Does Your Workout Work For You?

When you get ready to head out to the gym do you know what you’re going to do when you get there? Do you have a plan or do you just get there, hop on a piece of cardio equipment and go through the same routine you’ve been doing for years? I can tell you that I have seen the same people year after year at the gym that look exactly the same as when they first joined and here’s why…

1. You do the same routine or go to the same class every day.

You need to add variety to get results. The body will adapt quickly to the same 30 minutes on the StairMaster every day. Do a combination of strength training and cardio, check out a different class, or get on a different piece of cardio equipment. I personally love kickboxing, there’s nothing like punching and kicking a heavy bag to release stress! If you really want to torch some calories I suggest adding in a kickboxing class.

2. You have no idea what you’re doing or how to use the equipment at they gym so you only go to the machines you know how to use.

My suggestion is to find a trainer that can help you learn how to use the equipment and create a plan for you to meet your fitness/weight loss goals. When working with a trainer start from day one writing down your workouts so you can use them on the days you are not with your trainer. For most people having a trainer is not a luxury, it’s a NECESSITY! Having a standing appointment with a trainer will help keep you motivated, safe, and most importantly ACCOUNTABLE.

3. You multi-task while working out. What I like to call “Cell phone cardio”.

I cannot begin to tell you the number of times each day I see women sitting on a recumbent bike, walking the treadmill, or some other piece of cardio equipment while texting away on their cell phones. If you can text while you’re working out, you’re not working out hard enough. I put one of my clients on an elliptical machine and she flipped out because her heart rate went up to 12o BPM’s she told me that “someone” told her that for her age/size she shouldn’t go above 120 BPM’s. I gently explained that you need to go by how you feel, NOT the number on the screen. Can you carry on a conversation? If the answer is yes, you are not working hard enough.

4. You find a routine in your favorite fitness magazine or one that a “celebrity” is doing and expect it to work the same for you.

I applaud you for making the effort to pull out the routine and try it. Unfortunately, more often than not, you’re not putting in the same kind of effort/intensity required. The model or celeb in the photos is working with a trainer and nutritionist on a regular basis. Not to mention, they airbrush these people to make them appear perfect. Find something you like to do, put the effort in, and stick to it!

5. You tell yourself that since you went to the gym today you should reward yourself with a bag of cookies or chips. WRONG ANSWER!

You can spend hours at the gym working out but if you fill your body up with processed junk food, you are wasting your time. You need to feed your body with healthy nutritious food not empty calories. Every Saturday I go to the grocery store and stock up on what I will need for the upcoming week. Fuji apples, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, mushrooms, chicken, turkey, oatmeal, egg whites (in the carton), almond milk, protein powder, etc. On Sunday, I grill/cook all my chicken and veggies so that it’s all ready to eat. Every night I put together my cooler and fill it with my breakfast and lunch for the following day. I also include a shaker for protein shakes, small Tupperware containers with 1 serving of protein powder, and apples for snacks. A little preparation goes a long way!

These are just some of the mistakes I see at the gym on a regular basis. If you are committed to making a change in your life through exercise and nutrition then find the help you need to get you where you want to be. Go to the front desk at your gym, look around at the people at your gym find the most fit person and ask them what they do. Go online and order books on fitness & nutrition. The book I’m currently reading and one I’d highly recommend is IMPACT by Todd Durkin it’s filled with great information, motivation, and inspiration.

Most of all just get up and MOVE!!!

xoxo Fit Chica

The search for the perfect pant…I love lucy!

As a fitness professional, I have been on the hunt for a pant that fits and looks great, and is functional for all activities. The search is over!

