Sergeant Tony's Blog

Every once in a while I have to rant. Sometimes I feel the need to explain something.

First the rant.

Kathy Lee Gifford is, hands down and without question, the most annoying person on television. Let me be fair and restate that. She’s the most annoying “female” person on television. There are so many men ahead of her.

Hoda Kotb, is an award winning newsperson. I mean a genuine broadcast journalist. Recently I saw an interview that she did some years ago with the incredible Aung San Suu Kyi, the brilliant, beautiful, and brave Bumese opposition leader, former General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Ms. Kotb’s interview was insightful, intelligent, and inspiring. Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the most phenomenal women in the world and Ms. Kotb’s interview highlighted Ms. Suu Kyi’s regal grace, dignity, and elegance.

But currently Hoda Kotb sits next to Mrs. Gifford at 10 AM for the “fourth hour of the Today Show.” From Aung San Suu Kyi to KLG? Oh, Hoda.

Since I’m often home working in my office at that time, the television in the front room is on and tuned to The Today Show, mostly for background noise, but also to hear news updates.

At 10, the regular Today Show crew abandons ship, leaving poor Hoda at the helm with Gifford, who fights for constant attention and control of the show, a show which typically runs aground after Gifford’s uncontrolled babbling — often under the influence of alcohol actually consumed on air — without direction, limitation, or restraint. Fingernails-across-a-black-board!

The other day Hoda and KLG were talking about men. It was the usual “why do men do this” and “why do men do that” kind of stuff. To the credit of The Today Show producers, they actually have real men on a panel answering questions about men instead of a panel of women explaining men.

On this particular day, Hoda and KLG seemed perplexed about why men won’t talk on the phone but will text. What got my attention was how confounded they seemed. But the men on the panel weren’t confused at all. They just nodded in agreement.

I, for one, HATE talking on the phone. I can’t really emphasize that enough. I hate it. The men on the panel were like me too. But women seem to LOVE talking on the phone. See, we’re different. Efficiency and multitasking are other reasons men prefer texting.

A phone call conducted with proper decorum and protocol will take time. A text won’t. Here’s an example.

Phone call:

Called person (we’ll call Rick); “Hello?”

Caller (we’ll call Bob): “Hey, Rick, it’s Bob.”

Rick: “Oh, hey Bob, what’s happening?”

Bob: “Not too much, how are you doing?”

Rick: “I’m doing OK, you?”

Bob: “Yeah, good thanks. Listen, the reason I called was … I’m sorry, is this a good time to talk?”

Rick: “Sure, I’ve got a few minutes.”

Bob: “OK, great. The reason I called was to ask you if you still had those tickets to tomorrow night’s Tiger game, the ones you were trying to give away?”

Rick: “No, sorry I gave those away.”

Bob: “Oh, okay, no problem. My plans for tomorrow night changed and I’m free so I was gonna see if you still had those tickets.”

Rick: “Sorry, man. I gave those to Mike this morning.”

Bob: “Well I appreciate it anyway.”

Rick: “Next time, maybe?!”

Bob: “Right. Thanks anyway. Tell Jill I said hi.”

Rick: “Will do. Give my regards to Marcie.”

Bob: “Sure will. Talk to you later then.”

Rick: “See ya later.”

Click.

That’s about as fast as a polite phone conversation can go. Sometimes social etiquette will require a lot of other polite questions about kids, family illnesses, recent events, the last game the Tigers played, and the weather. And all of those things could create rabbit trails of their own.

Text message:

Bob: “Hey Rick, still got those tickets?”

Rick: “No.”

Bob: “Thanks man, see ya later.”

Rick: “Later.”

Every man reading this who hates talking on the phone like I do is nodding his head and saying “EXACTLY!”

Sherry Turkle’s book, “Alone Together,” subtitled “Why we expect more from technology and less from each other” lays out the social evils of being disengaged from people because technology (texting, emails, online chatting) has taken away our facility and need for face to face connection and interaction. And while I agree with some of her insights and observations, I think many of her conclusions are based on personal opinion, bias, and prognostication. I’m not a social scientist, but historically, with each technological advancement humans have made, there have been critics of how that technology had a negative impact.

