My kind of humor – Demotivators from Despair, Inc.

I love the Demotivators® from Despair, Inc.. They capture my kind of humor:

More demotivation can be found at Caught at Work Productions – Demotivational Images. And if you were inspired (how?), you can make your own (de)motivational poster at flagrantdisregard, you need a digital picture and a something to say. You can put the output poster on the web, or even order a printed version via flickr.

Lifehacker had the original tip, and in the comment section Lactoso The Intolerant pointed to an image he made:

Figure competitors and the 20% percent rule

Nina Luchka, IFBB Figure Professional, writes about the differences in national physiques being awarded pro cards, vs. the physiques that are doing well on the professional circuit:

“2006 Canadian Nationals has come and gone. Canada, again, has awarded Pro cards (figure) to a more Muscular, Hard and BIGGER look. A look that will NOT fair well on the Pro level. With the new 20% less muscle rule, Canada definitely did not inforce that rule.

For the competitors that brought in the ideal figure package, it was sad to see them overlooked against the more “bodybuilder” type body on stage. Quite a few of these overlooked competitors will be heading down to North Americans in September, where they will not be overlooked.”

Garry Bartlett of SeriousAboutMuscle.com also comments on the judging at Canadian Nationals:

“Something went wrong – what should have been a fun, rewarding and fulfilling experience, turned into a disappointing exercise in frustration for many. So what happened?

In my opinion, it was the standard that the winners displayed in terms of condition and muscle development, which was unattainable for the majority of the other competitors.”

In a memo dated December 6, 2004, IFBB Chairman Jim Manion introduced the so-called ‘20% percent rule’, addressing all IFBB Professional Female Athletes in requesting “that female athletes in Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure decrease the amount of muscularity by a factor of 20%”. The memo stated that the request “applies to those female athletes whose physiques require the decrease”, and that “all professional judges have been advised of the proper criteria for assessing female physiques”.

Strange beliefs…

Jim Caple, a senior writer for ESPN.com, wrote a Page 2 column called “What we believe in“.

“A recent Harris poll determined that half of the American public believes Iraq had weapons of mass destruction even though the Pentagon and U.S. weapons inspectors strongly deny such claims. Should we be surprised by these survey results? Not really. Just consider the bizarre beliefs we stubbornly cling to in sports:

• We believe we can have six-pack abs with a 12-minute workout just three days a week.
• We believe Barry Bonds got so big by taking steroids, HGH and testosterone but our team’s players got big and strong by eating cans of spinach and working out more. Similarly, we believe all U.S. Olympians are clean but that all European and Chinese athletes are dirty.
• We believe that performance enhancers such as steroids and HGH will kill you but that performance enhancers that can cause four-hour erections, headaches and loss of vision are healthy.”

Wellness communities attract residents who wants healthy lifestyles

CNNMoney.com writes about a new trend, still in it’s infancy:

“Locations can foster all sorts of lifestyle choices – good and bad. For those who want to achieve or maintain healthy lifestyles, there are now planned “wellness” communities springing up around the United States. They create atmospheres where regular exercise, nutritious diets and avoiding unhealthy habits is the norm.

“Wellness” communities go beyond just having facilities such as golf courses, spas, gyms and biking trails.

These new places hire trainers, nutritionists and wellness directors who lead workshops on avoiding disease, put together work-out regimens and diets, lead hikes and biking trips, teach rock-climbing and show residents how to get the most out of their workouts. They act as gurus as well, leading spiritual exercises and demonstrating stress-reduction techniques.”

More about the communities mentioned by CNNMoney: Montesoro, Calistoga Ranch, and the Cliffs Communities.

Hat tip: Diamond Cut

Cathy LeFrancois Classic: New NPC Show for 2007

Cathy LeFrancois, lightweight division winner at 2003 Ms. International at Arnold Classic, posted big news in her blog on Thursday:

“I want to announce that I have been awarded the opportunity to put on an NPC show! Fresno Classic, promoted by P3Production and Cathy LeFrancois, will be held on March 10, 2007, in Fresno, California.

The show will have all the disciplines the NPC affords. Men’s and women’s bodybuilding, figure and fitness. Come one, come all – it will be a good time for all that attend. All are welcome, from the experienced to the first time competitor. More information will be posted in the days coming.”

Cathy abandoned bodybuilding for figure competitions. In her latest last figure show on May 27th, 2006 California State Pro Figure Championships, Cathy placed 12th out of 31 competitors. But now she is back to bodybuilding:

“I was at the Collegiate Show of Lonnie Teper. I told him that some judges were telling me I should consider maybe going back to bodybuilding because I am in the middle, too big for figure and too small for bb. After we talked we decided that I should do a surprise guest pose! ME? I haven’t trained for the last 2 years at all!

But it didn’t turn out like I thought it would, people did enjoy the impromptu guest posing. Afterwards Lonnie asked the audience what I should do: stay in figure or go back to bodybuilding? By my surprise I had the bodybuilding vote! So thanks to them for bringing me back where I belong and giving me this wonderful motivation to go back to my profession “Pro Bodybuilder”…”

Nude sunbather, former bodybuilder, wants dog by his side

Since The Smoking Gun released the documents on july 13th, the story has subsequently been picked up by news outlets worldwide… ShortNews.com sums the case up:

“Mark DelCore, a former bodybuilder, is suing for the right to sunbathe nude with his rat terrier, Cheekies with him. His argument states that because he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder he needs his dog with him.

While leaving a gym in lower Manhattan he was exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center and it caused a skin condition that sunbathing helps. The beach DelCore favors is a “clothing optional” one, yet only allows guide dogs on it.”

Elizabeth Rozner at The New York Times writes about the attention this story has been getting:

“Meanwhile, though, the extent of the news coverage this case has received suggests that there is more than an environmental or legal debate inspiring so much fascination and conversation. I can’t help feeling that titillation is the key. Plovers, dogs, they’re not the point. Most of the talk seems to keep returning to those key phrases about nudity and a public beach.

I’m willing to believe that sunshine offers therapeutic benefit for Mr. DelCore’s skin condition, and that his dog truly provides him with emotional support and comfort. Is it just that we don’t want him (or anyone) to walk around naked where we might see them?”

New York Daily News reports that the man has dropped the suit:

“Mark DelCore withdrew his legal action against the Fire Island National Seashore, citing his poor health.

“I do not possess the stamina or physical continuity necessary to continue this complaint,” he wrote in an Aug. 7 letter to Federal Judge Joseph Bianco of U.S. District Court in Central Islip, L.I.”