But my problem is I love food!

Don't believe the lies of society about mid life female hormones! You can do it too!

Don’t believe the lies of society about mid life female hormones! You can do it too!

 

Just ditch the emotional eating excuse or the “my problem is I love food” excuse! There is nothing special about that problem.

 

This Morning’s Question: Hey, can I ask you a ridiculous question? Do you ever just go ‘off the rails’ with your eating? I have such a good plan in place, but some days it seems like I just can’t *make* myself choose wisely. I *know* what to do…but sometimes, I think I actually lose my ability to care. (I’m sorry; I *know* that sounds horrible, but that’s really how I feel!) The only thing that makes sense to me right now is that the problem *could* be my wildly fluctuating hormones, but I hate to be one of *those* women who blame everything on hormone issues!

Anyway, I was wondering if you had any advice on how to combat occasional apathy…

My answer: It is not ridiculous, yes we all have days like that, even me. I have learned to stop the flow of eating sooner, sometimes it’s making sure I don’t eat too low on other days, sometimes it’s taking a break to log it so I SEE WHAT I’M ACTUALLY DOING. Sometimes I can “save the day” or decide to start minimizing the damage the rest of the day.

Sometimes getting to the gym helps me get in the right mindset and away from the freakin food!

It’s a fine line. It’s a tightrope. Sometimes we teeter on one side or the other, but we learn to keep our balance better over time. Awareness and knowledge of your food and the values is where the power comes from. It isn’t necessarily willpower, that will always fail us. It’s learning from the failure and deciding on a plan to prevent it as much as possible next time.

TRUTH!

Never Settle
Never Give Up
Live Your Dream

VT18 is winding down and we at the Venus Factor want to see you succeed.  I’ll be making a new contest schedule for next year soon.  The next contest will be in Mid January 2017.  Stay tuned for updates.

The deadline for VT18 is midnight Eastern Time November 21st.  Enter your final pictures HERE.

Dieting for weight loss is hard for everyone so don’t feel alone.  It will require some sacrifice.  No one achieves their goal without hard work and some sacrifices.

If you want help with the last few weeks of the Venus contest feel free to join my Venus Factor Contest Prep Facebook Group.  I will help you every step of the way.  Any Venus contest competitor is welcome to join.

I know you feel like giving up.  I know you feel you can’t do this.  I know you feel you can’t keep going. I know you feel this is impossible.  But that is not true. Those are lies.  I am here to help if you need me.

Venus still offers the premium One-on-One coaching where you are welcome to select your coach. You do not have to participate in a contest to activate your coaching program. The link for coaching is in your downloads area. There is no reason not to succeed!

Roberta

email Roberta

Today is the start of VT18 of the Venus Transformation Contests

Wow, time is sure flying by.  It doesn’t seem that long ago that I entered VT3 back in the day.  And the days just keep rolling by.  So the time to do this is NOW.

There is always life in the way, so the more we do this the more the healthy lifestyle becomes just a part of who we are.

Here’s the duration of the contest:

VT18:   Start August 22 – End November 21

The link to join is RIGHT HERE.

 

What is the Venus Transformation Contest and who can join?

Any Venus customer with a login to the downloads area can join.  If you don’t place in a contest you can enter as many times as you want.  There is no fee.

But there are amazing prizes.  The best prize of all is the empowerment and health in your own life.  The ability to enjoy life more, gain confidence, and improve every aspect of your life.  Many have improved marriages and improved confidence in their jobs, hobbies, and activities in their communities and families.

There are the other prizes too:

The Transformation Contest place has prizes for placements:

  • First place: $500
  • Second place: $350
  • Third place: $250
  • Fourth place through tenth place: $200

Or each winner can choose the Immersion Membership instead of the cash prize.

Watch the short video to learn more about how it works and when to enter your pictures during the window of time:

To find out about previous contests go HERE, and please read the RULES and REGULATIONS.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year bring to all the amazing Venus ladies.

 

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CONTEST ENTRY INFORMATION:

If you are a previous contest winner, or have already “transformed” and want to share professional pictures and your story you can join the contest as a “cover or calendar girl”, simply email me for details.

OR, if you have made a transformation and have a story and before and after pictures to share and are willing to do a podcast interview with us like Heidi did in VT17, you can still have a chance of placing, simply email me and let’s get this party started!

Never Settle!

Never Give Up.

Live Your Dream.

-Coach Roberta

PS Anyone who wants coaching is welcome to sign up for Premium One-On-One-Coaching and pick the coach of their choice.

What’s it like to be a 56 year young Venus Figure Competitor?

BEVEL-Rhonda-Competition-side-pose-1

Rhonda is 56 years young and won our VT contest back in the day when she was 5o. She’s still living the dream and the golden Venus lifestyle and going strong.  She has found the fountain of youth.

Rhonda did it! There she is on stage at age 56.

Rhonda did it! There she is on stage at age 56.

 

It was a fun day, she did her first competition at the same venue I did mine so I went down to support her.

 

I went down to meet Rhonda and watch the competition at the Sheriton in Sacramento.

I went down to meet Rhonda and watch the competition at the Sheraton in Sacramento.

 

Dang, it always makes me realize how small I am when I stand next to another person.  Rhonda is tall!

Another amazing picture of Rhonda on stage.

Another amazing picture of Rhonda on stage.

 

Here’s what Rhonda did to prepare:

 

Everyday was very consistent, only small tweaks were made along the way. I started each day with 3/4 c egg whites plus 1 whole egg scrambled and 1/3 c oatmeal, tea or black coffee.

