Pushups For Charity in Mississippi

Clint Barr, Owner of Raising The Barr Fitness, pictured with LCpl. Conner Bradley, USMC

On Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 10:30am here at Raising The Barr Fitness dozens of Jackson area residents will be pushing to give back to our wounded military veterans.  It's called Pushups For Charity and we would love for you to come and be a part of this great event! There are several ways to be involved, from simply making a donation to getting some people to sponsor you for doing pushups, … [Read more...]

Opening Day, Easter, The Masters… and Flyovers

My brother Chase returning from Afghanistan last month hugging his two oldest daughters.

This past week was one of my most favorite times of the year.  Three reasons: MLB Opening Day - baseball is at the heart of who I am as an individual.  I grew up playing the sport and was fortunate enough to make it to the professional level.  Thus, Opening Day holds a special place in my heart personally.  But baseball in general is so much a part of America that most Americans are just as … [Read more...]

Have you gone mental?

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In my last blog entry I gave some of my favorite suggestions when being interrogated…..er…..I mean asked about various fitness topics.  So I thought I would continue with that…..sorta. Here are some thoughts on mind set.  So on with the randomness. Health and fitness is very much a mind game.  For example,  let’s say I give you an exercise to do but I don’t count out loud.  … [Read more...]

Mental Motivation

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What is it about certain songs, insane trainers, and competition that drives us to get those extra few repetitions in or run that extra mile even when we KNOW our bodies are on the verge of breaking down? I’m sure we’d all like to believe that we’ve been given some sort of magical power for the time being that allows us to house super human strength to push through.  But the reality of … [Read more...]

Get Ready for a 5K Race the Healthy Way

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A 5K race is the perfect length for beginners to select to take their running out of the solo arena and put it into a group setting. And with spring rapidly approaching, the opportunities to participate in a 5K that benefits local charitable organizations will be plentiful. Preparation, however, is critical for gaining the ability to really go the distance. Getting ready for a 5K race … [Read more...]

Getting Your Kids Active

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Drive or walk around your neighborhood every afternoon or on a weekend when its beautiful weather outside, chances are something in particular will stand out. No, it’s not the little old ladies working in their garden and its not Bubba outside washing his four-wheeler, it’s the absence of children playing outside. In this age of facebook, twitter, x box, Netflix and iPads kids are more … [Read more...]

Acceptable vs. Excessive

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Something interesting is happening in Arizona, well, to me at least. A bill has been proposed that would require advertisers to put a disclaimer on photos that have been altered or enhanced. I haven’t read the details of the proposed legislation, but this definitely interests me. The bigger issue is not false advertising, it is false perception, false reality, false expectations all based on … [Read more...]

The 3 Pillars

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I was all set today to write about my recent trip to San Francisco about how wonderful it was, and how much fun my wife and I had while there.  In fact, I did write it.  It was filled with fun factual information about the city and all the things that I experienced. Truth be told... It was C-R-A-P! (excuse my loose tongue) There would have been no benefit to you for reading it and the only … [Read more...]

Just Sayin’

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Gotta love my job. Like doctors, lawyers and financial advisers, when people find out what I do they always have questions. Which can be a pretty cool thing in certain settings. So I thought I'd touch on a few of the most common things I get asked. OK first............the disclaimer. Most of this is just my opinion or what I have seen and has worked for me. Everyone is a bit different so it's … [Read more...]

The “Real” Path of Success

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Success has, like many things in this world, become diluted by media in how it is obtained.  It is far too often displayed as a “Point A to Point B” scheme that we must follow precisely to achieve what the world has deemed “successful.” Examples that come to mind are the late night TV ads that say,  “I was 400lbs! Now I weigh 160! SUCCESS!” without any additional verbal … [Read more...]

The Love of a Father

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Last week I sent a letter to all Raising The Barr Fitness clients asking them about where they were with the goals they set for 2012.  One month has already passed in this New Year, so I wanted to refresh everyone of the path they set themselves on for 2012. In the letter I shared my personal health and fitness goals for 2012, which just so happened to be the top priority goals for the … [Read more...]

Feedback

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Feedback is a simple concept to grasp but can sometimes be a difficult behavior to put into practice. However, open communication, including feedback, from client to trainer is imperative to a healthy training environment and relationship. The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word as "The return of information about the result of a process or activity; an evaluative response." The … [Read more...]

Tim Tebow’s Greatest Attribute

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I know what you're thinking... "not another Tim Tebow article boasting, or bashing (depending on the author's stance), about the Denver Bronco quarterback. While I can definitely understand the hype, and therefore the disdain that has come out of the mass media coverage over the past several years and more noticeably the past couple of months, I merely want to share my thoughts on what I … [Read more...]

Do You Really Need A Personal Trainer?

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Seriously?! No really I mean it. Are you seriously concerned about your health? I would assume so since you are reading a blog on a fitness website.  I’m not going to “guilt” you into anything and if it’s not something you can budget there is no reason to compromise your financial health.  But in regards to the later, I would challenge you to add up all the money you spend on … [Read more...]

Life Is A Gift!

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  “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20     This is a favorite scripture of mine and it is very applicable to anyone who may question what the Bible says about how we should treat our bodies. As … [Read more...]

