What is fitness?

I have a lot of windshield time as well as airplane time, and my mind being what it is I start thinking. On last week's trip home I asked myself, what is fitness? And what defines it?

I live an interesting life, every week I meet a handful of different people in different geographical areas that work in very diverse industries. Every week I end up dining with these folks and more often than not the conversation turns to diet & fitness. After all these years I still follow the 2:1 rule, which translates to, 2 ears and 1 mouth, so I use them in that proportion. My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Cooley would be so proud.

Recent channel surf as I was on a hotel "Dreadmill"

It seems that between bites of their chicken fried steak and french fries that they want to talk about the latest fitness infomercial, eat this lose that, or lose that by eating this, and I listen. I listen as no one says "Hey, want to go with me to my gym this evening?" and I listen as they order desert.
Everyone has their own definition of fitness, is it how fast you can run a mile? Is it your cholesterol number? Is it maintaining your food macros? What defines fitness for you?

It comes down WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO! 

Not looking to insult the masses, but fitness isn't about infomercials, cd/dvd's, shakes or powders..... yes, those things might "help" but they're not the end all to be all. If those "Before & After" infomercials fuel your juices look then read this.

You have to decide that you've had enough, that you're tired of buying XXL, tired of using the extender belt when you fly or tired of the doctor entering your exam room with his head hung low.
Is it as simple as calories in vs. calories out? In a nutshell no, yes you will lose weight, but does that signify being physically fit?
I live in a house with someone who has single digit body-fat, (It's not me!) but since their diet consists of things that have never had a heartbeat does that means they're physically fit? Can they run a mile? Can they do 25 push-ups? However, if you ask them, they'd say they're healthy, and they probably are.

Check out James Carter in the video above. James is a blast to watch, he does things that makes my spine hurt, but if you saw a picture of James standing still you might not think he's the healthiest person around.

Next up, according to my wife is my Man-Crush, Rich Froning, 4 time winner of the Crossfit Games and a very fit dude. Rich nails the textbook definition fitness, seriously who wouldn't want that physique?

Finally we have Brian Shaw, 6'8" and weighing in at 415lbs, and by the way, 3 time winner of the World's Strongest Man competition. Chances are you won't see Brian on one of those early morning infomercials because "Beach Muscles" really aren't going to help you deadlift 880lbs.

 So, what exactly is fitness? I guess it's similar to beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder.

Me Want

This could take the place of my Shake Weight

Dreadmill

Crazy Front Squat Technique

Changing It Up This Morning

I got up this morning planning to get in either a bike ride or a run but alas it was raining...I had lifted last night so a resistance session wasn't in order...so I broke out a Bob Harper DVD that I picked up off his site several months ago for $5.00.
As I unwrapped the DVD I was thinking how tough could this really be? Well damn, It was all I could do to last 30 minutes before I had to take a break...it was tough, my quads and glutes were on fire, even after several hours I could still feel the fire.
Not an easy workout by any stretch of the means and well worth the $5.00/

Been There

Worth The Watch

There Goes My Decorating Budget...

April 11, 2011, 2:36 pm

Gee, How Did That Towel End Up in My Suitcase?

By SARA J. WELCH

Hotel guests may want to think twice now before walking off with that bathrobe. Linen Technology Tracking, a company in Miami, has patented a washable RFID chip that can be sewn into towels, robes and bed sheets, allowing hotels to keep track of their linens.

So far, three hotels — in Honolulu, Miami and Manhattan — are using the chip, said Linen Technology Tracking’s executive vice president, William Serbin. He said the hotels did not want their names used.

Mr. Serbin added that rising cotton prices were a motivation: “A bath towel that might have cost $5 last year could cost $8 or $9 now. High-end hotels want to watch those assets.” READ MORE

In all of my years of traveling I don't think I've ever taken a towel with me, even by accident. Now I can tell you that if I was to ever accidentally remove a towel I would never take it from my room but from the pool or fitness room, yes it would have the blue strip on it (kind of like a range ball) but at least I would have a matching set.

All this hotel talk reminds me of a hotel room tour that I took a few years ago...

EliteFTS.com: So You Think You Can Squat

In their never ending quest to pay it forward the guys over at Elite FTS have put together an instructional series on squating. Their site is littered with more free dead on instructional information than you know what to do with.

Devils & Angels

Yep it made me laugh......also

Feb -4

I took Thursday completely off from exercise....it was a long day....it started before 7:00am and finished around 11:30pm when I pulled into St. Petersberg, Fl. When 5:30am came this morning it was just to early to do any kind of cardio.

Managed an after work RT before I fell into the Chipolte Burrito Bowl trap...The Burrito Bowl not that bad calorie-wise 570 which was OK the 65g of carbs was high but I knew what I was getting into. What put me over the edge was the 73g carb loaded Chips and Salsa....damn




As many different workouts that I've tried over the years the one below is next up on my list.

Warrior Dash 12 Days And Counting

2011 Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

Loaded up the sled yesterday and headed North to the 2011 Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Orlando FL. The weather cooperated and stayed cool and slightly cloudy.

There were traditional Scottish crafts such as iron and leather working.

Scottish Country Dancing was also represented.

You also had a variety of Noggin Knocker sticks if you needed one.

Then onto the events.......there was weight for height. We saw some near weight for skull smashes as the competitors bodies started to fatigue.

The crowd favorite was the caber toss.

I, of course, had to try a few kilts on just for size...does this make my butt look big?

Jan 10

Weigh in Monday...down 6 pounds for the week. I'm sure most of it was the "Holiday Bloat" leaving my body aka....no beer for the last couple of weeks.
Managed another Biggest Loser Power Walk session this morning before the workday started and then ended the day with a mile walk next to my wife. Tuna Tuesday is up next..Have a great evening.

Team Hoyt

I saw this on Ross Enamait's site at lunch and thought it worthy of passing on. I've followed "Team Hoyt" for years and when you see and hear about the devotion that the father has for the son and that the son has for the father it might leave you speechless. Then you look and the number of events that these two have participated in, it only goes to prove.... if you can conceive it you can achieve it..