CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 2/20/15

I’m in Burlington, MA for the next three days attending the Functional Movement Screen I & II workshops.

Photo Credit: Perform Better Europe

I’m excited because not only do I expect to learn a ton over the next three days, but I also get to learn from and listen to a coach I highly respect….FMS content advisor, co-creator of  the CK-FMS program, RKC Master Instructor, and guy who could snap me in two in two seconds (not that he’d want to do that), Brett Jones.

Chances are I’ll have a ton of new ideas and content brewing in my head when I’m through, so expect some blog post on what differentiates a “2” squat and a “3” squat.  Speaking of which, funny story.

A few months ago my good friend (and University of Washington strength coach), Dave Rak, was in town visiting and getting a lift in at CSP. He has been battling some nagging injuries so myself and fellow CSP coach, Miguel Aragoncillo, were taking him through a few screens. We did an overhead squat screen and it didn’t look pretty.

Me: “Dude, that’s technically a 1.”

Note: a score of “1” is considered a poor squat pattern

Dave (with no hesitation): “Well, technically I won my last powerlifting meet.”

Me & Dave & Miguel: HAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHA.

Whatever! It was funny. You had to be there.

Here’s this week’s list of stuff to read.

6 (More) Things Elite Coaches Do – Kate Solovieva

I love reading about what other coaches do to become great. I also love hearing about which books they gravitate towards and recommend.

This article, from the Precision Nutrition website, hits on both fronts.

Core Confusion – Nick Tumminello

This article explains why it’s WRONG to say that squats and deadlifts are all anyone ever needs to train their core.

BroScience debunked!

Inside the Life of a Celebrity Trainer – FitSmart Podcast

An AWESOME listen with LA-based, celebrity trainer, and owner of PUSH Fitness, Chad Landers. Chad’s an awesome dude. I’ve interacted with him many times and have met him in person too, and I know he’s a quality human being (and trainer). I mandate that ALL personal trainers should take the hour and MAKE TIME to listen to this podcast.

Some great advice from all parties involved (shout out to hosts Roger Lawson and JC Deen).

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 2/13/15

Gentle reminder fellas: Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.

But I’m sure I didn’t have to say anything because as every guy reading who has a girlfriend, fiancee, wife, or is within a tw0-mile radius of anyone who’s a raging case of estrogen is fully aware…..50 Shades of Grey opens in theaters this weekend.

It’s pretty much going to be THE Valentine’s weekend movie of all time, and will serve as every female’s payback for being dragged to movies like Taken (1 through 3), The Fast & Furious (1 through 117), and any movie starring Jason Statham.

No lie, here’s the conversation Lisa and I had yesterday.

Lisa: Guess what comes out this weekend?

Me: Sooo, you and Jess (one of Lisa’s BFFs) are going to go see 50 this weekend, huh?

Lisa: Yep.

Me: Oh, good. Have fun. I’ll go down to Coolidge Corner and…….

Lisa: And you’re coming with us.

Me: No I’m not.

Lisa: Yes, yes you are.

Me: Uh, no I’m not!

Lisa (don’t eff with me, look of death stare): do you know how many movies I’ve sat though with you? You’re going!

Me: [Pretty much my reaction below]


Have fun fellas. I’ll be right there with you. Washing my eyes out with broken glass.

Here’s this week’s list of stuff to read.

Complete Speed Training – Lee Taft

Today’s your last chance to take advantage of the sale price of Complete Speed Training by renowned speed coach, Lee Taft.

After midnight tonight (Friday, 2/13) the price jumps (<— or should I say, bound? Lame agility joke)…..by quite a bit.

Coach Taft is someone who has a lot of respect in the industry and he doesn’t release a ton of new material too often. When he does, though, it’s stellar.

This is easily one of the best resources I’ve come across that discusses everything from warm-ups to progressions with linear and lateral speed drills, strength training, and everything in between that will help you and your athletes dominate on the field.

Stop Doing Box Jumps Like a Jackass – Eric Bach

There’s a right way to do box jumps, and the jackass way. This article highlights the former.

Lessons From Chad Wesley Smith – Prashanti Ganesh

I had the chance to head to CrossFit Southie (located in South Boston) last weekend for a one-day powerlifting workshop put on by Juggernaut Training Systems co-founder, Chad Wesley Smith.

