The seasonal flu is responsible for 200,000 hospitalizations each year and approximately 36,000 deaths each year. So far this year the swine flu has been responsible for 4,958 hospitalizations and 292 deaths. Of the people hospitalized 70% have had pre-existing conditions. These are not made up numbers, they are directly from the CDC website. Now I am in no way trying to minimize the risk some people are at of becoming very ill from the flu. I just wanted to put these numbers out there because the media has caused an enormous amount of panic and it's nice to actually see some solid statistics.
On to my next subject, Cardiovascular Disease. Cardiovascular Disease is STILL the number one killer!! In fact it kills more people per year then the next 3 causes of death combined including all Cancers, Alzheimer's and Accidents, yet a lot of us still don't seem to be concerned about it. The old it won't happen to me mentality comes into play with this. . A few more startling facts are 910,000 Americans have cardiovascular disease, a person dies of cardiovascular disease every 35 seconds from the disease. For those people fortunate enough to survive a Cardiac episode, there life will be forever changed. They may live in fear of having another episode. The average number years of lost life due to heart attack is 14.2 years. Cardiovascular Disease in large part is a preventable disease. The top nine risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease in order are as follows, over consumption of alcohol, lack of exercise, lack of vegetables, obesity, hypertension, physiological index, smoking, diabetes and cholesterol ratios. Now almost every single one of those top nine are life style choices. Many of them could be corrected by exercise alone.
The point I am trying to make is, many people are in a panic over this flu season and while we need to be aware of it there is no need for panic. We all should however take a long hard look at these facts and decide whether or not we can make some changes in our lifestyle. I know that it is not as simple as going out and getting a flu shot but you can do a lot to help prevent Cardiovascular Disease. Remember your risk of dying from Cardiovascular Disease is over 30 times your risk of dying from the flu. Also a lot of the things you need to do to help prevent Cardiovascular Disease also helps prevent the flu.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
ABS
I am sitting here today in the gym and was asked for probably the billionth time how do I get ABS. My next question is always what exactly do you mean? Do you want to increase the muscle tone or do you wanna lose the layer of fat that has taken over?
Usually they are looking to lose the fat. I blame television and magazines for the misconception that you can simply buy an ab machine or do crunches to rid that layer of fat. Could not be further from the truth. Crunches are not going to burn fat at least not that much fat from the mid-section without proper nutrition and exercise.
It's a pretty simple concept. You have to eat less calories than your burning. Now there is a little more to the science end of it including your resting metabolic rate and so on but we do not need to go into that here for this purpose.
So let's break this down a little bit. What burns calories? We all know that cardiovascular exercise burns calories but is it the best option? Many people forget or don't realize that working with weights burns calories. Just because there is no calorie counter does not mean that you are not burning calories. In fact weight training can burn more calories than cardio alone. When you are done with cardio your done burning fat...when you get done weight training you continue to burn fat for many hours to follow. Another point to make is the more lean muscle mass you have the more calories you burn.
So let's put to rest some common myths. Will weight training make me bulky? No..not unless that is your goal and you are eating appropriately to make this happen as well as taking supplements to speed the process. This is a big fear for many women...bottom line is women do not have the correct hormones to build muscle effectively. Will weight training make me less flexible? Again...no. As long as you are training using a full range of motion for every exercise you will not lose flexibility in fact you should gain flexibility.
So the bottom line is...get in the gym and work hard and go home and eat less. Again I am making this simple on purpose because we don't need to concentrate on fancy programs or diets especially in the beginning. This is what you need to do to find those elusive abs.
That is all for today!!!
Have a great week!!
Usually they are looking to lose the fat. I blame television and magazines for the misconception that you can simply buy an ab machine or do crunches to rid that layer of fat. Could not be further from the truth. Crunches are not going to burn fat at least not that much fat from the mid-section without proper nutrition and exercise.
It's a pretty simple concept. You have to eat less calories than your burning. Now there is a little more to the science end of it including your resting metabolic rate and so on but we do not need to go into that here for this purpose.
So let's break this down a little bit. What burns calories? We all know that cardiovascular exercise burns calories but is it the best option? Many people forget or don't realize that working with weights burns calories. Just because there is no calorie counter does not mean that you are not burning calories. In fact weight training can burn more calories than cardio alone. When you are done with cardio your done burning fat...when you get done weight training you continue to burn fat for many hours to follow. Another point to make is the more lean muscle mass you have the more calories you burn.
So let's put to rest some common myths. Will weight training make me bulky? No..not unless that is your goal and you are eating appropriately to make this happen as well as taking supplements to speed the process. This is a big fear for many women...bottom line is women do not have the correct hormones to build muscle effectively. Will weight training make me less flexible? Again...no. As long as you are training using a full range of motion for every exercise you will not lose flexibility in fact you should gain flexibility.
