Category: Personal

I just got back from the YMCA, and noticed so many people making mistakes during their workout.  So… it’s time for the first installment of (drum roll, please) Laner’s Fitness Tips!  (ta da!)

Now, I never claimed to be the paragon of good fitness, but I know a little bit about what to do and not do.

• IT IS NOT A RACE!!! Some guy was just blasting through his excercises, seemingly trying to see how quickly he could do ten reps of whatever.  One, your cheating yourself out of getting the maximum effect from each rep.  Two, you’re jerking and straining muscles that aren’t intended to be used for that particular exercise – usually the back and neck, which needs to be protected.  Slow down, and make each rep count.  Even if you’re in a hurry, you’ll get better results from just a couple of exercises done right than a bunch done wrong, and you’ll protect yourself from injury.

• Abs – The midsection seems to be the body part du jour these days… but people seems to think that just following their Abs of Steel video will give them a washboard stomach.  You can do those tapes all day, and not get the same results.  Those models you see literally work for HOURS just on their midsection – so don’t think a 15 minute workout per day will give you the same results.

  Also, diet is very very important – you can’t eat a Big Mac and fries for every meal and expect to have the “six pac” – more on that below.

• Food – As the cliche goes, moderation is the key, but there are some foods that must be avoided.   I know this is painful for some people, but here are the absolute no-no’s:

  Pizza (except for those Healthy Choice french bread pizzas)

  Fried Chicken – even avoid the rotisserie chicken at Boston Market, Mrs. Winners, etc.   You think it’s healthy?  No way – 30-40 grams of fat per serving.   Chicken is good for you if you fix it yourself (get some breasts, cover w/ BBQ sauce and cook for an hour) or the grilled sandwiches from Hardee’s, Wendy’s or Chick-Fil-A are very low fat.  And no mayo!!!

  Fries – nope, none at all.   If you’re hungry at a fast food place, get another sandwich instead – it’s much better for you.

  Cheese – The difference between a cheeseburger w/ mayo and a hamburger w/o mayo is nearly DOUBLE the fat content.  No lie.

  Potato Chips – Get the baked kind, or pretzels.  Same taste, much healthier

  Snackwells – what a hoax!  People seem to think they can eat a box at one setting and lose weight!  On the side of the box fat is defined as triglycerides – look at the ingredients of something by Snackwells – mono- and di- glycerides.  What do you think happens when they enter your body?  Yep, they combine to form triglycerides.   Now, they’re better for you than the regular “fatty” snacks, but once again, in moderation.

That’s it for now – more tips later!