Check out the ways personal trainer Adam Flesner stays balanced in the midst of some BIG life changes!

By Adam Flesner, BS, CSCS, ACSM HFS

Everyone knows that life has its ups and downs.  Most people would say they wish life only had its ups.  However, what most people don’t realize is that those down moments in life are what really impact a person.  When everything is going fine and dandy, it is easy to simply go through the motions of life and become a creature of habit.  But, what happens to you when something drastic happens? How do you respond?  Do you become negative and feel sorry for yourself? Or do you respond to situations and turn drastic changes into positive outcomes?  What I have come to find in the past few years is that keeping life in balance makes responding to daily situations much easier.   Let’s take a look at the 8 dimensions of wellness and how they can help you keep your life in balance.  

The 8 dimensions of wellness include the following: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental.  Being that I recently got engaged and am about to move to Tampa, Florida for graduate school, I have covered about half of the 8 dimensions of wellness. I work to cover the remaining dimensions with my deep faith and my big career goals.  My fiancé and I are quickly planning the first few parts of the wedding because I move to Tampa in one month, and we want to make sure we have the venues planned and engagement pictures taken.  It is stressful and I have to keep reminding myself of what is most important... our marriage.  No matter how extravagant the wedding may be, we must realize that the wedding is only one day out of our lives... our marriage is for the rest of our lives.  Pre marital counseling will help us to think about and answer questions that we wouldn’t think of otherwise.  It will help us to cope effectively with life and will help us continue our satisfying relationship.  Emotional dimension, check!  

We have decided not to go too crazy on the wedding in order to save some money for a honeymoon and for getting our life started.  Why spend all of our money on one day when we have the rest of our lives to live?  Financial dimension, check!

 I have been surrounded by amazing friends and family, which offer a terrific support system.  Social dimension, check!  

My fiancé and I each have a personal relationship with Christ and try to live as Christians through our actions as well as our words.  Spiritual dimension, check!  

I have been well educated through my bachelors degree and will further my education with my masters in Exercise and Nutrition Science.  There are so many fraudulent products, ideas, and claims made in the fitness industry for people to try to make money and I have been given the proper education to be made aware of those things.  Be skeptical of any product, idea, or claim and do your own research before making any purchases.  Know the difference between real, evidence-based research versus some guy’s opinion.  
Intellectual dimension, check!

 Working out has been like brushing my teeth everyday since I was a kid and has provided numerous benefits.  I want to compete in bodybuilding and/or powerlifting in the future and have basically been training everyday for those events.  This lifestyle has taught me discipline, responsibility, and work ethic.  Physical dimension, check!  

Being a personal trainer has taught me that you can love your job and make a living.  I always feel bad for people that say their job is “just a job.”  I love my job and have come to the understanding that if you are passionate about something and work hard enough, you can make a good living doing what you love.  Occupational dimension, check!

Living in a positive, uplifting environment is crucial to happiness and prosperity.  My fiancé and I are always supportive of each other, and we always help each other reach our goals.  Environmental dimension, check!  

The 8 dimensions of wellness have helped me to keep my life in balance and will continue to help me as I pursue the next chapters in my life.  I hope that the examples I have provided will allow you to think about how you can utilize the 8 dimensions in your life.  I encourage you to think about how each dimension of wellness can help you keep balance in your life.

Based upon my experiences and the graph defining the 8 dimensions of wellness, what can you do to work on balancing your wellness?

By Jeremy Koerber, MA, ACSM

For most of us the opening day of bow season is less than two months away and I bet that at this moment, your coffee table is loaded with Cabelas catalogs and Field & Stream magazines.  It’s a magical time of year for those of us who long to chase whitetails around the woods in the hopes of putting back straps in the freezer and Booner on the wall.  You are already going over your camo inventory, starting to tune up/shoot your bow and hurrying to get your game cameras hung but I bet there is one thing many of you are not evening considering.  It’s time to get in shape for bow season. 

My plea to you is simple and it is something your outfitter wants to tell you but probably won’t: Please do not enter another bow season pudgy and out of shape.   You may think there is nothing to sitting in a stand waiting for a big buck to stroll by but that couldn’t be further from the truth.  This article isn’t as much a “how to” as a “why” blog, so sit back and let me state the case why now is the time to add a fitness program to your pre-season preparation.

