Eddie Baran's Body Sculpting Blog

Yes, it was only a matter of time before I'd use that old hackneyed expression from that ever-annoying deodorant commercial that ran non-stop during the 70's and 80's. They ran that thing into the ground until it hit China and came out the other side. I'm sure you'd never though you'd ever have to hear that irritating thing again. Well, here I am about to resurrect it. Not in any attempt to be clever (I gave up on that long ago) or to cause you pain (not my bag) but to make a very important point:

Bodyweight exercises give you the strength of a man and the body of a woman.

Fact of the matter is that women should be doing exercises that build superior strength, exercises that get men strong. Bodyweight exercises build real world strength that any man would love to have. But strength is not just for men. Strength is for women too.

Real woman fitness is not about wimpy exercises. You won't find wussiness in my program. My program gives your body functional strength. Strength that you can use in your everyday life. Strength that makes you resilient and powerful. Not big bulky gorilla muscles but strong and feminine muscles. Strong as a man but looking like a woman.

The sleek and toned muscles you get from doing bodyweight exercises are functional and practical, NOT like the puffed up weight lifting muscles.

The gymnast or ballet dancer does bodyweight exercises, not weights or machines. Yet she's far stronger and in far better shape than any bodybuilder, by a mile. And her body is far better looking, too.

It's simple logic. Get stronger, fitter and better with bodyweight exericses.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. You can get as strong as a man without looking like one. It's all a matter of doing the right exercises in the right way. The way I teach in my Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women

Posted by Eddie Baran at 08:37 PM | Permalink

When I was in college I took an entire year of Organic Chemistry. Not exactly fun. The lectures were confusing, difficult, mind-numbing and frustrating. Worse than the lectures, though, were the labs. This is where we'd get to put into practice what we'd learn in class. So for three hours a week we'd be in the laboratory making chemical reactions to create some organic compound (without blowing up the school).

The graduate assistant who was leading the labs wasn't a particularly nice guy - pompous, arrogant, self-centered, egotistical. I wasn't a fan. We were all scared to death of him. He was rude and condescending to everyone in the class. His superiority complex gave him the right, so he thought, to talk down to all of us. We dare not make him mad or we'd get his wrath. He'd mock the questions anyone would ask him, so after a while everyone stopped asking. We were to afraid to take the chance and risk humiliation.

However one student wasn't afraid to ask questions. He'd risk ridicule by the teacher to get the answers to his questions. The teacher would lay into him but he got the answer. I don't think he even cared that the teacher made him look like a fool.

The rest of us stayed safe and comfy in our silence. We kept our imagined dignity by not risking asking any questions. Nope, that was for that fool who'd ask all those "dumb" questions. We sat in our silent superior judgement while he was fed to the lions.

Well, you can imagine what happened.

The entire class struggled and was lost. We suffered and ultimately we were the ones who were defeated. The fearless "fool" who asked so many "stupid" questions excelled and kicked all of our butts. He got a great grade. The rest of us didn't.

He didn't care what he looked like to anyone. He wanted to succeed and did whatever it took, even if it cost him temporary embarassment and humiliation. In the end, we were the ones whose dignity was shattered. We were now the bigger fools, only permanently, while he emerged triumphantly.

So don't be afraid to step outside your comfort level and do whatever it takes to get into shape. That initial discomfort only lasts a short time. Perhaps you are brand new to exercise and maybe it all intimidates you. You think you can't do it are afraid to fail. Then start slowly with the easy and basic exercises in Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women and work up from there. Slowly acclimate yourself to movement and you will eventually conquer any fear of fitness.

If you're already an athletic animal, then use the hardcore exercises to become a real specimen of physical fitness. The best exercises in the world are here. It's your responsibility to make use of them.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Don't be afraid of being a fool. This is impossible as long as you're doing what's best for you.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 08:35 PM | Permalink

Years ago when I was a disgruntled corporate stooge, my typical work day involved sitting at a desk in front of a computer screen for a good 10-12 hours. Not sure why I say "good" because I was miserable. It was sapping every ounce of energy out of me. At the time I was lifting weights and hadn't yet discovered bodyweight exercises so I continued to gain fat and lose energy.

I was on a slippery slope to sleepland: I was always tired. I had no energy to do anything and it seemed like I could never get enough sleep. Weekends were spent resting and recharging for the next week of work, though that's not totally true. My dread and anguish about going back to work was actually making me more exhausted.

When I started doing bodyweight exercises all this changed for me. Nothing ever increased my energy like these exercises. In fact, I couldn't remember having that much energy and not being tired. I was a new man. Although I still wasn't thrilled with my job I was no longer tired and could handle the long, boring hours. My mood and attitude improved so much that my angst about work disappeared. This alone made the exercises worthwhile. And that is just one of the wonderful things about bodyweight exercises.

When you do my program Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women one of the first things you will notice is how good you feel, how much energy you have, how much better you sleep. And you may even not need as much sleep as before. Your productivity will go up as will your mood.

