Article from New Smyrna News Observer

Boot Camp Trainer Gives The Skinny On Post-Summer Weight Loss
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 02:01 PM


Special to the Observer

ORMOND BEACH - As summer turns into fall, there is no better time than present to start shedding those extra pounds from the beer, greasy brats, mayo-laden potato salad, fatty ice cream, and all the other high-calorie summer food splurges.
“Many people plan to be active during the summer but end up not exercising at all,” says Jennifer Labonte, CPT, owner and trainer at Adventure Boot Camp Ormond Beach & Port Orange, the pounds from all the cookouts keep piling on and, by the time September rolls in, these folks need to seriously get back into, or start, a good fitness routine that not only speeds up the metabolism but also offers multiple health benefits.”
However, many people, especially those who have not exercised before, may not know what kind of fitness program will whip them into great shape, burn those pesky calories, and motivate them to keep working out.
“Once boredom sets in, people lose their motivation to exercise,” Labonte observes. “That can happen if your workout routine is monotonous or doesn’t yield the desired results."
The key to a successful workout, she says, is to make exercise not only results-oriented, but also interesting and enjoyable, so that people will keep coming back for more.
That’s where fitness boot camps kick in – no pun intended.
“We are in a group setting, where people encourage and cheer each other on, so you don’t feel like you are in it alone,” Labonte says. “There is a pleasant social aspect to it, which makes this type of interactive exercise more interesting. And, if you are serious about losing weight and getting in shape, you must stay motivated and focused. ”
Even more importantly, boot camps are very effective in terms of overall health benefits. By incorporating strength, agility, balance, flexibility and interval training into each session, “the workouts exercise your heart, your muscles, your whole body,” Labonte says. “That is what we are trying to achieve in each session.”
An additional perk for all those trying to lose weight: “Boot camp workouts can burn-off up to 600 calories during a single hour-long exercise session, so if you keep at it, you will see those extra pounds melt right before your eyes,” Labonte adds.
In fact, boot camps are so efficient in burning calories and improving muscular fitness that the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the country’s leading authority on fitness, rates boot camps among the top 10 fitness trends for 2010.
As one of the leading boot camp trainers in the area, Labonte sees first-hand the effectiveness of this kind of comprehensive training program and believes its popularity will continue to gain momentum in the future.
“Everyone who participates regularly in our boot camps can see amazing – and sometimes spectacular – results,” Labonte says. “It is the ultimate workout program, regardless of your age, shape, or level of fitness." Boot Camp schedules are available at www.OrmondBootCamp.com.

Article from Orlando Sentinel

Can I work out when I’m sick?
Advice, At the gym, Current Affairs, Health news, On the Web, Science — posted by Audrea Huff on October, 6 2010 3:11 PM
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The beautiful, fall weather in Florida has finally arrived — and so has flu season.

Up to 20 percent of the U.S. population on average gets the flu each year, and even more are likely to get a common cold — adults average between 2 to 4 colds a year, mostly between September and May — according to the American Lung Association.

Don’t want to get sick? There’s no magic bullet, but exercise can reduce your chances.

“Among many other benefits of physical exercise is that it is a great immunity booster,” says Jennifer Labonte, CPT, owner of Adventure Boot Camp in Ormond Beach and Port Orange, Florida, in a news release.

“Certainly, exercise is not a cure-all for whatever ails you, and even the most ardent fitness aficionados will get sick once in a while,” Labonte says. “However, there is all this compelling evidence suggesting that exercise may lower your risks of common infections.”

Research cited by the American College of Sports Medicine shows that regular exercise can boost the immune system by either stopping viruses before they attack or by reducing the duration of cold symptoms by half. Studies have shown that people who work out regularly report fewer colds than those who do not exercise.

So you’re a fitness junkie and you pick up a bug from a loved one.

Can you still work out?

Many experts use the “neck rule“: If your symptoms are above the neck, it’s probably safe; if they’re below the neck — congestion in your chest, aches in your limbs — it’s a sign of an illness that may be worse than the common cold, so it’s best to sit on the sideline and rest.

The exception to the “neck rule” is fever: Working out with a fever will stress your heart further, Dr. Rick Kellerman of the American Academy of Family Physicians tells CNN.