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Showing posts with label road race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label road race. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

7 habits of highly effective "losers"

By losers of course I mean people that lose weight.

Sorry Stephen Covey, it's catchy.

Millions of people lose weight every year. Problem is that most of that weight is gained back and then a little extra is added on for good measure.

It today's short post I am going to bullet point the 7 habits of people that manage to keep the weight off. Some of these may surprise you.

HABIT #1: They start with a true purpose. I once read a story of a man who tried and tried to lose the weight and he couldn't. Then one day his daughter was dying and needed a kidney. He could give her his kidney but there was a problem: he was to fat. Do you want to take bets on whether that dude lost the weight.

You know he did.

My friend Autumn was 300+ lbs was told straight faced by a doctor that, at 23, she wouldn't see her 30th birthday. That didn't sit well with her and her two babies. She lost the weight.

My friend Brittany is on a weigh loss journey. Her's started when she couldn't perform CPR on a dummy because she was to fat. PURPOSE. 

Find you true reason and purpose for losing the weight and you'll be amazing how quickly the fat comes off.

HABIT #2: They do it the hard way. We all know what the "easy" way is. It's the newest pill or newest diet of the latest craze of this or that. Perhaps surgery.

None of that crap works. Those that do it the hard way ALWAYS succeed. Those that try the latest "craze" almost always fail.

HABIT #3: They create a weight loss synergy. I don't think I have ever heard of a long term success story that starts with, "I lost the weight first through diet then I started exercising...."

It just doesn't happen that way.

"I am going to start running everyday and lose the weight....." Are you changing your diet? No? Not a success habit.

You need to balance what you do. You need to take supplements. You need to exercise. You need to change the way you THINK about food. You basically need to change WHO YOU ARE.

HABIT #4: They "leverage" the scale. Those that create a  great weigh loss journey use the scale like this: "Weight went up today? Crap. Means I'm not doing enough or I need to re-adjust my path..."

"Down 5 lbs. BOOM! I am a champion! WAHOO!"

Those that stare at the scale and expect big numbers and get frustrated when they don't come lose in the end. The number on the scale is a victory every time! It means you are doing something right so keep doing it or it means TIME TO CHANGE.

HABIT #5: They use supplements. I'll be 100% honest. I have helped more people lose a weight in the last 2 years by helping to connect them with supplements then I did in the 12 years previous COMBINED but using diet and exercise as tools.

Your body needs to be balanced and detoxed before it can lose weight long term. This is 100% truth. You need probiotics for digestive health, you need omega's to fight inflammation, you need the correct micro-nutrition to help your body to absorb the macro-nutrition.

I believe people make two MAJOR mistakes when it comes to supplementation.

Mistake #1: They don't do it. If you think you get all your nutrition from the food you eat then you need to re-think that thought. It just doesn't happen. Sometimes people also say, "I don't do supplements" but yet drink coffee before a workout and chocolate milk after a workout. Those are supplements people. You need to supplement if you want to lose weight long term. PERIOD.

Mistake #2: People read an article online (where EVERYTHING is 100% true) and fancy themselves biochemical nutritional pharmacologists and buy 16 different supplements at Wal-Mart. How is it that you know more than the scientific and medical advisory board from  AdvoCare or any other company?

My advice on supplements is to stick with one company. Of course I think that AdvoCare is the best but if you like another company then stick with that. Don't mix and match. Stay with one company's system because likely the people that put it together and smarter then you or I.


HABIT #6: They workout in a progressive manner. This means that as the days and weeks go on you realize that the one that brought you to the dance isn't the one that is going to bring you home. Just because you lost 10 lbs walking 30 minute per day doesn't mean you are going to lose 20 that way.

Every time you workout you need to add things and make things harder. Challenge yourself to do a different exercise or do the same thing longer or faster.

If you are trying to lose weight long term to need to accept that everyday (or most days) you are going to physically exhaust yourself at the gym. If that is to hard then get used to being overweight. Sorry. Don't mean to be harsh but there is no compromise here. It's gonna be tough. Accept that an get to work.

