So...you HATE running, huh???

Are you secretly wanting to be one of those fit, trim people that "just LOVE" running? I used to spite those people and their little running shorts trotting up and down the sidewalk like they were the happiest people on earth. Well, turns out, they probably are!!:) and if you were like me, spending the first 30 years of life DREADING the treadmill or hitting the pavement then maybe you should try this - it worked for me and maybe it can work for you too!!

First things first...find a partner. A friend, trainer, co-worker, pet - anyone that can keep you on track and motivated to finish the run. My motivation came from a co-worker that asked me to do a 1/2 marathon with her. I had never run more than three miles straight in my life, but since I am unable to say NO to ANY fitness challenge my response was "Awesome! Of course! Can't wait!". Secretly, I was terrified:)...

Next, sign up for an event. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to train, and make the goals achievable. If you have never even finished a mile run then you probably should not expect to run a marathon in 12 weeks, but, you could to a 5 or 10k and feel pretty good about it!

Find an online training program that fits into your lifestyle. I recommend anything from Hal Higdon. He is realistic and allows days off from running. You do not have to run every single day to train for a race.

Last thing is setting your race goal. Mine was to FINISH..."just finish"..."doesn't matter what your time is"..."you can do this"...I kept telling myself over and over and over.

And guess what??? It worked! Imagine that, I was now one of those people trotting down the sidewalk thinking to myself, "I am such a bad-ass, I just ran a half marathon:)" fft

Medicine balls...so small yet so powerful

Easy to transport, easy to store and so versatile...these are just a few of the reasons I love medicine balls! They can really pack an extra punch to your workout and with the wide variety of weights available anyone can use them! Check out this link I found on youtube - this guy is awesome!!! Can't wait to torture my clients with some of these new exercises! fft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwtaEAr8qI0

Think you need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment to get fit???? THINK AGAIN!!

All you need is a little motivation, a lot of sweat, and your own body! Think of all the amazing things you can do with your own body weight - push ups, planks, jumping jacks, walking lunges, running, criss-cross...the list goes on! Try taking a couple of local pilates classes (like mine:)) to learn some basic moves you can do at home, no equipment required! Build on it from there - try incorporating a new exercise every day and soon you will be hooked!

No motivation you say??? Well, hire a personal trainer (again, like me:)) and watch your body transform into the one you have always wanted! Remember, you can save big bucks with me if you train in small groups - so get your friends together and lets get fit! fft

New website coming soon!

I am pleased to announce that with the help of my wonderful cousin, Meg, we are launching a new functional website soon! Keep visiting our blog at fitfoodtrainer.com to check for updates!!! Thanks Meg....couldn't have done it without you:)

Fruity twist to boring pico de gallo!!!

I was experimenting with some new flavors the other day (like I always do:) and decided to make a fruity pico de gallo for some of my clients to top their grilled salmon. The results were amazing! Here is what I did - watch out cuz this stuff is addicting! You will be slathering this on everything!

1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 white peach, finely chopped
1/2 cup pineapple, finely chopped
juice of 1 lime
1 cup black beans
1 T extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

I spooned this on top of grilled salmon and sauteed spinach but would also be great on a grilled fish or chicken taco, flank steak or any other grilled meat! fft

TABATA training

OK workout junkies...are you looking for a new way to ramp up your cardio routine? I have discovered Tabata interval training, and the best part is it only takes 4 minutes!!! Seriously! And it works! I just did 4 minutes of sprint intervals and I was spent! This is how it works - 20 seconds of full on sprinting, 10 seconds walking...repeat 8 times! You might be thinking, "huh, that doesn't sound very challenging" - let me assure you, if you are ACTUALLY sprinting then your lungs will be burning! Good luck and let me know how you feel after! fft

What is a Kettlebell and what the heck is a snatch???

Yes, you can get a good laugh out of some of the names for kettlebell exercises...but these are no laughing matter. If you want an intense, exciting, and exhilarating cardio and strength workout then look no further than the kettlebell.

Anyone want to try a kettlebell workout with me??? If we get enough interest we can form a class...let's get fit people! fft

FEAR

Weight loss is a very emotional journey for most people. Often the bond with my clients goes well beyond that of a personal trainer simply correcting form and counting reps. It becomes a very therapeutic relationship of openness and sharing of personal experiences and lost battles. The number one battle I encounter with my clients is...fear. Fear of failure, fear of "it's too late", fear that the exercises will be too hard, fear that they will not like the food. All of these things are legitimate concerns, but I am here to tell you that with a strong motivator and support by your side YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Currently, I have a client that was terrified the first time I rang his doorbell. 20 years of failed attempts at getting healthy and he was thinking..."Why is this time going to be any different?"..." What is this trainer going to provide me that no one else has been able to?"... "Am I really going to fail AGAIN???"

Initially, the road was difficult. The workouts strenuous, the change in lifestyle daunting, the mountain so high to climb. 8 weeks later he is doing up to 50 push-ups a day (on his TOES!!!), eating a healthy diet void of chemicals, GMO's, dairy, processed sugars and processed grains. He is able to run a 2 mile loop with minimal breaks, perform multiple exercises using the TRX, and BEST of all........he has lost over 30 pounds!!! The visceral fat around his organs is diminishing, his waist shrinking, and his confidence exuding. It is an amazing journey to watch, and I am right there by his side every step of the way.

The lesson for all of you fearful hopefuls out there is...with the right motivator and guide, you too can be a success story like this!!! fft

So...do you just eat salads, or what???

I had a client ask me yesterday, "So...do you just eat salads, or what???"

Of course, this is strictly a training client - if she was a food client she would already know the answer to that question...of course not! Don't think for one second that in order to slim your waistline you have to eat like a rabbit. In fact, the opposite is true! While it is incredibly important to eat plenty of raw fruits and veggies, it is also equally important to consume lean protein, healthy fats and fiber filled beans and legumes. If I do eat a salad it is filled with avocado, grilled chicken, chopped veggies, hard boiled eggs and olives. I use spinach or mixed baby greens...avoid iceburg lettuce at all costs! It is simply a filler with no nutritional value!

So...who's hungry now? fft

"Century Circuits"

So...yesterday I was pondering new ways to "torture" my clients through exercise and I came up with such a clever idea! How about a circuit training routine filled with 100 reps of each exercise?! WOW! I love it, I thought...now, which exercises to incorporate????

How about 100 each of: kettlebell swings, squats on the TRX, criss-cross (pilates core exercise), jumping jacks, v-sit side touches, push-ups (yes...100 push ups!!!!), and 25 each of 4 different TRX upper body exercises!

Whew...we were spent by the end, but man oh man was that a good workout! fft