And, oh yeah, you will lose fat, tone your muscles, sculpt a nice body, get stronger, more flexible, more agile and increase your endurance. Those are some other nice little benefits you will experience along with your renewed energy.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. If you need more energy get it here now

Posted by Eddie Baran at 08:32 PM | Permalink

They say age is a state of mind. I say it's mostly a state of body. How old you are has nothing to do with chronological age at all. I'm sure you know a lot of old young people. When I was in college I had a roommate who, although only 22, was an old man. He had the old man habit of never exercising, never moving his body. Ever. And it showed. He had the body of a 60-year old man.

Then you have the opposite. Someone who doesn't behave her age and keeps youthful because she acts young. By acting young I don't mean acting immaturely like going to raves or clubbing with the dudes. I mean acting young simply by exercising and moving her body.

Last week in an email I asked the question if you can be too old to be fit. One of the Eddie Elite, the body sculptress Camille Claudel, responded that she was "too fit to be old." Mademoiselle Claudel is in her 60's but is very young because she is very physically fit. She's got the best of both worlds: the wisdom of age and the body of youth.

Virginia from Texas wrote me "Fitness and strength are the only Fountains of Youth. Man, woman or child, health is priceless. Physical health paves the way for mental and emotional health; all work in tandem."

Amen to that, Sister. 
 
Realize this: you cannot be old if you are fit. It's impossible. Fitness is the definition of youth, not how few candles you have on your birthday cake.

If you are not physically active at the moment, fret not. You can always get fit no matter what your current condition or age. If you are just starting fitness then do the easiest exercise in my program Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women even if it's only one rep. That's where you start. Then add another rep when you can. And then keep moving on from there. It will only get better, and so will you.

If you are already in great shape, then use the exercises in my program to leap frog into the best physical condition of your life. These are the best exercises in the world for building strength, conditioning and lean muscle like nothing else. So use them to really push yourself. Don't hold back and don't slack.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Improve your body and you improve your mind. For those of you already with the program, keep up the great work. For those of you who aren't on it yet, get it here now.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 11:34 PM | Permalink

When I was in my late 20's I had a girlfriend with whom I was completely smitten. She had been in a string of bad relationships in the past which had all ended in heartbreak. Ours, she therefore deduced, would end the same way. She had decided this from the beginning. After all, it was her track record. Without giving our situation the benefit of the doubt, she lumped us in with all her past relationships. It was a rocky road and when anything upset the balance she immediately said it was proof that we were doomed, and it would only be a matter of time before she'd be packing her bags for the earliest train to Splitsville.

Turns out she was right. It failed. Nothing could change her underlying belief that our relationship was always DOA. She was looking for failure and she had found it. Would the relationship have failed if she didn't predict it would. I don't know. It's not like I wasn't without some blame either. But when she decided it would end from the start, she sealed our fate.

And the same goes for many people trying to get in shape. Many women (and men) have been through the ringer trying this fitness program or that exercise routine and haven't gotten the results they wanted. So they assume that there is nothing that can help them. From the word go they decide they are destined to fail in fitness, and that no exercise will work. And they are always right. Nostradamus couldn't predict the future so accurately.

If you say you're going to fail, you're going to fail. If you say you're going to succeed, and do whatever it takes to do so, then you will succeed; you will find a way to make it work.

When you start your program decide from the get-go that you will be successful, that your body is going to be strong, lean, healthy, graceful and fit. Then stick to the program and you will see your prediction is spot on.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Your past doesn't matter. Choose success now. Predict your best body with Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 11:32 PM | Permalink

Whether you are trying to lose weight or gain weight, you need to gain muscle. Muscle is what gives your body shape and tone, not to mention strength, balance and grace. And the only way to get muscle (i.e. shape and tone) is to do strength-building exercises. The answer is always the same: muscle is key to health, fitness, youth and shape.

Let's take a look at some of your questions and answers:

Eddie,
When I look at the site the testimonials talk about losing inches, fitting into their old clothes, etc. I, on the other hand, have no desire to lose weight or inches, I am a size 4 and I need to gain weight. I am skinny, but kinda flabby. I used to be a size 0 and everyone swore I was anorexic, bulimic, or both. I am nearing 30 - so I finally put on some of those "getting older" pounds - but its all fat and flab. It's like cottage cheese running down my legs and taking over my buns! How will this program benefit someone like me who needs to tone up without losing weight?
Thanks.
Emily

Emily,
What you are experiencing is a problem with a lot of older women although you yourself are very young still. When women get older their muscle mass decreases. Even if they wear the same size clothing they have gotten fatter. That's what you are experiencing. You need to gain muscle mass. My program builds muscle. This is what gives the body. All the women from the testimonials are losing inches are also gaining muscle size. They just don't talk about it because they are more interested in the weight loss. You will lose that flab and it will be replaced by muscle. If you don't want to be super lean, then eat more. But continue the muscle-building program in the book.

