Friday, October 15th, 2010
The ModelPer4mance Athlete of the Week is: Patrizia Prew
If we asked your coach or training partner to list three words that describe you they would be: Healthy-Strong-Motivated
What are you training 4? Amica Half Iron Man 70.3
What is the best nutrition or training tip you’ve ever been given? Nutrition is critical, eating well and hydrating goes a long way to improve your ability to exercise and train.
Tell us about your most memorable athletic achievement? Crossing the finsh line to the RI Amica Ironman at 7 hours and 8 minutes . It was my my first triathlon. In January of 2010 I learned how to swim and iIn 6 months of training I was able to complete a 70.3 mile race. Being an IRONMAN I learned alot about myself and my body.
Describe your perfect workout. Swim Bike Run! I love doing bricks!!
What motivates you on days you don’t feel like working out? I will call up one of my 2 hot mamma friends “Kelly or Case” and they will make me forget about being unmotivated and make me think about getting stronger and tighter!
If you could workout with anyone in the world who would it be and why? That’s easy…. Michael Jordan.
What is your favorite workout accessory? I love my Nike Shocks…they have lot’s of bling and sparkle and are super comfy!
What kitchen gadget can you not live without? There is no greater love than a great set of knives!
What was the last thing you’ve had to eat today? Steamed Chicken and Vegetables
What book or magazine is on your bedside table? Skinny Bitch
What beauty product is always in your purse or gym bag? I can not live without my MAC dazzleglass!!
What is the most played song on your iPod? Black Eye Peas
The first place you go when you log on to your computer is… I check my email.
When you’re not working out where can we find you? On an adventure with my family.
What’s your motto? Yes I can!!!
Friday, September 24th, 2010
A few weeks ago Ashley Kumlien was our ModelPer4mance Athlete of the Week. Remember when we spotlighted her?
She’s the incredible woman on the 3,200 mile run across the United States to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.
Well guess what?
She’s still running.
She has less than 100 miles to go until she reaches her finish line in New York.
I know we have a lot of MP4′ers in the New England area so if you get a chance, track her down.
Go out and cheer her on. Run a mile or 10 with her.
Or just pop over to her blog and leave her some MP4 love.
Just prepared to be inspired.
Monday, September 6th, 2010
I just made the decision to NOT move out of state right now. When I say “just”, I’m talking like an hour ago. My husband and I went back and forth like we were on a swingset, and finally decided that we are where we should be. Okay, I’m lying a little. We actually need to stay put, per our own desire to finish exhaling. After all, the ink is still drying on his doctorate, among other positive changes going on, personally, professionally, financially—the works. So anyway, the pro/con list, potential investments, growth opportunities, likely consequences, emotional attachments, life is short theme of late, advice gathered, and more got thrown into the pot, and out came the decision to not upset the apple cart. (Yet.)
Needless to say, relief and disappointment both rule my day. But, it being a GORGEOUS day here in my part of the world, I decided to distract myself by re-potting an ailing money tree that a woman from work left for me to have (read: take off her hands). It was anorexic, growing gross mushrooms in it, and paling miserably in comparison to the lovely, full, and healthy money tree I have in my workplace waiting area. Well, I don’t know what kind of faulty feng shui or bad joujou I may have created, but I broke the skinny little thing in half while trying to give it a new home within which to flourish. So I figured it’d be better–and safer for local plant life–if I came and wrote my Labor Day blogpost as an outlet instead.
Since growth and progression from where I am to where I want to be were oft-brought up themes during “The Move” decision, it’s still on my mind. I like change. Those like me, however, often seek it in a new relationship, new home/location, new job, new haircut. I dig that, if it’s the right thing and not just for the sake of change. Now that I’m in a position to stay in my current home and job (and certainly relationship, my husband rocks, after all), I am committed to creating change, and therefore growth, from exactly this point forward. You see, I have a job that I love, a decent home, my husband likes his job. All that can be well, is well. There are also excellent reasons for the almost-move that I won’t get into because they are irrelevant to you. But, as one of my advice-givers said “It’s not a bad thing to leave the party while it’s in full swing versus being someone who stays too long”. Agreed. You don’t have to hate something to leave it for something else. Likewise, you don’t have to completely and dramatically uproot and/or shake things up in order to improve.