#1 Max out your overall enjoyment: 
Every Fall I have the same conversation with my grandfather.  Notorious for not being able to sit in a stand for more than 15 minutes, gramps is a stalker.   Unfortunately, as he approaches 80 years old, he doesn’t have the gas to get up and down the hills anymore, at least for the first few weeks of the season.  Once he has gotten out and walked up and down hills for a few days, something magical happens.  His fitness levels improve, he has more energy and his overall mood goes from grumpy to optimistic and positive.  Even if you don’t touch a dumbbell, make it a point to get out and walk prior to opening day.  Now, if I can just get to him to walk year round……

#2 Build your bow muscles: 
Simply stated, the stronger you are the easier it is to pull back your bow!  One of my favorite things to do is train clients for BIG hunts.    When my client, Joe, called and said “get me ready for an archery elk hunt” I was like “ALRIGHT, let’s get down to business!”  The stronger you are the more arrows you can fling accurately during practice sessions (and practice for longer periods of time without fatiguing).  It will also allow you to pull back effortlessly and hold steady when the buck you have been watching on camera all summer walks below your stand.  By the way, when Joe’s 6 X 6 came barreling down the mountain he was able to kneel, draw and fire in one glorious motion.  He still talks about that moment to this day and the value of getting physically strong for the hunt and he has the antlers on his wall to prove it.

#3 No bow shot in the field is anything like shooting at the range: 
Having a strong core and the flexibility to rotate your trunk is a necessary ability because your buck probably isn’t going to walk to 15 yards in front of your stand and turn perfectly broadside.  Bucks don’t get big antlers by being stupid so you have to be ready to turn, twist and shoot from a seated position if he walks in from behind.

#4 Getting in, out and all over the woods: 
I am a purist and hate driving ATV’s into the woods.   I just really enjoy the walk in the early morning with only the stars to light my path.  Likewise, I enjoy the trip out in the evening with the setting sun at dusk turning the sky into a kaleidoscope of pinks, purples and reds. To me, driving an ATV directly to my stand sucks the wildness out of my adventure and I take a lot of pride in slipping as quietly as I can from the house to my stand of choice.  There are also going to be moments when you are going to have to crawl on your belly, climb hills, traverse gullies and we haven’t even discussed climbing into and out of your stands.  For the simple action of getting from point A to point B on your property as quickly, quietly and as stealthy as possible, please consider scheduling some regular gym time.

#5 Hauling your deer out of the woods: 
I have had deer drop in wide open fields where I can drive the truck right up to load my kill but more times than not, I end up dragging them through ditches, briars and patches of honeysuckle before I can get them loaded up.  That takes muscular strength, endurance and good cardiovascular fitness but even if you can drive right up to the animal, deer are heavy.  Having a strong core, legs and back will allow you to load your trophy and minimize the risk of straining your back and ruining not just your hunt but potentially the rest of your bow season.

Don’t worry friends.  We can still have our mid-morning naps, biscuits & gravy and a few beers around the campfire to celebrate the day’s hunt.  We aren’t taking the REALLY good perks of deer camp away (I’m encouraging exercise not complete craziness) but we are asking you to think about your pre-season preparation in a different light this year.  Add some fitness to your hunting preparation and get ready for a whole new hunting experience this fall.

Special Offer!
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Call Jeremy today at (314) 807-8634!

I know what you are thinking: “How on God’s green earth is working out fun?”  Sweat, dumbells, treadmills and sore muscles sure sound like fun right (inject sarcasm)?  I mean, exercise is more fun than naps, ice cream and sitting on the couch. It’s a regular Disney Land that you get to go do 3 to 5 times per week and you don’t dread it one bit.   Right….of course you dread it.  I would wager to bet 80% of those who are honest would say they deplore the thought let alone the activity.   Why is this?  We were made to move; technology, industry and environment has brainwashed us to think that sitting is what the cool kids are doing.  So what if in the next few moments, we could change your perception and make your workouts (gasp)….fun?

#1 Know Your Personality: If you are a social person who thrives in groups, why are you punishing yourself by spending 30-60 minutes in solitary confinement (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike)?  Group exercise classes (Spinning, Boot Camps, Zumba) will satisfy both your need for physical activity and social interaction.  If group activities aren’t your thing, look for activities or modalities that will be in line with the activities or hobbies you enjoy.

#2 Who are you spending your time with?  Last week Beth and I hit the gym together, which is a rare treat (having 2 kids has the tendency to keep us from working out together).  She did her own workout as did I, but the cool thing is we were in there spending time together while we exercised.   Yes, we had a workout date and it was awesome.  Whether a spouse or friend or co-worker, exercising with people you enjoy makes the activity fun.

