Archive for the ‘Energy’ Category

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MILA: The New Miracle Seed

January 3rd, 2010 | by KyleTweet This

andywHefty claims have been made about the product known as Mila.  Its package boasts “The World’s Healthiest Whole Food!” It has gone as far as to be called “The Miracle Seed.” Miracles are reserved for acts of God, game winning drives in football, but certainly not a seed. What is it about this seed that makes it so miraculous?

First, this product is brought to you by the company, Lifemax. I used this product with no expectations and no previous knowledge of it. The only thing I knew is that I should take two scoops of this tasteless micro-sliced seed that closely resembles dirt per day.  I was not sure what the product was supposed to do to me but I was constantly being told I would know it when it hit me. This was silly talk, but they were right.

I would take one scoop (roughly 2 tablespoons) of Mila with a glass of water in the morning about 30 minutes before my P90X workouts. The thing that struck me as odd at first was that I had a ton of energy throughout the tiresome workout as well as this odd clarity of thought. Being able to think through and feel an entire workout isn’t odd for me but it certainly is rare. I usually get this intensity that allows me to simply push through a workout without thinking too much. While I was taking the Mila I noticed I was focusing my energy correctly and paying closer attention to my form and how my body was reacting to the new strains I was putting it under. And this was only day 1.

I decided to keep taking Mila 30 minutes prior to every workout and found that my energy and clarity of thought soared every time. I was so amped up on energy after my workout and a glass of Mila that I decided to go for a run which lead to my injury (at no fault of the Mila itself). After all of the supplements I’ve tried, had I really found a food that gave me the motivation and energy to workout at the level I wanted?  Yes, I finally found the perfect food.

Mila boasts 3,000 mg of Omega-3s in every scoop which leads to more brain activity as well as a ton of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. This is not something I would suggest that people use without other food to supplement their diet (tasteless seeds gets boring after a while), but it is certainly something I would suggest buying to supplement their current diet and even to replace a meal or two during the day. This can (it has for me) result in weight loss and increased energy through a natural source. On the Kyle rating scale I give this product a 10 out of 10. Go buy yourself a bag and find out for yourselves.

[photo : Optimal Training]

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Getting In Touch Part 4: In The Beginning

December 29th, 2009 | by KyleTweet This

meditationIt has been asked many times over, “How does one learn to listen to their body?” This is a very loaded question that can bear many different answers based on the one being asked. My answer to this query is not so simple. There is a complex process that (even Lorenz has found this out) can take years to even begin to understand what your body is saying, much less how to respond. I’m going to give you some quick tips in order to get you started. For some of you this may expedite the process quite a bit while for others it will simply give you a guideline to start.

  1. Begin cleansing your body. This step is only meant to detoxify your body and to get you back to square one. It’s hard starting this process with all sorts of harmful products in your system. A true detox can take a few days to a few weeks. I suggest you eat raw foods (raw vegetables are preferred), drink nothing but water, and reduce weight training in favor for cardio training. This will help you detoxify your body through sweat, a healthy dietary intake, and by keeping your fitness level up.
  2. Begin meditating twice a day. You need to begin meditating at least twice a day. This should occur in the morning and in the evening, however, the more at ease you are with meditation the more you should increase your time doing it. This will allow you to start to plug into your body on a physical, mental, and spiritual level in order to understand those small nuances within our mind and body.
  3. Once your body is detoxed begin your regular workout regimen but stay with the raw whole foods if possible. You will know your body has reached it’s detox point the day it happens. You will feel much lighter and movement will be much more enjoyable. This can be described as a feeling of “floating.” I was 17 in the middle of Wal-Mart when I realized I’d reached this point so it is one of those things you will simply “know.”
  4. Begin recording all of your intake and how it makes you feel emotionally. This is a very important step because this will be something you meditate on. Why did your body feel this way? What was your reaction? Do I feel strong afterward? These are all questions that need to be considered. You should also record all of your physical routine in much the same manner as this too will be something you meditate on.
  5. Practice slow consumption. When you slow down your consumption it gives you the opportunity to feel when your body reaches the point of satisfaction. This is a very important step that will help you when it comes to eating what your body craves and stopping when the craving is fulfilled. This is not an easy step and took me years to master. Eat slowly. Drink slowly. Feel every muscle that is used in this process. This is a very intimate practice that should be done in a peaceful area with little noise.

These are 5 practices that helped me to become very in tune with the nature of my physical being. If you bring yourself to make these steps habitual then you will discover that your body is one with your mind and spirit. Your desires will be resonated throughout your being and it will help you understand how to more effectively live a fit, healthy, and awesome lifestyle.

