Saturday, April 22, 2006

Sailing to Beachbodyland

Reading the Beachbody message boards, I am so impressed by people who handle any set back along the way to success with grace and determination instead of anger and blame.

No challenge along the way should ever be a surprise or even a set back to a fixed goal. The challenge just "is".

Losing weight with one of our programs (or running a company, getting a college degree, or keeping a house clean, etc etc) is a process of dealing with changing variables. There's no constant toward success except persistence applied to the best tools available. Your weightloss program is the tool, like a boat, that goes nowhere unless there is someone steering the ship.

You are the captain of the sailboat, and you are planning to sail your boat to "Beachbodyland" a destination where your clothes fit better, you have more energy, and you will gladly pose for family pictures because you like the way you look. As you sail across the sea toward Beachbodyland, the fact is, you are ALWAYS veering slightly off course. Every moment you are literally, constantly adjusting and steering your boat to make it to your intended destination. A resistance workout breaks down muscle, so that muscle will then rebuild, adapt and be stronger. When you eat, your body slows the usage of stored fat for energy, but its consequential confidence that there is food available let's it speed up your metabolism overall. The net effect is more energy usage throughout the day. Again, constant steerage, away from the goal, toward the goal.

If you're with me, I'll take this metaphor further: In addition to the very specific physical navigating of exercise and food intake that you are managing, Captain, there are multiple "life factors" and variables that constantly nudge and bump the boat off course sometimes in frustrating ways... the unpredictable "current" of work and family demands, the "tides" of holidays and seasons, the "surf" of emotion, gusts of wind such as emergencies, surprises, and accidents, plus the pitch of each sail which can be compared to your intensity of workouts, the choice of which workout to do which day, your recovery time, etc etc. Each one of those factors , they just "are". The wind is being the wind. The surf is being the surf. They are not against you getting to Beachbodyland. They just exist on their own, coinciding with your path on their way to their own. You can put your energy into reacting to the factors and be angry and miserable, or you can accept them, and maximize and enjoy the trip.

There will always be external factors that have an effect on your voyage. It's up to you to decide how you will react to those factors. Whether you put your energy into enjoying it, focusing on maximizing each variable, or you put your energy into anger, resentment, and self-judgment depends on how you Captain the ship. You can steer emotionally with each shift, in a constant zig-zag of over reaction, or you can go with it, making graceful corrections to stay on course without the fight. You make the choice. You set the tone of the trip. The more pleasant you make it on yourself, the more likely you are to keep forging ahead.

What I am saying here is, when you pin that Power 90 or Turbo Jam calendar up, don't EXPECT it to be a perfect process - expect it to have twists and turns. (Frankly, the only way it can be smooth or simple is if your are not moving at all - no wind, or tied to the dock.) As the skipper, expect the variables to come and effect the trip, and lightly steer to stay on course, and work on managing your reaction to them. When it seems like there is no time to workout, maybe you need to let it go that day. If you're exhausted, perhaps you should lighten up your workout intensity for a day or two, or perhaps you need to go for it with more intensity to break through the rut. Likewise, when the wind is blowing strong and everything is contributing to reaching the destination, seize it and maximize your progress. Increase your intensity without burning yourself out. Eat clean. Take advantage of the momentum while it's all falling into place.

And then, when there's a challenge, deal with it, without giving up.

Feel your body respond to each maneuver. Feel your moods improve when you focus your mind to let go of anger and stay on course. You're sailing. This is your life. Enjoy it by accepting challenges and staying on course.

I'll give you a sailor's salute when our boats are within view, and I'll look forward to seeing you in Beachbodyland.

Friday, April 14, 2006

In a New York State of Mind

In case you were planning/hoping for a Tony Horton Fitness Camp in the Northeast this year I have good news: We have decided to proceed with the New York camp in July, Fri 7/14, Sat 7/15 and Sun 7/16.

My understanding is that the event will take place in the same "ranch" type setting as last year, somewhere outside of Albany, but that needs to be confirmed and nailed down.

Traci, Anna, and Lara are working with Tony to finalize the details so we can announce the capacity and take reservations soon. Stay tuned NY campers.

We are still on track for the other two camps this year: Los Angeles, CA: Aug 11, 12, 13 (which we are calling "the big mama" based on the buzz we are getting) and Chicago, IL: Sept 15, 16 and 17

They are the **IT

They are the IT team, and they have put in unbelievable hours for the last ten days as they worked to solve multiple issues created by a Beverly Hills power outage in the midst of a critical system upgrade.

In case you tried to get customer service last week and were frustrated by a busy signal or lack of information, it all was a nasty ripple effect within Beachbody nerve center. But this team of dedicated folks worked literally around the clock for ten days straight to get it solved, and I am exceptionally grateful.

Now, when you hang around the office into the night with the tech crowd, you learn interesting things, like, what they use for energy to stay alert for fifty hours straight. The answer; an Indian pastry called "Jalebi". This stuff is like carnival funnel cake, with a gooey sugary center. If you ask me it's a speed pass ticket to a two hour sugar coma. But I watched them chew on it throughout the night last Friday, all the while keeping an even keel. I think you'd find Jalebi at the bottom of Michi's Ladder. But given that they seem to be in okay shape, maybe there's some magical properties that support weight loss. Bottom line is, they are getting the job done, and they are doing it with great composure. "More Jalebi Mom, please?"

Monday, April 03, 2006

Meanwhile, back at the office...

The operations and finance team are deep into it, counting ever little booklet, tape measure, DVD, vitamin and resistance band... it's the end of the quarter, and yes, EVERYTHING gets counted.

I wanted to thank the team, plus our auditors, for working hard through the weekend to make sure that this inventory would not impact our ability to ship product from weekend orders by Tuesday. So far so good!

Pictured on the ladder; Neil, Danny, Robert, and Heather.

Pictured around the table, waiting for numbers; Sofia, Helen, Louise, Ken (kinda looks like Ken's doing all the work here) and Traci (at least I spelled it right Traci!)

Fitness Camp Miami-Style

Beachbody's first official Tony Horton Fitness Camp concluded yesterday in Miami, Florida.

I missed it because my daughter Ava had her tonsils out, and the recovery was a more substantial commitment than I anticipated. (I am hoping to get a little sleep this week, if you know what I mean.)

So I sent an apology letter to everyone who showed up and a couple treats since I was a no-show. But the daily reports I got from Lara (our VP) sounded like not only was it another great event for fans of "all things Tony", but that SHE herself really got insight into what membership in the Beachbody community is about.

The itinerary was packed with exactly what you would expect from a Beachbody weekend fitness camp; "Circle of Love", seminars, feats of fitness, group fitness instruction, online friendships validated in-person, and an intense three-day focus on how good life feels simply when you take care of yourself and surround yourself with people who are doing the same.

Thanks to everyone who attended! And special thanks to Traci and Lara (pictured with Tony), Anna, Paul(Moodle), everyone at Beachbody who is working on these so we learn each time out, and of course, to Tony for sharing his enthusiasm and spirit with the community!

Keep your eye out of announcements on the next camps VERY soon!

Los Angeles, CA: Aug 11, 12, 13

Chicago, IL: Sept 15, 16 and 17