I AM NO MORE THAN MY MIND ALLOWS.

Two and a half days, three plane flights, and a bus ride later and I am back at work. For those new to the site, I work six months of the year in western Africa. One month on one off type of schedule. Shortly after arriving at the airport at 4am I always seem to ask myself at this very point of the journey, "Why am I doing this?" After twenty eight days straight with my family and being home, it is always hard when it comes time to head back to work. "Hard" is the reason I do it! If it were easy everyone would be here doing it. See, I truly believe if you choose an easy way of doing things then what is the point? What do you learn? How do you achieve your goals and aspirations?
Nothing worth while in this life, including achieving a high level of fitness and a body strong, muscular, and defined, is going to be easy. Reaching peak fitness and staying at this level for years and years takes a lot of sacrifice and effort and at times it's just plain downright hard. That is what makes it so special. The mind is a very powerful and under-used tool when it comes to living a fit and healthy lifestyle. You have to truly believe you can and will be better today than you were yesterday. I will never be satisfied being unchallenged, hard work and sacrifices make even the simplest things more enjoyable. You have to see it, believe it, then take the steps to make it happen. No it isn't easy, it takes a lot to stay positive and be focused with so many things distracting us today. Think about your goals and how it will feel when you reach them. Think how good that will feel. See it in your mind then go for it.
I hope today you are challenged and find inspiration in that.

FIREFIGHTING & H.I.G.T...elite fitness

To do their job each and every day, firefighters must be strong, fit, and agile enough to force open steel doors, rapidly climb stairs wearing 100 pounds of protective clothing and equipment, and rescue injured people trapped in confined spaces. Is it any wonder why they are considered heroes? This is why many use my High Intensity group Training (H.I.G.T) as their approach to total body conditioning, H.I.G.T presents comprehensive training methods that have proven successful in transforming out-of-shape individuals into top-flight fit firefighters. Regardless of their current fitness levels, these training principles will enable you to begin today and immediately progress in absolute strength, speed, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, and joint flexibility as well as dramatically change your body composition. My program includes learning to make educated food choices and how to use food for fuel designed to prepare the body for high-intensity training. No other occupation places a greater physiological demand on the human body than firefighting and no other conditioning program challenges fire fighters and police officers to find the courage and strength to excel more than H.I.G.T.. Learn this outstanding training system from former professional fighter Richard Seymour

WATER & YOUR HEALTH

sounds so simple. H20. Two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. But this element, better known as water, is the most essential, next to air, to our survival. Water truly is everywhere, still most take it for granted.
Water makes up more than two thirds of the weight of the human body, and without it, humans would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen. (Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up!) Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. Pretty scary statistic for a developed country, where water is readily available through the tap or bottle.
Water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The body cannot work without it, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. In fact, all the cell and organ functions made up in our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning.
Water serves as a lubricant
Water forms the base for saliva
Water forms the fluids that surround the joints.
Water regulates the body temperature, as the cooling and heating is distributed through perspiration.
Water helps to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestinal tract and thereby eliminating waste- the best detox agent.
Regulates metabolism
In addition to the daily maintainence of our bodies, water also plays a key role in the prevention of disease. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer. And those are just a few examples! As you follow other links on our website, you can read more in depth about how water can aid in the prevention and cure of many types of diseases, ailments and disorders that affect the many systems of our bodies.
And you know what the best news about drinking water for health benefits is? It's virtually free! You can drink over 4,000 glasses of tap water for the price of a six-pack of your favorite cola.

