Just a note to Stefanie as she heads into the final days of training before her competition…

 

Stefanie,  

 

From the entire Art of Strength family we wish you strength and courage as your journey to the strongman competition reaches its destination.  We want to thank you for having inspired all of us with your words as you allowed us to follow you through your training.  “Are You a Strongwoman” was our introduction to what for many would become an obsession, “Complacency” taught us never to settle for okay, “How to Face the Weight” taught us to be better than we were the day before, “Perky Purple Arms” taught us about the importance of resilience in the face of defeat, the list of lessons you’ve taught us goes on and on with every article.  We hope, that if you should find yourself in a moment of anguish or self doubt you will find the support you need in those very words you so inspired us with.  You spoke of competing not against your opponents but with yourself; that the game is won in the mind before it is won with the hands.  Remember what you’ve taught us, keep your focus, you are a strongwoman and when it seems impossible, just face the weight.  Strength and Courage.

 

 

Only three more days until the competition and, while I might kill myself by then, I am feeling a jumble of emotions.  I’m anxious, eager, concerned about keeping my focus, confident, and, most of all, excited. Matching my mixed emotions, this week, I have a different color on each nail.   

 

I selected one color for each event, five in all on each hand.  It makes quite an impression, which makes sense since the competition is having quite an impact on me.  It’s different and unique, just like a woman doing strongman.  I don’t think it should be so unusual, but I do enjoy the uniqueness.   

 

The first event is the deadlift, for which I picked the color Amped Up.  I’ll have to do as many reps as I can in 60 seconds.  Having focused so much on the deadlift lately, I’ve decided to not be a slave to it anymore.  I’m not going to be brought down by it, I’m just gonna do it.  So, Amped Up, as in, Get it up! 

 

Explosive is the color for the next event, the log clean and press, again, as many reps as I can do in 60 seconds.  The action will have to be explosive.  This is my favorite event, mainly because I’m good at it, and I like to lift things over my head.   

 

Flipping the 450lb tire as many times as I can in 75 seconds will, I hope, look as easy as merely playing with a big piece of Licorice, the next color.  Flipping a tire is a mixture of the first two exercises.  I’ll have to just keep pushing it forward.   

 

Screamin’ Fuscia is the fourth color, for the farmers carry and chain drag medley.  Screamin’ is for how my lungs and quads will feel, because this is an all-out sprint.  It is like running for a plane with very heavy suitcases and then having to tow the plane back to the gate.  Whew! 

 

Last is Perky Purple, for the bruises from lifting the 160lb stone as many times as I can in 60 seconds.  I’ll still have to be perky after all the other events, especially as this event is the most awkward.   

 

I’m anxious about all the events.  I have an image of getting hurt and being taken away in an ambulance.  I also have a vision of being there and having forgotten my pants.  The potential embarrassment is because this time, I feel like I have a good chance and that increases the pressure.  During the day, I’m often anxious, and thus tired.  At night I’m excited and wound up and I can’t sleep.  Most of all, I’m concerned about not being able to control my emotions and adrenaline at the competition.   I’ll have to keep my focus.   

 

What helps the most is visualizing myself in each event.  It makes me feel prepared and more in control. Similarly, meditation helps a lot.  Of course, having a game plan is important, too.   

 

I believe I’m ready.  Last Sunday, my coach and I ran through each event twice.  I’m more banged up and bruised than I’ve ever been, but physically the competition should be easier than that.   

 

I feel good about my game plan and the great coaching I’ve had.  Compared to my first try two years ago, I have a lot more confidence, experience, and maturity - all very important.  In particular, I know now how to use my body better, thanks to AOS.   

 

I knew how hard doing strongman was going to be, but I faced it anyway.  That’s what strength is.  I’m proud that after a 2 year hiatus, I’ve returned to the sport.   

 

I feel good that I’m doing something this big, something to make people say, You do what?  I like my answer to the question, What sport do you play?  I definitely have a sense of achievement that is driving me.  It’s important to me to be able to say, “I do strongman,” rather than to say I’ve done it.   

 

I’m not sure what will happen on Sunday, but I am sure that I’m going to do my best and kill it.   

