I think that everyone out there should add this to the end of their resolution to get into shape this year; “And this year I will stick with my New Year’s resolution!”  Now I know that life is busy and things get in the way, but for goodness sakes, this is your life.  You don’t have to starve yourself and you don’t even have to go to the gym every day. 

Here are a couple of tips to help you stay on track with this years resolution to get in shape, lose weight, get fit or whatever your resolution is.

1.  Don’t set out of sight goals.  If you set goals that are not realistic, then you will fail.  Start with small goals that work yourself toward a bigger goal.  First 10lbs, then 20 lbs and so on. 

2.  But, don’t judge your results ONLY by weight loss.  Many of my clients have told me that once their weight loss tapered off, they still saw a dramatic way in how their clothes fit and how they felt in general.  You should also have your body fat composition measured at your local health club or by your doctor.  Please do not have your BMI calculated based on your height and weight.  Have a professional measure your body fat using professional tools.

3.  Choose a club or routine that is the most convenient to your schedule.  If the place you go to work out is on the way home from work, you will be more likely to stop there before going home.  If your club is across town, guess what…you aren’t going to go as often and will eventually quit.  Trust me, I see it every year!

4. If you don’t know, ASK SOMEBODY!  If you have never lifted a weight, used a machine or taken a class, please ask someone how to get started.  It may benefit you to hire a trainer for a few sessions to get you on your way.  Many people don’t need more than that.  One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is to give someone the tools to do the job and watch them succeed on their own. 

5.  Make your resolution A WAY OF LIFE and not just a 2 month fad.  I have spent many years watching people hoard the gym in  January only to be M.I.A. in March.   Change your eating, add an exercise routine and enjoy your new and better feeling you.

Stay Fit, Stay Healthy

Keith

1.  Pick 2-3 foods that you know are bad for you and that you indulge in the most and cut them out entirely.  Maybe you have an ice cream fix every night at 9PM.  Knock it off!  Or, instead of a bowl, just have one spoonful and be done. 

2.  Eat breakfast.  One of the most common diet concern that I see in my clients is that they don’t eat breakfast.  You have to get your body going in the morning.  Eating breakfast helps jump start your metablolism and sets the tone for the rest of the day.  Oh yeah, make sure your breakfast doesn’t include Pop-Tarts.

3.  Eat more often!  Can you believe I just said that?  You should be eating at least 5 meals a day.  Eat less at each meal so that you aren’t as hungry for your main meals.  Trust me, it works.

4.  Water, Water, Water.  It will make you pee once an hour but it can perform miracles.

5.  For goodness sake, make HEALTHY CHOICES.  Fruit, vegetables, chicken and other lowfat, vitamin rich foods should make up the base of your diet.

Happy Eating and Good Luck!

If you are working out with a goal in mind, it could help to increase the level of your workout.  Many people tend to work out harder when they have something to work towards.  Take some time to think about an area of fitness that you would like to improve and ask a me how you can build your workout around that goal.

• Your workout is not producing the results you want.
• Your workout is boring the heck out of you!

It is human nature to get in to a set routine thus making your workout habitual instead of fresh and new.  This is the same always eating the same foods, sitting in the same chair at the table and watching the same shows on TV. 

While some repetition is good and helps to produce results, your body will begin to get used to the same repetitive movements and will adapt, thus producing fewer results.

Here are a couple of tips to jump starting your workout routine to help you reach your goals and keep you from being bored:

• Begin to replace old exercises with new ones that work the same muscles but in a different motion.  Most muscle groups can be worked at different angles and can be as simple as a turn in the wrist.
• Change the Intensity level that you work out at.  Try taking shorter breaks between strength exercise and on the cardio machines, try the next level or two and maybe even change the duration.