Are you accountable?
Well known fitness professional and my very good friend Ryan Lee, sent out an email last week. It was a video clip of him blowing apart some common fitness myths as well as promoting his newest product, Body Bot.
While I was listening he said a something that really caught my attention.
He said 'I'm not saying that these myths are to blame for you being overweight, that is your fault.'
It hit me how this is something you just don't ever hear anyone say and for several reasons that I can think of. You don't want to make someone feel bad or offend them for being the biggest reason.
But I thought about it and realized that this should not be offensive. Our weight and fitness level is a direct reflection of the choices we make and it's that simple. Why blame misinformation, or work, or the kids, or stress or being tired, or not having time to cook or any of the other things we blame.
It can be a very positive thing, I think, to put the responsibility on ourselves. It is empowering. When we blame things outside of ourselves we are giving up our power to take action and change things. That should be more offensive than hearing someone say 'it's your fault'.
Being accountable for our health and fitness, instead of looking outward for answers (or excuses), is the best thing we can do for ourselves.
What do you think?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Don't forget about your Core!
Every athlete wants to get the most out of his or her training and reach their full athletic potential. One of the most important factors in maximizing athletic performance is core strength.
An athlete with a strong core is a strong athlete; it's that simple. Let me explain to you just what the core is and why core strength is so very important for any athlete. The core is comprised of nearly 30 different muscles that basically wrap around your body in the area between your hips and ribcage.
There are a couple ways to think about this in easy terms. First of all think of your body in two halves, the lower half and the upper half. The core area is between the two and can be thought of as a 'bridge' that connects them. In order for the upper and lower body to work together requires that connection. Another visual is to think of the rebar in a foundation. Imagine that your core area is just like the foundation of a house. When not trained, it is a foundation without its rebar and one likely to weaken and cause problems, while a conditioned core is a strong and sturdy foundation with rebar. Basically, the core is fundamental to all body movement.
Whether you realize it or not, you hardly make a movement without engaging your core whether it be walking up the stairs or bending down to pick something up. Your core is involved, providing you with balance and stability. The strength, or weakness, or your core will dictate how easy or difficult these movements are. So, what does this have to do with your athletic performance?
Absolutely everything.
When you are moving through your sport of choice you are using your body in its most functional state, in other words, as a whole. You are using your lower body and your upper body together; you're jumping, throwing, twisting, hitting, running, the list goes on and on. Your core is the basis for all of this movement and once again the strength or weakness of that core will dictate the ease in which you move on the field or court. Athletes are also very often in unstable environments, like landing on one foot or throwing or hitting from an awkward position. I cannot honestly think of a sport where this stability and balance does not come into play.
Your balance comes from your core; strong core equals good balance.
Here are some examples: Think of the volleyball player jumping and spiking. The spike is literally being performed in mid air; can a situation be less stable? The power for that spike must come from the core! Think of the shortstop that runs to catch a grounder and then must jump, twist and throw all at the same time, again, ALL core! Think of the tennis player who runs across the court and then smashes a return to the opposite side, ALL core! I could go on and on with every single sport and just about every position but hopefully you get the idea.
If you do not train for core strength and balance you will never realize your full potential. More and more athletes are training this way and if you ignore this vital aspect of athletic training you will be out-played.
Fortunately, core training is not difficult or time consuming and it does not require expensive equipment. It has been my experience that athletes are downright thrilled to be doing something other than 'lifting' anyway. Core training is innovative, challenging and creative; heck, it's fun! Of course when the athletes and coaches see the results, which come quickly with this type of training, the excitement really builds.
If I sound passionate about Core Training, I am. I see the results first hand every day. Hundreds of athletes that I have trained enjoy incredible results and it is very exciting. If your routine does not involve core training, well, that needs to change.
Improve your core and improve your game, guaranteed.
Read what 15-year old Meghan a Training For Volleyball customer and volleyball athlete accomplished with her purchase of Training For Volleyball:
"Dear Barry, I am 15 and have been on a team for 2 years. The coach never played me because I couldn't react quickly or jump very high. This past summer I attended the Penn volleyball camps. That is where I saw you speak and do the drills. I bought your DVD just thinking I'd give it a shot. But it really works! Jumping 5 inches higher and reacting much quicker I tried out and made the JV volleyball team. Now I am a starter in every game.
Thank you Barry.
