Hello everyone.
I didn't realize how long it has been since we last talked.
Due to an illness in the family I have been rather sidetracked and away from my posting. I will be picking up the blogging and the newsletter again next week.
Thank you for your understanding.
Miss you all and we'll talk soon.
In health,
Todd
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Obvious much?
Ok, you've heard me go on about sleep and all it's narcoleptic goodness.
Now, how about the things that give it trouble. All the things that we love to do that knock our sleep patterns out of whack.
Let's start with coffee. Ouch. Ok, coffee in the morning has the net effect of pushing our sleep patterns forward. Hmm. So the next morning you wake up before you are "done" sleeping. Feeling tired. Oh well, another coffee will fix that. Right? Oh, except it continues to push your sleep rhythm forward. And on and on, with every morning coffee. Every morning, tired and caffeinated. That's not optimal, is it?
Coffee, midday, not so bad. Make it the best coffee you've ever had, but make it part of a meal. It should not be the sole source of energy at any time. That's the role of food.
Now, #2. Alcohol. Sounds nasty like that, doesn't it? But a Brown Cow... C'mon. How bad could that be? Well, as it turns out
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8208212.stm
Alcohol disrupts REM sleep. REM brain patterns do not get established properly until the alcohol has been metabolized. D'uh. The brain is drunk. Go figure.
Now, without a good fix of REM sleep we wake up restless and, because of a little alcohol, perhaps a little dehydrated. Let's hope you don't reach for a coffee to fix that.
Ok, now the third biggest offender. Not enough sleep. We'll watch a movie for the third or fourth time instead of going to sleep. It's time to prioritize your sleep much higher. Get more. You may not need 8hours. But take some time to find out how much you need to wake up rested and energetic.
Here is something that might help you along as well. If you've been sleep deprived for a long time, don't expect to just fall into a fantastic sleep pattern right away. Usually the longer the sleep pattern has been out of sync, the longer it takes to find the groove again. So, be patient.
Go forth and sleep! Have a good nights rest and enjoy the benefits.
In health,
Todd
Now, how about the things that give it trouble. All the things that we love to do that knock our sleep patterns out of whack.
Let's start with coffee. Ouch. Ok, coffee in the morning has the net effect of pushing our sleep patterns forward. Hmm. So the next morning you wake up before you are "done" sleeping. Feeling tired. Oh well, another coffee will fix that. Right? Oh, except it continues to push your sleep rhythm forward. And on and on, with every morning coffee. Every morning, tired and caffeinated. That's not optimal, is it?
Coffee, midday, not so bad. Make it the best coffee you've ever had, but make it part of a meal. It should not be the sole source of energy at any time. That's the role of food.
Now, #2. Alcohol. Sounds nasty like that, doesn't it? But a Brown Cow... C'mon. How bad could that be? Well, as it turns out
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8208212.stm
Alcohol disrupts REM sleep. REM brain patterns do not get established properly until the alcohol has been metabolized. D'uh. The brain is drunk. Go figure.
Now, without a good fix of REM sleep we wake up restless and, because of a little alcohol, perhaps a little dehydrated. Let's hope you don't reach for a coffee to fix that.
Ok, now the third biggest offender. Not enough sleep. We'll watch a movie for the third or fourth time instead of going to sleep. It's time to prioritize your sleep much higher. Get more. You may not need 8hours. But take some time to find out how much you need to wake up rested and energetic.
Here is something that might help you along as well. If you've been sleep deprived for a long time, don't expect to just fall into a fantastic sleep pattern right away. Usually the longer the sleep pattern has been out of sync, the longer it takes to find the groove again. So, be patient.
Go forth and sleep! Have a good nights rest and enjoy the benefits.
In health,
Todd
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
You have to be unconscious
Kind of.
I will say it again. Time and time again the benefits of sleep are underestimated.
If you want to get bigger, stronger, lose fat or lower stress (which impacts all of the above) you need to increase your sleep.
I say increase because I feel I can safely say that none of use get the optimal amount. We all live like we can make it up later. Go ahead, tell me you couldn't get enough sleep. I believe that you haven't, but not that you couldn't.
For example, I have been spending an inordinate amount of time on the business lately and I didn't think I could get my workouts in. For an embarrassingly long time. Then it struck me just how much my body needed the movement, and I found an hour every day to be active. Sure sometimes it's 40 minutes, but it is 40 minutes more than I was doing every other night before that.
