What can I say…as I look back at 2010 one word comes to mind – UNCOMFORTABLE.

This has been the biggest growth year for me both in my business but more importantly as a person. At 31 years old, this last year really does seem like a blur – like one long day with ups and downs – good days – great days and bad days but always failing forward.

A ton of experience, mistakes, lessons, triumphs and in-between. I feel like I have gotten more of an education in this year vs. all the years before that.

I’m thankful to have this blog to kinda look back at where I started, where I’m at and where I’m going. That last sentence got me a little teary eyed to be honest as I type this on my laptop looking out the window  with a cup of tea to the left, one of my cats to the right and my better half hanging out on the couch!

It’s really cool to see some of your goals met, others in the works and new ones taking form.

This post is to help me as much as it’s meant to help you. Reflection is very important to me and it’s always during this time that I like to be alone and quiet and just be honest with myself without the “chatter-box” of our minds.

With further ado, I’d like to share with you a few lessons I’ve learned in 2010

1 – Guard your time: I have said “no” this year more than ever.  You see, time is precious – it’s all we got so I won’t let myself get distracted anymore by the shiny thing in the corner. I used to, but now I pass up “good” opportunities so I can accomplish something GREAT – no exceptions. It’s not selfish – it’s focused – hyper-focused maybe…obsessive?…borderline but you will get nothing great ever done in life if you spread yourself thin so minutes to me are like a million bucks. I’m just not giving it up – it’s my right and it’s yours too.

2 – Study those who have succeeded before you: Success leave trails and if you’re serious about getting results in certain areas of your life (business, marriage, weight loss) you should find out how others have done it. If you wanna lose weight for example, find someone who has and ask them as many questions as you can think of..what the ate, when they ate, how they worked out, their mindset etc… don’t re-invent the wheel – just follow what other have done before you.

3 – Two heads are better than one – For instance, I’m in a mastermind group (two actually) of some very successful boot camp owners and fitness pros from around the world and we are all their to help each other via email, phone or conference call to share ideas and contacts and to help each other add the most possible value to the boot campers / clients we serve.

It’s unreal how 10 heads are like 100 when it’s like minded people with a similar goal and how fast things get done – this is one of the reasons why many of you have experienced more results at boot camp then anywhere else. It’s the energy of the group that is a big reason.

4 – Invest in yourself - The greatest ROI (return on investment). As a fitness pro we are all telling people that they need to hire a coach – someone to make sure they are doing things right, someone to hold them accountable and someone to motivate them to be the best they can be and reach their goals in the fastest possible time.

That’s exactly what I did. I hired a coach to help me put this boot camp together. I invested in myself more than I ever have before. I spent a considerable amount of money for coaching, info products, books, private membership ships sites and WHY? Cuz I punched my ego in the face and admitted I needed help.

At any given time in life, you’re gonna be one of three things. A teacher (where you help others), a fellow traveler (an equal to someone else) or a student (where you are learning from the other and just listening) and boy how quickly we forget to be the “student”.

We are all fine with giving our opinions (even when nobody is asking for them) but as we get older, we just kinda get uncomfy with asking for help in certain areas like it’s some sort of weakness when it’s really a super strength.

5 – Stand for something - So many fitness professionals try to be all things to all people. The funny thing is when you try to be all things to everybody, you become NOTHING to nobody.

At some point if you want to “count”,  you gotta speak your voice and tell it like it is. People like that – actually they LOVE that.

My 2010 Ritual: Every morning I have one ritual that helps me stay positive and instantly connects me to the universe and it’s infinite power. I close my eyes in the shower…get quiet..and say this to myself…

” Infinite Intelligence…thank you for giving me the opportunity to inhale and exhale one more time and be part of the cycle. Thank you for the health of my loved ones and my own health – I will never take this for granted. Thank you for giving me another day to live my dream – I will learn something, give something and have a little fun in the process. Thank you”

My 2010 Favorite Quote: “A goal is a dream with a deadline!” – Napoleon Hill

Question of the day:

What did you learn about yourself or life in 2010? Please share your comments below and be heard by the community we all have created

Posted by Mitch | in Blog, Inspiration | 3 Comments

A Scarsdale Gym Owner Post by Mitch Lee – The $ 4 Furniture Slider Workout Series – Part 2

I have a crush! and it’s on these damn Furniture Sliders LOL… Check out these 3 tummy/core exercises that we do at our Scarsdale Gym for our fat blasting boot camp but remember…

a HUGE part of getting fit and STAYING fit is convenience and options. These sliders give you a ton of options!

These furniture sliders are cheap (4 to 10 bucks) and you can take them with you on vacation or do a 10 minute workout at home at any time with very little space. All you need is a rug and a desire to feel and look better. Get em at Home Depot or even Bed Bath and Beyond! Super effective and fun!

Here are the names of the 3 exercises in this video that we do at our Scarsdale Gym (the location of FFBC – The boot camp without the yelling!:

1. Mountain Climbers – working the abs and I feel it hits the obliques (side abs) a bit as well.
   
2. Tucks – great for triceps, core and tests your cardiovascular fitness.
   
3. Pikes – great for the  tummy – go SLOW on the way down (called the negative portion) which has been shown to tighten the muscle even more than the positive portion of the movement.

