Did you hear?

About 2,000 psycho’s (including myself) will be running the 33rd annual Cape Cod Marathon on Sunday, October 31st, 2010 takingplace in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Granted it’s no local celebrity Katharine Lee Bates “America The Beautiful” but will be triumphant at best.

The average marathoner will stride about 42,000 steps or repetitions. Imagine 42,000 reps of anything??? The average person takes roughly 20,000 breaths in a day!

This guy may have taken a few more during the race:

Please Bring This Guy a PopTart!!!

Of course, if I was chasing after this supposed marathoner I’d probably look like him too.

Catch It, Have It Supposed Infatuation Marathon Junkie

I will be celebrating bib number 456. So if you’re moseying around Wood’s Hole Sunday morning and see a Caucasian male, 5’8″, 165 pounds, bib #456, iPod sleeved, white t-shirt bleeding from his eyes and ears that would be me. Please bring me a PopTart. None of those new milkshake flavors either, straight up, Strawberry Frosted, sprinkles atop or Brown Sugar Cinnamon, full fat edition! Only the classics for this kid whiz!

If you get a chance none-the-less, with or without PopTart, you can still swing down to Main Street in Falmouth about 8 a.m. to catch the 8:30 a.m. start.

Bring a friend. Bring a camera. Bring a PopTart and make a new friend

Live the dream my PopTart-toting ally,

Rob Belley 

*FAN us on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshfield-MA/Robert-Belley-Fitness-Marshfields-Funnest-Fat-Loss-Beach-Body-Studio/174797574837

You’l be soooooooooooooo happy you did!

 Last Friday I caught the scent of a Food Symposium offered at the MOS. I was in attendance for the Food for Thought presentation and panelist discussion. It provided interesting, as well as reinforced several facts of what we should be eating. The next event is on Nov. 3 at 7 pm, unlike the last three which were free this one has a fee and features author Mark Bittman, the topic is Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating.

The point of providing this information is that it’s great to see what’s happening within our state relating to “Food Sustainability” and more importantly how we can learn ways to actively participate. I believe if we all took a few minutes to share what we do to live a healthier life we could sustain or better yet, inspire each other.Thanks & ciao,

Bernard

New England Soup Factory

Now that the weather is turning chilly, the wind is kicking up, and rain is more common, I’ve started to crave hot comfort food.  There aren’t many meals as soul satisfying and body warming as a bowl of thick and hearty soup.  If you are anything like me, then you need to check out the New England Soup Factory, located in both Brookline (2-4 Brookline Place) and Newton (244 Needham Street).  Their motto is “Feed Your Body Well,” and they aren’t kidding.

Food

Every day the New England Soup Factory has Chicken Vegetable, Chili Con Carne, Clam and Corn Chowder, Lobster Newbury, Beef Stew and Chicken Pot Pie on the menu, with four additional rotating soups (from 150 varieties!).  All the soups come with rolls, perfect for sopping up whatever you can’t get at with a spoon.  Aside from soups they have plenty of gourmet sandwiches, salads, delicious homemade baked goods, and my absolute favorite: giant barrel pickles!

As far as soups go, I’d recommend the Chicken Pot Pie Soup.  For those who don’t believe that soup is a real meal, I dare you to eat this and not change your mind.  It’s thick and full of chunks of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and all other traditional pot pie ingredients.  But best of all there is a delicious biscuit on the bottom and on the top that really adds to the meal, and fills you up.

For those days where you’re feeling under the weather, there’s no cure quite like the chicken vegetable soup.  Add matzoh balls (or noodles) to it, and your cold is as good as gone!  Bring this home in a quart or gallon size and you are sure to please the whole family.

If you try the soups and love them (which you will), and want to attempt at making them at home, you’re in luck!  The New England Soup Factory sells a cook book full of all the soups they sell!  Chef Marjorie put her most requested and favorite recipes in a book that is easy to follow and perfect for the budding chef.

Complaints

If you want a basic soup for cheap, then this isn’t your place.  There is great variety and high quality ingredients, but you definitely pay for it.  Matzoh balls are $1.50 each to add to a soup, and the soup prices range from $4.75 to $5.50 for a bowl and $37.95 to $52.95 for a gallon depending on the type of soup you get.

