Tired of Bad Nutrition Advice

I just read this nutrition advice clip in my email box about whether organic foods are good or bad... (comments follow)

Research has yet to prove an adverse health effect from consuming the low levels of pesticides commonly found in U.S. food. But for the most vulnerable groups -- children and pregnant women -- going organic whenever possible for fruits and vegetables that carry the heaviest pesticide load makes sense. For organic meat, poultry, eggs, and milk, the direct health benefit is less clear.

Pesticide contaminants pose the biggest risk to children and fetuses. Pesticides have been shown to cross the placenta during pregnancy, and a study by scientists at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health in New York found a link between pesticide use in New York apartments and impaired fetal growth.

Why do we have to wait for until nutrition research proves that there are any adverse health effects for adults or not?

This seems slightly absurd.

I'm tired of the media waiting for nutrition research. If we wait for another 20 year comprehensive study to be completed, we're going to die in the process. We have to start taking nutrition advice from our own common sense.

Research was inconclusive about cigarettes and asbestos once upon a time also.

Pesticides kill bugs. They kill living matter. They kill your cells.

If I had an organic apple and sprayed Raid all over it, would you eat it?

No.

If I then took the apple--sprayed with Raid--and washed it under the sink right in front of you... then handed it to you to eat.

Would you still eat it?

I hope not.

We are slaves to this nutrition advice... we hang on every word of it.

Stop today.

Do you really think that something that might be bad for babies could possibly be good for us?

Please remove your head from the dirt and start living fantastically.

Eat organic. Smile. You'll be OK!

Be sure to get your copy of the "Busy Person's Fitness Solution" in 2007. It might be the most valuable purchase you'll ever make. Click here for a special deal!

Live Awesome!
Kevin

Creating a Home Gym - Home Workout Tips

Here are a few home workout tips on creating a home gym...

Working out at home really has nothing to do with what equipment you have, it has to do with your drive and motivation to stick with a plan.

The first piece of "equipment" I generally recommend is a goal setting program to help a client reach a level of accountability. Otherwise, they'll never see the results that they're looking for.

In the home, it's easy for many people to go astray. Interruptions, deliveries, phones, anything other than the exercise at hand can be a distraction. Over time, these things can become debilitating to a home exercise program.

I've seen hundreds of pieces of great equipment turn in to dusty shelves for old clothing and high school yearbooks! There is always great intentions, but without proper direction, there's not much hope someone will stick to a program.

In terms of other equipment, I recommend different items based on a person's likes, dislikes and usable space.

Exercise balls and bands don't take up a ton of space and are very cheap. Some of the Bowflex models are just as space efficient, but are thousands of dollars more. If you want to talk more about these, I'll gladly expand and give you more items we use.

For more home workout tips and a free report on how to get the weight loss motivation you've always dreamed of having visit LiveAwesome.com!

Self Motivation - Juggling Work, Family and Fitness

To find self motivation, I always tell the people I work with to accept the fact that without their health they will not be able to enjoy the things they really care about in the future or even now. Including their work, family and everything else material.

To help you recognize that you do in fact need to be fit and healthy in order to balance your lives, here are some things you can do to find that self motivation.

1. You need to realize that you have a challenge at hand and need to face it.

You cannot change any behavior without recognizing it.

2. You need to sit down and actually spend time thinking about what your real priorities are.

Many times the reason people are so mixed up is because they don't know what to focus on in the first place. The self motivation comes when you've figured out what you want to do.

3. You need to make a habit of visualization of your goals and priorities.

If you cannot connect to the visual picture of what you want--e.g. spending more time with the family or getting in better shape or having more energy--then you most likely will not get what you want.

4. You need to take action.

One of the main reasons most people don't have the time to do things with family and for themselves is because they spend too much time over thinking what they're going to do and not enough time actually doing something.

Your self motivation will soar if you just do these 4 simple things!

Click here for more great information on self motivation and a free report on how to get laser-like focus to achieve the body you've always wanted!

Energy Drinks - Good, Bad, Ugly?

Energy drinks are concocted, chemical garbage.

Their ingredients are a laundry list of sugar and fake sugars, petroleum based artificial colors, synthetic vitamins and added minerals.

I don't ever recommend them to my clients and audiences because they're a chopshop type of fuel that taken on a basic level can do much more harm than good.

A more effective energy drink is one that I've concocted based on my own nutritional research and years of running. It is completely natural, won't give you the stomach ache some drinks do and works better for replenishing than all the other energy drinks out there.

Here's the recipe:

12-16 Oz. Filtered Coconut Water
1-2 Tablespoons RAW Honey
3-4 Slices of Lemon or 2 oz Lemon Juice (Fresh)
3-4 Pinches of Celtic Sea Salt

Mix it up and drink throughout your workout, marathon, triathlon, or whatever else you're training for.

In this homemade, super energy drink, the cococut water hydrates and is a perfect natural electrolyte solution. The sea salt provides minerals that are needed for muscle firing. The lemon brings taste and acid to the mix which helps with hydration. The raw honey supplies sugars to replenish glucose stores as well as amino acids--it also does not create acidity in the body like processed sugar does. This is good because processed sugar and exercise create excessive acid.

It's not for diabetics, but I don't think any energy drink is!

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To find out where to get some of these ingredients and more on save and chemical ways to reach optimal fitness and health, visit LiveAwesome.com

Overcoming Diet Plateaus

Hey Kevin! How do I get through a plateau? I've been stuck at 230 for about 3 months now?

Diet plateaus are disheartening at times and one of the best ways to get through them is to smile, lighten up and know that you're going to lose the weight. Your body makes constant adjustments, particularly while you are dieting, and if you are sticking to your plan the plateau will eventually pass.

When I deal with my clients, I always recommend that they don’t focus on the number at all and focus on how they are feeling and how their clothes are fitting. When it becomes a numbers game, frustration ensues and then no one is happy with the results, even if they feel better, look better and have seen other benefits.

Those that focus on the number usually haven't put the real reason they are losing the weight into perspective. It's easier to stick through the hard times knowing that you are losing the weight to be a great mother, a great career woman, or accomplish more with increased energy, than to merely focus on losing 10 pounds.

Live Awesome!
Kevin

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Kevin Gianni is founder of LiveAwesome.com, the awesome-est, no-BS resource for optimal health, weight loss tips and motivation. Visit LiveAwesome.com today for a free subscription to the revolutionary "50-Second Fitness Quick Fix" Video-zine and get health and fitness tips delivered--by video--to your inbox!

Kevin is also the co-author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution."

Click here for In-home Connecticut personal training

The Single, Most Important Thing You Can Add to Your Diet for Optimal Health

I've heard different advice as what is the best thing to do right now to change your diet. Eat less carbs, eat less fat, eat less...

