Cleanse Recap

Hey all! First I want to apologize for not staying consistent with my blogs. Writing really helps me, but I know it helps many of you as well. Anyway, For the month of January, I decided to start the year off right by mixing up my fitness with an all-new program as well as a nutritional "cleanse". The cleanse wasn't colonics or a prune juice binge or a fast. Actually, it was more about eliminating certain foods and elements that toxify the body. So In January, I completely eliminated (if I hadn't already) alcohol, gluten, caffeine, sugars and artificial sweeteners, dairy products, processed foods, and I only eat salmon and egg whites as far as animal products go, so I decided to keep those in. I must say the changes in both areas allowed me to drop the ten pounds I had gained post-marathon thru the holidays. However, I did put on muscle mass and increased my strength, so I am lean, athletic, and ready to start endurance season again! In addition, I feel less bloated, more alert, more motivated, and I have noticed postural improvements as well! I am happy to think that I have kicked my caffeine addiction, and I do plan to drink coffee again, but I think I will go to decaf and drink for the flavor! Wow!

The information on this 30-day diet clean-up is found in Tony Horton's new book "Bring It". I highly recommend picking this one up on Amazon or at your local book store. Tony Horton created P90X and is a huge reason I am helping my clients change their lives through fitness and nutrition, so I really believe in this guy. If you are looking to make some positive changes in your life this year, the best way would be to take control of your health and well-being by eating whole, nutritious and natural foods and by exercising and/or training daily. Please contact me if you don't know where to begin! That's what I'm here for. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Life Is Our Sport

Difficulty mixed with opportunity. That is the basic theme of life, isn't it? I first heard this concept from a Jim Rone presentation, and it definitely holds true. Sure, there are times when we have more of one than the other, but we still all have a mix. When you make a decision to improve yourself all around, you pursue the means to get there and then you execute. When you work hard and follow a simple plan, making adjustments and adaptations when necessary, you will become better skilled to handle life itself. So fitness-wise, of course this applies. People are also noticing how fitness and health in general can help you elsewhere, especially in your career and home life. I want to share an excerpt from an email I just received today. This is from one of my clients who has an up-and-down work schedule but has been diligent in working hard, eating right, being accountable, and by being coach-able and following a program:

"...another person today noticed how my body has changed! And so have I - I feel like I've been treated better at work (oddly), maybe because I look better or I feel better and am projecting that, or it''s really true that people treat you better when you look better/healthier. Also, a bunch of my work clothing that didn't fit well over the last year is now fitting much better- and I feel more confident as my body changes. I had Mon-Friday without workouts, but I am thinking I have to change my game at work to make sure I fit in the workouts when I have this particular rotation again. This was the first of such a week...I am determined to find a way to make this rotation easier, more doable, and healthier...I am thankful I have a husband like...because he cooked food and I took it for lunch (and ended up eating that for dinner if I didn't eat lunch in the middle of the day)."

Thanks to all of you for working so hard and feeling great for it! Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!

Day 1

Day 1. Always an interesting day. No matter what the situation--day 1 of the job, day 1 of a new diet, day 1 of prison--ok did I get your attention? Seriously, though, it is "resolution time" isn't it? At the gym we have been preparing for an expected influx of new members and potential training clients. This will be my first January as a Personal Trainer, so I'm excited. My mission will be to catch someone on their way towards their resolution, help them get excited for reaching their health and fitness goals, and the hardest part--helping them find a way to make it stick. How come many of us have the same New Years Resolution every year to get healthy. Let's get it done this year and think of all the future resolutions that will be different and much more exciting!

Today for me marks day one for a 49 day abstinence from alcohol. Last year my wife and I did this for a different reason, but this year we have decided to abstain from drinking until her birthday, February 18th. I am excited for the opportunity to detoxify, save money, and concentrate on working hard and being coherent on the weekends as well. Additionally, I have decided to take on the 30-day Spartan Warrior Workout, designed based on the training actors underwent before filming the movie "300". I will need the extra mental focus and clean system.

What will you accomplish in 2011? If "I haven't really thought about it" is what came to your head then it's time to write down some challenging but realistic goals. "Difficult but not impossible, " is what I ask for from my clients in certain exercises. That is a good way to describe the impression your goals should have on you. Take a moment right now or before you go to bed to brainstorm a bit. Picture how you want to feel and look this summer. Not only in the fitness sense but also financially, spiritually, in your relationships, at work, etc? Do you know what you will need to do to make that picture a reality? If not, work backwards--how would this be possible? What would you need to have and what would you need to happen? (money, debts paid, lose weight, etc) What can you start doing that will help get you there? Schedule what you need to have happen, your goal dates, etc. Now all you have to do is follow your own directions!

Happy New Year to you all! Thanks for reading!