You can lose fat at any age!

You can lose fat at ANY AGE:

Most people assume that for one or more reasons, they, personally cannot lose weight.

I have heard everything from

1. I'm too old - studies continue to show that beginning a strength training routine at any age will build muscle, which is directly responsible for increasing our metabolism. It's true that we lose muscle as we age, but that's because we become less active and eat too many calories for our needs.

2. It's my genetics, everyone in my family is overweight. - I've personally overcome 'bad genetics'. In fact, I think it's more 'bad habits' than 'bad genetics', we are creatures of habit, I saw bad habits growing up and I modeled them.

3. I'm too busy - we are ALL too busy. That's just an excuse. We all need to 'plan our work' and then 'work our plan' Be proactive - take 2 hours on the weekend to buy, prepare, and store your meals for the week. This discipline will do more for fat loss than any workout program.

Action Steps:
1. Eat unprocessed 80% of the time - 80/20 rule, nobody is perfect. Tip: If it comes out of dirt or off a vine, it's probably good for you.

2. Do Strength Training movements (COMPOUND) in a circuit style manner, cardio is secondary
3. Be consistent - stick with it, why are you doing it? Vanity, health, family?
4. Set Behavior based goals rather than Outcome based goals. Example of behavior based goals: "I will exercise 4 times a week", this is something you CAN control. Outcome based goal: "I will lose 10lbs by next month." This is a goal you CANNOT control.

Genetics? Gifted? Hardest Working? Bolt winning

I have to admit, over the past week, many of my clients think there is more to Bolt winning the 100M and 200M races at the Olympics this summer. Here is a video of his 100M world-record setting performance

Qualify the end user

Here are the questions I get daily as a Personal Trainer:

Question #1: "What's the best exercise for Abs?"

Question #2: "What's the best exercise for 'cutting' my Chest?"

Question #3: "What's the best protein for getting big?"

...and the sad thing is, these questions often come from the same person!

And my answer is usually the same, "It depends"

No matter who you are, there is no cookie-cutter training program. Sure, there are principles that are tried and true, but there is no One absolute exercise, supplement, or training program that is going to do it all.

Take some time to set some specific goals and seek our professionals who can help you reach them.

The revolutionary HIIT Style Workout!

Below is a video preview of a workout that I will be unveiling this Fall!

How to build YOUR home gym video

Get after it!

A lot of people are looking for the 'perfect' workout and diet plan, but fail to simply do one thing.

That one thing?

.... two words...

TRAIN HARD.

Ever seen a prison yard workout? Those guys are huge and lean, and can be found using the worst form imaginable. Just watch how much back they throw into their curls, how their glutes come off the bench to lock out on a bench press, etc..

Their programs are 'primitive', at least by today's standards. But they one thing they do is train very hard. For many, the length of their life may depend on it!

So my take home point? Don't get so bogged down in the details that you fail to simply push hard. Consult with a good trainer, read several fitness sites for the latest research and programs (such as www.T-Nation.com) and never stop learning!

What do I need for my home gym?

READER QUESTION: "Hey Jimi, love site and all your information. I recently lost my job and money is tight. I canceled my gym membership and want to purchase some home equipment. What do you recommend? - Thanks, Jeff"

Jimi - "Thanks for your question Jeff. I'm sorry about your job loss. When building a home gym, you want to consider several things.

1 - Space: How much space do you have? This will determine what you should purchase.

2 - Budget: How much can you reasonably spend? Probably as little as possible considering your job loss.

3 - Personal preference: What are you training for?

Once we answer these questions, we can move forward. Consider investing $20 in my new DVD, How to build YOUR Home Gym, available at Amazon.com

New DVD Available!

I am proud to announce that my DVD, "Losing Abdominal Fat & BEYOND: What works and what doesn't" is finally available. This was a live seminar in Livonia earlier this Spring. The crowd was huge and the atmophere electric. The attendees had great questions.

Exercise is a 3% time investment

What if I told you that you can achieve fantastic fitness results by only investing 3% of your time working out? At first, it sounds like a small price to pay, but most people look at it another way and think it's too much of an investment.

