Female Fitness Blog

Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

This post is written to let everyone know I completed all requirements and passed my exam last week to receive my certified senior fitness instructor certification with the International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA).

I look forward to using my new skills in working with mature adults in helping them reach improved levels of health & fitness and live a higher quality of life.

This Fall I will be teaching more classes for mature adults at various community centers throughout Houston.  Stay tuned and get on my e-mail newsletter list if you haven’t already done so.

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Submitted by Fit and Female Blog

It’s been a crazy week for me!  It’s 10:15 and I’m still working…

Unfortunately sometimes when I go to blog at the end of a busy day my brain is completely fried and I know whatever I try to write will be completely incoherent.  Today is one of those days.

That’s why it’s important to have really intelligent friends who do things like this amazing video blog post from my road dawg, Coach Frank Dolan, Jr.  

In the first of his new video series Frank teaches you three GREAT hip mobility exercises that can help you move better, feel better and prevent low back pain.  Check it out.  Whew!   That was easy.  Thanks Frank! ;-) 

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build A Better Body Blog

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Submitted by Fit and Female

Visit 1800blogger to see all of our industry leading blogs.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Try a Coed Flag Football League

In order to get progressive results, you must change various variables to your workouts at least every 4 - 6 weeks.  If not, you will encounter the dreaded plateau, and not attain the results you are looking for.

Here’s a few ideas to add variety to your workouts for better results:

1. Vary the order of exercises
2. Change the exercises or mix and match exercises
3. Incorporate new systems, such as Circuit, Super-sets, Tri-sets, etc.
4. Change the weight
5. Change the number of sets and/or repetitions
6. Mix resistance settings on cardiovascular exercises
7. Change the “course” for cardiovascular exercises such as jogging or biking.
8. Change hand grip handles
9. Change stance (foot width)
10. Mix machines and free weights
11. Change resting interval
12. Change between bi-lateral (both arms or legs) to unilateral (one arm or leg) exercises
13. Reverse the order of the exercises
14. Lengthen time of concentric and eccentric contractions
15. Try sprint training
16. Try interval training
17. Try core training
18. Try different group fitness classes, such as cardio salsa, Zumba, water fitness, yoga, pilates, kung fu fitness, kickboxing, etc.
19. Participate in an adult sports league and play basketball, flag football, volleyball, etc.
20. Try an individual sport like tennis, racquetball, or disc golf.
21. Swim!
22. Be adventerous and try white water rafting, rock climbing, surfing, hiking, etc.
23. Relax and meditate.

The possibilities are endless.  Can you think of more ideas?

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Submitted by Fit and Female Blog

If you’ve read my book, Fit + Female you know that struggles with my own body image were a very painful part of my teens and young adulthood. (BTW…If you haven’t read my story, you can visit my site and download the first chapter of the book for free when you sign-up for my free newsletter).  So anytime that I can help another woman feel better on the inside AND look better on the outside…I’m stoked!!   That’s why getting emails like the one I got this AM…here’s some of what this young woman wrote…

In middle school and high school I was always concerned with my weight which fluctuated between 120 and 130 throughout high school. I fought the weight by eliminating meals, the only meal I ever ate was dinner during the school year and in the summer I was unable to hold myself back and gained weight.

My mother and sister were always smaller than me and only because they had better self control when it came to cutting meals. After leaving high school I got fed up with this lifestyle and did the exact opposite and gorged myself. Three months, thirty lbs heaver, I decided enough was enough and I joined a gym…

Then I read the Fit and Female book. It has been one month I have lost 7 lbs, 4 cm in my hips, butt, and thighs. This book gave me motivation which finally got me out of this slump, I ran a mile for the first time in two years without stopping and I have the motivation and energy (from the nutritional food I have been eating and enjoying) to continue.

If I hadn’t found this book, I would still be in the slump and now that I am out there is no stopping me!

Wow…go, Girl!!!  I can’t tell you how happy that made me!! - G

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Marcos Moore, Age 3, swimming across deep end of pool

One of the most important skills a person can learn in their life is swimming.

Swimming has many benefits.  It’s a great exercise to burn calaries and fat, it’s considered low-impact and easy on your joints, and can be done for a lifetime.  It’s also great for maintaining and building a great body for toning and shaping, cardiovascular endurance and even relaxation.  You can also take it up a notch and do interval training for a super intense workout with minimal time.  And if you really want something to fulfill your thrillseeking needs, you can go surfing (only very strong swimmers can do this sport).

