Success Warrior: The Blog That Embraces ADHD

Pink Slime

So,

It's been a long day and this is going to be a short post.

There is a gawd.

Did he create the Internet on the 5th day or the 6th?

Supposedly McDonald's stopped using pink slime in there meat product last August and the news story came out today.  This raises an important question for me.

What is pink slime and why was it in the meat product?

Why is it called "meat product" instead of hamburger?

Why is the story coming out half a year later?

Is pink slime used in its poultry product?

All good questions but not the one that I was thinking of.  My question is: Do people really eat at McDonald's?

Guest Post - Going Primal

 
So,

I tried to finish The Anti-American Manifesto last night but I fell asleep.  Not that the book is boring.  Far from it.  I worked some long shifts (about 13 hours each) Friday and Saturday night and got home around 5am on Sunday morning.  By the time Sunday night rolled around, I was spent, and with only a couple of dozen pages left too.  Dang!

That means that today I'm going to let Tim Foley take over my blog and while you're reading his post, I'm going to go finish reading my book (because I've already read Tim's post).

Caveman Cometh

The finger-looking shoes, paleo-diets, and Crossfit – the world is getting more Primal. As with all trends the Caveman lifestyle is looking like a trend fast approaching its peak. The New York Times has covered the phenomenon both directly and indirectly and Men’s Health and Outside have each written extensive pieces on the benefits of the diet/lifestyle plans. But what if this is less of an Atkins trend and something like jogging, which created an entire subculture in the 1970’s which still lives on today.

Of course there are major differences in the Nike spawned running craze of forty years ago and the barefoot guys in the park lifting boulders and climbing trees, but there is also a lot in common. The major draw from running was that it made the participate feel healthy – their body leaned out and they grew stronger leg muscles, and increased mileage all the time. The Primal diets take participants on much the same journey. Many advocates claim that by eliminating unnatural foods (carbs and dairy primary among them) and adding in short but intense workouts, they are experiencing similar feelings of physical gain.

The drawback for many people looking to pickup the diet is the amount of fat included in the diet. Most Westerners have accepted that fat is bad and carbs are good – turning that upside down has limited the involvement of the masses. Also, the primal diet plans ask a lot of some overweight people, those who might be unwilling to take off in Tabata sprints or do pushups to exertion. In many ways the primal diets are simpler than other diets, but they require a higher pain threshold.

It’s not Zumba and it sure as hell isn’t Tae-Bo or Atkins, but like the veggies and organic meats the diet asks its followers to consume, these primal diets might have a short shelf life.

***

T. Foley writes for several dating sites and fitness sites.

What Do Obama, Taco Bell, Underage Hookers, Ben Bernanke, and This Morning's Workout Have In Common?

 
So,

The Great and Powerful Oz finds himself between a rock and hard place with Egypt and, so far, is finding that his words aren't working this time (which has to be a little sucker punch to his great and powerful ego).  By all accounts, Mubarak is done.  It's just a matter of time before he's killed or flees the country to escape.  The US government has supported the dictator for 30 years and it's all unraveling now.

"The United States gives some $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt every year, along with $200 million in economic aid. But the aid is viewed by many Egyptians with mixed feelings, seeing it as a tool to keep their government subservient to American foreign policy . . ."

Obama has asked the Egyptians to talk with Mubarak to find a resolution that won't change the US government's control over the country. 

Really?

Yes. 

There isn't going to be any talking but Obama has to try.  The US government doesn't want to lose their bitch the close ally they have spent billions of dollars bribing to be their bitch secure a strategic foothold in the middle east.  They can't come out in actual support of Mubarak though because from the start, it didn't look good for him and they don't want to alienate the government that takes over (which will already likely be somewhat anti-US government, at the very least - though they might be susceptible to bribery too).

"America is worried about instability in Egypt, so they'll try find a new leader they like and anoint him to work for their interests," said Muslim preacher Ahmad Abdullah, 40, who was sleeping in Tahrir Square.

"They will keep stepping on our heads," he said.