You and I both have the same amount of time each week:

There are 160 hours in a week.

3% of that is 5 hours.

Can you exercise 1 hour a day, Monday - Friday?

If so, you can achieve fantastic results.

If you find that you don't have 5 hours a week to commit to exercise, you really need to take a closer look at the 'time wasters' (ex: television, web surfing, phone calls, etc....)

How bad do you want to be in great shape?

Are you willing to invest a mere 3% of your time?

The last few pounds (Belly Fat)

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: "The first place you want to lose it will be the last place you lose it". This, of course, is in reference to belly fat. For most people, losing the last few pounds on their belly is the biggest battle. It takes intense focus and disciple to see it gone. Think about it, how many people at your gym have a nice chisled 6-pack? Not many I'm sure...

Look at what Jillian Michaels of "Biggest Loser" fame has to say about it:

Crunches don't equal abs.

You can't do crunches and expect to see abs if they're trapped under a layer of fat. Taking off the last problem pounds requires discipline. You're fighting you're body's natural chemistry. Your body wants to keep on an extra 10-15 pounds and losing the last 10 pounds isn't always about getting healthy in the same way losing 30 or 40 is. Sometimes, it's about vanity, and for vanity, you have to make sacrifices. Your body doesn't want to shed that weight just because you are a narcissist and want to wear size two jeans. You have to trick your body into thinking it's a safe weight, and that means plowing through the program without giving your body the chance to rebound back to its old weight.If you can read In Touch on the treadmill, you aren't working hardenough."

A new way to train HIIT-style!

At the gym where I train, there is a buzz.

At any given time during the day, somebody is doing MetaCardio training.

The word is out, and it's time to get it out to the masses! Here is the banner!

Coming this Fall 2008, www.MetaCardio.com

Get ready to lose fat and excess weight in a whole new way....

Treadmill, Medicine Ball, Dumbbells, oh my!

New DVDs this summer

I have been very busy getting out some new products. In the month of July, I will have 3 new DVDs available! Here is a sneak preview!

Losing Abdominal Fat & Beyond: what works and what doesn't.

This is my most recent seminar from Livonia, Mi. We had a strong crowd how came ready to learn and had a lot of great questions, which are included on the DVD. You can purchase this seminar at Amazon.com in July for only $19.95.

How To Build Your Home Gym' was taped live last month and is perhaps my most informative seminar yet. Many have told me that they saved thousands of dollars by using the information I provided at this dynamic seminar. The low price of this product is also $19.95 and will be available on Amazon.com or on my site, www.JimiVarner.com

This Thursday Night, May 29th, 7pm

Local speaking engagements for May 29th, 7pm

My next seminar is this Thursday at the Livonia Civic Center Library on Thursday, May 29th at 7pm.

Seminar details:
"Losing Abdominal Fat & Beyond: what works and what doesn't"
Livonia Civic Center Library
32777 5 Mile Rd
Livonia, MI 48150
734-466-2490

I will be signing copies of my books, The Dieters Deliverance and A Trainers Dozen. More details about the upcoming DVD releases will be available as well!

Navy Seals Fitness Challenge - May 10th, 2008

I just got back from Dearborn where I competed in the 2008 Navy Seals Fitness Challenge. The Challenge consisted of the following 5 events:

1 - 500 meter swim using breaststroke or side stroke

2 - Pushups

3 - Situps

4 - Chinups

5 - 1.5 mile run

The goal was to finish at 'elite' Navy Seal status. If you did that, you received a Navy T-shirt. If you finished just shy of elite, you received a brown T-shirt. And if you finished, you received a white T-shirt. Here were the standards for each:

1. 500 meter swim -
Elite - 10 minutes or under
Standard - 12 minutes or under

Jimi's result: 11:15! Yeah, Standard Brown status!

Next, was the pushups!

2. Pushups -
Elite - 80 consecutive pushups in 2 minutes
Standard - 42

Jimi's result: 65! Again, another Brown! So far, so good:)

3. Situps -
Elite - 80 consecutive situps in 2 minutes
Standard - 60

Jimi's result: 85! Elite status! But remember, the highest I can qualify is Brown....

