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Do You Have Lower Back Pain? Check Out The VacuPractor
If you have lower back pain, you should check out the VacuPractor! The VacuPractor is a doctor-recommended and FDA registered device which relieves pain, decompresses vertebrae in the spine, and stretches the muscles naturally. It does so by utilizing an outward pull on the lower back, stretching the muscles in the area, and relieving pressure on disks and nerves. This device is easy and safe to use.
Use of the VacuPractor improves many lower back conditions, including the following:
low back pain
herniated discs
degenerated discs
compressed discs
back injuries
hip injuries
sciatica
spinal stenosis
I enthusiastically endorse the VacuPractor and encourage my patients, clients, friends, and followers to use it. I have been able to arrange a special price for all of you which is almost 50% off the price which is listed on the VacuPractor site! Instead of paying $89.95, you will only pay $50 if you enter my discount code at checkout. This is absolutely the lowest price you will find anywhere for the VacuPractor. There is also a 90 day money back guarantee, no questions asked.
Please make sure to enter the discount code “stacey” at checkout!
VacuPractor.com
Could You Be Undernourished?
Originally written for and published by sportsnutritionsupplementguide.com
If you are a fitness fanatic or competitor, you may assume that you are adequately nourished because you practice clean eating. However, that might not necessarily be the case. Shockingly, many people who are in the fitness world suffer from under-nutrition as a result of consuming limited types and amounts of foods in an effort to reach a super lean state. Think about it: if you are limiting caloric intake during a contest prep phase, have eliminated foods which become demonized during prep such as fruits and peanut butter, and aren’t supplementing your body with the nutrients it needs, then you are probably undernourished. Such nutrient deficits can have a serious negative impact on your health if practiced for an extended period of time.
Under-nutrition is a nutrient or energy deficiency, while malnutrition can represent either a deficiency or an excess of nutrients. Some individuals (especially women) in the fitness world continually follow meal plans which are unbalanced and extremely low in calories and are thus chronically undernourished. Such a state of deficit can be amplified if certain medical conditions such as leaky gut are present, because whatever nutrients are supplied to the body might not be absorbed properly.
Mild cases of under-nutrition are often symptom-free, while more severe cases are usually symptomatic. Some deficiencies can cause permanent damage to the body, for example, blindness with severe vitamin A deficiency. Typical symptoms of under-nutrition vary based on the specific deficiency, but can include:
Joint and bone pain
Ringing in the ears
Difficulty breathing
Poor night vision
Sores at the corners of the mouth
Muscle weakness
Impaired immunity
Fatigue
Delayed wound healing
Dry skin and hair
Bleeding gums
Skin rashes
Easy bruising
Digestive problems
Dizziness
Irregular or halted menstrual periods
Depression
It can be difficult to determine whether a symptom is reflective of a nutrient deficiency or some other cause, but if your diet is restrictive, there’s a decent chance that a nutrient deficiency is to blame. The following nutrients are being highlighted here because they are most likely to be lacking in a fitness person’s diet.
Vitamin D3: The majority of the U.S. population is deficient in this vitamin, which is not only important for bone health but also reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and many types of cancer. Here’s the challenge: very few foods contain vitamin D3 (egg yolks, fatty fish like salmon), and the skin only makes vitamin D3 in response to exposure to sunlight. Common symptoms of vitamin D3 deficiency are muscle aches and joint pain, both of which could mistakenly be brushed off by bodybuilders as the consequence of heavy lifts at the gym. If you want to supplement with vitamin D3, take 5,000 mg per day.
Calcium: Have you ever gotten a mad craving, especially in the middle of contest prep, for fatty foods or soda? Both cravings can be a sign of calcium deficiency. Calcium is essential for formation of healthy bone tissue and plays a vital role in nerve impulse conduction. Because the typical fitness meal plan excludes dairy sources, a calcium deficiency can sneak up on fitness people. Take 500 milligrams twice daily.
