Extreme Weight Loss

The other day someone asked me what my opinion of gastric bypass and other surgical, and non-surgical, forms of extreme weight loss were.  My response was/is not a very positive one.  I do believe it may be the last resort and possibly necessary for some people to go through with a procedure like that as a last resort, but I think they those cases are pretty rare.  Although these cases may not be so rare as our society continues to puff up like a tick.  

There are several things to take into consideration when talking about these drastic procedures. The person's health and degree of obesity prior to, the persons motives for such steps, the health implications, the restrictions or guidelines following the procedure, and lifestyle changes that may take place before during or after.  If you are not willing to take these things into consideration and follow all of these aspects of such a procedure, then I don’t think you should have such a procedure done.

With regards to these procedures I think people fall into three categories:

Legitimate need: There are people - be it a reasonable health condition or lifestyle conditions - who do need such a thing. If a health care provider believes that your life depends on it, then I would tend to agree and be for it.  

Non-Need Structured: These people are those that in my opinion don’t need a procedure just a good swift kick in the pants to make lifestyle changes.  None-the-less they do go through with it, but follow all of the guidelines and suggestions for making the most of it.  They still make some better lifestyle choices in an attempt to better themselves and become an all around healthier person, with the help of the procedure.

Non-Need Unstructured: Unfortunately, this is where I think the majority of people fall.  They get the procedure because they are lazy and don’t want to do much work to get themselves to a better place.  It’s the quick fix that everyone is looking for nowadays, the magic pill, the overnight cure.  These people also continue their awful habits after the procedure which are the reason they got into this situation in the first place.  Losing weight yes, becoming a healthier person and adopting some lifelong wellness habits, not at all.  

In short - sack up, do the work, and make some serious life changes if you want to lose weight and/or become a better healthier version of yourself.  Don’t look for the quick fix, you’re not doing yourself any favors.

-MS

Make Eye Contact and Say 'Hello'

If you take a look around you will see about half of the people near you with their heads buried in their phones. Whether they are checking messages, emails, or apps they are certainly not noticing you. Today it seems like our society is completely unaware of the people walking by, cars driving, or the scenery. They have simply blocked it all out. Not only are we doing ourselves a disservice, but we have also misplaced common courtesy and the value of many things. Someone walking out of a restaurant may not even realize the person in front of them held the door for them because they’re too busy checking Facebook. 

People have become masters at multitasking, but when technology is involved, that is where 90% of their attention is focused. This world has become so infatuated with technology that we are losing the skills to communicate with one another. And I do not mean communicating with texts. There are some skills that technology can’t teach you, one being social interaction. As I returned to school, I noticed that this was amplified even more. I walk into a classroom, and everyone is slouched down in their seat and the only thing moving is their thumb on their screen. Maybe there are two conversations going on, and they are most likely between the people who came to class together. If you even try to say 'Hi' to someone they look at you as if you have five heads. 

Even when you are hanging out with friends, sometimes you realize every single person is on their phone. Enjoy the company that is present, not the one behind a screen. Kids are slowly becoming deprived of what a true childhood play is. They beg to stay inside to play “educational” games on their iPad, instead of getting some exercise outside or playing with other kids. Some of the activities on these devices can be advantageous to children's learning, but social interaction and playing outside with their neighbors is just as important. This applies to people of all ages. People are forgetting about the little things in life. Instead of sitting around inside, why not leave all the technology aside. Enjoy the simple things. Go for a hike and look up around you. Take your headphones out and talk to the person next to you. You might even surprise yourself and like it!

One of the things I love most about working out and this career is that I am completely engaged. There is no distraction of a phone or electronic; it is simply you and the challenge ahead of you. You need your full attention and effort towards whatever workout you are doing. This is why I am always trying to encourage my friends to tag along for a run, to the gym, or a pickup game. You can have someone's undivided attention at any of these activities. The next time you walk by a stranger with their eyes locked on the screen say 'Hi' and you might just give them the biggest surprise (or startle) of their day.

-- Amber 

Can you pitch?

I found myself having yet another conversation this morning about exercise. My friend and I were talking about measuring success when it comes to exercise execution. And how often, no matter how well you're cueing, it just doesn't "hit" someone how you want it to. As an example, a squat.

Foundationally speaking the squat is a necessity for us as human beings and we need to do them every day. But so commonly it is done wrong, improperly, or with poor mechanics. However, you want to phrase it - it's just not THERE. For me, I love this scenario as a coach.  I love the process of teaching and breaking apart a movement to get someone to move better and "feel" the components (muscles) they are supposed to be using. Not just the quads but the hamstrings, the glutes, the firing of the core musculature and the difficulty of holding the T-spine in proper alignment while relaxing the lats - what the ****?! Yes - a squat is not simply measured by whether or not your hip crease is making it below the level of your knee.

