Renegade

Travel provides a unique opportunity and education unlike any other. It is one thing to read about distant places and observe photos in books but it is quite another when physically present. It is far too easy to remain stoic about others dire living conditions when so far removed from the situation. Viewing an event from a television screen makes it seem surreal and with a simple click of a button it disappears. It is quite another case when witnessing severe living conditions and other desperate situations humans endure before your very eyes.

Having lived in the same city my entire life, I often complained about the city and all of the troubles that lay within its boundaries. Yet in 2007 for the first time in my life I traveled outside the US to Belize. It was an experience far beyond what any book could every teach me. I realized for the first time how many “luxuries” I truly have and how others live without basics items I often took for granted. On a day trip beyond the confines of the resort, we were brought to an area where the natives did not have running water and their shelter consisted only of small huts. Upon return to the US, I did not view things the same way. As a result, I fully believe everyone must travel outside the US to fully comprehend how lucky we are.

Please keep this in mind and in wake of the recent Haitian earthquake and please help our friends in Haiti. Go to Renegadestyle.com and purchase ONE item of clothing, in return Renegade will donate THREE to individuals in Haiti.

Renegade is not a business that cares only about profit but is truly concerned with improving the lives of others.

Jennifer Calderone
jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com

Do you believe hypertrophy is a sign of athleticism? Today, we are consumed with the visual and are led to believe that certain physiques and body types are more beautiful and more valuable than others. Yet these images are not indicative of function, health, or athleticism. However, many males still spend hours in the gym lifting different body parts creating overly inflated muscles, because they believe this will make them a better athlete. The problem with this is hypertrophy is counterproductive to speed and other elements essential to being a great athlete. Most of these pumped up individuals are far from athlete and in fact clumsy. That is a result of isolating the muscles and not training the body as one unit. The systems within the body do not communicate as they should and fail to be fluid and graceful. These same pumped up, seemingly strong, males that can lift or squat hundreds of pounds, will very often fail when attempting to hold up their own body weight in a simple table exercise.

If your current workout regimen is focused only on hypertrophy than it is missing other essential components of true athletic training. Contact a Renegade Trainer in your area.

Jennifer Calderone
jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com
Hordonhealth.com

I’ve posted several blogs regarding nutrition because it is crucial to achieving results and health. I know this firsthand, as prior to any certifications; I was like many of you. I had no idea what to eat but was looking to become healthy and increase energy. I was taking cardio kickboxing classes three times per week to shed some additional weight but often found myself with little energy to propel me through the hour long classes. I had reduced my carbohydrate intake but not changed much else about my eating habits. In fact, I still recall the frequent trips to Subway after class. Finally, frustrated with the diet info that was out there, I began my own research into what constituted healthy foods. I began to integrate these foods into my diet and got rid of all else, especially trips to Subway and other processed foods. As a result, my energy level increased and my body fat decreased. Every week I shed more weight. What had originally taken me six months to loose 10 pounds with exercise alone, now only took me three months by combining both exercise and nutrition. Best of all I am now healthy and fit.

I am currently a certified nutrition manager and personal trainer. For more information, please contact me. Nutrition appointments are handled via phone so location is not an issue.

Jennifer Calderone
jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com

The definition of health needs to be redefined. Health is not the next fad diet. It is not the next exercise craze and it is certainly not just a matter of losing weight. Skinny does not mean healthy. A lean person can be as unhealthy as an overweight one. In terms of health and weight loss, the only way to obtain health is through a proper diet of healthy foods and regular exercise. Most individuals, as a result of misinformation, view weight loss incorrectly. Instead of attempting to get healthy, they attempt to lose weight when in fact it should be the other way around. A lean figure is a result of health. If you are consuming the correct foods and working out regularly, the body will become lean and toned as body fat decreases.

For more information on changing your definition of health, please contact me.

Jennifer Calderone
jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com

Recently, while out to dinner I began observing many of the patrons at the restaurant as I waited in anticipation for my order of filet. I noticed several women wearing revealing attire and began to think about why this is. I arrived at the conclusion in the oddest of ways. My dinner arrived and the petite filet looked divine, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. It was grilled perfectly, slightly pink on the inside with juices intact. I cut a piece and bit in, however, my palette quickly became overwhelmed with salt and could barely taste the meat. This fine piece of meat was ruined with salt. Suddenly, I began to think of scantily clad women in the same regard, “over salted.” I came to the conclusion the reason why many women dress in such a revealing manner is to overcompensate for being overweight, underweight, insecure, unhealthy mentality and/or physically. By employing over-the-top clothing, make-up, and hair, attention is redirected to something other than their flaws.

Instead of optimizing beauty from the standpoint of health by eating properly and working out regularly, many women buy into quick fix topical solutions. These can never do for beauty what a diet of nutritious food and exercise can. For more on this topic don’t miss the January issue of DMC.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health

Now that 2010 is upon us, I have already witnessed an influx of individuals at the gym. Whether it is due to new year’s resolutions to get fit and healthy, lose weight or simply due to the excess calories consumed over the long holiday season, this is one of the busiest times of the year for gyms and healthclubs. Most individuals begin the year with the best of intentions, yet as the days pass, weeks progress these good intentions slowly begin to fade. For many, it may only take a day of poor eating or not working out to throw them completely off track. They never return to the gym or initiate a cycle of poor eating that doesn’t stop. However, this does not have to be the case. Don’t become defeated because you’ve fallen off track. If you miss a day at the gym or make a bad food choice, forgive yourself and simply return to the gym and begin to eat better the very next day or at the very next meal. Remember two days of not working out is better than 6 months of not moving and one bad choice is better than weeks of poor choices.

It is important to cut yourself some slack when adopting new habits and making a lifestyle change. For more tips and continued motivation throughout the year, contact a Renegade trainer in your area.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Over the holidays I went away to visit family in Pennsylvania. Determined to work out, especially after endless hours sitting in a car, and no gym nearby I was forced to be creative. However, utilizing the principals of Renegade and the family farm, I was able to put together a great workout that was far different than what I am normally accustom too. The farm with its uneven terrain, hills, and acres of land, provided a variety of unique physical challenges. At each and every turn, I kept my body working hard never knowing what to expect. Best of all, I was able to perform a wide array of movements just with what was present. My workout consisted of a 15 minute jog both up and downhill, bear crawls, push-ups, log tosses, sprints uphill, depth jumps, and stair sprints. For those that travel often or enjoy variety, please understand a tremendous workout can occur anywhere.

As you begin your own physical journey of 2010 keep in mind thinking outside the box often serves one far better than staying trapped within. Contact a Renegade trainer in your area.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

If you have been meaning to get back into training or if you have never trained and are planning to start – let me borrow an old phrase that got a ton of use out of…”Just Do It!”  If you keep putting it off until everything is in order – you will never start.  (That little nugget applies to everything in your life actually!)  Do something for 15 minutes one day and the next shoot for 20…  A great place to start would be with John Davies great DVD –  ”Pink” – http://www.renegadetraining.com/pink.html.   Or if you want to start with the kettlebells…try “Exit 18E” http://www.renegadetraining.com/kettlebell_dvd.html

You just have to make a decision to get up and get moving!  You will be glad you did!