It seems like the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. There is shopping to do, tons of cooking and planning for family gatherings. It is also a time of high stress. One year is nearing its end and another is just about to start. Everyone is in a rush to get here or there and get something done. All of this holiday hurry usually nets us each a big dose of stress. I know what you are thinking, we have stress every day, but around this particular time of the year, stress seems to be a mainstay of each day.

Before you go thinking that stress is a bad thing, let me assure you that not all stress is bad. In fact, stress is what leads many people to higher levels of productivity. You know, you are on the job and a co- worker of yours fails to get something done. At first, you get mad, and then you get busy. The stress of letting some aspect of your daily job fail leads you to become more productive and get the job done.

There are other times that stress can be beneficial too. For instance, if you were out on a walk one evening with a friend and a carload of suspicious car drives by, the sheer stress you feel from worrying about the car can make you become more aware and ready to react if necessary. These kinds of stress can be helpful even though they are not always comfortable.

The kind of stress that we are all too familiar with is the kind where deadlines, family duties, jobs and many other things just seem to overload our ability to deal with them. It seems that at times, we have too many things to do, too many expectations put on us and ultimately, we feel highly stressed. Without a release for this kind of stress, we can end up feeling physical manifestations of it. Perhaps it is an upset stomach or maybe a rapid heart rate, but regardless of how it manifests itself, the stress is not something we enjoy at all.

I have found that one of the best answers to a stressful life is exercise. I discovered this after having one of the most stressful jobs most people can imagine. As I worked as a police officer, lot’s of stress used to pile up on me. I usually managed my stress by simply listening to music or tearing up the streets on my motorcycle. There were other times though that the music or the bike was not enough to really help reduce the stress.

One night when I was really feeling the stress, I went to my fitness studio just to get away for a while. Once there, I began pushing a few weights and ultimately ended up going multiple rounds on the punching bag. In the end, I had released so much pent up stress that this routine has now become a ritual for me. In fact, I have found that hitting the bag or just lifting weights can really make a huge difference in my stress level. One thing I know for sure is that just sitting around and doing nothing has never helped me reduce my stress.

Perhaps you are feeling lots of stress yourself, either from the holidays or maybe just life in general. My recommendation would be to find a form of exercise that interests you and start doing it on a regular basis. Besides the obvious health benefits and potential to help you control your weight, regular exercise can help you reduce stress to a very manageable level. I am not saying that it will take your stress away, but it can certainly help you get a better grasp on it.

Some exercise possibilities include stationary biking, weight training, boxing and even less aggressive forms of exercise like yoga and simple walking. Find something that suits you and your current fitness level and keep in mind that you can change to something new at anytime. I believe that you too will discover that there are many, many benefits to regular exercise, including stress reduction. There is a new cycle of Ultimate Body starting the week of December 4th. Are you ready?

Some members of UB have asked to know more about their trainers and specifically, Ron. So, here is our first installment of a multi-part series of interview questions as asked by Ethan Ryder. Beware, some content here may be adult in nature.

You are well know for being the "fitness guy" at Ultimate Body, but what else have you done, you know, career wise? Really? Man, where do I start? I have done lot's of things from fast food to working as a package clerk for Tom Thumb. But, there's more than that, right? Yes, lots. I guess that you want the real stuff, right? Yes, if you will indulge us. Ok then, here's the list off the top of my head. I've been a mechanic, a landscaper, a window tinter, a police officer, a real estate agent, a photographer and of course a fitness trainer. Quite a list. But, from what I understand, you've also been a writer of sorts? Where are you getting your information from? (laughs) That's kind of true. There may be a few things out there. Books? Music? What? Yes. That's all you're going to say isn't it? Yes. It's out there but I doubt anyone will really want to find it. It's nothing special.

So which job is the one you feel like you were born to do? It would be equally split between police work and fitness. What do you like most about police work? I mean, for you, what is the appeal? I think it's kind of the same for both jobs. For me it all has to do with helping people. In police work, maybe it's helping people by protecting them from criminals. In fitness, it's about helping people rebuild themselves from the outside in.

Let's do this, let's play a turbo round of questions. ok, fire away. Favorite number. 21. Favorite color. Blue. Favorite meal. Chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. In love or not? Definately. Political leaning. Moderate Conservative. Driving what now? Corvette. Like guns? Yes. How many do you own? Too many.

