Jessica Smith is a certified wellcoachÒ and fitness consultant. A featured trainer on ExerciseTV and PUSH, Jessica has starred in several exercise videos and is certified by both ACSM and NASM. Currently, she runs a 4-week program, The WOW (women-only-workouts) Booty Camp, to help women get their whole lives in shape in the
You work hard, play hard and take care of everything for those around you. It seems like your days are always chock full of things you should do, and need to do - including getting into shape. And, not surprisingly, it still seems like losing those last ten pounds has been on your “to-do” list for about the last ten years.
Piling on dieting and exercising to your already stressed existence is just setting yourself up for failure. Try all you want, but if your life is out of balance, any results you might see are going to be temporary, at best. When life has you running in circles, you don’t get very far.
My personal philosophy that I use with my coaching clients is: fitness begins within. You have to first get the inside in shape, in order to bring out the best on the outside. This process begins with creating, and living, a life that is centered. It can be hard to imagine, but it is possible. I suggest starting with what I call “the 3 C’s” to begin creating a life in balance:
1. Clear out the clutter. Eliminate the things you don’t need to create a clear and focused environment. The other day I realized I had three can openers in my kitchen drawer. Only one of them worked, and I was wasting precious time fiddling around with all of them to find which one was functional every time I needed to open a can. How ridiculous is that? And I am not only talking about physical clutter, you need to address mental clutter too.
2. Clarify. You’ve got to get specific about what it is that you want. Visualize what you want in your mind: paint a very clear picture of how it looks and feels to you. For example, if you want to start running, develop that broad concept into something more specific. Imagine yourself training for a 5K and then envision yourself crossing the finish line.
3. Change. Once you have identified what you want, it is time to change that which isn’t working. If there are things in your life that aren’t contributing to or supporting your goals in some way, then you’ve got to change them. The very definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. Let go of the notion that if you can just fix the outside, everything will change. Instead, focus on starting the change within, and you’ll be surprised how quickly the outside will catch up.
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SOPHIE GOODCHILD
Posted August 30, 2007
EVER-INCREASING working hours are a depressing reality of modern life and they can take their toll on relationships.
When people are not chained to their workspaces or struggling to get to the office, they are usually keeping up with the treadmill down at the gym. All of which leaves little time for romantic evenings with our partners.
Experts are now saying that setting aside time to exercise together instead of heading off for your Pilates class alone is the way to bond with your partner while motivating you to get fit. The latest fitness craze to reach
Couples exercise can increase motivation, cut costs gyms offer discounts for couple membership and can even help curb infidelity because your beloved will not be distracted by someone else’s lithe Lycra-clad body.
“Exercising together breeds respect and teamwork because you are working towards a mutual goal of self-improvement,” he says. “It can be really useful because Londoners are busy people. We lead increasing isolated and individualistic lives, so if you can do something that isn’t just commuting together and is a shared activity not just off to different gyms then that is great.” You could choose an activity like running or cycling and head off together it always helps to have a “buddy” or you might prefer a more structured exercise program.
Thompson’s advice is to pick a sport that suits both your personalities. Ballroom dancing is fine if you both like showing off but some couples may prefer to enjoy a more low-key exercise or one where they do not need to talk, such as yoga.
Here are six great ways to put the energy back into your relationship and shed the pounds with your partner.
COUPLES BOXING Why it works: No longer just for men, women now pull on their gloves for an intense all-round cardiovascular work- out, which will tone and define the body. Some caution is advised but couples can kick and punch their way though any frustration towards one other in a safe, structured environment. Your partner holds the pads and absorbs the blows, then you swap over. Men who are skeptical about other joint activities can rest assured that they are doing something suitably masculine.
PERSONAL TRAINER Why it works: Couples can spend an hour working out together under the watchful eye of a fully-trained professional, who can design a fitness program tailored to your specific goals including running, cross training or weights based sessions. Sharing a personal trainer with someone else is a good cost cutting move. Another plus is that couples can help motivate each other to achieve their weight loss or fitness goals.
MASSAGE Why it works: A two-and-half-hour session will teach couples basic full body massage procedures through watching and taking part in practical demonstrations. Enthusiastic beginners can then go on to focus on learning to massage different parts of the body such as the hands, neck or scalp.. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SOPHIA MONEY-COUTTS For couples looking to improve a faltering love-life, a massage course can add a new dimension to the physical aspect of their relationship and heighten intimacy. And, of course, it’s the ideal way to wind down after a stressful day, or soothe post-exercise aches and pains. ‘You can tackle more challenging yoga positions by introducing your other half to the exercise’
PAIR UP TO KEEP YOURSELVES FIT, HAVE FUN AND PUT THE PASSION BACK INTO YOUR LOVE LIFE THE FIT FOR LOVE PROGRAMME Why it works: Exercise guru David Marshall has helped celebrities such as model Sophie Dahl shed excess pounds with his Body doctor fitness plan which combines nutritional advice with graded workouts using dumbbells and exercise balls. He has now devised a program aimed at busy couples who need to tone up their bodies and increase their fitness levels in the bedroom. Fit For Love follows the same principles by working on all muscle groups as well as the pelvic region to increase blood flow to boost the libido and bring couples together. There is the added benefit of a backup team of a hypnotherapist and nutritionalist. The exercises also help reduce flab around the waist which is an indicator for heart disease.
SALSA DANCING Why it works: A great fat burning exercise for couples to do together, salsa dancing is the perfect feel good way to release endorphins for a post-exercise glow. The Spanish word for “sauce”, salsa is all about sexiness and flirting and lots of body contact, so this fast-paced form of dance is guaranteed to inject some fun back into an exhausted relationship. Engaged couples can also sign up for classes and show off their new footwork on the big day.
© 2007 Evening Standard - London. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
