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Xtreme Martial Arts,
Xtremely Healthy!
Best known as Chad Lee, the Blue Ranger in Power Ranger Lightspeed Rescue, this Naperville North 1993 graduate is as gentle as he is powerful. As Taylor Lautner's martial arts coach, Lautner won the Jr. World Championships at age 12, and as long time friends, went back stage at SNL this past December to help choreograph Lautner's Xtreme Martial Arts demo that caused the audience to roar. Mike Chaturantabut (Mike Chat) created an international movement called XMA (Xtreme Martial Arts) that began as workshops and workouts at UCLA, now is the premier studio in the country.

Mike began his martial arts training at Sharkey's here in Naperville at age 8. He was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1992. Back then he trained and worked out about three hours daily. Last month I caught up with Mike to see how he maintains his health these days as a busy parent, husband, coach and business owner.

"It's all in your mindset - if you want to be healthy, you have to do healthy things," says Chat, "You take the time to eat, get rest; you have to take time for exercise too. Twenty to thirty minutes five to six days a week is good for your physical well being. Your body controls everything so you have to take care of yourself."

Mike is not a vegetarian, but he only eats meat, fish, about once per month.

"Lots of water! Lemon Water," suggested Chat, "And we juice every morning!"

Mike's Tips:
• Eat lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Drink a lot of water (squeeze one lemon per pitcher)
• The formula is about half your body weight in ounces in water daily
• The lemon balances the pH in your body!
• Have a healthy mind set and take little steps - it's a lifestyle, not a diet
• Include physical exercise in your day and /or week
• Turn all the "shoulds" into "musts" one at a time so that you change your patterns altogether
• Create an action plan - start by just eliminating one thing at a time - look at your credit card bill to monitor your habits
• Cut out the extras and just eat what you need
• Mike doesn't have a health guru so to speak, but he does recommend being inspired by people like Tony Robbins. "Go walk on some coals!" He says.

Where to find your daily inspiration:
www.getfitnaperville.com

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About The Writer: Michelle LeBlanc is the Communications Chair for GetFit Naperville. She is also the founder of the Naperville Cultural Center and a corporate accounting graduate from North Central College, as well as a freelance writer. She is an expert in local and regional media relations and a frequent contributor to newspapers, radio and television. Her column, titled Get Fit Naperville, provides monthly updates and easy tips to getting fit. The concept of Get Fit Naperville is to encourage getting fit in a non-intimidating, natural way. Every month, Michelle highlights quick and easy fitness suggestions that anyone could incorporate into their lives or feature a success story.