Wednesday 12.15.10 – Playing in the snow

I was running with Anthony in class on Monday and he mentioned he had taken his children skiing over the weekend. I thought WOW…what a great way to enjoy the snow while getting a great workout for the entire family. Sometimes it is easy to give in to the ‘bad’ weather and hibernate until the spring. Growing up in the south we often didn’t have the opportunity to play in snow, our winter sport season was short and sometimes non-existent. We are lucky in New England to have a long season to get out there and ski, sled or ice-skate. All of these sports are excellent exercise and a lot of fun too. Check out all the options Mt. Wachusett has for children this winter but don’t forget the hot chocolate!!!

Karen :)

Just one of the fun options for kids this winter!!

” 2 Minute Drills”

2 ROUNDS
Row
Bicycles
Run
Sit-ups
Double-Unders
Rest

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TUESDAY 12.14.10 – Paleo vs. ProGrade

Which is better for fat loss, Paleo or ProGrade? My answers… neither and both. This question has been asked numerous times over the past few weeks and it’s time to set the record straight.  NEITHER of these two nutritional options is better than the other.  In fact comparing the two would be much like trying to compare apples and oranges, they are both edible and round but each has a much different flavor and color. 

Both ProGrade and Paleo are healthy choices that each have their own pros and cons.  Paleo is the most healthy and clean natural nutrition plan there is and when followed can yield incredible results. Paleo also takes a serious time commitment and for some can take time getting used to.  ProGrade’s supplements are nutritionally the best I’ve seen in the entire health and fitness industry and offer a convenient and cost effective option for healthy nutrition when time is of the essence.  ProGrade is also only a nutritional supplement that is specifically meant to be added to an existing diet rather than replacing ones diet completely. 

At the same time BOTH are far heatlhier than the typical American diet and even 99% of the diets, program and supplements on the market today.  I have always been a firm believer that there is no magic bullet or one size fits all nutrition program.  That being said no matter what anyone tells you about any diet or program it is up to you to determine which is best for your health, fitness, results, goals and lifestyle.  

My first piece of advice… experiment with each Paleo and ProGrade (and even other programs) and determine which plan or program works best for you. For me I have always had the best success from taking the best parts from a few programs and creating my own plan that works for me.  Secondly, become a student of nutrition.  That advice alone will serve you well for decades and even for future generations. Afterall, you will be eating for the rest of your life, might as well learn how to do it right!

“Train Hard, Eat Right, Live Fit”

-Patrick

 
TUESDAY 12.14.10

Max Pull-ups (5 sets of max reps on 2m cycle)

“KB Lunge”
50 KBS (53/36)
50 Lunge Steps (Body Weight)
40 KBS
50 Lunge Steps
30 KBS
50 Lunge Steps
20 KBS
50 Lunge Steps
10 KBS
50 Lunge Steps

 
Did you read today’s post?  Be sure to share your thoughts and feedback by posting a comment.

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Nick’s Coaching Corner – What is your “Goat”?

I want to start off by saying that Tiffany, Karen, Patrick and I have seen some huge improvements in members strength over the past few months.  As a community we are all getting so very fit.  It’s inspiring to see from a coaches perspective.  Keep showing up to class, working hard and you will be amazed at how your health, fitness and results will keep compounding week after week.  Speaking for all of us coaches, you’re hard work and commitment over the past few months has been impressive to say the least.

Now, this week I want to talk about “Goats”.  No, not the 4-legged farm animal but rather the term “goat’ as it applies to your fitness.  What is a “goat” you ask.  It is the thing that you hate the most, that you are the weakest at, and that you dread to see come up in a workout.  You hate this “goat” so bad, when you see the workout online, you almost don’t show up! (but you have learned better than that and still tough it out, because you are a FitCamper! Right?)

My biggest “goat” for a long time was handstand push-ups (HSPU’s), and for the longest time I could not do them, or even come close to them. When it was time for me to sign up for the Beast of the East this fall, I knew that I had to conquer that fear.  After signing up for the competition, I was fearful that they would come up, and it would be everyone else standing around me during the competition, and I would still be on my 3rd HSPU of my 1st set, and then time would run out and… Nick in last place!  That is what I pictured in my head!

So what did I do about it?  I worked on them until I was excited to do them in a workout.  At least 3 days a week I would commit to myself to do at least 25 reps before each workout, even if I had to single them out.  After a few weeks I actually started to look forward to HSPU’s in our workouts because I was so proud that I could actually do them.  

….And the amount of time it took me to conquer my goat you ask…..3 short weeks, really not that much time if you think about it.  I knew all summer it was my weakness but only when I took it serious did the results come.

I want you to think about what your workout fear is or weakness is and set a goal over this upcoming month to conquer it.  Is it double unders, pull-ups, lifting heavy weights, running your first mile, your first HSPU or your first toe push-up?  These are just to name a few, but I want to hear from you what your goat is.

Post your “goat” on today’s comment section then be sure to ask your FitCamp coach how to take the appropriate steps to conquer that “goat” over the next month.  Use the monthly goal board at the studio, write your name and the goal of your “goat” up there and then get to work and focus on getting it checked off the list by the end of the month.

Coach Nick

Who's goat is this?

 
Thursday- 12.08.10

Strength

Front Squat 10.5.3.1.1.1

“Air Squat Speed Bump”

100 Air Squats
21 HSPUs/ Strict Shoulder Press (95/96)
30 Pull-ups
100 Air Squats
30 Pull-ups
21 HSPUs/ Strict Shoulder Press (95/65)
100 Air Squats

1 round for time.

 

DON’T FORGET!  Post your goat to comments using link below.

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