Author: Menya

Peak Performance Insider: The best weight loss exercise, why you’re sleeping less than you think, and the Japanese superfood you need to start eating.

Estimated read time: 5 minutes This first email issue of the ​Peak Performance Insider is brought to you by ​MH Health Coaching.​ We help entrepreneurs and busy professionals get lean, boost energy, and build healthy bodies. We have 2 private coaching spots left for October, so if you’re a high-performer with a busy schedule looking to get in the best shape of your life click the link below to get started. Click here to sign up for a Free Discovery Session My mission is to give people with the best tools possible to achieve their fitness goals. I’ve shared over 16,000 copies of my free ebook with people all over the world to provide a framework on their journey toward a healthier and happier life. I wrote the short guide to help people who want to be in a better place, whether that means losing 20 pounds, building lean muscle, or having more energy each day. So if you’re on that journey toward better health and could use a little guidance, ​download the free ebook here​. Now without any further ado… The Peak Performance Insider: 1. The best weight loss exercise Every time I speak at companies about improving health and fitness, someone asks me, “What’s the best exercise to lose weight?” My gut instinct is to yell “A better diet!” But the real answer is even simpler: It’s walking. Walking is the easiest and most accessible form of exercise on the planet. It’s a great way to burn calories, bolster the heart, build strong bones, and even improve posture. Plus it releases endorphins that help boost mood while reducing stress and anxiety. And walking isn’t just a physical activity; it’s a remedy for a healthy mind and body. What You Can Do: Walk 8-10k steps every day. That means about 80-100 minutes of walking around the house, taking the stairs, or ​walking meetings​ instead of sitting all day. Any pedometer (step-counter) will do, whether it’s a new smartphone or simple wearable. Remember that every step counts. 2. Why you’re sleeping less than you think My recent experience with a ​Gen3 Oura Ring​ has been very eye-opening. I didn’t realize that time in bed and time asleep can differ by as much as an hour. That means that getting into bed at 10pm ad getting out of bed at 6am isn’t really 8 hours of sleep. It’s more like 7… My Sleep Score I was in bed at 10pm—eye mask on with my head on the pillow—and up at 6am. That makes my total bedtime 8 hours but my total sleep time only 7 hours and 3 minutes. Now considering that ​adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep each night​, I’m barely making the cut. So if you think you’re getting 6 hours of sleep it’s probably more like 5…leaving you in a pretty bad state of mental and physical functioning. What You Can Do: Maintain a regular 8 hour sleep schedule. I know this sounds impossible. I’ve worked with hundreds of people who’ve struggled with sleep. But regularly sleeping 7-9 hours is the only way to unlock your body and brain’s potential. So choose a bedtime and a wake time separated by 8 hours, then stick to it. Future you will thank you. 3. The Japanese superfood you need to start eating Miso soup is more than a comforting bowl of warmth. It’s a treasure trove of health benefits. This age-old Japanese superfood is mainly made from fermented soybean paste, seaweed, and tofu, making it a great source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. It also contains vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron, and phosphorus, which all support key bodily functions. Plus the fermentation process used in making miso creates beneficial probiotics, which aid digestion by maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the intestines and promoting gastrointestinal health. All in all, miso soup enriches the body, elevates the mood, and enhances the culinary experience. What You Can Do: Drink miso soup at least once a week. Here in Japan most people drink miso soup once a day. But aiming for once a week is a great way to regularly infuse delicious nutrients, probiotics, and antioxidants into your diet. I hope this helps! Client Spotlight – Alex, Data Center Developer Click image to see video Alex is a father who needed to lose weight and get in shape for his family. His biggest struggle was lacking the confidence to eat well and exercise consistently. In 16 weeks he lost 28 pounds and completely transformed his life. Our strategy: Practiced intermittent fasting with a 16:8 schedule Increased whole food and water consumption Reduced processed foods, refined sugar, and total alcohol intake Multiplied exercise volume from zero to several times a week By working together Alex built lean muscle, shed excess fat, and now feels confident in his own body. ​If you’re a busy professional who wants to feel confident in your own skin, have more energy, and build healthy habits that last click here for a free discovery call.​ Food For Thought This Weekend “Everyone must choose one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” — Jim Rohn The pain of discipline involves getting up for that workout, eating a healthy lunch, and sleeping instead of binging another episode. It’s not easy at the start but ultimately makes you healthier and happier in the long run. The pain of regret involves feeling worn down due to constant neglect, struggling with fatigue, and never living up to your potential. It’s easy at the start but ultimately prevents you from living your best life. So the choice is yours: discipline or regret. Which pain will you choose? – Menya When you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help: 1. ​Download my free health and fitness guide​. When you’re ready to tackle your fitness goals, this is definitely where you should start. It’s the same framework for achieving goals that I use with all of…
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The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Personal Trainer in Tokyo