So the bottom line is...get in the gym and work hard and go home and eat less. Again I am making this simple on purpose because we don't need to concentrate on fancy programs or diets especially in the beginning. This is what you need to do to find those elusive abs.
That is all for today!!!
Have a great week!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Weight Loss Challenge
Join the Get Slim Contest and change your life while winning great prizes! Just like Slim, it’s easy to take part in the contest. Simply register, provide your measurements, a photo, and start using Bios Life Slim™!
The Get Slim Challenge will be ongoing and winners will be selected at the end of each quarter and six month period. Participants can join at anytime. Your 90 and/or 180 days will run based on the date you joined the Challenge. Your results will be compared with participants who end their period in the same quarter and six month period.
The Prizes!
90 Day Challenge
- One 1st Place Winner - $5,000
- Two 2nd Place Winners - $2,500
- Five 3rd Place Winners - $1,000
- Sixteen Honorable Mentions - $500 Product Credit
180 Day Challenge
- One 1st Place Winner - $15,000
- Two 2nd Place Winners - $10,000
- Three 3rd Place Winners - $5,000
- Sixteen Honorable Mentions - $1000 Product Credit
Please contact me with the details on how to get started on the Get Slim Challenge. Also anyone who is interested in personal training to go along with this challenge contact me as well. Anyone who hires me as there personal trainer to go along with this program is going to have a huge advantage over the competition. I have seen the results and I know we can win!!
Below are the finalist for June. Take a look!
The Get Slim Challenge will be ongoing and winners will be selected at the end of each quarter and six month period. Participants can join at anytime. Your 90 and/or 180 days will run based on the date you joined the Challenge. Your results will be compared with participants who end their period in the same quarter and six month period.
The Prizes!
90 Day Challenge
- One 1st Place Winner - $5,000
- Two 2nd Place Winners - $2,500
- Five 3rd Place Winners - $1,000
- Sixteen Honorable Mentions - $500 Product Credit
180 Day Challenge
- One 1st Place Winner - $15,000
- Two 2nd Place Winners - $10,000
- Three 3rd Place Winners - $5,000
- Sixteen Honorable Mentions - $1000 Product Credit
Please contact me with the details on how to get started on the Get Slim Challenge. Also anyone who is interested in personal training to go along with this challenge contact me as well. Anyone who hires me as there personal trainer to go along with this program is going to have a huge advantage over the competition. I have seen the results and I know we can win!!
Below are the finalist for June. Take a look!
| Scott Wiggins |
 | “At 255 pounds, I felt sluggish and lifeless,” said Get Slim Challenge finalist Scott Wiggins. “I had reached the point in my life where I was fed up with being heavy. I often avoided mirrors and my clothes didn’t fit well. I wasn’t motivated and my weight always seemed my excuse for not living life.” Scott was constantly overeating due to stress but he finally decided it was time for a slimmer, happier and more fulfilling life. He gave Bios Life Slim a try and was able to lose 23 pounds in only 90 days! “After using Slim two to three times a day for 90 days and making a commitment to myself to live the Slim lifestyle, I feel more fit and excited for each new day! Now I have more energy, greater focus, and better appreciation for living healthy and being fit.” |
Scott added, “I’m more engaged with life, participating in a myriad of sports and taking my family on trips I wouldn’t have done before. Because I have more energy, I’ve been able to connect with my children through outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and Frisbee golf.” “Slim helped satisfy my hunger, cravings, reducing my binge eating and getting the exercise recommended in the Slim Lifestyle guidelines has helped me reduce the stress in my life,” he said. Scott is excited about life again and he shares his confidence and increased self-esteem. “As I continued to drink Slim, I began seeing the inches disappear and then the scale begin to go down. I have had the most fun pulling out clothes that I have not worn for a couple of years only to have them fit better than when I bought them. I feel more confident and I also enjoy my wife looking at me again like we were newlyweds.” Scott urges everyone to try Slim. “Try it for at least a month and commit to it. Don’t let the weight continue to be an anchor in your life. I feel fantastic now thanks to Slim!” |
| Gilbert Mena |
 | Suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, Gilbert Mena was concerned with his health, especially with a family history of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For the past 90 days, Gilbert committed himself to drinking Slim and was able to achieve a great body transformation! By losing most of his abdominal fat, Gilbert is decreasing his risk for heart disease and with the help of Slim he hopes to live a longer life. “After drinking Slim, my blood pressure has dropped to the normal healthy range as well as my glucose levels and I have more energy. The Get Slim Challenge is a great opportunity for someone to improve their eating habits and to become healthier and now I’ll hopefully live longer,” he said. Slim has helped Gilbert to make better decisions when it comes to food and exercise. “Slim helped to |
