active lifestyle

Addicted to Fitness Show Notes – Predictions on the Biggest Health Trends of 2018

Happy New Year!

We’re sharing our predictions on some of the big health trends for 2018 in this week’s episode.

Before we get into our best guesses at some of the hot buzzwords you’ll be hearing more about, we want to remind you to head over to our podcast Facebook page for some exclusive content. SPOILER ALERT! We posted a Facebook Live taste test of the junk food flavored ONE bars.

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In sharing our training recaps, Shannon reveals that she is still searching for an opportunity to get back into her yoga home studio, Bella Prana. In the meantime, some walks with Ella, and occasionally our spastic dog Jaz, along the Tampa Riverwalk has been a sufficient way to get some activity in there. Fingers crossed she’ll squeeze a ride on the Peleton in before the week is out.

I, on the other hand, was working training clients, which I’ve only really stopped doing on Christmas Day. With some clients still on holiday, it’s been a lighter training week, but new prospective clients are setting up their intro workouts. Hopefully, in the next week, we’ll be adding a few new members to the ETT community.

I also bought myself an early birthday gift and registered for a TRX certification course. TRX is a brand that focuses on suspension training, which uses only bodyweight & gravity as resistance. I’ve introduced every client to TRX and they have loved it because it is low impact, but super challenging, making it good for clients of any fitness level. Needless to say, I’m super stoked to be going to this course.

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Sometimes the only weights you need to get a great workout is your own body weight — Repost from @tampastrength using @RepostRegramApp – TRX training uses only your body weight to help you build core strength, enhance cardio capacity and improve flexibility. It's also a great piece of equipment for those with movement limitations.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Stop by Tampa Strength today and let one of our trainers show you how beneficial TRX training can be. Let's get that core ready for beach season! ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ •⠀⠀ •⠀⠀ •⠀⠀ •⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #personaltraining #semiprivatetraining #health #nutrition #fitness #fitnesscommunity #diet #exercise #fitfam #fitnessaddict #gym #gains #trx #functionalstrength #core #stability #mobility #movement #workout #Tampa #tampabay #tampafl #tampafitness #southtampa #healthytampabay #igerstampa #ETTampa #tampastrength

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Let’s get into the 2018 health trend predictions:

  1. Resurgence of Dietary Fat – Low fat and Fat-free diets and products are starting to be seen as a hindrance to proper nutrition. Even recent USDA Dietary Guidelines removed their dietary cholesterol limitations.
  2. Sleep Optimization – Research comes out regularly about the importance of sleep and how the lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, anxiety and a weaker immune system. The entire industry around sleep optimization has become far more prevalent (pillows, mattress, etc). Shannon referred to how many aspects of our culture (technology, stress and pace) is turning us all into “sleep zombies.” Nick dropped a statistic from Chris Kresser’s podcast around 100 million Americans having pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
  3. Mindfulness – Living in the moment and being aware of your environment sounds easier than it actually is. However, it’s a rare habit in our country. Teaching children mindfulness is becoming particularly popular as research and organizations are emerging to prove how helpful it can be highly beneficial.  Shannon’s yoga training included a lot of mindfulness training, but both she and I have been working to improve our mindfulness through activities like meditation.
  4. Self-Care – Truly taking and making time for your own development and care (e.g. sitting & reading a book, going for a walk in the woods) and focusing on yourself, is so important. This is especially true for caregivers. People deplete their energy and then sadly think something like a week-long vacation is going to fix it. The reality is that the “vacation method” is similar to cramming for a test the night before – it’s going to fail. Shannon’s go-to self-care practice is yoga or the basic physical activities for early morning  (ritualistic morning practices).

Honorable mention trends – gut health (past ATF episode link) & boutique fitness

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Thanks for listening – Please rate, review and share – Like & follow the Addicted to Fitness Podcast Facebook page

Links to this week’s episode:

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/predictions-on-the-biggest-health-trends-of-2018/id1121420986?i=1000398835381&mt=2

Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/nick-burch-702220833/predictions-on-the-biggest

Website – http://addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/predictions-on-the-biggest-health-trends-of-2018

Last Week’s Highlight Reel

I know we’re a few days into the week, but I wanted to share a highlight video from last week’s ETT training. We started off the week with a great ETT Group workout followed it up with several ETT personal training sessions and finished off the week with a great run & stair climb on the Tampa Riverwalk. ETT would like to thank all of its members for their participation & dedication to building the ETT community. ETT would not be what it is today without their help

If you’re interested in joining the ETT community, reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or simply send us an email at elementaltampa@gmail.com.

