10 Day Transformation starts today!

Day NOW!  So I started my Purium 10 Day Transformation a day early (today) because I could not wait to get going!  As I write this I have already had 10 Super Aminos (vegan legume based aminos) which is about the same protein as a big steak and 12 ounces of water.  I noted in my Instagram post I hate drinking lots of water in the morning.  Isn’t that the epitomy of health, Coach?  Maybe yes, maybe no, but I’m on board now (yes, even Joey sometimes struggles with doing what is healthy).  This starts my week with tons of greens and superfoods, which means I'm kicking off the week feeling healthy and energized.  No catch phrases with Purium, just good old organic holistic nutrition.  

Why am I doing this again?  To recap, over the winter plethora of skin issues (I've always had skin issues actually but they flared up much worse over the winter).  I am also doing this because it is time to get ripped. I just finished a strength block where my only goal was to lift more weight and I accomplished that.  And finally, I am turning 40 this October and going in full charge with a healthy and in shape body to crush my 40’s!  Now it’s time to look better, clear up those skin issues and rock this next decade.  I currently weigh between 185-186ish and hoping to get under 180 with some more definition.  Is it vain?  Maybe, but don't we all want to look better while getting healthier?  

I'm telling you all this so you can follow my journey on this EASY path with Purium and me.  Who knows, you might want to start your own path real soon!  

Remember Purium is all natural and organic superfoods that help you live a healthier life.  Purium makes it real easy to get all your nutrients in during your busy day(s).  Contact me at jtabtraining@gmail.com or message me on my Instagram or Facebook for more details.  Stay tuned over the next 10 days as I update you on my progress and you walk with me on this journey.  

Going Beyond The Basics

Everywhere you look there is new nutrition info out there.  Some complex, some simple.  But at JTab, we believe that good nutrition goes beyond just eating your fruits and vegetables (although those are great places to start!) This week we go a little deeper and dive into some of the things that may be affecting your weight and body composition beyond the obvious.

1. HORMONES:  And we’re not just talking the typical male/female hormones. Food effects your hormones and hormones effects your nutrition.  One example is sugar.  We can all safely say excess sugar isn’t the healthiest thing in the world, correct?  Sugar also creates inflammation and stress in your body and thus makes your cortisol hormone go bonkers.  Cortisol then creates havoc on your body, killing your sleep, your mood, etc.  Choose foods that help your hormones balance out, and your body will be more in balance, you will see your health skyrocket, and you will feel amazing.  
2. Blood sugar spiking:  Bananas.  They are either the devil or to be worshipped.  Most science still says when you eat a high sugar food item (like a banana) alone, your blood sugar spikes causing a havoc on your body.  You must pair these high sugar food with either a fat or protein (think peanut butter on a banana).  This slows down the absorption of the sugar in the banana so your body doesn’t go crazy.  
3. More hormone talk:  Men, and to a lesser degree women, should be looking to add more testosterone optimizing foods (such as brazil/macadamia nuts, eggs, grass fed beef, etc.).  Optimizing your hormones (the ones you are supposed to have but modern life decreases) will create a more favorable body composition and help your health considerably.  Plastics, air fresheners, receipts, scented candles, and most skin care products all have estrogen mimicking properties that can keep you from having optimal hormones and feeling your best.  Again, optimal was the key word, so don’t stress over every little thing. Try to steer clear as much as possible to keep hormones under control. 
4. Organic:  I know this gets thrown around in talk like a rag doll, but to optimize your health, hormones, and body, you should be looking to add more organic foods as you can.  There is a great list to go by called the “Dirty Dozen/Clean 15”.  When purchasing the foods/produce on the dirty dozen list, try to be organic as much as possible.  Meats (if you eat meat) should be purchased as organic as possible, and if you can’t buy organic meats, try to get the LEANEST cuts available to you.  The extra hormones from raising are stored in the fats.  A good rule of thumb is a food with a thick outer peel that you don’t eat (think a banana) probably doesn’t have to be organic.
5. Timing:  There is lots of talk about nutrient timing.  My thoughts are, as long as you get the correct calories for your body and activity level, timing is less important.  The idea here is to think smart and plan ahead. Having a heavy carbohydrate meal in the morning can lead to be exhausted mid day.  If you are required to have lots of energy mid day, think about high protein/high fats (the good kind) foods such as eggs, avocados, or greens. And, what about the class “3 square meals a day”. Is that the best rule of thumb? No! See how your energy levels are day in and out and tweak accordingly. Eat to fuel your body and stay energized, not just because you feel like you “have” to eat. 

Old vs New

What a difference a year makes!

As JTab Training celebrated one year at our new location in East Greenwich, I have to look back at how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown over the past year. Moving from a cramped 450 square feet to over 1,600 has completely transformed how our clients work out. For those who were with JTab at the old gym, you may remember strict work out schedules, less equipment and a much more crowded space. Now, at our new location we are able to fit over 10 clients at a time (with room to still move around), more equipment, and multiple trainers. Because of this, we can be much more flexible with the time people can show up to work out, as well as offer multiple options for trainers (although lets be honest, we all know who the best is….)

Another big change is that our clients all receive personalized sheets with a workout each visit. These sheets break down the days workout, as well as reminds everyone what they should be doing, how many reps they need to do and how much weight to add. This allows more people through while still getting my personalized attention. Some people like more direction during their workout, while others prefer just an intermittent check-in. With the sheets and the new space, I am able to effectively split my time between helping those that need it more and those who don’t need as much attention.

With more people in the gym at one time, the open layout still allows me to see everyone working out at once. Even with multiple people working out at once, I can watch everyone’s form, help set up exercises and make sure everyone is working out safely and effectively.