Striking The Right Balance

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Getting into shape, losing weight and developing a healthy, happy self-image is a journey that will not happen overnight. It takes time and dedication to reach goals and make sure your efforts result in lasting change. So, how can you sustain yourself for the long-haul and keep your attitude positive to ensure success? There is a secret trio of ingredients that go into any successful … [Read more...]

Making The Investment

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In order for you to succeed in just about anything nowadays requires some form of investment. For the most part there are 3 main ingredients that must go in for anything good to come out. Those three are the following in order of importance:   Money: We live in a world where money makes the world go round so it must play a role in your success. Naturally if you invest in stocks you … [Read more...]

The Best Treatment for Most Major Health Problems

I came across this video today and it is the best video I have ever seen on explaining the benefits of exercise. Take 10 minutes and WATCH THIS VIDEO. If after watching this you aren't convinced of the importance of exercise, WATCH IT AGAIN!:)   … [Read more...]

2011 Client of the Year Suzanne Deaton

About a year ago I dragged myself out of bed one morning to face someone in the mirror I didn’t recognize. How in the world had this happened? About three years earlier I had started my gradual decline. I had taken a more sedentary job. Also, I suffered an illness that made it difficult to exercise, and the prescribed medication exacerbated the weight gain. After my recovery, however, I … [Read more...]

“The Key is to Get Started”

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Jackson Personal Training Video Testimonial

Upon joining Raising The Barr, I felt like I had exhausted my options on losing weight and getting fit. In August of 2010, I saw and endocrinologist and determined that I was insulin resistant. Trying different methods and expensive medications, nothing was working to jump start my weight loss and get my insulin under control. As you can imagine, being a young female, not having control over your … [Read more...]

Raising The Barr Fitness Success Story

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“I Knew I Needed To Make Some Changes in My Life”

My life became very chaotic after graduating college four years ago with three new jobs and three moves across state lines. Taking care of myself was not on the top of my To-do list. I became extremely lazy and my eating habits were horrific. Watching the latest episode of the Bachelor became more important than going to the gym or cooking a healthy meal. From the lack of exercise, the morning … [Read more...]

2011 Client of the Year/Christmas Party

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Twas the night...err...week before Christmas and all through the house (studio) not a creature was stirring, EXCEPT.... ...30 RTB clients and their families enjoying a "rockin'" good time at the Raising The Barr Fitness Christmas party. We all enjoyed a little food, some great conversation, and one crazy, out of hand "White Elephant" gift exchange (seriously, the thievery was thick) … [Read more...]

Black Bean Pumpkin Chili

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Black Bean Pumpkin Chili   Ingredients: *1.5 lbs. lean ground turkey meat *1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree *2 (15 oz.) cans black beans with their water - do not drain (no sugar added) *2 cups chicken broth or stock (no sugar added) *3 tbsp. cinnamon *3 tbsp. chili powder *1 tbsp. cumin *1 tbsp garlic powder *2 tbsp. onion powder *1/4 cup honey *1 tsp. … [Read more...]

Sun Dried Tomato and Olive Hummus

Sun Dried Tomato and Olive Hummus (Makes about 3-1/2 cups or 13 servings) Ingredients: *2 (15 oz.) cans chickpeas *Juice of 2 lemon *1/2 cup tahini *1/2 tsp. salt *1 tbsp. garlic powder *1 cup sun dried tomatoes *1 cup chopped black olives *Water- just a little for consistency Directions: Step 1 - Place all ingredients, except the olives, in your food processor and … [Read more...]

Ratatouille

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Ratatouille Ingredients: *1 tbsp. Italian season *1 tbsp. garlic powder *1 tbsp. onion powder *1 tbsp. basil *3 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce (no sugar added) *16 oz. zucchini, sliced *16 oz. yellow squash, sliced *16 oz. tomato, sliced *16 oz. eggplant, sliced Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Step 1 - Arrange the vegetables in a rotating order, layered in the … [Read more...]

Turkey Busting 2011 Brings Food and Hope To Families In Need

Clint Barr, Owner of Raising The Barr Fitness, delivering the Turkey Busting Workout donations to the Care Center

For the third year in a row the Turkey Busting Workout hosted by Raising The Barr Fitness has been held the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving to help collect food for the Care Center.  This year was our biggest turn out yet as we continue to grow this event and increase the reach for which we can help those who desperately need it. The Care Center feeds on average 200 families per … [Read more...]

Posterior Chain

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Let’s talk about the posterior chain. Heard of it? The posterior chain is made up of all the muscles, tendons and ligaments that run down your backside. For the purpose of this blog, posterior chain refers to the muscles of the back, glutes, and hamstring specifically. They are given the name “posterior” because they run down your backside. These are the muscles that will make a pair of … [Read more...]

The Role of Insulin Sensitivity

Role of Insulin

Turkey Day is quickly approaching!  So I chose a topic that has probably been addressed here but thought it was worth another look. One of the things that has the biggest impact on our quest to lose fat and gain muscle strength is insulin.  We’re all familiar with insulin.  Unfortunately it’s probably because we know of someone with diabetes or we’re scared of developing it … [Read more...]