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In some of my previous posts I’ve discussed how I think that the root cause of obesity often has little to do with people’s understanding of nutrition and exercise (although they are still important), but the psychosocial elements that prevent them from actually implementing this understanding.

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Today on Lou Schuler’s blog he posted a link to an article on this exact subject that I think all professionals dealing with clients for fat loss should read.  In fact, if you deal with people for weight loss I’d consider that you’re doing them a disservice if you don’t read it. 

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Obesity: Problem, Solution, or Both? <— Read the Article

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In the case of this article, the causes of obesity mentioned are quite dramatic and possibly not as relevant to the average fat loss client who has only a few pounds to lose.  However, I think the point to be made is that obesity and excess body weight are only signs of events (either physiological, psychological, or sociological) and that simply getting someone to train hard and eat less is a poor model for long term weight loss.

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I firmly believe that the inclusion of psychosocial elements is this is the future of the weight loss industry.

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PS:  Today I did a draw and awarded the Fitness Research Review from last Friday to Zach.  Today I’m throwing down a copy of Strength Training for Fat Loss and Conditioning courtesy of my friend Nick Tumminello.

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Drop a comment below and let me know why you deserve this DVD and I’ll enter you in a drawing that will take place on Wednesday.

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So it is now November 17th and since the start of this month I’ve already given away 2 tubs of Nitrean protein powder, Advanced Techniques in Glutei Maximi Strengthening by Bret Contreras, Muscle Imbalances Revealed by Rick Kaselj, and as of Monday I awarded a copy of Bulletproof Knees by Mike Robertson to Bobby for dropping a comment on that post.

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Since my initial list of giveaways was announced I figured I should let you know that I’ve also added the Strength Training for Fat Loss DVD by Nick Tumminello to the mix and yesterday I got word from Mike Boyle that he’s going to throw down a free copy of his new book for the giveaway as well.  Keep your eyes glued to this blog and make sure to sign up for my newsletter (left side of the page), RSS Feed, Facebook, and Twitter to make sure you don’t miss an opportunity to score some FREE STUFF.

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And since I’ve been in a research geeky kind of mode this week, I figured I’ll thow down a FREE t-shirt courtesy of Alan Aragon today.  Alan quite simply has an incredible research review that I think EVERYONE should subscribe to, but that is beyond the point.  Today, I’m putting up one of Alan’s brand new Brainy Gear t-shirts up fror grabs.

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Simply drop a comment below letting me know you want one (and which one you think is the most awesome) and your name will go into the hat for a free shirt at the end of the day on Friday.

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What are you waiting for?  Get at it!

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Okay…so I’ve been going a little nuts lately with my busy schedule and so much stuff on my mind, but I wanted to drop a quick Monday update.

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1.  Measure Your Movement

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It is pretty well known that people under report what they’re eating and over report their exercise.  On the exercise front, often I’ll use an Omron Pedometer to get an objective measure of physical activity for people.  While they aren’t perfect (and the BodyMedia FIT is probably better) they are relatively accurate and less expensive.  More importantly though, it will give you something to go on when you think you are moving a lot…and you really aren’t.  With the colder months coming I think people will be shocked at how little they actually move. 

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I usually recommend that people record track their daily steps for a week (good models of the Omron brand will store 7 days worth of data) and then calculate a daily average.  Each week thereafter I have them attempt to add 500 steps per day.  And just so we don’t get confused here, I’m not saying that increasing your steps will necessarily result in more fat loss.

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What I am saying is:

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- Greater physical activity improves health markers (you don’t look very good if you’re dead).

- Increased activity decreases waist circumference even if you don’t lose fat (yep…smaller waist…not even dieting).

- 5 hours of physical activity per week doesn’t necessarily mean more fat loss, but better long term weight maintenance (i.e., you’ll keep off what you’ve lost).

-You probably think you move more than you do.

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2.  Arm Ergometers Are Awesome!

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In terms of cardiovascular activity, most people are used to the standard stuff like treadmill, bikes, and ellipticals.  Sleds and other circuit stuff have also become trendy as of late as well.  However, I’ve recently stumbled upon another really cool method for upper body cardiovascular training that is exceptionally badass.  If you’ve never tried and arm ergometer (basically an upper body bicycle), I’d highly suggest you give it a try.

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Although most people would associate this primarily with a rehab setting, these are great for warming up the upper body prior to a workout, finishing up an upper body workout (your delts, biceps and triceps will be on fire), or for people who have knee or lower back issues the limit regular cardiovascular training.  More to the point, they are frigging HARD!

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While commercial models (Monark being the most popular) can cost over $1500, you can often pick one of these up from a ”home health” type of store for anywhere between $50 and $150 depending on the gadgets attached.  I think these are awesome and would make a great addition to any home gym or studio where people are dealing with clients with knee and back issues.  Simply turn up the tension and crank it like a mofo!

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3.  This Psoas IS Fillet Mignon

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Just in case you missed it, someone commented on my previous psoas post stating that the psoas is actually the cut of meat we adore called fillet mignon.  I very scientifically checked this out (okay…I acutally looked it up on Wikipedia) and this appears to be true.  Go figure.  If you ever get into a plane crash and have to eat the flesh of another human at least you know where to start.

