8 Tips for Crafting the Best Challenge Group Post

8 Tips for Crafting the Best Challenge Group Posts

One of my favorite things about Beachbody... The products. Seriously between the workouts and Shakeology, my life has been forever changed.

There are so many coaches who have built a personal testimony and seen amazing results that they are passionate about sharing and helping others.

Buttt since none of us are sales people...nor do we have marketing degrees... sometimes SHARING our results and inviting others to join us can come across as sloppy, cluttered and (sorry but...)downright annoying. I say this with love of course.

So if you are a new coach who wants to share your excitement and invite other to join your Challenge Group... what do you do?

This is of course just my advice based on my 4 years in the biz.... 

And remember, there are SOOO many RIGHT answers for this!

The key is effectively sharing and getting others to commit to making a change is to tune into your story. Visualize the person you were BEFORE you started Beachbody. What did you need to hear? What did you need help with? What were your struggles?
And what would have piqued your interest? What would have grabbed your attention?

For me...the girl desperately trying to be healthy... but had NO clue what to do...or what to eat... I needed a SYSTEM. I needed some STRUCTURE. And I needed something that other women, like me, saw results with! (My Story)

But back on point...

8 Ingredients to construct a Kick Butt Challenge Group Post

1) It should reflect your personality, style, & goals- I write mine EXACTLY how I talk in “real life.” Make the first sentence an attention grabber!

2) Speak from the heart- the same STRUGGLES you have...are exactly what people RELATE to! Share your story to connect. Think about how a challenge group has helped you (or if you don’t have results yet… what are you most excited about?)

3) Appeal to the person you’re trying to attract or would love to help! (My customer wants to work on her "problem areas- tummy, thighs, and butt. It’s very doubtful a man trying to put on muscle will respond to that :P)

4) It should be Visually Appealing!! A clear bright image. PicMonkey is great for creating a collage or beautiful image. CAUTION: Do not get salesy here or clutter up your pics! The best CG posts feature YOU- not some Turbo Fire marketing that Beachbody put together! PS Most people scroll FB on their phone so no small font please smile emoticon

5) Showcasing your own RESULTS is MOST effective (but you can use others- just no Stock Beachbody Transformation photos please).

6) Break it up! Make it easy to read by creating short paragraphs. 

7) Sense of URGENCY (Example: only 3 spots available & the group starts Aug 24th )

8) Have a Call to Action (If this interests you...LIKE or COMMENT Below)

BONUS TIP: Keep in mind that not everyone knows Beachbody lingo. They might not know what a "challenge group" means...or what the heck CIZE is... be mindful of that when you are wording your posts heart emoticon 

Have fun with this- the best thing about this business is you are constantly learning & evolving! Don't worry we aren't going to leave you hanging...

Here are some EXAMPLE posts to get you started 

The main thing to remember... BE HONEST, BE VULNERABLE and share with no expectations. We are NOT salespeople. We are not here to hound people with products or clutter up our friends newsfeed with a commercial reel...

We share because we are passionate. We share because we want to pay it forward. We share because we want to help.

For more coach training

Eating Clean: Getting Started

I hope you are here because you are ready to make some changes to your diet. Figuring out what to eat was such a challenge for me when I started my fitness journey. I can attest to just how overwhelming it is (It can be so intimidating that you might be tempted to throw your hands in the air & quit. Trust me, I've been there! )
This book changed my life lol

Breath easy... I have some tips to help you make this a smooth transition

What is Clean Eating?

The approach is eat cleaning is a lifestyle that focuses on eating whole foods, in their natural state. (Think about what your great great grandparents ate. Cheetos were not part of their diet lol) 

Some basic principles to follow: 

The DO List

• Eat 6 small meals a day
• Eat Breakfast within an hour of waking up
• Eat a combination of lean protein, complex carbs & healthy fat at every meal
• Drink Plenty of Water (Rule of Thumb: Your body weight divided by two will give you an idea of how many ounces to drink a day)
• Plan and prepare your meals ahead of time
• Adhere to proper portion sizes

What to AVOID:

• Avoid all processed foods (especially white flour and sugar)
• Avoid chemically charged foods. If you can't read the ingredients on the label, eliminate it. You are not a science project ;)
• Avoid all preservatives and artificial sugars
• Avoid sugar loaded beverages. If you are addicted to soda, transition to sparkling water. Over time, your taste buds change I promise
• Limit (or avoid) alcohol intake. 
• Avoid Fast Food
• Avoid calorie dense, nutritional void foods. 