It's quite the tightrope to walk, trying to keep your bitch such a strong supporter in power against the will of an entire country.  Obama is trying to use mere words to get the Egyptian people to agree to allow him to keep stepping on their heads.

Good luck with that!

Speaking of a lack of substance, did you see the story on Taco Bell a few days ago?  This may come as a bit of shock for many people but it seems that there isn't enough beef in the, uh, stuff (you were gonna say "shit," weren't you?) that Taco Bell puts in its tacos to legally call it beef. 

No way!

Way!

It's got something like 35% beef and the rest is binders, fillers, some oat-based stuff (wtf), plus, you know, water and spices. 

I knew my readers wouldn't be shocked by this but I thought I would pass it on.  You wanna know what is shocking?  Searching for pictures of tacos online for this blog.  Yikes!  I'm not going to post the more disturbing pics but I'll share this one with you to give you an idea of what it was like (You guys owe me big-time for the pics that end up on this blog, btw):

 
Speaking of women's nether-regions, did you know the Superbowl was a chick magnet?  Pimps from all over the country (as far away as Hawaii) bring their prostitutes to town, many of them underage, hoping to cash in on horny guys with money to spend.  Do you think they have to get a temporary business license from the city?  Could be a source of revenue for cash strapped governments that are too corrupt to execute a proper budget (plus the politicians can probably work a deal at the same time to get their underage hookers at a reduced fee).  The story I read tells about how these pimps beat the snot out of teenagers to get them to comply and bring in the money.

Speaking of guys with no morales, anyone heard from my good friend Ben Bernanke lately?  Ron Paul who is an ob/gyn was going to be sticking a speculum into the Fed's books to see what was going on.  I heard quite a bit about this after the election but haven't heard anything lately.  Anyone know what's up?

Last time Paul threatened to do this, he didn't have power to do it and Bernanke said he would destroy the economy in retaliation.  Wonder if Egypt might give Bernanke a moment's pause.  Sure, he could contract the money supply and destroy this limping economic monster that he's got going now but what would happen if another 30 million people lost their jobs?

Burn political headquarters and cut the heads off mummies?

Wrong country but probably something close.

The most dangerous people are the ones with nothing left to lose.

Anyway, if you hear something, let me know.

Here's something that might help Ron Paul with his investigation:

 

Is that a mangina?

Speaking of things that make you want to hurl, this morning's workout was tough.  I did four different plyometric exercises, all done in Tabata intervals.  My legs were rubber and my lungs were on fire (like Obama's world empire but without killing anyone).  You wouldn't think it would be that hard to do something for 20 seconds, 8 times but holy crap!  You ever want to push yourself?  I strongly suggest giving Tabatas a try with some full body moves.  If you haven't tried it before, I think you'll be surprised.

I'm going to talk to my muscles and ask them to get stronger?

Good luck with that!

 

***

Follow me on Twitter to get updates on when new posts show up on this blog (plus get random thoughts on the life of Success Warrior) and feel free to "friend" me on Facebook.

Success Warrior is an Independent BeachBody Coach for BeachBody.com, a company that offers fitness programs, supplements, and equipment that have absolutely changed my life. 

Have you heard of P90X?  That's BeachBody.  They also have Insanity, Turbo Jam, TurboFire, RevAbs, Brazil Butt Lift, and many more.  They have some of the best exercise programs on the market.  These aren't just DVDs but are complete programs to transform your body.  They also have the hugely popular, and what they call "the most important meal of the day", Shakeology.  Go HERE to learn the most inexpensive way to get Shakeology.

They have equipment and supplements in addition to Shakeology and popular exercise programs.  Visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Shop" link to see everything they offer. 

There is also a business side to all this fitness that you can take advantage of.  Whether you're looking to just make a couple hundred extra dollars in fun money or are looking to take complete financial control of your life, BeachBody can help you get there.  If you have a desire to be more fit and would love to help other people do the same while making some money at it, visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Coach" link.  Team up with me and I'll help you reach your goals, in fitness and finance.

