Well...it's official, I did my part this holiday season. You may remember that I explained in my last Fit Tip that the average person gains seven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. I am happy to report that I came in a little below the average! I did weigh yesterday and I have GAINED THREE POUNDS! Yuck!
But at least I know...right?! As hard as it was to get on that scale yesterday...I am glad that I did. As our yearly calendar hits the reset button, so should we. I think that it's important that we all have a starting place. Note that I didn't say anything about a Resolution! So take some time today to think about how you're going to hit your Health and Fitness Reset Button! Goals give us a purpose and there's nothing that motivates me more than knowing there is a finish line!
We, as your trainers, are ready to help you not only to set your goals but to map out a pathway to them. So...we can do your bodyfat or measurements, do a treadmill or push-up test, or give you some goals to improve your flexibility. Now that I know I've got some (more) pounds of fat to lose...I've de-junked my kitchen and am ready to start making my way toward my finish line! How you measure success is up to you...but I think we all do a little better with our program when we have a goal in mind. If your goal is weight or body fat loss...take that first step onto the scale. Knowing is a lot better than not knowing because then at least you can start moving in the right direction! Happy 2009! Let's make it a GREAT year!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Two Weeks of Too Much ...
Here we are again...the most wonderful time of the year! Two weeks of eating, drinking, and doing TOO MUCH! A recent study reports that the average person gains seven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years Day...yikes! Although I do have to admit that it's good for business, I would rather prospective clients live up to that statistic and that our current clients become an exception to that rule!
Did you know that seven pounds is equal to 24,500 calories? This year there are 34 days between Thanksgiving and the New Year...that means you would only have to over-consume 721 calories per day to gain those seven pounds! That's actually pretty easy to do! So here are a few strategies to help you avoid that Holiday Heft:
~Eat a snack before the party...that's right ruin your appetite with something healthy before you head out the door. Besides you don't want to be one of those party goers that stands next to the buffet like it's a trough!
~Drink plenty of water...all day long and alternate between every alcoholic drink. Unless, of course, you want to put that wreath around your head like you did last year.
~Graze don't gobble...when I was little, I was always told to clean my plate...so I would always save my favorites for last. Bad idea...eat your favorite foods first so that you don't force yourself to make it through everything on your plate just to get to the good stuff!
~Exercise every day...period! Don't make excuses for yourself! We're all busy but it just can't wait until the New Year. Do your exercise first before anything else. You will have more energy and feel better about yourself for the rest of the day. A thirty minute workout can burn up to 400 calories! A GREAT way to burn off those excess sausage balls and egg nog!
~But most of all have fun! Enjoy yourself this holiday and know that we will be here to whip you back into shape after you delete this email and reach for your next handful of Chex Mix...
Did you know that seven pounds is equal to 24,500 calories? This year there are 34 days between Thanksgiving and the New Year...that means you would only have to over-consume 721 calories per day to gain those seven pounds! That's actually pretty easy to do! So here are a few strategies to help you avoid that Holiday Heft:
~Eat a snack before the party...that's right ruin your appetite with something healthy before you head out the door. Besides you don't want to be one of those party goers that stands next to the buffet like it's a trough!
~Drink plenty of water...all day long and alternate between every alcoholic drink. Unless, of course, you want to put that wreath around your head like you did last year.
~Graze don't gobble...when I was little, I was always told to clean my plate...so I would always save my favorites for last. Bad idea...eat your favorite foods first so that you don't force yourself to make it through everything on your plate just to get to the good stuff!
~Exercise every day...period! Don't make excuses for yourself! We're all busy but it just can't wait until the New Year. Do your exercise first before anything else. You will have more energy and feel better about yourself for the rest of the day. A thirty minute workout can burn up to 400 calories! A GREAT way to burn off those excess sausage balls and egg nog!
~But most of all have fun! Enjoy yourself this holiday and know that we will be here to whip you back into shape after you delete this email and reach for your next handful of Chex Mix...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Little Baby Fat Bombs ...
It's hard to believe that it's already the first week of November and the holidays are already upon us! I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and didn't partake in too many little baby fat bombs...
"So what are little baby fat bombs" you ask?!? They are those innocent, little bite-sized pieces of candy that you supposedly bought for the trick or treaters but proceeded to eat yourself. It is really hard to believe how quickly these tasty little morsels can add up! Here's a look at the calorie count of just a few...
