New Year. New Body. New Life!
Every once in a while it's great to get a group of highly motivated people together to make some big changes happen. By entering this contest you have put yourself in a position to succeed like never before. There will be tons of social support and accountability to keep you focused and on track.To top it off, you will also be eligible to wins some HUGE prizes! Really, everyone will win because they will have met their fitness goals quicker than ever before. But, nothing beats a little extra incentive to keep your eyes on the prize.
So, here's how it works:- Everybody in the contest MUST submit before pictures by Dec 31st, 2008 and must have completed a transformation phone consult with Steve before Tuesday, January 6th to be eligible for this contest
- The fee of the Contest is two payments of $199 or $398 paid in full.
This includes: unlimited boot camp membership, before & after pics, access to bi weekly meetings, weekly body fat comp. and body measurements, nutritional coaching, and a personalized blueprint for success!-
There will be a GETTING STARTED meeting on Saturday, January 3rd at Next Level at 10 a.m. This meeting is MANDATORY to be able to participate in this contest! At this meeting all key programs and handouts will be provided and explained and everyone's goals will be shared with the group- There will be bi-weekly 30-minute support meetings with times and dates TBA to best ensure success for everyone. Attendance will be taken throughout this contest. We will all share our progress to date at the support meetings and this will help all of us stay accountable to one another.
At 6 weeks in, Steve will select and announce the 3 finalists for the transformation contest prizes.
At the end of 7 weeks, the remaining contestants will vote anonymously for whom they think is the ONE person that most deserves the title of “WINNER” of the transformation contest among the 3 finalists.
Prepare to make changes in your body and lifestyle that you never thought possible!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Next Level Fitness Trends for 2009!
2008 is coming to a close, and it’s time for my annual fitness year in review. Unfortunately, it appears as though the fitness industry as a whole has again failed to produce any significant results to effectively reverse the scary obesity epidemic that is plaguing our society. More specifically, the frightening fact that American adults keep getting fatter, more sedentary, and less healthy has mirrored the unabated deterioration in the health and fitness of our youth population. However, on a positive note, I feel that 2009 will be host to several growing fitness trends that will provide the long-term answers to solve this ever-growing problem:
Fitness Trend#1- Fitness Boot Camps Will Rise, One-On-One Personal Training Will Fall
The truth is we are in the midst of the biggest economic recession since The Great Depression. With the disappearance of the middle class and an economy that will most likely get worse before it gets better, the average American simply does not have the disposable income for typical personal training rates that run about $80 per hour.
However, with every problem emerges a solution; fitness boot camps are just that. Boot camps are probably the hottest thing in the fitness game right now. The group training business model creates the ultimate win-win for trainers and clients making the one-on-one alternative obsolete. Fitness trainers get to better leverage their time and maximize profits by working with an unlimited number of clients per hour. Fitness clients are able to better access personal training services in a unique and dynamic team environment that provides better social support and accountability for only a the third of the cost of typical one-on-one training rates.
Fitness boot camps are popping up all over the country, and for good reason. If you are trying to lose weight in 2009, do yourself a favor by saving your hard-earned money to get better results by joining a local fitness boot camp. http://www.nextlevelbeachbodybootcamp.com/
Fitness Trend#2- Interval Training beats Aerobic Training every time!
High-Intensity Interval Training is rapidly gaining popularity as the best form of improving both fitness and fat loss. Thankfully, 2009 will see more people doing sprints and less people doing marathons to lose weight. However, make no mistake about it, lots of people are still going to do hours of snail-paced cardio to burn fat.
Aerobic or endurance training is essentially going at a slow, low intensity pace for a long period of time (typically at least 30-60 minutes). In other words, the focus of endurance training is on the total volume of exercise (not quality). Think about all those speed limpers you see every New Year foolishly running for hours pounding the pavement or treadmill to get rid of that winter blubber. Sadly, this results in minimal fat loss and lots of overtraining injuries.
With interval training, the focus is on the intensity of exercise (quality). Intervals consist of alternating between shorts bouts of all out high-intensity effort and active recovery periods for a much quicker and focused amount of time (typically 10-20 minutes of intervals works best). This approach is scientifically proven to burn nine times more fat AND lead to faster improvements in fitness than the aerobic alternative.
Two landmark scientific studies come to mind here:
The Tabata study compared the effects of four minutes of high-intensity interval training with 45-60 minutes of low to moderate intensity cardio. The interval training group burned just as much fat as the endurance group and also had greater improvement in both anaerobic (think sprinters) and aerobic (think distance runners) fitness… in only four minutes!
The Gibala study compared the effects of 20 minutes of interval training (30 second sprint followed by four minutes of rest) with 90-120 minutes of endurance training in the “heartrate zone.” The conclusions of the study were that both methods of training lead to the same improvements in oxygen utilization (or aerobic fitness). In other words, intervals accomplished what endurance training did from a fitness standpoint in only a sixth of the time!
The time is now to jump on the interval training bandwagon. Come 2009, do yourself and your body a favor and start sprinting to look better naked.
