Advice from Arnie

We all need a fresh start now and again. Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day and the avalanche of “things we need to do” in our lives that we forget what we need to do. The idea of starting over can be overwhelming and many of us simply bury the past and try to build on top of it. It creates a weak foundation. This is true of any fitness routine but can also apply to many aspects of life. Sometimes we just need that fresh new start to try and get things right. When we played as kids and something didn’t go right in a game or a sport, we could simply say “do over” and restart from that point. We didn’t forget all that had happened before; we simply took that moment and tried to realize a better result from it by starting over. So with fitness as well as with life, I think we all need a “do over” from time to time.

Maybe it is a fitness routine you need to begin or begin again…maybe you messed things up so many times before you are afraid to revisit that idea or go farther with what you do know. Maybe it is your work or the kids or a relationship, it really doesn’t matter because all of it contributes to your over all health. Look, there are some things we do right and we don’t forget them; we just need to take a fresh look at those good things and bad and make sure it works the way it should. The pace of an exercise, the time you do it, the frequency of that exercise, all can be changed to gather a different result. The point is starting over, “doing it over,” gives us an opportunity to grow, learn and move ahead. If it is simply exercise we are talking about and losing weight, that is an easy fix but for some maybe fitness goes a bit deeper than just the superficial. It is not all about the body…it is your mind and your spirit that may need a do over and all those elements coming together make all the difference in your health. Take a moment and forgive yourself any mistakes and just say “do over” and try this again with a mindset and a commitment to doing it right and making it through the rough parts this time and getting to the goal you really want. It isn’t just about powering through one exercise or some type of pain or discomfort in one aspect of life, it is about have a fulfilling life of health and joy and learning that no matter what you have attempted in the past and think you failed in accomplishing, that you can go back and have the success you desire.

Our fitness lives can be very rewarding if we apply ourselves, but look beyond that and know we are not just how we look. There is much more to being healthy than the look. So whether it is something you are working on at this moment, from yesterday, last week, last year or more, if you don’t have a peace about it you need to say “do over” and give yourself the chance to succeed and get things right for your health and balanced well being.

Ten Things

Are you trying to lose weight or “get in shape,” stay in shape or just want to feel better about yourself physically? If you are reading this I would guess the answer is yes. I hear it all the time, I get asked all the time, “What should I do; what could I do?” The answers are simple but you have to do them. You wouldn’t be looking, searching, or asking if what you are doing for yourself was working, so stop doing what you think is the right thing and try these 10 things.

Don’t skip meals- If you are skipping meals you lose, period. You need eat 4-6 times a day healthy balanced meals that includes carbs, proteins and fat. If you think you eat right and you don’t see results guess what…you need to change how you eat.
Stop obsessing over scale weight- People see that number on the scale and have a moment of euphoria or prolonged feeling of deep depression. It is a number, a tool you can use to make assessments and changes to your routine. It does not define who and what you are like you think it does. Go find out your body fat percentage and learn the difference between fat loss and weight loss.
Get off your butt- Start moving. Burn some calories, go for a walk lift a couple of gallons of milk in the house, it doesn’t matter just get off the couch and burn some calories.
Sleep a solid 8- If you are not getting enough rest your body cannot function properly. It screws up everything. Let you body take the time it needs to recover from workouts and everyday daily stress. If you don’t get good sleep chances are you will have a tough time losing pounds the way you would like or even gaining them if that is your goal.
Drink water- Really…your body is made up of mostly water. Your cells and muscles, all mostly water. Do yourself a huge favor and learn to drink at least the daily recommended 8 glasses. Sip from the time you get up in the morning and throughout the day until you hit the sheets again at night.
Get a trainer- You might think I say this because I am a trainer…you are right. I know what a good trainer can help you accomplish. You want to see some real changes or get some new things to do that will help you reach a goal then suck it up buttercup and get a trainer.
Stop the fad diets- Man oh man I read more diet books than I really care to. I have to just to answer questions people have about these fad diets. These things have a short life. They may work for awhile in some cases but most are not so healthy. Be smart read up on diets before just doing one you hear about, ask a professional what they think of them and be careful fad diets are just that…fads, they don’t last and neither do results.
Shop healthy- Shop the perimeter of the store…most all the other stuff in the middle of the store is what will add those unwanted pounds. Fruits, veggies, lean meats, fish, dairy and whole grains are best. All the processed stuff, try to avoid. I know its good but it is bad too.
Lift weights- You don’t have to lift heavy weights or be a power lifter or bodybuilder but you need to challenge your muscles with some resistance. You will get more benefit from just a little weight lifting than if you did just cardio all the time by itself.
Make the time- Don’t have the time? All this sounds good but you can’t do all that… “W”-whatever. You need to make a decision as to what you want. Keep complaining about how bad you look and feel and blame everything and everyone else or make the time to give to yourself something that will improve the quality of your life. Make the time to do the right things for you.