curb my cravings for unhealthy foods and sweets, and has become a lifestyle changing habit for me. Soon after I saw the progress I made, I began choosing more physical activities like riding my bike to work several times a week. I may not have lost a lot of weight very quickly but my life has changed and I know that it is just a matter of time before I look and feel exactly how I want, thanks to Slim!” Gilbert emphasized, “Slim is a great product! Unlike many other weight loss supplements out there, it doesn’t contain unhealthy chemicals and Slim has helped me be more active, leading me to a more fulfilling life!” |
| Teresa Winters |
 | Since she was a teenager, Teresa Winters struggled to lose weight despite her countless attempts to diet and exercise. At age 47, she decided to use her competitive spirit to her advantage and joined the Get Slim Challenge as a motivation to keep her on track with her weight loss. It’s no surprise that with the help of Slim she lost 30 pounds in only 90 days! “I perform better if there is a challenge to meet. I have found that drinking Bios Life Slim has been the easiest weight loss program I have ever tried and I have tried them all! Slim helps me to not feel hungry and I no longer think about food all the time,” she said. Teresa shares how Slim has improved her quality of life. “I have much more energy now and I feel better about myself. I’m proud that I have found a plan that works for me. My story reflects the struggles of most |
American women. We’re always looking for some help when it comes to weight control. The girth of the nation is increasing and I’m proof that there is a product that can stem the tide!” Teresa is taking Slim to the next level and since she has been so successful with her weight loss, she became a Franchise Owner and has been trained by her sponsor Cheryl Straub. “I wanted to get the weight off and I have lost weight with Slim. People stop me and ask, “Have you lost weight?” It’s the perfect segue into telling a potential client about Slim. I’m spreading the word to others who desire to improve their health. I’m thankful to Cheryl Straub and her availability to answer my questions about Slim. Slim is easy to use and effective if taken consistently.” |
| Tyson Chamberlain |
 | Raised in the Polynesian culture, Tyson Chamberlain explained that food plays a big part in his family tradition and he was always referred to as the “big” guy throughout his life. At 340 pounds, Tyson was tired of the stereotype and wanted to improve his eating habits and have a healthier life. “I finally woke up one morning and I could barely get myself out of bed and I broke down crying in front of the mirror. I told myself: ‘No more magic pills, no more “I’ll start on Monday,” no more eating food just to eat, and no more excuses about how I’m Polynesian. I then started to eat healthier and to exercise. I was able to get down to 290 pounds in four months but then I hit a plateau and I couldn’t get past that no matter what I tried. I was frustrated and I almost gave up again until my wife introduced me to Bios Life Slim,” Tyson said. |
After his wife introduced him to Slim, he researched the website and read former Get Slim Challenge winners’ testimonials and was ready to try it for himself. He was able to lose 43 pounds in only three months! “Slim helps me get through my workouts and gives me the extra push to finish one or two more extra weight lift reps. I love the extra energy I get from using Slim and how much better I feel overall. I had quick results drinking Slim and I don’t have the desire to splurge and eat whatever I want anymore.” He emphasized, “I used to think that because I’m Samoan, I should be content with weighing about 290 pounds but I look at food a lot different now and I have a better understanding about food, dieting and working out. Slim has helped me discover that I can do this and I can change my life. Not just physically but mentally too. All I did to lose the weight was to incorporate Slim three times a day, 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also hit the gym four to five times a week. With the help of Slim, you have no reason to delay your own journey to success!” |
| Maria Almengor |
 | When Maria Almengor’s travel agency business went out of business last October, she decided to take some time off and decided to stay home for a few months before looking for another job opportunity. With her free time, she had an increased appetite and couldn’t stop eating. Her family hinted that she was gaining a few pounds but reality only hit her when she saw herself in a picture taken during Christmas time. “I had my family over at Christmas but my daughter only sent me the pictures on January 25th and I couldn’t believe how much weight I had gained! First, I thought there was something wrong with her camera but then I realized I needed it to take action,” Maria said. After researching online for colon cleansing products, she found Franchise Owner Prudencio Ramirez and started using ClearStart and then Bios Life Slim. |
