Get Happy…Get Results
As a body transformation specialist I hear a lot of comments like, “Once I get this 10 pounds off….”, or “When I get down to “x” percent body fat…”, or “I just want to fit into my skinny jeans then I’ll be happy.” These are all good goals because they are somewhat specific. They are associated with a metric goal. You are either 10 pounds lighter or not, you can either fit into your skinny jeans or not. In other words, you will know when you have accomplished them. Now I don’t want to get into the whole goal writing...
read moreGot Passion?
***This is an excerpt from a newsletter I wrote to all the EXL clients this last April, so it’s a little out of season, but the message is timeless.*** This time of year is challenging for me. I find it hard to transition from winter to spring, from ski season to mountain bike season. Because the snow has been so soggy I’ve forced myself to do a few spring bike rides. Ya, I was slow. A ride that normally takes me 90 minutes took me close to 2 hours. I can probably chalk it up to being out of biking shape, but more importantly I contribute it to a lack of passion. My...
read morePearls of Wisdom Gleaned from the NSCA National Convention
During the week of the Fourth of July I attended the national convention for the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) in Las Vegas. At this convention I had the opportunity to attend workshops and lectures from some of the brightest minds in my field. I’ve been training for 16 year so I rarely come away from an event with some groundbreaking information. But, I do get a confirmation that what we are doing at EXL is on par with current research and training trends. That being said, as a devout exericise science student always looking to improve my craft I...
read moreThink Skinny This Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us once again. One of the reasons the American waistline is ever expanding is holiday weight gain. Depending on the study, the average American gains between 3-11 pounds during the holidays. Most don’t lose the holiday weight during the ensuing New Year’s resolution rush to the gym. So year after year we Americans get fatter and fatter. My approach during the holidays is…break even. Don’t gain and don’t lose. Enjoy the holidays, but don’t over indulge. The way I see it, you’re already ahead if you start the New...
read moreTime-saving, Fat-burning Cardio…NO Fancy Equipment or Gym Needed
This week I’ve enlisted my EXL Cardio Boot Camp guru, Shawn Webb to tell us a little about cardio and more specifically interval training. Shawn always has creative body-weight only exercises in his bi-weekly cardio boot camp to light up his clients’ metabolism and he doesn’t even need any fancy equipment. ~ Mat “the trainer” Hello fellow boot campers! Tell me if these are two common complaints that people have about cardio. 1. I do not have the time! And, the excuse for those that actually do have time for cardio… 2. I do my cardio, but I don’t...
read moreHappy Muscles
One of the first things we do with clients/campers at EXL is take them through a self-myofascial release (SMR) session. In short this is a self massage routine that helps reduce connective tissue adhesions within muscles commonly known as knots or trigger points. It also helps increase blood flow to targeted muscles which increases oxygen delivery to the cells which promotes healing and aids in flushing out cell waste. These effects can be felt almost immediately. Tighter “knots” may take several sessions in which to see/feel progress. It is suggested to perform a SMR...
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