Stressful Adjustment

A while back, I had finished some rigourous runs, the last of which was my second 10-mile run logged on Nike+. After that day, I experienced tremendous pain in my right foot in the arch and ankle areas. I thought this may have just been muscular pain due to the extreme exercise, but it hasn't fully went away. On recovery weeks and when I was sick recently, the pain subsided substantially, but the other day after my Plyometrics and 30-minute run combo, much of the pain came back, and I've been popping ibuprofen and applying Icy Hot, etc. Yesterday I was reading some study materials for my personal training certification test (no tentative date yet) and I learned through various descriptions of injuries that I most likely have a stress fracture. This is common after intense use and overuse, and the foot is one of the most likely areas.

I am in the middle of a scheduled P90X+ program currently, however, rather than perpetuate the injury and risk more serious damage not to mention taking hits in performance in the upcoming runs I have planned, I have decided to take a break from the set program and design something that will incorporate cardio and strength training to keep up my fitness level while toning down the heavy impact and stress on my foot. Below is what I have planned for the next 2-3 weeks, and I am posting this as an example for some of you who have injuries. Please let me know if you have a different injury or condition you are challenged with, and I will help you to find a workaround for it. Thanks for reading!

mon  -  upper body weight lifting/abs (custom using bench/no standing lifts!)
tue  -  spinervals (cycling training dvd)
wed  -  "X Stretch" (from P90X)
thurs  -  10-mile spinning (or outdoor ride)
fri  -  upper body weight lifting/abs (same as mon)
sat  -  "Fountain Of Youth" (1on1 w/Tony Horton)
sun  -  full rest day

Good Stuff!

I've had several conversations regarding some of the great things Beachbody has to offer as far as nutrition goes, and I have to say I've had the opportunity to use many of this, and I'd like to post some reviews for you today.

1. P90X Results and Recovery formula - This is hands down my favorite for the extreme workouts of P90X, P90X+, INSANITY, One on One, etc. I get the packets and drink a recovery drink every day after my workout. It tastes great and has everything my body is craving after the rigorous workouts. I highly recommend this as an essential part of your post-fitness nutrition.

2. P90X Protein Bars - with 20 grams of protein, these are all delicious and pack an awesome amount of bang for your buck. I use these as my afternoon meal, and if you are on the lighter side, you may want to eat only half since each bar is 270 calories.

3. Shakeology - I alternate between greenberry and chocolate, and I still can't decide which one is more delicious! This is absolutely the best nutrition in a meal possible on earth! My digestion and mental focus is better, and it gives me the energy I need to work through the lunch rush at work. My mom, dad, mother-in-law, and wife are also replacing a meal with Shakeology, and they have noticed dramatic improvements in their health as well. It's absolutely worth the price. Think about it...what has your latte done for you lately?...and what good is a $7 salad? Shakeology is less than 4 bucks a meal for the best nutrition on Earth, and I wouldn't tell you that unless I use and believe in it!


Well, there are some nutrition reviews for you. Click on the title to this link to go to my coach site and check out all this stuff at my store! Beachbody often has deals goin' on so feel free to ask me about anything you are interested in! Thanks for reading everyone!

Testimonials!

Today I received a testimonial of progress from one couple, who are trainees of mine. They have recently started P90X together, and I must say this is an awesome thing! As individuals, we have the potential to do many things, but together as a team with others, if we reach towards the same goal or dedicate ourselves to a similar ideal, nothing is impossible. I'd like to share this testimonial with you since it is fresh, but there are countless others that have their own stories to share as well. Do you have a story to share? Send it to me! (Click on the title to this blog and link to my coach page. Go to contact and write me there! Thanks!) If you don't yet have a story, but are looking to improve your health and your life, contact me and join my team today! Here's the testimonial:

"Hi Mike,

Just  a quick update.

WOW what a tough work out these are.  So my husband and I decided that we were a bit to heavy and out of shape to just jump right in. 

Sunday the 21st we prepared meals from your phase 1 fat shredder plan and walked, did pull ups and sit ups all week.  By sunday the 28th, James lost 6 lbs and I lost 4 lbs.

Last Monday we started the CD's, and man are we sore.  James has been able to get through 45 mins and I am only making about 30 mins, but we are not going to stop.

We talk about our food and how much and were it hurts and what's on the work out for that night everyday.

So far so good.  I will send you another update after this week.

Tina & James Campbell"

Thanks to Tina and James for staying committed and congrats to them on their progress so far! I hope you are inspired as much as I am by this update, and I hope to hear from some of you very soon! You can do it...WE can do it! Thanks for reading everyone!

Great Friends

This morning I was checking my Facebook page on the way to work and noticed my best friend Tony had left me some very inspirational messages that really helped me to realize how much support I have from him as well as my other friends and family. It means so much to have great friends and a great family. It means even more to know that you are supported in your actions, your beliefs, and in pursuing your goals. Family and friends are the people that mean the most to me, and I know for you this is true as well. I hope all of you have great support systems in place in your families, and likewise I hope you offer your support in return because it means a lot to those people as well. I'm going to keep this short, because there isn't really much more to say. Thanks to all of you who are close to me, because great friends are hard to come by, and I miss some of my great friends of the past who have lost touch or who have passed away. And thanks, Tony, for dropping me those posts today; it really meant a lot, and I appreciate you. Thanks for reading everyone!

Cost vs. Price

When thinking about buying a new product, do you ever compare cost and price? "What's the difference?" you are probably wondering. Well, for example, if you are looking to buy a new blender, for example. Let's say you are comparing a $15 Hamilton Beach blender to a $40 Oster blender. (I owned a cheap Hamilton Beach blender, and now I own an Oster blender, so I am using this comparison). The initial price of $15 looks appealing. The two have similar features--they crush ice, they both make smoothies, etc. Let's say you buy that cheaper one. Well, a month or two in, you turn the bottom where the blade screws in to the pitcher a little too hard, and the plastic cracks on the pitcher. You look into buying a new pitcher for the thing, and you can't find one. Even if you could, it would be about the same price for a new blender, right? So now you go back and buy the Oster blender, which is made from thick glass and is simply better quality. You end up using this one for a few years, (let's say 3 for this example's sake). Barring that you don't burn out the motor or break the glass, the whole thing will not break easily on you and you have a solid product. So you had the Hamilton Beach Blender at the price of $15, but you only had it for two months, so it cost you $7.50/month. When you bought the Oster blender at a price of $40, and you were able to get 3 years out of it, it ended up costing you about $1.11/month. Now, if we compare the cost, which one has a better value to you?

Think about this. And think about price vs. cost in another way. Most or all of you reading this know that I market and sell home fitness and health products, depending on the needs of my trainees/customers and what will work as a solution for them. What I suggest to you may seem a bit much as far as price goes, but surely you should see that for whatever the price and/or cost of products that will vastly improve your health and quality of life, you will get a superb value when comparing this to the cost of things you will most likely need in the future if you don't decide to take care of yourself and make some wise purchases now. Things like...diabetes testing supplies, blood pressure medicine, doctor and hospital visits, sleep apnea machines, and other medical supplies. You get what I'm saying? So make an investment in your health today that will save your health and save you money in the future. I don't know about you, but I'd rather enjoy my life rather than simply preserving it. How bout you? Thanks for reading everyone, and have a great night!