Uhhhh...this is even worse!

Why do I keep torturing myself? Well, I guess it's just part of the grieving process.

We actually went up to Green Bay yesterday and enjoyed the Packers training camp. It is such a great experience up there, and they have really turned it into a wonderful very affordable family event. It was very weird without Brett there, almost the feeling after a death, but with each passing day it will get easier. I thought Aaron Rodgers looked great in practice, as did his backups both Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn. We'll see how it goes in gametime situations.



The kids had a lot of fun too with a huge tent they had set up with games and football throwing stations, and big blow up trampoline type stuff, it was great. we had lunch at Curly's Pub right in Lambeau, and had a great seat overlooking the practice field. The entire event is FREE to the public, and is really just a lot of fun. The kids got to do some HIGH FIVE's with the Packers as they rode by on bikes, and even got an autograph from a rookie. Great day. As my 4 year old would say, " Good Times, Gooooood Times"!!

Uggghhhhh....This HURTS!!!!

I don't even have anything to say...a picture is worth a thousand words. Or in this case, NO WORDS!!

Erin's Transformation.....

Check these out...but don't look too long!!

Erin and I are doing a transformation contest over on TTMembers. This is the big contest that pays out $2000 for transforming your body utilizing the BEST FAT LOSS Secret on the planet. OK, that sounds a bit gimmicky, but it is true. This is the best system and Erin found out the EASY way. Check this out...this could be YOU!!

So, this is Erin back on April 13th before the contest started. Looks good, but a maybe few "squishy" spots.


This pic is the official start of her contest May 4th. Still looks great, with a few less "squishy" spots.


HOTT Mama!! This is the end of her contest on July 26th, and she lost only 3 lbs, but did an amazing transformation on her body. GREAT JOB E!!

Tough Day To Be A Packer Fan...

Well, it finally looks like the Brett Favre years in Green Bay are officially coming to an end. It was a sad day back in March when he retired, but with everything that has transpired here in the last month, this is much worse.

Now, I have been a huge Packer fan and Brett Favre fan and everyone knows that. From my Green Bay Packer License plates, to Favre jerseys, to season tickets, it's been incredibly fun the last 16 years. But this last month has been especially hard for all Packer fans. Brett just did not handle this situation right, and the Packers did not either. You could just tell from the beginning, nothing good was going to come of this. This past Sunday, when his plane landed, the Packers welcomed him back, I thought "great, we get one more year of #4". Well, it just never developed into what we had all hoped.

I think the Packers are making a huge mistake. Brett Favre gives you the best possible chance at a championship from a pure football standpoint right now. Does it suck for Aaron Rodgers, absolutley. But you know what, Aaron Rodgers has not earned that starting position, Brett Favre has. It would be very easy to pull Aaron Rodgers aside and say, " you know, we're sorry, we weren't expecting this, sit tight, you will be our guy. But right now, this is still Brett's team, he's earned that spot. If you needed to be sensitive to Aaron Rodgers, and you really feel he is your future, offer him a contract extension, and have him sit tight.

There is a lot more that went on behind closed doors. There was a lot more said than we were made aware of.

So, my prediction...Aaron Rodgers will be hurt by week 4, and the Packers season will be in the tank. They have no experience at backup, and they will just fall apart. Our only hope is in Rodgers backups Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn. We can only hope Rodgers can stay healthy this year. Ted Thompson, as much as I think he botched this Favre situation badly, has built a very good football team, and they should be OK.

So, hang tough Packer fans, this is just the beginning of the Favre saga!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

WOW, Have I been slacking or what. Last time posting in here was back in May?!!!

Well, basement renovation is going well. Thanks Scott!! Crazy weather around here the last week. We got over 12" of rain in the last week, and my basement held up pretty good. TT workouts have slacked a bit, but not too bad. I've been averaging probably two a week.

So summer is un-officially here, and the picnic's have begun. We had a block party in our neighborhood for the first time since we built here. It was fun until the tornadoes rolled through!! Yep, one hour into our First Annual Block Party, the tornado sirens went off, and we all scattered back to our house for the next 3 hours. WE did all end up getting back together toward the end of the night, and still managed to have some fun. A bit wet, but fun. Thanks to Jessi Wrench for settig up that party, but especially to Shane and Amy Wolfinger who ended up with the whole neighborhood in their house!!

