THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES!!!!

I was blown away by a post I read on Cordell Parvins blog titled 'Want to know what it takes, Here is a Great example". In the article he talks about his daughter Jill, a Jiu Jitsu practitioner who seeks to become the best Jiu jitsu player she possibly can be. I can scarcely add anything, as it fully encapsulates the attitude, focus and drive required by any person interested in achieving the highest levels of fitness, or any other life goals.

     

 

"Today, I want to share with you a concrete example. My daughter Jill posted something on Facebook that made clear to me she paid great attention to what I was teaching her when she was growing up.

 

I am very proud of Jill. I also feel she has expressed what I hope lawyers I coach take away from our work together. I asked if I could share what she wrote with you and she gave me permission.

 

 

 

I earned two stripes on my belt at jiu jitsu today. I was a little upset because my knee is messed up and I couldn’t roll. I just keep telling myself that God did not grant me with natural athletic ability so I have to work harder than most of the guys. I will show up and train every day no matter how tired I am. My goal is not to earn a black belt (although I believe that will happen) or win any tournaments ( got to enter them first), but to be better than the jiu jitsu player I was yesterday. I am not competing against other guys but against myself and my own self doubt and my fear of failure. I can’t bench press as much as Réne (her husband) and I do not have the skill of more seasoned players, but I will win in the long run because I am going to work harder through the tears, blood and sweat and I believe my passion will help me to overcome my physical short comings. I will be the best I can be. No excuses! I will be better than I was yesterday. It’s me vs. me.

 

I will leave you with a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."

DAMAGE YOUR BACK WITH BAD SQUATS!!!

 

 

I culled this excerpt from an article I read

 

An all too common scene at the gym

 

A guy approaches an Olympic bar on a power rack. He slaps on a few plates on either side and proceeds to back squat. His warm-up sets don't look bad; his body stays more or less upright, he's got good depth, and the grunting is kept to a minimum. As I watch his first heavy set unfold, however, I start to think I should have my phone ready to dial 9-1-1.

 

He drops down to a half-squat with wobbly knees; he's somehow convinced that the weight on his shoulders is not 50 pounds too heavy. On his way back up, he begins to lean forward, and I start wondering if he's doing a good morning instead of a squat. Where'd that hip hinge come from? I debate what to call this new movement (Back-morning? Good-squat? Definitely not the latter!) while his back flirts with the idea of snapping clean in half.

 

One, two, three ... that's three too many seconds he's been stuck in that same position without moving. His grunts start to echo across the gym and threaten to shatter windows, break mirrors, and awaken hibernating bears. Finally, an excruciating six seconds later, he climbs his way back up to a standing position. I gasp for air as I realize I've been holding my breath the entire time. I'm curious whose heart is racing faster at this point, his or mine. Nevertheless, I'm relieved that he finishes the movement and will rack the weight soon.

 

But no. Just as I'm about to turn away and continue on with my own workout, I see in the corner of my eye that he's going down for another rep.

 

This time, I can't look.

 

 

 

A perfect Squat

Hold a weight against the chest. If you have a kettlebell, grab it by the horns; with a dumbbell, hold one of the heads up vertically between your palms.

Position your feet so your stance is a smidge outside shoulder-width, with your toes pointed slightly out. If you're taller, you may need to widen the stance a little more.

Drop it like it's hot. That is, sit back and down between the knees, keeping your chest up the whole time. Make sure you're not falling forward or rounding your back.

Go down as low as you can while keeping your feet flat on the floor. If your heels come up, your stance is still too narrow.

At the bottom, brush your elbows down the inside of your legs and push your knees out. This is what makes the goblet squat so special, so let me say that again: knees out, knees out, knees out.

 

Shoot back up and stand tall at the top.

 

IT TOOK AN INVESTMENT BANK INTERN'S DEATH FOR BANKS TO REALISE THEY WERE WORKING THEIR STAFF TO DEATH

(Culled from The Wall Street Executive)

 

It only took an investment banking intern’s death for banks to realize that they are working interns to death.

 

Credit Suisse yesterday became the latest investment bank to tell its interns and junior employees to take more time out of the office, after increased worries that young staff are pushing themselves dangerously hard. The giant Swiss bank has told junior staff they should try not to come into work on Saturday, in an effort to give them some time off.

