What is a Challenge Group: Everything You Need to Know

by Heather

Challenge Group Formula is: Fitness + Nutrition + Support = Results

You have all heard the phrase, there is strength in numbers. And that is true. You never want to face the school yard bully alone, a new mom always takes someone with her for her child’s first set of vaccinations, you always take the girls wedding dress shopping and we ladies go to the washroom in packs. Yes, there is strength in numbers in almost everything we do so why not find that strength in your health & fitness journey with friends. And this is where a Challenge Group comes in. I know, you are wondering what is a challenge group, well I am here to give you the inside track.

What is a Challenge Group

If you have followed me for a while you know I invite constantly to challenge\ accountability \support groups. But what is that?

A challenge group is an online fitness group, run by a coach (me) to support others through a specific program or help them reach a goal. And they are gaining popularity because they work!

It’s the secret no one wants to tell you about! Life is busy, kids, animals, jobs, spouses, sleep – where do you fit it all in? When do you have time for YOU? In walks a challenge group! A group of like minded individuals where they come together to feel supported by others who have real struggles, busy schedules and just want to feel more comfortable in their own skin. Everyone is welcome.

And the cherry on top of the sundae of awesomeness is they are virtual – that means you can live anywhere in Canada, USA or the UK and check in on YOUR TIME during the day. Easy as pie. ( yes I like food ).

That’s because camaraderie, goal setting, and daily support all play a huge role in helping you stay accountable and ultimately reach your goals… whether your goal is eating better, working out more, losing weight, or a mix of all three.

That’s why I always invite you to my Challenge Groups — I want to help.

The #1 secret to success with any fitness and nutrition program is staying accountable to your health and fitness goals — and that’s exactly what Challenge Groups help you do. Challenge Groups are led by Coaches, like me and are comprised of people just like you who have all committed to getting healthy and fit.

We address, talk and share about Nutrition, Whether you’re a meal-prep pro or you’ve never cooked a thing in your life, I am here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the nutrition part of the challenge. And if you hate kale, I won’t make you eat it, I promise.

Of course fitness is a big part!!

Challenge Groups often focus on one Beachbody fitness program at a time. All Beachbody fitness programs include a workout calendar developed by certified fitness professionals. The goal of the program is to help you get the best results while also building in recovery time.

One of my roles as your coach is to guide you through the workout calendar, show you how to stream your workouts instantly on Beachbody On Demand, and check in on your progress throughout your journey.

ALL ABOUT THE SUPPORT

Support is key to staying accountable. That’s why us coaches, and often your fellow challengers, play a major role in helping you reach your health and fitness goals.

Throughout the duration of the challenge, I will check in on you daily, start conversations, and share tips to help you make it to the end all through our private app where the group is hosted.

Why Challenge Groups Work

Studies have found that weight-loss programs that involve a third party that holds you accountable, as opposed to you going it alone, may significantly improve your chances of reaching your goals.

Research by the International Journal of Consumer Studies also found that social-networking groups provide four main types of support: emotional, instrumental, informational, and affirmation.

Emotional
Trust and empathy are often huge factors in a person’s weight-loss journey. My goal is to help create a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to ask questions and provide emotional support along the way.

As a result, Challenge Groups are great for both beginners as well as those who never miss a chance to work out.

Coaches provide their challengers with assignments, worksheets, and tools to lead them to success. Challengers are encouraged to actively engage with the group on a daily basis by uploading post-workout selfies, meal-prep photos, and more. We have had theme weeks, we have wear it again Wednesday’s, one month we focused on planks, intermittent fasting, meal plans & more.

Informational
With over 70 workout programs there’s sure to be at least one that will fit your fitness needs and preferences. My job is to give you the information you need to not only understand the program you’re following but also to help you select the program that’s right for you to reach your specific goals.

Affirmation
Sticking to a challenge takes dedication, and participating in a Challenge Group gives you the affirmation you need to keep going. Missed a workout? Didn’t stick to the meal plan for a few days?

