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<atom:link href="http://totalresults.net/feed.php" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
<title>Blog feed (RSS 2.0)</title>
<link>http://totalresults.net</link>
<item>
<title>The Creatine Debate</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?slug=the-creatine-debate</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=803</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A client recently asked me if I thought that supplementing with
creatine was a good idea.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s funny to notice how so
much of the supplement and fitness industries are cyclical; the
more things change, the more they stay the same.&nbsp; When I was
just starting out in the exercise business over 25 years ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Stress of Life&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=788</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=788</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Hans
Selye
(1907-1982)
was
a
Hungarian-Canadian
endocrinologist
who
spent
most
of
his
professional
life
studying
the
non-specific
response
of
the
human
body
to
stressors.
Dr.
Selye
earned
his
M.D.
and
a
Ph.
D
in
organic
chemistry
from
the
German
University
of
Prague,
and
did
postdoctoral
and
research
fellowships
at
both
Johns
Hopkins
and
McGill
Universities.
He
wrote
several
books
on
the
physiological
concept
of
stress
and
the
General
Adaptation
Syndrome.
I
first
became
aware
of
Selye's
work
when
I
took
a
course
on
stress
management
in
college.
"The
Stress
of
Life"
was
initially
published
in
1956,
and
the
second
edition
was
released
in
1976.

 


Dr.
Selye
defines
stress
as,
"The
non-specific
response
of
the
body
to
any
demand
placed
upon
it,
whether
the
condition
or
stimulus
is
pleasant
or
unpleasant."
No
one
is
immune
to
stress;
it
comes
in
many
forms:
physical,
emotional,
and
psychological.
The
key
to
managing
stress
is
in
adaptation.
According
to
the
author,
"Life
is
largely
a
process
of
adaptation
to
the
circumstances
in
which
we
exist."
Selye
called
the
non-specific
response
to
stress
the
General
Adaptation
Syndrome,
in
which
our
various
internal
organs
(with
the
assistance
of
our
endocrine
glands
and
nervous
system)
help
us
to
adjust
to
constant
changes
around
us
and
steer
us
toward
homeostasis.
The
G.A.S
has
three
stages:
the
alarm
reaction,
the
stage
of
resistance,
and
the
stage
of
exhaustion.
The
alarm
reaction
is
frequently
referred
to
as
"fight-or-flight",
and
is
characterized
by
the
release
of
the
hormones
cortisol,
adrenaline,
and
norepinephrine.
In
the
resistance
phase,
the
body
attempts
to
adapt,
repair,
and
return
the
body
to
homeostasis,
but
still
remains
on
alert.
Finally,
in
the
stage
of
exhaustion,
prolonged
exposure
to
stress
can
cause
burnout,
chronic
fatigue,
and
an
increased
vulnerability
to
illness.

 


Inflammation
is
a
defense
reaction
to
an
injury
that
represents
fight,
rather
than
flight.
If
you
sustain
a
blunt
force
to
your
elbow,
you
are
likely
to
experience
swelling
in
the
area
in
short
order.
This
is
the
body's
way
of
containing
the
injury
by
creating
a
barricade
that
separates
damaged
tissue
from
healthy
tissue,
and
it
is
an
important
step
in
the
healing
process.
The
Local
Adaptation
Syndrome
(L.A.S.)
is
characterized
by
reactive
inflammation
and
tissue
death.
As
Dr.
Selye
puts
it,
"...L.A.S.
is
powerfully
influenced
by
the
G.A.S.
It
is
largely
-
though
by
no
means
entirely
-
dependent
upon
the
balance
between
proinflammatory
and
anti-inflammatory
hormones
secreted
by
the
endocrine
glands
in
reply
to
alarm
signals
set
off
by
the
stressor
itself.

 


Chapter
17
covers
the
stressors
of
daily
life.
Keep
in
mind
that
this
book
was
published
50
years
ago,
so
some
references
may
seem
obsolete.
Stress
can
come
in
many
forms,
such
as
one's
occupation,
family,
public
speaking,
driving,
and
even
the
environment.
Sensory
deprivation
and
boredom
can
also
be
considered
stressors.
As
the
author
explains,
"Normal
function
of
the
brain
depends
on
constant
arousal
generated
in
the
reticular
formation
by
continuous
sensory
input."
Isolation
and
loneliness
can
be
significant
sources
of
stress,
as
we
saw
during
the
Covid
lockdowns
0f
2020.
However,
Dr.
Selye
also
makes
the
very
valid
point
that,
"...What
matters
is
not
really
what
happens
to
you
but
the
way
you
take
it."

 


The
author
gives
an
exhaustive
list
of
medical
and
self-observable
danger
signs
that
can
manifest
if
an
individual
is
experiencing
undue
levels
of
stress.
Some
of
these
are
commonly
known
and
understood
today,
such
as
an
increase
in
blood
pressure,
cholesterol,
or
abnormalities
in
EEG
(electroencephalogram)
readings.
Self-observable
signs
include
general
irritability,
insomnia,
inability
to
concentrate,
migraine
headaches,
and
nightmares.

 


Dr.
Selye
makes
a
few
other
excellent
points
and
references
which
have
some
relevance
to
exercise
and
physical
activity.
He
discusses
what
he
calls
developmental
adaptation,
which
can
be
interpreted
along
the
lines
of
muscular
hypertrophy
(growth).
The
passage
in
the
book
reads:
"This
response
occurs
whenever
a
tissue
is
required
only
to
increase
its
activity
as
regards
a
function
to
which
it
is
already
adapted
at
the
onset,
as,
for
instance,
when
a
muscle
is
forced
to
perform
more
than
the
usual
amount
of
mechanical
work."
As
far
as
the
role
of
genetics
is
concerned,
Dr.
Selye
notes,
"The
evolution
of
our
tissues
from
infancy
to
adulthood
appears
to
be
primarily
by
the
laws
of
heredity,
but
it
is
also
manifestly
dependent
upon
the
demands
that
we
must
face,
that
is,
stress."
He
speaks
of
stress
as
an
equalizer
in
terms
of
our
activities,
and
cautions
against
overdoing
it.
"This
situation
is
quite
comparable
to
that
of
a
country
which,
when
attacked
on
one
front
only,
can
send
all
its
armies
to
the
endangered
region,
but
cannot
do
so
when
several
frontiers
are
simultaneously
invaded."
I
have
discussed
with
clients
and
readers
of
this
blog
the
importance
of
having
purpose
and
a
reason
to
get
up
every
day,
and
caution
against
retiring
early.
Dr.
Selye
says,
"Many
a
valuable
person,
who
could
still
have
given
several
years
of
useful
work
to
society,
has
been
made
physically
ill
and
prematurely
senile
by
the
enforced
retirement
at
an
age
when
his
requirements
and
abilities
for
activity
were
still
high.
This
psychosomatic
illness
is
so
common
that
it
has
been
given
a
name:


retirement
disease"

(author's
emphasis).

 


"The
Stress
of
Life"
is
not
an
easy
book
to
read;
it
took
me
several
weeks
to
finish.
It
can
be
very
technical
at
times,
but
Dr.
Selye
does
break
the
monotony
by
giving
numerous
real-life
examples
and
stories
from
his
work.
Overall,
I
thought
it
was
a
very
useful
book
that
gave
me
a
better
understanding
of
some
aspects
of
the
body's
stress
response.
Additionally,
it
reinforced
some
knowledge
that
I
already
had.
Each
section
of
the
book
has
a
summary,
so
it
gives
the
reader
a
heads
up
about
what
will
be
discussed
in
the
next
few
chapters
if
they
would
like
to
skim
the
material
or
skip
ahead.
However,
if
you're
feeling
bold
read
it
in
its
entirety.
Simply
finishing
the
book
is
a
big
accomplishment.
Even
though
"The
Stress
of
Life"
was
published
50
years
ago,
it
still
gives
us
insight
into
the
pioneering
work
of
Dr.
Hans
Selye,
and
its
impact
continues
to
resonate
today.






]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Maximize Your Strengths, Improve Your Weaknesses</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=787</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=787</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Personal
development
and
growth
should
be
a
lifelong
pursuit.
 You
might
be
surprised
to
learn
that
Van
Halen
frontman
David
Lee
Roth
is
an
avid
reader,
something
that
was
encouraged
by
his
parents
during
his
childhood.
 "Diamond
Dave"
values
learning
and
once
said
that
he
didn't
want
to
be
the
same
guy
at
the
end
of
a
tour
that
he
was
when
he
got
on
the
bus
before
hitting
the
road.
 Having
a
learning
mindset
and
a
positive
attitude
are
significant
attributes
in
terms
of
achieving
personal
growth
in
any
endeavor.
 All
of
us
have
areas
in
which
we
are
strong
as
well
as
room
for
improvement.
 I
am
certainly
not
immune
to
personal
weaknesses;
I
know
that
I
must
consistently
work
on
my
patience
and
active
listening
skills.
 During
football
season
I
often
achieve
less
than
adequate
sleep
(especially
on
Friday
nights)
and
try
to
balance
too
many
balls
in
the
air,
but
each
season
I
coach
I
get
a
little
bit
better
at
it.
 


 


If
you
are
taking
the
time
to
read
this
article,
it
is
likely
that
you
recognize
certain
areas
where
you
need
to
improve.
 This
is
healthy
and
demonstrates
a
level
of
self-awareness
that
many
folks
do
not
possess.
 Honest
self-assessment
is
important,
but
you
should
also
take
the
time
to
recognize
the
good
habits
you
have
created
and
the
things
you
do
well.
 In
life
we
usually
learn
more
from
our
defeats
than
we
do
from
our
victories,
but
celebrating
even
small
wins
serves
as
positive
reinforcement.
 Everybody
likes
to
feel
appreciated.


 


Every
Total
Results
client
has
certain
exercises
they
dislike
more
than
others.
 It
could
be
that
they
don't
perform
as
well
on
those
exercises
as
they
would
like,
or
because
the
systemic
effect
of
some
of
the
larger
movements
make
things
unpleasant.
 We
structure
our
workouts
in
a
systematic
fashion
so
that
we
can
give
equal
attention
to
the
upper
and
lower
body,
balance
horizontal
and
vertical
pushing
and
pulling
movements,
and
work
in
the
sagittal,
transverse,
and
frontal
planes.
 Unless
certain
exercises
are
causing
injurious
pain,
we
will
continue
to
incorporate
them
into
your
workout
because
we
want
you
to
develop
symmetrically.
 Take
the
time
to
find
out
how
you
can
improve
your
performance
on
exercises
that
are
difficult.
 Listen,
absorb,
and
try
to
implement
the
feedback
you
receive
from
your
instructor.
 Periodically
looking
over
your
progress
chart
can
provide
some
positive
reinforcement.
 Just
adding
two
pounds
or
a
few
seconds
in
time
under
load
may
not
seem
like
much,
but
it
can
add
up
over
time.


 


Be
honest
with
yourself;
are
you
really
giving
your
best
effort
every
time?
 Only
you
can
look
at
yourself
in
the
mirror
and
answer
that
question.
 You
should
not
expect
to
break
records
or
compare
yourself
to
someone
else;
it
is
far
better
to
focus
on
what
you
can
control
than
things
you
cannot.
 There
are
many
factors
that
are
within
your
control
that
will
give
you
the
best
chance
for
success,
such
as
proper
sleep,
optimal
hydration,
and
stress
management.
 If
your
diet
is
a
weak
point,
Total
Results
can
help!
 If
you
want
to
build
muscle
(which
I
am
assuming
you
do,
or
you
would
not
be
here)
you
should
start
by
consuming
one
gram
of
protein
per
kilogram
of
body
weight.
 How
is
your
mental
approach
to
each
session?
 Is
your
mind
scattered
when
you
arrive
for
your
workout,
or
are
you
able
to
put
everything
aside
for
twenty
minutes
and
focus
on
the
task
at
hand?
 Life
happens
and
nobody
lives
in
a
vacuum.
 If
focusing
is
a
problem
for
you,
start
by
putting
your
phone
away
for
the
ten
minutes
prior
to
your
session
and
simply
think
about
giving
your
best
effort
on
every
exercise
of
your
upcoming
workout.
 Visualize
success
in
"emptying
the
tank."
 If
focus
is
a
point
of
strength
for
you,
keep
doing
what
you're
doing.


 


Do
not
be
content
with
being
good;
see
what
you
can
do
to
become
even
better!
 There
is
always
room
for
improvement.
 Tom
Brady
was
a
seven
time
Super
Bowl
winner,
won
three
MVP
awards,
and
was
named
first
team
All-Pro
three
times,
yet
never
stopped
trying
to
improve
until
the
day
he
hung
up
his
cleats.
 Keep
doing
the
things
that
you
do
well,
yet
always
be
on
the
lookout
for
ways
to
improve
your
weaknesses.
 Growth
should
never
stop!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What Does it Take to Reach Your Potential?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=783</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=783</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Merriam-Webster
defines
the
word
potential
(noun)
as,
"ground
for
expectation
of
success,
improvement,
or
excellence."
 What
does
this
mean
in
the
context
of
high-intensity
exercise?
 The
concept
of
success
means
different
things
to
different
people,
and
new
clients
come
to
Total
Results
with
a
variety
of
goals
that
they
would
like
to
achieve.
 I
often
use
the
term
"genetic
potential,"
which
might
initially
sound
vague.
 Each
of
us
was
dealt
a
genetic
hand
of
cards
at
birth;
half
of
your
genes
came
from
each
of
your
parents.
 Many
of
us,
based
on
genetics,
have
a
predisposition
to
things
like
heart
disease,
diabetes,
or
cancer,
but
that
doesn't
guarantee
that
we
will
suffer
from
any
or
all
of
these
diseases.
 Lifestyle
goes
a
long
way
toward
determining
your
ultimate
outcome,
and
at
Total
Results
we
want
to
give
you
the
tools
to
succeed
in
maximizing
your
genetic
potential.
 


 


What
does
it
take
to
achieve
your
best
possible
outcome?
 One
invaluable
weapon
is

a

positive
attitude

-
it
doesn't
cost
anything.
 Life
throws
many
things
at
you
that
are
out
of
your
control,
but
how
you
respond
is
a
choice.
 Show
up
for
your
workouts
week
in
and
week
out
with
enthusiasm,
not
drudgery.
 While
I
find
our
workouts
physically
and
intellectually
stimulating,
I
realize
that
not
everyone
sees
it
the
way
I
do
all
the
time.
 Accept
the
challenge
with
a
positive
mindset
and
understand
you
will
be
in
discomfort
for
about
twenty
minutes.
 No
growth
of
any
kind
-
be
it
spiritual,
intellectual,
or
physical
-
is
possible
without
experiencing
discomfort.


 


In
order
to
reach
your
ceiling
you
will
need

a
willingness
to
learn
and
be
coachable.
 Most
people
who
want
to
accomplish
something
meaningful
will
possess
a
desire
to
improve,
and
it
is
important
that
we
provide
meaningful
markers
of
progress
along
the
way.
 Although
showing
up
consistently
is
important,
there
is
more
to
it
than
just
being
present.
 You
have
to
want
to
learn,
but
also
understand
that
this
is
a
process
and
does
not
happen
overnight.
 Putting
distractions
aside
and
being
locked
in
for
the
entirety
of
your
workout
will
pay
dividends.
 There
is
a
learning
curve
to
understanding
our
protocol
and
philosophy,
and
creating
good
habits
is
a
step-by-step
endeavor.


 


Give
great
effort

-
it
is
a
key
component
of
success
no
matter
what
you
do!
 When
we
talk
about
effort
in
exercise,
attention
to
detail
is
included
in
the
mix;
this
includes
speed
of
movement,
pacing,
and
turnaround
technique,
but
it
also
means
pushing
to
and
beyond
the
point
of
muscular
failure.
 Intensity
can
be
defined
as
inroad/time,
and
greater
effort
translates
into
a
more
significant
muscular,
metabolic,
and
cardiovascular
stimulus.
 Have
it
in
your
mind
that
although
you
will
encounter
discomfort,
you
are
mentally
strong
enough
to
work
as
hard
as
you
possibly
can
for
one
to
three
minutes
in
each
exercise.
 You
will
feel
a
tremendous
sense
of
accomplishment
when
the
workout
is
over.


 


Be
consistent.
 Our
most
successful
clients
are
the
individuals
who
make
it
a
point
to
be
here
every
week.
 If
you
cancel
or
reschedule
frequently,
or
consistently
show
up
late,
you
may
need
to
reevaluate
your
priorities
and
your
schedule.
 This
must
be
important
to
you.
 No
matter
how
busy
you
are,
you
can
fit
less
than
one
hour
of
exercise
into
your
week.


 


Don't
overdo
it
with
additional
activity.
 Yes,
human
beings
were
designed
to
move,
and
I
believe
that
a
sedentary
lifestyle
should
be
avoided.
 However,
your
body
has
finite
recovery
resources,
and
as
we
age
it
takes
longer
to
recover.
 Some
moderate
activity
shouldn't
disrupt
your
progress,
but
pounding
the
pavement
running
every
day,
or
playing
pickleball
for
three
hours
at
a
clip
is
going
to
negatively
impact
your
ability
to
get
the
most
out
of
your
Total
Results
workouts.
 No
other
form
of
physical
activity
can
do
for
you
what
Total
Results
workouts
can
do.


 


Eat
protein.
 This
is
the
raw
material
that
your
body
needs
to
grow
muscle.
 There
is
considerable
debate
about
how
much
protein
one
should
consume
per
day.
 I
recommend
starting
with
1
gram
of
protein
per
kilogram
of
body
weight,
and
increase
as
needed.
 You
can
find
out
your
weight
in
kilograms
by
taking
your
body
weight
in
pounds
and
dividing
by
2.2.
 I
also
suggest
that
you
divide
your
protein
intake
evenly
across
your
meals,
rather
than
eating
the
lion's
share
in
one
meal.


 


Commit
to
yourself!
 Believe
in
what
you
are
doing
and
don't
give
yourself
an
out.
 Be
all
in
or
not
at
all.
 Let
Total
Results
help
you
reach
your
potential.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Perfect Time is Right Now</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=782</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=782</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

As
the
old
saying
goes,
necessity
is
often
the
mother
of
invention.
 We
often
wait
for
just
the
right
time
to
begin
something:
 to
learn
a
new
skill,
to
save
for
retirement,
to
change
our
habits,
or
to
start
an
exercise
regimen.
 Artistically
inclined
people
often
speak
about
a
moment
of
inspiration
that
spurred
them
to
write
a
song
or
create
a
painting,
and
perhaps
that
does
happen
for
some
folks.
 It
has
been
my
experience
that
there
are
very
few
occasions
when
a
"perfect
time"
will
ever
present
itself.
 Life
is
full
of
numerous
hidden
opportunities;
sometimes
you
just
have
to
plow
ahead
and
create
one
for
yourself
instead
of
waiting
for
something
to
happen.
 Procrastination
leads
to
inertia;
it's
time
to
attack
the
day
and
do
something
meaningful.
 The
perfect
time
is
right
now!


