Blog Archives

Ditch the Scale

After interviewing hundreds of personal training clients over the past few years, I have found one common concern amongst Women: the dreaded number on the scale. I have met Women who weigh themselves daily and even multiple times per day! The truth is that by doing this, they are sabotaging their fitness goals before they even hit the gym.

Your body is more than just a number, it is a look and a feeling. My mission as a Women’s fitness expert and San Diego Personal Trainer is to change my clients way of thinking that the scale ultimately controls their fitness level. The scale isn’t going to change the way you look. In fact, it may negatively haunt your body image for the rest of your life. We cut off friends and boyfriends when they make us feel this way, right? So why keep such an intimate relationship with the scale?

Let me show you a perfect example: Sorry to get graphic here, but you have to see this.

Would you rather weigh less and look like this? The Woman in the photo below may have a low number on the scale but is what I would consider “skinny fat.” Meaning that while her weight is low, her body fat percentage is high. This leads to just as many health risks as being obese! To top it all off, “skinny fat” victims are usually cardio freaks who do nothing but cardio, no weight training.

Or would you rather weigh a bit more and look like this photo below? Healthy glutes aren’t flabby. Firm glutes are a sign of a great strength training program. If we’re striving for attractiveness and optimal health, this is the ideal shape you should be shooting for. The best news is that you don’t have to bulk up to have a great backside. It’s just a matter of firming up what’s already there!

 

 

I don’t know about you, but I’ll take the appearance in picture #2 over the low weight and flab in picture #1 any day! So do yourself a favor and stop obsessing on the scale and stick to a consistent nutrition and workout plan.

La Jolla Beach Boot Camp for Women

La Jolla Beach Boot Camp

I am pleased to announce the launch of my new website, lajollabeachbootcamp.com. I have been conducting boot camps twice a month for my current clients and the results have been fabulous!

If you live in the San Diego area, the La Jolla Beach Boot Camp for Women is a great way to get in an extra day of cardiovascular training in a beautiful beach environment.

Discover the fun and dynamic workout for all levels of fitness that will burn fat, increase energy, and improve endurance all in a motivating group setting!

Space is limited so reserve your spot today. Hear what San Diego Women just like you are saying >>click here!

Committed to Your Health,

Nikol Klein, Certified Personal Trainer / Nutritionist

Losing Our Preferences

Sometimes embarking upon a new Health or Fitness venture requires losing your preferences. I am finding this more and more as I learn about different types of clients particularly the clients who succeed in meeting their weight loss goals. It all comes down to goals, choices, and losing your preferences.

The clients who are getting results are the ones who are making sacrifices. My Saturday and Sunday morning clients are a wonderful example. Sure, maybe they would love to sleep in on a Saturday morning, (hey, I would too) but instead they are training with me early so that they can have the rest of the day to spend with their families without compromising their weight loss routine.  This is real dedication and an example of a client who chose to lose their preferences to meet their goals.

Look, I’m not saying eat something your allergic to or stop spending time at the beach. I’m saying that you have to give up your bad habits in order to embrace a new, healthier one!  It takes a lot more than exercise in order to truly change your physical appearance and lose weight. Your weight loss success depends on your ability to change. If you know it all then why did you hire a Personal Trainer or Nutritionist?

Another example is a client who is given a Diet and Meal Plan but fails to use it because her husband refuses to eat healthy. This client will never lose weight because her support system is not in place. If her husband isn’t willing to try making changes to his diet to support his wife, chances are, his wife won’t either. In this case, the client chooses to continue eating the way she always did and submits to the unhealthy ways of her husband. Do you think this client will succeed?

So try something new! You never know, you just might like it, and if it’s something that will make you live a longer, healthier life it just might be worth it too.

It all goes back to goal setting.

Weight Loss Mistakes

Plank photos 146

Why you are not losing weight…

Every day I am in contact with Women who are unhappy with their current physical appearance. They come to me for my expert weight loss advice, and of course I do everything within my power to share my knowledge with them through healthy lifestyle examples. These include nutrition plans, daily workout routines, cardio workouts, and email support in addition to one-on-one Personal Training sessions, most of which are conducted in their homes.

The frustrating part is that despite all of the help and guidance I provide, there are some who still fail to achieve the goals they set out to accomplish when we first met. The following is a list of common mistakes and ways to prevent them from happening. You wouldn’t want to sabotage a weight loss plan you just spent hard earned money on!

Mistake #1: You get out of it what you put in- I know this sounds very cliche, but it is true. If you are not waking up 100% committed to the program your trainer has you on, you will not be successful in achieving your weight loss goals. Some think that just working out with their trainer three times a week is enough…it’s not. The clients who get results are those who are putting in extra work. This sometimes means working out twice a day! It truly comes down to how bad you want it.

