Blog entry August 2010

Eric joined us for the summer while working as a wildland fire fighter.  He instantly raised the bar for everyone and will be missed now that he returned to school. 

Eric has an incredible work capacity, often scaling workout UP rather than down. 

Best of luck in school, Eric, you always have a home here.

Brush off your mythology book and come join as at Sugarhouse Park on Saturday!

We will hold both the Beginner's Class at 8am and Advanced Class at 9am at the southwest corner of Sugarhouse Park.  Come to the hill across the street from the pond and you'll find us, having fun as usual. 

We will be doing the CrossFit Mount Olympus workout 'Sisyphus on Ice'.  You may want to bring gloves!  Extra credit for everyone who can tell the story of Sisyphus.

Do you want to see what Santa Claus does in the off-season?  Would you like to help build toys for kids all over the world?

Come do both at CrossFit Mount Olympus next Saturday, 28 August from 8-11am for a workout and breakfast to benefit Tiny Tim's Foundation for Kids 

We will open CrossFit Mount Olympus to everyone and ask in return that you donate to Tiny Tim's Foundation for Kids, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization built around the dream of bringing a smile to as many children’s faces as possible. 

For more information, email info@crossfitmountolympus.com  or call CrossFit Mount Olympus at 801.935.4032.

About Tiny Tim's Foundation for Kids

What is the price of a smile? That is a question that Alton Thacker, the man who started Tiny Tim’s Foundation for Kids, often asks people when they wonder why he founded this charity in 1996.

When a child plays with a toy, it sparks their imagination. They learn to think for themselves. They begin to explore the possibilities around them. Unfortunately, there are 500 million children around the world who have never had a toy; those children most likely never will have a toy. Tiny Tim's Foundation for Kids believes that those 500 million children deserve a reason to smile.

That is why Tiny Tim’s Foundation for Kids builds and delivers 36,000 toys every year to needy children around the globe. These toys have been delivered to many countries including; Iraq, Afghanistan, Ghana, Thailand, Korea, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and needy children inside the United States. They are also sent to hospitals where patients can play with and keep them; including Primary Children’s and Shriner’s hospitals. Wherever they have been sent, the same story returns. They bring smiles to the children’s faces and cultural, linguistic, and social barriers fade away. 

Do you have an abnormal fear of the number 13?  Just in case Friday the 13th gives you the heebie-jeebies, we are offering a safe environment for you to workout today!  Feel free to bring your own hockey mask! 

Amy S. Sullivan wrote an excellent article titled,  Lift like a Girl - Reasons Women Need Crossfit.  My first thought about why women need CrossFit was, "For the same reason everybody needs CrossFit--it's fun and it works."  Sullivan provides several specific reasons and never even brings up the benefits resistance training has in preventing osteoporosis.   

Crossfit starts from the inside out, not the outside in. The looks are a byproduct -- form follows function. Looking good naked isn't our goal--it's a natural by-product of what we do.  A fit, strong, healthy body just looks sexy. 

Crossfit doesn't take a lot of time.  Unless you stick around to encourage others and chat AFTER your workout, you will be in and out in less than an hour.  Not sure you can get a great workout in under an hour?  Try it. We dare you. 

Crossfit strengthens. Many women come into CrossFit Mount Olympus concerned about 'bulking up'.  In general, women lack sufficient testosterone to bulk up.  CrossFit helps develop the toned and fit look by shedding extra pounds and building more noticable muscles. 

Crossfit empowers.  As a coach, this is my favorite reason.  Stronger, fitter people tend to be happier and more successful.  Our goal at CrossFit Mount Olympus is to empower you outside the gym.  We guarantee you will do things you never imagined and some things you thought were impossible.  Daily problems seem smaller after you have finished a challenging workout.

Female limitations?  We know a lot of CrossFit looks intimidating.  I still get scared when I hear "3-2-1 GO!!" before a workout.  The excellent coaches at CrossFit Mount Olympus know how to scale back any workout so YOU can do it.  We meet you at your starting point, knowing that CrossFit will get you in the best shape of your life.  Nobody starts with elite fitness, they develop it. 

How to get started.  Just try it.  Be honest with your coach from the very beginning.  What are your fears, goals, concern?  CrossFit will give you the best workout of your life, and make you a better person in general.  Try the difficult, achieve the impossible. CrossFit women rule!

The Annals of Internal Medicine published the results of a study that compared the effectiveness of low fat vs. low carb diets over a 2-year period.  The study found that participants in both groups lost an equal amount of weight over the 2-year period--WHEN COUPLED WITH BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT.

The biggest difference in the two groups was a favorable change in the cardiovascular disease risk factors found in the low-carbohydrate group.  Remember, the low-fat diet was conceived as a means of reducing cardiovascular disease. 

Gary Foster, PhD explains the results of the study.  Pay attention especially to the behavioral modifications Dr. Foster lists as important. 

Once again, I would like to restate our food policy, as written by Coach Greg Glassman:

Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar.  That fits neatly with Dr. Foster's findings. 

We have food policy contracts to help you make the changes you need.  Come talk with your coach.