Monday, January 31, 2011
BAD FOOD!
I haven't trained on anything new in a while and have been sticking to my own training regimen. It consists of coming up with exercises that work together really well when combined to create a circuit. Then I test it on ATA fit class (You're welcome!). But aside from the working out and training, I always try to find new things to eat that are healthy and make the right choice when it comes to meals. I came across this article in Men's Health about the Worst Foods in America. The Worst part about the Worst Foods in America? Oh, they taste so good! The Best thing? This report gives you healthy alternatives... stay away from the Mac & Cheese!! Check it out here: CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"8 Lessons All Dads Should Teach"
I was reading an old issue of Men's Health when I came across this article. I really enjoyed it because it gave me some inspiration and ways to improve some of my teaching habits! Here is a quick version of each lesson:
1. Words are Valuable: Father's have a greater impact on their children's language development by age 3 than mothers do. Provide a creative, dramatic play-by-play of the activities you're engaged in and your surroundings. Use big words, even if they're unfamiliar to your kid. Children learn a lot by context.
2. Tantrums earn you nothing: When your kid starts shouting, be calm and attentive. Don't ignore your child's tantrum. This signals that you will not be rattled and the child won't win - ever. It may not work for the first tantrum, but it's magic by the fifth!
3. Competition leads to confidence: Children as young as 4 start to compete with their parents - sprinting to the car, wrestling on the sofa, stuff like that. Let them win a lot, then slowly ramp it up so they have to work harder for their victories. They'll start to walk more confidently and be less of a mark for bullies
4. Quitting is hard: "Oh you want to quit baseball? Sure, but you have to tell your teammates AND your coach." Show kids the pain of quitting and they won't make those kinds of decisions lightly. If your kid says a school project is too hard and that he wants to give up, that's OK but you have to tell your teacher that you're quitting and that you'll take whatever grade is appropriate!"
5. Other people's feelings matter: It's easier to connect with others if you understand their perspective, so nurture that instinct in your child. Start with the child's own feelings. Say, "man it must be hard being 8 years old. What's the hardest part?" Then mention people your kid knows who are having a hard time - say, a friend whose dad lost his job. Ask what he thinks it's like for that friend. They won't always have an answer but they're thinking about it!
6. Fights can be resolved: Unless one kid is dangling the other out the window, don't say a word. As soon as you become involved they no longer care about a solution. They'll only try drafting you to their side. If they pester you, say your solution will be bad for both of them. They'll learn that pleading is fruitless. More important, they'll learn quickly to compromise.
7. Independence is earned: When your kids ask to stay later at a friend's house, as what time would work for them. Then ask why. If you don't hear a good answer, it's okay to say no. If you do, try it. When parents give children freedom and responsibility, studies show, the children develop stronger morals more quickly.
8. Success requires focus: Maybe you don't wish for a prodigy, but our competitive society suggests otherwise. That's why many kids have trouble focusing. Make sure your kids know your expectations and celebrate improvement first. Explain the value of slow mastery. Whether your kids love Tom Brady or Beyonce, let them know that these people succeeded because they mastered one skill. Learn to go through one door and many others will open for you; try to go through five doors at once ad you'll go nowhere."
-All of this was taken from the October 2009 issue of Men's Health magazine and it's a combined effort of the authors and the following contributors: The Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Hal Edward Runkel, Justin Richardson, M.D., Anthony Wold, Ph.D., Janet Edgette, Psy.d., and C. Andrew Ramsey, M.D. Josh Hayhurst, Elkton Karate, inc., and ATA Martial Arts did not write any of the "8 Lessons All Dads Should Teach" article.
1. Words are Valuable: Father's have a greater impact on their children's language development by age 3 than mothers do. Provide a creative, dramatic play-by-play of the activities you're engaged in and your surroundings. Use big words, even if they're unfamiliar to your kid. Children learn a lot by context.
2. Tantrums earn you nothing: When your kid starts shouting, be calm and attentive. Don't ignore your child's tantrum. This signals that you will not be rattled and the child won't win - ever. It may not work for the first tantrum, but it's magic by the fifth!
