You can't juice a banana.

Without a doubt, every party, family gathering, shin-dig, barbecue or picnic that I go to, I get asked, at least once…

“How do I lose this?”

“This”, of course, refers to a trouble spot on someone’s body that seems to be accumulating excessive amounts of fat.

It’s most often the mid-section, but there are times when people will show me the jiggle under their arms or excess fat between their butt and their thighs (women call these saddlebags, I think) or, if they’re feeling extra desperate, they’ll just shove their butt in my face while I’m trying to finish my salad.

When they get my response, they always look somewhat disappointed. For some reason, they think I’m going to give them some miracle exercise or tell them about some underground Chinese herb that is the cure-all for their ailments.

Sorry to say, but the best way to clear up that tire around your waist that is causing you to buy bigger and bigger pants every year, is to CLEAN UP YOUR DIET.

I can sense the disappointment already.

It is true, though. Diet accounts for the majority of your results. Exercise and lifestyle obviously will contribute to you living a lean and healthy life, but rest assured, as the saying in the fitness industry goes…

You can’t out-train a crappy diet.

In saying that, here are 4 things that you can do NOW to get on the right track. Mind you, these aren’t quick-fixes and they won’t be the solution to your weight loss problems, but they will help. And if you’re having trouble with losing weight because you can’t get your diet under control, then this is where you should start….

Read the rest of Diet Hacks: 4 Actions You Can Take NOW To Improve The Way You Eat (or Not Eat)

Real Food: "She likes it! Hey, Mikey!"

There are a lot of so-called “Rules” on how to be healthy.

It can get pretty confusing, especially when you can type a simple phrase into Google and get 100, 000 responses.

So, over the 12-13 years that I’ve been in practice and the 17+ years that I’ve been training and obsessed with health & performance, I came up with…

The 7 Essential Rules to Optimum Health & Weight Loss

It got picked up and published by one of my favorite blogs, ZenHabits.net over the weekend.  Last I looked there were over 90 comments on the topic.

I’d love if you could head over there, read the article and leave a comment as well.

You can check that article out HERE…

The 7 Essential Rules to Optimum Health & Weight Loss on ZenHabits.net

Enjoy your day!

Chris

AJ at 8yrs old (circa 2006) - Baggy shorts & basketball kicks...stay that way forever and stop growing up!

*****Listen, if any of you have had any experience with this, I’d appreciate it if you left a comment and let me know.  I’m freakin’ out here!!! -CL*****

Well, it happened again.

With Rozanne and the kids home, there’s been a lot to do around this city to keep the kids stimulated and occupied.

Last week was no exception and much to my dismay, an event that I had written about a few months ago happened again…

…some 13-year-old punk asked my (just turned) 11-year-old daughter for her phone number!!!

So what’s the deal?  Is this going to be a common occurrence?  A sign of things to come?

I guess, given the fact that I’ve got 4 daughters, it’s bound to happen sometime in my lifetime.

So, I’m taking matters into my own hands.  I’ve dropped some fat since I last weighed myself (I’m 172lbs w/10% BF now), but still don’t think I’ve got that intimidating look to me.  So, I’ve enlisted the advice of the Baddest Man in Strength & Conditioning, my buddy, Jason Ferruggia from New Jersey.

In a panic, I dropped Jay an email with a bunch of questions and here’s what he had to say…

Read the rest of The Moment EVERY Father Dreads…

Scott S, The Modern Day Dad.

I wanted to share a really nice email that I got back in May from a client that I’ve been interacting with a lot on the FitAndBusyDad Community for the past year.  He’s a busy and dedicated dad with a crazy work schedule.  He’s also a model example of what a modern day dad is and should strive to be - staying active, contributing to his community and being there for his son….

Hey Chris,

I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for the FitAndBusyDad program.    

Because of my work schedule, I have the chance to work out during lunch,
which is great because I can maximize my time at home with my family.
Before this program, I had been keeping my workouts to 30 minutes or less
out of necessity, but I never really felt like I was making any progress
toward my goals of losing fat and gaining muscle mass.  

Since the beginning of the year, I have dropped 10lbs and several fat % points.
My jeans are 2 inches too big now, and I'm replacing my XL t-shirts (bought to
hide my flabby chest and belly) with more fitted shirts to show off my more
defined arms and chest.  

I've accomplished all of this while only spending about 20 minutes at a time
in the gym, by following your effective workouts and diet advice.

I just bought your full program, and I'll never feel obligated to spend more
than 20 minutes in the gym again!  I picked up my first kettlebell last week,
and I can't wait to get started on your new Kettlebell Crusher program!  The
recipes you included with the program look surprisingly simple and I'll be
giving those a try soon.

