Why a gym membership isn't your answer.

At most gyms, especially the big box gyms, once you purchase your membership no one cares if you continue to show up. Gyms will make their money whether you show up or not because they are not invested in your results. Ultimately, you will have to get to a point in which you exercise because you are investing in yourself, but everything in life becomes easier when you have someone that is invested in your success. This is why teachers and coaches exist, to help individuals reach their goals, and in turn providing value by helping you to succeed. Even personal trainers have coaches, in the form of our own personal trainers, nutritionists, lifting coaches, yoga instructors and even business coaches. This is because we understand the value that having a coach can bring to our lives and businesses.

If you have been working towards a health and wellness goal but not making much progress, it may be time to recruit some professional guidance. We hire coaches for things like our finances so why not for our health? Who cares how much money you have if you don't have your health? Change your mindset from "How much will that cost?" to "What will I get from this investment?".

Well, when it comes to personal training, here is what you will get:

1. Motivation that leads to consistency.
2. Education that leads to better decisions.
3. Knowledge that leads to efficient exercise.
4. Fresh ideas to prevent boredom and get better results.
5. Someone to correct your form and prevent injuries.
6. Someone to vent to when no one else will listen (and in some cases a good friend).

If a personal trainer isn't in the budget other options include:

• Find a friend with similar goals that will support you and call you out when you start to slack.
• Join a running club or a triathlon club.
• Use apps like MyFitnessPal and Lose It! to help you stay on track
• Purchase a Fitbit or pedometer.

Please understand that I am not saying to get rid of your gym membership and to no longer bother going anymore. What I am saying is that a gym membership should be a tool that you can use but should not be the only tool. Investing in yourself will not only enhance your well-being, it will allow you to thrive in all areas of life.

Work on yourself

Everyday Ab Workout - Level 1

No matter who you are or what your fitness level, a strong core is a must. Most aches and pains, and injuries stem from having a weak core. Every movement starts with your mid-section so it only makes sense to make sure that it can handle all of the movement we do on an everyday basis, let alone with sports and fitness activities. Here is a workout that is aimed at beginners, but it will challenge everyone if done correctly. It focuses on quality of movement, not quantity. It takes about 10 minutes to complete so it is a great option to every morning.

Subscribe to my Mint Condition Personal Training YouTube page for other workouts and Quick Combos to add to your workouts.

If this is waayy too easy, here is an Everyday Abs Level 2!

Anywhere Workout

Need a quick workout that can be done anywhere? Look no further! Below is a Lower Body Workout and an Upper Body Workout that cane done separate (3-5 Rounds) or back to back (3 Rounds). No excuses now, do these workouts before you start your day for all day calorie burn. One round of either would make a great 15min Morning Movement workout!!

Air Squats - Keep the weight in your heels. You should be able to wiggle your toes at the bottom. To modify use a chair and practice sitting and standing without using your hands.

Jumping Jacks - Standard jumping jacks. To modify you can do big side steps instead.

Birdfeeders - The technical name of these is a SL Deadlift. Standing tall, tip forward on one leg while allowing the other leg to lift up behind you. Reach forward and down as far as you can while maintaining your balance. Start small!!

Lunges - You can actually do any lunge variation you would like: forward lunge, reverse lunge, side lunge, or curtsey lunge. Keep your knees from traveling to far over your front toes no matter which you choose.

Kick Backs - Standing up tall and while balancing on one leg, kick the other leg back in a controlled manner. You can place one hand on the back of a couch or a countertop to allow for complete control during the lift.

Bridges - Lying on your back, bend your knees up and place your feet flat about hips widths apart. Press through your heels to lift your buns off the mat. 50 pressing up and down, then hold at the top for 60 seconds!

If you want the total package, keep moving right into the Arm Workout.

Small Arm Circles - With your arms out to the side in a T position, make small circles with your arms. Alternate directions with each set.

Mountain Climbers - In a high push up position, bring one knee in towards your chest. From that position jump and switch knees, bringing the opposite knee up and in! To modify simply slow the movement down, no jumping. Or just hold the high push up position for 20 seconds.

Plank Shoulder Touches - In a high plank position, transfer the weight to one arm and take the free hand up to your opposite shoulder. Slowly switch sides trying to minimize any hip movement. To modify perform from a modified push up position on your knees.

