I don't think we need to worry about Osama Bin Laden. We should rally launch an all out war on french fries. According the the video below from the CDC obesity is doing a great job! The spread of obesity in the United States is killing us with degenerative diseases like High Blood Pressure, Heart disease, and Type II diabetes....

The sad thing is many have been incorrectly been duped into thinking this is natural aging. WRONG!!! This is really the slow death created by poor nutrition and almost no exercise. We were not meant to age this way. There is an alternative check out the many tools we provide to help you live the healthy, vital life you were meant to live at www.fitnessquestpt.ning.com.

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As many of you know I have been with my family on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for the past week.  I spent most of the day yesterday playing on the beach with my two boys ( Ethan 6 and Evan 4). We spent a ton of time searching for the perfect sea shell.

It struck me that finding sea shells is a lot like chasing your dreams.  There are an infinite number of shells in the ocean just like possibilities in your life. Like life the ocean just keeps coming at you whether you choose to grab the shell of your choice or not.  Like life there are external factors you must contend with like the height of the surf, the temperature of the water, the temperature of the air....... Ultimately you can either get hung up on these external factors or set your mind and go after the shell you desire!!!! 

I hear a lot about external factors but I assure no matter what your excuse there is someone one with the same busy schedule, kids, genetics, metabolism or whatever that has gotten in great shape and achieved their goals. This means you can too!!!!!!!!!!  Why do people only see the limits and not the possibilities in life?  I challenge you to look more to the possibilities and ignore the limits as they are usually just in your head.

Have a great day- I am going to claim the shells and dreams - of MY choice-  how about you?

C.Todd Lowder "The Fitness Guy"
www.fitnessquestpt.ning.com

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The Law of Reversal according to James Ray

“The law of reversal says that to turn misery disease and failure into joy, health and prosperity, you must think, speak and act, in ways which are the exact reverse of how most people think, speak and act. “

Over 60% of Americans are considered overweight or Obese. So, it stands to reason that this law is applicable to your health as well! You absolutely must do the opposite of what most people you know are doing in regards to your diet and exercise practices.

“Most people want to eat the American diet very few actually want to look like the typical American.”

C.Todd Lowder

This all simply means instead of TV you choose exercise, instead of cheese burgers you choose grilled chicken, instead of Soda you choose water........ You get the picture this isn't about deprivation it is about a move toward the body and or level of health you want not settling for what you get from a poor diet and no exercise habits!

“You were born into greatness and conditioned into mediocrity”

James Ray

Chew on that one a minute. Kind of stings in at least one area of your life I am sure.

One more thing: You must take Action. Without action nothing happens. Be one of the few who take action not one of the many who just talk. Here is your first task: write down your goals. We know this is as powerful as anything when it comes achieving your goals. This one task can increase your odds of succeeding by more than 90% just see the Study of Harvard Graduates popularized by Tony Robbins.

I have found an awesome resource for bringing your dreams to life, its the dream box. This beautiful box is made from exotic wood, engraved with your name or your loved ones name and can even be customized with your dreams of just some words of inspiration on the inside of the lid. The Link is www.dreamketch.com .

These boxes aren't cheap but what price can you put on something that will help you stay focused on what it is you really want out of life.

Sincerely.

C. Todd Lowder, “The Fitness Guy”

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What are your Results Saying

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So you think the FDA is here to serve and protect you (the consumer), right? I think if you knew just a few of the facts about how food labeling works in the United States you might think again.

Some of you are saying that doesn't apply to me “ I read labels”. This is where you are mistaken. Did you know that as long as a food additive is Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) your label will only say “artificial flavor” or “artificial color” or maybe even “natural”.

With this in mind consider the average American eats their weight in food additives each year – YUUM pass me some chips,cookies or other processed food.

So again the FDA musts be looking out for us right? Did you know that the food additive manufacturers are the ones who notify the FDA of an additives status on as GRAS and they provide their own evidence to support their claim. This makes the American public guinea pigs in a giant food additive experiment doesn't it?

An additive doesn't lose it's status as GRAS until reports accumulate citing its damaging effects.  So what I am saying here is things have to go bad a few times before anyone even takes a look at an additive.

Paul Chek Fitness and nutrition expert makes the point that “insects, insect larvae, monkey guts, and even mercury are all “natural” and are just a few of the things that can end up in your food. Kind of makes me wonder whats really in those NATURAL chips.

You think this is bad – the supplement industry is even worse – but that is another blog for another day!

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Are your closest friends holding you back?  Are they holding you back because of their own limitations.  It's not that they don't love you but if you succeed then they have one less excuse as to why they have not succeeded.

You may have to ditch your friends!

One of the major things I learned from Motivational Speaker James Ray was if you want to be super successful don't spend high quality time with people you don't want to be or become. This may sound harsh and in some ways it is but if you dont want to be jut average sometimes you have to take decisive action!

It doesn't mean you are better than those friends it merely means you have a different mission for your life.

