Once every so often there comes an athlete that transcends the ages. An athlete that is blessed with such God-given ability, everyone is jealous. An athlete that if he/she works hard can become one of the top players in his sport.
LeBron James is that athlete.
If you talk about who is the best player in basketball, LeBron James is in your top five. You throw in Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and any two players you want. If you look at the pure athleticism of these athletes, I feel that LeBron James is the complete package.
I'm not talking about dribbling, defense, outside J's, I'm talking about strength, speed, power.
Strength - LeBron is a physical specimen. The guy is what, 22 years old, and is built like a tank. He looked like this when he was in high school. Can you imagine taking your average high schooler, looking at LeBron, and telling him to defend him. Because of his size, he can take the pounding that is dished out in the NBA. His strength allows him to be able to complete 3 point plays on a routine basis. His strength will let him bull his way right into the lane and finish the play. As far as strength goes, he is right at the top of the list.
Speed Without The Ball - People forget that LeBron was an all-state wide receiver in high school. He can flat out get down the court. He routinely out races his defenders for the alley oop.
Speed With The Ball - This is the area that is probably most impressive. A lot of people are fast without the ball, but with the ball they can be caught. Not LeBron. You get him leading the fastbreak, and he can go coast to coast in the blink of an eye. I think only Steve Nash and Jason Kidd are faster with the ball, and they're point guards. LeBron is the size of Karl Malone and gets down the court with the ball faster than everyone in the league. With his strength and piling up a head of steam, you better get out of his way.
Quickness - LeBron is quick as a cat. He can shake and bake with the best of them and leave people in the dust.
Explosiveness - This guy can flat out leap and get up in a hurry. He looks down on the rim as he goes to dunks. Incredible.
If you can give me a better "complete" athlete, then I want to you to tell me. This article will be posted on my blog at http://fitnessplanning.blogspot.com. Go to it and make your case.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Health Studies, And What The Real Message Is To Women
Recently, two reports have come out that have contradicted longtime health practices. These practices are that if you take calcium pills and vitamin D it will prevent broken bones and if you maintain a low-fat diet it will prevent heart disease and breast and colon cancer. The studies said that they could find no significant evidence that either of those health practices would truly work.
The leaders of the studies wanted to clarify though that this by no means indicates they are endorsing a reckless lifestyle. They aren't saying that if you are taking supplements or following a low-fat diet, to heck with it because it won't help.
Continue what you are doing if you are following the low-fat diet and if you aren't, you should. The studies' findings statistically said that there wasn't enough of a reduction of risk to be classified as significant, but there was a reduction. Hmmm..that makes absolutely perfect sense. (insert sarcasm)
I think that nutrition and supplements are just one piece of the puzzle. One piece alone might not make a significant difference, but if you add in the other pieces (strength training, cardiovascular, healthy living, a happy life) it could make the big difference to prevent those preventable diseases.
Besides, what about all the other good things leading that kind of healthy lifestyle does for you. I.E. Lower your blood pressure, reduce the chances of getting diabetes, lower your body fat, etc. Is it worth it to change that just because a study said it MIGHT not make a difference? I don't think so. I will be posting the article on my website at http://fitnessplanning.com and look under current fitness news.
The leaders of the studies wanted to clarify though that this by no means indicates they are endorsing a reckless lifestyle. They aren't saying that if you are taking supplements or following a low-fat diet, to heck with it because it won't help.
Continue what you are doing if you are following the low-fat diet and if you aren't, you should. The studies' findings statistically said that there wasn't enough of a reduction of risk to be classified as significant, but there was a reduction. Hmmm..that makes absolutely perfect sense. (insert sarcasm)
I think that nutrition and supplements are just one piece of the puzzle. One piece alone might not make a significant difference, but if you add in the other pieces (strength training, cardiovascular, healthy living, a happy life) it could make the big difference to prevent those preventable diseases.
