Well there you have it. Another year gone by and for 2011, it’s time to look at what’s hot, what’s not, and a little bit of “Oh Really”!

1. Pepsi has made changes to their products.  First, half its Frito-Lay chips will now be made with “all natural” ingredients (bear in mind that “natural” has no regulatory meaning -- companies largely define for themselves what the word means). Second, Pepsi announced a new children’s product: Tropolis pouches of squeezable fruit.  These supposedly healthy drinks contain large quantities of “juice concentrates” -- another euphemism for sugar. (Oh Really!)

2. BodyMedia FIT and BodyBuggSP use a series of sensors to accurately measure calorie output in real-time and display that data on your cellular phone. Now if we could only have these devices seal our mouths periodically throughout the day. (Did I hear you say wine and cheese?) I guess these are HOT!

3. UWater G2 – This has been dubbed the “smallest waterproof MP3 player”.  It can very easily clip onto your bathing suit and even has a flotation device in case it comes loose. Waterproof up to 10 feet. It does come with its own life preserver. No worries for Apple. (Hot and Not-so-Hot?...Not so Hot)

4. Stress sensing watches. What? Ya, that’s what I say. The biofeedback StressWatch allows you to track bodily functions such as your heart rate and temperature. Displaying ‘well-being waves’ on the clock face allows you to gauge how stressed you are and tells you when you need to calm down and take a deep breath. Living in high-stress times, the biofeedback StressWatch is definitely a must-have. NOT! Add it to my Iphone...maybe. (Not Hot!)

5. The top 10 unhealthiest foods to avoid in 2011 are:

Soda

Canned soup

Genetically modified foods

Coffee (caffeine)

Baked foods

French fries

Commercial breakfast cereals

Hydrogenated fats

White bread

Whole milk

Well okay, all but number 10. In the last few years there has been a lot written about pasteurized milk and eggs. From what I have been reading, raw milk and “uncooked” organic free range eggs are in. You look it up. (Oh Really!)

6. Now here is my take on one very incredibly important fitness topic for 2011. It’s so hot it’s boiling. Well, it’s really a two part deal. The first part is “educating parents”. Not on what to feed their kids but setting up a routine. Don’t you think parents already know that Fruitloops is not one of the four food groups? Don’t get me started on food groups either. The second part is to start them “young”. Right out of the womb! Well almost. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was the old saying and I’m kinda with them on that. Treat the cause, not the symptoms. Let's try it again people. (HOT!)

7. Yoga, Pilates, Crossfit, Bootcamp, Cardio, TRX, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Jazzercise, Power Lifting, Bodybuilding, Plyometrics and the list will just continue to go on and on and on. That’s not the magic. Which one of the thousands of weight lifting, body throwing, core blasting moves is the best? None really. That’s not the magic either. Do you think you can have well sculpted shoulders by doing a plank? How about a nice shapely butt by just walking the treadmill? No...you can not. The best saying going for you is “form follows function”. What’s HOTTER than HOT is you, physically, getting out every day, picking a routine that you WILL do, and taking care of business, period! Now go. Git. (Oh Really!)

I’m out.

I really don’t know where to begin with this one. We certainly live in a world overflowing with gadgets and it seems we can’t get enough of them. What gives people? Certainly, in the last 10 years the trend in fitness has been the race for the “best” new fitness gadget. Well, here’s a little insider information for you. There are “NO” super-duper fancy-shmancy all out amazing new “USEFUL” gadgets! Nothing. Ziltch. Oh sure there are a boatload of gadgets and gizmos but what do they really do? Let’s check out a few shall we.

Pedometers

You can have any number of clip-on armbands, underwear, hair band, shoe lace, wrist watch, tote bag models you like and the list keeps going. There are as many pedometer models as there are Nike shoe models. You have 3D sensors and ones that sense motion in multi-directional planes or how many calories you burn by snapping your fingers or clicking your tongue. Say what? Yes, it’s that bad. Is that what motivates you to become fit? Do you think this works? Well, let us take a look at what’s going on with your body? So let's assume you take in 1500 calories, and you burn off 2000 calories each day. In 7 days you expend 3500 “extra” calories, which is equal to ONE pound, so you must be dropping one pound of weight every week. How’s that working for you? Most people don’t have a clue when it comes to counting or controlling their calorie intake. Call me if you want the real answers.

Wii

I’m Wii’d out. I really am. What is this world coming to? Why do we need this? We spend an outrageous amount of time every day in front of a screen. I can’t find enough data to support using the Wii and besides that, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! If you have children tied to their Wii for fitness results I would suggest you make some changes right away. Of the few people I know that use the Wii and have had some success, this is not a fitness gadget I would ever recommend.

TRX

I am going to take some heat over this one but I just can’t resist. A former Navy Seal developed the TRX Suspension Training System back in the 90’s and took it to market in 2005. This is an expensive rope system which allows the user to work against their own body weight. Have you tried it? I experimented with it extensively over the last six months and aside from a couple of exercises I just don’t like it. Many of the exercises are too difficult for most people and they are bio-mechanically awkward. Can I say that? Yes I will. Take the chest press for example. Definitely one of the most “uncomfortable” movements with the TRX System. Way too much arms and shoulders and not enough chest. What do I know? I’ve only been involved in the fitness business for 25 years. Some will like it and some will not. Pick your poison friends.

