Fitness Fanatic

Today I signed up to get my Personal Training Certification at the YMCA of Charlotte, NC. The irony of this blog's timing is not lost on me--the VT Spring football game was this past weekend--but I figure that this is another "recession proof" skill that I can add during this time of underemployment.

Anyway, since I had a more time this past year following my layoff I chose to spend much of it working on my physical fitness to reach some lofty goals of mine...

**SET GOALS**

As many of you know, I have an extensive athletic background. I played four sports in high school with numerous accolades in each. I was most gifted at soccer and was awarded a scholarship to play in the ACC for the Hokies. As a striker, much of my on-field success was due to my speed. I weighed around 165-175 lbs from my sophomore year in high school up till this past year. After I was forced into early retirement from collegiate soccer I took a few years off from the gym. As so many recent grads do, when my focus shifted from class to full time work I neglected my physical fitness in hopes career development.

During one of my last months in Boston, numerous members of the Solar Consulting team I was working with chose to do a http://www.21daydetox.com/ program. Dr. Green's program not only altered my outlook on my eating habits but completely changed my lifestyle at an early age.

Having been able to take advantage of my soccer player metabolism my whole life, I hadn't ever paid much attention to what I put into my body. Always loaded up on pasta the night before a game and banana, water and Gatorade between games. Although I never ate fast food, I never wondered about how much what you consume affects how you feel.

A quick synopsis of Dr. Greens Detox program is this...
Week 1: Vegan (all organic all 3 weeks)
Week 2: Raw Vegan (nothing cooked + 1 energy soup a day)
Week 3: All liquid meals (smoothies and energy soup)
Final 24 hrs: Water Fast

Essentially, what the program is designed to do is put the "reset" button on the body and flush out any toxins.

**DO A BODY DETOX AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR**

Without getting too detailed, this program forced me to cook every meal for myself while working 60-70 hour work weeks. I feel in love with cooking during this time.

**COOK EVERY MEAL YOURSELF**

Once I relocated back to NC, I decided to dedicate more time to my body which had taken so much athletic abuse over the years. Researching tirelessly, I compiled a program that was all-organic and one that would hopefully help me pack on weight for the first time in my adult life without the use of any weight lifting supplements.

I felt so energized during my detox due to the lack of additives in my food that I could bounce out of bed at 6 am and go until 8 pm at work before coming home for a very light workout and still have enough energy to cook my dinner. I felt the difference almost immediately- results did vary for my co-workers but I was like an 8 year-old all over again.

**EAT ORGANIC-ALL THE TIME**

Ten pounds was my initial goal. Obviously if you are looking to gain weight you need to consume more calories then you burn. So at a goal of 185 pounds I needed to eat between 2,700-3,200 calories a day with little-to-no-cardio in my workout.

My 3 main food groups are as follows:
High Quality Protein: eggs, lean meat, poultry, fish, etc
High Fiber Low Glycemic Carbs: Oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat anything
Healthy Unsaturated Fats: fatty fishes, nuts, seeds, avocado, flax seed, olive oil

Starting out I had to sacrifice a lot to afford eating 4 organic meals a day on a tiny unemployment check. Naturally, going out to eat & drink with friends was the first to go... sorry amigos.

**DRINK 60% OF YOUR BODY WEIGHT IN OZ OF WATER**

For optimum muscle growth your muscles need a ton of water. Currently, I try to consume about 150 oz of H20 a day. In all reality it's hard to drink too much water but the main goal of drinking so much water is that it will keep your muscles hydrated and makes you less likely to drink other beverages. NO SODA!! Cut back on you High Fructose Corn Syrup intake... trust me you will notice a difference.

**THE #1 RULE AT THE GYM IS I HATE MY BODY**

If you get comfortable or seem satisfied with your initial results just by changing you eating habits, you will slip. Be disciplined, push the envelope, add weight, do the extra rep and go the extra day. Most importantly keep a record of your progress. Write down what you eat and how you felt. Same with what you move in the gym.

I won't get into my whole workout routine in detail but the mental aspect of working out is critically important. Commit to it. Make it a part of you. Going to the gym is now one of the highlights of my day. There is nothing more satisfying then getting in a real good workout, seeing your progress on paper and coming home & cooking yourself a delicious meal that is good for you too. It works wonders on your mental health, confidence and will provide you with more energy.

**STRETCH**

Include a stretching session after your warm-up and include one when you cool down after your workout. Believe it or not stretching makes you stronger and faster. It elongates the range of motion while also keeping you toned. I like to do a yoga or pilates class at least a couple times a month. Plus the guy-to-girl ratio in that class will make up for your neglected nightlife.

**GET MENTAL**

When your lifting think to yourself how much more toned you are now, how swollen that muscle group is, think big to get big. You will see results if you believe they are happening before your eyes...endorphins everyone!



These are just how I have been able to change my body. I've put on 23 lbs in 14 months when I have never been able to put on five for more than a month before. I continue to set goals--next I want to hit 210 lbs. I am currently flirting with the 2-bill mark and continue to have people ask me to train them in the gym...soon people!

Remember this worked for me but everyone's body is different. I hope to learn more about how I can help others reach their physical potential by becoming a certified personal trainer here in Charlotte. The network of fitness fanatics I have come in contact with over the past year has continued to grow and only excite more more.

I love to make other people feel good about themselves. Life is just better when you are happy with yourself. On top of pursuing one of my passions this is just another way I can live UT PROSIM as a Hokie in this real world recession.


"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" -Gandhi