Fitness Expert Helps Others Battle Obesity Epidemic in San Antonio

San Antonio is the fourth fattest city in the US, while heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are at or near the top of causes of death in the area. How do we reverse this terrible trend?

(PRWEB) August 13, 2004 -- Fourth place; in some competitions, that wouldnt be half bad. In golf, the fourth place golfer on the 2003 PGA money list earned more than five million dollars. In the National Football League, being the fourth place team means you made it to your conference championship, one game away from the Super Bowl. In college football, the fourth rated team gets to play in a Bowl Championship Series game. But when it comes down to obesity, the prize isnt that grand. In 2004, San Antonio is the fourth fattest city in the United States, according to a popular men's magazine.

Forget the fact that San Antonio is the self-proclaimed capital of Tex-Mex food. Also forget the fact that only residents of Memphis, New Orleans and Atlanta watch more television than San Antonians. San Antonio is a place that has only a few months of cold weather each year, which one would believe would lead to more time to being outside exercising. But unfortunately, this isnt the case, and one of Americas most cultural rich and beautiful cities is showing the country what people mean when they say Everything is bigger in Texas."

Unfortunately, San Antonio ranks dead last in a measure of federal and state recreation lands and waterways per capita. Combine that with the lack of recreational facilities, fitness centers, and the aforementioned chronic television watching, and it is no wonder that heart disease is the number one killer in the region, followed closely by cancer, and diabetes, three diseases that science has proven to be reduced by exercise.

Given the facts, one still shouldnt be lead to believe that San Antonians are a lazy people. These are the same bloodlines that defended the Alamo. Construction is at an all-time high, and San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. After all, San Antonio leads the nation in an impressive number of sports activities, including gymnastics, jogging, skateboarding, and martial arts. So why is a city with so many positives annually fighting for the top spot in the battle of the bulge?

I believe that the reason that San Antonians dont exercise is because they dont know exactly what to do or how to do it. Dont get me wrong; the funnel cakes and breakfast tacos arent helping, but I believe the problem has deeper roots than fried food. Obviously, there is a lot of conflicting information available, and everyday there is a fad diet or gadget that comes and goes. It is easy to see how one can get discouraged and give up altogether. With the internet, magazines, and bookstores all full of conflicting information, how is one expected to figure out what is best for them? Not only is the overabundance of information daunting, the gym itself can be quite overwhelming to a beginner. Its almost like driving for the first time; youre thrown to the wolves and it is expected that you know what to do, or youll be run over. Is there a way to receive on-the-job training?"

Maybe personal trainers are the answer to the obesity epidemic in south Texas. A professional trainer can teach you how to use gym equipment, how much is enough or too much, and how to make fitness enjoyable. But that leads to another question: How do you find the right trainer for you?

First, do a little research and shop around. Find out what qualifications the trainer has. It isnt hard to obtain the moniker Certified Personal Trainer," but look for a trainer that was certified by a reputable association, such as ISSA, ACE, NESTA, ACSM and NASM. Ideally, you want a trainer that not only has a fitness certification, but also has a background in nutrition. With that being said, nutritional information should not cost extra. Working out and nutrition go hand-in-hand, and should be available to help you reach your goals. Each program should be tailor-made to fit your fitness goals, not some canned routine that is given out to all clients. All individuals are unique, and their routines should be as unique as they are. Everything should be explained in great detail before and during the entire program, and each session should be a learning experience.    

Next, meet with the trainer. Get to know them, and allow them to learn about what you are looking for. If they just want to get you in the gym and run you through a workout, call someone else. Before you touch a weight, your trainer should be explicitly clear on what your goals are. Some trainers are only worried about making money, while many are really interested in helping individuals. It isnt hard to see what the trainers motives are. In my opinion, a trainer should be willing to give you constant fitness and nutritional support, and should always be accessible via either email or telephone. If your trainer isnt willing to do that, find one that is! Dont hesitate to ask your trainer to present their credentials and references.    

Look for a trainer that is professional in every way. A trainer should look professional when they are training individuals, and should not be wearing their own workout clothes. A trainer should look respectable, after all, they are a professional . Dont fall into the trap that a trainer knows what they are doing because they won a bodybuilding competition" or can bench press 500 pounds." Why those are admirable accomplishments, they really dont say a whole lot about what kind of trainers they are. Also, if a trainer talks on their cell phone during your sessions, doesnt record your progress, or routinely shows up late for their appointments, they are not a good trainer.

An expert fitness trainer can help you achieve your goals. It's time Texans work themselves out of the America's Fattest City lists.

About the author: Boyd Myers is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Performance Nutrition Specialist, and a Specialist in Sports Conditioning. He can be reached via email at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com or by phone at 210-391-1454.