4 Things to Look For In A Certified Personal Trainer

It seems that everyone has or is thinking about getting one... a personal trainer.  Now, I've been working with a Certified Personal Trainer for the last 7 years because a) I live with a chronic disease so I need to stay strong, b) I'm aging so I don't want to get hurt and c) I want to look and feel good for as long as possible.   I have to share the highlights of article my Certified Personal Trainer just had published.  It gives you four easy guidelines to help you select a personal trainer for the first time or choose a new one.   I hope you find these guidelines helpful for yourself or someone you care about.

So, thank you to my Certified Personal Trainer, Robert Linkul MS NSCA-CPT *D CSCS *D for my personal strength, your dedication to excellence and for sharing your information about personal training and fitness. 

If you are looking for a Certified Personal Trainer with a master's in Fitness you have about a 500/15,000 chance of finding one. If you want to be trained by the best with the best education, Robert has some tips for you in finding your partner in your fitness.

1. Education - The Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) should have earned a fitness based educational background including a degree in one of the following: kinesiology, exercise science, physical education, or strength and conditioning.

2. Certification- Ensure that your CPT is certified at all times by an NCCA accredited organization. This means your trainer must take a standardized number of continued education hours every year. Those certifying organizations include:

• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• American Council on Exercise (ACE) 
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT)

3. Assessment - It is so important that your CPT performs a full interview and assessment including body fat, grip strength, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, body measurements, lung capacity, pulse, etc. This assessment should also include a review of family history and a physical activity readiness questionnaire.

4. Career vs. Job - You want your CPT to be career minded, motivated, and not simply considering you as another obligatory job.

Everyone is different and I think if you are enjoying the process and feeling better, you have a good person helping you become more healthy!

Tips by Robert Linkul MS NSCA-CPT*D CSCS*D
2012 National Strength & Conditioning Association's Personal Trainer of the Year

Robertlinkul@gmail.com

For more information read Robert's book - "Confessions Of A Certified Personal Trainer- Volume 1 The Fitness Revolution - Educating you on the right way to exercise", in soft cover and Kindle.

Fall Project: Pumpkin Art!

In the fall, everyone schedule is so busy with school activities, sports and events so its tough to find time to decorate and have fun with holidays. Here is our solution to Halloween pumpkins without the mess and time commitment. Due to the popular response to our Perfect Summer Banner, we thought when we saw on Pinterest all the fun and adorable pumpkins we just had to have a fun craft day and share with you our fun.

Julie decided to go with the "Pumpkins in Costumes" idea. After going through her costumes we have a Bandido, classic Witch, and Sheriff. :)

 Julie found these FANTASTIC character mustaches to aid in our pumpkins. Check out her awesome sharpie skills.

 We decided a stick found in the yard would be the perfect EVIL looking nose. The feathers just make this witch complete.

 Finding the sombrero led to this Bandido. Complete with gold earrings and tooth. (Don't you just love the mustache?)

The Sheriff hat and the "hogen" stache' led to this guy. Hopefully he can keep the Bandido at bay. ;)

Joy's decided to go for more the decorative route. She LOVED the pinterest projects and just had to try a few different methods for her pumpkins.

 Joy started by straying some of hers with Copper and Gold metallic stray. 

 Joy thought that black glitter fit really well with the copper and it turned out great! Stray adhesive worked really well - how Halloween!

 This tiny pumpkin seemed perfect when we found the glitter glue! So simple and easy and it added so much to this small pumpkin.

 Joy loved this gray pumpkin and wanted to showcase part of it. We found a wonderful way to finish this pumpkin (see below for the finishing touches).

 Who doesn't love a good decoupage. Joy found the leopard tissue paper and couldn't wait to use it. Use a 50/50 split of Elmer's glue and water. Paint on pumpkin first. Press paper down and paint over it again.  Below is all of Joy's finished pumpkins.

                              Group Shot of our pumpkins! Have a Happy Halloween Everyone!

The Potato Test: The Results of our Serum Test

We decided to do a little home experiment to see how a basic serum - one for skin at any age - helps your face fight off free radicals - the agers of our skin!

 After 15 minutes the left side (with no serum) is showing its exposure to air.

Closer view of the 15 minute no coverage side of our Russet potato.

Below are the potato halves after 1 hour of air exposure. See how the side with the fluid is still bright, and almost unaffected, while the side without is noticeably showing discoloration.   

To the Right, a closer look at the 1 hr half. Below, a closer look at the 1 hr half.

                              Here is the 2 hour look at these halves. What a dramatic difference!

And our last set of pictures at a 4 FULL HOURS!

 Above, hardly affected in its 4 hours with the serum protecting it by scavenging free radicals so there is less oxidation on the treated half. Below, umm...a bit gross with the discolorations and graying of this untreated half.

This is the side by side view of the 4 hours of exposure. So here is what was going on in these 4 hours. As the untreated half of the potato is exposed to the air, it starts to oxidize. We use Celltrex Ultra Recovery Fluid because of its powerful antioxidant hydroxytyrosol. Our skin oxidizes in a similar way in response to free radicals - causing many of the common things to do with skin-aging free radical damage.