This is all great advice, but there is one single piece of advice that transcends all of these tips--and that is to have one fresh vegetable juice a day.

There is no better way to get whole nutrients, get more energy and feel fantastic than to drink at least one vegetable juice a day.

Good news for the busy person, is that you will find juicers at most local health food stores, so you'll never have to clean the machine and prepare them yourself!

When you juice a vegetable you separate the enzymes, vitamins and minerals from the fiber. This gives you a concentrated mix that will put you bounds ahead in your health and fitness.

Juicing can be better than other types of supplementation because the nutrients are still fresh and none of them are damaged because of heat, cold, exposure or any other factor that can deplete their potency.

The effects of adding fresh fruit and vegetable juices to your diet can be seen in days. Many people I have worked with tell me their skin and blemishes clear up, scratches and injuries heal faster and overall energy levels rise dramatically.

If you’ve never had a fresh vegetable juice—and I don’t mean any of the juices that you see in the grocery stores in the bottles—I want you to go to the local health store and see if they make them. Most of them do have juicers on the premises. Ask for something simple and try it. You’ll be amazed at how good it tastes!

If you’ve already juiced before either wipe the dust of your old machine or go out and buy a new one. A juicer can run anywhere from $80.00-$4000.00, but to start don’t spend a bunch of money. A centrifugal juicer is fine to start. This type of juicer will juice any hard vegetable and some leafy vegetables. There are other types—press, screw and wheatgrass—but this is the best way to start. Click here for juicer reviews.

Start with pleasant tasting vegetables and fruits. Carrots, beets, apples, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes and grapes are the best to start. Mix them together or just have them alone. Once you start to enjoy fresh juice then you can explore other combinations and vegetables. If you’re anything like me, you probably experiment a bit with different flavors and ingredients not knowing what to expect!

If you are struggling to find different ingredients… beets, kale, spinach or cabbage are just a few to try in your next mixture.

Try putting garlic in your juice to boost your immune system, ginger to aid in digestion or cilantro to give it an added fresh flavor for the summer!

Be sure to buy produce that is organically grown. These fruits and vegetables are loaded with more nutrients and have none of the pesticides you’ll find in non-organic foods.

Also be sure to clean your juicer after each use to avoid any mold growth that will compromise all the wonderful benefits of fresh juices.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Gianni is the author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution." He is on a personal mission to de-mystify health and fitness and demonstrate how easy it is for busy people to be in great shape.

He conducts seminars, writes articles, has been quoted in the national press and is the creator of the revolutionary "50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine"--the only video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest bites.

Visit The 50 Second Quick Fix to see it for yourself for free!

Stop Bargain Hunting at the Supermarket... Your Health Is on the Line

You’ve done it before. You’ve cut coupons. You’ve looked in the flyers. You’ve told the cashier that you have a Stop and Shop card when you don’t.

As Americans, we just don’t want to pay a lot for our food and as a trainer and coach, I speak to a lot of people who bargain shop for the most important product they could possibly buy—their food—and they’re paying the price with their health.

Organic, natural foods, fresh fish and meats are more expensive, but there’s a reason.

You have to spend money on food and you have to spend a lot. Why? Because you need to fuel your body with good, nutritious and healthy foods. You need to realize that just because there is food on the shelf doesn’t mean that it’s good for you. Food companies are selling to you. They will do whatever it takes—pesticides, waxes, chemical fertilizers, genetic engineering—to make that food look good and stay on the shelf longer.

You need to get over your resistance to spending money on food.

I just picked some fresh vegetables from a friend’s garden yesterday. The leaves are already starting to wilt. What does that tell you about your super-tough, non-organic shiny supermarket produce? It tells you that it’s been tampered with.

When I hear “organic and healthy foods are too expensive” excuse I cringe. You have to reassess your priorities. Would you buy a TV at the dollar store? Would you buy a used car at the scrap yard?

No!

You wouldn’t because you wouldn’t trust that it was worth anything. Same deal with your food. The cheap food has little nutrient value. Sure it might give you energy but you get what you pay for! It’s just like buying a sleek looking TV with no parts inside.

I spend a large amount of money on food every month. Why? We know it puts me at the top of my game. It gives me fantastic energy and infectious energy. Want to feel that way? Spend more on food!

If you still truly believe it’s not in your budget… I still think you’re being silly.

Do you buy a coffee at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks in the morning? Do you eat out once a week? Do you use premium gas when you really could use regular? Do you buy lotto tickets? Cigarettes? Alcohol?

If you do anyone or all of these things, I know you can afford the $20-25 more a week to spend on your health.

You only have one chance here on earth as far as I know, so spend it wisely!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Gianni is the author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution." He is on a personal mission to de-mystify health and fitness and demonstrate how easy it is for busy people to be in great shape.

He conducts seminars, writes articles, has been quoted in the national press and is the creator of the revolutionary "50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine"--the only video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest bites.

Visit The 50 Second Quick Fix to see it for yourself for free!

Stop Eating Like a Japanese Competitive Eater and Lose Weight Fast

Smaller is better when it comes to portion sizes.

I went to the Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island when I lived in Brooklyn. There were about 20 contestants from all over the world competing to see how many hot dogs (with buns) they could stuff in their throats in a given time. The winner from Japan managed to stuff over 50 hot dogs down his throat in a matter of minutes! Those guys could definitely use a lesson on portion control.

I was always taught to finish everything on my plate. My mother would tell me that I’d have to do so in order to leave the table or if I wanted dessert. There were times when I forced it down just to get up from the table. My brother was even more stubborn. I can remember the whole family leaving the table to leave him leaning over a serving of green beans that he was just too full to put down.

For my brother and I--and I’m sure for most of you--this was a powerful and lasting lesson in overeating. There are still times when I need to take control over my portion size, because that was so deeply ingrained in my head at such a young age.

Here’s How to Control Your Portion Size with Ease:

1. Serve your own plate.

If you let someone else serve you (particularly an Italian mother) you are going to get too much. If you are aware of your food intake and how hungry you are, you will actually put just the right amount of food on your plate.

2. Don’t Take Seconds.

If you’ve had enough, save some for later. In an hour or so if you are still hungry, have some more.

3. Eat Small Snacks During the Day.

I have a fresh juice or different snacks during the day to keep my energy up, so when it comes to mealtime, I don’t pack in a turkey dinner for a family of five.

4. Eat More Vegetables than Meat.

This is simple plate geometry. Your plate should have about 2/3 vegetables and no more than 1/3 anything else. Steak should not be the centerpiece. This allows me to fill up on vegetables, fibers and a small amount of carbohydrates—not meat.

5. Eat Your Salad First.

Eat the salad first. You will fill up quicker and eat smaller portions!

