<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>alwaysstrongfitness</title><description>alwaysstrongfitness</description><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/blog</link><item><title>ASF Challenge workout. Can you pass the Pullup Pushup Challenge?</title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to the first of our Always Strong Fitness challenge workouts. This is a time based workout using just two body weight exercises Pullups and Pushups. The two exercises are sequenced as follows.10 pullups and 20 pushups 9 pullups and 19 pushups 8 pullups and 18 pushups 7 pullups and 17 pushups 6 pullups and 16 pushups 5 pullups and 15 pushups 4 pullups and 14 pushups 3 pullups and 13 pushups 2 pullups and 12 pushups 1 pullup and 11 pushupsOnce finished you will have completed a total of 55<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/DOJqi3dmeqE/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Sean Person NASM CPT FNS WLS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/ASF-Challenge-workout-Can-you-pass-the-Pullup-Pushup-Challenge</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/ASF-Challenge-workout-Can-you-pass-the-Pullup-Pushup-Challenge</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2019 18:28:54 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Welcome to the first of our Always Strong Fitness challenge workouts. This is a time based workout using just two body weight exercises <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbU13H8vgv8">Pullups</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bof1NrBaxlo">Pushups. The two exercises are sequenced as follows.</a></div><div>10 pullups and 20 pushups </div><div>9 pullups and 19 pushups </div><div>8 pullups and 18 pushups </div><div>7 pullups and 17 pushups </div><div>6 pullups and 16 pushups </div><div>5 pullups and 15 pushups </div><div>4 pullups and 14 pushups </div><div>3 pullups and 13 pushups </div><div>2 pullups and 12 pushups </div><div>1 pullup and 11 pushups</div><div>Once finished you will have completed a total of 55 Pullups and 155 Pushups. While finishing this at all is impressive our goal here is to do it for time to set a baseline and try to beat it the next time you try it. Bonus points if you decide to do a second round from the top! </div><div>Video and time of my attempt.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DOJqi3dmeqE"/><div>In case you were wondering this is a great test of muscular endurance and time based workouts in general(as long as form is maintained) are a great way to measure progess and add density to a workout.</div><div>Moving forward we're planning on not only putting together more challenge workouts but also putting together prizes for taking part in them. Let us know how you do with this one and as Always Stay Strong!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>'tis the Season for Adventure</title><description><![CDATA[With it finally feeling like Spring here in NEW ENGLAND, I find myself wanting to sign up for outdoor activities and plan events/activities based outside.Ole FaithfulMaine has been an escape from the busy city of Boston for years now. Some look forward to the "new" activities, I find myself filling my spare time with friends from college passing thru our old stomping grounds of Portland and Frye Island ferry trips. By no means is this boring or even uneventful but doesn't necessarily fill the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_0daeeb423f2c412f841622cf46b03a94%7Emv2_d_1667_2500_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2018/05/07/tis-the-Season-for-Adventure</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2018/05/07/tis-the-Season-for-Adventure</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2018 13:08:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div>With it finally feeling like Spring here in NEW ENGLAND, I find myself wanting to sign up for outdoor activities and plan events/activities based outside.</div><div>Ole Faithful</div><div>Maine has been an escape from the busy city of Boston for years now. Some look forward to the &quot;new&quot; activities, I find myself filling my spare time with friends from college passing thru our old stomping grounds of Portland and Frye Island ferry trips. By no means is this boring or even uneventful but doesn't necessarily fill the void of adventure I'm looking forward to this summer.</div><div>The Challenge</div><div>After attending a fundraiser this weekend for one of my best friend's mother, I find myself wanting to fill my spare time with participating in something more meaningful. I plan to do a few road races that benefit charities whose misson aligns with my personal beliefs.</div><div>The Adventure</div><div>Few weeks back I picked up a new hobby, Archery. Now I'm by no means trying to be Robin Hood or the next Cameron Hanes...but I will be participating in a few 3D Target Archery events. Why do I bring this up? Well it's outside... it's NEW...it's EXCITING... Lastly, it's a challenge based around wellness and health.</div><div>If you know anything about us here at ASF, you know we love sports and new challenges. Sean loves the outdoors and fun in the sun, Vince loves hitting mitts and playing music, I'm constantly playing in lacrosse leagues. All of us have goals for the next few months and that is no different for anyone else who reads this lil' post.</div><div>I challenge you all to do something outside of your normal routine! I did and plan to do more... Let us know what it is and maybe we can join in... or at least sync you up with a local event. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_0daeeb423f2c412f841622cf46b03a94~mv2_d_1667_2500_s_2.jpg"/><div>The Process</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Massage in the Work Place?</title><description><![CDATA[Many of the benefits of chair massage for your employees are similar to the benefits of getting a full body massage at a spa, but in the comfort and convenience of your workplace. Onsite massage eliminates the need to travel to a massage clinic or spa, and is a fraction of the cost. Plus chair massage makes massage therapy accessible to those within your organization who are uncomfortable getting undressed and would otherwise never experience massage without it.1. Reduce StressA whopping 85%<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_3f0d953275dc4ec2891cc5f6bc6cfcff%7Emv2_d_6000_4000_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2018/01/16/Massage-in-the-Work-Place</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2018/01/16/Massage-in-the-Work-Place</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:26:18 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_3f0d953275dc4ec2891cc5f6bc6cfcff~mv2_d_6000_4000_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Many of the benefits of chair massage for your employees are similar to the benefits of getting a full body massage at a spa, but in the comfort and convenience of your workplace. Onsite massage eliminates the need to travel to a massage clinic or spa, and is a fraction of the cost. Plus chair massage makes massage therapy accessible to those within your organization who are uncomfortable getting undressed and would otherwise never experience massage without it.</div><div>1. Reduce Stress</div><div>A whopping 85% stress reduction! Stress levels measured before and after each massage found one of the biggest benefits of seated massage therapy to be a seriously effective office stress reliever.</div><div>2. Decreases anxiety and depression</div><div>One of the big benefits of office massages is that massage reduces anxiety by 26% and depression scores also improve by 28% after the massage.</div><div>3. Relieves muscle tension and pain</div><div>Back pain is literally cut in half with regular corporate chair massages. A decrease of 48% decrease was seen in the studies on back pain and tension.</div><div>4. Improves quality of sleep</div><div>Over multiple studies, the average improvement in sleep quality was 28%. That includes increased duration as well as fewer sleep disturbances.</div><div>5. Relieves headaches</div><div>Headaches are decreased by and average of 48% in duration and intensity with regular onsite massages.</div><div>6. Lowers blood pressure</div><div>Across multiple studies, there was an average of a 6% drop in blood pressure, which may not sound like a lot. But that’s literally the difference between a hypertensive blood pressure and normal one, and that’s without any medication at all! Plus these studies showed that there was a lasting effect and the benefits of corporate massage programs showed very clearly as the massage group continued to have lower blood pressure than the control groups for weeks after treatment stopped.</div><div>7. Prevents repetitive strain injuries</div><div>On employees doing repetitive movements, weekly chair massage reduces the occurrence of repetitive stress injuries by 37%.</div><div>8. Increases immune function</div><div>In the studies on immune function, the good cells of the body perform 35% better as one of the benefits of corporate chair massage, and this is especially true for auto immune and inflammatory illnesses.</div><div>9. Treats carpal tunnel and tendonitis</div><div>One of the benefits of chair massage programs is that people with carpal tunnel and tendonitis issues see a decrease in pain and discomfort by 14%.</div><div>10. Increases focus, energy and mental clarity</div><div>After chair massages, employees in two studies show increased alertness, speed and accuracy on math computations following treatment.</div><div>Chair Massage can not only be an amenity to the work place, but a great way to keep employees productive long term. As an employee who wouldn't want a massage after a long project or deadline?</div><div>Call 857-540-5160 to book your business today!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Benefits of Massage</title><description><![CDATA[What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments? Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can: Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion. Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays. Ease medication dependence. Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system. Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles. Help athletes of any level prepare for, and<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_2fa029e00408428cabbab104c587d872%7Emv2_d_8192_5461_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_364/608187_2fa029e00408428cabbab104c587d872%7Emv2_d_8192_5461_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/12/21/The-Benefits-of-Massage</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/12/21/The-Benefits-of-Massage</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 Dec 2017 16:11:12 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_2fa029e00408428cabbab104c587d872~mv2_d_8192_5461_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments? Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can:</div><div>Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.Ease medication dependence.Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.Increase joint flexibility.Lessen depression and anxiety.Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.Reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling.Reduce spasms and cramping.Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.Relieve migraine pain.</div><div>A Powerful Ally</div><div>There's no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_dc6b075fb8734c909f209b12401ed509~mv2_d_3165_2334_s_2.jpg"/><div>Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:</div><div>Decreased anxiety.Enhanced sleep quality.Greater energy.Improved concentration.Increased circulation.Reduced fatigue.</div><div>Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.</div><div>Profound Effects</div><div>In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body, with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:</div><div>Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety.High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.Preterm infants have improved weight gain.</div><div>Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat postsurgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_f2973f5398974efd856714c04b3a2f76~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits</div><div>Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you'll be and how youthful you'll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn't mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.</div><div>Welcome to ASF MASSAGE!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_6a92df2d067047efbbd4be722f83d5e2~mv2.jpg"/><div>Cathy Burns is a licensed massage therapist originally from Buffalo, NY who incorporates both western and eastern modalities in her work. She's a graduate of The Cortiva Institute of Massage and studied at the Boston Shiatsu School. Her techniques include Swedish deep tissue massage, sports massage, trigger point therapy, shiatsu, hot stone therapy, cranial sacral and myofacial release. Her goal as a therapist is to facilitate each clients own natural ability to heal, delivering unique personalized treatments based on the clients individual needs.</div><div>Cathy holds an associates of science in audio production from the New England Art institute and has a background in music as a healing art. She has hosted songwriting workshops and classes for girls and women in transition and currently performs with a Latin percussion ensemble based out of Providence, RI. She's an enthusiastic martial arts practitioner which has helped inform her work as a therapist. Having recently returned from studying in Thailand she continues to train Muay Thai and works with pro fighters as an MT doing pre and post event massage. Cathy is very excited to be a part of the ASF team and looks forward to watching her clients grow and succeed while they meet their health needs and goals.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Don't Be Afraid to be the Weakest Person in the Gym</title><description><![CDATA[NEW YEAR, NEW YOU TIP: For Beginners and Advanced PatronsTrain alongside people that make you feel (and look) like the weakest person in the room. Nothing motivates you more than to train around like-minded individuals who want to work hard, will push you, and play both encourager and caller-outer at the same time.Back in 2013-2014, I trained at night with all the "Big" guys, and never afraid to keep myself consistent. A few times per week hand full of trainers would drive from all over to<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_1ec68162ee3b41198a3c75aef783e0a9%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_410%2Ch_410/608187_1ec68162ee3b41198a3c75aef783e0a9%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/12/12/Dont-Be-Afraid-to-be-the-Weakest-Person-in-the-Gym</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/12/12/Dont-Be-Afraid-to-be-the-Weakest-Person-in-the-Gym</guid><pubDate>Tue, 12 Dec 2017 19:29:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_1ec68162ee3b41198a3c75aef783e0a9~mv2.jpg"/><div>NEW YEAR, NEW YOU TIP: For Beginners and Advanced Patrons</div><div>Train alongside people that make you feel (and look) like the weakest person in the room. Nothing motivates you more than to train around like-minded individuals who want to work hard, will push you, and play both encourager and caller-outer at the same time.</div><div>Back in 2013-2014, I trained at night with all the &quot;Big&quot; guys, and never afraid to keep myself consistent. A few times per week hand full of trainers would drive from all over to workout together, from circuits to bodybuilding to even weird core exercises just because. It was the best training year of my life, even with a hour in traffic both ways.</div><div>I remember showing up the first night, a late Thursday, max effort bench night for Ritson Desrosiers no less, and trying all I could not to destroy the back of my pants when I first walked in. Standing around were 4 ginormous human beings tossing around weights I'd only read about up until that point.</div><div>Here I was, some 170 pound athletic dude who thought he was strong 'cause he had deadlifted 450 a few weeks prior. Hahahaha, that's cute. Kenny Smith was over at the squat rack repping out 315 for who knows how many then super setting muscle ups for what felt like an eternity. (Gulp.) </div><div>As intimidating as the environment was at first, it didn't take long to understand the rules and to become a part of the group:</div><div>Come to work hard.You're not above helping others with spots and hand-offs.Put your shit away when you're done.</div><div>It was such a treat to have access to those men for a year, but also for the next three. The ball-busting, the training advice, and the camaraderie was unparalleled, and I was never stronger than I was that year. It's hard to find this at your local big box commercial gym.</div><div>There are exceptions to the rule, but it's hard to be motivated for a heavy squat day when boy band music is blaring over the stereo and you have a fake Fit-hero guy working out next to you performing a circuit of kipping pull-ups, high-rep deadlifts that are more like bouncelifts, and bear crawls over a broken glass.</div><div>Even if it's only one time per week, try to make an effort to find a gym where you can train amongst &quot;your&quot; people. It's all the motivation you'll need. Even if it's a little out of your way, it's more than worth it, trust me.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_772bd4b33f034d3db610ed0cde086016~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: New Future for Nicholas Bellofatto</title><description><![CDATA[Back in May when I approached Nick about telling his story, he took on the challenge of being an example of what addiction can entail and how people can battle adversity and succeed.I've known this man since 2003 in our days at Malden Catholic High School, never once would you have thought he was battling addiction and image issues. Nick was a confident young man, an athlete and a successful student, in an environment that groomed him to succeed in life post Malden Catholic and into UMASS<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_18ec2c475d504adfa000372b031986f8%7Emv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_410/608187_18ec2c475d504adfa000372b031986f8%7Emv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.jpeg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/11/03/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-New-Future-for-Nicholas-Bellofatto</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/11/03/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-New-Future-for-Nicholas-Bellofatto</guid><pubDate>Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:52:58 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_18ec2c475d504adfa000372b031986f8~mv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.jpeg"/><div>Back in May when I approached Nick about telling his story, he took on the challenge of being an example of what addiction can entail and how people can battle adversity and succeed.</div><div>I've known this man since 2003 in our days at Malden Catholic High School, never once would you have thought he was battling addiction and image issues. Nick was a confident young man, an athlete and a successful student, in an environment that groomed him to succeed in life post Malden Catholic and into UMASS Amherst.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_b151d5d808234bdc8f072aa2023ea0e1~mv2.jpeg"/><div>As many of you followed and shared his posts through the summer, I wanted to bring his story again to the forefront of our hearts and minds.</div><div>Nick has had an eventful summer avoiding hurricanes along with the loss of his dear friend Shane. Even with all of this he has stayed positive and continued to progress.</div><div>EXCITING NEWS!!