Meghan"
An athlete with a strong core is a strong athlete; it's that simple. Let me explain to you just what the core is and why core strength is so very important for any athlete. The core is comprised of nearly 30 different muscles that basically wrap around your body in the area between your hips and ribcage.
There are a couple ways to think about this in easy terms. First of all think of your body in two halves, the lower half and the upper half. The core area is between the two and can be thought of as a 'bridge' that connects them. In order for the upper and lower body to work together requires that connection. Another visual is to think of the rebar in a foundation. Imagine that your core area is just like the foundation of a house. When not trained, it is a foundation without its rebar and one likely to weaken and cause problems, while a conditioned core is a strong and sturdy foundation with rebar. Basically, the core is fundamental to all body movement.
Whether you realize it or not, you hardly make a movement without engaging your core whether it be walking up the stairs or bending down to pick something up. Your core is involved, providing you with balance and stability. The strength, or weakness, or your core will dictate how easy or difficult these movements are. So, what does this have to do with your athletic performance?
Absolutely everything.
When you are moving through your sport of choice you are using your body in its most functional state, in other words, as a whole. You are using your lower body and your upper body together; you're jumping, throwing, twisting, hitting, running, the list goes on and on. Your core is the basis for all of this movement and once again the strength or weakness of that core will dictate the ease in which you move on the field or court. Athletes are also very often in unstable environments, like landing on one foot or throwing or hitting from an awkward position. I cannot honestly think of a sport where this stability and balance does not come into play.
Your balance comes from your core; strong core equals good balance.
Here are some examples: Think of the volleyball player jumping and spiking. The spike is literally being performed in mid air; can a situation be less stable? The power for that spike must come from the core! Think of the shortstop that runs to catch a grounder and then must jump, twist and throw all at the same time, again, ALL core! Think of the tennis player who runs across the court and then smashes a return to the opposite side, ALL core! I could go on and on with every single sport and just about every position but hopefully you get the idea.
If you do not train for core strength and balance you will never realize your full potential. More and more athletes are training this way and if you ignore this vital aspect of athletic training you will be out-played.
Fortunately, core training is not difficult or time consuming and it does not require expensive equipment. It has been my experience that athletes are downright thrilled to be doing something other than 'lifting' anyway. Core training is innovative, challenging and creative; heck, it's fun! Of course when the athletes and coaches see the results, which come quickly with this type of training, the excitement really builds.
If I sound passionate about Core Training, I am. I see the results first hand every day. Hundreds of athletes that I have trained enjoy incredible results and it is very exciting. If your routine does not involve core training, well, that needs to change.
Improve your core and improve your game, guaranteed.
Read what 15-year old Meghan a Training For Volleyball customer and volleyball athlete accomplished with her purchase of Training For Volleyball:
"Dear Barry, I am 15 and have been on a team for 2 years. The coach never played me because I couldn't react quickly or jump very high. This past summer I attended the Penn volleyball camps. That is where I saw you speak and do the drills. I bought your DVD just thinking I'd give it a shot. But it really works! Jumping 5 inches higher and reacting much quicker I tried out and made the JV volleyball team. Now I am a starter in every game.
Thank you Barry.
Meghan"
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Weight Loss Obstacles - How To Avoid Weight Loss Burnout
Have you ever woke up one day, usually a Monday, and told yourself that this was the day you were going to start living a healthier lifestyle. The extra weight you are carrying is coming off and for good this time. You're going to eat all the right foods and go to the gym loyally. You are feeling highly motivated and you're ready to roll! How long did it last? Was it a month or two, a week or two, a day? You are not alone!
This is a very common problem, people don't live up to their own expectations and then they dismiss it, usually by saying 'I don't have any will power'. So that's it, you tell yourself you don't have any will power and you let that excuse you from what you need to do to get it. The beginning stages of any exercise program are always the toughest. This is when people have the greatest fall off rate. Why? There are a few reasons. The biggest reason is that people do too much too soon. You want to lose weight and you want to lose it now! Well, if one day you're eating pizza and ice cream and sitting on the couch and the next day you're eating bean sprouts and working out for an hour and a half, a red flag should be going up. This is not going to last! These are examples of two extremes and going to the extreme in either direction is not healthy and not necessary.
