HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving from TAC Fitness & Nutrition!

Just wanted to take the time show the world that other than my beautiful family and my wonderful friends, I am beyond thankful for all those that make TAC Fitness & Nutrition possible! To my TAC Nutrition heads, thanks for sending me your grub selfies! To my TAC Fitness athletes, way to make it impossible for me to take your picture during our sessions because you're all too beast!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

Love, Coach Carl 

Visualize. Embrace. Conquer

“Visualize the goal, embrace the path and conquer the struggle” 

This affirmation is burned into my brain until I die. It has lifted me through rough times and I hope it does the same with you. 

Nowadays we are surrounded with negativity, we are emotionally hurt from tragedy whether it be globally or personal. We, as an individual, cannot control what happens in our world, but we can control how we rise from falling. This blog post is written to uplift the spirits of the fallen and create a motion for success.

"I'm not good enough." 

"I don't deserve this." 

"There isn’t a point to continue." 

Does this sound familiar? If so, then hear this -- you control every feeling you have. Don’t let anyone else fuel a feeling that you have complete control of.  You have the power to pick yourself up and succeed and all it really takes is changing a mindset. 

Saying negative things is a mindset that needs to be thrown out the door. This mindset pertains to any personal struggle, even fitness related.

I have a quick story, about 3-4 months ago I was at a low point in my life. No need for details but to put it simply -- I was heart broken. To lift me up a buddy of mine spent the day with me to keep me company and put a smile on my face. I will never forget what she told me that day. She completely spun my thinking around just by saying:

“Carl, I’m excited for you and you should be too. You may feel like the world is coming down but no feeling will ever be greater than knowing there’s a lot of good things coming your way.”

Although pretty vague, it hit me hard.  Right then and there, I changed every negative thought that I had into fuel for a positive drive. That’s what I encourage you to do! 

Control how you feel and know that there are always good things coming your way! It all starts with the right mindset and YOU are the key to the perfect mindset in order to succeed. Visualize, Embrace and Conquer.

Love, Coach Carl

Something New!

I'm so excited everyone! I am a new member of USA Triathlon! 

I've been training with a couple triathletes recently and caught the "tri" bug. Completing a triathlon is definitely a big challenge and you all know that I love a challenge. 

I'm confident that I'm more than physically ready for a triathlon, but this sport is not for the weak-minded. 3 sports rolled into 1 event is nuts. Triathlons are not only a test of physical toughness but more so a true test to mental strength and heart. 

Even though I've been swimming since a wee little Talaue, swimming in open water with other competitors hitting you or waves crashing into your face as you take a breath, is still pretty intense. Then to transition out of the water and out of your wetsuit into your cycle gear for a ride with a tiny uncomfortable seat (still trying to get used to that), even crazier. Finally, to reach the next transition to get out of your cycle gear and into your running gear all while your legs are pretty much jello and then go on a long run, that's just insane! I do get really juiced just thinking about it though and I can't wait to take on the world of triathlons.

This coming season I plan to start off with the Silicon Valley Sprint Triathlon (.35mi swim/ 9mi bike/ 2.5mi run) on April 18, 2014 to pop my triathlon cherry. After that event, I plan to register for a couple Olympic distance triathlons which consists of a .93 mile swim, 25 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run. The idea of a half Ironman (1.2 mi swim/ 56 mi bike/ 13.1 mi run) is also swimming in my head ... but we'll see. I'm definitely too excited for what's to come!

If anyone is interested in training whether for doing a triathlon or just to be physical and get fit, please feel free to contact me to join in on the fun!

Get Fit, Eat Smart and Stay Healthy!

Get Loose, Stay Loose!

Self myofascial release (SMR) is a good way to end a great session. I, as well as many active people, am guilty of rushing out of the gym after a great session sometimes without properly cooling down and stretching out. What you do after a workout is equally important as the workout itself. Post workout recovery techniques not only help you recover faster but set you up for your next session. Here's a few of the toys I use to keep the muscles loose.

Trigger Point Foam Roller: This foam roller is the mother of all foam rollers! This roller is made to last a lifetime and able to withstand heavy loads. The roller itself is broken up into grids that lets you choose the "tension" you want to roll with, from areas that are high and firm to emulate a massage with fingertips, a section thats low and flat to emulate a massage with a forearm or palm and an area that is medium and tubular that emulates a massage with fingers and thumbs. Foam rolling breaks down tight muscles, loosens them up and promotes blood circulation. Make sure to invest in this roller!

Theracane: To get at those trigger points and deep knots I use a Theracane. With leverage you can control pressure on certain points in your muscles to release tension. There are so many areas on your body that a foam roller just can't reach. For me, one of those areas is deep in my lats. I use the Theracane to pinpoint a knot and press it out until the tension releases. This toy is also good with points in your neck as well.

Golf Balls: Using golf balls for other trigger points is a good way to release tension and keep knots out of your system. A good spot to use this is on your feet. It feels like an amazing foot massage and especially great to use after a good run.

 Benefits of a post workout self myofascial release:

1. Alleviate pain or tension in muscles.
2. Promote better posture.
3. Increase blood circulation which aids in a quicker recovery.
4. Helps increase flexibility.
5. Prevent muscle imbalance by preventing muscle compensation through fatigued muscles.
6. Gets your body ready for your next session.

You're probably wondering why there are pillows in this picture too. Well one of the best recovery tools is getting quality sleep. During sleep your body takes that time to heal itself. It produces Growth Hormones that aid in tissue growth and repair. so make sure to get your high quality sleep in.

Next time you get your beast on in a session make sure to take some time to help your body recover with self myofascial release followed by quality sleep. Here's a little wisdom send off for you: You hold the power to work your body to the ground, but you also have the power to rejuvenate your body from a broken downed state. Why only use one of those powers?

Get Fit, Eat Smart, Stay Healthy!...and Stretch Out!!!