Strength for Life

When the Scale is an Altar

Amidst the busyness of December, the holiday season offers a chance to reflect, and pay homage, to all that is good and meaningful in our lives.

Come January, it’s back to high-gear as we take control of the wheel of life again—and toss in a few well intentioned resolutions for improvement. And for most you can expect at least one of those resolutions to reference fitness—or to “get back in shape.”

That’s great! Really. Any focus on self improvement is helpful. What concerns me is the way in which it seems millions of people choose to measure their progress: the scale.

Find a Hero Today

Hero: A person of great strength and courage, often Godlike, capable of remarkable bravery.

This image of Brett Favre amidst the battle during a snow drenched game simply reeks of "hero." It’s hard for me to believe that it's been 8 seasons since John Elway hung it up. Growing up in Denver, Elway was a hero and I had the good fortune to share my respect and appreciation with him during and after his playing days.

During Elway's last few seasons (both which ended in Superbowl victories) he'd become a national hero. You didn’t have to like the Bronco’s to be pulling for Elway. It’s the same way with Favre this year—he’s showing great courage and strength. Favre is simply being a hero and I think that’s a great thing. For we need more heroes in this world today. It’s good for what ails us... all of us.

What makes a hero?

What? A soda here?

Perhaps you have me pegged as some sort of health nut--a guy who's some sort of donut virgin or something.

That's only if you've never spent any time hanging out with me. I know how to eat well... and I know how to EAT WELL. As I start chapter 10 of my new book, "I love food, all sorts of food..."

And along with my meals, now and then, I enjoy a sparkling beverage. I'm fortunate to make it through the 70's without being exposed to soda or pop, as we called it in CO. Oh, I had one now and then but nothing to make a habit of.

As a result of this good fortune I've never much had a taste for Coke or any of the classic soda pops (wow, put but those together to make one word).

When IZZY soda came out, being as it's a local gig and I like the idea of something we can drink that's fresh and natural, I tried a few. Just not my cup of tea. Far, far too sweet... like so many drinks today, there was just too much sugar. It's as if the volume has to be turned full on to get noticed these days--and IZZY is.

Well, I just have to tell you about a new Dry Soda that's out. It's what you might call a soda for an adult--and still, as a questionable adult and non-soda drinker I've really come to enjoy this low calorie, tasty and not too sweet beverage.

The Mythic God of Mediocrity

Apollo, Aphrodite, Hercules, Zeus,… the Greeks revered their many, mighty, mythic gods. For all that our modern lives owe to this fertile civilization it’s not a stretch to assume that the heroic tales of these iconic gods may have provided the people with an inspiration for excellence. 

Today, in America, it seems that we’ve taken to aspiring to the mythic god of Mediocrity—the patron saint of “good ‘nuff.”

You see it everywhere you look… it’s in our food—nearly every restaurant a chain, it’s in our clothes and same stores in every mall, in our media; magazines, news, movies, it’s even in our water (take a good look and taste of the largest water brands and you may go back to your own tap). 

It’s this dilution of nearly everything, the copy-cat, me too, average, vanilla world product offerings that marketing guru Seth Godin so eloquently captured in his blog, “Dumbing Down.”

Brady Quinn: Don’t Call Him Dumb

Ill-informed, careless or even ignorant on nutrition, sure… but “dumb” is a little harsh. Even when I know he meant “stupid” not dumb.

If you’ve caught any of the NFL playoffs you may have seen the EAS TV commercial featuring Brady Quinn.

On one hand, I’m happy to see the company formerly known as "the leader" doing something—anything—rather than embrace complete collapse. Still, it feels a bit like a team down by 24 points with three seconds to go  in the game throwing a hail-Mary pass: somewhere between pointless and in denial.

Get Back to basics

A word to the wise and fit: When it comes to strength training to reshape your body, build a foundation of strength before engaging in dumbbell acrobatics.

Basic simple strength training exercises with weights or machines will best the most complex, fancy, acrobatic exercises any and every day.

I'm Back...@ Full Strength

Happy New Year!

I'm looking forward to a Great-08 on many levels and hope you are as well.

Before I get on with the business of starting this new year strong, I feel compelled to confront my rather obvious absence. I shudder to even think just how long it's been since I've blogged. I'm wearing the brown-bag of blogging at the moment.

Yes, it's been many months--the better part of a year to be frank. And pray tell, where have I been?