The Acquittal of a Hero

Unless you have lived as a hermit for the past 5 years, you have probably heard of the latest doping scandals in sports. Many a legend have been defamed after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Among these legends is baseball All Star Roger Clemens.

Roger Clemens is a man of a high reputation. Being an 11 time All-Star is only one of many accolades that he owns, he still holds records in the MLB that remain unbroken. Not only that, he and i have many things in common. He is from Dayton, OH; i grew up in Ohio. He grew up in Houston; I was born in Houston. And to make it even more weird, our birthdays are only a day apart! He was born August 4th and i was born on the 5th. Alas, that is were the similarities cease. He’s a legendary pitcher and i was only an exceptional bats man.........excuse me. I went off on a tangent there.


In 2010, Clemens was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of Congress. This indictment was followed by his first trial which came on July 13, 2011. This trial was deemed a mistrial by the judge, however, due to the use of inadmissible evidence. Shortly after the mistrial, Clemens was then retried. It wasn’t until yesterday, June 18, 2012 that Clemens can finally breathe a breath of relieve after being acquitted of all charges. Following the trial Clemens made a statement that “It has been a long five years.” For him, this couldn’t be more true.

The wave of incidents that involve performance enhancement drugs has been quite controversial, especially in baseball. Some would say that if it were not for the fact that players were starting to hit Home Runs more often then baseball might not even still be around. Indeed, baseball was starting to see a significant decline in ticket sales and it saw an incredible spike in ticket sales at the onset of steroid usage in the MLB. In perspective of those numbers, one might believe that fans actually wanted the players to use these drugs, this is not the case. Hopefully no other legends of sports will face dishonor at the hands of steroids. Though Clemens has been involved in this trial, many feel that since he has now been acquitted then he may finally be able to join many of MLB’s legends in the hall of fame. It is still too early to tell, but I hope that he can reap the rewards of his determination to prove his innocence and take his rightful place in the immortality of the hall.

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Three Great Moves for Increasing Speed

Speed is one of those things that seems to only come to the 'gifted'. It seems that only some individuals with great genes have it and everyone else is condemned to staring at the behind of the fastest man in the race. I myself am very fast. My father can run like the wind and my mother was a bit of a speedster in her heyday as well. But that can't be the only reason right? As I figured, there is a way to improve your speed through the proper training. This type of training is called plyometric training


Here are three plyometric moves that you can add to your lower body routine to make you speed ahead of the competition:




Plyometric Box Jumps
How to perform:

1. Stand on top of a bench or platform
2. Step off of the platform and land with both feet
3. As soon as you land, explode upwards into a vertical jump

Tips:
Start with a small box, you can always increase it's height as you get better. To make sure that the box that you have chosen is the right size, note how much your knees bend when you step off of the platform. If your knees bend past 45 degrees then the box is too high. Allow as little time as possible in contact with the floor. When you jump, explode through the balls of your feet and use your arms to generate upward force. Aim for a soft landing by landing on the balls of your feet.

                                                       How to Perform Depth Jumps


Vertical Jumps
How to perform:

1. Stand with your feet hip width apart
2. Bend your knees and keep your torso upright
3. Explosively jump upwards
4. Wait 30 seconds then repeat

Tips: 

Keep your torso upright during the entire move. Use your arms to generate upward force and explode through the balls of your feet. Land softly and quietly. 

Planks

Yes, this is a core move, but your core is just as important to your vertical as your legs.

How to perform:

1. Assume a pushup position in the UP position
2. Either use a stop watch or have your trainer time you
3. Hold this position for the desired time

Tips:

When holding this position, the most important part is to breathe. Pull your navel towards your spine and engage your abs. Keep your body in a straight line from ears to feet. 

Perform these plyometric moves after your lower body resistance routine. In six to 12 weeks you will see evident improvements in your vertical explosiveness. 

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Natural Remedy for a Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infections are  a common discomfort in women. Ten to 20 percent of all women will suffer a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at least once a year.


