tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11878834428709261732024-03-05T04:02:57.533-06:00Trinity FitnessRandy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-40168035680497584312016-02-17T12:30:00.001-06:002016-02-18T14:48:11.758-06:00Fitbitter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As with any Christmas, the holiday season always reveals what is hot in the world of retail. This year was no exception. The Fitbit was flying off shelves before we emptied our plates on Thanksgiving Day. It shouldn't be a surprise. We knew the year was coming to an end and it would soon be time for another set of resolutions. Plus, it is easy to excuse our ravenous holiday eating as long as we have good intentions to get back on track after the new year. But I have come to fully believe and understand the bible verse, "the spirit is willing but the body is weak."<br />
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I believe that most people do have good intentions. They want to live happy, productive and successful lives. But I also know the tricks of the devil like laziness, procrastination, and a long list of excuses.<br />
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Recent studies have now linked our newly acquired fitness obsession, the Fitbit, with depression. If we are not the biggest bunch of whiners in the world! Apparently people are getting depressed when they fail to reach their step goal of the day as determined by each individual. Maybe they are just finally having to face reality. Nevertheless, people are now depressed and upset and just like anything else in our lives that forces us to see what we don't like, we decide that it is bad for us and all Fitbit's should be burned at the stake.<br />
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Now I have experienced firsthand the tools and functions of the Fitbit. It really is a cool fitness and sleep tracker. But then again, that depends on what your definition of fitness is to begin with. If you think walking 10,000 steps a day will put you on the path to great fitness, you are badly mistaken. Have they yet invented a watch that slaps us into reality?<br />
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I will spare you the lecturing about intensity. And let me also say that for some people who have been extremely sedentary, overweight, or simply physically incapable, then walking is a good start. Is walking more a bad thing? Of course not and it is definitely better than the alternative. What I would rather focus on is people being honest with themselves. For most people, walking is not making you fit by any means. Not even close. You may say that you are tired afterwards so it must be working. Well, I get tired sitting in a chair all day. It certainly doesn't mean I was getting fitter.<br />
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Be honest with yourself. Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone while exercising. Do things that you don't necessarily want to do. Don't be afraid to breathe heavy, sweat, and hurt a little. And certainly don't get depressed about whether or not you hit your 10,000 step goal of the day as long as you know that there was purpose in the steps you did take.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-49902560215901408932015-02-25T11:12:00.002-06:002015-02-25T11:12:59.448-06:00My Fitness Journey Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I figure I wasn't like most kids on a Friday or Saturday night in high school, especially before I had a car to drive. It was because of how I spent my weekends that I felt separated me from the pack eventually. It was on those Friday and Saturday nights where I built my confidence and continued to discover more and more who I was and wanted to be.<br />
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When football ended, there was several weeks before the end of the semester and Christmas break where we started an off-season football program that mainly consisted of lifting weights and running. The weather was usually colder and uncooperative during that time and many times we were left stranded in a gym. But there was this other room. It was a much smaller room that housed an old universal machine and a large yellow tumbling mat that covered most of the floor. The atmosphere was like an old, dirty locker room where you could smell the history of past generations that have come through that room and stood on those same mats. Needless to say, I loved that room.<br />
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It was a cold, rainy day and one of our coaches, not our normal strength coach, decided that he was going to put us through a workout. We had all thought we were going to have it easy due to the weather but we soon found out we were dead wrong. He piled every last one of us in that room in organized single-file lines. It was packed and very humid. And then it began. It started with push-ups and transitioned to sit-ups and leg lifts, planks and mountain climbers. We were doing squat jumps and running in place. There was no time to rest as we moved from one torturous exercise to another. It was simply old fashioned military style PT. It wasn't long before you heard the groans of some of your teammates as they started dropping like flies. The windows were dripping wet with the built up condensation from the heat inside that room trying to escape through the thin glass that separated us and the cold air blowing outside. The smell was a mixture of testosterone filled boys, sweat and vomit. IT WAS AWESOME!<br />
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When the workout was finally over and the coach had made us hold planks and leg lifts long enough, we all laid there in an exhausted heap of wrecked, teenage sweat. I was shocked that you could get that amount of work done in such a little space with nothing but your body. It was CrossFit long before CrossFit ever existed. I went straight home and wrote down everything we did. I wanted another crack at that workout. I don't like to be surprised by anything and was not about to let this workout get the best of me.<br />
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That is where the Friday and Saturday nights come in. That is how I spent many of them in high school, especially during the winter and before me or any of my friends had cars. I would go into my parents bedroom with a small tape deck radio and plug in the Def Leppard Hysteria cassette tape and get after it. I found myself in those workouts. I challenged what I was made of and what I wanted to become. It was just another notch in my fitness journey.<br />
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<a href="http://blairtrinitytraining.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-fitness-journey-part-3.html"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">My Fitness Journey Part 3</span></strong></a>Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-62641652497476303932014-04-16T11:31:00.002-05:002014-04-16T11:31:50.933-05:00Pain on Purpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q8Sr2w-a8woVRn85iibcFjaCzAPfIIGPS51_pNTU6_eG8fiK_blzQdaZ_oi2_3lF6P8O2olLzgoXCqIQSKCBJsKZtfcfEMpBeqn7SYznpO-Zj1B8zi_dx9PcOE3syjm_HIuVeDqSuVIB/s1600/VL+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q8Sr2w-a8woVRn85iibcFjaCzAPfIIGPS51_pNTU6_eG8fiK_blzQdaZ_oi2_3lF6P8O2olLzgoXCqIQSKCBJsKZtfcfEMpBeqn7SYznpO-Zj1B8zi_dx9PcOE3syjm_HIuVeDqSuVIB/s1600/VL+1.jpg" /></a></div>
Why do you do what you do? Certainly there is a purpose behind any and everthing we do. I have been questioning the purpose of our training. Why do we do it? Why do I do it? You have to have a purpose behind it to put forth that much effort. So what is it? <br />
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Plain and simple, your training should be a reflection of your fitness goals. That means you should definitely have fitness goals or you are just going through the motions.<br />
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So what are my fitness goals? Most people will say they want to be healthy and look good. My answer is more complex. My fitness goals can be broken down in to three categories; physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual and they all tie together. <br />
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Physically, I want to progressively get stronger and more fit even as I age. I want a fitness that makes me strong, explosive, powerful and fast. I want a fitness that keeps me lean and muscular and gives me the confidence to take my shirt off at the beach. I want to be proficient across all metabolic pathways which means that I am prepared to go hard for 10 seconds, 10 minutes or 10 hours. I want the type of fitness that would make me good at any given task. I want a fitness that protects me from the ravages of age and time. I want a fitness that protects me from injury. I want my fitness to help me age gracefully and keep me independent. I want my fitness to give me the ability to play with my future grandchildren and great grandchildren.<br />
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I want a fitness that not only builds my heart but tests it as well. I want a fitness where the workouts humble me but in turn make me confident and proud. I want a fitness that helps me to thrive, survive, and makes me feel more alive. That means I want my fitness to help me handle life's challenges whether physical or not. I want my fitness to transfer across other aspects of my life; to help me have the courage and discipline to handle any and all of life's challenges. <br />
