The Hungry Bear!

The hungry bear? Without realizing it we have all been the hungry bear at one time or another. This past Sunday, my only day off I realized the hungry bear theory. I woke up to the sweat smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls that my wife makes for me as a treat and to show me how much she appreciates all of the hours and hard work I put in each week to provide for us. I stretched and slowly, reluctantly got out of bed. I then followed the inviting smell into the kitchen where my wife stood with a plate of my Sunday morning treat. I devoured them! Not just one but THREE!! After my treat we sat for a few hours read the paper, and talked. All of that talking really wore me out so I was ready for lunch. (just two short hours after my cinnamon roll treat I might add) We decided to go out to lunch at a local seafood place and I enduldged in my usual seafood feast with an appetizzer and cheese bread. You may be asking yourself this guy is supposed to be a trainer right? Isn't he suppossed to be setting an example for us and eat things like grilled chicken and salads? Well, you guys have to remember that trainers are human too and this trainer loves to eat!! So, my wife and I finished our feast and headed home. Luckily she drove because within minutes I was fast asleep!! When we arrived at home I proceeded directly to my comfortable bed and was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Five hours later I awakened with this ravenous appetite that had to be satisfied. Remember all that I had done that day was EAT and SLEEP! So why was I so hungry? Suddenly the image of a hungry bear coming out of hibernation entered my head. After long periods of hibernation a bear wakes up and they eat like crazy. It struck me as very funny but odd. Why after all of this sleep and all of this food was I so insanely hungry. I mean when I woke up I literaly went into the kitchen and couldn't shove food fast enough in my mouth. As I was devouring food I noticed what I was reaching for and what I was craving. CARBOHYDRATES! In other words simple sugar like cookies and crackers. Then it was clear to me what had happened. I woke up with an empty stomach that morning and then I ate a large amount of refined sugar tasty yes but nourishing not even close. See, what happens when you ingest large quanities of simple carbs is that your blood sugar levels increase rapidly and you feel a sense of immeadiate satisfaction. The problem occurs when that energy (sugar) depletes from your blood stream and your energy crashes hard! If I would have started my day out with a balance of fiborous carbs like oatmeal and some protien then I would have had the right balance of energy to get me through my day. I am not saying that you can't enjoy a cinnamon roll from time to time but remember to combine it with a protien and fiborous carb source for sustained energy. The lesson here is balance in your diet. Don't be a hungry bear! Eat smart and live well.

Center for Strength Recognition

Challenging the Heart & Skill of Trainers Everywhere...Are you up to it?

Never has anyone epitomized "you get what you give" like Chris and Frank. While fitness trainers all over the world wonder why there aren't enough clients, enough money, enough time FPI Member Chris Tedesco devotes 16-hour days to clients in his BodyQuest fitness facility, an hour a day to work on his career as a fitness writer, and three hours a week to make a difference in the national obesity epidemic through volunteering his services to one client whose health and life can be most impacted by his expertise.

After hearing about our countries mortality rates and disease incidents related to obesity Chris, a former Marine and 3 time IronMan Platoon Champion approached the problem with immediate action. He was introduced to potential client Frank Sublett, and while Frank weighed in at over 700 pounds what defined him was his willingness to commit to the changes Chris was asking him to make.

While most of Chris's clients look like Men's Health models there was something more important at stake with Frank than just aesthetic appeal. This was an issue of life or death. Significant weight loss for Frank meant not only feeling and looking better but decreasing risk of heart disease and diabetes. Frank opted to put himself in Chris's capable hands in lieu or an expensive gastric bypass, but the real story is that Chris is so committed to fighting the national obesity epidemic and so strongly believes in his abilities to help Frank that he does it for no charge.

You get what you give.

Chris gives one hour, three times a week to work with Frank in BodyQuest. When they first began the program Frank could barely make it across the length of the gym. Today he walks six block from his house to BodyQuest for a 60-minute workout with Chris, five times a week and is well on his way to good health and total wellness. But it's not a quick fix, they both know there's a long arduous road ahead of them.

The combination of extraordinarily hard work and a big heart are perhaps the key to success for Chris. He owns and operates one of the most successful fitness facilities in the Southern United States and working alongside of the International Center For Strength & Performance and Dr. Jack Barnathan plans on adding featured fitness lecturer and author to his already Celebrity Trainer status.

On days when even Chris is unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel he turns to Frank for a little inspiration. Seeing someone overcomes such a seemingly hopeless journey is more motivation than almost anyone could ever want.

With the positive changes in health and self-esteem Frank he was ready to get back into the world and take on work again. Because of his strength, positive attitude and infectious personality Frank is respected by the BodyQuest clientel and looked to as a role model.

Devoting your life to fitness and selfless acts though is about far more than just the recognition for Chris. He's posing a challenge to not only FPI trainers but to every trainer, and the Center For Strength stands firmly alongside of him. For the next year Chris is asking that you take it upon yourselves to donate your time and service to one deserving client whose life can benefit from what you have to offer. As Dr. Barnathan is fond of saying "people are literally out there dying for what we have to offer". It's true. Make an effort to find one client who is clinically in need of your services and take the time to engage them in a safe, complimentary program at least twice a week. It does in fact mean everything.

So, are you up to it?

Each trainer from the FPI who is up to the challenge will immediately receive nomination for trainer of the year in addition to a host of prizes from our corporate affiliates and sponsors. Please respond to centerforstrength@msn.com for details.

My Phylosophy

My Philosophy

To truly live in the moment is the key to living life to the fullest. Understanding this will allow you the freedom to find the time to achieve your goals and appreciate them for there true value. You can utilize this understanding in all aspects of your life, fitness, work, personal, whatever it may be. Living in the moment will free you from the stress of yesterday and the chaos of the future. Remember we learn from our past so we don’t forget our lessons but we have to let go of the stress that was attached because it will only drag us down. Tomorrow doesn’t exist yet so don’t let your mind put you in a state of anxiety. Living in the moment isn’t about not planning for the future or forgetting about the past. It is about using this very moment as a tool. If it is planning for a project or enjoying the time you are spending with someone special it allows you to be awake and present. This will allow you to be focused and free from distraction so you can apply all of your mind to the task at hand and you will find that your workouts will be more effective than ever.