So during the party, one of my neighbor and friend asked me about this Turbulence Training. Asked me if the e-mails I had been sending were scams. He said, he didn;t think I would send him anything that was a scam, but he still was a bit skeptical. I assured him this was no scam, this is a real workout program. He said he did want to try it, so I encouraged him, and if he needed any help to ask me and I would walk him through his first workout.

So, for all the skeptics out there, I will say "THIS IS NOT A SCAM."

Happy Fathers Day to all of you dad's out there!!!!

First Shirtless Pool Party Since Turbulence Training...

Happy Memorial day!! And thanks to all who serve and put their lives on the line for us. This is their day!!

We went to a great pool party yesterday at our good friend's the O'Shea's. With busy lifestyles, kids, careers, we don't get to see these friend's as much as we would like to. We have seen them a couple of times since I started Turbulence Training, but yesterday was my first real test. Yes, the shirtless test. They have an awesome in ground pool we were in with the kids. Quickly Turbulence Training became the talk of the party. Everyone was asking what I do, and how can they do it. Some have already purchased Turbulence Training also, but haven't quite committed to the workouts and nutrition changes they need to make.

I discussed with them what I do, and that it really isn't very difficult. You just need to eat mindful, watch the calories, and do the workouts 3X a week. Everyone seemed very impressed with my results. In fact, one wife said to her husband, "you need to do what Jim is doing".

It was great to get that type of feedback, and that kind of support.

Click Here for Turbulence Training

Quick Weight Loss Tips...

Craig Ballantyne of Turbulence Training offers up some great Weight Loss Tips...



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Busy Fun Filled Weekend Ahead...

So, I have quite the busy and interesting weekend planned. While we still have our basement rec room project going, (Thanks Scott for all your hard work) we also have my niece's graduation this weekend as well. A BBQ at some friends on Sunday, and probably just some rest and relaxation on Monday.

However, the most interesting part of my weekend actually starts on Friday afternoon, when I will be having a scheduled call with Craig Ballanytyne of Turbulence Training. It should be quite an interesting phone conversation discussing various details about the Turbulence Training workouts, but most of all the TT philosophy.
So, here are some of the questions I will be asking and discussing with Craig.

- What are the best interval training exercises?
- Can you build muscle on a Turbulence Training?
- Why is working out only 3X per week beneficial?
- How exactly does Turbulence Training maximize Fat loss?

I'm sure it will be a very educational conversation, and kind of fun too. I feel I owe him a lot of gratitude for developing a system that I feel really is the best kept secret in the fitness industry.

I will be posting his answers to some of my questions next week. Have a great weekend!!

Click Here For Turbulence Training

Some interval training basics...

I just got a message from Craig Ballantyne about interval training. It's funny because I was just having this discussion with some family and friends on Sunday afternoon regarding why interval training is better than long slow cardio sessions FOR FAT LOSS. That's a very important point. People get mad at me when I say interval training is better than cardio...FOR FAT LOSS. FOR FAT LOSS being the key words here!! Long slow cardio sessions are great if you enjoy it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going for a nice long run or jog. Read this message I got from Craig and you decide...and then watch the video at the end which will show you exactly how to do your interval training sessions.

======================================
Re: The Best Way to Do Intervals
======================================

If a trainer tells you there's a best way to do interval training,
they are lying.

Research shows that intervals are powerful for fat loss, but there's
never been a "head-to-head" study comparing different lengths of
interval workouts.

But that's good news. It means that all types of interval training
workouts will work to help you burn your belly fat.

In addition, for distance runners, intervals of 2-5 minutes are
very helpful for improving performance. But for fat loss workouts,
I tend to use a nice simple 30 second interval length for fat
burning benefits.

Plus, if you do intervals on a cardio machine, its very easy to
stick to a 30 second interval timing, followed by a 60-90 second
recovery at a much slower pace. If the intervals were any shorter,
it would be tough to change the settings on the machine fast enough.

Any type of this interval training for fat loss is likely better
than slow cardio, and allows for faster workouts.

Intervals are still the best for fat burning cardio workouts,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training



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First Step In Transforming Your Body...

