ReadyForce News -- Dec. 2006

A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in, and how many want out.

-- Tony Blair, in reference to his thoughts on the United States of America

New to Ready Force, Talk the talk is designed to produce a topic of interest and connect you directly to the forum page of the Ready Force website by clicking on the link. You can comment on the topic of this newsletter or on any of the topics featured there by going through the simple sign up procedure. I will respond to anything you want to bring up and this is a great chance to get input from other people on anything you want to sound off on. The best comments posted on the Forum will be featured in the end of the year newsletter in a special section! In addition, in the month of January 2007, one person from the forum will be selected to win an autographed copy of my book, The Warrior's Mantra, and a one-on-one training session with me on the topic of their choice. You name it; fitness, nutrition, stress management or anything from the warrior sciences, it's up to you! This is a great way to start off the New Year, so let those comments flow!

This month's Talk the Talk topic is .. wide open! Visit the Forum page and pick one of the many topics we have featured there. We have several new postings with some excellent insights from readers just like you! I'll be looking for the best to share at the start of the New Year, so sign up and sound off!!! The link is: http://www.readyforce.net/forum

Weight lifting vs. body weight calisthenics vs. cardio vs. blah, blah, blah! Let's talk about the truth!

Some of my distinguished colleagues have been spouting off some pretty lame advice on their websites about "the best" fitness exercises and it's time I addressed some of the pure feces that is being spread out there.

First and foremost, follow the money. Many fitness Gurus find themselves in a very competitive, dog eat dog world. There are tens of thousands of "fitness professionals" all trying to capture your money on the latest fad or "new fitness principle". Trying to carve a niche for in the fitness industry is nearly impossible unless you are willing to state something controversial, promise the moon, sell it like a street walker and stand your ground regardless of how ridiculous it might be. As the saying goes; "there is a sucker born every minute and two to take it". These less than professional people are counting on a certain number of you to be wowed by their ability to spin the B.S. so you will spend big $$$ and buy their products, books, DVD's and so on. What's missing is truth and reality and it is really a disgusting practice which is nothing short of theft.

The big argument that has recently surfaced on the internet centers on body weight calisthenics vs. weight lifting. Many people would have you believe that weight lifting is dangerous, causing all kinds of injuries because it is "unnatural" to lift excessive weight. They point to all those over muscled old body builders whose temples are breaking down now that they are in their 40's and 50's. So, not using an ounce of common sense in their argument, and making a gargantuan leap between actual cause and effect, they deride weightlifting as evil so they can sell you their stuff that will NEVER, EVER hurt you. Crap, crap and more crap.

So, let's do a reality check on what type of fitness is the best. I don't care what form of exercise you participate in, if you do ANYTHING excessively, obsessively and with poor form you are going to hurt your body. Period! I don't care if it's running, lifting weights, calisthenics or yoga; if you push your body too hard, or push it the wrong way, it's going to let you know at some point, sometime with serious and long lasting consequences. Typically, when you are young, your body can absorb a certain amount of abuse, but as you age it catches up, no matter what form of exercise you have overindulged in. Too much of a good thing is still too much! There is always a price to pay for this type of behavior.

Here is the bottom line. All forms of exercise are good if done with careful attention to form and function and with moderation as the central principle, even weightlifting. Like they say; "it's all good!"! Find something you love to do and approach it with care and common sense. And I can't state this enough; get some guidance from a personal trainer who knows how to show you proper form and function for whatever you have decided to do for exercise. Now that's money well spent. And, don't forget, walking the dog, doing some gardening, playing with your kids, going out dancing and anything else you can think of (wink, wink) all counts too! Just get out there and move!

The following contribution is from the Daily Tao. I included this in the newsletter because this has always been my personal philosophy in continuing to challenge myself. I believe if you live by these words of wisdom you will live a life of inspiration. And now; The Daily Tao:

A moving door hinge never corrodes.

Flowing water never grows stagnant.

Even in the autumn of your life, you cannot give up growth. If you do, you only invite decline.

All the different aspects of a person -- body, mind, and spirit -- have one curious quality: If they cease to be exercised, they stop growing. Once they stop growing, they begin to atrophy. That is why, no matter how much you have accomplished and no matter how old you are, you must keep exercising all parts of yourself.

We only grow when we are challenged. Muscles do not strengthen without resistance. Mental faculties do not sharpen without critical thinking. The spirit does not soar without something to excite it. It may seem like a great effort to constantly try new things, but unless you do, you fall out of your heights very quickly. The constancy of physical exercise, varied from time to time into new routines, and the constancy of mental and spiritual challenges are essential to stave off the infirmities of aging.

We cannot reverse aging completely, but we can slow it down. As long as we are vital, we will not suffer as much. Although aging is natural, sometimes following Tao means more than following the route of least resistance. Why slide into old age, illness, and senility? The way of challenging oneself is also a valid but difficult path. Sometimes Tao chooses the difficult over the easy.

Ever wonder about whole-grains. We see this everywhere lately and unless you have a little knowledge the food industry will lead you astray with name switching and false hype.

Why eat whole grains? Because they contain more fiber, vitamins, minerals and photochemicals than refined grains. That means they are better for your overall health and wellness. But, when you go to look for a product that actually contains whole grains things can get really confusing.

Here's some advice about the name game. Don't count on healthful sounding descriptions or names. "Made with whole grains" means just that, that some of the whole grains are present, but often not a lot. "Multigrain" means only that the food contains several different grains, not that any are necessarily whole grain. "Oat bread" usually has very little oats in it. And products with healthy sounding names like Harvest Wheat, Crunchy Oat or Honey Wheatberry bread often contain little or no whole grain.

Here's the clue to deciphering if the product really contains whole grains; Look for the gold and black Whole Grain Stamp from the Whole Grains Counsel, a trade group. It states how many grams of whole grain a food has so you can compare products and track your intake. You should also know that there are many good whole grain products out there that do not use this stamp, so make sure you really read that label. There are a lot of companies out there trying to keep those waters muddy so you will spend your money!

With the holiday season upon us in full force and the crazy pace this brings to life, this months mantra focuses on taking some time to slow down, even for just a couple of minutes throughout the day, to help us deal with our frantic pace. This really works wonders and it can be used at any time. Try this mantra before you head out to drive in all the holiday traffic, while you are waiting in a line, before you answer the phone, and so on. Please take just a few minutes each day this month to practice this mantra and enjoy a little peace.

Now, sit or lie back comfortably. Take three deep breaths, pausing after you inhale and then exhale fully and completely. After you have taken your first three breaths, just breathe normally. Close your eyes and let any tension you may be holding in your muscles just begin to melt away. After you center yourself and you feel your breath quite down, repeat the mantra; "I am at peace with myself and fully relaxed" to yourself for the next five minutes. See yourself remaining peaceful in all situations and enjoying the holiday season.

As many times as you can throughout your day, stop what you are doing, take one deep breath and repeat this mantra. You can do this when the phone rings, or when you look at your watch, or anytime you feel the need to just slow down for a brief moment and focus. The power of setting a positive intention throughout your day should not be underestimated. It can literally change your life. Make this short time commitment everyday and begin on the path of empowering yourself to survive.

Well, that's all for now. Don't forget to place your comments in the Forum section!