Chef Reuben Ruiz - An Inspiration

Food Network Star Season 10 recently ended, and as an avid fan of the show, it is disappointing to know that I have a long time to wait before the next season starts.

One of the fan favorites this season was Chef Reuben Ruiz, who grew up in a traditional Cuban family and lives in Miami, Florida.

This is not another post about how Reuben went home too soon (although I’m a firm believer he should have gone farther in the show than he did). This is a post about a story some people may not know about Reuben—his weight loss story.

Thank you, Reuben, for sharing your story with me.

When did your love for food start? What inspired you to become a chef?

My love for food began at a young age, watching my Abuela (grandmother) cooking traditional Cuban meals. I was always fascinated with the process from beginning to end and how the food would bring joy to the family while discussing their day. Also, by the age of 11 or 12, I realized my mother wasn't the most talented of chefs and she would cook what my brother and I thought was Cajun food…but it was food just being burnt. From there, I told myself that I would feed myself and, in turn, started cooking for my family. That’s how I ended up in culinary school.

How did your love for cooking affect your weight?

Well, if you know how to cook and are always practicing new recipes and concocting new dishes, someone has to eat them; fortunately for me, I was more than willing. More importantly, I was always a heavy-set kid. The Cuban culture really enjoys seeing young kids being a bit on the thicker side because it resembles health and happiness (and darn right cuteness) for us. So, living in a traditional Cuban household, my Abuela would continuously feed us huge portions and have us finish our plate, which progressed as I got older into all the wrong eating habits.

When did you realize it was time to change your lifestyle?

I began realizing that a change must come because I was way too young to be suffering from insecurity issues and having woman tell me blatantly that I had no chance with them due to my weight. It was really a great way to add fuel to the fire.

What was the hardest part for you? How did you push through and get to your goal weight?

The hardest part was modifying my eating habits and being able to substitute minor ingredients, like salts and sugars, which helped me significantly. The major problem with weight loss is the lack of motivation. A way for me to reach my goal weight was that I would purchase clothes a size too small, and I would work slowly but surely to fit into them comfortably. Then, I would do it all over again with the next size. I was a 2XL in shirts and a 46 in’ waist. Now, I am a medium in shirts and a 34 in’ waist, so it worked.

What were some of your favorite workouts? Did you often workout at home, or did you go to the gym?

My all-time favorite workout has to be running. There is something therapeutic when you just hit that pavement and begin to run and leave your worries behind. Running, for me, with music playing is an escape from reality and helps me center my thoughts; however, when it is a bit to humid here in Miami, I will gladly hit the gym and run indoors, I am also an avid fan of P90X and highly recommend it to anyone that has 90 days to change their life. I am about to begin it again.

How did you change your diet? Can you walk me through a typical day of meals?

I changed my eating habits by modifying things like salt and sugar. I replaced salt with strong herbs, which allowed for great taste without bloating contributed by salt. I learned to replace sugar with things like mashed bananas and/or apple sauce rather than eating pure sugar, which slows down your metabolism significantly. A typical day of meals consists of 4-5 meals beginning with a 7oz churrasco (skirt steak) with 6 egg whites all scrambled together with a slice of unbuttered wheat toast. I span my meal gaps about 2-3 hours in between, and then I eat a lunch consisting of whole chicken with a medley of different veggies. A snack would be a super smoothie or a Naked Juice. Dinner is a bit lighter, usually some fish, vegetables, and fruit. For me, I try to cap my food intake off at about 8 p.m. to allow my body to digest throughout the night.

How have you maintained your weight?

Running, running, and more running, If you like to eat, you have to work out even if you don’t like it. You must find the strength to get up and not live a sedentary lifestyle. The first two weeks of any workout routine is usually the hardest, but I guarantee you that, after the two weeks are completed, the routine will be second nature, and you will feel bad when you don't work out. True story!

What is the best advice you can give to someone who has struggled with losing weight?

Persistence is key, and Rome wasn't built in a day. It took me almost two years to lose a hundred pounds, and I know the struggle personally. There are weeks that you feel that the scale just doesn't reflect on your hard work—you know what? Ditch the scale. Scales aren't your friends. You can drink a glass of water and gain a pound in a matter of seconds. A big key to measuring your weight loss is to use your clothes. If they fit a bit looser, keep doing what you're doing. But ultimately, please don't give up. I know for a fact the hardships that people go through on both the physical and psychological aspects of being a bit heavier, and I guarantee you that it is worth the fight. The struggle is there, but do not let it conquer you!

What inspired you to be on Food Network Star?

I’ve been watching the show since season 1 ten years ago, and I thought I can do this. Also, I am a big fan of proving people wrong. We all have naysayers, and, believe me, so many people told me I would never get on the show. Well, surprise surprise! I made it on. Food Network Star to me has always been a great show because it allowed everyday normal people, such as myself, to go and work to obtain their dream position.

What was your most favorite part about being on the show?