I cannot emphasize enough how important small lifestyle changes can be if you want to lose weight. With diet, that may mean adding more fruits and vegetables instead of fatty snacks, avoiding red meat and fried food, avoid nighttime eating, if you eat because you are bored, do something so that you are not bored, just to name a few.
With exercise, that may mean going for a walk after dinner or at lunch, exercising 3-5 days a week for 30 minutes, actively playing with the kids, finding an exercise class that you enjoy, just to name a few.
Another top reason that people give up on themselves and their weight loss is impatience. When people start eating better and exercising they tend to think that the results should come very fast. There is a lot wrong with this way of thinking. First of all, it is very unhealthy to lose weight fast. In order to do that you must deprive your body of many calories and therefore vital nutrients as well. This also slows down your metabolism so you will have a greater tendency to gain the weight back. Secondly, you did not get out of shape overnight, it is wrong to expect it come right back to you overnight as well.
On average, a weight loss of two pounds a week is considered healthy. The key is to enjoy the process and all the great things that happen along the way to your goal. It has to be about more than losing weight. You will have more energy and that feels good, you will be in better spirits as well. You may start to feel more confident and strong. These important changes come a lot faster than the final goal, so savor them. Let them act as motivation to keep you going. Remind yourself that when you were eating junk and not exercising that you felt lethargic, out of control, possibly even depressed.
Everyone hits bumps in the road to health and fitness. When you hit one of these inevitable bumps, you have two choices. You can either persevere and continue on your journey or take yourself back to where you started. Obviously, you were not happy at your starting point or else you never would have started at all. We all want to feel good, be healthy and active, have more energy, and be strong and confident. So, the next time you come to a fork in the road, remember this, tell yourself you are worth the effort, and choose the right way, the way towards health and happiness.
This is a very common problem, people don't live up to their own expectations and then they dismiss it, usually by saying 'I don't have any will power'. So that's it, you tell yourself you don't have any will power and you let that excuse you from what you need to do to get it. The beginning stages of any exercise program are always the toughest. This is when people have the greatest fall off rate. Why? There are a few reasons. The biggest reason is that people do too much too soon. You want to lose weight and you want to lose it now! Well, if one day you're eating pizza and ice cream and sitting on the couch and the next day you're eating bean sprouts and working out for an hour and a half, a red flag should be going up. This is not going to last! These are examples of two extremes and going to the extreme in either direction is not healthy and not necessary.
I cannot emphasize enough how important small lifestyle changes can be if you want to lose weight. With diet, that may mean adding more fruits and vegetables instead of fatty snacks, avoiding red meat and fried food, avoid nighttime eating, if you eat because you are bored, do something so that you are not bored, just to name a few.
With exercise, that may mean going for a walk after dinner or at lunch, exercising 3-5 days a week for 30 minutes, actively playing with the kids, finding an exercise class that you enjoy, just to name a few.
Another top reason that people give up on themselves and their weight loss is impatience. When people start eating better and exercising they tend to think that the results should come very fast. There is a lot wrong with this way of thinking. First of all, it is very unhealthy to lose weight fast. In order to do that you must deprive your body of many calories and therefore vital nutrients as well. This also slows down your metabolism so you will have a greater tendency to gain the weight back. Secondly, you did not get out of shape overnight, it is wrong to expect it come right back to you overnight as well.
On average, a weight loss of two pounds a week is considered healthy. The key is to enjoy the process and all the great things that happen along the way to your goal. It has to be about more than losing weight. You will have more energy and that feels good, you will be in better spirits as well. You may start to feel more confident and strong. These important changes come a lot faster than the final goal, so savor them. Let them act as motivation to keep you going. Remind yourself that when you were eating junk and not exercising that you felt lethargic, out of control, possibly even depressed.
Everyone hits bumps in the road to health and fitness. When you hit one of these inevitable bumps, you have two choices. You can either persevere and continue on your journey or take yourself back to where you started. Obviously, you were not happy at your starting point or else you never would have started at all. We all want to feel good, be healthy and active, have more energy, and be strong and confident. So, the next time you come to a fork in the road, remember this, tell yourself you are worth the effort, and choose the right way, the way towards health and happiness.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Bringing Back The Push-Up
One of the most common questions people ask is how much weight they should be lifting. They always want to know if they should be lifting heavier weights or lighter weights and the reasons behind each decision. I am a firm believer in lighter weight and higher repetitions workouts. As long as you work the muscle to fatigue it will break down and rebuild and it is in this process that muscles get bigger and stronger. I like lower weight and higher repetition because it also builds muscular endurance, raises the heart rate and puts much less stress on your joints; it just makes sense.
