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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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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Avoid Putting on Extra Pounds During the Holidays

Once again, the holiday season is upon us. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to spending time with family and friends, relaxation and of course,  the holiday feasts. During the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, which is roughly 6 weeks, I tend to see people increase their body weight anywhere from five to ten pounds, in some cases even more. Here are a few ways to help prevent putting on extra weight during the holidays: Portion Control. It’s difficult to say no to appetizing food when it’s right in front of you, so what you can do is ask for a smaller dish to control your portions. Because you will not be able to put as much food on a smaller plate, the amount of calories you take in will be reduced. Water Intake. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you will be less likely to feel hungry. Studies have shown that the more water an individual consumes during the day, the more he or she will feel a sense of fullness. If your stomach does not signal the need for food, you will most likely eat less during the day. Exercise. The key is to increase your metabolism so that you can burn more calories. Taking a fast paced walk about 30 minutes after eating is a great way to speed up your metabolism. Also, walking up and down a flight of stairs is a good idea; so is chasing your kids, grandchildren and animals! Whatever gets it going! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a joyful holiday season! Don’t let the holidays ruin your fitness!...

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When Should You Begin Planning To Achieve Your Fitness Goals?

With the new year finally upon us, the time is NOW to start planing your fitness goals. Why? Because right now is as good as any time to start. Preparing your mind and body will give you the greatest chance for success in the future. Most people would agree that without an initial written plan for your fitness objectives, you may lose track and fail to accomplish your goals. Here are a few things I recommend you start doing as soon as possible: Write down on a piece of paper what your goal(s) are ( i.e lose weight, gain strength, improve your cardio endurance). This way they are in front of you to look at. Make an appointment with your doctor to schedule a physical if it has been more than 6 months since your last checkup. Get in touch with a local certified personal trainer and schedule a free consultation to discuss in detail what the best courses of action are to achieve your fitness goals. It is important to keep in mind that whatever your goals are you must allow for your body to adapt to changes accordingly. In other words, to build that perfect body it will require time, patience, dedication and a strong committment. So get a pen and paper and start writing your way to a new body! Feel free to call me any time with your questions (732)-618-0849. Best of luck to...

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