One of the most challenging aspects of determining a client’s body composition (% body fat) is using a method that insures the most accurate measurement.  Over the years, we have tried several methods that promise accuracy, but each has its inherent flaws, particularly when you compare them to the “gold standard” of measuring body composition: hydrostatic or underwater weighing.

But in our efforts to always bring you the best in everything we offer, whether it be in exercise methods, diet and weight loss strategies, metabolism testing, or nutritional supplements we recommend, measuring your body composition (essentially the percentage of body fat) has now taken a giant leap into the future with the latest technology from IntelaMetrix.

Their new professional-level Ultrasound Body Composition Assessment System called the BodyMetrix uses ultrasound to measure the body fat and lean muscle of a person to a degree of accuracy that is the closest to the “gold standard”.  Used in hospitals and bariatric centers, the BodyMetrix Ultrasound Body Composition Assessment System uses non-invasive  ultrasound waves to penetrate tissue and detect the true fat thickness at certain measuring points. By making measurements at multiple points on the body, the most accurate of your body fat % can be determined.

Ultrasound may sound likesomething intimidating, but if you’ve ever heard an echo you’re on track to understand how the BodyMetrix System works. You hear an echo when sound travels through air and reflects from a wall or mountain and comes back to your ear. If you time how long it takes for you to hear the echo you can calculate how far away the reflecting object is. The BodyMetrix Ultrasound Body Composition Assessment System generates an ultrasound signal that travels through tissue and then records the reflected signal.

What does this all mean to you?  It means that we now have a way of determining your body composition (percent body fat) more accurately than ever before.  This technology has been used by professional athletic teams, research institutions, colleges and universities.  It was even used by Tim Ferriss, author of the book The 4-Hour Body.  And now, it will become an integral part of our Initial and Progress Assessments at Genesis Personal Fitness.

But the even bigger breakthrough about using this new technology is that assessment results from using the BodyMetrix Ultrasound Body Composition Assessment System will allow us to make your exercise program more customized and effective, particularly if you participate in 1-on-1 exercise training sessions at Genesis Personal Fitness.  It allows us to see actual fat loss and muscle gain, and assess targeted areas, thus allowing us to help you to exercise and diet according to your body fat “profile”.

This combined with all the other assessment technology we use will provide the Genesis Client with unparalleled program design and effectiveness.  Essentially… better results in less time.

We will be using this new BodyMetrix Ultrasound Body Composition Assessment System during client assessments for our upcoming 2012 Weight Loss Boot Camp that starts January 7th.  Registration for our  2012 Weight Loss Boot Camp opens December 5th and is limited to 15 participants.  See more details here:  http://www.genesispersonalfitness.com/BootCamp.html

Until next time…

Rita Bryan
President & Co-Founder
Genesis Personal Fitness of Newtown, PA
Tel: 215-504-0100

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IT’S OFFICIAL… we will be replacing our current Stairmaster elliptical trainers with brand new Octane 3700 Pro Elliptical Cross Trainers.  If you’re unfamiliar with these state-of-the-art ellipticals, I thought you might be interested in a few features and benefits about them and even a short video.

Besides providing a superior upper and lower body cardio workout, they enable the user to select from a variety of new exercise routines that will work well with your New Leaf Metabolic Exercise Program.  In addition, the Octane 3700 Pro Elliptical Cross Trainers are capable of being set at two different stride lengths - one for walking/jogging (a shorter stride length) and one for running (a longer stride length).  What this means is that 4 of the 8 new Octane 3700 Pro Elliptical Cross Trainers will be set for one stride length and the remaining 4 the other stride length.  Each one will be clearly labeled as to which stride length it is set for (Walker/Jogger versus Runner), so be sure you check before you start to make sure it is right for you.

Rich and I were pretty impressed with the Octane 3700 Pro Elliptical Cross Trainers after looking at quite a number of new elliptical brands.  We just felt that our Genesis Clients would get a terrific cardio exercise experience each and every time without under or over training.

