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June 2007
The Challenge comes to an end, but my fitness pursuit does not!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved in the AJC Fitness Challenge. I’m so glad the AJC sponsored this Challenge and thankful that I was a winner. And I especially want to thank all the trainers who were involved and gave of their time. Especially, of course, Fitness Together Sandy Springs, owned by Kelly Huggins. It was a truly great experience as I was placed into the hands of a knowledgeable and caring fitness professional who has taken my life down an entirely different path from the one I was on!
I know that sounds dramatic, but listen to where I was going. I was a 43-year-old woman well into the obesity category and gaining weight at scary pace of about 5 to 10 pounds a year. My eating was not only unhealthy, it was out of control due to my heavy reliance on processed carbs (mostly crackers) as snacks - keeping me in a hunger cycle and zapping my energy. My resting heart rate was extremely high, and climbing a flight of stairs was not easy. I didn’t even know what muscle tone felt like.
So, I won the Challenge. And I walked into Fitness Together Sandy Springs with preconceived notions about personal trainers as well as misinformation about nutrition and exercise. (The three biggest ones: “Crackers are healthy because they are not fatty like chips.” “Walking 30 minutes a day, three times a week will get me into shape,” and “Personal trainers are jocks who train jocks.” All wrong!)
Well, I’m still 43 (Kelly couldn’t help with that one). But I no longer “feel” like I’m 53! In fact, I’m headed back to 33! I’ve REVERSED the weight gain cycle and have steadily lost a pound a week. At this rate, I’ll be at a healthy weight - NOT 10 lbs. heavier - by the end of the year. I know how to eat in a way that supplies my body with nutrition and energy. I can actually feel the muscles in my arms, legs and back. I have soooooo much more stamina and energy. As my waistline, thighs and hips shrink, a whole new world of clothes is opening up to me, and clothes feel and look better on my body. I have more self-confidence. I haven’t been back to the doctor yet, but I am 100% sure my blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. are way down. And I ENJOY exercise (yes, you read that right!)
My final testament to the success of this program? Today I just wrote a check for my next 17 weeks at Fitness Together Sandy Springs. Yes, it was that good. If you have weight to lose or health to gain, I’m not shy about this - You need to call this guy! Go see the private training rooms. Meet his wonderful staff - Candice, Andrew and George. You couldn’t ask for nicer, more inspiring people to work with! Just see what he has to say. His number is 404-303-8305. Otherwise, where are YOU going to be at the end of the year??
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Just a Reminder about Alli (latest weight loss promise)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week I told you I was going to give you advice about post-workout meals. Well, because of the gravity of the situation, I have to change my mind. I will get back to the topic in time.
Today though, I want to remind you of a warning about the latest weight loss drug that promises to be “the answer” to weight loss failures. This new drug is called Alli and I wrote about it back in February (thus, this is the reminder). Here’s the related link- Alli, the Name Sounds Safe, but Is It?
By reading the previously blog, you will be reminded of the major side-effects associated to the drug (e.g. anal leakage to give you a brief graphic reminder). Just like all weight loss drugs of the past, moderate to severe consequences are always associated. Of course, they don’t tell you this up front. The manufacturer of the product has nothing bad to say. What saddens me, is that Alli is getting “good reviews” like it was the latest movie that just came out.
Years later though, you’ll see special reports about how the drug is ineffective and harmful. Once again, no different than the drugs of the past.
My warning this time to you is that the makers of Alli has created a book for you about diet and exercise. They give you exercises and recipes, which rivals that of most other pathetic exercise and diets books. My question is this. If they are promoting diet and exercise, shouldn’t they advice doing this without the use of the product? Seriously, isn’t going on a proper diet and exercise program the idea anyway?
The reason why they do this is to simply market the product. They have already extended their sales of the product by a prescription only form known as Xenical. Now, they must do something different in order to sell it again. Which means, they are not interested in doing the right thing.
To be honest, I can’t hold anything against them as I believe in capitalism. However, I also am a believer in free speech and will stop at nothing to warn you that this product does not deserve the positive attention it is getting. What I don’t like is that not enough coverage is being made about the harmful effects of the product. Just like its predecessors, it is not a Magic Pill.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Health, In The News, Weight Loss
Vacation vs. Business Travel
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I will be in Denver this week for a business trip for which my husband is joining me, so we are making a vacation out of it as well. I’m planning in advance how to handle this situation so it doesn’t become a bump on the road I’ve been traveling.
I looked at the hotel website and determined there is a fitness center on the property. Unfortunately, on days when I am in meetings from 7:30 a.m. through dinner - and this has happened to me on other business trips I’ve taken during this Fitness Challenge - there is no feasible way for me to get any real exercise. However, on our vacation days, I will work in some cardio sessions. Second, I tend to get more exercise in general on vacation. My husband and I will be hiking and doing a lot of city walking. Unfortunately, on those days full of meetings, my heart-rate rarely gets above sleeping level! (Yes, they can be boring…)
Third, I plan in advance for eating situations. For example, I take protein bars my trainer recommended and have one of those for breakfast. Otherwise I’m stuck eating the requisite “Continental Breakfast” of croissants and muffins that, frankly, I’ve never liked. Some hotels do serve oatmeal and Egg Beaters, but when you’re looking at $14 for breakfast, I’d just as soon have a protein bar from home.
When my husband and I can pick restaurants, we keep it fairly healthy with seafood, salads and the like. However, the food served at the meetings is pretty terrible. I find myself scraping off sauce, flabby chicken skin and too much heavy salad dressing, and pushing aside very heavy desserts. This is where those protein bars can come in handy again. However, I still have to “be sociable” and at least pretend like I’m eating.