As of right now, my favorite part is the friendships I have made with some particular contestants. I am truly blessed to have crossed paths with these few individuals, and they know who they are. Also, being able to work alongside such greats like Giada, Alton, and Bobby was spectacular. Hearing their feedback and watching them do what they do is truly admiring and has only made me want this that much more.

How has your lifestyle change affected, in Food Network Star terms, your "culinary POV”?

Truly, it really hasn’t. My culinary POV is Sabor Of Miami, which means Taste of Miami. It is how I live my life every day. At my restaurant, we serve food that represents many of the cultures that inhabit our great city. The healthier side, as I told the Network, would come in smaller strides, such as small tidbits as to substitutions for meals and ingredients but not necessarily cooking pure dietetic plates.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your weight loss story?

Well, if anything, a message to anyone dealing or struggling with weight loss—please do not give up. It’s well worth the roller coaster of emotions that comes along on this journey, but, at the end of the road, you will come out a newer, brighter you with such an amazing aspect on life. If you ever need any help with any weight loss advice or tips and tricks in the kitchen, feel free to tweet me a message @ChefReuben.

This blog entry was contributed by Adena Siefert, a PR and Marketing intern at Hedstrom – Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Ashland University with degrees in Sport Communication and Public Relations. She loves watching the Food Network.

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Skewed Vision

Working in the fitness industry has really opened my eyes to a mass of communities, lifestyles, and people I never even knew existed. It’s been a great experience for me, and I am constantly learning more and more about fitness and healthy living. Before getting involved with fitness, I had written several essays and took classes on women’s image and appearance, especially in media. I don’t claim to be an expert in women’s studies, but fitness is a really dense market where the words “image” and “healthy” are sometimes used interchangeably. The image of women in the fitness world seems to create a bit of friction between both people of the fitness world and those looking in.

Often times on Twitter, I’ll see companies post photos of women with before and after pictures with an invitation to “click on the link to find out how she transformed.” The individual comments following the picture encompass an emotional roller coaster. Of course, for marketing purposes, the companies posting the photo want the second picture to look better and add elements like warmer lighting, tans, lip gloss and make up, different hairstyles, or maybe it’s just a difference of the subject smiling in the second photo.

Most of the time, I’m proud of the second photo-ers if I believe their transformation was tried and true. I love when people set a healthy goal for themselves to achieve and emit rays of confidence. In a way, it motivates me to keep reaching for my personal fitness goals and let’s face it: It’s incredibly inspiring. The problem social groups run into are the “already skinny” women getting even “skinnier.” I don’t like using the word “skinny” because it sounds like someone is describing an inanimate object, like a string bean or jeans. To prove my point, I went to my beloved thesaurus.com and typed in “skinny.”




The only word I like from this list to describe a woman’s body is the word “slender.” The rest sound unhealthy. So instead of using the word “skinny,” which is a physical attribute, we should start thinking about using the word “healthy” for everything it is. There isn’t a definite way to measure someone’s health by looking at them. Different heights, ages, and genetics are elements we cannot control that help determine a healthy weight, and yet, judging both “fat” and “skinny” people based on appearance is creating issues between fitness fans and body image campaigns. Nearly every photo on Women’s Health Now has comments both for and against the before/after post.

After a while, I started seeing the same posts over and over again:

“I liked the first photo better. :)”

“WOW, when will my body look like that?”

“What is wrong with the first photo?”

“When will women learn that muscles aren’t attractive?”

These comments all enraged me. Did the world of Twitter suddenly become certified doctors where they could dish out any suggestion they thought? It doesn’t matter whether someone is criticizing someone else for being too big or too little; it doesn’t matter if you’re defending fitness or self image. It’s still criticism of someone else’s body.

I decided the best solution for my raging would be to interview someone who underwent a transformation. She has been criticized for being too thin, judged for not eating enough, and has had an opportunity to share her story. She wishes to remain anonymous.

Here is her story:

What made you decide to start your weight loss/strength training?

I looked in the mirror one day and was just like, "Wow, I've really let myself go." It clicked and I just decided to change. To be honest, I thought about my boyfriend of three years now. He knew me at my thinnest in college and started dating me then (115lbs.) and stayed with me when I weighed 157lbs. and never said a word about me gaining weight in three years. His response to my saying "Oh my God, I got fat," was "What? I didn't even notice, besides I like your big butt. But if you want to lose weight I'll support you." He actually started lifting too.

What was your goal when you decided to do this?

I had a goal of -25lbs, just because I felt like I needed a number to strive for, but my real goal was just to be comfortable and happy with my body again.

What did you do to achieve this?

I got with a personal trainer who I did 3 months of workouts with, and she taught me how to be fit without playing a sport. Playing soccer my whole life trained me how to be fit by playing soccer, but I had no clue what I was doing in a gym when I gave up soccer after two years in college.

How did you stay motivated?

My family helped me to stay motivated as well as my boyfriend. Every week I would take "progress pictures" which really helped because while I may lose 5lbs. one week, then only 2lbs. the next week, I could still see huge differences in the toning of my body.

