Kentucky Fried Chicken's all new "low carb" sandwich.
Bacon, cheese and sauce sandwiched between two fried pieces of chicken. And no, this is not an April Fool's joke!
I think Colonel Sanders has been smokin' some serious weed!
Read more about it here:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/36191290/
All I can say is it's a good thing the democrats are "giving" us all health care… I think???
Today I want to talk about assessments (it may sound boring but it's not; it's the most important part of a good fitness program–and I'm not exaggerating).
Richard Feynman, the quantum physicist once said,
"the first step is realizing that you must not fool yourself; the second step is realizing that your the easiest one to fool."
This couldn't be more true. (though I imagine he was talking about something less tangible like quantum physics, but it still really works well for health & fitness)
How do you really know if what you're doing to stay healthy and fit is really working? Are you (or your personal trainer) objectively measuring things to determine you're not just getting tired but actually getting better?
It's quite common for a new client of ours, who has hired a personal trainer in the past, to comment on all the assessments we do in the beginning saying something like,
"no one's ever taken this much time to determine my needs before."
Assessments are key. They must be done at the start, and then every 4-8 weeks thereafter to determine progress. Otherwise, how do you know if you're improving in the direction you want to go?
Some people say it's by the way they feel… but I can tell you that doesn't work. How often are your "feelings" wrong? Feelings are influenced by so many things (including your own prejuduce's, the outside environment, other people's suggestions, etc.), they can't be relied upon to give objective data as to whether you're physically improving or not.
Do you "feel" your cholesterol improving? Do you "feel" your spine coming into better alignment (after it's been out of alignment for 9 years)?? Do you "feel" your lack of left hip internal rotation (which is now causing your right shoulder impingement pain) improving???
No, these things must be measured objectively and then shown to you with a comparison to previous numbers and "typcial human norms."
When the numbers change, you know that you're changing, objectively. And that means a lot. You don't have to wonder if you're just "fooling yourself."
Here are just a few things that should be measured on the body mass/aesthetic side of things:
On the fitness side of things you should be measuring your improvements in:
These are just some of the measures we take on an on-going basis with our clients to help them KNOW that they're improving.
However, one last important point that George Beckham always makes (one of our trainers in Athlon Elite known for being a stickler on form and technique and body mechanics), "every session is an assessment."
Every session in Athlon Elite we're both, subjectively and objectively, monitoring your body and performance and providing you "real-time" feedback to ensure that you are constantly moving in the right direction and GETTING BETTER!
All you have to do is listen.
If you're interested in learning more about our assessments, or would just like to have us do an assessment we're here for you.
Click here to get on our schedule and start tracking your progress.
Until next time,
Ryan
click the picture above to enter our March Madness Pool
The big NCAA Men's basketball tourney is about to begin. Athlon Elite and it's partner San Luis Sports Therapy are hosting a tournament "pool" for charity around the tournament this year.
With a $10 donation to the local MS Society you'll get to register into our internal pool, make your pics and then possibly win up to $250 in gift cards! It's simple, it's fun, it's for a good cause and it's competitive… just what Athlon Elite people like!
The tournament starts on Thursday, March 18th and lasts until April 5th where one team will be crowned national champions of college basketball. (see the tournament bracket below).
All you have to do is create yourself a username in the online pool, make your picks using the easy pool bracket system, bring in $10 to Athlon Elite to give to the MS Society, and then we'll be posting current standings each day inside Athlon Elite.
If you win the tournament pool you win $100. If you win the "company-wide" pool (with the most points out of all 17 physical therapy and fitness facilities) you'll win an additional $150 in gift cards!
Here's how you do it:
It's that simple. Anyone can (and should) do this pool. It'll be fun and help out a very worth cause, the MS Society.
Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to beating you in the pool :b
Ryan
Yes, you've heard me say it a hundred times… Interval training is the way to go (for most) because it dramatically increases the calories burned and your metabolism, and it dramatically cuts your time doing aerobic exercise.
