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 

Women in the Weight Room

I'm sure you've heard us talk about this topic a million times here at CPC. Weights and/or strength training is something ALL women need to be doing. End of story. The benefits include bone density/osteoporosis prevention, muscle definition (comes along a lot faster using weights as opposed to just hopping on an elliptical), relative strength, and much more. So why I am bothering writing about this topic once again?

Well, not everyone is comfortable lifting weights, especially in your typical commercial gym, so that's why. 

Here at CPC, most of you at this point have accepted working out on the dark side/south side/hot side, but what about the rest of you reading this that have no clue what a deadlift, back squat, push press or hang clean are? There are two things you can do if you don't know: either hire a trainer or starting out with something a little less complicated. Are those lifts the most efficient? Yes, but not everyone has a coach or would most likely hurt themselves trying something they have no business attempting. My recommendation: something less complicated.

Start out slow! Never done weighted squats? - try goblet squats. Never done deadlifts? - try dumbbell/kettle bell deadlifts. Bench? Doubt it - try push ups. Pull ups? Start with a mid row or a dumbbell row. Not to say that these are easy by any means, but much less complicated or "risky" to a beginner. Ask most coaches to just demo any of them and you should be good to go. 

Attempt all of those in that order, four sets of eight repetitions, sixty seconds rest and go from there. That'll get you started with some strength training and most likely jump start your routine. If you have any questions or would like something more difficult feel free to ask.

- CW