R. Adam Shore

Unfortunately for some personal trainers, and their over 40 clients, the phrase 'No pain, no gain' really means 'you should feel some pain'. Ordinarily mild discomfort is to be expected when working out, especially for those just launching a new fitness routine. On the other hand pain is a natural warning sign. You are advised to pay close attention to it.

The all too familiar story: no time to cook, kids are late for soccer practice and McDonald's is on the way. Since it won't take more than a few minutes to shoot through the drive through we'll do the fast food stop. Or all too familiar story number 2: lunch hour at work and I need to pick up my dry cleaning, fill a prescription, and take the car to get gas and find time to eat.

Deep within your musculature rest a series of important elements to achieving a successful ab and core workout. So, you may be asking, "why should I care about muscles I cannot even see"? The answer is, among other reasons, to flatten abs, eliminate back pain - particularly lower back pain - and achieve core fitness.

By now you are probably familiar with "core training" or you have at least heard the term used on TV or in various fitness publications.

Why should you care about muscles you can't even see? The answer is, among other reasons, to flatten abs, eliminate back pain - particularly lower back pain - and achieve core fitness.

By now you are probably familiar with "core training" or you have at least heard the term used on TV or in various fitness publications. Your "core" refers not just to the abdominals, but your entire trunk musculature, including those deep muscles you can't even see (like the Transversus Abdominis, or TVA).

More than 50% of all Americans are overweight or obese. These are conditions that contribute to the risks of chronic health conditions. These conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary heart disease. America's increasing lack of physical activity has helped make this problem a weighty issue.

There is good news. You can start to do something to put physical activity back into your day.