Free Ballantyne's Day Gifts for You

February is a special month because of a very special day.

Ballantyne's Day.

Lots of gifts coming your way this month because of it.

First, for the ladies, all the ladies, if you're on the list, say "Yeah!".

Here's a special success story and bonus bodyweight training session in this free report for women.

 
And for all the fellas, if you're in the house, put your hands up and say "Yeah!"

(Haha, extra points if you did that at work.)

Here's a free meal plan and classic workout for men

(BTW guys, remember, at some point, you might want to switch from losing fat to building muscle if you want to have a better beach body...more info about my height-to-weight 'rule' coming soon.)

And if that's still not enough, try one of my favorite workouts that also gives you a little insight into how and why I create programs the way I do...

...You'll learn about the "Hot Zone" method of exercise selection and fat burning TT Workouts here

 

Enjoy,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Ready for a laugh?

We just translated Turbulence Training into French...

...and the video demonstration is hilarious.

At least to me it is.

Gold's Gym World Tour Continues

Meathead workout at Gold's Gym today. It was a nice one too...windows were open and nice Florida breeze running through.

Did you know they have a Gold's Gym in Haiti? That's on the proverbial bucket list...to train there - while on a trip with Frank McKinney's Haiti Caring House program that I plan to attend someday
- http://frank-mckinney.com/caring_project.aspx

And you know who likes training at Gold's? This guy...

"He's baaaaaaaaack…Braigz CallEntynez brings you the February 2K12 workout, TT Muscle Metabolic Massacre" at www.TTMembers.com 

And check out this guy...he's new…or nouveau, as they say. It's the French version of Turbulence Training.

Je m'appelle Craig De La Ballantanques...huh huh huh (sneaky French laugh)...L'entraînement Turbulence...vous adore le video, oui?
- http://www.lentrainementturbulence.com/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
"Don't wait. The time will never be just right". ~Napoleon Hill

You must do the things you think you cannot do. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Off to Tampa

Austin-Atlanta-Tampa-Joel'z house. To hang out with his daughter, Lily. Not so much him. That's today's travel route. No training today. Some Meathead upper body tomorrow. And releasing TT Muscle Metabolism Massacre tomorrow for TT members.

Want more travel updates?

Just made my personal Craig Ballantyne Facebook page available for subscription...so you'll get more cool travel, fitness, personal diet, and insane Bally the Dog updates here: https://www.facebook.com/ttfatloss?sk=wall

Today's KickButt Mindset Tips:
Life is simple if you believe this: Everything that happens to me - good and bad - is my personal responsibility. I blame no one but myself. These are the choices I've made - this is the life I'm living, I will accept the consequences of my actions.

You know that thing you're scared of doing...are you going to let it stop you this week too? No. Make this the week that you finally overcome the obstacles in your way. You've got nothing to lose but your excuses.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Trainer of the Year Award

Each year I write fitness predictions for the upcoming 12 months.

This year's hot topics include Adventure Racing workouts, more cross-training bootcamps, etc.

But this is the first year I've decided to give out awards for top trainer, top fat loss client and more.

Find out who won the awards here:

=> http://www.ttfatloss.com/turbulence-training-trainer-awards/

You'll also discover...

- Who had the Transformation of the year
- The workout of the year
- Rookie of the year
- Exercise of the year
- And my favorite workout of the year

=> http://www.ttfatloss.com/turbulence-training-trainer-awards/

It could be YOU who wins next year.

Find out how here:

=> http://www.ttfatloss.com/turbulence-training-trainer-awards/

Congrats to our winners,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Austin 24 Hour Fitness Workout

Just trained at the 24h Fitness up by UT here in Austin. It was a decent gym.

Hit the Barbell Squat, Split Squat, RDL, and Ab Wheel.

For a friend, I put them through the gauntlet of Goblet Squats-KB swings-Close stance goblet squats. One of my favorite finishers.

Also started my workout with foam rolling. How to do foam rolling - helpful video from Chris Lopez, Certified Turbulence Trainer

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2KS-wnfAag

Was too busy for tacos yesterday...hopefully today I'll get to Torchys.

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
The best way to get started is to get started. Life rewards action…not reaction. Wait for nothing. Attack life. Don't plan to death or ask for permission…but act now…and apologize later. – Kekich Credo #81

Just do it. It's less painful to do it than it is to sit around and think about it or feel guilty that you haven't started yet. Once you get started, things will get done.

Today's www.InternetIndependence.com Tip:
"Pick one thing and become the best at it, and you'll never be short of income." – Thomas Plummer

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Meathead Saturday Awesomeness

Massive meathead workout today at Gold's in Austin: Pullups, DB Rows, Seated Rows, DB Triceps, DB Shrugs, more triceps, and db curls. Good times.

Will probably hitting Torchy's tacos around 12:30 today for lunch. Yesterday was taco Friday, with some awesome tuna tacos for lunch at South Congress Cafe, and more awesome beef and pork tacos for dinner at Garridos.

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Take time today to plan for your future while enjoying where you are in the present.

Take time and review the goals that you set earlier this year. Have you met all of your short-term goals? Are you getting closer to your long-term goals? If you aren't, determine the obstacles in your way and make a plan to get around them.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Austin Adventures in Peanut Butter

Austin, TX, first stop: Wal-Mart grocery store for supplies. Broccoli, water, apples, bread, peanut butter (no sugar), vitamin C, and fish oils.

That'll keep me in my routine,,,but will definitely hit some tacos while I'm here...best in town are where?