Then I started sleeping better and eating better. That is to say eating less and better choices.
The results?
10-lbs in three weeks.
Anyone out there want to lose 10 lbs? It's not rocket science... no wait, it could be. My point is that it shouldn't.
Don't be paralyzed by analysis. Just get of your can, commit to yourself, and get it done. Make the commitment to yourself.
Anyone interested in finding out more drop me a note. We can compare.
Have a fantastic day!
In health,
Todd
I will say it again. Time and time again the benefits of sleep are underestimated.
If you want to get bigger, stronger, lose fat or lower stress (which impacts all of the above) you need to increase your sleep.
I say increase because I feel I can safely say that none of use get the optimal amount. We all live like we can make it up later. Go ahead, tell me you couldn't get enough sleep. I believe that you haven't, but not that you couldn't.
For example, I have been spending an inordinate amount of time on the business lately and I didn't think I could get my workouts in. For an embarrassingly long time. Then it struck me just how much my body needed the movement, and I found an hour every day to be active. Sure sometimes it's 40 minutes, but it is 40 minutes more than I was doing every other night before that.
Then I started sleeping better and eating better. That is to say eating less and better choices.
The results?
10-lbs in three weeks.
Anyone out there want to lose 10 lbs? It's not rocket science... no wait, it could be. My point is that it shouldn't.
Don't be paralyzed by analysis. Just get of your can, commit to yourself, and get it done. Make the commitment to yourself.
Anyone interested in finding out more drop me a note. We can compare.
Have a fantastic day!
In health,
Todd
Friday, 24 July 2009
More than just you here!
You can spot a "gym rat" a mile away.
Strong? yes
Un-coordinated? yes
Is this what we want our kids to become?
As a studier of the human body and movement I find it insulting to the possibilities of the body. We can do so much more.
Shoving a kid into a weight room does a disservice to the learning potential of young body and .
Machines isolate but the world does not. It demands all the muscles working in unison. We have critical periods for development. None of which involve going to the gym at 6 years of age (or even 14 for that matter). Non of which involve playing a single sport 11 months of the year. Non of which involve coaching the same movement over and over again.
Play, have fun and try different things. Go have fun. Some serious fun. Play hard and smart. Get a coach who is looking out for your best interest and not the "W". Those will come.
Oh, by the way, injuries for kids working out in the gym are the same as kids out in the wild. No difference. Go ahead, look up the statistics of both. So unless you plan on bubble wrapping them, let them run, jump, push, pull, play as long as they want to.
Todd
Strong? yes
Un-coordinated? yes
Is this what we want our kids to become?
As a studier of the human body and movement I find it insulting to the possibilities of the body. We can do so much more.
Shoving a kid into a weight room does a disservice to the learning potential of young body and .
Machines isolate but the world does not. It demands all the muscles working in unison. We have critical periods for development. None of which involve going to the gym at 6 years of age (or even 14 for that matter). Non of which involve playing a single sport 11 months of the year. Non of which involve coaching the same movement over and over again.
Play, have fun and try different things. Go have fun. Some serious fun. Play hard and smart. Get a coach who is looking out for your best interest and not the "W". Those will come.
Oh, by the way, injuries for kids working out in the gym are the same as kids out in the wild. No difference. Go ahead, look up the statistics of both. So unless you plan on bubble wrapping them, let them run, jump, push, pull, play as long as they want to.
Todd
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Get smarter! Sleep!!
Boost your recovery with sleep.
I have run into this thought many times. The thought more is better.
Distance runners running 5/6 days a week. Gym rat mentality that you have to be in the gym every day of the week.
Not only does it hinder recovery but it may even stunt progress, sometimes even sending people backwards when injuries occur.
You see, injuries don't just stop progress, they set you back.
This is why it is very important to be well rested.
Sleep is one very significant component to getting stronger, faster, leaner or bigger.
Here is the kicker. The more sleep you get, the clearer you think and more productive you become.
AND it helps you solve problems!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8090730.stm
So, not only are you resting and recovering, you are thinking more clearly and setting yourself to be able to solve problems. This would reduce your stress levels, which are also counterproductive for your results!!!
So get yourself some deep sleep. Deeper the better, also known as REM sleep or the "dream stage".
So get make yourself comfy and have a good night rest. That's an order! :O)
In health,
Todd
I have run into this thought many times. The thought more is better.
