Author: Tiffany Garcia

I know many women have similar frustrations while pursuing their fitness lifestyle. There’s a lot of new research out there in the Fitness world and from that dearth of research is a new hybrid of personal trainers. They’re called Fitness Lifestyle Coaches, they can provide both exercise and behavioral guidance and they are a cheaper alternative to a Personal Fitness Trainer. I will address your question in the mindset of a Fitness Lifestyle Coach so you will catch a glimpse of how the lifestyle fitness coaching process can work.

So, lets get down to basics and define fitness, which includes three elements. First you need a cardio challenge where the heart and breathing rate are significantly raised. The second ingredient is strength training where the muscles are challenged with resistance work. Thirdly is Flexibility, muscles need to stretch to maintain mobility. Remember, you get stiff then you get old. Trying to take on all 3 elements in the beginning may feel daunting, so don’t.

Pick one element you enjoy; all three are equally important so choosing one can be the key to starting a lifestyle in which you can consistently participate. Once one element becomes a habit, because you enjoy it, which usually takes 28 days, you can add another. Add each element gradually and in small doses so as not to overwhelm your self. Of course, if you enjoy two or even all three fitness elements, dedicate a small amount of time to each so you experience success with the designated time for each element. Be realistic in your time allotment, if you can’t live up to it you’ll feel like a failure, so choose smaller time frames and experience success. Think ‘do a little less and emphasize success’ and it builds self-confidence.

You need to find what motivates or turns you on, so to get motivated you need a Fitness Vision. This vision entails using your imagination to project into your future. Ask yourself what it would look like to see yourself living your fitness lifestyle successfully after a year or two? Visualize how you’ll look, act, eat, sleep etc. until you can feel it, see it, smell it, breathe it. By making it as real as possible to yourself you’ll start to feel the excitement bubble up in you. Now that’s getting your mojo working for you.

Now set goals for you to make that vision happen. Where am I now? How can I get closer to that vision in 3months/ 6months? On a weekly basis, what do I do? Start with small weekly goals, so you can feel a sense of accomplishment every time you meet your goals. Then every week, add a little more challenge and because you are living up to your goals successfully, your self-confidence grows.

We all know how life gets in the way, that progress is never linear. So get creative and for see possible problems. In your mind play out how these obstacles can stop you and how you can find ways to work around them. This way when the problems come up your not caught off guard and you’ll be better prepared to deal with the situation and stay on track with your fitness lifestyle.

Yes, hiring a trainer makes it easier to stay on track with your fitness, but doing it yourself can be satisfying, rewarding, and even more empowering because you have thoughtfully come up with your own solutions instead of just following orders.

A Personal Trainer shows up with exercise programs that challenge you and keep you progressing to higher levels of fitness. Where as a Lifestyle Fitness Coach challenges you to get creative, problem solve, know yourself better and break through barriers, helping you break old habits, building confidence to develop healthier new ones so you can maintain a fitness lifestyle independently.

Ridiculously Low Rates – It’s becoming increasingly crowded out there. With so many gyms fighting each other over customers, membership fees are plummeting. However, you should remember that operating a gym is a very expensive endeavor. In order to provide customers with the best experience, the gym or health club must have plenty of operating capital. Low-end gyms, while having much cheaper rates, mean bad exercise equipment, crowded areas, less sanitary facilities and less customer focus. When choosing a gym or health club, it may be best to go to the more expensive places.

Beware of False Advertising – There are many gyms that advertise low-rates, zero-membership fees, or some other way that you can save when joining. However, most of these gyms get the money out of the customer, one way or the other. Be sure to read the contract for any hidden charges that they may impose. Others advertise huge discounts, only to cripple or limit much or their services until the member pays in full. Others, on the other hand, flat-out lie about their services and member benefits. Be sure to ask a lot of questions and inspect the service agreement fully.

Dubious Accreditations – There are so many certificate-giving bodies out there from state and community organizations that few are worth more than the paper it’s written on. Be sure to double-check on what accreditations the gym claims to have and see if they come from a truly prestigious or note-worthy organization. The same goes for the so-called certified-instructors many gyms have. Be wary and be sure to research these claims.

Poor Equipment and Facilities – This is what you pay for the most, the ability to use large, specialized equipment. Always inspect the entire gym and its facilities before you commit to signing up. The place should also be spacious – it should not be crowded. Many gyms sign up more customers than they can actually handle. The result is that many customers have to wait in line to use the gym equipment they want. This also means that their equipment is constantly being used and prone to more damage.

