Did you know there are two kinds of protein powder, both having very different purposes and benefits? Yes! There is the commonly known WHEY protein and the lesser know Casein protein. As a trainer, I suggest both! To find out more, email me at carl@thefitlifenow.com or read the blog post Prtotein: The Basics” on March 19th.

Yes! I am a firm believer in having a personal trainer and coach on your workout team. You may perceive some biases because I am Certified Personal Trainer. I am also an Independent Beach Body coach. I workout at a locally owned gym and I have a Certified Personal Trainer that I meet with one day every week. But that is not why I answer the question with “Yes”.

Last week, I began to experience elbow pain. It happened to be the day that I met with my trainer that the pain was most evident. He offered caution, in fact, suggesting we fore go the plan. I resisted and we moved forward. So do I blame him for the intense pain that developed over the next few days? No! He stated his case, offered an alternative, then respected me as a Personal Trainer myself , my understanding of my own body and goals and my subsequent decision. There is where the problem lies, however.

As many, if not most of us are, I am often blind to my own issues. Sure, I have the skill and knowledge to train you, to guide you successfully through your journey to health and fitness. And I too would have advised a change of plans had you presented me with the same symptoms. But I can see your picture a lot more clearly than mine.

Guess what? I ended up in pain and had the pleasure of seeing “I told you so” written all over my trainers face for the past week. He even got tough with me and refused to help me determine a plan of action saying, in effect, “you got yourself into this mess, get yourself out of it…you are a trainer.” Let’s just say, that pissed me off! (Keep in mind he is not only my trainer but a friend and business associate so he has few more liberties than normal) But he was right! I needed to learn a lesson rather than be rescued. So, I struggled through. At first I was focused on what I could not do rather than seeing the opportunity of what I could accomplish, work on, improve. Slowly, I began to figure it out and as I did, he stepped in and helped further clear the clutter of my  impaired self-vision. I now have a mutually established workout plan that I am excited about, that I feel will continue my forward progress with some fun and intense new twists!

That is why I say YES! The value of a trainer and coach is that they offer a different perspective. They can see what you cannot!  They can be tough on you in light of your goals. They know, if they are any good at all, how to push your buttons, how to tweak the plan and make you work harder than you may think you can.

I’m telling you straight up. I get confident, start thinking I’m good at the routine, that I know my stuff. Truth is, I am confident and I do know what I am doing. But I am NOT perfect. I may have done a workout 50 times but the day I do that same routine with my trainer, I am sore and exhausted. He pushes me to the limit, beyond what I think is possible. He cuts me no slack, gives me no breaks. He knows what to change and when because he can SEE me unlike I can see myself. He sounds mean, doesn’t he? Far from it! He knows my goals and he knows how to help me attain them. He is my partner in the journey, my sounding board, my guide. He is my TRAINER.

I spent years without a trainer on my team. I am not going to tell you to do the same. I am telling you to find a trainer NOW. If all you can pull off is one session a month, DO IT! If you are in any way serious about your health and fitness, make it happen. Incorporate a trainer into the plan. You need another pair of eyes. I promise you!!

I see videos almost every day of people proudly displaying their workouts. They should be proud because they have accomplished SOOOOO much. But, more times than not, I can identify a way that they could improve their form, increase their results, reduce their risk of injury. I just wish I could step into the picture and show them. I want them to achieve ultimate success. That is why I founded Freedom Fitness, why I am working to provide online and in-person services. It is why I have a trainer and use online services myself!

That’s my story and I’m stickin to it!

Form is IMPORTANT!! It helps increase results and rerduce risk of injury. Today’s tip….If you are doing a Push or Pull move, be sure to keep your shoulders back and down. For example. If you are doing push-ups (a PUSH), focus on pinching your shoulder blades together in the negative phsae of the move. Your goal should be to pinch my finger between those shoulder blades. If you are doing bicep curls (a PULL), same thing. Shoulders back and down. This will increase your range of motion, improve the stretch on the muscle fibers and in turn increase your results while reducing your chances of injusry. Sounds good, huh?