Crumbs!

 
No time for blogging today.  Trey and I are going to be baking a few thousand cookies this afternoon.

Punching Invisible People

Can I just tell you how much I'm enjoying the punching workout this month?  There is just something about it.  The time seems to fly by, it's full of sweating and heavy breathing, and it's just plain fun. 

We still had time for some more punches today so I'm going to be adding in some more moves.  Just keep inching it up to fill up the time.   We do sets between 30 to 60 seconds long.  Sometimes I bunch a few of them together so that we go for 3 or 4 minutes straight.  Other times, we go for a minute and I give everyone a 15 second break (sometimes I'm just too nice). 

Another thing that I love about the punching workout is how much the abs come into play.  We are doing all kinds of twisting with the combinations that I'm putting together.  Next time, I'm going to add in some standing crunches just to take it up a notch.  We do all of the exercises twice so each exercise that I throw in adds 2 minutes of workout time.  Sweet workout time.

I'm already looking forward to next Tuesday.

If I somehow find myself with some time, I'll do up a couple videos on it, in case anyone else wants to give it a try.

Ever hear of the Chili's Southern Smokehouse Burger with Ancho Chile BBQ sauce?

I hadn't either but I just heard about it and found out that it has 2,090 calories.

Now, I'm not good in math so someone figure this up for me.  What percentage would that be out of the standard 2,000 calories a day?

If you drink a Diet Coke, does it subtract 90 calories?

Would you like fries with that?  Fogedaboudit.

You could always wash it down with a Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Shake.  Sounds tasty, yes?

1,690 calories.

Crikey!

You would have to have sex for 10 hours straight to burn all those calories off.

Or play the piano for 15.5 hours.

Unfortunately, I don't know how to play the piano so I'd be stuck with sex. 

Dangit.

Anyway, I found this calorie burned calculator that has all kind of things on it so you can see how many calories you would burn doing them.

Like brush your teeth for 17.5 hours to try and get all the calories off your teeth left there by a Chili's Southern Smokehouse Burger with Ancho Chile BBQ sauce coupled with a Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Shake on the side.

Check it out: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc

I'd only have to do my punching workout for about 5 or 6 hours.  Or 8 hours of brushing my teeth followed by 5 hours of sex. 

Or I could eat and live within the normal range for a human being.

***

Follow me on Twitter to get updates on when new posts show up on this blog (plus get random thoughts on the life of Success Warrior) and feel free to "friend" me on Facebook.

Success Warrior is an Independent BeachBody Coach for BeachBody.com, a company that offers fitness programs, supplements, and equipment that have absolutely changed my life. 

Have you heard of P90X?  That's BeachBody.  They also have Insanity, Turbo Jam, TurboFire, RevAbs, Brazil Butt Lift, and many more.  They have some of the best exercise programs on the market.  These aren't just DVDs but are complete programs to transform your body.  They also have the hugely popular, and what they call "the most important meal of the day", Shakeology.  Go HERE to learn the most inexpensive way to get Shakeology.

They have equipment and supplements in addition to Shakeology and popular exercise programs.  Visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Shop" link to see everything they offer. 

There is also a business side to all this fitness that you can take advantage of.  Whether you're looking to just make a couple hundred extra dollars in fun money or are looking to take complete financial control of your life, BeachBody can help you get there.  If you have a desire to be more fit and would love to help other people do the same while making some money at it, visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Coach" link.  Team up with me and I'll help you reach your goals, in fitness and finance.

Food Freefall

 
So,

Trey had strep throat and there have been a lot of other things going on and we didn't make it to the grocery store.

We usually have a plan for the week and buy groceries to meet that plan.  We have no plan and are wingin' it big time this week. 

It's so easy to eat "wrong" when it seems that you are constantly on catch up mode. 

Just gotta hang in there for a couple more days and pull the plan back together.

You ever feel the same way?

