January/February 2021:
Hello all!
Happy Wednesday and February now!
I just realized today that I did not do a January 2021 news letter to start off the new year, so this one will be for both January+ February!
I hope everyone has been having a great start to 2021 despite the challenging situations the pandemic is giving us. With the vaccine beginning to roll out though hopefully we will see a return back to "normal" sooner rather than later.
This news letter- with new year's resolutions in the beginning stages for individuals- I want to talk about a couple things that are crucial in being able to follow through on your new year's goals.
One of the most important things is, first, making a goal that is actually attainable, but still challenges you to stress your "comfort zone". An example of this would be for a person to lose 15lbs. by the first day of summer. This definitely is doable because it promotes a gradual weight loss over a course of many weeks, opposed to saying, "I want to lose 15lbs. by Valentine's Day". The latter encourages a more extreme form of attaining weight loss because of the limited time frame, which could encourage unhealthy behaviors to make that 15 lbs. come off by the 14th of February. On the other hand, the goal of losing 15 by summer encourages an actual life style transformation, where the person can start to develop healthy eating patterns, and making sure to exercise on a consistent basis. Although the goal is considered more short term because it lasts a matter of months opposed to years, setting a goal like that could set you up for a lifetime of health success, which in the grand scheme of things is most important.
A second important aspect of attaining your new year's goals seems straight forwards, but is very difficult for people to do, which is actually taking full responsibility for your life and what happens to you. The only way things are going to get accomplished in your life is if you decide to make them happen. No one else is in charge of you besides you, so in order to attain something, you need to be the type of individual that can make it happen no matter what the circumstances are. The discipline to lead a responsible life will make any goal you set feasible, as long as aspect #1 is taken care of: Setting an attainable goal.
That does it for January/February 2021, stay tuned for March 2021! Be responsible.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
December 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Thursday and December now!
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas holiday- hopefully you were able to spend it with your loved ones- definitely a Christmas that will be remembered!
Last news letter, I talked about how my family and I had to recently put down our golden retriever(Payton), and what you can take away from the experience of losing someone/something you loved. No matter how painful an event is- you can always learn and grow from it- and reflect on the positives instead of dwelling on the acute pain.
This news letter, with the new year being less than 24 hours away, I just wanted to say: happy new year! This is my last news letter of the year 2020, so next news letter will be January 2021! 2020 will be a year to remember, that is for sure.
That does it for December 2020, stay tuned for January 2021! Have a great new years.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
November 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Friday and November now!
Going off of my last news letter, I hope everyone was able to make it out to cast their ballots earlier this month! Like I said, voting only comes around every so often, so utilize that capability!
This news letter, I want to discuss the significance of losing a loved(sometimes, furry) one, and what that experience can teach you.
A couple of weeks ago, my family and I had to put down our 10 year old golden retriever, Payton. It was out of nowhere, and we had to make the final decision soon after he arrived that night at the animal hospital. What was thought to be kennel cough for the last two weeks turned out to be late stage lung cancer; There was nothing we could do to save him.
What seemed like a dream was surely reality, so we went through with the euthanasian process, and we suddenly lost our best friend that night.
As some of you may have already lost a loved one- whether a pet like in my instance- or a person close to you, you know what the emotions can be like. It is easy to get carried away, and focus on the deep pain from their absence, because a major part of what brought you comfort/happiness was now not there.
However, by reflecting on the special times you shared together, and knowing you made the most out of your relationship, you can absolutely find some inner peace. If you think about it, would that individual want you to remain sad and not live your life to the fullest because of them? I believe the biggest honor you could give them is to celebrate their life and the type of individual they were, and then to live your life with even more vigor and intent. That "extra" purpose you put into your living is carrying on the passion your loved one lived with on earth.
What a significant loss in your life can also teach you is that although relationships are never perfect- you need to realize that life can change in a matter of a second- so cherish the relationships you have with the ones you care most about.
That does it for November 2020, stay tuned for December 2020! Learn, live, grow.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
October 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and October now!
I hope everyone has been feeling well and healthy since my September news letter. If you recall from last month's I discussed the importance of competition in the work place, and how living in a society that promotes competition will benefit everyone in some way. If you become as valuable as possible in your line of work, then you will stand out from the competition, and eventually will be rewarded.
Also, since my last news letter, some of you may know that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. As shocking as that was- it was caught early and the surgery went great last week- she seems to be making a pretty smooth recovery!
This news letter- with election day exactly one week from today- all I want to say is remember to go vote! Only comes around every so often...
That does it for October 2020, stay tuned for November 2020! Happy voting.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
September 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and September now!
I hope everyone had a nice labor day/weekend. I had a few clients yesterday then grilled out at my dad's place for dinner. If you had the day off from work, hopefully you were able to enjoy!
Last news letter, I discussed the topic of private property, and the importance of an individual's property rights to be protected under the law. Destruction and decimation is what occurs when property rights are violated, and poorer individuals are severely hindered to rise out of poverty.
My September 2019 news letter I actually did on the significance of labor day, and the possible reasons why people decide to "labor" each day, and what goals you can think about to keep your own drive going to continue to push day in and out. Partially going off of the 2019 letter, I want to discuss for this month's topic the importance of competition in the market place, and how it facilitates things like: Hard work, productiveness, and innovation.
From a young age, we have all encountered competition in some sense. Whether it was doing better than your classmate on a test, getting the lead role in a school play, or trying out for the travel basketball team, we have all embraced competition in one form or another. Competition can be an intimidating thing- especially when the stakes are high- but it is often the driving force that pushes us to do our very best and excel.
Not only is this true in the walks of life, but it is especially true for businesses in every type of market place imaginable. If a business does not provide a product or service at a certain quality/price, then the consumer will choose the business's competitors! Or, the consumer's demand for a high quality and properly priced product/service will drive new companies to compete for the consumer's business, which increases competition. Often, this increase in competition will force companies to reexamine their current business strategies, and create innovation in that market, as well as boost employee productiveness.
Overall, these are positives for both the businesses and the consumers. The potential customers are going to end up with many options to choose from- varying in price and quality- while the businesses make a profit(hopefully). The companies that are unable to deliver on the price/quality aspects will be driven out of business(rightfully so), and the ones who out-did their competition will be rewarded. That is why allowing competition in every type of market place is vital for continuous advancements, decreased prices, and increases in quality. You can see this play out in certain sectors of the economy, while when the opposite is done(competition isn't allowed or hindered), prices increase and quality of the products/services continue to decline.
What can you do to "increase competition"? Increase your value! Become the very best _____ you can be, and I guarantee that will drive others to do the same.
That does it for September 2020, stay tuned for October 2020! Compete.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
August 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Wednesday and August now!
I hope everyone had a good finish to the month of July, and have been enjoying these past few weeks in August. Hopefully staying healthy and productive!
Last news letter, I discussed the topic of freedom vs. equality, and how there is really only one kind of equality people should fight for, which is: Equality before the law. As long as peoples' individual rights are protected by law, and not being violated, then people should be paying attention to the amount of freedom they have. Any attempt to fix an "inequality problem" always results in violating someone's individual rights, and therefore restricting freedom.
This news letter- going off of my last topic- I want to talk about the importance of private property, and how protecting this one individual right can completely change someone's life.