But first, some adventures in peanut butter...I got to my room with my jar of natural peanut butter...and then realized I didn't have anything to stir it up with...then I remembered I brought a brand new toothbrush, so I cracked open the case and used it to mix the peanut butter and oil together...and the best part about natural peanut butter is that you can pretty much drink the peanut butter out of the jar, like a thick shake. Good times.

Survey: What's your choice?...Smooth peanut butter, chunky peanut butter, raw almond butter, or OMG-no peanut butter, it will kill me

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Not a fun one today…but an important one: "Ask yourself "Why?" you want to achieve something but you refuse to act in congruence with achieving it." – Dan Kennedy

What would it take for you to give up that one big bad habit that is standing in your way of success? Can you do it? Wouldn't it change everything if you did?

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Meathead Inspiration

Todays workout was meathead-ish. Trap bar deadlift, front squat, good mornings, ab wheel (with power wheel).

Alright, off to the airport, heading to Austin, Texas, for the weekend and then Tampa Bay for next week.

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tip:
We don't always win. But if we fight the good fight, we stay strong, and we keep moving towards our goals.

If you want to do something big, put it out there. Make it public. Let there be consequences if you quit. Put your pride on the line.

There's nothing that can be done about the past - you can only improve the way you do things in the future.

Big Life Tip:
Something to think aboot...how many emails do you send a day? How many of those are really necessary? How many lead to wasted time? Remember, if you have kids, every useless email you send that keeps you working longer steals time you could spend with them.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Happy Australia Day…

...What's everyone doing to celebrate? Let me give you these 3 unique bodyweight exercises as a celebratory gift:

- http://www.ttfatloss.com/3-unique-bodyweight-exercises/

Biggest Liar in the Fitness Industry

Liar, liar, elliptical on fire.

ABC News reports: Cardio machines OVER-estimate calorie burn, with the elliptical being the biggest offender (42% OVER-estimation!) compared to treadmills (13%) and bikes (only 7% over).

Here's the link:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/exercise-calorie-counters-work/story?id=9966500#.Tx9OGFlMfad

I've been saying for years that the elliptical machine is the biggest liar in the fitness industry. You know it, I know it, we all know it.

But what's the #truth?

Bodyweight training.

There's no cheating, lying, or deceiving when it comes to moving your own bodyweight around.

Couple of bodyweight training articles for you:

1) 3 unique bodyweight exercises:

- http://www.ttfatloss.com/3-unique-bodyweight-exercises/

2) 20 bodyweight exercises for fat loss
- http://www.ttfatloss.com/bodyweight-exercises-fat-loss/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
The solution is WITHIN you.

"Everything we do we choose. So what is there to regret? You are the person you CHOSE to be." – Paul Arden

Love your work, work for what you love, and change the world – all at the same time. – Blake Mycoskie, "Start Something That Matters", TOMS shoes

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Proud of this guy...living the dream
- http://ptpower.com/his-first-1000-dollar-day/

6-Week ShapeShifter Challenge

What's so special about March 6th?

It's exactly 6 weeks from today.

And it only took 6 weeks for Elly -- star "Shapeshifter" from Huntington Beach, California -- to strip a total of 19.5 inches of flab from her body with ZERO equipment.

You see her photos in an article called, "Why Losing Weight Never Works", by Adam Steer.

==> Here's the article and the exact program Elly used

Elly went from feeling embarrassed about wearing a bathing suit to looking forward to opportunities to show off her new body. And her story just keeps getting better...

"I've lost 29 pounds in and I never thought I'd feel this confident or sexy again at the age of 48," Elly said.

Imagine if you could say the same thing in just 6 weeks from now...without ever stepping foot in a gym.

The feeling will be priceless...

==> The system Elly used to drop 29 lbs <== No gym required

And if you need an extra incentive, YOU've got it.

You'll also get TWO TT Metabolic booster programs to help you get fast results now AND you'll save 33% on the price of the ShapeShifter program this week only.

==> Save 33% and get two TT bonus programs with the no-gym program here

I want to read YOUR Shapeshifter success story on March 6th.

Let's get this started today,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Expect more of yourself

Expect more of yourself. You CAN do better and you deserve better. Don't be satisfied with the feeling of knowing you could have done more. To move up, step up. Get it done. No more excuses.

Three weeks into 2012, you've made plenty of positive changes by now...don't quit, don't let a weekend set-back throw you off…just keep it up and you know what I'm going to say next – never, ever, ever, EVER give up.

In your training, replace jumps with the low-impact, yet highly metabolic "Total Body Extension" exercise. Its a fake jump...almost all the benefits of jumping without the impact of landing. Stay safe, train hard, get results.

Try a TT workout here
- http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com/freereportandworkout

Make this the week you finally leave a bad habit behind. Tell the habit "It's not you, it's me" and kick it to the curb for good.

For example, here's how to quit the internet and get more done:

- http://internetindependence.com/quit-the-internet-and-make-more-money-online

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Keep it going

To move up, step up. Get it done. No more excuses. Three weeks into 2012, you've made plenty of positive changes by now...don't quit, don't let a weekend set-back throw you off…just keep it up and you know what I'm going to say next – never, ever, ever, EVER give up.

Don't go on binges (good or bad). Make life-long changes. Look long-term, not just next week. "Persistence is a sure path to success with quality activities. Never, ever, ever, EVER give up." - Kekich Credo #75 (NOTE: I added that extra EVER. - CB)

You've lost MORE opportunity by waiting than you ever would lose from the rejection you fear.

