Thursday, March 31, 2016

Stress Busters For Tax Day

Stress Busters for Tax Day

It’s that time of year again: tax season.

If you are like many people, you feel increased stress around April 15. Tensions can run high from the pressure of getting the forms filed on time or coming up with the funds to pay your (hopefully not too big) tax bill.

But you owe it to yourself to keep your stress under control as much as possible. When your body is subjected to ongoing stress, unhealthy changes occur at the chemical level, and these changes can lead to food cravings and weight gain.

How does your body react to stress?

When you experience stress, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. In small amounts, cortisol does not present a problem. But when the stress is chronic, such as during the weeks surrounding tax season, the concentration of cortisol in your body stays elevated with undesirable results.

For example, you will crave foods that will give you quick energy, such as candy bars and potato chips. And the presence of cortisol will cause many of these extra calories to be stored as abdominal fat.

You may also find it hard to eat in moderation while stressed, because cortisol can interfere with the chemicals in your body that control appetite.

And now for the good news…

While you can never get away from all stress, there is much you can do to keep it under control and thus temper its effects on you. Consider the following tips to outsmart stress in your life during tax season.

· Exercise. You can reduce cortisol levels in your body by exercising just thirty minutes each day. To make the most of your workout time, try intervals. Alternating between lower and higher intensity periods of exertion allows you to achieve an overall more challenging workout than exercising at a consistent pace.

· Eat Well. During times of stress, fuel your body smartly. Be intentional about eating nourishing foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and nuts. If you eat these foods, you will keep your blood sugar level steady, and you will be less likely to give in to the cravings that cortisol causes.

· Don’t skimp on sleep. By getting at least eight hours of sleep each night you can reduce your cortisol level by more than half of that of people who get less than six hours. You really can sleep away your stress!

· Identify your stress. Generalized anxiety can be paralyzing. Take the time to sort out exactly what is causing you to feel stressed. Rather than saying, “My taxes are causing me so much stress,” figure out the specifics. Perhaps you are stressed because you can’t find a form that you need or you are trying to do your taxes alone without the skills that you need to pull it off. Once you pinpoint exactly where the stress is coming from, you can take steps to take care of the problem.

· Make time to relax. Taking time to unwind is not a luxury; it is a necessity if you are going to master your stress. Find something that makes you laugh and smile, get a massage or just breathe deeply. Your mind has a profound impact on your body; take advantage of this by finding time to relax every day.

Use these stress-busting tips to get you through the 2016 tax season unscathed!

Looking ahead

Why not get a head start on the 2017 season?

Begin forming a plan to reduce the stress of next year’s tax time. Decide where you will keep the necessary paper work throughout the year, gather phone numbers and addresses that you will need, check with your tax preparer to see if your withholdings are optimal, and start a list of notations that you will need when tax day rolls around again. Make sure this is the last year that Tax Day causes you anxiety!

What do you do to relieve stress in your life? I’m always interested in new stress-busting tips!

Your #1 Coach and Trainer,
Dr. John Heary, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC
Certified Fitness Trainer
Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Fitness Trainer Specialist
Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
(716) 545-4090
http://www.MaximumFitnessSolutions.com
https://www.facebook.com/maxfitnesssolutions

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The 5 Biggest Fitness Mistakes

The 5 Biggest Fitness Mistakes

Take a walk through any gym, and you'll notice many mistakes. Mistakes that waste time. Mistakes that put people in danger. And mistakes that are just plain stupid. Maybe you even make a few of these mistakes yourself.

By avoiding these common blunders, you'll put yourself on the fast track to results. Check out the following 5 fitness mistakes and the solutions you need to avoid danger and to get fit fast.

Mistake 1: You use the wrong weight

The goal is to challenge your muscles, not to simply go through the motions. If you are able to complete 15 repetitions easily, then the weight is too light. On the flip side, if you aren't able to perform an exercise through its full range of motion, and find yourself cheating on form, then the weight is too heavy.

The correct weights will feel challenging by your last few repetitions, but won't force you to sacrifice form.

