Monthly Archives: August 2009

Boot Camp Head Scratcher: Tapeworms for Weight Loss?

By Daniel | Published: August 31, 2009
Eating tape worms for fat loss. Wow. What will they think of next?
Eating tape worms for fat loss. Wow. What will they think of next?

I was sure I had seen all the crazy schemes people attempt when trying to lose weight…

The fact is, the secret to boot camp weight loss isn’t as glamorous as advertisers want us to believe.

–  No pill will “burn” fat
–  Most popular “diets” won’t work long term
–  Exercise alone won’t guarantee fat loss
– Tape worms are NOT a good idea for losing weight

Reality check.

Weight loss is about implementing the number one secret for burning fat.

I am going to share it with you…but it requires a whole post unto itself. It really truly works and it works for every person who tries it…every person who has every tried it…and every person who ever will

Seriously.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Until then…

Cheers,

D

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Boot Camp Tightrope Walking

By Daniel | Published: August 27, 2009

Once upon a time…

I wobbled, shook, and careened across a real tightrope.

One of our superstar boot camp students  had it installed a couple feet off the floor of her writing studio.  She practices walking across it for both physical and mental balance.

Her boyfriend is amazing too.

Here’s a guy who once weighed more than 300lbs…lost all of it…got in shape…ran a marathon a few times… and now is training regularly. Wow. He just keeps updating his goals and moving forward.  Like crossing them off a list.

I’m writing to you about this because I just took a mental inventory of all my friends.

Very good to do.

Why?

Well… turns out they all are striving for a fulfilled life.  All of them have goals.  And all believe in their own power.None of them are quite like anybody else I have ever met. All unique. All interesting.

It’s a success secret taught by the greatest thinkers and doers:

Surround yourself with successful people.

To do so inspires us to live from our own highest selves. And then you can inspire others too.

I can honestly say I feel blessed to have such interesting and amazing friends. But it wasn’t always this way for me.

Once upon a time I had “friends” that were slowly becoming less happy, less fulfilled, negative and angry. Looking back, I felt the same way. Unhappy. Bored. Unproductive.

Misery loves company.  And I was their “company” as much as they were mine.

One day I decided I just wasn’t willing to live an unhappy, unfulfilled life. And I wasn’t going to encourage them to do so either.

So I had to say adiós.

From then on, everything changed for the better.  I changed my “Inner Universe” and the outer one changed instantly.  It was instant life upgrade.

I looked for and began to magically find more fulfilling relationships — and I became a positive catalyst for others too.

I urge you to examine your friendships from a “good for me” or “bad for me” perspective. Discover whether they are growth oriented.

Are they healthy relationships?  Do you feel good around your friends? Do they inspire you to aim high?  Do you inspire them?

Life is too short to waste time being part of a cadre of negative people.  Why not choose your friends based on your own core values?  Why not seek friends who encourage, support, and inspire?  Why not enjoy friendships that make you feel good?

You will be so glad you did.

My personal development was stunted, in part, by the company I kept in my former life.  But no longer.  I refuse to move backwards.

Are negative people a roadblock for you? If so…give yourself permission to shine.  By giving your self permission to shine, you’ll automatically give other people permission to shine too.

Even the “friends” you may feel you’ve left behind.

Cheers,

D

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Top 6 Boot Camp Exercise Excuses

By Daniel | Published: August 26, 2009

no excusesLet me share something interesting with you.

Before I started running Portland Boot Camp, when I was a personal trainer, I heard every excuse in the book for not working out. Frankly, none of them were very convincing.

We all trick ourselves into putting off what we really need to do now. It’s symptom of a little mental disease I like to call “hidden laziness”.

Now to be fair, sometimes very important things DO come up and get in the way. You know: we get really hungry, we get stuck in a mineshaft, or our legs and arms fall off spontaneously. Funny, I even remember telling my gym coach in 8th grade I couldn’t run laps that day because I had a bone in my leg.

So. let’s set the record straight.

With the exception of natural disasters, or unforeseen trauma or serious life interruptions… there is NO excuse for not working out.

Here are 6 of the most often used excuses and what I have to say about them:

#1 “I don’t have time!”

Right. Allow me to translate into plain English: “ I am not willing to create space in my busy schedule to get in shape because I am unwilling to make it a priority.”

