Stress can kill

Manage your stress....your health depends on it. Hear are some surefire ways that YOU can bust stress before stress busts you.

The first thing to remember is that stress is largely a product of life challenges. Both positive and negative life challenge create stress. Balance is the key.

I think we can all agree on some level that stresses (job, bills, social obligations) are not going anywhere. So.....now what?

Taking charge of your life is what managing stress is all about. Realizing that you are in control of your life is the first step.

Recognition of the different types of stress is an important and individual step.

These two are the only assistance you will receive from me as managing stress is as individual as fingerprints.

Please comment on the greatest causes of stress in your day to day.
But Wait! don't stop there list some of your most effective solutions.

Is it the Shoes????

Hello All,
I hope all is well your world. I have a product review in store for you.normally I dont review products but in this case I am making an exception.

If you have been paying attention to the fitnews lately( i always do) you are aware of a new movement towards deconstructed shoes. These are shoes that have a shape that is more slipper or sock than your typically athletic shoe.Companies from Nike,to Vibram have released versions of these shoes, who's whole purpose is to force the foot to do its job as a base of support and shock absorber.Funny thing is I am not looking at those shoes today.

What?? then what the ---- am I talking about? hmmm?

The flip side of the deconstructed shoe coin is the corrective/extremely structured shoe. Companies like MBT and Sketchers are providing the topic of our talk.


The claim
is that these type of shoes help you lose weight and tone your muscles at higher rate than you would without them.

The reality
A.C.E. (American Council of Exercise)performed a study at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse measuring the shoes effects on six muscle groups.

Thats right ladies(guys too)
Calves
Quads
Hamstrings
Buttocks
Back
Abdominals

NO DIFFERENCE WAS FOUND!!!

Now I dont know about your budget but $200-$300 is a high cost for very little real return.

Stayed Tuned for Part II

Hello All,

One of the most challenging obstacles you will face in this road to get in shape, is losing fat and get stronger. Getting stronger is a topic for another day, while losing fat is surely at the top of your mind.

Walking is one of the most basic ways to keep healthy.But not all walks are created equal.

*increase the speed of your walk to help keep weight at a reasonable level.
*walk uphill
*walk backwards(safety is key:make sure you know where your walking)
*extend the distance of your walk
*extend the time you spend walking

All of these tweaks are effective at helping you burn more while exercising, one is more effective........can you guess??

Speed Kills!!

Increasing the speed of your walk is the best way to increase intensity.

What now?
If you walk 120 steps in a minute it roughly equates to 3mph.

If you walk 135 steps in a minute you are moving roughly 4mph.

Why should you care??
Havard School of Public Health research fellow Anne Lusk determined that of 18000 premenopausal women those who walked at a brisk pace 3mph or higher gained less weight than those who walked in a leisurely fashion.

Pretty amazing how keeping your intensity high can help your scale reading low.

BOOTCAMP!

Hello all
I am happy to announce the opening of the Metabolic Fitness Solutions LLC Bootcamp.
August 2nd. It will run 4 days of the week ( M/T/TH/F) so hump day and the weekends are yours to sleep in. I will send an email to those of you who follow my blog and even those of you who don't. It will give you all details location, time, description, etc. Stay tuned!!!

preparation

Hello All
Here we are a week after the forth of July and things are changing. I am anticipating the release of my new website. I have been in the dark ages for a long time when it comes to technology. This has resulted in many of you thinking I have put away my kettlebells, my weighted vest, etc......Not to worry. The new website will be reality in August of this year. I will keep you up to date in far more diligent fashion. Moving forward.

"realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.."
Eckhart Tolle

Exercise This: Cop shows can save your neck (and back and shoulders)

I have many clients whose professional life dominates their time and energy. They often work 60 hours a week and hope to fit exercise in wherever they can. Sound familiar?? Though I cannot convince them to scale back work hours (not for lack of desire) I often suggest this simple exercise to counteract the negative effects of a desk job.

Have you ever watched cop shows like my favorite, T.J. Hooker? (It's an oldie but goodie!) Well, the perpetrator is always commanded to do three things:

1. FREEZE!
2. PUT YOUR HANDS UP!
3. HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!

Now, I know this seems silly, but stay with me.

First, you know your day will be a long one, so every 45 minutes or so you should stop and break from what you are doing...FREEZE!

Second, you probably have been hunched over a desk of papers or in front of some sort of computer. A shoulders-forward position prevents the postural muscles of your upper back from doing their job effectively, so...PUT YOUR HANDS UP! (This second step is even more effective if you stand while you do it.)

Third, in order to truly get the postural muscles activated, HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD! Clasp your fingers behind your head and squeeze your shoulder blades together, and then relax and allow your arms to return to your sides. Repeat the steps as many times as needed. It may shock you to learn how tight your shoulders and neck really are.

Remember: Reduce tension to increase production.

body and mind

Hello Folks,
It has been a long time since you've heard from me. A lot has changed in the past year or so. I hope that all of you have experienced change in your life as well. There are several instances that have caused me to pause and reflect.

I have had a revelation about life and success in life. One of my favorite authors, Stephen Covey, states that when someone seeks to avoid work, their standards with regards to leadership, integrity, and morals are compromised. Well, folks, the revelation is this: diligence, persistence, and consistency determine your success. Your reputation and integrity are determined by these factors. Your reputation determines how many people will volunteer as advocates for your cause. Reflect on that.

Body and Mind posts are for reflection, to share my personal discoveries in the hope that as you seek success in your life, you have balance. This balance must be apparent in your pursuit of fitness, professional, spiritual, and social goals. Remember: Healthy minds precede healthy bodies, and healthy bodies help preserve healthy minds.