Ok, so a ton of you have joined Turbulence Training! Nice job taking that first step in transforming your body!! For those of you that haven't joined yet, take a look at some of these videos to get an idea of what it's all about. You are right around the corner from that beach ready shape just in time for summer.

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Fitness at a whole new level...

So when I finished the Belly Off program on Men's Helath, I really thought I was fit. In fact I technically was per the experts at Mens Health and the benchmarks they put together for determining where you wrere fitness wise. But since, I have continued on with Turbulence Training, and have become even more fit. 50+ pushups without stopping, 11 good form chinups among other things. My fitness level is just increasing and going to a new level.

I have since established a new goal for myself. I would like tomaintain my current BF % of 12%, but increase some lean muscle mass. Craig Ballantyne is training me to increase my daily calories, as well as some sets. I'm also at looking at coming up with a nice plan to get this lean muscle mass, but maintain my current BF%. Should be interesting and I am up to the challenge.

Stay tuned, you will see my progress here as well as on the TT Forums.

Stay Strong!!

Click Here For Turbulence Training

Last Day of the Turbulence Training Sale!!!

Turbulence Training is ending their 3 day sale tonight at midnight. NOW IS THE TIME!!! Watch the inspiring video, and then ORDER TT here: TT Birthday Bonus Sale




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Now Is The Time...

Challenge yourself today. Stop making excuses. Ask yourself, "Will I regret doing it, or NOT doing it".

I've challenged my sisters to join Turbulence Training with me. Erin is already rocking it out on the TT forums, and has formed a nice support group around her already. I challenged my sisters because they all have shown a lot of interest in doing these workouts, but haven't committed. We all have this tendency in us (we get it from out dad)to talk a big game, but then never follow through. NOW IS THE TIME!! Not tomorrow, not next week ,next month, next year...but now.

After I put that challenge out to them, I actually thought how cool it would be to have all of us doing this healthy fit lifestyle together in a public forum. I know Erin and I are one of the first husband and wife tandems in there, but then to have 3sisters in there also, would be incredibly cool. You have the support of all the awesome people in the TT forums, and then your own siblings. It wouldn't get any better than that, and most certainly your fitness goals would be right around the corner. I really hope they follow through, and join in on the lifechanging experience. It will be fun and very inspiring to others.

Click Here For Turbulence Training

Transformation Contest...Starts Today...

I've been busy with basement refinishing, and poor drainage in my back yard. So, I have just been catching up on some TT stuff. When I read an e-mail from Craig that was incredibly inspiring for me!!


--------------------------------------------------
Kekich Credo #4...

"Real regrets only come from not doing your best. All else is out
of your control. You're measured by results only. Trade excuses and
"trying" for results, and expect half-hearted results from
half-hearted efforts. Do more than is expected of you. Life's easy
when you live it the hard way...and hard if you try to live it the
easy way."

****
And here's my interpretation of how this success secret applies to
your fat loss program...

-> Who are the ones on the cardio confessional every Monday? The
people who did not do their best on the weekend with their diet.

-> Most people fail to control themselves, and end up only with
regrets. They trade minutes of pleasure (i.e. fast food) for days,
weeks, months, and years of regret. Do not be like everyone else!

-> Focus on quality workouts, not quantity. Focus on planning ahead
to overcome obstacles, rather than trying to "out-cardio" your bad
diet. You'll never succeed that way.

-> Always hit a personal best in each workout. This guarantees
progress for both fat burning and muscle building.

-> Fat loss is easy once you understand how hard it is...and it's
hard if you think it is easy.

That's the Truth About Fat Loss.

If you accept that in order to lose fat, you must...

1) Plan and prepare your nutrition in advance

2) Follow a professionally designed, structured workout routine that
is more intense than anything you'd put together for yourself

3) Get social support from others who have gone through the same
trials and tribulations that you face

...then you will succeed.

I promise you that,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the inspring words Craig!!

Best of luck to all of you!!!!

Click Here For Turbulence Training

Transformation Contest Rules...

Rules of the 2nd
Turbulence Training
Transformation Contest

1) The 2nd Turbulence Training Transformation Contest starts May 1st to August 23rd, 2008. All transformations must start and finish during this time period.


