Kirstie Alley was on Oprah recently discussing how she fell off the wagon and regained the weight she had lost. I won't go into all the details here but I want to address a couple of aspects of Kirstie's desired comeback.
The former Cheers star admitted that one of the main reasons for her backslide was that the Jenny Craig folks stopped coming to weigh her every week when she stopped being their spokesperson. She wasn't blaming them; she was simply explaining that she lost her forced accountability.
If you really want to drop some excess baggage and know that you have a hard time doing it on your own, make yourself accountable to someone else.
Join a group or transformation contest, locally or online. (There's a new Turbulence Training Transformation Contest starting today today. There are cash prizes and social support. You can check it out here ==> TT Transformation Contest.).
You can also have a friend or relative weigh you every week, just make sure it's not someone who will make excuses for you. Sign up for a bootcamp class or personal training. (If you're in Lancaster, you can contact me about either.)
Once you've met your goal, if you're concerned about falling off the wagon, continue to be accountable to someone for a certain period of time. Then, if you've maintained your weight loss, you can go it on your own or cut back to every other week or monthly weigh-ins with your accountability partner.
Besides the fact that she let her nutrition slide and stopped weighing in, Kirstie had all of her exercise equipment moved into the garage for storage. It was bad enough that her equipment looked like a machine circuit with lots of isolation exercises and no adjustable resistance but she wasn't even using what she had.
Listen, folks, as far as exercise and weight loss goes, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that you don't need to spend hours exercising. The "bad" news is that you have to exert yourself for best results.
Sweating is good. Breathing hard is good. Challenging yourself is good- mentally and physically.
So many people sell themselves short as far as what they're capable of doing. The Biggest Loser is a perfect example. I am absolutely not advocating those types of workouts but every season contestants talk about how they never believed they were capable of the things they end up doing on the show. Like the old Phillies tag line said, "You Gotta Believe!"
Here's the bottom line for Kirstie or anyone else looking to dump fat...
Concentrate of eating more whole, natural foods and less processed crap. Get moving about 30 minutes a day; break it up if you have to. Complete 2-3 total body strength training workouts per week on non-consecutive days and focus on compound movements (Squats, Lunges, Pulldowns, Pushups, Presses, Rows, etc.) Forget traditional cardio and incorporate cardio intervals and/or bodyweight circuits into your routine.
Kirstie, if you're serious about the strength training, call me. You'll get much better results in less time if you get your butt off those machines and work out the way I just described.
Showing posts with label Oprah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oprah. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Quick, Delicious Recipes From Celebrity Chefs
Are you one of those people who thinks eating right means spending a lot of money?
Do you know you should eat better but rely on fast food or take-out because you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen?
Recently, Oprah had celebrity chefs on her program. Cat Cora, Curtis Stone and Tyler Florence meet with families to show them how to prepare delicious, healthy, low-cost meals that don't take long to prepare.
Here's a link to 7 days worth of meals from each of those chefs ==> Celebrity Recipes
Do you know you should eat better but rely on fast food or take-out because you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen?
Recently, Oprah had celebrity chefs on her program. Cat Cora, Curtis Stone and Tyler Florence meet with families to show them how to prepare delicious, healthy, low-cost meals that don't take long to prepare.
Here's a link to 7 days worth of meals from each of those chefs ==> Celebrity Recipes
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Free Hormone Report
I think most of us would agree that life is all about balance.
And that includes hormones.
It's an important but often neglected topic. If you are an Oprah fan, she's recently done shows about it and plans to do more. Millions of women are suffering unnecessarily.
Today I'm offering you a free excerpt from hormone expert Dr. Holly Lucille's "Creating and Maintaining Balance" book.
Holly's idea of balance goes beyond day-planners and schedules. She talks about "internal" balance: balance between your natural hormones which helps create energy, lower bodyfat, and improve sex drive.
You can pick up your free 26 pages of Dr. Lucille's book here ==> Creating and Maintaining Balance excerpt
Let me know what you think.
And that includes hormones.
It's an important but often neglected topic. If you are an Oprah fan, she's recently done shows about it and plans to do more. Millions of women are suffering unnecessarily.
Today I'm offering you a free excerpt from hormone expert Dr. Holly Lucille's "Creating and Maintaining Balance" book.
Holly's idea of balance goes beyond day-planners and schedules. She talks about "internal" balance: balance between your natural hormones which helps create energy, lower bodyfat, and improve sex drive.
You can pick up your free 26 pages of Dr. Lucille's book here ==> Creating and Maintaining Balance excerpt
Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Oprah, Get With The Program!
