CHRIS DEGENOVA OF BODYSCAPE FITNESS OFFERS HIS TIPS TO FITNESS FOR WOMEN
After bumping into my childhood friend Chris DeGenova twice at an NFL game, I was not surprised to see that Chris was still keeping with his fitness regime and staying lean. I remember Chris throwing down the cardboard during our recess days and break dancing with some of his friends and he was pretty good. DeGenova has always been in the training industry, and has been for the past 22 years and there is not a day he does not love what he does. DeGenova is always striving to better himself for some new adventure out there; currently he wants to learn how to surf. Who knows what’s next? They say 40 is the new 30. Chris says, “They are just numbers and I will always be a little kid!”
I had some time to sit down with him after and ask him a few of the key questions that are on everyones minds nowadays when it comes to fitness. Chris and Francesca Bonta, a Nurtionist own Bodyscape Personal Fitness in the Cobourg, ON area offer all kinds of services in to help you with your fitness goals. DeGenova stays motivated from what I he achieves, not only in himself, but through his clients. To see how they change physically and mentally and the direction they go, always blow him away!! DeGenova never looks at his work as a job, but rather looks at his work as an opportunity to help people and put some smiles on their faces. It’s springtime and summer is just around the corner, the thought of shorts, skirts and bathing suits can leave most women in tears. How can we make this summer the best summer ever? In celebration of International Women’s Day we give you our best.
Where do most go wrong?
Tis’ the season and this is where most go wrong. They wait for the trigger, the New Years resolution. Don’t wait. The longer you procrastinate, the more liable you are to fall off again with the slightest excuse. This is exactly why the weight loss and diet industries make billions off of people. They wait for the resolutions and attack in full force to take advantage of people who fall prey to what they believe to be the gospel in health and fitness.
If you are a newbie then start with a clean slate and research for your specific goal. Not what the industry portrays as the miracle pill or the the 10 minute workout. You have to put some sweat into it, but the rewards can and will be endless
What are some small changes?
Most of this stuff is simple, but again most who don’t know Google or read or listen to a friend. Just think about what you would like to attain, weather it be health or a little weight lose maybe even that above the beach look. Get up, start to walk try some push ups and learn to play again. We mastered it when we where kids so why not learn to play again. It becomes fun and life is good again. Before you know it you’re well on your way to meet your goals and you didn’t have to swallow a magic pill to do it
Fail Safe Regime
Well this is a toughie right? Wrong. Make an allotted time. You have 7 days out of the week. You body doesn’t know a Monday from a Thursday. So set up for 2 days a wk to start and make it mandatory. A do or die. If you are a very by the book organized individual then for sure you can get in some health and fitness. Place the time where it works and bang you will find that once the bug bites you in the butt you won’t miss another session and maybe even add another.
Eating Habits
Here is the fun one. Everyone is looking for the be all to end all solutions. My philosophy, RELAX. The more time you spend diving into the latest fad or learning the best way to starve yourself the more your going to be a disgruntled individual not only in the fitness world, but no one else is going to like you either.
Try to eat clean. Understand that your body needs fuel. You wouldn’t drive your car and on empty now would you. The same goes for your body. You have so much out there for clean eating. Understand you need a good breakfast, a healthy snack awesome lunch maybe a piece of fruit and then a nice portion sized supper that mite involve fish some rice and a small salad. Seems real hard right? Make it simple make it fun. Starving doesn’t look good and you will just end up bingeing anyway.
Tips for the women trying to incorporate fitness into there busy lifestyle.
This is easy. To look good, feel good, and above all to be ahead of the competition. Women are raised to look after themselves. Your hair, make-up the way you dress the way you carry yourself. Why not the way you look physically. This is what makes it take precedence in your busy work week. This is what shows confidence and gets you the attention you deserve. Why not? You work hard in the office why not play hard in the gym. In the end you get the raise or you wake up your spouse with a beautiful compliment. Either way, it is now a part of your busy week. Ta-da!!!
Biggest Mistake?
Biggest mistake is to believe the hype. Again the media with all its infomercials can be a powerful thing against someone with low self esteem towards themselves in the fitness industry. Like wolves they prey upon people with their false statements and promises. My solution is to sit back write down ten things you would like to accomplish within a 3 month period and research. Hire a personal trainer, but look into their background their success stories and make sure they are there for you and not just a drone who takes you through a mediocre run. This is an education that will stay with you for life and enhance you as a person.
Group sessions or the lone wolf?
Well that depends on the individual. If you are uncomfortable with working out alone and a newbie, then find some friends to go for a walk with. Maybe even hire a trainer to come to your home and get the house rockin’ with a class that you and you friends can have fun with. Lots of laughs and you get to get into shape!
Now if you’re the lone wolf, that can work too! The world is yours you answer to know one and you can move at your own pace without waiting for slackers.
As well with a group, the accountability is there. You don’t want to be late or hold up your partner and vice versa. It’s good for the moral support as well to push the other person.
Supplements
Basically I could tell you how I eat but that really doesn’t help you in regards to how you would approach your daily menu. So if you are a person who is on the road and no time to sit and eat properly then I would consider something in the way of a Meal replacement such as a protein bar or an MRP shake, other then that, you need to learn to eat healthy. Supplements are just that, a way to supplement your daily intake if need be. Life now is all about conveyance, but at whose expense. There are zero substitutes for good ole healthy food.
Words of Wisdom from Chris Degenova on his own personal view on life.
Why I changed myself? Well I have always wanted a challenge. I always like the individualism of the weight room. It was just you and the weights. As time and years went on I progressed as well. It’s so fascinating how the body works, how it’s supposed to work. I have gone from competitive Bodybuilder, to Mountain biker to snow boarder to wake boarder to present where I will take up surfing. I owe it all to my first gym membership at the YMCA and the on going knowledge I have obtained over the years by keeping it alive and fun. It’s all just one big play ground in life.
Music can be a huge motivator and my music for training isn’t for the faint or heart. I need a beat and something that brings me to life. After I’m through working out, it’s back to reality. There is no way I could get my butt moving to something that brings a tear to my eye and gets me all emotional, it has to be hard and heavy. Listen to something that is going to light a fire under you from start to finish. You will be surprise at how fast you workout takes you.
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Story by Orlena Cain
Photos courtesy of Cindy Taylor
