The Best Advice Ever…

The Best Advice that I ever received was,  “Keep on going and don’t stop”.

I know you are thinking, “Is that it?!!”, but I stand by that advice!  Here’s why.  I started running track when I was a child.  I was a novice and didn’t know that much about running form, or the right shoes to wear or even the right way to stretch.  I had tons of questions for Coach Moore (My middle school track coach).  My first couple of questions were general ones.  I asked Coach Moore, “What should I do when I get out there?  Do you have any advice for me?”  The answer that he gave me was a simple one.  He said, “Keep on going and don’t stop.”

So here it is, my first Cross Country race.  I’m the new guy on the team and it’s my time to show what I can do.  In my first run I started out slow.  Everyone else gets out ahead of me.  As I continue to run I noticed that my teammates are stopping to take breaks.  I continued to run.  The voice that echoed in my head as I passed each runner was that of Coach Moore saying, “Don’t stop”.  I didn’t stop.  I kept on running.  Listening to Coach Moore took me a really long way because on my first run with the team, I moved up to second place on my first day.  Not bad for a newbee.

In life, too often, we overlook the simple advice that people share with us.  We are looking for the advice to come to us on a magic carpet, or we are looking for revelations to come in a platinum package.  In actuality the deep and profound answers to life’s obstacles can be extracted from “Simple advice”.  So, what kind of simple advice do you need to follow today to reach your maximum potential?  Which words of wisdom have you over looked?  What is the best advice that you ever had but you haven’t followed it yet?  Think about the best advice that you ever had and let it ring in your mind like a top 40 hit.  You’ll be glad that you did.  I know I am!

July 4th equals Freedom

It is common knowledge that the fourth of July is a celebration of America’s independence.  When I think about the fourth of July it is hard for me not to think about summer time, fireworks and BBQ’s.  I also makes me think about the word “freedom”..  Being that my family members are from another country it registers a little deeper what it means to be free. 

The United States isn’t perfect but we have plenty of financial, religious, and life style opportunities that are not given to other people in many parts of the world.  In America, the only thing that truly prevents us from living the lives that we want to live is our willingness to relinquish our rights that people have fought and died for.  If you want to be the next Millionaire, you can educate yourself to become financially literate so that you can accumulate wealth.  If you want to worship at a church, synagogue, or cathedral, there will be no barricades preventing you from going in.  And finally if you want to live a healthy and active lifestyle, no one will prevent you from exercising or from shopping for the foods that will make you healthy.  Freedom to live; Freedom to become who you want to be; Freedom to do you.  Don’t take your freedom for granted.  Take advantage of every opportunity that you have to live the greatest life possible.  Be free.

Fit2DMax TV is back!

Hey everyone Fit2DMax is proud to announce the refueling of Fit2DMax TV.  This means that you will find more helpful information about health and wellness, including the latest and greatest about the new trends for fitness.  As we approach the summer and the weather heats up there are a lot of events that are coming up and Fit2DMax TV will be there to cover it all.

Our first installment of Fit2DMax TV will be about the “6 pack” and how to slim down your stomach by the 4^th of July.  The re-launch of Fit2DMax TV couldn’t have come at a better time as Fit2DMax is celebrating 8 years of service in June.  Look out for us on Friday May 27^th on www.youtube.com/fit2dmax to get motivated, get excited and to get Fit2DMax.  Take care, God bless, and remember you can be fit, or you can be Fit2DMax.

Fit2DMax sneaker review 1st edition

 

 

Fit2DMax sneaker review 1st edition

 

This is the very first installment of the Fit2DMax sneaker review.  I have to be very honest with you.  I like sneakers!  I’m a very big sneaker fan.  I like different type of sneakers and all different colors.  There is something about a fresh pair of kicks that puts a little extra pep in your step.  We all know that if you buy a pair of Jordan’s that you won’t fly in the air like he did, but if the sneaker looks good and feels good, then who cares.  So now that I have confessed my passion for good quality sneakers, I present to you my review of the Nike Free 7.0 V2.  At this point the sneaker is at least a year old but it will not prevent me from paying homage to a great shoe.