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Hi Eddie,
After 3 children in 5 years, my core muscles are not what they were. I have no stomach muscles left and my tummy pokes out and I look like I am still pregnant.  What can I do. 
Michelle

Michelle,
My body sculpting course is designed to strengthen and tone the core. Read closely my instructions on how to do the exercises. There are core exercises in the program but all the exercises, even for the lower body and upper body, are designed to tighten the core l IF you do them like I tell you. Don't just go through the motions. Have a definite intention when you train.

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Eddie,
The most recent message you sent out talked about how your body falls apart over the years. You said that people in their 20's have to do little or no exercise and that the body takes care of itself. This caught me off guard since your description of people in their 30's and 40's seems to match my struggle better...I am 22 and have struggled with exercise and dieting for years now. Although I'm not terribly over weight, I'm still certainly not where I'd like to be. If I have such trouble now, is my struggle likely to get worse and worse as I approach 30's and 40's?  It seems like if people are just beginning to worry about their bodies in their 40's and I'm at that point now, that when I'm in my 40's things will be exponentially worse. Any advice or words of wisdom would be much appreciated, and please be honest (although you always are).
Very sincerely,
Erin

Erin,
Reading back at what I wrote sounded way off what I meant to say. What I meant to say those who are already trim at 20 and think that they will stay that way without exercising are in for a rude awakening. I should have stated this. If you are 20 and just go on with your natural youth body and don't exercise, thinking you will always be trim, then it'll fall apart as you age.

If, on the other hand, you exercise the proper way, you move your body, you use your body, you will always be in shape and your body will not fall apart but actually get better. That's the way it is. If you want a strong healthy body you need to exercise. No two ways around it. Starting now is the best time.

So as long as you exercise it will only get better. I'm sorry about the confusion. Let me repeat: EVERYONE, regardless of age, needs to exercise. That was the point I meant to make.

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That's all for now. If I haven't gotten to your question I will very soon.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. The Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women program is your ticket to strength and health.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 11:26 PM | Permalink

When you're in your 20's and you're already trim, your body pretty much takes care of itself. Your metabolism, hormone and activity levels are such that you can stay lean and trim without much effort on your part. You don't need to do much exercise (unless you have a weight problem). And most in their 20's don't exercise and are not overweight. They just get by on their youth.

When you you get into your 30's, things start to slow down. Your activity level drops, as does your metabolism. You start gaining fat, losing muscle. The change was gradual and you didn't really notice. But you still think you're 25 so you pay no mind to your physical condition. So you don't change anything.

When you get into your 40's that's when things really start falling apart. Decreasing hormone levels, low metabolism and little or no exercise for the past decade has turned your body old. So you start with the exercises and the diets. The typical stuff that doesn't work, like weights, aerobics, cardio, etc. But it's not helping any, or at best it barely is. Not worth the time and effort. Now you're frustrated and puzzled.

Your body continues its decline.

When you've hit your 50's you think nothing will work, because nothing has. You've tried everything but no success. It's not like you're lazy or didn't try. You have but your results don't show your hard work.

So you give up; you think you're hopeless. You've given in to the silly myth that a fit body is only for the young, and not for someone like you. And of course, your body continues its downward spiral into poor health and old age.

Truth is you just haven't been introduced to the right exercise program. There are certain exercises that make the body respond the best, that actually do build strength, flexibility, agility, burn fat, and sculpt a lean body. Like the ones in my Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women.

With these same exercises I've trained everyone from teenage gymnasts in top condition to women in their 60's who hadn't moved their bodies in decades. The principles are exactly the same; many of the exercises are the same. The only difference is that the 60-year old woman will start with a much easier program and build up from whatever level she's at.

Now is the perfect time to start no matter your ages.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Whether you're in your 20's or 60's, start where you start and build up from there. Be it 1 rep of the easiest exercise in my program or 30 reps of the most difficult exercise. I cover all the bases

Posted by Eddie Baran at 11:20 PM | Permalink

When I say you can get fit anywhere I mean it. And the gym seems to be the least likely place because they're not doing the best exercises there. Some women do my bodysculpting exercises while watching TV, some do it with their kids, and some do it at work.

Check this out:

Hi Eddie,

You are SO right about exercising anywhere. The exercises featured in Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women can be done at work. I work as a subcontractor for the government, and sit in front of the computer all day. I don't watch TV, but 8 hours a day on my bum does not a healthy body make, especially at the fabulous age of 44. I work in the curriculum department, and while I am waiting for my documents to come off of the printer, I can do some of your exercises. Depending on the size of the documents printing, I can easily do 20 or more reps.

No one knows I am doing it, but they are noticing the changes the Body Sculpting Exercises are making in my appearance, my health, and in my total outlook.

