The Body Basics Fitness Blog

How To Turn Back The Age Clock

2010-03-23T14:07:00.004-04:00

This past weekend in New Jersey the weather was perfect. I spent the entire weekend outdoors. On Saturday I worked on prepping my garage for contractors to come make repairs this week. I've hired a mason who is set to fix the foundation and painters scheduled to give it a face lift. I dug a deep trench along the entire foundation on three sides a few feet down into the dirt. I had to remove a lot of rocks and small boulders to expose the foundation so the Mason can get in and repair the cracks. It is saving me a good sum of money by doing this work in advance myself.

I also replaced a bunch of siding that was beyond weathered. It was a big job, but I got it all done and I feel great about the fact that I had the strength and stamina to work this hard all day. It was a a perfect Spring day. In fact, it was the first day of Spring!

It's very gratifying to be able to do this type of work for yourself. It's difficult to put into a few sentences what took 10 hours to do. But trust me that I moved well over a ton of rocks by hand. And I had to dig each one out first!

I'm not trying to impress you with my feat of endurance. But I would like to "impress upon you" that being able to work this hard is what our bodies are meant to do.

In contrast to the human body, a car can last ten years and easily rack up 100,000 miles and it will not perform better or go faster. The more you push it and work it, the more it wears out. But the human body is a very unique machine. When you work your muscles they actually get stronger and unlike a car, the harder you push your muscles the stronger they get and the better your body performs. In addition, you can eat more and not gain weight. Muscle is king!

Pretty cool, eh?

I turned 52 this past February and I don't think of myself as being "old". I prefer to go by my "fitness age" not my biological age. "You're as young or old as you feel". True, but you are also as young or old in what you can or cannot do! So make sure you CAN DO!

My message to you is simple. You're going to get older, that's inevitable. But your muscles (and other body parts) don't have to yield to gravity. If you are willing to put up a fight by exercising strenuously on a regular basis, then you will age gracefully and maintain improved health as well as keep disease at bay.

That's one of the reasons I developed Body Basics Boot Camps. I was once a victim of circumstance. I commuted to NYC everyday and worked in a job that required me to sit on my butt all day long. I was a "weekend warrior", but it wasn't enough, and before I knew it a decade had passed and I had become a back pain sufferer and a knee pain sufferer as well. At first I accepted my fate and chalked it up to getting older, and possibly bad genetics. So I began to "avoid" activities that might hurt me. Boy, was I ever WRONG!!!

I didn't find the "fitness solution" till age 42, so I suffered for quite a few years. But even at age forty-two I began to turn the clock back. I am now 52 and I can still do pretty much the same things I did a decade ago. Can you?

I want to get a message in your head that if you can't do some things that you want to do, or that others your age can do, maybe you need to stop, figure some things out and make some changes.

I created Body Basics Boot Camps for this very reason. As a "teaching trainer" I consider movement omnipotent, and correct movement patterns to be a top priority. And if you learn how to move properly, you'll begin to get stronger, you'll feel better, and thus be able to do more. Growing older doesn't have to mean settling into doing less.

Our fitness boot camps are designed to get your body moving in dynamic ways so that your brain and muscles coordinate better. By activating more muscle you also fire up your metabolism which is your body's fat burning furnace of sorts.

Most of the time I talk about fat burning and weight loss as that is what people want to know more about. But lets not dismiss the fact that getting older is a factor too. BTW, I'm not so arrogant as to deny the aging process. But I am determined enough to be an advocate for mobility and being as active as I can for as long as I can. I don't know about you, but I want to die young...at a VERY OLD AGE!

Press on!

P.S. We are a week away for our Spring Boot Camp Season. I would like nothing more than to see more of you (get out of your own way and) come to boot camp classes! See below for the updated schedule of classes and events for April 2010.

The 7 Factors Of Fat Loss

2010-03-16T17:09:00.007-04:00

If you have opened this email to read this newsletter, the first thing I want to say is congratulations! At this point in time you are either curious by nature or you truly want to change your body.

Have you struggled with your weight?

Do you want to be slimmer and to tone your body, but your weight won't budge?

Have you been on one diet after another having gained temporary success, but in the end you are still in pursuit of a leaner body?

So what gives?

I mean is this really that difficult?

Why does it seem so easy for some people?

Read the following 7 Factors of Fatness to discover what is standing in your way and how to quickly and easily begin your weight loss journey.

Factor #1: It's All In Your Head

Your mind is your number one ally (or enemy) when it comes to achieving your goals. However, until your mind has been programmed for success, it will do more to derail your efforts than to help you.

o Take a few moments each day to visualize yourself at your ideal weight. Imagine how it feels to look the way you've always wanted.

o Protect your mind from any negative self talk. If a negative thought comes to mind, immediately reject it.

o You want to be thin and fit, and yet you think of yourself as out-of-shape and fat. Re-program your mind to think of yourself as fit and attractive, and you will be well on your way toward achieving your goal.

o Give up the belief that you can't achieve the body you've always dreamed of. See it first in your mind, and then in the mirror.

Factor #2: Don't Be A Scaredy Cat

You may not be consciously aware of the fear you have of getting into shape. Until you conquer this fear, your weight loss efforts will be blocked by self sabotage.

Professional speaker and author, Anthony Robbins, has outlined three specific beliefs that you must have in order to conquer your fear and instantly create a lasting change.

o Believe that something MUST change. You can't be wishy-washy about it. You can't be considering it. You can't even be pretty sure about it. You've got to be rock solid.

o Believe that YOU must change it. You can't pass the buck of responsibility and expect to lose weight. It's on your shoulders. Other people will prove to be great assets in your journey, but in the end you are the one who is going to make it
happen. You have to want this weight loss enough to make it your personal mission.

o Believe you CAN change it. You may have failed in the past, but that doesn't matter. When you put your mind to it, you're able to do amazing things. Do you believe that you are capable of losing weight? Once you own the belief that you can, you'll be unstoppable.

Factor #3: Excuses, Excuses. No More Excuses!

Your excuses for being out-of-shape are getting old. An excuse takes less immediate effort than an action, but in the long run the action taker always has the advantage. Don't allow excuses to ruin your life any longer.

o Don't skip out on your responsibilities with excuses, instead expect more from yourself.

o Focus on the big reason why you are losing the weight. Make a list of the benefits you'll enjoy once you achieve your goal, and read them first thing each morning.

o Remember that you can only have two things in life: excuses or results. Which do you want?

Factor #4: Are You Truly Committed?

How many times have you tried to lose weight, only to give up a week or two later? We live in a commitment-phobic world, so it's no wonder that you routinely abandon your goals. If you truly want to lose weight then your commitment to the process is a must.

o The margin between success and failure is bridged by your commitment. Don't give up until your goal has been achieved.

o Treat exercise with the same importance as a work meeting, and you'll never skip it at the last minute. Find three available 60-minute time slots in your schedule and mark them (in pen) on your calendar. Now stick to your schedule!!!

o If you don't give up, then you'll never fail.

Factor #5: Your Diet Sucks

If you consistently eat the wrong food, then you're weight loss efforts will all be in vain. To put it bluntly, you need to stop eating junk. Processed foods, refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup do not belong in your diet if you want to be in great shape. Cut these items out of your diet and replace them with real whole foods like lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fruits.

o Don't eat processed foods. Even though processed foods are accepted by our society, they contain tons of chemicals and empty calories that will make you sick and fat.

o Fat contains twice the caloric density of protein and carbohydrates, so make sure to limit the amount that you consume. Eat lots of lean proteins and wholesome carbohydrates from plants and whole grains.

o Vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds are filled with fiber and antioxidants which are vital for healthy weight loss. Snack on these instead of packaged treats.

Factor #6: Patience Is A Virtue

It takes time to transform your body from fat to fit, even though you want it to happen overnight. Remind yourself that it took time to put the weight on, so it will take time to take the weight off. When you find your patience wavering, or when you encounter a frustrating plateau, do the following:

o Review your goal. Is it specific and measurable? Is it small and attainable, rather than monumental? Focus on your goal when the going gets tough.

o Make each workout a new experience. Challenge your body with different resistance, new exercises and a varied pace.

o Remember that anyone can have one great workout, but that won't get you the body you want. The only way to achieve your goal is by consistently exercising and eating right, plain and simple.

Factor #7: Don't Go It Alone

People who exercise alone are less challenged, less accountable and are more likely to fail. It makes sense. Who would rush to the gym if no one is was waiting for them? Who would push themselves if no one was paying attention? Exercising alone is a recipe for disaster.

o Find a workout partner who is in better shape than you, or better yet, work with your local fitness expert, to guarantee your results.

If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. We have a variety
of fitness options for a wide range of schedules and budgets. In the end there is only one thing that matters, which is getting you the results you are looking for.

Get serious about your results and begin the last weight loss program that you'll ever do!

Press on!

Your Ultimate Body in a 3 Letter Word?

2010-03-08T08:22:00.008-05:00

For the last year-and-a-half we have had two sites located on MeetUp.com for our Saturday boot camp and a second group for our Sunday hiking group.

When people join one of these groups they are required to answer a series of questions about their current habits, fitness goals, and current state of health. They are also required to post a head shot. So you would think that if someone were to go to all that trouble, you would assume that they would at least attend one event, right? Apparently that's not the case. You see we have almost 200 members in our hiking group and only about 40 have actually attended an event. I can't help but ask myself, "Why would dozens and dozens of people join a group and then not participate in a single event?" The best answer I can come up with is, "Because it is human nature to behave that way."

