Interesting Read

New free ebook from the creators of Spartan Race:

http://www.spartanrace.com/spartan-race-guide-to-obstacle-racing-ebook.php?ebooksource=1281

What's your excuse?

Nutrition isn't the only factor in weight loss, but it does play a very significant role!  It's interesting to note that most of the excuses listed can easily be used as "Reasons to LOSE weight/get in shape" if used as motivation rather than crutches.  Ultimately, tackling the 'why' rather than the 'what' is essential for continued success, so getting to the core of why someone is overeating is crucial, but you have to start somewhere...

Which will you choose, motivation or excuses?

Be Explosive, Live the Kobe System!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxYE0IrIxs&feature=share

You have to appreciate people willing to laugh at themselves.  Good reminder to never take yourself too seriously!

If you can’t stand the Heat…

September 10, 2011

As I lay on the ground, in a puddle of sweat, barely able to move and struggling for a deep breath, I wondered at how simple decisions in life could lead you to where you least expect it.  Just this morning I was sitting at home, relaxed and carefree, my only concern was what I was going to do for dinner later that day and what I would do till then.  Little did I know that a simple question of “what do you want to do today?” would change everything!

Fine, so that last bit may have been a touch on the melodramatic side, but it did lead to a fun new challenge. Here’s the brief recap:

As I was lounging around the house on a beautiful Saturday morning, I casually turned to my girlfriend and asked what she wanted to do that day (assuming she’d say, go to the beach, the movies, the gym, or one of our other weekend staples).  Last on my mind was her suggestion that I join her on an activity she just recently started loving, Bikram Yoga.  If you don’t know what Bikram Yoga is, a quick Google search will quickly enlighten you.  (Essentially it’s a system of yoga that moves you through 26 stretches or postures within 90 minutes, all in a room that’s maintained at around 105°F)  I’ve participated in a few yoga classes in the past and although I’m not a huge fan of that much heat, I AM a fan of taking on new challenges, so I said “sure! It can’t be all that tough!”  Those often prove to be famous last words, akin to “I’ll be right back” in horror movies.

Fifteen minutes later we were in the car on our way to Bikram Yoga Naples in Naples, FL.  My first impression was great, I walked in and everyone attending the class was dressed very lightly, including bathing suits or just shorts (for the men), and everyone was extremely cheerful.  After meeting the instructor and explaining I was a Bikram Yoga virgin, she smiled and said “that’s great!  Just make sure to stop whenever you need to and don’t push yourself to do everything I do in your first class since you probably won’t be able to, but you’ll pick it up quickly.”  She obviously didn’t know me well enough to know I’d take that last part as a personal challenge to go toe-to-toe with her and the rest of the class.

I do have to admit, the first hour was a bit tough, and by posture 20, I was definitely counting down the last six and trying to figure out how to best maintain my balance while in a puddle of my own sweat and tears (mostly sweat, I swear!) I’d like to say that I completed the whole 90 minutes without pause or too much strain, but that would be a complete lie.  Although I DID finish the full 90 minutes and didn’t have to skip any of the postures, that was only accomplished through sheer force of will, or stubbornness, and a couple of pauses in the end.   Needless to say I was extremely grateful when we were finally told that it was time for the final breathing exercise, that would conclude our session.

That brings me back full circle to the start of this blog entry, laying in sweat, glad that I don’t have to move for a few more minutes.  Another thought that crosses my mind at that moment is; why would anyone subject themselves to this on a regular basis?!  As the minutes pass and I work my way back up to a sitting position and finally work up the energy to stand up and walk out of the room, I’m again greeted with smiling faces and now a glass of orange juice.  As I sip (okay, chug) the orange juice, and listen to the rest of the class talk about all the benefits they’ve seen from making this part of their regular routine, I smile and realize this isn’t much crazier than running 12 miles through obstacles and mud, just a different kind of challenge for a different person. 

Yes, the experience was tough and definitely a challenge and if I could offer any piece of advice,  it would be to strongly urge you to try it for yourself and of course “don’t push yourself too hard”…yeah, right ;)

Take Massive Action!

Let's make 2012 the year where we all succeed together! 

The path to success is to know what you want, when and where you want it and with whom you want to share it with and then taking massive determined action right away to make it happen!
So far this year, I've started a juice fast, moved across the state and got a new exciting job (it's a good start)

What can YOU do right NOW to make sure you're putting yourself on the path for success this year?


(Very short post...getting back to this blog is one of my commitments to success this year, and getting a post up right away is the first step!) :)

Your Parents Had it Right...This Time: Make Sure You Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!

It's been a while, and I’m going to kick up my blog again with a not so physically intensive blurb and challenge.  Then again, this may be pretty tough for some out there though it should be "back to basics" for most.

At the risk of sounding like one of your parents and in light of September being Fruit and Vegetable Month, I wanted to take a moment to talk about the importance of fruits and vegetable consumption in our diet.

Fruit and vegetable consumption has been decreasing rapidly in the U.S. over the last few years, so this month is dedicated to promoting a healthier lifestyle with more of these crucial and oft neglected elements in the public's daily diets.  Not to jump on my soapbox, but this is particularly important since with the increase of toxic chemicals in our environment, soil and fertilizers the actual nutritional consumption from the basic 5-10 recommended servings is minimal, at best!  This means that if you're following the bare minimum recommendations, chances are that your body is still deprived of essential nutrients and is essentially defenseless against everyday illness and other more serious diseases. 

Okay, I’m off my soapbox!  My challenge for you this month is simple: find a way to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet! (The latter being the more important)  

There are a few products out there that can help if you're really not comfortable with the whole eating thing, but bottom-line is just to make it happen!  Have fun with it, get creative and let me know what you come up with and how it goes!

Check out a quick segment I did on this topic on Fox 4 Your Health:

http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/128669403.html

P90X and Google do not a Personal Trainer make...

I just saw this video on YouTube and couldn't resist putting it up here with a quick blurb about it although it's a little different from my usual stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpwpJ0B9gss&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Okay, you completed P90X/Insanity/Fitness-Made-Simple, or any of the other slew of workout videos, congratulations!  I'm all for challenging yourself, but this doesn't qualify you to start giving workout advice.  Nor does having lost weight on a diet or having access to meal plans on Google qualify you to give nutritional advice.  If it inspires you to want to share your experience and help others, GREAT, but remember it's only a start.  A great next step would be to look into a good reputable certification, not a half-hour, $50 course at a no-name company.  Go with real companies that actually provide a stable foundation for trainers.  I'll be more than happy to suggest a few if you need!

Unfortunately this video is accurate for many so called "trainers" out there, trust me, I've had the misfortune of meeting many at my local gyms and "fitness centers." Luckily, i'm very grateful to have also had the honor of working with and learning from some of the best trainers in the field as well.  Of course i'm biased and as such am including myself in the group of "good" trainers ;)

Being a good trainer isn't about looking good or being able to lift a car over your head, it's about being able to help clients get the results THEY want and helping THEM improve their health.  This means you have to not only know about exercises, but about muscle groups, joints, movement patterns, physical restrictions etc.  Real trainers never stop learning because the fitness scene is always evolving and there are always new insights on how to better help your clients.  Motivation isn't about you looking good, it's about understanding what your clients needs are and guiding them in a way the can understand and relate to.  It's about them, their unique needs and their personal results.  If this doesn't appeal to you, then please move aside and let us real trainers get back to work helping our clients :)