I come up with exercises that I can’t do properly but I keep working on them until I master the movements and can teach them. Get started!

You’re Not Exercising Enough
You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep
You’re Too Stressed (Yeah, me too!)
You’re Skipping Meals (Just this one can cause lowered metabolism and storing of fat)
You’re Eating Too Many Calories
You’re Drinking Too Many Calories
You’re Too Lax About Diet and Exercise
You’re Slipping on Weekends
You’re Diet-Impatient
You Might Have a Medical Condition (Nice try, not you)
You’ve Reached a Plateau
You Don’t Need to Lose More Weight

OK, so check out the link to fill in the blanks.

Are you interested in changing a behavior? Do you have 21 days available to be a better person? I have these cool wristbands to help. These say EAT CLEAN TRAIN HARD because this is about fitness. But you can correct any type of problem and you can use a simple rubber band if you like.

Here is the deal, put the wristband on. Choose a behavior to change such as stop eating processed foods or chips or stop cursing. Only choose one behavior to change at a time or it won’t work. Let’s say you are a diet pop fiend so every time you drink a diet soda you must move the wristband to the other arm. The object is to keep the wristband on the same arm for 21 days. Presto! Behavior changed. Of course it isn’t easy and at first expect to change arms a lot. But after you get the hang of it and in this case drop weight from dropping the soda. You will feel great.

That innocent-looking can of soda pop-no matter what it’s sweetened with-may be taking a toll on your immunity. Here’s why:
1. People who drink sodas instead of healthy beverages (think low-fat milk and pure fruit juice) are less likely to get adequate vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium. What’s more, soda contains phosphoric acid that depletes calcium and magnesium. These two nutrients help keep your immunity operating at peak efficiency.
2. Sodas containing high-fructose corn syrup (check this out here, they want to rename high-fructose corn syrup. First they tried to hide the product in every processed food and now that people are wise to the term they are trying to change the name to corn sugar.) also contain high levels of free radicals linked to tissue damage, the development of diabetes, and diabetic complications.
3. Plastic soda (and water) bottles contain a toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) that can leach from bottles into soda…into you. Emerging evidence links BPA to a myriad of maladies, including immune system depression. Public health experts recommend that we protect children from exposure to products containing BPA-especially those they consume or use every day.
4. Diet soda actually contributes to weight gain. A study of 1,550 people concluded that people who drink diet soda have a 41 percent increased risk of being overweight or obese-for every can or bottle they drink per day! Turns out, any sweet taste signals body cells to store fat and carbohydrates, which makes you hungrier. Sweet tastes also promote insulin release, which blocks your body’s ability to burn fat. The hard truth: No published study has ever proven that drinking diet soda will help you lose weight.

Don’t make me get up on my soapbox! For box jumps..

Are you feeling fit and looking better than ever? Christmas parties are here and New Years resolutions are right around the corner. Do you make resolutions every year? Do you keep them?

I don’t make resolutions each year. I keep a journal and write down goals and aspirations regularly. Also as a personal trainer I have been living the lifestyle since I was about eleven. Though I do continue to make fitness goals for myself on a daily basis. Sometimes it is just getting two more reps in an upcoming set, sometimes it is working a new exercise into my routine for a few weeks.

Calling all GEMs (Glen Ellyn Moms). It is time to look and feel even better. Try training with Stanimal the personal trainer right in Glen Ellyn. Lose those last few pounds and get in shape. You won’t regret it! Send your questions to my email on the right.

Your close-up is calling you..

Here are a couple cool exercises for the next time you’re in a park. Pushups on the swings, put one hand on each of two swings, one foot on the ground. Pushups. If that is too much, try both feet on the ground and use a wide stance.

Number two is an inverted row. Stand between two swings, grab a chain with each hand and lean back and do a chinup or rowing movement.

See you outside.

The results were that I lost 2 lbs. during this time.  I normally eat pretty well anyway so I was mostly cutting desserts and eating more veggie and fruit than usual. The TV probably had more impact than anything. I finished a couple of drawings, wrote some new music and read a great deal. My workouts have been going great. The weather has improved here so I’ve been out for sprints on the track and at the hill. On the last week of a 12 week bench press cycle that has my upper body strength back where I want it. And I continue to work the kettlebells and total body training.

All in all I look at it as successful. I don’t need to lose weight. If you do, I would recommend going off the sugar and processed foods. You will be surprised.

You are welcome to join me! I hit 55 years old last month, so I am interested in seeing what kind of shape I can get to. I also plan on getting more done without TV. Doing this during March Madness seems crazy but challenging myself is the whole point. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Also looking at the recommendations pyramid, doesn’t 11 servings of grains seem like a lot compared to 9 fruits and veggies? That is about 80% carbs. Really?

Here we see Karen working legs. First up is one of the great leg exercises you can do. LADIES! This exercise works the quads and glutes in a functional running position. So balance, stabilization and core strength are all challenged during this exercise. When you do a machine leg press, most do not require balance, just a little stabilization and not much core.

This particular lunge is using one of my home-made balance tools, the water pipe. It is partially filled with water and Karen is showing an advanced version of the exercise with the tool held overhead. This requires a great deal of core strength in addition to the great leg benefits it provides.

Stanimal is training clients in Glen Ellyn. If you have fitness or training questions email or leave a comment. Thanks.