Mistake 2: You do the same routine

You may have noticed that most people do the same exercises each time they visit the gym. Maybe you've been doing the same exercise routine as long as you can remember - if it isn't broken then don't fix it, right?

The truth is that exercise routines have expiration dates, and that is the date that they begin to lose their effectiveness. As a rule of thumb never use the same routine for more than 4 weeks.

Mistake 3: You don't warm up

Most people consider warm up time to be wasted time - they'd rather jump right into the heart of the routine. What they don't realize is that a good warm up will allow you to perform at a higher intensity, which means greater results.

The point of a warm up is to increase your muscle temperature. This increases blood flow, muscle contraction and reduces muscle resistance. Your warm up should last 5-10 minutes.

Mistake 4: You use bad form

Gyms are filled with people performing exercises with bad form. The two biggest reasons are that you aren't concentrating on the exercise, or you're trying to lift weight that is too heavy. Lifting with improper form almost always results in injury.

Take the time to achieve proper form, by doing so you'll avoid injury and will reap the full benefit from each exercise.

Mistake 5: You workout alone

People who exercise alone are less challenged, less accountable and typically see fewer results. It makes sense, doesn't it? Why rush to the gym if no one is there waiting for you? Why push yourself if no one is watching? Exercising alone is a recipe for disaster.

The best way to avoid injury and to see results is to work with me, your trusted source on fitness. I am passionate about seeing my clients achieve results - without wasting time, energy and effort on mistakes.

Call or email today to schedule your first workout.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Household Cleaner Swap Challenge!

Household Cleaner Swap Challenge!

It’s pretty ironic when you think about it. We use all these different products to clean our homes, but sometimes we end up exposing ourselves to toxins and doing more harm than good!

In an average household, there are over 60 toxic chemicals in the cleaners we use every day.

Exposure to these chemicals over time have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity.

Although we can’t avoid exposure to these chemicals completely, we can significantly reduce it by choosing more natural brands.
The first step is to know what to look out for. Here’s a short list:

1. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, which get into our system through inhalation or direct contact. (It’s found in many fragranced household products, such as air fresheners, dish soap, and even toilet paper.) Companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their scents, so you probably won’t even know it’s there! Look for the word “fragrance” on the label when buying household products.

2. Perc (Perchloroethylene) is a neurotoxin and is classified as “possible carcinogen.” Exposure is most often through inhalation. It can be found in spot removers, carpet and upholstery cleaners and dry-cleaning.

3. Triclosan is an aggressive antibacterial agent that can cause the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. It’s found in liquid dishwashing detergents and hand soaps labeled with “antibacterial.

4. Ammonia is a powerful irritant that can cause chronic bronchitis and asthma when being inhaled over an extended period of time. It’s typically found in window cleaners and polishing products.

5. Chlorine is a respiratory irritant and it may seriously disrupt thyroid glands. Chlorine is everywhere - in cleaning products, fumes, even in city water to get rid of bacteria. Tip: use backing soda and vinegar for cleaning instead. Also, add filters to minimize chlorine going through tap water.

The good news is you can use a lot of ingredients you probably already have at home and make your own DIY cleaners.
Check out this list of 67 homemade recipes you can make right at home:www.keeperofthehome.org/…/homemade-all-natural-cleaning-rec…
This will not only save you a lot of money, but is much better for your body.
Your challenge this week it to look through all of your household cleaners and replace one (or all!) with a healthier, more natural one.
Are you ready? Let me know in a comment below!

Monday, March 28, 2016

Get Fit Newsletter March 28, 2016

Get Fit Newsletter

March 28, 2016

5 Signs Your Diet Is a Fail

You’ve considered it for weeks, months, years even. And now is the time that you’ve decided to make a change and go on that diet. But don’t just dive in feet first. First, take a long, hard look at the diet you’re considering and answer five questions before proceeding.

Only then can you be sure your diet is not going to land you in the land of diet failure.

Question 1: Does it make you hungry all day every day?