Before you spend money on a personal trainer in Tokyo or elsewhere in Japan, read this entire guide! Because with so much online information there’s never been a better time to get in shape, but because of all that information it’s hard to know who to trust. Plus living a healthy lifestyle in Tokyo is challenging for expats because of different foods, a foreign culture, and a difficult new language. And although you can exercise on your own, it’s unlikely you’ll get the results you’re aiming for without a well thought-out plan. So whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’ve been exercising for years, hiring a personal trainer or online coach is the safest and most effective way to accomplish your fitness goals. And since you are literally putting your health in someone else’s hands, finding the right trainer for you is imperative. Jump to: What is a Personal Trainer Choosing a Personal Trainer in Tokyo How to find a Personal Trainer in 3 Minutes Questions to ask a Personal Trainer What not to do when finding a Personal Trainer Considerations before and after you Start Training What is a Personal Trainer A personal trainer is a certified fitness professional responsible for helping clients achieve fitness goals. Trainers develop personalized exercise programs and recommend dietary and/or lifestyle changes based on clients’ goals, needs, and personal preferences.  They also teach clients how to safely and effectively perform exercises in order to achieve results without sustaining injuries. What is an online health and fitness coach and what do they do? An online health and fitness coach is typically a certified personal trainer who helps clients achieve their goals by educating, empowering, and creating accountability for them. Health and fitness coaches equip clients with essential knowledge, training programs, and nutrition guidelines so that clients understand how and why each part of the program is helping move them towards their goals. The responsibilities of health and fitness coaches are similar to those of personal trainers, but one notable difference is that coaches help clients achieve their goals while developing competence and long-term independence. For more information about online health and fitness coaching, have a look here. How long do you work with them? The length of time you’ll work with a personal trainer or online health and fitness coach mainly depends on your goals, your budget, and a realistic timeline. People hire personal trainers for 3 to 6 months but often continue working with them for years, whereas programs with online health and fitness coaches typically have firm start and end dates. In general, working with a personal trainer or online health and fitness coach is always more effective than training alone. The main difference is that while personal training is usually an indefinite subscription, online health and fitness coaching is usually a one-time investment. What kinds of results can you expect? Depending on your goals, level of commitment, and the quality of your personal trainer or online health and fitness coach, you can expect to see more muscle, less fat, better sleep, lower BMI, greater flexibility, increased energy, and improved posture. In general, working with a personal trainer or online health and fitness coach is always more effective than training alone. Where can you work with a personal trainer in Tokyo?  The easiest place to find a personal trainer in Tokyo is online or at a personal training gym.  Some bodybuilding gyms (including 24-hour gyms) and fitness clubs also offer personal training services. Public gyms occasionally have their own personal trainers but they generally don’t allow personal training to be performed by freelance trainers in their facilities. Here’s a list of places where personal trainers typically train clients. Commercial gyms (Gold’s Gym, Konami, etc.) Personal training studios (Beyond, Next Gym Tokyo, etc.) Public municipal gyms (Shinjuku Sports Center, Tokyo Metro Gym, etc.) Home gyms (your home) Living rooms (your home) Outdoors (near your home or office) Parks (Yoyogi Park, Arisugawa Park, etc.) At the office (your office) Online (anywhere) How much do personal trainers cost? Freelance and private studio personal trainers in Tokyo typically charge between 8,000 to 12,000 JPY per session.  Most offer discounts for purchasing a pack of sessions at once while others offer monthly subscriptions. At big-name companies that offer personal training services like RIZAP and Konami, you can expect to pay anywhere from 150,000 to 350,000 JPY for a 2-month program. Online health and fitness coaches charge anywhere from 15,000 to 100,000 JPY per month depending on meeting frequency and the services they provide. If you want to know about gym costs in Japan, check this out. Gyms with English-Speaking Trainers There are still very few gyms in Tokyo that provide English-language instruction.  But the following list contains some of the best gyms in Tokyo with English-speaking trainers. So whether you’re looking to start your fitness journey or switch up your current routine, you can be confident that you’ll be able to achieve your goals without the stress of a language barrier. If you’re new to Tokyo and can’t speak any Japanese or if you just want fitness instruction in English, here are some English-friendly gyms with personal trainers: Intensity Matters Intensity Matters, Tokyo’s first outdoor training gym, takes pride in providing a safe and effective outdoor environment that encourages purposeful exercise.  They focus on functional training to improve primary movement patterns, which translates directly into better physical performance outside of the gym. Classes usually begin with a dynamic warmup, followed by a high-intensity exercise utilizing your own body weight and some basic equipment.  With a maximum of eight participants each session, learners always receive enough one-on-one attention from instructors. UFC Gym UFC Gym in Tokyo provides a wide range of group classes and private options, including functional fitness classes, MMA programs, dynamic performance training, kids MMA programs, and more. Along with kickboxing, yoga, and hip training (in Japan, “hip” means “booty”), you’ll discover unique exercises here, such as UFC Gym’s unique interval training program, Daily…
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How To Become A Personal Trainer In Tokyo, Japan (It’s Easier Than You Think)