I’m all for polite and reasonable conversation and face to face connection. I’m all for a skilled use of the English language. I like it when people speak and write well. (I like when people know the difference between they’re, their, there, your, and you’re.) But the mode of communication and the situation allows for certain communication liberties to be taken.

For example, could you imagine this communication over a walkie talkie between a forward platoon commander and the rear artillery officer?

Forward Officer (we’ll call him, “Lt. Bob”): “Come in, Delta Leader, this is Bravo Zulu, over?”

Artillery Officer: (we’ll call him “Major Tom”): “Hey Bravo Zulu, how’s it goin up there? You guys still taking a lot fire, over?”

Lt. Bob: “That’s an affirmative, Delta Leader, it’s a real mess up here! Lots of shooting and noise and man, the weather really sucks, you know what I’m sayin? Over?”

Maj. Tom: “I hear ya, Bravo Zulu. The weather back here has been kind of nasty too. But I hear it’s gonna clear soon, so that’s good. Anyway, at least we’ve got these tents to hunker down in. Plus I just got a letter from my wife. Over?”

Lt. Bob: “Roger that, Delta Leader. Glad to hear about the weather and your wife. That’s awesome. What did you guys have for lunch back there? Over?”

This goes on for a while. Finally …

Lt. Bob: “Listen, Delta Leader, the reason I called was that we need some artillery fired on the enemy up here. Would that be cool? Over?”

Maj. Tom: “OK, Bravo Zulu. No problemo! We’ll fire some shells down that way. Now if you’ll just be good enough to give us the coordinates, we’ll make some big noise downrange for you. Over?”

Ridiculous, right? But when Lt. Bob and Maj. Tom are face to face they’ll speak properly, respectfully, and professionally. The situation dictated a different means of communication, which dictated different language.

If the man in your life doesn’t like to talk on the phone, it doesn’t mean he’s disengaged from you or is using technology to affect a larger social paradigm shift. It probably means that he just doesn’t like to talk on the phone.

Public Service Announcement: Do not text and drive. Do not talk on the phone and drive. Do not make out with your partner and drive. Do not engage in any kind of shenanigans and drive. And if you’re a big fan of Kathy Lee Gifford (bless your heart), do not call me to take up for her. You know that I won’t answer anyway!

———————-

WOMEN’S DISCOUNT FOR FEBRUARY!

For the month of February, all new female recruits can join for only $75! And women who join now will get the rest of February and ALL OF MARCH for that price!!

In fact, TWO can join for that price! Tell your cheap, and or frugal, girlfriends that it’s the best time to join USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP!

——————————-

WIND CHILL AND INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

When the wind chill is 29 or lower, we’ll go inside at 0530, 0830, and 5:45 PM. The 0645 class is inside from now until March.

Check with weather.com or The Weather Channel. I’ll post it on my Facebook page and the Boot Camp website Blog page (http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/) if there’s a question. And if you’re not sure, you can text me at 901-644-0145.

What about inclement weather days?

We’ll follow the Memphis City Schools decision. If they close, we’ll stand-down. If they close in the morning but the streets are clear and good to go by the afternoon, the evening class will meet. I’ll post that status on Facebook and the Boot Camp Blog page.

————————————-

SPRING HALF MARATHON!

Spring Half Marathon Training continues this weekend!

Our next training run is this Saturday at 7 AM. Meet at Shelby Farms in front of the Visitor’s Center. Saturday’s weather is expected to be agreeable! But if it’s raining we’ll go on Sunday instead.

Cost for the three month training: $75 for active duty Boot Campers, $125 for “Friends of Boot Camp.” All are welcome to join in the fun.

There are at least five half marathons in the spring! There’s one in Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, Fayetteville, AR and Oklahoma City! The Germantown Half Marathon is also in March.

———————————–

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK EXPERIMENT!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend.

Second, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.

Now here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!

You can take up to $20 off for any given month! That’s 8 “check-in’s” in a month.

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)

TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

FREE MONTH OF BOOT CAMP FOR YOU!

