In a previous blog, I discussed in general terms the importance of nutrition as a component of wellness and fitness training. Let’s put some meat on those bones. There are many opinions as to what you should eat before, during and after your workouts. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but there are some general guidelines.
Read MoreAs a trainer, I am often dismayed to see someone, whether or not a client of mine, “fall off the wagon”. That’s the training and nutrition wagon, of course. I try to keep my clients engaged in strength and/or cardio training as well as developing nutritional habits for at least six weeks. Why six weeks? Because behaviors don’t usually get shaped into habits until something has been consciously done for at least six weeks.
Read MoreSo, you’re beginning to (or thinking about) weight training. (AKA resistance training or strength training).… there are many reasons to do weight training. Benefits include: · Staving off chronic disease …
Read MoreWhen you set out to weight train, you should have one or more specific goals in mind. It could be weight loss, lean muscle building, or maybe just quality of life fitness. Those goals will be an important factor in shaping (pun intended) the design of your workout program. Will you be working toward increasing your strength, endurance, muscular form or, preferably, some combination thereof?
Read MoreSo, you’re working out now. A little cardio, a little weight training…Sure does build up an appetite. Here’s the thing, and you may have heard this before. In the battle to be fit (and to fit – into your pants) nutrition is 85% of the battle. Nutritious eating habits combined with personal training are critical if you want to get in shape. And by “in shape”, I mean better health, a higher energy level and lower stress through improved cardio fitness, a higher lean muscle to body fat ratio, and muscular development.
Read MoreWhen a Trainer initially evaluates a client, it should include evaluating mobility and flexibility. Mobility is your active range of motion. If I ask you to raise your arms above your head on your own, mobility is the degree to which you can raise them. Flexibility refers to how high I can raise your relaxed arm. Said another way, the more flexible you are, the more mobile you can be.
Read MoreI was recently meeting with a new client (I’ll call her Mary) to discuss her goals and objectives for our training program. Mary knew, at some level, she wanted to be “more fit.” “But” she said, “I’m at a normal weight for my height, so what will our training really accomplish?” Mary was, as it turned out, “skinny fat.” She looked thin, but her body fat percentage was higher than the normal range. She had a high fat mass and a low muscle mass. Metabolically, she had the same health risks as an overweight person might.
Read MoreAs a Fitness Trainer of a certain age, I’m always perplexed and annoyed by Ageism. What is Ageism? The Dictionary defines Ageism as “prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s age”, and it can be personal or institutional. In my experience it can be quite subtle and possibly well intentioned, as well.
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