The man is a beast. Not only because he owns the 8th highest (raw) meet total in history, but because he’s also a very knowledgable coach who takes a more pragmatic approach than you would think.

This was an excellent write-up on some of the things he covered during the day.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 2/6/15

Another week, another foot of snow here in New England. I grew up in Central NY, and have lived in the northeast my entire life so I know what a lot of snow is and I’m not of those people who complains about it.

It’s like people who live in Florida complaining about the humidity or Tom Brady complaining about having the greatest life, ever.

But good grief….they’re saying we may get another foot this weekend.

Which makes me all the more pumped for my trip to Australia in less than a month. As a quick reminder I’ll be heading “down under” in early March to put on not one, but TWO workshops. a 2-Day event in Ballina, NSW the weekend of March 7th-8th, in addition to a 1-Day event in Sydney on Saturday, March 14th.

Details including locations, cost, the over/under I’ll even touch the ocean with my big toe1, and sign-up information can be found HERE.

I also wanted to remind people that registration is still open for the 2nd Annual SUNY Cortland Strength & Conditioning Symposium (March 28th). I’ll be hitting up my alma mater (and doing my best General Zod impersonation…..KNEEL BEFORE ME!) along with Nick Tumminello, Mark Fisher, John Gaglione, and Joy Victoria for what will undoubtedly be a day full of mind melting.

Details can be found HERE.

How to Win an Argument With a Vegan – Kris Gunnars

Pew, pew, pew. Shots fired. Shots fired!

I’ll make the same statement as the author: I have nothing against vegans or vegetarians. If someone chooses not to eat meat for environmental, health, or ethical reasons…far be it from me to pass judgement.

Although I do find it comical that there are many vegan or vegetarian food options that mimic the foods they’re so adamantly against. Tofurkey burger anyone?

Looks like a hamburger and tastes like turkey. Hmmmmmm.

Anyways, what my main beef (<— LOL, awesome pun) is with some pundits is their claim that all animal protein is unhealthy, which is absurd. This article explains why.

Power to the SHE – Christa Vancini Doran

I am all about messages that help and encourage women to challenge themselves (namely in the gym). I hate pretty much every message the mainstream media attempts to throw in women’s faces – lean and long, tone, thigh gap, lose inches in days, weights make you big and bulky, blah blah blah blah –  all in the name of selling a product or sex appeal.

I understand sex sells – I’m not a moron – but how it’s delivered in the realm of health and fitness is lame IMO.

I’m a huge fan of Christa and the culture she’s built at her facility. Ladies, THIS is the type of person you should follow and learn from; not some overly hyped, narcissistic, selfie-taking nimrod who’s only claim to fame is having the world’s most exaggerated case of anterior pelvic tilt.

Squats: Fold-Ability and Proportion – Tom Purvis

I felt this was a fantastic, quick video on squat mechanics and how taking into consideration each person’s anthropometry and leverages will dictate what their squat will look like. Definitely worth five minutes of your time.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 1/30/15

Before we dive into this week’s list of stuff to read I wanted to remind everyone about TWO workshops I’ll be doing down in Australia in March.

The first one will be a 2-Day event held in Ballina, NSW on Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8th. Details can be found HERE.

The second one will be a 1-Day event held in Sydney, NSW on Saturday March 14th. And details for that one can be found HERE.

To say that I’m excited (and honored) to be invited down to Australia to speak is an understatement. I mean, I’ve been practicing my Crocodile Dundee accent for like a month straight. It’s going to be epic.

Also, for something a little closer to home, I’ve been invited to speak at the New England Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association Annual Spring Conference on Wednesday, May 13th (<— two weeks before my wedding!) in Providence, RI. I’m not sure if it’s open to the public (it kinda has that Harvard Final Club vibe to it)2, I think it is, but for more information you can contact NEHRSA.org.

Core Training Facts, Fallacies & Top Techniques – Nick Tumminello

Nick is one of the top fitness educators I know and someone I have a lot of respect for. His latest resource is something that, when I first watched it, made me re-think some of my own approaches to core training.