Remember that when one of your family or friends joins the program because of your recruiting them, YOU get a free month of Boot Camp!

———————————-

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Don’t forget that there is child-care available at the church for this class!

The 0645 meets on MWF inside for the rest of this week. Starting on March 1, the 0645 class will follow the same weather policy of the other classes.

ATTENTION 0830 CLASS MEMBERS: please remember that no cell phone usage is allowed while you drive your car on the campus. So when you pull onto the campus, no cell phones please!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING CLASSES ARE ON HIATUS

The Tuesday and Thursday evening classes are standing down until the time change occurs.

However, I’ll be running at 4:30 PM at St. Mary’s track on Tues and Thursday and you’re welcome to join me for an informal jog fest!

———————————————-

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.

http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145

Yumiko Kana woke up on Monday morning at 5 AM like she always did.

Yumiko is a young Japanese “office lady” who commutes to work by train and subway to Shinjuku Station from her tiny apartment in western Tokyo that she shares with her roommates. She and her two roommates, Noriko and Akiko, all twenty-something-year-old office workers showered in turns, dressed, and grabbed a quick breakfast of toast and coffee. The small crowded “ginkan” (entry way) of their apartment, where their shoes were, looked like a cyclone was going through it as the three of them hustled to put their shoes on, grab their bags, get out the door, and force march to the Hibarigaoka Train Station.

And Monday was Valentine’s Day.

Because it was Valentine’s Day, Yumiko and her friends were not only loaded down with their handbags and their briefcases, but they were each carrying several gift bags. Inside each of those gift bags were several smaller gift wrapped items to give for Valentine’s Day.

But none of these three young women — attractive and smart women — would be getting anything for Valentine’s Day. Not a single thing.

In fact, no Japanese woman – not one of the 43 million of them – got anything for Valentine’s Day on Monday. No flowers. No jewelry. No expensive gifts. No special dates out. Nothing. Zip. Nada. Nai.

But it was Valentine’s Day!!? Right? What’s wrong with Japanese men??

On Valentine’s Day, Japanese women give gifts of chocolate to their male friends, male family members, male co-workers, and to their significant male-other(s). So Yumiko and her roommate’s gift bags were full of gift-wrapped chocolates for the male members of their lives.

But not all chocolates given are equal on Valentine’s Day. There’s a rank structure to the kind of chocolates Yumiko gave. And the kind, quality, and price of the chocolates told the men in Yumiko’s life where they fit in the hierarchy of her life and how she felt about each of them.

The chocolates that Japanese women give on Valentine’s Day are divided into two categories: 1) giri-choco and 2) honmei-choco. Losely translated it means “chocolates given out of obligation” and “homemade chocolates.” Honmei-choco (homemade chocolate) is given from the heart and implies a close relationship to that person. It isn’t necessarily made at home, but the store bought “honmei-choco” is very obviously expensive and special.

Yumiko is single and has no boyfriend, but she’s got a crush on two guys she works with. Takahiro and Kenjiro are the two guys she likes, but typical of young Japanese men, they are both too shy to do much about it even if they also had crushes on Yumiko.

So on Monday, Yumiko gave most of the men in her life who weren’t family members, Snicker bars with bows tied around them. Clearly giri-choco given to the lower ranking men in her life. But the more special the man, the more special the chocolate.

To Takahiro she gave some chocolate that she and her roommates actually made together in one big batch in their apartment to divide up for the special men in their lives. To Kenjiro she gave a box of expensive chocolates that she bought at an upscale department store in downtown Tokyo. She actually likes Takahiro a little more than Kenjiro, but she’d gladly go out with either of them if they’d only ask. The chocolates were her way of giving them a little encouragement to ask her out, if they were interested.

All of Yumiko’s single girlfriends did the same thing; they gave honmei choco in an effort to send a subtle message that they’d be open to going out if the guy was interested. It’s a slight nudge, but not so overt or uncomfortable that it would create an awkward situation if the guy wasn’t interested. And since most of us guys — Japanese guys aren’t alone here — are clueless when a girl likes them, Valentine’s Day chocolate has been used in countless situations to send a message and bring people together. As one of my Japanese guy friends said, “I only wish there was a Valentine’s Day every month!”

