May 28, 2020May 28, 2020

If your knowledge is ego-driven, you will never reach nutritional enlightenment

Do you already know what to eat?

I have noticed a very common cycle for people who are trying to improve their bodies by letting go of excess weight.

They know that if they just eat a certain way, then they will deserve the outcome of weight loss.

There are two issues with this. The first is that they think they already know, which leaves no room for the unknown to reveal itself. The second issue is that they become too attached to the outcome instead of becoming fully immersed in the process.

If your cup is already full, then how will you receive the wisdom of the ancients? You must first empty your cup.

Nutritional enlightenment involves at least three layers of your being.

I will briefly introduce these three layers and expand upon them in future articles.

1. Your subconscious and deeper primal processes.

We can categorize this as that which you are not consciously aware of, but acts as a compelling force nonetheless.

2. Your conscious thoughts that you are actively aware of.

These are the thoughts and feelings going through your mind that are most visible or readily identifiable. While these are extremely important parts of our reality, we may focus on it too much or even drown in toxic ideas that influence us away from supporting our deepest needs.

3. Our social selves and how we physically interact with the world.

I can think of other ways to guide us than being ego-driven. Perhaps we can be soul-driven or others-driven. While the ego is necessary for individuals in order to operate in this world, never lose sight of the fact that every single thing in the universe is connected. I believe that most nutritional problems that people face are due to a disconnect with the nature of life and living things.

You have the opportunity to absorb the vital forces of plants and living things on a daily basis, rather a privilege! You can honor the sacrifice by intentionally directing your energy towards the healing process (whether individually, community, or globally).

And…

YOU can manifest a life of wellness and abundance!

Fall in love with the process and let go of attachment to outcome.

I think a reason why I haven’t been updating the blog enough is because I have been focused on outcome. I want this blog to reach a million views, I want this blog to change people’s lives, I want this blog to one day support me financially. To be honest, while those outcomes would be positive, I feel an anxiety about whether I am even capable or worthy of it. Yet, I feel drawn to something compelling about helping others through this channel.

The process is about what we have now in this moment and every part of the process should be honored and respected. Failures are not failures, they are feedback and opportunities for regrowth. Maybe we need to hurt today so that we can love tomorrow.

I just know that there are unlimited possibilities, but we’ll only have this moment once.

Are you on the path to nutritional enlightenment?

I’d love if you followed the blog and made a comment about something that resonated with you.

Stay tuned for more.

May 27, 2020May 28, 2020

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5 Mindsets of Elite Runners

Running is extremely important right now.

There are so many excuses to quit.

Heavy breathing, burning quads and the possibility for injury?

Please, explain the importance of running so that I can go out and expose myself to these uncomfortable forces for the greater good.

1. Running is freedom.

Take a moment to appreciate that you have the capacity to bipedal your way through this life as many others have not been offered such privilege or have had it taken away from them.

Arizona. OTF class, 2013.

While running, there is freedom to express one’s authentic spirit and to traverse the gravitational vibes of Earth’s divine presence. I seek unlimited. With this comes the mindset that allows for inclusion and transformation of any and all things.

2. Running expands the mind, not just the body.

It is a mistake to try and think less while running, unless that’s working for you now.

I think it is better to open the mind to the possibility of greater rhythm and flow.

You can really feel the energy flowing through your body this way, especially as you run tall, elbows back and behind, engaging the core, lifting knees high off the ground, and kick back with excellent glute activation.

3. Realize that the question is more important than the answer.

Maybe, let go of telling your body what to do and do more about asking about what it can do.

For example, instead of saying, “I need to run faster, I can’t do this, it hurts,” perhaps it should be more like, “what is the deeper motivational reason to keep going?” “how centered or heart-focused am I right now, can I lift my chest a little higher? “does this effort bring me genuine, healthy pride?”

I don’t mean to be rude here, but the only reason average runners stay average is because they aren’t willing to go deeper. Going deeper means confronting vulnerable areas of your psyche. While we are all vulnerable, nobody is truly average so keep reading on.

4. Energy intake must have meaning.

When I speak of energy in this case, I am referring to the type of energy you put in your mouth.

Yes, food. Elite runners understand the importance of good nutrition.

Everything has a symbolic and spiritual nature.

First, let us expand on the idea of, to have meaning. This word has been used for over 700 years and it relates strongly to, “sense.” Additionally, “the act of remembering,” and, “that which is intended to be expressed.”