Push Ups - Push Ups are no joke. Start with your hands on an elevated surface, such as a couch or counter top. Slowly make your way to the ground and start from your knees. No matter which option you do, make sure your belly button is tucked in as well as your tush!!

Tricep Chair Dips - Start seated on a chair or couch. Place your hands right outside your hips. Slowly lift you buns of the chair and move slightly forward so your hips are up and out front of the chair. While keeping your hip as close to the chair, bend your elbows and lower your hips towards the ground. Level 1 will be with 90 degrees in your knees, progressing until your legs are completely straight.

Field Goal Supermans - Lying on your stomach with your arms in a field goal position, lift your legs and chest off of the ground while pulling your elbows towards each other behind your back. Keep your gaze down as to not kink the back of your neck.

Low Plank Hold - Same as a push up position, but on your elbows instead of hands. Squeezing your belly button to your spine and tucking your hips under, hold for 60 seconds.

Keep your fitness simple.

Something isn't quite working out in the fitness in industry, pun intended! Why is it that people don't start working towards fitness goals because they don't know where to start? Why is it that social media leads people to think that you have to be ripped in order to enter a gym? Why is it that new clients are hesitant to get started due to a fear of what's to come?

With nearly 70% of the US adult population suffering from being overweight or obese, something isn't quite clicking.  While the numbers seem to be stabilizing, the rates are still through the roof (www.stateofobesity.org). Although changes need to happen in the industry as a whole, I'm not going to wait for them!!

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND

If you have been thinking about starting a new fitness program or have tried but got lost in the confusion of what to eat, what not to eat, how to exercise, how long to exercise, or what order to do all of the thousands of exercises that you see in magazines, websites, YouTube, or Instagram, let's just stop the madness right now.

Here is what I want you to focus on - KEEP IT SIMPLE!

1. Drink water all day long - Don't go overboard but make sure you always have access. If you have water on hand you will drink it instead of other calorie filled beverages and you will stay hydrated while drinking your morning coffee.
2. Eat 5 Meals A Day - By spreading your meals throughout your day you keep your metabolism burning and burn more calories. Even if you eat the same foods you will burn more calories. Its a no brainer. Easiest trick is to split your lunch into 2 portions and pack a snack. Voila, you now have 5 Meals!!
3. Eat Real Food - Look at ingredient lists and put down food that has a list a mile long. Fill your body with natural things that it knows how to digest and stay away from stuff that needs artificial flavors and colors, gross. I understand that sometimes you will have to stray from the real food road, but slowly try to make your diet consist of as much natural, local food as possible.
4. Move Everyday - I have said it before and I will say it over and over again, I DONT CARE WHAT YOU DO JUST DO SOMETHING!! Walk your dog, walk up and down your stairs 3 times before getting ready for work, get on your pogo stick (my dad gave my brother one for Christmas when we were kids and if this is your choice of exercise I congratulate you, it is no joke), do the 3 yoga poses you remember from your last class, anything. Everyday you are consuming calories and quite frequently consuming more than necessary so why not make sure you burn extra each day. Aim for at least 15 minutes per day. As 15 minutes becomes easy move up to 20, 25, 30 .....
5. Don't Be Scared of the Gym - If you've paid for a gym membership and feel you need to get the most of it, go in and get on a stationary bike. They are the least scary when it comes to machines. While you're on the bike look around and understand that everyone out there was where you are right now. Also realize that some still have no clue what they are doing. When you are ready to step onto the fitness floor and start weight training, find a friend that you trust (I will be your friend), a staff member/trainer, or even someone in the gym that looks like they know what they're doing and ask for help. The gym is filled with egos. If you tell someone "you look like you know what you're doing in here, can you show me how to use this machine?", I almost guarantee that they will bend over backwards to help you.  

     Make sure you learn these 3 machines for the most basic Total Body Routine:

• Lat Pull Down - works your back and biceps.
• Chest Press - works your chest and triceps.
• Leg Press - works your lower body.

If you implement these 5 rules I guarantee that you will be well on your way to meeting your fitness goals. When this is your new "normal" then you can begin branching out to add in other forms of exercise and further cleaning up your nutrition.

