Three "Outside the Box" Options When You Have Had it With Your Joints

2009 UPDATE!!!

Before you read this blog, there are two things you need to know:

1) Open enrollment has begun for the Virtual Boot Camp: Total Body Makeover!   Get 28 days of perfect nutrition and exercise (complete with a grocery list, access to videos, and more!) for only $100 (NOTE: This is the very package I charge thousands for...the only thing you are missing is my physical presence!).  Enrollment ends on January 10th, so click to http://keepyourbetterhalf.com/virtualbootcamp.html now!

2) If you would like the free report "The 27 Factors Affecting Fat Loss and Weight Loss", send me an email and I'll get the report to you!

Now, back to the blog...

As a personal trainer in the Twin Cities, I've seen my fair share of long-suffering clients walk through the door with worn out and torn up joints.  From "football knees" to ineffective reconstructive foot surgery to bad backs, I have been fortunate to share some secrets with clients and watched as their out-of-whack body part became healthy.  Here are three of my favorite suggestions to people suffering from joint pain.

Personal Trainer "Bad Feet, Bad Knees, Bad Back" Suggestion #1: Z-Coil Footwear

Many people I talk to have seen Z-Coils...they have a unique look to them...and they are highly effective footwear.  The coil/spring on the heel of the foot cushions each step, so much so that it cuts the impact in half on your feet, knees, and back.  To your joints, it feels like you instantly lost half your body weight. 

A current client of mine was in a major car accident and had three reconstructive surgeries on her foot.  She's hobbled around in a velcro boot for the last two years!  Her unusual foot shape (an unpleasant by-product of her surgeries) has not allowed her to wear shoes since her accident.  I took her to Sprongs in Minneapolis (go to zcoil.com to find the dealer closest to you) and my client was fitted with a pair of Z-Coils.  Three weeks later she is walking all over the place, even up flights of stairs, which she has not done for over two years!  I have many Z-Coil stories like that. 

If your back, knees, or feet hurt a lot, start by taking care of your feet.  It's always good to start from the ground up!

Personal Trainer "Bad Feet, Bad Knees, Bad Back" Suggestion #2: Replenex!

I have tried a lot of products to soothe joints.  Some have been highly effective, some have been cost effective.  Replenex is the only product I have found that is highly effective and cost effective. 

A football buddy of mine had surgery on his torn ACL a few years back.  Every time we played football, he had to load up on ibuprofen before and after, along with lots of ice afterward...and he still felt pain!  Then I came upon a product called Replenex, with has glucosamine hydochloride, bromelain, ginger root extract, and green tea extract.  I gave Tony a bottle to try and he no longer has any knee pain at all.  It's been three months and he is completely pain free.  No more ibuprofen, no more ice, no more pain....and he still plays football!  All this for around $12 a month!

If you would like to know how to get your hands on some, email me (adam@keepyourbetterhalf.com) and I would be glad to help!  Whatever you do, stay away from discount stores for your joint needs.  Replenex may be cost effective, but it is a specialty product...which is why you can't find it everywhere.

Personal Trainer "Bad Feet, Bad Knees, Bad Back" Suggestion #3: A Trusty Chiroprator

Some chiropractors are very, very good.  Carpal tunnel, migraines, ADHD...the good ones can fix even the most difficult of nervous system issues.  If you are in the Twin Cities, you need to get in touch with Dr. Mark Schulz.  His mobile chiropratic care is phenomenal.  Check him out at www.tpmihealthcare.com. In other metro locations, go to bni.com to find a local chiropractor who is well-respected in your community.

If your joints are beat up, it is high time to address the pain.  The longer you wait, the more your body is forced to compensate, and the more beat up you will become.  Explore these three suggestions to help alleviate your achy joints.

Adam Erwin is an in-home personal trainer who travels the world to work with people who are ready to put excuses aside and work hard to change their body.  Visit www.keepyourbetterhalf.com to learn more about what Adam does, who he works with, and how you can have him come and work with you!  A Minneapolis resident, Adam will work close to home (Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Edina) or will travel to your location (San Diego, Miami, Phoenx, Sidney Australia) to work with you.

Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Prepare Your Body for Christmas and New Years!

So you just had amonster Thanksgiving.  You were already overweight, and you just added a few pounds.  With holiday treats surrounding you, more weight is almost a certainty by Christmas.  And don't even think about the impact New Year's will have on your body.

The calendar can make the calories pretty cruel this time of year.  The best way to fight back is to do a cleanse now.  Doing a cleanse now has three major benefits:

Cleanse Benefit #1: Lose Weight Now

Cleanse Benefit #2: Repair Your Body Before You Send it Through Holiday Season

Cleanse Benefit #3: Boost Your Immune System, Be More Energetic, and Change Your Cravings

Part of my job as a personal trainer is to lead my clients through the nutrition and supplemental steps to maximize their success.  I'm leading a few of my clients through a cleanse right now.  If I were training you (if you are serious about body change in '09, go to keepyourbetterhalf.com and read about what I do, then email me! I'd love to answer your questions and talk about how I may be able to help you change the direction of your health and your life!), this is what I'd have you do.

Personal Trainer Cleanse Tip #1: Get the Cleanse that Addresses Your Biggest Need

Some people may be experiencing significant digestive issues (daily upset stomach, bad bowel movements, or no bowel movements!).  If that is you, a colon cleanse or digestive tract cleanse may be right for you.  Getting rid of the excess in your system and cleaning it out will help to repair the entire system.  There are several great colon cleanses.  If you'd like help picking one, I'd be glad to help!

If you are super low on energy and constantly getting sick, going after impurities in the blood is your best bet.  There are many cleanses that touch up on everything, and these tend to help out the blood the most.  The Complete Body Cleanse at GNC is a good one for those of you with energy issues (or those of you who have been eating clean).

Some of you may have celebrated Halloween until Thanksgiving started, and now have an early jump on New Years.  If alcohol is your go-to beverage, a liver cleanse is probably overdue.  There are a few really good ones out there.  If you'd like help picking one out, send an email to adam@keepyourbetterhalf.com.  Whatever you do, pick a cleanse to fit your biggest need.

Personal Trainer Cleanse Tip #2: Drink Water Only

You cannot imagine the difference it would make if you did a cleanse and drank only water during that time.  No beer, no soda, no juice.  Just water.  Your body would feel so incredibly good!  Water is the ticket to a successful cleanse.  Be sure to buy filtered water, processed by reverse osmosis if possible (the label will tell you what type of processing was used).

Personal Trainer Cleanse Tip #3: Eat Clean

This is probably common sense (as is #2), but the benefits cannot be overstated.  If you took out processed foods, sugar, yeast, and dairy while you cleansed your body would feel ten years younger by the end of your cleanse.  Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meats from the deli, and maybe an occassional grain (like long grain or brown rice) will help keep unnecessary toxins from entering your body as you cleanse.

If you decide to do a cleanse now (and asked me for help... adam@keepyourbetterhalf.com), you will be amazed at how good you will feel at the end of your cleanse journey!  Do a cleanse now!  Prepare your body for the holiday treats and a tremendous '09.

Adam Erwin is an in-home personal trainer who travels the world to work with people who are ready to put excuses aside and work hard to change their body.  Visit www.keepyourbetterhalf.com to learn more about what Adam does, who he works with, and how you can have him come and work with you!  A Minneapolis resident, Adam will work close to home (Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Edina) or will travel to your location (San Diego, Miami, Phoenx, Sidney Australia) to work with you.