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The Stumptuous 2010 calendar
Sick of “fake fitness” images? Get real.
Real images of a real woman. Real fitness for real life. Real inspiration. 12 months’ worth.
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LIES in the gym
You don’t have to go far in the average gym to find someone willing to give you bad information. People are full of ideas and advice about women and weights. And most of them are wrong. I’ve compiled a list of some of the most common myths floating around like the alligator in the sewer stories. The difference is, of course, that there really ARE alligators in the sewer. And snakes that pop out of your toilet, heh heh.
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What you need and what you don’t
It’s tempting to think when starting out that you need a whole array of belts, straps, gloves, and suits to begin strength training, especially if you see a lot of folks in the gym all decked out like medieval cyborgs. Well, the truth is that you don’t. Here’s what you need and what you can do without.
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Old broads: the golden years of pumping iron
The other day I got an email from a woman who asked, “I’m 31. Is it too late to begin a fitness program?” Only in our youth-worshiping North American culture could such a question even be asked. In most other cultures in the world, the concept of aging equaling inactivity does not exist.
Above: Champion powerlifter and site reader Gayle busts out the biceps curl reps.
Eating
Krista’s Kalorietastic Konfabulator
Now that you’ve read all about the major macronutrients — fat, carbs, and protein — you’re probably wondering how the heck you make, like, meals and stuff. After all, foods aren’t just “nutrients”.
Here’s a little chart that might be helpful. Here are common foods that are good sources of the major nutrients.
What's new
Just when you thought McNuggets couldn’t get more disgusting
From CNN Health:
All McDonald’s nuggets are not created equal.
U.S. McNuggets not only contain more calories and fat than their British counterparts, but also chemicals not found across the Atlantic.
CNN investigated the differences after receiving a blog comment asking about them.
American McNuggets (190 calories, 12 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat for 4 pieces) contain the chemical preservative tBHQ, tertiary butylhydroquinone, a petroleum-based product. They also contain dimethylpolysiloxane, “an anti-foaming agent” also used in Silly Putty.
Training
The Less Thinking, More Doing Program, The Sequel: Slightly More Thinking, Slightly More Doing
The Less Thinking, More Doing Starter Program was unveiled to wild enthusiasm from Stumpfans. Now Geoff Girvitz is back with more asskicking glory. It’s LTMD: The Sequel: Slightly More Thinking, Slightly More Doing. The purpose of the original LTMD Program was to provide an antidote for those of you paralyzed by too much information.
Phase II helps keep you moving forward while you continue to learn.
The Less Thinking, More Doing Starter Program
It’s easy to get overly-heady about exercise. Being a strength/fitness nerd, it’s not only easy for me, it’s fun. For those new to this world, though, I suspect it can be a little overwhelming. After all, you might just want some simple advice on getting started. If so, this article is for you. This program starts you off with a few basic movements that are guaranteed to increase your overall strength and fitness if you’re a beginner.
Don’t fear the free weights!
Remember that one of the big lies in the gym was that women should stick to machines and stay away from free weights? Related to that is the lie that one should “start out” on machines and then “graduate” to free weights. Well, here’s why it ain’t so, as well as why free weights are often better for women.
Learning
New Rules of Lifting for Women and podcast with Cassandra Forsythe
If there’s a woman in your life who’s considering weight training (or a man in your life who trains women), The New Rules of Lifting for Women is an excellent introduction to the field of women and weight training.
NROL is written by a kickass trifecta of three major names in the business, including women’s nutrition and fitness expert Cassandra Forsythe. I review her book and chat with her for nearly an hour about women’s strength training, working out while pregnant, the dirty little secret of disordered eating in the fitness biz, and lots of other good stuff.
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Rants
Rant 58 June 2010: Hot for Teachers
Here I was, Dr. Krista, gentle creator and longtime tender of Stumptuous.com, coach to hundreds of women as part of the Lean Eating program, emailing my buddy Kyle to ask — really sort of beg — him to check whether I was eating my spinach. What’s up with this?
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Doh! and ouch
Back pain 3: Exercises for low back pain
Here are just a few tips and ideas for low back pain rehab and prevention exercises. If you are prone to LBP then I recommend including these as part of your regular workout program.
More in Doh! and ouch
Women stuff
Mommy (to be) rage: Hands off pregnant ladies
I think it’s Pregnancy Week at the Stumpblog.
I remember my younger sister telling me how creepy it was when total strangers would grab her belly in stores etc. when she was pregnant. Now regular site reader, world traveller, and cheese/chocolate aficionado, Lieke updates me on the “enjoyment” of having her body on public display. From the WTF? files…
Have you experienced similar bullshit? What’s up with this? Let’s hear your comments!
More in Women stuff
Inspiration
Reader Mail 9
“Krista, thanks to you, I’m telling all of those douches to fuck off — by getting super fit a la your advice, and squatting myself into emotional independence. Circus acrobatics, here I come!”