Starving to be Fat

Fit and Firm Magazine features Marco

2010-06-13T03:03:00.000-07:00

Marco gets featured in Fit and Firm Magazine. The article was titled "You're Too Fat to Sit Here".

Here's the link of the article featuring Marco Girgenti.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/4fa6a86d?page=180&p2168=4346#/4fa6a86d/180

The Truth About Permanent Weight Loss

2010-03-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
Hope you have a great Spring break!

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be speaking at a seminar entitled "The Truth About Permanent Weight Loss".
Susan will also be presenting, as well as my close friends from Fit and on The Move, Shawna and Magnus.
The poster is attached.
Xtreme Coutre Gym is located at: http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=xtreme+couture&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=xtreme+couture&hnear=Weston,+ON&cid=0,0,10349260953141311298&ei=vh2uS53HAoK88gbL3fCmDg&ved=0CA8QnwIwAA&ll=43.625297,-79.528356&spn=0.008186,0.015342&z=16&iwloc=A

Thanks so much for allowing me the continued privilege of sharing my journey with you.

Marco Girgenti
info@marcog.com
http://www.wiredtowin.ca
"Acquire, Rewire, Refire"

Fat Habits Die Hard

2010-02-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

Excuse the interruption in blogging, but I was not feeling well. I have not been sick in over 1 year, but wow!

So, to those of you who are graceful enough to read on, just a reminder that this is a blog by a guy who lost 150+ Lb and is still dealing with some of the excess “fat mentality.”

In holding consultations with people who are overweight, there are always common isms and denominators. While sitting in my office, any time such a person would have to rise from their seat, they would automatically (I noticed this more in females), and immediately reach for whatever long blouse, or track jacket they were wearing and pull it down so as to cover the butt they were so self conscious of. Other isms included; pulling shirt away from stomach while seated and sucking gut in til the face discolours.

I actually understand this all to well.

As I trained fitness consultants this week, I spoke to them about what an overweight person usually feels upon entering a gym… but we’ll leave that for another blog. I did instruct them however, to not take an overweight person out onto the gym floor in front of everyone and make them do crunches. I set that ground rule out because I remember full well what it felt like to have my flab bounce and undulate from side to side, as my main preoccupation became: GRAB YOUR SHIRT AND PULL IT DOWN so no one can see this happening.., your wildly flailing fat!

Following that consultant training, I had a chance to address the staff at Club 54 Fitness, where I am operations manager. Among other things, I gave a brief version of the horrible experiences I endured as a result of having been so overweight. The story ends with me having lost all that weight, having kept it off for over a decade, and becoming highly successful in the fitness field and in helping people overcome their obstacles.

When I had finished on a high note, there was applause. I mean, here is living proof that fat can be beaten, right up there on stage. I bowed graciously and thanked everyone.

Know what I did as soon as I was done?

I pulled my slick Nike track jacket down as far as I could to cover by (no longer existant) gut and butt.

Go ahead and laugh. I sure did

Managing yet ANOTHER gym

2010-02-10T19:19:00.000-08:00

And so… I am managing yet ANOTHER gym!
By marcogirgenti
Okay, so please excuse my absence as of late, but life has gotten a little busier.

A couple of weeks ago I became Operations/Consulting Manager at a great gym in Bolton, Ontario. This is the 3rd gym I have managed, but the first one outside of a large franchise. It got me thinking;

Susan is “Miss Fitness”, I call her that, (she would never say anything like that about herself), there is not a pretentious bone in her body. Yet, I find it fascinating that she has “the look”, the experience, yet I am the guy who has worked at gyms on and off for the last 3 years. Me, the former fat guy who could not step into a gym for three weeks because I was paralyzed with fear in the parking lot.

It took me a L O N G time before I felt I looked “okay” enough to begin coaching clients, but to wind up managing a health facility? That never occurred to me.

I can tell you this; managing people is a gift. The people who will not listen and are perhaps “difficult” employees, you know, the ones that others say should be dismissed etc… to me, those “difficult” types are the biggest gifts of all. They present me with an opportunity to grow and come at challenges from different angles. Is it painful and not “comfortable?” Yes, sometimes.