</div><div>Nick and I spoke the other day, he told me that through the Blog Posts the reach and exposure of his story landed him new found motivation and purpose towards a fulfilling career in aiding recovery. </div><div>He has accepted a job as a Community Health Outreach Worker at Amethyst Recovery Center in Florida! In addition to this new position he will be content writing, multimedia and grass root marketing, along with lifting of course!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e15d7bca2535480a9acf7b393400c390~mv2.jpg"/><div>I can't be more proud to see Nick be in a place where he can help and be involved with the very battle that led him down a somber path. #HEISALWAYSSTRONG</div><div> See other articles he has written about his story you can go back to our blog! Share his story and see who he can inspire!</div><div>To read his interview with Wicked Local <a href="http://malden.wickedlocal.com/news/20170726/malden-native-nicholas-bellofatto-battles-addiction-through-bodybuilding">Click Here!</a></div><div>To see where he is going now visit<a href="https://www.amethystrecovery.org/">Amethyst Recovery Center!</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lactose Intolerance</title><description><![CDATA[One of the most common food intolerances is lactose. But what is it and should you really be avoiding it?What is Lactose Intolerance?Lactose intolerance is the decreased ability of your body to break down lactose, the carbohydrate naturally found in dairy products. When lactose enters the small intestine it is typically broken down by an enzyme called lactase. Some people lack this enzyme so instead lactose continues to travel to the large intestine where it is broken down by bacteria. This<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_fb56f6cea7eb4b98bb9d6e3595f40693%7Emv2_d_2437_3655_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_818/608187_fb56f6cea7eb4b98bb9d6e3595f40693%7Emv2_d_2437_3655_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/11/01/Lactose-Intolerance</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/11/01/Lactose-Intolerance</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Nov 2017 15:03:15 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_fb56f6cea7eb4b98bb9d6e3595f40693~mv2_d_2437_3655_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>One of the most common food intolerances is lactose. But what is it and should you really be avoiding it?</div><div>What is Lactose Intolerance?</div><div>Lactose intolerance is the decreased ability of your body to break down lactose, the carbohydrate naturally found in dairy products. When lactose enters the small intestine it is typically broken down by an enzyme called lactase. Some people lack this enzyme so instead lactose continues to travel to the large intestine where it is broken down by bacteria. This process releases gas as a by-product which causes bloating and abdominal pain or discomfort.</div><div>How can I tell if I have lactose intolerance?</div><div>Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, abdominal pain or discomfort after consuming dairy products. Sometimes this is very obvious but for some it’s not. If you have any questions, check with your doctor and he/she can perform a hydrogen breath test. This test requires you to consume something that contains lactose, so if you are sure that this is the cause of your bloating, don’t force yourself to go through this pain!</div><div>What can I do to manage lactose intolerance?</div><div>For some with mild to moderate lactose intolerance, taking an oral lactase enzyme pill called lactaid can help. Consuming the pill with dairy products helps to break down the lactose in the small intestine. Those with mild lactose intolerance may also be able to tolerate hard cheeses like cheddar cheese and Greek or Icelandic style yogurts since the process of making these products results in loss of the lactose. For those with more severe lactose intolerance, all dairy products may need to be avoided. This means choosing alternative sources of dairy to meet calcium and Vitamin D needs. Some dairy alternatives include lactaid milk (lactose-free milk), as well as milk and yogurt made with soy, almond or coconut milk.</div><div>If you have lactose intolerance do you need to avoid it?</div><div>The answer is no! It won’t harm you to consume dairy, it just might not feel great. Sometimes the enjoyment of consuming a dairy-containing product is totally worth the discomfort, and sometimes it’s not. My advise to you is to listen to your body and do what feels right for you!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e8b5f24974b743baa96be2aaf5885053~mv2_d_1284_2048_s_2.jpg"/><div>Questions about whether you have lactose intolerance or not or how to manage your diet with lactose intolerance? Please reach out to our dietitian Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN.</div><div>ASF is now accepting insurance; Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Top Nutrition and Diabetes Questions Answered</title><description><![CDATA[Top Nutrition and Diabetes Questions AnsweredIf you have recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, you may have a lot of questions about your diet. You are not alone! There is so much information out there that it can be downright confusing. The one thing that is certain is watching the types of foods you consume and the way you eat that can play a significant role in managing your blood sugars and prevent further health complications. Here are some answers to the top questions on<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_defe0441331c4cf18970d82888e2b26a%7Emv2_d_6016_4016_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_364/608187_defe0441331c4cf18970d82888e2b26a%7Emv2_d_6016_4016_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/09/25/Top-Nutrition-and-Diabetes-Questions-Answered</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/09/25/Top-Nutrition-and-Diabetes-Questions-Answered</guid><pubDate>Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:38:32 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Top Nutrition and Diabetes Questions Answered</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_defe0441331c4cf18970d82888e2b26a~mv2_d_6016_4016_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>If you have recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, you may have a lot of questions about your diet. You are not alone! There is so much information out there that it can be downright confusing. The one thing that is certain is watching the types of foods you consume and the way you eat that can play a significant role in managing your blood sugars and prevent further health complications. Here are some answers to the top questions on diet and diabetes.</div><div>Are carbohydrates okay to consume when you have pre-diabetes or diabetes?</div><div>The answer is YES! Carbohydrates are an essential macronutrient that our body needs for energy production. It is best to include a source of carbohydrates at all meals and snacks to help maintain normal blood sugar levels. The issue comes when you eat too much or not enough carbohydrates. This causes drastic fluctuations in blood sugar levels which can cause harm to the body.</div><div>What foods contain carbohydrates?</div><div>Carbohydrates are found in fruits, grains/cereals, starchy vegetables (i.e sweet potato, corn, peas), dairy (i.e. milk, yogurt, cheese) and non-starchy vegetables. Non-starchy vegetables like broccoli and green beans contain carbohydrates but much less per serving than the other sources of carbohydrate. Some other foods that contain carbohydrates include beans/legumes, juices, candy, and baked goods.</div><div>How many meals and snacks do I need a day?</div><div>Make sure to plan three balanced meals and two to three balanced snacks a day, eating every two to four hours. This will ensure your body gets a steady stream of carbohydrates to help maintain consistent blood sugars throughout the day. This is also even more important if you are on any blood sugar lowering medications like insulin or metformin.</div><div>How do I create a balanced meal or snack with carbohydrates?</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_fa820c44f209418797ec5e9a9a4f4f99~mv2_d_6000_4000_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>All meals and snacks should incorporate a source of carbohydrate, protein, and fiber. Protein and fat help slow the digestion of carbohydrate to prevent spikes in blood sugars. Fiber is also another important nutrient to incorporate at meals and it is found in fruits, vegetable, whole grains, nuts/seeds and legumes. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that does not get absorbed into the bloodstream, therefore it does not affect blood sugar levels. What it does is slow digestion and help keep you full longer. Check out myplate.gov for more suggestions on how to build a balanced plate.</div><div>Which carbohydrates should I choose and avoid?</div><div>All sources of carbohydrates can be included in a balanced diet. Focus on planning meals and snacks around carbohydrate sources like whole grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, vegetables, legumes/beans or dairy products.</div><div>While sweets and treats can be incorporated on occasion, make sure to limit them to one serving and pair with a source of protein or fat. For example, cookies with low fat milk are a great option. The low fat milk provides some protein and a small amount of fat to help slow digestion. Another idea is to have the sweet with a meal. If you are accounting for the carbohydrates in the dessert as part of the total carbohydrates at a meal which includes a source of fat and protein, this will help slow down the digestion and prevent sugar spikes.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e8b5f24974b743baa96be2aaf5885053~mv2_d_1284_2048_s_2.jpg"/><div>For more recommendations on how to plan meals and carbohydrates and manage diabetes for your specific needs, please contact Lauren Sharifi and set up an appointment.</div><div>Now taking Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna health insurance.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What Healthy Means for You</title><description><![CDATA[The word “health” or “healthy” is used more and more these days. So what does it really mean and what doesn’t it mean? The meaning of healthy has changed over the last several years and has been taken to an unrealistic extreme. By definition healthy means "absence of physical or mental illness, limitation, or disease", but does this seem realistic or achievable? Health has also become synonymous with weight. You are healthy if you are normal weight and unhealthy if you are overweight or obese.<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e1e1e5d9029c4d2494f47dfb4ff69f6f%7Emv2_d_5000_3333_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_364/608187_e1e1e5d9029c4d2494f47dfb4ff69f6f%7Emv2_d_5000_3333_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/31/What-Healthy-Means-for-You</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/31/What-Healthy-Means-for-You</guid><pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2017 16:27:37 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e1e1e5d9029c4d2494f47dfb4ff69f6f~mv2_d_5000_3333_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>The word “health” or “healthy” is used more and more these days. So what does it really mean and what doesn’t it mean? The meaning of healthy has changed over the last several years and has been taken to an unrealistic extreme. By definition healthy means &quot;absence of physical or mental illness, limitation, or disease&quot;, but does this seem realistic or achievable? Health has also become synonymous with weight. You are healthy if you are normal weight and unhealthy if you are overweight or obese. Our society continues to tell us if we are not healthy or &quot;normal weight&quot; based on BMI standards thus we are unhealthy and should lose weight. It’s the same for food. We are told some foods are healthy or &quot;good” and we &quot;should&quot; eat them and some foods are unhealthy or &quot;bad&quot; and we &quot;shouldn't&quot; eat them.</div><div>So why is there so much pressure in our society to achieve this unrealistic view of health? Does achieving this health standard make us better human beings, live longer or have happier lives? Probably not! Instead it leads to increased stress, disordered eating, poor body image and poor health outcomes.</div><div>What if I told you that health and being healthy isn’t so black and white. Instead it is more grey. There is no one size fits all approach, weight doesn't equate to health and food is just food! (Sigh of relief huh?) The truth is, achieving health is a continuum and can change over time. Health also looks different for me than it does for you. This includes the types of foods our body’s need, the weight and size our body wants to be, and what physical activity feels good for our body. The only “good”, “should” or “right” is what your body (not your mind) tells you!</div><div>So what is &quot;health&quot; for YOU? </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/07625d43f88f4eb4b3ce88b45dae294c.jpg"/><div>Trusting and listening to your body. This includes getting in tune with your body’s hunger and satiety cues as well as eating foods based on enjoyment, what makes your body feel good and your specific nutrition needs. Sometimes this means eating a burger and fries and sometimes it’s a salad. I don't know about you but after a week of vacation and traveling my body craves vegetables. This is a great example of listening to what your body needs. Don't just eat a salad because you think you &quot;should&quot;.Moving in a way that feels good for your body. Movement shouldn't cause pain or be something you think you “should” do. Instead think of physical activity as a way to make your body feel good, increase your energy, make you stronger, decrease stress or even relax you. Accepting that your body is unique! No body is the same; it’s just a fact of life! Instead of focusing on your physical appearance or how your body “should” look based on an unrealistic social standards, focus on what your body does for you like allowing you to move, do your job, or create and raise a family. </div><div>Again, remember what is healthy or feels good for your body now, is not going to be the same tomorrow or five years from now. Also, remember, achieving true &quot;health&quot; as it is defined in the dictionary is not realistic. The definition of health is different for everyone. To me, health is being able to listen to my body and do what feels right and being able to accept myself the way it is, no matter what.</div><div>Interested in learning and getting in touch with what is healthy for you? </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_3ea851be3f4649168d0b27c804517143~mv2_d_1284_2048_s_2.jpg"/><div>Have more questions or concerns about feeding your family? Please contact our dietitian, Lauren Sharifi to set up an appointment. Lauren@asfpeakhealth.com</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>5 Reasons to Front Squat</title><description><![CDATA[Normally I keep things simple and easily understandable for our client here at the clinic... Today will be no different =)From an anatomical standpoint arguabley nearly every muscle plays a role in the front squat, but for simplicity stake we’ll leave it at these: the quadriceps, gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, soleus, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, erector spinane, anterior/lateral deltoids, supraspinatus, rhomboids, upper/middle/lower traps, levator scapulae, serratus anterior, rectus abdominus,<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_c7e88ab5b7b74024b303930ee4e36562%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_616/608187_c7e88ab5b7b74024b303930ee4e36562%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/28/5-Reasons-to-Front-Squat</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/28/5-Reasons-to-Front-Squat</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2017 14:49:12 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_c7e88ab5b7b74024b303930ee4e36562~mv2.jpg"/><div>Normally I keep things simple and easily understandable for our client here at the clinic... Today will be no different =)</div><div>From an anatomical standpoint arguabley nearly every muscle plays a role in the front squat, but for simplicity stake we’ll leave it at these: the quadriceps, gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, soleus, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, erector spinane, anterior/lateral deltoids, supraspinatus, rhomboids, upper/middle/lower traps, levator scapulae, serratus anterior, rectus abdominus, and obliques are all needed to stabilize the load and complete the lift. Muscles are an integrated system that must work together to produce efficient movement, few exercises work as many of them together as front squats.</div><div>1. Posture</div><div> Front squatting recruits the muscles of the upper back and forces thoracic extension in order to hold the bar on the shoulders; therefore, it can help prevent kyphosis in the thoracic spine if elbows are kept as high as possible throughout the movement. </div><div>2. Flexibility</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ca2d3d9af4774ca283e8ecaaeabbda13~mv2.jpg"/><div>Practicing the front squat will help develop flexibility, especially in the hips! What’s not to love about a lift that allows you to get strong while getting supple? If you haven’t front squatted before, you might even identify some tight areas while trying it for the first time. While in the bottom position of the front squat, the ankles, shoulders, wrists and hips will be pushed to their mobility limits, which is not always the case with a back squat as lifters will often cut the squat short.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_2657f391f6db4083bcb73d27aa65f79f~mv2.jpg"/><div>Starting first with Goblet Squats, Rear Elevated Split Squats, Along with Band Resisted Clamshells could be the difference maker between a lift and a PR lift.</div><div>3. Safety</div><div>The very nature of the front squat requires the load to be place on the front of the body, resting on the shoulders; any forward torso lean and the bar will fall to the floor. This upright torso places less of a shear force on the spine and therefore makes it a better option for those with back issues. Not to be absent minded about the abdominals, you need to stay as tight as possible. </div><div>4. Measure of Strength</div><div> You could argue that the front squat is a better measure of strength than a back squat because you cannot “cheat” a front squat by turning it into a good morning (different ball game). Many people will find that when tested, the ratio between their front squat and back squat are off; for a balanced athlete, that ratio should be around 85%. The front squat recruits more quadriceps and the back squat is a more posterior dominant movement; if your front squat is below 85% of your back squat then you probably need more front squats (and quads) in your life.</div><div>Working front squats into your routine can efficiently increase your strength, but adding in similar exercises while keeping the load in the front of the body can do wonders for you as well. </div><div>5. For Our Athletes (Weekend Warriors Included)</div><div> Think of all the movements that require the bar on the shoulders; the stronger that position is, the easier many exercises become. Think power cleans, cleans, push press, push jerk, split jerk, etc. If you’ve ever gotten bruises on your sternum or collarbones, then this could be a weakness in the upper back from dropping elbows when cleaning or going overhead. </div><div>Squats mimic the biomechanical demands of athletic endeavors like the powerful hip extension needed for sprinting, jumping, tackling, and skating. Moreover, the abs braced, neutral position is vital for athletes to be maximally efficient and avoid “dumping” during movement.</div><div>Look at progressions, regressions and cues coming soon to the <a href="https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/blog">Blog</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDStGHqckoOIi24ThHlwbYw">YouTube</a>.