When you’re on a diet, it’s normal to feel the occasional tinge of hunger. Much of those light hunger pangs, however, should be done away with by drinking a glass of water. And if you stay busy enough with life in general, you ought to be able to ignore some other hunger. But if your diet has you feeling hungry at all times, you’re not going to last long.

To avoid falling into the pit of hungry despair, go with a diet that lets you eat protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Also, as stated above, drink plenty of water to avoid confusing hunger with thirst.

Question 2: Does it force you to drop food groups?

A healthy diet is one that incorporates appropriate amounts of food from each food group. When a diet cuts an entire food group from your eating options, you’re going to have a hard time surviving your diet for longer than a week or two.

One of the most popular food groups to cut is carbohydrates. While not eating carbs will indeed help you lose weight, carbs are what make it possible to store energy to make it through the day. No carbs, no energy, no willpower to maintain your diet.

Question 3: Is your mood suddenly unpredictable?

Everyone gets metabolic every once in a while, but if your diet is too restrictive, you may find your mood swings coming with greater regularity and severity. This happens because excessive caloric restrictions messes with the chemicals in your brain. When this occurs, there is no telling what direction your mood will go.

Before letting your diet ruin your relationships and put your job at risk, reconsider your diet and find one that helps you be cool, calm, and collect.

Question 4: Does it insist there is no need to exercise?

There are some diet plans that promise plenty of lost pounds without the addition of exercise.

If this is the type of diet you’re considering or are in the midst of, beware! Exercise comes with countless health benefits that will make your weight loss all the more beneficial. From preventing chronic pain to improving your energy level and sleeping better, exercise is a vital component to any diet.

Question 5: Do you still weigh the same?

It is true that the best way to lose weight is slowly—approximately one or two pounds per week. But take note that slowly doesn’t mean not at all.

In the event you’ve been on a diet for a few weeks without any results to speak of, then your diet is a flop. Drop it immediately and find something that will help you lose pounds. Otherwise, you’ll get discouraged with your diet and swap it for the old habits that got you where you are now.

Remember that a true body transformation comes only from a combination of diet and exercise. Call or email me today to get started on the only fitness program that you’ll ever need!

Dr. John Heary

800 Harlem Rd. West Seneca, NY
716-545-4090

Fitness 19 Maximum Fitness Solutions

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Don’t Ever Give Up!

I'm not going to sugar coat it. The truth is that lifestyle changes aren't easy to make and that change won't happen overnight. There's a good chance that you'll have occasional setbacks. But don't even think of giving up!

If you never give up then you won't fail.

Each day is a new chance to start over. Begin each day with the resolve to make your new healthy lifestyle a priority. Results will soon follow.

PB&J Makeover

Not all PB&J sandwiches were created nutritionally equal. It all depends on the quality of the ingredients that you use.

If you use white bread, corn syrup-filled peanut butter and refined sugar-filled jelly, the result would be a sandwich that will skyrocket your blood sugar, promotes fat storage and leaves you feeling hungry a short time later.

However, if you make this recipe, with sprouted grain bread, true peanut butter made from one ingredient: peanuts, and fruit preserves that are naturally sweetened with fruit juice rather than sugar, then the result would be a nutritionally dense food that would promote stable blood sugar levels and provide you with hours of sustained energy.

Servings: 1

Here’s what you need…

Sprouted grain bread
1 Tablespoon pure peanut butter (no added sugar or corn syrup)
1 Tablespoon natural fruit spread (no added sugar or corn syrup)
½ of a banana, sliced

Spread one piece of bread with peanut butter and the other with fruit spread. Line one side with the sliced bananas and sandwich it.
In a grill pan over medium heat, grill each side until grill marks appear and the sandwich is warmed.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 380 calories, 8.7g fat, 53g carbohydrate, 9g fiber, and 13.2g protein.

Replace Your Trigger Foods

Replace Your Trigger Foods

Many people who struggle with their weight feel powerless to cravings.

Have you ever experienced this? When the urge to eat something bad comes over so strongly that you feel you have no choice but to give in?

Then, when it's over, you feel awful that you've eaten all those calories and set yourself up for further weight gain. So you're good for a couple of days until another craving comes over you…and so the cycle repeats.

