The captain of a local high school sports team here walked into the locker room on the first day of tryouts at the crack of dawn and made a disturbing announcement.
Had someone died? Was a teammate injured in a car accident or sports-related incident?
No. His important announcement? "I don't want to be here. I'm hung over."
Hung over. One of the captains of the team.
A senior...in high school!
Now, I'm not going to preach about the dangers of teenage drinking, or the long term effects of alcohol on health and sports performance.
What matters here is that this clown threw his pre-tryout night drinking binge and resultant hangover out there like a badge of honor.
Something of which to be proud.
Something, perhaps, that other team members, underclassmen and future captains should aspire to achieve.
A tryout hangover!
Here's what I think.
Strip him of his captaincy. Now. Yesterday. Publicly.
Then cut him. Turn him loose...ban him from the locker room and the arena.
Make it known that any team member associating with him will be benched. Maybe even cut.
Set an example for the rest of the team and the school community that this kind of crap is intolerable.
Set the tone for the future. A future without that kind of idiotic behavior.
Otherwise, your team gets to try and play in a present tainted by the small-minded bufoonery this "captain" represents!
What kind of culture will that create? Certainly not a "Culture of Victory With Integrity!"
Every captain, every senior leader and every underclass leader has a massive responsibility to everyone who looks to them for leadership and every underclassman who will come after them.
Leadership. Creating a team culture where victorious habits, speech and actions are the only acceptable ones.
In other words, recognizing and living the phrase every team we work with hears from us repeatedly:
What you leave behind is infinitely more important than what you accomplish here and now!
Do you agree? Then you belong here, and we'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!
News, views and special stuff from All-Star Sports Academy!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
High Def...Sports Fitness?
If you've watched even a tiny amount of television lately, you've been hearing about "High Definition," and the coming switch to HD TV signals.
What about the idea of "High Definition Sports Fitness and Preparation?"
Why not improve the quality of the "signal" being sent through your body when you want to perform at your best?
How about the idea of turning the "definition" of your athletes' sports performance and enjoyment into "high definition?"
Well, it can be done!
All-Star Sports Academy is offering you the chance to bring your sports fitness and performance into "High Definition," regardless of the chosen sport!
Simply click here for your trial membership in the "High Definition Sports Fitness and Preparation" club!
What about the idea of "High Definition Sports Fitness and Preparation?"
Why not improve the quality of the "signal" being sent through your body when you want to perform at your best?
How about the idea of turning the "definition" of your athletes' sports performance and enjoyment into "high definition?"
Well, it can be done!
All-Star Sports Academy is offering you the chance to bring your sports fitness and performance into "High Definition," regardless of the chosen sport!
Simply click here for your trial membership in the "High Definition Sports Fitness and Preparation" club!
In the note area, just write "I want High Definition Sports Skills!"
We'll get you started right away on your path to playing better, and enjoying the process!
As always, you can call us at 732-597-3725!
We'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!!
We'll get you started right away on your path to playing better, and enjoying the process!
As always, you can call us at 732-597-3725!
We'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What to eat for breakfast!
Athletes often ask us "What can I eat for breakfast?"
Very good question, since breakfast can make or break your nutritional day!
We're reprinting the recipes for 2 of our favorite breakfast meals.
Enjoy them!
Athlete Builder Breakfast Burrito
The way for an athlete – or anyone who wants to eat well and feed their metabolism – to start the day!
Description
This breakfast burrito has all the ingredients you need to start the day off right! Protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals are all found in this great meal! As a bonus, the “eggs and stuff” can be cooked the night before, reheated in a microwave and added to the wrap in the morning! Saves time and eliminates excuses!
Ingredients:
6 egg whites
¼ cup low fat shredded cheddar or “Taco” cheese
½ cup chopped green or red pepper
½ cup diced or chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 high fiber wrap (Mission “Carb-balance” wraps are great for this. High fiber and great taste!)
Optional (use any or all, as desired):
½ cup chopped broccoli
¼ cup chopped mushrooms
¼ cup chopped onion
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Lower heat to med-low and add oil. Make sure the oil covers the bottom of the pan. (Tip: a natural cooking spray is fine for this, in place of oil)
2. Place eggs, cheese, pepper, tomatoes, and/or desired veggies into a bowl and mix together. Pour evenly into pan. Cook egg mixture either as an omelet, or scramble.
