Eric's Blog

  Hey Everyone!!!  Welcome to my blog, I hope that you enjoy the entries.  As sappy as it may be, I consider my blog to be my very own personal diary for all of you to share...

Hey you all, I hope this entry finds you well.  To all the contest contestants out there, beware.  Although I may be biased, you would not believe what my client Mark J. did today.  In this oppressive heat, Mark J. was able to bang out 50 hills (running up and down), 2 long suicide runs, and three rounds of cardio boxing. 

Ladies and gentlemen this guy is serious.  Mark even wanted to stay after the session to do more work on the treadmill.  This guy's an animal.

Anyhow, I just wanted to give Mark a "shout out" to let him know, if he is reading this blog entry, that I have a lot of respect for his work ethic.

Hey all, I hope this entry finds you all well.  As you know, it's boiling out there.  It's so hot my bunnies are even sweating (yes, in case you don't know I have two bunnies, Teddy and Roosevelt, and I love them).  All kidding aside, please be safe and cognizant of training in this heat.  I have included some information on training in the heat.

Keeping cool when the weather is hot

It's summertime and you head out for a run. Before you even finish the first mile, your body feels as though it might ignite from the heat.

It's not your imagination. Fifteen minutes into your run and your body temperature could be as high as 5° F above normal. If you were to continue at this pace, fatigue and heat illness would no doubt take over.

Strategies to protect yourself from heat illness

The above scenario doesn't have to happen. Drinking enough fluid, whether it be water or a sports drink, is imperative for exercising in hot or humid weather.

Maintenance of body fluids is essential to maintaining proper body temperature. Sweat dispels heat through your skin. If you let your body become dehydrated, you'll find it much more difficult to perform even the lightest of workouts.

But don't wait until you're thirsty to start replenishing those fluids. Chances are, by the time you actually feel thirsty, your body is well on its way to becoming severely dehydrated.

The following strategies will help you protect yourself from the onset of heat illness:

Interestingly, the acclimatization process can be completed in 7 to 14 days of repeated heat exposure. However, you must always continue to drink fluids before, during and after exercise.

Heat sensation risk of heat injury

Tuesday, July 15th:

Hey everyone, I hope that this entry find you all well.  Today I was working with one of my clients when he asked me, "Eric, what do you figure are the biggest keys to success in an exercise program?"  Now don't get me wrong, I don't profess to be Jane Fonda, or even Tony Little.  However, I have been around the block.  Throughout my 15 years of exercise experience (both personally and professionally) I have learned a lot.  I'd like to share with you all my top 5 keys to success in a fitness regimen (and in my opinion, in life).

Key #1-Be persistent, and don't give up 

             Let me tell you something, if I had even a penny for every time I have messed up, or failed at something,  I would have retired a long time ago.  One thing I do have though is persistence.  Giving up on a goal or task is so easy to do, believe me.  However, being persistent is one of the most important keys to success.  I truly do believe that anything can be accomplished through persistence. You have to believe in yourself and have a vision, and then do whatever necessary to accomplish that vision.

Key #2-Hard Work

             Although lacking nowadays in my opinion, a good work ethic, and the ability to out work the other guy or gal, is extremely important.  You have to be willing to put in the time to get the result.  Nothing comes easy, you have to work.  Their are no short cuts in this world, if you want it, you have to work for it.  I know it's cliché,  but it is very true.  You can ask any successful man or women what their five keys are to success and I guarantee a good work ethic will definitely be up there.  My favorite quote has always been, "when ever you are not working hard, someone else out there is, and when you compete for something, he/she will have the edge."  Never be out worked, and don't be afraid to work hard.

Key #3-Be Early and Stay Late

             Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am very anal about punctuality (especially my girlfriend who is always late :).  I don't care if it was a baseball practice when I was five, or a family event, I am notorious for being on time.  In my opinion, if you want to be successful at something, you have to be willing to put the time in.  Be willing to be early and stay late.  I don't care if I am working out by myself or with a client, time is no object.  I will always do my best and not leave until the job is done.  With that mentality, you can't go wrong.