~Twizzlers- 1 treat size pkg.= 45 calories
~Almond Joy- 1 snack size bar= 90 calories
~Milk Duds- 1 treat size box= 40 calories
~Butterfinger- 1 snack size bar= 100 calories
~Milky Way- 1 snack size bar= 90 calories
~Reese cup- 1 minature cup= 36 calories
So...I ate seven minature Reese cups(among other things!!) That's 252 calories! That's more than two full-sized cups...which I never allow myself to have! No wonder I had such a Halloween hangover on Saturday!
Sometimes when I'm gorging myself...I visualize a gas pump display ticking away the calories in my stomach...just like it does the gallons of gas in your car tank. Then I begin to wonder just how much am I going to have to move to work all of those calories off...and is it really worth it?? In this instance, it really was worth it! But I bet we've all got a little bit of extra cardio work to do this week! See you at the gym!!
OH and by the way...if you've still got any of those little baby fat bombs lying around your house...get rid of them...FAST!
"So what are little baby fat bombs" you ask?!? They are those innocent, little bite-sized pieces of candy that you supposedly bought for the trick or treaters but proceeded to eat yourself. It is really hard to believe how quickly these tasty little morsels can add up! Here's a look at the calorie count of just a few...
~Twizzlers- 1 treat size pkg.= 45 calories
~Almond Joy- 1 snack size bar= 90 calories
~Milk Duds- 1 treat size box= 40 calories
~Butterfinger- 1 snack size bar= 100 calories
~Milky Way- 1 snack size bar= 90 calories
~Reese cup- 1 minature cup= 36 calories
So...I ate seven minature Reese cups(among other things!!) That's 252 calories! That's more than two full-sized cups...which I never allow myself to have! No wonder I had such a Halloween hangover on Saturday!
Sometimes when I'm gorging myself...I visualize a gas pump display ticking away the calories in my stomach...just like it does the gallons of gas in your car tank. Then I begin to wonder just how much am I going to have to move to work all of those calories off...and is it really worth it?? In this instance, it really was worth it! But I bet we've all got a little bit of extra cardio work to do this week! See you at the gym!!
OH and by the way...if you've still got any of those little baby fat bombs lying around your house...get rid of them...FAST!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Summer Lazys!!
You know you’re being lazy when you...
• spend 10 minutes searching for a close up parking spot instead of parking at the far end of the lot
• use the elevator to get to the third floor (or less!)
• drive to the mailbox
• have a yard boy, housekeeper, and take your car to Autobell
• stand with dog instead of walking it
• say it’s just too hot to exercise
It’s time to get crackin’ and move a little more! Have a great week!
• spend 10 minutes searching for a close up parking spot instead of parking at the far end of the lot
• use the elevator to get to the third floor (or less!)
• drive to the mailbox
• have a yard boy, housekeeper, and take your car to Autobell
• stand with dog instead of walking it
• say it’s just too hot to exercise
It’s time to get crackin’ and move a little more! Have a great week!
Friday, July 18, 2008
The internet is amazing tool!
In about five minutes, I found a great recipe for Gazpacho and then went on to find out the nutrition information in a green bell pepper and tomatoes! They are LOADED with lycopene and vitamin c. What a great way to incorporate some of these awesome summer vegetables into your diet. My challenge for you this week is to have at least three meatless meals and to make this (or another) recipe that really lets you taste how good “healthy” can be! Happy summer!
GAZPACHO
Makes 6 servings
6 large tomatoes
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 medium-sized red onion, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried basil
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste
To peel the tomatoes, submerge them in boiling water for 15 seconds. Place in a colander and rinse under cold water. The skins should slip right off. Core the tomatoes and gently squeeze out the seeds. Chop half of the tomatoes coarsely and puree the other half in a food processor. Combine the puree and chopped tomatoes in a large mixing bowl. Blend the remaining ingredients with the tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving. Serve chilled; garnish with herbed croutons if desired.
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS PER SERVING: Calories, 99; Fat, 5 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg, Fiber, 3 g; Sodium, 20 mg.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Chronic Disease Control and Health Promotion www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/
month/tomato.htm
GAZPACHO
Makes 6 servings
6 large tomatoes
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 medium-sized red onion, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried basil
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste
To peel the tomatoes, submerge them in boiling water for 15 seconds. Place in a colander and rinse under cold water. The skins should slip right off. Core the tomatoes and gently squeeze out the seeds. Chop half of the tomatoes coarsely and puree the other half in a food processor. Combine the puree and chopped tomatoes in a large mixing bowl. Blend the remaining ingredients with the tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving. Serve chilled; garnish with herbed croutons if desired.
