strengthathletes.com

I just came across some sick workout videos…check them out here at BarStarzz Here is a glimpse into their workouts:

I think most of us athletes have seen this… A huge number he put up in the Olympic Snatch… I wonder what he has been eating?

It’s that time of year where it begins to get a bit chillier and the body craves those calorie rich foods to be stored as fat for the survival of the winter months.  What’s better to have this time of year than a home cooked nutrient dense food like beef stew?  Beef stew can be what ever your body’s desire!  Just go to the store and grab everything  you can and throw it in  your crock-pot and let it cook on low for 8 hours!!! Here is my own recipe:

• Stew Meat
• Sweat Potatoes
• Half an onion
• Mixed vegetables (frozen bag)
• Baby carrots
• Wild rice with seasoning (adds flavor to the whole pot)
• Black beans (drain out the syrup)
• Garlic (fresh or seasoning)
• Parsley
• Steak Seasoning
• 2oz of Apple Cider Vinegar
• Can of Tuna Fish (added protein)

Lets talk about his… Myostatin disorder?

Today on the Dr. Oz show (I am a big fan), he had Gary Taubes on as a guest. It was a healthy debate over what is a good diet.  Dr. Oz believes in the use of carbohydrates to keep a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease. Mr. Taubes believes that carbohydrates are the leading cause of disease and fat is the way to go. What they didn’t go into depth was that what type of lifestyles should consume these products. Dane Miller of Garage Strength and I are true believers in the benefit of fats. They are the best fuel source for exercise and a must for hormone production.

Dane being an athlete, full-time trainer and owner of a 10 acre farm and I being an athlete, we find that more fattening foods provide the best energy. Why? Cause when we consume them we train harder, recovery is quicker, mental energy and motivation is greater, and the ultimate inticator… Performance is greater. Our Cholesterol is great and I feel like we never get sick. Now, Dr. Oz said that he has to go into these people’s chests and he sees what is causing the problems. Well, maybe it’s genetics? Maybe they are not active? I am completely against eating fattening foods if  you don’t live an active lifestyle. Now, I am not saying that you should eat french fries… absolutely not. Fattening foods should be from nature and not tampered with. Food is fuel…. it’s meant to be used to keep you active. If one chooses to be inactive then disease will set in. If one chooses to eat fried foods… then either way (active or inactive) you are a gonner.

I find that combinding Dr. Oz’s philosophies and Gary Taube’s philosphies will make for a better body system. That is… eat what earth made for you. So do not have bread… bread was made by man. Eat meat… grass fed if possible. Eat the fat on the meat… it’s there for a reason. Eat berries! Berries live in the sun.. they produce cancer resistant nutrients. So, common sense says.. eat them! Eat Vegetables…. The greener the more natural (organic or self grown) the more nutrient dense. No pasta… why cause man made it. Butter, yes… butter is good… not margerine. Margerine can survive a nuclear blast. You don’t want that.

If we get in line with nature, by eating what the earth has provided for us, then nature will look out for us. The earth intended us to be hunters and gatherers… not fat obese lazy humans. If we take Gary Taubes and Dr. Oz’s thoughts and combined them, we would become healthy lean mean fighting machines.

Nutrition Tip: How can you decide what nature finds to be more healthy for  you? Take it and place it on the ground… what flies and ants are attracted to first is the winner!

Here is a video of Gary Taubes speaking with Dane Miller of Garage Strength

“If I didn’t have the responsibilities of an adult, I would nap every afternoon.” Sleep, by definition is A natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body, in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost, so that there is a decrease in bodily movement and responsiveness to external stimuli. During sleep the brain in humans and other mammals undergoes a characteristic cycle of brain-wave activity that includes intervals of dreaming. While we are in sleep our bodies begin the task of repairing the body from the past day’s workouts. Growth Hormone secretion is high; other androgens are making their way through the body to heal, and the brain cycles through (files away) the days thoughts. Some say this is why we dream.

If we loose sleep and our body does not have the adequate rest time to recover, sports performance can be hindered. Sleep deprivation can lead to decreased glycogen synthesis and an increase in cortisol (hormone that allows us to experience stress). Glycogen synthesis is the bodies ability to synthesize glucose, allowing the body to have sufficient fuel for the next day’s workout. Most glycogen storage is supplied for a 90 minute workout. Now, if an athlete is sleep deprived and lacking fuel while working out… negative performance will happen. It may not happen suddenly but overtime the athlete will experience increased stress, irritability, impatience, the inability to concentrate, moodiness, injury and decreased performance.

Lack of sleep could be the deal breaker between an athlete and his or her sport. That’s why it’s essential to get some shut eye. Strength Athletes get at least eight hours of sleep per night and a micro nap mid day (20-45 minutes). Micro naps allow the brain to ‘recharge.’ If you can’t find the time, learn how to sleep standing. Military soldiers find cat naps where ever they can and have become masters of sleeping while standing. That may be a bit too much, but there are always places you can lay down, even if for 5 minutes.

Marketing monsters have been publicizing 5 hour energy, monster, red bull etc. They don’t give you wings, they give you problems. Caffeinated drinks are not energy. Energy is calories so if your tired eat something. Minimal sleeping and relying on an energy drink will only worsen your situation by driving you full stem ahead into adrenal fatigue. So, keep it simple, train smart and sleep to recover.

Seems like every year the NJ Track & Field Meet of Champions has a run in with the weather.

Here is Dane Miller of Garage Strength in Pennsylvania lifting some serious weight for someone who isn’t competing in a sport (giggles). If you can’t make out his shirt…. it says, “why be normal?”