Boost your profile By Kellen Rodney

Social networks are powerful profile building opportunities, but managing your online reputation is vital. Thousands of people cleverly used social media to build powerful online profiles, and the tools to do so are available to everyone. So when you go online to building your profile or get more votes you need to consider the following:

1. Boost exposure
First identify the people you want to connect with, then find out which online networks they use. Facebook, Twitter, Mxit and LinkedIn all have slightly different audiences and, because you can’t do it all, you have to choose wisely.

2. Get connected
Due to the nature of these networking sites, people with similar interests will share relevant information across their networks, thus expanding your own network of fans. As these people are friends of friends of friends, their recommendations are always more credible.

3. Follow the basic guidelines
Achieving success online is not a science. While there are no steadfast rules, stick to the following guidelines:
-Share, share, share
The most valuable online currency is content. Share your knowledge and insights via engaging content , be it written, video, audio or pictures. Content is king and your pieces of content are the focal points around which your communities will gather.
-Be real
Conduct yourself as you would if you were face-to-face, which hopefully means you’ll be polite and avoid alienating people.
- Honesty is the best policy
If you are asked about a topic about which you do not have adequate knowledge, it is probably better to tell the user that you can’t help them and refer them to someone who can.
- Be present
Your fans and followers are going to interact and it will need to be two-way communication. The more you interact, answer questions, or simply respond and acknowledge the more committed and loyal your followers will be, and the quicker your community will grow. Interaction is at it’s highest when new content is shared, so  make sure you have the time to interact immediately afterwards.
- Integrate and cross pollinate
If you use more than one social network, try to integrate the audiences and cross pollinate. Post your videos on your YouTube channel, then share the link on Facebook and tweet about it. Just keep in mind that they are different audiences so not everything should be cross-posted.

Reach out to Kellen on Twitter @kellrodney

The argument against using weight machines in the gym has always been based on the facts that they limit your range of motion (ROM) and that the stronger side of your body always dominates the movement. But not anymore!

Get this workout in the May/June issue of Fitness Mag.

Modern-day living is hectic. It seems we are always on the go, be it at work, at home or as part of our busy social lives. This often leaves little time for exercise during the week, which means we can’t dedicate the time we need to training to achieve the body we want.

Munch your way to a sexier waistline!

Rev up your metabolism with these fat-burning dishes
Your metabolism is the rate at which your body generates and consumes energy, in the form of calories, to support life. As such, a high metabolism enables you to burn more fat and lose weight faster. Several factors affect your metabolism, such as the amount of muscle you have, the number, size and frequency of your meals, genetics, stress levels, your diet and daily activity level. With that said, it is plain to see how making healthy changes to your lifestyle can easily boost your metabolism.

Get these mouth watering recipes in the May / June issue of Fitness mag!

Get more info in our Happy mom article on how can reach a healthy balance, that makes you happy!

Effective core training that will develop a rock hard midsection, enhancing not only the way you look but also the way you perform!

In the middle of the winter season, showing off your midsection is probably not number one on your list of priorities. But remember, winter is short and sweet in sunny SA and those jerseys that hide your belly won’t be on you forever, so get ahead of your game.

Since the ‘core revolution’ of the late ‘90s the importance of core training has become common knowledge. Research on spinal health and performance has made it abundantly clear that it is crucial to strengthen the muscles that stabilise the lumbar spine and pelvis to give you more control over your daily movements, ability to effectively transfer energy, thus move more safely and efficiently. A strong core also distributes the stresses imposed on your musculo skeletal system during weight-bearing activities and protects your back. So a strong core is vital! However, the word ‘core’ is one of the most abused words in the fitness
industry today, with trainers and fitness enthusiasts quick to pull the ‘core card’ when justifying the use of specific exercises or particular training styles. While their intentions may be good, unfortunately there is a general misunderstanding of what the core really is and how to effectively target it through training.
This misunderstanding has led to the emergence of many weird and wonderful training techniques that often resemble something that one would expect to see at the circus. The truth is, for core training to be effective the focus of your training needs to be on the simpler, more effective strength movements that overload the core muscles in the way they were designed to function.

I just concluded by one day mega event, Legally Fit, where I coached a select group of empowered beautiful and very talented women to be their ultimate best! What an amazing event. Following this empowering dose of positivity I am ready to take on the rest of 2012. Success will definitely follow!

We also launched the new, long awaited JVL range of vests with slogans like “skinny girls look good in clothes, fit girls look good naked”! I love these slogans as they always give me that extra motivation during my workouts! They’re selling out like crazy so get yours soon and be sure to let me know which slogans motivate you for our next order!

There is such a big misconception amongst ladies surrounding the male hormone, testosterone. However, it may surprise you to know that men don’t have a monopoly when it comes to ‘test’. The ovaries produce both oestrogen and testosterone. Small amounts of ‘test’ get released into the bloodstream via the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Psychiatrist Dr. Susan Rako believes testosterone therapy is a major breakthrough for middle-aged women. She points out that a testosterone deficiency may be to blame for a loss of sex drive in an otherwise happy relationship, which often creates a great deal of unnecessary anguish. These days, menopausal women are turning to ‘test’ to renew their sex drive, as oestrogen alone cannot achieve it.

Some of the general effects of low ‘test’ in women are:
1. Low sex drive;
2. Loss of muscle mass
3. Decreases in energy.

While testosterone therapy is only available by prescription and the strict supervision of a physician there are natural testosterone-boosting products that you can use to achieve great results. The products Testo-19, Anatropin and Pink Magic spring to mind and I myself am a big believer in natural testosterone boosters, especially as you cannot exceed the daily intake on these products.