Yesterday, I promised to critique Oprah's current exercise program (or at least the parts she mentioned on her show on Monday).
The Good:
* Oprah said she is doing more strength training than previously. Yes!
* She also said that she's cut back on her cardio (to 20 minutes, I think). If I remember correctly, a few years ago she had worked up to an hour a day so this is definitely a step in the right direction.
* Although she didn't mention intervals, Oprah performs her cardio at a decent pace. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't see her reading a magazine while she exercises.
The Bad:
* Oprah demonstrated some of her strength training exercises. She did exercise after exercise, one right after the other with the same weight, which didn't look real challenging for any of them. I realize that she might not work out that way - it may have just been to demonstrate some moves for the camera- but I doubt it. Ladies, stop wasting time with light weights and lots of reps. If you want to reshape your body, you need to challenge it.
* Even though there was a short article in her magazine a few months back praising cardio interval training, I don't think she's doing it. Even if you're working hard, your body will adapt to doing the same time on the same machines at the same pace, etc.
The Worst
* The worst aspect for me was when she mentioned that she works one or two body parts a day. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Oprah, you are not a bodybuilder. Your goals right now are dropping body fat and overall health. You should be doing three non-consecutive total body strength training workouts a week, concentrating on compound exercises. Big movements, that work multiple muscles will burn more calories and get you out of the gym quicker. With your schedule, you need efficient, effective workouts not time wasters.
If you live in the Lancaster, PA area and have the same goals as Oprah and want to get maximum results for minimum time, call me at (717) 509-7777. If you aren't in my area, check out Craig Ballantyne's Ultimate Turbulence Training Fat Loss Solution which I blogged about below. If you grab it before midnight tonight, you'll still get all the terrific bonuses.
Mickey
The Good:
* Oprah said she is doing more strength training than previously. Yes!
* She also said that she's cut back on her cardio (to 20 minutes, I think). If I remember correctly, a few years ago she had worked up to an hour a day so this is definitely a step in the right direction.
* Although she didn't mention intervals, Oprah performs her cardio at a decent pace. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't see her reading a magazine while she exercises.
The Bad:
* Oprah demonstrated some of her strength training exercises. She did exercise after exercise, one right after the other with the same weight, which didn't look real challenging for any of them. I realize that she might not work out that way - it may have just been to demonstrate some moves for the camera- but I doubt it. Ladies, stop wasting time with light weights and lots of reps. If you want to reshape your body, you need to challenge it.
* Even though there was a short article in her magazine a few months back praising cardio interval training, I don't think she's doing it. Even if you're working hard, your body will adapt to doing the same time on the same machines at the same pace, etc.
The Worst
* The worst aspect for me was when she mentioned that she works one or two body parts a day. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Oprah, you are not a bodybuilder. Your goals right now are dropping body fat and overall health. You should be doing three non-consecutive total body strength training workouts a week, concentrating on compound exercises. Big movements, that work multiple muscles will burn more calories and get you out of the gym quicker. With your schedule, you need efficient, effective workouts not time wasters.
If you live in the Lancaster, PA area and have the same goals as Oprah and want to get maximum results for minimum time, call me at (717) 509-7777. If you aren't in my area, check out Craig Ballantyne's Ultimate Turbulence Training Fat Loss Solution which I blogged about below. If you grab it before midnight tonight, you'll still get all the terrific bonuses.
Mickey
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Leave Oprah Alone
I watched Oprah's first show of the new year. I'm sure you've heard that she's gained 40 pounds and has now hit 200. I'm not sure how you could have missed the news; it was everywhere.
If you didn't see any of the internet articles or entertainment shows, there were plenty of fitness pros bashing her. While I believe in accepting responsibility for your life, I wonder how productive their comments were. How many overweight people are going to be interested in working with or buying a product from someone who so clearly despises them for their weaknesses?
People think this woman is on top of the world- she's rich, she's a star, she has all kinds of influence on people, and has way more success than failure in her life. But we all have our problems and Oprah's is weight.
How sad is it to be able to star in a show with Tina Turner and Cher as your guests and be so disgusted with your size that you DREAD IT? How embarrassing is it to try to shoot magazine covers while 20 people critique how badly outfit after outfit fits?
I'm not saying "poor Oprah" but I do wonder how well most of us would do fighting our personal demons in the public eye? No, Oprah doesn't get a free pass from me but that's no reason to attack her for backsliding. She did have some legitimate medical issues. Unfortunately, she allowed them to be used as excuses.
