Apex & BodyBugg Certified!

For those of you who don't know what APEX or the BodyBugg are, I encourage you to visit the website, www.my.apex.com. APEX is a world-renown nutrition and fitness support system that has helped thousands of people manage their weight and reach their fitness goals. That little armband that all the BIGGEST LOSER contestants wear on their arms all day long, those come from APEX. Those are the BODYBUGGs. When worn all day long, this little bugg can keep track of all the calories you are burning which takes the guess work out of an entire fitness/weight loss program. When using the online website, all you have to do is log in what you eat during the day, and as long as you are at a calorie deficit (you have burned more than you ate), you will lose weight! SIMPLE AS THAT!! It really is. I have learned so much by becoming certified with this weight loss program. It really is about calories in and calories out. There is no 'magic pill' or 'secret piece of equipment' that will help in weight loss. It is the discipline of what we eat and how much we move! APEX also has great Meal Replacement bars/cookies/shakes that are balanced in all the macro nutrients (carbs, fats, proteins) that help keep you satisfied when you miss a meal or are not around healthy food. Multi-vitamins and other supplements are also scientifically engineered and tested by the FDA to prove that our products really work. Please let me know if you are interested at all in these things. I have only been on my BodyBugg for 1 week now, and I think its so great to be aware of my calories in and calories out so that I can stay in control of a healthy lifestyle.

Here is just a picture of what the NEW BodyBugg looks like.




Other than that, Ryan and I made a trip back to Eldrige last weekend to visit family and friends. Our friend Trisha had a party for her graduation on Friday night, Saturday Sheila (one of Ryan's sisters) and I went to get pedicures, which was much needed! We hung out with an older friend of Ryan's, J.B., and watched the QC Air Show from his back patio. This really was neat! The NAVY's Blue Angels put on a 1/2 hour show in the afternoon flying right over the house we were watching from! Pretty loud experience. After that I had a bad headache and we were supposed to go to a wedding reception. Once we got back to Ryan's parents' house, I passed out on the couch around 5:30 that afternoon and didn't wake up until 8am the next morning! It felt great to catch up on that. On Sunday we relaxed with a few other family members celebrating Father's Day and headed back to CR. This weekend we plan on staying around here in order to not spend money for once! ;) We'll see how that goes! There's always something to do right?!

Work is going really well for the both of us. Ryan is already talking to clients and trying to sell his first deal at Wells Fargo Financial. He helps people to consolidate their debt so they can "save" on some interest payments. ("Save" is apparently one of those not-to-be-used four-letter words at WFF.) For me, its been slow, I've just been prospecting new business and calling people for free Goal Assessments to get them interested in training. Tomorrow, I have to work at a Health Fair at the mall for a few hours to promote Aspen. Rachel, my co-worker who started at the same time I did, has become quite a good friend. We both moved here to work not knowing many people and we both are really easy to get along with. Perfect combination! Many people have asked us if we knew each other before working at Aspen, and we simply say "No," and smile because we both know that we have become good friends already :)

No plans as of yet for the 4th, but whatever we end up doing I hope it involves SUN, WATER, and some nice cool beverages! ;)

Take care and God Bless!

1st Week on the New Job

This last week I started training at my new job at Aspen Athletic Club. Come to find out, we are no longer affiliated with the Aspen franchise and our club will be renaming in sometime before October. Just a little fun-fact.
I did a lot of shadowing of other trainers this last week which became really boring after awhile since I already have some experience in the field. I did however take notes and jotted down some new exercises and thoughts of my own during the shadowing sessions. I have also been speding a lot of time at Panera because they have free WiFi and I have been doing some online training in Apex Supplementation/Nutrition. I take that test at the end of this week.
The majority of trainers at Aspen are male and there is another new girl from UNI that is starting at the same time I am so it has been nice to make a new friend. She is only interning but hopes that this summer internship will turn into a future career this fall.
Ryan is still in his intensive training weeks as WellsFargo, he has been doing a lot of online stuff to and sitting-in on calls/sales with his co-workers.
This weekend Ryan and I ventured out again to explore the area; we went to a golf course just east of the airport. We hit balls at the driving range and practiced our short game on the putting green. We had a few long-ball contests and of course I won everytime one way or another! ;)
Some of my friends and one of Ryan's came up to visit this week, we went bowling on Thursday night for Quartermania. It was kind of fun to get out and enjoy the company. All three ended up staying and of course there was plenty of room for everyone!
This week will be another long week of training for the two of us at our seperate jobs, hopefully I'll be doing some more practical things and interacting with more of the gym members.
Attatched are some pictures of the small little apartment.....

These are all pictures of our main living area.

My bedroom on the background.

Dining area.

Kitchen in the background. We have done some more decorating since. :)

First Week in Cedar Rapids

This first week in CR has been pretty boring for me, and pretty learning-intensive for Ryan. I don't officially start at Aspen until Monday, so I have been doing little things around the apartment and jumping into group ex classes at the club off and on.
I also taught my first class at Aspen on Tuesday night which was a little nerve racking, but exciting! The participants here at Aspen are a little more intense and some like to add in their own little sequences. Okay with me, I'm just trying to move and instruct at the same time! It's been a week since I've taught a class with this moving and all, so I it was a bit of a struggle the first night.
Moving went well, it was a long day last Friday but a BIG thanks to my parents for helping us get everything up the tiny little stair case and into our apartment. I was very proud of Papa Rouse for his strength and stamina getting our couches and GIANT entertainment center up those stairs.
Our apartment is quite settled now, I did take some pictures I can add later. Since we don't yet have internet in our apartment, I have been taking my laptop to Panera or coming to the library to use the internet. Ryan gets his luxury at work!
It doesn't quite feel like home yet, but hopefully it will soon. Wartburg has been our home away from home and we already miss it (right Sharese!)
Last night we went over to one of Ryan's co-workers houses in Marion because the office was having a going-away gather for their branch manager, Patrick. He was the one from Wartburg who hired Ryan, Josh, and Sharese and now he is taking a promotion to work at the Main St Cedar Falls bank. I think the three Wartburgers are going to miss having him around already. It was nice to meet Ryan's co-workers and get a meal that neither Ryan or I tried to cook! ;)
I went into the club today for the PT meeting and met some of the other trainers. Very friendly staff and they seem like a great team. Can't wait to start on Monday, it's been quite boring this week....
That's all for now, I hope I get a lot of followers :) Thanks Jamie for starting this trend, I'll do my best at updating this weekly.

God Bless,
Amanda