After lifting workout and before cardio I would have a protein isolate shake (30 gr p)

The rest of the meals, which were to be about 2 1/2 hours apart, consisted of 4 ounces chicken, turkey, or fish and 4oz of sweet potato or rice, and a steamed veggie such as broccoli, asparagus, green beans, spinach, Brussels sprouts, or squash.

Generally, I ate this 3 times a day, so all in all, I ate 5-6 meals a day.

My workouts consisted of 4-5 weight training days. Splits such as back/biceps, legs/shoulders, chest/ triceps with the first one repeated for 4th workout of week. I also added in core and calves and more glute work on less intense days. Cardio was 30 minutes on stair-climber or incline treadmill, 5 days. About half way through, that increased to 45 minutes, 6 days a week.

This seemed to really work well for me and fortunately I didn’t have to give up much more in the way of food. I did eliminate the carb at the last meal of the day towards the end.

 

Rhonda at the Sheraton waiting to go on stage!

Rhonda at the Sheraton waiting to go on stage, looking pretty dang hot!

 

Rhonda was pretty proud of what she achieved. It was an honor to be there as her friend.

Rhonda was pretty proud of what she achieved. It was an honor to be there as her friend.

 

Rhonda built some friendships that day and had a great time.  Since then we’ve gotten together and had some fun.

I went down to visit Rhonda for a few days after the competition and we had a blast!

I went down to visit Rhonda for a few days after the competition and we had a blast!

 

And of course we had some amazing workouts, because that's just what we do!

And of course we had some amazing workouts, because that’s just what we do!

 

And we had fun, both of us 55 and 56 years old, living our dream:

 

I hope you enjoyed her pictures and story.

You can listen to her podcast now or download it for later:

Christine Found a Body She Thought was Impossible

Christine Before and After Venus Side

Christine placed in our recent VT15 Venus Transformation Contest.

She did a phenomenal job and her results display the hard work she put in.She lost THREE INCHES off her waist in twelve short weeks!

Christine Before and After Venus Front

Christine before and after this 12 week contest, unbelievable!

One of the things that makes the Venus program very unique is that it can take an average physique to cover model as Christine’s journey highlights.

Here is what Christine had to say in her own words:

I was stuck and needed something to help get me to the next level of fitness. I have always been active but never really focused to get results I really wanted for myself. Honestly, I was afraid to fail not in the workout side of things but in the mental aspect regarding food choices. I have always felt I was mentally soft regarding my control on food but strong in the gym side of programs. If I wanted it I would eat it. I have always been like that but as I have gotten older the body wouldn’t bounce back as easy as before. I knew I needed to challenge myself and prove that I could have control. The only person that could change that was me. I needed a program that I could actually follow and still live my life with my family. Venus was my answer and I am so happy I accidentally feel upon it and decided to work with a coach. Venus and Coach Liss gave me the tools and the rest was up to me. It was game on! I reached my goals and I am so HAPPY I accomplished what I set out to do! I am mentally stronger and physically stronger now! Thanks Venus family!

Christine Before and After Venus Back

Christine before and after 12 weeks of Venus!

 

Christine wants to start a tradition of sharing playlists, music is a powerful motivator!

Christine wants to start a tradition of sharing playlists, music is a powerful motivator!

Christine’s Metrics

Weight Height Waist Shoulders Hips
Before 129 lb 65.5 in 31 in 41 in 35 in
After 126 lb 65.5 in 28 in 40.5 in 35 in
Deltas -3 lb 0 in -3 in -0.5 in 0 in

Chrstine After Venus Double Bicep

Christine is a beautiful Venus!

Chrstine After Venus Back

Chrstine After Venus Baseball

Listen to Christine’s interview with Liss below, or download it for later:

Jenia finally has the confidence to be in pictures on vacation after finding Venus

Jenia before and after front small

Jenia placed in our recent VT12 contest

She had an amazing transformation in only 12 short weeks.

Jenia used to take a picture of her foot instead of being in family photos

Jenia used to take a picture of her foot instead of being in family photos

jenia before and after white small

Now Jenia rocks pictures with confidence

  Here is what Jenia had to say about her experience with the Venus Factor program:

How did you find the Venus Factor?  I randomly clicked on a facebook ad.  I had no idea I would change my life that day.  It was almost 1 year ago February 13th, the day before Valentines day last year.  I’m just an infant in Venus years.

What things had you tried in the past?  I haven’t really tried any of the popular diets.  I read the Atkins thing back in the 90’s because everyone was losing with it, but it wasn’t for me.    I’d just exercise like crazy – naturally all cardio.  And I’d just try to watch what I was eating without any guidelines.  I’d usually do really good with calories and was probably eating too little for too many days in a row without any eat up days.  Then I would binge like a week and then try it all over again.  I might succeed with 10 pounds here and there, but never anything permanent.

What aspect of the program was most beneficial to you?  All of it.  I can’t imagine any of the parts being better than the others.  The undulating protocol is brilliant; the workouts are fantastic and I can’t live without the community any more.  Now that I have access the podcasts are just as important and I wish I had them to learn this from the beginning.

Which workout(s) did you use during the contest?  What did you enjoy about those workouts?  During the contest I was wrapping up Final Phase and then went to Phase 3 as my main workouts in the evenings.  I also used Specializations and circuits for my morning routines.  I did chest and butt specializations twice a week and legs once a week.   I absolutely love learning the weight lifting and pushing harder.  I love the shape that has emerged that was never allowed to come out with all that cardio I did for years.

