Just this past week my son was in my studio hanging out with me. At three years old he’s a little limited with what he can lift. He picked up a 3 pound dumbbell put it up in front of him with both hands and began to shake it up and down. And I’m thinking to myself, “oh my God, he’s doing the shake weight commercial.” Many different nonsensical pieces of exercise equipment has graced our TVs televisions over the last couple of decades, but there are few more nonsensical and sillier than the shake weight.
It I love the fact that they have come up with the nebulous term “dynamic inertia.” Does anybody know what that means? Dynamic means “of or relating to energy or objects in motion.” Inertia means “the tendency of a body to preserve its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.” so we can summarize dynamic inertia as placing something in motion and keeping it in motion. This opens up to questions. First, do you need this particular apparatus to do that? And what does that have to do with looking like the model in the commercial?
The answers to those questions are respectively “no” and “nothing!” You see, this is just another gimmick. This is another way for clever marketers to convince people that results can come quick and easy. I love the little graph and animations they utilize to demonstrate how this thing can generate greater attention and resistance than regular conventional exercise. I have yet to find third-party research to verify this as the case. To tell you the truth, I haven’t looked that hard. Why! Because I don’t think it really matters. I know what this thing is. It’s been inexpensively produce piece of equipment that has captured the imaginations of people looking for a quick fix. For this reason you can find it in popular sporting good stores, department stores, vitamin and nutrition shops, and I even saw them in Walgreens this past week.
So obviously this thing must be making headway if it has permeated so many different distribution channels. It’s another way to make a short-term fitness buck. It will have its time and then it will be gone. Soon it’ll be in the basement with the other fitness equipment that made big promises and didn’t work. If you already have one then don’t let me stop you from shaking away. Even if it doesn’t tone your arms and legs like the models in the commercial at least it can provide you with some NC-17 rated amusement.
In the meantime here is my plight. Here I am a veteran fitness professional with the sun that thinks you’re supposed to pick up dumbbells and shake them. I guess I have my work cut out for me. I hope he doesn’t throw a tantrum when I tell him that 6 minutes a day won’t cut it.
After only two episodes NBC has officially pulled the plug on the T.V. show, Breakthrough with Tony Robbins. No matter what you think of him, even a tiny bit of investigation will reveal that this guy has helped a tremendous about of people. After three decades of assisting individuals discover their true potential he finally got his chance at a prime time program.
The story seems to be that only 2.8 million people watched the last episode. As a result, NBC has determined that the show is not commercially viable. I guess that business is business. Part of me understands and part of me is quite disturbed. Am I bringing up a child in a world devoid of hope?
From the outside looking in, Tony Robbins has generated an army of minions who require his energy and motivation to function. In truth, he has dynamically assisted people who are already achievers and in search of accomplishment on another level. Therefore, I was personally very excited about his show. Having been a student of his programs for twenty years I know that this is precisely what the country needs right now during these challenging times. The theme of the show was to take people who are in desperation and chronicle the process of them experiencing a breakthrough in only 30 days. I watched the first two episodes and thought they were tremendously inspirational. I loved them.
The fact that a prime time show of this magnitude had failed so quickly is in my opinion an indictment of the American public. In a world where Jersey Shore is a huge hit and in its second season, how can a program granting inspiration and motivation laced with the theme of human possibility find itself failing so miserably.
To me this is not about Tony Robbins. It’s about us taking control of our own futures. I am pondering whether we as a society have become so apathetic that we have given up on each other, our hopes and our dreams. Is Breakthrough with Tony Robbins “the end all be all” to becoming happy, healthy and wise? Not necessarily. However, I am convinced the intention was for it to be tool to be utilized for a positive result. The fact this was underused is symbolic of what is going on in this great country of ours right now.
I leave you with this question: Are you really doing all you can do to get what you really want?
My wife has referred to me as “Conspiracy Brother” on more than one occasion. This may be because I instinctively see through the surface features of things. Here seems to be another instance that has sparked my curiosity. So answer this for me. What is the deal with the latest KFC Item: “The Double Down”
The Double Down
Here is the description: The new KFC Double Down sandwich is real! This one-of-a-kind sandwich features two thick and juicy boneless white meat chicken filets (Original Recipe® or Grilled), two pieces of bacon, two melted slices of Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheese and Colonel’s Sauce. This product is so meaty, there’s no room for a bun!
