ROD 122411

ROD

Saturday, 24Dec11

 

Christmas Eve Met-Con Blast

As we prepare for Christmas, we have in front of us all of the Chrismas fare. Tonight we will eat, drink and party all we can. So this workout will be dedicated to the gluttonus, drunkuous and festivous alter-ego inside of us all. Here we go!!

30 w/30 r seconds for 24 minutes ~ No rest

  • TRX recline & high pulls
  • DB walking lunges
  • Plank walkers
  • DB Thrusters

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20 w / 20 r seconds for 20 minutes ~No rest

  • Half burpees
  • Reclines
  • Donkey kick to box jump

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“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

By Clement Clarke Moore

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a  creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the  chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The  children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums  danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had  just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there  arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up  the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the  lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should  appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little  old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted,  and called them by name;

“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and  VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the  porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an  obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they  flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in  a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little  hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St.  Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to  his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle  of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening  his pack.

His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His  cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was  drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it  encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round  belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was  chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in  spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me  to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to  his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And  laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he  rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away  they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he  drove out of sight,
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

 

 

ROD 122311

ROD

Friday, 23Dec11

 

Two Turtle Doves

It’s time to get up and kick some ass. This is not for the squemish. This class get’s up early and is put through a rigorous set of exercises that’ll make an onion cry. So c’mon set your alarm early & get some with Coach Juan, in this intense boxing and conditioning session.

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10:00 am Class

15 w/15 r seconds for 20 minutes ~ No rest

  • Reclines
  • KB Snatch r/ l
  • Ball slams
  • Kettlebell racked squats

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30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

“When you stop chasing the wrong things you give
the right things a chance to catch you.”

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

  1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
  2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
  3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
  4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
  5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
  6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
  7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
  8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
  9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire  are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are  totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
  10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
  11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
  12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
  13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
  14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
  15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
  16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
  17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
  18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
  19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
  20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.
  21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
  22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
  23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.  Read Getting Things Done.
  24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.
  25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
  26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
  27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.
  28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?”  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
  29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
  30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.


 

 

ROD 122211

ROD

Thursday, 22Dec11

 

******Holiday Schedule******

Starting tonight we will ONLY have one evening training session per night at 7:30pm.  We will resume our normal schedule on Tuesday January 2, 2012.

Morning , weekend and athlete training sessions will NOT be affected.

Thank you,

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

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Three French Hens

Let’s burn off the the holiday cheer we’ve packed on so far!

This metabolic conditioning should do the trick!

6 rounds of 20 seconds work/10 seconds rest

  • Reclines
  • Battling ropes
  • Dumbbbell snatches (alt. sides at each round)
  • Kettlebell swings
  • Dumbell push presses
  • Burpees

Let’s do this circuit style with 1:00 between each round.

If you’re doing this right, you should be begging for the 1:00 rest

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Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping

Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.

The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it’s no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.

But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

  1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
  2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
  3. Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
  4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
  5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone’s name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
  6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
  7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
  8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
  9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
  10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Take control of the holidays

Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

 

ROD 121911

ROD

Monday, 19Dec11

 

Pre-Holiday Monday Boost

Complete this 30 second work 20 second rest for 3 rounds of the following 6 exercises with a 50 second rest in between rounds.

  • Reclines
  • Sit-outs
  • Double KB front squat into double military press (this is not a thruster, you must stop at the top of your squat-pause-press overhead each time.)
  • Mtn climbers
  • Close grip push ups

Follow up with this…after a minute rest then…

Evil Tabata

Evil is right !!  8 cycles of 20 seconds work and 10 seconds rest. Complete 2 rounds of the following 2 exercises:

  1. KB Swing
  2. Burpee and a half

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Holiday Drinking: Keep It Safe

By Drew W. Edwards, Ed.D., MS

Every holiday season, people have to deal with the increased pressures and stress that the holidays place upon most of us. Whether we’re traveling to be with family or doing our last-minute gift buying, most people feel under pressure during the holidays.

