Learn everything you need to know about VO2 Max
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Learn everything you need to know about nutrition
You’re interested in DEXA scanning and learning what your true body composition really is….but aren’t really sure where to go with all of that information once you get it. Or, you’ve gotten a DEXA scan before, tried to set some goals, but didn’t quite know which direction to take to lose that belly fat you’ve been looking to get rid of for the last year.
Although we still have some time before the clocks need to roll backwards to account for the change in day/night cycles, the weather has already shown signs of easing up … and so too could your workout and diet routine.
Any well designed program should do everything possible to reduce the risk of injury and even prevent future injuries. But try as we coaches might, occasionally injuries happen. Often times they result from something we do outside the gym, maybe a prior history compounded with a few other factors, or any other number of things. I get enough questions about how to deal with bumps and bruises that I thought it may be helpful to put a few of the more common answers to paper, so here are a few quick guidelines and suggestions on how to deal with pain while training.
Conventional thinking has a way of overshadowing supported science and sound advice. For example, if you want to lose pounds of body fat and reveal defined muscles underneath a layer of smooth, tan skin this summer, then undoubtedly you need to eat less and work out more.
The art of listening is a huge part of what I do. Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to catch various perspectives of what fitness or wellness “should” look like over the years…and I’m finally able to start formulating my opinion on what’s actually happening when people “fail” at “getting in shape.”
I just arrived back home from a night of camping with my boyfriend. He thought it would be SO romantic to take me deep into the woods, rent a cabin with NO electric or cell phone service and be COMPLETELY unassociated from all other living souls (besides Jason from Friday the 13th who was running around our cabin in the middle of the night).
A few days ago the NY Times posted an article about the popular weight-loss show “The Biggest Loser” and how some of its former contestants had fared in the months and years after participating. As it turns out… they hadn’t done well. Just about all of the contestants had gained the weight back and were as unhealthy as ever. I’ve long thought “The Biggest Loser” to be an absolute mockery of health and wellness so I can’t say the findings were especially surprising, but I’ve had more than a few clients and gym goers bring it up so I thought it would serve as a launching point for further discussion.
No matter what it is that you love to do – do it harder then you have done before. Look to make progress in some way during this “finish”. Maybe you go heavier, do more repetitions, or travel a particular distance in less time. The specifics of your challenge need not be complex. In fact, you’ll benefit most when they are personal, attainable, and beneficial to your long term goal.
Last month I outlined the various factors to consider when designing your own personal workout program, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all exercise program. Over the next few months we are going to delve a little deeper into each factor so you can design the “perfect” workout program for you.