Why do we struggle with fitness during the winter?

Let’s face it. When the temperature begins to drop outside, the last thing on your mind is exercise. Unless, of course, you are a hard-core fitness aficionado. Then the cold weather really doesn’t make a difference to you. But why do some of us struggle with maintaining a fitness program during the winter? Here a few thoughts: Mental Attitude: We all have this notion that once the temperature drops, so should our activity. This could not be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, statistically, during the cold months (between November and February) the average person will increase their body weight between 5-7lbs. Most of that weight, unfortunately, is body fat. Get mentally ready for this change. Tell yourself that no matter what YOU will stick to your exercise program. Period. Daylight savings: Shorter days give you the feeling that the day is almost over, therefore, you trick yourself into early retirement from most activities (including exercise). Don’t let the lack of summery sunshine hours be a reason to cancel your workout. Make a workout plan and stick with it. Before you know it, spring will be here and the long days are just around the corner. Fast results: The old saying “Rome was not build in one day” still holds value today, especially when it comes to exercising. Unfortunately, we are a society built on wanting results now and quick fixes. That is why our “New Resolution” promise we make at the beginning of the year will usually last between 4-6 weeks. Not enough time to see any results. On average, to see any physical changes to your body requires a 6 month 3 times a week fitness commitment. No short cuts here. Economics: The holidays have ended and unfortunately you spent more money on gifts than you should have. That leaves your bank account on hiatus for a while. Don’t let that stop you from engaging in an exercise program. There are many body exercises you can perform at home that will give you a workout to kick-start your fitness journey. Visit www.eraldofitness.com or www.jerseyfittv.com for more information on body exercises. That is all for now. Remember “ Take care of your body today and it will take care of you tomorrow”. Your fitness trainer, Eraldo...

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Father’s Day Gifts to Keep Dad Fit and Healthy

Before you run out and get dad the usual tie, socks, aftershave or cologne this Father’s Day, reconsider and get him a gift you know he’ll love that will also encourage a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity is good for dad at any age, so use this Father’s Day as an opportunity to get him motivated and moving. Whether he’s a health and fitness fanatic or he’s only just begun to make healthy lifestyle changes, you can’t go wrong with these Father’s Day gift ideas: Sports Equipment Some brand new sports equipment might be the ideal gift for an athletic dad. Whether he’s into golf, tennis, bowling, cycling, ping pong etc., get him something you know he’ll enjoy using. If he’s into running, hiking or walking, give him a pair of sneakers. I recommend the Nike Air Max Cross Trainers. Now that he’s outfitted to enjoy his favorite sport, spend some quality time with him by joining him in the activity. As a fit father myself, I guarantee he will truly appreciate it. Spa Package Years ago a trip to the spa was thought to be a gift just for mom, but times have changed. Treat your dad to a day of rest and relaxation. Not only will he enjoy it, but it will rejuvenate his body and ease the stress, he’s built up over the years. You may want to consider a gift card for a full body massage or even just a back massage. Maybe dad needs a foot massage, too. Reflexology sessions also help to stimulate circulation, untangle sports-tortured tendons and detox. Heart Rate Monitor If dad is into cardio, I guarantee he’ll appreciate a heart rate monitor. It can be used to follow cardiovascular ups and downs during either recreational or competitive activity. There are a variety of heart rate monitors available that track your progress, evaluate your workout routine, and count calories burned. Basic heart rate monitors are designed to help you stay in your optimal heart rate target zone for your entire workout. Restaurant Gift Card or Gift Basket Is dad a health-conscious foodie? Take him to a new restaurant where healthy options dominate the menu. For a more creative gift, make him a gift basket filled with his favorite healthy foods, such as fresh-baked goods, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and snacks such as nuts or granola bars. You can also purchase a premade gift basket from certain grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and Wegmans. Pre-Paid 12 Session Package with a Personal Trainer If dad is looking to get in shape, but hasn’t made the commitment yet, a great gift to consider is a pre-paid 12 session package with a personal trainer. This will help him to start on the path health and fitness. At Fitness Training by Eraldo, we offer several training packages that might interest dad. No matter the gift you give Dad this Father’s Day, make sure you give him the gift of your time. There is no greater gift than the love of your child. My children are the inspiration for my training path as well as my...

