Online Healthy Lifestyle Challenge Update #1

THE CHALLENGER: Rick Audas, 50, 6’4”, 298, former MSU tackle, executive vice president, AXA Advisors: 

How has the first part of the challenge been for you? It’s been going well and I’m very excited to start seeing some results. I haven’t had a chance to see any results yet, I know they will come and I am looking forward to that time.

Is it what you expected? Yes. It’s absolutely everything I expected and much more.

Have you had any setbacks yet? I spent three days in Nashville, TN, where the food was rich and the exercise was limited. I need to work on that and know I will. I will make up for it this week.

CERTIFIED WELLNESS CONSULTANT: Nancy Mesko, wellnessforum.com, 517.449.0098 :

1. What kind of diet changes have you made with Rick?  We have been really taking advantage of all the fresh produce available and incorporating soups and stews that are more calorie dilute. Regardless of how hot it is outside Rick is a big soup guy. One of the soups I have been making is Redskin Potato Leek soup. An excellent healthier way to make a creamy soup is by taking out a portion of the soup once cooked and blending it. 

2. Is Rick sticking to the plan? This week was Rick’s big 50th birthday so needless to day he is a bit on the BIRTHDAY treat diet. Truly believe he will do better next week. He does seem to be stopping when he is satisfied and not eating just to finish the whole pot of soup. Even calorie dilute foods add up.

THE TRAINER: Justin Grinnell, Michigan Athletic Club, 346-8888: 

1. How are the workouts coming along? Today was our first day, so I took he through an functional assessment. We went through each of the following:

• Muscle Density, better known as “knots” in your muscles using a foam roll
• Muscle Length or flexibility with tri-planar stretching
• Mobility Exercises
• Core Strength and Stability Exercises

This allowed me to have a better idea of who I am working with. I will have him work on these same exercise for the next four to six weeks with progressions along the way. I will also be adding in more strength training as I see improvements. He will try to start out and perform these exercises every other day. I also set a another goal of three high intensity interval training sessions lasting in length of 10 minutes. We will increase the intensity and duration each week. Rik also plans on doing some extra walking and more work on the Arc Trainer and EFX at home.

2. Did he enjoy the workouts? He seemed to like what I was showing him. He has not done this type of training in a while, if ever, so he is still getting used to it. As his condition improves, and he starts to see some results I think he will like it then. I told him that this type of training will improve his golf game, that is music to most guys ears that I train.