Now before you dismiss the Japanese custom as male oriented, male dominated, and sexist, let me tell you about “White Day.” On March 14, exactly one month after Valentine’s Day, the tables are turned. On White Day the guys get to do the same thing that the ladies did except they give gifts of white chocolate, silver jewelry, or anything bright, white, and/or shinny.

Yumiko hopes that one of those guys will get the hint and either ask her out, or at least give her something special on White Day!

I loved Valentine’s Day in Japan. In the ten years I lived there, it might have been one of my favorite holidays. And since I taught school there and had lots of female students, I got tons of chocolate.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking … I got tons of Snicker bars, giri-choco.

Guys, between now and March 14, why don’t you do something for your lady’s heart. Insist that she get a complete physical if it’s been over a year since her last physical. February is Healthy Heart Month and since we lose too many of the women we love to heart disease than anything else, let’s be jerks and insist that they get their sweet hearts checked out!

——————————————

WOMEN’S DISCOUNT FOR FEBRUARY!

For the month of February, all new female recruits can join for only $75! And women who join now will get the rest of February and ALL OF MARCH for that price!!

In fact, TWO can join for that price! Tell your cheap, and or frugal, girlfriends that it’s the best time to join USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP!

——————————-

WIND CHILL AND INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

When the wind chill is 29 or lower, we’ll go inside at 0530, 0830, and 5:45 PM. The 0645 class is inside from now until March.

Check with weather.com or The Weather Channel. I’ll post it on my Facebook page and the Boot Camp website Blog page (http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/) if there’s a question. And if you’re not sure, you can text me at 901-644-0145.

What about inclement weather days?

We’ll follow the Memphis City Schools decision. If they close, we’ll stand-down. If they close in the morning but the streets are clear and good to go by the afternoon, the evening class will meet. I’ll post that status on Facebook and the Boot Camp Blog page.

————————————-

SPRING HALF MARATHON!

Spring Half Marathon Training is underway and it’s been exciting and fun!

But it’s not too late for you to get in on the fun!

Our next training run is this Saturday at 7 AM. We’ll meet at Shelby Farms in front of the Visitor’s Center. Saturday’s weather is expected to be good! But if it’s raining or snowing we’ll go on Sunday instead.

Prerequisites for the training: be able to run 3 miles in 36 minutes or less.

Cost for the three month training: $75 for active duty Boot Campers, $125 for “Friends of Boot Camp.” All are welcome to join in the fun.

There are at least five half marathons in the spring! There’s one in Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, Fayetteville, AR and Oklahoma City! The Germantown Half Marathon is also in March.

———————————–

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK EXPERIMENT!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!

You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name.

BE SURE TO TAG ME!

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)
TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

FREE MONTH OF BOOT CAMP FOR YOU!

Remember that when one of your family or friends joins the program because of your recruiting them, YOU get a free month of Boot Camp!

———————————-

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Don’t forget that there is child-care available at the church for this class!

The 0645 meets on MWF inside!

ATTENTION 0830 CLASS MEMBERS: please remember that no cell phone usage is allowed while you drive your car on the campus. So when you pull onto the campus, no cell phones please!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING CLASSES ARE ON HIATUS UNTIL FEB 2011

The Tuesday and Thursday evening classes are standing down until the last week in January.

However, I’ll be running at 4:30 PM at St. Mary’s track on Tues and Thursday and you’re welcome to join me for an informal jog fest!

———————————————-

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.

http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145

Attention Spring Half Marathon Runners!
Since the running path at Shelby Farms is iced over in places, tomorrow’s training run is moved to Sunday at 7 AM! No snowshoes required!

Attention Evening Platoon: With regrets, the 17:45 workout is canceled. Stand down! Many apologies.

Whoever it is praying for snow, STOP IT!

My friend Gary is the most religious person I’ve ever known. Certainly the most serious and the most eccentric.