Did you use a particular style of eating?  What was your nutrition strategy?  I simply followed the undulating protocol with the thought to eat protein first.  I printed out the protocol calendar and wrote my calorie totals in on each day.    I’m one who never gave up alcohol nor did I completely give up treats like ice cream and I didn’t really change what I eat.  I just measured and ate less of everything.   I just account for it and keep going.  I do always skip breakfast and lunch is usually my big meal.  If I know I have a big dinner planned I have a light lunch and save the calories for dinner.  It’s all just accounting – the job that comes naturally to me.  I’m still working on getting better at the nutrition planning and having better variety in my food.

Did you use any supplements?   No.

Did you use the online community and if so, how was your experience with it?  You know I think the community is the most valuable asset to the Venus program.  Being involved in this group has made all the difference, it’s a huge part of my success.  I could not have done it without Roberta and Liss, all the rest of coaches, and the entire Venus sisterhood.   We are never alone now that we belong to Venus.

What was the hardest obstacle to conquer?  I’m still working on my hardest obstacle which is changing myself on the inside.  In my head I’m still a fat woman in a thin fit body.  I’m still working on confidence and the inner Venus.  The podcasts are helping so much with this.  I didn’t think I needed the inner work, but it really must go hand in hand or you just always feel like a phony and an imposter in the new body you made.  You don’t just suddenly have confidence just because you look different.   I have most definitely learned a lot in the last few months working on this inner struggle.  I had so many decades of putting myself down, and jokes on my own behalf it’s really a hard habit to break.  But it’s coming around.

What kept you motivated?  The results.  When you see yourself shrinking before your eyes it keeps you motivated to keep going even through the plateaus and stalls.   When you know that the process is still working and the results will come if you just keep going.  Being able to communicate with the Venus ladies during struggles is also very important, it’s nice to hear that that others experience these same kinds of difficulties.

How did you feel about your final pictures?  I wish I would have had them done professionally.  I will forever have this ideal of me now….I was good enough to place in a fitness contest.  I did it and I can keep it that way!

Is this a lifestyle you will continue?    Absolutely.  I’m not stopping now!

What advice do you have for other women going through the contest or considering the contest?  I would tell the ladies on the fence to go for it, there is really nothing to lose but fat.  It’s not like a do or die thing, it’s just bettering yourself and there’s nothing wrong with that.  I’m not in the least bit competitive but I thought this would give me the extra push to keep going and reach the Venus ideal for me.  It worked for me even though I didn’t really want to win top prize or anything.  I just wanted to get there.  But I have to say the Immersion prize was the carrot I chased throughout the duration.  Now that I did place I am super proud of it and don’t want to be the one who placed and then let it all go.  I have something to be proud of and something to always aim for.  I don’t want to let the Venus community down by letting my old self come back around.  Being a contestant makes me feel responsible to myself to keep up my health and fitness.   If there are ladies out there who think they will do Venus for a while and are afraid they will let it go, perhaps they should try the contest because it makes you feel responsible to the plan and the community.

Jenia before and after bikini

Jenia transformed inside and out

Jenia loves the online Venus community

Jenia Blog

You can find Jenia active in the Venus community and read her blog!

My Experience with the Venus Factor System – Jenia

I wasn’t planning on changing my life when I clicked the Venus advertisement.  Approaching 50 years old, I thought I was destined to live in the overweight body I was used to, nothing would help at this age.  I had given up scales decades ago.  I always told myself to gauge weight loss by how my clothes fit.   Yeah, well as long as you keep buying larger sizes your clothes will always fit so why bother with scales, right?

My original goal was to lose the same 20 pounds I have always lost over the years.  Somehow that 20 pounds now put me at a higher goal than it used to.  I chalked it up to age and just started the program with those 20 pounds as my goal.  I began with the idea to totally ignore the Venus ideal body measurements, I figured they were for younger ladies.

Having the calorie deficit/maintenance undulating protocol really makes dieting easy for me.  When you can eat whatever you want but just account for it, you really can’t go wrong.   I think the really brilliant part of the program are the maintenance days.  This is the kind of thing that is always missing in other diet programs.  Feeling deprived each and every day is no fun in life.   Looking forward to maintenance days is such a bonus to the program.  It not only helps us mentally but internally as well.  Simply brilliant!

So, like I said before, at first I thought the Venus matrix was unrealistic.  I thought the system gave you this unforgiving number just to keep you working the program.  However, the closer I got to my Venus numbers the more I realized that those numbers are real and they ARE attainable.   They will actually give me the shape that was always just out of reach.  Going at weight loss alone and blind I would have stopped with the first 20 pounds and would still be an ordinary, average, somewhat overweight woman.

I began the Venus Phase 3 exercise program about the same time that the contest started.  The introduction to this program mentioned that this routine is not for everybody.  It’s based on more exercise days per week and more dedication.   I thought to myself, well when I reach my Venus matrix I won’t be every body.  I will be my Venus body, so this is the right one for me at this point in my journey.

Working with weights has become my new passion.  I absolutely love how it makes me feel and the difference in my shape is more than I ever thought possible.  Being cardio queen for decades on bicycles and ellipticals, both indoor and outdoor, did not do anything to help me lose weight.  Being Venus for less than a year has made all the difference – allowing me to achieve 45 pounds of fat loss and over 30.75 inches are gone from my circumference.

I say “being Venus” because that’s what I think this is all about.  The best asset about this entire program is the most awesome community and support team.  We are all Venus no matter where we are in our transformation, and it’s so nice to be able to get and give support to so many wonderful ladies.  We are all on common ground and we are all supportive of one and other.  So many times women tend to be super competitive with each other, you won’d find that here.

They say you are what you eat, right?  Well I think the Venus ladies are what we DON’T eat.     It’s a way of life, a mentality that will stick with me for the rest of my life.  It’s really a life changing program, if you allow it to be.  It’s something I totally fell into at the click of a mouse, and I am so happy I did.  I am the fittest I have ever been in my life, even better now than my teenage years.   I’m loving the new Venus me.  My new standard is not ordinary, it’s extraordinary; I am Venus forevermore.

