Limitless

First let me say I realize it's been a while since I've written, so I apologize, but let's keep it at that and get back on it!

Just saw the movie, "Limitless" yesterday with my wife on Netflix. Wow, what an awesome flick! Made me want to really get on it. Though there may not be a magic pill that allows us to use 100% of our brain, we can focus on what we want our future to be, and run towards it. It's that "ready-fire-aim" mentality. Recently I've been utilizing a new consultation process to engage personal training prospects, and it's been working. I'm realizing I can be the best trainer in the world, have countless conditioning tactics and corrective exercises, but if I can't sell anyone, I can't help anyone. In addition, things can change at the drop of a hat, so I must keep my options and escape routes open. Next week I'm being flown out to Tampa for the Tough Mudder competition. Something tells me the trip alone will open my eyes to new possibilities, and I'm all about it.

I've come a long way from a few years ago when I was obese and unhealthy with a growing bank account. Now I'm broke, fit, and excited as ever to the prospect of the future. Funny how that works, huh? My wife loves me and the two of us though drowning in debt and struggling to fight the current are happily married and realize that it is only us and our loved ones that can't be replaced. The money and lifestyle will return as our success climbs, and we'll be so much better when we reach and surpass our prior social status. The possibilities are limitless--we just have to believe it and focus on what we want and not what we don't. Go get it! Thanks for reading!

TRX - Ready

Running through woods, creeks, and on an angle are one thing. Climbing over walls, bear crawling on top of rope ladders, and bounding over cars is another. Combine all and add a few leaps over fire and you've got a tricky obstacle course. I didn't fall once. Two words: CORE STABILITY. My clients know those words well because core stability is a concept that I preach on and work on over and over and over again. Strength is meaningless without stability. Don't believe me? An athlete or bodybuilder may have ripped abs, but if all one did was crunches then they are definitely missing the boat. What good are ripped abs if you can be pushed over or lose your balance? I have excellent core stability that comes from a combination of things, but when I was crawling over rope bridges or tip-toeing through mud in the warrior dash, I was thankful I had been training with TRX. TRX is a suspension training system that is very simple. Developed by a Navy Seal, this product helps you utilize your bodyweight in several different ways, but even when conducting an isolated exercise such as a bicep curl, you are actively stabilizing yourself, which will make the activity more difficult, but in turn will make you better. Click on the title to this blog or the banner at the top of my page to learn more, and feel free to contact me with any questions or comment to post what you love about TRX. By the way, TRX isn't just for elite athletes--I use it to train my less mobile and elderly clients as well and it is also excellent for flexibility and other rehab-type work. Life is our sport and we must train hard. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Don't Quit - Prioritize!

I recently got an email from a workshop participant regarding quitting smoking and how tough it is. No doubt about it--it is the most addictive thing not only chemically, but since it is so available, the temptation is always there. I smoked for 10 years and I did try several times to quit, but it never stuck. Currently I am tobacco-free for over 2 years, and am having no issues. It is not because I did anything different physically--I used the gum to calm cravings, but it is only when my philosophy changed that I was able to do it for good. Here is the exerpt directly from my email response. Hope it helps you or someone you know with any addiction--yes unhealthy eating is one of the most deadly addictions here in America!!

Thanks for your response! Listen, I used to smoke ½-1 pack/day for 10 years, and I do know it is hard to quit. It is equally hard to abandon an unhealthy diet and stick to a fitness program, etc. There is a reason you started going to Chiro One and there is a reason you are still there. Whatever the case may be, you have prioritized your health and well-being and that allowed you to make a few sacrifices to continue and be consistent with care. In the same regard, instead of focusing on discontinuing the activity of smoking, I urge you to use your same philosophy regarding health. Since you care about yourself and your health, realize that smoking is inhibiting your pursuit of health. Understand that it cannot be part of your long-term health equation. Also, you are used to the activity and are triggered by certain things even if you don’t necessarily have a craving. It’s about identifying those times and triggers, and when they occur, focus on your clear picture and vision of health to get you through. You’re hanging on to smoking for whatever reason and deep down feel that you never want to give it up. There needs to be a proverbial funeral of sorts where in your mind you actually accept that you must make a change. It doesn’t matter what modality you try (patch, gum, hypnosis, etc); it is only when YOU change your philosophy and “grow out of” your current mindset that you will be able to do it. It is hard now, but trust me, when you truly commit to your health, truly quitting smoking will not be a problem. I’ve been through that, and I’ve been through thoughts of not giving up foods I was used to, etc, and it’s all the same. Addiction to anything is tough, but you must keep an open mind and be willing to change your habits and thought processes in order to accept and welcome your new self.

