Healthy Eating at Dodger Stadium

There was a smart article today in the Pasadena Star News by Natalie Haughton with regard to healthy eating choices at Dodger Stadium.

Having eaten my share of Dodger Dogs and other junk food on my many visits to the stadium, Natalie brought up some healthy alternatives, such as grilled vegetable wraps, hummus with vegetables, and fruit salads.

I know what you are thinking.  "Give me a break, I'm at the ball game...let me eat crappy."  For those of you who are my regular readers you know how I feel about this.  If you have eaten well during the rest of your week, then one meal won't make or break your desire to stay lean.  The problems happen when another high fat low nutrient meal is added to a poor week of eating.  This is where most people get into trouble.

So...if you plan on attending a game, and want to "pig out", then eat well and train hard the rest of the week, and have a great time.

P.S.  An interesting side note that not many of you will know...I was a bat-boy for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 1983 season.  Fantastic experience! 

Richard Simmons Funny Fitness Video

You'll burn some calories watching this video.

Is The Acai Berry What Gives Brazilian Women Their Great Bodies?

I read this recently in the Conde Nast Traveler..."the most remarkable local secret for almost all beauty needs is the pulp of the acai berry".

I know that some women are going to read this and be tempted to think that they to will have gorgeous bodies thanks to the acai berry.  I don't think so.

Having been lucky enough to be married to a Brazilian woman, and spending quite a bit of time in Brazil, there is a lot more to great bodies than this little berry. 

Don't get me wrong, I think that there are a lot of benefits from consuming the acai berry, beneficial fats, lots of antioxidants, etc.  I drink an acai smoothie about 4-5 days a week.  I use the powder form from Sambazon. 

In contrast to most American women, most Brazilian women walk a lot more.  They walk from their house to the bus, then walk to work.  Those who live near the beach are often jogging, biking, playing on the beach, or working out in one of the many gyms.

Here in Los Angeles where I live, people drive everywhere.  They walk from their door 8 steps to their car, pass by Starbucks another 20 steps, back into the car, get to work, park as close as possible, walk 20 steps, and sit down at the desk. 

So what's the answer?  If your body isn't that of a Brazilian beach beauty that you desire...get moving.  Train harder, eat smarter, and enjoy life more.  Maybe dancing a little Samba might help too! 

Commit to Your Fitness Training Today

I received an email over the weekend from James Ray, best known for his recent appearance in The Secret.  Anyways...this comment of his really stood out.

"Commit to being one of the few who achieve versus the many who talk."

When it come to fitness this is really what it takes. I speak to so many people about getting fit, and the truth is not very glamorous.  Being consistent with your training, eating, and recovery is not very exciting...but the results are immeasurable.

Start today!  This is the beginning of a new week.  Write down one thing you are going to do to improve your health, and promise yourself that you'll do it. 

Hollywood's Sick Obsession with Thinness

I saw part of Extra's show this evening...and I'm pissed off.

One segment of the show was of a women who has had over 30+ plastic surgeries.

The next segment was the daughter of Donatella Versace admitting that she is anorexic. Sad.

Now for the topper.  The female announcer was spotlighting their choice for best body, or something of that sort.  So the winner was an actress who had gone from a size 6 to a size 2.

So let's get this straight...

Extra portrays the first lady as a freak.

Extra shows how sad it is about the anorexic girl.

But let's celebrate the "best" by showing a size 6 woman which may be considered "normal" by many...but no size 2 is better.

I just don't get it!

When will people stop this crap? 

Environmentally Friendly Training

I happened across a fascinating blog, No Impact Man , and it got me to thinking about my impact on the environment.

Sometimes when I am on my way to a clients home at 4:30am, I  see the faithful walking on the treadmill at the gym near my house.  I've often wondered and been saddened in a way that this is what life has come down to for many.  These people have such inactive days, from sitting in an office, or driving around in a car, that they can't fit in exercise naturally into their day. 

So now we have a situation where we sit too much, drive too much, sleep to little in order to get up early, to go walk on a machine.  Something just seems wrong with this picture.

What if we could wake up at reasonable times, walk or bike for exercise, and to top it off, eat foods grown closer, or even from our own homes?

One of my goals with my new project over at www.getleanpasadena.com is to teach some "strong" exercise techniques that can be done from home.  It is my goal to educate adults and children that once they learn some basic techniques and forms, they can get excellent results with minimal equipment.  They don't have to rely on infomercial gadgets, special fat-burning pills, wacky diets, nor outrageously expensive or complicated fitness machines.

Imagine this...exercising at home, together, and then all enjoying a great meal together. 

Digg This!

If You Aren't Getting Smarter About Training...

As I get older, I really notice the days passing.  I went to the Beach (Malibu,CA) with my kids the other weekend, and I thought at 41 years old, just how lucky I am.

