RossTraining.com Blog

Each week, I actively pursue new research regarding health related topics such as fitness, nutrition, and longevity.  I read several journals and always seek out peer reviewed research.  Clearly, I’m a fan of science, but at the same time, I realize that science is rarely an exact science.  New research comes out weekly, often disproving what we once thought to be fact. 

Consequently (and unfortunately), many give up on the idea of science. These folks will often make snide remarks such as, “Why bother reading such journals, when it seems like everything causes cancer.”  These individuals have given up entirely, and believe the scientific process is a waste of time.  Working as the devil’s advocate, I can almost understand their argument against the argument(s). 

For example, a new study recently linked Vitamin E to lung cancer. 

As stated within the link above:

Taking high doses of Vitamin E supplements can increase the risk of lung cancer…

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After reviewing this research, it took but a few minutes to find other studies that would give many readers a much different perception.  For example, within this link, the following is stated:

Researchers found that high levels of Vitamin E in the blood were associated with the lowest risk of lung cancer… 

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A few more clicks at the Google search engine brought me to a research paper that indicated the following:

Vitamin E supplementation (400 IU/day) improves the immune system response in both young and older people, is helpful in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and arthritis, and applied topically has even been found to cure dermatitis(21,30-32). Vitamin E is also helpful in cancer prevention. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute found that supplementation with vitamin E cuts the risk of oral cancer by 50 per cent. Non-smokers can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by taking vitamin E and men can reduce their risk of colon cancer by 65 per cent by increasing their intake of vitamin E(33-36).

Cited from: vvv.com/healthnews/vitamin_E.htm

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Now, as to where I’m going with this blog entry, I am not suggesting that we all give up on science.  I actually believe the opposite, and will continue with my journal subscriptions. With that said, we must not allow ourselves to become lost and confused with science.  Realize that the research from today may be disproven tomorrow.  Do not assume that you can pop a few high dose vitamins and correct years of lifestyle mistakes. 

Everything in moderation usually wins out.  If we all lived cleaner lifestyles (ie. more frequent exercise, improved nutritional habits, etc.), the need for vitamins that curbed our risk of cancer would all but vanish.  As for transitioning to such a lifestyle, I cannot imagine any other way.  When I look at my son, I can’t imagine jeopardizing the time that I will have with him as a parent.  I eat to live, rather than living to eat.  There is so much more to life than eating, if you just get up and live a little!

Ross

Below is a recent press release. We are off to Germany for the March 8th bout. To those in Germany, the bout is March 8th in Krefeld, so come on down. I’ll be back in the US on March 9th, but will likely post at least a few blog entries while overseas.

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WBC No. 1 cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs) broke his Hartford-based training camp and departed for Germany to acclimate himself for his March 8 WBC title elimination showdown against unbeaten No. 2 ranked Rudy Kraj (13-0, 10 KOs) in Krefeld.

“I’ve been training for this fight since Christmas,” the 27-year-old NABF champion Godfrey explained, “but I really started training camp around the first week of September for a fight (versus Jeremy Williams) that fell out right before Thanksgiving. So, I’m ready for this fight, and I want to go in and let everybody see what all of this hard work and training has done for me. People are going to see the Matt Godfrey who was so explosive against (Shaun) George and (Felix) Cora (Jr), in addition to seeing some different stuff that comes from new conditioning training that allows me to do a lot more in the ring. Click on the results of March 8 and see Godfrey as the decisive victor.”

The winner of Godfrey-Kraj not only will become the WBC’s mandatory challenger, it also has additional implications because WBC/WBA title-holder David Haye fights WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli on March 8 in London. A Haye victory reportedly will send him up to heavyweight, leaving the cruiserweight division wide open, and the Godfrey-Kraj winner possibly the new WBC champion or interim title-holder.

“We had the DVD player going every day and we’ve noticed some different things about Kraj that we’ve worked on,” Godfrey spoke about his 2000 Olympic silver medal winning opponent, Kraj. “He’s a solid opponent with good strength and size. He’s the real deal and it’s going to be a great fight.

“I’m not concerned about fighting him in Germany. We’re going over there early to get acclimated to the weather and time. We’ll have ample time to adjust. The winner could be the new world champion or interim title holder. The worst that can happen is the winner is the mandatory contender, and that’s why I’m looking at this as a world title fight, whether it is or isn’t.”

Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships — four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

The highly decorated U.S. amateur defeated many boxers who today are outstanding professionals such as WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin (24-1-3, 12 KOs), unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon (21-0, 14 KOs), Devin Vargas (14-0, 6 KOs), Corey “Black Ice” Cummings (15-2, 12 KOs), Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre (18-3, 13 KOs) and John Johnson (12-1, 10 KOs).

Below is a recent article with some updates regarding Dustin Carter.

Wrestler’s Stirring Effort

If you are new to blog, be sure to catch up with the original entry:

Dustin Carter Will Inspire You

Train hard,

Ross

To those interested in spicing up the traditional deck of cards workout, please refer to this link from the message board.

Random Workout Generator

If the Deck of Cards workout is new to you, please refer to this article from 2004:

Deck of Cards

A basic deck of cards could be enough to keep a novice athlete busy for a LONG time. As has been mentioned throughout, simplicity works well when used regularly… 

Ross

Prepare to be amazed after watching this video (and reading about his life).