FRIENDS IN FITNESS FRIENDS FOR LIFE

At a recent gathering with the men pictured here I couldn't help but think back to how we all met: fitness and the gym played a critical role. In 2003 at a Gold's Gym in Allentown, PA I met Wayne Bullock (pictured second from left). We became friends, went into business together, and were actually pretty successful. Wayne is clearly in impeccable physical condition as you can see in his single shot. Now in his forties he should be an inspiration to all men heading into mid-life. He has no secret, just good work ethic, consistent training, and well every now and again he enjoys a Grey Goose and cranberry. "Free-bird" is a golfer, plain and simple! On a good day you better believe you will find him on the greens. Wayne and I have traveled to two different countries together and he has tried it all from jet skis to snorkeling to four wheeling- and lets not forget tubing. He likes adventure.
Pictured first on the left is Terry Collier. I was introduced to Terry by Wayne at a New Year's event. Terry, also in his forties, is a father of five and soon to be grandad. Terry is also an active guy: a big golfer, skier, fisher, as well as weight-lifter and one hell of a good cook. The big man of the group is Scott Urland (pictured second from left), to whom I was also introduced by Wayne. Scott has been lifting weights since his teen years and believe it or not is also in his forties. Scott is a husband and a father of three. He coaches his youngest in soccer and basketball. Scott is also very active outside the gym. He runs,bikes, fishes, skis, water skis, and has been known to rip around on a dirt bike. The man is a master on the grill, a third degree black belt chef I believe! Pictured forth from left is me, Richard Seymour. Last but certainly not least is Allen Watts, a southern gentleman with a huge knowledge base of useless crap and a lot of good stuff as well. I met Allen back in 1998 and again it was fitness that started our friendship and some chess as well. Allen took to the weights hard for awhile but over the years I think it was not as important to him as being a good single father and provider. Allen is one of those guys that could sell chocolate ice cream to a lady in white gloves in August. A good man, a great friend. He can wear the hell out of some "biters" as well. Maybe he will put fitness back in the priority list, also in his forties I want him to be around for a long time...we all do.
So back to that night out recently. I had to smile to myself as we drank and talked that night in the crowded bar as we have done so many times before. The gym, the weights, the desire to be better today than we were yesterday is ultimately what brought us and our families together. Although I am still in my thirties I have good role models in these men pictured here. So go join a gym, new lifelong friendships along with a healthier you can be found.
Richard Seymour

POLICE & FIRE FIGHTER FITNESS

The Fitness Challenge is a Weight Loss Contest for the Public Safety Population to LOSE FAT and GAIN MUSCLE as a TEAM. This approach promotes TEAMWORK and Camaraderie. Four Winning Teams with the Greatest Improvement will WIN $5,000.00 from each Region. The Regions include Southeast, Central, Western, and Northeast.
Eligibility requires team members to be Active or Retired Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, EMS, Military, Corrections, NURSES, Physicians and the SPOUSES for any of these occupations that fall under the 911 responder category.
Team Captains will be responsible for registering their Teams. Applications are available on-line at www.FitnessCommitmentInstitute.org or www.911Fitness.com and select Fitness Challenge, then Registration Application. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you may call Fitness Commitment Institute (305-297-5328) to receive an application via your FAX.

FENECH FIT AT FORTY THREE

What makes this so interesting to me is this is the man who is responsible for my decision to start boxing professionally and he has been retired for some time now, however Former three-time world champion Jeff Fenech is in solid training in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, for his June 24 bout with 50-year-old great Azumah Nelson. Fenech, at 43 years of age, has been in sensational sparring sessions with former IBF 130 pound champion Gairy St Claire. John Lewis who is the trainer of Fenech said, "What Fenech is doing in the ring is freakish. He has looked good against Gairy St Claire who is one of the best jr lightweight boxers in the world. He has connected with more punches on Gairy than his most recent opponents have. Today they boxed a solid six rounds. I am told that Azumah is in great shape also - he is a great warrior and will not roll over for Fenech so we are in for a outstanding fight on June 24." Fenech was awarded a controversial draw after twelve rounds against Nelson in WBC jr lightweight bout in Las Vegas in 1991. Most of the fans at ringside were of the opinion Fenech had won clearly. In a rematch staged in Melbourne, Australia in 1992, Nelson scored a eight round knockout over Fenech with a record attendance of 37,000 fight fans.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE AT THESE LOCAL GYMS

This month I want to thank Bill Conrad the fitness director at Gold's Gym in Whitehall PA, Luis Melendez head boxing trainer at Allentown's boxing club in PA, and the entire staff at Jimmy's Gym in my home town of Lehighton PA. Three gyms I use on a regular basis. Jimmy's Gym has undergone a transformation by the new owner and is providing outstanding services to it's members.Call 610-377-2491 for more info.