As you might suspect, the holiday season then becomes one of the most dangerous times of the year for alcohol-related accidents and death. There are several reasons for this:

  • More people drink during the holidays due to numerous parties and other festivities.
  • Many holiday drinkers don’t drink often, so they have a lower alcohol tolerance. These people often underestimate their level of impairment and sometimes even drive when they shouldn’t. When arrested for drunk driving, these people often show a relatively low blood alcohol content yet they are very intoxicated.
  • Problem drinkers and alcoholics love the holidays because there are more social occasions to drink. They say they feel more “normal” because the occasional drinkers are also more likely to abuse alcohol during this time of year. Consequently, people with alcoholism drink and drive more frequently. Unlike occasional drinkers, they have a high tolerance for alcohol and can consume large amounts before showing effects.
  • The holidays are busy and stressful. People are hurrying more than normal and winter road conditions make driving more dangerous. Add alcohol to this scenario and you have a recipe for disaster.

Avoiding Alcohol-Related Problems

You can make your holidays happier and safer by following these five simple tips for consuming alcohol in moderation throughout the season:

  1. Just say no. Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Just because it’s there does not require that you drink it. There is no law stating that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for holiday cheer. Don’t feel like you have to drink just because your host offers — it’s not rude to choose a non-alcoholic beverage instead.
  2. Offer nonalcoholic beverages.
    If you want to serve alcohol to your guests, offer nonalcoholic beverages as well. Make your guest feel as comfortable choosing a nonalcoholic beverage as he would choosing alcohol. You can do this by putting nonalcoholic drinks in a prominent, easily accessible place and by asking guests what they would like to drink, instead of pointing them to the bar or handing them an alcoholic drink when they arrive.
  3. Designate a driver before the party begins.
    If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to use alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Decide that drinking and driving is not an option.
  4. Choose your number ahead of time.
    If you are going to drink, do what responsible drinkers do. Decide ahead of time how many drinks you will have and stick to it. A blood alcohol content chart can help you understand the relationship between the amount of drinks, blood alcohol content and level of impairment.
  5. Remember that alcohol is a complement, not the purpose.
    Sometimes we lose sight of a holiday celebration or party and see it as a chance or opportunity to drink socially. While it is such an opportunity, the main purpose of a party is to have fun with people you know. Drinking is always an option and optional, and it is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility. Keep this in mind throughout the night. If you find yourself going overboard, find a friend or loved one, and explain you’d like to go home. You can stop yourself before you go too far, you just need to choose to do so.

You can ensure your holiday season is a relaxing, enjoyable and peaceful one as long as you remember to drink in moderation, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Don’t become another drunk driving statistic, and try to remember the reasons people celebrate at this time of the year.

 

ROD 112311

ROD

Wednesday, 23Nov11

 ONLY ONE EVENING CLASS TONIGHT AT 7:30PM

 

Conditioning Couplets

20 seconds work/20 seconds work/20 seconds rest x 8 rounds

Couplets

  • Reclines/Ball Slams
  • Kettlebell swings/Mountain climbers
  • Kettlebell high pulls/ D-ball thrusters

Do 20 seconds of work at each movement in each couplet, take 20 seconds rest then move to the next couplet.

Complete all three couplets

Take 1 minute rest between. Do 8 rounds.

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I just started exercising…why am I gaining weight?

By Paige Waehner

Question: I just started exercising…why am I gaining weight?
Answer: If you’ve noticed your weight going up after starting an exercise program, don’t panic!  It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing anything wrong, nor does it mean you’re going in the wrong direction.  There can be some obvious and not-so-obvious reasons you’re gaining weight.Your first step is to determine if what you’re gaining is actually fat or muscle.  Muscle is more dense than fat, but it takes up less space…if you gain muscle, your scale weight may go up even as you’re slimming down.  Rather than just using a scale to measure your progress, you can get your body fat tested on a regular basis to get a better idea of what you’re gaining and/or losing.  If that isn’t an option, you can take measurements at different areas of the body…if you’re losing inches, you’re on the right track.If you’ve measured yourself in different ways and realized you are gaining fat, take some time to go through the following possibilities – you may need to make some small changes in your diet to see better results.

1.  Eating too many calories.  It may seem obvious, but eating more calories than you burn causes weight gain.  What some people don’t realize is that, after they start exercising, they may start eating more without being aware of it.  Most people think they’re eating a healthy, low-calorie diet but, unless you’re keeping a detailed food journal, you just don’t know how many calories you’re really eating.  Most people are surprised when they start keeping a journal and adding up the calories–it almost always turns out to be more than they thought.  Before you quit exercising, take a week to keep a food journal.  Add up your calories to get a sense of exactly what you’re eating…if it’s too much, you can start to make some changes in your diet to reduce your calories.  And try to avoid the mindset that says you can eat whatever you want since you’re doing all this great exercise…to lose weight, you still need to monitor your calories.