Ok, let's slow it down again. What is must see TV for Ron Lyons? Not too much actually. I like "What About Brian" and "Extreme Home Makeovers" but that's about it right now. Not what I would expect, but hey, it is Ron Lyons I'm talking to. I know. I'll probably catch crap on that answer too. Oh well, huh? What about your future plans? Man, there are tons. The studios are doing well. There are plans for a third studio and maybe some media releases coming up. Perhaps a fitness book or a DVD with our Ultimate Body concepts.

Let's finish with getting some really good, personal questions answered. Are you willing? I really try not to back down from a dare, so yes. What's your biggest weakness? I'm pretty tough on myself. I hold myself to pretty high standards, maybe too high. Some people say you are hard to understand. Can you explain that? All I can say is I am me and me is complicated at best. I am motivated and have a hard time relating to people who settle for less than the best for themselves, in life, in their jobs, in their love life and even fitness. Maybe I am hard to understand. Am I? (smirks again) Not really. Pretty straight forward I would say. Tell me this, everyone has a secret life. What's yours? I am a big believer in giving. My secret life has alot to do with giving. Most people don't know that so I guess that's my secret life. Care to give me anything? How about a swift kick in the back side? I give those out all the time. Maybe now is a good time to call this a completed interview. Thanks! I agree.

“It isn’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to!” -Tyler Perry. I started my article with this quote for two reasons: to encourage and nullify. I hope to encourage you because our world seems to be enthralled by what others think or say about us. Then the next reason: to nullify you as the reader from participating in this cycle of human degradation.

People are going to talk about you until the day you die. Why do you want to break your back trying to achieve the acceptance of everyone else? People will come and go in your lifetime. They are sent to teach you life lessons, not to distort the true you. They may call you fat and lazy, don’t listen. They may call you lots of things -don’t answer them. On the flip side of this way of thinking, watch what you say to others. Do not belittle others because you see something in them you personally do not like. Everyone is different. Other people differences are what make them unique. Learn to appreciate others; their individuality also makes you unique too.

Nobody is built like you, you design yourself! Just keep doing “your thing.” Only two opinions should matter to you: your own and that of the God above.

If you’ve ever spent any time at the gym or read many fitness articles you’ve probably heard the term “intensity level”. One of the definitions of intensity is “the activity of great energy, strength, thought, or concentration”. Where would you place yourself on a scale of 1-10 on intensity? If you are already a UB “transformer” you’ve heard a great deal about intensity levels; on the bike, ab workouts and high points. Have you stopped lately to consider exactly what your intensity levels really feel like? Here are some points to ponder to see if your workout intensities could use some improvement.

If your workout is measured in how many “laps” you’ve taken from the couch to the pantry, you need to increase your intensity. If your make-up looks the same after your workout as it did when you entered the gym, you need to increase your intensity. If you are able to chat with your workout partner and catch up on all the latest story lines on “Grey’s Anatomy” during a single workout, you need to increase your intensity. If the last time you broke a sweat was getting the Christmas decorations down from the attic, you should increase your intensity or buy some smaller decorations.

For the UB Transformers, If your level 10 on the bike looks like a coast downhill while shouting “Look Ron, no hands!” you really need to increase your intensity. If your #1 rep looks and feels the same as your 12th rep on your high point, you had better increase your intensity.

Seriously, however, intensity plays a big part of how fast you can see results in any exercise program. If you give 100%, making sure each set or intensity level is where it needs to be you will see your transformation begin to happen. Can you get results giving 90% or even 50% effort? Sure, but why not be the best you can be and see those changes happen faster?

For some, your 100% today might be making the decision to start an exercise program. For others it might mean not making up another excuse to skip the gym. For others it could mean really pushing yourself to make each minute on the bike, each level on your weights, each crunch of your abs the very best it can be. If you’ve ever been in a class at UB I’m sure you’ve heard any one of the trainers say, ”You get out what you put into it”. This is not only true at UB, but in any area of your life. Is your intensity level 100%? It can be if you make it! Come join us for 20 weeks and see what we can do for you. 20 weeks will pass by so fast, but at the end, you will be fit and healthy!