"People do not lack strength, they lack will."
~Victor Hugo

If you join a group and don't show up, then what do you do with your time? What is more important that requires your attention? Where else have you made a commitment and chosen not to "show up"? Is it at your job? Is it as a mom, or a dad? I sure hope not! We sign on for life roles voluntarily all of the time. But that doesn't mean that we actually put forth the best effort into that role. What does it mean to actually show up?

If you asked Woody Allen that question he'd say that "80% of success is just showing up." Thanks Woodman, but then again you're a humorist, now aren't you?

The take home point I want to get across is this. Stop and think about all of the responsibilities you have in your life. If you had to make a list and prioritize them, I'll bet you could. I challenge you to do exactly that. Make a list of all the things you are responsible for and that are important to you and then put them in order of priority. What this means is that the items at numbers 1, 2, and 3 are the top things that you value in your life.

You see, I've met thousands of people in my life who would swear on a stack of bibles that their family is number one. But when we show them where they spend the majority of their time, family is far from number one. That's why a list is a good place to start. See where your health and fitness fit into your list. Is it in the top three? If not, where is it? Are your actions and behaviors in regard to your health and fitness in sync with where it is on your list? Remember, you can always re-prioritize your list and you can also change your actions. It gets down to what you value most.

People that join gyms, health clubs, etc. and never go are not invested in the outcome. Sure, they SAY they want to get fit, but they either don't know what that takes, or they are just not willing to make the commitment and sacrifices necessary in order to have better health and a leaner physique.

So what can you do to make your health a higher priority?

Find your WHY. This is a very powerful word. One of the most compelling things anyone can do to change their LIFE is to find deep emotional reasons as to WHY they need to DO something. Everything we do can be put into one of two categories. The first category is SHOULD DO. The second is MUST DO. Here's few examples of SHOULD DO items.

I should eat right.
I should exercise.
I should drink more water.

The items in the SHOULD category are only there because you don't have a strong compelling reason to have them be MUST DO items. So lets say you go to the doctor and he gives you very bad news about your health. He tells you that if you want to live more than three months, you need to change your life and eat right, exercise, and drink water. This one event probably scared the bejeezus out of you and beginning immediately you are going to turn over a new leaf. Your new MUST LIST now reads:

I must eat right.
I must exercise.
I must drink more water.

And you will because you now have strong compelling reasons WHY you MUST absolutely do these things. Without your life, the things that you value won't mean diddly squat, so you will do what ever it takes to get back to health.

If you don't have strong reasons that are driving you to succeed at whatever it is you want in life, you won't succeed. Your health and fitness are two items that are very easy to take for granted because they don't appear to change very quickly and as a result we adapt to the ongoing decline of our health and the expansion of our waistlines.

Not to mention, the increase in our total serum cholesterol, increasing blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, increasing aches and pains, heart burn, elevated stress, back pain, trigger points, arthritis, and the list goes on and on. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Find your WHY, and just maybe you'll find your WAY.

Press on!

It's Not About The Gym, It's About Life!

2010-02-26T11:49:00.005-05:00

I've been out shoveling snow for two hours already and I'm only 2/3 done! This is a photo I took this morning with my iPhone from my kitchen, overlooking the deck into my back yard. We got about 15 inches of snow!

When I came in to take a break from shoveling I was dehydrated and my tee shirt was soaking wet. Wow, what a workout! BTW, I made a point to switch hands and shovel on both sides of my body so as not to over work my dominant side. I have learned from many years that this is the best way to not hurt yourself and to help prevent muscles imbalances. And trust me, I have burned a LOT of calories this morning.

So what does boot camp and shoveling snow have in common?

1. For starters. If you come to boot camp, you'll have no reservations about shoveling snow in the future. If you think shoveling snow is an activity for "hired help" then you are clearly missing the big picture.

You see, our bodies were built to work and function at a high level. Technology has allowed us to change the way we work, but most importantly it has changed the way we think about work. As a result of this type of thinking we make choices about what we are going to do, and what we are not going to do based on the
way we think.

The take home point I want to leave you with is this. If you desire change, you need to change the way you think, because ultimately you will then make changes about what you will do. In the end, it's the daily habits and choices we make that move
us forward.

We're getting older with too many aches and pains because of what we DON'T do. Shoveling snow is a great activity and great way to get your body working the way it was meant to. But, if you are a sedentary individual, be very careful as shoveling snow is hard work and there are statistics on the amount of heart attacks people get from snow shoveling.

2. Boot camp prepares you for strenuous activities.

3. Boot camp builds your confidence about what you can and can't do physically.

4. Boot camp teaches you how to move correctly, i.e. squat, lunge, push, pull, etc.

5. Boot camp gets your body moving in dynamic ways that you would never most likely not experience.

6. Boot camp will allow you to grow older yet maintaining a great range of motion, flexibility, extensibility, and strength.

In addition to shoveling snow, don't overlook carrying groceries and laundry baskets, chopping some firewood, raking leaves, cutting the lawn, washing your car, etc. Any physical activity you can do will help you help yourself and keep your body fit.

Boot camp class tomorrow morning, 7:30am. Please RSVP. In spite of the low numbers from Meetup, our classes are full from other sources. If you want to get in, don't wait! There's only room for 5 Meetup people this week.

http://www.meetup.com/Body-Basics-Fat-Blasting-Boot-Camp/

Be careful out there today!
Larry

Why Are Most Protein Powders Made with Whey Protein?

2010-01-29T21:53:00.002-05:00

I get asked this question all the time. So often in fact, I researched the topic and wrote a report titled "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Whey Protein".
If you would like a free copy of my report, here is the link.

Whey Protein Report

But if you are short on time, here's a quick video from my colleague Jason Hunter, RD and Director of R&D at Prograde Nutrition explaining why.

http://bodybasics.getprograde.com/whey-protein-questions.html

If building muscle, having a lean body, and speeding up your metabolism is important to you, then adding extra protein into your daily plan is the way to go.

Whey protein has been part of my program for many years. At this point, I consider it a staple in my plan, but it is also a "tool" so-to speak. Like any tool, it is used to get the "job" done with ease a precision.

You see, it can be difficult getting in whole food meals six times a day. Sometimes a whey protein shake is a "meal replacement" for me. Sometimes half a shake is a snack. Quite often whey protein is post-workout recovery nutrition too.

When I question my boot campers and private training clients about protein supplementation about 90% need to be educated about what to buy and how to use whey protein as part of their weight loss and nutrition plan.

Watch Jayson Hunter's short video and you will know why Whey protein is so popular. Download my report and I explain in a bit more detail the difference between protein isolates, concentrates, and blends.

Watch Jason's video:
http://bodybasics.getprograde.com/whey-protein-questions.html

Ultimately I recommend that you buy and use whey protein so think of this as a primer to educate yourself so that you know what you are buying and using and why.

Press on!

P.S. To purchase Pro Grade pharmaceutical grade whey protein powder, click here. http://bodybasics.getprograde.com/store.php?page=85

Where Are You?

2010-01-25T21:17:00.013-05:00

It's a simple question, but let me be more specific.

Where are you...

in your fitness,
in your diet,
in your personal commitment,
in your self discipline
in your LIFE?

Where ever you are, are you where you want to be?

Here's an interesting view of human nature.

There is one's "intention" and then there is one's "action". Everyone has good intentions. For example, nearly everyone I know has started a diet or a fitness
program at one time or another. That part is easy.

You might say to yourself, "I'm going to go to boot camp and finally get fit". That's the having good intentions part. But having good intentions won't get you in great shape. That part takes action.

ACTIONS are very different. Let's say you intend to take a Free Trial Boot Camp class, or come to a Saturday morning boot camp, or join us on a Sunday morning hike, but week after week, you never make it to an event.

So what happened?

On Saturday morning you couldn't get up, or just decided to sleep in. Perhaps you wanted to do something else altogether. Perhaps you live farther away than you realized. What ever your reasons, there is a "disconnect" between what you intended to do and what you actually ended up doing.

There are many of you who have attended boot camp and some of you have traveled from a great distance to do so. I am so very appreciative of your energy and drive and I wish you much success in all of your fitness endeavors. In short, you rock!

Many of our Saturday boot campers have been dedicated and solid athletes too. Always a pleasure to have you join us when ever you can. And many of our daily boot campers are long term dedicated members that are also my friends and "family" at this point.

For those of you who have been intending to come to boot camp, but have not yet taken action I have a small favor to ask of you. Write to me. Yes, please write to me and tell me any or all of the following.

1. Why you have never attended a boot camp.

2. What you expect or need from a fitness program.

3. What can I do to help you?

I have two main objectives. First is to get people into awesome physical shape. Second is to have them become raving fans about our program and tell the world!

But I can't do that unless you show up. So let me hear from you! To our newest members Jessica, Ricardo, Denise, Amy Arup, and Domenick, I want to hear from
you too!

I want to share with you something from my own life's experience. You see at one time I was a mess.

I was 35 pounds "over fat" with bad knees, a bad back, and a bad disposition. In short, I was miserable. You see, life had not turned out as I expected and I blamed

people and circumstances for everything. I was also a complainer. BTW, have you ever complained or blamed someone else for something? Right, silly question.

