ASK ALFONSO
Ask Alfonso: When Should I Accept My Limitations?
Apr 30th
Angry Trainer, can I ask a simple question?
When is it time to accept your limitations? I have eaten clean and trained hard now for two years and yes I have made gains. I am now 28% body fat (you do not want to know where I started) and I am benching my body weight and squatting double my body weight (which again, you do not want to know).
I am starting to think that this is my best. I do not want to relax or go back to that sad woman on the couch watching other women live their lives but More >
Ask Alfonso: What’s Best For Weight Loss – Fat Free or Low Fat Foods?
Apr 24th
Hi Alfonso,
I have quite a bit of weight to lose (100+) and am just getting started.
While I know the basics of how to eat right, I’m wondering whether it’s better to include fat free and low fat versions of foods or to just eat less of the full fat versions?
I know the fat free includes more sugar and that’s something I’m trying to avoid
Can you offer any advice?
Thanks!
Heather
Hey Heather. How are you? I know this is quite confusing for many people with so many nutritionists, dieticians, trainers and coaches giving different advice. It really is hard to More >
Ask Alfonso: Can I Exercise With A Cold?
Apr 17th
Hey Alfonso,
I was wondering if you could give me some advice?
I’ve come down with a cold and cough and can’t go to the gym.
However I still tried to go running which resulted in me injuring the back of my knee. So now I’m immobile and resting in bed.
Are there any safe exercises you can recommend where I won’t injure or make my cold worse?
I know I should be resting but I’m a bit obsessed with exercise with exercise and can’t stay in bed all day!
Thanks!
Bexta
Hey Bexta, how are you? Ok so here’s the deal – you can workout with a More >
Ask Alfonso: Are Artificial Sweeteners OK To Use?
Apr 12th
Hello Alfonso.
I was wondering, I love Quest Bars and I eat one everyday as dessert.
Some of my favorite flavors (vanilla almond crunch) contain sucralose, while others contain stevia (coconut cashew).
Is it okay to eat the bar with sucralose or should I just stick with the stevia sweetened ones? Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Aleesha
Hey Aleesha how are you? This is a GREAT question and I think many people are wondering the same thing. I love Quest bars, man are they good!
Sucralose and other artificial sweeteners have been around for decades. A quick Google search and you’ll find arguments for both sides More >
Ask Alfonso: Is Fruit Sugar Bad For You?
Apr 1st
Alfonso – I’m very confused by the types of sugar found in different products. Mostly I’m hoping you can help clarify what is a “good” sugar and what is a “bad” sugar.
I understand the artificial sugars such as sucralose, aspartame, etc. are horrible. I try my best to not consume those items. What I am not clear on is sugar from fruit. Is it good or bad?
I read some things that recommend you eat a piece of fruit, such as a banana, 30 minutes before working out because this will spike your sugar/insulin levels and give you a boost of More >
ATF Classic: How To Pick The RIGHT Personal Trainer
Mar 28th
Here’s a post that I wrote over two years ago and discusses the dilemma that many trainees face – how to pick the right personal trainer. I still get this question quite often so I figured sharing it again would be valuable.
A lot has changed in the last two years. As you know I’m constantly learning and evolving as a trainer and person. I’m learning to see exercise and diet in a different way than I had just two years ago. Plus as many of you know I’m really big on CrossFit and am loving my experience with it. BUT, More >
Ask Alfonso: Can Exercise Make You Fat?
Mar 22nd
Hi Alfonso,
I just read this article and it really frustrated me:
I feel that the article sends conflicting messages to readers about the importance of exercise for weight-loss. The author includes several articles that theorize that exercise actually causes obesity, which sounds completely outrageous to me.
I understand that workouts like CrossFit are not meant for everyone and that you don’t have to workout 2 hours to get results, but to make a statement like, “We are not meant to push ourselves. We are meant to move and be energized and get blood flowing…but beyond that, it’s just dumb and ineffective” or “Exercise More >
Ask Alfonso: Should I Go ‘All Out’ In My Workouts?
Mar 11th
Hey Alfonso,
First of all thank you for all the good advice. Recently I tried the CrossFit “Kool Aid” and I must say it’s a great work out. Some of the guys I work with do it and talked me into it. Now I’m not what you would call the poster child of fitness but I’m trying.
When I first started working out I was doing mostly cardio and then ending my workout with some circuit training and I felt great after. I would do about an hour to an hour and a half per day. Now with the CrossFit I More >
