Life Time Fitness : Unanswered Threads - Personal Training

Are you interested in TRX Core Training at Romeoville?

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:55:17 GMT

I personally own 4 TRX Trainers. I would love to get groups of 4 together to start training. Get your own group together and email me at jhall2@lifetimefitness.com or come as an individual and I will put the groups together. I am also doing 1 on 1 training with the TRX. You can purchase one of your own from me with a discount, and I will teach you to use it on your own at the gym or at home.

Take a look at fitnessanywhere.com.

Harder or Easier to Make Time For Exercise During Fall?

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:56:37 GMT

Is it more or less difficult to carve out time to work out in the fall? I tend to be busier during the Autumn months. I make more plans, participate in a lot more activities and am generally just more fast-paced. But I still try to make sure I hit the gym as often as I can.

What about you? Harder or easier to work out in the fall? How do you make time for exercise when your shedule gets hectic?

Are You Pals with your PT?

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:08:43 GMT

Are you pals with your PT? Do you view him/her as more than just a source of workout inspiration (and someone to scream at when your muscles are aching and you are certain you won't be able to lift one more weight!)?

Tell us about your friendship with your PT!

Group Personal Training

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:40:34 GMT

Premier Place Life Time Athletic is now opening a Mon/Wed group PT session. We already have 3 ladies if you want to join let us know!

BENEFITS OF WORKING IN A GROUP:

Group accountability
Similar goals
Discounted training price

Interested?

Call Lauren Lindberg

214-891-5800 ext. 317

When it comes to working out, are you competitive?

webmaster@lifetimefitness.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:24:05 GMT

Do you find that a little competition pushes you to work our harder? Maybe you're competitive with others -- when the person next to you on the treadmill is running faster, do you speed up to try to match or outdo his/her pace? Or perhaps you only battle yourself -- do you attempt to break your own personal records every time you hit the gym? Do these kinds of contests motivate you and enhance your exercises? If so, how? Why? Tell us about it!

Top 4 Cardio Machine Myths

carcori@lifetimefitness.com — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:27:29 GMT

Busting the Top 4 Cardio Machine Myths

Don't Let These Myths Get in the Way of Your Success

Spending a good 60 minutes on the treadmill is a surefire way to make you feel accomplished. After completing the machine's fat-burning workout, you feel great and quite proud of yourself as you stare at the number flashing on the screen: 752 calories burned. "Wow," you think. "That's enough to splurge on a little dessert later."

The old saying goes that what you don't know can't hurt you, but that's wrong when it comes to cardio machines. What you don't know about that treadmill, elliptical, stair stepper or stationary bike may not cause you physical pain, but it may significantly hamper your fitness and weight-loss goals. It's time we set the cardio-machine record straight! Read on as we bust four common cardio machine myths—and help you avoid their lure.

Myth #1: The Fat-Burning Program Helps You Burn More Fat and Lose Weight
I see this happen time and time again at the gym. People hop on their piece of cardio equipment, run through the program options and become seduced by the "fat-burning" program because they're looking to lose weight. I mean, really, who doesn't want to burn fat? But what the program options aren't telling you is that the fat-burning program was designed to keep your heart rate pretty low, as research over the years has shown that when you're working at a lower percentage of your maximum heart rate, you burn a higher percentage of fat as fuel. However—and this is a big however—because you're working at a lower intensity, you're also burning fewer calories. So if you only have 30 minutes to work out, you may only burn 200 calories with a fat-burning program, while if you were following a more intense "interval" workout, for example, you might burn 300. And, as we know, it's all about calories in versus calories outwhen it comes to weight loss. But it doesn't matter where those calories burned are coming from—just that you're burning as many as possible. So don't be fooled by the alluring programs on the cardio machines. Action tip: Add intervals. Interval workouts, whether programs on the machine or created by you, a trainer will always give the most bang for your calorie-burning buck. If you need further proof of why interval workouts are so great, check out this article. To set up your own calorie-burning interval workout, simply increase your intensity to a hard pace for 30 seconds followed by 2 minutes at an easy pace; repeat for up to 30 minutes. Once you’ve mastered that, try 1 minute of a hard intensity, followed by 2 minutes at an easy pace.