<<< Our website >>>

I love doing these blog posts for you guys so please leave your comments below and tell me if you like this information

Posted by Mitch | in Blog, Workouts | No Comments

A Scarsdale Gym Owner Post by Mitch Lee – The $4 Furniture Slider Workout – Part 1

Our gym in Scarsdale ( you know…the indoor Scarsdale boot camp that’s getting people fit fast) is known for outta-the box and innovative exercise routines.

One of the coolest, craziest, most effective and INEXPENSIVE pieces of equipment we use are furniture sliders that you can get from from Amazon.com, Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond. You can get them for like $4 or $10 max!

Awesome and endless exercises can be performed with them, they are 100x better than any bulky piece of gym equipment and they are portable and weigh nothing which means you can travel with them when you are on the road or on vacation. YEY BABY! Does that make you Randy?

I’m going to show you the first 4 exercises in a 5 part exercise series called “The Furniture Slider Workout” – These are some of the exercises we do at boot camp in our Scarsdale gym that gets amazing results!

Just watch the video way up top and follow along.

The first 4 exercises are:

• Alternating Reverse Lunges for the butt and inner thighs
• “Hang On” Alternating Side Lunges for the butt and inner thighs
• Alternating Floor Leg Curls isolating the hamstrings
• “Push-Up Position” Butt Squeezers for the butt! (no?…really? LOL)
  

Please leave your comments and questions at the bottom

Posted by Mitch | in Blog, Workouts | 4 Comments

A Scarsdale Personal Trainer Makes a Waist Shrinking Discovery on line at Starbucks!

That’s me coming outta the Starbucks on Central Ave all happy with a protein shake in hand after a hard workout of pushups, jump squats, lunge presses, and burpees all for 45 seconds each (then repeated 8 times) finishing with 5 sprints up and down a steep hill – sheesh LOL…

I never knew this (I was going to just get a plain cup of Joe and then head home to make my own protein shake but…

the line was long that I had some time to really stare at the menu.

Besides from the fact that the amount of calories in some coffee choices were INSANE (like ruin your chances of weight loss insane) I did notice a few good choices this Scarsdale Personal Trainer would recommend including their protein shake/smoothie selections.

Look for the section called – Vivanno Smoothies

They have 3 flavors: strawberry, chocolate and Orange Mango.

Total calories: 270 Total Fiber: 6 grams Total Protein: 15 grams Total Fat: 2 grams and Zero Saturated Fat or Trans Fat.

My only concern is that it’s a little high in the carbs like around 50 grams but I have 2 things to say…

1. If you use this shake POST workout then you need a little carbs so don’t be scared – carbs are especially GOOD after a workout to help with muscle recovery and metabolism!

2. Here’s a great tip. Ask them to add an extra scoop of protein powder and use only 1/2 banana. This will increase the protein and decrease the carb count.

Give it a try and tell this Scarsdale Personal Trainer (who gets looked at funny when he takes pictures like the one above but does it just for YOU) what ya think

For a fitness solution that WORKS >>> visit us

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Posted by Mitch | in Blog, Eating Healthy At The Drive Thru, Healthy Restaurant Reviews | No Comments

A Scarsdale Gym Owner Post by Mitch “Charlie” Lee – Restaurant Review

Hey! Wanna know one of my homes away from home? It’s Outback Steakhouse in Yonkers (and yes they have more than steak!)

Watch the video below where I tell you which are the best options for your health and your waistline. There is a SYMBOL that ya gotta look for on the menu so click play!

When I (the Scarsdale gym owner who will go to every restaurant in Westchester County until everyone is fit and firm )….. go I usually get one of 2 things.

1 – The 6 oz. sirloin (only 330 calories) with 2 sides ($9.99) – they are usually a salad with vinaigrette dressing on the side and mixed veggies (I so just looked up how to spell that LOL )

I ask for an unsweetened iced tea with lemon and ask them to hold the bread and bring me the salad FIRST! They are super nice and accomadating. Perfect – protein plus veggies!

If it was a workout day I may get the salad with the sweet potato instead but ask for it plain and just eat half of it ok!

OR

2 – Grilled Chicken on the Barbie – it comes with grilled seasoned veggies and all you have to do is ask for it “Light Style” and your meal is right around 400 calories and full of protein and veggies. BINGO!

If you wanna check the FULL  menu out for Yonkers Outback then Click Here

Learn more about the place that shrinks the waist at our Scarsdale Gym (that’s not a gym!)

I hope you learned something from this post. I love doing them for ya! If you have a comment or question the best and quickest way to get a response is to leave it below so all can see!

Question for ya (if ya don’t mind – what is your #1 obstacle standing in the way of YOU ordering healthy when you dine out? I’m curious. Please answer below.

Posted by Mitch | in Blog, Healthy Restaurant Reviews | 2 Comments

A Scarsdale Personal Trainer Book Trainer Book Review – Part 1

Check out this awesome book by John Basedow called Fitness Made Simple

I would love to know what some of your favorite fitness and diet book are. Would you mind leaving a comment below and fill in the form so everyone can see what you have to say?

Thanks!

Looking for a fitness solution that works? Click Here

Posted by Mitch | in Blog, Recommended Books | No Comments