Energy that is devoid of meaning has been stripped of its essence. It can be argued that it has lost some vital force that once gave it more meaning. The isolation of energy from purpose has stripped too many people of their health. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many gut issues may arise because the foundational pillars of healthy normal function have crumbled.

Meaningless food example: refined sugar.

Refined sugar has been stripped of its original meaning which it was once symbolized by its plant form.

Now, take me back to my trip in Colombia, where I sipped on fresh raw sugarcane juice. Here, you have a different nutritional reality because the enzymes and other vital forces remain active in a fresh juice form. That’s not to say it was without a, “con,” as I’m sure it still raised my blood sugar more than needed.

Colombia inspired my nutritional adventures by offering me fresh raw sugarcane juice on this scenic lake.

Rule of thumb: food should be recognizable to its original form.

I will go on much deeper into the DNA of healthy nutrition later, so stay tuned for that.

5. Recover.

I have a belief that survival is a deeper value than longevity. That is perhaps one reason why some people keep running day in, day out, even with nagging pains that they’re neglecting. Caution: even though pain often comes from a nagging area in the body, there are likely deeper imbalances that must be addressed.

Furthermore, boundaries must be set with relationships to yourself and others. I have been guilty of prioritizing my exercise and offering less time for other people in my life. This is an area that I am trying to improve upon.

You can be extraordinary if your mindset allows for freedom.

Thank you, person on the internet. Please follow the blog and interact with me in the comments.

Body Composition disease prevention Fat Loss Fitness Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Power of the Mind Sports & Athletics

May 14, 2020

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Beyond Logic: Why your Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Nutrition, Health, Eating, and Dieting Goals Must Have a Spiritual Component

If weight loss was as simple as basic arithmetic, calories would be the only information that you needed.

Nutrition is full of layers upon layers from the human aspect to understandings of energy transfer throughout the universe. If fat loss was as simple as calories in vs calories out, humans wouldn’t be facing the unprecedented obesity epidemic of 2020s.

Obesity itself isn’t even the problem. What lies beneath obesity and excess can also be found in normal weight people as well. The problems are:

Metabolic disease including diabetes etc.
Inflammatory processes dangerously overactive for a period of years. (dysfunction and eventual scarring)
Toxic relationships with food and a highly detached and simultaneously capitalistic (exploitative) food supply chain.

You need guidance in order to delay instant gratification and to gain protection from succumbing to the temptations of excess.

Learning how to have a healthy relationship with food is not an isolated activity that one can simply switch on from day to day. It is important to look at food as more than just energy.

I am very interested in the essence of that which we consume. Perhaps you would benefit from a broader definition of energy than just a measure of heat or work done within a period of time.

Because we have our energy needs met, we need to look at food in two ways: as a source of wisdom/information and a source of material to create our cells.

We have an amazing capacity to access the wisdom of food. I’ll give you some examples:

Cooking to make nutrients more bioavailable
Cooking to reduce anti-nutrients such as the lectins on kidney beans (never eat raw kidney beans)
Cooking to kill / deactivate potential pathogens
Fermentation methods to increase the biological value of food (bacteria such as lactobacilli in sauerkraut)
Fermentation to increase enzyme activity (catalysts for biological processes)
Fermentation to deactivate natural plant defenses and/or toxins
And more…

Of course there are many foods that are perfect raw such as avocado or blueberries.

We also have great methods of food preservation in our refrigeration units, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE TO NOT PLAN AHEAD.

One day, you will realize your own natural intuition about food. Until then, you need a plan, framework, or some sort of guiding knowledge to help you make progress through your mistakes.

Here are my own personal reasons to have a spiritual component in my nutrition.

1. At the beginning of the universe, there was darkness and there was light.

If we are to believe the Big Bang theory, then every person likely shares a star as a common ancestor. To say that we came from the stars is basically factual knowledge in astrophysics and quantum mechanics.

In essence, nutrition has far more depth and layers than science can ever show. My goal is to illuminate some of these darker areas in our understanding so that we can make progress forward instead of dying from disease of modern times.

2. Light nourishes us, but it can also burn us, therefore a balance must be sought after.

Energy balance obviously is the key to healthy weight. It is important to accept the offerings of nourishment while also protecting yourself from that which causes disease.

I’ll give you a practical example of protection within nutrition:

Red meat is carcinogenic, but if you eat kimchi with garlic along with it, it is possible to protect yourself from the cancer causing chemicals.