I'm here to tell you that you hold the power. And it's not as hard as you think.

Most of us have certain trigger foods that send our diets into a fiery tailspin. The plan is to identify your trigger foods and to replace these with more wholesome, real food substitutions in order to break the cycle.

What's a Trigger Food?
Trigger foods are foods that when eaten make you crave more of it, or cause you to eat more food in general. These foods are eaten out of habit, not out of hunger. Your trigger food is something you've probably said you feel addicted to. Most trigger foods are high calorie, processed and filled with carbs.

You'll know something is a trigger food when it's hard for you to stop eating it, even when you feel full.

Replace Your Trigger Foods
When you stop eating your trigger foods, the craving you feel for it gets weaker and weaker. To assist you through this transition use the ideas below to replace your processed trigger food with a healthier, real food option.

Trigger Food #1: Candy
Due to the high concentration of refined sugar, candy is one of the most addictive of trigger foods. If candy is a major part of your life, then start replacing it with unsweetened dried fruit. You'd be surprised how satisfying the natural sweetness of dried fruit can be. Try apples, pears, apricots, figs, and mango.

Trigger Food #2: Salty Snacks
Salty snacks are nearly all processed, refined and packed with simple carbs. Basically it's the perfect storm for weight gain. Fight the urge to rip open a bag of chips and instead make a batch of Baked Plantain Chips. See the recipe below.

Trigger Food #3: Sweet Drinks
Sodas made with high fructose corn syrup or coffee drinks made with simple syrup have one thing in common: loads of sugar. If drinks like this are part of your daily life, then you know first hand how addicting these can be. Start replacing these high-calorie, high-sugar drinks with zero calorie iced teas. Add a packet of zero-calorie stevia, made from the stevia plant, for sweetness.

Trigger Food #4: Fried Foods
It's common to have a weakness for fried foods. There's something about the texture, taste and fat content of fried foods that sends people into an eating frenzy. To eliminate this temptation, make your own homemade versions of your favorite fried foods by baking and then turning on your oven's high broil. For example, instead of commercially made French fries, cut a sweet potato into fries, toss with olive oil and bake at 425 degrees F for about 40 minutes, until crispy. The baked versions of your favorite fried foods have considerably fewer calories and you're less likely to stuff yourself with them.

Trigger Food #5: Baked Treats
Cookies, cakes, donuts, muffins and brownies are serious trigger foods. These are hard to avoid, since they are often shared socially at parties and celebrations. Make your own baked goods at home while replacing flour with almond flour and sugar with a touch of raw honey or stevia in the raw. These ingredient substitutions will make your baking lower in carbs and less addictive. However, keep in mind that baked goods are still baked goods and should be eaten as a treat in moderation.

Eating a healthy diet, free from trigger foods, is one side of the equation when it comes to getting into amazing shape. The other side is consistent, challenging exercise.

I'm here to take care of the exercise in your life. All you have to do is show up when I tell you and then give it your all for that short amount of time. Easy enough, right?

This small investment of time and energy truly will transform your body and your life. Call or email today to get started on the last exercise program that you'll ever start, and the one that gets you into your best body ever.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Box Jump Demonstration

Jessica is demonstrating box jumps in the video above.

Seriously?! Don’t fall for this

The madness has to stop.

This might come across as a soapbox rant, and for that I apologize, but trust me when I say that this is a message that needs to be spread.

Your fat loss depends on it.

We all want to be fit and lean, right? So why do we fool ourselves into thinking that we are eating healthy...when our diets consist of so many processed foods?

Don't fall for it: so-called healthy packaged foods are NOT guilt-free.

I can't tell you how many folks I've seen chow down on organic, all-natural, gluten-free, vegan or high-fiber packaged foods...only to see their fat loss halt and reverse.

What did you expect?

Packaged snacks and desserts are going to stop fitness results and encourage fat storage. Every. Single. Time.

Even if it says healthy, or all-natural, or high-fiber, or organic, or gluten-free, or vegan.

