Coughlin Inner Circle

Hollyweird is the Biggest Loser

My wife had the boob tube on last night and the show that was playing was none other than the “The Biggest Loser.” 

Now I’m all about people losing weight and getting fit, but the way this show goes about it is completely WRONG.

Hollywood really is something.  They’ve put out practically every reality-based show known to man…but oh no…they just have to do the weight-loss thing too. 

How is a concept where contestants who have the expectations of losing 5, 10, 15 even 20 pounds every week supposed to be entertaining?  What kind of message is this sending?

Losing weight, staying consistent with exercise, becoming healthier, improving your nutrition habits, etc., etc., is a lifestyle…it’s not a contest.

You CAN’T go from being someone who is a couch potato to working out 4 hours a day or go from losing little to no weight or gaining weight to suddenly dropping 10-20 pounds a week.

Its complete nonsense and totally unrealistic.

Now obviously it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the reason the show takes such extreme measures is ratings. 

Hollywood figures the more weight people lose and drastically transform their bodies, the more viewers will tune in.  This may be a great way to get people to watch, but it’s an awful way to promote fitness and health.

What they don’t think about before creating such ludicrous shows, are the millions of people who don’t know any better and think they should follow these ridiculous methods.

If contestants on the show are looked upon as failures if they only lose a couple pounds a week, just imagine how psychologically damaging this is to someone who has never lost a pound of weight their entire life!  You get my drift.

Hollywood or should I say Hollyweird is definitely the biggest loser for airing shows such as these.  All a show like this is going to do is add to more frustration and confusion.  It will NOT help people that's for sure.

I assure you that as long as you read this Blog, I will never steer you in this direction. 

My goal in life is to empower you to exercise, eat healthy and live your best life possible.  It is not to pressure you or persecute you if you don’t meet a certain expectation.

If you occasionally struggle along the way, that’s perfectly fine.  As long as you are giving it your best effort, I will always be here to encourage you.

Have a great day.

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

Small Mistakes Lead to Big Successes

What would appear to be a minor mistake I made 4 years ago turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me in my career.

At the time, I was transitioning from a gym to eventually working for two in-home personal training companies.  I had about 3 clients, so you could say; I was in desperate need of some new ones.

Then one day, I got a call from one of the companies with information of a potential client.  The person lived about 40 minutes away from me, but regardless, I was thrilled and gladly accepted.  I immediately called the guy up and set up a consultation. 

A few days later we met.  The guy was in his late 40s and desperately wanted to lose weight.  He had the same story as most.  Tried just about everything, but nothing worked.  Well, everything except hiring a trainer.

Anyway, we talked for about 45 minutes.  During the talk, he discussed what goals were important to him while I explained when and how he can expect to achieve these goals if xy and z were to happen.  We shook hands and the consult was over.  I was certain he was going to become a new client.

Later in the day…I get a call.  It was my manager.

“Jim, the guy you met with this morning does NOT want to work with you.” He said.

“Why not?!?!?”  I asked in shock.

“Well, he felt you weren’t thorough enough and also thought you rushed him through the meeting.  He said you kept looking at your watch toward the end of the consult and told him you had another appointment at 9...and you didn’t want to be late.”

When he told me this...I felt like I was 2 inches tall.  He was RIGHT. 

I did rush through the consultation.  I met with him at about 7am, knowing that my next appointment was at 9…I was cutting it way too close.

The rest of the day I felt awful.  I just wanted to crawl under a rock.  This was something that NEVER happened to me.  Prior to this meeting, if a client did not want to train, it was always due to financial reasons or they weren’t serious.  It was never because of something I did wrong. 

But that was not the case here.  I genuinely screwed up.  And I wasn’t even mad about the fact that I potentially lost thousands of dollars. (Although, my manager definitely reminded me of that)  No.  I was mad at myself because I gave this person a false representation.

I made him think I didn’t care, which is NOT what I’m about. 

So because of this, he is going to bad-mouth me to all his family and friends which will ultimately damage not only my reputation but the personal training industry as a whole.

Now as I said earlier, to many people this would appear to be a small mistake.  Most would think nothing of it.  But to me, this one tiny incident, transformed me as a person.  It was a turning point that really helped me dig down deep and reevaluate how I do business plus how I treat people.