Besides, what about all the other good things leading that kind of healthy lifestyle does for you. I.E. Lower your blood pressure, reduce the chances of getting diabetes, lower your body fat, etc. Is it worth it to change that just because a study said it MIGHT not make a difference? I don't think so. I will be posting the article on my website at http://fitnessplanning.com and look under current fitness news.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
If You Desire Fat Loss, Beware Of The Scammers
Yesterday, there was an article in our local paper on a topic that needed to be brought to your attention. Weight-loss scams have been going on for years and last year was no different. It was the #1 consumer scam according to the Federal Trade Commission.
4.8 million consumers were victims of fraud last year. Why so many??
Because there are over 100 million people considered overweight in our country. As a result, weight loss products bring in a whopping $55 BILLION a year.
Consumers should be aware of any "miracle" claims by companies of weight loss products. Anything too good to be true, probably is.
Here are a few companies that the Better Business Bureau says have an unsatisfactory rating:
Metacor Labs or Progenics, Inc.
Wu-Yi Source
Changes International Inc.
Fig
Not all weight loss products are scams, but if they make the following claims, then buyer beware:
1. There's no scientific evidence that the product promoted weight loss.
2. The product promises to reduce fat or cellulite in specific areas (nothing does this. You can't spot reduce. You burn equal amounts of fats in all the fat deposit stores in your body. The place where you have the most amount of fat will take the longest to burn away).
3. The product promises weight loss without exercise or proper nutritional intake.
4. The company promises large advanced payments or long-term contracts.
People desire weight loss so bad that they are blinded by the facts. If it promises 30 pounds lost in 30 days, people believe it. This makes my job harder and harder to try and convince people this isn't the way. That one person you connect with and loses weight the right way makes it all worth while. The joy, happiness, and self confidence inspires me and trainers such as myself to take on this battle of the bulge and try to help that next person out there.
So beware of that next great weight loss product. The only loss could be the money from your pocket.
4.8 million consumers were victims of fraud last year. Why so many??
Because there are over 100 million people considered overweight in our country. As a result, weight loss products bring in a whopping $55 BILLION a year.
Consumers should be aware of any "miracle" claims by companies of weight loss products. Anything too good to be true, probably is.
Here are a few companies that the Better Business Bureau says have an unsatisfactory rating:
Metacor Labs or Progenics, Inc.
Wu-Yi Source
Changes International Inc.
Fig
Not all weight loss products are scams, but if they make the following claims, then buyer beware:
1. There's no scientific evidence that the product promoted weight loss.
2. The product promises to reduce fat or cellulite in specific areas (nothing does this. You can't spot reduce. You burn equal amounts of fats in all the fat deposit stores in your body. The place where you have the most amount of fat will take the longest to burn away).
3. The product promises weight loss without exercise or proper nutritional intake.
4. The company promises large advanced payments or long-term contracts.
People desire weight loss so bad that they are blinded by the facts. If it promises 30 pounds lost in 30 days, people believe it. This makes my job harder and harder to try and convince people this isn't the way. That one person you connect with and loses weight the right way makes it all worth while. The joy, happiness, and self confidence inspires me and trainers such as myself to take on this battle of the bulge and try to help that next person out there.
So beware of that next great weight loss product. The only loss could be the money from your pocket.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
"Add Years To Your Life By Being Healthy" - There's A Shocker
Here's How To Add 14 Years To Your Life
A recent article in my local newspaper began with the above title. It was a study from London and the findings were if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, don't smoke, exercise regularly, and drink alcohol in moderation, you can add 14 extra years to your life.
Basically, the testers tracked around 20,000 people in the UK and for each of the four qualities I just mentioned gave them a point. So, if you did all four, you would have four points. These were based on questionnaires given to the participants between 1993 and 1997.
Then they tracked the deaths of the people through 2006 and found that if you had a total of 4 points you were 4 times less likely to die, then if you scored zero.
