Tuesday, 03 November 2009 17:18

Fitness, Weight Loss- What is the difference?

Fitness Program vs. Weight loss Program- What is the difference?

Pick up any health related magazine and you will see products and programs espousing the virtues of being fit, about being thin, about losing weight, etc....As a trainer and blogger, I am always asked to explain the difference between a fitness program and a weight loss program; or I get participants in our bootcamps and 1-on-1 training programs focusing only on weight loss with very little concern for their level of fitness.

In any fitness program it is possible not to lose any weight because the primary purpose of a fitness program is to achieve a higher level of physical fitness; weight loss may occur but it is consequence rather than an objective. On the contrary, with a weight loss program, the objective is weight reduction which can be achieved with or without the aid of a fitness program. For example, there are plenty of surgerical procedures on the market that can drastically reduce a person’s weight, (lap band, liposuction, gastric sleeve, bmi weight loss surgery, etc…) without improving his or her level of fitness. The same can be said of a lot of nutrition/diet programs that emphasizes caloric restriction, portion sizing, caloric nutrients proportioning as the only tool for effecting weight loss.

So, because of this general confusion and general lack of understanding, I wanted to take this time to briefly explain the difference from a practical standpoint as well as the vantage point of our programs.

What is fitness?

Fitness is a quality that describes our physical state. When we are physically fit we perform everyday tasks effortlessly. Or as a personal training colleague told me years ago, when we are physically fit, we are at our full potential in performing vigorous physical activities. We have better cardiovascular endurance, stronger muscles, increase range of motion in the joints, and greater muscular endurance.

What are the benefits of being fit?

The benefits of being fit are substantial. They include:

Feeling better emotionally;
Having more energy for work and leisure;
Burning more calories, even when at rest;
Letting you do more physical activity;
Being able to exercise harder without as much work;
Helping you manage weight;
Improving heart and lungs functioning;
Strengthening bones, and joints;
Lowering your risk for heart attack, diabetes, and high blood pressure;
Helping you sleep better;
Handling stress better;
Keeping your mind sharp;
Improving overall health;

What does a fitness program consist of?

Most general fitness programs will include flexibility training, endurance training and strength training. Other programs that emphasis optimum fitness training will also include body composition, agility, coordination, balance training as well.

What is weight loss?

In our previous posting “How to Understand the Weight Loss Process” we defined weight loss; spoke about the benefits, the goal and the various methods used to achieve weight loss. For brevity sake we will not restate that entire posting. Instead we will simply summary by saying the goal of weight loss is to assist in losing the excessive weight and maintaining a desirable weight…

Methods of Weight Loss?

This weight reduction aim can be achieve via a nutritional program, via exercise, via medication or supplementation, or even surgery. Again, depending upon the method or combination of methods choosen, a successful reduction in weight will not also mean a corresponding increase in fitness levels. Tthe person, however, may be healthier than before, just not fitter.

Our Programs?

So, regardless of what your objective is (being fitter or losing weigh), we offer both a fitness program and well as a weight loss program. The major distinction being that our Weight Loss Program is exercise based. That is in addition to having a fitness program component, it is coupled with a nutrition program (caloric restriction, nutrient proportioned, etc..) and a support program, geared towards achieving both an increase level of fitness as well as weight loss. For those participants who are not concerned about any weight loss, then a strict nutritional plan is not apart of the training regime.

Final Thoughts?

So, I now trust that you have a better understand of the differences between a fitness program and a weight loss program. More specifically, I hope that you have a clearer picture of just how a fitness program fits into an overall weight loss program that includes not just weight reduction but also an increase level of physical fitness. If you are interested in participating in either our Fitness Program or Weight Loss Program, feel free to register online or contact us directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also, we would love to hear what your thoughts and personal experiences are regarding the points addressed in the posting. After all, we believe in the dynamic interacting of thoughts and ideas that help us grow as individuals. So, do share!

Published in Weight Management

Saturday, 24 October 2009 17:46

How to Control Your Daily Caloric Intake

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Source:http://wadias.in/site Source:http://img.webmd.com

A Highly Effective Diet Strategy for Achieving Weight Lose Results

Are you on a dieting plan that has caloric intake restrictions? Do you find it hard to maintain or stay within that caloric restriction? Are you finding that you are still overeating at 1 or more meals? Are you still not losing the weight? Would you like to learn a strategy that will be simple to remember and easy to implement, making your weight lose goals less of a struggle to achieve? Well, I want you to remember these three points:

Eat smaller meals/snacks,
5-6 times a day,
every 3 hours!

How large should my meals be?

If you have been trying to lose weight for any length of time, you have probably heard or read somewhere of the importants of eating smaller meals. This is sometimes referred to as portion controls. The reason for this assertion is the body can digest and use only so much nutrients at one time. Anything in excess is either excreted or stored as fat. More often than not, this excess intake of nutrients is stored as fat. So, eating smaller meals helps the body to effectively and efficiently digest and use the consumed nutrients with little waste and storage. Put in other ways, eating smaller meals helps to boost the metabolism resulting in a metabolism that is much more efficient at burning off calories. This results in helping your body burn more calories all day long and having a higher energy level throughout the day.

How often should I eat?