3. When cooked, place into wrap, roll up and eat.
4. Combine with a cup of fresh berries for a perfect breakfast!
Nutritional Information:
350-450 calories
3-4 g total fat (<1 g sat)
low cholesterol
35-50 g carbohydrate
32-36 g protein
21-27 g fiber (using Mission “Carb-balance” Wraps)
Note: If you like other vegetables that seem appropriate, try them!
Here's one more, for good eating!
Amazing Breakfast Pizza
Variety is the spice of life, so why not pizza for breakfast? It’s not as if the “menu police” will come and take you, or, Heaven forbid, your breakfast away! This great recipe serves 4, so simply split it into quarter or half recipes for one or two.
Makes 4 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes (20 minutes start to finish!)
Preparation difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
4 ounces packed spinach (4 cups)
5 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 (6 inch) whole-grain pitas, cut in half horizontally
2 large plum tomatoes, sliced thin
4 large eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 ounces reduced fat crumbled feta cheese (1/3 cup)
Option: use part skim mozzarella cheese instead!
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450° F
2. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet or saucepan. Add spinach (in smaller batches, if needed) and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Brush the rough side of each pita round with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Place them, oiled side up, on a large baking sheet and bake until they start to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. Split spinach and tomatoes evenly among pita halves. Leave an empty space in the center of each for an egg. Crack 1 egg into center of each pita. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and return to oven. Bake until yokes are lightly set, about 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and continue to bake until cheese has softened, about 2-3 minutes more.
Nutritional Information:
250 calories
13 g total fat (3.5 g sat)
21 g carbohydrate
13 g protein
3 g fiber
500 mg sodium
Now you have 2 simple ways to start the day off right!
To make sure your workouts are "working" for you, stop by All-Star Sports Academy and get your free trial to any of our great Sports Fitness programs!
We'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!!
Very good question, since breakfast can make or break your nutritional day!
We're reprinting the recipes for 2 of our favorite breakfast meals.
Enjoy them!
Athlete Builder Breakfast Burrito
The way for an athlete – or anyone who wants to eat well and feed their metabolism – to start the day!
Description
This breakfast burrito has all the ingredients you need to start the day off right! Protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals are all found in this great meal! As a bonus, the “eggs and stuff” can be cooked the night before, reheated in a microwave and added to the wrap in the morning! Saves time and eliminates excuses!
Ingredients:
6 egg whites
¼ cup low fat shredded cheddar or “Taco” cheese
½ cup chopped green or red pepper
½ cup diced or chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 high fiber wrap (Mission “Carb-balance” wraps are great for this. High fiber and great taste!)
Optional (use any or all, as desired):
½ cup chopped broccoli
¼ cup chopped mushrooms
¼ cup chopped onion
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Lower heat to med-low and add oil. Make sure the oil covers the bottom of the pan. (Tip: a natural cooking spray is fine for this, in place of oil)
2. Place eggs, cheese, pepper, tomatoes, and/or desired veggies into a bowl and mix together. Pour evenly into pan. Cook egg mixture either as an omelet, or scramble.
3. When cooked, place into wrap, roll up and eat.
4. Combine with a cup of fresh berries for a perfect breakfast!
Nutritional Information:
350-450 calories
3-4 g total fat (<1 g sat)
low cholesterol
35-50 g carbohydrate
32-36 g protein
21-27 g fiber (using Mission “Carb-balance” Wraps)
Note: If you like other vegetables that seem appropriate, try them!
Here's one more, for good eating!
Amazing Breakfast Pizza
Variety is the spice of life, so why not pizza for breakfast? It’s not as if the “menu police” will come and take you, or, Heaven forbid, your breakfast away! This great recipe serves 4, so simply split it into quarter or half recipes for one or two.
Makes 4 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes (20 minutes start to finish!)