But to those of you who train hard I ask: “is it painful and not “comfortable” at times? Yes.

Isn’t that how you grow?

Indeed.

Thanks for reading.

New Blog

2010-01-26T06:51:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

I have started a new personal blog called "the Fat Guy and the Fit Chick"

I invite you to follow as I continue to journal the challenges that still face me even after having lost all that weight.

Here is my blog link.

http://marcogirgenti.wordpress.com/

Last for this Season

2010-01-26T06:34:00.000-08:00

Wired to Win Radio has it's final broadcast for the season on Wednesday the 27th.
Marco will be a live guest on another show called The Preacher's Corner live on Feb 4th for an entire 2 hours, beginning at 7:00 pm California time, 10:00 pm Canada time.
For more information about the show, visit http://thepreacherscornerlive.com.

"It's a no brainer....hire a trainer". (Part 1)

2010-01-19T03:31:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

On the Wired to Win radio broadcast tomorrow, the topic will be "It's a no brainer....hire a trainer". (Part 1)

However, the episode also deals with what to watch out for when signing a gym membership, how to chose the right gym for you , and what to expect from Fitness Tests and Consultations...are they of any benefit at all?

Don't miss this HIGHLY informative broadcast.

You can tune in by linking from my website at http://www.wiredtowin.ca

Also, I am excited to report that mp3 files of our first 8 episodes will soon be available on line!

Details to follow.

I will also be guesting on a live radio show this Friday and will send information.

Thank you for your support.

Marco

Marco Girgenti

info@marcog.com

http://www.wiredtowin.ca

"Acquire, Rewire, Refire"

"Who Put the B.S in the BMI?"

2010-01-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

How are those resolutions going? I hope well!

On January 13's broadcast is "Who Put the B.S in the BMI." :-). As well, we will be discussing a one day sample menu.

Hope you can tune in.

Easily done by linking to my site at http://www.wiredtowin.ca at 2 Pm EST, 11 a.m. in California, or simply click http://www.christiannetcast.com/listen/dynamicasx.asp?station=waye-am. The broadcast will launch to your default media player.Thanks and have an awesome day!

Marco

Vote for Susan!

2010-01-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

You've known her! 5 time National Fitness/Figure Champion, WBFF PRO, FAME PRO and Official Advanced Genetics Elite Athlete and partner of Marco Girgenti...yes, that's no other than Susan Braumberger-Arruda! Let's give her the chance to be on the cover of Status Fitness Magazine by casting a vote. Just follow this link and create an account for free to be able to vote. http://www.statusfitnessmagazine.com/susan-braumberger-arruda

Happy Holidays

2009-12-22T15:14:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the listeners of Marco Girgenti, and to all the people!
Don't miss Marco this coming Wednesday, December 23. He will be talking about THE TRUTH ABOUT "LITE" FOODS, THE TRUTH ABOUT LOW FAT and STRATEGIES and PLANS for how to NOT GAIN WEIGHT OVER THE HOLIDAYS!
Again, Wired to Win every Wednesday on WAYE Radio 1220 AM 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. central standard time.

Wired to Win on Radio

2009-12-20T02:18:00.000-08:00

wired to win

Marco | MySpace Video

Susan Back on Air

2009-12-04T23:31:00.001-08:00

Beloved listeners, we are just proud to present to you again, Susan Braumberger-Arruda! Yes, she will be back on air this coming Wednesday for the second part of her practical fitness advices. So for all those who missed her last week, you still have the chance to listen to her, and for those who will be listening again, there's more for you to learn, so don't miss this out! Again, Wired to Win every Wednesday on WAYE Radio 1220 AM 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. central standard time. Happy listening!!!

Radio Guest Susan Braumberger-Arruda

2009-11-29T04:43:00.000-08:00

Susan Braumberger-Arruda, a 40-year-old mother of 2, 5 time National Fitness/Figure Champion, WBFF PRO, FAME PRO and Official Advanced Genetics Elite Athlete, with an award winning physique, and a fitness model will be guesting on Wired To Win at WAYE Radio 1220 this coming Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Susan is in phenomenal shape all year round.