There are several causes of UTI's: Sexual intercourse, dehydration, spermicide, and a history of UTI's all increase your risk for a recurring infecton


Usually, a natural remedy is very effective in the treatment of a bladder infection and will prevent a recurring infection. Check with your doctor first and rule out any serious causes that must be treated with traditional medicine.


One of the more well known treatments for a UTI is to drink plenty of cranberry juice, sixteen ounces a day is all that is needed in order to cure a UTI in a small amount of time., Cranberry juice is effective because it prevents the build up of E. Coli on the lining of the bladder and urethra. Some also believe that it is effective because of the acidity it builds up in the urine.

Outside of cranberries, there are more powerful methods of treating a UTI. Staphysagria, a bluish purple flower that grows in Europe and Asia is a very powerful and common remedy for a bladder infection. Though poisonous when they are raw, staphysagria has healing properties when they are prepared in a tea like form. They have healing properties that some have been utilized for centuries. Another effective remedy is the bear berry. Named for it's popularity with bears, the bear berry leafs can be used for a very effective treatment for a UTI as well. Though these naturopathic remedies are historically effective, they can be hard to find the ingredients for. Some supplements serve as an excellent substitute for these remedies and are equally effective. 




Again, if you are not sure of what course to take, consult your physician and ask if he knows of any natural remedies that he prefers. If he doesn't, then ask him for a number of someone who does.




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How to Protect Your Skin During the Summer

It is that time of year again, the mercury keeps climbing, the days are getting longer, and the warmth outside makes you want to bask in the sun. When you do, make sure that you protect yourself with the proper sun screen. Sun screen has an effectiveness only up to SPF 50, anything above that does not actually provide any extra protection and it is typically more expensive.

Another concern during the summer is keeping the skin moisturized. Lotion is a good solution but it typically washes off after just a little while of sweating. Another alternative is baby oil, but it is typically heavy and may make your hands feel oily. The perfect solution for the nuances of summer moisturizing is olive oil.

Olive oil is a light and natural oil that is perfect for the skin. When thoroughly rubbed in, it absorbs in the skin giving it a youthful shine without the slip and mess of typical oils. It contains a significant amount of vitamin E as well, which is very beneficial for the skin both internally and topically. Vitamin E is very beneficial in combating the effects of sun damage because it repairs the damaged skin cells. Damaged skin cells will lead to a yellowish skin tone or tan, which you don't want. By using olive oil your skin will be getting the antioxidants it needs to stay healthy and give you that reddish 'island tan' that you dream of. Just apply it 5 minutes before you apply sun screen and you will be ready to go.

It's not only for salad anymore. Next time you are at the beach, make sure that you pack a bottle of olive oil you and prepare to enjoy the gorgeous rays.

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The Best Workout for your Wrist

This is one of the best workouts that you can do to rehabilitate your wrists for pre-carpel tunnel symptoms. It is easy to do, the equipment is inexpensive and it takes less than 5 minutes to do.

Perform this routine four times a week and only once a day. Use a weight that provides resistance, but not pain.

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What's the BIG Deal?

Normally when we think of the word deal we automatically think that money is involved, or that someone is winning and the other party is losing in some aspect of the agreement. Webster actually defines the word deal as: to occupy oneself or itself; to take action with respect to a thing or person; to be able to handle competently or successfully; also, to trade or do business. To make a deal is to reach absolution. In business, when a deal is made it is an agreement between two parties to trade service for payment, service for service, etc. In fact, a deal is a good thing. If it works for pecuniary matters then why don't we make deals more often? For any progress to be made in anything, a conclusion must be met or agreed upon. Einstein had to make a deal with America for the atomic bomb, the Lakers had to make a deal with Kobe to put together a championship team, and NASA had to make a deal with Tricky Dick Nixon for Neil Armstrong to land on the mood.

In respect to your health, why don't you make a deal with yourself? Or maybe make a deal with a trainer? Look at your self in the mirror and say "Self, I'm going to improve my training and eating habits. So you better learn to deal with it!" Write out what you plan to do about your health and take action to improve yourself for the new year. Deal with this problem before it gets worse, because it will if you let it. You have dealt with much bigger problems than just being out of shape, I'm sure. 

