December 26th, 2008

Robertson Training Systems Newsletter 4.41


In This Issue

– Robertson Training Systems Updates
– Nutrition Tip
– Exclusive Interview with Leigh Peele
– Latest Articles and Blog Posts


Robertson Training Systems Updates

I-FAST KB Seminar Registration

We’ve already had a great response, but there are still openings for the I-FAST kettebell seminar in January!  Master RKC instructor Brett Jones will be coming to I-FAST on Saturday, January 24th, 2009.

If you’re interested, please contact us ASAP by e-mailing [email protected]


Several new articles up

It’s been a little while since we’ve done a newsletter, and I’ve had several new articles published in the interim.  Here are the links in case you missed them!

Fix That Weak Link!

Top 10 Tips for Becoming a Fitness Phenom

5 Ways to Get Stronger Now


A BIG Thanks to Dave Tate of Elite Fitness Systems!

A few months ago, the unthinkable happened at our I-FAST facility – someone stole our Prowler!  It was left out back after a particularly grueling workout, and someone decided it would make for a nice piece of scrap metal.

Needless to say, it was a sad day

About two weeks after that, we got a call from Fox 59 Morning News, and they wanted to do a fitness segment on our gym.  They had heard we were using all kinds of “unconventional” means to get people fit – dragging sleds, lifting kegs and sand bags, and of course, pushing the Prowler.

When I described the Prowler and how we use it, Molly (the fitness host) loved the idea and said she definitely wanted to feature the Prowler in our segment.  Needless to say, I was stoked!  This was some great news, as we were going to show people how different we were from other fitness facilities, as well as getting some much needed exposure.

There was, however, one, small, problem – WE DIDN’T HAVE A PROWLER ANYMORE!

We had exactly two weeks to get this problem remedied, so I immediately e-mailed Dave Tate, president and CEO of Elite Fitness Systems explaining our situation.  I received an e-mail back within an hour telling me to contact one of his customer service reps, Sara, and she would take care of me.  Now this alone is great customer service on Dave’s part, but it’s even better in this case because he was actually on vacation at the time!

To make a long story short, we had two weeks to get the Prowler, and they had it to us in 7 days.  The last thing I wanted to do was worry about shipping and hoping it would be here on time, but that was a total non-issue.

The bottom line here is this:  Dave Tate and Elite Fitness have consistently exceeded my expectations with regards to product quality and customer service.  As I get older, I become more and more cognizant of how I spend my money, and making sure to support the good guys.  Elite Fitness represents a lot of the good things within our industry, and I hope you’ll choose to support them in the future.  Check out their website at www.EliteFTS.com.


Diet and Nutrition Tip

Salads that Make You Fat
Mike Roussell

A while back Men’s Health came out with a list of America’s Worst Foods. It was really interesting to see the absurd calorie levels that restaurants are putting their foods. But my opinion is that the restaurants can do whatever they like as they are not health experts they are in the business of food. Chef’s are trained in portion control, calorie counting, or the intricacies of creating fat loss based menus. Studies have shown that per portion calorie level is just about the last think chef’s take into account when making dishes. The list below proves my point!

This is why you need to be your number on health advocate. Be smart when ordering at restaurants and don’t assume all salads are healthy (especially Caesar Salads).

On the Border’ Grande Taco Salad w/Taco Beef and Smoked Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing
1,680 calories
121 g fat (40 g saturated)
2,660 mg sodium

Chili’s Caesar Salad w/ Grilled Chicken & Caesar Dressing
1,010 calories
76 g fat (13 g saturated)
1,910 mg sodium

Quizno’s Chicken with Honey Mustard Flatbread Salad
1,110 calories
74 g fat (14.5 g saturated)
2030 mg sodium

If you like this tip and want to learn more about Mike and his products, check out his Naked Nutrition website.

Exclusive Interview: Leigh Peele

MR:  Leigh, it’s been a while since we’ve had you around.  What’s happening?  What have you been up to?

LP: It is always great to get to talk with you Mike. So much is happening right now that most days I feel my head is spinning a little. First I have been doing a lot of traveling and getting some great teaching opportunities with other trainers. My job basically is to give them the magic touch and make sure that they get the kind of results they want with their clients.

I am also working with a great group of people and coming together with the launching of a new site that is really going to shake up the industry, but hopefully in a good way.

Lastly, most Sundays you can find me harassing Kevin on “The Fitcast” and making fun of him for that fact that he gives himself high fives. You know, after being alone in his room for a while…watching Heroes.

MR:  Obviously someone needs to keep Kevin in check; I’m just glad it’s you!

It’s that time of year when people start making New Years Resolutions, and many of those revolve around fat/weight loss.  Hell, that’s a big reason as to why I wanted to have a fat loss expert on for this very interview!  However, we know resolutions often don’t work – what’s your explanation for this?

LP: I just got done writing an article on the top reasons why you should never make a fat loss resolution. I feel the problem with this lies primarily in two factors.