A friend and partner of Marco, Susan will be speaking to women in particular on how she overcame anxiety and low self-esteem, and earned the respect of competitors the world over. She will also be giving some practical fitness advice.

Special Welcome!

2009-11-29T03:59:00.000-08:00

A VERY special welcome to listeners from WAYE 1220,
and those who have tuned in online!

Don't Miss the Premiere!!!

2009-11-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

"Wired to Win, hosted by Marco Girgenti will be heard on the radio
beginning Wed. Nov 25th". Hear how Marco lost 150 lbs and has kept it off
for nearly ten years!! So watch out people of Birmingham Alabama, in the USA! The show
will be aired on the radio WAYE 1220 AM every Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 1:30
p.m. central standard time, (2 pm E.S.T Toronto) for an initial run of 2 months, And what’s
more? People around the world can listen to it online by visiting
http://www.themusicinsider.com/about_us.html, and clicking LISTEN TO WAYE
RADIO NOW. The program will launch in your default music player:
RealPlayer or Windows Media Player.

Happy listening!"

Wired to Win on the Radio

2009-11-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

"Wired to Win, hosted by Marco Girgenti will be heard on the radio beginning Wed. Nov 25th"
You will learn from Marco how to maintain 150-lbs. weight. So watch out people of Birmingham Alabama, in the USA! The show will be aired on the radio WAYE 1220 AM every Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. central standard time. And what’s more? People around the world can listen to it online by visiting http://www.themusicinsider.com/about_us.html, and clicking LISTEN TO WAYE RADIO NOW. The program will launch in your default music player: RealPlayer or Windows Media Player. Happy listening!

Canadian fitness personal trainer

2009-11-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Read about Marco's ascent to the top of the Canadian fitness industry as not only a highly successful personal trainer, but also as a consultant who has moved, inspired and spearheaded countless individuals towards finally losing fat, permanently.

From a man who, at a young age, has been touched by death twice in his his immediate family and who as a single father has raised an autistic child, expect very down to earth from a seasoned warrior who continued to battle the odds, and won!
Starving to be Fat

"Starving to be Fat" ...

2009-11-08T01:36:00.000-08:00

... is the new book by Marco Girgenti that offers a real life approach to permanent fat loss. It is not a diet book, nor is it an exercise book. Rather, Marco writes of his personal experiences as he embarked on a two year journey to a staggering and permanent weight loss of over 100 lb. and his subsequent strategies and success in keeping that weight off for nearly a decade.

The book is replete with simple everyday advice on how to take seemingly small steps that eventually turn into giant leaps of victory. Do not read "Starving to be Fat" if you are looking for a miracle diet that will cause you to drop 30 lb. in two weeks, or anything of the sort. A "miracle" is not what you need to achieve healthy, permanent fat loss and weight management. What is needed are common sense and realistic expectations.

Chapters such as "Fat Has Lousy Aim", tells the story of how the fat Marco was carrying for years targeted not only his health, but damaged his self-esteem as well. You will also read of his body image struggles even AFTER his weight loss, as he found himself in a relationship with one of the fittest women in the country, who is also a national fitness title holder. The account of such a struggle is poignant and fierce, as it can only be told by a man who has actually lived through it.

From a man who, at a young age, has been touched by death twice in his his immediate family and who as a single father has raised an autistic child, expect very down to earth from a seasoned warrior who continued to battle the odds, and won!

Table of Contents

Preface

Diary of a Fat Man

Image and Images

Fat Has Lousy Aim

My Friend Eats Anything She Wants... and Never Gains Weight.

A Simple Plan

Easy Does It

Food Or Faux?

Calorie Confusion

Live and Let Die

Failing To Plan

Decisions, Decisions

Horror Stories and Misconceptions from my Life as a Consultant

Move!

Starving to be Fat

Susan, the Last Thing I Ever Expected

“Poise and Power” a chapter by Susan Braumberger-Arruda. National Figure Champion.

Small Changes, Big Results

What’s Eating You?

Yesterday, Malnutrition Seemed So Far Away

Trainers. Certified or Certifiable?

Final Thoughts

WIRED TO WIN!

2009-10-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

A man loses 150 lb and in record time becomes a top fitness consultant...