We expect delivery of the new Octane 3700 Pro Elliptical Cross Trainers on or around December 1st.  To get you even more familiar with these new pieces of equipment, here is a short 5-minute video below on the Octane 3700 Pro Elliptical Cross Trainers right from their company.

Talk soon…

Rita Bryan
President & Co-Founder
Genesis Personal Fitness of Newtown, PA
Tel: 215-504-0100

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If you have ever tried to lose weight and experienced frustration and disappointment with limited results, you might start to think that there’s a hidden “missing link” somewhere in your approach that’s preventing you from achieving your weight loss goals.  And you might just be right.

Over the past year since beta-testing some of the unique concepts and principles that govern our new proprietary Path Diet used in our Momentum Keepers Club Program, we’ve come to realize that there is, in fact, a way to diet and exercise that can actually activate your SIRT1 gene, which is also know as your “skinny gene”.  Results from some of our successful clients has proven that there is a specific formula of both diet and exercise that can naturally activate this gene to not only inhibit fat storage but also increase your fat-burning metabolism.

What is SIRT1?
SIRT1 is a gene found in humans and other mammals that helps to promote survival by protecting cells during times when food (and therefore energy) is scarce. Scientists have discovered similar genes in almost all species, including Sir2 in yeast, worms, and fruit flies.

SIRT1 acts as a “rescue gene,” repairing the damage done by free radicals and preventing cells from dying prematurely. The gene also causes mitochondria, the power plants of cells, to produce energy at higher levels that are typically associated with younger cells. As a result, SIRT1 is believed to be a principal regulator of lifespan.

The Health & Weight Loss Benefits of SIRT1
The SIRT1 gene, or “skinny gene,” assists with weight loss by inhibiting fat storage and increasing fat metabolism. By causing the body to store less fat in its fat cells, SIRT1 can also slow the aging process by reducing the risk of age-related diseases and health threats, including heart attack and stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. These conditions have all been linked to an excess amount of fat cells in the body.

In addition, SIRT1 can reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, two other primary causes of aging. Studies show that individuals who live to be 100 years old have lower levels of oxidative stress, meaning fewer free radical cells, than those who live to be 70. Oxidative stress is also thought to be a more reliable indicator of heart disease than cholesterol levels or other factors. 

How is the SIRT1 gene activated?
SIRT1 is activated in a two-stage process that incorporates both diet and exercise.  The initial stage is called the Induction Stage which is best done gradually over an 8-week period.  During the Induction Stage, the SIRT1 gene is activated and made functional through rising levels of SIRT1.  This is noted by the progressive weight loss through the achievement of an improved “metabolic momentum” during these 8 weeks.

The Induction Stage should then be followed by the Peak Momentum Stage in which the diet and exercise regimen actually becomes easier and more effective so long as the SIRT1 gene remains fully activated.  Once the person achieves their weight loss goal, long-term weight maintenance becomes less restrictive and stress-free.

How YOU Can Activate YOUR SIRT1 Gene
If you’ve tried to diet, exercise, or both to lose weight and don’t think you’re making much headway, then perhaps your SIRT1 gene, or “skinny gene” is holding you back and simply needs to be activated.  While there isn’t an instant, easy ”buy it in a box” solution yet, our next upcoming Genesis Weight Loss Boot Camp will be incorporating many of the scientific diet and exercise principles needed to activate your SIRT1 gene over an 8-week period.

While seating is extremely limited in this upcoming Genesis Weight Loss Boot Camp, you can still reserve your seat for the program that starts on October 1st.  For more information about what’s all included in our upcoming Genesis Weight Loss Boot Camp, go here:   http://www.genesispersonalfitness.com/public/580.cfm

Until next time…

Rita Bryan
President & Co-Founder
Genesis Personal Fitness of Newtown, PA
Tel: 215-504-0100

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There’s a buzz going around Hollywood about a new fat loss ‘miracle pill’ that is actually made of a special fat that helps you burn more body (and belly) fat.  Many celebrities are using it when they need to get in shape quickly before a movie or event. Is this true or is this a big scam?