Iodine: This element is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Main dietary sources of iodine include table salt, eggs, seafood, and dairy products. However, table salt is avoided by most fitness people, as are dairy products, increasing the risk of developing an iodine deficiency. Ironically, though sea salt provides many of the minerals which are missing in table salt (such as magnesium and potassium), it also potentially creates iodine deficiency since it is not fortified with iodine.
It may be difficult to tell if an iodine deficiency exists in the early stages because symptoms don’t surface until the thyroid gland reacts to the lower iodine levels. By that time, the symptoms of hypothyroidism have usually kicked in, such as fatigue, constipation, dry skin, depression and weight gain. The good news is that iodine supplements are available. Iodine deficiency can also be remedied by consuming seafood, kelp and meat products.
Magnesium: Have you ever noticed that your cravings for chocolate are intensified as you get closer to a contest date, or right before you ladies hit “that time of the month”? Chocolate cravings are a common signal that the body is deficient in magnesium. Deficiencies of this important mineral are quite common among regular folk and bodybuilders. Magnesium is important for hundreds of bodily functions, has a calming effect, and keeps the digestive tract moving optimally. It also has a protective effect against high blood pressure. If you prefer to supplement magnesium with a tablet, take 400 mg at night. If you prefer food sources of magnesium, almonds are an excellent source, providing 80 milligrams per ounce. Spinach, legumes, seeds, unrefined whole grains, and cashews are also good sources of magnesium.
Potassium: Lack of this mineral can wreak havoc on contest prep since it is excreted during the diuresis phase of most contest prep regimens. Potassium is present in every cell of the body, is essential for energy production, guards against high blood pressure, and maintains fluid balance. Daily needs range about 5,000 milligrams daily, and can be obtained from fit-friendly foods like spinach, sweet potatoes and broccoli, but during final week prep, the loss of potassium during the water-shedding phase must be compensated for in order to avoid cramping, weakness, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting or palpitations. Severe potassium deficiency can be life threatening and must be corrected quickly.
Zinc: Some women have intense food cravings right before their periods which can be a sign of zinc deficiency. Zinc plays a vital role in cell division, DNA synthesis, immune system function, and protein synthesis. A deficiency of zinc can result in hair loss, skin rashes, frequent colds and other infections, insomnia, loss of taste or smell and decreased libido. If you prefer to obtain zinc from food sources, turn to red meat, wheat, oats, eggs, nuts, peas, and leafy green vegetables. Otherwise, a 50 milligram daily supplement will suffice for most individuals.
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Goldilocks
The Story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears (copied from DLTK’s Crafts for Kids)
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She went for a walk in the forest. Pretty soon, she came upon a house. She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in.
At the table in the kitchen, there were three bowls of porridge. Goldilocks was hungry. She tasted the porridge from the first bowl.
“This porridge is too hot!” she exclaimed.
So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.
“This porridge is too cold,” she said
So, she tasted the last bowl of porridge.
“Ahhh, this porridge is just right,” she said happily and she ate it all up.
After she’d eaten the three bears’ breakfasts she decided she was feeling a little tired. So, she walked into the living room where she saw three chairs. Goldilocks sat in the first chair to rest her feet.
“This chair is too big!” she exclaimed.
So she sat in the second chair.
“This chair is too big, too!” she whined.
So she tried the last and smallest chair.
“Ahhh, this chair is just right,” she sighed. But just as she settled down into the chair to rest, it broke into pieces!
Goldilocks was very tired by this time, so she went upstairs to the bedroom. She lay down in the first bed, but it was too hard. Then she lay in the second bed, but it was too soft. Then she lay down in the third bed and it was just right. Goldilocks fell asleep.
As she was sleeping, the three bears came home.
“Someone’s been eating my porridge,” growled the Papa bear.
“Someone’s been eating my porridge,” said the Mama bear.
“Someone’s been eating my porridge and they ate it all up!” cried the Baby bear.