Single father to a special needs child, divorce survivor, death of his father and sister, and how a man completely changed his life and beat
the odds.

“SIR, CAN YOU PLEASE MOVE? YOU ARE TOO FAT TO SIT HERE.”

How does a man lose 150 lb. keep it off, and in record time become a top Fitness consultant?

Marco’s new book "Starving to be Fat" chronicles the permanent weight loss of Marco Girgenti. A transformation so powerful that it caught the attention of the producer's of the Oprah Winfrey Show. About 2% of people that lose weight actually manage to keep it off; Marco has done it for nearly a decade. How did he do it? On a plane to New York, Marco could not get the seat belt around his stomach, and when the lady beside him turned and said: "sir, can you please move? You are too fat to sit here," Marco all too painfully knew that she was right, and that it was time to make massive changes. Hear the story of a survivor. A failed marriage, caring single-handedly for his special needs son, the death of his father and sister, and of course; how he beat the fat that threatened his very life. From throwing up all over himself in full view of other people on
his first day at a gym, to an epic battle with low self-esteem and how a former fat guy wound up in a relationship with a fitness model, "Starving to be Fat", taps into everything an overweight person is feeling as only the experience of someone who has lived it can, and arms you with the weaponry needed to win back control of your life.

Recently, with no systems training or knowledge of a company’s workings, as a manager, he stepped in and invested in his staff, empowering and motivating them. He treated them as “people”, not subordinates. In the shortest business month of the year, and with the country neck deep in recession, Marco and his team shattered a record and obliterated their quota.

For bookings, please visit his online site at:
http://www.wiredtowin.ca
To see a video, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MarcoWIredtoWIn
tel: 416.981.3131
email: info@marcog.com

TESTIMONIALS

2009-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

“We are going to cancel the other scheduled events for today and just let this man speak instead.” - (A.G.- Prizm Advertising Group - (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut)

“We have never heard of someone doing what you have done, for this long.” - (KRJ, producer Oprah Winfrey, during phone interview.)

“Engaging, entertaining and a powerful message. In 2.5 hours of live callers, as a host, he did not miss a beat.” (Night Lite Live/100 Huntley Street.)

“Marco is an excellent speaker. You should have booked him longer for this seminar”. (D.B.- Canadian Tire)

“A passionate communicator, with a tongue that bends ears. You just want to listen to him.” - (J.F. - Extreme Fitness)

“This man makes me believe anything is possible. He saved my life and pointed me towards my destiny.” - (E.M.- Consultation client)

“Raw and absolutely real. He will challenge you to change.” - R.P. (From an Elite Fitness Consultant”)

“Exactly the type of manager a company needs.” - (M.F. Master Trainer - Goodlife Fitness)

There is 1 product in this category

Starving to be Fat Book
Your price:$15.00

Marco Girgenti: Elite Weight Loss Coach

2009-10-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Susan Braumberger

2009-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Starving To Be Fat

2009-10-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Marco Girgenti is 43 years of age and resides in Toronto, Canada.

Marco dropped out of school at the age of 16 to pursue a career as a professional tennis player. After winning a few tournaments, he was sent to a sports camp to serve as Tennis Clinician. Shortly after learning that an opportunity was formulating to have Marco enter the qualifying rounds of the Canadian Open (against the likes of Borg, McEnroe, Connors), he sustained a career-ending injury. When Marco was 10 years of age, his sister (then 16) died, and when he reached 17, his father also died.

Turning then to music, Marco quickly became a sought after studio musician and composer/arranger. As a result of this change in lifestyle, now sedentary, Marco began to gain weight. His 15-year career earned him numerous awards in the arts. He did not receive any type of formal schooling in music, recognizing it was a gift freely given to him. He conducted in New York City, wrote music for the world's top figure skaters, commercials, television themes and served as composer/arranger on over 20 albums. He has been the chief arranger and composer on 3 Covenant Award winning albums as well as a Juno® award, and has served as Music Director/Director of Worship in 2 churches. The ability to write for an entire orchestra just seemed to be an innate capability. In 2006, Marco received a letter from Ennio Morricone, the foremost composer of film music in the world, praising Marco's work.