All of that being said; the missing link for many people is body weight training. In other words, why use weights at all? You can get an incredible workout and see incredible results from doing exercises in which the only resistance is your own body weight. I know that some of you are already scoffing at this idea; it goes against everything you think you know, right? Well let's not forget that body weight training is the only training that gymnasts do and does anyone want to argue about their strength and the results they get? I didn't think so.
All too often we see people in the gym struggling to bench press huge amounts of weight and chances are that they could not perform even ten push-ups done correctly. Notice that I say done correctly. Plenty of people can do ten push-ups with their backs bowed or only coming down half way. The truth of the matter is that the push-up is one of the best over all upper body exercises on the planet and it gets ignored because the average person lifting weights has it in their head that they need to lift actual weights. Well your body is a weight so why not use it.
Another awesome exercise is the pull-up. Like the push-up it works the upper body like a whole, it is very functional and like the push-up, the average person cannot do them. If you are still scoffing at the idea of incorporating these back to basics exercises into your routine, I'm confused, unless you can actually do them and do them correctly. I mean what is there to scoff at when it is something that you can't do. Doesn't that tell you that it is something to work on and that it is worthy of your time? Doesn't that tell you that it just may be a missing link in your training?
There are many other exercises that only use body weight as the resistance and I suggest you learn more about them but I'm using these two because most people will know what I am talking about. If you do push-ups and pull-ups you will be working your rear deltoids, chest, biceps, lats, triceps, shoulders and core. This is what you want, you want to get the most that you can out of each exercise that you do, more bang for your buck so to speak.
Often in the fitness business we are always trying to come up with something new and exciting. That is all well and good and indeed there are endless possibilities out there when it comes to exercise. But sometimes we need to be reminded of the tried and true basics. Things like push-ups and pull-ups may have fallen by the wayside for many of us but the fact is that they work so why not bring them back.
Barry Lovelace is an internationally recognized personal trainer and fitness professional. Visit his website for more FREE health and fitness tips and a FREE Ebook titled 'How To Juggle Your Health and Fitness'!
All of that being said; the missing link for many people is body weight training. In other words, why use weights at all? You can get an incredible workout and see incredible results from doing exercises in which the only resistance is your own body weight. I know that some of you are already scoffing at this idea; it goes against everything you think you know, right? Well let's not forget that body weight training is the only training that gymnasts do and does anyone want to argue about their strength and the results they get? I didn't think so.
All too often we see people in the gym struggling to bench press huge amounts of weight and chances are that they could not perform even ten push-ups done correctly. Notice that I say done correctly. Plenty of people can do ten push-ups with their backs bowed or only coming down half way. The truth of the matter is that the push-up is one of the best over all upper body exercises on the planet and it gets ignored because the average person lifting weights has it in their head that they need to lift actual weights. Well your body is a weight so why not use it.
Another awesome exercise is the pull-up. Like the push-up it works the upper body like a whole, it is very functional and like the push-up, the average person cannot do them. If you are still scoffing at the idea of incorporating these back to basics exercises into your routine, I'm confused, unless you can actually do them and do them correctly. I mean what is there to scoff at when it is something that you can't do. Doesn't that tell you that it is something to work on and that it is worthy of your time? Doesn't that tell you that it just may be a missing link in your training?
There are many other exercises that only use body weight as the resistance and I suggest you learn more about them but I'm using these two because most people will know what I am talking about. If you do push-ups and pull-ups you will be working your rear deltoids, chest, biceps, lats, triceps, shoulders and core. This is what you want, you want to get the most that you can out of each exercise that you do, more bang for your buck so to speak.
Often in the fitness business we are always trying to come up with something new and exciting. That is all well and good and indeed there are endless possibilities out there when it comes to exercise. But sometimes we need to be reminded of the tried and true basics. Things like push-ups and pull-ups may have fallen by the wayside for many of us but the fact is that they work so why not bring them back.
Barry Lovelace is an internationally recognized personal trainer and fitness professional. Visit his website for more FREE health and fitness tips and a FREE Ebook titled 'How To Juggle Your Health and Fitness'!
