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* The title of this post was taken from The Dirty Nil song of the same name*

Ah, to be young and fearless again…

Or is that young and invincible?

While I don’t have the lifting background of someone who played sports through high school/college, my body has felt it’s fair share of aches, pains, strains, and other miscellaneous hiccups. You can read about some of the more serious ones here.

In fact, most of my clients are in something of the same boat. A bad knee here, a rough shoulder there, unusual pains in the lower back, hip, elbow, etc. I’m not sure that I have any clients at all (young or old) who aren’t fighting through or around some nagging problem.

To treat each of my clients as if they had no weaknesses would be foolish to say the least. Some people have an innate strength or aptitude that I try to flesh out and improve on. Others have to fight and claw for every ounce of progress they can make. I tend to post a lot of pictures of people lifting respectable weights with a traplift or a back squat. However, I have at least 30% of my clientele who cannot, and likely will not, ever be able to safely perform those lifts.

That’s ok.

Not only do we all have different goals set for ourselves, we have different bodies, with different histories behind them. All of which have a path to forge and it’s my job (and the job of my trainers) to help shine that light.

If you want to get stronger, get leaner, eat more responsibly, balance your training with the rest of your life, we want to see you succeed. No two paths will look identical to one another. No two outcomes will be perfectly aligned.

I’d also like to offer a call to those of you reading this to stay aware of your weaknesses. Sometimes they can be made stronger and sometimes they need to remain subtle reminders of where the body cannot be pushed.

Perhaps the largest offenders of any of this are the weekend warriors and those just trying too damn hard to relive their former glories (When I was in college I could lift “XXX” or run a mile in “YYY”.)

Focus on who you are today.

The person who’s lived a few decades or so under their belt, raised a family, climbed the corporate ladder and maybe suffered some legitimate losses in their life.

We want that person with a few battle scars who’s ready to conquer the next stage of their life. And while you may have weaknesses (we all do), we want to share some of these new victories with you.

You in?

 

 

I go solo this week and bring you a shorter episode this go-round. Dive in to this week’s show to check out the snacks I recommend to clients and what my go-to options are, the supplements I’ve been using and how they might benefit you, plus some strategies to help you on your fitness journey. Per the recommendation on the show, please check out http://www.examine.com to get great information on your supplements. To find out more about your host, check out http://www.jasonleenaarts.com Download, subscribe, share with your friends and leave a review on iTunes to let me know how you like the show.

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Dr. Karl Nadolsky joins me again after his excellent episode earlier this year discussing hormones and this time we dive into the world of adrenal fatigue. Dr. Karl explains some of the myths behind what the media tells us and what further testing may show. We also discuss the reality of adrenal insufficiency and the myriad of other issues which could be occurring underneath the surface. As always Dr. Karl shares a wealth of information so you don’t want to miss this. To learn more about the website he references in the episode, please check out http://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/myth-vs-fact/adrenal-fatigue To learn more about Dr. Karl, please visit http://www.docswholift.com There you’ll find his contributions with his brother Dr. Spencer (also a resident guest on our show) and you can connect with each of them on their respective social media channels. To learn more about your host, please visit http://www.jasonleenaarts.com Download, subscribe, share with your friends and let us know how we’re doing!

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*The title of this post was taken from the Iggy Pop song of the same name*

Owning this business has always been fun. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its fair share of stress but interacting with people all day long who are committed to self-improvement is a blast.

As we are now somewhere between 7 and 8 years of operation, I’m having more fun at RevFit now more than ever.

And why is that?

If I’m being honest with myself, I know that these things tend to work in cycles. If clients are seeing good things happen with others here, they want to see the same happen with themselves. It’s easy to feed off of that energy.

But I’d like to think it goes deeper than that. Sure, there is a certain sense of accomplishment when you hit a new personal record or you get your body weight to somewhere you haven’t been in a while.

However, if I can project a bit, it feels like the current roster of clients cares more about themselves. I don’t mean it from a selfish standpoint (although I think to a degree that would be okay.) I think of it from a place of self-preservation.

When we can determine there is a place that seems better than where we are today, we want to be there.

So, if the thought of being 20lbs lighter is really motivating, that’s the goal an individual will fight to get to. Or if the allure of getting stronger in a particular exercise is inspiring, a client will make sure they get adequate recovery in between sessions to be fresh when they come in for their workouts.

I’ve been particularly aggressive with posting pictures of clients on social media lately too. That, in turn, gets people talking. And it gets my clients feeling good about their respective accomplishments. I like this support system. It reminds my clients that they are not in this alone and can motivate them to stay the course when life has that funny way of distracting us from progress.

What I see when I look at my clients lately, is what reminds me of the Iggy Pop song referenced in the title. It’s a “lust for life.”

It’s the drive that says:

I want better for myself, I’m willing to work for it, and dammit I’m proud of what I’m doing (Stuart Smalley would probably say that differently.)

Great things have been happening here and I don’t see any indication they’re going to slow down anytime soon. To those of you who are part of the gang, I thank you for your continued efforts towards self-improvement and legendary status. To those of you who are not yet in the swing over here, I hope that you are dialing in your own Lust For Life.