One day it dawned on me that no one was going to show up, take me by the hand and lead me to a solution. I eventually developed enough pain in my mind and body
that I absolutely had to change. I could no longer go on living this way. I was terrified when I realized that it was up to me and only me if I was going to change my life.

Common sense told me to get some exercise, so the first thing I did was join a gym and begin to work out. It was a slow and painful start, but within a few months
I began to feel better. Boy was it hard. My shoulders felt like they were 90 and my knees were on fire. I injured myself multiple times too. But the one thing that kept
me going was that in spite of the pain, I felt good inside. I had a renewed vitality. There was something chemical going on in my body and my brain and I wanted more of it.

Here it is 12 years later. I am a full time fitness professional with my own business and connecting with people. I'm far away from where I started and life gets better all the time.

You have a story too. Maybe you are where I was, or worse. Maybe you think no one cares. Some one does care and that someone is the most important person in your life. IT"S YOU SILLY! And BTW, the person who looks me in the eye and says, "NO Larry, I really don't care" is either lying to me, themselves, or both.

The next thing you need to do is make a decision, a decision to change once and for all. No more BS. It's time to stop making excuses and start getting BUSY getting

results. Making a decision is HUGE! Don't underestimate the power of it. It's also an "action" :-)

Once you make that decision, send me and email and tell me that you have once and for all decided to stop and get off the merry-go-round. I'll read your email and I'll personally write back to you. I really do care that much.

Then, plan on coming to a Free Trial Boot Camp or a Saturday morning boot camp. Plan on it being challenging. Plan on being sore and feeling uncomfortable at first.
But also, plan on transforming your health and your life.

Think you've got it tough?

Our new trainer Andrea was once 310 pounds. I kid you not. Now she is a force to be reckoned with. She is also training to be a body building competitor! How awesome is that? Talk about doing a 180!

Andrea's journey is one of triumph. She is a strong willed and determined woman who has faced her fears and found the courage and tenacity within herself to
change her life. Her story is nothing short of amazing.

I'm not trying to impress you, I'm trying to impress upon you that Andrea is just like you. I am just like you. If we can overcome our adversities, so can you. And now you will have the benefit of our experience to help you along the way.

A good place to begin.

- Believe in yourself.

- Believe you can do this. (because you can.)

- Believe that we have a system that works, (because we've proven it over
and over again)

- Begin and follow through.

If you want our help, we're here for you. As we move into 2010 our members will be comprised of individuals who want health, a dynamic life, and an awesome body.

So now where are you?

Press on!

What Do Happy Hour and Boot Camp Have in Common?

2010-01-04T10:22:00.017-05:00

"Happy Hour is so much fun, you get two drinks and you pay for one!"

I don't know where I first heard this, but for some reason it stuck in my head. It's a little diddy about "happy hour". And yes, there's a tune that goes with it, but you'll have to make up your own for now.

Silly? Absolutely. But it perfectly symbolizes the " 2 for the price of 1" or what we have come to refer to as the "Two fer".

And that brings me to boot camp. We have a "two fer" also. If you are a new member you can join with a friend and "split the cost" of a one month membership. Two people, half the price, the perfect "two fer".

Register Here For "Two for One" Boot Camp

What's really great about this is that it gets people excited for "two" reasons. First, everybody loves a deal and to save money. By getting a perceived value, they feel good about their purchase and that's also a good thing. Second, they have established a low barrier of entry into boot camp.

First time boot campers are often tentative. They don't know what to expect and they have some reservations that they might fail or not be able to keep up with the group. It's easy for us veterans to know that their apprehensions are just FEAR or what is referred to as

False Evidence Appearing Real.

But within a week or so, their fears are gone and they know how boot camp works. Aside from some sore muscles everything is hunkey dory.

But then by the final week, they are beginning to feel awesome and their energy levels pick up. Many are getting their nutrition dialed in and their clothes are a tad looser. And many begin to realize that boot camp exercise works. I live for is the look on people's faces when they talk about how their lives are changing, how amazing they feel, and that they can do things they never could before.

But, they also begin to realize the appreciate the value of boot camp that is far beyond the price.

Here is a recent testimonial I received from a boot camper.

"I was getting ready to leave my office and head over to Boot Camp when I received a call from my boss advising me that our offices were going to be moving and I would have an hour-long commute. While I was driving to Boot Camp I could barely hold back the tears, I was a complete wreck at the thought of such a grueling commute. I got to Boot Camp and Larry put us through another great workout, which is always different and and fun, and always kicks my butt (in a good way though). Got back in the car to drive home and started thinking about work again, and realized that I was in such a great mood that even the thought of that commute couldn't bring me down. I just felt a sense of contentment that wouldn't go away. I was totally amazed that the power of a great workout had changed my mood from being completely miserable to being very happy, and changed my outlook to make a bad situation seem not so bad at all, or at least fixable. If I can change my body to make it better, then I can change anything."

Boot camp is about life. Everything we think and do adds up to the experience we call "our life". It's not complicated, but it is about our thoughts and our actions.

So let me get back on point. If you want to change your life, then you need to start working towards creating the life you want. Fitness goals should not take over your life, they should enhance every other part of it. Your body, mind, and diet aren't stand alone islands. Everything interacts and weaves together.

And boot camp is a place where all of this comes together. It's here for the taking if you want it and if you are willing to do the work.

And we're making it easier than ever because now you can join with a friend for half price. (new members, one month only).

Register Here For "Two for One" Boot Camp

Press on!

P.S. Please forward this blog post to anyone you know that might be able to benefit from our program and this New Year's Special.

Register Here For "Two for One" Boot Camp

Holiday Calorie Control Tip #1

2009-12-09T15:44:00.009-05:00

I know you know this.

You know you know this.

Fail to plan, plan to fail.

You can't just HOPE you're going to behave yourself at holiday parties. You can't just do the same old things you've been doing. You can't just miss breakfast, have a light lunch and then go to a party filled with temptation and not go a little insane on the cheese or cookie platters. ;-)

You have to plan your meals. You have to plan your workouts. You have to set your goals in stone. You don't want to be the person that comes out of the holidays 5 to 10 pounds heavier, do you?

If you don't plan your strategy from preventing it, well, you can PLAN on getting some new clothes that fit your new size. I truly believe that you can still enjoy your favorite foods at parties and that you can still have a great time. But what you can't do is just pull out all the stops and stuff your face with everything put in front of you. You know that.

Tell you what: Plan on taking a nice 30 minute walk this weekend and do some solid thinking about what your plan will be. And when you get back home, put it on paper and commit to it.

And think about how great you'll feel about yourself when January comes after you've followed your plan. Oh, and be sure to reward yourself to by doing something special for yourself.

Press on!
Larry

PS - As a proud Prograde Nutrition partner I have to remind you Prograde is having a heck of a Holiday Blow Out on ALL of their awesome products. Everything you need, including the coupon code (Holiday15) to save 15% on all Prograde Nutrition products is right here:

Prograde Holiday Special

FYI. This sale ends this Friday, December 11th at 11:59pm EST.

http://bodybasics.getprograde.com/specials.html

Get A Jump Start On Fat Loss For The New Year

2009-12-05T10:49:00.006-05:00

Do you realize that Christmas Eve is just 3 weeks away? It seems like Halloween was only a couple of weeks ago. Amazing and a little scary how time flies.

And that's my point. Time does fly! If you are training hard, focusing on good nutrition practices, and have your mindset laser focused then I want to congratulate you, as success in transforming your body is virtually guaranteed.

But how many of you find yourself being indecisive and saying things to yourself like:

I'm too busy right now.
The holidays are almost here.
I'm going away in a few weeks.
I want to go on a diet first.

So you see the pattern? If you are talking to yourself out of prioritizing your health (or anything for that matter) until a later date, you are also telling yourself that your health is not that important. In addition, it's a pretty sure bet that you will keep putting it off and keep putting onweight!

This is one of the peak times of the year when people gain the most weight. It's slow and almost imperceptible. But one day you go to get dressed and in some crazy unbelievable way, like out of nowhere your dress doesn't fit, or your pants are too tight, or your shirt collar won't button closed. And you freak out a little.

When you think about the next 3 weeks ahead and all of the opportunities to over eat and over drink, being involved in a fitness program will help you in many ways.

It will help you set your focus on health.

This alone will pay dividends in calories saved and even more calories burned! The choices you make will come from a brain that is aware of the choices and will help you make better choices.

Take action now!

By taking action now, you are literally programming your mind for success. It's no wonder that people who take action are the one's who accomplish so much. But if you insist on waiting until things are "perfect" you'll never get started.

New Year Jump Start Boot Camp

Nobody get's this perfect.

Perfection doesn't exist. One of my favorite sayings is, "Don't try to get it perfect, just get it going!"

You just have to get started and adjust as you go along. Does Microsoft get their OS perfect when they release a new upgrade? Nope, but they release it anyway and make it better as they go.

You don't have to be perfect. I'm here to help you do damage control and get you on the fast track to fitness success. You don't have to be the expert. That's my job!

You know Lawrence, people think that training and eating right is the key to having a lean and toned body. Sure, they are important components, but the real deal maker is your brain and coming to terms with the following:

Desire
Knowledge
A Plan

If you have the desire, I'll provide the knowledge and a plan.

Are you ready to take action?

