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8/15/2008 |
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his issue
of my newsletter features a special artilcle from my wife. You'll see it
below. Due to
space limitations I have taken out a few other tid bits I had for you fine
folks. I will send another newsletter out in the beginning of next week with
those aritlces. Until
then...
Casey is
probably the most creative trainer I have ever met and I am fortunate to have
him on my staff top notch trainers. I myself
have cursed his existence many a time after watching him train (either
himself or a client) and then think to myself "hey, I could do
that.." The unrelenting soreness that follows makes me wish for days
after that I hadn't. So then
the other day I overheard a client say something that abosolutely cracked me
up:
Yeah, that
is the sign of a great trainer baby. Come on
down and I gaurentee not only your results, but a trainer you'll love and
love to hate.
Josh's
Note: The following posting is by a special guest, my wife Denyse Carter. Denyse's
Note: I wrote the following in response to the many nice things my husband
writes about and does for me and to show him, that yes, I do take an interest
in his work :) As the
first lady of Carter Fitness, I am often asked “What’s it like being a
trainer’s wife?” My usual response is to say that, contrary to what they may
imagine, it’s a fairly typical existence. But recently I reflected on this
question, truly thought about what they might be getting at. Considering
how the average person might live I tried to visualize the expectations of
these questioners. Do they picture restricted mealtimes and bootcamp-like
drills run throughout my house? Perhaps they envision guilt trips or sneaked
snacks or even lectures about what to serve for dinner. Do they assume my
grocery list is ripped from an “approved foods” appendix of a trainer’s
manual? Or maybe they simply imagine having one’s eating and exercise habits
under constant scrutiny of a fitness trainer may be cause for tension. Let me
just state that this is not at all the case. However, as I pondered further I
came to realize that perhaps by comparison, the Carter Family’s lifestyle
might seem somewhat regimented.
First, I
must emphasize that Josh has never pressured me to be fit nor is he critical
of my food choices. I never feel chastised or judged in any way. Even if I do
indulge in some “forbidden food” or slouch on the couch all day I hear nary a
complaint from my beloved. He is by nature supportive, tenderhearted and
never one to criticize. But enough
of about him – back to me! While I
don’t consider myself a health fanatic nor, as I have established, am I a
victim of trainer(husband) stink-eye, somehow the choices I make for myself
and my family truly are rooted in health. I prepare and serve lean, low carb
meals and healthy snacks. I don’t let the kids load up on sugar or junk.
Exercise is a routine part of our lives. On occasion we allow ourselves some
decadent treats.
As I have
stated our “healthy” lifestyle is not a product of any urging or nagging by
my husband-the-trainer. And I certainly wasn’t programmed for it. I am an
admitted sweet tooth, raised on nightly ice cream desserts. My enthusiasm for
exercise can’t hold a candle to Josh’s. I’m a
below-average cook (sorry honey!) and I haven’t a clue how to make vegetables
taste yummy. Yet with no overt demands from my hubby, my family has avoided
becoming a statistic in America’s rising obesity rate. In spite of what might
seem like my own natural inclination toward junk food, my home is full of
selections you would expect to find in a trainer’s cupboard. So how did
we get there? My now innate mind-set regarding nutrition/fitness actually
came about in a gradual and inadvertent manner. While Josh has never lectured
me on the topic, it’s not to say he doesn’t care. He has taught me a great
deal both directly and by example, thus he knows that I am well-informed.
Having a husband whose passion is nutrition, exercise and general betterment
of the human form, tends to rub off on a gal. As the designated meal
preparer, I started making and sharing meals that fit Josh’s personal
nutrition plan. Inspired
by his lead, and the results he continually achieves with clients, I was
naturally inclined to pick up these habits for myself. The “change” was not
drastic or painful. It wasn’t scary. Frankly, I didn’t even notice, but I was
becoming naturally health-conscious. It eventually sneaks in and becomes your
way of life. When you start feeling the results of taking care of your body,
it doesn’t seem natural to revert to the old ways. Just as
Josh’s training partner (and our mutual friend) said having kept 100 pounds
off for several years under Josh’s guidance, “I can’t imagine ever going back
to the way I was.” It was truly a different life.
This is
not to say that I am perfect (nor does Josh expect that of me) or that I
don’t indulge in less optimal foods. I do. But even then I am more inclined
to reach for a low sugar hunk of dark chocolate rather than a sickly sweet
Snickers bar. With time, you really can lose your taste for less healthy
foods. Once you have committed to the new ways you instinctively start to
modify recipes, choose lower fat/carb menu items, and save the junk for the
“cheat day” or as an occasional treat. (Believe me, it tastes better when you
have been saving up for it anyway.) As for
working out, anyone who has exercised regularly can tell you how crappy you
feel without it. Just try taking a week off. Now let me
talk about the kids. Of course we all want our children to be healthy but
giving them an appreciation of this takes more than just good intentions. I
am so grateful to Josh for raising them in an environment of physical
fitness. This is not to say that our wee ones are deprived of coveted
childhood treats. They just know these are reserved as (in the words of the
new and improved Cookie Monster) “sometimes foods” or we substitute them with
healthier versions.
