crazy4health’s BodyBlog

Most people have a huge misconception when it comes to fitness and working out. They have this narrow view of the possibilities that are available.

O’ God, I don’t want to spend hours on a treadmill and waiting to be next on chest press machine. I don’t have time to drive to the gym, besides it is such a pick up fest there!

These are just some of the typical responses I hear. I agree that if you only look at the typical workout routine and gym these things might be true. However, there is a whole world out there that they have not explored. There is a whole workout culture of people who workout anywhere that interests them. They use their bodyweight, every day items, and even stones and heavy branches.

I must confess I am one of these people. I get bored very easily, especially just using weight machines. This has caused me to be less then consistent with my workouts in the past. However, now that I have stepped outside of the box, my workouts are shorter, more intense, and much more fun. In fact, I would say that it is almost addicting coming up with new ways to work my body.

Getting started
 

One of the ways that I first started was watching the Worlds Strongest Man competition on TV. This has become a yearly event for me to watch every December. Most people sit there and marvel at the strength of these athletes. At first I did too, until I realized that what they were doing on TV I could be doing as a workout.

Think about it flipping tires, pulling objects with a thick rope, and lifting stones among other things can give you a great workout. If you look at any elite athlete that needs power for their sport, they are starting to incorporate this type of training into their workouts. They know how effective it can be.

Here is my challenge to you. First, watch a strongman competition on TV the next time it’s on. While you’re watching brain storm how you can do some of the lifts at home. Here are a few ways to get you started:

• Fill a wheelbarrow  and push it around the yard for time
• Find a heavy stone and pick it up for reps
• Get a sand bag to lift and carry across the yard
• Find a old tire and tie a rope to it, put something heavy on the tire and pull it

These are just a few quick ideas. If you are creative, you’ll be able to find many more.

Secondly, start looking at every day items and finding a way to exercise with it. After a while, it becomes a game of how many exercises could I do with this object. This summer I did a whole workout with just the picnic table. I was breathing heavy and beat afterwards. So not only did I get a great workout, but I didn’t have to drive to a gym and be stuck inside.

I look forward to hearing what you all come up with. It’s always fun to share creative exercises with others.

Yours in Health

I was reading the Ninja’s blog today and was moved by the story he was telling about. Check it out here:     http://blog.bodybuilding.com/ninjabill/2009/01/09/what-would-you-do/

I also re-published it at my other blog:              http://strengthdoctor.wordpress.com

I urge you to read the Blog and help out by donating and spreading the word to everyone that you can.

This is when we are at our best, Helping others!!!

Playgrounds nowadays seem to be filled with trash. Yep, you heard me correctly. Or shall I say, “read” me correctly

I see trash hanging out at playgrounds, sitting on the monkey bars, smoking cigarettes, writing with marker on the park benches or picnic tables, throwing garbage on the ground and completely abusing the outdoors.

I feel playgrounds are like the lost gems of strength. I have gotten some of my best every workouts by bringing a kettlebell, sandbag and sled to the local playground.
The freedom is truly endless, there are no rules, no crappy music to stop my thunder, fresh air to breathe compared to the dead air of the uninspiring gym crowded with wimps, cry babies and cell phone lovers.
I mean, come on now, how the heck can you get psyched to squat 400 lbs when you’re on the phone with your buddy right before your set?
I throw my kettlebell around, push, pull, carry and yes, I did say throw. Throwing kettlebells is awesome for developing power. You can’t throw a kettlebell around when I’m in a crowded stinkin’ gym, right?
Then we’ve got pull up bars, parallel bars, picnic tables, stones and open terrain. Just imagine the kick butt training you can let loose with when the possibilities are wide open!
Try this playground workout and let me know how it goes for you.
And, I don’t have to remind you to shut off your cell phone do I?
Didn’t think so, let’s get busy!
1A) sandbag zercher squat 3 x 10

1B) mixed grip pull ups 3 x max
2A) sandbag walking lunges 2 x 20

2B) hand walking on parallel bars 2 x back and forth x 1

2C) recline rowing on parallel bars 2 x max reps
3) car / truck push in parking lot 3 x 200’
That workout oughtta kick your butt thoroughly
Hey, that’s what I’m here for!
Till the next time,
Kill it,

PS: If you like the workout and playground assault tips I just hooked you up with, you will love this:
http://tinyurl.com/9fp2fe

Feeling the effects of yesterday’s workout, a great “you did something” muscle soreness.

It was the first workout of the year and the first intense workout since I injured my shoulder. All I can say is “WOW” it was one of the most intense outings that I have had in a while. I hope you have felt that amazing feeling of being in the zone when energy, mental focus, and “take no prisoners” intensity come together in a workout. If you haven’t its hard to explain, it’s like when you get done watching a great action movie. Afterward you’re feeling unstoppable, like the biggest baddest M-fer in the world. You could go out and bench-press a bus!

