The ULTIMATE band plays again. Let's pray to the gods of rock they decide to tour in the U.S!
They pick up right where they left off. Here's the set list:
Good Times Bad Times
Ramble On
Black Dog
In My Time Of Dying
For Your Life
Trampled Under Foot
Nobody's Fault But Mine
No Quarter
Since I've Been Loving You
Dazed And Confused
Stairway To Heaven
The Song Remains The Same
Misty Mountain Hop
Kashmir
Encore:
Whole Lotta Love
Rock And Roll
Good Times Bad Times (What a way to open the reunion!)
Stairway
Kashmir
Black Dog
They made and re-made history with this concert.
20071210
20071204
Research Studies...
The following article appeared in my inbox this morning. I'm not going to lie, this is a slight rant. There might be touches of sarcasm throughout the article. I still have yet to decide why we, as a society, feel the need to spend money on 'research studies' to tell us some logical conclusions that most 5th graders are able to discern. You'll see what I mean when you read this current study based on organic vs. non-organic food. I'll post my own conclusions at the bottom. I also added the bold & italicized comments below throughout the article.
--------
The Proof is In: Organic is More Nutritious
By Deirdre Dolan Updated: 11/15/2007 2:36:02 PM
Ask an Organic Mom
It seems like every day someone emails me another news story about the hidden dangers of plastic.
I usually stop whatever I'm doing to read it, more convinced with every each new study and infertile rat that we're doomed to extinction by plastic. When I'm done I usually look up to find my one year-old daughter trying to stuff something plastic into her mouth, despite the variety of brightly colored non-toxic wood toys lying around her on the floor.
So I was happy to read something good this morning about something that plays a big part in my life —they've proven that organic milk is better for you! All the money I've been spending on the stuff — and it's up to $15 dollars a day because I'm pregnant and it really helps my heartburn — is worth it. The same goes for organic food.
For the past seven years, the organic food lobby in England has been trying to get the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to change their claim that organic food isn't safer or healthier. And now, after a 4-year, 12million pound, European Union-funded investigation led by Newcastle University that shows organic foods have far more nutritional value, they may soon get their way. The study isn't over yet and the results will be published over the next year, but the hope is that the FSA will change its claim that "the balance of current scientific evidence does not support" the idea that organic food is more nutritious than conventional.
The Quality Low Input Food project, the biggest of its kind, took a 725-acre farm in north-east England, grew conventional produce (like cabbage, lettuce, potatoes and what) next to organic produce, and compared the results.
The biggest contrast was found for milk. The study found that levels of antioxidants in milk from organic cattle were between 50% and 80% higher than conventional milk (60% to 80% more nutrients in the summer than conventional milk, and 50% to 60% more in the winter). Organic milk also has higher levels of vitamin E, and 60 percent more antioxidants and desirable fatty acids. Antioxidants help with a healthy circulatory system and help keep cancer and heart disease away.
Other highlights:
1 Fruit and vegetables contain up to 40% more nutrients if they are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. (what a concept!)
2 Up to 40% more antioxidants could be found in organic fruit and vegetables than in those conventionally farmed. (that warms my heart.)
3 Potatoes, kiwi fruit and carrots were among the organic produce found to be higher in vitamin C.
4 Higher levels of minerals and antioxidants were found in organically- farmed lettuce, spinach and cabbage. Organic spinach and cabbage have more minerals. (you mean I don't get adequate levels of antioxidants from DDT? thanks for telling me 20 years later!)
5 Organic produce also had higher levels of iron and zinc, vital nutrients lacking in many people's diets.
6 Organic cheese can have up to twice as many nutrients than conventional varieties. (And all along I thought steriods and growth hormone given to little cows to grow into big cows were laced with Calcium)
7 Organic tomatoes, wheat, potatoes, cabbage, onions and wheat have 20 to 40 per cent more antioxidants than conventional fruit and vegetables. (where have I been the last 25 years of my coherent life?)
Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu are the authors of The Complete Organic Pregnancy. They write the Ask an Organic Mom blog for The Daily Green.com, where they answer your questions about how to raise a toxin-free baby.
www.thedailygreen.com is the new consumer's guide to the green revolution. From saving money to saving the planet, you'll find ideas, recipes, news and more every single day.
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
--------
I guess the powers that be in other nations have managed to model the U.S. government when it comes to wasting money doing studies that provide useless conclusions...unless they are 'providing jobs' which is an entirely different rant (which will becoming soon :)
My conclusion: The only thing that is left in our progressive world is 'uncommon' sense. Now go consume some high-vitamin/mineral-potent-organic-food! It may just help you gain some 'uncommon' sense :)
--------
The Proof is In: Organic is More Nutritious
By Deirdre Dolan Updated: 11/15/2007 2:36:02 PM
Ask an Organic Mom
It seems like every day someone emails me another news story about the hidden dangers of plastic.
I usually stop whatever I'm doing to read it, more convinced with every each new study and infertile rat that we're doomed to extinction by plastic. When I'm done I usually look up to find my one year-old daughter trying to stuff something plastic into her mouth, despite the variety of brightly colored non-toxic wood toys lying around her on the floor.
So I was happy to read something good this morning about something that plays a big part in my life —they've proven that organic milk is better for you! All the money I've been spending on the stuff — and it's up to $15 dollars a day because I'm pregnant and it really helps my heartburn — is worth it. The same goes for organic food.
For the past seven years, the organic food lobby in England has been trying to get the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to change their claim that organic food isn't safer or healthier. And now, after a 4-year, 12million pound, European Union-funded investigation led by Newcastle University that shows organic foods have far more nutritional value, they may soon get their way. The study isn't over yet and the results will be published over the next year, but the hope is that the FSA will change its claim that "the balance of current scientific evidence does not support" the idea that organic food is more nutritious than conventional.
The Quality Low Input Food project, the biggest of its kind, took a 725-acre farm in north-east England, grew conventional produce (like cabbage, lettuce, potatoes and what) next to organic produce, and compared the results.
The biggest contrast was found for milk. The study found that levels of antioxidants in milk from organic cattle were between 50% and 80% higher than conventional milk (60% to 80% more nutrients in the summer than conventional milk, and 50% to 60% more in the winter). Organic milk also has higher levels of vitamin E, and 60 percent more antioxidants and desirable fatty acids. Antioxidants help with a healthy circulatory system and help keep cancer and heart disease away.
Other highlights:
1 Fruit and vegetables contain up to 40% more nutrients if they are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. (what a concept!)
2 Up to 40% more antioxidants could be found in organic fruit and vegetables than in those conventionally farmed. (that warms my heart.)
3 Potatoes, kiwi fruit and carrots were among the organic produce found to be higher in vitamin C.
4 Higher levels of minerals and antioxidants were found in organically- farmed lettuce, spinach and cabbage. Organic spinach and cabbage have more minerals. (you mean I don't get adequate levels of antioxidants from DDT? thanks for telling me 20 years later!)
5 Organic produce also had higher levels of iron and zinc, vital nutrients lacking in many people's diets.
6 Organic cheese can have up to twice as many nutrients than conventional varieties. (And all along I thought steriods and growth hormone given to little cows to grow into big cows were laced with Calcium)
7 Organic tomatoes, wheat, potatoes, cabbage, onions and wheat have 20 to 40 per cent more antioxidants than conventional fruit and vegetables. (where have I been the last 25 years of my coherent life?)
Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu are the authors of The Complete Organic Pregnancy. They write the Ask an Organic Mom blog for The Daily Green.com, where they answer your questions about how to raise a toxin-free baby.
www.thedailygreen.com is the new consumer's guide to the green revolution. From saving money to saving the planet, you'll find ideas, recipes, news and more every single day.
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
--------
I guess the powers that be in other nations have managed to model the U.S. government when it comes to wasting money doing studies that provide useless conclusions...unless they are 'providing jobs' which is an entirely different rant (which will becoming soon :)
My conclusion: The only thing that is left in our progressive world is 'uncommon' sense. Now go consume some high-vitamin/mineral-potent-organic-food! It may just help you gain some 'uncommon' sense :)
20071126
The experience of a lifetime...
Back from Romania. In one word: Perspective. Perspective on another culture. Perspective on life. This is my first experience abroad so those of you who have traveled already know some of this.
Thanksgiving was given an entirely different meaning than any of my previous references towards it after this trip. It changed a lot of lives including my own in the process.
This post will be radically different from most of my other posts on here based on what I just experienced for 7 days in Romania. I was there on a mission trip with my girlfriend's family and Starkey Hearing Foundation based in Eden Prairie, MN. If you haven't heard of them or of the Founder Bill Austin, I will do my best to describe what took place throughout the entire week.
The trip began with a 7.5 hour flight to Amsterdam on Saturday night Nov 17th. 2 hour layover. 2 more hours of flight time into Bucharest, Romania. Thank God for Z-Health! We were graciously greeted at the airport by Mihai (Romanian Starkey Rep) and Emi (Turkish Starkey rep) eagerly ready for the 'Americans.' TA was about 8:00am their time on Sunday.
We were greeted outside the airport by sleet and a wet cold that cuts through us. Made Minnesota weather look balmy! The drive from the airport to our hotel was interesting. At first, it looked somewhat the same as the U.S. Billboards, some stores like IKEA, and then it definitely was different. Traffic. insane. 99% of the cars are the size of Honda hybrids here and people drive so close to each other in traffic lanes that it's amazing at least 50% of the cars don't have side-swipes. Pedestrians. They just decide to walk across the street...and there is no 'pedestrian right-of-way'...the cars just honk! I can't tell you how many times I thought our bus driver was going to nail pedestrians...and he was 'courteous' compared to most of the other cars we saw. Drivers just honk when they want to get in and start moving over without looking hardly ever. This scenario in the U.S. would result in road rage beatdown approximately every 1000 feet ;) Definitely a different way of driving communication, yet universally understood in this country.
Traffic is also 'special' in another way: Round-a-bouts (RABs). RABs that go both directions and multiple lanes of traffic. For you Twin Cities' natives, picture Spaghetti Junction (I-94/I-35E/Hwy 52/Downtown St. Paul) having 2-3 lanes going each direction on EVERY ramp with no regard for stoplights. This just begins to explain the mess they have in Bucharest.
On to the mission...
Starkey Hearing Foundation
'So The World May Hear'
Day 1 Monday
We arrived at this huge gov't building later to find out that it is the currently the 2nd largest building in the world (next to our own Pentagon) called the Palace of the Parliament. This is where all gov't meetings are held for the Romanian people. Later we would come to the conclusion that this is a HUGE deal for us to be in this building utilizing one of the great halls for installing hearing aids and an even BIGGER deal for the kids and their teachers to enter this building at all ...think more dictatorship-type country even though Romania become a 'democracy' in 1989 after a major revolt. So this they are relatively young when it comes to rights and all of the political goings-on that comes with it.
We entered the Great Hall just after 9am to witness one of the most structured things surrounding kids that I had ever seen: 150+ of them sitting in chairs and you could hear a pin drop (short-term memory reminded they were borderline deaf and could not hear any pitches we can :) The Romania/Germany Starkey team also greeted us and were anxiously waiting to get started.
The Hansen family broke into 5 'teams' ...the rookies (I was included in the rookie category) were paired with their significant others to learn the ropes. Let the fun begin.
The first 4 or 5 that I personally got to work on was where the SIGNIFICANCE of this trip began to set in. Even though there was more than a language barrier (not only do I not speak Romanian, I have yet to learn sign language as well) but thank goodness for the Romanian interpreters. Yet a worldwide universal language was the default:
1 smiles
2 high-fives
3 thumbs-ups
4 hugs
5 and sometimes secret handshakes (some they would show me and some they would show me)
The first crew of kids ages ranged approx. 4-10. 99% of the kids could read lips very, very well which is a huge props to their teachers. 75% of them have never had hearing aids and have never heard any sound whatsoever. So to be the first person to witness a huge smile when they heard the first sound ever in their life cannot be described without witnessing it live. Incrible doesn't even begin to explain it. The facial expression and the excitement in their mannerisms was nothing like I have ever seen and definitely formed an impression in me of something that I doubt will be duplicated in my lifetime until another mission like this one. Most of them were very excited to receive something from 'the Americans' even if it was a piece of candy. We also handed out a medal on a lanyard that was the color of the Romanian flag to EVERY kid we saw. We were celebrities in their eyes in more than just 'Americans'.
After the first crew of about 100 we went to lunch as we were waiting for other schools to arrive. Then it happened. I walked in to the 'toaleta' where recently graduated deaf kids could now hear running water and automatic hand dryers for the first time in their lives. Something that we take for granted more than once a day for sure. What a sight to see the delight on their faces...high-fiving, thumbs up and smiling from ear to ear!
Day 1 Total kids fitted with hearing aids: 262
-------------
Day 2 Tuesday
More of the same. This day was the first 'performance' we were given: their way of thanking us for what we were doing. Most of the these '5-10 minute thanking sessions' were traditional Romanian dance. Pretty cool to see 5-10 year old kids who formerly had to watch their teachers and go off vibration for steps finally be able to hear the music somewhat...they were not in sync :) because it was the first time they had actually heard the music!
Towards the end of the day we fitted some older adults in their 60s/70s/80s. Most of them have had hearing aids but cannot afford them. They were more than grateful.
Day 2 Total: 260
Today we finished early so we went on a walk around a 10 block radius of our hotel. We continued to be amazed by how poor the city was...run down row-houses (like Boston and New York) and were introduced to 'street dogs'...dog after dog after dog that were wild scavengers looking for food, filled with fleas. They told us that Bucharest has thousands of them due the lack of money of the people which does two things: no spaying or neutering and no family pets. This makes for one canine multiplying mess. Really sad that all of these dogs were skin and bones and mangy with no home. Just one more humbling experience to add to the trip and appreciating what we have in the U.S.
-------------
Day 3 Wednesday
Today was the first day that we had some extremely deaf kids who could not hear anything on the highest powered hearing aids that we had. This was frustrating for us, yet at the same time the kids were happy to receive their medal and candy as if it was no big deal for them.
Day 3 Total: 270
Leaving the Palace today was interesting. Apparently the President had a meeting some type of gov't meeting scheduled. So when we left the room where we had been all morning, we were greeted by men in uniform holding swords (their version of our marines). When we walked out the building there were about 30 Secret Service in full on SWAT type gear standing at the front of the building with a helicoptor parked in the lawn and about 10 black BMWs parked strategically around a couple of vans. The difference between their Secret Service and ours was drastic. Ours wear suits, ear pieces and conceal weapons under their coats. Theirs wear everything visibly to everyone...vests outside their clothes, guns strapped to their legs...everything was visible and much more powerful and intimidating. Not sure if this was the purpose or they just do it different. You knew they meant business and nothing was discreet. They would not allow us to stay in our van to watch him leave which we would have had front row seats all to ourselves watching him right out the front doors.
-------------
Day 4 Thursday...the final day
Today was the most frustrating day of all...Jordan and I had 14 kids who we had to turn away because they could not hear any sound whatsoever on the highest hearing aid available. This was hard and I really felt for them as they wanted to hear so badly yet it wasn't going to happen.
Day 4 Total: 270
-------------
Overall, this was the most humbling experience of my life. I would do it again in a heart beat and look forward to a similar trip next year.
Final thought: The Romanians we befriended as translators had some interesting comments on Americans: "You all look so 'fit' (the Hansen family)." They thought this was very out of place based on what they see on TV...severely overweight and obese people. Sad that is the perception of Americans to foreigners, yet exactly why I do what I do.
Now that you've read this far...my blog will be back on track with regular scheduled rants!
Thanksgiving was given an entirely different meaning than any of my previous references towards it after this trip. It changed a lot of lives including my own in the process.
This post will be radically different from most of my other posts on here based on what I just experienced for 7 days in Romania. I was there on a mission trip with my girlfriend's family and Starkey Hearing Foundation based in Eden Prairie, MN. If you haven't heard of them or of the Founder Bill Austin, I will do my best to describe what took place throughout the entire week.
The trip began with a 7.5 hour flight to Amsterdam on Saturday night Nov 17th. 2 hour layover. 2 more hours of flight time into Bucharest, Romania. Thank God for Z-Health! We were graciously greeted at the airport by Mihai (Romanian Starkey Rep) and Emi (Turkish Starkey rep) eagerly ready for the 'Americans.' TA was about 8:00am their time on Sunday.
We were greeted outside the airport by sleet and a wet cold that cuts through us. Made Minnesota weather look balmy! The drive from the airport to our hotel was interesting. At first, it looked somewhat the same as the U.S. Billboards, some stores like IKEA, and then it definitely was different. Traffic. insane. 99% of the cars are the size of Honda hybrids here and people drive so close to each other in traffic lanes that it's amazing at least 50% of the cars don't have side-swipes. Pedestrians. They just decide to walk across the street...and there is no 'pedestrian right-of-way'...the cars just honk! I can't tell you how many times I thought our bus driver was going to nail pedestrians...and he was 'courteous' compared to most of the other cars we saw. Drivers just honk when they want to get in and start moving over without looking hardly ever. This scenario in the U.S. would result in road rage beatdown approximately every 1000 feet ;) Definitely a different way of driving communication, yet universally understood in this country.