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div> Fitness can be relative and subjective depending on the individual, if you are unsure if you should include this exercise in your routine contact me at ross@asfpeakhealth.com.</div><div>For questions about nutrition consultations please email lauren@asfpeakhealth.com! Here is <a href="https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/23/Taking-the-Stress-Out-of-Preparing-Your-Kids-Lunch-for-School">Lauren's latest post!!!</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Always Strong Client Spotlight: Michael Welles</title><description><![CDATA[Michael WellesAge: 62Occupation: High Tech ExecPersonal History/Bio:I'm a tech guy having worked 40+ years in companies like Data General, Lotus Development, Individual Inc, NMSS Communications, and finally S2 Security Corporation which I co-founded fifteen years ago. I love to hike, bike and climb in all seasons, I play French Horn in the Wellesley Symphony and other local groups and am an active private pilot.What brought you to Always Strong Fitness?My wife suggested that Ross might be able<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ae0e0b7610a74d83ab478aec5aa51228%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_251%2Ch_357/608187_ae0e0b7610a74d83ab478aec5aa51228%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway BS CPT BCS</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/24/Always-Strong-Client-Spotlight-Michael-Welles</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/24/Always-Strong-Client-Spotlight-Michael-Welles</guid><pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2017 14:32:18 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ae0e0b7610a74d83ab478aec5aa51228~mv2.jpg"/><div>Michael Welles</div><div>Age: 62</div><div>Occupation: High Tech Exec</div><div>Personal History/Bio:</div><div>I'm a tech guy having worked 40+ years in companies like Data General, Lotus Development, Individual Inc, NMSS Communications, and finally S2 Security Corporation which I co-founded fifteen years ago. I love to hike, bike and climb in all seasons, I play French Horn in the Wellesley Symphony and other local groups and am an active private pilot.</div><div>What brought you to Always Strong Fitness?</div><div>My wife suggested that Ross might be able to help me avoid a second shoulder surgery as things were seizing up slowly but surely again. She had been going to ASF for a year and getting great results. I thought, me..., a gym..., a trainer? How is that going to help?? In the back of my head, I knew I needed some professional help. I had tried traditional physical therapy and had laparoscopic surgery on both shoulders. I also knew that I needed to address over developed and tight leg muscles from years of running as well as under developed muscles every place else affecting posture and more. But a gym?</div><div>How would you explain Always Strong Fitness to someone else?</div><div>ASF is fantastic !!! ASF is staffed by a team of professional Trainers. First, they listen. They want to understand your issues and your goals. Second, they observe. The ASF team all are expert at how the skeleton and muscles work whatever shape or age you might be. In my case Ross quickly assessed the areas we had to build first in order to correct posture and range of motion. Since he uniquely understands how the body works, he worked to build up muscles to &quot;protect&quot; my shoulders, and then we began working on core and legs. I now have a daily routine that I mix in with biking and running as well as my weekly session at ASF which extend the base we've built. Surgery is now a distant memory. And, to my great surprise the ASF environment turned out to be a great experience with a wide range of like minded people. It is NOT a &quot;gym rat&quot; meat house. It is a very supportive environment with a set of friends of all ages working towards personal goals.</div><div>How has your new level of fitness impacted your day to day life?</div><div>I have substantial range of motion and strength in both arms now to the point of being able to rock climb again with my sons; I thought those days were over. My posture is much better and back pain is a thing of the past. Work on legs has substantially improved my endurance and ability to push hard up steep trails over a long day with no leg cramps. ASF has given me back priceless capability to continue enjoying active elements of my life.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div>Unique to other fitness studios we aim to support those who feel as if they can't do something they once loved. In Michael's case is was enjoying outdoor activities with his family, and over coming pain in his shoulders. Seeing clients evolve over months of training is nothing short of heart warming. Not only did he achieve his goal of going through day to day life pain free, he gained a renewed passion for Rock Climbing and Trail Running. </div><div>Michael Welles you are Always Strong!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Taking the Stress Out of Preparing Your Kids Lunch for School!</title><description><![CDATA[With the summer coming to a close, and as school begins, it’s time to get back into the routine of preparing lunches for your kids. Yes, just one more thing to add to the already long list of things to do! You also might be asking yourself, what should I be packing for my kids and what will they actually eat? Well you’re not alone. Planning and preparing lunches for kids can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be!Here are some tips and suggestions to make packing healthy lunches easy and<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_4ca336224ea34d2e926e07902ac276d7%7Emv2_d_3869_2363_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_333/608187_4ca336224ea34d2e926e07902ac276d7%7Emv2_d_3869_2363_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/23/Taking-the-Stress-Out-of-Preparing-Your-Kids-Lunch-for-School</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/23/Taking-the-Stress-Out-of-Preparing-Your-Kids-Lunch-for-School</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2017 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_4ca336224ea34d2e926e07902ac276d7~mv2_d_3869_2363_s_2.jpg"/><div>With the summer coming to a close, and as school begins, it’s time to get back into the routine of preparing lunches for your kids. Yes, just one more thing to add to the already long list of things to do! You also might be asking yourself, what should I be packing for my kids and what will they actually eat? Well you’re not alone. Planning and preparing lunches for kids can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be!</div><div>Here are some tips and suggestions to make packing healthy lunches easy and enjoyable!</div><div>1. Creating a Balanced Lunch Box</div><div>The goal with any meal or snack is to pack a variety of foods that are both nutritious and taste good. Each meal should contain a source of protein, carbohydrate and fat and have at least four different foods.</div><div>Here is a good list to help you plan meals. Pick one from each category below to create a balanced meal.</div><div>Protein</div><div>Hard Boiled Egg</div><div>Nitrate-Free Deli Meat</div><div>Cooked Turkey or Chicken, cubed</div><div>Cooked Ground Meat</div><div>Nut or Seed Butter</div><div>Chicken, Egg or Tuna Salad</div><div>Cheese</div><div>Yogurt</div><div>Cottage Cheese</div><div>Hummus</div><div>Carbohydrate/Starch</div><div>Whole Wheat Bread, Pita, Tortilla/Wrap</div><div>Whole Wheat Waffle</div><div>Cooked Sweet Potato, Potato or Squash</div><div>Brown Rice</div><div>Quinoa</div><div>Whole Wheat Pasta</div><div>Cooked Corn, Peas</div><div>Whole Wheat Crackers</div><div>Tortillas</div><div>Fruit (Fresh, Frozen, Canned)</div><div>Banana</div><div>Clementine</div><div>Berries</div><div>Apple slices (applesauce)</div><div>Pear</div><div>Peach</div><div>Grapes (cut in half lengthwise if under 4)</div><div>Kiwi</div><div>Melon (watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe)</div><div>Mango</div><div>Papaya</div><div>Vegetable (Fresh, Frozen, Canned)</div><div>Shredded or Baby Carrots</div><div>Cucumber Sticks</div><div>Bell Peppers</div><div>Cherry Tomatoes (cut in half length wise if under 4)</div><div>Cooked Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Beets</div><div>Snap Peas</div><div>Zucchini/Summer Squash</div><div>Salad Greens</div><div>Vegetable Soup</div><div>Fat</div><div>Fat is important for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K; growth and development in toddlers; and keeping kids full. Make sure to include at least one source of fat at meals.</div><div>Whole milk dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)</div><div>Avocado</div><div>Oil</div><div>Olives</div><div>Nut and Seed Butters</div><div>Cream Cheese</div><div>Butter</div><div>Egg yolks</div><div>Fatty fish (salmon and tuna)</div><div>Fatty cuts of meat</div><div>2. Get the Kids Involved</div><div>The more the kids are involved in planning or preparing their lunch the less work it is on you and the more likely they will actually eat what’s in their lunchbox!</div><div>First, have your kids help plan their lunch. Once your child is around 3 years old you can start having them help you plan what to put in their lunchbox. Have them go shopping with you and pick out a few options from each of the categories above. Or, have a few options from each category available in your pantry or refrigerator that they can choose from.</div><div>Next, have your kids help prepare their lunchbox. Toddlers and young kids can help by putting food into their lunchbox or into small containers. As they get older, they can also help you chop fruits and vegetables to put into their lunchbox. Once your children are in middle school they can start preparing their lunchbox by themselves. Guidance is always helpful at the start. Once they have a good understanding of how to balance meals they should be able to pack a balanced lunch on their own.</div><div>3. Make Lunchtime Fun</div><div>Find a fun lunchbox that your kids enjoy. These <a href="https://bentgo.com/">bentgo boxes</a> are great for easy packing and are fun for kids. Or send a fun note, like these lunch box <a href="http://www.createkidsclub.com/product/lunch-box-note-cards/">note cards</a> . Each card has a fun note, nutrition fact or joke on the back!</div><div>For some simple go-to lunch ideas check out these: <a href="https://www.holleygrainger.com/60-healthy-lunchboxes-kids/">60 Healthy Lunchbox Ideas for Kids</a> or this list of <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/entertaining/a-month-of-healthy-kid-approved-school-lunches-pictures">A Month’s Worth of Healthy, Kid Approved Lunch Ideas</a></div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e8b5f24974b743baa96be2aaf5885053~mv2_d_1284_2048_s_2.jpg"/><div>Have more questions or concerns about feeding your family? Please contact our dietitian, Lauren Sharifi to set up an appointment. Lauren@asfpeakhealth.com</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Recovery is Possible</title><description><![CDATA[A drug addict’s life is very similar to a haunted house, and the saddest part is, it always leads you back to the same desperate place - the very beginning. How did I get back here? There are three possible scenarios for people suffering from the disease of addiction, and they are jails, institutions and death. The worst part is, drug addiction tends to keep you around just long enough so you can watch yourself - almost as a spectator - destroy all the relationships you have built throughout<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_d2f0280446354501815de17495b20ce9%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_497/608187_d2f0280446354501815de17495b20ce9%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/21/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Recovery-is-Possible</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/21/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Recovery-is-Possible</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Aug 2017 22:41:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_d2f0280446354501815de17495b20ce9~mv2.jpg"/><div>A drug addict’s life is very similar to a haunted house, and the saddest part is, it always leads you back to the same desperate place - the very beginning. How did I get back here? There are three possible scenarios for people suffering from the disease of addiction, and they are jails, institutions and death. The worst part is, drug addiction tends to keep you around just long enough so you can watch yourself - almost as a spectator - destroy all the relationships you have built throughout your life. But it doesn’t have to end that way. I believe all of us are faced with a choice during the course of our lifetimes that could be looked at as that proverbial fork in the road. Which path will you take? Are you comfortable enough with yourself to make a decision and stand by it with love and conviction in your heart? If it were all to end today, what would you want your legacy to be?</div><div>When I was talking about the three possible outcomes for a drug addict I left out the fourth and most important one. The fourth option is to get sober and change your life: to walk by faith and not by fear and to spread a message of hope to those who may still feel hopeless: to recognize your own personal shortcomings while putting in the effort to amend them. This is why I wear my disease like a scarlet letter stitched onto my lapel. This is the reason I do not fear the personal repercussions of stigmatizing myself with this disease. I created the black sheep mask for myself and I wore it like a badge of honor. It is only fair that I finally pull back that mask and expose a version of myself that I only recently discovered. It is never too late to be the person you were always destined to be. </div><div>It took me over a decade of serious bumps and bruises to understand this concept and launch my journey toward finding myself. But what’s ten years compared to rest of your life?</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_df6988d0e70745c3a9397e2e1710e196~mv2.jpg"/><div>I was medically discharged from treatment in April of 2015 and I did what all the people around me told me to do; I stayed put. I was placed into a halfway house and met two of the best friends a person could ask for - Rob and Shane. It has been nearly two and a half years since then and I currently live with Rob and I look at him like a long lost brother. When you are 1,500 miles removed from any family members, friends become like family, and I am glad I have someone like Rob in my life these days. </div><div>Now comes the tragic part. Now comes the part that I wish I could rewrite. </div><div>Shane passed away as a direct result of this disease less than a month ago. I spent the last week of July in Detroit with his family in hopes of offering any emotional support I could during all of the services. His family allowed me to speak a few words on his behalf and humbled me by asking me to be a pallbearer at his funeral. I have tears in my eyes while I am writing this because he wasn’t just a friend to me, he was also family. Life isn’t always fair and it sure as hell doesn’t always make sense.</div><div>I vividly remember arriving at the apartments I was going to be living in with no idea of what to expect. The managers attempted to put me into a room with two messy roommates and I vehemently opposed because I function better with order and cleanliness. They offered to put me in a room with Shane and we were both a little apprehensive about the pairing at first. But once we were able to go to the gym together the next morning in fact, we realized that we were going to get along just fine. Little did I know he was going to become my family. Little did I know he would have such a lasting impact on my life and the lives of the people that were so rightfully drawn to him.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_815f9d7f22664d11837ac3f7f8d6994d~mv2.jpg"/><div>Shane had six months sober when I met him, and he was the catalyst that introduced me to a new way of life that I didn’t even know existed. We lived together, we worked together, we went to the gym together, we food shopped together, we cooked together, we laughed together, and we grew together. I may not have told Shane this, but I always looked up to him. Even though he was a few years younger than me I always felt like he had this aura about him that projected confidence in the most humble of ways. I felt like he had the most compassionate soul that was built for protecting and helping those around him. After all, he was a semi professional hockey player, and protecting his teammates was something he always took very seriously. Even off the ice he always looked out for the people he cared about; I know this first hand because I was one of those people. </div><div>I am writing this part of the entry with tears in my eyes. Tears of sadness that I will no longer be able to share my most intimate feelings and fears with him and also tears of joy that I was able to spend some of the most important times of my life with him. Tears of loss because I understand how rare people like Shane are, and also tears of gratitude because I am a better man having met him. Tears of heartache because my soul hurts for his family and his girlfriend, and also tears of strength that I know he would want me to have during this terribly difficult time. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_5bc6d5de5c0440beaa3e92003c32f5da~mv2.jpg"/><div>My getting sober was not something I did on my own or with the help of just one person. I found a group of men that I connected with and began working a 12-Step program of recovery. I also found something bigger than me to believe in and I made a conscious decision to turn my faith over to it. Because of this, I didn’t have to worry about controlling every situation in its entirety. I knew that if I just did the next right thing everything would work out exactly how it was supposed to. We are the company we keep; and for seven months I kept nothing but the best company while living at the halfway house. I had a good job and I was learning a new trade, I was in the best physical shape of my life and I was optimistic about what the future held for me. </div><div>But I did something that I now chalk up as a learning experience; I took my own personal will back. I allowed myself to become so consumed with work and money that I neglected the very lifestyle and the very people that were helping me so much. When I first got sober I was just so grateful to have enough money to get some food and watch a movie with my friends, but somewhere along the way I forgot where I came from. Somewhere along the line that wasn’t enough for me and I had this obsession with more. I was working 60 hours a week and had a list of excuses ready as to why I had gotten away from all the things that helped to get me sober in the first place.