Wow!

It's the first post in the New Year. How exciting.

I am happy to share that literally hundreds of you have jumped onto our website to check out the free workout buddy program. Thanks... and I look forward to hearing of your success in the coming year!

Some of you might have quit smoking for your New Year's Resolution. If that's the case, congratulations. But as you pursue a healthier you, proceed with caution! Ex-smokers should ease into exercise is the gist of one article.

If you've ever wondered what life is like as a personal trainer, here's one view.

The media is like a big carousel. Stories break, become popular, fade, and then, a few years down the road, get dug up again. While bodybuilders have known for years that slowing down the negative (concentric) portion of a lift can create special responses, those new to the sport may not have heard of this concept. So, once again, welcome to the world of negatives! (Don't worry, they achieve a positive result).

Now that everyone's New Years resolutions include at least one mention fitness, nutrition, or better health, we'll start to see more articles like this one about losing weight. If you really want to get back to the basics, I suggest you first read The Practical Way to Lose Fat (written by me), then read the Seven Keys to Permanent Weight Loss Success (written by me but guided by the common principles developed by people just like you who attended a seminar I hosted last year).

Obesity is not an American phenomenon — it is being felt around the world. Just recently, Scotland's health minister declared that exercise and diet should be at the core of their health policy.

According to a recent survey, I'm speaking to myself. Because while many of you might be clamoring over the changes you'll make this coming year, the survey says most of you won't lift a finger until March. Of course, that doesn't explain why so many people have signed up for their new weight loss buddy account and are posting their goals and getting fit. Who answers these surveys, anyway?

Are you still falling for that old, outdated myth that eggs are bad for you? Eggs are a healthy part of any diet. Still confused? Read this explanation at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Counting calories may seem extreme, but it's a successful strategy for many people. One person takes it to another level by not just counting on calories, but on the foods that have the most "bang for the buck" or nutrients per calorie. Doing this is very easy with our nutrition coach that will guide you to the nutrient-rich foods you like automatically.

When you lose it, keep it off, okay? No, don't look at me like that. I'm serious. You think you're ready, but 90 percent of you (yes, 9 out of 10) will actually not keep the weight off once you lose it. In my experience, this is because you are looking for a diet, pill, thrill, fad, trend, or crazy why to make it happen quickly, instead of taking the time to change your habits. Let's face it — losing weight was your number one resolution this year. So, when the excitement begins to fade, stay focused and remember your self-promise! And jump on board the Get America Fit program to contribute to a Guiness world record with the largest fitness event in history... right in the middle of February, when most people decide to chuck their resolutions and pick up pizza instead!

Forget the craziness. Go with some practical tips to stop the madness in 2006. Read the part about the success journal. Then, feel free to use our success journal that allows you to log your weight, your heart rate, your calories burned, your exercise, sets, reps, and any daily comments you like. Yes, I mean feel free because our online success journal is yours, 100% free (just pick the "Basic plan" — or choose one of the others that are detailed here).

Fitness can be a family affair. I know, because I've been practicing Yoga this year with my wife and daughter. Yoga is just one of many ways you can help improve kids' fitness levels. It really starts with the children.

In fact, for the first time in the past several decades, your children now have less of a chance to live than you. That's right! With all of our medical advances, cures, antibodies, medicines, and other advancements, it turns out that poor nutrition choices are shortening lifespans and negating all of the positives. So, go ahead, have that super-sized hamburger and side of french fries, what's it gonna do ... kill ya? (Yes, it can).

While you're at it, consider taking a healthy pharmaceutical grade multivitamin. To get an idea of how powerful this decision can be, read Ed Orlowski's story. Don't take his word for it... or mine. If you can't afford the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements then read up on how Vitamin D curbs cancer risk and Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc reduce macular degeneration. The list really goes on and on.

Want to give someone a special gift this season? See the little "e-mail icon" at the end of this post? Just click on that to share this entry with someone you know and care about. That will give them the choice to bookmark or subscribe to our blog and share in the information we share diligently to help you and others become your best.

I think I've shared more news than we can bite off and chew in one evening, so I'll wrap this up as our first post in the New Year. Happy New Year! Have a blessed day and until next time,

Warmly,