One of the lines from my last news letter was, "The founding fathers of the United States created a constitution which ultimately set the foundation for the purpose of government, which is to solely protect individuals: Life, liberty, and property. In other words, to protect peoples' inalienable rights, so that they can pursue their own happiness". Although protecting life and liberty are just as important, if a person's private property is destroyed or taken away, then their quality of life and ability to express their view point is greatly diminished.
Private property- whether it being an individual's land, money, or personal belongings- gives people the right to claim these things that they earned(fairly). By claiming this property, the government should have a major role in protecting whatever property you may have, so that it does not get tarnished in any way. Countries that do not protect property rights are often very poor- you can see this all around the world especially in countries inside Africa and Asia- many of these governments do not allow their citizens to own the actual land where they live. In effect, these people are unable to use their land for production to earn an income(farms, factories, machines, etc.), so they often get stuck in abject poverty.
In fact, a very good Peruvian economist by the name of Hernando de Soto, has talked frequently about how if poor people in these countries were given property rights their ability to rise out of poverty would be greatly enhanced. This is why the United States is a special country because we made it a priority from the beginning to protect property, and we see the value in what it can do to help people rise up. However, seeing all of this looting and rioting going on is the exact violation of peoples' property rights. Whether it is buildings or cars being destroyed, merchandise being stolen, or people being robbed(physically or of their jobs because of the destruction), these governments should take the necessary measures to make sure this stops happening. Unfortunately, they have not, and property will continue to be destroyed.
Your property, your life. As long as you earn your property in a just(no stealing, fraud, etc.) manner, then it should be protected at all costs.
That does it for August 2020, stay tuned for September 2020! Protect property rights.
Regards,
Ryan RibordyCertified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
July 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Monday and July now!
I hope everyone had a fun-filled fourth of July weekend a couple weeks back- even though restrictions may have impacted your plans- hopefully you still got to enjoy it with some friends/family!
Last news letter, I discussed how social media can be a serious detriment to one's attitude. Doing your best to be mindful of when and how often you go on it can positively affect your daily thoughts, and you'll likely not fill yourself with negative emotions such as anger and frustration.
This news letter, in honor of the fourth of July just happening, and what has been going on in our society over the last month or so, I want to briefly touch on the topic of freedom vs. equality, and what makes sense for society to truly strive for.
The founding fathers of the United States created a constitution which ultimately set the foundation for the purpose of government, which is to solely protect individuals: Life, liberty, and property. In other words, to protect peoples' inalienable rights, so that they can pursue their own happiness. When government protects these rights, then it is possible for an individual to live their life freely, as long as they are not coercing(using force against) other people.
This freedom allows any individual to thrive in society, and make the most of their life given the circumstances they were born into, because no one/entity should be coercing them not to. However, when these rights are being violated so that peoples' freedom is being limited, then it is just(right) to fight for that freedom. Hence, this is why we had the Civil War in the 1860's, to abolish slavery because that is obviously a violation of one's individual rights.
I see great value in always fighting for this freedom, because it will leave everyone better off, however problems arise when "equality" is what people start to strive for. Problems arise not so much in that the intentions are bad to promote equality, but it usually means violating someone else's rights in order to do so. It is interpreted as a win-lose situation, but it is really lose-lose because the person/group that is supposed to be benefiting from this equality eventually gets further hindered. All relationships ought to be win-win. Not only from a practical perspective, but more importantly from a moral one.
Since equality is something society is really focused on these days, then the true form of equality that people should be fighting for is: Equality before the law. By doing so, you will be advocating for everyone's inalienable rights to be upheld, and freedom for all will be achieved in the end.
That does it for July 2020, stay tuned for August 2020! Live freely.
Regards,
Ryan RibordyCertified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
June 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and June now!
I hope everyone had a nice Father's Day weekend a couple weeks back, and are still remaining healthy!
Last news letter, I discussed how Phase Three was just about to begin for Illinois, which meant more businesses were allowed to open back up. Not only is this a positive for the economy, but more importantly is the impact it has on individual human beings. Work is an essential part of one's life and is vital for one's ultimate happiness and self-esteem.
This news letter, I want to change gears a bit, and talk about one thing you can do to instantly affect your attitude. Especially with all of the craziness going on in this country over the past month or so, it can be challenging to keep a positive mind set! This may seem simple- and it is- but the one thing you can do is: Stay off of social media!
This one action alone can dramatically impact your energy and thought process each and every day that you practice it. It is very convenient to just open up Instagram, Facebook, etc. and scroll through the newsfeed for a few minutes while you stand in line at the grocery store, or while you wait for your doctor's appointment. Those "innocent" few minutes can very quickly turn not so innocent.
I have talked about this in pervious news letters, but it is absolutely true: You can never control how others act, but you can always control your actions and how you react to situations. If you know opening up social media will cause negativity within you, why even bother! You will thank yourself later by not doing so, and you can focus your energy on more productive things going on in your life.
You need to realize as well that people these days are often unwilling to listen to other viewpoints and potentially change their minds on certain topics, so there is no reason to waste your time and energy on these people.
That does it for June 2020, stay tuned for July 2020! Stay off!
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
May 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Saturday and May now!
It definitely has been a pretty chaotic past month or so- not only with the pandemic situation- but with the events that just occurred a few days ago. I hope everyone and their family members are all well and healthy though.
Last news letter, I talked about the concept of adapting, and how during a time like this being able to adapt to your temporary new life style will be the reason you either "make or break". You may have lost your job, kids are home because schools are shutdown, and most of your favorite places are closed down. With all of this happening, you need make sure you take care of yourself, and do what is necessary to make sure you thrive and better yourself in some way during this.
This news letter, with phase three just beginning in Illinois, I want to discuss the importance of work in one's life. Phase three involves restaurants opening up outdoor seating along with private gyms for one on one training with limited capacity; that includes myself. Yesterday was essentially the first time I was back in the gym working a full day(nine sessions) since the middle of March, and it was such an amazing feeling for a couple of different reasons.
First, it was back to somewhat normalcy. Even though I needed to wear a mask, and only a few trainers were allowed at one time inside the gym, just being inside the environment where I produce and help people was very comforting. Secondly, and this relates to what I said about producing, I was basically back to being at my full productive capacity.
I was able to see the majority of my clients who have been waiting for this day for months now, and seeing how "into" the session they were was very motivating for me. Personal training is a love and passion of mine, so being able to go back to doing it almost full time gives me a feeling like nothing else does in this world.
Now, some(or majority) of you may not love what you do, and that is o.k. , but being able to work is quite possibly the most important feature in a person's life. This is where self esteem is really created- you are producing value and earning income off of the skills and knowledge you have obtained in your life- where most other people in the world do not have those same skills/knowledge as you do. Allowing an individual to work gives them a sense of self worth, because they are being very productive with their time, and the income they have coming in is from their own hard work. Not having to rely on any one-person or entity for that paycheck is extremely empowering to an individual.
I hope this trend continues to occur more and more as the weeks/months go on.
That does it for May 2020, stay tuned for June 2020! Produce.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
April 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Thursday and April now!
What a time to be alive... To say the least. I hope everyone has been staying healthy these past weeks, and continue to do so as this situation unfolds. Definitely not an ideal way to be living life right now, but we are rational beings, and we can adapt to our surroundings if we choose to do so(adapting is what this news letter is going to be about).
