Jamcore Training Blog

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Check out this great and informative video blog on Protein by Brian Zehetner!

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By: Rick Schaff

– an excerpt from my book, MISLED

www.HEALTHandINSPIRATION.com

Health and fitness magazines and radio and television commercial producers often find themselves in precarious situations due to the nature of how they generate revenues; most of their profits are produced by selling advertising space. Unfortunately, that means that they often have little choice but to work with companies that distort the truth. Simply put, even publications and programs that have stated goals to provide beneficial information on health and fitness to their audiences are often forced to sell ad space or time to disingenuous companies to stay in business. In many cases, the articles and programming must frequently support the “fabulous results” their clients’ products claim to provide. My magazine DIVAS was in print for two years; this provided me with firsthand experience about the compromising decisions every magazine owner and/or publisher must face. Jeff Everson, former editor for Muscle & Fitness Magazine and current publisher of Planet Muscle Magazine stated the following about this situation:

“One of the biggest problems that magazines endure is their dependence on supplement ads to pay their bills. If you just tried to publish a magazine about real training, you would never make it. While one naturally tries to improve the industry, it would be suicide to bite the hands that feed you. As a result, one needs to take in a few bad messages to be able to afford to get the good messages out. It’s like being held hostage to stupidity and lies to get the truth out! A magazine typically gets about 20% return on money from sales and subscriptions… without paid advertisements you would be out of business quickly. Unfortunately, I do not think the situation can be changed any time soon because the dynamics of the markets have not changed.”

Another interesting fact most people don’t know is that some magazine publishers also own or have financial interest in many of the product lines you see advertised in their magazines. Translation: their magazines become catalogues to sell their products, and worse, their editorial articles become tainted by profit incentives and other financial influences. To quote marketing specialist, writer, and advertising producer Jeff Boxer:

“…From an ethical perspective, when this happens the essential line separating editorial authenticity and advertising has been compromised in an egregious manner. This is one of the most troubling and unfortunately effective forms of consumer deception. ”

Given Mr. Boxer’s statement, I would like to bring your attention to radio and television programming and/or commercial presentation. All of these venues have a definitive agenda, and that is to promote or sell something, whether that product meets its claims or not. Most disingenuous are the ones that masquerade as TALK SHOWS and/or serious NEWS programs, but are instead nothing more than camouflaged ADVERTISEMENTS. They typically follow a set formula to achieve their goals: a host, actor and/or celebrity works from a script supplied by the company selling the product, their ad agency, or an infomercial producer. Staged callers who can be either actors or entertainment wannabe’s (Fear Factor is a good example of what people are willing to do to be on camera) contribute to this charade by asking strategic questions or providing glowing testimonies designed to convince you that the product they are talking about has changed their lives in a dramatic way. Simply put, the entire “show” is nothing but exaggerated claims, lies, and misleading statistics. How do I know this? This charade has been offered to me on several occasions to sell my products. Most of the radio shows that seem to be serious investigative programs on health and healing are nothing more than elaborate advertisements. If you put out a new product, even with the best of intentions, you will soon find yourself inundated with scores of people willing to create misleading data, or say and promise anything to make your product a “hit.” For many, the lure of success can be too enticing to pass up, and as a result, they choose to take this compromising road.

A recent investigative report by Dateline dramatically illustrated some of these points. The Dateline staff created a phony product called MOISTUROL, which was nothing more than capsules of milk-chocolate powder mix masquerading as a “miracle” skin moister enhancer. In order to sell the product they hired a marketing company to create an infomercial to promote and help sell this fake product. It is essential to note that the marketing company didn’t KNOW or CARE if the product was FAKE. Their only objective was to figure out how to market and sell the product successfully.

Among many of the disturbing elements involved in the production of this infomercial was a medical doctor’s willingness to take $5,000 to clinically substantiate the product’s effectiveness, with which she had zero personal and professional experience! A handful of women were also willing to testify (for the measly sum of $50 – hence the Fear Factor mentality of doing anything to be on camera) that the product had given them “remarkable results.” One woman went so far as to claim that after taking the product a facial scar disappeared. The infomercial company happily took the $140,000 fee from the “Moisturol” company to create this convincing illusion. When the Dateline crew exposed the hoax by informing the participants that the product they had enthusiastically endorsed was just a mixture of chocolate powder and sugar, they quickly retracted their claims and/or or offered disturbing excuses as to why they lied. A seasoned marketing expert estimated that if the infomercial had aired as scheduled it would have sold over TEN MILLION dollars worth of product in the first year. More disturbing was his estimate that subsequent consumer fraud lawsuits (if any were filed) would award duped consumers only two million in penalties, at best. Final result: the worst-case scenario for the makers of this completely worthless product would be an EIGHT MILLION dollar profit. For Real!

