TWO DAYS ONLY: 30% Off Everything at Reebok

Christmas is right around the corner! For TWO DAYS only (Dec 16 to Dec 17, 2014), you can get 30% off everything at Reebok.com. Do NOT miss out on these big savings - it's just in time for the holidays! Just click on the link below the logo and it will take you to the land of Reebok savings! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

30% off Entire Site at Reebok.com

SD Pharmaceutical Supplement Review

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of SD Pharmaceuticals.

Because of my role as an ambassador for FitFluential, I recently had the opportunity to try out some supplements for SD Pharmaceuticals, the Cutting-Edge Ingredient Company. I'll be honest, I never heard of the company prior to this campaign, but I'm glad I was exposed to it. Read on to find out why...

SD Pharmaceuticals - About the Company

The Research Team at SD Pharmaceuticals only produces the most sophisticated ingredients and formulas, and those which are clinically validated in human research studies. If there isn't any solid research behind an ingredient, then SD Pharmaceuticals' researchers won't use it. On top of that, the company only uses the most potent forms of every ingredient available, which includes pharmaceutical-grade synthetics and exclusive standardized herbal extracts.

Their supplements are made for anyone looking to improve health, combat aging and disease, lose fat, build muscle, and improve performance and quality of life.

Obviously, with anything else, if you're looking to use any of these supplements or any supplements in general, be sure to consult with your doctor first.

The Supplements

Now, I'll introduce you to and explain the five supplements SD Pharmaceuticals sent to me: Raspberry Ketone 200, Green Coffee Bean GCB, Garcinia Cambogia 500, Dendrobium 600, and Diindolylmethane DIM.

Raspberry Ketone 200:

First, I have to say I really like their packaging. It's appealing to me. It's clean and easy to read. I've heard of Raspberry Ketone before and have used it once from a different company, but wasn't consistent enough to see any results from it.

Raspberry Ketone is the main aromatic compound found in red raspberries. It has health-promoting antioxidant properties and also supports fat loss - who doesn't love that? It has the ability to support a reduction in fat absorption and support a boost in calorie expenditure and fat breakdown.

What I really like about SD Pharmaceuticals and their website is that they share with the consumer what each supplement is, how it works, and the science behind it all so you understand what it is you're taking and why. They even go so far as to illustrate how it works within your body. See the photo below:

Dendrobium 600: 

My favorite supplement that I tried is Dendrobium 600. It's a member of the orchid plant family and is native to southern Asia. It's by far the most widely used species because of its well-known medicinal properties. It's used to promote the health of the stomach, kidneys, and lungs, and is also used as a powerful strengthening tonic.

After taking it continuously, I found I had more energy and endurance with no jitters and never any crash. It also helped me focus more, which is beneficial to me training my clients as well as myself.

Diindolylmethane DIM: 

DIM is a natural compound formed during the breakdown of plants and digestion of some veggies like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower. DIM helps both men and women maintain a healthy hormonal balance and support overall well being.

Garcinia Cambogia 500: 

Garcinia Cambogia is a plant that is native to Southeast Asia. It's grown and readily used for cooking in India and other parts of Asia and Africa. The most useful part of Garcinia is the yellow-colored, pumpkin-shaped fruit - the assam fruit. 

The Garcinia is also used as a digestive aid. It's used as a food additive because it makes meals feel more filling, which prevents over-eating and supports weight loss. It can also support healthy serotonin levels. 

This is another favorite of mine because I most definitely was always full after each meal and never felt hungry too soon after, which was something that frequently happened to me prior to taking this supplement. 

Green Coffee Bean GCB: 

These are coffee beans that haven't yet been roasted. This means green coffee beans have a higher level of chlorogenic acid, which is what's thought to be responsible for several of its pharmacological effects, including fat-loss support. Green Coffee Bean is also 100 percent all-natural and caffeine-free. 

My Verdict: 

I would highly recommend anything from SD Pharmaceuticals, especially Dendrobium, Garcinia Cambogia, and Green Coffee Bean. Another great benefit, you are able to stack these supplements, which is exactly what I did to help speed up my results. SD Pharmaceuticals does an excellent job explaining how to stack the supplements. Take a look: 

The way I took these five supplements were as follows: 

Morning - one DIM, one Green Coffee Bean, one Raspberry Ketone, one Dendrobium, one Garcinia Cambogia 30 minutes before breakfast. 

Afternoon - one Green Coffee Bean, one Raspberry Ketone, one Dendrobium, one Garcinia Cambogia 30 minutes before lunch. 