Last news letter, I talked about the concept of lent, and how it could be a good time to change your life for the better. Instead of only sticking with something for the time of lent, what if you made a permanent life style change? Hopefully you gave it some thought and were able to make some lasting changes.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, this edition I want to talk about the process of adapting, and how this feature is critical for all of us during this unprecedented time. In previous news letters, I talked about why humans are special, and part of this reason is because we have the capacity to reason, and therefore we can use our minds to basically do(or not do) whatever we want. Since we recently have been ordered that we can/can't do certain things, be certain places, and essentially live our life they way we see fit, we need to have the capacity to adapt to our "new" lives.
Nothing could be worse right now for someone to complain and blame others for the situation they are in. Everyone has been dealt essentially the "same cards", so it is up to you to decide how you want to play them. I'm sure many of you have had your businesses close down(the gym I was working at and also the group fitness studio I teach at were both closed), maybe you lost your job or income for the time being, and now you may be experiencing some financial hardship. Not only financial hardship, but I'm sure your favorite movie theatres/restaurants/hang out places have been shut down as well, so mentally you could be struggling too.
No matter what has happened recently in your life, you have all the power to adapt and make the most of your circumstances. For example- a friend of mine who is also a personal trainer- lost the majority of his clients because of the virus. However, he just got a job with a local mosquito extermination company, so now he is earning some type of income for the time being. Is that an ideal job for him? Absolutely not, but, he knows he needs to adapt and will do what it takes to make it through this crisis.
If you seem to have more time on your hands now since you are probably spending most of your time at home, then you could adapt to this change by: Learning a new skill, taking a course, cleaning and sorting through clutter in your home, and setting a consistent sleep/nutrition/exercise schedule. There is much more than the things I listed, but you get the idea. Take this time and get things done that you did not before the virus started!
That does it for April 2020, stay tuned for May 2020! Adapt and stay well.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
March 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Thursday and March now!
I hope everyone has been having a nice/productive week so far. I'm sure some of you will be traveling out of town for spring break soon, so if that's you, safe travels and enjoy!
Last news letter, I discussed taking care of yourself first and foremost, and following values that you have came up with rationally. If you don't think rationally, then your values and morals will be flawed, so make sure to give them thought, and live the life you want!
This news letter, with lent being in full effect till early April, I want to discuss how choosing to do something different in your life for a period of time could set yourself up for an even better future.
Lent vaguely reminds me of New Years- people generally select a vice to give up for almost two months- yet they go back to letting that vice be a part of their life once the last day of lent ends. Now, if the vice(let's say it is having dessert each night) is under control, so you have no problem controlling the amount of dessert you have and you're healthy in general, then giving up the dessert for lent would just be a personal challenge.
On the other hand, if this dessert habit has led to a person gaining a lot of weight and having little control over the portion size, then maybe this vice should be an old habit by the end of lent. If eating the dessert is leading to negative impacts on your life/health, then lent could be the beginning of a permanent lifestyle change.
It is much easier said then done- especially when trying to kick a poor eating habit- but surviving almost two months without it could be enough time to stop wanting it in general. The chances of this happening though, in my opinion are slim, so maybe by the end of lent you can make modifications to the vice.
Take this dessert habit/vice for example. If you know you cannot just give up having dessert each night, you could introduce it back in four times a week instead of every day. Another thing you could do is still have the dessert every night, but half the amount you used to have. Over time, you can continue to make modifications like subtracting more days or further reducing portion size, but make sure you are moving in a positive direction.
That does it for March 2020, stay tuned for April 2020! Happy lent.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
February 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Sunday and February now!
I hope everyone has been having a nice weekend so far. Going back to my last news letter, hopefully over the past couple of weeks you've been trying to speak your mind more, and not worry about what others think. Everyone has different opinions, but not speaking your own opinion can be detrimental to your own well-being, so say what's on your mind when you can..
This newsletter, I want to discuss doing what it takes to get ahead in life, and taking care of you.
When it comes down to it, society is made up of individuals. Although you have family, friends, community groups, etc. you are ultimately responsible for only your life, and making sure you get the most out of it. You do not need to do certain things or act in a particular way to please people, because that will not bring about a fulfilling life(especially down the road).
Individuals find meaning in life through being independent, working to provide a living for themselves, and just following their own rational values that they see fit to live prosperously. I believe a lot of people(as do I) find meaning and value through serving others as well- especially if you are a religious person- as this message is brought up in scripture over and over. I believe peoples' morals in general include helping others and providing assistance when others are in need, but one is not obligated to do so.
If you make sure to get your work done, live a healthy life style for longevity, and spend time doing things that are satisfying for you, then I can almost guarantee life will be quite great. What you need to do is figure out what values are most important to you, and what you find most valuable in life, so that you can be a complete individual.
That does it for February 2020, stay tuned for March 2020! Do you.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
January 2020:
Hello all!
Happy Thursday and January now!
I hope everyone has been having a great start to the new year. I was actually in Cincinnati for New Year's Eve for a buddy's wedding, so definitely was a fun way to spend that night.
Last newsletter, I discussed four different areas in life(relationships, finances/occupation, physical/mental health, and community service), and how you should take the time to reflect on how these areas were for you in the year 2019. Maybe you determined that you did a great job of eating healthy and making it a priority to exercise a few times a week, but you neglected staying in touch with close friends of yours. Now you know what changes to make in 2020, so that this year can be even more productive than 2019 was.
This newsletter, I want to discuss the importance of speaking your mind, and not being afraid of having your own thoughts.
If you think about it, the world would be a pretty dull place if everyone thought the same thing/way. Individuals over time have used their rational minds to create new products and services that have benefited all of our lives(phones, computers, airplanes, medicine, etc.). Without these people who had these thoughts and decided to act upon them, our lives would not be the same as they are today.
This next example of why it is important to speak your mind does not relate to products or services, but is probably the most important reason to do so. The first amendment of the constitution gives us the ability to do so, and so there should be no person/entity to tell us otherwise. Going into any type of conversation, you assume the risk of being "offended". Someone might say something you don't agree with, but they have all the right to say it, and you're better off with them saying it because you could learn something new. Humans are rational beings, so instead of acting on emotion and therefore irrationally, learn to control your emotions through thinking rationally.
As the years have gone on, more and more people with certain view points have been harshly criticized, and in return, people are starting to hold back on speaking those thoughts. This is not only deteriorating on the individual because he/she will begin to feel less confident in themselves, but it also destroys the social fabric of society. Resentment builds and no one ends up being better off in the long-term.
The next time you go into a conversation, especially knowing that you may differ with the other person's opinion, hear them out and build a conversation. Like I mentioned in the beginning, maybe you'll even learn something.
That does it for January 2020, stay tuned for February 2020! Just say it.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
December 2019:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and December now!
I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I was actually in Lake Tahoe for a buddy of mine's Bachelor party- definitely was a fun time in a very nice part of the country- highly recommend if you are looking to hike or go skiing!
Last newsletter, I gave you a few nutrition tips to use to properly control your Thanksgiving day eating. Hopefully one of those tips worked well for you so that you didn't feel too bad Friday morning!
This newsletter, with Christmas being one week from tomorrow and New Years in about two weeks, I want to discuss setting yourself up for a successful 2020 year of life.
