The fist day of Spring is officially here! With the April showers and May flowers amongst us, the temperature outside is beginning to do some wacky and wild things. One minute it’s cold, the next it’s hot, one day it’s sunny, one day it’s rainy, and somedays it’s a combination of both. With all these fluctuations in barometric pressure it can be difficult for our own bodies’ core temperature to keep up with these constant changes.

Changes in barometric pressure that accompany storms and shifts in weather patterns do affect our bodies, and many people are more sensitive to these effects then they might actually realize. Working with the public closely for over two decades has given me enough experience and insight to be able to predict when these changes are about to occur. For example a common theme I’ve noticed amongst our own clients is that as the Season begins to change from Winter to Spring to Summer to Fall, more and more people become ill and experience flu-like symptoms. As much as I try to warn our clients about preparing their bodies for these changes, many still fall victim to the common cold and/or flu.

Cold and Flu Season – Fact or Fiction?

The Winter Season has been known to be associated with the common “Cold and Flu Season” that so many people have come to accept. This is why the Flu Shot is so popular around this time of year. However given my own experience from what I’ve witnessed over the past few years, there is no one season that people tend to become more sick. In fact from what I’ve seen, I would suggest that all four seasons are equally popular for the times that I notice when people become ill.

Sick of Being Sick

Knock on wood I rarely if ever get sick. Sure I sometimes get the occasional cold or sore throat but never has it been bad enough to leave me bed ridden or have me miss a day of work. In fact, to many of my clients’ despair, I’ve never missed a day of work in my entire career as a Personal Trainer. What some people might attribute to good genetics or luck, I contribute it to neither. I know this for the simple fact that everyone in my family has become ill at some point over the past few seasons and because I don’t believe in luck. What I do believe in though is creating a strong and healthy immune system. And I feel that because I’ve been able to do this, I rarely if ever get sick.

Building a Better Body – Both Externally and Internally

I understand that most people who are referred to work with us or seek out our assistance do so because they want to improve upon their aesthetics. Sure, we all want to be healthy and fit, but the fact of the matter is that most of people who hire a Personal Trainer, do so in the hopes that they can lose some fat and build some muscle. And in my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. However as I stress to all of our clients, it’s important to have a desire to change internally as much as they want to change externally. If the only reason you are working out is for the sole purpose of vanity, this goal will only take you so far. As we age, our bodies will age with us. We’re not always going to have ripped six packs and bulging biceps. Those “Booty Gains” that many women are chasing will begin to lose their significance when overall health and quality of life become priorities in their lives. Instead of “Battling the Bulge” you could very well one day could find yourself battling for your life. And even though consistent exercise and clean eating will not guarantee you a clean bill of health, it definitely can’t hurt.

Prepare To Do Battle

I’ve always been one to refrain from giving advice or my opinion unless I’m asked for it. There’s nothing worse then unsolicited advice and when it comes to the subjects of health, fitness and nutrition, it can be very personal to each individual. I believe that if the diet plan and training program that you are following works for you, then don’t change it. I also believe that if you have a supplement protocol that keeps you feeling strong and healthy, to leave it as is. However rarely is this ever the case with the people who seek out my assistance. These people want my advice and respect my opinion. My nutritional plans might not be fancy and my training programs might not be fun, but they work. And the only reason they work is because they are customized and tailored for the person that I design them for. Whether I’m working with someone who suffers from Chromes Disease, Colitis, IBS or is a Diabetic, I make sure the nutritional plan I create works for them. Whether I’m working with an ectomorph who has trouble putting on muscle or an endomorph who struggles to lose weight, I make sure that the training program I design works for them. And having an understanding of proper supplementation and the benefits and side effects of the majority of these supplements on the market today, allows me to customized a supplementation plan for each particular client’s health issues and physical limitations.

Learn Your Body

When it comes to our own health, ignorance is not an excuse. If you constantly find yourself feeling sick and rundown go see your Doctor. Ask for blood work. If you don’t feel confident with your Doctor’s advice or diagnosis, then get a second opinion. Do not allow yourself to put all your faith in a medical system that just views you as another number. Look for ways to constantly improve upon your health. Research new medical theories and question something when it doesn’t make sense. Take responsibility for your own life and don’t rely on someone else to take on that responsibility for you.

“Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.”
Dennis Waitley

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance