Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 3/7/13
And so it begins. According to the weather reports, the east coast (Boston) is supposed to get hammered with yet another winter storm today through tomorrow. I’m looking outside my window as I type this and it’s getting a little suspicious for sure.
But then again, we were supposed to get a 12+ inch storm two weekends ago and ended up getting nothing more than a few rain drops (and a lot of empty bread isles in the grocery stores). I think after Snowmeggedon 2013 the meteorologists are all leaning on the side of “better to be safe than sorry,” and preparing people for the worst in every scenario.
A forecast of two inches miraculously turns into 18. And predicted gusts comprable to a few branches being blown down inevitably turn into DEFCON FOUR gail force winds.
It remains to be seen what’s going to happen, but in the meantime here are a few things to read while I go stock up on batteries and sit in the fetal position in my bathroom……
3 Reasons To Never Trust Estimated Calorie Burn On Cardio Machines – Pat Koch
You know that annoying “friend” or colleague of yours who comes back from his or her lunch break and brags about how they just burned 789 calories jogging for 30 minutes on the treadmill while watching The Price Is Right?
You know it’s BS and want nothing more than to call them out on it, grab the closest sharp object within arms reach (envelop opener, scissors, a machete), and heave it at their head like an 0-2 fastball.
The worst part is that while they’re sitting there at their desk telling you how awesome they are, they’re crushing a burrito from Chipotle topped off with an eight ounce Gatorade.
Well here’s your chance. Hand them this article. And for dramatic effect, when you do hand it to them, slap it on their desk and yell out a triumphant “Ah….HA! I told you!!!”
The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food – Michael Moss
This was a fascinating, thorough, well-researched piece on the food industry (more specifically: the food science industry) and the lengths that they go to to get a share of our stomachs.
After reading it myself I wouldn’t be surprised if they could take sandpaper dipped in cancer and make that an appetizer of the day.
RFD and Superhero Athleticism – Sean Guevremont
I’ve stated in the past that absolutely LOVE paying it forward, and pointing people in the direction of fitness professionals, writers, and bloggers that many of you otherwise may have never heard of.
I get a fair number of people who reach out to me asking me to “plug” their articles, and if I were going to be honest a fair number of them are utter crap.
Occasionally, however, the stars align and I get sent something that I feel is pretty darn good.
For me, what makes a good article isn’t so much its length or use of fancy words (although some may think differently), but rather how effective it is at getting its message across in a simple-to-follow yet engaging format.
Here’s a quick, to-the-point post by Sean on rate of force development and why including some dedicated speed work into your repertoire may be the missing ingredient.
Comments for This Entry
Beng Hwee
Since estimated calorie burned on cardio machines are inaccurate, what are your thoughts on calorie burned on HR monitor such as from popular brands POLAR? Are they accurate?March 7, 2013 at 10:45 am |
Pat Koch
Beng, I had trouble finding any good information on that. My intuition tells me that they would be more accurate, based on the added variable of HR. I would call a company rep and ask them.March 7, 2013 at 9:25 pm |
TonyGentilcore
I'm sure there is some variability with the HR monitors too; everything is estimated. But I feel the HR monitors are much more accurate. Or, at least much closer.March 8, 2013 at 7:01 am |
Barath
In Tucson, snow is but a far memory. But meteorologists have forecast a two-inch on my gunz today. Also, no one disses Chipotle Burritos (well, the Burrito bowl, actually). Hang your head in shame for putting it alongside Gatorade. *rolls eyes*March 7, 2013 at 11:07 am |
TonyGentilcore
Well, I wasn't really dissing Chipotle, though. Just dissing people who think they burned 800 calories walking on a treadmill and then follow that with a 1000+ calorie meal. Silly people.March 8, 2013 at 7:03 am |
Kevin Styles
Thanks for sharing these articles. I get the "hunched over, intense look" when I read them, which gives me the appearance that I am "really into my work".March 7, 2013 at 11:54 am |
TonyGentilcore
HA! Good to hear Kevin. Thanks for reading.March 8, 2013 at 7:03 am |
Media Monday 25: Family, Five Pillars, Genes –
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