Traffic is also 'special' in another way: Round-a-bouts (RABs). RABs that go both directions and multiple lanes of traffic. For you Twin Cities' natives, picture Spaghetti Junction (I-94/I-35E/Hwy 52/Downtown St. Paul) having 2-3 lanes going each direction on EVERY ramp with no regard for stoplights. This just begins to explain the mess they have in Bucharest.
On to the mission...
Starkey Hearing Foundation
'So The World May Hear'
Day 1 Monday
We arrived at this huge gov't building later to find out that it is the currently the 2nd largest building in the world (next to our own Pentagon) called the Palace of the Parliament. This is where all gov't meetings are held for the Romanian people. Later we would come to the conclusion that this is a HUGE deal for us to be in this building utilizing one of the great halls for installing hearing aids and an even BIGGER deal for the kids and their teachers to enter this building at all ...think more dictatorship-type country even though Romania become a 'democracy' in 1989 after a major revolt. So this they are relatively young when it comes to rights and all of the political goings-on that comes with it.
We entered the Great Hall just after 9am to witness one of the most structured things surrounding kids that I had ever seen: 150+ of them sitting in chairs and you could hear a pin drop (short-term memory reminded they were borderline deaf and could not hear any pitches we can :) The Romania/Germany Starkey team also greeted us and were anxiously waiting to get started.
The Hansen family broke into 5 'teams' ...the rookies (I was included in the rookie category) were paired with their significant others to learn the ropes. Let the fun begin.
The first 4 or 5 that I personally got to work on was where the SIGNIFICANCE of this trip began to set in. Even though there was more than a language barrier (not only do I not speak Romanian, I have yet to learn sign language as well) but thank goodness for the Romanian interpreters. Yet a worldwide universal language was the default:
1 smiles
2 high-fives
3 thumbs-ups
4 hugs
5 and sometimes secret handshakes (some they would show me and some they would show me)
The first crew of kids ages ranged approx. 4-10. 99% of the kids could read lips very, very well which is a huge props to their teachers. 75% of them have never had hearing aids and have never heard any sound whatsoever. So to be the first person to witness a huge smile when they heard the first sound ever in their life cannot be described without witnessing it live. Incrible doesn't even begin to explain it. The facial expression and the excitement in their mannerisms was nothing like I have ever seen and definitely formed an impression in me of something that I doubt will be duplicated in my lifetime until another mission like this one. Most of them were very excited to receive something from 'the Americans' even if it was a piece of candy. We also handed out a medal on a lanyard that was the color of the Romanian flag to EVERY kid we saw. We were celebrities in their eyes in more than just 'Americans'.
After the first crew of about 100 we went to lunch as we were waiting for other schools to arrive. Then it happened. I walked in to the 'toaleta' where recently graduated deaf kids could now hear running water and automatic hand dryers for the first time in their lives. Something that we take for granted more than once a day for sure. What a sight to see the delight on their faces...high-fiving, thumbs up and smiling from ear to ear!
Day 1 Total kids fitted with hearing aids: 262
-------------
Day 2 Tuesday
More of the same. This day was the first 'performance' we were given: their way of thanking us for what we were doing. Most of the these '5-10 minute thanking sessions' were traditional Romanian dance. Pretty cool to see 5-10 year old kids who formerly had to watch their teachers and go off vibration for steps finally be able to hear the music somewhat...they were not in sync :) because it was the first time they had actually heard the music!
Towards the end of the day we fitted some older adults in their 60s/70s/80s. Most of them have had hearing aids but cannot afford them. They were more than grateful.
Day 2 Total: 260
Today we finished early so we went on a walk around a 10 block radius of our hotel. We continued to be amazed by how poor the city was...run down row-houses (like Boston and New York) and were introduced to 'street dogs'...dog after dog after dog that were wild scavengers looking for food, filled with fleas. They told us that Bucharest has thousands of them due the lack of money of the people which does two things: no spaying or neutering and no family pets. This makes for one canine multiplying mess. Really sad that all of these dogs were skin and bones and mangy with no home. Just one more humbling experience to add to the trip and appreciating what we have in the U.S.
-------------
Day 3 Wednesday
Today was the first day that we had some extremely deaf kids who could not hear anything on the highest powered hearing aids that we had. This was frustrating for us, yet at the same time the kids were happy to receive their medal and candy as if it was no big deal for them.
Day 3 Total: 270
Leaving the Palace today was interesting. Apparently the President had a meeting some type of gov't meeting scheduled. So when we left the room where we had been all morning, we were greeted by men in uniform holding swords (their version of our marines). When we walked out the building there were about 30 Secret Service in full on SWAT type gear standing at the front of the building with a helicoptor parked in the lawn and about 10 black BMWs parked strategically around a couple of vans. The difference between their Secret Service and ours was drastic. Ours wear suits, ear pieces and conceal weapons under their coats. Theirs wear everything visibly to everyone...vests outside their clothes, guns strapped to their legs...everything was visible and much more powerful and intimidating. Not sure if this was the purpose or they just do it different. You knew they meant business and nothing was discreet. They would not allow us to stay in our van to watch him leave which we would have had front row seats all to ourselves watching him right out the front doors.
-------------
Day 4 Thursday...the final day
Today was the most frustrating day of all...Jordan and I had 14 kids who we had to turn away because they could not hear any sound whatsoever on the highest hearing aid available. This was hard and I really felt for them as they wanted to hear so badly yet it wasn't going to happen.
Day 4 Total: 270
-------------
Overall, this was the most humbling experience of my life. I would do it again in a heart beat and look forward to a similar trip next year.
Final thought: The Romanians we befriended as translators had some interesting comments on Americans: "You all look so 'fit' (the Hansen family)." They thought this was very out of place based on what they see on TV...severely overweight and obese people. Sad that is the perception of Americans to foreigners, yet exactly why I do what I do.
Now that you've read this far...my blog will be back on track with regular scheduled rants!
20071104
And the greatest band of ALL TIME
Led Zeppelin. They put it together for a long, long time. Now they are doing a concert in London this month and I know they will hit a reunion tour up. These guys will still go down as the band that changed EVERYTHING in Rock n Roll. Here are 4 of their top 10 songs.
Zep: Black Dog
Zep: Over the Hills and Far Away
Zep: Kashmir
Zep: Misty Mountain Hop
Zep: Black Dog
Zep: Over the Hills and Far Away
Zep: Kashmir
Zep: Misty Mountain Hop
Appreciation for mastery
As I continue my education in fitness/strength & conditioning/personal training, etc... I have found new insight through other people's mastery of other careers/subjects and also a new-found appreciation for those at the top of their games in their respective fields. Music...a tie that binds many of us together and permeates many many aspects of our lives. I am a music afficianado and in my younger days spent A LOT of time behind a drumset playing anything and everything I could get my hands on and also jammin' with buddies in my basement pretending to be in front of 1000sThat being said I went to the AIC/VR concert about a month ago here in St. Paul. Here are a couple of clips...AIC reunited with new lead vocals and VR has put the former GNR/STP crew on the musical map. Both of these bands put on an amazing show and sounded fantastic live. Enjoy!
Velvet Revolver: Sucker Train Blues
Velvet Revolver: Vasoline (Covering STP and one of the greatest songs ever!)
Velvet Revolver: Mr. Brownstone (Covering GNR ...the energy was freakin' amazing for this one.)
Alice in Chains: Rooster
Velvet Revolver: Sucker Train Blues
Velvet Revolver: Vasoline (Covering STP and one of the greatest songs ever!)
Velvet Revolver: Mr. Brownstone (Covering GNR ...the energy was freakin' amazing for this one.)
Alice in Chains: Rooster
20071028
Transitions and Integration
This post has multiple meanings...
Kinetic Edge just was relocated upstairs to a much larger space after only 8 months. I now have room for all of my 'toys.' Thanks to all of you who beared with me during this transition phase...I have been a little spacey lately to say the least with all of the build out and decisions that have had to be made. This has caused me to be on 'blog hiatus' for about a month. I'm back.
Let's explore transitions, integration and coordination on a deeper level from a movement perspective.
Most of the time we (scholars, schooling, teachers in general) tend to focus on the distal ends of skill development. We are are a society of wanting 'finished projects' and we want them:
1 our way
2 now
3 in perfect finished form
My own training recently has started to focus on the all of the in-between micro-movements. There are 1000s /1,000,000s of micro-movements within one main movement. I'll use the squat as an example for all of this.
Squatting is a multi-joint movement ...most of us focus on ankle / knee / hip some on low back as the 4 'main' joints. Let us not forget ALL of the small joints within the foot which are just as critical as the main 3 (ankle/knee/hip). Now in Z training there is isolated joint mobility for each one of these joints where it is singled out. After we can separate each joint movement without tension and have a clean movement pattern, we can then integrate a 2nd joint. This can continue until you've integrated a 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. joint into the movement. Then comes the re-coordination of all of the integrated 'parts.' I am finding this more and more extremely important in producing cleaner movement patterns and also increasing PRs, decreasing soreness (although at first, you will be pleasantly surprised at a new found level of tissue soreness), etc when exploring individual movements in depth.
Now take the squat and the multiple joints and perform individual Z drills at different levels of the squat. For example going into a 1/4 squat (or 5/16 squat or whatever level you want, because EVERY level matters) and perform a Ball of Foot Circle or a Closed Chain Knee Circle or a Ball of Foot Outside Toe Pull. Make sense? If not, seek a Z Level II trainer (minimum) to find out more because the videos won't do this justice.
Contact me for more info at brad@keperformance.com
P.S. I will be more diligent about updating my blog and putting out some stellar information!
Kinetic Edge just was relocated upstairs to a much larger space after only 8 months. I now have room for all of my 'toys.' Thanks to all of you who beared with me during this transition phase...I have been a little spacey lately to say the least with all of the build out and decisions that have had to be made. This has caused me to be on 'blog hiatus' for about a month. I'm back.
Let's explore transitions, integration and coordination on a deeper level from a movement perspective.
Most of the time we (scholars, schooling, teachers in general) tend to focus on the distal ends of skill development. We are are a society of wanting 'finished projects' and we want them:
1 our way
2 now
3 in perfect finished form
My own training recently has started to focus on the all of the in-between micro-movements. There are 1000s /1,000,000s of micro-movements within one main movement. I'll use the squat as an example for all of this.
Squatting is a multi-joint movement ...most of us focus on ankle / knee / hip some on low back as the 4 'main' joints. Let us not forget ALL of the small joints within the foot which are just as critical as the main 3 (ankle/knee/hip). Now in Z training there is isolated joint mobility for each one of these joints where it is singled out. After we can separate each joint movement without tension and have a clean movement pattern, we can then integrate a 2nd joint. This can continue until you've integrated a 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. joint into the movement. Then comes the re-coordination of all of the integrated 'parts.' I am finding this more and more extremely important in producing cleaner movement patterns and also increasing PRs, decreasing soreness (although at first, you will be pleasantly surprised at a new found level of tissue soreness), etc when exploring individual movements in depth.
Now take the squat and the multiple joints and perform individual Z drills at different levels of the squat. For example going into a 1/4 squat (or 5/16 squat or whatever level you want, because EVERY level matters) and perform a Ball of Foot Circle or a Closed Chain Knee Circle or a Ball of Foot Outside Toe Pull. Make sense? If not, seek a Z Level II trainer (minimum) to find out more because the videos won't do this justice.
Contact me for more info at brad@keperformance.com
P.S. I will be more diligent about updating my blog and putting out some stellar information!
20070924
Mind Warp...Dallas style
I invested 2 1/2 days this past weekend to borrow some neurology from my good friend Frankie Faires in Dallas, TX. If you are screwed up physically, emotionally, and/or mentally (fF especially likes mental patients)...all of these result in movement deficiencies, compensations and different imbalances. Do yourself a favor and get a movement session with Frankie. He is a wizard when it comes to application of movement.
Z is movement. Movement encompasses Z ...and much, much more. I learned so many subtle factors to improve my own movement patterns along with specifics for my clients. One of the most profound daily activity (that I caught myself doing today out of habit) is eating...not eating as you are thinking...eating moving my mouth to my fork (anterior head carriage and thoracic flexion)...instead of my fork to my mouth. Sitting at the computer--same thing. Re-learning to walk, take the stairs, how I stand (posture) when watching clients--all things that are ingrained habits that I do 6 days per week. That might sound corny. However, that is what I spend most of my time doing so it is now unconcious to me. Therefore, I must bring it back to concious mind and improve movement sets within those activities...and that will yield MAJOR changes in my neurology with translation to athletic activities.
Friday
Muscle testing. I was not comfortable with this before. It works. For everything. Supplements, food, people I hang around, movement patterns (weight training, martial arts, mobility drills), everything. This is a component of everything.
Then on to cranial/soft tissue work. I have a crooked jaw to the right that has gotten much more in line with a lot of mobility drills. However, my cervical movements need some TLC in very subtle forms to make it even better. Better yet is focusing on creating equal facial expressions on both sides of my face. Easier said than done with sensory motor amnesia. Space was held around my left cheek for a very short period of time and combine that with eye rotations up and to the right in small circles (lack of access to creative construct not being able to move eyes up and to the right) that sent me into a major headache. I don't get headaches...probably have had two in my life. This put me down for the next 2.5 hours in a nap. Woke and felt a lot better...much 'cleaner' movement. There is much more than moving joints. The eyes / face / cranium / hands / feet have WAY more information feedback and hidden keys to many of mine and other peoples' movement lapses.
Friday was much more mental (literally and figuratively) than I thought, yet it paved the way for major insight into my CNS for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday was physical. We started out working on my Left leg Pistols. I have problems sitting in the bottom on my L leg. This is a structural immobility in feet, ankles, and knees. I can do them with weight as a counter balance, but I am basically forcing myself into the whole vs. letting my joints be OK with that position. More wholes in my movement practice that I can perfect. Then we explored some movement combinations with rotation. Very cool. Things I have been doing but I can make them better based on the timing of the step / rotate / and execution of the lift. Rotational movements affect the fascia in numerous ways...that are needed greatly from all the years of single plane movements. We also discussed weighted mobility drills... through the use of dumbbells, clubbells, ankle weights and weighted vest. Many new 'fun' ways to implement novelty in my own training. This led into a topic on novelty. Something new. I get bored easily now. If I (we) get curious about something, that is our neurology telling us to explore it. Things are moving faster today more than ever, and I do tend to have attention problems but this weekend made me much more aware of doing new things or using the 'same but different' approach.
Combatives...training from the flinch (yes I said flinch) because that is when EVERYTHING starts...the spinal reflex. We cannot train this out of us and we shouldn't after what I saw this weekend. Very cool immediate application of skills. Hand and eye led instead of foot lead like most MA schools teach. "Sooner is faster" to quote Dr. Cobb and hand/eye led movements are sooner and therefore faster. This is the most profound factor to date in terms of survival and my short combatives experience.
Speed...Level 3 drills and application of pegboard properly. This was also a huge wake up and another reason I will start using mirrors (yes I will breakdown and have a mirror or two in my new space). Gotta have 'em for instant feedback and movement correction. I didn't realize how much I was missing out on.
Saturday night was UFC 76 and some decent fights. We weren't just watching fights...we were watching movement. If you want to see some messed up movement patterns, watch fighters.
Here are some things I picked up watching the fights...
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Awesome grappling match and truly fun to watch a fight rolls like this. Both guys were tremendous at their games.
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Rua was being hailed as one of the best in the world at 205. He forgot to show up Saturday night. Watching their movement patterns, I leaned towards Rua. More fluid, loose. Forrest, not so much. Way too much accessory movement, a lot of wasted energy on bad habits. Forrest did win with bjj...this time and unlikely.
Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Chuck looked much better entering the ring this time than he did with Rampage. Jardine looks like a train wreck walking around, yet one!?! Chuck's leg must look like ground beef with A1 on it after all those leg kicks. Still both of them are inefficient.
Overall, after 2 full days of movement with Frankie, it was fun to watch some well-known fighters' movement patterns and pick apart how much potential each of them really do have if they are put in the right hands.
Sunday was review of some key concepts that I won't go into here. Way more information that I learned that I will continue to post as I extrapolate.
Z is movement. Movement encompasses Z ...and much, much more. I learned so many subtle factors to improve my own movement patterns along with specifics for my clients. One of the most profound daily activity (that I caught myself doing today out of habit) is eating...not eating as you are thinking...eating moving my mouth to my fork (anterior head carriage and thoracic flexion)...instead of my fork to my mouth. Sitting at the computer--same thing. Re-learning to walk, take the stairs, how I stand (posture) when watching clients--all things that are ingrained habits that I do 6 days per week. That might sound corny. However, that is what I spend most of my time doing so it is now unconcious to me. Therefore, I must bring it back to concious mind and improve movement sets within those activities...and that will yield MAJOR changes in my neurology with translation to athletic activities.