Weight:  This is an extremely light weight training shoe at 10.0 ounces.  It has the feel of a racing flat but weighs just enough to use for your long runs.  Score: 10

Flexibility:  The Nike free has tremendous flexibility in that outsole portion that sits under the balls of the feet have ridges thus making it easier for the toe box of the shoe to bend.  Score: 10

Comfort:  When I tried them on they were very comfortable.  The Nike Free has great arch support, a pretty good insole, and more cushioning than you would expect for a shoe that is so light.  For the most part the shoe fits like a glove but if you have a wide foot it make get a little snug in the toebox area. Score: 9.5

Durability:  The Nike free sports the Nike signature BRS 1000 outsole.  With an outsole that has thickness in the right places, this shoe is strong right where it needs to be.  Score:  9.0

Style:  Style is something that is based solely on personal taste, so with that being said I’ll go with my taste.  I like the style of the sneaker because it definitely doesn’t try to do too much on design.  The models that I’m sporting right now have a white base, with grey trimming on the edge of the toe box and on the medial/middle part of the foot.  The Nike blue “swoosh” on the side part of the shoe gives it just enough color.  Score: 9:0

Best use:  Utilize as a light weight trainer for moderate up tempo runs, Interval/Track training, and Road Races.

Be on the look out for the next Sneaker review.  Until then, take care, God bless and remember you can be fit, or you can be Fit2DMax!

Maxim Nazaire is the author of the book Real Fitness, Real Nutrition.  He is a nationally recognized fitness expert.  Nazaire currently acts as a Corporate wellness Consultant for Fit2DMax incorporated.  He has consulted and managed wellness programs for The American Diabetes Association, Parson’s Engineering group, Gwinnett Technical College, and the Team Challenge program for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.

A Real life guide to running (Part 2)

Here are another 5 tips that you can use today that will make you a better runner!

6.  I think, there for I am:  Think like a runner, be a runner.  If you think like a car, you will be a car…. Well not really, but if you think like a runner you can be a runner.  Running is something that is inside of all of us.  It is on us to dig a little deeper and pull out our “inner runner”.    Think light on your feet, think endurance, think agile, think flexibility and you will be very shocked as to how this things will eventually manifest into existence. 

7.  Do out and back runs  Hey if you run out somewhere, you have to come back.  Out and back runs are a good way to challenge yourself to go a little further with your distances by making it mandatory for you  to do them so that you can make it back home.

8a.  Do planned runs   8b. Do impromptu runs

Planned runs gives your running program focus, integrity, balance and a log to look back on to assess performance.  Impromptu runs give you the chance to be spontaneous, and it allows you not to be concerned with the day to day stress of having to be a specific place at a specific time.  Do an impromptu run and let time take care of itself.

9.  Run like a tiger-  Think about the running tiger.  Its strides are long, strong yet graceful.  Running incorporates strength, yet grace,  powerful, yet coordinated and in sync.   Think about running like a tiger so that you can get into the mindset of how good running form feels like.

10.  Run in the rain  -  This is something that you want to add to your life’s to do list.  When you run in the rain, you do have to get over the initial shock of being wet, but after that you get into this zone and pull out a sense of determination that you didn’t know that you had.

There are no real rules for running, but the ones that I recommend that you adhere to is to run now, run often, run safely and run for fun!

Maxim Nazaire is the author of the book Real Fitness, Real Nutrition.  He is a nationally recognized fitness expert.  Nazaire currently acts as a Corporate wellness Consultant for Fit2DMax incorporated.  He has consulted and managed wellness programs for The American Diabetes Association, Parson’s Engineering group, Gwinnett Technical College, and the Team Challenge program for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.

A Real Life guide to becoming a Runner (Part 1)

I remember when I was a child and I started running for the first time.  It was like no other experience that I had ever come across.    I’m still looking for something similar but there is no feeling that you get from running; especially when it is outside.  Running on the treadmill is for the birds.  No offense to the people who like running on the treadmill but I often find that my 6’2 inch frame doesn’t allow me to run with my normal running stride and It always makes me feel like the hamster that runs on that wheel over and over and over again.  I’ll trade you the treadmill for a nice run outdoors on a city street or a trail run through trees with leaves turning color.

Let’s keep it honest.  Everyone isn’t built to be a world class runner.  We don’t need to do scientific research to find that out, however, everyone can be get better at running.  Look at me for example, I’m about 4-6 inches taller than what the height is of the average elite distance runner.  I’m also about 30 to 40 pounds heavier.  I had a dysfunctional heart that I was born with and had corrected through laser surgery when I was eighteen, a lower back that aligns in and out from a car accident when I was 20 years old and a right foot that has a tendency to play peek-a-boo by sticking out to the far right.  So how is it that I was able to run at the NCAA level, finish marathon running distances and coach others to do the same?  One word: LOVE.  I love to run.  I love how it feels.  I love the health benefits that come along with running.  It may be because your company has a Corporate 5k run that you would like to run a respectable time in.  It may be to run with your children, and to do something productive as a family. It may be to go on your personal journey and escape in the process, or you may want to appear to be the speedster in your immediate circle of friends.  So if you want to go out there and run but are not sure if running is made for you, here are 10 great tips to help you get out there and run.  Individuals turn to running for a multitude of reasons. 