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I want my physical strength and fitness to be a reflection of my spiritual strength and fitness. I want to honor God for the gift of my body and to be a wise steward of it. I want my fitness to be an inspiration to my children and future generations. <br />
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Lastly, I want to have no regrets. I want to look back on my life and know that at any given point or age, I was trying to be the best that I could be. I am as fit as ever but I know that I can't run as fast as I did in my younger years. But I have no regrets. I have milked it for all it's worth. And 20 years from now, I want to know that I milked this time of my life for all it was worth as well. <br />
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So the next time you see me lying on the floor trying to catch my breath, that is all part of the plan. There is a purpose for the pain.<br />
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Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-396455585588996512014-04-10T14:50:00.000-05:002014-04-10T14:50:49.460-05:00Breaking Bad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everyone has certain habits and routine tendencies. Some personalities are better than others at it but ultimately, once a habit is established, they are hard to break. Habits will make or break you depending upon whether they are good or bad. This leads me to the point of this article. A routine diet is most likely not what makes you fat. It is the extra meals outside of the routine that make you fat. A normal breakfast may not be the problem. It is getting to work to find a box of donuts and then eating the extra stuff on top of your normal meal that is causing the calories to add up.<br />
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Anyone who knows me can testify to the fact that I am very routine and structured. The same goes with my diet. I eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch every single day. This usually includes snacks as well. A while back, I decided to add more protein to my diet through a protein shake at night. Problem was that I added this in ADDITION to my normal snack I have at night. That is what this extra protein shake became to my weight...an ADDITION.<br />
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Now I only add the protein shake when I know I have burned more calories on a certain day. Otherwise I substitute it for something else instead of just adding it or I skip it altogether. After starting this, I immediately dropped the extra weight. You have to maintain that caloric balance and portion control to maintain your weight. To gain or lose weight, you have to skew those numbers either positively or negatively. It really isn't rocket science.<br />
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Weight gain or weight loss is a simple formula. If you take in more calories than you burn, you gain weight. If you burn more calories than you take in, you lose weight. The complexity comes when you start talking about the types of food you eat, the way your body responds to those foods, and the genetic make-up and body composition of each person. These all have an effect on your weight but simply speaking, calories in must equal or be less than calories being burned otherwise there is weight gain.<br />
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Just keep in mind, if you eat breakfast and an hour later you eat a donut because there was a big box sitting in the break room at work, you have to either burn those extra calories off through exercise or take something out of your normal diet to keep a caloric balance. One way or another you will have to either work it off or go without during another meal or snack if you want to keep from gaining weight. Ultimately you have to decide if that extra donut is worth the extra work, want or WEIGHT! Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-90866410526224515312014-02-12T12:02:00.004-06:002014-02-12T12:03:57.582-06:00Trigger Happy<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit;">As I
get older, I continue to understand myself a little bit better. I have a
clearer view of what my strengths and weaknesses are. One of the beauties our
fitness training is that we maximize those things we are good at but we also
target and train our weaknesses. That is how we improve. Some of my weaknesses
could also be considered strengths. It all depends on your perspective.
One of those is that sometimes I have a tendency to be a little quick on the trigger. Other times, I
am too apprehensive to pull the trigger. I tend to overthink things. Again both can be considered a
strength or a weakness. It is all relative to the circumstance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit;">This
thought all started with my son and I shooting a pellet gun at some targets. He
had never shot a gun and was very slow on the trigger. So slow in fact that he
would psyche himself out and never pull the trigger at all. I kept asking
him if he could see the target in which he said yes. He simply was too
scared to pull the trigger. He was scared that he might flinch and miss
the target. I then put my hand over his and forced him to pull the
trigger. When it comes to shooting a gun, that is how I am. Once I
see the target, I don’t hesitate. If only I could be that way in other
areas of my life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you
have the courage to pull the trigger? Pull the trigger on what you may ask. I
guess that all depends on what the target is... what is at the end of your
aim. Many people are quick on the trigger when it comes to their words
but how about their actions? This is not something totally foreign to us
either. We see reminders all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
“Actions speak louder than words.” “You will miss 100% of the shots you don't
take.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit;">Taking
action many times requires faith. Faith is not just limited to spiritual
beliefs. It takes faith to drive your car down the road and trust that
you will get home safely. It takes faith to trust that your food was
cooked right at your favorite restaurant. It takes faith to trust
that I really am not trying to kill you with every workout.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ultimately, faith and actions must work together. James
2:14-26 talks about it clearly. It says that faith without works is dead.
So in other words, actions are necessary to prove your faith. Anyone can
say that they want to get in shape but do they have the actions to prove
it? Do you have the nerve to pull the trigger on joining a class or getting a gym membership? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One thing about shooting a gun is that it is either all or nothing. There is no halfway. So in other words, buying the new running shoes and yoga pants is only half the battle. Actually using them for what they are made for is the other half. James 1:6 talks
about not wavering. Find your target, take aim and SHOOT. The longer you
hesitate the less chance you will ever take the shot. Once you get the target in sight, take aim and pull the trigger. That is the first step towards hitting the bullseye!</span></div>
Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-7303051238812340002013-06-15T15:21:00.000-05:002013-06-15T15:21:46.524-05:00New Logo Same Message<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23NwpIX4j597tS2JIjD3x0J0V2O9OyPdwniKn9DjNbD2AIRdSYP9fzMypdn_pdbms0Txvymf7A8xPt2R6AhRIcJmG8TWzjhyphyphenhyphenVvDgi5nz8z8OHr2CJIVeqpRaIv8GQOSz-wqca84VRG/s1600/TF_logo_black_horz_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23NwpIX4j597tS2JIjD3x0J0V2O9OyPdwniKn9DjNbD2AIRdSYP9fzMypdn_pdbms0Txvymf7A8xPt2R6AhRIcJmG8TWzjhyphyphenhyphenVvDgi5nz8z8OHr2CJIVeqpRaIv8GQOSz-wqca84VRG/s320/TF_logo_black_horz_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After years of debating, researching and waiting, we have finally found our new logo. I orginally had the idea about 10 years ago but thought combining a cross(T) with an (F) might be too simple plus I wanted something that represented athleticism. I used the Trinity Fitness runner logo for almost 10 years. <br />
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Now a decade later, I am back to my original plan of a simple, recognizable logo that can stand alone but represent the foundation of Trinity Fitness perfectly. It took some help from a friend and a graphic designer to finalize the logo we will now use. What is interesting is that it was not my idea to turn the logo at a 45 degree angle. But once I got the logo and thought and prayed about it, I realized that it is the perfect fit and representation of Trinity Fitness.<br />
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Luke 9:23 says that we are all to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him. During my early teenage years, I fought one of the toughest battles I would ever fight. I was trying to determine who I was and what I was going to stand for. I wanted to be the best Christian I could be and set my boundaries and moral standards. Sounds a little too serious for a new teenager I know, and apparently most of my classmates must have thought so as well. I definitely felt more alone during those years. But that was all a part of the process I had to go through to become who I am today.<br />