Fitness Trend#3- Lean Protein And Fiber Are The Carbohydrate Addict’s Answer For Improved Health, Performance, and Body Composition
Americans are carb addicts. We simply can’t get enough starches and sugars in our diet, and we have the bulging midsections to prove it. One of the biggest misconceptions about diet today is that eliminated starches and sugars from your diet automatically means low carb. Better said, eliminating grains (even whole grains) and refined sugars still allows for consumption of the other carbohydrates: fruits and veggies. These nutrient-dense carbs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and create more stable blood sugar levels to keep your body burning fat all day long. All of my clients who have lost the most fat have followed our guidelines of unlimited veggies all day long (besides corn, peas, carrots, beets, and potatoes). In other words, eat lots of veggie carbs, and very little of the other stuff if you want to see your abs!
The overwhelming scientific literature proving the fat burning benefits of a diet high in lean protein and fiber is finally catching the eye of mainstream consumers. Protein is the most important component of each and every meal or snack you consume. It builds and maintains muscle, allows your body to preferentially burn fat, increases metabolism through the thermic effect of feeding, and fills you up. Fiber (ideally obtained from fruits and vegetables, specifically green vegetables) helps slow digestion for a more steady supply of nutrients and sustained energy, it prevents overeating at each meal, and it helps keep you more full between meals. Thus by combining protein and fiber every two to four hours, you provide your body with the optimal one-two belly fat burning punch for a leaner, sexier you.]
Without a doubt, people will be consuming more protein and fruits and veggies next year, and their bodies will reap the rewards of this.
Well, those are the top Next Level fitness trends for 2009 according to my crystal ball. I hope the information in this article gives you the push you need to be the trendsetter for your own body and the bodies of those whom you care most about in the New Year!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve
Fitness Trend#1- Fitness Boot Camps Will Rise, One-On-One Personal Training Will Fall
The truth is we are in the midst of the biggest economic recession since The Great Depression. With the disappearance of the middle class and an economy that will most likely get worse before it gets better, the average American simply does not have the disposable income for typical personal training rates that run about $80 per hour.
However, with every problem emerges a solution; fitness boot camps are just that. Boot camps are probably the hottest thing in the fitness game right now. The group training business model creates the ultimate win-win for trainers and clients making the one-on-one alternative obsolete. Fitness trainers get to better leverage their time and maximize profits by working with an unlimited number of clients per hour. Fitness clients are able to better access personal training services in a unique and dynamic team environment that provides better social support and accountability for only a the third of the cost of typical one-on-one training rates.
Fitness boot camps are popping up all over the country, and for good reason. If you are trying to lose weight in 2009, do yourself a favor by saving your hard-earned money to get better results by joining a local fitness boot camp. http://www.nextlevelbeachbodybootcamp.com/
Fitness Trend#2- Interval Training beats Aerobic Training every time!
High-Intensity Interval Training is rapidly gaining popularity as the best form of improving both fitness and fat loss. Thankfully, 2009 will see more people doing sprints and less people doing marathons to lose weight. However, make no mistake about it, lots of people are still going to do hours of snail-paced cardio to burn fat.
Aerobic or endurance training is essentially going at a slow, low intensity pace for a long period of time (typically at least 30-60 minutes). In other words, the focus of endurance training is on the total volume of exercise (not quality). Think about all those speed limpers you see every New Year foolishly running for hours pounding the pavement or treadmill to get rid of that winter blubber. Sadly, this results in minimal fat loss and lots of overtraining injuries.
With interval training, the focus is on the intensity of exercise (quality). Intervals consist of alternating between shorts bouts of all out high-intensity effort and active recovery periods for a much quicker and focused amount of time (typically 10-20 minutes of intervals works best). This approach is scientifically proven to burn nine times more fat AND lead to faster improvements in fitness than the aerobic alternative.
Two landmark scientific studies come to mind here:
The Tabata study compared the effects of four minutes of high-intensity interval training with 45-60 minutes of low to moderate intensity cardio. The interval training group burned just as much fat as the endurance group and also had greater improvement in both anaerobic (think sprinters) and aerobic (think distance runners) fitness… in only four minutes!
The Gibala study compared the effects of 20 minutes of interval training (30 second sprint followed by four minutes of rest) with 90-120 minutes of endurance training in the “heartrate zone.” The conclusions of the study were that both methods of training lead to the same improvements in oxygen utilization (or aerobic fitness). In other words, intervals accomplished what endurance training did from a fitness standpoint in only a sixth of the time!
The time is now to jump on the interval training bandwagon. Come 2009, do yourself and your body a favor and start sprinting to look better naked.
Fitness Trend#3- Lean Protein And Fiber Are The Carbohydrate Addict’s Answer For Improved Health, Performance, and Body Composition
Americans are carb addicts. We simply can’t get enough starches and sugars in our diet, and we have the bulging midsections to prove it. One of the biggest misconceptions about diet today is that eliminated starches and sugars from your diet automatically means low carb. Better said, eliminating grains (even whole grains) and refined sugars still allows for consumption of the other carbohydrates: fruits and veggies. These nutrient-dense carbs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and create more stable blood sugar levels to keep your body burning fat all day long. All of my clients who have lost the most fat have followed our guidelines of unlimited veggies all day long (besides corn, peas, carrots, beets, and potatoes). In other words, eat lots of veggie carbs, and very little of the other stuff if you want to see your abs!