“Someone’s been sitting in my chair,” growled the Papa bear.
“Someone’s been sitting in my chair,” said the Mama bear.
“Someone’s been sitting in my chair and they’ve broken it all to pieces,” cried the Baby bear.
They decided to look around some more and when they got upstairs to the bedroom, Papa bear growled, “Someone’s been sleeping in my bed,”
“Someone’s been sleeping in my bed, too” said the Mama bear
“Someone’s been sleeping in my bed and she’s still there!” exclaimed Baby bear.
Just then, Goldilocks woke up and saw the three bears. She screamed, “Help!” And she jumped up and ran out of the room. Goldilocks ran down the stairs, opened the door, and ran away into the forest. And she never returned to the home of the three bears.
Those of you who have competed in NPC and IFBB bodybuilding events would probably use adjectives such as exhilarating, empowering, fun, nerve-racking, and perhaps terrifying to describe the experience of being onstage. No one in their right mind would sign up for such an experience if there wasn’t some sort of intrinsic reward or benefit to standing onstage and being compared to others down to the last fine details that are only discernible to the trained eye. However, there are instances in which a competitor may feel torn due to hearing one critique from one judge which is then contradicted by another critique from a different judge. Though there are standards within each bodybuilding division which are meant to establish guidelines for the perfect physique, judges are only human and they also have personal preferences or ideals which may color their evaluation of an athlete onstage.
The Goldilocks story is a study in extremes: temperature, size and degree of softness. In stark contrast, NPC and IFBB judges usually don’t have to deal with extremes unless they are judging novice divisions which can have a lot of variability in size, balance and degree of conditioning. Judges deal with porridge which is just about the right temperature, chairs which are just about the right size, and mattresses which have the right degree of firmness, so they have their work cut out for them. Not only must judges scrutinize every detail on competitors, they must do it rather quickly, which is where the human element comes in. I am quite sure that if two competitors with the exact same physiques were to stand in front of a judge, both with the same degree of facial attractiveness, posing skill, sparkle in the eyes, and personality, something as minor as hair color or suit color might be the one variable which tips the scales in one competitor’s favor. By no means am I suggesting that judging is heavily subjective, but unless robots are conducting the evaluations, there may be some degree of subjectivity, especially when a situation such as a tie-breaker must be decided.
I have observed heated discussions at the judges’ table on a couple of occasions which I am sure were due to differences of opinion over which competitor brought the absolute best package onstage. Sometimes it can be a “six of one, half a dozen of the other” predicament in which one competitor might be slightly lacking in the glutes, whereas another competitor might be weak in the hamstring area. If all other variables are equal, do the judges flip a coin to decide who gets the higher rank? What if several judges on the panel prefer a softer physique, while several others prefer a more compact, conditioned silhouette? I certainly don’t envy the judges for what they must deal with when assessing the competitors lined up in front of them!
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SmartShake vs. Cyclone Cup Challege
Pushing Away Fears And Slaying The Dragon
There is no question that I am a chronic overachiever and a very stubborn and determined woman. As a result of these personality traits, I have been able to accomplish every large goal I have set in front of me. However, the process of making my dreams come to fruition has, on occasion, been peppered by self-doubt and procrastination. I know that I have a definite fear of failure and of being average, both of which are traits commonly found in the fitness and bodybuilding industry, and that is part of the reason why I find the industry completely irresistible. However (and this is also quite common in the industry), I have also suffered from a fear of success, and know all too well that such a fear can be even more crippling than any other fear.
If I were to dissect my journey to an IFBB Pro Card through a filter of fear of success, I can see that although I never really wavered from chasing that goal, certain thoughts floated through my head at times which threatened to derail me from my focus. The most prominent aspect of my fear of success was the concern that I might not deserve to become a Pro. It seems strange now, especially since I have been a Pro for almost two years, but I definitely remember thinking that maybe I didn’t have what it took to be a Pro, especially when first place national finishes were stacking up for me without the final reward of IFBB Professional Status. I remember hoping and wishing that the next national contest would be “the one” that would make me a Pro, but in the back of my mind, there was always that kernel of doubt that I didn’t deserve such a reward, and that somehow, I couldn’t deliver what the IFBB expected in their Pros.
