Fitness & Wellness

The Edgy Guide to Mastering the Keto Life

Let’s cut to the chase: the keto diet is not your run-of-the-mill, fad-hopping, “I’ll try this until I crave cake” kind of lifestyle. It’s bold, disruptive, and flipping traditional nutrition advice on its head. Want to torch fat, crush cravings, and feel like an unstoppable machine? Let’s dive headfirst into keto—the high-fat, low-carb rebel diet that could change your life.

Why Go Keto?

Spoiler alert: carbs are the villains in this story.

The ketogenic diet rewires your body to burn fat for fuel instead of carbs, a state known as ketosis. When you slash carb intake (we’re talking 20-50 grams per day) and amp up healthy fats, your body becomes a fat-burning beast. It’s like switching from an outdated steam engine to a sleek, high-powered jet.

Here are the cold, hard benefits of keto:

Rapid Fat Loss: When you’re in ketosis, your body turns into a relentless fat-burning furnace. Goodbye muffin tops and hello lean, mean machine!
Steady Energy Levels: No more blood sugar rollercoasters. With fat as your primary fuel, energy stays consistent and crashes become a thing of the past.
Mental Clarity: Say goodbye to brain fog. Keto sharpens your focus and keeps your mind razor-sharp.
Reduced Hunger Cravings: High-fat foods are incredibly satiating, making overeating nearly impossible (but not if you stuff your face with keto cheesecake—self-control, folks).
Potential Health Perks: Research suggests that keto could improve insulin sensitivity, support heart health, and even benefit neurological disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
Best Food Choices for Keto

Keto is no place for the carb-happy crowd. Bread, pasta, and sugary indulgences are banned. Instead, embrace foods that fuel your inner keto-warrior:

Healthy Fats: Load up on avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and grass-fed butter. Fat is your best friend.
Protein Powerhouses: Think fatty cuts of beef, salmon, eggs, chicken thighs, pork belly, and any meat that brings the flavor.
Low-Carb Veggies: Spinach, kale, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, and cauliflower are your nutrient-packed sidekicks.
Dairy (in moderation): Cheese, heavy cream, and full-fat yogurt can make keto both delicious and sustainable.
Snacks That Slay: Bone broth, beef jerky (watch for added sugar), pork rinds, and handfuls of nuts for on-the-go fuel.
Pro Tip: Keep carbs under control. Even foods like onions and tomatoes can sneakily add up if you’re not paying attention.

A One-Day Keto Meal Plan Example

It’s time to see keto in action. Here’s a sample day to get your fat-burning engines roaring:

Breakfast:

3 scrambled eggs cooked in grass-fed butter with a side of spinach sautéed in olive oil.
3 slices of crispy bacon.
Coffee with heavy cream (or go wild and whip up a frothy keto-friendly bulletproof coffee).
Lunch:

Grilled salmon filet with a side of roasted asparagus.
Fresh arugula salad with avocado slices, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
A small handful of macadamia nuts for that extra fatty goodness.
Snack:

A creamy guacamole dip with celery sticks or pork rinds as scoopers. (Who needs chips?)
Dinner:

Juicy ribeye steak topped with garlic-herb butter.
A side of roasted cauliflower mashed “potatoes.”
Finish off with a few cubes of dark chocolate (minimum 85% cocoa).
The Bottom Line

The keto diet isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t easy—especially when bread and sugar seem to be lurking around every corner. But if you’re ready to embrace your inner rebel and ditch conventional dieting, keto might just be the game-changer you’ve been craving.

So, are you ready to say goodbye to carb chaos and hello to fat-fueled glory? Time to grab your bacon and dive in. The keto revolution awaits!

If you’re considering trying keto, it’s always smart to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s the right fit for your unique needs. What do you think—is keto calling your name?


Unlocking the Power of the Keto Diet: A Game-Changer for Your Health and Fitness Goals

If you’re tired of diet trends that promise the moon and deliver regret, let me introduce you to the ketogenic diet—better known as keto. This isn’t just another flashy fad; it’s a science-backed lifestyle shift that’s been turning heads for good reason. And trust me, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a weekend warrior, or a personal trainer like me striving to get clients results, keto has some serious perks that demand attention.

What Is Keto Anyway?

At its core, the keto diet flips the traditional food pyramid on its head. Instead of relying on carbohydrates as your primary energy source, you focus on fats—yes, you read that right—and keep carbs to a minimum. By doing so, your body enters a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. The result? Sustainable energy, fat loss, and a range of health benefits that go way beyond the number on the scale.