Myth #2: The Calories Burned Display on the Machine is Factual
I know how awesome it is to see a big number on the calories-burned screen after a hard workout. But the sad truth is that that number is usually inflated. If you think that you burned enough extra calories this morning to eat that cheeseburger for lunch, think again. Even when you specifically enter your gender, weight and age, your estimate (yep, it's just an estimate) could be off by tens to hundreds of calories. Hundreds! In fact, the majority of cardio machines manufacturers test their equipment on big, muscular guys and not your everyday Joe. Because of this, the estimated calorie burn that is programmed into the machine is based on a large man who burns tons of calories just breathing. If you're a female, this is specifically problematic. So, literally, tread lightly! Action tip: Be cautious about calories burned. On average, most people burn about 100 calories per mile walked or ran. If your cardio machine’s calorie count registers way more than this, then err on the side of calorie caution when planning your meals for the rest of the day. In general, all machines and online calculators offer mere estimates of calories burned, so never take them as fact. A better and more accurate way to estimate your calories burned for any workout is to invest in a good heart rate monitor that estimates calories burned based on your actual workout intensity.

Myth #3: Running or Walking on the Treadmill is as Good as Running Outside
I heart the treadmill. Treadmills allow you to run at a variety of paces and inclines while avoiding any nasty weather. However, if you're preparing for a running race or walking event, you need to know that the treadmill does not challenge you as much as doing the same activity outside. In fact, the motion of the treadmill belt actually slightly helps pull your feet back, thereby allowing you to shorten your running and walking stride and put forth less energy. Less energy means fewer calories burned. In addition, the treadmill is set at a totally flat or slight decline, which also makes your run or walk easier than it is in the great outdoors. Therefore, if you're used to running or walking on the treadmill, you'll be in for a big wake-up call when you head outside and find that you can't run as fast or as long without becoming winded. Action tip: Change your scenery. Once a week, trade your indoor workout for a power walk or jog through your neighborhood or a park. The change of scenery will help give your body and your mind something new to focus on. As your muscles work harder to propel your body (without the help of a moving belt), you'll burn more calories and better gauge your true running or walking speed. If outdoor workouts aren't an option for you, add incline to your treadmill to help offset momentum of that treadmill belt.

Myth #4: You Should Change Your Workout Intensity Based on the Heart Rate Display
The built-in heart rate monitors on cardio equipment sure are handy. After all, they sense your pulse (heart rate) from your fingertips and hands! However, your pulse isn't as strong or accurate when measured from your hands as it is when it's measured closer to your chest. Plus, these displays rely on sporadic data, which is only available when you hold on to the console or handles. This is typically a bad idea, especially if you're running or walking fast or if holding on compromises your form or causes you to lean into your hands—a sure sign that you're not really working as hard (or burning as many calories) as you may think. Action tip: Listen to your heart. Consider investing in a heart rate monitor with a chest strap. These are the most accurate and reliable ways to measure your exercise intensity continuously and safely as you work out—without compromising your form. If a heart rate monitor isn't in your budget yet, use the Rate of Perceived Exertion or the Talk Test to measure your exercise intensity. You'll find details on these methods and more in our Reference Guide to Exercise Intensity. Above all, remember that when it comes to exercise—on the cardio machines or not—everyone is different and no machine can really be accurate for everyone. Some are more accurate than others are, but always listen to your body and continue to track your workouts .!

resource:-- By Jennipher Walters, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor . http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1370retrieved August 4, 2009

do you have to give up chocolate?

carcori@lifetimefitness.com — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:41:18 GMT

Chocolate: A Not-So-Guilty Pleasure

A Love Affair with Good Reason-- By Rebecca Pratt, Staff WriterSparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free! For years, you’ve tried to break it off. You’re certain this relationship is wrong, even sinful. But try as you might, you just can’t end it—your willpower inevitably crumbles, and you always go back for more. We’re talking of course about your love affair with CHOCOLATE— that dark seducer even more likely to attract as you're surrounded by heart-shaped displays. Long thought to be an aphrodisiac, chocolate has been inextricably linked to Cupid and lovers since it was discovered among the ancient Aztecs and carried to the Old World. The New World likes it too: the United States is the top importer of cocoa beans, averaging 559,600 metric tons of cocoa beans or cocoa products each year between 1993 and 1997—almost one-quarter of the world's cocoa! While 75% of chocolate purchases are made by women, the tables are turned during the days and minutes before Valentine's Day. $1 billion worth of chocolate is sold for this holiday—75% of it purchased by men.

