TRAINING
Machines to avoid at the gym! The first is the inner/outer thigh machines (aka Seated Hip Abductor/Adductor Machine)! I can't tell you how many times I have seen ladies do cardio, hop on the inner/outer thigh machine and leave!

It's the 21st Century! Don't we all know by now that you CANNOT spot reduce???? Apparently not!

Here's what this machine is supposed to do: Train inner and outer thighs. (duh!)

What it actually does: Not much!
Due to the seated position, this machine trains a movement that has no functional use. At best, you'll feel warm in the inner/outer thigh, and at worst,  it can put undue pressure on the spine.

Why would you want to do this exercise?
If you play sports of any kind, or end up chasing a dog or kid when they get out of control, then strengthening the lateral motion is important.  This motion is often done in tennis, football, baseball, basketball and any sport that requires you to move!

If you want to whittle away your thighs, then do squats, lunges and eat right!

What SHOULD you do?
A better, more functional exercise would be Lateral Band Walks.  Place a heavy, short or looped resistance band around your legs (at your ankles) and sidestep out 20 paces and back with control. Even without resistance this can be much harder than it sounds! 

MOTIVATION
Perspective!
What's your back story? Your life lessons so far? I'll share some of mine and you can share on the Facebook page!  We all have experiences that mold us. We can learn from them or repeat them.

No matter what you do in life, there is always someone on better, or better off than you and someone worse, or worse off than you. It's about perspective and knowing what you have learned and gain from life experience.  Sharing that information is the best way to reinforce it! "We teach what we most need to learn" is a phrase I once heard.  Teaching reminds us and creates habits to make our life goals easier to achieve!

Remember, your worst day may be the best day in someone else's life!  Think about what you have learned and what you can share with others to spare them any of the frustrations or set backs you have experienced.  This is one of the reasons I do these podcasts and websites! I want to help others avoid the mistakes I made and the erroneous thought processes that held me back for so many years!

Go to the FitgirlUSA facebook page and share with me one piece of advice you would give someone struggling with fitness, weight, motivation or whatever you may have had struggles with in your lifetime!  I guarantee you there is someone out there that can benefit and appreciate your perspective!

NUTRITION
Great results are being reported to me by those that began the 21-day Metabolism Makeover program!  I'm not surprised (although they were!).  This is a solid plan to boost your metabolism, blast fat and make you body function at its best!

Check out the article at ClubFit about foods that can make you fat! You'd be surprised that some "healthy" foods, like trail mix,  can actually make you fat!

Here's what I want you to do!
If you enjoy these podcasts, and I know you do :), please share them with a friend or comment here or at the facebook page.  I want to hear from you!

Get the full episode on iTunes or download it here: Fit 154: Machines to Avoid, Life Lessons, Foods that Make You Fat.