When making changes, it can feel like... "Well heck! What CAN I eat?"
Don't worry. You have free reign on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and healthy fats (like yummy avocado).
There is such a wide variety available to you, but it might not be familiar territory yet. That's ok. We'll get you there!

This is your chance to branch out, try new recipes, and maybe you'll discover you love something. For the longest time, I thought sweet potatoes were disgusting. I don't know if it was the color...or because I've only seen them at Thanksgiving...I but LOVEEE them now. So be open-minded in this process. 

You should NOT feel hungry or deprived.  If you are eating correct portions, you will feel satisfied (not full) after eating and you'll be moderately hungry before it is time for you to eat again.
You might experience sugar cravings at first, but these will dissipate over a few weeks.

Remember, it's ok to treat yourself on occasion. Just be mindful that it is a treat meal...not an entire treat day or week. What helps me stay on track is planning my treats.
If I know we have Date Night on Friday, I will save my treat until then. Mentally I have something to look forward to!  Make it part of your prep & keep things in moderation. If you choose to have some cake, don't eat the whole cake. 

Getting Started

1. Load up on fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. If you are looking for convenience, I love frozen foods (NOT Healthy Choice frozen meals! lol) What I mean is...Costco sells an amazing variety of frozen chicken, veggies and fruits. Pro Tip: Always check the label to make sure they are adding an ingredients. If you buy frozen broccoli, make sure the label only says "broccoli". Frozen fruits often have sugar added so opt for the package without sugar. 
2. Clean out your fridge and pantry. You might discover you have a lot of expired items lurking in your pantry. Purge all of those and start checking labels.
   Foods that contain ingredients that are not “clean” or that you cannot pronounce, need to go. You can throw them out or donate them (you can even take them to work). 
3. Make a grocery list. I like to plan my meals ahead so I can buy in bulk for the week or month. For example, pantry items like quinoa or rice can be purchased in bulk to save you time and money on your next trip.
   Build up your spice variety as you go. Spices can be expensive but they go a long way so maybe just get a few each trip. Here is a great shipping list for beginners.
4. Schedule your Shopping & Prep Day.  Don’t under estimate how much time it takes to prep food. Try and get your grocery shopping done early in the day and get right to prep when you get home. I like to buy lots of veggies for stir fries and do all the chopping on Sunday. If you have ever made fajitas or stir fry, you know that it takes about 30 minutes just to cut up all the veggies. That is a lot of time to spend during the week after a long day at work. Having meals ready to 'Heat 'N Eat" has saved me on many occasions especially when I worked a long, stressful job before becoming a Beachbody Coach.
   I prefer to cook my chicken in bulk. If you make a batch of it on Sunday, you can use it for salads, wraps, etc throughout the week.
   (Note: To preserve freshness, I cook meat on Sundays and Wednesday. You can also freeze foods (even your chopped veggies) to ensure great taste when you're ready to cook)
   You can also make a large batch of quinoa or rice to use throughout the week. 
5. Pack your Meals. If you work out of the home (or you are always on the go), I love Tosca Reno's method of packing a cooler! You can store your meals for the day alone with some ice packs. It makes your food accesible and limits your (ahem...excuses) for not eating healthy. 
6. Be patient with yourself. It's a lot to take in. If you feel overwhelmed, make one new adjustment per week. Slowly eliminate foods that are on the no-no list and start adding new foods into your diet. Start with substitutions like greek yogurt in place of sour cream or mayonnaise and cut out the soda and fast food. This is your lifestyle so you need to change it at your own speed. Some people are able to do this in one fail swoop and others need baby step their way along. Small changes are still changes so you will be on the right track.

You've got this! While it might feel intimidating now, you will adjust and it will become second nature. Eating clean is a lifestyle change- not a diet that you stick to for a couple weeks. SIDE NOTE: People who are very accustomed to processed foods have a difficult time with (i.e., don’t like the taste of) the natural flavors of real food. They will say "I don't like vegetables or anything that is healthy."