Preparation difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
4 ounces packed spinach (4 cups)
5 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 (6 inch) whole-grain pitas, cut in half horizontally
2 large plum tomatoes, sliced thin
4 large eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 ounces reduced fat crumbled feta cheese (1/3 cup)
Option: use part skim mozzarella cheese instead!
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450° F
2. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet or saucepan. Add spinach (in smaller batches, if needed) and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Brush the rough side of each pita round with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Place them, oiled side up, on a large baking sheet and bake until they start to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. Split spinach and tomatoes evenly among pita halves. Leave an empty space in the center of each for an egg. Crack 1 egg into center of each pita. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and return to oven. Bake until yokes are lightly set, about 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and continue to bake until cheese has softened, about 2-3 minutes more.
Nutritional Information:
250 calories
13 g total fat (3.5 g sat)
21 g carbohydrate
13 g protein
3 g fiber
500 mg sodium
Now you have 2 simple ways to start the day off right!
To make sure your workouts are "working" for you, stop by All-Star Sports Academy and get your free trial to any of our great Sports Fitness programs!
We'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
GM, BMW and your Sports Fitness
I heard on the news this morning that General Motors may be paring back its' investment in product development. You know, research on how to make their cars perform better. Apparently, it's temporary; to get through this "challenging economic time."
Wow! Really? That's the plan? To stop planning and preparing for the future? To surrender your competitive edge by giving up on improving performance?
Have you noticed that "challenging economic times" don't seem to effect Mercedes Benz and BMW the same way they do GM, Chrysler and Ford?
It's easy to dismiss this as related to the idea that high-end car makers have customers who can afford to buy the best, even if the rest of us are driving Chevy Cobalts or Dodge Neons. (Not that I have a problem with affordable American cars...I drive one!)
I think the real reason has nothing to do with the tax bracket of a typical American auto buyer. It has more to do with how the American auto makers see R & D and the learning process involved with improving car performance. As an expense...a necessary "evil."
Sounds a lot like how many athletes view their training, nutrition, rest and skills improvement!
You see, German and other foreign car makers focus on constantly improving their vehicles. Think about it...when you see a TV ad for BMW, what do they talk about? Let me help you: German Engineering! In other words, they brag about the performance results their cars get from all the research and development (learning) they do!
They pride themselves on the fact that they are constantly improving themselves!
What does this have to do with Sports Fitness Training and Preparation? You mean it's not obvious!?!
I'm glad you asked! You see, All-Star Sports Academy views Sports Fitness as an ongoing learning process. We're constantly doing "R & D" to improve the performance of our athletes.
The key to successful Sports Fitness Preparation is to teach, not train! Athletes who (like BMW) learn the why of their program as well as the how, will enjoy the process more, and get a far better result than those who act like GM and just keep trying to put out the product!
All-Star Sports Academy does the research and develops the programs to teach:
And our athletes? Well, you'll know them when you see them. They'll be the ones performing consistently at the top of their game...and responding to all the "challenging times" by succeeding!
Oh yeah...and loving every minute of the journey!
Click here for your trial membership at All-Star Sports Academy:
And...we'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!
Wow! Really? That's the plan? To stop planning and preparing for the future? To surrender your competitive edge by giving up on improving performance?
Have you noticed that "challenging economic times" don't seem to effect Mercedes Benz and BMW the same way they do GM, Chrysler and Ford?
It's easy to dismiss this as related to the idea that high-end car makers have customers who can afford to buy the best, even if the rest of us are driving Chevy Cobalts or Dodge Neons. (Not that I have a problem with affordable American cars...I drive one!)
I think the real reason has nothing to do with the tax bracket of a typical American auto buyer. It has more to do with how the American auto makers see R & D and the learning process involved with improving car performance. As an expense...a necessary "evil."
Sounds a lot like how many athletes view their training, nutrition, rest and skills improvement!
You see, German and other foreign car makers focus on constantly improving their vehicles. Think about it...when you see a TV ad for BMW, what do they talk about? Let me help you: German Engineering! In other words, they brag about the performance results their cars get from all the research and development (learning) they do!
They pride themselves on the fact that they are constantly improving themselves!
What does this have to do with Sports Fitness Training and Preparation? You mean it's not obvious!?!
