Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wednesday Update

What a busy day in deed!! CocoNUT Bars came out delicious!! CHECK OUT THE RECIPE AND VIDEO POSTED! It is amazing the creations you can come up, i'll tell you. It is endless! People ask how and I say, "it is a lifestyle". There is no reason to not eat this way, there are so many ways to eat deliciously healthy! There is really no other way to eat or live! I have been raised on such amazing foods my entire life that they are just a part of me. It is my mission to help others see that clean eating does not mean boring, tasteless foods but rather tasty & super delicious, not to mention nutritious! It is a win win, you can create the most amazing meals out of clean foods. I will always argue that clean foods are never boring and taste better than the "real thing" but will never argue that it does take time and commitment! If you want it bad enough, if you want to feel and look healthy, you must put in the time and work! hummm... isn't that with everything!? If you want it bad enough, you have to invest the time and energy!!! Nothing comes without work. Expand your mind, open your cabinets and get creative!! You will be surprised the creations you will come up with! Craving something? Find a way to create your craving the Gina Approved way, it can be done! Can't seem to find a way, ask me and I will find a way!!!

Crazy for CocoNUTS, must try my CocoNut Bars!




A few Wednesday Funnies to make you smile! Just received these in my e-mail from a client and friend and wanted to share. They made me smile and I hope they do the same for you!




Until later!
hugs,
Gina

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Exercise of the day...Hanging Squat Clean

Untitled from Gina Aliotti on Vimeo.


For more videos, tips, pointers and more, join GINA ALIOTTI'S FITNESS NETWORK and see all that is offered. 2 days FREE, why not just give it a try for 2 days and see how you like it!

Untitled from Gina Aliotti on Vimeo.


Have an amazing weekend!
~Gina

Friday, June 10, 2011

Smarter Summer Trim down tips...



When it comes to obtaining your summer body, trim down with my smarter ways to reach your summer goals. You do not have to spend endless hours in the gym or eat nothing but egg whites, protein powder and greens. Summertime does not mean that it is time to start "dieting" rather it is a to be used as a motivational means to step things up a notch. Use summer as an inspirational tool to get you focused and reenergized! Don't train harder and longer to reach your goals, rather just be a little bit smarter! I mentioned a few in my last NEWSLETTER but let me expand upon them and offer a few more Smart Tips! (Which, by the way, if you are not subscribed to my newsletter, be sure to sign up HERE)

Here are my Smart Tips to help you regain focus and momentum:

1. DO A.M. CARDIO. Not only will you dig into fat stores quicker but you will start your day out right. Mark my words, start tomorrow and tell me how you feel! It is a double positive, burn fat and start your day on the right note! Nothing like a.m. cardio!

2. GET IN AND GET OUT! As mentioned in a recent Tip, try Tabata. Vary your workouts and cardio with higher intensity training. Tabata training is a quick, fun and intense way to gain amazing results. The full Tabata program is four minutes long but may be the longest four minutes of your life. Tabata intervals follow this structure:
Push hard for 20 seconds
Rest for 10 seconds.
Repeat this eight times.
You can do this with exercises, preferably large muscle exercises, such as front squats or better yet, I love to use Tabata training for sprint work! Of course, this will not replace every cardio/workout session but for a change, when you have limited time, get in and get out with Tabata!

3. CHANGE is key so if it isn't Tabata, try another HIT type of training such as circuit training or plyometrics are the way to go. These high-intensity, explosive exercises such as jumping and hopping, get your heart rate up quickly, which equals a higher calories-burned rate. Additionally, these athletic moments really target your fast-twitch muscles, coordination and agility, so you're training your body in an entirely new and challenging way. Constantly challenging your body and workouts equals results.

4. MUSIC...Spend some time to put together a killer summer workout playlist! Listen to fast music. If you seem to have trouble pumping yourself up for a workout, try music that makes you want to move!! Yes, it takes time to put together your list but a little bit of time invested is all you need to give you that extra boost!!

5. PROPER FORM. Do you hold on to the handles when you walk on the treadmill? Maybe you lean on the handlebars while biking, or walking on the Stairmaster/step-mill. If you use these machines, you need to use proper form in order to get the most out of your workout! As a general rule, keep your arms moving freely and naturally, keep your abs in, your weight centered over your hips, and your shoulders down and back. If you are an incline lover like me, of course you may not be able to walk freely but lightly grip handle and focus on your glutes!

Untitled from Gina Aliotti on Vimeo.


6. CONSISTENCY, DAY IN AND DAY OUT! I Hear too often that one is ON for a few days then falls off, then ON for another day then OFF for a day... The cycle is not going to get you the results you want. Consistency is KEY!