The best time to learn how to swim is when a person is young.  The younger, the better.  I recommend starting children at 6 months old by participating in a Parent/Child Swimming Class.  Of course they won’t learn how to swim independently at this very young age, however, they will overcome their sense of fear for the water.  This is critically important for when they take their first swimming class on their own.

At age 3, it’s good to start children in Learn To Swim Classes.  They won’t learn to swim in 1 class, or even 1 session (usually a 2 week period).  Patience and repetition are essentiall at this stage, so re-registering your child for consecutive sessions enhances their chances to learn swimming quicker and effectively.

Swimming is very similar to learning a foreign language.  You must focus on the skill and practice every day until becoming proficient.  That’s why it’s best to learn a foreign language by living in a country with the native language for at least 3 months.  In this manner, you are forced to focus and practice the language every single day.  Also, children under the age of 12 pick up a second language in “weeks.” 

My children both (ages 3 & 6) can swim proficiently now thanks to the YMCA.  They’ve been taking the Learn To Swim Classes at the YMCA all summer and have made significant progress.  I now feel confident when my children visit a friend’s house that has a pool and know that if one of my children accidently fall into the pool, it won’t be a fatal problem.  They know how to swim.

Fortunately, we live in a country where public pools and community organizations are plentiful.  Practically every city has a parks and recreation department, YMCA, JCC, and various commercial fitness centers that provide aquatic centers and Learn To Swim Classes at affordable prices.

Unfortunately, I still hear about drownings that occur for both children and adults.  Here in Houston, there’s an average of 15 - 20 drownings per summer.  Most of these drownings take place in private apartment complexes where there aren’t any lifeguards or adult supervision. 

Learning to Swim is the solution.  Contact your local parks and recreation department, YMCA, JCC or other community agency today to take swimming classes.  It’s one of the best investments you can make for yourself and loved ones for a lifetime.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Glute Bridge Exercise

Here’s an exercise that strengthens your lower back, glutes and core . . . The Glute Bridge.

Start out by lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.  Using your glutes, move your hips toward the ceiling.  Only your shoulders and heels should remain on the ground.  Hold this position, then lower your hips toward the floor.  Repeat for your intended number of repetitions.

Key Points:

• Initiate movement with your glutes.
• Don’t let your glutes rest on the floor after each repetition.
• Keep your inner core activated.
• Don’t let your hips sag.
• Don’t let your hips rest on the floor between sets.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

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Submitted by Fit and Female Blog

A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time — pills or stairs - Joan Welsh

Geez, maybe I could have used this on Wednesday…

I know I’ve quoted Cher before (I mean who doesn’t really?) when she said famously in an 80’s Bally’s commercial, “If it came in bottle, everyone would have a great body“.   Well, apparently science is working on making that very thing happen!

This week  Cell published research from the Salk Institute in which mice given a chemical substance (PPARβ/δ agonist) increased their muscle cells aerobic capacity and increased their aerobic endurance — even without doing any exercise.  Yup…coach potato mice were able to increase their aerobic endurance a whopping 44% without even putting down the Doritos and Budweiser.

The researchers say that they hope that by manipulating the chemical pathways that control the benefits of exercise, they may be able to help people with serious health problems (such as diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory issues) — even when they are unable (or unwilling) to workout.

Conceptually, I think this is great!  However, as a practical matter I think that:

1) It is HIGHLY unlikely that a pill (or even a pile of pills) will ever be able to give people the many and varied benefits that come from working out (see below).

2) File this one under “it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature” (okay… so I’ve quoted 2 TV commercials in one blog…think I watched a little too much TV in my youth?  For extra credit what product was that commerical for?) But there is no doubt in my mind that there will be some serious, nasty and unexpected side effects when we try manipulating these pathways, long-term in humans. 

3) You know there will be tons of athletes (and assorted idiots) who will be abusing this substance in pursuit of enhanced performance and/or physical perfection.

The fact is, most people can do some form of exercise.  Even if its just a daily 20-minute walk broken up into four 5-minute segments.  Moreover, as a drug exercise is probably the safest and most powerful substance known to mankind.  Here are just a partial list of some of the known benefits of regular exercise with more and more being unveiled every day.

