Expert Darien Personal Trainer Explains the #1 Reason that people "can't" lose weight...

Since I was in middle school, I've been in and out of many different fitness clubs, and I've definitely seen it all.  Unfortunately, the most common occurrence that I've come across is that many people do the same exact workouts week after week after week.  Then, they eventually become discouraged when the don't see or feel any changes even though they've been consistent and dedicated to their workouts.  Sound familiar???

Eventually, many have asked me for help and I always start my explanation with a great quote from Albert Einstein who said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." 

This is the most important thing to remember when you're planning your workouts(because you are PLANNING your workouts right?).  The most basic principles of fitness and the human body state that you will adapt to whatever new stress you place upon your body.  In this case the stress is your workout.  When you lift weight's you "stress" your muscular and skeletal systems.  Then, your body adapts and builds stronger muscles and stronger bones to be better prepared for the next time that you have to lift a heavy object.  The same goes for cardio...  When you do cardio you "stress" your heart, your respiratory system, and your circulatory system.  Then, your body adapts and you have a stronger healthier heart as well as a greater ability to perform that same bout of cardio the next time.

So, if you're doing the same thing every time that you workout, then what does your body have to adapt to?  It doesn't have anything to adapt to so it doesn't.  This is why progress often stops, and this is the number one reason that most people end up discouraged and learn to accept the fact that they "can't" lose weight.  You must understand that your body likes to maintain a state of homeostasis.  To break out of this you must consistently provide something new to adapt to.  How to do you do this???

It's simple, just make your workout slightly harder or at the very least slightly different every time.  Here are a few variables to work with...

Cardio- run, bike, swim, elliptical, etc... Change your speed, duration, or incline/resistance.  Try to do intervals instead of steady state cardio or vise versa.

Resistance Training- Change the exercises you perform, the repetitions in each set, the number of sets in each exercise, or the total number of exercises.  If you normally work you're whole body, try to work just lower body one day and just upper body the next day or vise versa.

Changing your body can be much more complicated than this, but this is one huge step in the right direction!

If you want more ideas or guidance feel free to contact me or post questions, if you want to work with me directly or another great expert in the field than click below

Darien Personal Trainers    New Canaan Personal Trainers

Short on time? Here's a great short workout that will get the job done fast!!!

1 circuit...  5 exercises...  5 rounds

Perform 1 set of all 5 exercises with <30seconds rest in between.  After you run through the circuit once, then you can rest for 60 seconds before you start round 2(same between round 2 and 3, 3 and 4, etc...) 

Reverse lunge--- 12 reps each side (alternating legs) add weight appropriately
Push-ups--- 15 reps (if you can't do a full push-up modify it, if it's easy do clapping push-ups)
Physio ball leg curl--- 12 reps (if it's easy with both legs, try it with 1 leg)
Pull-up OR Inverted row--- 15 reps
Plank--- 60 seconds

     If you keep your timing strict, this workout will take less than 30 minutes.  It will hit every major muscle group in your body, and you will gain a cardiovascualar benefit from it that will keep your metabolism on overdrive for 12-36 hours after you finish!!!

Unfortunately, I can't coach form or show you the exercises through the computer... so until video clips are up feel free to contact me for more tips.

High Fructose Syrup soon to be called "Corn Sugar"

     Apparently, the Corn Refiners Association has caught on to the fact... that we have caught on to the fact... that high fructose corn syrup is like poison. 

     They're proposing a name change, so that high fructose corn syrup would be read "corn sugar" in ingredient lists on your food products.  This is a marketing strategy that's used to trick consumers who are making an effort to choose the right foods.  How bad is that huh? 

Welcome to the world of trickery from the food industry.  It's for these same principles, that low sugar/low fat foods aren't always a better choice(but that's another topic).

     If you don't know... high fructose corn syrup is found in many soft drinks, packages foods, candies, cakes, cookies, and even a lot of ketchups among other things.  It has been linked directly to metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides, hypertension, fatty liver disease, excess uric acid levels(associated with gout), and has even been linked to faster aging.  The use of high fructose syrup has increased in the US over the last few decades, and the rate of obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance have all increased right along side it.  This is NO coincidence! 

     So, read your labels, and keep up with this story to see what alias you need to look for in your labels!!!

Check this article out HERE