Surely a pair of shoes can’t provoke this much of a reaction???

These incredible shoes are Vibram Five Fingers! I picked up a pair of these last month in the US, and they have been a complete revelation to me. I had heard all about these from a few other fitness professionals over the last 6 months or so, but had never had an opportunity to try on a pair.

The idea is it is just like being bare footed without the discomfort when you step on sharp, foreign objects. They allow you foot to work AS intended, using its natural shock absorption, balance and control mechanisms. Many of you know I train my clients in our Personal Training Studio in bare feet for exactly these reasons too!

After some initial discomfort where the calf muscle is allowed to stretch  more compared to normal shoes, these have become my footware of choice every day as they are SO comfortable.

And then came the ultimate test, how would they fair at a ForestFit session?

Yes, there was a certain amount of scepticism from the ForestFit regulars, some staring, pointing and some funny comments. However once we got moving, everyone was fascinated with how they worked, if they were uncomfortable or what the grip was like.

The model I have are the Trek’s which are currently the most aggressively soled model, designed for ForestFit type terrain and worse. So after a 45 minute session of ForestFit, no ill effects, no slips, and no sore feet.

I’ll certainly be out in these shoes again soon.

If you want to understand why these shoes work so well, check out this article sent to me by client Gilles Frank of Parc Le’h Adventures… It has some great slow motion video footage that really highlights the difference between barefoot running and running in normal trainers.

Want to join us at the next ForestFit group where I’ll more than likely wearing my funky feet again? Click the link here to Register for ForestFit

Sound quality is not great, have been playing around with a new pocket camera which needs an external microphone I think! :o)

Just THREE Places Left

They really don’t make me feel comfortable. It is completely the wrong environment for me to train in.

This is why I believe ForestFit is so popular, the environment and atmosphere is completely different.

The thing is it’s NOT YOUR FAULT that you don’t want to train in a gym, until now you just haven’t been introduced to a place that suits you for your training.

Whilst ForestFit is great, I know you may be put off. There is always the worry that you will be left behind, or you are not fit enough to manage the workout. Whilst our beginner groups have tried to combat that there is still that worry.

A Training Program For You

I’ve decided to put together a new training program that will probably suit you perfectly, designed for people who hate the gym environment, but are still really keen to get a training program started.

This new program is called “Start Your Training” and we’ll be starting your training program from Monday March 8th at 7.30pm.

You’ll train 3 times a week for four weeks with me(Monday, Wednesday@ 7.30pm, Saturday@8.30am), in a small group of 10 people all just like you wanting to make a start. I’ll teach you as if you were one of my personal training clients how to move your body, gain strength, boost your metabolism and burn body fat in the most effective way. This will require no previous level of fitness on your part, just the willingness to listen, learn and give everything a try.

I just have one simple rule. No negativity allowed.

Train In My Private Personal Training Studio

Your training will take place in my private personal training studio in Strassen, where you’ll be able to relax and not worry about who is watching you.

My goal for your training is to get you to a point where you feel confident about your physical ability.

I’ll be upfront and honest with you. I’d love you to progress on to joining ForestFit from April. If I can get you to this level it would make me very happy.

The only thing I need you to do is register for the group, which is a simple process using Paypal, start by clicking the button below.

As I said earlier, there is only 10 places on the group, this is a physical limitation with the size of my studio and also because I want to give YOU the personal attention to help you succeed.

The price is just the same as ForestFit training, and you’ll be trained uniquely by the most expensive Personal Trainer in Luxembourg, but at a fraction of my usual cost!

It’ll be the most beneficial 167 Euro you’ll invest in your health this year!

NOT SURE? Then let me take the risk!

I almost forgot the guarantee… If you get two weeks in to the training and you find it is NOT what you expected, then I will fully refund you investment.

Sounds like there is NOTHING to lose!

I am just putting together a little website especially for this new training program, so you’ll have to bear with me on this :o)

We postponed the start of February’s training cos the snow was too much this week.

If you are ready to start with us from next week, you can register at the following page.

REGISTER FOR FORESTFIT FEBRUARY NOW

My wife took this photo of me doing T-Push Ups by the Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, between the Eiger and Junfrau peaks!

We had to be quick as it was minus 15 degrees, and my iPhone was running out of battery!

