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Is Chronic Inflammation holding you back?

Chronic Inflammation is the pre-cursor to disease and insult to the organ system

To experience chronic inflammation, one need only go so far to consume the SAD (Standard American Diet) on a regular basis. Fast food restaurants come to mind. Soda is quite possibly the most anti-fat loss thing people consume regularly. Not only does soda erode oral health, it also causes the bones to leech minerals as an attempt to balance the pH of the system. The acidity mixed with sugar also put stress on the pancreas and liver.

To make things even worse, the quick delivery of all that sugar into the gut tends to feed the harmful, opportunistic bacteria. Then you have serious gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) and more and more research has shown that obese people share similar gut bacteria.

It’s about the organs, dummy.

Nah, you’re not weak of mind. You understand that eating healthy is of vital importance to making gains in fitness.

This guy ate veggies today.

This guy ate veggies today.

You can’t get rid of your past

The more years one has eaten poorly and not taken care of themselves, the more effort it will require to re-balance the body. Your lifestyle must change, is changing, or has changed in order to reach a healthier state — a fitter body. Learn from mistakes and be humble because food has power over all of us.

Antioxidants: Healing Power on Daily Basis

Wow, to think that we can consume natural foods and promote the wellness from within our own vessel. I can’t go a day without eating at least something of color. The greatest nutrient density and antioxidant power will make itself known through resilience and hues of the rainbow.

Healthy picnic at the park

Healthy picnic at the park

Promote Healthy Inflammation Regularly with Nutrition

We need a certain amount of inflammation in the right areas at the right times, balanced anywhere around the body. To do that, we have to eat healthy foods — ideally the healthiest foods on the planet.

There is access to some of the world’s healthiest foods in nearly every grocery store in America. It’s usually fresh. It may have distinct colors. It could be pungent, bitter, sweet, sour, or rich and delectable. Natural markets and delis are literally goldmines for the latest new, health trends combined with traditional healing knowledge from all parts of the world (often in the form of herbal extracts or educational products).

Extremely high nutrient density found in this fresh Carrot/Beet/Ginger/Parsley juice and Wheatgrass shot.

Extremely high nutrient density found in this fresh Carrot/Beet/Ginger/Parsley juice and Wheatgrass shot.

The truth is that we should aim to have a healthy relationship with food — being natural food. This is how you can get a fit body, beyond discussion of calories and macronutrients. Beyond basic calculations. Nothing can make up for the pure antioxidant power of healthy natural food. Eat well my friends.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now
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Core values for Fitness, Health, and Training

In the absence or presence of any experience, your core values will always be there.

I believe it is the core value of a person who is able to push forward under pain and stress.

It is the core value of a person to realize the truth of failure and then ascend to even greater heights.

It is the core value of a person to commit to their goals and hold themselves accountable.

For strength trainers, the core value manifests physically

You feel more powerful as the body realizes greater potential. The changes can be found in the tendons, ligaments, muscular elements, mineralization of bone, endocrine efficiency improvements, and energy systems adaptation. There is little vanity in seeking to become a better version of yourself.

Workouts can be fun!!

“ya I’m feeling good ’bout myself”

Lessons learned from intense training should carryover to mental toughness

We push ourselves in the gym not because we are afraid of the outcome, but because we embrace it. Either move forward or start dying because I don’t want to live a life without meaning. Intensity later balanced by harmony and back to intensity.

Raw strength has been valuable in nearly all cultures throughout time. As you become capable of performing heavy work through multiple planes of motion, you gain strength both inner and outer.

The struggles of life are best faced with strong core values, because no matter the outcome you strive to rise above it.

 

Power of the Mind
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Barbell Squat is ‘Ol Faithful’ for realizing Results!

Ask any serious weight trainer…

Which exercise has the following benefits?

  • Builds strength throughout the entire body
  • Activates core in synergy with hips and spine
  • Burns fat and promotes lean muscle
  • Supports a balanced, athletic physique
  • Works for nearly every healthy individual
The old fashion tried and true Squat.
It doesn’t matter what kind of squat you do, because there are so many variations that work. (Bulgarian split squat, pistol squats, skater squats, back squats, front squats, full squats, sissy squats, you name it!!)
Just Squat.
Physical Fitness by Dre
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Top 9 Resources for Strength, Conditioning, Fat-Loss, and Muscle

I’m no guru — just passionate about the pursuit of strength.

There are a lot of valuable resources on the web, so I’m going to take a moment to point some out.

1. Testosterone Nation: T-nation.com

This is the primary website that I have followed over the years. It has a strong base in bodybuilding, but also provides significant resources for athletic training, powerlifting, nutrition, and all things related to Strength and Conditioning.

The magazine has new posts regularly and a library of archived posts with information that can take your training to the next level. It is funded by the Biotest supplement company, but the free content makes the advertisements worth it.

It is definitely geared towards men, as some of the articles have scantily clad women, but the majority of the content provides superior information.