6. Chew!

You’re not a pig, so don’t eat like one! Take some time to breathe between bites. You’ll eat less and feel better.

When you go out to dinner, take a moment to really look at the sizes of the portions. They are absolutely too big! Split you dinner in two and eat the other half for lunch. You will drop weight immediately.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Gianni is the author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution." He is on a personal mission to de-mystify health and fitness and demonstrate how easy it is for busy people to be in great shape.

He conducts seminars, writes articles, has been quoted in the national press and is the creator of the revolutionary "50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine"--the only video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest bites.

Visit The 50 Second Quick Fix to see it for yourself for free!

The 7 Secret Foods that Only the Healthiest People in the World Eat

You’ve heard the buzz about superfoods.

There is some mystique about them, isn’t there? Imagine a food--or a group of foods--that alone can elevate moods, enrich your body with almost hundreds of minerals and taste great all at the same time?

The 7 foods I want to talk about do all this and more... and are not just the “ordinary” superfoods like the cherry, the avocado or extra virgin olive oil. These foods are from the corners of the world and they will pack a super-punch into your everyday diet.

Superfood #1: Cacao (Raw Chocolate)

Want more energy? Try some raw chocolate.

Raw chocolate is one of the most powerful sources of magnesium on the planet. Not only does magnesium help with alertness and activity, it also helps elevate your mood.

Magnesium is one of the most deficient minerals in the human body. Depending on where you find your studies 60-80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. No wonder we're sluggish, agitated and stressed!

Raw chocolate is the same reason you've heard that chocolate is good for you... except that the cooked and processed form that you get in your Hershey's bar does not have the same composition as it does when it's raw.

Raw chocolate also contains tryptophan--an essential amino acid--which helps naturally produce serotonin in your body. This is great news for those who need an emotional boost.

You can buy raw chocolate in the shell (it is a bean), but it's easiest if you buy it without.

Since the cacao bean is actually fairly bitter, it is best to mix it with various other superfoods--pumpkin seeds, goji berries--for a super, power-packed, nutrient rich snack that will get you through even the toughest days.

Superfood #2: Goji Berries

Move over carrot.

This little, bright red berry from China is one of the most potent sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C. These are both fantastic antioxidants.

Goji berries also contain 18 amino acids and over 21 minerals which give them a serious power-punch to anyone’s system.

Goji berries help stimulate your body’s natural human growth hormone which is critical in anti-aging and longevity.

You can only get them dried in the US, so don't expect to find them in any produce section. Some health food stores will carry them, but you're best bet is online.

Goji berries are a fantastic snack--eat them just like you would raisins--to add to your superfood arsenal and are a great addition to any herbal tea.

Superfood #3: Maca

Maca is a Peruvian root powder that is used to increase strength and vitality. It has more mineral content than potatoes and carrots--containing iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iodine.

The Peruvians and many others claim, Maca can help fight depression, help with anemia and improve overall memory and vitality.

This powerful food is also a libido stimulant!

Maca powder is best taken mixed with warm water in a tea. Maca has a strong taste and this can be softened with goji berries or honey.

Superfood #4: Raw Honey

I'm not talking about the honey in the little bear. I'm talking real, unprocessed, raw honey.

Raw honey contains enzymes, phytonutrients, resins and propolis--bee glue. This unique combination of properties makes it versatile not only as a food, but as an anti-bacterial agent.

As a food, raw honey can raise antioxidant levels in the body, restore muscle glycogen after a workout and help lower cholesterol and the risk of certain cancers.

As a topical substance, it can decrease infection and work just as well as alcohol solutions.

Use it as a sweetener, put some in your teas or your water, or just have a small spoonful for a quick pick me up.

(Be sure not to heat it to a high temperature. Heat will destroy many of its best qualities.)

Superfood #5: Spirulina

This superfood and next might scare some people off.

Don't compromise your health by not trying these two foods!

The first, spirulina, is an algae that has high vegetable protein content, is high in B-12 vitamins and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA).

GLA and Vitamin B-12 are connected to mood, memory and general energy vitality. Many people believe that low B-12 levels for long periods of time is actually the cause of “old age” symptoms--fatigue, memory loss, confusion, etc.

Just because it's algae doesn't mean that it's gross! The first time I tried it, I was surprised that it tasted so good.

Buy it in flakes and sprinkle it on your salads, add it to a smoothie, sauces or soups.

Superfood #6: Sea Vegetables

Sea vegetables are grown in an environment full on minerals that our body needs for optimal health--the ocean.

The ocean water has up to 92 minerals can be absorbed by the plants growing in the sea.

This makes sea vegetables are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Seaweed--compared to land vegetables--is one of the best vegetable sources of calcium, which is fantastic for muscle and bone development, strength and growth.

Don't worry if the idea of eating seaweed grosses you out. Your health food store will have different seaweed granules that you can use as a salt substitute and you’ll never know the difference.

Nori, dulce, and kelp are three of the most readily available sea vegetables.

Superfood #7: Pumpkin Seeds and More...

The raw pumpkin seed, just like the cacao bean, is another feel good food. It is a great source of magnesium and tryptophan. You can find this super-seed right in your backyard if you live in the Northeastern US!

Pumpkin seeds also are great sources of protein, fat and other essential minerals.

Other great seeds are hemp seed, flax seed and raw sunflower seeds. These all contain good fats and good protein for optimal health.

If you’re eating a primarily vegetarian or vegan diet, be sure to add these seeds to your diet to get some good protein. If you’re NOT a vegetarian or vegan, be sure to add these seeds to your diet to get some good protein (not a typo!).

They are great to add to salads as an extra garnish or great as a snack or mixed in with some other superfoods.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Gianni is the author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution." He is on a personal mission to de-mystify health and fitness and demonstrate how easy it is for busy people to be in great shape.

He conducts seminars, writes articles, has been quoted in the national press and is the creator of the revolutionary "50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine"--the only video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest bites.

Visit The 50 Second Quick Fix to see it for yourself for free!

The Single Reason Why You're Not as Successful as You Want to Be

All the worrying you may do--about making money, being a good parent, having fun, getting a raise, achieving your ultimate goals--means nothing if you are neglecting the vehicle--your body--that allows you to do all those things.

If you are unhealthy, inactive or sedentary chances are you are less likely to balance your life to achieve all your goals, less likely to be a wonderful, caring and responsive parent, and less likely to have money, business and personal success you desire.

People who neglect their health by not eating properly, not exercising frequently and by not following through on their health and fitness commitments are people who will not be as successful and live a life full of energy and vitality and happiness.

Your life's successes are directly linked to your success in managing your health and fitness.

Since you need to make your health a number one priority, let's look at it from the perspective of another habit you've grown accustomed to over the years. Showering.