</div><div>I relapsed once again and was kicked out of the halfway house I was living at. I packed my belongings while drinking whiskey straight from the bottle and left with no particular destination in mind. My girlfriend relapsed shortly afterwards but hadn’t been caught yet. I was trying to find a place to stay for the first few nights until I just decided a weekly motel was my best option. My girlfriend ended up moving into the motel with me and for over a month we lived there with the sole purpose of doing drugs and surviving. I bring this up because no matter what your age, race, gender, ethnicity this disease functions the same in all of us. She was from a loving home in Massachusetts and had all the talent in the world as a musician. However, her feelings and fears were the same as most people who struggle with the disease of addiction. Just as I mentioned before, we all have a past and we all have a story, but her’s is not mine to tell. </div><div>But this episode of my story was different because I knew there was a way out if I wanted to put the work in. All the sober people I had become friends with wanted nothing more than for me to come back into the light; and they were all more than ready to welcome me back with open arms. Everyone is different and everyone has their own bottom when it comes to drug addiction or substance abuse. My parents spoke to me while I was homeless in Florida but they never once offered to rescue me. They allowed me to find the lowest point of my life and begin to build off of it. In a moment of clarity I realized that I had been addicted to drugs for over a decade and I was now a 26 year old homeless man living out of my car with all my worldly possessions stuffed into a Wal-Mart laundry bag. </div><div>That moment of clarity came on November 20th 2015, and it is still my sobriety date today. I cherish that day for more reasons than just one. Not only is it my sobriety date, but it is also my father’s birthday. He recently told me that I gave him the best present he could have ever asked for when he turned 60; I gave him his son back. It didn’t happen overnight, and the one thing that I have learned is that time takes time. You can’t gain two years of sober life experience in thirty days; for it is just not possible. But even if I could I wouldn’t want to. Life is a journey it is not a race. Life is about the small and seemingly insignificant moments that allow us to learn about ourselves in a way we didn’t even know possible. Today my life is about being grateful for what I have, maintaining humility in all my affairs, and carrying love in my heart: then and only then am I being true to myself.</div><div>Life is too short to get completely caught up in the rat race that our society loves so much. Spend your time with people you love and be sure to tell them you love them as often as you can. Find a way to be of service to your fellow man when at all possible. Laugh until your stomach hurts and never lose your sense of humor. Forgive those people who you feel have wronged you. Cry tears of joy or tears of sadness when you need to. Reach out to an old friend who you haven’t spoken to in some time. Walk through a fear you have been struggling to overcome. Quit your job if you hate it. Go back to school if you always wanted to do something different with your life. Ask your crush to go on a date with you. Smile and talk to strangers like you would if your grandmother was present. Set aside your prejudices and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Dance like no one is watching and sing like no one can hear you. Look in the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful. Say what you mean and mean what you say, but always think before you speak. Embrace your uniqueness and never let anyone dim your light. Carry yourself in a way that will inspire those around you. Live everyday with positivity in your mind, gratitude in your heart and love in your soul.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ef7c9e3c57e54f0580e5c9eb26c6790d~mv2.jpg"/><div>11-21-15 (Day 1 of Sobriety)</div><div>The Bottoms I Fell Through</div><div>By Nicholas Bellofatto</div><div>You don't understand my plight or where I come from,</div><div>Not even I can explain, without sounding like the dumb one.</div><div>Every day is an uphill battle and I'm losing ground,</div><div>A false external freedom but in the inside I'm bound.</div><div>Release me, complete me, defeat me - I'm broken,</div><div>The words I need to speak are the ones left unspoken.</div><div>You don't understand because I won't dare tell you,</div><div>My life in ruins summed up by the bottoms I fell through. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_d07842671b0d45efbd00bbf1b445c947~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div> Nick's story is one of heartbreak and loss, success and setbacks, development and self-reflection. How many of us have similar variables in our lives? All of us go through these segments in our lives. It is what makes us unique. Not one of us has the same story, but we have similar spectrums of success and failure. </div><div>Few years ago Nick would be telling a different story, look at him now. Nick persevered- He is now an example of determination and how one can succeed. </div><div>Up next is his DAY IN THE LIFE segment. Featuring his daily routine along with normal diet and workout.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Always Strong Elite: Jovan Miller</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past few months I have been collecting stories, segments, and statements of adversity in how it pertains to health and wellness. As a former collegiate lacrosse athlete myself, Jovan Miller came to mind. As a Syracuse University Graduate, 2x All American and 2x National Champion caliber athlete with all the skills you need to win. You probably aren't aware he continued his thirst for education at Queens University of Charlotte receiving another BS, by no means did he stop there. Miller<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_212f9c58ca77461d9d25170dba031caf%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_410%2Ch_410/608187_212f9c58ca77461d9d25170dba031caf%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/21/The-Always-Strong-Elite-Jovan-Miller</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/21/The-Always-Strong-Elite-Jovan-Miller</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:25:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Over the past few months I have been collecting stories, segments, and statements of adversity in how it pertains to health and wellness. As a former collegiate lacrosse athlete myself, Jovan Miller came to mind. As a Syracuse University Graduate, 2x All American and 2x National Champion caliber athlete with all the skills you need to win. You probably aren't aware he continued his thirst for education at Queens University of Charlotte receiving another BS, by no means did he stop there. Miller went oversees for his next adventure, receiving a MS from Loughborough University.</div><div>With his wealth of knowledge I've followed his Facebook account where he would post thought provoking topics, which led me to his blog. I wasn't just a fan of his talents on the lacrosse field, but his insights as well. That being said I leave you with his piece on adversity. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_212f9c58ca77461d9d25170dba031caf~mv2.jpg"/><div>&quot;When you are at your lowest, most vulnerable point in life, how do you respond? It’s a question with an ever-changing answer. With each year that passes, your perspective changes through experience. Although the trials and tribulations may vary, the feelings with every life lesson does not change but the effects do. The late, great Muhammad Ali said that if you’re the same person you are today that you were 10 to 15 years ago, then you’ve wasted 10 to 15 years of your life. As much as we all desire merit for our accomplishments in life, it is sometimes the unspoken, internal victories that we should seek to achieve. Sports and life run that parallel like no other comparisons. Being able to bounce back after disappointment is the first step in learning the lesson of adversity. It is not enough just to find meaning in the positive results, but the self-awareness to re-evaluate one’s self daily to be the best for not only personal gain but for the benefit of those around. With every passing day take time to put your current state in life and your aspirations in perspective on how to get to where you want to go.&quot; -Jovan Miller</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_a610f10e896f4a239a781440b447df13~mv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/><div>Always Strong Elite: Jovan Miller</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_13a936f16884484e87493cdb3eeb07f3~mv2_d_1920_1920_s_2.jpg"/><div>BS Syracuse University '11</div><div>BS Queens University of Charlotte '15</div><div>MS Loughborough University '16</div><div>2X National Champion (2008,2009)</div><div>2X All-American (2010,2011)</div><div>Syracuse University All-Century Team</div><div>8th overall pick in 2011 MLL Draft (Rochester Rattlers)</div><div>Break through the boundaries, and leave your mark. </div><div>To see other pieces written by Miller go to his site! Click Here!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Rock Bottom</title><description><![CDATA[There is something to be said for being completely removed from society for a month and a half with no means of communication to the outside world. The only dialogue I had was with people just like me, and they all had their own reasons for being in a treatment center. I think it is fair to say that nobody struggling with addiction or alcoholism grew up hoping their life would turn out that way. After all, this disease does not discriminate by age, race, gender, ethnicity or economic status; it<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_eea3d78153094a6ca49a346f9b8a545a%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_542/608187_eea3d78153094a6ca49a346f9b8a545a%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/10/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Rock-Bottom</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/10/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Rock-Bottom</guid><pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2017 20:11:27 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_eea3d78153094a6ca49a346f9b8a545a~mv2.jpg"/><div>There is something to be said for being completely removed from society for a month and a half with no means of communication to the outside world. The only dialogue I had was with people just like me, and they all had their own reasons for being in a treatment center. I think it is fair to say that nobody struggling with addiction or alcoholism grew up hoping their life would turn out that way. After all, this disease does not discriminate by age, race, gender, ethnicity or economic status; it simply destroys all families and homes equally. Who would have thought that my life would have come full circle and I would end up right back where it all began.</div><div>Welcome back to Malden Massachusetts!</div><div>I don’t think my family ever truly believed that coming back home was going to be the best thing for me, but I think I used their fears against them without even realizing it. No matter where I was, at this point in my life, I was using drugs but at least if I was home my parents could keep an eye on me to make sure I was alive and breathing. The PTSD from my recent overdose and brush with death was still at the forefront of their minds which helped me weasel my way back into their home. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I had the best intentions, but even as pure as my motives were, I was still a drug addict and an alcoholic. If I had learned one thing about this insidious disease at this point it was that its center was in my mind and it would do everything in its power to convince me my life was completely under control. Drugs and alcohol were never my problem; they were my solution to a problem I couldn’t even verbalize to myself. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_c5fa269d868e474ba2dc9fc7f9c23f2d~mv2.jpg"/><div>When I arrived home I felt like a changed man. I was so excited about my future and what I could offer a generation that was in the midst of a drug epidemic. I was working a very simple job and interning at a recording studio. I was going to the gym every day and pouring my heart and soul into my fitness and personal well being. Working out had always been a means of escape for me and my passion for it never dwindled through all of my ups and downs. At the gym I had an outlet to release all of my nervous energy and anxiety and I loved seeing hard work and dedication manifest themselves physically through my body. Even my brother was doing well at this time, and we were rebuilding our relationship that had been damaged by our addictions. We spent hours every day in the gym together and I felt I had finally found the secret to success and happiness.</div><div>I was fully aware that I could not use heroin and smoke crack while living a normal life, but I wasn’t convinced that I couldn’t drink and smoke weed like a gentleman. I didn’t think these two things ever completely took over my life and instead I saw them as a way to relax and let loose every once and a while. For about eight months this was the arrangement: work while living at my parents’ house with my brother and my girlfriend Cassandra. Three former heroin addicts were living under the same roof functioning in society like we never thought possible. Why was this so difficult for me before?</div><div>Then one night, when no one was around and I was once again stuck between my own ears, my mind, I decided it would be okay to do one single solitary Percocet. The weed and the alcohol were just not cutting it anymore so I figured that might help take the edge off just a little bit. At this point I had not done any opiates in nine months and I refused to believe that taking a Percocet one time would effect my life in a negative way. Within two weeks I was doing heroin and using needles again, and so were my brother and Cassandra. Things got ugly faster than usual, and with three addicts living under one roof I’m not surprised how bad they became. I cant believe what we put my parents through at this point. My mom was recovering from shoulder surgery and learning a new job while trying to save all three of us from slipping back into hell. </div><div>All three of us had car accidents that we couldn’t even remember because we were basically sleeping behind the wheel. I still don’t know how we didn’t hurt anyone while in this state and for that I am so grateful that we made it through this time in our lives without doing so. There was one incident when I popped my tire on the highway and just pulled off to the shoulder and fell asleep in my back seat. I was woken up by State Troopers who were wondering why I had been there for so long. I would often go into withdrawals that were so bad at work that I would neglect my duties. I often asked coworkers if I could borrow money to get my next fix and I always seemed to have some excuse for why I was broke three days after I got paid. Cassandra and I became regulars at the emergency room, and as sad as it is to say, the paramedics and the EMTs knew us both by name. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ad63431fd8354ab5b9bef5254f690e69~mv2.jpg"/><div>Towards the end of this debacle I walked in on my brother stealing my mother’s jewelry and even in my state of mind I couldn’t let that happen. My brother and I hadn’t been seeing eye to eye for months and there was no loyalty between us. At this point it was every man for himself and we did what we needed to do in order to feed our addiction. So when I saw him with the jewelry I instinctively went for him and we had a fist fight in my parents hallway until my dad came upstairs and broke up it. He kicked both of us out of the house that night and told us we needed to find some type of help. Of course neither of us did, and because it was the dead of winter and we were his only two sons, he let us come back. However, after only a week back at home I stole most of my mom and dad’s Christmas money and voluntarily signed myself into another treatment center. I was on my way to another detox just three days before Christmas - if that is any indication of how bad it truly was. As my mom has often said there are no Christmases, Easters, or holidays when there are drug addicts in the family who are actively using.</div><div>I was so sick with addiction at this point that even the treatment center’s walls couldn’t confine me and keep me away from my obsession for drugs. I was so desperate I created a hustle while at the detox: cut hair to come up with a little bit of cash. Then when everyone was asleep I would sneak out of a hidden exit and walk the streets of Dallas looking for drugs. When I felt like I had been gone too long I would chalk that night up as a loss and drink a few beers at a gas station before going back to the treatment center. Eventually my relentless pursuit paid off and I brought heroin back into the treatment center but I was caught and exposed for the sneak and the liar I was in front of all the other residents. I wasn’t getting any better there obviously, and as a matter of fact I was actually getting worse. I couldn’t even stop when I was removed from society with no phone, no connections and in a city 1,800 miles from Boston. </div><div>I was discharged from the rehab in Texas and headed once again back home to Massachusetts. I had no idea what I was going to do or where I was going to end up, but I didn’t really care at this point. I felt like I was hopeless, and knew I couldn’t go on like this much longer. It was only a matter of time before an overdose would kill me or I would kill myself. I was in so much mental anguish, that both of these scenarios felt like viable options. I didn’t want to go on living life as a drug addict but I also did not know how to get sober; I was a prisoner stuck somewhere in between what I wanted my life to be and what my life actually was. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_dd0948e35842478f9e769b83cd2a4312~mv2.jpg"/><div>I can remember one night sitting in my car with the gas light on just crying my eyes out. It was the winter of 2015 in Boston and if you are from that area you remember how brutal the snowfall was that year. I had no money and no means of supporting myself and Cassandra was sober and living in a halfway house in California. I was about 135 pounds at the time and I had long greasy hair that made me look even more like a drug addict. I was Nick’s rock bottom. At this moment my phone rang and it was a gentleman from Florida who was reaching out to offer me some help. Sobbing, I said yes I need help and I cannot do this on my own. </div><div>My parents went against their good judgement and allowed me to use drugs in their house for two days before I flew to Florida. They did this, as hard as it must have been for them, because they were more afraid that I would die of an overdose on the street all alone. All they wanted was for me to get well, and they were so scared I would end up dead before I even made it on the plane. I had reached some low points in my life, but this was the worst of them all. I had no idea the decision to accept help that night while I was sitting in my car crying would have such a positive impact on my life. </div><div>Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. </div><div>I want to let it be known that writing this article was one of the most difficult things I have done for this blog. I wrote this piece as fast as I could because it felt like and elephant was sitting on my chest while I typed on my MacBook. So if there are grammatical errors, I apologize. I went as far as to share it with my family before publishing it because I wanted to be positive they were okay with some of the more personal details. This is my story and these are the situations that made me into the man I am today. So if you ever feel hopeless, just know I have hope in you. If you ever feel like the world would be a better place without you, just know nothing could be further from the truth. We are all perfectly imperfect in our own way, and every one of us has a beautiful uniqueness about us that can be used to positively impact the world around us. Believe in yourself first, and you will forever be Always Strong. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_585b74df1c0745218c6b1c9dc0be032a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7532176ecad644c881ef964175e7c920~mv2_d_2321_2892_s_2.jpg"/><div>Clearly no one is perfect, and not all people succeed on the first try. Nick's story is one of Failure... Set backs... Wrong Turns... Does all this under mind his current success? NO. From the outside looking in this is a hard read. Hard because &quot;we&quot; (sober people) can't begin to imagine why it's so difficult to kick the habit and move on. This is &quot;Rock Bottom&quot;... </div><div>When I originally asked Nick to write his story for Always Strong Fitness I was hoping not just to help Nick fulfill his love for writing, but reach others suffering from the disease that is addiction. </div><div>No one man or woman is perfect, we are all unique and have different experiences with success and failure. Adversity is a common ground in our lives and will always be present, how we adjust is what defines us going forward. </div><div>Health and Wellness pertains to Nick as much as it pertains to any of you. It has been his outlet and resource during his battle with addiction.