Five Star Fitness Boot Camps Moves Indoors this Winter!

Are you looking for a new and exciting fitness program to help you kick off your 2011? Well look no further than Five Star Fitness Boot Camps. We are excited to announce that we will be holding two indoor camps (January 3-February 11, February 14-March 25) this winter at Windy City Fieldhouse on 2367 W. Logan Blvd.  Our camps meet Monday-Wednesday and Friday at 6 am and registration is now open. 

Five Star Fitness Boot Camps has exclusive use on Windy City Fieldhouse during our camp times. Free parking, showers and lockers are available.

3 Great Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Did you know that the average American gains 4-7 lbs during the holiday season and that many never get back to their prior weight. It's no wonder weight loss is "tops" when it comes to New Years Resolutions. Use the following three strategies to maintain your weight this year:

1. Listen to Grandma- My sisters and I always rolled our eyes when our "nana Pat" extolled the virtues of eating oatmeal for breakfast. Every Saturday morning we rolled our eyes as she would push three piping hot bowls of the hot "gruel"  under our pouting noses. But you know...Grandma was right-breakfast is really important; even more so when trying to control body weight over the holiday season. "The temptation may be to skip breakfast over the holiday's in an attempt to manage calories, but eating a quality breakfast will help curb overeating later in the day", states Michelle Tranter MS, RD a Chicago based nutritionist.
2. Pick Your Poison- The Holiday Season is meant to be enjoyed so go ahead a splurge a little, but pick your poison wisely. Here are a few suggestions: Since bread is plentiful year round- choose stuffing on Christmas Day and skip the bread basket. Planning on having a few drinks on New Years Eve? Choose to enjoy a couple cocktails or wine and forgo the leftover Christmas cookies. My favorite strategy is to make Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Eve my binge days and keep the other 33 days between Thanksgiving and New Years day clean.
3. Earn Your Meal!- A good friend and Chicago based personal trainer, Tom Hagler loves to eat....I mean really eat. I've seen Tom put down a loaded six egg omelet, double hash browns topped with a quarter bottle of ketchup, and four slices of toast. On most days, he behaves himself but he came up with a great strategy for occasional guilt free binges. He calls it Earn Your Meal Day. On Earn Your Meal Day, he will choose a crazy fitness challenge. Once that challenge is complete, he can have any meal of his choice-pizza, burgers, fried food, etc. Earn Your Meal Day's workout is typically 2-4 times his normal workout. For Tom, a 210 lbs. triathlete built like a running back, earning his "meal" may be include a 20 mile bike ride followed by a 5 mile run and 30 minute weight training workout. For mere mortals-double your normal cardio workout and throw in a 15 minute resistance training circuit. So earn your Holiday meals guilt free!

Add these three strategies to your normal workout plan and keep the Holiday pounds at bay. If you do put on a couple though don't be too hard on yourself just get "back in the saddle" the first of the year. Happy Holidays from Five Star Fitness Boot Camps!

Not All Fats are the Same-The Skinny About Fats

What you should do if you want to lose weight?  The most common response is, "Stay away from fatty foods!". Well it's true- fatty foods are over twice as calorically dense as carbohydrates and proteins, and when consumed in excess will contribute weight gain. But consuming dietary fat in moderation, especially Omega 3 fatty acids, is vital for optimal health. Now, I am not talking about saturated fats found in nacho's, chicken wings, and fries, but the essential fats found in a variety of nutritionally dense foods such as walnuts, flax seed, and cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and anchovies.

Due to the anti inflamatory properties of Omega 3's, adequate consumption of these fatty acids will decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. Omega 3's can also decrease the inflamation associated with arthritis. Other research is showing that Omega 3's may play an important role in decreasing the risk of obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and ADHD (WebMD).

The Skinny about Fats: Eating Omega 3 rich food is important no matter your weight loss goals. If you want to lose body fat, decrease your overall caloric intake and saturated fats, while including nutritionally rich foods "power packed" with Omega 3's. And of course, don't forget the importance of exercise in weight control.

If you'd like me to answer any fitness or nutrition related questions, please feel free to contact me.

Redeem Your Groupon Here!

Hey Groupon Campers-
Our German Village and Short North Camps are finished for the season. If you'd like to join us at our Worthington Camp this fall or winter, please email me at info@fitnessbootcampcolumbus.com and let me know the date you would like to start. For those of you who love the great outdoors and want to wit until spring your Groupon is valid until July 2011! We look forward to hearing from you!

Five Star Fitness Welcomes GroupOn Campers!

Hey Groupon Campers! You did it- You purchased a three day pass at the midwest's premier fitness boot camp! Are ready to get into the best shape of your life?  Here's how you get started:

1. Email us at info@fitnessbootcampcolumbus.com or call 614-893-6167 with your name, phone number and email address.
2. In your email let us know which camp you'd like to attend: German Village, Worthington, Short North and the date you'd like to come to your first session.
3. Bring your Groupon to the class and give it to your instructor.

It's as easy as that! If you decide that you'd like to join the camp for the entire six week session just let us know and we'll get you started!