Friday, December 28, 2007
The One Word Answer To Your Fitness Questions
If you’re like most people you struggle with your weight. Perhaps you are one of the many who lose weight and then gain it all back again; can there be anything more frustrating? Maybe you have been carrying around unwanted weight for years and have lost all hope. It is never too late and everyone has the ability to lose weight.
In my business, I get to see the people who fail to lose their weight and the people who succeed; I see it first hand every day and have been for years. I can honestly tell you that losing weight comes down to one thing and one thing only. What is it? Consistency.
This hit me one day when I was just looking around my gym at all the people working out. Most of them have been members for years and so I know their patterns. The ones who are fit and have kept their weight off are the ones who are consistent with their workouts and consistent with their eating habits. The ones who go up and down in weight or just stay up are the ones who come to the gym in spurts, we’ll see them regularly for a while and then they disappear only to reappear sometime later feeling awful and heavy.
Consistency is the answer! It is number one thing you need to work on in order to achieve weight loss success. It is what clearly separates the fit from the fat. If you conquer this than everything else will simply fall into place and you will lose weight.
I am hoping that you will see this as good news, not bad. Consistency does not mean perfect. What it means is that you stay on track 80% of the time. You may miss a workout or two a month but you don’t disappear from the gym for weeks. You may have pizza and beer a couple of times a month but the majority of the time your diet is healthy. That is what consistency means and it is what is needed to lose weight and keep it off.
The biggest problem we see in this business is the off and on/start and stop trap that so many people fall into when they want to lose weight. A person will start eating better and working out and than a few weeks go by, they miss a workout and go out to eat and bam! Just like that they are taken off course. The key is to miss that workout and go out to eat and then wake up the next day and get right back on track. That is consistency in a nutshell.
Losing weight is made out to be too difficult when it just doesn’t have to be. If you have weight to lose, make a plan that is doable so that you can be consistent and stick with it. Write it down if you have to, whatever makes it more real and permanent for you. Learn to deal with going out to eat without it sending you into a feeding frenzy that lasts for weeks. No one ever gained weight by eating one big meal, but many people gain weight by eating big meals often. Learn to prioritize your workout times so that you stay consistent, exercise is key to taking and keeping weight off. Be consistent and enjoy as you lose your unwanted weight.
In my business, I get to see the people who fail to lose their weight and the people who succeed; I see it first hand every day and have been for years. I can honestly tell you that losing weight comes down to one thing and one thing only. What is it? Consistency.
This hit me one day when I was just looking around my gym at all the people working out. Most of them have been members for years and so I know their patterns. The ones who are fit and have kept their weight off are the ones who are consistent with their workouts and consistent with their eating habits. The ones who go up and down in weight or just stay up are the ones who come to the gym in spurts, we’ll see them regularly for a while and then they disappear only to reappear sometime later feeling awful and heavy.
Consistency is the answer! It is number one thing you need to work on in order to achieve weight loss success. It is what clearly separates the fit from the fat. If you conquer this than everything else will simply fall into place and you will lose weight.
I am hoping that you will see this as good news, not bad. Consistency does not mean perfect. What it means is that you stay on track 80% of the time. You may miss a workout or two a month but you don’t disappear from the gym for weeks. You may have pizza and beer a couple of times a month but the majority of the time your diet is healthy. That is what consistency means and it is what is needed to lose weight and keep it off.
The biggest problem we see in this business is the off and on/start and stop trap that so many people fall into when they want to lose weight. A person will start eating better and working out and than a few weeks go by, they miss a workout and go out to eat and bam! Just like that they are taken off course. The key is to miss that workout and go out to eat and then wake up the next day and get right back on track. That is consistency in a nutshell.
Losing weight is made out to be too difficult when it just doesn’t have to be. If you have weight to lose, make a plan that is doable so that you can be consistent and stick with it. Write it down if you have to, whatever makes it more real and permanent for you. Learn to deal with going out to eat without it sending you into a feeding frenzy that lasts for weeks. No one ever gained weight by eating one big meal, but many people gain weight by eating big meals often. Learn to prioritize your workout times so that you stay consistent, exercise is key to taking and keeping weight off. Be consistent and enjoy as you lose your unwanted weight.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Interval Training - See Dramatic Results with Interval Training
Interval training is a great way to spice up a workout and get awesome results. Do you ever find that your cardiovascular workout routine is getting a little too repetitive, a little too boring? Boredom is a huge problem and one of the main reasons people give up on exercise, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are so many different ways to challenge your body and your mind during your workouts that you should never feel bored.