As odd as it sounds, the “designer fat” being talked about is VERY real and VERY exciting.  Here’s the story on it:

Before the recent carb-cutting craze, many experts suggested that the best way to lose fat was to stop eating fat. There are a lot of good reasons for this. For example, fat is the most calorie dense macronutrient (carbs and protein contain 4 calories per gram, while fat contains 9 calories) and cutting calories, in general, can help you battle the bulge.

BUT… many of these experts are now eating their words AND their fat because one fat, in particular, is getting a great deal of attention from researchers, scientists, and supplement experts alike. That fat is called conjugated linoleic acid - better known as CLA.

What Is CLA?

While no supplement should be considered a “miracle-pill” as you’re already well aware (it’s important to start with a quality eating and activity program), CLA is earning a reputation for being the “next best thing.”

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in trace amounts in 3 foods including cheese, butter, and beef. You need to know, however, that these foods do NOT typically contain enough CLA to have a positive fat loss effect because the CLA they contain is destroyed during processing. Fortunately, there is a way to purify and extract CLA into gel capsules so it contain the proper amounts to help your body naturally fight fat.

In fact, one double-blind study, conducted by Thom Erling, Ph.D., gave one group a gel capsule full of CLA for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while a second group received a placebo (fake) gel capsule with nothing but regular vegetable oil in it.  After three months, the CLA group enjoyed a 15 to 20% decrease in body fat compared to the placebo group (who didn’t get CLA), which experienced little change.

According to another study, appearing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a group of 180 overweight men and women lost 9% of their total body fat WITHOUT altering what they ate over one year. Imagine their results if they had been eating smart and exercising on a regular basis!

But it gets even better… Ola Gudmundsen, managing director of Scandinavian Clinical Research conducted another study where 60 overweight people, who again, were NOT allowed to change their eating habits, were put on either a placebo or CLA for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks, the subjects in the CLA group had lost over DOUBLE the amount of weight than the placebo group who didn’t take CLA. Most promising was that the researchers found the loss came primarily from body fat.

How Does It Work?

Although researchers are still trying to figure out this very question, the leading CLA researcher, Michael W. Pariza from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, suggests, “In a general sense, what CLA is doing is keeping little fat cells from getting big… perhaps by blocking certain enzymes that let fat cells swell.”

You see, fat (that you eat), normally enters the fat cell through a “door” controlled by an enzyme that acts as a “key.” By acting on this enzyme (or key), CLA may keep the door locked, which, in turn, keeps fat from accumulating in the cells. The less fat in the cells, the smaller and less mature they become, helping reduce the overall levels. The increased breakdown of fat helps fuel and preserve muscle mass, which increases metabolism.

Regardless of how it works, research shows that CLA is very safe to use because it’s naturally occurring. It’s even found in trace amounts in foods like cheese and meats… but not in high enough amounts to have a positive effect.

For best results, researchers suggest an effective amount of CLA for dropping body fat is 3,000 mg (3 grams) each day. This means you simply take a 1,000 mg. serving with each of your main meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What to Look for in a Quality CLA Supplement

Not all supplements are created equal, even when it comes to the same supplement made by different brands. In fact, some CLA on the market doesn’t even contain any CLA at all. Instead, the capsules are filled with plain old vegetable oil. This is why it’s vitally important to always go with quality brands, known for their purity. One such brand is Metagenic’s Ultra CLA, which contains the purest CLA available on the market. This is the exact type of CLA that we use in our Genesis Weight Loss Boot Camp Programs.

Metagenic’s Ultra CLA seems to be a hot, new fat-fighting supplement that is backed by REAL scientific research. That’s why we’re offering it to our Genesis Clients through our Online Metagenics Store.  If you haven’t opened up a personal account in our Online Metagenics Store, don’t wait.  Order direct through our Online Metagenics Store,  and not only get a 5% discount on your order, but when you order over $100, your shipping and handling is FREE!