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4.  FREE Core Interviews

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A while back I had the opportunity to interview a whole bunch of really smart industry experts about everything to do with creating a strong and sexy core.  Check out this list:

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Mike Robertson

Nick Tumminello

Jim “Smitty” Smith

Leigh Peele

Lyle McDonald

Martin Berkhan

Jimmy Smith

Scott Abel

John Paul Catanzaro

Brendan Fox

Thomas Myers

And last but not least…Dr. Stuart McGill!

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You want these interviews don’t you?  Yeah…thought so.  I figured that since I’m in such a giving mood lately I’d just throw these down for FREE too.  Go get ‘em!

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5.  Reminder – Get Your FREE Glute Training Ebook

Don’t forget to score yourself the most excellent glute training ebook in the world by my buddy Bret Contreras by leaving a comment on this page.  Comments are closed for the drawing at the end of day today.

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That’s it for me today.  Go get your free stuff!

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Yesterday my stuff started showing up all over the place so I figured I’d throw up a few links to my content that has appeared on other blogs.

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1.  Why the Psoas Isn’t the Devil

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Over the past few years the psoas has been outright demonized and this post  that I wrote for my friend Rick Kaselj deals with my thoughts on the psoas, how its weakness can cause knee pain, and how to deal with it when it does.

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2.  Videos of the Week

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Each week Ben Bruno (whose blog I mentioned yesterday) posts some of the best training related videos he’s seen all week and this week one of my vids made the list.  You can check it out HERE.  Feel free to check out the rest of the videos as well as long as you realize mine is the most awesome. 

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3.  Le soulevé de terre, un exercice incompris?

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Okay…I have to be honest and say that I have no idea what Xavier is saying in this post.  He could be making fun of me for all I know, but he used some of my videos in the post so I figured I’d link it for any French speaking people who read my blog.  Check it out HERE.

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And finally…what you’re all waiting for…FREE STUFF.

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The Nitrean Protein that went up for grabs a couple days back was awarded last night (by random draw) to Carl who commented on the post.  So congratulations to Carl and good luck to everyone else on the upcoming items.  Keep commenting!

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While we’re here I should mention that I’ve acquired two more free items for the Christmas giveaway this week.  The first is the Strength Training for Fat Loss and Conditioning DVD by my good friend Nick Tumminello and the second is the epic 675 page ebook Advanced Techniques in Glutei Maximi Strengthening from my buddy Bret Contreras.

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And since it is Friday…and I LOVE Fridays…I figured I’d just put Bret’s ebook up for grabs right now.  If you aren’t familiar with Bret or his work, you’ll know this is probably one of the most thorough resources you’ll ever read about creating strong and fantastic looking glutes.

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So if you’ve been following along you know the drill.  Leave a comment below and let me know that you want the ebook and I’ll award it to the winner by random draw.

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Comments will be closed at the end of Monday so drop one below ASAP to score Bret’s incredible ebook completely FREE.

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This week there was a great discussion on StrengthCoach.com on pre and post workout nutrition between myself and some other very bright minds (note that I’m suggesting they’re bright and I’m just…well…me).  This just highlighted for me, as I’ve mentioned before, that if you’re not on the StrengthCoach.com forums you’re truly missing out.  Here are my top 5 reasons why I love SC.com.

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1 – The forums are top notch

You’ll get to interact with people who are veterans and the brightest young minds in this industry including Mike Boyle, Alwyn Cosgrove, Mike Robertson, Nick Tumminello, Bret Contreras, Patrick Ward, Carson Boddicker, Jeff Cubos, and so many more that they’ll probably kick my ass for leaving them out (sorry guys and gals).  In many cases, these guys and gals have been there and done that and they’re more than happy to take the time out to help young coaches and trainers.  This alone is worth the cost (which is small by the way).

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2 – Charlie Weingroff.

If you don’t know.  You will.  The guy is seriously a brain with legs…really strong ass legs.

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3 – Web traffic

If you’re struggling to get traffic to your site, go here, join in the discussion, and if you’re not a total tool your site will get hits because people will want to hear more of what you have to say.  That is not to say that you should go here and spam with your blog info (you’d probably be deleted anyway), but if you network with the best you’re bound to get traffic as a side benefit.

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4 – Smart people know who you are.

I can’t say how cool it is to have one thread with my videos as a “sticky” in the “Best of the Forums” section.  When Mike Boyle knows who you are, then you’re a badass.  That is an official rule.   (Note: It is my blog so I make the rules)

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5 – If you don’t belong to SC.com then you will be forever stuck in mediocracy.

Just kidding…sorta.

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(In the interest of full disclosure, the link to the StrengthCoach.com above IS an affiliate link.  I will get a couple quarters if you sign up through me that I’ll put into my daughter’s college fund.  If you’d prefer to sign up directly through the site you can do that too.  Whether I make a dime or not I still think it is worth it.)

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If you’re a member of SC.com and want to add to the list feel free to do so in the comments section below.  If you’re not a member…get ‘er done.  Hope to see you there.

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