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Documentary Review of “What the Health”</title><description><![CDATA[If you are a big Netflix junky like me, or have been on social media lately, you may have heard of the new Food Documentary entitled, “What the Health”. I was skeptical but decided to watch it because I knew I would get asked about it. The first time I attempted I got 15 minutes in and had to turn it off! I did eventually go back and watch it once I had cooled down a bit. I had a very visceral reaction the first time I watched. I have a hard time listening to someone who takes one bit of truth<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_664bc14872d849acb9bd94c8ec27abdb%7Emv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_364/608187_664bc14872d849acb9bd94c8ec27abdb%7Emv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/15/Documentary-Review-of-%E2%80%9CWhat-the-Health%E2%80%9D</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/08/15/Documentary-Review-of-%E2%80%9CWhat-the-Health%E2%80%9D</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:39:29 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_664bc14872d849acb9bd94c8ec27abdb~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>If you are a big Netflix junky like me, or have been on social media lately, you may have heard of the new Food Documentary entitled, “What the Health”. I was skeptical but decided to watch it because I knew I would get asked about it. The first time I attempted I got 15 minutes in and had to turn it off! I did eventually go back and watch it once I had cooled down a bit. I had a very visceral reaction the first time I watched. I have a hard time listening to someone who takes one bit of truth and spins it to get their point of interest across. The truth behind “What the Health” is that everyone could use to eat less meat and more plant-based foods. Instead the journalists in the documentary used misinformation and fear mongering to make viewers believe that following a vegan or plant based diet is the only way to true “health”.</div><div>During the documentary the journalist cherry picks bits of science to lead viewers to believe consumption of meat and dairy are the cause of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. First of all, food is just one of the many factors that effect disease and health outcomes. As a dietitian and with experience interpreting research, I was driven to look more deeply into their claims.</div><div>Early in the documentary they note a World Health Organization (WHO) report that was released about two years ago stating that processed meats are a Group 1 carcinogen and that they are “definitively linked to cancer”. What they fail to highlight is that this link is only between processed meats and colorectal cancer. Processed meats are those which have been processed with salting, curing, fermenting or smoking and include foods like hot dogs, sausages, ham, and beef jerky. This does not include red meat, chicken, seafood, eggs or dairy products. They also fail to note that the dose response or change in effect was seen at intakes of 50 grams of processed meats per day. This is the equivalent of eating 2 slices of thick bacon or 2 ounces of ham every single day. If you eat processed meats occasionally, then by no means is that slice of bacon or hot dog going to give you colorectal cancer. There are many other cherry picked science claims, but I’ll save you the headache.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_cc1a7282caa54c20ad45771f8faab251~mv2_d_2428_2428_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Nutrition research is difficult to do because first of all, it’s hard to isolate a single nutrient, like meat. The outcomes we see in observational studies, like the ones sited in the WHO report, are often just correlations and by no means are they actual causation. There are multiple other factors that effect disease outcomes including genetics, lifestyle habits, stress, sleep patterns, and self-care. The science they are using to support their claims is not as concrete as they make it seem.</div><div>The truth is there is nothing wrong with following a plant-based diet or a diet that includes animal products. Following a plant-based diet is a great option if done for the right reasons and in an educated way. Including more plant-based foods into your diet provides a variety of health and environmental benefits. In the same token incorporating meat and dairy into your diet can be enjoyable and provide nutrients not found in plant-based foods like B12 and omega3s.</div><div>In my opinion, eating should be enjoyable and make your body feel good. I fully enjoy eating a slice or two of bacon on my egg sandwich on occasion. On the other hand I also enjoy cooking and eating a meatless dish a couple times a week. So my advise to you after watching this documentary (or not) is to not let fear be the reason to make a drastic change to your diet but first consider what foods you enjoy and how they make you feel.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e8b5f24974b743baa96be2aaf5885053~mv2_d_1284_2048_s_2.jpg"/><div>Lauren Sharifi received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics from the University of Connecticut and is currently working towards her Master’s in Public Health at Boston University. Lauren is a registered and licensed dietitian in Massachusetts with over six years of experience as a clinical dietitian. Lauren is passionate about improving others relationship with food to ultimately improve health and enjoyment of eating. She believes in the “everything in moderation approach” and works with clients to find balance by focusing on whole foods and mindful eating. Lauren also enjoys cooking and developing nutritious and delicious recipes, which she shares on her food and nutrition blog biteofhealthnutrition.com.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Halfway There</title><description><![CDATA[I can vividly remember stepping off the plane in Florida and thinking to myself, “what did I just get myself into?” Before I could even let my imagination run wild, I was greeted by someone who worked at the halfway house I was going to be living at. I stepped in his vehicle with all my worldly possessions and we talked about 90s era hip-hop as we drove to what would become my new home. When I pulled up, all I can remember seeing was some girl braiding a white guy’s hair on a picnic table<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e15d7bca2535480a9acf7b393400c390%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_410%2Ch_401/608187_e15d7bca2535480a9acf7b393400c390%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/07/31/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Halfway-There</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/07/31/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Halfway-There</guid><pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:57:07 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e15d7bca2535480a9acf7b393400c390~mv2.jpg"/><div>I can vividly remember stepping off the plane in Florida and thinking to myself, “what did I just get myself into?” Before I could even let my imagination run wild, I was greeted by someone who worked at the halfway house I was going to be living at. I stepped in his vehicle with all my worldly possessions and we talked about 90s era hip-hop as we drove to what would become my new home. When I pulled up, all I can remember seeing was some girl braiding a white guy’s hair on a picnic table outside of the property’s main office. My level of uneasiness went from DEFCON 5 to DEFCON 3 in a matter of seconds. I did my intake, took a drug test and got a quick rundown on all the rules. Then I was sent on my way like a tumbleweed blowing through a vast and barren desert. </div><div>The rules were as follows:</div><div>Do not get high or drink</div><div>Get a job immediately</div><div>Be home by 1030 pm on weeknights and midnight on the weekends</div><div>Work a 12 step program of recovery</div><div>Maintain a tidy and neat living environment</div><div>Be present for a mandatory house meeting 10 minutes prior to the meeting time</div><div>Pay your rent on time every week</div><div>If you have ever seen the movie “Billy Madison,” I would basically describe myself as the puppy who lost his way. The only difference between me and the puppy was that no one was trying to rescue me. I created this mess for myself and I needed to be the one to dig myself out of it; even I knew that. Within a few days I came to the realization that this halfway house was a lot like the island of misfit toys, and once I drew those parallels I felt a little more at ease. I do not say that in a condescending way at all, I say that with love and compassion in my heart. After all, I was one of the misfit toys. These were some of the smartest, funniest, most generous and most caring people I have ever met, but they were all lost in their own way. They had a story and a past just like I did, and somehow 150 men and women managed to coexist in a row of old townhouses in South Florida. </div><div>I had a way of finding some connection to everyone at that place and I actually began to enjoy living there. I felt like I was back in my high school days and I was changing my facades as quickly as I needed to so I could fit in. It was like a college dorm for sober people, and we had a lot of fun. Some people butted heads with the staff over the rules but I never had a problem respecting the staff that worked there and doing what they asked. I was pretty well liked and I did my best to fly under the radar in a Boston kind of way - if that is even possible. However, I still did things “Nick’s Way.” Instead of looking for work, I went to the gym a few times a day and spent my afternoons on the beach. I was playing cards and betting on sports constantly, and I convinced myself it was okay because it gave me some type of income while I was looking for work. My parents were willing to pay my rent while I was staying there, and since I was not doing drugs or drinking I really didn’t need much money to survive. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_d721f2d1a4984f6abaf229a1d1218b9e~mv2.jpg"/><div>But my unwillingness to work on myself and uncover what was really driving me to use drugs and drink alcohol incessantly was about to rear its ugly head once again. </div><div>I was sober for exactly three months and my parents agreed to let me come home for Christmas. I had already spent Thanksgiving away from them, and if you have been reading the previous articles you know how close I am to my family. I flew in to Logan airport and before we even got to my house I was texting and calling my drug dealer to bring me heroin. I had the best of intentions when I boarded the plane, but once I was in Boston I had no mental defense against my obsession for that ever elusive feeling. I felt like someone else was controlling my body and I was just an onlooker stuck in what some might call “the sunken place.” </div><div>The drug dealer happened to be right down the street, and at the time I thought it was a sign from God that I was making the right decision. This is how jumbled my mind was at the time. I told my dad I was tired and I wanted to get some rest before the Christmas eve festivities began the next day. I went upstairs and did the heroin in my parents’ bathroom only to wake up laying on the hallway floor with police, firefighters and EMTs huddled over me. Since I was sober for three months my tolerance had dropped tremendously and even though I did less than I usually would it still caused me to overdose. If it wasn’t for my mother’s training as a nurse and my dad’s intuition to come check on me that night I would have been dead. I was turning blue because I had not been breathing for several minutes and my mom was convinced that at the very least I was going to have brain damage from my body’s lack of oxygen. When all was said and done, I ended up spending the night in the hospital with no permanent issues. I had awoken the ghost of Christmas past.</div><div>My mother and father still have nightmares from that incident, and I will never be able to completely amend that wrongdoing. </div><div>I flew back down to Florida a few days later and never told anyone at the halfway house what happened when I went home. I drank enough water to flush my system for the drug test they administered and I truly felt like I beat the system. But all I was doing was prolonging the inevitable.</div><div>I stayed sober for another three months until I decided I no longer needed to live in a sober living environment. I then moved out of the halfway house and into a sublet with my girlfriend. She was also a drug addict and neither one of us were ready to stop using completely. Both sets of parents tried to convince us not to leave the sober living facility but we thought we knew everything. The first night we got into our new house we were drinking wine and smoking weed. A week later we decided to go to Ultra Music Festival in Miami and I partied so hard for three days I couldn’t even stand up straight when the weekend was over. My body wasn’t used to drinking and using drugs in such large quantities so I didn’t rebound as quickly as I usually would. I needed to find a way to make myself feel better. </div><div>I can remember parking my car in the ghetto and knocking on a door until someone answered, and needless to say, they were not pleased. I took a shot in the dark by looking for a nice car parked in a bad neighborhood and was willing to assume the risk associated with being out of my element. But when the dust settled and all was said and done, I finessed the situation and met my main heroin dealer. I knew if I had cash in hand everything would run very smoothly and that is exactly how I made this situation work in my favor. Bang! I was off to the races. My girlfriend and I came to the realization that we were not very compatible and it didn’t take long for us to simply become roommates and drug buddies. At the time I think we were both more than okay with that. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_0705de1bea194636ae3f528291f0448a~mv2.jpg"/><div>A 23 hour car ride on I-95 North and a series of really unfortunate and personal events landed me back in Massachusetts. Just like that - after nearly a year in Florida - I was right back to where I started. I felt like I was running a rat race and everyone was watching me and laughing as I tripped, stumbled and fell time after time. I was empty on options, but full of guilt, shame and remorse. I was rapidly approaching my mid twenties and all I had to show for it was a 2004 Nissan Sentra and an EBT card with a few dollars left on it. I managed for a few weeks up north until the pain got great enough and I had no choice but to check myself into another detox and another treatment program.</div><div>Last time it was the Lone Star State of Texas, and this time it was the Garden State of New Jersey. The location didn’t really matter too much because all I knew was if I wasn’t physically removed from society I simply couldn’t stop. Whether I was buying baby food on my EBT card and trading it for heroin, or stealing from friends and family, I always found a way to get that next high. Drug addicts are a very resourceful bunch, and we manage to find a way to adapt and survive until the next opportunity presents itself.</div><div>By the time I got to the treatment center it felt like a vacation. At least I knew where I was going to be sleeping every night and I wasn’t concerned with finding something to eat while I was there. Both of those things were steps up from how I was living my life before I arrived, so it wasn’t too difficult to settle right in. But when they asked me to introduce myself to the other clients, I did so by telling everyone I was a hopeless dope head with no chance of staying sober. I wasn’t being dramatic, that is truly how I felt at the time. Not only was I still using drugs, but I was putting myself in even more danger to do so while further torturing those people in my life who still loved me.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_82365cd4490d4da5a667c3d8aae764fc~mv2.jpg"/><div>No matter how much pain and suffering I caused myself and those around me, I always found a way to tell myself it wasn’t that bad once I started feeling a little better. I was an ego maniac with an inferiority complex, but I’d be dammed if I was going to listen to anyone who had my best interests in mind. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div>Clearly no one is perfect, and not all people succeed on the first try. Nick's story is one of Failure... Set backs... Wrong Turns... Does all this under mind his current success? NO. From the outside looking in this is a hard read. Hard because &quot;we&quot; (sober people) can't begin to imagine why it's so difficult to kick the habit and move on.</div><div>Ok let me throw this out there... Why do people have such a hard time losing weight? You can't say the knowledge isn't available, nor can you say it's not a big lifestyle adjustment. On the back end in order for there to be success there needs to be a support system built up of positive reinforcement, proactive decision making, pre-planning, meal management, consistent activity based on your goals...etc. This isn't entirely different from Nick's battle in this installment. Our clients have set backs, re-lapses and other issues that deter them from perfection.</div><div>No one man or woman is perfect, we are all unique and have different experiences with success and failure. Adversity is a common ground in our lives and will always be present, how we adjust is what defines us going forward. </div><div>Health and Wellness pertains to Nick as much as it pertains to any of you. It has been his outlet and resource during his battle with addiction.</div><div>PS: This is Nick's sixth installment please look back at the others as they set the tone for this post.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Growing Pains</title><description><![CDATA[Right up until this exact moment in my life when I graduated college, there was always a blueprint for what path I should follow. First it was to get situated in high school and figure out where I fit in and what my strengths were. Then it was to get into a decent college and obtain a degree in some discipline that would become my career. It wasn’t that I was forced into it, but since my parents were the first to go to college in their families it seemed like the logical track to follow. At this<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_241637c5e62b4fba801a03fb6e1eec39%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_328%2Ch_407/608187_241637c5e62b4fba801a03fb6e1eec39%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/07/18/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Growing-Pains</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/07/18/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Growing-Pains</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:13:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_241637c5e62b4fba801a03fb6e1eec39~mv2.jpg"/><div>Right up until this exact moment in my life when I graduated college, there was always a blueprint for what path I should follow. First it was to get situated in high school and figure out where I fit in and what my strengths were. Then it was to get into a decent college and obtain a degree in some discipline that would become my career. It wasn’t that I was forced into it, but since my parents were the first to go to college in their families it seemed like the logical track to follow. At this point I was finished with both of those things, but I still had no idea what I wanted for my future and where I ultimately wanted to end up. A lot of my friends went to school for very specific careers and the fact that they seemed to have it all figured out made it even harder for me to admit I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I moved back in with my parents and continued to work at the job I had when I was still attending college. I told myself I was just biding my time until I could figure out what my next move would be. But I was not excited about my future; instead, I was fearful and apprehensive about letting myself and those around me down again.