Looking at current photos of you, it’s hard to believe you ever suffered with weight problems. Can you please tell us what prompted the “wakeup call” that set you on the road to fitness and healthy living?
Well, in college, all I was doing was studying and hanging out with friends. When I’d study I’d have snacks to keep alert, to keep from getting too bored, etc. And when I’d go out with friends we’d usually eat really late and really unhealthy. I wasn’t very active then. I played some tennis for my school but that was it. So all of those calories add up, especially when you are sedentary. When I graduated and got into the work world I wasn’t fitting well into the clothes I wanted to wear. So, I tried all of the gimmic products I saw on those late night infomercials – none of them worked. So one day I went to the gym with a friend of mine and loved it. I got very into working out regularly and liked my results and then when I started changing up what I was eating, everything came together and once you see the results you can achieve, you don’t want to go back.
We’re starting a New Year, which is the undisputed most popular time for people to resolve to better their health. What is the most important step for beginning a wellness program and how does one go about implementing it?
This answer can be very subjective, but in my opinion, the most important step is the first baby step you take. Some people make resolutions that they are going to lose a certain amount of weight by a certain date or commit to working out for an hour 6 days per week. Putting so much pressure on yourself at the start of something new is not a good idea. First commit to working out or going for a walk, etc. twice per week. Then increase as the weeks go by and start to incorporate diet, etc. The biggest mistake many of us make, including myself, is taking on too much too soon and then we cannot fulfill what we set out to do and we psych ourselves out. And unfortunately, many people give up at that point. It took a while to put on the weight so it’s going to take a while to take it off if you do it properly.
Since each person has their own individual makeup, how do you figure out which areas to focus on and in which order?
I always ask a new client what their goal is. Everyone wants different things and will respond to different types of workouts, so you need to customize things for each client in order to get them to where they want to be with the motivation and training technique that they will respond to.
What is a realistic time period for someone to go from relatively sedentary to triathlete?
Ten weeks is a realistic time period to go from sedentary to a sprint triathlon. If we’re talking Olympic distance I’d allow 16 weeks and anything bigger than that at least a few months of specialized training.
What are the absolute must-have products or foods that someone undertaking a healthy lifestyle makeover should have on hand?
Some must have products that I regularly have in my kitchen are ezekial wheat bread, plain greek non-fat yogurt, blueberries, steel cut oatmeal, almond butter, leafy green veggies, apples, fat free cottage cheese and salmon.
What are your absolute top tips for losing weight and feeling great?
To lose weight you need to burn more calories than you take in, it’s a numbers game. Plus the more lean muscle you have the more calories you’ll burn at rest. So, I’
d say try to do something 5 days a week. If your day is too packed to get to the gym, go for a long fast walk or run at lunchtime or after work or even do 50 push ups, crunches, jumping jacks, and squats at some point in the day. Just try to do something 5 days a week. Something is better than nothing. And eating well makes your body feel good. I’d limit your calories to between 1500-2000 per day and eat lots of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, you’ll look and feel great.
To Learn More About Joy and her Refined Weight Loss Program visit TrainerJoy.com
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