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Now that you’re enjoying that summer sun, here are some tips to keep your skin safe, smooth, & sexy!

First off, get to know the key terms that will help you stay healthy. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that is present in large amounts in younger skin. The level of hyaluronic acid decreases with age, and causes skin to become dry and oily during the summer. Since hyaluronic acid creates a barrier that moisturizes the skin, adults can benefit from products that utilize the substance. When you’re selecting a moisturizer or lotion for the summer months, check the label and look for hyaluronic acid.

Next, be smart about the sun: wear sunscreen even on the cloudiest, most overcast day. UV rays are always dangerous, even when you can’t see the sun clearly. Take a good look at the products you are putting into and onto your body. Anyone taking an acne treatment such as accutane or benzoyl-peroxide should consult his or her dermatologist to see if a switch for the summer is possible. These medications make the skin more susceptible to sunburn. Another substance that makes the skin more sensitive is Vitamin A. As a result, more and more people are switching to Vitamin C-based lotions and moisturizers.

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You know that milk is good for your bones, but did you know that it’s great for your muscles too? Recent research demonstrated that people who drink skim milk after weight lifting sessions lose more fat and gain more muscle than people who choose other beverages, including carbohydrate-laden energy drinks and soy protein beverages. In a controlled experiment, the skim milk group lost twice as much weight as the carbohydrate group. The soy group did not lose any weight at the end of the intense 5 session-per-week lifting program that lasted three months. In terms of muscle growth, the milk group gained about 40% more muscle mass than the soy group and 63% more than the carbohydrate group. Though the specifics of the mechanisms in play are not known, researchers are recommending milk as a post-workout pick-up that can help you burn fat and grow muscle.

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Low sodium intake may lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, especially if you are consuming less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Scientists reported that adults who consumed less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day were 37% more likely to die from cardiovascular causes than those who ingested more than 2,300 mg. What’s worse, a low sodium diet increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. We all know that too much sodium can be dangerous as well, so how in the world do we find the happy medium?

The expert advice is that you should consume 15-20 mg of sodium per pound of bodyweight.

Example:

• For a woman weighing 120 lbs: 120×15 = 1800 mg of sodium daily.
• For a man weighing 210 lbs: 210×15 = 3150 mg of sodium daily.

Now with all this said, I know that a lot of people out there are going to say, “How can I do that? I have no idea how to measure my sodium intake and I certainly don’t have the time to go to the doctor’s to get tests done!”

Relax!  (which will also help lower your blood pressure).  All you have to do is check the sodium content in the food you eat. Read the nutritional information label on the back of every container of food to find this information. This will give you an idea of your total intake. 

Example:

• 1 tsp of salt = 2,325 mg of sodium
• 1 can light tuna = 558 mg
• 1 oz of peanut butter =230 mg
• 1 slice of bread = 170 mg

The easiest way to let your sodium check and balance itself is to eat only natural foods.  Do not buy canned goods.  Buy only fruits and veggies fresh from the grocery store, or better yet, a local farmer’s market.

Not only will this keep your sodium in check, but it will also keep your vitamin and mineral count closer to where it needs to be.  You need to be getting plenty of fruits and vegetables each day or your body will be starved for vital nutrients and antioxidants.

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Summer is a great time to change up your workout by enjoying the outdoors, but be sure to take precautions to prevent heatstroke. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are also dangerous for the body, but heat stroke can be a fatal consequence.

Typically, the heat generated by your body’s metabolism is let out through the skin or sweat. In extreme weather – climbing temperatures, increased humidity, or just a very sunny day – your body temperature can rise to over 106 degrees, making it virtually impossible to cool down. When you are exerting yourself outdoors, dehydration is another common occurrence that can lead to heat stroke.