To know that I have been alive over 15,000 days, getting to experience such beautiful things as the beach, and sunsets, I felt so grateful.

Where is this leading?  It got me to thinking about changing our bodies.  We know what works, so why don't we do it? 

• We know that eating too much crap, leads to a crappy physique.
• We know that we should be training smart and consistently.
• We know that we should probably sleep more (for the majority of you).

So the big question is "why don't we do it?"

Over my 12 years as a trainer, here's what I've come to believe.  You must be selfish! That's right.  Put YOU as a priority.

Make the change today.

If you haven't started to exercise...start today.

If you aren't eating right...start with your next meal.

If you haven't been sleeping enough, set up a warm bath tonight, and get to bed early tonight.

You are responsible.


 

A Free Workout

I just wanted to let you in on what I'm working on.  For the past two years I've been doing a style of training mostly related to CrossFit.  In those two years since beginning CrossFit. I have lost fat, increased my endurance, and I get sick less...all with workouts that I do two to three times a week and lasting 6-30 minutes.

By the end of this month I will be offering a free workout, almost daily.  You'll be able to visit my new site, get your workout for the day, and leave any comments or questions.  I'll try to respond as soon as I can.

So why am I doing this?

I want to help you to get as fit as you desire.  I know that it can be done, and YOU can do it.  You won't need very much equipment, but this will take effort.  Please don't fool yourself.  I've been in this business too long (I'm 41), and I don't want you to buy any more miracle programs or gadgets.  You won't have to enter your email, no passwords, just visit with me like this site, and you are on your way to better health.

I'm hoping that we can come together and share our progress, our challenges, and our successes...which I know you can succeed with this.

If you'd like a head's up when my new site will be ready, you can email me at stephencooper888 AT gmail.com.  I will not add you to any scam lists, or spam you...I'll just notify you when we are ready to go. 

Don't Bitch

I bring up this topic because two of my clients mentioned something that has happened to them.

Both of these clients are females in their late 40's, and they are both professionals.  They both told me of recent instances when their co-workers actually made fun of them because they are concerned about what they eat.

Why would anyone get down on their friend or co-worker when he/she is trying to exercise and eat better? 

Get a life I say.  If you choose not to take care of yourself, and make excuses for why you aren't losing weight, then don't give others a hard time when they are working hard to improve themselves. 

Who Will Know if You Get Hurt While Exercising?

One of my clients had the news on this morning...the only time I see any news, and the reporter was speaking about a bicyclist who had been hit by hit and run driver.  To save you from the details, the forty-ish rider was hit by a mini-van, tossed over 100 feet, and left for dead.  The poor guy is in a coma, and they don't know who he is.  He didn't have any I.D. on him.

For the past two years or so I've been using an I.D. necklace from Road ID.  They are really nice people there, and are doing a great service for those of us who are out in the streets just trying to improve our health.

I encourage you to visit their site for yourself, and your family. 

Important Life Choices

Plain and simple...we choose how our lives turn out.  I know, you're saying that Coop is going off the deep end...and what in the heck does this have to do with exercise.

I was listening to the radio this morning as I drove along Sunset Blvd. through Beverly Hills and Hollywood, and the callers were talking about all the crap that they had to put up with.  Bad bosses, lack of vacation time...on and on about how bad they had it.  Well, guess what?  That's your choice.   I know I'm going to hear "but I have a family to support", and all of the other stories.  There very well might be some legitimate stories but for the most part your current situation is because of choices you have made...and nobody else.

So how does this pertain to exercise?  Two of the reasons I get for not being able to train are:

1. Lack of time.
2. Lack of money.

That's usually the case.  Or worse...lack of time and money.

So what to do? 

You've got to find a way to have your cake and eat it too!  One guy who has a lot of great ideas for doing just that is Tony Clark.  There is so much garbage on the internet about success and the like, but Tony is different.  He comes from the heart, and always has solid suggestions by which to improve your life.

If your life is not going as you'd like it, I encourage you to visit his site, Success From the Nest. 

Exercise Doesn't Have to be Pretty

I would rather you just get it done.  Here's a picture of me in my backyard.  Notice no cute clothes or fancy machines...just my kettlebell and some hard work.

I challenge you to get moving.  Action....that's what it takes! 

The Importance of Sleep

My friend Matt over at eJabs has written a very smart and helpful article about the importance of sleep.

Like I told him, I am seeing more and more clients who are sleeping fewer hours, and to know surprise, they are battling weight issues.  

Please keep the importance of sleep on your mind, as you try to stay healthy, and by all means check out Matt's article here... 

A Bizarre Fitness Convention

I feel really old.  This weekend I went to the "Fit Expo" here in Pasadena, California.  When I was growing up let's say from 13-19, I was really into body-building.  I did everything short of use steroids to get big.  I trained at least an hour a day, and working out came first even before girls.  I can remember eating a lot of chicken breasts, egg whites, yams, and brown rice.  I shaved my body too (no, I don't have any pictures to show you).