If you really consider the message of shows like Food Inc., The Future of Food, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, etc you will discover a common thread that just might surprise you. What is it?  Simplicity. Yes, they are revealing some critical flaws in our system of industrialized agriculture but, the greater message really is how simple proper nutrition is.

The only reason clean, healthy nutrition is difficult, I believe, is because we have made it so. We have cluttered the picture with additives, modifications, preservatives, processing, enhancements. We have altered what food actually is. For example, those bright orange carrots in the produce department were not created bright orange. That is human influence. Real carrots are dark, almost black on the exterior. Ever see heirloom tomatoes? They look nothing like that round red, waxy globe on the shelf. Potatoes. Those russet potatoes are so far removed from the original they can hardly be considered the same.

We have treated food like dog breeds. We want it to look a particular way, taste just so, grow this way way…and we simply decide to make it happen. Hybridization, cross pollination, genetic modifications have all conspired to create foods that better appeal to the senses, primarily of sight, perform better in the fields and the backs of semi trucks traversing the landscape. The problem is that food is far more than a friendly companion that suits our particular lifestyle, the whims of our senses or the stresses of transport. Nutrition is absolutely vital to our existence and its quality directly correlates to the quality of our lives long term. And we have treated it flippantly and we are reaping the rewards of such disregard.

I am convinced, and yes, I have been called a food snob, that clean eating is not hard. After 12 years of healthy, whole foods living, I have concluded that in truth, eating clean is eating what nature made, as close to how it made it as possible. We do not need to eat a tomato that was ripened by gas because it had to be picked green in order to ship from Chile. We don’t have to eat strawberries that have been blasted with preservatives so they last longer on the shelf. Eat naturally. Eat seasonally. Eat simply. And eat healthy! Its just that easy.

Next time you go to the grocery store, think about every item you reach for. Ask yourself these questions. Did nature make this? What influence has mankind had on this product? If you begin to consider these things, you will begin to clean up your nutrition.

I went to the store today. Aside from dog food, bottled water and peanut butter, I never left the perimeter of the store. I chose organic produce, free range meats, eggs from cage free and range fed chickens. I chose products that were  more a result of nature than mankind.  I walked the edges of the store. The rest, junk that my body does not need!

“Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on earth to do with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.” —Vincent Van Gogh

I am a guy that has had many passions in my life. As a kid, my passion was for growing things. At a very early age I stole a bag of dried pinto beans from the pantry and planted them in cups in my closet. That little experiment eventually became a 1/4 acre garden that I managed by myself after school and throughout my summer break every year. Eventually, I sold produce to local businesses and neighbors. By the time I entered my 20’s I translated that love into landscape design becoming a very successful, sought out leader in the industry. I was known for my unique, creative, one of a kind designs.

Cancer arrived and things changed. By the time I recovered, my business was as worn out as I was. I needed to reinvent myself. We moved to Breckenridge Colorado where the growing season was all of 2 months in a good year. Having no interest in running ski lifts or snow plowing the rest of the year, I opted out of the landscape industry altogether and turned to another passion.

As my landscape business had evolved, clients had begun asking me for interior advice. Without even knowing it, my creativity and sense of design had begun to translate into interior design. I loved taking old, worn out interiors and giving them a makeover. Designing and remodeling a space from floor to ceiling was just as fun as transforming a landscape had been. And I succeeded. Once again, the unique, creative, one of a kind style I offered was a winning ticket.  

But life changed yet again. An unplanned move to Jackson Hole Wyoming just after 9/11 brought about another major shift. There I found myself faced with a hostile growing climate and a cut throat design market neither of which I had any desire to battle. But soon, I discovered a population of teens who were lost, outcasts, societies misfits of sorts.  I feel in love with those kids and a new passion emerged. I determined to create something for them, something they could own, a home away from home, a refuge. In fact, I called it The Refuge. For five years, I spent my days with teens of every shape, size, hair color, fashion sense, attitude, background and interests. We had a blast working together creating a small cookie company and developing activities for the local youth.