Marco married, then subsequently separated from his then wife of 13 years. The marriage produced a son who is now 16 years of age. Marco took on the mantle of full time father to his boy, who was diagnosed as autistic. Raising a special needs child caused Marco to see the world from a different, perhaps simpler perspective. Known for his communication skills and quick mind, Marco was now forced to change the way he communicated in order to be able to converse with his son.

There is now little doubt in his mind that the death of his father, the pressures of a failed marriage and raising an autistic child all contributed to his substantial weight gain. Marco, once a lean and elite athlete, was now grossly overweight, weighing in at well over 300 lbs, sporting size 54 pants and pre-diabetic with a body fat at 49%.

Proceed to Marco's "Moment of Change"

There is 1 product in this category

Starving to be Fat Book
Your price:$15.00

Moment of Change

2009-10-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

On a flight to New York city, Marco was unable to fasten the seatbelt around his waist. His “moment of change” occurred when the passenger next to him turned and said, “Sir, can you move? You are too fat to sit here”. Crushed, Marco landed in New York to hold dressed rehearsals for a musical he was conducting. As his score papers fell to the ground, he bent over to collect them and the dress pants he was wearing tore, stem to stern. Marco wrapped his jacket around his waist and fled the room in tears.

Over time, he ran into friends he had not seen for years and had to convince them that the Marco they knew back then, was still indeed “Marco”, as he was so overweight, his friends did not recognize him. This was crystallized when he one day picked up his mom from the airport after her return from 9 months overseas, and she did not instantly recognize him. A mom, could not recognize her own son! Marco had to wave her on as he proclaimed “I'm over here mom, it's me”.

“What happened to you?” said she, “I could not recognize it was you”.

He began to read everything he could about weight loss, diets etc..., quickly realizing no diet would work for him. After losing some weight while still in New York (by walking), he decided to join a gym once back in Toronto. Marco drove to his local gym every weekday for 3 weeks and sat in the parking lot, fists white-knuckled and clenched to his steering wheel. He was paralyzed by fear and could not summon the courage to walk into the gym due to his embarrassment of being so overweight and out of shape. After 3 weeks, he actually got out of his car and made it to the entrance doors. Again, he was incapacitated by fear. At that moment, exhausted while struggling up two flights of stairs, he silently declared, “If I ever beat this, I am going to tell the world how I did it. I want to be a personal trainer”. Then, he laughed at himself for even allowing such a thought. When he finally breached that barrier, Marco walked up a flight of stairs to the main reception desk and had to stop twice to catch his breath.

After obtaining a guest membership, Marco got on a treadmill and in 3 minutes threw up everything he had eaten all over himself and the machine. He could feel people's eyes on him as the embarrassment weighed on him heavier than his fat or vomit did. He left the gym immediately without even stopping to shower, for fear of being seen naked in the changing room.

Proceed to Marco's "Marco's Journey"

There is 1 product in this category

Starving to be Fat Book
Your price:$15.00

Marco's Journey

2009-10-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

The next day, Marco came back and once again vomited, but this time, he made it to the bathroom. He was approached by a behemoth sized trainer named Magnus, and accepted his help.

From that day forward and over the course of 2 years, Marco dropped in excess of 100 Lbs and maintained that loss for over 8 years. What is staggering is that he never regressed once in his fat loss. He did it right the first time, and has never looked back.

Fuelled by passion to help people, Marco left the full time music business and turned his sights on a career in fitness. He spoke to as many trainers as he could and finally enrolled to earn a Personal Trainer Specialist accreditation. There, he met Susan, one of the fittest females on the planet. They exchanged email addresses and met to study for the exam, which they both passed. Marco and Susan went their separate ways, and some time later formed a friendship, which led to deep love.

Marco thought it would make a great headline some day “former fat guy, becomes personal trainer and lands fitness babe”.

Eager to begin his new career, Marco applied to several gyms and was called for an interview by one of the largest gym franchises in Canada and the USA. The Fitness Director of the facility instantly recognized the power of Marco's story, as well as his success and passion, and decided to give him a shot. When Marco received his red staff shirt, he ran to his car and cried like a baby.