Sleazy Contracts – Always read what’s printed on the service contract. Three year memberships, high deposit fees, extra charges – these can be all hidden inside the contract and its existence conveniently not mentioned by the sales team. Always turn on the alarm when you encounter provisions requiring you to shell out more money or penalize you for cutting your membership short.

Women who are pregnant will get a fantastic workout. Endurance is built which helps with labor because it is low impact and cardiovascular in nature. Treadmills are not that expensive especially the lower end models and they are easy to use. Losing weight and body fat is possible with the use of a treadmill.

It is a non-physical benefit that treadmills don’t take up a great amount of space. If space is an issue you can find manual treadmills that are powered by your movement only and they fold, if space is an issue, although some could take up a whole room.

Doing research and talking to professionals will help you find one that would be appropriate for you. The best idea is to take a look at different models. What features are you looking for on your treadmill? There are some things you should be aware of when looking at assorted models.

All you want to do is workout and this can be overwhelming. Your machine size can be affected by the type of motor it has. Most importantly you should check out the belt trackers. It’s the movement type and running belt placement as you workout.

There should be no jerky movement you want a belt that moves easily over the rollers. Did you see the belts at the checkouts that jump and start all the time? If your treadmill movement is like that injury could result and there could more impact on your joints than necessary.

The belt’s length and width is something else you need to look at. If the belt is too short you could end up “running off” the end of the belt. If the treadmill belt is too narrow, it may not support your stance. Try out, if possible the machine you really want or something very similar.

The incline’s type and percentage will affect your workout and the impact on your joints. Most treadmills allow you to adjust the grade of the incline, as you progress, to be as if you were climbing a steep hill. The speed of the belt should also be adjustable.

Have you read the manual and learned what the minimum and maximum speed is? You will be better able to plan your workout with this knowledge and make it more effective. One of the primary features you should look for on your treadmill console is a heart rate monitor.

A workout can be made more beneficial by knowing your resting and target heart rate-the highest rate you can attain safely and get maximum benefits. Your console should show your speed, your time, and the distance you traveled.

It is vital that your learn how to run your treadmill properly before you try to use it. The control panel should be very easy to read. Do you need the software program to use the control program? Your preference should be for a quiet treadmill. A bit of noise is normal, but you don’t want it to be unbearable.

Is the noise level within comfortable limits? The belt should be of a particular thickness, what is it? You want a belt that is thick enough to last for a long time, a belt that is too thin could wear over time. Belts can begin to stretch.

Check your belt for stretching, cracks, or other problems, if you want your treadmill to last. Take consideration of how heavy your machine is. Some companies will make it your duty to bring it in the house and set it up, they will only go as far as your door with it. The appearance of your machine is important because if you don’t like it, you will be less likely to make use of it.

Is it going to be easy to store when not in use? It is most likely that it will remain in the same spot when not in use, you will need to decide, if this feasible for you. Place your treadmill away from walls to keep you from getting hurt. It should be placed about eight feet away from any wall, ledge, or windows.

School schedules, car pools and after school activities combined with household chores and a full-time job doesn’t allow for much time to exercise and workout. However, that excuse is no longer good enough. Today’s mom knows how to get things done. They can squeeze in a last minute dentist appointment for little Tamie and show up without a moment to spare for a class play that little Tommy forgot to mention. Super mom can always find time to do whatever needs to be done to run a happy home for all of the occupants. So the “I don’t have time” doesn’t fly anymore. In fact, moms everywhere should be embarrassed to use the excuse when a real mom knows, if you really want to do something it’s like that Divine Sisterhood stuff , scoot on over , because here comes mom!

It is important to take care of yourself. Plenty of rest and exercise should therefore be one of those little things that you mark on the calendar and do. In fact, do it now. Mark in your day planner or on the dry-erase board your “me-time.” Then, dust off that tennis racket and head on out for the courts with one of your girlfriends, or join a Fitness Center, or take up walking for overall health and fitness. Procrastination is a word that has no meaning for moms wanting to do something nice for their children, the same should apply for what you want or need to do.

