Spring-animals

The fox. The bear. The deer. The rabbit. The frog. The bee. The butterfly. The ladybug. The hummingbird.

Nine of natures most active animals or insects. They are also species that we do not see often in the winter time. They are signs of spring. Why on earth would animals be included in a message about human performance? Why should we care? Well, neither of them are on the verge of extinction; so we do not have to worry about that topic. However, all nine of them are preparing to do what they do best:

Get stuff done!

Plus, all nine of them are athletic in some capacity.

I do not know about you, but I have plenty of things to get done between now and December 31, 2013. Actually, I have a lot of stuff to do before April, May, and September of this year. Neither one of us shares the same DNA as these nine animals, but we share similar goals - we speak and eat differently though. If you feel as though most things around you seem like they are picking up at a faster pace, then you are probably correct. Typically, when the pace picks up we must form to it. For example, you have a business meeting at work in which your boss decides to lay three projects on you with  due dates between April 1st and May 15th. Clearly, the amount of work has doubled or tripled. But, do you slow down and work at a slow pace? Slow down, organize, and work at a steady pace? Or, just work at a high speed?

Personally, I would choose choice "B", slow down, organize, and work at a steady pace. For one, it can minimize mistakes while being efficient. Secondly, our bodies act the same manner. Our bodies are required to get a set position in order to train properly and to produce at different intensities. Many of us are coming off hectic winters that saw plenty of snow, rain, wind, snow, more snow, freezing temperatures, snow, warm temps, and snow (I get it. I have seen my share of snow this winter). Therefore, in this transition to spring, which has already brought more snow; and will most likely bring rain and winds, we must adapt to the changing atmosphere. When it picks up, we pick up. What will we do differently?

The fox, bear, deer, frog, bee, butterfly, ladybug, and hummingbird are going to eat, multiply, and work diligently. Recommendation: stay out of there way but mimic their way of spring life.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS         TEEM Performance Training          www.teempt.com

Optimistic Ventures (#SpringSeason)

Benefits of Optimism

I have not seen the Life of Pi. I have seen the Pursuit of Happyness. I have seen Escape from Alcatraz and The Rock. I have not seen the whole Twilight Saga thing (is there optimism in there?). I have seen buzzer-beaters, last second saves, healing processes, underdogs, champions, and calculus. All of these involve some form of optimism.

And so does...finishing a marathon, finishing a half marathon, finishing a triathlon, finishing a duathlon, walking 20 miles, bicycling 50 miles, performing 20 push-ups, and eating tofu sprinkled with olive oil and cilantro.

It. Is. All. Optimism.

Setting out to do 5 reps of 5 exercises for 5 sets without stopping or with very little rest is demanding. Increasing the reps, decreasing the sets, and keeping the same number of exercises in this order creates a form of optimism. I have noticed that the spring time invites individuals to become or to practice optimism because it is a vibrant time of year: We go from snow (it's snowing as I type) to warmer weather; from 1/3 of the year completed to anticipating the congested 2/3 left in the year; from March to April; from dry or wet soil and dirt to smelly mulch and fresh canine excrement that reminds us, "dang, I should not have worn my minimalist shoes in the grass today."

Toepick.

All of it is optimism. Optimistic that we will progress into a new season. #SpringSeason

So, walking up and down your front or building stairs (just pick 10 steps if you live on a high level floor) five times, circling your arms five times each way, squatting five times, wall push-upping or regular push-upping five times....without resting between exercises is a battle. I am optimistic that you can survive the test and can modify or challenge yourself (which may involve changing some exercises) in order to see results. Will you see results as we march into spring? Yes. I do not like making guarantee, but I guarantee it.

Purpose & Development
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS          TEEM Performance Training          www.teempt.com

Spring Prep

Spring Fitness Checklist:
Enter a race
Walk after dinner
Walk at lunch
Get up from the desk
Go to the gym
Get a strength and conditioning specialist/personal trainer
Ask advice from a strength and conditioning specialist/personal trainer
Bike
Dance (ballroom, salsa, square, practice the real Harlem Shake or this real Harlem Shake)
Run
Swim (really, these previous four fitness activities have plenty of other friends)

Spring Activity Checklist (these still burn calories and offer benefits other than lowering body fat or increasing muscle mass as a prime goal):
Clean the house/condo/apt
Rake
Mow the lawn
Shovel (for late snowfalls)
Wash the car (Oooh, that is a good one. I need that one)
Clean closets
Garden (plant flowers)
Mulch
Clip the bushes
Some people just let the outside of their houses go. You have seen the houses that are covered in shrubs, leaving you to wonder if anyone has lived there for 10 years.
Maintain the car
Walk the dog (could also be a fitness checklist item)

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                     TEEM Performance Training                      www.teempt.com

National Nutrition Month

March is a lot of things:

The end of winter. The beginning of spring. Easter. White Ribbon Day. National Nutrition Month.