Friday
Muscle testing. I was not comfortable with this before. It works. For everything. Supplements, food, people I hang around, movement patterns (weight training, martial arts, mobility drills), everything. This is a component of everything.
Then on to cranial/soft tissue work. I have a crooked jaw to the right that has gotten much more in line with a lot of mobility drills. However, my cervical movements need some TLC in very subtle forms to make it even better. Better yet is focusing on creating equal facial expressions on both sides of my face. Easier said than done with sensory motor amnesia. Space was held around my left cheek for a very short period of time and combine that with eye rotations up and to the right in small circles (lack of access to creative construct not being able to move eyes up and to the right) that sent me into a major headache. I don't get headaches...probably have had two in my life. This put me down for the next 2.5 hours in a nap. Woke and felt a lot better...much 'cleaner' movement. There is much more than moving joints. The eyes / face / cranium / hands / feet have WAY more information feedback and hidden keys to many of mine and other peoples' movement lapses.
Friday was much more mental (literally and figuratively) than I thought, yet it paved the way for major insight into my CNS for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday was physical. We started out working on my Left leg Pistols. I have problems sitting in the bottom on my L leg. This is a structural immobility in feet, ankles, and knees. I can do them with weight as a counter balance, but I am basically forcing myself into the whole vs. letting my joints be OK with that position. More wholes in my movement practice that I can perfect. Then we explored some movement combinations with rotation. Very cool. Things I have been doing but I can make them better based on the timing of the step / rotate / and execution of the lift. Rotational movements affect the fascia in numerous ways...that are needed greatly from all the years of single plane movements. We also discussed weighted mobility drills... through the use of dumbbells, clubbells, ankle weights and weighted vest. Many new 'fun' ways to implement novelty in my own training. This led into a topic on novelty. Something new. I get bored easily now. If I (we) get curious about something, that is our neurology telling us to explore it. Things are moving faster today more than ever, and I do tend to have attention problems but this weekend made me much more aware of doing new things or using the 'same but different' approach.
Combatives...training from the flinch (yes I said flinch) because that is when EVERYTHING starts...the spinal reflex. We cannot train this out of us and we shouldn't after what I saw this weekend. Very cool immediate application of skills. Hand and eye led instead of foot lead like most MA schools teach. "Sooner is faster" to quote Dr. Cobb and hand/eye led movements are sooner and therefore faster. This is the most profound factor to date in terms of survival and my short combatives experience.
Speed...Level 3 drills and application of pegboard properly. This was also a huge wake up and another reason I will start using mirrors (yes I will breakdown and have a mirror or two in my new space). Gotta have 'em for instant feedback and movement correction. I didn't realize how much I was missing out on.
Saturday night was UFC 76 and some decent fights. We weren't just watching fights...we were watching movement. If you want to see some messed up movement patterns, watch fighters.
Here are some things I picked up watching the fights...
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Awesome grappling match and truly fun to watch a fight rolls like this. Both guys were tremendous at their games.
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Rua was being hailed as one of the best in the world at 205. He forgot to show up Saturday night. Watching their movement patterns, I leaned towards Rua. More fluid, loose. Forrest, not so much. Way too much accessory movement, a lot of wasted energy on bad habits. Forrest did win with bjj...this time and unlikely.
Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Chuck looked much better entering the ring this time than he did with Rampage. Jardine looks like a train wreck walking around, yet one!?! Chuck's leg must look like ground beef with A1 on it after all those leg kicks. Still both of them are inefficient.
Overall, after 2 full days of movement with Frankie, it was fun to watch some well-known fighters' movement patterns and pick apart how much potential each of them really do have if they are put in the right hands.
Sunday was review of some key concepts that I won't go into here. Way more information that I learned that I will continue to post as I extrapolate.
20070914
5.7 just a number?
On a scale of 1-10 5.7 is just over average. no.
5.7 mph. not quite.
5.7+ is the route that humbled my bag o' bones on a climbing wall today.
5.13+ is the highest in the gym.
The difference between the two? Kindergarten vs. a pro athlete. Climbing is going to be fun. I have been curious about it for a few years now and look forward to discovering new found strength and character in something so organic. Vertical Endeavors is a kick ass indoor climbing facility that boasts 18,000 sq ft of climbing wall and is one of the 3 largest indoor facilities in the USA. This is one of my new found homes and will deter me from being lazy watching TV.
Probably the greatest asset for me is that this is something that will challenge me beyond the physical and force me to map new problem solving capabilities in my brain due to different routes. I am looking forward to this new venture with a little-kid excitement approach.
Welcome to a whole new brand of beatdown! :)
5.7 mph. not quite.
5.7+ is the route that humbled my bag o' bones on a climbing wall today.
5.13+ is the highest in the gym.
The difference between the two? Kindergarten vs. a pro athlete. Climbing is going to be fun. I have been curious about it for a few years now and look forward to discovering new found strength and character in something so organic. Vertical Endeavors is a kick ass indoor climbing facility that boasts 18,000 sq ft of climbing wall and is one of the 3 largest indoor facilities in the USA. This is one of my new found homes and will deter me from being lazy watching TV.
Probably the greatest asset for me is that this is something that will challenge me beyond the physical and force me to map new problem solving capabilities in my brain due to different routes. I am looking forward to this new venture with a little-kid excitement approach.
Welcome to a whole new brand of beatdown! :)
20070911
5 Wheels and change...
More TSC thoughts after the fact...and other ramblings.
Pictoral Review of Saturday's TSC thanks to Derrick Torgerson (DDT).
5 wheels. That's what the iron heads call 495lbs.
This event revived my juices to revisit the DL often.
Next Goal is 515 then 545. 6 wheels in reach with some serious training. Meet on November 10th locally that I will work towards the next 7 weeks here.
Competition is a fantastic thing and I have missed it for over 8 years. It allows me to beat previous bests and check my mental state going against others even though I am really competing with myself. Looking forward to the next one in April 08.
**Thanks to one of my faithful class students Derrick Torgerson for this killer pictoral video of all the action!!
Pictoral Review of Saturday's TSC thanks to Derrick Torgerson (DDT).
5 wheels. That's what the iron heads call 495lbs.
This event revived my juices to revisit the DL often.
Next Goal is 515 then 545. 6 wheels in reach with some serious training. Meet on November 10th locally that I will work towards the next 7 weeks here.
Competition is a fantastic thing and I have missed it for over 8 years. It allows me to beat previous bests and check my mental state going against others even though I am really competing with myself. Looking forward to the next one in April 08.
**Thanks to one of my faithful class students Derrick Torgerson for this killer pictoral video of all the action!!
20070909
Tactical Strength Challenge...PRs and Good Times
495 DL 20lb PR!
Kinetic Edge Performance was invaded yesterday by 10 competitors for the Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC) as well as some spectators. I will be posting video and pics as they become available.
Snatch with Long Spine ...still have some work to do with LS but these felt as good as they can feel when all out for 5 minutes.
Here are the results:
Results are in order of placing...Men's Open Mike N. and Aaron F. tied for 3rd.
Name / BW / DL / PU / SN
Women’s Open
Fawn Friday / 121.4 / 255 / 11 / 115
Jordan Hansen / 126.6 / 225 / 9 / 125
Arlene Kim / 120.6 / 235 / 9 / 28
Men's Open
Brad Nelson / 197.0 / 495 / 16 / 119
Laurion Burchall / 212.2 / 495 / 19 / 104
Mike Nelson / 203.4 / 400 / 7 / 108
Aaron Friday / 155.8 / 365 / 16 / 92
Brad Ellingson / 181.6 / 365 / 11 / 79
Nick Jasken / 180.4 / 290 / 11 / 86
Men's Masters
Bruce Wuollet / 166.8 / 335 / 9 / 70
Some interesting notes:
Nick Jasken did not train at all for this. Thanks for having heart!
Arlene Kim snatched the 16kg for the first time this past Wed. Way to gut it out!
Jordan Hansen deadlifted for the first time last Saturday...fantastic for the first time out!
Thoughts and ramblings on what I witnessed...
1 I was VERY pleased with the numbers for the first time hosting this event as well as participating.
2 Everyone who competed 'nutted up' when it came to competition...brings out the best. This environment is the #1 reason I do what I do and just by holding this competition gave me a plethora of ideas to exploit some clients into some sinister yet enjoyable competitive pain by means other than the 3 events yesterday. Stay tuned for more competitions like this one.
3 Women. Competitive women. I love them (especially my girlfriend). All 3 DLed over 225. All 3 did 9+ strict dead-hang pull-ups. All are between 120-126lbs. THAT is impressive. That is not something you will see at ANY fufu gym across this nation.
4 Comraderie. There is nothing better than encouragement from fellow competitors. When it's all said and done everyone is really only competing with themselves. (Although it helps to have someone close to your numbers to push you...Thanks Laurion for pushing me!)
5 Personal Records. I love breaking them. And I love that as we age we are becoming better athletes. That was evident by the different ages of today's competitors. I would venture to bet that Bruce Wuollet is in better shape now than he was at 20-25. And for that matter I would bet that he is in better shape at age 51 than 85% of most 20-25 year olds. Props to Bruce!
As for my own training...
This is the first time I have competed in a TSC. I have never been involved in any type of competition past college and it felt good to revive the competitive juices. I decided to host and compete 6 short weeks ago.
Training DL: Since I was on a DL hiatus since the end of January I thought I would get my butt in gear. I DLed Mon/Fri for 3 weeks singles only with 20lb increments per set. 4th week was back off week and did 3 sets of light DLs. 5th week did 3 heavy singles two different training sessions. 6th week. Pulled 455 for 2 singles on Monday and then nothing until yesterday.
Training Snatch: Off and on for 6 weeks trained VO2 intervals with the 24kg. I did do one day of 5 rounds per arm with the 32kg...all 7 reps per 15 seconds/15 seconds rest. I found this to be a fantastic way to increase numbers and endurance very quickly and will be implementing this again.
Training Pull ups: I did not train for pull ups. I have been doing 1 arm Push Ups GTG style and I think that may have had some tranfer.
Overall: A LOT of Z health. I know this increased my numbers and is definitely 'my secret weapon'.
*Good times had by all and many more to come!
20070828
Minnesota & Obesity Ranks...
Obesity rates climbed in 31 states in U.S. (headline on MSNBC yesterday)
22 percent haven't exercised in last month.
This blows my mind. Not moving for any form of physical activity for 30 DAYS straight?!? I hardly go 24 hours without missing some kind of physical activity even if it is to walk the dog a couple of miles. Let's go beyond the regular weight loss rant and explore some other BIG-TIME issues that manifest in overweight and obese people (that current research reinforces).
Depression
Diabetes
Here's an interesting correlation to non-activity/non-exercise folk...depression. Let's talk about why everywhere I turn I see people on depression meds and LOTS of them! Exercise releases natural chemicals called 'endorphins' in the brain which equate to natural 'depression medications' if you will...or won't depending on your choice to train (I don't like the word 'workout'). This is backed up in MANY periodicals and Psych books that you can find through a Google search. In my opinion, there would be a 80-90% reduction in sales of depression medications (I did just dig a grave with Big Pharma...bring it on!) if people would choose to get in 3 vigorous (not walking 3 miles) 45-minute training sessions per week (circuit-based cardio/strength combined training sessions). Just my estimation but I know how I feel when I miss a training session for whatever reason which is rare.
The second issue: Diabetes.
Check this out straight from the CDC website:
"Diabetes is becoming more common in the United States. From 1980 through 2005, the number of Americans with diabetes increased from 5.6 million to 15.8 million."
and this one from the same website:
"Since the mid-seventies, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children. Data from two NHANES surveys show that among adults aged 20–74 years the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% (in the 1976–1980 survey) to 32.9% (in the 2003–2004 survey).
Coincidence? I think not.
Hello? Anyone home? Diabetes is now Top 5 in the Death Department yearly in the U.S. We are beyond a problem. We have an epidemic on our hands.
Now for somewhat good news...
"Meanwhile, Minnesotans led the way when it came to exercise. An estimated 15.4 percent of the state’s residents did not engage an any physical exercise — the best rate in the nation. Still, the state ranked 28th overall when it came to the percentage of obese adults." from MSN article found here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20461564/from/ET/
That increase in Minnesotan's activity must be due to Kinetic Edge delivering beatdowns without apology on a daily basis! :) If you have yet to experience this, Mondays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9am will serve you up a nice beginner platter...and no I am not talking about food.
22 percent haven't exercised in last month.
This blows my mind. Not moving for any form of physical activity for 30 DAYS straight?!? I hardly go 24 hours without missing some kind of physical activity even if it is to walk the dog a couple of miles. Let's go beyond the regular weight loss rant and explore some other BIG-TIME issues that manifest in overweight and obese people (that current research reinforces).
Depression
Diabetes
Here's an interesting correlation to non-activity/non-exercise folk...depression. Let's talk about why everywhere I turn I see people on depression meds and LOTS of them! Exercise releases natural chemicals called 'endorphins' in the brain which equate to natural 'depression medications' if you will...or won't depending on your choice to train (I don't like the word 'workout'). This is backed up in MANY periodicals and Psych books that you can find through a Google search. In my opinion, there would be a 80-90% reduction in sales of depression medications (I did just dig a grave with Big Pharma...bring it on!) if people would choose to get in 3 vigorous (not walking 3 miles) 45-minute training sessions per week (circuit-based cardio/strength combined training sessions). Just my estimation but I know how I feel when I miss a training session for whatever reason which is rare.
The second issue: Diabetes.
Check this out straight from the CDC website:
"Diabetes is becoming more common in the United States. From 1980 through 2005, the number of Americans with diabetes increased from 5.6 million to 15.8 million."
and this one from the same website:
"Since the mid-seventies, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children. Data from two NHANES surveys show that among adults aged 20–74 years the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% (in the 1976–1980 survey) to 32.9% (in the 2003–2004 survey).
Coincidence? I think not.
Hello? Anyone home? Diabetes is now Top 5 in the Death Department yearly in the U.S. We are beyond a problem. We have an epidemic on our hands.
Now for somewhat good news...
"Meanwhile, Minnesotans led the way when it came to exercise. An estimated 15.4 percent of the state’s residents did not engage an any physical exercise — the best rate in the nation. Still, the state ranked 28th overall when it came to the percentage of obese adults." from MSN article found here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20461564/from/ET/
That increase in Minnesotan's activity must be due to Kinetic Edge delivering beatdowns without apology on a daily basis! :) If you have yet to experience this, Mondays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9am will serve you up a nice beginner platter...and no I am not talking about food.
"Human on a stick"
That is what the first ever company to offer Segway tours is called. A Segway (pictured below) is a new 'mode' (i.e. LAZY) of transportation. The 'on-a-stick' hails as a spin-off to everything Minnesota-state-fair where every food item you could ever imagine is on a stick (skewer). We are talking...
Pickles on-a-stick
Corndogs on-a-stick
Cookies on-a-stick
Candy Bars on-a-stick (Snickers with Funnel Cake batter deep fried...only 600 calories per bite!)
French Fries on-a-stick
Newspaper on-a-stick
and last but not least new to this year's fair SALMON on-a-stick. Wow!
(for all you Z people...notice the cervical lateral glide ROM, uh-huh someone's been practicing his Z! :)
I needed a fun, entertaining "fast-paced for 2 ADD folk" activity for my girlfriend's birthday and so I sought out this company in Minneapolis who did Segway tours around a very prominent historical area through parks and trails and a lot of old buildings. They are located 4 blocks from the 35W bridge collapse so their business has been demanding the last couple of weeks.
I must add that the 'Safety Video' that we were required to view for 30 minutes prior to our little trip was the cheesiest thing I have ever seen...animations and re-inactments galore that had us all laughing more at the people on the video than actually paying attention the hazards of a machine that moves at a whopping 4.5 mph! However, as you will read later, there is always ONE in the group who needs a 'special' reminder.
What does any of this have to do with the theme of my blog you ask?
Everything when it comes to the downfall of society moving their bodyweight through space. Now we have a machine, granted they are $5000 each new, that will port us around doing nothing more than creating more hyperlordosis (which our low backs bothered us both for two days following riding these things...Z definitely helped pre-bed) and packing on the weight. Not a good direction for society as we know it (especially when you read the follow-up to this post.)
The first highlight of my night was when we were on a trail in a single-file line with 15 other Segwayers and a guy rides by and says in the most smart-ass voice possible (which I can appreciate) "Exercising on your left" meaning he's going to pass on our left for you non-Minnesotan trail goers. I cracked up! I said to my girlfriend "if he thinks he's exercising, he should come to my (kettlebell) class in the morning and he'll see what exercise really is" ...yet he was right in my world. What is the world coming to that we need to add motors to mechanical devices that used to be fueled by human power.