Mistake #2: Not following Meal Plans- Following the Diet/ Meal Plan that your trainer designs for you is crucial to your weight loss. In fact, it’s even more important than the workouts. Meal Plans take your Trainer or Nutritionist hours to design. This is why they are so costly. A common mistake that clients make is thinking that if they workout, they don’t have to diet. Put the Krispy Kreme’s away…you are what you eat.

Mistake #3: Canceling Sessions- You’re not hiding from anyone but yourself. I’ve heard every excuse in the book from “I have to stay late at work” to “I’m hungover,” which is by far the worst thing you could ever say to your trainer. Do yourself a favor and don’t even think of canceling, and if you absolutely must cancel, give advance notice. Remember, everyone involved in Health charges for less than 24 hour notice…this includes Personal Trainer and Nutritionists!

Mistake #4: Not Doing Cardio- In addition to strength training with a trainer 3 times per week, you should also be performing a cardiovascular activity for at least 30 minutes per day. This is essential to any weight loss program.

Mistake #5: Not keeping a Journal- To most of my clients, I suggest that they use a journal to write down everything they eat…every day. Successful clients are bringing these journals to their workout sessions for me to review and critique. These are the clients who are making changes to their diets and feeling confident in their new healthy choices.

I hope that you are able to identify some of these mistakes within yourself and correct them for a successful weight loss program! Stay committed to the program you have bought into and you will reach your goals!

See you at the gym!

Nikol Klein, ISSA CPT/SPN

www.nikolklein.com, info@nikolklein.com

Bikini Worthy Legs

It’s that time again…Summer! Most families take a much needed vacation to the beach, but that doesn’t mean you have to take a vacation from your workout routine! You don’t want to sabotage all of the progress you have made, gain pounds back or lose muscle all in a weeks vacation.

I am going to show you a few exercises that target the legs. Turn heads this summer by performing 3 sets of each exercise. Your legs will be bikini worthy in just a few weeks!

Quick tip:  Try an early morning jog or intervals. You can even throw in some lunges or squats in between jogging intervals!

Exercise One: Hip Bridges

Plank photos 095

Laying on a mat or towel, feet on the ground, knees bent, gently peel your hips off the ground as pictured. Return back down to the starting position. Make sure that you are lifting your hips so that there is a straight line running all the way from your knee to your shoulder as pictured above. Repeat 20 times.

Exercise Two: Single Leg Hip Bridge

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Start lying down on a mat or towel with your Right leg bent, foot on the ground and your left leg at a 45 degree angle in the air. Bridge hips up and down. Repeat 20 times. Switch legs.

Advanced Bonus: To really give your tush a boost, try this exercise with your weight on the supporting heel rather than a flat foot!

Exercise Three: Simple Squat

Copyright Aaron Riveroll Photography

Copyright Aaron Riveroll Photography

Start standing with your legs slightly wider than hip width apart. Toes parallel. Holding a 5 pound ball or free weight. Bend the knees or squat while simultaneously lifting the ball or free weight to shoulder level. Return to starting position! Repeat 20 times.

Advanced Bonus: Try this move with your feet “duck” or turned-out!

Try these exercises at least 3 times a week, 3 sets of 20 in addition to your regular cardiovascular and strength training routine.

See you at the beach!

Nikol Klein, ISSA CPT, SPN

For more information on how you can get Bikini Legs, visit Nikol’s website, www.nikolklein.com or call (858) 598-5157 to schedule your FREE consultation!

How to Make the Most out of your Cardio Workout

You see it every day…the same people on the treadmill, day after day at the gym. Some stay on the treadmill for an hour, some two hours. You wonder how these people can stand this monotonous activity!

The truth is that these people are getting nothing accomplished, other than finishing the book or magazine they are reading.

Tip: Doing the same type and amount of cardio each day is doing nothing for your weight loss!Worse yet, when you take time off from this type of obsessive cardio, you will gain weight.

Make the most out of your time with these Dynamic Cardiovascular exercises that utilize the treadmill and your imagination! Warning: You may feel silly, and the other gym goers may look at you funny, but these Cardio techniques get results! As always, make sure you consult a Physician before embarking upon a new weight loss program or see a trainer like myself for assistance.

Example:Stop/Start Cardio- Try this technique to keep your body guessing as your Heart Rate rises and falls. Begin warming-up for 5-8 minutes at a moderate pace on the treadmill, no incline. Run for 3 minutes. Walk for 2 minutes. Repeat. Do this for a total of 30 minutes. Make sure you cool down for 5 minutes, slowing down as the time runs out. You will see how time flies while you are doing this dynamic, fun workout. This is a great way to get more out of your cardio!

More Dynamic Cardiovascular exercises on the Treadmill include the shuffle, the skip, and my favorite, the Chasse. For questions about these types of exercises or to book a session please visit my wesbite.

-Nikol Klein, CPT/SPN

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