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Fitness Monday – The Top 5 Reasons to Get Fit

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Crawfish a South Louisiana Tradition

Crawfish A South Louisiana Tradition

Shaping Up!

Awesome Monday to all & it’s time to change the weekly title of this positive effort. I’m Shaping Up is just what it describes. I’ve been blessed to gain encouragement, training and diet support needed to launch a sensible approach to regaining my fitness.

Last week I introduced you to Lt. Kim Lane of the Thibodaux Police Department who volunteered to help with a diet that I could understand and most importantly; follow. It’s been a solid week and I have not strayed from this diet! If you can only imagine how much I love late-night ice cream, you would truly be impressed with this nutritional accomplishment.

Eating 5 to 6 times per day, I’ve yet to become… Continue reading

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1st Responder Treatment

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Our law enforcement profession is very slow to embrace the need for early intervention and support of those who need help before they turn to self-medication with alcohol and prescription medications. There is a new treatment program available that is geared specifically for Police, Fire and EMS first responders and it’s called 1st Responder Treatment.

I had a chance to interview Mark Lamplugh the Founder and Program Coordinator of 1st Responder Treatment a partner with Transformations Treatment Center in Delray Beach Florida.

Mark founded 1st Responder Treatment to help first responders get drug and alcohol treatment nationwide. First Responders have special needs when it comes to treatment. Mark was a fire captain who struggled with addiction himself, so he understands the needs that must be met.

The mission of 1st Responder Treatment is to assist every first responder to get the help they need for their addiction issues while also protecting their privacy.

Contact 1st Responder Treatment at:
1-855-350-2405
http://www.1strespondertreatment.com/

In our interview we discussed the challenges in getting police officers or any first responders to ask for help when they have a problem with alcohol, drugs or stress.

Our discussion was directed at two audiences. One audience includes the first responders that have an alcohol or drug problem and the other audience was the peer, friend or family member of the police officer or other first responder that knows someone who needs help.

In our interview… Continue reading

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Fitness Monday – Have Backup

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gymLast week was the most consistent training I’ve had in the last two years. Combinations of running, weights and cycling are benefits for committing to regaining holistic health. Being held accountable and supporting friends in their efforts also helps. It does require a lifestyle change to change your lifestyle.

While the exercise has returned to being enjoyable and I am doing better at scheduling my time more wisely, I’ve not had the same success in dieting. Continue reading

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Situational Awareness is Critical in Law Enforcement

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ARE YOU AWARE OF THE SITUATION?

Well it happened to me again. I was starting my shift on the road with a stop for the bathroom and I made an embarrassing discovery. I put my long johns on backwards.

Oh… stop laughing as I am sure many of you as LEOs have encountered situations such as mine. It is these situations which reminds us of our vulnerability to distractions on and off duty.

Now I am not going make excuses or place the blame on my age or memory. I can admit in my rush to get dressed and inattention to details which placed me into this dilemma.
I’d like to take a moment to bring up the topic of SITUATIONAL AWARENESS especially in law enforcement.

Situational awareness is critical to officer survival in law enforcement.

One of the ways I can describe Situational Awareness is this: You need to be emotionally, cognitively and physically present when you are working. Aware of what is happening around you at this moment. Preparing to meet the challenges presented to us… Continue reading

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CopsAlive.com Fitness Monday

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trail-bikingsmEDITORS NOTE: This is fitness week three as CopsAlive.com follows Police Chief Scott Silverii, Ph.D. on his quest to lose weight and get into better shape. We are also keeping track of Warden Rae Timme with the Colorado Department of Corrections, a member of the CNN Fit Nation Team, as she prepares for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on September 8. We all know that fitness is critical in law enforcement, but we don’t always do what we know is right. Over the next couple of months you can follow Scott, a Police Chief, and Rae a Department of Corrections Warden, as they open up their lives to you. We invite you to also participate in any way that you choose to improve, your fitness and, your ability to survive a career in law enforcement. We also encourage you to support Scott and Rae with your comments, emails, Tweets and Facebook entries.

Last Monday I announced my partnership with CopsAlive.com. It also meant the added pressure of extra accountability and less breaking my diet and exercise commitments. Unfortunately, pressure does not lock the freezer from late night ice cream binges.

I did however, use the BMI link and measure everything spreadsheet to set goals and monitor my intake and activities. John Marx has included more great information and we all encourage you to join us in setting goals for regaining a physical, emotional and spiritual level of health.

Here’s to holding each other accountable… Continue reading

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New Fitness Partnership for Cops

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scottwithbike

2010 @ 180 lbs

EDITORS NOTE: CopsAlive.com is proud to announce a new partnership with Police Chief Scott Silverii, Ph.D. This week we are posting the first in a series of fitness blogs written by Scott as he works to improve his personal fitness. We invite you to participate yourself in any way that you want to improve your fitness and ability to survive a career in law enforcement and we encourage to support Scott with your comments and emails. Scott started his journey on his blog last week and we are partnering with him from now on.

I started posting this on my blog just 2 weeks ago to motivate myself to regain healthy habits, encourage others to join in by setting their own goals for holistic health, and creating a forum for sensible information and accountability.