Although a crucial aspect of success, I do not want to discuss goal setting, because I have gone through that topic in previous newsletters, so feel free to check out my website for tips on how to set/achieve goals. Instead, I want you to take some time(even write your thoughts on a piece of paper) and evaluate the past year/2019 of your life based on these areas, and what can be done about each of these for 2020: 1. Relationships(family, friends, significant other, etc.) 2. Finances/Occupation 3. Physical/Mental Health , and 4. Community Service.
Beginning with relationships, think about what positives and negatives have occurred in each one. Did you develop a new friend/relation-ship? How much time have you been spending with all of these individuals? Have you been a positive influence in their life or have they been to you, or maybe, is this a friend/relation-ship you may need to reconsider? Remember, your time is extremely valuable, so don't spend time with people who are not helping to move you forwards. At the same time, reach out to those who do make your life better, and make time for them.
Onto finances and your occupation. I know it is common to say that "money can't buy you happiness" - I believe there is validity in that- but financial freedom(the ability to not have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck) is imperative to live a comfortable life. I hear and see stories of individuals, and families, who are struggling to make ends meet. If you or someone you know is currently in this situation, what can you/they do about it? First off, do you have any spending habits that can be changed to save money(going to Starbucks every day can add up; Trust me)? Does your job truly not provide you with an adequate wage or salary? If so, can you find another job that will compensate you better, or do you need to increase your value in the marketplace(through continuing education, learning new skills, etc.) to get that increase in pay? In general, have you been saving money and looking in ways to invest for the future, or do you only think short-term and spend your money on immediate wants? If you want things to change in your current job make sure you first check to see how you can change yourself.
I put physical and mental health as third because number one and number two have huge impacts on them. Think about it, what do most people do when they are stressed about their finances and the relationships they have? They tend to do a few things: 1. Eat more/unhealthy 2. Move/exercise less , and 3. Think negatively. Those three things are a sure way to decrease your quality- and when left unchecked- quantity of life. Everyone is going to face stressful situations in life, but what you need to do is handle these situations in a healthy manner. Choose to keep your eating in check and focus on consuming enough protein, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. Choose to release your anxiety through some type of exercise or physical activity- and if you're unsure on how to go about exercising- reach out to me or another fitness professional to help you! Lastly, choose to react to situations in a rational manner, and decrease the negative self talk that is only keeping you down.
Finally, in 2019, have you volunteered in your community in some way, or is this something you may need to revisit for 2020? Volunteering- no matter how much or little- is a great way to increase your satisfaction in life. Especially if you are experiencing some of the issues I have been talking about relating to finances and relationships, volunteering will help you deal with these difficult issues.
That does it for December 2019, stay tuned for January 2020! The time is now.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
November 2019:
Hello all!
Happy Wednesday and November now!
I hope everyone has been having a nice November so far- weather has been a little crazy- but living in Illinois we are ready for almost anything at this point.
Last news letter, I talked about the importance of being resilient, and being able to quickly "bounce back" from challenging situations that you may have encountered. By doing so, you will not only help yourself in the short-term because you won't be focusing much of your attention on what happened, but in the long-term you will set yourself up to continue to react in a positive manner when challenges do arise.
This news letter will be quite short because all I want to do is give you a few nutrition tips/strategies once your Thanksgiving Day meal commences tomorrow. So, here they are!
1. Portion Control. If you want to eat the same amount of food tomorrow as you usually do for a typical Thursday(opposed to fasting till your meal or another type of strategy), then be sure to watch your portion sizes of all the different food items you'll have at your Thanksgiving meal! Try to have the protein(turkey) and salad/veggies as taking up 1/2 to 2/3 of your plate, then you can do modest amounts of the different sides that are available(stuffing, potatoes, casseroles, etc.).
2. Fasting. Like I mentioned above, you could decide to not eat at all until the meal begins. This way, you will be able to enjoy larger portion sizes for these foods because you saved up lots of calories from not eating the whole day. However, this depends on the person, because you may be a person who does not eat much in general! If that's the case, then I would definitely still watch your portion sizes. Also, it is difficult for some people to not eat at all for an extended amount of time, so if that's you then I would make sure to drink water constantly throughout the day to keep you somewhat satiated. Even putting in some lemon or a zero/low calorie sweetener in your water can help ward off the hunger.
3. Pre-Meal Calorie Deficit. This one is sorta similar to the portion control tip, but instead of eating the exact same amount of food you usually do on any given Thursday, you can limit your food intake for each meal you do have leading up to the Thanksgiving one. This can help you have larger portion sizes since you will have not eaten as many calories, but you will still need to be cautious of your portions because Thanksgiving food tends to be so calorically dense. An example of this tip would be instead of maybe having 4 eggs, a cup of oatmeal, and a banana for breakfast, you will have 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of oatmeal, and half a banana.
4. Thanksgiving Day Training Session. Not exactly a nutrition tip, but something all of you should do. Before the meal begins tomorrow, be sure to get in some type of exercise! Does not need to be lifting weights. You could simply go for a brisk walk or a run outside, or if the weather is poor, then on a treadmill. But, shooting for at least 30 minutes of some type of activity will make you feel better before you eat, and will aide in you not eating as much food.
That does it for November 2019, stay tuned for December 2019! Eat smart.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
October 2019:
Hello all!
Happy Wednesday and October now!
I hope everyone had a nice Columbus day/weekend. I'm sure some of you had the day off of work, so hopefully you spent it doing things you enjoy!
Last news letter, I talked about the significance of labor day(in my opinion), and tips on how to change your mindset on laboring/your job if you are not satisfied with how things are going.
This news letter I actually want to discuss the importance of resilience, and being able to "bounce back" from difficult situations in your life, because life is never a straight path forward.
It is normal to have mixed emotions following a not so pleasant situation. For example, maybe you went in for a job interview and it did not go as planned, so you leave feeling disappointed and hopeless. Like I have mentioned in a previous news letter, you have the ability to make a choice: To either let those feelings make the best of you and not bother trying anymore, or you can turn those feelings into fuel, and focus on crushing the next interview you have.
The latter- being able to persist through the hurt- is what resilience is. If you can harness this quality, and take it with you for whatever situations you may encounter, I know you will rise above and make the most out of your situation. The individuals in society who continue to let these negative events get the best of them will eventually find themselves not only having serious mental health issues like depression, but every aspect of their life(work, relationships, etc.) will deteriorate.
It is not easy choosing the resilient path- negative emotions are difficult to deal with- but once you choose resilience you will be thanking your future self for the prosperity you're experiencing.
That does it for October 2019, stay tuned for November 2019! Be resilient.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
September 2019:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and September now!
I hope everyone had a nice labor day/weekend. On labor day, I personal trained for most of the day, and then had dinner with my dad and his fiance.
Last news letter, I mentioned how it marked one year of me sending out these monthly news letters, and how reaching a milestone like this can be a great time to reflect on life over the past year. There may have been some good moments, and not so good ones, but hopefully you were able to learn from any of these experiences.
This news letter I actually want to discuss the significance of labor day- at least to me- and what drives you to "labor" each and every day.
I think my view of labor day has changed over my lifetime- so far. I used to see the holiday as a day where I just did not need to be at school, so labor day has always been a pretty positive thing- haha. I did work on and off during high school and college, but nothing out of the ordinary. Once I graduated from college in May of 2017, I immediately started working full time.
