Things I Like (or maybe even LOVE)

If you read yesterday’s “Things I Hate” post, you know I had good reason to be a little moody.  Well, last night I got better sleep and am in a better mood today.  So it’s time to change gears to the positive.  Things I like/love…

#1) The pump.  All of us guys that make training a big part of our lives have a little meathead in us.  I’m no different.  It feels great to get after it and see your muscles temporarily swell up.  Just don’t make “chasing the pump” too big of a goal in your sessions.  Lifting heavy (with good form) will pay big dividends – it will allow you to lift more weight when you do your higher rep, “pump sets.”  Again, the pump will happen, just don’t make getting a good pump the sole purpose of your training session.

#2) Watching a girl throw some BIG weight on the bar and seeing her getting pumped when she hits a PR (Personal Record).  Here is one of my former clients Coco (I trained her in California before I moved back to Illinois), hitting a PR of 300 pounds on a “rack pull.” …

And what do you know, she still looks as feminine as ever. i.e. heavy weights will NOT turn a female into a dude.

#3) Da Bears!  Great start to the season.  Now, I’m not saying that they’ll go 16-0, but I loved what I saw in week one.  (although they’ll probably go 16-0 )

#4) The WHOLE egg, yolk ‘n all.  In short, a lot of the nutritional benefits come from the yolk.  So do NOT throw out your yolks.  For a more complete report on why I prefer the whole egg over just the whites, check this out… “Are Whole Eggs or Whites Better for You?”

Also, check out BSP’s blogpost on, “The Best Eggs”

#5) The grocery store bill in Rockton/Roscoe Illinois compared to San Ramon/Danville California.

#6) The Jim Rome show.

#7) People who choose exercises that are VERY difficult; exercises that test your wo/man-hood; exercises that make you wanna cry; exercises that build character like no others.  For example, Anderson Front Squats…

Yep, we all like performing curls for the girls (I’m no different, see #1), but sometimes you have to man-up and KILL IT with the most difficult exercises even if they are not as fun!

#8) The lacrosse ball.  By now, most people have found out just how beneficial a foam roller is (if not, get one and use it daily – life changing!).  To take it a step further, get a lacrosse ball (tennis ball is cool too) and use it to hit the areas that the foam roller just doesn’t “get at,” like the LAX ball will (namely the hip flexor area, glutes, calves, feet, pecs, upper back/rear delts).

Here’s a good blogpost with all the benefits of “self myofascial release”

#9) My dad’s Swedish Pancakes!  I haven’t had them yet since returning home, but I can’t wait!

#10) Sleeping babies!!!!!!!!  I’m only on #10 but I’ve had to stop to go “tend to them” 47 (ish) times so far.  Hush little baby don’t say a word, daddy’s gonna……..”

#11) This picture of my wife on the day we got married…

#12) Eric Church

#13) Jay-Z

#14) Justin Bieber, err, ah, um, I mean Pearl Jam

As you can see, when it comes to genres of music, I don’t discriminate.

#15) The fact that my brother (Chad) made a highlight video of me on my birthday…

#16) A protein shake made with; chocolate whey protein, almond butter, water/ice, Superfood (veggie powder), and organic blueberries.

#17) The first beer I consume after not drinking for a month.  You should try it, it makes it taste so much better and THAT night much more fun; saves you money; your 6-pack doesn’t turn into a keg; tests your discipline, etc etc.  Join me in the, “pick my spots,” lifestyle.

If you have any likes/loves that you wanna share, let me hear them.

That’s all folks!