I help driven professionals improve their health with simple, efficient workouts that they can do anywhere.
03/08/2022
Happy International Women's Day
Today (and all days for that matter), I honor all the women in my life, both personally and professionally. Strong, wise, dedicated, caring, and loving are a few words that come to mind. All around just great people. Thank you for all that you do. Without you, I would not be who I am today and for that I am forever grateful.
08/03/2021
Stress and lack of sleep are probably the biggest things sabotaging your weight loss...
07/14/2021
Ever heard the question 'Can you turn fat into muscle?'
It's a popular one...And the answer?
No, you can't turn fat into muscle
It's misinformation. Don't know where it started but people truly believe if they workout, their fat will turn into muscle.
They are two very different things with very different properties. (Send a message if you like to learn more)
Now you can grow muscle and lose fat simultaneously. But your fat does not transform into muscle.
When you strength train and have an appropriate amount of protein intake, you will build muscle.
Now you won't build a crazy amount and look like a bodybuilder (that takes a lot of time and effort), but it will be a normal amount of muscle
This is super important for health and longevity!
So where does your fat go?
It is broken down through some complex metabolic pathways, which leaves carbon dioxide and water as the byproducts.
And what's the best way to make this happen?
Exercise and proper nutrition
It's why strength training is so important regardless of your goal. Your muscles need to work to grow and become stronger, which in turn will help decrease fat.
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Looking to make some changes to your health? Send a message to find out how I can help + stay tuned for a new program launch (2 week countdown)
07/08/2021
Want faster results with Fat Loss?
Utilize NEAT to Help Lose Fat
NEAT is probably the most underrated aspect of your attempts at weight loss.
It stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Which is just a fancy way of saying it’s the energy spent during your everyday activities, like walking, fidgeting, gardening, etc.
NEAT typically ranges between 15-25% of your body's spent energy.
So why should you care? Because it means that the 1 hour you spend working out is likely not enough.
Adding purposeful movement throughout the day can be a game-changer for your results. Especially walks or moving around the house.
Chances are you’re reading this from a seated position.
The chances that you have been sitting for the majority of the day...even higher.
Want results faster?
Find ways to move throughout the day. Track your steps and see how much movement you're actually getting other than scheduled workouts. You might be surprised at how little movement you're actually getting (
06/30/2021
I cringe when I see these types of comments on social media and group forums...
The fitness and diet industry + social media has made people terribly misinformed and obsessive with their food and exercise.
Its frustrating as a fitness professional
I'm not frustrated with the people writing these things, but the fact that they think they need to suffer to lose weight.
Between cleanses, miracle “cures”, misinformation, and just plain lies all over the fitness and diet industry - no wonder people are so confused about losing weight. Even when they manage it through misguided methods, they feel like garbage because of it.
This is why I’m so passionate about helping people.
Achieving your goal bodyweight or body composition does not mean you have to suffer to get there.
Please find a better way.
Make better decisions, work on your daily habits, and understand that it takes time to make long lasting changes.
Then if you decide you need help - I’m here. Reach out and we can discuss next steps.
06/24/2021
Noticing some aches and pains after exercise lately? Specifically strength training?
It could be HOW you're exercising...
Read this week's newsletter to learn how to strength train appropriately for you body, so that you finish your workout feeling better than when you started.
You don't have to be everything to everyone. You don't even have to be everything to yourself right now.
If you're finding life hard, that's OK.
If basic self care is hard, that's OK.
If going for a walk feels hard, that's OK.
If talking to people is hard, that's OK.
Your best is your best at that given time...Not the best ever that you're capable of...
Nobody functions at their best ever, every day...And that's OK. It really is.
06/15/2021
Confused on What to Use for Strength Training? Read this post and I'll help explain it for you...
There are MANY tools available when it comes to strength training. Here are a few:
- Mass based resistance - Dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, bodyweight
- Rubber based resistance - Tubing, mini bands, monster bands
- Selectorized mass based machines - variety of brands, makes, and models
- Selectorized pneumatic based machines - Keiser is a leading brand
- Cable/pulley system - variety of brands, makes, and models
Wow! Lots to choose from...and these are just a few.
No wonder it's tough to get started with strength training...what do you choose?!
