One on One with Fitness Expert Steve Jordan
February 26, 2009
Finding the time to exercise and eat well
Recently I interviewed Los Angeles fitness expert Steve Jordan of Steve Jordan Acceleration on this topic.
About Steve
Steve Jordan has 10 years in the fitness and wellness industry. He received his BS in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland. Steve trained individuials from our nation’s government at the White House Athletic Center during the term of President Bill Clinton. He has been an educator lecturing around the country for the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Steve has worked with top-level Olympic professional athletes, top level executives, celebrities and other individials alike. He has been seen on NBC, The Oxygen Network, and E! He has also been seen in Self, Shape, Fitness, Men’s Fitness, Glamor, The Core, The Daily News, and The Washington Post. Visit his site at www.stevejordan.com.
Natasha: What do you have to say to the excuse of being too busy to workout?
Steve: There has to be a priority to exercise. If someone doesn’t want to exercise you can’t make them. If their excuses are “I don’t have the time”, or “I have too many priorities” such as family, I’d say that person isn’t necessarily ready to workout. There has to be a commitment and I think that there’s no better time than now with New Year’s where there’s always this underlying initiative to change bad patterns and create new and better patterns. So I think timing is also important to show that there is going to be more commitment and motivation. Once you find the right timing then you will be able to find the time on a day to day basis somewhere. Whether it’s 10 minutes a day for 7x a week, 20 mins 5x a week, or 30 min 4x a week or 1 hour 3x a week. You can break it into intervals like that. Also, goal setting is really important. When you start to prioritize and set lists or an outline for your day on a day to day basis, weekly or monthly basis you have a calendar of events of things that you are doing. And you prioritize and make sure that exercise becomes an A list priority. Where other things that might be a B priority or C priority take the backseat to exercise. Once you incorporate it into your lifestyle you start to feel the results. Results don’t always have to be physical changes. They could be mental clarity, better sleep, more energy, flexibility, being able to get up and down the stairs more easily, reduced pain, and increased circulation. There’s a myriad of different results. You have to be honed in on that to be more motivated. Once someone starts to feel that then they are going to see that the actually do have the time. Now as opposed to 20 minutes they will feel that they can actually do 30 minutes. Progressing in that nature is important. People set too unrealistic goals and that is the reason why people fall off of the wagon at the end of January.
Natasha: For one who lives far from the gym what can he/she do near or around their home?
Steve: Walking and running are two of the most primitive things to do. You can engage in a walking routine to help kick start your momentum and gradually build up into a walk/run cycle then into a running cycle from that point on. Everything needs to be progressive. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Even just doing sit ups and stretching in your living room, spending more time outside, or researching some parks and recreational areas, where you might find other exercise enthusiasts to help you become more motivated work. Find a buddy, a wife, spouse, brother, sister, and recuit them into this new venture so that you will have some kind of external responsibility.
Natasha: Are there simple exercise movements one can do at his/her desk?
Steve: You can simply stretch at your desk. Most people when working end up getting real tense and tight from being in a position for a long period of time. Tension can be released by stretching. Movements such as turning and stretching your neck in certain areas, reaching your arms up to the ceiling, and bending to the left, right and backwards can help loosen up the back. Even standing up at your desk rather than sitting down while on the phone. Try to stand everytime you are on the phone. You will see a difference in delivery on the phone. Especially if it is an important conversation. You might be more astute, consistant and assertive. Your body language dictates how everything comes off. Also, at your desk you can march in place or even do 10 jumping jacks intermittently during your day. Set a goal of 50 for the day and do 10 jumping jacks 5x a day.
Natasha: How can a “busy” person eat right?
Steve: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Being busy is no excuse not to eat right. Eating is something we do everyday. It’s a choice. And again you have to have a goal. If that goal is important enough to you and there’s more value to that goal then making the right choices when you’re busy is gonna be important. Pack a lunch. Prepare simple snacks from almond butter on crackers to apple with almond butter. Bring fruit. Cut up fresh vegetables with hummus. Bring a packed lunch that you can easily microwave. It takes preparation and commitment.