"If I Had My Life to Live Over...I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I
would take more chances...." - Nadine Stair, http://www.omidia.com/thought/p_nadine.html

Stay strong and get stronger,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer
MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.cbathletics.com" claiming to be www.TurbulenceTraining.com - Gain muscle and lose fat at the SAME time

Metabolic Cooking

If you're like me, one of your biggest fat loss struggles is probably finding diet-friendly meals that you truly LOVE to eat.

I mean truly great-tasting, amazing fat burning food.

And perhaps the biggest problem is that there just aren't a lot of "chefs" out there specializing in creating meals made to appeal to your abs in the same way they do to your taste-buds...

But there's actually one fit "duo" that's VERY good at doing just that:

Dave and Karine, authors of Metabolic Cooking <------- your special link

You see, my good friends Dave and Karine have created a fat-burning cookbook series that provides you with 250+ mouthwatering recipes specifically designed to torch belly fat.

Flavor that fights fat...and it works...

Sweet
Spicy
Savory

Even dessert...

And the best part is that I asked Dave to hook-up all my readers with a special half price sale along with some pretty sweet bonuses for the next 48 hours only:

Metabolic Cooking Discount + Bonuses <----- half price for 48 hours

If you're looking to chow down on some good food while losing fat at an accelerated rate, this is probably the one thing that will provide the greatest immediate benefit to your fatloss plan.

Enjoy an amazing dinner tonight... (or maybe the Chocolate French Toast on pg 11 as a snack if you can't wait ;)

 

Just printed the cookbook out for my mom, too, to help her eat better.

 

Burn the fat and keep the flavor,

 

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Time to stop the excuses

It's time to stop making excuses. "Today is January 21st. Just over 5% of the year has passed already. Are you 5% towards your goals? If your goal was to lose 50lbs of fat - you should be down 2.5lbs right now if you're on track. If your goal was to increase your income by $10,000 this year - you should already have made an extra $500." – Alwyn Cosgrove

I know that one of the biggest diet problems we have is eating too much at night, so...Develop habits to avoid night eating. Plan ahead to overcome obstacles. Write out 2 solutions for every obstacle in your diet. That will help you lose fat and stick to your diet. My two favorite resources for fat loss diets are: The Diet Solution Program by Isabel De Los Rios - http://www.ProvenFatLossDiet.com/ – and Brad Pilon's Eat Stop Eat - http://www.EatStopEat.com/

Today's KickButt Mindset Tip:
"Do you resist change even when you know it will make a positive difference in your life? If so, put it in writing. Think about a change that could make your life a little easier or better – a small change that you've been avoiding because you figure the status quo is "good enough." It could, for example, have something to do with your behavior, with time-tasking, or with learning a new skill. Take a sheet of paper and list all the reasons you can think of for making the change. Then list all the reasons you can think of for not making it. Once you see it in black and white, the benefits of taking action will be obvious." – Bob Cox, http://www.earlytorise.com/are-you-afraid-of-change/

My workout today - V-grip pulldowns, seated row, shrugs, cable lateral raises, db triceps extensions, db curls.

Meathead Saturday,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

No training and no Internet

Getting rid of my home internet is probably the smartest thing I'll do all year, and not just because I do a lot of stupid things. It's helped reduce stress and has made me even more productive. But most importantly, I just feel FREE.

No training for me, but just did a snow-walk with Bally the Dog. Hadn't seen him in over a week. He still crazy.

One secret to success is to... Study others. What can you learn from the behaviors of other successful people? For more inspiration, read the through the Transformation Contest Success Stories at:

http://www.TransformationContest.com/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
You have to stand up for what is right for you at this time.

"Your position in the world is defined by what you instigate, how you provoke, and what you learn from the events you cause. In a world filled with change, that's what matters – your ability to create and learn from change…We need your insights and your dreams and your contributions. Hurry." – Seth Godin

Powerful article on finding your purpose in life
- http://www.earlytorise.com/the-person-you-really-are/

Have a great weekend,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Muscle-Shocking M-MRT Workout Secrets

This is a laser-locked muscle-metabolic resistance training system that will jack up your metabolism, boost your strength, build muscle and burn fat - all at the same time.

 

It's your latest advanced TT program called, "TT for Meatheads Muscle-Metabolic Resistance Training"...and you can get it for less than $5 here.

This is the culmination of over 21 years of personal experience combining strength training, new and old-school bodybuilding techniques, and the latest in the fat loss science of metabolic resistance training. The secrets of this program include:

 

- The 90% rep method on key exercises

- The KB-Goblet superset finisher in workout A

- The addictive Meathead descending pyramid in workout B

- One of my all-time favorite supersets to start workout C

- And a beautiful Meathead superset to finish workout C

Your TT Meatheads M-MRT program demands you stretch your belief of what you - and your muscles - are capable of doing.

You cannot make a physical transformation without undergoing a mental transformation as well. And this program will give you the
mind - and body - of a warrior and the heart of a champion.

Welcome to TT for Meatheads Muscle-Metabolic Resistance Training

This is dedicated to all of the Meatheads, all over the world, who are the unsung heroes of the gym, the warriors who show everyone else what is possible through discipline and dedication, who are willing to do what no one else is willing to do, and who lead the pack when it comes to showing the world the politically incorrect truth about what it takes to truly TRANSFORM.

Let's do this.

Get TT for Meatheads M-MRT here

 

To your muscles and metabolism,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Check this out...

 

It's a TT Member review of my latest program, TT 2K12 that you will ALSO get as part of the $4.95 deal.