Life changed again. Just as the economy tanked, so did the funding for The Refuge. A year long, agonizing battle for funding had come to a close. The mission could not proceed. I think, of all the professional experiences of my life, this was probably the hardest end of all. I felt like I had failed so miserably. This was not a transition. This was a failure. To this day, I still carry a sense of failure.

Now, I am in another reinvention. During The Refuge years, my health, clean eating, nutritional enthusiasm began to grow into a fitenss interest.  In the later years of The Refuge, we had created a complete gym for the kids to use. Of course, I used it as well. Slowly my fitness improved and I realized a new passion.

That brings me to the present.  I eat, breath and sleep health and fitness. It changed and transformed my life and it is now my passion. Yea, all the other things prior to this time…landscape, gardening, interior design, youth…are still interests, even passions. But they no longer bear the intensity, the fervor of a calling as Vincent states. There just isn’t anything that I desire more than to see people enter into a lifestyle of health and fitness.

As  stated previously, all that I have done prior to this day, has been exciting, creative, even life changing. But a life without health and fitness cannot be a life of true, complete success. I have seen that truth. I have lived that nightmare, been the evidence. So, this “new” passion, this purpose with which I now live, is one that is probably the most valuable of all I have enjoyed.  I have the opportunity to help others live their lives to the fullest by teaching them a lifestyle of health, fitness, and well being. I feel it is a calling that I must embrace. It is not simply for my life. It is something that I must offer to the world around me.  And though, the challenges I face presently seem overwhelming, I simply must persist.

I believe that we can have multiple professions, or as Vincent called them, callings in life. Not all will. Some may live the same call and passion their entire life journey. But others like myself, may walk out their calling is stages. It may shift from one season to another. What is important, is whether or not we choose to follow our call, to live from and in the truth of our passions. So, I choose. And in that choice, I declare that in my profession I am a Certified Personal Trainer. A nutritional advisor. A health and fitness life skills trainer and coach.

I preach about being careful… safety first, proper form, know when to rest, listen to your body. Why? So you can avoid injury. Still, even with all of those considerations injury can occur.

Last Friday, my elbow began talking to me. A dull achy pain had made its presence known. After a few minutes of debate, I determined to press through with my arms workout. In fact, I took up a notch as planned. Why? Because I had been focused. I had been careful with form and safety. I had taken my rest days, not even walking  Katy Trail on Sunday. Yea, I had been pushing it hard Monday- Saturday, but I had done it all the right way. And my recovery week was set to begin on Monday….two days away. My decision was a mistake . An old, chronic injury was rearing its ugly head and I simply should have taken an extra day off…at least adjusted the plan with the elbow pain in consideration.

Now, I am paying the price. This week the physical pain has been, at times, nearly unbearable and always annoying. But today, I realized an even more frustrating pain. The pain of a setback.  To know, that the odds are I likely that I could have adverted this injury is on my nerves. Furthermore, having to moderate my workouts for the entire week is incredibly annoying. I know, I know. I’m still working out hard. I’m doing 90 minute full body workouts comprised mostly of scapula, back, shoulder extension, legs and abs. But, it just feels easy in comparison. I want to hit it HARD. Booohooohooo!!!

My trainer, said it’s good for me. For one it will help me know how to respond to a client in the future…one who is in great shape yet suffering an injury. It will help me know how to guide them through a similar setback with the same emotional response. He also thinks its good for me to have forced rest. I push hard. I am tenacious, unrelenting at times. I have some crazy goals that I have every intention of achieving. Maybe he is right, but it ticks me off just the same.

I am trying to find balance in the midst of the disturbance.  It is something that probably could have been avoided. Maybe not. But either way, I am here and I must find the way through. And that effort is the greatest pain of all right now. It is the true pain of my injury. It is the pain that I will likely remember the most. And I feel certain that when all is said and done, this will be, as my trainer expressed today, a great experience; one that brings me closer to my goals than I can imagine. I just know he is right but I sure hate to feed his already huge ego.  ARGGGGGHHHH! 

Oh wait…I have an ego too. Shoot! What can I say?