Flexibility and diversification is a nice thing. Diversify your workout schedule to include solo walks, tennis matches with girlfriends, and horseback riding with your husband. Be creative in planning your week ahead. If you know that on Monday you have to pick up your daughter from school at 3:00, but your son gets out at 2:30, make proper use of your time and throw your Nike shoes in a gym bag and walk while you wait. If your daughter has a volleyball practice 25 minutes across town at the high school, then take your swimsuit and use the school’s swimming pool to swim laps. Most schools don’t mind if you call ahead and some even offer free swims on certain days of the week.

The most important thing for you to remember is that because you are a mom, you may have to jump in and take advantage of a thirty-minute window just to have time to exercise. Be prepared for those opportunities and learn to expect the unexpected and take care to use the time wisely. If your son’s football practice is held over 45 minutes, continue walking around the track until you hear the sweetest words in the world, “MOM, I’m ready to go!” You can accomplish what you want, even as a busy mom.

Different Types of Trampolines

There are three main types of trampolines available and they all come in varying sizes. There is a size and shape for everyone. The three types are:

*Round

This design is made to keep the person who is jumping in the center of the trampoline. This style is ideal for younger children, especially if a guard is used to stop falls.

* Rectangular

This design offers more area to jump on. The springs are also a lot more flexible which enables the person using the trampoline to jump higher. This type of trampoline is ideal for teenagers and is favored by professional trampoline jumpers and gymnasts.

*Square

This design is a lot like the rectangular trampoline but will not allow as high a bounce. The square trampoline is also a lot smaller. This is another good backyard option if there are smaller children using it.

It is recommended all trampolines that are being used by smaller children have proper guards and padding on the springs, and that adult supervision be provided for safety reasons. Also it is advisable that trampolines not be bounced on when the jumping mat is wet since the mat can become very slippery.

The Cost of a Trampoline

Trampolines vary in cost a great deal depending on the size and style. For a smaller, round backyard type without guards you could pay as little as $200. If you are looking for a trampoline that is a lot larger, for instance, a rectangular style, you could expect to pay up to $1,800. Prices will vary from store to store so the best thing to do when looking to buy a trampoline, is research different prices. Have a clear budget on how much you intend to spend. Choose a trampoline that fits your backyard and your budget.

What to Look For

The most important things to look for in a trampoline are:

*Structure

Make sure the structure of your trampoline is sturdy and, preferably, aluminum, so that it is not too heavy to move around should you need to.

*Quality mats are also very important.

A badly made trampoline mat can cause serious injury to a person if they were to fall through it.

*Added safety measures

It is important to make note of the companies that will either give you a discount on guards or padding
for the springs or will give them to you as a packaged deal. Safety comes first!

*Warranties

Make sure your trampoline is covered by a warranty for faulty workmanship and badly made parts.

*Weight requirements

Make note of the maximum weight that the trampoline will hold as children often like to jump together or in groups.

Lower back exercises should be done at the end of your training routine due to the fact that they need to assist the prime movers during other exercises. For example, in a traditional squat movement the lower back muscles are firing to help balance the position of the body relative to the Olympic bar which is resting across the upper traps along your shoulders. The prime movers of the squat are the leg muscles while the lower back muscles are the assisters. The squat can be a very fatiguing movement for the legs but also for the lower back. This is why you would not want to fatigue the lower back muscles before you perform the squat.

The appropriate time to perform lower back exercise would be at the very end of your workout. Because the lower back does assist in so many movements, it is not necessary to train it in the same manner you train other body parts. A few safe and effective movements are enough lower back exercise to keep the muscles up to task as an essential part of the core.

Here are a few examples that can be done on a daily basis. Included are a few stretches that are also a good idea to make a part of your daily routine.

SWIMMING

Prone position, arms overhead and legs extended.

Lifting opposite arm and leg, then switch.

Holding each lift for a one count pause.

Face hovering off the surface of the floor, shoulders drawn down, and abdominals engaged.

Do an alternating count of 5 to 10 reps per side.

LOW BACK EXTENTION

Can be done on a hyperextension bench.

Arm position-down at the sides, crossed at chest, or hands behind head

Extend body up to a straight line from hips to head and back down.