Now, however, Oprah is taking responsibility for screwing up and has already said how embarrassed she is. Years ago she admitted that food was her drug of choice. What signal does it send to others who are struggling when fitness pros bash someone who is already down and has acknowledged their failings?
Anyway, Oprah has climbed back on the wagon. She is exercising and eating better and is focusing on her health rather than the scale. I, for one, support her.
That being said, I'm far from impressed with much of her current workout program. I'll tell you why tomorrow.
If you didn't see any of the internet articles or entertainment shows, there were plenty of fitness pros bashing her. While I believe in accepting responsibility for your life, I wonder how productive their comments were. How many overweight people are going to be interested in working with or buying a product from someone who so clearly despises them for their weaknesses?
People think this woman is on top of the world- she's rich, she's a star, she has all kinds of influence on people, and has way more success than failure in her life. But we all have our problems and Oprah's is weight.
How sad is it to be able to star in a show with Tina Turner and Cher as your guests and be so disgusted with your size that you DREAD IT? How embarrassing is it to try to shoot magazine covers while 20 people critique how badly outfit after outfit fits?
I'm not saying "poor Oprah" but I do wonder how well most of us would do fighting our personal demons in the public eye? No, Oprah doesn't get a free pass from me but that's no reason to attack her for backsliding. She did have some legitimate medical issues. Unfortunately, she allowed them to be used as excuses.
Now, however, Oprah is taking responsibility for screwing up and has already said how embarrassed she is. Years ago she admitted that food was her drug of choice. What signal does it send to others who are struggling when fitness pros bash someone who is already down and has acknowledged their failings?
Anyway, Oprah has climbed back on the wagon. She is exercising and eating better and is focusing on her health rather than the scale. I, for one, support her.
That being said, I'm far from impressed with much of her current workout program. I'll tell you why tomorrow.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Real Power of Acai Berry
In my "What I Know For Sure" post below, I wrote about how diet scams will always be with us because people want to believe there's any easy way. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but although fat loss is simple, it's not easy.
The real power of Acai Berry is emptying wallets.
Right now the internet is full of ads for this latest magic diet pill. Before that, it was Hoodia. Remember Hoodia? Hmmm, wasn't that the answer to losing weight? What was before that? Ephedra, Chitosan, Calorad; the list goes on and on. That should be a clue that these products are scams; the only thing you'll lose because of them is your money.
So the lying, unethical marketers rake in a fortune while people get fatter. As I said in my last post, if most people spent as much time and money on nutritious food and good exercise instruction as they do on quick fixes, they be slimmer, healthier, happier and more confident.
My beef is not with Acai Berry, it's with the snake oil salesman promoting it as something it's not. Acai Berry was featured on Oprah but not as a weight loss miracle; Dr. Oz correctly promoted it as a powerful anti-oxidant.
The guys http://getprograde.com have a new product called Longevity that includes Acai Berry as one of its main ingredients. The big difference is that they only promote their product for what it is; a very powerful antioxidant that can help your body fight the aging process and help boost your immune system.
They could make lots of money touting Acai Berry as some magic pill that's will flush the excess pounds off your belly, butt and thighs but they don't because it won't.
ProGrade.com was started by 2 fitness pros who were disgusted by the unscrupulous supplement companies and their poor quality products and marketing hype.
They are a certified GMP "A" rated facility, which is not an easy task.
I recently bought some Cravers (ProGrade's nutrition bars) and my members are raving about how good they are. I had stopped selling bars a few years ago because they either tasted like cardboard or were glorified candy bars. Cravers are different; they're nutritious, they're organic and they taste great.
If you care about your health and are looking for high quality supplements, multi-vitamins, meal replacements or nutrition bars, check them out here ==> http://getprograde.com
The real power of Acai Berry is emptying wallets.
Right now the internet is full of ads for this latest magic diet pill. Before that, it was Hoodia. Remember Hoodia? Hmmm, wasn't that the answer to losing weight? What was before that? Ephedra, Chitosan, Calorad; the list goes on and on. That should be a clue that these products are scams; the only thing you'll lose because of them is your money.
So the lying, unethical marketers rake in a fortune while people get fatter. As I said in my last post, if most people spent as much time and money on nutritious food and good exercise instruction as they do on quick fixes, they be slimmer, healthier, happier and more confident.
My beef is not with Acai Berry, it's with the snake oil salesman promoting it as something it's not. Acai Berry was featured on Oprah but not as a weight loss miracle; Dr. Oz correctly promoted it as a powerful anti-oxidant.