3. Don’t just eat for yourself: Eat for your future generation, eat for your ancestors who never had the opportunity to indulge, and eat for the people around you.

Eating for the future generation is about reducing the risk of intergenerational trauma and helping your children reach their potential. High quality foods containing a variety of antioxidants will help your sperm or eggs maintain integrity.

Eating for your ancestors is honoring the long and arduous journey to get here. And what I mean by here is that we live in an environment of relative food security. In fact, most of us have abundance and excess. Be thankful for these offerings.

Eating for the people around you is about setting a great example and inspiring others. It’s okay to have weak moments because your vulnerabilities should be seen as an advantage. At the same time, when you are capable of strength through healthy nutrition, it will be like a cloud of inspiration that gently sprinkles purity of motivation on those around you.

4. The human spirit may be pure, but without nourishment of the physical body, the output can become corrupt.

In one of my favorite home school classes, we watched Star Wars. The lesson at the end is that while an entity is seemingly pure evil, there is still good inside everybody.

My theory on why so many powerful people have become corrupt is that they lack nourishment. Of course the nourishment they lack could be in the form of emotions or other ways. Just think though, if you are constantly eating processed food, then you will constantly have high inflammation, and then over time parts of your body will begin to degrade, rot, or scar.

I believe many corrupt people have experienced scarring in parts of their brains or nerves from a lifetime of poor nourishment (or anti-nourishment like refined sugar, alcohol, etc). Some of these people will be the crazies you see on the street, while others will be the crazies that you read about in the history books (Hitler comes to mind).

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I believe that deep down, even the spirit of Hitler still had light within.

Nutrition is one very important way that we can protect ourselves from evil forces. Don’t become a Hitler. Eat your vegetables.

5. Everything is interconnected AND the universe is accelerating.

The universe is accelerating, meaning that galaxies are moving away from each other at a faster rate and in some cases maybe moving towards eachother at a faster pace. I see this as a metaphor for humanity and the acceleration of technology.

We are moving faster towards something. Will you sit back, eat junk, and accept your fate?

Or will you take a stand for yourself and fulfill your destiny?

I hope this nourishes your spirit in some way so that you can gain daily motivation towards nutritional enlightenment.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned. Follow the blog, please.

Blog & Personality disease prevention Fat Loss Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Power of the Mind Weightloss Now

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020

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Transforming your 2020 Body through Global Fitness Science

Recently, our studio launched the OTF transformation challenge 2020.

The challenge is in its second of eight weeks and it encourages healthy behavior through workout frequency and recovery.

Throwback pic at the studio after a sweaty workout

I am always interested in what Orangetheory shares with people.

Just the other day, Dr. Rachelle Reed, Director of Global Fitness Science at Orangetheory Fitness, had some responses related to the Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge 2020.

Five Quotes about Fitness Science from OTF Director:

“Starting on the floor (rower) can be beneficial if your main goal is improving strength; that way, you can prioritize great form with a heavier load during the floor block!”

Prioritize great form with heavier loads. Develop that high quality, long-lasting, balanced muscle tone to give you opportunities for freedom.

“Helping members improve their health behaviors is the main point of the Transformation Challenge.”

We invite people to consume foods in the colors of a rainbow and post pictures of beautiful nutrient rich meals for the other supportive people in the Facebook group.

“Check into your nutrition pre- and post-workout to make sure you are fueling your body properly!”

If you are struggling with energy and recovery, you should definitely consider pre and post-workout. I almost take it for granted myself since I experimented with so many supplements through vendor gifts. In case you’re wondering, my favorite energizer for coaching and for morning and working out has to be Matcha + Chlorella. I just love the smooth energy and how it impacts my cognitive and metabolic function.

“We expect our members to lose 1-3% body fat over an 8-12 week period! Of course, this depends on so many factors – like what you eat, how active you are, your sleep quality and quantity, etc.”

Okay, let me share my honest opinion here while supporting OTF at the same time. I think she is referring to the average of members, they will lose 1-3% body fat over an 8-12 week period.

This may be true for average. Average, you are not!

May you transform magnificently! If you really need something, you will find the way. The truth is that recovery is the key to transformation. Workouts need to be challenging and varied, while recovery is the other 23 hours.

If you aren’t getting the result, believe that something might need to change.

With nutrition and rest, seven weeks is plenty of time to make a difference.