</div><div>Within two weeks of moving home I was physically and mentally addicted to heroin again. I had no idea what the future held for me, and I was so terrified about having to make my own decisions that I just didn’t make any. I stayed working at my old job for that entire summer and couldn’t understand why people weren’t knocking on my parents’ door seeking to hire me. After all, I thought I had a very employable skill set and a likable personality. Maybe it was because of my drug addiction and my lack luster approach at taking responsibility for my own life. However, I was surviving. I had managed to save money while in college and I was still prescribed my medications, so the heroin withdrawals were not really too much of an issue at this point. Once that first summer home was over, I reached out to a friend of mine who was working in the fitness industry and I landed a position as an assistant manager for a personal training company. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7e75f8a11eae4951b16da7fc61d76e23~mv2.jpg"/><div>At this point I was still very much in love with the gym atmosphere and not only did I fit the part, but I looked it. My hard work and dedication in the gym during my four years at college seemed to have more of a positive impact on my job opportunities than my degrees did. I was still going to the gym daily and I had these pipe dreams about competing in fitness shows. I knew I would have to stop doing drugs if I ever wanted to do that, but I knew that would be sometime down the line. I felt as if I still needed the drugs to function in society at this point. My anxiety and fear were at an all time high and the heroin became a crutch for me until I gained some confidence and self esteem. I was very nervous about assuming my new position in the personal training industry, but I became so accustomed to acting as if I had everything figured out that I just put on a facade and kept it moving. The drugs helped this immensely and I just kept telling myself that they were benefitting me for the time being.</div><div>Once I got to understand what was expected of me in this new job, I was actually pretty good at it. It was a sales job with training and some customer service mixed in. Not only did I understand fitness and the training industry through years of trial and error on myself, but I also loved and had a true passion for it. I was excited to talk to people about their training regiments and their diet, so the idea of doing this while getting paid for it was very appealing to me. The only problem at this point was that the money I had saved was running out and my addiction was only getting worse.</div><div>I was quickly promoted to full time manager because of my work ethic and sales ability. The president of the company went so far as to call me and congratulate me for helping to turn my location around and make it more profitable. I wasn't really forcing anything or pretending to be something I wasn't, I was just doing a job I had a passion for. Not only was I able to focus on my own fitness goals, but I was able to help other people obtain theirs. I had a zeal for what I was doing because it felt like I was helping other people with their fitness goals while making great money doing so. This seemed to be the best of both worlds, but as my money and responsibility increased, so did my habit. I had to use more and more heroin just to keep from getting sick, and the only way I had energy to work was if I had drugs in my system. It was a conundrum of sorts. I had to keep doing heroin to continue working, and I had to continue working so I could afford to keep doing heroin. I was really stuck between a rock and a hard place. </div><div>Things continued like this for the better part of a year until I was eventually found nodded out at my desk. The medications I was receiving through college were no longer being prescribed and the physical addiction was only getting worse. My work had been slipping for the past six months and I was no longer looked at as a promising young manager in the company. I was looked at as a liability and an unreliable employee. I was once again at the point in my life where I just wanted to pull the mask off and ask for help, but I still believed I could fix this problem myself. I willingly resigned from my position and knew that I had let a promising opportunity slip out of my grasp. I didn't know what my next move would be; so once again I just didn't make one.</div><div>I had a little bit of money in the bank because my only expense while working the past year was heroin. I was living at my parents house and working so much that my social life was nonexistent. For a few months after leaving that job I did nothing but lie around the house and do drugs. I either watched Sports Center while struggling to stay awake or I smoked cigarettes on the porch while waiting for my drug dealer to pull up. I was extremely depressed and resigned myself to the fact that this was going to be my life. I would always be just another drug addict from Malden Massachusetts - no matter how hard I tried to change that. </div><div>In fact, I was no longer going to the gym at all and my eating habits were terrible. Carbohydrates and sugar were the only two parts of my diet and I was ingesting them in large quantities at the worst times possible. I had gained a lot of unhealthy weight during this part of my life and was close to 215 pounds. I had gone from the young and undersized wrestler to an overweight drug addict with no prospects and no plan. Even with all this going on, my ego and my misguided sense of pride told me I wasn’t a real drug addict because of my college education and my ability to earn a living for myself. Both of these were lies I told myself in order to keep on living the only life I felt I was good at. </div><div>My brother was back in another drug treatment program and I figured it was time for me to do the same. I knew that I couldn't get out of this cycle on my own, so once again I asked my parents for help. My parents were fed up with my shenanigans, but they still did everything they could to find some type of help for me. I did not really want to stop doing drugs, I just knew that I was out of money and my habit was impossible to afford. I didn't want to have to keep breaking laws to get money so I figured it was time to go away. As soon as my brother returned home from his 30 day program I was shipped out to the same location. I don’t think my family or the facility wanted us under the same roof because whenever we were together it was a recipe for disaster. I can remember flying to Texas and being so full of fear and regret. I was a jobless 23 year old with no money, no girlfriend, no permanent residence and no hope. I guess the only place to go from here was up.</div><div>Upon arrival the nursing staff took my vital signs and weighed me. I was 215 pounds and my blood pressure was so high that they rushed a doctor in to do an EKG. It took two weeks of terrible withdrawals for my mind to start functioning somewhat regularly and I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit to being suicidal. I was a prisoner to drugs and my life felt like self inflicted torture. I was physically free to act how I wanted, but I was held captive in my own mind. But I had the humility to do what I was told and listen to the people around me who had my best interests in mind. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_bfd87fd302ac4ad4b9effb5c49bc3bdb~mv2.jpg"/><div>I spent the next 45 days in that treatment center in Texas surrounded by people who were just like me. We all had different substances that we were addicted to, but the feelings and emotions were always the same. It was like an intensive crash course in addiction for all the troubled students they could fit under one roof. By the time I completed my program and was ready to return home to Boston my parents told me I wasn't welcome at their home and needed to go to a halfway house. It was November at this point and I figured I might as well escape the cold, so I found a halfway house in Florida. I had all my belongings in a suitcase and I was traveling to a foreign state with no friends or family within 1,000 miles of me. </div><div>How did my life get to this point? How could I have had so many promising things going on in my life but time after time I chose drugs over my future? What am I going to do now? How will I earn a living? The questions poured into my brain relentlessly and I couldn't even imagine what this new chapter in my life was going to be like. I had no references to base it on but movies and A&amp;E documentaries, so I assumed the worst. I guess it was time for me to grow up and take responsibility for my actions, and that is exactly what I set out to do. This was my opportunity to make it on my own and finally be the true author of my own story. </div><div>I continued to think about a quote that my wrestling coaches embedded in my brain some ten years earlier. Albert E. Gray said, “The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose.” It was time to pull myself up by my boot straps and afford myself the opportunity to grow. I knew what it took for my body to grow physically in the gym, but the growth I needed was more emotional, mental and spiritual. After all, I was a 23 year old with a chip on my shoulder, anger in my heart and pain in my eyes. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_0a99d09eedf34cc4adb465a87ff6542c~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_bacf23fb230b43948ceac29ab19bcd85~mv2_d_3031_2922_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Addiction is everywhere...but success is also tied into this. To often do we hear in the news of an addict robbing a convenient store...what about the addict who turned his life around? Society today feel so negative towards aiding those who need it. </div><div>Always Strong has become a tag for overcoming adversities and obstacles. Health and Wellness does not just need to be about bikini posts or double bicep poses, show the ugly--- show the truth. Bring to light what you have overcome, addiction is just a small portion of this. What about bullying, domestic abuse, poor self esteem, body dysmorphia, stress, new job, loss... the list goes on. </div><div>Through Nick's story and others to come we aim to shed a positive light on a gloomy situation. Please share this with anyone that has experienced this or any of the above mentioned adversities. </div><div>We will be having a new post by our friend Jovan Miller this week as well so subscribe and stay tuned. - Ross Hardaway </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Higher Learning</title><description><![CDATA[There I was, a recent high school graduate caught in the midst of a terrible heroin and crack cocaine addiction. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty, and after taking a long look at this time in my life I am fully aware that the drugs and alcohol were never the problem. In fact, I believe whole heartedly that the drugs and alcohol were my misguided and selfish solution to the problem. I say selfish because I never once thought about how my choices were going to affect those around me who loved me<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e2fdad25922744b0ac34450c31c46925%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_546%2Ch_403/608187_e2fdad25922744b0ac34450c31c46925%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/30/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Higher-Learning</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/30/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Higher-Learning</guid><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:13:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_e2fdad25922744b0ac34450c31c46925~mv2.jpg"/><div>There I was, a recent high school graduate caught in the midst of a terrible heroin and crack cocaine addiction. </div><div>Hindsight is always twenty-twenty, and after taking a long look at this time in my life I am fully aware that the drugs and alcohol were never the problem. In fact, I believe whole heartedly that the drugs and alcohol were my misguided and selfish solution to the problem. I say selfish because I never once thought about how my choices were going to affect those around me who loved me unconditionally. It felt as if I was the center of my own universe; and if I was not getting what I believed was owed to me, I became resentful. But it wasn’t always that easy for me to distinguish between the rational and the irrational. At this point I was dealing with a drug addiction and an undiagnosed mental health issue that would be uncovered in the near future. </div><div>Even though I had been battling these demons throughout high school, I still managed to get into some decent colleges due to my academic and athletic body of work. I was done with the idea of Catholic school because I believed if there was a God he had abandoned me a long time ago. I can remember the impending feeling of doom I had when my father was dropping me off at orientation and I saw the sign that read, “Welcome to the University of Massachusetts class of 2011!” I had to bring a carton of Marlboro Reds and four grams of heroin just to make it through the weekend. When will this end I thought?</div><div>The college campus was about 100 miles west of Boston in a small college town set in the middle of nowhere. I was completely out of my element. I was a city kid raised on gangster rap, drug culture and a misguided idea of what the word “friend” meant. But I did what anyone hiding from the truth would have done, I put on my mask and tried to blend in with the crowd. But I was alone; and the only two things I had with me were a bad drug addiction and an even worse attitude.</div><div>I discovered that heroin was more difficult to find in the boondocks, so I did what any self respecting addict would do, I switched addictions. After going through terrible heroin withdrawals for about a week or so, I realized that people in college drink and do the occasional line of cocaine. So that is what I did. The only problem was I didn’t drink and do cocaine sparingly like a college student; I majored in it. If I ever went to class it was simply because one of the people I got drugs from was going to be on campus and it made sense to meet them early in the morning. I would drink a solo cup full of rum in a few massive sips and black out before I could even see the bottom of the glass. When these weren’t enough for me, I would take the two hour trip back to Boston, get a bunch of heroin and bring it back to campus for a few days of “bliss.” I didn’t even show up to classes on exam days because I knew the curtain was coming down and the Wizard of Oz was not who everyone thought he was.</div><div>I finished that first semester with a 1.8 grade point average in an undeclared area of study. I was so physically and mentally exhausted from maintaining all my lies that I finally got honest. I told my parents everything, and in between semesters I attended drug and alcohol treatment. I went to groups for six hours a day and also received one on one therapy a few times a week. I wanted to go back to school and have some semblance of a life, and I thought this may fix me. After a short period of counseling I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and prescribed the same meds I was abusing in high school - Xanax and Klonopins. On top of that, I was also prescribed a maintenance drug for heroin addicts known as Suboxone. It is based on the same premise as methadone, and it acts more as a substitute than a solution. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ba33cb2680d14668ab132fcd7bac0ef3~mv2.jpg"/><div>Armed with some FDA approved - and doctor prescribed - medications, I made it back to school for that second semester. The anxiety meds helped ease my overactive mind, and the Suboxone helped take away some of the cravings for heroin. I thought I was cured. I decided that if I was going to try to be a college student I would need to go to class and get some healthy stress relievers in my life. I made a deal with myself that I would go to every single class because I knew if I missed just one it would start a downward spiral back to my old behaviors. After class was over for the day, I created a routine for myself at the gym that I followed religiously. Since I was no longer playing sports, the gym became my competitive release. Just by doing these two simple things, I completed that second semester with a 3.0 grade point average and a much more hopeful outlook on my life.</div><div>For the next three years I did not get anything less than an A in every single class I took. I used my willingness to work hard and my excitement for a challenge, and I took it to a whole new level. I knew that after getting straight A’s once, if I didn’t do it again I would have been selling myself short. I declared for majors in Communications and Journalism, while also adding a minor in Spanish. I began writing for the student newspaper and sitting in on classes that I was not even enrolled in. I was writing investigative journalism pieces about environmental issues, and spending my Saturday mornings interviewing the appropriate people. I taught myself about video editing and podcasting while working on highlight reels for the basketball and lacrosse teams. I knew that hard work paid off all along, I was just finally seeing it materialize in my life again and it felt great!</div><div>Just as it was when I was growing up, school always went hand and hand with athletics. I wasn’t playing organized sports any more, but I created a gym regiment for myself and stuck with it. Growing up I was always short and skinny and I never believed I would be able to get past a certain point. But, I decided to trust in the process I had learned from my father and work out regularly. I started to see some real changes in my body and I fell in love with the results. I was hooked on the feeling of the pump, and I was hooked on the way my body reacted when being pushed to the limits. Once I started gaining weight and getting more muscular, I had tangible proof that my lifestyle in the gym was paying dividends. That was all I needed to continue pushing forward. When I went to treatment after my first semester I was about 115 pounds, and by the time I graduated college I was closer to 170 pounds. In three years I managed to gain close to 55 pounds of muscle. What could I do in ten years?</div><div>During this time I was also able to live life like a college student and find some balance in my academics, athletics and recreational life. I had parties, took trips to New York City, went to Cancun for spring break, and spent lazy weekend days on the Connecticut river. However, I wouldn’t be telling the whole story if I didn’t admit to putting too much academic pressure on myself. There were times when I felt as if the world was ending because I believed a letter grade below an A on my transcript would change my life forever. But there are two sides to every coin, and it’s the same anxious mind that allowed me to grow academically and undertake things that I will bring with me for the rest of my life. It’s the same mind that allowed me take what I knew about the gym and turn it from a hobby to a lifestyle. And it’s the same mind that would allow me to graduate college with multiple degrees. The anxiety was both a blessing and a curse. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_a552c5b785ca4082a9a75289921f173f~mv2.jpg"/><div>I stayed on my medications all throughout college and I was completely physically and mentally dependent on the both of them. They allowed me to focus on my studies and gave me the illusion of a normal life during my college career. I knew that if I didn’t take either of them I would have withdrawals, but I figured once I graduated college I would revaluate which medications were necessary. I couldn’t risk trying to get off them when I was doing so well where I was at, so I just continued doing what I needed to do while kicking the can down the road. Knowing what I know now I still wouldn’t change it. How many heroin addicts get to experience such a full life for over three years? I felt like I was given a mulligan, and I was more than willing to accept any help I could get to have my life back. </div><div>There was always this burning question in the back of my mind. What happens when this is over and I go back home to Boston? Will I be okay back in my old stomping grounds? However, it was always a passing thought that I never let consume me. It never felt like this life I was living would end; but eventually it did. One day the party was over and the four years of accepted Tom Foolery were gone. What’s next? Do I just find a job and work for the next 40 years? How do I know what I really want to do with my life? I had so many questions and not enough life experience to come up with all the answers. So I moved back in with my parents and told myself I would figure it out in short order. But life had other plans for me, I just didn’t know it yet.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_bfd87fd302ac4ad4b9effb5c49bc3bdb~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Can You Control the Outcome?</title><description><![CDATA[How many times have you heard someone say, "you need to have a back up plan?”How many stories are there about the person who wakes up every morning, battles the morning commute and sits in the cubicle at a job they don’t love? Then all of a sudden on just another casual Friday, their desk is empty.Do they have a back up plan? Because they were just fired. Now what?They had something that was called a "safe" job.In today's society, which built around 140 characters or less, what happens next? I<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7532176ecad644c881ef964175e7c920%7Emv2_d_2321_2892_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_251%2Ch_313/608187_7532176ecad644c881ef964175e7c920%7Emv2_d_2321_2892_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ross Hardaway</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/29/Can-You-Control-the-Outcome-True-or-False</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/29/Can-You-Control-the-Outcome-True-or-False</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Jun 2017 22:23:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7532176ecad644c881ef964175e7c920~mv2_d_2321_2892_s_2.jpg"/><div>How many times have you heard someone say, &quot;you need to have a back up plan?”</div><div>How many stories are there about the person who wakes up every morning, battles the morning commute and sits in the cubicle at a job they don’t love? Then all of a sudden on just another casual Friday, their desk is empty.</div><div>Do they have a back up plan? Because they were just fired. Now what?</div><div>They had something that was called a &quot;safe&quot; job.</div><div>In today's society, which built around 140 characters or less, what happens next? I can tell you there will almost immediately be a Facebook post or a Tweet, and it's definitely not unwarranted.</div><div>However, isn’t it mind blowing that this comes before a phone call to a support system; like a parent?</div><div>The entitled self asks, &quot;how dare they?&quot; Meanwhile, the real question that should be reflected upon is, “what made me dispensable in the first place?”</div><div>There seems to be this overarching notion asking who I can blame. After all, I did what society told me to do. I went to college, got a job, had benefits and I paid my bills. Where did I go wrong?</div><div>In terms of getting to the point. . . They were comfortable.</div><div>Can you always control the outcome? No. But you can always control your response! You either pack it up and close down, or you respond with a plan - with an attempt at getting better.</div><div>Humans are known for being adaptive. We are gifted with a very detail orientated thought process. Spend some time in thought and ask yourself what can I do to protect myself from failure? We learn from failure and we adapt; then the success will follow.</div><div>Pre-Planning Prevents Poor Performance; so make a plan and see it through!</div><div>No ones life is perfect, so what makes you think yours will be?</div><div>Whether it be health and fitness goals, work or career life or even personal relationships, it all stems from the same process.</div><div>CONTROL the RESPONSE, and DEVELOP the OUTCOME!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7ab6faf768db4b02a1e49ecd435a46aa~mv2.png"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Lost in Translation</title><description><![CDATA[Before I continue on with my story I would like to mention that I was overcome with anxiety as I was brainstorming this installment in the series. A lot of these memories bring me back to a time in my life that was very dark, very lonely and very confusing. I am not writing this so the reader feels bad for my situation, I am writing this to let you know we all have our fears. Fear is a normal emotion, and in the animal kingdom fear often times keeps those lower on the food chain alive. So in<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_b9b4fc86da96429683884628ad4b4b13%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_251%2Ch_251/608187_b9b4fc86da96429683884628ad4b4b13%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/19/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Lost-in-Translation</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/19/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Lost-in-Translation</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jun 2017 15:29:59 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_b9b4fc86da96429683884628ad4b4b13~mv2.jpg"/><div>Before I continue on with my story I would like to mention that I was overcome with anxiety as I was brainstorming this installment in the series. A lot of these memories bring me back to a time in my life that was very dark, very lonely and very confusing. I am not writing this so the reader feels bad for my situation, I am writing this to let you know we all have our fears. Fear is a normal emotion, and in the animal kingdom fear often times keeps those lower on the food chain alive. So in this regard fear is often times a balancing act between the rational and the irrational. I have already survived this part of my life, and it has shaped me into the person I am today. Without the trials and tribulations that I went through I wouldn’t have the insight or qualifications to begin to speak on these topics. So my fear of sharing my secrets with those reading was trumped by the fear of having another person go through a dark part of their life while feeling alone. We are currently in a war with addiction and mental illness, and the only way to combat it is to show the people suffering they are not alone. There are other people that have shared in those feelings and emotions. Once my mind made sense of this, the anxiety was removed and I was overcome with gratitude. </div><div>Since we’ve already broached the topic of anxiety, who remembers the feeling just before high school? Who remembers the nervousness of fitting in with all the boys and girls in your city? Will I be popular? Will the girls make fun of me? Yeah, I never had that. I continued my education at an all boys catholic high school, so some of those fears were alleviated almost immediately. The school was a popular choice for a lot of the people in my city, and my brother and most of my friends were already enrolled there. So I strapped up my backpack, laced up my dress shoes and got ready for the next chapter of my life.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_648b19482a1b4538bd9715010c1433da~mv2.jpg"/><div>The first year of high school was a pretty normal one. I continued to excel at school while playing football and wrestling. I was barely breaking the five foot mark so that year I wrestled in the 103 pound weight class. I cut a decent amount of weight to get there, and I can vividly remember eating just two slices of deli turkey and a clementine for Christmas dinner that first season. Since I was so small, football was put on the back burner and wrestling took over my life. I still wanted to be the best at something, and since there were weight classes I didn’t have to worry about being so outmatched like I was on the football field. Maybe this was finally my chance to stand out amongst the crowd. </div><div>My double life was still in full swing, but now that I was in high school it seemed more normal. Everyone around me was either my age or older and other kids my age were starting partake in some of the activities that had gotten me in trouble with my mom in the past. But it always seemed as if I had to take it a step further than the rest of them. By the time the year ended and the summer rolled around, I was so busy traveling the state for open wrestling tournaments that I didn’t really have much time to get into trouble. I drank with my friends at parties and smoked weed constantly, but neither of them took over my life. At this point it really seemed as if my master plan was working. I was playing sports at a high level, I was getting A’s and B’s in school, I was weight lifting with my father and I was using drugs and alcohol when the opportunities presented themselves. I couldn’t believe how easy it seemed to navigate the three different lives I was living. </div><div>When Sophomore year rolled around I was so invested in the wrestling team and my coaches that I decided it was best for me to take the year off from football and prepare for the wrestling season year round. I was winning tournaments that summer and I felt like I had the real opportunity to compete at a high level. The season turned out to be a failure as far as I was concerned. I had cut a lot of weight that year to get into the 112 pound weight class and I just didn’t have much energy the entire year. I can remember my mother telling me the teachers were saying I was falling asleep a lot in class, and asking if everything was alright. Some of that exhaustion came from the lack of food and grueling wrestling practices, and some of that stemmed from the fact I was using Xanax on a more regular basis. I had such high hopes for the season and what I was going to accomplish that year, but not many of them came to fruition. It wasn’t from lack of effort or training, it was more from lack of ability and technical skill in the sport. I was longing for this instant gratification. I knew that things took hard work and dedication, and I was more than wiling to put that type of effort in. But when things didn’t materialize as quickly as I wanted them to, I would really beat myself up about it. I was my own worst critic.</div><div>At this point the drugs and alcohol were no longer a harmless way to socialize with my friends. They had become a coping mechanism for these feelings that I was going through on a daily basis. I was starting to come to grips with the stark realization that I was going to be good at many different aspects of my life, but I was never going to be the best. That was simply not good enough for me. I knew that when I was drinking and using drugs the feelings of being a failure and a disappointment became indirectly proportional to one another. The more I abused drugs and alcohol the less I felt these overwhelming feelings of disappointment with myself and my life. When I was sober I felt angry, resentful, discontent, restless, irritable, unsure and fearful. These feelings began to overwhelm me on a regular basis and I needed a stronger way to escape them.</div><div>Just before that school year ended I found something that would change my life for the next decade. Boston was already going through an Oxycontin epidemic, and the pills were plentiful throughout the city. I knew people that were doing them, but I always felt that they were too dangerous to get involved with. I saw the wreckage they were causing in my city first hand. I finally decided to try one before my 16th birthday and I was instantly hooked. I wasn’t hooked physically from the very beginning, but I was enamored with how they eased all my worldly concerns. I couldn’t understand at the time that my life was so full already, and if I just stopped for a second to enjoy the process I would have felt so much more content with my situation. I had my loving family, good friends, a great brother, I played sports at a high level and got good grades in school with hardly any effort. Why was I so unhappy?</div><div>By the time my Junior year started I was completely mentally and physically addicted to Oxycontin. When I did not have it in my system I felt like I had the flu and my mind could only fixate on how I was going to get more. My brother was in the same sinking ship I was in, so we used together. We came up with hustles in order to get the money we needed to continue on this destructive path. I used to walk around with a gas can on the weekends telling people I was from New Hampshire and ran out of gas to get home. We would steal cash out of my mothers purse or sell tools out of our basement that we thought my dad wouldn’t miss. My mind was no longer fixated on feeling like a failure in other aspects of my life, instead it was only concerned with the next high.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_60933a0d85064b6695cc00f0cacbb98b~mv2.jpg"/><div>Just before that wrestling season started, I can remember this terrible fear of how I would even make it through a practice without drugs in my system. Wrestling practices were hard enough without a physical dependency on pain killers, and now I had to deal with both. I was named team captain that season and I wanted nothing more than to pull all my masks off and come clean with everyone in order to get some relief from the turmoil I was feeling inside. But instead I did what I always do, I took the burden on myself and went about my life as if everything was functioning normally. During one practice after school I can remember my brother coming to find me to ask me how we were going to get high that night. My guess was as good as his. </div><div>Two days before Christmas I was wrestling someone who was ranked very highly in the state. At this point I was winning at a very high level and moving up the rankings while hiding my addiction. I was using all the pent up anger and resentment I had in me when I stepped out onto the mat. That morning my mother dropped me off early to get on the vans and I looked at her and said, “no matter what happens I am not going to lose this match.” We were in a 3-2 stalemate going into the second period and my opponent took the top position. I drove my leg into the ground and went to stand up to tie the match. When I did this he lifted as hard as he could and picked me up high into the air and lost control. I fell down hard to the mat and landed directly on my right shoulder, suffering a terrible dislocation. My season was over, but since he used an illegal move, I won the match by disqualification. I told her I wouldn’t lose.</div><div>I mention this point in my life because this is where it turned. This is the point where sports and school no longer became of any real importance in my life and all I cared about was getting high. The one thing I was pretty good at was taken away from me and I had no other outlets for escape. I entered into an even darker spot in my mind and felt as if my destiny was just to be another drug addict from Boston. Lord knows we had a lot of them at the time. The drugs were not even working properly any more, I used because I was physically dependent and did not want to go through the withdrawals. I began looking for other ways to escape my mental anguish and I still have the scars and burns on my forearms from cutting myself with razor blades and putting cigarettes out on them. The physical pain reminded me I was still alive and helped to quiet my racing thoughts. But only for a moment. </div><div>I wrestled my senior year of high school with a huge brace on my right arm and my shoulder was always in pain. I stayed involved just to keep up appearances, but I had checked out of the sport mentally a long time before. This wasn’t a willing choice, it was out of necessity to continue getting high. I knew that if I did not maintain some appearance of a normal life the rue would have been up and I would have had to stop my charade. Somehow I still made it to the sectional finals that year but lost that match and finished in second place. This only perpetuated the idea that no matter what I did in my life I would always come up a little short. It didn’t bother me any more because I knew that with my addiction I was at a terrible disadvantage out the gate. I was just biding time for the next high.</div><div>Before I graduated high school the Oxycontin had gotten much too expensive and I told myself heroin made sense on a financial level. I convinced myself that as long as I didn’t use a needle I wasn’t a real heroin addict. That didn’t last long, and before my 18th birthday I was hanging around heroin addicts in their mid 30s while smoking crack and using needles. I had been constantly drawing lines in the sand while crossing them willingly. First it was managing my double life before I entered high school. Then it became managing what types of drugs I used in order to never become a full blown drug addict. Then it became how I would manage my painkillers in order to function at a decent level while playing sports. Now it was a free for all. Everything seemed to be a go as long as I wasn’t going through the physical withdrawals.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_3f2769aa18214b2f9a7e626859e0a933~mv2.jpg"/><div>I would go to my “friends” house first thing in the morning and facilitate drug deals in order to get free ones from the dealers. We told people they were $50 each, but we got three for $100; so for every two that we sold we got one to keep. My parents already knew my brother had a raging addiction and all their efforts went into trying to save him from its grips. They could see the signs in me, but I just think they didn’t want to believe that their only two sons had grown up to become drug addicts. I can remember my brother and I had split up one day to try to come up with some money. When we reconvened later in the day, neither of us had enough to end the withdrawals. I remember falling to the floor with tears in my eyes in defeat. All I wanted to do, and all I needed to do was get high, but I couldn’t even do that right. </div><div>I was lost. I was living two or three different lives at once and I had no idea how I would ever escape the situation. I wanted so badly to just come clean to everyone around me and try to end the pain and suffering, but I didn't want to let my parents down. My moral compass was completely flipped upside down and I was doing things that I knew were wrong just to feed my addiction. I was stealing from my parents and hanging around people in their mid 30s that had been drug addicts for the better part of their lives. I wasn’t raised like this. I came from a loving home surrounded by a family that cared about me and was always present in my life. How did this happen to both me and my brother? </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_82365cd4490d4da5a667c3d8aae764fc~mv2.jpg"/><div>I was losing weight at an alarming rate from all the drugs I was doing and the gym was merely an afterthought. My high school days were behind me, and I had been on the last sports team I was ever going to be a part of. Now what?