Reliv Blog

The Truth About Holiday Weight Gain

By Director of Product Development & Fit3 Trainer Tina Van Horn

In the chaos of travel, family, food, and shopping, it’s hard to feel like yourself! After Thanksgiving and Christmas, I could feel the extra water weight from the heavy meals and treats. However, by making smart choices after those days, that water weight became a distant, sugar-laden memory. I did not really gain 5 pounds during the holidays and neither did you!

Most of us have been led to believe that holiday weight gain is inevitable. This is a myth! We are so sold on this notion that we significantly overestimate the amount of weight we can actually gain. By the time January rolls around most of us think we have put on 7-10 pounds when in reality the average holiday indulgences add up to around only 1 pound. That’s pretty good news, but the flipside is that most of us don’t lose that pound after the holiday season, and it contributes to the “weight creep” that occurs over months and years.

Fit3 is your post-holiday recovery plan! Dig out your weekly tracking sheet and pick a couple of things you CAN do today! You CAN take your Reliv shake and drink lots of water. It’s also the time for resolutions, so start now by hitting the gym! You don’t have to do anything crazy or dramatic. Just do something today to get yourself back on track to making better choices.

My other strategy is to get rid of the leftovers! Yes, throwing them away will be a little painful, but not every day is a holiday. We will go back to our busy lives and stay on track!

Remember this through the end of this year and as you enter 2019. Make a choice today that you will feel good about tomorrow!

Business, Business Builder Tips

Why You Need To Follow Up

Woman with smoothie using a digital tablet at her desk

By President of Sales & Marketing Tom Pinnock

Successful Distributors do the things that others don’t necessarily like doing. One of the basics is following up with customers. Learn to be tenacious in your follow up and you will build a healthy retail base that will provide a constant source of leads. If you’re inattentive in this area, you’ll find it difficult to build a loyal customer base.

One of the major differences between buying a product off the shelf in a retail store and buying a product from a Reliv Distributor is that we come with the goods. It’s as if we jump right out of the can and say to the customer, “I’m going to teach you about my products, and I’m going to make sure you like the results. If you don’t, I’m going to give you your money back.”

Master networkers make a commitment to their customers and provide them with superior service. They spoil them to the point where they would rather have a tooth drilled than buy from anyone else. They send them cards and personalized notes thanking them for their business. Notes and letters mean a lot to people.

In addition to thank you notes, you want to follow up with phone calls within 24 hours of connecting with someone. It’s also a good idea to touch base with new customers after they’ve been taking the products for a while. Not chat sessions, but rather polite little conversations to make sure that your customer is using the products properly and getting favorable results. If there’s a problem, you are there to work them through it.

Follow up will become easier if you don’t think of a customer as a one-time sale worth $10, but rather a lifetime of sales worth hundreds of dollars. Thinking of customers that way will help you to place more value on relationship building and to better appreciate the value of follow up. Besides, I’ve always found it easier to keep old customers happy than to gain new ones. Not only that, but if you do a good job with your customer base, each will become an excellent source for providing new customers and Distributors.

Remember, that getting up close and personal is where we can shine. People still want service and need to know that their business is deeply appreciated. Following up is simply a way of saying thank you for buying our product, and when you need our product again, we’ll be there to sell it and provide you with whatever service is required. Master the art of follow up, and watch it take you all the way to Hawaii!

Business, Kalogris Foundation

5 Reasons Giving To Charity Makes YOU Rich

By Copywriter Dena Molen and President of Operations and International &
Reliv Kalogris Foundation Chairman Scott Montgomery

As we embark upon the holiday season, my hope is that you take a moment to think about how good it feels to give. I wanted to take a different angle on donating to the Reliv Kalogris Foundation this time of year, and with the help of our copywriter, Dena Molen, I think we created the perfect gift-giving list. Happy holidays to you and your family, and thank you for all you do to help Reliv continue our mission to Nourish Our World. –Scott Montgomery

The gesture of giving is intrinsically a selfless act, yet studies show that helping others in need not only benefits the recipient, but it also delivers numerous health benefits — both mental and physical — to the giver.

Have you ever thought about the psychology and physiology behind this sensation? What is it about acts of kindness such as donating that make us rich in spirit?

Triggers the “pleasure” part of the brain

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, the brain’s reward center releases endorphins when we give to charities. That’s right: you could easily experience what’s known as a “helpers high” when you click that “DONATE NOW” button. And yes, it can be addictive!

