Hey Kittens!! How is your week going? I'm feeling MUCH better this morning after a good night's sleep in Vegas. I'm telling you- sleep is SO important!!
Anyway, I have to be heading out soon but am excited to introduce to you, another member of our Sears Fit Club "team" (Come join the party at Facebook.com/SearsFitClub), "The Angry Trainer", Alfonso Moretti. You kids know how I feel about angry men that can beat people up. It kind of works for me. In fact, I may need to ask Alfonso if he can sometimes be my bodyguard. That's a whole OTHER story.
Anyway, check out the goods from Alfonso, and then hear more from him every day on the Sears Fit Club page on Facebook. WOOT! Also check him out daily at www.angrytrainerfitness.com.
When did you first start working out and why?
I first started lifting weights at age 13. My Dad had weights in the house as far back as I can remember, and some of my earliest memories are of him huffing and puffing in the basement while he worked out. Plus I was a real “boy” and loved action movies – specifically Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I always wanted muscles like those guys. And truthfully I wasn’t really confident as a kid and I saw lifting weights as a way to change my body and build up some self-esteem. I mean come on, all the cool guys on TV and in movies had muscles. And with all the muscle magazines piled up around my house it was inevitable that I would get bitten by the iron bug. I started first as a fitness expert in a local gym and the rest is history.
Are you at your “Happy Place” right now – meaning more of a maintenance mode, or are you still in a weight loss mode?
Well I’m definitely not complacent with how I look and feel. I think that if you have that mindset, then you stop striving to make progress and reach for new levels. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve put my time in at the gym and I know that my body reflects all of my efforts, but I’m always looking for a new way to challenge myself, whether it be to run faster, jump higher or just trying to master something new. So no, I’m not in a maintenance, or weight loss mode, I’d say I’m in a Happy Place, but always looking to improve.
If you are in maintenance mode, do you feel that you work just as hard to maintain your level of fitness as you did to lose it?
Even though I’m not maintaining I’ll answer this. I can maintain my current level of fitness with significantly less exercise than what’s required to reach a higher level. This is true of most people - the more fit you are, the harder you have to work to see new results. That’s why initially when people first start an exercise regimen they see results almost immediately, but then they taper off a bit. Coaxing your body into becoming a fit, fat burning machine is difficult, and tricking your body into cooperating is a complicated task. One way I’ve found to keep seeing new results is to keep changing up routines, trying new things and always keep your body guessing.
What does your current workout “routine” look like now?
My workouts are crazy!! I joke that I have exercise A-D-D! It looks like a hurricane hit the gym when I’m done. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned over the last 20 years in the fitness industry and created my own training programs. All of my workouts consist or strength, cardio, balance/stability, functional, and flexibility training all rolled up into one big exercise buffet. I love kettlebells, suspension system exercises, good old-fashioned calisthenics like burpees, jump rope and squat jumps. I use yoga and pilate type movements, along with all sorts of resistance band training. Truthfully I could talk for hours, but basically I do it all now - from old school, to new school, and everything in between. I strive for balance and try not to keep my program well rounded. My mantra is “Be Fit, Not just Look it”. When I was a bodybuilder I certainly looked good, but I wasn’t fit. Now, I look good and I can back it up!
What do you do for cardio? How often?
Every one of my workouts is cardio, and I’m typically in the gym 4 -5 days per week. By interspersing sets of various aerobic conditioning exercises in every workout, my heart rate becomes elevated for the entire session. So I literally am in or over my training zone for an entire hour. It’s a huge misconception that cardio per se means running on a treadmill or biking. Weight training alone is proven to be very effective at increasing cardio vascular fitness, and some of the most efficient cardiovascular systems were found on heavy resistance trainers. Of course I don’t recommend only strength training, but it does play a role in my cardio vascular fitness. One of my favorite and hardest things to do is run on a powerless treadmill - yes, you heard me right. Don’t turn it on and start pushing the belt, then break out into a sprint. It’s super tough. And on occasion, I’ll run a mile and half as fast as I can to rev up my metabolism a bit. Fun huh? But the exercise that takes the cake for ultimate conditioning is kettlebell-burpee-pushup, shoulder presses. Now that’s fun!
Do you workout at home or the gym?
I can workout anywhere. Since my training involves a lot of functional, balance and stability type movements I don’t need a gym to get a great workout. That’s not to say I don’t go to fitness facilities, especially when the weather doesn’t permit an outdoor workout. Although I have been known to sprint in fresh snow - it’s super tough. I have a full set of resistance bands, a few kettlebells, a suspension system, and all sorts of great gadgets. I also train most of my clients with minimal equipment and have even used fireplace logs as weights - why not? A weight is a weight right? I think it’s a huge misconception that you can’t get a great workout outside of the gym. Heck, I even throw boulders, flip tractor tires, swing sledge hammers, and perform pull-ups of tree limbs! Some of my greatest workouts happen outside of the gym.
What do you say to those that haven’t gotten fit and complain that they don’t because they “can’t get motivated”?
