Today's Lesson Plan

One of the topics on almost everyone's agenda is healthier eating and/or losing weight. For the past 20 years, we have been bombarded with information about how fat is bad. The latest on the bandwagon is the government's ban on trans fats (yes, this is a good thing). This has helped to plant a seed in people's mind that fat is a bad thing. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Fats in foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, flaxseed oil, olive oil and wild salmon keep our cells, tissues, glands and organs functioning normally. So you ask, "How much is enough?" According to Udo Erasmus, PhD, one of the world's leading experts in fats and nutrition, up to 50% of your total calories!

Try this: Increase your consumption of healthy fats and vegetables; reduce your intake of unhealthy carbs; make sure you are getting enough protein (Udo's Choice food pyramid).

The lower back is one of the most common areas of injury and pain for
athletes, recreational exercisers, and non-exercisers alike. Chances are if
you haven't dealt with back pain at some point in your life, you will.

So how can you injury-proof your back?

Well, one way is to master your posterior chain muscles (hamstrings, glutes,
etc). And one of the best ways to master these muscles is to regularly
deadlift.

However deadlifting can be tricky. Do it right and the back improves
tremendously. Do it wrong and it gets worse - perhaps much worse.

Here to set you straight is Eric Cressey, world-renowned exercise
specialist. In this great interview, Cressey shares his most important tips
on doing this exercise the right way.

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/cmd.php?page=297677

Thanks To Tbear (who had back surgery and healed his back through the deadlift) and John Berardi of Precision Nutrition

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When we see an individual make great progress in his/her level of fitness we often hear about his/her success in life shortly after. They get a new job or get promoted in the one they have. They get closer with loved ones or shed the people who don't fit in their lives anymore. They take up a new sport or begin achieving a whole new level of achievement in the ones they love. We don't think this is a coincidence.

Here is a good question to ask yourself (I love asking this question to people who's commitment wavers all over the place) When you were doing Crossfit, eating properly, sleeping properly, did your life get better? When you stopped doing these things did your life get better or worse?

Here is a quote Troy (Mullet) Angrignon recently sent me that fits with what we see on a regular basis.

"Gandhi said 'One cannot do right in one area of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in another; Life is one indivisible whole.' This point of wisdom is profound. A commitment to excellence is not just reserved for a few select areas of your life - it must be reflected in everything you do. Your diet must reflect your commitment to excellence. Your physique must reflect your commitment to excellence. Your personal habits must reflect your commitment to excellence and your thoughts must reflect a commitment to excellence." Robin S. Sharma

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