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Dr Uche Odiatu BA, DMD
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Kary Odiatu BEd.
Dr Uche Odiatu BA, DMD & Kary Odiatu BEd. are both NSCA and Can Fit Pro Certified Personal Trainers and celebrated international speakers. Uche is also a life long athlete, a Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach, a professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a practicing dentist. Kary is a former physical education teacher, Ms Fitness Universe winner, and a certified yoga instructor. These busy parents of three children have motivated and inspired people to take action on their health and fitness dreams and goals on four continents over the past ten years. Uche and Kary breathe new life into their audiences with their unique insights, cutting edge research, and humor. The dynamic duo have been the invited guests on over 230 radio and television shows in Canada, the USA and South America including ABC’s 20/20 and Canada AM. Their latest book is The Miracle of Health: Simple Strategies, Extraordinary Results © 2009 by John Wily and Sons.
www.FitSpeakers.com
 The Miracle of Health: Simple Solutions, Extraordinary Results by Dr. Uche and Kary Odiatu
Hardcover, 256 pages
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Dr. Uche and Kary Odiatu's seminars and workshops involve the latest information on: NUTRITION / DIET, FITNESS, ACTIVE LIVING, STRESS REDUCTION, CREATING BALANCE, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION!
HOW to CHOOSE THE RIGHT GYM in 2010!
December 15, 2009
In today’s world, careers are more demanding and family/social calendars are full. “I wish I could be in two places at one time” is an often-heard lament. Unfortunately, cloning is still unavailable for today’s office manager or real estate agent. Consequently, optimal stamina, vitality, and energy are major assets in today’s work place.
Luckily, there are many facilities that offer a wide variety of options for increasing one’s vim and vigour. The challenge is in choosing the right work-out facility for your lifestyle. We appreciate people who want to train in their own homes; but it would be extremely challenging to duplicate the millions of dollars of equipment that comes with a first class gym. In our workshops and seminars people often ask us where they should train and we advise that they need to consider the following questions when making their choice:
1.) What are your health and fitness goals? Do they include weight loss transformation? How about an inner journey with your workout through Tai Chi? Stephen Covey states in his bestseller, Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, that “beginning any task with the end in mind will ensure success”. Having a clear vision of your new lifestyle and fitness goals will create a strong pull from the future, empowering you to breakthrough old barriers.
2.) Is there a specific activity that you would like to master (eg. Tae-kwon-do, aerobics, swimming, etc.), or are you interested in a general fitness program that includes weight training and cardiovascular training? A multi-purpose facility allows for more variety and less chance of experiencing boring workouts and becoming “stale.”
3.) Will your whole family be using the facility? What are their interests? There is a tremendous bond created when families exercise together. Feel good hormones like endorphins, are released in the body while exercising. Who better to associate these sensations with than your loved ones!
4.) Does the facility offer childcare if needed? It is always a good idea to view the room for space, age appropriate toys and of course properly trained staff.
5.) Where is the facility located – do you need a facility that is close to home or work? Our research has shown that if your facility is more than 12 minutes away it is more likely that you will find reasons not to go.
6.) Is ample free parking available, or is this a cost that you might have to factor in with your membership fee? A few extra dollars a day can quickly add up over a year’s time.
7.) How safe and accessible is the facility? Is the parking lot well lit and close to the gym?
8.) What is the gym’s reputation with regards to customer service? Talking to members or the staff during your introductory visit can be insightful. A friendly, helpful atmosphere makes for a better training environment.
9.) How clean and sanitary are the change room facilities and locker areas? Are there any extras provided, such as: hair dryers, shampoo, soap, and other toiletries. Do you have to pay for towel service, or is it included in your membership?
10.) Are special services available, such as: trainers, massage therapy, physiotherapy, dietician, sauna, etc. Are the fees for these services reasonable? It will be easier to take care of your total well being with some of these services at your disposal.
11.) What equipment does the gym offer – is there a variety of machines, benches, and dumbbells? In our latest book, The Miracle of Health, we stress that the best form of exercise for re-shaping your entire body is weight training.
12.) What is the policy on certain holidays? If you plan on training during holiday times, it is important to ask if the gym will remain open or have limited hours.
13.) If you will be away for an extended amount of time (illness or travel) will the gym freeze your membership and honor this time when you return?
14.) Is there a pro-shop or juice bar where you can buy supplements or healthy snacks after an intense work out?
15.) Is the gym affiliated with other facilities around the world? Affiliated gyms will often give discounts on drop-in fees when you are on the road. It is important to maintain your fitness habits while working or vacationing away from home.
16.) Do you prefer a co-ed facility? Who knows – maybe you will find your soul mate at the gym!
17.) Is there a dress code? If you are a free spirit you may find it challenging to abide by strict club rules.