Let’s apply that to what we have in common: a love of fitness. And by “fitness” I’m talking training and nutrition. (Just making sure.) We don’t need to drastically change our training and nutrition if it’s supporting us and our goals and our health status well. BUT, we can tweak it to be better, serving us more effectively. In fact, can’t we all usually do just a little bit better in one or both areas? Can’t we train harder or more consistently or in a more balanced manner? Can’t we take a great nutrition plan and supplement it, or make it greater with something such as more targeted nutrient timing? Can’t we add or subtract the things that are or aren’t making a difference to a decent plan, in favor of the additions or omissions that can get us off the figurative treadmill, thus progressing us up and over that hill or plateau?
Let’s face it. Those latest diet and next-greatest training plans are literally banking on the notion that people feel that grand, sweeping, foot-stomping, line in the sand drawing, flag-planting changes are the only way to get from here to there. While that may be true for some regarding a fit lifestyle, for most reading this post, any drama may have been addressed and dealt with already, such as a couch potato existence that has transformed into training for a first 5K. Those changes are so obvious, and almost “easier”, in way, for that reason alone. It’s the confusion of “I think I’m doing everything right. Aren’t I? Why am I not getting faster/leaner/just-better?” Model Per4mance can help! (As long as you’re not a plant. Haha) We are sort of “tweak specialists”, if you will. We like taking folks who are planted in a good healthy lifestyle (but we like hot messes too, so come one, come all), and helping them grow from there. Let us be your fertilizer! (Wait, that’s not really an attractive metaphor. Time to knock it off with those…) It’s just too bad we don’t give advice on things like moving/not moving*. Anyhow, we can help, and we love what we do. So bring it! We’d love to grow along with you, every sweaty step of the way.
*Another bold-faced lie. I wore Jodi and Kas out a little in the decision-making process. 
Thanks, Ladies! Mwah!
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
I have a pretty good feeling that if I (and Heather, too, for that matter) lived in the same state as our athlete of the week we’d be MP4-BFF’s IRL (translation: ModelPer4mance Best Fitness Friends In Real Life). This girl is delicious from her spirit to her sport to her personality! You are going to love…
The MP4 Athlete of the Week: Kristina Jacobson
If we asked your coach or training partner to list three words that describe you they would be: Fierce (that one’s for you Jodi!), determined and funny.
What are you training 4?
Nothing specific at the moment. I have been working with the team at MP4 over the last few months to enhance my endurance and performance levels on the ice by utilizing a specialized weightlifting and cardio program.
What is the best nutrition or training tip you’ve ever been given?
What you put in, is what you’re going to get out.
Tell us about your most memorable athletic achievement.
My most memorable athletic achievement just happened on Tuesday night! I was playing in my last summer hockey league game. One of our top goal scorers forgot her hockey pants. I effortlessly suggested she take mine and I’d find a pair to wear. I grabbed my boyfriend’s XL pants and tossed them on. The bottom of the pants fell just shy of the middle of my shin and the top padding which typically sits on your hip, came up underneath my armpit. I literally had to wrap his suspenders around my neck. I was quite the sight to see! I was somewhat reserved, didn’t think I’d be of much help that night because my range of motion was shot. I ended up scoring the winning goal, with 2 minutes left on the clock!
Describe your perfect workout.
I love weightlifting and playing hockey. But hands down, my favorite workout is an early morning run with my dog.
How do you achieve workout/life balance?
This is hard. My life is constantly filled with demands (work, family, friends, and school). It takes lots of planning and organization.
What motivates you on days you don’t feel like working out?
My workouts are my therapy. Regardless if it’s a game or just an easy walk with the dog I need them to function at my best. When I feel like throwing in the towel, I remember how much of a better, sane person I am after I’ve worked out. Without my workouts, everything else is my life is done half-assed.
If you could workout with anyone in the world who would it be and why?