The first factor is simply a lack of education. When you don’t know how to succeed at something then you are left shooting for victory at chance. Fat loss without education is like a drunk guy shooting trash basketball with paper napkins, with his eyes closed. Sure he might get one in every once in a while, but there is no true education or skill involved.

Making sure that you are educated on the facts of fat loss is key to achieving the victory. Perfect practice makes perfect.

The second factor is the lack of actual change that occurs in your lifestyle. Change takes change. People don’t like to change. They like the thought of it, they like the daydreams of the end result. However, those daydreams turn to nightmares when they try to put it into action. It becomes too hard, there is too much sacrifice, the fear starts to take over and next thing you know it is January 14th and you have failed.

This year don’t make a resolution, make a call for change.

MR:  So if a client came to you with the New Years Resolution to drop some serious body fat, how would you help them do that?

LP: The first thing I would do is send their butt to target and have them buy two things. A journal and a food scale. It will be the most enlightening and eye opening experience of their lives. I would make them log their daily dietary habits of what they are still doing. Give them a big eye opener into how much food they are really eating, and then from there help them map out a plan.

The problem with most people is they expect it to be easy. No thought, no work. That is great and all if you are eating nothing but chicken breasts and lettuce. It is a bit different if you want to have any variety of food or lifestyle in your diet or training. Lazy tracking breeds lackluster results for the majority of people. You have to understand what you are putting in your body, then and only then, will you know what to take out.

MR:  It’s come to my attention that you’ve also gone back to the drawing board and revised your Fat Loss Troubleshoot Manual.  It was fantastic to begin with, so what’s new in version 2.0?

LP: There are not any huge changes with the actual FLTS manual itself. Mostly it is increasing the grammar and editorial work and adding a few more points here and there. The biggest changes are with the additions that come with the package itself and that you will not longer be able to get the Metabolic Repair Manual on its own. That was my mistake to be honest. I thought, foolishly, that people would read the book after reading the Fat Loss Troubleshoot first. That didn’t happen. Even worst some people bought just that manual having no idea the basics or foundations of fat loss. In an attempt to fix that, I am removing the ability to buy them separately and just putting them together in a package.

The new stuff will include a manual for making weight or manipulating water for competition (The Water Manual), a more advanced training program with ipod video for the lower levels of body fat loss or athletes (OPT REMIX), an audiobook version of FLTS, and meal plans. All in all, the package is fantastic and still very well priced for all that material. That will re-launch TODAY the 26th Dec and I am beyond excited about it and have really high expectations. Everyone reading get the word out, this stuff has truly never been covered before in this manner. I don’t say things like that often either, I don’t “hype” but I am just really proud of the work and all the people it can apply too.

MR:  One of the things you’ve talked about in the past is thyroid issues.  In all honesty, that’s not something I’m terribly familiar with myself.  Why are thyroid issues important, and how would someone know if they have one?

LP: The function of the thyroid process in terms of fat loss plays a huge role in not only your ability to physically burn fat, but it also plays huge roles in your overall caloric expenditure, mood levels, and general overall adherence.

In any dieting down situation the thyroid is affected to some degree. Dieting down, even in the healthiest of situations, will lead to suppressing optimal function. The key is to not do stupid things to cause the function from going to a normal sub-optimal range to plummeting. Keeping re-feeds, rest, and mobility work often and decreasing stress are your best defense against self produced thyroid dysfunction.

If you are concerned you have an issue with thyroid function one of the best things you can do is get a full scale thyroid test with a good doctor. You need to go beyond the standard test and into the big boy league of thyroid testing. The standard test is just not enough to cut it and can’t show the underlying problems. That being said, if you have a problem the test results will show things are off, you just have to make sure you get the right tests. So, when you ask, don’t skimp, get everything from vitamins to free and reverse T’s tested. If you have to go online and research the results yourself (if you doctor is a bag of rocks).

MR:  I know you mentioned The FitCast awhile ago.  What have you learned from working on the show?  A better question may be this:  Between the Fassinator, Tony G and Kevin, have you learned anything?

(Just kidding guys – you can delete the hate mails you just started!)

LP: Ha you know they are such a great bunch of guys. To be honest around here, locally that is, I don’t get a chance to mingle with a lot of people who have a large grasp of solid training concepts. I live in a city where leg curls are king and good nutrition is eating your Wheaties. Because of this I take a great deal of appreciation of having the ability to talk with those guys, you, and other people that I respect. Being around people who are positive and have a like mind can do so much to push your effort forward in training and in just general life. That doesn’t mean you have to become a “yes” man either. That is what I like about the people I talk with, we aren’t always 100% the same on everything but there is mutual respect.

Beyond that I just love having a good time and it never fails to achieve that.

MR:  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with us Leigh!  Where can the readers find out more about you and the FLTS manual?

LP: Thanks for having me Mike, it’s an honor as always. People can check out my blog at http://avidityfitness.net and you can go sign up for the free recipe book and watch the launch trailer at http://fatlosstroubleshoot.com.


Latest Articles

5 Ways to Get Stronger Now
Top 10 Tips for Becoming a Fitness Phenom
Fix That Weak Link!

Developing Divine Delts


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