Thank you all so much for creating such a wonderful and workable program!

Jenia’s Metrics Results

Jenia lost 1.5 inches from her waist and 8 lbs in only 12 weeks using the Venus program!

Jenia lost 1.5 inches from her waist and 8 lbs in only 12 weeks using the Venus program!

 

Jenia made a stunning transformation and just glows!

Jenia made a stunning transformation and just glows!

You can listen to Jenia’s story here:

Sharon, A Venus for Life

sharon b&a front small

Sharon placed in our recent VT12 contest

She did a fantastic job, and these before and afters only capture a portion of her total transformation. Sharon completed one round of 12 weeks with the Venus Factor system before the contest started.

sharon b&a side small

This is what Sharon had to say about her experience:

I stumbled across this program on FB and watched a portion of the video, then deleted it. A couple of weeks later, I came across it again. I know things happen for a reason, so I decided to watch the entire video and haven’t looked back since! My experience with Venus has been amazing! I’ve had a few setbacks and have had quite a bit on my plate. I’m opening a new business in two months, started a class that is very demanding of my time, have a full time job, a part time job and then I had to fit in a diet and exercise regime. I wasn’t  always able to maintain self control as I love my sweets but that’s the beauty of this plan. You can have what you want as long as it’s budgeted in!  However, if I fell off the wagon, I’d just get back on! The exercises were my favorite of all! I used to use workout videos and they got VERY boring. These workouts were always different, very challenging and had instructional videos to watch if I didn’t know how to do it. I NEVER missed a workout, ever! I may have had to do them on different days than I had planned and even sometimes back to back days but NEVER missed a workout! The best part was I could watch my soaps on TV AS I worked out. (I am quite the multi-tasker! Lol. Gotta use my time wisely, I’m busy!) Since I’ve started, I’ve actually inspired others, most importantly, my 18 year old daughter and that is soooo exciting for me! ME, an almost 49 year old, in menopause and a mom of an adult…an inspiration to others? Wow!!!! I weigh less now than when I was 29 and I’m positive I have more muscle now than I did then! This is definitely a program I will use the rest of my life. It’s the only thing I’ve used that made sense and that I’ve seen results with that I know I can actually do long term. Although I am pleased with my results, I feel as though I could have done so much better had I not been so stressed with so much on my plate and a little more self control. However, I do know in my heart, I will continue to get better after the contest. I’ve only just begun! Thank you Venus!

 

sharon b&a back small

Sharon’s Results

Sharon lost 4.25 inches from her waist in only 12 weeks!

Sharon lost 4.25 inches from her waist in only 12 weeks!

Sharon looks so confident and happy!

 Sharon was a joy to interview and she has some wonderful advice to pass on to the next round of Venus contest participants.  Listen to Sharon’s interview here.

Leah lost the baby weight and more with Venus

Leah's stunning transformation using the Venus Factor system in only 12 weeks!

Leah’s stunning transformation using the Venus Factor system in only 12 weeks!

Leah placed in our recent VT12 Venus Transformation Contest.

She did a phenomenal job and her results display the hard work she put in. Leah brilliantly navigated through postpartum recovery and breastfeeding during her stunning transformation.

 

Leah made a mental and physical tranformation

Leah made a mental and physical tranformation

Here is what Leah had to say in her own words

I am forever grateful for the Venus Factor and its community as my life has been forever changed! Little did I know how simple it was to have the body of my dreams, I only wish I found this sooner. I have always had a love for exercise and grew to find a passion in weight training. My weight started to change suddenly as I hit my thirties. I thought, maybe this is age related? Or because of a new relationship or both! It just started to go downhill from there. Many major life changes caused my weight to continue to escalate fast and seemingly out of my control. I decided I needed some help as my workouts just were not cutting it anymore. I enlisted a personal trainer at my gym and worked out hard. That was the most intense exercise ever and I hated it! But I did it faithfully trying my hardest to get the increased 40 pounds off. I ate healthy and worked out three times a week and barely lost weight. I managed a total of 15 pounds down in 5 months. Hardly satisfying after all that effort. Then I got pregnant, up another 45 pounds! It was depressing. I worked out my entire pregnancy, I ate really healthy. And I hoped the weight would fall off after my daughter was born but it stubbornly did not. Yoga, stroller fit, weight training, yet my weight seemed stuck. Many people agreed that it was just part of becoming a mom and never to expect to have my flat stomach again. I just could not accept that outcome and could not help but notice that this was not true for everyone. There HAD to be a way!

Then I came across Venus Factor “accidentally” through an ad and decided to check into it. The concepts just made sense so I decided to take a chance and try it out. I had nothing to lose except the weight. When I listened and read all the material it just clicked and I immediately gained insight to why so many of my efforts were failing to work. I started right away and immediately started to see it was working. I began to LOVE my workouts more than ever before and now I have a lifestyle that is so effective that it makes it so easy to maintain. I love that I can eat the foods I want and just pay attention to how much and when I eat it, adapting to normal life rather than living abnormally. Once you can experience for yourself and know why something works it’s hard not to do it. All the guesswork is gone and now I have a way of life that gets me the results I desire. At times going through the process there was doubt, even despite some serious weight loss and even still I have moments that I need reassuring. But I have the community of women to talk with and get their insight from and ask questions and this is truly priceless. They all understand what the process is like and had the same doubts and experiences yet are successful. They helped keep me motivated and focused during my weak points. The best part is I have reached results in my weight and physique that I didn’t even think or dare to dream of having at this stage in life. I have surpassed my “ideal” weight I thought I wanted and I fit smaller sized clothing than I can even remember. Ultimately, I feel more geared up for success in every area of my life after accomplishing this goal. If I can do this, I can do anything! Thank you Venus Factor and to all the Venus ladies, I am a changed woman!!

