What's Your Plan?

retirement (Photo credit: 401K)If you are an average person working towards living the American Dream here are some sobering facts.

Out of 100 people who start working at the age of 25, by the age 65:

* 1% are wealthy
* 4% have adequate capital stowed away for retirement
* 3% are still working
* 63% are dependent on Social Security, friends, relatives or charity.
* 29% are deceased.
* The average savings of a 50 year old in the U.S. is $2500.

Out of 100 people who start working at the age of 25, by the age 65:

* 62 retire with less than $25,000 in assets and depend on Social Security or family for their retirement.

* Another 35 retire with less than $100,000, have some form of pension in addition to Social Security and are just making it in their retirement. If either Social Security or their pension went away they would have a very difficult time surviving.

* 2 of the 3 remaining retirees have an adequate pension or retirement account. They have assets of between $100,000 and $750,000. They do appreciate having the additional money they receive from Social Security, but could survive without it.

* The last of these 100 retirees, is the only one who is financially independent. This retiree has assets approaching or exceeding $1,000,000. They do not need the income from Social Security at all.

*according to Social Security Administration 2010

As you can see the old plan of going to college and getting a nice job with good benefits does not work these days.  So I ask you, what's your plan?


I've been in the fitness industry for over 20 years now and I make a really good living doing what I love. However, if I'm not in front of a client, I'm not not making money.  I've recently investigated ways to leverage my income. What I found was that network marketing was the best avenue for me to pursue.

"Network marketing" you say! "You mean those pryamid things?"  No, I mean a business model that gives a person of average means an avenue to create wealth with little upfront investment.   The RICHEST man in the world is WARREN BUFFET. He owns 3 Direct Selling Companies and has said "They are the BEST INVESTMENTS I EVER MADE."

By the way,pryamids are illegal and network marketing is not a pyramid. Network marketing has been around for over 50 years. It's kind of like starting your own franchise at a fraction of the cost. You multiply your efforts and income through a network of people you help to build successful businesses.  You share in the profit that everyone on your team makes.  That's called leveraging your income.  Thus, you keep making an income even when you are not working, similar to getting paid a royality.

Since I'm a personal trainer, I chose a company that makes health and wellness products for my network marketing company.  The products I market compliment my personal training business.  Typically I would recommend nutritional products for clients and send them to a nutrition store to purchase them and now I just send them to my online website to buy them.  I now get paid a commission, where as before no one at the nutrition store ever paid me anything.  Not only that, I'm also teaching others in the health and fitness industry to build successful business and I'm getting paid a commission on their efforts and so can you.

But, you say "I'm not good at selling anything".  Think about this, you do network marketing every time you recommend a good restaurant, a good banker, or any other good service you have ever had to a family member or a friend.  Network marketing is just sharing a product or service you believe in with your family and friends, you do it all the time.

If you want to learn more about network marketing click here to visit my website.

20 Minute Workout Express

Think you can't get a workout in this week because you are pushed for time?  Checkout my 20 minute workout routines on Health Fitness Nation.

Is More Intensity Always Better?

Image via WikipediaAs a personal trainer in my 50s I realize the value of a good fitness program in helping me to stay healthy, strong, and active.  However, I'm bothered by some of the fitness routines I see trainers having people do who are over the age of 40.

It seems the more intense the program the better people think they are.  I see trainers having people who are over 40 jumping on and off plyometric boxes, (risking injury to their knees, ankles, and lower back) until they are drowning in their own sweat. I see people who are de-conditioned being pushed by trainers to do giant sets of push-ups, squats, lunges, and you name it until they literally can't move another muscle fiber.

It leads me to question whether doing more intensity is always better (especially for the 40 plus crowd)?  In my 17 years of experience as a personal trainer and a person over the age of 40, I have to say no.  You can have anyone do jump squats until they are standing in a pool of their own sweat, but is that necessary what they need?

When working with clients over the age of 40, you have to take the following things into consideration when designing a fitness program for them.

• How long it's been since they've done any exercise regularly?
• What kind of regular exercise are they use to doing?
• Do they have any condition that requires a doctor's approval before beginning a physical fitness program?
• Any prior injuries that would prohibit certain exercises?
• The condition of their ankle, knee, and shoulder joints.
• Their core strength.
• Do they have any muscular skelotor imbalances?
• Are their fitness goals realistic?
• Are they former athletes?  Sometimes they think they can still do what they did 20 years ago.

I know as a trainer you want your clients to see results quickly.  However, sometimes the best workout you can do with your client is one where they don't even break a sweat. 

