Bombay of the Day: The Flip

http://www.theflip.com
or http://www.amazon.com

If you're like me and frustrated by the difficulty in doing something so seemingly simple as sending a quick video to youtube, or your daughters first recital to Grandma's email, then the Flip is the answer to your prayers! I love this little gadget so much that I have bought several for friends and family, we use it for fun videos at Powder Blue Productions and I made sure to give one away to the recent winners of our So You Think You Can Turbo contest winners and we recently bough all of our top 5 Star Presenters their own Flip cameras too!

Prices range depending on the version that you buy from $55 - $210

Way cool is the size! It's as small as a cell phone. Super easy to keep in your purse for quick unexpected moments that might otherwise go unrecorded! Easy to review and delete on the 2 inch display screen!

The more expensive price range is for HD quality video, which I must say is really quite fab! However, if you don't need really amazing HD quality then the non HD version takes up far less hard drive space, thus making editing a breeze! I also found that the HD version crashed my computer more often. Again... probably a giga-something issue, but I don't have the patience to figure it out! Back to the non HD version for my personal stuff. We use the HD version for work!

I'm not too techy..(shocker) I just know that it works like a charm. It gets its name from the USB plug that "flips" up upon pressing a button. Great idea! All I have to do is point, shoot, flip then plug it into the USB port and bam! Then I have the choice to edit it or directly upload to youtube.com! Nice! No converting! No cords to lose! It's dummy proof! A must if you have precious childhood memories to capture, need to record yourself teaching, have an idea for a video blog, want to share video tips, or just about any other (hopefully legal) activity you can imagine!


Technical Details from their site!
Holds 60 minutes of HD-quality video (1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second; 16:9 widescreen) on 4 GB of built-in memory
Weighs only 3.3 ounces; Super-slim, super-sleek design, fits into your pocket or purse
Features one-touch recording and digital zoom
Flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch built-in FlipShare software
FlipShare software lets you save and organize your videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, email your videos, and upload them

MY SHAKEOLOGY APOLOGY

I'm a pretty humble person. I don't ask for favors, or special treatment. I don't name drop or expect that people should treat me like a VIP. I won't cut in line even when a friend waves me up. I play by the rules and know that everyone is important. I think it's rude when people act like they are entitled or that people should help them out because of their name, or who they are, or what they've done, their money, their status, whatever. One of my biggest pet peeves is my fellow fitness instructors who think they're "all that" and the "club" owes them something because their classes are full. Get over yourself! In my book, the grocery store CEO is just as important as the kid who bags your bread and milk.

Which is why today I an apologizing. Publically.

The truth is in a moment of weak desperation, I pulled a "J.Lo" on Wednesday. Well I didn't request white M&M's and all white flowers in my dressing room. Nope. Just a little help in the Shakeology department. And I know an apology with an explanation is not really an apology, but I believe my Shakeology Apology warrants a teeny tiny explanation. You see...ever since Shakeology arrived at our door step, things in my household have changed.

Now before I go further.. know this. I'm not paid to endorse Shakeology. I have no stock in the company. No one at Beachbody has ever even asked me to "try it" let alone to talk about it. I have no relationhip with Shakeology, other than we since we met, i have fallen madly in love. First I fell head over heels which peaked Bret's curiosity. Skeptical, Bret was a "believer" after two shakes. Next, my 11 year old (who refuses to eat anything green or that comes from nature), then my 9 year old, my father-in-law, my Mom, and all my exercise partners all fell under the spell of Shakeology. I admit when my bag of shakeology was full and heavy, it felt like it was last forever. I shared my bag of shakeology readily back in those early days of this month. I passed around my Shakeology like MC Hammer shared his money in those early days when record deal money was plentiful.

I'm a "pusher". When I find something that's amazing, whether it's a new push-up bra, the worlds greatest George Foreman Grill, self-tanner, whatever it is that works like a charm, I tell the world. I push it. I like things that work! I share my findings.

