First Stop: Philly, Then: Dallas, Lastly: TONY HORTON FITNESS CAMP in Colorado

Its been a crazy busy month! I have had a blast, hitting a few different pit stops around this country, talking to people who's lives have been changed by Team Beachbody and who are interested in helping others find that change for their lives as well. :)

Extra bonus: all three stops highlighted or were centered around Tony Horton, and its always fun when he shows up!

Our first stop: (no photos dang it) Philly for QVC to promote P90X. We were on air for an hour, and sold nearly 4,000 programs! :) We had a great host; Dan something or other ;) and though I cant remember his last name, he was lots of fun! The day we were LIVE was his 10th day of the X, so next month when we go back (they're having us on about once a month) there should be some fun change. I'll be sure to post when we go back next so you can tune in and get some motivation. Tony is great LIVE, and makes the viewer WANT to work out!

Next stop: Dallas; for the Team Beachbody Opportunity Meeting. :) Got to spend some time with old friends, and meet new! LOTS of newbies! :) I love to see and meet new Team Beachbody coaches and faithfuls! You can tell a recent grad of a Beachbody program - they're the ones with the giddy smiles that never fade, and who cant stop talking about how much they love to workout now, and how their pants are smaller, and how people dont recognize them now! :)

Final Stop: Parker, Colorado for our final Tony Horton Fitness Camp of the year. We had 45 campers. It was intimate and fun, with lots of information, mixed with hilarity passed on from Tony. :) I have a really great job, if you can even call it that. :) Tony and I have a blast at every camp; and with our new administrative partner, JuliAnne Forrest - they run smoothy-smooth! (Hortonism) Tony and I keep waiting for the day when we get to host our own health and fitness show; where he is witty and charming and informative, and I laugh at all his jokes. :) Would YOU tune in to that!?? :o)~ lol We may just end up being our only viewers. ;o) However it turns out; we are a really good fit for a team, which makes it all the more FUN. I jokingly call him my "work husband", cuz we sort of feel parental about our camp attendees. :)

My REAL husband is a *STAR*; he encourages me to go and participate in these things while he stays home with our 6 kids! Not only that, but of the two nights I was gone, my kids were treated to the following: Friday night date night with Dad: he took our three daughters out to sushi for a gab session. But lets be honest: we can be certain that he did VERY LITTLE of the gabbing, as our girls CAN TALK! :) (Hmmm.....I wonder where they get that from? ;)) Then Saturday night was Guys Night Out with Dad: he took our three sons to Speedway for motorcycle races and stunts. :) He said the little boys eyes were as wide as saucers when the trick bikes came out. :) What a guy, right? Its funny how that seems just as romantic to me as bringing me flowers or taking ME out. :) We make a good team, me and my REAL husband. :)

So here are a few photos for you. If you have ANY desire to come to a Tony camp; the website is http://www.thfitnesscamp.com/ Up to date info will be posted as we ink our '09 camps so you can pick the one you want to attend and then PLAN ON IT. :) We'd love to meet you!!! :)

Keep Bringin It! And ***don't forget*** to email me your questions for answering in my coaching tips! Include your address so I can send you a present for "playing"! We're trying to make getting and staying fit and healthy FUN!! :)

In this with you!

TRACI :)

Glancing Back - Looking Forward....

Life is busy and time is short, I will be the first to acknowledge that.

But as I look at some of our recent family photos from the summer, I am reminded of just how short time really is. The small snippet of time that is my childrens childhood is the same period of time where I grew from a young, inexperienced mom, to an older, seasoned mom of budding adults. For my older kids, I am in that final phase of helping them "become" who God made them to be, and letting them "fail forward" a little within the safety of family and parents, where we can tweak and adjust things that we taught that they may not have fully learned.

