My Strength Journey: Off Day

Weight - 166.0lbs

Wasn't expecting to weigh less today but meh, went on a short 20 minute run to get the blood moving round my incredibly sore legs and then did some foam rolling / stretching after.

Although strength is my main priority I do not want to be so unfit that I cannot run at a decent pace or get out of breath when doing mild exercise.

Macros/Calories - 70/375/200 Approx 2,900 Kcals

Snacks

The only supplements I buy are this and Whey protein:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil

Review of Triggerpoint Foam Roller

This is the Triggerpoint foam roller (tptherapy.com/) which I have used for 2 months or so (can buy from amazon.co.uk for £40ish) and have really noticed the benefits.

From all of the squatting I do I tend to get tight inner abductors which can be a pain in everyday life and when training.

Foam rolling is a form of Self MyoFascial Release (SMR - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myofascial_release) which should help with soft tissue tightness.

Foam Rolling Controversy - http://www.dieselcrew.com/are-foam-rollers-crap

Not everyone believes in the benefits of foam rolling however I have always found it to help alleviate DOMS after leg days.

Below is an example of ways to alleviate this issue if you suffer from it:


Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLrFWF6xoeo

Current Reading

Currently reading this book which is really fascinating, I think the fact that Kessler was the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration from 1990 to 1997 and he admits that mistakes were made during this period.

The book highlights the fact that the increased rate in obesity is not purely down to peoples lack of exercise or eating habits, but is sped along by the food manufacturers and the methods in which they produce/sell their food products.

E.g by adding high concentrations of sugar and fat to foods it increases the hedonistic pleasure for those consuming them due to the way our palates and brains (dopamine / opoids / pleasure sensors work).

Therefore, food scientists have manipulated products to make sure the are very easy to digest (leave you hungry) and laden with fat and sugar to increase taste.

I won't spoil it but some of the test studies done on rats shows just how much modern foods can throw off the bodies natural homeostatic ability to regulate hunger/eating and cause weight gain.

HOWEVER - this does not take away from the fact that at the end of the day people do have a choice in the food they consume and although some blame can go to food manufacturers people must also accept responsibility for their own actions.

For any women out there interested in lifting heavy