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:

 

 

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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

MARRIAGE AND WEIGHT GAIN

We all see it, a fit and sexy single guy or girl gets married and in a few months gets the spare tire, love handles, pot belly, turkey arms, etc.(If you doubt me, look up your parents pre wedding pictures.)  

Kim +Kanye, 20 years on??

Unfortunately, a recent study revaled that weight gain constitutes the biggest relationship peeve for most couples.

The biggest culprit is the change in lifestyle that happens after marriage. The reason for this is simple; when a person is single, they feel the need to look sexy and attractive, so they adopt lifestyle choices such as dieting and exercise. With marriage and the attendant adjustments however, couples tend to slack off on healthier choices. Your partner may even encourage less-than-healthy habits. "When you're combining lifestyles, sometimes the less active one wins out," says Cheryl Forberg, RD, nutritionist for The Biggest Loser and author of the cookbook Flavor First. for instance when your guy wants you to skip your morning run to sleep in with him, it's easy to roll over and give in.

You don't have to get like this!!!

There's no need to fear, research shows that couples that work out together have a 94% chance of sticking with their fitness programmes. Couples can motivate themselves toward a healthy lifestyle while sharing some emotionally beneficial quality time. In order to do this however, the couples should identify activities which they mutually enjoy. Activities which couples can enjoy together include:

1. Dancing: 

Take a Latin dance class or alternatively, head down to the hippest dance club in town and break out some moves. Avoid too much alcohol and drink lots of water while youre at it (You wouldn't want to do something you'll regret later on!!).

2. Martial Arts

 Taking a martial arts class together helps the couple build a healthy respect for each others physical abilities, in addition they can work out together and provide mutual support to each other in the process.

 

3: Swimming:

 This low impact and enjoyable activity can provide hours of quality and healthy entertainment to the couple, as well as being a wonderful prelude to some bedroom activity (*wink*)

 

4. Biking:

 You and your partner could take a nice bike ride and enjoy the environment together reminiscent of how you hung out with your siblings when you were young.

   

 

STYLE IN FITNESS: THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN FITNESS

Bodybuilding is an art form, and I have always held the opinion that a person's physical structure should be aesthetically pleasing, whilst retaining functionality. I have found that the kind of body developed by individuals has changed over the years in line with the kind of physical structure favoured by the media. However, I have realised that there are a lot of people out there who like training, working out, and even like competing, but who don't want to look like the modern bodybuilder. 

The Modern Man

In the period between 1890 to 1920, when bodybuilding was still called 'physical culture' emphasis was placed on a practitioner's ability to perform magnificent feats of strength whilst looking presentable in suits, which were the everyday clothes worn at the time. Thus his training was focused on lifting consistently heavy weights and performing gymnastic and calisthenic exercises. A lean, muscular and strong physique was favoured, and definition and symmetry was not particularly required in competitions, leading to the rather rough edged bodies of the time. 

 

In writing this article, I had recourse to Health and Strength magazine, one of the oldest fitness publications, reaching back as far as 1876 as well as Mens Health, Flex and other fitness material.

  

 

With the period between 1925 and 1950, the aesthetic seemed to have changed due to the increased acceptance of fitness, the advent of fitness competitions and increased magazine distribution, requiring bodybuilders to develop more visually pleasing bodies as well as a bulkier physique.  Definition, symmetry and cleaner lines were prized at this time, and emphasis on strength  was reduced in order to appeal to the general public.  

Women started to participate in fitness competitions as feminism gained more adherents and women became increadingly encouraged to take control of their destinies. This led to fitness publications featuring more female models, presumably because women clad in skimpy outfits may have sold more magazines. Female fitness models were expected to retain their femininity have broad shoulders, flat stomachs and tiny waists.

 

 

I believe something went wrong between 1950 and 1960, especially with the increased proliferation of the television and the development of broadcast media as a competitor to print media. It seemed like the media was trying to define how a bodybuilder should look. There was a conflict between the way print media believed an accomplished bodybuilder should look, and this influenced the governing aesthetic.  As you can see in the magazine covers below, the model on the left is far slimmer and more defined than the model on the right. A bulkier, less defined physique with broad shoulders and slim arms was preferred in the 50's and you can see this in the way movie stars of the day were built.

 At this time, it seems that female fitness was de-emphasised, as female models seemed to appear only on precious few covers. It should be noted that the Miss World (1951) and Miss Universe (1952) pageants commenced within this time and it is possible that public opinion may have required that emphasis be placed on female beauty, as opposed to athletic ability. The rise of beauty pageants possibly led to the rise of the 'burn fat!!!' movement and the portrayal of the thin woman as 'beautiful'.  

 

Happily, the conflict of the 50's gave way to a resurgence of enlightened bodybuilding between 1960 and 1969, probably due to increased education about nutrition and innovations in training equipment which enabled bodybuilders train with improved effectiveness and recieve quicker results.  However, this aesthetic changed with the rise of the Mr. Olympia and media preference for larger than life bodybuilders. Between 1970 and 1990 the increasing use of steroids and supplements by bodybuilders led to the evolution of the superhuman bodybuilder. There was also a resurgence of interest in female fitness, although the reappearance of women on magazine covers was more of an exploitation of their sexuality than an affirmation of their place within the fitness world.

From 1970, increased emphasis has been placed on muscle size and definition, leading to the prominence of the 'six-pack' as evidence of fitness. Innovations in training methodology also enabled the development of finely defined physiques. 

The rise of the internet and the explosion of fitness websites and enhanced information about fitness has led to the growth of a movement towards individual fitness. Ordinary people are becoming increasingly aware of their ability to change their bodies and improve their quality of life.