The Venus Transformation Contest VT9 will start Sept 2, 2013

The Venus Transformation Contest VT9 will start Sept 2, 2013

Any female who owns a Venus workout is eligible to enter a Venus Transformation contest. There will be prizes for the top 10 and an interview podcast with John where you can share your story and pictures of success.  It is not a requirement that you are an immersion customer, but it happens to be that our most successful contest winners have used the immersion coaching.

If you have placed in a previous VT contest you are eligible to enter the contest to win in the Cover and Calendar category.  There will not be prizes for this category but you can interview with John and share your story of continued success and pictures.  These pictures could be chosen for our next Venus calendar or used on one of our covers.

The contest entry requirements will be:

  1.  A female who owns a Venus workout
  2.  Front pose
  3.  Side pose
  4.  Back pose
  5.  Newspaper pose – same as front pose but with current days newspaper front page clearly visible in your hand.
  6. Your weight, height, shoulder, waist, and hip measurements at the time of the photo.

It is very important that for your front, side, and back poses your arms are down at your sides but not covering your waist and that they are full head to toe pictures.  Do not crop out your face or your feet.

Here is a perfect example of a contest entry;  Full head to toe, hands at sides, and newspaper picture.

Here is a perfect example of a contest entry (Jenny is one of our previous contest winners);
Full head to toe, hands at sides, and newspaper picture.

 

 

By the way here is one of Jenny's stunning contest pictures.

By the way here is one of Jenny’s stunning contest pictures.

 

The time limit deadline will be:  September 2nd through September 9th

This means you must submit all of the contest entry requirements anytime during the week.  The ending deadline for the contest entry submissions will at midnight Eastern Time on September 9th.

The entry photos must be taken during the week of Sept 2 – Sept 9 and the newspaper front page much show the date during this week.

 

Venus Transformation contest entry tutorial video

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have problems with the tracker program roberta.saum@gmail.com

Let’s make this the best Venus contest ever!

Best of luck and most of all have FUN!

-Ro

Ask Nicola; Closet Eating

You are not alone in this.  Find a friend or someone you can trust.

You are not alone in this. Find a friend or someone you can trust and get it out in the open so you can face it.

What can you do about closet eating?

Overeating usually happen in two major situations:

1) When you are influenced socially.

2) When you are alone.

Today we will focus when you are alone.  You are facing yourself.  This is a moment with an opportunity to learn or face why you might overeat.  What can you do about this?

This is a vulnerable time.  It’s a common theme to hide and eat.  People do this because they don’t want to be seen or face the shame of being overweight.  It increases a vicious circle.  Shame is usually driving the emotion.  It is a very painful place.  You can be stuck in this unhappy and shameful place.

The goal would be to eat in a similar way whether you are eating alone or in a social setting.

What is the first step in getting away from shame in secretive eating?

Admit it.  Get out of denial about it.

Then you can face it.

You are not alone in this.  Find a friend or someone you can trust.  Write a journal.

Nicola and John talk about what to do about closet eating.

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Targets, Goals, and Missions

Here’s the next episode of the UNCENSORED Podcasts Season 3.

 

When you are reaching your goal you may have a role model.  Once you get to your goal you become your own role model.  It's your new target proximity.

When you are reaching your goal you may have a role model. Once you get to your goal you become your own role model. It helps you learn your new range or proximity to the target.

Today’s Topic:  Targets, Goals, and Missions

Maintenance is hard.  At some point you arrive at a point of diminishing returns.

You have arrived at your goal.  You reach a point where you look in the mirror and say “That’s my body and that’s me, and that’s pretty good.”

Before you got to your goal you may have had a picture of someone else, a role model or a fitness model.

But once you have arrived there, you have photographic evidence.  You have pictures.  Without that you don’t really know.  It gives you your reference.

You can’t have goals, targets, and missions for maintenance without having gotten “there” first.

You don’t you want to compare yourself to others, but it’s okay to have a model to help get you to your goal.

Once you get to your goal, your new model is you.  It is your proximity to the target.  You have a range you like to stay in.

There will be times when you are not as tight, muscular, or sharp, and you can reel yourself in.  You are just getting back to YOU.

Your measurements help; it is your target.  It helps keeps you on track.

You got the body you want, then to keep it you want to do the least amount of work to keep within range.

Once you decide on your target, goals, and missions you need to set up your “inner circle” support group.  You need to include people who are going to help you stay on track and exclude those who hinder you.

Set a goal date to help keep your team or inner circle on your side.  It can be an special event, a vacation, another photo shoot, whatever you want to keep you motivated.