I've always been fascinated with how we Americans will go to tremendous lengths to clean our outsides when our insides are as nasty as the local dump!

Most people here in America shower almost everyday. Let's say the average is 5-6 showers a week. When we were children, we were told that you must keep yourself clean in order to fight off disease and, of course, be able to talk to other people without offending them with your stench. Even the dirtiest of people manage to shower once in a while, right?! Why? Because they are aware of the necessity to keep themselves clean.

People always find the time to shower. It's already built into their day. They do it in the morning, or in the evening. Some women (and men as well) can take not only an hour to shower, but an additional 1-2 hours getting their hair ready or putting on make-up. I’m sure this hits home to some degree, whether this is a friend or it happens to be you.

In terms of cleanliness, showering is good for the exterior of your body. And as Americans we have this down to a science. We have body lotions, deodorant soaps, shampoos, shampoo-conditioners, conditioning shampoos, hair gels, body perfumes, etc. Chances are you have one, two--if not all of these products in your bathroom. I know we do! But again this is cleanliness on the outside.

In terms of cleanliness for your insides, our best option is a well-balanced mix of mental growth, exercise, eating habits and detoxification.

Now here's the disconnect between showering habits (outer cleaning) and exercising/healthy habits (inner cleaning). Depending on where you get your information, you’ll find that at least 25-40% of all Americans are sedentary. Sedentary means that a person has no leisure time activity. Not once a week, not once a month. Sedentary means NONE. This would be equivalent to never cleaning the inside of your body, ever!

What does this mean? It means that 25-40% of Americans are filthy on their insides! And even more Americans who only exercise once or twice a week or eat relatively decent foods are pretty dirty as well. Why even bother showering, when your insides are neglected every single day.

Your insides are much more important than your outsides.

Your cells, organs, muscles and bones have no chance of survival if you do not keep them healthy by exercise, diet and self-improvement. Cleaning yourself externally by showering and facial creams will only remove some bacteria, oils and sweat.

Cleaning yourself internally will actually give you more benefits in terms of appearance than a bar of soap and moisturizing cream. People who are hydrated properly and eat many water containing foods have healthy, shiny skin—the same type of skin that a topical can only hope to emulate!

For some reason or another, someone dropped the ball when it comes to informing us that we need to take care of our bodies and that cleanliness starts from the insides. Anything else is just the same as the cover up women put on their faces—a quick fix.

Put the ball in your court and become aware of your body and how it reacts to exercise and the food you eat and you'll notice a huge difference in how clear your skin looks, how toned your muscles start to become, how much energy you seem to still have at the end of the day and how much closer you are to your business, fitness and personal goals!

This is something worth working out for!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Gianni is the author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution." He is on a personal mission to de-mystify health and fitness and demonstrate how easy it is for busy people to be in great shape.

He conducts seminars, writes articles, has been quoted in the national press and is the creator of the revolutionary "50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine"--the only video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest bites.

Visit The 50 Second Quick Fix to see it for yourself for free!

Are Your Thoughts Making You Fat?

Your head is stopping you from getting into great shape. I guarantee it.

The only way to accomplish your goals is to learn how to cooperate with YOURSELF!

W. Timothy Gallwey wrote a fascinating book in the 70's about how to play "“yoga tennis."” (The Inner Game of Tennis) No, this is not a creative way to use the "“Downward Dog" position to strengthen your serve and volley game, it is a way to view the game and the inner chatter a player experiences on the court while he battles an opponent--or in Gallwey'’s view--themselves. Though Gallwey moves through different aspects of the game of tennis like strokes, form and how to win, his words beg to be interpreted into everyday lifestyle.

Gallwey speaks of two "minds"”, the conscious self (Self 1) and the unconscious self (Self 2). Self 1 always tends to be hard on Self 2. "You are doing it all wrong,"” the conscious Self 1 might say. Or "Your push-up form looks worse than your grandmother's!"

Can you think of a time when you've had this type of self-talk?

I think many more of us encounter this EVERY DAY!

Ask yourself this:

Is your mind-chatter making you second-guess your success?

A personal training client I had used to stare blankly between sets of exercises. It was a deep and intense stare into space.

After seeing this happen during the first few sessions I worked with him, I asked him what he was thinking about during one of his tune-outs. He told me he was thinking about work, something that I later learned to find out that he was always thinking about. His thoughts must have been almost violent, for him to tune out so often and so deeply.

Do you think he had the most focused and effective workout when his mind was somewhere else? Not a chance.

The trick to conquering your mind and reaching your goals is to let the two selves function in harmony, which requires you to stay present at all times during your workouts and hopefully beyond!

Here are some ways to get it together and start achieving your fitness goals and not just sit around and think about them.

Stop Judging Yourself Against Others and Yourself

When you are exercising or meditating or doing anything, let yourself do the activity with little concern about how you are doing it or if you are doing it correctly. When you practice less judgment you will find you are not so hard on yourself anymore and that you are reaching your goals quicker and you will have more finishes than unsuccessful tries.

If you find yourself judging, address Self 1 and Self 2 and say: "Let's be gentle on ourselves and let's work together."”

Stop Allowing the Inner Chatter

When you are exercising, make sure that you are only doing the exercises. If you find yourself wandering to the future and about a meeting you have after lunch or that the cats need to be fed, gently bring your thoughts back to where you are. This is a peaceful practice. Tell yourself, "“Come back to now."”

When you practice less thinking, you will find you have much more peace and quiet. You will certainly find you have less stress, because you are dealing with things now when you are supposed to deal with them--the times you are NOT exercising!

Stop Figuring Things Out, Calculating or Thinking in to the Future

If you calculate, you are not thinking in the moment. You are thinking slightly in the future. Since we are speaking of tennis in this chapter, I can tell you that I've had many potential great shots hit the bottom of the net because I've calculated where they were going to go, before my opponent'’s ball even hit the court on my side.

When you stop calculating, you will be present and you will focus more on what you are doing instead of any strategy. In terms of your workouts, you will need to stop planning ahead--stop thinking about how many reps you have left, and how long you will wait to do the next set. This is strategizing and calculating. A part of me would almost like you to not even count reps, because it will stop you from thinking about finishing and interfering with your actions.

The other side of me is very aware that number of reps are a great measure of success and progress, so for now still keep track until I can find a better way.

Stop Worrying... About EVERYTHING!

When you are worrying, your mind is very far away from the present. If you are worrying about your progress through this program, tell yourself that you are doing wonderfully, you are doing a great things and you are on your way to accomplishing all you'’ve set out to do.

If you doubt yourself, you will struggle and this will be miserable. I am sure that if you were doing this to be miserable, you would have found some workout program that promises unattainable goals and 5-second workouts. You are doing this to do something remarkable for your life and the people around you. Smile, relax and stop worrying. You've already made it this far!