Do I take supplements? What do I take? Why do I take them? Where do I get them? Those are frequently asked questions. And after following a very interesting thread on a buddies FaceBook wall last night, I decided it was time to offer a public response.

1.) Whey Protein

Why? A bi-product of cow’s milk, whey protein is used by athletes and bodybuilders to build, sustain and repair muscle. It is a fast absorbing, quickly assimilating form of protein that makes it highly beneficial for lifestyles that include intense workouts or sports activities. I generally take whey as a shake, mixed in water, sometimes almond milk and often blended with ice for a thick smoothie like consistency. Most days, I drink two of these shakes. One in the morning to start the day, one post workout in the afternoon.

Whey protein powders are not all created equally. I have tried many powders. My number one and primary consideration, after much experimentation and research, is undenatured…not processed by high heat which kills many of the bio-active compounds and amino acids which are highly valuable. 

2.) BCAA- Branch Chain Amino Acids

Why? BCAA’s help maintain muscle mass during exercise. They help support muscle repair and recovery, aid in muscle retention during periods of calorie restriction. They also support mental clarity.

BCAA’s include: L- glutamine, L-arginine, betain and taurine.

3.) Creatine

Why? Creatine can stimulate muscle growth. It does this in a couple of different ways. It allows you to perform more work as a result of additional energy via increased protein assimilation. Secondly, creatine helps the muscle hold more water in its cells and become what is known as “volumized” or “super-hydrated.” The more hydrated a muscle is, the more it will deter the breakdown of protein and that ultimately leads to muscle growth.There is also scientific evidence that shows creatine causes muscle to repair more quickly after intense resistance workouts.

Again, I have tried several sources of creatine. Most have caused a myriad of digestive, and intestinal issues for me. The worst was sever abdominal cramping that lasted for 3 days until I finally determined the cause. After attempting three brands, I finally discovered one that does not cause any sie effects and yet delivers the desired results.

When buying supplements, I adhere to a policy that cheap is not the determining factor. Like nutrition, I believe it is critcal to use the best, top quality products. I have done much research, have experinmnted with many brands and found what I am convinced are some of the best products on the market. If you would like more information, including where I buy these supplements, email me at carl@thefitlifenow.com or message me on the Freedom Fitness FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/brendonjohnkelly?ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=320867803252&ref=ts. I’ll be happy to assist you in choosing the best options for your nutritional and fitness well being!

Last week I received a phone call. On the other end of the line, I heard despair. Everything was in a state of chaos. There seemed to be no sense of hope.  But, I knew there is always hope; that there is always a rainbow and a pot of gold to be found somewhere. We just had to look for it but I knew it was there.

The moment arrived. She had stated earlier in the conversation that she had spilled her Shakeology and that it made her cry. I was perplexed by that declaration. It was Shakeology, why cry over that? Then it dawned on me. I had assumed it was her shake for the day. It was the bag; her month supply! Yikes. Okay now it was beginning to make more sense.

She had been making chili for her husband. A rather cranky fellow, he does love her chili so this was important. Anyway, at the same time she was preparing to make her morning shake. Reaching for a glass of water, she knocked the Shakeology off the shelf dumping it into the chili and all over the counter. Not only was the chili ruined but her prized Shakeology was gone! Double whammy!

Then it dawned on me. A secret ingredient in chili is chocolate. Her Shakeology was chocolate. I explained that renown chefs use chocolate in their chili. It gives it a deep, rich, full bodied flavor. She was not accepting of my answer. I was being truthful though and knew that he would never recognize that his chili had chocolate in it. She accepted the encouragement but didn’t believe me.

I went on to say that I was inspired to write a Chocolate Shakeology Chili recipe which I have now accomplished. That was exciting to her but the jury was still out. Her husband had yet to try the chili. Remember, he is a grizzly bear of a man. The next day, the call came. I was nervous to hear the report. He loved it! In fact, he praised her for making the best “damn chili of his life”!!! Hilarious. As she stated, he had no idea he just eaten chocolate chili salad. Now that was a cool rainbow and big  pot of gold. A new recipe, a happy bear, and a great story. How awesome, right?