If it's processed and packaged then it's getting in the way of your results.

If you are serious about shaping up your body then throw out the packaged foods and opt for wholesome, real foods instead.

Start with these:

lean protein
fruits
vegetables
nuts
seeds
avocados
When it comes to fat loss, eating clean is half of the battle. The other half is all about effective, challenging and consistent exercise.

Begin right now by calling or emailing me to get started on an exercise program that will turn you into a fat burning machine!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Dr. John Heary, Buffalo Personal Trainer demonstrating one leg suspended burpees

http://www.MaximumFitnessSolutions.com
https://www.facebook.com/maxfitnesssolutions
Dr. John Heary, Buffalo Personal Trainer and Buffalo Fitness Bootcamp Coach demonstrates one leg suspended burpees. This is a more advanced variation of the burpee. It is great for strength and conditioning. This version also requires more balance and stabilization in the foot and ankle.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Refresh Your Workout (5 Ways)

Refresh Your Workout (5 Ways)

Has your exercise routine gotten stale?

Boredom with your routine quickly leads to shorter and shorter workouts, and then before you know it you're skipping the gym altogether.

While it's common knowledge that the most effective exercise routines aren't routine at all, most of us stumble through the same exercises every time we hit the gym. And then we wonder why our results are lackluster.

In order to really see results your routine must continuously change and challenge your muscles in new ways. Here are 5 ways to refresh your existing workout routine in order to see quicker and more dramatic results…

Refresh #1: Circuit Training

The days of doing single sets of each exercise are over, now it's all about circuit training. Increase your workout intensity by creating a circuit with 4 exercises and moving quickly between each one. Circuits will keep your heart rate up for longer periods at a time and will force your muscles to work double time.

Always choose different exercises to be included in your circuit, to really keep up the intensity and the challenge. Also vary the resistance and increase the load at each session.

Refresh #2: Go Heavier

Most of us grab the same weights each time that we exercise, simply out of habit. Unfortunately this is one habit that is seriously hindering your results. Next time that you reach for a set of dumbbells grab heavier ones. This will force you to do fewer repetitions, and will challenge your muscles with greater intensity.

Always use a spotter when using a heavier weight than you're used to.

Refresh #3: One Side at a Time

Do you find yourself doing presses, curls, raises and squats with both arms/legs at the same time? Increase the challenge and focus by singling out each arm and leg alone. Focus all of your effort and concentration on that single movement and be sure to increase the weight as you're able.

Have you tried single legged squats lately? The act of using one leg forces all of your core stabilizing muscles to pitch in. Start without any weight at all, simply focus on your form and range of motion. You'll be surprised how sore you feel the next day!

Refresh #4: Pump Up Music

Do you have a personal exercise playlist? This is a quick way to instantly add some pep to your workout. Spend time selecting each song to add to the playlist. These songs should be ones that get your toes tapping and get you in the mood to move. Songs with a strong beat are always a good choice.

Make your playlist long enough to cover your entire workout time. It's great to have fun, upbeat songs without any repeats. Unless you have a specific song that really gets you going – in that case play it on repeat!

Refresh #5: Know Yourself

Are you highly competitive? Then the best way to push yourself during your next workout is to exercise with someone who is in a little better shape than you. You'll spend the workout pushing yourself to new heights.

Are you happiest in nature? Then move your workout to the great outdoors. Find a new and challenging outdoor activity to immerse yourself in.

Are you a social person? Then structure your workouts around a group of likeminded, fit individuals. Don't try to go at it alone.

Tap into that unique part of yourself that make you tick and cater your workout time in a way that best suits your needs. You'll be happier with your results and you'll be more likely to stick with it for a longer period of time.

Use these quick and effective workout refreshers in your routine to instantly see improved results. Don't forget to change things up often, and to always keep your muscles guessing.

If designing and redesigning your workouts doesn't sound like something you want to spend time figuring out, don't sweat it, let me do the work for you. My programs are specially designed to blast fat and to build muscle in all the right places.

And you'll never get bored or do the same routine twice when you're working out with me!