 

IMMERSION Clients May Login and Download Podcast Here

Not a Venus Index IMMERSION client? Click here to find out more…

 

 

VT8 12-Week Transformation Winners Announced

The VT8 results are in and the transformations and final pictures are simply amazing!

One thing I love about the focus for women in the Venus program is “The focus is proportions and shape (rather than weight loss at all costs or building muscle like a guy)” – John Barban.

Congratulations to everyone who entered and finished!  This took hard work on the part of everyone and it shows.

Here are the winners:

First Place – Julie J

Julie lost 33 more pounds after entering the Venus contest.

Julie lost 33 more pounds after entering the Venus contest.

Even in mid life and with many health obstacles Julie found a way to succeed. She said the Venus program was a real eye opener for her.

Even in mid life and with many health obstacles Julie found a way to succeed. She said the Venus program was a real eye opener for her.

Second Place – Carlie A

Carlie lost a couple of inches in her waist and gained muscle in her shoulders; This got her to her VI ideal. This is not an easy task.

Carlie lost inches in her waist and gained muscle in her shoulders;
This got her to her exact VI ideal metrics.

Changing your body composition like Carlie did is not an easy task.

Changing your body composition like Carlie did is not an easy task.

 Third Place – Lourdes C

Candy lost inches and gained muscle, again this is no easy task.

Lourdes lost inches and gained muscle.
Again, recomp is no easy task, especially at age 47.

Candy said "The variety in the workouts and the level of intensity was incredible. For the first time, I started noticing changes in my body that I liked very much."

The variety in the workouts and the level of intensity was incredible. For the first time, I started noticing changes in my body that I liked very much.”

Fourth Place – Kerry Z.

Kerry lost 9 pounds in 12 weeks and got down to her exact VI ideal metrics.

Kerry lost 9 pounds in 12 weeks and got down to her exact VI ideal metrics.

Kerry didn't let her traveling job be an excuse to not achieve her fitness goals. With Anything Goes Diet and Eat Stop Eat she make it work for her life.

Kerry didn’t let her traveling job be an excuse to not achieve her fitness goals. With Anything Goes Diet and Eat Stop Eat she makes it work for her life. No excuses!

Fifth Place – Lori A.

"My middle daughter saw my legs one day and was like, 'Mom, you are wearing shorts and you have better looking legs than I do!' "

“My middle daughter saw my legs one day and was like, ‘Mom, you are wearing shorts and you have better looking legs than I do!’ “

Lori lost 2 inches from her waist and 8 pounds in 12 weeks. Not bad for a hard working mom.

Lori lost 2 inches from her waist and 8 pounds. Pretty good results for a hard working mom in just 12 weeks.

Sixth Place – Jessica Y

Jessica lost 2 inches off her waist.

Jessica lost 5 pounds and 2 inches off her waist.

Jessica gained the muscle she wanted. She spent most of her life as a size 8-12 and now shes down to 0-4.

Jessica spent most of her life as a size 8-12 and now shes down to 0-4 and she’s gained the muscle she wanted.

Seventh Place – Aima K

Aima weighed 100 pounds before and after, but she cleanly lost fat and gained muscle - this is what we call "recomp" and it requires hard work and patience.

Aima weighed 100 pounds before and after, but she clearly lost fat and gained muscle – this is what we call “recomp” and it requires hard work and patience.

Aima didn't get much support because everyone said she was "skinny" already, but she knew what she wanted and she worked hard to get it.

Aima didn’t get much support because everyone said she was already “skinny”, but she knew what she wanted and she worked hard to get it.

Eighth Place – Lea A

Lea lost four pounds and got closer to her VI Ideal metrics.

Lea lost four pounds and got closer to her VI Ideal metrics.

Previously she at 6 meals a day and worked out hard with a personal trainer but it was the Venus program that finally got Lea results.

Previously she at 6 meals a day and worked out hard with a personal trainer but it was the Venus program that finally got Lea the results she wanted.

Ninth Place – Daphne D

At age 43 and a stay at home mom for a very large family Daphne still managed to lose 8 pounds and cut 2 inches from her waist.

At age 43 and a stay at home mom with 10 kids Daphne still managed to lose 8 pounds and cut 2 inches from her waist.

Daphne worked very hard in spite of all her life stress and you can see the muscle tone she gained here in just 12 weeks.

Daphne worked very hard in spite of all her life stress and you can see the muscle tone she gained here in just 12 weeks.

Tenth Place – Lorraine G

"Never have I EVER experienced the sheer amount of positive comments and reinforcement I've seen in the last month! People spontaneously talk to me about fitness."