I hope so, because starting on Monday December 7th ("A day that will live in infamy"- Thanks FDR) you will be able to do just that.

On Monday 12/7 a select few of you will be able to take advantage of this special offer and those individuals will be on their way to a whole new way of life in 2010.

My recommendation is to take action (as space is limited) and get a jump start on the New Year and quite possibly the New YOU!

All you have to do is click on the link below.

New Year Jump Start Boot Camp

Committed to your fitness success!

Avoid These 5 Fitness Mistakes

2009-12-02T08:20:00.007-05:00

It's hard for me to go to the gym sometimes. It's upsetting to me that every time I go, I see people making fitness mistakes. Ultimately these mistakes become habits that waste time, put people in danger, and that are sometimes, well, in a word--stupid. Maybe you even make a few of these mistakes yourself.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you'll put yourself on the fast track to results. Check out the following 5 fitness mistakes and the solutions you need to avoid danger and to get fit fast.

Mistake #1: Using the wrong weight

The goal is to challenge your muscles, not to simply go through the motions. If you are able to complete 15 repetitions easily, then the weight is too light. On the flip side, if you aren't able to perform an exercise through its full range of motion, and find yourself cheating on form, then the weight is too heavy.

The correct weights will feel challenging by your last few repetitions, but won't force you to sacrifice form.

Mistake #2: Monkeying around with the same boring routine

You may have noticed that most people do the same exercises each time they visit the gym. Maybe you've been doing the same exercise routine as long as you can remember - if it isn't broken then don't fix it, right?

The truth is that exercise routines have expiration dates, and that is the date that they begin to lose their effectiveness. As a rule of thumb never use the same routine for more than 4 weeks.

Mistake #3: Skipping the warmup

Most people consider warm up time to be wasted time - they'd rather jump right into the heart of the routine. What they don't realize is that a good warm up will them to perform at a higher intensity, which means greater results.

The point of a warm up is to increase your muscle temperature. This increases blood flow, muscle contraction and reduces muscle resistance. Your warm up should last 5-10 minutes.

Mistake #4: Improper or bad form

Gyms are filled with people performing exercises with bad form. The two biggest reasons are that they aren't concentrating on the exercise, or they're trying to lift weight that is too heavy. Lifting with improper form too often results in injury.

Take the time to achieve proper form, by doing so you'll avoid injury and will reap the full benefit from each exercise.

Mistake #5: Working out by yourself

People who exercise alone are less challenged, less accountable and typically see fewer results. It makes sense, doesn't it? Why rush to the gym if no one is there waiting for you? Why push yourself if no one is watching? Exercising alone is a recipe for lackluster results.

Not sure where to begin?

The best way to avoid injury and to see results is to work with me, "your trusted source on fitness". I am passionate about seeing my clients achieve results -without wasting time, energy and effort on mistakes.

Call or email today me to schedule a free boot camp trial class. Or, if you want a more personalized program, contact me about one-on-one personal training or my small group training program called "Life Plan".

You'll find my contact info on the boot camp website.
http://bodybasicsbootcamps.com

Committed to your fitness success!

Speaking of Larry Wasserman...

2009-11-30T13:09:00.009-05:00

Many of you that know me also know that I'm not shy when the topic is health and fitness. I've been writing and presenting talks for a couple of years now, mostly short presentations for our weekly hiking groups.

I'm now looking to expand and talk to your group or organization, so if you think I might be a good fit, please let me know. If there is an HR contact or club President please send me their contact info. Here's some info about me.

Company Bio:

Larry Wasserman is owner and fitness director of Body Basics Personal Training and Body Basics Boot Camps located in Warren, New Jersey. Body Basics was launched in 2005. Both the personal training and the boot camps share the same philosophy which focuses on developing strength and functional ability in movement, not muscles.

The body works much like a well oiled machine, each part dependent on the other, and needs to be treated as such. This type of training keeps the body ready for everyday tasks that always need strength and balance, especially as we age.

Larry is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). At Body Basics we continue to study and research the most effective, efficient, and most importantly motivating modes of exercise available.

"Our goal is to not only get our clients into great shape, but to teach them how to incorporate fitness into their everyday lives. Knowledge is power and allows our
clients to take control and implement a healthy lifestyle... a lifestyle where they feel empowered!"

You can read more about Larry and Body Basics at http://bodybasicsbootcamps.com

Here is list of my most popular speaking topics suitable for lunch and learns and other formats.

Diets Don't Work!
The Hormone Conundrum (geared for women )
Oh My Aching Back!
I'm Not Getting Older... I'm Getting Better
Help! ... How Did I Gain This Weight ?
Eat This, Not That! (with Susan Wasserman)

Press on!

Should You Stay Or Should You Go?

2009-11-07T12:45:00.010-05:00

One of my favorite bands from the 80's is The Clash. They had a slew of great songs and one was titled, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" The song is about a personal relationship, but the title makes me think of many of you who joined our MeetUp.com "Burn the Fat Hiking Group."

I have to admit that I am deeply disappointed that too many peoeple have joined this group and have never been on a hike, not one hike! Hmmmm. But many of our blog readers live all over the world and couldn't come on a hike if they wanted to. So for everyone else think of the hikes as anything you feel that you want to do to improve your health but don't seem to get to, like going to the gym, eating healthier meals, etc.

What's that you say? You have a good reason why.

Maybe so. Do any of these "excuses" resonate with you?

- The hikes are too early in the morning (8:30am)
- I have to work
- I have church at the same time
- My kids have sports
- I live too far away
- Larry, it's Sunday morning for cryin' out loud!
- My pillow wouldn't let me go
- I stay out too late on Saturday nights

I hope these make you chuckle. But then again the truth is that you really just don't value our hikes as something that is important to you. I get that. I just want to make sure that you get that too. Stop pretending that "someday" is going to come and that you will eventually come join us. When you state things in the "future" they tend to always stay in the future, and the futre never arrives.

Be honest. If you can't attend a hike, why join in the first place? Well there's a reason for that too. The reason is because joining makes you feel like you at least made the effort. We all have two things in common. One is our intentions. The other is our actions. So joining a gym or a hiking group means you have good intentions, but actually going is a whole other story.

Let me appeal to your emotional side for a moment. Do any of the following situations fit your life.

- I'm at least 15 lbs over-fat
- I lack energy throughout the day
- I drink 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning to "get going"
- I generally skip breakfast
- I lack motivation
- I'm afraid to start
- I don't know where to begin
- I'll just go back to Weight Watchers...AGAIN?
- I know what to do, I just have to start doing it.
- I work out 3-4 times a week, but I can't lose fat.
- I think I eat healthy?

I could come up with many more, but I think you get my point. Many of us are stuck, but not in what we're doing so much as in what we are "thinking". If you are over fat, it's because of what you are "doing". What you are "doing" is determined by what you are "thinking". You just need to change the way you think. Knowledge is power and applied knowledge is off the hook!

That's what you'll get at a hike. You'll get the information, the motivation, the inspiration, and you'll burn some fat on day one! Get out of your own head. Stop making excuses (okay you call them reasons) but in the end they are excuses. Change your values and make your health a higher priority.

Larry, how can I make my health a higher priority than my kids?

That's a tough one. But if you were stricken with a life threatening disease like CANCER, you'd have to prioritize your health over everything else. I'm just giving you the idea that if you continue on a path of poor habits, one day you may not have a choice.

So choose health now and realize that you ARE actually giving your family a healthier and happier YOU! That's the most loving thing you can do!

So in answer to the question, "Should You Stay or Should You Go?"

The answer is two-fold. YOU SHOULD STAY (in this group) AND GO, (on a hike that is!)

I'll see you on the trails!

Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap

2009-11-04T15:04:00.011-05:00

Do I Have Your Attention Now?

Be honest. Does this tee shirt's graphic make you laugh? I found it on Google images. I have to admit, the first time I saw a t-shirt like this I chuckled. In the past I have been incredibly insensitive to fat kids. Not out loud, but in the quiet of my own mind. Why is it so easy to make fun of fat kids?

It's easy to snicker and point a finger so-to-speak at anyone who appears different, but over-fat kids are often victims of many varied circumstances that have contributed to their being overweight. And in addition to the food habits they have developed, their health is declining at an alarming rate. As if that's not bad enough, they are the brunt of jokes, ridicule, and prejudice.

Over the years I have worked with many overweight adults. Many have been heavy their entire lives. In their adult years the struggle to lose weight never goes away. I have come to see the child in them that learns to cope. I see what can happen to kids who grow up this way.

To me this T shirt is not funny. Not one bit. In fact, it's the complete opposite. It's message is cruel and insensitive. I just hope I never catch anyone wearing one. If I do, they will get one very unexpected "in your face" moment.

Many kids learn to compensate for their weight, but inside they hurt just like anyone else. Childhood obesity is a problem for all of us, because each one of us has the ability to behave in a way that can help or hinder an over-fat kid.

My business partner in youth fitness is Coach Todd Dattoli. Todd is about as passionate as one can be when it comes to coaching kids. He's a Youth Fitness Specialist through the IYCA (Int'l Youth Conditioning Association). Below is an excerp from one of Todd's articles. Please read and I think you might be surprised at just how bad childhood obesity is. And it's not just the USA either.