The Primal Blueprint Cookbook

My copy of The Primal Blueprint Cookbook by Mark Sisson arrived today and I've had a quick scan through it.  Very quick so I don't even have too many first impressions for you but I can say that the Universe is great at answering queries. 

My wife and I were talking this morning because she wants to incorporate breakfast into her plan but she doesn't have time to make or eat breakfast before leaving for work.  I asked her if she wanted me to cook something for her that she could take to work.  I usually have time to cook (not tomorrow - dangit!) so I figured that I could make something while I'm cooking up my eggs and then she could take it with her.

So, I'm glancing through the Primal cookbook, looking at the pictures mostly (but I bought it for the articles, I promise) and I see something that catches my eye.  It's not anything new at all but something that might fit the bill exactly.  Omelets cooked in muffin tins with the muffin wrapper and everything.  How cool is that!  She can tell me what she wants in her omelet, I can make it, and she can take it with her and eat it easily without the need for any utensils.  I have to run the idea by her but how can you not like that idea?  Make up a batch, throw 'em in the fridge, and nuke 'em for a quick bite to eat. 

Score.

Have you ever worked your ass glutes so hard that it hurts to sit down?  Crikey! 

And my calves still haven't healed.  It feels like someone kicked them, like they are bruised.  Now, normally, this is a distinct possibility because of karate class but last week, I was strictly on the teaching end of the hitting and kicking.  This week, I'm going to be on the receiving end a bit as I jump in with everyone else except my #1 student.  #1 went to do a take-down last week and missed the grab and broke his thumb.  All the violence that we share in my class and he breaks his own damn thumb. 

Tomorrow, I have physical therapy but can I just say that I am feeling much better and I have a new BFF.  Of all the painful and expensive procedures that I have had, do you know what has worked the best?

A tennis ball.

Can you believe that?  My therapist told me to go buy a tennis ball (you actually have to buy 3 tennis balls much to Trey's delight with the bonus 2 and now my neighbors delight since those extra 2 balls have now been whacked over the back fence into the neighbor's yard - you're welcome neighbor) and you place said tennis ball on the ground. 

Okay, I was going to insert more parenthesis but my wandering thoughts get long enough that I'm going to give this tangential thought it's own paragraph.  My physical therapist did not say to put the ball on the ground.  She said to put it in this sock thingy so that I could hold the ball in place by holding opposite ends of the socky thingy and lean up against the wall.  I suck at following instructions. 

Anyway, you I place the tennis ball on the ground and then I lay on it.  You move around until you feel the ball on a knot or tender spot and then you stop moving and apply gentle pressure on it for a while.  "A while" being subjective and based on how long it takes before you feel like the knot has released.

Last night, I'm doing this drill and on about the third spot, I feel a release like a soap bubble popping.  Completely non-violent but not the melting away that you might associate with a knot working its way out.  It was there and then it was gone.  And man!  Everything else seemed to feel better too.  I may have even had a vision or something.  There was a ray of light, angelic singing, and some hot chick holding a plate with a medium rare rib-eye on it.  Is heaven like Hooters?

This isn't to say that all the other stuff hasn't helped or done it's part or set this possibility up but last night is the best that my back has felt in 5 months.  The ball and I have a date tonight because I know that, at least for me, that was not a one night stand.

I mentioned this in the early edition of this blog this morning but it's worth repeating again.  I was goofing off between sets while Drill Sergeant was out puking (I keed Chili, I keed - this time anyway, she was just getting some fresh air) and messing around with some of the medicine balls and found a killer ab exercise that requires no motion at all.  It's a plank variation where you aren't moving but oh my gawd are your ab muscles twitchin' and pingin' off trying to keep you from bouncing your face off the mat (and thank goodness I have mats because I failed a few times). 

My abs still aren't quite healed up from last week's "goof off" but I think they will be healed up enough tonight to at least demonstrate both exercises, briefly.  Tomorrow is ab day too.  Last Friday, I sneezed and thought I was going to cry.  You too can have that wonderful feeling if you do these exercises.  I'm talking about working the abs like most people haven't worked them.  You will need a box (you have your box by now right - Come on! You're a SW Blog reader, you haveto have a box) and a couple of medicine balls.  The box adds a whole 'nuther dimension to working out, quite literally. 