Kas and Seanna. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know these two fabulous ladies over the summer at MP4 boot camp and let me tell you how incredible they are! Kas’s energy and intensity is not only inspiring, it forces me to evaluate my current ability and push harder. Seanna is kindhearted, always cheering me on to finish that last sprint. She even offers to be my partner and workout beside me, despite my immature workout level.
What is your favorite workout accessory? My hockey equipment!
What kitchen gadget can you not live without?
It’s a tie between my Chantal tea kettle and my blender.
What was the last thing you’ve had to eat today? Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder, vanilla almond granola and blackberries.
What book or magazine is on your bedside table?
My current class textbook and Lit, a memoir by Mary Karr.
What beauty product is always in your purse or gym bag? Mascara and lip gloss. My mother always taught me to enhance my girlish features regardless of where I am.
What is the most played song on your iPod?
Otis Taylor – Ten Million Slaves and anything by Toby Keith
The first place you go when you log on to your computer is...
My email and the MP4 blog!
When you’re not working out where can we find you?
Spending time with family and friends. More than likely, running errands with my dog Cash.
What’s your motto?
Fitness – “You have a personal limit, but chances are, it’s nowhere near where you think it is.”
Life – “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend”
Monday, August 30th, 2010
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. There isn’t just “chiropractor-medical doctor” or “chiropractor-physical therapist” tension out there. There is plenty of “chiropractor-chiropractor” stuff going down as well. Luckily, we tend to be pretty good-natured about it. Chiropractors come in lots of flavors—upper cervical specific, full spine practitioners, extremity adjusters… It’s countless, and there’s a lot of overlap and blending of techniques, generally. But what I’m going to address are the labels of “straight” versus “mixer”. Before you read further, you should know that, while I was convinced to earn my chiropractic degree (DC) by some straight chiropractors, I ultimately ended up as what they would call a mixer.
Let’s define the terms. In fairness to straight chiropractors, I will quote from the website of the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations. Their definition of straight chiropractic is as follows: “A non-therapeutic primary portal of entry health care profession whose objective is to contribute to health through the correction of vertebral subluxation*. It is based in an evolving philosophy and science and is practiced as an art.” With straights, all pathologies (“dis-ease”) are borne of, and secondary to, interference of the nervous system via misalignment of the spine. They go on right underneath that definition to say: “Commentary: Objectives and procedures, inconsistent with the above definition, have been embraced by a faction of the profession. This faction has historically been known as “mixing” chiropractic while that which adheres to the traditional objective of chiropractic has been designated as “straight” chiropractic. Although the “mixing” faction has deviated strikingly from the chiropractic objective, it has not disclosed, designated or identified this fact to the public. For this reason, the adjective “straight” (as defined by Webster: “…undeviated, unmixed…”) has been employed to distinguish those who adhere to the above definition from those who do not. (”mixers”)” In other words, straight chiropractors are real chiropractors, mixers are not. (Yes, that was sarcasm, couldn’t help myself. Shame on me.) And mixers do not have their own federation to explain this. In fact, we don’t go around calling ourselves mixers. Anyhow, if you’re interested, you can read more about what makes a straight a straight here: http://www.straightchiropractic.com/
So what makes a chiropractor a mixing one? According to the straights, it’s anything that deviates from a chiropractic spinal vertebral adjustment. This includes anything from adjusting any other non-spinal joint to the application of hot/cold packs. And certainly this includes the verboten inclusion of anything such as corrective exercise, nutrition counseling, or soft tissue therapy, among other therapies. (Remember, straight = “non-therapeutic” by the definition above). Since mixers do not have a club or organization to define themselves, here’s Wikipedia’s take from the “Straights and mixers” section of their page on “Chiropractic” (which is as questionable in its objectivity as my blogpost is, so keep that in mind): “Mixer chiropractors “mix” diagnostic and treatment approaches from osteopathic, medical, and chiropractic viewpoints. Unlike straight chiropractors, mixers believe subluxation is one of many causes of disease, and they incorporate mainstream medical diagnostics and employ many treatments including conventional techniques of physical therapy such as exercise, massage, ice packs, and moist heat, along with nutritional supplements, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal remedies, and biofeedback. Mixers tend to be open to mainstream medicine and are the majority group.[9]” You can read their whole comparison here if you scroll down a bit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractic Straights like to adjust the spine and let the central nervous system take over and heal the body from there now that interference has been removed. Mixers feel the same way, but they like to tinker around with other things such as nutrition, fitness, posture, even getting as deep as psycho-emotional factors if we are qualified. Perhaps mixers are just less patient than straights and want to give the body more of an assist when warranted. Either way, it is generally accepted that mixers are also more likely to refer to other health professionals if a roadblock to health that is beyond the scope of their practice is recognized. Many even practice with other types of healthcare professionals, such as medical doctors, naturopaths, massage therapists, nutritionists, psychotherapists, acupuncturists, yoga instructors, and personal trainers.