Joining the Get Slim Challenge in March, Maria was able to lose 19 pounds and two dress sizes! “I feel great now! I never want to go back to how I was. I was a size 18 and now I’m a size 12/14. Slim really works but you have to commit yourself to drink it every day. I don’t get as hungry anymore. I drink Slim twice a day, 15 minutes before my lunch and my dinner. I also make sure to eat a light dinner. It’s so nice to try on clothes that fit me!” She added, “I recently went to a family party and everybody told me, “Wow, Maria you look great! What are you doing?” It feels good to hear that from people and I’ve gained back my confidence.” “We’ve had a treadmill for the past eight years and nobody in my family has ever used it. Slim gives me energy and I’ve been using it every day for at least 20 minutes for the past three months. My husband was so impressed with my levels of energy that he said, ‘Wow, this product really works!’ If I can do it, anyone can!” |
| Carl Pellillo |
 | After he had two coronary artery bypass surgeries, Carl Pellilo’s wife was desperately looking for a solution to improve her husband’s health. It was her sister— Franchise Owner Donna Bryant, that suggested Carl start drinking Slim and enter the Get Slim Challenge to motivate him. “My sister-in-law gave me my first container of Slim as a birthday gift and since I’ve been drinking Slim I have been able to lose 23 pounds so far, I have more energy, and I no longer have shortness of breath,” Carl said. He added, “Before Slim, I didn’t have energy to exercise and that plays an important part for my health since I have had two bypass surgeries. Slim absolutely works and everyone should try it!” |
| At age 63, Carl is feeling younger and has more energy than ever! “I feel and look great! I’d like to say thanks to Donna for introducing me to Slim. She believes in all the Unicity products and now I know for myself that Slim works. When I started I weighed 220 pounds and now I’m down to 197 and I hope to drop to 180 pounds as I continue with the 180-day challenge! Both my family doctor and my cardiologist are very happy with my results at this time.” |
| Nadia Hikert |
 | Before Slim, Nadia Hikert was suffering from high blood sugar, fatigue and increased appetite. After three months of drinking Slim, Nadia dropped 25 pounds and now she is proud of waking up early in the morning full of energy and ready to start her yoga class. “Slim gives me energy and I don’t feel like I’m starving. My blood sugar levels went down as well as my cholesterol. I’m the proof that Slim does work! Slim has helped me change my eating habits. Now I don’t crave food late at night and I eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies.” Nadia said Slim not only helped her lose weight but gave her life back. “I feel happy now and my friends and my family are very impressed with my results. I noticed that losing the weight has improved the relationship with my husband. Slim has helped me |
focus on improving my health. My mom died at age 49 and I’m 50 now and I was scared to die and not see my grandchildren. Life is short and it’s important to take care of myself and my health to prolong my days with my husband and my children.” As a Bios Life Franchise Owner, Nadia does not miss an opportunity to introduce Slim to others. “Slim is a natural product with no side effects, very handy and I’m the proof that it works. I don’t keep this secret from my friends and family and I always show my before and after pictures to share my success with them.” |
| Jorge Lavayen |
 | Four years ago, Jorge Lavayen got a job at a 7-Eleven store and started to drink an excessive amount of soda, slurpees or anything with lots of sugar and caffeine to keep him awake since he would work 12-hour shifts. He then got married and there was no time to exercise. Jorge was shocked when he realized he had gained about 80 pounds. Jorge was ready to begin a new chapter of his life and after reading Ryan Barnett’s story, he was inspired and motivated to join the Get Slim Challenge. “Before Slim, I was always tired and I had no energy. I was depressed that I had to buy bigger size clothes because nothing that I had would fit me. After reading Ryan’s story, I decided to drink Slim. After drinking Slim, I was amazed that I no longer craved sugar!” He added, “I started to lose weight fast and then I knew it was possible for me to turn my life around. |
Before Slim, I didn’t think there was any product out there that could work for me to help with weight loss. Slim really works and I was a size 46-48 and now I can fit into pants that are size 38.” Jorge recommends Slim to anyone who is serious about weight loss. “Believe it or not, Slim really works! The only way to find it is drinking it! If you drink it, you’ll see results immediately!” |
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tips and Ideas!
I have been telling people for years to journal everything from there diet to there workouts.
I was having a conversation with my brother the other day and he brought to my attention an idea that he saw on T.V. A lady on the show was telling her clients to take pictures of the food they ate every day for a month.
Wow! This is a great idea. Not only will you know what you ate without having to take the time to write it down which a lot of us fail to do but it puts it right out there for you to see the amount of food you have consumed.
This is something I think anyone who is struggling with weight issues weather it be trying to gain weight or lose weight should try.
I also think everyone who exercises should keep a journal as well. How else can we track our progress? This will allow us to see where you may need to make changes in your regimen.
Things that get tracked get done!
Give some of these ideas a try and see what happens. I think you may be happy with the results.
