De-clutter and Detox

Procrastination.  Clutter.  Freedom.  Creative Process.  Success.  Yes, I am getting somewhere with this, and it seems to be the perfect time of the year.

Years ago when I started out as a trainer I had a vision.  I wanted to be the one-stop solution for my clients.  I created a small retail space in my private studio and carried Fitness Equipment and fun resources I thought my clients would benefit from.  And they did.  It was a good feeling to train with a new person and be able to help them set up their home gym with stability balls and Bosu balls, body-bars, yoga mats etc.  Get them on the right track with nutritional and healthy cook-books.

Over the past few years I have found that the focus of my practice has shifted and really has become more about the client then the stuff, the person who wants the one-on-one contact with a trainer, working out with me rather then at home on their own.  And even though I still support a home workout and being set up with the right stuff, I take comfort in knowing that my clients are getting exactly what they need when they train with me.

So for some time now, longer then I care to admit, I have been wanting to clean out my retail space.  Get rid of stock that has been sitting on a shelf, sad and un-appreciated, and make room for new things, new thoughts, new ideas, be creative.  This process of “cleaning up and cleaning out” has been a long one, until finally last week I said “Enough!” and I finally cleaned off my shelves and removed myself from the retail arena.  And what a relief I felt.

There is a space now that is waiting to be filled with something, or nothing.  This will be a creative process.  But either way, de-cluttering the area and removing the old did give me a sense of peace and accomplishment.

Any time in our lives is a great time to look at what we can do to lighten our burden a little bit.  Maybe let go of something or someone who bogs us down.  Let go of toxicity and old junk.  This can be in an emotional sense, material sense, or physical sense.  January and early spring is a great time to do a cleanse and let go of those toxins that have accumulated in our system over the last few months.

It is not much different with our surroundings.  Let go of what is bogging you down.  If you have things you don’t use, that bother you and take up space, offer them to a friend, put them in classifieds, give them to a charity.  Somebody will find use for what is making you feel heavy and burdened.

I can say that from own experience.  Lighten your heart, your body, and your surroundings.  Think about what you can let go of and when you are ready, do it!  You will be grateful you did.

New Years Resolutions ~ Shouting down from my soap-box!

2012, a new year has started just a few short weeks ago.  You can feel the buzz in the air.  Everybody seems excited to be getting a fresh start.  Just like every year.

As a personal trainer of course I hear a lot about New Years Resolutions.  My opinion on it is somewhat different.  I think new years resolutions are great.  Great if you just need that extra bit of incentive to make a change or start on an endevour you were already making plans for .  It’s good to have a start date, goal date, and all of the above.

I have a bone to pick with the kind of new years resolutions that start at midnight January 1st.  Every year.  Every year we decide that now we will make more money, eat better, go to the gym, and find our perfect partner, for those of us who are not lucky enough to already have found theirs.

Every year I watch people go and buy discounted gym memberships, sign a contract for a year, and then drop off the face of the earth, the gym, after two weeks out of lack of motivation, guidance, and accountability.

Every year I want to get on my soap box and shout out:  ”People, get serious!  Get with a trainer, even for a short period of time. ”  You might pay more then for a monthly gym membership, but the results you will get are truly measurable.  You can count on being set up for success by someone who cares for you to reach your goals.  And you will learn techniques to sustain your new found levels of energy, health, and how to maintain the weight loss you are sure to experience.

So I say, where ever you are, whatever it is you want to achieve, find yourself a trainer, a person who cares, to get yourself set up for success this year.  It takes 21 days to form a habit, and a minimum of six weeks to make it a lifestyle!

Make this Your Year!

Be Inspired with Me!

I am a personal trainer.  That’s what I chose to do.  Sometimes training people is easy, sometimes it is hard.  I see clients from all walks of life, gender, age, ethnical background.  And there is no common denominator, other then the wish to get in shape, get their health back, lose weight, and start some kind of a fitness regiment that will hopefully be sustainable.

As a trainer I am committed to give what I can and to meet my clients commitment level 100%, I give what the person is willing to take.

Working out is one of the most powerful things a person can chose to do, to lose weight, to improve their self-esteem, to gain strength and a better understanding of how our bodies work.