Within those 2 flavors of straight and mixer there are more flavors. Some are: evidence-based (definite mixers); traditional straight; super straight (I’m not sure of the true difference between those last two); and an even smaller subgroup of evidence-based who were represented by the now-defunct group National Association for Chiropractic Medicine (NACM). The NACM was so controversial, even lobbying for the ability to prescribe some pharmaceuticals, that some members of both the straight and mixing camps teamed up to shut down their agenda. I’m telling you, while there’s no street knife-fighting between straights and mixers like the Jets and Sharks gangs of West Side Story (although I love the image!), it is definitely daytime soap opera worthy stuff at times. {sigh} Be rest assured that, no matter what, any licensed and practicing Doctor of Chiropractic must adhere to their state’s current rules regarding what constitutes chiropractic care. And, yes, it varies state to state. Likewise, some mixers go much further with their education and training, earning diplomates in disciplines such as orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, clinical nutrition and rehabilitation, and practice accordingly. One of my favorite things about my profession is that you can specialize in whatever is your passion and bailiwick. While that can be confusing to the general public at times, I still feel that it’s a strength, and it’s no different from the specialization of other healthcare professionals.
I also want you to know what even triggered this post. A friend and fellow chiropractor with whom I once practiced, and for whom I have utmost respect, was ribbing me a little on Facebook about being a mixer. He went on to say that being a straight chiropractor is the way to go, etc, etc, and mentioned a kidney infection cleared up in a pediatric patient of his, presumably from chiropractic spinal adjustments alone, with no other interventions. He knows that I’m a fan of active care, meaning: I like patients to clean up their diets, supplementing when needed, and correct posture and faulty biomechanics between passive care visits, during which I perform soft tissue or joint manipulation or both. My smartass defense was: “How do you expect your patients to hold their ‘straight adjustment’ if they are a hot mess physiologically and biomechanically?” I’d like to add that when we practiced together he was an amazing soft tissue therapist and adjuster who gave exercise advice, and that he personally lost a bunch of excess weight through better nutrition and regular exercise, from which he enjoys better health. Juuuuuust sayin’. In case he reads this, I’ll cover my butt by adding that he’s a very handsome and sweet guy, a great doctor, and super husband and father to a beautiful family.
Anyhow, I thought maybe the public might be confused about chiropractic practice and philosophy. It’s not you, it’s us. But there is common ground! We all agree that you get exactly one central nervous system that governs the whole kit ‘n caboodle. I have posted multiple times on that very thing! Balancing that sucker certainly plays a major role in enjoying more optimal health, however that is achieved. Where chiropractors choose different forks in the road is with regard to how hands on (literally and figuratively) we are in that optimization process, not to mention how manipulative we are beyond the hands-on work, such as with diet, exercise, and the like. If you choose chiropractic at any time of your life, the good news is that there is such variety within the profession, you are sure to find a good doctor-patient fit.
Whatever you choose to optimize your own health and per4mance, choose wisely from your head and from your heart. You can’t go wrong with that.
*Vertebral subluxation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractic#Vertebral_subluxation (Yep, more debate, but it will give you an idea of what the heck it is. In short, most mixers would define it as a misalignment of one or more vertebral segments that is causing pressure on a nerve root, and therefore interfering with its transmissions. Or something akin to that.)
