Okay, which of these categories do you fall in? 

1. I used to be an athlete but since I don’t play ball anymore, I don’t workout. Answer
2. I’m in the gym regularly pumping my iron. I can lift with the best of them but I still get winded climbing a flight of stairs. Answer.
3. I’ve never worked out before. Where do I start? Answer.
4. I work mostly my chest and back. Answer.
5. I’m not fat, I just have a little stomach. Answer.

1. If you played ball in high school or college and didn’t quite make it into the professional arena you’re probably not as active as you once were. So unless your old coach is going to call you back to play, you’d best start getting active ON YOUR OWN. Studies show that previous athletes are the worst at motivating themselves to workout because they are no longer working out on the coach’s demands.  At some point, however, you must become a self motivated individual – not for the school’s team – but for your body’s team – the one that consist of your heart, lungs, stomach, etc. – the one that keeps you ticking. Each time you huff and puff from a flight of stairs or cannot seem to get out of that recliner is your body yelling at you to give it five. So come on, get your school team spirit back…for the sake of the health team.
2. I know who you are. You are the gym rat. The one that is in there religiously, no matter what else is going on. I actually commend you on that. There’s nothing better than to walk into a gym and see a bunch of fine men working on their physiques. But what bothers me is when I see them working on nothing but the weights. What makes you think that because you look muscular that you are in good shape? In this case looks can be deceiving. Why? Because there are three major components of fitness and if you’re only pumping iron, you are only a third of the way there. The ones you are missing are cardio and flexibility. If a dog were to chase you, you would be eaten alive because your lung and heart capacity is so weak. You must get some cardio in and I suggest at least three days per week. Then pump your iron, iron man. After you are done with all that clinging of the weights, it is imperative that you stretch. This ensures that you elongate those muscle fibers back out keeping the body less likely to be subjected to injuries and keeping your body from shrinking as you age. Heaven forbid that!
3. Okay, so you’ve never worked out and now that you are getting a little older and can feel the body deteriorating right before your very eyes, you think you need to do something. Or are you the one that the doctor has placed on Beta Blockers and you know it’s high time you get your body in some kind of shape. It’s okay. I’m going to give you the nuts and bolts of what you should do and why. The first thing you should incorporate into your life is cardio. Cardio increases your endurance (or stamina – basically the same thing) which allows you to breathe better. That’s because it allows the blood to run smoother through your arteries and veins.  In addition, it burns fat causing weight loss. This is the step that guys generally don’t like to take but it is imperative that you do it as the first step in your workout. Find something you like to do; running (start out walking and work your way up), playing ball that requires you to run and breathe hard, group classes (come to my class) or whatever you like to do that requires that sort of movement. Just make sure you’re breathing hard enough not to be able to carry on a conversation comfortably.  On the other hand, if you cannot catch your breath, you are working too hard. Make sure you’re working at that medium level for at least 35 minutes. Warm up and cool down by walking a slower pace 5 minutes before and after. Then do basic exercises like push ups and sit ups – do as many as you can then each week add a few more. Finally, stretch out the muscles – DO NOT BOUNCE – just hold the stretch for about 30 seconds. Then enjoy the increased energy, toned muscles and self esteem!
4. Boy you look good don’t you? And you work out hard – you do cardio and then you work your weights. But you only work your chest and back. Don’t you know that you have a lower body too! So why are you neglecting it? Your legs, calves, buttock and especially core (abs) need strengthening too. So what are you waiting for? The next time you’re in the gym, forgo the upper and concentrate on the lower. After all, that’s where the organs are – in the core, and strong muscles protect them!
5. Okay, so you have what, a beer belly, ice cream belly or is it an ex-athlete belly? And don’t believe the hype. You’re in denial if you think your woman likes “her playground.” That’s just her way of saying she loves you no matter what. She’s appeasing you. Know what? In this case less is more! Regardless of how it got there, the truth is that you need to get rid of it. Do cardio Boo! Oh, and one more thing: There’s no such thing as a little stomach.