Goals are important, otherwise, how do you know what you want to accomplish or how will you know when you have achieved what you desired.
Don't wait until next Monday to set your goals just because you think it will be harder to achieve them over the weekend. On the contrary, studies on personal achievement have shown that you'll usually reach 80% of the goals you put onto paper. The real problem is that few people set any goals at all, and even fewer still set them prior to starting their new fitness routine.
Make sure your goals are measurable and be realistic. Just saying "I want to be in better shape" gives you nothing to strive for. Decide when and what you wish to accomplish such as "I want to lose 10 pounds in the next 10 weeks".
"Get to work".
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Pure Power Athletics is moving!
Our company is being reworked to give you even more. Look for our new blog and name. We will post an update to give you our new home page and Facebook page. We look forward to giving you even more unique, quality information.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Dispelling some Myths
Here's a good video that helps quickly explain away some non-truths about fitness and diet.
Some diet research
Science is constantly trying to figure out the best diet method and how we tend to lose weight. As a result, new information regarding diets is streaming out. Most of what we are finding seems to be logical but in some cases may defy our logic. take a look at some new discoveries and see how they might help you lose the unwanted pounds.
1. Fewer rules help to lose weight. If a diet is too complex or confusing, we are less likely to stick to it. Try focusing on a single rule or two, like: eat 4 meals of 400 Calories or, eat a source of protein every time you have carbs.
2. Whole grains are healthier but that doesn't mean you eat less. It is true that whoel grains typically help you feel fuller longer but studies have seen that it doesn't necesarily change eating habits. Be aware of why you are eating (hunger vs. boredom) not just that you are eating foods that are better for you.
3. Snacking vs. eating a meal. The question is what makes a meal. Many definitions are available but typically it is a more formal, prepared food eaten with others on plates and with utensils, usually taking an half hour or so. To avoid simply snacking all day, make your snacks more formal by sitting down and using a plate and not shoveling food in your mouth.
4. Satisfaction increases with prior knowledge. If you believe a meal or food is satisfying and will fill you up it usually will. This is the old mind trick. Having experience with different healthier choices that are satisfying to you ought to fill your diet not ones that you don't care for or will leave you empty.
We will take a look at some less common sense conclusions about diet in the next post.
Stay tuned and "Get to work".
1. Fewer rules help to lose weight. If a diet is too complex or confusing, we are less likely to stick to it. Try focusing on a single rule or two, like: eat 4 meals of 400 Calories or, eat a source of protein every time you have carbs.
2. Whole grains are healthier but that doesn't mean you eat less. It is true that whoel grains typically help you feel fuller longer but studies have seen that it doesn't necesarily change eating habits. Be aware of why you are eating (hunger vs. boredom) not just that you are eating foods that are better for you.
3. Snacking vs. eating a meal. The question is what makes a meal. Many definitions are available but typically it is a more formal, prepared food eaten with others on plates and with utensils, usually taking an half hour or so. To avoid simply snacking all day, make your snacks more formal by sitting down and using a plate and not shoveling food in your mouth.
4. Satisfaction increases with prior knowledge. If you believe a meal or food is satisfying and will fill you up it usually will. This is the old mind trick. Having experience with different healthier choices that are satisfying to you ought to fill your diet not ones that you don't care for or will leave you empty.
We will take a look at some less common sense conclusions about diet in the next post.
Stay tuned and "Get to work".
Monday, March 29, 2010
Take it easy
Do you ever not feel like training? Happens all the time. There are many reasons for a lack of motivation: stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, nutrition, consecutive hard workouts, etc. You name it, it probably has an affect on how you feel going into your workouts.
Quite often I find my clients feeling down prior to working out but once they get into it their body wakes up and they feel better after, even if it was particularly difficult. Exercise is such a great stress reliever and improves your state of mind as well as your physical well being.
But what if you really are just dragging. Take it easy. This lack of motivation or physical drain is often a sign that your body needs some time to recover. Whether it is taking a day or two off to revive or simply backing off the intensity, your body will typically respond better.
Recovery and repair is done during recovery. Their is no adaptation or growth that takes place during your workouts. It is after that your body repairs and improves. Knowing this can help you plan some recovery time. Have an evenly spaced workout routine during the week. This ensures that you don't load all of your workouts back to back.
Stay consistent. Not every workout has to be all-out. Do make sure you are adequately challenging yourself each time but pay attention to your body and how you feel. This trick has helped me stay injury free during my fitness career.
"Get to work."
Quite often I find my clients feeling down prior to working out but once they get into it their body wakes up and they feel better after, even if it was particularly difficult. Exercise is such a great stress reliever and improves your state of mind as well as your physical well being.
But what if you really are just dragging. Take it easy. This lack of motivation or physical drain is often a sign that your body needs some time to recover. Whether it is taking a day or two off to revive or simply backing off the intensity, your body will typically respond better.
Recovery and repair is done during recovery. Their is no adaptation or growth that takes place during your workouts. It is after that your body repairs and improves. Knowing this can help you plan some recovery time. Have an evenly spaced workout routine during the week. This ensures that you don't load all of your workouts back to back.
Stay consistent. Not every workout has to be all-out. Do make sure you are adequately challenging yourself each time but pay attention to your body and how you feel. This trick has helped me stay injury free during my fitness career.
"Get to work."
Monday, March 22, 2010
Take it outside
As the weather starts to turn more friendly for outside activity, take your workouts outside as well. This will give you a fresh set of exercises typically and keep you rejuvenated. It is a nice morale boost to be able to get outside and do some physical work.
Start to look for activities that you can do outside that you enjoy and can replace typical workouts. Activities like hiking, biking, basketball, volleyball, and many others. Do make time to get in some resistance training to maintain lean muscle.
Enjoy physical fitness and you will stick to it. If you find something you enjoy you won't think of it as a chore. Get a partner, join a bootcamp, pick up a new sport or hobby. Now's the time.
"Get to work".
Start to look for activities that you can do outside that you enjoy and can replace typical workouts. Activities like hiking, biking, basketball, volleyball, and many others. Do make time to get in some resistance training to maintain lean muscle.
Enjoy physical fitness and you will stick to it. If you find something you enjoy you won't think of it as a chore. Get a partner, join a bootcamp, pick up a new sport or hobby. Now's the time.
"Get to work".
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Everyone has an agenda
I have been reading different texts and watching several health documentaries in preparation for teaching a college level nutrition and fitness class and have realized everyone has an agenda. From those toting the fast food restaurants as the evil monster forcing everyone to be fat and those claiming that eating a high fat, high protein diet will cause health benefits, everyone has an agenda.
So how do we know what we really should be doing? It comes down to individual differences. We are all unique. We all have different needs and motivation. Different approaches will work for different people. If it is so unique, what are we to do? Just believe the hype or give up?
No! Do some research for yourself. Find out what works for your body. It comes down to personal responsibility. Take some time and research what is out there. Play around with your diet and exercise routine and see what works best. It takes time but it will produce a regimen that fits your lifestyle and eating habits for life.
That's the key. It needs to be something you can live on and live with. Make sense?
"Get to work".
So how do we know what we really should be doing? It comes down to individual differences. We are all unique. We all have different needs and motivation. Different approaches will work for different people. If it is so unique, what are we to do? Just believe the hype or give up?
No! Do some research for yourself. Find out what works for your body. It comes down to personal responsibility. Take some time and research what is out there. Play around with your diet and exercise routine and see what works best. It takes time but it will produce a regimen that fits your lifestyle and eating habits for life.
That's the key. It needs to be something you can live on and live with. Make sense?
"Get to work".
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