In the meantime, Marco and Susan grew as a couple. He had the privilege of helping to coach Susan to 2 national fitness titles, adding to the one she previously held. He wrote and edited her music routine, helped her choreograph it, took control of her diet, cooked her meals, and even trained her in the gym. It was quite a pairing. Though he had lost so much weight, Marco refused Susan's advances for months. She would say “I love you” and he would not respond in kind. Marco still saw himself as a very fat man and never thought he could have a chance with such a gorgeous, world class athlete. She persisted, thank God, and the storybook romance exists to this day, with promise of a future eternal.

After a short time, Marco was a full time trainer with a 100% renewal base. Nine months later, the franchise was bought by another company. Marco was offered a position as a Fitness Consultant, which he accepted. He was instantly successful in his new position and broke company records, besting contemporaries who had been trainers and consultants for over two decades. Marco's passion threatened the status quo. He was promoted to Lead Fitness Consultant and in record time was given the managerial position at the franchises flagship location. It was the fastest promotion to the position in the company's 10 year history. Later that year, Marco was honored by his peers with the Top Consultant of the Year Award, which he earned over hundreds of other, more experienced co-workers.

In just under one year, Marco's was personally responsible for having sold $700,000.00 in personal training contracts, which, when compiled with his new role as manager, saw him total well over

$ 1,000,000.00.

Three years ago, Marco had begun to take excerpts from his weight loss journals and place them all together into one document. These proved to be the seeds of the book “Starving to be Fat”.

Marco has hosted television shows, held assemblies at schools and conducted over 1000 fitness consultations. It is impossible to accurately calculate how many people he has spearheaded to successful weight loss.

In midst of corporate chaos, and in a challenge to his integrity and ethics, Marco left a six figure salary while the country was neck deep in recession. With no guarantee of a job, only a possible referral from a friend and co-worker, Marco was hired by the largest fitness franchise in Canada within 3 days of his exit. In the shortest business month of the year, with Canada in a deep recession, and without any systems training at his new position, the challenges were mammoth. Marco invested in his staff and set a record by smashing quota in a club that failed to hit in January, historically the busiest time of the year for gyms. Realizing his desire was to help people by means other than balancing spreadsheets and hitting budgetary targets, Marco made another change and decided to leave life behind a desk. Now, he is an author, speaker and elite weight loss coach.

As a manager, he is noted for being a man of resolute integrity—he always saw his employees as people first, then, as co-workers. He has been credited with saving people's careers and steering them to the path of their own natural destiny.

Marco recalls his private declaration on the steps of the gym he first entered. Looking back so many years later, it is safe to say that the mission is nearly accomplished.

Then again, it may just be beginning.

There is 1 product in this category

Starving to be Fat Book
Your price:$15.00

Go back to the first page of the story.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

2009-10-06T01:33:00.000-07:00

Q. Which diet program on the market is the best for weight loss?

A. NONE. You must learn about what you are eating by reading labels, doing a little research and eating sensibly. You must also take responsibility for your own health and not just believe what fad diet companies are telling you. Those types of companies are merely filling a void for people who are quick to believe anything they are told.

Q. What about diet drinks and sodas?

A. Sure, they boast zero calories. Then again, so does gasoline. Would you drink that? Of course not. It's not just about zero calories, it's about health. Have a look at the ingredients; can you pronounce all of them? If not, then the chances are that you also do not know what they are made of. A good motto to adopt might be, “if I can't read it, I won't eat it.”

Q. Can I do it myself? Do I really need a trainer?

A. Few people succeed on their own. When your body becomes ill, do you fix it yourself or do you get an expert? If you know nothing about cars, when your own car needs servicing, do you just “try to do it yourself” or do you get a professional? The same applies for weight loss. Yet, I don't understand why so many people will not invest in at least a few months of training from a pro. Some of these are the same people who spend thousands of dollars on vacations, brand name clothing and their vehicles, but they refuse to put some of that money where it really matters. The body is the most complex living “machine” in existence and yet, many people presume they can figure it out all alone, or just go the cheap DIY route. I would not even attempt that to fix the leaking pipe under my sink, let alone my body.