I decided to take a look at the nutrition facts. (You can always find this information on the web site) Here is what I found. One Sandwich contains:
Calories 540
Fat (g) 32
Sodium (mg) 1380
If we take a closer look it will reveal that based on a 2,000 calorie diet this sandwich will contain more than
25% of daily calories
50% of daily fat intake
50% of daily sodium intake
This thing is basically a cardiac event waiting to happen. In other words it’s a heart attack wrapped in wax paper. How could someone sell this in good conscience?
A recent news report on ABC may have the answer:
“Companies providing life and health insurance owned $1.9 billion worth of stock in the fast-food industry as of June 11, 2009, researchers reported online in the American Journal of Public Health. “
So how could it be that companies seemingly concerned about public health would make considerable investments in things that have been shown to be detrimental to that end?
The answer is JOB SECURITY. The more ailments that people acquire from poor lifestyle choices the greater medical billing occurs. The result is more money in the pockets of the insurance companies. The real double down is these companies acquiring wealth from both ends.
If I am “Conspiracy Brother” then maybe I am looking into this too deeply. What do you think?
I want to preface this note by saying that I am a “Dream Maker” not a dream breaker. I am not a hater. I am a congratulater. I just started watching NBCs Losing it with Jillian. I caught it on demand. I watch the Biggest Loser and that’s why this show sparked my interest. The premise of the show is that trainer, Jillian Michaels, goes to live with a family for a week in an attempt to assist with them living healthier lifestyle.
In about 5 minutes after her arrival she takes them outside to perform some really intense exercise. She has these out of shape people flipping tires, swinging huge mallets, sprinting and even pulling tractors. One of the high school age boys starts vomiting because he can’t take the intensity of the workout. Jillian jumps out of a wheelbarrow to go and observe. (She’s in the wheelbarrow because the out of shape mother is pulling her in it.) Next she is chastising the boy berating him over the all the bacon he ate that morning which he is now throwing up. She is actually celebrating his suffering.
In the following scene she is chastising the father who has had eleven heart procedures and is too sick to participate in the exercise. She taunts him saying, “Well if you took better care of yourself you could do this too.”
At this point I shut the T.V. off. I just can’t take it anymore. As a fitness pro for over 15 years I find this insulting and offensive. I am truly in fear that America will start to believe that this is what fitness training is all about. Well, I am here to tell you that it surely is not. This is what it is…unethical! To take anyone who is deconditioned and begin their training with advanced intense exercise at a minimum is dangerous and potentially lethal.
Let’s make this perfectly clear. This “works” only in the boundaries of T.V. land. in the real world, people don’t make changes this way. This type of process gets them hurt, injured and discouraged. Am I here to berate Jillian Michaels? Definitely not. Maybe she really believes in what she does. However, I will strongly attest to the fact that outside of the confines of “Hollyweird” most people with intact self esteem would not stand for this type of abuse. Even if clients would stand for abuse that doesn’t mean trainers should abuse them. This is referred to as unethical. Unfortunately it makes for compelling television.
Reality T.V. has shown us that people will do just about anything to become famous. It has also demonstrated that American viewers have a penchant for the extreme. This is all well and fine, but let’s not get it twisted and attempt to blur the line between true reality (not reality T.V.) and fantasy. Making changes takes appropriate time, effort and motivation. It is an incremental process that is the result of consistent steps. Can dramatic change occur? Sure, but this only results from the accelerated progress of those consistent steps. The truth is no one can defy that… not even Jillian Michaels.
I have been hearing a whole lot about how much weight rapper, 50 cent has lost in preparation for a new role. In an upcoming movie he plays a cancer patient. He lost 50 pounds in order to play this character.
Reportedly, he accomplished this astonishing feat through a liquid diet and running on a treadmill for 3 hours a day. I am mystified about the fact I am now fielding questions regarding whether this means of weight loss is effective.
Well, let’s first define “effective”. Effective is defined as “causing a desired or intended result.” As the pictures detail, he certainly achieved a desired result. He looks like he is not well.
However, there is a huge disparity between what is effective and what is recommended
Here are some effective ways to lose weight.
Hysterectomy
Dismemberment
Amputation
Decapitation
OK, I’m being facetious. However, the point I am making is that you can lose weight in many different ways. Some are good, some not so much. It is obvious that nothing on the list is a desirable condition, but it does seem as though people will go to tremendous extremes to capture a perceived conclusion. It is something they think they want. As a result, seemingly rational people will do irrational, even detrimental things to lose weight. Jerry Seinfeld once said, “Find out what will kill me and then back it off a little bit.” I have people asking me whether 50’s weight loss program has merit. Here is my direct and conclusive response: Starvation and over exercise are neither recommended nor necessary for long-term weight loss.
50 cent has made himself famous for both his music as well as his formerly buff muscular physique. He was actually on the cover of muscle and Fitness magazine February 2010. Where do you think most of that lost weight came from? Here’s your answer: Lean, metabolically active, calories burning, body-shaping muscle tissue! This is one of the worst things you can do if your goal is to maintain proper health and wellness.
This process is not reserved for celebrities or gangster rappers. The same will happen to you if you attempt this destructive course of action. I will bet the farm that despite what he says 50 cent will not find it a simple process to get back in shape. He will be starting with a desperately compromised metabolism that will require quite a bit of time to recover. He will also be trying to overcome a depleted and newly inefficient muscular system. Time will tell.
If you or someone you love is inspired by large weight loss results of this type, be inspired by his determination and discipline. However, I highly suggest you take your inspiration and apply it to a process that makes sense (unless you are taking on a movie role as a cancer patient).
After this my life will never be the same. I hug my son a little stronger and kiss my wife a little longer.
Sometimes you have to see things from others’ prospective to realize how lucky… or should I say BLESSED
you really are. I big part of life is being able to give it away. I am thankful for the opportunity.
Send Aid To Haiti
Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have teamed up to promote The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund , which seeks individual and corporate monetary donations.
To donate Click Below
Dry white wine and Gruyère cheese give this fish casserole a rich flavor that hides its virtue. Before baking, we top the dish with seasoned whole-wheat breadcrumbs, which add a wholesome, nutty flavor and dietary fiber. For variety, you can substitute almost any mild white fish.
Step 2 Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until just starting to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add wine, increase heat to high and cook, stirring often, until the wine is slightly reduced, 2 to 4 minutes.
Step 3 Place cod on the onions and sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper. Cover the pan tightly with foil; transfer to the oven and bake for 12 minutes.
Step 4 Toss bread with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, paprika and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Spread the bread mixture over the fish and top with cheese. Bake, uncovered, until the fish is opaque in the center, about 10 minutes more.
RECIPE TIPSIngredient note: Overfishing and trawling have drastically reduced the number of cod in the Atlantic Ocean and destroyed its sea floor. A better choice is Pacific cod (a.k.a. Alaska cod); it is more sustainably fished and has a larger, more stable population, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch (mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp).
Every so often we are presented with an unusual opportunity that holds within
it the potential to be life changing. This is one of those circumstances.
One of my good friend, who is a trauma surgeon, asked me to go with him to
Haiti as part of the relief effort. With a great deal of concern I told him I had to
ask my wife first. We both recalled how sat and watch Hurricane Katrina
wanting to act. She immediately said, “Yes.”
Anyone who knows me knows that my family is paramount in my life.
I would never want to risk anything unnecessarily that would put them
in harms way. In this case, when I was asked to go and then started
looking at the images of the devastation in Haiti, I felt compelled to commit.
My friend has made it very possible to accompany him. Our arrangements
have come together quickly due to his hard work and diligence. This has
led me to believe this journey has been divinely appointed.
I am choosing to answer the call, with no fear. However, I am asking that
you pray, not just for my safety and the safety of my party, but that our
presence we will be able to do some good.
You may not think of fish as a taco ingredient, but the Mexican-inspired fish-taco craze is beginning to spread. Once you’ve had one, you’ll understand. This recipe is a healthful version of the battered, deep-fried and crispy fish at Rossy’s Tacos in Baja California.
INGREDIENTS3/4 cup beer, preferably lager or pilsner
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1-1 1 pounds tilapia, or other firm white fish, sliced into 1/2-inch-by-2-inch strips
3 tablespoon canola oil, divided
COOKING DIRECTIONSStep 1 Place beer, all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, oregano, mustard, cayenne and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Transfer the batter to a shallow baking dish. Add fish, turning to coat all sides.
Step 2 Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer one-third of the battered fish to the pan, placing each piece into a little oil. Cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer cooked fish to a plate; keep warm. Add 1 tablespoon oil and half the remaining fish to the pan; cook as directed above, reducing the heat if necessary. Cook the remaining fish with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Serve immediately.
MAKE AHEAD TIPThe fish is best when served immediately, but will keep, wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. To reheat, place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.