2. EliteFts.com

Elite fitness training systems is a Powerlifting website. It is run by some of the biggest baddest powerlifters in the country. They sell a wide array of high quality training equipment and provide good business practice. I have spent hundreds here on strength training tools (dip belt, blast straps, fat grip, etc) I have been very pleased with the results.

The articles are written by coaches, powerlifters, and personal trainers.

3. Crossfit resources

Crossfit has been highly influential in the “people who train for purpose” scene. They are very in tune with exercise physiology and nutrition. While the intensity of some of their workouts may or may not be safe for certain individuals, people who are serious about taking their training to the next level will appreciate the value that crossfit has to offer.

Some of the articles written for crossfit have been a fantastic inspiration for me, especially relating to lifts such as the Turkish Get Up and many more.

4. DragonDoor

This is a mainly a strength based website strongly influenced by kettlebell training. Flexibility, power, and strength resources are what you will find here. Keep in mind that most kettlebell exercises can be done with a dumbell or barbell as well. The training philosophy provided will help you become a strong, tough athlete with a lot of power, endurance, and injury prevention.

5. Power Athletes Magazine

At Power Athletes Magazine, you will find everything from modern day gymnastics training to techniques of old time strongmen. All of these training methods apply significantly to the development of strength and power.

6. Beast Skills

If you want to be a badass, you need Beast Skills. This is authored by a guy who is super passionate about strength and provides very valuable resources on how to develop the strength and skill to achieve amazing feats with your body.

7. Iron Magazine

This is a bodybuilding website, but I’ve found that there is a lot of valuable content for anyone in the weightlifting scene. You will find exercises, routines, and discussions about all things related to the iron game.

8. Strong Lifts

Authored by another passionate, knowledgeable writer, this site has evolved from a simple blog into a hub for safe and effective weight training. You will find great resources on technique with videos, effective exercise programs, and nutritional information. For a real focus-on-the-basics about weightlifting, you need to check this site out.

9. ExRx.net

With a huge exercise database containing videos showing proper technique, you can also learn a lot about muscular anatomy, physiology, and everything else related to strength training. This is an extremely valuable resource that is simple and easy to navigate.

The knowledge is out there, its your choice to seek it.

I want to say that my knowledge of strength training is very strong, but even I know I have lots to learn. I hope that the resources I have provided for you will help you gain greater perspective and inspiration.

You haven’t reached your potential yet, and if you’ve plateau’d — you just need to learn more and apply it.

Good luck!

Physical Fitness by Dre Sports & Athletics
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How to use a Weighted Vest for Accelerated Fat Loss Results

Does anyone use a Weight Vest?

Many individuals and organizations recognize the benefits of using a Weighted Vest.

  • Football teams
  • Fire Fighters

They have to be ready at any time.

  • Infantry
  • Basketball players
  • Olympic athletes
  • People seeking the best results in least time

The Benefits of Weighted Vests

All of the benefits derive from the fact that you are carrying an additional load, and therefore the body is stressed to adaptation.

1. Burn TONS of calories. FAT LOSS MANIA?

It increases metabolic rate both during and after activity. More importantly, you can burn tons of calories from FAT. If being lean and conditioned is your goal, a Vest will help.

2. Improved Core Strength

The core is more than a place where you find Six Pack abs. Actually, a strong core is necessary for the good kind of force and power in sport. Aside from that, core strength is related to the health of other joints in the body (in particular your lower back). Did I mention abs?

3. Enhanced Bone Density with Regular Use

This is exciting to me! The proof is out there — people who regularly engage in load bearing activities can make improvements in bone density. It’s important for people of all ages to promote a healthy skeletal system.

Using a Weighted Vest

Training with a weighted vest is all about your goals. For people in high level athletics, you should seek out resources beyond the scope of this blog. But for Fat Loss friends, read on.

My Weighted Vest Fat Loss Strategy

Goal: Increase overall physical condition and decrease body fat % in a sustainable way.

Plan:

  1. Take a morning 2.5 mile walk at least three times a week.
  2. Empty stomach aka “fasted cardio” to maximize body fat as a source of metabolic energy.
  3. But I will consume an amino acid supplement (BCAA’s) in order to preserve lean mass.
  4. Stop by Starbucks to get caffeinated.
  5. Finish the 2.5 mile walk and consume morning breakfast before work.
Discussion:

Ready to roll!

  • A 270 lb man burns 350+ calories during this trip.
  • That is how much I weigh with the vest on.
  • With two months of usage, the vest alone could burn 3 lbs of body fat, not even considering nutrition.
  • If the Vest actually boosts metabolic rate beyond standard calculations, the fat loss should be greater.

This is an investment in pure conditioning.

Everything I do with the Vest will make me more efficient and powerful without it. This is taking it to the next level. Stay tuned for more…

Physical Fitness by Dre Sports & Athletics Weightloss Now