#3 Who else is there? I REALLY enjoy the people at my gym.  We are friends and generally enjoy being around each other.   This is important because people typically don’t go places where they don’t enjoy the others who are there, too.  When we are at the gym, we talk about sports, our workouts, our weekends and more.  It’s social and the camaraderie makes me want to show up again and again.  Sometimes there is more chatting that working but we have a good time.

#4 Laugh: There is a whole lot more to the exercise experience than just exercising.  Last week I was training a client and in our sessions, we discuss more than her workouts and nutrition.  Why?  Because in reality everything from work, finances, significant others and the fact we need to mow our yard can all influence if, when, and how we exercise.  We began talking about her weekend (which included a few too many adult beverages) and for the next ten minutes, we laughed as we worked.  In my opinion, it was one of the best sessions we have had.  My client got sweaty, lifted some weights, vented and then laughed about the situations that caused the venting.  The smile on her face when she left was priceless.   She felt better physically and mentally, and as an extra bonus, she is looking forward to the next session.

#5 Play: Please, please, please mix up your routine!  Slam some ropes, swing a kettlebell, take a resistance tube and go outside….just do something new, fresh and out of the box.  Sometimes this means investing in a session or two with a certified fitness professional but the more dynamic and fresh your workout is, the more likely you are to do that workout.  I don’t often do things that are boring.  If you are dreading your workout, think about why.  Is it because you just don’t like to move or because it is old, stale and BORING!

Is your workout in desperate need of an overhaul?  Contact us at 314-807-8634 and let us help you put the fun back into your exercise!

“Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”  These are the famous words of Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi as he prepares to battle Darth Vader in Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith.  The same can be said for many of the so called “Diets” out there such as Paleo, Atkins and HCG.  They take a concept and create an absolute that states how, what, where, when and why you eat.  At IWC, we do not deal in absolutes and I am going to spend the next few moments telling you why.

The Atkins Diet, the Paleo Diet, the HCG diet, the Blood Type Diet, Detox diets, and the Zone Diet all hold one common characteristic... they are all fad diets.  I will not go into detail on what each of these diets is about, but they are all based around the idea that certain foods must be excluded from your diet.  

For the Atkins Diet, carbohydrates are the enemy.  For the Paleo Diet, grains and dairy are the devil.  In reality, it is funny how similar these diets are and how they work.  Most of these diets place you in a calorie deficit by reducing the amount of carbohydrates you consume.  You will lose weight at first, but once you stop the diet... all the weight comes back (and more).  This phenomenon happens so often that it has been given the term body fat overshooting.  Go ahead and Google it.  
On the plus side, there is a way to lose weight, reduce body fat and feel great!  It requires a little bit of work on your part but if you put in the work it will pay off in the end.  It has been termed flexible dieting and it works!  

In order to lose body fat, you have to adjust your food intake and activity level so that you are burning more calories than you are taking in.  Instead of completely eliminating foods from your diet (like fad diets do), figure out how much protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber (macronutrients) you require based on your activity level and age.  

Next, use apps such as myfitnesspal and fitbit to track your nutrition and activity level.  This forces you to educate yourself on nutrition and actually know what you are putting into your body.  You are now in control and have real time data on your caloric intake and the foods you consumed.  If you want to have pizza or ice cream later in the day, simply track it in myfitnesspal and adjust the carbohydrates, fats, protein, and fiber for the rest of the day so that you are still hitting your macronutrient numbers.  

What is so great about flexible dieting is the fact that it’s flexible!  It allows you to still have a life, which makes it sustainable for life.  This is the concept I used on my Vegas vacation and I left Sin City leaner than when I arrived.  It required some minor preparation (I packed some snacks for the day time), but I was able to eat out 1-2 times per day.    

Diets don’t work.  Eating clean, practicing the 85% rule and following concepts like flexible dieting will allow you to hit your targets without being miserable.  And if you still want to follow a diet that deal in absolutes, just remember that at the end of Star Wars, the good guys won!

Stay well my friends,

Adam Flesner, BS, CSCS, HFS
Personal Trainer


Special: Small Group Training sessions begin July 7th.  If your workouts are unsatisfying, not producing results or you are looking for something new, call Adam at 314-910-2993.  

Fit Camp #1 meets Monday and Wednesday at 6am
Fit Camp #2 meets Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm

1. Trexler, E., A. Smith-Ryan, and L. Norton. "Metabolic adaptation to weight loss: implications for the athlete." J Int Soc Sport Nutr 11 (2014): 7.

2. Jakicic, John M., et al. "American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Appropriate intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults." Medicine and science in sports and exercise 33.12 (2001): 2145-2156.

