So THIS Is Fitness

04/11/2019

HUGE CONGRATS to my mom Diane McTague - yesterday she finished her first half-marathon!!! 🏆🏆🏆

A while back, Diane started working with me as her Health Coach. We had incorporated running into her physical activity plan, as it's something she enjoyed... and this summer she decided she was ready to take on her first half-marathon. She picked C**t State Park Half Marathon, and we got to work getting her ready with a half-marathon training plan.

There were some challenges along the way, but we communicated well and navigated everything as it came at us. In the end, she's got an awesome accomplishment under her belt and KNOWS she's capable of big things 😀. Can't wait to see what she tells me she wants to take on next 😁😎💪

Now I just gotta get her to stop calling herself old! 🤣

01/04/2019

Whether it's your first time or your umpteenth time starting over... The important part is doing it. Here's to new beginnings. Happy Monday 😁

18/03/2019

"This may not be the answer people want to hear, but I want to be very clear when I say this: there is no magic in how I lost 130 pounds,"

It's about smart choices. Sustainable choices. Something you can stick with for life.

And that's a fact. ❤️💪👍 Looking for a little help? Shoot me a message and let's talk 😃

Darrell McTague ( on Instagram) had tried to lose weight several times throughout his life, but nothing stuck. It wasn't until he hit a breaking

05/02/2019

Yesterday started about as well as I could've asked :)

Managed to get a nice 5K run in and finally started feeling like my morning routine is getting back on track. And felt pretty OK during the run, too!

Plus, when I got home - I found protein pancakes, my NOW Foods BCAA, and the newest issue of Fitness Journal ready and waiting. Best wife ever ❤.

Speaking of NOW Foods - I just put up Episode 107 of the " So THIS Is Fitness" podcast, where I talked with Neil and Bryan from NOW all about sports nutrition! Ever wonder what protein, pre-workout, BCAA's, etc all do? Dying to know what magical supplement will help you lose weight or get huge? Well - I got the answers :)

You know you wanna know 😎😁. You can check out the brand new episode of the "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Podcast - 107, available now wherever you listen to podcasts 😁.

Plus, link here! - http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2019/02/107-finally-an-answer-supplements-results-and-how-it-works.html

18/01/2019

Keto - you love it? It's amazing? Easy? You're probably wrong. Hear me out 😀.

The Al Roker / Jillian Michaels feud has brought lots of attention back to the ketogenic diet... and what I see is a whole lot of talk, and not a lot of fact, explanation, or understanding.

Most people don't fully understand keto - what it is, how it works, etc. And lots of people are doing it wrong and suffering needlessly. 😳.

So I finally decided to talk about it. In episode 106 of the So THIS Is Fitness podcast I talk about the feud and the two sides of the argument. More importantly though, I talk about KETO - what it is, how it works, and the risks involved.

It's time we actually understand keto. Check out Episode 106 to learn more - get it anywhere you get podcasts 🙂 (link to the episode & shownotes in 1st comment).

Do YOU love keto? Tell me why or why not in the comments. And tag a friend who needs to get educated! 👇

31/12/2018

Regardless of what's working for or against you, what happens next is up to you.

I've been thinking a lot about New Year's Resolutions, and the "January gym crowd", and how we're stuck in this same tired cycle. Every year, bloggers, podcasters, fitness pros, and every amateur with an opinion tell you what you need to do to be successful and beat the odds. And yet... here we are again.

And I'm in that boat, too! For the last 3 years, I've more or less blown the end of the year, too. And I'm a fitness professional! We're all susceptible - we're human. Nobody's perfect.

So, today, for and , I wanted to share something meaningful with you. Me and Megan at the finish of this year's Millinocket and Half. It's a reminder, for me, that every day, every moment, what happens next is up to you. Regardless of the hand you've been dealt or what you've worked for - what happens next is entirely up to you.

It's so important to me that "What Happens Next Is Up To You." is my last episode of 2018 - #105. You can find it wherever you get podcasts right now (link at bottom of post, too).

Think about that as we enter the new year 🙂. And if you find yourself looking for a coach... well, look me up (link in bio for that, too!).

