Our 7-year old and 8-year old boys posted top-6 finishes in the Texas USA Wrestling State Rookie Tournament on Feb. 26. This tournament was the culmination to 4-months of training with the Highland Park Scots Wrestling Club. Our boys are learning how to wrestle, but more importantly, building life skills. The benefits to wrestling are endless, and here are my top five reasons how wrestling builds skills not only for a reason or a season, but also for a lifetime.

1. Wrestling improves your ability to focus

Wrestling is a sport that demands focus from the moment you step on the mat until the final whistle blows. If you lose focus for a split second, you will get pinned. Your opponent is trained to attack and show no mercy. Ending up on your back with someone on top of you isn’t fun, in fact, it can be demoralizing. But when you stay focused, you wrestle well, and win or lose, there is no greater adrenaline rush!

2. Wrestling builds resiliency (toughness)

No matter how you sugar coat it, losing stinks. If you wrestle, you will probably lose at some point of your career. When you lose, you have to have a short-term memory, forget about the past and be prepared for what lies ahead. You cannot teach someone how to be resilient or have toughness; people have to experience it for themselves. Wrestling puts you in a position that if you win, it’s because of you and if you lose, there is no one to blame.

3. Wresting brings out your competitiveness

Competitiveness can be a learned behavior, but more often than not, a person’s competitive drive is an innate trait. Don’t know if your child has a competitive spirit? Put him (or her…yes, girls wrestle too) on the mat, toe to toe, watch his or her instincts kick into overdrive and witness firsthand their individual will to compete.

4. Wrestling develops mental and physical conditioning

What might appear as two athletes lunging, thrusting and throwing one another around is one of the most mentally and physically grueling sports. Wrestling is an all out battle, which requires muscle strength, power, speed, agility, cardiovascular endurance and natural instincts. Need convincing? Watch the video link of our boys’ tournament and see first hand the will to succeed and ability to overcome failure.

5. Wrestling teaches hard work, discipline and camaraderie

Children grow up entitled. Wrestling doesn’t tolerate entitlement. Wrestlers earn their spot on the mat and their success comes from hard work. As for discipline, before each tournament, wrestlers have to weigh in and make weight. This teaches responsible eating and proper nutrition. Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing my children encourage and support one another through their wins...and losses.

Maybe wresting isn’t your child’s sport, but maybe your child can find an activity that encourages life skills like wrestling: focus, resiliency, competitiveness, conditioning, hard work, discipline and camaraderie. As a mom, I am proud of my boys’ effort and willingness to work hard and never quit. If you still need convincing of how this sport builds life skills, watch the Texas State Wrestling Tournament video.

Together, let’s encourage one another and our children to become the strongest they can be!

Niccole Maurici, University Park mom of four and former certified personal trainer, is the co-founder and creator of the StrongestMom.com? website and fitness videos, which promote values important to moms: encouragement, support, positive thinking, and dedication.  To learn more visit our website strongestmom.com.  

Most people know what you need to do when it comes to exercising. But after reading this, maybe you can implement some simple steps and tools to help you get the most out of your next workout.

Your workout should have a purpose and a plan.

You need a purpose so that workouts are individualized to your personal needs. Identifying your needs will help you be consistent and stay motivated to exercise. Here are some needs that maybe you can identify with the next time you workout: 

• I feel strong.           
• I think clearly.           
• I have more energy.

The benefit to having a workout plan is to achieve results specific to you. By identifying your personal goals, you will be more likely to stay motivated to exercise and get the most out of your workout. Do any of these goals resonate with you?

• Lose 3 pounds.
• Touch my toes.
• Tone my muscles.

Variety is the key to success.

People are creatures of habit. You find something you like, it becomes habitual, and you stay the course. Even though exercising is really, really good for you, you might be limiting your potential to get the most out of your workout by doing the same workout. Do you get on the treadmill and run at the same speed, take the same spin class and go to the same Pilates or yoga instructor? If so, change your routine. You should not repeat the same workout. Variety reduces boredom, challenges your brain, builds new muscles, reduces injuries, and can help you break through weight loss (or gain) plateaus.  

Practical tips.

Elevate your heart rate. If you are not elevating your heart rate at least 4 times a week, you are missing an opportunity to get the most out of your workout. When you elevate your heart rate, your heart pumps more blood and works harder. Over time, your heart will become more efficient and will not have to work as hard to pump the same amount of blood. Your heart is like any other muscle in your body. It needs to be taxed, given an opportunity to rest and recover so that it can grow stronger.

Have sensible eating habits. The best way to get the most out of your workouts is to eat well. In my opinion, I believe the diet/workout relationship is 70% diet and 30% exercise. Your diet is significantly more important than your workout. If you make the time to workout, make the time to eat right. Every time you eat or drink something, think about writing it on a post-it note and attaching it to your sleeve. Walk around bragging about what you consume versus hiding the truth about your diet. 

Feel the muscle burn. If you do not have a strength training workout routine, get one. If you are not feeling the burn when you do weight bearing exercises, increase your weight, check your form or do more repetitions. When you feel the burn, your muscle is working to it’s potential. Muscles will get stronger in the rest and recovery period and help you achieve a sculpted physique. 

Get it done! Every week, look at your calendar and schedule your workout. Life will get in the way and keep you from reaching your potential if you do not make an appointment to workout.

Getting the most out of your workout begins with you. Identify your purpose and plan, change up your workout routine and use these practical tips to help you become the strongest you can be, mentally and physically.

Niccole Maurici, University Park mom of four and former certified personal trainer, is the co-founder and creator of the StrongestMom.com? website and fitness videos, which promote values important to moms: encouragement, support, positive thinking, and dedication.  To learn more visit our website strongestmom.com. 

