Jillian Michaels

So I was at work this morning talking with one of my coworkers, Michele, and we were talking about random fitness facts and how bad plastic bottles are for you yadda yadda yadda...and she told me that JILIAN MICHAELS has a radio show!! Rad! So I started listening to it this morning and it is quality radio programming. She takes email questions and talks to people on the air about any fitness/diet/health question. This week she talked about National Bicycle Month and the benefits of riding a bike.

1. It helps you loose weight... no brainer
2. Saves a lot of $$$$ average American spends at least $9,000 a year on their car
3. Decreased carbon foot print - hug a tree!

When you get a chance take a listen to her she really does a great job of explaining fitness myths to everyone and is very entertaining.

Jilian Michaels Show

click above

hCG Diet?

So I have had a lot of people asking me about all the hype around the hCG diet so I decided that it was about time to do some much needed research. Here's what I found out, the pros, the cons and where I found it so you can take a look for yourself.
hCG stands for Human Choriogonadotropin, the hormone produced by pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy. Research suggests a small, daily hCG injection (approx. 125 IU to 200 IU) results in a weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs per day, and often more, when accompanied by a VLCD (very low calorie diet of apprx 500 calories).

Ok first of all before I get into anything about the Human Choriogonadotropin hormone I want to emphasize one key element "accompanied by a VLCD (very low calorie diet of apprx 500 calories)" That sends up a red flag for me that screams "HOLD ON A SECOND!" the average middle aged American burns approximately 1600 a day just to stay alive so if you are only taking in 500 calories and moving about, burning another 400 calories, lets say you have a caloric deficit of 1500 calories. I know math is not our strong point but stay with me. 3500 calories = 1 lb of Fat and 7 days of a caloric deficit of 1500 calories is equivalent to 3 lbs a week just from the VLCD!! All this is assuming that you are doing no sort of exercising... which we'll get to later.


Continuing on...
hCG is produced in great amounts in pregnant females. During pregnancy, the substance almost completely controls the woman's metabolic functions. In non-pregnant persons, research suggests hCG similarly increases the metabolism similar to a pregnant female. Thousands of calories in stored fat are released, and are used by the body or expelled. To keep the fat cells from immediately taking in more fat, the very low fat VLCD is necessary and personal care products such as lotion, are prohibited.

Ok so the part about "...increased metabolism...thousands of calories in stored fat are release, and are used by the body or expelled..." sounds promising. I know that we all struggle with the spare tire, 2 liter bottle, baby fat that we can never seem to get rid of so this counts as a pro for me. I know I still struggle to loose that last bit of baby fat around my mid section and that a simple injection of metabolism-boosting-prego-juice would make life a lot easier.

Why are personal care products (moisturizers, chapstick, etc.)prohibited?

I called one of the clinics that offers the hCG treatment and the nurse informed me that the oils stunt the hCG hormone process. So they recommended that vitamin E be taken in order to maintain healthy moisturized skin. I've never heard of pregnant women having to avoid moisturizers...oh well lets keep going.

There is a large list of supplements that should be taken during the weight loss process.

Supplement List

And here is the short version of the Diet

Dr. Simeons Original hCG Diet Menu
The following overview is taken from the manuscript, “Pounds and Inches”
The complete manuscript can be found here:
http://www.hcgdietinfo.com/Dr-ATW-Simeons-Pounds-and-Inches.htm

The hCG Diet Overview
Breakfast:
Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or Stevia may be used.
Lunch:
1. 100 grams of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be removed from the bird.
2. One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.
3. One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast.
4. An apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit.
Dinner :
The same four choices as lunch (above.)

I'm sorry but I enjoy food, healthy food, sometimes sugary, but COME ON! This would put me into a coma! I also like how for breakfast they advocate coffee "in any quantity" even more stimulants to increase your heart rate.

After the injections there is a maintenance program that they suggest that is summed up as follows.

"Walking...Continued exercising in the correct way will bring you desired results"

And one of the diets they recommend is the "Cookie Diet"... enough said.

So here is my take on the hCG Diet.

Pros

1. Burns Fat
2. Requires Minimal Exercise
3. Fast Results

Cons

1. 
   
   Possible Side Effects Include:
   Ovarian Hyper-stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) – which is a life-threatening condition
   Arterial Thromboembolism - another potentially life-threatening condition
   Blood clots
   Risk of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.)
   Abnormal enlargement of breasts in men (gynaecomastia)
   Over stimulation of the ovaries causing production of many ova (eggs) in women
   Acne
   Tiredness
   Changes in mood
   Irritation in area of use
   Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (edema)
   Hair loss
   Prostate hypertrophy
   
2. 
   