Fear and worry are similar. Generally what you worry about is the fear of something. You need to stop letting fear get in your way of your successes. The more you fear failure, the less you will accomplish in terms of your fitness. When you find yourself in a difficult time and you know you are fearful, tell yourself this gently: "I will not let fear control my decisions. I will succeed!"”

Stop Hoping and Trying. Start Doing.

The words "“hope"” and "try"” are non-committal words. When you hope, you are not doing anything, you are just thinking about being positive. There is a difference between "“thinking about being positive"” and being positive. If you hope that you will lose weight, you are not taking any definitive action, you are just thinking about taking a definitive action. Instead of hoping, actively make a difference by taking action.

Instead of hoping you will lose weight, tell yourself you will lose weight and then take an action that supports losing weight. Make a commitment to the action and you will lose weight.

To "“try"” is the same thing. Trying is a non-commitment to an action. When you say that you'’ll "“try to workout tomorrow,"” you are setting yourself up to miss working out tomorrow. You never make a solid commitment and your mind and body act accordingly. They will take minimal action to make you a success.

Great athletes and people who are in the shape do not hope or try. Many of them have eliminated these words from their vocabulary. Imagine Michael Jordan, in an interview before the NBA Finals, saying, "Well, Bob, I hope we can win this series. I know I'm going to try to make some baskets and try to help the team win four out of seven." No! He's going to say, "We're ready for whatever they throw at us. This is the goal we set at the beginning of the season. We'’re prepared to give our all and we are prepared to win!"

So when you think of trying to do something, think of Michael Jordan or any other professional athlete saying that he or she is trying or hoping that they will succeed. You'll probably give yourself a good laugh and get back to accomplishing your fitness goals!

Stop Regretting

Regretting is a sign that you are in the past. Not the present. You are aware of only what has been. If you are regretting past workout failures, you are setting the blueprint for just another unsuccessful attempt. If you are regretting that you missed a workout the other day, you are bringing your energy down just enough to miss another one because you are feeling bad about yourself. People who succeed and are fit and have wonderful health, do not regret what mistakes they'’ve made. They build on them and come back stronger. Lance Armstrong is all I have to say to prove this point.

Stop Controlling

When you try to control your success you are setting yourself up for disaster. (Notice the use of "trying" here.) I think all "Diets" are people trying to control their eating habits. When you are dieting all you do is cut down on what you eat and control your urges and are generally unsuccessful. Did you ever notice that there are some people that are always on diets? You may even be one of them.

When you start a diet, you set out each time to control the amount of food you eat and generally each time it is unsuccessful. Those who succeed when they diet have done more than control their food intake, they'’ve created enough action and motion towards a goal that they do whatever it takes to lose the weight. They make the commitment that this is for the long run and that they'’ve set a goal to complete it and it means something.

You can never accomplish something by just controlling it. Athletes do not control the outcome of a game, they do their best and if their teammates are doing the same, generally the team wins!

Less Distraction

All these examples are distractions! If you can work on eliminating these actions that interfere with your fitness successes, then you will be healthy, have more energy, and be able to set new goals that you are confident you will be able to accomplish!

***********

Check out the revolutionary 50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine--the only email-video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest (and healthy, I might add!) bites!

Founder, Kevin Gianni, is a personal trainer on a mission to de-mystify the fitness and health industry and show you just how easy it is to be in great shape. His newsletter has been featured in Today's Diet and Nutrition and My Family Doctor Magazines.

This Chapter is an excerpt from Kevin's hot, new health and fitness guide, "The Busy Person's Exercise Solution."

Click here to check it out and get a free report called "The 16 Tips to Looking and Feeling Better Than You Have in Years!"

Take Complete Control of Your Health: If You Don’t They Might End Up Killing You

Go to your bathroom mirror and take a long look at yourself.

What’s happened to you?

You’re heavier, you don’t look as good as you used to and if you’re like millions of others, you’ve tried with little success to get back to where you once were.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear that maybe it’s the information you’ve been given is to blame for this?

Well it partly is the information, but the second part starts with you.

And now that you know that, it’s time for you to take complete and absolute control of your own health and fitness.

This is why…

We’ve relied on scientific studies for the last half century to decipher what it healthy, what activities we should do and what should be on our dinner tables. Is it a coincidence that the number of fat Americans has grown exponentially over that same time?

What has science done to you? What do you need to do to stop yourself from blowing up as quickly as a balloon on a helium tank?

You need to start taking your health into your own hands. You need to start going off on your own and experimenting with things that seem different to you, regardless of what you’ve been told.

Within you lies the answer to vitality, energy and great health. You need to start exploring your options, outside of the scientific studies that tell you the vitamins and exercise regimens that work for your particular body type or metabolic processes.

Experiential knowledge is truth. Science can only point us in a direction.

In 2005, the JAMA published a study that studied the accuracy of studies. The results? You shouldn’t rely on just medical studies to base your health decisions. In other words, travel at your own risk.

What do you do now?

You start learning about health and fitness on your own. More importantly, you start trying things out to see what works for you and what doesn’t.

I want you to stop listening to everyone tell you everything they know about eating right and exercising and I want you to start doing it your own way.

Here’s an example.

I believe in cleansing. I have done many different cleanses to clear my body of toxins and allergies.

Many people I talk to don’t believe in cleaning. Not because they’ve done it and it didn’t work, but because they’ve HEARD that it’s bad for them. You might believe this as well.

That’s OK.

I feel fantastic when I cleanse. Mind, body and soul. I recommend it to others because it does fantastic things for my mood and helps me clearly deal with stress and other issues. I want other people to have this same power.

This is MY first hand information.

Who do you believe?

Someone who’s done it and is the best shape of their life and getting better, or someone who’s “heard that it is bad for you”?

Where are you getting your information from?

Anyone can have a nice website, a few letters behind their name or a book with a nice cover.

I have those things. Do you believe me?

It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to listen to a word I say..

I want you to take some sort of action. I don’t care if you disagree with what I’ve just said and send me hate mail, I just want you to take action and do something.

Stop letting everyone else tell you what’s best for your health. Get out there and find out.

You might find out some fantastic things about yourself that will change your health and fitness forever.

***********

Check out the revolutionary 50-Second Fitness Quick Fix Video-zine—the only email-video fitness newsletter that gives you the skinny on everything health and fitness related in quick, easy to digest (and healthy, I might add!) bites!

Founder, Kevin Gianni, is a personal trainer on a mission to de-mystify the fitness and health industry and show you just how easy it is to be in great shape. His newsletter has been featured in Today’s Diet and Nutrition and My Family Doctor Magazines.