Call or email me today to get started on a fat loss program that really works.

Your #1 Coach and Trainer,
Dr. John Heary, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC
Certified Fitness Trainer
Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Fitness Trainer Specialist
Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
(716) 970-9149
http://www.MaximumFitnessSolutions.com
https://www.facebook.com/maxfitnesssolutions

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Reduce Your Thighs (3 Steps)

Reduce your thighs (3 steps)

Women everywhere complain about the size of their thighs. Fat and cellulite have a way of ending up there – especially in the upper, inner thigh area.

I'm often asked how to quickly and easily reduce fat in this unwanted thigh region, so today's article is all about reducing your thighs.

First I need to remind you that it's not possible to spot reduce fat from one single part of your body, so my 3 steps to reduce your thighs will work by reducing your body fat percentage as a whole. It sure would be great if we could point a magic wand and make fat shrink from one particular spot, but that's just not how the human body it built.

The great news is that your entire body will become leaner and sexier in addition to your thighs shrinking!

Here are my 3 steps to Reduce Your Thighs...

Reduce Thighs Step #1: Ban Liquid Calories

Liquid calories are a major problem for many, resulting in countless unwanted pounds and inches around their thighs. These calories are easy to overlook, since you're just drinking and not actually eating anything, but don't doubt for a second that they are adding up quickly.

The best strategy to take, when your goal is to reduce your thighs, is to cut out liquid calories completely. This is an easy way to instantly cut hundreds of calories per day without feeling deprived. Simply replace those high calorie beverages with water or unsweetened coffee or tea.

I'm sure you are aware of which beverages in your diet contain calories, but I'll remind you with this list anyways: sweetened coffee drinks, blended coffee drinks, smoothies, sodas, energy drinks, alcoholic drinks...

Stick with water and unsweetened coffee and tea and watch how quickly you drop in size.

Reduce Thighs Step #2: Focus on Protein and Fiber

Want to know what lean, fit people all have in common? They focus all of their meals and snacks around protein and fiber and avoid sugar and simple carbs. It's really that simple.

Now when you look at your current diet, which is likely filled with high carb and high sugar items, then making the switch to a diet focused around protein and fiber may seem hard to do. The truth is that any change is difficult, but once you make it you'll quickly adjust and will begin a whole new, leaner lifestyle.

Cut out the packaged, high carb and high sugar items from your diet. Plan each meal around vegetables and lean proteins. This simple nutritional shift will make all of the difference in quickly dropping your body fat.

Reduce Thighs Step #3: Exercise Smart

There's exercise, and then there's smart exercise.

Exercise is good, and will get you to burn some calories and even build some muscle. It will raise your metabolism and improve your cardiovascular health. It will even reduce your thighs. All very good things.

Smart exercise will get you more of these benefits in less time.

So what makes exercise smart?

By doing a progression of movements with increasing intensity. By changing your workout often, to keep your body guessing. By varying your speed and range of motion. By incorporating complex, full body movements. By stimulating different muscle groups in each session.

Creating smart workouts is what I do for my clients.

Since my clients are not a trained fitness professional with the knowledge and skills to create smart workouts each day, I do all of the work for them. They simply show up and reap all of the benefits possible from each workout session.

If you haven't yet become one of my clients, today is the day! Let's get you in here for a fat-blasting workout that will shrink your body in all the right places.

Call or email today and learn to exercise smart.

Your #1 Coach and Trainer,
Dr. John Heary, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC
Certified Fitness Trainer
Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Fitness Trainer Specialist
Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
(716) 970-9149
http://www.MaximumFitnessSolutions.com
https://www.facebook.com/maxfitnesssolutions

Monday, March 21, 2016

No Time To Workout?

No Time to Workout?

The number one reason why you don’t exercise is that you don’t have time.

At least that’s what you tell yourself.

I know we are all busy. Between getting to and from work, balancing responsibilities and having time for yourself, there’s little left over for workouts.

With summer in full swing your busy schedule is sure to get even busier. There will be vacations, cookouts and family gatherings. It’s no wonder that exercise quickly takes a backseat to summer activities.