LAST RULE

The right personal trainer will make you feel at ease. You will trust that they will comfortably work you into your workout regimen. If you are ever feel like you are being rushed into something communicate that to your trainer, if they do not respond in a way that comforts you, give me a call! I've been deemed the "Nicest Personal Trainer", but this nice trainer also gets results!!

Please share this with anyone that may benefit. Stay happy, get healthy!!

ADVOCARE, Why I'm on Board!

When it comes to getting fit and staying fit, the key is to focus on a diet that is as clean as possible. What do I mean by clean? I mean ideally, you would only want to eat foods that were grown organically and without any added hormones or chemicals. In a perfect world, we would all grow our own food, ensuring that it was made with our health in mind and not how much money it would make us. Like I said, in a perfect world...

SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP

Life is crazy sometimes and we all have a lot on our daily to-do list, some more than others. Things that pay the bills and keep our families running smoothly tend to be at the top of the list, while spending extra time at the grocery store, farmers market and in the kitchen tend to fall towards the bottom. While it is my goal as a personal trainer to help you move those tasks higher up the list, I completely understand that sometimes we just need a little extra help in the area of nutrition. This is why I have chosen to join the Advocare Team. They offer a wide variety of products from multivitamins and their 24 Day Challenge (a comprehensive supplement and nutrition plan) to protein powders and skin care products.

SUPPLEMENTS vs MAIN SOURCE

PLEASE UNDERSTAND that these are supplements, meaning that they are intended to supplement a clean and healthy diet. They should never be relied on as the main source of anyones diet. For example, I keep a shaker and a meal replacement on hand at all times for those instances in which it is a better option than pulling into a fast food chain or eating the pizza that was provided at a group lunch.

BECOME A LABEL SNOB

It is important to research the ingredients in the products that you use regularly and beware of any known side effects. For example, the Spark Energy Mix contains sucralose (Splenda). This is known to cause headaches and stomach issues in some people as it is an artificial sweetener, and in MY OPINION should not be your main source of energy. Green tea with lemon would be a much better option on a regular basis. But having a Spark packet on hand for those times that you can't muster the energy for a workout or as a better option than the artificial syrup filled flavored coffee is perfect.

FINAL NOTE...

Now that all of my "disclaimers" have been expressed, I want to say that I am very excited to be able to incorporate these products into my clients regimens. In the end, we are all looking for results and if a 24 Day Challenge will get you on your way to reach your ultimate goals, I support it 100%. As long as they remain a supplement to your diet and in the end they are used to fill in any gaps that you may have, you are using the products properly and will have great success. Now who's down for some Pumpkin Spice Meal Replacements? Who hoo!!

Please visit my Advocare Site anytime to browse products and NEVER hesitate to contact me with any questions!

Quickie Combo - Push Up to Toe Touch

Here is another great exercise combo that can be used as a Quickie or can be incorporated into your exercise regimen! I used it to finish off a workout filled with chest exercises. See if you can do 2 sets of 20 of either the Standard or the Modified versions. Just do your best and remember that consistency is key. Do something active everyday!!

Have a great week! Let me know how you like this combo and if you have any requests for new Quickie Combos :)

Squat, Twist, and Kick Quickie Combo

Here's another Quickie Combo that works great in the beginning of a workout to get nice and warmed up OR add squat jumps and partner it with an upper body combo and you've got yourself a full body Quickie workout!! Visit the MC YouTube Channel for all of them.

Try one of these next!

Side Cinching Plank Combo gets your triceps and more core:

Lunge and Plank Combo will burn more calories by getting your legs fired up and adds a little more cardio into the mix:

No matter what you do, DO SOMETHING!!!!!

Morning Movement - Get Some!

One of my first goals with each new personal training client is to incorporate Morning Movement into their daily routines. As a non-morning person I understand how challenging this can be and how many excuses can keep this from becoming a habit. However, If you truly want to get fit and stay fit, this one habit can make a world of difference. REASONS TO GET MOVING EVERY MORNING:

• Starts your day with energy and mental clarity.
• Boosts your metabolism.
• Sets a healthy intention for the rest of your day.
• Eliminates the procrastination of fitting in workouts throughout the week.
• Eliminates the excuses that arise throughout the day for not being able to exercise.