2.  Not eating enough calories. It may seem counterintuitive, but eating too little can actually stall your efforts to lose fat.  As Cathy Leman, a registered dietician and creator of NutriFit! says, “…if there is a severe restriction in calories, the body may counteract this reduction by slowing down its metabolism.”  Be sure you’re eating enough calories to sustain your body if you’ve increased your activity.

3.  Not giving your body time to respond.  Just because you start exercising doesn’t always mean your body will respond to that immediately.  As Cathy Leman puts it, “…in some instances the body needs to sort of “recalibrate”‘ itself. Increased activity and new eating habits (taking in more or  less calories) require the body to make adjustments.”  Cathy recommends that you give yourself several weeks or months for your body to respond to what you’re doing.

4.  Rule out any medical conditions. While thyroid problems are rare, they can definitely make weight loss difficult.  There can also be medications you’re taking that could affect your body’s ability to lose weight.  If you feel your food intake is reasonable and you’ve given your body enough time to see results and haven’t seen any (or are seeing unexplainable weight gain) see your doctor to rule any other causes.

5.  You’re gaining muscle faster than you’re losing fat.  If it seems that you’re getting bigger after you’ve started a weight training routine, it may be because you aren’t losing body fat as fast as you’re building muscle, which is a problem some people experience when they start exercising. Genetics could also be playing a role here…some people put on muscle more easily than others.  If that’s the case for you, don’t stop training!  Instead, you might simply adjust your program to make sure you’re getting enough cardio exercise to promote weight loss and focus your strength training workouts on muscular endurance by keeping the reps between 12-16.

Whatever the cause of your weight gain, don’t give up on exercise.  It’s not only your ticket to weight loss, it’s also important for your health.

 

ROD 112111

ROD

Monday, 21Nov11

 

Nxt Level Conditioning Circuit

Four rounds; One minute recovery between rounds

Intervals look like this:
  • round 1: 30/20
  • round 2: 30/15
  • round 3: 25/15
  • round 4: 20/10

Movements are:

  1. Reclines
  2. Slam ball
  3. Box jumps
  4. Mountain climbers
  5. Kettlebell swings (modified dead swings 4 beginners)
  6. Push ups

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60 Ways To Make Life Simple Again

Life is not complex.  We are complex.  Life is simple,
and the simple thing is the right thing.
- Oscar Wilde

When we were young life was easier, right?  I know sometimes it seems that way.  But the truth is life still is easy.  It always will be.  The only difference is we’re older, and the older we get, the more we complicate things for ourselves.

You see, when we were young we saw the world through simple, hopeful eyes.  We knew what we wanted and we had no biases or concealed agendas.  We liked people who smiled.  We avoided people who frowned.  We ate when we were hungry, drank when we were thirsty, and slept when we were tired.

As we grew older our minds became gradually disillusioned by negative external influences.  At some point we began to hesitate and question our instincts.  When a new obstacle or growing pain arose, we stumbled and a fell down.  This happened several times.  Eventually we decided we didn’t want to fall again, but rather than solving the problem that caused us to fall, we avoided it all together.

As a result, we ate comfort food and drank alcohol to numb our wounds and fill our voids.  We worked late nights on purpose to avoid unresolved conflicts at home.  We started holding grudges, playing mind games, and subtly deceiving others and ourselves to get ahead.  And when it didn’t work out, we lived above our means, bought things we didn’t need, and ate and drank some more just to make ourselves feel better again.

Over the course of time, we made our lives more and more difficult, and we started losing touch with who we really are and what we really need.