Gary’s religious convictions would make you look like a heathen or a devil worshiper. For him, everything went under the microscope of religious obedience. A quick ten minute trip to the grocery store — for ten items or less — would turn into an hour and a half adventure into spiritual warfare, he’d say.

Gary prayed over every single item he placed in his cart. And I’m not talking about those quick “Lord, bless these pork n beans I’m about to buy” prayers. Oh no, sir. Gary prayed over the exact brand of the pork n beans he’d buy.

“Dear Lord, do I buy the Campbell’s or the Van de Kamp’s pork n beans?” he’d pray.

And I’m not making this up.

There were so many reasons for his need for divine direction about this pork n beans decision dilemma. Gary explained to me that each of those pork n beans companies represented an ideology of business practices and business ethics, employee compensation, benefits, and treatment, environmental responsibility and global expansion. And on and on Gary explained the varied reasons to support one company over another with his purchase of pork n beans.

Gary would stand in the canned goods aisle holding cans of pork n beans, praying for enlightenment, guidance, and some sense of calling. I swear I’m not making this up.

On the other hand, my friend Mike hasn’t prayed since December 6, 1969. That was the day Arkansas played for the NCAA Football National Championship. That game, played in Fayetteville, was between our beloved Razorbacks and those reprobate Longhorns from Austin, Texas. Mike had prayed and prayed with all of his might, day and night, for weeks that The Razorbacks would win the National Championship. The entire state of Arkansas had been praying for a Razorback win and a national championship

Arkansas lost.

It was a heartbreaking defeat after a touchdown was called back because of a clipping penalty, or maybe it was holding, or some other insignificant and equally imaginary infraction that is still questioned and debated to this day. Final score: the degenerate sheep herders from Texas 15, the honorable gentlemen of Arkansas 14.

Since the prevailing theology regarding prayer was that the more people who are praying, the more the Almighty’s Will can be moved, or changed, or influenced, or altered. This of course is standard middle class Southern prayer doctrine born out of football rivalries and a need to drag The Sovereign onto the gridiron and have Him on our side. “Texas is a bigger state than Arkansas and they had more people praying, so there was really no way we could win,” Mike sadly deduced, “no matter how ‘hard’ we prayed.”

As a kid, I sort of imagined a council of the heavenly hosts counting prayers using little silver heavenly hand held clickers adding up the offered supplications from Arkansas and Texas right up to the coin-toss and kickoff. I know that I personally prayed several times and hoped that the Razorbacks would get credit for each one of those prayers. I even prayed during half-time.

Whatever the explanation, Mike would have none of it. He hasn’t prayed since.

Most people’s beliefs about prayer fall somewhere between Gary and Mike. Some may be closer to one than the other or they might be right smack dab in the middle.

Don’t worry, I’m not writing an essay about prayer. Good grief, can you imagine? ME writing an essay on the doctrine of prayer in 1000 words? Seriously?! Volumes and volumes of books have been written on prayer already. I can’t add anything to the discussion or to the great body of work that exists on the subject. However, I have read and heard some of the most ridiculous, comical, and outlandish things said about prayer and in prayer requests. “Y’all, pray for me. I’m going to New York to try on wedding dresses and I need the Lord to help me choose the one that will bring Him glory.” Really?

They are tons of things that you don’t have to pray about, ever. You make thousands of decisions and act upon them everyday that didn’t and don’t require a prayer meeting.

Every woman reading this needs to do something(s) to improve the quality of their lives and their health. When people say “oh, that’s a no-brainer” they mean that you neither have to think about it nor pray about it. The obvious solution or path of action is clear to the dumbest among us!

More women die every year from heart disease than from lung cancer and breast cancer combined! SIX TIMES MORE!

You ladies don’t need to pray about taking better care of yourselves. Ladies, you don’t need to do extensive research on the pros and cons of exercising or not. You don’t need to visit your priest, Rabbi, pastor, minister, or preacher to find out if you need to quit smoking, get your weight under control, and get in shape. You don’t need to consult a Ph.D. in exercise physiology or sociology or philosophy to discover if you need to exercise.

I’m a bit tired of hearing people say that if they just had the right support system in their lives that they’d be able to quit smoking, lose weight, and get in shape.

