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Archive for August, 2011
Action/Reaction with Stars
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
LA Boxing Baton Rouge striking coach, Mark Stars, demonstrates action/reaction mitt drills with newcomer, Stacey DeJohn. The purpose of this drill is to teach a beginner how to link the hands, hips, and footwork in order to react in one fluid motion.
This exercise is not intended to use power behind the punch. Stacey’s goal is to simply flow through the combinations and react based on Mark’s initial movement of the focus mitts.
Frozen Yogurt – Health or Hype?
Monday, August 29th, 2011
By Joe Wilkes
Is it healthy?
Yogurt is generally healthy. It has calcium, is low in calories and fat, and contains cultures that are helpful in maintaining intestinal health. A small serving of original Pinkberry (1.5 servings, as figured on their nutritional information page—a “large” is considered to be 3.8 servings!) contains about 150 calories, 4.5 grams of protein, no fat, and about 15 percent of your daily value of calcium. The fresh fruit toppings are unsweetened and add only 10 to 35 calories per scoop. So, generally speaking, Pinkberry yogurt makes for a reasonably healthy snack. Old-school TCBY has a few more calories, but is not dissimilar to Pinkberry in its nutritional makeup. However, keep in mind that most of these calories come from added sugar, so they’re more likely to turn into stored fat in your body if you don’t burn them off. While its calcium content is also fairly decent, you’ll get nearly twice as much calcium from regular unfrozen yogurt than you’ll get from the frozen kind. Regular yogurt also contains more protein.
Things really go off track, however, when it comes to toppings other than fresh fruit. If you’re going down to the gourmet yogurt joint, crumbling a candy bar or two on your yogurt, and adding a dollop of syrup to boot, it’s pretty hard to claim you’re “eating light.” Obviously, this is also true if you’re going to the supermarket and getting a pint of Ben & Jerry’s fro-yo with chunks of cookie dough or brownies swirled in. You’d think common sense would kick in here, but most of us have somehow fooled ourselves into thinking that toppings don’t count, when in fact the number of empty calories they contain is usually much higher than the calorie total for the actual yogurt. And when you get your yogurt in a cone instead of a cup, you’re adding even more empty calories to your dessert or snack—120 calories for a typical waffle cone.
In short, frozen yogurt isn’t terrible for your diet, but it isn’t a miracle food either. It’s a much better option than ice cream (which has high levels of saturated fat), but yogurt doesn’t necessarily have less sugar. It’s also better than cookies, cake, or candy, but it can’t hold a candle to fresh fruit as a food that can satisfy your sweet tooth while helping to make you healthy at the same time. Simply put, it’s better for your figure and your pocketbook just to have a bowl of fresh fruit mixed with your favorite plain unfrozen yogurt.
However, if you just can’t get past your craving for a frosty delight, try one of these 5 healthy frozen treats!
1. Frozen Fruit. Even people with no cooking experience can manage this one, because there’s no cooking involved! Just pop some fresh grapes, strawberries, bananas, etc., into the freezer for a bit, then pop them in your mouth. This is an option that’s particularly good for parents, because kids who turn up their noses at fresh fruit in a bowl will often appreciate it in this delightful “new” frozen form. and why did you first get involved in health and fitness?
2: Fancy Ice Cubes. Try pouring your favorite fruit juice into an ice cube tray and inserting toothpicks when the cubes start to get slushy enough to allow the toothpicks to stand up. (Or if you’re rushing out, just lean ‘em at an angle; it’ll still work.) You’ve made your own healthy miniature frozen pops! For bartenders, these can make a great addition to beverages. Try a glass of seltzer water with some frozen lemon juice cubes on a hot summer day. It’ll make you forget about lemonade.
3: Speaking of bartending . . . This tip’s for adults only. Here’s a professional bartenders’ secret—they usually add extra sugar in frozen drinks. Why? It tastes better and it makes you thirstier! More sugar = more thirst = more drinks (= more sugar you’ve consumed without realizing it). You get the idea. When making your own margaritas or daiquiris on a hot summer day, skip the store-bought mixers and make your own from fresh juice, using as little sugar as you can stand. Also, add extra ice to the blender. You’ll be able to make your drink last a lot longer and do a lot less damage to your diet.
4: Homemade sorbet. This is a little more on the gourmet side. But if you’re willing to invest a little money (in an ice cream/sorbet maker) and a little time, you can make delicious ice creams and sorbets from fresh fruit and keep out a lot of the artificial colors and flavors—and the obscene amounts of added sugar—many store brands contain.
4: Make your own frozen yogurt. If a dish of fresh fruit and regular plain yogurt is better for you than the soft-serve kind sold in yogurt stands, why not switch it up? Blend frozen fruit—berries, peaches, or any other favorites—with some plain yogurt in the blender. (Or you can use a hand blender or mixer.) If you absolutely can’t live without it, you can add a little sugar (or honey, or agave nectar), but if you reduce the amount a little every time you make it, pretty soon you’ll have weaned yourself off the excess sweet stuff. Before you know it, fruit and yogurt will be enough of a treat, and you won’t even miss those crushed Oreos!
Marlon’s Story – All You Have To Do Is…Do!