Dinner - one DIM, one Green Coffee Bean, one Raspberry Ketone, one Dendrobium, one Garcinia Cambogia 30 minutes before dinner. 

I only tracked my progress through my body fat as I hate using a scale. In two weeks of using these supplements (with a healthy diet and 4-5 days of exercise), I lost about 2% body fat. It works, and I highly recommend it. 

SD Pharmaceuticals also has more supplements for hormonal support, recovery support, muscle growth & strength, and fat loss & recovery. 

Check out their website to learn more at www.sdpharmaceuticals.com. You can also follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @SDSupplements and give them a "like" on Facebook: SD Pharmaceuticals.

My First Year as a ReebokONE Ambassador

Last post I told you how I was selected to become a ReebokONE Ambassador... Now, I’m going to tell you what I’ve been doing for them the past eight months. 

Reebok - The Brand & My First Package

When Reebok first reached out to me and told me I had to sign a one-year contract stating I could only wear their brand, I was a little scared. How on earth was I going to trade my Nikes for Reebok?! 

Well, after my first seeding package (a package Reebok sends me every quarter) I knew it would be very easy for me to do that. My first package came in a plain brown box (much different from what it comes in now - a fully branded ReebokONE box). I tore it open and pulled out article of clothing after article of clothing after shoe box after shoe box. I seriously felt like I was living a scene out of a Mary Poppins movie when she keeps pulling items out of her umbrella. (Did I just date myself?!)

By the end of it, I had all the contents in the box laid out all around me. I glanced up at my boyfriend (and guests we had over at the time) with tears in my eyes and said, “I cannot believe this right now. This is so surreal. I am SO grateful! Holy cow. I have all this FREE, BRAND-NEW Reebok gear. It’s MINE. I get to KEEP this, and wear it!” I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing that package arrive at my doorstep. Think of how you felt as a kid waking up the morning of Christmas or stepping foot into your favorite toy store or candy shop. Now, multiply that feeling by 100. THAT’S how I feel every time! 

After having my own Reebok fashion show in my house, I decided I’d never wear another fitness brand ever again even after my contract is up (but I'm being hopeful in saying I hope they extend it!). Reebok has come a LONG way! Their clothes fit perfectly as do their shoes, and everything is super comfy. Can’t go wrong there. 

Photoshoot

Pete called me up and asked if I wanted to be part of a series Reebok was doing - going around the country and interviewing ReebokONE Ambassadors about their fitness experience as well as taking pictures of them. Without any hesitation I said YES! 

We shot in the Marina district of San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Someone pinch me! Talk about a money shot! I have to add - the Reebok folks who came out are FRIGGIN amazing! Super nice and I was really comfortable with them. They are very easy to talk to and joke around with. 

A Day Spent Well in SF

Another opportunity came up in the beginning of July where I got the chance to meet some other kick-ass ambassadors. We bonded over a delicious sushi dinner in the Marina district, and the next day we worked up quite the sweat at the Equinox club on Pine Street. More photo ops and interviewing took place. 

By the way, these photos and video footage can be used by Reebok in their promotional material in whichever way they’d like to use it. That was also something that’s in my one-year contract. 

SFO to BOS

ReebokONE flew me to their headquarters in Canton, Mass. for a three-day business summit with Thomas Plummer (fitness business consultant guru), several other ReebokONE Ambassadors from all over the country, and other big names in the industry - Nick Tumminello (author appearing in more than 30 major health & fitness magazines and owner of Performance University International), David Jack (Sports Performance and Conditioning coach and contributor for major brands like Reebok, Rodale, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Katie Couric’s show, Katie), Charlie Weingroff (Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Athletic Trainer, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), Jeff Fish (former strength coach for the Atlanta Falcons), Allie McKee and Molly Galbraith (Founders of GirlsGoneStrong and both Strength and Conditioning coaches), and more. 

On top of all of this, we got a full tour of the Reebok Headquarters, which was UNfrigginBELIEVABLE! Not to mention the Reebok store where we received 50% off EVERYTHING! If Reebok had a heaven, this was it - not even kidding! 

Despite no sleep for three days, it was so worth it. I met my ReebokONE family there. We’ve created a group chat on Facebook and make it a point to chat every single day. Thanks to Reebok for making that happen. 

    

I’m On a Reebok Flyer!

My most recent Reebok accomplishment was discovering my photo from the shoot I did in the Marina district was being used as a promotional tool for our ReebokONE site! 