FITNESS HAS TWO POINTS... BEGIN & CONTINUE

No matter what has gone on in my life I have made it a point to stay consistent in training and my overall fitness. Believing each and everyday I can improve and get better. Truth is I believe this about every aspect of my life and I don't talk the talk I just put in the work. My career, my marriage, my faith, my friendships.
Unfortunately, as I stated in part one, many people have no idea how to reach their goals. I think for some, lack of vision or desire. How do I know this? Because I am around it so much. Today at thirty seven I am still being asked, "Why do you put so much into fitness and eating smart?" That to me is an unbelievable question. To which my standard reply, "How could you not?" Your health and your fitness- many adults, with all the other things going on in our lives, put those two low on the priority list. All along missing, never quit understanding, that your health and your fitness will have a direct impact on all other facets of your life. How Rich? How is that true? Commitment and consistency! Apply it any place in your lives and the results are the same. Not to mention the mountain of scientific data out there showing the endless benefits of weight training and cardiovascular training on your long term health. For me its less about self image and more about the life long commitment, the challenge, because fitness has two points: start and continue. What motivates you?
Richard Seymour

De La Hoya outclasses Forbes!

Oscar De La Hoya (38-5, 30 KOs) and Steve Forbes (33-5, 9 KOs) showed why they were world champions on Saturday night as "The Golden Boy" won a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision at the Home Depot Center Soccer Stadium in Carson, California. Both fighters boxed at an extremely high technical level, but Oscar was simply too fast, too strong, too skilled, just too "everything" in virtually every round as he compiled a 119-109, 119-109, 120-108 over the game, but outgunned former "Contender" star. Next up for De La Hoya is likely a September rematch with Floyd Mayweather, although that bout is not yet finalized.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NY GIANTS "08" SCHEDULE

2008 Schedule (PRE- SEASON)
Date Time Network Opponent Result
Thursday, 8/7 7:00 PM ET WNBC @ Detroit
Monday, 8/18 8:00 PM ET ESPN Cleveland
Saturday, 8/23 7:00 PM ET WCBS @ Jets
Thursday, 8/28 7:00 PM ET WNBC New England



2008 Schedule (REGULAR SEASON)
Date Time Network Opponent Result
Thursday, 9/4 7:00 PM ET NBC Washington
Sunday, 9/14 1:00 PM ET FOX @ St. Louis
Sunday, 9/21 1:00 PM ET CBS Cincinnati
Sunday, 9/28 BYE BYE BYE BYE
Sunday, 10/5 1:00 PM ET FOX Seattle
Monday, 10/13 8:30 PM ET ESPN @ Cleveland
Sunday, 10/19 1:00 PM ET FOX San Francisco
Sunday, 10/26 4:15 PM ET FOX @ Pittsburgh
Sunday, 11/2 4:15 PM ET FOX Dallas
Sunday, 11/9 8:15 PM ET NBC @ Philadelphia
Sunday, 11/16 1:00 PM ET* CBS Baltimore
Sunday, 11/23 4:15 PM ET* FOX @ Arizona
Sunday, 11/30 1:00 PM ET* FOX @ Washington
Sunday, 12/7 1:00 PM ET* FOX Philadelphia
Sunday, 12/14 8:15 PM ET* NBC @ Dallas
Sunday, 12/21 1:00 PM ET* FOX Carolina
Sunday, 12/28 1:00 PM ET* FOX @Minnesota