 

Workout Title: TT 2K12

Ranking Out of 10: 10

Your age (range) and gender: 37 year old male

Fitness level: intermediate/advanced

Workout Positives: This is a great program. M-MRT will blow you away. It takes a little while to get your head around it but once you workout the squeezing technique you will experience muscle burn like you never have before. For those of you with home gyms or limited equipment the M-MRT technique will also allow you to get more bang for your buck with less weight.

Excellent program design and exercise progression. Beware the evil 2nd superset on each day.

Optional interval days are a bonus as well. If your diet is in check this program will strip fat off you like never before.

Workout Negatives: I'm struggling to think of any. Um no deadlifts in the program.... I'm addicted to deadlifts apparently

You can try that program for under $5 here

Create Desires and Cut the Internet

Create the desire within yourself to make you TAKE ACTION to satisfy your needs and wants. Motivation and inspiration can truly only come from within.

My training today: Hang Clean, Deadlift, Front Squat, Good Mornings.

I also gave this combo to a client. It rocks for MRT - KB Swing – 30 seconds supersetted with Narrow-Stance Goblet Squat – 30 seconds. Rest 1 minute before repeating 2 to 4 more times.

Now I'm in a strange Starbucks packed with high school kids. Parents of the world: Your children are at Starbucks gettting hopped up on caffeine goofballs. Its crazy what these kids are ordering.

By the way, I recently CUT my home internet...no email at home...no mindless websurfing.
- http://internetindependence.com/eliminate-internet-access

Today's RECORD-BREAKING Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
When asked what surprised him most about humanity, the Dali Lama answered "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

"Promise Me You Will Always Remember: You're Braver Than You Believe, And Stronger Than You Seem, And Smarter Than You Think." ~ Christopher Robin To Winnie-the-Pooh

Article of the Day: How to live a long life (article)
- http://www.earlytorise.com/one-of-my-main-goals/

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Butt Kicking Blues Curing Tips

Well, after I got my butt kicked by the altitude here in Colorado while trying to do some incline sprints on the treadmill, it was time to go.

As I mentioned earlier, I topped out at 10 incline and 8.5mph for 45 second intervals. That's well below my best fitness level.

My goal is to work up to 10 intervals of 30 seconds at 10mph at a 10 incline.

That's part of a bigger fitness goal that I'll soon be telling you about...there's an event in June I'm doing, and it's going to require EVERYTHING I've got.

The altitude isn't the only thing about Colorado that is awesome.

This place has 310 days per year of sunshine...

...but not every place does, and that's a BIG problem.

I was lucky enough to be in Colorado this week doing some personal executive coaching and it was sunny and beautiful...and a great cure for Winter Blahs, like these:

=> http://www.ttfatloss.com/health/fighting-the-winter-blahs/

We sure as heck don't get that back in Toronto where it's cold and grey (and even raining).

Cold + Grey + 14 hours of darkness = Winter Blahs

So I did some research and here's how you CURE the winter blahs. Check out my article here:

=> http://www.ttfatloss.com/health/fighting-the-winter-blahs/

You'll discover the...

1) #1 vitamin you must increase to cure the blahs
2) How to get by with a little help from ____ ____
3) The exact nutrition strategies you MUST use

All that and more in your recipe to CURE the winter blahs here:

=> http://www.ttfatloss.com/health/fighting-the-winter-blahs/

And make sure to post YOUR TIPS for curing the winter blahs in the comments section.

To your health all year long,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Be back tomorrow with some advanced workout tips that TT Members are using for maximum rapid fat loss.

CURE the Winter Blahs (how-to article)

Time to leave Colorado and head back to Toronto. I just got my butt kicked by the altitude here when trying to do some incline sprints on the treadmill. I topped out at 10 incline and 8.5mph for 45 second intervals. That's well below my best fitness level.

While I was down in Colorado, I researched how to cure the winter blahs. Here's the article:

- http://www.ttfatloss.com/health/fighting-the-winter-blahs/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
If you're struggling, keep hustling. Keep taking at least one big action step each day. Never stop. Never even think of giving up. Ask your network for social support. Someone has the answer you need.

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." —Jim Rohn

People want to be involved with other confident people who are doing big things, being positive & powerful. Do something great today.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS – "Remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life." – Marcus Aurelius

For personal trainers

Research shows that the average personal trainer's salary is $35,000 per year.

That's just not fair.

With all the study, certifications, training hours, and after-hours research a trainer puts into their job, it should easily be three times that amount.

Alwyn Cosgrove and I were talking, and we think that every awesome trainer - like you - should be making over 6-figures per year.

This can help.

=> http://www.ttbootcamps.com/completetrainerpackageforalwyn/

Each of these done-for-you workouts was designed by me, and I also give you a step-by-step blueprint for getting more clients from the Internet.

Plus, I have interrogated two of the most successful bootcamp business builders in the world - Bedros Keuilian and Steve Hochman - on how to build a 6-figure bootcamp business fast.

Get all of these resources here for just a small investment

=> http://www.ttbootcamps.com/completetrainerpackageforalwyn/

(As you know, the trainers who make the greatest investment in their knowledge also take the most money to the bank.)

You can thank Alwyn for inspiring me to put this together.

I know you can have a better business year in 2012,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Kickbutt Mindset Tips for the Week

Live from the mountains in Denver, here are today's kickbutt mindset tips and workout updates. I just finished up a Meathead Monday workout at Nick's Fitness in Evergreen. Bench, Row, Pulldown, DB Row, Fat Bar curls for fun.