Never has there been so much fulfillment within me until after I started laboring in the "real world". I think one of the greatest feelings in the world is waking up every day to get to provide the best service/value to whomever you may be in touch with during that day. You get to share the knowledge you have gained over time to provide a service that others yearn for, and in exchange, you get compensated. Maybe you have never thought of laboring in this way- probably more like a task that you just need to do to get by in society- but changing your mindset can help you look(at least somewhat) forwards to the work day.
You never have a "bad day" at work. You may have bad moments, but I bet the remaining 90% of the day was good. If you struggle with motivation in your job, here are a few things you can think about that could help drive you to enjoy your laboring: 1. Self Independence. I talked about this one up above, but the ability for you to earn your own income, and not need to rely on anyone or anything for assistance, should be a tremendous feeling. 2. Legacy. At least in modern times, no one lives forever, and for a large part of our lives, we labor. If that's so, then you should do everything you can to be the best **insert occupation** you can be. Lastly, 3. Honoring. I assume the majority of your parents worked(or still are) for most of their lives in order to financially support you. If that's the case, then you should work as hard as you can to say "thank you" to your parents. I am sure some of you may want a family some day, or you may already have one, so a huge honor to your parents would be to provide an even better life for your spouse and kids.
That does it for September 2019, stay tuned for October 2019! Labor all day.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
August 2019:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and August now!
I hope everyone has been having a nice August so far. It has been quite a busy month for me- went to Lollapalooza a few weeks back as well as to Lake Geneva about two weekends ago for a family reunion- My cousin and I actually hiked the whole lake in about four hours and 20 minutes! If you're looking for a good challenge or a new fitness goal to achieve, I would definitely recommend making this part of your agenda.
Last news letter, I talked about the "Compound Effect" , and how this can either be your best friend or worst enemy. It all depends on your habits- whether they are good or bad- they will set off the compound effect. Good habits lead to a compounding effect of satisfaction, success, and happiness, while bad habits will eventually lead to distress and despair. Check your habits!
This news letter I want to change gears a bit because this month marks one year of sending out these news letters! Doesn't seem to be the case because of how time flies by, but it is a great time to reflect on the past year of your life.
Take a moment to think back on what was going on in your life last August(2018) when you received my first news letter. Maybe there was something going on with work, your family, friends, etc. Whatever it was, how is the situation now? For example, last August I remember I was beginning to work at Illinois Bone and Joint, along with the personal training at MyBody Complex, but now in August 2019, I don't have much time to work at IBJI. The next question you may ask is: What could I have done to change the outcome of the situation? Maybe the outcome is exactly what you wanted, and now you are content with how things are, or if the situation did not pan out the way you would have liked, what could you have done differently? These are good questions to ask when thinking about the past- you can't change the past- but you can learn from it, and make necessary adjustments.
Another aspect to think about a year ago is goal-setting. I know I have sent out one or two news letters that related to the topic of setting goals, but are there any goals that you have set and achieved? Or, are there goals that are still in the process of being achieved? Maybe you even fell short of reaching a goal, so if that's the case, what happened? If you are realizing right now that you haven't been setting goals- it is never too late to start- check out my October news letter for tips on how to properly set/achieve goals.
I am looking forwards to continuing these news letters, so stay tuned for September's! On a side note, this past weekend I did a lot of filming for my website/online training programs, so I am planning on having all of the filming/editing done within the next month or so. If you are interested in online programming, feel free to reach out to me :) . Thank you!
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
July:
Hello all!
Happy Monday and July now!
I hope everyone had a very nice 4th of July holiday. On the 4th, I had a few clients in the morning, and then I met up with some co-workers at North Avenue Beach downtown! Real hot that day, but still a fun time hanging out at the beach.
Last news letter, I talked about this quote, "What's simple to do, is also simple not to do". I gave one example of this in real life dealing with having your gas tank get low in fuel while you're driving, and having the choice of either simply pulling over at the next gas station and filling up, or putting it off as long as possible and potentially running out of gas while you're on the road :0.
Some tasks don't seem urgent in the moment, so they are easy to put off, but by simply doing it you will begin to procrastinate much less in all areas of your life. This is what is called the "Compound Effect".
"The Compound Effect" is a book written by a man named Darren Hardy, and it is going to be the topic of this month's news letter. It was recommended to me by a good buddy of mine, and I remember starting it in September of 2016, which was the beginning of my senior year of college. This book helped change my mindset for the better, and taught me things I can do in my life to basically be the best version of myself. Hardy talked about habits, personal responsibility, choices, and friends/family; just to name a few. However, his main point was that whatever you do in life- good or bad- will have a compounding effect over time. The effect can be good or bad.
For example, let's say you make a goal of reading just 10 pages of a book each night before bed. These 10 pages, read consistently over time, will compound to you finishing the book within a month(assuming it is around 300 pages long). By the end of the book, I guarantee this habit of reading 10 pages a night will stick with you, and you'll be running into Barnes and Noble for your next read. Another example of the compound effect is making it a habit to set your alarm for the same time each morning. By setting it each night before you head to bed, your body will begin to naturally wake up around that time, and it will also provide you with a routine in the morning to abide by.
Like I mentioned though, the compound effect can easily work against you. If you consistently eat poorly, or always have the tendency to put things off till the last minute, you will soon experience the compounding effect of either obesity or severe procrastination. It can be difficult to break these bad traits once they occur, so choose to be discipline and make it a priority to have the compound effect work in your favor.
That does it for July, stay tuned for August's news letter! Looking for a new read? You know which one #compoundeffect.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
June:
Hello all!
Happy Monday and June now!
I hope everyone enjoyed their labor day weekend/ labor day. My dad and I actually spent all day Saturday and Sunday taking our concealed and carry license class in Lake Forest at the Northshore Sports Club- very cool experience- would highly recommend going there if you are interested in getting your CCL! Then on Monday, labor day, I personal trained for the whole day, then had some dinner at Wildfire(can't go wrong with that place).
Last news letter, I talked about a quote my dad started telling me when I was a young kid, and still brings it up to this day, "There are two pains in life- The pain of discipline and the pain of regret- Choose your pain". This quote can relate to tons of different situations in your life like deciding to start your homework right away, opposed to putting it off till the last minute, and experiencing the regret of doing so. It is easy to choose the situation that often causes regret, but by choosing to make the disciplined choice, you will thank your future self; You can trust me on that.
This newsletter I want to discuss another quote- not necessarily one that my dad used to tell me- but it relates directly to the last one. Here it is, "What's simple to do, is also simple not to do". Ah, how true this one is... Gas light just went on while driving? You can simply pull over to the next gas station and fill up your tank, or, you could think to yourself that you can just do it "tomorrow" because it is an inconvenience at the moment. You're going to need to do it one way or another. It's simply getting out of the car, putting in the pump, then taking it out once the tank is full. It takes a mere three minutes for the whole process- so simple- but for human nature it doesn't seem that way.
This is just one example of the quote coming to life, but you can see how it can relate to many other situations you may experience on a daily basis. As humans, we often seek instant gratification, so doing a task that doesn't seem to give you that gratification is easy to put off. However, by taking a second to think about what the task actually is, and the freedom you will create by doing it that instant, you will be sure to take it on that moment. Choose to be discipline at all times, and you will find everything is simple to do.
That does it for June, stay tuned for July's news letter! Simply do it.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
May:
Hello all!