Thankfully, everything changed in April of 2013, when my mindset shifted dramatically. Instead of thinking that I wanted a Pro Card and how I wished it would happen, I decided that I ALREADY WAS A PRO and began to embody the attitude that Pros had. Interestingly enough, my attitude change also coincided with the best physique of my life. I trained like a complete machine, never once allowing myself to get rattled or distracted by anything that threatened to sabotage my belief in myself. I was no longer afraid of success. From April until July of 2013, I kept using the hashtag “alreadyPro” to keep myself on track, and it worked like a charm, because on July 6, 2013, I reached my goal and became an IFBB Pro.
In the back of my mind, I was afraid of how things would change once I reached my big goal, and of how I might change as a result of the new status. Reflecting on that now, I fully realize how ridiculous that concern was, because I am still the same person, just with four awesome letters after my name. I had a similar concern when I was in medical school and concerned about how I would change as a person when I finally became a doctor. Though I know that the advanced degree made me somewhat more reserved, I still retained the sarcastic sense of humor I always had and was still just Stacey. I am no better than anyone else because of what I have accomplished, nor has the core of who I am changed in any way. I have been given more opportunities since achieving success in the world of bodybuilding and fitness, and the climate of my daily life has shifted, but all of it has been extremely positive.
On another note, I remember one aspect of my fear of success with the Pro Card hunt which had been a minor concern during my journey, but which became more compelling AFTER I had reached my goal. The day that I won my Pro Card was one of the most incredible days of my life, and I found myself floating on a cloud in a state of wonder, disbelief, elation and relief for a couple of weeks after that event. Then suddenly, I was struck with the realization that since I had slain the beast and finally succeeded in getting that Pro Card, I no longer had a goal to chase. The sword had to be placed in the scabbard and put away. Once that realization set in, I went into a funk for months, and my body followed suit by retaining water and exhibiting signs of metabolic damage. Instead of feeling victorious, I was depressed because I didn’t know what to chase after anymore. I was able to move on by setting new goals, and surprised myself by changing the game plan and focusing on non-contest related pursuits. This shift in goals has created a whole new set of fears and challenges, but my past successes have strengthened my belief in my abilities, and I now feel confident that I will accomplish every one of my new goals.
Get Out Of Your Own Way
Have you ever considered the possibility that you are standing in your own way when it comes to achieving success in your life? Yes, you heard me right. You might not have even known that there was such a thing as a fear of success, and if not, you probably aren’t aware of how a fear of success can sabotage your efforts at getting ahead and put you on a short course to failure.
Though we may crave success deeply and feel driven to set specific goals to get us there, we may cripple ourselves by harboring a feeling that we don’t deserve to have success, or we may question our own abilities. Self-defeating thoughts like, “What if I fail?”, or “Maybe I don’t deserve to be successful” may fester in one’s mind. However, some people entertain an even more frightening thought which is “What if I succeed?” and may be so paralyzed by that fear that they talk themselves out of pursuing a goal which gives them purpose, joy and passion. Suddenly, the lure of success sours in the face of one’s own fears.
The fear of success is more powerful than the fear of failure because the former can trap individuals into established patterns which are comfortable and which prevent the movement and growth necessary to achieve success. The road to success, after all, is unpredictable and forces people out of their comfort zones. It demands tireless efforts which at times may be stalled by roadblocks, and those obstacles may stack up or appear at critical times when the temptation to give up is immense. As daunting as such challenges are in the pursuit of success, they must be overcome if the goal is to be attained.