Being a parent is not a sissy job; it takes effort, PRAYER, thought, PRAYER, guidance from mentor parents, PRAYER, reading books, and developing each child as the individual, incredible creations they are. Did I mention prayer? ;o) I have good kids, but they are not cookie cutter kids. They all react differently, think differently, view situations differently, have different senses of humor, and their hearts are touched by very different things. One needs me to reprimand them firmly and LOUDLY, and one needs me to speak softly and calmly so as not to send "her" into an emotional meltdown. One needs the schedule for the next week of what we'll be having for dinner, and one forgets to actually eat because she's playing...until its bed time of course. One needs to know what we're doing 6 months from now, and one never seems to know whats happening in that very minute. Different. Every one of them. All created in God's image, all showing off different aspects of God's heart.

They do however, all have one thing in common. They're all being raised in the same house by the same parents; they're Morrows. All these kids, with all these different personality types need to be raised so as to learn to flourish in their uniqueness. I find that a fascinating role with great responsibility; as a woman, a mom, a follower of Jesus. I want my kids to enter adulthood with the wind at their back and sprinting towards their future. That takes EFFORT on my part and on their dad's part.

We do "check ins" with one another in the evenings when the little ones have gone to bed. We go for evening walks where we not only touch base as a team/couple, but we strategize, share what we see in the kids that we need to work on a little, share what (or whom!) we're struggling with, and then pray for our kids and for one another. When we walk back through that door, we are a united team going back into "the game" with our plan for that day, week, and sometimes just to get us through the next hour. LOL Hey - with teenagers, sometimes its an hour to hour basis. :)

I'm not saying we have it all down, and that we do it perfectly. NOT BY A LONG SHOT. There are some days when I dont feel I've done it well at all, but I never give up trying. There are days I feel like I had no patience, and kick myself that I didnt stop what I was doing to hear my quiet child tell me a funny part from Hannah Montana (the focused part of me has a HARD TIME stopping to listen to a recap of a tv show rerun - just keepin it real :) ), and days when I miss an appt. or phone conference, but God's mercies are new every morning. I ask forgiveness, receive it, and start my next day off with the intention of operating out of God's infinite grace and mercy. I love daily "second chances". :) Its what I always tell my kids: I dont have to be THE best, I just strive to be MY best.

I guess this isnt really a coaching post, but today I'm a bit introspective. My encouragement to you is that we're all human, doing our best to serve others from a place of abundance and not an empty tank. And sometimes it helps to hear that we're not the only one fighting the good fight! Not by a long shot!

I'm praying today for those who read this to be encouraged and find hope that you're not the only one who struggles with time, patience, and to keep up with the changes in our growing kids. We're in this together - and TOGETHER....we're BETTER!

Have a blessed rest of your week! From one busy parent to another!

TRACI +7

Sunglasses; they do more than make your kids LOOK COOL

I dont know about you, but when my kids were big enough to start asking for sunglasses, I bought them for them because I thought it was so cute to see a little kid looking so adorable and hip at the same time. :) But with four of my six kids being blue eyed, I had no idea that my decision was the best thing I could do for them!

I was on Dr. Greene's website http://www.drgreene.com/43.html reading up on sunglasses and their important role in the protection of the eye from a young age, when irreversable damage is done to the eye; specifically lighter pigmented eyes. Dr. Greene states that unlike other cells of the body, "the cells of the lens of the eye are never replaced once damaged; the proteins of the lens are never replenished. The lens cannot repair itself; and damage accumulates over a lifetime." And that its in our youth is when our eyes are damaged the most BEFORE we think to put sunglasses on our kids for a purpose other than looking cute or cool.

Here's what he has to say on the subject, :

Excessive exposure to sunlight during early childhood is harmful to the eyes. Sunlight contains harmful UV radiation. The risk for retinal damage from the sun's rays is greatest in children less than 10 years old, although the consequences usually do not become apparent until well after they are adults.

Teaching your children to wear sunglasses may be more important than giving them a college fund.

All children should be taught to wear sunglasses, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, when ultraviolet exposure is the most dangerous. This is true even for children with darker eye colors, even though their darker pigments afford partial protection. Of course, children with light-colored eyes need sunglasses all the more. Ultraviolet exposure is at its peak when children are at high altitudes, snow-covered landscapes, bright sandy beaches, or near reflective bodies of water.