I was having a conversation with my brother the other day and he brought to my attention an idea that he saw on T.V. A lady on the show was telling her clients to take pictures of the food they ate every day for a month.
Wow! This is a great idea. Not only will you know what you ate without having to take the time to write it down which a lot of us fail to do but it puts it right out there for you to see the amount of food you have consumed.
This is something I think anyone who is struggling with weight issues weather it be trying to gain weight or lose weight should try.
I also think everyone who exercises should keep a journal as well. How else can we track our progress? This will allow us to see where you may need to make changes in your regimen.
Things that get tracked get done!
Give some of these ideas a try and see what happens. I think you may be happy with the results.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
How To Stick With Your Training Program
Hello everyone, I usually like to write my own material, but I read this today and said wow!! This is a must read for anyone who wants to obtain there fitness goals.
How to Stick With Your Training Program!
Martin Rooney
What did Martin Rooney learn while consulting recently with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals? Read this insightful article to find out.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to consult the professional NFL football team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Although I was there to share as much of my training knowledge as I could over a three day period, I gained as much from the experience as I gave away. Even though most of the days were spent educating about training through talking, I did make sure that I worked out with some of the strength staff and athletes. I did this not only to demonstrate some of the things I have learned over the years, but also to get in a good workout as well.
It was then that a staff member asked how long I had been training. To my surprise, I thought about it and realized that I have not missed more than 3 days in a row without physical training in over 20 years! When I reflected on this later that night, I was impressed with my perseverance, but also disappointed for a few reasons as well. I started to come to realize that even though I have be training consistently for over 2/3rds of my life, I was not as big as Arnold Schwarzeneggar, and many of my best lifts and personal records just might be behind me. As I dove into thinking about this topic, I came to discover that I was slightly falling into the trap that most of the world does when it comes to training (whether it is strength or martial arts), especially in this day and age. I took my overall experience of training for granted and placed more emphasis on immediate results.
Everything about the world today is starting to revolve around instant gratification. In a way, some technology is actually making it harder for us to stay healthy and stick with our goals. If you don’t believe me, let me tell you about a few of the technological and human changes that have occurred over the last decade and you make your own decision. Today, if you want your food cooked in a second, you put it in a what? A microwave. Now, food doesn’t have to be prepared well and food doesn’t really have to be good for you at all, but as long as you can have it quickly, most people will eat it. Not only does this speed up eating and make it more accessible, but the quality of the food is poor, the quantity is high and we are physically getting soft and more disease as a result.
Today, if you want any piece of info in a split second anywhere in the world, you go on the what? The internet. I remember having to look up my own sources, qualify what I was reading and actually have to read books! Today’s youth not only get misinformed about many areas from the internet and lose their resourcefulness when it comes to education, but it again mandates that you spend hours upon hours a day sitting in poor postures getting out of shape.
Today, if you want access to any person at any second, call them on their what? Cell Phone! This great device may make us accessible, but it is also helping us to lose our powers to memorize phone numbers, addresses, appointments and increasing car accidents at the same time. All of these technological accelerators all have one thing in common: They are taking away our ability to think and experience. TO me, that is very scary.
Finally, I want to ask one more challenging question about technology. If you want to be in great shape in a second you what? What’s wrong? No answer here that technology can provide? No simple way to spend no energy and eat poorly and still get fit? That is right, there is no quick fix here. There is nothing that will ever replace good old fashioned hard work and practice. And not only that, that is where your life happens one plateau at a time. Years ago, I read the book “Mastery” by Aikido master, George Leonard. This book described the fact that although we are always looking for the quick fix or the upward jump in skills, most of the time spent training and practicing is spent on a plateau. Only after diligent practice on that plateau over time would there be another surge of upward movement to the next level. He went on to state that as he evolved as a student, he stopped looking for the breakthrough and started enjoying the practice and the plateau. Think about your own experience. You may have gotten frustrated with your physical or technical progress because you thought it was too slow or not enough. You may have even quit at the point when progress was right around the corner. Imagine that instead of focusing on the results, you focused on the moment. It was there that life was happening.
I love to look back on my writings from years ago in Gracie Magazine, because I can actually track my own progress and the evolution of how I think about training. Why I am writing this article is that I want all my loyal readers to every so often step back from just looking for the next workout or exercise and get back to the principles behind why we exercise in the first place. Training is not about instant gratification. Anyone looking for constant progress will not stick with training for long. The essence of training is the experience of the training, and what you learn about yourself through it.
