Thursday, February 26, 2009

Am I Still A Hulkamaniac?

Growing up I like to think I was a "normal" kid. I enjoyed sports and being active. I rode my bike, played pick-up games of basketball, football,etc., played the normal run-around-like-you're-crazy games like hide-n-seek and just enjoyed being a kid. I just had a thought, what happened to those days? LOL! One thing I loved as a kid was watching wrestling. Of course, at one point I was a Hulkamaniac. Who wasn't? You could catch me trying to rip my shirt trying to be like Hulk Hogan and doing my impersonations of the different wrestlers. I used to love to impersonate the "Macho Man" Randy Savage, which unfortunately my parents have some embarassing pictures of. I think all of us probably have lots of embarrassing pictures hidden somewhere!

Over the years I watched my fair share of episodes of wrestling but lost interest as I got older. I haven't watched any wrestling in years but some things I will probably never forget about it. One of those things is the embarrassing photo of me impersonating the "Macho Man" and another is Hulk Hogan's famous saying, "Train, Say Your Prayers, Eat Your Vitamins, (Be True to Yourself!"). Still to this day I think of those words when I take my vitamins and sometimes when I work out. His words left a lasting positive impression on me many years later. When I was younger the wrestlers were a motivation for me to workout and try to be in good shape like I thought they were. A couple of the favorite motivational tools of my family were the eating spinach so I could be like Popeye and taking my vitamins and exercising to be like Hulk! With a little reinforcement from my family encouraging me to take my vitamins, eat my spinach and exercise so I could be big and strong like my heroes it made me develop a commitment to exercise and (unknowingly) try to have proper nutrition at an early age that is still having a slight effect on me in adulthood. So taking all of that into consideration, what positve influences or motivations have you had in life to keep you on the right track to be healthy? What is your current motivation to have good or improved health? Do you keep your motivation in mind constantly? If you have children, are you motivating them to make healthy lifestyle choices? If you get off track do you use your motivation to get back on track?

Some of my motivations in recent years are just wanting to feel better in general, being sick and tired of being sick and tired, just to prove to myself that I can get back into the best shape of my life if I really wanted to (if you don't truly have the desire for improved health, I think that it unlikely you will succeed in achieving it), seeing some of my relatives and friends in bad health-related situations that may have been avoidable and not wanting to be in their situations myself and several other reasons.

My point to saying all of this is for you to use your motivation to fuel your efforts. Don't lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish and more importantly WHY you are trying to accomplish it. Sometimes I don't feel like working out or start to pick up a menu to order something bad for myself to eat just because it's convenient, but thankfully most of the time now my motivation kicks in and I remember WHY I want to be healthier in the first place and end up making a healthier decision. I must say that I am human and have my days where I don't end up working out and occasionally give in to my temptaions to eat bad but those days are alot less than they used to be, which I am proud of!

After all of these years I guess I still have a little Hulkamania motivating me. I'm still trying to Train, Say My Prayers, Eat My Vitamins and Be True to Myself! Whether it be good health or whatever you want in life, keep your mind on your motivation and use that motivation to help you accomplish your goals!

Here is a nostalgic video from YouTube I thought would be appropriate to end with. Enjoy!



Wikipedia on Hulk Hogan

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Did You Notice The Different Super Bowl Commercials?

Like many others I watched the very exciting Super Bowl XLIII this past Sunday. I enjoyed the game alot and living not far from Pittsburgh, I was on the edge of my seat most of the game. The final few minutes had me a little nervous but very pleased with the end result. Congratulations to the Steelers for their sixth Super Bowl win!

I believe I'm like most people and look forward to seeing the Super Bowl commercials along with the game. I watched most of the commercials during the game but a couple stood out to me. I was very happy to see the United Way and NFL Play 60 commercials and excited to see that the NFL and United Way are addressing the childhood obesity problem that is currently going on. In case you didn't see them or don't remember them, here is a YouTube video of the United Way PSA:



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According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity among children has nearly doubled in the last decade. Alarmingly, more than 9 million children in the United States are either obese or overweight, and studies show today's children are not getting the necessary exercise and activity for effective weight management and good health. As a result, more and more United Ways are supporting and promoting programs that help youth make positive nutritional and behavioral choices.*
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As you can see from the paragraph above childhood obesity is a serious problem that deserves serious attention. I think the text-to-donate concept is a convenient way to allow people to make a difference in the lives of children and be a part of the solution to the problem. I have used this service personally and it was quick, convenient and painless. I donated the $5.00 that this service is set up for and this service also allows you to make up to 5 donations of $5.00 if you choose to do so. The $5.00 donation is added to your wireless phone bill. They also provide information about the service on the web. Click Here for the link or to make a donation online.