Take it away Todd! - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Obesity has become a worldwide problem. Childhood obesity has not only reached epidemic proportions worldwide but poses a serious risk to the health and longevity of children. The over-whelming reason for this global problem that researchers point to time and again is that children and teens are not getting
enough physical activity. This lack of exercise and poor eating habits has concomitantly caused a huge increase in fat mass for children worldwide, where in some countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and the UK childhood obesity has doubled or tripled in the last 10 years.

Here in the United States, children are supposed to get 150 minutes of exercise weekly during school hours, but no one really knows how many, if any, schools actually follow this recommendation. This information was published in JAMA in
July 2008 as well how the US Department of Agriculture proposed a standard of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. However, it appears obvious that so many youth are not meeting this standard and is a clear reason why children's weight has skyrocketed to epic proportions.

Consider this:

--> The prevalence of obesity among children ages 6-11 more than doubled in the past 26 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17% in 2006.

--> The rate of obesity among children ages 12-19 more than tripled in that same time period, increasing from 5% to 17.6%.

--> Fewer than 25% of children in the U.S. get 30 minutes or more physical activity per day.

If this trend continues, we will be burying our children before they have a chance to fully realize their adult lives.

This may sound like a bold statement, but there is a saying that goes "you're as old as your arteries", which means that the condition your arteries are in is more important than your actual age within the evolution of heart disease or stroke.

Case in point is a recent research study conducted by the University of Missouri School of Medicine in which they presented their findings to the American Heart Association stating that obese kid's artery plaque is equal to that of a middle-aged adult. If a child of 13 already has the arteries of a 45 year old and is at such a high risk for heart disease at such a young age, what type of future will this child have? More importantly, will these children even live to see 45 years old if this horrid trend continues and we don't do more to prevent this from happening?

Pretty eye opening, don't you think?

This epidemic is compromising the long-term health and academic achievement of many children. Our youth fitness program, Play On! seeks to help reverse this trend by educating children about healthy food choices and physical activity. Play On! is a unique program that can help enhance children's wellness and give them the tools to live healthy lives!

So from now on, when ever you see an over weight child, don't be so quick to judge them. Don't be so quick to assume that he or she is fat just because they eat too much. There are so many reasons why this happens, it's impossible to know. Also, try to remember that they are just like you. They have feelings too, but unlike you they wear their challenge 24/7. They have to face reality every day and just learn to cope. The least we can do is not make it any more difficult for them.

Committed to your fitness success,

P.S. Please write your comments. Let us know what you think.

Happy Rainy Sunday! A Perfect Day For a Hike!!

2009-11-01T07:19:00.009-05:00

( I got up this morning and wrote this email to my list of hikers on MeetUp.com. For those of you not familiar, we have a Sunday morning hiking group that is organized through MeetUp.com.
Here's the link: http://www.meetup.com/Body-Basics-Burn-the-Fat-Hiking-Group/)

Okay, so about 99% of you won't read this until it's too late. Too late for what? Too late for today's hike! The weather is not exactly perfect, but it's clearing and the chance of more rain is very low.

I know what you're thinking.

"It's still crappy out, and staying in with a hot cup of coffee or sleeping in seems like a better plan."

I agree! But. . .

Think about what else may be going on in your life in regard to your physical health. Are you over fat? Sorry to be so blunt, but I don't have much time here. The point I want to make is this. Changing your health also means changing yourself and the way you do things. Becoming "less comfortable" or "leaving your "comfort zone" is where you need to start. So getting up and going out for a hike today is a metaphor for change.

"Be the change you want to see in your life" ~Ghandi

So if you are like me and forgot to set your clock back this morning, (DOH!) or you couldn't sleep and got up early and logged in to check your email. Let me appeal to your inner voice. Let me plant a seed in your mind that today could actually be a pivotal moment.

If you are receiving this message it's because you are on this list, and you actually asked for that. So for starters, you are looking for something. Maybe you are just a casual hiker, or maybe you are looking to meet people. All good! But some of you also want to lose fat weight. What's curious to me is that many of you still haven't taken the next step. There hasn't been any follow through. To be more specific, there are over 175 members in the hiking group, and over 100 have never even been to a hike. That is just plain sad. WTF?

Weekends come and go and you never seem to have the time to come to a hike. Something else always comes up that takes priority. It's not for me to judge, but I will tell you this. If you are fat, and I mean 15 pounds or more to lose, stop and think about what your priorities are. Where do you spend your time?

The truth is that your desire to be leaner is not a major priority. You are in a comfort zone! You may not like it, but you are not doing enough to make any significant changes. If you plan on doing something "soon, eventually, or some day", let me tell you that as long as your plan is somewhere in the future, it will ALWAYS be in the future, and the future never arrives!

The secret to making changes in your health and your life for that matter is to take action, daily action, and to be persistent even through setbacks. Today would be a perfect day to go for a hike because it's not a perfect day at all. If you can get yourself motivated to get up and out on a "less than perfect" weather day, then you have the inner strength and tenacity to get up and out of your old habits and "be the change you want in your life".

I'll see you on the trails!

Larry Wasserman

Trick or Treat? Your Body Will Follow Your Brain

2009-10-31T09:55:00.009-04:00

Hi Boot Campers!

First things first. Saturday Morning Boot Camp is Moving: Time and Location Change. Please go to the Meetup site and review the changes that are coming. We're going indoors and starting at 8am at Warren Health & Racquet Club. Beginning on November 14th.

http://www.meetup.com/Body-Basics-Fat-Blasting-Boot-Camp/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Happy Halloween!

Sure is a dreary and rainy day, and not good for Trick or Treaters. Although the truly determined will done their costumes and go for the bounty! Think about that. It's worth reoeating. The "truly determined" will get their candy today. Maybe not little kids, but 5th, 6th, and 7th graders will get out if they possibly can.

When you think about it, the amount of will and determination one has for trick or treating in the rain is very similar to what one needs to get in great physical shape. Either way you've got to be willing to put up with obstacles, be it the weather, a challenging schedule, or anything else that causes your brain to send you a message that gives you permission to not follow through.

Attitude is everything!

The secret to having a great attitude is having strong reasons why you want or need something. A Halloween trick or treater sees the sack full of candy as the grand prize. When we were kids, my brother and I would walk further and longer than any other time of the year, going from house to house in pursuit of chocolate bars and other delicacies. Yumm! We would start right after school, go home for a quick supper and head right back out after.

The only difference between being grown up and being a kid is that we often lose sight of our passions. With so many responsibilities on our shoulders it becomes difficult to get your motor revved up to go out and do something that requires physical energy. Halloween is also special because it's only one day of the year. Keep in mind that to get in great shape, you'd have to keep that same energy going day in and day out. You have to want great health and a great body as much as my brother and I wanted to see our pillow cases become full of candy!

So where do you find your reasons? In other words, what is it that will help you have that passion? The answer may surprise you. It's your pain. By pain, I mean your emotional pain. Perhaps a better word would be "disturbed". Every day we do things that put us on a potential collision course with being upset about our bodies.

If you step on a bathroom scale in the morning and you
don't like the number you see...Whammo!

If you look in the mirror at yourself just before
you get in or out of the shower and you

don't like what you see...Whammo!

If you get dressed and nothing fits the
way you want it to...Whammo!

There's three opportunities to feel really bad about yourself. What's really "disturbing" is that all three scenarios can occur in the morning back-to-back before you've had breakfast. In fact, you might feel so crappy about yourself, instead of eating a healthy breakfast you just say "screw it" and head for Dunkin Donuts!

It's time to change all of that. It's time to reverse the downward spiral and find your "passion" once again. Make your enemy your friend. Your enemy is the way you feel about yourself.

Get good and mad about the number on the bathroom scale.

Get good and fired up about the naked body you see in the mirror.

Get good and fed up with the way your clothes (don't) fit.

AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

FoodRenegade.com

Stop the old cycle and start a new positive cycle. Remember the passion you had as kid on Halloween, Christmas morning, or when you got a new bike? You still have that passion, you just have to let it out. SO LET IT OUT! The kid in you is alive and well and wants to run and play. It's the tired and frustrated adult in you that is making all the excuses. Find your passion once again and begin to change your life.

My passion is helping people get fit. If I can help you, it would be my pleasure. Please visit one of my websites and see if there's a way I can help you feel and look your best.

Committed to your fitness success,
Larry Wasserman

bodybasicsbootcamps.com
imtiredofbeingfat.com
healthyfitkids.com
bodybasics.blogspot.com

5 Ways To Stop Worrying So Much

2009-10-24T13:58:00.004-04:00

We already know that worrying is not good. But we continue to worry...a lot. In fact, we as humans worry so much, it's killing us. Even though we have more technology and resources for a higher quality of life, we also have more psycho-social stress than ever and many of us worry about things that we have little to no control over. Worrying causes added stress which can deteriorate your health and shorten your life.

You know the word "disease"? Well it comes from two words put together, "dis- ease". Think about it. When you have enough "dis-ease" in your life inevitably you'll get "disease"!

And you know what else stress does to you? It makes you fat. Oy!

So read this article and hopefully it will help you find ways to mentally process your stress and worry less.

I found this article on the web and it had no author. I think someone had cut and pasted it from it's original source. So I apologize to the author for not being able to give proper credit.

"Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." Benjamin Franklin

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." Elbert Hubbard

"If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it." George F. Burns

Worries. They can circle around and around in your head. Becoming louder and louder as they sap your strength and make you feel you weaker. It's no fun.