The overwhelming scientific literature proving the fat burning benefits of a diet high in lean protein and fiber is finally catching the eye of mainstream consumers. Protein is the most important component of each and every meal or snack you consume. It builds and maintains muscle, allows your body to preferentially burn fat, increases metabolism through the thermic effect of feeding, and fills you up. Fiber (ideally obtained from fruits and vegetables, specifically green vegetables) helps slow digestion for a more steady supply of nutrients and sustained energy, it prevents overeating at each meal, and it helps keep you more full between meals. Thus by combining protein and fiber every two to four hours, you provide your body with the optimal one-two belly fat burning punch for a leaner, sexier you.]
Without a doubt, people will be consuming more protein and fruits and veggies next year, and their bodies will reap the rewards of this.
Well, those are the top Next Level fitness trends for 2009 according to my crystal ball. I hope the information in this article gives you the push you need to be the trendsetter for your own body and the bodies of those whom you care most about in the New Year!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve
Friday, December 12, 2008
Next Level Beach Body Boot Camp Workout of the Week Video!
Hey Everyone,
Hope your holiday preparations are going well! Lets not fall off the wagon here, keep your fitness goals in mind every time you pick up the fork!
Here is a little help, this weeks Next Level Beach Body Boot Camp Workout!
Click this link to see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziJZD5NR4Q
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
P.S.- If you want to be a part of the 2009 Beach Body 8 week Transformation Contest make sure you set up your phone consult A.S.A.P, I am opening the program up to the public next week! 315-790-5851
Hope your holiday preparations are going well! Lets not fall off the wagon here, keep your fitness goals in mind every time you pick up the fork!
Here is a little help, this weeks Next Level Beach Body Boot Camp Workout!
Click this link to see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziJZD5NR4Q
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
P.S.- If you want to be a part of the 2009 Beach Body 8 week Transformation Contest make sure you set up your phone consult A.S.A.P, I am opening the program up to the public next week! 315-790-5851
Monday, December 8, 2008
Next Level Holiday Fitness Gift List!
if you are not sure what to get your friends or family for the holidays, give them the gift of fitness and health. Here is the next level top 10 list of the best fitness gifts for 2008:
1.) A Foam Roller
If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of your day sitting at a desk. And when you actually do have time to workout, all you usually can fit in is the workout itself. Who has time for stretching?
That’s where a foam roller comes in. It’s a corrective self-massage tool that will dramatically help injury prevention and improve performance. It’s ideal to use for at least five minutes post-workout to promote healing of the small micro-tears in your muscles that result from high-intensity training to jumpstart the recovery process. Plus, a foam roller both kneads out and lengthens your muscle and connective tissues thus alleviating, if not eliminating, nagging aches and pains in your back, knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows.
If you’re going to get a foam roller, get a good one. I have used mine every day for the last several years and I swear by it! You can pick one up at Next Level Athletic Peformance 9562 River Rd. Marcy, NY 13403.
2.) Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are by far the most simple, convenient, and affordable equipment option in the fitness industry. They supply total portability for killer workouts that can be done anywhere. If you are a busy professional who does a lot of traveling, bands are the perfect lightweight training tool to take your workouts with you on the road as they can fit in the smallest of bags without a problem. Bands provide the perfect compliment to your body weight circuit training workouts for added variety, allow for multiple levels of resistance with practically zero transition and set-up time, are easy on the joints, and are fun to use!
3.) A Gift Card to a Sporting Goods Store
You can’t beat a sporting goods store like Dick’s Sporting Goods to get the best fitness equipment and apparel on the market today. I always recommend going with a gift card here because everybody has their own preferences, particularly when it comes to clothing sizes and styles.
4.) A Gift Card to an organic food store
Rather then waste money on an overpriced restaurant, why not give a week’s worth of groceries to a 100% organic grocer to a friend or loved one. After all, everybody’s got to eat, but how many of us actually eat the right stuff to support our fitness goals?
I must admit, several years ago I thought organic foods were just for rich people or hippies, but boy was I wrong. I shop there almost exclusively these days, particularly when buying produce to avoid foods that are typically loaded with hormones and pesticides at other regular run of the mill grocery stores. The key is to go in with a budget in mind (e.g. spend $50 bucks on protein, $20 on fruits and veggies, and $10 on miscellaneous items) only buying what you need.
5.) A Gift Card to a Massage Therapist
Most of us are crazy busy and super stressed out during the holiday season and nothing eases the tension like a good massage. This is about as can’t miss of a gift as it gets, unless you know someone who doesn’t like to be touched. It’s nice to be pampered on occasion, and though the foam roller I mentioned above can do wonders for the majority of your body, nothing can alleviate tension in your upper back, neck, and head like a good massage therapist!
6.) Supplements that Work: Protein Powders, Fish Oil, Multi-Vitamin
I have helped hundreds of people lose thousands of pounds of fat. In my journey, I have found only three supplements to be a mandatory part of the optimal fat loss program: protein powders, fish oil, and multi-vitamin supplements.
Protein powders provide great liquid workout nutrition and a convenient meat alternative for on-the-go snacking. For a protein powder, look for a brand low in sugar and carbohydrates and with a mix of both whey and casein (fast and slow absorbing proteins). I like Prograde Workout available at www.nextlevel.getprograde.com.