Read Jeremy’s 8 tips he and his family utilized to stay fit and healthy while at the beach!

I was off the last few weeks with my family relaxing and rejuvenating on the beach (New IWC trainer Adam Flesner held down the fort while we were gone and did a phenomenal job…thanks Adam!).   I am a firm believer in enjoying vacation but not letting time off completely derail my family’s fitness and nutrition habits.  Here are some tips Beth and I used to keep fit and lean while enjoying ourselves on the beach! 

Determine your objective ahead of time:  Beth and I worked out 5-6 days per week and ate very clean prior to vacation.  This was NOT the goal when we arrived at the beach.  Aside from having fun, our objective from was to do no harm and return weighing and looking the same (albeit more tan)  as we did before we left; not to continue losing body fat or build muscle.  One to two workouts per seven days will be enough for you to maintain your fitness level.

Scope out the local amenities: While the condo we stayed in did not have a fitness center, the local community center had a free fitness room which was a huge score!  There were also well maintained biking paths that work well for cycling, walking and jogging.  Before Jeremy gashed his foot in an unfortunate beach umbrella accident, He was performing HIIT Intervals at the fitness center 2 days/week and running once a week.

Strategically offset calorie intake: While we use the 85% Rule of clean eating at home, vacation isn’t quite so strict (why do rum runners have to be so delicious?).  I used Designs for Health Whey Protein shakes every morning for breakfast and had light, healthy lunches to offset the…”other” calories consumed in the afternoon and evening.  Hey, even trainers need to cut loose once in a while.  There was also a large supply of fresh fruit and Designs for Health Paleo and PB Meal bars in the condo to snack on and get quality nutrition.  On vacation, our 85% rule was probably the 65% Rule…but it is vacation and we made it a point to enjoy the local seafood but not eat junk 24/7.

Stick to your supplement routine: As previously stated, our nutrition wasn’t as solid as it is at home which made it very important to stick to our supplement routine which included these Design for Health products:

Twice Daily Multi Vitamin
Omega Avail Ultra Fish Oil
7-Keto (accelerates fat loss)
Probiotic Synergy (keeps your gut healthy)

Plan Active Activities: Over the two weeks I golfed three times and while this isn’t the same as running three miles, it is participating in moderate physical activity.  One day we rented bikes which allowed us to tour the island and get some cardio as a family.  We also walked the beach everyday looking for shells and fossilized shark teeth which kept us up and out of our beach chairs.

No gym?: If your beach destination doesn’t have a gym or you simply prefer exercising outdoors check out my beach exercise video and enjoy:

Sunsets: Watch as many of them as possible.  They are good for the soul.

Sunscreen: Most people think they cannot get tan with a sunscreen of 30+.  That is a myth.  We use 50 on us and the kids and we are very, very tan.  All sunscreen does is prevent burns and possibly something worse like skin cancer.  Wear it and reapply often.  Just because it says it is waterproof doesn’t mean it doesn’t wash off (something we all learned the hard way….ouch.)


After I gashed my foot, I wasn’t able to lift or run but was able to stick to my nutrition strategy, walk the beach with the help of some gauze & waterproof tape and sneak in one more round of golf (I had to adapt a little bit).  
Our goal on vacation was to have fun but not come back with bad habits or expanding waist lines.  Exercise and nutrition is a big part of who we are but it is also important to have balance and most importantly, some fun.  Before you hit the beach, think about your vacation objectives, scope out the local fitness opportunities and consider your nutrition strategy.  Plan these things out ahead of time and you will be very, very happy with your beach experience!

If you are interested in the products listed above or other Designs for Health supplements check out our e-store at www.integratedwellness-concepts.com

Happy Father’s Day to all those out there giving it all to raise happy, healthy kids!  It is always amazing to wake up to hand drawn cards and the love that is given by my boys.  Now that I am a veteran of eight father’s days, my perspective is starting to change a bit from a day of honoring me to the stark realization that I have a very important job to do!

As I watch my boys grow and develop, I cannot help but think of these song lyrics in my head: “be careful little eyes what you see.”  I think all of you out there work hard to raise our kids to be polite, kind and to show good manners to others but are you doing what you can to make sure they grow up to be healthy and successful, as well as happy?

I am becoming my dad.  My work ethic and hours put in are long.  Not legendary like him but it is clear to see that I became who I am from watching him.  The same goes for other habits such as:

Exercise
Eating habits
Stress management techniques
Financial habits
Social or family interactions
Education

For example, it is very common for kids of parents who are overweight, obese or who engage in poor health habits like smoking to grow up emulating and eventually become overweight or addicted to cigarettes.  It is very hard to tell a child do as I say, not as I do and make it stick.  Sometimes, it is the little things that we don’t think about that can set a child up for either a healthy adulthood or a lifetime of health and wellness struggles.

