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The 26-year-old Pace University graduate and Carmel resident is debunking fat-loss myths and exposing the facts to put you on the fast-track to the summer body you've been dreaming about all winter.
Here are his five tips to shedding the weight and getting healthier overall, for beach season and beyond.
- Move More: You know that nifty “Health” app on your phone that tracks steps? Make that number higher by simply walking more. The more you move, the more calories your burn. Park farther from work, do a lap around your office, use your back door instead of your front. Wherever it can come from, make it happen.
- Lift Some Weights: Cardio, especially if you’re not used to it, can be great at dropping fat. However, lifting (relatively heavy) weights are even better. Building some muscle will tell your body to naturally burn extra calories (fat!) while simultaneously giving you a nice aesthetic shape.
- Eat Whole Foods First: Added sugars are simply bad for you and cause our bodies to store fat over time. Foods from nature do not. Vegetables, meats, eggs, fish, nuts - all come from nature. Buy them and do your best to eat them as the LARGE majority of your diet. This will eliminate most processed foods and sugars from your diet, keeping you from storing body fat.
- Don’t Forget Fat: The days of the “low-fat” diet are coming to an end. Fat is not the enemy - quite the opposite. Natural fats help hormone production and feeling full, allowing our bodies to function well and stop craving food. Avocado, red meat, egg yolks, tree nuts - add them in!
- When In Doubt, Drink Water: Our bodies are up to 60% water and help our bodies function on every level. We need to drink water to survive. Maybe it’s obvious, maybe it’s Dasani. With our summer body goals, let’s not forget that studies show drinking water (~15+ml) before eating decreases hunger and improves odds of losing body fat.
John J. Codella of Carmel is a NASM certified personal trainer who works at Armonk's Equinox. The Pace University (Class of 2014) graduate made the transition from average gym-goer to fitness professional after leaving his NYC-based career in public relations to follow his passion for educating people on the proper road to health and wellness. His clients range from high school athletes and weight-loss clientele to senior citizens and postpartum mothers. Instagram: @JCodeFit
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