Fish oil, or more appropriately entitled an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement, is critical to providing key omega 3’s to maximize overall health, performance, and body composition. Studies show that krill oil provides the most effective dosing of EFA’s.
A multi-vitamin provides keys vitamins and minerals that are tough to obtain unless your diet is near picture perfect. I don’t know about you, but I like to cover my bases when it comes to my health. Be sure to choose a multi-vitamin supplement that is made from whole foods rather than synthetic materials, in addition to being made specifically for your gender.
My clients and I rock with VGF+25 and EFA Icon, both included in Prograde’s Health+ Package available at www.nextlevel.getprograde.com.
7.) Sport-Specific Gift
This one’s pretty basic: if you want to give a great gift to an athlete then get them something unique that compliments their sport, whether it be fitness equipment, apparel, or both.
8.) Fitness Book or Subscription to Fitness Magazine
Everybody need bedtime or bathroom reading baby! If you have just read a good fitness book that you know a friend or family member would benefit from, hook them up with their own copy. Better yet, people love magazine subscriptions. Personally, I am a big fan of Men’s Health and Women’s Health. These magazines are filled with tons of workout, nutrition, and lifestyle tips catered to each sex and I never miss an issue. I know it sounds funny that I read Women’s Health being a dude, but I work with a lot of women so I need to keep up with the lingo like skinny jeans and muffin-tops, ha ha!
9.) A Gift Certificate to White Whispers Day Spa
Everyone deserves to pampered! In our fast paced society a massage, facial, mani or pedi would brighten up anyones xmas! Call Valerie at White Whispers 315-735-8756 or visit the site at www.whitewhispersdayspa.com. Mention Next Level when you call!
10.) A Gift Card to a Fitness Boot Camp
Boot camps provide a fun and exciting team environment that guarantee better results than one-on-one personal training for only a third of the cost… it’s a total no-brainer.
Any good boot camp worth its weight offers free trials and money-back guarantees to all newcomers because they are so confident their program works that you’ll more than likely continue after a test-drive, This way there is typically no risk on your part… besides getting you butt kicked, in a good way ;)
So join a fitness boot camp with at least one other friend or family member or buy a boot camp gift card to give to your loved ones. As a boot camp instructor myself, I know firsthand that clients always get better results when they embark on a fitness journey with others.
And if you live in the local Utica area, come work with us for the best personal training in the Mohawk Valley by visiting www.nextlevelbeachbodybootcamp.com. We’ll change your life and have you looking beach ready this New Year, guaranteed!
Enjoy the holidays and have a very safe and happy New Year!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
1.) A Foam Roller
If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of your day sitting at a desk. And when you actually do have time to workout, all you usually can fit in is the workout itself. Who has time for stretching?
That’s where a foam roller comes in. It’s a corrective self-massage tool that will dramatically help injury prevention and improve performance. It’s ideal to use for at least five minutes post-workout to promote healing of the small micro-tears in your muscles that result from high-intensity training to jumpstart the recovery process. Plus, a foam roller both kneads out and lengthens your muscle and connective tissues thus alleviating, if not eliminating, nagging aches and pains in your back, knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows.
If you’re going to get a foam roller, get a good one. I have used mine every day for the last several years and I swear by it! You can pick one up at Next Level Athletic Peformance 9562 River Rd. Marcy, NY 13403.
2.) Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are by far the most simple, convenient, and affordable equipment option in the fitness industry. They supply total portability for killer workouts that can be done anywhere. If you are a busy professional who does a lot of traveling, bands are the perfect lightweight training tool to take your workouts with you on the road as they can fit in the smallest of bags without a problem. Bands provide the perfect compliment to your body weight circuit training workouts for added variety, allow for multiple levels of resistance with practically zero transition and set-up time, are easy on the joints, and are fun to use!
3.) A Gift Card to a Sporting Goods Store
You can’t beat a sporting goods store like Dick’s Sporting Goods to get the best fitness equipment and apparel on the market today. I always recommend going with a gift card here because everybody has their own preferences, particularly when it comes to clothing sizes and styles.
4.) A Gift Card to an organic food store
Rather then waste money on an overpriced restaurant, why not give a week’s worth of groceries to a 100% organic grocer to a friend or loved one. After all, everybody’s got to eat, but how many of us actually eat the right stuff to support our fitness goals?
I must admit, several years ago I thought organic foods were just for rich people or hippies, but boy was I wrong. I shop there almost exclusively these days, particularly when buying produce to avoid foods that are typically loaded with hormones and pesticides at other regular run of the mill grocery stores. The key is to go in with a budget in mind (e.g. spend $50 bucks on protein, $20 on fruits and veggies, and $10 on miscellaneous items) only buying what you need.
5.) A Gift Card to a Massage Therapist
Most of us are crazy busy and super stressed out during the holiday season and nothing eases the tension like a good massage. This is about as can’t miss of a gift as it gets, unless you know someone who doesn’t like to be touched. It’s nice to be pampered on occasion, and though the foam roller I mentioned above can do wonders for the majority of your body, nothing can alleviate tension in your upper back, neck, and head like a good massage therapist!