Cellular Oxidation is a source of skin aging. Research has shown that the nutrients, especially hydroxytyrosol, found in extra virgin olive oil can be effective in relieving oxidative stress on cells.

It is my opinion, this is the prefect start of the anti-aging process. Starting in your 20s with something that can protect the skin from oxidation and free radicals can be the perfect way to prevent or prolong the aging process that seems to be inevitable for us all! We have more powerful serums for the more mature skins.

Health Tip: Three Ways To Be Skin Savvy For Glowing, Beautiful Skin At Any Age

One of the most important things you can do for the health of your skin is read the ingredients on any products before you buy them.   Your skin absorbs everything it comes into contact with so make sure the skin care products you buy will promote an ageless complexion.    

1.  At any age it is wise to add a serum that combats environmental toxins as well as provide key nutrients to combat any damage that you may or may not see for a youthful glow at every age.  

2.  Don’t think if you purchase the most expensive products you are guaranteed to get the best results either.   

3. Get samples or ask for a demonstration and evaluate the results after at least 24 hours.

Drink To Your Health – Don’t Sip Sugar

     Many of us, myself included, enjoy beverages that have hidden calories which can add to our waist lines and our list of health concerns.  Diet drinks are not an alternative.  Read my blog dated July 19^th to find out how they really end up hurting your health and actually contribute to the growth of your waistline. Everyone needs to stay hydrated for beautiful skin and a healthy body.  I recently designed some alternatives and I would like to share them with you.

Iced Tea with a sprig of fresh mint, raspberries, blueberries, an orange slice, a lemon or lime wedge can be quite refreshing.  For sweet tea add Stevia or honey to taste.

Homemade Lemonade made with a fraction of the amount of sugar.  If you need more sweetness add a packet or two of Stevia or maybe some honey.

Spa Water can be made ahead in a pitcher like iced tea and lemonade.  Add to tap water any of these in any combination to fit you taste:

slices of cucumber, lemon, lime, strawberries, raspberries, mint

This water keeps you hydrated, delivers antioxidants for anti-aging and health benefits and can reduce water retention.

Sparkling Water with a twist of lemon or lime is great in the late afternoon.

Cocktail time can include wine since a 6oz glass or ¾ of a cup is only 150 calories.  Wine contains antioxidants so they contribute to good health but don’t have too many glasses.  The tough part is only having (1) glass!  That’s when your spa water or sparkling water comes in handy.

Avoid sodas and the ever popular coffee drinks!  They are full of sugar and nothing nutritious for your body so they are aging you and can contribute to health concerns.  Don’t get me wrong, coffee has its health benefits but when you add lots of sugary flavorings and chocolate it can get out of control sugar-wise in a hurry.  Coffee also tends to be dehydrating which isn’t good for your skin.  You want to have moist supple skin for that youthful glow.

Health Tip:  Mystery Ingredients

Always read the labels of pre-made drinks to see what you are putting in your body.  Think about it,  if you CANNOT pronounce an ingredient, do you really want to drink it?

Updates: Weightloss and Antioxidant Challengers

Weight Loss Challengers

Wendy is doing great! She attained her goal weight and had so much more energy that she was able to increase her exercise from running 2 - 3 miles 5 days a week to a Cross-Fit class 4-5 times per week. Wendy has continued to take her Lifepak Nano to maintain her energy levels as she has also gone back to work, part time. Wendy looks great! Way to go Wendy!


If you would like to learn more about my Weightloss program and coaching options please let me know! Click here for information on the weightloss products I use in my program. See where Wendy started here.

Antioxidant Challengers

I never introduced you to Jill. In March, she had her antioxidant score read and she was at a lowly, sickly 12,000. As a mother of 4, ages 2-20, a full time student, and a part time job, Jill counted on having good health. She began taking the Lifepak Nano once a day. Also, we had many discussions where I suggested eating more fresh fruits and vegetables to help her health and increase her score. This summer Jill began juicing fresh, local fruits and vegetables to increase her intake.  The result?  Two weeks ago her anti-oxidant score jumped to 36,000!!! That's a 24,000 increase in 5 months. Jill feels better and her skin looks noticeably better. Most importantly she is able to keep up with all her children, especially her toddler, and maintain her grades during the strenuous last semester to become a Respiratory Therapist. Go Jill!

Want to look and feel better? Call me to get your antioxidant score tested and get you started to a healthier you!

Employee Wellness

I am still working with a company interested in helping their employees enjoy better health so they don't miss work or are less productive when they are at work. That costs both sides $$....

In addition to taking the Lifepak Nano I have introduced bringing bowls of apples, oranges, and walnuts to the office weekly to ensure the candy stays away and the energy stays up!

Do you know a Sacramento based business looking for greater wellness for their employees? Give me a call and I will discuss a personalized plan to get the health goals you and your employees are looking for!