MSNBC published another story and more evidence on this fact yesterday. Read the article here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35581793/ns/health-fitness
A couple notes on the article:
The "exercise expert" that they quote says it's "like finding a new pill that works twice as well" and "we should immediately throw out the old way of exercising."
C'mon… really? Why does the media always have to ONLY print the extreme points?? Sure interval training is great, but should you only do interval training?? "Throw-out everything else???" Like the "Baby with the Bathwater??" (to use an old expression)
No, of course not.
Since you've all been paying attention to Athlon Elite's Newsletter you already know that it's even more optimal for fitness results (based on George Beckham's research review last year) to do one to two longer, slower aerobic training days mixed in with your three to four interval training days each week.
We've proven that over and over at Athlon Elite in our BURN and EDGE systems.
But to use another old expression to describe these kinds of "mass news publications"…
"to the hammer, everything's a nail."
And, unfortunately, to the reporters it's simpler to just quote the extremist than to really look into and report the FULL TRUTH.
Oh well, go get some long, slow cardio in this weekend and then get back into Athlon Elite next week for some good interval training!
Have a great weekend,
Ryan
P.S. Lost of people digging their new found flexibility and pain-free movement from their "corrective exercise prescription." If you haven't gotten a Functional Movement ScreenTM done yet at Athlon Elite and are interested in how to move better, more efficiently and pain-free, call or email Alicia and get on my schedule for one now.
(805) 440-0215 or alicia@athlonelite.com
Posted by: John Cortese, YFS, Certified Athlon Elite Trainer
FYI, John's article was published in this month's online journal from:
Great job John! Here's the article:
Speed training is a very hot topic. Hell, it always has been. In sports such as football, baseball, and soccer, the faster players almost always have the upper hand on their opponents. Speed literally does take the life out of another team. No matter how well you prepare yourself for a given team, if they have a couple more speedsters than you do, they automatically have the upper hand.
Ernie Cooper of Cal Poly Football working on his "go-deep" speed at Athlon Elite!
How often have you been on the other side of being beat deep for a touchdown by a player who just was flat out faster and more explosive than you? How frustrating is it to race for the ball in the middle of an open field during a soccer game and get beat every single time by a player who had a better set of “wheels” than you? These are just some examples, but do you get the point?
I wanted to address this topic because of a comment I heard last night from one of the announcers during a high school football game. It was along the lines of “you can’t teach speed.” I’m sure we’ve all heard this before. I used to believe in this. No matter what I did in high school, it seemed that nothing worked to get me faster and more explosive. I was told I’d probably never break 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. My freshman year of college I ran a 4.66 40-yard dash weighing 176 lbs. A little over a year later (after some hard and smart training), I ran a 4.47 40-yard dash weighing 189 lbs while being significantly stronger.
What is the point of all this? Speed is a skill that can be taught to any athlete. Anyone can get faster than they previously were with some smart planning and hard work as well as just enough work to create an adaptation. Quick tip: Do enough to stimulate, not annihilate.
Alex Turbow, Caitlin Walter and Julie English all have learned to run faster at Athlon Elite!
Click here to read the rest of the blog and find out six reasons you may not be getting faster:
http://www.elitefts.com/documents/arent_getting_faster.htm
What's the greatest gift of love
in all history?
Well the "second greatest" gift of love in all history was the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 as a memorial to his wife. It took nearly 22 years and over 20,000 workers to complete!
But, the GREATEST gift of love is ONE WHOLE WEEK FREE IN ATHLON ELITE for our clients' Valentine's… (because we 
our clients!!)
We can't build you a Taj Mahal, but we can build you a temple!
"Athlon Elite Clients Bring Your Valentine
for FREE all week!"
Friday, February 12th to Friday, February 19th
Call or email Alicia to schedule your "date" at Athlon Elite with your Valentine!!!
Einstein's Brain (really!)
