THE YAZ PHILOSOPHY

Yaz’s training philosophy focuses on three core areas: nutrition, aerobics and resistance training.

All three components are necessary for attaining optimal levels of fitness and balanced health. Yaz prioritizes nutrition because without a proper diet, lifelong fitness cannot be achieved. In fact, good nutrition is 80% of the struggle to lose fat and build muscle.

Physical fitness involves more than working out in the gym. If you go home and indulge in unhealthy foods after a hard workout, your rate of progress diminishes. That’s why Yaz’s approach to training emphasizes nutrition along with aerobics and resistance training.

I. Nutrition

The key to proper nutrition is eating four to five small meals a day and not overeating at any one sitting. Keeping carbohydrate intake to an absolute minimum at night is essential because of the body's slower nighttime metabolic rate. For example, eating a “no-carb” dinner allows your body to burn fat while you are sleeping—rather than the carbohydrates you might have consumed during your evening meal.

Increasing the number of daily meals may at first appear counterintuitive. Many clients initially believe that “more meals” equals “more weight.” Consuming smaller portions with greater frequency, however, actually improves the body's metabolic rate. While training with Yaz you will build lean body mass, enabling you to burn even more calories throughout the day.

Along with a balanced diet, a personalized vitamin supplement plan can provide the body with vital nutrients. Yaz has always believed that taking multi-vitamins and anti-oxidants (for example Vitamin E, C and Beta Carotene) is essential for almost everyone and that women benefit from additional iron and calcium. Yaz often advises her clients on nutrition during her training sessions, and she can help you determine which vitamin supplements may be necessary for your specific diet. More on nutrition here.

 

II. Aerobics

Aerobic conditioning is necessary both for weight loss and to strengthen the cardiovascular system, helping to prevent myocardial infarction (heart attack),  arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), and other debilitating illnesses. These conditions are among the leading causes of death in America, so it is crucial to take your exercise plan seriously. A minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic activity three times per week is recommended for health maintenance. It is also important to exercise at the correct intensity—Yaz instructs all clients on how to use the Karvonen formula to monitor and obtain their target heart rates. More on aerobics here.

III. Resistance

Weight training is becoming increasingly popular (even among women) because health professionals have determined that a strong muscular system yields many positive outcomes, including increased metabolic rate, bone density, and lean body mass. Resistance training has many other benefits as well, such as elevated self-esteem, improved posture and balance, and positive body image. In order to be effective, you should weight train at least two or three times each week and involve all muscle groups during your workouts. It is important to workout using the proper intensity, technique and sequencing of exercises, and Yaz will teach you to achieve this balance. With consistent training you will start noticing a difference in your strength and appearance after only four weeks. More resistance training tips here.