Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! Well only off by a couple days, but odds are high that I won't get anything up until after the 25th so taking the time now. Alright enough of the niceties, let's get down to the stuff on here I think everyone should put their eyes to.

This doesn't count as one of them, but it's worth the mentioned any way. If you haven't heard about COREssentials or are still wondering whether or not you want to sign up, don't hesitate. We are only opening 12 spots to this sucker, and a couple are gone already so do it if you've even thought about it, it'll be worth it.

How Eating Too Little is Wrecking Your Progress- This piece from Laura Shoenfield and Girls Gone Strong is something that NEEDS to be addressed. They've said it better than I can, certainy populations seem to think undereating is the way to go. Here's why that's not the best idea.

3 Coaching Reasons Your Client Ignores Your Advice (And How to Fix It)- This was a great piece and something that I wish I had discovered/had been slapped with when I first started. Coaches if you're new or you are leading young interns and new coaches, have a look at this article from Dr. Tracy Johnson. Hopefully we can stop them from falling in to these before they have a chance.

4 Steps to Declutter Your Training Program- I've written once or twice on how to keep training programs fairly straight forward without getting crazy. Tony Bonvechio takes it probably a step further in really making sure you rid your programs of the fluff that's probably just burning precious time and energy for nothing.

We all know that some of you procrastinate until the New Year comes to get yourself (back) on track towards whatever fitness goals you have. Well procrastinate no further and sign up for COREssentials.
 
Other than the fact that you get to work with cool people like Dr. Lisa Lewis, Shannon Wheel, Tony Gentilcore and some other guy…oh wait that’s me! There are many reasons that COREssentials could be right for you.
 
One of the biggest things those starting their fitness regiments struggle with is consistency and accountability. They go hand in hand really, if you don’t have any accountability then it’s likely you will struggle with that whole consistency thing. When you have someone waiting for you (at the gym) at the butt-crack of dawn or after work, then you’re more likely to not skip out, no matter how tempting that bed or couch is.
 
After those 2, the next big issues for people I would argue is that they haven’t the foggiest idea of what to do once they get there. Most people resort to the treadmill/bike or some old workout routine they did years ago that likely isn’t right for them. The program for COREssentials, written by your favorite strength coach (hint that’s me) with help from Tony G, is here to fix that exact problem. It’s a program that can be progressed as you master each movement in the 6-week course, but it’s also not something so crazy and convoluted that you need to be an athletic freak to perform it.
 
Listen you get to hang out with me twice a week, maybe Tony too, plus you’re getting mindset guidance (sessions) and nutrition guidance (sessions). If you want to start down the path of becoming awesome, this is the whole package. This is not something that will just get you on track for fitness…we will educate you so that you don’t NEED us forever. Hopefully you’ll want to stay, train and hang out for a while after, but if you feel ready to go on your own you can feel confident that you’ve learned something to help you go forward.
 
This is a perfect program for beginners or someone that’s had issues getting themselves going recently. If you’ve yet to be convinced, just read what someone more experienced and smarter than me has to say about it.

Here's the nitty gritty you need to know:

What?- COREssentials 6-Week Begginer Training Course

Who?-It's for anyone beggining or feeling like they've fallen off and lost their way.

When?- Likely starting in Mid-January (Monday the 16th).  Morning and evening sessions will be made available.

Where?-CORE Studio in the Boston area. If you haven't been by yet, well what are you waiting for, 2017? Come over for a visit.

E-mail: firstxvperformance@gmail.com for more info or to sign up!

Well it's Friday and here we are again with some more good stuff for you to explore. It's been a crazy for me this week. Did you ever feel like you did so much work, but somehow accomplished so little? Yeah that was one of my weeks, on top being knocked on my backside thanks to a cold. I'm not sick often so when I am, I'm miserable and also a big fat baby. Beyond that now thankfully.

OK enough about my cold and everyone feeling sorry for me, let's get to the goods.

Girls Who Powerlift and Grrrl-Neither of these are blogs specifically, but they still are working hard to send a damn good message. Both of these companies I follow on Instagram and if you're a coach, a fitness enthusiast or just want to see some great stuff being put out there, check them out. Both of these companies are working very hard at putting the kaybash on the message the mainstream media is trying to shove down out throats (does the word toned ring a bell?), and that being strong as a woman is a good thing!

Early Sports Specialization Is Killing The Health of Our Kids- This is a message to parents that think their kid is gods gift on the athletic field and will be in the (inset sport) Hall of Fame. Perhaps they will, but one way to be sure they never come close is to specialize in a sport WAY too early. If you watch sports, look at the best in each one, then look up what sports (plurarl) they played in high school, 9 times out of 10 it's at least 2 or 3 different ones. Dr. Greg Shaible's (via Dr. John Rusin) article explains what specialization too early is so not so good for your kids.

5 Myths of Pregnancy and Strength Training-Seeing as I know a few pregnant (or recently pregnant) ladies in my life, no not mine calm down. this article is appropriate to bring up. I'm pretty sure I've posted similar before (so sorry for cheating) but it's too good and too appropriate to pass up. Jessie Mundell of GGS (and many other things) is pretty knowledgable on the subject and she's been training pre and post natal women for quite some time. If you're scared to pick up something remotely heavy while pregnant, read this first.