“Never have I EVER experienced the sheer amount of positive comments and reinforcement I’ve seen in the last month! People spontaneously talk to me about fitness.”

Even at age 60 and a huge amount of life stress Lorraine managed to gain muscle, lose 7 pounds, and 2 inches off her waist in just 12 weeks.

Even at age 60 and a huge amount of life stress Lorraine managed to gain muscle, lose 7 pounds, and 2 inches off her waist in just 12 weeks.

 

Each one of these women worked very hard to achieve their success in just 12 weeks.  Many are in mid life and experience much of the stress we all face at that time; jobs, kids, elderly parents, hormone issues and yet they still found a way to make huge progress on their fitness goals.  One thing we emphasize in the Venus program is that we are making changes for life and that the contest is merely a 12 week snapshot, a moment in time, or an en route train stop on our life long journey for health and happiness (not fat loss at all costs).

If you are in the online community please congratulate each of these women for their accomplishments or feel free to comment below, and please feel free to hit the LIKE button!

-Ro

VT9 will start September 1st and end November 24th

 

Ask Nicola; Emotional Eating vs Emotional OVER-Eating

 

The thing to remember is that the stress and the need to want to eat a treat that makes you feel good; it is a moment.   Let yourself have the moment.  Factor it in because you are human.

The thing to remember is that the stress and the need to want to eat a treat that makes you feel good; it is a moment. Let yourself have the moment. Factor it in because you are human.

Emotional Eating vs Emotional OVER-Eating

Everyone emotionally eats.  Sometimes it happens like clockwork.  It might be from certain events that cause stress.

The thing to remember is that the stress and the need to want to eat a treat that makes you feel good; it is a moment.   Let yourself have the moment.

You do not have to keep eating to the point of overeating.  Slow down.  Take a moment to enjoy the food.

Have the chocolate.  Pay attention.  Give yourself the permission to have that chocolate and then just have it.  You can always have more again next time.

Do not deny it.  It needs to be factored in.  Plan on it.  Know it is going to happen. Remind yourself that you can have it again.

Be mindful of the emotion at the time.  You have not do beat yourself up about it.  You can contain it.  You can learn to manage the moments.

Every human being has these cravings and urges.  It doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you.  It does not mean you have to give up your goals.  Factor in that you are human. Give yourself some flexibility.

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Ask Nicola; Identify Emotional Eating

 

Kimberley and I enjoy our homemade ice cream sundaes.

Kimberley and I enjoy our homemade ice cream sundaes.  Eating at a social event is not necessarily a pattern that is controlling you.

Identify Emotional Eating

Do you think that you’re overeating or eating high caloric food simply because you happen to “like” food or have a “sweet tooth”?

That’s a common mistaken belief.

It’s more likely that you are overeating because of your emotions. Emotional eating is not restricted to people who are out of control bingers.

Whenever you are eating for reasons other than hunger, it is your emotions that are driving your behavior, not “love” of food or your “sweet tooth.”

Learn how you can identify this drive to eat for reasons other than physical hunger and take charge of it.

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Growing into Venus: Age and Training Age

Upon listening to the recently released Uncensored Podcast- Fitness Trends 2013, I got to thinking about my specific age, training age, and my nutrition age. I have been at this for longer than a decade even though I found Venus a short year ago. Man, I have come a long way in a year.

Today we will discuss age and training age, next time we will look at the evolution of nutrition as you grow in your training.

LissbeforeVI

Age and training age

I just turned 29. I have been weight training on and off since I was 15- making my training age 10 years if I take out the periods that I was not doing anything. My training was certainly never for specific for a look before I found Venus. I would consider myself to be middle-to-younger within the age ranges of Venii. I enjoy Venus phase 3 training sessions 4 days per week at an hour or more. I also generally run for an hour 2 days per week. I take one rest day per week.

I doubt that when I am 59 this training schedule is going to work for me, or even when I am 39 or 49. Running will probably be too jarring on my joints; I might find biking or swimming more pleasant. Maybe my rest days will need to be more frequent. I might have some injuries that I need to work around, so I will be cognizant of that. I will probably do strength training for more days that I do now because I enjoy it.

When I was 19, my training schedule certainly did not look like this either. Firstly, I was not in this kind of condition. My cardio training sessions were shorter, and focused more on higher reps when I did weights. It was the only thing I knew to do, I was not yet versed in the how and why yet. Secondly, my training was not as consistent. I maybe made it to the gym 3 days per week, 2 of them were probably for cardio on a machine.

Tailor the program for you

My point is this- your age and training age matter when you are talking about your training schedule. There is no one size fits all.

