How to Choose a Personal Trainer
So the holidays are here and you’re looking to get a headstart and get your personal trainer now before the rush? Good for you. Or, even if January 1st has passed and you’ve found this article, we’re glad you’re ready to get started. Now, remember all personal trainers are not equal and it’s important to find the best personal trainer for your needs. Here are some key things to consider when you’re looking:
- Is the personal trainer certified? You should absolutely check for a trainer’s credentials and do not work out with a trainer who is not certified. The most respected certifications are ACE, ACSM, NASM, and NSCA. You should be wary of a personal trainer without one of these certifications as there are a number of less reputable "online certifications" available.
- Is the personal trainer professional? Beyond having a certification, consider how serious the personal trainer is. Do they have a website, a brochure, something that sets them apart? While there may be great personal trainers that do not do these things, it shows a lack of effort on their part and if they are not projecting a personal image, their services might be less than exemplary.
- Is the personal trainer available? Personal training is not a full time job for every trainer, but that does not mean you should not consider them. What you should consider is how their schedule fits with yours and if you will be able to see them 2-3 times per week or they will be able to come to you at that frequency. Remember you will be meeting regularly so too great of a distance or schedule differences is a major obstacle.
- Does the personal trainer have the necessary equipment? Some trainers prefer to work out of a gym while others will train you in your home or a private studio. A major gym will obviously be well equipped and most studios will be sufficient, but if the trainer opts for in-home training, ask them what kind of equipment they use. In-home training is the most convenient form of training for most people and many trainers do it, but you should make sure the trainer is equipped to handle it.
- How are their prices? Price should be one of your last considerations, but still a consideration. Be careful not to go with the cheapest trainer as they are usually cheap for a reason (they are unable to keep clients so they have to lower prices). Find out what the average trainer is charging and expect to pay that or maybe a little more for a higher quality trainer.
If you live in the DC area, check out this link for a great personal trainer in DC .
Good luck finding a trainer and getting in shape!
Track Your Diet with a Calorie Pedometer!
A lot of people have trouble keeping track of the calories they’re burning - it’s not an easy thing to do. It’s almost impossible to do. That’s why I think a calorie pedometer is such a great invention. It’s just like a pedometer, the same size and everything, except instead of tracking the steps you take it will track the calories you are burning throughout all your physical activity. Even Joe the Plumber could make good use of this thing.
I found the BioTrainer Calorie Counter which is one of these pedometers. They are offering a free trial, by the way, with only $4.95 S&H. It’s no lightweight technology either - advanced patented technology used by NASA. So, if you’re looking for a calorie pedometer, this is definitely a good option. Click the banner below if you want to give the free trial a shot:
Ok, so now, what kind of activities should you participate in to burn calories? Well, obviously the first step is to stay active, walking when you can, and take the stairs not the elevator. Then, if you want to step it up a notch, try some running, swimming, or cycling. Those are all great cardiovascular activities that will help you burn calories. Good luck! It’ll be a cinch tracking your calorie loss with the calorie pedometer.
Electronic Ab Toner Belt
Now this is an interesting product I came across today. It’s an electronic ab toner belt called the Shape-n-Tone System by Sport Elec. I’ve never used an electronic ab toner belt, but this one looks like it might deliver results. Their numbers actually show that 89% of people became better toned after using the belt, 80% became firmer, and 80% increased abdominal strength. Those are some seriously good numbers. I wouldn’t rely completely on an ab toner belt though so you should also include some traditional abdominal routines. I’d suggest picking up this belt, but also pick up a simple mat so you can do some ab work in your home.
As far as this electronic ab belt, here’s how it works: you just strap it around your abdominal area and select the workout intensity you want, then it will deliver electronic stimulation to your abs while you wear the belt. It requires no physical exertion. So, the obvious benefit is you can workout while you’re sitting at your desk. It’s very good for people who don’t have the time to go to the gym and tone their abs there. Remember that you still need to do some cardio though so don’t expect to just be lazy and get top notch results.
Ok, so what specifically is this electronic ab toner belt offering? First off it’s a free trial for 30 days which is always good, especially since many of us haven’t used anything like this before. The S&H is only $14.95 which is very reasonable considering how big the package probably is. The toner belt can be set to 30 different intensities and 4 workout programs! I’m very impressed by that variety.
I’d love to hear how it works for you. Click the banner below to sign up for the free trial!
3 Tips to Staying Fit in the Fall
Fall is here and the air is getting a bit cooler, but it’s important we don’t forgo our exercise routines and healthy eating habits. Now is a good time to start making some adjustments to your routine so you don’t start making excuses when it gets too cold. Here are some tips:
- Work Out Earlier in the Day - The sun is setting earlier and we’re going to be turning the clocks back on November 2nd even so it’s wise to adjust the time you work out as well. Most people have a hard time getting going when it’s dark and cold out so see if you can find time earlier in the day when its warmer and the sun is out. Even if you’re work out inside at a gym or something, it’s too easy to let laziness take over when its dark out so consider taking a pre-emptive strike against it!