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Meet Marlon Muralles; a 43 year old resident of Baton Rouge, salesman, husband, and father of two. Marlon first visited LA Boxing Baton Rouge in the beginning of 2010 looking to make a change for himself. His health was declining, motivation lost, and had been a stranger to fitness since high school!
In a few short months, Marlon transformed his mind and body into a new person. Nearly a year and a half later, he continues to follow his routine of LA Boxing Workouts and now walks with a confident stride! Taking it one step further, Muralles has even progressed into advanced training and now participates in sparring sessions and team workouts! He is a true testament that nothing is ever too late.
LA Boxing Scores Big at Freestyle Sambo Tourney
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Press Release
August 8, 2011
Baton Rouge, LA
August 6, The LA Boxing Sambo Team, traveled to Cedar Park, TX to compete in the 2011 Texas Open Freestyle Sambo State Championships. The event was sanctioned by the American Sambo Association and matched competitors from all disciplines including Sambo, Judo, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. A variation from it’s original style, established by the former Soviet Union, Freestyle Sambo matches last 6-10 minutes and are won by submission, points, or referee stoppage. Majority of scoring is awarded to competitors for throws/takedowns and pins.
Led by US Sambo Team Member, Judo Blackbelt,and seasoned competitor, Doug Fournet, the LA Boxing Sambo Team entered the state tournament with high expectations. “I felt really good about our guys. Nealy has picked up the sport in such a short time, Mikey’s technique has a lot more explosion, and Marshal is just a supernatural wholly mammoth,” says Fournet. A medalist in multiple US and World Championships, Doug has become one of the most accomplished Sambo competitors in the South.
“Of course I was a little nervous for everyone…including myself. I could be competing across the world or at a local demo and be just as anxious at both. But I perform better that way. If I’m nervous, I know I’m in the right state of mind.” Surprising words from an individual who resembles a Russian powerlifter and tosses competitors in the blink of an eye. Capturing titles in Turkey, Spain, Ukraine, Panama, St. Petersburg, and Praque, Doug is a man of very few words and plenty of action. This past weekend’s tournament was no exception for himself or his team.
The four local competitors all scored big wins in the Lone Star State. Michael Vermaelen, 162 lbs, captured bronze in his weight class and was awarded “Best Throw of The Day” by judges. Nealy Jones, competing in his first Sambo tournament, took fourth place. Marshal Leavoy, an LSU undergrad, swept both the 211 lbs and heavyweight divisions and received honors for “Fastest Submission of The Day”. Last but not least, Doug Fournet claimed another championship and was credited with the coveted “Match of The Day” award.
“I’ve been competing for over fifteen years and I don’t plan on slowing down any time soon. I’ll keep stepping out on the mats until one leg can’t physically move in front of the other,” remarks Fournet as he slides off both knee braces with a smirk, “I love this sport.”
To find out more about Sambo in your area call LA Boxing at 225-291-5269 or visit the American Sambo Association website at http://ussambo.com/.
Basic MMA Technique 1
Monday, August 8th, 2011
LA Boxing Instructor, Andrew Sall, and member, Ashley, demonstrate fundamental mixed martial arts techniques often used throughout basic classes. Sall utilizes a 1, 2, 3, 2 combo with slips and a duck. He finishes the series with sprawl drills and a jab/cross burnout.
LA Boxing Baton Rouge offers a wide variety of classes and training that accommodate any fitness or skill level. Whether you’re looking to lose weight and get in shape or step into elite competition, LA Boxing Baton Rouge has the facility and training that will help you reach your goals!
Fitness Forever Trainer Certification
Monday, August 1st, 2011
Photo: Fitness Forever Graduating Class; Directors, Kody and Audrey Horn, award 14 new personal trainer certifications at LA Boxing
Press Release
August 1, 2011
Baton Rouge, LA
July 31, Fitness Forever Training Academy, a nationally recognized personal trainer certification, concluded it’s 4-day course this past weekend, inducting 14 members to the organization’s inaugural class. The certification training was conducted by Kody and Audrey Horn and hosted at LA Boxing Baton Rouge. Trainees participated in 32 hours of extensive review of human physiology, nutrition, and composition testing, as well as application of exercise techniques, customer service, sales, and business management as it pertains to personal training. All were required to pass a final exam testing comprehension of course material and live case-studies.
Fitness Forever Training Academy was designed to be an all-encompassing course for one to become and manage a personal training business. “We provide all the essential tools to be a knowledgeable trainer with a growing clientele,” boasts Kody Horn, founder and fitness specialist since 2002. “Many certifications leave people with a false sense of confidence. We actually execute a lot more hands-on, live scenarios and spend hours teaching lead generation, sales, and how to maintain your own business in personal training.”
An advocate against online certifications, Kody believes there’s more to the industry than just book smarts. “Over the years I found that the crucial lessons learned were after the fact. As with anything in life, it takes experience to know. I try to recreate this throughout the four days of the course.”
With the assistance of Audrey, co-founder, certified nutritionist, and wife, Kody explains that the program is basically turn-key. It includes topics such as:
The next scheduled course is yet to be announced. For more information about Fitness Forever Training Academy or getting involved in the industry, email Kody Horn at kody@fitnessforevertrainingacademy.com or Audrey Horn at audrey@fitnessforevertrainingacademy.com.