Nick’s a very forward thinking, innovative coach and I’d HIGHLY encourage any fitness professional (or anyone who takes their fitness a little more seriously) to check this out. It definitely tops my list as one of the best “core training” resources out there.

The sale price ENDS TONIGHT (Friday, January 30th) at midnight. You better hustle.

Yoga for Athletes: Why Activation and Inhibition Matter More Than Stretching – Dana Santas

From a meathead perspective, yoga is about as exciting as watching NASCAR. I get it. Or worse, Les Miserables. But I PROMISE you this isn’t your typical yoga article.

Dana gets it.

She’s doesn’t talk about “lengthening muscles,” toning, chakras, or anything on par with those things that make a small part of my soul die.

She does talk about alignment, squats, and helping people get out of their own way and to start addressing their “real” issues. This was an excellent article.

Risky Fitness – Jen Sinkler

World renowned fitness model, Greg Plitt, died tragically a few weeks ago being struck by a train while filming an exercise video.

At a time where everyone is trying to be seen and one of the only ways to separate yourself from the masses is to perform risky stunts, Jen offers some sage advice on why this is not a good idea.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 1/23/15

I made a cameo appearance coaching up the Cressey Sports Performance Strength Camp (formerly known as Excellence Bootcamps) this morning in lieu of head CSP Group Fitness Instructor/Strength Camp coach George Kalantzis‘ absence.

Why was George away? He had to go off and get married and have a kick-ass honeymoon this past week. As if that’s a good excuse!

Obviously I’m kidding with the whole ornery vibe3. Of course I’m very happy for George, and it was actually a nice welcome back, because I was once the “Friday guy” for a few months last year. It was fun to come back and coach some old (and new) faces and see people’s reactions to this AM’s workout:

The other benefit of coaching so early in the morning is that I get to leave early. I’m now home sitting at the table in a comfy pair of sweatpants catching up on some stuff. You know, writing this blog post, responding to emails, catching up on Season 3 of American Horror Story: Coven. The important stuff.

So, with all of my procrastination aside here’s this week’s list to stuff to read……

Why “Chest Up” In the Squat Is Wrong – Chris Duffin

“Arch, arch, arch, ARCH.”

For years that’s how we’ve always been told to squat. Unrack the bar, arch your back like a mofo, and then drop it like it’s hot. Whether or not you come back up is hit or miss.

The cue to arch isn’t wrong, it’s just not ideal.

Not ideal for a number of reasons, and Chris does a solid job at explaining why.

Which Routine Is For Me? – Andy Morgan

Andy is known for more of his nutritional expertise (he’s one of my “go to” nutrition guys), but I felt this was an excellent piece on discussing some of the criteria that needs to be considered/addressed when figuring out which programs is the right fit for any one individual.

The Pros and Cons of Powerlifting Training – Ben Bruno

Nailed it.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 1/9/15

Sorry kiddos, I have to keep this short and sweet today.

But a quick heads up in case you missed the news:

– I’ll be in Cortland, NY this March for the 2nd Annual SUNY Cortland Strength and Conditioning Symposium. Other than myself, speakers include Nick Tumminello, Joy Victoria, Mark Fisher, and John Gaglione. Special appearances by Taylor Swift and Professor X.

– I’ll also be heading to Australia this March for two workshops – one to be held in Ballina (2-days), and one to be held in Sydney (1-day). Details to come very soon.

– My biceps looks amazing today.

What Happens in Your Body During a “Cleanse” or “Detox” – Thorin Klosowski

You shit rainbows!!

I had a few professional baseball players ask me my opinion on these so-called “cleanse” diets within the last week, so I did two things:

1. I looked them dead straight in the eyes and said, “you’re dead to me.”

2. I then handed each of them this article.

For further reading on this topic, I highly recommend Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks by Ben Goldacre. Total pwnage on his part.

Thanks For Including Me On Your Stupid List – John Romaniello

John and I are bros. I actually attended his wedding. He had Star Wars themed table seating charts. Did you read what I just said?

STAR WARS THEMED TABLE SEATING CHARTS!!!

Nevertheless, it goes without saying that along with being a good friend, he’s someone I respect a lot in this industry; not only for his training and nutrition knowledge, but also as a writer. He’s one of my favs.