The Benefits of Going Keto

Here’s the no-BS rundown of why the keto diet deserves its place in the spotlight.

Burn Fat Like a Boss Keto forces your body to torch fat for energy—both dietary fat and the stubborn stuff hanging around your midsection. This isn’t about chasing the “skinny” dream; it’s about building a body that’s lean, strong, and efficient. Imagine your metabolism as a high-performance machine, laser-focused on demolishing fat stores. That’s keto in action.
Say Goodbye to Sugar Crashes Ever felt like you could conquer the world after breakfast, only to crash two hours later in a haze of brain fog and hunger pangs? Blame it on carbs. Keto stabilizes your blood sugar levels, keeping energy steady throughout the day. No more battling post-lunch lethargy—just consistent, balanced energy to tackle whatever comes your way.
Supercharge Your Brain Think of keto as rocket fuel for your mind. Ketones, the byproducts of fat metabolism, are a powerful energy source for the brain. They’ve been shown to enhance mental clarity, focus, and even mood. Whether you’re powering through work, hitting the gym, or brainstorming big ideas, keto keeps your brain firing on all cylinders.
Hunger Pangs? Not Here. Unlike calorie-restrictive diets that leave you ravenous and eyeing a family-sized pizza, keto satisfies. Fats are incredibly filling, so you stay satiated longer. Pair that with moderate protein intake, and you’ve got a recipe for curbing cravings without the misery.
Improve Your Health Markers From lowering bad cholesterol levels to improving heart health and reducing inflammation, keto offers benefits that extend to your overall well-being. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a healthier, more resilient body.
A Boost for Your Workout Regime For athletes and gym-goers, keto can be a game-changer. The diet enhances endurance by teaching your body to tap into fat stores for sustained energy. Plus, it minimizes the dreaded “hitting the wall” feeling during intense workouts. If you’re a personal trainer, keto can be a secret weapon in your arsenal to help clients achieve peak performance.
Busting the Myths

Let’s address the elephant in the room: keto gets a bad rap for being “too restrictive.” Sure, it requires commitment, but what transformation doesn’t? The beauty of keto lies in its simplicity—quality fats (think avocado, olive oil, nuts), moderate protein (hello, grilled salmon!), and low-carb veggies. And yes, you can still enjoy the occasional keto-friendly treat.

Another misconception? That it’s all bacon and butter. While those have their place, keto is about balance and nourishing your body with wholesome foods. It’s not a hall pass to gorge on junk.

Keto Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Let’s be real: no diet is. Keto might not be the right fit for everyone, and that’s okay. If you’re a personal trainer, it’s essential to assess individual needs before recommending a diet plan. Some people thrive on keto, while others may need more carbs to support their lifestyle or specific medical conditions.

That said, if you’re willing to give it a shot, start by consulting a healthcare professional or nutritionist. Transitioning into keto requires a bit of planning, but the payoff can be immense.

Final Thoughts: Keto Is More Than a Diet—It’s a Lifestyle

Keto isn’t just about fitting into skinny jeans or chasing a number on a scale. It’s about taking charge of your body and fueling it in a way that works for you. It’s bold, it’s effective, and yes, it’s a little edgy. But isn’t that what makes life interesting?

So whether you’re looking to shed fat, boost mental clarity, or level up your workout game, keto might just be the spark you’ve been searching for. What have you got to lose—besides the carb coma and a few extra pounds? Give keto a shot, and prepare to be amazed.





A Few Easy Tricks To Greatly Improve Your Cardio Workouts

A Few Easy Tricks To Greatly Improve Your Cardio Workouts

Weight lifting is the core of all exercise. Whether you’re doing body weight push ups, weighted bench presses, or just calve extensions, they play an essential part in both heart rate as well as muscle gain. However, when looking to burn fat effectively, coupling them with great cardio workout days really make the results pop sooner than expected. Today, I wanted to share some ways to improve your cardio workouts that I’ve found particularly effective.

A few easy tricks to greatly improve your cardio workouts

Go for an extra ten minutes

When you first step on the machine or hit the pavement, your body immediately tells you to get back in the house if you haven’t done cardio in a while. From my experience, this seems to mostly come from increasing the level of physical exertion from what your body is used to. This isn’t a bad sign however as when you are able to will your legs to keep going for the first 10 or so minutes, eventually you hit a point where it feels amazing. Some call this “hitting the runner’s high” and I can understand why.