Yesterday I had a decent leg workout. Also had some early AM traveling from Las Vegas to Golden, Colorado. It was really weird to see the Vegas airport packed at 6am. But I did learn some cutting edge nutrition and training info from John Romaniello...we worked on a project called "Turbulence Forever"...coming soon

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
No matter how much you might feel you are struggling, never give up. Keep moving towards your vision. Never stand still. Believe in yourself.

‎"YOU are responsible for yourself. Responsible for what you do. Responsible for who you are. Responsible for the way you face the world and deal with it."
- Ryan Murdock, http://www.ryanmurdock.com/

Fastest way to improve your life
- http://www.earlytorise.com/one-day-at-a-time/

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." – John Quincy Adams

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Meathead History Lesson

Today's workout in the small, but good enough gym at Mandalay Bay included pulldowns, cable rear delts, db rows, cable lateral raises, db triceps, and shrugs. This is the last easy workout before moving back to heavy lifting.

It was also the last workout before I move on to "beautiful Golden, Colorado in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains" (bonus points for knowing where that reference came from).

Here's the answer:
The old "EAS" Muscle Media audio tapes that used to feature Bill Phillips or Anthony Almeida being interviewed about supplements. The narrator would always start, "From beautiful Golden, Colorado in the the foothills of the Rocky Mountains...". And that's today's Meathead History lesson.

Today's FB QnA:

Q: I am in week 6 of 247 fat loss and after the 8th week I want to focus on muscle growth before doing another round on 247. What is your advice. BTW I have dropped 11 pounds since thanksgiving by adding the plan to my boot camp centric routine.

Answer:
Shawn, awesome work. Many 24-7 users have asked the same question and I've been directing them to this program:
http://www.turbulencetraining.com/workouts/2007/april2007ttmass.shtml or this qna: http://www.ttfatloss.com/workouts/make-your-workout-harder/

Nutrition Resource of the Day
http://www.amazingclubs.com/peanutbutter.html

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Follow the golden rule. Help others. The more they succeed, the more you succeed.

So much can be accomplished with a long term vision and resilience to short term setbacks. Not every problem is conquered overnight, but if you persist and never give, you will succeed.

The most important question I could ask you
- http://internetindependence.com/goal-setting-vision-question

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Vegas Gyms and Fitness QnA

Mike Whitfield from www.facebook.com/workoutfinishers and i are working on the new TT MRT Bootcamps program and that is one technique we'll be using.

Try an Ascending-Descending pyramid with two metabolic exercises as workout finisher...Kettlebell swings or snatches supersetted with a tough pushup. Start with 1 rep per exercise and alternate back and forth working up to 10 reps per exercise and then count back down to 1 rep per exercise.

Today's best Q's from www.TurbulenceTrainingFanpage.com QnA:

Q: Hey Craig I had a question about back exercises, specifically Inverted Rows and Pullups. I am doing DB rows as an alternative. Are there any other efficient back workouts that would help without the need of a bar?

Answer:
Anthony - check out my video here, 826000 view
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgUsXA4JX0w

Q: Craig- primary goal is to lose fat- lots to lose. I'd prefer having a program that is every day- keeps me on track better. Which program do you recommend? I'll be registering for the contest today!

Answer:
David - there is a program from September 2011 called "Super 6's". It's 6 days per week. Get it at www.turbulencetraining.com/workouts. Or use the 24-7 program from www.247fatloss.com that is 5 days per week.

Q: Tough mudder...anyone do it? Need workout for it.

Answer:
Steve - Very common goal this year...I know Men's health was asking around for experts on this, so expect some advice in the magazine soon. In the meantime, check the old' Google and see if you find some good info. Let me know, thanks.

Q: What are your thoughts on 'zone training' for weight loss? This is pushed pretty hard by gyms.

Answer:
Scott - If you are talking about the cardio fat burning zone, I think it's a joke. Check out my free interval/cardio report here -
http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com/intervalreport

Q: Best gym in Vegas?

Answer:
For lifting, Palazzo. For TT Fat Loss style training, Aria. I have a list of my top 7 gyms in Vegas for each on this blog post (scroll down) -
http://www.ttfatloss.com/workouts/gyms-in-vegas/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Success is coming. I know it is, and I believe in you, so don't give up. Kekich Credo #76, says, "I will do this" is the only attitude that works. "I'll try" or "I think" doesn't work. Today is the deadline to start the TT Transformation Contest for the full 12-weeks. This is your chance to change -
http://www.transformationcontest.com/

Add value to someone's life today. Not only will it help others, but this truly is the best thing that you can do for yourself.

Most of your problems can be solved faster, easier, and with less hassle and fewer resources than you think. It all starts with your network…don't be afraid to ask for help.

Running a Mastermind meeting this weekend in Vegas, and as a coach, this has been my best 'performance' yet. I've been able to better communicate the most effective ways to get started fast...some group members had some real big breakthroughs today. Best meeting yet.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

The secret of success is to know something nobody else knows. – Aristotle Onassis

TT for Meatheads M-MRT

A new TT for Meatheads program is now available to TT Members.

Welcome to TT for Meatheads Muscle-Metabolic Resistance Training. This is dedicated to all of the Meatheads, all over the world, who are the unsung heroes of the gym, the warriors who show everyone else what is possible through discipline and dedication, who are willing to do what no one else is willing to do, and who lead the pack when it comes to showing the world the politically incorrect truth about what it takes to truly TRANSFORM.

Get ready for a laser-locked muscle-metabolic resistance training system that will jack up your metabolism, boost your strength, build muscle and burn fat – all at the same time.