So, naturally I grabbed my bag of Shakeology to pack for our upcoming family vacation (8 days in Maui, Hawaii.) If felt light. Panic overcame my being. A wave of hot blood rushed into my face. I thought, "Oh my gawd! We leave in 3days. This will NEVER last and I don't have time to order more!!!" I freaked. There was only one thing to do.

I puffed my chest up and decided to see if I could pull any strings at Beachbody. I've sold 'em a couple of million videos. That should be worth a favor or two.. right?? "May I ask whose calling?" the receptionist asked. "Yes, Chalene Johnson of Turbo Jam and ChaLEAN Extreme" I announced proudly. She was unimpressed. Probably President of the Shawn T fan club. Next, I found my go-to-girl, the gal with the beautiful smile who always says, "of course! What else can I do to help", The lovely Leili in the production department. I pleaded my case. I told her how I had been to generous with my monthly supply and now I was nearly out! I begged her to ship me two bags...FedEx..priority am delivery. I didn't expect it for free or anything. I mean, come on. I'm not a mooch. "Lieli, I don't expect it for free. Just charge it to my friend Tony Horton's account (I mean come on... P90X is on tv all day everyday! He can spot me on this one... right???)

She did. It worked. Leili came through! It was mid afternoon the next day when the UPS man drove up. I sprinted to his truck, my eyes bulging, body bloated and weak. Digestion irregular and blood sugars all a skew. I was panting, shaking and foam was frothing from he corners of my mouth (I was 4 hours past my daily scheduled Shakeology). He started to dismount his truck, box in hand. "Give it to me!" I shouted as I grabbed the package from the man dressed in brown.

I apologize for my behavior. With blender whirling and smell of chocolate with a hint of wheat grass, I felt the anxious excitment that a drug addict must feel when they score another hit of heroine.

Beachbody has several protein and meal replacement shakes. I've tried and used them all. You've never seen me blog about them. I've been in the fitness profession for 20 years. I've tried every shake, vitamin and protein suppliment. You can imagine because of the huge network of intstructors and customers of my company http://www.turbokick.com, on a monthlly basis I'm sent samples of every miracle nutrient, drink, vitamin, water, protein source, and shake you can imagine. I've tried them all. You've NEVER heard me encourage people to try them. I've talked about things I find yummy or tasty with decent nutrients. But Shakeology is in a class of it's own. Period.


Unfortunately you can only get it from a coach. Some say it's expensive. I say... DO YOUR RESEARCH! It's cheap! You show me a meal with this many veggies, protein, enzymes, fruit blends, probiotics and vitamins that is this low in calorie and I'll show you something much more expensive or that doesn't have as much ! it can't be done. It's less than a cup of Starbucks. Get a clue! It's cheap. Sure it's more than what you've been paying for your normal meal replacement, but this is a total health drink. It's super cheap if you become a coach. Don't quote me here, but you get it about $30 cheaper if your'e coach with http://www.TeamBeachbody.com Now I am ineligible to be coach (because I'm a trainer with BeachBody) so I've been ordering it from my coach as customer. (Well, except for in this recent tantrum!)


BeachBody has just come out with Shakeology and it is truly amazing. Not only does it have all the great stuff I just mentioned but it tastes really really good (I have some GREAT recipes to really make it taste like a dream! Don't just mix it with water and shake it. Boring! Visit my blog later this week for my fav recipes!

It really does take great! You don't have to just take my word for it, take the word of a "very picky eater!!!", my son 12 year old son Brock. Now let me tell you about my sweet son Brock, he HATES vegetables. I understand. I hated veggies til I was an adult. For years my Mom tried and for years, I found creative ways to dispose of the green stuff on my plate without her knowing. The other day Brock and I had a very touching moment. I made him is afternoon protein shake. He gulped it down, commenting, "That was good, but it tasted different today. Did you put something different in it?" I sat down next to him and broke the news to him. "Son, you just had your daily serving of veggies!" For the first time in his 12 year life, a complete days serving of fruits and vegetables and he liked it! Now granted... I needed his shake to taste a lot like what he's used to, so I added the same stuff I always put in his protein shakes, a lil peanut butter and some fat free frozen yogurt. But it was the most nutritious meal he had probably had in his life. I felt a tear roll down my face. ( oh come on! Not really, but it makes the story). Seriously as a mom it gives such peace of mind knowing I can whip up a yummy shake hand it to my child and know he is getting so many great things his growing body needs.

