Some things ought to be common sense.

Some things we already know intuitively, but we fail to think about them on a conscious level.

Some things we already know … but sometimes, it takes someone like an expert telling us in plain english for it to become our ‘common sense.’

So today, I’m going to help you get a firm grasp on one common sense ‘thing’ you already know, but may not have applied in your life.

Common sense #1) Junk food is bad for you, 2) Junk food contains high levels of phosphates, 3) High levels of phosphates accelerate signs of aging. 4) High phosphate levels may also increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as

• chronic kidney disease
• cardiovascular calcification,
• induce severe muscle and skin atrophy

Maybe this’ll help you finally kick the junk food habit –> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426151636.htm

That’s a link to ScienceDaily. Below is the article you’ll find there. I’ve included it in full here, so if you choose, you don’t have to leave your favorite website! =)

ScienceDaily (Apr. 26, 2010) — Here’s another reason to kick the soda habit. New research published online in the FASEB Journal shows that high levels of phosphates may add more “pop” to sodas and processed foods than once thought. That’s because researchers have found that the high levels of phosphates accelerate signs of aging. High phosphate levels may also increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification, and can also induce severe muscle and skin atrophy.

“Humans need a healthy diet and keeping the balance of phosphate in the diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity,” said M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. “Avoid phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life.”

To make this discovery, Razzaque and colleague examined the effects of high phosphate levels in three groups of mice. The first group of mice was missing a gene (klotho), which when absent, causes mice to have toxic levels of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived 8 to 15 weeks. The second group of mice was missing the klotho gene and a second gene (NaPi2a), which when absent at the same time, substantially lowered the amount of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived to 20 weeks. The third group of mice was like the second group (missing both the klotho and NaPi2a genes), except they were fed a high-phosphate diet. All of these mice died by 15 weeks, like those in the first group. This suggests that phosphate has toxic effects in mice, and may have a similar effect in other mammals, including humans.

“Soda is the caffeine delivery vehicle of choice for millions of people worldwide, but comes with phosphorous as a passenger” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal. “This research suggests that our phosphorous balance influences the aging process, so don’t tip it.”

I started CrossFit 101 classes on April 5, 2010 and this is graduation week, therefore my primary focus this week is crushing my time for the baseline WOD.  Besides wanting to drastically improve my baseline WOD, I also wanted to test my current fitness by running 1 mile for time.  I keep hearing Tribe members claim how much faster they are after starting CrossFit and how they have improved their 5k times, yet they never run, other than the minimal running included in some of the WODs.

First of all, I do not consider myself a “runner.”  I like to run an occasional 5k or 10k with friends, but I am never trying to win these races.  However, I do try to reach new PRs and compete in my age-group.  For the past year I have been running 2 to 3 times per week, running 3 to 6 miles on average during each run (typical 5k to 10k training).  This past year my fastest 1 mile has been 7:55, which I am not proud of, considering I ran a 6:05 in high school. 

One of my goals with CrossFit is to improve my speed in all distances…therefore I chose the “gold standard” 1 mile for time.  I ran 1 mile today on the Lakeshore Trail in 7:10.  Even though this isn’t great, I was pleasantly surprised since I have only ran 2 to 3 times during weekend WODs since starting CrossFit.  Plus, I was still sore from Saturday’s Grand Opening WOD, I am only averaging 4 to 5 hrs sleep each night since we have 3 month old twins, and I did max weight deadlifts yesterday.  Had I been well rested, not sore, and running with others, I could easily see myself running a sub 6:50 today.  My point is that I have already experienced dramatic improvements in my fitness in just one month of joining the Tribe. 

I am going to continue to run 1 mile for time every 4 to 6 weeks to track my improvements.  Anyone else interested in this challenge?

Tribe,

First, I want to let you know how great it was to see yall on Saturday! I met a lot of new members and thanks to Forrest and Luan I had the chance to coach/motivate some of you as well. Everyone did so well and pushed yourself past where you thought was possible. It was very encouraging to here all of you wish me well at school and see you performing like the ITF athletes I know you are.

As far as school goes, I began week four today wih another 5k run and I finished 1st with a 22:07 which was a 1:20 PR from the last time I did two weeks ago. I did not think I was going to that well seeing as Luan absolutly wrecked my traps and lower back from that WOD on Saturday but I managed to dig a little deeper and came out on top out of both recruit classes.

School is getting a lot tougher though spending majority of the our time in the burn building and the “maze” doing search and rescue to find fire victims and downed firefighters. Through CrossFit & Luans coaching & mentorship it has conditioned me to be able to work in a IDLH ( Imediate danger to life and health) enviroments as a fucntional team member and engine company captain. Whether you’re a firefighter or lawyer, the tribe and it’s leadership will help you overcome any obstacles life throws at you. Let’s face it, if you can do “Fran” anything else should be a walk in the park! haha

I miss the tribe and I am counting the days until I can come back and train with yall. Just know I check the message board everyday to look at your times and keep track of everyones progress.  I am so thankful to be apart of this ITF family! Keep pushing and setting PR’s! 4:30 class, I miss yall and I expect that you will continue to crush any WOD Lu throws at you!

Squat, jump, climb, throw, lift= CrossFit

Chris~

Well Guys.. Our class is headed into our  fourth and final week of 101. So far I have been very sore yet very excited about iron tribe. I have lost 10lbs and have noticed that my legs are growing and my waist is shrinking.  This is a good thing considering that while doing most other workouts my arms and chest grew and my legs and core tended to stay dormant. If we had been taught these precepts when playing football….. Well lets just say there would have been a lot of playing football and a lot less self preservation..  It’s hard to get the job done while your bent over vacuuming oxygen.

Iron Tribe’s Grand Opening is still on!

Come on out Tribe!

This is going to be a grand event for our grand opening.

We are looking forward to seeing you all here.

Starts at 10:00, but is you can’t make it at 10:00, come on out anyway.

Great food, great workout, great people = great fun! =)

See you soon!

Not bad for an almost 40 (formerly kind of lazy and slow) guy. I love this! Thanks to the coaches and to my new friends from class. See you this weekend.