4. Chinups -
Elite - 11 Chinups
Standard - 6

Jimi's result: A spectacular 15 Chinups! Who's your daddy;)

5. 1.5 Mile Run -
Elite - 10 minutes or under
Standard - 11 minutes or under

Jimi's result: A very disappointing 11:15! :(

I qualified for the white T-shirt, but am very satisfied with my swimming result since I don't swim nor did I practice for this event.

Not to make excuses, but I have doing ZERO endurance training, especially running. My cardio work has consisted of HIIT Training on the Treadmill at 12 mph for 30 second sprints with a 30 second recovery period.

I will wear my T-shirt proudly, but not in public.... you see, I asked for a Small or Medium to show off the pecs, but was given a XL. Oh well....

It was a lot of fun, but I will not be looking to do another challenge like this anytime soon. My participation was more about ego than anything else.

Training Chuck Gaidica from Channel 4 News

Here is a short clip for WDIV Channel 4 in Detroit, Michigan. Chuck Gaidica is a client and good friend of mine. Congrats on your efforts and finishing the Navy Seals Fitness Challenge!

MMA Gym opens in Michigan!

A good friend of mine recently opened what I believe will be the 'go to' gym for MMA fighters and those looking to get into the field. Here is a link to a recent write up in the paper.

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/NEWS16/805010653/1033

Live Seminar
Tuesday, April 29th 2008 at 7pm!

I want to invite you to the Livonia Civic Center Library to hear this powerfully informative seminar for the individual looking to get started on a home fitness plan, but doesn't know where to start.

This seminar will include:
* How to make a commitment you won't break
* Identify your goals & map out your success
* Defining a Home Gym
* Building a Home Gym
* Creating a training schedule
* How to choose appropriate clothing for your activity

BONUS: This seminar will be recorded for an upcoming DVD that will be available this summer!

For more information, please visit www.JimiVarner.com and scroll down the home page for directions and details

Biggest Loser Champion

Okay, watching Biggest Loser is one of my guilty pleasures. But think about it, what's not to love about this show? It is truly life changing! The transformations seen week in and week out are nothing short of spectacular!

This past week, Ali, the first woman 'Loser', motivated me to continue providing the best service I can to my clients. Funny story.....

On Wednesday morning, Ali and Jillian were guests on the Today Show. While my client was warming up on the treadmill, she turned and asked me, "Why can't I get results like Ali?" Let's run down the reasons:

1. Ali trained 5 - 6 hours a day. ---------- My client 'works out' 3x a week for 30 minutes.

2. Ali did interval sprints at 13 and 14 mph. ----- My client walks @ 3.0 mph for 20 minutes.

3. Ali sacrificed 6 months of her life to accomplish this incredible feat.

I'm not beating up on my client, but simply making the point that if you are willing to do the same work, then you can expect a similar result.

What is our take home lesson from Biggest Loser?

Basically this: I think we need to use the contestants acheivements as examples of what the human race can accomplish when they are motivated and driven to work very hard.

Are results like Ali's realistic? Sure, if you're willing to do the work she did.....

But are you willing?

Congrats to Ali:) You are a true champion!

Lead the horse to water...

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way; if you don't, you'll find an excuse."

- Frank Banks

As a personal trainer, I've seen the above quote come to life day in and day out over the course of my 9 years experience in the trenches.

I've had clients come in all excited, make the appointments to train & verbally commitment to change their lifestyle only to fizzle out at the first obstacle in their workout program or eating plan.

It's frustrating..... and oftentimes, I own their outcome.

What I mean is, I end up taking it upon myself and accept the blame for their lack of commitment.

Over time, I've realized that people are people. Meaning, you are never going to figure them out.

You can give a person every tool to succeed, but ultimately, it's they who are left with the final decision to change or not. We have to accept that fact.

As a trainer, give your clients every opportunity and reason to succeed. It's true that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

Do your job: Lead the horse to water......

Tameka IS the woman!

My very good friend , Tameka Gallien, was featured in this article online. Tameka is one of the top trainers and yoga instructors in the country. She has a strong following in the Detroit area. Do yourself a favor and check this out!

http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/MichiganSkateParks0063.aspx