Stew Smith Fitness News — motivation

This week I received an email that brought back a few old memories of Army Airborne training in Fort Benning , GA. This young soldier wishes to become an Army Ranger and wants to know what he needs to do to prepare each step of the way.If anyone is preparing to become a member of any Special Operations Group (Army SF, Rangers, Navy SEALs, Marine RECON, Air Force PJs, EOD units, and others) they all must graduate from the Army Basic Airborne Course (BAC) in Fort Benning. Not only is it a prerequisite for Special Ops, but it has become...

Many emails ask about the “magic weight loss pills” and diets. Here is an email from a couple who are interested in losing some weight and getting more fit.What about Diet Pills and special supplements? Do they work?If diet pills and “special” weight loss supplements worked, there would be fewer overweight people in America. Weight loss pills and diets for that matter are both ineffective and potentially harmful; long-term health-oriented programs should replace them. The weight loss pills contain ingredients that are not regulated by any scientific research or government department like the Food and Drug Administration. Notice on any...

Understanding the Psychology of Fitness  When you think about any growth process from goal achievement, fitness training, business / career goals, there is a unique journey that takes place that is not typically easy. In fact, the journey maybe riddled with doubts, failures and learning experiences that can start to replace the focused hard work that you have put in to getting to where you are at that point in time.    I have often used the five phases to describe to people how they are going to feel in the near future about starting a fitness program whether as...

  This week an email prompted me to write about one of my favorite and most frequently done exercises in my workouts – the CRUNCH! The question asked was concerning when in your workouts do I like to do abs – in the beginning, after cardio, or in the middle? I have found that I do two types of abs that work very well for me as well as many of the people I train - - I REST WITH CRUNCHES and WARMUP WITH CRUNCHES! Many will say that crunches are in no way a resting exercise, but I disagree....

When to eat and what to eat are constant questions that affect your fitness and health goals as well as your weight loss desires.   I was recently asked a question by email that asked, “What should I eat/drink before, during, and after my workout?  I am 40 years old and my goal is to look better and be healthier. I need to lose weight in other words.” The answer will vary depending on your goal, but understanding After, Before, During (ABD’s) of Workout Nutrition will better help all groups (performance athletes, weight losers, general health clients) reach their personal goals.  I saw the” ABD’s of  Nutrition”...