Fat Loss – Body Transformation – Advanced Nutrition

Hey everyone,

I finally got around to updating the blog to the most current software – I wanted to months ago, but my webhosting provider wouldn’t allow an update to the most current database version (techie stuff). Anyway, it is all done now – I was having many issues with losing drafts and posts, but that seems to be cleared up now and I’ll be able to get back to my regular posting habits without becoming insanely annoyed everytime I try to do it!

If you have any problems (reading, commenting, etc) please don’t hesitate to let me know!!!

Thanks everyone!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

During a discussion with a client this morning, she told me that someone had asked her how working out with her personal trainer was going. She explained how she told them how I am quite different from other personal trainers she has had in the past at big gyms, and how much more she enjoys working out at my private training studio versus working out in the big box fitness centers.

Mission Accomplished, sort of…

I have made no bones about saying this: I am San Antonio’s foremost expert on fitness training and performance nutrition. My track record of client success, whether it is simple fat loss, sports performance, figure/fitness/bikini/bodybuilding prep, injury recovery and everything in between is unequaled in this community.

I opened Personal Fitness Revolution in 2006 for several reasons:

-Professional. I was tired of seeing personal trainers in San Antonio (and everywhere else, for that matter), train their clients incorrectly. I have 15 years of personal training experience, hold advanced degrees, and have worked with over 2000 clients that range from housewives to professional athletes. Most personal trainers are in the career field for less than one year – it is definitely a field that defines “survival of the fittest”.

-I hated the idea of anything being before progress and client success. At the large gyms, there is one concern: Sales, sales, sales. Sell them the nutrition package. Get them to sign up for a year in advance. Sell this, sell that.

-Gyms are meat-markets and social clubs, and to many, they are overwhelming. I wanted a private environment with the real essentials, without the distractions of morons posing in the mirror and the dangers of people practicing their “stunts” in the corner, putting everyone within 100 feet in danger.

-Put the “personal” in personal training. Every individual is different. I do not train any two individuals identically, because no two people are identical. Most trainers are what I call “fad” trainers, and do what the newest craze is – to hell with it actually working, it gives them the chance to “seem” cutting edge. Nothing I do is cookie cutter. What my clients do depends on a) their condition and b) improving weaknesses while maintaining strengths, and c) their goals. Not what I saw in a book or what the CrossFit studio down the street is doing (incorrectly).

-Privacy. Never more than 2-4 people training at one time. No crowds, no waits.

-No memberships. We work by appointment only, and clients get the sessions they pay for. No time limits, no hidden monthly charges.

-Holistic approach. Simple diet and exercise are do not guarantee success; rather, one must integrate a synchronized and synergistic diet and exercise program that is focused completely on one’s needs and condition.

When people call me or email me looking for the cheapest trainer, I’m not going to be that person. There is a difference between a typical personal trainer and a professional – if you’re looking for a rep counter with less than a year experience, you’ll definitely get what you pay for at other gyms, and I take it personal when people believe that all personal trainers are like the ones you see at the big gyms. When you’re ready for the best and you are serious about your goals, that is when you call me.

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio – there is still time to give your family and loved ones the ultimate gift of health. If you have a friend or family member that is looking to make 2012 the year that they get in the best shape of their life, lose body fat and drastically transform their body or maybe prepare for an athletic competition, a Personal Fitness Revolution Personal Training Gift Certificate is the perfect gift idea.

Health clubs and gyms in San Antonio are simply PACKED after the first of the year – not ours. Our private personal training studio is by appointment only, and there is NEVER a crowd.

All clients receive complete nutritional and supplement guidance, 24/7 access to their personal trainer (via telephone, email, etc), and complete directions on what to do on days when they aren’t with their trainer. For more information on programs and pricing, check out our Personal Training Programs or contact Boyd via email at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com or by phone at 210.391.1454. We have hundreds of references available by request.

Any personal training package is available as a gift certificate, but from now until Dec 31, 2011, we will be offering 15% off of any purchased package of 36 or more sessions!