So let’s get back to the basics, shall we?  Let’s make things simple again.  It’s easy.  Here are 60 ways to do just that:

  1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds.  Don’t make other people try to read yours.  Communicate.
  2. Be polite, but don’t try to be friends with everyone around you.  Instead, spend time nurturing your relationships with the people who matter most to you.
  3. Your health is your life, keep up with it.  Get an annual physical check-up.
  4. Live below your means.  Don’t buy stuff you don’t need.  Always sleep on big purchases.  Create a budget and savings plan and stick to both of them.
  5. Get enough sleep every night.  An exhausted mind is rarely productive.
  6. Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man.  That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness, and other unnecessary headaches.
  7. Get off your high horse, talk it out, shake hands or hug, and move on.
  8. Don’t waste your time on jealously.  The only person you’re competing against is yourself.
  9. Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps.  Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at.
  10. Organize your living space and working space.   Read David Allen’s book Getting Things Done for some practical organizational guidance.
  11. Get rid of stuff you don’t use.
  12. Ask someone if you aren’t sure.
  13. Spend a little time now learning a time-saving trick or shortcut that you can use over and over again in the future.
  14. Don’t try to please everyone.  Just do what you know is right.
  15. Don’t drink alcohol or consume recreational drugs when you’re mad or sad.  Take a jog instead.
  16. Be sure to pay your bills on time.
  17. Fill up your gas tank on the way home, not in the morning when you’re in a hurry.
  18. Use technology to automate tasks.
  19. Handle important two-minute tasks immediately.
  20. Relocate closer to your place of employment.
  21. Don’t steal.
  22. Always be honest with yourself and others.
  23. Say “I love you” to your loved ones as often as possible.
  24. Single-task.  Do one thing at a time and give it all you got.
  25. Finish one project before you start another.
  26. Be yourself.
  27. When traveling, pack light.  Don’t bring it unless you absolutely must.
  28. Clean up after yourself.  Don’t put it off until later.
  29. Learn to cook, and cook.
  30. Make a weekly (healthy) menu, and shop for only the items you need.
  31. Consider buying and cooking food in bulk.  If you make a large portion of something on Sunday, you can eat leftovers several times during the week without spending more time cooking.
  32. Stay out of other people’s drama.  And don’t needlessly create your own.
  33. Buy things with cash.
  34. Maintain your car, home, and other personal belongings you rely on.
  35. Smile often, even to complete strangers.
  36. If you hate doing it, stop it.
  37. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
  38. Apologize when you should.
  39. Write things down.
  40. Be curious.  Don’t be scared to learn something new.
  41. Explore new ideas and opportunities often.
  42. Don’t be shy.  Network with people.  Meet new people.
  43. Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.
  44. Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven, and likeminded.
  45. Don’t text and drive.  Don’t drink and drive.
  46. Drink water when you’re thirsty.
  47. Don’t eat when you’re bored.  Eat when you’re hungry.
  48. Exercise every day.  Or simply take a walk.
  49. Let go of things you can’t change.  Concentrate on things you can.
  50. Find hard work you actually enjoy doing.
  51. Realize that the harder you work, the luckier you will become.
  52. Follow your heart.  Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
  53. Set priorities for yourself and act accordingly.
  54. Take it slow and add up all your small victories.
  55. However good or bad a situation is now, it will change.  Accept this simple fact.
  56. Excel at what you do.  Otherwise you’ll just frustrate yourself.
  57. Mature, but don’t grow up too fast.
  58. Realize that you’re never quite as right as you think you are.
  59. Build something or do something that makes you proud.
  60. Make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them, and move along.

 

ROD 111611

ROD

Wednesday, 16Nov11

 

Basic Tabata

8 rounds of 20 second effort and 10 seconds rest: Complete each exercise for 8 rounds rest 1 minute then move on to the next.

  • Reclines
  • Barbell thrusters
  • Mtn. climbers
  • Dumbell hang cleans
  • Push-ups

This is a high intensity training mode so 110% of effort is expected in every round.

_______________________________________________________________________

5 Tips For Getting Rid Of Negativity

Nobody’s immune to feelings of negativity.  No matter how optimistic you try to be, there are times in your life when you feel depressed or angry.  Sometimes these negative feelings hang around and you just can’t shake off the sensation of gloom.  You worry constantly and can’t find solutions to any of your problems, and there’s no end in sight to your difficulties.  How can you go from seeing the glass as perpetually half empty to half full?