 

Leah with her brother before she found the Venus Factor system

Leah with her brother before she found the Venus Factor system

Leah with her family after her transformation

Leah with her family after her transformation

Leah loves the online Venus community

You can find Leah active in the Venus community and read her blog!

 

Leah is active in the Venus community!

Leah is active in the Venus community!

Leah b&a back small

Leah’s Metrics Results

Leah Metrics

 

Leah loves the weight lifting portion of the Venus Index program

Leah loves the weight lifting portion of the Venus Index program

You can listen to Leah’s story below where she tells exactly how she did it.

How Wendy got better results with less effort at the gym

Wendy placed in the latest Venus contest

Wendy’s before and after photo of her 12 week transformation using the Venus Factor system

Wendy placed in our recent VT12 contest

She had an amazing transformation in only 12 short weeks.

 

wendy b&a smaller

Here is what Wendy had to say about her experience with the Venus Factor program in her own words:

How did you find the Venus Factor?

Through a Facebook Link

.
What things had you tried in the past?

Many years ago at my heaviest (close to 200# after the birth of my second child in 1989) I had joined Weight Watchers and was able to get down to about 160#.

 

Throughout the years since then my weight has fluctuated between 135-160, once I was able to get back down to 125 taking Metabolift by Twin Lab but I was sick to my stomach and had headaches all the time so I stopped taking it and in less than a year my weight was back up to 140.

 

Even though I have always been active in a variety of ways including reaching a 1st degree black belt status in Tae Kwon Do I would never really consider myself actually fit, in fact my lower body tends to follow the genetics of my mothers side. She had alot of problems with her health including poor circulations and RLS which she always said her legs felt like they were filled with concrete, when I workout or use the stairs I can completely relate to that feeling.

 

I have tried many ‘fad’ diets/pills including the recent fad of Garcinia Cambogia, and Forskolin, but the thermogenics were always my go-to because they seemed to work, but because they made me sick I would stop taking them.

 

I have walked and done some running through the years but this activity aggravates an old knee injury and gets really painful when the weather is cold.

 

About 4 years ago I started doing yoga and some of the Beach Body video workouts like 10 Minute Trainer, P90, Insanity and the Les MIlls Combat Workout. Then in the spring of 2013 they offered a Cross Fit Boot Camp workout where I work so I was involved in that for 6 weeks. Through all of these programs I never lost more than 5 pounds and never saw a physical change except in my upper body.

 

Once the 6 week Boot Camp was over I continued to do cross fit type workouts either with a small group at work or on my own until I re-injured my lower back in October 2013 putting my workouts on hold for about 3 months (I tore the outer layer of the disc just above my tailbone so it wasn’t a full rupture but the Dr wanted me to hold off on everything but walking until it was healed so it didn’t tear through).

 

In March I came across the Venus Factor and decided to give it a try, I was into the 2nd week of the workouts when I tweaked my back again.

 

At this same time my dad’s health was failing and I devoted all my time outside of work to him. After he passed away at the end of July I decided it was time for me to give it another try.
What aspect of the program was most beneficial to you?

The workouts. They are designed to work for a women’s body, and they do!

Also the online community support.
Which workout(s) did you use during the contest?  What did you enjoy about those workouts?

The Venus Factor 12 Week Fat Burning & Muscle Toning Workout.

It was a full body workout that was a nice variety that I was able to do on my lunch hour.
Did you use a particular style of eating?  What was your nutrition strategy?

Some ESE days mixed with deficit days during the week, maintenance on the weekend.

I find I loose weight easier if I stop eating in early afternoon with nothing until the next morning. Although this is really hard & takes A LOT of willpower, this is what seems to work for me.

Sometime I’d bank calories for a special event.

I also looked at the calorie intake by the week, not the day.

I tried to get my protein up to 80 grams per day. Although I did hit it a few times I do get closer to that goal as more often now than when I first started.

 

Did you use any supplements?
AM: Protein Shake (NeoCell Collagen Sport)

During workout: BCAA+ (USP Labs Modern)

Post workout: Protein Shake (NeoCell Collagen Sport)

Vitamins;

D3 2000IU

Methyl B12 5000mcg

Glucosamine 1500mg/Chondroitin 1200mg

 

Did you use the online community and if so, how was your experience with it?
Yes, it takes a bit to learn to navigate but it’s worth it. Everyone is so positive and supportive, sharing tips and suggestions, and what has worked for them. It’s never like a catty competition against each other we are all out to do the best we can and help others be successful as well.

 

What was the hardest obstacle to conquer?

Food!  I still have a lot to learn.
What kept you motivated?

At first it was the contest, knowing that I had a deadline. Also the online community.

Then towards the final few weeks I started seeing a real physical change, the reshaping had started to show, it was subtle, but when I took my weekly tracking picture and put them next to my before pictures the change was amazing! I finally found something that was really working!

 

How did you feel about your final pictures?

One word; AMAZED! I still can’t believe it is me! I have always had low confidence and a distorted body image, but I am actually starting to see the change in the mirror, I just have to convince myself that it is real!
Is this a lifestyle you will continue?

Definitely!
What advice do you have for other women going through the contest or considering the contest?

Just do it! The program really does work, you just have to give it a chance. It doesn’t happen overnight, and you do have to put in the time and effort, but you will get out what you put in.