This article was a nice commentary on the industry and helped shed some light on a topic that I feel far too many fitness professionals (and non-fitness peeps) place too much precedent on.

Like John, I agree that’s it’s flattering to be included on said lists. But I try not to make more of it than what it actually is.

7 Secrets to Pulling 700 – John Gaglione

It’s like a fat kid and cake, or a moth being drawn to a flame…I can’t resist a good deadlifting article.

And relax, even if you’re no where close to pulling 700 lbs4, there’s a gulf of great information in this article which can (and will) undoubtedly help improve your deadlift technique and performance.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: Welcome to 2015!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And greetings from sunny Florida. Lisa and I left Boston yesterday to come down to Florida for a little R&R and to kick-start the wedding planning process.

(In case you’re new to the site, Lisa and I are getting married near her hometown this May!)

Photographer? Check.

Caterer? Check

DJ? Check

Flowers? Check

Now if only I can somehow convince Lisa into allowing me to place movie quality Chewbacca masks on every guest table as center pieces! She wants orchids. Pffffffffft, whatever. Nothing says I love you more than Chewbacca.

Said no one, ever.

And since I’m down here in Florida (and only 20 or so miles from Jupiter) I think I owe it to myself and the world to make a cameo appearance at Cressey Sports Performance Jupiter and introduce the athletes down here to TONY’s TIESTO TUESDAYS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oy-3V5whds

I suspect that this will be over Eric’s dead body.

And on that note, lets jump right into 2015’s first stuff to read…….

Stuff I Learned in 2014 – Lee Boyce

I still need to write MY year in review post (I promise I’ll get on that soon!), but in the meantime I invite you to read Lee’s. It’s fantastic. Not only is he a fantastic coach with a lot of perspective, but the man has impeccable movie taste to boot.

Simplifying Your Squat and Deadlift – Mike Robertson

It sounds like an oxymoron…..squats and deadlifts are anything but simple. However in this post, Mike discusses how we sometimes inundate ourselves with too many cues which can often stagnate progress.

The Lean Muscle Diet – Lou Schuler and Alan Aragon

I don’t often recommend mainstream diet books, because most mainstream diet books are about as useful as a poop flavored lollypop.

This book is fantastic, not in small part to the fact that both Lou and Alan are two guys who don’t BS and who are both very highly respected in the industry.

It’s that time of year where there’s a massive influx of mainstream diet and training books and it’s understandably going to be hard to separate the ones that are worthwhile compared to those that are abysmal.

Hopefully this subtle “thumbs up” from me helps out.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 12/19/14

In case you missed it yesterday (I posted it later than usual), I had the opportunity to be a guest on the Inside the Athletic Grind Podcast earlier this week. I know pretty much everyone and their mailman is listening to the Serial Podcast nowadays, but if you need a slight change of pace, and something a bit less “heavy,” and you have an hour to kill (<—– LOL, pun intended. You know, cause the Serial Podcast is about a real murder)…..you can check out my interview HERE.

I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again today: it’s easily one the funnest interviews I’ve done in a while.

Know what else is going to be fun? Watching The Battle of the Five Armies this weekend!!!!!!!!

I bought tickets for myself, Lisa, and the couple we’re going to see it with about two weeks ago. We saw Desolation of Smaug last year with the same couple at one of those Super Deluxe theaters (where you have a lounge chair, unlimited popcorn, and you can order a meal to eat if you want), and we figured we might as well go see Five Armies in the same fashion. Cause, why wouldn’t you?

This movie is going to be awesome. And from what I’ve read and listened to, the last battle scene in the movie is 45 minutes of nerd Viagra. OMG I can’t even stand it!!!!!!! I’ll report back next week to tender my thoughts.

Has anyone else seen it already? Liked it? Disliked it?

Projection: Or How to Show Your Clients You’re Not Listening to a Damn Thing They’re Saying – Dr. Mark Cheng

I say it ALL the time: what works for one athlete or client, may not work for someone else. In all likelihood it won’t work. Which is why it’s unfortunate when some coaches and personal trainers train all their clientele in the exact same manner.

It’s dumb, Stop doing it. You suck.

