Accountability is the Secret to Fitness Success!

With years of experience in the fitness industry and particularly with personal training, I am convinced that the key to optimal fitness results is being accountable.  Whether it’s working with a personal trainer or a workout partner, or answering to a friend or family member in regard to your exercise or nutrition program, accountability is the key to success.  Without it, it’s just too easy to slip back into the unhealthy lifestyles that get us into trouble in the first place.  If you don’t comply with your fitness blueprint, you won’t get results, and if you don’t results, you bail out on your program.  Check out the following study:

In a recent study at Virginia Polytechnic University, researchers divided people starting a walking program into two groups.  Every week, each individual in one group got a phone call asking how their exercise program was coming along; the other group got no calls.  At the end of 24 weeks, 45% of the individuals who got the phone calls were still walking compared to just 2% who did not receive calls.  The results show that weekly accountability increases the likelihood of sticking to your exercise program by 2200%!

Is Resistance Training Important?

This is a really good question given that there has been such heavy emphasis on “aerobic” or cardio training for the last several decades.  It’s not that an active lifestyle and more demanding cardiovascular exercise isn’t important, but if it comes at the expense of proper resistance training, it is a big mistake.  Most exercise guidelines (ACSM, AMA, AHA, CDC, etc…) now recommend twice weekly resistance training for most healthy adults.  In addition, properly performed resistance exercise is the only way to improve all of the following: muscular strength and endurance, bone density, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility.  There is no other form of exercise that can stimulate such a wide range of physical adaptations.  Not all resistance training is created equal, however, so learn proper lifting technique first and then gradually increase your effort as your condition improves.  Seek guidance from a well-qualified personal trainer, if necessary.

What is Your Favorite Post-Workout Meal?

We all know it’s best to have a healthy snack after working out. Studies have shown that eating a small meal of protein and healthy carbs helps increase the benefits of your workout and speeds up the fat loss process. So what’s your favorite post workout meal?  I personally love an EnergyFirst protein shake with almond milk and a scoop of Greenergy.  Trust me it’s great!

What Is Your Favorite Exercise?

I was talking with a training client today and we got into an interesting conversation about his favorite exercise.  It was kind of neat learning about his preferences, likes and dislikes.  So I wanted to open this up a bit and ask you… what’s your favorite exercise and why?