Learn more... http://www.milliondollarbody.com/shakeology/

More details

WHATS IN IT

More than 70 different ingredients were chosen from around the world for their potency and bioavailability (the ability to deliver the nutrients your body needs). Here are the key nutrient groups that these ingredients deliver:*

Protein and Essential Amino Acids to help build long, lean muscles and reduce food cravings

Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in improving digestion, regularity, and nutrient absorption

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients to help counteract free radical damage that can lead to degenerative diseases

Vitamins and Minerals your body needs to function for optimal health.

My New Years Resolutions

When you proclaim your resolutions publicaly you create a greater level of accountability. Setting a New Years REsolutions is the easy part. Staying accountable is the tough part. So here goes...

I resolve to be a more "present" parent, to do my best to refrain from returning emails, voice mails, and text messages when I'm with them (well...most text messages) If it can't be handled between 8 and 2:30 it can wait. I resolve to read more because I have so much more I want to learn, because becoming a better human is a constant pursuit. I resolve to get the people I love and work with to read more because I genuinely want them to feel the joy of learning and enjoy the advantages that come with being smarter, more informed and more compassionate that only comes with wisdom yet learned. I resolve to compliment strangers on their acts of kindness and to be kind to strangers even when I'm in a rush. 

This year I will strengthen my patience with slow moving retail workers and senior citizen drivers. I resolve to stay out of people's business, provided of course they are not in my circle of 5 super air-tight, certifiable quality friends who make me a better person. This year I will share everything I know about the sure fire ways to achieve success with anyone who will listen because I truly want people to live healthier, happier and fuller lives. I resolve to take greater pride in my birth name and politely correct people this year when they say it wrong. It's not Chay-lene, its not Charlene, it's Chalene. The 'Cha' is pronounced like the "shu" in "Shut the door" and not like "Shay" which rhymes with "they". Chalene. 

I resolve to politely decline all invitations to which my first thought is...."Oh man, I really don't want to do that." This year I will only teach fitness classes that give me joy. I resolve to be a better wife and I have started today by ordering the "Language of Love", to read on my new Kindle (book reading device) and to understand better (after 18 years) our preferred method of giving and receiving love for and from each other. 

I resolve to spend less and give more away. I resolve to give money to people who have fallen on hard time and not just victims of a never ending cycle of stupid, stupid, stupid despite all the good advice they get from friends and people who know better. 

This year I will sleep in once in a while and spend Wednesdays in silence, at my home, devoted to writing. This year I will concentrate on doing one thing at a time and doing it well. Lastly, I resolve to enjoy the ride and ride more often (a snowboard that is!) 

Brought to tears

Today I payed a visit to my podiatrist. Just a simple adjustment to my Orthodox. Helps keep my plantar faciatis at bay! (4 years pain free, knock on wood!)

My doctors office is located in a medical building next to a senior community (Laguna Woods). As you would expect most of the doctors in the building specialize in treating the elderly. Sitting in the waiting room amongst much wiser and experienced patience, it was nice to be the youngest!

Most of the patients were escorted by a care-giver or who I assume was their adult child. I watched a woman (probably 60-something), with grey overly permed hair and those weird beige, plastic looking shoes that old people wear, trying to escort her mother out of the waiting room. Her mother was probably in her late 80's, with thinning white permed hair and the posture of someone who once stood much taller. (She also wore the same lovely beige shoes.)I thought how much patience it took on the part of the daughter to follow next to her mom as she slowly, ever so slowly scuffed along with her walker.

