Friday 27 March 2009

CJS Fitness Supports Charity 10K Bone Marrow-thon

Having lost a brother to Cancer, Charities supporting the cause are close to my heart. Couple that with a sporting event and for me you've got a winning combination. That's why I, and CJS Fitness are supporting the ACLT 10K Bone Marrow-thon this summer, 6th June 2009 at Regents Park.

The ACLT are an established charity that promote bone marrow and blood donation. The ACLT was founded in 1996 by Beverly De-gale and Orin Lewis three years after their son Daniel De-Gale was diagnosed with Leukemia. The ordeal they experienced finding a suitable donor prompted them to establish the African Caribbean Leukemia Trust (ACLT) so that others would not have to go through the same traumatic experience.

How is CJS Fitness Supporting the ACLT?

Cj Swaby will be leading free training runs 6 weeks prior to the 10K Bone Marrow-thon to make sure all participants are in top shape. The running groups will be suitable for all levels. Full details will be given when you join up for the run. You can do that here

CJS Fitness has also provided training programmes from complete beginners to advanced, so that you will have complete confidence in your ability come race day. The training programmes will be emailed to you when the ACLT have received your registration.

Cj Swaby has also signed up to do the 10K Bone Marrow-thon and will be trotting around Regents Park with the rest of the runners.

So whip out your running gear, and get going for a charity that's making a difference.

Thursday 19 March 2009

Is The Future Of Our Health In Our Dietary Past?

When we have lost our way, it is easy to resort to the past. Past behaviours, trends and habits are safe. We know what to expect, we know the outcome. But it has us stuck in the past, without the insight or motivation to move forward.

Globally, unsustainable and unethical farming methods have had detrimental effects on our collective health. The 2005 Animation The Meatrix highlights important issues, it seems that we have strayed from the path.



However, does resorting to the dietary methods of our ancestors necessarily mean it will work for us? Ori Hofmekler's Warrior Diet has been the front runner in recent years with great success, advocating a return to the ways of our ancestors. The principles outlined below are simple to introduce;
"
1. Eat One Main Meal at Night

There is evidence that humans are nocturnal eaters, inherently programmed for undereating and toiling during the day, followed by overeating and relaxing at night.

2. Go Low on the Food Chain
Researchers believe that the human genome is programmed for a late Paleolithic world. As hunter/gatherers we're better adapted to pre-agricultural food– i.e. chemical-free fruit, vegetables, roots, sprouted legumes, nuts, seeds, fertile eggs, marine food (wild catch), and dairy from grass fed animals.


3. Exercise While Undereating

It has been established that we are inherently carrying survival mechanisms that benefit us when triggered by physical or nutritional stress such as exercise or undereating. Combining exercise with undereating will amplify the beneficial mechanisms of both – increasing our ability to utilize energy, improve strength and resist fatigue."

For the warrior diet, being "OK" is just not good enough. There is a distinct difference between living and surviving.

It doesn't stop there. The organisation, Optimum Nutrition in London which has strong research and evidence based backing has recently adopted a similar stance. Optimum Nutrition have teamed up with key partners to deliver a conference on Saturday 4th April in London entitled, "The Nutritional Needs of Mankind".

Looking at current farming trends, and the implications for our future and the wellbeing of mankind, the conference will be indepth and comprehensive. Promoting key principles such as;

1. Go back to eating simple wholesome food
2. Try to obtain local produce
3. Remember we are forever linked to our environment


They go on to say, "Although we cannot go back in time, we can learn a lot from our ancestors...There is much well-being to gain if we remember that species co-evolve with the other species and that we co-evolve with our environment." Wise words.

For details of the April conference check out the Optimum Nutrition website.

Sunday 1 March 2009

UK Open Kettlebell Championships 2009 Announced

The UK Open Kettlebell Championships have been announced. The event, Sponsored by the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation (IKFF) was preliminarily mentioned at the IKFF CKT course in Edinburgh, Scotland, a few weeks back. It can now be confirmed the date is in fact 18th July 2009. Money raised from the Championships will be donated to charity.

The event promises to be the largest Kettlebell competition in the UK set to international standards, and is open to all Kettlebell Lifters (regardless of style) or nationality. The UK Open Kettlebell Championships is being organised the UK end by IKFF UK Advisor, Jonathan Lewis (of Industrial Strength London and Balance Physiotherapy) and Cj Swaby of CJS Fitness.

A group has been set up on Ning which outlines all the details to the Championships as they unfold. The site will also provide online training, programs, forums, video clips and an opportunity to get together and train with like minded individuals wherever you may be located.

While the focus of the site is currently the UK Open Kettlebell Championships, the purpose of the Kettlebell Triibe is to set the standard and help Kettlebell Competitions in the UK flourish. You can join here.

Here's a sneak look of what a competition involves