Happy Wednesday and May now!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter/Passover holiday. My dad, sister, and I took advantage of the great weather on Easter Sunday and made it down to the Chicago Botanic Gardens! Extremely crowded, but we hadn't been there in quite some time, so it was nice walking around there again.
Last news letter, I talked about the importance of bringing value not only to the work-place, but also to other areas in your life. By learning new skills, hobbies, information, etc. you can improve your value as an overall person, and in return, this can even improve your performance in your occupation.
This news letter I want to briefly talk about a saying that my dad always tells me- starting even when I was just a little kid- and it is a saying I do my best to live by each and every day. The saying goes like this: There are two pains in life- the pain of discipline and the pain of regret- choose your pain.
Here is a simple example of this. Let's say you are in college and your English professor just assigned you to write a five page essay that is due in two weeks about a book your class just finished up. You basically have two choices(I am leaving out the choice where you decide not to do it at all): You can start it right away and finish it within the first week by working on it just a little bit every day, or, you can be the majority of college students and wait till the day before it is due, and stress yourself out for the next 24 hours trying to complete it. I say majority because I was in college not too long ago and I know many students' studying/work habits.
The first choice seems like it makes the most sense, but why is it the most difficult to make? Because it requires internal discipline and the willingness to forgo temporary pleasure(watching T.V. , playing video games, etc.) in order to complete the assignment. The thought of starting it right away, and on top of that doing a little bit every day, seems like a daunting task. However, if you were to have the discipline to allot just 30 minutes each day for seven days, I guarantee that paper would be finished. Not only would that paper be finished, but the quality of work would be better than if you were to have just rushed through it in one day. Mentally and physically wise, you'd also be in a much better place than if you did the 24-hour work crunch.
If you chose the second option, I can almost assure you the regret you would have at the end of the whole ordeal. You'd be tired both mentally and physically, and on top of that, the quality of your work would suffer.
This example can relate to tons of every day choices in your life. Choosing to workout at the end of a long work day instead of going home and relaxing on the couch, having the discipline to choose the salad at the restaurant opposed to the lasagna, and even scheduling that dreaded doctor's appointment opposed to putting it off.. In these three examples, your ability to exercise the pain of discipline will feel so much better than if you were to make the alternative choice. Not only will you feel better, but, that decision will compound over time to help you make further disciplined choices.
That does it for May, stay tuned for June's news letter! Pain of... your choice.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
April:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and April now!
I know we're in the heart of spring break time, so if you did get to travel, I hope you had a very relaxing time(same with those of you who have travel plans coming up)! I actually just arrived home yesterday from Miami, Florida, because I went to this music festival called Ultra. Very fun time- I have a passion for that type of music(EDM)- but I would say I came back more tired than I left haha!
Last news letter, I talked about the importance of bringing value to the market place in which you work in. As you increase your value(through things like continuing education courses, reading/watching books and videos, and just working on yourself) you will often experience an increase in compensation. I know a lot of people make complaints about not making enough money- even though they may be working hard- but it most likely has to do with not bringing a lot of value at the moment(or you could just be in a field where it is known to not compensate well). Either way, improve yourself, and watch what happens as time goes on.
This news letter somewhat relates to the last one, because it does have to do with improving your value, but it does not necessarily directly impact your current job(though it could as I'll talk about). Like I mentioned, doing types of continuing education is extremely important to increase the value you bring to your occupation, because this means you are able to provide a better service than you were before.
However, I have found over time, that solely focusing on learning information relating to your field can burn you out, as it becomes somewhat monotonous. Life requires balance, and if you tend to focus only on one thing, you most likely are neglecting other areas in your life. This may be necessary at times, but, it is best to tend to all areas in your life. Same thing goes with learning and increasing value; Try to start learning about things other than what pertains to your occupation!
For example, since the late fall/early winter time, I have been doing a lot of research on economics and politics. I have always been pretty interested in these areas, but, I never really took classes that related to this subject matter. After completing multiple continuing education courses for personal training this past fall/winter, I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge base elsewhere, so I started doing research on economics and politics(by watching videos, reading articles, and listening to audio books). Not only does this information intrigue me, but I can honestly say it improves my personal training service. I say that because personal training, is well, personal, so it is vital for me to be able to talk about subjects other than just training related with my clients. I think they appreciate it as well, knowing that I pay attention to different aspects of life.
This is just one example of what it looks like to learn and increase your value in other ways, but you can choose whatever you're interested in. Maybe you'd like to learn a new language, learn about history or a different culture, or even become a good cook. Let me tell you: You are capable of all of these things! Just create time in your day for it(I'll go over this in another news letter) and get it done, even if it is for 30 minutes! 30 minutes every day or a few days a week will compound into something powerful over time, that is for sure.
That does it for April, stay tuned for May's news letter! Keep on learning.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
February/March:
Hello all!
Happy Saturday and March now! There was supposed to be a February edition, but I forgot to get to it, so this one will be for both February and March!
Everything has been good on my end. I am heading to Miami at the end of this month for a music festival called Ultra, so I am really looking forwards to attending that. Also, I will be competing in a fitness competition in the beginning of May in Chicago- it is called NPC Illinois State- and I will be competing in the Classic Physique category!
Last news- letter, I talked about the importance of friends, and how it is an essential part of life to associate yourself with friends on a consistent basis. Although they can be great people, sometimes individuals find themselves hanging out with friends who are not very good influences, so just beware of the type of people you are around(Because they can spread their influence on you).
I wanted to switch gears a bit and talk about establishing value in your life; More specifically in the work-place. We live in a society where we have the freedom to essentially choose what field/occupation we would like to go into. As it is commonly known, some fields are more valuable than others(For example, doctors help save lives), so these occupations tend to receive higher wages, and rightfully so. Other occupations- like myself(personal trainer)- are not as valuable, and wages are definitely lower than that of a doctor's. Some people are beginning to see this as a problem, that some occupations are receiving much higher wages than others, but it is all based on the value you bring to society.
Individuals who are receiving these large pay-checks most likely had to put lots of hard work, long hours, and on top of that, huge sums of money in order to get to where they are(In the example of the doctor, medical school costs hundreds of thousands of dollars). So, it only makes sense to compensate these people according to all that they have put in, and the fact that they are helping members of their community survive.
Typically, the longer you spend time in school, the higher your income will be. I know I mentioned doctors, but lawyers fit into this category as well because of all the schooling they went through, and so they tend to make great salaries. Now, let's get away from these types of examples, and focus on a typical situation like myself; A personal trainer. My field of work is quite saturated, which means there are tons of personal trainers, so this may make it tough to stand out amongst the pack. That is one mind-set, but another one is thinking of ways you can become the best personal trainer around, so that you actually do stand-out from the pack. How do you stand out from the crowd? Invest in your self. Take continuing education courses, read books and watch videos that improve your ability to give a better service and be more personable, and talk to others that have a lot of experience in the same field.
These are just a few ways to increase your value to the market place, but I can almost assure you- once you take the time to really invest in yourself to improve your value- your wages will express the same.
That does it for February/March. Stay tuned for April! Be valuable.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
January:
Hello all!
Happy Thursday and January now! Hope everyone had a nice new years, and that 2019 has started off on a good note.
Before I begin, all is well on my end. This week has been a little slow because of the weather conditions, but I still had quite a few disciplined souls come in and train. Hopefully you didn't allow the weather to keep you from getting things accomplished!