Most people wear sunglasses to reduce glare. This is trivial compared to the long-term protection they afford for the precious ability to see. Parents can set a good example for their children by wearing sunglasses at the appropriate times.

All sunglasses are not the same. Effective sunglasses should block both UVA and UVB radiation. Large lenses that fit close to the eyes are best. Those that block visible blue light are even safer. Thankfully, all sunglasses block UVB radiation. A great many sunglasses, however, do not afford UVA protection. Expensive brand names and polarizing lenses are no guarantee. The sunglasses must be measured to block 99% to 100% of UVA or UV400 (400 nm is the wavelength of UVA radiation).

Ordinary sunglasses make the situation WORSE! The dark lenses cause the pupils to dilate, allowing more of the dangerous UVA radiation to damage the lens and the retina.

This is a BIG WAKE UP CALL, fellow parents!! And the solution is quite simple. We all know that a toddler can demolish sunglasses in two seconds flat, so thats why its a blessing that childrens sunglasses are so inexpensive at places like Target or Wal Mart. You can get a pair for about $5 just about anywhere, and if you teach them to wear them from a young age, and model wearing them yourself, they are quick studies and as they will be a regular part of going outside, they'll leave them on after a few times. (I've got six kids, so I'm speaking from firsthand experience!) They may not like it at first, but they'll get the hang of it. :)

The long term dangers of life without sunglasses? Macular Degeneration and Cataracts are two common eye problems that have been linked directly to sun damage to the eye from childhood sun exposure. They damage the vision and without surgery to correct the problem, the vision is damaged. (see photo for an example of the vision of someone with macular degeneration)

So get some glasses on your kids (and of course, yourselves!!) :) You'll all look cool, and you can be proud for helping take care of the health of your kids' eyes!

Then email me some snapshots of you and your kids in sunglasses! :) I'd love to see them, and maybe put some on my blog. :) ABSoluteFitness@roadrunner.com

And send me any questions you have to the above email address for the chance of having your question answered on camera and a little something from me in the mail! Be sure you include your mailing address!

Blessings and Health!

TRACI +7

Tony Horton Hits the Numbers in VEGAS, BAYBEE!

I've been hosting Tony Horton's Camps for about four years now. :)

When I first met Tony, it was 2003. We hit it off as if we were born to be friends. :) He's one of my favoritest people that walks this earth, and when he asked me to host his camps I was so excited at the opportunity! To be a part of what he brings to people is incredible enough, but to do something so powerful with one of your best friends - now THAT'S an awesome gig! :) And so, the TNT Fit Camps were born (Tony N Traci).

What started as a great idea by message board regular at the time and original Power90 Success Story Tony Mestaz; the first camp was before my time, and it was launched in Santa Monica, CA. Mestaz' brilliant idea was to bring people from the message boards together to meet the man who'd changed their lives, and to spend some time with him at Santa Monica's Original Muscle Beach. I think the number was under 20 participants, but something far beyond his imagination was born.

This last weekend, July 19-20, we hit a high of nearly 90 campers in Las Vegas! People sign up to BRING IT LIVE! with Tony during 4 sweat inducing workouts, and four very informative and entertaining (would you expect anything less from Tony? :)) seminars, where he shares all that he knows packed into two days; which actually feels like four! This camp had what we've been wanting and needing for a long time: a Nutrition Seminar headed up by Tony's personal chef and Nutritionist Melissa Costello. She added what we knew instinctively we needed, but with the perfect timing, she crossed our paths and our newest player was added to the lineup! :) (Lucky us - we LOVE Missy, and not just for her cooking - she's a SWEET, Beautiful woman! :))

JuliAnne Forrest has also been added to the team, though campers wont fully understand or appreciate how critical her behind the scenes role is, as we do. Well, other than their camp experience being as smooth as butte......er.....coconut oil. :) As our behind the scenes organizer and administrative genius Jules makes sure that i's are dotted and t's are crossed! With the number of attendees growing at camp, and my family numbers having grown at home ;), we were in desperate need of someone to book us, organize the crew and money matters, so that we could concentrate on camp and on what people were coming for: Tony Time! :)

So here are a few snapshots of our weekend. It doesnt matter what level of fitness you're at, if you have a desire to come...COME! Tony is the master of encouragement and alternate moves, so whether you have 100+ pounds to lose, or have completed the X+ multiple times - this camp is for you! Please visit the official site for future listings of a THFC: http://www.thfitnesscamp.com/!

