Author: Iron Guru

Advanced Training Advice

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Listen To Your Body

If you follow an intense resistance weight training program, there is a fine line between growth and injury that you should be aware of. Anyone pursuing a weight lifting goal, or looking for an increase in muscularity, must train with high intensity on a daily basis. During my career as a competitive bodybuilder, the only limit as to how much I could lift was one of two things; either I reached a plateau of resistance, or I got an injury. Each time I worked out I would increase the weight, and for many years that worked in my favor. That was until I reached an age where growth was coming to an end. That is when reaching a plateau ended and the injuries began.

It took me ten years to stop injuring myself and listen to the signs my body was sending me. I want to help you avoid my mistakes.  No one knows more about your body than you. Like the computer in your car, you are constantly being sent signals as to how your body is operating. First, there are the early warning signs such as intense muscle soreness lasting for days. If you continue without making modifications to your training, your body will send a stronger signal such as tendonitis. Finally, if no changes are made, the last signal will be an injury. A setback is the last thing you need, especially if it could have been avoided.

So as you push hard as you should, watch the signposts your body is sending. Don’t let your ego get in the way. It is wiser to make minor modifications to your training, and continue to train for months and years without injury, toward your desired goal.

 

Spirituality For Today

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When you awake, is there enthusiasm to begin your day? Do you wake up with optimism, drive and determination to make today better than yesterday? If not, maybe this will brighten your outlook.

First understand that time is an illusion, created by using timepieces and calendars. There are no days or nights. In outer space, there is no sunrise or sunset, and so consequently, no day/night change. We sometimes use the phrase, “Tomorrow is another day” to give us a fresh start. Unfortunately, after a few hours, you realize nothing has really changed. So how does this understanding of what is real and what isn’t, going to help you?

It is all about living in the moment. Whatever you do, totally focus on the moment you are doing it, not looking forward to its completion. I will use your next meal as a simple example. When you begin eating, pay attention to each mouthful. Notice the flavor, the texture, the sensation it sends through your body. Don’t eat with your mind set on how fast you can get done to do whatever is next. Another example, driving to work. Whether you are on time or running late, enjoy the ride. If you drive just focusing on getting to work on time, you will undoubtedly get there stressed out. There were times I rushed to an appointment only to find they themselves were running late. Enjoy Life!

Spirituality For Today

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Nothing is worth worrying about because nothing really matters. Although one could argue, what about the bills I owe, or my sick child, I may be losing my job, the threat of terrorism, I’m getting old. Yes, the list could go on and on because there is no end to what people can worry about. That should be a clue as to why nothing really matters.

Most of what people worry about usually gets blown out of proportion. It all stems from fear, an underlying emotion that fuels most problems. Fear takes over as soon as you forget the spiritual power you have. Fear comes from forgetting that every event unfolding in your life is perfect, although it may not appear so on the surface. In time, because you are a spiritual entity, you will begin to see through the facade. Anything that comes your way which appears troublesome, will always also have a solution for resolving that particular issue. This is how you elevate your spiritual awareness. If you get angry or frustrated, you will not see the solution. If you accept the event as if you chose it yourself, the solution will be made very obvious.

Viewpoint: Personal Opinions

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It has been said to never talk about religion or politics among friends. Have you ever asked yourself why? The answer is quite simple: the position the speaker assumes will be based on their subjective opinion, and will represent the position that best suits their needs. Let’s skip religion for this discussion and look at the current presidential campaign. When a politician is asked for their opinion on a topic that affects others, do you think any of the candidates are looking out for your best interests? Do you see any candidates praising or giving credit for any actions taken by the opposing candidates? In contrast, they will say anything to tarnish or destroy their opponent’s credibility and bolster their own.

Why is someone’s personal opinion so caustic in conversation? It all stems from fear: fear that someone else may be better than you, richer than you, smarter than you. This can all be reversed when we reawaken ourselves to the fact that every person you see in your life is actually you. Each person has taken a roll in your life to teach you something. It will be an earthly lesson, but with a spiritual meaning. Have you ever felt the pain within you when you were angry at someone else? You were angry at yourself and that is why it hurt. When you do something out of love for someone, you feel great because you are showing love to yourself. So the next time someone asks for your opinion, before you answer, consider how your answer will affect them and not just yourself.

Viewpoint: Resistance Training

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Throughout life, we will experience changes that can make things better, and sometimes make things worse. Nowhere is it more evident than in the field of health and fitness. The term “Health and Fitness” can mean a myriad of things, but it generally refers to a state of well-being. This level of fitness can be accomplished in many ways… Or can it?

One thing that has not changed in countless centuries is how the human body functions. In the simplest of terms, we need food, water, and oxygen. Once we have those essentials in place, we can find ways to improve on how we use those resources. Since the 1950’s, we have certainly learned much about nutrition and the importance of proteins, carbohydrates, and heart-healthy fats. Researchers have also shown us the importance of drinking ample amounts of pure water daily. Thanks to environmentalists, we now have cleaner air which is also important for optimal health. Where I see a problem is with some of the latest exercise trends, here’s why.

The body has not changed the way it develops muscle or burns fat since the beginning of mankind. Once all the essentials that I spoke of earlier are in place, changing how you look is easy. To improve your strength, change the shape of your muscles, or burn fat, you simply need resistance training. Call it “old school”, but resistance weight training is all you need. I spoke earlier about changes. The advances we have made in nutrition and medicine have for the most part been good. What has changed that is not so good, is how people have gotten away from the basics of resistance weight training. Training methods such as interval training that require jumping from one exercise to another, or DVD’s that utilize a specific machine that can “do it all”, or a “ten minute” workout using little or no resistance, are attempts at trying to find an easier way for people to exercise. It doesn’t work that way. Just because you don’t have time to weight train, or you don’t enjoy weight training, it is not going to change how the body operates. You must build a foundation of strength and muscle balance before you can venture out into other training methods. Let me explain.

I have nothing against some of the new types of training modalities, they do serve a purpose. But just as if you were building a house, you don’t put the walls up first, you lay the foundation. If you don’t follow the proper sequence when building a house, there will be an inevitable collapse. When training your body without following the proper sequence, minimal progress or injury is likely to follow. Before jumping into some new fad of training, check out my IRON GURU Personal Fitness Training section.