 

This is a program that is designed for a woman’s body, unlike anything out there is truly is a “shaping” system. With all the workouts I had been doing this is the first one that has actually reshaped my lower body, in just a short 12 week span the change is amazing!

 

I believe in the Venus Factor system so much that I have become a true insider and became an immersion member, on to the next phase!

Wendy b&a clothes smaller

Another great before and after photo of Wendy’s transformation using the Venus Factor system

Wendy loves the online Venus community

You can find Wendy active in the Venus community and read her blog!

 

Wendy's Venus community blog

Wendy’s Venus community blog

Wendy’s Metrics Results

 

Wendy's metrics change

Wendy lost 9.0 lbs and 3.0 inches from her hips during the 12 week contest!

 

wendyb&a athletics smaller

You can listen to Wendy’s story here:

Malissa Worked Night Shifts and still Achieved the Body of her Dreams

MalissabeforeandafterVenus

Malissa placed in our VT11 Venus Transformation Contest

She works as a nurse on the night shift and is a busy mom, despite these obstacles she still was able to transform her body and mind in spectacular fashion during the contest!

Malissa looks fabulous

Malissa looks fabulous

Malissa is strong and lean

Malissa is strong and lean

 This is what Malissa had to say about her transformation in her own words-

Wow is all I can say. I accidentally clicked on this ad on facebook six months ago and its the best mistake I’ve ever made. Went into this with no expectations just wanted to lose 20-30lbs and discovered I love weights and I’m so mad at myself for having a gym membership and using it for cardio classes. This program has helped me get to a level of fitness that I have never had in my entire life. The program has changed my life forever and helped me find a new passion.

Working the Night Shift

This what Malissa had to say about how her she fit in nutrition with her work schedule-

I am a night shifter; I work 12 hour shifts 7pm-7am 3 nights a week on a very busy medical floor. I fell into the trap of mindless eating like many people do when they work shift work. Many times you eat to stay awake or you are just hungry for no reason. And you work with other people in the same boat who believe they are overweight because of the shift they work and lack of sleep screwing up their metabolism. But there are people who work these shifts and don’t have an obvious weight problem. So as I started Venus factor I had to take into account I would be eating 1000 calories on most days and I would have to keep to that deficit even on the nights that I worked. So I planned my meals out in advance I would fast until 3 or 4pm on days when I was working. I would many nights eat my dinner and snacks by 11 or 12am and just drink coffee, tea, energy drinks, and diet soda after that (caffeine is the sidekick to a night shift nurse). I packed my lunch and avoided the hospital cafeteria like the plague. I would try and save maintenance days for when I knew co-workers were planning on bringing in food but many times I had to pass because someone is always bringing in cake for no apparent reason or quick high calorie snack items and happy to share. I have become a foodie with protein powder so I made a lot of desserts that I could have and brought them into work and let my co-workers test them out too. I am a big fan of the mind set of “Eat what you love everyday” if there is something you love research it find a lower calorie version and make it yourself. But honestly many times you just have to learn to say no and walk away because it is not part of your ultimate goal, and no food tastes as good as being able to fit into the clothing you want feels. So if you are doing this and you work these crazy hours like me know that it is possible. Logging and planning ahead were my biggest tools I had flops nobody is perfect, you just have to make sure flops are not a consistent part of your routine. As for food choices protein and low carb are better friends to night shift if you eat high carb it actually contributes to your fatigue and sluggishness. So I found that avoiding the grains and high sugar foods helped with my energy levels along with all the caffeine. Now as I am in maintenance I tend to find I have better luck with eating a little lower on days where I am home and eating at maintenance on nights when I work.

Malissa Loves the Online Community

You can read her blog here and interact with her in the community.

Malissa's blog in the Venus community

Malissa’s blog in the Venus community

Here is more about how Malissa did it

How did you find the Venus Factor?
I came across the Venus Factor on Facebook after the holidays when I was beginning to gain some weight back after a long streak of slow weight loss with calorie reduction and taking group exercise classes 4-5 days per week. I watched the brief video and thought it kind of made sense. I liked the cost of the program and decided to give it a try.
What aspect of the program was most beneficial to you?
The aspects of the program I found most beneficial was that it was electronically downloadable and I didn’t have to wait for anything in the mail. I could start pretty much right away. I liked the mobile version that I could take with me to the gym so I could access any videos of exercises I was doing that day.
Did you like the Venus workout?
I love, love, love these workouts they provided a variety that keeps me from getting bored. They really helped with my core strength which I needed desperately suffering from lower back pain on/off. They make you look taller more confident and really help you achieve strength to do things that many women don’t find easy like pushups, pull ups and I think I might actually be able to climb a rope now.
Which workout(s) did you use?
I used the original Venus workouts at the beginning then moved onto Final phase and I was into Phase 3 at the end of the contest. I also used Slim in 7 pre photo prep. Now I have moved back into Final Phase with Venus Circuits and Specializations on off days.
What kept you motivated?
The thing that kept me motivated was that my weight loss was actually noticeable more to others than myself. Even my husband noticed. I was losing a clothing size about every 2-3 weeks it seemed, I started off at a size US 12 and was in a size 4 by the time the contest photos were submitted. I was also motivated by the things I was actually able to do when I got down to a smaller clothing size. I could actually support my own body weight and it was no longer difficult and awkward to do activities like running and spins and turns with ballroom dancing.
Do you have a particular style of eating?
Style of eating… hmm… I really like a variety of foods I am a big fan of cottage cheese, greek yogurt & I never seem to get bored with chicken. I will say that the intermittent fasting technique opened my palate up to try vegetables that I might have passed my nose up at before. Bottom line if you are truly hungry you will eat and these are the times when I introduced a new food to my taste buds.
Did you use the Undulating protocol? If so how did it work for you and did you make any modifications?
I used the undulating protocol for the 1st and 2nd round of Venus. The 2nd round fell during the summer so I moved my maintenance days to fit with cook outs and date nights.

