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  • The Fat Combat Workout – this is for the ladies out there

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Welcome, Blog Reader!

You may be on a quest for some good fitness sites, training advice, nutrition ideas; and stumbled across my blog. Why should you keep reading or listen to any of my advice? Let me introduce myself; that might help you decide that I actually have a clue as to what I’m talking about.

I was not one of those physically active kids growing up being a member of the local sports team or cheering when the teacher announced the gym-class as we wrote down the planners on the first day back at school. Reading was my thing, I had a very large library of all sorts of books, and my physical activity consisted of walking to and from school, to and from friends’ houses, and the one or two hours of gym we had to have as a part of the school program.

Yet I was fit and of “normal weight”, not even really chubby once I came into my teens; thanks to my mother’s naturally healthy cooking and portions. We never thought about either ingredients or portion control, but thinking back I know it was always pretty much right on the button.

However, as with a lot of people, life started happening. Upheavals, kids, break-ups, mental stress, even a depression, and as a result of it all, obesity. It may be hard to believe looking at me today, but I was obese 4 years ago, 93 kilos (or 205 lbs if you insist) and a whopping 46% bodyfat!

My scales said 46% - almost half of me was FAT? In total denial, I threw the scales in the trash J but that didn’t alter the fact that I had half my weight as yellow, disgusting, squishy, wobbly fat that wouldn’t fit into any clothes in normal stores!

To top it off, I found myself owner/manager of a gym. In that state, I wasn’t exactly very credible. It prompted me to looking for a program which would help me get in shape, and I did it. I inspired the members of my gym by dropping down to 68 kilos within 6 months (that’s 150 lbs by the way), they’d see me walking in the early morning as they headed for their commutes, and see me at the gym in the evening when they came to train. I know I helped many stay on track, and decided I’d get certified as a personal trainer - which I did.

I receive numerous programs and e-books through my association with www.atozfitness.com which is run by my husband, Lewis Wolk, and only those I feel are good enough, with sound and healthy approach, and that people can actually follow for the full extent of time; make it to our sites (blogs and main site).

In addition, I follow most of these programs myself, and tell you about how they feel in this blog; show you how I do, tell you what’s my challenge with them, which I prefer, which ones I enjoy enough to make them a part of my yearly cycle - and those I don’t like, well I’ll also tell you why I don’t. It could be that a great program just clashes with my personality but will be perfect for you.

Here is picture proof that I was obese and am now lean - not at my final goal yet, but I doubt I ever will be J goals have a way of changing as you reach them!

2006 - 93 kilos (205 lbs) and 46% bodyfat - I felt elegant that day

 

2008 - 63 kilos (139 lbs) and 17.5% bodyfat - getting there!

10 months separate these two photos …

Yes, I stumbled in 2007 and had to fight my way back, so I do understand the trouble others have with “life getting in the way” at some point.

I promise you that this blog will never promote anything that’s not sound, that could be dangerous or risky; not one gimmick, diet pill or gizmo has been used by me nor will I promote any - with a few exceptions made for natural supplements that can actually help you achieve your goals, but only if I have tried them myself first and can vouch for their safety and efficacy.

Enjoy browsing my blog, and I hope you’ll bookmark the page! You can also follow me on twitter!

Sarah, CPT
www.trainwithsarah.com

PS, just so it’s said - I’ll be 50 in the early part of February 2009 - anyone with an ”I’m too old” excuse, think again. You’re never too old to be healthy and fit.

3rd August 2008

The Fat Combat Workout – this is for the ladies out there

There are few women trainers whose programs I like. Many seem too “soft” for my liking just reading them, and I don’t even feel like trying them out. There are a few that I admire though, and Georgette Pann is one of them.

Her e-book “The Fat Combat Workout” is thorough in the explanation of how and why you should be training, your nutrition, goals – she even takes you through a list of myths and gimmicks right at the start.

I know a lot of people are confused about the conflicting information available. Many also have “old truths” stuck in their belief-bank.  Reading the Introduction chapter of the book will set some of that straight for you.

Georgette goes on to explain the workout, bodyweight exercises, abdominal exercises, stretching, aerobic exercises and handy tips for a successful workout. Of course, there are men’s books available that do the same thing, but I know many women tend to think that they can’t do certain exercises, that they are for men only. Getting the explanation from a woman makes it a little different. She’s not only telling you how to train, she does this herself. And if you’re like me, that thought of “hey, if she can, so can I” comes creeping into your mind.

She also explains about variations to your program, both with regards to cardio and weight training. This is an important chapter, because I see far too many people (both genders here) do the same program month after month, and not getting the results they would if they added variation.

Of course, no exercise program will get you to the results you want without a good nutrition plan. Some go so far as to say nutrition is 80% of the equation, I don’t agree completely with that, believing that the mind set is the overall factor for success; however, between the training and the nutrition, if we leave the mind out of it for now, 80% is a good number for the nutrition’s importance in a successful program. So don’t skip this chapter!

You will now get to the goal setting and visualization chapter. This is where many sin by omission. I know men especially tend to think of this as silly, but there are many women who do too! Read, and implement; your success will be that much easier.

Of course, life does not end at the final lift of a dumbbell from Georgette’s workout program, or the last forkful of food. You have to maintain your new body, or get it even better if you’re not quite there yet. How many fitness books treat this “after” phase? Frankly, not many – they seem to just end like the old fairy tales of “happily ever after” without saying how. You’re in for a treat, because Georgette cares what happens after you finish the program, she doesn’t want you to fall back to old sins and tells you how to avoid it.

In short, this is a very worth-while e-book for women – but also for men really. There isn’t much difference in training styles and needs between genders. The difference lies in the hormones more than the muscles.   Check this one out at http://tinyurl.com/5qw5nv

posted in August, Fitness, Georgette Pann, health | Comments Off

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