No longer chained to the gym or resigned to be unhealthy, I am a more fun person to be around. When asked, I tell them all about you and your program. I have learned from my mistakes, too. I will direct them to your website, pass on an email from you - but NO ONE gets my book. Thanks for all you do. Keep up the good work.

Blessings to you and your family,
Becca

Becca,

How awesome. This is really fantastic. You have a great attitude - moving your body wherever you can and not letting yourself be oppressed or depressed by work. You keep up the great work.

See, it doesn't take much to get in shape when you're doing the right exercises. Exercise wherever and whenever you can because with the right exercises you will get those results fast. Now you have no excuses.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Be like Becca: Get fit fast at work with Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women. Take the book to work with you and do a little here and a little there, and lose a lot here and a lot there.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 07:31 PM | Permalink

My first gymnastics coach was an old guy from India who was passionate about the sport and about teaching it. He was cranky and demanding and didn't believe in coddling the athletes. He insisted I put everything I had into what I was doing. For me, he was just what I wanted. I was 35 when I started the sport - clumsy, awkward and unfamiliar with movement in general. No one took my interest seriously. But he did.

And he treated me just like he would one of his prize gymnasts. He wouldn't let me do less than he thought I could. It's always great to have someone believe in you especially when you don't.

One of the most important things he taught me was that everything you do make it art. No matter what it is, make it beautiful and majestic.

At the time he told me this all I could do was a simple forward roll, nothing else. I thought I didn't merit making anything so simple and basic, art. But he insisted. So each time I did the movement I would try to do it like I was a great gymnast. It didn't matter that I wasn't. This sped up my progress like nothing else.

And so I tell you the exact same thing. Everything you do, make it a work of art. Even if it is the most basic exercise in my book Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women, even if you are a complete beginner, even if all you can do is one rep.

What happens is that just having the intention of making the movement beautiful will eventually make it so. (Even if what you do is not so perfect. Your intention is what matters.) Very soon your movement does become art, and then your body will then become art, literally. It will transform into a lean, strong, sleek sculpture. It can't help not to.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Next time you work out, no matter what your level, make it art and you will become it. But first you need the tools to do it.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 07:31 PM | Permalink

Did you now that you can get fit while watching TV. For many people this is the only time they will work out. It's also a good way to start building the exercise habit.

Here's what you do. Every time there is a commercial take your copy of Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women - and do one of the exercises for the full two minutes. On the next commercial break do another exercise, and so on. After a two-hour session of TV you will have done quite a bit.

If you're a beginner, do what ever you can do within each two-minute commercial break. If you are advanced go hard and fast for this period doing as much as you can do.

It's really better to set aside time to work out apart from any distractions like a television but for those of you who are having trouble finding time or don't like exercise, this is a great way to start getting your body back into movement.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. If you don't watch TV, then you can do this work out anywhere - at work, cooking in the kitchen, reading a book, you name it. Take your Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women anywhere and get fit fast. There are no excuses.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 09:33 AM | Permalink

When I worked out at a gym I'd watch the personal trainers working out their clients. I was always amazed at the cookie-cut type approach they'd have with the clients. Every person coming into the gym received pretty much the same intensity program, no matter what their level - a hardcore, gut-wrenching workout.s

I remember one particular trainer working with a woman who was about 60 lbs overweight. I could tell she hadn't been active for years and was just starting out on a fitness program. But to the trainer this mattered not. He put her on an hour long torture session, running through every machine and gadget in the place. I thought she was going to drop dead of a heart attack. To her credit she did the best she could. She kept up with with what the trainer dished out but you could tell she was hurting and not having a good time. It looked like hell. Well, I only saw her one more time after that. She came in for another beating but this time it did her in. She never came in again. Didn't surprise me at all. And I lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the personal trainer. He was more interested in showing off what he knew instead of showing her what she should do according to her level. It's like, "Hey, look at what a great trainer I am. I can run you into the ground. Ain't I special."

If you haven't exercised in a long time or aren't in good shape yet you should not do a brutal hour-long workout that leaves you in shambles. This is no way to get yourself into the habit of exercising. First off you are very likely to get injured. Your body isn't yet used to the load or intensity. Even if you physically manage to survive the beating if you are hating every minute of it you're not likely to do it again. Why would you. I wouldn't do something I hated, no matter how good it was for me.

You need to acclimate yourself first. Start with something easy and do a little bit every day. Once you get used to moving and exercising you will develop the exercise habit. Soon you will be doing more difficult work outs and that hour-long session will be easy and enjoyable. But to start out with, go easy and build up.

Take my program Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women. For the total beginner you might find many of the exercises too difficult to do. But there are many you can do. Choose the ones you can do, even if it's only a couple you can do for 1 repetition each. This is where you start. Do these for a little bit and soon you will be able to do a few reps, then many reps.

Next you graduate to the slightly more difficult exercises in the program. And you repeat the process. And sooner than later you will have developed the exercise habit and your body will begin to show it - healthy, strong, lean and athletic.