Training is about the process, not the outcome. If you are always caught up looking for progress, upward movement, or a new belt color, you will be missing the most important lessons that are right there in front of you. You will get there, and there is one simple thing you need to do it: Consistency. When Thomas Edison was asked when he would stop working, he said “I guess the day before I die”. Now that man could teach us a lesson or two about consistency. When it comes to your physical training or martial arts or anything you have decided to pursue wholeheartedly in your life, you should have the same answer as Edison. There is no real destination, no end, and certainly no merit for instant gratification. If you are consistent, it demonstrates that you have 2 very important characteristics: Discipline and Perseverance. With these two attributes, you cannot be stopped from anything you are looking to achieve. Without them, you will never reach any goal you have set for yourself. Think about your own goals that you are working toward. Have you been staying consistent toward your goals? Have you been patient and always looked for the lessons behind some frustration that you might be experiencing? Have you been attempting to be better at what you do each day than the day before? Have you been pressing too hard and thinking that you should be more fit or a higher belt by now? Well, if you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to take the pressure off yourself and enjoy the ride. Remember, the tighter you hold a handful of diamonds trying not to spill them, the more you lose. Loosen your grip on yourself and you will be amazed at the progress you may start to make.
I have been around jiu jitsu and the martial arts for a long time. Often, many athletes ask me why I am not a higher rank in jiu jitsu, and the answer is simple: I may have been around it for a long time, but I have not been practicing it as much as I should. Because of this fact, I am content with my skill. If, however, I decide that I want a black belt soon, that would be unrealistic without making the commitment to consistency. Here is one of the most powerful statements that I tell my athletes daily: Where you are in life is exactly where you are supposed to be as a result of the things you have done up until that moment in time. To do anything else but accept your current situation would be crazy. The real thing to do is then decide where you want to go, use both consistency and patience to get there, and enjoy the ride. It is, after all, the path you have chosen in life.
I hope everyone has enjoyed this article and that it not only helps take unneeded pressure away, but also pushes more people back on track toward their goals. Every journey starts with one step and all the steps afterward are equally as important. Each workout, every piece of food you put in your mouth, every breath you take, they all add up. In the end, you will see there are no little things. Now, get back on the path, and get to work!
How to Stick With Your Training Program!
Martin Rooney
What did Martin Rooney learn while consulting recently with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals? Read this insightful article to find out.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to consult the professional NFL football team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Although I was there to share as much of my training knowledge as I could over a three day period, I gained as much from the experience as I gave away. Even though most of the days were spent educating about training through talking, I did make sure that I worked out with some of the strength staff and athletes. I did this not only to demonstrate some of the things I have learned over the years, but also to get in a good workout as well.
It was then that a staff member asked how long I had been training. To my surprise, I thought about it and realized that I have not missed more than 3 days in a row without physical training in over 20 years! When I reflected on this later that night, I was impressed with my perseverance, but also disappointed for a few reasons as well. I started to come to realize that even though I have be training consistently for over 2/3rds of my life, I was not as big as Arnold Schwarzeneggar, and many of my best lifts and personal records just might be behind me. As I dove into thinking about this topic, I came to discover that I was slightly falling into the trap that most of the world does when it comes to training (whether it is strength or martial arts), especially in this day and age. I took my overall experience of training for granted and placed more emphasis on immediate results.
Everything about the world today is starting to revolve around instant gratification. In a way, some technology is actually making it harder for us to stay healthy and stick with our goals. If you don’t believe me, let me tell you about a few of the technological and human changes that have occurred over the last decade and you make your own decision. Today, if you want your food cooked in a second, you put it in a what? A microwave. Now, food doesn’t have to be prepared well and food doesn’t really have to be good for you at all, but as long as you can have it quickly, most people will eat it. Not only does this speed up eating and make it more accessible, but the quality of the food is poor, the quantity is high and we are physically getting soft and more disease as a result.
Today, if you want any piece of info in a split second anywhere in the world, you go on the what? The internet. I remember having to look up my own sources, qualify what I was reading and actually have to read books! Today’s youth not only get misinformed about many areas from the internet and lose their resourcefulness when it comes to education, but it again mandates that you spend hours upon hours a day sitting in poor postures getting out of shape.
Today, if you want access to any person at any second, call them on their what? Cell Phone! This great device may make us accessible, but it is also helping us to lose our powers to memorize phone numbers, addresses, appointments and increasing car accidents at the same time. All of these technological accelerators all have one thing in common: They are taking away our ability to think and experience. TO me, that is very scary.