I should also mention that I've enjoyed being a part of the FitAndBusyDad Community Site
since you created it.  There are some great guys on there who are quick to
offer advice, support, and to let each other know that we share many common issues. 

Thanks for all of the information you give away on
your web site, and for all of the work you've put into this great
program!  Oh, and congratulations on the new addition to your family...
I'm sure you're excited about having another male in the house!

Scott S.
Sumter, SC

A gift from above?

Given that I’m pretty busy on most days, one of the things I don’t really like is wasting my time in the morning.  I’ve got a very set routine now that includes…

1. Making a cup of my favorite Organic Jasmine Green Tea.

2. Reviewing a series of Daily Affirmations.

3. Reviewing my BAHGs (Big Audacious Hairy Goals).

4. Reviewing my Tasks & Calendar for the day.

5. Writing either an Article, Newsletter of Blog Post.

That said, even though I always enjoy my bacon & eggs, I usually have to opt for a quicker alternative.

Enter The FitAndBusyDad NEW Breakfast of Champions.

This isn’t your average “Wheaties & Skim Milk” type of breakfast.  It is amazingly nutrient dense.  It contains 2 “Super Foods”.  It’s got a ton of healthy fats.  And it tastes great WITHOUT the use of added sugars or sweeteners.

Check it out and let me know what you think…

Chris
the FitAndBusyDad

P.S. I’ll give away my KB Crusher Bonus Program to anyone who can tell me

what the 2 Super Foods are in my breakfast! Just leave your answer in the comment section

below!

The ULTIMATE outdoor training tool.

With the summer months upon us and the weather being absolutely beautiful, I’ve noticed that everywhere I go, people just seem to be in a better mood.

Maybe it’s because being outside just makes people more pleasant.

Or that dreary winter weather seems to suck the life out of you.

With the sun out and the weather being more favorable for outdoor activity, I’ve noticed a change even in me!  I’ve got more energy, I’ve dropped a couple percentage points on the bodyfat scale and I’m just happier.  I’m sure there are a lot of factors that have contributed to this - I don’t work as long hours anymore, I’ve gotten rid of a lot of toxic relationships in my life and I focus more on doing things that I’m passionate about.

But there are 4 major changes that I’ve made and that I do NOW that I wasn’t doing in the winter.

The days are still long enough and the weather will remain great for a few more months, so I highly suggest you try incorporating these 4 things into your busy family life too…

1. Eating more fruits & veggies. I’m able to do this simply because of availability.  Every Tuesday, Rozanne and the girls walk to the farmer’s market down the street (it’s about 5 or 6 blocks away) and they stock up for the week on every fresh fruit and vegetable they can find.  Yesterday we had a HUGE bowl full of berries that were sweeter than sugar, I made a cucumber & tomato salad to go with dinner and the day before that I roasted peppers on the barbeque.  All of that came from local farmers that sell their products at the farmers market.  Remember, shopping local allows you to support the local economy, cut down on freight costs (and reducing your carbon footprint) and gives you the choice of buying only from farmers who ethically raise their crops (with out the use of herbicides, pesticides and GMOs).

Read the rest of 4 Steps to Summer Health: Add These 4 Habits Into Your Summer Routine and Watch The Fat Melt Off

I haven’t blogged in a couple of weeks and for that, I’m sorry.  Here’s why…

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Chris

I’m a little late in posting this, but last month, I was contacted by a really nice reporter who said she was interested in interviewing me for iParenting.com.  I was being featured as Dad of the Month for June.

Please check out that article HERE…

=>Chris Lopez Featured as iParenting.com’s Dad of the Month

Parents of the month - J-Lo & C-Lo (no relation)

Chris Lopez, The FitAndBusyDad

P.S. Coincidentally, the “Mom of the Month” was another famous “Lopez”.

Don't be a victim.

By far, one of the most common emails that I receive on a weekly basis is “HOW DO I ELIMINATE BACK PAIN?”.

No more than 6 years ago, I was plagued by annoying back pain.  At the golden age of 26, I remember constant visits to the chiropractor, physical therapist & sports massage therapist trying to find a solution to the problem.

It was quite embarrassing, seeing as I was the one of the best trainers in the gym, for me to be hobbling around holding my back like a fragile 92 year old.  Finally, I stumbled upon a book that changed my thinking, the way I train and how I approached training both myself and my clients.

Based on what I learned and from first hand experience, there were 4 simple steps that I took to make sure that my low back didn’t bother me anymore.  I suggest you take look and try to apply these and see if your low back pain goes away.

Read the rest of 4 Ways to Eliminate Back Pain FOREVER

Today, we find out the sex of the baby!

Watch the video….

Have a Great Day!

Chris, The FitAndBusyDad