You don’t have to succumb to weight gain this summer. Escape the time crunch excuse in three easy steps:

Step One: Schedule Your Workouts: You’ve heard this before, and it makes so much sense. If you treat your exercise time with the importance of a work meeting then you’d never skip a workout and you’d be in amazing shape.

While the scheduling concept is brilliant in its simplicity, you have to put it into practice to reap the benefits. Pull out your calendar and a pen. Don’t laugh, I’m serious! Just do it. If you want to get into shape it starts with committing to a revised schedule with a set exercise time.

Identify three 40-minute time slots and mark them on your calendar. That is when you’ll exercise.

Remember this: if the thought that you should exercise this week is floating around in your head, but you haven’t anchored it down to a specific time and date, then it will quickly disappear.

Step Two: Get the Most from Each Minute: The days of endless, mind numbing cardio are over. A great workout can take place in under an hour, when done correctly. The idea is to burn more calories each minute. This is done through short, intense bursts of exercise.

Use the following three tips to bring your routine up to the next level:

1. Be Unstable: Use your entire body, and target your core, by performing exercises that engage stabilizing muscles. To do this use an exercise ball, a balance board, a balance disk, or you could simply stand on one leg.

2. Add Resistance: The more resistance that you incorporate with your routine translates into higher intensity and more calories burned. Some ideas for adding resistance include: carrying dumbbells while doing lunges, wearing a weighted vest while walking or jogging, or putting a weight between your feet while doing leg raises.

3. Use Intervals: Interval training is an amazing tool for creating short yet effective workouts. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated. Interval training is simply alternating between different short bursts of activity.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you want to focus on your legs and abs and to also get an effective cardiovascular workout. This would be a great interval routine for your goals:
Lunge while curling dumbbells, 15-20 repetitions
30 seconds of intense cardio: sprint, jump rope, or jumping jacks
Squat while pressing dumbbells overhead, 15-20 repetitions
30 seconds of intense cardio: sprint, jump rope, or jumping jacks
Crunches on an exercise ball, 15-20 repetitions
30 seconds of intense cardio: sprint, jump rope, or jumping jacks
Leg raises off the end of an exercise bench, 15-20 repetitions
Step Three: Twice the Results in Half the Time: What if I told you that I have a proven way to deliver twice the fitness results in half the time? It’s simple really… When you attempt to lose weight or meet a fitness goal on your own, the odds are stacked against you. Sure, you could do it over time – but it’s a long and lonely road. A road lined with detours that threaten to undermine your progress.

When you start a program with me, you suddenly have the upper hand on weight loss. You have me in your corner, coaching you each step of the way, keeping you accountable to workouts and giving you that dose of encouragement went the going gets tough.

And I’ll be the one congratulating you when your goal is met.

Call or email today to get started on a fitness program that will put exercise firmly on your calendar, and results squarely in your future.

Your #1 Coach and Trainer,
Dr. John Heary, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC
Certified Fitness Trainer
Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Figure Training Specialist
Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
(716) 970-9149
http://www.MaximumFitnessSolutions.com
https://www.facebook.com/maxfitnesssolutions

Friday, March 18, 2016

Meal Prep Made Simple

Meal Prep made simple

Ever wonder what it would be like to open your fridge to find a full week of healthy, delicious food that’s prepped and ready to be eaten? Sure would make sticking with your diet and achieving fat loss a lot easier…

Meal prep is a fantastic way to keep on track with your eating throughout the entire week.

The idea is to plan out all of your meals on the weekend, most often on Sunday, then do the shopping and the prep at one time for the entire week. This day is labor intensive, but then your food is ready-to-eat for the next 6 full days.

Here’s my 5 Step Meal Prep Guide to make your next food prep week really simple:

Step One: Planning

Get out your notebook and pen or pull up a blank note page on your iPad, it’s time to start planning for the week. Here are the questions that you’ll need to answer:

1) How many meals do I need each day?

Check your calendar for special events
Consider your appetite throughout the day
Look at each day separately

2) How many servings do I need for each meal?

