Use Your Own Body Weight To Achieve Real Fitness This Year

For some, getting in shape feels like it's the equivalent to climbing Mount McKinley in Alaska - a tiring, arduous task that not many people can accomplish. You might think that it's an impossible task because you're basing your thoughts on what hasn't worked in the past.

It's true that there are plenty of exercise methods that promise too much for your efforts, but actually deliver little in return. That's why so many people get upset and frustrated with working out.

There's no use in continuing to try something that's not working. The good news is that it's not you that was in the wrong. It was the method. The truth is that there are plenty of methods that simply don't work because they're not created with the average person in mind.

Bodyweight training, however, is different. It's the kind of method that anyone can use and it doesn't matter if you've settled into a sedentary lifestyle or if you're someone who already faithfully works out.

This method will still help give you the muscles you want, improve your shape and add long-term health benefits. You can do a variety of exercises that are intended for use with bodyweight training.

Some of these only require the use of your body because your body provides all of the resistance that you'll ever need. But what some people do to rev it up a notch is they add things such as ankle or wrist cuffs that are weighted.

These items offer an additional layer of resistance. So the user burns fat faster and it makes the body work harder. What some people fail to take into consideration, though, is that bodyweight training isn't a bandage.

You can't simply add it to your life to cover up habits that are going to derail you. For example, some people think that all they have to do is take part in exercises like bodyweight training and that will make up for oversized portions and unhealthy food choices.

But it doesn't. You can't out-run bad habits with added exercise. You need to have a method in place that not only burns calories but also builds lean muscle, and that includes better food choices.

For example, in the Bodyweight Burn program, you'll learn how to set up an effective routine that will cause you to lose weight, have energy and build muscle using bodyweight training.

You won't have to give up carbs or buy weird sounding foods. You can eat a normal diet, but you'll learn how to combine the foods you enjoy so that they work for your body instead of against it.

You'll learn how to keep off rebound weight. You'll also learn how to use cardio to burn fat. The program offers you step-by-step instructions on bodyweight training routines so that you can lose fat and gain muscle. You'll also learn what to eat and how to use your current program to get the fat loss results you want.

You can Check Out Bodyweight Burn Here....

Video: Treadmill Trainer - Your Personal Running Coach

Whether you're training for a marathon, or just running to get in shape, having a coach can really help you achieve your running goals. Hiring a personal trainer is great, but if you can't afford it, don't have the time to schedule regular sessions at the gym, or just don't want to spend the money, there are other options available. This quick video gives you a brief overview of the expert coaching sessions available through Treadmill Trainer. A variety of different Ipod workouts provide you with coaching and encouragement throughout your workouts, whether you prefer to run on a treadmill or outdoors - it's like having your very own personal running coach perched on your shoulder (but without all the extra weight). :-)

I love all of Yuri Elkaim's fitness programs - they are consistently high quality, affordable, and based on common sense and true health principles - not hype. Check out the Treadmill Trainer website, and find a program to help you achieve your running goals.

Treadmill Trainer iPod Running Workouts
http://www.mytreadmilltrainer.com Run faster, farther, and longer with just 2 runs per week.  Running workouts for your iPod/MP3 player that can be enjoyed outdoors or on the treadmill.  Yuri Elkaim, Canada''s top trainer, provides audio guided instruction and motivation alongside heart pumping running music.


The Treadmill Trainer running workouts are so effective because of their interval design. Bouts of high and lower intensity allow the runner to get a better training effect with less time running.

How to Design a Running Program That Meets Your Goals

Firstly I would like to apologize for the lack of posts last week. As it turned out, I came down with the flu, and was unable to work at all for several days - I guess it served me right for not getting the rest I needed.... I do tend to be quite the workaholic sometimes!  But we're back in action, and this week we're going to talk a bit more about running.

Okay, so you like to run, or you just want a fun new exercise program and you’re ready to get started running but you’re not sure how? One of the best ways to get started running is to sit down and plan it out. What do you want to accomplish and how will you get the job done? There are many running programs available online. However, you have your own goals and needs; why not create your own running program? Here’s how:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Step One: What are Your Running Goals?
Why are you running and what do you hope to achieve? Are you running to lose weight? Are you planning to run a 5-K or other race? This is the first thing to write down before you start creating your running program. Everything else you do from this point on will support your goals and motivation.

Step Two: How Much Do You Have to Put In?

In this step you’re looking at the tangibles. How much time do you have each day? How far can you run in that time? When will you run? Start writing down the details. In the next step you’ll begin to pull them all together.

Step Three: Do the Math

Grab your calculator for this step. At this point you probably have a lot of information but no real plan. Now you’re going to start pulling it all together to accomplish your goals. This step is best explained with an example.

Sue is running to lose weight. She wants to lose 1 pound a week. She can run three times a week and she has 45-60 minutes to get the job done. Now it’s time for the math. Sue knows that a pound is 3500 calories. She also knows that by walking fast and running for an hour she’ll burn about 500 calories. If she runs three times a week she’ll burn 1500 calories. In order to lose a pound a week, she’d need to run seven times a week for an hour. This doesn't seem doable, so Sue knows she needs to cut her calories a bit more. This information gives her power. She can now plan her week and her weight loss.

Here’s another example, Joe wants to run a 5K. That’s 3.1 miles. He has signed up for the race and it is two months away. Joe can run every day for thirty minutes. At ten minutes a mile that’s enough time to get three miles in each day. However, Joe is new to running so he will be walking and running for the first few weeks until he can run the full distance. Joe gives himself a month to reach that goal.