Anyway, so I thought that it'd be fun to attend this "fitness show" since it was near my house.  My first impression was that it was freaky.  The women were wearing super short shorts, and their implants were popping out of their tiny tops.  I honestly thought that many of the women could have been mistaken for women at a porn show in Las Vegas.  Yes, it really was that bad.

On bright spot was that I got to meet and speak with one of my heroes, Lee Labrada.  I've followed Lee's career since the 80's.  During those years he had a great physique, and he still looks great today.  As I mentioned to him, his is one of the few supplement companies that I believe is putting out legitimate products.  He was very appreciative of what I had to say about his company.

 

Lee Labrada and Stephen Cooper, Pasadena,CA 2007 

Beware of Stupid Health Tips

I spend quite a bit of time skimming other blogs, and especially other health and fitness blogs.  Some are just a waste of time, but some are downright absurd.  Here's a quote I found from one blog that promotes itself as tips for a healthy lifestyle...

"WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning, 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet."

 

Can you say bull....!  Who in the world writes this crap.  Unfortunately some people will actually waste their time tying this.

 

If it's too good to be true, don't waste your time.

 

Stick with the basics.

• Eat lean proteins, plenty of vegetables, and some healthy fats.
• Train smart, be consistent.
• Plan for recovery and sleep enough.

If you have seen or read any crazy weight loss "miracles", I'd love to hear about them.  Let me know here in the comment section.
 

The Buddha and my Client

One of my clients that I've been training for about 10 months told me the other day that he was going to quit training with me. 

At first I was surprised, as some of my clients have been with me for over 8 years...but as I talked to my client, I felt like a proud father.

This client came to me at the age of 37 with high blood pressure, and about 30 pounds overweight.  He immediately went to work on is diet, and began a consistent exercise program with me.  He did everything I told him to do.  

Now he is at a point where he has lost 35 pounds.  He has become a role model to his kids, and his co-workers keep asking him for advice.

He knows what it takes to get the job done.

"If you don't truly know something in your heart and reflect it in the way you live,
you don't yet know it fully." - The Buddha.

I admire this client of mine in that he had some serious medical issues and put in the hard work.  He's a great example to his family, and I wish him the best. 

Congratulations Bob

Just caught this on the web....my client and friend, Bob Crewe has won an Emmy for Best Album for a musical.

Congratulations my friend! 

Coop's Client Nominated for a Grammy

Yes it's true.

About 5 months ago I was contacted by someone by the name of Bob Crewe.  I admit at the time his name didn't ring a bell, but I Googled him and found out who he was. 

You too can Google him and see that he has written a ton of songs.  The one that comes to my mind that almost anyone would recognise is "Can't Keep My Eyes Off Of You".

Anyway, Bob is up for Best Album for a Musical, for his show "Jersey Boys". 

One of the benefits of being a trainer is that I get to spend time with people and that I really get to know what they are about.

I am always curious to how people become so successful in any profession, and getting to know Bob has given me some more insights.  Two things he said to me, really sank in.  The first was to dream big.  There really are no limits as to what one can do.  The other is his attitude in that he just knew deep inside that he was gong to be successful. 

I've learned a lot from working with him, and I'll be pulling for him as I watch the Grammy's this Sunday. 

Fun Friday Video

Have a great weekend, Coop

A Special Deal for Februrary...

February is National Heart month.

Did you know?

• While heart disease and stroke kill one in every 3.7 men, one in 2.4 women lose their lives to heart disease and stroke.
• They are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women.
• By way of comparison, breast cancer kills one in 29 women.  (from the American Heart Assoc.)

So I was wondering what I could do to help. 

Here's what I'd like to do.  To get you going in the right direction, I would like to offer you an online fitness training program for a special price.  Normally I charge $65 and up for just one hour of training, but to the first 20 people who sign up right here, I will create a personalized program just for you for only $17.00.

One person special

This may be just what you need to get started.  You know that you should be doing something, but if you just don't know where to start, then this may be just the right place. 

I can't promise how long this offer will last.

Upon receiving your payment, I will email you the details.  Basically I will ask you about any current medical conditions, and your fitness goal.  Then I will develop a custom fitness program for you.  You will have online access to it where you'll see animations of the exercise, and the number of sets and repetitions that I have prescribed for you.

Also, you will have full email support from me at no charge.

I'll even make a crazier deal.

If you sign up with a friend, I will charge your friend only $10 for the month....if, and only if, you guarantee that the two of you will donate the difference of at least $7.00 to the American Heart Association.

Please donate by clicking on the logo below.

During the month of February, I will donate one dollar to the American Heart Association, for each person that signs up for my special promotion.