You can’t teach an old dog a new trick

False.

Most people aren’t consistent enough for the dog to learn the trick. 

We had a wonderful Old Dog named Stella.  We moved into a new house just a couple years before she died.  She learned the new habits of the house and yard fairly quickly.  She could have learned any trick at any time if we would take the effort to teach her. 

How about you?  Do you lean on this classic American folk statement as a reason you at 60 can’t get a handle on your eating or exercise habits?  Many do. 

If you believe in this falsehood you won’t try the 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, or 34^th time it takes to learn the new habit.  In my experience most adults only allow themselves 2 times to try something new.  If they don’t get it in the first 2 they say, “I’m no good at that.” 

Your brain is just confused on how the world works. 

When you are tempted to give up early, remind yourself that in the real world EVERYONE else has to try more times.  Chan...

This is most likely the key phrase for mastering any physical skill.  But I think it relates well to our weight loss attempts too.  The phrase may most often be used in shooting where being jittery is no good.  Slowing yourself down so you can do it right means you get it faster.  And once you get good at it the results are repeatable. 

If you’ve ever been in a panic trying to do something fast you might have experienced this.  It’s raining outside and you are trying to unlock the door fast.  In your attempt to do it fast you drop the keys twice, find the wrong key once, and miss the lock three times. 

It takes you WAY longer than if you had decided to just go slow. 

I think our weight loss can sometimes look like this.  We lose weight fast on some CRASH diet frantically striving only to gain it back.  Accepting a slower rate of weight loss that will transition better into “real life”, Is way more valuable. 

So, I want to encourage you to focus on the critical habits an...

Growth ain’t for wimps

We are in a “growth” season right now as individuals, society, and world.  Growth is most often uncomfortable.  We have an 11 month old baby right now as I type this.  She is cutting teeth right now.  I use that phrase because the teeth have to cut through the skin (gums) inside the mouth in order to emerge.  This makes for a cranky baby sometimes. 

Growth can be painful and uncomfortable. 

Thinking about the spring break we are all missing right now I thought of the palm tree.  The palm tree simultaneously grows and part of it dies.  It was actually difficult to find a picture of a non-trimmed palm tree to show you. 

There are beautiful fan like leaves on a palm tree that wave in the wind and a towering trunk.  An unpruned palm has a mass of dead palm leaves hanging underneath it.  The new leaves grow out of the top and the old leaves droop below. 

As we experience this challenge we are called out to change.  To grow in new ways and to leave ...

When we bought our house the ¼ mile driveway was in bad shape. The movie title that best described the driveway is “a river runs through it.” It was ‘U’ shaped. Funneling water right down in big cavernous ruts. We knew that was the first fix we needed. The Guy who helped us brought like 20 dump truck loads of gravel and restored the crown and ditch on the side.

I was thanking him for the work he was doing and we talked a bit. He shared a little tip. He said if we drive down the same part of the driveway everyday we’ll make two ruts the water will run down them and he’ll be back yearly. (for another $$$ job). We liked the idea of not having to pay money every year on our driveway so we took it to heart.

You’ll see the picture above the tracks on the driveway weave back and forth. When someone with experience and wisdom speaks something to help you, you should listen.

You don’t HAVE to.

I see this happen in our training program all the time. People frustrate themselves by taking only...

Doug was feeling tight and had more aches and pains kicking up.  He signed up for a series of stretching sessions that we call "Body Restoration Sessions".  

We went at it - 5 days a week for 2-weeks and the results were amazing!  (these sessions are only 15 minutes!)

The thing I'm happiest about is these sessions are so low cost that feeling better should not be limited to those with extra money.  

Watch the video and see the effects!

If you are feeling limited mobility.  Like your shoes getting tougher to tie.  It harder to get up and down.  You have knee pain.  Back pain.  Shoulder and neck pain.  These sessions could be a game changer.  

You don't have to be a member of our classes to sign-up.  Just call 1(800)380-7047 or email [email protected].

Thank you Doug for being willing to share your experience.  

This is an Oldie but a goodie.  These 2 exercises are great to start for a few weeks now before the weather breaks.  Try to get to 2 minutes on heel walks (whoa!).  If it burns while you do it you know you are on the right path.  A little burn now can save a bunch of pain later.  

P.S. Look at this dude.  12 years ago!  I miss those shoes!  (old studio)

One extra tip is don't over stride when walking or running.  This means take smaller steps to minimize the impact.  Enjoy the coming warmth!

About the Author:

Jeremy “the tall trainer” Biernat is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Strength Coach, has his Bachelors in Exercise Science, and enjoys writing, speaking, and inspiring people online and in person. See his new book!  More importantly he is a husband, father, and follower of God. His practice is in upstate NY (Canandaigua) where he works with people in one on one and group sessions to make awesome changes in their lives. He doesn’t do everything perfec...

We had a lesson in class that used a crazy example. I thought it was until my fellow trainer made it seem more doable. I took on 30 cups of broccoli for the day, to see if I could do it. The nutrient level is intense. Can I do it?  

Watch the video to find out!!!

Crockpot or Instant Pot Sweet Potato Lentils

• 3 large sweet potatoes, diced (about 6 cups)
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoon eachground coriander, garam masala, and chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked red lentils
• 1 can coconut milk

Crockpot:

*Place the sweet potatoes, vegetable broth, onion, garlic, and spices in a crockpot. Cook on high for 3 hours, until vegetables are soft.

*Add the lentils and stir once. Replace the lid and cook on high for an additional 1 1/2 hours.

*Stir in the coconut milk.

Instant pot:

*Sauté in a little coconut oil the garlic, onion, sweet potatoes and spices. 

*Then add everything else EXCEPT the coconut milk. 

*Pressure cook for 12-14 minutes and then slow release.  

*Stir in the coconut milk and DIVE IN.