Fosters a positive outlook

Feeling a little cynical these days? Try the simple act of donation when you’re feeling negative about yourself or your situation. When you donate to the needy, you’re engaging with like-minded people who care about the same issues as you. The feeling of making a difference and having an impact on society will undoubtedly bring a sense of purpose into your life — which in turn, should turn your frown upside down!

Promotes a longer, healthier life span

Other organs besides the brain seem to enjoy the act of giving. Research shows that philanthropic behaviors not only help lower stress levels in adults, but may also lead to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, increased energy, and lower heart rate. Who would have thought that “healthy glow” is interchangeable with “giver’s glow”?

Improves self-worth

It’s human nature to want to connect with others. And when you do this by educating yourself on worldly issues and follow up with charitable deeds, it simply feels good. Cultivating this sort of purposeful activity in your life generates personal growth, leading to greater self-esteem and worth.

Creates a sense of community

It may be easy to think of helping the hungry and impoverished as a “big world issue,” but you’d be surprised to know that extending a helping hand, no matter the geographical distance, will actually adjust your awareness lens. In other words, you may find yourself lighting a small “charitable fire” and motivating those around you. But watch out! This passion and generosity spreads like wildfire…and it’s the stuff great communities, no matter the size, are made of!

Bottom line: The gift of giving is really a gift to yourself. Charity brings richness to your life!

This holiday season, it’s easy to give back with the Reliv Kalogris Foundation. Consider how rich you’ll feel when you contribute and help nourish a child today!

References

Fitness, Nutrition

Workout Moves To Get You Through The Holidays!

BLOG holiday workout

By Product Marketing Specialist & Fit3 Head Coach Tina Van Horn

The holiday season is busy for everyone, but that’s no excuse to completely abandon your workout plan. Travel and family gatherings may disrupt your usual routine, but if you are willing to be creative, you can sneak in some exercise right in the middle of the holiday festivities.

Check out my favorite moves for maintaining your fitness through the holidays:

Walk! Walk! Walk! – Go for a walking tour of the Christmas lights. Participate in a Turkey Trot or Jingle Bell Walk/Run. Get some extra steps in while shopping by parking farther away from the store. Invite the family to join you for a stroll after your big holiday meal. Get the kids outside to burn some energy. Tromping through the snow is a great workout. Strap on your fitness tracker and try to hit your step goal every day! Little bursts of activity throughout the day add up to big benefits.

Pushups – Of course this one will be on the list. Do 5 pushups every time you eat a Christmas cookie. Make the kids do one before they open a gift. If you are watching one of your favorite holiday films, knock out a few every time a bell rings. Make it a game!

Squats – Pick up your niece or nephew and start squatting! They will be squealing for more while all of the other kids line up to take turns! If the kids are too big, a frozen turkey will do for added resistance. Or you can just look around the house and find something heavy-ish to lift. If you are hitting the road, do some squats whenever you make a pit stop.

Planks – Start a new tradition on Christmas morning. For example: Whoever can hold a plank the longest gets to open the first gift. Just one minute a day and you’ll be ringing in the New Year with a super strong core.

Stretch – Sit in the glow of the lights with holiday music playing and spend a few minutes stretching at the end of each day. This is the perfect time to sip on a Reliv shake and focus on what’s really important to you during this season.

Fit3 Workout Video – Crank up the high-energy holiday tunes and press play on your favorite Fit3 workout! Just make sure you don’t get tangled up in tinsel when you do the kicks and punches.

The most important part of the season is to enjoy it and have fun! Make these moves part of your family activities.

Love & Lunges,

Coach Tina

Uncategorized

Aloha, Hawaii & Big Bonuses!

AlohaHawaii BLOG

By CEO Ryan Montgomery

A lot of things have to fall in place for success in business. It’s never just one action that sparks a business into momentum and Reliv is no different. Momentum is hard to build, but when you have it, it’s hard to stop. In our business, momentum is the result of the company painting a vision of opportunity and supporting you with the products that change lives and tools to build your business. The Distributor’s role is to grab hold of the support and build your organization.

While there isn’t just one force to accelerate momentum, I will say that there is one element that is crucial to forward action and that is to be field driven. Field driven means Distributor leaders take 100% ownership of the success or failure of their organization. It means leadership by example and doing the things you teach others to do. We are a business of building relationships and trust, and leaders say and do the same thing. “Field driven” is an attitude of not waiting for someone else or the company to create momentum. It’s taking ownership of the situation and making things happen yourself!