The key is to always keep learning new things and to learn variations of the exercises and routines you are currently doing. One of these variations is aerobic interval training and that is what we are going to talk about today.
So what is aerobic interval training? Basically, it means working out by alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of light activity. This type of training can be done by anyone and with any aerobic activity. Let’s use walking as an example. If you’re already in pretty good shape and you’ve been walking for a while, you might incorporate short bursts of jogging into your regular brisk walks. If you’re more of a beginner, you might just alternate faster, harder walking with leisurely walking.
For example, if you are walking outside you could pick a landmark in the distance like a tree or a stop sign and pick up the intensity until you get to it. If you’re working out on a treadmill or elliptical machine, it is as easy as watching the timer on the machine and timing your light intensity and high intensity intervals.
There are many advantages to interval training. Perhaps the most popular is that interval training burns more calories without spending more time in the gym, who doesn’t like the sound of that? There are other benefits as well, like improving your aerobic capacity, which is great news for your workouts but more importantly it is great news for your heart and lungs. Interval training is also nice because it doesn’t require drastic changes to your routine or any kind of special equipment.
Whatever type of cardiovascular exercise you are doing now can be easily converted into interval training. This type of training will grow with you as you progress. Getting started is as easy as choosing the length and speed of your high intensity intervals. Obviously the length and speed can be altered depending of how you are feeling that day, it is all up to you.
Of course this does require you to be more disciplined during your workout. It is up to you to do your intervals at a level that will challenge you and only you can determine what that level is. Also, as with any exercise routine, it is important to warm up first. You want to make sure your body is warmed up before you go into your first interval.
If you are working out seriously to improve sports performance, this type of training is also a good choice for you. In this case, you may want to look at interval training a little more seriously. A personal trainer or other fitness expert can help you plan the intensity and duration of your intervals based on your target heart rate, aerobic capacity and other factors.
No matter what your fitness level, aerobic interval training is something you can use to boost your workout, relieve some boredom and challenge your body. Why not try it today?
The key is to always keep learning new things and to learn variations of the exercises and routines you are currently doing. One of these variations is aerobic interval training and that is what we are going to talk about today.
So what is aerobic interval training? Basically, it means working out by alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of light activity. This type of training can be done by anyone and with any aerobic activity. Let’s use walking as an example. If you’re already in pretty good shape and you’ve been walking for a while, you might incorporate short bursts of jogging into your regular brisk walks. If you’re more of a beginner, you might just alternate faster, harder walking with leisurely walking.
For example, if you are walking outside you could pick a landmark in the distance like a tree or a stop sign and pick up the intensity until you get to it. If you’re working out on a treadmill or elliptical machine, it is as easy as watching the timer on the machine and timing your light intensity and high intensity intervals.
There are many advantages to interval training. Perhaps the most popular is that interval training burns more calories without spending more time in the gym, who doesn’t like the sound of that? There are other benefits as well, like improving your aerobic capacity, which is great news for your workouts but more importantly it is great news for your heart and lungs. Interval training is also nice because it doesn’t require drastic changes to your routine or any kind of special equipment.
Whatever type of cardiovascular exercise you are doing now can be easily converted into interval training. This type of training will grow with you as you progress. Getting started is as easy as choosing the length and speed of your high intensity intervals. Obviously the length and speed can be altered depending of how you are feeling that day, it is all up to you.
Of course this does require you to be more disciplined during your workout. It is up to you to do your intervals at a level that will challenge you and only you can determine what that level is. Also, as with any exercise routine, it is important to warm up first. You want to make sure your body is warmed up before you go into your first interval.
If you are working out seriously to improve sports performance, this type of training is also a good choice for you. In this case, you may want to look at interval training a little more seriously. A personal trainer or other fitness expert can help you plan the intensity and duration of your intervals based on your target heart rate, aerobic capacity and other factors.
No matter what your fitness level, aerobic interval training is something you can use to boost your workout, relieve some boredom and challenge your body. Why not try it today?
Thursday, November 15, 2007
So, What Are You Most Thankful For?