[ photo: Peppermint Post ]

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How To Be All Powerful

November 6th, 2009 | by dorianTweet This

meditation

This piece about meditation is a follow up to my yoga post last week.  Meditation is actually 99% of yoga. Meditation can be done sitting Indian style, half lotus or full, or sitting in a chair. Meditation is what you practice after you’re done doing with physical yoga. The beginner usually starts at 5-15 minutes in the morning and before sleep. The more advanced yogi brings that up to 1-2 hours in the morning and at night.

To understand meditation you need to understand the definition of yoga. Yoga means “uniting the soul with spirit.” When you meditate you are leaving the conscious mind and entering the subconscious and superconscious mind to enter an advanced state of peace, freedom, and joy which exists in every human being behind closed eyes.

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Getting In Touch Part 1: The Music Effect

November 3rd, 2009 | by KyleTweet This

usain_bolt1One of the greatest things you can do as a person is to get in touch with your own body. While this sounds like a very elementary thing, it’s actually quite difficult to achieve to the degree I am speaking. Getting in touch with your body, once achieved, can allow you to fully understand your limits, how your body subtly reacts to what you put in it, and most importantly, when your body needs time to heal.

A few years back I came across a soon-to-be friend in my dorms that was an avid weight lifter. He loved the weight room almost as much as I did and loved spending a good part of his day either working out or chasing girls (who didn’t, right?). When we went to the gym together I noticed a VERY big fundamental difference in the way we lifted. He listened to loud, adrenaline inducing music, while I listened to classical music (when I wasn’t just using the headphones to drown out the noise of the gym).

I found this to be odd until we did a little study. After 3 months of doing the same intense routines we would see who, at the end of that period, made the biggest gains in strength, flexibility, and agility. In the end, we concluded that I had made the biggest gains in all 3 of the categories. Could it have been genetics? I’m sure that had something to do with it, as it always does. Could it have been desire? Perhaps. What I concluded it to be was that I happened to be more in touch with my body than he was. This didn’t come as a big surprise to me as I’d had years of meditation in Taekwondo.

What most people do not realize is that what they are listening to in the gym can affect their mood, their intensity, and their overall gains. When you listen to music that gets you “pumped up” you are introducing a ton of adrenaline into your system and then going through your workout. The adrenaline acts as an extra “boost” when lifting. Alternatively, classical music slows your heart rate and allows you to focus more on what your body is doing, rather than mentally running away from the pain. It also does not unnecessarily pump your body full of adrenaline and forces your muscles to work at 100% capacity (this is what accounted for the bigger gains in the 3 aforementioned categories). When your mind and body work harmoniously together during your workout, you can be sure to produce the results you are looking for.

As for my friend? After teaching him the importance of meditation and giving him a new playlist for his iPod, his results skyrocketed. Faster than mine even. Once you allow yourself to become one, mentally and physically, you can accomplish great things. But this cannot be done while running away from what your body feels under duress.

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Finding Fortune Through Simplicity

October 21st, 2009 | by KyleTweet This

253472761_e596b7c0ce“At least they still haven’t gotten rid of the bench press…yet.”

A three-time Russian Sambo world champion told me that today as I stared puzzled at the new equipment in the gym. I’m actually somewhat befuddled by the absolute need for the most state-of-the-art pull-up bar, the new miracle ab machine that will get you a six-pack in 12 seconds, and the new dumbbells that actually adjust gravity itself. Call me old fashioned at the ripe ole age of 23, but with all of the technological advancements that we’ve made people seem to have forgotten that attaining a high level of fitness is not determined by new gym equipment, but simply by determination, good diet, and a clear goal in mind.

Whenever I’m at the gym I can’t help but notice that the standard gym equipment is being less favored over the new wave equipment that you see on late night infomercials. A simple treadmill is being replaced with an elliptical trainer, free weights are being replaced with exercise bands and air-pressure weights, and the simplicity is being replaced by unneeded complexities. All of the new technology has it’s place, but the typical gym goer doesn’t understand enough of the nuances of fitness training to utilize this equipment to it’s full potential, rendering these devices all but useless. Returning to the days of simplicity can greatly benefit many of those who haven’t found the results they are looking for. Here are a few tips to get you back on track and finding the results you desire:

  • Keep the workout schedule easy to follow. Don’t over-encumber yourself with having to worry about doing 3 sets of biceps curls at exactly 6:04 in the morning every third Tuesday. Set up a workout rotation that is simple to follow and easy enough to stay motivated for. Remember to incorporate both cardio and weight training that touches all major muscle groups.
  • Keep your diet simple. Keeping the diet simple will keep things easy while maintaining a steady workout schedule. It also needs to be understood that having a good diet plan while getting all of your nutrients will give you maximum energy and results.
  • Go back to the old days of fitness. The tried and true methods of pull-ups, push-ups, jogging, and stretching have lasted this long for a reason. The resurgence of the kettle-bell is evidence that the old days of fitness still have much to teach us by using the entire body to burn calories.
  • Get regular rest. Your body builds muscle when you aren’t lifting weights. The most important part of your workout is proper rest.
  • Clarify your goals. Make sure that you understand what your fitness goal is. The clearer your goals, the easier it is to plan a workout and diet plan that can achieve those goals.

These goals get back to basic training that requires functional, whole body fitness while dispelling the myth of spot reduction (the belief that if you work out one body part you can reduce body fat within that region of the body). This formula can be applied to all levels of fitness from amateurs to modern bodybuilders. It’s only after taking a few steps back can we really begin to move forward.

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FOPS Or “Fuck Other People’s Shit”

October 15th, 2009 | by lorenzTweet This

bullshit

Someone said this to me a few months ago and I honestly think it’s the best advice I ever got.  Honestly, this is probably the best advice I’ll ever give you too.

It’s so easy to get caught up in other people’s drama.  It’s almost like an interactive reality TV show.  That’s right, you’re not just watching the drama unfold in front of you, you can become an active participant and actually feel the drama!  What better way to waste your time and emotional energy than to get caught up in someone elses problems?

What do the following examples all have in common?

  • A good friend of mine keeps asking me how she can get a six-pack.  I keep telling her exactly what she needs to do.  She comes back every month, frustrated that she hasn’t made any progress.  I asked if she tried what I suggested.  Nope.
  • My mom keeps asking me how to market her art online.  I keep giving her suggestions.  She comes back every few months, frustrated that she hasn’t made any progress online.  I ask her if she’s tried any of my suggestions.  Nope.  (As an aside, check out her art – it’s amazing!  And feel free to share your suggestions.)
  • A friend of mine is in a destructive relationship.  He’s gotten her pregnant, they get in crazy fights, and you just never know when they’re going to explode.  He keeps coming to me with his problems and I keep getting involved.
  • Some days I get nothing done.  I wake up, check my email and proceed to do that all day long.  It’s amazing how many emails I get every day.  Staying on top of them is a full time job.  I could do it forever, and get absolutely nothing done.

All of the above examples are about dealing with other people’s shit.  Sometimes dealing with other people’s shit can seem really insignificant, like giving the same advice to someone that just doesn’t listen or dealing with someone who consistently over-promises and under delivers.  Sometimes it’s an all out emotional roller coaster, like dealing with a friend who’s in a chronically abusive relationship.  Often the more intensely negative a person’s problem is, the more insidious its pull on you is.

Other people’s shit is all around.  And often it’ll stop you from doing what you really want to do.  There’s always a party, a BBQ, a birthday, an event, a task, a favor, a friend, or a situation that’ll keep you from being focused on accomplishing what you want to do.  Even worse, other people’s drama will drain your energy and leave you feeling exhausted.  You could spend your whole life catering to someone elses schedule.  If you don’t proactively protect your time and energy, it will find ways to get consumed.

It happens to me all the time and I’m guessing it happens to you pretty often too.  I’ve recently developed a few simple techniques that help me better manage my energy.  I thought I’d share them with you:

  • Be aware – know when you’re dealing with other people’s shit and make a conscious decision about whether or not you’re going to deal with it.
  • Don’t be afraid to withdraw – Excuse yourself politely and then avoid getting involved again until the situation has died down.  One of my best friends, Julie, has mastered the art of FOPS.  Every time we get into a heated argument about something, she says “ok, that’s fine” and excuses herself from the conversation.  Yes, it’s frustrating, but it works really well.
  • Conserve your energy – If you feel yourself getting frustrated, that’s a red flag.  Step back and ask yourself why you’re getting frustrated.  More often than not, it’s because you’re dealing with someone else’s shit.  Then go back to step 2.
  • Protect your time - Ask yourself what you want to accomplish each day.  Then ask yourself if constantly checking your email, answering phone calls, and dealing with other people’s issues will help you get your goals accomplished.
  • Don’t feel guilty – Above all, never feel guilty for not dealing with someone else’s shit.  You’ve got plenty of your own to deal with.  Do other people a favor and don’t get them involved in your drama either.  Remember, fuck other people’s shit!