I won't require you to get VFFs but I'm loving working out in mine.  One of the students is going to go get some now.  She likes to work out barefoot but likes the idea of having the traction on her feet.  My Bikilas have great traction.  I can dig in on downward dog like nobody's bidness.   And run trails.  And climb rocks. 

I think I'll be doing some more climbing on Thursday.  What I have eyed up is probably too step for Bailey so she may have to stay behind this time.  She's going to be bummed but I'll try to plan a more dog friendly activity the following day or next week.

Stay tuned.

***

Follow me on Twitter to get updates on when new posts show up on this blog (plus get random thoughts on the life of Success Warrior) and feel free to "friend" me on Facebook.

Success Warrior is an Independent BeachBody Coach for BeachBody.com, a company that offers fitness programs, supplements, and equipment that have absolutely changed my life. 

Have you heard of P90X?  That's BeachBody.  They also have Insanity, Turbo Jam, TurboFire, RevAbs, Brazil Butt Lift, and many more.  They have some of the best exercise programs on the market.  These aren't just DVDs but are complete programs to transform your body.  They also have the hugely popular, and what they call "the most important meal of the day", Shakeology.  Go HERE to learn the most inexpensive way to get Shakeology.

They have equipment and supplements in addition to Shakeology and popular exercise programs.  Visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Shop" link to see everything they offer. 

There is also a business side to all this fitness that you can take advantage of.  Whether you're looking to just make a couple hundred extra dollars in fun money or are looking to take complete financial control of your life, BeachBody can help you get there.  If you have a desire to be more fit and would love to help other people do the same while making some money at it, visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Coach" link.  Team up with me and I'll help you reach your goals, in fitness and finance.

Turkey Day

I'm not sure what that means really but I'm cooking a turkey for dinner tonight. 

I should have my Primal Fitness cookbook tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to it although I probably won't be able to cook anything out of it until I've done a bit of grocery shopping.  That will give me some time to look through and decide which ones to start with and make a list for this weekend. 

I think I'm going to enjoy cooking through the winter. 

I got to workout today and I got to lift my heavy dumbbells.  Dude!  It felt like my ass was cramping up when I was doing step ups.  How long has it been since I've done actually heavier lifting?  5 months adds up quickly over time but I'm hoping to undo those 5 months in the next couple of months. 

I'm eating better now and that's going to help.  I'm really trying to get enough protein in right now for muscle building.  I'm not keeping track at the moment so it's going to be a subjective thing but currently, I still eat mostly meat even though I have added fruits and vegetables back into my diet. 

My appetite has returned along with my better health.  Better because I'm not healed and I'm trying to tough through the remainder (don't tsk-tsk me - 5 months is long enough to be out of action).  I'm weaning myself off all the drugs they had me on that didn't seem to work that well anyway.  I'll probably be clean in about a week and that's going to help my body too.

I do have physical therapy again this Wednesday.  I'm being passed off to a different therapist and a different doctor because my therapist and my doctor are too busy.  I'm not happy about it but they scheduled me further out than they wanted because everyone is too busy to see me.  This was the soonest they could get me in and so I'm taking what's being offered.  I just don't like starting over in explaining what's going on.  There shouldn't be too much to explain because both will have certain things that they are supposed to do but still.

Anyway, I'm going to be using that trip as an excuse to stop into REI again.  Like I need an excuse.  Shah!  I do need an excuse that's going to get me to drive that far though.  Once I'm there, I don't need an excuse to stop at REI.  A lot of people around here drive in to the city on a whim to escape but I feel like I lose a lot of time just in the driving to and from the city. 

Okay, have to go get things ready for dinner.  If I'm not at the Bedhead Briefing, it's because I'm stuck in bed still. 