 


It
starts
with
adopting
a
different
mindset.
 The
perfect
time
is
right
now!
 Gone
are
the
days
of
making
excuses
and
accepting
less
than
you
deserve.
 The
power
of
positive
thinking
is
far
stronger
than
most
people
realize.
 In
his
classic
book
"The
Magic
of
Thinking
Big,"
author
David
J.
Schwartz
says,
"Believe
big.
 The
size
of
your
success
is
determined
by
the
size
of
your
belief."
 Others
will
not
believe
in
you
until
you
believe
in
yourself.
 There
is
documented
evidence
that
people
who
write
down
their
goals
and
regularly
see
them
on
paper
are
far
more
likely
to
achieve
them
than
people
who
do
not.
 If
you
can
visualize
success,
you
can
go
out
and
earn
it.
 There
is
much
that
occurs
in
life
that
is
outside
our
control,
but
two
things
that
we
have
absolute
power
over
are
our
attitude
and
our
effort.
 Choose
the
way
you
want
to
respond
to
the
adversity
that
life
is
bound
to
throw
your
way.


 


The
perfect
time
to
start
exercising
at
Total
Results
is
right
now.
 You
have
wanted
to
incorporate
high-intensity
weight
training
into
your
lifestyle,
but
it
just
doesn't
feel
like
the
right
time.
 You
may
be
busy
with
work,
family,
and
other
commitments.
 Many
people
like
to
wait
until
January
to
make
a
New
Year's
resolution.
 It
is
early
September;
why
wait
another
four
months?
If
you
keep
waiting,
you
can
always
find
another
excuse
to
procrastinate.
 You
might
also
say,
"Total
Results
sounds
hard;
I
don't
know
if
I'm
ready
for
that."
 Give
yourself
some
credit;
it's
time
to
adopt
a
can-do
mentality.
 Yes,
our
workouts
are
challenging;
stimulating
lasting
physical
change
requires
effort.
 Your
body
will
adapt
to
the
demands
of
the
workout,
probably
faster
than
you
thought.
 You
have
168
hours
in
a
week;
Total
Results
workouts
take
up
less
than
one
of
those
hours.
 Think
about
that
and
allow
it
to
sink
in.


 


Start
the
next
exercise
of
your
workout
right
now.
 Some
clients
will
inadvertently
(or
purposely)
delay
between
exercises
because
they
are
fatigued.
 Your
arms
and
legs
are
shaking,
and
your
lungs
are
burning;
you
would
love
to
catch
your
breath
before
your
next
exercise.
 But
the
time
to
get
going
is
right
now!
 Sure,
you
might
achieve
a
higher
time
under
load
on
your
next
exercise
if
you
rested
for
a
minute
or
two,
but
that's
not
the
main
objective
of
exercise.
 Our
main
objective
is
thorough
systemic
inroad.
 The
sooner
you
start,
the
sooner
you
finish
the
workout,
and
moving
quickly
between
exercises
ensures
optimal
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning.
 In
this
way,
Total
Results
exercise
is
more
"cardio"
than
steady
state
activity.
 These
effects
can
be
felt
long
after
you
complete
your
session.
 No
matter
how
tired
you
are,
find
a
way
to
start
the
next
movement
as
quickly
as
you
can.
 The
reward
comes
at
the
end
when
you
are
finished;
it
is
likely
to
be
the
most
challenging
physical
activity
you
perform
all
week.


 


The
time
to
start
your
workout
is
right
now.
 Punctuality
is
key;
intentionally
or
unintentionally,
it
speaks
volumes
about
your
level
of
readiness
and
how
important
this
is
to
you.
 If
you
consistently
show
up
late
or
reschedule
your
appointments,
you
may
need
to
reexamine
your
schedule
and
level
of
commitment.
 Have
a
sense
of
urgency;
for
the
next
half
hour,
this
is
the
most
critical
thing
you
need
to
accomplish.
 If
your
session
starts
at
10,
don't
wait
until
10
to
leave
your
car
and
start
walking
toward
the
studio.
 It's
not
only
okay
to
show
up
early,
we
strongly
encourage
it!
 Do
whatever
you
feel
is
necessary
to
be
mentally
ready
to
give
your
best
effort,
but
let's
start
promptly.


 


It
all
begins
with
a
single
step.
 Just
scheduling
a
session
will
put
you
on
the
right
path.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Twenty Minute Workout - An Oversimplification</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=781</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=781</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

People
often
hear
that
a
Total
Results
workout
usually
lasts
about
twenty
minutes
and
think
that
it
is
simple
or
easy.
 I
don't
know
if
simple
is
the
right
word,
but
we
certainly
don't
want
to
overcomplicate
things.
 Easy?
 Definitely
not!
 On
the
other
hand,
some
folks
who
are
steeped
in
more
traditional
(outdated)
thinking
swear
that
you
cannot
accomplish
anything
meaningful
in
only
twenty
minutes.
 These
are
individuals
who
believe
that
if
some
is
good,
more
is
better.
 If
that
is
the
case,
why
limit
the
amount
of
time
you
spend
exercising?
 This
is
where
the
volume
training
approach
falls
woefully
short
from
a
physiological
perspective.
 Don't
judge
the
philosophy
simply
based
on
the
amount
of
time
spent
exercising.
 Sure,
less
than
one
hour
per
week
is
a
relatively
small
time
investment,
but
it
is
important
to
look
beneath
the
surface
in
order
to
understand
what
really
takes
place.
 


 


The
main
objective
of
high-intensity
exercise
is
to
stimulate
a
growth
mechanism.
 The
intensity
of
effort
must
be
significant
enough
for
the
body
to
interpret
what
is
happening
as
an
existential
threat
to
its
existence.
 Bear
in
mind
that
you
are
not
actually
in
any
danger,
but
the
eventual
occurrence
of
momentary
muscular
failure
causes
the
body
to
cross
over
a
threshold
that
stimulates
a
growth
mechanism.
 This
is
what
sets
the
table
for
physical
improvements
to
take
place.
 By
reaching
muscular
failure,
we
have
assured
ourselves
that
we
have
done
everything
possible
to
send
a
strong
message
to
the
body.
 If
we
eat,
hydrate,
and
rest
properly
between
workouts,
then
the
body
will
respond
to
this
stimulus
by
building
muscle,
improving
bone
mineral
density,
strengthening
connective
tissue,
maintaining
insulin
sensitivity,
and
enhancing
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning.
 


 


Over
the
years,
potential
clients
have
contacted
us
to
ask
about
our
program,
and
when
they
learn
that
our
workouts
last
twenty
minutes
their
first
instinct
is
that
it
is
due
to
convenience,
or
that
it
is
something
that
we
can
"just
get
away
with."
 Neither
of
these
viewpoints
is
correct;
a
twenty
minute
workout
is
actually
a
biological
necessity!
 We
perform
twenty
minute
workouts
for
numerous
reasons.
 First,
there
is
an
inverse
relationship
between
intensity
of
effort
and
time
spent
exercising.
 The
more
efficiently
and
deeply
you
inroad
(fatigue)
your
skeletal
muscle,
the
less
time
you
can
actually
spend
working
out.
 You
can
sprint,
or
you
can
run
a
marathon,
but
you
cannot
sprint
a
marathon.
 Second,
exercise
has
a
narrow
therapeutic
window;
this
means
that
there
is
a
small
margin
between
too
much
exercise
and
not
enough.
 Too
little
exercise
does
not
adequately
stimulate
positive
change,
and
overdoing
it
can
lead
to
illness
and/or
injury.
 We
want
to
optimize
the
dose/response
relationship,
in
much
the
same
way
that
doctors
prescribe
(or
should
prescribe)
medication.
 It
is
important
to
perform
as
little
exercise
as
necessary
to
stimulate
physical
improvements
without
overtaxing
the
body
along
the
way.
 This
brings
me
to
my
third
point:
 recovery
resources
are
finite.
 It
is
much
easier
to
overtrain
than
you
think,
even
if
you
are
relatively
young
and
healthy.
 If
you
are
using
proper
form,
pushing
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure,
and
moving
briskly
between
exercises,
you
will
largely
deplete
your
glycogen
(stored
carbohydrate
in
the
muscles
and
liver)
stores
by
the
end
of
your
session.
 Replenishment
of
glycogen
and
muscle
tissue
repair
typically
require
a
minimum
of
a
few
days,
and
that
is
assuming
that
you
aren't
performing
any
other
vigorous
activity
in
addition
to
your
Total
Results
workouts.
 We
keep
a
detailed
record
of
every
workout,
and
if
we
notice
that
your
performance
is
leveling
off
or
going
backward,
it
is
probably
wise
to
reduce
your
training
frequency,
volume,
or
both.
 Many
of
our
longer
tenured
clients
only
exercise
once
a
week,
and
that
is
their
optimal
training
frequency
based
on
recovery
factors.


 


Another
factor
to
consider
is
the
release
of
cortisol.
 Cortisol
is
a
stress
hormone
produced
by
your
adrenal
glands
that
reduces
inflammation,
regulates
your
sleep-wake
cycle,
manages
blood
sugar
levels,
and
regulates
the
body's
'fight-or-flight"
response.
 Longer
workouts
trigger
a
greater
release
of
cortisol,
which
can
have
a
negative
impact
on
performance
and
lead
to
general
fatigue
and
overtraining.
 This
is
another
reason
to
keep
your
workouts
brief,
intense,
and
infrequent.
 Finally,
shorter
workouts
enable
you
to
more
effectively
maintain
your
focus.
 A
Total
Results
session
requires
tremendous
concentration,
not
only
to
achieve
the
best
possible
stimulus,
but
also
to
maximize
your
safety.
 It
is
much
easier
to
laser
in
your
focus
and
be
in
the
correct
mental
state
for
twenty
minutes
than
for
an
hour
or
more.
 This
gives
you
the
best
possible
chance
for
success.


 


Everything
that
we
do
has
a
purpose,
from
the
selection
and
sequence
of
exercises,
to
the
studio
environment
and
temperature
controls.
 This
whole
experience
is
far
more
than
what
it
appears
to
be
on
the
surface.
 Don't
believe
in
the
oversimplification
of
what
others
are
putting
forth.
 Start
reaping
the
benefits
of
high-intensity
Total
Results
workouts
today.
 It
will
be
the
best
twenty
minutes
you
have
ever
invested.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Concussions and High Intensity Training</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=780</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=780</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

As
a
high
school
football
coach,
I
am
required
to
complete
a
Concussions
in
Sports
course
once
per
year.
 Concussions
can
occur
in
soccer,
basketball,
and
even
field
hockey,
but
football
generally
garners
the
highest
amount
of
attention.
 The
way
that
we
teach
tackling
at
the
youth
and
high
school
level
(keeping
the
tackler's
head
behind
and
away
from
contact)
has
actually
made
the
game
safer
than
ever,
but
with
any
collision
sport
you
can
never
completely
eliminate
the
risk
of
concussions.
 According
to
the
Centers
for
Disease
Control,
"A
concussion
is
a
mild
type
of
traumatic
brain
injury-TBI-caused
by
a
bump,
blow,
or
jolt
to
the
head
or
by
a
hit
to
the
body
that
causes
the
head
and
brain
to
move
rapidly
back
and
forth."


 


Symptoms
of
a
concussion
can
include
headache,
sensitivity
to
light,
sensitivity
to
sound,
nausea,
disorientation,
and
dizziness.
 Depending
on
the
severity
of
the
injury
(and
if
you
have
sustained
previous
injuries),
these
symptoms
can
last
from
a
few
days
or
weeks
to
several
months.
 Hockey
fans
will
likely
remember
that
Pittsburgh
Penguins
star
Sidney
Crosby
once
missed
several
months
of
a
season
as
he
struggled
to
recover
from
one
of
many
concussions
he
has
sustained
over
his
career.
 The
Virginia
High
School
League,
the
governing
body
of
high
school
sports
in
our
state,
has
strict
guidelines
that
coaches
must
follow
if
an
athlete
is
suspected
of
sustaining
a
concussion.
 These
include
immediate
removal
from
a
practice
or
game,
a
same-day
evaluation
by
a
medical
professional,
and
rest
until
they
are
symptom-free.
 Following
that,
there
is
a
"Return
to
Play"
protocol
that
must
be
followed.
 In
sequential
order,
the
athlete
must
perform
light
aerobic
activity,
sport-specific
exercise,
non-contact
drills,
full
contact
practice,
and
if
they
remain
symptom-free
they
may
resume
full
activity.
 If
concussion
symptoms
return
at
any
point,
they
must
drop
back
to
the
last
stage
in
which
they
were
symptom-free.
 In
my
experience,
having
knowledgeable
coaches
working
with
seasoned
athletic
trainers
on
sight
has
made
a
huge
difference.
 In
2024,
my
second
year
at
Dominion
High
School,
we
sustained
no
concussions
on
our
freshman
team.
 I
attribute
that
to
these
guidelines,
but
also
because
we
limited
full-contact
(tackling
to
the
ground)
tackling
drills
in
practice.


 


What
do
concussions
have
to
do
with
high
intensity
exercise?
 You
are
certainly
less
likely
to
experience
a
concussion
if
you
don't
participate
in
a
collision
sport,
but
concussions
can
occur
in
everyday
life
as
a
result
of
car
accidents,
falls,
or
physical
assaults.
 I
currently
work
with
two
clients
who
have
sustained
concussions
during
their
tenure
at
Total
Results,
though
neither
occurred
during
the
course
of
a
workout.
 Both
clients
were
in
their
early
50s,
one
a
male
and
one
a
female.
 Each
of
these
trainees
had
worked
with
us
for
a
number
of
years
when
they
sustained
the
injury,
and
fortunately
they
were
very
well-conditioned.


 


How
do
we
handle
concussions
at
Total
Results?
 If
you
suspect
that
you
have
sustained
a
concussion,
we
strongly
encourage
you
to
be
evaluated
by
a
medical
professional.
 Should
the
diagnosis
be
confirmed,
you
should
avoid
weight
training
workouts
until
you
are
symptom-free.
 We
are
more
than
happy
to
touch
base
with
your
medical
provider
to
gain
insight
and
learn
of
any
restrictions
that
they
suggest.
 Once
you
are
able
to
resume
exercise,
we
will
start
with
greatly
reduced
weights,
mild
to
moderate
intensity,
and
a
fixed
number
of
repetitions
or
time
under
load.
 We
are
not
training
to
muscular
failure;
we
simply
want
to
make
sure
that
you
can
complete
the
workout
without
experiencing
a
recurrence
of
symptoms.
 Neck
exercises
will
be
avoided
for
the
first
few
workouts
to
avoid
any
pressing
on
the
head.
 The
instructor
will
assess
on
an
ongoing
basis
and
the
client
will
provide
feedback
following
each
workout.
 It
is
important
to
note
how
you
feel
in
the
day
or
two
after
the
workout;
sometimes
symptoms
don't
recur
right
away.
 We
will
slowly
work
up
to
a
higher
level
of
effort
over
the
course
of
a
few
weeks
until
you
are
able
to
exercise
at
full
intensity
with
no
problems.
 Each
case
is
different;
people
heal
at
different
paces,
so
we
must
individualize
the
workout.


 


A
concussion
is
a
head
injury;
treatment
should
be
taken
very
seriously.
 These
injuries
can
vary
in
severity,
which
is
why
you
should
get
checked
out
if
you
sustain
a
blow
to
the
head.
 If
you
have
previously
suffered
a
concussion
you
are
more
susceptible
to
another
injury,
so
it
is
important
to
know
the
warning
signs.
 If
you
should
happen
to
suffer
from
a
concussion,
please
communicate
to
us
so
that
we
can
take
the
appropriate
steps
to
ensure
your
safety.
 We
are
on
your
side!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to Avoid Muscle Cramps</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=779</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=779</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Total
Results
clients
will
occasionally
remark
during
or
after
the
Seated
Leg
Curl
exercise
that
they
feel
a
cramp
or
a
"charley
horse"
in
either
their
hamstring
or
calf
muscle.
 Many
times,
what
they
are
experiencing
is
not
really
a
cramp
at
all,
but
rather
exertional
discomfort
as
a
result
of
performing
intense
exercise.
 Novice
trainees
are
often
not
accustomed
to
the
burning
sensation
that
is
a
byproduct
of
muscular
inroad,
and
their
tolerance
for
this
discomfort
will
increase
over
time.
 If
you
are,
in
fact,
truly
experiencing
a
muscle
cramp,
it
can
be
remedied
relatively
quickly.
 The
best
strategy
is
to
avoid
them
altogether,
and
I
will
discuss
the
nature
of
how
muscle
cramps
are
presented,
methods
for
treatment,
and
ways
that
they
can
be
prevented.


 


A
"charley
horse"
is
simply
a
colloquial
term
for
a
muscle
cramp.
 This
is
a
sudden,
painful,
spasm
that
is
commonly
caused
by
fatigue,
dehydration,
or
low
electrolyte
levels.
 It
can
be
exacerbated
with
prolonged
exposure
to
physical
activity
in
heat
and
humidity,
but
some
folks
experience
them
in
bed
at
night.
 Although
the
onset
of
a
muscle
cramp
may
seem
to
come
from
out
of
nowhere,
in
reality
the
wheels
have
been
in
motion
for
quite
some
time
before
the
spasm
takes
place.
 It
is
a
lot
like
Ernest
Hemingway's
famous
quote
about
going
bankrupt,
"Two
ways.
 Gradually,
then
suddenly."
 Massage
and
stretching
can
be
of
some
help
once
a
muscle
has
begun
to
cramp,
but
that
is
really
just
managing
the
symptoms
rather
than
treating
the
underlying
cause.
 


 


How
can
you
prevent
muscle
cramps?
 The
key
is
to
plan
ahead.
 Hydration
is
critically
important,
not
just
when
it
is
hot
outside,
but
all
year.
 Most
people
say
they
drink
plenty
of
water,
but
in
reality
they
fall
well
short
of
what
they
should
consume.
 100
ounces
is
a
reasonable
daily
goal,
and
since
so
many
of
us
drink
from
a
Yeti
or
some
other
type
of
container,
it
should
be
relatively
easy
to
track
your
consumption.
 Do
not
drink
simply
based
on
thirst;
if
you
wait
until
you
are
thirsty
to
drink
water
it
is
already
too
late.
 Minimize
caffeine,
sugary
beverages
and
alcohol;
not
only
do
these
serve
as
an
unwelcome
source
of
empty
calories,
they
can
also
promote
dehydration.
 Do
not
just
drink
a
bunch
of
water
right
before
a
workout
or
competitive
activity
and
think
that
it
will
be
sufficient.
 You
have
to
plan
several
days
ahead.
 I
have
told
my
football
players
that
if
our
game
is
on
Friday,
you
need
to
start
hydrating
on
Monday
or
Tuesday
at
the
latest.
 One
good
daily
strategy
is
to
mix
a
pinch
of
Pink
Himalayan
sea
salt
into
20
ounces
of
water
once
or
twice
per
day;
this
will
help
to
stabilize
your
electrolyte
levels.
 I
use
Pink
Himalayan
salt
rather
than
regular
table
salt
because
it
contains
trace
amounts
of
iron,
potassium,
and
magnesium.


