Studio One to One

By now surely you’ve heard of the 80/20 rule, right? 

80% of what you look like is due to what you eat, and 20% is due to exercise.

Wait– back up…. did the owner of a personal training studio just say that for all of the world to see?

Yes, because I believe strongly in it.  Every now and then we’ll get a client who knows they’re eating the wrong things but refuses up, down, and sideways to change their eating habits.  That exercise alone will be enough to change their weight and shape, they say.  And they go on for several weeks… until one day they wake up and realize they’ve been putting all this hard work in and getting marginal, if any results.  It’s never enough to keep them motivated.  And eventually they stop.

I always try to identify these people early on, and tell them to keep their money in their pockets, because otherwise they’re just not getting everything they can out of the experience.

But back to my original point… if your appearance is so strongly tied to what goes into your mouth, isn’t it time to start being a little more selective?  Have you ever known someone who exists on nothing but fast food but has beautiful skin, hair, and physique?  I haven’t and you probably haven’t either.  

It’s time to stop believing every nutritional claim on the box and start avoiding those boxes entirely.  Again, show me the person whose diet consists of “low-fat” everything out of box who looks the part.  I haven’t met that person yet either.  Instead, focus on whole foods by shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (produce, meats, and dairy.)  I’m not asking you to give up the packaged stuff entirely, I’m just asking for you to give it less of a focus in your meals.  Packaged food certainly has its place in the busy lives we lead, but only a small percentage of it actually deserves the spotlight.

Does that mean you have to stop loving food?  Absolutely not!  Just love the right kinds– and those are the ones that love you back by making you feel good.  Ever felt invigorated after eating a double cheeseburger?  I didn’t think so.  Try eating a chicken breast on a bed of fresh greens with a bit of brown rice, and you probably will, though.

Love your body by feeding it the right things.  I guarantee you it will love you back by showing you the best and most beautiful you  you can be. 

What I’m Reading:
Food to Live By: The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook
Not only does this book share delicious recipes for you and your family to enjoy based on whole foods, but it encourages a healthier way of life. The founders of Earthbound Farm share the story of how it all started which is so fascinating that I will definitely need to do the tour next time I find myself in California!  Check it out… you won’t be disappointed.