So what can you do about it? Here are five timeless thoughts to help you overcome or at least lessen the worries in your life. I hope you find something helpful.

1. 80-90 percent of what you fear will happen never really come into reality.

"When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened." Winston Churchill

"If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today." E. Joseph Cossman

This is a big one but one that is easy to forget about. Most things you fear will happen never happen. They are just monsters in your own mind. And if they happen then they will most often not be as painful or bad as you expected. Worrying is most often just a waste of time.

This is of course easy to say. But if you remind yourself of how little of what you feared throughout your life that has actually happened you can start to release more and more of that worry from
your thoughts.

2. Don't make mountains out of molehills.

"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow." Swedish Proverb

"Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained." Arthur Somers Roche

"If you treat every situation as a life and death matter, you'll die a lot of times." Dean Smith

It's very easy to fall into the habit of making mountains out of molehills. You think and think about a small problem until it becomes something that you believe may ruin your life.

So why do we do it? Why don't strive to make things easy and simple?

Well, one reason I believe is protection from pain. By making the problem huge can you can invent a helpful excuse to convince yourself to not take action.

Another reason is that the ego wants more. It wants to feel better or worse than someone else. By making things more complicated than they need to be you can make them feel very important. And since you are involved in these important things, since you have these BIG problems, well, then you have to be important too, right? Plus, by doing so you can get a lot of attention and comfort from other people.

So how do you get out of the habit of making mountains of molehills? Three tips:

* Zoom out. Ask questions that widen your current perspective. Questions like: "Does someone have it worse on the planet?" The answer may not result in positive thoughts, but it can sure snap you of a somewhat childish "poor, poor me--" attitude pretty quickly. This question changes the perspective from a narrow, self-centred one into a much wider one and helps me to lighten up about my situation and to be grateful about my life.

* Bring awareness to you own thought patterns. Ask yourself questions like: "Honestly, am I overcomplicating this?" and "What is the simplest and most straightforward solution to my problem
that I may be avoiding to protect myself from pain?"

* Realize that much of this is in your head. Your relationships to what you want to achieve are - just like your relationships to people - to a large extent just in your head. Think that something
is easy and simple instead of "heavy" and complicated and your perception of that external thing you want to achieve tends to change too. Experiment and find healthy and effective relationships
to what you want to achieve instead of just seeing something like many people may do.

3. Let go of that familiarity and certainty.

"Worry is like a rocking chair-it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere." Unknown

"People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them." George Bernard Shaw

Whatever you have been doing perhaps for decades feels familiar and comfortable. Even if it may be something destructive as worrying. Taking a leap of faith and going into the unknown, making a change that may turn out to be positive, can feel scarier and more uncomfortable than what you are used to. Even if what you are used to is worse in the long run.

But at some point you have to make up your mind to start letting go of that old familiar part of yourself. You have to fill up the space all that worrying used take up with new thinking. It may feel
uncomfortable. It is not so intimately familiar as your past thoughts.

It can be scary and exciting at the same time because now you are not just someone who sees him/herself as worrier and that uses some techniques to lessen that. You are instead making a deep change to who you are, to how you view yourself. You are letting go of something that has been a big part of you and are leaving it at the side of the road.

One great tip that I have learned for making it easier to let go is to first accept it. Then to let it go. When you accept something instead of resisting it you stop feeding more energy into your problem and making it even bigger. A bit counterintuitive.

This is useful when it comes to letting go. If you first acceptwhat you want to let go you aren't so emotionally attached to it and still feeding it with your focus and energy. And so it becomes less powerful and easier to just drop. As long as you resist it then it will be hard to let it go.

Another helpful hint for letting go is found in tip #1 in this article. All that worrying in your past may not have been very accurate at all. So perhaps it's a smart choice to let go of that habit?

4. Focus on a solution.

"There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem." Harold Stephen

"The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work." Robert Frost

"You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time." Pat Schroeder

To move out of worry it's very helpful to just start moving and taking action to solve what you are concerned about. Two tips that have helped me to take action more consistently are:

Using a morning routine.

This is perhaps the most powerful tip I have found so far in this area. You simply set up a routine in the morning that you do as soon as you wake up. This works so well because what you do early
in the day often sets the context for your day. As humans we have a strong tendency to want to be consistent with what we have done before. That's one big reason why a bad start often leads to a bad day and a good start often leads to a good day. Read all about my and other people's morning routines in this article.

Focusing on and taking responsibility for the process, not the potential results.

I use this when I workout. I don't take responsibility for the results in my mind. I take responsibility for showing up and doing my workout. The results have come anyway from that consistent action. And this makes it easier for me to take this action when I know that is all I need to focus on. Instead of using half of the energy and focus I have available on hoping that I "reach my goal real, real soon".

Focus on the process and you will be a lot more relaxed and prone to continue than if you stare yourself blind on the potential results that never come as quickly as you want to and puts you on an emotional roller coaster from day to day.

5. Tomorrow will come anyway. Live and fully enjoy here and now.

"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy." Leo F. Buscaglia

It may sometimes seem that by worrying we can less the sorrow of tomorrow. But it never works. It only sucks the life out of today and this moment.

To be able to live better today and to be able to take that action to prevent the possible sorrow it's important to learn to live in the present moment. Because it's there that you can do things in the best possible way with your focus fully on what you are doing.

Three of my favorite techniques for drawing myself back to the now are these (the first one is the one I use most often right now):

* Focus on what's right in front of you. Or around you. Or on you. Use your senses. Just look at what's right in front of you right now. Listen to the sounds around you. Feel the fabric of your
clothes and focus on how they feel. Be still right there and just take in the world around you.

* Pick up the vibe from present people. If you know someone that is more present than most people then you can pick his/her vibe of presence (just like you can pick up positivity or enthusiasm from people). If you don't know someone like that then I have often recommended listening/watching to Eckhart Tolle in the past. I still do. I especially like his audiobook "Stillness Speaks". Another guy that I find helpful for picking up presence from is Dr. Wayne Dyer.

* Paraliminals. I reviewed these guided meditation CDs during the spring and they have become one of my favorite way for reconnecting with the present. I just plop down on my bed for 25 minutes or so to relax and listen. Afterwards I feel relaxed and energized and my self-talk tends to shut down or decrease significantly for maybe half a day. This makes it a lot easier to be in the present moment and just focus on what is going on right now.

I'm injured and can't exercise, now what?

2009-10-02T10:53:00.010-04:00

One of my personal training clients is out of commission for a few weeks with an inflamed achilles tendon. He was playing with his kids in his back yard and "wham!". In the meantime, he is healing and unable to exercise, so he is traveling for business and also not paying much attention to his diet.

Now I don't want to pick on him per se, but I want to point out something very significant. Injuries are like any set back in life. It's not what happens to you that is significant, it's what you do about it that counts!

When I am unable to follow my normal exercise regiment, I always ask myself this question, "What can I do today?" For example, if I can't get in a workout, I'll set a goal to make sure that I drink my allotment of water for the day. It's always a good practice to differentiate between our intentions and our actions. We judge ourselves by our intentions, so it's easy to not take action. And before you know it one day leads to another and another, and little gets accomplished.

We all have the best of intentions, but few of us are able to carry them out with consistency. A simple way to improve upon this is a two step process. One. Write your intentions into your daily to-do list. By taking this action step, you immediately trigger the brain to be much more accountable. Two. Just like in business, "you get paid for done". Projects in your head don't make money. Projects completed do pay off. Actions completed pay off too!

So put your daily "habits" of drinking water, eating small meals, and exercising in your to-do list (daily) and think of them as paying you big dividends when "done". Health is wealth!

No BS. This is simply a matter of changing your thinking. Powerful associations to things we already do and value can help us make big strides. It's important to get your brain to stop "thinking" that doing these daily activities is time consuming and inconvenient. Get excited about the changes you are making with every small meal, every bottle of water, every push up! It's the little things that add up to make a big difference.

Avoid having a setback take you out of the game. There is always something you can do to move you toward your goals, but it takes an intention and action to get it done. Think of your "intentions" as priming the pump for the actions that are to follow. Get fired up about your intentions and your actions will fall into place like dominoes.

In the end it's a shift of values where you are taking action on things because they are now higher priority because you "must do" them. Without this thought process your daily actions are just "should do" items that you never seem to get to.

Press on!

What Are Your Thoughts? Please add a comment!

Youth Fitness Program Launches Oct 5th in Warren, NJ

2009-10-01T13:41:00.008-04:00

Over the years I have been asked a hundred times or more from moms in Warren about offering a fitness program for their kids. But the logistics of creating a program are huge as it requires designing the "right" program, finding the right space and time, obtaining a facility, not to mention being effective.

If you actually take the time to look around, it won't take you long to see that there are a lot of over weight kids. They are everywhere. This has been gnawing at me for over two years.

A year ago I met a fellow NJ trainer at a fitness seminar in CT. His name is Todd Dattoli and he has been a certified Youth Fitness Specialist for several years. In addition, Todd is a nationally certified personal trainer and like myself runs his own company, Peak Conditioning Fitness in Far Hills, NJ.

And also like me, Todd has been wanting to create the right program too. It only took us one meeting to get our main objectives on paper and within a few weeks "Play On! The After School Fitness Challenge" was created.