Are you happy with your results?

I am very happy with my results now that I have dropped the weight I am working on gaining more muscle tone.

What has been your total weight loss?
38lbs. 157lb. start, 119lb. now.

What happens after you achieve your goal? Have you achieved it? Do you want to keep going or maintain what you have?

I've achieved and surpassed my goal. I work in a very physical environment for the time being which affects how much weight I have lost. I'm happy with where I am at but I want to build more muscle tone because I believe I look better with a little muscle rather than very thin muscle.

Did anyone criticize you for taking fitness too seriously or think you didn’t take it seriously enough?

Yes, people criticized me for even starting to take fitness seriously. They said I wouldn't stick to it, and it’s all just for show. They said I really wasn't doing anything behind the scenes when I would post pictures of healthy food. I just took what they were saying with a grain of salt and kept doing me. Getting into fitness is about what you want and not what other people say about you doing it.

Do you think other people are influenced by social media and media to lose weight?

Very much so, and in a bad way, also. My posts about losing weight have been about getting to a place where I love myself and my body. Fitness for me is something where I can channel my stress and also get to a place where I like my body. I think social media pushes the "get thin" or "get fit" too much to where people think they have to be like that to be accepted. It’s about what you want. If you like being thick, more power to you. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you are healthy. If you want to be thin, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you are healthy. It should be all about loving YOURSELF!

Do you think exercise eventually becomes unhealthy? If so, at what point?

I think it can be if you don't eat enough and don't get the proper nutrients. I always tell myself, “Don't be obsessed with a number.” I actually had to step on a scale while answering these questions to get my total weight loss because I didn't even know off the top of my head. Like I said previously, my goal was to like my body, not get to a certain number.

What would you say to someone who criticized your body for being too thin/too fat?

I've been criticized for getting "too thin" and been told to "eat a burger or two." My only response is, “You're entitled to your wrong opinion. It's not your body that's 'too thin,' it's mine, per your WRONG opinion!” I'm healthy, I consume 1500+ calories a day, and I probably eat a burger 1-2 times a week, so shove off! (Plus chicken wings and beer on the Saturday & Thursday nights at karaoke night, so HA!)

If someone said to anyone that they were "too fat," I would point-blank tell them to F OFF. There is absolutely no point in bringing someone else's self-esteem down. That's what causes unhealthy weight loss or gain. Society pressures women to lose weight and, sadly, women are huge culprits of bringing other women down about their weight. I don't believe it’s anyone’s place besides a doctor's to tell someone they need to lose weight. It is only people's responsibility to be supportive of others on their fitness journey.

We’d love to know your thoughts and opinions. Feel free to share them with us!

Disclaimer: The photos are meant to be an exposure of the realities of harsh judgments on all sizes of women. We do not support the text in the photos, especially the last one where women are being compared to meat and men to dogs.

This entry was contributed by Shannon Bolen, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Bowling Green State University in music education. She loves public libraries and Arvo Pärt.

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Motivation Monday

You’ve worked hard.

You’ve spent hours, days, or even months on a project for your job. You’ve worked late; you’ve worked on weekends. You’ve been putting all of your effort into it, and then it’s finally time to turn it into your boss.

You’re nervous.

What if he/she doesn’t like it? What if I messed up? Did I forget to add something?

You hand it over to your boss, and when they finally look it over, they say, “Okay. Thank you.”

Huh? Wait… that’s it?

No “Fantastic job” or “I really appreciate the effort you put into this” or “You deserve a promotion”? (Okay, that last one is stretching it, but you get the point).

It may seem needy to want praise for your hard work, but almost all of us have experienced a moment when we were lacking self-esteem and confidence.

Being told that you’ve done well when you’ve worked hard and have done your best is the boost you need to do your best again because it means it was worth all of your effort.

Humans are needy creatures who need (okay… let’s say want) to feel like they are accomplished in life.

Why do you think Motivation Monday has taken off on social media platforms? People post memes, quotes, photos, videos, and everything in between to encourage and motivate people to do their best and never give up.

A dominating force behind Motivation Monday is the fitness crowd, and rightfully so.

If you are a beginner who is trying to lose some weight, gain muscle, or just be overall fit and healthy, you need all the motivation and encouragement you can get.

It’s easy to get discouraged when you try something new; for instance, attempting to run a little bit longer or lifting more weights than you did the day previously.

It’s easy to get discouraged when you eat something you shouldn’t have.

Sometimes, you fail…

And it’s important to realize that’s okay. Don’t let that stop you from continuing on toward your goal, just like you shouldn’t let a boss’s lack of praise keep you from always working hard and doing your best.

To give you the encouragement you need to keep fighting the good fight, here are 10 of my favorite quotes that give me inspiration:

1. “Be nice to yourself. It’s hard to be happy when someone’s mean to you all the time.”
2. “Believe you can, and you are halfway there.”
3. “Keep trying. Keep believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.” 
4. “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” 
5. “If you’re feeling blue, try painting yourself a different color.” 
6. “Be a warrior, not a worrier.” 
7. “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” 
8. “You’re one day closer.” 
9. “Mistakes are proof that you’re trying.” 
10. “I can, and I will.”