Ultimate Athleticism – Max Shank

Today (12/19) is the LAST day to purchase Max Shank’s Ultimate Athleticism at the sick discounted price. I’m telling you right now, Max is a different cat. He’s a meathead like the rest of us who read this blog, but he truly feels that many, many people are missing the boat with regards to their training.

In short: we move like shit, and people aren’t athletic enough!

Max’s book covers a lot of material, but he tends to place most of his focus on four key movements:

1. L-Press to Handstand

2. Deadlift

3. Front Lever

4. Airborne Lunge

It all sounds intimidating, but I promise he’s not advocating we all quit our day jobs and join Cirque de Soleil just yet. While he comes from a heavy gymnastics background (self-taught mind you, which is impressive itself), he offers a TON of regressions and progressions to help people master their movement and work up to the exercises listed above.

If you’re looking for something different, something that will challenge you, and get you outside your comfort zone, Ultimate Athleticism is the real deal.

What Wearing Dresses Taught me About Authenticity – Jessi Kneeland

I’ve known Jessi for a few years. She’s an awesome trainer at one of the best personal training facilities in the country – Peak Performance, located in NYC.

And while she has a lot to say as a coach, and a lot of great things to say, I felt this post presented a very powerful message even if it doesn’t fit into a “fitness specific” mold.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 12/12/14

In cased you missed it, yesterday I pretty much melted the internet’s face (Indiana Jones evil Nazi style) with a post on how to improve hip internal range of motion without using traditional stretching.

The crucial message was to remember it’s important to understand that the body is going to induce “protective tension” when it perceives something as a threat, risky, or un-familiar. It’s just our body’s way of pumping the breaks to make sure we don’t do anything stupid.

It was very well received and it seemed to open many people’s eyes, especially those who tend to gravitate towards traditional stretching as the end-all-be-all answer to everything.

First off: everyone knows that unicorn tears are the cure all for everything. That’s just common knowledge.

Secondly: giving credit where it’s due, my good friend Dean Somerset is the one who originally introduced the concept of REACTIVE STABILITY to me. I don’t want to pawn off the idea as my own. Granted I invented things like electricity, space travel, and Legos…but I draw the line at taking credit for the voodoo magic displayed in yesterday’s post and video.

Dean covers what I covered yesterday and much, MUCH more in his most recent resource Ruthless Mobility.

TODAY (Dec. 12th) is the LAST day to purchase it at a heavily discounted price. The price goes up at midnight.

If you’re a fitness professional looking to take your knowledge base to the next level or just someone who struggles with nagging injuries and/or movement quality this would be an excellent resource to add to your collection. Dean’s one of the guys I trust the most and someone I continuously learn from. You’d be doing yourself a huge favor by listening to what he has to say. Check out Ruthless Mobility HERE.

Now lets get to this week’s stuff to read.

Coffee….Upgraded? Is Bulletproof Coffee All It’s Cracked Up To Be – Brian St. Pierre

I’m not a coffee drinker. I’m more of a tea kind of guy. My fiance on the other hand looooves coffee. I honestly believe that if she weren’t marrying me she’d marry her Nespresso machine.

The whole bulletproof coffee craze intrigues me though. I understand that coffee alone has numerous health benefits, but does using Upgraded (trademarked) Coffee and adding grass-fed butter and MCTs to the mix make it that much more superior????

Some people swear by it. Others, like myself, just roll their eyes and turn the page.

Nonetheless, I felt this article was a very fair look at coffee in general, but also felt it was fair with its assessment of Bulletproof Coffee as well.

Master the Bench Press: What Is Leg Drive? – Adam Pine

As someone who’s admittedly an atrocious bench presser, I found this article super helpful. Bench pressing is much more of a FULL-BODY movement than people give it credit for and Adam does a superb job at explaining what, exactly, leg drive is, and a few cues he likes to use at it pertains to bench press performance.

The New Nutrition Secret – Adam Bornstein

I think it’s great that more and more people like Adam are making it into the mainstream media and attempting to send the right message. And that’s this: use new research to question your approach, not define it!

[Cue slow clap here]

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 12/5/14

I’m in trouble.

I was perusing Netflix yesterday morning trying to find something quick to watch while I ate my eggs when I noticed the show Forensic Files was now available to stream.

Was started off as me thinking “Oh, I’ll watch like one or two episodes” (they’re 20 minutes each), turned into five, and I ended up getting zero work done yesterday.