Last month, I talked about the importance of family, and how having strong relationships with your family members is vital. Not only does your family lay the foundation of your core values, but these people know you the best and always look out for your best interests. Now, I want to dive into the topic of friends.
I touched upon this a few news letters ago regarding influences, and how you should choose your friends wisely because these people can dramatically influence your behavior(positively or negatively). Although you can choose what friends you'd like to associate with, if you look at who your friends are now, you can get a good idea of who you are as a person. I say that because the law of attraction is always at work, and in short, it basically shows how things that are similar in nature will attract towards one another. So, if you find yourself surrounded with friends who are kind and that strive for success, then chances are you are the same way. On the contrary, if your friends tend to be unmotivated individuals with bad habits, then you may have to think twice about who you really are as a person.
So, as you can see, your friends can be a good indicator of the type of person you are. After evaluating the type of friends you have, you can make the necessary adjustments in order to either expand or limit these associations. Not only that, but you can also make the necessary changes within yourself.
Similar to your family members, your friends(close) know you very well. They can sense when something may be bothering you, and be there for advice and support, as well as being a trustworthy "ear" to talk to. In many cases, it can be even easier speaking to close friends about a situation than your family members, because it allows you to be more open and not be embarrassed by what you say. Also, since your friends are most likely around the same age as you, they may be able to relate better to you than your family members, because of common shared experiences.
You need friends to lead a healthy life. Just like consuming nutritious foods, and exercising on a daily basis, being and/or communicating with friends should be up there with those things. Make sure your friends are good influences to begin with, but once you've made sure of that, then keep on building that bond with them.
That does it for January. Stay tuned for February! Enjoy some friend time.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
December:
Hello all!
Happy Sunday and December now! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving back in November, and we're now just a couple days away from Christmas, so if you do celebrate Christmas: Merry Christmas!
Before I begin, here is a little update on my life. I'm enjoying working at the few gyms/studios around the area(MyBody Complex, Illinois Bone and Joint/HPI, and Davinci Body Studio)- it definitely is nice to get out of one environment and go to another- and all of them are quite close together! Just a couple nights ago(Friday), some of my buddies and I got one of the suites at the Trump Hotel to stay at after going out in the city, so that was a very cool experience! If you are looking for a nice hotel to stay at with great service, this is the one.
Last month I talked about how humans have the ability to choose how you to react in a situation, and people often forget about that because you see all of the violence/riots/protests occurring in the country, especially after an election. Going onto a different topic, because of the holidays that have occurred and that are coming up, I wanted to briefly bring up the importance of family.
Your family is the foundation of your core values in life, and your parents probably instilled(hopefully) a solid set of these values. These values will keep with you no matter what occurs in your life, so that you are able to properly handle any situation life may hand you. Not only does your family lay this foundation, but they are the ones that will always be there for you. I will discuss friends another time(which I kind of did in the influences news letter a few months back), because they can be almost like family, but your parents/siblings have been there since the very beginning. They know for the most part all of your life experiences, and are aware of your typical behavior/attitude. When something doesn't seem right with you, I am sure your family members are the first ones to point it out, because I know this to be true for me in the past.
With that being said, make sure to make time for your family members, and cherish the time you have with them. I sometimes get angry with myself for not being totally "present" when I am with maybe just my mom or dad, because I am tired from the work day, or just because I see them on a pretty consistent basis. I need to make sure that I am concentrated on them and seeing what is going on in their life, and what I can do to help. Parents do so much for their sons/daughters, and so the children need to do their best to honor them. I am fortunate to be close with my parents, as well with my sister, but I do make it a priority to spend time with them, and I know a close relationship with family members will drastically improve your life.
That does it for December. Stay tuned for January! Enjoy some family time.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
November:
Hello all!
Happy Hump-Day and November now! Just a couple weeks away from Thanksgiving; Can't believe it is almost that time already! Lots of stuff going on in our country, as the mid-term elections just came to a close. My news letter this month actually somewhat has to do with the election- as well as previous elections(including presidential)- because what I am going to discuss is the ability to choose and react.
Before I begin, here is a little update on my life. I told you last time I was going to begin teaching group fitness classes a few days a week at a studio opening up in Northbrook. The studio has been open now for a couple of weeks, and the classes have been going awesome! Truly is suitable for any type of fitness level, and modifications can be made for virtually all exercises, so if you have any injuries or ailments, you will still be able to partake in the class. First class is free- please let me know if you are interested so I can tell you how to sign up!
Last month I talked about setting goals, and the importance of writing them down, because having goals just in your head is like having a bunch of darts but no dart board to throw them at. Writing them down, along with jotting down a few action steps under each goal you can take on a daily basis to achieve that goal, will make them concrete and much more likely for you to follow through on achieving them. It is helpful to have short, medium, and long term goals because this will help keep your momentum for the long haul in working towards those goals. What to set goals for? Anything you REALLY want to achieve. Categories could be financial or job related, relationships(intimate or not), health/fitness, service, personality traits, etc. Make sure they make sense and are actually attainable! Now, onto my next topic.
As I mentioned, the mid-term elections just ended, and things have changed a bit in our country. Some people are not happy about the results or changes, while others are. Same thing can be said about all prior elections in U.S. history though; it "sucks" not having your candidate or political party win, but that is just how it goes.
The anger or joy you may feel, depending on the outcome of the election, is just that- it is a feeling. Feelings are self-generated and are able to be tamed in a matter of seconds. Why? Well, because we have the ability as human beings to choose how we react in situations. You don't have to get angry, but I will say, it is quite normal to feel that way if something does not go your way; Especially in an election. However, you can let that feeling either control your actions in response to the situation, or you can be a rationale human being and know that the world isn't fair, and that you don't need to get so upset. Many people these days are letting their emotions/feelings get the best of them, and it is starting to show more in situations like elections, with all of these protests and riots that have occurred in the past couple of years.
These are examples of people forgetting their ability to choose. Let me tell you- life is much more enjoyable when you choose to react in a moral and positive way- no matter what has happened to you. There is a short saying by Stephen Covey, and it goes, "Keep the end in mind". Basically, how would you want to be remembered once your time on earth has come to an end? Acting in accordance to your core values(hopefully you have these) is a pretty sure way of living a virtuous and moral life, and having people remember you for this, is definitely a positive thing. I would say this saying even extends to how you'd like to evaluate your own life once you know your days on earth are starting to come to an end. It is odd, and even scary at times to think about, but it can truly change the way you live your life.
That does it for November. Stay tuned for December! Choose, react, and always keep the end in mind.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
October:
Hello all!
Happy Sunday and October now! Just got back from Colorado yesterday after spending the last couple of days there. Went to the RedRocks on Thursday to see a favorite artist of mine perform(7Lions), as well as hiked on Friday. I have a few cousins, an aunt, and an uncle who live in the Denver/ Fort Collins area, so got to spend time with them which was great.
Another little update on my current work situation. I told you last time I was given the opportunity to work for Illinois Bone & Joint Institute(IBJI) at their performance center in Highland Park a couple afternoons/evenings during the week, while still personal training at MyBody Complex. In addition, coming up in the next couple of weeks, I will begin teaching group fitness classes a few days a week at this studio opening up soon in Northbrook! It is a different style of training, but is very joint-friendly, and incorporates a unique combination of resistance/cardiovascular training. First class is free, please let me know if you are interested, or want more information regarding the training style! Now, onto the important stuff.