Wrap Up

As I’ve said before and continue saying, I am more than grateful to be part of this wonderful opportunity. Reebok is an EXCELLENT company and I am very happy to be a part of their growing organization. If you're a fitness professional reading this OR you know someone who is, sign up for your free profile on www.reebok.com/magenfit23. Don't forget, you'll get 25% off all Reebok gear and you'll connect with other fitness pros from all over the world! 

Thank you for reading. Happy training! 

What Did the Papa Tomato Say to the Baby Tomato Because Baby Tomato Was Falling Behind?

Hurry and catch up!  Old, corny joke, but I do have some serious catching up to do on here! 

Besides The Action Plan: Get Fit Over 40 Training & Nutrition Program book review I posted yesterday, the last time I posted was more than a year ago! I started writing articles for other sites and abandoned this one. I figured I’d get started again. 

The Big Move - August 2012

Shortly after competing in my first bikini competition (with the OCB) in April 2012, I took a trip to San Francisco to visit my boyfriend. I visited the area 10 years prior so I obviously was in a different state of mind (18 years old versus 28 years old), and I was only able to visit for a couple of days compared to the week-long vacation I took last July. 

Back home, I already enrolled in a four-month program with the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) in Orlando, Fla. I was going to drive down that September (live on campus) and graduate that December. My credit union approved me for the loan. I was going to do this. 

When I left San Francisco (and knew NPTI had a location in the area), I knew I had to move there and enroll at that location instead. I gave my job my two-weeks notice and called NPTI to switch which school I would be attending. About a month later,
I sold whatever I knew I wouldn’t be taking with me in a yard sale and packed my car with the rest of my belongings. 
In August, my dad and I made the 3,208-mile drive (I-90 to I-80). SIDE NOTE: If you EVER get the chance to road trip with your parent(s), DO IT! That was such a cool experience and I will have those memories with me forever. Plus, we saw a lot of different things along the way. I would do it all over again for sure. 

Opportunity #1 - September 2012

This is also another reason why I need to keep up with my fitness blogging - it’s opened some doors for me!
Without blogging, I would have never had the opportunity to become a FitFluential Ambassador 
(and, later, a ReebokONE Ambassador - I’ll explain more about that later). 

I applied to become a FitFluential Ambassador in September 2012. They only accept a certain amount of applicants each year and I was one of the lucky ones to be chosen! FitFluential is “a nationwide network of highly influential fitness enthusiasts sharing their journey both online and offline through multiple social media platforms. Founded in April of 2011 by Kelly Olexa (who is FRIGGIN awesome, I might add!), FitFluential was designed to connect health and wellness bands with their ideal target market through customized, long-term experiential and contextual marketing campaigns.” (Source: FitFluential) 

By the way, FitFluential Ambassador applications are now open! If you’re interested, submit yours before Oct. 31, 2013 - just head over to www.fitfluential.com.  

Back to School - September 2012

It was back to school for me yet again! I graduated from the University of Maine Orono in May 2005 with a bachelor’s in journalism, and seven years later, I was enrolled in another school for something completely different! Classes started in early September, and, because I LOVE to learn, I soaked up every bit of information that was taught. The six-month program (Orlando is the only one with the four-month program) went by so quickly! By the end of February 2013, I received my NPTI diploma and became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. 

I immediately began work as a trainer at Crunch Fitness Hills Plaza on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. It was good while it lasted, but I quickly realized big, corporate gyms are not the fit for me. I am now training out of Be Fit Stay Active Personal Training in Albany, Calif. (“Be Fit” for short!) as an independent contractor - right up my alley! 

Opportunity #2 - February 2013

From: Peter Bognanno

To: Magen

Cc: Kelly Olexa

Subject: ReebokONE Ambassador Program

Date: February 15, 2013 at 11:02 AM

Hi Magen,

My name is Pete Bognanno and I am part of the ReebokONE Instructor Network team here at Reebok. ReebokONE is an online community for fitness professionals allowing them to connect, share, and further themselves in the industry. I wanted to reach out to you and see if we could set up a call to discuss our new platform and specifically our ambassador program in more detail. Reebok and FitFluential have had a great relationship thus far, and we feel that furthering this relationship through a connection to ReebokONE will be mutually beneficial. 
By looking through multiple FitFluential profiles, we have identified you as someone who would be a great fit to become an ambassador to the platform 
because of your interest in strength & conditioning and the figure (he really meant bikini ;-)) competition community. Please let me know if you would be interested in discussing this in more detail. You can check out the site at: 

www.reebok.com/ReebokONE

By simply having a profile on the network, fitness instructors gain access to: 

Exclusive Content

25% discount on Reebok product

A Professional Fitness profile

We want to better the fitness community by giving them a dedicated fitness social media platform on which to connect, and we would like you to be a part of this. 