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One thing I did do during those years, besides lean on my faith, was to also lean on my athletics and fitness. I began working out regularly. I never knew exactly what to do but I would always find something that made me sweat and the heart pound. That is where I found my confidence to continue standing up for what I believed and to stick with the boundaries I had set. I had learned to deny myself with those workouts and to let the training represent something more than just a leaner physique. I had learned to have confidence and self respect in myself and for my faith.<br />
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My fitness helped me shoulder the cross for which I lived for. So I don't consider it a coincidence that this logo fits so perfectly. The (T) of Trinity represented as a cross is being held up by the (F) of Fitness. We all have to carry different burdens in life but as we have learned through our training, the weight of those burdens can be a catalyst to strengthen us. It will continue to be my prayer that Trinity Fitness will be a place that people can be strengthened physically so that they can shoulder their cross spiritually.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-11434419001546459242012-10-17T12:19:00.001-05:002012-10-17T15:39:23.397-05:00Maxed to the Limit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2ds53EFhZ0fP1NO1fYHOXQY9jzC8BZKDusAfObMFCmeVC4WeIJuMMKO-SH6uY0IhIM_PWHaQsfRGt2i0aEnQ_kbB6r3GmUOE1pc6Jzv3Y3lL9571jlgXDGg3ZFPXNHlmI8Oe5ckxJm2n/s1600/debt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2ds53EFhZ0fP1NO1fYHOXQY9jzC8BZKDusAfObMFCmeVC4WeIJuMMKO-SH6uY0IhIM_PWHaQsfRGt2i0aEnQ_kbB6r3GmUOE1pc6Jzv3Y3lL9571jlgXDGg3ZFPXNHlmI8Oe5ckxJm2n/s320/debt.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The average credit card debt per household in America is just under $16,000. The obesity rate in America is now at a staggering 36%. I want to compare credit card debt to obesity and see if there is a correlation between both in how we got ourselves into the problem and with how we get ourselves out of the problem.<br />
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The questions are how did we get into debt and how do we get ourselves out? The question of how we get into debt is pretty consistent across the board. Most Americans don't accumulate debt overnight. It starts with just one purchase at a time. We then make the mistake of making the minimum payment each month which just helps us cover the interest on our rising debt. Usually several years down the line, we are up to our eyeballs in debt and find ourselves staring down a long road to financial recovery.<br />
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The same can be said about weight gain and obesity. We don't get fat overnight. Just like a credit card, we accumulate a little at a time (a Twinkie, bowl of chips and salsa, late night ice cream) and make minimum payments (a little exercise here and there), when before you know it, you are staring at a large number on the scale, that is of course if you can see the scale at all.<br />
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So we know how we get ourselves into debt both physically and financially. The question remains as to how we get ourselves out of debt. I am not talking about people who pay off their credit card at the end of each month just as do some people consistently watch what they eat and exercise therefore eliminating any possible debt. As mentioned before, some people try to make the minimum payment possible. This will never get you out of debt anymore than going for a walk and eating a salad once a week will help you lose weight. Some people try to move their debt around to other cards with lower interest rates. I would compare this to those people who constantly try new diets and methods without truly attacking their health debt. The last group of people are the ones who attack their debt head-on. They have recognized the problem, determined an effective method of attack, and start implementing those methods to eliminate their debt. <br />
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The keys to success with both types of debt is consistency and time. Debt, both financially and physically, usually accumulates over many years. Paying off debt takes time as well. Very rarely can someone pay off $16,000 over night just like most people can't safely and legitimately lose a lot of weight in a matter of days, weeks or even months. Debt usually accumulates over time and is also paid off over time. The key is to work hard towards paying off that debt and to stay committed. Lastly, try not to sabotage your progress with mindless spending and that late night bowl of ice cream. Before you know it, you will have money to spare instead of a spare tire around your waist.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-51115767628121696072012-09-11T15:23:00.000-05:002012-09-11T22:19:47.939-05:00Lessons Learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9bhiZeUB2nziYQaqfUe1Zij0xtBbb3gpqvxGdOm5ttvJqZ-gnBuYg8EoyanHQiyPhE0DiIFrmZnsyBjrAvL8LHE2pWkFpjIrLN5GQyeajMAgQhTAipeqyWUuH0LjLFnxYjvgUcVKpcmH/s1600/ThinkingMan_Rodin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9bhiZeUB2nziYQaqfUe1Zij0xtBbb3gpqvxGdOm5ttvJqZ-gnBuYg8EoyanHQiyPhE0DiIFrmZnsyBjrAvL8LHE2pWkFpjIrLN5GQyeajMAgQhTAipeqyWUuH0LjLFnxYjvgUcVKpcmH/s320/ThinkingMan_Rodin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have been training myself and others for over two decades now and one thing I have discovered is that there is always something new to learn. I have learned some of my greatest life lessons through training. Here are some of those lessons.<br />
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<strong>Don't judge a book by its cover.</strong> Our workouts prove that there is no discrimination between race, sex, age, height or weight. The little woman who looks like an easy win may just wipe the floor with you. It is sort of like when teenagers assume that because you are bald or gray that you are also old and unable to perform at their level. Nothing makes me smile more than that expression they get halfway through a workout when they realize that maybe they overestimated themselves and underestimated their much "older" workout companions.<br />
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<strong>What you see is not always what you get.</strong> Sometimes a workout with only two exercises and workout times of 5 to 6 minutes looks easy but turn out to be the toughest whereas an hour and a half workout at the local globo gym can be easier than a walk in the park. One of the most used statements from our clients is "that workout didn't look that bad on paper."<br />
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<strong>Maximize your Return On Investment (ROI). </strong>If you really think about it, the goal is to get the maximum gains with as little effort as possible. That sounds strange but studies have shown that the body can only adapt so fast and that efforts beyond that adaptation process are unnecessary and risky. We invest high intensity, functional movements for shorter workout times while still maximizing our fitness levels and health benefits. At the same time, not all programs are the same although they may appear so. Some workout programs similar to ours invest more time and emphasize increasing load far too fast and too often with minimal, if any, benefits beyond our programming. Again, maximize your ROI.<br />
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<strong>Never quit!</strong> Whether it be a workout, a tough family situation or schedule, taking care of an aging parent or child, you never quit. Our training builds upon that principle. These workouts can get really tough but every time you finish one, it reinforces the habit of not quitting when the going gets tough. Tough workouts make tough people.<br />
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<strong>The reps that follow the temptation to stop is where the growth comes.</strong> Your victory may just be one rep away. Doing that extra rep or two is what builds character and confidence.<br />
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<strong>You reap what you sow.</strong> You get what you give. Giving your best in a workout, having integrity with your reps and range of motion will produce the best results. They emphasize habits that lead to success. The same goes with life. Integrity and hard work will lead you to a better life far faster than taking the easy way out, cheating, or simply settling for average.<br />
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<strong>A strong body can make a strong mind and spirit. </strong>Let your physical training carry over into the other aspects of your life. Although we are firm believers that our spiritual man is more important than our physical, we are still carnal by nature. We live in physical bodies and when we take care of those bodies, it honors God.(1 Cor. 6:20) The bible says that the "spirit is willing but the body is weak."(Mark 14:38) Therefore we should "discipline our body and bring it into subjection."(1 Cor. 9:27) I hope and pray that after training with us that you also feel renewed in your mind and spirit and feel a since of clarity and motivation to be a light that guides both your life and the lives of those who cross your path.<br />