 The Hatha Power Pant by lucy is the best pant I have ever purchased. I wear this pant while training my clients and for my own workouts (i.e. weight training, running, TRX Suspension Training, and yoga). What’s great about this pant is that it fits like a glove with its maximum compression. No more having to pull your pants up in the middle of class. The moisture wicking fabric wicks the sweat from your body so it keeps you cool and yet somehow keeps me warm even at 6 a.m. on a cold beach run. Another great feature is the hidden front pocket that’s perfect for holding a key or money for a coffee 🙂

But by far, the best feature for me was the length, at 5 feet tall finding a pant that I don’t have to hem is just unheard of. Well, lucy has pants in lengths for all sizes. So, if you’re tall (5’9″ and up), average (5’4″ to 5’8″) or, a vertically challenged individual like myself, you can grab a short pair (5’3″ and under). 

What’s really cool is that on their website www.lucy.com, when you click on a tab i.e. Bottoms, you see models wearing the pants and they turn 360° so you can actually see what the pants look like on a person. This is so much better than just a static picture where you really have no idea what the pants (or tops) look like on.

The Hatha Power pant comes in black with black piping, black with fuschia piping, and navy blue with turquoise piping. It also comes in a capri length!

I now own 2 pairs of the Hatha Pant and plan on getting another pair very soon. The only thing I would like to see is the black pant with red piping to match the beautiful Power Yoga Halter I have in red. Thanks so much lucy for these amazing pants! Keep up the good work!

 

Pros: Flattering, Functional, Sexy, Sturdy, Stylish
Cons: They are a little pricey at $88 but, you definitely get what you pay for and compared to other retailers i.e. Lululemon, these pants are more affordable and you just cannot beat the fit and quality of lucy.
Best Uses: General Fitness, Strength Training, TRX Suspension Training, Yoga, Pilates, Running, and Sports Training

Bottom Line: I would highly recommend these to my friends and clients.

Rating (Out of 5):
Fit: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★★ (you get what you pay for so they’re worth it)
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★

AVOID HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

Each year, millions of Americans gain weight over the holidays. Lean muscle is the secret to keeping your metabolism firing to burn fat all day long. People who are active are more likely to maintain their weight during the holidays.

Don’t be a statistic! Get FIT, boost your energy, and shed pounds this holiday season by working out! Now is a perfect time to get a jump on that New Year’s Resolution.

Here are some tips for keeping weight off during the holidays:

• Physical activity. People who are more active are more likely to maintain their weight during the holidays. Park farther away from the entrance to the mall and get a little walk in.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can be a major source of hidden calories. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, almost as much as fat (9 calories per gram) and nearly twice as many calories as a gram of carbohydrate or protein (4 calories per gram). Just one apple martini has 235 calories and almost 12 grams of sugar! Stick to a flavored vodka & soda or a light beer. Don’t forget the water. For every alcoholic drink you have, drink at least 1 extra glass of water. This will help your body metabolize the alcohol and may counteract some of the dehydrating effects of the alcohol on the body, such as next-day hangovers. And ALWAYS have a designated driver!
• Limit soda and other sweetened beverages. These drinks add extra calories, too. Simply put, they are drinks high in fat and/or sugar. A can of soda, for example, has 150 calories and 42 grams of sugar! I love light egg nog but have now switched to Rice-Nog, it’s delicious and only 80 calories per serving. Water is always the best choice!
• Schedule holiday celebrations at normal meal times. Celebrations outside of normal meal times encourage people to pile on extra calories. This one isn’t always easy to follow with work parties, just do your best 🙂
• Choose foods with fewer calories. Foods with fewer calories for their size make you feel fuller sooner. Reach for those celery sticks and stick to lean protein snacks like shrimp or turkey slices.
• Use smaller plates. The bigger your plate, the more food you can pile on it, which means you’ll be more likely to overeat.
• Eat a healthy snack beforehand. You’ll be less likely to eat a lot of fattening food at parties. Try an apple with almond butter or a protein shake with a small piece of fruit.
• Weigh yourself weekly. Plan how you’ll get back on track if your weight begins to creep up.

What are your tips & tricks to avoid holiday weight gain?