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Need some help
with your workout program? Michael Stefano offers personalized
workouts that will match your current goals, available time,
equipment on hand, while delivering a toned, lean, and healthy
body. Sign up today for one of Mike's custom workouts, click
here.
In my last article I mentioned Mary, the overweight aerobics instructor. I got so much feedback on Mary that I thought I'd give my readers a little more insight.
While there might be many reasons why Mary is fat, the most probable culprit is the human body's ability to adapt to just about anything.
Regardless of how much food you
ingest or energy you expend, your body will have a tendency to
anticipate the pattern, and begin to self regulate.
Self regulation - now there's a scary concept. Why not do nothing
and eat everything, and allow the body to adapt to a self-indulgent pattern?
Unfortunately, our theory isn't perfect, especially when it comes to getting OUT of
shape and GAINING weight. Slowly but surely, weight gain will follow this self-
indulgent life-style.
But on the flip side there appears to be some ancient code imprinted on your
DNA that's not convinced food is always available, and with little, if any caloric
expenditure. On some deep, cave-man-like level, your body still hordes calories
in the form of fat.
No matter how little you eat, or how much you exercise, there will be a metabolic
shift to accommodate any long-term pattern. The challenge is to eat sensibly and
exercise in a progressive manner that you NEVER get used to.
What about Mary's boyfriend, Malcolm? He works out 3 or 4 days each week for
about 30 minutes. Malcolm doesn't deprive himself in the kitchen either. Instead,
he strives to eat nutrient dense food in multiple small meals and snacks, while
eliminating most fried, refined, and processed choices.
What is Malcolm doing the gym in under 2 hours a week that Mary can't accomplish
in 20? Malcolm has learned to challenge his body in minute increments,
with every workout and on every set.
For Malcolm, exercise is a dynamic, well-thought-out process that has a specific
effect on his body each time he picks up a weight or hops on a treadmill. In this
way, he can control every step and prevent "going-through-the-motions-syndrome".
Hopefully, one day Mary will apply Malcolm's principles to her students (and herself).
But in the meantime, take control and don't let your workouts become something
your body doesn't respond to. Get a program designed for you by a true fitness
professional, or do the research and create your own self-evolving, ever-challenging
program.
If you need some help putting together an ever-challenging and effective program, please, click here.
 MICHAEL
STEFANO is the creator and author of the Firefighter's
Workout (Harper Collins 2000). Mr. Stefano is a health
and fitness writer and contributor to eDiets, eFitness, & Firehouse.Com.
In addition, Michael's articles have appeared on AOL, MSN,
and Yahoo! His workouts have been featured in magazine and
newspapers from around the country, as well as in numerous
network and cable TV segments. He also offers a customized
version of his amazing program, via a comprehensive
15-point fitness
profile form.
"My
program is a no-nonsense approach to exercise and weight loss
that will not only get you fit, but will also fit into your life".
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