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<br />Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-57036289574554883042012-02-24T15:47:00.005-06:002012-02-24T19:12:28.991-06:00The Proof is in the Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTgWYT_8h8a1Uqqhfe6TFIy9OVHSsAq8Q2-nD3c4GaRdfp_udzR-eYtLlMNyjmv3D5yMKTiarBhvMSVn0AeNoGzhsG4H9IidEgOvAVxgpGkrR8hdWHF897bXQ4neRGHHc9UZWj9oLYK8h/s1600/abs.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTgWYT_8h8a1Uqqhfe6TFIy9OVHSsAq8Q2-nD3c4GaRdfp_udzR-eYtLlMNyjmv3D5yMKTiarBhvMSVn0AeNoGzhsG4H9IidEgOvAVxgpGkrR8hdWHF897bXQ4neRGHHc9UZWj9oLYK8h/s320/abs.bmp" width="228" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is an unlimited number of workout programs and fitness routines to choose from. I have always said that our training is something that everybody can do but not everybody is going to do it. We train at high intensities for shorter periods of time. We trade duration for intensity. Our clients can vouch for us when I say that explaining what we do and its benefits is not as easy as it sounds. Most people have a hard time believing that you can workout effectively and improve fitness levels in less than 20 minutes. You really have to just experience it for yourself to understand it.</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The proof is in the pudding though. What proof?</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been training my entire life and I would argue that I am in the overall best shape of my life right now. I hardly ever perform max lifts yet when I finally do, I am lifting more weight, easier than I ever have. I continue to improve on times and performances. I have more confidence about attacking certain types of movements than I ever have before. I recover faster. I have less injuries including less aches and pains. I can do things I never thought possible. I'll take it a step further. I can do things I couldn't at 18 years old or even as a college athlete. I have had a couple of injuries in the last year from other activities than training and I recovered much faster and was strong enough to workout with them. I find that formidable obstacles look more like fun challenges now. I am tougher and have a higher pain tolerance. That is how I judge the toughness of many things in life now by comparing them to the pain of a tough workout. If I can survive 50 burpees in the middle of a workout, I can survive almost anything. It helps me through tough days. The day I started this blog was one of the tougher days I have faced this year. I decided to get a workout in regardless of the time of night and the stress I was dealing with. When I was done, I had more clarity and a sense of calm and fulfillment that had been lacking the entire day. This stuff works plain and simple. - Randy </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am not alone. Here is what others have had to say:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lost 8lbs, went down a jean size, not as embarrassed to wear shorts and I can do a few pull ups now. - Sarah R.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have not gained weight, even with having a thyroid problem. I’m stronger. - Sherry T.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I already feel stronger after a few weeks and I am excited to get my butt out of bed at 4:45 in the morning! - Jamie</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even though I'm not young anymore, I can do the things that I like to do like skiing and mountain biking better than I could 10 years ago. - Jeff</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can actually see some muscle definition and I got a good report on my last bone scan. - Ellie</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I no longer have "skinny" jeans....all my jeans always fit!! - Sara</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think the one big thing for me is being able to carry heavy things without it being any problem :) My husbands dad has made several comments about my arms looking like "guns"! I feel stronger and can now actually see some abs :) -Miranda</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My clothes fit better. I have never stuck with an exercise program this long. I now find myself doing things the hard way just to prove that I can do it. I got that confidence from this exercise program - Nate </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The biggest change I have noticed in the short time I have been with Trinity Fitness, is my increased energy level! Along with that comes better concentration, better organizational skills, and more stamina to carry the day!! I love it!! - Roger</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've noticed that ever since working out I never get tired when everyone else does. Christmas decorations, trips, going up & down stairs, moving etc. It isn't just because I'm younger either! Before working out I would get tired with everyone else. It's a good feeling to be in the middle of something and everyone needs a break and I feel like I just begun! It's definitely something small but it's a good feeling at the same time. - Blake</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My Dad died at 57, my brother at 50 and my sister at 45 - all with clogged arteries. I am 57 and just had a heart scan...so after 2 years at Trinity Fitness, my report came back. It said ZERO build up and compared with 57 year olds, there are ZERO percent that have ZERO. Thank you God and Trinity Fitness. Not bad for 2 workouts a week at 20 minutes each. - Doug</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can't argue with results.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> We have years of recorded data to prove that this training works. But what is even better than recorded data on a computer spread sheet is the proof found in the visual and non visual results of our clients. There is a satisfaction and a confidence that develops when you discipline yourself physically that ends up affecting other aspects of your life. You become better at more than just the physical but better at everything else as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-73265937960848901772012-02-03T12:58:00.000-06:002012-02-03T12:58:32.320-06:00Strength = Beauty<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34313969?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/34313969">Confidence Through Strength - Lean Lifting PROMO</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/bougie">Bougie Photography</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-81045864519957306762012-01-06T15:30:00.002-06:002012-01-06T15:36:20.267-06:00Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpFD10F5ARJGYJ9YxMpHLbw81eJfK3C5GlaUMpBrr3nW5ZfR7C-0lesnt5YI_XjTpRc0an4Pn7GEtyogRwNmbUQTeyZUyEX6p73Pda5IIQDtq2i4KqSUdShDczaqY0jR3ke9Uw1O0Q42X/s1600/imagesCA8CKGHM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpFD10F5ARJGYJ9YxMpHLbw81eJfK3C5GlaUMpBrr3nW5ZfR7C-0lesnt5YI_XjTpRc0an4Pn7GEtyogRwNmbUQTeyZUyEX6p73Pda5IIQDtq2i4KqSUdShDczaqY0jR3ke9Uw1O0Q42X/s320/imagesCA8CKGHM.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>It seems as though we live in a world of broken resolutions. Don't believe me? Just go look at the attendance of your local health club during the first couple of months after the New Year. You will see hundreds of people with a sparkle in their eyes. They will be wearing the latest in fitness apparel and be sporting a pair of brand new shoes; you know the ones that make you run faster and jump higher. You will see sweaty bodies, red faces, bowed up chests, and sucked in guts. After a few months have past, the clothes are not matching as well, the shoes are scuffed up, and gravity has reclaimed the chest and the gut. As the brand new clothes fade, so does that burning desire to revive that high school physique. Within a few months there is no longer a waiting line for the treadmills.<br />
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Why is it such a common occurrence for us to break our resolutions and promises? It has become so common that it becomes humorous and expected. You've probably heard a statement like; "So Bob, what's your broken resolution going to be this year?" As funny as it may be at the time, we instill a sense of failure in ourselves when we break a resolution. Before you know it, these broken resolutions lead us to expect failure. <br />
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We also live in a world that expects people to follow the same path as previous generations. Let me give an example. You grow up fairly active, playing sports and enjoying your youth. High school comes and goes as well as our 18 year old physiques. You heard of the freshman fifteen haven't you? We become more inactive as the years pass. We eventually become a part of the fast-paced business world. Once again the activity level decreases as the stress level increases. As our priorities become a little more out of place, we decide to start a family and live the American dream. Before you know it, 10 years have passed and we join the multitude of people living very similar lives. Interestingly enough, it's about 15 years later when we finally see ourselves in the mirror and see a different reflection than the one we saw in high school. We try desperately to regain our youth only to come short due to a lifestyle to which we have become accustomed.<br />