The second highlight? My gf biffs it into a cement divider showing off when we were allowed to graduate to the 2nd key which put us at a whopping 8 miles per hour...in front of Guthrie Theatre goers (think suits and ties). We had a great laugh and she came away with only a bruise to her leg...and her pride :) Really I was glad that she did it first because I'm usually the graceful one!
Pickles on-a-stick
Corndogs on-a-stick
Cookies on-a-stick
Candy Bars on-a-stick (Snickers with Funnel Cake batter deep fried...only 600 calories per bite!)
French Fries on-a-stick
Newspaper on-a-stick
and last but not least new to this year's fair SALMON on-a-stick. Wow!
(for all you Z people...notice the cervical lateral glide ROM, uh-huh someone's been practicing his Z! :)
I needed a fun, entertaining "fast-paced for 2 ADD folk" activity for my girlfriend's birthday and so I sought out this company in Minneapolis who did Segway tours around a very prominent historical area through parks and trails and a lot of old buildings. They are located 4 blocks from the 35W bridge collapse so their business has been demanding the last couple of weeks.
I must add that the 'Safety Video' that we were required to view for 30 minutes prior to our little trip was the cheesiest thing I have ever seen...animations and re-inactments galore that had us all laughing more at the people on the video than actually paying attention the hazards of a machine that moves at a whopping 4.5 mph! However, as you will read later, there is always ONE in the group who needs a 'special' reminder.
What does any of this have to do with the theme of my blog you ask?
Everything when it comes to the downfall of society moving their bodyweight through space. Now we have a machine, granted they are $5000 each new, that will port us around doing nothing more than creating more hyperlordosis (which our low backs bothered us both for two days following riding these things...Z definitely helped pre-bed) and packing on the weight. Not a good direction for society as we know it (especially when you read the follow-up to this post.)
The first highlight of my night was when we were on a trail in a single-file line with 15 other Segwayers and a guy rides by and says in the most smart-ass voice possible (which I can appreciate) "Exercising on your left" meaning he's going to pass on our left for you non-Minnesotan trail goers. I cracked up! I said to my girlfriend "if he thinks he's exercising, he should come to my (kettlebell) class in the morning and he'll see what exercise really is" ...yet he was right in my world. What is the world coming to that we need to add motors to mechanical devices that used to be fueled by human power.
The second highlight? My gf biffs it into a cement divider showing off when we were allowed to graduate to the 2nd key which put us at a whopping 8 miles per hour...in front of Guthrie Theatre goers (think suits and ties). We had a great laugh and she came away with only a bruise to her leg...and her pride :) Really I was glad that she did it first because I'm usually the graceful one!
20070814
Z Health Client Results
I thought I would update all of you on two clients from radically different situations and different speeds of outcomes.
Client #1
Female / mid thirties
I have known her for about 6 years. At one point about a year and half ago, she was teaching a spinning class, a step aerobics class, and also strength training with a personal trainer. Very fit person who loves to workout and live a health lifestyle.
She came to me today for her 1st Z appt and the first time ever working with me 1 on 1.
Complaint: R medial and lateral knee pain level 7 (scale of 1-10) and low back pain level 2. Knee hurts when most descending stairs and also doing lunges and sometimes squats. For someone who is dedicated to health and fitness the pain has reduced her activity to swimming 3 days per week and that is about it (and she says she is 'ornery' :) She's been to two Physical Therapists, 2 other trainers, 1 orthopedic, and 2 other 'specialists' all of who basically said they could not do anything for her other than a cortizone shot (and we all know how I FEEL about that!...of course she made the correct decision and declined :)
Z Eval: I started doing some drills with her seeking the highest payoffs in the order that her body likes. I find 5 drills that are perfect for her. Test visual system and find 2 discrepancies. Re-test the R phase drills with the rehab eye positions to solidify the work.
Result: Knee pain level 7 to 0.
Time: 1 hour.
*Disclaimer...is it always this easy? No. Is it this easy 80% of the time? Yes.
Client #2
Female / Early Forties
This one has been long-term. We are now in our 20th week of working together 3x/week. In great shape, is going to begin training for a Half Ironman which her friend talked her into (I have explained the consequences...and sometimes that is all I can do :)
Complaint: Low back pain most of the time directly above Left hip. Acute problem happened picking up her son and has lived with this for 7 YEARS. Pain level as high as 8 initially 20 weeks ago. Since then other things have unraveled and manifested as the back pain has decreased. So we do something different almost every day. (She is diligent with her rehab drills at home).
Z Eval: I started with attempting to find high payoffs. This has definitely a work in progress. August 1st marked the first time in 7 YEARS that she was without back pain. I have played with all types of things and sought out other Z trainers for advice. This has challenged me to a much higher level of trusting my intuition based on what I see at a gut level each day she comes in. Have learned a lot by means of the term "anything can cause anything" (because some day there is no 'explainable' reason why a specific drill decides to be 'the one' that eliminates the pain that day.)
I'm just glad that she is in it for the long haul and has more patience with herself than I am with not being able to 'fix it' immediately.
**Not all clients are 'fixed' in under an hour. This particular client still has some mobility work to do and solidify her current state, yet we have come a long way.
When you are serious about a Z Private Session to eliminate pain or improve performance contact me at info@keperformance.com
Client #1
Female / mid thirties
I have known her for about 6 years. At one point about a year and half ago, she was teaching a spinning class, a step aerobics class, and also strength training with a personal trainer. Very fit person who loves to workout and live a health lifestyle.
She came to me today for her 1st Z appt and the first time ever working with me 1 on 1.
Complaint: R medial and lateral knee pain level 7 (scale of 1-10) and low back pain level 2. Knee hurts when most descending stairs and also doing lunges and sometimes squats. For someone who is dedicated to health and fitness the pain has reduced her activity to swimming 3 days per week and that is about it (and she says she is 'ornery' :) She's been to two Physical Therapists, 2 other trainers, 1 orthopedic, and 2 other 'specialists' all of who basically said they could not do anything for her other than a cortizone shot (and we all know how I FEEL about that!...of course she made the correct decision and declined :)
Z Eval: I started doing some drills with her seeking the highest payoffs in the order that her body likes. I find 5 drills that are perfect for her. Test visual system and find 2 discrepancies. Re-test the R phase drills with the rehab eye positions to solidify the work.
Result: Knee pain level 7 to 0.
Time: 1 hour.
*Disclaimer...is it always this easy? No. Is it this easy 80% of the time? Yes.
Client #2
Female / Early Forties
This one has been long-term. We are now in our 20th week of working together 3x/week. In great shape, is going to begin training for a Half Ironman which her friend talked her into (I have explained the consequences...and sometimes that is all I can do :)
Complaint: Low back pain most of the time directly above Left hip. Acute problem happened picking up her son and has lived with this for 7 YEARS. Pain level as high as 8 initially 20 weeks ago. Since then other things have unraveled and manifested as the back pain has decreased. So we do something different almost every day. (She is diligent with her rehab drills at home).
Z Eval: I started with attempting to find high payoffs. This has definitely a work in progress. August 1st marked the first time in 7 YEARS that she was without back pain. I have played with all types of things and sought out other Z trainers for advice. This has challenged me to a much higher level of trusting my intuition based on what I see at a gut level each day she comes in. Have learned a lot by means of the term "anything can cause anything" (because some day there is no 'explainable' reason why a specific drill decides to be 'the one' that eliminates the pain that day.)
I'm just glad that she is in it for the long haul and has more patience with herself than I am with not being able to 'fix it' immediately.
**Not all clients are 'fixed' in under an hour. This particular client still has some mobility work to do and solidify her current state, yet we have come a long way.
When you are serious about a Z Private Session to eliminate pain or improve performance contact me at info@keperformance.com
20070812
Today Show Friday August 10th
Major debate on Friday's edition of the Today Show. This was very interesting to me and hopefully it will be to you.
What I am about to explain (you can search the msnbc.com website and find the actual video) may offend you. This topic is not about 'touchy feely' it is about the pathetic state of health and fitness in our country. I know you are amazed that you are reading yet another one of my blogs addressing this issue :)
Here goes.
Paying people to get in shape or Charging people to get in shape?
About 3 years ago was when I first heard of insurance companies paying a portion of an individual's health club membership. A step in the right direction, in my opinion, to enhance the health of this country and the insurance companies beginning to switch their focus to 'health' rather than 'sickness.' I also do some consulting with a very progressive corporation when it comes to health & fitness program offerings to employees and have seen some major changes some of the people.
This is different and something I have yet to hear of prior to Friday (I am very fond of this idea).
The CEO of Clarian Health Partners in Indiana (an entire statewide hospital system) was interviewed on the Today Show discussing his new policy:
Employees will pay the company for smoking and the degree to which they are overweight due to the rising health care costs of the employer. Now many people are appalled at this idea. Let's look at both sides.
For years, our country has stood for freedom in all shapes and forms. The minority of the people respond to this. People overwhelmingly respond to a 'fear of loss' rather than a 'desire for gain'. This means there will be more program adherence if they have to PAY instead of receiving it for free. The CEO of this company took it a step further and is penalizing those in poor health to pay even more to offset their health care costs.
Penalty vs Rewards
Penalties seem to bring the best in most people. Rewards only bring it out in the few.
Some people need a hug. Most need a KICK IN THE ASS.
This is why I am for this type of program. It gets people moving, because they don't want to pay out of their own pocket. Therefore, they are benifitting in a host of ways: paying less, getting in shape, having more energy, losing weight, feeling great, setting an example to their kids, and on and on.
What is the downside to any of those? I don't see any.
Now the debate was that is invading people's personal lives. Get past the group hug. Seriously. These people will not do anything until FORCED to do so. They aren't going to willingly start tomorrow, next week, and for sure not on January 1st (which might be the biggest lie ever told!)
Face it. In this country, Money = commitment, money = accountability. Commitment & Accountability rule the world. If they did not exist, not much would get done. Most people need to pay in order to be committed and they need to pay to be accountable. That's just the way it is. I myself have a business coach that I pay monthly consulting fee in order to hold me accountable to my goals and business ideas.
Do you have a coach? If not, get one. When you begin to pay for something, suddenly your demeanor changes for the better, and most likely so will A LOT of other aspects of your life.
What I am about to explain (you can search the msnbc.com website and find the actual video) may offend you. This topic is not about 'touchy feely' it is about the pathetic state of health and fitness in our country. I know you are amazed that you are reading yet another one of my blogs addressing this issue :)
Here goes.
Paying people to get in shape or Charging people to get in shape?
About 3 years ago was when I first heard of insurance companies paying a portion of an individual's health club membership. A step in the right direction, in my opinion, to enhance the health of this country and the insurance companies beginning to switch their focus to 'health' rather than 'sickness.' I also do some consulting with a very progressive corporation when it comes to health & fitness program offerings to employees and have seen some major changes some of the people.
This is different and something I have yet to hear of prior to Friday (I am very fond of this idea).
The CEO of Clarian Health Partners in Indiana (an entire statewide hospital system) was interviewed on the Today Show discussing his new policy:
Employees will pay the company for smoking and the degree to which they are overweight due to the rising health care costs of the employer. Now many people are appalled at this idea. Let's look at both sides.
For years, our country has stood for freedom in all shapes and forms. The minority of the people respond to this. People overwhelmingly respond to a 'fear of loss' rather than a 'desire for gain'. This means there will be more program adherence if they have to PAY instead of receiving it for free. The CEO of this company took it a step further and is penalizing those in poor health to pay even more to offset their health care costs.
Penalty vs Rewards
Penalties seem to bring the best in most people. Rewards only bring it out in the few.
Some people need a hug. Most need a KICK IN THE ASS.
This is why I am for this type of program. It gets people moving, because they don't want to pay out of their own pocket. Therefore, they are benifitting in a host of ways: paying less, getting in shape, having more energy, losing weight, feeling great, setting an example to their kids, and on and on.
What is the downside to any of those? I don't see any.
Now the debate was that is invading people's personal lives. Get past the group hug. Seriously. These people will not do anything until FORCED to do so. They aren't going to willingly start tomorrow, next week, and for sure not on January 1st (which might be the biggest lie ever told!)
Face it. In this country, Money = commitment, money = accountability. Commitment & Accountability rule the world. If they did not exist, not much would get done. Most people need to pay in order to be committed and they need to pay to be accountable. That's just the way it is. I myself have a business coach that I pay monthly consulting fee in order to hold me accountable to my goals and business ideas.
Do you have a coach? If not, get one. When you begin to pay for something, suddenly your demeanor changes for the better, and most likely so will A LOT of other aspects of your life.
Amusement Park Musings
Sad, very sad. The state of health in Minnesota (and our nation). Friday afternoon landed me and my girlfriend at Valleyfair (Minnesota's version of Six Flags) for some R&R...and the ultimate in people watching and human behavior. WOW. That word says it all. After 4 hours of people watching and some time to reflect it is time for a rant.
There is only one thing that pisses me off more than adults being so lazy that they are beyond apathy when it comes to taking care of themselves. What is that ONE thing that is worse? They are living examples to their children who are now severely overweight because their parents are too frickin' lazy to take control of their own lives along with taking responsibility for their kids' future health. The environment that kids today are growing up in is atrocious. Get off your rear end and DO SOMETHING. I don't care if it is walking around the block, playing catch with your kid, going for a bike ride, just do SOMETHING!
I have yet to see very many overweight kids with thin, in shape parents. But I see HUNDREDS of obese kids with obese parents. Why is this? My number one conclusion comes down to NUTRITION. Parents eat like crap so kids eat like crap because CRAP is what is in the house. WAKE UP! Packaged food is KILLING YOU. I am in disbelief what I witnessed at this amusement park.
At each ride there is a sign that explains how tall you have to be, the 'thrill rating' of the ride, and who SHOULD NOT ride including pregnant women, back & neck problem people. OK that is all normal ...yet NOW THEY HAVE ADDED IN A SPECIAL BOX AT THE TOP OF THE SIGN and I quote...
"NOT DESIGNED FOR LARGER PEOPLE"
Are you kiddin' me? This is such an epidemic that we now have to address this on a sign at the amusement park?
Folks this is affecting YOU and those around you A LOT more than maybe your pigeon-holed belief system is allowing you to think. If you are overweight, be offended enough by this post to do something. If you need help, I will help you. I will not tolerate your B.S excuses, but I will help you change your mind and your body. Most of all it is affecting your children and future generations. STOP. Change. It's not difficult, but it will require some discipline.
I am not saying you have to be a supermodel (which most of them are very unhealthy at the other end of the spectrum) I am asking you to take responsibility for yourself and your family and CHOOSE to change the health concerns of those closest to you.
That's it I'm done.
BTW, I did have a GREAT time at VF going on every serious ride the park had to offer and laughing the entire time my girlfriend was getting nauseated...and SHE was the one who suggested we go which was the best part of the entire day :).
There is only one thing that pisses me off more than adults being so lazy that they are beyond apathy when it comes to taking care of themselves. What is that ONE thing that is worse? They are living examples to their children who are now severely overweight because their parents are too frickin' lazy to take control of their own lives along with taking responsibility for their kids' future health. The environment that kids today are growing up in is atrocious. Get off your rear end and DO SOMETHING. I don't care if it is walking around the block, playing catch with your kid, going for a bike ride, just do SOMETHING!
I have yet to see very many overweight kids with thin, in shape parents. But I see HUNDREDS of obese kids with obese parents. Why is this? My number one conclusion comes down to NUTRITION. Parents eat like crap so kids eat like crap because CRAP is what is in the house. WAKE UP! Packaged food is KILLING YOU. I am in disbelief what I witnessed at this amusement park.
At each ride there is a sign that explains how tall you have to be, the 'thrill rating' of the ride, and who SHOULD NOT ride including pregnant women, back & neck problem people. OK that is all normal ...yet NOW THEY HAVE ADDED IN A SPECIAL BOX AT THE TOP OF THE SIGN and I quote...
"NOT DESIGNED FOR LARGER PEOPLE"
Are you kiddin' me? This is such an epidemic that we now have to address this on a sign at the amusement park?
Folks this is affecting YOU and those around you A LOT more than maybe your pigeon-holed belief system is allowing you to think. If you are overweight, be offended enough by this post to do something. If you need help, I will help you. I will not tolerate your B.S excuses, but I will help you change your mind and your body. Most of all it is affecting your children and future generations. STOP. Change. It's not difficult, but it will require some discipline.
I am not saying you have to be a supermodel (which most of them are very unhealthy at the other end of the spectrum) I am asking you to take responsibility for yourself and your family and CHOOSE to change the health concerns of those closest to you.
That's it I'm done.
BTW, I did have a GREAT time at VF going on every serious ride the park had to offer and laughing the entire time my girlfriend was getting nauseated...and SHE was the one who suggested we go which was the best part of the entire day :).
20070801
What we do at Kinetic Edge
Everyone who is not 'in' the kettlebell community wonders what type of things we do with minimal equipment. Here is a sampling...more videos like this to come.
