How's your New Year's Resolution going?

I was in the gym the other day and ran into a friend of mine who had made it her New Year's resolution to lose 25lbs. I must say, she was looking very trendy in her Ed Hardy outfit, holding that infamous green and white coffee cup outfitted with the requisite recycled cardboard sleeve, and talking to her fellow gym rats. After saying hello, I kept a distant eye on her for the next twenty minutes--and came up with this blog entry.

I imagine, like many of you out there, you made it your New Year's resolution to lose weight. And if so, I raise my glass of green tea to you! However, to those who've made this ever popular 'lose weight' resolution and have been going to the gym all year long and are still carrying that reason for your resolution, like my well accessorized friend, I'm here to 'gym-rat' you out!

If you go to the gym almost daily, and can't figure out why the pounds aren't leaving you or your behind, consider this. You can't go to the gym with a Grande Caramel MachiaVendiLatte-ccino from Fourbucks (as i like to call it), stand next to your friend, sport your fabulous looking exercise outfit, sip and gossip for fifteen minutes while she's pounding it out on the treadmill, and exclaim with glee, "I went to the gym today!" Standing inside the gym does not constitute going to the gym. I don't care if you were drinking the "skim" version of your coffee concoction or a protein shake. You must move, push, lift, breathe, shimmy, shake and sweat to earn the right to say, "I went to gym today."

Now, we've all done this on occasion--but if this behavior is a habit, you might as well save your gas--and your four bucks! A workout means some calories have been expended, and that is what gets you closer to your resolution.

Now lets say you're reading this and thinking to yourself, "But Blair, I'm not a social butterfly. I do move, shimmy and shake. And I can't seem to shake these stubborn pounds."

OK, the good news, which is also the not-so-good news, is...you might just have trained yourself into being a 'creature of habit', instead of the 'fit woman with Madonna-like arms' you were hoping for. If you're bored, I'm guessing your body is bored, too. You've become accustomed to your workouts and aren't working out as effectively as you could. Two suggestions...

First, consider wearing a heart rate monitor . This will ensure optimal training when taking, say, your ump'teenth spinning class. Exercising in your target heart rate range really does help you to know if your aerobic, anaerobic or amoeba (which is NOT a category--and if you don't know that, call me immediately). Depending on your training goals, you'll maximize your precious time in the gym and achieve those goals sooner. Consult an exercise physiologist or certified personal trainer to help you set your training goals and determine your target heart rate. Then watch and see how effective this little device is at keeping you on target.

Secondly, if you are the 'creature of habit', changing your routine will challenge your muscles, mind and cardiovascular system in a new way to meet new physical demands. Instead of taking that ump'teenth spinning class that you could probably teach by now, try a vinyassa or power yoga class. If you're stuck on the step (do they still have step classes?) take a Zumba class that will have you dancing like a mambo queen (or king) and see how fun fitness can be.

Cheers to effective training!

(note to self: discuss green tea vs. Fourbucks coffee concoctions next entry)

Lifestylist™ Group and Individual Instruction

There have been many inquiries recently regarding what it is I do? So here goes.....

In a nutshell, I'm a life consultant providing education, motivation, resources, products and advice to help you live your best lifestyle. I provide content and concepts about all things "lifestyle" for various media outlets such as magazines and television, as well as on a private basis. I am uniquely qualified, possessing the education, degrees and work experience in several areas of lifestyle ranging from entertaining, to decorating, to health and fitness.

Whether I'm instucting how to make homemade tortillas and salsa in a TV cooking segment , serving as the creative director for a charity's fundraiser or leading a workshop on the benefits of exercise or proper form when stretching, I impart my knowledge, experience, and motivation to help you get more out of your life.

For more information about my services, seminars, programming ideas, or hosting availability, contact me at blair@blairfrench.com