Fit for Life: Desire, Drive & Discipline

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Matt Espeut, GoLocalProv Health +Lifestyle Contributor

 

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Wow, time flies. 

I wrote the article below on training and nutrition over 5 years ago, and everything I wrote, I still practice. 

Realize this was pre-Fit Body, and it amazes me how much we as people change, but tried and true philosophies will always stay the same. 

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I started studying holistic nutrition, and functional movement patterns over 10 years ago and my actions and beliefs haven’t changed but my focus has. 

I realize that although this stuff is important to know and practice daily, but It won’t work unless a person’s mindset is in the right place, they hold themselves accountable and they commit to continuously improve. 

That’s why creating the right mindset is the key to success. Not fancy machines, fit bits, kettlebells, on line workouts or nutrition plans but developing the right attitude and desire to live a healthy lifestyle. 

Here’s the article:

Having a strong core and slimmer mid-section requires two things:

Proper nutrition

Proper training technique

When your mid-section is properly conditioned, you not only look better—you stand taller, lift heavier weights (if that is part of your goal), and perform your daily activities better and with less injury. 

All core routines should consist of abdominal and lower back training using movements in a multi plainer range of motion. What this means is that doing a few sets of sit-ups or crunches isn't going to sculpt your midsection. 

You need to train the entire body as well as the core in a multidirectional functional routine using both body weight and resistance training. Some of my favorite tried and true exercises for training the midsection are: med ball exercises that include rotation such as seated twists. Plank variations are great for stability, and there are several ways to progress using the plank, such as side planks, and hip movements. 

The Swiss ball is another great tool to help provide strength, balance and stability.  There are also various band rotation and simulated chopping exercises that also work well. Let’s not forget to add some lower back to the routine. 

I train 1 back for every front exercise, so include some hyper extension aka superman/skydivers, dead lifts, and glute bridges to your routine. 

Now that you have a few exercises, the bad news is that they will not work unless you pay attention to your nutrition routine.  

if not, all your hard work will go unrewarded. 

I highly suggest eating only fresh whole organic food. This will help nourish and help maintain a healthy functioning body. 

Eat lots of vegetables and choose organic free-range animal products. Eat a moderate amount of fruits nuts and only whole unprocessed grains and starches. 

I also highly suggest you eliminate certain foods such as wheat, gluten, sugary foods, and all processed grains and dairy. 

These foods have little if any nutritional value, and cause disruption, and inflammation to our digestive tracts. This translates to abdominal bloating, something everyone would like to avoid. 

The less of these foods you consume, the healthier and leaner you will be. 

So, there it is folks. A blast from the past. Apply these principals for a leaner you and apply the right mindset for a healthier on all levels you!!

Remember that it takes, desire, drive, and discipline to succeed. Desire to get better, drive to step over every obstacle and excuse, and discipline to be consistent.

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Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one.

 

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