NOVEMBER 20, 2010
Egan Center
Anchorage, Alaska
2010 Alaska Fitness Expo

A "free running" workout with focus on hopping over obstacles in a physically graceful way, Le Parkour originated from France several years ago as a way to get from point A to point B in fast and in style. The workouts are best performed in an Urban environment, but can happen just about anywhere.
Parkour, anyone?

It's been awhile since I've posted, and I apologize for that. The summer has been a busy one, and the inspiration to write has escaped me amidst all of the non-stop summer activities.

You really can get a workout in anywhere!

Everyday, no matter what, I aim to be as positive as possible. Honestly, I don't believe you will go far in life without the fuel of happy thoughts and focused energy.
Hello

Over time I have collected a few invaluable websites on the topic of exercise, nutrition and motivation. Here are a few of my favorites:

www.bodybuilding.com
- Here you can find information on just about anything! There are tons of useful forums to suit just about anyone's needs. There is also a supplement store where you can find great deals on protein, vitamins, as well as clothing, shaker cups and workout logs.

www.livestrong.com

Fairbanks Competition
2010 HEART OF ALASKA BODYBUILDING, FITNESS, FIGURE AND BIKINI COMPETITION
- May 29th 2010
- Pioneer Park Theater (Fairbanks, AK)
*** National Qualifier***

Visualization is a powerful way of improving any aspect of your life, simply because your brain doesn't know the difference between reality and fantasy. The brain loves repetition, so the more you do, think, or say something, the more ingrained it becomes. It's like magic, and the best part is you get to use your imagination and daydream just like when you were a kid!
Visualization is fun, because it's the only time you get to be smarter than your brain.

Motivation is a curious thing. Every waking day, I get up and assess my own level of motivation. How eager am I to get my morning cardio session done? How tempting would it be to just have a cinnamon bun for breakfast, plop down in front the T.V. and skip the workout altogether? Questions run through my mind each morning, but I always end up giving in to the workout as the thoughts of pastries fade from mind.
Mota-mota, got a lot of motivation!

I had the pleasure of participating in the MS Walk last Saturday with some good friends. It was great to see so many people in Anchorage out walking for such a good cause!
MS Walk 2010
That was the first time I had ever done the walk, and I really enjoyed it despite the frigid temps and evidence of the recent snowfall we had days before. I'm always pleased to see people of all shapes and sizes and age groups getting out and moving!

I like the brain. I like fitness. I like to read books about the effects of fitness on the brain. I found a perfect book that was recommended to me by my wonderful Human Anatomy & Physiology professor at UAA and it's called Brain Rules.
'Brain Rules' will make you smarter

No matter your political position, you have to admit that what Michelle Obama is doing to raise awareness for childhood obesity with her Move It campaign is pretty cool. It's important for someone in her position to bring these issues to light and strive to find a lasting solution. The future of our country depends on movements like this.

Yesterday was the first day I have been able to get out on my bike this year. I'm not one of those hardcore Alaskans who ride their bikes year round... at least not yet anyway, so I reserve my riding for the snow free months.
Cheap mode of transportation

Saturday April 3rd at the Egan Center

Prejudging is at 12pm (Tickets are $15)

The evening show is at 7pm (Tickets are $25-$50).

Come out and show your support for Alaska's tannest athletes!

I just finished reading an article in the ADN about how Sheila Selkregg wants to tax soda pop and other carbonated beverages- possibly even water. I have many thoughts running through my mind after reading the article. I understand the need to want to tax something that offers "no nutritional value" and may even be slightly contributing to our obesity issues in the state and the rest of the country, but we need more than this.

Definition of Functional Training:A classification of exercise which involves training the body for the activities performed in daily life.

Today's concept of "functional" training is not something I necessarily subscribe to as a fitness professional.
"Functional" Training?

According to a 2009 study, 27.2% of Alaskan adults are considered obese and 33.9% of Alaska's children are obese. Nothing freaks me out more than seeing the rate of obesity higher in kids than adults. It's obvious this epidemic isn't going away anytime soon, and these kids are our future. How can we reverse this?

