The Benefits of getting Strong and Building Strength for Women in New Orleans

A Fitness Blog Post by: Mark Thonn ( New Orleans Boot Camp Instructor in Metairie)

I have to say that I’ve enjoyed the time I have spent leading the New Orleans Adventure Bootcamp in Jefferson Parish. During that time, it has been a privilege to have been involved with so many successful endeavors to lose so many pounds and inches. Often the primary goal of a “camper” is to get to a particular size or to get back into those “skinny” jeans at the back of the closet. While these are noble endeavors, and often quite impressive, I feel that some of the participants, especially some of the newer folks, may not place as much emphasis on an equally, if not more important benefit of the program; that benefit is pure, functional strength.

Now, I have had female clients who have told me, “I don’t need to be strong. I just want to get rid of “this.” (Insert appropriate body part) The customer is always right, but please allow me to explain some of my philosophy and how it developed.

Before I ever even considered training others, I worked out avidly. The exercise was for stress relief as well as to stay strong because, being in the security/safety field, I was often called upon to respond to various emergency situations. In many of those situations physical strength and endurance made the difference in the outcome. Please believe me. I am not bragging. Many people, both male and female, are way stronger than I am. But, it was good to know that in a given situation, I would probably have the ability to hold out until help could arrive.

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The Thoughts of a New Orleans Boot Camp Instuctor!

A Fitness Blog Post by: Jonathan Kaufman( New Orleans Boot Camp Instructor in Lake view)

I always have a difficult time deciding on a topic to write about when I write about fitness. My goal with regards to working as a trainer has always been to help others.

HELP THEM to develop habits that last AND THAT THEY CAN BE ADAPTED TO your INDIVIDUAL LIFESTYLE, but as the saying goes, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”.

Only the horse can drink for himself. AND EVEN IF YOU AREN’T A HORSE, Only you can develop the habits that are necessary for having the things that you want, fitness or otherwise.

Habits are the CONSISTANT AND repetitive dynamics, OR PROCESSES that we participate in on a daily basis WHICH form the lives that we lead.

Good habits are healthy in the scheme of a complete life and bad habits are bad, Easy TO UNDERSTAND.

So why is it so difficult to develop new and good habits, and easy to slide into bad or debilitating habits?

I wish I had an answer.

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Lots of people ask me how to quickly and easily get fit. While I know they are hoping for a simple answer, the reality is that getting and staying fit is a lifestyle, not a quick fix.

So what do fit people do in their “healthy lifestyle”? Take a peek with the following 7 Habits of Highly Fit People in New Orleans Boot Camp:

Habit #1: They Don’t Buy Junk

Fit people know that if they keep junk food in the house it will land on their waist sooner or later. So they don’t buy any. Even buying junk food for your kids or spouse is not advised since 1) you’ll likely eat some of it eventually, and 2) your loved ones shouldn’t be eating that junk either. It’s called junk for a reason.

Rid your home of chips, cookies, candy, baked goods, pre-packaged snacks and anything else that belongs in a vending machine. Replace the above with fresh fruit, veggies, nuts and other healthy whole foods snacks.

Habit #2: They Have Priorities

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New Orleans Can You Change in a Single Moment?

Change is a curious thing. In most areas of life you dread it, yet in others you pine for it.

You’re told that change is hard, that it takes time. You’re also told that change is the most consistent thing that you’ll encounter. You wonder how to make lasting changes that will improve your life.

I’m here to argue that change can happen in an instant.

I know this goes against mainstream belief. Most people believe that change has to be worked at for months or even years. We expect to try and fail numerous times before we ultimately give up or succeed.

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Don’t Drink Yourself Fat in New Orleans

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Are Your Kids Exercising in New Orleans?

A recent study from the University of Washington showed that more and more 2-year olds are regularly watching television. This sets the stage for a sedentary life with an increased risk for obesity and heart disease.

Now that last statement wasn’t from the study – that was my own prediction.

But really, the statistics don’t lie – a study done at Johns Hopkins concluded that a child’s weight increases with the number of hours they spend in front of the television each day.

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Backwards Fitness in New Orleans?

As you can imagine, I hear a ton of excuses from people on why they don’t exercise.

Sometimes the reason is self inflicted: I don’t have the time.

Other times the reason is procrastination: “I’m going to start as soon as tax season ends.”