MikeThomasSmith.com

Hey Everyone,

I’ve got a problem.

I coached my 2nd basketball game last night and I wasn’t happy with the results.   I don’t feel like the ref was real fair with my kids.

Now understand it’s a church rec league for 6 year old boys so it’s not real intense.   The ref is real lenient on calls such as double dribbling and traveling and that’s understandable.    But last week we were beating the other team by 8 points midway through the fourth and he started calling everything on us until the game was taken away from us.

Now last night: Same ref.   One of the league rules is the kids must play defense with a foot in the paint.   My team complied but the other team consistently went as far as 3 steps out of the paint and play defense on us.  Nothing was called.   If my team took one step out he would blow the whistle.  He even acted as if he was getting tired of correcting my kids.

Me and my assisitant coach have talked to him and he gets real short with us.   I’ve thought about going to the director and asking him about it, but I don’t want to alienate my team any more than it obviously is.

Now I want to clear one thing up before hand.   I’m not a sore loser.  I don’t really care about winning and losing at this level.  I just want these kids to learn the game and have a lot of fun.   It got to the point where my team just gave up because it seemed they felt they couldn’t do anything right last night.  It killed their spirits.
Any suggestions on how I should handle this?

Mike

Hello all,

I’ve got some exciting news!

One of the most respected trainers in the world has agreed to do an interview with me.   Craig Ballantyne, the creator of Turbulence Training is going to take time out of his busy schedule and answer a few questions.

But even better I’ve got something special for you, but more on that in a moment.

For those who don’t know Craig Ballantyne, he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and his articles have been featured in fitness magazines such as Men’s Health, Oxygen, and Muscle and Fitness Hers.

Being the first day of a brand new year I know that you want to start 2009 the best way possible and what better way to achieve your fitness and weight loss goals then to get the straight answer from someone like Craig.

Here’s what I got for you.   Give me any question you have on fitness, strength training, weight loss, or Turbulence Training and I’ll ask Craig in our interview.    I’m expecting a lot of questions so I can’t promise yours will make it but I can promise you some good info from the interview.

To submit your question simply submit a comment to this post and don’t forget to bookmark this page and subscribe to the RSS feeds so you can see the transcription of the full interview later.   Or better yet subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll e-mail you when it’s ready.

Again, Craig Ballantyne is a very busy fitness expert and I urge you to take advantage of this.  You may never get this opportunity again.

Mike

The other day me and a friend worked out together at his home.    After every workout I like to drink a protein drink, as everyone should in a body building program.   My friend drinks protein drinks also but uses the classic liquid and powder and then stirring with a spoon.

If that’s how he wants to do it that’s fine I mean who doesn’t like a tasteless drink with almost no consistency except for the chunks of powder that did not mix.  YUK!

Personally I would rather use whatever liquid (soy milk, water, juice, etc.) with some frozen or fresh fruit, and anything else I want to add for taste and nutritional value, and pop all that in a blender and be done within seconds and save myself from carpel tunnel syndrome.

So I made him a real shake in the blender and he said it was great and he knew how to do all that but it was such a pain taking the blender apart so he can clean it after each use.    It should be cleaned otherwise you get all that hard food stuck in the cracks and crevices (again, YUK!).

The good news is there’s an easier way to clean your blender, and it only takes seconds.   Immediately after use just fill it halfway with water and put a drop of dish washing liquid in it.   Put the top back on it and stick it on the base and put it on “blend”.   It will fill up with suds in less than one second.  Turn it off pull off the top pour it our and then rinse it with water.  Dry it out with a towel and you are done.

Needless to say my friend was thrilled.

Enjoy your protein drinks again.

God Bless,

Mike

Hello everyone,

Only 2 days before Christmas and I’m so excited! But not as excited as my 3 kids.

Anyway, onto today’s message….

Last night my son and I went to the Grizzlies-Lakers game.  The game didn’t turn out like I would have liked but it was amazing seeing the Lakers, especially Kobe Bryant, up close.