National Nutrition Month should sound great to everyone because it is a chance to learn. Learning about nutrition helps individuals push through other food addictions. For example, taste (see "Explore and Experience", Part II - Item Dissection, and February 8, 2010) seems to deter folks from eating certain foods. However, when we look at certain Asian and Mediterranean diets, which are healthy, we see that taste is very present and pleasant. Often times, the additions of excessive salt, sugar, and sauces found in fast food places and some restaurants are not only taste-cheats but nutritional-cheats as well.

I have some brief nutrition advice for you: do not get sucked into the nutrition promotions that are cheap like the ones you see at fast food places. Sure, people say, "Oh, you need to cheat sometimes" No, you do not. It is not a fact that you have to cheat. Of course, another individual can come along and say that it is not a fact that you do not have to cheat. Well, that person is right because the fact turns up in family medical histories, an older chronological age (see Heart Disease Awareness Month), and out of your wallet - it costs billions to take care of bad health...it costs coupons to buy good food at a grocery store.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                     TEEM Performance Training                  www.teempt.com

Huge Athletic Feats

This e-newsletter topic will be an ongoing series. New entries will be included as other events occur:

Posted in HAHPN - March #1 2013 on 3/9/2013
There is normal. Then, there is plain...what!...And...whoa!

To run like a freight train, carrying a load like this 350lbs. high school running back is mind boggling. I hope this video gives insight to athletes who think they cannot move because they are a certain size.

There are rivalries that go back and forth. Then, there are rivalries that have unexpected and exceptional finishes for the glory of athletics! New Rochelle Buzzer Beater

The Chicago Blackhawks are the NHL's most successful team in this shortened season. To go undefeated in 24 games at any level and in any sport is remarkable even if ties are permitted. Face it...no losses! To lose the first game on the 25th try is nothing to fret about.

HAHPN - March #2 2013 on 3/15/2013
As a huge athletic feat, the movement and dismantling of the Big East is hidden. But, creating an entirely different conference creates other opportunities yet ends annual rivalry games.

Overcoming cancer and playing at a high level. In the quietly covered level and sport of college ice hockey. You only need to hop to Canisius College to see this story.

Who says boxing is a lost art? Bernard Hopkins gets his work done! Age is really just a number.

Save the generic stuff for the...generics. This focus and skill is fantastic! Tomas Jurco

Rise up! Never mind playing defense. You, Brandon Knight, just got posterized and T-shirted:



For HAHPN #3 - March 2013
It is more than just an athletic feat but also a social, educational, and personal feat that involves sports and fitness in New York for at risk teens. Very positive.

May be it is the time of year. May be it is simply the sport, but basketball gets a lot of attention for athletic feats (check out these female high school ballers) Why? Well, it could be do the way the game is structured. Heaving a ball 40 feet for a buzzer-beater is easier to launch when a player is uncontested or jumps in a way to hide the ball from the defender. How many times have you aimed toward your exercise goal with a "defender" in the way"? Did you nail it with some sound mental imagery (for the sports psych buffs)?

And now for the marathoners: Marathon season is coming up with some races already completed around the nation. Washington, DC had its Rock 'N Roll USA Marathon. Then, there is the Gusher Marathon out of Beaumont, TX where Iram Leon, a father who is terminally ill with a brain tumor, won the event while pushing his daughter in a stroller. Won the event. The human body is awesome. It does wondrous things, so never say never!

We also have Julie Weiss who ran 52 marathons in as many weeks...52 in 52. Schedule or participate in more walks, runs, or bicycling events this year!

I hope that after roughly seven years of writing mass emails, e-newsletters, and blogging that someone now understands the importance of human performance arsenal.

HAHPN - March #4 2013 - posted in HAHPN 3/25/2013
Armed and Ready as you may know him on the Travel Channel. Kevin Michael Connolly gets around because he moves in a different manner. He probably moves faster than most people.

Sergio Garcia of the PGA Tour makes golf look really athletic in this tree shot. Making adjustments is a serious thing in life and in athletics.