20070725
Mental Training
"You are what you decide to be." -Maxwell Maltz
This is a POWERFUL idea. This is my latest study through a CD series.
We are pre-programmed from the moment we are conceived in mom's tummy with garbage in our head. Neuro-science says that every person is a genetic predisposition to the state of both parents at the moment of conception...this means that whatever 'state' your parents were in at the moment you were conceived you are doing your best to survive those circumstances.
However, you can change EVERYTHING you've been taught because let's face it...almost everything is learned behavior. Self-talk is the X-factor between the person you are and the person you want to be. People have been telling you what you 'should' be your entire life. This is where most people stall in a rut and do what other people tell them instead of exploring their own wants, needs and desires.
Most of what I have accomplished in my life has been the exact opposite of what people tell me I should do. In your life journey, you will have many people who want to offer their "OPINION" ...that's OK because that is what makes the world go around. In 99% of those cases, I have found that doing the exact opposite of what 'they' are saying has served me well. Find a mentor who you can really really trust to speak into your life. This person will not have a personal agenda towards you. He/she exists as an 'intuition' guide to mold you into a better person.
The other people who offer you advice usually...
1 have a personal agenda
2 do not want you to out grow them
3 have never really accomplished anything great themselves
*these are just personal observations from my short existence on the planet.
Let's dive into this further...
You decide what you want to be or the universe will decide for you!
You have the power to work in the job you want.
You have the power to receive compensation for what you are worth.
You have the power to develop the body you want.
You have the power to have the family life/relationships you want.
and on and on and on.
When you decide, your universe was just set in motion. The key is to ensure there is congruency between the goal that you set and the person you want to be. Ask yourself the question...
"Who would I have to 'be' in order to accomplish this specific goal?"
That is a HUGE key in our world where we throw out random things that we want. Think about the person you must become in order to achieve that goal and work on the little things to 'being' a different person. The goals will follow.
"You are what you decide to be."
This is a POWERFUL idea. This is my latest study through a CD series.
We are pre-programmed from the moment we are conceived in mom's tummy with garbage in our head. Neuro-science says that every person is a genetic predisposition to the state of both parents at the moment of conception...this means that whatever 'state' your parents were in at the moment you were conceived you are doing your best to survive those circumstances.
However, you can change EVERYTHING you've been taught because let's face it...almost everything is learned behavior. Self-talk is the X-factor between the person you are and the person you want to be. People have been telling you what you 'should' be your entire life. This is where most people stall in a rut and do what other people tell them instead of exploring their own wants, needs and desires.
Most of what I have accomplished in my life has been the exact opposite of what people tell me I should do. In your life journey, you will have many people who want to offer their "OPINION" ...that's OK because that is what makes the world go around. In 99% of those cases, I have found that doing the exact opposite of what 'they' are saying has served me well. Find a mentor who you can really really trust to speak into your life. This person will not have a personal agenda towards you. He/she exists as an 'intuition' guide to mold you into a better person.
The other people who offer you advice usually...
1 have a personal agenda
2 do not want you to out grow them
3 have never really accomplished anything great themselves
*these are just personal observations from my short existence on the planet.
Let's dive into this further...
You decide what you want to be or the universe will decide for you!
You have the power to work in the job you want.
You have the power to receive compensation for what you are worth.
You have the power to develop the body you want.
You have the power to have the family life/relationships you want.
and on and on and on.
When you decide, your universe was just set in motion. The key is to ensure there is congruency between the goal that you set and the person you want to be. Ask yourself the question...
"Who would I have to 'be' in order to accomplish this specific goal?"
That is a HUGE key in our world where we throw out random things that we want. Think about the person you must become in order to achieve that goal and work on the little things to 'being' a different person. The goals will follow.
"You are what you decide to be."
20070701
The opposite end of the spectrum
The other day I posted about an up and coming ELITE high school athlete. Today, I am headed to the opposite end of the spectrum after viewing a TV show on The Learning Channel called 'Big Medicine' which is a show about a father/son surgeon team who perform beriatric surgeries.
Let's begin.
Disclaimer #1 This could be long.
Disclaimer #2 I will not hold back.
This show begins with a story about a 500lb+ woman and a 730lb man who want gastric bypass and through the show they find out that their insurance will not cover their surgeries.
The woman was figured out to be consuming 6000 calories PER DAY. I repeat 6000 CALORIES PER DAY. This is not a physical issue, this a mental and emotional issue.
Newsflash #1: Having a surgery to shrink the size of your stomach will not solve the ROOT issue!!! The person will not be any different mentally or emotionally in the next 48 hours after the surgery because there was NO PROCESS. The process is what changes people. With no process, there is no change...only quick fixes (which are the easy way out and to readily available today). By the way, the doctor made an interesting statement..."whatever the client tells you they are consuming, they are most likely consuming 75% MORE calories than they are telling you." WOW. How does this happen? Denial. Depression. In the above cases, food becomes more than addiction...it becomes a MEDICATION.
All of these patients need to have a psychological evaluation. Newsflash #2: They are ALL messed up psychologically. Newsflash #3: The doctors who perform these surgeries need to have a psych evaluation!!
In this case, TRUE mental and physical transformation will be FORGED ONLY through physical transformation which is through hiring a trainer to change habit patterns and be held to EXTREME accountability. Will this be hard? IT WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT FRIGGIN' THING YOU WILL EVER DO. Will it be worth it? YOU'RE DANG RIGHT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. Take away: The only way to OWN transformation is to go through it.
Without a doubt, I believe that a person who is not willing to learn the meaning of accountability and discipline and apply it to their lives, will not be truly transformed.
American society has become extremely pathetic and apathetic. People just refuse to care of themselves anymore. Looking back at our ancestors--only in the last 30-40 years has our health spiraled out of control. What are the causes of this? Some of this is my opinion and some of this is fact.
1) sugar -- fake sugar / candy / low fat (they have to put something in it to make it taste good)
2) white flour
*these two alone eliminated from your diet would solve most of the problems.
3) nutrient value in food declining at an astronomical rate due to less crop rotation and therefore depleted soil. You would have to eat 20 heads of lettuce today to equal the nutrient value of 1 head of lettuce 25 years ago. WOW!
4) technology -- information age part 1. Majority of the population commutes to work in a car for 30-60 minutes SITTING, 4-5 hours at work minimum in the morning SITTING , 30-60 minutes eating lunch SITTING, 4-5 more hours at work in the afternoon SITTING, commutes home 30-60 minutes SITTING, eats dinner 30 minutes SITTING, moves to the couch to watch on average 3-4 hours of TV per night SITTING, then moves to bed for 7-8 hours of SLEEPING. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
And 'they' say that 'exercising' (I will define exercise in two different terms shortly) 30 minutes 3x per week is going to off set all of THAT? LET'S GET REAL PEOPLE!!
This is where that algebra I learned may come in handy...
Using the MININUMS of what I stated above:
20 hours of the average person's day is spent completely SEDENTARY / NOT MOVING / BARELY ALIVE / NON VIGOROUS ACTIVITY ...you get the picture
The other 4 hours per day may be spent who knows doing what.
That means that out of 120 hours Mon-Fri / 100 of them are forming atrocious habits. And if that is happening 5 days/week, I highly doubt there is a different habit on Saturday and Sunday.
sheesh we've only made it to #4.
5) technology -- information age part 2. Computers / home video games / iPods / cell phones and text messaging. This one is mainly directed at the kids' generation. I am GRATEFUL for all of the above. I own all of the above. However, I use them 95% for business purposes. Video games / Computers and DVD players have become the 'new babysitters' for kids. iPods and cell phones ....well this will say it all: a young lady I know sends 4000+ text messages per month. That's just on the sending part, how many is she receiving? I might total around the 500 mark for the YEAR. Not only does this have to do with state of health physically, but what about the state of communication between people in future generations? I thought email was impersonal.
6) The diet industry. Books/infomercials/products anything to hit the hot buttons of overweight consumers...95% of it is MIS-INFORMATION--which means they are not telling you the WHOLE truth.
7) The restaurant industry. What used to be a plate is now a 'platter.' The RDA (which is a joke because it is so outdated) determines serving size. 1 pancake (1 serving) should be the size of a CD. How big and how many pancakes does one get served at IHOP or Perkins? 3 the size of the PLATTER, on top of the omelot with buttered toast and sugar jelly.
8) The snackfood industry. Low fat, low sugar. Low fat = HIGH SUGAR. Low sugar = HIGH SATURATED FAT. Candy bars, chips, pop. 'They' are adding chemicals to these foods to keep you buying more both in quantity per purchase and eat more in quantity per serving. Lay's tag line 'betcha can't eat just one'. You're dang right because they are adding chemicals that alter your brain function to EAT MORE!
9) The magazine / fashion industry. Newsflash #4: The models on the covers of magazines went on extreme diets to attain that body for that specific photoshoot. They DO NOT look like that year around. 99% of all magazine covers are airbrushed as well. Let's look at camera tricks: Lighting can change the way a person 'appears'. Tanning can alter the person's look. Wearing different types of clothing can change the appearance (horizontal stripes vs. vertical stripes). Hey, we all want to look good. Understand though that a lot of times you are aspiring to something that will not be achieved without EXTREME discipline and also sometimes drugs, eating disorders, surgery, make-up artist, professional light and camera crew. Disclaimer: THIS DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE TO AVOID GETTING IN THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE.
10) Plain laziness. We have it all. We have it all at our fingertips. From our computers, we would never have to leave our house being able to buy ANYTHING that we need or want via the internet.
I'll stop at 10. 10 is a good round number.
Final thoughts on 'exercise'.
I mentioned above that 'they' say that 'exercising' 30 minutes 3x per week is a good target. I'm here to tell you that will get you JACK SQUAT! The key word being 'exercise' which 'they' usually refer to as WALKING. Sorry folks, walking is the most overrated form of exercise there is. Your body adapts, oh in about 2 days to it. You MUST STRENGTH TRAIN. This does not mean using 3lb pink weights (Ladies you WILL NOT get 'big bulky muscles'). You also must do INTERVAL TRAINING with some type of resistance. If you must walk I recommend purchasing a weighted vest from http://www.x-vest.com/ where you can buy a 40lb vest and incrementally increase the load 1 lb at a time. You see 'their' exercise and my exercise are two COMPLETELY different ideas. Theirs means the absolute minimum to hopefully help you avoid heart attack up until the age of 50. I am talking LABOR that will allow you to put more life into your years and your grand kids and/or future grand kids. If you want to know more you will have to come visit me at my studio Kinetic Edge Fitness in Woodbury Minnesota where 'beatdowns' are delivered without apology (and I say that in the most LOVING way ;).
Saddle up and ride.
Let's begin.
Disclaimer #1 This could be long.
Disclaimer #2 I will not hold back.
This show begins with a story about a 500lb+ woman and a 730lb man who want gastric bypass and through the show they find out that their insurance will not cover their surgeries.
The woman was figured out to be consuming 6000 calories PER DAY. I repeat 6000 CALORIES PER DAY. This is not a physical issue, this a mental and emotional issue.
Newsflash #1: Having a surgery to shrink the size of your stomach will not solve the ROOT issue!!! The person will not be any different mentally or emotionally in the next 48 hours after the surgery because there was NO PROCESS. The process is what changes people. With no process, there is no change...only quick fixes (which are the easy way out and to readily available today). By the way, the doctor made an interesting statement..."whatever the client tells you they are consuming, they are most likely consuming 75% MORE calories than they are telling you." WOW. How does this happen? Denial. Depression. In the above cases, food becomes more than addiction...it becomes a MEDICATION.
All of these patients need to have a psychological evaluation. Newsflash #2: They are ALL messed up psychologically. Newsflash #3: The doctors who perform these surgeries need to have a psych evaluation!!
In this case, TRUE mental and physical transformation will be FORGED ONLY through physical transformation which is through hiring a trainer to change habit patterns and be held to EXTREME accountability. Will this be hard? IT WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT FRIGGIN' THING YOU WILL EVER DO. Will it be worth it? YOU'RE DANG RIGHT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. Take away: The only way to OWN transformation is to go through it.
Without a doubt, I believe that a person who is not willing to learn the meaning of accountability and discipline and apply it to their lives, will not be truly transformed.
American society has become extremely pathetic and apathetic. People just refuse to care of themselves anymore. Looking back at our ancestors--only in the last 30-40 years has our health spiraled out of control. What are the causes of this? Some of this is my opinion and some of this is fact.
1) sugar -- fake sugar / candy / low fat (they have to put something in it to make it taste good)
2) white flour
*these two alone eliminated from your diet would solve most of the problems.
3) nutrient value in food declining at an astronomical rate due to less crop rotation and therefore depleted soil. You would have to eat 20 heads of lettuce today to equal the nutrient value of 1 head of lettuce 25 years ago. WOW!
4) technology -- information age part 1. Majority of the population commutes to work in a car for 30-60 minutes SITTING, 4-5 hours at work minimum in the morning SITTING , 30-60 minutes eating lunch SITTING, 4-5 more hours at work in the afternoon SITTING, commutes home 30-60 minutes SITTING, eats dinner 30 minutes SITTING, moves to the couch to watch on average 3-4 hours of TV per night SITTING, then moves to bed for 7-8 hours of SLEEPING. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
And 'they' say that 'exercising' (I will define exercise in two different terms shortly) 30 minutes 3x per week is going to off set all of THAT? LET'S GET REAL PEOPLE!!
This is where that algebra I learned may come in handy...
Using the MININUMS of what I stated above:
20 hours of the average person's day is spent completely SEDENTARY / NOT MOVING / BARELY ALIVE / NON VIGOROUS ACTIVITY ...you get the picture
The other 4 hours per day may be spent who knows doing what.
That means that out of 120 hours Mon-Fri / 100 of them are forming atrocious habits. And if that is happening 5 days/week, I highly doubt there is a different habit on Saturday and Sunday.
sheesh we've only made it to #4.
5) technology -- information age part 2. Computers / home video games / iPods / cell phones and text messaging. This one is mainly directed at the kids' generation. I am GRATEFUL for all of the above. I own all of the above. However, I use them 95% for business purposes. Video games / Computers and DVD players have become the 'new babysitters' for kids. iPods and cell phones ....well this will say it all: a young lady I know sends 4000+ text messages per month. That's just on the sending part, how many is she receiving? I might total around the 500 mark for the YEAR. Not only does this have to do with state of health physically, but what about the state of communication between people in future generations? I thought email was impersonal.
6) The diet industry. Books/infomercials/products anything to hit the hot buttons of overweight consumers...95% of it is MIS-INFORMATION--which means they are not telling you the WHOLE truth.
7) The restaurant industry. What used to be a plate is now a 'platter.' The RDA (which is a joke because it is so outdated) determines serving size. 1 pancake (1 serving) should be the size of a CD. How big and how many pancakes does one get served at IHOP or Perkins? 3 the size of the PLATTER, on top of the omelot with buttered toast and sugar jelly.
8) The snackfood industry. Low fat, low sugar. Low fat = HIGH SUGAR. Low sugar = HIGH SATURATED FAT. Candy bars, chips, pop. 'They' are adding chemicals to these foods to keep you buying more both in quantity per purchase and eat more in quantity per serving. Lay's tag line 'betcha can't eat just one'. You're dang right because they are adding chemicals that alter your brain function to EAT MORE!
9) The magazine / fashion industry. Newsflash #4: The models on the covers of magazines went on extreme diets to attain that body for that specific photoshoot. They DO NOT look like that year around. 99% of all magazine covers are airbrushed as well. Let's look at camera tricks: Lighting can change the way a person 'appears'. Tanning can alter the person's look. Wearing different types of clothing can change the appearance (horizontal stripes vs. vertical stripes). Hey, we all want to look good. Understand though that a lot of times you are aspiring to something that will not be achieved without EXTREME discipline and also sometimes drugs, eating disorders, surgery, make-up artist, professional light and camera crew. Disclaimer: THIS DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE TO AVOID GETTING IN THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE.
10) Plain laziness. We have it all. We have it all at our fingertips. From our computers, we would never have to leave our house being able to buy ANYTHING that we need or want via the internet.
I'll stop at 10. 10 is a good round number.
Final thoughts on 'exercise'.
I mentioned above that 'they' say that 'exercising' 30 minutes 3x per week is a good target. I'm here to tell you that will get you JACK SQUAT! The key word being 'exercise' which 'they' usually refer to as WALKING. Sorry folks, walking is the most overrated form of exercise there is. Your body adapts, oh in about 2 days to it. You MUST STRENGTH TRAIN. This does not mean using 3lb pink weights (Ladies you WILL NOT get 'big bulky muscles'). You also must do INTERVAL TRAINING with some type of resistance. If you must walk I recommend purchasing a weighted vest from http://www.x-vest.com/ where you can buy a 40lb vest and incrementally increase the load 1 lb at a time. You see 'their' exercise and my exercise are two COMPLETELY different ideas. Theirs means the absolute minimum to hopefully help you avoid heart attack up until the age of 50. I am talking LABOR that will allow you to put more life into your years and your grand kids and/or future grand kids. If you want to know more you will have to come visit me at my studio Kinetic Edge Fitness in Woodbury Minnesota where 'beatdowns' are delivered without apology (and I say that in the most LOVING way ;).
