Eventually this question is asked of me from just about everyone I meet. When people find out that my career is that I help people lose weight by figuring out how exercise fits into their lives…”yeah, I need to get back in the gym” is the usual response. Andrea and I had a some friends over for dinner Saturday night and we covered just about every topic including the one’s “your not supposed to discuss”.
Last week I overheard a conversation between a trainer and a client…they were about 3 feet away from me. This particular client is very, very active. She hikes, bikes, consistently workouts out and builds homes with her own two hands for the less fortunate. She gets it. What she understood about protein was a bit misguided though.
On her long hikes (2 hours plus) she was eating only foods very high in protein with limited to no carbs. Her understanding was that the protein would stay with her longer and help her keep her energy up during her hike. She “certainly felt full” when eating this way so she felt like in that regard it was working. She did not have the energy she was looking for though and that was a bit puzzling for her. She even understood it takes longer to break down protein than most carbs – so what’s the problem? Read the rest of this entry »
This morning I when I finished my bootcamp class with a brand new group of great women, we were talking about long term strategies. Their goals are like most – fat loss. They are actually enrolled in a pseudo “biggest Loser” contest at a local gym and were looking for a better way to lose fat faster. I was explaining the importance of not just taking my bootcamp classes for 4 weeks – but how to develop a plan that works.
I spoke of how I subscribe to the 90% rule…if you can’t do it 90% of the time then ultimately you will have to start over again. They all agreed, having pesonallly suffered that fate in the past. Part of what I do is help people develop a way to allow exercise to fit into their lives, rather than trying to force their lives to fit around exercise.
Then came the quote.
“Either make time for exercise now or make time for sickness later”
Perfect.
Immediately I asked her if I could use her quote and blog about it a she obviously agreed.
This morning (ok it’s still morning) my first client was telling me that Madonna’s trainer is now working with Gweneth Paltrow. Gweneth was apparently talking about how she works out for an hour and 45 minutes – 6 days per week.
Do you have the resources or TIME for that?
Does it take that much time and effort to lose fat?
I must say this is the one of the busiest weeks I have had in a long time…but…it’s all good! Coming off the heels of the fitness conference last weekend I have been swamped with clients, I was highlighted in a regional newpaper special pull out section and I have refocused my goals with blogging.
I will continue to give commentary as usual. I will also be adding more pertinent information on how to reach your fitness goals at home. More articles, tips, and videos each and every week. I have purposely been writing about the human side of things and how that relates to fitness. That will not change as I believe without talking about that side of the coin – we will all be in trouble.
I have been “practicing” my video skills lately so here is my first go at it. This was a short video I took with the Flip Video Camera. Wow have things changed! It’s so easy! I uploaded this onto my YouTube Channel in about 10 minutes.
I was sitting in the lobby on the Hilton Hotel in Stamford Connecticut, surrounded by the top 1% of the fitness industry professionals in the world. An overwhelming thought keeps crossing my mind that I believe I need to share with you. These people get it done. Since last night there have been a virtual sea of laptops with keyboards being pounded as these true professionals are working on their business and with their clients from a far.
I initially questioned how many of these trainers and business owners are actually accomplishing tasks that will ultimately help them reach their goals and how many of them are just doing “busy work”? Another word for busy work is procrastination.
Atleast that is the picture that is trying to be painted by a few commercials that are airing on television. Fellow fitness pro Scott Colby first blogged about it last week. At the conference in Connecticut I went to I was able to chat with Scott about it for a few minutes with Scott Tousignant, both are very respected and extremely successful in the fitness industry. We all agreed there is a play on words and it was very interesting that in both ads the target market was not the people in the actual ads…it was kids.
The day I left for a conference in Stamford, Connecticut I felt like I barely had time to brush my teeth let alone get a workout in. I knew I had to move because I was about to sit on a train for 3 hours to essentially sit on my butt for the better part of two straight days.
Which I did.