If your aim is to tighten that tush or up that muscle tone in a natural way then these products can definitely help you achieve that. Head on over to JVL where we will be happy to assist.
That’s it from me this week. Remember that strength comes from conquering the things you once thought you couldn’t.

Yours in health.

Angel
www.jvl.co.za

Gone are the days where woman are forced to gracefully parade around in “voortrekker” skirts and stay at home to submissively bake bread. Yes ladies, we are now emancipated as powerful individuals who, if we choose to, bake low GI bread, thank you very much!

The price you pay for success should be just that! Hard work, sweat and more hard work! “This is not a scam, we assist numerous models, I can get you there!” Sounds familiar? No thank you, I can work myself up until I get there and you eventually will ladies!

These promises come in many forms: “I can get you on a cover of a magazine if you work with me… I can get you that first place… I can get you that promotion”. This is how I see it; if you want to offer me something that is just too good to be true then speak to my husband. If the same offer is still on the table after that then it’s starting to sound like we can do business. It is definitely a warning sign if you get approached by a man but, when directed to your agent or husband the offer slowly deteriorates, fades away or you just never again hear of him again.

I would urge all ladies to tread carefully when seeking advice or assistance, especially on the Internet. Identity theft is no myth and your hot, sexy fitness photo might just end up somewhere “X” rated! Or you might just jump on the first plane to the US only to find out that the big break you were waiting for was just some “sleaze-ball” who wants to “meet” you! You may be laughing now but it happens! Then again, if that’s your sort of thing that’s fine, but I have tried to stay clear of this stigma.

The truth is no photographer can get you a magazine cover! Embrace that truth, forget about it and move on. You have to work for it and until you see yourself on the cover. All guarantees to the contrary should be seen as a waste of time and an empty promise. A credible magazine or photographer (in terms of credible fitness publications) will never ask you to fly halfway around the world, at your own expense, just for them to meet you. They will never ask you to parade around half naked for them to decide whether they would like to do a test shoot. I doubt that this look appeals to healthy, fit woman in general. And this doesn’t just apply to the fitness industry either. In any commercial field you have to start at the bottom and this is such a vulnerable place for all of us intelligent woman. Always stay true to your values and just be yourself.

My top warning tips in the fitness industry:
Anyone making you a promise of fame should be treated with suspicion. Guilty until proven innocent is applicable in this case.
Always have someone acting as your barrier when you suspect any funny business.
No one can promise you a magazine cover, a TV insert or any win – this can only be accomplished by hard work, so get going!
Stop being so susceptive towards ridiculous promises, small talk and people trying to connect with you purely to gain something you are not willing to give in return.
Act like the strong woman you are, and you will be treated as such!

Food for thought: Be careful what you think, as your thoughts become your actions.
Be careful how you act, as your actions become your character.
Be careful of what character you portray, as this will become your destiny!

On a different note, I hope to see you all at the great Legally Fit Power session on 14 April 2012!

Bookings are essential: info@jvl.co.za

14 April 2012 Cnr Nedcare & Garsfontein rd, Moreletapark, Pretoria, Parkview Mall

Event will be held on the upper deck by Col’caccios.

R290 pp
(Book a friend and get a discount!)
(Non-refundable deposit of R90 required to secure your booking. Payable at JVL Pretoria, Cnr Nedcare and Garsfontein Rd, Moreletapark, Pretoria)
Small breakfast and goody bag included!

Order of events:
Registration 08:00

SEGMENT #1: 08:30- 09:15 Legal Motivation
SEGMENT #2: Pre-workout drinks
09:30 – 10:30 Fitness session
10:30 – 10:45 Breakfast and health shakes by JVL
SEGMENT #3: 10:45 – 11:30 Let’s talk Fitness…with the best in the world
(health snacks served throughout seminar)

See you all there!
Angel.

The Institute is encouraging all South African sportsmen and women, coaches and fans to take the ‘I Play Fair – Say NO! To Doping’ pledge by visiting www.drugfreesport.org.za the mobi-site: m.drugfreesport.org.za, on the Facebook Page (iplayfairZA) or via Twitter (@iplayfairZA)

DOES YOUR WEIGHT WEIGH YOU DOWN?

With 2012 well on the way, have you made time for YOUR health and fitness goals? Are you struggling to lose that extra weight? Or perhaps a flight of stairs leaves you breathlessly promising yourself you’ll do more exercise…but next week? At the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA), we know that the changes towards a healthier and better lifestyle are daunting to make on your own, which is why the HEALTHY WEIGHT PROGRAMME has been professionally designed to get everyone on the path towards a healthier and more active lifestyle, regardless of starting fitness levels.

You are advised and cared for, by a team of multi-disciplinary specialists including biokineticists, exercise scientists, dietitians and psychologists. They provide support and leadership in a safe and monitored environment, which makes change – so much easier.
The comprehensive 8 week course includes various workshops – with input from the team of specialists, a dietary consultation and personalised eating plan and three weekly, one-hour exercise sessions under the supervision of biokineticists. The specialised exercise routines take place in a group environment and the resultant camaraderie and commitment add to the success of the participants and programme.

On joining, you receive a goody bag packed with useful tools to facilitate your lifestyle change, as well as a New Balance, SSISA-branded technical training top. You can look forward to an exciting array of themed classes, motivational and educational weekly newsletters, bring-a-friend sessions and a final fun presentation and prize-giving to reward your achievements.
Don’t delay this opportunity to transform your life, your shape and your health. Space is limited on these popular programmes, so contact the SSISA today to avoid disappointment.

The next 8 week Healthy Weight programme commences with basic assessments from 10 April and actual classes starting 16 April 2012.

Space is limited on these programmes so contact the SSISA today to avoid disappointment.
For more information call (021) 659 5600; email fit@ssisa.com or visit www.ssisa.com