1.   Find a good shoe that you feel comfortable in.  Your shoe should fit like a glove.  While running your foot will take a lot of steps.   Make sure your foot is protected with the right shoe.

2.  Drink plenty of water – drinking lots of water will keep you hydrated ensuring that you receive adequate blood flow throughout the muscles, and are not put at risk to dehydration or dry mouth.

3.  Get a good warm up before you run -  the facts are that warm muscles perform better than cold muscles.  Warm muscles are able to produce greater force with less impact on the joints are less likely to be injured.  Part of enjoying this running thing is being able to know that you won’t pull a hamstring doing this.

4.  Run with rhythm -  Rhythm makes it easier to remember things, makes your day to day a little less mundane and it allows you to run better.  Try running to the beat of a fast song, or one of your favorite songs.  It will help you to get during the challenging parts of your run.

5.  Run with people and run by yourself.

Running with people provides the stage for great social interaction and to help one another push toward their fitness goals.   Running by yourself is a great way to enjoy solitude, let the mind roam and to be one with thyself.  We are constantly having our personal space invaded at work, at home and in public so it is great to be able to have that alone time to yourself.

Stay tuned for the next  five things that you can do to make you a Runner!

Maxim Nazaire is the author of the book Real Fitness, Real Nutrition.  He is a nationally recognized fitness expert.  Nazaire currently acts as a Corporate wellness Consultant for Fit2DMax incorporated.  He has consulted and managed wellness programs for The American Diabetes Association, Parson’s Engineering group, Gwinnett Technical College, and the Team Challenge program for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.

Fit2DMax can Help Smokers Quit smoking through Smoking Cessation Programs!

Fit2DMax now offers smoking cessation programs.  Smoking cessation will go a long way toward helping individuals live a healthy and active lifestyle.  This program was adopted from widely respected clinical practitioner Flore-Marie Menardy, a professor at Seton Hall University.

 Through education, counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) smokers will have the knowledge, medication and support system needed to cease smoking and extend the lives of themselves and their families.   This program will be administered by Physicians, and Counselors from the Fit2DMax network of providers.   It is a great addition to the life changing solutions that Fit2DMax currently offers.  “Since smokers usually pay higher insurance cost, we thought it would be a great benefit to individuals as well as businesses to implement these cost saving programs”, says Maxim Nazaire.

Stay tuned to hear more about Fit2DMax inc and some of the events and happenings that are scheduled for 2011 in Atlanta and New York!

About the Author

Maxim Nazaire is the author of the book Real Fitness, Real Nutrition.  He is a nationally recognized fitness expert.  Nazaire currently acts as a Corporate wellness Consultant for Fit2DMax incorporated in Atlanta, GA.  He has consulted and managed wellness programs for The American Diabetes Association, Parson’s Engineering group, Gwinnett Technical College, and the Team Challenge program for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.

To find out more information on how to start a wellness program for your company visit http://corporatewellness101.com

How can you use a Corporate Wellness program as a retention tool?

Although the main concerns for many companies are often times linked to “the numbers” and the achievement of their bottom line, we have to acknowledge that “your people” are the ones that make that possible.  In an age where employees are a dime a dozen there is a tremendous value in acquiring and retaining great talent.  Companies spend millions of dollars a year on hiring and training employees just to see them jump ship to their competitors.  So what are some of the tools that you can use to hold on to good employees?  One of the answers are Corporate Wellness programs.  Here are some of the reasons why.

•  Work Place Morale: From nutritional advice to exercise programs, Wellness Programs provide healthier employees and allows staff to bond during group activities.  Exercise also releases endorphins which have been scientifically proven to enhance moods.

 

• Improved communication – You would be surprised as to how much of a common occurrence it is for employees who do work in different departments never connect with each other.  Or even employees who work in the same department that never converse with one another.  Through regular participation in wellness programs, participants are able to form organic relationships and usually result in more open communication which can help both business wise and personally.