 


What
are
some
other
helpful
strategies?
 Eating
a
proper
diet
with
plenty
of
protein,
healthy
saturated
fats,
fruits,
vegetables,
and
supplementing
when
necessary
will
ensure
that
you
have
all
the
trace
elements
that
your
body
needs.
 When
I
coached
football
at
Dominion
High
School,
our
head
athletic
trainer
was
Rickie
Atkins,
a
former
member
of
the
Marine
Corps,
National
Guard,
and
combat
medic.
 He
had
a
sure-fire
mixture
that
he
said
never
failed
to
prevent
cramps:
Gatorade,
pickle
juice,
and
a
spoonful
of
mustard.
 If
this
was
consumed
the
night
before
a
football
game
or
track
meet,
it
worked
every
time.
 Gatorade
contains
water,
carbohydrates,
potassium,
and
sodium,
and
a
weaker
mixture
(with
more
water)
is
absorbed
faster
by
the
body.
In
this
instance,
the
sugar
in
Gatorade
is
of
benefit
because
it
provides
an
immediate
energy
source.
Pickle
juice
also
contains
sodium;
eight
ounces
contains
821
mg
of
sodium,
which
aids
in
recovery.
 In
addition
to
containing
sodium
and
potassium,
mustard
tricks
your
nervous
system
by
interrupting
the
hyperactive
nerve
firing
that
causes
cramping
to
occur.
 If
you
are
in
a
pinch
and
begin
to
cramp,
mustard
will
relieve
the
cramp
fairly
quickly
-
Rickie
used
to
keep
mustard
packets
in
his
medical
bag.
 If
you
perform
exertional
outdoor
activity,
drink
water
liberally
before,
during,
and
after
this
activity.
 Please
also
remember
that
cramping
can
occur
in
cooler
weather
as
well;
we
just
have
a
tendency
to
be
less
thirsty
when
it
is
cooler
outside.
 Do
not
wait
until
you
are
thirsty
to
drink
water.


 


There
is
very
little
chance
of
experiencing
dehydration
or
muscle
cramps
during
a
Total
Results
workout.
 Our
workouts
are
brief,
so
there
is
a
low
volume
of
exercise
being
performed.
 Since
the
workout
space
is
properly
cooled,
well-ventilated,
and
low
humidity,
clients
rarely
sweat
enough
to
deplete
their
levels
of
sodium
or
potassium.
 Trainees
can
give
themselves
the
best
possible
chance
for
success
by
dressing
cool
for
their
workout
(shorts/t-shirts)
to
allow
for
proper
heat
dissipation,
hydrating
properly
in
the
few
days
prior
to
their
session,
and
recognizing
the
difference
between
exertional
discomfort
and
muscle
cramping.


 


Muscle
cramps
can
be
painful
and
momentarily
debilitating,
but
in
the
end
they
are
very
minor.
 They
are
also
quite
preventable.
 You
can
get
ahead
of
the
curve
by
utilizing
the
strategies
listed
above,
and
if
you
plan
to
pursue
outdoor
activities
give
yourself
plenty
of
time
for
your
body
to
acclimate
to
heat.
 Stay
hydrated
and
avoid
cramps!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Mental Versus Physical</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=778</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=778</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

You
do
not
need
to
be
a
genetic
marvel
to
experience
life-changing
physical
improvements
from
Total
Results
exercise.
 Most
of
our
clients
are
regular
folks
who
simply
want
to
become
the
best
and
healthiest
versions
of
themselves.
 With
our
guidance,
they
learn
the
basic
physiological
principles
of
high-intensity
exercise,
master
proper
form
and
speed
of
movement,
increase
their
tolerance
for
exertional
discomfort,
and
acquire
the
ability
to
train
with
great
effort.
 If
everything
goes
right,
clients
will
grow
mentally
stronger
in
addition
to
gaining
physical
strength
and
endurance.
 Many
have
asked
the
question:
 how
much
of
it
is
mental
and
how
much
is
physical?


 


Success
is
dependent
on
several
factors.
 There
are
a
few
"non-negotiables"
that,
in
my
opinion,
you
either
have
or
you
do
not.
 These
non-negotiables
can
be
influenced
by
your
instructor,
to
a
point,
but
in
reality
they
need
to
already
be
present.
 It
all
starts
with

attitude;
a
positive
attitude
can
achieve
great
things,
but
a
negative
attitude
will
doom
you
from
the
start.
 Do
you
look
forward
to
each
workout
as
an
opportunity
to
improve,
or
are
you
dreading
coming
in
for
your
session?
 Only
you
know
what
is
truly
in
your
heart.
 The
second
factor
is
a

willingness
to
learn.
 For
over
90
percent
of
our
clients,
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
runs
counter
to
everything
they
think
they
know
or
have
heard
about
physical
training.
 Therefore,
it
is
a
new
concept
to
them
and
they
should
approach
it
as
a
learner
and
a
beginner.
 Unless
a
new
Total
Results
client
has
previously
worked
with
an
instructor
that
I
know
and
can
vouch
for
their
qualifications
(Case
in
point:
years
ago
I
had
a
client
who
moved
to
the
DC
area
from
Orlando
and
had
trained
regularly
with
Ken
Hutchins.
 I
knew
then
that
I
could
skip
ahead
a
few
chapters.),
I
will
treat
them
as
if
they
are
a
beginner.
 The
third
factor
is

coachability.
 We
can
define
coachability
as,
"the
willingness
and
ability
to
seek,
receive,
and
act
upon
constructive
feedback
to
improve
your
performance."
 I
will
take
it
a
step
further
and
say
that
being
coachable
entails
receiving
instruction
and
executing
it
to
the
best
of
your
ability
the
first
time
you
are
asked.
 Part
of
an
instructor's
job
is
to
be
critical
and
correct
mistakes
as
they
happen,
while
at
the
same
time
praising
effort
and
recognizing
proper
execution.
 Please
remember
that
all
of
this
is
done
not
to
injure
feelings,
but
to
ensure
the
best
possible
performance
and
outcome.


 


There
are
some
factors
that
are
trainable
and
can
be
developed
over
time.


Focus

can
be
defined
as
the
ability
to
concentrate
on
one
task
at
a
time.
 This
is
a
critical
component
of
our
philosophy,
and
it
is
why
we
have
designed
a
private
and
distraction-free
exercise
environment
in
our
studio.
 Focus
is
required
not
just
to
ensure
the
highest
quality
exercise
stimulus
(the
main
purpose
of
the
workout),
but
also
to
maintain
client
safety.
 It
is
important
to
shut
everything
else
out
for
20
minutes
and
devote
your
complete
attention
to
your
workout.


Grit

is
a
term
made
popular
by
psychologist
and
author
Angela
Duckworth
in
her
2016
book
of
the
same
name.
 Duckworth
believes
that
grit
has
four
psychological
assets:


 




Interest:
 A
deep
passion
and
genuine
enjoyment
for
what
you
do.




Practice:
 The
relentless
dedication
to
deliberate
practice,
consistently
focusing
on
improvement
and
and
working
on
weaknesses




Purpose:
 The
belief
that
your
work
is
profoundly
meaningful
and
contributes
to
the
well-being
of
others.




Hope:
 A
rising-to-the-occasion
perseverance;
the
optimistic
belief
that
you
can
overcome
challenges
and
that
your
effort
will
make
a
difference.




 


At
Total
Results,
grit
can
entail
not
quitting
in
spite
of
feeling
significant
exertional
discomfort,
overcoming
the
psychological
hurdle
of
reaching
muscular
failure
and
not
being
able
to
move
the
movement
arm,
but
also
showing
up
for
each
session
even
if
your
progress
has
slowed
or
life
presents
challenges.
 Will
you
take
responsibility
or
make
excuses?
 Finally,
we
can
talk
about

desire.
 Some
may
debate
as
to
whether
this
can
be
developed
or
not,
but
I
believe
it
can.
 How
important
is
it
to
you
to
make
physical
improvements?
 This
is
hard;
are
you
willing
to
do
what
it
takes?
 Some
sacrifices
will
be
involved;
every
time
you
say
yes
to
something
that
means
you
have
to
say
no
to
something
else.
 You
have
an
early
morning
workout
tomorrow;
saying
yes
to
going
to
bed
early
means
you're
saying
no
to
staying
up
late
to
binge-watch
that
Netflix
series.
 In
my
opinion,
desire
can
grow
as
soon
as
you
start
to
experience
some
tangible
progress,
but
remember
that
there
will
be
obstacles
in
your
path.


 


One
cannot
completely
discount
certain
genetic
factors
that
will
impact
training
results.
 We
can
define

neurological
efficiency

as
the
percentage
of
muscle
fibers
that
can
be
recruited
in
an
all-out
effort,
and
the
number
typically
falls
between
ten
and
forty
percent.
 This
is
largely
pre-determined
by
birth,
and
the
more
neurologically
efficient
you
are
the
deeper
you
can
inroad
(fatigue)
your
muscles
in
a
given
exercise.


Limb
length

is
fairly
self-explanatory,
but
it
has
an
impact
on
leverage
and
what
your
range
of
motion
is
on
certain
exercises.


Tendon
insertion
angle

is
the
exact
degree
at
which
muscle
fibers
attach
to
a
tendon
or
where
a
tendon
attaches
to
a
bone.
 Longer
muscle
bellies
(the
contractile
area
between
tendons)
generally
mean
a
greater
potential
capacity
for
strength.
 Finally,

fiber
type
makeup

can
be
described
as
the
different
types
of
muscle
fibers
that
make
up
your
skeletal
muscle.
 For
simplicity,
you
have
Type
I
fibers
(which
are
slow
twitch),
Type
IIA
fibers
(which
are
fast-twitch
oxidative),
and
Type
IIB
fibers
(which
are
fast-twitch-glycolytic).
 Type
I
fibers
are
largely
for
endurance
activities,
Type
IIA
are
intermediate,
and
Type
IIB
fibers
are
for
explosive
and
short-term
physical
feats
(think
sprinters
and
football
linebackers).
 Type
IIB
fibers
also
have
the
greatest
potential
for
growth,
while
Type
1
fibers
do
not.
 The
only
way
to
concretely
learn
your
fiber
type
makeup
is
to
have
a
muscle
biopsy
performed;
most
people
aren't
all
THAT
curious.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Exercise Instruction and Coaching = Teaching</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=777</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=777</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Teaching
involves
putting
across
concepts
and
information
to
another
person
in
a
manner
that
they
can
understand.
 There
is
an
old
saying:
"If
you
really
want
to
learn
how
to
do
something,
teach
it."
 Try
it
sometime,
and
you'll
be
amazed
at
how
much
you
have
to
absorb
and
grasp
before
you
can
communicate
it
to
someone
else.
 I
think
you
will
also
find
that
breaking
concepts
down
and
making
them
simple
will
produce
a
faster
rate
of
absorption
on
the
part
of
the
person
you
are
teaching.
 I
gain
a
tremendous
amount
of
satisfaction
from
both
instructing
exercise
and
coaching
high
school
football.
 While
the
settings
in
which
each
takes
place
are
very
different,
the
two
entities
are
a
lot
more
alike
than
one
might
think.
 Whether
you
are
coaching
a
sport
or
instructing
high-intensity
exercise,
it
all
comes
down
to
one's
ability
to
be
an
effective
teacher.


 


At
my
core,
I
have
always
considered
myself
a
teacher.
 Whether
I
am
coaching
a
16
year
old
quarterback
or
instructing
a
60
year
old
entrepreneur,
at
the
heart
of
it
I
am
building
relationships.
 We
are
in
the
people
business.
 It
is
important
to
connect
with
the
person
that
I
am
working
with
on
more
than
just
a
superficial
level,
and
they
need
to
know
that
I
have
their
best
interest
at
heart.
 I
must
not
simply
demonstrate
my
competence,
skill,
and
knowledge,
but
also
earn
their
trust.
 This
means
that
I
must
do
what
I
say
I'm
going
to
do,
every
time,
and
also
acknowledge
mistakes
when
they
inevitably
occur.
 It
is
also
critical
to
communicate
expectations
with
both
client
and
player
right
at
the
beginning
of
the
relationship;
this
way
there
are
no
surprises.
 I
do
this
with
clients
during
an
initial
consultation
and
with
players
at
the
beginning
of
every
season.
 There
must
be
a
buy-in
on
the
part
of
the
client
and
player;
in
order
for
success
to
occur
they
have
to
want
it
just
as
much
as
I
do.
 Whether
you
are
in
the
exercise
studio
or
on
the
football
field,
you
must
have
focus;
if
you
are
distracted
it
will
not
work.
 All
of
this
is
explained
at
the
beginning
of
the
relationship.


 


One
of
my
coaching
mentors,
Al
Thomas
(who
won
eight
high
school
state
championships
as
a
head
coach
and
multiple
conference
championships
as
a
collegiate
defensive
coordinator,)
was
fond
of
saying,
"It's
not
what
you
teach,
it's
what
you
emphasize."
 I
disagree
slightly
with
Coach
Thomas;
there
are
certain
things
that
should
be
emphasized
above
others,
but
what
you
teach
needs
to
be
strongly
rooted
in
the
fundamentals.
 When
I
instruct
exercise,
the
first
several
sessions
are
all
about
establishing
a
good
foundation
in
fundamental
technique,
speed
of
movement,
proper
breathing,
and
working
to
keep
your
emotions
in
check
as
intensity
of
effort
increases.
 I
utilize
a
cadence
count
to
help
clients
develop
a
feel
for
proper
speed
of
movement
in
each
exercise.
 During
individual
periods
with
quarterbacks,
you
will
often
hear
me
count,
"1,
2,
3,
and
throw"
as
they
take
their
drops
and
prepare
to
throw.
 I
always
emphasize
the
significance
of
making
quick
decisions
and
throwing
the
ball
on
time.
 The
importance
of
repetition
cannot
be
underestimated;
in
fact,
my
high
school
coach
Terry
Changuris
often
said,
"Repetition,
repetition,
repetition!"
 Whether
in
exercise
or
football,
teaching
points
must
be
repeated
over
and
over
before
mastery
can
occur.
 Sure,
saying
the
same
things
over
and
over
can
become
a
little
monotonous
(I
often
wonder
how
many
times
I
say
the
phrase
"breathe
freely"
during
the
course
of
a
normal
workday),
but
it
is
an
essential
component
of
teaching
and
 learning.


 


As
I
mentioned
in
my
last
article,
simple
is
always
better.
 This
is
as
true
in
football
as
it
is
in
exercise.
 When
I
coach
football,
I
am
working
with
14
to
17
year
old
young
men
whose
brains
are
still
developing.
 At
Total
Results
most
of
our
clients
are
adults,
but
nearly
all
of
them
are
relative
novices
when
it
comes
to
high-intensity
exercise.
 In
either
endeavor
I
am
not
working
with
experts,
so
I
need
to
break
things
down
in
simple
terms
that
are
easily
understood.
 When
I
first
became
certified
as
a
Super
Slow
instructor
over
20
years
ago,
the
practical
portion
of
the
exam
involved
memorizing
long
scripts
for
introducing
and
teaching
exercises
to
new
clients.
 For
years,
I
would
recite
these
scripts
verbatim
as
I
put
clients
on
machines
for
the
first
time.
 While
this
was
useful
in
theory,
in
practice
I
found
that
trainees
had
a
difficult
time
following
along
and
their
attention
began
to
waver.
 Eventually,
I
shortened
the
introduction
for
each
exercise
and
found
that
clients
learned
better
by
doing
than
by
simply
listening
to
me
talk.
 Initial
consultations
now
take
less
time
than
they
used
to;
what
once
lasted
nearly
90
minutes
now
typically
takes
less
than
one
hour.
 It
is
important
not
to
overwhelm
the
client
with
information.
 Yes,
certain
key
points
(like
preliminary
considerations)
need
to
be
explained
before
the
sample
workout
can
commence,
but
prospective
clients
should
not
feel
like
they
will
be
tested
on
all
this
information
at
the
end
of
the
consultation.
 When
teaching
throwing
mechanics
to
quarterbacks,
I
have
found
it
effective
to
break
the
skill
down
into
smaller
components
(establishing
your
base,
stepping
toward
your
target/separating
your
front
hand
from
the
football,
rotating
the
back
hip/trunk,
leading
with
the
elbow,
releasing
the
ball,
and
following
through)
and
then
put
them
all
together.
 Quizzing
the
kids
on
certain
plays
and
formations,
as
well
as
occasionally
having
them
teach
a
skill
back
to
me
are
potent
strategies
to
gauge
learning.


 


I
will
say
that
an
exercise
studio
and
a
football
field
are
very
different
settings.
 As
such,
my
presence
and
personality
are
in
contrast
with
one
another
when
I
have
a
stopwatch
around
my
neck
as
opposed
to
a
whistle.
 When
I
instruct
exercise
I
have
a
clinical
demeanor.
 This
is
because
exercise
is
something
that
should
be
taken
very
seriously,
but
also
because
I
do
not
want
to
distract
the
client
while
they
are
in
the
middle
of
a
session.
 A
clinical
demeanor
also
helps
me
to
preserve
energy
over
the
course
of
a
twelve
hour
workday.
 The
nature
of
football
is
different;
while
I
am
also
enthusiastic
about
exercise
I
must
be
a
little
more
muted
so
that
I
do
not
lose
proper
perspective.
 With
football
I
am
a
bit
more
demonstrative,
and
emotions
play
a
large
role
in
the
character
of
the
sport.
 Practices
last
no
more
than
two
hours,
so
it's
more
of
a
sprint
than
a
marathon.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Simple Beats Complex</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=776</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=776</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Effective
exercise
doesn't
mean
that
you
have
to
reinvent
the
wheel.
 Even
in
high-intensity
training
circles,
there
is
considerable
debate
as
to
how
to
construct
a
workout
regimen.
 People
in
our
profession
often
spend
a
large
portion
of
their
day
on
message
boards
or
going
back
and
forth
on
social
media
about
the
structure
of
their
workouts.
 It
sounds
to
me
that
these
folks
have
entirely
too
much
time
on
their
hands.
 I
would
rather
spend
my
day
instructing
clients
than
waste
time
debating
minutiae.
 Most
Total
Results
clients
are
new
to
weight
training
and
have
never
trained
with
a
protocol
that
resembles
ours.
 Why
would
we
want
to
overcomplicate
things?
 In
my
opinion,
simple
is
always
better
than
complex.


 


There
is
beauty
in
simplicity,
and
this
is
especially
true
whenever
you
are
teaching
something
to
someone
else.
 Yet,
for
a
variety
of
reasons
unknown
to
me,
some
folks
have
a
tendency
to
make
life
more
complicated
than
it
needs
to
be.
 I
see
this
quite
often
in
football.
 Many
coaches
try
to
have
a
play
in
their
playbook
for
every
situation
or
contingency.
 It
is
great
to
be
prepared,
but
some
people
take
this
mindset
a
little
too
far.
 What
they
fail
to
understand
is
that
not
only
do
you
have
a
limited
amount
of
practice
time
per
week,
the
players
still
need
to
be
able
to
absorb
the
concepts
that
you
are
teaching.
 Instead
of
just
executing
and
playing
fast,
the
players
have
to
think
their
way
through
their
assignments.
 It
is
always
better
to
run
a
smaller
number
of
plays
from
multiple
formations
and
execute
them
well
than
it
is
to
have
a
million
plays
that
are
mediocre.
 Football
is
a
much
more
simple
game
than
most
people
realize.


