Summer Slackers

Well, here in New England even though it isn't officially "summer", the summer weather has made a strong and quick appearance. This is your typical time of year where fitness centers and their usual members start slacking off from their indoor training and routines. School lets out and moms/parents schedules change, more incentive to be outdoors, vacationing, etc.

Is it the beautiful weather that keeps them out? Is it the numerous social events that everyone commits to? The change in routine that is difficult to re-adapt to? Yes to all, but there is a stronger influence, it is called discipline and the continuous desire to set your fitness as a priority...just like getting up for work every day. You cant be successful in your career if you don't continually work at it....or at least show up!

To be successful with your continued fitness and wellness, it needs to be a lifestyle; something that you believe in and truly takes precedence in your life. Some people see the "fitness and wellness" thing as a social connection, and it is. However, it is simply not enough. The social events of bar-b-qing, sitting at the beach, and vacationing will surely trump your plan to run, go to the gym or get in that morning exercise video before the day or running your kids to their friends house, baseball games, and catching a drink and appetizer with your close friends.

The "summer slackers" are really no different than those who set a new years resolution to get back on track with their fitness. It truly is a vicious cycle and I see it every year. It goes something like this:

Seasonal Yo-Yo Fitness

• Summer time; the weather is too nice to workout indoors and my family has a lot of social things going on (lasts around 90 days)
• Fall; once the summer ends and most are full of gluttony, their routines are about to change again, kids back in school, forcing them to re-adapt and still not have time to get fitness in their life. (lasts around 90 days...sept to november)
• Holidays; once school has been back in session and they have been in and out of the gym a few times for a taste of what they "really wan't" the holidays strike and the cycle starts alllll over again. Having YET to adapt into a consistent balance fitness program.
• New Year; "okay I am really going to start this fitness thing once the holidays end"..if this isn't you then I bet you know someone who it is. Text-book wana-be fit but just doesnt have the self-discipline and motivation. Sure, it sounds "trendy" to your friends and to post on facebook that your on a  fitness mission...but chances are in 3 months or less you'll be back to your good old habits. (interesting, this lasts about 90 days too)
• Spring time; so many have made a strong attempt from their new years fitness resolution, but guess what...better weather and end of school projects are on their heels again and the cycle is about to start over again. Never getting through more than around 90 days of training consistently any more than three times per week since last spring!

Research shows that it takes approximately 90 days of consistent new behavior, repeated 4-6 times per week for old behaviors to change and the body to adapt. Well, bad news for those who never make it past that 90 day mark because there is never a period in our 12 month calendar where a significant life changing occurrence such as dramatic weather change (seasons), school letting out, holidays, etc. that  doesn't happen. Take a guess at what variable this is referred to as?




LIFE; the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, especially metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment.
–adjective

for or lasting a lifetime; lifelong: a life membership in a club; life imprisonment.

 

This "life" we all live in (from the blue collar to the financially affluent), no matter if it is the holiday season or the beautiful weather of new englands summers, our fitness is a lifelong adaptation. And as a unique specimen (human) our bodies need a consistent environment to adapt to what we all want; a lean, strong, healthy, and balanced life of fitness and wellness. This is just another variable in the equation identified as "Daddy Syndrome" but applies to us ALL.

 

Keep fighting!

 

Joe 

 

Recreation for Remediation

This past week fitness became fun again. There was a new sense of balance in my workouts, even though mother nature here in New England didn't make it any easier, rain, rain and 50 degrees; not exactly a motivating way to get outdoors!

With the less desirable weather, I was forced to take to other workouts like the stairmaster, intervals on the treadmill (i cant stand running for distance on those things), TRX here at home, and weight lifting at the gym. I wasn't able to get as many outdoors runs in as I would have liked, but hopefully this week will brighten up a bit.

Well, this past weeks workouts seem pretty standard and those sometimes can be the monotonous ones that set us up for long term compliance and eventually failure with our programs. What are the alternatives? Get yourself set up in a recreational sports league (I happen to be in a competitive over 30 mens baseball league www.gsbl.net ) and go mountain biking; two summer sports that give me the competitiveness and way to integrate my training into something more than just how I look/feel/etc.