Last month I talked about choices, and how everyone is able to choose in any situation, regardless of your emotions. Being able to stop and reflect on an upcoming choice can literally be the difference between life or death. For those small and seemingly inconsequential choices, those are also of grave concern, because they are constantly repeated over time and can shape your life positively or negatively. Choosing your friends is a huge choice because these are people that can impact your life in a huge way. If you find yourself always surrounded by negative and pessimistic people, it may be time to do some self reflection, because the law of attraction is always working(in or not in your favor).
I want to change courses just a bit and talk briefly about goal-setting. While I was on the plane yesterday coming back home from Colorado, I spent about one hour writing some new goals. My current ones- which I made on my birthday last October- were getting a little uninspiring. Although I was keeping them in-mind over the last year or so, and have been accomplishing a majority of them, I think I could have been more successful by writing down some action steps under each goal, so that is what I did this time around. I ended up writing only about six goals(some more short term like financially, but a couple more long term that had more to do with personal stuff), but under each goal I wrote down three to four action steps that I can constantly be thinking about in order to move me closer to reaching those goals. Only time will tell, but I know I have a better game plan this time around.
Goal setting is a vital part of one's life. Without goals to strive for, what are you then striving for in life? You may have some aspirations in your head, but how about writing those down and making plans(action steps) in order to achieve them! Not writing down your goals/aspirations is basically like having a bunch of darts, but no dart board to throw them at. By writing them down, you will begin to shift your thinking towards your goals, and then your actions will follow.
You may be asking, where/how do I start? Grab a piece of paper and a pen/pencil, and write down short(in the next 6 months), medium(6 months-year), and long term(1+ years) goals. Try getting just a couple for each category, or maybe a few for the short term because those will probably be easier to come up with, and then just one or two for the medium and long term categories. Under each goal, write down three to five things you can do- daily or over time- to move you closer to reaching that goal. What to set goals for? Anything you REALLY want to achieve. Financial, relationship(s), service, personality, learning a new skill, travel somewhere, etc. Really doesn't matter what the goal is, as long as you seriously want to achieve it.
That does it for October. Stay tuned for November! Set some goals and go.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
September:
Hello all!
Happy Tuesday and September now! Hope everyone had a great labor day and labor day weekend. Time for another news letter, so here we go.
To begin with, I have a little update on my current work situation. I was given the opportunity to work for Illinois Bone & Joint Institute(IBJI) at their performance center in the Highland Park location a few afternoons/evenings during the week. I work most of the time with athletes from around the area, as well as teach an adult boot-camp class once or twice per week more in the evenings. I am still at MyBody Complex, but it definitely is nice getting to train at both places. That is all(with me) for now!
Last month I talked about the people in your life who can influence you the most- specifically your friends- and how you need to be wise in regards to the friends you choose. If you have friends that do not have the best habits or qualities, then there is a good chance this type of person will have a negative influence on you and your behavior. On the contrary, if you associate with friends that have solid qualities and lead a life filled with healthy habits, then there is a good chance you will be positively influenced.
However, I want to go back to the last word of the first sentence from the section above, which is the word "choose". Everyone has the ability to choose in life, which is why humans are so unique. Animals act mostly off of instinct, but as humans, we have the ability to make a choice! No instinct needed, just our ability to control our emotions, and make a wise choice after evaluating the possible outcomes of that choice. An example could be as simple as choosing not to get angry in the middle of a traffic-jam on 94, and realize that it is not worth the energy or necessary, to let something like traffic affect you. Another example, more on the serious side, could be making a choice to drive after knowing you had too much to drink. A choice like this one could definitely have far more serious consequences, and could change your life forever.
Although we all have the ability to choose our friends, we also need to realize that we can actually attract people(friends) into our lives based on how we are as a person. This is called the law of attraction, and not only can it apply to the people in your life, but also the circumstances that you get yourself into. Staying on the topic of people, if you find yourself surrounded by unmotivated and negative individuals, then maybe do an evaluation of who you are as a person. Seriously look at what types of things you value, how you carry yourself, and what types of thoughts you have on a daily basis. After doing an evaluation like this, see if there can be improvements made in any areas of your life, such as the thoughts you have on an on-going basis. Try to have a more positive outlook on situations in your life, and I can almost guarantee, you will begin to not only be happier, but attract better people into your life.
That does it for September. Stay tuned for October! Choose-change-attract.
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com
August:
Hello all!
Happy Hump-Day and August. Hope everyone has been having a great summer, filled with(hopefully) some relaxation, and doing activities that you truly enjoy. I wanted to start doing a monthly "news letter" where I'll talk about a topic relating to every-day life, and maybe some things you can take away to implement into your life. If you are receiving this email, it may have been a while since we have seen or talked to each other, or I may see/talk to you more frequently. Regardless, thank you for being part of my life in some way, enjoy!
To begin with, I wanted to give a quick re-cap of what has been happening in my life, in case we haven't been in touch. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota last May(2017) with a Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion. After moving back home, I immediately started working full-time as an independent personal trainer at MyBody Complex located in Northfield, Illinois, and also doing some in-home training around the Chicago-land area. I have been personal training off and on since the age of 19 because of school obligations, so it is nice to finally do what I love full time!
Now, onto the good stuff. Today I wanted to talk about something I actually brought up in a little video I posted on social media(Instagram and Facebook) last week, which had to do with the influences in your life, specifically your friends. There are a few quotes out there regarding how much of an influence your friends can have on your life such as, "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future". Now, I am a firm believer in that you are 100% responsible for your life and all of the choices you make in it, but without a doubt, the friends that you surround yourself with can alter your choices; Both in a positive and negative way. For example, if you surround yourself with people who eat relatively healthy, exercise consistently, and make a stable in-come, then there is a greater chance of you doing/having those types of things; I think we would all agree that these are positive things one can have in their life. On the contrary, imagine if you hung-out with people who did not care what they ate about, sees walking to the fridge as their exercise for the day, and does not care about working because they don't "like it" . I am not saying you will exactly turn into a person like that, but over time you will begin to unconsciously adapt the same types of habits these people exhibit, and these habits may creep up in other areas of your life. Take a moment to think about what types of people your friends are, and which ones may or may not be influencing you in a positive manner.
I also talked in the video about how you should spend time with people in your life that truly respect who you are as a person, and respect your time. When you feel disrespected and taken advantage, this can certainly cause feelings of anger/anxiety. Is someone you spend time or communicate with ever cause these feelings? If so, think about whether the situation was avoidable to begin with, or if it's actually a pattern you notice with this person. If you have certain characteristics or habits(let's say you don't like to drink alcohol), and each time you go out this person always pushes you to drink even if you say no, you'll begin to resent them and that's when these feelings can arise. The time factor is another important aspect. If you notice someone that constantly changes/cancels plans on you, is late to events, or may blow you off, then I would be careful how much attention you give to these people. I think you'll find as you start to cut-off communication with these types of individuals, they will begin to actually reach out more to you.
That is all for now! Stay tuned for the September news letter. Choose your friends wisely and surround yourself with positive people!
Regards,
Ryan Ribordy
Certified Personal Trainer
847-989-5886
rybostrength.com