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When we break the mold and begin living a more organized life with priorities perfectly set in order, we become a part of the minority. The Bible clearly states that there are two ways of life. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Although this may not sound very encouraging or easy, remember that with God, "all things are possible." Jesus himself said that he came that "we might have life and that we may have it more abundantly." <br />
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Let your training become a catalyst to a higher quality of life. Try it for 6 months and then ask yourself if it doesn't make you better at everything else. Let your resolution this year not be a resolution at all but rather a true and honest attempt to make a permanent lifestyle change that will lead to life more abundantly.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-44000500978054435562011-12-06T11:24:00.004-06:002011-12-06T11:31:53.560-06:00Slow as Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvfo6mSjp-4clNc5dESGfFUMLNCJhkILr8toySPzankKQU6wAHO-BLs_d4vc5HpUDBI-dPTugCkmE9s8Q90goJADLcWIuiGdgjt3D3D8hNX1En9z5uGOiS0QOdWirb-FhJeGtmbNeSQcU/s1600/santa_exercise3_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvfo6mSjp-4clNc5dESGfFUMLNCJhkILr8toySPzankKQU6wAHO-BLs_d4vc5HpUDBI-dPTugCkmE9s8Q90goJADLcWIuiGdgjt3D3D8hNX1En9z5uGOiS0QOdWirb-FhJeGtmbNeSQcU/s320/santa_exercise3_600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As a kid, Christmas couldn't get here fast enough. Now as an adult it comes and goes too fast. That is why I have decided to enjoy the Christmas season rather than just Christmas day. I have decided to enjoy the journey that leads to Christmas. Christmas lasts for just 24 hours but the journey up to Christmas can last for weeks, even months for some. <br />
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When I was a child, getting to Christmas day to open those presents under the tree was the goal. I also remember it being bitter sweet when it was all over. I would tear through my gifts in minutes and then the excitement and anticipation was gone. I had nothing else to look forward to. I was glad to have new gifts and toys to play with but the excitement was actually getting to Christmas day. I have more fun memories about the holidays leading up to Christmas than the actual gifts I received. Once again, that is why I now want to focus on the journey.<br />
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I want to have that same attitude towards my fitness training. Having a set goal is important but even more important, and more realistic towards actually achieving that goal, is to enjoy the journey that leads to the goal. If you are not enjoying the journey, you may never reach the goal. I have seen it time and time again. People will set a weight loss goal or a fitness goal, usually a marathon and soon after reaching their goal they returned to the lifestyle they had before. I have heard many people say while striving for and after reaching a weight loss goal that they couldn't wait to enjoy those foods they ate before the diet. I heard them complain about how hard it was to stay disciplined. The focus and the attitude was all wrong and led them back to the lifestyle they had before the goal.<br />
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Embrace the change. Embrace the journey. Embrace the new found discipline and healthier lifestyle. Christmas will come and go but your fitness can last the whole year long. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-51616877152577763602011-11-04T15:26:00.001-05:002011-11-04T15:41:56.722-05:00Mick Jagger was wrong!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ370f3uh7AanzgUv88wuHeZ29Wecn-6KC_kiyJ1pzi1k0l6tEAEvBVOZ4M1isD5RD8bQ-qbNAK5aEvcPPaN6MM-5mlAoo0Uqy4RKMW-oHTk0oiV2ZzgfZ7i3ChK-jR6FsV6xxo3iGgdjh/s1600/Satisfied+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ370f3uh7AanzgUv88wuHeZ29Wecn-6KC_kiyJ1pzi1k0l6tEAEvBVOZ4M1isD5RD8bQ-qbNAK5aEvcPPaN6MM-5mlAoo0Uqy4RKMW-oHTk0oiV2ZzgfZ7i3ChK-jR6FsV6xxo3iGgdjh/s400/Satisfied+Pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mick Jagger was wrong when he sang "I can't get no satisfaction." Then again I guess that depends on what you consider to be satisfaction. Working in a school, I am constantly bombarded with questionable food choices ranging from donuts in the morning to sugary deserts and fatty casseroles for lunch. My colleagues love to poke fun at me for not indulging in the dozen or so pizza's they order for lunch once a month. They like to eat in front of me and over exaggerate how wonderful and delicious whatever they are eating really is. They then try to temp me to "just have a bite or two... how bad can it be." It is like being around a bunch of peer pressuring teenagers.<br />
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I did notice something the other day while watching another teacher eat a piece of cheesecake. I noticed that he spent between 5-10 seconds per bite. He was done within a minute or two. I immediately thought about the phrase of "a second on the lips a lifetime on the hips." This same teacher loves to point out that although I may be healthier and live longer, he has had way more fun. That is where I get the title to this post. What brings you satisfaction. Sure a piece of cheesecake would definitely be satisfying but for how long? Is it as satisfying as the image a fit person sees in the mirror each morning? It certainly wouldn't last as long. Is it as satisfying as clothes that fit great? Is that pizza and soda as satisfying as being able to climb stairs, go for a run, or play outside with the kids without feeling totally exhausted?<br />
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To each his own I guess. I believe many people excuse themselves from any long term satisfaction with the temporary satisfaction that comes from a lack of discipline and overindulgence. Again let me emphasise there is a difference between a small treat and overindulgence. But make no mistake, satisfaction for some may come in the form of a six pack you drink while to others may come in the form of a six pack you see in the mirror each morning.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-49976275556215849512011-09-12T15:13:00.000-05:002011-09-12T15:13:39.894-05:00The Fine Print<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kEHYYLFiMV8TGJsrU4BhY7VzJGOzj1ET41HqyNcbYI96rElcOynvISTYptq9rptuFJdEXuoU324t5fraOX8H4vVNt7Gp0kzfOkFs65MNVziIkX_-nLj2hkFoC7XMddOaOqBOGGE1-T48/s1600/fine20print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kEHYYLFiMV8TGJsrU4BhY7VzJGOzj1ET41HqyNcbYI96rElcOynvISTYptq9rptuFJdEXuoU324t5fraOX8H4vVNt7Gp0kzfOkFs65MNVziIkX_-nLj2hkFoC7XMddOaOqBOGGE1-T48/s200/fine20print.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>Many years ago, back when I was working as a bodybuilding style personal trainer, I remember seeing other trainers spending countless amounts of money on supplements and protein drinks. This used to bug me to death. Not only have I not ever been a big advocate of these types of things but it also bothered me that most of these trainers were overweight and not fit. They may have had big muscles and could bench press 400lbs but they were not physically fit. I decided to do a little comparison of my own with the most commonly bought protein shake. After breaking down the numbers, my conclusion showed that these guys were basically buying high dollar chocolate milk. The calories, protein, carbs, and fat content were extremely close in numbers.<br />
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The health and fitness craze that became really popular in the 1980's has created a multi-billion dollar nutritional supplement industry. Every health and fitness magazine is flooded with their advertisements. There is a pill or a drink for everything. Whether you need to lose weight, gain weight, need energy or have more consistent bowel movements, you bet there is a product marketed for it. And with these supplements, there is the fine print. That is my favorite part. Most people miss it but it is the first thing I look for. The fine print is basically the advice that should be taken instead of taking the actual supplement itself. Look at any weight loss pill, advertisement or commercial. They say their product can help you lose weight but that is really only if you read and follow the fine print. The fine print says that in addition to taking the supplement to also exercise and follow a balanced diet. As we all know, if we will exercise and follow a balanced diet, there would be no need for a diet pill. <br />
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I remember a similar product that was marketed as jump shoes. These were shoes that had a large, bulky piece of rubber on the front of the shoe which in turn made you walk on your toes. They were meant to work your calf muscles and therefore help you gain more vertical on your jumps. The fine print gave a specific workout that should be followed that incorporated the actual muscles that could improve jumping. Jumping power is increased by working the large muscles of the lower body, not the calf muscles, and working them with explosive movements. If you train the big muscles correctly, the smaller muscles like the calves are trained as well.<br />