(Photo credits: www.mysecuritysign.com)

He starts by walking for five minutes and running for one and gradually adds running time. Running three times a week he has twelve runs to reach his goal of running for three miles straight. The second month Joe knows he has to start working on running faster. Each week he strives to decrease his overall time by a minute. He does this by running intervals two days a week. He increases his speed and lowers his overall time. In two months Joe will be ready for race day.

Start with your goal. Add what you know and need to work with then do the math to see what is possible. It is important to your health and safety that you take it slow. If you’re new to running give yourself time. Pushing too hard and doing too much right away is a sure way to get injured and sick, which could derail your progress and defeat the purpose.

So what about staying motivated to reach your goals? Check back Thursday, as we'll talk about this next....

Why Rest Is Important For Your Exercise Goals

It's that time of year again: Time for New Years Resolutions! It's the time when so many people decide to get healthy, get fit, and set some exercise goals for the year. So it might seem odd that we're starting off the year talking about rest - but it's actually an important factor for achieving success with your fitness regimen this year.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you get started on a workout routine, you want to keep it going strong, but you have to remember that it is possible to do too much.  Working out as much as you can, for as long as you can, and as hard as you can, is more likely to get you injured than in shape.  Our bodies require regular rest to heal and to function optimally.

Every time you work out, you create damage in your muscles and other tissue.  It’s often too small to really notice, but it’s still there - that's why you get sore after a workout.  Resting your body allows these tiny injuries to heal themselves.  If you don’t get enough rest between workouts, these tiny problems can add up to a larger, more serious injury.  Rest also gives our muscles time to build themselves, so if you never get adequate rest, you won’t see significant improvement.  Not only should you take adequate rests between each individual workout, you should also alternate light and heavy workouts during the week, and have a much lighter week every 6 weeks or so. 

In addition to just “taking a break” between workouts, you need to get adequate sleep at night as well.  Not only does sleep help us rest and relax our brain, it also allows us to relax and repair our bodies.  Not getting enough rest will leave you sluggish, not at your peak performance, and will eventually even make you ill.  While it is recommended to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night, you should remember that each person is different.  Some need only 5 or 6 hours of sleep to function properly, while others may need 9 or 10 to feel refreshed.

Yoga (Photo credit: RelaxingMusic)

One type of rest people don’t usually consider when thinking about a workout is rest from stress.  A workout provides stress to our body, but it’s not the only thing that does. If we are mentally and emotionally stressed throughout the day, it shows physically.  If your body is in a constant state of stress, your muscles won't relax and heal, even when you’re just sitting still.  If you are showing symptoms of fatigue and feel overworked, you should try adding yoga, Pilates, or even meditation to your routine. These will truly relax your body and mind, and allow it to get the rest it needs - at the same time as giving you a nice workout! 

If you don’t rest between workouts, get sleep at night, or take the time to de-stress, you’re not only more at risk for getting hurt, you’re probably also pretty tired.  If you don’t feel like you have the energy to get out of bed in the morning because you’ve worked out too hard, chances are you probably won’t feel like exercising either.  By doing too much too soon, you’re actually likely to decrease how much you work out in the future.

So remember, working harder isn’t always better.  Set a plan to reach your fitness and exercise goals for the year, but remember to add rest time into your program. You'll end up getting more out of your workouts, seeing better results, and finding exercise more fun and enjoyable. Take the time to relax and let your body prepare for its next challenge.   

7 Exercise Tips for Getting - And Staying - Motivated!

We’ve all started an exercise program, gotten all excited about it, but then gave up on it a week or two later.  While we start out super motivated, that excitement fades quickly.  They key to sticking to an exercise program is finding a way to keep that original motivation.  Here are a few tips for getting for getting and staying motivated. 

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Find a role model.  Many women get motivated to diet and work out by taping up pictures of models or actresses.  This is actually a great way to remind yourself what your goals are and keep a visual of them fresh in your mind.  Just be sure to pick an appropriate role model and not someone with unhealthy eating and exercise habits or an unachievable image.

2. Set small goals.  If you start out setting tough goals, you probably won’t achieve them and will then become discouraged.  The key is to set smaller, easy to achieve goals and work your way up.  Start with “I will work out three days this week”.  Once you get yourself into a routine, get yourself to work out harder and do more during each session.

3. Reward yourself.  Setting goals is good way to get yourself into a workout program.  If you have trouble keeping yourself going, try rewarding yourself when you reach a goal.  Don’t go with big rewards, just small rewards for reaching small goals.  For example, I can go to that movie if I work out three times this week.  If you’re working out to lose weight, don’t reward yourself with food. 

4. Get a buddy.  Having someone to workout with can help keep your mind off the work and keep you entertained.  That means you’re more likely to want to go work out.  Having a buddy also makes it harder for you to skip your workout because you’ll be letting someone else down and they’ll be there to talk you into going even if you don’t feel like it.  If you can’t find a buddy to go with you, you can always hire a personal trainer to keep you going.

Fighting Fitness is the ultimate 30 minute workout that combines MMA conditioning exercises and fight techniques. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. Make it fun.  Exercise doesn’t have to be boring a repetitive.  If you don’t like your exercise routine, change it.  Keep looking until you find something you enjoy doing.  This way, you’ll end up looking forward to exercise instead of dreading it. (Be sure to check back for lots of exercise tips and new fun ways to exercise on this blog, and for more ideas, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html. )

6. Mix it up.  Even the most exciting workout can get boring if you do it over and over every day.  Find several exercises you like to do and alternate.  Try swimming Mondays, dance class Wednesdays, and a Pilates tape on Saturday.  Any time you find yourself getting bored with a workout, replace it in your rotation for a while and start it again in a few months. 

7. Don’t take it too seriously.  If you start acting like exercise is hard work, it will become hard work.  Make your exercise a light, fun, activity rather than a chore you have to do.  This will keep you from getting a bad attitude and make you less likely to give up.