Veteran’s Day Tribute

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As many of you know I am passionate about supporting our soldiers.  What you may not know is how much I disagree with the reasons we send them into harms way, but that's a discussion for another day and in a different arena. These men and women deserve to be recognized and supported, regardless of mine, or any others, opinion about the political reasons for war, because they voluntarily step up … [Read more...]

Getting High On Endorphins

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If you’ve ever done any kind of recreational or competitive running you’ve heard of the term “Runner’s High.”  This “high” is thought to be a mystical experience where pain ceases to exist and you have developed a supernatural second wind to continue on at normal or an even more intense pace. The good news is that it really DOES exist and you don’t have to RUN to experience … [Read more...]

Motivation

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You’ve joined a gym and you’re all set to drop that 20 pounds you’ve promised yourself you’d lose for years. Your motivation is high and you know you can do it! That is fantastic news, but it’s time to temper your enthusiasm with a bit of reality. The fact is your motivation is very high right now and that’s a good thing. Your motivation, however, isn’t going to last forever. When … [Read more...]

Contest Prep Nutrition

Laura Thompson Tri-Fit May 2011

For this blog I want to share with you all what I ate to prepare for the Tri-Fitness challenge. This competition requires you to be in peak condition physically and aesthetically. I wanted to lose body fat while maintaining or increasing lean muscle tissue. Sound like a familiar goal? As far as working out, I increased from 4 to 5 days a week of training. The results I achieved were 80-90% about … [Read more...]

Raising The Barr Fitness Superheroes

The Team at Raising The Barr Fitness

One thing is for certain here at Raising The Barr Fitness... We like having FUN!  We encourage YOU to have fun.  We think that health and fitness should be a fun thing to acquire, and that exercising is NOT a chore. If you agree, click here!  Happy Halloween everybody! The Team at Raising The Barr Fitness … [Read more...]

“Your Team Knows What They Are Doing”

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  I'm going to be really gooby for a second, so just bare with me... I really can't thank y'all enough for all y'all did for me, while I was doing bootcamp. I have never had a training experience like I did with your team. I knew it before, but realize it even more after being away and trying new programs. It's just not the same. I've tried bootcamps here and they are either not challenging … [Read more...]

Hi There!

Hey, I'm Doug.......the new guy! So being the new guy and this being my first blog I thought I would introduce myself and touch on the significance of change. My bio will be posted on RTB's website soon so I won't bore you with too many details. I grew up in Brandon so I guess you could say I've really just returned home. What my bio I won't tell you is that I've moved here from Los Angeles … [Read more...]

Which Diet Plan Is Best?

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You stand on the scale and just can’t deny the fact any longer: It’s time to lose weight and get into shape. The problem is finding the best diet plan to help you reach your goals. With so many options on the table, selecting just the right diet plan can be very difficult. The simple truth is there is no diet plan that is the best. Go on a strict diet plan to drop weight fast and you will … [Read more...]

Chicken Kabobs

Chicken Kabobs

Chicken Kabobs Ingredients: * 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces * 2 medium zucchini trimmed and sliced into bite-size pieces * 1 medium bell pepper de-seeded and cut into bite-size pieces * 1 red onion cut into 8 wedges * 2 tbsp. lemon juice * 1 tbsp. olive oil * 1 tsp. Dijon-style mustard * 1 clove garlic, crushed * 2 tsp. fresh thyme (can use … [Read more...]

Tropical Pineapple Smoothie

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Tropical Pineapple Smoothie Ingredients: *1 cup fresh pineapple *1 medium banana *1 cup fresh spinach *1 cup soy milk (you can also use coconut milk if you really want a tropical effect) *3/4 inch slice of tofu (1/4 block) Directions: Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy! … [Read more...]

Crock Pot Pineapple Chicken

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Crock Pot Pineapple Chicken     Ingredients: *2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless *1 (12 oz.) jar of clean salsa *4 small raw zucchini, halved, quartered, then sliced (shredding works too) *1/4 medium, fresh pineapple Directions: 1.Turn on a crock pot to the low setting and put in the chicken and salsa. 2.Cook for about 4-6 hours. Crock pots vary, so base … [Read more...]

Changing Your Mind Can Change Your Life

Think Positive

If you’re ready to get into shape and really change your life, the first place to start is within your own mind. Leading a healthy, active lifestyle often calls for taking a mind-over-matter approach. Working out, eating right and making good choices calls for positive thinking to reinforce the actions you know you need to take. When you explore your own thought processes and your “mind … [Read more...]

Beverages – The Downfall Of Weight Loss And How To Avoid It

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You eat right and exercise regularly, but your weight loss isn’t on track. If you’re stumped as to why, you may want to take a look at the drinks you consume on a regular basis. Even seemingly “healthy” drinks can pack in a lot of calories that might be causing your weight loss plans to stall. Beverages really are the overlooked calorie giants in today’s fast-paced society. We down … [Read more...]

World Fitness Elite

World Fitness Elite

Raising The Barr Fitness owner, Clint Barr, has been named one of 2011's World Fitness Elite Trainers of the Year.  The announcement was featured in the September 7th issue of USA Today, and in The Independent, a UK based world newspaper, on September 17, 2011. When asked about this accomplishment Barr responded, "I'm truly honored and blessed to be recognized as part of this elite group of … [Read more...]

Can You Learn To Love Exercise?

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You know you need to exercise, but you just can’t stand the idea of getting into a boring, grueling routine. If you’re really ready to get into shape, you can make it happen by taking a different approach to working out. The simple truth is you don’t need to slave away on a treadmill to enjoy results. Exercise is often what you make it. Be creative and you can even learn to love it! So, … [Read more...]