Remember - if you're new to exercise, start off slow and easy then gradually work up to higher intensity work outs.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. - For beginner through advanced this is the program for you.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 09:29 AM | Permalink

Anyone who knows me or has been reading my emails knows what my hot button is: when someone says she or someone else is too old to be fit; that their ship has sailed and will always be flabby, weak and unhealthy. And it's just going to get worse.

Well, this is pure garbage. You can reverse your aging and become fitter and healthier than ever if you follow the right program. Age matters not. Actually, many women over 50 years old are more serious than 30-year olds about fitness. They better work out or they will deteriorate. They know this to be true. A 30-year old hasn't learned this lesson yet.

Most of my personal clients are over the age of 50 and I don't have any less expectations of them than anyone else. And they all change their bodies for the better - leaner, stronger, healthier, happier - because I don't subscribe to the falsehood that the body is done after 50.

No matter what age you are, you can get better and better than ever every day with the right fitness program. If you've been inactive you just start off at a slower and easier pace. You will eventually build up to super fit levels. You just start where you start and go from there, one rep at a time.

So don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Your best years are still ahead of you.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Your best body is ahead of you too with Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 10:21 AM | Permalink

When I lifted weights I used to train at a hardcore bodybuilding gym. I remember my first day there going over to the water fountain to re-hydrate. While I was drinking I noticed someone come behind me and wait for me to finish. I didn't see who it was since I was bent over drinking but I smelled the perfume. A very feminine fragrance laid on a little too thick.

After I finished drinking I turned around, my head was still down looking at the ground so I bumped into the person behind me, the one with the strong perfume. I continued walking and apologized for bumping into them, but I continued looking down at the ground so didn't see them.

"Sorry about that. My fault," I said.

In the deepest bass voice you can imagine I heard the person respond back to me "No problem, dude."

I stopped in my tracks thinking to myself "Now why would a man with a voice like that be wearing perfume."

Now I was curious as to who this mystery man was. I turned around and saw this huge beast of a muscled gorilla wearing female workout attire. I thought to myself again "Now why would a man built like an ape be dressed like a woman."

Then I realized it was a woman. (Yes I was a little slow on the uptake and didn't figure out it right away.) This woman had more muscle on her than most of the men in there combined.

This is the fear of most women when you tell them they need to do strength training - that they will turn into some ginormous circus freak and lose all their feminine attributes. That they will become a man.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The reason this woman looked like a man with huge bulging muscles was because she was taking a whole Mexican pharmacy full of anabolic steroids and bovine hormones. She had so much testosterone coursing through her veins that, hormonally speaking, she was a man. That's how she got to look like a man.

Unless you have the testosterone levels of a farm animal there is no possible way for you to build huge bulky muscles like a man. So don't even worry about that.

With Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women you will build lean, strong, functional, feminine, shapely muscle.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. All women should have strong muscles. Get a powerful yet feminine body here.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 10:17 AM | Permalink

Yesterday I was asked by a woman who described herself as a couch potato of 20 years if she could benefit from my program. She hasn't done any exercise in two decades and felt hopeless, as if she were beyond hope.

I told her that it's never too late and she should start where she starts. There is no race here, and she hasn't been left behind.

This is what I told her:

Go through the body sculpting book and find the exercises that are good for your level. If some are too difficult then don't do those. You'll be able to conquer those soon enough. But for now just do the easy exercises. And if all you can do is one repetition of an exercise, then that's absolutely fine. After you rest try to do another repetition. Soon enough 1 rep turns into 2 which turns into 3 and ultimately 100. Also include walking and deep breathing in your day. These are two activities we all should do.

The important thing here is that you start moving now. Even if it's one minute a day that's a start. You don't have to do a three hour workout, In fact I'd advise against it if you haven't worked out in 20 years.

Remember, start with what you can do and build up from there.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Once you gain some momentum in your training you will be thrilled at what you can do. Read more here about what Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women can do for you.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 10:02 AM | Permalink

Last year I was at a science museum to see an exhibit on human genetics. They discussed how different body types were a result of both inheritance and environment. A section of the exhibit had plaster of paris body casts of people's torsos and their personal story discussing their body and image of it. Two of these really struck me.

The first was a cast of a 67-year-old woman who was overweight, her bio saying she weighed in at about 180lbs. She decided that she was old and resigned herself to the fact that she was just going to have to live with her body - old, flabby, out of shape, unhealthy. There was nothing she could do about it, she said. It was all part of growing old and that's just the way the cookie crumbles, she figured. In a nutshell, she basically just gave up on her health.

This puzzled me. Why was she giving up. She could change her body and be young again if she wanted. Then she said something that bothered me: youth is just a state of mind and so therefore she was young. Well, she's only partly right. Youth is a state of mind but it's also a state of body. Youth is about moving your body and using it, not letting it get rusty and obsolete. Sorry, lady, but you can't have a youthful attitude if you've given up on your body and will just let time take its toll on it. That's called old age. Being a prisoner to time, not master of it.