***

Follow me on Twitter to get updates on when new posts show up on this blog (plus get random thoughts on the life of Success Warrior) and feel free to "friend" me on Facebook.

Success Warrior is an Independent BeachBody Coach for BeachBody.com, a company that offers fitness programs, supplements, and equipment that have absolutely changed my life. 

Have you heard of P90X?  That's BeachBody.  They also have Insanity, Turbo Jam, TurboFire, RevAbs, Brazil Butt Lift, and many more.  They have some of the best exercise programs on the market.  These aren't just DVDs but are complete programs to transform your body.  They also have the hugely popular, and what they call "the most important meal of the day", Shakeology.  Go HERE to learn the most inexpensive way to get Shakeology.

They have equipment and supplements in addition to Shakeology and popular exercise programs.  Visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Shop" link to see everything they offer. 

There is also a business side to all this fitness that you can take advantage of.  Whether you're looking to just make a couple hundred extra dollars in fun money or are looking to take complete financial control of your life, BeachBody can help you get there.  If you have a desire to be more fit and would love to help other people do the same while making some money at it, visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Coach" link.  Team up with me and I'll help you reach your goals, in fitness and finance.

Now, About That Before Picture

So, I'm back on my computer.  How cool is that!  That means that I have access to all my files again.  Huzzah!

<rant>

First, though, let me get this off my mind. 

I rarely venture into the news stories anymore since most of the articles are either propaganda or complete bullshit put forward by incompetent news "journalists".

"Gee, SW, don't sugarcoat it.  How do you really feel?"

So, I have no idea why I ventured into the news stories yesterday.  Completely lost my brain.  I should know better and just stick with the blogs and newsletters that I trust, but I thought, "What the hell?  Let's see what's new," and then I came across this gem, which reminded me why I don't venture into the news realm.

Adding Fish Oil to Low Fat/High Carb Diet May Improve Cholesterol

The title was a dead give-away but I thought I would just go check it out in case my assumption was wrong.  It wasn't.  I'm not going to bore you with the whole article but I'm going to just cut right to this beautiful nugget:

"At the study's start, all participants had similar post-meal blood fat responses. But by the end of the three-month trial, those on the high-fat/monounsaturated fat-rich diet or the low-fat, high complex carbohydrate diet with fish oil had better responses."

So, you could eat a healthy diet, which includes fats and no grains and be fine or you can eat the shitty diet that the doctors recommend which will actually make you sick and then to fix that, you can supplement said shitty diet with fat to make up for the low fat part that the ass-hat doctors have you on.  

Do you think that with all the PHDs scattered amongst the researchers that they even remotely get the irony of adding fat to a low fat diet so that people can be healthier?

If they ever figure that part out and then take their patients off of grain, they are going to be absolutely amazed.  Here's the headline for the miracle that will happen when these people no longer have Type II Diabetes:

Adding Fish Oil and Eliminating Grains from a Low Fat/High Carb Diet May Reverse Diabetes

Jeezus!

</rant>

 Alrighty then, let's do a quick recap.

I'm changing lots of things over the next 11 weeks as far as my fitness goes and decided to take a before picture just out of curiosity. 

How quick was that?  Look back a couple of posts if you want the long version.

Here's the pic (Sorry about the full-frontal nudity):

 
Have you ever noticed how pale people are in their before pictures?  Then in the after picture, they are tanned, shaved, have their hair combed, their teeth brushed, and new shorts on.  It really makes for a striking before/after scene.  I can't promise the same results.

 
I'm already tan, my teeth are brushed, and I'm not going to shave my chest for an after photo.  It's true that I haven't combed my hair for this before photo and that I will likely have to comb my hair for the after. 

I really don't know what's going to happen over the next couple of months and I suppose that it's quite possible that my after picture will look very much like this one.  If that's the case, I'll wear different shorts to show that they are different.

I did another fairly easy workout today.  I'm still on Recovery Month so I haven't been pushing hard.  I am going to start the loping part of the plan on Wednesday and I'm going to play disk golf on Thursday (both in my VFFs, of course).