I hope these gave you a little bit of praise, encouragement, motivation, inspiration, determination… and everything else that you need!

What is your favorite quote that reminds you to keep working hard?

The blog entry was contributed by Adena Siefert, PR and Marketing Intern at Hedstrom – Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Ashland University with degrees in Sport Communication and Public Relations. She loves searching Pinterest for great quotes.

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Weight Lifting, Composing, and Mental Focus

Practicing an instrument, composing music, and lifting weights are very much the same mental and physical process (assuming you do them correctly). Of course only one of these three activities takes up a substantial amount of my time these days: weightlifting (I kid).

More often than not it surprises people to learn that weightlifting is one of my favorites hobbies (likely because I have the natural physique of Gumby on Atkins). In actuality, I’ve had some sort of regular physical fitness routine for most of my life. When I was in middle school and high school, I swam competitively; in college, I ran long distance; and in graduate school, I started doing body-weight exercises and began to learn the basics of weight training. For the past year, however, I’ve focused almost exclusively on strength training. What exactly is strength training, and how does it correlate to my musical endeavors?

Strength training is the process of lifting weights with the primary goal of increasing how much mass you can move, not increasing the size of your muscles nor the attainment of a particular physique as seen in bodybuilding.

There seems to be a clear divide between practicality and aesthetics in lifting weights, but in reality there is far more overlap. While a bodybuilder’s ultimate goal remains an aesthetic one they will often build massive amounts of strength in that process. A strength trainer may focus on lifting more and more weight regardless of physique, yet they will undoubtedly build muscle along the way.

How then, does this relate to composing music or practicing an instrument? The similarity is two-fold: process and practicality.

Perhaps this process can best be explained through the practice of music making which most of us learn first: playing an instrument. I truly wish I had learned earlier in life how to properly practice an instrument. I was never terrible at practicing, but I often shrugged a passage off and said “meh, it’s good enough.” I never realized the true level of mental and physical discipline required to master an instrument. In recent years I’ve come to improve my ability to focus on the task at hand. I recall in the first theory class I took with Per Broman at BGSU. He discussed the value of putting your complete attention and highest level of focus towards our readings. This of course makes perfect sense, as our readings were Caplin’s theories of sonata form, and they demand your fullest attention to be properly understood.

This same degree of attention is required to properly practice an instrument, as well as to lift a barbell. When I’m at the gym, if I lose focus for even a moment before attempting a heavy lift, I stand almost no chance at completing the range of motion, despite the fact that my body is strong enough and capable of performing the motion. The same goes with a tricky passage on the violin. My hand may have the dexterity needed to complete that god awful triple stop, but I don’t stand a chance at completing it without having first practiced it with my fullest mental capacity.

Musicians often speak of muscle memory when referring to the learning process of a piece of music. This term isn’t really correct. It’s nervous-system memory. It applies when learning an instrument, and it especially applies when lifting a barbell. You train your body to complete a movement pattern well before you build muscle along that movement pattern. What this all boils down to is consistency. In order to complete a heavy lift or to perform a tricky passage, one must practice with their full attention with consistency, but sometimes that isn’t enough. Musicians modify the final product of the piece they’re working on by doing things like slowing it down or adding dotted rhythms to train the fingers. When weightlifting, you do the same thing. You decrease the weight to improve the movement pattern, or you focus on one portion of the exercise, often strengthening it by performing other isolation movements. The end goal is to always be making progress. If you’re reading a book, practicing an instrument, or lifting weights, you’re either making progress, or you’re not.

So let’s bring this back to composing, since that’s sort of what I’m about.

Composing is an aesthetic art form, much in the same way that performing on an instrument and listening to music are aesthetic. However, the actual process of sitting down to ‘do’ the composing is a practical process, and a grinding one at that. So perhaps it’s better to say that composing is influenced by aesthetic.

Throughout my process of slowly (and I do mean slowly) lifting more and more weight, I’ve trained my mind and body to become stronger. I’m also becoming a stronger person overall, and this is the result of learning how to truly focus my efforts and attention on the task at hand. Practicing an instrument helped me learn all of the wrong ways to do this, reading advanced music theory taught me the importance of it, weightlifting taught me how to do it, and composing is where I now make use of it (or am at least trying to). In short, training your mind and body to lift weights trains you to compose and practice your musical endeavors more effectively. Weight lifting is just as much a mental exercise as a physical one, perhaps even more so.

If you’ve read this post to the end, perhaps I can incentivize you to hit the gym, do some deadlifting, or go for a run! And while you’re at it, pay attention to how you’re focusing your energy, it just might make you a stronger person and a greater musician!

Cheers.

Carter's most recent composition:

Let Me See Your Face
For flute and live-electronics. Performed by Colleen O’Shea Jones at the 2014 National SCI Conference at Ball State University.