Click here to check it out and get a free report called “The 16 Tips to Looking and Feeling Better Than You Have in Years!”

Tune Into The 10,000 Years of Exercise History for Ultimate Weight Loss

Ungh (pronounced Un-Ga) the Caveman probably didn’t have a Cybex home gym in his cave. Nor did he make cave drawings of his buddies doing bicep curls with two, 10-pound wild boars.

Ungh was a mobile creature that relied on only one form of transportation. His feet. He hunted, gathered, dragged, lifted and flung whatever he needed to get through the day.

That's a far cry from punching away at the keyboard, picking up the phone receiver and carrying our lunch trays from the cash wrap to our table 20 or so feet away.

Ungh, of course, is imaginary, but what he represents is the essence of this article and the path to optimal health.

Because I brought up the Paleolithic age, does than mean I'm saying that we should live like cavemen?

Absolutley not.

I’ll be the first to tell you that camping is a fantastic construct on paper or when it’s talked about at the dinner table, but put me out in the woods in a tent on cold earth and I long to be in my own bed in complete comfort.

Our modern world offers so much luxury that it's a burden to remove all of them such as the butcher, modern agriculture and the interstate system. Remember it probably took Ungh months to visit his Great Aunt in Hunderland.

The purpose of this article is to give you back the power to control your fitness.

There is so much information about weight training, cardiovascular training, heart rate, BMI, RMR, BMR, Body Composition, VO2 Max, etc. that the average person begins to think that exercise is actually a science.

But do we as everyday people need to know about all that scientific stuff? Do we have to know how the plane flies in order to get to Fiji?

Exercise is something that is inherent to us. It's just something that we’re supposed to do--not to question its effectiveness.

Kids know it. They run, play, wrestle and dig in the dirt without anyone telling them that it’s the right thing to do. They just do it. It’s instinctual to move.

I love watching kids run because it is such an unaffected motion. Take a freeze-frame picture of a kid running and put it next to the best Kenyan runner in the world and I bet you'll see some eerie similarities. Running is a natural motion and our bodies know how to run and walk before they leave the womb even though our physical bodies can’t.

Many of the clients I work with on a regular basis have a very common dilemma. You might share it with them. They yo-yo. Lose the weight, gain the weight, lose the weight, gain the weight.

One of the reasons this happens is because of the science of exercise. The science gives conflicting views and it demonstrates how people can lose the weight without really addressing the issues of long term maintenance for weight loss--or at least how to KEEP it off.

When you're scared that you'll put the weight on, 9 times out of 10 you will put it on. It’s about intention, focus and motion, not about science. People who come to me are afraid to even start working out because they feel that if they work hard and lose the weight that they'll eventually put it back on and it will be a huge waste of time. Yikes.

The philosophy of your exercise program should be simple. It should involve movement as a natural and everyday objective and take your busy schedule into account.

This is why I don’t think I’m contributing to the flack we read everyday in woman’s and men's magazines and mass produced fitness books—I’m convinced they’re the same, just with different models and covers on the front.

My contribution is that when we make motion our daily objective that we will in fact lose weight, be more productive and feel fantastic without having to think about what exercises get the best results in the quickest amount of time. I essentially want you to stop thinking about the challenge of putting exercise into your schedule and I want you to just do it--without much thought.

Non-smokers never think about smoking cigarettes. Smokers always think about it. People who quit smoking manage to understand this construct. If you need to quit smoking you can't make a big deal of it. You just have to stop thinking about cigarettes. Then you'll be a non-smoker. I promise.

Same with exercise. You have to stop thinking about being able to fit it in. It just has to fit. If it does, then you'll succeed.

Simple motion is the easiest way to get started and to get hooked. When we move, we feel vibrant and alive. Wouldn't you want to feel like that--even if it’s just a few days a week?

***********

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You're Getting Fat from Carbs Too...

I was doing a search recently about fat cells and came across this:

It is also possible for fat cells to take up glucose and amino acids, which have been absorbed into the bloodstream after a meal, and convert those into fat molecules. The conversion of carbohydrates or protein into fat is 10 times less efficient than simply storing fat in a fat cell, but the body can do it. If you have 100 extra calories in fat (about 11 grams) floating in your bloodstream, fat cells can store it using only 2.5 calories of energy. On the other hand, if you have 100 extra calories in glucose (about 25 grams) floating in your bloodstream, it takes 23 calories of energy to convert the glucose into fat and then store it. Given a choice, a fat cell will grab the fat and store it rather than the carbohydrates because fat is so much easier to store.

So how does this apply to your energy levels and weight loss?

1. Carbs, which are turned to glucose in your body once ingested, do make you fat!

2. It takes your precious energy to transfer your glucose into fat. So when you eat a piece of 500 calorie cake, not only are you storing the extra sugars as fat, you're also getting tired. You need to use 125 calories to turn that glucose into fat! That's comparable to a 15 minute walk.

3. I always talk about efficiencies... when your body is doing an inefficient process you're suffering from the results. In this case unnecessary energy expenditure!

12 Ways to Make Weight Loss a Breeze

Is effortless weight loss possible?

Well, it certainly can be easier than it is. With more and more Americans on diets and just as many of them binging, there has to be a way to stop the extremities and just get down to what works and what doesn't.

Here are 12 ways to make losing weight as easy as apple pie... well... maybe rice cakes!

1. When it comes to activity, one minute is better than none. If want to workout but only have 10 minutes, fine, just workout for 10 minutes. Don't get stuck thinking that if you don't have 30 minutes then it's not worth it.

2. Get a positive support group. Not a bunch of people hanging around talking about how much they want a chocolate sundae, but surround yourself with people who are pushing hard for better health.

3. Walk after dinner. You can burn calories and speed up your digestion by moving a little after your meal. This is also a great time to spend with family or someone who supports what you're doing.

4. Smile. I can’t tell you how important this is for weight loss. The more you smile the less anxiety you have. The less anxiety, the more you can relax and not reach for food to calm you down.

5. Visualize a thinner you. Spend time in the morning or at night visualizing yourself thinner and lighter. Think about how you'll walk in a room, think about how you'll bounce out of bed. If you can see it, it can happen.

6. Make a collage. Make a collage that represents the ideal you. Cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers that get you motivated and put them all together. Put your collage on the refrigerator or on your closet door so you see it once or twice a day.

7. Set small tangible goals. You should be reaching goals every week that you've set for yourself. Whether it's lose one pound or eat 6 servings of spinach, make it achievable and keep track.

8. Eat something you love once in a while and don’t worry about the calories or the fat. Don't look at this as a "cheat" but as something that you want to do. You will feel better about it and it won't become a "forbidden" event.