Obese Adults:
1. Mississippi*** (32.5%); 2. Alabama* (31.2%); 3. West Virginia (31.1%); 4. Tennessee*** (30.2%); 5. South Carolina (29.7%); 6. Oklahoma*** (29.5%); 7. Kentucky (29.0%); 8. Louisiana (28.9%); 9. Michigan*** (28.8%) 10. (tie) Arkansas (28.6%) and Ohio* (28.6%); 12. North Carolina*** (28.3%); 13. Missouri (28.1%); 14. (tie) Georgia (27.9%) and Texas (27.9%); 16. Indiana (27.4%); 17. Delaware*** (27.3%); 18. (tie) Alaska (27.2%) and Kansas*** (27.2%) 20. (tie) Nebraska (26.9%) and South Dakota*** (26.9%); 22. (tie) Iowa (26.7%) and North Dakota* (26.7%) and Pennsylvania** 26.7%; 25. (tie) Maryland*** (26.0%) and Wisconsin (26.0%); 27. Illinois 25.9%; 28. (tie) Oregon (25.4%) and Virginia (25.4) and Washington*** (25.4%); 31. Minnesota (25.3%); 32. Nevada* 25.1%; 33. (tie) Arizona** (24.8%) and Idaho (24.8%); 35. Maine* (24.7%); 36. New Mexico*** (24.6%); 37. New York** (24.5%) 38. Wyoming (24.3%); 39. (tie) Florida* (24.1%) and New Hampshire (24.1%); 41. California (23.6%); 42. New Jersey (23.4%); 43. Montana** (22.7%); 44. Utah (22.5%); 45. District of Columbia (22.3%); 46. Vermont** (22.1%); 47. Hawaii* (21.8%); 48. Rhode Island (21.7%); 49. Connecticut (21.3%); 50. Massachusetts (21.2%); 51. Colorado (18.9%)

Pain is a natural part of life, but when it's chronic- I get a little inpatient. If you are a physical human being, you are going to experience pain. Even if you aren't, you will probably still feel some kind of pain along the way. I have been suffering from a bit of low back and hamstring pain lately, but am not a huge proponent of Ibuprofen or Tylenol to mask the issues. Today I came across a great product by the name of Salonpas at Costco, that's apparently been around since 1934.
Pain sucks
Brief History

We all go through bouts of irregular or interrupted sleep that greatly affect our day- to- day living. I've realized as I've gotten older just how important good sleep is and just how much I personally need to guarantee the next day is a productive one. I'm one who needs 8.5 to 9.5 hours every single night. When I was younger, I could easily get away with much less and not really notice- sadly, those days are long gone.
Natural Sleep
As much sleep as I require, I may not always get it and that usually means I'm going to pay the price the next day. I don't like taking any type of prescription sleep aids, but I have found two over the counter natural remedies to help quite a bit.

Did you ever see the movie 300 with Gerard Butler? Designed by Mark Twight, owner of Gym Jones in Salt Lake City, Utah- the 300 workout promises to be one of the hardest programs yet. This Crossfit style of training will introduce you to your new breaking point, so you may want to keep a bucket nearby just in case!

This workout is for the advanced and should not be attempted by the faint of heart, get your doc's permission before even contemplating this workout if you aren't sure of your abilities.

25 pull-ups
50 deadlifts at 135 pounds
50 push-ups
50 box jumps with a 24-inch box

The day after a challenging workout, the body is generally stiff and/or sore which is caused by the eccentric (coming down) part of a muscle contraction. Falsely, people assume that the pain they feel the next day(s) is from the build up of lactic acid, this is simply not true. The pain is due to micro tears in the muscle tissue.
Feel the burn!
Lactic acid is a waste Bi-product caused by the breakdown of carbohydrates being burned as fuel. Much like exhaust coming out of your car's tailpipe (gasoline burning), lactic acid is created in much the same way within our bodies. It's flushed out entirely within 30-60 minutes after your workout.