But, whether you’re the giver or receiver, just how sinful is chocolate? The Aztecs and their neighbors, the Mayans, believed chocolate transmitted knowledge and power to those who consumed it. While there’s no evidence to support that idea, there is mounting evidence showing some health benefits to eating it in moderation. Studies have found that dark chocolate helps prevent heart disease and cancer, and has also been shown to improve mood by boosting the brain chemical serotonin. Some even consider chocolate an effective diet food, claiming that a chunk of chocolate before meals diminishes your appetite.

Made up of about 300 chemicals—some of which in theory have mood-altering effects – chocolate contains negligible amounts of the stimulant caffeine, as well as theobromine (which stimulates the heart and the nervous system) and phenyethylamine (an amphetamine-like substance said to simulate the feeling of falling in love). A University of Michigan study says chocolate causes the brain to release b-endorphin, a naturally occurring chemical similar to opium, which dulls pain and increases your sense of well-being. Chocolate contains a wide assortment of vitamins and minerals that the body needs, including potassium, sodium, iron, fluorine and vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E. In fact, researchers at Harvard University believe chocolate may help people live longer! A study tracking older men found that those who ate chocolate lived almost a year longer than those who didn't. Researchers believe this has something to do with the fact that chocolate contains flavonoids(compounds that may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer while slowing the aging process) and stearic acid, a heart-friendly fatty acid that doesn’t promote cholesterol increases.

But a University of Pennsylvania study testing so-called chocoholics found that the cravings may not lie in chemistry at all, but the melt-in-your-mouth texture of chocolate. Subjects in the study were found to prefer chocolate bars, even white chocolate bars which didn't actually contain any chocolate at all, over capsules of cocoa powder full of chocolate's active ingredients

The bottom line: Chocolate may be getting a bad rap as a sinful food. On the other hand—as always—moderation may be the key. If you simply must indulge, here are some tips for controlling your chocolate cravings and consumption: Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Studies based on dark chocolate tend to show benefits that milk chocolate does not. Partner your chocolate with nutrient-rich foods, like chocolate covered strawberries, apple slices or bananas. Add a few chocolate chips in your berry-nut trail mix. Try a refreshing glass of chocolate-flavored milk or soymilk. Buy smaller sizes of chocolate bars or hot fudge sundaes, since research shows you tend to eat the entire amount you’re served. Order fruit for dessert, with a small chocolate truffle on the side. Savor, don’t chew, your chocolate. Sit down, take your time, and focus on the taste in your mouth. Enjoy it thoroughly. If you pop it in your mouth while you are driving, watching TV, or talking on the phone, you’re likely to keep reaching for more.

Give in to your chocolate cravings! Every try to stifle a craving by eating something else? You usually just end up eating more and more foods, eventually giving in to your original desire anyway. Save yourself the calories and the torment! A small portion may be all you need for satisfaction.

Resource:

Rebecca Pratt, Staff Writer, Sparkpeople.com. Retrieved July 29, 2009, from http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=375

But What if I Can’t Lose Weight? SPARKPEOPLE.COM ARTICLE

carcori@lifetimefitness.com — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:49:58 GMT

But What if I Can’t Lose Weight? ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TANYA JOLLIFFE

resource:

Tanya Jolliffe http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=but_what_if_i_cant_lose_weight