Don't despair! Over time, your taste change and your body will start to crave the good stuff!  
Once you get acclimated you will feel so great that you can't imagine eating processed foods that make you feel sluggish!
Figure out what works best for YOU. This is not a one size fits all.  I used to hate going to the grocery store or stepping food in the kitchen...but now that I know what to eat...it's actually become enjoyable (and there is a certain pleasure in knowing you are taking care of your body).

You'll do great!!

Check out recipes and grocery list ideas. 

Picmonkey Tutorial: Selective Color on Black & White Picture

Another Picmonkey tutorial for you guys! Ever see a fun picture that is black & white with a fun pop of color? It's actually very simple to create on a free photo editing site Picmonkey (Note: Picmonkey is free, but to use most of the fun features, it's worth the $34/year upgrade)

Step 1: Select and upload your picture on picmonkey.

Step 2: On the left bar, you will see a wand with sparkles.  That section is called "Effects"

Step 3: Find and select the Black & White effect.

Step 4:  See that little "Paint" popup box? Click "Original", set your brush size, and paint in your color with your mouse.
Pro Tips: Use a large brush for large areas (duh). Use a smaller size (AND zoom in) for the smaller, more detailed areas.

Step 5: Save & marvel at your photo editing skills 

Like this tutorial? Follow me! hehe Comment below & make sure you check out my other picmonkey tutorials.

More PicMonkey Photo Tutorials

Bombshell Support Group

Introducing....dun da da dun....The Bombshell Challenge and Support Group!  If you are anything like me...a normal girl balancing it all....my love for food with my love with a healthy & FIT body...you know it's all about MODERATION and keeping it FUN!

Life can get hectic and crazy (and it always seems to be everyone's birthday). My hope is to encourage and guide you to find a fun balance between everything you are juggling...life...nutrition...fitness!
Thank you for being awesome, checking out my blog and allowing me to learn from you, share ideas with you and get to know more about your story! You guys inspire me like crazy AND help ME stay on track toward MY goals! xoxo

If you would like to be in my Private Fitness Group on Facebook...where I share ideas, recipes, workouts and offer support and motivation then what are you waiting for?!

JOIN THE PARTY HERE

What kind of party would it be without your friends? Feel Free to Invite them =) 

Eating Clean - How to Avoid Temptation

One of the BEST ways to avoid temptation is to remove yourself from your trigger foods and not keep them around. I have enough will power to avoid things in the store...but if they come home....so help me! They are getting DEVOURED! Even though I KNOW what I'm doing and that I'll regret it...I can't stop! 

With that being said...I run a TIGHT ship around here whenever possible. Doesn't it feel like it's ALWAYS someone's birthday or shower or something that involves derailing me from my goals. So I control what I can and make sure those goodies never make it past the front door. 

Now, I'm not going to lie...there have been times when I make the trip to the fridge...open it...find nothing sweet...close it...go sit down...get back up...open fridge...repeat 
BUT it IS a lot easier to reach for the good stuff when there is nothing bad to grab. The secret to success is simple...PLAN & PREPARE. 

It's MUCH easier to heat & eat! and this will keep you from going through the drive thru in a crunch. 

I used to work this insane job with the craziest hours...and I HATED being stuck at work and hungry. Because the fear loomed over me...I used to stuff my face to the point that I was bursting just to POSSIBLY avoid being hungry later. 
Apparently, I'm a complete blonde and it never occurred to me to plan...prepare and pack snacks (healthy ones!) ahead of time. Once I started bringing my lunch and snacks...voila! I started seeing SERIOUS results!

Now, I'm not perfect. We still have a cheat meal on date night. But between planning my meals, not keeping junk in the house and PLANNING my cheat...it keeps me sane, happy and still fitting in my skinny jeans =) 

So what is in my fridge right now?

Well here is the meal plan

Meal 1- 6 Egg Whites, 1 Cup Veggies
Meal 2- Protein Shake
Meal 3- 6 oz chicken, 1/2 C Brown Rice
Meal 4- Shakeology
Meal 5- 6 oz Chicken, 1 Cup Green Beans
Meal 6- Casein Shake

That's about 1600 calories =) Annnd you actually feel satisfied! Yayyy!