Saddle up and ride.
20070627
Obsessed
OBSESSED
a word lazy people use for the
DEDICATED
This is what was on DeVos' shirt today when he showed up for training. Background on DeVos... He is a 7th grader who WON the 103lb State Wrestling championship for the largest schools in Minnesota this year. Eric does not know the meaning of 'rest.' He is relentless to the point that you can throw anything at him and he will not quit (think Jason in Friday the 13th). So far this summer Eric has accomplished:
17-0 record at Nationals (team) tournament Greco/Freestyle in Indianapolis 2 weeks ago
23-0 record at Nationals (individual) tournament Greco/ Freestyle in Waterloo Iowa 1 week ago
This is a pic from a couple of years ago when he was a mere 85lbs:
WARNING: Obession creates independent thinking and will cause you to have moments where your 'inside' voice accidently becomes your 'outside' voice usually with impeccably ill timing (but you just can't help it ;) Politically Correct BEWARE (and get over yourself).
Obsessed.
Addicted.
Proud.
a word lazy people use for the
DEDICATED
This is what was on DeVos' shirt today when he showed up for training. Background on DeVos... He is a 7th grader who WON the 103lb State Wrestling championship for the largest schools in Minnesota this year. Eric does not know the meaning of 'rest.' He is relentless to the point that you can throw anything at him and he will not quit (think Jason in Friday the 13th). So far this summer Eric has accomplished:
17-0 record at Nationals (team) tournament Greco/Freestyle in Indianapolis 2 weeks ago
23-0 record at Nationals (individual) tournament Greco/ Freestyle in Waterloo Iowa 1 week ago
This is a pic from a couple of years ago when he was a mere 85lbs:
*fyi this is my first pic upload on my blog...I am a little slow with technology*
**His dad is reading this and still hasn't brought me a sweet pic of his son givin' some kid the beatdown to the tune of a 5 point throw.**
Back to DeVos...
Did I mention he is 13 years old?
WARNING: Obession creates independent thinking and will cause you to have moments where your 'inside' voice accidently becomes your 'outside' voice usually with impeccably ill timing (but you just can't help it ;) Politically Correct BEWARE (and get over yourself).
Obsessed.
Addicted.
Proud.
20070621
Rogue Trainer, Western Medicine & High School Elite Hockey
WARNING: The following piece of prose is for entertainment purposes only (mainly mine ;) This may cause dramatic belief inventory!
I am taking a chance to step out of the proverbial 'box' when it comes to discussion around injuries, training & rehab and going out on a 'Z' as in Z Health rant....I'm sure the termites will protrude from the woodwork with comments on this one.
Scenario began this past Tuesday 6/19/07...
Female elite High School hockey player (we'll call her 'Sam' for now) begins training with me. She came recommended from her coach (who also trains with me...smart coach ;) of the elite team. This female athlete plays for a state semi-finalist team and is on one of two 'elite' female HS hockey teams in the state...of which 99% are recruited to play D-I college hockey.
Insert first comment here: these athletes are considered elite...however, there is a HUGE GAP between where they are and their athletic potential. This is NOT their fault. The fundamentals of all sports have been lost in the pursuit of winning at WAY too young of an age in our country.
Back to regularly scheduled rant...
Sam has a R hip flexor / R groin disfunction causes an 8-9 out of 10 pain level when she skates or does sprints of any kind at this point. We find 3 Z corrective drills that take the pain from level 8-9 to level 2 in about 10 minutes. (This is still Tuesday 6/19/07).
Today, Thursday 6/21/07 Sam opts to keep her orthopedic surgeon (one of the best in the Twin Cities...aren't they all?) which I told her to and report what the doc says today.
2nd comment here: I am not a doctor. Nor do I intend to be. Nor would I want to go to school and intern for 12 years total to conclude something as ludricrous as what is to follow.
Resuming...
The ortho says that she needs an MRI because there might be something wrong with her labrum...Ok fair enough. MRI will happen sometime next week. In the meantime, doc says it could be some torn cartilage that is possibly causing her issues...fair enough.
Doc's prognosis pre-MRI & and not watching her move (as in athletically):
1 Surgery to trim the 'possible' cartilage tear (my take: so she can end her hockey career)
2 Cortizone shot (my take: so she can avoid feeling anything and really injure it worse)
...what an answer and only after spending about 5 minutes talking to her.
Now back to my Z point earlier...
3 Z drills on Tuesday took her from a Level 8-9 pain to a level 2 pain.
Today (Thursday) she returned with a pain level 4 or so. I did some more evaluation. Follow me on this one. As in earlier posts about Z... here are some key points to remember.
1) The body is an 'X' in regards to the way we function as bipeds...backforce transmission happens at the sacroiliac (SI) joint. In English, this means that when I press something with my left hand overhead, my right leg (specifically my glute/med) will act as the main stabilizer.
2) Also 'anything can cause anything'
3) Opposing joints & opposing joint positioning usually correct biomechanical issues (on the surface, however there could be MANY layers to this)
4) Any muscle/connective tissue that crosses a dysfunctional joint (jammed or immobile) will ALSO be dysfunctional...therefore showing up somewhere along the kinetic chain as 'pain'
Back to Sam and a little more about her history. Sam's R Hip Flexor is her main 'pain' problem currently...it showed up in February at the end of hockey season and flared up dramatically during track to point where she was forced to stop track. Sam severely sprained her R ankle about 1 year ago. The ortho said that her ankle has nothing to do with her hip. Are you serious? WTH?! Last time I checked my foot hits the ground when I walk or run and is connected to my torso via my knee and my hip. Maybe I'm just an alien. Sam also shoots hockey LEFT handed. Therefore, her RIGHT side must stabilize EVERY TIME she shoots LEFT handed (which has probably been 30,000+ times in her young career)
Do we have coincidence, Bueller....Bueller?? Maybe some Voo Doo orthopedic surgery? OR mayyyybbbbeeee some Mad Scientist Z neurology 101?
Position of Sam's L arm/hand when she is shooting:
L shoulder = abduction / external rotation
L elbow = slightly bent
L hand = supination
The L shoulder (her shooting arm) is the opposing joint to the R hip (where the problem is occurring).
Another coincidence? I would have to go with 'no.'
Rx = Left arm cross body shoulder circles (adduction / internal rotation / with elbow locked)
This IMMEDIATELY took her out of pain. Not home free yet however. Still having her do lateral tilts and middle/inside toe pulls to help with the former ankle problem as well.
This is what drinking Z Kool aid gets you...cool party tricks to help your clients love you more. It's not always this easy, but more times than not, it is.
There is also a tremendous gap between eastern practices and western medicine is willing to admit or explore and instead continue to appease our instant gratification society (at the same time, who wouldn't like to become pain free in under one hour without going through 3-6 months of rehab??)
Last comment: Sam is caught in the 'middle' of two extremely opposing viewpoints when it comes to her hip and her comment today: "I just wanna be able to skate full speed without pain." She is an extremely intelligent young woman who will make the right decision.
Up for debate. Challenges welcome.
Rant over...for now. Updates to come. Progress ensured.
I am taking a chance to step out of the proverbial 'box' when it comes to discussion around injuries, training & rehab and going out on a 'Z' as in Z Health rant....I'm sure the termites will protrude from the woodwork with comments on this one.
Scenario began this past Tuesday 6/19/07...
Female elite High School hockey player (we'll call her 'Sam' for now) begins training with me. She came recommended from her coach (who also trains with me...smart coach ;) of the elite team. This female athlete plays for a state semi-finalist team and is on one of two 'elite' female HS hockey teams in the state...of which 99% are recruited to play D-I college hockey.
Insert first comment here: these athletes are considered elite...however, there is a HUGE GAP between where they are and their athletic potential. This is NOT their fault. The fundamentals of all sports have been lost in the pursuit of winning at WAY too young of an age in our country.
Back to regularly scheduled rant...
Sam has a R hip flexor / R groin disfunction causes an 8-9 out of 10 pain level when she skates or does sprints of any kind at this point. We find 3 Z corrective drills that take the pain from level 8-9 to level 2 in about 10 minutes. (This is still Tuesday 6/19/07).
Today, Thursday 6/21/07 Sam opts to keep her orthopedic surgeon (one of the best in the Twin Cities...aren't they all?) which I told her to and report what the doc says today.
2nd comment here: I am not a doctor. Nor do I intend to be. Nor would I want to go to school and intern for 12 years total to conclude something as ludricrous as what is to follow.
Resuming...
The ortho says that she needs an MRI because there might be something wrong with her labrum...Ok fair enough. MRI will happen sometime next week. In the meantime, doc says it could be some torn cartilage that is possibly causing her issues...fair enough.
Doc's prognosis pre-MRI & and not watching her move (as in athletically):
1 Surgery to trim the 'possible' cartilage tear (my take: so she can end her hockey career)
2 Cortizone shot (my take: so she can avoid feeling anything and really injure it worse)
...what an answer and only after spending about 5 minutes talking to her.
Now back to my Z point earlier...
3 Z drills on Tuesday took her from a Level 8-9 pain to a level 2 pain.
Today (Thursday) she returned with a pain level 4 or so. I did some more evaluation. Follow me on this one. As in earlier posts about Z... here are some key points to remember.
1) The body is an 'X' in regards to the way we function as bipeds...backforce transmission happens at the sacroiliac (SI) joint. In English, this means that when I press something with my left hand overhead, my right leg (specifically my glute/med) will act as the main stabilizer.
2) Also 'anything can cause anything'
3) Opposing joints & opposing joint positioning usually correct biomechanical issues (on the surface, however there could be MANY layers to this)
4) Any muscle/connective tissue that crosses a dysfunctional joint (jammed or immobile) will ALSO be dysfunctional...therefore showing up somewhere along the kinetic chain as 'pain'
Back to Sam and a little more about her history. Sam's R Hip Flexor is her main 'pain' problem currently...it showed up in February at the end of hockey season and flared up dramatically during track to point where she was forced to stop track. Sam severely sprained her R ankle about 1 year ago. The ortho said that her ankle has nothing to do with her hip. Are you serious? WTH?! Last time I checked my foot hits the ground when I walk or run and is connected to my torso via my knee and my hip. Maybe I'm just an alien. Sam also shoots hockey LEFT handed. Therefore, her RIGHT side must stabilize EVERY TIME she shoots LEFT handed (which has probably been 30,000+ times in her young career)
Do we have coincidence, Bueller....Bueller?? Maybe some Voo Doo orthopedic surgery? OR mayyyybbbbeeee some Mad Scientist Z neurology 101?
Position of Sam's L arm/hand when she is shooting:
L shoulder = abduction / external rotation
L elbow = slightly bent
L hand = supination
The L shoulder (her shooting arm) is the opposing joint to the R hip (where the problem is occurring).
Another coincidence? I would have to go with 'no.'
Rx = Left arm cross body shoulder circles (adduction / internal rotation / with elbow locked)
This IMMEDIATELY took her out of pain. Not home free yet however. Still having her do lateral tilts and middle/inside toe pulls to help with the former ankle problem as well.
This is what drinking Z Kool aid gets you...cool party tricks to help your clients love you more. It's not always this easy, but more times than not, it is.
There is also a tremendous gap between eastern practices and western medicine is willing to admit or explore and instead continue to appease our instant gratification society (at the same time, who wouldn't like to become pain free in under one hour without going through 3-6 months of rehab??)
Last comment: Sam is caught in the 'middle' of two extremely opposing viewpoints when it comes to her hip and her comment today: "I just wanna be able to skate full speed without pain." She is an extremely intelligent young woman who will make the right decision.
Up for debate. Challenges welcome.
Rant over...for now. Updates to come. Progress ensured.
20070526
Saturday Morning Epiphany
e·piph·a·ny /ɪˈpɪfÉ™ni/ (noun)
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
What I am about to describe is common place to me and other trainers familiar with kettlebell training. It takes place in gyms, fitness centers, garages, basements, etc. almost on a daily basis now that kettlebells have began to invade the general population, although still most prevalent in 'underground-in-the-know' trainers and other folks.
Stay with me here as I paint the picture...
Today in my beginner kettlebell class, one of my new grasshoppers is a very successful executive. He runs 10ks and half-marathons on a regular basis. He does very little strength training. Now what makes this individual who we will call 'Bill' different from other people who walk in to my studio? Well, he's stopped in about 5 times 'checking things out' but never really understood the mystique behind kettlebells because he had never touched one or swung one ...until today.
Today was his 'epiphany' in many forms. Let me explain. You see our society has created a bunch of people who blindly follow whatever when it comes to fitness, exercise and dieting. The latest infomercials are full of gadgets, potions, and not so truthful statements surrounding WHAT IT REALLY TAKES to look great naked.
'Bill's' Epiphanies
#1 How difficult SIMPLE exercise can and should be in terms of form, proper technique, and conditioning when it is all put together
#2 Why all of my class members are walking around in circles when he has stopped by to watch all of those previous times...THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO RECEIVE OXYGEN INTO THEIR BODIES
#3 Distance running and machine weight training are for all intents and purposes 'pseudo-exercise' ...THEY ALLOW YOU TO FEEL ALL WARM AND FUZZY BECAUSE YOU ARE 'EXERCISING' BUT THEY DO VERY LITTLE FOR ACTUALLY CHANGING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION.
#4 The weights are in KILOS not pounds...this always serves up a nice slice of humble pie...I leverage the kilos to my favor. Women think they are only doing 8 lbs instead of 8 kilos and guys think they are wussies, what a great concept to put them in kilos.
#5 and the most important of all...
"I went through Mayo Clinics 'Executive training program battery of tests' and they told me I was in great shape."
In shape for what? Obviously not in shape for whatever is next! How PREPARED are you for anything? Are you 'in shape' to get through your day? Are you 'in shape' to have enough energy at the end of the day to play with your kids? Are you 'in shape' when an unwanted person comes through your front door and he doesn't realize who is going to get the raw end of that situation (which hopefully never happens)? Are you in shape for the 10k / 75 obstacle ...Volkslauf obstacle course in Bakersfield California on October 13 of this year which we are taking multiple teams to? You see 'in shape' is relative. There is ALWAYS another level.
By the way, for those of you not familiar with the Mayo Clinic it is considered to be THE BEST collection of medical doctors IN THE WORLD and it's based in Rochester Minnesota. Now they have incredible doctors and I have seen some miraculous surgeries in various people that I personally know...however, my question to you is do you strive to be 'in shape' to pass some stupid test on a treadmill or are you working towards being 'in shape' because it is in every fiber of your being?
In the words of the Philadelphia Kettlebell Club:
"Don't rely on anything you can't carry, in case civilization is temporary."
'Bill' had an epiphany or two or five today.
How many people have you helped have an epiphany?
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
What I am about to describe is common place to me and other trainers familiar with kettlebell training. It takes place in gyms, fitness centers, garages, basements, etc. almost on a daily basis now that kettlebells have began to invade the general population, although still most prevalent in 'underground-in-the-know' trainers and other folks.
Stay with me here as I paint the picture...
Today in my beginner kettlebell class, one of my new grasshoppers is a very successful executive. He runs 10ks and half-marathons on a regular basis. He does very little strength training. Now what makes this individual who we will call 'Bill' different from other people who walk in to my studio? Well, he's stopped in about 5 times 'checking things out' but never really understood the mystique behind kettlebells because he had never touched one or swung one ...until today.
Today was his 'epiphany' in many forms. Let me explain. You see our society has created a bunch of people who blindly follow whatever when it comes to fitness, exercise and dieting. The latest infomercials are full of gadgets, potions, and not so truthful statements surrounding WHAT IT REALLY TAKES to look great naked.
'Bill's' Epiphanies
#1 How difficult SIMPLE exercise can and should be in terms of form, proper technique, and conditioning when it is all put together
#2 Why all of my class members are walking around in circles when he has stopped by to watch all of those previous times...THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO RECEIVE OXYGEN INTO THEIR BODIES
#3 Distance running and machine weight training are for all intents and purposes 'pseudo-exercise' ...THEY ALLOW YOU TO FEEL ALL WARM AND FUZZY BECAUSE YOU ARE 'EXERCISING' BUT THEY DO VERY LITTLE FOR ACTUALLY CHANGING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION.
#4 The weights are in KILOS not pounds...this always serves up a nice slice of humble pie...I leverage the kilos to my favor. Women think they are only doing 8 lbs instead of 8 kilos and guys think they are wussies, what a great concept to put them in kilos.
#5 and the most important of all...
"I went through Mayo Clinics 'Executive training program battery of tests' and they told me I was in great shape."