Distance runners running 5/6 days a week. Gym rat mentality that you have to be in the gym every day of the week.
Not only does it hinder recovery but it may even stunt progress, sometimes even sending people backwards when injuries occur.
You see, injuries don't just stop progress, they set you back.
This is why it is very important to be well rested.
Sleep is one very significant component to getting stronger, faster, leaner or bigger.
Here is the kicker. The more sleep you get, the clearer you think and more productive you become.
AND it helps you solve problems!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8090730.stm
So, not only are you resting and recovering, you are thinking more clearly and setting yourself to be able to solve problems. This would reduce your stress levels, which are also counterproductive for your results!!!
So get yourself some deep sleep. Deeper the better, also known as REM sleep or the "dream stage".
So get make yourself comfy and have a good night rest. That's an order! :O)
In health,
Todd
Thursday, 11 June 2009
It's not just about you.
Partnering up is very important. There might 1, maybe 2% of people who are driven in a particular way that they succeed with no support.
Odds are, then, you and I are not one of those people.
It's not a bad thing. It just is.
Don't take it personal. Make plans knowing this.
So if you have a 5 or 10k road-race coming up, gaff someone (like minded) and make a plan to meet up and do your thing.
This, of course, applies to many other aspects. Making money. Running a business. Cooking or planning meals.
This is not gender or "anything" specific. But know it and take advantage of it.
So no surprises. Get healthy by partnering up. Succeed through partnerships. Take advantage of the knowledge.
This is an opportunity to meet friends you don't see often or invite others you would love to learn from to join you.
Now you know they are thinking the same thing about their goals. "Why can't I keep going?"
Have a great day!
In health,
Todd
Odds are, then, you and I are not one of those people.
It's not a bad thing. It just is.
Don't take it personal. Make plans knowing this.
So if you have a 5 or 10k road-race coming up, gaff someone (like minded) and make a plan to meet up and do your thing.
This, of course, applies to many other aspects. Making money. Running a business. Cooking or planning meals.
This is not gender or "anything" specific. But know it and take advantage of it.
So no surprises. Get healthy by partnering up. Succeed through partnerships. Take advantage of the knowledge.
This is an opportunity to meet friends you don't see often or invite others you would love to learn from to join you.
Now you know they are thinking the same thing about their goals. "Why can't I keep going?"
Have a great day!
In health,
Todd
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Pop might not be good!
Who knew.
Pop is not good for you.
I know this first hand. I was on a bit of a roller coaster a while back. For some reason I had difficulty stopping. Being "off" pop has made a huge difference in my quality of life. Not to mention alertness. Of which I am a *huge* fan.
Recently and article popped up on the negative side effects of
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075420.htm
Full disclosure: I can vouch for the soreness. Not proud of it either.
But sometimes you get caught up. The details get overlooked as to what we are *really* doing everyday.
It's part of the reason I ask my clients to do food trackers for the first two weeks. It's a real eye opener. We believe we are trying very hard, and often are, but what is actually happening may be quite different.
Chalk it up to being human. Nothing more.
So if you or someone you know is a big pop consumer, please check out the article. I hope I can get a few people to switch of the stuff.
Oh, couple things, get ready for a headache that *could last a few days* and be ready to start craving real food. REAL food. All that sugar has been a substitute up to this point. And not a good one either!
Have a great day all.
In health,
Todd
Pop is not good for you.
I know this first hand. I was on a bit of a roller coaster a while back. For some reason I had difficulty stopping. Being "off" pop has made a huge difference in my quality of life. Not to mention alertness. Of which I am a *huge* fan.
Recently and article popped up on the negative side effects of
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075420.htm
Full disclosure: I can vouch for the soreness. Not proud of it either.
But sometimes you get caught up. The details get overlooked as to what we are *really* doing everyday.
It's part of the reason I ask my clients to do food trackers for the first two weeks. It's a real eye opener. We believe we are trying very hard, and often are, but what is actually happening may be quite different.
Chalk it up to being human. Nothing more.
So if you or someone you know is a big pop consumer, please check out the article. I hope I can get a few people to switch of the stuff.
Oh, couple things, get ready for a headache that *could last a few days* and be ready to start craving real food. REAL food. All that sugar has been a substitute up to this point. And not a good one either!
Have a great day all.
In health,
Todd
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