Archive for the ‘Health and Fitness’ Category
Getting fit after the holidays!
I’ve been thinking about getting my shit together for a while and getting myself into shape. Motivated in part by the articles David Corder owner of the Perfect Fit Wellness Center has provided us, what better time than to tie it in with the whole New Year resolution thing – something I don’t normally do as nobody ever seems to make them stick – including myself! However, this time I’m damn well going to do it – and in order to make myself look a complete ass if I don’t (and thus provide some motivation) I intend to do it publicly on here… Warts and all if necessary!
As someone who used to be a nightclub bouncer, visit the gym regular, spend their vacations walking up and down mountains, a martial artist (Judo and Thai Boxing), and squash player three times a week I’ve really let myself go over the past 6 or 7 years – it’s like I never did all that! Read the rest of this entry »
The culture of overeating – a survival guide
Certain foods are powerful.
They cast a spell over the most well-meaning dieter, and cause logical people to overeat until their sides hurt.
They occupy your thoughts to the point of obsession as you try to ignore a plate of cookies.
And when it’s all said and done, they accumulate on your body in the most obtrusive way as a result of dozens of unused calories.
Why does food hold such power? And, most importantly, how can you control your eating?
The End of Overeating
David A. Kessler, MD set out to answer these pressing questions in his instant bestseller, The End of Overeating. Despite being a pediatrician, a former FDA commissioner, and former dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Kessler struggles with his weight.
Observing the current obesity epidemic, he knew that he wasn’t alone.
Dr. Kessler, with the insight of some of the brightest minds in medicine and science, discovered the following three reasons that most of us are compelled to overeat. Read the rest of this entry »
Forms of Martial Arts
Martial Arts come in different forms and they are not only confined to Kung-fu or Taekwondo, which is popularized a lot in television and the movies. You would be surprised to know that certain forms of fighting are also called martial arts. To learn and practice martial arts, one should be well equipped with the proper supplies.
Martial arts have different origins. The term “Martial” is derived from the Roman god of war named “Mars”. Martial Arts simply mean “the art of war”. Although most people think that martial arts only came from the Asian cultures, it is also found in America and Europe. Martial arts feature a type of combat system that has codes within a single objective of physically defeating a person.
Aside from this, it is mainly used for self-defense against any bodily harm. Some martial arts techniques are actually based on a spiritual or religious philosophy such as Aikido and Judo. This is while others base it on a certain code of honor such as fencing. Hence, martial arts techniques are being practiced as a form of combat sports and some in the form of dance.
Thus, regardless of where the art originated, they have similarities with one another. Each style has a systematized fighting style. They even have forms and routines when they do sparring, which is practiced either alone or with a partner. Martial arts are grouped in a way that each style will focus on a certain area.
Below is a list of samples for each group:
Grappling
- Throwing – Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo
- Joint Lock – Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Hapkido
- Pinning Techniques – Wrestling, Judo
Striking
- Punching – Boxing (Western style), Wing Chun
- Kicking – Capoeira, Savate, Taekwondo
- Other Strikes – Muay thai, Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu
Weapons
- Traditional Weaponry – Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, Kali
- Modern Weaponry – Eskrima, Jogo do pau, Jukendo
Is it your fault?
Whose fault is it that you’re out of shape?
If you go by what you hear in diet ads then you believe that it’s anyone’s fault but yours.
The big diet companies think that if they put the blame on you, then you wouldn’t buy their bogus pills. So they put the blame on your cortisol levels, your modern diet (ie fast food), or your busy schedule instead of where it belongs – which is squarely on your shoulders.
Sure, you have obstacles that get in your way – your schedule, your job, your kids, the weather, your knee injury from college…but ultimately you have the body that you accept.
I’m going to repeat that so it will really sink in.
You have the body that you accept.
Embracing the blame for your current weight is not a bad thing – it’s empowering. Think about it. If it really wasn’t your fault, if it really was due to a long list of variables that you have zero control over, then you’d be stuck. You’d have no way to change.
The Secret Behind ‘Before and After’ Pictures
Allow me to pull back the curtain for you on something that the diet industry doesn’t want you to know. You’ve seen countless before and after pictures documenting weight loss as a result of a diet product. Well, there is more involved than just the diet product, and it’s the same across the board. Read the rest of this entry »