The final day to enter is Saturday, May 31st, 2008. Each entrant has 12 weeks (84 days) to complete their TT Transformation.


2) To be entered in the Turbulence Training Transformation Contest, you must use Turbulence Training workouts for all 12 weeks to achieve your results.


3) You must take before and after photos on Day 1 and Day 84, respectively. The photos must include your face and a newspaper from the current date in order for your transformation to be entered into the contest. There are NO exceptions.


4) By entering this Contest, each winner of a contest prize consents to the use of his/her name, and/or photograph in any publicity carried out by the Contest Sponsor and its advertising and promotional agencies without further notice or compensation.


5) Photos can be posted in the TTMembers.com Transformation Forum or can be entered by email (see details below).


It is highly recommended – for your own results – to keep a training journal in the Turbulence Training Membership forum (don't forget, you get 3-6 months free access to the Turbulence Training Membership site when you order Turbulence Training).


Recording your photos, workouts, and nutrition will dramatically increase your chances of losing fat and reaching your goals because of the power of social support found on the TTMembers.com forums.


6) In addition to providing Before & After photos, each contestant must write a 300 word essay on their before and after success story.


7) The Transformation Contest will be judged by a panel of experts, including but not restricted to: Craig Ballantyne, Brad Pilon, and Holly Rigsby.


8) The Contest Sponsor's rulings are final and without appeal in all matters related to this Contest and the awarding of the Prizes. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations.


9) Entering by Email


To enter photos by email, send to:
Support (AT) TurbulenceTraining.helpserve.com



All entries become the property of the Contest Sponsor and will not be returned.


Contest Sponsor, its advertising and promotion agencies assume no responsibility for lost, stolen, delayed, damaged, illegible, incomplete, postage-due, garbled or misdirected entries or entries that have been submitted through illicit means, or do not conform to or satisfy the Contest Rules or for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any entry to be received or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website, or any combination thereof including any injury or damage to an entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from playing or downloading any material in the contest.


10) The Contest Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, cancel or suspend this Contest should an external circumstances arise which are beyond the reasonable control of the Contest Sponsor.


The Contest Sponsor is not responsible for any errors or omissions in printing or advertising this Contest.


The Contest Sponsor collects your personal information for the purposes of registration, program evaluation and to keep you informed about The Challenge. The Contest Sponsor may, if consent was given during registration, also contact you from time to time with information about other ways you can lose weight.


The Contest Sponsor will not share any personal data about entrants with any other party. The personal data collected for this Contest will not be used for any other purposes unless entrants provide explicit permission as indicated on the entry form. For more information about our privacy practices or to obtain a copy of our Privacy Policy, visit www.TurbulenceTraining.com.


By entering this Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Sponsor and their respective employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, successors, assigns, advertising and promotional agencies from any liability for any loss or damage of any kind to the entrant or any other person in connection with this Contest or participation in any Contest related activities, including but not limited the taking of a urine test or, if declared a winner, the use or misuse of a prize or any portion of a prize including personal injury, death or property damage.


This Contest will run in accordance with these Contest Rules, subject to amendment by the Contest Sponsor. Contest Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, amend, modify or terminate this Contest or the Rules at any time in its sole discretion and without notice.


Entrants must comply with these rules, and will be deemed to have received and understood the rules if they participate in the Contest.





__________________
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training for Fat Loss

Click Here For Turbulence Training

GOAL WEIGHT ACHIEVED!!

Posted on the TT members forum...

While most of you were doing Craig's TT Transformation contest here on the TT website, I was over on the Men's Health Web Site doing Craig's Belly Off program for 8 weeks. A modified TT BW500 program I believe.

Starting Weight: 197

I never took before pictures, and I never took measurements simply because I never thought I would stick with the program. Well, 12 weeks later, here I am, dedicated to this system more than ever, and I achieved my goal weight of 175!!

During these 12 weeks, I've actually accomplished a lot more than just weight loss. Numbers that were actually more important to me than anything when starting this program. Blood pressure readings that were border line high at 140/80. Cholesterol readings in the mid 200's. I can now say my BP is consistently 120/70 or lower, and my cholesterol has dropped below 200 to 180. My doctor said these results were "drastic changes" from diet and exercise alone in such a short period. I am now a fit and healthy man!!

