Yes, this is my belly.  And no, I did not get it by doing 8 minutes abs! I keep getting these e-mails about seeing in the media how the perfect body requires little effort and no time.  With my schedule, I still find 30 minutes, four days a week dedicated just specifically to stomach work.  And that's just the abs!  Finding time for the rest of the body and cardio is a schedule battle everyday for me.

Like yesterday.  I just could not train the entire day, from start to finish.  So I am lying in bed still thinking about not finding that time.  I let it go and fall asleep.  But even though I did not train I was still thinking about it; I was still connected to my body.

Hey, life happens, I get it - but stay connected on any level possible.  You'll find when you're not connected and you miss one workout, one turns into two, then three, and you just start slipping.  I know I preach this a lot but I do because it is important.  If you want a good body, then fitness has to be a lifestyle; something that is a part of you day-in and day-out.  You'll find when we get older this connection is vital!  As we know, gravity kicks in after 35 and snapping back in shape gets harder and harder.  But on the opposite side, we are also wiser and know our bodies and how we can be more efficient with our training and nutrition.

Point is, we need to keep it real.  When we have a certain expectation of ourselves of how we should look and feel, then we need put in the time and be real with what's required to meet those expectations.  Basically, my job is to help facilitate that.  I do my best to provide insight, tips, programs, compassion, education, and motivation.  It's a lot of work but it helps keep me connected and motivated.

You all are the biggest workout partner I could ask for.  Yes, I train for myself but I also train because I represent what I do for a living.  I actually feel a responsibility to stay in shape, so thank you! There are so many trainers out there that study the books, get certified, become personal trainers, and don't have a clue of what they are doing.  Then they come to me; out of shape, no perspective, and want a job because I train movie stars.  They just don't get it!  The reason why I do train movie stars is because it's more creative to get someone in specific character shape than to just to get in shape.  It gives me fulfillment. But the star thing never got to me.  I tell you this; a celebrity can feel it in a second if you have any agenda or as I like to call it "star stalker potential".

Anyway, I am getting off point.  Sorry!  You get out what you put in, bottom line.  Training hard will benefit you in ways beyond a good body.  I promise to keep giving tips, insights, and make your health experience as result efficient as possible.  But help me too; keep it real with the understanding that after all the bells and whistles it's still about working out and breaking a sweat.  I won't be writing a book on "5 minutes to a great body".  Nice title, though.  Trust me, it feels so good to be strong, healthy, and connected to your body.  But it's a process that takes commitment and effort for life; not 5 minutes.

All the Best in Health!

Full entry | posted by Gregory Joujon-Roche in Commitment
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OK, if your New Years resolution is already out the window, don't fear!  Greg is here!  You probably were a bit over eager, and did not create a level of commitment that was manageable.  Or, life has swooped in like a rouge wave and your world is flipped upside down before your holiday credit card bill even arrives.  Here is what you do.

The first and cardinal rule is don't give up! Never give up, that's just not acceptable.  Don't you dare fall back into the pattern that made you miserable and is the reason you created a New Years resolution in the first place.  It's time to regroup, reevaluate, and start anew!  Give your self a break and readjust.

In my New Years blog I stated you must revisit your self commitment and make adjustments every other week.  Hey, make it every week if you need to, just don't dismiss it!!!  As they say, shit happens.  Roll with it, but stay with it.

On that note; this is my “One Body, One Life” explanation of balance.  Now, let's imagine this teeter-totter with no kids on it, perfectly still and straight, representing pure balance and calm. Everyone say Ohm!

Yeah, whatever!  I'm sorry, but this perfectly straight line is not balance.  It’s not even close.  We have moments of perfect balance, but how boring is that?  The kids on the teeter-totter are up and down, losing their balance, losing their minds, getting butterflies, and laughing their hearts out.  Love it!  Now that's balance!

In life, we may be close to sliding off the end of the teeter-totter; clinging to hold on, but holding on never the less.  These are the memorable times.  Times that build character and define who we are.  This is life, so hold on!  And it will straighten out, life will straighten out.  Just hold on!

To me, off center is still balanced, just more focused balance which sometimes is a good thing.  The comedian Steven Wright makes a living in this state of free fall.  But we do want to eventually bring it back to center.  Most of our New Years resolutions are exactly that.  But, my “One Body, One Life” family, our center comes from accumulation of small events, little moves back toward center.  If you try to make a single big move, sometimes you slip, or even fall or slide back further than you started.

So, if you have blown your resolution, chances are you need to regroup and come back at it in smaller commitments.  Does this make sense?  I hope this is giving you a bit of optimism and motivation!  Nothing is worse than to have a grand plan for the New Year filled with excited intention and passion, then to fail, or in your mind let yourself down.

So, consider this post your “get out of jail free” card and let's do it again.  Some of my clients aren't even back from vacation yet, so come on and make a new start right now.

OK, here are some quick tips to bring you back to center.
1.  Revisit your New Years Intention and make a Plan B.  If your plan is to get to the gym four days a week and you have not yet been there once, then just make a commitment to go once.
2.  Take it a step further and get specific on what you’re going to do when you get to the gym.  Make a plan so you’re not overwhelmed and walking around in a cloud.  Say to yourself "OK, I am going to walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes and do a little stretch afterwards.  Then, I am going to pick four of my favorite machines and just do just two sets on each and then I am out of there!”  Just make the commitment to get started, no matter how small.  Trust me, you will feel so good for following through!
3. Once you’re @ the gym, don't drift in your workout. Watch your thoughts and keep them in the direction and perspective that pertains directly to your training.
  • Gregism: "change your perspective, change your experience"
4.  Be kind to yourself.  Honor where you are at.  You want to create a rhythm, and this takes a little time.  Anything worth having does.  Don't judge yourself or others.  Be kind, be present, and stay committed.  Now, I used a gym analogy here.

If your plan is to eat better, then start with one healthy meal, and so on and so on.  Just plug in what ever resolution you have and follow these same steps with the same kindness and your back on your path starting NOW.

All the Best in Health!

Full entry | posted by Gregory Joujon-Roche in Commitment , Motivation
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