RSS Feed

Remove Your Limits! And More Importantly, Don’t Let Someone Else Set Limits For You.

Posted on

harbor and kohl at xtreme

First things first.  If someone says that you can’t do something or tries to crush your goals or your dreams.  How would you respond?  Would you listen to them?  Would you forget about that goal or dream?  Would you ignore them?  Or would you listen to them and use it to Motivate you?  The person that you are doing it for is yourself.  But there is always satisfaction in showing someone who doubts you that they were wrong.  It’s also nice to hear from people who do support you once you achieve your goals.  For me, I didn’t really share my goals.  I did tell a few people about it, but for most people that I hadn’t seen for a while my transformation was out of the Blue.  However, I did obviously document it and I did write down my goals and I also registered with Bill Phillips Transformation Challenge.  I set my plan and I committed to it.

Now that I have gone through my own transformation, I have a lot of people in my corner.  I have a lot of people who are supportive and say encouraging things when I share my plans.  But I am also in a lot of other peoples corners.  Having gone through it myself and by realizing that it is mostly mental, I know that many others can make their own successful transformation.  I know that you can reach your own goals.  You have to be honest with yourself.  You have to convince yourself.  And you have to prove it to yourself.  I hope that I can encourage others to set their goals and to reach them.  I hope that the information that I provide will make it easier for them.

When you make the decision that you can not do something than you are putting a limit on yourself.  Or if you try something one time and have trouble with it and never do it again you are putting limits on yourself.  If you continue at the same pace than you are setting a limit.  Do you give it 100% or 110%?  If I give it 100% than I am reaching my limit.  That is 100%.  That is what I am able to do.    I am not trying to exceed it.  110% means that I am pushing myself further and harder than my body allows.  If you see it psychologically but aren’t quite there physically than you can get your body to catch up.  It might take time but if you stick with it than you can achieve it.

I have a philosophy: Train with people who are where you want to be or train with people who are trying to get to the same place that you want to be.  This obviously works outside of fitness as well.  These people will help you remove your limits. They will help you train at 110%.   After my transformation, I went to a friend of mine’s training facility in Plainfield, IL called Xtreme Speed.  I trained there for 10 weeks with a number of other people.  (By the way I work for myself and can work from anywhere).  These guys train a wide range of people including professional and college athletes.  Their training style is very intense and it takes a lot of muscle endurance to get through it.  Basically, for the first several weeks I felt like I was getting a beat down every training day.  I would actually reach complete muscle failure.  I got to the point that I couldn’t do another rep and would have one of the other guys in my ear giving me crap for not being able to get through it.  The longer that I went through these sessions the more muscle endurance that I built up.  I  still get beat down during the training sessions, but my gains increase after each one.  I have gone a lot further and gotten my body in even better physical shape.  When I trained at Emerge Fitness during my transformation.  I was training at 110%.  In that case I had a great atmosphere and a trainer that pushed me.    Both training facilities are all about training.  For me I like the challenge of trying different things.

People are capable of much more than they think.  The body is a tool and your mind will usually give up before your body.  However, if you can see it in you mind.  If you realize that you can succeed than you can push yourself that much harder.  The harder you push it, the higher level of fitness you can reach.  Your gains will come from that extra 10%.  They will come when you have no limits.

I Won’t Be An Unintentional Hypocrite

Posted on

Screen Shot 2013-05-08 at 9.52.17 PM

I do believe in practice what you preach.  For instance today when I was done with work for the day, I was a little bit tired and decided to take a nap which lasted for about 40 minutes.  When I woke up I felt pretty relaxed and decided that I should just lay around the house for the rest of the night and skip the gym.  I made my workouts on Monday and Tuesday.   Last week I trained every day that I was supposed to, which was Monday through Friday.  I used Friday as light training mixed with some things that I did for recovery which included hyperbaric Chamber (takes you below sea level and increases oxygen, speeds up recovery, increases endurance, lowers fatigue) and a Cold Tub (Reduces Inflammation) (Compliments of Muscle Pharm) while in Denver.  The following day I ran in the Colorado Spartan Military Race at Fort Carson.  Talk about a hard day of training, I jammed an  ankle, both of my big toes and a wrist.  I also trashed my IT Band (Your hip is attached to your knee by this tendon.  Basically, I beat the hell out of it and it was tight and knotted up.).   So did I make enough excuses to get out of my workout?