Besides, even if you lose 0% body fat, but you still did high intensity workouts 3x per week consistently, that still counts for some success as it benefits health, fitness, and longevity!

“The American College of Sports Medicine, recommend that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week plus at least 2 days of strength training on all major muscle groups, in order to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. But, there is a dose response relationship, so a bit more (like 300 minutes and 3 days of strength training) can have slightly better benefits associated. This translates to about 3 classes of OTF a week, plus [everyday active movement]”

I think, “3 days of strength training,” would represent nearly three hours of strength training. Most people can agree that Orangetheory does not provide that amount of strength training per three Orange 60’s. Therefore, it could be beneficial to perform more strength exercises at home or a convenient location.

Maybe you could do some slow and controlled push-ups at home just before you eat a meal. Try to get a nice pump in your chest, shoulders, and triceps with a slow and controlled push up where you actually feel each and every muscle fiber contracting. Even two or three sets of 5-15 push ups a few times a week can make a big difference.

A lot of people have random weights or implements at home that they can use for bicep curls or exercise bands for glute bridges and deep burn in the glute muscles.

I love great workouts!

I often want to give people heavier loads just by putting weight in their area.

I do think the key to gaining strength at OTF is to be pro-active about your own challenges.

Try to eliminate as many muscular imbalances as possible.

Hope you found this useful.

Make sure to follow the blog for updates.

Shoutout to all of the OTF people that I’ve come in contact with over the years and to the people reading now!

Nourish up!

Body Composition Fat Loss Fitness Orangetheory Seattle

February 5, 2018

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Stair Climbing for Rapid Fat Loss?

How often do you take the stairs? Did you know that stair climbing is one of the safest, most effective ways to make fitness gains and burn fat fast?

Stair Climbing is one of the safest, most effective workouts available for urban dwellers.

If I ever move into a high rise building, I would probably stair climb almost every day because it’s that sustainable. When I stair climb with my clients in various buildings, I end up burning more fat from my own body than what I even expected. My cardiovascular system made some serious improvements when I started to incorporate stair climbing into my life and now I am a strong advocate for stair climbing.

Climb up the stairs, take the elevator down.

One of the reasons that stair climbing up a building is so sustainable is that it’s very unlikely that you’ll experience any soreness from the activity since there is little-to-no eccentric portion of movement. It’s different if you have to go outside and return down the stairs because the downhill part is often what gets your calves and knees a bit more sore (tear down of muscles and other tissue). Of course you’ll get a lot of benefits from stairs outside, but there is just something unique about being able to climb a tall building and take the elevator down. You’ll recover way faster and it won’t impede other activities or training goals. Lots of benefit without the soreness.

Throwback to my first Big Climb

Disease prevention.

Because stair climbing is SO good for the heart and because there are many WELL KNOWN benefits of moderate-high intensity exercise, there is a good chance that regular stair climbing can help with healthy aging and longevity. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that I’m not just passionate about fitness, I also care deeply about disease prevention and healthy aging. I’ve met too many people and I’ve had too many people in my life who have suffered through illness, sickness, and disease and I don’t believe it’s their fault — I do believe that we can do something about it though!

Give your body a reason to keep going.

As I mentioned earlier, I have many other motivations to take care of myself aside from “looking the part” for my career as a fitness professional. First of, I’ve experienced moments in my life when my body has let me down and caused me great distress along with emotional pain. Secondly, I have worked with people who have experienced all different types of ailments that I realized there’s no point trying to prevent one disease; you need to make effort to prevent ALL disease. The funny thing is that when you live a lifestyle that is truly about disease prevention, you end up feeling better about yourself AND burning more potentially harmful fat off of your body.

My very first Big Climb team

It’s okay to run out of excuses.

I am constantly fighting my own desire for comfort in order to make forward progress. My own meaning of purpose in life and my value to other people manifests from the knowledge and experience that I have and also my relatability — I struggle too. When I look at my experiences, I’ve noticed that in times when I am experiencing the most pain and discomfort are the times that I have made the most growth. I truly believe in disease prevention and I truly believe in the cure. It’s not just about personality responsibility, folks. We’re all in this together.

If my mission has moved you, consider contributing to my Big Climb 2018 fight to cure Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Click to give your support.

Dre Fitness is back. My readership of the blog has grown even though I haven’t been as active lately tells me that people appreciate the content that I create. I can only imagine how many people I can reach if I just stay consistent with content creation while continuing to be as authentic and genuine as I can be. Stay tuned for more!

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