We sent proposals to the Warren Board of Education, the elementary and middle school principals, Dr. Crisfield - the Superintendent, and the Business Administrator. I am happy to report that everyone loved our proposal and we have been given the opportunity to offer Play On as an "after school enrichment program" in the Warren district.

http://healthyfitkids.com

This initial program is for grades 4 through 8. Although any student can participate, we're looking to attract those students who aren't getting enough physical activity. Maybe they are academic or artistic in nature, or perhaps they are just spending too much time in front of a computer screen. Maybe they are over weight too. These are the students who don't participate in Rec Sports programs and even avoid athletics because they might feel inadequate.

We want to create a place where these kids will feel like champions. Our mission is to get them to exercise through creative games. Through "play", they will get moving. The scope of the program introduces tools and equipment they won't use in PE. They will be encouraged, inspired, motivated, and challenged to use their imagination to ultimately create their own games.

You see, we are not only looking to get them moving in the present.

- We want them to feel good about themselves and to get moving on their own.

- We want them to get excited about having fun so that they begin to change their habits and get outdoors on their own and actively pursue physical activity.

- We want them to develop confidence in their physical abilities so that they don't feel socially inept.

-We want them to associate healthy eating with exercise and having fun.

Please go to our website at healthyfitkids.com and look through the program description.

Warren Parents, We Need Your Help

This program is in it's infancy, but the knowledge education and passion behind it has over twenty years of combined experience in education, fitness, nutrition, and coaching.

The Warren schools are supporting the program, but are limited in their ability to get the word out to parents. They have allowed us to use Woodland School and to place fliers in the school offices, but we want to also notify as many parents as possible which is why I am writing to you.

I truly want to help kids begin to get the right message at an early age so that as they grow, they make better choices and live healthier lives. It doesn't happen over night, but we have to plant the seeds so-to-speak. We have to start the process and reverse the trend that is sweeping across our nation. We've got more technology, more diet programs, more self help books, more gyms, more health food stores than ever and we are fatter than ever. It's just crazy!

We have to start at the beginning and that is with our kids. So if you or someone you know has kids who could benefit from this program, please direct them (and yourself) to our website where you can register online.

The program begins on Monday Oct 5th. We've only got room for 50 students, so please don't sit on this. Registration forms and tuition must be received by Sunday October 4th. You can drop them off at the Woodland School by Friday Oct 2nd in the office, or get them to me personally. If you need help, please let me know.

If you have any questions, please call or email me directly.

With gratitude,

P.S. This is not just for Warren kids. PLAY ON is for all kids!

http://healthyfitkids.com

What Are Your Fall Fitness Goals?

2009-09-25T15:53:00.019-04:00

Okay, so this could be a tough one. I mean "Three" goals? Isn't one goal enough? Well, that depends on what your goals are. If you had one goal to lose 50 pounds, that would be quite significant. But having multiple goals is more in line with human nature. I mean, do you only ever want one thing and "only one thing"? Exactly.

So ask yourself, "what are three things that I could work on to improve myself or my health?" Please know that I am well aware that you might also be motivated to help someone else. And as much as that would be generous and honorable, this exercise is about YOU!

My Goal #1
Last Winter I had a goal to do 100 consecutive pushups without a break. I worked up to 74 and then had a set back as I hurt my shoulder. And as it often happens, within a few weeks I let go and focused my attention on other things. I started that goal at Thanksgiving setting New Years as my target. It's been haunting me ever since. So now that is goal number #1 - 100 pushups! Only now I'm going to start earlier and I'm giving myself eight weeks to complete the task.

My Goal #2
My second fitness goal is to nail 20 body weight pull ups. I can currently only get a clean 10, so twice that is going to be a real challenge. One thing is for certain, I'm going to get a lot stronger as a result and that's not only exciting, it's driving me to want to do it!

My Goal #3
My third fitness goal is to go surfing more often. Although this is a recreational activity, it's about taking time to enjoy life. (I work way too much). There was a period in my life where I spent a lot of time chasing waves along the east coast. My goal is to get out more, enjoy the Fall weather and waves, and share my passion for surfing with my sons...the next generation!

Once the weather gets cooler like it is now, it gets more difficult to be outside and for some reason the Fall is always a busy time of year. I hope that you'll give this some thought and come up with a few goals for yourself.

Consider the many events of the fall season and see if you can't associate a goal with an activity. From football games, holidays, kids sports programs, and how about all those falling leaves? Make a goal to do your own yard clean up this year!

Leave A Reply ~ Go ahead and post your Fall Fitness Goals below!

Not sure what goals are for you? Here's a few suggestions.

- Run a 5 or 10K road race
- Train for a triathlon
- Train to ride a bicycle for 100 miles (a "century")
- Commit to release 10 pounds of fat in six weeks
- Quit smoking
- Learn to prepare healthy meals
- Take up a new sport
- Walk your dog every night after dinner
- Eat breakfast every day
- Join Body Basics Boot Camps (The #1 goal to rule them all!)

This list could be huge if you let your mind go. The point is to "focus on change" and to make progress from where you are now. For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks and you never eat breakfast, then eating oatmeal for breakfast every day will also help you drop those extra pounds of flab. There's two goals that have a synergy between them.

Keep your eye on the prize and find reasons to be 100% committed.

Don’t forget to Leave a Comment
Post your Fall Fitness Goals below!

Just think - by taking action NOW you will be MORE than ready with a new, fit body once the holidays arrive!

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

2009-09-16T16:10:00.005-04:00

I'm sure you well know that actor Patrick Swayze died this past Monday at age 57 after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. Last night there was a Barbara Walter's Special on where they showed the various interviews Barbara did with Patrick over the years. One of the questions that Barbara Walters asked was, "How do you want to be remembered?"

Patrick Swayze's response was something along the lines of him hoping he had made a difference in other people's lives.

I couldn't help but put myself in Patrick Swayze's shoes. Here is a man who is facing death and he is so filled with gratitude for the "life" that he has lead. He stated that he felt like he had lived 1,000 lives in all that he had seen and done and that he was okay with dying. It was at that point that I became overwhelmed with emotion and tears started to flow. Those of you that know me know that this isn't unusual for me.

I started to think about my own life and could I say that I have lived so well? Could I say that I am okay with dying if faced with a terminal illness? Has my life helped others in a significant way? Now ask yourself those same tough questions. What kind of answers do you come up with?

In my personal life I'm a father and a husband, a brother, a friend, a cousin, and an uncle just like many of you. Those monikers are fairly easy to come by. But what I dedicate my life to is excellence in everything that I do.

In my professional life I write newsletters, post articles on my blog, make workout videos, run boot camps, teach nutrition and healthy lifestyle, coach semi-pro football, lead a hiking group, and volunteer. But sometimes I wonder if I am really making a difference in people's lives. I'd like to think that I am. It certainly is my mission to accomplish just that.

The "take home" point I want to make is that having a full life is about a lot of things. Sure we focus on being healthy and lean, but that's just a piece of the puzzle. I hope that if any of us finds ourselves in the throws of a terminal illness we can have the courage of Patrick Swayze. He has reminded me that I have slipped into my life's routines and too often forget to be grateful for the truly wonderful life I have in my good health and loving family.

I have never thought of Patrick Swayze as a great actor. He's had some big movies and will forever be remembered as Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing" and as Bhodi in "Point break". It is only in his final weeks of his life that I really began to take notice and come to admire and respect this man.

Patrick Swayze showed us what he is made of in his final days. During his last project for television (the Beast) he was going through chemotherapy. He refused to take pain killers as he said that they dulled his brain and his senses. He didn't want to let his illness take away from his ability to be the best actor he could be. He chose to endure pain over sacrificing quality of what he does best.

I am saddened by his passing as he truly had a lot more living to do. I am humbled by the words he spoke in his interview with Barbara Walters and the courage he displayed, and I don't think he was acting.

Rest in peace Mr. Swayze.

Ride Your Bike To Help Cure Cancer

2009-08-12T21:24:00.006-04:00

I hope you are having a great Summer. September will be here before you know it and for many people that means "back to school". But for some of us it means something else entirely.

For example, my good friend Scott Glickman is working his tail off to launch the Century For The Cure Bike-a-thon to raise money for the Cancer Institute for New Jersey. This is a great event for a cause that touches us all, fighting cancer. I encourage you to consider riding this year. I understand they are also adding a shorter distance ride for those who aren't up to 100 miles in a day.

Join us as we pedal towards a cure for cancer in the 5th Annual Century for the Cure. Choose either the 100 mile or the 40 mile option, as we ride through some of the most scenic back roads of Central New Jersey.

You will have a truly memorable experience, fully supported by enthusiastic volunteers along the way. Raising money for research at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, you are guaranteed to cross the finish line with an emotional reward, knowing that you have helped others and been part of an experience larger than yourself.

Please visit the CFTC website. You'll find everything you need to know about the ride, the Cancer Institute of NJ, how to register, and hotel and lodging information if you are coming in from out of town.

I look forward to having you join us!

Larry Wasserman

EXCERPT FROM THE CENTURY FOR THE CURE WEBSITE:

The Century for the Cure is a one day, 100 mile bike a thon which raises money for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). The event is a ride, not a race and is sure to be an uplifting and rewarding experience. Our success is built on the support of passionate riders and volunteers who finish the day knowing that the event is about more than just the day.