A fear of success can manifest as procrastination, whereupon projects may be put on hold and excuses made about why there is no time to complete them. Feelings of guilt may take hold if you happen to attain a certain level of success which eludes your peers, friends or family. You may worry that success will in some ways change you and your environment. Though you may lament your current situation and crave big changes that would serve as markers of success, you might find the idea of all those changes incredibly distressing.
The road to success is also often a lonely one in which you may feel lost, perhaps because others may not understand your journey, or because you may be traveling in uncharted waters with no one to lead the way or guide you. There may be haters who try to derail you from your master plan, which is usually a good sign since it is an indication that you are doing something which is perceived as a threat to your competition. You might also think that once you become successful, somehow that success won’t be sustainable and that the proverbial coach will turn back into a pumpkin.
Success will usually put a spotlight on you and you will get attention. Some of you may believe that the attention is great, but when all eyes are on you, scrutinizing every move you make, you may find that it is incredibly distressing. Success comes with responsibilities which may frighten and intimidate you, and you may feel incredible pressure to prove your worth as a result of that boost in visibility. Contrast that with being ensconced in a comfortable pattern which provides a predictable environment, and you can see why so many people chicken out and drop their big goals. Once you achieve your goal and become a success, the goal you were chasing after becomes irrelevant because the beast has been vanquished. The taste of victory may be sweet, but life may lose its meaning and purpose in the aftermath of such an accomplishment.
There are a number of things you can do to maintain your enthusiasm and focus while carving a path to success:
Keep sight of your goals and purpose – Not only is it important to write down specific goals so that you have a blueprint of how you will achieve success, it is also essential to review those goals regularly to make sure that you stay on track and remember the purpose which drives your efforts. I recommend reviewing your master goals list at least once a week.
Gain knowledge – If you sense that your knowledge base is lagging, invest in educational pursuits which will add credibility and push you towards your goals faster. For example, talk to experts in the field you are trying to excel in, read books on pertinent subjects and take courses. Remember that your heroes can eventually become your rivals if you learn from them and pattern your behavior after them.
Become inspired by the people who believe in you – Chances are that you have people around you (spouse, family members, coworkers, fans) who completely believe in you, are inspired by you, and want to see you succeed. Though you may feel pressure to succeed and a sense of obligation as a result of this, you can focus on the enthusiasm which they have for you and allow it to wash over you and motivate you.
Keep a gratitude journal – It can be so easy to complain about one’s situation and play the victim when things aren’t going as planned, but such behavior only does harm when trying to stay motivated in achieving goals. Shift the focus instead onto all the wonderful things, people and other blessings you have in your life and allow them to fortify your resolve to move forward.
Supplements You Should Be Taking Based On Your Age
Originally published on mensphysique.com on Saturday, 06 September 2014
http://www.rxmuscle.com/blogs/the-lab-supplement-school/11503-supplements-you-should-be-taking-based-on-your-age.html
Most of you who are reading this article are probably already taking certain nutritional supplements which are popular among bodybuilding folk, such as conjugated linoleic acid, glutamine, fish oil, whey protein, and glutamine. However, there are basic nutritional demands in everyone which competitors might not be addressing in their daily regimens. In addition, those demands change as we age, as do the supplements which confer optimal health. In an effort to address those demands, I have compiled a list of supplements which you should consider adding to your regimen.
The following supplements serve as core nutrients which people of all ages require:
Multivitamin – I realize that there is some controversy regarding multivitamins, but I happen to be in the camp that is pro-multivitamin. Contest prep meal plans are notorious for being deficient in a multitude of nutrients, underscoring the need for a high quality multivitamin/multimineral supplement.
Vitamin C – This miracle nutrient is a potent antioxidant, assists in wound healing, aids in the absorption of iron from foods, and is critical for the development of collagen. Recommended daily dosages of this important vitamin are anywhere from 1,000 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams, split into 2 to 4 doses.