In shape for what? Obviously not in shape for whatever is next! How PREPARED are you for anything? Are you 'in shape' to get through your day? Are you 'in shape' to have enough energy at the end of the day to play with your kids? Are you 'in shape' when an unwanted person comes through your front door and he doesn't realize who is going to get the raw end of that situation (which hopefully never happens)? Are you in shape for the 10k / 75 obstacle ...Volkslauf obstacle course in Bakersfield California on October 13 of this year which we are taking multiple teams to? You see 'in shape' is relative. There is ALWAYS another level.
By the way, for those of you not familiar with the Mayo Clinic it is considered to be THE BEST collection of medical doctors IN THE WORLD and it's based in Rochester Minnesota. Now they have incredible doctors and I have seen some miraculous surgeries in various people that I personally know...however, my question to you is do you strive to be 'in shape' to pass some stupid test on a treadmill or are you working towards being 'in shape' because it is in every fiber of your being?
In the words of the Philadelphia Kettlebell Club:
"Don't rely on anything you can't carry, in case civilization is temporary."
'Bill' had an epiphany or two or five today.
How many people have you helped have an epiphany?
20070521
Union Football
un·ion /ˈyunyÉ™n/ (noun) 1. the act of uniting two or more things. 2. the state of being united. 3. something formed by uniting two or more things; combination. 4. a number of persons, states, etc., joined or associated together for some common purpose: Union Football. Iowa that is. Dysart Iowa population 1100. LaPorte City Iowa population 1500. Together they are the Union Knights and they have a new sheriff in town in the form of Head Football Coach Joe Hadachek. And up until yesterday, I don't think they had any clue what they are in for this season. Probably never heard of Union High School on a national level. Probably not even on a state level. You will in due time.
You know you are in small town Midwest when you show up 20 minutes prior to start time and there are already 5 parents standing there. By start time there are about 20 people with lawn chairs watching AND they stayed for the ENTIRE session. Are they here because they have nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon in small town Iowa? Probably. Are they here because they have heard stories about Coach Hadachek and his 'different' philosophy and training methods? More likely.
You see Coach Hadachek was my strength and conditioning coach in college. He is the one responsible for my head swimming with ideas and constantly squeezing out any knowledge I can from the pages of discerning textbooks. Better yet, he taught me something right out of the gate about APPLICATION. Theory is theory, but do you know where the weight room is? That, my grasshoppers, is where 'it' gets done. There was something about that college weightroom: down in the basement of the fieldhouse, dark, dungy, so humid you could cut the thick air stench of bodies with a machete when you walked in. A smell and a feeling that I will never forget.
Joe is a mentor to me and is more like the big brother I never had. Yesterday was an opportunity to give back to him, his new team and the beginning of the foundation of the house that Haddy built. He won't take credit for it because it is all TEAM first. Me second.
Fresh meat. 55 of 'em. Sitting there soft and undisciplined. You know it's going to be a great afternoon when during the virgin set of swings a young man in the front row had his iPod plugs in. Coach Joe said "Are those headphones?" Kid "yes" Joe "Take them out before I rip them out!" "We will not tolerate that on this team." That commanded attention from 55 young men immediately! Brought a tear to my eye as those were the days...and I didn't even play football for him. We are talkin' Lombardi style "deep down every man worth his salt yearns for discipline." That's what all of these kids are ...unbridled fresh meat yearning for discipline; most of them have yet to discover that. These kids will come to know the depth of these 2 phrases in every sense of their existence: Personally Responsible. Individually Accountable.
We attacked them like a tiger attacking fresh kill...grab the jugular and hang on rippin' into 'em. 3 RKCs plus one that will be certified in 3 weeks. 92 degrees. 2 hours and change. 10 basic kettlebell drills. I will bet there was no other football team in the nation outside for 2 hours on this beautiful Sunday afternoon doing ANYTHING, let alone learning a new school of strength and conditioning unbeknownst to them their new weight training program starting today Monday 052107. We finished the day with a little injection of 'Nellie Love' ...relays of swings and farmers walks that turned into runs. Coach wanted to see who wants it since he has only known them for 3 weeks. We put that to the test. Seniors vs. Seniors, Juniors vs Juniors, and down the ranks. 10 swings then Farmers carry 2 bells about 40 yards then the next person goes. After 2 hours of sweat, moans and glimmer of fear in some eyes I heard a couple of Frosh say 'This is fun.' Fun. What a concept. You mean these kids have the ability to learn discipline and have fun at the same time? I say 'Welcome to the Beat Down.' Now that's what we are talking about. Instilling 'FUN' back into these kids. Then as my thoughts were going off into dreamland I was snapped to attention with 'Bring it in and take a knee.' Coach Joe said a few words and then passed it to me for some final thoughts. After a short 2 minute lecture on how Mountain Dew and Twinkies are not the best fuel for young football players dedicated to their craft we brought it home...there's something that warms my heart about 9 coaches and 55 athletes breaking a huddle on... "EASY doesn't pay!!"
I was very proud to be associated with this group of young men. They have no idea what they are in for this season. 3 words come to mind: Leadership. Perennial Powerhouse. I'll give Coach Hadachek 2 years. No pressure on him. I just know his fiber. He will completely gut that program with a filet knife and stitch it back together with every ounce of his being. Is he back coaching because he misses it? Probably. Is he back coaching because he is going to impact young men for generations? Definitely.
Union Football. There is a wind in the air and it's only May. This is one team that I guarantee will outwork its opponents. 11 weeks til 2-a-days. What a great country we live in.
You know you are in small town Midwest when you show up 20 minutes prior to start time and there are already 5 parents standing there. By start time there are about 20 people with lawn chairs watching AND they stayed for the ENTIRE session. Are they here because they have nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon in small town Iowa? Probably. Are they here because they have heard stories about Coach Hadachek and his 'different' philosophy and training methods? More likely.
You see Coach Hadachek was my strength and conditioning coach in college. He is the one responsible for my head swimming with ideas and constantly squeezing out any knowledge I can from the pages of discerning textbooks. Better yet, he taught me something right out of the gate about APPLICATION. Theory is theory, but do you know where the weight room is? That, my grasshoppers, is where 'it' gets done. There was something about that college weightroom: down in the basement of the fieldhouse, dark, dungy, so humid you could cut the thick air stench of bodies with a machete when you walked in. A smell and a feeling that I will never forget.
Joe is a mentor to me and is more like the big brother I never had. Yesterday was an opportunity to give back to him, his new team and the beginning of the foundation of the house that Haddy built. He won't take credit for it because it is all TEAM first. Me second.
Fresh meat. 55 of 'em. Sitting there soft and undisciplined. You know it's going to be a great afternoon when during the virgin set of swings a young man in the front row had his iPod plugs in. Coach Joe said "Are those headphones?" Kid "yes" Joe "Take them out before I rip them out!" "We will not tolerate that on this team." That commanded attention from 55 young men immediately! Brought a tear to my eye as those were the days...and I didn't even play football for him. We are talkin' Lombardi style "deep down every man worth his salt yearns for discipline." That's what all of these kids are ...unbridled fresh meat yearning for discipline; most of them have yet to discover that. These kids will come to know the depth of these 2 phrases in every sense of their existence: Personally Responsible. Individually Accountable.
We attacked them like a tiger attacking fresh kill...grab the jugular and hang on rippin' into 'em. 3 RKCs plus one that will be certified in 3 weeks. 92 degrees. 2 hours and change. 10 basic kettlebell drills. I will bet there was no other football team in the nation outside for 2 hours on this beautiful Sunday afternoon doing ANYTHING, let alone learning a new school of strength and conditioning unbeknownst to them their new weight training program starting today Monday 052107. We finished the day with a little injection of 'Nellie Love' ...relays of swings and farmers walks that turned into runs. Coach wanted to see who wants it since he has only known them for 3 weeks. We put that to the test. Seniors vs. Seniors, Juniors vs Juniors, and down the ranks. 10 swings then Farmers carry 2 bells about 40 yards then the next person goes. After 2 hours of sweat, moans and glimmer of fear in some eyes I heard a couple of Frosh say 'This is fun.' Fun. What a concept. You mean these kids have the ability to learn discipline and have fun at the same time? I say 'Welcome to the Beat Down.' Now that's what we are talking about. Instilling 'FUN' back into these kids. Then as my thoughts were going off into dreamland I was snapped to attention with 'Bring it in and take a knee.' Coach Joe said a few words and then passed it to me for some final thoughts. After a short 2 minute lecture on how Mountain Dew and Twinkies are not the best fuel for young football players dedicated to their craft we brought it home...there's something that warms my heart about 9 coaches and 55 athletes breaking a huddle on... "EASY doesn't pay!!"
I was very proud to be associated with this group of young men. They have no idea what they are in for this season. 3 words come to mind: Leadership. Perennial Powerhouse. I'll give Coach Hadachek 2 years. No pressure on him. I just know his fiber. He will completely gut that program with a filet knife and stitch it back together with every ounce of his being. Is he back coaching because he misses it? Probably. Is he back coaching because he is going to impact young men for generations? Definitely.
Union Football. There is a wind in the air and it's only May. This is one team that I guarantee will outwork its opponents. 11 weeks til 2-a-days. What a great country we live in.
Simple.
Brutal. Savage. 'Fun.' -- All in the name of today's training.
I am beginning to adapt very quickly to all of my training. I really have to keep things creative right now and rarely do the same exercises two weeks in a row. I am doing some lab rat experiments as I am the rat. My CNS is very amped right now and highly malleable to all training stimulus. I am very surprised and encouraged about how 'smart' my body has become over the last 6 months.
Here's how today went down.
Z I Phase for about 30 minutes.
Training:
A1 Split Jerk 79/10 sets of 3 l,r
A2 Pistols 79/ 10 sets of 1 l,r
rest 4 minutes
B1 Double Snatches 70s/30 sets of 2
Total time 48:42
Felt really great. My mind was going crazy. For some reason simple brutal training causes my neurons to go on a creative mission to daydream new training structures and plans for me and my clients. Ohhhhh, only to their benefit!
I am beginning to adapt very quickly to all of my training. I really have to keep things creative right now and rarely do the same exercises two weeks in a row. I am doing some lab rat experiments as I am the rat. My CNS is very amped right now and highly malleable to all training stimulus. I am very surprised and encouraged about how 'smart' my body has become over the last 6 months.
Here's how today went down.
Z I Phase for about 30 minutes.
Training:
A1 Split Jerk 79/10 sets of 3 l,r
A2 Pistols 79/ 10 sets of 1 l,r
rest 4 minutes
B1 Double Snatches 70s/30 sets of 2
Total time 48:42
Felt really great. My mind was going crazy. For some reason simple brutal training causes my neurons to go on a creative mission to daydream new training structures and plans for me and my clients. Ohhhhh, only to their benefit!
20070513
Wisdom of the year...
My friend Mark emailed me the other day and had this at the bottom of his email...
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
Wow. Amen to that. I hear excuses (which are 'reasons' in disguise) ALL of the time why someone can't do something. I have another friend in Connecticut that has a sign on the wall of his gym that says "Can't = 100 push ups" There are no excuses. Your body truly does not care what your excuse is. Get off your lazy bum and do something. Do something you've never done. Better yet bring a friend. The Kinetic Edge kettlebell classes are growing... The reason is accountability. And not accountability to me but accountability to the other class members. We have created a 'community' for like minded people to gather and get their ass beat into the ground (in a loving way ;) and they go thru it together. Now there is a sense of pride developing and a team atmosphere that is accentuating positive reinforcement of consistent attendance.
You do not have to be a part of the class to see results. It is however much easier to remain positive when you have others around you supporting you and being pushed to the next level regardless of what level that is for you.
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
That also goes for food and nutrition. Imagine if your stomach and intestines could literally talk to you. What would they say by the way you have been treating them? Are you doing or are you coasting? It's easy to coast. Trying does not cut it. Trying means you won't. Can't means you won't. Do is do and doing is becoming.
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
Your body will follow your mind. Your mind is what you have to guard relentlessly. Examine your mental patterns when it comes to exercise and food. Hold the image of what you are becoming (what you would like to become) in your mind with ONLY positive feelings and you will become that.
Great words to live by:
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
Wow. Amen to that. I hear excuses (which are 'reasons' in disguise) ALL of the time why someone can't do something. I have another friend in Connecticut that has a sign on the wall of his gym that says "Can't = 100 push ups" There are no excuses. Your body truly does not care what your excuse is. Get off your lazy bum and do something. Do something you've never done. Better yet bring a friend. The Kinetic Edge kettlebell classes are growing... The reason is accountability. And not accountability to me but accountability to the other class members. We have created a 'community' for like minded people to gather and get their ass beat into the ground (in a loving way ;) and they go thru it together. Now there is a sense of pride developing and a team atmosphere that is accentuating positive reinforcement of consistent attendance.
You do not have to be a part of the class to see results. It is however much easier to remain positive when you have others around you supporting you and being pushed to the next level regardless of what level that is for you.
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
That also goes for food and nutrition. Imagine if your stomach and intestines could literally talk to you. What would they say by the way you have been treating them? Are you doing or are you coasting? It's easy to coast. Trying does not cut it. Trying means you won't. Can't means you won't. Do is do and doing is becoming.
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
Your body will follow your mind. Your mind is what you have to guard relentlessly. Examine your mental patterns when it comes to exercise and food. Hold the image of what you are becoming (what you would like to become) in your mind with ONLY positive feelings and you will become that.
Great words to live by:
"Your Body Doesn't Care What Your Excuse Is."
20070422
Sport Specific Training
There has been a lot of posts here lately wanting info on sports specific programs or inquiries about specific sports (i.e. triathlon training, wrestling, kids, etc).
As a strength and condtioning professional in the field, I highly recommend against 'sport specific' training for a number of reasons...
1) 'sport specific' is a misused term in our industry and should be reserved to work on skills with in the individual sport ...NOT to describe what an athlete is doing in the weight room. Doing 'sport specific' weight training will increase the rate of injury 5 fold because of overuse injuries
2) athletes today specialize in their respective sports WAY too young 98% of the time. Kids need to develop and play multiple sports in order to be a well rounded athlete
3) I am in the business of creating better athletes. As they become better 'athletes' they will be better at wrestling, soccer, hockey, badminton, ping pong, darts (ok maybe not darts) or whatever their 'sport' is.
4) I focus on movement. Movement vs muscle. The body does not know muscles, it only knows movements. Also the strongest kid is not always the best athlete. The fastest kid is not always the best athlete. However the best athlete is among the strongest, fastest, quickest...and not necessarily the 'biggest' in terms of muscle mass either.
5) looking for specific training programs for sport. Start with the opposing muscle groups. Triathletes are the WORST! I have 3 IronMan competitors and they are destroyed when it comes to imbalances. Most of them have a posterior chain limitation and are constantly in a flexed position in the torso due to swimming 99.9% freestyle, biking (sitting in the handle bars leaned over) and running...just one example.
6) most don't understand the basics (I'm talking kettlebell training here) and they are already looking for the holy grail. The basics will do most athletes best because emphasis on the posterior chain (swings / snatches) weight in front where most sports are played (front squats) flexibility (windmills and TGUs) overhead pressing (military press) which they rarely get in traditional weight training.
OK, rant over. This should induce some good food for thought.
As a strength and condtioning professional in the field, I highly recommend against 'sport specific' training for a number of reasons...
1) 'sport specific' is a misused term in our industry and should be reserved to work on skills with in the individual sport ...NOT to describe what an athlete is doing in the weight room. Doing 'sport specific' weight training will increase the rate of injury 5 fold because of overuse injuries
2) athletes today specialize in their respective sports WAY too young 98% of the time. Kids need to develop and play multiple sports in order to be a well rounded athlete
3) I am in the business of creating better athletes. As they become better 'athletes' they will be better at wrestling, soccer, hockey, badminton, ping pong, darts (ok maybe not darts) or whatever their 'sport' is.
4) I focus on movement. Movement vs muscle. The body does not know muscles, it only knows movements. Also the strongest kid is not always the best athlete. The fastest kid is not always the best athlete. However the best athlete is among the strongest, fastest, quickest...and not necessarily the 'biggest' in terms of muscle mass either.
5) looking for specific training programs for sport. Start with the opposing muscle groups. Triathletes are the WORST! I have 3 IronMan competitors and they are destroyed when it comes to imbalances. Most of them have a posterior chain limitation and are constantly in a flexed position in the torso due to swimming 99.9% freestyle, biking (sitting in the handle bars leaned over) and running...just one example.
6) most don't understand the basics (I'm talking kettlebell training here) and they are already looking for the holy grail. The basics will do most athletes best because emphasis on the posterior chain (swings / snatches) weight in front where most sports are played (front squats) flexibility (windmills and TGUs) overhead pressing (military press) which they rarely get in traditional weight training.
OK, rant over. This should induce some good food for thought.