I then came home from the gym last night and somehow convinced Lisa to watch two more episodes with me. And I just watched four more this morning.

I……..can’t……..look……..away.

I feel like Frank the Tank from the movie Old School – “once it hits your lips, it’s so good!!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4quisonHOJE

The show is like crack. And, for the record: there are some messed up people out there!! As much as the show is impossible to turn away from, it also makes you want to lock all your doors, screw all your windows shut, turn off the lights, and huddle in the corner of your apartment.

Anyhoo – I managed to turn off the television without going so far as to throw it out the window, and now I’m finally sitting down to write this blog and then spend the rest of the morning writing some programs.

Lets get to this week’s list of stuff to read:

Four Ways to Band Up Your Deadlift – David Dellanave

Much like my affinity for dark documentary crime series, when it comes to anything written on deadlifts I’m like a moth drawn to a flame.

In this superb article Dave breaks down a few ways to add bands to your deadlift training, including one INGENIOUS way to implement when you’re stuck traveling and have little access to a gym let alone a barbell to do deadlifts with.

Also, just a reminder that Dave’s resource Off the Floor: A Manual For Deadlift Domination is on sale at HALF-OFF until TONIGHT (Friday 12/5) at midnight.

Unlike most other resources Dave’s approach takes a unique perspective in that he incorporates autoregulation, which is just a fancy term used to describe what it means to listen to what your body is telling you.

In addition, in the year since its first release Dave has used feedback to help develop three new programs for the manual as well as add a bunch of other cool stuff, including a little over an hour of new video coaching content.

It’s an excellent resource, I love it, and feel if you’re someone looking to add somer serious progress to your deadlift this is something you can’t pass up!

The Double Rep Method – Will Vatcher

I saw this article last week and admittedly almost rolled my eyes. But after reading it, I really liked the idea it proposed and am starting to experiment myself.

It’s BRUTAL!!!!  So if you’re looking for a change of pace in your program, at the mercy of sounding cliche, this may be exactly what you’re looking for!

The Bretzel and Bretzel 2.0 – Gray Cook

Fans of Gray Cook (and Brett Jones) will know this one as it’s an oldie-but-goodie. The Bretzel and Bretzel 2.0 are two drills we’ve been incorporating more and more into our pre-work and “corrective” work with a lot of our athletes and clients at Cressey Sports Performance.

They’re both excellent drills that hammer a lot of stuff at once. Bretzel 1.0 = anterior chain. Bretzel 2.0 = posterior chain.

Bonus Stuff

1. I, along with Jen Sinkler and Neghar Fonooni helped contribute to an article that was featured on Yahoo! Health recently on the Turkish Get-Up: The Full-Body Exercise That Absolutely Everyone Should Be Doing.

2. Now that we’re smack dab in the middle of the Holiday season it’s time for the majority of us to start thinking about the inevitable New Year’s resolution to lose some weight or firm up a bit.

Nutrition is generally the one bottleneck for most people because, lets be honest, most of us are stubborn. Everyone is set in the their ways, has their likes and dislikes (I’m sorry but gluten free bread tastes like sawdust sprinkled with sandpaper shavings), and most telling of all, people are confused as f*** as to what they should be eating.

There’s a lot of noise out there, and it’s no surprise that many are paralyzed or overthink what or how they should be eating (no carbs after 7PM!). And well, some people don’t do any thinking at all (chocolate comes from a plant. Plants are green. Chocolate is salad!).

The people over at Precision Nutrition are gearing up for their annual Lean Eating Program, which is pretty much the quintessential coaching-based nutrition support program out there.

I have many of my own clients use their services, and I know many, many fitness professionals who have also used Precision Nutrition to not only act as their coach, but to use it as a learning experience as well.

PN has just released their FREE Starter Kit which as a stand along thing is worth more than what most diet books try to sell you for whatever is they charge for useless (or to be less cynical: regurgitated) information.

For the men’s kit go HERE.

For the women’s kit go HERE.

Both kits offer their own unique content tailored to both men and women, and like said they’re both FREE. You don’t have much to lose. And hey, they may serve as the impetus to finally hold yourself accountable and make 2015 your most healthy year yet!