Do You Really Want to Drop Body Fat?

The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now. ~ Zig Ziglar


People say all the time that they want to lose weight, be able to play with their kids, get healthier, etc. But if you look at what they do, there's a clear disconnect.

People often claim they have no time for exercise but in the next breath they're discussing in detail what happened on American Idol, Lost and/or The Big Give.

If you're serious about fat loss, you need to start making commitments instead of excuses.

I have a client who claims he wants to drop some weight but he often talks about his wife being a terrific cook and baker. I've suggested he approach his wife by asking for her "help" but he doesn't want to. I know the woman and she'd cut back on the sweets and lighten up the dinners in a heartbeat if she thought he really wanted her to. In all fairness, he doesn't blame her; he accepts responsibility for what and how much he eats. The truth is he doesn't want to cut back on the treats and the seconds.

I had another client a while back who busted her butt in the gym but never lost any weight. Why? Although she worked out 3 times a week, she never did her "homework" (20-30 minutes of activity the other days of the week) and, contrary to her claims, she ate too much. Three hours of tough workouts a week will not make up for 165 sedentary hours and a lousy diet.

You can always find someone or something to blame.

* There are no healthy food places near my work to have lunch.
* My family insists that we have junk food in the house.
* My trainer doesn't work me hard enough.
* My family refuses to eat the healthy dinners I make.
* I don't have time to work out.
* I'm just too tired after work to exercise.
* I don't have time to prepare food.
* My husband/friend/co-worker/mother sabotagues me.
* My co-workers bring donuts to work every day.
* I can't afford a personal trainer.
* Family get-togethers always center around food.

It's up to you. If you're not ready to do what it takes to get what you want, fine. Just stop saying it can't be done because it can. You have to decide to start making lifestyle changes and then follow through. You have to want it more than you want to vegetate on the couch or eat an entire box of Girl Scout cookies.
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Study Shows Exercise is the Fountain of Youth

Everything that gets worse with age gets better with exercise.
The fountain of youth is in your health club.
~Dr. Karl Knopf

According to a recent study of the lifestyles and cells of 2,401 twins published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found a big difference between the cells of regular exercisers and those of their coach potato counterparts.

The cells of the active participants displayed a slowing of the changes associated with the aging process. In fact, their cells looked liked the cells of inactive people who were 10 years their junior.

There are a ton of
benefits from regular physical activity and this is just one more. Most of us want to live healthy and productive lives and maintain our independence as we age. Just a few hours of exercise each week will help you accomplish that.

It's never too late to begin exercising and you're never too old to experience the benefits. Numerous studies have showed people moving from walkers to canes and those who were using canes to walking unassisted. Falls are a major concern for older folks and weight training can make your stronger and improve your balance.

The oldest member of Body & Soul Fitness Studio is 91 years old; she joined when she was 86 and had never lifted a dumbbell in her life. Just the other day she told me again how good she feels and that she can tell a difference when she misses workouts (on those rare occasions).

If you want to improve the quality of your life - at any age - get moving.

To read more about the study:
Exercise Slows Aging Process
Sedentary Lifestyles Mean Aging Faster