How interesting it is that our roles reverse as we age.

I finished scheduling my next appointment and headed toward the parking garage. I could hear beautiful opera music playing loudly from another building. It was unmistakeably Italian, deep, powerful, full, emotional, beautiful. The sound was traveling into the parking garage and as I approached, I could hear it echoing like a concert hall. It was so moving, so overwhelming I actually stopped walking so I could hear it clearly over the clicking of my heels on the pavement. I stood there listening, actually feeling goosebumps form on my arms. The music got louder and more impassioned. I thought I must have been heading toward the car playing this music.

The vibrato of the woman's voice vibrated through my bones. Such power. Such a gift. I wondered what it must feel like to be able to sing with such perfection. Where was this music coming from? Just then, I turned to see the tiny little old lady who had been in the waiting room with. There she stood, propped against her walker, serenading the parking garage. It was the most unbelievable sight. This tiny frail woman with this enormous gift. Her voice brought all who were walking through the garage to a halt.

She sang two songs. We applauded and everyone went on their way. I tried so hard to hold back the tears. I could feel my chest tighten, tears welling in my eyes. It was just the most beautiful moment, the most beautiful reminder of how precious life is. I literally stood there in the middle the lot with tears of joy streaming down my face. She finished and her daughter went about helping her climb into their giant Oldsmobile. I walked to her car and asked I could give her mother a hug.

Her daughter told me that as a young immigrant, her mother supported her large family by singing in restaurants. She said her dream had always been to be an opera singer. "Now," she said, "she lives for her doctor visits so she can sing in the parking garage. Not for anyone in particular. She just loves the way it sounds."

I thanked this tiny woman with a giant voice for making my day, my week, my month. She smiled, patted my hand and assured me, "God gives all of us blessings. May God bless you."

What a beautiful moment.

Me.... on the Gayle King Show

First of all, this is why I love my

job. How fun!

Last week Bret and I flew off to New York City for me to appear as a guest of the Gayle King Show, part of the Oprah and Friends XM radio network.

As a bit of background, m

ost of you know that Gayle and Oprah are

BFF's. Gayle has her own radio show (among other things). In July of 2007 Gayle started talking about this exercise program that she bought off an infomercial and how much she was loving it. Well, as you can probably guess that was

Turbo Jam. Since then, Gayle has made her workouts with Turbo Jam a regular topic on her morning talk show, including talking about the time while on the campaign trail for O'Bama she and Oprah did the workout together. That's right, the "O" has done Turbo (OMG!OMG!OMG!). Back to my girl Gayle......

Well, Gayle is my kinda girl. If there were so many miles between us, aside from being her personal trainer, I would apply for the rank of BFF 2nd position. She's hysterical (and in my opinion, you have to be very intelligent to be funny. Except for the accidental funny.) She's honest. She's an optimist. She's sassy. She's beautiful. She's fair. She's witty. She loves hip hop music and (most importantly), she loves her some Turbo. Actually I love that she loves to talk about things that she believes in. Doesn't try to get people to try them for her own gain, but rather because when she finds something that works, she wants to share.

Anywho... enough kissin' up. :) She has recently begun referring to me as "her personal trainer". Love it. So, after more than a year of doing Turbo Jam, Gayle decided it was time to meet me in person. So off I went to NYC (my first trip btw). It was so much fun and I'm so happy Bret was there to experience it all with me!

Of course I was just dying to meet her and just dying to go to NYC for the FIRST TIME!





















Enough suspense.

So you walk in her studios and sit in the green room, which is really just a tiny little

waiting area. While I was waiting, who walks in by Holly Robinson-Pete. Now mind you, I'm a bit geeked up as I'm about to meet Gayle. I turn and see Holly and I recognize her, but it doesn't immediately click where I know her from. So as every good instructor does when they see a familiar face, I assume I know her from one of my classes and I give her the "Heeeeeeeeey Gurrll! How are you?" the same Oh-crap-I'm having a brain fade "hey" you give to people you totally know but can't remember their name. Only problem is, it's not one of my classes that I recognize her face from, it's from HELLOOO... TV! What a bowling shoe I am. Not only do I not

realize who this is, but the star of Hanging with Mr. Cooper and the wife of Rodney Peete CERTAINLY doesn't know me! But being one of those people who people think they know, I understand the "awkward" position I have just put her in.

