Winter is approaching and with it comes SAD.

No, I don’t mean the emotion (although that’s part of it).

I’m talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Luckily, we have some tips and tricks for treating SAD that our Online Coaching Clients use. Today, we’ll share them with you too.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
• How do I know if I have SAD?
• What is the best treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder? (Slaying the SAD Beast)
• Moving forward with SAD (This too shall pass)

Disclaimer: We’re going to be discussing some issues that may be difficult for some going through a tough time. If you (or someone you know) aren’t coping so well, PLEASE see the links at the bottom of this article with some resources from all around the world. Obviously, we recommend discussing this information with your health professional – none of this is a diagnosis, but rather a starting point for discussion.

BUT, armed with the right weapons, we can ward off the winter monster, or even keep it in full hibernation.

From here, mental health wizard and resident NF Family Rebel Correspondent, Dan Schmidt, will take it away:

Do you find your grip a limiting factor in the gym (I see you chin-ups and deadlifts)?

Or in everyday life (looking at you, pickle jars)?

If so, don’t worry! We’ve got a handle on this (pun 100% intended).

As the lead trainer of our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program, I’m going to outline a number of helpful, handy (sigh) stretches and exercises to help eliminate pain and build you some powerful, useful hands and a strong grip.

• The importance of grip strength (and basic “grips”).
• Grip strength exercises to do in the gym (VIDEO).
• How to improve grip strength at the office.
• How to improve grip strength at home.

Now, it goes without saying that the hands and forearms are anatomically complicated areas.

I am also not your mother, or your doctor. If anything in the article below causes pain, or your pain is not alleviated by these stretches – call in the pros!

See a physical therapist or sports massage practitioner.

Meet Brent, a member of Nerd Fitness Coaching who just found out he no longer needs blood pressure medication.

Awesome!

Oh, and he’s also celebrating losing over 35 pounds.

Incredible!

What’s crazy is that he did it all in about six months…which is BONKERS!

However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Brent.

He had done the New Year’s resolution dance quite a few times…but always seemed to fizzle out.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Brent admits.

However, instead of going through the same “start and stop” pattern again, Brent decided to do something different – he decided to ask for help!

Let’s find out how it went.

The rowing machine – it’s so hot right now.

Rowing classes are everywhere. It’s easy to find professional and Olympic athletes hyping up the machine’s ability to provide a full-body workout.

All well and good…but how do you actually use the thing?

Well my friend, you’ve come to the right place to find out.

Many clients in our Online Coaching Program tell us they want to start rowing, but they don’t know how. Today, we’ll explain how we get them going with row machine workouts.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How to use a rowing machine (with video tutorial).
• What are the benefits of using a rowing machine?
• Rowing Machine 101: Terms to Know
• The four parts of the rowing stroke.
• When to add the rowing machine to your workout.
• Should a beginner use a rowing machine? (Next Steps)

Alright, you ready?

Let’s row, row, row your rower.

Fasten your seatbelt, because today we’re going to highlight a truly amazing nerd in the Rebellion.

Meet Megan, a member of Nerd Fitness Coaching who is currently celebrating losing over 200 pounds!

(That’s not a typo.)

Megan’s journey is so amazing that the Today Show recently spotlighted her!

My favorite part of Megan’s story?

She decided to stop letting the scale define her!

Megan actually went and smashed her scale in one of those rage rooms:

Epic.

Instead of stressing about the scale, Megan now focuses her goals on athletic performance, like doing chin-ups and running 5Ks.

How cool is that!?!

So without further ado, let’s dig into Megan’s jaw-dropping transformation.

So you want to learn about the best core exercises?

Well my friend, you’ve arrived at the right place!

We help men, women, and intergalactic bounty hunters grow strong as part of our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program, and we always put an emphasis on core muscles when we build client workouts.

Are you training your core muscles correctly? Let our coaches help you decide!

Here’s what we’ll cover to answer the question, “What are the best core exercises?”

• Why is training your core muscles important?
• What are the best core exercises for beginners? 
• How can I strengthen my core at home?
• The 5 best core exercises
• Core exercises to avoid (skip the sit-ups)
• “What exercise burns the most belly fat?” (Best core exercises for weight loss)
• How to build a core workout (Next steps)

Alright buckeroo, let’s do this thang!

Continue reading →

If one thing’s true about parenting it’s this: it’s bloody tiring.

Any parent will tell you that as soon as Player 2 or 3 enters the game, the sleep level difficulty instantly shifts from ‘tutorial’ to ‘expert’.

But have no fear, we’ll set you up with some tips to help you regain a little energy.

Many folks in our Online Coaching Program are parents (as well as the coaches themselves!) so we have all sorts of advice on how to stay energized with kids around. 

Our coaches customized plans for those with busy lives. Learn more here!

Here’s what we’ll cover today:

• Engage in multiplayer mode (Ask for help).
• How to do less (Picking priorities).
• Why moving more will make us more energized.
• The importance of eating well, regularly.
• Rethinking our sleep schedule.
• How to improve our sleep quality.

Let’s jump right in.

There’s one question we get asked more than any other: “Is diet soda bad for me?”

People want to know if Diet Coke will make them fat and make them sick, or if it’s all just a bunch of hoopla about nothing.  

We help our clients navigate challenges with soda (diet or not) in our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program, and we’re gonna tell you everything you need about diet soda below.

Should you be drinking diet soda? If so, how much? Let us help you decide!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Does drinking diet soda lead to weight gain?
• Will drinking diet soda make me crave actual sugar?
• Does my body process artificial sweeteners just like sugar? 
• Can drinking diet soda cause cancer? (Is aspartame or saccharin dangerous?)
• How many diet sodas can I have in a day? 
• Can you be addicted to diet soda?
• Is Diet Coke worse for you than regular Coke?
• Is drinking diet soda bad for weight loss? (Next steps)

Let’s get right to it!