  • If you are new to training, 3 days a week of Venus is probably more than enough.  You will start to get into a groove and work up to more time in the gym over time.
  • If you have been at it for 10 years, then you can go 5 or more days a week and lift and work in some cardio as needed. You know when too much is too much. Be careful not to push yourself to the point that you end up with an injury- this is how it happens!
  • Those who have been at it for twenty or more years can lift 6 days a week along with daily cardio if they wanted to. They know that they are not going to get the huge muscle and strength gains like they used to, it all about preserving at this point.

Some parting thoughts-

  1. Learn to listen to your body. Take a rest day when needed.
  2. Train in ways that you enjoy.  If you are dreading a work out, you need to re-evaluate.
  3. More just to do more is never good. Always approach training with the idea of doing the least amount to get the best result.

Dealer says, «a lot» and so the set. If the players are identical, then such cases, the dealer takes the open, three-card blackjack, so the player visually observes where, in the dealer compare their hand on the approaches, and hands of card the dealer must finish as they do not. blackjack online All of points right after the one card dealer will offer you a big probability that the deck is interested in. And relaying to the gambler’s and play 21 Caribbean, a glance at their hand on at all stay on blackjack. Sometimes, depending on what other gamblers have doesn’t matter, the.

Ask Nicola; Perfectionist Mindset

I bet if each of us looked as perfect as Alisha does in these pictures we would all still find something wrong with ourselves.  Most of us need to learn to overcome the perfectionist mindset.

I bet if each of us looked as perfect as Alisha does in these pictures we would all still find something wrong with ourselves. Most of us need to learn to overcome the perfectionist mindset.

The Perfectionist Mindset

Do you think that you always need to be better? That you’re often not happy — at least for long — with what you have achieved?

This is the perfectionism mindset: when nothing is enough for very long. Perfectionism often derails and sabotages success.

Find out how you can overcome perfectionism….

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Ask Nicola; Are You Your Own Worst Self Critic?

When do you stop nit picking on yourself and just enjoy how far you have progressed?

Appreciate who you are now and just enjoy how far you have progressed!

Are you your own worst self critic?

You’re working hard to lose weight and be fit or maintain your fitness and weight loss. But boy, are you hard on yourself as you try to achieve or maintain your goals. If you eat more than your planned or gain a few pounds, you beat yourself up. You feel rotten about yourself. And the worse you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to overeat or fall off the bandwagon. Learn how you can be kinder to yourself to achieve or maintain your goals.

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Lacey Gained Her Pre-Pregnancy Confidence Back With The Venus Workout

Lacey gained back her self confidence.

Lacey gained back her self confidence.

Lacey Marshall came in fifth place in our Seventh Venus Transformation Contest.  She did an amazing job losing 26 pounds.  She lost 6 inches off her shoulders, 6 inches off her waist, and 4 inches off her hip circumference.  That is an amazing feat in just twelve weeks.  Not only did her body transform but so did her confidence and happiness.  Lacey feels like the confident, fun, and passionate person she once was before having kids; in fact she says this confident person is back with a vengeance!

With her new self confidence Lacey plans to keep on going with her progress.

This is the true Venus Mindset.

Does this sound like what you want again?  You can do this too, with the Venus Workout.  This program gives you the tools you need to get back what you once had, or even have what you have never dreamed of before.

We didn’t get a chance to interview Lacey but here is what she said in her own words:

During this twelve week transformation I feel as if I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions and thought processes.  At the beginning I felt very unsure that I would be able to complete or stick with the program for the whole twelve weeks.  After a couple weeks I definitely started to feel on the top of the world as if nothing could stop me or hold me down.  I loved the high and feeling of success and that change was occurring in so many aspects of my life.

As I entered in to the third cycle of the program I began to fall back into to the old thought patterns of low self-worth that I had before beginning the workouts.  Through much self-reflection of the past weeks I realized I wasn’t going back to what I was before.   This twelve weeks was only just the beginning of the new me.   These “after” photos were going to be my new before photos that in another 12, 20 weeks or a year from now I will look at these after photos and see how much further I have come.

I feel that this transformation has given me the much needed reunion with the person I used to be before I had my first baby.  I felt that the woman who was fun, confident, driven and passionate was back.   In fact not only was she back, but she was back with vengeance!

I am very excited to see and feel the changes and how this affects me, my family, and my friends.  I have had multiple people close to me come and thank me for giving them the motivation and the confidence that they too can have transformation for themselves.

For this I thank you Venus Index

Lacey Marshall

Lacey's before pictures

Lacey’s before pictures

Lacey's contest stats.

Lacey’s contest stats.

Lacey's after pictures.

Lacey’s after pictures.

 

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