Horse-feathers.

Ever hear of Oprah?

Oprah has the best trainers, the best equipment, the best food, the best chefs, the best nutritionists, the best dieticians, the best psychological care-givers, the best hand-holders, and a world-wide audience that worships her. She’s got the best support system that money can buy.

But Oprah’s still overweight.

She lacks for nothing … but self-discipline, which she can’t buy.

(Oprah, if you’re reading this, I’ll train you for free. You can’t fire me – cuz you didn’t hire me, and you can’t have me arrested! You’ve got too many suck-ups and sycophants around you telling you what you want to hear. That won’t be a problem with me. Holla!)

The quality of our lives will improve in ways that can’t be imagined when we live a healthy lifestyle and get our weight under control. The quality of life goes up, the health risks go down. Quality of life goes up, health care costs go down.

Both of my parents smoked and lived unhealthy lifestyles. I pleaded with them for years when I was a little boy. I begged them to quit and to take better care of themselves. Years later it would require a doctor to tell my dad that he only had months to live if he didn’t quit smoking. That got him to quit finally. But it was too late for my dad. He died within months anyway.

Won’t you take the Valentine’s Day Pledge and purpose to give yourself a healthy heart?

No need to pray about it. No research required. The decision is obvious. Losing weight, quitting smoking, and getting regular strenuous exercise will make your heart healthy and enhance the quality of your life.

Now brainstorm. Write down 5 ways that you can give your loved ones a “healthy you” to love. Do it for yourself. Do it for the people who love you. Monday is Valentine’s Day. Won’t you be pro-active and do something now?

————————–

WOMEN’S DISCOUNT FOR FEBRUARY!

For the month of February, all new female recruits can join for only $75!

In fact, TWO can join for that price! Tell your cheap, and or frugal, girlfriends that it’s the best time to join USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP!

——————————-

WIND CHILL AND INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

When the wind chill is 29 or lower, we’ll go inside at 0530, 0830, and 5:45 PM. The 0645 class is inside from now until March.

Check with weather.com or The Weather Channel. I’ll post it on my Facebook page and the Boot Camp website Blog page (http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/) if there’s a question. And if you’re not sure, you can text me at 901-644-0145.

What about inclement weather days?

We’ll follow the Memphis City Schools decision. If they close, we’ll stand-down. If they close in the morning but the streets are clear and good to go by the afternoon, the evening class will meet. I’ll post that status on Facebook and the Boot Camp Blog page.

————————————-

SPRING HALF MARATHON!

And … WE’RE OFF!!!

Spring Half Marathon Training has begun!

But it’s not too late to get in on the fun!

Our next training run is this Saturday at 7 AM. We’ll meet at Shelby Farms in front of the Visitor’s Center. Saturday’s weather is expected to be good! But if it’s raining or snowing we’ll go on Sunday instead.

Prerequisites for the training: be able to run 3 miles in 36 minutes or less.

Cost for the three month training: $75 for active duty Boot Campers, $125 for “Friends of Boot Camp.” All are welcome to join in the fun.

There are at least five half marathons in the spring! There’s one in Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, Fayetteville, AR and Oklahoma City! The Germantown Half Marathon is also in March.

———————————————-

ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP

Would you be interested in joining an accountability group of fellow boot campers?

A group to hold each member accountable for boot camp attendance, weight loss, weekend homework (1 hr of continuous cardio), and any other area of self-help-dom that might be mutually agreed upon by the group.

Does this sound like something that you’d be interested in if the meetings were set up on a regular basis and time that wouldn’t interfere with the rest of your life?

———————————–

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK EXPERIMENT!

First of all, find me on Facebook and make me your friend. (Also, be sure to “like” USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP on Facebook.)

Here’s how the discount works!

It’s simple: make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your next reenlistment fee for each update!

You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name. And be sure to tag me.

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)
TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

FREE MONTH OF BOOT CAMP FOR YOU!

Remember that when one of your family or friends joins the program because of your recruiting them, YOU get a free month of Boot Camp!

———————————-

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Don’t forget that there is child-care available at the church for this class!

