Our Mission (Passion!) Statement is to "Improve The Quality of Life" of our Clients, which we believe includes a Client's commitment to:

1. Strength Training
2. An Active Life Style
3. Good Nutrition (Not dieting!)
4. Annual Checkups

Our primary focus is to build and maintain lean muscle mass through our unique and time-efficient slow cadence, high-intensity strength training protocol. Research clearly shows that building and maintaining strong lean muscles is the key to slowing down and fighting the negative effects commonly associated with the aging process (see March's Newsletter: "Older Bodies . . . Younger Muscles"). And we know it first hand from our Clients' impressive results.

While building lean muscles is our primary job, we also recognize the importance of maintaining healthy body weight. When you combine our special strength training with healthy eating, you really can "supercharge" your body to become a calorie burner! So, in keeping with our Mission, we provide our Clients with general information and guidance about healthy nutrition and weight control. In addition, our 20 Minutes To Fitness Advisory Board includes experienced professionals who are available to offer counseling to assist our Clients with specific weight control issues.

This is not about a diet. This is not about short term weight loss that will not last. This is not about starving yourself or eating foods that don't taste good. This is about understanding what, when, and how to eat. This is about changing a habit, one day at a time. This is about getting the body weight and tone that will keep you healthy and happy with yourself. We're here to help. All you have to do is ask.

In fact, we'll start now by offering a few helpful hints that are included in our Healthy Eating Brochure, which is available at our web site:

• Eat a portion of lean protein in every meal or snack.
• Spread the carbohydrates out evenly throughout the day. Eating about the same amount of good carbohydrate at each meal (with a bit less at dinner) will ensure proper energy levels and a good metabolic rate. A pattern of eating few carbohydrates during the day will promote fat storage over the long term. You might try eating every 2 to 3 hours during the day.
• Don't skip meals.
• Don't eat after dinner.
• Pick one day per week to eat what you like (this will prevent the boredom and deprivation that usually occur with very restrictive diets).
• Stop eating sugar and junk foods (except for your one day off per week).
• Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables.
• Drink lots of water (at least 64 oz. a day) all day long. This will aid in weight loss, act as the body's natural lubricant, and optimize your well- being.
• Have a power snack (containing both good protein and carbohydrates) before working out.
• Eat a meal containing a fair amount of lean protein after working out to help in the repair of muscle tissue.
• If you can't eat right every day, you may want to consider supplements - at least a multi-vitamin-mineral each day.
• The ingredients listed on a food label are listed in order of the greatest amount to the least amount contained in the food.

Changing the way you look at exercise . . . forever!

Click here to view the Nutrition Guide

In our continuing effort to aid in the early detection of bone tissue loss, our Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch Studio will again be offering COMPLIMENTARY bone density screenings. We will begin setting appointments immediately, with next week being appointment setting for our 20 Minutes To Fitness Clients. Thereafter, we will set appointments for those of you who are not currently Clients of 20 Minutes To Fitness.

The screenings will be conducted by Dr. Shelly Kennedy, Kennedy Chiropractic Clinic. The screenings will be done by appointment only. Time will limit the number of appointments, so please contact us at 309.8989 as soon as possible. The dates and times are as follows:
Tuesday, May 1, 2007: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 3, 2007: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.