It’s fun to go out of town on vacation, and I can usually find ways to get in a lot of exercise and healthy food. But when I’m out of town on business, that’s a different story. Sitting all day in meetings, eating plated lunches, and faced with snack breaks consisting of cookies the size of my head can all prove daunting to my efforts. Does anyone have any other suggestions for me?
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“I’m Feeling Woozy and Seeing Fuzzy”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not long ago, I had a client call me to tell me she was experiencing episodes of “feeling woozy and seeing fuzzy” after her workouts. She stated that she had already spoke with her doctor. Her doctor told her that it was because of the weight training putting pressure on her eyes. (Say what!)
Well, I am not one to disagree with a doctor (actually I am), but something didn’t sound right. I then asked her if I could ask her some questions to in regards to her symptoms. She agreed.
To preface, let me give an idea of her workouts. As with the case with most of my clients, she does 45 minutes of weight training and 30-45 of cardiovascular exercise within a given heart rate zone. Admittedly, I trained her pretty hard, as she is young (lower 30’s), fairly fit, and is in great health.
I asked her, “do you feel the symptoms immediately after your workouts?” She said, “No, the worse time I felt it was about 2 hours later while doing yard work.” I then asked, “Did you eat anything during that time?” She then said, “No, no, I didn’t.” I then smiled. Turned to find out she didn’t eat anything on the other days either.
Once again, I reminded her that I am not a doctor, but I think I have a simple remedy. She asked with enthusiasm, “What?” I replied quickly, “Eat!” Come to find out, this seemed to remedied her symptoms. She was elated.
I tell you this story for two reasons. First is this, when you work with a fitness professional, follow his or her advice. It is a part our program to have you eat a mix of protein and carbohydrates within 60 minutes of your session to prevent hypoglycemia and replenish expended glycogen. Second, is to be careful of the advice of others, even professionals. After her doctor gave her the bad news, she was reluctant to lift weights. Now, she’s happily back at it.
Next week, I’m going to talk more about the post workout snack/meal and why it’s so important. Have you ever experienced a situation like this? If so, please share.
Permalink | | Categories: General Fitness, Nutrition
Sticking With It
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is exercise easy? No. But I’ve decided that sticking with an exercise program DOES come down to two very simple issues - 1) actually beginning each exercise session, and 2) actually finishing each exercise session.
Seriously. Take a look at past efforts that have failed. In my case, they failed because I quit going. I quit going because either I thought I had better things to do, or I was not inspired to do what I was there for and left. And then I just quit going altogether. See a little bit of yourself in that?
This is why I’ve found a personal trainer to be such a valuable part of the equation. First, when you have a personal trainer, you have a scheduled time and place to do your exercise. It’s on your calendar. So while you may think, “I should just return this phone call for work” or “My son really wants me to take him to the movie,” you look at your calendar, and there it is - an appointment. Something on your calendar that tells you “No more phone calls this afternoon” or “Johnny’s just going to have to wait to see that movie.” And you go exercise. Half the battle is won!
Now, you’re at the gym. You’re thinking “Ugh, I don’t feel like doing this” or “I should have taken Johnny to that movie.” In the past, that was all it took for me to say to myself, “I’m outta here!” which then led to that slippery slope called Quitsville. But with a trainer counting your reps, telling you which weights to lift and how, are you going to justify putting those weights down and walking out the door? Of course not! You press on until you are finished. And there’s one more successful day under your gradually loosening belt.
So, not only does a trainer provide the knowledge, supervision, program development and other things I’ve talked about in past blogs. But simply by “being there,” he or she helps you deal with these simple but often difficult-to-overcome mental roadblocks, helping you stick with it and reach your goal!
I’ve been exercising regularly and vigorously for more than three months, and I have no desire to quit. An all-time record for me sticking to an exercise program! Thanks, Fitness Together Sandy Springs!
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Success in Fitness is not determined by Perfection
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The following is an e-mail I sent to Jennifer Allen (AJC Fitness Challenge participant) and the blog she wrote Striving for (im)Perfection:
Dear Jennifer,
One of many definitions to perfection is “entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings.” When you think of the many great leaders in this world such as Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Mother Teresa, based upon what we know about them on the surface, they may appear as being perfect in their actions and how they lived.
Intestingly, when you dig deeper into their lives, you find a lot of imperfection. For example, Abe Lincoln suffered with major bouts of depression. Though he was a great leader and communicator, on many occassions he lashed out in anger. What made Abe different than most is that he looked at what he did wrong and learned from it. Instead of dwelling on what he did wrong and remaining angry with himself, he forgave himself and focused on what he could do better next time.
Another definition for perfection is “exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose.” This definition fits best as it relates to the complexities of life. I can argue that a splurge into a Pop Tart can be absolutely perfect, as what happens now is you think, “wow, did I have to do that.” You may find yourself feeling guilty, but you also find yourself feeling physically ill too. Eating the junk doesn’t make you feel as good as eating the good stuff.
You now realize and recognize this. Whereas, in the past, you didn’t know or feel any different. Remember, that what you’re striving for is success, not perfection. You are succeeding and it will take time. Forgive yourself and focus on your accomplishments. By doing this as often as you need, you will find that you crave more of what is the right thing to do as it relates to getting fit and healthy.
In health and Fitness, Kelly Huggins
P.S. I am posting this as my blog. You made my life easier, as I was wondering what I was going to write about. It’s perfect! ;-)
Permalink | | Categories: Fitness Challenge, General Fitness, Health, In The News, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Toning, Weight Loss
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