• Increased Productivity:  It is proven that when an employee is healthy they are more productive. Being healthy reduces stress, increases concentration, and raises energy levels.  It also helps to ensure desired level of performance and consistency.  More productive employees lead to advancing employees.  If employees feel like they are advancing in their careers, it tends to make them feel better about what their roles are in the company.
• It shows that you care  At a time where paying more money to employees is a hard to accomplish, extra perks like full service wellness programs shows you’re the employees that you do care about their health and wellness. It shows the employees that you are taking measures to ensure their health and well-being is a high priority.  This breeds loyalty and responsibility from your employees.

 

This all ties in the old adage “It’s cheaper to keep em”.  This blog entry was not written to convince you on whether to retain your employees or not.  If your desire is to retain the good employees, then incorporating a wellness program is an excellent way to do just that.

What does Father’s day mean to me?

Hello this is Maxim Nazaire and this is my fitness Journey.

When I think about Father’s day I think about this day as a day to celebrate Men doing what God called them to do:  to be strong leaders for their families.  Fathers should create a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment where their children can  grow to be strong and confident individuals.  Fathers should have a role in raising children to become helpful  citizens in our society and just all around good people.

    

I didn’t grow up with my father so my mother had to play both roles at times.  I think she did a great job, but for a boy to grow into a man, there has to be a male role model for him to learn from;  A father figure to emulate.  A positive male figure to teach him discipline.  I was blessed to of had brothers, cousins, teachers, coaches, clergymen, and mentors to guide me during my childhood and teenage years.

Thank you to all of the men who take on the  responsiblities that come with  being a father.  I also challenge every man who reads this to look for a child to mentor because it truly takes a village to raise a child.

Take care, God bless, and remember you can be fit or you can be Fit2DMax!

Fit2DMax getting results according to an Atlanta Newspaper

Newspaper article spotlight on Fit2DMax

This is Maxim Nazaire and this is my fitness Journey.    Fit2DMax was recently featured in an Atlanta Newspaper.  The article is titled Coach Nazaire and Fit2DMax getting results.  Staff writer for the Atlanta Jewish Times John McCurdy wrote the story as follows: 

Weber School cross country and track and field coach Maxim Nazaire is known for the impact he leaves on every student that trains under him.  Case in point:  He was recognized just last week with Weber’s 2010 Coach of the Year award for the progress his teams made both in terms of fitness and character. 

But the man can work magic with more than just teens.  This year, he brought the Corporate Wellness program of his Fit2DMax personal training company to Weber faculty and teachers, and the results speak for themselves.  “I am stronger in parts of my body I didn’t think even had muscle,” participant Randal Robson, an English teacher at the School, said with a smile.  “Back in January I weighed 202 pounds, and now I weigh a little over 180.” 

The commitment on the part of the trainees was not small;  sessions were held three times a week before the school day, meaning a 6 a.m. start.  But with a coach on their side just as dedicated to the cause, the pioneer group of five tackled the mix of weight training, running and plyometrics. 

They also took a look at their diets, using Nazaire’s knowledge as a resource in reshaping what they eat.  To keep track of everything, they filled out nutrition logs and turned them in – or else. 

“There was a time when we had someone who consistently forgot their nutrition logs, so they consistently had to do push – ups,” Nazaire recalled with a laugh.  “The key was to make sure we held them accountable.  We just wanted to know what they were eating so that we could provide suggestions on how to change and improve to get the results they wanted.” 

It’s that tough love, plus all the individual attention he’s willing to give, that makes him such a great coach.  As the program progressed, he tailored workouts to his respective trainees, who ranged in age from the 20’s to the 50’s, and was pleased to see by the end that they had come together physically despite their differences. 

Of course, now that there are no more early-morning sessions and no one is monitoring what they’re eating, the participants can slide back into their old ways if they wish.  Nazaire recognizes this, but makes sure that before anyone leaves his watch, they have what he calls the “blueprint” for an active lifestyle. 

Besides a copy of his book, “Real Fitness, Real Nutrition: Hollywood Results with a Brooklyn Approach,” they’ve also got an idea of the framework, the structure of a regimen that’s both manageable and supremely beneficial to their health. 

“As they see what works for them, that allows them to duplicate that process,”  Nazaire said of his participants going into the future.  “If they want to put it away, that’s fine too, but at least they’ll know this is what it takes.” 

It’s safe to say year one of Corporate Wellness at Weber was a pretty big success: 

“I said to Coach Max, ‘It’s the best thing to happen to me in years’,” Robson said.