This post was contributed by Carter Rice. He is currently studying to get his Doctor of Arts in Music Theory/Composition at Ball State University. For more information or to contact Carter, check out his website at http://carterricecomposer.weebly.com.

Rice, Carter John. (2014, August 10). Weight Lifting, Composing, and Mental Focus. Retrieved from http://carterricecomposer.weebly.com/blog/weightlifting-composing-and-mental-focus.

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Sweet Corn Has Antioxidants!

August is here, September is approaching, and Midwesterners everywhere are celebrating sweet corn season. While summer is usually ushered in with commitments to work out and eat healthier in order to be in tip-top shape for swimsuit season, the festivities and parties of summer can have the tendency to shove those commitments to the wayside.

But never fear! Summer is not yet over and you can remain committed to choosing one of the healthier options offered at lavish picnics and outdoor barbecues. Take a look at sweet corn. For all the buzz about Monsanto’s GMO corn, sweet corn isn’t all bad. (Also, the hype about GMO corn mostly applies to field corn which is fed to livestock. Most sweet corn isn’t genetically modified, and the sweet corn that is hasn’t had the most success penetrating the markets.

1. Antioxidants-Sweet corn is full of antioxidants. The best part is, those antioxidants are still active when cooked. Eating boiled or grilled corn on the cob won’t reduce the benefits that antioxidants have. The antioxidants may help reduce risk of cancer and prevent inflammation.

2. Fiber-A cup of corn has about 3.5 grams of fiber. Fiber helps prevent constipation, which is enough reason in itself to prove beneficial. Fiber has other perks as well, such as lowering cholesterol levels and chance of heart disease. And one more thing, fiber is also useful for those who are trying to maintain weight or lose it, because it will give you the feeling of being full for a longer period of time.

3. Lutein and Zeaxanthin- These fancy words are carotenoids. You should be excited about this because they promote healthier eyes. Reduced chance of macular degeneration…I’ll take it!

4. Thiamine-This is also known as Vitamin B1. Sweetcorn has high levels of thiamine, which could be useful for enhancing your memory and reducing risk of Alzheimer’s.

5. Potassium-A cup of corn may contain between 300 to 400 milligrams of potassium. Potassium can help lower blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, increasing your potassium is something you might want to consider.

6. Sugars- This is an argument that people might refer to and avoid sweet corn when reality is that a serving of corn has less sugar than an apple or a cup of pineapple. (Just remember that adding butter will not make your corncob healthier for you!)

This entry was contributed by Stephanie Berger, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She studies at the University of South Carolina and is addicted to breakfast foods and sunshine.

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10 Must-Do Summer Activities to Complete Before Summer's End

This entry was contributed by Stephanie Berger, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She studies at the University of South Carolina and is addicted to breakfast foods and sunshine.

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Racing is a Sport

"NASCAR isn't a true sport. All you do is sit in a car all day."

Ryan Ellis, part-time driver in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series, disagrees with that statement.

For those who have never experienced what it is like inside a race car, it is difficult to understand the demanding physical and mental strength, as well as the endurance, that is required: “You don’t perform at peak potential, mentally or physically, when you’re worn out. By being in better shape, you are able to perform at your best [for a longer period of time] than everyone else,” said Ellis.

This is why it is important for drivers, just like football players, baseball players, and the like, to train and eat properly to prepare for a race.

How exactly does one prepare to go 200 mph for 3 hours?

According to Ellis, one of the most important aspects of a driver’s training is cardio.

This can include boxing workouts and running every day of the week. It also helps to play another sport—Ryan Ellis, for instance, plays hockey—at least once a week to stay in shape.

Ellis added that he also lifts “weights with a few other drivers, namely Tanner Berryhill, Austin Reed, and another friend three or four times a week.”

Another crucial part of training for a NASCAR race is working out your core, especially because of the “wear and tear” a driver endures on the track, said Ellis.

A tool often used to intensify core workouts is the BOSUⓇ Balance Trainer, and it can also increase balance: “When doing boxing workouts on the speed bag, we use it for balance. I prefer to use it at the end of my workouts for general core workouts,” Ellis said.

While physical training is important, there’s another piece of the puzzle to keep in mind when preparing for a race: nutrition.

Protein and carbohydrates are a driver’s best friends.

Ryan Ellis noted that “during the week, I try and keep a high protein diet for my lifting and bringing carbohydrates in to fuel the workouts.”

Carbohydrates especially, said Ellis, help drivers get through some of the longer races on the NASCAR schedule.

Right before a race, however, it’s best not to get too creative with your meals or have too much to eat because the heat you experience in the car can make you sick. A typical pre-race meal for Ellis is pasta with chicken or a salad.

During the race, a driver has to stay hydrated. After all, water is essential for survival. The heat in a race car can make a driver dehydrate easily and quickly, which can cause headaches, lightheadedness, and confusion—none of which are ideal for racing as focus behind the wheel is vital.