Your Challenge Group and your ME, can & will help give you the motivation you need to pick up where you left off. Once you’ve completed the Challenge Group, your Coach can help you choose your next program so you can maintain your results.

In a world with countless distractions, a Challenge Group is a place where you can focus 100 percent on your goals and feel supported as you strive to reach them.

How to Join a Challenge Group

There are a couple ways to join a group I am hosting:

Fill out the application on this page
Message me on social media or email heathersrunningdiary@gmail.com
Leave a comment below

You will need an active subscription to Beachbody on Demand. If you already have a subscription but aren’t on my team, message me & I will help you contact your coach or we can transfer your account to my team free of charge. Need Beachbody On Demand? No problem! Get in touch with me now and you will have access within minutes! But do contact me as we can save you some money with sales, promos and bundled discounts.

Snippets of this post were taken directly from Beach Body’s blog on this very same topic.

Virtual Fit Gym

Coming July 2019: Morning Meltdown 100

by Heather

teamhutt with heather palmer in morinville

Right now click that button below and set up your free account (YES IT”S FREE) And I will plug you into my private group that has all the details you could ever want on this new program! Already have an account with me? Then message me NOW to grab one of 10 spots for our challenge group that starts next month!

Coming July 2019: Morning Meltdown 100

When I started working out from home, it was soooo hard, those darn DVD’s got boring fast! Same trainer, same workout, same music, same jokes. Same everything and that meant BLAH. And blah means no results. 🙁

So I got a little excited when I heard about a streaming service that has over 70 workouts and adding new ones all the time! Morning Meltdown 100 will be the 2nd new program THIS YEAR!! That’s how much BeachBody wants you to enjoy what you are doing and to get your results fast!

Coming July 2019: Morning Meltdown 100

This new program is created by Jericho McMatthews.

Morning Meltdown 100 creator and Beachbody Super Trainer Jericho McMatthews holds multiple personal training certifications, including National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and has over a decade of experience in the fitness industry.

She’s also the co-creator of CORE DE FORCE®, the Beachbody fitness program built around her love of martial arts. Prior to collaborating with Beachbody, Jericho spent 8 years traveling the globe training LES MILLS™ instructors at some of the world’s biggest fitness events.

A little spit fire with a heart the size of the ocean and wants you to succeed. This is why any person at any fitness level can do this! She even has 2 different people, with 2 different body sizes on her cast doing different options or modifications of every move!

What is MM100?

In a nut shell Morning Meltdown 100 is a 20-30 minute workout that can help you rev up your metabolism, burn fat all day, and build your best body ever — all working toward helping you live your BEST LIFE.

My free group goes into more details about this program so get in there now!

Now the premise is you commit to 100 workouts. In kindergarten kids celebrate 100 days of school. We celebrate when our children can count that high too! So let’s celebrate you reaching that milestone of 100 workouts!

Note I did not say 100 days, or 100 weeks. I said 100 workouts. You design when you will workout, what rest days you want and you fit this program into your life schedule. HELLO!!! SIGN ME UP NOW!!!

Every person has some where in their day a 20-30 minute window. Heck you are reading this post right now, you probably already scrolled your feed on Facebook AND Instagram and watched that new episode of Game of Thrones!! So YES you have some time!!

The drive is this program is to challenge you. Push you out of your comfort zones. Create new habits, healthy ones too! The design is to do this short workout in the morning before you get your day started. But if mornings don’t work for you then pick a time in your 24 hour window, a short window you can make this work and push play!! For me, I am taking the plunge, the challenge and going to roll my tired a$$ out of bed each morning before the kids, hubby & dogs get up and #crushit

Coming July 2019: Morning Meltdown 100

Not sure if this program is a good fit for you? Oh did I mention the easy to follow and implement nutrition plan that does not restrict your favorite foods? Oh yeah!!!

If you are thinking this, then yes you need to get into my private group where ALL the details, info and everything you need to know is. This group is FREE, and you can ask questions and find the answer to that question. Is this program right for you?

So here is the deal.