 

 

Lori Harris 

 

Have you ever thought about how easy life would be if you didn’t have to COOK? Seriously, planning meals, grocery shopping, always trying to come up with new and creative menus to serve to your family? It can get exhausting day after day, week after week to eat clean, eat healthy, and figure out new meals to make….So just stop! Stop stressing over food. Dumb it down. Simplify. Make it easy. We are bombarded by new diet plans, hot new diet books every week, the latest miracle supplements and anti-aging berries. Seriously, when did eating healthy become so complicated? We’ve got the FDA telling us we need to eat whole grains, we’ve got the American Dairy Association telling us we need three servings of dairy daily to burn fat (that’s a lie by the way), we’ve got the folks in the Protein camp telling us we need massive amounts of animal protein daily in order to build muscle…NO WONDER we’re completely confused, totally lost, AND FATTER than ever. Amidst this sea of conflicting and ever changing sports nutrition information, Here’s one principle we know to be true and ALL sports nutritionists and registered dieticians agree on. Eating an abundance of raw fruits and vegetables is really, really good for you. So good for you, in fact, that eating  this way can reverse most lifestyle related diseases. Eating a diet abundant in RAW fruits and vegetables has even been proven to cure ca nce r. So, here’s the skinny on eating RAW from www.rawfoodlife.com:

 

“A Raw food diet is based on eating whole, live, nutritionally-dense organic uncooked and un-processed foods as a large percentage of your diet. When 75-100% of your total food consumption is raw food, you are a raw foodist. At that rate it is believed that your body’s own elimination system can eliminate all or most of the toxins in the cooked portion of your diet. When you eat more cooked food you are eating toxins faster than your body can get rid of them so they back up causing disease. Heating food above 118 degrees F. is believed to destroy valuable enzymes in food that can assist in digestion and health. Cooking is also known to diminish the nutritional value of food, but where do the nutrients go? They don’t disappear. Instead, the heat actually causes chemical changes in your food creating many of the carcinogens, mutagens, free-radicals and other toxins that are associated with many of today’s diseases, from diabetes and arthritis to heart disease and cancer.”

 

I’m not trying to “sell” you on becoming a RAW foodist. I’m not trying to convince you that this way of fueling the body is the answer for everyone. I can tell you this: Eating RAW is the answer for me. I’m an athlete. I train HARD- Several times a week. I’m also training for my first Marathon. I’m stronger than ever, leaner than ever, have more energy than ever, and feel fabulous. And, YES, I’m getting all the protein I need. So, here’s the disclaimer: No, I’m not a nutritionist. No, I’m not a “registered dietician”. I’m simply sharing what has worked for me and for countless clients of mine.

 

How do I eat RAW? Where do I start? WHAT do I eat? My advice? Make it easy!

 

Seriously,…what could be simpler than filling your shopping cart with fresh organic produce , then going home, washing it, and eating it?

 

This doesn’t have to be hard. Dumb it down. Simplify. Grab an apple and go!   

 

 

Staci had a great workout the other day and knew it would make a great fit tip for this week’s WP…so here it is! 

 

She was planning on taking a day’s rest from Kettlebells last Wednesday but knew a total day off from training would drive her nuts - her solution?  30 minutes of jumping rope.  Without a plan in mind she grabbed her rope and started jumping.  She started running in place and then took it to the street - even jumping backwards all the way home.  (Imagine seeing that going down the road!)  She says it was the best 30 minutes of training she’s had in a long time.  Not a fan of jumping rope?  Well give it a shot, not only does it strengthen your core and grip, but it activates muscle groups not normally activated to work together during normal kettlebell routines, all while still offering the strength and stamina building benefits of your normal kb routines. 

 

 

New bag for Staci - this one from Lulu Lemon is Staci’s next and best pick for her carry everything with me lifestyle.  With more pockets than seemingly any other bag out there, the Cruiser Back Pack Pro will assure nothing gets left behind.FOOD

 

 

Ingredients

 

 

 

In a medium bowl, mix water with wasabi powder, and whisk until blended. Add Dijon mustard, salmon, egg white, soy sauce, and sesame seeds, and stir until mixed well. Form into a burger, and grill 2 to 3 minutes per side (or until desired doneness).

 

 

Think again before sharing your favorite music on your I-Pod. 

 

The June issue of Fitness Magazine showed that earbuds are crawling with germs - and when worn for 30 minutes at a time the recipient had 12% more germs in their ears.  A great tip, before wearing anyone’s earbuds, even your own, give it a quick rub with an alcohol wipe.  Can never be too careful! 

 

 

Lori Harris was nice enough to follow up her article with a recipe she she loves to make for herself…

 

Did I mention that  90% of my diet is RAW  and  I fuel my body on  mostly Raw and Plant based foods? More on the RAW FOOD diet and Athletic performance in the weeks to come, but try this Smoothie recipe to experience just how delicious going Green can be!