In order to reach our goals, we ask that each rider raise a minimum of $500. It is safe to say that there is not a person reading this that hasn't been affected in some way by cancer. With the collective energy of the group, we can make a difference. In 3 short years, we have raised over $185,000, 97% of which was donated to The Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

www.centuryforthecure.com

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Here's an email from Scott Glickman, founder of Century for the Cure

Dear Friends:

September 12th, 2009 will mark the 5th annual Century for the Cure charity bike-a-thon, benefiting The Cancer Institute of NJ in New Brunswick . I will once again "celebrate" the occasion by cycling 100 scenic miles through the beautiful central Jersey countryside, starting and ending at Camp Riverbend in Warren , NJ .

When I started this event in 2005, it was my goal to not only raise money for CINJ, but to bring awareness to the wonderful work they are doing. I certainly did not imagine the degree of success we would have in such a short period of time. Starting with only 13 riders the first year, 60 riders the second year, and we expect well over a hundred this year. Cumulatively, the event has raised over $310,000, contributing over 95% of the money raised to CINJ. This years fundraising goal is aggressive - $150,000! But, hey, you gotta have goals.

The money we have raised over these short 4 years has been put to dynamic use by CINJ, developing life saving, novel therapies that have saved lives. Without being too dramatic, these therapies would not have been possible without our collective contributions. We hear it often from the many charities out there, but WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE - and we are not going to stop until we eradicate cancer.

With your help we can get closer to our goal. You can contribute in two ways. One is online by credit card, going to our website, www.centuryforthecure.com, clicking the "donate" tab and typing in my last name (Glickman) as a rider. The other is the old fashioned way - but equally effective. Checks can be made out to Century for the Cure, and mailed to me at 18 Crown Dr, Warren , NJ , 07059 .

And as always, you are invited to come ride or volunteer. This year, we have added a shorter, 40-mile route option. It is an energetic, exciting, feel good day and I would love to see you there.

Thanks again for your past and future support!!

Regards,
Scott Glickman

www.centuryforthecure.com

Boot Camper in the Spotlight

2009-07-24T16:19:00.015-04:00

Do You Know Joe?

At first glance Joe Hirschman is just an average guy. But there's a lot more than meets-the-eye with Joe. He joined Body Basics Boot Camps last January and has been a regular ever since. From day one Joe understood what boot camp is all about. He is always the first one to arrive at 6am and starts his own warm up whether it be running a lap or doing light calisthenics. I imagine Joe's a self-starter in all that he does.

Like many men his age, Joe had let his diet and exercise take a back seat so-to-speak to his work and family. It happens to the best of us Joe! I wouldn't be here today if I didn't have my own story to tell.

But unlike many people, Joe decided to change his life, and man is he is on a roll! Below is Joe's story in his own words. As you read Joe's narrative, imagine what you would challenge yourself with. What makes Joe so special? Well, in two worda, "Joe does", and that makes him our boot camper in the spot light.

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Joe's Story

As a prefix to this story, I realized at this point in my life I want and need to challenge myself. Most people reach a point and everything becomes routine or work-related, but they are unchallenged on a personal level. Last September I took on 3 distinct and new challenges.

In no particular order:

1. To perform 35,000 pushups in one year.
2. To start exercising on a regular basis and drop 20lbs.
3. To learn a second language.

I started doing 25 pushups each morning and night. Soon after a co-worker told me I inspired him to do 75 a day. Doing this many push ups a day would really add up and I decided I would do 100-a-day for an entire year or 35,000 pushups. One hundred a day would be a bigger challenge and just seemed so much more impressive.

Forty-five weeks later, I have now done over 32,000 pushups and I am now shooting for 36,000 to 37,000 total pushups for the year.

This takes determination and a some effort. In addition I train four days-a-week at 6am. I have greatly improved my diet and I am in better shape than I have been in for quite a few years. Our 6am workouts with Larry Wasserman at bodybasicsbootcamps.com are an even bigger challenge with bigger results. Not only am I reaching new goals, but I am taking better care of myself.

My third goal is also a work in progress. I have been taking Greek lessons for the last 6 months. I am able to read and write in Greek which even impresses me! I have a decent vocabulary but stringing together more than a simple sentence and conjugating verbs is very complex.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. My message to you is to ask you to challenge yourself. Every day we are challenged professionally and invest a huge amount of time in our family lives, but we don’t create personal challenges since we are so busy at home and at work. There is much more time than we realize. Turn off your TV and turn that time into something more productive. You just might amaze yourself.

- Joe Hirschman

What's Really Stopping You From Getting In Shape?

2009-07-01T12:14:00.011-04:00

Last night I received an email from someone who informed me that he may join boot camp, but he has to check his schedule with his employer. I wrote him back with this message,"Good luck, hope it works out".

I was angry at myself for letting him off the hook so easily because this person just "doesn't get it". He doesn't understand that boot camp is a metaphor for life. Nothing ever seems to fit into my schedule in a way that is perfect. It seems that no matter what I plan, no matter how far in advance, something comes up that throws a monkey wrench into the works.

In the end we are left with having to make a choice. We can move forward as planned and deal with the inconveniences (or consequences), or change our plans to accommodate an easier plane of existence, i.e., less stress and greater peace of mind.

Well, I've lived long enough to be able to look you straight in the face and tell you that "option B" will get you nowhere. If you are willing to give in to whatever will keep you from your dreams and goals then you will never accomplish anything in life worth while.

If you are the type of person who always changes course the minute things get tough, so that you'll have a more comfortable life then you also need to evaluate what it is you are asking for. Take health and having a lean muscular body for example. Do you think the people that look amazing have lifestyles that allow them the ease and flexibility to go to the gym everyday? Do you think that none of them have marriages, kids, or careers?

Take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself, "What is it that I really want?" What ever it is, if you want it bad enough, you'll do whatever it takes to get it. And if you don't, then either you don't want it bad enough, or your "fear" of success and thus lack of confidence is running the show behind the scenes.

If you desire to be fit, there are tasks you must do every day and that require focus, diligence, and the tenacity to handle life's unpredictable events. Unfexpected chaos is around the corner all day long. Sometimes its a business meeting that could keep you at work for an hour longer than you planned. So, do you skip your "after work" training session altogether, or do you just go an hour later? Depends on how bad you want the end result, right?

So back to my young man who clearly hasn't learned this lesson yet. He doesn't know what he really wants, or he doesn't want it bad enough.

T. Harv Eker has a great saying. "How you do anything is how you do everything". Think about your life. Where do you put the majority of your focus? What events occupy your time the most? Are you out of balance? Maybe it's time to shift your priorities a bit.

Changing the way we do things is often the hardest thing to do for some people. You have to really want to make change in your life. You have to be very emotionally distressed by your circumstances to effect great change. It always comes with a price. You must also be willing to make the necessary sacrifices and that means being uncomfortable to a large degree.

In the end having a lean muscular body or achieving anything for that matter boils down to three things. They are: knowing what you want, having powerful reasons 'Why" you must achieve it, and then be willing to be uncomfortable until you suceed.

Press on!
Larry

Boot Campers in the Spotlight

2009-06-28T16:16:00.004-04:00

I think it's important to recognize people's strengths and character. One of the things I love about being a Coach is helping people discover their "inner strength".

But some people have their own brand of character that drives them. I want to share these moments with all of my readers and celebrate these individuals. They are many in number, but from time to time some stand out for the little things they do. Mostof the time they don't even recognize their own strengths. I'm not talking about how many burpees or pushups they can do, but their strength in determination and drive to change their health and ultimately their lives.

This week's Member in the Spotlight is a two way tie. On the left is Mary Grace Suitovsky and on the right is Rosanne Lemongello. This is Mary Grace's first week of boot camp and she came to two classes in one day on Friday!

On her very first day this week, MaryGrace was a bit timid and held back. It appeared that she was not sure that she had made the right decision about joining boot camp. But look at her now, just a few days later swinging a dumbbell into a wood chop. That's just awesome MG!

But not to be outdone is Roseanne Lemongello who came to Friday night boot camp direct from work. She didn't have time to go home and change her clothes. She is pictured here swinging a kettlebell in her bare feet as she couldn't maintain a stable stance in her shoes. Look at the photo, she's actually barefoot and wearing her work clothes. Wow! Can you say determination?

Way to go ladies. You rock! Keep up the great work!

8 Reasons To Drink More Water

2009-06-28T15:53:00.010-04:00

You hear it all the time, "Drink more water". But not many people drink "enough" water daily. In pursuing simple ways to improve your health, drinking more water would be at the top of the list.

There are many different advantages to drinking more water throughout the day, all of them equally important. I would like to stress to you that we as a population NEVER get enough water during the day. Look at the graphic above and review the 12 facts.

Those of us that make a point of drinking more water than the rest usually lose that excess water while exercising, be it running or biking, swimming, etc.

To become properly hydrated the average person needs to drink more than 60 ounces of water a day. You are probably thinking that if you drank that much water you would go to the bathroom 35 times a day and would never get anything done. There is some truth to the humor.

The first week or so of drinking that much water you will go to the bathroom much more frequently, but your body is also processing a lot more toxins and waste out of the body that it couldn't before. After about a week of living in the bathroom, your gradients will balance out and you will be back to your normal bathroom routine while still drinking the increased amount of water.

Here's 8 Facts to Also Consider

#1 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)

#2 In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3 Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

#4 One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

#5 Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6 Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

#7 A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

#8 Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?