I hope none of you are thinking “what do you mean a mission”.

Do you ever see an eagle flying with a flock of pigeons? NO they are on a completely different plain. Birds of a feather flock together – bet you have heard that one. You have probably even said it. It is true in general isn't it.

We can probably all agree that there is a lot to be said for surrounding ourselves with like minded people whom want to the same things out of life that we do. This no more obvious than when you are trying to raise your level of fitness.

Think about how hard it is to eat “clean” when you are surrounded by a bunch of people who don't care about their bodies. How about the way your non exercising friends look at you when you express how great a hard workout was.

So here is my new variation of James Ray's rule

“Don't eat like anyone you don't want to look like”

More on this later in the week

C. Todd Lowder “The Fitness Guy”

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Why are we sooooo FAT?

Look around at people.  I mean look at how big they are!  I am amazed at the sheer lack of self respect people have for themselves or their health.  I know some of you are thinking  I am being a little harsh but give me a damn break.  Considering 1 in 3 children are over weight or obese and over 60% of Americans are over weight  I don't think I am a bit out of line. 

As a 16 year veteran of the fitness industry and personal trainer I feel a little like a failure.  I don't think we are making much of a dent in this epidemic.  So it is time to stop being nice.  I am going to give you 5 pillars of weight loss to live by and if you don't like them then too damn bad - you can stay fat or you can decide you are going to take action.  It's nobodies choice but yours.

1. Get moving!  You do not have to own fitness equipment  or a gym membership just get off your big duff and move for 20 minutes non stop everyday.

2.Remove the feedbag!  Yes we as Americans eat too much crap.  Start eating foods that dont come in a box or bag and limit yourself to one serving. Try eating 1 serving of protein, 1 serving of fruit, 1 serving of veggies and 2 glasses of water 4-5 times per day and you will be stuffed and lose wt. 

3.Take action - be one of the few who does not one of the many that just talks

4. Stop making excuses.  Excuses no exercise and bad food choices have gotten you where you are right now.

5. Lift some weights - muscle is your engine so build some.

Want more great information check out http://WWW.fitnessquestpt.ning.com - they have free exercise videos, audio, printable workouts.........

Sincerely
C.Todd Lowder "The Fitness Guy"
www.toddlowder.wordpress.com

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his past weekend my sons and I ventured to the Prairie Air show in Peoria, IL. to see the Navy Blue Angels perform. In my younger years, the only thing I would marvel was the power and speed of the team. I still love the testosterone filled, high speed passes and the sheer power of these $28 million machines. This time, I was struck by something all together different.

Blue Angels Solo: 3 Days - 3 Sneak Passes

Upon arriving at the air show it was hard not to notice the center piece of the show the F/A 18 Blue Angels planes, perfectly parked in front of the crowd on the runway. The planes were spotless the gear and support equipment were impeccably placed around the planes. It seemed nothing was left to chance even with the placement of their gear. To some, this wouldn’t be noticed or even expected. I was struck by this commitment to excellence. That is something you rarely encounter in todays world. The only time people see this type of attention, would be at an event like the Blue Angels air show.

“I think that one of the greatest things that I talk about is making simple commitments. That you are going to get the job done and that you are going to work as hard as you can at everything you do. Once you have that simple commitment, whether it’s hanging up your clothes in your closet or even on your final exam, if you do the best you can at everything that you do, there is really nothing that you cannot achieve, whether you want to be a Blue Angel or if you want to be successful at whatever you do.”

Lieutenant Scholl

It is not stretch to understand why these pilots and crew are so committed to such precision given the consequences in the air if they don’t but what about the commitment to even parking their planes perfectly separated at the proper angle and the crew placement of gear. Now this is attention to detail and 100% commitment to doing everything to the best of their ability. You see I call this the “trickle up phenomenon” . Most only pay attention to doing the big things right and often lose ground in the details.

“Success Lies in the details”!!!

I believe if you commit to paying attention to doing the little things right, the seemingly insignificant things the big things become easy to do with excellence.

Let me give you an example. Most people who want to lose weight or improve their physiques - exercise ,workout, and get their cardiovascular and maybe even eat O.K., but find it easy to cheat at least a couple times per day. When it comes to their food intake they think “Well, it’s just one meal, one bite, or one snack – what can it hurt?” Ever done this? This is exactly what I am talking about. You concentrate on the big things but fall down on the small things. These small things add up and I can guarantee you, EVERYTHING MATTERS.

Am I saying never cheat or never have fun? NO. I am saying if you have a goal and are really committed to that goal – stay focused! Commit to excellence in everything you do. You will be amazed at how this begins to seep into every area of your life. Consider this the sun with all of its infinite heat and power cannot start a fire until its energy and power are concentrated and focused with a magnifying glass.

Ask yourself “Am I focused and What is my commitment to Excellence?”

C.Todd Lowder “The Fitness Guy”

www.toddlowder.wordpress.com

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