As your meals become smaller, it is extremely important to eat more often. That is because, as food is fuel for the body, and while you want the body to use its fuel effectively, smal ler meals mean your body will need to be refueled much sooner. This is especially the case if you are incorporating a fitness program with the nutrition program. The common wisdom in weight loss strategies is to that when you are eating smaller meals and the body is making better use of the nutrients, you will find that you appetite is better regulated, Thus, you should aim to eat either a small meal or small snack about every 3 hours. So, if you eat breakfast at 7 AM, snack should be 10 AM, and lunch shold be around 1 PM. Now, it is also very important to note that you should not wait until you are starving to eat, doing so will only increase the likelihood that you will overeat. So, to put the two points together, eat smaller meals and snacks about every 3 hours.

How many meals should I eat?

Now the above mentioned points, beg the questions, if I am eating smaller meals more often, how many meals should I be eating throughout the day? Well, in our nutrition programs, we structure our client’s nutritional program to include: 3 small meals and 2-3 small snacks. We take the total daily maximum caloric intake; divide that over 5-6 meals and snack, with the meals receiving a slightly higher proportion of the allocated calories than the snacks. Again if you take this approach, that is, if you establish a daily maximum intake amount and divide them over 5-6 meals and snacks, you are guaranteed to eat smaller meals.

Is it hard to use this strategegy?

As it was stated in an article that I read this week (http://www.shapefit.com/lose-weight-eat-more.html,) on the same topic. It may not be easy in the beginning to eat smaller meals more often, particularly if you have a habit of eating 3 regular size meals. Moreover, it may take you a little bit more time in establishing these points as a dieting habit, but whatever time you spend implementing these points, the better you will become at control your calorie intake. Which in the end will result in you reaching and/or maintaining your weight loss goals. This is ultimately why you are controling your caloric intake in the first place.

So, again, the three points: Eat smaller meals/snacks, 5-6 times a day, every 3 hours!

Do you follow a caloric restriction strategy as part of your overall weightloss program? If so, what is your method? What techniques to you use to ensure that you are not overeating, getting the right amount of nutrients and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the metabolism? Do share your comments, thought, questions whether you agree of disagree.

Published in Nutrition

Saturday, 03 October 2009 15:31

Omega Krill -Wonder Pill or Simply Hype?

Omega Krill-Dr. Pinkus

Today, at the request of my partner, Jeidy, I listened to a radio station program with Dr. Pinkus. He was informing and promoting his Omega Krill pills. Supposedly, these Omega Krill Pills, made from Antartic Krill, provides 30x the Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Fish Oils. While listening to the program, I could not help but be a little skeptical. I am always sceptical initially of products that profess to convene benefits so much better than any other product on the market. Obviously, Dr. Pinkus goal is to sell his product, so his informational message was overshadowed by his promotional pitch, at least in my mind.

According to his website www.drnewtons.com, “Your body needs omega fatty acids to survive — and it can't make it on it's own. So do what thousands of others have done to help lower their cholesterol, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and help prevent heart disease and cancer — with Dr.Michael Pinkus' OmegaKrill.” As of this post, there were not reviews of the product posted on the website.

A preliminary search of google and yahoo provides no independent reviews of the product. However, other competitive products like http://products.mercola.com/krill/?aid=CD94, or http://www.schiffmegared.com/campaign/landingfy10/?gclid=CLCzwIWWoZ0CFSNQagodc0YzAA or other krill products found at http://www.nextag.com/omega-krill/search-html?nxtg=4690a28051b-66B5610B71325A60, suggest that there are others products claiming the superiority of Krill Oil over plain Fish Oil.

I do not know if this product is legitmate; moreover, I do not know if it has even been approved by the FDA. What I do know is that, before I can recommend it to anyone of even take it myself, much more research is needed.

Have you tried Omega Krill? If so, which brand do you use? What has been your experience? Moreover, why do you use the brand that you use? Please share your thoughts. In the very near future, I will be adding more posts about this product as I learn more and more information.

Published in Supplements/Medication

Tuesday, 29 September 2009 17:17

Correct Weight Loss

In our quest to provide great content, there are times when we come across articles and other blog posts that we believe should be shared with our readers. Below is such an article. The original posting can be found on The Correct Weight Loss Blog and here is the link to the post itself http://correct-weight-loss.net/#comment-1211

The Quest for the Well Defined and Shapely Body

For many people, weight loss literally means achieving a lower reading on the weight scales. Unfortunately, it is this type of thinking that has resulted in rebound weight gain, unhealthy weight loss with all sorts of diet pills and drugs, weight loss scams and others.

For this reason, we have coined the term “Correct Weight Loss”. Losing weight correctly relates to weight loss that is healthy, sustainable and one that results in a sexy or well defined body. Read a more detailed article on why Correct Weight Loss is the only way to achieve long term, healthy and sustainable weight loss.

What is your idea of a beautiful body? Do you relate a beautiful body to a number on the weight scales? The Correct Weight Loss Blog provides tips and information on how you could lose weight correctly. Use the freely available information on this blog to achieve sustainable and long term weight loss. Once and for all, do it right (Source)

Our mission is to Inspire, Motivate and Help you Achieve a Better You! If you are committed to that goal we are committed to helping you reach it. Thus, our blog posts are part of the effort. Our posting objective is to present short, digestible posts. We do not claim that the posts are exhaustive in its discussion of a point. The other part of the process is receiving feedback, questions and comments from you, our readers and/or clients. We want to hear from your rather you agree, disagree, like or dislike any of our posting. It is with this dynmic interaction that we refine our methods to deliver better and better content.