HABIT #7: They don't view calories as the enemy. Very rarely do I hear of a long term success stay that begins with, "I cut my calories way back....."

If you don't eat you die. Is that what you want? Do you really think that eating caused you to gain weight? It's lack of eating followed by binge eating is what caused most people to gain weight.

It's as much about quality of food as it is about quantity. Have you ever heard someone lament the fact that all that broccoli they ate as a kid made them fat?

Ridiculous, right? It's just as ridiculous to try to "restrict" calories and lose weight. Do you need to stop eating CRAP? Absolutely.

Calories are a good thing. You need to eat to survive and you need to eat SMART to lose weight.

Those that succeed long term with weight loss treat food and calories as a ally and not an enemy.

Do you live local to the Central Florida / Leesburg area? If you do will you consider checking out the race that my wife and I are putting on October 4th?


I hope you can join us. Pre-registration is just $15 and kids 15 and under are free and can register on race day. 

Did you get value out of today's post? If so please share with your friends. You never know when you could change someones life! 

To your success!
Rick Copley | Your Best Fitness Coach  | "Empowering YOU to be a champion" 
Your Best Fitness Coach Facebook Page |Instagram: @rickcopley 


Thursday, July 17, 2014

5 Tips for Aging Runners


I have to admit that I am an aging runner. I am 41 and soon to be 42. Clearly my best days are behind... WAY BEHIND... me.


That is OK and I have come to terms with that.

It doesn't mean that I can't continue to enjoy running and enjoy competing. For me the focus of my competitive fire has shifted A LOT (Read my other blog "No Excuses" to see what my focus now is) but I still run and still identify myself as a runner.



Today's blog is going to focus on YOU and how to keep yourself going though your 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond. The tips that I give you will help you. This is a promise!

First, a little about my background as a runner.

I ran my first 5 mile road race in 1982. I know. 32 years ago. I was 9 years old. I loved running as a kid and kept it up for a long, long time.

I competed as a distance runner in high school and college. I set some pretty fast time along the way. These times include 1:56 for 1/8 mile, 4:16 for a mile and 25:45 for 5 miles. Back in the day I also ran 9:16 for 2 miles and a 1:14:59 half marathon.

Those days are gone now. I am not that person anymore. As a matter of fact all those times (except the half marathon) we run in the 1990's. Yeah...decades ago.

This leads me right into the first tip.

Tip #1: Leave the past in the past. You are NEVER going to be the person you were 20 years ago again so why try? Many of us try to train and race like we are 21 when we are 41. This is a recipe for failure. Set new goals that have NOTHING to do with your old goals. Find a focus that is reachable, measurable and challenge. Running your best ever 5k at 40 when your personal best is from 1996 is dumb. I ran 15:22 is 1996. Do you think I am trying to run that now? Goals are different now. WAY different.

Tip #2: Don't be afraid to run fast and run on soft surfaces. One of the things that has kept me injury free for the most part over the years in my love for trail running. Go to the track and run 400m intervals once a week. Remember tip #1! Don't expect to run sub 60. Just run a little faster then your normal pace.

Also, get your butt out on the trails for AT LEAST 50% of your mileage. If you are afraid to "get hurt" well then you are the exact opposite of correct. You need the lower leg strengthening that you will get from the trials. If you don't feel comfortable "running" on the trails then do some walk/jogging to get you used to it.

Tip #3: Do functional fitness. Focus on exercises that stretch your glutes, build your core and strengthen your back. 4 exercises that I would recommend are....

1) LOW PLANK:
2) DEEP BODY WEIGHT SQUATS: 
3) SWINGS

4) PULL-UPS
TIP #4: Be consistence with your running and with your rest. As we age we need more rest and recovery. This is truth. We also need to be consistent with our training. There is a balance and you need to find it. 

Is it smart to run 60 miles a week in our 40's like we did in our 20's. I would say no. Is it smart to run 2-3 days per week and expect to do well in a half marathon? I would say no to this as well.