Do Something Different:

Many times people feel depressed or bored with life because they don’t have anything new going on.  It’s easy to fall into routines and dig yourself into a rut so deep you have a hard time getting out.  By doing something different you’re interrupting those well-worn neuro-pathways and forcing your brain to wake up and take notice.  Drive a different way home from work. Shop at a new store.  Try a new recipe.  Brush your teeth with the opposite hand.  Change around your furniture.  Read a completely different type of book or magazine than you normally would.  Take a short class at the local community college.

Make a Solutions List:

If you’re feeling negative because problems are looming before you with seemingly no way around them, sit down and brainstorm ways to overcome your current situation.  Write down anything and everything, no matter how mundane or silly it may seem and you’ll probably come up with some workable solutions in the process.  Every problem has at least one solution.

Set a Goal:

Without constant goals it’s easy to fall into a funk.  Think of some dreams or interests you may have been putting off and dedicate yourself to pursuing them.  Whether you’ve wanted to lose weight, paint, take a dance class, further your education, run a marathon, or come up with a new inventions, do it!  Nothing gets your energy flowing better than having something worthwhile to look forward to.

Go Back In Time:

Think back to a time in your life when things were working, when you felt healthy, happy, and optimistic.  What were you doing then?  How was your life different than it is now?  Try to do those things now if possible.  Nobody has ever been depressed or negative from the moment of conception!  If you can repeat your actions of the past your mind will home in on those old feelings and you should soon feel a shift in your energy level.  You may need to fake it for awhile if you’ve been living with negativity for some time, though it’s not impossible to get back the “old you.”

Exercise Daily:

This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to change your mood around.  Exercising is not only good for your heart and body, but it releases endorphins in your brain that dramatically boost your mood.  Getting yourself into the exercise habit is usually the most difficult part, but keep in mind that the benefits far exceed the laziness you experience beforehand.

These are some of the best tips for overcoming negativity.  Try them all or choose the ones you think will work best for you.  It’s not impossible to feel happier, more energetic, and to face each day with a positive outlook.  All it takes is a bit of effort and commitment to actually make changes.

ROD 103111

ROD

Monday, 31Oct11

 

There will be only one Class tonight at 7:30pm. Because of several requests from the members who wanted to spend Halloween with their families, we have decided to honor the request and have only one class. So be There or Be Scared!!!

 

                             Scary Tabata

We’ll start this one with 20 second intervals /10 second rest for 6 rounds at each station.

Stay at the station until all 6 rounds are complete.

Rest 40 seconds between each station.

Here are the movements:

20 work /10 rest x 6 of each

  • Mountain climbers.
  • KB high pulls
  • Sit-ups
  • Half burpees
  • DB Thrusters
  • Ball slams
  • Split squats

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10 Tricks to Avoid Halloween Candy Temptations

Beware those empty calories in the Halloween candy jar.
By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD
Halloween unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday feasting season. And for anyone trying to watch his or her weight, the scariest part of Halloween is not ghosts and goblins but the ever-abundant Halloween candy. Sugar and mostly empty calories is what you get in candy, and the truth is that most of us don’t exercise enough to warrant those extra calories.

Those cute little fun-size candy bars seem harmless — and they are, if you can limit your consumption. But that’s easier said than done.

 Recommended Related to Diet & Weight Management
 Don’t Get Burned by Diet Burnout

Jan. 1 you resolved to finally lose that extra weight and start living healthier. You began your weight loss program full of enthusiasm and willpower. The pounds started coming off, you felt terrific, and the compliments kept coming your way.But along the way to your goal, something happened. The idea of living a healthier lifestyle forever began to feel more confining than freeing. You’re struggling to remember just why you thought it was so important to lose weight anyway. The Krispy Kremes…

 ”All it takes is an additional 100 calories a day or the equivalent of one snack-sized chocolate bar and most adults will experience weight creep before they even know it,” says Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

When your cupboards are loaded with candy and the kids come home with bags full of even more treats, it’s hard to resist. Many people try to lessen the temptation at home by bringing their extra candy into work, thus setting a high-calorie trap for their co-workers.

“Don’t get sucked into the ‘see food diet’ mentality that makes you want to eat the candy simply because you see it and not because you are hungry,” says Brian Wansink, PhD, a Cornell researcher and author of Mindless Eating:  Why We Eat More Than We Think. “We eat more of visible foods because it causes us to think about it more, and every time you see the candy bowl you have to decide whether … you want a piece of candy or not.

