FiftyFierce

Exercise fads are about as common as diet fads. One of the latest I've come across is 'bungee fitness', one that combines the elasticity of bungee cords with a combination of core training, cardiovascular exercise and resistance training movements. Still, I'm a die-hard fan of weight training though I also love cycling. The question I get most often is "What is the best way to lose weight?" Short answer: commitment to proper diet and consistency with one's actions. Incorporating an exercise plan should be based on personal preference but here are some important considerations for choosing well:

• What do you want to accomplish? Fat loss? Muscle gain with fat loss? Cardiovascular conditioning? Knowing what the goal is will help determine a starting point as well as the guidelines for measuring success with those goals. Ask yourself: Does the exercise you choose lead to a training effect for your desired outcome?

• Do you have the capacity to properly perform the activity? The squat...

The annual First Call-Out NPC National Qualifier bodybuilding competition date is rapidly approaching - exactly 12 weeks out from today's date. Promoter Rich Alvarez contacted me to ask if I would be making an appearance in the show, initiating the conversation with the question "Stacey, are you staying on point?" While I did reply, I certainly danced around the main subject: are you staying on point?

Now, I'm sure Rich is seasoned enough with athletes to know that when that question is answered with a list of To-Do items, this assuredly means No, not staying on point. While my 'reasons' are certainly legitimate, if I truly wanted to be there bad enough, I would find a way. I'm currently reading the book Conversations with God (Neale Donald Walsh) and have been contemplating a statement contained therein: 'All human actions are motivated at their deepest level by one of two emotions - fear or love.' When it comes to this competition, I realize my commitment to this lifestyle may no...