Here is the KEY, the ANSWER, the SECRET!

This is an exerpt from another excellent blog but I had to re-post it here for you to all read. Of course, I give ALL credit to the author, Trainer Momma! (btw: you have to click on the picture to see the whole thing)

THE TREE

I finally came up with an analogy that I think works when it comes to fitness. Here’s my best shot. Be kind:

Imagine a young tree that has just been planted. Its main source of strength to hold it up comes from the trunk. It is doing OK on its own, but it is a bit weak and with a good wind can blow from side to side. Without a bit of help and support from some extra stakes and cord, it just might not make it on its own.

The tree is fitness. The main key to success is nutrition. However, that said, a lot can be done to help you reach your goals and maintain your success by adding in two supportive little friends: cardio and lifting weights. If you take away one of the supports, the tree may stand for a while on its own, but eventually falter and bend. And of course, if you take away the trunk – proper nutrition – it is game over. There will be no tree, there will be no fitness.

From Tree analogy

Fitness has many factors, but can be slimmed down to 3 components:

1. Nutrition

2. Cardio

3. Weight Lifting

Let’s pull an M.C. Hammer, and “break it down”:

1. Nutrition – This will make or break you. I believe nutrition makes up 80% of your fitness success. When I have a client who I see is working their tail off, but is seeing no progress, my first question is:

WHAT ARE YOU EATING?

When I was heavy, I had a gym membership (but was lacking an arm, since that’s what I used to finance that purchase when I was a wee newlywed – long story). I also had a regular exercise partner who I met up with most mornings of the week and we walked/jogged around the well lit mall parking lot at 5:30 AM. I did all this, and I was fat. Why, oh, why? Because I ate like crap. My nutrition was wwwaaaaayyyy off, however, if asked at the time, I would have sworn up and down that I ate well, but I was just big boned. Bogus. I ate nonstop carbs, I might as well have had an IV with liquid graham crackers running into my veins. I don't think I knew what food had protein in them. I hated vegetables and never ate them (that was my mother’s food, gross) and I was a sugar addict. I couldn’t even eat breakfast without finishing it off with a Yoplait yogurt (with a whopping 27 grams of sugar! AH!). Yes, I would have sworn I was a healthy eater. It wasn’t until I went to my first personal trainer that I learned how to eat, I mean really eat right. And, eleven years later I’m still a believer. Nutrition is paramount in this journey to the land of fitness.

2. Cardio – Cardio, or cardiorespiratory exercise, is also essential for fitness success. This is any activity that raises your heart rate, makes you sweat, and keeps that heart healthy! Muy importante! This said, however, I have known many a marathon runner who trained and ran the darned 26.2 miles and didn’t lose a stinkin’ pound. WHAT?!? All that and nada? I’m telling you, in order to lose weight and keep it off you need all three components to fitness.

3. Weight Lifting – For many women, this is the mysterious one. How often? How heavy? How many reps? What is a set? What is that machine used for? I don’t want to bulk up! But, I only want to tone my arms/lift my rear/get the cottage cheese off my thighs. I’ve heard it all and understand. Muscle building is essential to change the shape of your body. I like to think we are sculpting our own bodies, yes – we are works of art! There’s much more to it as well… Lifting weights is not only essential for how you look, but it helps tremendously in how your body performs and lasts throughout the years. Skin and bones are OUT, ladies. Goodbye Victoria Beckham! Muscle is IN! I’m not talking spray painting your body with bronze paint, bleaching your hair to a dry, blonde crisp, and parading in front of judges in a string bikini for a body building competition. Ugh. I’m just talking health, strong and feminine. There is a way to be all those things.

So, where ever you may be on in your health and fitness endeavors, remember the tree. Ask yourself how you are doing in all three areas. Now let's get to work!