I'm glad you asked! You see, All-Star Sports Academy views Sports Fitness as an ongoing learning process. We're constantly doing "R & D" to improve the performance of our athletes.
The key to successful Sports Fitness Preparation is to teach, not train! Athletes who (like BMW) learn the why of their program as well as the how, will enjoy the process more, and get a far better result than those who act like GM and just keep trying to put out the product!
All-Star Sports Academy does the research and develops the programs to teach:
- Injury prevention
- Speed and Agility
- Athletic Strength and Power
- Flexibility
- Movement patterns
- Joint Stability, Mobility and Performance
- Explosiveness and Quickness
- Balance and Coordination
- The "Mental Game"
- Nutrition, Rest and Regeneration
And our athletes? Well, you'll know them when you see them. They'll be the ones performing consistently at the top of their game...and responding to all the "challenging times" by succeeding!
Oh yeah...and loving every minute of the journey!
Click here for your trial membership at All-Star Sports Academy:
And...we'll see YOU at All-Star Sports Academy!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Get off the wobble boards!
I walk into gyms and training centers all the time and see it.
"Circus act training." "Daredevil training." Stupid trainer tricks.
Trainers and fitness "professionals" pushing their athletes, and even little old ladies to perform ridiculous stunts under the guise of "functional training."
Just because the training center has wobble boards, bosu balls, stability balls, Airex foam pads and inflatable rubber discs doesn't mean every client has to use them all in every workout.
Most clients are inherently not ready for single leg dumbbell clean and press on a bosu ball.
In fact, most clients can barely sit still on a bosu ball or stand on one leg without stability issues for more than 30 seconds! Forget the dumbbell clean and press!
In fact, here's an example of a balance and stability exercise we use to rapidly develop this incredibly important athletic skill:
SL Kettlebell Crossover Romanian Dead Lift
"Circus act training." "Daredevil training." Stupid trainer tricks.
Trainers and fitness "professionals" pushing their athletes, and even little old ladies to perform ridiculous stunts under the guise of "functional training."
Just because the training center has wobble boards, bosu balls, stability balls, Airex foam pads and inflatable rubber discs doesn't mean every client has to use them all in every workout.
Most clients are inherently not ready for single leg dumbbell clean and press on a bosu ball.
In fact, most clients can barely sit still on a bosu ball or stand on one leg without stability issues for more than 30 seconds! Forget the dumbbell clean and press!
In fact, here's an example of a balance and stability exercise we use to rapidly develop this incredibly important athletic skill:
SL Kettlebell Crossover Romanian Dead Lift
It's simple, but not easy to perform, and it relies on the most important tool an athlete must master: the neuromuscular system!
Did you realize that use of all those other "functional training tools" could actually INCREASE your risk of injury while they DECREASE your athletic fitness?
Don't get me wrong. utilizing unstable surfaces or destabilizing movements and positions is not necessarily bad. In fact using stability balls, rocker boards and other stability-challenging tools can be a "multiplier" in your athletic fitness training.
What makes the difference in whether stability tools help or hurt?
Simple: a proper understanding of when they should be introduced into a program, how to progress the athlete through the stages of stabilization training and how to avoid unnecessary risks in training stability.
Not sure how to incorporate stabilization training into your sports fitness program? Let us help you!
Click here:
Did you realize that use of all those other "functional training tools" could actually INCREASE your risk of injury while they DECREASE your athletic fitness?
Don't get me wrong. utilizing unstable surfaces or destabilizing movements and positions is not necessarily bad. In fact using stability balls, rocker boards and other stability-challenging tools can be a "multiplier" in your athletic fitness training.
What makes the difference in whether stability tools help or hurt?
Simple: a proper understanding of when they should be introduced into a program, how to progress the athlete through the stages of stabilization training and how to avoid unnecessary risks in training stability.
Not sure how to incorporate stabilization training into your sports fitness program? Let us help you!
Click here:
We're here and ready to help you explode your sports fitness and performance!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Fear and Hope for Our Kids' Future!
This article is reprinted from the USA Today Monday, November 3, 2008.
It will shock and frighten you...but we have to fight back, for our kids! This is a "war" we as a nation SIMPLY MUST WIN!