Slots WILL BE limited after the first of the year, and our personal training studio operates on a first come, first served basis (by appointment). Beat the crowds at other health clubs at our private personal training studio!

No gift could be more precious or appreciated more than a healthy, lean body, and there is no better way to help someone you care about get a head start on their New Year’s Resolution with the help of a fitness professional that will drastically improve their chance for success.

Happy Holidays!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

Nothing compares to the gift of health. If you have a friend or family member that is looking to make 2012 the year that they get in the best shape of their life, lose body fat and drastically transform their body or maybe prepare for an athletic competition, a Personal Fitness Revolution Personal Training Gift Certificate is the perfect gift idea.

All clients receive complete nutritional and supplement guidance, 24/7 access to their personal trainer (via telephone, email, etc), and complete directions on what to do on days when they aren’t with their trainer. For more information on programs and pricing, check out our Personal Training Programs or contact Boyd via email at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com or by phone at 210.391.1454. We have hundreds of references available by request.

From now until Dec 31, 2011, we will be offering 15% off of any purchased package of 36 or more sessions!

Slots WILL BE limited after the first of the year, and our personal training studio operates on a first come, first served basis (by appointment). Beat the crowds at other health clubs at our private personal training studio!

No gift could be more precious or appreciated more than a healthy, lean body, and there is no better way to help someone you care about get a head start on their New Year’s Resolution with the help of a fitness professional that will drastically improve their chance for success.

Happy Holidays!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey all,

As I stated earlier, during the month of November I am growing a mustache to support the Livestrong Foundation’s Prostate Awareness month. For more information, or to donate (a $1 or more), please check out:

Boyd’s Personal Movember Page

1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer over the next year, and it is the second most common cancer, behind only skin cancer. Let’s find a cure!!!

Thank you for any support you give to this great cause! Oh, and I will post a pic of this RIDICULOUS mustache I am growing by the end of the week!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
210.391.1454

Hey all,

Just a few quick things to cover:

-It is boot camp time again. I’ll have more info later, but we are going to be starting another San Antonio Boot Camp here at Personal Fitness Revolution. Again, I’ll post an update later this week, so keep an eye out!

-November is MOVEMBER! To bring awareness to prostate cancer (1 in 6 men will be diagnosed this year), guys are encouraged to grow a mustache (“Mo” is an Aussie term for mustache). Yes, as terrible as it is, I am growing an awesome Burt Reynolds style stache this month!!!

-We are less than three weeks away from Thanksgiving. DO NOT USE THE HOLIDAYS AS A REASON TO FALL OFF THE FITNESS AND NUTRITION BANDWAGON! You CAN make tremendous progress between now and the new year. With that being said, you can also ruin an entire year worth of work by slacking now!

I have some great articles in the work for this week, so check backsoon!!!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

November is Prostate Cancer Awareness month, and through the Livestrong Foundation, they are celebrating “Mo-Vember” by growing MUSTACHES (no, really), and I am partaking!

For more information and the rules on the mustace growing month, check out here:

LiveStrong – Movember to Rember – Grow a Mustache to Fight Cancer!

If you would like to help the cause by either joining our team or donating, drop me an email at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com for details!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

I often receive phone calls and emails asking me about the different types of training services that I offer, my approach and other related questions. Here is a quick list of the different types of training and clients that I work with:

Clients seeking:
Fat Loss
Body Transformation
Muscle Gain
Sports/Athletic Conditioning
Competition Preparation
Performance Nutrition Guidance
Supplement Regimen Design

Types of training:
HIT (High Intensity Training)
Circuit Training
Core Based Training
Power Lifting
Olympic Lifting
Cross Training
Sprint Training
Flexibility
Kettle Bells
TRX Suspension Training
Martial Arts Training

And probably anything else you can imagine!

Now is the time to get a head start on the holidays – the new year is still 2 months away – you can use those 2 months to make the change or to make excuses!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454
Text FITNESSTRAINER to 90210 for my fat loss and body transformation tips!