This is the culmination of over 21 years of personal experience combining strength training, new and old-school bodybuilding techniques, and the latest in the fat loss science of metabolic resistance training. This program demands you stretch your belief of what you – and your muscles – are capable of doing and achieving.

You cannot make a physical transformation without undergoing a mental transformation as well. And this program will give you the mind – and body – of a warrior and the heart of a champion.

Get it here for less than $5:

=> http://www.turbulencetraining.com/workoutofthemonth/

Meathead for Life,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS, CTT

Last chance to lose fat and win $1000

I really, really, really do not want you to miss out on this life changing opportunity, but...

 

Friday is the last day to enter for the full 12-weeks of the TT Transformation Contest.

 

Grab a newspaper, take a photo, pick your workout, plan your diet, and start your life-changing journey with the TT Transformation Contest.

 

You can win $1000 of my money just for losing your belly fat.

 

And it doesn't cost anything to enter...well, I guess you have to buy 

the paper for your before photo, but that's it.

 

Let us know how we can help, we're here to support you.

 

Start the TT Transformation Contest today.

 

(And yes, you can use the 24-7 Fat Loss workouts to enter as well as any Turbulence Training workout.)

 

To your success,
 
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer <= Discover the 1 Million Transformation Mission

Vegas Update and LAST Chance

Live from my hotel room in Vegas where I have a really cool view of the strip, even better than the one I had at Treasure Island back in 2000 during my first trip to Vegas.

My workout today: split squats, reverse lunges, pistols, DB Rdl, back extension, leg raises, cable chops.

Dinner last night was at Grand Wok in MGM. Usually I have a big bowl of bok choy and sushi/sashimi, but last night I had bok choy and roasted duck and pork. Good stuff. One of my dinner guests was John Romaniello and we spent about 30 minutes talking about Batman movies and comics, Spartacus (the TV show), Attack of the Show, James Bond, the future of Vegas, and Harry Potter.

Great times.

TT Transformation Contest Update
Friday is the last day to enter for the full 12-weeks of the TT Transformation Contest. Grab a newspaper, take a photo, pick your workout, plan your diet, start your life-changing journey at www.transformationcontest.com/rules.

Get social support...we are here to help.

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tip
Keep a positive attitude and you will remain motivated and you will 
continue to make progress. Never, ever, EVER give up.

My favourite daily self-reflection question "Whats the benefit in doing this activity? Is it worth the time I could spend on something else"

And finally, How to Get a Better Job:

http://www.earlytorise.com/2012/01/12/own-your-own-business/

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Give to get.

Las Vegas Update 1

My first stop in Vegas...Walmart for groceries of course to buy all the stuff that US customs wouldn't let me bring from Canada. Well, not ALL the stuff. But as much as possible. Thanks to my French-German former Brazilian nightclub singer turned cabbie for waiting for me and not driving off with my bags. Thats it, hopefully tomorrow the trip gets a little more interesting when ol' Roman hits town.

(On the flight down I watched "Saving Private Ryan". In hindsight, that wasn't the best bedtime story, even though I love that movie.)

At 6:30am I was up and in the gym at Mandalay Bay for some pulldowns, db rows, and seated rows. DB's up to 75 pounds for presses and high rep rows. Was able
to do face pulls and pulldowns too. Might head to Golds for a squat workout tomorrow.

No heavy pressing was done because I'm letting my shoulder heal up after hurting it during a stupid pushup contest. That has set my bench press goals back by at least 8 weeks. Stupid, stupid Craig. Oh well, many lessons have been learned.

More Stupid Craig…he did not read the almond butter label last night at the Las Vegas Walmart and now Smart Craig just ate sugar-added almond butter. Whoops.

Today's Training Resources:
Wicked abdominal exercise substitution list
- http://www.ttfatloss.com/abdominal-exercises/exercises/

How to have more energy
- http://www.earlytorise.com/2012/01/11/hours-to-your-day/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Never let life get in the way of your progress. Accept the sacrifices and just do it.

We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once. – Calvin Coolidge

I just want you to focus on being a little bit better than yesterday. Now do that EVERY day for the rest of the year.

If you set up your life for maximum productivity you are going to annoy and upset others…but you will get more done and you will achieve more of your goals.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius

TT Transformation Contest Update

If you haven't done so already, take 15 minutes and set 3 short-term and 3 long-term goals for your TT Transformation. Visualize yourself reaching your goals. Keep a positive attitude and you will remain motivated and you will continue to make progress.

And don't forget, the last day to enter the full 12-week TT Transformation contest is this Friday.

- www.transformationcontest.com/rules

"One of the biggest mistakes that most people make is clinging to the excuse that the time isn't quite right to take action. Well, let me tell you something: In my experience, conditions are never right at the right time. The timing is always wrong. So if you're waiting for everything to be perfect before taking action, you have a foolproof excuse for never taking action." – Robert Ringer

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. – Buddha

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Off Week of Training and Great MH Tips

Started the day with an incredible dog walk with ol Bally the Dog under a bright full moon and sky full of stars. The suns also coming up a little earlier each day so it's easier to see him in the still muddy fields. He's hoping for a bit of snow.

This week is an easy week of training for me after 3 heavy weeks. This works well since I'm traveling to Vegas and Denver for a few days.

In the meantime, check out the old bodyweight squats timed intervals...enjoy watching me in pain

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhEowpbetjM

And don't miss last week's fitness QnA:

- http://www.ttfatloss.com/workouts/qna-contest-update/

There's also plenty to learn in the latest Men's Health magazine. Check out a program from our favorite Roman, John Romaniello, on page 50 of the Feb 2012 Men's Health.

