Author Archive: Val

What is Cardio?

I’d like to hit some basics here for everyone before I jump into very many more posts. Cardio is one of the biggest things you can do for your health. For most of our human history, cardiovascular exercise wasn’t something that the majority needed to go out and pursue. Most worked very physical jobs and the household chores themselves were intense. But now we live in an automated and sedentary society. The majority in our country have a long commute and a job that requires a good deal of sitting. This is not how our bodies were created to work. It is definitely not helping with our obesity and medical issues and yet it is something that you can completely change! Cardio workouts are about much more than just weight loss. It’s about getting that blood pumping through your

Author Archive: Val

10 Snack Ideas

Diet changes are one of the most difficult things I have to work with my personal training clients about. We can get the workouts and calories burnt, especially on days I’m with them, bu their diet is all them. I hope that all the info I beat into them has shown them the importance of those diet changes. Snacks play a huge role in keeping your blood sugar on an even keel. Dips too low and you’re feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Up to high and you’ll be productive for a few, but you know that low is going to hit like a ton of bricks. By eating 100-200 calorie, nutrient rich foods, you will boost your system and keep it there. Some great choices are: 1. 1 cheesestick and 10 triscuits or a portion of pretzels 2. Portion of almonds with small apple 3. Rice cake with a Tbsp

Author Archive: Val

Get Up WAHM’S!

Let’s face it, as a WAHM, we sit way too much. Especially if you don’t have little one’s helping you get up every few minutes. It’s very easy to get working and not get up for hours. It’s part of the problem with loving what you do. All this sitting is not good for your body as a whole, but definitely a worry for your waistline. You’ll be much more productive by taking breaks. Here area few tips to combat all that sitting. 1. Use a timer. Set it for an hour or hour and a half, then get up and moving. 2. Your to do list. Writ out your to do list so there will be natural spots to take breaks. 3. Change the work location. If you use a laptop, this is even easier. Work from the dining room table, then from comfy chair, then maybe move to the kitchen counter. If

Author Archive: Val

Top Reasons for Body Weight Training

I started my personal training business by training women in their homes. I loved this and still try to make housecalls here and there. one added benefit was teaching these women that they didn’t have an excuse not to workout because they didn’t have a full gym. Here are my top 3 reasons why I love body weight training. 1. Bone density. As women we have a big bone density issue. It’s a fact of nature. Body weight training helps to keep the bone density you have and even build it slightly. By putting the pressure and weight on your bones with squats, running, push ups and more, you are forcing the bones to work to become stronger. Remember our bodies are always striving to be stronger when we break parts down. 2. Body weight training is free. You don’t need an expensive

Author Archive: Val

Winter Fitness Fun

I’ve lived all my life in the Pacific Northwest. Tons of my friends grew up skiing as we live less than an hour away from a world class resort. However, my first time ever up on the mountain was at the age of 28. This is even funnier because my husband grew up skiing at this same world class resort. I am afraid of heights and yet I took to snowboarding fast. I loved it. Now I am skiing instead, don’t ask about the injury that happened, everyone is tired of hearing about it. lol Last year was a long, hard winter here in the Seattle area. But my family and I didn’t even notice. We were too busy relishing the fact that the snow was kickin’ in the mountains and just waiting for M-Fri to get done so we could head back up. The winter went so fast. Previously, I would have

Author Archive: Val

Keeping Your Fitness Resolutions

Were you one of the millions that added better fitness to your 2010 resolutions? Go to the gym in January and you can see how many people added it to their resolutions.  The gyms are packed.  But we are starting to hit the time when many will quit and it will be back to the regulars again.  Make your fitness resolution stick.  Become a fitness regular and not a January drop in.  A few tips to make that happen: 1.  Make your fitness fun.  Many go to the gym and trudge through a workout without ever cracking a smile.  Who wants to keep that up?  If you go to the gym, then find a workout buddy to laugh with.  Play a sport and get your fitness that way some days a week.  Or think about buying the Wii fit plus and challenge yourself at home.  Making it fun will help you stick

Author Archive: Val

Fitness in Your Day to Day

There are many ways you can get more fitness into your daily routine. These tips are not to be confused with a full cardio workout as that needs to be for a minimum of 20 minutes for health benefits. But more movement is great for your muscles and joints. Some of these tips may make the family laugh for a little bit, but hey, I am personally used to my kids laughing at me ;) But as the kids were growing up I also got them to be goofs and move around with me. Which leads me to one of the first ideas. 1. Dance around. I am the world’s worst housekeeper. I truly hate it. One thing that helps me get through it is my favorite music and dancing around the house like a goof. This one really got the kids moving and even our dog. Dancing around the house will help limber up all