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The Inspiration Behind The Real Fountain of Youth

When you think of yourself aging, how do you imagine yourself? Have you embraced aging or are you having a hard time acknowledging or planning for it? Are you living life to the fullest and feeling the best you’ve ever felt? We all know there’s no such thing as the rumored Fountain of Youth, and we can’t just sit back waiting for doctors and research scientists to find new drugs and therapies to stop the hands of time. After reading my book The Real Fountain of Youth: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Productive Longevity, you will realize that aging doesn’t have to feel dreadful and it is possible to keep living life feeling lively and productive without any medications or therapies. Extended youth – longevity – is available to everyone; however, it doesn’t come easily. In order to feel your best throughout your whole life, you must work for it and keep motivated. It won’t always be easy and at times you may lose focus, but you don’t have to work for it on your own. There are professionals that dedicate their lives to helping others achieve productive longevity, such as personal fitness trainers, nutritionists and chiropractors. USA Today reported that according to recent government statistics, most adults in the USA aren’t meeting the federal physical activity recommendations for both aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activity. About 79% of adults don’t meet the physical activity guidelines that advise getting at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking, or one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging. Plus, the guidelines recommend that adults do muscle-strengthening activities, such as push-ups, sit-ups or exercise using resistance bands or weights. I witnessed how much a lack of physical activity can affect the human body while I was visiting a rehabilitation facility to check up on my friend’s mother after she had knee surgery.  This is also where much of the inspiration to write my book came to me.  As a walked down the hallways, I could not help but notice how many senior citizens were present, and that for some of them, nothing appeared to be physically wrong. While I was waiting for my friend’s mother, I asked one of the nurses about what I had observed. She informed me that many of these people were there because they had either accepted the fact that they were getting old, were unmotivated or had simply neglected themselves. As I thought about what I was told, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for these people. Instead of enjoying their golden years like they should be, they had simply given up because they lacked the motivation to live their lives to the fullest. At that moment, I realized that as a personal fitness trainer, I had an obligation to educate and teach as many people on the enormous benefits of exercise. I could also give them motivation and confidence by showing them that the sad acceptance of aging is not inevitable. That’s when I decided that in addition to training my clients, I was going to...

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Strapped for Time? You Can Still Get Fit

No more excuses, workaholics! It’s time to put the same amount of dedication towards your fitness goals as you put towards your career.  Sure, it’s difficult to make time for a workout when you have to get to work early, stay there late or travel. And there’s only so much time in a day to complete the many other important tasks on your to-do list. But there really is no need to dedicate hours of your time at the gym to get in a good workout. There are ways to integrate fitness into your daily life without drastically altering your schedule. Pack up some fitness equipment and take some time during your lunch break or in between meetings to get in a quick workout. For many exercises that you can do on the go, you won’t even need equipment. As a fitness trainer, I’ve had the opportunity to use many different types of equipment for myself and while training with my clients. I’ve seen some great results with TRX Suspension Training. It’s a wise investment for anyone, no matter what your level of fitness is, and it’s especially beneficial for individuals on the go because it’s easy to transport and store so it can be used just about anywhere. It’s also very effective for those trying to maintain consistency with their workout schedule. I’ve used it in many places, such as my home basement, my gym, hotel rooms, the park, and in the homes and businesses of my clients. I primarily use it for improving my flexibility, range of motion and core strength, and maintaining my overall physicality. I also use it to diversify my routine and add some dynamic to my workout. Sitting at your desk all day has numerous negative effects on your body. As you sit all day, your posture, mobility, flexibility, and joint health are all being affected. By regularly and consistently moving throughout the day, you will eliminate these health effects. Take some time to walk around or even go outside when you get a chance and jog around the block – just be sure to have a pair of sneakers with you! Doing cardiovascular exercises will not only eliminate the health effects mentioned, it can also improve your heart health and help you lose and maintain weight Strengthen your muscles when you’re on the go with these quick exercises. Complete a few sets before you head out the door, when you get home from work or even at the office. Quick Exercises for When You’re Strapped for Time 1. Dips: Put two chairs together a little more than shoulder width apart. Place yourself in an upright position with your hands on the chairs without letting your feet touch the floor. Have your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle. Push yourself back to the upright position. 2. Pull-ups: Invest in a workout bar to do pull-ups. Workout bars are portable and easy to use – just find a door frame to place it on and you’re ready to go. 3. Sit-ups and crunches: You can do sit-ups and crunches right on the floor or use a stability ball. While...

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Get A Great Workout in Less Time

As hard as it may be to believe, spending too much time at the gym is not the answer to a better you. Training is about quality, not quantity. You can actually achieve your goals faster and more efficiently in less time. Generally speaking, the length of a workout session for the average person (not including your warm up or stretching) should vary somewhere between 30 to 40 minutes. Research has found that testosterone and the growth hormone, the hormones responsible for building muscle and burning fat, continue to rise until about the 30-45 minutes mark. After that, cortisol, which is released in response to stress, begins to suppress the immune system, decrease bone formation and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. In other words, it becomes counter productive. Make the most of your training time by focusing on your objectives. Exercise with more intensity, proper technique and progress accordingly. Even professional athletes follow these principles! This is your health we’re talking about, so make every second...

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