It’s Getting Better All The Time

It has been a little over 3 months since I started offering individualized ETT personal training sessions. During that time I’ve done a lot of “on the job” training in order to meet the specific needs of each client. I’m constantly looking for feedback from my clients to ensure that I am providing them the training that they desire. I recently had 2 clients complete their ETT personal training packages, and ask if they would fill out a survey about their experience training with ETT.

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I have to admit I love reading survey answers like “I have worked with personal trainers in the past and Nick is easily the best. He is attentive, encouraging, and receptive to feedback.” As good as those comments make me feel about the ETT training system I think I appreciate the constructive suggestions more. One of the clients suggested that I work on “smoother/faster transitions between segments in the program.” I am a stickler on proper technique which leads to me giving very detailed instructions so I’m sure I can get a little long winded. I will definitely work on streamlining my instructions in order to help move the workout along and keep the client’s heart rate at the optimum BPM for exercise. Another suggestion that one of the clients made was that they “prefer not to workout after sitting in traffic for 45 minutes after work.” I totally understand how unmotivated a person can be to exercise after putting in at least 8 hours at work then sitting in rush hour traffic. I think it is pivotal for me to recognize which clients need motivation whether it be through text messages or posts on ETT’s social media pages. In addition to motivation, the last suggestion brings up another aspect of ETT personal training that I hope to address in the near future.

Due to my non-fitness related work schedule, the vast majority of my personal training sessions occur weekdays after 4pm. I realize that the limited schedule is an issue I will have to address if ETT is to evolve from its current state. My hope is that one day, through the knowledge I gather from certification classes and the “hands on” experience I gain during ETT personal training sessions, I will be able to convert Elemental Training Tampa from a part-time passion project into a full-time labor of love.

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ETT Workout of the Week Ep.1

Some of you may have noticed that July came and went without any mention of an ETT group training session. The recent wet weather in the Tampa Bay Area essentially eliminated any opportunities for us to hold our monthly group training. This is the first time in almost a year that we have not gotten together to train, but you can still get your ETT fix with the first edition of the ETT WORKOUT of the Week! Instead of the single ETT exercise videos you are use to, this video provides an entire workout complete with detailed instructions on striking stance and several different striking techniques. The video also demonstrates each exercise with modifications and tips to ensure you perform each exercise safely and properly. Please remember to warm-up before starting the workout and modify the exercises to match your fitness level. We would love to make these workout videos a regular thing, which means we need your feedback to help us improve the quality of future workout videos. ‘Nuff talk, now get out there and HIT IT!!

Test Yourself ***UPDATED***

Originally published Saturday, June 6th

Adhering to a healthy, active lifestyle can be difficult for some people. Whether it be a lack of time or results, people have a hard time sticking to a regular exercise regime. One sure-fire way to maintain an active lifestyle is to set and achieve SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that refers to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. For example, some people may start an exercise program because they want to “look better” or “feel better.” Unfortunately these goals are neither measurable nor specific. A SMART goal for someone who wants to look or feel better could be “I want to go down two dress sizes in 8 weeks” or “I want to complete a 5k in the next 6 months.” These goals will provide the individual with the motivation needed to stick to their training program. Also, when they achieve their goal, the feeling of success will most likely inspire them to set another SMART goal and convert their exercise program into a lifestyle.

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Even though I adopted the active lifestyle years ago, I still set SMART goals for myself. Today actually, I will attempt to achieve a SMART goal when I have my first jiu-jitsu belt test. I have admired and enjoyed learning jiu-jitsu since I began my martial arts training over 8 years ago. I received great tutelage from several instructors over the years, but it was only recently that I began a formal training program at Gracie Tampa South. Even though I’ve trained and competed in jiu-jitsu previously, I wanted to start as a beginner to ensure that I learned every aspect of the martial art. Wish me luck and I’ll let you know soon if I achieved my goal or not. In the meantime, set some SMART goals for yourself and begin the journey to an active lifestyle.

UPDATE

Monday night I found out that I passed my first Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt test. I received the first of what I hope to be many stripes on my belt and felt the satisfaction of accomplishing a personal goal. Thanks to my teacher Coach Josh, all the students in my class for helping me prepare for the test, and all my friends and family who wished me good luck. The time to enjoy this milestone has come and gone and I’m ready to get back to work to prepare for the next test.

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