Then I read the story of the man whose body cast was next to hers. This guy was 48 and pushing 300lbs. I was expecting it to be another "woe is me" story of an obese person. But what I read shocked me.

He said he had no one else to blame for his condition but himself, that although he had always been heavy, it was in his control to lose weight. He said this plaster cast was going to be the "Before" and when he lost weight, he'd get an "After" one done. That way he'd see how far he'd come and to showoff his accomplishment.

I have an incredible amount of respect for this man and his attitude. He's not giving up to his condition, he's taking responsibility and creating his own reality, not being a victim of some imaginary oppressor. He's someone who has seen the light and is fighting to be healthy again.

Two different stories of two different people. One who's given up and has a let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may attitude with no personal control; she will continue to worsen. The other, however, decided that he has the power to get bettter, and no doubt will. It always comes down to a choice.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Here's a good motivator: Take a Before picture, follow the Body Sculpting Bodyweight for Women program, then take an After picture too see the difference of where you are and how far you've come.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Here are some good questions from you and some good answers for you. Let's get right into them:

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Eddie,
I know how amazing hill sprints can be and would love to do them. The problem is that I live in L.A. (Sherman Oaks) and there is nowhere outside with hills that I can run on without cars driving past. Can it be effective done on a treadmill. I typically despise treadmills (I'm very long-legged 6'0") They are very uncomfortable to run on for me (bad knees and joints from college volleyball, basketball and semi-pro b-ball).

I have your book and would love the dvd (can't afford it yet). Some of the exercises are hard for me due to a small tear in my rotator cuff---v-ball. Any suggestions on what I could do to rid myself of this last 30 pounds from pregnancy. Any advice would be great. Love reading your e-mails and love what you're doing for women.

Thanks and Blessings,
Robyn Campbell

Robyn,
Yes, living in the Los Angeles valley is a problem. Plenty of hills west but forget about driving anywhere in that traffic. Treadmills are ok but not the best substitute, especially if you don't like
them. The key is getting your heart rate up and short bursts of exercise. So any activity can do this, sprints with cycling or swimming. However, I like to keep in on land on your two feet. If you don't have access to a hill, stairs can work just as well if not better because you are forced to run with your knees up; no sloppy technique allowed or you'll eat it. For more info, Coach Tim Kauppinen has a superb program on stair running here.

For your shoulder, gentle stretching, exercises with rubber cables and massage. In the book rebuild your shoulder muscles with the easier exercises in the third section. Eventuallyyou will be able to handle the more advanced exercises.

For that last 30 pounds, combine the stair sprints with the exercises in the book. Start increasing the intensity of the exercises. Since you are not a beginner, you need to really work hard on the exercises from the first two sections. Push yourself hard, Robyn. If you are not breathing heavily and huffing and puffing, increase the repetitions and speed of them. Focus on the muscles growing and the flab flying off.

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Stop sending me emails. You're making me feel like a schmuck.
Karen

Karen,
Huh? I make you feel this way because I'm telling you that YOU have the power to change your health for the better? That it's YOUR responsibility and no one else's. I'm not following your reasoning here.

Here's the deal, Karen. I can't make you feel like anything. See, I don't have that power over you. Nobody does. Only YOU can make you feel anything about yourself. You are in charge of your
emotions, not I. Don't let me or anyone else make you feel anything.

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Hello Eddie,
I just ordered your book and can't wait to read it and start moving. 

I am a young woman who used to be chubby as a kid, I thinned out in high school and remained thin until about five years ago. Since then I have struggled to keep my weight in check. I can say that I am lucky, because as long as I working out, I'm good. However, even though I am not that big, I am still flabby. Not saggy - flabby. It drives me crazy!  Even when I was working out all the time and was at a weight and size that I liked, I still was not as tight as I would have liked. I admit, I do like junk food,
but I eat healthy more often than not and have been eating this way for years before it was in fashion.  

My question to you is, how can I get rid of the flab. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Best regards,
K

K,
Is your initial like the Kafka character "K" from "The Trial." Much better to be K than Gregor from "The Metamorphosis," then I couldn't help you. Sorry, just a little joke (a very, very little joke).

Anyway, to answer your question, what it sounds like you're describing is that you're thin but still flabby. This happens because you don't have much muscle on your body. The muscles is what gives the body it's shape and it's tone, or firmness. Without it you're just like an over-cooked noodle: slender but soft and mushy; not much fat but very little muscle.

What you need to do is build muscle on your body. This will tighten and firm it up as well as help reduce the flab on your body. How do you do this. By doing muscle-building exercises that you find in the program you just got. The same exercises athletes with toned and tight bodies do. And no, you won't build huge muscles like a man. You don't have the necessary testosterone in your system to do so. You will build muscles of a woman - strong yet sleek.