9. Stop thinking about your diet. You should view this as a way of life. "Diet" thoughts lead to overeating and deprivation behavior afterwards.

10. Do exercises that you like. Too many people do exercises that they don't like and then they dislike exercise. If you don't like the treadmill, stop using it and find something you do enjoy.

11. Don't watch TV. What does this have to do with dieting? It will help you reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that watching television raises levels of stress. This can be a trigger for overeating.

12. Eat cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper can raise your metabolism up to 8% for 2 hours after eating. This alone will not help you lose the weight, but every little bit helps.

Worrying About the Snow Can Stop You in Your Health and Fitness Tracks

There’s a reason the saying “You only get one chance” is such a cliché… because it’s TRUE!

You only have one opportunity to live this life (at least as far as I know) so why not make it fantastic? Why not do something that you’ve never done before.

Let me tell you a personal story that you might be able relate to…

Annmarie’s (my partner in crime) Volkswagen was getting older. We could feel it in the steering and the breaks and the engine. It was a 2002 Jetta with over 92,000 miles. Talk about driving!

About a week ago, we were walking around New Caanan, CT and passed the Ford dealership. Outside in the lot was a beautiful 2006 Mustang. Now, I’m not a car guy, but this thing can make anyone with a pulse get excited. This thing had it all… down to the chrome air vents and the “Mustang” tape along the side panel.

I ran a finger along the spoiler, turned to Ann and said, “What’s stopping us from getting this car? Why don’t we have one of these things?”

“The snow,” she said.

“That’s it?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Well, for someone like me, that wasn’t enough.

I wasn’t going to let some unpredictable factor like the snow get in the way of my life. How many times did it really snow this winter… and the last… and the one before that. Not enough to stop me from getting a great looking car. Worrying about the snow is not the way to live if you know you only get one shot.

We had a Mustang in less than 10 days.

Hey, if the thing stinks in the snow, then we’ll work it out. But think about all the days there won’t be snow and we’ll be revving the engine at a stoplight, enjoying the ride!

Have you been making your decisions based on the snow?

How many miles do you feel like you have on YOUR odometer. Do you feel like Ann’s Jetta? Still young and overworked?

You don’t have to feel this way… particularly since you really do only have once go at it. You can be a Mustang. You can use the momentum that you’ve already gotten from starting to take you to a new level of health and fitness.

What you have to do is stop making silly excuses. Yes, I know you’re busy! I am too. What you need to understand is that you’ll be really pissed when you’re not busy and your body has deteriorated to a point where you can’t work anymore. Or when you’re kids or grandkids want to go out and play with you and you’re molded to the couch because you can’t muster the energy to get off your duff.

Stop worrying about your employees, your kids, your business… the snow… and take care of yourself.

If you do, then everyone else will be taken care of as well.

****************

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You Don’t Have to Get it Right...You Just Have to Get it Started!

Six months ago, I received an email that changed my life.

I have now given this simple principle to every one of my clients and whoever I come in contact with. I believe this might be the one, most important principle of not only fitness success, but success in all other realms of life.

It is so simple that it hurts me to think that if I had known this 5, 10, 20 years ago I’d now be on a national stage helping literally hundreds of thousands of people reach their fitness and health goals.

The email was from Mike Littman, a 30-something motivational speaker. He was offering a free audio CD (something I'm always a sucker for). So I signed up, received it a week later and popped it into the player.

He was loud, sometimes obnoxious, but let me tell you what… he said one thing that really got me thinking.

Are you ready for it?

"You don’t have to get it right, you just have to get it going."

Too many of us wait for all of our ducks to get in a row before we take any action. They might never line up.

Too many of us obsessively cross our T’s and dot our I’s right through the paper before we make a move. We could be losing it all.

Where does it get us? Nowhere... and fast.

Why does this apply to your health and fitness?

Well, why haven’t you decided to get into shape? Why haven’t you thought about going to the gym? Why haven’t you met with a personal trainer to assess your specific fitness needs?

Are you waiting for the money? Are you waiting for the time? Are you too busy?

You’re not getting started. You’re trying to get it right.

If you continue to try to get it right, your health is going to deteriorate right in front of you, your family and your coworkers.

You just have to get it started.

I meet with a guy who was deteriorating, but didn’t want to commit to more than 2 sessions. That’s great! Good for him. What a fantastic start.

I’m meeting with another family soon that just wants some nutrition tips but aren’t ready for a workout plan. Fantastic! They’re making a move!

This is what is unfortunate...

I see hundreds of people every week that give me excuses about why they’re not in shape. Time, money and low energy.

I look at it this way...

If you don’t have the energy and go through the day lost in a haze due to improper nutrition and lack of exercise, you’re always going to be short on time and you’ll never be able to invest in your health.

REMEMBER: You only have ONE shot at life. Why are you squandering it with excuses?

I say this because I mean it and live it. And yes, it is difficult at times. That’s why I want to help you. That’s why I want you to do something about it today and get started.

Here’s what I want you to do. Pick one, two or do all of the things listed below and just get started. Do me that favor... just get started.

You can:

-Check out the prices at the gym.
-Go to a chiropractor to adjust you.
-Throw away some junk food in your cabinet.
-Take a 10 minute walk.
-Eat one less cookie.
-Make a salad.
-Take a 2 minute walk.

...Something.

You don’t have to get it right... you just have to get it started!

Your life is on the line.

Go and get started.

5 Ways to Avoid the Winter Exercise Blues

Who wants to go outside to exercise during the winter in the Northeast? I know for me it's a struggle to lace up my shoes and go out for a jog when the sleet is pelting against my office window.

So how are you supposed to stay in fantastic shape during the colder months of the year? Here are 5 little secrets that will keep you on track until it's shorts and t-shirt weather again!

1. Ice Skate!

During the winter it's usually to cold, to dark, or to dangerous to walk or run outside on the roads. Not to mention slippery. To get in a great workout and stay relatively warm (at least without the wind chill) ice skating is the way to go. Yes, you can go to a local pond and shovel off the snow to start a pickup game of hockey, but even better yet is to go to the local ice rink for a free skate.

A free skate is just a few hours where the rink opens up for the public. It is very reasonably priced (about $20 for two with skate rentals) and ice skating is a great workout! A few laps at a elevated pace will certainly get you sweating.

Haven't ice skated since high school? Don't worry, Ann and I went a month and a half ago for the first time in a long time and picked it up again just like riding a bike. But if you are worried, it doesn't hurt to get a pair of kneepads!

2. Wear Under Armour

If you're a trooper and need to be outside this thermal wear is the way to go. It's expensive, but it will keep you warm AND dry. The fabric is engineered to wick sweat away from your body. This means that you won't be soaked to the bone and freeze up on those cold days when you're working out hard.