I'm still doing the low carb thing until Friday night when I'll switch to a Paleo + Dairy type of diet.  I don't really do much dairy but I throw cheese on some things.  I read an interesting article today (that I have lost or I would share it with you) that stated that Paleo diet is probably best for health but Paleo + Dairy is probably better for strength training.  I still don't think I'm adding enough dairy to make it worthwhile.  How much cheese is on a taco?

By "taco," I mean, "Mexican Lettuce Wrap."

That's what I'm having for dinner tonight, as a matter of fact.

I read a blog post (and this one I could find to share with you) about beginning a new fitness program.  Tara is a been there, done that, bought a smaller t-shirt person who has so much compassion for people starting out that it is palpable.  If you are just starting a fitness program or are thinking about starting a fitness program, read that blog post then head over to her blog to see how someone loses 80 pounds (and counting).  Right now, my favorites posts that she has done are "I am an athlete" and the one about the hoodies.  Great reading.

I can't tell you how much I'm ready to get started on my 10 week plan.  In reality, I suppose I have started an 11 week plan but I won't feel like I have really started until I'm following the resistance part of the program.  One week from today though so it's getting close. 

Next week, I am starting an extra karate session too.  Sheesh!

It should be an interesting 10 weeks.

Stay tuned.

***

Follow me on Twitter to get updates on when new posts show up on this blog (plus get random thoughts on the life of Success Warrior) and feel free to "friend" me on Facebook.

Success Warrior is an Independent BeachBody Coach for BeachBody.com, a company that offers fitness programs, supplements, and equipment that have absolutely changed my life. 

Have you heard of P90X?  That's BeachBody.  They also have Insanity, Turbo Jam, TurboFire, RevAbs, Brazil Butt Lift, and many more.  They have some of the best exercise programs on the market.  These aren't just DVDs but are complete programs to transform your body.  They also have the hugely popular, and what they call "the most important meal of the day", Shakeology.  Go HERE to learn the most inexpensive way to get Shakeology.

They have equipment and supplements in addition to Shakeology and popular exercise programs.  Visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Shop" link to see everything they offer. 

There is also a business side to all this fitness that you can take advantage of.  Whether you're looking to just make a couple hundred extra dollars in fun money or are looking to take complete financial control of your life, BeachBody can help you get there.  If you have a desire to be more fit and would love to help other people do the same while making some money at it, visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Coach" link.  Team up with me and I'll help you reach your goals, in fitness and finance.

Vibram Ridge, Running for Fun, and a Metabolism Reset

Trey and I took the Vibram Ridge out for some practice at a ball field yesterday.  The Ridge is his favorite disk and he feels that he plays better with it than the other disks.  I may have to buy him one.  I think it would make a great first disk.  It's easy to throw for a kid.  It's more Frisbee-like than longer range disks.

I took my portable basket along with my Aviars, Sharks, and the Ridge.  I wanted to compare the three types of disks with each other.  There was a bit of a wind.  Not that it matters much when comparing all three disks under the same conditions but I was hoping for a calmer day.  It's always windy in Wendover though so I can't complain too much about the wind when it was gentle by comparison to most days here. 

The Ridge is softer than the other disks and is easier to grip.  It's got more of a rubber feel to it than plastic. 

I set the basket up at about 200 feet from where I was going to be throwing (best guess).  The basket was just to give me a target to aim at so that I could get a good feel for the disks.  I didn't expect to make any of my first shots into the basket.  A couple of them were pretty close though and I'm sure if I kept throwing, I would have eventually made an ace.

Here's an interesting note.  The disk that I did the absolute worst with was my new Star Shark.  I wanted to try the Star material because it's supposed to be better.  The disk kept slipping out of my hand early so that all my shots were way off to the left.  Way off.  Even though I was hitting the basket in one shot, I should have been getting an easy two.  I was far enough off with the Star Shark that it took me two putts to get in the basket.  Trey gets all my disks that I don't use and it looks like he has just inherited a Star Shark for his bag.