While drivers need to drink plenty of water and watch what they eat, they don’t deprive themselves of the occasional cheat meal. Ellis, for example, loves Chipotle.

All in all, drivers need to train and eat just like, what some might consider, “normal” athletes because driving nearly 200 mph for 3 hours in a race car that reaches over 100-degrees in the cockpit is not an easy task.

Ryan Ellis, who has played hockey in college and baseball, said that NASCAR “is by far the most wearing on the brain and body.”

Some people believe racing is easy, but I’m in agreement with Ellis… Racing is both a mentally and physically taxing sport—yes, I said sport.

This blog entry was contributed by Adena Siefert, a PR and Marketing Intern at Hedstrom – Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Ashland University with degrees in Sport Communication and Public Relations. She gets very upset if she misses a NASCAR race on TV.

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Fitness Memes: No Excuses

Memes are the internet’s way of giving a voice and uniting opinions of millions of users all over the world within the click of a “share” button. We’ve all seen incredibly hilarious memes explode into a craze of shares and retweets. Millions of people agreeing on one single frame of an amusing expression is a pretty amazing concept. My personal favorites include the Success Kid meme and the Yao Ming meme. The ease of adding a caption on the photo makes it available for anyone to use for both good, evil, sarcasm, and downright silliness (looking at you, trolls!). They can be used to motivate people and tear them down. A plethora of memes exist related to exercise and fitness, and just as there are thousands of motivational memes for fitness, just as many exist to tear down the spirit of people who want to work out.

The biggest advantage AND disadvantage about memes is that anyone can make them. Fitness always seems to be a “soft topic” in the sense that many people are uncomfortable even talking about it. Why? Perhaps people don’t believe they are working out enough or well enough. Exercise is brilliant because of its versatility and the ability to learn powerful exercises without a trainer or a professional’s help. At the same time, that freedom can bring incorrect form, insecurity, and frustration in a workout session.

Let’s take a look at a meme about fitness.

“My favorite exercise at the gym would probably be judging.” Wow, what a statement. Let’s dissect the qualities about this meme. This meme has the “someecards” design quality with the vintage photo on a solid background, but what makes this type of meme stand out is its deadpan humor. Exemplifying some of the worst aspects of fitness, Newsflash: This attitude is what makes people not want go to the gym. What I really don’t like about fitness culture is the constant belittling of people trying to make a positive difference in their lives. The worst part of it? We see trainers posting things like this. Not all gyms or trainers are like this, obviously. But, just like in elementary school when one kid ruined it for the class, this can turn clients away from the idea of buying gym memberships, hiring trainers, and not motivate people to exercise period. It hurts the overall fitness community. Why would anyone want to do something to help build their confidence if they knew people were going to criticize them for even trying? An even bigger question is, why are some trainers posting these types of memes on social media? Do they realize those memes are addressed to potential clients? Just like with anything else, fitness is a business. Why would someone push their customers away by saying they’re negatively judging them? Keep in mind, this is only one meme. There are thousands of other ones just like it.

Imagine what it might be like for the an average person buying a gym membership for the first time. The chances are that they have done some basic exercises, like push ups, sit ups, crunches, lifting dumbbells, running, or walking. They get to the gym and look at the equipment their membership just bought them. “Wow,” they say under their breath. They can’t wait to start getting into shape with the rower, the machines, and attending a couple spinning and cardio classes. They look over at the treadmills and think, “Great! I know this one!” They stretch and eventually fumble with the buttons with different settings and start at a quickened jog. Easy peasy. They start looking around and see someone using a machine that catches their eye. They spy for a while, still jogging. “I think I can do that..” They patiently wait until the person is finished and wipes down the equipment. They finally arrive at the machine and try it. This is really difficult. They do 10 repetitions and are exhausted. Logically, this makes perfect sense. This person is at the gym to get in shape and to have equipment available to help them achieve their fitness goals. The machine probably worked muscles that are not yet developed and therefore, the person should struggle. However, maybe someone who goes to the gym regularly sees this person and eventually judges them. Maybe someone laughs at them; maybe someone gives them a look. Here is where most people are faced with two options: Keep going or quit.

While the struggle of exercising is inevitably difficult and the options of “keep going or quit” are often faced in fitness, this person shouldn’t even be faced with this question at this point. Even if they are, those feelings shouldn’t be confirmed on the internet from memes and certainly not by personal trainers. Having a healthy and balanced mind about what is expected at the gym can really change the atmosphere. Some people find their #fitfam at the gym and some other people are motivated by serious competition. But who would compare the skills of a sixth grader to the skills of a kindergartener?

If people removed this condescending attitude at the gym, if personal trainers removed this attitude from their social media, imagine what the difference might be for the average person. Working out at the gym would be more about THEM the customer, instead of the social injustices and the unfriendly atmosphere. Maybe we’d see more creative memes, and millions of people can agree on the idea of positivity instead of judging at the gym.