I love pro sports because I find it amazing seeing what grown men and women can actually achieve physically and mentally through hard work and taking care of themselves.  Now I can hear most people arguing saying “They  were born with that ability and they are almost superhuman! Plus that is their job!” While I agree there is some natural talent there but it mean’s nothing if they had not been willing to sacrifice and put in the work. They are all great athletes but the best ones put in the extra work to be the elite, such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Peyton Manning.

First and foremost they take the time to keep themselves in shape into their adult years.  It may be their job but the truth is anyone can do it.  It takes less than an hour a day for the average person to stay in shape.  That’s less time than it takes to watch a TV show. I spend less time than that.  To find out the program I use click here.

I play basketball with some guys from church every Monday night and at 31 years old I consistently keep up with the 16 & 17 year old kids on the court.  It’s a great feeling that I can still be so physical at an age where most people have accepted that their best years are behind them.

So in closing here is my bold statement of the day.  We all have what it takes to maintain and improve our physical health and the limitations we put on ourselves are the choice that we have made.  I’ve made the choice to be able to jump higher, run faster and be stronger than I was yesterday.  What choice will you make?

Mike

With less than 2 weeks left in 2008 people are starting to think about New Year’s Resolutions.   Starting an exercise program is the most popular new year’s resolution consistently from year to year.

I already have people asking me to help them establish an exercise program.   After talking with them I realize that most people have good intentions and a strong desire to get in shape but not a lot of time.

I can totally relate being a husband and a father of three high energy boys (my oldest is six years old), plus as much as I love to exercise I still have other interests and commitments.

With that in mind I wanted to share a collection of 10 minute workouts that you can do from home.   Just fill out the form below and I’ll send it to you through e-mail.

Mike

I just got back from my nephew’s 9th birthday party at Pump It Up.  What a blast!  I had a great time playing with my 3 boys, my nephews and niece,  some kids I had coached in soccer and a bunch of kids I had never seen before!

I have to say it again.  I really enjoy kids and since I’ve managed to keep myself in great shape over the years I have the energy to go all out and have a great time with them.

It made me realize just how important it is to stay in shape and to maintain a healthy lifestyle in your adult years.  I contribute my good health to my exercise program and to healthy eating habits.  To see my exercise program of choice click here.

I had an absolute blast playing with the kids and in addition to being great exercise for me it really means a lot to them when an adult takes time to play with them.  It makes them feel special and will really help them in the long run.

Also when they talk to you stop and look them right in the eye and listen to them attentively.   There is no better way to make a difference in the future than to give your time to a child today.

Mike

I went to lunch yesterday and watched a guy order a double burger, 2 orders of fries and a large drink.  The cup was actually so big it had a handle.   What’s really amazing is how fast he ate it all.  He ate it all so fast that he actually fell asleep at the restaurant.  If he had realized that it takes 20 minutes for his stomach to send the signal to his brain indicating it’s full he might not have eaten at such a rapid pace.

Which brings me to today’s tip.  It does  take 20 minutes to realize that you’re full.   Plus it doesn’t take much food to fill you up.   I understand how it feels to be so hungry that you feel like you have to eat fast and hard. But if you eat slower it gives your body time to realize it’s full and you can save yourself over 1300 unneeded calories a day

But just take your time and remember the 20 minute rule.

Mike

Today is the day to get started!

Why wait till January 1st to change your habits?

We’ve got a perfect, Friday, December 5th to get a full month’s head-start on your fat burning goals.

If you are a beginner and don’t know where to start, simply make one small baby-step change to your nutrition. Add one serving of fruit and one serving of vegetables, and cut back on the sugar, bread, and junk food in your diet.

Then try to get a little bit more exercise today than yesterday. If that means 5 minutes, then that is good! That’s fine. It is better than what you did yesterday.

If you are more advanced but have started to slack off because of  the holidays, turn that mindset around and use the holidays as a  reason to “tighten things up”.