Consider who in the family needs which meals
Check the calendar for guests or visitors
Look at each day separately
Step Two: Recipes

Now it’s time to translate those meals + servings into actual recipes. Take a moment to consider the produce that is in season and any special requests or food allergies.

1) Find your recipes

Browse around on your favorite recipe site
Pull out your favorite cookbooks
Find your family favorite recipes
2) Focus on a core group of ingredients

Plan recipes that use similar ingredients

3) Calculate leftover meals

Making enough of some recipes for leftover meals saves time

4) Make your list

Narrow down to the exact list of recipes
Step Three: Grocery List

Take your list of recipes and create a grocery list. A few things to keep in mind…

1) Pay attention to recipes that you’ll double or triple

Make sure to include all ingredients in your list
2) Organize your list into these convenient sections:

Meat/Seafood/Egg
Organic Produce
Herbs/Flavors
Pantry Items
3) Check your pantry for items that you already have

Save money by avoiding double purchases
Step Four: Shopping

It’s time to head to the grocery store! Take your list and, if you’re lucky, a helper down to your local market and go through each section item by item.

Step Five: Food Prep

You have options when it comes to the actual prep of each of your meals. Many you’ll be able to fully make right away and pack in the fridge. Other recipes you’ll want to simply do the chopping, measuring and organizing in order to make the meal hot and quick before you plan to eat it.

Which recipes should you fully cook in advance? The truth is that this is really up to you and your schedule. Here’s a good game plan if you don’t want to fully cook everything on Sunday: <ol >

Fully make the baked goods for the week.
Chop all vegetables.
Gather all seasonings.
Fully cook Monday’s dinner.
Getting into the habit of prepping your meals for the week is a surefire way to accelerate your fat loss results. It’s my goal to help people, just like you, conquer their fear of exercise and clear up their confusion with healthy eating. I know that a healthy life is within your reach – I’ve seen hundreds of my clients before you do it, and I’ll see hundreds after you do it. Today it’s your turn.

Call or email now to get started on an exercise program that will make fat burning second nature, and will transform your body for the best.

Your #1 Coach and Trainer,
Dr. John Heary, CFT, SFN, MMACC
Certified Fitness Trainer
Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
(716) 970-9149
http://www.MaximumFitnessSolutions.com
https://www.facebook.com/maxfitnesssolutions

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Making 2016 Your Best Year

Making 2016 Your Best Year

What are you going to do differently in 2016?

Are you going to reduce your stress level?

Are you going to improve your diet?

Are you going to take exercise more seriously?

Or will you allow the rest of the year to pass by without changing a thing?

If you haven't put any thought into it, then do so now.

The fact is that you will age and change in 2016, and next year on 12-31-16 you will be slightly (or dramatically) different than you are today.

If you would like to be headed in the direction of improved health, lowered weight and increased strength, then here are 17 suggested changes for you to apply in 2016:

1) Exercise 2 more hours each week than you did in 2015.
2) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
3) Drink less alcohol.
4) Sign up for one of my time-tested fitness programs.
5) Stop drinking and eating artificial sweeteners.
6) Use heavier dumbbells.
7) Eat less bread, or even eliminate gluten from your diet.
8) Train for a 5K, 10K or a marathon.
9) Eliminate corn syrup from your diet.
10) Exercise at least 4 times each week.
11) Eat healthy, simple dinners at home.
12) Do not eat fast food.
13) Drink less caffeine.
14) Eat more protein and fiber.
15) Drink water throughout your whole day.
16) Do not eat packaged snack foods.
17) Contact me for motivation and support.

Now come up with a few of your own. I know there are some ideas that popped into your mind while you were reading my list.

Take a minute to jot those down.

Step back and re-examine the list. Which of these changes are you going to make your own?

I certainly don't expect you to make all of these changes – though the more you do, the greater your transformation will be.

Remember, like I mentioned above in #4 and #17, I'm here to offer you the instruction, support and motivation you need to make 2016 the year of your dramatic transformation.

Wishing you great health and happiness this year.