Versa Gripps

It was about time to get a new set of lifting straps but I had been putting it off for a while until I worked out with my friend and saw his Versa Grips. They looked pretty cool and are lifting straps which also offer protection like a glove would.

Now I haven’t used gloves for a long time because they bother me and feel a little weird when lifting. They also smell and get nasty after a while. I thought to myself well they couldn’t be any worse then gloves so I ordered a pair of the Pro grips.

When I first used them I was a little worried because they were a bit stiff but decided that they would wear in after a couple of workouts.

After a couple of weeks using these grips I am thoroughly impressed; they are broken in and I use them for all of my workouts not just pulling like I would with a set of wrist straps.

I also like the fact that they are open and not restrictive on my hands like a set of gloves would be.

If you’re in the market for a new set of straps or gloves, take some time to check these out and decide if they would be a good fit for you. Don’t forget to take note of the sizes before ordering.

http://www.versagripps.com/

Everyone around me wants me to fail!!!!

One thing I keep hearing is that everyone is trying to feed someone something they shouldn’t have. Enticing them to cheat, or for them to treat themselves just this one time. While one cheat really won’t affect your overall training, cheating every time someone feeds you this rationalization will.

I hear you and I get it all of the time. I get this from friends, Family, people at work; pretty much everywhere you turn there is something detracting from your success.

Why do you think that is?

I feel it’s because being fit is not the social norm, eating the way you do is not normal to most people including your family, friends, and loved ones. It might be what’s best for you, but it’s not normal for other people.

Try to understand that others really don’t get what you are doing and don’t try to change them and make them fit into your world of fitness and healthy eating. Definitely don’t dwell on what you feel they should be doing and saying to you. Just be strong and set your boundaries and let people know that you will eat what you want to eat and when.

I have even heard of some getting that their significant other suggested taking them out to a nice dinner since they have been doing so good with their meal plan or training. I don’t know about you but part of that dinner is spending time with that person, connecting with the person that loves you, the person that believes in you and the person that wanted to show you that they thought you were doing a great job. For some reason you have the feeling that they are against you and you’re getting upset with them since they offered to take you out for a nice dinner. How Dare They?

Remember its normal for people to do nice things for you and to show you their support in this way. You’re the one that has changed and you are the one that is different. Don’t chastise them or make them feel bad, instead find a positive way to tell them that you don’t want that as a reward or better yet; go with them and find something on the menu you can eat or go somewhere that has things on the menu that agree with your meal plan.

Last night I was out with friends and I would have preferred to not be at the restaurant we were but went so I could spend time with my friends. I sat there drooling over the pepperoni pizza sitting next to me. Did I freak out on everyone for ordering stuff that didn’t agree with my meal plan? Of course not, I ordered AHI tuna and enjoyed the little time I get to spend with my friends.

Now if they are walking around the house taunting you with a cupcake; that’s a different story. Go ahead and drop kick them. I think they might get the message.

Walden Farms – Balsamic Vinaigrette

I heard about this brand from a fitness group that I am in on FaceBook and thought I would give it a try.

At first I thought it was going to be hard to find but as I was walking through the veggie section at Publix; it was sitting there in one of the coolers next to some of the veggies.

I bought it pretty excited as I love Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing and thought it would be an easy way to add some flavor to my salads.

I can tell you that all of my excitement went right out the door when I tasted a bit on a spoon.

I thought well maybe it wont be so bad on a salad. I was wrong. This was one of the worst tasting dressings I have ever had. This was also one product that I couldn’t use even though I didn’t like it; I ended up tossing it out.

Where to start?

Previously I mentioned that I don’t do any cardio and that is correct but I do weight train. Weight training may not be your cup of tea and also may not be in line with your goals; that’s fine and you can still lose weight with no cardio too.

Now your goals may include weight training or even include cardio and thats cool too. Everyone has different goals and therefore must eat a little differently for their goals.

I hope to show you how to determine your specific goals and help lead you in the direction of realistically obtaining those goals without crazy fat burners, fad diets, or the next garbage fitness equipment.

Now are you really committed to changing the way that you look, feel, and think? You’re going to have to be committed to make lasting changes.

Its not hard, and what actually got me to where I am now is one little change at a time. Those little changes add up over time and become a huge change in your overall appearance, confidence, and ability to overcome the next challenge in your life; regardless if it is fitness related or not.

So now you need to determine if you just want to lose some fat with a healthier diet or if you want to add in a training regimen; your diet will differ with what macro nutrients (macros) you intake as well as your caloric intake. For me, weight training has given me the look I want out of my body and I focus my training on weights.

Weight training also gives the benefit of more lean mass which burns more calories and also gives the look that many of us want.

Take a look at the following article from the Mayo clinic which will goes into more detail on the metabolism and why I chose to incorporate weight training.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006#

Make your decision on your overall goals and follow along on how to start changing your diet for those specific goals; a huge part of changing is cleaning up your diet.

Some excellent sources for clean eating:

Tosca Reno’s Clean Eating Cookbooks:

Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Cookbook: Delicious Recipes That Will Burn Fat and Re-Shape Your Body!

The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook 2: More Great-Tasting Recipes That Keep You Lean

Clean Eating Magazine:

Clean Eating Magazine

The Key to Fat Loss!

A lot of people that are looking to get fit or lose some extra pounds are desperate to get that weight off and often times will buy into the quick fix or fad diets. Almost every time I turn on the TV there is some new fat burner or muscle builder or some crazy work out equipment that guarantees you’ll look like the people in the commercial in just 20 minutes a day.

I’m here to tell you that those quick fixes may sometimes work but you’ll be back to where you started in no time if you don’t keep it up, many times they don’t work at all and sometimes they can even be dangerous.

I have many people that haven’t seen me in months or years ask me how I lost the weight and every time I tell them the same thing; eating right!

Is that really all there is to it? Yes it is and there is the answer that you have been searching for, for all of these years.

I have even had someone tell me that “Cardio is essential to fat loss!”, which isn’t right either. I don’t do any cardio and it definitely didn’t get me to lose over 70 pounds in the last 3 years; it was eating right.

Now Im not going to bash cardio because it can be used to lose fat or train for a marathon but again when you stop all of that hard work, you’re right back to where you started. You can train, train, train, while eating bad and you might never get the results you have been looking for. The key to Fat loss is a proper diet, something that isn’t taught in school (don’t argue with me here, I know they teach the food pyramid, that’s not what I’m talking about.)

Everyone that is over weight and wants to lose that extra weight already knows that what they are doing right now isn’t working. Changing the way you eat will change the way that you look and feel. Take in the thoughts and advise from someone who has been in your shoes and accomplished what you want to accomplish. You don’t go to someone that hasn’t made a million dollars and ask them advice on your finances do you? I also encourage you to look at many different sources and form an educated opinion on the things that do work.

I hope to help others with what I have found to be successful for me and give you the same life skills that I have learned through some very generous friends that also lead a healthy life style.