Busy Schedule

How can you fit exercise into your already booked lifestyle? Today you are going to find out. It seems like everyone’s schedule is busier and busier these days—there's work, kids, significant others—you name it. The bottom line is you can live a healthier, more energized, leaner, stronger lifestyle, if you put some effort into it.

The first thing you have to do is to get yourself to want to exercise. You have to find your main motivation (the Why). This will move exercise up the priority ladder. You have to ask yourself the following questions: Why do I want to lose body fat? Why do I want to gain muscle? Why do I want to increase energy? The answers to those questions should be what will give you the motivation to exercise the first thing in the morning and after a hard day’s work.

Okay. Now that you’ve determined the driving forces that will push you to exercise, you should write them down. People who put their motivating factors down on paper are more likely to start and finish an exercise program than those people who do not.

Now that you have done that, you want to begin the second step, which is to develop an exercise regimen that you will follow on a consistent basis. Are you going to exercise the first thing in the morning? Is it going to be on your lunch break? Or is it going to be at the very end of the day?

No matter what you decide, you must be realistic and you must set yourself up for success. If you miss a workout, who cares? Make it up the next day.

The third thing is just getting started. Do it, no matter what. Even if it’s just walking around the block for thirty minutes. Get started. There’s no time like the present. Don’t wait for your birthday. Don’t wait until after your vacation. Don’t wait until you’ve saved some money. Just get started. Start using your body. It will never be easier to start an exercise regimen than today.

Most Effective in-home Exercise of the Week
The Long Pulley Row
Equipment needed: resistance band and stability ball
Level: beginner
Primary muscles used: lats, rhomboids, biceps

The most effective in-home exercise of the week is the long-pulley row. All you have to do is to attach the resistance band to any low, stationary object in your home. Sit on a stability ball with your back arched and your chest held high. All you have to do is to row with the resistance band, bringing it back to your waist until it is just above your thighs.

That is the most effective in-home exercise of the week.

Most Outrageous Product of the Week
The Sweat Suit

The most outrageous product of the week is the Sweat Suit. Some people use garbage bags, Saran Wrap, whatever. It is an ineffective way to lose weight. All this method accomplishes is to remove water from your body. It does not reduce body fat. This product may cause dehydration. It causes your body to run less efficiently and it looks ridiculous! If you are a wrestler who is trying to lose weight quickly so as to fit into a certain weight class, it might help you to lose three pounds of water. Other than that, stay away from this method for losing weight. It’s unsafe. It’s harmful to the body.

Factor Mail

Bailey from Boynton Beach, Florida asks, “Corey, what do you think about a cheat day, and what’s the best way to implement it?”

I definitely recommend a cheat day, and here are my recommendations. Do it on a Saturday or a Sunday, but you still should have five or six high protein meals. The bottom line is, if you want to eat pizza or your want a cheeseburger with fries, have it. Enjoy yourself. Don’t forget to drink extra water on a cheat day. My recommendation is to follow that cheat day with a healthy, lean day.

Product Review of the Week
The stability ball

The stability ball is a must for everyone’s home gym. Stability balls can range widely in price. Stay away from the cheap ones because they tend to lose air. In terms of this piece of equipment, not only can it replace a bench, but using it can help you to improve your flexibility, your coordination, your balance, and so many other wonderful things. There are over fifty different exercises that you can do when you use a stability ball.

Did You Know?

Did you know that, currently, 65% of women over the age of thirty are obese?

Remember, it’s not what you do today. It’s what you do every day.

Until next time, make it happen!

Corey Ritter

If you enjoyed this blog, and if you have questions or comments, please send them to corey@thefitnessfactor.com or post them right here.

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