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I just celebrated my 34th birthday this past weekend and since my 33 Things in 33 Years post went over so well last year, I figured I’d do it again this year so my readers can get to know more about me.  Of course, this year I won’t be posting as many things because I’m getting older and…well…you get what you get.  If you missed the post from last year I’d highly suggest you check it out so you can see me rocking the worst mullet-like haircut ever.  This year I’ll try to include a random assortment of photos for your viewing pleasure.

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Here we go:

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1.  I can’t touch my shoulders.  I’d like to think it is because of my hyooge biceps, but for whatever reason, my hands do not reach.

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2.  Looking back at last year’s post I can say that I’m now confident that intermittent fasting will not result in a fat storing starvation response, I still believe the nervous system will be the “next big thing” in the fitness industry, and I still hate Jillian Michaels.  More than even actually.

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3.  The core audio interview series I mentioned last year is also in the vault and I’ve been saving up all the good information for myself.  *Insert evil laugh here*  Fortunately, Jim Smith has recently given me a kick in the ass to get it released so it will be dropping very soon.

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4.  I could honestly spend all day on FailBlog.org.  Their YouTube page is even better. 

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5.  Speaking of social media related sites, if you haven’t added me on Facebook or Twitter yet I’d suggest you do so because I am awesome.

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6.  This is a brilliant post by Alwyn Cosgrove.

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7.  Recently Dr. Yoni Freehoff and Dr. Arya Sharma have just released an incredible book for the treatment of overweight and obesity called Best Weight: A practical guide to office-based obesity management.  While this book is more of a how-to guide for physicians and allied health care providers, I think it is absolutely essential reading for everyone who is struggling to manage their weight or is helping others to do this.

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The book is less than 10 dollars and is actually available as a FREE download to members of the Canadian Obesity Network (which is also free to sign up).  If you’re looking to address the root causes of weight gain instead of band aid solutions like the standard “eat less and exercise more” bullshit, this book is worth reading.

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*Note – You can view the table of contents on Amazon by clicking on the picture of the book*

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8.  While on the topic of obesity, I should note that the anti-obesity drug Sibutramine has now been pulled from the shelves in both Canada and the United States.  While studies have indicated that this drug can cause problems when prescribed to those for whom it was contraindicated, it was one of the two drugs available in North America for the treatment of Obesity.  The other (Orlistat) is less well tolerated since it is a fat blocker and something as simple as a sneeze can result in having a very bad day if you get my drift.  Now don’t get me wrong, diet, activity, and management of psychosocial issues is paramount for those with obesity, but for those who were taking sibutramine (marketed in Canada as Meridia) the addition of this medication increased their changes of improving their health and keeping the weight off.  Now they are left without.  Keep your eyes on the numbers for bariatric surgery.  I expect a jump.

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9.  Props to my friend Anoop Balachandran for finding a new study on glucosamine has shown that it is no better than a placebo for pain reduction.  Keep in mind that this is a meta analysis (which is basically a study of studies) and it showed that in large well conducted trials glucosamine was pretty much useless for pain reduction.  Only in smaller, poorly run studies funded by companies that made glucosamine was it shown to be effective.

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But as my friend Jeff Cubos has pointed out…

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“The experience of pain is such a complex entity that even a meta-analysis cannot fully study the effect of glucosamine on pain intensity. Effect of opiods and endorpins maybe, but not glucosamine.  Effect on joint space size, that’s a different story BUT we have to also remember that xray is only a snapshot in time.

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That said, I’m not advocating for or against glucosamine, simply that a research study (including a meta-analysis) is only as good as its design and its ability to measure what it needs to measure. Then again, any study on “pain” must take into account the many dimensions of the pain experience (sensory, cognitive, emotional, etc).”

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I will add that I do know some who swear by this supplement so I should mention that the study showed no adverse effects of taking it.  If it works for you, and you’re happy with spending the money on it, then go ahead. 
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10.  I’m not anti-yoga.  I am, however, not a fan of marketing yoga for fat loss or random indiscriminent stretching.  If something needs length I feel that stretching may be warranted and that specific stretches or yoga poses can be used for this.  Here is a link to an excellent post by Jeff Cubos where he demonstrates how to appropriately use yoga in a targeted fashion.

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11.  New disclaimer courtesty of Dr. John Jakicic of the University of Pittsburgh - “Please consult your physician if you do NOT plan to engage in an exercise program”.   

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12.  Speaking of Pittsburgh…I am a huge Penguins fan!  Let’s go Penguins!

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13.  I prefer PC to Mac.  Yep…I refuse to change.  And I think the iPhone and Blackberry are stupid.  Then again, if you’re so important that you need to take calls, send texts, read emails, and check your Facebook and Twitter when you’re out perhaps you need one.  I guess I’m just not that important.

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14.  I think that wearing a bluetooth headset when you’re walking around does not make you look cool.  It makes you look like someone who is trying to look cool.  That makes you look like an idiot.  Oh yeah…take off your sunglasses…you’re inside.

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15.  In highschool I went from heavy metal and a mullet to an undercut, Malcom X shorts, a Cross Colors hat (on backwards and slightly to the side), red suede Patrick Ewing running shoes, an Africa medallion and rap.  Hellz yeah!  I was so gangsta.  The picture above doesn’t do it justice.  But yes, that is an X on my shorts.  Thug.

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16.  I still love me some Public Enemy.

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17.  Best lesson I ever learned while camping:  The butter flavored cooking spray can looks a LOT like the Deep Woods bug spray can. 

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18.  The second best lesson I learned while camping: Mosquitos LOVE butter flavored cooking spray when you cover yourself in it an then get toasty warm in front of the camp fire.

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19.  Third best camping lesson:  At another time when you do manage to put on bug spray and have a few (read: several) beers, someone is NOT trying to poison you.  It is just that some of the bug spray on your hands got onto the bottle.  Apparently people do not like being accused of such things.

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20.  The Hobbit is coming to the big screen?!?  Awesome!

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21.  They say you should feed your little kids Cheerios to teach them how to feed themselves.  After much debate, my wife and I caved and bought multigrain Cheerios for our daughter.  Upon opening the box we noticed that they are covered in sugar!!!  And they are made of whole grain CORN!  Should’ve read the label.  I think these will be going into our compost bin.  F-You Cheerios!

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22.  What obesity experts eat?  Nice.

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23.  I gave my wife a lapdance to Britney Spears’ song Slave at our Stag and Doe to raise cash.  I believe there is video somewhere.  I can never run for any political office.

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24.  I took karate from when I was 9 until I was about 23.  I am actually now a ninja.  In all seriousness…looking at the picture I can see why I needed it.

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And there you have it.  I’m out of time and have to get some actual work done.  Plus…I’m out of really cool things to say.  However, I do want to thank all of you for your support, comments, thoughts, and for getting my stuff out there to the masses.  You are all incredible. 

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And, of course, I owe a debt of gratitude to my awesome wife and daughter for making this past year one of the best. 

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Looking forward to sharing another year of great content with all of you!

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