by Catherine Carter | Oct 18, 2017 | Atlanta Personal Trainer, Blog, Body By Fadi, Buckhead Personal Trainer, Fadi Malouf, Fitness, Health, Motivation, Testimony, Weight Loss
At 450 pounds, Jeff Groom could barely tie his shoes. His high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, edema and heart issues were all contributing to a dangerous outlook for his health. Without making some major changes, Jeff was facing a life of limitations and significantly less time with those he loved. And his health was not the only thing affected. The weight threw a shadow of hopelessness on every aspect of Jeff’s life, including his interactions with friends, colleagues and family.
The decision to change one’s life is often the outcome of millions of setbacks, and then one ultimate shove. For Jeff, that shove came at the beginning of January. He began his journey when he finally faced the negative impacts on his life from an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Jeff knew he had to make a change, and could no longer endure the turmoil he was cultivating in his own life. He felt like he was slowly killing himself. One January morning, Jeff called a meeting among those he loved most, apologized for his mistakes and vowed to change his life, not only for himself but for them.
“I had everything I could want but happiness,” Jeff says. And with that goal in mind he decided to get serious about losing weight. He had been working with Fadi Malouf, whom he had met through a friend, for about two years. When he decided to make a real change Jeff knew he would not only need Fadi’s expertise, but also his support. Jeff went through numerous trainers in the past and he knew he was not an easy client. This is why he needed someone who was more than just a trainer, someone who would push him, coach him and care for him like family.
“I’ll pay you but I’ll fight you. I’m better at not doing what you tell me,” Jeff frankly told Fadi at the beginning. And Fadi accepted the challenge wholeheartedly.
The first steps Jeff took in his journey were cutting out alcohol, cutting back his red meat consumption, increasing plants and lean protein in his diet, and working out. He began to enjoy lifting weights and becoming more active. Fadi pushed him in the gym and provided him with nutrition counseling to help Jeff fuel his body correctly. He also helped Jeff sort through the mental part of weight loss as his life coach.
With such a significant amount of weight to lose, Jeff decided to undergo bariatric surgery a couple months into his journey. This helped him immensely, but he still had a lot of work to do.
“What people don’t often realize is that obesity is not the problem, it’s the solution to a deeper issue,” Fadi says, “Once I help clients identify the underlying issues and work through them, they can find the happiness they lost and care for themselves enough to lose the weight and be healthy long-term.”
Jeff recalls a difficult time at the beginning of his journey when he fell off the wagon and felt lost. He called Fadi in the middle of the night and told him he was struggling. Fadi dropped everything and went to be with Jeff and help him through his difficult time. Even though Fadi pushed him and they were usually sarcastic, this time Jeff needed the support of a friend.
In 9 months Jeff has lost over 200 pounds. His outlook on life has completely changed. He found the happiness that was lost from his life before and for the first time in a long time, he is excited about the future. His friends and family have also noticed a change in his attitude. Jeff discovered when you care for yourself and foster self love, you in turn care for those around you more.
For the future, Jeff is focusing on work and growing his business. In many ways he is promoting a healthier business, just like he did for himself- restructuring and not working with dishonest people. He is putting his family and company first.
Jeff’s nutrition and fitness regimen now consist of portion control and working out when he can squeeze it in. Jeff attributes much of his success to working with Fadi. The program he followed was unique from what he experienced with dozens of trainers in the past. Jeff says he still eats things he enjoys, but it’s not about eating large amounts of food, but more about taste. Changing his overall relationship with food has led him to his success with weight loss.
Fadi could not be more proud of Jeff. Playing a role in someone completely changing their life has given him a huge sense of purpose.
“Personally, Jeff has been one of my most rewarding clients to work with. I’ve seen him transform entirely and he is so much happier now,” Fadi says. “I know we will be life-long friends.”
Jeff believes anyone who wants to lose weight and get healthier should give Fadi a shot.
“The main thing about Fadi is he truly cares about the individual, not about the dollar amount. It’s a relationship and he really cares about people and their health.”
by JayBird | May 6, 2014 | Atlanta Personal Trainer, Blog, Body By Fadi, Exercise, Fitness, Health, News, Nutrition, Sports, Wellness
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral condition in which children/adults have difficulties paying attention and focusing on tasks. This common disorder begins in early childhood and can continue into adulthood. If not recognized and treated, it can cause problems at home, school, and work and with relationships. Many adults do not realize that they have ADHD until their children become diagnosed, and they begin to recognize their own symptoms. Adults with ADHD may find it hard to focus, organize, and finish tasks. They are often forgetful and absent-minded.