 


By
the
same
token,
effective
exercise
is
not
particularly
complex
either.
 In
order
to
stimulate
physical
improvements
of
any
kind,
you
must
create
a
significant
stimulus.
 There
are
a
couple
of
concepts
that
should
be
understood
at
the
beginning.
 First,
exercise
must
be
of
a
high
enough
intensity
for
the
body
to
mobilize
its
limited
resources
to
make
physical
improvements.
 This
is
why
we
utilize
a
slow
speed
of
movement;
it
enables
us
to
recruit
a
greater
amount
of
motor
units
(because
momentum
is
minimized),
which
will
result
in
a
greater
depth
of
fatigue
(inroad).
 There
is
something
in
physiology
that
is
referred
to
as
the
"All
or
Nothing"
principle.
 A
motor
unit
is
a
nerve
cell
and
all
the
muscle
fibers
it
innervates.
 When
a
motor
unit
is
recruited,
all
of
the
individual
fibers
of
that
unit
will
contract,
or
none
of
them
will.
 There
are
no
half
measures.
 Taking
each
exercise
to
muscular
failure
ensures
that
we
have
recruited
and
fatigued
as
many
motor
units
as
possible
and
given
a
maximum
effort.
 That
is
the
stimulus
that
we
seek.


 


The
second
thing
we
must
understand
is
that
we
are
working
with
a
few
limitations.
 Exercise
has
a
narrow
therapeutic
window;
this
means
that
we
need
to
find
the
right
dosage.
 Just
like
with
medication,
too
much
can
have
a
toxic
effect,
and
not
enough
does
not
bring
about
the
desired
change.
 One
needs
far
less
exercise
than
they
realize,
and
it
is
very
easy
to
overtrain.
 This
is
why
our
workouts
are
so
brief
and
infrequent;
we
want
to
stimulate
improvements
without
causing
injury
or
illness
along
the
way.
 One
or
two
sessions
per
week
for
twenty
minutes
is
not
just
something
that
we
can
get
away
with;
it
is
a
biological
necessity.
 The
body
typically
requires
between
48
to
72
hours
to
recover
from
a
workout,
which
is
why
we
train
no
more
than
twice
per
week.
 Because
we
have
these
constraints,
exercise
routines
should
be
fairly
simple.
 We
perform
full-body
workouts
that
typically
consist
of
five
to
seven
exercises
of
one
set
each.
 There
is
an
equal
emphasis
on
pushing
and
pulling
exercises,
as
well
as
a
balance
between
upper
body
and
lower
body
exercises.
 Cervical,
thoracic,
and
lumbar
muscles
are
engaged
in
the
course
of
our
workouts,
and
clients
typically
rotate
between
only
two
different
workouts.
 Because
clients
only
come
once
or
twice
per
week,
there
simply
isn't
enough
time
to
master
more
than
two
routines.
 Some
fitness
professionals
espouse
the
idea
of
"muscle
confusion"
and
change
up
their
workouts
frequently.
 This
is
a
mistake,
as
it
does
not
allow
you
to
master
the
basics
and
help
your
body
to
recruit
muscle
in
established
motor
pathways.
 Split
routines
are
a
waste
of
time;
not
only
do
they
lead
to
stagnation
of
progress
and
overtraining,
they
fly
in
the
face
of
logic.
 Your
body
functions
as
a
unit,
it
is
not
just
the
sum
of
its
parts.
 Since
it
is
a
unit,
it
should
be
trained
as
such.
 Compound
exercises
are
more
efficient
for
engaging
a
greater
amount
of
muscle,
and
they
are
the
easiest
movements
for
a
novice
client
to
master.
 


 


None
of
the
above
ideas
are
particularly
original;
these
are
principles
that
have
been
understood
for
over
a
half
century.
 Some
people
want
to
be
complex
because
it
gives
them
a
greater
sense
of
self-importance.
 We
just
want
to
help
people
get
stronger
and
fitter
in
a
safe
and
efficient
manner
so
that
they
can
squeeze
more
out
of
life.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of its Parts</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=775</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=775</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
main
objective
of
exercise,
in
a
nutshell,
is
to
create
a
stimulus.
 This
stimulus
is
what
the
body
interprets
as
an
existential
threat,
and
it
triggers
a
growth
mechanism.
 In
turn,
the
body
then
mobilizes
its
resources
to
make
physical
improvements.
 These
improvements
are
many,
but
they
include
strength
(the
muscles'
capacity
to
produce
force),
bone
remodeling,
as
well
as
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning.
 Everything
that
we
do
at
Total
Results
is
geared
toward
achieving
the
most
effective
stimulus
possible
without
overtaxing
the
body
along
the
way.
 While
different
people
have
different
ideas
about
what
they
want
to
accomplish
by
being
stronger
and
fitter,
it
is
important
to
not
get
bogged
down
in
minutiae.
 You
should
see
the
big
picture
and
realize
that
the
whole
is
greater
than
the
sum
of
its
parts.


 


Most
clients
have
some
exercises
that
they
like
or
dislike
more
than
others.
That's
simply
human
nature.
 It
is
also
normal
to
place
a
greater
amount
of
importance
on
certain
exercises.
 One
of
our
clients
judges
the
efficacy
of
her
workout
solely
on
how
she
performs
on
the
Lumbar
Extension
exercise.
 Certainly
some
exercises
are
going
to
have
a
greater
metabolic
impact
than
others
(think
Leg
Press
versus
Cervical
Extension),
but
that
doesn't
mean
that
each
exercise
isn't
important
in
its
own
right.
 You
should
not
"save"
your
effort
or
hold
back
on
certain
exercises
because
you
want
to
perform
better
in
time
under
load
(TUL)
on
another.
 Remember
that
"better"
is
a
relative
term,
and
form
trumps
everything
else.
 The
whole
is
greater
than
the
sum
of
its
parts.
 You
will
create
a
more
effective
exercise
stimulus
if
you
give
a
maximum
effort
on
every
exercise.
 Sure,
you
may
achieve
a
shorter
TUL
on
the
Chest
Press
if
you
inroad
more
deeply
on
the
Leg
Press
(since
those
exercises
are
often
done
in
consecutive
order),
but
so
what?
 Your
body
doesn't
really
know
or
care
what
your
TUL
was
on
a
given
exercise;
all
it
knows
is
that
motor
units
are
being
recruited
and
resources
are
being
depleted
as
you
go
through
the
workout.
 


 


Strive
for
perfect
form
on
every
repetition
of
every
exercise
that
you
perform.
 It
is
easy
to
lose
sight
of
what
is
important,
especially
as
you
become
more
proficient
and
begin
to
train
with
greater
effort.
 When
movement
becomes
a
struggle
it
is
very
tempting
to
commit
form
discrepancies
simply
to
complete
one
more
repetition.
 However,
today's
shoddy
technique
can
become
tomorrow's
injury.
 See
the
big
picture
and
remember
that
the
whole
is
greater
than
the
sum
of
its
parts.
 Better
technical
form
leads
to
greater
motor
unit
recruitment,
which
in
turn
creates
a
more
effective
stimulus.
 It
is
the
responsibility
of
the
instructor
to
repeat
the
mantra
of
safety,
and
you
cannot
reap
the
benefits
of
high-intensity
exercise
if
you
are
injured.
 Just
because
you
may
have
a
more
difficult
time
with
form
on
certain
exercises
does
not
mean
that
we
will
avoid
them.
 We
want
to
improve
your
strengths
as
well
as
your
weaknesses.
 Try
to
maintain
a
growth
mindset
and
strive
for
one
percent
improvement
in
each
session.


 


I
often
talk
about
how
unique
the
Total
Results
exercise
environment
is,
relative
to
commercial
gyms
and
other
exercise
studios.
 This
is
not
done
in
a
boastful
manner,
but
our
concept
does
set
us
apart
from
everyone
else.
 For
many
first
time
Total
Results
clients,
walking
into
our
studio
can
be
a
strange
experience.
 They
are
often
used
to
more
crowded,
hot,
and
noisy
settings,
and
can
find
the
quiet
to
be
a
little
unsettling
at
first.
 Some
folks
even
complain
about
the
cold
temperature
in
the
workout
space,
and
there
is
often
a
natural
tendency
to
bundle
up
in
order
to
keep
warm.
 Please
understand
that
everything
in
our
workout
space,
from
the
temperature
to
the
fans,
as
well
as
the
type
of
equipment
that
we
have
and
where
it
is
spaced
on
the
floor,
is
all
designed
with
the
purpose
of
maximizing
your
exercise
experience.
 Don't
focus
on
negative
things
like
the
initial
cold
temperatures,
or
that
a
fan
is
blowing
on
you.
 Instead,
realize
that
these
are
essential
elements
of
the
ideal
exercise
environment.
 Sacrifice
a
little
comfort
now
for
a
larger
reward
at
the
finish
line.
 We
have
a
much
larger
purpose
than
simply
moving
weights
around
for
twenty
minutes.


 


By
choosing
Total
Results,
you
are
already
on
the
road
less
traveled.
 If
what
we
were
doing
was
easy,
everybody
would
do
it.
 It
takes
drive,
determination,
and
a
willingness
to
be
challenged
in
order
to
reach
your
physical
potential.
 Combine
that
with
big
picture
thinking
and
you
have
an
unstoppable
combination.
 Be
a
part
of
something
that
can
push
you
to
new
heights
that
you
did
not
believe
were
possible.
 Choose
Total
Results.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Overcoming Psychological Hurdles</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=774</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=774</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most
of
us
are
dealing
with
something
at
any
given
time.
 Modern
life
provides
numerous
sources
of
stress,
such
as
work,
family,
health,
and
even
the
economic
and
political
climate.
 Social
media
can
give
you
an
update
in
real
time,
as
if
you
didn't
already
have
enough
going
on.
 Achieving
balance
and
finding
your
metaphorical
footing
can
be
a
tricky
proposition,
but
one
should
take
comfort
in
knowing
that
there
are
many
people
out
there
who
are
dealing
with
similar
circumstances.
 In
fact,
some
Total
Results
clients
are
working
to
overcome
psychological
hurdles
that
are
associated
with
exercise.


 


One
root
cause
of
a
mental
hang-up
can
be
injury.
 This
could
be
an
injury
that
was
recently
suffered,
or
an
injury
from
a
long
time
ago.
 There
can
be
physical
pain
as
well
as
a
loss
of
confidence
as
a
result
of
the
injury.
 I
have
met
with
prospective
clients
in
initial
consultations
whose
injuries
were
so
significant
that
it
has
prevented
them
from
exercising
for
years.
 It
is
important
to
keep
in
mind
that
things
are
generally
neither
as
good
nor
as
bad
as
they
seem
at
the
moment.
 Try
to
maintain
an
even
keel;
never
get
too
high
after
a
great
workout
or
too
low
after
a
subpar
session.
 When
clients
return
to
exercise
following
an
injury,
we
often
avoid
certain
movements
for
a
short
period
of
time.
 Once
the
injured
area
has
recovered,
we
can
reintroduce
these
exercises
by
using
a
Timed
Static
Contraction.
 When
a
dynamic
movement
is
once
again
appropriate,
we
often
reduce
the
resistance
on
these
exercises,
particularly
those
exercises
that
involve
the
injured
area.
 The
real
key
is
for
us
to
find
a
pain-free
range
of
motion
and
emphasize
perfect
form
and
speed
of
movement
as
we
work
back
up
to
a
higher
level
of
intensity.


 


Novice
Total
Results
clients
often
have
a
difficult
time
recognizing
the
difference
between
pain
and
discomfort.
 Training
with
the
degree
of
effort
and
focus
that
our
protocol
dictates
while
using
a
very
slow
speed
of
movement
is
something
that
is
completely
new
for
most
people.
 Exertional
discomfort
(or
"burn,"
as
it
is
often
called)
is
a
natural
by-product
of
high-intensity
weight
training,
and
while
it
can
be
disconcerting
and
uncomfortable
it
is
not
an
indication
that
any
harm
has
occurred.
 A
dull
ache
is
a
good
thing,
since
it
means
you
are
giving
great
effort,
and
it
is
temporary.
 Sometimes
we
make
more
out
of
something
that
it
really
is,
and
while
in
the
heat
of
the
moment
it
may
seem
scary
there
is
nothing
to
fear.
 Once
you
experience
it
you
know
what
to
expect
moving
forward,
and
your
tolerance
for
discomfort
will
improve
over
time.
 Pain
is
something
sharp
or
sudden
that
occurs,
and
is
usually
indicative
of
a
true
injury.
 This
must
be
acknowledged
and
communicated
right
away,
so
that
the
proper
steps
can
be
taken.
 The
safety
of
our
clients
is
paramount,
and
even
though
we
like
to
say
that
our
exercise
protocol
is
safer
than
stepping
off
a
curb,
there
are
rare
instances
when
something
goes
wrong.
 Help
us
to
keep
you
safe!


 


Once
a
client
achieves
the
ability
to
train
with
a
high
level
of
intensity,
starting
exercises
from
the
bottom
out
position
can
become
a
mental
challenge.
 There
is
an
occasional
delay
between
when
the
brain
sends
the
impulse
for
the
muscles
to
fire
and
the
moment
that
the
machine's
movement
arm
moves.
 This
delay
lasts
fractions
of
a
second,
but
in
your
mind's
perception
it
can
feel
like
an
eternity.
 It
can
become
a
self-fulfilling
prophecy;
once
you
convince
yourself
that
you
can't
move
the
weight,
the
weight
doesn't
move.
 This
is
something
that
happens
to
most
clients
at
least
once,
and
usually
occurs
on
either
the
Leg
Press
or
the
Lumbar
Extension
exercises.
 It
is
completely
normal,
but
it
is
also
mental.
 Sometimes
you
just
need
to
regain
your
confidence.
 One
approach
is
to
start
the
exercise
from
the
end
point.
 The
client
begins
the
movement
from
the
most
contracted
position
and
starts
with
a
negative
excursion.
 This
demonstrates
to
them
that
the
weight
is
not
too
heavy
and
that
they
can
handle
it.
 Another
option
is
to
lower
the
resistance
and
have
them
start
from
the
bottom
out
position.
 Once
they
are
able
to
start
the
exercise
from
that
position,
their
mental
block
has
been
overcome.


 


Some
clients
only
measure
their
progress
by
their
time
under
load
(TUL)
or
how
much
weight
they
lift
on
a
given
exercise.
 Not
only
is
this
short-sighted,
but
it
can
set
them
up
for
disappointment
if
they
do
not
increase
in
either
category
for
a
few
workouts.
 There
are
numerous
ways
to
chart
your
progress!
 As
an
instructor,
I
go
to
great
lengths
to
highlight
other
measurable
markers
besides
poundages
and
TUL.
 We
often
talk
about
the
seen
versus
the
unseen
benefits
of
high-intensity
exercise.
 Resistance
to
injury,
energy
levels,
and
the
ability
to
do
every
day
tasks
with
less
effort
should
be
viewed
through
a
qualitative
rather
than
a
quantitative
lens.
 It
is
also
helpful
to
look
back
at
where
you
were
and
how
you
felt
on
a
daily
basis
when
you
started
at
Total
Results
and
compare
that
to
where
you
are
now.
 Being
more
resistant
to
injury,
having
stable
blood
sugar
and
hormone
levels,
and
being
more
physically
active
with
less
energy
expended
are
wonderful
by-products
of
the
work
you
have
put
in.
 Try
to
see
the
big
picture.


 


Author
Ryan
Holiday
said
in
his
outstanding
book
"The
Obstacle
is
the
Way,"
that,
"The
obstacle
in
the
path
becomes
the
path.
 Never
forget,
within
every
obstacle
is
an
opportunity
to
improve
our
condition."
 Looking
at
things
from
a
different
perspective
is
a
healthy
way
to
break
through
and
be
better
than
you
were
before.
 We
can
help
you
to
overcome
psychological
hurdles
and
be
the
best
version
of
yourself.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Explaining the Why</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=773</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=773</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

In
leadership,
business,
or
teaching
situations,
you
must
explain
to
a
person
why
you
want
them
to
do
something.
 That
is
the
only
way
to
achieve
a
complete
buy-in.
 It's
not
enough
to
just
tell
someone
that
you
want
them
to
do
it;
people
with
critical
thinking
ability
don't
just
give
blind
obedience
like
it's
the
1950s.
 I
see
it
with
the
high
school
football
players
that
I
coach;
young
people
are
much
more
empowered
today
than
they
were
thirty
years
ago.
 While
these
young
men
have
a
healthy
respect
for
authority
(which
we
as
coaches
have
earned
by
demonstrating
positive
habits
and
behaviors
every
day),
they
want
to
know
the
reasoning
behind
the
task
they
are
being
asked
to
carry
out.
 They
deserve
to
know
why!
 


 


It
has
been
said
that
if
you
really
want
to
learn
how
to
do
something,
teach
it.
 However,
if
you
don't
first
understand
the
material,
you
will
have
a
difficult
time
teaching
it
to
someone
else.
 Teaching
requires
the
ability
to
break
down
and
explain
concepts
in
language
that
is
easily
understood.
 This
helps
to
establish
the
teacher's
credibility
and
gains
the
students'
trust.
 The
exceptional
teacher
or
coach
doesn't
use
a
cookie-cutter
approach,
but
rather
adapts
his
or
her
methods
to
meet
the
needs
of
the
individual
that
he
or
she
is
teaching.
 People
learn
in
different
ways
and
at
different
rates
of
speed,
but
if
you
explain
the
why
it
will
help
the
student
to
retain
the
information
more
effectively.
 Most
importantly,
both
parties
will
be
on
the
same
page
from
a
standpoint
of
expectations.


 


There
is
a
purpose
for
everything
we
do
at
Total
Results.
 Our
exercise
environment
is
quiet,
private,
and
free
from
distractions.
 High-intensity
exercise
requires
focus
-
not
just
to
maximize
the
effectiveness
of
the
workout,
but
also
to
optimize
client
safety.
 We
keep
the
temperature
in
the
studio
as
close
to
68
degrees
as
possible,
with
low
humidity
and
adequate
ventilation.
 Your
muscles
generate
tremendous
heat
when
you
exercise
intensely,
and
it
is
much
easier
to
overheat
than
most
people
realize.
 If
you
stay
cool,
you
can
inroad
your
musculature
much
more
effectively
than
if
you
are
covered
in
sweat.
 The
equipment
at
Total
Results
is
engineered
by
MedX,
Super
Slow
Systems,
and
Nautilus,
which
means
that
it
tracks
muscle
and
joint
function
properly
and
allows
the
muscles
to
encounter
appropriate
resistance
at
all
points
in
the
range
of
motion.


 


We
select
and
sequence
the
exercises
that
will
engage
the
greatest
amount
of
muscle
in
the
shortest
amount
of
time;
this
enables
us
to
achieve
a
quality
exercise
stimulus
without
overtraining.
 Compound
movements
allow
us
to
perform
five
to
seven
exercises
in
twenty
minutes
or
less;
efficiency
is
a
key
element
to
our
protocol.
 We
advocate
a
speed
of
movement
of
approximately
ten
seconds
on
each
positive
and
negative
phase
of
each
repetition.
 This
keeps
the
potentially
dangerous
forces
to
a
minimum,
reduces
momentum,
and
allows
the
muscles
to
remain
under
load
throughout
the
exercise.
 Intensity
can
be
defined
as
inroad/time,
and
it
is
the
main
component
to
a
proper
exercise
stimulus.
 Therefore,
we
want
to
take
each
exercise
to
the
point
of
muscular
failure
and
push
or
pull
for
an
additional
ten
seconds.
 This
way
we
have
done
everything
we
can
to
stimulate
the
body
to
adapt.
 Your
instructor
will
keep
accurate
records
for
every
workout,
and
giving
clients
access
to
their
spreadsheet
will
allow
them
to
track
their
progress
in
real
time.