[ photo: flickr / dougbeckers ]

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Transform Your Life Through Yoga

October 14th, 2009 | by dorianTweet This

Corn_TreePoseWhen people think of yoga they usually think of a room full of people chanting “Om” or some hyper flexible person putting their foot behind their head. Yoga is a far deeper practice that benefits individuals in many ways.

First, you must understand the difference between Asanas and meditation. Both where created over 4 thousand years ago in India to help improve people’s lives.

Asanas is physical yoga, which is what most people in the US think is 99% of yoga. It’s actually more like 1%. Asanas were designed to free the body and mind from all the restless energy that gets stored inside so you can meditate for longer periods of time. The benefit of practicing Asanas, or body disciplining poses as they say in India, is to keep the body alive and invigorated.

Your body is an organic machine.  When you practice physical Asanas you’re stimulate all the muscles, glands, internal organs, immune system, and mind.  This dramatically increases your energy.

Most physical yoga classes have you breathing through your nose the entire class,  This a challeneging and beneficial when the breath is rythmatic and deep. This deep rythmatic breath is referred to as Ujjayi breath and is the main contributor to the process of freeing the mind and body of restless energy so that you have calm energy. Physical yoga also helps in enlivening the cells in your body with oxygen rich blood which helps them to repair themselves faster. There’s a famous saying that goes “the slower you breath the slower you age,” and that theory definitely holds true when practicing Asanas.

Teaching Power Yoga now for almost 7 years I’ve seen many transformations occur in my classes. The more dramatic transformations have occurred with students that have been consistent with their practice. One girl in my class, in a 3 month period, lost over 20 pounds and changed her lifestyle dramatically. She said that after practicing yoga she noticed she was stronger, more limber, had less aches in her body, and felt like she had a stronger mind.  Physical yoga can change the way you think and feel!

In my next post I’ll tell you how meditation benefits you by uniting you with everything you’ve ever wanted.

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What Everyone Should Know About Organic Food

October 6th, 2009 | by lorenzTweet This

What you should know about the organic food debate

I’ve often wondered what the big deal about organic food was.  Most people are either religious about organic food or they don’t know enough to have an educated opinion.  I fall in the latter category.  I’ve always found it frustrating that I consider myself an above average healthy person yet I feel completely uninformed when it comes to the organic food debate.  I decided to do some research and share what I found.

There are a number of angles to consider in the organic debate from environmental impact to animal cruelty to nutritional value to food toxicity.  What I found was that regardless of what position you take on the ethical or environmental issues, conventional methods of farming turn your body into a chemistry lab.

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What You Don’t Know About Caffeine

October 2nd, 2009 | by mariaTweet This

coffee

The other day I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine about coffee. What I knew about coffee with regards to weight loss was that many studies have shown it to increase fat burning during exercise.  This can be beneficial for shedding those extra pounds. But what I didn’t know – standing there with a coffee cup in my right hand – was that coffee can affect our need to munch more often, and I’m not talking about munching on a carrot.

As you drink coffee your liver excretes sugar into the bloodstream causing an instant rise in your blood sugar.  This leads to that instantaneous euphoric feeling you get.  The instant kick that you get from drinking coffee actually comes from the increase in blood sugar levels in your body, not the caffeine. The kick from caffeine comes later, sometimes hours later (that’s why you’re not supposed to drink coffee after five or six pm since the caffeine might kick in right before bedtime).

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3 Simple Steps To Doing What You Really Want To Do

October 1st, 2009 | by LeslieTweet This

Much like the video post above, my best friend struggles with fitting in some much needed and well deserved “me time” into an already overloaded schedule. A working mother of 2 with a wonderful husband and a gorgeous home – she seems to live the picture perfect life. But between 10 hour work days, dinner prep, and the kids’ activities – it often leaves little to no time for herself. And though she’d never outwardly complain about her lack of exercise, 5 minutes alone, or a desperate need for monthly spa treatments – I can see that the once vibrant, energetic, and fit version of my BFF has slowly faded over the years.

Like many young families, somewhere along the way, the focus seems to have shifted from “me” to “we.” Routines are now centered around babysitting issues, kiddie parties, and an occasional romantic dinner at the Olive Garden. With little energy to do much else, collapsing in front of the TV with a glass of wine seems most apropos.

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