• Improves lean body tissue
• Reduces body fat
• Improves cardiovascular function
• Improves respiratory function
• Improves the body’s ability to use blood sugar
• Strengthens muscles and tendons
• Strengthens bones
• Increases flexibility of muscles
• Improves mobility of the joints
• Increases nutrient supply to the joints
• Reduces the risk of some cancers
• Reduces the risk of age-related cognitive impairments
• Improves balance and coordination
• Reduces the risk of falls
• Reduces mild to moderate depression
• Improves sleep patterns
• Improves posture
• Increases self-esteem

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Submitted by Fit and Female Blog

I believe that was a quote from the late Dave Thomas, owner of Wendy’s…from one of his commercials.  I always got a chuckle out of that one, because there is a real element of truth to that…even for those of us in the fitness business.

Clients will sometimes say to me, “I need you, because I HATE exercise”…and I often think, well I do too — sometimes. 

It’s funny, I think people who don’t exercise consistently are under the misconception that everyone who does always LOVES the process.  We’ll I for one don’t…sometimes I definitely do…had a great run on Tuesday that I loved from start to finish.  But sometimes you are just dragging your tail the entire time.  Sometimes you can get a bit bored, sometimes you’d rather be eating, sleeping, watching TV…anything but working out.  That’s just the nature of the beast.  You do it because you know the results are worth it…even if the process isn’t always fun.

I was in that kind of a mood today.  I was doing my warm-up with my corrective exercises (another blog in itself) and I was really having a tough time getting into it.  Even my favorite tunes permanently damaging my hearing was not motivating me. 

Then my friend Ray (another trainer) came by and I said (half joking)…”Wow, this exercise stuff really sucks!!  I’m sweating, I’m uncomfortable….why would anyone in their right mind do this to themselves?  I should be in bed …sleeping!”… without missing a beat he said “or maybe eating some donuts” at which point we both cracked up.

The point is that exercise isn’t always fun…neither is brushing your teeth or flossing, but the results are what make it all worthwhile.   It’s unrealistic that every workout is going to be fun…or easy.   One thing is for sure, Dave Thomas was right…I always feel better…happier…when it’s over.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

 

Louis & Cida white water rafting in Iguacu Falls, Brazil

If you are one of my current or past personal training clients or have purchased my e-book “Build A Better Body,” you now have access to the MAPS Inventory Questionnaire in my Exercise Library.

The MAPS Inventory Questionnaire is designed to help you find a fitness program that meets your physical, psychological, and social needs. Through this questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to see which activities best match your profile. In addition, you will have a chance to review recommendations for activities that may help you develop new skills for living. The recommendations resulting from this questionnaire need to be understood in relation to your current physical condition. Discussing these results with a fitness professional who has information about your health, body composition, aerobic capacity, and other relevant variables will give you optimal results for designing a program that you will enjoy and profit on all levels.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Louis & Cida white water rafting in Iguacu Falls, Brazil

If you are one of my current or past personal training clients or have purchased my e-book “Build A Better Body,” you now have access to the MAPS Inventory Questionnaire in my Exercise Library.

The MAPS Inventory Questionnaire is designed to help you find a fitness program that meets your physical, psychological, and social needs. Through this questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to see which activities best match your profile. In addition, you will have a chance to review recommendations for activities that may help you develop new skills for living. The recommendations resulting from this questionnaire need to be understood in relation to your current physical condition. Discussing these results with a fitness professional who has information about your health, body composition, aerobic capacity, and other relevant variables will give you optimal results for designing a program that you will enjoy and profit on all levels.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Louis & Cida white water rafting in Iguacu Falls, Brazil

If you are one of my current or past personal training clients or have purchased my e-book “Build A Better Body,” you now have access to the MAPS Inventory Questionnaire in my Exercise Library.

The MAPS Inventory Questionnaire is designed to help you find a fitness program that meets your physical, psychological, and social needs. Through this questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to see which activities best match your profile. In addition, you will have a chance to review recommendations for activities that may help you develop new skills for living. The recommendations resulting from this questionnaire need to be understood in relation to your current physical condition. Discussing these results with a fitness professional who has information about your health, body composition, aerobic capacity, and other relevant variables will give you optimal results for designing a program that you will enjoy and profit on all levels.