Q. Are carbs bad for me?

A. No, but not eating them is. The bottom line is this; no matter what faith you are, or whom you call your “God”, you should believe that same entity filled the earth with all good things and not one of them is something that your body should exclude. (Unless, of course, you have an allergy, or your doctor has given you medical reasons to abstain). Food was created perfectly and your body needs a little bit of everything that is natural.

Q. Is fat bad for me?

A. See above. (Carbs). There is healthy fat and fat you should steer clear of; namely trans-fats and any saturated or man made fats.

Q. How many calories should I eat?

A. Anyone that tries to answer this on a website is trying to sell you something. Without knowing how your body processes its' calories, whether there are thyroid or insulin issues, to name a few, it is not possible for me to give you that answer. You should have a diagnostic of your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) done by your doctor, along with your weight and body fat percentage statistics. Think of it this way, all of us have gone to a store and tried on a specific size pant or dress. Let's use a size 36 pant for the males for our example. Does that size 36 fit everyone who tries it on? No, it fits everyone differently. Just as a size 36 is a type of standard, so then is a “one size fits all” diet. Just as the pants may have to be tailored to the individual, so then must the diet. One size, does not fit all. You are unique and your approach to eating and nutrition should reflect that.

Q. What type of workout routine should I follow?

A. None. Routine is stagnant. What you need is a progressive exercise program that changes often. By way of example; when we are taught mathematics and learn that 2+2=4, we are then ready to move on to other equations. Why is this? So we can progress. If we continue to review that 2+2=4 everyday and keep doing the same homework assignments, are we going to move ahead in any way? Of course not. By doing the same exercises over and over again without changing things, your body will adapt the “2+2=4” mentality and that is all it will ever know. In other words you will hit a plateau and progress will come to a halt. Ideally, your exercise program should vary every 3-4 weeks as a bare minimum.

Q. Is doing cardio the fastest way to lose weight?

A. No... and yes. When you step on a scale, (let's say you weigh 250Lbs.) is that 250 Lbs. of fat or muscle? Well, it's both (of course, there is also water weight, skeletal and organ weight etc... to account for). In my book, there is a chapter that deals specifically with this very topic. For now, consider this: you have gone to a restaurant and ordered a steak. On the menu, you see a portion size offering of 6 ounces, but let's say it's 6 ounces of pure fat. Beside that, you see a portion serving offering of 8 ounces, but it is a far leaner cut of beef. Does the actual “weight” matter? No. It is what that weight is made of that matters. In my consultations and as a way of making an example, I routinely had people stand up beside me who had large stomachs. I would ask them what they currently weigh and in nearly every case I was able to say “I weigh more than you do right now”. Their mouths would hang open in disbelief. I would then tell them that muscle hangs differently than fat and true weight loss is not a numbers game with the scale. It is about content. I have the apperance of someone who weighs 195-210, but my frame is solid. It takes muscle to burn fat. By doing cardio only, you will more than likely burn more muscle than fat and you will lose weight, but your skin will begin to sag like a balloon that has had a brick tossed into it. For ladies, this means stretchmarks galore. Yes, you will lose “scale” weight, but you will just be a lighter, smaller and flabbier version of yourself.

Q. I am a female. If I lift weights, will I bulk up?

A. No. Not unless you are improperly trained, do the wrong exercises, and/or perform exercises incorrectly. Females do not generally have the testosterone levels required to build large, bulky muscles. When you are looking at some female bodybuilders that compete and have “male” qualities, it's not rocket science to realize that you are looking at something unnatural and genetically modified. Truth is that with weight training you will create lean muscle tissue. That is what tightens your body's composition and gives you a sexy and toned appearance.

Q. I eat 3 square “healthy” meals every day. That's good, right?

A. No, 3 meals equals 3 strikes in the quest for fat loss. First of all, be sure you are, in fact, eating “healthy” food. If you are making that declaration because the package advertising on the food assures you that is in fact the case, well, you should read my book right after you begin reading food labels. Your body needs nourishment every few hours. Ideally every 2 hours, something healthy should make its' way into your body and water should be a constant as well. By doing this, you will teach your body to expect food/energy and it will stop thinking it needs to store extra energy/fat in order to survive. Hey, that's why I titled the book “Starving to be Fat”!