This program launches on July 29, 2019 but for the whole month of July there are so many opportunities to try it out, yes there is a sample workout and that link is in my private group. The journal, workout calendar, tracker and everything nutrition is available throughout the month. And I am only taking 10 people with me on this journey.

What that means is I am opening up a brand new, just for MM100 accountability group on an invitation only app where we will be inspired, motivate each other, share our challenges & successes, and get tid bids from Jericho herself as we commit to 100. This group is for people already on my team or you who hasn’t said yes yet but now you want to. So quick – shoot me a message, email me at heathersrunningdiary@gmail.com and let’s plug you in and secure your spot in this support group!

Got questions? ASK.
Want to know more? Get in my free sneak peak group.
Ready to commit? Let’s get started!!

Let’s get you connected and ready to commit! And with a buddy, me your new fitBFF by your side committing to 100 workouts will be the easiest thing you have ever done for yourself!

Let’s put your name on one of the 10 spots today!

Heather (me)

Virtual Fit Gym

Operation Dad Bod!

by Heather

Men Only 8 Week Boot Camp

This is the first time EVER that we have offered up a Men Only Workout! This is your chance to get in on it at the ground level and have that amazing summer, shirtless body in time for the heat in June!

Operation Dad Bod

It’s so important for us dad’s to make sure we are taking care of ourselves, our sons & daughters are looking up to us for a role model and when we put our health first, they will too!

Even if you aren’t a dad at this point in your life, this group is for you as well!

What are you going to get in this bootcamp:

8 weeks of at home workouts that start April 1, 2019
30-40 minute workouts 4 times a week that you stream on anything device that has internet
Workout Calendar is provided
Weight progress tracker is included
Customized nutrition plan for your body & lifestyle
Recipe & tracker app is included
Accountability App where men can be men
Total body workouts that include lifting, HIIT and some targeted core moves
Access to over 70 other workout programs
Free Swag at the end of 8 weeks
Access to the whole team’s virtual gym for on going support, encouragement & accountability

Did I mention this group is for men only!! Yes Heather will help at the beginning with prep week and working with us men to customize the nutrition plan but inside the boot camp is men only!

Reserve your Spot NOW!

This 8 week bootcamp starts April 1, 2019

Don’t wait till then to sign up. Sign up now, the tools you need could take up to a week to arrive depending on where you live. This bootcamp is open to any male 18 years and over and you must live in either Canada, the UK or the USA. And of course signing up early means more time for meal prep, grocery list making and a chance to sign up the Mrs. for the Ladies only bootcamp as well and you both can crush your goals this spring in time for summer shorts! Or you just sign up and work on you for you!

Price depends on your customized package and that is where Heather comes in, she will make sure you have the right tools to get started. (we are a team at the HUTT)

You need to email Heather at heathersrunningdiary@gmail.com as Anthony is at work most days & she can get you hooked up faster. Make the subject line OPERATION DAD BOD and make this summer the year your dad bod is tanned!

Virtual Fit Gym

Ladies ONLY Boot Camp April 2019

by Heather

Wine & Donuts for April 2019

Calling all ladies 18 years & over who live in either Canada, the Uk or the USA to a ladies only bootcamp!! You give me 21 days and I will help you start some new healthy habits that will make you look forward to those cute spring skirts and shorts that are coming!

Bootcamp Starts April 1, 2019

Here is what you will get with your health investment:

3 weeks of at home workouts that are 30+40 minutes each that stream from any device with the internet
Workout calendar is provided
Custom Nutrition plan just for you
Recipe & Tracker App is included as well
Accountability App included
Total body conditioning workouts
Free swag at the end of 21 days
A year’s membership into the HUTT ( virtual gym)
Access to over 70 different workout programs to help you continue on in your new habits
And me – walking beside you every step of the way

And at the end of 21 days we will meet via an online zoom call and reward our success with a donut and a glass of wine!! Oh and in case you are asking, yes the nutrition plan allows for wine and donuts throughout it too!!

I know you will ask – what happens at the end of 21 days? Let me tell you, You and I will talk and configure your next set of goals and find a workout program that will get you the results you need. You will already by a member of the virtual HUTT and the support, community & accountability you will be introduced to in your first 21 days will continue for the next 344 days.