Key #4-YOU have to want it

              When I first started working out, I was a very skinny boy at the ripe old age of 13.  I was always picked on by the older kids (mostly my brothers' friends come to think about it :) and nobody expected much of me.  However, inside that little chest was a huge heart, and my desire was extremely strong.  In four years I went from 115 pounds to 175.  You could not keep me away from our basement weight room, and I practically lived there.  I was so hungry, and to this day, I have not missed a week without weight training or exercise.

              On the contrary (and he may kill me for this) my brother hated to work out.  My dad use to try and make him, and he would even go as far as to lie about working out.  He hated it.

              Nobody can make you do something, you have got to want to do it for yourself.  I have worked with a lot of clients in my time and the most successful clients both professionally and fitness wise, are the clients who have that desire intrinsically.

Key #5-You Have to Have a Strong Stomach, Let Fitness be the Cornerstone

Hey you all, I hope this entry find you well.  Well, I am amazed with how many pictures I received (if you haven't sent yours in you can do so at any time).  I think that the competition looks very stiff.  We had some questions as to when the contest is over.  The last day of the competition is September 7th.

In addition, I was also thinking that I would pay the winner for their images.  I feel that the winner's transformation will inspire so many, and I can't wait.  I hope all of you are working hard out there on your transformations.  Remember, if not now, then when?

I wish you all the best in health and happiness,

Your friend in health,

Eric Leader

Hey everyone, I hope this entry finds you all well.  Okay, here we go, day one of the competition is finally here.  It's time to get serious, and put all of the excuses away.  I don't care about the excuses, we all have them, and I have heard them all.  Don't make any more, be accountable to yourself, and decide to make a change.

Change can be a very scary thing.  However, don't be afraid to challenge yourself.  Remember, there is something inside all of us that drives us to do great things.  Use this motivation to carry you through this competition and to propel you to great things.  It is my hope that you will someday be able to pinpoint this day as the day that changed your life.

I look forward to seeing and reading about all of the great transformations that I know will take place.  Just don't give up on yourself.  Work out hard, eat right, and be honest with yourself.  Don't give it, and don't ever give up on yourself.  If not now, then when?

Hey Everyone...I hope this entry finds you all well.  The day before the physique transformation contest begins is upon us.  I hope you all had a good fourth, and if you are like me, you ate way too much (thanks for the grub Mark and Courtney).  As you probably know, tomorrow is the beginning of our contest and I am very excited.

I am very happy to see that so many of you have expressed interest in our competition and I can't wait to see the results.  I look forward to seeing some remarkable changes both physically and emotionally.  After all, the competition isn't just about free sessions and prizes, it is about increased quality of life and health.

All of this being said, enjoy your last "cheat day."  This will probably be the only time I will tell you to eat and drink whatever you would like.  Be ready for change, and a better you.

I look forward to hearing about all of the positive changes that I know will take place.  Remember, don't give up and stay motivated.  The only thing that can stand in your way is yourself.

Hey Everyone, I hope this entry finds you all well.  I just wanted to say happy fourth of July and I wish you all a safe, and happy holiday.  I hope you are all having fun with the family and eating plenty of hot dogs :)

Hey Everyone!!!  I hope this entry finds you all well.  I just wanted to let you know that I am happy to see that we are going to have a large client base for our physique transformation contest.  I know that I am personally getting motivated to see how excited people are getting.

Not to throw more gasoline on the fire, but I want you all to know that many clients are beginning to talk trash.  The response via email has been both funny and encouraging.  I think this year's contest should be very interesting.  I look forward to seeing all of the positive changes. 

Remember, keep motivated.  It is very easy to get side tracked with your diet, or workouts without your trainer.  Don't all for it to happen.  Have a plan of action, and follow it.

Sunday, June 22nd: