westufit.com Blog

“Don’t resent growing old.  Many are denied the privilege.”  – Unknown

Let’s talk about the MASSIVE elephant in the room for a second: Growing Older.  About the only thing in life that comes to us without effort is aging.

Everywhere you turn, products and services are trying to help you defy the aging process.  Pop this pill to boost testosterone; rub in this cream to wipe out wrinkles; eat this “special” berry to live longer. You could detox for 3 days to increase hormone regulation and drink this tea / juice / “unique” formula for anti-aging benefits (all claiming to provide youthful results).

We are a world obsessed with looking, feeling and (sometimes) acting young.  Most of us are in denial about growing older.  We think we’ll always be able to play strenuous sports, travel anywhere we want, or continue working 12-14 hour a day.  Just assume that if something goes wrong, we’ll be able to fix it.

The reality of growing older tolls on our minds and bodies:
- Declining strength & lack of energy
- Sagging body parts & increased wrinkles
- Failing vision & hair loss
- Trembling hands & painful joints
- Forgetfulness & loss of hearing

It’s an endless list of stuff that doesn’t work very well anymore.  Is this all that we can expect from growing older?  Or can it be something more?
Growing old has its limitations but if you prepare mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for whatever comes your way, it will make all the difference.
Prepare now for the challenges that might lay ahead.
Aging will not take you by surprise if you prepare.
Embrace aging as part of the grand plan for life.

Whether you’re 23, 51, 67 or 93 (WUF’s oldest client is!!), you still have a purpose here.  Are we producing fruit that replenishes others or do we complain and drain others that look forward to living full lives? By our attitude do we make the young among us dread growing older?

Growing older doesn’t exempt us from fulfilling our purpose in life.

Look to impact those around you regardless of age. Look for the higher purpose in every circumstance and in every face or voice you encounter daily.  For a wise man once said “the time He has given you is not without PURPOSE.”

Prepare for each day by opening your eyes to what’s going on around you.
- Your smile can be purposeful.
- Your pain can be purposeful.
- Your journey though life can be purposeful.

In a world captivated by speed and instant gratification, our infatuation with relics, antiques, and well-worn jeans seems disconnected. Growing old is authentic, genuine and valuable.  Embrace it.

The measure of life is not it’s duration, but it’s donation.  Don’t retire from life.

You’ve been given the dignity of choice.  You’re not a robot.  The CHOICE:  To be part of who we were meant to be or ALL of who we were meant to be.

Enjoy your purposeful journey as you grow older.

All these exercises are simple and can be done at home in the back yard.   This stuff is so simple yet most kids are missing these activities in everyday life.  Kids now have technology at their fingertips, where did all the back yard games such as Freeze Tag, Soccer, Football, Wall Ball, or Leap Frog go?  Let’s get these kids back outside so that they can become stronger, faster, more agile, and injury free athletes!

1. Hip Bridge:

This exercise is great for young athletes.  The main area of focus is the glutes and hamstrings which are two of the main muscles activated when accelerating and sprinting.

Kids need to have these muscles performing optimally so that they can have maximum force transferred into the ground.  The more force being put into the ground, the more ground the athlete will cover with each stride.

Hip Bridge

2. Forward Planks:

This is a great exercise for all ages not just for the kids.  Forward planks target the core which is the powerhouse of the body.  If the core is weak, then the athlete will not be able to perform even the everyday human movements well.  The stronger the core, the more body control an athlete will have, which leads to better agility on the pitch and more strength on the ball.

All young athletes need to learn how to turn-on the core. The plank is a great way to teach activation of the powerhouse.

Planking

3. Leap Frog:

Believe it or not this game is beneficial for young adolescents and fun!  The average person sees this just as a game, but what they fail to realize is the hip power and the leg drive necessary in order to propel them from the ground into the air.

Also, another great benefit to this game is the landing from the jump.  It needs to be a soft and quiet landing; almost like catching an egg with your hands but instead the athlete is catching their own body weight with the legs.  All kids need to learn how to jump and land properly to prevent common sports injuries.

Leap Frog

Blake Judice, CSCS, is the Director of Athletics at West U Fitness.  A graduate of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Blake was a 4 year starter for the soccer team.  Through his passion and enthusiasm for sports performance, Blake motivates the youth in Houston and surrounding area to become their personal best.

Cast your vote now for the 1st ever Movie Night at West U Fitness.  Below we have 3 unbelievable choices for you viewing pleasure.  We’ll provide the healthy snacks as well!  Please let us know on our Facebook page which one you’d like to see first.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead Extended Trailer INGREDIENTS film trailer Forks Over Knives – Official Trailer

Houston, we have a problem. 

Our problem is not something that is out of our control.  Our problem can be fixed in just a few simple steps.  Our problem, sadly, is something that is killing us faster than we could have ever imagined.

Let me put it to you this way:

The estimated population in the state of Texas is 25,883,999. There is a problem with 30.1%, or 7,765,199, of the state’s population.  These individuals are either overweight or obese.

If that number surprised you, take a look at this: 

The estimated population in the United States is 311,792,000.  There are 57%, or 177,721,440 American who are overweight or obese!

The global weight loss market is expected to be worth $586,300,000,000, that’s BILLION, by 2014.  The current cost of being overweight and obesity adds up to $300,000,000 annually here in the United States alone.  The costs are driven by:

1. Increased Medical Care
2. Loss of Worker Productivity
3. Higher Death Rates
4. Increases in Worker Disability

It’s ironic to think of it this way:  We spend billions and billions of dollars to fix a problem that boils down to self-respect, self-discipline and self-control.

“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?”  - Marcus Aurelius

What if I told you that you were about to have open heart surgery and this was the tool the doctor would use:

What if I told you that you were going to take a cross country trip in this car:

After you finish laughing, you would probably tell me that I need to get with the times.  Next you’d let me know the medical field is constantly upgrading their practices almost daily.  Plus, the car industry comes out with a new, more luxurious model every year. 

So my follow up question is this:

Why do you still follow the same fitness and fat loss principles that were released back in the 70s?

The fad back in the day was “cardio training”, jogging or your “aerobic training zone.”  Let me define this for you.  This type of training is to become as efficient as possible in a repeated movement so that it becomes easier and easier over time. 

This allows the body to burn less calories over time while completing the training. 

The latest and best research coming out supports “metabolic training.”  The method is designed to create as much IN-efficiency as possible – creating as much systemic stress overall as possible with as little localized joint stress or repetition as possible.  This never allows the body to habituate, and there is no risk of overuse injury because it only takes 20-30 minutes tops. 

Now I know after reading that, the little voice in your head just said “He’s crazy.  That will never work.  I’m sticking with the 3 miles.”  You’re basically saying that you would rather take a cross country trip in an old Ford Model T instead of taking the Bentley setting right next to it.  REALLY????

Think about this:  Following the old method of fat loss, this is where we have landed as a nation. 

• 34% of American Adults are obese
• 34% of American Adults are overweight (and not obese)
• Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children & adolescents has almost tripled.
•  Medical costs associated with obesity = $147 billion

Does this look like a method that you should follow for fat loss? 

You know what you need to do, it’s just that pesky little voice in your head telling you to take the easy way out.  It’s the same voice that allows you to eat more than you should.  It’s the same voice that screams out it’s too hot and you should just skip your workout today.

Here are 3 simple ways to drowned out your little voice? 

1. What do you want out of life?

 - If your biggest goals don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.

 - Passion is the 1st step to achievement.

 - Passion increases your will-power.

 - Passion makes the impossible possible.

2. Why do you want it?

  - Size of your life will always look staggeringly similar to the size of your expectations. 

 - 1 month at a time, plan out your workouts and meals.

 - Plan for setbacks, travel, meetings, family time, etc

3. How badly do you want it? 

 - The purpose of fear is to determine how badly you want it.

 - You’re 80% more likely to stick with a workout / nutrition plan if you have an accountability partner.  

  Create greatness today!

Not one of us has ever woke up 10, 20, or even 50 lbs heavier than when they went to sleep.   

It happens over time. 

A few bad decisions one day, and then another, and then another.  After a few years of making these poor decisions, we wake up and wonder “how did I gain all this weight?”

Your success in regaining your health, dropping the extra fat you’ve been lugging around and having as much energy as you desire comes from a million little cuts. 

And the million little cuts can be both positive or negative. 

You can choose to cook up healthy meals on the weekend so you’ll have no excuses during the week (Positive).  Or you can wait until each meal comes around before deciding what you’re going to eat, which almost always is a struggle to find healthy options (Negative).

You can schedule a workout for 20-30 minutes 5-6 days a week with a friend and stick to it like it’s a business meeting (Positive).  Or you can try to fit in a 60-90 minute workout that you can only make 2-3 times a week that cuts into your already little free time (Negative).

Its adapting these tiny steps (cuts) that can make or break your journey to health, fitness and weight loss.