Feel free to contact me at your convenience. Thanks!

Pete Bognanno

Wait a minute, WHAT?! I gotta read this again. Obviously, this is some kind of sick joke. But I do see Kelly’s Cc’d on this email so maybe it isn’t? I don’t know. Whatever, I’ll just call this “Pete” guy and see what he has to say. 

Dial the number. Holy shit... is this really for real? 
Did REEBOK really just reach out to me? 
I can’t even belie-

“Hi, this is Pete.”

“Hi, Pete, this is Magen Petit. I just received your email regarding the ReebokONE Ambassador Program.”

“Wow, you’re quick! I just sent that email.” 

Shit, I definitely was too quick on that. Stupid eager beaver! Totally should have given it a day or two at least - isn’t that usually the way phone calls work, men? You wait a day or two after meeting the hot chick at the gym and THEN you call? You don’t call right away? Well, I’m on the phone with him now!

“Haha yea, I had the time to give you a call so I figured I would right away.”

Pretty much, the phone call lasted about 10 minutes and I don’t think my heart rate was ever under 150 the entire time. Pete asked if I was on board and wanted to become a ReebokONE Ambassador after he explained to me what it entails: I would have to sign a one-year contract and wear nothing but Reebok gear that would be sent to me every quarter (yes, FREE gear!), promote the brand via social media outlets, attend ReebokONE events (which would be paid for by Reebok), and promote the ReebokONE online community and get other fitness professionals signed up on the free site, too. 

In the words of Ace Ventura, “Gee, let me think...umm, sure!” 

I immediately called my boyfriend, parents, and sent out a group text to my closest girlfriends freaking out and telling them what just went down. Did this REALLY just happen?!

NPC Stage - March 2013

So crazy how social media connects us. When I was prepping for my first competition in early 2012, I set up my Instagram account (@magenfit23). Most of it was fitness related, shocking, I know. Because of that, and my excessive #hashtags, I met a future fellow NPC-turned-IFBB Pro bikini competitor, Michelle Mein (@meeshelliieee). She was doing boot camps, had lost a bunch of weight, was starting to really get into fitness, and asking me questions about competing. She finally decided that July that she would start prepping for her first show, which ended up being October 2012. (She took 1st place in Overall Masters and 3rd Open Class A. From there, she competed in six more shows. During her most recent show, she earned her Pro Card!) The craziest thing of all of this is that she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I moved to! She convinced me to do an NPC show out here, so I did. 

I competed in early March in Culver City, Calif., which is right outside of LA. I qualified for nationals by placing 5th in my class (Class D). I was ecstatic! I got first call outs during prejudging and never imagined that would happen in my first NPC show in California in LA of all places! I figured I would be at a huge disadvantage because of my lack of boobs and my full sleeve tattoo. Apparently, none of that matters, which is great for me! 

Competing in this show, my prep going into the show, and what happened post show is all for another article... stay tuned! 

Wrap Up

This post is a little longer than I expected, and I really want to share with you my experiences with ReebokONE so far so expect another post on that shortly. 

Thanks for reading, and, as always, HAPPY TRAINING!

The Action Plan: Get Fit Over 40 Training & Nutrition Program Review

If you're 40 years old or older and are looking for an effective fat-loss program, you're in luck! If you can't afford a gym membership, don't have access to a gym, or are intimidated about going to the gym, you're in luck! 

Certified Personal Trainer and Figure Athlete Karen Pilote and Registered Nurse and Cooking Connoisseur Kate O'Connor joined forces and created The Action Plan: Get Fit Over 40 Training & Nutrition Program. 

What's In It? 

The Action Plan opens with an overview which highlights what to expect from how the plan works to the exercises to the cardio sessions to nutrition and more. 

Karen and Kate did a great job addressing questions their audience may have regarding the program. Every exercise of their program illustrates a model showing proper execution along with notes about how to do each one.  

There are even sections in the book to track your progress and to set goals which will help you stay on track - how cool is that! 

With The Action Plan there is no thinking on your part because everything is completely spelled out for you. You get THREE whole months worth of what to do and how to do it. In addition, you get a nutrition guide AND a grocery list! The back of the book is jam-packed with recipes for breakfasts, main dishes, soups, salads, and sides. What's even better, Karen and Kate decided to add in the nutrition facts of each meal, right down to the calories, fats, carbs, and protein - see, no thinking required! 