Until next time…

Rita Bryan
President & Co-Founder
Genesis Personal Fitness of Newtown, PA
Tel: 215-504-0100

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Why is eating frequent meals so important? While one of the goals of your eating endeavors is to get as much “good food” as you can past your fat cells and into your lean muscle tissue, you must be wary: Your lean muscle tissue can handle only a certain amount of food at a time.

In other words, after you eat that amount, the cells in your muscles shut their doors and don’t allow any more food in, no matter how nutritious it is, until it has burned up the food already there. So where does the excess food go? You guessed it. Straight to your fat cells.

Let’s look at an example of what we’re talking about. Let’s say it’s lunchtime, and you have the type of body that needs 300-400 calories to keep functioning until your next meal. But then you sit down at lunch and ingest enough food to add up to 1,000 calories. That excess 600-700 calories (no matter where it is coming from chicken, fruit, or cookies) is most likely to be stored as fat.

Are you getting the picture? If, at some point during the day, you eat a very large meal, you’re liable to saturate your fat cells. And don’t think you’re doing yourself a favor if you overeat at one meal and then wait several hours before eating another meal. By then, it’s too late. Your body has already taken the extra calories from that first meal and sent them to its fat cells.

For more weight-loss, nutrition, and fitness tips and information connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit us at GenesisPersonalFitness.com where you can download our FREE report on weight loss!

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Before you get too far ahead of us and start making up excuses, we know you are pressed for time, and we know that walking, especially the long route, may not be the most convenient option.  Then again, neither is the extra weight we are carrying around with us.  Sitting all day is not just bad for you, it’s deadly.  Walking a little bit further everyday can help you keep your metabolism burning more all day long and it can obviously burn off more of those calories from the actual physical activity.  It will also help you to be a bit happier and a little more sane.  Everyone needs a break and yo mine as well get some fresh air and sunshine while you are at it.  Here are a few ways to get more exercise by walking the scenic route.

Take the stairs.  If you have to run to your car to grab something you forgot or down to the store room in the basement take the stairs.  Stairs are a great way to get your blood pumping and to burn some extra calories.  If you don’t ever have to leave your floor try taking a lap up and down the hallway or just taking the long way to your destination.  The important thing is that you are  getting up and moving.

Walk to lunch.  If it is reasonable walk to lunch instead of driving down the block.  If you bring your lunch, pick a nice place to eat a reasonable distance away from your office and walk there every day. This will actually help you digest your lunch and turn it in to energy instead of just letting it sit in your stomach.

Set up a walking meeting.  Chances are the other people in your office wouldn’t object to a little exercise and fresh air.  Have your morning meeting while walking around the building or down the street to the coffee shop.  Talking and walking isn’t too challenging a task, and it will make you all more alert and a little more happy.

Stick with these five tips and you will be shedding the extra weight in no time.  For more weight-loss tips and advice connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit us at GenesisPersonalFitness.com where you can download our FREE report on weight loss.

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Even though the weather is warmer and people are more active overall, summer can pack on the extra pounds.  Vacations and trips can throw your diet completely out of wack and don’t forget the barbecues that triple your calorie and sodium intake in one meal.  So what can you do to prevent summer from taking its toll on your body?  Follow these five easy tips.

1. Keep the water coming.  Not only does the heat dehydrate you faster, but it also gives you the munchies.  Staying hydrated can help control your appetite and keep your metabolism burning all day long.

2. Hit the gym bright and early.  Early workouts will keep your from overheating and getting exhausted.  They will also give you the extra boost of energy you need to get your day going. m

3. Have a plan.  This rule will save you time, money, and calories.  If you are going to be out and about all day, pack a healthy lunch.  This applies to road trips and vacations as well.  You won’t waste the time and money it takes to find and eat at a restaurant and you will save all the calories and fat you would have been getting from a burger and fries.