 

The wave of new guidelines sweeping the industry marks a sharp change of practice for the sector where young employees expect to work long hours and take few days off.

 

 Competition typically begins with internships where students work all hours over their summer breaks in a bid to impress bosses and get taken on as full time staff. There is no let up after that stage as analysts and associates – typically the bottom rungs of the career ladder – again have to get ahead by working harder than colleagues. The new staff also want to impress clients both to stop them leaving for rival banks and to make sure they get to work on the biggest deals.

 

 

To reduce some of the pressure of this constant race between young staff, some of the biggest names in the City and on Wall Street have introduced new guidelines.

 

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has told interns to take at least four weekend days off each month. Analysts and associates are also being required to use up their full holiday allowances each year.

 

Goldman Sachs’ boss Lloyd Blankfein has told junior staff to take more time off.

 

Deutsche Bank is also thought to be working on a similar plan.

 

JP Morgan is hiring more interns and junior staff to spread the workload further, an idea also understood to be under consideration at Barclays’ investment banking arm.- See more at:

 

 

http://thewallstreetexecutive.tumblr.com/post/73859413276/it-only-took-an-investment-banking-interns-death#sthash.fVhqYp0j.dpuf

CAUGHT UNDER A BARBELL? DO THE ROLL OF SHAME

 

Todays post is motivated by something which happened to me yesterday evening.

 

 

I had taken an 8-month break from lifting free weights; it's something I do from time to time in order to let my muscles rest while focusing on bodyweight exercises to build muscle density and definition.  I normally experience an increase in strength when I return to lifting weights after such a break.

 

Now I was back in the gym and ready to rock, expecting my muscles to give their best after a well earned holiday. I commenced the day's training with  a 10 minute spin on the Stairmaster, after which I dragged my exhausted self to the weight bench to crank out some bench presses.

 

 

I normally train in reps of 10 with very little rest periods between in order to improve muscle endurance.  I started out with 70kg,  before moving up to 80 kg, and 90kg afterwards. Feeling very optimistic  about the benefits of my rest break, I decided to up the ante and lift 120kg. WRONG IDEA!!! I had lifted the weight off the rack when I felt the fibers within my shoulders and triceps quiver with fatigue as they strained to lift the weight to no avail.

 

 

 

Many an experienced bodybuilder has undergone this experience at least once, unless they never bench beyond their comfort zone. It is sometimes advised to avoid training to failure; although this is a safe method, it usually leads to the builder training at lower intensity and making slower gains.

 

In this situation, most inexperienced builders either yell for help, thereby exhausting their oxygen supply; others risk serious injury to themselves and others by trying to tilt the bar and throw off the weight. As attractive as these options may seem, the best thing to do is keep calm and assess your environment before you act.  This prevents you from causing grievous harm to others around.

 

The method I adopted was the "Roll of Shame". The roll of shame is when you admit a rep isn’t going to happen, lower the bar to your chest and roll it to your waist. Then you sit up, lift the bar and set it on the floor. It can be painful and it’s definitely embarrassing in a crowded gym, but it can also stop you doing yourself serious damage. 

 

I once read that every bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast has an inner demon that relentlessly drives the person to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. Although this demon can be the bodybuilders greatest friend and mightiest ally, it could also be his worst enemy, as it compels him to take risks which could lead to debilitating injury. Know yourself, and observe whenever your muscles feel exhausted, this knowledge will help you forestall unnecesary injury and work towards consistent gains.

 

 

 

 



STAYING RIPPED AT THE OFFICE

From Flab ...to Fab

Getting ripped for the working person is hard, period. It's doubly difficult for a person who has little control over their diet, schedule or equipment. 

 

So, how do you maintain that ripped body you've worked so hard to develop if you are stressed, chained to your desk, and can only access junk snacks? I chewed this question over, and I gathered some tips for keeping those muscles hard and ripped whilst giving your best at work.

 

• Get yourself a mini-fridge or cooler where you can stock healthy food and drinks.

• Eat a hearty breakfast, and Prepare yourself a healthy snack and lunch which you will take to the office. Alternatively, seek out a service which can supply healthy meals to your office.
 
• Whenever you go to the bathroom, try to crank out as many jumping jacks or squats as you can reasonably perform without sweating too much. In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease and weight gain, these exercises will improve blood circulation and lower body strength.
 
