Fitness 'N' Oklahoma City

Posts Tagged ‘Oklahoma City Weight Loss’

Sara and I are about to hit the road. But before we leave I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to you and your family from Sara and I.

I posted the Holiday workout from this morning, it isn’t the best ever but had to rush it a little so please enjoy. Also I am posting the actual workout below the video so you can have your friends and family do it.

Trainer B.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

On the first day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the second day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the third day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
7 Side Plank Hip Drops,
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
8 One arm Burpees,
7 Side Plank Hip Drops,
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
9 Sit Up Presses,
8 One arm Burpees,
7 Side Plank Hip Drops,
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
10 Sprints and back,
9 Sit Up Presses,
8 One arm Burpees,
7 Side Plank Hip Drops,
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
11 Paper Plate Body Saws,
10 Sprints and back,
9 Sit Up Presses,
8 One arm Burpees,
7 Side Plank Hip Drops,
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my trainer made me do
12 Low Rows with Over Head Tricep extensions,
11 Paper Plate Body Saws,
10 Sprints and back,
9 Sit Up Presses,
8 One arm Burpees,
7 Side Plank Hip Drops,
6 Jumping Lunges,
5 Overhead Squats,
4 Mountain Climbers,
3 Suspended Pikes,
2 Torso Rotation Push-ups,
And 1 Atomic Push up with oblique crunch-ees

So when it comes to fat-loss it can get overwhelming with all of the information floating around.  But let’s not forget that losing fat is simply a matter of creating a negative energy balance.

Simplified version, if we burn more calories than we take in on a daily basis, we’ll lose weight. No rocket-science here just all weight loss concepts revealed. Yet, most people are so worried about what types of carbs to avoid, which cardio machine to use, how many reps and sets work best for weight training, if their Nike Shox match their Under Armour shorts or if they should rock the hat instead (okay maybe that’s just me)

Our community is constantly searching for the quick fix, the  next best diet, the greatest fat burning workouts, fat burning supplements, advice from fitness experts, opinions from everyday people on fat loss forums that couldn’t tell their a*s from a hole in the ground.

To tell you the truth, there are literally THOUSANDS of ways to successfully burn fat and lose weight. Some are better than others, but nonetheless, there are a mega-load of methods that can get the job done. What we forget is that it still comes down to burning more calories than we take in over a period of time.

STOP! Over thinking the process, and follow these simple steps to creating a calorie deficit in your body.

• While keeping everything else the same, we can create a negative energy balance by eating less food

• While keeping everything else the same, we can create a deficit by exercising more (or more intensely)

• Or we can do both more effectively

Which one of these is the best?

Depends entirely on the individual, but assuming you don’t enjoy starving yourself day in and day out…and most people are way too busy to workout 10+ hours each week…I would have to suggest both cutting your calorie intake and burning more calories through an intense workout.

Look at it this way – creating a deficit of 1,000 calories per day simply by eating less and without changing anything else, you will have in theory burned off an extra 7,000 calories in 1 week. This would only equal a whopping 2 lbs of body fat. Not very satisfying at all…and who wants to eat 1,000 LESS calories each day for an entire week – no bueno.

That last paragraph sums up why people who do crash-diets almost always fail in the long run. It’s flat out too hard to be that disciplined for much longer than a day or two, let alone the months it would take to make significant body transformations.

Exercising more, without changing anything else in your day to day routine, would probably be an easier option, at least for me. But again, I could only last a few weeks before I’d get lazy or burn myself out…not to mention I hardly have time as it is. Plus, you have to workout like an absolute maniac to burn an extra 1,000 calories per day.

It should be clear by now that the best and fastest way to lose body fat – both short term and long term – is to lower the amount of calories you’re eating AND burn more calories through working out.

Theoretically, the more calories you cut through diet and the larger amount of calories you burn with exercise, the larger the energy deficit you create…and the faster you can burn body fat.

Remember this simple equation and if you’re not getting the fat loss results you want, STOP over thinking it – you’re either putting too much sh*t in your mouth, not exercising properly (this could be not working out consistently, not exercising hard enough or not following the right workout plan) or both.

Trust me you are not cursed, your genetics aren’t the reason behind your failed fat loss and you’re not doomed…it just takes an honest, no-nonsense assessment, a  few tweaks to your nutrition plan, workout routine or both…and you’ll be on your way to a tight body in no time. It really IS that simple.

Class Dismissed!

If you enjoyed this please leave a comment below.

As always if you would like to see an article about something just drop me a comment and i will get it on here.

If you are ready to get into incredible shape and get into your skinny jeans check out Oklahoma City Indoor Boot Camp here.

Here is a question I get on any given day.  “Should I eat breakfast before my workout or after?”

ANSWER: If you plan on working out shortly after waking, say within 30-45 minutes eat after your workout. If your workout is going to take place a couple hours after waking, eat something light within 30 minutes of waking.   Yep it is that easy.

But wait their is more ” What should I eat?” If you have asked me this, you know my common answer is Oatmeal but that is kind of boring so let me go over a few more things to add to the list.

We all know breakfast is important… Right? Of course we do.  I will save the reason why for another post but if you aren’t familiar with the quote “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” you need to stop reading and Google the importance of breakfast.