Finally, I want to ask one more challenging question about technology. If you want to be in great shape in a second you what? What’s wrong? No answer here that technology can provide? No simple way to spend no energy and eat poorly and still get fit? That is right, there is no quick fix here. There is nothing that will ever replace good old fashioned hard work and practice. And not only that, that is where your life happens one plateau at a time. Years ago, I read the book “Mastery” by Aikido master, George Leonard. This book described the fact that although we are always looking for the quick fix or the upward jump in skills, most of the time spent training and practicing is spent on a plateau. Only after diligent practice on that plateau over time would there be another surge of upward movement to the next level. He went on to state that as he evolved as a student, he stopped looking for the breakthrough and started enjoying the practice and the plateau. Think about your own experience. You may have gotten frustrated with your physical or technical progress because you thought it was too slow or not enough. You may have even quit at the point when progress was right around the corner. Imagine that instead of focusing on the results, you focused on the moment. It was there that life was happening.
I love to look back on my writings from years ago in Gracie Magazine, because I can actually track my own progress and the evolution of how I think about training. Why I am writing this article is that I want all my loyal readers to every so often step back from just looking for the next workout or exercise and get back to the principles behind why we exercise in the first place. Training is not about instant gratification. Anyone looking for constant progress will not stick with training for long. The essence of training is the experience of the training, and what you learn about yourself through it.
Training is about the process, not the outcome. If you are always caught up looking for progress, upward movement, or a new belt color, you will be missing the most important lessons that are right there in front of you. You will get there, and there is one simple thing you need to do it: Consistency. When Thomas Edison was asked when he would stop working, he said “I guess the day before I die”. Now that man could teach us a lesson or two about consistency. When it comes to your physical training or martial arts or anything you have decided to pursue wholeheartedly in your life, you should have the same answer as Edison. There is no real destination, no end, and certainly no merit for instant gratification. If you are consistent, it demonstrates that you have 2 very important characteristics: Discipline and Perseverance. With these two attributes, you cannot be stopped from anything you are looking to achieve. Without them, you will never reach any goal you have set for yourself. Think about your own goals that you are working toward. Have you been staying consistent toward your goals? Have you been patient and always looked for the lessons behind some frustration that you might be experiencing? Have you been attempting to be better at what you do each day than the day before? Have you been pressing too hard and thinking that you should be more fit or a higher belt by now? Well, if you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to take the pressure off yourself and enjoy the ride. Remember, the tighter you hold a handful of diamonds trying not to spill them, the more you lose. Loosen your grip on yourself and you will be amazed at the progress you may start to make.
I have been around jiu jitsu and the martial arts for a long time. Often, many athletes ask me why I am not a higher rank in jiu jitsu, and the answer is simple: I may have been around it for a long time, but I have not been practicing it as much as I should. Because of this fact, I am content with my skill. If, however, I decide that I want a black belt soon, that would be unrealistic without making the commitment to consistency. Here is one of the most powerful statements that I tell my athletes daily: Where you are in life is exactly where you are supposed to be as a result of the things you have done up until that moment in time. To do anything else but accept your current situation would be crazy. The real thing to do is then decide where you want to go, use both consistency and patience to get there, and enjoy the ride. It is, after all, the path you have chosen in life.
I hope everyone has enjoyed this article and that it not only helps take unneeded pressure away, but also pushes more people back on track toward their goals. Every journey starts with one step and all the steps afterward are equally as important. Each workout, every piece of food you put in your mouth, every breath you take, they all add up. In the end, you will see there are no little things. Now, get back on the path, and get to work!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Recipes
I decided to post some recipes I recently found. Here they are.
Ham Roll-Ups
Serves 1
4 o.z. sliced low-fat deli ham
4 o.z. sliced low-fat Swiss cheese
1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
4 asparagus spears
1. Place one slice of ham on a flat work surface, top with one slice of cheese and spread with a little light mayo.
2. Place an asparagus spear at one end (perpendicular to the ham/cheese) and roll up. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts:386 calories, 45 grams of protein 10 grams of carbs, 13 grams of fat
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Serves 1
6 eggs
2 Tbsp. low fat cottage-cheese
Salt to taste
Hot sauce to taste
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1. Place eggs in a large saucepan, fill with hot water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cover and allow to cook for ten minutes.
2. Transfer pan to sink and run eggs under cold water. When cooled, peel eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.
3. Carefully remove yokes, discarding three of them. Place remaining yokes in a small bowl with cottage cheese. Mash with a fork until smooth, then add salt and hot sauce to taste. Spoon yolk mixture into egg white halves and top with green onion.