Hey everyone,

Questions were starting to pile up in my email and on Twitter, so I thought I would play a little catch up and answer a few questions here on the blog!

Boyd: Have you ever used the topical pain roll-on, BioFreeze? What are your thoughts?

Yes – I love BioFreeze. As a person that has had several breaks and injuries in my life, I am very arthritic, and sometimes it takes a few minutes during a session to work the cricks out! I typically apply BioFreeze directly to the aches/tight muscles, and let it go – the great thing? It allows me to train with intensity relatively pain free. There are several similar brands, but I like BioFreeze the absolute best.

Hey Boyd, I often see people recommend massage. Is it really helpful, or just hokie science?

Massage is a critical component of my training and recovery process – it is great to relieve pain, work out knots, increase circulation and keep the body working optimally. Of course, the right therapist is key, and when you find one, they are worth their weight in gold. I personally like to get massages every 2-3 weeks, depending on how intense I am training.

To play off of the last question, my massage therapist actually USES BioFreeze during the massage!

Hi Boyd, what are your thoughts on nutritional requirements when you are recovering from an injury?

In short, your nutritional demands are greatly increased. Injury puts the body into a stressed state, increasing the demand for quality nutrients. When I am injured or recovering from sickness, I increase antioxidant intake, BCAA intake, healthy fat intake, and the consumption of the trace minerals, giving my body the optimal environment to quickly recover. Remember – if you are hurt or sick, you cannot train optimally and make progress, so I have little time for injury or sickness.

Send more – I am always ready to answer them!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio:

Heard a radio ad today for a chain of gyms that is using the “Want to avoid roided up guys in the gym” and playing on most people’s perceptions that most people in gyms are in amazing shape, the guys are huge and hulking and the females are all fitness models – a laughable notion that is as far from the truth as possible (most gym members are normal people just looking to stay in shape).

While my client and I were laughing at the incredible stupidity of the ad (and for the record, it is an ad for Planet Fitness, WHOM, BY THE WAY, serves pizza to its members on Fridays – yeah, real serious about your fitness), she told me that she was talking to a friend that had some questions about something her personal trainer had told her, and my client told her friend that “my trainer (me :) is an encyclopedia for fitness, you should ask him about that and see what he says”. Long story short, my client’s friend called me and asked about a few exercises her personal trainer had told her about that are designed to target belly fat.

While the average person is often led to believe that belly fat can be spot reduced by specific exercises or different foods, it does not take a “fitness expert” to know that site reduction of fat is impossible.

I decided to look up this personal trainer’s website and read about his principles, his experience, etc. Of course, it was littered with false truths, catch-phrases, and told very little about the personal trainer’s background (other than his weekend based certification). It simply proved a point that I often make: unfortunately, personal training is a career that has a very low border of entry, and to become a personal trainer simply requires a small investment. Even the most respected of “certifications” is not all that difficult to obtain – ANYONE can be a personal trainer. However, how many people can be successful at personal training and can live off of their income that they make by helping others?

I have received over 17 different certifications, a degree, have competed as a bodybuilder, have trained several figure competitors, bodybuilders, pro athletes, and individuals of all walks of life, special populations, and everyone else that falls into that spectrum. I have had my private personal training studio in San Antonio open since 2006. While I am obviously not a fly-by-night personal trainer, I must say that it is not one of those things that qualifies me as a fitness expert. Nor is it that I have been a personal trainer for over 15 years – it is a combination of all of those things. The great thing? I am educated and experienced enough to admit that the learning process is always continuing, and that being a fitness expert is not something that is obtained with a weekend course or even an in-resident program or advanced degree: it is something that is cumulative, obtained with years of doing more than simply surviving as a personal trainer.

While there are a few personal trainers that survive and do well in this business, most are unable to operate as fitness trainers for more than 12-18 months. Before you throw your money away on a novice personal trainer that is just learning the ropes, do your homework: while many gyms have personal training for $10-$20, understand that you get what you pay for, and the investment will be worth the made up time and the knowledge that your personal trainer is willing to share with you.

