More is Not Always Better to Achieve Your Fitness Goals

When it comes to fitness more isn't always better. Sometimes more exercise, supplementing more, and eating more protein can adversely affect our body. More is not better, better is better.

Getting fit and maintaining a healthy body is a simple process. It really doesn't require more fitness foods or grueling workouts to reach our goals. All it takes is a consistent effort of eating right and exercise. Quality over quantity.

Focused workouts utilizing differing energy systems of the body throughout the week is sufficient. What this means is mixing up cardio, weight training, core work and flexibility for a well-balanced program. Exercising at least 4-times per week is shown to maintain a healthy body according to research.

Active rest days are a great way to have fun when not performing a structured workout. Enjoy being active and healthy is the point.

Thinking about nutrition in a healthy way is also important. Eating more than is required of any macronutrient can backfire our good fitness intentions. Food is our fuel and muscle building tools. As long as we're keeping it healthy and eating lots of veggies, lean proteins and good fats we are on the right track. Eating more protein doesn't create more muscle. It is the symphony of eating healthy plus working our muscle stimulating lean mass gains.

We require a certain amount of each macronutrient and over-consumption of one can actually have adverse health effects, just as eliminating healthy foods can cause nutrient deficiencies. More is not better, better is better. Also, quality over quantity.

Spending hours in the gym thinking this is beneficial to your fitness is inaccurate. This is a perfect example of how many think more is better. Overtraining can have adverse effects on our body. No wonder a rapid state of burn-out is happening.

Over-use of joints and even muscle breakdown can occur when the body is overtrained. Overtraining syndrome is actually a thing and breaks down our immunities, prevents muscle growth, and puts unwanted stress on our body. Also, exercise addiction may occur for those feeling guilty eating off track and psychologically beating themselves up in the gym. Effective workouts are focused and effective taking no more than an hour to complete.

   

What it comes down to is being fitness smart and stop believing more is better. Embrace you are doing enough and enjoy the process of getting healthy.

Often times, basic, simple but challenging workouts provide the best results. We are able to maintain our bodies without overworking them to the point of burnout or injury.

Stay away from exercise gimmicks, fads, and nutrition myths. If it's too good to be true, it is. The only proven scientific claims to successful fitness are eating right and exercise. Fads and gimmicks are big money makers in the fitness industry. Do your homework.

The takeaway is simply to eat right, exercise consistently and enjoy a balanced life. This is true fitness and nothing more to it. More is not better, better is better.

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Keeping Fitness Real is an Important Part of the Lifestyle

Have you struggled with starting a fitness program, illness or even setbacks? It's during these times our bodies will dictate our abilities and limitations. 

Personally, when illness hits me hard, I have to take a break and put my favorite HIIT routines on hold. This is all part of realistic expectations. I may want something right now, but it's just not going to happen. 

Similarly, there is no such thing as here today and gone tomorrow. Patience is very important on our journey to health and fitness. It may feel frustrating and I will even validate this emotion. The key is not letting negative thinking consume us to the point of giving up. We must remain realistic. 

Realistic workouts start with what you can do right where you are. Allow yourself to be a beginner. If returning to fitness from injury or illness, take it slow. The work is always about progress and not perfection. It's so important to pay attention to what the body is saying. Being in tune allows you to do exercise at your best and in great form.   

Realistic expectations involve creating plans that are reasonable and obtainable. Going into our fitness program with the wrong mindset and expectation will cause feelings of discouragement. When we think beyond our current fitness level it can cause us to give up before seeing any positive progress.  

All effort toward weight loss and muscle gain is progress. It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you stay consistent. Results happen when healthy eating and consistent exercise is a lifestyle. There is no magic pill or gimmick that will make you fit. Healthy bodies are made by real work and being patient through the process. We all want things to happen quicker than they do. Being realistic is what will provide life long results done the right way. 

Rushing into a seemingly healthier body using unhealthy means is not realistic. It only scratches a temporary itch without lifelong results. Unhealthy fitness choices are typical yo-yo attempts. They lead to diet frustration and gaining back even more weight. It also sets us up for discouragement and unhappiness. 

I have this saying “nothing good happens fast” when it comes to our health and fitness. It really can be applied to many things in life. Taking care of ourselves is about a healthy lifestyle. The choices we make each day are what keep us progressing in a healthy direction. We all possess the ability to get healthy and become our best self at any age. Keeping our realistic expectations front and center will help make it all happen.   

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Get Out of Your Own Way

Do you love baseball? Many times we're up at bat and before stepping on the plate, we have mentally struck out. We kick at the dirt in frustration for not hitting the ball out of the park or at least getting on base. And so it goes with life and fitness success we should be enjoying. If only the negative committee in our mind would sit down and shut up.