While we are on the subject of intensity, I believe it is one of the main factors in making progress towards your workout goals. I have seen way too many people approach fitness and working out as a social event. We have all seen them, do one set of exercise and then talk to a friend for 10 minutes before doing another set. Maybe this is why people think they have to workout for several hours at a time. If your doing it correctly, you should be exhausted within a hour if not a half hour!! I have done many workouts that killed me within 15 to 20 minutes.

So as you begin your New Years training, go out with intensity. Don’t be one of the people who look like their half asleep, slowly going through the motions. Show some intensity and energy. You’ll feel a lot better and will make gains those other posers never dreamed of.

Hint: This works in other parts of your life as well. Those who approach life with intensity and massive action are the greatest successes!
 

Yours in Health

People never cease to amaze me! It’s kills me that there are so many over weight kids. Many of you know that I work in Physical Therapy, I have several patients right now that are kids whos injuries are the results of inactivity and being Obese.

These kids are so lazy and unmotivated it’s crazy. One in particular comes in with his mom who is such an enabler. She says she can’t get him to do his home exercises. When asked why he states that they don’t feel good or he didn’t feel like it.  I have to force him to do them while he is in the clinic, the whole time he is back talking his mom. To top it off at the end of the session he tells his mom he is thirsty and wants a pop. She says if you promise to do your exercises next time, i’ll get you one and maybe some ice cream. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!   This kid is 13 and has a 45 inch waist!

Ok now that I am done venting, my workouts are going great. May new workout partners continue to motivate me. I have had some of the most intense workouts lately then I have had in a long time. Speaking of that, my chest and arms are so tired and sore, I’m having a hard time writting this.

So it has been a while since I have felt that great soreness that you get after a grueling workout. I am definitely feeling it today!

I started working out with a co-worker at my new job this week. Almost forgot how much better your workout can be with a partner there pushing you to do more. that was the most intense workout that I have had in a long time.

The Physical Therapy Clinic I work at has a full fitness center and pool. It’s so nice to have everything there, no driving and wasting time. Just change in the locker room and I’m ready to kick butt.

Loving this new job and setup so far!

Didn’t have alot of time today, so I did this quick but effective workout.

Did this circuit 2x through:

Pullups x10

Deadlifts x10

Push-ups x10

Bench jumps x10

Single-arm kettlebell clean and press x10 each arm

Pull-ups x10

Wow what a day! 

 I woke this morning feeling like crap. I did it to myself, I stayed up too late watching my favorite football team get killed. During the course of the game I was bad and ate pizza and drank some beers. So I drug myself out of bed this morning, my body yelling at me for abusing it.

I decided to sweat out the toxins, I always feel better after a workout. So this is what I did:

 4 nonstop rounds of this circuit. 10 reps of each exercise.

1. kettlebell curl to press

2. kettlebell swings

3. pushups

4. modified pullups

5. lunges

6. crunches

7. reverse crunches

I definitely sweated out some toxins with this workout. With drinking a ton of water, I started to feel better though still tired. As I started feeling better, the course of the day also changed (though not for the better).

The remains of hurricane Ike hit Ohio today. Has been a very windy day with gusts up to 60mph. Alot of the area is without electricity, not good when alot of our electrical workers are down in Texas helping out. Luckly I still have electric, unfortunately the wind took out some trees. One top of a tree fell and speared my garage roof, another fell on the propane tank for the house. Had to use a tractor to lift the tree off the tank, luckly no damage to it. Guess I will be spending some time doing roofing work this week.

Anyway just happy things wer.en’t worse, I could be without a house. Overall we were lucky. Hope you all are having a better weekend 

Just posted several new progress pics. They are not the best quality, but I can see a little improvement. I am hoping now that my body chemistry (see low test blog post) is regulated, that my progress will improve.

I am looking forward to seeing what the next several months hold and what kind of gains I can make.

As I stated in my last post, the last several years have been ruff health wise. Well they have been just as bad in the other parts of my life to some extent as well. I’m not saying "whoa is me" here. All in all I have a good life. I am just saying I have been burnt out for a while and lost focus on what I want. Even to the extent of thinking about leaving my chosen career field, that I truely loved. There has been no balance in my life and I have had trouble letting go and having fun. This has all led to the burnout that I stated earlier.

So on to positive things! I have finaly taken care of the medical issues that have plagued me and ready to continue to improve with increased efforts with exercise and nutrition. I think I have finaly learned to leave work at the office and create fun and balance in my life (though this is still a work in progress).

Also some exciting news for me, I have taken a new job. It is actually at a place that I used to work at. It feels like I am coming home and getting a second chance to do things the way I had originally planned. The job is at a physical therapy clinic that also has a fitness center attached to it. I’ll be working 4 -ten hour days, so I’ll have an extra day off to be with family, friends, and have fun. I can’t wait to start (will be towards the end of September)!

One final exciting bit of news, I have decided to return to school next fall and pursue my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I know this will be a very intense program and take alot of effort, but I am finally focused and ready for the challenge.

So I challenge you all as well, take a look at you life. Is it balanced? Are you on track toward your goals? Or are you complacent and not stepping out of your comfort zone?

I wish you luck on all your goals! Please let me know how your progress is coming, I’ll try to check in with you all as soon as I can.