 


In
his
excellent
book,
"Start
With
Why,"
author
Simon
Sinek
says
that,
"People
don't
buy
what
you
do,
they
buy
why
you
do
it.
 And
what
you
do
simply
proves
what
you
believe."
 We
believe
that
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
the
safest
and
most
effective
means
to
stimulate
positive
physical
change
with
the
smallest
time
commitment.
 While
we
don't
expect
you
to
gain
as
deep
an
understanding
of
exercise
as
what
we
have,
understanding
your
why
will
help
you
if
you
want
to
dig
beneath
the
surface
and
find
out
what
you
are
capable
of.
 Discover
your
why
and
get
started
today!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Everybody Needs Strength</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=772</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=772</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

According
to
a
definition
that
I
found
on

Healthline.com,
"Muscular
strength
relates
to
your
ability
to
move
and
lift
objects."
 It
can
also
be
defined
as
the
amount
of
force
that
can
be
produced
in
a
single
effort.
 Muscles
contract
(shorten),
which
pulls
on
connective
tissue
that
is
attached
to
bones
in
order
to
enable
movement.
 Our
ability
to
move
will
diminish
as
we
age
if
we
don't
do
something
about
it.
 In
order
to
maintain
your
physical
independence,
protect
yourself
from
injury,
ward
off
chronic
disease,
and
preserve
your
insulin
sensitivity,
you
must
continue
to
build
muscle.
 Simply
put,
everybody
needs
strength.


 


Sarcopenia
is
the
gradual
loss
of
muscle
that
occurs
as
we
age.
 It
can
begin
as
early
as
age
30,
and
can
progress
at
a
loss
rate
of
three
to
five
percent
per
decade.
 There
are
genetic
factors
to
consider,
as
some
folks
are
naturally
more
muscular
than
others,
and
a
diet
with
inadequate
protein
can
contribute
to
a
reduction
in
muscle
mass.
 There
are
three
types
of
muscle
tissue
in
the
human
body;
cardiac
(heart)
muscle,
smooth
muscle
(which
is
present
in
your
internal
organs),
and
skeletal
muscle.
 Only
skeletal
muscle
is
under
our
volitional
control,
and
high
intensity
Total
Results
exercise
is
the
stimulus
that
the
body
needs
to
increase
strength
and
build
muscle.
 The
body
understands
that
building
and
maintaining
muscle
tissue
is
metabolically
expensive,
so
it
needs
a
very
good
reason
to
do
so.
 Pushing
each
exercise
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure,
and
then
moving
briskly
to
the
next
exercise
is
the
impetus
that
the
body
needs
in
order
to
grow
stronger
and
increase
lean
muscle
mass.
 Combine
this
with
intelligent
rest/recovery,
adequate
sleep,
and
a
protein-rich
diet,
and
you
have
a
recipe
for
success.


 


Osteoporosis
is
a
condition
that
most
people
have
heard
about.
 This
is
what
occurs
when
new
bone
formation
is
outpaced
by
bone
removal,
and
can
result
in
thinning
bones,
weakness,
and
an
increased
risk
of
falls
and
breaks.
 There
is
a
strong
correlation
between
osteoporosis
and
a
vitamin
D
deficiency,
as
calcium
(through
diet
and
supplementation)
is
not
effectively
absorbed
by
the
bones
if
vitamin
D
levels
are
too
low.
 While
I
believe
that
vitamin
D
supplementation
is
important
for
everyone
(as
vitamin
D
behaves
in
a
hormone-like
manner
that
facilitates
multiple
body
functions),
the
most
effective
means
of
stimulating
bone
remodeling
is
by
performing
strength
training.
 It
is
true
that
most
people
equate
high-intensity
exercise
with
skeletal
muscle,
but
the
engagement
of
the
muscles
pulls
on
the
connective
tissues
which
attach
to
bones,
thus
providing
the
mechanical
stress
that
stimulates
bone
remodeling.
 The
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
was
first
refined
in
a
clinical
setting
over
forty
years
ago,
during
an
osteoporosis
study
that
was
funded
by
Nautilus
and
lasted
for
four
years.
 We
have
helped
numerous
clients
over
the
years
improve
their
DEXA
scan
readings
and
reduce
their
risk
for
serious
injury.


 


Many
people
think
that
they
are
too
old
to
begin
a
weight
training
regimen.
 In
my
opinion
that
is
a
shortsighted
viewpoint;
it
is
never
too
late
to
start
with
Total
Results
exercise.
 Some
of
the
most
comprehensive
strength
gains
that
I
have
witnessed
have
come
from
clients
who
did
not
begin
weight
training
until
they
were
in
their
60s
and
70s.
 Dr.
Doug
McGuff
has
discussed
the
concept
of
physiological
headroom;
this
is
described
as,
"the
gap
between
the
most
a
person
can
do
and
the
least
a
person
can
do."
 This
gap
can
begin
to
close
as
early
as
your
mid
20s,
and
once
the
most
and
the
least
you
can
do
becomes
the
same,
death
is
the
result.
 The
good
news
is
that
this
gap
is
reversible,
and
the
best
way
to
do
that
is
with
high-intensity
Total
Results
exercise.
 Dr.
Peter
Attia
spoke
at
length
about
the
correlation
between
muscle
and
longevity
in
his
book
"Outlive."
 He
believes
that
having
more
muscle
mass
correlates
to
a
longer
lifespan
and
better
function,
and
there
are
several
studies
that
support
his
perspective.
 Strength
training
can
stimulate
improvements
in
grip
strength,
endurance,
balance,
injury
prevention,
and
recovery
from
injury.
 These
are
not
usually
considered
by
people
in
their
20s,
but
they
become
even
more
important
as
we
age.
 On
a
personal
level,
my
athletic
prime
probably
ended
about
twenty
years
ago.
 However,
I
am
convinced
that
regular
Total
Results
workouts
enabled
me
to
play
high
level
flag
football
into
my
mid-40s.
 With
the
physical
and
mental
demands
of
running
a
business
and
coaching
high
school
football,
I
would
be
in
rough
shape
and
burned
out
if
I
did
not
perform
weekly
workouts.


 


Everybody
needs
strength,
and
by
keeping
yourself
strong
and
independent
you
will
gain
a
level
of
confidence
that
you
cannot
find
on
an
elliptical
machine
or
treadmill.
 Nothing
will
have
a
greater
impact
on
your
overall
body
shape
or
metabolism
than
weight
training.
 It
may
not
seem
fair,
but
you
must
work
harder
and
more
consistently
at
this
as
you
grow
older.
 The
sooner
you
start,
the
sooner
you
can
start
reaping
the
rewards
of
your
hard
work.
 There
is
not
a
single
activity
that
you
do
on
a
daily
basis
that
doesn't
involve
your
muscles,
so
why
neglect
them?
 Don't
put
it
off
another
day.
 






]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Often-Neglected Muscle Groups</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=771</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=771</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
people,
especially
in
commercial
gyms,
perform
what
I
call
the
"mirror"
workout.
 They
only
focus
on
the
muscle
groups
they
can
see
while
standing
in
front
of
a
mirror.
 This
usually
entails
the
chest,
biceps,
abdominals,
and
quadriceps,
if
they
do
any
lower
body
exercises
at
all.
 With
this
approach,
nearly
half
of
the
body's
musculature
is
neglected;
not
only
does
this
lead
to
asymmetrical
development
and
appearance,
but
it
can
create
significant
muscular
imbalances
and
increase
the
risk
for
injury.
 The
human
body
is
a
wonderfully
adaptive
machine,
but
it
functions
best
as
a
unit
rather
than
just
a
collection
of
parts.
 This
is
why
we
perform
whole-body
workouts
at
Total
Results.


 


We
believe
it
is
important
to
strike
a
balance
between
pushing
and
pulling
exercises
so
that
we
work
both
anterior
(front)
and
posterior
(rear)
muscle
groups.
 Although
some
clients
may
have
contraindications
(such
as
shoulder
difficulties),
we
advise
working
through
horizontal
and
vertical
planes
of
movement.
 All
workouts
include
exercises
for
both
the
upper
and
lower
body,
and
whenever
possible
we
incorporate
movements
for
all
three
trainable
regions
of
the
spine:
cervical,
thoracic,
and
lumbar.
 The
order
and
selection
of
exercises
may
vary
somewhat
from
client
to
client,
but
our
philosophy
and
approach
are
the
same.


 


One
critical
muscle
group
that
is
often
left
out
in
a
typical
gym
rat's
routine
are
the
hamstrings.
 These
are
the
muscles
located
on
the
posterior
thigh
that
are
responsible
for
knee
flexion,
hip
extension,
and
rotational
movement.
 The
biceps
femoris
rotates
the
lower
leg
outward,
while
the
semimembranosus
and
semitendinosus
rotate
the
knee
inward
when
it
is
bent.
 The
quadriceps
muscles
often
garner
more
attention
than
the
hamstrings,
and
because
there
are
four
muscles
in
the
quadriceps
compared
to
three
in
the
hamstrings
they
are
usually
trained
more
often.
 This
is
a
mistake!
 Anytime
you
pick
up
your
foot
to
walk
or
run
you
are
engaging
the
hamstrings.
 In
fairness,
most
Leg
Curl
machines
(which
is
the
most
effective
exercise
to
train
the
hamstrings)
in
commercial
gyms
are
poorly
designed.
 You
are
usually
stuck
with
either
a
prone
machine
(in
which
you
lie
face
down
and
flex
your
knees
behind
you)
that
can
irritate
your
back,
or
you
will
have
a
seated
version
with
an
improperly
coupled
movement
arm
(the
pads
on
the
movement
arm
should
not
rotate).
 One
other
option
is
to
perform
a
stiff-legged
deadlift
with
a
barbell,
but
that
also
poses
some
dangers
for
the
spine.
 The
MedX
Leg
Curl
machine
at
Total
Results
is
ideal.
 It
has
a
floating
seat
(to
minimize
knee
irritation),
a
coupled
movement
arm
with
fixed
pads
that
opens
and
closes
for
safe
and
easy
entry/exit,
and
a
resistance
curve
that
enables
you
to
effectively
target
the
hamstrings
and
calves
through
a
safe
and
pain-free
range
of
motion.


 


Your
neck
muscles
play
a
critical
role
in
your
posture.
 A
recent
term
has
been
created
called
"tech
neck";
this
is
kyphosis
(an
abnormal
curvature
of
the
upper
spine)
that
is
caused
by
hunching
over
to
look
at
your
phone
or
sitting
at
a
computer
for
long
stretches
of
time.
 This
can
lead
to
neck
and
shoulder
pain,
stiffness,
and
headaches.
 There
are
a
few
things
you
can
do
to
avoid
this.
 One,
leave
your
phone
in
your
pocket
for
a
while.
 Two,
take
intermittent
breaks
from
sitting
and
be
aware
of
your
posture
if
you
work
on
a
computer.
 Three,
strengthen
your
neck
muscles,
especially
your
posterior
neck
muscles.
 Most
neck
exercise
machines
are
a
death
trap;
they
improperly
load
the
musculature
without
providing
any
stabilization
for
the
trunk
(it
is
impossible
to
safely
and
effectively
address
the
cervical
musculature
without
stabilizing
the
trunk).
 Additionally,
the
neck
muscles
are
a
delicate
muscle
group
and
can
easily
be
injured,
so
these
exercises
should
always
be
performed
under
the
supervision
of
an
instructor.
 We
have
the
capacity
to
perform
both
cervical
extension
and
flexion
with
our
MedX
neck
machine.
 It
comes
equipped
with
an
indicator
for
your
axis
of
rotation
(enabling
an
easier
determination
of
seat
settings),
a
swivel
movement
arm
pad,
adjustable
starting
movement
arm
positions,
and
handles
to
provide
trunk
stability.
 Many
clients
are
slightly
unnerved
the
first
time
they
use
this
machine,
but
if
instructions
are
followed
it
is
perfectly
safe
to
train
as
intensely
on
this
exercise
as
it
is
on
the
Leg
Press.


 


Grip
strength
is
something
that
we
need
to
work
to
improve
as
we
age.
 This
plays
a
role
in
our
ability
to
open
jars,
carry
groceries,
and
perform
other
tasks
of
daily
living.
 According
to
Dr.
Peter
Attia,
author
of
the
book
"Outlive,"
grip
strength
is
a
non-invasive
biomarker
of
aging
and
longevity.
 At
Total
Results
clients
work
to
improve
their
grip
strength
by
performing
the
Pulldown,
Compound
Row,
and
Bicep
Curl
exercises,
but
I
have
also
found
the
Shoulder
Hang
exercise
to
be
a
useful
tool
for
improving
grip
strength.
 This
serves
multiple
purposes;
initially
I
used
it
only
with
clients
who
experienced
shoulder
problems.
 After
incorporating
it
into
my
own
daily
routine
I
also
found
that
it
also
functions
to
place
your
spine
into
traction,
thus
opening
up
the
spaces
between
vertebrae
and
relieving
compression.
 However,
in
addition
to
these
benefits
the
Shoulder
Hang
can
improve
your
grip
strength.
 Our
Nautilus
Multi-Exercise
machine
accommodates
this
action
quite
well,
and
it
is
safer
than
performing
a
farmer's
carry
with
dumbbells.


 


Speaking
of
spinal
vertebrae,
low
back
pain
is
still
the
number
one
cause
of
missed
work
days.
 People
experience
a
variety
of
causes
of
low
back
pain,
from
simple
muscle
weakness
to
structural
problems
such
as
pinched
nerves,
sciatica,
herniated
discs,
and
more.
 Traditional
machines
that
supposedly
target
the
lower
back
muscles
are
poorly
engineered;
they
typically
involve
more
of
the
hip
and
leg
musculature
than
that
of
the
lower
back.
 In
order
to
meaningfully
load
the
deeper
muscles
of
the
lower
spine,
specifically
the
multifidus,
quadratus
lumborum,
and
the
erector
spinae
muscles,
the
pelvis
must
be
immobilized
to
a
significant
degree.
 This
will
also
reduce
quadricep
and
hip
involvement.
 Our
MedX
Lumbar
Extension
machine
accomplishes
this
feat
with
a
revolutionary
design,
and
it
is
so
unique
that
nothing
in
a
commercial
gym
comes
close.
 Clients
have
experienced
major
improvement
in
just
a
few
workouts,
and
performing
this
exercise
under
the
supervision
of
an
instructor
will
ensure
that
this
is
accomplished
safely.


 


If
you
feel
that
you
aren't
getting
the
most
out
of
your
exercise
experience,
come
and
check
out
Total
Results.
 Train
your
entire
body,
not
just
what
you
can
see
in
the
mirror.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ten Things That Require Zero Talent - An Analysis</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=770</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=770</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most
regular
readers
of
this
blog
are
probably
familiar
with
a
list
that
is
titled,
"Ten
Things
That
Require
Zero
Talent."
 This
collection
of
principles
is
attributed
to
Bill
Gross,
who
is
the
founder
of
a
technology
incubator
called
Idealab.
 I
first
came
across
this
sign
a
couple
of
years
ago
in
the
weight
room
at
Dominion
High
School
when
I
coached
football
there.
 As
someone
who
was
definitely
not
the
most
talented
athlete
during
my
playing
career,
this
mindset
really
spoke
to
me.
 Talent,
you
see,
is
vastly
overrated,
and
is
something
that
you
really
do
not
have
any
control
over.
 Desire,
drive,
and
a
willingness
to
do
what
it
takes
counts
for
far
more,
in
my
opinion.
 This
is
something
that
I
have
tried
to
instill
in
the
players
that
I
coach,
and
it
is
applicable
to
Total
Results
clients
as
well.
 You
do
not
have
to
be
the
most
genetically
gifted
individual
to
achieve
great
training
results.
 


 


Here
is
the
list
in
its
entirety,
as
well
as
how
each
principle
relates
to
Total
Results
exercise.


 


Be
on
time.
 Clients
are
typically
in
a
better
mental
state
when
they
aren't
rushed
or
frazzled
from
running
late.
 Your
mental
readiness
has
a
direct
impact
on
how
you
physically
perform.
 It
is
always
a
good
idea
to
arrive
a
few
minutes
early
for
your
session.
 Remember,
we
are
creating
sustainable
habits,
and
promptness
pays
dividends
in
all
aspects
of
life.


 



Work
ethic.


Total
Results
workouts
are
hard;
they
are
supposed
to
be,
since
producing
lasting
physical
change
is
a
difficult
process.
 Consistency
produces
progress,
and
giving
your
best
effort
is
a
victory
unto
itself.
 Take
joy
in
that
process
and
rise
to
the
challenge.


 


Effort.
 This
is
truly
the
name
of
the
game;
I
learned
that
from
my
former
colleague
Alan
Stein
Jr.
over
25
years
ago.
 Effort
is
not
related
to
the
amount
of
weight
that
you
lift,
it
is
about
how
you
lift
it.
 It
is
about
pushing
through
discomfort
and
seeing
each
exercise
through
until
its
rightful
conclusion.
 Leave
no
stone
unturned.


 



Body
language.


At
one
point,
it
was
thought
that
93
percent
of
communication
is
non-verbal.
 While
most
experts
no
longer
believe
that
to
be
accurate,
your
body
language
says
a
lot
about
your
mental
state.
 If
you
look
like
you
are
dreading
your
workout,
you
probably
won't
perform
very
well.
 However,
if
you
walk
into
the
studio
with
purpose
and
confidence,
you
will
have
a
positive
metabolic
experience.


 



Energy.


The
challenges
of
life
and
the
law
of
averages
dictates
that
you
will
not
always
be
super-energetic.
 However,
the
mind
can
defy
the
body
in
many
instances.
 You
will
be
more
authentically
energetic
if
you
handle
business
between
workouts
(sleep,
nutrition,
hydration,
etc).


 


Attitude.


There
is
much
in
life
that
lies
outside
of
your
control,
but
one
thing
that
you
do
have
authority
over
is
your
attitude.
 You
can
choose
to
look
at
things
in
a
positive
light,
or
you
can
decide
to
be
negative.
 It's
up
to
you.
 Positive
people
tend
to
perform
better
in
whatever
task
they
participate
in.


 



Passion.


I
realize
that
most
people
do
not
have
the
same
enthusiasm
for
exercise
that
I
do,
which
is
one
reason
I
went
into
this
industry
in
the
first
place.
 That
being
said,
it's
okay
to
get
excited!
 Having
the
ability
to
participate
in
these
workouts
is
truly
a
gift;
not
everyone
is
as
fortunate.
 I
try
to
remain
upbeat
(but
clinical)
in
my
instructional
mannerisms,
because
I
believe
that
enthusiasm
is
contagious.


 



Be
coachable.


This
is
probably
the
most
critical
element
to
your
Total
Results
success.
 It
is
our
job
to
coax
the
best
possible
performance
out
of
every
client.
 
As
an
instructor
I
maintain
a
positive
attitude,
but
part
of
my
job
is
to
be
critical
and
correct
mistakes.
 Please
do
not
take
this
personally;
it
is
all
designed
to
make
you
better.
 