We cant wait to meet YOU at a camp!

Blessings!

TRACI :)

Team GENESIS Summit :)

We had such a great time at our Vegas Team Building Summit! :) We had coaches come from Hawaii all the way to New York to share, learn, CRACK UP, and just BE a team! A special thanks to Kevin and Milan Jensen, Doug and Tammie Fitzgerald, Dave and Anne Dovel, Kory Edwards, & Randy Watson for your presentations about team building with integrity and through relationship! I took lots of notes, and hope to share the crib notes with the people I am entrusted to coach!

In Summary:

Milan led us in a fun team buidling game, and then as she spoke, I learned that in conversations I/we should:

1. Set my intention for the conversation
2. Think: "How do I want my words to make this person feel?"
3. Think: "What do I want them to take away from this conversation?"

When we are intentional in our conversations with people (our spouse, kids, friends, coaches, customers) we will both leave those conversations blessed and having accomplished something, and not left wondering what the heck just happened?! (anyone been there?)


Then I learned from the Fitzgerald/Dovel team that its important to Develop a Plan as I build my team of coaches, and then Keep it Simple! :) It boils down to these three points:


1. Here's what we're doing.
2. Here's where we're going.
3. Come along!


I learned that inside every person is a "Dreamer", a "Doubter", and a "Realist".

1. Our Dreamer holds our deepest desires; that place where we dream big;
2. Our Doubter holds us back sometimes and tells us (sometimes in our own voice, sometimes in the voices of those who have actually spoken them to us) WHY we CANT do it, and
3. Our Realist is the part of us that helps us find the balance between what we WANT to do, and what NEEDS to be done, and helps us figure out a plan of strategy to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

They all work together to help us find balance, but I felt encouraged to really listen to my "Dreamer". :) For me personally, its that part of me that really connects with what I feel God has for me, in spite of what fear might tell me cant be done! Oh, that blasted FEAR!! What a loudmouthed liar it is!!!


Kory Edwards shared from the heart all about the impact we can have on people's lives for decades to come. He spoke of his own experience in another fitness based company that he and his wife were a part of; how years later, after people had gained back the weight they'd lost with them years before - that they felt comfortable to come back because they knew he and his wife were there to help! THATS COACHING! :) Total acceptance and love - thats what I'm talkin about!!


He also shared how his worst nightmare came true when his wife was diagnosed with cancer and passed away a short time later, and how that caused him to dig deep into what he really believed about life and the afterlife, as well as really putting his core message to trial by fire: that living a healthy, fit lifestyle is worth it for optimal living...TODAY. We really dont have any idea how much time we have on this earth - lets make the most of what we've been given and help others do the same! What a gentle giant. :) Love that guy! Doug Couch came up later and said "Thanks to Kory, I just fell in love with a man for the first time in my life." :) Couch...that guy makes me smile just thinking of his humor and delivery. :) But I think we all fell in love with Kory that day as he spoke from his heart in front of his team: a group of strangers at 9am, but by 5pm: FAMILY.

Lastly, Randy talked about talking to professionals about the Team Beachbody opportunity! He encouraged us to:



1. Be Prepared. Professionals will not waste time. (actually, no one wants their time wasted!)
2. Be organized.
3. Be brief
4. Be confident
5. Look professional
6. Listen - DONT SELL (EW!!!) - dont worry that they wont be interested!