6.) Supplements that Work: Protein Powders, Fish Oil, Multi-Vitamin
I have helped hundreds of people lose thousands of pounds of fat. In my journey, I have found only three supplements to be a mandatory part of the optimal fat loss program: protein powders, fish oil, and multi-vitamin supplements.
Protein powders provide great liquid workout nutrition and a convenient meat alternative for on-the-go snacking. For a protein powder, look for a brand low in sugar and carbohydrates and with a mix of both whey and casein (fast and slow absorbing proteins). I like Prograde Workout available at www.nextlevel.getprograde.com.
Fish oil, or more appropriately entitled an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement, is critical to providing key omega 3’s to maximize overall health, performance, and body composition. Studies show that krill oil provides the most effective dosing of EFA’s.
A multi-vitamin provides keys vitamins and minerals that are tough to obtain unless your diet is near picture perfect. I don’t know about you, but I like to cover my bases when it comes to my health. Be sure to choose a multi-vitamin supplement that is made from whole foods rather than synthetic materials, in addition to being made specifically for your gender.
My clients and I rock with VGF+25 and EFA Icon, both included in Prograde’s Health+ Package available at www.nextlevel.getprograde.com.
7.) Sport-Specific Gift
This one’s pretty basic: if you want to give a great gift to an athlete then get them something unique that compliments their sport, whether it be fitness equipment, apparel, or both.
8.) Fitness Book or Subscription to Fitness Magazine
Everybody need bedtime or bathroom reading baby! If you have just read a good fitness book that you know a friend or family member would benefit from, hook them up with their own copy. Better yet, people love magazine subscriptions. Personally, I am a big fan of Men’s Health and Women’s Health. These magazines are filled with tons of workout, nutrition, and lifestyle tips catered to each sex and I never miss an issue. I know it sounds funny that I read Women’s Health being a dude, but I work with a lot of women so I need to keep up with the lingo like skinny jeans and muffin-tops, ha ha!
9.) A Gift Certificate to White Whispers Day Spa
Everyone deserves to pampered! In our fast paced society a massage, facial, mani or pedi would brighten up anyones xmas! Call Valerie at White Whispers 315-735-8756 or visit the site at www.whitewhispersdayspa.com. Mention Next Level when you call!
10.) A Gift Card to a Fitness Boot Camp
Boot camps provide a fun and exciting team environment that guarantee better results than one-on-one personal training for only a third of the cost… it’s a total no-brainer.
Any good boot camp worth its weight offers free trials and money-back guarantees to all newcomers because they are so confident their program works that you’ll more than likely continue after a test-drive, This way there is typically no risk on your part… besides getting you butt kicked, in a good way ;)
So join a fitness boot camp with at least one other friend or family member or buy a boot camp gift card to give to your loved ones. As a boot camp instructor myself, I know firsthand that clients always get better results when they embark on a fitness journey with others.
And if you live in the local Utica area, come work with us for the best personal training in the Mohawk Valley by visiting www.nextlevelbeachbodybootcamp.com. We’ll change your life and have you looking beach ready this New Year, guaranteed!
Enjoy the holidays and have a very safe and happy New Year!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
Friday, December 5, 2008
Boot Camp Workout of the Week!
Check out the Next Level Beach Body Boot Camp Workout of the Week!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP6W-bsNYNM
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP6W-bsNYNM
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
13 Next Level Diet Tips for the Holiday Season!
Hey Everybody, listed below are my Next Level diet strategies that you should use help yourself from packing on unwanted, ugly body fat this holiday season. Use the Next Level tips below to allow yourself to be able to indulge in moderation without splitting your pants before the New Year:
1.) Perform A Next Level High-Intensity Workout Before and/or After a Holiday Meal
Your body is most receptive to higher calorie and/or carbohydrate meals within 30 minutes before and within three hours following high-intensity training. Ideally, I would love if you would want to workout out before AND after a big meal, but if you can only do one, that will do the trick. It is less important when you do it and more important that you just do it. The best workout options will be 20 minutes of circuit resistance training, as seen on many of my Free Videos, or a 20-30 plus minute vigorous walk afterwards can serve as damage control, and help fight that holiday weight gain!
2.) Do NOT Starve yourself in Preparation for a a Big Holiday Meal
Starving yourself, or not eating in preparation for your holiday meals will most likely lead to overeating foods that are extremely high in sugar and fat. Your body will kick into survival mode and hold onto any food that is put into the system. This means that the next time that you eat your body will use as much of the incoming food as possible to store as body fat in anticipation that it won’t see food again for another long period of time. Please do yourself and your body a favor by eating every two to four hours as you normally should to prevent yourself from becoming a ravenous, fat-storing beast this holiday season!
3.) Do NOT Be a Glutton
Put DOWN THE FORK! You should always eat in specific portions. You should never eat until you feel discomfort. Binge eating is not the habit of lean individuals. It is imperative to understand that that holiday meals are not a ticket to eat as much as you can in as little time as possible. However, listen to your body and make sure to enjoy the foods you are craving in moderation and only eat when you are hungry.