Repeat 5-10 reps, moving slowly, keeping abdominals engaged

CAT STRETCH

On all fours start with back flat

Flex spine up into a cat stretch, tucking chin and tail

Hold for one breath and then articulate back to a flat back

Repeat 5 full reps

Don’t like or feel like you have time to go to the gym? The good news is exercise does not have to involve getting on a treadmill or pumping iron at the gym to be effective. It can be relatively low cost and not a huge time investment. However, before you start, check with your doctor if you have not exercised in awhile or if you are pregnant. Also, make sure you are wearing proper footwear for your activity. Many joint or back injuries are caused by wearing old or worn-out shoes. Here are ten ways to get moving:

1. Park away from your office, trip to the store or school and walk. These small walks add up through the day. In fact, studies have shown that small bursts of exercise throughout the day are more effective than one long burst.
2. Take the steps instead of the elevator. If you are going between floors, walk up the steps. Need a quick break in the afternoon – walk up and down a few times. Exercise will revive you much more than a trip to the coffee machine.
3. Wear a fitness tracker and measure your steps. There are many inexpensive trackers as well as more sophisticated and pricey devices but even the inexpensive will give you data on steps. Set a goal and stick to it. For the first few days, wear it without changing your activity. Once you create a baseline, add 500 to 1000 steps per day to it each week.
4. Use apps to get inspired. Studies have shown that like fitness trackers, individuals who utilize apps are more successful at sticking with an exercise program. There are apps like 5K that inspire and lead you from couch to 5K. My Fitness Pal and ActivX are a few other popular fitness apps.
5. Sign up for a charity walk or run and use it to inspire you to get moving. Whether it is 1mile, a 5 or 10K, it gives you a goal and a deadline to work toward.
6. Grab a buddy or two. People are far more likely to stick to a routine if they have another person who is going to do it with them and hold them accountable. Making fitness social gives the extra benefit of connecting with others.
7. Have a family or office challenge. It does not have to be a competition, but it can be a way to cheer each other on and keep everyone involved in a common goal.
8. Try a new activity like dancing, hiking, swimming or a fun group exercise class you have always been curious about.
9. Make fitness a weekly family activity. Go on a hike, bike ride or walk around the neighborhood.
10. Household activities like gardening, cleaning or other projects can be great chances to get the blood flowing. Put on upbeat music to keep you moving energetically.

For women readers

Women everywhere need to realize how important body toning exercises are for their health. As you become older, your body is going to stop producing the hormone oestrogen, which can lead to brittle bones that are prone to breaking. This happens to a lot of women, no matter how much milk you drink or calcium supplements you take. To help combat this problem, you can start doing regular workouts that include body toning exercises. What you’re doing is strengthening the muscles in your body to support your bones and keep them from breaking as well as increasing the bone density – stronger bones and sleeker muscles is a winning combination.

For everyone that worries about their weight

Body toning exercises are a great idea when you’re trying to lose weight or maintain weight loss. When your body has more muscle, it can burn more calories – even when you’re just sitting on the sofa. Try doing things like lifting weights, pilates, and even yoga to get those muscles stronger than ever – and turn them into fat burning machines. You might even reward them for their hard work with a sweet or two (guilt free).

Keeping up with yourself and your life

As we age (everyone does), we need to keep doing body toning exercises so that our bodies can keep up with all of our plans. Muscles allow us to maintain our balance, prevent us from falling, and keep us from getting injured during our everyday routine. Instead of weakening and getting less active as we age, why not take charge with body toning exercises that strengthen our ability to keep up with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews?

Want to look good?

When you take the time to do body toning exercises, your body will stay firmer and more supple. Muscles create trim looking lines and features no matter what your gender. And instead of letting time bring all of your important parts into a sagging repose, muscles can help to keep your appearance nice and tight. Who doesn’t want that?

I also ride my bike twenty miles each morning. But the reason I am writing this is not to talk about me, but to report to you about an observation that I made while riding each morning. This is something that I am very perplexed about. I saw so many people out for their morning walk, and jog. At first I was very excited to see so many people exercising. After a few days however, I made it a point to stop and speak with one person each morning. The reason for this chat was to ask them if they normally exercised, and if when they returned from their vacation if they would continue. I was so surprised by the answer. I found that most people do not have a regular exercise plan, and most of them thought that they would try and exercise upon their return, but felt they would probably stop based on all the previous times they tried.

This is so sad! They started to make the necessary changes and form new habits, but the experts all say it takes 30 days to form this new habit, they were so close!
If you are one of these vacation exercisers, this information is for you. You were so close to making changes, and I am sure you felt wonderful after your long walks, not to mention how energized you felt.