NIC DECAIRE, SPECIAL TO THE NEWS JOURNAL

Last week, I had a conversation with a good friend. He said, “Nic, I hate to exercise. I mean, really, I hate it. There is nothing about it I enjoy, but I know I need to do it. Can you help me?”

I get it, I told him. We have all been there. Some of us more than others.

Some people truly enjoy exercise and feel they can’t live without it. Others grew up with fitness, so it’s a part of their life.

For the rest of us, it’s a focus on our health that keeps us moving. We know exercise is good for us, our doctor told us to do it or we are trying to fight the aging process.

But what happens if you don’t enjoy it and the pros don’t outweigh the cons for you?

This conversation with my friend made me think about how I could convince him and others to exercise when they don’t really want to.

I thought back to when I was a kid. Weekend mornings were filled with soccer games. Afternoons were spent running around with neighborhood kids riding bikes and playing hide and seek. It was exercise, but it was fun. I was not doing it to get in shape or become healthier; I was doing it because I enjoyed it.

So what changed since we were children? Most of us started exercising alone.

As children and teenagers, we exercise in groups. We play sports and spend our recesses together. Even our gym classes are group exercise.

There is a sense of team when we are in a group. Others depend on us. We feel competitive. We are social.

It all changes as we get older. We go for a walk at lunch alone. After work, we put on our headphones and go for a run at the park alone. At the gym, we lift weights alone and get on the elliptical alone.

This is where we are going wrong for the majority of people who don’t enjoy exercise.

Think of friends and family who love being active. Do they play dodgeball for Delaware Sports League? Are they going to Zumba with co-workers? Did they run a Spartan Race with four of their crazy friends?

The difference? They’re part of a community.

It was hard for me to realize this since I grew up competing in sports that focus on the individual rather than the team. Powerlifting and bodybuilding are all about one person. You. There is no team.

It is you versus yourself.

After my short-lived career, I began to hate exercise. It became a chore. While I was still in the industry, I took many years off from exercise. (I probably shouldn’t admit this being a fitness expert.)

It was not until we introduced Team Training at Fusion that I began to enjoy fitness again. Team Training is what we call our group fitness class at Fusion. We use tools like Kettlebells, TRX and our own bodies to get stronger, leaner, healthier and faster.

We have different fitness goals in the class, but we all are there for the same mission – to become a better version of ourselves. Being with others makes this a little easier.

I love seeing the pain on everyone else’s faces – and not just mine – during sled pushes and burpees. The high fives after a hard workout make the effort worth it. Comments like, “See you on Wednesday,” make me feel committed to my fitness journey again because I don’t want to let my “teammates” down.

It doesn’t feel like a chore when others are going through the same struggles as you.

It almost feels like being a kid again.

Whether you enjoy throwing balls, dancing to J.Lo or jumping through fire with your friends, I think the answer we all are looking for to really enjoy fitness is friends who feel the same way we do.

Stop thinking of fitness as an individual activity – you don’t need to do it alone.

Nic DeCaire, owner of Fusion Fitness Center in Newark, has been training clients for more than a decade.

Source: http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/health/2015/04/13/take-cue-childhood-work-friends-fun/25723153/

By Karie Simmons

Mayor Polly Sierer presented six members of the community with Jefferson Awards during a ceremony last week at Home Grown Café.

Nic DeCaire, owner of Fusion Fitness, was recognized for his philanthropy and for founding the Main Street Mile, which has raised more than $80,000 for the Newark Police Department’s K-9 officers since 2007.

Resident Robin Broomall was awarded for her involvement with the Newark Morning Rotary Club and Downes Elementary School Homework Club. She also serves on the board of the Delaware Academy of Science and volunteers for its Iron Hill Museum, Archeology Festival and Scout Merit Badge program.

James P. Flynn, described as a “pillar of public service,” received a Jefferson Award for his work at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, School of Public Policy and Administration and Human Resources office for 35 years. Flynn has also made a difference in the community through various projects such as Blue Collar Task Force and Delaware Youth Opportunities Initiative.

As an employee and volunteer with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for 38 years, Donna Draper assisted with Community Day, Liberty Day, the Halloween Parade, the Memorial Day Parade and Safety Town. She was honored with a Jefferson Award for her work and also for volunteering more than 25 hours a week with White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, UD’s Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Friends of the Bear Library.

James Allen Lawrence was recognized for his work as an employee in the city’s electric department. He retired in March, but during his more than 43 years with the city, Lawrence was a part of and directly managed the development of the modern electrical grid that Newark operates on today.

Lastly, Maddie Milligan, a senior at Newark High School and co-president of the Newark High School Students in Action team, was given a Jefferson Award for collecting sleeping bags and funds for the homeless. Last summer, Milligan went on a trip to Peru, where she volunteered at a local orphanage while also holding a Vacation Bible School for the local children.