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That's it for today's question and answers. I will get to your other questions in the next QnA edition.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. For those of you who aren't on the program Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women yet, what are you waiting for. Go here now.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 09:54 AM | Permalink

Yesterday I was talking on the phone to a friend. She told me she hates to exercise. Problem is that she's viewing all exercise as bad because of what's she tried in the past. I can't exactly blame her.

First of all, she had to drive across town to a gym, take one of the classes there on something or other that bored her to tears and didn't even work that well, and drive back home. And with no results for all her time and energy no wonder she hates exercise and is frustrated to no end.

But what she doesn't yet realize is that exercise is just movement. If you don't like to do a particular exercise activity then don't do it.

Exercise is not about pain or boredom or forcing yourself to do something you hate doing. Like I said, it's about moving your body. Your body was meant to do movement like your brain is meant to do thinking. Just as you find somethings you enjoy thinking about - be it politics, art, current events - find an exercise activity you like to do.

If you hate weights, cardio, aerobics, gyms (and who doesn't, by the way) then don't do them. Especially since that stuff isn't too effective anyway.

Women love my program Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women because it's fun to do, never gets boring, gets result FAST, and it can be done anywhere.

But even if that's not your thing, find something that is - be it cycling, swimming, dancing, walking. Just get out there and move your body. Soon you will realize that in movement you are home. Your body will get stronger and more energized, it will shape and tone up, your whole attitude will shift.

Your body is a gift so use it, don't waste it. Move it in some way, shape or form. Your body is not meant to sit there to decay and rot. Respect yourself and use your gift.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Whatever you do just move your body. If you want the best program out there then go here here.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 10:15 PM | Permalink

There's an old story about the man who saw a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. The butterfly was struggling, fighting with all its might to emerge. Seeing this, the man desperately wanted to help the butterfly, for he hated to see it struggle. He assumed because the butterfly was struggling it must have been suffering. He freed the butterfly from the cocoon and pushed it up to the sky, expecting it to fly away. But the butterfly just fell to the ground; it was unable to fly and eventually died.

What the man didn't realize was that the butterfly didn't have the strength to fly; it needed the struggle that could only come by freeing itself (without any help) from the cocoon to get this strength. That was the only way for it to fly, and ultimately to live.

Although well-intentioned, the man did the butterfly harm. The butterfly was NOT suffering, for struggle does not equate with suffering or with pain. We often give struggle a negative meaning, but it depends on the circumstance. Many times it's the best thing for us. Many times it is the only way.

Think of a struggle with a pushup. The only way we gain benefit from the exercise if we struggle, if there is some sort of resistance that challenges us.

All of us struggle with something or another, be it with weight loss, exercise, money, or even with ourselves. Whatever the task at hand might be - big, small, trivial, important - struggle is how we grow and get better. But the other part of this equation is that we never give up just because we struggle. Fighting them and beating them is how we get strong.

Most women who are struggling with weight issues end up suffering because they give up. However, if they fight through this then they will emerge victorious. If you are struggling with your weight or with getting fit, realize that this is what is going to make you fly. But IF, and only if, you don't give up.

Make the struggle as little as possible and make it so that you are using the best tools that guarantee you end up winning and reach your fitness goals.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. What you make of yourself at the other end of the struggle is what makes you successful.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 05:03 PM | Permalink

Getting plenty of emails, most of which are asking about flatter abs. I've answered some of your questions here:

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Eddie,
I am in the health care profession and am confused by your statements of a flatter abdominal area with the use of your program. I thought that one cannot spot reduce.  That the best means of fat reduction is through aerobics (preferably in doing sprints), as it is really a metabolic issue.  I can
understand the muscles firming and toning, but not the fat reduction.

Would you please explain how your program is able to accomplish this fat reducing effect?

Thank you in advance.
Karen Coyle

Karen,
The answer to your question has two parts:

First off, you can spot reduce the gut to some degree. Part of the reason the abdominal area bulges out is because the muscles are weak and cannot hold in the gut. Yes, much of this is fat but much of it is due to weak core muscles. Strengthen the muscles and your tummy will tighten, even if the fat doesn't reduce.

But the fact of the matter is you will lose fat in that area.

The exercises in my program condition the entire body at once. This builds muscle and reduces fat. The activity and movement of these exercises alone reduces fat but when you consider that the higher percentage of muscle you have, i.e. more lean muscle tissue as compared to adipose tissue, the more fat you will burn. It's a beautiful thing: the more you exercise the more fat you burn; the more you exercise the more muscle you build; the more muscle you build the more fat you burn.

Aerobics, like distance running, are not great at fat reduction. Sprints are definitely superior way to go, especially hill sprints (go here for more info). The exercises in my program build great cardiovascular stamina, they are not just strength building. Do 100 straight repetitions of any of the exercises and you will be huffing and puffing.