Did you use any supplements?
I use whey protein powder if I am getting behind on my protein requirements. I have recently discovered the Quest bar (yum). I like to make my own food and manipulate recipes so I can increase the protein and still try and keep things low on the calorie counts. I was taking raspberry ketones and green coffee bean at the beginning but stopped and guess what the weight still came off so I don’t waste my money. I just do a women’s multi-vitamin and natural progesterone cream to correct some estrogen dominance that can interfere with my appetite.
Did you use the online community and how was that experience?
I started blogging after I had been doing Venus for 6 weeks and already started seeing results. I went on the blogs and saw all of these incredible pictures of women and the noticeable changes that were happening. The blogs are great it is like your online support group because you will truly need support. No one else around you will probably be doing this and when you give them details that is when they give you there unsolicited advice and it gets very old very soon.
Did you find support with friends and family?
My husband was on/off with the support wagon he gradually accepted that I had become someone different. He really didn’t like me going to the gym and leaving him so then he joined the gym. Once the scales tipped in our relationship he felt the need to change as well. Most everyone has been very encouraging and supportive of me. I did have a couple times when people would pig out in front of me and laugh about it. I heard a couple anorexic comments people love to throw that out.
What was the hardest obstacle to conquer?
The hardest obstacle during this process is when I reached a size 4 for me that is something I really could not believe when I ran into Old Navy grabbed a pair of pairs put them on and they fit perfect. I was never even this small in high school.
How did you feel about your final pictures?
My final pictures I had done Slim in 7 and is started to get pretty miserable by the last 2 days. But I would say it was well worth it. I love my VT11 pictures they are the best pictures I have ever had taken. I can’t believe that I am able to look at myself in a bikini none the less and not want to cringe or pick my body apart for everything that is wrong with it. I look balanced, lean, strong, and confident. Actually, I look even better than I did before I had 3 kids!
Is this a lifestyle you will continue? 

This is absolutely a lifestyle I will continue. I love weight training. I now have so many workouts to choose from because of Immersion. I may not always track but can always go back to that tool as well as many of the others. I now have an understanding of how I got to be obese and how very easy it is to do. I now also possess the knowledge of how to correct the situation and prevent it from getting to that point again.

What is your best advice for other Venuses?
Best advice for other women on Venus is: Do those workouts, Blog, don’t get discouraged by what you see and compare yourself. Try all the tools and see what works for you. It is a learning process and in the end you will have learned what you need to maintain. That is the ultimate goal to maintain. That is what I like the most about Venus the creators & coaches don’t want you to rebound they want you to find maintenance

Malissa’s Before and After Pictures & Metrics

Malissa metrics

 

malissabackbeforeandaftervenus

Malissa is a total Venus!

Malissa is a total Venus!

 

 

Listen to Malissa’s podcast here-

 

Tabitha Transformed her Body and her Family’s Health

 

Tabitha Venus Contest 11 (2)

Tabitha’s stunning transformation during Venus Contest

Tabitha placed in our recent VT11 Venus Transformation Contest.

She did a phenomenal job, and persisted through some hardships. Her results are wonderful!

Tabitha before and after

Tabitha with her husband before and after

Tabitha and her daughter before and after

Tabitha and her daughter before and after

Here is what Tabitha had to say in her own words

I started my weight loss journey in Jan 2012 with my husband. I did not know about Venus at the time and just counted calories using MFP. By April of that year I gave up. I had only lost 15 pounds and my husband had lost over 30! I was so frustrated because it didn’t even seem like he tried and the weight just fell off, but I was constantly hungry and felt deprived! By 2013, I had gained all the weight back so I decided to try Weight Watchers. I could have all the fruit I wanted so I wouldn’t be hungry on this system right? By July of 2013 I had gained an additional 12 pounds! I was now the heaviest I had ever been. I knew I needed to do something, but just dreaded being hungry ALL the time. My husband had joined Adonis that year and joined one of the contests. I was very skeptical and was sure that skipping breakfast and only eating 1000 calories was very unhealthy! When I saw his after photos I was blown away! He finally convinced me to just give Venus a try. I signed up December 31st and started in January.

The most surprising thing to me was that I could skip breakfast and I was fine! By skipping breakfast I had more calories for later in the day and I wasn’t starving by lunchtime like I normally was when I would eat breakfast! The 1000 calories that I was worried about? Now I routinely only eat 800-850 and I feel just fine! I don’t go to bed hungry. I feel full and even save enough calories to have a bowl of ice cream before bed most nights!

The workouts have been the most challenging aspect of my journey. Six weeks in I started having pain in my knees. I had to completely cut out ALL leg exercises from my routine! I was so discouraged, but the ladies in the forum kept me going and gave me ideas for alternate exercises.  I still can’t do most of the exercises, but through the forum and my physical therapist I have enough alternatives to get a good leg workout! I have learned that if you truly want something you will find a way! You just have to keep a positive outlook and keep going! If one way doesn’t work then try something else. Eventually you will find what works for you!

This has been a true lifestyle change for my entire family. We no longer shop the way we used to, we find ourselves primarily shopping along the outside aisles of the store…no more boxed & processed food. We weigh & measure everything we eat. We very rarely eat fast food anymore and we don’t even miss it! Even my 11 year old daughter has started making healthier food choices (on her own) and she has started working out with me in the evenings! We have started cycling has a family and have gone several times over the summer. We have truly changed our lives thanks to Venus and Adonis!

