Who watched The Biggest Loser?

What do you think so far? I must admit that I often cringe when I watch this show.

As a trainer and spin instructor, I have always been taught to start from the bottom and work my way up with an individual or group setting.

This does not mean having my clients work out for hours a day, performing exercises that their body’s can’t handle, having them run up hills when they can hardly walk up stairs, or screaming in their face, bringing their excitement level down to a ZERO.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand tough love, and the fact that the trainers have emergency personal on hand when their team starts to go into cardiac arrest, but I feel like this show may set a bad example for both future trainers and those who feel lost in regards to their weight.

Working out shouldn’t be about someone yelling in your face in a degrading manner, or making you feel weak for having unresolved emotional baggage. Yes, trainers are coaches who take no B.S, but we must also stand as a mentor and motivator for our clients. That is how I look at my job anyway, and I was glad to see that Jillian finally sat down with her team and talked to them like actual human beings.

Also, the children on this season break my heart. They are looking for acceptance through a mirror and feel as if being smaller will equal happiness, which we all know is not true. It makes me angry and eager to help in any way I can.

On Monday night, I had the pleasure of assistant teaching a spin class for kids and young teens at the studio that I sub at. We will be holding a 4 week program for kids to learn how to set up their bikes and exercise to fun music with people their own age.

And let me tell you…We had a BLAST in this class.

The kids were dancing and singing along to our playlist, while getting a great workout to benefit their overall health. It was so refreshing to teach an enthusiastic, free spirited group, and I look forward to the next few weeks that I get to spend with them.

It just goes to show that kids are more likely to exercise if they are having fun, and it is up to us to keep them motivated and moving! If more gyms and studios put together exciting activities for kids to come together and workout in a comfortable atmosphere, we will begin to see a change in the obesity epidemic.

Here are a few examples of what I have been eating lately to help keep me energized for my own workouts.

oats with Sunwarrior protein, peanut flour, and blueberries

I like my oatmeal thick, as you can see 

Chobani plain Greek yogurt with 1/2 chopped apple, blueberries and whole grain cereal

mixed greens with 1/2 cup egg whites, steamed vegetables and hummus

raw veggies with Greek yogurt and almonds

lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes

grilled chicken salads

apples and almond butter

and a favorite night time snack, sprinkled with some dark chocolate cocoa powder and toasted nuts.

Also, here is a fun Leg Routine for you guys to tackle this week.

Remember to always have confidence in yourself, do not let your mind trick you into thinking that you cannot perform a task, and do not let fear get in the way of your dreams.

You are stronger than you think.

Use any type of weight you like; barbell, dumbbells, medicine balls, kettle bells, or body weight.

(adductor squats) or Goblet squats

Enjoy! xoxo