Sierer said she was proud of the six award winners and what they represent.

“They don’t do it to get awards; they do it because they care about their community,” she said. “But in that same breath, they deserve to be recognized and it spreads the word about all the good things people are doing in the city.”

The April 30 ceremony was the first time the Jefferson Awards were presented in a separate ceremony. Typically, nominees are recognized in council chambers prior to a regular meeting, but Sierer said she wanted to mix things up.

“I thought it should be a celebration,” she said.

During the ceremony, Sierer also recognized several students from Glasgow High School, the Homeschool Group, The Independence School, Keene Elementary School, Networks School for the Entrepreneurial Sciences, St. Mark’s High School and University of Delaware for their service in the community through the LEAD360 Challenge.

This year in Delaware, there was a total of 41 service projects submitted statewide. The city of Newark’s nine projects engaged roughly 2,000 volunteers, contributed 625 hours of service and impacted 3,500 lives. This had a financial impact of $14,094 to the city and surrounding areas.

Source: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/article_5f64a398-7914-563b-bcae-fae8386fffa7.html

By Nic DeCaire

As Jordan Spieth sunk his last putt to win the 2015 Masters, I couldn’t help but feel emotional. All those hours practicing and playing on the course had paid off.

He is the second-youngest person to win the Masters and is now tied with Tiger Woods for shooting 18 under. That is a pretty remarkable victory, if you ask me.

So what does winning the Masters have to do with health and fitness?

Because Spieth’s win would never have happened without small victories along the way. And those little wins are important to remember.

When most people set fitness goals, they start at the top ¬– they want to win the Masters, so to speak. But their goal is so unrealistic, they usually quit.

Spieth didn’t just wake up last week and decide to play in the Masters. He started like all the other greats ¬¬– he set a goal and practiced. He learned how to be better. He practiced some more.

Recently, I conducted my own experiment because my personal fitness had been slacking. See, I am one of those people who wake up in the morning and decide I am going to play in the Masters. I set unrealistic goals for myself, instead of focusing on small victories.

Like everyone else, I usually quit before those goals are achieved.

This time, I decided I was only going to focus on three small daily fitness goals for 21 days. No eating after 7 p.m. Move for at least 20 minutes per day. Walk a minimum of 8,000 steps.

I put these goals on my Google calendar for the next 21 days. Then, I printed out two copies. One I left on my desk at work. The other I put on my refrigerator at home.

If I completed my goal, I got to cross off the day.

I found that I became excited to wake up every morning and cross off my calendar. Last week, I even walked around my house for 15 minutes before I went to bed to make sure I achieved my daily steps. This is something I never would have done for myself if my goal was to lose 30 pounds in the next 60 days.

Having these small goals did not make fitness seem like a chore for me. It was achievable, but still challenging. Every morning felt like a small victory.

This exercise reminded me that if you want to be successful, you have to start looking at smaller victories.

These are the ones that truly count.

As Spieth reflects back on this amazing achievement in his life, I am sure he also will think about those smaller victories as well – from the tournaments he won as an amateur to other victories as a pro. But without those small wins, he would have never been able to earn that green jacket.

Always look at the big picture, but remember to focus on the small ones.

Nic DeCaire is the owner of Fusion Fitness Center on Main Street. He writes a monthly column for the Newark Post.

Source: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/features/article_90cf3486-b0d1-55ef-8691-fb197a179198.html

By Nic DeCaire
Guest Columnist

More injuries will occur on the course these next couple of months than the rest of the season. The weather is starting to get nice. You have the itch. But you have not swung a club in the past five or six months.

I’m not telling you this to scare you. I want to show you how these injuries can be avoided with a few simple steps.

Step 1: Never tee up without a proper warm up.
Would you run a 5k, pitch a baseball or play tennis without warming up? Then why is it OK to play a round of golf without the proper warm up?

Think about how many major muscles are involved in the golf swing. Shoulders, abdominals, lower back and legs, just to name a few. That’s a lot of places that could get injured if you don’t warm them up properly.

To reduce your risk of injury, arrive at the course about 45 minutes before you are scheduled to play and go to the driving range. Hit a bucket of balls, practice chipping and putting and make sure to stretch your shoulders, back and leg muscles.

Step 2: Bend at the knees.
How many times do you bend over to tee up and pick up balls during a round of 18 holes? If I had to guess, I would say around 150 times minimum. If you play like I do, it might even be around 300.

That’s a lot of strain on the lower back, especially if you’re not bending at the knees. A lower back injury can be pretty painful and take you off the course for the season.

