Stepping on the Scale : How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?

As a certified personal trainer, I am always asked many different questions pertaining to fitness and health. One question I am frequently asked is, “Should I weigh myself on the scale every morning?” My answer is no, because you will only be disappointed the majority of the times you step on the scale. As we continue with our new year resolutions, it is important to keep in mind that even small changes happen over time. Because we usually have high expectations for the results, we tend to get discouraged when we see very little progress at first. By doing this, we’re only bringing down our self esteem. My recommendation would be to put the scale away at least for a month. If you follow a sensible diet and exercise regularly you should see a noticeable change in about a month. By simply eliminating 500 calories a day for 7 days your total fat loss for the week is 1 lb, which is 3,500 calories. Try not to fixate on figuring out how much weight you are loosing every day.  You will be more satisfied with your results if you weigh yourself once a month, rather than every...

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Why We Make Fitness New Year’s Resolutions

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. It almost feels like we’re on a treadmill just trying to keep up with time! We make resolutions for the new year and by the time we know it, the year has passed and we may have only committed to just a few of them. One of the most popular resolutions is to start exercising to get in shape. Why is this such a common resolution? A new year means a new you. People are always looking for some type of spiritual re-birth when the new calendar year begins. In other words, it is more mental than physical. Feeling guilty. Human nature can be difficult to handle at times, and too much of anything is never a good thing. Moderation is the key. If we learn to control our urges, we might not feel so guilty. The influence of society. Americans seem to have an obsession with weight and physical appearance. Everywhere you look, whether it’s on TV, the internet or in magazines, health issues are always at the trending. You just cannot avoid it. Family pressure. Believe it or not, family plays a big part in this scenario. We look to them for comfort and direction. Sometimes they encourage us to do the right thing, sometimes they don’t. Always trust yourself. New year resolutions are pointless if you don’t follow through with them, so try to stay committed. A person who makes health and fitness a priority everyday shouldn’t have to wait until the end of the year to change their lifestyle. Make it a part of your life each and every day of the...

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How Important is Sleep to Your Body?

I must confess that sleeping is one of my favorite things to do.  However, it was not always this way for me. When I was younger, I found it quite difficult to catch those Zs, as I thought it was a waste of time. But when I turned 18, everything changed. I began training with weights six days a week, played all kinds of sports, had a full-time job and went to school. It was because of my busy lifestyle that I found a new appreciation for my bed. Sleep is perhaps best described as the loss of awareness of what is going on around us. Public awareness of fitness and nutrition has grown over the last few years but sadly, little is known about the very important subject of sleep deprivation. Studies show that those who suffer from sleep deprivation have a reduced ability to handle stress, poor concentration and memory, slower reflexes, difficulty accomplishing tasks and diminished enjoyment of relationships. Though many people think that the human body will be okay with just three to four hours of sleep, the fact is that while sleep requirements are greatly individualized, the majority of people require seven or eight hours to function optimally. Getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night is a proven way to improve workout performance and radically improve your physique development efforts. Another very important fact about sleep is that it repairs your muscles, which guarantees a better and stronger physique. So the next time you are thinking about neglecting sleep, think again. Your body and mind will be glad that you did.  ...

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Eraldo Maglara Announces Launch of Jersey Fit Website

The Jersey Fit Team is pumped to announce that the Jersey Fit website is officially up and running!  The website serves as a resource to find everything you need to stay fit in New Jersey. It will also feature informative health and fitness videos with fitness trainer Eraldo Maglara, as well as instructional workout videos with the Jersey Fit Team.Discover the latest trends in the fitness industry and where to find health conscious activities, goods, vitamins, equipment and workout apparel in New Jersey. Visit the Jersey Fit website at http://www.jerseyfittv.com. We are currently looking for sponsorship to produce the Jersey Fit television show with NJ Discover Production Company. The show will feature the Jersey Fit Team instructing viewers on how to exercise and care for the body the right way. By using a combination of several types of exercises, along with heart-pumping music, the Jersey Fit Team will guide viewers along the best path to fitness. The show will also feature fitness, nutritional, medical and holistic experts as special guests. If your business would like to participate in sponsorship for the show, please contact Jersey Fit Sponsorship Coordinator Danielle Thibault at danielle@inbloomcomm.com....

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When Being Health Conscious, Let’s Not Forget to Build Muscle

It seems that every time we generally talk about health, the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is weight loss, which I have no issues about. After all, with so much influence from television, magazine articles and the internet,  how can anyone be expected to think otherwise? Case closed, right? Not so fast. Here is something else we should all start thinking more about: building muscle. That’s right… BUILDING MUSCLE! Let me list a few facts to keep in mind when you start working on your muscles: 1. Muscles burn more energy than fat. If you are fat with no muscle, your body will burn fewer calories, especially when you are inactive. The good news is that muscles burn more calories than fat, even when you are resting. A little effort to build some muscle pays off, many times over, with the benefits of fat burning. 2. If your body is covered with a healthy layer of muscle, it will be strong enough to support your skeleton. You will probably have fewer injuries related to falls. If you do injure yourself, you will be more likely to recover faster with fewer complications. Your body will be strong enough to compensate temporarily for your injuries. 3. In order to build muscle, you need to exercise. Exercising has numerous benefits for your health and well-being. You get to build muscle while you benefit from the increased oxygen supply, the increased blood supply and the mood enhancing benefits of exercise. The above are just a few of the many benefits of including a muscle-building program to your schedule. The evidence is overwhelming. Just remember to check with your doctor first and then hire a certified personal trainer to show you the proper way. You will not regret it. So the next time you hear someone bring up the topic of health make sure you tell them about importance of building muscle and you will definitely stand out in the crowd!...

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