Fitness for Who?

There are thousands of articles, programs on T.V. talk shows, and infomercials. Usually the author or speaker comes with high credentials. So why are they different and how come they don’t always work for me?

There is a simple answer. It is that there is no “one size fits all.” The key is to find out what works for you. Personality traits, background, work load, schedule, stress levels, heath issues, medications, workout goals and intensity, psychological perceptions and issues are just some of the factors that come into play when developing a program for you.

This may sound difficult, but it is not, if you take the time to let it develop. When we force things, we try to put everything together and make it fit. It is uncomfortable and we can put up with it for a while. Then suddenly it is like putting too many springs in a jar and it explodes everywhere. It is a process and you need to be patient with it. Do you become a professional or an expert overnight? No. It takes time. So here are a few tips to help you become a professional with yourself.

You always want to ask, who the speaker is talking too? Who is his or her intended audience and what are their goals? Ask the five essay questions; who, what, when, where, and why? These simple questions will usually tell you if you should even continue listening or reading.

First you need to know you. What do you want? Are you active? What are your goals and what type of exercise does your program consist of? The most common mistake that I see is that a program is not consistent with the goal or desired outcome. Imagine going to law school to become a doctor or going to basketball practice to be better at golf. It sounds silly but really I see it day in and day out.

From here you can start developing your program. I never put a client with a trainer without first finding out about the client. The initial consultation with me is the most important beginning. There are a lot of good trainers but that does not mean that they will all work for you. Same with your program. How many times have you tried working out with a friend and then you both quit. One is more motivated or your goals and desired differ. If you like swimming and your friend likes running, your chances for success are greatly compromised.

Usually being active is the first step. Do what you enjoy. If you do not enjoy physical activity, get a trainer. Just about every professional athlete uses a trainer and most professionals in the work force have colleges, mentors or advisors. I am sure that I am capable of doing my own taxes. I don’t have an interest and I use my time doing other things so I have a C.P.A.

Last, be very weary of anyone who promises you great success with little effort. Health, fitness, and wellbeing are like anything in life. There is no get rich quick plans, no 1 year college degree, and lose weight fast plan. On a healthy level you can lose 2 pounds a week. Can you lose faster? Yes. We are all aware of the weight loss in the biggest loser. And you can lose 16 pounds or so by swimming the English Channel. You can take steroids to gain muscle faster, you can get rich quick by winning the lottery and others are very successful without a college degree.

It is always best to learn from a teacher and not a salesman.

Justin List
JayTay’s Fitness(for a better life)
justinlist1@gmail.com
520-461-7283

The Holiday's Approach

Good day everyone. The holidays are approaching and so is the eating. Don't wait until the new year to get started as most of the progress we are looking to gain in the new year is actually the regress we put upon us in these next two months. If you eat smart and do some physical activity, you will be starting with what you have now instead of two months of recklessness.

The first 5 comments to this post will get a $100 gift certificate to better bodies.

In good health,

Justin List

Jessica less 100 pounds

Before and after with Jessica. Congratulations on the Better Body. Exercise, Diet, and cardio.

Holiday Season Approaches

Good morning. The holidays are coming and that means so is the food, stress, and time constraints due to house guests etc. Don't let the holidays bulge.

Last year we did a very good job of not gaining 10lbs just to spend the new year getting rid of it. Let's not gain, and then still lose ten for the new year. Only this year we will be losing a new ten pounds instead of the same ten pounds.

I challenge you to remember last years resolution and see where we are today. Are we setting ourselves up for the same resolution this coming year? I would like to hear your thoughts.

Anyone that writes a response that gets posted on my blog will get one free session. (Must have current sessions to be eligible or can use towards a package). Let's get fit Tucson.

Justin List
Better Bodies Campbell
justin@betterbodiestucson.com
461-7283

Stephanie Flagg

After talking with my awesome trainer last week he commented that I should do a before & after/testimonial of sorts for the gym... So Steve & Justin... this is for you, but also for me because seeing the actual changes really reinforces the amazing progress I've made.

