All too often, we try to target our workouts to take care of problem spots. Flabby thighs, hanging arms (a.k.a. bat wings), muffin tops and other very specific areas get the bulk of our exercise attention while the core is overlooked. The truth is we need to work our whole body if we want to get real results. Targeting is fine, but it won’t get the job done on its own.

The core – the back and stomach muscles – are essential to include in regular workout routines for a number of reasons. The fact is that all body movement comes from the core. If your stomach and back muscles aren’t properly strengthened and toned, your entire system will suffer.

Try lifting heavy weights to tone those flabby arms, for example, and your back muscles just might protest in a very big way. If this happens, you could suffer an injury that just might sideline your weight loss and exercise efforts for a time.

So, how can you get the workout you really need?

The key to enjoying weight loss and body strengthening success is to go for a whole body workout. While focusing on the core is critical, ideally you do want to include the entire body. To make sure this happens, develop a workout plan that involves all major muscle groups. Be sure to blend both cardiovascular and strength training together, too.

If you’re unsure of how to develop a true full body workout routine, give us a call at 783-1241 and we can help you. Every Boot Camp workout we do is a total-body workout.  And our trainers can help you by:

Tailoring a program to suit your needs – Not everyone can follow exactly the same workout routine. What works for your best friend, for example, might actually be too rigorous for you. Consulting with one of our trainers will result in a routine that takes your strengths and weaknesses into account. Your tailored routine will also be designed to offer the right level of challenge without taxing your body too much.

Making sure you avoid injury – Beginners often strive too hard to see results. Jumping into a 7-day-per-week workout routine can and often does, lead to injuries. At the very least, a workout that is too hard can zap motivation very quickly. When you involve the pros, you’ll end up with a plan that’s been developed to help you reach personal goals while motivating you to succeed.

Offering moral support – Our coaches are here to help you reach your goals. They do this not only by offering their expertise, but also by cheering you on along the way.

A body-part-targeted workout won’t provide the overall results you’re after. If you want to see real changes in your body, you need to focus on the whole body.

About the Author

Ginny Grupp is a co-author of the #1 Best-Selling Book, 3 Steps to Your Best Body in Record Time.  She has also been featured on radio (KSKA’s Line One: Your Health Connection), television (ABC News with Mike Ford and Natasha Sweatte)  and the internet (KTUU’s Alaska’s Health Connection).  She is an expert in the art of body and lifestyle transformation who has helped hundreds of local Alaska residents achieve the body and lifestyle they have always wanted.  She is the owner of AlaskaFit, LLC, Anchorage’s only Results Guaranteed fitness and nutrition business.

If you’re ready to begin making life-long, real, healthy changes to your lifestyle, please call 783-1241 right now to receive a complimentary nutrition and fitness consultation (valued at $87).

If you’re not yet ready for our free consultation offer, please enjoy our free reports.  Just click the link to the right and let us know where to send the information.  Start making changes to your health and fitness right now!

You’ve joined a gym and you’re all set to drop that 20 pounds you’ve promised yourself you’d lose for years. Your motivation is high and you know you can do it!

That is fantastic news, but it’s time to temper your enthusiasm with a bit of reality. The fact is your motivation is very high right now and that’s a good thing. Your motivation, however, may not last forever. When you’re 10 pounds in and that last ten pounds won’t seem to go away, you need a plan in place to keep yourself going.

So, how can you bolster your motivation and make sure it stays on course? There are a few fairly simple tricks that can help you retain your desire to achieve even when the going gets tough. Try these things to help yourself stay on track:

Don’t work out alone – When you work out alone, it’s all too easy to quit in the last 10 minutes. It’s also a whole lot easier to skip a day here and there. You need a way to hold yourself accountable to overcome those dips in motivation that are very likely to occur. Instead of going it alone, workout with a friend. Hire a trainer to keep you accountable. Join a Boot Camp class. Just do something that involves another human being that can help hold your feet to the fire if and when the urge to quit strikes.

Keep a journal – The journey to changing your lifestyle can be long and arduous. It is often fraught with ups and downs, too. Write down everything that happens in a journal. Record your successes and complain about your struggles in writing. Releasing your doubts can help you gain focus and help you to remember why you started this process to begin with. Recording your successes can give you the strength to draw on when you need it the most.

 Set goals – Saying you want to lose 100 pounds is great, but it’s a pretty big number to shoot for. While it’s a great idea to have an end goal, try setting smaller ones along the way. Use milestone goals to help keep yourself going. Give yourself rewards when you attain these milestones, too. Little things like a massage or a day at the salon for losing five or 10 pounds can motivate you to keep reaching for loftier goals.

Changing your lifestyle is a journey that calls for motivation. Keep yours high by enlisting some help. Our coaches and personal trainers can help you get on track and stay that way.

About the Author

Ginny Grupp is a co-author of the #1 Best-Selling Book, 3 Steps to Your Best Body in Record Time. She has also been featured on radio (KSKA’s Line One: Your Health Connection), television (ABC News with Mike Ford and Natasha Sweatte) and the internet (KTUU’s Alaska’s Health Connection). She is an expert in the art of body and lifestyle transformation who has helped hundreds of local Alaska residents achieve the body and lifestyle they have always wanted. She is the owner of AlaskaFit, LLC, Anchorage’s only Results Guaranteed fitness and nutrition business.

If you’re ready to begin making life-long, real, healthy changes to your lifestyle, please call 783-1241 right now to receive a complimentary nutrition and fitness consultation (valued at $87).

If you’re not yet ready for our free consultation offer, please enjoy our free reports. Just click the link to the right and let us know where to send the information. Start making changes to your health and fitness right now!