Nick Clark's Blog – July 2009 Archive (6)

We live in a world of instant gratification. However, when it comes to losing weight and getting your body into better shape, it takes time. Pills and injections are for an illness or injury... not weight loss. So, let’s set the record straight by saying, losing 10 to 15 pounds per week is not going to happen. If it did you will be losing crucial lean muscle tissue and water.



Fitness takes patience and perseverance. Most people give up on their goal because they lack one of these or… Continue

Have you thought about training for a Half-Marathon but was unsure how to go about training? Well, now you have the opportunity to join a Women's Running Group that will train for the Women's Half-Marathon on November 22 in St. Petersburg. The event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

You may be telling yourself, "the only running I have been doing is from the couch to the fridge." Don't worry. We welcome all fitness levels. All we ask is you have a positive attitude and are… Continue

If you are a newbie into the running world, remember these three tips before you hit the pavement.



1) Fuel

Consume a small meal at least one hour prior to your run. This allows for sufficient time for the digestive system to do its job. The last thing you want is to get half way out and have an upset stomach or become light-headed.



Some simple pre-run meals:

-English muffin with peanut butter (add a sliced banana on top for longer runs)

-Energy bar… Continue

Training your mind is just as important as physically training your body. Some will argue that it is actually more important because without a positive mental outlook the physical training may be short lived. Mental training should part of your routine on a daily basis.





Below are two techniques that will sharpen your mental game:



Self-Talk- The way you talk to yourself will have a direct reflection on your performance. The question is- is it negative or positive?… Continue

Are you focusing only on the muscles you can see in the mirror? I bet you don’t look in the mirror and say, “Wow, my upper back is looking good,” or “check out my hamstrings.” Unfortunately, most strength training programs focus on muscle groups like the biceps, abs and chest. If you continue to work the same muscles over and over again, you develop muscle imbalances. Muscle imbalances lead to postural deviations.

I am sure you have seen men (or women) at the gym that look hunched over… Continue

It’s that time. Time to evaluate your fitness goals. You have had over 180 days to squeeze in swimming, running, strength training, yoga, pilates, biking, walking, hiking, climbing, or whatever it is you wanted to accomplish and make part of your fitness routine. How’d it go?



Take time this week to revisit your goals. You still have time to lose that twenty extra pounds or run that half-marathon. Unfortunately, you may now be realizing that simply writing down goals doesn’t… Continue