The rest of the disks were fairly evenly matched on the first shot.  The Shark had a little bit more distance on it, which was to be expected.  I never overthrew the basket with the Aviar or the Ridge.  I wasn't chucking the Shark out of the ball field, it just tended to go a bit farther if I put too much into it.  I played all the disks to the basket for practice and found out that I suck when I putt with the Shark.  The Shark is a good all purpose disk that a person could use if they were only going to buy one disk but I definitely putt better with the Aviar and the Ridge.

On the drive, there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the Aviar and the Ridge other than a bit more fade with the Ridge.  As it slowed down, it took more of a left turn. 

On the putts, the Ridge felt better in my hand but was a bit more "floaty" for me.  Now, mind you, I've been putting with the Aviar since I started playing disk golf so it is most likely the way that I'm throwing the Ridge and if I end up wanting to play with it as my exclusive putter, I'm probably going to have to drop practicing the with Aviar and stick solely with the Ridge.  It's something that I'm considering doing because I really like how the Ridge feels in my hand.

The drawback at the moment is that I've collected 5 Aviars over the years so they are great for practice sessions.  I can throw 5 disks before I have to walk to the basket to collect them.  I will have to build up my collection of Ridges if I want to be able to do the same thing.

I've been giving quite a bit of thought to running over the last couple of days because Trey starts school Monday and that means that I'll get to run a few times a week again.  I am going to take to the desert because the ground is softer and it's going to give me a chance to just goof off a bit.  I've got my eye on a hill not too far from here that is topped with boulders that I could climb once I get to that point.  I don't know how many miles of a climb it would be and I'm not even promising to run the whole way.  The focus is going to be on movement and enjoyment, not any kind of time scale. 

I am also going to be going for a hike next month, up a mountain and then back down.  I think that it's only a couple thousand feet up from where we are going to park the truck.  This first hike on this particular mountain is going to be from the end of the road and not up the entire mountain.  Just a little test and I might even take this test in my Bikilas.  Not sure on that yet but I might try it and have it my trail running shoes in the backpack, just in case the terrain is too rough.  The reviews that I have read on this particular hike state that the rocks can make the climb a bit harder than it would appear. 

Speaking of tests, I may head out for a short run in the desert in Bikilas today.  Time is going to be the factor here because I did not get anywhere close to enough sleep last night so a nap is going to be mandatory.  Tia didn't sleep well last night either so she's sleeping now while I keep Trey from bothering her.  She will return the favor later so I will have to see if there is enough time between when she wakes up and when I go back to bed, with some lunch in there somewhere as well.

To get ready for my 10 week training block, I am going low carb for a week.  Low, not "no".  I am still using orange juice in my Shakeology and I had a baked potato with dinner last night.  I want to get my body ready for what's coming but I'll start adding in plenty of fruits and vegetables next weekend because I'm going to need energy for the workouts, plus it's just plain good for you.

I have tried the edges of the spectrum, super low carb and vegan, and my conclusion is that the human body (at least mine) wasn't made for such extremes.  Plants and animals are here for humans to eat and I plan on eating them.  What wasn't put here for humans to eat are frankenfoods and I'll be trying to steer clear of those over the next couple of months (and pretty much for the rest of my life). 

The P90X program starts with a lower carb intake for Phase 1 to help get the whole thing kick started but it can lead to a bonk in the workouts and I want to avoid that so my "Phase 1" eating plan is going to end before I actually get into the tougher workouts.  I have 3 easier workouts planned for the next week, plus my running, plus I'm going to try to get my bike functional for this fall (the goathead thorns out here are killer on tires).  When I get into the ten week plan, I want my energy levels up so that the workouts are challenging based on the workout, not on energy depletion.

I'm really looking forward to everything that I have planned for this fall and I have a disk golf day planned for this Thursday.  I'll be taking the Ridge out into the real world to see how it performs (or rather, how I perform with it) out on a couple of different courses.

As always, I will tell you how it all goes.

Stay tuned.