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The point is that there are many supplements that promise all kinds of results. Energy drinks are all the rage right now but are usually loaded with nothing more than sugar or caffeine. My suggestion if you want more energy is to read the fine print where it says to eat a well-balanced diet and get 8 hours of sleep. You are more than welcome to buy one of the hundreds of diet pills available but following the advice in the fine print will be more effective than the pill itself.<br />
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If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. CrossFit says it best with their World Class Fitness in 100 Words. <br />
•Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and NO sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.<br />
•Practice and train major lifts: deadlift, clean, squat, presses, clean & jerk, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climb, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstands, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc, hard and fast.<br />
•Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. ROUTINE IS THE ENEMY. Keep workouts short and intense.<br />
•Regularly learn and play new sports!Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-46653970967515912672011-09-08T09:38:00.001-05:002011-09-08T10:18:09.958-05:00There is NO Off-Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihftVdL-wFTb09gQiR35uS19mYida_13SS9_CT4FWLTAQ_OsVMMdCqRWskT7LTRSLG2wcTpXiZwKjb1QsWM8_bdSM3hsZm_L6oK9IEKRSM61Vxt8tJJKO2JlkMKAHMKZl4JiglKCnhzUA4/s1600/stuffingyourface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihftVdL-wFTb09gQiR35uS19mYida_13SS9_CT4FWLTAQ_OsVMMdCqRWskT7LTRSLG2wcTpXiZwKjb1QsWM8_bdSM3hsZm_L6oK9IEKRSM61Vxt8tJJKO2JlkMKAHMKZl4JiglKCnhzUA4/s320/stuffingyourface.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I know that I have a tendency to pick on bodybuilders but they just give me such ammunition with their approach to fitness. I remember many years ago going to the movies with Amber and running into a couple of local gym rats. These were the guys that everyone knew spent countless hours building their biceps and reputations as the big guys at the local gym. These were also the same guys who 360 days out of the year looked fat and bloated and the other 5 days during the year looked lean, vascular and almost sickly. While standing in line at the concessions counter, I noticed them both buying the biggest tub of popcorn and drenching it with butter. They also bought a large soft drink to wash it all down with. Knowing these guys, I posed the question of whether or not that was a part of their diet. The bigger of the two guys sharply and arrogantly responded with "It's the off-season pal!"<br />
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Off-Season? There is no off-season. Life will inevitably punish those who have an off-season. We train to be fit and healthy all year long. I guess that is why diet is a four letter word. Diets are not meant to last forever and have a built-in off-season. The definition of off-season is a time of suspended or reduced activity. For many people it really is a time to be lazy and to excuse inactivity and poor dietary choices. Some people live their entire lives with off-seasons. Others eat right and exercise and then slip into their off-season and negate everything they had worked for.<br />
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I want my family, clients, and myself to be prepared for any given contingency on any given day of the year. If life requires me to escape a natural disaster, I want to be prepared. If life requires me to carry my groceries up several flights of stairs, I want to be prepared. If life requires me to handle the stress of a busy schedule, I want to be prepared. There are no off-seasons. I have to be prepared at all times and the fitness we promote will do just that. Save the off-seasons for sports. Health and fitness is year round.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-19387597865980480222011-05-05T15:33:00.002-05:002011-05-05T15:41:46.160-05:00The Tale of Two Wolves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRcCS2IIXwZfCXN3OUAyyF_nipqO5u4vf79u1goRz64p6pGmW0a4NR8lbGuhyJCBwFu4S07msOTSFKoigzZ7A-o7YY7XOsXvnFVcNxGqItpCgsn8dJVPOSyeJb9jcYzGpVqo6iJeZ03wT/s1600/wolf_fight_by_nikkiburr%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRcCS2IIXwZfCXN3OUAyyF_nipqO5u4vf79u1goRz64p6pGmW0a4NR8lbGuhyJCBwFu4S07msOTSFKoigzZ7A-o7YY7XOsXvnFVcNxGqItpCgsn8dJVPOSyeJb9jcYzGpVqo6iJeZ03wT/s320/wolf_fight_by_nikkiburr%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I do my best thinking in the shower or right after really tough workouts. I think the after workout thoughts are probably more hallucinations rather than clear thinking due to the lack of oxygen to my brain. Nevertheless, these are the times when I am still with my thoughts. Just recently, I wrote down one of my thoughts and after writing it, I was reminded of a similar story. <br />
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My original thought was "Every person has two people living inside fighting to come out. One is strong, discliplined, and successful. The other is lazy, selfish, undisciplined, and very average." You may or may not have heard the Cherokee legend of the two wolves but it is very similar to my statement above. <br />
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An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."<br />
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"<br />
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."<br />
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Similarly, the Bible also talks about a war going on inside every person between the flesh and the spirit. Galatians 5 says that the works of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The works of the flesh are basically the opposite of those of the spirit.<br />
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So the question that remains is which wolf are you feeding? Are you living according to the flesh or the spirit? I have found in my own life that my physical training helps feed my spirit. It creates and strengthens good habits that lead to more successful living. It is not easy doing the right thing. Usually that can be a guide as to whether something is of the flesh or of the spirit. But the more battles we face and win with our physical training, the more battles we can face with confidence and ultimately win in life. That is what I like to call Trinity Fitness.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-79668243416941673442011-04-26T15:50:00.000-05:002011-04-26T15:50:09.683-05:00The Blame Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTUAzWhwJgxiKCluVijl3K5olNrzAZpl_ydYKDpgIxvQXpYV2KB4q2ocpJXm9mGPSyaqAHkL7WTQ-Lv3gaXgC2BwuUzvdrB2yJQe-whyphenhyphenydXoxy65tCDJczhvMZkZv8HEzrGNa74p8QL2W/s1600/excuse+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTUAzWhwJgxiKCluVijl3K5olNrzAZpl_ydYKDpgIxvQXpYV2KB4q2ocpJXm9mGPSyaqAHkL7WTQ-Lv3gaXgC2BwuUzvdrB2yJQe-whyphenhyphenydXoxy65tCDJczhvMZkZv8HEzrGNa74p8QL2W/s320/excuse+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last week, a friend of mine pointed out that my car registration had expired. I immediately got on the phone to find out why I didn't get a renewal notice in the mail. I was told that this may happen from time to time and to come by the DMV with my insurance card and get one. On my way to get this taken care of, I was pulled over by a police officer. I couldn't help but laugh at the circumstances. I wasn't too concerned and knew that I would just get a warning. I am an honest man. I was just leaving my respectable workplace where I am a teacher and friend to many of the local police officers. I haven't had a ticket in almost 20 years. I even remember praying for God's favor. Well, that warning I was expecting came in the form of a ticket and I found myself very frustrated. However, I couldn't deny the fact that I was ultimately responsible for getting that ticket.<br />
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I heard a preacher say something very profound the other day relating to this. He said, "Don't expect God to do something for you that you can do for yourself." Many people today are quick to blame others for circumstances that are under their control. We blame our work for the time constraints that keep us from working out. We blame the fast food industry for making us fat. We blame Hostess for making cupcakes that are just too hard to turn down.<br />
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One thing I have learned as an adult is that excuses never lead to success. We have more control over many of life's circumstances than we probably want to admit. Many of us are looking for a miracle whether it be from God or sitting on the shelf at the GNC. I can pray for Divine intervention to help me lose weight but I can't expect God to knock the pizza out of my hand as it heads for my mouth. I have to do that one myself. That is the way it works with fitness. It doesn't care about your busy schedule, your finances, or how delicious hot chocolate chip cookies really are. You are responsible. Not your thyroid condition, slow metabolism, or family history of diabetes. You are still responsible to do the best with what you have.<br />