While I will always be grateful for the business’ roots and where it started, I must say (and I hope my client’s agree!) that our new location has allowed for some awesome changes. While we may be here for the next few years, keep an eye out for even more changes in the future. Like our clients strength training, we are a work in progress, and will continue to grow bigger and stronger.

High School Athlete's Nutrition

Here we are 2015.  High School athlete are training more and more and pushing harder and harder.  That's the good(great) part.  Lifting weights to become strong(er) to jump higher, throw harder, run faster, hit harder, hit further... and doing smart strength based conditioning ie:sprints, ropes, kb swings, etc.  Awesomeness! 

The "other" part of the equation is the recovery and nutritional component.  I have seen and chatted with many young athletes and their parents to really see enough of the picture(think a very sad looking puppy face). 

Some of my young athletes do not know what a veggie or fruit(who doesn't like fruit??!?!!) are.  Enough is enough.  This is the harder part for sure.  Until now.  Jtab Training has partnered with Purium to bring only the best organic nutrition to help fuel recovery and have more "Awesomeness" on the court or in the field.  Jtab Training has put together monthly packages that when used as directed will help young athletes achieve more with less soreness, recovery time and potential for injury.  Note: although these products are all whole food and organic based, we still need allergy info for athletes beforehand.

PURIUM Athlete Packs

The Varsity Pack $145/month
Best Recovery/Nutritional Support - High Level

1)    Super Amino23- Organic Legume(non-soy) Protein Pills for muscle recovery, muscle mass and preventing muscle breakdown during season and during lifting sessions.  30 servings(5 pills/serving)
2)    Power Shake(Apple Berry)- Organic Greens Shake combining many organic superfoods give you sustained energy during games/lifting.  Added benefit for those that don’t like veggies it will count towards your daily veggie intake.  Energy, endurance and strength preworkout/pre-gametime.  15 servings
3)    Super Xanthin- Organic Astaxanthin, nature’s highest antioxidant superfood.  Will prevent muscle tissue damage, buffer lactic acid accumulation, improve recovery time.  This is a game changer!  30 servings
4)    LOVE Supermeal- Organic high protein, high nutrient meal replacement to further aid in workout/game recovery.    Purium’s L.O.V.E. Super Meal(TM) is composed of 36 pure, premium, natural, whole food ingredients. It contains 12 green foods, 10 vegetables, 9 sprouts, and 5 mushrooms - and only 2 grams of naturally occurring sugar. It can be considered 7 products in 1: Weight Loss Formula + Protein Drink + Fiber Supplement + Essential Fatty Acid Supplement + Super-Antioxidant + Immune Support Supplement + Energy Drink(non-stimulant, from natural energy)!  10 servings/container(20 half servings/container)

The JV Pack $115/month
Best Recovery/Nutritional Support- Medium Level

1)    Super Xanthin  30 servings
2)    LOVE Supermeal  10 servings(20 half servings)
3)    Super Amino23  30 servings(5 pills/serving)

The Freshman Pack $70/month
Best Recovery/Nutritional Support- Basic Level

1)    Super Xanthin  30 servings
2)    LOVE Supermeal  10 servings(20 half servings)

To Be Added to Any Pack:  Apothe Cherry- Purium’s Apothe-CherryTM is made from Montmorency Tart Cherries, which are nature’s most nutritionally dense food. They contain a wide variety of antioxidants and phyto-chemicals, and each serving contains 7,000 ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units.  $25/16 servings(32 half servings)

Simply come visit Jtab Training here in East Greenwich, RI and place your order or ask any questions about components.  You can contact me(Joey of Jtab Training LLC) 401-529-5089, via Facebook(Jtab Training LLC) or on this website(www.jtabstrength.com).  

Things I've Been Digging Series, Part 1 Anti-Soreness Nutritional Support

Here is the first installment of things I've been "digging" (Yes, I was a H.S. and college volleyball player and H.S. coach back in the day, so theres a little volleyball humor for you).  These days my cousin and I have been crushing an intense bodybuilding program called Super Hero Muscle.  I would usually be sore each week (lifting 4 times a week can do that to you).  About a year ago I was introduced to a great line of organic nutritional components called Purium (PURe and PremIUM).  Recently I tweaked my peri (pre and post) workout nutrition to match my recovery needs and have been seeing great results.  Here is my exact routine: 

Preworkout: 2 scoops Power Shake (organic greens and slow release carbs), 2 Super Xanthin (see below info on Astaxanthin), 4 Super23 Aminos (organic vegan protein amino pills).

Postworkout: 2 Super Xanthins (see below), 4-5 Super23 Aminos and a serving of LOVE Supermeal Protein Meal Replacement Shake.

Ever since, I've been doing this almost to a T every lifting day and have had no muscle soreness and can actually function the next day.  Years before finding this organic nutritional support there were days after lifting I wouldn't be able to move well and this does not bode well when trying to show exercises to clients.

Sound like a lot?  You could say so.  Important to note A) I live for intense lifting (stress relief for me) and setting personal records, and B) My body is a walking billboard of my business. While you may not have the same lifting goals (or needs) that I do, we could all benefit from a little more nutrition and a little less soreness in our lives, can't we?

This doesn't happen to me anymore!

Super Xanthin

Bye-bye, lactic acid. Hello, better body!

• May protect muscle tissue from damage
• May provide some protection for the skin from UVA and UVB damage
• May reduce lactic acid build-up and improve recovery time
• May support eye health

Purium`s Super XanthinTM is made from nature`s most powerful antioxidant, which studies show is 550 times stronger than vitamin E. It helps combat free radical damage to muscles and helps reduce the buildup of lactic acid that causes post-workout soreness. We recommend combining this product with our Super Amino 23 so you can get the most out of your workouts.