Catch up on Part 1, Part 2nd Part 3f this series in case you missed it. Once you're up to speed, keep reading here to see the final 4 items on my list of things I plan to enjoy in 2016. Hint: those two wheeled, highly flammable hover boards didn't make the list!
13. great books
Every time I finish a good book I ask myself why I don't read more! Here are some of my recent favorites:
- Serial Winner: Actions to Create Your Cycle of Success by Larry Weidel - It's an excellent reminder that success in anything revolves around some simple but critical principles.
- Millennials & Management:he Essential Guide to Making it Work at Work by Lee Caraher - I cringe when I hear folks from other generations say "those kids, they're just lazy - I can't work with them!" If you're not in the "Millennial Generation" but you work with them, or if you are a "Millennial" and you work with those who aren't, read this. Being successful requires that you speak the language of the natives and this book uncovers that unique Millennial language.
- Bird by Bird:ome Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott - You don't have to be looking for writing lessons to get valuable nuggets out of this one.
- Psychy Dr. Judd Biasiotto - Interesting look at the connection between athletic success and the mind from the perspective of a world class powerlifter. Good for those who work directly with athletes or those who want to accomplish more in their athletic life.
And here are some of the books I plan to enjoy in 2016 from my "TO READ LIST:"
- Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation:ntegrating Medicine and Science for Performance Solutions by David Joyce & Daniel Lewindon
- The Matheny Manifesto: Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life by Mike Matheny & Jerry B. Jenkins
- Geronimo:eadership Strategies of an American Warrior by Mike Leach and Buddy Levy
- Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever:reak the Rules, Make Mistakes and Win Them Over by Karen Hough
14. cooking
Imagine if there was a fast food version of surgery: patients looking for a cheaper/speedier surgery option could choose a "fast-surgery" version of an operation. Surgeons performing these drive-thru operations wouldn't have to be formally educated or trained, procedural corners would be knowingly cut, and poor quality surgical tools and implants would be used. Sounds good, right?
RELATED: This New Netflix Documentary Will Inspire You To Make Dinner
Just like surgery, the way in which your food is prepared is not an area where you want to cut corners. Searching for healthy ingredients and cooking them up into something delicious isn't just good for your health, it's necessary for your health. Taking or making the time to cook signifies that you have taken ownership of your health/nutrition instead of allowing local restaurants and fast food chains to do it for you. My wife does most of the cooking in our household but I look forward to doing more of the cooking in 2016 (my wife says she'll believe it when she sees it).
RELATED: The science behind why you lose weight in the kitchen and gain health at the gym.
15. camping
You either love camping or you hate it. I happen to love it. Now's the time to get the Vermont jokes off your chest: "You would like camping TD, you grew up in Vermont - isn't that the same thing as camping?" Bahahahahaaaa, good one! Whether it was my rural Vermont upbringing or it's just a primal urge for fire and the outdoors, I'll tell you one thing: I sleep like a rock when I'm camping! It's no secret that I'm a fan of anything that promotes better/more sleep.
Last all-star break, my wife and I even chose to go to Pinnacles National Park to do some camping. The NBA season is tough and I knew that the only surefire way to hit the reboot or refresh button during the break would be to go camping. It worked like a charm and I plan to enjoy more camping in 2016.
Apparently I'm not the only one who notices great sleep and a sense of "reset" after a few snoozes in the great outdoors: How A Week of Camping Resets The Body Clock.
16. precision nutrition
I get asked regularly about what resources, certifications or courses I recommend. One of the first places I refer people to is Precision Nutrition. Their evidence-based, made for the trenches approach to nutrition/health/performance is as good if not better than anything out there. I'm currently working my way through their Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification course and I'm more than impressed with it. I plan on enjoying the rest of this course and more from my friends at PN in 2016.
RELATED: 6 Healthy Habits You're Already Doing (and don't even know it).
"Things I plan to enjoy in 2016" take home
Use 2016 to enjoy more of the people/things that make you better and get that EDGE on your competition!
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Tim DiFrancesco, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and founder of TD Athletes Edge. He is nationally renowned for his evidence-based and scientific approach to fitness, training, nutrition, and recovery for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
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Tim DiFrancesco, PT, DPT spent 6 seasons as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and is the founder of TD Athletes Edge. He is nationally renowned for his evidence-based and scientific approach to fitness, training, nutrition, and recovery for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.