Kaizen principle:

Borrowing from Japanese philosophy, this itty-bitty and usually overlooked principle can help  you begin seeing gains every workout!

“Anyone who has has been training for along time eventually reaches a point of diminishing returns, making it difficult to produce even a five pound increase in a particular exercise.  Although the increase is only five pounds, it’s still too much.  The problem is even more pronounced - and frustrating with exercises that use smaller weights (ext rot).”

“in the Japanese language the word Kaizen means “constant and never-ending improvement”.  This word is used in all aspects of Japanese life, whether it is in relationships, learning judo, or improving the balance of trade.  The point here is that the Japanese look for constant and gradual improvement.  The Japanese believe that very small refinements made on a daily basis will compound with interest to bring about in the long run progress that most people will envy.  Interestingly, there is no equivalent in English for the word Kaizen.”

” Applying the Kaizen method to weight training means that instead of making a jump of five pounds, you can make an even smaller jump (such as by just one pound).  this makes the weight both physiologically and psychologically easier to handle.  Imagine if you could increase the weight for reps by half a pound a week - in one year that would be a 26 pound gain!  Gets you psyched, doesn’t it?” - Charles Poliquin

I speak of this in class often so think about it next time you are facing a heavy press or a DB ext rotation, maybe 1 pound is something to cheer about or one extra rep. 

Go get ‘em Milo.

I was almost late getting to the gym to teach the noon hour class and I did not even care….why?

..because I was having an awesome day.

I was listening to John Gormleyand he was speaking to Neil Pasricha the creator of the blog “1000 awesome things“.  This is a blog created to take note and reflect on all of all the awesome things in life that we do not usually stop and think about, the more they talked the more excited I got.  I was so excited that I rushed to the book store to get my own copy of the new book “The book of awesome” only to find out that it was not on shelves yet.  This is why I was almost late for class, but I did not care because I was so happy with all the awesomeness that surrounded me.  John and Neil spoke of babies first smiles, freshly zambonied ice, the cold beer, a perfect golf shot, etc.  I started thinking of all my favourite things and the one that came to mind was Roachie, when I leave Roach kenneled for any amount of time (5min-5 hours), it does not seem to matter how long he greets me with such enthusiasm and love that I think I should lock him up again just to let him out of his kennel to be greeted one more time.  Simple things in life can make the biggest differences, a slobbery smack on the face of a young puppy, a smile from a stranger on the street, fresh fallen rain, the first snow fall or perfectly grilled steak - all of these things are great and make life worth living.  I was very happy today to have heard the conversation on the radio and brought that happiness to the gym, where we discussed awesomeness and what it meant.  Some thought playing hooky to go golfing (Keith), having the one task you hate most at work taken off your shoulders (Brooke), waiting for a call from your wife who is expecting child birth at any moment (Knibbsy), or simply loving the clear skies and sunshine (CamJam) was awesome.  It does not matter what is awesome as long as it is awesome to you!

Sorry if i am rambling, but I am still living high off awesomeness from the energy filled noon hour class.

I also brought out one of my favourite books (it is a picture book mostly) “Guardians of being - Eckart Tolle, and showed the class a few great pics of animals and their ability to just ”be”.

Waht is your favurite thing?

These may be a few of my favourite things;

1. Greeting from Roach

2. A gym filled with energetic, ready to get at it people.

3. Women who think being strong and healthy is sexy.

4. Sundays after class, when everyone is goene I get a moment to sit back and just ”be with the gym” - a little piece of heaven.

5. A freshly made bed

6. A new bar of soap

Like I said it does not matter what is awesome, but if it is truly awesome to you.

 - have a good day all!

Chaddy “Peace, Love and Harmony” B

Hey gang,

If you have not heard, Food Inc the movie is playing at Broadway theater all week and CFS is going to be getting together on Friday evening to check it out.  Here is a short description of the movie from the Food Inc. website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXmF_erEv1o&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myAEyV5_0ZQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32o2iEEXJCA&feature=related

Give all of these a look and I think it will make your movie experience even better.

If you are interested in attending please meet us at the theater.  Prices for adults at the Broadway theater are $10 and Schwanbeck informed me that you can get a Broadway theater membership for $20 which gets you $3.50 off every movie you see as well as a few free movies - so if you frequent the theater it maybe worth it to look into this option.

Level 1 WOD 400m run for time; rest as needed 5 rounds * Danny Boy and his 82.5# TGU

Level 2 WOD Rest Day - Active Recovery   * Rochelle “my hands hurt …. wa wa wa” Wempe - Rochelle I still think you are awesome even though you whine as much as I do, can’t read the WOD board, have no memory, and slow every one down by talking to them.  I thinks your alright dude!

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Level 1 WOD 2 min wallball 2 min rest 2 min burpees 2 min rest 2 rounds for total reps

Level 2 WOD Active Recovery Day

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