None the less she played it off like a pro and was all sweet, down to earth and as beautiful as you would hope. She and Bret chatted football while I did some deep breathing to chill myself out. Chillax! Chalene, chillax!

Next, the production assistant (Andrea, a 24 year old with a smokin' hot body who begrudgingly told me she never works out) took me back to the studio to meet Gayle. The room is tiny, and set up kind of like a comfy living room with microphones next to your chair, a chair for

Gayle and a comfy chair for her guest. Her Production manager/side kick and on-air personality JJ sits across from you. She too was super sweet and made me feel like we were long time GF's.

Gayle is to-die-for-gorgeous. She's either super tall, or I'm super short. Okay. Fine. I'm super short. She was all dolled up in a beautiful brown knit, curve hugging knee length

dress and fab shoes to match. She looked as dee-gorgeous as she does and even more so in person that she does on t.v. Of course her first comment was how "much taller" I appear on t.v. and how fabulous she thought my pink and sliver Dior platforms were

. (I'm not braggin, but I do have to say the shoes are freakin' fabulous fuscia pink

with big silver square plates on the toes! You just want to eat them for desert. They are yummy and comfy too..well, kinda comfy for about 3 hours.)

We chatted with Holly Robinson-Pete who had followed me back for a few minutes, then we continued to chat fitness and fashion and diet for maybe 5 more minutes. Then a quick mic check and we were back on the air. We taped the show "live to tape" which means it will air at a later date, Monday October 20th to be exact. I adored her to pieces. The questions she asks just really show she's a curious person who wants to know "why" and "how". We talked about Turbo Jam and then on to ChaLEAN Extreme. I had sent her the only three advance copies in existence. She had done them a few times before the show. I won't spoil the show, you'll have to listen to see what she thinks about it. I think we chatted for a good 20 minutes or more on air and another 20 off. Not sure. Time flies when you are obsessed with the topic. It was all a blurr, but I do remember talking about my Mom, Marge and her cute little "Margisms". She loved that. She mentioned menopause and being a huge believer in weight training to change the slowing of your metabolism. Rock on!

Gayle was flying out to be on Oprah the next day. After we were no longer on the air

I just sat in the chair and kept talking and talking and talking, like a giddy school girl on a first date. I momentarily lost my ability to pick up on those subtle body language cues that people send when you've stayed too long. Once I snapped back to reality I kind of sat up straight and said, "Oh... am I supposed to leave now?" They laughed and said, "Ummmmm...... yeeeaaaah".

Wow. What a dream come true. Now if only we can get my new BFF Gayle to get her BFF Oprah to fall in love with ChaLEAN Extreme I can prove to her that a slowing metabolism is reversible!

I hope you'll subscribe to XMradio for seven days free to listen to the show. Go to

http://xmro.xmradio.com/xstream/index.jsp

As for my new program, ChaLEAN Extreme, it's expected to be released in December. It's not available yet. You can sign up to be notified of its release and grab a sneak peak by going to www.chaleanextreme.com

Well, don't forget to visit my website... http://www.turbokick.com and sign up for my newsletter.

All for now!

Come Dance with Me!

Many of you have stumbled upon my Blog through your exposure to Turbo Jam, my at-home exercise video series offered through Beachbody. I get hundreds of emails each week asking if I'm actually a teacher, where they can take live classes, how they can take a live workout with me. So, I thought I tell you exactly how to do that, and a little more!

Yes...you can take a live class with me, but better than that, you can spend 4 days with me and a couple hundred of your closest Turbo fanatics and leave thinner, happier, more motivated and inspired than you ever dreamed!

A little history ....