“Simply thinking of food can make you hungry, so when you see or smell something associated with food, like the shiny foil-wrapped Kisses, it can actually make you salivate.”

But there are ways to keep your hands out of the candy jar so you can avoid packing on some extra pounds even before the holiday season starts. Here are 10 expert tips to help you avoid the temptation of Halloween goodies, at home and at the office.

  1. Buy candy you don’t love. If the candy in your pantry is stuff kids like but that you don’t enjoy, it will be easier to resist opening those bags and diving in. For most of us, that means anything but chocolate. “Sour candy, gummy-textured [candies], hard candies and the others that are not chocolate are lower in fat and calories and typically not the candy we overeat,” says Sandon.
  2. Out of sight, out of mind. Ask your co-workers to keep their candy jars and bowls inside their desks or stashed in a cabinet in the break room so you won’t be tempted every time you see it. If they want to keep candy on their desks, ask them to use a colored container with a lid so you can’t see inside.
  3. Savor one piece of your favorite candy a day. Decide what time of day you most relish the sweet stuff, and save your special treat for that time. Then sit back and slowly savor the taste sensation. “It is so easy to pop a piece of candy into your mouth mindlessly and not get the full enjoyment you would get if you saved it and ate it when you know you will enjoy it the most,” says Sandon. Indulge your sweet tooth on occasion, because denying yourself completely could lead to an all-out binge.
  4. Chew gum. Sugarless gum gives your mouth a burst of sweet sensation for very few calories. “Studies have shown that gum chewing can also help [you] relieve stress, mentally focus on tasks, satisfy a sweet tooth, overcome the urge to eat candy, and help manage hunger pangs to hold you over until your next meal,” says Sandon.
  5. Replace the candy with better choices. Make the see-food diet work in your favor by putting out a bowl of colorful fruit or veggies in place of the candy.
  6. Move the candy jar. Wansink and colleagues have done studies on how frequently people eat candy when it is within reach, out of sight, or requires them to get up to reach the jar. “If you have to get up to get a piece of candy, it is not always worth the effort, whereas when the candy is convenient, consumption is higher,” says Wansink.
  7. Count the empty wrappers. It’s so easy to pop fun-size candy bars into your mouth that you can lose track of how quickly the calories are adding up. “If you keep the wrappers on your desk, it will remind you of how many you ate and hopefully inspire you to exercise moderation and stop after one or two,” says Sandon.
  8. Take a walking break. Getting away from your desk for a breath of fresh air can invigorate you and help you get over the mid-morning or mid-afternoon slumps that are often mistaken for hunger.
  9. Manage your hunger. Eat breakfast before coming to work and plan for a few healthy snacks along with a satisfying lunch. Your preplanned meals with keep you feeling satisfied and make you less likely to raid the candy bowl.
  10. Sip on a low-calorie beverage. Keep your hands and mouth busy by drinking a zero-calorie cup of hot tea (rich with disease-fighting antioxidants) or big glass of water. And light hot chocolate can satisfy your sweet tooth for few calories than most fun-size chocolate bars.

 

 

ROD 101111

ROD

Tuesday, 11Oct11

 

Metabolic Conditioning

4 rounds of 30 seconds work/20 seconds rest non stop at circuit A, rest for 2 minutes, and then move on to circuit B and repeat.

Circuit A: 30/20 x 4 rounds non-stop.

  • Reclines
  • Kettlebell swings
  • Diamond Sit-ups
  • KB Front Squats

Rest 2 minutes.

Circuit B: 30/20 x 4 rounds non-stop

  • Kettlebell High Pull
  • Burpees
  • MB Thrusters
  • Mtn. Climbers

________________________________________________________________________

174,203 Things You Can Do Instead of Watching TV

Today’s post is all about helping you through the first week without your beloved plug-in drug – and filling those hours with something meaningful. While it may seem obvious to those of you who have been without cable for a few years now, we’re here to present the rest of you Kill Your TV participants with 174,203 (almost) things you can do with your life instead of watching TV.