Eating a balanced diet can help all people—including those with ADHD—function well. Those concerned about diet and ADHD hypothesize a toxic or allergic effect by some foods. The most commonly targeted foods are milk, wheat, dyes, preservatives, sugars, and caffeine. These diet elements are believed to cause or at least contribute to ADHD and ADD Symptoms.
Foods to eats for those with ADHD
- Vitamin B Complex- Yeast, Liver,Nuts Milk, Eggs, Meats, Fish, Fruits, Leafy Green Veggies, Soy
- Protein- Add some protein powder to your smoothie, Make a protein smoothie for you kids when the come home from school. Brown rice cakes with hummus or any kind of nut butter like almond or cashew
- Calcium/Magnesium – Green Veggies like Broccoli, Kale, Collard Greens,Whole Grain Breads, Nuts Seeds, Milk and milk products are a main source of calcium. Green veggies such as spinach are a great source of magnesium, as are beans and peas, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
- Trace Minerals- micronutrients that are needed by the body every day, but in small amounts, include zinc and iron. Studies have shown people with ADHD have low levels of zinc in their bodies compared to those without ADHD.
Foods To Avoid
- Sugars
- Additives- Artificial dyes and flavors (Food Coloring like red and yellow), MSG so when ever possible choice natural choices
- Hydrogenated oils Generally are the ones that at room temperature are a solid – Bad Fats inhibit healthy nerve functions. Trans and saturated fats. Try using Flaxseed oil, Canola,or Olive Oil
- C affine
- Salt- Too much salt in a child’s diet can interfere with a child’s internal equilibrium. Salt can also deplete the body of some minerals needed in the body.
Best rule of thumb to use is read the labels of the food you choice also shop the perimeter of the store you will find most natural foods there.
Exercise is a fantastic and highly recommend way to combat ADHD it helps push past failures and helps you attack things you didn’t succeed in before. Exercise helps reduce learned helplessness. It also helps the Brain release important chemicals like Endorphins that help regulate mood, pleasure, pain. Also exercise helps elevate Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels. These brain chemicals affect focus and attention, which are in short supply in those with ADHD. Contact one of our fitness professionals today to start a fitness program
- Walking 30 minutes four days a week.
- Team activities or those with social components.
- Exercises like Tae Kwon Do, Ballet, or Gymnastics, all these, you have to keep the mind focused to the activity at hand.
Some well known celebrities that have ADHD include Justin Timberlake, Jamie Oliver who both help keep it under control with diet. Katrina Smirnoff, Will Smith, Michael Phelps, Jim Carey, Ty Pennington Paris Hilton,Christopher Knight, Howie Mandel, Terry Bradshaw who frequently speaks out on mental disorders telling even big guys get it taken care of., James Carville, Pete Rose who found his undiagnosed ADHD may heave been a contributing factor to other addictions like gambling, Michelle Rodriquez, Bruce Jenner, Solange Knowles who was often mistaken for being high or drunk due to untreated ADHD.
Statistics have shown a person who has ADHD is 300% more likely to start their own business like Richard Branson, and David Neelman, who credits his ADHD for founding JetBlue. Having it gives you creativity and the ability to think outside the box. So does Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinkos (the name comes from a nick name for his curly red hair).
If you and/or your child is diagnosed with ADHD with proper diet and exercise can be controlled.
by Fadi Malouf | Apr 30, 2014 | Atlanta Personal Trainer, Body By Fadi, Buckhead Personal Trainer, Exercise, Fadi Malouf, Fitness, Health
CLICK ON IMAGE TO WATCH
Reverse Extension on Swiss Ball
Try the Reverse Extension on a Swiss Ball as a great way to strengthen and improve your stabilizing muscles. This exercise focuses on the Erector Spinal muscles of the lower back as well as the Gluteus Maximus.
Using the ball keeps your upper body stable and provides support to the lumbar region as you lower and raise your legs, placing less stress on the lower back.
It’s only necessary to come up to a straight body position at the top of the movement, and not to hyperextend the trunk.
Exercise Instructions:
1 – Lie face down with your chest on the ball, your hands and feet on the floor
2 – Raise your legs up behind straight, making a line from your feet to shoulders.
3 – Do not bounce up and down on the ball as you perform each rep.
4 – Have fun!
