Brenda Lewis's Blog

Have or are you wondering why you've hit a plateau? Or do you feel like your workouts just aren't taking you anywhere? If you have regular medical checkups and know that your health is in good condition then it's time for some feedback on your current routine! Get with a trainer for professional feedback. Be honest with yourself and your trainer! Do you read while your on a cardio machine? Put that book or magazine down and get involved mentally on your workout. Pay attention to your body and how it feels. Take your focus to your intensity level. If you aren't at least performing intervals that bring your intensity level to the point of only being able to speak a couple sentences then you're probably not really challenging your body. It's hard for many people to being their intensity level to that slightly uncomfortable point on their own. A trainer can help you experience that level. Our bodies adapt quite easily to regular routines. So, for those of you who tout that you work hard physically every day at work, that's a good thing, but your body adapts to that level of physical activity over time and needs a challenge. On a regular basis, our workouts should be at least at a level 7 intensity on a scale of 1-10 and then periodically challenged above that. Over time, what you considered a level 7 will become only a level 6 so pay attention to your workouts. Feel your body and get to know it and how it feels at different levels. Always be challenging your body. But remember, make sure you have regular medical checkups and that your health is in good condition before challenging it. There are many other areas to be considered that may be preventing you from reaching your goals and a trainer can help you discover those areas. Be watching for information on our new studio opening where you can get help with your health and wellness! www.bucktownstudio.com

Lifestyle choices are by far the biggest factor that affect our health.  According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 83% of deaths before the age of 65 are preventable with lifestyle change. 

I've heard it all...from "I'm going to die anyway, so I'm going to eat what I want" and people continue to smoke even after they've had heart disease.  Why?  Why wouldn't someone want to make better choices for their body? 

I sometimes wonder if it's because they don't know what it's like to actually feel vibrant.  Many think that because they have no symptoms of illness that they are healthy and living the life handed to them.  I've found great joy working with clients who have that "ahhh" moment where they realize making changes in their lifestyle habits can feel exhilerating. 

But an even bigger problem is the fact that the children of today's generation are expected to have a shorter life span than their parents due to obesity.  So, if we don't want to make better choices for ourselves maybe we can do it for our children. 

It's never too late to make a change!  Just pick one change and start with that. 

It could be eating less or no refined sugars.  It could be taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  It could be cutting down on saturated fats or as simple as just journaling in a food diary for awareness.  Till next time :-)