http://www.tedloofitness.com/

I’m often recommending to clients that they find little ways to keep themselves involved or interested in their fitness programs. That they know themselves best and to integrate little hooks to keep them going towards their goals.

I realized last week that one of my clients, Tracy, has done just that. The past few months she has been completing her warm-up for her sessions listening to her ipod. Won’t talk to her trainer until she finishes warming up and has taken the ipod off. She has also started running on her own as well and always listens to that ipod from start to finish… it’s her way of getting through something that once wasn’t enjoyable for her. Congrats Tracy!!!

My tip this month is to find tools or triggers to help you get through your fitness training. Here are some ideas that I see working for clients that might help trigger an idea that works for you.

1. Listen to music
2. Wear new workout gear – runners seem to get people excited the most
3. Read a fitness book
4. A portable cooler to hold your daily meals
5. Keep an extra bag of workout gear in the trunk of your car
6. A water bottle that you carry with you
7. Food and/or exercise journal
8. Watch to monitor heart rate or distance traveled
9. Train with a friend
10. Buy a new outfit… that is in your target size (eg. You are now a size 12 and your target is size 8 )

You know yourself best. Find that tool or hook that works for you!

To your health & fitness!
Ted

http://www.tedloofitness.com/

There is a gentleman who lives in the neighbourhood of the gym that I base my company out of. He is in his late fifties or early sixties, really nice and friendly and has this cute little dog. For the past couple of years he has been motoring around the area on a Segway, one of those upright, motorized scooters that you stand up in. He loves this machine! Doesn’t go anywhere without it and his dog is so adorable with it’s little head sticking out of the front basket.

There’s a problem though… he doesn’t physically move around! Instead of walking he uses his Segway which is causing his body to suffer Atrophy, which is the loss or breakdown of muscle tissue. One of the main causes of Atrophy is lack of exercise. I can see it in this guys legs as he has lost a lot of muscle mass. Unfortunately he made the choice to add this ‘handicap’ to his daily routine as he loves the attention it brings him on the street.

So here is my tip this month.

We all make choices on a daily basis that affect our health. Right now, this very minute, write down the things you do every day that have an affect on your short or long term health and beside it include the healthy alternative. Here are some examples:

take the elevator instead of the stairs
driving to work instead of walking
fast food lunch instead of packing a healthy lunch from home
drinking coffee instead of water throughout the day
watching another rerun of Seinfeld instead of going to the gym or for a walk

You get the idea.

The choice is yours to be healthy or not and it’s alot easier than you think! Make your list right now and at the very least pick one habit to change in the 30 days.

http://www.tedloofitness.com/

One of the main components to a healthy & fit lifestyle is healthy eating habits. Many health professionals label this as a ‘nutritional program’ but let’s face it, as a busy professional woman you don’t need or have the time for another program in your life. What you need are habits that will give you more energy, make you feel & look better and will keep you on track towards your goals.

• Plan – do you plan your business appointments and tasks for the week? Are you more effective than if taking the hit & miss approach? Get into the habit of planning your meals a week at a time. Sunday is a great time to prepare for the upcoming week.
• Homemade Meals – get into the habit of bringing home prepared meals to work with you. I know it is not always possible with the professional schedule but it gives you control of the amount & quality of calories you are consuming.
• Meal Travel Kit – use a portable mini cooler bag to store your meals & snacks in. Keep this kit in the trunk of the car or in your office so you can access it at anytime.
• Schedule – schedule your meals for the entire day and set alarm reminders. It is easy to get caught up in the tasks you are working on. Many of my clients will set reminders in their planners or cell phones to remind them to eat, snack or drink water.
• Water – get into the habit of carrying a bottle of water with you, having one on your desk, in your car. The typical female professional operates in a dehydrated state.

Treat your eating habits as you would your career, hold yourself accountable and look for solutions to problems. By taking a pro-active approach you will feel better and be more productive thus benefiting your work and career.

http://www.tedloofitness.com/

Thank you to all of you that attended my Appreciation Party last night. It was my way of saying thanks to not only my clients but to those who have helped me along the way. Over 50 people attended the event held at Snap Contemporary Art Gallery at 190 West 3rd Ave. in Vancouver. Catering was provided by the fabulous Tracy Rowand at Taste to Savour catering, www.atastetosavour.com.

My intention was to show my appreciation to my ‘inner circle’ which I think was achieved but to my delight something else evolved from this gathering. As I looked around the room I could see the various pockets of people sharing stories, experiences and accomplishments of their fitness programs. As Michelle wrote me this morning, “it’s great to meet others who “get it” when I talk about working out with you guys!”

Clients were motivating each other throughout the evening. Michelle was one of the more inspirational participants last night! Several people came up to me during the evening exclaiming “I just talked to Michelle… she’s lost over 60lbs in a year and a half! Wow” One client who had just decided to stop training pulled me aside and whispered “Ted, after talking to Michelle and a few others I think we need to re-think my decision. Can I still take you up on that offer to discuss my program over lunch?”

So, my tip to you this month is to form a support team around yourself. Of course my team and I are always there for you but also surround yourself with other like minded people (friends, family, others who workout) who will show their support and be there for you. Other professionals that were at the party last night that could be a part of your team included a chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, image consultant, personal injury lawyer (you’d be surprised how many clients have been in car accidents), nutritionist, etc.

To ensure success along the road to lifelong fitness surround yourself with a support team.

http://www.tedloofitness.com/

Here are some tips to help you slim down in 2007… remember to keep it slow and steady to ensure long term success!

Set monthly goals

- Make a list of goals you would like to achieve and each month select a couple of items from the list and try to make those changes happen. It’s easy to become overwhelmed if you try to do them all at once.
- At the beginning of each month, try on a piece of clothing that’s fitting a bit tight. Try it on again at the end of the month. It’s extremely motivating to see the subtle changes in your physique. (more…)

New start, New Ideas
(7 Tips for Starting off a “Strong” year)

The New Year is not about resolutions but really a time to start things anew; so here are 7 tips that you can implement into your lifestyle to have a healthy and fit year. (more…)