We often get in our own way when it comes to reaching our fitness goals. We're too busy coming up with reasons why fitness doesn't work for our lifestyle. Whether it stems from fear, frustration, laziness, or procrastination, our mind plays the biggest role in reaching and maintaining our fitness goals. 

There is no easy way to achieve success without hard work and lots of sweat. We all need to put in the effort to get where we want in life. My Dad always told me, “it is a tough world out there”. We don't need to make it harder on ourselves by playing negative mind games that keep us from creating a quality healthy lifestyle.

Negative Nancy or Ned will need to take a back seat so we can be successful with our efforts to reach our fitness goals. There will be frustration along the way which is all part of life and the journey to get healthy. Exercise will be challenging and eating healthy will not always be one hundred percent. This is called being human and balanced.

What matters is maintaining a positive mental focus and not allowing negative thoughts talk you out of doing what needs to be done. There is no amount of work, social life, family drama, laziness or whatever you allow to consume you that is more important than your health. Once this is realized, it will be easier to stay on track with consistent exercise and eating healthy. Excuses will no longer be an issue when fitness becomes a priority. You will finally be out of your own way and onto a new healthy you. Time to hit the ball out of the park and Stay Healthy!

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How to Lose 12lbs in 6 Weeks

Losing 12 pounds is not only a realistic goal, but can be done in a short amount of time. I'm not talking about a fad diet or weight loss gimmick. I'm referring to healthy weight loss accomplished with appropriate methods. Being more specific: consistent healthy eating, exercise, increased water intake, limited alcohol intake, and plenty of rest.  

Application of a healthy lifestyle in all areas will allow for approximately 1 ½ pounds on the lower end and up to 3 pounds on the higher end of weight loss per week. Working successfully with clients who use my healthy eating guidelines supplied with their workout routines are losing in the middle range of 2 pounds per week. 

Think about what this means in terms of time. Realize this is only six weeks of sticking to a consistent fitness program. There is no diet but eating lots of amazing healthy food and exercising at least four to five times per week for a minimum of thirty minutes. Sodas are eliminated and alcohol is limited to not more than two nights per week and two drinks maximum. Water intake is increased to drinking 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily to start.

Sometimes it just takes someone to motivate you to start. Well, here you go! A consistent program will guarantee fat loss, lean mass gain and the beginning of a lifestyle of excellent health. 

Doesn't this sound reasonable, exciting, and realistic? Getting fit the healthy way provides knowledge of what and how to eat, how to exercise, and how to live this lifestyle happily for life. It becomes your enjoyable habit and maintains all the positive results gained within the six weeks of consistent application. 

It's time we stop over-complicating weight loss and start implementing the simplicity of eating healthy and exercise. We make things harder than they really are. We want all the results but don't want to give up a current unhealthy lifestyle. If we want to see changes, we need to be willing to make the necessary changes. Giving something 100% effort for at least six weeks should provide the personal feedback needed to continue to make the right decisions.

Below is a sample meal plan and what a typical day looks like for me: 

1 cup coffee with natural vanilla creamer

Meal 1: Organic morning round with 1tbsp natural organic peanut butter

Meal 2: Green shake: 1 cutie, ½-cup chopped pineapple 2 large handfuls power greens, water and blend until combined. 1 slice organic seeded toast topped with soft cooked organic egg to accompany my green shake. 

Meal 3: ¼ cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup Fage yogurt, ¼ cup organic ground flax meal, handful raw mixed nuts (stir it up and eat)

Meal 4: 4 oz grilled salmon or chicken with large side roasted vegetables like Brussel sprouts and cauliflower (drizzle olive oil on veggies, and large tbsp. basil pesto, mix well, roast)

Meal 5: 1oz square of dark chocolate with 1tbsp peanut butter, or 1/2 glass organic low-fat chocolate milk 

I exercise five times per week and for 30 to 60 minutes total.  I'm a believer of being focused and getting my workout done in a short amount of time. I also listen to my body. If I require more rest, I may only exercise in a structured fashion four times in that week. I enjoy active rest days being outdoors with hubby, playing with our dog, going on long walks, hikes or swimming. 

Studies indicate losing one to three pounds per week provides healthy, long-term sustainable weight loss. Unlike fad diets that may shed weight quickly but is regained plus more once the program is over. 

Now is always the right time get fit. Start by implementing a six-week fitness challenge makeover. This is a great beginning and short-term goal of shedding 12 pounds. It will be helpful to keep a fitness journal and track your food intake and exercise. Do your best, and have fun with the journey. 

I would love to hear from you. Sharing success stories, asking questions or sharing concerns is a great way to encourage and support each other along the way.  

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