7. SUPPORT!! GINA ALIOTTI'S FITNESS NETWORK is just that and SO much more. You need ALL the support you can get when you are digging deep and pushing yourself. You are NOT alone and there are people that are digging deep with you and can help off you tools, tricks, motivation, and so much more! It is about having the right support group and network to never feel alone!!



8. FOCUS AND VISUALIZE while you work. I talk a lot about the importance of the mind-body connection and how that relates to your fitness goals. Although cardio or weight training isn't as Zen-like as yoga, cardio and resistance training can still benefit from a strong sense of awareness. The next time you workout, focus on the movements and breathing while squeezing those muscles. By engaging your mind, you can actually better engage your muscles which allows you to complete the exercise more easily, be more efficient with your training and therefore burn more calories ie get results quicker!! For more on this read my article THE POWER OF VISUALIZING YOUR GOALS.

9. DON'T OVERWORK OR OVERTRAIN. This might sound counter-intuitive but hear me out. We all know how important rest and recovery is but often when you have a goal in mind you forget and think more is better! Less is actually more and the sooner you can grasp this concept the quicker you will reach your goals!

10. ENJOY THE JOURNEY! Don't wait to be happy when you reach your goals, rather enjoy the journey as that is what matters and what makes life worth living! Be patient and enjoy the ride! Summer will come and go but the journey will last forever!



Many more tips to come as we enter into the Summer Months!!

Thank you for reading and best of luck as you begin your journey!
hugs,
Gina

Monday, June 6, 2011

Be YOU

Good Morning! Monday it is... Once again Monday is here and is your glass half full or half empty?! For some Monday is seen as a bummer but for others an opportunity to take on the week and make it the best week yet. It is a new opportunity and I hope you see it that way! As we roll into a new week, I want you to focus on being YOU! Today in OUR FITNESS NETWORK, I discuss how we cannot be easily influenced by external forces. We often don't even realize we are being influence but we are! Today, as you go on with your day and start your week, think about your goals and reasons for why are are doing what you are doing. Be sure you are doing what YOU want to be doing and what resonates well with you!

Today and this week, BE YOU!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

It's Friday, gosh I love Friday's

There is something about Friday's that I just love. It doesn't matter what is going on, how my week was, where my head is or what things are going on around me, Fridays are a great days!! I just love Fridays! No matter what, not sure about you, but it seems that things seem to go smoother on Fridays. Everything from waking up energetic, getting in a great workout, eating clean to just feeling all around Great. People seem to be more patient on the road, in grocery store lines, over the phone and often they extend an extra hand to help more so than they would on a Monday... It doesn't hurt that today is bright and sunny in San Diego but there is just something about Friday's that makes me smile! I think most people are on the same page because it seems that more people smile of Friday's. Is it because most people are off and the weekend is near or because there is literally different energy in the air on Fridays? No matter what the reason is, Fridays are happy and positive days in Gina's world and I embrace every one with open arms! Imagine if everyday was a Friday, do you think the world would be a happier better place? That is a question we will never have an answer to but there is no reason why we can't make everyday Friday, right!?

Todays Friday started out with energy that was a 10, a great workout with my beautiful husband (see below), amazing clients and ending with a beautiful photo shoot on the beach for a friend that needs couple shots. Hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday! Let's keep this energy going throughout the weekend and into next week!

WOD:
5 sets of 15 assisted pull ups
5 rounds of the following:
1 minute straight leg dead lifts
1 minute push presses
1 minute front squats
rest 1 minute and repeat....

20 minutes HIT on bike. Yes, not a huge bike lover but with a tight hamstring, that was my best option for today... Change is good!

Meals:
Meal #1: Protein Shake with oatmeal and chia seeds
Meal #2: Quest Bar with 1 cup fresh strawberries :)
Meal #3 Gina's PITA TUNA MELT
Meal #4: Protein shake with 2 rice cakes and 1 tbsp Nuttzo :)
Meal #5--7: TO BE DETERMINED...

Happy Friday!
hugs,
Gina

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

What is your favorite Snack?

Most people fall off their program and "eating clean" plan when it comes to snacking! This is my area of expertise because I am a veggie lover and have allowed veggies to become my go to snack of choice! Veggies are FREE on the Gina Approved plan and have saved me from eating my hand along with helped my clients stay on track with their programs! Veggies are the answer to all your snacking problems. Need something to turn to when you either are starving and it isn't "meal time" or just feel like you need something to much on... One of my favorite Gina Approved Snacks is sliced cucumbers! Better yet, have a little sweet tooth... add a few packets of Stevia over top and they taste just like watermelon, yummy!


If I am in a hurry and need to make this a meal, Add egg whites over top and it makes for a perfect quick and crunchy meal!


What are your favorite go to GA Snacks?