Honestly there’s no excuse to be out of shape, and nothing validates complaining. So many people focus on the vanity aspect of exercise, but truthfully exercise primarily is a tool to improve one’s health, longevity and quality of life. Looking better just happens to be a nice side benefit. It’s really simple, it’s not a choice - you have to workout whether you like it or not. People go to work everyday, not because they want to, but because they have to. They value the benefits and financial incentives that having a job provides. People must learn to view exercise in the same light, and understand that the dividends it provides are irreplaceable and last a lifetime. There are few things that you can commit 4 or 5 hours of your time to and reap such amazing benefits. I also believe that a lot of people just haven’t found the type of exercise that is a good match for them or has had a bad experience. That’s one reason I started Angry Trainer Fitness, to help and inform those that have meaningful intentions of improving their health and fitness. Knowledge is power, especially in fitness.
What about any/all of the excuses like “No time”, “No money”, “no gym”, “no support”?
Well, everyone has the same amount of time in each day. Those same people who claim to have no time find plenty of time to go out for dinner, shopping and TV watching. And truthfully, who can’t find an extra 45 minutes to an hour 4 days per week? As for money, you don’t need much at all. As I’ve said you can great a great workout with minimal investment in just a few items like a medicine, resistance and stability balls, and a few pairs of dumbbells. Those same people once again go out for drinks, or spend ridiculous money on their vehicles. Where are the priorities? You are in your body your entire life, yet when it comes to maintenance of your health and fitness, more people focus on their house or vehicle maintenance. Can’t miss an oil change, tire rotation, or let the grass get too long. But they’ll let their body go! People need to wake up and re-evaluate what’s truly of importance.
What does your “diet” look like i.e. how you eat, what is your Philosophy?
I try to keep a caveman type diet. I see other species that have survived and thrived on what nature has provided them. Man is the only species that prepares and makes or processes food. I believe most people just don’t understand what food is - and that’s fuel to power the machine. Like any machine, put quality fuel in and you get better performance, mileage and increased longevity with little to no sludge buildup. If you choose poor sources of fuel, you get the exact opposite, and a lot of times major health issues. I stick with lean protein sources from all meats, a lot of vegetables and beans, nuts, and when appropriate or I need a simple source of sugar for energy, I eat fruit. I generally eat 5-6 small meals per day and like anyone else I’m not perfect. I eat a bit of chocolate here and there and treat myself occasionally. It’s what you do on a regular, consistent basis that your body will reflect. You don’t get lean by eating one good meal, and you won’t get fat by cheating on occasion either.
What changes have you made over the past several years in your diet and/or workout approach and why?
I used to be a serious amateur bodybuilder and weight trainer. But after ten years in that vanity driven game, and three surgeries I called it quits. My last injury was quite devastating, as I ruptured and fragmented my C7 disk in my neck. It basically paralyzed the left side of my body and forced me to find new ways to challenge myself. I really had no choice, I just wasn’t physically able to do what I was used to. In hindsight though, I can honestly say that bodybuilding provided me with valuable knowledge that non-bodybuilders don’t have. It taught me to “see” the body differently and gave me an unbelievable understanding of body mechanics. That translates into me being able to train people exceptionally on how to feel exercises and because I understand how the body functions, I pick up new exercises extremely fast. Now my workouts are all about being as well as looking fit. Bodybuilders also have immense knowledge about food and how the body uses it. Especially when it comes to dietary manipulation, they’re king. So I’ve always eaten well, and tried virtually every diet. But I feel how I eat now is the best balance and makes the most sense. It’s been quite the evolution to say the least.
What is your food weakness?
LOL! Ice cream! I actually had to give it up and I’m over 6 months sober! I was a stress eater, and turned to my good friends Ben and Jerry when I had some personal issues. My “habit” got out of control and became quite costly. Have you seen what that stuff costs? So I just followed my own advice and made a choice to not eat it anymore one day. I’m in charge and control what goes in my mouth. And truthfully, I don’t miss it all.
What is your favorite healthy breakfast?
I make an omelet virtually every day and while they vary one of my favorites is made with a handful of Smart Pasta, egg whites, 1 yolk, a sprinkle of cheese and tomato sauce. I burn the cheese when I flip it - yum. And I toast a piece of Ezekiel bread and top it with natural peanut butter and a bit of low sugar strawberry jam. I love breakfast! Oh, and a cup of coffee too.
When did you start blogging and why?
I’m relatively new to the fitness blogging world. I always wanted to do something on a grand scale and reach out to share my knowledge with the world. It wasn’t till I met Richard Drew and Roger Pelegrinelli of Savannah Media that my dreams became a reality. I actually auditioned for a TV show they were casting and although that project didn’t work out, I made enough of an impression that we kept in touch and planned to do something at a later date. Fast forward and Richard, being the innovative thinker that he is, had successfully launched two other brands via the web (Remote Patrolled and Good Enough Mother) and invited me to be his third project. And I must say it’s been an amazing ride and a truly remarkable journey. The guys come from a TV background so the site is very interactive, structured and ’produced’ – we’re all about breaking down fitness myths and giving real, direct information to people. The feedback and support has been fantastic and I feel so fortunate that people respect what I’m trying to share. I’m well on my way to doing what I love - which is help people understand their bodies and fitness in a whole new way.