“They sincerely want to see and help you to not only meet, but exceed your goals”

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Admitting and accepting that I was not treating myself well was one of the most humbling moments of my life.  I am a perfectionist who gives every facet of my life 150%, yet I invested very little time and effort into nurturing my body.  I wasn’t sleeping well, my eating habits were poor, my weight was ballooning and my stress level was through the roof.  I knew that I needed to approach my … [Read more...]

Start Living or Just Die

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Unless you live under a rock, Bruce Lee needs no introduction.  Some say he was one of the most genetically gifted people of our time, but the wise ones recognize it was a combination of genetics and a work ethic that would put ALL OF US to shame. Bruce Lee lived and breathed his passions and sought them without restraint.  There is a book, The Art of Expressing the Human Body, that has a … [Read more...]

MISSISSIPPI BASED PERSONAL TRAINER CLINT BARR USES EXPERIENCE AS A FORMER PROFESSIONAL YANKEE CATCHER AND HIS LIFELONG PASSION FOR LIFESTYLE HEALTH TO CHANGE LIVES

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By Vanessa Van Petten   Clint Barr’s successful personal training business, Raising the Barr Fitness, has set a new standard for the health industry as Barr Trainers teach clients how to take ownership of their bodies, minds and spirits. Over the course of five years, former professional Yankee catcher Clint Barr has grown his business into an explosively successful company. Barr … [Read more...]

The New Studio

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Food For Fuel

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Fitness professionals are constantly asked “what should I eat?” I love this question because it means the individual realizes that health & fitness is LARGELY based off what one puts in their body. Fueling your body for a workout & for life in general is a full-time process. Our biggest source of energy comes directly from the foods we eat. Food = Energy. The best way to … [Read more...]

Community Support Can Boost Your Weight Loss

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It’s no secret that working out to get into shape can have its ups and down. The dedication, commitment and time involved can make it tough for anyone to make sound decisions and take the right actions to get the desired results. This is where finding and relying on a community support system can very much come in handy. When you don’t work out alone, you may find yourself more motivated to … [Read more...]

4 Tips For Getting Motivated To Exercise

Motivation

The never ending repeat of those P90X informercials has inspired you to exercise once again. Jillian Michaels in your face attitude on “The Biggest Loser” has motivated you to get off the couch and get moving. You decided to join the gym, again, for the umpteenth time, in hopes of sticking with it long enough to validate the monthly dues.  Through all of this, you begin to ask yourself, … [Read more...]

RTB Trainer Laura Thompson in Oxygen Magazine

Laura Oxygen Sept 2011

The upcoming September 2011 issue of Oxygen Magazine has a story on the somewhat new and often overlooked Tri-Fitness Challenge in which there is a picture of RTB Trainer Laura Thompson as she competes in the obstacle course portion of the challenge, arguably the best known of the competitions four categories.  Laura has been competing in the Tri-Fitness Challenge for the past 2 years and was … [Read more...]

The 3 “H’s” to Success

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In my lifetime, as short as it may be compared to most of my readers, I've have the wonderful privilege to work with many successful people.  Some are prestigious professors at state universities, while others are self-owned business millionaires, full-time bloggers, award winning chemists and nuclear engineers. I've also had the privilege to work with the opposite end of the spectrum, where … [Read more...]

A Truly Healthy Body Image Starts With You

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Feeling good about the skin you’re in doesn’t call for developing a waif’s figure, a model’s face or a queen’s grace. The fact of the matter is a healthy body image must come from the inside – not out. No matter what you look like, how much you weigh or how graceful you happen to be, you can be happy with who you are. While it’s always wise to learn to eat right, work exercise … [Read more...]

How To Breathe

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Breathing is mindless right? Not necessarily. Continuous airflow through your lungs is crucial for healthy, effective exercise. During any exercise, it's important that you focus on always moving air in and out of your body efficiently. If you hold your breath, especially during intense exercise, your blood pressure spikes and intra-abdominal pressure increases. You could be putting yourself … [Read more...]

Drinking Water Can Help You Lose Weight

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If you’re having trouble getting over the hump when it comes to shedding pounds, there’s a secret ingredient to add to your weight loss mix. No, it’s not diet pills or a chalky shake! The trick can actually be found right in your tap. According to recent research, that old “wives’ tale” about water and weight loss is actually quite true. A study involving two different groups of … [Read more...]

Stuck At A Weight Loss Plateau? Bust Through It!

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When you started your weight loss routine, you knew it would be a process. After all, you didn’t gain the weight overnight. You couldn’t have expected it to come off that fast. Unfortunately, you’ve hit a bump in the road and your motivation level is starting to wane. How can you get past a weight loss plateau to see the results you really want? First off, don’t give up! You can bust … [Read more...]

5 Simple Things You Can Do Today To Change Your Life

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                Making positive, healthy changes in your life doesn’t necessarily call for scrapping everything you do. In fact, there are five very simple steps that when combined can make a huge difference. If you’re ready to enact changes right now, try adopting one or all five of these simple things today: Eat better … [Read more...]

Exercising In The Summer Heat

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Summer is the perfect time to go outside and have fun.  It’s one of my favorite times of year because there are so many outdoor activities to choose from. Everything is more fun outside, whether you’re swimming, running or cycling. But the summer heat can be a problem if you’re not careful, particularly here in Mississippi with its extreme heat and humidity. Throughout my career as an … [Read more...]