My other problem with the New England Soup Factory is the inside is clearly for take-out.  It’s small and gets packed around dinner time.  So either be prepared to weight or try and get there at an “off” time.  Additionally, it could really benefit from an expansion or at least a major facelift.

Lastly, I highly recommend you sample the soups before you order.  Since they are made from scratch, they are typically excellent.  However, the soups are sometimes extremely over–salted.  While everyone loves salt, and have no problem with drinking some extra water to combat the sodium, I suggest sampling before you buy to avoid being unhappy with the dehydration that may accompany your meal.

Rating

3.5 out of 4 forks

Perfect for a cold fall or winter night, the New England Soup Factory has enough variety to satisfy any group.  Get there early to avoid lines and bring it home for an easy and delicious meal.

It’s really strange where the fascination with fitness really begins.

For each of us it’s a bit different.

An idolized movie star?

These are my actual shirts I wore ages 4-6

A favorite athlete?

A family member or blood-influence?

My Uncle Joey back in the day! He boxed, took martial arts, Air Force… American Bad Ass

For me, it began with superheroes foremost.

Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Shazam, The Flash, Iron Man. Pretty Much a DC comics kid first, Marvel comics second.

Me and my brother Mike. I'm the little one! Real Superheroes wear Underoos. Everybody knows that!

Anyway, I believe that was my first “I want that Kool-Aid” moment.

But really I believe it began earlier. Maybe when I first eyed my mother, father or brother dash across the yard or living room floor to grab a ringing telephone, catch the post man or stop one of us crazy kids from propelling ourselves off of a counter, bed or staircase.

We all wish to replicate that feeling of freedom and movement.

We have instilled within us to begin a life of fitness and activity.

And it’s funny as society, and our own lives, move forward that our civilization has become less fit (as a whole) and fatter. Sorry, but it’s true. No need to hold back any punches. Our mirrors don’t.

I’ve had times when I’ve been well over 20 pounds over my comfortable-self-secure weight and that baby powder pimp slaps me back into training mode. But we’re not self-conscious as babies. So what drives us to involve fitness into our life?

For myself, as many would most likely assume, I am driven by the aesthetic results of fitness as an adult. I am also driven by the emotional high that comes from feeling capable within mo (more…)

Every now and then it’s fun to test ourselves. A couple months ago I tried just that.

Back in June of 2009 I accompanied and supported a childhood best friend of mine, Captain Michael Signori, through something called Death Race. It was what you’d expect by the event title alone; something _____ awful. You can enter your own expletive.

Honestly it was fantastic and thrilling. Pure determination, coupled with physical prowess, and paired with magnificent timing and the sheer luck of adequate preparation. Basically you have to be a BAMF or 100% certifiably crazy to complete. And Mike did, in honorable time mind you: 14 total hours in summer 2009.

Michael is by far the fittest and craziest person – challenge wise – I’ve ever encountered and most likely will ever know. Michael’s been to war twice. We call Michael “Superman” in our group of friends. He’s just that guy.

Mike is in red shirt, I am in Camoflauge shirt in what looks like an uncompromised position

So, I decided the next 12 months of my life should be spent preparing for this Death Race in 2010 in Pittsfield, Vermont. Of course, the challenge is never the same twice. The events always change. And the course gets harder each year. Basically each outing Andy and Joe over at www.Peak.com ensure you’re ________ to start. Enter any other expletive you’d like again. I love reader participation!

In a nut shell I trained with purpose – ridiculous purpose.

Here’s a clip of my video application submission for Death Race 2010.

Next post I’ll conclude my Death Race 2010 experience.

Live the dream.

Rob Belley

*FAN us on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshfield-MA/Robert-Belley-Fitness-Marshfields-Funnest-Fat-Loss-Beach-Body-Studio/174797574837

Esperia Grill & Rotisserie

Esperia is an authentic Greek “kouzina” (cuisine) restaurant located right in Brighton Circle, 334 Washington Street.  It is family run, so you’re always sure to get great service as everyone takes personal pride in dishing up an excellent meal.  The menu provides plenty of classic, traditional Greek dishes along with pizza, subs, paninis and calzones.  Esperia is available for sit down, take out, delivery and catering.

