Get Outside "The Box"

I call myself an "out of the box" personal trainer. I don't train clients one-on-one in gyms because I believe that fitness is everywhere - You just need to know where to find it. Confusing statement? You see a chair. I see a platform for step ups, high knees, romanian lunges, box squats, box jumps, incline/decline pushups, etc. I just gave you an entire workout using the chair you are sitting in right now. Get it?

I also acknowledge that most people despise the gym, which is why I choose to train my clients elsewhere. A very small percentage of people will tolerate it for a short period of time. Everyone has their personal training horror story because unfortunately most gym trainers dont actually want to be there, and they certainly dont want to give you your complimentary session. Only 15% of us actually have a gym membership. 45% of those 15% quit in their first year, according to this New York Times article an old friend shot my way (thanks Karin!). I've even seen more staggering statistics that say 90% of gym goers quit within their first 90 days. Either way, the gym is an empty promise and a broken model and people are more confused than ever about how to get results and where which is why so many niche boutiques are now popping up in major metropolitan outlets around the world that specialize in one single product like poll dancing, crossfit, cycle, etc. In fact, you can find my cycle class exclusively at the brand new Velovoom in Bethesda (think DC's version of SoulCycle). Clients are willing to shell out exponentially more money while sacrificing the bells and whistles.

Am I Allowed to Celebrate?

My Project 365 client asked me a good question yesterday. She just embarked with me on a journey to lose 200 lbs and she asked me about what she should do when her family goes out to celebrate. "My family always goes out to eat when we celebrate. I'm not a salad eater, so I'm not going to be eager to order the salmon salad. What should I order?" My non answer to her was a something like this: Celebrate! There is a place for cake! Food is part of the celebration of friends, family, love & life. Your relationship with food should in fact be one of celebration and not deprivation. If all is balanced, celebrations are indeed a part of that balance. It's not the celebrations that are off balanced, it is everything in between them. Eat real food in proper quantities that contain high nutrient values and life is one continuous celebration, not just on birthdays!

Here are a few practical things to keep in mind though when dining out. Eating out should be a special occasion - not the norm. Generally, portion sizes are out. of. control. A good rule is to eat about HALF of your plate - then take home the rest, or share something on the menu with someone else. If you make a smart choice and substitute fries for vegetables, often times they are drowned in butter or some other "butter-like substance" most likely containing hydrogenated oils - order them without the butter, or get butter on the side so you can control how much you put on. Lastly, before this turns into "eat this, not that," no soda or other sugar drinks. High fructose corn syrup is a killer to your waist line and, incidentally, life itself and furthermore, most of us suffer from chronic dehydration. Water please!