The researchers said that the 14 years was a theoretical number, but the overall point is if you can maintain a healthy lifestyle you potentially can live a better life than if you don't.
I appreciate the work these researchers put into this study, but wake up people. This is what I and fitness professionals like me have been preaching. What the heck are you waiting for? Don't procrastinate, get your butt in gear.
It's the beginning of the year, get rid of all your excuses, and get in shape. My ears are starting to hurt from the excuses. I don't want to hear them any more. Improve your lifestyle today and take control of your life.
If you are too tired to work out, then start working out so you won't be tired.
If you have no energy, then start working out.
If you are too depressed, then start working out and get your endorphins going through your body.
I know the key to handling stress and getting through life, it is exercise and nutrition.
I get seven hours sleep if I'm lucky. I start my day at 6am and I'm done at 8pm. I take my daughter to school, then have to deal with the pressures of running a business. So when you tell me you are too busy, have too much stress, whatever...I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!
I have problems too, but exercise helps me get through the day and survive these problems. I'm not as tired because I work out, eat right, and I am able to handle the stress easier because of it.
You can do the same thing. Let's make 2008 your best year yet!
P.S.
Our clients have really been excited about our new supplement product line with Advocare. People who have wanted to start the New Year off right, have started with our 10 Day Herbal Cleanse program. It is a great way to clear your body of its toxins and prep it for fat loss.
Go to http://advocare.com/07111072 and read about the products in this program: Herbal Cleanse, Omegaplex, the Fruit and Vegetable Formula, and Spark.
If you want to get on the program asap, you can order it from our site. Let me know you ordered it and I can forward you a handout that will give you the guidelines on utilizing the 10 Day Cleanse appropriately and foods that will complement the program.
Adam
A recent article in my local newspaper began with the above title. It was a study from London and the findings were if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, don't smoke, exercise regularly, and drink alcohol in moderation, you can add 14 extra years to your life.
Basically, the testers tracked around 20,000 people in the UK and for each of the four qualities I just mentioned gave them a point. So, if you did all four, you would have four points. These were based on questionnaires given to the participants between 1993 and 1997.
Then they tracked the deaths of the people through 2006 and found that if you had a total of 4 points you were 4 times less likely to die, then if you scored zero.
The researchers said that the 14 years was a theoretical number, but the overall point is if you can maintain a healthy lifestyle you potentially can live a better life than if you don't.
I appreciate the work these researchers put into this study, but wake up people. This is what I and fitness professionals like me have been preaching. What the heck are you waiting for? Don't procrastinate, get your butt in gear.
It's the beginning of the year, get rid of all your excuses, and get in shape. My ears are starting to hurt from the excuses. I don't want to hear them any more. Improve your lifestyle today and take control of your life.
If you are too tired to work out, then start working out so you won't be tired.
If you have no energy, then start working out.
If you are too depressed, then start working out and get your endorphins going through your body.
I know the key to handling stress and getting through life, it is exercise and nutrition.
I get seven hours sleep if I'm lucky. I start my day at 6am and I'm done at 8pm. I take my daughter to school, then have to deal with the pressures of running a business. So when you tell me you are too busy, have too much stress, whatever...I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!
I have problems too, but exercise helps me get through the day and survive these problems. I'm not as tired because I work out, eat right, and I am able to handle the stress easier because of it.
You can do the same thing. Let's make 2008 your best year yet!
P.S.
Our clients have really been excited about our new supplement product line with Advocare. People who have wanted to start the New Year off right, have started with our 10 Day Herbal Cleanse program. It is a great way to clear your body of its toxins and prep it for fat loss.
Go to http://advocare.com/07111072 and read about the products in this program: Herbal Cleanse, Omegaplex, the Fruit and Vegetable Formula, and Spark.
If you want to get on the program asap, you can order it from our site. Let me know you ordered it and I can forward you a handout that will give you the guidelines on utilizing the 10 Day Cleanse appropriately and foods that will complement the program.
Adam
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