So, you see…no matter what happens, what the circumstances might suggest, there is something good to be found, learned, gleaned from every experience of our lives! It’s really all in how we look at the circumstances. Will we see the trauma, drama, distress or will we look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow which follows the storm? It might require a long hard look and a near serch and rescue mission sometimes, but it’s always there.

And you better believe, I will be publishing this new recipe! It rocks and its healthy!

One definition of presumption is overconfidence. As I thought about this topic today, I realized there could be, I presume as with many things in life, a good and a bad side to presumption. And since we will presume something, can’t we presume good rather than bad?

The bad side. Maybe you have an Internet habit at work. You are sneaking in your time on FaceBook and Twitter presuming that you won’t get caught. You believe the odds are small enough to take the risk. Maybe you presume to believe that the brownie you ate for breakfast this morning will go unnoticed on the scale when it comes time to weigh in for the month. Those presumptions are that you are invincible, that your bad behavior is unlikely to catch up with you.

You could presume that you will fail at achieving your goals for health and fitness. Or that you will never get ahead financially. You’ll never own that dream house, or that car. You’ll never get that vacation in Maui, see the Eiffel Tower or the shores of Napoli. Based on the lack of supporting evidence, those presumptions set you up for failure. They establish that you will fall short and they set you up to achieve the goal…failure.

But what about some healthy, positive presumption. If presumption is as Encarta defines, based on lack of evidence, why can’t it then have a more positve side? Why can’t you presume that you will succeed financially? Or that you will be strong enough to walk away from the brownie? Or that you will reach your health and fitness goals? Why not exercise that confidence to presume that you will get that dream house and drive that car? Presumption, in those cases, at least sets the standard, the mindset of success. Yea, it may be based on confidence rather than evidence, but at least it sprurs you on to something greater than your present.

Why not presume that you will get caught and therefore refrain from engaging in the forbidden behavior out of respect and integrity. You know that it is at least 50/50 that you will or won’t get caught but isn’t it better to presume you will and that the right move is obedience whether you agree or not? Don’t you think that presumption would help you sleep a bit better, have a clearer conscience.

Maybe I’m not thinking clearly today. I have, after all been in great pain from an apparent injury. But it seems to me, that we will make presumptions. Yet, we can make positive presumptions or negative ones. It seems that our overconfidence and lack of supporting evidence could be used for a better end, a life of greater hope and integrity.

I say, presume to believe, without supporting evidence, that your life will be filled with success, with victory, achievement, positive impact, powerful results. Exercise that part of you that is “overconfident”  to presume for things you cannot yet see. Maybe, positive presumption is called FAITH. Hmmm. I think it is worth a try! How about you?

There is no one else like you. You are one of a kind; uniquely made. No one can do what you can do how you do it. You are special. A masterpiece. A work of art. You are You and only You.

So why do we spend so much of our lives learning, striving, wanting to be someone else? I have done it myself. Even recently, I have realized that I am prone to this fatal attraction. An attraction that suggests that someone else, maybe even that everyone else is better than me. One that says, others gifts and skills are superior, their success is more deserved, their offering to the world more noble, the impact of their lives more grand and valuable.

But its not true. To believe that it might be is death; it is the death of who I am designed to be, what I am created to do, how I am gifted to positively impact the world. And it is not just my loss but it is a loss to those whose lives I am intended to impact for the better. The same is true for you.

Why do we find it so hard to believe in ourselves? Why does it seem better to conform, to become anothers idea of who were are to be? Why do we settle for less than the truth of our individual, unique identity? What good can it possibly do to live such a lie?

I don’t know about you but I want to be true to me. I want to recognize within me the DNA that is mine and mine alone. I want to embrace it, to live it, be it and change lives with it! I don’t want to waste the Artists time, craftsmanship and talent as my Designer. So, its time to be ME! No more conforming, settling or denying. I am ME. I’m not you. You are not ME! And that is a beautiful truth!!