Cindy’s Fitness Blog

Oh my goodness…I am sooo hungry these last few days!  Is it because I am up-ping the ‘ampee’ with my exercise and activity?  Is it because I am eating increased amount of fibrous foods and lean proteins, thus incinerating my internal fireplace?  Is my metabolism firing up?  Are my fat cells being depleted and crying to get filled back up?  (Fat cells don’t die, they shrink.)  In any event, today I chose to eat more calories, i.e., more quality calories.  Perhaps stabilizing for a few days on more calories, then dropping back down will quiet the hunger pains.  I’m going to give it a try.

This morning I woke up with the intention to go out for a nice long hour moderate jog.  I opened the door, and said, “Heck NO”.  It was pouring rain.  A calm mist would have been fine, but not the ‘cats and dogs’ I was watching!  So, Plan B for a workout was to jump on my stationary bike and program in an interval program for 30 minutes while listening to some motivational, spiritual teaching.  (It gets a little boring inside the house to sit on the bike for an hour, so I revved the intensity and kept it shorter!)  The moral of the story is to stick to your commitment to a lifestyle of exercise no matter what.  Create alternatives to keep your commitment to yourself.

Tomorrow, I start the FALL F.A.T. BLAST with a group of my clients.  We are cleaning up our nutrition, and committing to daily exercise!  No more refined, processed flours and junk food!  Regular cardiovascular exercise and strength training and my new BOOT CAMP CLASS designed to kick butt!!!!  I am hoping this will jumpstart people to greater heights in their thinking about staying fit, active and healthy!  Aww….it feels soooo good!  Let’s do it!

What’s it all about?  Simply put- clean eating and exercise!  But what kind of exercise?  Strength or resistance training?  Cardiovascular training?  Slow cardio?  Fast cardio?  I SAY MIX IT UP.  Variety is the spice of life, right?  Here’s a pretty good exercise recipe for most people: strength train 2-3x per week, cardio train for 6 days a a week with 2-3 of those days being short (15-20 mins), but really hard!  You gotta push your limits!  (Only if healthy, though..check with your Doc.)  Rest for 1 day.  And throw in flexibility training to help with recovery….stretching brings blood flow and nourishment to the cells of your body.

This week two of my clients reported that their A1C levels had decreased since the last check.  Regulating blood sugar is just one of the benefits of regular exercise and healthful eating as a result of personal training guidance and coaching.  Others have reported the ability to return to recreational activities once loved  and practiced at younger ages.  Some have reduced their need for medications for health issues such as high blood pressure and osteoporosis.   It makes my day when peoples’  lives become easier due to improved health!!

I’ve returned from a 10 day vacation in Tucson, AZ.  It was a great time of rejuvenation!  Are you wondering if I worked out?  Well, of course!   While some folks think vacation is a time to splurge on food, and forget exercise, I believe vacation should really be about doing all you can to restore optimal health!  Bascially, I slept well, exercised well, and ate 95% of the time healthfully.  Unfortunately, you can’t completely control eating out even if you do make the seemingly healthy choices.  It worked!  I am back and feel great and because I love what I do, I am ready to venture forward to continue helping all of you achieve optimal health as well!  Remember, if you’re taking a vacation, bring your workout gear and accessories!

Today I woke up with a bit of a headache.  I might be acquiring some allergies as I get older, or it may have been that I slept funny and my neck is slightly tense.  But yes, I am going to workout!  Although I am very seldom ever really sick, there are times when I have to ask myself…..should I exercise today?  Normally, with a headache, I will always exercise.  The increased blood flow and the movement actually reduces the tension and brings oxygen to my head which seems to cause the headache to subside.  This morning I will do a shorter workout.   I am going to ride my stationary bike as hard as I can (completely breathless) for 2 miles, then drop down and do 50 ball ab crunches, and 25 ball back extensions.  I’ll repeat that 3 times.   Then I’ll do some floor stretches before getting ready to see my clients for the day.  How are you feeling today and what exercise will you do?

When it comes to exercise, it’s important to have rest time.  I choose Sundays, but you just choose the day that fits your schedule best.  Take a day to relax and enjoy your loved ones.   There is nothing fabulous about constant ‘busy-ness’.  Rest is necessary, take some!