3. Competition leads to confidence: Children as young as 4 start to compete with their parents - sprinting to the car, wrestling on the sofa, stuff like that. Let them win a lot, then slowly ramp it up so they have to work harder for their victories. They'll start to walk more confidently and be less of a mark for bullies
4. Quitting is hard: "Oh you want to quit baseball? Sure, but you have to tell your teammates AND your coach." Show kids the pain of quitting and they won't make those kinds of decisions lightly. If your kid says a school project is too hard and that he wants to give up, that's OK but you have to tell your teacher that you're quitting and that you'll take whatever grade is appropriate!"
5. Other people's feelings matter: It's easier to connect with others if you understand their perspective, so nurture that instinct in your child. Start with the child's own feelings. Say, "man it must be hard being 8 years old. What's the hardest part?" Then mention people your kid knows who are having a hard time - say, a friend whose dad lost his job. Ask what he thinks it's like for that friend. They won't always have an answer but they're thinking about it!
6. Fights can be resolved: Unless one kid is dangling the other out the window, don't say a word. As soon as you become involved they no longer care about a solution. They'll only try drafting you to their side. If they pester you, say your solution will be bad for both of them. They'll learn that pleading is fruitless. More important, they'll learn quickly to compromise.
7. Independence is earned: When your kids ask to stay later at a friend's house, as what time would work for them. Then ask why. If you don't hear a good answer, it's okay to say no. If you do, try it. When parents give children freedom and responsibility, studies show, the children develop stronger morals more quickly.
8. Success requires focus: Maybe you don't wish for a prodigy, but our competitive society suggests otherwise. That's why many kids have trouble focusing. Make sure your kids know your expectations and celebrate improvement first. Explain the value of slow mastery. Whether your kids love Tom Brady or Beyonce, let them know that these people succeeded because they mastered one skill. Learn to go through one door and many others will open for you; try to go through five doors at once ad you'll go nowhere."
-All of this was taken from the October 2009 issue of Men's Health magazine and it's a combined effort of the authors and the following contributors: The Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Hal Edward Runkel, Justin Richardson, M.D., Anthony Wold, Ph.D., Janet Edgette, Psy.d., and C. Andrew Ramsey, M.D. Josh Hayhurst, Elkton Karate, inc., and ATA Martial Arts did not write any of the "8 Lessons All Dads Should Teach" article.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Important Snow Driving Tips (you might not know)
Last year was ridiculous with all the snow and ATA was closed for like two weeks! I think we've gotten tougher since 2010 and with that, I want to give out Mr. Hayhurst's 10 safe driving tips for the winter/ snow storms!! Read through to the bottom. Many people have been telling their kids, friends, and loved ones these things for years, but at least now you have the 'why' to back up each statement!
1. Make sure your car is full of windshield wiper fluid! The salt on the roads mixed with melted snow make your windshield look dirty and you end up using a ton of it! Especially if your car has headlight sprayers!
2. Warm up your car first! This helps melt off some of the ice stuck on your windshield wipers and other easily-damaged car parts. It can help you clean your car off faster. Put on the back window defroster, front window defroster, and seat warmers if you have 'em
3. Get an ice scraper with a brush! Brush off those big hunks of snow because when you drive, it's dangerous for other vehicles when it falls off
4. When you brake, do it in a straight line! If you brake and turn at the same time, race car drivers called PLOWING. That means your tires are turned and you are still going in a straight line. This is also caused my turning at too sharp of an angle when going to fast
5. Take extra room for braking! It's a mystery what's under each patch of snow so just in case, brake smooth and lightly and allow extra time to get to that stop light or turn. Don't worry about that crazy guy honking at you from behind in the big 4x4!
6. Use the gas pedal instead of the brake! If you feel like you're plowing, sliding, or slipping, let go of the gas pedal to slow down a little instead of hitting the brake pedal. The friction of snow will slow you down a lot when driving and sometimes it's enough to stop you. Hitting the brake too hard will cause you to slide.
7. Allow plenty of extra time to get to where you need to go! Duh!! But the point is, other people go SOOO SLOWWW and you should be more careful anyway.
8. Keep your cell phone in your pocket, tight! If you end up sliding off the road, your phone won't get lost under the seat, etc. Hopefully, it never comes to this but at least you won't be texting while driving!
9. Keep your front window defroster on! This keeps ice from forming on your wipers, which will make it impossible to see! If you put the air on your face because you're cold, it will make your windshield colder and cause it to freeze. If you're still cold with it on, turn the temperature up a little.