And take a quick note of this….Get at least 7 grams of protein for breakfast. Your muscles need it to repair. Whether you are working out before or after  breakfast it is important for the guys and the ladies. I put a chart on the bottom to help you out.

Okay here we go.

• Fruit and Cottage Cheese Combo

Low Fat Cottage Cheese your favorite fruit and your set.

• Eggs with peppers

I personally love eggs but if you don’t, skip this one. Egg whites are your healthier choice rather than the whole egg.  Scramble with with some olive oil, cut onions, green peppers, pinch of black pepper, spritz a little lemon on and eat with a piece of whole-wheat toast.

• Whole Grain, High Fiber Cereal

Any cereal will do that is whole grain and high in fiber, I prefer Kashi Golean Crunch. Add low-fat milk or soy milk (which has 1/3 the saturated fat of 1% milk), perhaps some berries if you like.

• Oatmeal, flaxseed, blueberries & almonds

To me, this is the perfect breakfast that is why I always refer to it as my ultimate suggestion.  The only difference between steel-cut oatmeal, and the instant kind is the fiber. After microwaving the oatmeal, add ground flaxseed (flaxseed helps fight everything from heart disease and diabetes to breast cancer), frozen blueberries, and crushed almonds.  That’s four power foods, full of fiber and nutrients and protein and good fats, with only a couple of minutes of prep time. It even taste good!

• Scrambled tofu

If you didn’t like the eggs suggestion you can use tofu instead. Add some peppers, broccoli, green peppers, all cooked in olive oil. Very fast but I won’t say it is delicious. I personally cannot stand tofu or this recipe but it is perfect for non tofu haterz

• Fresh berries, yogurt, granola

Get low-fat yogurt (not non-fat, it has too much sugar) or soy yogurt, cut up your fruit add some healthy cereal and it is ready to go.

• Grapefruit with whole-wheat toast & almond butter

Sara loves this for a quick breakfast, sprinkle on a little bit of sugar to make it bearable.  The almond butter is healthier than peanut-butter, with lots of extra protein to fill.

• Fresh fruit salad

Fresh or frozen fruit sliced, diced, smashed, cut, ripped, and grated up.  Okay maybe not all mutilated but this is quick and will help keep your skin looking young well into your 80′s.

• Protein shake plus some

This is a great one for the guys. Ladies beware that too many of these throughout the day will cause you to gain weight. I use wal-mart brand protein powder (a lot cheaper than the big brand names), but any protein works well. Blend up with low-fat milk or soy milk, some frozen blueberries, and perhaps some almond butter or oatmeal. That may sound weird, but it’s actually pretty good, and pretty filling. A little ground flax seed never hurts.

• Fruit Smoothie

My wife and I make a lot of these every week. They are perfect for anytime during the day. Grab some frozen fruit, add a little low fat yogurt,  small amount of  “Simply Grapefruit” 100% pure squeezed grapefruit, soy milk. Then let blend for a couple minutes and enjoy.

Again as always having a blast bringing you my latest thoughts.

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I am having a Blast doing these Blogs for you!!

Thanks for tuning in!

With the Holidays almost here a New Year is soon to follow. I have to admit this is one of my favorite times of year for many reasons. I see a lot of determined souls who are ready to get fit and about 20% make it happen. This is exciting because it brings Oklahoma closer to becoming healthier.

Now it is true that I would like to take the entire state of Oklahoma under my wing and help them with their weight loss goals but this is impossible.

I am going to layout the important steps to finding a world class fitness professional in your area. So if you or someone you know is going to be putting their weight loss in the hands of someone else please read this carefully.

I will try to keep this short but it is my passion and i do not want to see anyone set up for failure when it comes to their health and fitness.

ENJOY!

Where Do I Find a Personal Trainer:

There are many different ways to come up with a list of Personal Trainers in your area. Obviously the easiest would be to Google personal trainer and your zip. But this may leave you with a list of crap.

If you know someone who has used a personal trainer,  get more info from them about contacting them.  If you are a member of a gym you are probably surrounded by more than one trainer.

OK! Now you have a list of possible Trainers.  What to look for next—->

Personal Trainer Certifications:

Guess what? You can go online and get a trainer certification for about sixty bucks.   You think that is bad.  Some states don’t even require a certification.

Don’t take the certification lightly, you are trusting someone with your life.

A personal trainer should hold a current NCCA-accredited certification. This will give you the assurance that you are working with a professional who has the knowledge and skills to provide you with a safe and effective workout.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has 26-years of experience accrediting allied health professions such as registered dietitians, nurses, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists. Currently, only 10 of nearly 70 certification agencies have achieved this recognition. Here are the most common in Oklahoma.

National Strength and Conditioning Association
American Council on Exercise
The American College of Sports Medicine

Never be afraid to ask to see a copy of a personal trainer’s certification to ensure that it is current.