Read on after the article to see how All-Star Sports Academy intends to help you win!
The answer is simple:
All-Star Sports Academy's revolutionary new fitness and wellness program made just for KIDZ!
If you're thinking "My kids hate to 'work out,'" YOU'RE RIGHT! Kids love to play games, be challenged, cooperate and compete, however, and that's what FitKidz is all about!
If you're thinking "My kids are way too athletic for something like this," YOU'RE WRONG! Sports and athletic movement is all about the very things we teach and reinforce at FitKidz sessions.
Do kids run, jump, crawl, hop, race, skip, throw, catch, push, pull, get on the floor or ground and get up again, carry things or any combination of these? OF COURSE!
Do these things happen in sports? OF COURSE!
OF COURSE THEY WILL!!
It will shock and frighten you...but we have to fight back, for our kids! This is a "war" we as a nation SIMPLY MUST WIN!
Read on after the article to see how All-Star Sports Academy intends to help you win!
So how are we going to help in the fight against childhood obesity and all the diseases, dangers and risks to our kids that comes with it?Number of kids on medication jumps alarminglyMost of the illnesses related to obesityBy Liz Szabo
USA TODAYThe number of children who take medication for chronic diseases has jumped dramatically, another troubling sign that many of the youngest Americans are struggling with obesity, doctors say.
The number of children who take pills for type 2 diabetes - the kind that's closely linked to obesity - more than doubled from 2002 to 2005, to a rate of six out of 10,000 children. That suggests that at least 23,000 privately insured children in the USA are now taking diabetes medications, according to authors of the new study in today's Pediatrics.
Doctors also saw big increases in prescriptions for high cholesterol, asthma and attention deficit and hyperactivity. There was smaller growth for drugs for depression and high blood pressure.
"We've got a lot of sick children," says author Emily Cox, senior director of research with Express Scripts, which administers drug benefit programs for private insurance plans. "What we've been seeing in adults, we're also now seeing in kids."
Type 2 diabetes was once known as adult-onset. But Cox says her records show kids as young as 5 being treated with prescription diabetes drugs.
Cox based her study on prescription records of nearly 4 million children a year, ages 5 to 19, covered by Express Scripts. She says her findings may not apply to the 40% of children who are uninsured or covered by government health plans.
Unless these children make major changes - such as eating healthier and exercising more - they could be facing a lifetime of illness, Cox says.
"These are not antibiotics that they take for seven to 10 days," Cox says. "These are drugs that many are taking for the rest of their lives."
Cox couldn't explain one surprising finding: Most of the increase in drugs for diabetes, attention deficit/hyperactivity and depression was seen in girls. The gender gap was most striking in diabetes: While the number of boys taking medication grew by 39%, the number of girls using them climbed by 147%, Cox found.
The answer is simple:
All-Star Sports Academy's revolutionary new fitness and wellness program made just for KIDZ!
If you're thinking "My kids hate to 'work out,'" YOU'RE RIGHT! Kids love to play games, be challenged, cooperate and compete, however, and that's what FitKidz is all about!
If you're thinking "My kids are way too athletic for something like this," YOU'RE WRONG! Sports and athletic movement is all about the very things we teach and reinforce at FitKidz sessions.
Do kids run, jump, crawl, hop, race, skip, throw, catch, push, pull, get on the floor or ground and get up again, carry things or any combination of these? OF COURSE!
Do these things happen in sports? OF COURSE!
Will your kids benefit from the FitKidz Fitness and Wellness for Kidz Program?
OF COURSE THEY WILL!!
So what are you waiting for? Did you know that November is FitKidz Preview Month? You can enroll your kids in a trial week of FitKidz Sports Fitness and Wellness FOR FREE!!
Will they like it? How about this...WE GUARANTEE IT!!
Call us today at 732-597-3725 and enroll your kids for their preview month trial...you have absolutely nothing to lose.
Your kids, on the other hand, may have everything to lose...or gain!
Will they like it? How about this...WE GUARANTEE IT!!
Call us today at 732-597-3725 and enroll your kids for their preview month trial...you have absolutely nothing to lose.
Your kids, on the other hand, may have everything to lose...or gain!
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