4. Try switching out your popsicles and ice cream bars for frozen fruit.  This is a refreshing and nutritious option that can help to satisfy your sweet tooth.  Mix some frozen fruit with your favorite yogurt for a refreshing meal on the go.

5. Wrap it with lettuce.  Your favorite meats off the grill can be wrapped up with your favorite greens to help add some extra nutrition and to cool you off.  Hot meals are often unappealing in the dead heat of summer so ad fresh produce or wrap your meal with lettuce to cool it down.  You don’t have to eat a salad to get your veggies!

Stick with these five tips and you will be shedding the extra weight in no time.  For more weight-loss tips and advice connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit us at GenesisPersonalFitness.com where you can download our FREE report on weight loss.

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Being healthy doesn’t mean you are taking an exercise class or you are on a new diet, it is a way of life.  Most of us know how hard it is break bad habits and build good ones, and we always wish we would have been eating healthy from the beginning.  That is why we went on the hunt to help you help your kids build some of those healthy habits.  This is a great video with tips to get your kids to snack healthier.

At Genesis Personal Fitness we feature the best personal trainers and weight loss coaches in Bucks County at our state-of-the art weight loss and fitness facility in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Thanks for stopping by to read this post.  Let me know what you think by dropping me a comment below. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more health, weight loss, and nutrition tips!

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Losing weight is hard, nobody ever said it wasn’t.  You get hungry when you diet and you get hungry when you work out, and you get incredibly hungry when you do both.  It is easy to justify eating anything when you feel like you are starving, you worked out and you have been eating healthy so you think it’s ok to grab that bag of chips or cookies and a soda… It’s not.  Giving in to all of those cravings will not only keep you from making progress but they will set you back after all the hard work you have been putting in.  We pt together five rules to help keep you one step ahead of your appetite.

Rule #1 – Set realistic goals.  Don’t tell yourself you aren’t going to eat any sweets for a year.  Pick a  goal that you know you can accomplish.  Once you hit that mark start over and challenge yourself to go just a bit longer.  This lets you feel successful and it gives you the time to notice the benefits eating healthy has on your body.

Rule #2 – Give yourself a deeper purpose.  Trying to get a six pack just isn’t enough to keep some people on their diet plans.  Exercise can help reduce stress, improve sleep, lower your blood pressure, and improve your heart health, and that’s the short list.  Remind yourself that you are going through all of this for more than cosmetic reasons and it will be easier to stick to the plan.

Rule #3 – It’s ok to mess up.  If you over-indulge with one meal try to make sure the next five are healthy.  You can even add some extra walking or cardio in to your day to help balance it out.  Don’t let one meal define your diet and throw you off track.

Rule #4 – Start the day off right.  You have probably heard everyone say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that is because it is.  If you sleep for 6-8 hours and skip breakfast your body will be running on empty by the time you get to work.  This is what sends the killer cravings for high energy foods like sweets and chips.  Eat a good breakfast to prevent those cravings.

Rule #5 – Toss the junk.  Don’t keep foods that aren’t on your diet around your home.  Switch out the chips for almonds and drop the cookie jar for fresh fruit.  If it isn’t within easy reach you have to put in a lot more thought before you actually get to it.  By the time you consider getting in your car to go to the store and get your favorite treat you will have most likely remembered that you have been working hard and you don’t want to ruin it.

At Genesis Personal Fitness we feature the best personal trainers and weight loss coaches in Bucks County at our state-of-the art weight loss and fitness facility in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Thanks for stopping by to read this post.  Let me know what you think by dropping me a comment below. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more health, weight loss, and nutrition tips!

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With two-thirds of Americans being overweight, our waistlines aren’t the only things that are growing.  Everyone is paying for this epidemic no matter how much they weigh.  Here are some shocking stats that should motivate you to motivate others to get moving.

At Genesis Personal Fitness we feature the best personal trainers and weight loss coaches in Bucks County at our state-of-the art weight loss and fitness facility in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Thanks for stopping by to read this post.  Let me know what you think by dropping me a comment below. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more health, weight loss, and nutrition tips!

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