20070328
Z Discoveries Part 3...Concious Awareness
Some of the theory supporting Z Health is the idea of Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). SMA manifests when there is an acute injury. I will use an ankle sprain as my example. As a sprained ankle heals, the body 'protects' the ankle by blocking out some of the pain. Now the pain is not in the ankle. The pain registers in our head flashing that there is a problem at the ankle. The body and mind wants to avoid concious attention around the ankle and therefore the ankle might become a chronic hindrance or continue to be tweaked. Z allows conscious attention and therefore concious motor control back to that specific area. It can work on ALL joints and range of motion when you have the discipline to do it for a period of time.
This is big. Mainly because we have allowed machines of all types creep into our lives. We want a machine to do it for us. Exercise, corrective therapy, or computer work. Some things are best left to what you are willing to discover for yourself. How serious are you about discovering who YOU are? Are you a robot on some levels? Are you willing to change that and become consciously aware?
Let's take this a step further. Are you consciously aware throughout your day? On all levels, physically, mentally, spiritually? Are you present or do you have presence? There is a HUGE difference between being present and having presence. I know many times I have falling into the 'I'll just show up' mentality. 'Being present' is consuming space (taking). 'Having presence' is contributing space, thought and flow (giving AND receiving). "Just because you are present, doesn't mean you have presence." a quote from Tony Blauer. Work on your presence regardless of the task you are doing. A great exercise to do is focus on your breathing for 5-10 minutes. Do it in this manner:
Stand or Sit in a comfortable position
Inhale through your nose and move the breath down the front of your body slowly (about 7 seconds down to the tip of your coccyx (tailbone) and then begin to exhale as your breath travels up your spine and over your forehead.
Repeat the inhale when you have reached your nose.
Do this every day at least 5 minutes for a week. I promise you will have begun to discover a new level of you and a conscious awareness of feeling that is only the beginning. Carry this into everything that you do. Take your training, Z Health practice, job, business or whatever you do to the next level by having presence.
This is big. Mainly because we have allowed machines of all types creep into our lives. We want a machine to do it for us. Exercise, corrective therapy, or computer work. Some things are best left to what you are willing to discover for yourself. How serious are you about discovering who YOU are? Are you a robot on some levels? Are you willing to change that and become consciously aware?
Let's take this a step further. Are you consciously aware throughout your day? On all levels, physically, mentally, spiritually? Are you present or do you have presence? There is a HUGE difference between being present and having presence. I know many times I have falling into the 'I'll just show up' mentality. 'Being present' is consuming space (taking). 'Having presence' is contributing space, thought and flow (giving AND receiving). "Just because you are present, doesn't mean you have presence." a quote from Tony Blauer. Work on your presence regardless of the task you are doing. A great exercise to do is focus on your breathing for 5-10 minutes. Do it in this manner:
Stand or Sit in a comfortable position
Inhale through your nose and move the breath down the front of your body slowly (about 7 seconds down to the tip of your coccyx (tailbone) and then begin to exhale as your breath travels up your spine and over your forehead.
Repeat the inhale when you have reached your nose.
Do this every day at least 5 minutes for a week. I promise you will have begun to discover a new level of you and a conscious awareness of feeling that is only the beginning. Carry this into everything that you do. Take your training, Z Health practice, job, business or whatever you do to the next level by having presence.
20070316
Z Discoveries Part 2...The S.A.I.D Principle
Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands
This one could get deep so hang on. I studied this in college for about 10 minutes. Z brought it back into focus for about 4 days which brings me to think about it daily now.
The body (the mind, insert anything here) will adapt to whatever it is exposed to over time.
Two words where left out of this acronym per Dr. Cobb...' ALWAYS and EXACTLY ' .
The body will ALWAYS specfically adapt to EXACTLY the imposed demand. What does this mean? Sitting at a desk all day with slumped shoulders and tight hip flexors will lead to slouched standing posture with potential of low back pain in a very short period of time. This is only one example. Another example would be performing a posturely correct push-up. Most of the time people cannot do one correct push-up without severe anterior neck carriage and thoracic/lumbar sagging. We are about to change that. We do what we practice. We are what we practice. What are you practicing for?...sustained health, big biceps for the girls, seeing how many 1/8 squats you can do with 500 lbs? What EXACTLY are you training for and WHY?
The SAID principle has stood the test of time, yet most of us including myself have gave any attention to it beyond our sophomore Exer. Phys. class.
Let's take this a step further. Motor Learning is also enhanced and/or hindered by Cognitive Learning. This means that if you are telling yourself you can't do a proper push-up, you're right...you can't. ONLY when you begin to tell yourself that you will do one is when your body will start to adapt in order to do one. This is called 'chunking' where motor and cognitive are linked together for every task that we do in life. Here are 2 examples outside the training world.
1) picture your favorite food right now. the taste. the smell. Did you relax? thought so.
2) now picture cleaning the house. dusting. vaccuming. mopping. Did you tense? I did because I detest cleaning the house and it is why I hire a housekeeper.
Now both of those cognitive thoughts immediately had an effect on the physiology of your body. They are 'chunked' together.
Through my Z practice, my posture has improved, my jaw is continuing to move back in alignment, my L shoulder pain is gone with much increased ROM, my hip flexors feel great, my R low back is pain free, my L ankle/foot is 'unlocked' and overall I have decreased the amount of tension throughout my body dramatically. This is through religious Z practice at least 4x/week.
The SAID Principle applied to your Z practice and then on into your weight training/sport activity/daily activity will change the way you look, the way you feel, and the way you do everything.
Think about it. Get to a Z trainer. If you've already been to one, get to that person again and make sure they understand what they are training you to do.
This one could get deep so hang on. I studied this in college for about 10 minutes. Z brought it back into focus for about 4 days which brings me to think about it daily now.
The body (the mind, insert anything here) will adapt to whatever it is exposed to over time.
Two words where left out of this acronym per Dr. Cobb...' ALWAYS and EXACTLY ' .
The body will ALWAYS specfically adapt to EXACTLY the imposed demand. What does this mean? Sitting at a desk all day with slumped shoulders and tight hip flexors will lead to slouched standing posture with potential of low back pain in a very short period of time. This is only one example. Another example would be performing a posturely correct push-up. Most of the time people cannot do one correct push-up without severe anterior neck carriage and thoracic/lumbar sagging. We are about to change that. We do what we practice. We are what we practice. What are you practicing for?...sustained health, big biceps for the girls, seeing how many 1/8 squats you can do with 500 lbs? What EXACTLY are you training for and WHY?
The SAID principle has stood the test of time, yet most of us including myself have gave any attention to it beyond our sophomore Exer. Phys. class.
Let's take this a step further. Motor Learning is also enhanced and/or hindered by Cognitive Learning. This means that if you are telling yourself you can't do a proper push-up, you're right...you can't. ONLY when you begin to tell yourself that you will do one is when your body will start to adapt in order to do one. This is called 'chunking' where motor and cognitive are linked together for every task that we do in life. Here are 2 examples outside the training world.
1) picture your favorite food right now. the taste. the smell. Did you relax? thought so.
2) now picture cleaning the house. dusting. vaccuming. mopping. Did you tense? I did because I detest cleaning the house and it is why I hire a housekeeper.
Now both of those cognitive thoughts immediately had an effect on the physiology of your body. They are 'chunked' together.
Through my Z practice, my posture has improved, my jaw is continuing to move back in alignment, my L shoulder pain is gone with much increased ROM, my hip flexors feel great, my R low back is pain free, my L ankle/foot is 'unlocked' and overall I have decreased the amount of tension throughout my body dramatically. This is through religious Z practice at least 4x/week.
The SAID Principle applied to your Z practice and then on into your weight training/sport activity/daily activity will change the way you look, the way you feel, and the way you do everything.
Think about it. Get to a Z trainer. If you've already been to one, get to that person again and make sure they understand what they are training you to do.
20070315
Z Health Discoveries Part 1 of ?
Let's talk about 'Z'. Many of you have heard of it. Few of you have experienced it. Some of you don't know what I'm talking about. Bear with me through the next few months as I wade through all of the information that has been presented to me as I attempt restructure my thoughts on paper so not only I can understand them but you can as well. This is more for me than for you, but hopefully you will benefit tremendously along the way. There is WAY more to Z than I will be able to translate to you via blog so keep that in mind as I plug along in explanations.
Here goes... with the disclaimer that this is from 'MY experience' not from someone kinda sorta telling me a few things...therefore you may experience different results.
I first attending Level I Z R-phase in April and July of 2006. I became very good very quickly at all of the drills that were presented to me at that time and I saw dramatic improvement in both my martial arts training as well as strength and conditioning levels.
2 weeks ago I attended Level II I-phase which was Level 1 times 20. The reason for this will be explained in numerous follow-up bloggings.
Z's main principle is immediately impacting the central nervous system to see some type of immediate change in the body...could be either good or bad. Put it this way, it's like having a conversation with your body and your body is giving you the answer in a number of ways.
R-phase stands for: Rehabilition (of past injuries), Restoration (of nervous system functioning and sending proper signals, Re-education (of conscious control over all motor patterns). R-phase happens in a neutral stance so the body feels 'safe.'
I-phase stands for Integration. I-phase significantly creates infinite possibilities of motor patterns throughout the body, therefore dramatically increasing coordination, agility, control, strength...basically everything that has to do with movement.
I-phase allowed me to 'get it' when it came to R phase. This is the easiest way to explain it in a nutshell:
'Z' is the language of 'movement' (ANY and ALL movement)
R-phase provides the letters or 'alphabet' of drills inherent in movement skills (we are all born with these motor patterns 'hardwired') Now remember there are only 26 letters in the English language. I-phase provides the 'words' of movement. There are 100,000+ words in the English dictionary...more depending on which dictionary you are following. From those 100,00 words we have millions and millions of books that have been created from 100,000 words and ONLY 26 letters. Bottom-line is the COMBINATION that creates the matrix of the infinite.
Let's recap:
26 letters (Level I Z R-phase)
100,000 words (Level II I-phase)
Millions of books created from infinite combinations
So the question becomes how FLUENT are you in 'MOVEMENT LANGUAGE and VOCABULARY'? How good is your PRONUNCIATION?
Life and learning is all about repetition...we are creatures of habit. I will discuss this more in the next post regarding the SAID principle.
500-600 words = 'survival' vocabulary
10,000+ words = you are fluent in the language
That leaves 90,000 words UNEXPLORED.
let's translate this to learning a skill:
100-300 reps = to learn the concept
1000 reps = for the skill to become useful (to better understand the skill)
100,000-300,000 reps = mastery
Now some of you are saying..."100,000 REPS??? I don't have the time!" Let me share some ideas of things you do every day where this concept is hardwired into you:
1 walking (how many steps have you taken in your life?)
2 eating (are they good reps or bad reps...think about it.)
3 brushing your teeth
4 flossing
5 going to the bathroom (Ok, this one is for my humor and a great picture for you ;)
6 turning on a light switch (do you have to have your eyes open to do this?)
7 POSTURE (how is it sitting at your desk all day?)
Bottom line: you do what you practice. You ARE what you practice.
Z is a shortcut to doing all of those reps as long as your Z reps are done WELL. 1 bad rep takes about 3-5 good ones to undo the bad one. Notice I used the word 'shortcut' and not the words 'cure-all'. Very important because some trainers believe Z is a miracle pill. At times it is. At other times there are some layers to be peeled.
Z is on the cutting edge of the expanding the concept of interaction between brain/motor learning/cognitive learning components.
In summary:
R-phase Level I is a small TOOL BOX that you would buy at Home Depot. 75-80% of you and your clients will be 'fixed' by R-phase.
I-phase Level II is the 100 foot x 100 foot TOOL SHED that contains every conceivable tool you would ever want. 19-24% of you and your clients will need this Level II training to be 'fixed.'
The last 1% may need some other help in order to be 'fixed.'
This is only the beginning...
Here goes... with the disclaimer that this is from 'MY experience' not from someone kinda sorta telling me a few things...therefore you may experience different results.
I first attending Level I Z R-phase in April and July of 2006. I became very good very quickly at all of the drills that were presented to me at that time and I saw dramatic improvement in both my martial arts training as well as strength and conditioning levels.
2 weeks ago I attended Level II I-phase which was Level 1 times 20. The reason for this will be explained in numerous follow-up bloggings.
Z's main principle is immediately impacting the central nervous system to see some type of immediate change in the body...could be either good or bad. Put it this way, it's like having a conversation with your body and your body is giving you the answer in a number of ways.
R-phase stands for: Rehabilition (of past injuries), Restoration (of nervous system functioning and sending proper signals, Re-education (of conscious control over all motor patterns). R-phase happens in a neutral stance so the body feels 'safe.'
I-phase stands for Integration. I-phase significantly creates infinite possibilities of motor patterns throughout the body, therefore dramatically increasing coordination, agility, control, strength...basically everything that has to do with movement.
I-phase allowed me to 'get it' when it came to R phase. This is the easiest way to explain it in a nutshell:
'Z' is the language of 'movement' (ANY and ALL movement)
R-phase provides the letters or 'alphabet' of drills inherent in movement skills (we are all born with these motor patterns 'hardwired') Now remember there are only 26 letters in the English language. I-phase provides the 'words' of movement. There are 100,000+ words in the English dictionary...more depending on which dictionary you are following. From those 100,00 words we have millions and millions of books that have been created from 100,000 words and ONLY 26 letters. Bottom-line is the COMBINATION that creates the matrix of the infinite.
Let's recap:
26 letters (Level I Z R-phase)
100,000 words (Level II I-phase)
Millions of books created from infinite combinations
So the question becomes how FLUENT are you in 'MOVEMENT LANGUAGE and VOCABULARY'? How good is your PRONUNCIATION?
Life and learning is all about repetition...we are creatures of habit. I will discuss this more in the next post regarding the SAID principle.
500-600 words = 'survival' vocabulary
10,000+ words = you are fluent in the language
That leaves 90,000 words UNEXPLORED.
let's translate this to learning a skill:
100-300 reps = to learn the concept
1000 reps = for the skill to become useful (to better understand the skill)
100,000-300,000 reps = mastery
Now some of you are saying..."100,000 REPS??? I don't have the time!" Let me share some ideas of things you do every day where this concept is hardwired into you:
1 walking (how many steps have you taken in your life?)
2 eating (are they good reps or bad reps...think about it.)
3 brushing your teeth
4 flossing
5 going to the bathroom (Ok, this one is for my humor and a great picture for you ;)
6 turning on a light switch (do you have to have your eyes open to do this?)
7 POSTURE (how is it sitting at your desk all day?)
Bottom line: you do what you practice. You ARE what you practice.
Z is a shortcut to doing all of those reps as long as your Z reps are done WELL. 1 bad rep takes about 3-5 good ones to undo the bad one. Notice I used the word 'shortcut' and not the words 'cure-all'. Very important because some trainers believe Z is a miracle pill. At times it is. At other times there are some layers to be peeled.
Z is on the cutting edge of the expanding the concept of interaction between brain/motor learning/cognitive learning components.
In summary:
R-phase Level I is a small TOOL BOX that you would buy at Home Depot. 75-80% of you and your clients will be 'fixed' by R-phase.
I-phase Level II is the 100 foot x 100 foot TOOL SHED that contains every conceivable tool you would ever want. 19-24% of you and your clients will need this Level II training to be 'fixed.'
The last 1% may need some other help in order to be 'fixed.'
This is only the beginning...
20070313
I'm back
After a 3 month blogging hiatus (ironic that I am writing this right after my last blog '3 levels of quitting') I am ready to coherently structure my thoughts on numerous topics taking place in the last 3 months.
For those of you that are following I have:
1 a major website overhaul at www.keperformance.com
2 a brand new personal training studio open in Woodbury MN
3 kettlebell classes already going on daily. Check my website for details.
The topics you can look forward to are:
1) Z Health ...just returned from Level II and registered for Level III in June (if you are remotely serious about your training and coaching email me at brad@keperformance.com to discuss this further)
2) motor learning (the way I wish I would have learned it in college)
3) anatomy (same as above)
4) the S.A.I.D principle revisited
5) motivation: self and helping others
6) yin/yang
7) amp your nervous system
8) Perfect Rep Principle
9) Efficiency
and of course numerous philosophies from the neurons in my never-ending sequence of thought possibilites.
Feel free to email me questions and or comments.
For those of you that are following I have:
1 a major website overhaul at www.keperformance.com
2 a brand new personal training studio open in Woodbury MN
3 kettlebell classes already going on daily. Check my website for details.
The topics you can look forward to are:
1) Z Health ...just returned from Level II and registered for Level III in June (if you are remotely serious about your training and coaching email me at brad@keperformance.com to discuss this further)
2) motor learning (the way I wish I would have learned it in college)
3) anatomy (same as above)
4) the S.A.I.D principle revisited
5) motivation: self and helping others
6) yin/yang
7) amp your nervous system
8) Perfect Rep Principle
9) Efficiency
and of course numerous philosophies from the neurons in my never-ending sequence of thought possibilites.
Feel free to email me questions and or comments.
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