- Pass On the Sweets - We all know about the weight gain that is common around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but, for a lot of people, it starts earlier than that. The crisp Fall weather seems to put a lot of people in the mood for chocolate and other sweets, which only sets the stage for the winter season. Avoid doing this! While hot chocolate and hot delicious drinks are tempting, don’t make them a habit (once in a while is okay though).
- Take Up Indoor Activities - Unless you’re a diehard and you’ve been at it for years, some sports are difficult to continue in the cold weather. Running is the obvious one here. If you only started running when the weather got warm, its safe to bet you might not be so motivated when it gets cold so why not try out some indoor activities? Swimming provides a great cardiovascular workout and can be done in a nice, heated, indoor pool! Sports like basketball and racquetball are good as well. Now would be a great time to being weight training, too, if you don’t already.
I hope these 3 tips help you stay active and healthy this Fall (and Winter)!
Pomegranate Benefits
Not so long ago, I talked to you about the benefits of acai berry and today I’m going to talk to you about another very healthy food and this one you’ve probably already heard of, I’m talking about Pomegranate . You’ve probably tried pomegranate juice (very strong, distinct taste), but it also comes in other varieties. Pomegranate is classified as a "superfruit", which as you might suspect means it is very healthy for you.
To give you some background information, pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to between five and eight metres tall. It is widely cultivated in the Middle East. So, what makes it so healthy? Well, here are some of the benefits of pomegranate …
To start with the basics, it provides some essential vitamins (16% of your daily intake of Vitamin C alone!). It’s also a good source of vitamin B5, potassium, and antioxidant polyphenols. To add to that, pomegranate has some interesting preventative abilities. According to wikipedia, "juice of the pomegranate was effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including LDL oxidation , macrophage oxidative status, and foam cell formation,] all of which are steps in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease." It’s even known to have benefits in fighting plaque! I’m sure this doesn’t surprise you all that much, though, as pomegranate is well known for its health benefits.
I looked around to see where I could get some Pomegranate stuff other than what you’d find at the grocery store and I came across something called Emerald Balance Amazon which looks very promising. It actually has BOTH pomegranate and acai berry. It’s for those of you who are looking for a superfood . Here’s the info you need (click to check it out further or buy):
Natural Sleep Aids - Do You Need One?
We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, but how do you know if you are getting enough sleep ? A good rule of thumb is to go by the traditional 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep rule. If you are getting more or less sleep than 8 hours or not getting 8 continuous hours, you might have a sleep problem or maybe even insomnia . Now, I wouldn’t worry too much if you are sleeping 7 hours or 9 hours, but if you’re outside that range, you might want to consider a natural sleep aid .
The dangerous thing about not getting enough sleep is that its symptoms aren’t always apparent! You might not even realize how its affecting your mood and concentration if you are so used to not getting enough sleep. You aren’t alone. According to a sleep study by the National Sleep Foundation, "an overwhelming majority of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated." They estimate that an astonishing 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep problem. Two-thirds of older adults (67%) report frequent sleep problems , however only a small fraction, one in eight, says those problems have been diagnosed.
If you aren’t sure if you need a sleep aid or not, consider getting a professional diagnosis to determine if you have sleep apnea, insomnia, or just a common sleeping problem. A lot of you though probably don’t need the diagnosis, you know you need to make some changes. If you’ve tried everything you can think of and still can’t get to sleep, it might be time to try a natural sleep aid.
One effective natural sleep aid that I found is Dormanex. They have a sleep aid kit which is normally $100, but right now they’re offering a free trial. I’m not sure how long it’s going to last so if you’re going to get a natural sleep aid, I’d jump on this. It includes a natural sleep aid, Sleep DVD, ear plugs, sleep mask, and more. The thing I love about this one is somehow they are charging only 1 cent for S&H when most free trials I’ve gotten in the past usually charge like $8 or something. So, it’s definitely a good deal. Click the banner below if you’re interested in trying it out and please post a comment and let us know how it works!
4 Easy Rules to Eliminate Stress
Feeling a little stressed out? When your job or something else is stressing you out, its easy to quit exercising, but this is the last thing you should do. In fact, just a little exercise can go a long way in keeping the stress at a healthy level. Just follow these 4 easy rules and you’ll be stress-free in no time:
- Work Out 3-5 Days Per Week - It’s important to adopt a regular schedule and stick to it. If you can set aside 3-5 days to get a little workout in, you’ll be in good shape.