Here is the Mission Statement found on the NFL Play 60 website:
NFL PLAY 60
Our mission: As a brand and leader that believes in the power of sport, the promise of young fans and whose players embody health and fitness; the NFL and its Clubs are committed to reversing the effects of the childhood obesity epidemic. NFL PLAY 60 is a national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. To learn how to get your children involved, visit NFLRUSH.com.
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Whether you decide to make a donation or just take action personally, together we can help reverse the childhood obesity problem and help the younger generations to make healthier choices and live healthier lifestyles. I would like to thank the NFL and United Way for taking action to help in the fight against childhood obesity and being an inspiration to others to promote healthier lifestyle choices in today's youth.


Sources: NFL.com , NFLRUSH.com , LiveUnited.org*


Brian Francis,CNC
www.herbalfix.biz

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Raquel & Michael's Success Stories

"These products have earned my loyalty for life!"




"These products have earned my loyalty for life!" As a student living in a college dorm, Raquel De Luna had a hard time finding the right foods–and no problem finding unhealthy snacks. "My self-esteem hit an all-time low," she remembers, "when a boy I liked told me he wasn't interested because I was overweight."


"Now I know the importance of good nutrition."

When she started using the ShapeWorks® products, Raquel explains, "I finally started to get it. I learned good eating habits, which really made the program easier." For example, even if she ran out of products, "I knew the right foods to eat," she says, "and which ones to avoid." As a result, Raquel lost 46 pounds and went from a size 16/18 to a 6/7. "I'm so happy with what these products have done for me," she states, "that I'm dedicating my life to bringing them to others."*

"I feel great about myself–and I'm eager to help others."

Here's How:

Favorites: Formula 1 and 2, Total Control®, Herbal Concentrate, Aminogen®.

Learn about what you're putting into your body. Knowing exactly how these products are helping will really help you stay on track.
Ease into your program. Don't try to completely change your diet in the first day.



Before: 193 pounds
After:147 pounds
Lost: 46 pounds



*The weight-loss testimonials presented are applicable to the individuals and are not a guarantee nor are they typical. Aminogen® is a registered trademark of Triarco Industries, Inc.


"My health problems were unbearable."



The high price of weight problems
As his weight escalated to over 400 pounds, Michael was taking more than 11 costly prescription medications a month just to keep his diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and other debilitating conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, from worsening. Chronic-fatigue syndrome zapped his energy and kept him homebound except for visits to doctors and pharmacies. According to Michael, "The physical and emotional pain of my health problems were becoming unbearable. I tried many weight-loss systems, but none worked consistently, and I was beginning to doubt whether I would ever feel well enough to work or have a happy social life."


Exceeding all expectations
One day Michael responded to a "Work-from-Home" ad and was invited to an Herbalife Opportunity Meeting. "I wasn’t expecting much, but I can tell you that my attitude and outlook took a positive turn the minute I walked through that door and saw for myself the happiness I was missing," he recalls.

Tremendous weight loss and health gains
Even Michael’s doctor thought that Herbalife was worth a try. From day one on Herbalife's Weight-Management Program, Michael felt his energy level rising as his weight steadily dropped. And 15 months after starting on the Herbalife program, Michael’s health had improved so much that his doctors took him off every previously prescribed medication. "I love these amazing products. Not only do I feel great, I look great! My waist has shrunk from 61 inches to 34 inches, " Michael excitedly states.*

Key motivator: "Life was slipping by in misery."
Diet tip: "Herbalife nutrition is much better than overeating. It keeps me from being hungry. Also, remember to drink lots of water."
Favorite "thin ’n fit" activity: "Walking everywhere, especially to the gym and back."

Before: 487 pounds
After: 177 pounds
Lost: 310 pounds



*The weight-loss testimonials presented are applicable to the individuals and are not a guarantee nor are they typical.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.