Perky Purple Arms

This week’s nail color is Perky Purple, which I’m not, especially when I try four times to lift a lousy, 160-lb stone ball that’s sticking to my shirt.  Indeed, if I had gotten it all the way up that last time, it would have exposed too much of me to those watching.  It’s a truism that one can’t always get it up.  Just like when I couldn’t do the 225-lb deadlift, one has to come back and try it again at the next session.  Otherwise, there’s just complete disappointment and regret  - being completely beaten down and disgusted with myself.  That’s the danger I have to avoid. 

Last time, I was able to lift the stone; this week, I wasn’t.  The only things that were Perky Purple were the bruises it left on my arms.  It was the same stone, same body, same me, but that’s what happens sometimes.   

This past Sunday, my training session was more difficult than usual.  With some help from a friend, I found out I’ve been doing some things wrong and inefficiently; my starting position for flipping a tire was wrong; I was putting too much energy into cleaning the log into the wrong rack position; and even  my grip on the deadlift bar was wrong.   The training session seemed to just suck.  I did do better than I thought, but  I was overwhelmed mentally.  I lost  my confidence.  I even said out loud that my head wasn’t in it that day.  

It might look otherwise, but training for strongman is very mental.  In fact, the training happens in your head before it happens in your hands.  

You don’t have to be perky to succeed at strongman, but you do have to be prepared to deal with setbacks.  What happens in training reflects one’s character and personality.  As  my friend said, “Strongman is a dirty, grimey way of showing everyone who you are.”  When Kat tried to jump up onto a 36-inch box, she fell off instead.  It was quite amusing (visit the blog to see pictures of it).  Like she said, “It’s okay to fall flat on your face as long as you pick yourself back up and try again.”

When something like that happens, when you can’t lift something you did before, you might feel bad.  You might feel terrible.  You have to shake that off by your next training session, maybe even with a laugh.  And then you get down to business.  That’s not being perky.  That’s being determined.   That’s strongman.  

SPECIAL FEATURE

With the announcement of Isagenix joining the Punch Nutrition site we thought we’d take a break from the Precision Nutrition articles for a bit and bring you a few articles, recipes and general info written by the people over at Isagenix or by clients of theirs either in the process of or having already completed the cleanse.
 
Hi everyone! My name is Pam Reich and I work with Val and Shari at Punch Kettlebell Gym in Far Hills, NJ. Hopefully you all saw Val’s Isagenix story and amazing before and after pictures on last weeks women’s page. I’ve been using the Isagenix products for a few months and I feel great and have been able to jump start weight loss as well as lose a lot of inches. Each week I’m going to be sharing some information and tips with you to help you make the most of your Isagenix program and if you haven’t wanted to give the program a try, hopefully this will answer some of your questions and entice you give it a go!
 
This week I thought I’d write about my favorite product in the Isagenix program – IsaDelight Chocolates. Yes chocolate. On this program not only is chocolate allowed, but it’s encouraged. IsaDelights are a delicious blend of dark chocolate and amino acids. As you may know, dark chocolate is full of powerful antioxidants that protect the body from damaging free radicals. By combining chocolate with amino acids, Isagenix has been able to enhance chocolate’s natural health benefits. Isadelight may make you feel that your cravings are satisfied for hours and that your mood has elevated. Additionally, Isadelight may even support brain health.
 
Here are 10 excellent reasons to enjoy IsaDelight:

1. They’re delicious 
2. Dark chocolate has antioxidants that help fight free radicals. 
3. They’re filled with feel good nutrients. 
4. You may feel more energetic. 
5. You could feel emotionally satisfied. 
6. They help you curb cravings for hours. 
7. You can eat them on Cleanse days and you won’t be cheating. 
8. Only 40 calories per serving 
9. They’re the “Happy Chocolates that Satisfy” 
10. Your deserve it! 

Although most people can safely enjoy Isadelight, it is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant, nursing or anticipating pregnancy. This product should not be taken with MAOIs. Phenyketonurics: Contains phenylalanine. If you have high blood pressure, are on medication or have any medical condition, please consult a healthcare professional before using Isadelight.
 
This information, plus much more, can be found on the Isagenix website. So check it out, order some Isadelight and enjoy a delicious, guilt free indulgence!

FIT TIP

Still trying to get that body positioned just right on your windmill?

A great cue producing just the right image often helps to correct form. At Punch Far Hills we found an interesting approach to cue, our Moms in particular, is to have them think of putting their hip in a position to hold that toddler in place while you free up the other side of your body to do what you need to get done. Next thing you know Mom’s got that windmill just right. For those who haven’t had the Mom experience we’ll just tell them to get a little attitude going and again it makes for an easy adjustment to correct their form. You go girl! For all our Mom’s or Mom’s to be and women everywhere that’s our Mothers Day windmill fit tip for you to enjoy.

STACI PICK

Pink is it!  My new favorite color, and must have for the summer is “St. Germain” from MAC Cosmetics

EAT THIS

There’s nothing better than homemade salsa.  add it to your chicken, fish, egg whites even steak.  Do not miss out on this incredibly tasty addition to your meal.  Being homemade, this salsa is loaded with fresh ingredients and very low in calories.

2 ripe tomatoes, diced

2 green bell peppers, diced

1 white onion, diced

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, for garnish

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 jalapeno chili pepper, diced