Other recreational sports that are great training tools and making training in the gym more exciting and motivating are mountain biking, hiking, tennis, swimming, and even some serious yard work can do your body some good! These recreational activities incorporate full body movements and build real life strength and endurance. Don't think of hauling/chopping wood or rocks and clearing mulch beds as tedious work? If you enjoy being outside and want some great activity for your body to compliment (not replace) your training program, you can really reap the benefits of staying active!

If you are local, check out FOMBA (Friends of Massabesic Bicyling Assocation) where one of the most extensive and accessible single and double track mountain biking trails exist...its a blast. So much fun that I added it into my weekly routine (Friday late afternoons :) if you want to join us)

Other great rec spots in the greater Manchester area:

• Bear Brook State Park
• Londonderry Trailways
• Rockingham Rail Trail

Well, no matter what your recreation is, use it for your remediation; the correction of something bad or defective! ....the fight for fitness!

Best in training!
Joe

Homemade protein bars

A great snack for pre and post workout, or to get you through that sweet tooth craving!

A healthier alternative to those preservative filled thingies at your local grocer.

http://www.healthygreenkitchen.com/homemade-protein-bars.html

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Fitness 401k

Well, the first week is just about through and the "new toy" affect (new sneaks, new running gear, and new attitude) was in full swing. I was able to get in some solid cross-training between TRX, running, stairmaster, and weight lifting. My goal was to simply get something in each day...

My wife (who is 3 months prego!) is on board too - well, at least as a coach; she made me mixed fruit and whipped cream for dessert, it's no cookies-n-cream but hey - you gotta compromise somewhere, right?

Speaking of compromising, that is what balanced wellness is all about. Keeping either a written journal or if you've been doing this long enough, just remembering what you did until you've gotten a solid, balanced routine that's proven through your results. Cardiovascular, strength training, and a balanced nutritional plan. You don't have to be perfect every meal of every day, just more than not.

When I speak with my clients, most of which are affluent business professionals (or married to one), I give them an analogy using their bank account. When you have a solid bank account from being focused and working hard each week, it affords you the ability to "play" and use those hard earned funds on the weekends, trips, etc. I call this the "fitness bank account"...being focused with your nutrition and fitness during the week; eating balanced smaller meals more frequently through the day/week, getting in a balance of cardio and strength training. Trying to make as many good fitness decisions through the tough work week as possible, so when the fun of the weekend rolls around, you wont feel as guilty having a couple pop's with your friends or taking you significant other out to dinner.

The less hard you work towards your fitness bank account during the week - the less you can afford to "cheat" with your fitness when the fun rolls around. And it will...summer bbq's are on our heels!


Your fitness401K is just like that stale retirement plan you may (or may not) have. The less you pay attention to it, the harder you'll have to work later on to catch up :)


Best in training,
Joe

Welcome to the Fight!

Welcome!

This is my first attempt to educate those who us as fitness professionals, aspire to help achieve their personal fitness, performance, and optimal wellness goals!

As a new dad...16 months to be exact, at first I thought 'hey this aint so bad...ill be able to keep my fitness level up, manage work, fatherhood, being a husband, a homeowner, etc, etc. Well - it takes a lot of energy as you all know.

Workouts would be become shorter and fewer between. I found myself in what all fitness professionals call "brick and no morter". I've certainly got the tools and knowledge....but its just not sticking together! I reached out to new training tools (TRX, RIP Trainers, CrossFit, etc.) and it all came down to, well, "just do it".

Okay, okay, today is the day. Or is it? Well great...that week was solid. The next...ehh, not so much. Consistency is the key - if you dont do your homework, you'll just keep falling behind, right? Just like high school physics. By the way...that was one class I actually did fail. But look at me now! haha.

Anyways, resorting back to the basics, its accountability. So this is my challenge to myself and all of you - join me in The Fight against Daddy Syndrome!

What is "Daddy Syndrome"? Well, its a little phrase or analogy I use as an excuse to why my fitness level has gone down. Is it horrible, nah - but not where I want it to be :)

Daddy Syndrome is by my definition; the inability to maintain focus on ones wellness by variables through being a father, husband, and professional.

If this sounds familiar to you - then I personally invite you to follow this blog, contribute everything and anything you want to help yourself visualize what you do to help-yourself and others. I look forward to working and sharing with you in this Fight for Fitness!

Best in training,
Joe