 



Doing
extra.


You
could
probably
show
up
once
or
twice
per
week,
give
excellent
effort
in
your
workouts,
and
see
some
positive
benefit.
 However,
if
you
want
optimal
results
you
have
to
be
willing
to
do
the
work
in
between
sessions.
 Managing
stress,
drinking
plenty
of
water,
sleeping
7-9
hours
per
night,
incorporating
low
level
movement,
supplementation,
and
eating
properly
will
give
you
the
best
chance
for
success.
 Don't
be
satisfied
with
mediocrity.


 



Be
prepared.


If
you
fail
to
plan,
you
are
planning
to
fail.
 Be
mentally
and
physically
prepared
for
your
workout.
 Come
dressed
and
ready
for
your
session,
or
arrive
a
few
minutes
early
with
clothes
to
change
into.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>I Take Most of it Back - This IS Fun!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=769</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=769</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

For
years
we
have
stressed
to
both
novice
and
experienced
clients
that
properly
performed
high-intensity
exercise
is
not
fun.
 Creating
a
muscular
and
metabolic
stimulus
is
hard
work
and
entails
exertional
discomfort,
labored
breathing,
occasional
nausea,
and
general
systemic
fatigue
(albeit
brief).
 Sure,
it's
probably
not
most
people's
idea
of
a
good
time;
we
tend
to
seek
pleasure
and
avoid
pain.
Keeping
your
emotions
under
control,
intellectually
processing
instructions,
and
maintaining
your
focus
under
difficult
circumstances
can
be
a
tall
order
for
even
the
most
veteran
clients.
 However,
what
if
you
changed
your
mindset?
 What
if
you
approached
each
workout
as
a
challenge,
an
opportunity
to
improve?
 What
if
you
began
each
session
with
an
attitude
of
"bring
it
on!"?
 You
might
just
look
at
Total
Results
workouts
as
fun.


 


I
know
this
sounds
crazy,
but
take
a
step
back
and
examine
exercise
through
a
different
lens.
 What
could
be
better
than
overcoming
a
challenge
and
accomplishing
something
meaningful?
 Part
of
the
fun
of
accomplishing
meaningful
tasks
is
that
they
require
effort.
 Think
back
to
when
you
were
little
and
you
learned
to
tie
your
shoes.
 At
first
you
struggled,
but
with
consistently
applied
effort
(and
a
little
help
from
a
parent
or
grandparent)
you
eventually
learned
how
to
do
it.
 Obviously
tying
your
shoes
does
not
require
the
same
level
of
physical
or
mental
effort
as
does
a
high-intensity
workout,
but
you
understand
the
point.
 As
author
Ryan
Holiday
says
in
his
2025
book
"Wisdom
Takes
Work,"
"No
one
can
accomplish
greatness
in
any
field
if
they
are
not
driven
by
love
and
fascination
and
genuine
reverence."
 That
fascination
and
wonder
is
what
spurs
you
on
in
the
face
of
something
difficult,
and
it
makes
the
end
result
more
worthwhile.
 


 


Competition
makes
everyone
better.
 This
is
true
in
athletics,
in
free
market
economics,
and
in
technology.
 Most
of
us
are
more
competitive
than
even
we
realize;
who
among
us
hasn't
felt
their
competitive
juices
flowing
from
a
backyard
game
of
cornhole?
 
We
often
want
to
know
what
others
are
doing
so
that
we
have
a
means
of
measuring
ourselves.
 There
is
a
competitive
element
to
Total
Results
workouts,
but
with
a
twist.
 Here,
you
are
competing
against
yourself
rather
than
someone
else.
 There
is
no
meaningful
comparison
between
you
and
someone
else,
unless
you
are
an
identical
twin
with
the
exact
same
set
of
genetics.
 Instead,
find
a
way
to
make
it
a
game;
try
to
improve
upon
your
previous
performance
in
some
way,
whether
it
is
something
as
objective
as
time
under
load
or
weight,
or
something
subjective
like
better
focus
and
breathing.
 Squeezing
out
one
more
repetition
when
you
thought
you
couldn't
will
give
you
a
tremendous
feeling
of
accomplishment,
and
it
is
fun!


 


Holiday
discusses
a
conversation
between
Nobel
Prize
winning
physicist
Richard
Feynman
and
one
of
his
graduate
students.
 "Think
back
to
when
you
were
a
kid,"
Feynman
says.
 "When
you
were
a
kid,
did
you
love
science?
 Was
it
your
passion?"
 "As
long
as
I
can
remember,"
the
student
replied.
 "Me
too,"
Feynman
said.
 "Remember,
it's
supposed
to
be
fun."
 Exercise
is
not
fun
every
single
minute,
but
on
the
whole
it
is
still
something
that
gives
me
immense
pleasure.
 The
entire
process
of
instruction
is
fun,
from
the
charting
to
the
equipment
set-up,
to
the
actual
instructing
of
clients
during
their
workouts.
 It
is
an
opportunity
to
help
someone
learn
and
achieve
a
level
of
fitness
that
they
did
not
believe
was
possible.
 I
see
things
through
the
eyes
of
my
23
year
old
self
at
times
(when
I
first
got
into
the
business),
and
am
still
amazed
that
I
have
the
opportunity
to
do
this
for
a
living.
 My
own
workouts
are
a
highlight
of
my
week.
 No,
exertional
discomfort
and
gasping
for
breath
at
the
end
are
not
particularly
pleasant,
and
I
do
still
experience
some
mild
anxiety
before
I
start.
 That
is
normal.
 I
look
at
the
workouts
as
non-negotiable;
they
must
be
undertaken
in
order
to
achieve
continued
health
and
physical
independence.
 The
fun
is
in
rising
to
meet
the
challenge,
but
also
in
doing
what
you
know
most
people
are
unwilling
to
do.
 As
Hall
of
Fame
wide
receiver
Jerry
Rice
once
said,
"Today
I
will
do
what
others
won't
so
tomorrow
I
can
do
what
others
can't."
 I
am
privileged
to
be
able
to
workout
every
week
-
not
everyone
is
as
fortunate.


 


How
do
you
define
success?
 That
depends
on
your
values,
but
as
six-time
Super
Bowl
winner
Bill
Belichick
says,
"Success
is
not
a
solid,
straight
line."
 You
will
have
your
ups
and
downs,
but
keep
it
all
in
perspective
and
focus
on
what
you
can
control.
 Most
of
all,
you
can
control
your
effort
and
attitude.
 You
can
choose
to
look
at
your
workouts
as
drudgery,
or
you
can
make
your
own
fun
and
compete
against
yourself.
 It's
all
up
to
you!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The New Oxygen Prescripton&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=768</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=768</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Nathaniel
Altman
is
a
journalist
and
author
of
more
than
fifteen
books
on
alternative
healing
and
nature.
 Some
of
his
titles
include
"The
Honey
Prescription,"
"Healing
Springs,"
and
"A
Russian
Herbal."
 Three
previous
editions
of
"The
New
Oxygen
Prescription"
were
published
in
1995,
1998,
and
2007;
the
fourth
edition
was
released
in
2017.
 The
author's
personal
interest
in
oxidative
therapies
came
about
as
a
result
of
being
the
primary
caregiver
for
a
friend
who
eventually
succumbed
to
AIDS.
 Under
the
supervision
of
a
physician,
Altman
administered
to
his
friend
daily
infusions
of
35
percent
food-grade
hydrogen
peroxide.
 These
infusions
eased
discomfort,
shrank
a
Kaposi's
sarcoma
by
half
within
three
weeks,
and
gave
his
friend
a
greater
quality
of
life
before
his
ultimate
passing.


 


Oxidative
therapies
involve
the
use
of
ozone
or
hydrogen
peroxide,
added
to
a
base
of
oxygen
or
water,
in
order
to
introduce
active
forms
of
oxygen
to
the
body.
 This
can
help
to
kill
diseased
tissue,
viruses,
fungi,
bacteria,
and
microbes,
and
eliminate
them
from
the
body.
 Ozone
is
an
elemental
form
of
oxygen
that,
as
the
author
states,
"...Is
created
in
nature
when
ultraviolet
energy
causes
oxygen
atoms
(which
are
normally
found
in
pairs,
forming
oxygen
molecules)
to
temporarily
recombine
in
groups
of
three."
 This
unique
molecule
was
used
to
disinfect
wounds
during
World
War
I,
and
was
also
studied
and
used
in
1930s
Germany
to
treat
inflammatory
bowel
disorders,
ulcerative
colitis,
and
Crohn's
disease.
 Hydrogen
peroxide
is
chemically
known
as
H2O2;
it
mixes
easily
with
water
and
can
be
considered
a
close
relative
of
ozone.
 It
is
a
substance
that
is
naturally
present
in
our
body
and
helps
our
immune
system
to
function
properly.
 The
medicinal
use
of
hydrogen
peroxide
dates
back
to
the
1920s
when
British
physician
T.H.
Oliver
used
it
to
successfully
treat
critically
ill
influenza
patients
in
India.
 German
physician
William
Frederick
Koch
administered
a
substance
he
called
glyoxylide
(believed
to
be
the
same
oxygen
found
in
H2O2)
to
successfully
treat
cancer
patients.
 Dr.
Koch
was
sued
by
the
FDA,
and
though
he
was
eventually
acquitted
he
left
the
U.S.
and
continued
his
research
in
Brazil.
 


 


How
do
oxidative
therapies
work?
 According
to
Altman,
"Simply
put,
oxidative
therapies
can
help
accelerate
oxygen
metabolism
and
stimulate
the
release
of
oxygen
atoms
from
the
blood
stream
to
the
cells.
 When
levels
of
oxygen
increase,
the
potential
for
disease
decreases.
 Germs,
parasites,
fungi,
bacteria,
and
viruses
are
killed
along
with
diseased
and
deficient
tissue
cells.
 At
the
same
time,
healthy
cells
not
only
survive
but
are
better
able
to
multiply.
 The
result
is
a
stronger
immune
system
and
improved
overall
immune
response."
 In
addition,
oxidative
therapies
stimulate
the
production
of
white
blood
cells,
oxidize
petrochemicals,
break
down
macronutrients
to
be
used
as
energy,
increase
the
production
of
interferon
and
tumor
necrosis
factor
(which
are
used
to
fight
infections
and
cancer),
and
increase
the
delivery
of
oxygen
from
the
blood
to
the
cells.
 Ozone
can
be
administered
in
a
multitude
of
ways
including
intramuscular
injection,
intravenous
injection,
as
well
as
through
a
bagging
technique.
 Hydrogen
peroxide
can
be
taken
orally
(in
distilled
water),
intravenously,
or
even
added
to
a
bathtub
of
warm
water.
 Speaking
of
water,
ozone
is
often
used
in
municipal
water
treatment,
and
was
even
used
in
the
pools
at
the
1984
Olympic
games
in
Los
Angeles.
 


 


Oxidative
therapies
have
been
used
for
decades
to
treat
cancer.
 German
scientist
Otto
Warbug
discovered
in
1966
that
a
lack
of
oxygen
at
the
cellular
level
is
a
key
precondition
for
the
development
of
cancer.
 In
1974,
German
doctor
Joachim
Varro
learned
that
tumor
cells
have
a
peroxide
intolerance,
which
suggests
that
certain
types
of
cancerous
growths
may
be
inhibited
by
ozone
and
hydrogen
peroxide.
 Even
as
early
as
1962,
Dr.
J.W.
Finney
of
Baylor
University
Medical
Center
published
his
findings
in
the
Southern
Medical
Journal
about
the
benefits
of
hydrogen
peroxide
as
an
adjunct
to
radiation
therapy.
 


 


There
have
been
promising
findings
regarding
ozone
and
HIV/AIDS
patients.
 Drs.
Michael
T.F.
Carpendale
and
Joel
K.
Freeberg
published
a
report
in
the
journal
Antiviral
Research.
 According
to
Altman,
"Carpendale
and
Freeberg
showed
that
HIV
could
be
99
percent
inactivated
with
only
0.5
ug
ozone/ml
of
human
serum,
and
completely
inactivated
by
ozone
concentrations
of
4
ug/ml
of
human
serum.
 Those
concentrations
of
ozone
did
not
harm
healthy
cells."
 Dr.
Frank
Shallenberger
conducted
his
own
study
that
was
presented
in
1993,
in
which
he
administered
intravenous
ozone
over
fourteen
days
to
five
randomly
selected
AIDS
patients.
 His
findings
were
very
encouraging.
 As
the
author
describes,
"Dr.
Shallenberger's
findings
support
the
hypothesis
that
ozone
therapy
can
have
long-term
positive
effects
on
AIDS
patients.
 While
not
a
cure,
ozone
therapy
can
play
a
role
in
improving
the
quality
of
life
of
persons
living
with
AIDS.
 Soon
after
the
results
of
the
Shallenberger
study
were
released,
the
Nevada
medical
authorities
attempted
to
close
down
his
practice."


 


There
are
a
whole
host
of
musculoskeletal
problems
that
ozone
and
hydrogen
peroxide
have
been
used
to
treat
over
the
past
forty
years.
 Some
of
these
conditions
include
arthrosis
(degeneration
of
cartilage),
herniated
disc
pain,
arthritis,
and
osteoporosis.
 Small
injections
of
ozone
or
hydrogen
peroxide,
known
as
regenerative
injection
therapy,
produce
an
anti-inflammatory
response
and
result
in
enhanced
healing.
 In
the
case
of
disc
herniation,
ozone
hyperoxygenates
the
area
and
initiates
the
repair
process
by
stimulating
collagen
deposition.
 


 


Nathaniel
Altman
did
an
outstanding
job
of
writing
this
book.
 He
covers
the
subject
without
bias,
and
was
up
front
in
the
book's
introduction
about
his
personal
interest
in
oxidative
therapies.
 The
author
also
states
very
clearly
for
the
record
that
he
does
not
have
any
affiliation
with
any
doctors,
clinics,
or
companies
that
are
mentioned
in
the
book,
and
that
outside
of
the
royalties
earned
from
the
sales
of
the
book
he
does
not
have
a
financial
interest.
 There
is
a
list
of
resources
in
the
appendix
section,
including
databases,
organizations,
and
additional
books
in
which
you
can
learn
more
about
the
subject.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Are You Ready to Make the Commitment?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=767</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=767</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Optimism
is
often
high
in
January.
 A
new
year
has
begun,
and
we
have
many
ideas
about
what
we
want
to
accomplish
over
the
next
twelve
months.
 Ideas
are
the
fertile
soil
of
creativity,
but
without
structure,
discipline,
and
a
plan
of
action,
great
ideas
can
remain
in
the
theoretical
rather
than
the
practical
realm.
 If
your
desire
is
to
become
stronger,
fitter,
and
have
more
energy
so
that
you
can
maximize
your
life,
you
are
not
alone.
 Millions
of
Americans
begin
a
new
calendar
year
with
a
vision
of
losing
twenty
pounds,
improving
their
eating
habits,
and
starting
a
regular
workout
regimen.
 Unfortunately,
a
large
percentage
of
those
folks
fail
to
sustain
their
initial
enthusiasm
and
fall
back
into
old
habits
before
spring.
 In
order
to
succeed
and
take
your
mind
and
body
to
a
new
level,
it's
going
to
require
something
different.
 Are
you
finally
ready
to
make
that
commitment
to
yourself?


 


I
am
not
a
big
proponent
of
New
Year's
resolutions;
as
I
said
earlier,
most
people
fail
because
they
don't
have
a
plan
of
action
and
they
don't
create
habits
that
are
sustainable.
 You
don't
need
to
wait
for
the
start
of
a
calendar
year
to
get
serious
about
improving
yourself.
 Procrastination
is
a
mistake;
it's
time
to
develop
a
sense
of
urgency!
 I
am
much
more
of
a
believer
in
creating
a
vision
board.
 You
can
design
it
any
way
you
like;
some
people
like
to
draw
or
cut
out
pictures
of
things
that
they
want
to
achieve
and
put
them
on
poster
boards.
 Others
draw
squares
on
poster
boards
to
make
them
look
like
bingo
cards,
and
write
things
that
they
want
to
accomplish
into
each
square
(I
did
this
for
2026).
 Most
importantly,
your
vision
board
should
be
displayed
somewhere
that
it
can
be
seen
every
day.
 Why
put
forth
that
effort
if
you
aren't
going
to
see
on
a
daily
basis
what
you
want
to
achieve?
 Statistics
show
that
people
are
far
more
likely
to
achieve
their
goals
if
they
are
written
down
and
frequently
viewed.
 


 


A
commitment
to
yourself
does
not
need
to
take
up
a
lot
of
your
time;
it
simply
requires
a
willingness
to
do
what
needs
to
be
done.
 Total
Results
exercise
fits
that
description
to
a
T.
 However,
before
you
commit
to
something
(particularly
our
exercise
program),
you
must
understand
what
this
entails.
 Our
workouts
will
be
brief,
but
they
will
be
hard.
 Most
people
who
come
through
our
doors
for
the
first
time
have
likely
never
experienced
training
in
this
fashion.
 You
will
experience
fatigue
and
exertional
discomfort
-
this
is
simply
par
for
the
course.
 There
may
be
times
when
you
want
to
quit,
but
you
must
press
on.
 People
often
ask,
"When
does
it
get
easier?"
 The
answer
is
that
it
doesn't.
 Your
easiest
workout
is
your
first
session.
 While
we
do
not
expect
you
to
exercise
intensely
in
the
first
few
sessions,
once
you
reach
a
certain
level
of
proficiency
and
conditioning,
each
successive
session
will
be
demanding.
 This
is
necessary
in
order
to
stimulate
continued
physical
improvements,
and
it
also
explains
why
the
workouts
must
be
both
brief
and
infrequent.


 


Total
Results
exercise
requires
a
significant
physical
and
mental
commitment,
but
not
a
large
time
commitment.
 Our
sessions
will
last
no
longer
than
twenty
minutes,
and
clients
exercise
once
or
twice
per
week.
 That's
it.
 Less
than
one
hour
per
week.
 You
can
exercise
at
any
time
of
day;
physiologically,
there
is
no
"best
time"
of
day
to
workout.
 You
can
come
first
thing
in
the
morning,
during
your
workday,
or
after
work.
 If
you
can't
make
it
during
the
week,
we
also
take
appointments
on
Saturdays.
 A
highly
educated
instructor
will
supervise
every
session,
keep
detailed
records
of
every
workout,
and
provide
a
level
of
professionalism,
knowledge,
and
accountability
that
you
cannot
find
in
the
gym.
 Remember,
it
doesn't
happen
by
itself!