Now some might read this and say, "You want me to exercise EVERYDAY?" and I will answer "YES". I am not saying you have to do a 90 minute yoga session or be the first one at the gym. What I am saying is set aside at least 15 minutes every morning to get in some sort of movement. Depending on your goals and the stage in your fitness journey this can be a variety of  activities. Morning cardio is a wise choice for those looking to lean out, while a yoga and meditation session is good for those recovering from a workout/training event or those that just need a little quiet time before their hectic day starts.

Because my schedule and job allow me multiple opportunities throughout the day to exercise, I tend to catch a few extra winks in the mornings. However, every time I squeeze in my exercise before my day actually starts, I love life that day! I'm full of energy, my body feels loose and moves without any aches or pains, and I get to enjoy my evening reading or hanging with my Boo and Bullies without having any sort of non-exercisers remorse.

MoveEverydayCollage

Give it a try. Wake up 20 minutes early for one week, step out your front door and jog 7 minutes down your street, then jog back. Throw in a couple of stretches and you are all set!!

Other Ideas for Morning Movements:

• One of my Quickie Workouts
• A morning yoga sequence
• Walk your dogs
• Crank your favorite playlist and dance your fat off! - My favorite Playlist right now
• Jumping Rope
• 20 Push Ups, 20 Squats, 20 Crunches
• Swimming
• Commute on bike or skate board to work
• Yard Work
• Hoola Hooping
• Roller Skating
• Whatever you enjoy doing!!

I posted this video on my old blog and am still in aw every time I see it! One day I will start my morning like this:

Get moving!!

Awesome Arms Quickie Workout

As I was taking a peak at the new Mint Condition YouTube Channel, I realized that it was lacking some upper body combos. I have used this one multiple times with clients this week. This Quickie Combo that can be used as a short workout to get your metabolism revved up or as a warm up for your already planned workout. This combo starts with a push up and then combos a core stabilizer and a downward dog. Due to the slower pace and the big stretch, this combo is great for first thing in the morning! It works your chest, triceps, shoulders and core, AND helps to get you inverted. Inversions (any move that gets your head low and your body high. Think headstand, downward dog, and shoulder stands) are great for your core strength and your balance but they are also great for your BRAIN! When you flip upside down you actually reverse your blood flow, using gravity to bring more oxygen to your brain. More blood to the brain can provide more focus, relaxation, and/or energy. Additionally, inversions do wonders for your immune system by helping to flush out your lymph nodes.

Adding handstands at the end is just a fun way to burn out your shoulders and get upside down. I grew up walking on my hands so do not feel that you have to be able to hold one. If you are a beginner, keep working on the downward dog and build up your shoulder strength. Maybe I will do a post on working up to handstands soon!

Love Your Legs Workout

Summer is here and not only does the temperature start to heat up but so do our schedules. Our priorities shift from structure to leisure and exercise can sometimes take a back seat (right next to the cooler and beach bags). Summer workouts need to be efficient and be able to be done anywhere and my Love Your Legs Workout is just that! When trying to burn calories, its important to get your large muscle groups burning. Using all of your leg muscles and a majority of of your core, this workout will get them fired up. Ideally, 3 rounds with a short break (or even a short jump rope session for serious calorie burn) would  provide the best workout. HOWEVER, one of my top rules for exercise is anything is better than nothing! So if you only have time for 1 round, high five!!

LoveYourLegsFinal

Please remember that form is far more important than speed or reps. Here are some reminders:

1. Stand up tall and suck your belly button to your spine throughout the whole workout, while still maintaining normal deep breaths.
2. Weight should never shift onto your toes in squats or lunges.
3. Land nice and soft on the jumping Squat Jacks - You should land like a ninja, very quietly.
4. Progress slowly. Start with 1 round without any weights. If that feels good, work your way up to 3 rounds. Once your able to do 3 rounds, add light weights. And so on and so forth.
5. Modify when needed. If a couple of these moves are particularly tough, scale them back a bit by not going as low into the lunge (don't take a smaller step - keep the knees from traveling forward), don't kick so high on the Birdfeeder Kicks or don't kick at all, if 25 is too many, start with 10. Just start somewhere and build :)

Stay tuned for a Summer Cardio Challenge that works great with the Love Your Legs Workout. Until then... Happy Summer!!