4.) Eat a High-Fiber, Protein-Rich Meal An Hour Before Holiday Meals
A meal high in fiber and protein before a big holiday meal will help prevent overeating by making you feel more full which in turn means less calories consumed during the ensuing feast. My favorite strategy is to drink a protein shake with a added fiber and healthy fats (e.g. 2-4 Tbsp. flax meal) and 1 liter of water before such a meal to help keep me nice and full upon arrival. This way you won’t lose any friends by eating their entire dinner platter and you’ll save your midsection from a fluffier existence!
5.) Eat Leans Proteins and Fruits and Vegetables FIRST
Just because it’s a holiday meal doesn’t mean you can’t eat any nutritious food. Make sure to load up on healthier food choices first and try to eat as much lean meat, fish, and fruits and veggies as possible at the start of each holiday event. This will leave less room for the unhealthier, higher calorie treats. At least this way you know your body is getting in some good nutrition and you are not putting yourself at excessive risk for sickness and/or other health concerns.
6.) Drink, Drink, Drink Water!
Water competes for space in your stomach and truly helps decrease appetite. For every plate you eat, try to drink at least 1-2 glasses of water. After that second plate, when you have 1 full liter of water in your stomach, I bet you might just throw in the towel!
7.) Do NOT Eat Again Until Hungry Following a Large Meal
Now I know I already told you to eat every 2-4 hours, but there is one exception to this. If you eat a huge meal, it is important not to eat again until you are hungry and/or no longer full. If your body is not used to eating such a big meal, then it will take a much longer time to digest all that food and the worst thing you can do is put more food into an already full stomach, unless you goal is to do the stop, drop, and roll drill. Only when you are hungry again should you resume your normal eating plan following a big holiday meal.
8.) Immediately Resume Your Normal Eating Schedule at the Next Meal
What’s done is done. Now it is time to get back to your regular eating plan. Remember weekly caloric intake is far more important than daily caloric intake. For example, let’s say that you need 3,000 calories per day to maintain your current body weight. Well, all that you need to do is make sure the average daily caloric intake each week is 3,000 calories per day. This means that you can fluctuate your daily caloric intake and yield the same results as if you ate that same amount each day. So if you have one day of big eating where you eat 9,000 calories (just an example, not a recommendation), but you only eat 2,000 calories per day the rest of the week, you will still end up at the same caloric balance. Again, I am not recommending that you eat in such an extreme manner, rather I am suggesting that you do not have to obsess about being perfect. Enjoy some indulging in moderation at your various holiday festivities knowing that the week in review trumps a day in review, even when you are particularly naughty on any given day.
9.) Never Eat Junk Food for Breakfast or Before Bed
Eating a highly refined carbohydrate meal first thing in the morning will make your blood sugar levels go crazy for the rest of the day resulting in greater junk food cravings and uncontrollable hunger. On the other hand, eating a big meal before bed will result in a bunch of unused energy that will be stored as body fat and you very well may have trouble sleeping with all of that extra food volume in your stomach!
10.) Control your Portions
Try to eat only half of all the servings of unhealthy food that you choose. Half of the portions equal half the calories!
11.) Avoid Empty Liquid Calories and Alcohol (BEACH BODY BOOT CAMPERS READ THIS!)
One can easily consume over 1,000 calories per day from liquid calories alone. This means that in one week, you will gain 2 lbs of body fat from just fluids! Opt for regular solid food calories versus empty liquid calories (e.g. juices and soft drinks), for at least the food will fill you up and provide some nutrition where as liquid calories, particularly alcohol, have no such effect. Rather, sugary and/or alcoholic drinks tend to make you hungrier in general and often hungrier for junk food in particular. Furthermore, your body cannot burn fat until the alcohol is processed out of your body in addition to the fact that alcohol consumption actually lowers leptin levels thus defeating one of the main purposes of this flexible eating (decreased leptin levels increase hunger and decreases your body’s use of fat for fuel). Thus over-consumption of alcohol can prevent the fat burning process from resuming until several days later and/or even cause unwanted fat gain and thus set you back as little as a few days to as long as a full week!
12.) Use Lower Calorie/Carbohydrate Substitutes Whenever Possible
Instead of using sugar, opt for zero calorie alternatives like splenda or stevia. They can deliver a similar taste without all of the extra sugar and calories. Even try replacing yeast with protein powder when you bake. The extra protein and reduced carbohydrates will result in a slimmer you while still providing some great tasting treats! Your goal should be to find the minimal amount of calories that can provide the same great taste that makes the holiday treats enjoyable rather than simply overdoing it because you can!
13.) Avoid Eating Meals that are High in Both Fat and Carbohydrates
The absolute worst thing that you can do is to eat a meal that is high in both fat and carbs. The high amount of carbs will lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels and thus large increases in the potent fat-storing hormone Insulin. The high amount of fat will lead to a large increase in free fatty acids in your bloodstream. Since Insulin is already present in large amounts, in addition to there being a large amount of free fatty acids now available in your blood, the stage is set for all those free fatty acids to be gobbled up and stored by your fat cells. This is the equivalent of becoming the next Goodyear blimp, so it is imperative to use caution at your holiday meals when it comes to combining fat (particularly saturated and trans fats) and carbs
I know these tips will help you in the coming month! Follow them and I guarantee that you will avoid that Holiday Weight Gain this year! Have A Great X-Mas!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
1.) Perform A Next Level High-Intensity Workout Before and/or After a Holiday Meal
Your body is most receptive to higher calorie and/or carbohydrate meals within 30 minutes before and within three hours following high-intensity training. Ideally, I would love if you would want to workout out before AND after a big meal, but if you can only do one, that will do the trick. It is less important when you do it and more important that you just do it. The best workout options will be 20 minutes of circuit resistance training, as seen on many of my Free Videos, or a 20-30 plus minute vigorous walk afterwards can serve as damage control, and help fight that holiday weight gain!