You see... Turbo Jam is the "at home" version of a class I've been teaching for health clubs across the country for over 11 years, called Turbo Kick. Turbo Kick is the club version, Turbo Jam is the home version. Many Turbo Jammers fall in love with the program, master it and then wonder what's next. That's when so many of you do a little internet investigation and learn that there is a way to take your new passion for Turbo to the streets and you make the jump from exerciser to instructor! YES! You CAN become a Turbo Kick certified instructor. My company, Powder Blue Productions (which I have operated along with my husband for 12 plus years) offers training programs to become a certified Turbo Kick instructor in locations across the United States and dozens of International locations every weekend. To learn more....check out my website at www.turbokick.com

But yo! That's not what I'm blogging about today. Today, I wanted to tell you about an event that brings people who love Turbo, hip hop, dance and all things positive together for 4 days of fit-tab-ulous FUN with me and all your favoirte Turbo Video stars! It's called Camp Turbo Kick! Camp Turbo is a one time, one location event held every summer in Southern California. (And don't even botha asking... cuz we ain't gonna do one in your town, or in the winter or in your state, or a different week....Love it or leave it. It's one time a year, one location!)

http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=CampTurboKick

So... the what's the dealio...

In a nutshell, here a few quotes from people who went to Camp Turbo Kick 2007....

"It was like adult cheer camp for those of us who never got to be a cheerleader!

"It's like lightening in a bottle."

"It gave me high that I feel could last me the whole year."

"I've never felt so supported or good about myself in all my life. "

"I'm a changed woman. I leave today with a better body and a plan for a better marriage."

"I will never look at Turbo or any exercise the same way again."

"I feel 10 years younger. "

"It's like going back to a highschool pep rally that lasts 4 days! "

"I wont be able to sleep for weeks. This is just the pick me up I needed."

"I arrived knowing not a soul. I left with 300 new friends."

"I have no idea how to put into words what this weekend has done for my spirt."

http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=CampTurboKick

So if 300 hundred hyper, happy, music crazy, turbo frenzied workout fanatics doesn't sound like your cup of tea, this might not be your camp. This is 4 days of motivation. This is an investment in your personal battery pack! You'll workout with me several times every day! Even though there will be 350 participants, you can select to be on any team you want. Being on the team helps you to get to know a small group and really feel connected. Here's a run down of our team captains, which were selected based on your votes! http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=ila5ywp9y82d3kx422147

Your team rallies around their 'team color" and your team leaders will make sure you feel a welcome part of the family. Even if you come to camp all by yourself without know a soul, you'll feel welcome and supported! You can pick whatever team you want to be on! Then let the fun begin! We'll work-out, do an evening dance parties, shopping, motivational lectures, hip hop for the non funky, healthy food, and loads of shopping..

So what can you expect? You can expect a nice mix of workouts blended with motivational workshops and lectures. It might look like alot of exercise, but there's just enough spacing for you to regain your energy, even if your not in great shape. Honestly camp attendance is about 85% female, with many gals bringing along husbands (who don't seem too terribly disappointed to be in the minority). Heck, what better gift to give your husband than to surround him with hundreds of beautiful women who love to dance! Of course we have a decent and ever growing population of Turbo Men each year who also seem to love being in the minority! As a matter of fact, we have three male Team Captains this year who can shake it with the best of them!

During the day you'll be wearing workout clothes from sun up til sun down. The evenings are speical events like our meet and greet photo session on Thursday, Friday's fabulous LA style fashion show, and Saturday nights dance party! Basically you'll be having fun and burning calories from sun up to sun down! Check out the slide show from last year's camp at the bottom of the page...

http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=CampTurboKick

We limit attendance every year so that it's more of a personal experience. We are already approaching capacity. I had not planned to mention camp on my blog until June, but with so few spaces left and teams filling up fast I didn't want you to miss out on the fun or the early bird discount!

Come on! I promise you wont regret it!

See you at camp!

Koom-buy- yah!

Chalene