Here’s some really cool things that have happened to me since I’ve been working with Alicia and Platoon. By the way.. I think it’s only been 6 or 7 weeks:

1.) For the first time in the 4 years that I’ve been trying to lose weight.. I’m under 150 lbs. This is huge thing in my head as no matter what I did.. I never ever could crack that number. Being in the 140′s feels real nice.

2.) I’ve stopped eating gluten and therefore kicked my pretzel habit.

3.) I’m eating more often and much less in each meal and listening to when I’m hungry and eating then.

4.) I had a fancy meeting the other day where I had to wear suit-ish clothes (as opposed to my normal not so fancy meetings and non suit-ish clothes). I have  several go to’s in my current closet.. all are a size 10. And ALL WERE TO BIG! I looked ridiculous. I had to go into another closet and get out my 8′s from 4 years ago. YAY! Never been so happy to wear old clothes.

5.) I feel more in control and I feel happier about the way I look and the way I feel because

6.) I feel better!

Alicia is the best and so are you for developing this method.

Just wanted you to know.

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This is why we do what we do, this email created a buzz in the office today.  We get communications like this often and it means so much to us, it’s why we do what we do.

When I first started teaching gym at Arise I noticed many of the children wore their coats during class, this class is inside and it was at least 70 degrees.  I asked the head of the school why this was happening and he told me for some of them this was the only pair of clothes they had, many of the children spend the night in shelters and if you put clothing down, it’s gone.  For lunch that day the School District of Philadephia provided crackers, apple juice and apple sauce – for many of these kids, this would be their best meal of the day.

When I went home that night, I felt more grateful for having food, clothing and shelter.  Are you taking for granted these “basic” elements in your life?  How can you give back in small or big ways?  That’s what I asked my kids.

For the main line kid, the nessesities of life are a given.

It’s better to want what you have, than have what you want.

I’m  not going to ask you to go out and give back, just take a moment, think about all you can be grateful for today.  The absense of a tooth ache, the ability to breathe, having relaiable transportation, access to clean water – living without fear.

Imaging living in a shelter where everything, including you, is up for grabs.

Get outside, even in the rain, and enjoy the greatest gift, free air.  Your not in prison, now is the time to focus on WHERE YOU WANT TO GO and ask yourself, are you getting there?

Dynamic WV

Rolling – this is my favorite part of workout out (besides the end)

High knee pulls up and back

Heal to butt pulls up and back

Groin Ext up and back

Spiderman stretch x10 2 times

Pump Stretch x 10 2 times

High Skip up – running with high knees back  2x

High Skip up  - running heal to butt back 2x

1:30 Thrusters – round one         round two

:30 rest                   41                               45

Step Ups                 30                               31

:30 rest

Swings                   37                                40

Burpee                  17                                  16

t0tal:          125                                142

This was a very different workout than the strength stuff I have been doing for the past 18 months.  Mike is really strict on form, even in the warm up movements, he wants it exactly as specific way and if you can’t do his way he figures out what is going on with you body then has you do it in a way that feels very different.  I have been doing spiderman and pump for a long time but he stopped after the first one and demonstrated again and again until I did it his way.  It felt much different.

People ask me if there is an instructor I prefer to train with but really I like every one for different reasons.  At the level Platoon Instructors play it’s a matter of personality and fit.  The best instructors for me have a way of making you want to perform well for them.  Maybe it’s encouraging or perhaps discipline, the right mix on the right day.

Call me with you thoughts 610-389-3525 or email todd@platoonfitness.com if you want to join me for one of my workouts sometime.  Have a great weekend.