2.) Do NOT Starve yourself in Preparation for a a Big Holiday Meal
Starving yourself, or not eating in preparation for your holiday meals will most likely lead to overeating foods that are extremely high in sugar and fat. Your body will kick into survival mode and hold onto any food that is put into the system. This means that the next time that you eat your body will use as much of the incoming food as possible to store as body fat in anticipation that it won’t see food again for another long period of time. Please do yourself and your body a favor by eating every two to four hours as you normally should to prevent yourself from becoming a ravenous, fat-storing beast this holiday season!
3.) Do NOT Be a Glutton
Put DOWN THE FORK! You should always eat in specific portions. You should never eat until you feel discomfort. Binge eating is not the habit of lean individuals. It is imperative to understand that that holiday meals are not a ticket to eat as much as you can in as little time as possible. However, listen to your body and make sure to enjoy the foods you are craving in moderation and only eat when you are hungry.
4.) Eat a High-Fiber, Protein-Rich Meal An Hour Before Holiday Meals
A meal high in fiber and protein before a big holiday meal will help prevent overeating by making you feel more full which in turn means less calories consumed during the ensuing feast. My favorite strategy is to drink a protein shake with a added fiber and healthy fats (e.g. 2-4 Tbsp. flax meal) and 1 liter of water before such a meal to help keep me nice and full upon arrival. This way you won’t lose any friends by eating their entire dinner platter and you’ll save your midsection from a fluffier existence!
5.) Eat Leans Proteins and Fruits and Vegetables FIRST
Just because it’s a holiday meal doesn’t mean you can’t eat any nutritious food. Make sure to load up on healthier food choices first and try to eat as much lean meat, fish, and fruits and veggies as possible at the start of each holiday event. This will leave less room for the unhealthier, higher calorie treats. At least this way you know your body is getting in some good nutrition and you are not putting yourself at excessive risk for sickness and/or other health concerns.
6.) Drink, Drink, Drink Water!
Water competes for space in your stomach and truly helps decrease appetite. For every plate you eat, try to drink at least 1-2 glasses of water. After that second plate, when you have 1 full liter of water in your stomach, I bet you might just throw in the towel!
7.) Do NOT Eat Again Until Hungry Following a Large Meal
Now I know I already told you to eat every 2-4 hours, but there is one exception to this. If you eat a huge meal, it is important not to eat again until you are hungry and/or no longer full. If your body is not used to eating such a big meal, then it will take a much longer time to digest all that food and the worst thing you can do is put more food into an already full stomach, unless you goal is to do the stop, drop, and roll drill. Only when you are hungry again should you resume your normal eating plan following a big holiday meal.
8.) Immediately Resume Your Normal Eating Schedule at the Next Meal
What’s done is done. Now it is time to get back to your regular eating plan. Remember weekly caloric intake is far more important than daily caloric intake. For example, let’s say that you need 3,000 calories per day to maintain your current body weight. Well, all that you need to do is make sure the average daily caloric intake each week is 3,000 calories per day. This means that you can fluctuate your daily caloric intake and yield the same results as if you ate that same amount each day. So if you have one day of big eating where you eat 9,000 calories (just an example, not a recommendation), but you only eat 2,000 calories per day the rest of the week, you will still end up at the same caloric balance. Again, I am not recommending that you eat in such an extreme manner, rather I am suggesting that you do not have to obsess about being perfect. Enjoy some indulging in moderation at your various holiday festivities knowing that the week in review trumps a day in review, even when you are particularly naughty on any given day.
9.) Never Eat Junk Food for Breakfast or Before Bed
Eating a highly refined carbohydrate meal first thing in the morning will make your blood sugar levels go crazy for the rest of the day resulting in greater junk food cravings and uncontrollable hunger. On the other hand, eating a big meal before bed will result in a bunch of unused energy that will be stored as body fat and you very well may have trouble sleeping with all of that extra food volume in your stomach!
10.) Control your Portions
Try to eat only half of all the servings of unhealthy food that you choose. Half of the portions equal half the calories!
11.) Avoid Empty Liquid Calories and Alcohol (BEACH BODY BOOT CAMPERS READ THIS!)
One can easily consume over 1,000 calories per day from liquid calories alone. This means that in one week, you will gain 2 lbs of body fat from just fluids! Opt for regular solid food calories versus empty liquid calories (e.g. juices and soft drinks), for at least the food will fill you up and provide some nutrition where as liquid calories, particularly alcohol, have no such effect. Rather, sugary and/or alcoholic drinks tend to make you hungrier in general and often hungrier for junk food in particular. Furthermore, your body cannot burn fat until the alcohol is processed out of your body in addition to the fact that alcohol consumption actually lowers leptin levels thus defeating one of the main purposes of this flexible eating (decreased leptin levels increase hunger and decreases your body’s use of fat for fuel). Thus over-consumption of alcohol can prevent the fat burning process from resuming until several days later and/or even cause unwanted fat gain and thus set you back as little as a few days to as long as a full week!