Under Armour makes tops, bottoms, headgear, gloves, etc., so you can accessorize and wear them all under your workout clothes for maximum winter comfort!

3. Know Your Physical Limits

Yes, you could exercise outside all winter long, but there are some days when your health is more important than pushing it.

Have you ever gone outside on one of those days where the air is so cold to breathe in that you have a coughing fit right there on the spot?

Well if you have, or even if you haven't, your body is telling you something very important… the air is too cold for you to safely warm it up before it gets to your lungs. You should never exercise outside when the temperature is more than 80-90 degrees below your body temperature. Your lungs will pay for it.

This is called exercise induced asthma (EIA) and its symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and can lead to chronic asthma.

So if you think it's too cold, it probably is. Stay inside and see tips #4 and 5!

4. Learn a Bodyweight Exercise Routine

A bodyweight routine is a series of exercises that need no equipment and that you can do in your own home. There are many types of bodyweight routines... yoga, pilates, yoglaties, aerobics, etc. These routines will get you in great shape in the privacy and warmth of your own home.

When you are doing these routines, you must be sure that you get a cardiovascular workout as well as a stretching and strengthening workout. If you can't go outside and get your heart rate up, then you have to do it inside. This requires a little more creativity!

Repetitions of squats, bear squats, upward dog-downward dog, jumping jacks, etc can serve as a fantastic cardiovascular and strengthening workout that covers all fitness bases. To find out more about bodyweight routines, visit our website and take a look at our "Lifestyle Fitness Points System." In this program you will find all the exercises, I've mentioned above, plus 10 routines you can start using right away no matter what your level of fitness is!

5. Start Your Own Personal Gym

Now's the time to think about getting a treadmill or elliptical machine... or maybe even that Bowflex you were looking at a year ago. Having your own equipment and knowing how to use it will keep you motivated and help you stay on track.

You'll never have the "I don't have time to go to the gym" excuse anymore. The gym will be right there waiting for you. Talk about convenience!

Shop around and you'll be rewarded with the best deals!

2006: What's In and What's Out in the World of Weight Loss and Fitness

Part 1 of 2

I'm under the impression that the health and fitness world wants to keep the information that I'm about to tell you as a guarded secret. Why? So we don't lose our jobs! If everyone one knows what's new and hot in the industry, who needs to fitness professional, right?

Well, I'm willing to take the chance and actually give you the information--burst the bubble and tell you what the buzz is in our little world--so you can get a quick start in 2006 on your fitness and health goals and get yourself in the shape you've always dreamed of.

There's always new and incredible products on the market and believe me some of these things are absolutely awesome! But others, as I'm sure you know are complete duds... how many of you still have the Thigh Master?

Which diet should you try? Which supplements should you buy? Where is everyone exercising this year?

This year it looks like some of the old standbys, I mean thousand year old standbys, are in, while some of the fads of 2005 are fading fast--soon to be outdated and replaced with what REALLY works!

So without further ado, here's a list of what's in for 2006 and what is old new from 2005.

Atkins is OUT

Sorry, no more pepperoni and sausage pizzas sans crust. The Atkins company went under last year after operating briefly without it's fearless leader, Dr. Robert Atkins, who died of complications from a fall on the ice in 2004... which certainly is something I've always found fishy... considering the heart risks that come with his diet. Could something like an MI cause a sudden collapse on a slippery sidewalk? Hmmm.

The Atkins Diet helped people lose record weight, but also caused greasy skin, raised cholesterol and increased the chance of the yo-yo diet by promoting a way of eating that at best could be called "grossly unnatural".

Raw Foods IN!

Carol Alt is our new leader. The raw food revolution has taken its hold due to her persistent work and promotion. More people are recognizing the benefits of raw foods and how they can increase your health.

Diets full of raw foods--30-40% is OK, 50-60% is excellent--will help lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels, help you lose weight and get you healthy in no time.

What's so special about uncooked foods? Much of the cooked and packaged foods we eat are completely depleted of nutrients because of the way they are prepared. Raw foods not only keep the nutrients intact--just as nature wanted--they also carry live enzymes that your body needs for great health and fitness.

Get out and buy a book or two on how to cook (sorry... "prepare"!) raw foods, incorporate them into your diet once a day and you'll see the difference immediately!

Bench Press OUT

Sorry, Muscleheads, the bench press is old news. Keep piling on the weight and watch your shoulders and rotator cuff disintegrate. Other exercises that are definitely out for the recreational lifter are: Leg Curls (Quad and Hamstring), Dead Lift and Military Press.

Each of these exercises are too often abused and cause a large number of gym injuries every year.

If you do them, be sure you have a trained fitness professional help you with your form... but even then be wary, they were most likely trained in the old school.

Body Weight Exercises IN!

Could you believe that exercises over 5000 years old could be making a comeback?!?!

There's a reason they are still around... they work!!!

Exercises like the Upward Dog/Downward Dog, Hindu Squat, and the Sun Salute are coming back big time because exercise professionals have seen their benefits over and over and over again.

These exercises don't isolate, they give you a full body workout stimulating all your muscle groups, your GI system, your nervous system and your heart. Talk about efficiency!

Hydrogenated Oils OUT!

No more Trans-Fats! We won't take it anymore!

For those of you who don't know, trans-fats or hydrogenated oils are what the big food companies have been putting in your snack foods since the 1960's to extend the shelf life of their products.

These are modified oils that can take a serious toll on the body--scaring arteries and causing heart disease.

You body reads these fats just like it would other fats and distributes them accordingly... problem is, the trans-fats don't do the same functions that the regular fats do... in fact they do NOTHING except hang around and clog your arteries.

Next time you pick up any packaged food, look at the ingredients. If you see hydrogenated oils (or partially) put it down and try a new product without them! Beware, this might be a trying task. Many of the foods we eat have been loaded with this stuff for years.

But if you stick it to the trans-fats, your body will thank you!

Cod Liver Oil... IN!

You heard me right. Cod Liver Oil is IN!

Your grandmother might be proud to hear it... but many people think gross, gross and more gross!

But what's great is that you can get the oil in pill form for those of you how don't like the thought of swigging a tablespoon of this miracle oil every morning.

Why is it good for you?

Vitamin E and Omega 3 Oils are essential for your circulation and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease! Good fats work wonders for your heart.

In the winter, get a product like Carlson's that has vitamins A and D added. The A will help with your skin, eyes and mucus membranes. And since you're probably away from the sun more often than not in the cold months, you can get the D from the oil for strong bones and calcium absorption!

That's it for the first half... next week, I'll continue the list with the best "-biotics", why core strength training is causing more injury than good, and more!

Stay tuned!

P.S. If you haven't gotten the "Lifestyle Fitness Points System" yet, you need to get your head examined!

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