And than I had a revelation: I tell people not to make excuses.  I post motivational messages about being fit and getting fit.  I talk about Learning to S.W.I.M.™ (Self-Control, Will Power, Inspiration and Motivation).  I talk about overcoming obstacles and taking on challenges.  Well I have way to0 much respect for the people who read my posts to not just talk the talk.  Thank you for making me Walk the Talk.  Thank you for being my motivation.  Not only did I head to the gym 15 minutes later, I didn’t just go through the motions in my workout.  I had a kick ass workout.  I decided to do something a little bit different this time, so I switched up my workout and went with Cory Gregory’s 28 Method for my biceps and triceps.

I felt 1,000 times better when I walked out of the gym tonight.  Get motivated and don’t let yourself down.

BABY STEPS ARE A BUNCH OF CRAP. BRAINWASH YOURSELF.

Posted on

I don’t believe in baby steps.  Baby steps are an excuse to hang on to some of the things that are holding you back from a healthy lifestyle.  Let’s just say you are trying to lose weight and start living a healthy lifestyle.  You also smoke and drink frequently.  To live a healthy lifestyle you are going to have to start eating healthy, start training with weights  and by doing cardio.  You will have to stop smoking and drinking.  I’m not opposed to drinking but I have cut way back.  And by “way back”, I mean that drank about as much this last year as I did during two nights out, the year before.

Obviously, if you have not been active, it would probably be a good idea to get a physical to make sure that you don’t have anything that may become a problem if you push yourself “too hard.”    But no matter what you are going to have to push yourself.  The longer you continue with your training and cardio the more you should increase your intensity.   You don’t want it getting too easy.  DON’T JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS.  That is one thing that I consider when people say baby steps.  They just go through the motions and take it easy in the gym and call it a work out.  When I walk out of the gym my shirt is soaking wet.

When people talk about baby steps they also plan on making a few changes at a time.  So they will cut certain things out of their diet but maybe keep a couple of unhealthy things in it and they also cut back on drinking from 3 times a week to twice a week and they continue to smoke.  So I guess they plan on implementing their plan over the course of their transformation.  So maybe by week 4 they are going to clean up their entire diet and by week 6 they will only drink once a week and by week 8 they will smoke one less pack a week.  It’s all an excuse.  More than likely what will actually happen is that they will push their healthy deadlines back and they won’t give up the cigarettes or the drinking.  And their training and cardio will be ineffective.

For me it was coming to the realization that if I made my changes all at once that it would actually be easier.  Baby Steps will prolong the “Suffering” (I never suffered.  It wasn’t easy but I never suffered.  If you do suffer, you need to work on “Controlling your Mind”).  I convinced myself that it was mind over matter.  I convinced myself that if I couldn’t succeed than I was weak.  If I couldn’t control my own mind I was weak.  The key word is WAS.  I am STRONG enough to control my own mind.  I can achieve my goals   I can S.W.I.M.™ (Self-Control, Will Power, Inspiration, Motivation).  When you can conquer the bad habits and the addictions all at once it actually makes you stronger.  It adds to your motivation.  And when you succeed you will never forget what it took to get you there.  

Don’t Look For The Easy Way Out

Posted on

When I was in high school, I thought that I must be a genius because I came up with a new formula for some geometry problem.  The best part was that it was easy and I found my solution very quickly.  It worked out great for me until the day that I took the test and my formula failed to produce the correct solution to the problems.

Easy isn’t always better.  I still do like to think outside of the box, however I am not always looking for the easy way out.  In fact I find that the harder I work the bigger the payoff is for me.  When I workout, I am usually going in solo.  In the past when I had a team around me or even a workout partner or trainer, there is usually some kind of competition.  I don’t want to fail, give up or give less effort.  If I am doing someone else’s program I have to keep up. If I am leading the program, I want to make sure everyone else knows how hard it is.  So, when I go into the gym by myself, I know that I can’t make it easy on myself.  I know what it feels like to train hard and I know what I should feel like when I go through my workout.

When I train, I work more focus more on muscle endurance and activating my core and my stabilizer muscles.  For others, it might be more about having a 400 pound bench.  I’m more about increasing my overall athleticism.  I change-up my workouts every day.  I take exercises and make them harder.  When I bench, I might  pick my feet off of the ground or might do rows from a plank position or I might do dynamic push-ups (drop from an elevated level and push back up to it from the ground).Screen Shot 2013-04-19 at 3.39.50 PM

If it is an exercise that is too hard to do, I will work on it until I can perform it.  I am currently working on one-legged squats.  I’m using a TRX to help me keep my balance.  I’m planning on being able to do these unassisted, within a couple of weeks.

When I accomplish something that I consider hard.  And I continue to do it, I find that it actually becomes what I consider easy in many cases.  Increase the difficulty and conquer your next challenge.  Learn to S.W.I.M.™ 

Does Milk Really Do A Body Good?