Here is the deal, about two thirds of the country is obese. That is a staggering figure. Obesity is linked to several heart conditions such as: Heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, hyper tension, and several others ailments. People that are overweight don't live as long as those that aren't as well. I feel that this figure will only increase in 2012 if something isn't done about it. So let's make a deal. If you give me your time and effort, I will deal you the best service you have ever had and the results you have always wanted. You will sleep better, feel better, and look better than you thought you could. Distance is not a factor because there is a way that I can help anyone, even if I am not there. If you let me be your trainer and wellness coach people around you will praise your appearance.  Getting back in shape is bound to boost your mood, confidence, and overall well-being, and to me, that is a BIG deal.   

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The HCG Crime

Most of us know that HCG has been on the rise. It is a chemical that the body produces when a woman is pregnant. The companies that sell this compound have almost unrealistic claims for weight loss and so almost overnight, it caught on like wild fire.

I just got an email through NCSF (National Council of Strength and Fitness) and here is what it said:

HCG Products Are Illegal

The level of popularity of most weight loss programs/products seems to be strongly correlated with the advertised amount of pounds that people can lose, usually in the shortest possible timeframe. The quicker the weight loss the more popular the diet/program seems to be. Although the weight loss obtained with the most popular diets/products can be simply explained with the energy balance equation, companies tend to make the consumer believe that there is a magic component in the product that is doing the work for them. The Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products are over the counter products identified as “homeopathic” and recommend users to follow a severe restrictive diet. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently released their recommendation regarding “homeopathic” HCG weight-loss products in their latest Consumer Health Information issue, December 2011. The FDA recommends consumers to stay away from these products due to the unsupported claims. In addition, the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued seven letters to companies warning about selling illegal homeopathic HCG weight-loss drugs that have not been approved by the FDA. This collaborative action between the FDA and FTC is the first step in preventing these products from being marketed online and in retail stores where they are commonly sold as oral drops, pellets and spray forms.

The HCG claims
The products that claim to contain HCG are typically attached to very low calorie diets; approximately 500 calories/day. Companies use statements like “reset you metabolism” and “shave 20-30 pounds in 30 days”. Although the HCG story began in the 50s, no evidence currently exists that shows HCG promotes weight loss by itself without creating a negative caloric balance. Elizabeth Miller, acting director of FDA’s division of Non-Prescription Drugs and Health Fraud said that “these products are marketed with incredible claims and people think that if they are losing weight, HCG must be working. But the data simply does not support this; any loss is from severe calorie restriction. Not from HCG.”

The HCG Legality
The HCG is a hormone that is produced in the human placenta during pregnancy but it is not approved for weight loss or for over-the-counter sale for any purpose. Moreover, a pharmacist at the FDA pointed that HCG is not listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, which lists the active ingredients that may be legally included in homeopathic drug products. For this reason, homeopathic HCG cannot legally be sold as a homeopathic medication for any purpose. In addition, David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection stated that “deceptive advertising about weight loss products is one of the most prevalent types of fraud. Any advertiser who makes health claims about a product is required by federal law to back them up with competent and reliable scientific evidence, so consumers have the accurate information they need to make good decisions.”

HCG a Potentially Dangerous Diet
Living on a very low calorie diet is considerably well documented to promote side effects such as gallstone formation, potential electrolyte imbalance, heartbeat irregularities, and various nutrient deficiencies (vitamins, minerals and protein). The HCG diet plan suggests individuals consume 500 calories/day, which is significantly less than the average 2,000 calorie recommended diet. The safe, general recommendation for healthy weight loss is a reduction of approximately 500 calories/day, only a third of the 1,500 calories/day recommended when following the diet plan. “These HCG products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed,” said Ilisa Bernstein, acting director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “And a very low calorie diet should only be used under proper medical supervision.” This very low calorie diet should only be prescribed under medical supervision for specific conditions such as extremely obese patients with health conditions. Health care professionals should provide credible information to their clients/patients so that they may be able to make appropriate decisions and avoid unrealistic weight loss expectations. (FDA Consumers Health information, December 2011)

 

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