My back story is similar to so many - I have struggled with my weight since my teenage years, and have lost and gained so many times I've lost track. My closet had sizes ranging from 12-18. I got exceptionally frustrated with myself and declared the battle cry of the weary and desperate: That Was Enough! That was about 3 years ago. In the time between 2006 & mid-2007 I grappled with my eating, depression and health issues.

Then I met the amazing man that would become my husband. He saw me for what I was, not my weight, and loved me no matter what. The only problem was that I didn't feel like the beautiful woman he saw me as. After the first few months of us living together, eating out frequently, and me trying to keep pace with his ice cream habit, my weight crept up to 203. When my engagement ring was too small fit on my finger, that's when I knew it was time to get back to work focusing on getting my weight under control.

So here we are now in April of 2009... and I happened across a photo from a year ago and was floored by the changes.



Here I am with my soon-to-be hubby at our friends wedding from last year. I was thrilled because the dress I was wearing was starting to get loose, and I was around 185. I was getting very consistent with exercising and eating better, but knew there was something I was missing...

I kept up the exercise and kept with eating well, because I had the motivation to look good in my wedding dress which kept me going as much as possible... and while I didn't quite hit my goal, I did pretty well.



After I got back from my awesome honeymoon, I decided to take a step back and evaluate where I was in my life and where I was going. My eating was under control, I was doing cardio consistently, but there still seemed like there was something missing.

Enter Better Bodies! Whoo hoo! I knew the value of strength training but had a really bad experience with personal training and was gun shy to say the least. After doing some of my own research, and seeing/hearing other people's great experiences, I decided to give it a go again.

Here I am, 6 months later, down about 15 more pounds, and all I can say is WOW!



I knew the physical benefits, but seeing the changes in my body have been wonderful. Even better, working with the awesome Steve has given my confidence a boost like I never imagined.

I walked through the door for my first session having made the decision to just do the workout - no whining about it, no complaining, just doing the work I needed to. Now, this wasn't about pushing myself past pain or into an injury. This was about pushing myself past my own limiting beliefs.

There were many sessions that I went in thinking that I wouldn't be able to make it all the way through, or be able to lift anything beyond 5 pounds. Those were the sessions that I broke personal records, that I was pushed past what I ever thought I would be able to do in a year, let alone a few short months.

That is the sign of a phenomenal coach - one who has more faith in you than you have in yourself, and knows your true potential and doesn't let you get away with anything less. Just when I think I can't go any further, I hear "two more" and some how I make it happen.

Michael and Margo Summer 09

Our summer vacation will be climbing the pyramids near Luxor in August.
We should probably start hydrating now!!!

There is no alcohol in Saudi Arabia, and actually, the Arabs do not eat many sweets.
Their sweets taste different than ours, and I do not favor them.
They do not have ice cream like we are used to, which is my weakness.
The move to Riyadh alone should benefit my health, which is part of the reason I accepted the position.

Other activities include golfing in the compound, and dodging bullets outside of the compound.
Also, high stress makes me eat less, so I think I am well positioned to loose weight and get fit this summer.

In October, we'll brave the rains in Indian to visit Kerala, the fertility goddess, and then make the long trek to the Taj Mahal.
Then we'll burn a few more calories in the mountainous forests near Kerala, in our constant attempt to make a baby ... don't tell Margo I said that!

Hopefully we'll end the year more fit than we began it.

I want this to be my goal for life.

Thanks to you and Steve for putting right in my face ... in a good way ...
in the only way I have ever been able to recognize it!

Regards,

-mg

Summer 09

My new series is labeled, summer 09. You will find what other clients and trainers are doing this summer to live their goal and not just wish for it. For related articles, click on the "summer 09" Label.

Send me your stories, pictures, or video about how you are living the goal and I will post them on the blog.

Justin List
Owner Better Bodies Campbell
318-3488