We’re leaving for Maine this weekend and I figured I would just jot down a few random thoughts.
1. Ever get sick of people complaining that it’s their genetics holding them back? A perfect example would be the person who says, “my family has a history of heart disease, so I guess that will be fate too,” or “oh, my body is just predisposed to being fat.” Of course, said person is chomping down on a large bagel with cream cheese as they say this.
Dr. Dean Ornish thinks otherwise. He shows (and he has research to back it up) how adopting healthy lifestyle habits can affect a person at the genetic level. Namely, if you take strides to eat healthier, manage stress, exercise, and love more–your brain gets more blood flow and oxygen, and brain cells actually increase. His list includes things like, drinking green tea, eating blueberries, going for walks, and while I’m sure he mistakingly left this one out, looking at pictures of Kim Kardashian’s badonkadonk.
2. I’m currently making an effort to read more business related books. One such book is Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive. Every day we face the challenge of persuading others to do what we want. You know simple things, like trying to convince your girlfriend to invite another girl over for drinks, some dancing, maybe a naked pillow fight or two*. But what makes people say yes to our requests? Did you know that something as basic as a hand written Post-It note can persuade someone? The authors even have a chapter titled, “How Can You Become a Jedi Master of Persuasion?” SOLD!
3. Maine Diner is totally going to get dominated by me this weekend. If you’re ever up in the Wells, Kennebunk, Maine area, you owe it to yourself to eat breakfast there. THE best omlettes this side of the Mississippi River.
4. I really wish people would stop using the term “fat burning zone.” There’s no such thing. The funny thing is, the best “fat burning zone” is the one you’re in right now reading this blog post. You’re burning a greater percentage of fat right now, but the total calories being burned is so low, that it doesn’t even matter. I may just blog about this in more detail later.
5. People who eat nuts on a daily basis, tend to have a better body composition than those who don’t.
6. In listening to Mike Boyle speak recently, people need to place more emphasis on change of direction when they do their conditioning work. Sure, running in a straight line is conditioning specific, but as Mike noted, it’s not muscularily (is that a word?) specific. A big reason why we see so many hamstring/groin injuries is because we don’t place enough emphasis on change of direction. Additionally, changing direction will automatically place more of a metabolic demand on the body.
7. How pumped am I to see The Dark Knight in a few weeks? Answer: wicked pumped.
8. The Boston Globe featured a story on one of our athletes this week, Mike Soboff. Give it a read.
9. Never underestimate the power of trance. If you would have asked me whether or not trance music would ever be played in our facility I would have laughed. The first time I played it, all I heard was Eric yelling, “am I in a gym or shopping at Old Navy?” Needless to say, I think I may have the numbers falling in my favor as of late. We train at night with a crew of local college athletes, weekend warriors, and powerlifters, and they’re digging the new Louie DeVito album.
10. Have a safe, and awesome July 4th weekend!
*or three.
EDIT: or four.