 


So
what
is
stopping
you?
 None
of
us
knows
when
our
number
is
up,
so
don't
take
a
day
for
granted.
 As
I
said
earlier,
successful
habits
are
those
that
are
easy
to
follow.
 One
or
two
twenty
minute
sessions
can
fit
into
anyone's
week
if
they
want
it
badly
enough.
You
have
tried
other
methods,
now
experience
a
method
that
has
proven
to
be
effective
for
more
than
40
years.
 There
is
no
sense
in
waiting
until
tomorrow
or
next
month.
 Make
a
commitment
to
yourself
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Mike Mentzer - American Odysseus&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=766</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=766</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

John
Little
is
a
fitness
writer
and
author
of
several
books,
including
the
Bruce
Lee
biography
"Wrath
of
the
Dragon."
 He
co-authored
"Body
by
Science"
with
Dr.
Doug
McGuff
in
2009,
which
in
my
opinion
is
the
single
greatest
book
ever
written
for
the
layperson
about
high-intensity
exercise.
 In
2025,
Little
published
"Mike
Mentzer
-
American
Odysseus",
which
is
a
detailed
biography
of
former
bodybuilder,
philosopher,
instructor,
and
writer
Mike
Mentzer.
 The
author
brings
a
unique
perspective
to
this
project,
having
been
friends
with
Mentzer
for
over
20
years
before
his
untimely
death
in
2001
at
the
age
of
49.


 


Mike
Mentzer
grew
up
in
Ephrata,
Pennsylvania
in
a
complicated
family
dynamic;
he
had
older
half-siblings
from
his
mother's
previous
marriage
in
addition
to
his
younger
brother
Ray.
 At
the
age
of
11
he
saw
his
first
bodybuilding
magazine,
and
soon
thereafter
he
began
weight
training.
 As
he
grew
large
and
strong
throughout
his
teenage
years,
it
was
clear
that
he
had
the
genetic
potential
to
pursue
competitive
bodybuilding.
Upon
graduation
from
high
school,
Mentzer
did
a
stint
in
the
Air
Force
at
Andrews
Air
Force
Base
in
Maryland.
 It
was
during
this
time
that
he
first
started
using
steroids
to
prepare
for
bodybuilding
contests
(amazingly,
they
were
not
illegal
until
1990).
 The
story
takes
a
most
interesting
turn
when
Mike
learns
about
Nautilus
training
principles
in
the
early
1970s
from
a
fellow
competitor,
and
he
even
spent
several
months
in
1974
living
in
Florida
and
training
with
Nautilus
founder
Arthur
Jones
at
Nautilus
headquarters.
 


 


In
the
1970s
(and
probably
still
today)
bodybuilders
utilized
a
high
volume
approach
to
their
training,
often
doing
split
routines
four
to
six
days
per
week
with
as
much
as
twenty
sets
per
muscle
group.
 This
was
the
way
that
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
trained,
and
most
bodybuilders
followed
his
lead.
 Mentzer's
methodology
(heavily
influenced
by
Jones)
involved
three
full-body
workouts
per
week,
taking
each
exercise
to
muscular
failure,
and
totalling
about
an
hour
per
workout.
 Based
on
what
we
know
now
this
was
still
very
high
volume,
but
much
less
than
what
other
bodybuilders
were
doing.
 Mentzer's
high-intensity
strategy
propelled
him
to
a
win
in
the
Mr.
America
competition
and
a
second
place
finish
in
the
1979
Mr.
Olympia
contest.
 If
not
for
corrupt
judging
and
the
heavy-handed
influence
of
Schwarzenegger
(returning
to
competition
after
a
five
year
retirement),
Mike
likely
would
have
been
victorious
in
the
1980
Mr.
Olympia.
 It
was
at
this
point
that
he
walked
away
from
bodybuilding,
never
to
compete
again.


 


Mentzer
never
officially
retired
from
bodybuilding,
he
simply
stepped
out
of
the
limelight
and
retreated
to
a
more
quiet
life.
 There
was
a
family
history
of
mental
illness,
and
Mike
struggled
with
depression
for
much
of
his
life.
 He
began
self-medicating
during
the
1980s,
acquired
other
bad
habits
that
would
lead
to
trouble
down
the
road,
and
was
in
a
dark
place
for
several
years.
 John
Little
proved
to
be
a
trusted
friend
during
this
time
and
helped
him
get
back
on
his
feet.
 It
was
during
the
late
1980s
and
early
1990s
that
Mentzer
started
a
thriving
personal
training
and
consultation
business,
working
with
bodybuilders
as
well
as
the
general
population.
 An
intellectual
at
heart,
Mike
began
studying
his
clients'
data
and
realized
that
there
was
an
inverse
relationship
between
intensity
of
effort
and
volume/frequency
of
exercise.
 He
renamed
his
approach
"Heavy
Duty",
and
began
reducing
the
duration
and
frequency
of
his
clients'
workouts.
 As
a
result,
they
made
much
more
sustained
progress
over
time.
 


 


Unfortunately,
Mike's
lifestyle,
genetic
factors,
and
the
years
of
steroid
use
created
significant
health
problems
that
ultimately
led
to
his
death
in
2001
at
the
age
of
49.
 However,
his
influence
in
the
high-intensity
exercise
community
continues
to
this
day,
in
no
small
part
due
to
John
Little
keeping
the
flame
going.
 Mentzer
was
very
different
from
his
contemporary
bodybuilders;
he
was
bright,
articulate,
well-read,
studied
philosophy
in
his
spare
time,
and
even
had
aspirations
of
becoming
a
psychiatrist.
 He
took
the
time
to
ask
questions
and
learn
about
physiology
so
that
he
could
maximize
his
own
workouts
as
well
as
those
whom
he
trained.
 His
Heavy
Duty
approach
was
quite
similar
to
what
we
do
at
Total
Results,
at
least
in
terms
of
volume
and
frequency,
and
I
believe
he
even
had
conversations
with
Ken
Hutchins
in
the
late
1990s
and
early
2000s
(Hutchins
mentions
Mentzer
in
his
writings).
 Mentzer
had
a
significant
influence
on
me,
not
just
in
terms
of
his
training
approach
and
cerebral
mindset,
but
he
also
inspired
me
to
read
the
works
of
Ayn
Rand.
 I
owe
an
eternal
debt
of
gratitude
to
him.


 


John
Little
does
an
outstanding
job
of
telling
Mike
Mentzer's
story.
 He
shares
personal
anecdotes
and
experiences
based
upon
his
friendship
with
Mentzer,
but
is
also
critical
of
some
of
his
life
choices.
 Mike's
death
is
a
cautionary
tale
of
steroid
use,
and
sadly,
he
recognized
the
role
they
played
in
his
demise
once
it
was
far
too
late.
 Bodybuilding
is
a
niche
sport
filled
with
drug
abuse
and
corruption,
and
while
this
book
is
about
far
more
than
just
bodybuilding
I
recognize
that
probably
will
not
incentivize
most
folks
to
read
it.
 However,
in
my
opinion
this
book
is
worth
reading
in
order
to
shine
a
light
on
Mike
Mentzer
and
his
contributions
to
the
science
of
high-intensity
weight
training.
 


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Local Versus Systemic Impact</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=765</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=765</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most
people
are
probably
familiar
with
the
phrase,
"Think
globally,
act
locally."
 This
has
been
used
in
numerous
contexts,
including
education,
community
empowerment,
the
environment,
and
even
mathematics.
 My
interpretation
of
this
phrase
is
that
while
it
is
important
to
realize
that
so
much
in
life
is
interconnected,
there
are
things
that
you
can
do
on
a
smaller
level
that
will
have
a
greater
impact.
 You
can
also
take
a
local
versus
systemic
(global)
viewpoint
when
it
comes
to
exercise.
 The
human
body
is
more
than
just
the
sum
of
its
parts,
and
it's
important
to
realize
that
we
want
to
stimulate
the
entire
organism,
not
simply
improve
certain
areas.
 


 


The
bodybuilding
world
and
commercial
gym
enthusiasts
typically
endorse
split
training
routines;
this
is
where
one
trains
three
or
more
days
per
week
while
concentrating
on
specific
muscle
groups
in
a
workout
(ex
-
back/biceps,
chest/triceps,
etc.).
 Multiple
sets
of
each
exercise
are
performed,
usually
for
an
arbitrary
number
of
repetitions
per
set,
and
several
exercises
are
completed
for
each
muscle
group.
 In
the
case
of
bodybuilders,
this
could
add
up
to
as
many
as
twenty
sets
per
muscle
group;
this
is
known
as
a
volume
approach
to
training.
 When
you
factor
in
that
these
trainees
often
take
several
minutes
between
sets
to
sip
water,
chit
chat
with
other
gymgoers,
and
pose
in
the
mirror,
workouts
that
are
structured
in
this
fashion
can
last
a
couple
of
hours.
 Is
this
the
right
approach?
 From
a
biological
perspective,
the
answer
is
no.
 Sure,
a
volume
training
methodology
ensures
that
cumulative
fatigue
will
occur
in
those
muscle
groups
that
have
been
trained,
but
not
taken
into
account
is
the
fact
that
human
recovery
ability
is
quite
finite.
 Overtraining
happens
much
more
easily
than
most
people
realize,
especially
when
training
this
frequently
and
with
this
much
volume.
 Genetically
gifted
individuals
(a
very
small
percentage
of
the
population)
may
be
able
to
get
away
with
this
for
a
while,
especially
if
they
are
using
performance-enhancing
drugs,
but
sooner
or
later
the
end
result
will
be
a
cessation
of
progress,
illness,
and/or
injury.
 There
is
a
much
better
way.


 


The
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
entails
whole
body
workouts.
 That
may
sound
like
a
lot
of
volume,
but
it
is
not.
 Many
of
the
exercises
that
make
up
our
workouts
are
compound
movements;
this
means
that
you
are
involving
more
than
one
muscle
group
and
multiple
joints
in
that
particular
exercise.
 An
example
of
this
concept
is
the
Leg
Press
exercise.
 Here,
we
are
training
the
glutes,
quadriceps,
and
hamstrings,
as
well
as
the
calves,
so
we
are
involving
the
knee,
hip,
and
ankle
joints
in
one
exercise.
 This
is
the
largest
movement
that
we
utilize,
and
the
Leg
Press
will
have
the
greatest
overall
(read
-
systemic/global)
impact
on
your
muscular
development
and
metabolism.
 Because
we
use
these
compound
movements,
we
are
able
to
train
the
entire
body
in
much
less
time
and
with
fewer
exercises
than
with
a
conventional
approach.
 The
key
to
stimulating
muscular
and
metabolic
improvements
is
not
the
volume
of
exercise,
but
rather
its
intensity.
 Intensity
can
be
simply
defined
as
inroad
(fatigue)/time.
 While
much
still
remains
to
be
learned,
we
do
know
that
exercise
must
be
intense
enough
to
stimulate
a
growth
mechanism,
which
is
why
we
take
each
exercise
to
the
point
of
and
beyond
muscular
failure.
 Since
there
is
an
inverse
relationship
between
intensity
of
effort
and
recovery
time,
it
is
imperative
that
we
regulate
the
frequency,
intensity,
and
volume
of
exercise.
 This
is
why
Total
Results
clients
exercise
for
no
longer
than
20
minutes
(five
to
seven
exercises
per
workout)
and
train
no
more
than
twice
per
week.


 


We
also
use
simple
movements
during
our
workouts;
these
are
exercises
that
involve
only
one
joint
or
muscle
group.
 These
exercises
have
less
of
a
systemic
impact,
but
are
much
more
concentrated
and
are
important
for
other
reasons.
 The
Cervical
Extension
exercise
is
wonderful
from
a
postural
and
injury
prevention
point
of
view
-
everyone
should
have
strong
neck
muscles.
 The
Calf
Raise
movement
that
we
perform
on
the
Leg
Press
machine
helps
to
improve
blood
flow
to
the
lower
extremities,
strengthens
and
stabilizes
the
ankle
joint,
and
helps
to
prevent
the
onset
of
varicose
veins
and
phlebitis.
 Our
knowledge
of
human
anatomy,
understanding
of
volume,
frequency,
and
the
dangers
of
excessive
force
combined
with
precise
record-keeping
are
why
we
are
a
better
option
for
injury
prevention
and
rehabilitation
than
traditional
therapy.


 


When
it
comes
to
exercise,
the
role
of
genetics
cannot
be
overstated.
 Much
like
your
eye
color
or
your
height,
there
are
certain
factors
that
are
largely
predetermined
by
birth,
such
as
your
neurological
efficiency
(the
percentage
of
muscle
fibers
that
can
be
contracted
in
an
all-out
effort)
and
your
muscle
fiber
type
(slow
twitch,
fast
twitch,
and
intermediate).
 Greater
neurological
efficiency
and
a
larger
percentage
of
fast
twitch
muscle
fibers
(which
have
a
larger
propensity
for
growth)
really
only
matter
if
you
have
bodybuilding
aspirations
or
want
to
be
an
Olympic
sprinter.
 I
believe
that
trainable
factors,
such
as
effort,
desire,
ability
to
focus,
exercise
form,
and
tolerance
for
exertional
discomfort
will
have
a
larger
impact
on
your
level
of
success.
 Again,
think
globally
rather
than
locally.


 


Begin
2026
by
taking
a
global
approach
to
your
life.
 Schedule
a
Total
Results
initial
consultation
to
learn
how
you
can
safely
make
significant
physical
improvements
in
less
than
one
hour
per
week!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Conventional Thinking Only Goes So Far</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=764</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=764</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

History
is
replete
with
narratives
that
have
been
repeated
over
and
over
to
the
point
where
they
are
accepted
as
fact.
 We
were
taught
in
school
to
believe
that
the
Japanese
bombing
of
Pearl
Harbor
which
precipitated
U.S.
involvement
in
World
War
II
was
unprovoked
and
a
complete
surprise.
 The
truth
is
that
President
Roosevelt
did
everything
he
could
to
instigate
a
Japanese
attack,
including
issuing
an
oil
embargo,
breaking
off
negotiations,
and
moving
the
Pacific
fleet
to
Hawaii
so
that
it
was
in
range
of
Japanese
bombers.
 American
sentiment
was
firmly
against
U.S.
involvement
in
the
war,
and
an
attack
on
American
soil
would
give
Roosevelt
justification
for
entering
on
the
side
of
the
Allies
(I
first
learned
this
by
reading
the
book
"World
War
II:
The
Rest
of
the
Story
and
How
it
Affects
You
Today"
by
Richard
J.
Maybury).
 As
in
most
cases,
the
truth
generally
lies
somewhere
below
the
surface.
 When
it
comes
to
exercise
and
health,
conventional
thinking
has
mostly
gotten
it
wrong
over
the
past
60
years.
 At
Total
Results,
we
believe
in
examining
each
situation
individually,
seeing
it
holistically,
and
using
critical
thinking
skills
to
come
up
with
a
solution.
 Conventional
thinking
only
goes
so
far.


 


If
you
watch
television
and
trust
the
legacy
media
as
your
primary
news
source,
you
would
believe
that
the
American
medical
system
is
the
best
in
the
world.
 Although
there
has
been
an
enormous
spike
in
cases
of
autism,
autoimmune
disorders,
and
other
chronic
diseases
over
the
past
forty
years,
our
system
is
better
than
that
of
other
countries,
right?
 That's
conventional
wisdom.
 It
is
true
that
I
would
rather
be
in
an
American
emergency
room
than
in
Africa
if
I
were
hit
by
a
car;
emergency
medicine
in
the
U.S.
is
still
better
than
that
of
the
rest
of
the
world.
 However,
when
it
comes
to
preventative
care,
nutrition,
exercise,
curing
chronic
disease,
and
alternative
therapies,
the
U.S.
medical
system
is
abysmal.
 Bureaucrats,
insurance
companies,
and
pharmaceutical
companies
pull
the
strings
and
realize
that
it
is
far
more
lucrative
to
treat
symptoms
than
address
and
fix
the
underlying
cause
of
disease.
 Simply
listening
to
your
doctor
and
taking
prescription
medication
without
asking
questions
or
doing
your
own
research
is
a
recipe
for
an
endless
cycle
of
doctor's
visits,
dependence,
and
loss
of
quality
of
life.
 Think
outside
the
box!
 There
is
a
place
for
chiropractic
care,
acupuncture,
and
herbal
remedies
alongside
Western
medicine.



 


Current
general
knowledge
about
nutrition
is
far
more
advanced
than
it
was
thirty
years
ago.
 Fortunately,
the
internet
has
given
a
voice
to
alternative
viewpoints;
however,
conventional
thinking
still
looms
large
with
the
power
of
Big
Food
and
Big
Agriculture.
 If
you
believe
conventional
wisdom,
you're
still
under
the
impression
that
red
meat
is
bad
for
you,
saturated
fat
causes
heart
attacks,
and
processed
foods
are
good
for
you
as
long
as
they
are
designated
as
"low
fat"
or
"heart
healthy."
 To
be
sure,
the
field
of
nutrition
is
ever-evolving,
and
there
is
no
"one
size
fits
all"
approach.
 Some
people
can
get
away
with
making
poor
choices
that
others
cannot.
 Each
one
of
us
has
a
different
genetic
make-up,
so
a
nutritional
program
should
be
tweaked
and
modified
to
meet
the
needs
of
each
individual.
 Within
this
framework,
there
are
certain
things
we
do
know.
 Saturated
fat
does
NOT
cause
heart
disease
(read
"The
Great
Cholesterol
Con"
by
Dr.
Malcolm
Kendrick);
processed
foods,
sugars,
and
trans
fats
are
far
more
dangerous
(so
use
butter
instead
of
margarine).
 You
should
consume
protein,
fats,
and
some
carbohydrates
in
the
form
of
single-ingredient
whole
foods
in
sufficient
amounts
to
meet
your
needs
for
vitamins,
minerals,
and
trace
elements.
 Supplement
to
fill
in
any
gaps
and
be
accountable
when
you
fall
a
little
bit
short.


 


Some
people
still
believe
that
any
form
of
activity
qualifies
as
exercise.
 In
my
opinion
that
is
not
only
conventional
thinking,
but
also
lazy
thinking.
 I'm
not
sure
who
came
up
with
the
idea
that
it
is
optimal
to
walk
10,000
steps
per
day
(which
equates
to
over
4
miles),
but
it
strikes
me
as
arbitrary.
 How
was
that
figure
arrived
upon?
 I
do
believe
that
incorporating
movement
into
one's
routine
is
important,
but
just
performing
low
level
activity
does
not
qualify
as
exercise.
 Exercise
must
be
brief,
it
must
be
demanding,
and
it
must
be
of
sufficient
intensity
to
stimulate
an
adaptive
muscular
and
metabolic
response.
 Muscular
tissue
is
the
engine
of
the
body;
this
is
what
academic
exercise
physiologists
have
always
struggled
to
understand
as
they
touted
their
hollow
theories
of
VO2
Max.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
the
one
form
of
weight
training
(or
any
form
of
activity,
for
that
matter)
that
meets
these
requirements
in
addition
to
being
completely
safe.
 Movement
is
certainly
important,
but
it
should
be
thought
of
as
a
complement
to
high
intensity
weight
training.
 Sure,
your
heart
is
an
critical
muscle,
but
if
you
lack
the
strength
to
move
and
be
self-sufficient
your
heart
will
suffer.