Another popular trend is “no excuses.” Remember when Maria Kang posted her photo of her cute kids with her rockin’ bod with the title “What’s your excuse?” I’m pretty sure she broke social media for a tiny bit. There seems to be this idea that an “excuse” is not believable or good enough. Maybe one excuse someone has is that they work a lot and have a family. Because there are people in the same basic situation but do exercise, it creates this illusion that the first person is avoiding exercise. People are always challenging the “impossible,” like Caroline Berg Eriksen who looked like a model just four days after giving birth. However, those stories are amazing and make newslines because they’re not normal, not expected, not predicted. Just because it was possible for one person doesn’t mean it’s possible for everyone.

The truth of the matter is that people choose how they want to balance their time. I had plenty of friends who would skip classes to practice their instruments. Their grades were lower in classes that should have been an easy A. Is that inexcusable? Maybe to some, but it was also their choice. They simply wanted to spend their time doing something different than someone else. Luckily, it was something they enjoyed. The point is that people are going to spend their time the way they think is best for them. Maria Kang’s fitness is really important to her, so of course it was a priority. She does fitness competitions; it only makes sense. In college, my professor prepared to give a violin recital. She was also enrolled in a few exercise classes and told me about the guilt she felt about skipping some of the exercise classes so she could practice more as her recital date drew nearer. I told her the classes were just an hour or so of her day, but she said that was an hour more she could spend with her instrument. She then said, “I would rather buy a bigger sized dress rather than not perform exactly the way I want.” Her job is to be a performer; it only makes sense. Her excuse IS valid.

Judging people based on appearance stems from someone else not having the same expectations. I judge people who don’t use a blinker when they’re switching lanes. But unlike the road, the gym is a wonderful place where transformations can happen. People change their lives there. They gain confidence, or should at least. The gym is not the place to make judgments. Seeing evidence of gym judgment on social media is reaching millions of people. Take down the negativity associated with gyms, fitness and exercise. I’d love to see people post more memes like this instead.

This entry was contributed by Shannon Bolen, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Bowling Green State University and loves sticky notes and Adventure Time.

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3D XTREME™

15 people

+ 10 BOSU® Balance Trainers

+ 1 Gym Room

= Utter Exhaustion

Nobody ever said that workouts were supposed to be for the meek.

Nobody ever said that plastic balls were supposed to be for the weak.

I was intrigued by the assurances of the fliers in the gym that the 3D XTREME™ class session would combine together cardio, conditioning and core workouts all into one package. So I signed up. Yet I didn’t expect as much sweat to be coming out of my pores as all that did when I tried out my first 3D XTREME™ class.

The night of the class, I walked in, looked around, and thought, “I think I can manage this.”

I’ll spare the details, but manage I did. Halfway through the 50 minute session I started feeling like I had burnt enough calories to last me the rest of the week. I guess peer pressure does have its benefits because the only reason I finished was the 14 other participants in there kept going…I didn’t think I would be able to show my face back at the gym if I walked out of there defeated by plastic and rubber. At the end, all the social butterflies started excitedly rehashing the workout. I squeezed out a smile before I just barely was able to drag my body out the door and to my car across the parking lot.

After I recuperated, I reflected. I liked it. It’s not like I’ve never sweated before and it’s not like I’ve never had a good workout before, so it wasn’t unique in those regards. What I liked most was the functional combination that made me feel like I had done 3 different workouts in one day. So for my 50 minutes of high-intensity action, it was an effective workout. It doesn’t take much for me to sweat, but that workout was worth every drop of it.

Sweat never felt so sweet.

Watch the live action here.



This entry was contributed by Stephanie Berger, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She studies at the University of South Carolina and is addicted to breakfast foods and sunshine.

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You've Come A Long Way, Baby

We’re over halfway through 2014. Since it has been 50 years since 1964, I think that this calls for a shout out to some special people in our lives who are celebrating special anniversaries. While the baby boomers in particular have special affection for these milestones, these anniversaries are uniquely American and nobody else in any other country can lay claim to them. So bring out the champagne and let us raise a toast to Mustangs, astronauts, civil rights and everything else that the boomers have brought us! True, we have been celebrating the 50^th anniversary accomplishments of the baby boomer generations for the past several years and will continue to celebrate 50th anniversaries for the next several years. But the seemingly never-ending arrival of the anniversaries of their achievements doesn’t mean that we have any less of a reason to celebrate.

They say that there are around 76 million baby boomers between the ages of 50 and 68. The ‘60s were a turbulent decade. Along with the craziness, there was an onslaught of positive developments and grand leaps forward.  Particularly noteworthy, this year marks the 50^th anniversary of the first Ford Mustang, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Beatle’s first North American tour. Ford boldly kicked off 50^th anniversary celebrations in April by assembling a Mustang on top of the Empire State Building in recognition of the car that was assembled there 50 years earlier. Ford is supposed to release 1,964 special edition Mustangs in commemoration of the landmark this fall. Also in April, a Civil Rights Summit was held at the LBJ Presidential Library in Texas in commemoration of the 50 years since the act. CBS news compiled some highlights of theBeatles first tour in North America.