For more information about his amazing struggle and accomplishments, please check the two links below:

Jon Blaise

War On ALS

Ross

This speech will certainly leave you thinking…

You can find the full unedited speech on Youtube (search under Randy Pausch).  The full speech is approximately 10 minutes, but definitely worth a look…

Ross 

Check out the image below, from Consumer Reports magazine (click the link).  See if you can guess correctly…

Food Compare Image 

The lesson to be learned from this graphic is simple.  It is best to stay away from both columns.  Prepare your own food (real food), and avoid the processed crap that comes from fast food restaurants.

Ross

We are coming home to Connecticut to finish camp for Matt’s fight (#1 ranked cruiserweight in the world) in Germany, on March 8th.

Below are some pictures from camp in Florida.  Matt was sparring with heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko (who fights Feb. 23rd on HBO).   For those local to the West Palm Beach area, there are still open workouts for the public at 4PM each day of the week. 

Camp at the PGA National Resort

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A temporary gym was set up within the tent. 

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While running on the beach, we came across a solid rock area (the sand ended, and turned into rock).  I had never seen anything like this before:

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I am not looking forward to the snow that awaits us in Connecticut! 

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The Iceman John Scully with Matt Godfrey after a beach run

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Matt working the bags after sparring

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The man himself, legendary trainer Emanuel Steward (who trains Vladimir Klitschko)

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Ross and Scully with the champ

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Matt and Manny

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Matt and Vladimir after sparring

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For the boxing fans out there, check out the first heavyweight unification bout since 1999 on February 23rd. 

Klitschko vs. Ibragimov

And for those in Germany, Matt will be fighting on March 8th in world title eliminator bout.  Come check us out if you are local to the area.

Ross

Just an FYI, we have one more week of training camp in FL.  I will be return on Friday the 15th. I was able to post a few blog entries last week while at camp, and hope to do the same this coming week.  If for some reason it isn’t possible, I will touch base later this week.

Ross 

My last entry (the obesity map) generated some heated email responses from many regulars on the site. The common reaction was that obesity was directly related to laziness. Therefore, this hypothesis suggests that our world first became lazy, and then obese. Thus (in theory), as the world shifts towards an indolent lifestyle, obesity gradually appears, spreads, and intensifies.

This theory is weak however. Fat does not equal lazy. There are certainly obese individuals who classify as lazy, but there are also many hard working adults who are obese. Contrary to popular opinion, there is not always a direct relationship between obesity and laziness. More often than not, several factors contribute to obesity. Laziness may or may not be present.

Earlier in my life, I may not have recognized this fact. As a father, husband, and business owner however, I now understand how certain individuals get caught up in the game of life, and slowly put fitness and health on the backburner. Clearly, I do not support such actions, but I do see how it could happen.

For example, consider the parent who works all day and must then care for the kids. This could be a mother or father who is literally working all day. An infant may even call for his or her assistance in the middle of the night. Sleep is therefore limited, and before you know it, the alarm is ringing to start a new day. There is little time to exercise, so fitness is all but forgotten. When a parent in this situation becomes obese, it is not because he or she is lazy.

On the contrary, these are hard working, loving parents who are simply misinformed regarding their exercise options. For example, many assume that a fully equipped gym is necessary for exercise. The gym owner who is trying to pay his rent will do his best to sell this story. He doesn’t want you training at home. But when driving across town to the gym doesn’t fit into the schedule, no other options appear to exist. The result is inactivity. After all, what else can you do?

Clearly, misinformation is a problem, but it is a problem worth fixing. Unfortunately, I often see fitness professionals who spend more time scrutinizing the obese, rather than offering simple solutions to the problem. Peruse a few fitness message boards and you’ll likely come across members who find it humorous to criticize the obese. It is as if you must start out already in shape to receive any kind of support or assistance. This kind of behavior is ridiculous. What good comes out of criticizing someone who is different from you?

No one is born with knowledge. Like it or not but the fitness industry is loaded with garbage. How you can blame someone for being misinformed? Look at all the ridiculous infomercials and ad-copy that litter the web. It should come as no surprise that the world is obese. It isn’t easy to sort through the nonsense that exists within the industry.

As for where I’m going with this blog entry, I wish I knew. I suppose the real message is that if you know someone who is misinformed (and we all do), take a minute to explain some options. Most do not realize what can be accomplished in 20 or 30 minutes. You don’t need a marathon session to improve physical fitness. Less can be more if you put forth an honest effort.

Make time for fitness, as you will never find time. Wake up earlier, or find a break within the day. I personally wake up at the crack of dawn while the rest of the world sleeps. I put in my own workout, and then start the day running my business and training my athletes. If I didn’t put in the early morning workout, I’d likely fly through the day without finding a break for exercise. Some days are literally non-stop with no time for myself.

Ultimately, laziness is a problem in the world today, but it isn’t always the cause of obesity (somtimes, but not always). Don’t be so quick to judge the obese. Many are hard working adults who do not know how to proceed. No one is perfect, and we’ve all made mistakes. I know that I’ve made plenty in my time. Fortunately, we can all learn from our mistakes and improve. Being obese isn’t a death sentence and it sure as hell doesn’t give anyone the right to poke fun at the condition.

If we all spent more time trying to fix the problem, rather than cracking jokes about it, we’d all be better off.

Ross