Get Fit And Lean In 15 Days

Image via WikipediaI've been searching the web recently for credible information on exercise and fitness.  I'm amazed at the huge number of programs promising dramatic results in as little as 15 days.  I'm a certified personal trainer, fitness author, and competitive natural bodybuilder and I know better than to subscribe to one of these programs, but the general public does not.

While achieving dramatic results from your fitness program in a short period of time is possible, the probability of sustaining your results for a long time is very unlikely.  It takes me 16 weeks of intense exercise and very strict dieting to get ready to compete in a bodybuilding competition, and I cannot sustain that peak physical condition for very long.  So, buying into those quick fix programs is a waist of your money, because you can't keep up the effort it takes to sustain the results for the long-term.

Staying healthy and fit is a lifetime effort which is most easily accomplished through balance and moderation in your diet combined with regular exercise.  The quick fix approach is just a short-term answer to a long-term problem.

As promised I'm starting a contest to giveaway a copy of my book Forever Fit and Firm.  All of the exercises that I have posted about over the last few weeks have come from my book.  There's only two requirements to enter the contest. 1. Become a follower of my blog and send me a comment stating your favorite exercise from one of my previous posts.  2. Become a Facebook Fan of mine and send me a comment telling me your favorite food.

The contest starts March 1st and ends March 31st.  Good luck!

Two Exercises For Strong Sexy Abs

Seated Ball Twist - Start

Seated Ball Twist - Finish

Here are two exercises that compliment each other to give you a strong sexy mid-section.  The seated ball twist develops the upper portion of your abdominal muscle, and also your obliques.  The vertical knee raise develops the lower portion of you abdominal muscle and also strengthens your lower back.  When you combine these two movements in one workout you really develop and strengthen your whole core.


The seated ball twist is a very good exercise for abdominal development and strength. Sit on the floor with a slight bend in your legs. Hold a therapeutic ball in front of you with your arms fully extended. Lean back slightly, pick your chest up high and pull your naval in. Now turn your shoulders to one side and touch the ball to the floor and then turn to the other side and do the same. A complete revolution counts as one repetition. Be sure you arms stay extended throughout this exercise. Breathing pattern is to exhale as you touch the ball to the floor and inhale as you bring the ball across your body.

Vertical Knee Raise - Start

Vertical Knee Raise - Finish

Vertical knee raises strengthens and develops your abdominal and lower back muscles. Position yourself on the machine to where your weight is resting on your elbows and your lower back is firmly press against the back rest. This is your start position. Exhale and slowly brings your legs towards your chest while slightly bending your knees. Lift your legs to a little higher than parallel to the floor and slowly return to your start position.

Do as many repetitions of the seated ball twist as you can and then immediately do as many of vertical knee raises as possible.  Repeat this cycle 3 times for a serious burn in your mid-section.

Consistency Is Key To Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions

Image by Hryck. via FlickrWe are in the midst of the holiday season, and soon you'll start to think about your New Year's resolutions. Losing weight, and getting in-shape are always two of the top resolutions people make each year. There will be a slew of advertisements on the best fitness plans and diets promising to get you in "tip top shape" in the shortest amount of time.

My advice is not to get hooked by the quick results schemes. Losing weight and maintaining your weight loss, and improving your fitness level is not a short-term goal, it's a long-term process. Consistency in your exercise program, and balance and moderation in your diet are the keys to accomplishing your New Year's resolutions.

In my 17 years of experience as a personal trainer I have never seen any "8 week fitness or weight loss program" work for very long. The reason these quick fixes don't work is because they are impossible to adhere to for an extended period of time. Sooner or later, you will get tired of the strict diet, and the overly intense exercise program, and return to your old habits.

Nothing beats consistency in your exercise program, and balance and moderation in your diet for long-term improvements in your fitness level. I suggest you set some realistic health and fitness goals that you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle.

For example, it's better to set a goal to workout 3 times each week and stick to it, than to set a goal of 5 workouts each week and seldom get them all in. Following the same logic, its better to have a goal to lose 4 lbs a month and achieve it, than to set a goal to lose 10 lbs per month and never attain it.

It's easier to incorporate small changes in your life, and stick with them, than it is to try to make changes that require a heroic effort. Losing weight, and improving your fitness level is not a sprint, it's a marathon. So, start with goals that are easy to accomplish, and you are well on your way to achieving your New Year's resolutions.

When You Feel Over-Whelmed, It's Okay to Take a Mental Break

Image via WikipediaI got an early morning text from a client saying that life was really busy for her this week, and she needed a break from her workout session. Part of my job as a personal trainer is to motivate my clients to stay on track to accomplish their fitness goals. And another part of my job is knowing when a client is over-whelmed by the things of life, and giving them the okay to skip a session and to not feel guilty about it.