As our corporate team was working arm in arm with top field leaders to design the cash bonus and Hawaii promotion, I got incredibly excited because I could see the “field driven” nature of this fantastic promotion. This business has taught me many things, but one universal truth is that people support what they help to build. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how awesome I think a promotion is…it only matters what you, Distributors, think about. One thing that continues to echo from you is how “doable” this contest is for everyone, new or experienced. Distributors just like you came up with the details and built this genius promotion that combines large monthly cash bonuses for top “new volume” with a trip to Hawaii with numerous pathways to qualify based on a point system for certain activities and advancements.

Reliv has never done anything quite like this with big bonuses and a trip to Hawaii at the same time. We believe each component will fuel the other and are so excited to see you make it to the top. Leaders striving for the monthly Top 3 New Volume will certainly earn points toward Hawaii, and vice versa, leaders working to earn points will get themselves in the running for the cash bonuses. It’s a win-win! And let’s not forget, Reliv still has Promo 1-2-3 in place alongside the Top 3 for signing up new Quick Starts, Master Affiliates and Preferred Customers on autoship.

Field leaders created this promotion, passionately believe in it, are committed to qualify for it, are getting commitments from other leaders to earn it, are excited and taking ownership of it—this is truly a “field driven” promotion that without doubt will lead us to momentum and organizational growth like we’ve never seen. One year from now, we’ll be celebrating all the leaders that make it happen over the next nine months…in beautiful Hawaii!

Aloha,

Ryan

Business, Business Builder Tips, Reliv ambassadors

How To Host A Reliv Holiday Party

RelivHoliday
By Ambassador Kimberly Burns

We love to host fun Reliv holiday parties!

The Saturday before Thanksgiving we open our home and host a Reliv family potluck, complete with turkey and all! Our entire team invites their customers, Distributors and anyone interested in Reliv. Rich and I cook the turkey and provide the drinks. Our Distributors bring good ole’ fashioned Thanksgiving sides with all the fixings! We start the event with heart-warming testimonials where everyone shares something they are grateful for. After everyone has had a chance to be thankful, we enjoy a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving feast. Many of our Reliv family members say this is one of the most memorable and special days of the year for them — and this really warms my heart!

kburns thanksgiving

After we eat, we present the Opportunity Presentation in another room and grab different Distributors to share their success stories. Last year there were many new prospects who attended and ended up signing up as a Reliv Distributor. This was an added blessing beyond what I expected for the day!

For the Christmas season, we have a Reliv holiday home party/white elephant gift exchange. Everyone who attends brings a small gift to exchange during the party. It adds so much fun and laughter to the party! By incorporating the Reliv Business Opportunity with some holiday festivities, we’ve created the perfect setting for brand new people to hear about Reliv.

kburns christmas

Here is a list of what to have ready for any Reliv event:

Reliv Products!
Reliv Shaker Cups (or other cute cups to serve your shakes)
Swag Bags
Opportunity Booklets
Product Catalogs
Retail Recipes
Fit3 Brochures
Health Questionnaire
Distributor Application
Laptop with the Opportunity Slides & Videos
Reliv DVDs
Health Stories
Business Stories
Flyers for your next event!

This list should be your go-to when planning any Reliv event. We are all so busy with the holidays that this will help you stay organized and ready to turn your holiday shake parties into a huge success!

Nutrition

How to Deal With Food Pushers

By Fit3 Head Coach Tina Van Horn

Have you ever met a food pusher? Or maybe you’ve been one? Food pushers can be relentless when it comes to encouraging you to “Have some! Just a little bit. Come on. Loosen up! A few bites won’t hurt!”

Who is a Food Pusher?

“Food Pushers” are usually some of our closest friends and family, and although they care about you and have nothing but the best intentions, their persistence can be exhausting, especially at family functions and social occasions. Also, you might feel guilty when saying no to those that you genuinely care about. Nobody wants to hurt Aunt Edna’s feelings by turning down her famous coconut cream pie!

Sometimes it’s hard to realize when we are being food pushers, too. This weekend I was shoving s’mores toward my friends. I didn’t realize at the time that I was being a food pusher, but in hindsight, I feel terrible.

Take Control of Your Indulgences

Fit3 is about making healthier choices for a healthy, fit life, but it’s okay to indulge when it’s worth it. Always own that decision and enjoy every tasty morsel. Don’t relinquish control to the food pushers! They may make comments or tease you, but believe in yourself and know that you are making choices for YOU!

