BASKETBALL JONES! — Sgt. Tony’s Newsletter for 1/20/10
“Na na naaaaahhhh nah … HEY, HEY, HEY … GOOOOOD BYE!”
We were in other team’s gym and the fans had started that chant (“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam) with 1 minute 17 seconds to play.
We were 12 points behind and 77 seconds away from a humiliating defeat.
Coach called time out.
With their gym and their fans in a frenzy and chanting … “Na na naaaaahhhh nah … HEY, HEY, HEY … GOOOOOD BYE!” …
and the other team giving each other high fives and chest bumping, Coach commanded:
“SCR*W THAT *STUFF*! WE’RE GONNA WIN THIS GAME!”
Then he explained how.
The other team inbounded the ball under our goal. We stole it, shot from the 3 point range, made it, and called time out.
Down by 9.
Coach commanded again!
More “Na na naaaaahhhh’s” and “HEY, HEY, HEY’s!”
They inbounded the ball.
Repeat of the previous play!! We hit another 3 pointer!
Down by 6.
They inbounded the ball under our goal and dribbled down court. They hurried a shot and missed. We rebounded and passed the ball down court … fast break … lay up … down by 4!
The chanting started to subside.
They inbounded the ball under our goal and we fouled them in an effort to steal the ball. They got to shoot a free throw. They missed. They rebounded and shot again … missed again. We rebounded and raced back down court. They raced along with us and cut off the fast break. We worked the ball around their defense, shot and made it! Down by 2!
THEY called time out with 31 seconds on the clock.
Coach commanded again, “WE’RE GONNA WIN THIS GAME!”
He outlined the strategy. We could feel the momentum change. The energy in that place was now resting on us!
They inbounded the ball again. We kept their offense in their back court for 10 seconds and got the ball back with 21 seconds left!
We inbounded the ball, and passed it around and waited until there was 10 seconds left on the clock. Then we started our play. With 6 seconds on the clock we shot another for 3! The ball bounced around on the rim and fell in!
Up by 1!!!!
THEY called time out!
Their gym had turned into a funeral home. Absolute shock. You could have heard a pin drop.
The other team — completely demoralized and wilting before our eyes — inbounded the ball, dribbled down court, threw up a weak last second shot … air ball.
WE WON! WE WON! WE WON!
It’s never over til it’s over. No matter what your adversity today. No matter what your setback. You can reorganize, regroup, declare a new strategy … command yourself into victory!
In the last 77 seconds of that game, we played to win … they played not to lose.
PLAY TO WIN!
PLAY TO WIN!
PLAY TO WIN!
Have a strategy. This morning I spoke to the 0530 class about the need for, and the value of, a weight loss strategy. A plan.
You’ve heard it before, “Failure to plan, is planning to fail.”
Plan for success! Strategize for victory! Keep your eyes on the prize!
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SCHEDULE CHANGES — IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
The 0530 class will meet every Thursday inside the gym (the one we always use). We’ll do the “Boga Workout.” If you’re new to that workout, it’s a combination of Boot Camp and Yoga! You’ll need your dumbbells and mat.
And until further notice, the Tues/Thurs evening classes are on hiatus. We’ll crank them back up soon … probably in March. Stay tuned!
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LOSE THE WEIGHT — The Body You Want in July Begins With a Strategy in January!
Take Shape For Life — weight loss program!
This is a plan! This is a strategy!
As a personal testimonial, after I had knee surgery I spent the next 2 months doing little that resembled my normal level of activity. Result? I gained 10 pounds. I started Take Shape For Life in early December and lost those 10 pounds in two weeks!
As further testimony, 1 of your fellow Boot Campers who started TSFL a month ago has lost 17 pounds! It’s a program designed by a physician and recommended by over 20,000 doctors with a Johns Hopkins stamp of approval.
In a nutshell, the plan calls for you to daily eat 5 Medifast replacement meals and one “lean and green” meal that you prepare or have at a restaurant. It’s simple, easy to do, goof proof, affordable, and it works!
