Latest news:

October 2011:
Congratulations and thank you to the Rise of the Deadlift Beast of the Bench Press Competitiors! Joe Atef took home the tropie for Male Best Lifter and for Best Bench Press, Lynne Bielski took home Female Best Lifter, Joe Holland recieved the award for Best Deadlift and Team Jakked took home the 1st Place Team Trophy!

June 2011:
Lea-Ann breaks 5 State Records at the Chicago Summer Bash

December 2010:
Lea-Ann wins Best Female Lifter at UPA Power weekend in Dubuque Iowa

See Results

October 2010:
PSP featured on Powerlifting Watch website!

See Article

May 2010:
Progressive Sports Performance's new facility is featured on Elite Fitness website!

See Article

March 2009:
Erv competes in Illinois State Meet

See Video

Upcoming Events and Competitions:

March 23-24, 2012
PSP is hosting the APF Illinois State Championships! For more info, click here or to download the entry form (pdf), click here

Facebook:

Useful Links:

- Elite Fitness Systems
- Chicago Powerlifting
- Defranco's Training:
Strength Coach

- T-Nation:
Strength Coaching

- Powerlifting:
Critical Bench

- Powerlifting Watch
- Dr Suzanne Mack:
Integrative Medicine

- Environmental
Working Group

- Westside Barbell
- Dr Weil: Longevity
and Nutrition

- Designs for Health:
Supplements

- Mercola:
Nutrition Information



Last Updated:
July 28, 2011

Health and Wellness

The Hypothyroidism Series - Part One

I decided to write this series on hypothyroidism to offer some guidance and support to others dealing with the same personal struggles with hypothyroidism. My story began when I was a teen and has continued now into my thirties, making me fully aware of how difficult it is to regulate the thyroid gland to its optimal functioning capacity. Through this series, I hope to teach you about the function of your thyroid, how to tell if it is working improperly, how to find the right doctor, and how to make the right choices regarding your own thyroid treatments.

I am not an MD, but over the past 13 years I have consulted with many doctors, including endocrinologists, general practitioners, naturopaths and naprapaths, as well as integrated medical practitioners. The key for me has been finding a doctor that listens and also does extensive research to finally understand what my body is indicating that it needs. I can honestly say that the proper regulation of my thyroid has changed my life in many positive ways.

I hope to provide a condensed and simplified version of what I have spent years trying to figure out. At the end of the series, I will list books and websites that have helped me. If you care to research the topic in depth, this is something that I encourage you to do as well. My personal treatment has been comprised of the use of natural thyroid hormone (Armour Thyroid), synthetic thyroid hormone (Levothyroxine), supplements and acupuncture. A holistic approach to my nutrition and wellness regimen, along with regular blood work checks, has improved the functioning of my thyroid and put me on the path to winning the balancing act. However, because the thyroid hormones are so easily affected by all of the bodies’ other hormones and vice-versa, it is important to constantly monitor your blood work and symptoms, as no two cases are identical. For more information, keep reading “The Hypothyroidism Series”!


Continue with Part Two: The Function of the Thyroid Gland

Return to the main Health and Wellness Page