Wednesday, March 24, 2010

For women, fighting flab requires an hour a day

Just what we suspected, the guidelines were a little understated.

A new study suggests that current U.S. exercise guidelines won’t stop weight gain. Even if you eat the same amount of calories, unless you exercise at a moderate intensity for at least 1 hour a day, you will gain weight as you age!

http://www.kitv.com/health/22922245/detail.html

What’s that sound? I just heard millions of treadmills being punched or hopefully turned back on to do some interval work! Seriously, this has been known for a while. Not enough emphasis was put on the correct exercise duration combined with eating a balanced clean diet. I’m hoping women reading that article don’t look at the amount of work needed to get results and just end up becoming more frustrated and quit.

There’s a lesson here. Healthy weight loss is all about balance and consistency. We’re not talking about starving yourself, its healthy food, portion control and eliminating processed foods and sugar. Not deprivation and giving up everything you enjoy. And we’re not talking about working out 2-3 hours a day. If you eat correctly, then 45 minutes 5-6 days a week will work for fat loss.

Exercise alone won't stop weight gain while getting older without cutting calories!

With exercise it’s the same deal; DON’T be overwhelmed by the amount of work. Again, it’s consistency. Yes as we get older our bodies may work against us, but a GOOD program goes a long way. Even if you don’t get the amount of exercise that’s recommended there’s other major benefits.

Even a little exercise is good for your health even if it won't make you thin.

Some of the benefits of exercise:
  • Gain More Energy
  • Improves your Mood
  • Combat Chronic Diseases
  • Improves your Cardiovascular Health
  • Reduces the Risk of Cancer
  • Improves your Self-Esteem
  • Stronger Muscles
  • Better Looking Skin
  • Increased Brain Power
  • Less Sick Days

I think most of us already knew this but not everyone faced facts. It does take some work and proper planning. Your food plan will always be the best tool for fat loss. Exercise is not the primary tool for losing fat and thinking it is will cause more frustration than what its’ worth.

What does work?
Eating clean with an occasional treat and working out with a good plan. Eat great 90% of the time, workout 3 resistance days and 3 interval days and you’ll get to where you want to go! No BS!

Think about getting back to eating real food and proper portions. I see too many folks just going through the motions when it comes to food. Be aware, sit down to eat, not driving in your car and eating. Don’t eat more because you don’t want to throw it away or eating off of your child’s plate. Yes, leftovers are okay. Don’t eat or drink while you’re standing in front of your fridge. When you eat you should recognize that you’re eating and you acknowledge the food you are taking in. EATING CAN NOT BE MINDLESS. It serves a purpose. And that purpose is your health and well-being!







Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Interval Training -maybe people are catching on!

One of my clients passed this article along. I'm so happy that some of the research is finally getting out there. I'm hoping folks are starting to realize how effective Interval Training is for fat loss and conditioning. Please check this article out interval training cuts hours.

GOOD STUFF

“High-intensity interval training is twice as effective as normal exercise," said Jan Helgerud, an exercise expert at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. “This is like finding a new pill that works twice as well. ... We should immediately throw out the old way of exercising."


Here's another example of someone doing Interval work --NOT SLOW RUNNING!




keep training!!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Home workouts can be great -Get your Valslides on!

I’m not a salesperson so I apologize if this sounds like a commercial, but I want folks to have great products at home to help them reach their fitness goals. Sitting at an expensive machine counting reps doesn’t ensure anything – in fact it may slow your progress. Think movements like standing, squatting, lunging, rowing and pushing –it’s basic movement patterns with resistance that strengthen you and change your body.

For those of you who train with me know I’m a huge fan of the Valslide. For the money you can’t beat this product. And please, don’t confuse the Valslide with Paper plates or Furniture sliders. I know the economy is tough, and please don’t take this the wrong way, it’s just people that lift water bottles instead of dumbbells or slide on paper plates eventually need to increase the load to make changes to their bodies –so picking up a few pieces of inexpensive equipment will not only help with your goals, the products will last a lifetime – are you worth it? Yes you know the answer!

If your goal is firming up and lifting your backside, firming thighs or strengthening abs then think about adding a pair of Valslides to your toolbox.

For my Personal Training clients that travel and worried about jeopardizing their workout plan, the Valslide did the trick. It fit easily in their bag and NO WORKOUTS MISSED.

MarkOne Fitness clients are getting an added bonus. To ensure you’re getting a great workout on your own, I’ve added a special bonus. All new clients signing up for a MarkOne Fitness Personal Training Package get a FREE pair of VALSLIDES!

You don’t need fancy expensive equipment to change your body. As far as the workout goes, you can make great strides with several inexpensive items. The least expensive is your own body –yes your bodyweight. Bodyweight exercises can be great for beginners to advanced athletes. The variety of exercises is endless and very effective.

A great starter home gym for less than $100.00

Valslides
Stability Ball 55cm
8lb or 10lb Vinyl Covered Dumbbells
Resistance Tubing

If you’re ready for the next step –Kettlebells are a great product if used correctly- note: DON’T FOLLOW BIGGEST LOSER to learn how to use.

Perform Better is also offering several special packages for inexpensive home gyms. Check the link for Perform Better on this page for information to purchase.

Belly Off! Jumpstart Kit

Women's Package Includes:
• 1 x All Purpose Exercise Band Light
• 1 x First Place Elite Medicine Ball 4 lb.
• 1 x First Place Elite 1' Long, 3" Round Foam Roller
• 1 x Mini Band Medium
• 1 x Gymnic Plus 55cm Stability Ball

Men's Health Home Gym Package

This package includes:
1 x Valslide
1 x 65cm Gymnic Plus Stability Ball

Great Valslide workout Outdoors! Look out Westford !! MarkOne Fitness Bootcamp coming this Spring!