Well, there you have a few gadgets currently circulating in the market today. I’m sure you have your own opinions about these if you have used them and by all means use whatever helps you achieve your fitness goals. I, on the other hand, can’t be bothered with most of the gadgets that fill our world. I’m an old school trainer. I believe that most people exercise to achieve at least two things from their fitness program (there are many more of course): One is for better function and the other is to simply look great. The gadgets I mentioned above don’t fit the bill in my opinion. In my experience, most people have very limited time to devote to fitness and even less when it comes to controlling their diet. You’re all out of excuses - start feeding your body the way it was meant to be fed and stop wasting time searching out new fitness gadgets. I’m done.

Well the summer has slipped away but unfortunately the body fat has not. Boo! Have no fear my band of fatties, (I say this with my deepest respect for your summer slacking and overindulgence) help is on the way. For the next several months I will lay down a fitness and nutrition plan that will help flatten your “wine flap” and remove the red flag off your “trailer”. Yes, I said trailer. Would you prefer “junk in the trunk”? Now that your friends will stop calling you the “buffet slayer”, you can feast on your new fitness program that doesn’t include all that excess wine. I admit I’m not a regular wine consumer nor could I suggest a great wine, but I did enjoy a few tasty glasses with a tender steak this summer. Well, now is the time to replace some of that wine with water. I know, I know, I’m raining on your parade but just think of the excitement in the old homestead after you toss those “fat” pants deep into the back of your closet. Are you ready? Here is the first step of your Fall Fitness Plan:

MIND SET -A Commitment to “I”

1. "I will start my fitness program today.” Make the commitment to yourself.

2. What do I want? Make it very clear and detailed.

3. I will list everything that will help me achieve my goals

4. Which one will I do and not just think about? Prioritize your final list.

5. Most important..."Start Now"! Yes, get going. Change your clothes and go.

6. Will I exercise at home or go to the gym? What’s my financial commitment?

7. If I buy home equipment, will I really use it? Start with a minimal investment.

8. I need to change my diet right now. Eat a breakfast meal every day. No Cheerios please.

9. This will work if I eliminate ONE needless hour of my day. TV watching or computer surfing?

10. I may need some help or support from a “positive and motivated” friend or family member.

11. I want it...I will work for it...I will make time for it. Say that out loud every morning. Three times.

Your commitment to yourself should be your unbroken pledge, duty and promise. Is there another person, place or thing anymore important? If you follow through with this commitment to yourself, then all other commitments are possible.

A good friend of mine shared his thoughts with me the other day. Thank you Kory.

We will begin next week (Step 2) with your exercise program. Stay tuned.

In 1975 Arnold Schwarzenegger did a documentary called Pumping Iron. The night I watched this movie was a moment that changed my life. I had been dabbling with free weights and a few machines at a small home gym with a few of my closest friends for the past year or more, so I was already in full weight lifting mode by the time this documentary aired. What began as a young man’s infatuation to the world of bodybuilding continues this day as my undying passion with weight lifting. To have a strong, lean, and proportionate healthy body is, and always will be, a permanent part of my life.

Pilates Yoga Crossfit Zumba Bootcamp Pole Walking, Circuit Training etc...(Just to name a few) are really excellent fitness modalities. Most people have their own reasons for starting a TYPE of exercise regime and these programs are all fantastic. However, I’m an “old school” trainer and in my 35 years of weight training there is no better way to create the perfect body than weight lifting. Yes there’s a massive push for functional training and cross training, and in actual fact, those “types” of training modes have always been around. It’s only in the last 10-15 years that functional training has risen to the main stream and become heavily publicized through media so that everyone is now familiar with it and understands its importance. I train all my clients with some form of functional requirement, but, and this is a BIG but, everyone I train wants a better looking body. That takes us right back to my reference to “old school” weight lifting.

I have noticed a several major changes in the fitness world today. One of the biggest changes I see in the fitness industry today is group training. People are finding they want more group fitness over individual fitness. That’s all good. Do whatever it takes to get fitness in your life. Another change is the lack of commitment. I have noticed such a lack of commitment from so many people in the last couple of years. However, THE biggest change in the fitness world I see is the lack of intensity, “drive”, or simply the lack of pushing yourself to greater limits. We are so directed to “core training” that most people tend to neglect or lessen the work on the rest of their body. Hey...I call it as I see it! I’m in the gym or on the sports field every day, and I see so much time spent on core training (poorly done or with such low intensity most of the time) but I don’t see very many nicely developed bodies. Hey, I call THAT as I see it! The next time you go to the gym have a good look around. Other than a few younger athletes, you tell me if you’re impressed with the bodies in there.

Let’s cut to the chase people. Let me tell you the reality of your fitness program. Three days a week doesn’t cut it. If you’re doing a few group classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and that’s all, then you will not change your body the way you would like to. Don’t argue. Most people don’t have a clue anymore what is required to change their body. In my world, most people I talk to want a leaner body. A large percentage of those people want a nicer shape. Duh! Everybody wants a nicer shape don’t kid yourself. Here’s the thing...you either bust your butt every day or don’t expect results. Go back to “old school” weight training. You don’t have to focus primarily on weight training but it gets the job done. Believe me. Another massively important factor in fitness is to PUSH YOURSELF! The body is truly amazing and to get the job done you need to up the intensity and really see yourself progress. If you’re looking to have a really symmetrical, strong, shapely body, give the “old school” weight lifting a go.