From that moment forward, when I met with clients for the first time, I gave them my complete, undivided attention.  I never EVER asked what time it was or even referenced ‘another’ appointment I had to go to.  If the consultation was 2 hours…it was 2 hours.  I made everything about THEM and nothing to do with ME. 

And I have been this way ever since. 

I continually over-deliver on customer service and fortunately, this way of doing things has led me to become very successful. 

Now I’m sure you can take something from this.  Everyday that goes by, you’re gonna make mistakes.  But the question is…Are you continuing to make the same mistakes in life or are you learning from them? 

As you just read, one simple mistake you make CAN make a huge difference in your life.
I hope you find and fix yours.

Have a good day!

Best Regards,

Jim Coughlin

You Can’t Train Any Better Than THIS

Unless you’re new to this Blog, I’m sure you know that my favorite type of exercise, above and beyond is strength training. 

I’m sure you also know that I don’t partake in the normative - status quo - training that most people follow such as heavy weights, machines and so on, but rather, more practical types of strength training such as bodyweight calisthenics, bands and free weights.

Now, while I will always be an advocate of the latter types of training I just mentioned, what you don’t know is I’m an even BIGGER fan of 3 kick-arse components that I religiously combine to my client’s strength training routines. 

These 3 tweaking methods are easily the most effective ways to sky-rocket training results. 

But the thing is, most people who strength train haven’t been taught these methods or many simply aren’t disciplined enough to do them on their own…mainly due to the cookie-cutter principles that most experts and trainers recommend. 

Well, these folks are missing out because these training techniques have continued to help transform ALL of my clients’ bodies into lean, mean fitness machines…and I have no doubt can help YOU as well. 

The first component is “cardio conditioning.”  And no, this isn’t the prolonged cardio exercise you’re familiar with such as walking, jogging, running, etcetera, but rather quick, effective movements performed between each exercise that elevate your heart-rate, your metabolism and help you burn more total calories.

Now most fitness experts and trainers will say DON’T combine strength training and cardio or you’ll deplete your glycogen stores (blood sugar) and consequently not have enough strength and energy to finish your workout. 

Well, I used to think the same thing, until I started testing it on clients and found that adding this component to strength training does nothing but compliment your workout. The erroneous notion that you won’t have enough energy ONLY applies to people who are completely out-of-shape or are new to strength training. 

The second component is “super-set training” or in other words, resting very little between exercises.  This of course gives a similar effect of combing cardio movements; as it helps elevate your heart rate and metabolism not only during the workout but for many hours afterward.

The third is “isometric training” or in other words, holding your repetitions in a static, still position.  This technique forces your muscles to work as efficiently as possible and is by far my favorite tweaking method.

Why?

Well, MOST people who train want to be done before they even start.  So this leads them to rushing through their workout and in the process, using reprehensible form. 

Just go to a public gym and you’ll see what I mean. 

You’ll witness exercisers primarily using momentum and no precision whatsoever during their movements.  Isometric training however…FORCES you not to cheat and makes you control your movements.

Again, this type of training is definitely one of best ways you can strength train.  Just ask my clients and they’ll tell you.  While they know isometric training is challenging they also know that they’re getting one helluva a workout!   

Now, as I said earlier, these methods take A LOT of discipline.  Are you REALLY going to start applying these principles right after you read this?

Probably not.

Well, there is a solution.  In the upcoming weeks/months I will be coming out with a cutting-edge, comprehensive DVD course entitled “The In-Home Personal Trainer” that will give you detailed, how-to instruction on the 3 training techniques I just mentioned.

By the way, if you don’t already know, I have changed the title which was originally “Home Fitness Secrets to Success” to “The In-Home Personal Trainer” as I feel it better depicts what I will be teaching in the program.

Be sure to stay tuned for more exciting details...have a great week!

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

How Often Can I Cheat?

When clients ask me this question, my answer is simple. 

I’ll allow you to eat junk food one meal per week.  I will NOT allow you to splurge for a whole day as many popular fitness experts, books and magazines will tell you.

If I take on a new client, my goal is to get them the best results possible.  And if I allow a client to cheat for a whole day or more, this is going to make it difficult.

You must realize that if you eat junk food or you’re eating too many calories in a given day, you’re setting up your next day for failure. 