So, what is it you're doing when you go to class or your session? Is it an escape or is it your opportunity to get keep inside your body and connect with yourself on a whole new level? Honestly, listening to your coaches cues and what they want you to feel when going through the class/movement/posture is everything. It is the difference between participating and experiencing your exercise program. If you're not getting better, faster, stronger or building a better you - you either have a shitty coach, or you are just straight up not listening to your body.

So let's bring it back to the title: Can you pitch? I want you to think of ALL of your foundational movements this way. Your Squat, Push, Pull, Hinge, Rotation, Lunge and Plank. If you know what each of those seven movements are then, I am going to assume you exercise, and you can "throw a ball." Would you feel confident in your skill set to handle throwing out the first pitch at a game? Do you feel your execution is on that next level? If you think you can throw it fairly accurately and can move with intention - can you bring it to the next level? Can you pitch? Have you mastered the movement pattern enough to do it like a pro? I'm not asking if you can throw 95+ or a lights-out curve. I want you to ask yourself honestly when you exercise, are you focusing on all of the things that make that singular pitch (rep) a thing of beauty? Are you ready and anticipating which are the right muscles to relax and then at the perfect moment start the next rep all over again? Are you doing it flawlessly?

So I task everyone with this thought: Let's get more out of your next session/your next class.

Start throwing some pitches.  

-Sully

Multi-Sport vs Single Sport Athletes

I've seen a post shared around Facebook a number of times in recent months; maybe you've seen it too? Urban Meyer's dry-erase board sketch of the number of multi-sport recruits vs. football only recruits for his Ohio State Football Team. 42 multi-sport athletes to 5 football only. An impressive ratio. Every time I see it, it makes be laugh. My entire coaching philosophy is centered around being well rounded and avoiding sport specialization until the time is right.

With the school year starting, Fall sports underway, and our first 4 week YTT session starting this coming Friday (shameless plug) I feel it is important to express just how important it is to be a well-rounded athlete. Learning how to move and change direction. Development of core stability and mobility. Understanding that sports can be competitive and FUN at the same time. 

As a former collegiate coach I had 2 types of recruits, field hockey players & athletes. The field hockey players played year round but often times were not the better the player. The ATHLETES that competed in different sports with different skill sets and game IQ were almost always better tactically and technically. Their wheel house was Speed, Strength, Field Awareness, Endurance, Power. It can be argued that multi-sport athletes are not as good technically. Their skills may not be as on point in a stationary or control & predictable drilled compared to the "field hockey player". However, when the whistle blows and the game goes live it's the athlete that excels. It is in their nature to react to the environment they are in and draw from the various situations their multiple sports have taken them.

So as the pull of college, high school, club, and dare I say middle school coaches start pushing sport specialization think long and hard about how this decision may impact your young athlete's future. As promising as it may sound to pursue one sport in the hopes of earning a collegiate scholarship the odds are not in your child's favor. There are to few scholarships for every athlete looking to compete in college and as Urban Meyer's so clearly drew those scholarships are going to multi-sport athletes. Let your kids enjoy learning and playing sports. Let them learn how to move and treat their bodies well. Remind yourself and your kids sports are supposed to be FUN. Leave the pressure at the gate. 

SK

Subscriber Outings

Hello All,
I wanted to use this Blob post to further describe some information that recently went out in our Newsletter.  You all know by now that all of us here try to continually bring you the best in terms of programming, equipment, information, etc, all of which takes place within the walls of 18 Maple Ct.  In an effort to expand some of the activities that we offer here and get people active away from CPC Headquarters, I have come up with CPC Subscriber Outings.

Our outings will be quarterly at the bare minimum, so at least 4 times a year I will plan something for all of us to go out and do.  Some initial ideas for the outings have been zip lining, hiking, rafting, rock climbing (indoor), etc.  If any of you have other ideas, please feel free to let me know.  If there is something that you have always wanted to do but haven't, tell me, I'll do the leg work and try to get a group together, get some discounted rates, and we'll go give whatever it is a shot.

Our first outing will be coming up on October 3rd.  We will be going to The Adventure Part at Storrs.  I've put a link to the parks website so that you can get an idea of what they do, but we will be headed down there to have some fun on the morning/afternoon of the 3rd.  The adventure begins at 10:30 but our group needs to be there at 10:00 for a safety briefing.  We can plan for about 4 hours, 3 of which will be climbing and doing all that they have to offer, there will be a break where we can have lunch and rest for a little.  Lunch is not provided but we are welcome to bring something or order food while there.  Cost for each person is $40 which is about $12 off regular rates, so we got a pretty good deal.  I will need your money by Thursday next week in order to save our spot that day.  Friends, family, and children (over 7) are welcomed.  For those that do participate, Bill at Center Square Grille has kindly offered to give us a little deal for after the day of climbing, a burger, fries, and a pint of your choice all for $10!  Doesn't get much better!  Let me know if you're in.

Let's get out there and have some fun!  Keep your eyes pealed for the next outing coming your way in a few month.