The program you will be working though, I did this one as my very first virtual gym program and lost 4 inches off my waist! Yes in 21 days great things can happen if you are willing to show up, do the things and have a smile on your face!,

How to Sign Up!

I won’t list price here as I will work with you to customize your tools specifically for you but I can tell you its less then a dollar a day. So you need to email me right now. YES you need to take that first step and email me. heathersrunningdiary@gmail.com

Make the subject line April Bootcamp and let’s get you hooked up! Now please don’t wait till March 31. I want your tools in your hands before we start, shipping can take up to a week depending on where you live. And I want to work with you during the prep days prior so we can customize your meal plan, get your grocery list going and you can pack your pantry full of all the deliciousness you will be fueling your body with.

We start April 1, 2019 – you ready?! I am watching for your email right now: heathersrunningdiary@gmail.com

And if you are a man reading this, you need to hit up this post right now to read about our all new, men only 8 week bootcamp that will be hosted by my husband Anthony.

Virtual Fit Gym

Do at Home Workouts Really Work?

by Heather

Yes, in short at home workouts work! The 2 images above are less then a year apart. And I workout from home maybe 30 minutes a day. Let me break it down.

Do at Home Workouts Really Work?

When my knee blew out and running was on the no no list, I turned to a stash of old workout DVDS that I had. However doing the same workout day in and day out got boring fast. So a friend hooked me up with an online catalog of workouts, think netflix but all workouts! I was hesitant. I thought for sure I would get bored, yeah that was a year ago and I am not bored yet.

My first program I decided to do was only 21 days long. It promised
Simple Fitness. Simple Eating. Fast Results. In just 21 days . It came with a meal plan, recipes and options. It was amazing and as you can see above I lost 4 inches off my waist in 21 days. I was hooked!!

In the last year I have gone on to complete 4 different programs. One I have actually completed 3 times as it is just that amazing!!

The perks to working out from home:

one time low fee that gives me 365 days access $99 for the year ( 30 cents a day!)
no gym membership/registrations fees
no having to wipe down sweaty machines to use
top world trainers direct in my living space
modifiers provided for each program in case you need it
complete meal plans, prep & recipes included
I workout on my time, not when the gym is open, i can include my kids or wait for nap time or school time
no commuting or extra money spent ( workout clothes, smoothies, fuel & parking fees)
I can stream on any device that has wifi/internet
over 70 different programs offering 1000’s of hours of workouts

Do at Home Workouts Really Work?

So now you have a choice. If you are skeptical you need to sign up for free week! Once a month, every month I open up a group for free. You get 7 free workouts to try, meal plans and recipes and me every step of the way! So reserve your spot in my next free week now!!

OR you can sign up for your year right now and join my virtual gym and get results this month!!

I can’t wait for you to get the results you have been dreaming about, and all from the comfort or your home, on your time and for less then 30 cents a day!! Just shoot me an email at heathersrunningdiary@gmail.com or fill out the forms in the links above and we will get you started!

Virtual Fit Gym

What’s Happening February 2019

by Heather

There is always something for everyone at our studio here and I want to make it easy for you to find out what, when, where and how!!

Virtual Gym Membership is always open, join anytime, but there is no better time then today!!

LIIFT4, TRANSFORM20, 80 Day obsession, Keto, paleo

Free Week begins, February 4 and I would love for you to join us, all the info and FAQs are only a click away. Free week is just that 100% free, you get to try at home works and each month a different theme in regards to nutrition. Check it out and don’t miss this months Gluten Free Theme!!

Accountability Workouts

Starting something new this month too ACCOUNTABILITY WORKOUTS! what this means is you are in your house, I am in mine and we connect via the internet and hold each other accountable during our workouts. Details can be found here.

Core de Force LIVE Classes

And of course Saturday Nights in Morinville is Fight Club where awesome bad ass women come together to challenge themselves in a no impact, all cardio total body workout! Watch for new Wednesday night classes coming!!