And the
kids can still be kids. My 5 year
old has been known to shove a whole cookie in his mouth before dinner rather
than relinquish it to a demanding mommy’s outstretched hand. And don’t even
try to pry a milkshake away from my toddler whose “stay away” eyes and
furrowed brow can only be matched by the iron grip on his sippy cup. But when
his milkshake is a fresh fruit smoothie and the cookie is made with Splenda
instead of sugar then everyone wins.
I am proud
to be married to a man that not only sets an example for his clients but is
an inspiration to his wife and kids as well. The boys to want to be just like
him and work in daddy’s gym. Awww, yeah it’s cute, but also how wonderful
that they are surrounded by an atmosphere of healthy living - since birth! I am
thrilled they will grow up with an advantage in an area that, for so many,
can be a struggle later in life. In fact I knew we were doing okay when my
oldest said to me the other day, “Thank you for making me healthy meals,
Mommy.” It’s my
and Josh’s anniversary this month. In my 16 years with Josh, I have gained a
great deal (but not in weight!) I am motivated by him to push hard and to do
my best every time I do anything.
Josh inspires that in people. True, he is someone who can transform your
body, but it ends up being much more than that.
When you
achieve awareness of wellbeing on this level, your whole life is transformed.
He has instilled in his clients the drive to give up more than just junk
food. Some have abandoned smoking, bad relationships, self-neglect…anything
that detracts from their new feel-good way of life. I
understand that such a change can seem scary to your basic bystander. I know
that people fear “giving up” foods they love, or disrupting the daily
routine. They agonize over the thought of analyzing their food choices or
expending coveted energy on exercise. Many have felt this way one time or
another. Even Fitness Guru Josh had to work to get where he is now, having
spent several years as a chubby child.
In truth
change can seem hard *at first*. But once that initial step is taken, if you
can set aside your resistance to change, you may not even realize that you
are re-learning your daily routine. Very quickly these choices become second
nature. My good friend
and her spouse, both clients of Josh’s, told me that they were surprised by
each other recently when upon meeting at noon they discovered they had each
chosen protein shakes for lunch. So when I
say that life as a trainer’s wife is “typical” that is to say I don’t spend
my days feeling pressured into eating right and exercising. Rather, I am
inspired to do so. I don’t labor over my food choices, my lifestyle dictates
them naturally. If our existence seems restrictive, it doesn’t feel that way
to me. I know Josh hopes that every life he touches will be made better by
enabling individuals to achieve the same for themselves. To the man
who helps so many others, I say thank you for making it so easy to live a
healthy and vibrant life with you and our children. And if having your
spouse’s unwavering love and support is “typical” then I’m right about life
with a trainer. Thanks for bringing fun, health and happiness to our little
corner of the world. Denyse
Carter
(borrowing
the title from the Queen of All Media, Perez Hilton) It was in
fact the mighty Perez Hilton who brought this to my attention. As cool
as the Olympics are, it is actually kinda difficult to find what you want to
see. Weight
lifting is one of the safest sports around, but there are still accidents. I think I
first heard the following quote from noted strength coach Eric Cressey, and I
think he was quoting someone else. In any event it goes something like this: "If
you workout with weights you will end up in the orthopedist's office.
If you don't workout with weights you will end up in cardiologist's
office." I know
which one I choose. The guy in
the video below will definitely be at a orthopedist's office in the very near
future. Remember
when Joe Theisman broke his leg on live TV? Neither do I , but I have seen it
since then. This is a similar (yet not quite as bad) video. Do not
press play. You have
been warned.
I
guarantee this guy will be back in the weight room. As I would be.
Bones heal faster than hearts.
Is your goal SMART? The much
anticipated 2008 Beijing Olympic games are now in full swing. I find it
inspiring to watch athletes perform at the top of their game, don't you? To Snack or Not To Snack When
you find yourself reaching for a snack-WAIT! Are you really even hungry? Or
are you simply snacking out of habit? Next time you find yourself gravitating
toward a junk food fix do a short burst of physical activity like a dozen
jumping jacks, 15 crunches and then ask yourself if you really need those
extra calories. Glazed Chicken & Couscous
Nutritional
Analysis:
One serving equals: 370 calories, 4g fat, 49g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 34g
protein |
Joshua
Carter The Body
Transformation Expert 818-337-6175 Successes
Blog I have a
new blog. Yippee! I know, I know. When you just can’t get
enough of me drop by and see what I am up to or what I am doing or just come
by and heckle me. Don't know what a blog is? It is basically a newsletter
that is updated regularly. I have been posting every few days or
so. Check it out: |
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Email: joshua@carterfitness.com |
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Transform your boring chicken dinner into
a tasty, tangy delight with this amazing glaze. Spicy mustard, apricot
preserves, and orange juice make this dish one to remember. Preparation time
is only 25 minutes. 