Let’s get real. The president (regardless of how you feel about him) exercises, Bill Gates exercises, all my current busy boot campers exercise,

Do you have less time in the day then they do?  Well you might.

But riddle me this…

How much TV do you watch?  Well, exercise during commercials.

- Take a walk at lunch.
- Run while you do errands.
- Get out of bed and exercise before you shower and eat.
- Join a fitness class or Boot Camp and get to it!

The minimum for basic results is 3 times a week for 15 minutes. . You could even split that 15 minutes into two 7.5 minute spurts.

Heck, start with short distance walking if you are really out of shape.

Do SOMETHING. Decide today to take control over your mind, body and health. You’ll thank yourself for it.

#2 “I’m too tired to work out.”

Translation: I am unwilling to make myself get up off the couch and make my health a priority.

Now, it could be real:

- Lack of sleep
- Lack of food
- Too much alcohol
- Too much caffeine
- Too much time in front of TV

But, what do all the above have in common?  They are all choices we make. It’s in our control.

And the biggest reason for not being tired all the time?  Lack of exercise.

That’s right.  It’s a proven fact and Law of Universal Energy… We get out we put in.  Once you start moving you’ll soon see it feels good. And you’ll keep going and will have much more energy throughout the day.

#3 “ I’ll start tomorrow”

Translation: I am a dreamer not a doer.

These are the people who live by the motto: Why do today what you can put of till tomorrow.

Why? Because there’s a never ending stream of tomorrows… tomorrow is when you are still out of shape, overweight, or not getting healthier. There’s only one today… and today’s the day to do SOMETHING for yourself so tomorrow you will be on the path to wellness!

#4 “I’m too old”

Translation… I am giving up…I BELIEVE I am too old..

If this is you, it’s all in your mind. It has been proven false over and over and over.

One name here: Jack Lalanne. This guy STILL works out everyday and he is, like, 93.

You build up 10 times faster than you break down… check out the website and book called “Fit Over 40″ – by Jon Benson… there is a 63 old woman with the body of a 25 year old. Her picture at the top of the page will blow you away.

It’s never too late.

#5 “I don’t know what I should eat”

Translation: I am unwilling to change my poor eating habits and feed my body healthy food.

Ladies, there is no shortage of info on how to eat a healthy diet. But I think you already know the basics.

Ice cream, beer, sugar, cake, candy, pie, cookies, bread, starch, flour, crackers, corn, excess fruit, pasta, excess grain (and for some ANY grain), items in bags, boxes, or wrappers, instant foods, processed foods, soda…

These all impact your health, insulin system and waistline negatively.

Lean meats, green and multicolored veggies, clean water, seeds, nuts, berries, occasional fruits, legumes, vitamins…

These all impact your health, insulin system and waistline positively.

#6  “I have bad genetics”

Translation: I am unwilling to even try to get fit. I am a master excuse maker.

It is unbelievably rare to have genetics that won’t allow you to get fit. I have never seen it in all my years as a trainer and fitness consultant.

You can beat any “family” links to obesity by eating right and exercising regularly.

And that is what boot camp is all about. No excuses. Just results.

Heck, I even GIVE you an eating guide.

If you catch yourself making excuses… you know it’s just your inner gremlin trying to trick you into staying the same. Don’t. You can do whatever you believe you can!

To really overcome your excuses you have to develop absolute certainty that you CAN achieve your goals.  ( I assure you, it HAS been done by many before you… so it IS certain you can do it too.)

Now the key to developing that certainty is seeing it in your mind clearly first…

But that’s another post for another time.

Cheers,

D

Posted in Failure, Mindset, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

How to Unlock Your Mind for Weight Loss Success!

By Daniel | Published: August 24, 2009

Unlock your mind...

How many times have you caught yourself dwelling on negatives?

Things like:

  • Mistakes you made in the past
  • Negativity of others
  • Opinions of others (real or imagined)
  • Self doubts and fears leftover from childhood
  • Set-backs and previous failures.

Well, here’s the good news: you can cut the negativity out like a surgeon.

This secret has been handed down through the generations and was made popular by Earl Nightingale

Ready?

Here it is:  “What we think about…we become.”

Now, here’s what to do:

First, make 2 lists.