Plan out your holiday treat meals in advance, and focus on sticking to your fat burning meal plan at all other times.

Do your job and earn your rewards. You’ll feel much more satisfied this way than throwing all caution to the wind for the next 4 weeks.

So everyone, everywhere, let’s all proclaim December 5th to be the REAL New Year’s Day, and make all of our healthy habit changes NOW, not later.

Let’s get pumped up to lose weight over the holidays. Let’s do the impossible and show the world that not everyone has to gain five or ten pounds every December.

Get a head start on your 2009 fat burning plans today.

Start creating one new healthy habit every day in December.

There is NO reason to wait, click here to get a head start on your New Year’s Resolutions!

Mike
PS – Want to lose 17 pounds in 4 weeks with Turbulence Training?

“In 4 weeks I have lost 17 pounds and reduced my waist measurement 4 ½ inches, increased my energy levels throughout the day, got back into clothes I haven’t worn in months, and reduced my cholesterol to normal levels again. The most satisfying result is the comments I’m receiving from friends and family members on my transformation.”

– Hal Empsom

“In the result of the last 12 weeks on Turbulence Training I have Lost 21.8 lbs, not by starving but eating an average 1600+calories per day. I lost 4.25″ from my waist, 3.5″ from my hips and 2″ from my thighs. Dropped 7.7% bodyfat down to 16.9% Revealed abs, never seen before. Thanks!”

–Serena Tremlett

Click here to get started

Well it’s been a while since my last post and I apologize for that.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I’m looking forward to it.   This year more than ever because my Tennessee Titans get to play the Lions this year.

I always take the time to reflect on all the wonderful things and people I’ve been blessed with in my life.   I suggest you do the same.  It really puts things in perspective.

One of the things that I’m thankful for, and I often take for granted, is that I get to eat everyday.   But even though Thanksgiving is a great day to socialize with family, and food should be enjoyed, it marks the official start of the holiday season and guaranteed to ruin diets nationwide.

But it is possible to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal and not feel utterly miserable afterwards simply by taking a few precautions during meal time.

• Enjoy your family: This is the only time of year you get to see your second cousin Tracey.  Spend more time talking to her catching up and that’s less time you spend shoveling food in your mouth.
• Watch the cameras: If you’re family is anything like mine (and I’m sure they are) there are at least 7 people wandering around with cameras in hand just waiting to snap a shot of someone with a mouth full of food.  You know the pictures of you with your cheeks so stuffed you look like a chipmunk.? I’ll admit it there are a few of me.  And now everyone has a digital camera so you get the pleasure of seeing the pics instantly.
• Pick your poison: It’s okay to have a dessert but you don’t have to have all of them.   Make a point to only eat one serving of one dessert.   You will be a lot more particular about which one you choose instead of treating it like the buffet.
• Think ahead: Before I eat I always think about how I’m going to feel in 2 hours after my meal.   I don’t like to feel slow, sluggish, full, or tired.  It makes me miserable.   Thanksgiving Day is no different.  If you consider how you will feel later I promise you you will begin to make better decisions on your daily diet.

For more information on exercise and diet i suggest you pick up a copy of Turbulence Training

Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone!

Mike

I love to write and I love to speak so what better way to kill some free time than to write a book about public speaking?  I just finished it and got the site up yesterday.

If you have ever watched someone get up in front of a crowd and speak so confidantly and thought “I wish I could do that.” then I suggest you check this book out.  I used to be so shy that I wouldn’t even get in front of a group of my two best friends.  I stressed out over this for years and finally decided to get out there and do it.   Since then I have won numerous awards for my speeches and have used my skills to honor loved ones in different settings.   It’s a fantastic feeling to have that confidence.

Before the book was released it was reviewed by others for critique.  It has already changed the way people view public speaking and proves that it is not as scary as society has perceived it.

To check out the book and be one of the first people with it click here.

Mike