Strategies to Save Yourself

To prevent hurting their feelings and to give yourself a break from their persistence, here are a few strategies that might help diffuse the situation:

Always be kind, but stand your ground.
- “Have some of this cheesecake!”
- “That sounds delightful, but I really am trying to cut back on sweets. Thank you for the offer!”
Say that you’ll try it later.
- “Try this coconut cream pie, it’s delicious!”
- “Oh thank you. I’ll have some later.”
Tell them that a certain ingredient upsets your stomach.
- “You have to have just a bite of this cheese dip I made!
- “Oh thank you, but sometimes cheese upsets my stomach. I better not.”
Share the mission of the Fit3 program, and maybe they’ll end up wanting to join you on your journey to a healthier, more nutritious lifestyle!

With the holidays coming up in the next few months, stay strong and don’t let the food pushers gain control of YOUR food choices!

Business, Business Builder Tips, Healthy Living Tips, Reliv ambassadors

How To Face Your Fears As A Woman Entrepreneur: What Is Fear & How Can We Respond With Courage?

JOYCEblog

By Hall of Fame Member & Presidential Platinum Ambassador Joyce Ferguson

I could not explain why I was shaking with fear as I gripped my old landline phone to my ear and struggled to find words. It was a typical day in 1993 and I had just decided to build my Reliv business. I was in my kitchen and not in any danger, and yet I was afraid. Still, I was afraid of one simple word — no.

Fear, often with no foundation, can ambush us and rob us of valuable business and life moments. The small risk of speaking up may seem just as scary as any other business risk. We may even want to step away from the task at hand and think of giving up because we feel our courage might falter.

But what is courage anyway?

“Courage means acting in the face of your fears, not without them.”

“FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.”

I read these two quotes and many others in business and motivational books—and I believe them. However, I could only really grasp these truths by living with my fears and pushing through the uncertainty and uncomfortableness that accompanies it. The deeper truth is that such quotations cannot explain the fact that there is no way around fear. You must act to defeat fear.

Yes! Simple, ordinary actions require courage.

Calling on your inner strength and integrity in the face of life’s daily challenges demands courage. Following the rules, honoring business relationships, doing what you said you would do, living out your convictions every day…these tasks require you to find that bravery deep inside you — and we all have it!

While we often equate courage with action, we need to remember that listening with compassion — even in the business world — is a courageous act. It’s not easy to speak up and offer advice or assistance to someone, but when we do, we have gone outside our comfort zone, and that takes courage!

Courageous people are patient, and they listen carefully before they speak. Courageous people risk rejection when they reach out to another person and offer solutions. Courageous people risk their reputation and relationships when they recommend financial and lifestyle solutions that could improve someone’s quality of life; not everyone appreciates the risk or effort it takes to speak up in such a way.

There will be flat refusals and gentle “maybes” that actually mean “no.” There will be occasional “yesses” that force your hand and make you take the next step with your business and with that person, but you must act. And in the face of your fears of not being perfect enough, or not knowing enough…you just might succeed.

Stay tuned for more posts from Joyce on overcoming fear as a woman entrepreneur. Subscribe to the Reliv Blog!

Healthy Living Tips, Nutrition

6 Steps to Healthy Skin

By Fit3 Head Coach Tina Van Horn

Take your Fit3™ Active every day: Lunasin-packed LunaRich® found in Fit3 Active can help. Researchers have established that lunasin is a potent inhibitor of the master inflammatory protein NF-ĸ-β. Studies show that inhibiting NF-ĸ-β production can restore skin cells to a more youthful state and help increase skin thickness. Increasing skin thickness makes the skin firmer and reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles and imperfections.

Eat clean: A study in the American Journal of Nutrition suggests you may have fewer breakouts if you add more whole grains, beans and veggies and cut back on pasta, white rice, white bread and sugar. Our Fit3 friendly foods list can help you out with ideas. Feel good on the inside, look good on the outside!

Get to sleep: There’s a reason we added “Get 7 hours of sleep” to your Fit3 weekly tracking and score sheet! While it may not always be possible, we recommend at least 7 hours to get a restorative sleep. You’ll need it to help your body recover from your Fit3 workouts. Plus, less sleep means more stress! Try to minimize your stress level before bed by relaxing in a hot bath or indulging in a 10-minute meditation.

Exfoliate: Gently scrubbing your face a few times a week will rid your skin of dry flakes and clogged pores. It can also help regulate the oil glands and their production.

Moisturize: Follow up your exfoliation by moisturizing. Protect and pamper at the same time.