Often I train people with recent or very old injuries, hips, Achilles, low back, and rotator cuffs are very common injuries which induce fear of picking up weight training without professional guidance.  All of these can be worked with, sometimes they become an excuse to not step up to the plate, sometimes they need special care.  But almost always they will improve with training the injured body part in a way that is gentle yet strengthening.

I felt inspired to write this for a reason.  Today I finished my last training session with a client who has been training with me for the past 6 months.   Limited financial funds; no background in any kind of exercise or fitness training what so ever, never set foot in a gym before.  She had an old shoulder injury that was scary.  She came to see me at a junction point in her life and MADE THE DECISION to change her life for better, and hopefully for good.

Committed, she showed up for every workout, never missed a session.  She implemented some minor nutrition and life style changes, and it was her drive and commitment that made her find a way to come here, 3 times per week despite all challenges she was facing.

I am very proud to say that what I saw today in my final fitness assessment with her was an improvement in strength, mentally as well as physically, speed, agility and spirit, that is to date, un-matched.  The credit goes to Leyna B..

I wish her all the best in whatever she is taking on in the future, I know she will be strong in all situations of life, and I hope she is as proud of herself as I am of her.

I am a personal trainer.  And I love what I do.

In health,

Claudia Paru Richey.

It IS a BIG Deal!!

Now until Friday June 10^th Enroll in the Nutriiveda Weight Loss Challenge!

Nutriiveda is hosting their annual Weight Loss Challenge, this is the first time it is available in Canada.

Anybody can participate.  You will have accountability, track your results, lose weight, feel fabulous, and have a chance to win one of many great prizes.

- Open to Everybody!

- Weekly weight tracking!

- Accountability!

-Get Healthy, Lose Weight, stay in shape!

-Chance to win great prizes!

Contest Rules and Enrolment Form: http://www.zriiproduct.com/challengeform.aspx

For product questions and past success stories please visit https://wellnesspro.myzrii.com/Pages/Products/NutriiVeda/Success%20Stories

I have also decided to run an “internal” WellnessPro challenge alongside the official Nutriiveda challenge.  Same rules apply, I will need your before-pictures, measurements, and starting weight, as well as proof of enrolment into the Nutriiveda Experience.

Out of all participants three winners will be selected based on actual weight-loss, inch-loss and overall improvement.

The Prizes are:

- One month (8 sessions) FREE Personal Training

- One Year of FREE access to your personalized online training/nutrition program

-One FREE Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor

So don’t hesitate, get enrolled now and get the most out of your summer.

In health,

Claudia Richey.

Please note, enrollment in the challenge is free, product cost will apply.

Contact me with any questions at info@wellnessprofitness.com

95 Day Challenge on SwarmJam

Up to 56% Off a $95 Voucher for the 95-Day Fitness Challenge at WellnessPro Fitness

Featuring:
• The 95 day challenge begins with a fitness assessment, weigh-in, body composition analysis, before pics and measurements
• Online access to your customized workouts with descriptions, pictures, and videos of each exercise
• Online access a personal nutrition plan, daily menu and a printable grocery shopping list

For actors and actresses, being camera ready is simply a part of the job description. Yet without a team of people constantly working to ensure this, being always presentable is a difficult task. While focusing on things like your hair, clothing and makeup can be time consuming, honing in on your fitness can be as simple as committing and maintaining. Whether you’re looking to land your leading lady or man or gunning for that prime time spot, there’s definitely no harm in keeping yourself camera ready.

Commit to your fitness with today’s DailyJam: up to 56% off the 95-Day Fitness Challenge from Wellness Pro Fitness.

A locally owned and operated personal training centre, Wellness Pro Fitness can help you reach all your fitness goals in a fun and safe environment. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, get healthy or reshape your body, Wellness Pro Fitness designs custom regimens for each person. Wellness Pro Fitness’ areas of expertise include core body conditioning, weight management, lower back strength, nutritional counseling and more. Payment plans are also available to fit any budget.

Step out with today’s deal and be ready to shine in any circumstance.

Why Exercise?

We all read and hear about the benefits of exercise every day.  However, in the United States the obesity rate has risen dramatically over the past 20 years. According to the CDC, (Center for Disease Control) in 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. In Canada we are not far behind these sad statistics. So if we know that exercise is good for our health, why aren’t we doing anything about it?

