Eye openers abundant in 2011

This year has been wonderful for true eye openers and how I can continue to push my career in the direction I want it to go.

Here is a link to my most recent article on hivehealthmedia.com:

http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/commit-kids-commit-parent/

Take a read. At the very least, it should get the wheels in your head turning. This is a BIG issue that needs to be dealt with ASAP.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/btraw

Generalized "Diet Programs"

I'm not a big fan of the word, "Diet". It puts an image in my mind of the "fad diets" out there that only head people down the quick-fix path. However, it's the best way to describe what's out there I guess.

I recently met with Michelle Meilleur of Living Well Nutrition (Belleville, ON) to discuss a new "Diet" I heard discussed on one of my favorite podcasts. Some things sounded like they made sense, and other things I questioned. Our meeting reminded me of the joy of networking with other health professionals, and how great it is to have so many under one roof at ONE TO ONE.

I won't say the name of this new "diet". But I will remind people that asking questions is one of the best steps you can take to achieving your goals and to continue to learn. As a client or a professional; ask, ask, ask. LEARN. Robin Sharma's recent quote says it all; "Ordinary people are obsessed with entertainment. The best are obsessed with education".

Michelle reminded me that this new "diet" although it had some great points, it's still very general. One thing I've learned in my 10 years in the industry as a Fitness Pro and in working with Michelle is that general is GENERAL - that's it. It's not a "one size fits all" approach anymore. Nutrition gets very specific. In my opinion to a greater extent than fitness even. We can take points from some of these "gurus", but we have to also learn what works for ourselves too. What works for one, might not work for another.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/btras

Blog Officially Moving

I am officially moving the MY LIVING ENERGY Blog to Amplify.com

Please find the new link and save it in your bookmarks:

http://mylivingenergy.amplify.com/

Thank you! Please pass along the link to friends and family!

Yours in Fitness,

Derek Arsenault (CSEP-CPT)

The "Grey Area" of Sports Conditioning

I'll call it, "the Grey Area" of sports conditioning. The time between the end of your season, and your off-season conditioning. There is a lot of confusion about this time I feel, and also the wrong outlook on it.

The time between the end of your season and your off-season conditioning program is a necessity. It is equally as vital as your off-season conditioning itself (for that matter, it is technically a part of your annual conditioning plan).

During the season, your body is beat up, taxed to the limit and not given as much recovery time as perhaps it needs. 3 or 4 days per week at least, it seems that most amateur sports teams are either practicing or playing now-a-days. It seems to become more and more every year.

Therefore, when your season ends, it's a great opportunity to take some "time off". That doesn't mean grab some chips and sit on the couch all day. It means:

-Drop your conditioning sessions/workouts to 2-3 days per week

-Keep workouts generalized (great opportunity for some cross-training

-Focus on your nutritional habits in order to prepare for the upcoming off-season conditioning

-Have fun. For the past 'x' number of months you've been playing hard and focusing on getting better at your sport. Take this time, to relax and just enjoy being active.

-Recovery is a necessity. Learn recovery techniques such as; myofascial release, yoga, infra red sauna, nutrition etc...

If you rush into your conditioning program immediately after your season, you will actually do more damage than good. Recovery time is a must! Take at least 1-2 months to focus on recovery and to be mentally and physically ready to go for the off-season workouts.