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Take ownership. If you take a spill showing off your skateboarding skills to the teenagers down the street, don't blame the skateboard manufacturer for the bone sticking out of your leg. Similarly, if you are not leading the confident life you had hoped or if you are having a tough time seeing whether your shoes match, take ownership and make the necessary changes to remedy the problem. Doing your part shows that you have released your faith. The Bible says in James 2 that faith without actions is dead. So I ask you, what are your actions? Your answer could possibly move the hands of God.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-37461167787079769922011-04-07T10:39:00.002-05:002011-04-07T22:23:35.465-05:00My Fitness Journey Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSScWcul-a2Y2XdjaY88j885FZ5rOsnPJr62rHV0LJ_ot5fwAPxTk_UvxXxSyn9CKVXhjh3sxX_PfKLTl2HQ4PK-XrYkVeP6LAhE8VA_iUSN4QvwMEs4goO95Yg4w9qOZmZ2D5AfNwnNhM/s1600/Self+Esteem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSScWcul-a2Y2XdjaY88j885FZ5rOsnPJr62rHV0LJ_ot5fwAPxTk_UvxXxSyn9CKVXhjh3sxX_PfKLTl2HQ4PK-XrYkVeP6LAhE8VA_iUSN4QvwMEs4goO95Yg4w9qOZmZ2D5AfNwnNhM/s320/Self+Esteem.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>It was the Spring of 8th grade. My junior high days were coming to an end. I had just finished track season and had a rare couple of months with no scheduled sport or activity. I remember the number one song on the radio was Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson. I remember being at a crossroads in my own life. I was in the middle of the boy-to-man transition. This is a tough time for any adolescent. It is a time of self discovery. Really, for me it was a time in my life when I had to decide who I was going to be, what I was going to stand for and ultimately a chance to build my self-esteem. Spiritually I was strong but needed to match that strength physically.<br />
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I would like to say that it was all about this deep physical and spiritual journey. But like I said, this was a transition from boy-to-man and girls played a significant role in this process. I decided that I wanted to get stronger and more muscular. I wanted a better physique. So in mid April, me and a couple of friends joined the local gym about a half a mile down the street from the school. We would change after school in the locker room and walk to the gym everyday. We strutted down the street like we were made of nothing but 300 lbs of pure, rock hard muscle. We suffered with severe cases of what I call "imaginary lat syndrome." This is disease that strikes many young men when they first start working out. It is when you walk around with your arms puffed out like you are too muscular to hold them at your side.<br />
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We didn't have a clue as to what we should be doing that first week or so. We would just do some bench press, leg extensions, bicep curls, or anything else that made us look cool. One of the trainers there finally had enough and wrote us out a program. You know the classic 3 x 10 split body part routine. None of the movements we were doing had any functionality to them but we didn't know the difference. As far as we were concerned, we were getting bigger, stronger and were going to impress the girls that much more. We felt like we were separating ourselves from the average. <br />
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That is what that experience was all about. Don't get me wrong, we were getting stronger and more muscular but the physical transition paled in comparison to the change we were really making. We trained to build our bodies but the strength we built was our self-esteem. I went from being slightly insecure and unsure of myself to walking a little taller and being more confident to stand up for the person I was and was becoming. I guess that song fit perfectly into what I was going through at the time. For me to be happy and become the person I wanted to be, I had to first start with the "Man in the Mirror."<br />
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<a href="http://blairtrinitytraining.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-fitness-journey-part-2.html"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">My Fitness Journey Part 1 & 2</span></strong></a>Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-82597380870380596912011-03-22T15:33:00.005-05:002011-03-22T21:54:52.444-05:00Running For Your Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj422DjLm-zmC_FfluvzKL8Vg-J_4ZL6VttRb-Kyhr5ohBALQurrc0zkQtzGtq3Ztd4ReELwM8b_K47yOmT27rgk47pbE_d1z8QVcZA6CigKXBVMJyeCVlEiJ0RQTmRMHXX87nbuUXXOjhD/s1600/lion+vs+gazelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj422DjLm-zmC_FfluvzKL8Vg-J_4ZL6VttRb-Kyhr5ohBALQurrc0zkQtzGtq3Ztd4ReELwM8b_K47yOmT27rgk47pbE_d1z8QVcZA6CigKXBVMJyeCVlEiJ0RQTmRMHXX87nbuUXXOjhD/s320/lion+vs+gazelle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> "I feel the need, the need for speed." That of course is one of the classic quotes from the movie Top Gun and oh how true it is for us and our programming. Amber and I have found a dent in the Trinity Fitness armor. We are always open to anything that will make us more fit and more healthy. Sprint training has always been a part of my fitness routine but has suffered in the past years due to my plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. I can run about once a week before needing to rehab and recover for several days. Nevertheless, I am going to do it whenever I can because I love it and the benefits are innumerable.<br />
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Why do we stop running fast after we get out of school? Think about it. When was the last time you ran like your life depended on it? When was the last time you ran like a dog was chasing you? Better yet, when was the last time you ran fast enough to catch the ice cream truck? Sure we all go for a jog or a comfortable stroll here and there but I am talking about running as fast as you can for as long as you can. I am talking about running wind sprints and intervals. I am talking about racing your kids, your spouse, or anyone else you can find. I don't care if you have to chase cars down the street like a bunch of wild dogs. Get outside and run like someone just threw a grenade in your direction.<br />
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Our workouts are wonderful in that they cross all three metabolic pathways but regardless of the run or the distance, they are never full sprints because most of the time we are trying to keep from passing out due to a lack of oxygen. If the run starts a workout we may run faster than normal but even then we tend to pace ourselves in preparation for the rest of the workout.<br />
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I feel like I was my strongest and looked my best when I was a competitive sprinter. Even now after finishing a good sprint workout, I am sore in places that I usually am not sore in from my other training. Also, just Google sprinting and look at the images that come up. You won't find better looking physiques than those of sprinters. I encourage you to start going to the track and sprinting. Race somebody, race yourself, race the clock and if you do that, you will no longer be losing the race against Father Time.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-61279377268341724962011-02-09T15:25:00.001-06:002011-02-09T15:29:45.673-06:00Risky Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jp9P1f_7Nc7fVvaQVL6MC65vm9vEvknSrkpTpxSWZbL9hhgrvJOgnEYKR_-Yk15Higvoc1-n6Tu5SsrxIkfikRlGBruz_U6MFAZwFGv2bBLxNQkQEIdDlOuvTbv3cN0XZCI2Vu8MlfBY/s1600/Cheer_pyramid_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jp9P1f_7Nc7fVvaQVL6MC65vm9vEvknSrkpTpxSWZbL9hhgrvJOgnEYKR_-Yk15Higvoc1-n6Tu5SsrxIkfikRlGBruz_U6MFAZwFGv2bBLxNQkQEIdDlOuvTbv3cN0XZCI2Vu8MlfBY/s320/Cheer_pyramid_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you have ever seen my car you will immediately notice that I am not a flashy guy. I have a simple family car and I take care of it. I keep it clean and I even change my own oil. I keep the tires at appropriate levels and make sure to keep plenty of gas in it. Better yet, I have been told that I drive like a 90 year old man. What can I say, I have nothing to prove and I want it to last as long as possible. But regardless of all the work I do to keep my car up and running, there are times when it simply breaks down. Usually it is a simple fix like a new battery but breakdowns still occur.<br />
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The same can be said about our bodies. Breakdowns are inevitable. When you engage in any physical activity, there is a risk of injury. Obviously many other factors will increase or decrease those risk but they are always there. Whether it be playing football, running, snowboarding at the Winter X-Games or even walking down the street, there is a risk of injury.<br />
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Fitness and training are no different. There is always a risk of injury. Those risk increase or decrease depending upon several factors including age, warm-up, the activity, diet, rest and numerous others. For example, I have noticed that as I age I require more warm-up time than I did in the past to prevent injury. I have also noticed that I can deadlift 300 lbs with no problem and then tweak my lower back bending over to brush my teeth. The human body is one of the most complex and incredible masterpieces in God's creation but we live in an imperfect world and our bodies are not perfect. Like any machine, the body requires maintenance and will break down from time to time.<br />
