When I became a personal trainer, my fitness goals shifted. I had in my mind that I needed to get the ripped and chiseled abs that are so popular and shown off by other fitness trainers on social media and in magazines. About a week into the extreme dieting that it would take to get those ripped abs, I felt miserable, I had no energy, and was not enjoying my workouts. I realized that it just wasn't going to happen. Based on the response I got from this Instagram post, I know I'm not alone. This isn't a dig at other fitness professionals or others who have attained that physique. It's commendable, and can be very motivational. However, it's important to remember that everybody (or, every body) is different. Genetics, age, and other factors play a big part in our body composition. So if you're not careful, comparing yourself to someone else's fitness can be discouraging and in fact have a negative impact on your fitness progress. In this excellent article by Jeanne Bellezzo … [Read more...]
The Fitness Books that Guided My Fitness Journey
I've always loved reading, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, one of my goals in 2018 is to read more. Maybe you also enjoy reading, have a goal to read more, or maybe you're just looking for something to take to the beach this summer. In either case, I wanted to share with you some of the books on my bookshelf that have had the biggest influence on me in my fitness journey, and that I use as reference in my personal training practice. This article contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no cost to you. These links are not a paid endorsement of a product or service. Beat The Gym by Tom Holland - This book had one of the biggest influences on me when I first started my fitness journey. Holland writes in a simple, easy to understand style, that's perfect for those beginning a fitness journey. He gives easy to understand principles on how to get the most out of a gym membership and how … [Read more...]
The Health Benefits of Walking and How to Walk for 30 Minutes A Day
My wife recently asked me, "if you could give someone one piece of fitness advice, what would it be?" My answer? Go for a walk everyday, for at least 30 minutes. Just like all types of exercise, walking has numerous, scientifically documented benefits to our health. Regular walking has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer. In the book The Blue Zone Solution, which documents the lifestyles of 5 areas in the world where people routinely live to be 100 years old, the popular mode of transportation for centenarians is, you guessed it, walking. In addition to these physical benefits, walking also has mental health benefits. Research has shown that walking, especially in nature, has been found to reduce stress and anxiety. In his essay Walking, Henry David Thoreau said "When I would recreate myself, I seek the darkest woods." A walk in nature can be a refreshment for the mind and soul. How can you … [Read more...]
How Exercise Boosts Your Brain Power
This article contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no cost to you. These links are not a paid endorsement of a product or service. One of my 2018 goals was to read more books. Since I wanted to make this a SMART goal, I decided I set the goal to read 12 books, 6 fiction, and 6 non-fiction. One of my friends made a recommendation to read Brain Rules, as it had some helpful insights on how to be a better instructor based on scientific studies conducted on the brain. What's this all got to do with exercise you ask? It's that of the 12 Brain Rules outlined in the book, Brain Rule #2 is "Exercise boosts Brain Power." Research has shown that when going from a sedentary lifestyle to doing regular aerobic exercise, after four months executive brain functions vastly improves and memory improves as well. This means your ability to manage time, pay attention, problem solve, and … [Read more...]
Soccer Drills for Fun and Fitness
The 2018 World Cup kicks off Thursday June 14, and if you’re a soccer fan like me, then this is one of the highlights of this summer. You get a chance to watch the best players in the world compete for one of the most sought after trophies in all of world sport. So now is a great time to pick up the beautiful game! A recent study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that soccer training is some of the best medicine for people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other sedentary related diseases. Since playing soccer includes endurance training, High Intensity Interval Training, and strength training, playing gives you a great overall workout. The study found that recreational soccer improves cardiovascular, metabolic, and muscular fitness. An added benefit is the social, motivational, and competitive aspects of playing a game, which makes playing soccer more fun and inviting way to workout than flying solo at the gym. Bottom line - … [Read more...]