What we have with Team Beachbody is something that every person needs whether they know it or not. Our goal is to share it with them - the opportunity to have optimal health, and to help others have that too - in such a way that we are genuine in extending hope to people! :)

If you missed this: our third Team Genesis Summit, you now have the summary. :) But there's nothing like "huddling up" with friends who are likeminded - even friends you've never met - to encourage one another to be the best possible versions of ourselves! :)

Sooo HAPPY to be in this with you -

TOGETHER....we're BETTER!! :)

TRACI +7

Tony Horton Fitness Camp in VEGAS

I'm heading to Vegas for the weekend! :)

Our team is having a team building day on Friday, and then Tony's camp kicks off on Saturday Morning. :)

I've been helping Tony with his camps for four years now, and we always have such a fun time. People come from all over, at all different fitness levels to work out, learn from him in his seminars, and connect with people they've met through the amazing Beachbody community of people. People just like you and me who want to be healthy and fit for life, and do so with friends! :)

I'll be posting lots of photos (similar to the silly one above of us sneaking some chocolate mousse pie at an LA Camp). I hope they will inspire you to consider saving your pennies for one of our camps! You'll never be sorry you did!

For more info on attending a Tony Horton Fitness Camp, please go to http://www.thfitnesscamp.com/

Check back for fun updates from both the coaching training (something we offer our team twice a year) and Tony's Camp!

TRACI :)

Testing your EQ: how strong is your running emotional intelligence?

The following article/personal test is an exerpt from Runners World Magazine, and though its designed specifically for runners, it goes for anyone who is working out on a regular schedule and experiences physical pain that wouldn't be considered within the "normal" range.

Take this test, plug it into your personal fitness, and see how you measure up. If your score is mostly a's and b's, you need to work on taking your emotion out of your decision and make your decisions based on long term fitness/health goals!

Since I was a young girl I have always loved survey's and T/F questionaire's. I hope you do too. Enjoy! :)

1. During your cooldown at the local track, an older guy flies past you. You:

a. Speed up, pushing yourself until you pass him.

b. Stick with your cooldown, but think, I hope no one saw that geezer lapping me.

c. Think, Wow, he's in great shape for his age, and return your focus to your workout.

2. Worried you won't sleep the night before your first marathon, you:

a. Take a sleeping pill that night.

b. Don't do anything. Being keyed up may help you perform better.

c. Visualize the hours leading up to the start, picturing yourself calm, relaxed, and in control.

3. A few weeks before a race, your doctor says you have plantar fasciitis and tells you to stop running for a month. You:

a. Continue running through the pain.

b. Hammer out workouts on the eliptical machine so you can keep in shape for race day.

c. Pick a different race goal and cross-train until you're ready to resume running and racing.

RESULTS:

If you answered mostly As, your EQ is low. You give in to your emotions and react to them, looking for a quick fix, rather than managing them for long-term health and happiness.

If you answered mostly Bs, your EQ is average. You're aware of your feelings but could improve on how you manage them.

If you answered mostly Cs, your EQ is high. You have emotioal awareness and you practice the right methods for managing your feelings.

Let's all aim for mental, physical, and emotional awareness, with our goals for long term optimal health and fitness! :)

Blessings!
TRACI :)

Summer's Here - are you ready?! :)

And I dont just mean bathing suit ready! Nope - the kids are coming home for a few months full time, and that means a messy living room - messy kitchen - friends coming and going - wet towels laying wherever they were dropped! Its enough to make a mom go mad! ;o)

My solution to keeping sane this summer? Make sure you carve out some quiet time for yourself each day, and EXERCISE too! :) I like to wake up each day and spend some time in my bible, and listening for God's voice. :) Starting out my day with some time with him always means a good day - whether crazy things happen or not. Also - when stress happens, (and it does when you have 6 kids with active social lives) exercising just keeps me.....grounded. Level headed. Cheerful even! :)


I love my kids, and I wouldnt trade em for the world, but gosh sometimes they drive me bananas. Sometimes I'm a yelling, not so patient mom. Sometimes I've been known to say "Get out of this house and DO SOMETHING ACTIVE - I need a time out from you, and that means you all go outside and leave me in peace!" :D When they come back, we're all the better for that "mom time out".