Posted on

Image

I rarely have dairy.  I have always loved it.  Growing up I use to drink more than a gallon of milk a day.  During my junior year in college, I came back from a run and realized that I didn’t feel sick.  That’s weird, normally I feel sick after each of my runs, I’ve even puked on the football practice field during warm ups.  How come today is different?  I feel great!  So the next day I was back to my normal self.  My stomach felt awful and I realized that I have been feeling like this for a long time.  I didn’t even remember when it started.  So what did I do or didn’t do yesterday that was different from any of these other days?  Well I got up and I had my shake and I went for a run.  Hang on.  We were out of milk yesterday.  I used water in my shake.  Don’t tell me that I am lactose intolerant.  

Over the course of the next 3 days I went without milk and noticed a huge difference.  I felt great.  On the 4th day I drank milk and immediately felt awful.  With that figured out I knew what I had to do and I wasn’t very happy about it.  I stopped drinking milk but I did continue with other dairy products but just not as frequently.  Could I really give up Ice Cream, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Pizza?  Nope.  I still would get sick from these things but it was not every day.  

When I went through my transformation I decided to remove almost all dairy because I noticed that when I have any kind of dairy I develop mucus in my throat.  I had tried raw milk and did not develop mucus when I drank it.  Mucus is a sign of inflammation.  When you have inflammation one of the bodies responses is to produce mucus to get rid of it.  So in my case, “Milk Does A Body Mucus”. 

Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries

Posted on

brussels sprouts

16 OZ Brussels Sprouts
1 Cup Fresh Cranberries
2 Tablespoons Raw Honey
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Cup Walnuts
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Put frying pan on medium heat add Olive Oil
Add Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries and Walnuts
Stir frequently
Cook for about 8 Minutes
Add Cinnamon and Raw Honey
Stir
Remove after about 1 minute

Brussels Sprouts Benefits
High in Fiber
High in Antioxidants
Protects DNA inside of white blood cells
Anti-Inflammatory
Fights Cancer
Supports Cardiovascular System
Fights Heart Disease
Lowers Cholesterol
Aids in Digestion
High in Vitamins and Minerals

Raw Honey:
Increases natural energy
Used in treating allergies
Treats colds and sore throats (it coats the throat and reduces irritation)

Walnuts Benefits:
Contains minerals, antioxidants and vitamins
Contains good fats including omega-3’s
Helps lower Cholesterol
Helps prevent heart disease and high blood pressure
Helps prevent certain cancers
Promotes Anti Aging
Helps remove free radicals from the body

Cinnamon
May lower cholesterol
May help treat Type 2 Diabetes
Contains anti-fungal properties and may rid the body of candida
May reduce proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells
When added to food inhibits bacterial growth and is a natural food preservative
Boosts cognitive function and memory
Helps eliminate headaches and migraines
Helps stabilize blood sugar
Increases metabolism

Olive Oil
Contains Antioxidants
Contains probiotics
Improves Blood Vessel Function
Boosts the immune system
Fights Cancer
Fights Heart Disease
Regulates Blood Pressure
Fights Diabetes
May help fight Obesity
Fights Arthritis
Fights Osteoporosis

Cranberries
Contains Antioxidants and Antibacterial properties
Great for the Urinary Tract, Kidneys and Bladder
Lowers risk for cancer (Breast and Colon)
Good for the heart
Good for the Eyes
Fights Gingivitis, Gum Disease, Cavities and Plaque Build up
Improves Metabolism
Anti-Aging Properties
Improves Memory and relieves stress

Dairy Free Raspberry Oatmeal Pancakes

Posted on

raspberry pancakes

In the past when I made Oatmeal Pancakes, I would use Cottage Cheese, but a lot of people told me that they didn’t eat dairy.  I rarely have it anyway.  I started trying them without any Cottage Cheese and these are great.  

I also added Raspberries because of the way that they fight cancer and also fight fat.  After the recipe I have posted what you can expect from Raspberries.

Oatmeal Pancakes with Banana and Walnu
ts.
Makes 4 Servi
ngs
1 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled O
ats
6 eggs or egg whi
tes
3 Tablespoons of RAW Honey (make sure that it is RAW-look for it on the lab
el)
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (For those of you who don’t like cottage cheese.  Don’t worry you will never taste
it.
1.5 tablespoons of cinna
mon
teaspoon of organic vanilla extr
act
One ban
ana
1/2 cup of waln
uts
Unrefined Coconut
Oil

Blend Nuts into a rough powder in a food processor add Uncooked Oatmeal, Eggs, Raw Honey, Cottage Cheese, Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract and Banana.  Blend together.
Heat Skillet on Medium and add Coconut Oil as nee
ded.
Poor several pancakes and cook until golden br
own.
No syrup need.  If you use syrup try Raw Ag
ave.