10. Have somewhere to go! If you don't have somewhere to go, then don't drive. Make sure even if you're snowed in for a week, you should still get a good workout in. If it's safe to drive, get to the gym or ATA Elkton. If it's not safe to drive, go to Warriorxfit.com and do the workout of the day. Working out helps cure cabin fever and it's much easier than trying to beat me in Call of Duty: Black Ops (you have no chance)
BONUS: Don't bring your car into the karate school's parking lot to do donuts please - I will beat you up! :)
1. Make sure your car is full of windshield wiper fluid! The salt on the roads mixed with melted snow make your windshield look dirty and you end up using a ton of it! Especially if your car has headlight sprayers!
2. Warm up your car first! This helps melt off some of the ice stuck on your windshield wipers and other easily-damaged car parts. It can help you clean your car off faster. Put on the back window defroster, front window defroster, and seat warmers if you have 'em
3. Get an ice scraper with a brush! Brush off those big hunks of snow because when you drive, it's dangerous for other vehicles when it falls off
4. When you brake, do it in a straight line! If you brake and turn at the same time, race car drivers called PLOWING. That means your tires are turned and you are still going in a straight line. This is also caused my turning at too sharp of an angle when going to fast
5. Take extra room for braking! It's a mystery what's under each patch of snow so just in case, brake smooth and lightly and allow extra time to get to that stop light or turn. Don't worry about that crazy guy honking at you from behind in the big 4x4!
6. Use the gas pedal instead of the brake! If you feel like you're plowing, sliding, or slipping, let go of the gas pedal to slow down a little instead of hitting the brake pedal. The friction of snow will slow you down a lot when driving and sometimes it's enough to stop you. Hitting the brake too hard will cause you to slide.
7. Allow plenty of extra time to get to where you need to go! Duh!! But the point is, other people go SOOO SLOWWW and you should be more careful anyway.
8. Keep your cell phone in your pocket, tight! If you end up sliding off the road, your phone won't get lost under the seat, etc. Hopefully, it never comes to this but at least you won't be texting while driving!
9. Keep your front window defroster on! This keeps ice from forming on your wipers, which will make it impossible to see! If you put the air on your face because you're cold, it will make your windshield colder and cause it to freeze. If you're still cold with it on, turn the temperature up a little.
10. Have somewhere to go! If you don't have somewhere to go, then don't drive. Make sure even if you're snowed in for a week, you should still get a good workout in. If it's safe to drive, get to the gym or ATA Elkton. If it's not safe to drive, go to Warriorxfit.com and do the workout of the day. Working out helps cure cabin fever and it's much easier than trying to beat me in Call of Duty: Black Ops (you have no chance)
BONUS: Don't bring your car into the karate school's parking lot to do donuts please - I will beat you up! :)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Videos, Videos, Videos
Over the past 2 months I've been working on a ton of videos to go with all the curriculum that we have updated at ATA Elkton. It's a lot of work to do but once it's done all the instructors and students will be able to use the videos as a training tool to become the highest levels of martial arts athletes.
Jahng Bong Videos -
I'm working on these videos for all the students that want to sharpen up their Bo Staff form. I found that 3rd Degrees get the least attention in 2nd and 3rd Degree class so they need a way to practice at home and drills for class.
Combat Wrestling Videos -
The Ground Fighting and MMA class has been evolved to start training in Combat Wrestling. Combat Wrestling stresses the use of Greco Roman Wrestling for close quarter combat. We have also utilized all aspects of sport wrestling’s ground control positions for ground and pound and scramble ability. We've enhanced our self-defense in TaeKwonDo classes with Combat Wrestling skills and updated our MMA system this way too!
I hope everyone really works hard in class over the next 12 months and enjoys the changes we've made to our programs!
Jahng Bong Videos -
I'm working on these videos for all the students that want to sharpen up their Bo Staff form. I found that 3rd Degrees get the least attention in 2nd and 3rd Degree class so they need a way to practice at home and drills for class.
Combat Wrestling Videos -
The Ground Fighting and MMA class has been evolved to start training in Combat Wrestling. Combat Wrestling stresses the use of Greco Roman Wrestling for close quarter combat. We have also utilized all aspects of sport wrestling’s ground control positions for ground and pound and scramble ability. We've enhanced our self-defense in TaeKwonDo classes with Combat Wrestling skills and updated our MMA system this way too!
I hope everyone really works hard in class over the next 12 months and enjoys the changes we've made to our programs!
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