Your body will naturally be hung over just as if you drank a twelve pack of beer or a bottle of wine.  And if you ate poorly plus drank…well, I’m sure you can figure out what happens. 

If your goal is to lose 25, 50 or 100 pounds, following this pattern will definitely get in the way of your results.

You’re basically eliminating 2 days for what would otherwise be very productive. 

That’s potentially 1200 calories you could burn from doing cardiovascular exercise and potentially 500 calories (or many more) from overeating. 

Yes, even a measly couple days matter. 

Now, you may be thinking… “Jim you’re waaaaay to hardcore for me…eating junk food once or twice a week isn’t a big deal.”

Well, if you’re 20% body fat and you have the metabolism of a 7-year old, then sure, that would be true. 

But 99% of the clients I help are 35-50% body fat.  Some of you reading this may also be in the same situation. 

So yes, eating junk food for an entire day IS a big deal and I promise you, those unburned calories from lack of exercise and those extra calories from too much food...DOES make a difference!

Now, let’s say you get down to about 20-24% body fat if you’re a woman and 10-15% body fat if you’re a man …then yes, I would allow you to cheat for a day. But until that day comes, it’s gotta be one meal a week.

So if you’re serious about your fitness goals and want to get a kick-butt body…cheat for one meal a week. 

If however, you want to eveeeeentually lose weight and get the body you want …then cheat for a whole day or even more.  I’m not going to twist your arm. 

But I may if you’re MY client…hehe. :)

Hope you had a great weekend and until next time, train hard and train smart.

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

60 Years Young and Going Strong

My operations manager and my friend Frank called me yesterday and asked,

"Guess what I did today?!" 

With Frank, that could be about anything from having lunch with his former boss, the current Ambassador to South Africa, (by the way – he used to be an advisor to the president and former ones…Yes, both Senior, W and Clinton…so, you could say the guy is a little smart!) going bowling or paint balling, watching the latest movie, shooting a video, or giving tours to out-of-town visitors to Capitol Hill. 

You see, when I first met Frank a little over three years ago, he weighed over 260 pounds, was completely out of shape, having never exercised in his life.

He was despondent and depressed due not only to his health, but the health of his wife, who had just suffered a stroke.  So you could say he was feeling incapable of moving off the so-called proverbial dime. 

However, slowly but surely, Frank put himself in my hands and in no time was on the road to good fitness and a healthy life-style.  At the age of 57, he lost over 100 pounds training with me and began a whole new life.

So when he asked, "Guess what I did today?"  I was not ready for the rather mundane answer he gave me. 

He had taken his wife (who cannot drive) to the mall to buy some Fall clothes, gone to lunch at his wife's favorite restaurant, went home and popped a turkey in the oven, mowed the lawn, ran three miles, showered, baked a no-fat apple sauce cake, took the turkey from the oven, prepared eight turkey burgers for the coming week, washed four loads of clothes, vacuumed the entire house, and cleaned the bathrooms.

Phew...I was tired just listening to him.

But because of his dedication to fitness and eating healthy, Frank no longer has any difficulty in doing these ordinary things that 3 years ago, wouldn’t even fathom doing.

Because Frank has stuck with it, he has kept his weight off and is in fact STILL losing.  He religiously fits exercise into his schedule.  He runs a minimum of four times a week and strength trains three times a week.  Yes, every week.

If 60 is the new 40, then Frank is the living proof of that.  Again, his consistency to healthier living is the key to his being able to do the everyday chores that many have problems with as they get older.

He can walk up stairs with no problem.  He can lift and reach for items easily.  He can perform everyday tasks effortlessly leaving time and energy for the fun things of life.

Frank oversees the day-to-day operation of my company and he often serves as an inspiration to me as to what "aging" can be. 

YOU too can live an ordinary life to the fullest. 

YOU too can go from being out-of-shape to being in the best shape of your life and having the body you always envisioned.

YOU too can be full of energy and have a loving life. 

And to those of you who think 60 is old or that after 60 you should pretty much stop living…think again. 

Frank is NO different than you.  His dedication and consistency are the two elements that have made this all happen…and YOU too can follow his lead!

You can read more about Frank's transformation and inspiring story by going to the bottom of our testimonials page here –  http://www.fitnessandresults.com/testimonials.php

Have a great day!

Yours in Total Fitness and Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin