So, I just went to the local GNC to pick up my $50 certificate for winning the push up contest. What should I get? I'm not a big supplement user, but perhaps I can try a tub of protein powder to see how that goes.
I've been busy working on new programs and training my clients, but in the meantime, be sure to check out my main page for nutritional tips and exercise information! New blog entries and videos coming soon!
As most of you know, I am a proponent of natural bodyweight calisthenics exercises over pumping that iron. Of course, there are good and bad qualities to both, and I wouldn't necessarily say that one is better than the other, but one thing that calisthenics has over lifting metal weights is the convenience.
Sure, going to the gym, and seeing all the other people giving it their all is plenty motivating, but first you have to actually get there, and above all, you must fork over your hard earned cash just to get in the door. Why waste time and money when the best gym of all... is the one right where you are standing?
When it comes to overall effectiveness and ease of performance, few exercises can match the good old fashioned push up. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned athlete, a consistent push up routine can provide one heck of a workout. As a matter of fact, if you were to choose only one exercise to build up the upper body, you'd be hardpressed to find something better.
One of the best programs I have found for those just starting out or looking to add a little extra to their repertoire is called One Hundred Push Ups. This step by step tuturial is just the ticket to sculp a bit of lean muscle onto that physique for the summer beach months, and if done correctly, can be accomplished in six weeks or less. I know it is cliché to mention maximum results in minimal time as a means of motivation, but in terms of return on investment, few routines can match this when it comes to "bang for your buck." Now, if you'll excuse me, time to go bust out another set!
Well, the national parkour jam hosted by SF Parkour has come and gone, and what an awesome event it was! I was too busy to attend the first part, which was held at Stonestown Galleria and the Bunkers in the Presidio, SF, but I certainly wasn't going to miss out on Day 2 at UC Berkeley! It was great training as always, and in my estimation, parkour is one of the best overall full body workouts anyone can participate in. Safe training to all! See you at the next jam.
The crowd is starting to gather 'round.
But they didn't have my size! I guess in order to prove my worth as a trainer, I'd either have to bulk up a weight class, or get super leaned down!
By the way, if you or anyone you know is one of those guys with a lean, V-tapered physique, Cotton On is your best bet for shirts (I have yet to try their pants). Since it's not an American brand (it's from the Land Down Under), the clothing tends to be more contoured to your body, with the tail not flopping around like a dress. Even some of the European brands - which are supposed to be slim cut - end up falling victim to the "Americanization" aka fattening up of the designs to suit the majority of the American populace. Fortunately, Cotton On does not bow down to this mentality.
Check out my review on Yelp of the local branch. In the meantime, I'll be on the look out for this shirt in my size!
It's finally time to say goodbye to something we grew up with, but its a bittersweet departure that's been long overdue. Although it has served its purpose for awhile, and taught us all general nutrition tips, it is quite apparent - with the rampant obesity epidemic in America today - that the effectiveness of the Food Pyramid has certainly waned over the years.
Was it because it was too difficult to follow on a daily basis? Too much temptation for junk and fast food? Too expensive to maintain? Or that people just simply stopped caring about their health overall?
In the whole scheme of things, is the Food Pyramid really to blame at all? Or is it merely used as a scapegoat to represent "out with the old, in with the new?"
What the USDA now recommends is this system called "Choose My Plate." From the looks of it, it doesn't seem all that much different, other than that they broke it down to even more categories (five opposed to the previous four). Do they think this will help simplify things? The same people who made the conscious decision to not follow the Food Pyramid will undoubtedly respond the same way to this.
As mentioned in my Food Revolution post, it certainly doesn't help that the schools supposedly teaching the kids about nutrition and health are also feeding them slop in the cafeteria. Actions speak much louder than words. People will carry habits learned as a child as they grow up, and the example set by the horrendous school lunches is pretty much telling them that fatty food and sugary gunk are perfectly acceptable and normal. Sure, in the back of their head, they may remember, and can recite the four food groups, but what sits in front of them on the table is what really sinks in their brain (and stomach).
To sum it up, in order to make a dent in this obesity epidemic in America, it's going to take a lot more than just changing the recommended food intake chart, something that likely wasn't an issue in the first place. However, what it does show is that the USDA is indeed trying, and this fresh start is a sign that they actually are aware of the problems. It also serves to remind the general public, as this news will surely reach the mainstream media. Hopefully, it is merely the beginning, and there is much more in store.
When starting out with an exercise program, many are confused on where to begin. However, there is no need to waste your time and money on any of those fancy, schmancy informercial workouts constantly bombarding your senses. The bottom line is that performing any type of physical activity will yield results. The simplest, and one of the most beneficial exercises of all? Good old fashioned walking and jogging.
While you can certainly hop on the treadmill at your local gym, there are few things more satisfying than soaking in the fresh air while taking a brisk jog or walk around your neighborhood, be it at work or at home. Of course, it is all weather and safety permitting, depending on location.
For those of you looking to start up a simple program to shape up, or even those who are already fit, but want to add a little cardio to the mix, here is a wonderfully illustrated chart depicting a natural progression on the road to being able to jog 30 minutes straight. With varying athletic levels, some may find this program to be too basic, while others may struggle initially.
The point is to go at your own pace. If it's too easy, skip a step or two. If it's too hard, don't move onto the next level until you have successfully completed the current one. With that said, there is no reason why anyone of reasonable health should not be able to perform this program to stellar results. All it takes is 30 minutes or less three times per week over a 9 week period, and that optimum, lean summer figure will be yours to stay. Just make sure to keep it up once the 9 weeks are over!
Wow, just a mere week after I was singing the praises of my favorite new TV program, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, comes this tidbit of news that ABC is pulling the plug on the show!* I kind of figured something was up when it was inexplicably postponed not once, but two weeks in a row, despite commercial advertisements stating the exact time and date leading up to it.
This is very sad news in many ways. According to the article, ratings were low, and ABC really couldn't afford to keep airing it during the crucial May sweeps. This is understandable, since ABC, like any other company, is out to look after their bottom line. However, replacing it with a repeat of Dancing with the Stars? The same episode that was on just the night before? What kind of slap in the face is this?
What is disheartening is that it proves what I mentioned in my original post about the American public being totally indifferent to this whole obesity epidemic, thinking that lounging on their love seats gobbling up mindless drivel is more important than turning their attention to something educational, entertaining, and ultimately life altering. The fact that ABC has decided to jump ship also shows indifference on their part to provide quality, conscious programming to the population that could certainly use much more of it.
Ultimately, it is a catch-22. ABC may have been losing sponsors (especially junk food manufacturers) due to the nature of the show. Couple this with the less than stellar ratings, and it was a recipe for not so great success. In the end, as previously stated, all this means is that everything revolves around big business, and nothing in America - the health and lives of the youth included - can trump the almighty dollar.
However, I know that Mr. Oliver will not let this bring him down, nor will it bring down any of us who are fighting in this revolution. This battle may have been lost, but the war rages on, and none of us will stop until the very last ounce of breath is squeezed out of each and every one of us. Fight on!
P.S. Please voice your displeasure with ABC's decision to yank the Food Revolution on their comments page! As with the premise of the show, let's show them what real activism is all about!
*Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution has now been rescheduled for Fridays at 9pm in June, which is pretty much a graveyard for dead shows. At the very least, I suppose we will be able to finish the series.
Now, seeing that I work in the fitness industry, I am not a huge TV person, but once in awhile, I will find a show (or someone introduces one) that really captivates me, especially if it has something to do with health and exercise. One such show is Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC.
For those who have not seen or even heard of the show, the premise is simple. World famous chef, Jamie Oliver (of Naked Chef fame, among other things), is taking it upon himself to reform the horrid lunch programs in American schools. Along the way, he also tries to try his hand at revamping the ubiquitous fast food burger menu.
It's no secret that the obesity epidemic in America has indeed reached a fever pitch, and if drastic measures aren't taken any time soon, it will only spiral even more out of control. In order to right the ship, it must start with the roots - the kids. With the current middle aged generation already in its worst shape ever, it is passing along these poor dietary habits to the children. As a fitness professional who works hard to encourage the youth of America to put down the Twinkies and Playstation controllers, and lead more active lifestyles, I commend Mr. Oliver for the stellar job he is doing... or shall I say, is attempting to do.
Without giving away too much of the show, it is actually very depressing and downright infuriating at times seeing how tepid of a response he often receives when trying to do the right thing. It reminds me of the book by Albert Camus, "The Stranger," where the main character is simply indifferent, and doesn't really care about the ills of the world. And these are the people who are running things in our society, and in charge of educating the youth? No wonder our economy and education system are in shambles. Perhaps certain scenes on the show were made to look more dramatic than they really were, but even if so, they sure brought home the point.
What it really boils down to is that in this country, big business rules all, and that definitely does not exclude the food industry. Since childhood, we are all bombarded by these corporations with ideas on what we should eat, how much of it, and how often. It's gotten to the point where people are programmed to believe what they are spoonfed (figuratively and literally), and as citizens of this country, we must let them know that enough is enough. Jamie Oliver is one of those pioneers leading the way in educating the masses.
If we as Americans finally decide to have the gall to fight back by simply eating how we are supposed to eat, and not how we are manipulated, we will inevitably punch these corporations where it hurts... in the big fat gut. All the the while, we'll be collectively trimming down on our own. Of course, these companies - and especially the government - will not let that happen, so we continue to perpetuate this endless cycle of despair.
It is basically a chicken and egg effect. Sure, the government and corporations don't want to lose any of their bread and butter big business, but at the same time, don't you think a more healthy, energetic work force would bode better for the economy overall? Not to mention, it will also put a huge relief on the health care system.
Please share thoughts and comments below! You can catch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on Hulu. Currently, there have only been two episodes thus far for season 2, but I can't wait to see how things unfold!
We all have a favorites loaded up on our MP3 players for working out, but what about an actual song about working out? And no, I'm not talking about "Physical" by Olivia Newton John (which wasn't really about exercise in the first place).
With an anthem to the more gritty side of the workout game, Stic Man from classic rap group, Dead Prez presents "Back on my Regimen," bestowing in everyone the benefits of hitting it hard at the gym, your local park, or anywhere else you may be... of course, in that signature Dead Prez style. Tell me this doesn't get you fired up!
NOT a motivational workout song.