Happy New Year!! Hopefully 2016 is off to a terrific start. Maybe the last couple of weeks have been filled with family visits, traveling or overindulgence. Maybe you are doing everything you can to keep your head above water. Regardless of how 2016 has started, get motivated to exercise and make this year your best yet!

Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated. Over the last three weeks, I have been completely unmotivated to exercise. Prior to Thursday, I didn’t workout in 22 days. Why? Maybe my body needed a break; maybe my mind needed a break. Regardless of the reason, it happened and I don’t feel guilty. But this week I decided it’s time to get back on track. I’ve picked my peak and started my trek. Have you?

What motivates someone to do something?

I believe the following motivates you:

1. Pleasure. Things that make you feel good will motivate you. Exercise makes you feel good about yourself and how you perceive yourself. So get out and exercise. You deserve to experience pleasure in your world.

2. Pain. Some are driven by pain. If something hurts, you want it to stop. To make the pain go away, you need to do choose a different course. Garner Ted Armstrong once said, “The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.” Your rewards are waiting for you. Are you for the pain go away?

How can you get motivated to exercise?

Use these simple tools to get you motivated:

1. Start small. Lose 1-2 pounds this week. Get your heart rate up for 30-45 minutes 2-3 times this week. Eat well one meal at a time. Once your small trek becomes habitual, make your trek more challenging and set your sights on your next peak. 

2. Pay for it. When you use your hard earned money and pay for a service, you are more likely to keep a commitment. Whether it’s a gym membership, personal trainer or fitness package, use it to motivate you. 

3. Important events. Do you have a family wedding, want to get pregnant, are currently pregnant, or have an upcoming class reunion that means a lot to you? Put the event on your calendar, start the countdown and get motivated to look and feel your best.

Your trek can begin today. Pick you peak, start your trek and reach your summit. Enjoy the pleasure (and muscle pain) that you experience so that you can proclaim victory at the top.

Niccole Maurici, University Park mom of four and former certified personal trainer, is the co-founder and creator of the StrongestMom.com? website and fitness videos, which promote values important to moms: encouragement, support, positive thinking, and dedication.  To learn more visit our website strongestmom.com. 

The Park Cities YMCA Green Bay Packers 2nd grade flag football team participated in the Town North YMCA Flag Football tournament and claimed the championship this past Friday evening in a nail biter win over St. Rita's Sharks.

The 22-20 win was highlighted by three touchdown receptions made by Charles Brewer (Armstrong Elementary), Gabe Nowak (Armstrong Elementary) and another by Pasquale Maurici (UP Elementary). The Packers also converted 2-2 point conversions by Pasquale Maurici and Matthew White (Armstrong Elementary). The game came down to the last five plays of the game. The Sharks had 5 attempts to score a game winning touch down, but the Packers defense stepped up and prevented the Sharks from scoring.

Head coach Matt Nowak said, “This team plays with passion and heart. Watching them grow to love the sport is the best part of being their coach. I’m really proud of their effort, everyone gave 110% on the field these last three nights be become champions.”

The Packers defeated the Spartans and Wildcats before defeating the Sharks.

As a mom of four, I want the best for my children. Over the years, I have witnessed, been guilty of, or been affected by helicopter parenting.  As a result, I have learned that there is a clear distinction between advocating for your child and doing for your child what he or she can do for themselves. The following are two stories used to differentiate between helicopter parenting and child advocacy.

Story 1: A parent wants their child to play on an undefeated sports team. The parent emails the coach, sends a resume of the child’s athletic accomplishments, the parent’s job title, how much money they donate to the school, and tells the coach their child would be a great addition to the team. In the email, there is no mention of the child’s interest to play the sport.

Story 2: A parent picks up their child after school. The child says a classmate is causing trouble and it’s a repeated behavior. The parent coaches the child how to stand up and speak up for what is right. If the behavior continues, the parent suggests gathering the facts, scheduling an appointment with the teacher/counselor and address the situation to find an appropriate solution. 

Parents that hover, or are “helicopter” parents:

• Desire to be hyper involved in their child’s life. 
• Use ego, pride, financial or social status to influence their child’s future.
• Coddle or entitle the child’s behaviors and protects them from consequences.
• Have difficulty letting go.
• Prepare the path for the child.

Parents who advocate for their child:

• Cultivate independence and self-sufficiency.
• Train their child to be goal oriented and have a disciplined work ethic.
• Teach problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Encourage the child’s decision-making abilities and resourcefulness.
• Prepare the child for the path.

What are the effects of helicopter parenting?

In 2011, a study of 300 students by Terri LeMoyne and Tom Buchanan at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga found that students with “hovering” or “helicopter” parents are more likely to be medicated for anxiety and/or depression.

Parents, wouldn’t it be great if you were discharged from the hospital with a manual on how to be an advocate for your child? I think so. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. The more you advocate for your child, the more likely your child will overcome adversity and be mentally prepared for the future. Advocate for your child by understanding the facts, devising a plan (and a back up plan), learning from the past, and looking at the big picture.

I love being present in the moment. Every day is an opportunity for me to be an advocate for my child: socially, academically, athletically or relationally. My job isn’t to fix it for them, but rather to equip them with the tools they need to become self-reliant adults. 

P.S. Last week was busy. I found myself in offices and buildings, advocating for all four of our kids. When Friday rolled around, I was ready for an early evening, good book and glass of wine!

Niccole Maurici, University Park mom of four and former certified personal trainer, is the co-founder and creator of the StrongestMom.com website and fitness videos, which promote values important to moms: encouragement, support, positive thinking, and dedication.  To learn more visit our website strongestmom.com.