Heat stroke is especially dangerous because the onset of symptoms can happen very quickly. Symptoms can include everything from common dehydration to severe attacks such as seizures or comas. If you notice any of these things happening, cool the victim and seek medical help immediately. Use this guide to prevent, identify, and treat heat stroke:

Prevention

1. Stay hydrated.
2. Take short breaks in the shade.
3. Wear thin, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
4. If you can avoid an intense workout in sticky, humid weather, seek a cooler, safer alternative.

Recognizing Heat Stroke

1. High body temperature
2. Thirst (dehydration)
3. Rapid pulse
4. Difficulty breathing
5. Disorientation

Treating Heat Stroke

1. Get the victim to a cool, shaded area.
2. Seek immediate medical attention.
3. Remove victim’s clothing.
4. Spray or pour cool water on body.
5. Apply ice packs, if available.
6. Fan the body to facilitate sweating and evaporation by cooling.

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Back by popular demand, Carmen Garcia is here to show you a new exercise. Carmen and Jamo will introduce you to a very creative shoulder routine. This is a great workout for the arms and delts.

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You’ve heard of the health benefits of green tea, but the new energy-boosting natural beverage of favor is white tea. Since it’s the least processed of all teas, it has the highest levels of the stimulating L-theanine amino acid. It also contains a fraction of the caffeine of other teas and coffee – one cup of coffee packs eight times as much caffeine as white tea.

Because of these advantages, white tea will keep you hydrated longer and is believed to produce a calming affect via the L-theanine. Studies have also found that white tea typically has higher antioxidant levels than other types of tea. Specifically, white tea’s high levels of polyphenol antioxidants are believed to play a role in regulating the growth and proliferation of cancerous cells. Most likely though, the first benefit you’ll notice is the extra energy you have all day long.

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Great fitness is possible at any age and this gentleman is proof. Sonny Pecora is 67 years old and trains every day to stay in top shape. Watch him try to do 90 Push Ups in 60 seconds.

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“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren’t in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.” Dolly Parton

When I think of Dolly’s quote, I think of how my mother also tried every diet in the book before she finally lost her weight. I know she must have felt like she spent her entire life dieting. The truth is, she just made a few common mistakes that prolonged her results. Here is a list of helpful diet tips that will make sure your weight loss journey is a success:

1. Avoid diet hopping - Some people never stick to a diet long enough to get results before they hop on the next diet that comes their way. If you chose a diet plan, stick to it.
2. Never attempt an unrealistic diet - I can’t help but think of the Cabbage Soup Diet which I was on for all of four very long days. A successful diet is one you can stick with for the long haul.
3. Don’t rely on the quick fix - We all know better but our patience often gets the best of us. Don’t give in to weight loss gimmicks. A quick fix is just a temporary fix and only postpones the inevitable.
4. Be realistic - If you are on a mild diet and exercise plan, expect mild results. The more intense the program, the faster the results. Be realistic when setting and working toward your goal.
5. Be honest with yourself - People seem quick to recall all the healthy low-calorie foods they eat but get amnesia when it comes to unhealthy choices. The scale will tell on you, so in all actuality you aren’t fooling anyone but yourself.
6. What you don’t know can hurt you - I find most people who have failed on their diet have been guessing their way through it all. Other people just don’t want to know the truth. I can’t tell you how many times my husband has taken a bite of something and as soon as I begin to read off the calories he plugs his ears saying “lalalalalalalala, I don’t want to know, lalalalalala”! The fact is the calories are there whether we know it or not.
7. If you aren’t dieting, you should be maintaining - Even if you lose the weight, you still have to be accountable for what you eat in order to maintain your new size. Many people who hit their goal end up back where they started because they went right back to eating poorly.
8. The “Weekday Diet” doesn’t always work - Many people diet all week only to erase their hard work each weekend. Although this may work while in maintenance, this diet faux pas is what makes people feel like they are dieting all the time and never reaping the reward.
9. Never underestimate the power of the calorie - Weight loss boils down to calories in vs. calories out. You can’t expect results if you are not sure how many calories you are eating.
10. Commit to dieting the right way - A lack of commitment just prolongs the amount of time it will take to get results. You can live on a yo-yo diet for the rest of your life and get mediocre results, or you can commit to working hard for a while and live the rest of your life enjoying your results.

By Bonnie Pfiester

Popularity: 41% [?]