Zinc – One reason why this mineral is so important for men of all ages is because it is required for sperm production. Zinc is also a potent aromatase inhibitor, but only in doses of 100 milligrams or more per day. If you choose to take high doses of zinc, be sure to also take copper supplementation.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) – This is a potent antioxidant which also aids with glycogen uptake. Basically what that means is that ALA will assist your body in metabolizing dietary sugars more efficiently. ALA is also great for brain and liver health. Recommended dosage is 100 milligrams to 300 milligrams daily.
Probiotics – These beneficial bacteria promote intestinal heath and a stronger immune system. The general population can obtain probiotics from milk, yogurt, tempeh and other products, but those who compete may opt for a supplement which will keep one’s diet contest-friendly. Look for formulations which have at least 20 billion live bacteria.
Vitamin D3 – This vitamin has gotten a lot of attention in recent years as a result of research which determined that the vast majority of the human population is deficient. This deficiency is largely the result of wide use of sunblock (thus turning off the body’s production of vitamin D3), and a drop in milk consumption. Why is Vitamin D3 so important? Vitamin D3 is associated with bone health, but may also play a role in the prevention of diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis. If you are like a vampire and remain indoors all day, take at least 1,000 international units (IU) daily. I personally take 5,000 IU daily to get the most of its ability to absorb calcium. I also recommend getting vitamin D3 from dietary sources like whole eggs or fatty fish like salmon.
Calcium – Calcium supplementation is essential for individuals who don’t consume lots of dairy or calcium fortified foods. Ironically, calcium supplements are absorbed more readily in the presence of lactose and protein. However, if dairy products are forbidden due to lactose intolerance or contest prep diets, consuming protein when calcium is taken will enhance absorption. Make sure to take vitamin D3 with calcium supplements to further enhance absorption. Recommended dosage is 1,000 milligrams per day, split into two doses.
Add these to your regimen if you are in your 30’s:
Glucosamine – This supplement is especially important for those who lift weights since it can ameliorate pain from joint inflammation. A good daily dosage is 1,500 milligrams. I tend to recommend formulations which contain MSM and NO chondroitin, because I have had too many patients complain of gastrointestinal upset with the chondroitin formulas.
Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is found in animal protein, but the body cannot access it well, and this impairment becomes worse as we age. Because of this, taking a B12 supplement should become a part of your daily regimen if you are over 30.
DHEA – This is a controversial supplement because it has a considerable side effect profile, but I am including it here because so many people who compete can benefit from it as they age. DHEA is a sex hormone precursor which is secreted mainly by the adrenal glands and which is usually abundant in people who are in their 20’s. However, production begins to decline in one’s 30’s, and continues to drop significantly over the decades. It is a key player in maintenance and building of muscle, fat loss, and slowing the aging process. Side effects include heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, breast enlargement, testicular atrophy, and interactions which certain medications. For this reason, you should consult with a physician to determine if your DHEA levels are low and if you may benefit from DHEA supplementation.
Individuals over 40 should add the following:
Leucine – This is probably the most important supplement you can add to your regimen as you age, especially if you are a competitor, because it helps to offset age-related muscle loss. One of the branched-chain amino acids, leucine is unique in this regard. Add 2 grams of leucine to a couple of your protein-containing meals. Leucine powder is VERY bitter, so make sure to mix it with a tasty protein powder, or take it in capsule form with your whole food meals.
Coenzyme Q10 – This antioxidant aids in ATP production, especially in the heart. It’s a good idea to take at least 30 milligrams per day, but I personally take 100 milligrams daily for the cardiac benefits.
Saw Palmetto – If your bathroom visits in the middle of the night are frequent and are not confined to your water-loading evenings, then you are probably experiencing prostatic enlargement. If this is the case, you might want to consider taking saw palmetto at a recommended dosage of 160 milligrams per day.
Over 50? Stack this supplement onto the above regimens:
Phosphatidylserine – This nutrient is important for optimal brain health. Take 200 milligrams per day.
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