Roman says it will smoke you. It's a four exercise, 2 superset, descending pyramid workout.

I also have an ab workout on page 111 including a stability plank, jackknife, rollout, and side plank circuit. You'll find it in the Olympic training section on page 111.

From the MH the previous month comes this interesting data:

Here's the 'percent of your body weight' that you are lifting when doing various pushups:

a) Kneeling pushup = 49% bodyweight
b) Regular pushup = 64% bodyweight
c) Decline pushup = 74% bodyweight

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Failure isn't bad. Failure isn't final. Don't let the fear of failure stop you from achieving the success you deserve.

Never quit. If you stumble, get back up. What happened yesterday no longer matters. Today's another day, so get back on track on move closer to your dreams and goals. You can do it.

The problem with problems is they get worse if you don't fix them. Attack problems head on today. Whatever is in the way of your success, crush it today.

"Think you can, think you can't--either way, you'll be right." - Henry Ford

And finally, here's how to get more done each day (simple 5-minute task)

- http://www.earlytorise.com/2012/01/05/five-minutes-is-all-it-takes/

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS -
"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot

Top Training and Nutrition Tips

Here are the top training and nutrition tips from my www.turbulencetrainingfanpage.com Facebook posts this week. There are also a few motivational/reflection tips to think about at the end.

1) While you want your MRT workouts to be hard, remember this rule of training: "Each workout, exercise, set and rep should be done with purpose, for a purpose."

2) Take time today to clean out cupboards and prepare a healthy shopping list. Plan, shop, and prepare and do some massive shopping and cooking preparation for the week ahead. Plan two solutions for every nutrition obstacle that comes up each week....

3) TT Trainer Ray Ortiz on Canada's national morning program - demonstrating the Power Wheel - good times
- http://www.globaltoronto.com/morning/video/index.html?v=AnO2Nlhm7Y4oalwNy1Gq2Ydymu2WJj1Z#interviews

4) This one goes out to all the ladies...over on the Shape.com website..."If you're dead-set on weights or have a strength training plan you've been following, bring a backup plan—or two—for each exercise in your workout to avoid getting slowed down by a line," says Craig Ballantyne, C.S.C.S., owner of TurbulenceTraining.com. "If your goal is to gain muscle and lose fat, then you really don't have to worry about the exact exercise, just the movement pattern," he says. http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/best-workouts-crowded-gym?page=2

5)  "Fulfillment comes from a life of meaningful achievement and from being present in each moment while moving in the direction we most want to move. And ask yourself, Am I doing what I most need to be doing right now? Am I being who I most want to be right now?" – Peter Bregman

6) "To get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done." (I first heard this from the actor, Jeremy Piven. It's a classic quote.)

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

Friday Deadlifts and Motivation

Good deadlift session for me today. Now a week of easy training while traveling to the farm and then to Las Vegas. Today was deadlift, box jumps, front squat, good mornings, ab wheel.

As reported in the latest Men's Health magazine (the one with Ashton Kutcher on the cover), a research study found that doing 6 weeks of ab training did absolutely NOTHING for dropping belly fat. And these folks were doing 14 sets of abs, 5 days per week

Another cool little stat from Men's Health last month: Here's the 'percent of your body weight' that you are lifting when doing various pushups:
a) Kneeling pushup = 49% bodyweight
b) Regular pushup = 64% bodyweight
c) Decline pushup = 74% bodyweight

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Advanced results required advanced measures. Yet somedays it seems nobody understands this anymore. You have to do the work and you have to sacrifice.

Today's www.InternetIndependence.com Tip:
Increasing your income, as I've said over and over again, is the single-most important factor in building wealth. – Mark Ford

The more specific your vision for your life, the closer you will get to achieving EXACTLY what you want in life.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

15 minutes can change your life

Morning is a 'magic time' in the day, where you can get more done in less time before other distractions got in your way. It doesn't matter what time you get up now, but if you simply set the alarm 15 minutes earlier, over the course of a five-day work week you'd have more than an hour of quality work time. Over a year, you'd have 65 hours. That's significant. That can be the difference between an American Dream achieved or just a fantasy in your head.

15 minutes can change your life.

Chip away at good behaviors. Not everything is going to change overnight…but if you're a little better today, and a little better tomorrow, then you'll be a whole lot better next month. Stay strong. Get stronger.

Today's Kickbutt Weight Loss Mindset Tip:
"Don't be pre-occupied with things over which you have no control, and don't take things personally." – Kekich Credo #52…

Do NOT obsess about your scale weight – no one wears their weight around their neck. Focus on behaviors that help you lose fat.

Thousands, if not millions of people have been deterred from their fat loss program because of erroneous emphasis on bodyweight, rather than on body fat and inches lost.

It is how you fit in your clothes and look in the mirror that counts.

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

PS - I may have taken my own advice a little too far today...

Woke up at 3am...and I was wide awake and simply could not fall back asleep. So I got up and finished the ETR Goal Setting Webinar. Will be recording this later today and making it available to all ETR Premium members on Monday. More details to come.

Many Mindset Tips for 2012

‎"Don't be afraid to do what you want, not what others want you to do. Don't hold yourself to others' standards – especially when your standards should be higher." – Jim Wendler

You must truly believe in yourself. You must end the "I'll give this a try" mindset, and switch to a "I'm going to succeed" belief.

Remember…everything you do takes you closer to or further from your goal. Everything.