You feel great for the next 30 or so minutes and your legs are hardly registering any stress until you you realize your workout is just about over. The last ten minutes of the workout feel excruciating as you struggle to keep up your pace and think about giving up early. But you don’t and keep going instead. Now, instead of doing a cool down period as soon as that clock hits 60 minutes, why not try another ten minutes today? Sure your body is pretty ragged at this point but our physique’s are uniquely designed to adapt to situations such as this. After you finish your first 70 minute run, try doing it the day after next for a couple of weeks. In no time, hitting that 60 minutes will be a breeze and now the 70 minute mark will be your new “horrible time”. Then add another 10 minutes, until you feel like you’re getting the most out of your workout.  Remember to increase hydration as well as the extra stress on your body will dry you up quickly.

This will lead to improved breath control, more cardio work (since you’re sweating for an additional 10 minute intervals), and better conditioning. Conditioning helps all parts of working out as your willpower and endurance will help with weight lifting and terrible crunches. And to think, it just takes an extra ten minutes a day!

Don’t let it be too easy

If you’ve ever strength trained for a period of time, you’ve probably heard a personal trainer say “Did you just do 15? Okay, that’s too light, let’s increase the weight again.” Your first response is frustration since you feel like you could barely get those in but in reality, your body craves to be pushed and, again, adapts to the changes given to it. The same applies for cardio, especially when on a machine with variable speeds and inclines.

Let’s look at the typical exercise bike. While this machine is very easy to use, each one typically offers different degrees of resistance on the pedals to help improve muscle tone and cardio exertion. If you’ve ever gotten off the machine after an hour, barely coated in sweat, not feeling sore, and wake up the next morning with no new definition to show, “It’s too easy, let’s increase the resistance again.” Ideally, during your cardio sessions, you should struggle to match a certain speed. If your legs are racing like crazy and you get off feeling refreshed with no sweat, you probably didn’t burn nearly as much fat as you think you did. This is because, your heart never raced or struggled so your body didn’t have to compensate. You want your body to get swept up in the activity and leave the gym soaked after cardio. That’s right, you should always bring a towel to the gym in preparation of working out until you need a towel. Sweating after a cardio workout proves that your heart hit a good pace and if after that point you maintained the same work on it, you more than likely got a good hour of high intensity cardio.

So next time you’re at the gym, increase that incline, adjust the resistance, and get sweaty.

Changing it up

This is my personal favorite, especially on the elliptical. Regardless of your workout of choice, changing up the pacing of a cardio exercise will always show good results. To improve your cardio workout easily, try doing sprint intervals. What this means is if you’re on the treadmill, run at a regular pace for a while then increase the speed to where you’re sprinting for 30 seconds to a minute, then adjust it back down if you can. This is done a bit better on a bicycle or elliptical as you can change your pace and “Go all out” which then makes you burn more calories because of the irregularity of it. These intervals make you heave and ho and eventually increase endurance, speed,and from some reports, reduce belly fat.

Cardio workouts are essential and I hope these tips can help you improve your cardio workouts as much as they’ve helped my own. Until next time, think healthy, be healthy!


Have You Heard Of The 'Animal Flow' Fitness Trend?

Have You Heard Of The ‘Animal Flow’ Fitness Trend?

Well if you haven’t, here’s your quick briefer. Animal Flow is a new exercise program developed by Mike Fitch in partnership with Equinox. The tagline of the program is that Animal Flow “taps into your primal instincts to get you moving your body in ways you’ve never imagined before.” While there all kinds of ways to get fit nowadays, the reason this particular one caught my interest is its break dance / yoga fusion.

Have You Heard Of The 'Animal Flow' Fitness Trend?

Most of the positions, as you’ll see in the video linked below, are related to improving core strength while at the same time looking a tad silly when compared to traditional workouts. However, some of the movements the gentleman performs are inspired by focusing on primate walking patterns and also contracting muscles in a certain pattern. This clip is on the more advanced side of the workout as a lot of the positions require half hand stands or other break dancing maneuvers that can take years to master.

