Monday 12 May 2014

Carb Up

For all my previous competitions, I've done the whole carb-cutting thing. It works, but then...
Both Alex and I agree that there seems to be a rebound effect that causes not only some pretty major weight gain, but also an imbalance in hormones that leads to all sorts of other crazy side effects.  You also feel like crap and look depleted and stringy. 
I now know that for me, just eating clean and working hard is the way to go. Before my first show ever, I was 10% body fat before I carbed down, and looked far better a week after the show!
So, when a new client who wants to train for the stage voiced her concerns about the diet, I was able to confidently assure her not to worry. 
If you need more proof, just look at how many people have gained all their weight back and then some almost immediately after doing the Atkins' diet... 
Moderation, I hate to say it, is the way to go. 

Sunday 11 May 2014

Mother

Happy Mother's Day! I don't have children, but I do enjoy nurturing my cats and the people I care about. I think we all have a little mother in us. Let's all take care of each other - that is the point of life!

Thursday 8 May 2014

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

In any relationship, there may come a time to end it. As a personal trainer, I have found that people are too squeamish to say they're going to move on, either to another trainer or something else completely. They say 'I want to keep seeing you, I'll call you' or some such variation, and then they don't. Any personal trainer worth their salt will not take it personally (pun-ny!) if a client is simply honest. 
The same applies in other relationships. It may be uncomfortable at the time, but it is much kinder to tell the person you're ending it. That way, you're off the hook and the other person isn't left wondering. In the long run, being honest is just better.

Friday 2 May 2014

Too Much of a Good Thing

There are a couple of women at my gym whom I have noticed working out every day, and for up to three hours. 
This is not only unnecessary, but actually detrimental. Unless you consume carbs and protein during the workout, you go into a catabolic (muscle breakdown) state after an hour or so. It also doesn't work to do the same workout every day - the body is too smart, and it adapts.
If the goal is to burn fat, the best way to do it is to do weights to build some muscle, and at another time, some intense cardio that uses the muscles you've built. 
I can't believe I'm giving this away, but there it is. You're welcome.