I was stressed out, due not having to travel much since our boys came into the world, and I felt like a fish out of water as I packed at 4:30 am before I hit the road for my first client of the day. I must have checked my bags 20 times and still managed to panic half way to my clients house because I couldn’t remember where I put my train tickets.
Well – let’s just say they were right where I put them…in my bag!
While at my friend Gil Cohen’s Personal Training studio I forced myself to get one last workout in before I left knowing I would feel better after.
Here is a reprint of an old article I wrote and I want to post it again now that a new season of The Biggest Loser is upon us.
First of all I want to congratulate all the individuals and families who have participated on the popular television show “The biggest Loser”. Their willingness to be sensationalized because of their weight issues is nothing short of courageous. The overall success in terms of weight loss, better health, and a new lease on life is inspiring to millions and borders on miraculous in many instances. The people who participate depict Read the rest of this entry »
Anything to get our kids inside and less active. I saw this video over the weekend at the Ryan Lee Bootcamp in Stamford, Connecticut and the entire room of fitness pro’s laughed. I think the joke may be on us because we have our work cut out for us!
I just spent 3 days in Stamford Connecticut with 300+ of the brightest, most professional fitness trainers and owners from all over the world. The underlying theme over the weekend was to take action…something I have been writing about for months.
The dress was business casual (no spandex and tight t-shirts), the egos were left at the door and the networking that went on was nothing short of incredible.
INSANITY can be described as doing the same thing over and over again…expecting different results.
In the United States one example of this is repeatedly continuing to disrespect and attack Governor Sarah Palin by personally attacking her – thinking somehow it will change the fact that she has more executive experience and real life qualifications than the Presidential candidate on the opposing ticket. (It also does not change the fact that Sarah Palin is NOT running for President). Insane.
What behavior do you engage in everyday while expecting a different outcome?
What self defeating eating habits do we continue to with while believing if we just do some extra cardio we can justify it. Hmmm….I’m still gaining weight though. Insane. Read the rest of this entry »
In the United States, today is the 7th anniversary of the worst attack on U.S. soil in history. There was a collective wonderment as thoughts of confusion and “how could this happen” reigned through the minds of all of us.
Prior to that day, if you asked most people they would say “that could never happen”, “not here” and “not in MY backyard”. Well it did. Then, shortly after, planning began on how to prevent this from every happening again. Thankfully it has not happened again. I pray it never does.
This story is so familiar in our individual lives when it comes to our health. No one thinks a health challenge will invade their lives or the life of someone they love – until it does. When that challenge is dealt with and hopefully eradicated…many people will change gears, adopt a healthier lifestyle and fight to not let it happen again.
In both cases there can be debate about prevention.
Could we have prevented the events of September 11, 2001? Can health challenges be prevented by Read the rest of this entry »
We Fit Your Life” is the mantra of a website called LivingXL. This business, like many others you can find on the web, caters to “oversized” people. Yes there are plenty of people who are larger than the averaged Joe…or Jane.
Case in point is one of my good friends from college. In his early 20’s he was 6’4” 240 pounds. He was big, fast, strong and in shape. In fact when he tried out for the New England Patriots football team his body fat was 9 – 11 percent. You may know people who are bigger…much bigger AND in shape.
Is this the segment of the population that these companies pursue? I think not.
The market these companies target is our overweight and obese friends and neighbors. That’s why you will see weight ratings next to fold out chairs 500 and even 800 pound capacity.
Not many of the advertisements depict a person who is off the height and weight chart but seems to be, visibly anyway, in shape. This is part of our problem. Part of the culture we have created.
Enabling.
Patronizing.
Giving up.
Would you give an alcoholic a drink? Probably not. If you think that analogy is unfair. Read the rest of this entry »
The great thing about tracking your own progress during your journey to a leaner, healthier body is that it is inherently valuable. You are tracking your victories, your speed bumps, your consistency…your success! In order to get a complete picture of where you are now with your diet and where you need to go – one of the most powerful tools that can be utilized is that of journaling everything you eat.
Write everything down. Water, snacks, mints, fruit…EVERYTHING! Most people will immediately see, Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by davegleason 
Posted by davegleason 