The guys http://getprograde.com have a new product called Longevity that includes Acai Berry as one of its main ingredients. The big difference is that they only promote their product for what it is; a very powerful antioxidant that can help your body fight the aging process and help boost your immune system.
They could make lots of money touting Acai Berry as some magic pill that's will flush the excess pounds off your belly, butt and thighs but they don't because it won't.
ProGrade.com was started by 2 fitness pros who were disgusted by the unscrupulous supplement companies and their poor quality products and marketing hype.
They are a certified GMP "A" rated facility, which is not an easy task.
I recently bought some Cravers (ProGrade's nutrition bars) and my members are raving about how good they are. I had stopped selling bars a few years ago because they either tasted like cardboard or were glorified candy bars. Cravers are different; they're nutritious, they're organic and they taste great.
If you care about your health and are looking for high quality supplements, multi-vitamins, meal replacements or nutrition bars, check them out here ==> http://getprograde.com
Saturday, December 6, 2008
What I Know For Sure
Nowadays, it seems that it's cool to bash Oprah. I don't know if it's jealousy or that some people are upset that she has the power to infuences millions of people or what but it sure seems to be happening more and more. Obviously, all of us have our faults but I think Oprah does far more good than harm.
What's that got to do with No Pink Dumbbells? Not much but Oprah writes a column every month in her magazine called, "What I Know For Sure". She's been very honest about where she got the idea- the late Gene Siskel rattled her with that very question once during an interview.
So I'm going to borrow the idea from Oprah and Gene and tell you some of what I know for sure.
* No fitness program will transform your body without proper nutrition.
* There will always be market for weight loss/exercise scams. Too many people want everything handed to them. The concept of delayed gratification seems to be dead. Why save up for something when you can CHARGE! So many people nowadays think they should start out their working careers with lots of perqs and making lots of money. High blood pressure? Diabetes? Give me a pill, Doc, I don't want to exercise and improve my diet.
Long term weight loss doesn't work like that. You need to be ready to learn some simple nutrition concepts, to exercise regularly and to challenge yourself when you do, to prepare healthy meals, to make the choice to eat right 90% of the time. It doesn't have to be drudgery unless you make it that way but it will take effort.
* If most people spent as much time and money on nutritious food and good exercise instruction as they do on bogus quick fixes, they be slimmer, healthier, happier and more confident.
* Most people waste way too much time in the gym. There's nothing wrong with being sociable but if you are a serial time waster, don't use the "no time to exercise" excuse. Put the magazine down and push yourself. Stop spending 15 minutes on one exercise. An hour on some cardio machine? Fagettaboutit.
* If you are over 100 pounds overweight, it's not just because you like to eat.
I see comments stating the opposite often on online forums. For some reason, there are people who refuse to admit that they use food to medicate themselves, relieve boredom, stress or loneliness, for protection, etc. I don't believe that anyone who has overeaten enough to gain 100 pounds or more just "likes to eat".
* For most people, compound exercises are superior to isolation moves and intervals are better than steady state cardio.
That's a few things that I know for sure; at least as of today. :-)
Leave a comment and let me know what you know for sure.
What's that got to do with No Pink Dumbbells? Not much but Oprah writes a column every month in her magazine called, "What I Know For Sure". She's been very honest about where she got the idea- the late Gene Siskel rattled her with that very question once during an interview.
So I'm going to borrow the idea from Oprah and Gene and tell you some of what I know for sure.
* No fitness program will transform your body without proper nutrition.
* There will always be market for weight loss/exercise scams. Too many people want everything handed to them. The concept of delayed gratification seems to be dead. Why save up for something when you can CHARGE! So many people nowadays think they should start out their working careers with lots of perqs and making lots of money. High blood pressure? Diabetes? Give me a pill, Doc, I don't want to exercise and improve my diet.
Long term weight loss doesn't work like that. You need to be ready to learn some simple nutrition concepts, to exercise regularly and to challenge yourself when you do, to prepare healthy meals, to make the choice to eat right 90% of the time. It doesn't have to be drudgery unless you make it that way but it will take effort.
* If most people spent as much time and money on nutritious food and good exercise instruction as they do on bogus quick fixes, they be slimmer, healthier, happier and more confident.
* Most people waste way too much time in the gym. There's nothing wrong with being sociable but if you are a serial time waster, don't use the "no time to exercise" excuse. Put the magazine down and push yourself. Stop spending 15 minutes on one exercise. An hour on some cardio machine? Fagettaboutit.
* If you are over 100 pounds overweight, it's not just because you like to eat.