- Work Out at 70-90% - So what does this mean? Well, we’re talking about your heart rate. It’s important to give your heart a good workout without overexerting yourself so work yourself up to about 70-90% of your maximum heart rate. Don’t go too easy, but don’t go too hard.
- Work Out for 20-60 minutes - Now that you’re on a regular work out schedule and you’re putting in a fair amount of effort, make sure you sustain that exertion for 20-60 minutes. Scientific studies have shown 20-60 minutes of continuous aerobic activity is best for managing stress.
- Work Out However You Want - This one’s easy. Whatever aerobic activities you enjoy will work fine for managing your stress. Some activities you could try are jogging, cycling, walking, swimming, hiking, or stair climbing. There’s something for everybody.
Enjoy your stress-free living!
How Total Immersion Doubled My Stroke Length In Just 1 Day
I’ve been swimming for 16 years and I thought I had tried everything to improve my swimming technique. I’ve read numerous books and tried just about every insweep, outsweep, and kicking style known to man. Nothing worked! Don’t get me wrong, I was a pretty good swimmer (16 years will do that to you), but I wasn’t a top swimmer. I wasn’t reaching my potential and I had no idea why…that is, until I heard about Total Immersion swimming . Like just about everyone, I got obsessed with swimming again during the Olympics and I found myself looking on YouTube for some swimming videos to improve my technique. I ended up finding the video below. Check out the smooth technique:
Hardly a splash! He says in his description of the video that he used to take 22 strokes per 25 meters and now he only takes 9-12. I was pretty pumped up seeing that so I wanted to see if I could get the same results. I went out and got Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier 
First, I swam my old, normal freestyle stroke and counted 17 strokes per 25 meters. I was a bit better starting off than our friend in the video because I’m fairly tall, but I still had a LOT of room for improvement. So, I did a few of the drills in the book until I got a feel for the technique and then swam 25 meters TOTAL IMMERSION STYLE! I took only 9 strokes! You see, Total Immersion swimming is all about efficient swimming. I take less strokes, have more energy, and move faster when using the technique. I really recommend you get the book and hear what Terry Laughlin has to say.
If you really want to get serious about your swimming, you might want to get some of the Total Immersion videos as well. Do you have a Blockbuster Total Access membership? If you do, just add the TI videos to your queue. If you don’t, click the banner below to sign up today and get the Total Immersion videos (and whatever movies you want) delivered to your house! (If you haven’t tried Total Access yet, take it from me, you will probably stop wasting your money at the movie theaters and watch more movies at home for a fraction of the cost)
P.S. Put a comment below and let me know how much you improve your stroke length!
Acai Berry Benefits
You may have heard of Acai Berry by now. It’s blown up in popularity recently as it was ranked Dr. Perrisome’s #1 Superfood on Oprah. According to Dr. Perrisome, "it’s one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world!" Acai Berry is considered a palm and is primarily grown in Central and South America, and is a major part of the diet in some communities in the Amazon region. So, what’s the deal? Why is Acai Berry so beneficial? Here are some of Acai Berry’s benefits:
- "10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine," according to Dr. Perrisome
- "Studies have demonstrated that blood antioxidant capacity increases within two hours of consuming a commercial açaí juice."
- 44.2g of fiber per 100g
- Healthy fats, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid
Basically, the reason Acai Berry is so hot is because of its antioxidant benefits and its ability to aid in weight loss. I don’t advocate any shortcuts to weight loss, but Acai Berry is 100% natural so there’s no reason you couldn’t make it a part of your regular diet. It contains a healthy mix of carbs, fats, and proteins.
Because of its antioxidant powers and fiber content, Acai Berry is the perfect ingredient for a colon cleanser and that could turn out to be its biggest benefit. Its powerful antioxidants will clean up your digestive tract while the fiber will help reduce water retention.
All and all, I’ve got to give credit to Oprah for ranking this the #1 superfood as she definitely hit the mark.
If you want to give Acai Berry a shot, click the banner below. Acai Berry Power 500 is offering a free trial of the berry, but only for a limited time.
Every Other Day Diet?
What is this?? I’ve heard the rumors about this new "Every Other Day" diet that supposedly is the new diet that works. The concept is simple. You diet one day and eat whatever you want the next day. Supposedly if you do this, you will lose weight. One word.
WHATEVER!
If you read my blog, I’m sure you aren’t buying into this at all. This is just another fad diet. I will give them some credit though as this diet would be a lot easier for some people to stick to as it gives you a fair amont of time to binge. But, are you going to want to do this the rest of your life? That’s the only criteria you should consider when looking at diets: Can I do this for the rest of my life? If the answer is no, then the diet will not work in the long run. That’s why I promote healthy eating and living on a consistent basis. Eat healthy. Work out right. You’ll be in good shape.
Enough with the fad diet non-sense.