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS PER SERVING: Calories, 99; Fat, 5 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg, Fiber, 3 g; Sodium, 20 mg.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Chronic Disease Control and Health Promotion www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/
month/tomato.htm
Monday, June 16, 2008
So...What’s the Point?!?!
You know I have this major motivation when it comes to gaining weight...well, actually I have two.
1. When I gain weight, I start to look like Uncle Fester and,
2. It’s my job to appear fit and healthy...
So I have these imaginary weight zones that kind of dictate my diet and my lifestyle...
There’s the Home-Free Zone when all my clothes fit and I feel really good about myself.
Then there’s the Put-the-Twinkie-Down Zone when my pants start to get a little tight and I would rather have a tetanus shot than to take my shirt off in public.
And finally, there’s the Uncle Fester Zone when it’s all gone to pot and everything seems to jiggle even when I’m sitting still.
So I think having some idea of what your body weight is and where it needs to be in order for you to feel good about yourself is very important. I think it’s key to know when you are getting out of your Home-Free Zone and starting to edge into Twinkie land. Let’s face it...it’s a lot easier to take off five or ten pounds than it is to take off twenty or thirty. So what’s your set point? Do you know...and how close are you to it right now?? Don’t let yourself get to the point of no return...I mean really, if we eat four times per day then we will have 1460 meals this year. It won’t hurt to practice a little self control to get back into those skinny pants! You can always eat whatever you want after you reach your goal. So weigh weekly and track your progress (or demise) and let it govern your habits. It is summer after all!
1. When I gain weight, I start to look like Uncle Fester and,
2. It’s my job to appear fit and healthy...
So I have these imaginary weight zones that kind of dictate my diet and my lifestyle...
There’s the Home-Free Zone when all my clothes fit and I feel really good about myself.
Then there’s the Put-the-Twinkie-Down Zone when my pants start to get a little tight and I would rather have a tetanus shot than to take my shirt off in public.
And finally, there’s the Uncle Fester Zone when it’s all gone to pot and everything seems to jiggle even when I’m sitting still.
So I think having some idea of what your body weight is and where it needs to be in order for you to feel good about yourself is very important. I think it’s key to know when you are getting out of your Home-Free Zone and starting to edge into Twinkie land. Let’s face it...it’s a lot easier to take off five or ten pounds than it is to take off twenty or thirty. So what’s your set point? Do you know...and how close are you to it right now?? Don’t let yourself get to the point of no return...I mean really, if we eat four times per day then we will have 1460 meals this year. It won’t hurt to practice a little self control to get back into those skinny pants! You can always eat whatever you want after you reach your goal. So weigh weekly and track your progress (or demise) and let it govern your habits. It is summer after all!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Are you for REAL?!?
We always make time for what’s important…so you mean to tell me that those kids or that spouse or that job is more important than working out?! I thought not!!
So now that you’ve really gotten your priorities straight, let’s figure out how we can fit a little more movement into your daily life…
Just remember, exercise doesn’t have to produce that nauseous, clammy, over-exerted feeling like you get with your trainer in order for it to count! Exercise can actually be FUN! Try riding bikes with your kids or taking a walk with your spouse (though I will warn you…you may have to carry on a conversation). Go bowling or take a hike! The possibilities are truly endless…just take advantage of your together time and make it another chance to be healthy! Your kids will learn from your example and your spouse probably needs it just as much as you do!
So…here’s your goal for the week…plan AND implement an exercise session that doesn’t really seem like exercise…do it for the fun of it and by all means…try to like it!!
So now that you’ve really gotten your priorities straight, let’s figure out how we can fit a little more movement into your daily life…
Just remember, exercise doesn’t have to produce that nauseous, clammy, over-exerted feeling like you get with your trainer in order for it to count! Exercise can actually be FUN! Try riding bikes with your kids or taking a walk with your spouse (though I will warn you…you may have to carry on a conversation). Go bowling or take a hike! The possibilities are truly endless…just take advantage of your together time and make it another chance to be healthy! Your kids will learn from your example and your spouse probably needs it just as much as you do!
So…here’s your goal for the week…plan AND implement an exercise session that doesn’t really seem like exercise…do it for the fun of it and by all means…try to like it!!
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