There IS a difference!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey Everyone,

It is often said that “good things come to those who wait…” Maybe. I will be honest, I hated that as a kid – I believe in action, not just sitting around and waiting. I have found out a philosophy that I believe in a lot more, and that is: “Great things come to those who work.”

If you are willing to work, anything you want can be yours. I often hear people talk about “how nice it would be to be rich”, yet they aren’t willing to put forth the sacrifice of working 20 hour days, waking up early after staying up late, missing happy hours, etc to reach a certain monetary goal. The parallels are very similar to fitness. Sure, “it’d be nice” to look a “certain way”, but as soon as you tell them about the lifestyle and sacrifice, they are too busy “living” to do what needs to be done to reach a certain level of fitness.

One of my friends and clients totally embodies this sacrifice, and has done so as he has chased his dream of once again kicking in the NFL. Yesterday, my good friend, Nick Novak was signed by the San Diego Chargers to replace Nate Kaeding, as he was injured on the first play of the season and will miss the entire year.

From the early morning to late evening workouts (and Nick, remember who emphasized the importance of dead lifting :), to traveling from New York to San Diego, back to Maryland just to go right back to San Diego, you did it, and I expect you to have a Pro Bowl season (and your trainer is the IDEAL person to take to Pro Bowl week)!

Congrats bud!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey everyone,

After a great weekend, I am back and trying to make a little free time to keep my blog consistently updated. I would’ve had that time today and had a great topic on my mind today, and then my iPhone died. Good news is that the Apple Store replaced it hassle free. Bad news is that I lost every single number that I had.

I mentioned the loss of my micro-pig, Ziggy, last week. Well, a reader referred me to a reputable breeder and this weekend, my new piglet will be arriving.

This weekend was the start of the NFL football season, but more importantly, it was the 10 year anniversary of September 11, 2001. Hard to believe that it has been that long, because in many ways, it seems like yesterday. I was glad to see that the NFL didn’t overdo it, and was very tasteful with celebrations and such.

Oh yes, the TWO FOR ONE TRAINING SPECIAL IS STILL GOING – IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, LET ME KNOW AND WE WILL SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION AND HELP YOU GET STARTED!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey everyone,

I have been getting a lot of good questions here of late, so I thought I would do a quick Q&A!

Hey Boyd, Sorry about your pig… I know how they can become so important to us. Anyway, I feel like a pig now. I want to go all out and get my diet back in order. Any boot camp style eating tips you care to give?

Thank you for that. I miss him terribly, but I am getting another one very soon :).

While variety is the spice of life, when I need to get insanely serious, I try to limit myself drastically – I choose 4 lean meats, 4 clean, low glycemic carbs, load up on the green veggies and go from there for 2 weeks. Sure, it is tough, but I believe in challenging myself and I go ultra strict with no deviation. I pre-cook a few days worth of food, grab and go, leaving nothing to chance by having someone else prepare food. After two weeks of perfect eating, it always seems much easier to keep things tight, and the synergy of hard training and great eating really changes the body drastically.

The key is to eat enough: most people induce starvation when they try to eat clean because they simply do not eat enough. Two weeks is NOTHING – start today!!!

How is the benching?

Better than ever. Well on my way to a personal record (665 current) – I have no doubt that 14 plates (7 on each side of the bar) is coming down soon!!!

Boyd, have you ever considered opening a CrossFit studio?

Kay, you must be new to the blog ;) While I am for people doing anything versus doing nothing, I simply believe CrossFit SUCKS (I don’t mince words). No bench pressing, poor supervision, lack of proper program design, periodization, poor exercise order, etc, etc, etc. You cannot be a master of all at once. Hell, start here and you will see why I feel the way I do – welcome to the Personal Trainer in San Antonio Blog!