In the meantime, we’re going to keep kicking ass at the Rev.

She’s baaaaaacck! Once upon a time, Evelyn Carbsane was my very first podcast guest. We never made it official because at the time it was something of an experiment. So, we’re making our first official episode together and it is a damn good one. Evelyn has done boatloads of nutrition research and has successfully managed to debunk a lot of the nutritional dogma that floats in our industry. We try to bring the sanity back into the carbohydrate conversation. You can find out more about Evelyn by visiting her at http://www.carbsanity.blogspot.com To find out more about your host, check out http://www.jasonleenaarts.com Download, subscribe, share and tell your friends.

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*The title of this post was taken from the Everclear song of the same name*

Frequently, clients of mine will assume that my diet is 100% perfect all of the time. Perfectly timed, all healthy options, never eating desserts, chips or large portions of junk.

At times, some have assumed that I am gluten-free, sugar-free, meat-free, etc.

WRONG.

I will eat pretty much anything. I have a notorious hatred for onions (if I can smell them) and I’m not much on raw tomatoes unless they’re part of a spicy salsa.

Aside from that, I’m not terribly picky. However, people assume that due to my build and my profession that I eat like a saint, 24/7.

I will say, that I generally do eat in a health-conscious manner most every day. On the weekends, things can be scattershot. A couple of weeks ago, I got off to a decent start with an almond butter sandwich on sprouted grain bread. After that, my wife had her open house at our newest endeavor, a performing arts studio. There were cupcakes, cookies, cheese, fruit and meatballs. I had a little of everything.

Cookies are my weakness and I try to steer clear of them when I can. If they’re nearby, I’ll continue to nibble and pick at them to no end. Because I don’t indulge in desserts frequently, my “open house” diet made me feel like crap. From a calorie standpoint, I’m fairly certain I was in line with any other day. However, my food choices definitely made me feel less than optimal that day.

What I don’t do is spend a lot of time worrying about it. I know that after the weekend, I will get my diet back to my relative normal and any weight fluctuations will work themselves out within the first couple of days of the week.

It would be foolish of me to compare my normal to yours. If you are embarking on your weight loss journey, you may not be able to get as loose on the weekends as I do. Maybe you have a harder time moderating portions or you let one counterproductive meal lead to six.

For some people, I’ve even suggested getting regimented with the diet with no luxuries for a predetermined amount of time. For instance, if you really like milkshakes, maybe you treat yourself to a milkshake (just one, small/medium size) after you drop your first 10lbs. I don’t think it’s healthy to remove things indefinitely but I have seen that work really well for certain personalities.

I think everything has it’s right place. Know yourself, know your limits, and plan accordingly. If I had 30lbs to lose, knowing my adoration of cookies, I might find it easier to stay away from cookies until the weight came off. OR, I would find a way to keep cookies in the diet but in the smallest quantity possible so I could tell myself I’m not totally deprived.

True to the title of the post, When It All Goes Wrong Again (and it will), you have to know how you’re going to swim in the deep end.

 

Marta Williger joins me this week to discuss her background and expertise with Medicaid and Elder Law. We cover some of the hot topics and misunderstood notions behind what kind of care one can expect with this program. Marta gives some state specifics when it comes to how assets are involved when qualifying for long-term health care and some things to consider with nursing homes versus staying at-home for personalized care. To find out more about Marta, please visit her website at www.willigerlegalgroup.com If you do not live in Ohio and would like more information from another Elder Law professional, please visit www.nelf.org To learn more about your host, check out www.jasonleenaarts.com Download, subscribe, share with your friends and leave us a review to let us know how we’re doing!

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“The title of this post is taken from the Epic Ditch song of the same name”

Before Jacquelyn started training with me, she sent me a message outlining several health issues that I needed to be aware of first. There were injuries to be aware of and some internal challenges that she was working diligently with doctors to resolve. One of the obstacles was how easily she became light-headed during exercise. Sometimes, simply moving up and down from a bench could make her want to pass out.

I never assume I can fix everyone. Exercise, while immensely beneficial and generally (should be) mandatory for most, means different things to different people. It could be walking instead of sitting. Or it could mean lifting heavy things as opposed to picking up the cute pink dumbbells and curling them until you feel something that seems like it’s productive.

I told Jacquelyn we would give it a go and see how a month of training together works. Since we don’t make our clients sign 6-month or year long contracts to train here, all she had to lose was a month of her time to see if we would work well together.

There was the goal of weight loss to focus on but Jacquelyn wanted confidence in lifting weights too. Her husband is active with strength training and she has two boys who have already been bitten with the fitness/sports bug too. Jacquelyn wanted a place to train that wasn’t going to have an intimidating culture.

These days, fitness/health magazines and online articles tend to tout the benefits of high intensity interval training and more intense bouts of cardio for weight loss. Jacquelyn felt the need to gravitate in those directions but would be discouraged every time the feeling of passing out would start after little effort had been expended.