I was forwarded this video and thought I would share with you too!

“What Is The Point Of Being Realistic?”

This is my favourite line from this video!

It is a much nicer environment than our previous location and we are now ready to take on more clients during the afternoons and evenings something we were limited on before.

View Larger Map

We’ll be planning some mini seminars each month as well as offering some slightly different classes in the future, but for now if you are interested in starting your New Year at our new studio, then go to the Consultation Request page and fill out all your details to get you started as soon as possible.

Nisha is a leading expert in the field of Pregnancy Fitness and this article was written originally aimed at expectant mums, but the information i believe is applicable to all populations.

Enjoy!

Earlier this week I read yet another pregnancy article on the role of “good” and “bad” fats in the pregnancy diet and how we should be avoiding all saturated fat and opting for mono-unsaturated fats instead because of their ability to lower “bad cholesterol”.

Yet again I sighed in despair at another outdated article quoting scientific research from the dark ages. You all know by now that far from saying what people want to hear and being all PC about things, I say what I think and what I strive to bring you is up to the minute, accurate factual information that you can use to maximise your pregnancy health and fitness.

So let me tell you the truth of this age old myth that cholesterol and saturated fats are bad for you;

1) Cholesterol DOES NOT CAUSE HEART DISEASE!!

The truth:

• Cholesterol can turn rancid and cause inflammation - IF OXIDISED. Guess what, so can Omega 3 Fatty Acids!
• Cholesterol is essential for tissue repair and building your baby’s cell membranes. It acts like superglue for cells and without it yours and your baby’s cells would fall apart.
• 8 out of the 9 experts who reccomend low cholesterol are on the board of the major pharmaceutical companies who manufacture cholesterol lowering drugs, (which cause even more problems, but I’ll save that one for another day!).
• Breastmilk has the HIGHEST proportion of cholesterol than ANY other food, (still think cholesterol is bad for you?)
• Dietary cholesterol has been proven to have NO effect on the body’s cholesterol levels.So telling us to avoid cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart disease is like reccommending that you remove the brain to reduce the risk of Alzheimers. Ludicrous.

2) Saturated Fats Are Good Fats!

We NEED saturated fat in our diet. In fact if we were truly to avoid all saturated fat then we’d all have to become vegans as most saturated fat comes from animal produce.

• Saturated fats build your baby’s cells AND hormones
• Saturated fats are the carrier for the fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E &K
• Saturated fat builds and develops your baby’s brain
• Saturated fat converts carotene to Vitamin A
• Saturated fat is the preferred fuel for the heart
• Saturated fat prevents cancer
• Saturated fat is an antiviral agent (useful with all this Swine Flu going about, wouldn’t you say?)
• Saturated fat also stimulates the immune system - who wants to get sick during pregnancy?

So having good quality saturated fat in your pregnancy diet is pretty essential right?

In fact all naturally sourced fats are essential as we need different fats to perform different functions in our bodies. Omega 3 and Omega 6 reduce the risk of low birth weight and premature birth, plus act as anti-inflammatories and help build the brain and connective tissue, triglycerides promote healthy skin, hair, nails, insulate the body, protect the organs from shock and promote healthy cell function.

Oh yeah and did I mention that 30% of your oestrogen comes from fat?

So there is no such thing as BAD FAT!

Kind of….

Manufactured and processed fats such as vegetable oil, margarine and the processed rubbish used to bulk out ready meals, sweets (candies), and biscuits (cookies), ARE bad fat. But this is because of the manufacturing process.

Any food that has been chemically altered by manufacturing is considered a toxin by your body and all of these denatured foods will cause disease and disruption to your body’s biochemistry.

So, for a healthy pregnancy diet you should be sticking to wholesome, natural nutritionally supportive foods, with a wide variety of animal proteins, fish, and fruits, vegetables and whole grains (not wheat), in balanced quantities. INCLUDING FAT!

Nisha Obaidullah is the UK’s Leading Pregnancy Fitness and Lifestyle Conditioning Coach. To grab a FREE place on her 14 Day Pregnancy Fitness Coaching Program and get in the Best Shape Of Your Adult Life Whilst Pregnant, visit http://www.the9monthclub.com/start