Sometimes we simply need a reminder of all the ways in which exercise can help us improve the quality of our health and our overall lives.

1.  Exercise helps you lose weight. When you exercise, you build lean muscle tissue (weight training) and burn fat (cardio). Lean muscle is more metabolically active than fat. When you increase your muscle, you also increase metabolism which means you’re burning more calories throughout the day.  If you aren’t sure where to start, contact us for a free consultation.

2.  Exercise makes you strong! It may seem obvious that exercise can make you stronger…but what some people forget is that it doesn’t just make you strong for your workouts; it also makes you stronger in other areas of your life as well. When you exercise on a regular basis, everything else becomes a little easier – carrying groceries, housework, gardening, carrying the kids, etc.

3.   Exercise reduces your risk of injury. When you exercise, you also strengthen connective tissue – the ligaments and tendons that keep your body moving well on a regular basis.

4.   Exercise can reduce arthritis pain.  Recent studies have shown that arthritis sufferers who exercised regularly actually reduced their joint pain.

5.   Exercise increases balance, stability and flexibility. Exercise can help you work your joints through a full range of motion, keeping them strong and flexible and keeping you steady on your feet.

6.   Exercise can make you better at sports. Most athletes these days follow some type of strength training program to keep them strong and help them avoid injuries. Training specific to your sport can also help you improve your power, strength and speed to make you a better athlete.

7.   Exercise makes you feel better about yourself. Exercise helps build confidence and can even help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety…a great way to deal with stress in a healthy way. There are even options for online training to help keep you accountable!

8.   Exercise can help lower blood pressure. Some studies have shown that regular exercise can help reduce high blood pressure over time, so this may become another way to help treat high blood pressure in some people.

9.   Exercise can add years to your life… Exercise is an easy way (yes, you have to DO the workouts).

…and Life to you Years! One thing that often surprises people after they start exercising on a regular basis is how it trickles into other areas of their lives. There are lots of great resources on this website to help you stay committed to your exercise plan. Increasing your fitness level can make every day tasks easier and more enjoyable, therefore improving your quality of life!

Original article reposted with permission from Hyperstrike Online.

Body-Image and Fitness

This is the time of year when we think about getting back in shape, just after the holidays with lots of holiday foods and not so great habits that may have snuck up on us. We look in the mirror and just don’t feel that great about what we see.

Fitness has a strong relationship with body image. Very few people have an accurate body image. Sometimes this means that they are actually thin enough and think they are fat, but often in today’s society if means that they are actually fatter than they think they are.

Overweight and obesity have become so common that people no longer have any concept of what is a healthy body weight. There are more overweight actors on TV shows now than before, and many people use the fact as an excuse to stay fat rather than work on their fitness. Others point to the slim actresses who look like models and say to themselves that they can never look like that so why try?

In fact, it is this obsession with TV images that confuses many people who would otherwise take a sensible approach to their weight. The best idea is to get an unbiased opinion of your fitness, weight and muscularity. Go to a gym and ask for an assessment.

Ask for the fitness staff member there to figure your body mass index. This is a measure of how fat you are for your weight and height. It also predicts health problems associated with carrying extra weight. Ask to see a chart of normal BMI values to see where you stand. If it is available, get a body fat assessment. This is sometimes done using calipers to measure the body fat percentage.

When you have determined what your actual state of fitness really is, work with your doctor and gym instructor to come up with an exercise workout and diet plan which will get you on your way to where you want to be. You might need to lose weight. You might need to gain weight. Set a goal and work towards it without regards to the images of fat and thin that surround you in the culture. You are your own standard. Go by what is best for you.

Most people are fairly well aware of how muscular they are. In that case, the problem with body image is that some people do not believe that they have the ability to improve their bodies. They see their bodies as weak and incapable of change.

If you have little confidence, the best way to work on fitness is to start slowly and increase. With each new success, your body image will improve as your fitness level increases. If you keep it up, you will come to a point where you will be physically fit, and you will be able to recognize that body image when you look in the mirror.

Original article by Michael Greeves, Hyperstrike.