Natasha: Do you suggest workout DVDs at home?
Steve: Absolutely. I suggest anything that’s gonna be motivating for you. Also, anything that will increase your consistency. Whether it’s a video, a book, or an exercise from a magazine, I’m all for it. You know what will work best for you. It could be hiring a personal trainer or working out at a gym. What works for me is to workout at a gym other than my own studio. Although I own a fitness/wellness center in Los Angeles with state of the art equipment, it is work to me.
Steve leaves us with this
Steve: Busy is a state of mind. When you evaluate your life you will find that you are not as busy as you think. Get that dialogue out of your mind and you’ll start to be able to make the changes in your schedule and open things up in areas that you never thought you could. Just make exercise a priority.
Thanks Steve!!
Stay tuned for more One on Ones…
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
Circut City
February 25, 2009
as written for Oxygen Network
When you want results and when you want ‘em fast throw some intense circuit training in the mix. By keeping your heart rate up while working all of your major muscle groups with no rest in between sets the pounds will shed very quickly. This is because you’re killing a few birds w/ one stone. For jaw dropping results include mat exercises, cardio, and weight training in your circuits.
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
Fit Parents
February 24, 2009
As seen in Parentise.com
When you’ve got children what’s better than being able to play with and keep up with them? Better yet, when you’ve got children what is better than being able to do those things without getting out of breath?
Keeping fit is so important; not only for a great body, but also for daily life. For new parents you’d want to be able to pick your baby up and carry him or her around with ease. You’ll not only have to carry a baby around, but I’m sure you’ll have a stroller and other luggage as well. Exercise helps with that.You have many options whether you have all the time in the world or no time at all.
Also, whether you are a gym member, or don’t have a gym membership. There are so many exercises you can do at home, at the desk, or in your hotel room. One great exercise to help with the picking up and carrying is the front raise. You can use dumbbells, a medicine ball, any equipment you have at home such as gallon water bottle with sand or you can start with the water (a weight that is manageable where you can still feel resistance).
Front Raise
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart
Both arms straight out in front of you holding your equipment
While your arms are kept extended and straight, raise the equipment over your head and back down to starting position which is about chest level, and extended out
To your family’s health!
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
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Keep it Moving
February 23, 2009
As seen in Doce Vida Fitness Blog
You’ve got to move it! Exercise is so important no matter who you are. If your goal is weight loss you’ve got to keep from sitting still. For example, when you’re at the gym you should move like you’ve got some life in you from exercise to exercise. Working out helps to fight off diseases, such as, high blood pressure, high cholesterol…not to mention makes you look good.
Not a gym member and have no time to get a little workout in during the day?
Here are some ways to do this:
- Make yourself get up and out during lunch
- Some take smoke breaks. So why not take a walk break?
- Stand up and do some simple stretching at your desk:
- Roll your neck from side to side
- Stand and reach for your toes
- No need to leave your seat today? Again, make yourself.
Go outside, or walk from one point inside of your building to another and back.
How badly do YOU want to get fit?
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
Protecting your back at work
February 18, 2009
Hey guys!
While back pain is a common issue, here is an article that I found by the American Council on Exercise on what you can easily do to alleviate some pain in the back. Remember seek medical attention if there is any pain you are unsure about.
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
Great Upper Body Exercise
February 16, 2009
For a great upper body exercise that works back and arms try the bent over row. Great addition to a weight loss program because you are doing so much all at once here.
· Stand with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart
· Bend your upper body just short of parallel to the ground while holding a bar
· Pull the bar up towards your chest
· Contract your lats until your elbows are pointing up
· Do not jerk your body
· Return to the starting position with control
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
Thank you blog tour hosts
February 13, 2009
Thank you all of my blog tour hosts.
Raw food blog of Tanisha Marshall
Click on the links to check out my posts that offered tips from the downloadable The Start Guide.
Natasha Linton
NYC Personal Trainer