Rehydrate: Increasing the amount of water you drink is a great way to flush out internal toxins and hydrate your skin from the inside out. A big glass of water each morning can definitely help you feel awake and cleansed! To make it easier, you can use the Fit3 weekly meal plan to track your water intake and make sure you’re getting enough.

Follow these six simple steps and your skin will thank you!

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. Reliv products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Business, Business Builder Tips, Nutrition

9 Ways To Throw A Shake Party On A Budget

LesliandErin BLOG

By Art Director Amie Schilson

Shake parties are one of the best ways to share your Reliv® business with the world, and they don’t have to break the bank!

Here are our suggestions to hosting the best Shake Party on a budget:

1. Stay Organized. Ditch the stress and plan! Make lists of the people you’re inviting, what you’re serving, decorations, grocery lists, and Reliv catalogs and forms you’ll need. If you’re organized you can enjoy yourself and focus on connecting with your guests.

2. Shop often, but thoughtfully. You don’t want to run out and buy overpriced items just for one party. Set aside time to go shopping to discover items that inspire themes and events at great prices. Buy when you’re inspired, not scattered. “We’re always looking for fun party and social media items. Something fun is always on sale at the local dollar store,” says Lesli Schmitt, Reliv Senior Graphic Designer and mother of three growing boys.

3. Make fun invitations! Digital invites through Facebook Events or Evite are free and make it easy to track your RSVPs. Customize the graphics to make them memorable and engaging. If you want to do something extra special, consider traditional invitations sent via mail. A pretty envelope with handwriting is impossible to resist. Make sure you have kid activities so it’s not a barrier for moms and dads to come. Give guests enough time to plan, and be sure to send a reminder!

4. Find party partners. Maybe this is another Reliv Distributor, so you can make your event larger and split the cost. Maybe this is a local business, like a spa, salon or a boutique with a great space. Maybe this is a friend who creates jewelry, does massage therapy, personal organizing or reps a makeup line. Diversifying the content present enriches your event and lets you reach new people and new places!

5. Timing is everything. The most budget friendly event is in the late afternoon. No meal is necessary, but everybody will appreciate a special Reliv shake. Happy hour is the most festive and you can serve sparkling lemonade, wine, healthy appetizers like hummus and veggies and have shakes to sample. Brunch is another great option because it’s everybody’s favorite meal and inexpensive. Prepare egg casseroles ahead of time, turn on the coffee maker and focus on serving your favorite Reliv shake.

6. Impress your guests. Welcome guests with a sign and name tags with Reliv blue or teal markers to make networking a breeze. Have products on display and available to purchase at the party. Go to reliv.com/recipes or flickr.com/reliv to choose a delicious shake to serve. Present them in pretty matching glasses (remember the dollar store?) with a garnish (we’re in the mood for a little whipped cream and cinnamon right now) and a paper straw to top it off. Coordinate colored napkins and plates for an extra touch. A bowl of fresh fruit and platter of vegetables reinforces a healthy lifestyle. Try to avoid foam and red plastic cups from frat parties. Another tip is to have nice lighting and background music for good ambiance.

7. Most bang for your budget. We love how budget-friendly balloons, paper straws, color coordinated plates and napkins are. Plus, if you have extras you can use them at your next party!

8. Party favors that mean business. You can download recipe cards from our Flickr album and send them to your local copy shop or an online printer to have them printed. These are a great souvenir for your guests and gives them something to remember how much fun they had! Be sure to include your contact info with a business card or sticker.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to download images from Flickr:

Step 1:

step 1..1

Step 2:

step 1..2 e

Step 3:

step 1.3

9. Thank your guests! Follow-up is easy with a quick phone call or message to build those personal connections. You can also send out a quick survey with Survey Monkey or Google Forms. For example, ask them, “What did you like best about Reliv?” “What was your favorite part of the event?” “Did you like the product?” “How likely are you to purchase the product after this event?” “How likely are you to share Reliv with someone after this event?”

Never forget this step. Following up with your guests may help them especially if they’re on the fence of becoming a customer or Distributor.

Bonus! Theme Ideas:

Follow Ambassador Kimberly Burns’ lead and go with a Mexican fiesta, Italian night or Hawaiian luau dinner buffet.

Think seasonal: Autumn Harvest, Winter Wonderland, Spring Fling, Summer Social.

Choose a color hue: Reliv blue & silver balloons, blueberry shakes, blue napkins and name tags.

Shake bar: borrow extra blenders and set out your favorite Reliv product with multiple mix-ins and garnishes. Make it a contest by voting on the best creation!

But remember, the most important part of hosting a budget-friendly Shake Party is to have fun!!