You can go directly to the Take Shape For Life website and poke around there. Plenty of detailed information. You can also sign up there as well. Go to: www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com . If you’ve got questions, let me know.
I’m really excited about this! The success that those who have started the program have already had in just the first month is awesome!
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FLEET FEET IS HIRING!
If you’ve thought that Fleet Feet Sports would be a great place to work, now’s your chance – great pay, excellent benefits, fun co-workers, and the best customers in the world! Drop by the store for more info.
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A JOB SEEKER!
A new friend of mine is looking for a new position after a little time off and a relocation to Memphis from Atlanta.
She has an MS in Organizational Change Management but would like to start as an Administrative Assistant to get back in the flow of office policies and procedures, strategic and performance management etc.
She says, “I’m seeking a Full-Time Administrative Assistant Position, where I can apply my customer service, administrative, multitasking, and communication knowledge, skills, and abilities. I am focusing on companies where I can advance. I am a dedicated and reliable leader with customer service experience in a highly energetic corporate environment. I am an adaptable, achievement oriented person who works terrific in teams and independently.”
Let me know if you have any leads for her!
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SNOW DAYS!!
In the event of snow, we will follow Memphis City Schools. If MCS shuts down, we will stand down.
If the snow comes while MCS is on a holiday break, check the blog on the USMC Fitness Boot Camp website where I’ll post my decision at 0500 of that day.
Also, if MCS shuts down in the morning and we stand down, but the streets clear and are fine by the afternoon, I’ll post my decision regarding the evening class on the blog by 1600 (4 PM).
Q: “Tony, what if the Memphis City Schools have a delay in their start (like starting 2 hours late) what will we do?”
A: “We will workout!! We will be rockin’ and rollin’!”
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Find me on Facebook and make me your friend! (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629618416)
I’ll make you mine! Then join the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP Group! I can communicate snow day decisions through that group too!
While you’re on Facebook, you might see an ad for USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP pop up. Do not click on it! Facebook charges me for every time someone clicks on it. That’s an ad for prospective Boot Campers! You knuckleheads already know how awesome it is!
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BOOT CAMP SWEATSHIRTS
The black and gray zippered hoodie have arrived! Embroidered BOOT CAMP sweatshirts are the way to show your coolness! Sizes are available in S to XXL!
Get yours ASAP! $35 each or two for $65!
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BOOT CAMP GIFT CERTIFICATES
For the month of January I’ll make these gift certificates available to you to give to that friend or family member who really needs to be on the Quarterdeck with you!
As you know, the first month of USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP is $180. Then it’s $75 per month after that. BUT a Boot Camp gift certificate that YOU purchase this month costs YOU only $75 to give to your friends or family members! The certificate you buy takes care of their first month’s fee.
Only members of USMC Fitness Boot Camp can purchase these gift certificates at this savings.
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WHY ARE OUTDOOR WORKOUTS SO GOOD FOR YOU IN THE WINTER?
Q: Tony, why must we workout outside? You’d make more money and you’d have more recruits and you’d make more money and you’d have more recruits (see a theme?) if we worked out inside! So …how ’bout it?
A: Here are the five benefits of cold weather workouts!
1. Strengthens the immune system!
2. Naturally increases the body’s production of saratonin, a natural calming chemical in your body.
3. Increased calorie burn!
4. Runny noses keep the cooties from taking up residence inside your schnozz and making you sick.
5. Bragging rights! You get to tell your sissy “indoor” friends how tough you are!
* If I moved us inside, my Marine Corps buddies, including my Marine Corps son, would abuse me, harass me, and laugh at me. Plus, in shame, I’d have to remove the “USMC” from our name and replace it with USAF. hahahaha
What should you wear? Layers. Layer your clothes so that you can adjust your body temperature as you get warmed up.
One more thing to remember about our outdoor winter workouts: hydrate! Because we’re not hot and sweaty, like in the summer, we often don’t drink enough water in the winter time. So hydrate y’all!
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“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
~ Proverbs 29:18
To your continued good health and fitness!
Tony
Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com
http://www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/esuite/home/combatchallenge/
