Fitness and Wellness

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Friday, June 14, 2013

Skip To My Loo My Darlin'

The other day I was dragging. Energy was low. Earlier in the day I decided I'd 'skip' my workout. I had a great kicking workout the day before and I could always do a heavy workout the next day. (How many times have we said that to ourselves?). But there I was feeling 50 lbs. heavier than usual and shuffling along. I could have grabbed an afternoon coffee or red bull. Except I quit the red bull in 2001 and coffee only holds you up for so long. I thought back to what I'd eaten that day and as it turned out the diet up to that point was balanced. Ah ha! maybe I needed water. I'd read a study years ago that said sometimes fatigue is the body's way of telling us that we're down a quart. But, no I was hydrated. And then it hit me: the workout I was planning to blow off called me out. "Its time to move buddy," the workout shouted.

What to do? Skipping, that's it. I elected to skip for a quick 20 minutes. (No breaks) A quick cardio workout gets the heart rate up and then a guy could move on. Skipping is awesome, plain and simple. I grabbed the 9 ft. rope and took it outside. By the third minute I was wide-awake. I must admit by minute 5 a little sweat gathered at the temples and by minute 10 we (the rope and I) were officially working out. The beauty of skipping is that by minute 15 you're knee deep in the middle of it. The legs, particularly calves get worked and the heart rate is up. Skipping also gets the shoulders to some degree plus the core must be held tight. Add to this skipping requires an aspect of coordination as well.

Boxers do a huge amount of skipping and not just to warm up. Footwork is a huge component of what a boxer needs in his/her toolbox and skipping is a great way to get it. It helps with rhythm and timing. We all know that Mohammed Ali could sting like a bee but how do you think he was able to float like a butterfly?

After my quick 20 I hit the showers and was energized for the rest of the day. Fatigue had been cancelled--mission accomplished. I encourage all of you to work skipping into your workouts but not necessarily all workouts. It's far less ballistic than jogging making it easier on the knee and ankle joints. If you're just starting out you'll probably jump too high and tire quickly. That's ok just keep working at it and before long that rope will barely slide under those sneaks of yours. If you find it monotonous pop in your fave playlist and skip to my loo my darlin'.

For more info stop by: jbthefitnessguy.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Oil Of Oregano...Nature's Miracle Herb

Last year when I felt a cold coming on I visited my local Whole Foods and searched for a staff member who from their outward appearance had the look of someone that truly believed in the powers of the natural products he or she sold. I didn't want to speak with some Cat in his early twenties with his pants half off who looked like his only desire would be to get back home to his 'call of duty' video game.

A lovely woman with a British accent by the name or (Gwen we'll call her). Was the perfect mark. When I told her I wanted something natural and hard-hitting to knock the cold into oblivion, Gwen didin't hesitate a lick in recommending oil of oregano. She told me that oil of O' kills unwanted bacteria, fungus, yeast, parasites and viruses. I was all in, besides its an herb I enjoy cooking with anyway.

I responded, "Well, I'm not sure that I've got all of that going on but let's give 'er a try." I went home, followed the instructions and two days later I was where I needed to be. The cold never took hold, Ha! As a result I swear by it. I decided to troll around websites hither and yon and found that there is an even bigger endorser than me. Dr. Cass Ingram wrote a book entitled 'The Cure Is In The Cupboard'

And this good doctor claims that oil of O has more than 170 amazing uses to it. Some of those being: aid in the curing of athletes foot, psoriasis, eczema, worms, sinusitis, dandruff, diaper rash, venomous bites, bee stings. It can reduce fever, relieve cramps, and slow down mumps and measles. Holy dinah what a miracle drug of nature! This blogger has not tested the over 170 uses the good doctor claims but heck if half of them are true...

Ancient Greeks used the natural elixir to relieve infection related illnesses and diseases. See what's happening here? This is an example of when society needs to go back-to move forward. Oil of oregano is gaining popularity with holistic types as well as the everyday joe as we are tiring of antibiotics and their side effects, cost and not-entirely-reliable factor.

Please note that I am not a doctor nor can I claim the 170 plus uses Dr. Ingram claims but this jazz knocked the cold out of me like Mohammed Ali used to knock his opponents down back in the day.