Being in the health industry for almost 18 years I know first-hand how difficult it is to change habits that are engrained.  My challenge to all the dads (and moms) reading this message is to think beyond what you think motivates you (weight loss, etc) and begin thinking about how your actions and habits are impacting the development of your most precious charge in this life; developing happy, healthy and well-balanced kids.

At Integrated Wellness Concepts, our mission is to help you integrate concepts of health and wellness into your life, for life.  It is our wish that you also model these concepts so they will also be integrated into your family’s life as well.

Happy (belated) Father’s Day and stay well friends,

Jeremy

Before reading this blog, let’s set the context:

I have a lot of places in this world that help me tap into the spiritual side of wellness.  I love to hunt and be in the woods.  I also love to fish and float clear, cold Ozark streams.  Still, there is something magical about the Gulf of Mexico and this tiny, out-of-the-way island I am standing on that makes me feel as if I have  stepped back in time 50 years.  It makes me happy.

The moment I see the blue-green water, anything that was bothering me mere seconds before seems to disappear.  As my toes squish into the sand and the smell of the salt air hits my nose, worry is replaced with joy.  Finally, as the sun begins to set with the wind blowing through my hair as the waves crash into the shoreline, it sounds like a symphony about to hit its crescendo.  I feel something massively bigger than myself.  I feel peace.  There are many amazing places on this earth and this is one of them.  

Just try to watch this for 30 seconds without feeling more at ease and peaceful! I bet you can't do it!

We live in a fast-paced and stressful world and it has been said that uncontrolled stress can be as damaging to your body as smoking and obesity combined.  For optimal health, you need a happy place, but with careers, responsibilities, kids, deadlines and more, how do you get to your happy place?

Plan:  We aren’t just talking about marking some dates on a calendar.  The happy place I am typing from right now isn’t exactly cheap which brings into play the financial wellness component.  Budgeting and saving so you can get your toes in the sand or on a Colorado mountain top is absolutely essential.  If you don’t consciously make an effort to save for your trip, that trip may never happen.  Plan to get to your happy place.  As often as possible.

Phone Video: The little video you watched above is an easy way to visit your happy place anytime or anywhere you wish.  I have several little videos of various sunsets and moments stored on my phone so no matter where in the world (or work day) I am, I can instantly visit my little island for a 30 second break from reality.  Trips are expensive and you may not get to your happy place on an annual basis.  A short video allows you to visit (at no cost) anytime you wish.

When we were kids we could get lost in our own imagination but somewhere along the trail, we have forgotten how to do this.  All the more reason we all need our personal happy place; A magical place to get lost, to feel like a kid again and to dream.  It’s out there.  Where is your happy place?

Stay well, my friends,

Jeremy

So you thought exercise was just for lowering cholesterol, firming your backside and toning your tummy? Think again friends! There are far more benefits to regular exercise than physical health and aesthetics! Exercising has a deep and immediate impact on one's body, mind and soul.




THE BODY: Exercise can change body composition for the better and physiologically enhance your ability to deal with daily life. This means a leaner, meaner you who is ready and able to tackle the world. (work, home, recreation, etc.) 

THE MIND: Exercise also releases endorphins and eases the stressors of daily life. Lift heavy weights or run sprints and whatever was bothering you will magically seem to disappear. (or it will bother you a whole lot less.) Also, activities like yoga and meditation make the mind-body connection stronger, allowing you to make better decisions. When you are able to take a step back and think easier with less mind fog, you will make better decisions and feel less stressed.

THE SOUL: Activities such as yoga and meditation allow you to better connect with your God creating a stronger relationship. Try yoga or meditation immediately after prayer and embrace the spiritual side of exercise. I challenge anyone who has walked or jogged on the beach as the sun comes up to deny feeling connected to something much bigger than themselves.

Regular strength training, cardiovascular exercise, yoga, and meditation all have a deep and immediate impact on one's body, mind, and soul. These activities make it much easier to deal with the stressors of daily life, create balance and help you perform better at anything you desire to do.

Stay well my friends, 

Adam Flesner BS, SCS, HFS
Personal Trainer

Call today and purchase 3 Personal Training Sessions with Adam for just $150!

 That's a savings of almost 30%! 
Take the next step today and call IWC at 314-910-2993!