American Society of Exercise Physiologists
In This Issue
Editor's Corner
Ask the EP
Ads & Employment
Quick Links

 
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Issue: #1 January 2010
Thank you for being part of our community. ASEP is the specific voice for (historically under-represented) Exercise Physiologists. Please use this Newsletter as a link to ASEP resources from scientific journals to professional papers, to employment and related opportunities. And be sure to click on "More On Us" at the left for the ASEP-newsletter's parent web site.
 
Happy New Year! 
-Lonnie Lowery and Jonathan Mike, ASEP-Newsletter Editors 
 Editor's Corner

editorialNew Year, New Thinking


There are a lot of New Year-themed articles going around, with consumers and professionals alike trying to start anew. Few messages in the field of Exercise Science could be as important, however, as the encouragement of new thinking about the profession. Exercise Physiologists have developed an advanced body of knowledge with a rich history and yet last year, as in the years before it, many have been content to look at their field specifically as an academic discipline rather than a true profession.

I have a question as ASEP-Newsletter Editor: Is Exercise Physiology merely an aspect of other professions like physical therapy or dietetics?

I have remained involved in the American Society for Exercise Physiologists because I think differently. Our knowledge and skills are so much more than a small facet of established, licensed professions. Exercise Physiology can become far more than it has been. New, official government recommendations for exercise and continued research both support the notion that exercise is extremely impactful on the very things that ail our country. Exercise is also a complex topic that, to me, requires the investment of more than just a continuing education seminar and certificate granted by some other allied health profession (or less).

Often throughout the years ASEP co-founder Tommy Boone has warned about the risks of "group think" and obviously, I agree. As other professions enjoy starting salaries above $40,000, equally educated graduates of Exercise Science programs have made a fraction of that amount. They are left to A.) Seek different (if complimentary) training in more recognized fields, B.) Try to set up their own businesses and hope that, despite a struggling economy, clients will pay amounts similar to what they pay other allied health professionals, or C. ) Become landscapers, house painters or waitresses out of sheer financial need (despite being able to discuss glycogen synthase at the drop of a hat).

So as the new year dawns, consider new thinking as well. The past has included injustices against our students and graduates. They deserve more in their futures.

Lonnie Lowery, PhD

ASEP-Newsletter Editor 

Ask the EP 
  
Q:  What are some Realistic Resolutions for the 2010 New Year ?
 
Okay, we've all heard it before, "this year I'm going to lose weight, I'm really going to do it". This seems to be the mantra for thousands or even millions of people every year. Although this is true for many, others are still contemplating a "realistic resolution". Part of the confusion lies within the whole conglomerate of diet books. Just the other day while inside a book store, the front entrance was packed with all the latest and greatest diet books including how to "Master Your Metabolism", "Think Thin", "You on a Diet", "Flat Belly Diet for Men", The "I" Diet", and "Eat Your Way to Happiness". Sure, we all want to be happy with our physical attributes, but how "realistic" will you be. The top 3 resolutions will probably include the following:

1.) Lose Weight/Lose body fat

2.) Modify, change lifestyle.

3.) Gain Lean Muscle Mass

One of the most, if not the MOST difficult challenges for all of us is consistency and adhering to a realistic program. So, before you go embark on your "lifetime change", here are some tips to help you stay focused with your resolution.

Record

This is a great way to start. Record all daily entries like meals, food quantity (proteins, complex and healthy carbohydrates, and healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. These are all important components to for you to achieve. Brainstorm all of your goals onto a piece of paper and then rewrite each one as a built -in- contract. Put your document somewhere that will keep you reminded of the promise you have made to yourself.

Set a definite date. Create Short-term, Mid-term, and Long-term Goals

One of the major pitfalls is that the majority of individuals ONLY set the "long -term" goal. While this is great in one respect, we often get sidetracked because the goal is either unrealistic in too short a time, or the goal is so far away, people begin to give up because there is nothing within their grasp to reach within the short or mid- term framework. Therefore, mark your calendar for a certain date for each goal that you want to achieve. For example, by March you want to lose 15 or 20lbs. Setting a definite date is a great way to make sure you stick with your plan!

Change starts with one step

Make small changes every week and they will accumulate over time. Here are some examples of some changes you could incorporate into your goals:

1). Substitute water, green tea or black tea for sodas.

2). Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

3). Eliminate fried foods and instead bake or broil

4). Eat more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats

5). When grocery shopping, remember the healthiest foods are around the perimeter of the store. Learn to read labels on food. You can always go online to find healthier recipes.

Intense Exercise

Yes, you heard right! I said "intense". Folks, you have to get above and beyond the 15 lb dumbbells and low intensity, slow cardio. The most challenging workouts are not supposed to be easy. If they were, everybody would do it, and we would all be "ripped". For most of you, total body workouts that include big movements such as deadlifts, squats, overhead press, bench press, lat pull-downs, pull-ups and combinations of body weight, and medicine ball work. Incorporate interval training or swimming as part of your conditioning. Oh and please, for the sake of humanity, go FULL RANGE OF MOTION and use good technique when engaging various exercises.

Remember, sometimes the scale does lie. Even though your scale may read that you have gained 2 pounds over the last 3 weeks, this could very easily be 3 pounds of lean tissue. Lean muscle is an extremely metabolic tissue and the master furnace. So even if you are just sitting around, you are expending calories.

What are you waiting for? Start now and kick off the real fat loss season. Keep focused and train hard. You will always be ahead of everyone else.

 

Jonathan Mike,  MS, CSCS, USAW, NSCA-CPT,
Doctoral Student, Assistant Editor
 

Advertisements & Announcements

Opportunities Related to Exercise Physiology
 

Community Announcement: Iron Radio.org has issued a call for brief submissions from EP students or professionals interested in getting their first involvement in legitimate Internet / pod casting settings. Opinions on professional issues or micro reviews and recent research are welcomed. Students' audio submissions (see National Public Radio (NPR]) and / or the Iron Radio.org web site for examples) will be editor-reviewed by ASEP-Newsletter Editors Dr. Lonnie Lowery and Jonathan Mike. The submissions should be 300-500 word essays read aloud and recorded with Windows Sound Recorder or similar software and sent via email to Lonman7@hotmail.com. Iron Radio.org is not ASEP-affiliated.

 
---------------------------------------------------- 
 
The Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire... is currently seeking applicants for a tenure track appointment in Exercise Science at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. ...more information...
 
----------------------------------------------------
 
NOTE: ASEP Board of Directors with approval of The Center for Exercise Physiology-online developed the "EPC Petition Guidelines" for doctorate exercise physiologists to become Board Certified.
 

Thank you for perusing our opinions, facts and opportunities in this edition of the ASEP-Newsletter.
 
Sincerely,

Lonnie Lowery
American Society of Exercise Physiologists

All contents are copyright 1997-2010 American Society of Exercise Physiologists.