ask stylebook: how do I get rid of my pooch?

Sabrina: I have this “pooch” on my belly. What exercise can I do to get rid of it?
Adrien, Fitness on the Run: We hear this question more than any other. Sadly, the answer is the same: you must combine your eating/drinking with a well-constructed fitness program. Sugar is your nemesis. It turns to fat and sits on your belly on hips.

Sabrina: Ok well I eat pretty well. So, what is the one exercise you would recommend for my belly fat?
Adrien: There is no one exercise. See answer above. The answer is to combine a clean diet (limited sugar, balanced macronutrients) with a smart training program using all of your major muscle groups. This approach is what we do at FOR. Your “core” includes most of the major muscles in your copy as we consider everything between your shoulders and your hips “core”.

Sabrina: If I were willing to give it all up – or at least limit sugar and alcohol to 1-2 times a week, what exercise would you recommend to get rid of my belly fat?
Adrien: I would recommend movements like the Kettlebell swing. These are movements that use your whole body. Therefore you have to recruit more muscles to complete the movement, versus an isolated exercise like the bicep curl that requires use of few small muscles. Since you recruit more muscles, you burn more calories in a shorter period of time. When you learn how to engage your core, you will be able to use it for ALL exercises, not just the traditional ones you’ve learned from magazines.

Let’s face it. We live in a town where people drink alcohol at parties. A party isn’t “complete” without the cocktail, glass of wine or cold draft beer. If you have the ability to have a designated driver, Uber, taxi and plan to drink alcohol, remember alcohol literally stops fat loss in its place. It packs on fat. Your body doesn’t know how to process it so it turns to fat. If you drink, for each alcoholic drink consume two full 12 oz of water before you even think about heading to the bar. Your body responds to large quantities of alcohol much like it does when you consume an excessively high starchy carbohydrate diet. The macronutrient that’s consumed in the greatest quantity (starchy carbs) gets burned while the fat burning halts.

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Adrien Cotton

Owner + Founder | Alexandria Wellness

http://alexandriawellness.com

contact@alexandriawellness.com

Adrien founded Fitness on the Run in 2004 out of her home after a successful career in policy and public affairs communications. After spending 15 years developing her own personal definition of wellness and watching thousands struggle with theirs, in January 2019 Adrien founded Alexandria Wellness, the home for the Concierge Wellness Program and Corporate Wellness with Adrien Cotton. Over the course of 15 years, “FOR” was home to more than 2,000 clients, 30 instructors, and hundreds of inspirational success stories. Adrien is now, more-than-ever, passionate about helping women view their fitness as a journey, not a quick fix. Adrien’s recipe for success herself has evolved from a rigid training plan of sweaty and heart pumping workouts to some days getting in her 10,000 steps, consciously breathing, her 7.5 hours of sleep, and her beloved 5-Minute Flow. Adrien believes the most important ingredient is making small changes for big results, even if it’s one new habit formed each month. Still passionate about fitness, Adrien’s clients appreciate her ability to make sessions seriously challenging without a “beat down,” a healthy mix of strength and metabolic (cardio) work and ultimately helping her clients gain real strength in mind and body. She believes we all benefit from being curious about our bodies and that change, or improvement, is within reach despite what your “inner voice” or others may tell you. Adrien is bubbling with excitement to help women learn the importance of a comprehensive approach to wellness, weight loss, and contentedness with yourself, and that every person has the right to feel good about themselves. Most days, you can find her helping clients with their wellness, listening to success stories, and bragging about her twin 13-year-old children and “fittest man in Alexandria” Bill Cotton. Adrien prides herself on her practice of mindfulness, meditation, and putting it all into perspective.

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  The Most Ignored Part Of Your Body… That Is Killing Your Fitness

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Alexandria Wellness offers achievable answers for anyone who is tired of chasing fitness and health without a clear plan, someone who has struggled and is not satisfied with their fitness and wellness or someone who is open to maximized healthful longevity and fitness along with healthful weight loss. Adrien and her team offer help with food guidance, body acceptance, sleep and stress issues, and insist you have fun along the way.

Schedule your free 30 minute consult here!

alexandriawellness.com

Alexandria Wellness
215 North Payne Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

703.299.9333

contact@alexandriawellness.com