Thursday 22nd September

Every day I bump into someone who I know has trained for most of their life. I hear a lot of inspiring stories on how well they are doing. Unfortunately I hear a lot of stories about how certain things have happened and they have had to have a break in their training.

Then follows that period when they promise themselves they have  to get back into things, and that time is always usually a week away. This week can lead to weeks or even months.

This is the number one reason for me why individuals get out of shape, or never get into the kind of shape they once dreamt about getting into.

If you don’t train, then changes will never happen to your body.

This is why the actual “doing” is always more important that copying some complicated training routine from a magazine.

Rather than make life difficult for yourself, “just do it” as the old saying goes.

If you tried asking people you haven’t seen yourself for a while how their training was going, I would put money on it you would get similar answers to me. People in general are the same wherever you go and its never easy to be in shape all the time, very few people manage this.

Those people you ask who are having a break are maybe the ones you need to ask yourself if they would like to join YOU in your efforts to get in shape?!!!

You cant beat training with someone else to get more out of yourself!

The only downside training with someone else is that sometimes they let you down, and this can be most unhelpful in your efforts to get your sessions in!

So as long as you can hook up with someone who is trustworthy and motivated, and a similar fitness level as yourself, its an absolutely fabulous idea for you to get your own “training buddy” and you help your friend out too!

Anything that gets you actually doing instead of talking about it will be massively beneficial for you!!!

Wednesday 21st September

When you talk to real life people who stay in shape or got into shape, the answers are always a lot simpler than you think.

For example, when you ask some people how they did it, did they cut out carbs? Did they cut out just bread? Did they never drink again? Etc etc!!! The reality as i said is that there are no miracles.

This reality plays out like this-they didnt cut out carbs but didnt eat huge quantities either (they had portion control).

They ate good carbs such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, wholegrain pasta and definitely didnt eat junk food anymore, absolutely NOT those types of carbs!!

When going to restaurants, simple things like not having dessert tend to work they tell me. If a huge plate of food comes your way, then only eat three quarters of it, simple!!

Some successful people eat really well but always have hearty appetites! They get around this by putting quality workouts in and give it everything they have!!! They use this as a very valid excuse to eat heartily, and who can blame them, i have some triathletes and marathon runners who could eat anyone out of house and home!!!

Most if not ALL people in shape i train or know or both never drink in the week, alcohol in the week is a one way ticket towards weight gain and miserable performances in all areas of your life FULL STOP.

Most people in shape never eat late at night, after all where are you going to put all of those extra calories!!!! A very successful strategy that works!!!

These little changes aren’t exactly mind-blowing are they?!!! One thing’s for sure though, they ARE life changing!!!!

Most nutritionists agree that these LITTLE changes make the BIG difference!!!

Time to get a grip, give yourself a better quality of life by fitting these little habits in, and enjoy the massive results to come!!!

Friday 16th September

Congratulate yourself today if you’re doing something positive about your health and i really mean that!

From individuals i know currently having pulminory rehabilitation to those who have just done the Tenby Ironman race, the efforts on both counts have been hugely impressive, and in some cases relatively the same considering the starting point of the individuals!!!

Anytime you show up and do some exercise, life will become better and move in the right direction for you.

Anytime you get up saturday morning and you start grilling your breakfast instead of frying, you’re improving your health if you can make it lasting change.

Anytime you can say that you’re not going to go through the motions anymore, and you want to do different things in your training that will bring you some great results, life will change for you for the better because you will be focused on continuous improvement.

Anytime you decide that instead of staying in bed saturday and sunday morning, you walk up some hill or even small mountain that you never even thought of, you’re going to be improving at a speed that will shock you!

Anytime you start thinking that just because you have hit 40, 50 or 60 years of age, you are finished in physical terms you are doomed!!! TURN IT AROUND RIGHT NOW, cut that thinking right out of your mind and start realising that these ages offer OPPORTUNITY and not the end of the road!!! I have countless examples who have proved me right, and its their experience that inspires me every day!!

So we are on friday and traditionally the end of the week for most, start seeing it as the beginning of your enjoyment if you have been stuck in an office or house all week, this weekend is the beginning of your opportunity to feel alive again and get in shape so lets give it your best shot!!!!

Wednesday 14th September

Great things happen to happen to individuals who take action.

Those who hide and bury their heads under the sand will undoubtedly worsen their plight.

Okay, so once you have decided to take action, you will probably realise that you don’t have a whole lot of time to do it.

This is because life has become faster, people don’t have time anymore for things they used to take for granted.

Just look at most people’s days now, they still have to put their time into work but you are expected to do more in that time.

You are expected to do the job quicker and more accurately, and if you don’t like it, then with the current grim economic climate, then there’s usually someone right behind you prepared to take your job!!!

When you go to see the doctor, they say that they usually have 6 minutes for you according to research!

6 minutes is unbelievable so hopefully its not a complicated condition!!!!

We want to drive our more powerful cars quicker so we can get to places quicker, even if there’s speed cameras everywhere!!

We want to shop quicker, we have much more limited attention spans so pick shorter programmes, so hopefully you get the picture with all of this!!!

So when it comes to taking action in workout terms, your exercise session had BETTER be short but at the same time of course, you WANT AND NEED results!!!

So whenever i go through a session, i insist i give the absolutely best session i can!!! This means a high tempo and a lot of variety, including making sure each and every session is 100% safe!!! NOBODY has time to get injured these days!!

So wheneve you’re picking your workouts, make sure you make it count and give it your very best. Nobody has all day to train anymore so pick your time and hit it hard!!!

Tuesday 13th September

“The truth about drugs in football” last night was an eye opener for some on channel four, but it really wasn’t for those who play upper level sport.

From cocaine to anabolic steroids, authorities at the very top of the sport were not afraid to speak out at the problems facing football.

The most alarming and disgraceful  part of the programme was when we discovered that the football association (the FA) KNEW FULL WELL about failed drug tests and instead of imposing the mandatory 2 year ban minimum, they either gave a warning or just a 2 month ban.

Indeed, a scottish international was caught 3 times, and still only received a 7 month ban!!!

The investigation went to the very heart of the game, and discovered some life threatening methods of performance enhancement at chelsea for instance, and the discovery that 3  current internationals for england visit a mysterious clinic in berlin for dubious regular injections.

It stands to reason when you think of it. In the most well paid game in the world with ridiculous salaries and a game that is needing bigger and stronger players, the temptation to cheat must be huge with these players. When money is involved, cheating is bound to take place and there seems to be a systemic risk throughout the game.

One of the most alarming stories was the number of spoilt tests at various clubs.

This means that either players ducked out of the test, the test was inconclusive or not followed up, was dubious with readings causing great suspicion, or plain illegal results.

It said on the programme that SWANSEA CITY were the biggest culprits of “spoilt” tests, you would never guess on their physical performances, which have been sadly lacking this year. 15 SPOILT TESTS, I REPEAT 15 SPOILT TESTS!!!!

I have commented on numerous occasions about the lack of physicality from our local team, their out of date training methods and how rugby now leaves football behind in the way they train and in sports nutrition.

Football is currently a disgrace with their testing system and acceptance of positive tests, check out the programme online “the truth about drugs in football” and this will back all what i have said up to the hilt!!!

If football implemented a cycling type thorough testing system, the shock waves would be enormous!!!