I don't want to give away the whole book, but Karen and Kate even include BONUS features, and they aren't stingy either! 

How Much Is It? 

The spiral-bound book comes in a hard copy ($49.99 plus shipping & handling) or an e-book ($49.99) format. This is very inexpensive compared to a personal trainer or gym membership, plus it's invaluable to your physical, emotional, and mental health. (It will save you hundreds on those doctor visits and meds you hate taking each day!) 

Where Can I Get It? 

You can get your copy here: The Action Plan: Get Five Over 40 Training & Nutrition 

Connect With Get Fit Over 40!

Website: www.getfiveover40.tv 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GetFitOver40 or www.facebook.com/TheActionPlanGFO40 

Blog: www.getfiveovertv.com

Twitter: twitter.com/getfitover40

YouTube: youtube.com/getfitover40tv 

Summer Is Finally Here – Is Your Beach Body?

In my last post I said I was going to be competing in the upcoming OCB Yankee Classic Show in Newburyport, Mass. and while I’ve been training and maintaining a clean-eating diet for it, unfortunately, I will not be able to compete in the show.

My health is great and I WANT to compete (very badly), but I won’t be able to because, for me, at this time, it’s out of my budget to do so. I have other priorities I need to tend to so competing is being placed on the back burner…for now! I have some pretty exciting plans coming up that I am focusing on that will only benefit me and what it is I want to do so I’m going after that right now. 

I know I do not need to explain myself to anyone, but I figured I’d let my readers know since my last post said that I was doing the show. You can mark my words; I WILL be competing in future shows, after all, I have a first place finish I have to go after! Depending on finances and my schedule in November and December, I have a couple shows in mind I’d like to compete in. If not, then I will absolutely be hitting the stage come February 2013. This will definitely give me plenty of time to work on improving my body, too.

Speaking of which, I’ve already seen great improvements since my last show. I really wanted to work on building my shoulders and it’s been paying off! I stopped training my triceps and biceps for the past couple of months. The only time I hit those is as a secondary muscle when I’m training back and chest. Other than that, I’ve been training shoulders twice a week – heavy one day, light the other – hamstrings and glutes (typically together and sometimes twice a week), chest and back. I've even increased training my abs around 2-3 times a week. I have been using my other available day for plyometrics. My cardio has increased a significant amount and I think between that and doing plyos, it’s been making a world of difference. I switch up my cardio all the time – I’m either doing steady state anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or HIIT for 20 to 30 minutes. This week, I am starting to incorporate plyometrics two or more times a week. I’ll be doing this for the next five weeks. Here’s what my schedule looks like as far as cardio goes for the next five weeks:

WEEK 1

Monday: Hill Interval Workout

Tuesday: Plyo Workout

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday: Jog for 30 minutes

Friday: Running/Plyo Workout

Saturday and Sunday: OFF

WEEK 2

Monday a.m.: Hill interval Workout

Monday p.m.: Plyo Workout

Tuesday: Running/Plyo Workout

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday a.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Thursday p.m.: Hill Interval Workout

Friday: Running/Plyo Workout

Saturday: Plyo Workout

Sunday: OFF

WEEK 3

Monday a.m.: Running/Plyo Workout

Monday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Tuesday: Hill Interval Workout

Wednesday a.m.: Running Plyo Workout

Wednesday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Thursday: Plyo Workout

Friday a.m.: Running/Plyo Workout

Friday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Saturday: Plyo Workout

Sunday: OFF

WEEK 4

Monday a.m.: Running/Plyo Workout

Monday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Tuesday: Hill Interval Workout

Wednesday a.m.: Running Plyo Workout

Wednesday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Thursday: Plyo Workout

Friday a.m.: Running/Plyo Workout

Friday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Saturday: Plyo Workout

Sunday: OFF

WEEK 5

Monday a.m.: Running/Plyo Workout

Monday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Tuesday: Hill Interval Workout

Wednesday a.m.: Running Plyo Workout

Wednesday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Thursday: Plyo Workout

Friday a.m.: Running/Plyo Workout

Friday p.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Saturday a.m.: Jog for 30 minutes

Saturday p.m.: Plyo Workout

Sunday: Optional: Jog for 30 minutes or use as rest day

What do you think? Are you up for the challenge? If you’re already working out, this is a great supplement to your training program. If you’re a beginner, you can start out doing what YOUR body is capable of and work your way up! Write down your progress, too! That way you can look back and see how much you’ve improved. Let me know if you’d like to try this and I will share with you the plan for it. Let’s get your beach body underway!

Thanks for reading! Happy training!