Hey Boyd, I have a question – I have read in your blog that you hate chicken. I do too, but not for the reasons I think you do. You see, when I eat it, it feels like it sits like a brick in my stomach. Not sure why, but I just don’t think I digest it well. I do not have this problem with red meat, oddly. Thoughts?

Actually, that is exactly why I do not eat chicken! Everyone has foods that their body simply has trouble absorbing. I have had this doctor diagnosed: my body has trouble breaking down chicken. It isn’t common, and most people have a much harder time with red meat, but if I eat 3oz of chicken, I feel like I have eaten a pound of concrete.

The key to health is digestion. Each of us has foods that work better with us for energy, absorption and assimilation, and we are all mutually exclusive. This is another reason why I like to suggest a food journal. Not just list what I eat, but to also document how I feel at certain times, how my gym performance is affected, etc – I don’t always suggest keeping such a journal 365 days per year, but for a short amount of time to see how you are responding to different types of food.

Remember: Texas is in a lot of trouble right now with wildfires, so keep the people that are being affected in your thoughts and prayers.

Keep the questions coming – YOU are the reason I keep this blog!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

The Bad
First and foremost, my prayers go out to everyone affected by the fires in San Antonio and across Texas. As someone who lost their home and all of their belongings to a fire, I can relate and would never want anyone else to ever go through that horrible event. Be safe and be smart: have your important belongings, documents, valuables, etc ready to go if you are in a danger area – do not wait until the last minute. Anything can be replaced, except life.

Speaking of which, I want to say farewell to my sweet pet, Ziggy. While I cannot post a pic from my iPad on this blog, Ziggy was my Teacup Micro-pig that passed away in his sleep from faulty breeding. I know, a PIG, but he was the smartest, most affectionate animal I had ever known, and I have been extremely bummed by his passing. I am in the market for a new micro-pig, and this time, will research breeders a little better and not fall prey to a less than reputable breeder trying to make a buck at the expense of an animal’s health.

The Good!!!

Congrats to Esperanza for her great progress in her first month of training: she lost nearly 5 inches from her abdominal circumference in only 27 days, and lowered her bodyfat by over 6%. Awesome job and I am very proud of her!

It is FINALLY FOOTBALL SEASON! Definitely the most amazing time of the year for me, and a sign that it should start cooling off in the very near future. This morning, it was only 60 degrees here in San Antonio, but should be in the 90s by the end of the day. Of course, I am always sad to see Summer go, but this year, the heat has been almost unbearable, and I will welcome Fall and hopefully, some precipitation.

Now is a great time to get serious about your fitness – the holidays are right around the corner and there is time to create a NEW BODY before Thanksgiving. If you have been contemplating starting a fat loss or body transformation program, don’t hesitate: we are ready to help!

Keep moving forward!!!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

I had a very nice and relaxing weekend getaway, and absolutely needed it to recharge and recover with friends – very relaxing and fun!

Today was the first day of first grade for my little boy, Peyton. I handled it a lot better than I handled the first day of Kindergarten. I sat and had breakfast with him at his school’s cafeteria and it is crazy to think that there are only a handful of “first days of school” in a child’s life!

I have to admit that I was disturbed that his new “healthier” meal served by the school included a carb (french toast) and a protein (a fried chicken patty) and both orange juice and milk. Not sure who in the hell determines what a healthy school lunch is, but I am guessing the government does not have a clue (hey, look at half of congress, they sure don’t know haha).

Big kudos to my client and good friend Nick Novak – Nick is the Kicker for the New York Jets. He is absolutely “kicking” butt in training camp, and I will be very shocked if he does not win the job outright, and is their kicker this season. I have worked with numerous professional athletes, and I can vouch for Nick’s work ethic – he kicks and works out every single day. I am glad to see it paying off.

I want to give a shoutout to my client Joe. Want to talk about lean? In 6 weeks he has gone from 13.4% bodyfat down to an absolutely chisled 7.4% – insane abs and one of the pound for pound strongest clients I have – just an obvious example of what focus can achieve.

The mind is the most limiting factor – it is UP TO YOU!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454