   Is not a sustainable way of Life
3. 
   
   Do you really need me to list another one...

I can see the possible benefits to this treatment but I worry what the FDA will think of these treatments. I can't say that I could ever whole heartily support this treatment because I believe that you should not take on any diet/change in eating habit unless it is something that you can maintain for life. If you are a person who has been working out for years, hitting the weights and the pavement day in and day out then........this may be something to get you on your way to where you want to be BUT THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION it is a step towards one. I would only ever suggest this to someone who has been working their butts off to get success for months/years and hasn't seen the results, even then I would have my reservations. I'm not here to tell you what to do or not do I just want everyone to be informed before we start to believe that the "MAGIC BULLET" has arrived.

-If you have any further questions send me an email and I'll find you the answer.-

Websites consulted
HCG Diet
Anti-HCG Diet
I didn't include the clinic I spoke with for obvious reasons but I can recommend one that will answer your questions

Go Big...

Go Big or Go Home is something that I always heard growing up in my home and in many ways has become a personal motto. I grew up in a perfect town in Colorado where I was a quick 30 minute drive from Downtown Denver and 45 minutes away from the middle of the mountains. When I was out with friends either in the city or the Rocky Mountains the saying "Go Big or Go Home" was ever present.

Life should be lived to the fullest each and everyday in whatever manner you decide. Find a passion and chase after it until you catch it or turn blue in the face! Over the past 8 years that I have worked with athletes, clients, coworkers, and bosses I have found a commonality among those that were successful, THEY WENT BIG! Their smiles were contagious, their personalities were enticing, and they worked their BUTTS OFF!

As a personal trainer I try to help people find what it is they want out of this life and then chase it, Go Big. As you take those first steps towards a smaller waist line, a bigger bicep circumference, a shorter one mile time, realize that they are the most important ones of a long and challenging journey. If being healthy and fit were easy everyone would do it right? Maybe you just don't realize how easy it can be...

Since when are fruits and vegetables "health food"? Some one sees you eating an orange at your desk and they ask "What diet are you doing?", fruits and vegetables are not "diet food" they are essential to your well being.

The magic bullet that all of those Infomercials are trying to sell you doesn't come with a money back guarantee, a pill will not make you healthy, reading that book will not melt the fat off of our hips... the magic bullet is so easy to find that no one believes it. Are you ready? Here it comes...

Eat Better and Move More.

The Mayo Clinic made a list of 7 benefits from exercise (there are way more than 7!!)

1. Exercise improves your mood.

2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.

3. Exercise helps you manage your weight.

4. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs.

5. Exercise promotes better sleep.

6. Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life.

7. Exercise can be — gasp — fun!

The fitness phenomenon is here, hundreds of thousands of Americans love watching "The Biggest Loser", millions are spent on supplements and fitness devices and yet 1 out of every 4 Americans is morbidly obese.

Stop looking for the easy way out, the magic bullet, the next surgical break through and Go Big or you'll Get Big!

I created this blog as a resource for anyone who wants to know anything about fitness, in no way shape or form and I claiming to know it all but I will do all I can to find the answer for you. Like I said, those first steps towards a better quality of life, bigger biceps, smaller waists, faster triathlon times are the most important so let me help in any way I can.

I've worked with recovering bulimics, anorexics, body builders, fat losers, semi pro soccer players, dentists, golfers, lawyers, jewelers, fitness models, soccer moms, football dads, and everyone else in between and I am here at your disposal.

Links

Apex Fitness - Apex provides cutting-edge integrated nutrition programs and products through health clubs to help you meet your fitness, health, and nutrition goals. Apex lives on three core values: Education. Passion. Integrity.

Bodybuilding - To help our visitors reach their health, fitness and appearance goals through
information, motivation and supplementation.

Live Strong - We believe everyone has the power to make their life better. Our members are people who want to take responsibility and give 100 percent to achieve everyday victories to help themselves and then help others.

TRX - At Fitness Anywhere, our mission is to democratize world class fitness. We are committed to helping our customers achieve peak physical condition by creating exceptional physical training products and exercise programs that can be used anywhere. We will create and sell our products in an environmentally sustainable fashion and maintain the highest standards of corporate responsibility. We will earn the trust of the world's most demanding consumers by creating best-in-class products that deliver results, not promises.