(taken from Mark Sisson's Daily Apple)
Nourish your noggin. Here are 10 excellent foods that enhance hormone production, brain chemistry, memory, mood, and cognition. Think of these foods as brainiac batteries. (Solutions to Sudoku not included.)
10. Omelet
Eggs contain choline, one of the superstar brain nutrients. Choline is necessary to produce acetylcholine, which plays a critical role in memory. (Studies have linked acetylcholine deficiences to memory loss and Alzheimer’s.)
9. Smart Oils: Olive, Walnut, Avocado, Flax
A no-brainer! Er, wait…
These oils are far superior to canola, corn and soy oils, which contain Omega-6 fats rather than the brainy Omega-3’s. Dunk and drench everything (edible) in sight.
8. Tempeh
Tempeh is a smart protein that helps stabilize your blood sugar. And because it’s fermented, you get an extra health boost! Meatatarians can get a brain boost from grass-fed beef, which provides plenty of energizing and balancing B vitamins.
7. Flax Seeds
So they aren’t exactly truffles, but flax seeds are a true super food. Use them sparingly until you adjust to the taste. It’s worth it to cultivate your taste buds because flax seeds are literally made of nothing but fiber, vitamins, and Omega-3’s. (Flax seeds are a must for vegetarians!)
6. Beans
Beans contain B vitamins, “slow” carbohydrates, and plenty of fiber. Fiber has been shown to improve cognition. Get some in that stomach!
5. Greek Yogurt
Yogurt – the really fattening kind – contains tyrosine. Tyrosine perks you up and improves mental alertness. But avoid those sugary yogurts! Can’t find Greek yogurt? Look for “European style” yogurts (essentially the same thing).
4. Vegetable-Packed Salad
A big, flavorful salad is full of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Your brain really loves antioxidants C and E, so pack that puppy with nuts, seeds, olive oil, bell peppers, broccoli and fruit, too.
3. Strawberries and Blueberries
These fruits contain antioxidants that help boost cognition, coordination, and memory. Eat some berries daily if you can! They go great with that yogurt I know you’re already eating from above. Yes?
2. Nuts
Almonds make a perfect smart snack. Not only will the sensible mix of fiber, protein, and fat stabilize flagging blood sugar, but the vitamins and minerals in nuts (B, E, magnesium, and more) are excellent for your grey matter!
1. Oily fish
This is probably the single most important element required for optimal brain health. The brain is 60% fat, but it doesn’t like processed fats, trans fat, or Omega-6 fats. Your brain needs those Omega-3’s! Oily fish like wild Alaskan salmon, mackerel, and tuna contain DHA (docosahexanoic acid), the best form of Omega-3. Increased Omega-3 intake has been linked to alleviation of a spectrum of mental health concerns, from anxiety and irritability to depression and even schizophrenia. Go fish!
From the Brain Food Pyramid: “Essentially, fats build your brain, and proteins unite it. Carbohydrates fuel your brain, and micronutrients defend it.”
Remember: the best source of carbohydrates is produce, not refined starches, sweets, and grains.
How often do you eat these smart foods? If you're looking for more nutrition and exercise/fitness help give us a call: (805) 440-0215 or email us at info@athlonelite.com. We're here to help!
Did you know this movie star is a training freak?
I didn't.
Want to be inspired? Then watch what Will Smith has to say about life and getting what you want. Training others to be really fit may not be his area of expertise but this is one inspirational dude! Watch what he says about the treadmill… I got fired up!
For those of you in your second week of the Athlon Challenge, heed his advice…
Just KNOW that you're going to succeed and achieve your goals. Don't even think about having a Plan B. That will only distract you from Plan A: having the body, fitness and performance of your dreams.
Now go get it! Create yourself an amazing day!
And for those of you not training with us here at Athlon yet… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! We'll help you get the body, fitness and performance of your dreams!
www.SLOPersonalTraining.com/consult
Be inspired,
Ryan
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