Category: Industry Myths

When we think about "vegetarians", we assume they are healthy. Just because vegetarians eliminate great sources of protein, fat and everything that tastes amazing, does not mean they are lean, fit and healthy. In fact, many vegetarian dishes are loaded with flavor boosters such as mayonnaise, cheese, dressings, etc. All of these extras are typically processed, causing your calorie count to soar.

If you are considering or already are a vegetarian, please be leery of most vegetarian items on a menu at your favorite restaurant.

Until next time........

Category: Industry Myths

Although a salad is packed with healthy vitamins and minerals, they are often over eaten and loaded with fatty topings. Extra toppings may include, but are not limited too, croutons, cheese, processed meats and salad dressings. With these added toppings, you may as well eat a cheeseburger. Most salads purchased at your favorite fast food restaurant or dine-in-restaurant are higher in calories than that cheeseburger.

If weightloss is your goal and you insist on being a rabbit, try some of the following helpful tips when eating that salad:

1) Dressing on the side.
2) Dip the tip of your fork in the dressing, then fork your salad.
3) If you need something crunchy on your salad, try adding walnuts, almonds, etc.
4) Make your own croutons out of whole grain/whole wheat bread. Most store botton croutons contain a ton of sodium, msg.
5) Add fruit to your salad. This is a great way to flavor your salad and you get the bonus of a serving of fruit.
6) Try to choose an olive oil based dressing or vinegerette. Not only can you create your own dressing, but you also get a healthy serving of good fat.
7) Add grilled chicken, fish or lean steak that you prepared to your salad. Not only is this high in protein and tastey, but you avoid processed meats!

Until next time........

Category: Industry Myths

As trainers, we shake our heads at things we see and hear. One of the most common mistakes many individuals make in regards to fat/weight loss is CARDIO.

Though it is true that cardiovascular activity has many healthy benefits, cardio is not the answer to a fast and effective weight loss program.

The answer lies in the individuals amount of lean muscle mass. That's because muscle burns more calories that fat in a process called protein metabolism. Simply put, the more muscle we have, the more calories we burn throughout our day.

Weight lifting and specifically interval training 3-4 days per week is critical for any weight/fat loss program. Keep the cardio (HIIT Training - see prevous blog posts to discover this) going, but change your focus. The combination of both will help you burn the fat and calories you desire in a healthy and balance way.

Category: Industry Myths


I'm making the assumption that everybody has either watched, read or heard of NBC's reality T.V. show "The Biggest Loser". The show utilizes extreme training methods from celebrity trainers such as Kim Lyons, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.

Now in the hit shows fourth season, it's helped motivate dozens of contestants and thousands of in-home viewers to lose weight. Last seasons winner dropped over two hundred pounds over the course of 6 months. This dramatic weight loss is almost unheard of in this given amount of time.

I take my hat off to those who achieved so much with so little time. But by now, for those of you reading this probably know me well enough to assume I've got another opinion about this show.

In the last three years I've heard more and more people talk(complain) about not losing weight fast enough. They think "if the contestants on the Biggest Loser can do it, then why can't they?"

Think about how many years an obese person suffered mentally with their weight loss battle. How many times did they start an exercise program, diet and then fail. Clearly the answer to losing the weight and keeping the weight off lies in a psychological paradigm shift.

For example, the start of this years season of The Biggest Loser brought back the familiar faces of last years contestants. Many of these contestants shown only 6 months after last years grand finale, came back 25-50 pounds heavier.

I think that the reality to instant weight loss is: it doesn't work! Focus on one day at a time, doing all the little things that help you get closer to your desired end result.

Instant gratification gets you no where!

Stay tuned and informed until next time when we discuss "how to burn body fat and keep it off!"