Also try out
Oatmeal Pancakes with Macadamia Nuts with Fresh Co
conut
1 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oa
tmeal
6 eggs or egg w
hites
3 Tablespoons of RAW Honey (make sure that it is RAW-look for it on the l
abel)
1/2 Cup Walnuts
1/2 Pint Raspberries
1.5 tablespoons of cin
namon
1 teaspoon of organic vanilla ex
tract
2 Tablespoons Unrefined Coconu
t Oil

Chop up Raspberries. Blend Nuts into a rough powder in a food processor add Uncooked Oatmeal, Eggs, Raw Honey, Raspberries, Cinnamon, and Vanilla Extract.  Mix together
Heat Skillet on Medium and add Coconut Oil as needed.
Poor several pancakes and cook until golden
brown.
No syrup need.  If you use syrup try Raw Honey or Raw
Agave.

Raspberries Benefits:
Raspberries contain Anti-Cancer properties
Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties lead to Anti-Cancer benefits
But they also may change signals to existing cancer cells and begin the cycle of cell death in those cells. In potentially cancerous but not yet cancerous cells they may signal them to remain non cancerous.
Raspberries Fight Fat
They can Increase Metabolism in Fat Cells. This decreases the chance of fat being deposited into fat cells and can help use up fat that is already stored there.
They also may make the body digest and absorb less fat.

Eggs Benefits:
May prevent macular degeneration
Lowers risk of developing cataracts
May help prevent blood clots, stroke and heart attacks
Helps regulate brain, nervous system and cardiovascular system
May improve lipid profile (Cholesterol Levels)
May lower risk of breast cancer
Promotes healthy hair and nails

Oatmeal Benefits:
Lowers Cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease
Makes you feel full longer
May reduce risk of type 2 diabetes
May reduce heart disease
May reduce high blood pressure
Contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
May reduce risk for certain cancers

Cinnamon Benefits:
May lower cholesterol
May help treat Type 2 Diabetes
Contains antifungal properties and may rid the body of candida
May reduce proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells
When added to food inhibits bacterial growth and is a natural food preservative
Boosts cognitive function and memory
Helps eliminate headaches and migraines
Helps stabilize blood sugar
Increases metabolism

Walnuts Benefits:
Contains minerals, antioxidants and vitamins
Contains good fats including omega-3’s
Helps lower Cholesterol
Helps prevent heart disease and high blood pressure
Helps prevent certain cancers
Promotes Anti Aging
Helps remove free radicals from the body

Vanilla Extract
Antioxidant Properties
May fight Cancer
Boost Metabolism
Reduces Anxiety
May fight infections and fever in children
Reduces Nausea

Coconut Oil Health Benefits:
New research claiming that it has been helping Alzheimer’s patients improve and even reverse effects.
Positive results for people affected with Type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Increases thyroid health by raising body temperature.
It increases metabolism (increases body temp)
Increases energy
Coconut oil on the body can promote healthy skin and hair.

I Am a Spartan

"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure"

JanaBananaRD

Your Nutrition Expert

She's Evolving

Healthy Lifestyle Evolution

We Are 2Fit2 Quit

The road to Transformation starts with a Dream...

GlutenFreeGus.com

Same Same, but different

EatWellChef

UNBIASED

Simply Stephanie

Life Enthusiast & Adventurer; Likes To Blog About It

Lean Fit and Healthy

A regular guy trying to make healthy choices and live an active life

John's Fitness Advice Blog

Fat Loss Made Easy & Fast

LocalSportsReviews.com (coming soon)

Sporting Local Athlete Reviews & Listings

Health Advocation

just a student who enjoys health, nutrition, and fitness!

Vedged Out

Living on the Edge of Veg

The Better Man Project

The world needs better men. This blog is simply my journey to becoming a better man every day and the lessons I learn along the way.

Matt Mayberry's Blog

Professional Athlete, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Fitness Guru

Kat's Health Corner

A young woman aspiring for balance in life, health, & w/ herself, & loving life along the way!

No 'FRIES' for 365

- My Journey: A Blog About Fitness, Nutrition, & Overall Health -

Jen's Dish

A blog about FOOD! Shopping, cooking eating(with some travel thrown in for good measure).

Rantings of an Amateur Chef

Food...cooking...eating....tools - What works, and what doesn't!

Matt on Not-WordPress

Stuff and things.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,736 other followers