Well, as with anything health and fitness related, it depends....
1. What do you have access to?
2. What is the most efficient and effective option for you goals?
3. What can your body and joints tolerate?
Each tool is unique and provides its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
If you're just starting out, there are some low investment options that will work well, including tubing/resistance bands and a Dumbbell or mass based resistance.
Plus, if you have something heavy to push into (floor, wall, etc.) you can open up the possibility of utilizing isometrics.
Want some further guidance? Comment "Strength" below and I'll send my strength training guide for beginner and intermediate exercisers.
06/10/2021
What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned so far? Could be fitness related or not, your choice! Leave it in the comments below.
06/07/2021
Why should you incorporate strength training?
This review describes a multitude of benefits that occur from adding in a consistent strength training regimen. Couldn't agree more that exercise is medicine.
"Benefits of resistance training include improved physical performance, movement control, walking speed, functional independence, cognitive abilities, and self-esteem.
Resistance training may assist prevention and management of type 2 diabetes by decreasing visceral fat, reducing HbA1c, increasing the density of glucose transporter type 4, and improving insulin sensitivity.
Resistance training may enhance cardiovascular health, by reducing resting blood pressure, decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Resistance training may promote bone development, with studies showing 1% to 3% increase in bone mineral density. Resistance training may be effective for reducing low back pain and easing discomfort associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia and has been shown to reverse specific aging factors in skeletal muscle."
TONS of benefit! If you feel like you don't know where to get started, send me a message and I'll set you up with a program for your current level.
06/03/2021
Do You Plan for Unpredictable-ness?
Look, I get it. We have a lot to juggle on a daily basis
Each day is unpredictable
So we go through life living in a reactive state...always trying to prevent any of tasks we're trying to juggle from being dropped.
Then we get to the end of the day and we wonder how is it 6 PM already? What did I accomplish?
To have a real chance of succeeding at something you want whether it's weight loss, getting a promotion at work, deepening your connection with family...you have to be proactive in your approach.
"But Ryan, things are popping up all of the time! I can't plan when my toddler wakes up early from a nap or a work thing needs my attention."
True. Our lives have a decent amount that's unpredictable.
But that means we plan for unpredictable-ness. We make room for things we can't control.
Plan what you can and know that some of it will go sideways.
You don’t have to do everything 100% as you had planned. Sometimes it means doing half of it. Sometimes it means asking for help.
But this way, even when things aren’t perfect, you have a plan and alternate routes when the plan doesn’t work. Then there’s no guilt or shame, just another option. You can roll with the punches but still work towards the things that are most important to you.
05/31/2021
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” - Jeff Miller
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Continued Performance by Ryan Fairman:
Created by local Chicago Fitness Professional Ryan Fairman, Continued Performance is dedicated to helping busy professionals who live in the Chicago area move better without constant aches, feel better physically and mentally, and build a better body so that they can continue doing the things they love.
OUR MISSION - It is our mission to improve the health, wellness and fitness of individuals in the most effective, efficient and appropriate way possible. This is done by using a sound, science based approach to listen to the individual's goals, analyze the results from specific health assessments, and then create a strategic and customized exercise program for that specific individual.
WHAT SETS CONTINUED PERFORMANCE APART? At Continued Performance, great pride is taken in the quality of service during each and every training session. On top of the unique client experience, you will receive an individualized exercise program tailored specifically for your current fitness level and goals. Client's feel comfortable and entrust in the exercise process, knowing that the attention to detail and each decision made is the most strategic and well thought out option for them to progress towards their goals.
WHO IS CONTINUED PERFORMANCE FOR? Continued Performance is dedicated to helping individuals exercise that want to continue doing the things they love without having to worry about feeling 'beat up' after a workout or that they're making those nagging aches and pains worse. Each client will gain a sense of empowerment and begin to improve their strength so that they are able to enjoy life to the fullest and for the long term.
Continued Performance is for you if....
You've had a poor experience exercising with a one size fits all approach
You are just starting or getting back into exercise after years of putting it off and need guidance
You're tired of constantly feeling sore, achy, or exhausted after your workouts
You've just finished a Physical Therapy or a rehab program and don't know where to begin