Your buddies will help you get stronger

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Having a few solid guys training with you somehow makes you dig  deeper into your strength reserves  and push yourself further than you normally would training alone. While there are some exceptions to this, it is true for many guys.

Competition and accountability important aspects of having good training partners.

They will not let you slack off or be lazy! They will help bring out your best and you will help bring out theirs.

Since this is Movember (men’s health awareness month) let me also say that guys generally go downhill in isolation. Many today are “connected” only online and that is superficial at best. The rest of their time is usually spent alone, with no real friends and no accountability. Guys can rationalize all kinds of bad choices when they are alone. Many get severely depressed and decide to end it all.

This brings me back to the gym for one other point:  safety.

Our own egos will sometimes convince us that we are way stronger than we actually are and we don’t need spotters, safety bars, bar clamps, or any other safety device.

So if you get crushed under a heavy squat or bench press you are on your own.

No one is there to lift the bar off of you.

No one is there to call 911.

Men, don’t isolate yourself all the time. I understand that sometimes it’s good to have some time to yourself, but not all the time. Eventually you will lose at that game.

Don’t limit yourself

Simple mace warm up http://cavestrong.net from Frank DiMeo on Vimeo.

There are many ways to get stronger and more fit.

One of my favorite mentors, Zach Even-Esh, said, “I won’t discriminate against anything that can make me stronger.”

I agree 100%!

Staying focused when life gets tough

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Many things can break your focus if we let them. Staying true to your goals is especially important when things go wrong. Chaos does not have to be your default way of life.

Much of it we bring on ourselves through  TV, news, and social media. Add busy work schedules, parenting, school, etc. and things can get really hectic. Add the election on top of it and people are feeling overwhelmed.

Training can get pushed aside during times like these, and that is not good. This when you need it the most!

Tough times and unexpected calamities require more discipline to keep your training schedule intact. Getting a big dose of endorphins is almost worth it by itself; but getting stronger and healthier is never a bad thing.

Stay focused on your training goals and life goals, you will not regret it!

 

Shouldering a 120lb sandbag for reps

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“I feel old, now that I am 35” Really?

In support of Movember (mens health awareness month) I just wrote an article on my other blog about being active and fit all your life.

Too many guys are dying way too you! It shouldn’t be that way and doesn’t have to be!

Read it here

 

It’s not just a beer belly, it’s toxic waist

Since it is Movember, let’s talk about another common health hazard, excess fat.

Not just the infamous “beer belly” (a source of pride for many guys)

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but visceral fat, the fat that is packed tight around your internal organs.

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This fat is a killer! However, because it isn’t seen from the outside of the body, it becomes a non-issue for most guys.

“The good news is that visceral fat yields fairly easily to exercise and diet, with benefits ranging from lower blood pressure to more favorable cholesterol levels.”

This is quoted from Harvard Health Publications and you can read the whole article here

I want to see more guys live healthy, long lives. Hopefully this will spur someone out there to take action!

Men, you can be healthy and fit at any age, so let’s get started!

Please help support Movember by sharing this article with the guys in your family, co-workers, etc. Thanks!

Adex club & sled work

Why do so many guys neglect their health?

Since this is “Movember“. a full month dedicated to improving mens health, we’ll take a good look at these things.

I often talk about lack of regular exercise being a big problem overall, however,  women are more inclined to workout as a  general rule.

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The guys I know who train regularly make up a small percentage of the population.

I salute them, they are leaders!

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We’ll come back to this later, though, but first we’ll look at two big problems affecting men:

  1. not getting an annual physical exam
  2. smoking

How many guys do you know that are diligent in getting their annual physical exam?

Not many I am sure. Why do men avoid this simple process that could save their lives?

Their wives and children get regular check ups, so what is the big problem?

Even their dogs get regular check ups.

Many guys will be seeing doctors regularly when they are older, whether they want to or not, especially if they are avoiding them when they are young.

It’s time to wake up and take action, men!

The second problem area is smoking. This should be a no-brainer, but it isn’t.

Why do guys enjoy sucking burning weeds into their lungs?

Why did I when I was much younger?

I am so glad I quit decades ago!

“Smoking causes nearly 29 percent of all cancer deaths among Americans over the age of 35, according to a new analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine. But that doesn’t tell the full story.”  The Huffington Post

Read the whole article here

I will be covering more throughout the month so hang on.

 

Risks caused by obesity you probably never thought of

Many people are aware of the common health risks that are associated with obesity, like strokes, diabetes, heart attacks, etc.

Today we are looking at the less obvious ones, the ones that may compromise your health care or even prove fatal in the event you need to be rescued from a fire, flash flood, or other disaster.

Here’s the main concept, if you are very over weight or morbidly obese, it is very difficult for first responders to lift, move, or carry you away from a dangerous situation.

Recently  there was a tragic house fire in our city where two morbidly obese people died.

Did their size and weight directly lead to their deaths?

That is not know at this time; but  I have talked with First Responders about this type of situation numerous times in the past, and the consensus is that it is extremely difficult to extricate a 400 or 500 lb person during an emergency.

If a person does survive the emergency, later, their sheer size and weight make it harder for health care providers to lift them or transfer during their daily treatments.

Many people can barely lift and carry a person of normal weight, much less one who is two or three times their size.

Getting to a healthy body weight is possible for most anyone with some discipline and hard work.

 

What it takes

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Anyone can do easy stuff, but not everyone is willing to dig deep and give a true 100%