</div><div>While the students I graduated high school with were planning their college careers and deciding what major they wanted, I was planning how I would get high that day. While they were excited about that summer before college, I was sitting on the floor in a beat up crack house because all the furniture had been sold. I no longer had any sense of what was important in my life and I would avoid mirrors because I couldn’t stand the person I saw looking back at me. The multiple lives I was living were all boiled down into one. They were put into a spoon, drawn back into a syringe and injected directly into my lost and lonely bloodstream. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div>&quot;The title of this installment ,&quot;Lost in Translation&quot;, stems from the outside looking in. I knew Nick in high school, same classes different sports and &quot;clicks&quot; but... never would you know the pain he portrays in this series. As a reader I ask you to reflect on your past, ask yourself how well can you know someone at that age. We all have our story...</div><div>United in our uniqueness yet divided on our actions. Strength comes from facing adversity, humility comes from reflection on self. I'm more than thankful for Nick sharing his story present and future, hopefully we can share this to those that can relate with his series to remind them, We are Always Strong. &quot; - Ross Hardaway</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity: Who am I?</title><description><![CDATA[Whenever someone asks me to describe myself, I almost always become confused and uneasy about what that question actually means. Do they mean my physical attributes? Do they mean the standardized test type questions that you can only answer with a #2 pencil? Do they mean I should describe myself how I think the world wants me to appear at certain stages of my life? Well in any case, I don’t really believe any of those options hold much weight if you really want to get to know someone. All those<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7171b4dde9d54629ba75fed15fee6fd2%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_410%2Ch_251/608187_7171b4dde9d54629ba75fed15fee6fd2%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/13/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Who-am-I</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/13/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity-Who-am-I</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:29:05 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_7171b4dde9d54629ba75fed15fee6fd2~mv2.jpg"/><div>Whenever someone asks me to describe myself, I almost always become confused and uneasy about what that question actually means. Do they mean my physical attributes? Do they mean the standardized test type questions that you can only answer with a #2 pencil? Do they mean I should describe myself how I think the world wants me to appear at certain stages of my life? Well in any case, I don’t really believe any of those options hold much weight if you really want to get to know someone. All those questions serve their purpose, but none of them could ever fully encapsulate what makes our hearts beat faster with love and excitement, our hairs stand up in awe and amazement or our eyes swell with emotion.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_ebdff7a7842f410e858ea3a47cb1c402~mv2.jpg"/><div>I was born in the summer of 1989 in a small city about five miles north of Boston. Welcome to Malden Massachusetts! For any of you that are familiar with the area, Malden is very much like the other cities that surround Boston. The houses employ old victorian style architecture, the streets are winding back roads that possess no real rhyme or reason as far as navigation is concerned, and the people that live there have a lot of pride for their city. I say that with a lot of conviction because even though I have relocated to Florida over two and a half years ago, Malden will always be home. Even as I typed that, I stuck my chest out and lifted my chin because I will always feel a certain prideful connection to that city.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_6866d4a8361f4300b1e3a5d66a62696e~mv2_d_1869_1421_s_2.jpg"/><div>I was born to my loving mother Susan and my hard working and intelligent father Anthony. My father is an electrical engineer and my mother is a nurse, but shortly after giving birth to me, she took some time off of work to care for my older brother and I. My brother Anthony is about two years older than me, and when we were growing up we were as close as brothers get. I grew up in a very loving home surrounded by two parents that cared about me and my well being, and a brother that was my best friend. But it was not just my immediate family that played a large role in my life, I also had my large extended family around me at all times. We’re Italian, and anyone that knows anything about Italians knows that family always comes first. When my parents were busy on the weekends my brother and I would take a trip to Chelsea and stay with my grandmother, grandfather and my aunt. I can remember exactly how the old brick house looked under the Boston summer sun. I can remember how the house began to smell as I walked up the entry way stairs to get to the second floor where they lived. I can remember how warm my grandparents and my aunt made me feel inside when I got there. That apartment in Chelsea always felt like my second home.</div><div>I mention these things because family has always been of paramount importance in my life. We weren’t rich in the traditional sense, but we sure were rich with love and affection. My brother and I had everything we ever needed and some of what we wanted, and for that I can honestly say we were blessed. As I said, my mother took years off of work and always made sure my brother and I were balanced in our daily lives. At this same time, my father was working long days and hard nights to provide for his family in a way his dad never did for him. This is the reason my parents will always be my biggest heroes.</div><div>As the years passed and I entered grade school I began trying to figure out where I fit in. After all, I played every sport under the sun but at the same time I loved school and got really good grades. So was I an academic or an athlete? Sports were always tough for me because I was a very undersized in my early years. I was under five feet tall until high school and because of that I always had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. But yet, I always wanted to be liked by everyone that I came into contact with, so I developed this chameleon type of armor that I used to protect me. When I was around the athletes I was one of them and I acted as if I couldn’t care less about school. What I didn’t mention to them was that I did my homework the first day it was assigned and never missed a day of school. When I was surrounded by the more academic type, I downplayed my attachment to athletics and tried to make myself out to be more intelligent than I was. I guess I was trying to answer that ever elusive question, “who am I?”</div><div>At this point in my life I was pushed around a little bit because of my small stature, and also because I had a terrible lisp growing up. When I was born I had an issue with my hearing and had a few surgeries to correct it. The problem was that by the time my ears were working properly I was already pronouncing words wrong and my tongue seemed to have a mind of its own. Not only did I have a Boston accent, I also had a speech issue. It amazing anyone could understand me at all. So for the better part of my life growing up I had to go to speech therapy to correct it, and I can remember being very self conscious when the other kids around me would call it to the forefront of jokes. It didn’t affect me too much on the outside because even at a young age I knew that would have given them the power. However, looking back at it now, I can honestly say I was getting angry, resentful and self-conscious about certain aspects of my life.</div><div>I was angry that I wasn’t a big and strong gifted athlete because I idolized the likes of Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Randy Moss, and Marshall Faulk. I wanted so badly to be these guys but I did not possess the natural talent or size necessary to stand out on the football field or the basketball court. So I connected myself to the idea of the underdog and my favorite character in cinema history to this day is still Rocky Balboa. I came to understand that even though I may not have been the most naturally gifted I could still work harder than everyone else. I always did my best. I could rest my head at night and know that I did everything in my power with the gifts I was given to be the best version of me in that particular scenario. But I still wanted to stand out.</div><div>As much as I idolized all the best athletes in their respected sports I was also enamored with my parents from a very early age. Not just because of their ability to make me feel safe and loved, but because in their earlier years they were both competitive body builders. When my mother and father started dating he was already really interested in bodybuilding and had a tall and lanky frame perfect for building muscle. My mom was a young nursing student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who was focusing on her studies while smoking cigarettes and drinking beer. She had no knowledge of weight training or proper nutrition and up until meeting him never really thought much about it. Once they got together, a big part of their life was built around going to the gym together, dieting together, meal prepping together and competing in shows in the New England area together. When I was a kid I can vividly remember pulling their competition pictures off the mantle over the fireplace to show my friends how big and muscular my parents used to be. The reactions were always that of awe and amazement. I couldn’t wait until my mom said I was old enough to start lifting weights. Maybe that would have been my opportunity to be the best at something.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_1703d12b9a0043688e07ab7b6d39b8c4~mv2.jpg"/><div>Before my thirteenth birthday my dad and I began weight training in my basement a few times a week. He would show me what exercises worked specific muscle groups and how to do them without risking injury. He made sure to document how much I was lifting and how many times, he called these things “sets and reps.” I slowly picked up on the lingo and started to see some progress in the way my body looked. I can remember being in school and looking forward to my weight lifting sessions with my dad when he got home from work. I knew that in other organized sports I was competing with other people, but when it came to weight training I was competing with myself and I could get used to that. I knew I only had to work hard to be better than the person I was the day before, and that was something that was going to hold my attention for the next 15 years. </div><div>But there was a storm brewing. </div><div>In the last few years of my life before I hit high school, something inside of me began to change. I was good at school but I wasn’t the best. I was good at sports but I wasn’t the best. And I was introduced to weight lifting but it was merely a seed that was planted, it was not yet a lifestyle. I was getting more and more angry about this as the years went on and I wanted so badly to find my niche. As I mentioned, I always hung around my brother, and his friends were my friends. By this time they were already in high school and some of them didn’t really concern themselves with sports or school because they had found weed and alcohol. I can remember thinking, “maybe this will be the way for me to stand out amongst the crowd that often times seems to swallow me up.” But I had this mental battle going on in my head telling me that want to be an athlete and a scholar and those people don’t do drugs and drink. I was getting uncomfortable in my own skin because even though I could find a way to fit in with anyone, I didn’t know who I was on the inside.</div><div>By the time I was in 8th grade I was smoking cigarettes, smoking weed and sneaking out of the house to go drink with my brother and his friends in the school yard down the street. And for the first time in my life I no longer cared if I was the best athlete or the brightest young mind in school, I was just “Lil Nick.” That was the name my friends bestowed upon me because not only was I two years younger than them, I was also the second person named Nick in our group of friends. Of course my small and underwhelming stature also played into my unofficial title; so I embraced it. They thought it was hysterical to have an undersized 13 year old drinking with them, and I thought I finally found my niche. I felt as if this is where I belonged and this is what I was missing all along. Then one morning I woke up on my friends couch with throw up in my pockets and had to have a serious conversation with my mother about what was going on with me. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_b74b58146c9244c6ae8478a6a49a9bb5~mv2.png"/><div>With the benefit of hindsight, I realize that at this point I was at a crossroads in my life. The decisions I was making based on the feelings I had inside, were about to determine how the next 15 years of my life were going to unfold. I knew that I did not want to disappoint my family and let my mother and father down, and I also knew I did not want to give up the things that I loved and cared about - sports and school. But I knew that for the first time in my life I felt put together when I was drinking and using drugs, and for that reason I couldn’t let them go completely. I remember making a conscious decision to balance all three of these things and make it work as my life progressed more into adulthood. My master plan didn’t work as well as I had hoped because before I even started high school I graduated from using just liquor and weed. At this point I was already selling small amounts of weed out of my parents house and taking Percocets and Xanax. </div><div>I was fearful of my future without knowing it. I was resentful at all the people that pushed me around. And I was angry for all the things that I wasn’t given. And I lusted for more. I knew I was blessed in many aspects of my life but all I could find myself fixating on was the things I did not have. I was endlessly searching for some external solution to an internal conflict. All I needed to do was open my eyes to see what was around me, but it is hard to see the forest when you are amongst the trees. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div>&quot; Nick's story over the next few months will be chronicling through his past battles with addiction and his ongoing battle with improving himself everyday, not only in life but in the gym. His discipline is poetic and his determination is breathtaking. Always Strong Fitness was created on the premise that everyone has their trials and tribulations. Addiction hits everyone, whether it be our own families, friends or just some guy you may have worked with once. To common are the stories of heartbreak and sorrow, but There is Strength, There is Success and There is Always Hope!&quot;- Ross Hardaway</div><div><a href="https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/08/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity">Nick's First Entry</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Humble Reflection of Adversity</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past few decades, writers and psychologists have been focusing on the specific amount of time it takes to become a "master" at any given discipline. The answer that was widely debated, with many alternative points of view being released, was 10,000 hours. I don't believe this is the be all end all, but as a whole I believe it helps to give most people a solid jump off point to any new hobby or skill they would like to undertake. My point is not to deter people from taking up a new path<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ae26fc935cc4309961781c94679eabd%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_251%2Ch_249/608187_8ae26fc935cc4309961781c94679eabd%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Nick Bellofatto</dc:creator><link>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/08/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity</link><guid>https://www.alwaysstrongfitness.com/single-post/2017/06/08/A-Humble-Reflection-of-Adversity</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:19:39 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ae26fc935cc4309961781c94679eabd~mv2.jpg"/><div>Over the past few decades, writers and psychologists have been focusing on the specific amount of time it takes to become a &quot;master&quot; at any given discipline. The answer that was widely debated, with many alternative points of view being released, was 10,000 hours. I don't believe this is the be all end all, but as a whole I believe it helps to give most people a solid jump off point to any new hobby or skill they would like to undertake. My point is not to deter people from taking up a new path in life simply because it seems like a tall order. For if that were the case, I would be pigeon holed into a job that didn't suit my personality or my dreams. For if that were the case, I would have listened to all the people that advised me to take the road most traveled. For if that were the case, I don't believe I would truly understand or value the ideas of hard work, dedication and overcoming adversity. My point is, anything in life worth doing takes time, effort and practice; especially a personalized fitness journey. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_eca24e6864dc434db00cf65c0348eabd~mv2.png"/><div>My life up until this point has been quite a roller coaster of amazingly positive experiences coupled with hardships that I would not wish upon my worst enemy. The one thing that has held the test of time over the last 15 years has been my undying love for fitness and all it has done for me and the people around me. Not only has it taught me things about myself, but it has given me tangible proof that there is no substitute for hard work, discipline and consistency. This work ethic is true in all facets of life and to be honest I wouldn't want it any other way. Whenever anything came easy to me or was given to me, I never really appreciated it for all it was worth. But when I had to work hard and grind through something by digging deep into my soul, then and only then, did I feel as if I deserved it. </div><div>Over the next few months I will be releasing a series of articles to highlight</div><div>my personal journey through life, fitness and overcoming adversity. In all of our journeys, situations will arise that we did not fully plan for. This is a fact of life and is something that no matter how hard we try we are not able to change or control. However, what we can control is how we respond and react to these situations as they present themselves to us. There is something to be said for being able to look ourselves in the mirror and take ownership for all aspects of our lives - good or bad. It wasn't until I stopped pointing fingers and blaming other people for my circumstances that I felt as if I was the true author of my own story. Then, and only then, was I Always Strong. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/608187_8ed3bb0ff3ed47e8a1f31c0bcafa8ef6~mv2.jpg"/><div>&quot; Nick's story over the next few months will be chronicling through his past battles with addiction and his ongoing battle with improving himself everyday, not only in life but in the gym. His discipline is poetic and his determination is breathtaking. Always Strong Fitness was created on the premise that everyone has their trials and tribulations. Addiction hits everyone, whether it be our own families, friends or just some guy you may have worked with once. To common are the stories of heartbreak and sorrow, but There is Strength, There is Success and There is Always Hope!&quot;- Ross Hardaway</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>