By Guest Blogger Paula Jager, CSCS
Today’s blog on fitness follows a slightly different format. I have noticed a minimal number of comments following these postings. Either you don’t find them interesting, they’re not your cup of tea, or the idea of slamming bumper plates and dragging a tire through a parking lot in August intimidates you? Not sure which …
I would like for you to send me your most pressing fitness questions and/or concerns along with any topics you would like future fitness blogs on. I will address the most common and relevant ones asked providing answers and/or guidance in next week’s blog. During my 15+ years in the fitness industry I have found many reasons why people are not involved in a fitness program. The most frequently seen are: lack of time, fear of failure, frustration, laziness, poor health and lack of consistency/discipline. And while I don’t always come across as the most compassionate person I really do have a deep level of understanding because at one point in my life I have faced most of these concerns myself. Like anything in life if you truly wish to overcome it there is a way.
A gym membership is not necessary–you can get fit anywhere with virtually little to no equipment. Good nutrition is a must; however, eating large quantities of animal fats without moving will make you fat and being fat can make you sick. Our “traditional” ancestors were mobile. They did not sit at a computer all day and channel surf all night. A large percentage of their day was spent in low level aerobic activity. LLAA could be defined as moving–washing clothes at the creek, carrying water buckets to and fro, milking the cows, churning butter, embracing the elements, hunting etc. . .
We live in a different world today and while our “chores” are not the same the need for movement is. In the famous words of Weston A Price “teach, teach, teach”. My passion for fitness and the improvements it has made in my life are so strong that that is exactly what I wish to do. I will select 2 of the best questions I receive and give away a 1 hour complimentary Fitness Intro. Based on my assessment I will create an individualized Fitness Program to get you started at home, in a park or at a gym (your choice).
So, ask, ask, ask!
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Paula Jager CSCS and Level 1 CrossFit and CF Nutrition Certified is the owner of CrossFit Jaguar.
Her exercise and nutrition programs yield life changing results
I am going to perform my daily workouts for my proper health and fitness. That is some motivation that you have shared. Can you recommend which treadmill is best to buy.
this is a very wonderful blog. thanks for sharing you experience here. hope you never give up. keep it up.
I want to get rid of the belly that is left over from having my second child. The muscles that separated never went back the way they should be. I have tried the Lose Your Mummy Tummy method, but it tenses up my bad shoulder(car accident injury) so badly that I cannot continue to do it. My belly still looks like I am probably 4-5 months pregnant(second baby pregnant belly). I am an otherwise very trim person and that makes the belly even more noticeable. Do you have any tips for getting rid of it?
-My second question is about exercise trampolines. I have considered getting one to jog on, but have read that they can cause damage to your body. Is that true and does it make a difference what brand you buy?
Thanks so much!
Linda
Hi Paula! I have been reading your posts and have been interested by them. My problem, however, is that my ability to exercise has been severely diminished recently. Long story short, I have adrenal gland issues among other things (such as asthma and severe vit D deficiency). I'm getting help from a naturopath with all the health problems, but really feel I need to be doing at least some very moderate exercise to aid the recovery process. I used to run in intervals for 30 minutes every day with my dog, but now cannot even jog for 2 blocks without feeling like I'm going to pass out. When I wake up in the morning, I'm usually very queasy and groggy and just EXHAUSTED, and can barely get myself to work, let alone fit in some exercise. Any suggestions would be very helpful and appreciated!! My dog thanks you too, he misses our walks! 🙂
For those who are looking for a free-weight routine that is easy to implement at home, I highly recommend the book Strong Women Stay Young. My doctor recommended it to me years ago and it has served me well.
Hi Paula,
I just wanted to say that although I haven't commented, I have been enjoying your posts. I also agree with some of the other posters about having more detailed "how to" elements, especially related to things that can be done at home.
One example: I love the idea of olympic weightlifting, but I'll bet it seems completely out of reach for most people… the equipment alone has to be very expensive (and membership at a Crossfit gym isn't cheap either) but I train with Kettlebells at home, which incorporate a lot of the exact same exercises and motions but in a much more accessible way. Another: I've noticed the Crossfit WOD's often include pull-ups, but many people (women especially) can't do a single pull-up. I struggled with this for years (how do you move beyond 0 pull-ups when you can't practice them?) until I learned about techniques like holding yourself up and letting down slowly, using a chair under your foot to assist you as you do them… and I'm now up to 5 forward grip pull-ups in a row or 6 chin-ups (my goal is 10 in a row!). I think tips like that could be really helpful.
Like I said at the beginning, I already enjoy your posts, so these are just some things I think might make them more accessible to more people who are more beginners in the fitness scene.
More excellent questions. I don't want anyone to think I am ignoring them. I will choose the most relevant for next Friday's blog and answer the remaining directly as they would take up too much space on the blog.
Thank you all for the very good suggestions and look for the how to guides and strength training basics on upcoming blogs.
Hi Paula,
I too have been reading every week and while intrigued enough to check out the CrossFit website, still felt that it was all over my head, and my abilities. I'm 56 and have been in pretty good shape a few times in my life, altho not currently. And this year I feel as though my age is starting to catch up with me, and I am not liking it one bit. But I'm also reluctant to try something that looks SO difficult, even though the testimonials and pictures look so convincing. Can this be tailored for the individual enough to make it do-able?? You're right, manhandling a tire on the asphalt in the summer in Florida is not my idea of a good time. There needs to be some sort of element of enjoyment/satisfaction/dare I hope for..fun if this is to be something I can do long-term. I want/NEED to get back in shape and not get out of it again!
Hi Paula, what do you suggest as the best fitness routine for busy moms? I have three homeschooling children who are with me all day, every day for the most part. They are 6 (girl), 9 (boy), and 11(boy). Do you have suggestions on how a family can work together to be fit?
Thanks!
Jenny
First, I must say that I totally agree with Audrey. I am 46 and do not exercise much, though I need too. Basic, start from scratch, explained in detail instructions are what I need. What is a burpee, frog jump and ninja roll? Can a 46 year old out of shape gal do them?
Secondly, I would LOVE to find a simple, no frills, expandable workout routine that both my husband and I can do together. Most exercise DVDs are for women, or at least come across that way, and my hubby and teen boys refuse to participate. A basic cross training, circuit routine would be helpful for whole families. But, we need it all spelled out for us. My hubby can fix anything electronic, but is clueless about exercise stuff, as am I.
Lastly, we can handle cardio (walking, Nordic Track, etc.), but again we are lost when it comes to strength training (for the times when exercise is separated – cardio & strength instead of a combo as in a circuit). I have yet to find a manageable all around strength training DVD or workout that a family (teens & older) could do together. Most seem to expect you to have mega weight lifting equipment, etc. Can't we get fit with little or no equipment, and not have to do workouts like a pro athlete would do? We have no desire to be "buff", just healthy. And workouts can be 20 minutes long can't they? Seriously, I can't ever imagine exercising for 60 minutes straight! No matter my weight throughout my life I have never had much stamina. And yes, I have had long periods where I have exercised multiple times a day and gained stamina, but never to level of my friends. We are all created differently, but I truly don't think many exercise coaches & trainers see that. To be honest, it seems as though jocks and really fit people have a low tolerance for the rest of us, even when we try our best. So your admission of not always being compassionate is truly what my family has experienced by the fit, jock-type crowd. I do not mean this to offend you or anyone else, but am just sharing my thoughts and experience. Again, we desire to be healthy, but don't care to ever pose in our bathing suits showing our abs. I do hope this makes sense. Thanks for letting me share.