Sometimes as a personal trainer I have to discern the best road to take for the long-term health and fitness of my clients. If I convince my clients to keep their appointments if they are feeling over-whelmed by life, when it would be more beneficial for them to take a mental break, then I am adding to their stress.

When the things of life get in the way of your fitness plan it's okay to take a session or two off as long as you pick-up your workouts when you get your focus back. Let's face it, we all have days that we just don't want to get out of bed, and that's s sign that we need a mental break. My advice is to take one.

My Interview With Health Fit Nation About Your Protein Needs

Protein Power For Health and Fitness

Fitness trainer and author Darvis Simms talks with us about the importance of protein in your daily diet. He talks about the quantity the average person should have in their diet and how best to work it into your daily nutritional habits. He also mentions a variety of quality protein sources and how to calculate your needs based on individual lifestyles.

Click here for video

There Are No Excuses To Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Image via WikipediaThis morning a had a message from one of my clients who called last night to cancel her workout session for today. Which is okay with me because she has already paid me in advance for the session. After listening to the message, it made me think of all the excuses some people make when it comes to their own health and fitness.

Ever notice that the people who are always complaining about how they can't lose weight or how they can't get in-shape are the same people who make excuses why they can't exercise or eat healthy on a consistent basis? Getting healthy and fit and staying healthy and fit is a lifetime commitment. The older you get the more important it is to stay consistent in your fitness program.

The biggest problem with people who make excuses why they can't workout consistently is they think that they can get the results that they desire by doing their fitness program "once in a while." That's like thinking you can be healthy by only eating two or three times a month. It's just doesn't work that way.

In my 17 years of working as a personal trainer I have never seen anyone achieve their fitness goals with a "once in a while approach." To achieve and maintain your fitness goals you have to make a lifetime commitment to exercising and eating a healthy diet on a regular basis. No excuses.

My Clients Motivate Me To Stay Fit

Image via WikipediaI'm a personal trainer and part of my job is to motivate my clients to workout regularly. However, I often find that my clients motivate me to workout when I have one of those days that I just don't feel like going to the gym.

Being a personal trainer means I am also a role model. I've got to stay fit in order for my clients follow my advice. Would you go to a dentist who had rotten teeth? The same logic goes for me, would you pay a personal trainer who's fat and out-of-shape? No.

The majority of my clients are over 40 years old. They want to recapture their youthful energy and shape. I'm in my 50s and I show them that is possible. I'm stronger and more fit now than I was in my 20s. Thus, I have to stay in-shape.

So, when I have one of those days that I don't feel like working-out, I just think about my clients who look at me as their role model. I can't let them down nor can I afford to let myself down consequently, I find my way to the gym and I have a good workout.

To all my clients out there. Thank you for motivating me to stay fit.

My Fitness Routine

Lots of people are starting to ask me what I personally do to stay fit. I'll be 52 years old in November and I feel honored that people think that I am in great shape for any age.

Well, I have great motivation to stay physically fit. I'm a personal trainer who specializes in fitness over 40 so, I have to be a great role model. I must show my clients and others by my actions and lifestyle that they can look good and feel great at any age.

First, I believe that health and fitness starts with a positive mental attitude. The way you think is reflected in the way you look and feel. A cheery disposition goes a long way in healing many ailments.

Second, I exercise on a regular basis. I weight lift 4 times each week and follow that up with 20 minutes of medium intensity cardio after each session. I can't over-emphasize the importance of strength training as you age. Building and maintaining muscle is key to staying fit and firm as mature.

Third, I practice balance and moderation in my diet. No amount of exercise can compensate for a unhealthy diet. Knowing approximately how many calories you consume each day and what percentage of those calories come from carbohydrates, protein, and fat is essential to balancing your diet. Balance and moderation in the foods you eat is easy to incorporate into your life and it's the long-term solution to a healthy diet.

Being healthy and fit is not that difficult. You have the power in your hands to change your life anytime you want to and I'll be here cheering you on.

Published Book

Image via Wikipedia

I've finally written and published the book I've always dreamed of. It's called "Forever Fit and Firm" and it is based on how I stay healthy and fit. I'm a personal trainer in my fifties and I am in better physical condition than I was in my twenties. You might ask is that possible, and I say yes it is.

You see most of the aches and pains, and physical degeneration that you associate with aging it actually a result of many years of negative thinking, lack of exercise, and poor dietary habits. In my book I show you how to get into the best shape of your life no matter your age.