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An article from the Crossfit Journal states: "Injuries are a reality in any sport, but for some reason they receive more attention in the weight room. Given that sports such as basketball, hockey and soccer have far higher injury rates, it really makes no sense to overemphasize the so-called dangers of weight training." The fact is that you don't see near the same frequency of injuries in the weight room as you do in other sports. You would never keep your child from playing outside because it is too dangerous yet we avoid fitness programs that are statistically safer than normal recreational play.<br />
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Our training at Trinity Fitness is usually pretty fast and intense. We engage in movements that require running, jumping, lifting from the ground and lifting overhead. We push, pull, squat and move our bodies functionally. There is always risk involved with any type of fitness training including ours but they certainly don't outweigh the benefits of the program. We strive to prepare each person both in the warm-up and in preparation of the movements of each workout to reduce potential risks. Perfect technique is the goal but not always the reality. Another quote from the Crossfit Journal says "Perfect technique is to be strived for to be sure, but would you insist that a young athlete have perfect shooting or running technique before stepping on a basketball court, where he is more likely to be injured?"<br />
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The best part about being physically fit is that when injuries do occur, the recovery time is not near as extensive. Sometimes it may just be a simple fix like a new battery and you will be up and running in no time.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-75342760898968854032011-01-25T21:01:00.001-06:002012-07-23T21:19:41.676-05:00What We Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Greatest Training Program in the World!</div>
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Video Coming Soon!</div>Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-40219229486089331122011-01-20T22:18:00.000-06:002011-01-20T22:18:26.809-06:00Burpees are a PrivilegeThis video is from Crossfit and is a perfect motivator and reality check. When you see the incredible amount of difficulty it is for this woman to do simple movements that most of us complain about, it will hopefully cause you to have a better attitude and understanding as to why it is such a privilege to exercise the way we do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GiURWu-PzJM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-78856513209536914922011-01-11T12:19:00.000-06:002011-01-11T12:19:48.184-06:00Something NewCut me some slack on this video. I am just trying something different. Hopefully I will get more comfortable in front of the camera and the same may go for you. I will start trying to do interviews with clients as well. I think everyone would find it more interesting than watching me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw5scFE4N__poWtZLaK3AYuLXZhrzDQtzuhxJVfnsJoui7zn-ft7rxwdPBxdtNdbQpy5LZVIgTA2CdExCoqmQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-50329402473597238642011-01-10T15:23:00.000-06:002011-01-10T15:23:53.421-06:00Back to Being a Has-Been<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuaOwDqlOuYmIqVqSurbB7KF9uVBQ5MspuayR62g3ifx9atrU-Bo_PCSKEk7pyeRazGJSWMlGXW4KM5p9Ym4dImmkCh6-ecimR6wQYr2MHgAjX-2IlVjY3Wa3wHnELQSEJfM4ZjnA6HRZ/s1600/George+Foreman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuaOwDqlOuYmIqVqSurbB7KF9uVBQ5MspuayR62g3ifx9atrU-Bo_PCSKEk7pyeRazGJSWMlGXW4KM5p9Ym4dImmkCh6-ecimR6wQYr2MHgAjX-2IlVjY3Wa3wHnELQSEJfM4ZjnA6HRZ/s400/George+Foreman.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have heard a famous NBA basketball player once say that "you can tell when you are getting old when you talk more about what you have done rather than what you are going to do." I personally think that the past is a good measuring stick for the future. Some use their past victories or failures to inspire future victories. Some use past victories or failures to keep them living in the past, unable to move forward. <br />
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The key about the past is to use it for something positive. If you have great memories about past victories, use them to inspire and motivate in the present and future. If you have failures or negative memories about the past, use them as lessons learned and as a foundation of experience that leads to a positive future. <br />
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You have to make that choice though. You will never be satisfied with yourself if you are not living up to the potential that you know lies within. That is where self worth and self confidence comes from. It is about being the best that you can be. If you were fit and active 10 years ago and are not now, you will not be happy with yourself. You know that a higher potential lies within. Many try to excuse themselves by blaming busy schedules, old age, or the nagging knee injury from that one Jr. Varsity basketball game 25 years ago. <br />
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We all have more potential than we will probably ever realize but the goal should be to reach for new levels of victory. Whether it be a weight loss goal, a fitness standard, or to be a better parent, settle for nothing less than your best. If you were a success in the past, you know the potential is there to be a success in the future. If the past holds failures and defeats, you have no where to go but up. The best is yet to come.Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187883442870926173.post-84034069999935126432010-11-11T09:55:00.013-06:002010-11-11T14:42:09.245-06:00This Is Your Brain On Drugs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpbF8GpKIp3Ndw0jfFmaGSVjuRVOk5ETQIU6_FTNsjz9fkpxBjMH9mqzieEmhWlxOt8l6wyhwuBeNujz7DSbP2jBmZI72HDlmFllsJ86QSbDB0ijmbOUGGcBdGvPvI48RrjP_i9yUS5fX/s1600/EggPan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpbF8GpKIp3Ndw0jfFmaGSVjuRVOk5ETQIU6_FTNsjz9fkpxBjMH9mqzieEmhWlxOt8l6wyhwuBeNujz7DSbP2jBmZI72HDlmFllsJ86QSbDB0ijmbOUGGcBdGvPvI48RrjP_i9yUS5fX/s400/EggPan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538343941731700626" /></a><br />We all remember the anti-drug commercial that said "This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs." Well there are a couple of comparisons I want to make with drugs and fitness training without cracking an egg.<br /><br />Now let me first say that I do NOT have first hand experience with drugs but I am sure we have all heard how drugs work and their effects on the mind and body. Usually a person begins with a small amount but eventually require more and more to achieve the same effects. You never hear of someone doing the same amount of drugs day after day for 20 years. You always hear how one drug leads to many or to stronger types of drugs.<br /><br />The same can be said about an effective fitness regimen. You can't expect to do the same type of training day in and day out and achieve the same effects. That means that you can't just walk for 30 minutes a day or do your 3 sets of 10 on the circuit machines at the local Globo gym and see drastic results. That may work for a short time but eventually you will need more. You have a couple of options. You can either change the intensity or the exercises or better yet, both. I have seen many people who attend the same boot camp classes who after years of training are still doing modified push-ups and using 10lb dumbbells for overhead presses. After several months or years of training, it is going to take more "drugs" than that to achieve a higher fitness level. You can't get or stay fit without getting stronger. Some may say that they don't necessarily want to get anymore fit than they are. That is fine but if you continue to do the same thing, your fitness level will not stay the same but actually drop. Remember, it takes more drugs to achieve the same high.<br /><br />That is why we do the Crossfit prescription of "constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity." This keeps our bodies guessing while achieving high levels of fitness and also leading to the physiques we've always wanted. It is a fitness regimen that is evidence based in that we keep scores and results from each workout which allows us to track our results both on paper and in the mirror. Better yet, these workouts don't take long. We substitute intensity for time.<br /><br />The other comparison with drugs and fitness is the chemical high you can get from both. I have to admit that I am a fitness addict. I rely on that endorphin high and confidence boost I get from training. If I go too many days between workouts, I get agitated and frustrated. My body seeks that release. The biggest difference is that drugs tear down your body while training builds and strengthens it. So don't expect to see me in rehab anytime soon because this is one habit I don't plan on kicking. What can I say. This is my brain on drugs. Any questions?Randy Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01143890107375229571noreply@blogger.com0