The 0645 meets on MWF inside!

ATTENTION 0830 CLASS MEMBERS: please remember that no cell phone usage is allowed while you drive your car on the campus. So when you pull onto the campus, no cell phones please!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING CLASSES ARE ON HIATUS UNTIL FEB 2011

The Tuesday and Thursday evening classes are standing down until the last week in January.

However, I’ll be running at 4:30 PM at St. Mary’s track on Tues and Thursday and you’re welcome to join me for an informal jog fest!

———————————————-

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.

http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145

HALF MARATHON TRAINING RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY. Hey everyone, the rain and drizzle will freeze tonight (according to Dave Brown and Weather.com) putting ice on the pavement in the morning. So we’ll run on Sunday morning, same time and place! See you on Sunday!

Kim Sjostrom died three years ago.

Kim died in Sunrise, FL on January 19, 2008.

On her wedding day.

At her wedding reception.

In her new husband’s arms during their first dance together as husband and wife.

Kim died of heart disease.

She was only 36 years old.

Heart disease at 36 years old?

This sadness didn’t have to happen.

And it doesn’t have to happen again.

More women die of heart disease than breast cancer. Six times more.

Since 1984 more women have died of heart disease than men.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Heart disease can be attacked.

So here’s some GOOD NEWS for you ladies:

If you will:

1. Quit smoking! (Tony, I don’t smoke. GREAT! Keep reading.)

2. Eat intentionally! (That means eating smart, being aware of what you’re eating and WHY!)

3. Exercise! (That means being physically and vigorously active for more than 30 minutes EVERY day!)

4. Get your body weight and percentage of body fat down! (Women should be 25% body fat. You can check this easily with a Tanita brand scale available at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Sports Authority.

Lives will be saved by doing those 4 things! Seriously.

Maybe even YOUR life will be saved! And the quality of your life will be saved too.

You’ll FEEL better. You’ll LOOK better. You’ll THINK better. And you’ll LIVE longer and better!

The majority of the 570,000 annual deaths among WOMEN caused by heart disease or lung cancer are preventable with simple lifestyle changes.

Preventable with simple lifestyle changes. Seriously. Preventable.

February is American Heart Month and for the whole month I want to focus on women’s health issues and women’s fitness.

There are all kinds of techniques and ways to kick the nicotine addiction. There are lots of good eating and nutrition programs out there too. Most of you know that I recommend “Take Shape for Life.” www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com

And I know of an incredible fitness program run by a really awesome guy who’ll get you in shape!

If all the women we care about will make a Valentine’s Day Commitment to change their lives, they will be happier and everyone of us will benefit!

If someone in Kim Sjostrom’s life had demanded that she make a Valentine’s Day Commitment to change her life and reduce her health risks, she might be here today, celebrating her third wedding anniversary with her new husband.

So in honor of all the women we love, I’m offering a Sergeant Tony’s Boot Camp Special for February. From now until the end of the month, all new female recruits can join USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP for only $75! And two women can join for the price of one! (That’s two for $75!)

Tell your cheap girlfriends that the time to join BOOT CAMP is NOW! Seriously.

Please forward this newsletter to 5 girlfriends you care about, even if they don’t live in Memphis. It’s not a matter of us loving you as you are, ladies … it’s a matter of loving you for a long long time to come!

It is my hope and prayer that women we care about will decide to take charge and change their lives … and that ALL will recommit themselves to a healthy and fit lifestyle!

——————————————

SPRING HALF MARATHON!

And … WE’RE OFF!!!

Spring Half Marathon Training has begun!

But it’s not too late to get in on the fun!

Our next training run is this Saturday at 7 AM. We’ll meet at Shelby Farms in front of the Visitor’s Center. We’ll run if it’s not raining or snowing. If it is, we’ll go on Sunday instead. It’s supposed to be colder than a “mother-in-law’s love” on Saturday morning, so layer up, y’all!

Prerequisites for the training: be able to run 3 miles in 36 minutes or less.

Cost for the three month training: $75 for active duty Boot Campers, $125 for “Friends of Boot Camp.” All are welcome to join in the fun.

