka “fight or flight mode.” Most people are used to operating in the parasympathetic nervous system and that is why they have such low energy levels throughout the day.

Sounds great to me!

3. I put the medicine in the chocolate.

My dogs Cody and Lexi (best doggies ever!) won’t take any pills. They will literally eat an entire bowl of food around one, and leave it there for me. Like “I don’t think so, mom! Nice try!”
But thank goodness for Pill Pockets. This cute little product.

Or if I don’t have Pill Pockets, I wrap them in cheese.

What’s up now Cody and Lexi!?

This made me think… how could I use the same idea with my workouts. How could I “sneak the medicine in the chocolate?”

There are certain exercises that I put in the “medicine” category – which would be things that make you feel better, move better, hurt less, etc. They’re not always the most fun things, but they’re criticial to stay healthy & hot. Many of them are also GREAT for posture, which really is one of the “look better instantly” secrets. (and something we talk about with Dr. Craig Liebenson in the Hottie Body Reboot).

And then the chocolate exercises would be your “fun stuff,” if you can call it that. Your Valslide Reverse Lunges, squats, chest press, rows…

This would be things like Valband Side-steps (better booty function), Y’s & T’s (better posture), and different stretches with the Super Valband (my new favorite tool)

The trick then is mixing this stuff up in a way where the workout is still super fun, amazingly effective and allows you to get in, get it done and get on with your day.

Hot in a Hurry is built on the concept of putting the medicine in the chocolate. I sneak in what’s good for you while still giving you what you love.

You will get fun new workouts but it’s so much more than just another fitness program.

It’s a “get your hottie-mojo” back program. I will teach you eat and exercise in a way that not only have you lose up to 10 pounds in 10 days, but it will seem so easy, so satisfying that you will want to make it the way you always do it.

By the time you complete the program, you will have your sparkle back! You will feel like a brand new YOU!

But wait, there’s more! We talk big sexy hair. Easy hottie make up tips. Confidence. Style. And so much more!

Get Hot in a Hurry now!
And get ready to turn heads!

I am so excited for these three women! Yep, that’s right…3! It was so hard to choose that I added another 2nd prize winner.  These ladies really rocked it!

Before the big reveal, I want to tell you about these AWESOME prizes!

The 2nd prize winners will be receiving my soon to be released Hot in a Hurry Body Transformation Program, a Total ValGym with my new Pink Valslides and my absolute favorite gym bag the Core Bag by Livewell 360, stuffed with these goodies:  A Gymboss Timer, Make-Up Sexx Cosmetics and a Valslide Tee!

Awesome, right?

AND THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER…(drum roll)

An individual workout session with me and my celebrity client, Rachel Nichols; my soon to be released Hot in a Hurry Body Transformation Program and a Total ValGym with my new Pink Valslides!

You may have seen Rachel Nichol in the action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,  and the sword and sorcery film Conan the Barbarian. She currently plays the lead role of Kiera Cameron in the science fiction television series Continuum, which will return for a second season in 2013.

Rachel is an amazing actress, and SO much fun to be around.  I promise, this will be a once in a lifetime experience!   

Now for the winners…  

The 2nd prize winners are:

Grainne

I believe that my body is happiest when I move and sweat every day and when I feed it real, nourishing food.
I believe in bear hugs.
I believe in kindness: loving kindness, random acts and kindness in our approach to ourselves.
I believe in friends and family…and that friends can be family.
I believe that a cute outfit makes me run faster!
I believe in the restorative powers of a hot cup of tea.
I believe that I am strong and resilient; although I may need reminding at times.
I believe in gratitude-being grateful for what we have and saying “thank you” often.
I believe that music touches the heart and soul and that books can free our minds.
I believe that chocolate is good for me. And is the soulmate of peanut butter.
I believe in smiling. A lot. And that a belly laugh is the best medicine.
I believe in red shoes on Friday. Just because!

and

Michelle Verdi

I believe that working out should make you feel like a kid again! That it should feel like something you want to do, not something you have to do. And I believe that if you find fun ways to stay healthy you will always connect to your inner child!