These exercises are so effective in flab reduction because you are involving your entire body, using multiple muscles to do the work. The more muscles you use the more more fat you lose. The more muscles you use, the more muscles you build. The more muscle tissue you have (percentage wise), the more fat you will burn. And that's why my program is so effective.

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Hi Eddie,
I just came across your program and was reading your statements about "belly fat" and wanted to ask a quick question. I have had 4 c-sections, and have somewhat of a big belly and was diagnosed with "fatty liver".

From your point of view, do you think your program could help flatten my tummy as well as try and reverse my fatty liver, or have any other suggestions I could follow?  Please be honest.
 
Thank you.
Ann Marie

Ann Marie,
If you follow the program your abdominal area will reduce in size. My instructions are geared for toning the abs because the core is such a critical part of the body. My background as a gymnast and coach is centered around a strong core. A strong core equals a flat midsection. Will the exercises give you a core like Nadia Comenici. I have no idea but most likely not that flat if you've had that many C sections. Will you see a great improvement. Absolutely. As long as you follow the program.

As far as your fatty liver goes, what I understand about this condition is that it's due to alcohol, obesity, starvation, diabetes mellitus and even pregnancy complications (among others). I believe the treatment consists of reducing the cause, such as reducing alcohol and improving diet. My program will reduce your bodyfat so perhaps indirectly it may help. But it won't directly reverse your fatty liver. I recommend you go with an approach given you by your physician.

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That's it for today. If you sent me a question I will get to it in
a later email.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Here's the link again for the ab sculpting program

P.P.S. Here's the sprint training program to sprint your way to fast results.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 03:48 PM | Permalink

Since today marks the unofficial last day of summer, let's end it on the right note. Here's a workout for you that will build flexibility, strength and cardiovascular endurance. Adjust the numbers to your personal level of fitness. Make the necessary substitutions if you cannot do the specified exercises.

For this workout, we - and when I say "we" I mean YOU - are not going to go by repetitions but rather by time. You will do as many repetitions as you can in the given time period. Don't slack off. Do as many reps as you can do. If the time period says 1 minute then don't dilly dally and just do 10 reps of the specified exercise. You will get nowhere with that approach. You get results by challenging your body and this is what I expect you to do.

This is a killer workout because it forces you to go all out for a time period and not sleep your way through counting repetitions. I expect a lot from you so let's get to it. Here it is:

-- Group A --
Exercise from Pg 75 - 3 minutes
(No rest.)
Exercise from Pg 87 - 2 minutes
(No rest. Go immediately to Group B.)

-- Group B --
Exercise from Pg 105 - 1 minute
(No rest.)
Exercise from Pg 111- 1 minute
(No rest. Go immediately to Group C.)

-- Group C --
Exercise from Pg 51 - 1 minute
(No rest.)
Exercise from Pg 53 - 1 minute
(No rest.)
Exercise from Pg 33 - 1 minute

Rest 3 minutes.

Repeat but do Group B, C, A.

Rest 3 minutes.

Repeat but do Group C, A, B.

Remember. No slacking. If this is above your current fitness level, change the time periods and exercises. For those of you who can handle this give it your best. Whatever your current level, don't slack. Give it what you got but don't kill yourself either.

If you don't know what the exercises are because you don't have a copy of Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women then get it now.

Now get to work.

All the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Drop whatever you're doing now and do the workout. If you don't have the program then drop everything and get it here.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 07:43 PM | Permalink

Ever notice how some people just move so easily. She has mastered her surroundings and her body. She has a total awareness of where she is in space and time. She moves lightly and without effort. She is at ease in her own body, so much so that it's like her mind and body are one in the same. She is strength and balance. She is grace.

Very few people have grace but that's just because they don't know how to get it. The good news is that you don't have to be born with grace to get it. Nor do you have to start at an early age. When I was a weightlifter I was a clumsy oaf. Yes, I was strong but I couldn't move. My body didn't behave. It wasn't until I started bodyweight exercises, then later gymnastics at age 35, did I learn about movement and grace. All of my clients are over 30 years old and few have had much grace. But they've become more graceful because I've taught them how with the proper exercises and proper technique.

You might think that grace has nothing to do with fitness or carving a beautifully sculpted statuesque figure. But it has everything to do with it. The better (i.e. more gracefully) you can move your body the better your body will ultimately look. How you perform the exercises is just as important as doing them. Perform the exercises gracefully and your results will be that much quicker and better. Picture yourself performing the movement with grace and lightness. This intention of grace will translate into reality and then you will have grace.

The exercises in my program Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women are specifically designed to give you grace - not to mention strength, balance, agility, endurance, flexibility and a killer toned lean athletic body. Plus it will get you out of debt. (OK, that last one isn't true. Then again, the better your health, the better your wealth, so maybe ...)

The program has exercises that the most graceful athletes like gymnasts, dancers and martial artists use. I've made them accessible to everyone so now you can have the grace that is rightfully yours.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Get your grace now by going here.

P.P.S. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 07:40 PM | Permalink