You can see Ford management behind the scenes as they walk through the significance of the event and the steps they took to get the car to the top of NYC in the clip below. 

Some say that there is a generational divide. Some lay blame on the baby boomers for the financial crises or the setbacks in the economy. The baby boomers turn that back around and call out the younger generation for being entitled. At the end of the day, any generational gaps that exist can be overcome because of mutual interests. Take advantage of those opportunities to engage in activities that both sides enjoy.

Go ahead and take out some time to hang out with the baby boomer in your life. Even if you both are together on a regular basis, sometimes the routine of being together becomes exactly that: routine. There is no reason why the little things in life can’t be done together one Saturday afternoon. Sign up for a 5K race and walk (or run) to the finish, pump iron at the gym, paint nails, bake cookies, go to a local car show…the options are endless. Or if you’re the baby boomer, take out the record player and put on the Beatles and tell the younger generation what the ‘60s were like from your perspective.  

This blog was contributed by Stephanie Berger, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She studies at the University of South Carolina and is addicted to breakfast foods and sunshine.

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8 Fitness Activities to Add to Your Bucket List

The CrossFit craze has taken the United States by storm in the past decade. Membership is still steadily increasing and brands like Reebok are coming out with lines of apparel expressly designed for CrossFitters. CrossFit competitions further suggest that CrossFit is not going to loosen the firm hold that it is has gained in the fitness arena.

You can’t deny that CrossFitters are enthusiastic and dedicated to what they do, but their enthusiasm for what they do is not unique. Take a look at these trends that have acquired just as devoted and enthusiastic a following. Some you may be familiar with and others are just starting to take off.

1. Parkour

Parkour was developed in France in the ‘80s and comes from the French term “parcours” which translates to “course” in English. It was developed as a movement that allows the practitioner to be able to naturally respond to the environment around him with agility and flexibility. The athletes are referred to as traceurs and will typically vault, jump, run and climb through obstacles found in urban locations. Don’t assume this sport is strictly for youth. Traceurs of any age can be found leaping over obstacles in the park.


2. Bossaball

This high-intensity sport was developed in 2004 by a Belgian living in Spain. Think trampoline, beach volleyball and soccer all rolled into one. It has barely been one decade since its inception, but it nevertheless has gathered such wide support that organized competitive matches have been established around Europe and Central and South America.

3. Retro-Walking

There are those individuals that like to walk. (Some get up early to walk to the end of the driveway to retrieve a morning newspaper. Some take a walk after dinner with the dog. Some spend lunch strolling through the park.) But have you ever thought of walking backwards? In China and Japan, walking backwards through the park isn’t unheard of. As crazy as strolling around town backwards may seem, there are studies that say that walking backwards does have benefits and can reduce joint pain.

If nothing else walking backwards does give a unique perspective of life. Check out this artist who filmed Tokyo walking backwards. Who knew?

4. Obstacle Course Racing

Spartan Races. Mud runs. Obstacle races aren’t new and they certainly aren’t unheard of. But this certainly isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill fitness trend and is worthy of being added to a bucket list for those who have yet to take the plunge and enter one. The old-fashioned community 5K goes ten steps further with a series of challenging obstacles that only the strongest can get through. This is NOT for the timid. If you’re up for the challenge go ahead and take the plunge. Register for the next one held in your community. While you’re signing up, check out this guide expressly designed for prepping for a Spartan Race.

5. Hot Yoga

Hot yoga has gained traction for those looking for a more intense approach to yoga. Yoga is performed in rooms that are heated up to 105° F. The high temperatures and humidity of the rooms will rapidly raise your heart rate and tire out your muscles. The increased heat also provides people with the opportunity to feel more flexible. While it has recently gained popularity, the debates continue to persist on whether or not it is beneficial.

6. Capoeira

This is a Brazilian martial art that has been around for several centuries and was used by slaves to practice fighting. The music served as way to disguise it as a dance without detection from slave overseers. After watching captivating combination of acrobatics, dance, and rhythm, it is understandable why the centuries-long fascination with capoeira has persisted into modern day.

7. HIIT


High-intensity interval training. These workouts incorporate several short high-intensity repetitions with recoveries in between. These workouts are thought to be more effective at increasing a particular athletic ability because of the focus on intensity. This has become a fan favorite not just because it is touted for increasing metabolism and burning through fat at faster rates, but also because of the short workout duration. What’s not to like? More effective workout and less time…I’ll take it.


8. Unicycling

Okay. Maybe this isn’t new. Maybe it’s not a trend. But who says it can’t be made into a trend? After all, how many people are confident in their skills on a unicycle? Join the others dedicated to this one-wheel peculiarity and start a movement. I’m not an expert, but it’s hard to imagine how scooting around town on a unicycle wouldn’t do wonders for your core muscles and coordination.

This blog was contributed by Stephanie Berger, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She studies at the University of South Carolina and is addicted to breakfast foods and sunshine.

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