RTK Wk4 W/O1 (P2)

More wild-man stuff!

Warm Up (5 mins)
Main (40 mins)
1. Wrist Push Ups (10, 10, 10)
2a. Barefoot Sprints (15s, 10s, 5s)
2b. Rope Climbing (4, 3, 2)
2c. Pinch Grip Pull Ups (4, 4, 4)
3a. Tuck Planche (3x5s + fill to minute)
3b. Barefoot Kill Carry (1)
4. Hangboarding (Intermediate)

I started late but really enjoyed this workout.  The rope climbing was HARD - well the first set anyway.  The barefoot sprints felt good; laboured from still being 'full' from my afternoon meal, but quite a pleasant sensation on the soles of the feet.  True barefoot is a great sensation and VFFs are like soooo 2009!

At 85kg, the hangboarding was always going to feel tough on the fingers.  This might also explain the ambivalent performance in the frog and tuck planche.

"We Stepped Out of a Supernova"

Science presentation at its most inspirational!

RTK Wk3 W/O3*

* Having just taken an impromptu week off, the naming conventions have gone a bit mad!

The Six Nations is back on this weekend with some cracking matches.  The paleo approach will be overtaken by a beer soaked celebration (hopefully).  You've got to keep fit, but you've also got to live life!

After some odd Lau Gar exercises the other night my 'tweaked' left elbow suddenly feels sooooo much better.  I am going to put in some deloaded OAC work to test it out.

Warm Up (5 mins)
Main (35 mins)
1a.Deadlift (4X137kg , 5X123kg)
1b. One Arm Chin Ups (4x49, 5x44, 6x39)
2. Wall Walk/Back Bridge to In-L-Sit (2, 10s, 10s)
3. HSPUs/Lowers/Dumbell Press (1, 6x14kg, 8x12kg)
4. Ice Cream Makers (4, 4, 4)
5.Four-Way Rotator Cuff (10)

Are We Still Evolving?

A quick heads-up for next Tuesday's Horizon program (21:00 on BBC Two).

• Dr Alice Roberts asks one of the great questions about our species: are we still evolving?
  
  There's no doubt that we're a product of millions of years of evolution.But thanks to modern technology and medicine, did we escape Darwin's law of the survival of the fittest?
  
  Alice follows a trail of clues from ancient human bones, to studies of remarkable people living in the most inhospitable parts of the planet, to the frontiers of genetic research to discover if we are still evolving - and where we might be heading.

It will also be available on iPlayer.

Note:  The term "Survival of the Fittest" was NOT Darwin's.  It was actually coined by British philosopher Herbert Spencer.  Darwin interpreted it as "better adapted for the immediate, local environment", whereas we generally interpret it as "in the best physical shape".

Fat Apes

We all know that there are scientists have identified myriad reasons for our obesity.  There are several ideas from rogue proteins, and psychological disorders to toxic environments.  I prefer the simple explanation - you're eating shit food.

Few of these 'rogue proteins' seemed to be expressed in abundance during the lean teams of the early part of the 20th Century.  I can think of few things more stressful than the uncertainty that two world wars brought.  I dunno, it just doesn't stack up.  Added to that we see fat people with fat pets. Are these animals suffering some kind of mental anxiety?  Dudo (I doubt it).

Less Advice, More Information

This seems to have crept under my radar. The International Journal of Applied and Basic Nutritional Sciences have broken cover with this paper "In the face of contradictory evidence: Report of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee":

• "Concerns that were raised with the first dietary recommendations 30 y ago have yet to be adequately addressed. The initial Dietary Goals for Americans (1977) proposed increases in carbohydrate intake and decreases in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt consumption that are carried further in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Report. Important aspects of these recommendations remain unproven, yet a dietary shift in this direction has already taken place even as overweight/obesity and diabetes have increased. Although appealing to an evidence-based methodology, the DGAC Report demonstrates several critical weaknesses, including use of an incomplete body of relevant science; inaccurately representing, interpreting, or summarizing the literature; and drawing conclusions and/or making recommendations that do not reflect the limitations or controversies in the science. An objective assessment of evidence in the DGAC Report does not suggest a conclusive proscription against low-carbohydrate diets. The DGAC Report does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that increases in whole grain and fiber and decreases in dietary saturated fat, salt, and animal protein will lead to positive health outcomes. Lack of supporting evidence limits the value of the proposed recommendations as guidance for consumers or as the basis for public health policy. It is time to reexamine how US dietary guidelines are created and ask whether the current process is still appropriate for our needs."

My emphasis.  They are not afraid to question the absence of robust scientific method.  I particularly like the last line - questioning HOW the guidelines are created.  This is a massive question.  We all know to follow the money.  There is so much money to be made with the status quo (not to mention the 'reputational capital' of scientists and key medical figures), that transparency has suffered.  Transparency is always the first victim of illicit profiteering.

Growth Hormone Diet