Thanks for reading, everyone, and smile--it's a great day to be healthy!

Vitamin M

What Vitamin don't most Americans get enough of and as a result is leading to sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, obesity, and premature death among other things? Vitamin M--MOVEMENT!! Okay so that was a trick question, but it is an awesome way to look at it. Dr. Kevin, my chiropractor at Chiro One in Old Town came up with that one. If you don't know much about chiropractic then I urge you to look into a Chiro One near you, and if you are near me, click on the title to this blog to see the place where I go! Anyway, chiropractic, like fitness/training and nutrition, is about wellness and health so it is not about being ill or having an ailment but rather about preventing that ailment. And promoting movement and physical activity ties right in. I don't have to explain the jobs and lifestyles that most Americans find themselves in, especially as we up the technology and have higher demand for office workers. There are not many jobs more detrimental to your health than ones that require you to sit for long periods of time. Trust me--it's what keeps me in business! So get out there and get active! Here are some ideas how:

1. Workout! Home, outside, or in a gym, getting in a 30-60 minute workout 4-6 times per week is optimal for building and maintaining lean muscle mass, reducing bodyfat, and promoting joint mobility, flexibility, and overall wellness.
2. Step Up! Taking the stairs when available instead of the elevator is a good way to add some extra strength and endurance to your legs and keeps the joints moving!
3. Take Breaks! Every hour or so at your desk, take a break, stand up, stretch out, use the washroom, get water, or even do a quick circuit of pushups and squats to improve posture, blood flow, metabolic rate, and to keep your sanity!
4. Clean Up! Regular household errands such as laundry, dusting, cleaning floors and furniture, raking leaves, gardening, etc are great ways to include functional fitness and to maintain your home. It's good for you, too!
5. Challenge Yourself! If your workouts are getting boring or too routine, change it up and learn new exercises and skills. This will force you to utilize different movements, keep your brain active, stay motivated, and have fun!

There are other ways as well, and I encourage you to post your own comments regarding this. Don't forget to get regular chiropractic adjustments and do your therapies! Thanks for reading and have a lovely day!

Intention And Attention

Many of us, including myself, have an issue with our attention. It seems there are not enough hours in the day and not enough lines on a page to jot down and get done all we need to. Almost every day it seems I am in a proverbial game of tetris and my blocks are stacking up at the top, and I am frantically trying to play "catch-up" and eliminate more rows. The thing about real life, obviously, is that we can't reset the game. We must try to keep up with our responsibilities and stay focused. I've been visiting Chiro One regularly for general wellness and to improve my health, bodily functions, prevent illness, and also improve athletically as a result. During my visits, I receive handouts that include but are not limited to health articles, motivation, and even satirical comics. Today I got part 2 of a series titled "8 Steps To Use The Power of Intention to Change Your Life". A line really caught my eye, and it relates very well to myself and to (yours and) others' situations.

"...your intention is in the future and your attention is in the present..."

This refers to our goals and our focus. Going back to what I mentioned earlier about feeling overwhelmed, I thought about being in the moment and though I may think ahead to even tomorrow and the next, I must know that things will work out and my vision of the future will happen--if and only if I successfully execute the most important things today.

Many of my new clients are very eager to succeed but are hung up on so much trivia. "I'll be able to do this, right?"..."Do you think I can...?" etc. Listen, take a deep breath. Envision yourself how you will be and know you must be patient and follow a program. Similar to school and even development as humans, each encounter and experience is important and relates to the moment and context. These experiences build and though we may fail, we learn and grow and eventually succeed. We must trust that we are working towards something but it is now and today that matter most. So like the quote, we must intend to succeed and reach our goals but be attentive and focus on the present task and situation in order to get there. Please feel free to post comments and/or contact me. Also, please click on the title to this blog and/or sign up for the daily inspiration at chiroone.net and also check out the free daily podcast from Zig Ziglar at ziglar.com. Have a wonderful day and thank God for what you have! Thanks for reading!