Renegade

Everything is better in brown, I thought to myself as I tossed a brown recycled paper napkin into the recycle bin. Not only was this made from recycled materials but another tree was saved because of it.

Food is another such item that is better in brown, particularly carbohydrates. Although many still fear consumption of “too many carbohydrates” as a result of the numerous fad diets that touted reducing or eliminating these from our diets, they are the body’s number one energy source.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, these diets are inaccurate. Carbohydrates provide the body with essential nutrients and should be consumed daily. The only thing to be concerned with are the types consumed. When food shopping remember the phrase, “everything is better in brown.” This refers to unrefined minimally processed carbohydrates. They are high in fiber, take longer to digest and make the body feel fuller longer. These include but are not limited to brown rice, wheat pasta, whole grain breads and cereals.

For more information regarding a nutritional sound diet, please contact Jennifer Calderone at jcfitnessfirst@gmail.com.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
Dedham Strength & Fitness

Last year, at the age of 33, I could not stand without suffering from lower back and foot pain. As my back began to ache I would lean forward to alleviate some of the pressure. However, this was prior to my introduction to Renegade training. At the time, I was doing hours of cardio exercise but very little resistance training. The cardio exercises placed a great deal of stress on my weak back causing more pain.

However, after a few months of Renegade training, I suddenly noticed I was standing void of pain. Although this may not seem like a great feat to some, if you’ve suffered from an injury or pain, this is enormous. If I had continued on without Renegade, this scenario would definately have concluded with an injury. However, by implementing Renegade training into my daily workout regime, I was able to significantly strengthen my entire posterior chain allowing me to remain injury free and finally becoming pain free!

Stay tuned for more Renegade blogs to learn more about this extraordinary training for ordinary people.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
Dedham Strength & Fitness

I write these blogs to share my knowledge of health and fitness with others and to inform individuals that Renegade training, although it is considered an athletic training, is great for the most “ordinary” of people. Although I am a personal trainer and enjoy working out, I am ordinary. I am not an athlete nor have ever been one. I don’t partake in any recreational sports. I am not training for a marathon, triathlon or any other event. I workout for the benefits of health and wellness. Yet, I utilize Renegade training because it is simply the best training there is for anyone and everyone.

Renegade training focuses on training the entire body, promoting optimal strength throughout that serves to reduce injury. Other workout regimes and exercises focus on isolating muscles groups which creates strong body parts but weaker links that promotes injury.

“On the exercise-front, with the ‘fitness revolution’ came the development of wide assortment of machinery to both make it ‘easier’ to technically perform a lift then its free-weight alternative and to ‘isolate’ the muscle grouping as well. Although well intended in most situations, the problem with this is that that these type training measures eliminate the finite demands on the body to stabilize while lifting and quite logically while isolating certain muscle groups we are more likely prone to creating stronger areas and thus weaker links that will not only limit development but make the individuals more prone to injuries. In simplest terms as an unfortunate rule of thumb most modern gym facilities are designed to train the extremities and by-pass the core of the body’s structure.” – Rotational Axis Training (John Davies)

Don’t be mistaken Renegade training is not just for the athlete but for the “ordinary” individual that desires a better quality of life. Contact a trainer today.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
Dedham Strength & Fitness

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

The way to improve upon a skill is through continued repetition. This is the case with exercise. If you don’t give it your all every time your fitness level will not improve. Often times it requires overcoming a mental hurdle rather than a physical one as the mind is what holds you back telling you, “I can’t.” If you believe you can’t you simple won’t be able to progress. Instead, say “I can,” and you will see what you are actually capable of and fitness levels will improve.

For many individuals, the initial push is agony if they can even get to that point. The best way to challenge and motivate oneself is by hiring a personal trainer. It is much easier to continue when someone is with you motivating and challenging you to go beyond what you thought possible.

Move beyond the “I can’t” and into “I can.”

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

The entire premise of eating is to sustain life. Proper nutrients allow the body to run effectively and maintain health. However, somewhere along the way we have forgotten this basic premise and eat anything and everything simply because it tastes good. Of course, everyone wants to enjoy a good meal but how “good” is it if health becomes jeopardized? There are many natural foods that taste good and are good for you. In fact, once you stop consuming manufactured items you will no longer enjoy their taste nor miss them. These items contain too much sodium, sugar and other chemical additives that can severely degrade health and make one feel sluggish. While many individuals possess the “nothing will happen to me” attitude, there are a myriad of diseases known to result from poor eating habits. The chance that disease will result at some point in life, due to improper eating, is enormous. The only way to curb this is to stop consuming manufactured foods and make exercise a regular part of life.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Our society considers a fragile and exceptionally thin woman beautiful and highly desirable. Long thin legs, a tiny waist and large chest are the images constantly flashed before our eyes. Yet in reality, there are only a small percentage of the population that poses these attributes. All others are left constantly comparing themselves and trying to measure up to these impossible standards.

The barrage of these images has resulted in a society of women who will do anything to achieve this standard of beauty. From cosmetic surgeries to barely consuming enough calories to sustain life, the pressure is that great that many women will put their lives in danger to achieve “beauty.”

Yet beauty is much more than perfect physical attributes. Beauty is a strong healthy body, an independent mind, sharp intellect, and kind soul.

A woman who makes the world a better place is truly a beautiful person.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Many of us “judge a book by its cover” but the cover, very often, does not accurately depict reality. For good or bad, reality is often shocking when we finally take a moment and look beyond outward appearances. For instance, take Susan Boyle, the English singing sensation who first appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent.” As she made her way to the stage the audience began to boo. They took it upon themselves to presume she was not talented based upon her physical appearance. However, she belted out a remarkable rendition of Les Miserables, “I Dreamed A Dream,” that left the audience speechless following their unkind assumptions. The treatment Ms. Boyle was subjected too is a prime example of how we inaccurately judge others when judgment is based solely upon physical attributes.

Conclusions regarding athleticism, or lack thereof, are also frequently made based only on physical attributes. The media depicts athletes as individuals with big muscular bodies and chiseled abs. Yet again, this does not paint an accurate picture. A muscular body does mean it functions properly or possesses the necessary characteristics of a great athlete. True athletes move with ease. They are fast, powerful, agile and flexible. Often times, huge muscle bound beings are not at all athletic. Some of the best athletes out there may not appear as you expect but you can be sure they are the best because they are Renegades.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

There are a myriad of serious training protocols that need to be adhered to when exercising. However, there is another key component to fitness that, although not serious, cannot be overlooked. This is the fun factor. Exercise should be fun. Many programs and regimens air on the side of militant which tend to push already reluctant individuals even further away. People have enough stress in their lives and exercise should not be one of them.

On the other hand, exercise that encompasses the fun factor will draw people in. Group fitness offers just that. An hour of fun where participates listen to blaring beats, hoot and holler and share in a positive experience while they workout. It is also a situation that easily lends itself to the creation of friendship.

Don’t miss out on all the fun! Contact a Renegade Trainer in your area to experience a kettlebell class today.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

Looking for the perfect holiday gift this year? Not sure what to get an individual that has everything? Let me suggest the gift of health. Why not purchase a personal training package for a friend or loved one? This is not a useless gadget that they will try once and then toss in a drawer or just another trinket that will clutter a shelf. This is a gift that could potentially add years to their life. It can curb disease, restore energy and vitality, increase self confidence, and aid in mental health. Everyone wants loved ones to live a long and healthy life and there is no better way to ensure this than by helping them make fitness part of their life.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com