Why can't I lose weight when I walk three miles a day?

One of the biggest reasons people seek care at our office is weight loss. I frequently have patients ask me all the time why are the not losing weight when they walk 2 to 3 miles a day. This is always one of my favorite questions I get. I will in this case make a generalization. It is very rare that you see a thin group of ladies out for a walk or even seniors doing their morning walk at the mall. Although I commend them on having the right intentions to do something about their health but unfortunately they are wasting too much time with dismal results. What most people don't realize, once you get into a specific exercise routine your body soon adapts and you lose any real long lasting benefit. I also see this in the construction world. Construction workers by in large are more physically fit than the average person. But again after six months of doing the same thing over and over the body plateaus and they lose any real gains.

One of the keys to really shaking things up to where you lose pounds and inches is intensity. The higher the intensity, the better the results period! Increasing your intensity of exercise over a period of fifteen to twenty minutes will yield better health gains and a noticeable drop in pounds and inches than loafing for hours.

The other key is shocking your body with a change in routine. Instead of walking everyday, incorporate hiking, biking, rowing or weight resistance training. When you frequently change up your routine your body has to learn to accommodate the unfamiliar muscle motions and cardiac output. Constantly changing our workout allows our muscles, cardiovascular system and proproioceptors to make better, noticeable gains. Especially around our waste line.

If your really wanting to step up your intensity or your looking for a change in your workout routine, give CrossFit a go. Personally I have found no better way to increase muscle mass, lose inches and feel incredible without pills or potions than CrossFIt. Just to reiterate, there is no quick fix and there is no magic bullet. Optimal health and wellness is a way of life.

Love, Light & Laughter

Dr. Corey

Welcome to My My CrossFit Adventure.

May 13, 2011 marked my first day into the world of Crossfit. For the most part I have always been fairly active. However over the last two years I managed to focus more on my emotional and spiritual sides while neglecting my physical side. For the past 15 years I have been practicing chiropractic, nutrition, acupressure, homeopathy and energy healing in my two offices. I finally reached the point that if I was going to be an expert in the field of health and wellness I better start looking the part. Over the years I belonged to several gyms working out three to five times a week but it seemed that after I hit thirty, I did not get the desired results with weight and body shape that I had in my twenties. As a result of my slacking over the last two years, my weight reached 230 with a 38 inch waist. I had heard about Crossfit from a long time friend and a buddy of mine that was a fireman. I checked out some of the Crossfit and facebook pages on the web. I was amazed at the pictures of Crossfit participants and how incredible they all looked. For those of you new to Crossfit, Crossfit is specialized system of working out. Developed by gymnast, Greg Glassman, Crossfit incorporates 10 components of fitness: Cardiovascular Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Agility, Balance and Coordination. Crossfit is old school; bar bells, dumbbells, kettlebells, pull-up bars, no machines, no mirrors and no meat market. Most workouts last anywhere from 7 to 20 minutes and you are not only spent, but, you have gotten a complete cardio and weight workout. I decided to check out Crossfit Park City which happened to be a mile from my house. I did not realize it but Crossfit Park City is owned by Chris Spealler who unbeknownst to me is one of the pioneers in the sport. My long time friend Kim Averett, who is a certified Crossfit instructor in Logan, Utah said I was fortunate to have Chris as an instructor.

My wife and I showed up for our initial session. We were told that we would have to have four individual sessions with either Chris or Eric O'Conner before we could officially work out with the groups. I liked the idea that we had to demonstrate proficiency with lifting techniques before they turned us loose. We were put through a barrage of lifting techniques with a pvc pipe before we moved to the heavy stuff. Our first workout consisted of three rounds of push-ups, pull-ups, kettlbell swings and box jumps. Needless to say, after the first session which lasted about 7 to 10 minutes, we were totally spent and dripping wet with sweat. We scheduled our second session four days later, which was a good thing because it took us four days to recover from our soreness. After about three weeks we finished our four sessions with Chris and Eric and joined the group. After the first 2 weeks I had already lost an inch off my waist. I was impressed. I thought I was ready to break into the group work outs. Man was I wrong. The shape these athletes are in are unbelievable. I learned fast not to even try to compete with these physical specimen because I was just going to get left in the dust. Even after 3 months of doing Crossfit, I am still either last or next or next to last in finishing the work outs. Am I frustrated? Hell No! I am more motivated and excited as ever. Over the last 90 days, I have lost 15lbs. and I am in between a 34 and 36 inch waist. I look 10 years younger according to my wife and I feel absolutely amazing. My main focus is to improve my results with each work out instead of comparing my results with the other members. The wonderful thing about Crossfit is the constant encouragement I get from the other members as well as having Chris, Eric and Doug push us at the times when I need them the most. Crossfit has changed my life for the better and I am in better shape now than I was in my twenties and thirties, I am 42 now. My goal now is to fit into a 34inch waist by the end of summer and I am close. As far as my weight goes, who cares, muscle weighs more than fat and every day I am getting toner and tighter.

If you are serious about getting back in shape and taking back your health as well as your life, give Crossfit a look.