Improve Your Training Performance

  • Stretch
  • Perform self-myofascial release (we’llt teach you at Next Level)
  • Go for a recovery walk/bike/swim/paddle/row
  • Read training-related books or articles
  • Do some skill work
  • Practice yoga
  • Update your training logs
  • Get a massage
  • Take an ice bath
  • Connect with your trainer or fellow gym-goers
  • Lay out your short-term and long-term training goals
  • Get acupuncture

Improve Your Sleep

  • Go to bed earlier
  • Read a book
  • Take a hot bath
  • Have sex
  • Develop a pre-bed routine
  • Prepare clothes/food/work for the morning
  • Buy and install black-out curtains
  • Read Lights Out:  Sleep, Sugar and Survival

Improve Your Nutrition

  • Prep and cook food for the week
  • Try a new recipe
  • Visit a local farm or market
  • Clean out your pantry
  • Take a cooking class
  • Prepare a new vegetable
  • Read a cookbook
  • Make a weekly meal plan
  • Find a new nutrition book
  • Sign up for a CSA
  • Host a dinner party

Improve Your Family Time

  • Call or visit a family member
  • Play a board game or cards
  • Read a book together
  • Go outside and play
  • Cook dinner together
  • Help your kids with their homework
  • Take a family walk after dinner
  • Plan a family trip or vacation
  • Have a date night with your significant other
  • Work on a puzzle
  • Do a craft project
  • Write a letter or send a card
  • Organize family photos
  • Plan a party or an event

Improve Your Household

  • Train your dog
  • Finish that project that’s been half done for 6 months
  • Clean something
  • Organize something
  • Start a garden
  • Mow the lawn
  • Plant a tree or flowers
  • Have a yard sale
  • Start a compost pile
  • Wash your car
  • Send stuff to Goodwill
  • Get your oil changed
  • Do laundry
  • Go through stacks of papers and mail

Improve Your Fun and Play

  • Pick up a new sport
  • Go rock climbing
  • Learn to swim
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Have a picnic
  • Play boccee
  • Play ball with your kids
  • Climb a tree
  • Have a block party
  • Throw a frisbee
  • Go for a hike
  • Nap in the grass
  • Go to a local baseball game
  • Shoot some baskets

Improve YOU

  • Take an adult education class
  • Get a pedicure
  • Plan your dream house
  • Go to church
  • Volunteer
  • Learn to knit
  • Write something
  • Take an art class
  • Browse your local bookstore
  • Get involved with your neighborhood
  • Get involved in local politics
  • Finish your will
  • Join a book club
  • Meet with a financial advisor
  • Organize your business receipts
  • Take yourself out for dinner
  • Go to the dentist
  • Test drive a car you can’t afford

What Will YOU Do?

Okay, so we don’t quite have 174,203 things… but this is a darn good start.  And we bet you can come up with even more ideas to fill those TV-watching hours.  So what will you do instead of watching television during the month of October?  Submit your best ideas to comments.

 

ROD 100511

ROD

Wednesday, 05Oct11

 

Met – Con

10 Rounds at each station

15 seconds work/ 15 seconds rest

Station 1

  • DB Thrusters
  • Single hand swing (alternating between L/R each round)

1 1/2 minute rest… then

Station 2

  • Split squats (Alt)
  • NLP Push-ups

___________________________________________________________________

NLP Kettlebell Workshop – Date (TBA)

MEMBERS ONLY!!!

During this Kettlebell workshop you will learn the following:

The Five Pillars:

  • Press
  • Pull
  • Squat
  • Lower body pull
  • Core

Lets cover each area with kettlebells as the focus:

Press:

KB Military Press or KB Floor Press. This includes all of the variations such as the Sots Press, Double Clean and Press, Alternating Floor press, See-saw Press, Push press and the Jerk.

Pull:

Renegade Row, Alternating Bent-over Row, Double Bent-over Row, One-arm Row

Squat:

Double Front Squat, Hack Squat, overhead squat

Lower body pull:

Double Swing, Double Snatch, One-arm Swing, One-arm Snatch, Double Clean, One legged Deadlift

Core:

Windmill, Turkish Get-up

Covering the above five areas ensures that you build a strong and balanced physique. Many people tend to focus on what they enjoy and neglect what they do not care for. We will teach you the basics of kettlebell work that you will use during the ROD’s. We have seen a lot of the members not sure of their form or more dangerous, not knowing how to perform the basic KB exercises. This is not only unsafe but decreases the combination of exercises we can program for everyone, which we all know leads to boredom. In this workshop not only will we cover the hands-on but also explain the mechanics of the movements.