If you have tried diet after diet (note: I very much despise the word diet... that will be another blog) with no success, are you listening to what your body is telling you.  Hormones can affect weight loss and weight gain on a daily basis.  If you do not have hormonal "harmony" inside, it will make losing weight almost impossible.  There are many hormones that can affect your metabolism such as cortisol and the hormones your thyroid gland releases.  Only you know your body and know how to limit stress and ironically, exercise helps you combat stress.  Many people run into time constraints when it comes to exercise, which can be another point of stress.  What you have to do, is tell everyone around you that at a certain time (whatever time you choose that works in your schedule) you will be at the gym or working out.  It needs to be 'known' among your collegues and peers that if they try to contact you, they will get your voicemail because everyone knows this is your working out time.  You have to be disciplined and no matter what, DO NOT answer the phone.  This is YOUR time! 

Your doctor can identify your thyroid hormonal profile through a blood test, so ask him to order one so you can make sure that your body is at peace on the inside, as well as the outside.  Most doctors pull the trigger a little too quickly on one's inability to lose weight on Hypothyroidism.  So before you start taking medications, try to eliminate the stress and eat a balanced diet during the day for a minimum of three weeks.  Remember, you can't walk into the woods 20 miles and expect to walk out in five.  You have to make it part of your daily/weekly/monthly routine.  You'll get it done one day at a time!

When I say that there is no "wrong" way to workout, it means that as long as your getting your heartrate into your Target Heart Range (THR), you will be burning the maximum amount of fat and calories your body will allow.  There is a formula that I use for all my clients when weight loss, tone and even building lean muscle mass is/are the goals.  It is very simple and I will break it down for you:

First, find your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR):
(your age) - 220 = X

Second, take the value of "X" and multiply it by 76%-85%:
X(.76) = Y    AND     X(.85) = Z

Your Target Heart Range will be between Y and Z.... Now, what do you do with these numbers?

Let's say you live near a beach or you just enjoy walking every afternoon.  You can get more "pennies on the dollar" with your walk by starting out with your normal pace, after 2-3 minutes speed up your walk to the point where it is going to be a bit challenging to keep this new, brisk pace for the next 60-90 seconds.  After 60-90 seconds, slow back down to your normal pace for another 2-3 minutes.  During the "normal pace" time, check your pulse by counting the number of beats that is in 15 seconds:
X (15) = your heart rate (HR)
The goal is to push your heartrate into your THR during those 60-90 seconds, then allow yourself 2-3 minutes to recover and catch your breath.

Using this formula, I was able to help a client LOSE MORE THAN 100 lbs. in 10 months!!!!!  Her picture and story will be posted in the testimonial section very very soon.

I have given you guys a lot of information and to avoid OVERLOAD, I want you to work on that for the week and for my next blog, I will explain why your efforts may be in vain without using this method which is also called, INTERVAL TRAINING!

Thank you and Don't be lazy today, Lift something and give a hug!

Email with any comments or questions.