Holidays are for enjoying, not for feeling guilty.

Alright guys here is my opinion on how the holidays are supposed to go for the regular exercisers and the serious dieters, take it or leave it. I'm just one of MANY opinions. I'm going to share with you the advice I give to my clients.
Thanksgiving on into New Years is a REALLY difficult time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. People start baking all the yummy foods we crave and love to eat. Food in general is in abundance through Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas parties and celebrations and New Years get-togethers.
Just because you happen to eat that piece of pumpkin pie (or two) doesn't mean your diet is ruined. I don't even see it as a setback to my clients' goals or programming. We get food like this once a year it isn't fair to ourselves not to indulge in it a little. Make sure to drink plenty of water to help flush all of the bad stuff and cleanse your insides and don't let that bad meal be the reason you stop exercising. KEEP EXERCISING! Weight gain happens during the holidays because we feel like we have eaten badly and that guilt keeps us from going to the gym or even taking a walk/jog.
Enjoying the holidays is part of life, a part of life I'd rather not miss out on and especially would not want to see my clients miss out on. Indulging doesn't mean you have to feel guilty. Just follow the two simple rules and you will come out on top in 2011!

1. Drink PLENTY of fluids (H20)
2. Don't stop exercising!

Double the results, same ol' exercise.

KW Fit Fitness QuickTip:

Looking for more or better core strength but only have so much time to put in to your workout?

Try all of your traditional standing exercises on your knees.

Fact: Taking out the stability of your quads automatically forces your core to engage and work as your power house to keep you stabilized.

Example: Triceps Overhead Extension.

Take it from standing or sitting and grab a mat and kneel (Remember to keep a tall spine). It will make a difference, I promise.

The sport of Body Building, and remind me how it is still around?

As a trainer, I have to wonder how sports like Body Building are still around. A sport that is so infected with cheating it's known by everyone, literally, EVERYONE. We all know most body builders take steroids. It's no secret, no body looks like that without the use of them. There have been several documentaries on body builders who try to win the natural way, the real way, the way that takes real work and dedication, such as any real sport would. We all know the ending, they get beat out by the guy who is a 'roid head. My question is simply this: How in hell is body building still around? Officials know, participants know, people who go to competitions, the competitors themselves all know, its a 'sport' plagued with drugs and shortcuts. I can tell you now, no other sport would allow for that. Am I turning a blind eye to the fact that steroids are used in every major sport? Absolutely not, but when it becomes known to the public, something gets done about it. Why has body building been made to be the exception? It really does baffle me. It goes against every fiber of the basic component of any sport. Athletes train hard, it becomes what they eat, drink, sleep. They beat the sun getting up to train. They do this day in and day out, many times they pull two-a-days just to get up to par with the competition. Blood, sweat, and tears are the foundations of a sport. The use of performance enhancement drugs are severely looked down upon. It's cheating. Sports don't accept cheaters. Why does body building accept cheaters? Do you not take it offensively when someone is found to be taking steroids? Does that not discount your efforts when the winner of a Mr. Olympia competition is a known steroid abuser? All really good question which I am not asking rhetorically. I would like answers because I am generally curious. One of the many anomalies that will probably never make sense to me.

Group fitness, it's just what you need.

It's that time of year where everyone makes their New Year's resolutions to hit the gym and lose a few pounds! It's also that time of year where all of the treadmills and elliptical machines get crammed and no one can find an empty one to use. You really want to stick to your plan and REALLY lose those pounds? GET OFF THE MACHINE! I wouldn't stick to an exercise regimen either if all I did was go to a gym and walk on a treadmill for 30 minutes. It's boring! Step off the machine and step into the group fitness room. Yes, I'm serious. Group fitness isn't grandma's aerobics anymore. That means guys, too, can get GREAT results from group fitness. There is a fair amount of hype when it comes to group fitness from long time trainers and gym owners. A lot of people say group fitness isn't really working out or it's easy. Answer this one question for me. What is the difference between doing a dozen push ups in the group fitness room and a dozen bicep curls out on the strength training floor? NOTHING. It's all the same. It is proven that group fitness gives results. I'm talking proof in numbers. Group fitness is fun, definitely a lot more fun than walking or cycling or climbing in place on a machine. Group fitness creates an atmosphere where people can safely push their limits and find awesome results. It also gives a feeling of accountability when you start to get to know the people that are working along side you. It's especially beneficial for you to take the time out to get to know the instructor. If they are a good instructor they will make sure that you aren't slacking off and you'll hear about it when you skip a day! It's the perfect atmosphere that tailors to nothing but results. Yes I will say the word one more time, RESULTS. Why wouldn't you do it? Find a class and just get into it and do it. I don't care if it's a barbell lifting class, a step class, a cardio groove class, a boot camp class, or a yoga class. Make 2010 the year that you change up your routine and actually STICK TO IT. Find the group fitness schedule at your gym and check out a class that tickles your interest. You will be pleasantly surprised, I promise.