 

Tabitha's family has healthy new habits

Tabitha’s family has healthy new habits

 

Tabitha and her daughter working out together

Tabitha and her daughter working out together

Tabitha loves the online Venus community

You can find Tabitha active in the Venus community and read her blog!

Tabitha is active in the Venus community

Tabitha is active in the Venus community

 

 

Here is more about Tabitha

How did you find the Venus Factor?

Through my husband! We started our weight loss journey together in 2012. I gave up 3 months in, but he kept going. In 2013 he found Adonis and joined a contest. He placed 10th!!! I was very skeptical of the Adonis program when he started…skipping breakfast, eating low calories…it couldn’t be healthy…right? When I saw his after pictures I started to get curious. Finally at the end of December I thought “What have I got to lose?” and signed up!


What aspect of the program was most beneficial to you?

The science behind how to lose weight is what I found most beneficial. As I read the weight loss manual I kept thinking “Wow! This is what I did wrong before! That is why I was always hungry, etc.” I have tried counting calories before but I failed. In 2012 I used MFP to count calories. I stayed below 1200 every day. However, I always felt hungry and after 3 months I just couldn’t maintain it anymore.

When I saw that my deficit calories with Venus was 1000 I thought there is no way I can do that! I was starving eating 1200 with MFP how could I possibly eat 1000 or less? With Venus I learned that eating breakfast was my first mistake. I skip breakfast every day now and I don’t even miss it! My second mistake was eating low every day! Having the maintenance day has really helped. If I am craving something through the week I just wait and eat it on my maintenance day! I never feel deprived and most days I only eat between 800-850 calories and I never go to bed hungry!


Did you like the Venus workout?

I love the workouts! I have never lifted weights before in my life! When I tried to lose weight in 2012 I would walk every day. After a while though that got to be really BORING! I tried workout videos, but gasping and panting for breath after 10 minutes is not my idea of fun! With the Venus workout it is different every day and while I sweat and sometimes breathe hard I never feel like I am dying! 


Which workout(s) did you use?

I have stuck with the Phase 1 workout. I have had to modify them a lot due to some knee problems though. 


What kept you motivated?

The online community has been my biggest motivator. Reading all the stories and seeing the pictures of all the successful Venus women has given me goals to work toward. Every time I have felt discouraged or would have given up someone is always there to encourage or give advice. 


Do you have a particular style of eating?

I really don’t other than that I tend to eat the same foods every day. I find that it is easier because I know the calorie counts in the foods I eat. We have 5-6 meals that we rotate out for dinners.

 

Did you use the Undulating protocol?  If so how did it work for you and did you make any modifications?

I did not use the undulating protocol. Through this journey I have learned a few things about myself. I am very much a type A person and will try to make things more difficult than they are and if I feel that I am not doing something perfect then I will quit…rather than risk failure! Knowing this about myself I decided to just keep things simple and only track my calories and protein. Trying to track carbs, fat, and work out percentages was just too complicated for me and I knew that I would not stick to that and would give up.


Did you use any supplements?

No.


Did you use the online community an
d how was that experience?

Very frequently! I love the online community and find myself checking that site before Facebook even! I have several women that I follow regularly and I hope to meet a lot of them one day face to face!   


Did you find support with friends and family?

I have! I don’t know if I could have stuck with the workouts if my husband was not getting up with me at 5am to workout as well! 


What was the hardest obstacle to conquer?

The hardest obstacle for me was the workouts! A few weeks in I started having pain in my knees. After several visits to the Orthopedic, x-rays, MRI’s, etc. the Dr said he had no idea what was causing the pain. However, my Physical Therapist has been working with me and I now have an arsenal of alternate exercises and the pain has gotten better. They are not completely healed and maybe never will be, but at least I can still strengthen! This lesson has taught me that there is always a way!


How did you feel about your final pictures?

I couldn’t believe it! I still look at them and say “Is that really me?” I am very proud of what I have accomplished this year!


Is this a lifestyle you will continue?

Definitely!!! This journey has been a complete lifestyle change for my entire family! We now spend our free time being active. We have started cycling and try to go every chance we get now. I have more energy and feel more alert. I never want to go back to the old me! I want to change my family tree and pass this healthy lifestyle on to my child and have her eventually pass it on to her children!


What is your best advice for other Venus’s?

Always keep a positive attitude! The thoughts you tell yourself really matter! If you are constantly telling yourself that you are weak, you can’t resist high calorie foods, you are tired and can’t workout, etc. You will believe it and set yourself up for failure!

Instead speak positive words or words of life to yourself! Even if you don’t “feel” beautiful, strong, or worth it, tell yourself that you are and eventually you will believe it! Surround yourself with positive people. You don’t need people in your life that only speak negative things into your soul! These people will tear you down not build you up. There really is power in your thoughts and words!

 

Tabitha’s Metrics Results

Note:  The Adonis Golden Ratio is the men’s version of our fat loss and muscle building program.  Many Venus’s husbands and boyfriends use this program. We are starting to get requests for a “couple’s contest” so if there is enough interest please let me know and we can roll that idea around.

Tabitha lost 14.0 lbs and 2.5 inches of both her waist and hips during the 12 week contest!

 

Note: The Adonis Golden Ratio is the men’s version of our fat loss and muscle building program. Many Venus’s husbands and boyfriends use this program. We are starting to get requests for a “couple’s contest” so if there is enough interest please let me know and we can roll that idea around.

 

Isn't Tabitha a beautiful Venus?

Isn’t Tabitha a beautiful Venus?

 

You can listen to Tabitha’s story here:

 

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