How I Got To My Lowest Bodyweight Since I Was 25 Years Old

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!

A-List Look: Arm-a-Licious Workout

I have for you an amazing Arm-a-Licious Workout. We’re going to tighten, tone, and get those arms into super sexy shape!

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.

Before You Achieve, You Must Believe.

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

A-List Look: Bombshell Booty Workout

We all know her, that sultry woman that gets the attention of every man. That symbol of smoldering female sexuality… Guess what, you can be an even better bombshell than she!

This Bombshell Booty Workout workout will slim and tone your butt and legs while burning tons of calories.

I promise you’ll love the results!

Here is a printable version of this workout.