• Long term sitting is energy draining!! So, take a 10 to 15 minute power walk around your office if possible. You could use the opportunity to get to chat with your fellow employees, thereby providing you with the added benefit of being sociable.

MIND + MUSCLE = MASTERPIECE

A new year has commenced, and resolutions have been made, including weight loss resolutions. This post is for those who desire to live their best life in 2014; those who will not be limited from achieving their goals by discomfort or inconvenience, those who are willing to face the mountain, and who will not give up trying until they attain victory. 

 

Beneath your skin lie the plans for your fastest, strongest, most powerful body. To build your strongest possible body, you have to understand your body (Note: I'm not talking about the thinnest body- thin does not translate to health!!!). Let the gym be the lab where you experiment and learn what works for you.

Smile and Be Sexy!!!

If you are to be successful, just follow these rules when you're in the gym. 

1. Have a Workout planned for each session: As the saying goes 'He who fails to plan, plans to fail". Keep a notebook and make sure you have your workout for the day written on that notebook before you venture into the gym. Some phone apps may serve this purpose, but to my mind nothing beats pencil and paper!

 

2. Set a minimum time limit: We all have that day, when you just don't feel like training. On such a day, make a commitment to spend a minimum time in the gym carrying out meaningful work. You should spend at least 15 minutes.

3. Set a maximum time limit to your workout:  Many people come into the gym all pumped up and ready to work - until they meet a friend, or that hot prospect. Protect yourself from distraction by setting a definite time limit for your workout. As a general rule I set a 45-60 minute limit

 

10 WAYS TRAINING CAN SHAPE YOUR ATTITUDE

Any successful athlete will tell you that the mind is your most powerful tool. The successful athlete is a dream chaser. He sees what he wants to become, he puts in the work and endures the pain necessary to become what he has envisioned; after he achieves his vision, he sets a greater, more demanding vision and sets out to achieve it. For the man with the Iron Mind, nothing is impossible so far as he is willing to put in the work.

I have found that a person's attitude in the gym mirrors their attitude in the world outside the gym. In this article, I will outline 10 ways through which training you body can positively shape your attitude towards other challenges.

THE WORKOUT BEFORE ME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD:     

To the athlete, every workout is the most stepping stone to achieving his vision, and he concentrates all his efforts accordingly.   He does not allow any distraction or dissipation of energy, his mind is always clear and fixed on his purpose.

I NEVER BACK DOWN UNTIL I WIN

He runs until he is exhausted, he lifts until no ounce of strength remains in his muscles, then he pushes for more until he has no more to give. 

I NEVER MISTAKE ACTIVITY FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT

Its not enough to complete your workout. After every workout, the athlete asks himself " Did I do all that I was capable of doing today?" 

 

 I MANAGE WHAT I HAVE TO GET WHAT I WANT

To get more out of his performance he maximizes resources like time, equipment, information, money, and the people around him in ways that help him achieve the most from his physical, mental, emotional, and psychological abilities and genetic potential. If he does not have something, he improvises.

I STRIVE TO BE THE BEST I CAN BE AT ALL TIMES

 The successful athlete knows that there is always room for improvement, and strives to operate at the highest level of his potential at all times. If he doesn't perform to his potential, he rests, prepares himself and returns to the challenge.

I NEVER SETTLE

No matter the challenges or discouragement the successful athlete faces, he never settles for what he can do right now. He is constantly on the lookout for resources, advice and information that can help him break his limits and reach his potential. 

I KNOW MYSELF 
Never ask anyone what your potential is. Stop comparing yourself to other people, you don't need anyone's approval or validation to achieve your goals.   
 


IF I CAN THINK IT, I CAN DO IT!!
Make a commitment to stop questioning that part of you that knows who you are and what you are capable of doing. Follow your instincts and learn from your mistakes; don't be a slave to popular opinions that you have not tested and found to be true. 
 


I KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Every athlete gets to a point in their training where training becomes boring, and the only way to alleviate the boredom is to set a greater, harder, more challenging goal and work towards that goal. They always move forward, irrespective of any failures, distractions, discouragement or difficulty.  

I SURROUND MYSELF WITH WINNERS
 When I have optimistic, disciplined, result driven people around me, I am condemned to operate in an environment of excellence. Avoid anyone who tells you that something is impossible, they can only contaminate your mental state