We started moderately, lifting weights with a rep range of 12-15 and kept experiencing the same problem. Her heart rate would jump up and she would need a few moments (sometimes a few minutes) just to get things to calm down. This problem was not as prevalent on machines, where she has the option of sitting as opposed to a free standing squat or deadlift type of motion.

So, I started considering other options. As far as weight loss went, tackling the appropriate amount of food would be the first course of action. In addition to having her doctor assess her preexisting conditions, there were some hormonal situations that could have been affecting her ability to lose weight as well.

When it came to her strength training, we started looking at things from more of a powerlifter’s perspective. Heavy weights at very low reps (3-5 reps tops.) This stimulated a favorable strength response without making Jacquelyn feel like crap after lifting weights for a session.

Whenever possible, I believe it’s a trainer’s responsibility to meet a client where they are. A textbook might say “Solve this problem with “X” solution.” I’ve found many people don’t fit a pretty little textbook mold. That’s when it helps to get a little bit creative. Over the short time Jacquelyn and I have worked together, it has been an immense help that we keep an open line of communication about what works and what doesn’t, what feels beneficial and what allows the best rate of recovery.

Thankfully, Jacquelyn is REALLY strong. So, we can have a bit of fun with heavier weights and her body doesn’t feel totally beat up afterwards. However, Jacquelyn’s case does highlight a consistent philosophy and that is:

Get Stronger.

Ladies: that does not equate with bulk. It means, use it or lose it. Muscle is a precious commodity and it needs to be stimulated to work for you the way you want. Guys: you already know it but there is a chance you’re not taking advantage of it the way you should.

Allow Jacquelyn’s scenario to be an inspiration for you. Get creative, be flexible with an approach, and do what you can to progress your relative picture of strength.

Resistance is victory.

*Special thanks to Jacquelyn for letting me share her story*

 

I have the great honor of chatting with bestselling author and the trainer of trainers, Nick Tumminello. In 2015, Nick was inducted into the Personal Trainer Hall of Fame and in 2016 he was awarded NSCA’s Personal Trainer of the Year. We cover a lot of his philosophies and approaches working with a huge range of clientele throughout his career. In addition, we talk about both of his excellent bestselling books “Strength Training For Fat Loss” and “Building Muscle And Performance.” Both books are available on Amazon.com. To find out more about Nick, please visit http://www.nicktumminello.com. To find out more about your host, please visit http://www.jasonleenaarts.com Download, subscribe, share with your friends and leave us a review to let us know how we’re doing!

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“The title of this post was taken from the Morgan Delt song of the same name.”

We have a coffee table at my studio in between two lounge chairs. Over the years, I’ve tried to subscribe to fashion and fitness magazines so people could peruse them if they wanted to. Over time, I’ve decided to shift away from some of the selections. I’ve almost completely stopped subscribing to fitness magazines. I think I’ve just grown tired of the “Get Fit Quick” promises. I’m also sick of the advertisements in those magazines for nutritional supplements. Most of the ones that are advertised are garbage. You might actually get more benefit eating the dirt out of your backyard than taking some of that stuff.

Not to mention, all of those fashion magazines. Never mind the fact that you have to sift through more ads just to read an article. Should I even bring up the photoshopped bodies that people manage to compare themselves to?

Don’t even get me started on all of the crap supplements that roughly 10-20% of your friends on social media are selling either. If it includes attending a supplement party so you can be part of the cool kids, I would advise you to stay at home. This isn’t to disrespect the people who do this. We want to believe there is a shortcut and we want to believe our friends who tell us there is a shortcut (because it “works” for them.)

I understand the allure though. There’s something really enticing about extra streams of revenue and having an endless network of friends (and their friends, and their friends) to sell to. Hell, maybe I should quit my day job.

Much of what you see in fitness media, fashion magazines, and the walls of your local nutritional shop is useless. As in: it will do you no good to aspire to, subscribe to, or indulge in. Why? Because you aren’t that person being featured in that ad. You’re different. Chances are, the model in the picture doesn’t take that supplement or perform that workout in real life.

I don’t think any one person or company really tries to be dishonest. But there are staffs of marketers who know exactly which of your buttons to push to get you to buy (and buy now.)

Bags under your eyes? Take this cream!

Workouts need a kick? Take this pink pre-workout powder!

Six-pack abs? Try this 3-week ab routine!

Bat wings for arms? Do some bench dips!

Feeling sluggish? Drink more coffee (who cares that it’s 4pm!)

No thanks.

You’re smarter than this.

The “system” will mislead you. The “system” will make you think there’s something missing from your life.

There’s probably nothing missing per se.

You just might be kidding yourself about how hard you’re actually working at change or lying to yourself about how much (or how little) you actually ate today.

There is a very small chance that something needs to be checked out with your doctor. Legitimate, but small (check it out anyway.)

You might need a different set of eyes to see what could be going wrong.

At RevFit, there’s no supplement to sell. No quick-and-easy promises that can’t be fulfilled. We work hard, we have a good time, and you get to go back to living your life.

We just want to be part of the journey in helping you get there…no rush.