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Submitted by Fit and Female Blog

 It was once believed that pregnant women were fragile creatures, who should avoid exerting themselves during those 9 months.  However, now many studies have established that exercise actually helps the body deal with the stresses of pregnancy with benefits for the: aerobic system,  respiratory system and cardiovascular system. 

That said there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind to keep both mama and baby safe while breaking a sweat.  ALWAYS check with your doctor before beginning (or continuing) a workout program, while pregnant to see if you have any special needs or restrictions.

• Workout with the goal of maintaining fitness, rather than training for competition.
• Avoid exercising in hot, humid environments which challenge the body’s ability to cool itself.  Your body temp should stay below 100 degrees.
• Stay well-hydrated, drink (preferably water) until your urine runs light in color
• Have a light snack before to avoid low blood sugar
• Keep energy bars, fruit and juices on hand in case of low blood sugar
• Do longer warm-ups and cool-downs
• Reduce the frequency, intensity and time of your workouts as your pregnancy progresses
• Try to exercise on flat even surfaces, balance and joint laxity is challenged during pregnancy, increasing the risk of ankle sprains
• Wear supportive footwear
• Work at an intensity you would describe as “somewhat hard”.
• Avoid situations which could result in abdominal trauma (roller-blading, kick-boxing, mountain biking, downhill skiing) especially as the pregnancy progresses
• Avoid breath-holding during exercise
• Avoid rapid changes of position between exercise or prolonged standing as these can result in dizziness or fainting from blood pooling in the legs and feet.
• Avoid lying flat on your back after the first trimester, as the weight of the baby can impair blood flow back to your heart and brain, making you feel dizzy, faint or uncomfortable
• Keep your pelvic floor strong by doing Kegels both during your workout and during the day (some experts recommend as may as 50 reps, 10-20 sets every day — Geez, that’s A LOT of Kegeling!!).  For directions on how to Kegel check out this link to The Mayo Clinic

Again, this list is just a guide and women with certain medical conditions and/or a high-risk pregnancy may need additional modifications.  Unfortunately, in some cases women may not be able to exercise at all.   Be sure to talk to your doctor and make sure he/she is okay with what you are planning to do.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Water Fitness Classes

I added 2 more water fitness classes to my schedule this week at the Alief YMCA on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.  Click here to see a current listing of my classes. 

Come out and have a great workout and have some fun!

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Submitted by Fit and Female Blog

, like many people, saw a news item this week that said that a recent study showed that an “Atkins-type” low-carb diet was shown to be more effective in terms of weight loss and raising HDLs than low-carb or mediterranean diet.  Sounded fishy… so I did some digging. 

Hmmm…surprise, surprise…turns out this study was sponsored by “the Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Research Foundation” but that the researchers reported “no potential conflict of interest”…oh, Geez, my bad…I thought it might be.

Here’s a few of the other little details that didn’t make it onto the newswire:

• The researchers encouraged the low-carb folks to find VEGETARIAN  sources of protein….last time I checked that wasn’t the classic Atkins diet (e.g cheeseburger no bun).  And last I checked vegetables where carbohydrates. It may be that the researchers were measuring the effect of a hybrid semi-vegetarian diet against the other two.
• The “Atkins” diet had the poorest adherance of the three.
• Both systolic (the top number representing the effort of the heart during contraction) and the diastolic (the bottom number representing the effort of the heart during the filling phase) were reduced the most from the Mediterranean diet.  High blood pressure is a major cause of heart attack and stroke.
• Women actually lost more weight on the Mediterranean diet
• Levels of “high-sensitivity C reactive protein” (aka CPR) were reduced MOST with the Mediterranen diet.  High CRP levels are thought to be related to sudden ruptures in arterial walls and blood clots — both of which can cause a heart attack
• Of those with diabetes, only those on the Mediterranean diet had a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar levels
• The “Atkins” diet participants did have the highest level of ketones in their urine.   I’ll let the folks at  Northwestern University  explain the significance of that:“If your body does not have enough carbohydrates and has too much protein, it enters into a state known as ketosis. Ketosis is the accumulation in the blood of ketones (byproducts of fat oxidation) and represents the body’s adaptation to fasting or starvation. The theory behind low-carbohydrate diets is that inducing a constant state of ketosis cause people to lose weight regardless of how many calories from protein and fat are consumed because it causes the body to eventually burn fat for energy. Ketosis increases insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, and glucose intolerance has been linked to hypertension and dyslipidemia. Maintaining a state of ketosis can also result in mild dehydration because the kidneys are burdened by having to rid the body of excess nitrogen. This can cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, nausea, fatigue, sleep problems, and worsening of kidney problems.”