Simply Shredded - Welcome to the SimplyShredded Blogs filled with all the latest updates in the bodybuilding and fitness industry. Our Bloggers range from young up and coming future pro’s to some of the more experienced and older guys in the field who know the bodybuilding industry inside out. They are here to keep you up to date with everything that's going on in their lives and the world of bodybuilding.

MizzFitNYC - I love this woman! mizzFIT a.k.a. fitness couturess is a fitness fanatic who finds inner peace through exercise. She believes that being healthy and fit is an instant formula for happiness. Throughout her life she’s had 2 addictions: fitness and fashion.

PT on the Net - As the world’s largest and most comprehensive continuing education resource, PTontheNET is the first and final stop on your fitness education journey! We offer over 3,000 articles written by a host of internationally acclaimed authors; the world’s largest online Exercise & Flexibility Library; leading edge assessment tools and program design technology; audio clinics and live workshops with top industry presenters; DVD and video courses; cutting edge web design; functional product discounts; CECs with every major certification body; and much, much more!

LuluLemon - We make technical athletic apparel for yoga, running, dancing, and most other sweaty pursuits. This store is the greatest for athletic apparel that you can wear around the gym, feel comfortable and in style all at the same time (it costs a pretty penny but worth it !)

Contact

email@: training.momentum@gmail.com

Testimonials

A Word From "T"

If you have the opportunity to train with Blake Robinson, DO IT! It was my good fortune to be assigned to a team led by Blake in two weight loss challenges at the gym I attend. Blake is an amazing trainer. He did a great job of designing workouts that were effective for a group of people whose needs and abilities varied a lot. His expertise in designing training programs that produce results is impressive. He provided us with a lot of good advice regarding our diets and encouragement to take the steps necessary to improve our health and fitness while having fun. In fact, I was so impressed with the results that I hired Blake as a personal trainer once a week for the duration of the challenges. At one point I reached a plateau and my weight stayed stationary even though I felt I was working hard and being very meticulous with my diet. Blake recognized this and was able to adjust both my cardio and strength training routines to get me over the hump and moving down the hill again immediately.My highest weight was 335 pounds. I have lost 88 pounds. I credit much of this success to the time I spent with Blake. Although I still have a long way to go, I move forward confident in my abilities and secure in the knowledge that I gained while working with Blake. Blake’s enthusiasm for fitness and helping people reach their goals is infectious. He believes in what he does and he will believe in you and what you want to accomplish. Choosing to train with Blake Robinson will be one of the best decisions you make!

Some of my favorite "Biggest Losers"

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About

Building Momentum


I have been working as a personal trainer for over 5 years now and received my B.S. in Exercise Science from Utah State University in 2008. I started working as a personal trainer at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club in Logan UT where I learned that as a personal trainer you can not limit your training to the physical aspect...fitness is as much, if not more, mental as it is physical. While there I worked with almost every kind of client, those who were seasoned professionals, first timers, coming back from a crippling cardiovascular disease, people recovering from eating disorders, and many college students continuing in their fight to stave off the dreaded "Freshman 15".

Upon completion of my degree my wife and I decided to face the toughest of the tough and move out to NYC to see how we'd fair. It was an amazing experience! I worked for Equinox Fitness in Midtown Manhattan and trained some of the most interesting and hard working individuals I have ever known. I learned another lesson while living and working in New York:

We make time for the things we think are important.

Life can be busy and if you loose track of your priorities, what really matters, it will be left to rot by the side of the Hudson. Life is meant to be lived and the best way to accomplish that is by living a healthy life and making time for personal fitness and yourself!

After Equinox I started my own private personal training business which allowed me to work with each client on a more personal level and really make fitness apart of their daily lifestyle. That's what I love about this job, if you can call it that, is helping people change their lives, they way they feel about themselves and the best part is when you see all those long hours of sweat, tears and muscle aches pay off. After much debate and late nights we decided that the New Yorker lifestyle was not for us and decided to return to the Rocky Mountains and try living life in a new direction.

I returned to the Utah area and work as the Fitness Director of The Alta Club in Salt Lake City where I am creating programs to make this club the healthiest and most up to date fitness center in all of Utah. Taking my experiences in Logan, New York, the Corporate World and my own private business and putting them all to use to help people live longer, smile more often, and be healthier every day.

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." ~Jim Rohn~