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS…

Francine

I believe in tolerance and understanding.I believe in happiness.
I believe in respect.
I believe in treating others like you want to be treated.
I believe in manners.
I believe in being a positive role model for my children.
I believe in love.
I believe that hard work equals results.
I believe that you have to believe in yourself to become a better person. That is why I believe in ME!

 FRANCINE, GET READY FOR AN AMAZING WORKOUT!

Congratulations to all the contest winners and a big thank you to everyone who participated!  

Love and Lunges,

Val

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” – Confucius

I am super excited to announce the 3rd prize “I Believe Contest” Winners! You guys rocked this contest, with great photos and belief statements.   

Each of these winners will be receiving my soon-to-be released Hot in a Hurry transformation program. (a $150 value).  Hot in a Hurry is a 10-Day Digital Immersion for aspiring hotties – designed with the sole purpose of giving YOU your MOJO back.

Through my signature H.O.T. workouts, a super-effective diet, intensive 1-on-1 coaching videos & and confidence-boosting mental exercises, you’ll go in feeling “OK” and come out like “YAY!”

Now, it’s time to announce the winners:

Jen H. – “I believe you were born to be real, not to be perfect.”

Parker -  “I believe in the elevating power of music, bright lipstick, and a well-made cocktail.”

Rachel P. –   “I believe that you don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.”

Congrats Ladies!

Take a sneak peak at what’s to come with a  Hot In A Hurry workout.  This  Livestrong Woman, A-List Look workout, is not easy but if you want to get Hot In A Hurry this is how you do it!

Printable Workout Sheets

We’ll be announcing the rest of the winners soon!

Love & Lunges,

Val

In October, I ran a contest called “I believe.”  Inspired by an Audrey Hepburn quote and a desire to start a more meaningful conversation, I thought this would be the perfect way to launch my new Pink Valslides.

Well, the responses that came in made me proud to be connected to this group of people.  Some made me laugh, some made me cry, some made me think and many had me nod my head in agreement.

I know you have eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners.   Today, we start with our 4th Place Winners, who will all receive a pair of the new Pink Valslides!

• Ashley Ederington
• Brad Gouthro
• Chenay Schroeder
• Heather Kramers
• Jean Mobilia
• Jenelle Ford
• Joy
• Kate
• Kendra Blanchette
• Lauren
• Rachel Webster

CONGATS TO ALL OF YOU!  Here are my favorite beliefs from your entries.

“I believe when you change your thoughts, you change your mind, and ultimately your life.” – Kendra Blanchette

“I believe that dreams can come true.” – Heather Kramers

“I believe in order to live your best life, you need to live outside your comfort zone every…single…day.” – Brad Gouthro

“I believe in second chances and new beginnings.” – Kate

“I believe family isn’t defined by blood.” – Joy

“I believe strength and beauty come from within, and it’s something you earn – not something you’re given.” – Chenay Schroeder

“I believe…my self-worth comes from deep inside and can’t be given to me by anyone else.” – Jenelle Ford

” I believe in spending one day a week at home, enjoying the house you worked so hard to make your own.” – Jean Mobilia

“I believe that we should all try and be more like the person our dogs think we are. – Rachel Webster

“I believe I can do anything.” – Ashley Ederington

“I believe in finding opportunities and setting a good example.” – Lauren

Love & Lunges,

Val

 Up next, is our 3rd prize winners. Stay tuned!

I would like you to remember what this day is really about.

Take a moment to be grateful.

Whether your life is rocking for you or you’ve had some struggles this year, I’m sure there are things that make your heart sing!

A new friendship, your doggie’s face when you come home, or achieving a fitness or personal goal you’re proud of – take a brief moment now to think of one (or three!) … and just drink it in.

Just pause for two minutes while you do this.

…….

Did you do it?

If you’re anything like me, you already have a smile on your face.

While I’m so grateful for many things, here are the first three that came to mind.

1. Cody & Lexi

These animals never fail to cheer me up!

I love them so much!

I know you love your babies and I love when you share pics so please always feel free (and encouraged) to share them on my Facebook!

2. My Red Carpet Ready Girls

The weekend of September 23rd, we celebrated the 4 Year Reunion of the Ready Carpet Ready Club. It was an amazing weekend of friendship, fitness & laughter.