So what are you most thankful for? Being that it is Thanksgiving I hope that some of you have pondered this a bit. It’s interesting but when most people talk about what they are most thankful for it is their family, friends and health that top the list. Why do I find this interesting? Because I don’t think most of us concentrate on these things in relevance to them being what is most important to us.
Think about your average day or week. How much of that time is dedicated to family, friends and your health? Most of the people I come across are so caught up in the daily grind that these self-imposed most important things are not at the top of the list. People are very quick to say they are too busy to make phone calls, visit loved ones or get in a workout. It is everyone’s favorite excuse; I’m too busy.
Other people have no problem accepting this excuse because then they can use it too. What goes around comes around, right? Can you imagine if next Thanksgiving you did not have your spouse to be thankful for? Can you imagine if by next Thanksgiving you had lost a dear friendship because they tired of your excuses? Can you imagine that next Thanksgiving you no longer had your precious good health? Like the old saying goes, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’.
Good health is so valuable but you would never know it by the way many people treat it. Let’s face it, we take it for granted. We act like it is a birthright and it will always be there for us. It will never happen to us, just the other people, right? I’d like to take the famous JFK quote and turn it around on you. ‘Ask not what your body can do for you, ask what you can do for you body’.
So what can you do for your body? You can nourish it instead of just filling it with useless and empty calories. You can move your body instead of having it sit in front of the TV. That’s it you ask? Yep, that’s it. Just think about it, your amazing body and all it does for you and all it asks for in return are healthy nutrition and movement. Is that a bargain or what?
The time to really think about this is now, before you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, clogged arteries and excess body fat and the many diseases they cause. Many of you already have one or more of these conditions. Have you taken responsibility for them? By taking responsibility you are regaining control of the situation and when you know that you are in control than you will do what is necessary to reverse these ailments.
Healthy nutrition and exercise have been proven to not just stop the progressions of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol but to actually reverse them! I hope that has you excited and ready to take action! Too often I see people wallowing in self-pity because of their high blood pressure when I know that they eat sodium rich cold cuts, red meat, processed cheese and other junk food. Why should we feel sorry for someone who won’t take any responsibility? Frankly, I don’t feel sad as much as I do angry.
I feel that most people in our society are on a very slippery slope when it comes to their health and it is scary. It’s up to each of us to take care of ourselves, and it should be at the top of our priority list.
Think about your average day or week. How much of that time is dedicated to family, friends and your health? Most of the people I come across are so caught up in the daily grind that these self-imposed most important things are not at the top of the list. People are very quick to say they are too busy to make phone calls, visit loved ones or get in a workout. It is everyone’s favorite excuse; I’m too busy.
Other people have no problem accepting this excuse because then they can use it too. What goes around comes around, right? Can you imagine if next Thanksgiving you did not have your spouse to be thankful for? Can you imagine if by next Thanksgiving you had lost a dear friendship because they tired of your excuses? Can you imagine that next Thanksgiving you no longer had your precious good health? Like the old saying goes, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’.
Good health is so valuable but you would never know it by the way many people treat it. Let’s face it, we take it for granted. We act like it is a birthright and it will always be there for us. It will never happen to us, just the other people, right? I’d like to take the famous JFK quote and turn it around on you. ‘Ask not what your body can do for you, ask what you can do for you body’.
So what can you do for your body? You can nourish it instead of just filling it with useless and empty calories. You can move your body instead of having it sit in front of the TV. That’s it you ask? Yep, that’s it. Just think about it, your amazing body and all it does for you and all it asks for in return are healthy nutrition and movement. Is that a bargain or what?
The time to really think about this is now, before you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, clogged arteries and excess body fat and the many diseases they cause. Many of you already have one or more of these conditions. Have you taken responsibility for them? By taking responsibility you are regaining control of the situation and when you know that you are in control than you will do what is necessary to reverse these ailments.
Healthy nutrition and exercise have been proven to not just stop the progressions of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol but to actually reverse them! I hope that has you excited and ready to take action! Too often I see people wallowing in self-pity because of their high blood pressure when I know that they eat sodium rich cold cuts, red meat, processed cheese and other junk food. Why should we feel sorry for someone who won’t take any responsibility? Frankly, I don’t feel sad as much as I do angry.
I feel that most people in our society are on a very slippery slope when it comes to their health and it is scary. It’s up to each of us to take care of ourselves, and it should be at the top of our priority list.
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