12.) Use Lower Calorie/Carbohydrate Substitutes Whenever Possible
Instead of using sugar, opt for zero calorie alternatives like splenda or stevia. They can deliver a similar taste without all of the extra sugar and calories. Even try replacing yeast with protein powder when you bake. The extra protein and reduced carbohydrates will result in a slimmer you while still providing some great tasting treats! Your goal should be to find the minimal amount of calories that can provide the same great taste that makes the holiday treats enjoyable rather than simply overdoing it because you can!
13.) Avoid Eating Meals that are High in Both Fat and Carbohydrates
The absolute worst thing that you can do is to eat a meal that is high in both fat and carbs. The high amount of carbs will lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels and thus large increases in the potent fat-storing hormone Insulin. The high amount of fat will lead to a large increase in free fatty acids in your bloodstream. Since Insulin is already present in large amounts, in addition to there being a large amount of free fatty acids now available in your blood, the stage is set for all those free fatty acids to be gobbled up and stored by your fat cells. This is the equivalent of becoming the next Goodyear blimp, so it is imperative to use caution at your holiday meals when it comes to combining fat (particularly saturated and trans fats) and carbs
I know these tips will help you in the coming month! Follow them and I guarantee that you will avoid that Holiday Weight Gain this year! Have A Great X-Mas!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
Monday, December 1, 2008
NEXT LEVEL HOLIDAY SURVIVAL SYSTEM #1-3!
The Holiday Season is here, that means less time to work out and more unhealthy, fat filled goodies in our faces! We already know that the average American packs on 15-20 lbs. of unwanted, ugly body fat during the time between Halloween and New Years. So, what are we going to do about it? Introducing the Next Level Holiday Survival System, these tips and suggestions will help you fight that holiday weight gain that we all dread.
Step #1 of the Next Level Holiday Survival System is to get your workouts in! I don't care if you can only get in 1 workout a week, that single workout will help maintain lean muscle mass. Maintaining your lean muscle will keep your bodies burning fat, therefore when you do consume excess calories the damage will not be as extensive. The most effective workouts for fat loss and lean muscle gain are filled with total body exercises. Make sure you are on the look out for the free videos that I put up weekly, they are easy to follow, effective, FREE workouts that I use with my clients.
Step #2 Find a workout buddy! Remember you can perform super effective training programs in the privacy of your own home. Find a friend who will push you! If you have the extra time during the holidays, dedicate 20-30 minutes to intense exercise, 3-4 x a week. Social Support is very important when it comes to sticking with a training program, so find a workout buddy or buddies that you are scheduled to meet with at least 3 times a week. Hold each other accountable for making all meetings, keep a food log that you all must show each other once a week.
Step #3 Do NOT get caught up in the GYM. If you do not feel comfortable working out around a bunch of steroid abusing meat heads, then don't feel obligated to sign up for a gym membership. About 85% of gym memberships go unused for this reason! You do not need "machines" to get in shape. Learn how to move your body and not machines by exploring high intensity interval training. Click the link for this video to see the Thanksgiving workout Tabata Protocol, a workout that I use with my boot camp clients to incinerate body fat! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r8hBNBY_Cg
Make sure you do something to avoid that Holiday weight gain! Be on the look out for steps 4-6 coming your way very soon. Don't be on of the millions who pack on the holiday pounds, Follow the Next Level Holiday Survival System!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
Step #1 of the Next Level Holiday Survival System is to get your workouts in! I don't care if you can only get in 1 workout a week, that single workout will help maintain lean muscle mass. Maintaining your lean muscle will keep your bodies burning fat, therefore when you do consume excess calories the damage will not be as extensive. The most effective workouts for fat loss and lean muscle gain are filled with total body exercises. Make sure you are on the look out for the free videos that I put up weekly, they are easy to follow, effective, FREE workouts that I use with my clients.
Step #2 Find a workout buddy! Remember you can perform super effective training programs in the privacy of your own home. Find a friend who will push you! If you have the extra time during the holidays, dedicate 20-30 minutes to intense exercise, 3-4 x a week. Social Support is very important when it comes to sticking with a training program, so find a workout buddy or buddies that you are scheduled to meet with at least 3 times a week. Hold each other accountable for making all meetings, keep a food log that you all must show each other once a week.
Step #3 Do NOT get caught up in the GYM. If you do not feel comfortable working out around a bunch of steroid abusing meat heads, then don't feel obligated to sign up for a gym membership. About 85% of gym memberships go unused for this reason! You do not need "machines" to get in shape. Learn how to move your body and not machines by exploring high intensity interval training. Click the link for this video to see the Thanksgiving workout Tabata Protocol, a workout that I use with my boot camp clients to incinerate body fat! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r8hBNBY_Cg
Make sure you do something to avoid that Holiday weight gain! Be on the look out for steps 4-6 coming your way very soon. Don't be on of the millions who pack on the holiday pounds, Follow the Next Level Holiday Survival System!
Yours In Fitness,
Steve Krebs
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