The first two weeks after school lets out for the summer is what I call "School Detox". They are rude to each other, snap at one another, lazy, and dont know how to co exist. Its happened every summer for as long as I can remember. Then.....ahhhh. They get into the groove of the new schedule and routine and how to be around one another (and me!) again all day and its a peaceful home (mostly) again. It doesnt make it any easier to deal with them in the two weeks, but I know its coming, so I brace myself and take lots of little breaks in the garage where NO ONE else is. :) QUIET. Ahh....

I say all this now because next Thursday is their last day of school. :) That also happens to be "Moving Day" for the Morrows. GULP. Lots going on for one day, but thats the way life seems to happen. Nothing....nothing....nothing....and then suddenly 3 things happening all at once!

Lets take this summer, all you moms out there, and really focus on spending one on one time with EACH of our kids (no matter how many you have) and connect with them. Lets look beyond their annoying stages and see them for who they *really* are. That adult in there that will be our friend one day, when puberty has come and gone. :) Plan fun activities and try not to lecture them AT ALL while we're doing them! (thats a special note to MYSELF :) ) And lets work to keep our own stress at bay by pressing play a minimum of 5 times a week!

Summer is coming! :) Lets make it a summer to remember!!Much love!


TRACI +7 :)

What happens in Vegas.....hopefully happens EVERYWHERE!!

Well, at least as it pertains to Team Beachbody! ;)

Milan Jensen; my dear friend and coaching partner :)


I traveled to Las Vegas a couple weekends ago to hang out with the Vegas Team Beachbody Coaches; a team of people who are growing a team of excited, enthusiastic coaches who are raising their hands to say "Yes! I'll be a part of
the solution to end obesity!" It was inspiring on so many levels, but my favorite part, as always, is connecting to people who are in this with me!


Doug Couch and I: this guy is so much fun and the coach of Kim Barnett!


Tony Horton got the crowd pumped as only he can do. :)


Our team is spread out all over this country, but there's nothing like it when we huddle up! :)

Kim Barnett: SWEET woman who just happened to have won $250,000 dollars with the Million Dollar Body Game!! :)

Here are a few photos from the event, where Pete Pena was awarded the company's first 10 Star Diamond Coach; which means he has achieved the rank of Diamond Coach, and 10 of his Personally Sponsored Coaches have achieved Diamond status as well. :) Pete is a great, and humble guy, and I couldn't be happier for him and his wife Sue!!

This company is changing lives and I would love to answer any questions you may have as you contemplate if its for you or not.

It all starts with YOUR STORY. :) BE a success story yourself and that starts today with food choices and workout choices. :) All you have is today....what will you do with it?

The Vegas team is just a group of individuals who excitedly joined this health and fitness revolution and lives are being CHANGED!! :) I'd love to see that happening country and then world wide!

JOIN WITH US!! :) Come get healthy and fit - and help others do the same!

Love!
TRACI :)
ABSoluteFitness@roadrunner.com

More Pics from the Beachbody Gala :)

Kimberly Barnett -
one of the

$250,000 winners! :) She's a TeamGENESIS Coach! :) WOOHOOO! I spoke with her on the phone just after she'd been to the bank - she said it was the WEIRDEST feeling to cash a check for $250,000!!! All those zeros!! :)





Gwyn aka Gmearth from the boards.
:) Love her!




Jason doing his thing for a fun "surprise" to the guests. I'll bet it was WAY cool for the band to get to play back up to the lead singer of Chicago. :) He was of course....a HAM. :) (what's funny is that he held this ridiculous pose for SO long while my lame camera booted up :) good sport that he is!)


Judy Z. and me. :) Judy is such a blessing to me!










Tony, Mason, and me. :) The QVC crew. ;o)











The winners up on stage at the Gala. :)


Lastly....



does this pose look comfortable to you?

Its not.

:)