If you need a funny reminder to make sure you’re protecting your back, think of the Snoop Dogg song, “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” every time you need to pick up your ball. It sounds silly, but it will save your back.

Also, include some lower back exercises — like bird dogs and cobras – during your regular workout routine.

Step 3: Stay hydrated.
If you are like me when you play, you like to have a few drinks. It takes the edge off, and you can relax and not think about your awful backswing.

The problem arises when you’ve had one too many.

Now you think you are Happy Gilmore trying to hit your drive 450 yards. You swing a little harder and forget everything the pro taught you in those lessons.

The result: you wind up hurting your shoulder, back or knees – from falling to the ground when you missed the ball. (Yes, I have done this.)

This is not the way to end your golf season. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water on the course if you indulge in a few adult beverages. Not only is it great for hydration on a hot day, but it might save you from making a fool of yourself in front of potential customers.

Next time you plan to tee it up just remember these three important rules: warm up, bend at the knees and drink water. They may not make you play like Rory

Mcllroy, but at least you will be able to play another round next weekend.

Fore! ♦

Nic DeCaire is a 2014 DBT40 honoree and the owner of Fusion Fitness in Newark.

Source: http://www.delawarebusinesstimes.com/warning-take-care-to-avoid-golf-injuries/

By Nic DeCaire
Guest Columnist

When most people hear the name Buffett as it relates to the business world, they think of Warren Buffett.

While the billionaire Oracle of Omaha certainly deserves his due, the five lessons I’m sharing come from the other Buffett.
Jimmy Buffett.

Yes, the flip-flop wearing, island-loving, not-a-care-in-the-world “Margaritaville” singer. Over the years, I’ve spent some time studying Jimmy Buffett and what makes him tick. I’ve read his books and listened to interviews. I even remember a few of his concerts.

He fascinates me – not as a musician, but an entrepreneur. Here are a few takeaways I have learned from following this Buffett over the years:

Parrothead Tip #1: Make your brand something others want to share.

Jimmy has created a brand for himself like no other. Parrotheads love him and want others to love him, too. He has mastered the art of having people buy his products, then getting their friends to buy his products and then having their children buy his products.

Imagine if every customer of yours referred a friend. Then, years later, when their kids were old enough, they became customers. Your empire would just keep growing.

Parrothead Tip #2: Create memorable experiences for your customers.

If you’ve been to one of Jimmy’s show, you won’t forget it (hopefully). Each is unique and fun, and people wind up having great stories to share with friends.

I remember being in the seventh row with my best friends on my birthday. The skies opened up and it began to pour. Jimmy didn’t stop playing, and the parrotheads didn’t run for cover. Instead, they danced.

Something that should have ruined the event – the rain – wound up becoming part of an amazing experience for me. It was because Jimmy turned something he could not control into a positive experience.

When you can do that for your business no matter what happens, your customers will stay.

Parrothead Tip #3: Be multi-dimensional.

Concerts, CDs, t-shirts, tequila, restaurants, beer, books – Jimmy is making money from all angles. He has branded himself so well that I even stopped drinking

Corona and switched to Landshark, the beer marketed under the Margaritaville Brewing label.

Having different revenue streams can be the difference between closing and keeping the doors open when times get tough. For Fusion Fitness, when memberships sales are down, we need to make sure our personal training business is up, and vice versa.

This allows us to continue to grow even when certain aspects of the business might be slow.

Parrothead Tip #4: Change lives and you will have a raving fan.

Jimmy Buffett has some of the best fans in the world. And they represent a diverse population. You never know if the person next to you is a doctor, lawyer, teacher or school bus driver. Everyone is there for the same reason – to have a great time and forget about their worries for a while.

Jimmy changes their lives even if it’s only for a couple of hours. He makes people feel good. No matter what business you’re in, you have the ability to make a positive impact on your customers’ lives.

Parrothead Tip #5: If you create an experience, you also can create the price tag.

Anyone who has seen Jimmy perform will tell you it’s an unforgettable experience. I remember being in 101-degree weather in the field at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, N.J., with 20,000 other people all sweaty and screaming. I could barely see Jimmy on the jumbo television, and yet, I was having the time of my life.

Did I mention I paid $85 for the ticket? And that didn’t include parking, gas, tolls or booze. And I would do it all over again. The experience was worth the price tag.

It is important to look outside your industry when you are looking for inspiration.

Next time you are out and you hear the lyrics, “looking for my lost shaker of salt,” take a look around and see the smiles on people’s faces.

That is the look you want when people think of your business.

Stay healthy. ♦

Nic DeCaire is a 2014 DBT40 honoree and the owner of Fusion Fitness in Newark.

Source: http://www.delawarebusinesstimes.com/business-lessons-i-learned-from-j-buffett/