Ask For References:

Ask the personal trainer for names, phone numbers, and even testimonials of other clients he/she has worked with, particularly those who share similar traits and goals. Trainers may be more likely to empathize and understand your unique challenges and needs if they’ve worked with similar clients. If available, call previous clients to see if they were satisfied with their training experience and results. Inquire whether the personal trainer was professional, punctual, and prepared, and whether the client’s individual needs were addressed. Talk to fellow members of your health club or friends who are currently working with trainers for their recommendations.

Talk  To The Trainer: (this one is important)

Developing a personal, yet professional relationship with your trainer is very important. Trust your instincts. Ask yourself if you think you could get along well with the trainer and whether you think the trainer is genuinely interested in helping you. The personal trainer you select should motivate you using positive, not negative, reinforcement. Most importantly, that trainer should be someone you like.

Get off the beaten path when it comes to your first conversation. If you base the entire conversation around fitness you may be in for a real surprise when your trainer starts to tell you about his wild weekend of partying. I have seen this happen many times and it sucks if you and your trainer have nothing in common.

$$$.$$:

Personal training fees vary based on a trainer’s experience and reputation, facility prices and geographic area, but they are well worth the investment. Although you may meet with your trainer more frequently at first, your financial investment should decrease as you become more independent, knowledgeable, and fit.

If you aren’t comfortable shelling out 400+ a month on personal training you might look into finding a Boot Camp in your area. These are usually run by very respected fitness professionals. You still get the same expertise as a one-on-one session and amazing results but at a more affordable price.

Professional Liability Insurance and Business Policies:

Many personal trainers operate as independent contractors and are not employees of a fitness facility. Find out if the trainer you want to hire carries professional liability insurance. A reputable personal trainer should make sure you understand the cancellation policy and billing procedures. The best way to avoid confusion and to protect your rights is to have those policies in writing.

Is This Someone You Can Work With:

Do you like to exercise in the morning, or in the evening. Can a personal trainer accommodate your schedule? What about the trainer’s gender? Some people do better working with a trainer of the same sex; others prefer the opposite sex. The knowledgeable and experienced personal trainer who fits your style is the one to hire — because that is the professional who will help you achieve the best results.

I hope this helps clear up some of your questions about finding the perfect fitness professional. If you have more questions about finding a personal trainer or local boot camp you can send me an email here.

If you are in the Oklahoma City Metro area and would like to come check out my boot camp click here to find out more or check us out on facebook.

Cant wait to bring you more healthy articles to help you with your journey forward. If you would like to see an article about something please drop me a line.

Trainer Ben

Dedicated To Joe F.

Is this you? “I’ve done good all week long with my eating and exercise.  The weekend is here and I just want to relax and have some fun.  All your hard work at the gym in boot camp goes right out the window!  **Shoulders Shrug** Oh well, I’ll start over again on Monday.” I hear this one a lot but I will lay out some simple plans to follow.

How many of you plan your weekend out from top to bottom? Of course your weekends aren’t planned  out as well as the weekdays are. Weekends are less structured and vary from week to week. You may have a wedding one weekend, go out to the movies another; enjoy a road trip the next weekend.

These weekends usually lead to poor meal planning. Without a plan, you’re more likely to stray from the healthy habits you have been working so hard to develop. There is little to no time for exercise either.

So how can you avoid gaining weight over the weekend after you have successfully lost throughout the week?

Here’s a few easy tips.

*Plan out your weekends around being active, like riding your bike, going to the park. That way you get to spend time with the family and incorporating a little bit of exercise. If you plan on being away from the house for a few hours pack a healthy lunch, or take your favorite protein shake.

* Don’t forget to bring along a water bottle to your weekend activities. This is very critical during the weeks as well as the weekend. Also, having water will replace those urges for unhealthy sodas and juices.

*If most of your weekend is spent shopping at the mall your biggest threat is the “FOOD COURT”, but you are in luck. Find you a healthy choice like Subway and just watch you portion size.

*Plan Ahead!!! Maybe you are taking your amazing Wife or someone close to you out for a nice dinner. Find the restaurant’s menu online and make a healthy choice before you get there.

*Keep a weekend food and exercise journal. Use it to pin point your problem spots, evaluate them and attack your weaknesses.

* Batch cook some of your favorite foods over the weekend. This keeps you thinking about healthy choices and supplies you with enough food for the week so all you will have to do is reheat.

*Monday through Friday you should hit your workouts extremely hard, but on the weekend take a day off, and the other day, go for something lighter like a walk or a swim.

* Ladies If you’re going to a social event (wedding, birthday party, girls night out) with foods out of your healthy weight loss plan, eat a light snack beforehand. While at your function you won’t feel as famished and can enjoy a few light treats and not be tempted to go overboard.

* Avoid alcohol. For some this is much easier said than done, but alcohol calories will add up big time after only one drink.(If you absolutely must get your “CRUNK” on at least do it with as few calories as possible. Don’t add juices and cream to your drink)

Stop the viscous cycle of gaining over the weekend, losing during the week, which in fact keeps your weight loss at a plateau.

“Starting over on Monday,” should be a thing of your old life.

Start Fresh every day!

Keep your health the number one reason that you remain on course for a healthy lifestyle.

Come back often to read more about a living a healthy lifestyle.

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Looking forward to bringing Oklahoma more and more healthy articles.

Oklahoma City Personal Training