Happy New Year, FitFriends. I hope you're all successful in your health & wellness journey.

http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2018/12/105-what-happens-next-is-up-to-you.html

20/12/2018

Here for 8am training client... And she plops that on my desk. ❤️.
You know your clients love you when they bring you coffee. You know they REALLY love you when there's a bottle of Scotch to go with it the last time you see them before .
Really though - one of the things I love about my job as a trainer and coach is developing a connection with my clients. I can't help them get where they want to be if I don't understand them - their body, their goals, their struggles... their life. As a result, I get to know them as a person, and in the process they get to know me too. It's nice 🙂.
If you love what you do you'll never "work" a day in your life. I count myself lucky to have found it.

07/12/2018

Happy Millinocket Day, FitFriends! 😁😍🏃❄️⭐🎉

SO excited for this weekend! I'm on the road with en route to the - ! This weekend is the 4th annual Millinocket Marathon & Half.

This race weekend is pretty special, and has had a pretty profound impact on the area. These pics are a throwback to last year's experience - can't wait to see how this year tops it.

Come see us at the Bib Pickup / Artisan Fair at 5pm for a live recording of the So THIS Is Fitness podcast!

What's YOUR favorite memory of Millinocket? What does it mean to you?

21/11/2018

Pumpkin cheesecake. 200 Cal & < 1g fat per slice. Yes, really. 🙌

Years ago discovered an amazing recipe for . It was flippin' DELICIOUS. Then she told me the nutrition facts. Omg. It's been a fall / holiday staple ever since. And YOU can make it, too!

If you're looking for a last minute thing to bring to Thanksgiving dinner... Or if you just really like cheesecake... Check this link (http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/11/pumpkin-cheesecake-yes-please.html) and GO MAKE THIS! You've got time, but do it now - you'll wanna let it set in the fridge overnight.

What's YOUR go-to dessert? (or is this gonna be it now? 😂)

17/11/2018

What if Thanksgiving DIDN'T wreck your fitness and nutrition? 🤔🍽️

Every year it's the same thing. Halloween comes and we eat the candy. Thanksgiving comes and we binge on turkey, stuffing, and pie. By the time Christmas rolls around we're so busy and feel so bad about ourselves we've completely given up being healthy and exercising.

What if it didn't have to be that way?

In episode 103 of the "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Podcast I talk about why the holidays USUALLY wreck our fitness... And share a ton of guidance on how to finally succeed!

Get it now wherever you listen to podcasts, and find the show notes on my site (link in bio).

Tag a friend to save them from needing a New Year's Resolution! 😂🏋️😉

12/11/2018

What a way to start the week! Monday doesn't HAVE to suck, y'know 😁
Just take it from my Monday group training crew! They show up every Monday after work with a smile on their faces. And they BRING IT.
🏋️
A good attitude and positive outlook matter. It can set the tone for not just the day, but your whole week!
So - how are YOU gonna set the tone for the week? Tell us! And tag a friend that could use a kick the pants 😉

09/11/2018

Dave Corbett deserves every moment of what happened at Beyond Monumental - Indy Monumental last weekend.

Let me explain 🙂

Dave is something special. He cares. A lot. He'll go out of his way to help his friends. Including pacing them a total of 30 miles at Ghost Train 100 (me), after having already done over 20 miles at a sub 8 minute pace for his OWN training run (whoa). He's a SUPER fast runner, a fantastic marathoner, and obviously, an even better friend. And last Saturday, he got a reward that was long overdue.
🏃
Long story short, at the 2012 Grandma's Marathon - Duluth, Inc. Dave had one of the best races of his life, and set a new PR of 2:45:47 - an 8-minute improvement on an already fast time! Ever since, he hasn't been able to beat it.
🏃
This year, though... it all came together. He trusted his coach, his training, and himself. In his own words:

"...I was confident that with the proper pacing that I could come back fast and put all doubts to rest. As I passed the half marathon and started seeing splits well under 6:15 per mile, I began to believe. ...at the 30K ...I knew it was in sight. 6:12 for my 25th and 6:02 for my 26th mile gave me exactly what I needed. I closed the final two tenths at 5:44 pace (insane) and there it was 2:44:42! My coach was waiting with open arms as I crossed the finish line with all my emotions on full display."

And what hot tips does he have for the rest of us?

"Dreams are worth chasing. Sometimes it will take you longer than you think to get there but never give up. The joy you will feel when it is mission complete can never be replaced."

What goal are YOU chasing? Share it! And tag a friend who could use a little motivation 😁👌👊