So what are the benefits of the routine then? From what I can discern, there is a lot of muscle confusion and core strengthening as well as a high level of cardio. However, as with any fad, it seems destined to disappear within a few months. While Animal Flow is certainly interesting to watch, the high levels of requirement to reach “advanced motion” outweigh anything that could be gained from actually working to reach there. Exercise and workouts that have stood the test of time require a minimum amount of mental effort to reach the point of the advanced versions. Not anyone can do a handstand push up but everyone can attempt a regular push up and within weeks (if not days) try a diamond style one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLYZ-3beDeI

It’s hard to talk bad about any way to stay fit and, believe me, I’m not actually saying Animal Flow is poor in anyway. The target demographic for people that will try this is just so small that recommending it to anyone who has just started training or heading down the road of losing weight would be foolish on my part. It is great to see yet another new way to get in shape out there!

That’s my time for today and remember, think healthy, be healthy!


The Bathroom Fitness Plan

The Bathroom Fitness Plan

This may be a little of a weird topic but I want to clue you in on one of the interesting ways I find to make sure I stay fit. This one is called, the Bathroom Fitness Plan.

The Bathroom Fitness Plan

Before I dive too deep (no pun intended) I want to give you guys the scoop on exactly what it has to do with the bathroom. The Bathroom Fitness Plan doesn’t give you super overnight results but on a day when you’re too busy with work or can’t fit in the time, it adds activity when you didn’t expect it to. When I first came up with this idea, I was, like most people, rather unmotivated to stay fit. However, I did notice that as I sat at home, watching tv and drinking sodas, I would often get the call of nature. Since I’m an avid water drinker, this would occur four, maybe five times during a Netflix Binge watching session. So my bright idea was, “What if every time I go to use the bathroom, after washing my hands I got down on the floor outside and did 10 push ups?”

While that may not sound that extraordinary, let me tell you that it changed the way I look at fitness. During my first week, I knocked out 250 push ups within 5 days. While this might not seem impressive, figure in my weight and you’ll start to see why this fitness plan can actually help boost your fitness level and also your mentality.

I weigh 165 lbs of solid “something” and each time I do a push up, I’m moving that weight off the ground using my core and my arms. In one post bathroom break workout, I would have pushed 1650 lbs. By the end of a day with just five bathroom breaks, I’ll have pushed 8250 lbs. By the end of my first week attempting this, I pushed a total of 41,250lbs. Like with most exercises, it adds up quickly and with the bathroom fitness plan, my body began bulging in all the right places.

While this may seem a bit extreme for some people, try something simpler like 3 or 5 push ups to start. Then up them as you begin feeling the weight is comfortable. Not only that, but although it started as a bathroom focused activity, it eventually became just an intermittent activity you can do with anything. For instance, if you work in an office you feel comfortable getting down to do a push up in, why not set an alarm for every hour and a half to notify you it’s time to do at least 10 push ups. Before the end of your work day, you’ll have done at least 40 pushups and go home feeling like you just came from the gym on arm day.

The bathroom fitness plan may be something I made up on a whim but for homebodies or simply people who can’t commit to an hour of working out after work, give this one a try and see the results for yourself. Also, pushups are just what I did, I’m sure crunches, squats, and other exercises would add up and get you toned just as well. Have you come up with any unusual fitness plans that help you stay in shape when you’re not able to hit the gym? Why not share them in the comments below!

Until next time, think healthy, be healthy!


Reverse holiday pounds

Reverse holiday pounds

What do holiday parties and get together all have in common?

Food and drinks…as in high-calorie food and drinks! It’s no wonder most people gain weight during the holidays.

Everywhere you turn, you’re surrounded by sweet temptations—holiday cookies, gingerbread houses, pumpkin pies, and more. Even healthy foods like sweet potatoes and green beans are magically transformed into high-calorie dishes that will make you want to do nothing but fall asleep. And don’t forget the drinks. Eggnog and alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories.

Want to sidestep those holiday pounds?

Stay Focused

Yes, the holidays bring yummy foods and drinks, but friend gatherings and family traditions aren’t about food. Before a party, remind yourself what the holiday season is all about—friends, family, giving, and religious traditions. Then stay focused on the reason for the season rather than the plate full of hors d’oeuvres in front of you.

Second, stay focused on your fat loss goals. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come and where you’re headed. Keep your goals in the forefront of your mind. A few bites of food aren’t worth hours on the treadmill.

The holidays can be a time of emotional eating. For many people, the holidays bring stress, family conflict, or depression. Learn to address the root of your problems with solutions other than food or drink.

