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Exercise

The Impact of Exercise on Health and Well-Being

Jul 14th, 2011
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exerciseAuthor - Wayne Mcgregor

We live in a very technologically evolved society. This has many benefits in terms of making our lives easier, more comfortable, and more convenient. In fact, it makes our lives a bit too convenient.

We take our cars to and from work, we sit at a desk all day, and come home to houses that are heated and cooled automatically, and that have water available at the turn of a tap. Car, computers, indoor plumbing, these might seem like commonplace things, but they are all relatively recent inventions, and they all lead to our living sedentary lifestyles.

This means that we don’t get enough exercise, which is one of the primary causes of overweight and obesity, which, in turn, cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and premature death. (more…)

Taking Baby Steps To Better Health

Jul 8th, 2011
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baby stepsAuthor: Ethan Kalvin

Perhaps the biggest reason why New Year’s resolutions don’t cross the finish line at the end of the predetermined time line is because it is going to take some sobering lifestyle changes that will generally take longer than the month of January. While the goals are always very ambitious, the results are much less than desired and usually inspires giving up rather than pressing through to get the results you envision. Revamping a new you will require more than 30 days. New Year’s resolutions are good examples of goals that are usually never achieved because of the gun ho attitude that soon looses steam and the time line that is attached to them. However it is very possible to achieve any goals set, by using a common sense healthy perspective approach. (more…)

The Secret of a Strong Jaw Line

Apr 5th, 2011
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Strong JawAuthor – Helen Snow

What is attractive? A strong jaw line for sure. This is true for both genders – male and female. Even if we don’t find ourselves paying attention to jaw lines, it works on a subconscious level. We see it in magazines and pretty much all Hollywood stars have one. So what is the secret to having a strong jaw line – if there is one at all?

For many people it is one of the most desirable part of face. That is why is causes so many questions, for example what makes a strong jaw line, is there is a way to grow muscles, how to do it, how much time it will take? Some might thought of implants, botox or specific haircut. But if you want to keep your mimicry, and don’t want any extraneous things under your skin, then this is what you’ve been looking for. (more…)

Be Good to Yourself

Sep 30th, 2009
by Gary N. Larson.
8 comments

Take care of yourself

There are some people who go to extraordinary lengths to take care of their car. They wash it, they wax it, they keep it tuned, they get it serviced on a regular basis and they keep everything in perfect working order. They have meticulous records of every oil change and rotation of the tires. Yet these same people neglect a much more important piece of machinery – themselves.

We see people all around us plodding along, making mediocre attempts in their jobs and their relationships. They are crippled in their attempts at success because the energy has gone out of their lives. When obstacles arise they don’t have the strength to rise above them. They are easily defeated. They go through life only half-awake!

When you burn a candle at both ends you will eventually get burned. Don’t squander and abuse the most incredible instrument you have – your body. Give it the care and attention it needs.

Shouldn’t our great aim in life be to preserve and keep our physical bodies in the best possible condition so we can experience and live life to its fullest? Why not make every occasion a great occasion? If this life is worth living then isn’t it worth living well? (more…)

Self Mastery Hero – Dean Karnazes

Jun 14th, 2009
by Gary N. Larson.
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DeanKarnazes

There are many people who have done amazing things. I don’t know about you, but I’m the type of person that gets pumped up and motivated when I learn about someone who has accomplished something remarkable. I want to write about one today.

I think someone who runs one marathon is an amazing person. I think someone who has run 50 marathons is a very amazing person. But there is one person who ran 50 marathons on 50 consecutive days in 50 American states. I think that person is an incredibly amazing person! Unbelievably, he ran his final marathon in three hours and 30 seconds. This was the New York City Marathon. To top that off he then ran back to the start of the first marathon, a distance of 1,300 miles.

This would be incredible for a person in their late twenties to accomplish, but this man is 44 years old and didn’t even begin running until he was 30 years old.

So who is this superman? He is the quiet and unassuming Dean Karnazes. He is the one that puts “Ultra” into “Ultramarathon.”

Some of his accomplishments:

  • Completed a 362 mile run from the summit of Mount Kosciusko to Sydney, Australia.
  • Ran a marathon at the South Pole where temperatures reached 40C below.
  • Ran the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile race across Death Valley, California where temperatures reached 120 degrees.
  • Competed in the US relay race, consisting of seven 200-mile long legs. The race was run by teams of 12 members but Karnazes ran it solo!

The list literally goes on and on. Search his name on Google to find out more of his story. It is amazing. I feel Dean Karnazes is an example of what the human body and mind is capable of. He is a true example of self-mastery in its highest form. When I learn about people such as Karnazes it gives me hope and motivation in my own efforts to achieve self-mastery.

Are you aware of any other individuals who have achieved high levels of self-mastery? What do you think of people like Dean Karnazes? Please share your thoughts with us.

Thank you.

Master Yourself, Master Your Life

Copyright © 2009 Gary N. Larson

Hiking vs. Running

May 10th, 2009
by Gary N. Larson.
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As part of my quest to achieve self-mastery, I have made the goal to exercise every day except Sundays. I have done a lot of running in the past with my wife and she definitely was a motivational force for me. She and I have completed nine marathons together. They each were amazing experiences. Talk about Self-Mastery! Running a marathon takes an enormous amount of self-mastery.

However, I have found it very difficult at times to get myself out in the mornings to do a daily run. So a couple of years ago I began hiking and trail running and have since fallen in love with it. I am blessed to have a mountain with several different hiking trails within a mile or two from my home. So now my daily exercise consists mainly of hiking.

I find hiking to be so much more interesting than running on the streets. Running consists mainly of watching asphalt go by, mile after mile. Boring! Hiking and trail running, on the other hand, have so much more to offer as far as keeping it interesting. Yes, you do have to keep your eye on the trail, but you are also surrounded by nature. And nature never stays the same. It’s always changing. The transitions from each season to the next are wonderful to witness. The change from hiking in the morning daylight of summer to hiking in the dark, like I do now in the fall, is stimulating and challenging.

So, most every day I go out in the early mornings for about a half-hour hike in the foothills and canyons near my home. On Saturday mornings I go on longer hikes for about two hours in length. Here are some photos from last Saturday’s hike. The fall colors were dazzling!

The Trail Pausing on the TrailFall ColorsPersonal Meditation

This morning’s hike was marvelous. It was dark yet there was enough light from the quarter-moon to light my trail to where I didn’t need my flashlight. There were thin clouds moving quickly past the moon in the dark that were simply beautiful.

I have to admit, I didn’t feel so great this morning when I got up at 5:30 a.m. In fact I felt lousy. I was so tired and had a headache. So it took a lot of self-discipline to get myself going. I was amazed that as I went on my hike I began feeling better and better and by the time I was done I actually felt great and still do. That just goes to show you that you have to stick it out and don’t let aches and pains or fatigue stop you from your daily workout.

Have a great day!

Copyright © 2009 Gary N. Larson

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