This past weekend I went to Red Bank, New Jersey to connect with fitness professional.  What I got was an extraordinary day!  There was a small group of 9 and we connected.  We all had similar problems and rewards with our own little differences that made each situation unique.  This reinforced the feeling that we are not alone and we are not the only ones going through life.  Some of us may feel that we are alone and no one know what we are going through but that's wrong for the most part.  That is what we feel when we feel sorry for our self.

So when you are feeling sorry for yourself for what ever reason.  It could be because you sustained an injury, you can't seem to lose weight or you don't feel young and vibrant anymore.  Remember that others have gone through similar situations and you can do something about how you feel.  Talk to someone and get a positive perspective on life.

Create your perspective on life and choose an attitude that will help you create an extraordinary day!


This blog was inspired by my friend Rick Ivone.

Get Active,

Dave

A few of my friends are sending me emails of their workouts and their nutrition log.  As some of you read this you're thinking, no way I would not send him what I eat.  I would fail.  If he saw what I ate it would make him sick.  I'm not grading the nutrition logs and I'm not giving them advice unless they ask for it.  So why are they sending me what they eat?  Simple,  by writing down what they eat they are more conscious of what they eat and by sending it to me they feel the need to tell me how they feel about what they eat.  In their own time, my friends will ask for my help and I will be happy to give my opinion.  By recording what they eat they see what's going on and by sending it to me they have accountability.  As they go through this exercise they can decide on the changes they need and/or want to make for a healthier lifestyle.  Please understand this is not a pass fail exercise but it is a tool for anyone to use. 

Record + Send = Success

Get Active,

Dave

This past holiday weekend I spent my days going to the soccer field to watch my son play in his first tournament.  In my younger days I remember many good times competing with other athletes and I was so excited for him to make his own memories.  Win or lose I wanted it to be an enjoyable experience for him.  As I watched I realize some kids were more comfortable than others and some were more aggressive than others.  That reminded me of how people have described coming to see me for the first time.  Words that would surface are:

*Nervous
*Excited
*Anxious
*Uncomfortable

Along with these words I would describe some clients to be timid, shy, reserved and/or cautious.  And my son and some of his teammates looked just like some people embarking in a new active lifestyle.  I realize that the first thing to do with anyone who may feel this way is to make the environment as comfortable as possible for them and to be aware of how they may be feeling.  Once a person feels more at ease they can better focus on the task or goal at hand.  And the more time spent doing an activity the more experience they have to get over the uncertainty.  It may be a competitive venue or a life change but one thing is for certain....  They are going into battle and encouragement and experience is the best way to help them.

Get Active,

Dave

Most of us have children and as they grow, we make honest efforts to teach them and give them tools to be successful in the world.  So when they leave the nest they are more than capable to concur the world.  Some may say we want our children to survive this cruel world.  Parents instill honesty, integrity, hard work, intelligence, faith in their children.  But as they grow we forget something our parents did with us.  They told us to go play outside.  Simple, right?  By telling us to go play outside it forced us to be active.  Today the obesity epidemic is increasingly growing by leaps and bounds.  We as parents do not need to look else where for the answer.  We need to look ourselves and get active.  Be an example and tell our children to GO PLAY OUTSIDE and go play with them.


Get Active,

Dave

This past Saturday I taught a boot camp class in Annapolis for CharmCityRun.  It was a great time full of energy and fun but it was almost a disaster.  The night before it rained with thunder and lighting filling the sky.  The noise was so loud that it woke me up at 4:00am.  And if you are familiar with our boot camp classes at Active Body and Health then you will know we spend most of our time exercising outside.  I was worried at first about the weather but then I thought it through and came up with a game plan to conduct the class inside.  Fortunately the rain, thunder and lightning stopped and all was good.......or not.

When I arrived at CharmCityRun I received some text messages asking me if the class was still on.  I replied "yes, we are on".  Then I realize that the weather could be an excuse to skip a workout.  My excitement then became disappointment and I tried to put up a front even if I didn't think boot camp was going to happen. 

A few of us were waiting to see who all would show up then one person would show, then two, three and so on....  These people wanted to workout and wanted to hit it hard.  Even if it would have rained, sleet or snowed out I think they would have showed up.  Some may have showed up to see how I would have taught the class.  No worries folk, I would have given it my all and then some.  So I tip my hat to you all who didn't care about the weather and still wanted to get a kick @$$ workout.

Get Active,

Dave

The fam and I went to the beach and stayed with our friends, Frank and Sherri.  It was a fantastic time with fun and good conversations.  One conversation we had was about how people live their lives by accident.  Oblivious to what is happening and waiting for something to happen.  That includes their health and fitness.   

Quality of life starts with you.  Many of us tend to say why me when we can do something about whatever life gives us.  We should start with our attitudes.  Change our attitude by making ourselves more active.  "I hate to exercise" is an excuse to be lazy!

Here is another tool to get you motivated and stop "Living by accident"!  I recommend the book "Younger Next Year" by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge M.D.

The other day I was having a discussion with other fitness professionals about the information that's out there from Men's Health to Muscle and Fitness Magazine etc...  The general consensus was that there is a lot of misleading information that consumers eat up.  And because consumers react that way, I think we as fitness professionals should stop bitching and start publishing material that is true.

I feel it's time to stop making excuses and start writing the correct information for consumers.  And as consumers, we should question everything we read and see.  Many times we take information and accept it because we are so desperate to lose weight or get into shape.  Is that what you do when you are looking for a car for yourself or your family, NO!  So why do that with your body and your health?

As consumers we deserve to find correct information concerning our health and as a fitness professional it is our duty to provide reliable and valid information to you for you.

The next time you read or see anything health and fitness related, look up the topic and check out the research.  Also look up the author and check out his or her qualifications.  And if the top has been researched find out who was funding the research.

Have a great weekend and we'll talk next week.

Get Active,

Dave

Many of us have been in that BLAH mood.  That's the unmotivated mood where you do not want to do anything especially exercise.  I'm in that mood now.  I know I need to get off of my duff and move but I just do not want to.  Hey I'm human too and I get into a rut every once in a while. 

I go through all of the reasons to workout but I just cant' get myself to do it.  I'm stuck in the BLAH mood.  I know I'll feel sooooo much better when I'm finished my workout.  Maybe I'll feel like working out tomorrow.  No no I can't justify not exercising.  If I do that then I will continue to make excuses for myself and the next things I know I will not have worked out for weeks, months and then years.  It's easy to fall into that rut.  So what to do what to do?

So how do I expect you to "Get Active" when I can't motivate myself to workout.  It's time to call on a workout partner.  I just called my buddy Craig and we just set a time and place to start working out together again.  We are starting this evening.  We enjoy working out together and we push each other. 

When you get into the Blah mood and you cannot get yourself out then call on a friend to help you get back into the swing and "GET Active"!

Dave