I’ve gotten dozens of messages from people around the world who want to become personal trainers in Tokyo, Japan. So in this video I’m sharing my short story plus tips for anyone who wants a piece of the action. How To Become A Personal Trainer In Tokyo, Japan, And It’s Easier Than You Think (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

How To Eat Healthily When Traveling | Shopping For Lunch In Hawaii

This is how to eat healthily when you’re traveling in Hawaii or anywhere else 🥗🍗🐟 How To Eat Healthily When Traveling | Shopping For Lunch In Hawaii (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

This One Habit Will Transform Your Life Forever And It’s A Lot Easier Than You Think

How you start your day is everything, so make time for yourself. This One Habit Will Transform Your Life Forever And It’s A Lot Easier Than You Think (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

Fat Loss Made Easy | How To Lose Weight Fast Without Compromising Your Health Or Happiness

Losing weight takes time but it shouldn’t be complicated. This is how he did it 👆 Fat Loss Made Easy | How To Lose Weight Fast Without Compromising Your Health Or Happiness (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

9 Reasons Why You Need 7 to 9 Hours Of Sleep (And Why Your Life Depends On It)

Sleep is wildly underrated, and even though you know you need more of it most of you don’t really know why. So today I’m sharing 9 reasons why you need 7 to 9 hours of sleep and why your life depends on it. 9 Reasons Why You Need 7 to 9 Hours Of Sleep And Why Your Life Depends On It (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

10 Japanese Supplements You Should Know About | Overrated or Underrated

Japan is home to some of the healthiest and longest living people in the world. So today we’re looking at Japanese supplements to see if they have anything to do with why Japanese people live such long and healthy lives and, more importantly, to see whether Japanese supplements are actually overrated or underrated. 10 Japanese Supplements You Should Know About | Overrated or Underrated (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

Are Japanese Superfoods Overrated or Underrated?

Japan is full of delicious and nutritious food, but in this video I’m sharing my review of 10 Japanese superfoods based on the research-backed nutritional benefits, not my personal preference. Which one is your favorite? Are Japanese Superfoods Overrated or Underrated? (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation

The Glycemic Index | How You Can Burn Fat, Boost Energy & Beat Hunger

Have you ever wondered why some food makes you full and keeps you energized for hours while other food makes you more hungry and almost seems to put you to sleep? It’s because every food has a different effect on blood glucose levels depending on its Glycemic Index value, so in this video we’ll get into what the Glycemic Index is, how different values affect hunger and energy, and how you can use it to balance energy and burn fat. The Glycemic Index | How You Can Burn Fat, Boost Energy & Beat Hunger (VIDEO) Enjoy the video and remember to leave a comment! Thanks, Menya Hinga Health & Performance Coach Are You Ready To Transform Your Health & Performance? You might be a perfect fit for the Holistic Fitness Coaching Program. Here’s how to apply: Step 1 – Book a Free Consultation This is a an opportunity for us to talk about your goals, answer all your questions, then map out your next steps. Step 2 – Start your Transformation If you’re tired of the same frustrations and know you’re ready for a permanent change then book me in below. Click Here To Book Your Free Consultation