4 Common Fitness Questions Answered

A lot of people reading my blog send me messages asking questions about nutrition and fitness.  Today I’m going to answer five of the most common questions I get.

4 Common Fitness Questions Answered

  1. How Can I Flatten My Tummy?  I’ve written about a thing I like to call the 90/10 Rule – it’s 90% diet and 10% exercise.  I wish this were the reverse, because exercise is way more fun than eating salad, but it’s important to be honest with you.  Here are some quick tips:
    • Cook your meals with whole, natural foods, found in the perimeter of the grocery store.  Stay away from the middle aisles where the process foods (with added sugar, salt and fat) live.groceries
    • Eat six smaller meals instead of 3 big meals.  This will regulate your blood sugar, torch your metabolism and keep you satiated throughout the day.
    • Ditch the sodas, juices and coffee creamers and drink water or green tea instead.   A super awesome coffee with caramel and whipped cream from a local barista can easily pack on 500+ calories.  Why go there?  Drink green tea with Stevia or just plain old water. Win-water I like to write little motivational messages on my gallon water jug and leave it on the counter so I see it all day.
  2. Cardio or Strength Training?  Yes.  Cardio will burn fat but you’ll just look skinny.  If you want to look toned you need to add in strength training.  (Coincidentally, lean muscle also helps you burn fat too.)
    Doing some cable curls this morning
    Doing some cable curls this morning

    Follow up question I know you’re thinking:  No, you will not get bulky doing weight lifting!!  Muscle is really difficult to put on and maintain, especially for women, so lifting 15 lb. dumbbells will not turn you into the Hulk.

  3. How Do I Balance Fitness with Job and Family?  Personally, I wake up at the butt crack of dawn and get my workout out of the way to have the least amount of negative impact on my family.  This works out perfectly.  Except when it doesn’t.  Like if I oversleep or have a huge deadline for our business.  Then I scramble like everyone else.
    The cutest 65 lb weight I ever lifted!
    The cutest 65 lb weight I ever lifted! (While in line at Disneyland)

    On those days I do squats while making dinner or lift weights after the kids go to bed.  Sometimes balance means realizing that it’s ok to miss a sweat session as long as you get right back on track the next day.  The truth is that once you start to exercise you will actually look forward to it and make time for it, no matter what’s going on in your life.

  4. What Should I Eat Before and After a Workout?  Sometimes my clients will show up without eating breakfast first.  Three sets into some squats and their energy is used up.  I tell them to eat protein and carbs, like 4 egg whites and 1/2 cup of old fashioned oatmeal.
    Protein shake
    Protein shake

    Within 30 minutes after a workout I have them eat protein to help their muscle recovery.  A lot of them see me then head off to work, so I recommend a protein shake for convenience.

Hope that answers your questions!

In other news, I’m counting down the days to my next bodybuilding competition, the Texas State Naturals.

I’ll be posting photo updates all day Saturday on my Instagram (lisatraugott).  Coincidentally, I’m really close to reaching 1,000 followers, so when I reach that milestone I will celebrate with a giveaway.  Details to come….and please follow me!

Be healthy,

Lisa :)

Lisa Traugott is a Mom’s Choice Award winning writer, fitness blogger, wife and mom of two.

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