Again, basketball makes this athletic list because it is that time of year. Aaron Craft makes it look easy from downtown/behind the arc. Elation! What do you do when your game is on the line?

HAHPN - April #3 2013 - posted in HAHPN 4//2013
Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!...What are the lyrics to that song again? Oh yea, "don't start no stuff won't be no stuff!" In a standoff to see who has the best agility, the goose wins!

I love jump roping. It is fun. It targets many muscles. It's a safe cardio workout. It's also a safe plyometric and coordination workout. She makes it look very easy.

Speed. Whoever thought mountain biking would be so incredibly fast!

Definitely, this feat is the most amazing of all of them so far. Cutting your career short to save someone's life. Check this one out
.
Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                   TEEM Performance Training                   www.teempt.com

Fighting for Your Cause

This e-newsletter entry will be a running series as more news comes and is picked:

From 3/9/2013 - HAHPN - March #1 2013:
Fight for your cause...A Bulgarian Wrestling Coach who is fighting for his sport as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sets to clip it from the Olympic Games. What would you do if someone or if an agenda was set to work against the very thing you love to do? On a total opposite note, the weather plays as a thwarting figure. When it snows, it is more difficult to run and bike outdoors. It is possible, but it is difficult.

Fight period...A incident involving high school football players in 2011. Adversity strikes. But, how do you forgive yourself in order to push forward? As the Boston Marathon approaches, there will be so many stories of triumph and survival from many runners. At some point the runners had to simply set things aside and say, "I can run this marathon!"

Fight for everything...Sometimes, you have to go all out even if it means making amends. I am not endorsing a movie, but the movie, Warrior, is really good. Of course, it involves sports, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Training, exercising, and pushing through hard sessions brings out...fights. What are you fighting for? Are you fighting for yourself? Are you fighting to make sure your family gets involved with physically pushing themselves?

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                          TEEM Performance Training                www.teempt.com

Widen Your Playing Field

The National Football League is considering widening its playing field. Check it out here. What does that mean? Who cares?

Well, there are important circumstances. Routes will be run differently. Wide receivers, defensive backs, and linebackers would have more area to cover, which means they will have to sprint longer distances. Agility will have to work for 17.5 extra feet to either side of the field.

Sometimes, you have to widen your playing field in order to produce better results. Now, the NFL gets results. But, the regular "Joe/Jane Schmo" may need more options when trying to fit into that spring/summer bikini or old one piece. Or, squeeze into some Levi's - do they still make them? Or lastly, finish a race or fitness challenge. For athletes, widening the playing field most likely takes on a literally perspective - the field or court on which they play is widened.

Simple as that.

For general fitness individuals, widening your playing field more closely means to widen your resources. With the spring season arriving, outdoor activities will increase. Or, At least they should increase. You know those pants or that suit you used to wear and would like to look good in again? Well, it is still time right now to get your body moving and in shape. March holds Easter this year, but it is also a month where individuals slack off their exercise regimens. All of those so-called New Year's resolutions to go to the gym dwindle. Either people give up, quit, do not care, or run into some kind of rut without knowing how to escape it.

Do not let 2013 be a narrow year for you. Widen its resourceful parts and not your hindparts.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                         TEEM Performance Training                      www.teempt.com

Christmas Abbott

You saw the story of Latipha Cross. Now, what about the fortitude of Christmas Abbott.

I do not want to compare the two of them. In fact, I will not. But, they have some pretty cool names. Hey, you can even interchange them. "Christmas Cross". "Latipha Christmas".

OK, back to feats.

I like it when anyone overcomes the expected odds. The times when an individual rises above the status quo. It is the short male who can dunk a basketball. The female who is strong as an ox and has a clean regimen. The teenager who plays with the pros. And, of course, the elderly person who is physiologically stout and sound.

The biggest thing that all of these individuals have is attitude (see Stellartude). Their attitude is awesome. It allows all of them to excel when others may think otherwise. It allows...get this...it allows them to have a job or career or even a family. Just read the first paragraph of Christmas' story (no pun intended). C'mon, "half her weight". Would you love to have a job where you must often lift something half your weight? We trainers, coaches, and strength and conditioning specialists barely do that. When we help someone, trust me...it is not with maximum assistance. Working out with half our weight is another story. But, the average person who trains with a health professional is not lifting weights half their weight.

In an entirely male dominated part of a male dominated sport...Christmas is gettin'er done!

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                       TEEM Performance Training                            www.teempt.com