Last week, I spoke with John Marx at CopsAlive.com who offered to partner. They provide fantastic practical information ranging from health to spiritual survival. Our plan is to post every Monday. I will give you a brief update of my progress, CopsAlive.com will provide awesome information, and you guys will share your thoughts, progress, and challenges in the comments.

To catch the readers up at CopsAlive.com, I posted my first week’s goals and status below.

Nothing overly scientific, just common sense and sensible. I’m looking forward to a healthy partnership with John and his staff at CopsAlive.com.

Week 2 Update is also included below. Thanks and please join us by sharing your goals, challenged and updates.

My Original Post
I weighed a super healthy 180 lbs the day I was sworn in as the Chief of Police. One year later, I was at 225 lbs. Sound familiar? Granted, that first year as Chief also included my last year of a PhD program. Still, having dropped from a 260lbs powerlifter to a 180lbs triathlete (very recreational) showed I had the ability.

Christmas morning 2011, I hit the scale, and it hit back with a reading of… Continue reading

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Law Enforcement Learning the Millennial Way

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Editors Note: CopsAlive.com welcomes a new contributor: Sgt. Brian Cain.

Knowledge. We all strive to attain it. We read books, police trade journals, law enforcement industry-specific publications, online articles, and attend conferences. We will spend thousands of dollars in our lifetime pursuing knowledge. Some people will even go on to continue their education by getting a degree. All of those are great ways to gain knowledge. While those traditional means of gaining knowledge have worked for decades, I can’t help but wonder if they are still the best ways.

I love learning. I love studying leadership. I love technology. Those three things have combined to revolutionize the way that I consume leadership material. I get books and download digital copies onto my Kindle. I subscribe to websites via RSS to get new posts from leaders in the public and private sectors. I find leadership centered podcasts on iTunes and download them to my iPod. I download audiobooks and put those on my iPod. I truly learn the millennial way.

If some of those terms, like RSS and podcast, sound a little strange and unfamiliar, don’t worry. I am not going to try to shove a bunch of technology lingo and explanations down your throat. I just simply want to… Continue reading

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Petition to Support Officers in Newtown and Connecticut Suffering from PTSD

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EDITORS NOTE:
I just received an email form Sgt. Sofia Gulino from Norwalk PD, Connecticut asking for our support with a petition to expand workers compensation coverage in Connecticut for workers diagnosed with PTSD. This is your opportunity to help your brother and sister officers in Newtown, all of Connecticut and perhaps set a precedent for making changes in the way we support officers with PTSD around the United States.

Since 12/14/12 Sgt. Gulino has been co-piloting a fund raiser for the Newtown CT police officers that responded to the Sandy Hook Massacre. Some of these Officers have been unable to return to work as a result of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Others show up, but leave when overwhelmed. On the table now is Senate Bill 823 to change the way we support people with PTSD.

If Senate Bill 823 passes, workers compensation coverage would be expanded to cover all individuals diagnosed with PTSD as a result of witnessing the death or maiming of another human being, such as the Officers in Newtown. I believe EVERY officer should sign this bill, as well as their family and friends.

She and I are humbly requesting that you sign or share a petition to support this bill. The town of Newtown is NOT backing the bill or their own officers. We need to be our brothers keepers. Most Officers have no idea that this bill is even on the table. They deserve… Continue reading

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Police Primary and Secondary Danger

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A finalized report of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website shows a total of 129 police officer fatalities in 2012. Of these, 52 are specified as “traffic-related”. This is in contrast to 49 officer deaths specified as “firearms-related”. The remaining 28 officer deaths are attributed to “other causes.” This is a reported decline of 22% compared to 2011, when 165 officers died in the line of duty (72 firearms-related, 60 traffic-related, 33 other causes).

These fatalities are representative of the primary danger of policing. The primary danger of policing is comprised of the inherent risks of the job, such as working in motor vehicle traffic, confronting violent persons, and exposure to traumatic incidents.

Sadly, there is an insidious and lesser known secondary danger in policing. This danger is often… Continue reading

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Be Happy and Healthy in 2013

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So, now it’s February, what are you waiting for?

Right after the New Year many of us as police officers and other law enforcement professionals take this time to self-access our fitness, our lives and our well being. Sometimes, however we procrastinate, so I want to give you a little kick start to get you going with positive commitments for this coming year.

Law enforcement career survival takes a plan and a concerted effort. Let’s discuss some ideas to help you put together your wellness plan for 2013.

Over the last year we have witnessed many good things and many tragedies. Some things are beyond our immediate control but you and I have the ability to take control of our own fitness, our own emotional and spiritual well being. This balance is the key to a productive and more positive lifestyle both on and off duty as a law enforcement professional.

As a Law Enforcement Officer and there are many of us with different titles and responsibilities who are tasked with maintaining public order, public safety and enforcing the laws and regulations of our jurisdictions. We also uphold the public’s rights and freedoms under the U.S. Constitution. We are the Honorable Profession, one that the public entrusts us to uphold our justice system and provide assistance to many in need every day.

As members of this honorable profession we need to be emotionally and physically fit.

We must uphold our professional behavior within difficult situations and with the challenging… Continue reading