I see comments stating the opposite often on online forums. For some reason, there are people who refuse to admit that they use food to medicate themselves, relieve boredom, stress or loneliness, for protection, etc. I don't believe that anyone who has overeaten enough to gain 100 pounds or more just "likes to eat".
* For most people, compound exercises are superior to isolation moves and intervals are better than steady state cardio.
That's a few things that I know for sure; at least as of today. :-)
Leave a comment and let me know what you know for sure.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Women Should Not Lift More Than 3 Lb. Dumbbells, Part 2
In my original post, which you can read here, I didn't mention the specific trainer, celebrity or even the show but everybody else on the internet has so it's no secret.
Apparently, I'm not the only person appalled at the advice that Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer gave during her taped segment on Oprah recently.
Check out the posts at Oprah's own message board which is filled with exercise aficionados and fitness pros alike taking swipes at the notion that woman should never lift more than 3 pound dumbbells. As many people pointed out, most women carry purses, grocery bags, children, etc. that all weigh more than 3 pounds.
Let's be clear here, sometimes 3 pounds is the right weight for starting out on certain exercises or for deconditioned folks or exercise newbies. However, saying that a woman should not increase her resistance above that is ridiculous.
Strength, fat loss and bone building all require the body to be challenged with more resistance as our bodies adapt.
You need weight bearing exercise to help prevent osteoporosis. And, how is doing hundreds of reps with a 3 pound dumbbell going to help you lift your child or grandchild, or help you get up if you fall.
"But, but...what about toning", I imagine some of you are thinking. Read this from Craig Ballantyne.
There are some knowledgeable trainers out there who believe that lower weights work better for women. Valerie Water's Red Carpet Ready is one such program. However, Valerie uses challenging bodyweight exercises, doesn't restrict women to 3 pound dumbbells, and doesn't expect her clients to work out for 2 hour sessions, 6 days a week in 80 degree heat. (Remember, we're not talking about getting in super shape for a role, this is Gwyneth's and supposedly Madonna's regular exercise schedule.)
Not to be totally negative, I do think Tracy's resistance band set-up at Gwyneth's house looked interesting and would be worth exploring more.
If you want to read what others are saying about this, check out the links below. Warning, although highly entertaining, some of the blogs contain course language so if you are easily offended stay away from the last two.
Clothes Make The Girl
Daily Spark
The Fitness Fixation
Boston Herald - Tony Gentlicore blog
I love this quote from Tony Gentlicore:
I’m pretty sure if she were still alive today, Susan B. Anthony would shit a pink dumbbell if she knew there were women still walking around with this “I’m a frail, delicate creature” mentality.
Amen, Tony.
.
Apparently, I'm not the only person appalled at the advice that Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer gave during her taped segment on Oprah recently.
Check out the posts at Oprah's own message board which is filled with exercise aficionados and fitness pros alike taking swipes at the notion that woman should never lift more than 3 pound dumbbells. As many people pointed out, most women carry purses, grocery bags, children, etc. that all weigh more than 3 pounds.
Let's be clear here, sometimes 3 pounds is the right weight for starting out on certain exercises or for deconditioned folks or exercise newbies. However, saying that a woman should not increase her resistance above that is ridiculous.
Strength, fat loss and bone building all require the body to be challenged with more resistance as our bodies adapt.
You need weight bearing exercise to help prevent osteoporosis. And, how is doing hundreds of reps with a 3 pound dumbbell going to help you lift your child or grandchild, or help you get up if you fall.
"But, but...what about toning", I imagine some of you are thinking. Read this from Craig Ballantyne.
There are some knowledgeable trainers out there who believe that lower weights work better for women. Valerie Water's Red Carpet Ready is one such program. However, Valerie uses challenging bodyweight exercises, doesn't restrict women to 3 pound dumbbells, and doesn't expect her clients to work out for 2 hour sessions, 6 days a week in 80 degree heat. (Remember, we're not talking about getting in super shape for a role, this is Gwyneth's and supposedly Madonna's regular exercise schedule.)
Not to be totally negative, I do think Tracy's resistance band set-up at Gwyneth's house looked interesting and would be worth exploring more.
If you want to read what others are saying about this, check out the links below. Warning, although highly entertaining, some of the blogs contain course language so if you are easily offended stay away from the last two.
Clothes Make The Girl
Daily Spark
The Fitness Fixation
Boston Herald - Tony Gentlicore blog
I love this quote from Tony Gentlicore:
I’m pretty sure if she were still alive today, Susan B. Anthony would shit a pink dumbbell if she knew there were women still walking around with this “I’m a frail, delicate creature” mentality.
Amen, Tony.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