retrieved, July 28, 2009

We are excited to hear stories about people who choose to make positive lifestyle changes like Birdie Varnedore and lose significant amounts of weight. When we read about people who have accomplished wonderful results for their days, weeks and months of dedication and commitment, we are encouraged to continue in our own quest to reach new health and fitness goals. However, for every wonderful success story like Birdie’s, there are several other people out there that have been equally dedicated and committed to their health that didn’t see the same results. They kept careful track of how many calories they consumed on a daily basis, exercised faithfully and sacrificed a great deal. Unfortunately, instead of seeing the scale move 100 pounds in 10 months, they only saw their scale move a couple of pounds. Some of them heard family members, friends or even their doctor tell them they must be doing something wrong or “cheating” with what they were eating or how much they were exercising. If this sounds like an experience you have had in your healthy living journey, this blog is for you! As a Clinical Dietitian earlier in my nutrition career (Tanya Jolliffe), I worked with patients who were fortunate enough to receive a solid organ transplant of a liver, kidney and/or pancreas due to end-stage organ disease. I say fortunate because many die each year waiting for this limited life-saving resource. While each of the paths that led these patients to their transplant was very different, the road they followed after their transplant was very similar. Immunosuppressive medications, outpatient clinic visits, rejection episodes and various secondary medical issues would be hills and valleys they would all encounter as they traveled the post transplant highway of living. I LOVED my job for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest reasons was that I followed the patients as outpatients after caring for them in the hospital. There was consistency in the nutritional care, intervention and education they received. I worked closely with the medical specialists, surgeons, nurse specialists and pharmacists and the nutritional care of each patient was an integral part of the multi-disciplinary care they received in the hospital and after they went home. This is not always the case when patients move from hospital care to outpatient care and I believe it has changed over the years as things in the hospital setting have changed. However, at that time, it was the most ideal of situations to help provide the best and most cost effective care to these very special patients. Although nutrition was an integral focus of after care, and I had the benefit of seeing each of the patients regularly for the first year after their operations, there are some realities that just can’t be changed even with the most ideal of circumstances. Regardless of how well I educated, how carefully I monitored or how compliant my patients were, the one consistent thing I witnessed in my patients over the five years I worked with them was their battle with their weight after transplant. Prednisone and other immunosuppressive medications caused even those that had never had a weight problem before to deal with a rapid and often uncontrollable episode of weight gain in the first few months post transplant. Add to that, additional medications that became necessary after rejection episodes or to combat other newly developed health complications as well as other issues that limited their ability to exercise consistently and you have a constant and ongoing weight battle. Many patients who previously in their life had been able to cut back on treats and increase their activity for a few weeks to drop a few extra pounds now found even following a strict calorie controlled diet and balancing their intake closely with their activity did little to slow the rate of weight gain or to bring about the loss of the 20 plus pounds they gained after transplant. Patient frustration and tears would meet me when I entered their room in the hospital after a re-admission or as they came to my office at the clinic. My love of nutrition education and working to help people find what might work for them came from working with these dear people and their families. Little did I know back then that a few years later I would join these people in their weight control frustrations. While I didn’t have a transplant, I did have a portion of my thyroid removed back in the spring of 2002, which changed many things for me. I learned, as many of my patients did, that eating at the right level, and exercising intensely and faithfully doesn’t always allow you to return to your “normal” weight. The weight you were before your medical condition changed. I have been active since about the age of 10, when I started playing softball. I was a three-sport participant throughout junior high and high school and attended college on a volleyball scholarship, which allowed me to remain very active well into my 20s. Throughout my 20s, I maintained a pretty set weight and was always able to lose the vacation or holiday pounds by watching my intake and increasing my activity for a few weeks. I had healthy pregnancies and returned to my pre-pregnancy weight within six months after delivery of both children. Of course I wasn’t happy or content with my body at the time like many women, but I was healthy and able to maintain my weight fairly easily. Last week I was talking with a long time friend who also has thyroid disease. While she has not had any of her gland removed, she does have hypothyroidism and taking Synthroid for more than five years and battling with the ever creeping weight gain. She is in her mid 40s just like me and was sharing her frustration at not being able to lose weight when she works so hard. My friend shared that she has been running three miles a day five to six days a week in addition to yard work and other family related activities. Additionally, she has been doing concentrated strength training three days a week. After six weeks of focused exercise and controlling her calorie intake, she has lost only one pound. She told me with definite conviction that “everything they say about balancing intake with exercise is just not true, at least not for me.” Our children are the same age and she has always been active, lost all her baby weight after children and able to maintain her weight. We have worked out at the same gym since having our first children and meeting a few years later. My friend and I are not alone. There are many others like us out there that are working really hard, watching what they eat, exercising faithfully and seeing little results on the scale. So now what? Check out the Weight Busters: Finding Strategies to keep Moving When the Scale Will Not article to find out what next steps you can take. We will look at positive ways to move forward regardless of our life stage.

Many people feel they are the only ones doing what they should with diet and exercise but are seeing very small results. If you are one of us, it would be encouraging for you to post and let us know you are in our “club”. What shall we call our club?