Nutrition Facts: 284 calories, 35.5 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, 14 grams of fat
Bulked-Up Beef Stew
1/2 lb. boneless beef sirloin, cut into 3/4 -1 inch cubes
Salt and pepper to taste
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed
2 tsp. all-purpose flour
2/3 cup canned beef broth
1/3 cup stout or dark ale
Nonstick cooking spray
Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Coat a heavy skillet with nonstick cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add beef and saute until brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a bowl. Reduce heat to medium low, add carrots and onions to skillet, and toss to coat with pan juices. Add flour and stir one minute, then add broth and stout. Return beef to pan along with any juices collected in bowl. Cover and simmer until tender,stirring occasionally (about 15 minutes).
Nutrition Facts: Serves 2
359 Calories, 41 grams of protein, 27 grams of carbs, 16 grams of fat, 7 grams of fiber
Side Dish: For added carbs, serve with brown rice or pasta.
Jim Wheaton
Jim's Gym
1600 Cedar St.
Elmira NY 14904
607-398-7127
Ham Roll-Ups
Serves 1
4 o.z. sliced low-fat deli ham
4 o.z. sliced low-fat Swiss cheese
1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
4 asparagus spears
1. Place one slice of ham on a flat work surface, top with one slice of cheese and spread with a little light mayo.
2. Place an asparagus spear at one end (perpendicular to the ham/cheese) and roll up. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts:386 calories, 45 grams of protein 10 grams of carbs, 13 grams of fat
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Serves 1
6 eggs
2 Tbsp. low fat cottage-cheese
Salt to taste
Hot sauce to taste
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1. Place eggs in a large saucepan, fill with hot water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cover and allow to cook for ten minutes.
2. Transfer pan to sink and run eggs under cold water. When cooled, peel eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.
3. Carefully remove yokes, discarding three of them. Place remaining yokes in a small bowl with cottage cheese. Mash with a fork until smooth, then add salt and hot sauce to taste. Spoon yolk mixture into egg white halves and top with green onion.
Nutrition Facts: 284 calories, 35.5 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, 14 grams of fat
Bulked-Up Beef Stew
1/2 lb. boneless beef sirloin, cut into 3/4 -1 inch cubes
Salt and pepper to taste
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed
2 tsp. all-purpose flour
2/3 cup canned beef broth
1/3 cup stout or dark ale
Nonstick cooking spray
Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Coat a heavy skillet with nonstick cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add beef and saute until brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a bowl. Reduce heat to medium low, add carrots and onions to skillet, and toss to coat with pan juices. Add flour and stir one minute, then add broth and stout. Return beef to pan along with any juices collected in bowl. Cover and simmer until tender,stirring occasionally (about 15 minutes).
Nutrition Facts: Serves 2
359 Calories, 41 grams of protein, 27 grams of carbs, 16 grams of fat, 7 grams of fiber
Side Dish: For added carbs, serve with brown rice or pasta.
Jim Wheaton
Jim's Gym
1600 Cedar St.
Elmira NY 14904
607-398-7127
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fat Burning and The Leptin Hormone
I was doing some research and some reading the other day and came across some information on the hormone leptin. According to UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior a signaling hormone that influences hunger may be the key to treating the worldwide obesity pandemic. This hormone is called leptin. Leptin, the hormone produced by fat cells, causes people to feel full, prohibiting hunger pangs and producing weight loss.
This study was done on subjects who lacked the leptin molecule, causing them to be obese. Using MRI, researchers monitored brain activity when the subjects were given leptin and found that subjects' eating behaviors normalized, and activity increased in the area of the brain associated with feeling full.
Here is the exciting part, we have an all natural product available to help normalize the leptin levels. The product is called Bios Life Slim and is available to all of you through me at a discount. The exciting thing here is the product comes with a 90 day money back guarantee and has no adverse side effects. It will not make you jittery as there are no stimulants and will also help to improve your lipid profile, which consist of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels. Click this link for more info www.bioslifeslim.com/jimwheaton
I hope you all find this as interesting as I did.
To Your Health,
Jim Wheaton
Jim's Gym
1600 Cedar St.
Elmira NY 14904
607-398-7127
This study was done on subjects who lacked the leptin molecule, causing them to be obese. Using MRI, researchers monitored brain activity when the subjects were given leptin and found that subjects' eating behaviors normalized, and activity increased in the area of the brain associated with feeling full.
Here is the exciting part, we have an all natural product available to help normalize the leptin levels. The product is called Bios Life Slim and is available to all of you through me at a discount. The exciting thing here is the product comes with a 90 day money back guarantee and has no adverse side effects. It will not make you jittery as there are no stimulants and will also help to improve your lipid profile, which consist of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels. Click this link for more info www.bioslifeslim.com/jimwheaton
I hope you all find this as interesting as I did.
To Your Health,
Jim Wheaton
Jim's Gym
1600 Cedar St.
Elmira NY 14904
607-398-7127
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