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Weight Lifting Without Weights
When weight lifting becomes strength training you can workout anywhere you like!
By Kevin Valluzzi
You can have a fabulous weight lifting workout without ever lifting a thing! For starters, let's use the proper term, which is strength training, not weight lifting...and let me explain.
Scale Slavery
Stop using the scale to measure your weight-loss progress.by Kevin Valluzzi
How many of you weigh yourself on a daily basis? How about more than once a day? Most women use the scale to judge their weight-loss progress, and although using the scale can benefit you to some extent, it is definitely not the best way to judge how well you are doing. Let me explain.
The Most Overlooked Workout Secret
Keeping track of your workouts will keep you on track and
help you get the results you want.
By Kevin Valluzzi
What is the one thing most people overlook that can have a huge impact on the success of their workout program? Intervals? No. Free weights? No. Rest periods? No. Although these are all great, there is one thing that seems to always go overlooked: keeping an exercise journal and writing down your sets, repetitions, rest periods, etc. I see it all the time when I go into gyms and fitness centers. I even see trainers training their clients and not recording anything. How does the trainer know how many reps their client did during each workout? The sad thing is that the trainer probably has them do the same amount of reps each workout, thus explaining why they aren't getting the results they deserve.
To Wait or Not to Wait... After Eating
By Kevin Valluzzi
Q: How long should I wait to work out after eating?A: That is very relative. It really is different for every person. The general rule of thumb is to wait about 20 minutes if you are eating and then doing a strength-training session. You should probably wait a little longer, say 30 minutes, if you are eating and then doing a cardiovascular workout, such as interval training. But as I said, everyone seems to be different. I personally don't seem to have to wait long at all. But some of the people I've worked with need to wait a while after eating to make sure their stomach feels okay before they start exerting themselves. With that said, it is a good idea to have a little something to eat before you work out. Don't stuff your face of course, but just have a little something to give you a boost of energy. And then you'll have to see for yourself how you feel.
Menu Chart for the Busy Woman
Print out these meal and snack options so you can successfully eat five times a day.
By Kevin Valluzzi
"I understand that I should be eating five to six times a day, but what should I eat?" is a common question I hear from most of my clients. That's why I put together the Busy Woman Fitness menu chart. This chart is designed to take all of the guesswork out of eating. As I've stated before, you should aim to eat a lean protein and a whole-grain carbohydrate with each meal. It is also a good idea to add in a fibrous carbohydrate (vegetable) with some meals too.
Awesome Abs
500 crunches and still no six-pack....Kevin explains why you
can do 1,000 a day and it wouldn't help!
By Kevin Valluzzi
I hear it every time I'm with a client: "What about abs? When are we going to do crunches? I want to get rid of this," and then they point to their stomachs. This mind-set is an absolute result of the misinformation that infomercials have shoved down your throat. Ab-rollers, thigh shapers, etc.--it doesn't matter what you call them, they won't do what they promise to do. All of these devices lead you to believe that by using them over and over again you will burn fat in a specific, targeted area. This is better known as spot reduction. The truth is that this just doesn't happen. If you are 20 pounds overweight--with all of that extra weight covering your abs--you can do crunches until you are blue in the face; it won't get rid of the fat.
Morning Glory...or Grumpy?
By Kevin Valluzzi
Q: Does it make a difference if I work out in the morning or at night?
A: Absolutely not! Some people have suggested that by working out first thing in the morning you will burn off more fat since you are working out on an empty stomach. This is just simply not true. The best time to work out is whatever works best for you. If you are not a morning person and you are really forcing yourself to exercise at sunrise, then chances are you will not stick with it for long. And vice versa. In the past, I've worked out first thing in the morning and I've also worked out at 10:00 p.m. Pick the time of day that works best for you and stick with it--because what will make the biggest difference is consistency.
The Myth of Bulking Up
Don't be afraid to pull out the dumbbells and go toe to toe with the guys in the gym.
By Kevin Valluzzi
Women across the country are lifting weights at their gyms and in their homes. Lifting light weights is better than not lifting weights at all, but you shouldn't be afraid to do what needs to be done in order to really change and redesign your body. Lift heavy weights! And if you are concerned about getting bulky, let me explain why this won't happen.
Gym Workout Versus Home Workout
Working out at home just might be the smartest move you'll ever make.
By Kevin Valluzzi
I was recently talking to a prospective client. She asked me where my gym was. When I told her that I don't have a gym but instead go to the client's home, she asked, "But how do you bring the machines?" "I don't bring machines," I told her. "How can I get a good workout without machines?" was her response. It is very easy!
Your Health and the Way You Shop
Grocery shopping on the perimeter of the store will lead to healthier eating
By Kevin Valluzzi
When I am in the supermarket, I am constantly peeking in the shopping carts of others. And what are most of those carts filled with? Junk food, chips, and sugar-loaded drinks. Believe it or not, where you do your shopping in the store has a huge impact on your waistline. And can you guess where most of the above foods are found? The middle aisles! It's probably something you've never given much thought to, but just think about it for a minute...all the cookies, crackers, and chips are found in the middle of the store. And these are the items that are mostly boxed or prepackaged. These are the foods that have trans-fats, sugar, and additives, and they will do nothing to help your waistline.