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Greek-Style Potato Salad

Chunks of tender potato are tossed with scallions, capers, olives, feta cheese and fresh dill, then coated in a yogurt and lemon dressing to create a mouthwatering potato salad with the classic flavors of Greece.

Directions:  Cut the potatoes into bite-size pieces and boil in a large pot of boiling water until just tender. DRAIN the potatoes, then allow to cool while you prepare the other ingredients. IN a small bowl dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice and mix together with the olive oil, yogurt, salt and pepper until well combined. PLACE the cooked potatoes in a large bowl. SCATTER the scallions, capers, olives, feta cheese and dill on top then toss gently to combine. DRIZZLE the yogurt dressing over the top and mix through to evenly coat the potato.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Twin Lab Endurance Fuel

Lately I’ve been drinking another orange looking drink during my workouts and water fitness classes besides the Twin Lab Choline Cocktail — the Twin Lab Endurance Fuel.

It helps me to teach water fitness classes in the extreme heat with no shade and have super intense workouts, like sprinting.  It’s way better than the typical sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade.  It has more of the things you really need to energize and recover, especially when you are seriously sweating a lot.

I use it also because I don’t want to burn muscle while doing intense workouts.  You see, at a certain point in time during intense workouts (usually between 40 - 50 minutes), your body no longer burns carbs or fat.  It turns to muscle as the energy source and this is not good because it sabatoges your metabolism and can cause weight gain.  This is the last thing I want to accomplish with my workouts because it’s going backwards.  Therefore, proper fueling is necessary with a reputable endurance drink and eating well with whole foods before and after workouts (this is critically important).  Make sure you eat a healthy meal within 30 - 45 minutes after your workout to recover with complex carbs and lean protein.

I don’t recommend this product for light workouts, such as walking in the park.  Water works just fine.  This is only for super, intense workouts or working out in the extreme heat.

The Twin Lab Endurance Fuel is a serious multi-stage formula that anticipates the body’s needs for pre, during and post-exercise nutrition.  It’s based on 3 stages to give your body maximum performance.

Stage 1 Defense Complex: Fusion of antioxidants combine to protect muscles during exercise.

Stage 2 Endurance Blend: Beta-alanine supports muscular endurance, power and output; a powerhouse carb blend releases energy faster (waxy maize, glucose), sustains it (maltodextrin), and acts as an energy reservoir to help you finish strong (isomaltulose); electrolyte blend aids proper hydration and helps you overcome heat stress.

Stage 3 Recovery Matrix: Time released whey and casein proteins, at a 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio, help prepare muscles for faster recovery even during activity.

Result: sustains optimal performance, enhances endurance and speeds recovery.*

There are no artificial colors - zero fat - clinically tested ingredients.

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You’ve got to admit it, women are definitely more conscious about the way they look than men. They spend hours putting on makeup, trying out clothes and shopping for the latest fashions. That’s why I consider it a shame that the fairer sex is cursed with being genetically endowed with large hips and buttocks and thighs to match – at least the unlucky ones like me. Call it a gift from nature so that childbirth is easy or rue the fact that those jeans just don’t fit the way they should, anyway you look at it, fat deposits around the lower half of your body is just not attractive at all.

Contrary to my strong belief that my thunder thighs were not willing to give up even an inch of flab, I found a fitness trainer who managed to convert me from bottom heavy to buxom, a huge difference in someone my age. So here I am, sharing the secrets to reducing weight around the buttocks and thighs for those women who share my angst:

• The first and foremost thing to do is get active. Or more crudely put, get off your butt if you want to lose it! There’s nothing like being on the go all the time to get your metabolism working and reducing the fat around your thighs and buttocks. The longer you sit, the bigger your behind gets. So find some activity to keep you on your toes all day long, with the only time you rest being the time you hit the sack every night for at least 6 hours of beauty sleep.
    • Get involved in aerobic exercises that work every part of your body. Unfortunately, there’s no single exercise that you can do to spot reduce the fat from the area around your hips and thighs. Getting involved in something as vigorous and active as aerobics makes you work up a sweat and lose those excess pounds.
    • Strength and weight training exercises like abdominal crunches, squats, leg lifts and lunges all help in defining the muscles around your buttocks, stomach and thighs. While these routines do not reduce your weight, they improve the tone of your body and make you look and feel better, which is your ultimate goal anyway. Muscles help do away with that flabby look which is a killer when you’re wearing tight jeans and a cute top to try and catch the attention of the new guy on the block.
     • Eat sensibly, and by that I mean don’t go on a starvation diet that leaves you craving for food and giving in to binges. Never go hungry, instead, fill up with fruits and vegetables that are low on calories and filled with vitamins and nutrients. Limit your intake to a certain number of calories per day so that you don’t undo all the hard work you’ve done with your exercises by eating too much.
    • And last, but not least of all, give yourself time to lose weight. It’s not magic that’s done with the snap of your fingers, so stick to your schedule and diet no matter how long it takes. Some people have a slower metabolism and tend to lose weight more slowly than others, so don’t get disheartened and give up. And even after you’ve lost weight, stay the course so you don’t end up putting it back on!

This article is contributed by Heather Johnson, who regularly writes on Louisiana nursing schools. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Rafael Nadal

Last Sunday my workout was not my typical cardio workout.  I actually did a cardio workout for 45 minutes, compared to my usual 20 minutes or less aerobic workouts. 

You see, last Sunday Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played in the Wimbleton Championship Match that took place for most of the day.  There were a few rain delays, but for the most part it was an extremely long match to watch (but well worth it). 

I started the day early in the morning watching this match around 8:30 a.m. and thought for sure Nadal was going to win everything after the 3rd set, but somehow Federer had the mental power to stay in the game and extend the match.

I left after lunch to go to Lifetime Fitness to do my workout and figured I would see the highlights on ESPN.  While I was doing the strength part of my workout, I couldn’t believe the match was still going on.  Federer was not only still in the match, but had a very good chance of winning it all.  At this point, I really didn’t know who was going to win.  So, I decided to start my cardio workout on the treadmill while watching the tennis match and figured it would end within 20 minutes by the time I finished my workout.

Didn’t happen.  Federer somehow stayed in the match and extended the match beyond belief.  It was incredible to watch for all tennis fans, but it caused me to seriously make my cardio workout much longer than usual.

After my 5 minute warm up, I did a very fast sprint (Incline 4.0 and Speed at 9.0) for 30 seconds and then adjusted the Speed down to 4.0 for a recovery period of 3 minutes.  I followed this cycle for 30 minutes and then finished with a 10 minute cool down. 

When I finished, I was really exhausted.  But the only reason why I exercised on the treadmill for 45 minutes total was to watch the Nadal/Federer Match.  I was hooked and couldn’t stop watching.  In my opinion (and I’m sure by many others), this had to of been the best tennis match in the last 25 years or so.  Very comparable to Jimmy Connors vs. John Mckenroe back in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  Wimbleton matches with Borg were pretty exciting too.

Nadal and Federer displayed the game of tennis at its highest level of competition, fitness and integrity.  Both of these athletes are in incredible shape and played the game with amazing technical skills, power, agility, and endurance.  Also, they played with exceptional emotional control and didn’t let the pressure of the game affect them.  In my opinion, Federer has got to be one of the most level headed athletes who knows how to use his mental skills to achieve success.  Brady from the New England Patriots is my next favorite athlete for mental skills.

As I was telling my good friend Sal at the YMCA today, Nadal and Federer represented the game of tennis well in this match by playing with great sportsmanship, style and class.  Not once did you see any kind of immature or vulgar behavior that are commonly displayed in other professional sports, such as basketball and football.  Yes, the NBA needs to take some serious lessons from tennis to change their image.

I hope you enjoyed the match as much as I did. 

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

Martin Strel Swimming the Amazon

I came across this fascinating post written by Tim Ferriss on his blog (which I highly recommend you check out) about the only man to swim the entire Amazon River. 

Last year on April 8th, Slovenian marathon swimmer Martin Strel became the first man to swim the entire length of the Amazon River from headwaters in Peru to the Brazilian port city of Belém: 3,274 miles. It took him 66 days with a support crew of near twenty people following him in a boat for protection.

Read the article on Ferris’ blog site and especially pay attention to his interview with Matin Strel about his eating habits and mental/physical preparation for this amazing project. 

Read more . . .

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

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Submitted by Louis Moore’s Build a Better Body Blog

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