I’m so grateful for this group and the ones who couldn’t make the trip. (I know they were there in spirit.)

It’s such a privilidge to have brought together such an amazing group.

3. Tom Morley & Steve Ross’s Kauai Yoga Retreat

I am so incredibly grateful for this gift I received from two very special clients.

They sent me to Kauai on this amazing retreat. I’ve struggled lately to make time for my own renewal even though I know how important it is.

Bless them for getting me there – because not only is my body and soul renewed, I made some new friendships AND I have some amazing take-aways that I’ll be sharing over the next week.

For now, just write down (or think about) 3 things you’re grateful for and carry that with you today.

I would love for you to share in the comments below.

Have a happy thanks giving and come back soon to see what I learned on Kauai!

Love & Lunges,
Val

No problem, this workout has got you covered!  Just pack a pair of Valslides,  add “The Best Travel Workout” to your playlist or print out the workout sheet, for a full-body burn anywhere you go!

Printable Workout Sheets

All you need is a pair of five pound dumbbells, though feel free to bump up the weight during the bicep curls.

Starting with some moves to work the back shoulders and improve posture, next we’ll target the sides of the shoulders, triceps and biceps. You’ll love it!

We’ll go through the routine once together, and then I want you to do it twice more on your own. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Here is a printable version of this workout.

A few months ago, someone had posted an image with some of Audrey Hepburn’s beliefs.  You know the one… I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.  I believe in being strong when everything seems to be wrong, etc.

I loved the idea of getting to know this iconic actress through her belief statements and with the launch of my new pink Valslides around the corner, was tickled (pun intended) that she too, believed in pink!

I started to think about “beliefs” and how empowering they can be to drive and motivate us towards great accomplishments.  It has been said that beliefs shape our reality.  They are ideas that we think are true, and therefore strongly influence what we do. I believe they live in our hearts as well as our heads and one’s beliefs are an important part of getting results in any of my fitness programs.  We need to believe that we can succeed, to succeed.

I have found at times that putting pen to paper is the first step toward adopting beliefs that fully supports and compliments the actions needed to achieve results.  I have also seen with my Red Carpet Ready Club that having a community gives these women a forum to share, be heard and feel supported.

I thought how could I get people to share their beliefs, support and inspire each other and do it in a public forum?  Hence, the I Believe Contest was born.

Today, the I believe contest site serves as a source of inspiration for me.

For that I would like to thank each and every one of you for participating.

Your words are heart warming, thought provoking, full of encouragement and strength.

Here are a few I would like to share with you:

“I believe a good laugh, a hard cry, a quiet meditation or a tough workout can mend ones spirit.” -Jen Hardy

“I believe strength and beauty come from within, and it’s something you earn – not something you’re given.” -Chenay Schroeder

“I believe when you change your thoughts, you change your mind, and ultimately your life.” -Kendra Blanchette

“I believe you can always reach your goals if you have the right state of mind and motivation to keep going!” -Chelsea Sowers

“I believe that an online community can be just as important & supportive as the people I’ve known for years.” -Laura Rush

“I believe that a cute outfit makes me run faster!” – Grainne Murphy.

(Note to those that are mentioned here:  I’m working on a final follow-up post to announce the winners – there is lots more love coming your way!)

And a few that made me chuckle:

Gee, I wonder how Ryan’s photo ended up in this post.  I’m sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he’s the one adding the graphics.

I would also like to thank everyone who voted in the contest.

Whether you voted for yourself, a friend, family member or a stranger.  Your vote represents support, engagement and is an expression of your beliefs and I really appreciate that.

Today being election day, is a day when you are being asked to cast a vote.  A day we all have beliefs about… strong beliefs! In continuing with the idea of sharing our beliefs, I would like to share some of my beliefs about this day.

I believe we all have a voice.

I believe our choices matter.

I believe our votes count and not just at the polls.

I believe the decisions we make can change the world.

I believe we cast our vote everyday with the choices we make.

I am going to leave you with what I think is a brilliant speech called The Power of Four, about choice given by Tom Hanks at Vassar College.

This is amazing.

“Even the simplest choice can make a jaw-dropping difference in our world”- Tom Hanks

Love and Lunges,

Val