You need to be smart and figure out how much your body needs without overdoing it AND you need to know how much is to much. It is a challenge but you can do it. If you do all the tips that I suggest here then it should help you to understand the balance. 

TIP #5: You MUST supplement. Even if your just do an Omega and high qualify multi-vitamin. I recommend Advocare because it is the best. I also recommend being consistent. Do you think it is a good idea to put 5 different brand of supplement in your body?

It is not.

Some people might say, "I don't do supplements." Coffee, energy drinks, Gatorade, bars, gels, Vitamin C, etc. These are supplements. You can replace all that will one brand. Like I said Advocare is what we use.

If you are interested to learn more specifically what I recommend for runners then watch this short video that I did a while back:



You can also check the Advocare site for more details: www.advocare.com.

As we age our bodies no longer can absorb nutritional the way that it did when we were younger. This is part of why supplementation is ESSENTIAL. On top of that we have more stress, less time and we tend to get hurt. We get the proper nutrition to recover. Again, supplementation is essential.

If you want a FREE consultation to learn what is right for you are far as supplementation going then simple call my personal cell: 352-989-6795. You can email me your phone number as well with a good time to call.

I will try to help you.

So there are my 5 tips for aging runners. If you got value please share with your runner friends. You never know who might need this information! 

To your success! 
Rick Copley, Your Best Fitness Coach 
"Empowering YOU to be a champion
rick@yourbestfitnesscoach.com
352-989-6795



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The Awkward Runner


You all know someone like this.

They run by your house everyday or perhaps on the treadmill every day. They are ALWAYS out there come rain or wind or heat or cold. It just doesn't matter to the awkward runner. They are committed.

Problem is that they hate it.

Problem is that they aren't getting good results.

So why do it?

Perhaps its you.

Perhaps you run all the time because you think that running is the best exercise. Perhaps you know someone that lost 100 lbs by running or that runs really fast. Perhaps you do it because you think you really HAVE TO run.

I am here to tell you that you don't.

Believe me I see it EVERY DAY. Last night I was sitting no my porch and I saw a guy jog by in our neighborhood. Man, he looked like he was SUFFERING. I think it was the same guy that I saw last week going up the hill by my house like he was in the throws of the death zone on Mount Everest.



Dude looked like he was about to croak.


What is the point?

Why stress yourself our both physically and emotionally trying to run or be a runner when it just isn't for you?

I am going to keep today's post short. I have 3 points to make with you that I think will help on your journey.

1. You are going to need to get uncomfortable on your journey to a better you. Honestly it's going to be hard so be ready for it. 
2. You need to vary your discomfort and for the love of God don't try to "run" 5 miles when that's not your cup of tea. Run a mile then walk or get on the rower or in the pool or something. Just don't try to be a runner if you are not a runner. 
3. If are going to become a runner then do it in short distances. If you feel like you are shuffling along then you have gone to far. If you can only run for 30 seconds at a good pace then so be it. Next time run for 45 second then increase the time that you are running steady and night DYING till you can do a few miles at that pace.

I love running and I am a runner. My fitness these days isn't what it used to be so I don't go out and try to run for 10 miles anymore. I'll run 3 miles and like it.

You should do the same if you want to get a benefit from your workouts. Don't beat yourself up trying to become a "runner". There are other ways to skin a cat.

Have you read my "No Excuses" blog yet. It's really a great way to stay motivated on your journey. Will you please click over and take a look? It's really special to me.

Check it out ---->   http://ricksnoexcusesblog.blogspot.com/

Are you struggling with your running and want to learn how to improve? Shoot me an email. I may be able to help you.

If you could share this post I would appreciate it. I hope that you got some value from this blog today. It is our mission to help as many as possible!

To your success!











Rick Copley, Your Best Fitness Coach 
"Empowering YOU to be a champion
rick@yourbestfitnesscoach.com
352-989-6795

P.S. Teresa did a powerful blog yesterday. He perspective on stuff always blows me away. "Your Dream Body" ----> http://ladygurusfitkitchen.blogspot.com/2014/07/your-dream-body.html