Esperia has a small parking lot it shares with the Dunkin Donuts next door, which is somewhat shocking for a place this small.  While parking in never particularly challenging Brighton, it’s great to know you’ll be able to find a spot for free when you go.

Food

Esperia’s menu has plenty of options, but I recommend sticking to the customary Greek dishes.  Definitely start with either the Tzatziki or the Humus.  If you’re fewer than four people, go with the small.  The portions are massive, which is a huge plus in my book.  The humus had a lovely creamy texture; I just wish it had a bit more flavor.  But the pita that was served with it was spot on; warm, delicious and plenty of it!  The tzatziki, however, was perfect.  It was the right blend of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, herbs and olive oil.  Both the humus and the tzatziki you can buy by the pint or half pint at the counter, a perfect option if you need to bring an appetizer to a party.

While it might sound boring, the Greek salad with chicken was fantastic.  The chicken was perfectly seasoned and they gave you a massive portion of it (I see a theme here…).  I wish there were more pepperoncini’s, there was only one in my salad.  But that’s the only thing I would have changed.  The best part was the dressing.  It was easily the best Greek dressing I’ve ever had.  The fact that it was homemade was very clear.  You can even buy it in a variety of sizes at the counter!

Being at a Greek restaurant, I obviously had to have some lamb.  I got mine in the form of a gyro and it was the best one I’ve ever had, and I’ve had plenty of them in Greece.  It’s served with two sides and a salad, the two sides being completely unnecessary.  The Gyro is huge and delicious, and completely filling on its own.  I wouldn’t waste room on the sides; they are pretty simple and nothing special.  But like I said, the gyro is incredible and doesn’t need anything to go along with it to make it a fantastic dish.

Complaints

My main problem with Esperia is that it doesn’t feel like a restaurant.  Instead it just feels like a takeout place with a few tables thrown in, just in case you felt like eating there.  The atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired.  That being said, they do have takeout and delivery, so eating in isn’t necessary.

Additionally, I would love to be able to order the gyro for dinner on its own; however it only comes in the dinner platter for $12.95 (with the two sides and a salad).  While that’s not a bad deal, I would be much happier if I could order just the gyro for cheaper since the sides would probably be left uneaten any way.

Rating:

3 out of 4 forks

Overall I highly recommend you checking out Esperia if you like Greek food.  Get it to-go or delivery on a night you want delicious, homemade Greek food while sitting in the comfort of your own home.  The best part is, if someone in your party isn’t a fan of Greek food (although who doesn’t like Greek food?) they can order one of the many, delicious non-Greek options!

Hi I Like Push-Ups

My name tag is the brilliance and sweat of a small town American housewife’s (“Maryellen”, played by Penelope Cruz) struggle to teach her child the fundamental blocks of appropriate spelling. It’s a heart-warming story given two thumbs up by my kindergarten teacher Mrs. McIntosh – formerly of the Central Elementary School - in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. 

If you’re looking for the theatrical release it’s still in pre-production. My character is fleshed to life by Edward Norton; American History X physique with Fight Club mental edge. As soon as it becomes available in RedBox’s I’ll let you know.

Of course this isn’t true. I’d probably be played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse “McLovin” character. As you can tell from this video clip the boy is starving for work.

So from time to time, possibly bi-weekly (who isn’t these days), I’ll be providing you with fitness inceptions and insights.

Maybe you’ll discover a cool adventure race in the greater Boston area you’d like to test yourself within.

Perhaps foods that will help improve your performance: take that any way you wish.

Or maybe you’ll discover something to chuckle and break up your day’s stress.

This is hopefully as much informative as accessible. And if it’s not fun, it may not be worth reading. But that’s for you to decide.

So I hope you enjoy this blog ________. And until I learn your name it’s staying blank.

Live the dream.

Rob Belley

*FAN us on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshfield-MA/Robert-Belley-Fitness-Marshfields-Funnest-Fat-Loss-Beach-Body-Studio/174797574837

It’s the most amount of fun you can have while you’re glutes ache