There are at least five half marathons in the spring! There’s one in Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, Fayetteville, AR and Oklahoma City! The Germantown Half Marathon is also in March.

——————————–

WOMEN’S DISCOUNT FOR FEBRUARY!

For the month of February, all new female recruits can join for only $75!

In fact, TWO can join for that price! Tell your cheap, and or frugal, girlfriends that it’s the best time to join USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP!

——————————-

ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP

Would you be interested in joining an accountability group of fellow boot campers?

A group to hold each member accountable for boot camp attendance, weight loss, weekend homework (1 hr of continuous cardio), and any other area of self-help-dom that might be mutually agreed upon by the group.

Does this sound like something that you’d be interested in if the meetings were set up on a regular basis and time that wouldn’t interfere with the rest of your life?

———————————–

BOOT CAMP DISCOUNTS AND FACEBOOK EXPERIMENT!

Here’s how it works!

Make a Facebook status update and get a discount!

For every status update that you make that references:
“USMC Fitness Boot Camp,”
“Sgt. Tony’s Boot Camp,”
“Tony’s Boot Camp,”
or something similar, you can take $2.50 off your reenlistment fee for each update!

You can take up to $20 off for any given month!

Your status update has to be a specific reference to USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP or to me specifically by name. And be sure to tag me.

You can do the same thing by “checking in” at USMC Fitness Boot Camp either by using Facebook “places,” Foursquare, or any of the other “check in” apps that show up on your Facebook News Feed.

So log on and start getting your discounts now!

———————————-

WIND CHILL AND INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

When the wind chill is 29 or lower, we’ll go inside at 0530, 0830, and 5:45 PM. The 0645 class is inside from now until March.

Check with weather.com or The Weather Channel. I’ll post it on my Facebook page and the Boot Camp website Blog page (http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/) if there’s a question. And if you’re not sure, you can text me at 901-644-0145.

What about inclement weather days?

We’ll follow the Memphis City Schools decision. If they close, we’ll stand-down. If they close in the morning but the streets are clear and good to go by the afternoon, the evening class will meet. I’ll post that status on Facebook and the Boot Camp Blog page.

————————————-

PERSONAL TRAINING!

I’ve got a few prime hours open during the week if you know someone looking for a trainer. I use the facilities at Christ Methodist and the hourly rates are standard for Memphis. Over-all fitness training, boot camp style workouts, strength training, sports specific conditioning and agility (tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.)
TonyLudlow@aol.com or 901-644-0145

———————————-

FREE MONTH OF BOOT CAMP FOR YOU!

Remember that when one of your family or friends joins the program because of your recruiting them, YOU get a free month of Boot Camp!

———————————-

THE 0830 AND THE 0645 CLASSES!!

The 0830 Class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Don’t forget that there is child-care available at the church for this class!

The 0645 meets on MWF inside!

ATTENTION 0830 CLASS MEMBERS: please remember that no cell phone usage is allowed while you drive your car on the campus. So when you pull onto the campus, no cell phones please!

——————————————–

NEW PRICING FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES

If you’re a part of a family (usually husband and wife) that does USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP together, ask me about it! I think you’ll like it!

———————————————-

WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH?

Take Shape For Life is the BEST weight loss program I know of. If you’d like to lose weight talk to me. This is the program I used to lose the almost 30 pounds I gained after knee surgery. Let me help you!

You can also go to www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/

——————————————-

TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING CLASSES ARE ON HIATUS UNTIL FEB 2011

The Tuesday and Thursday evening classes are standing down until the last week in January.

However, I’ll be running at 4:30 PM at St. Mary’s track on Tues and Thursday and you’re welcome to join me for an informal jog fest!

———————————————-

CALENDAR

A calendar has been added to the official USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.

http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/calendar.html

For you visual learners, you’ll find this an easy way to glance at the week or month and see where the workouts will be, if there’s a venue change.

—————————————————

What would you do if money were not an issue, fear were not a factor, and failure were not an option?

To your optimum health and fitness!

SEE YOU ON THE QUARTERDECK!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145