Q. I am constantly on the go and don't have time to cook. What is the best drive-thru choice I can make?

A. In my world, drive-thru means drive-by, as in drive by shooting and complete sabotage of your fitness goals, or go ahead and drive right by it. Do not pass go, do not collect thousands of calories. As I managed a 50+ hour work week, solely raising a special needs teenager, and being in a committed relationship and while still losing weight, I made time to prepare food. You say you don't have time to cook? Tell that to Gordon Ramsay, one of the foremost chef's in the world. His book, “Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food” clearly shows that you can prepare nutritious and delicious foods in the same time it takes to order take out, or order in. I bought a grill, a steamer and some tupperware. I took control, and refused to let the drive-thru choices around me decide what I would eat, whether out of necessity, convenience or hunger. I can recommend that if you are in a pinch, the franchise Extreme Pita® offers some fresh food choices with nutrition information clearly displayed in their eateries.

Q. I want to lose weight from my stomach, the back of my arms, my thighs etc... What exercises can I do to specifically lose weight in those areas?

A. Can't be done. In the industry, that is known as “spot reduction”. That is no more possible than it is to put a slab of beef flat in a pan over even heat, and get it to only cook one area. Just like preparing a steak, you need to train your entire body via resistance and cardio. Once you begin to exercise properly, the body will follow a natural flow of weight loss. Generally, the first to show, is the last to go, namely; your gut or your butt. A lot of ladies have asked me about training the back of their arms to lose fat. Sorry, no can do. If that is the course you take then you WILL bulk that particular area up by adding muscle to fat. Chances are very good that if there is weight to lose in one particluar area, then there is fat to lose all over the body. Having said that, you can certainly “spot” train an area to develop its tone and appearance, but fat cannot be specifically lost in one area, it must be systemic.

Q. Marco, I can't afford to hire a trainer long term. What can I do?

A. I gave up cable TV and my car for a period of time in order to afford training. How serious are you about success? What are you willing to do without in order to hit your goals? I worked with a trainer for 6 months, twice per week (in addition to my own workouts) and then I tackled it on my own for years. Along the way, I touched base with various trainers and just asked for advice in order to keep progressing. I was not in the position to afford a long term trainer either, but I did what I could and I made sacrifices. I stopped working with my first trainer 8 years ago and just 5 months ago, I decided to hire another one. I think it stands to reason that if a top fitness consultant who is a certified trainer, still works with a trainer himself, then a beginner ought to get some assistance as well.

Q. Okay, let's say I hire you as my trainer. How long would it take for you to teach me what to do?

A. I will answer by asking you a question as well. What do you do for a living? Accountant, lawyer, child-care worker, sanitary engineer, car mechanic, airline pilot, work at a fast food restaurant? If I hired YOU to teach me your job, how long would it take you to teach me everything I need to know? It takes progressive teaching and training. Look at it this way; let's say you lose 10 lbs on a weight loss program from your starting weight, should you continue to eat and train like you did before you lost that 10 lbs? As your body progresses you must change your exercise and eating approach.

Q. My friend is fit. He/she looks great and is going to help me.

A. It's good to have friends! However, unless your friend knows exactly what will work for you, and is perhaps a trainer themselves, how are they going to know what to do in order to train you effectively? Don't get me wrong, some people work better with a buddy for motivation etc... but knowledge is not based on friendship, it is based on fact. In my experience, I have found this is especially true when a male (who is not a professional) decides to dispense workout advice to a female. Funny thing, in the gym, when it comes to a pretty girl who may not know what she is doing, all of a sudden, everyone is an expert and is quick to give advice. Even if the guy is good looking, do you want your shoulders and arms to look like his, ladies? As for you guys out there; you burn calories and synthesize protein different than your buddy does. Your body will not react the same way as his does. Consider genetics, nutrition, age, height, these are all dynamics that cannot be ignored or shoved into the “one size fits all” mentality. By way of analogy; suppose your child becomes ill and may require medication, perhaps even some physical therapy. Are you going to take the advice of a friend, or are you going to seek out professional help from an accredited and experienced source instead? It may cost you, but it's a worthwhile investment. I know what I would do!

All of the above questions are covered in far more detail in my book, “Starving to be Fat."