How has blogging enhanced your fitness efforts?
Wow, it’s made me better as a person and a trainer. By being involved in the industry on a daily basis my wealth of information has grown immensely. I’m constantly being asked questions on the Angry Trainer site, and doing research to inform people about relevant health and fitness related topics. After almost 20 years in this field, it has sparked newfound passion and excitement in me for the field. I can’t tell you how many times I say to myself “I forgot that I knew that” when I’m having a discussion. It’s like being involved in this capacity is extracting all of this information I have stored on my mental hard drive. It’s so refreshing.
What is your Twitter/FB/Email?
My Twitter is @angrytrainerfit (http://twitter.com/#!/AngryTrainerFit) My Facebook Fan Page is Angry Trainer Fitness (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angry-Trainer-Fitness/122953407760610. Website is www.angrytrainerfitness.com
What haven’t you done (fitness wise) that you’d like to try?
I’ve been looking for a new challenge, something that would test my fitness, stamina, strength and will. But I’m not the type to go with the masses, so I’m going to be competing in The Tough Mudder competition coming up in a couple of months. It’s a crazy outdoor obstacle course that’s about 4 miles and takes 2- 3 hours to complete. There’s a mud pit, a glacier climb (yes you read that right), monster monkey bars, live wire obstacles (yes, you read that right too!) and all kinds of crazy events. I’m trying to amass an Angry Trainer Fitness team so if anyone wants to join in just contact me. It’s in Vermont this coming April.
What motivates you to keep at it?
You know I’m extremely fortunate in that I love to exercise. I learned early on that it made me feel empowered, strong, and helped define who I am today. For me to not exercise is like not breathing or blinking, it’s just something I do, part of my DNA. And I love my job and the access it gives me to meeting new people and helping others achieve what they previously thought wasn’t attainable. I can’t even imagine my life having been on a different course. I’ve been told by many people that I’m doing what I was born to, and I agree.
Are you a morning workout person or evening or lunchtime?
Truthfully I have no preference. I think in my case each represents different pros and cons and depends on whether I’ve been up early, or how many hours I’ve trained that day. Or really just how I feel. I’ve been known to workout out at 3:30 am, or as late as midnight. But generally I try to get it in nowadays around 10 am - schedules permitting of course.
What is YOUR biggest excuse that you find yourself battling in not wanting to workout a certain day?
I’m not tooting my own horn here, but truthfully I’m really consistent. And if I’m tired one day or I really don’t feel up to it I just don’t go. I used to be OCD when I competed and carried an exercise/food log around for years. My workouts and eating were ridiculously regimented. Forget that craziness, as I said your body and health reflects what you do consistently. Missing a day here or there is no big deal and you have to listen to your body. So when I need to rest or relax, I do.
Do you weigh yourself or measure yourself?
OMG no! Not anymore, that’s also a thing of the past. I hate scales and tell people to toss them out the window. They don’t tell what your bodies composition is, just your total weight and that’s not what people need to know. They need to know if they’re losing body-fat. We are a scale-obsessed culture and just because it reflects that you’ve lost weight, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost fat. You can burn muscle tissue or deplete your body of water on crash diets and see huge drops in weight, but obviously that’s not healthy. And measuring falls under the same category- if you lose muscle mass your circumferences will be smaller as well. I recommend either body fat calipers or simply gauging how you look or feel. I don’t use calipers to get the percentage, but rather just to gauge if an area is losing sub-cutaneous fat.
More from The Angry Trainer:
Anybody can achieve optimal health and fitness with the right direction and a plan. I’m called the Angry Trainer not because I’m mad at clients or trainees (although it does irk me that people buy into quick fix schemes), but I’m pissed at the fitness industry for making fitness appear complicated and difficult to attain. It doesn’t matter what your current condition is, or how far off you think that you are. You must resign yourself to the fact the your health must be priority number one and that everything else in your life will be better, more fulfilling, and enjoyable if you live a healthy, fitness driven lifestyle. You can absolutely achieve whatever you want, and I’m here to help. So check me out at Angry Trainer Fitness – and get moving!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 07:23PM
Hey Kittens!! Happy Wednesday!! And also- hello! I did not even realize I didn't post a WWF last week! #FAIL. Whatevs!! I am HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to share a major fitness girl crush of mine- Jess from Fit Chick in the City!! OMG. I think she is SOOOOOOO cool. Sooooo awesome. So fun. LOVE her blog and I got to meet her at BlogHer last year!! SCORE!! Life is good that I get to meet such amazing blogger girls!! Anyway- see the above photo in Central Park!! I ran there for the first time when I was at BlogHer- and Jess and I were gonna meet, but we missed each other. I was crying. Not really, but in my heart I was crying- and next time, I am gonna run with her and it will be glorious. ;-)