Strategize

Is your holiday social calendar filled with night after night of parties and events? It’s time to come up with a plan. If you want to keep your diet on track, you’ll need to pace yourself. Don’t come to a party hungry but eat a small low-calorie snack ahead of time. Otherwise, you’ll overeat. When it’s time for extreme measures, wear tight-fitting clothes around your waist so there’s not much room for expansion.

Before and after a meal, chew gum so you won’t be tempted to overindulge in appetizers and desserts. During a party, don’t stand right next to the food table, but keep a safe distance. And before you get a plate of food, choose your plate wisely. Go with a small plate instead of a large dinner plate and don’t go back for seconds!

Another important strategy is figuring out how to get in a workout between parties. Leaving room in your busy holiday schedule for exercise will help you fight off the extra weight trying to attach itself to your midsection and rear.

Wise Choices

Be smart about what you choose to eat. Don’t deprive yourself of all the foods you love or you’ll likely spurge and ruin all your good intentions. Enjoy the goodness of the season, but in moderation. Trim calories where you can by limiting your trimmings-cheeses, gravy, sauces, creams, and nuts.

The holidays offer many food choices not available the rest of the year. Because of this, you may want to overindulge before they’re gone. Instead of doing this, survey what foods are available and make your choices. Indulge in your favorites and leave the everyday dishes for another time. Only eat what you love, and don’t just eat something because it’s on the buffet.

Also, be sure to limit the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink. As you likely know, they’re filled with calories, too. Try alternating an alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic drink.

Follow these simple tips, and you will avoid holiday weight gain this season and start the New Year off right!

Exercise is a huge part of the equation when it comes to achieving weight loss.

I am passionate about seeing my clients achieve results—without wasting time, energy and effort on mistakes.

Call or email me today and we will get you started on the exercise program that is right for you.

A Gift For YOU
This is the time of year that you focus in on getting something special for all the important people in your life. You put time and thought into finding that perfect gift that will make them feel loved.

But what about you?

With all that you do for others, it’s time to do something just for you.

How about the gift of a totally reshaped body in 2017? You and I both know that you deserve it. It’s your time…embrace it.

Let me be the one to make it happen. Call or email now and we’ll get started.

Cranberry Tuna Salad
tunaThis tuna salad has a holiday twist with the addition of red cranberries and green celery. It is filled with muscle building protein and nutritious fiber. Fill up on this healthy dish before you attend your holiday party.

Servings: 5

Here’s what you need
2 cans wild caught Albacore Tuna, packed in water
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 Tablespoons low fat mayonnaise
¼ cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon dried dill weed

Instructions:

1. Drain and flake tuna in a medium bowl.

2. Add all of the ingredients and mix until well combined.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 195 calories, 9.6g fat, 273mg sodium, 9 carbohydrate, 1g fiber, and 17g protein.


Are You Taking Part In Dry January?

Are You Taking Part In Dry January?

It’s not often I’m surprised by some of the news the media focuses on but “Dry January” may be one of the most surprising yet. Dry January, if you don’t know, is an annual tradition some citizens of the world partake in to “detox” from the heavy drinking often accompanying the holidays. While for them it may serve a holistic purpose, for us fitness junkies, it serves a whole different meaning.

Are You Taking Part In Dry January?

If you’ve followed the newsletter or this blog, you’ll know that Alcohol does the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish as it takes far longer to metabolize than anything else you intake on a regular basis. Because of this, it’s usually a good idea to avoid it completely or deal with a longer workout each and every session. For those that do partake though, Dry January may not be the worst idea.

While completely abstaining for a month may do wonders, abstaining AND doing high intensity workouts is a better idea and will probably keep your mind from getting back into the drinks too quickly. The media encourages you to drink Mocktails that are typically filled with high levels of sugar and carbs to curb that appetite but really, you’re stronger than that and those will end up hurting you in the end. Instead, why not increase your water intake and try some old fashioned green tea?

Green tea is a metabolism booster and combined with high intensity fat burning exercise will burn those calories you’ve accumulated from the booze, cut the extra water, and may even get you feeling so great, you’ll try a Dry February or even March! Dry January is certainly a novel idea but moderation is the true key to a fit body in 2017. Fitness comes from not only mental acuity and physical strength, but also strong willpower.

Who here is planning to join in on this month of ditching alcohol? Leave a comment below to let us know but until then, think healthy, be healthy.