‎"Presuming your personal performance is of extremely high or at least potentially high value, then everything that facilitates it best has value, and everything that interferes has (hidden) cost. Assembling, developing and taking good care of your inner-inner circle is a way of enhancing personal performance." - Dan Kennedy

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS, CTT

10 Minute Workouts

10-Minute workout are possible. Without exaggeration, you can get a great workout in 10 minutes with supersets of two multi-muscle exercises, like pairing squats with pullups and going back and forth with no rest in 10 minutes.

You can do one easy warm-up set at 25% intensity, then a second warm-up set at 75% intensity, and then two really good sets of 8-10 reps using a weight that you can regularly lift for 10 repetitions. Another superset option is deadlifts paired with a pressing movement, such as pushups, db chest press, or shoulder press. This would be better than 50% of the workouts you see done in a commercial gym.

My training today:
Box Jumps, Squats, Lunges, Glute Ham Raise, Ab Wheel. Off day tomorrow.

Also, there are 5 new spots available for trainers to get Turbulence Training Certified here:

- http://www.ttfatloss.com/turbulence-training/personal-trainer-certification/

Today's TT Transformation Tips:
Take control of your life, accept the consequences of your actions, stop making excuses, and accept that it really, REALLY is up to YOU to change things if you want them to better. No one else, just you. Here's to your best year ever in 2012.

Don't get upset by things you can't control. Go with the flow. Breathe. Work on improving everything else that you CAN control. Don't take things personally. Keep on moving ahead. Don't get set-back by negative people. Stay strong. Get stronger.

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
‎"You are responsible for exactly who, what, and where you are in life. That will be just as true this time next year. Situations aren't important. How you react to them is." - Kekich Credo #58

"Enjoy life. Treat it as an adventure. Care passionately about the outcome, but keep it in perspective. Things are seldom as bleak as they seem when they are going wrong – or as good as they seem when they are going well. Lighten up. You'll live longer." Kekich Credo #55

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer
http://www.ttfatloss.com/turbulence-training/personal-trainer-certification/

hottest workout in the world

Without a doubt, the hottest workouts of the year in 2011 were my Metabolic Resistance Training sessions.

And the absolute best, and most recent versions, were included in the 24-7 Fat Loss program that also included nutrition legend Joel Marion's hottest diet program.

To help you kick-off the New Year, I went behind Joel's back and I'm having a special Transformation sale here:

=> The 24-7 Fat Loss New Year's Transformation Sale

Remember - You CAN use the 24-7 workouts in the 13th TT Transformation Contest. Since they're my workouts, they are officially approved.

Get the hottest workouts in the world here

But hurry, the sale is only up for a few days...or until Joel finds out.

Shhhhh,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

 

Make these changes in 2012

This week plan your days, be better prepared, know what you want to get done, and have 2 solutions for every obstacle in life. These action steps will help you fast track your success. Make those changes in 2012.

My training today: Ring rows, Military press, V-grip pulldowns, ring triceps extensions, dumbbell rows, and some meathead arms. Curls for the girls...who were all still apparently in bed because it was just dudes in the gym today.

I also put a client through a new variation of machine intervals...this will be a boredom breakthrough for many clients. Will share in a new TT program soon.

Today's Training Resources:
How lose 3-5 pounds this week with your new 2012 morning ritual (start tomorrow)
- http://www.ttfatloss.com/fat-loss/lose-3-5-pounds/

Best supplements for health
- http://www.ttfatloss.com/health/supplements-for-health/

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tip:
So much can be accomplished with a long-term vision and resilience to short-term setbacks. Take the longview with your big decisions.

There is an immense advantage in rising early, on account of the great saving, or rather gaining, of time, which it produces." – Ben Franklin

Get Ben's book here:

- http://books.google.ca/books/about/Early_to_bed_and_early_to_rise_makes_a_m.html?id=oLkOAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y

"The fastest, easiest, and most direct way to success is to model it. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, surround yourself with people who are already achieving what you want. Get coaching, join a Mastermind group, and model success fast." – Bedros Keuilian

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer

31 Day No Dairy Diet Depletion

Today begins 31 days of no dairy products for me. The 31-Day Dairy Diet Depletion. This is Nutrition Experiment #1 of 2012 and next month I will probably cut out gluten for the month.

I'm doing this to see if I notice any differences. For the record, I am skeptical that anything will change.

Also, I should mention that I had a LOT of dairy this week and feel fine, so I wonder if I will notice anything different. I'll keep you up to date.

I have gone 4 weeks completely vegan in the past and wasn't overwhelmed by the results. I think I actually got sick (with a cold) during those 4 weeks, although I was consuming a diet heavy in grains. Maybe that was the issue then?

What about YOU? Want to join me on a nutrition experiment this month/week? What will you try?

It's important for you to ALWAYS be experimenting and learning how your body responds to different diet and training programs.

I also love writing these...the 2012 Fitness Industry Trends & Predictions
- http://www.ttfatloss.com/workouts/the-2012-fitness-predictions/

If you are a leader in your industry you should be writing a "State of the Industry" or a "2012 Predictions" report for your readers...that's instant credibility for you, plus it is fun to create and your readers will love it.

Today's Kickbutt Mindset Tips:
Make this your goal in 2012...to do better what you did well in 2011. That will make all the difference.

Take control of your life, accept the consequences of your actions, stop making excuses, and accept that it really, REALLY is up to YOU to change things if you want them to better. No one else, just you.

2012 is here so let's make the most of it,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Certified Turbulence Trainer