  1. The first is a written list of all the successes you can remember… from as far back as you can remember. When you finish it should be several pages long.  Even the trophy or ribbon in first grade.  The tests you passed.  The job you landed. The spelling bee you won. The goals you achieved.
  2. The second list is all the things you currently ingest, think about, or do that are “bad for you”. Like drinking too much soda. Or too much alcohol.  Or comparing yourself to others.  Or allowing others to influence the way you think about yourself.  Be honest with yourself… this is often the hardest step.  But you must be brutally honest here.

Then… each night, for 30 days  – as you lay in bed - resolve to let go of the past and embrace the future.

Then read through your list of successes.  This is your golden list… and it’s like a bank account of positivity. You can make a withdrawal upon whenever negativity strikes.

Then, in your mind’s eye, clearly picture the new you.  Actively form a new self image based on the belief that you can create whatever you want.  See positive images of yourself, hear positive self talk, feel positive emotions. See your goals clearly.. and specifically, and see yourself attaining them.  Feel what it would feel like to blow right on through all your personal goals.

No need to think about the negatives at all… don’t dwell on them for even a second.

No amount of thinking can solve problems of the past… you must just let them go and embrace new opportunities. And if you catch yourself slipping into any form of negativity, immediately switch to a positive image of yourself.

Practice it and make it a habit for 30 days.  Add to your positive list whenever you recall a success.  Simultaneously, eliminate and cross off the items on your negatives list. Soon your mind will be reprogrammed with a new POSITIVE self image… one that has let go of the negatives… let go of the past.

Amazing but true…this newly minted image now replays in your mind — just like the old negative one used to do.

Anytime you hear that inner voice try to drag you back into the past… back into destructive habits… or self defeating beliefs….

Start going down your golden list of successes – and jumpstart your positive self image instantly.  And the old one will just *poof* away along  with the negative emotions it brings it.

The more you do it… the stronger it becomes.

It’s all within your control to be, and do, whatever you want.

Sound simplistic?

Too easy to work?

You just might be shocked at how well it can work.  And if your negative inner voice is skeptical right now…  tell it to hush.

Cheers,

Daniel

Posted in Mindset, Weight Loss Tips | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Boot Camp Weight Loss Truth

By Daniel | Published: August 23, 2009
Boot Camp Weight Loss

Boot Camp Weight Loss

A question I get asked all the time is:

“How much weight can I lose at Portland Boot Camp?”

Well, the answer might shock you.

Are you sitting down?

Ok, here goes.  I sincerely hope the answer is: NOT MUCH.

WHAT?

Hold on… hold on… let me explain.

Hopefully you will not lose too much weight… you will just shed FAT.  Big difference.

If you really want to lose WEIGHT… here’s how:

Go on a fad diet and just skip camp.  A lot of water and muscle will leave your body and the scale will go down.

You’ll feel good when you see the scale drop… but you will end up tired, soft, and weak.

The thing is, super rapid weight loss is never really FAT loss.  It is loss of muscle and water.

Even worse, after you finish a “crash diet” you will yo-you right back up… and then some.
It’s a vicious cycle that can break your will!

That’s what makes Portland Adventure Boot Camp different.  It’s about health, strength, endurance, and STEADY FAT loss.

Consider this…

After every camp there are always women who lost several dress sizes…
but the scale hardly budges!

What’s the deal?

The deal is, they have lost 3-12lbs of fat… but gained as much WEIGHT in pure muscle and stored water.

See, muscle and fat weigh about the same, but muscle takes up less space.  So the waistline goes down, but the scale doesn’t.

If you are heavy (say 250+), you might lose more fat than if you are fairly lean.  The healthy rule of thumb is: about 1-3lbs of pure fat per week.

I know what you are probably thinking…

“What about all those ads that claim 30lbs in a month?”

You should know the answer by now.  It’s water and muscle and MAYBE 5lbs of fat.

If you look at the bottom of the screen it says, “Results not typical. Individual results may vary. Results achieved with a combination of diet and exercise”

Enough said.

Fitness isn’t a destination, it’s a lifestyle.  Those advertising tricks are designed only to lighten your wallet.

Believe me, if a product came out that really could make you lose 30lbs of pure fat in only 4
weeks… it would make them an instant billionaire and put me and every other trainer on the
planet out of business the next morning!

Healthy and permanent fat loss takes patience, dedication, will power and a proper exercise program.

See you out there!

Cheers,

Daniel

Posted in Mindset, Weight Loss Tips | Tagged , , | 1 Comment