Craig's Turbulence Training program's are so much more than just fat loss. It's a life changing experience, physically and mentally. I can't THANK YOU enough for providing this program, the tools to achieve my goal, but most of all the support you provide. My wife and kids would also like to Thank You for giving them back a healthy husband and DAD.

Thank You!!

JimN - Sussex, Wisconsin

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Spring Has Arrived...

Ahhh yeah!! Finally some great weather, and it looks like it will be nice for most of this week. Great weekend. Actually was able to get outside and do some yard work, hit some golf balls, play some baseball with the kids. It feels great!!

I started my new workout yesterday. I had to do a test run of all the exercises to see where I max out at. It was pretty tough, and the workout will be crazy tough tomorrow morning. I'm actully a bit nervous about it. The TT workouts almost always make me nervous. Everyone now is noticing how different I look and how fit I look. I am happy with my weight right now, but still have my goal set at 12% body fat. Still have this small layer around my belly that needs to be gone by summer. I'm figuring another 6-8 pounds should get me to the 12% goal I'm looking for. Maybe then that 6 pack will be popping!!

The next Transformation Contest starts in a couple of weeks. Erin will be doing it, and I am too. I wish I would have gotten in the first one, because I think I would have had a chance to win it, but oh well. Erin, I think has an excellent shot. She only wants to lose 10-15 pounds, but she could really tone herself and look phenomenal, and win some cash. It would be great for our basement renovation!! GO ERIN!!

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My Inspiration and Motivation...

So, I recently added some pictures to this blog, and to my forum posts on TTMembers.com. Generally people see a picture of Brett Favre and they just think, "Oh, Ok, Jim's a Packer fan and a Brett Favre Fan". But I really posted those pictures for a reason. I didn't just post a picture of Brett Favre just because of being a Packer Fan, or because of being a Brett Favre fan. The picture on this site and in my forum posts of Brett Favre are a bit of a symbol. A symbol of everything that this lifestyle change stands for, and for everything Brett Favre stood for. His toughness, his abilities, his gift, his pure love of football. No matter what life threw in his direction, he bounced back and just kept on...and never quit.

As a Packer Fan, Brett Favre was a part of my life for 16 years. My wife and I just started dating when he started playing with the Packers. We married, built a house, had 2 kids. But yet every Sunday, we flip on the game and there was number 4. A man that just absolutely gave it his all every game, and just never quit. As our life changed, so did his, but one thing was constant. He was passionate, tough and never quit or let anyone or anything stand in his way. But most of all, he simply just loved to play the game.

So on his retirement day, grown men cried. Everyone in the state of Wisconsin and maybe even everyone in America will remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard Brett Favre was retiring from the Green Bay Packers. It was a sad dayto see someone go that brought so much joy to us for so long. So, Thanks for the great run, it was fun while it lasted!!

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Don't waste your time doing crunches...

Craig Ballantyne from TurbulenceTraining.com offers a great ab workout. Get that Six Pack popping in time for Summerfest!! And I don't mean that Miller Lite Six Pack!! Enjoy!



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How Crazy Is this TT Stuff...

Alright, I have to admit I am a bit addicted to this Turbulence Training lifestyle. But it could be worse right? I mean, I could be hanging in bars, drinking, smoking, binge eating afterwards, only to go home and lay on the couch and watch TV. Well, I guess I do still lay on the couch and watch TV, and it's usually after a good TT workout and I'm so spent, I can't do much else for a while. That's why sometimes I'm amazed when people kind of look at me funny when I tell them what I am doing. I've lost 20 pounds in 11 weeks. I dropped 3-4 inches from my waist. I have a 2 pack right now, still working on the 6 pack. And I am in the best shape of my adult life.

Am I crazy?? Is this TT stuff for real? I mean does it work? Well, I guess I'm living proof that it works. The only hting that Craig Ballantyne can not guarantee me is that I commit. You must commit to the lifestyle or you will fail. I believe any workout system will work to a point as long as you commit. But how easy is it to commit when we have careers, busy lifestyles, kids, and just everyday living we need to do. And that's where Turbulence Training steps in. If you commit to 3x a week, 45 minutes, eat right, and get a good support group surrounding you, all of your fitness goals are achieveable. Just MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

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