18.) What are the membership fees? This can vary greatly depending on the services provided and the location. Many clubs offer specials and discounts at different times of the year (eg. after Christmas, in the Fall, Grand openings). Some gyms offer family discounts - ask if the gym offers a free trial period or monthly packages. There is nothing worse than being locked into a full year membership which you never use. Try not to let price dictate your final choice of facility. This is where you will be revitalizing your body and your health. We believe that you should never look for the cheapest deal when it involves your health, purchasing a parachute, or choosing a neurosurgeon!
“Choosing a gym or fitness facility is much like buying a home – you don’t jump at the first one that comes along!” Having a gym that meets most of your needs will help you maintain a more consistent training program. Asking yourself the above questions may save you time and money. Our challenge to you is to choose one that will elevate your fitness experience to a whole new level!
The Secret to Effortless Weight Loss
Exclusive article by Dr Uche Odiatu & Kary Odiatu.
The word “diet” can send shivers up and down the sturdiest spine and thoughts of starvation and sacrifice are overwhelming for even the hardiest of souls. It’s no wonder 95% of people who diet gain back lost weight within two years, plus a few extra pounds for good measure. There are so many fad diets that promise quick results – but at what cost? Peter Sharkey Ph.D., reported in Fitness and Health that dieting without exercise is the most unsuccessful health intervention. Your metabolism will slow down and you will lose some muscle tissue in the process. This is the beginning of the weight loss roller coaster so many people find themselves stuck on.
The key is to incorporate a nutrition and exercise plan that you can maintain forever. Yes, we said forever! Wouldn’t you love to maintain your weight loss after the high school reunion, honeymoon, or Caribbean vacation? If you said “yes”, then it is time to create a new lifestyle. One that will allow you to lose body fat slowly, tone up your muscles gradually, and eventually stabilize at a shape and weight that is perfect for you. Hmmm… doesn’t that sound attractive? If it does, then start implementing some of the following secrets to kick-start your new lifestyle:
• “De-junk” your house. If the high fat snacks and treats are not around, they are less likely to whisper your name during the dangerous time between 7 pm and midnight. We like to call this the “Feeding Frenzy Zone”. You don’t have to give up your favourite treats forever - just have them once in a while, in other people’s homes!
• Do not eat a large meal within three hours of going to bed. The body’s metabolism slows down as night approaches. These extra night time calories will be stored as fat. Also, your body needs to rejuvenate while you sleep. If your stomach is busy digesting food, then your repair systems can’t function optimally. You will wake up feeling tired, and you definitely won’t be hungry for the most important meal of the day - breakfast.
• Eat in a relaxed atmosphere. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to signal the brain that it is full. Eating quickly will over-ride the body’s feedback system and you will find yourself unbuttoning your pants after lunch. Eating too much on a regular basis stretches the stomach and you will find yourself needing more food to feel full.
• Focus on the three F’s: Food For Function. Look at the food that you are about to consume. Honestly ask yourself if it will add to your health or subtract from it. The human body is very intuitive, if we listen to it, we may choose to put down that bag of chips a little sooner! Take Eckhart Tolle’s advice from his book The New Earth and practice being conscious or present, especially while you eat.
• Avoid other activities while eating. This concept of “mindful eating” is championed by the famous psychoneuroimmunologist, Dr. Deepak Chopra. According to food researcher Brian Wansink Ph.D., you will eat approximately 25% more food if you eat in front of the TV
• Drink plenty of water. It is nature’s true elixir! It detoxifies, re-hydrates, refuels, and rejuvenates. This is very important if you are losing excess body fat, as toxins are stored in fat cells and will need to be flushed out of your system. Start by adding one extra glass this week. Add another the next week and you will soon notice that your breath is fresher, your body feels less sluggish, and your skin more supple.
• Combine cardiovascular and resistance training. Your workouts will become much more efficient and take less of your valuable time if you mix up your workouts. In other words, you could perform bouts of interval cardiovascular work between your exercise sets. Your workout will fly by and you will achieve heart, lung, and strength benefits all in one session.
• Utilize the power of possibility thinking. The Wright brothers weren’t dreaming of their plane staying on the ground and Columbus wasn’t imagining a flat planet when he set out to prove the earth was round. So, you won’t get lean by obsessing about your fat roll! Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want. Focus on your ideal weight and shape and look for role models who can inspire you.
Start your new lifestyle today with one of the above strategies. Too many changes at once can be overwhelming, which makes the entire process tedious. The biggest consequence of setting impossible standards is disappointment, which most often leads to giving up altogether. Small changes made with a conscious effort can last a lifetime and will increase the quality of your life. You are worth it!
(As with any lifestyle changes, you should obtain your physicians permission before following any new eating or exercise plan.)
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