 


If
you
think
conventionally,
you
will
achieve
conventional
results.
 Think
outside
the
box;
that's
what
we
do.
 This
requires
an
active
interest,
participation,
and
ownership.
 Challenge
yourself
to
be
the
best
possible
version
of
yourself
in
mind,
body,
and
spirit.
 Choose
Total
Results
and
be
ahead
of
the
curve.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=763</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=763</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Gary
Null,
Ph.D,
has
written
over
70
books
on
healthy
living.
 He
has
also
directed
over
100
documentary
films
on
topics
ranging
from
self-empowerment,
the
environment,
and
natural
health.
 In
addition
to
those
accomplishments,
Null
hosts
a
radio
show
on
the
Progressive
Radio
Network,
and
at
80
years
old
he
is
still
going
strong.
 "The
Complete
Encyclopedia
of
Natural
Healing"
was
first
published
in
1998,
with
a
revised
edition
printed
in
2005.
I
picked
up
a
copy
of
this
book
because
I
am
always
looking
for
information
on
how
to
treat
conditions
via
alternative
(non-medicinal)
methods,
and
I
also
want
to
continue
to
bring
value
to
Total
Results
clients.
 It
is
also
important
to
point
out
that
Null
is
considered
somewhat
of
a
controversial
figure,
particularly
by
the
medical
establishment
who
questions
his
qualifications.
 I
will
leave
it
to
you
to
read
this
book
and
judge
for
yourself.


 


This
book
is
a
behemoth;
it
is
756
pages
long
and
it
is
not
an
easy
read.
 Please
do
not
feel
as
though
you
must
read
it
cover
to
cover,
but
instead
keep
it
as
a
reference
in
case
you
should
need
it.
 The
first
part
of
the
book
is
an
exhaustive
and
alphabetical
list
of
medical
conditions.
 Included
are
the
cause
of
each
condition,
course
of
treatment,
dietary
actions,
herbal
remedies,
nutritional
supplements,
and
alternative
therapies
that
can
be
pursued,
compared
with
conventional
medical
treatments.
 Null
discourages
the
use
of
traditional
arthritis
medications,
particularly
aspirin
or
other
anti-inflammatory
medicines
because
they
destroy
Vitamin
C
and
interfere
directly
with
the
immune
system.
 Instead,
he
recommends
supplementing
with
glucosamine
and
chondroitin
sulfate,
increasing
your
intake
of
deep-sea,
cold-water
fish
(such
as
salmon
and
trout),
and
drinking
up
to
a
gallon
of
pure
water
per
day.
 For
digestive
disorders,
the
author
advises
the
increase
of
daily
fiber,
supplementing
with
Coenzyme
Q10
and
magnesium
(people
who
suffer
from
constipation
are
often
deficient
in
this
mineral),
and
severely
limiting
the
use
of
antibiotics.
 Heart
disease
is
responsible
for
approximately
one
in
five
deaths
in
the
U.S.,
and
the
traditional
approach
of
simply
treating
it
with
high
blood
pressure
medication
doesn't
appear
to
be
working.
 Null
suggests
a
diet
rich
in
whole
foods,
with
an
emphasis
on
fruits
and
vegetables.
 He
also
recommends
avoiding
a
sedentary
lifestyle
and
supplementing
with
niacin
(which
can
help
prevent
heart
attacks,
but
should
only
be
taken
under
medical
supervision),
Coenzyme
Q10
(which
reduces
blood
pressure
and
arrhythmias),
and
Vitamin
C,
among
others.


 


The
second
section
of
the
book
discusses
the
Gary
Null
Protocol,
which
encourages
following
a
healthy
diet
and
eliminating
sugar,
artificial
sweeteners,
wheat,
fried
and
processed
foods,
and
recommends
drinking
organic
green
juices.
 There
is
also
a
lengthy
section
(perhaps
too
long)
which
details
client
experiences
and
testimonials.
 I
found
the
final
section
of
the
book
to
be
most
intriguing.
 This
part
documents
clients/patients
who
have
successfully
undergone
non-standard
treatment
for
various
forms
of
cancer.
 Since
this
edition
of
the
book
is
twenty
years
old,
the
doctors
and
clinics
highlighted
in
this
section
may
no
longer
be
in
practice,
but
I
do
agree
that
conventional
treatment
for
cancer
(chemotherapy
and
radiation)
may
be
almost
as
bad
as
the
disease
itself.


 


I
have
a
few
points
of
contention
with
the
author.
 He
seems
to
favor
vegetarianism
in
one
or
more
forms,
and
discourages
the
consumption
of
meat
other
than
fish.
 He
fails
to
recognize
the
nutritional
value
of
beef
and
chicken
in
particular,
and
doesn't
seem
to
understand
that
saturated
fat
is
not
the
bogeyman
that
we
have
been
led
to
believe.
 Null
endorses
(or
maybe
even
sells)
these
green
and
red
powders
that
are
referenced,
but
he
does
not
explain
what
they
are.
 Maybe
they
are
discussed
in
his
other
books,
but
it
would
seem
appropriate
to
expand
on
them
in
this
book
if
they
are
going
to
be
mentioned.
 The
author
does
a
solid
job
of
spotlighting
alternative
wellness
methods,
such
as
chiropractic
care,
acupuncture,
reflexology,
and
herbal
remedies.
 Eastern
methodologies
have
been
around
for
thousands
of
years,
yet
the
Western
medical
establishment
treats
them
dismissively.
 Null
does
recommend
an
organic,
whole
foods
diet,
and
for
that
he
should
be
commended.


 


This
book
was
laborious
at
times,
since
I
did
decide
to
read
it
cover
to
cover
for
the
purpose
of
this
book
review.
 I
believe
it
is
worth
reading,
or
at
least
skimming
through.
 I
picked
up
a
few
things
that
I
believe
are
useful,
such
as
incorporating
Himalayan
pink
salt
into
my
diet.
 I
encourage
you
to
read
"The
Complete
Encyclopedia
of
Natural
Healing"
and
see
if
you
can
implement
a
few
useful
nuggets
into
your
regimen.



 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Anti-Social Exercise?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=762</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=762</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
people
look
for
a
social
component
when
it
comes
to
physical
activity.
Without
question
human
beings
are
social
animals,
and
we
were
not
meant
to
live
life
in
a
bubble.
 There
are
many
different
ways
to
scratch
the
social
itch
-
some
that
involve
physical
activity
and
some
that
do
not.
 Going
to
happy
hour
for
a
beer
with
coworkers
would
qualify
as
social,
as
would
attending
a
sporting
event
with
friends.
 Participating
in
recreational
sports,
such
as
golf,
pickleball,
and
group
cycling
can
serve
as
a
social
outlet.
 Folks
often
join
gyms,
ostensibly
in
the
pursuit
of
fitness,
but
also
to
obtain
a
social
experience.
 They
typically
do
more
talking
than
exercising,
and
I
propose
that
these
individuals
are
not
interested
in
a
serious
workout.
 If
they
happen
to
work
with
a
"personal
trainer",
that
individual
could
be
more
accurately
described
as
a
"workout
caddy"
-
someone
who
holds
an
iPad
and
goes
from
machine
to
machine
with
you
while
chit
chatting
about
any
number
of
inane
subjects.
 On
the
other
side
of
the
spectrum
is
Total
Results;
our
exercise
studio
is
not
a
social
club.


 


Our
clients
are
interesting
and
successful
people
who
have
worked
in
a
variety
of
industries
over
the
course
of
their
professional
lives.
 A
number
of
trainees
are
now
retired
but
still
live
productive
and
meaningful
lives,
and
I
am
grateful
for
the
opportunity
to
talk
with
and
learn
from
them.
 Hearing
about
their
experiences
has
given
me
perspective
that
I
likely
would
not
have
gained
if
I
had
gone
to
work
in
another
field.
 We
have
had
some
fascinating
conversations
on
a
wide
range
of
subjects
outside
of
exercise.
 However,
these
discussions
take
place
before
or
after
a
workout,
but
almost
never
during
a
session.
 The
relationship
between
a
Total
Results
instructor
and
a
client
should,
above
all
else,
be
professional.
 At
the
same
time,
it
is
important
for
me
to
connect
with
the
client
on
a
personal
level
so
that
the
experience
can
be
transformational
rather
than
simply
transactional.
 Clients
must
know
that
we
care
about
them
-
this
is
essential
for
helping
them
to
achieve
something
meaningful.


 


High-intensity
exercise
requires
complete
concentration.
 There
is
a
reason
why
our
studio
does
not
have
TVs,
music,
mirrors,
plants,
or
bright
colors
on
the
wall.
 All
of
these
objects
are
distractions,
and
the
main
reason
you
come
to
Total
Results
is
to
have
the
best
possible
workout
experience.
 Conversation
can
distract
you
from
your
primary
purpose,
and
it
can
also
compromise
your
safety.
 If
you
are
talking
with
your
instructor
you
are
not
paying
attention
to
your
speed
of
movement,
turnaround
technique,
or
your
breathing,
which
can
pose
a
hazard.
 Some
clients
over
the
years
have
remarked
that
they
like
to
multitask.
 I
find
that
typically
means
they
do
two
things
poorly
at
the
same
time.
 Total
Results
workouts
last
only
twenty
minutes;
surely
you
can
remain
focused
for
that
small
length
of
time.


 


Exercise
instruction
should
be
a
monologue,
not
a
dialogue.
 There
are
times
when
I
may
need
to
ask
a
question
in
the
middle
of
an
exercise.
 For
example,
if
I
see
that
a
client
is
experiencing
pain
in
a
joint
or
suffering
from
an
exercise-induced
headache,
I
may
ask
them
if
they
need
to
stop.
 If
that
scenario
occurs,
the
client
should
give
as
brief
an
answer
as
possible
so
that
we
can
take
the
necessary
action.
 I
mostly
discourage
talking
between
exercises
as
well,
although
that
is
preferable
to
talking
during
an
exercise.
 There
are
a
couple
of
reasons
for
this.
 One,
it
can
disrupt
the
flow
of
the
workout.
 Two,
it
creates
a
delay,
which
diminishes
metabolic
conditioning
and
systemic
inroad,
but
also
slows
down
my
record-keeping.
 Finally,
conversation
distracts
me
as
an
instructor.
 I
need
to
be
in
a
certain
head
space
in
order
to
instruct
to
my
personal
standard,
and
I
believe
it
is
my
duty
to
give
each
client
my
very
best.
 I
am
up
front
about
this
when
I
conduct
an
initial
consultation,
but
most
people
are
accustomed
to
being
in
a
more
social
environment
when
exercising.
 Occasionally
I
am
curt
when
clients
feel
the
need
to
talk.
 Please
understand
that
I
am
not
purposely
being
rude,
it
is
just
that
I
am
attempting
to
send
a
subtle
message
that
the
time
for
talking
is
over.
 I
am
always
happy
to
chat
with
clients
for
a
few
minutes
before
or
after
a
session
to
discuss
their
progress,
the
College
Football
Playoff,
or
any
number
of
other
topics.


 


The
Total
Results
mission
is
to
help
you
to
achieve
your
goals
safely
and
efficiently,
so
that
you
can
get
more
out
of
life.
 The
workouts
themselves
aren't
particularly
fun,
but
the
fun
comes
with
the
results.
 Reducing
reliance
on
medication,
staying
out
of
the
doctor's
office,
and
remaining
injury
free
are
all
within
your
grasp.
 And
that
would
be
something
worth
talking
about.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Proper Form Gives the Best Return on Investment</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=761</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=761</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
should
view
Total
Results
exercise
as
an
investment.
 Not
only
is
it
a
financial
investment,
but
you
are
also
committing
significant
physical
and
mental
resources
toward
self-improvement.
 Since
you
are
undertaking
this
challenge,
naturally
you
will
want
to
achieve
the
best
possible
outcome.
 This
will
require
you
to
adopt
a
learning
mindset
that
should
be
maintained
even
as
you
start
to
experience
physical
improvements
from
your
training.
 A
major
difference
between
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
and
many
other
fitness
methodologies
is
the
attention
to
detail
that
goes
with
our
standard
of
proper
form.
 It
is
proper
form
that
will
give
you
the
best
return
on
your
investment.


 


The
financial
and
investment
industries
are
actually
good
metaphors
for
exercise
in
this
case.
 Investors
look
at
trends
and
market
conditions;
this
is
how
you
should
approach
exercise.
 If
your
progress
is
stagnating
(like
a
stock
that
is
underperforming),
take
a
closer
look.
 Are
you
eating
properly?
 Are
you
sleeping
seven
to
nine
hours
per
night
and
waking
up
refreshed?
 If
you
are
progressing
steadily,
keep
doing
what
you
are
doing.
 The
trend
is
your
friend.
 Doug
Casey
and
Warren
Buffett
are
two
of
the
most
successful
speculators/investors
of
the
last
hundred
years.
 Their
success
did
not
happen
by
chance;
they
take
the
time
to
learn
about
commodities
and
companies
before
they
put
their
money
into
them.
 This
is
what
you
should
do
when
it
comes
to
your
body
and
exercise.
 If
you
put
resources
into
something,
you
want
to
see
growth
in
your
investment.
 No
intelligent
person
will
invest
in
an
entity
that
they
believe
will
be
unsuccessful.
 The
stock
market
can
be
a
gamble,
but
your
body
should
not
be.
 You
have
control
over
the
process
and
the
outcome
when
it
comes
to
your
body.


 


Our
standard
for
proper
form
entails
raising
and
lowering
the
weight
in
10
seconds
on
every
repetition
of
each
exercise.
 Anything
between
8
and
12
seconds
in
each
direction
is
acceptable,
but
we
strive
for
as
close
to
10
seconds
as
possible
so
that
we
can
track
your
time
under
load
(TUL)
accurately.
 We
want
smooth
turnarounds
(change
of
direction)
without
firing
out
of
the
stretch
position
or
bouncing
the
weight
stack.
 The
client
will
continue
in
this
fashion
until
they
are
no
longer
capable
of
completing
another
repetition
in
proper
form,
at
which
time
they
will
continue
to
push
or
pull
for
an
additional
ten
seconds.
 All
of
this
is
done
so
that
we
can
eliminate
momentum,
which
makes
the
exercise
safer
but
also
enables
a
continuous
loading
of
the
muscles.
 Proper
form
allows
us
to
systematically
and
sequentially
recruit
and
fatigue
muscle
fibers
as
we
progress
through
each
exercise.
 This
creates
the
stimulus
that
the
body
needs
to
make
physiological
improvements.
 This
is
the
essence
of
exercise.


 


There
are
modifications
and
teaching
points
that
we
use
to
assist
clients
in
their
quest
for
perfect
form.
 On
the
Leg
Press,
we
cue
trainees
to
keep
their
butt
down
in
the
seat
and
push
primarily
through
their
heels.
 This
helps
them
to
engage
the
hip
structures
more
effectively.
 When
it
comes
to
the
Chest
Press,
we
instruct
clients
to
depress
their
scapulae
(shoulder
blades)
and
keep
their
elbows
squarely
behind
their
wrists,
so
that
they
can
achieve
greater
loading
of
the
pectoralis
(chest)
muscles.
 Seat
setting
adjustments
can
be
made
on
all
exercises
on
an
as-needed
basis.
 Remember
that
even
the
most
neurologically
efficient
trainees
commit
form
discrepancies
from
time
to
time,
but
the
instructor's
watchful
eye
helps
them
stay
on
track.


 


Ultimately,
the
main
objective
of
exercise
is
a
thorough
inroad.
 We
want
to
create
a
stimulus
so
that
the
body
can
adapt.
 Don't
be
the
same
person
that
you
were
yesterday,
be
better!
 If
you
are
putting
forth
this
type
of
effort,
don't
you
want
to
maximize
your
opportunity?
 Make
the
investment
in
yourself
with
Total
Results
and
start
seeing
dividends.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Is Your Body Telling You Something?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=760</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=760</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
human
body
has
evolved
into
a
wonderfully
adaptive
piece
of
machinery.
It
grows
stronger
or
weaker
depending
on
the
demands
(or
lack
of
demands)
that
are
placed
upon
it.
 It
sends
signals
to
you
when
things
are
going
well
and
when
things
are
going
poorly.
 This
makes
the
body
a
very
logical
entity;
nothing
happens
without
a
good
reason.
 When
your
body
needs
nutrients,
it
communicates
this
fact
by
incorporating
pangs
of
hunger.
 When
you
have
met
your
body's
nutritional
requirements,
you
get
the
sensation
that
you
are
full.
 Is
your
body
trying
to
tell
you
something?
 Yes,
pretty
much
all
the
time.
 It
is
important
to
listen
to
your
body
so
that
you
can
act
accordingly.


 


Let's
say
that
you
feel
fatigued
and
have
low
energy
much
of
the
time.
 There
is
a
reason
for
this;
your
body
is
trying
to
tell
you
something!
 The
prudent
and
mature
thing
to
do
would
be
to
examine
your
lifestyle
and
personal
habits,
particularly
your
sleeping
schedule,
daily
activities,
and
screen
time.
 Looking
at
a
screen
before
bed
tricks
your
brain
into
staying
awake
by
delaying
the
release
of
melatonin
by
your
pineal
gland,
which
signals
to
your
brain
that
it's
time
to
wind
down.
 There
is
a
strong
chance
that
you
are
among
the
millions
of
sleep-deprived
Americans
who
do
not
get
between
7
and
9
hours
of
sleep
per
night.
 Lastly,
you
may
not
incorporate
low
level
movement
into
your
day;
this
will
help
you
burn
up
some
energy
and
make
sleep
come
more
easily
at
night.
 Just
sitting
all
day
is
no
good!


 


Many
people
experience
occasional
joint
pain.
 This
is
fairly
normal,
especially
as
we
age,
and
is
not
necessarily
indicative
of
any
underlying
malady.
 When
joint
pain
becomes
a
lingering
problem
that
does
not
go
away
with
rest,
it
requires
closer
examination.
 What
is
different
in
your
life?
 Did
you
take
up
pickleball
or
start
running
recently?
 These
types
of
activities
are
high-force
and
involve
repetitive
motion,
so
the
likelihood
of
joint
pain
is
high.
 Your
body
is
likely
telling
you
that
you're
overdoing
it.
 I
am
in
favor
of
recreational
pursuits,
but
you
need
to
listen
to
your
body
and
take
heed
to
its
message.
 Overuse
injuries
tend
to
improve
with
some
time
off,
but
it's
also
important
to
be
able
to
distinguish
between
a
minor
repetitive
injury
and
something
more
serious.
 Regular
Total
Results
exercise
will
help
you
to
be
in
top
condition
for
your
recreational
pursuits
and
lessen
your
risk
for
injury.


 


If
you
find
yourself
frequently
suffering
from
upper
respiratory
infections
(URI),
there
could
be
several
reasons.
 First,
examine
your
diet;
there
is
a
strong
chance
that
you
are
lacking
in
vitamins
and
trace
elements.
 Most
people
are
Vitamin
D
deficient,
so
expose
yourself
to
more
sunlight
and
take
a
supplement.
 Vitamin
C
levels
strongly
correlate
with
healthy
immune
function,
so
take
a
supplement
and
make
sure
that
you
incorporate
Vitamin
C-rich
foods
into
your
diet,
like
peppers,
citrus
fruits,
and
strawberries.
 Find
productive
ways
to
alleviate
stress,
such
as
meditation
and
reading.
 Lastly,
one
big
problem
that
is
often
overlooked
is
the
current
trend
of
overprescription
of
antibiotics.
 You
do
not
need
to
take
an
antibiotic
for
a
cold,
and
if
you
take
an
antibiotic
for
a
minor
ailment
it
will
not
work
properly
when
you
really
need
it!
 Minor
viral
infections
are
annoying,
but
they
will
usually
pass
in
a
few
days
if
you
rest,
hydrate,
and
eat
properly.
 


 


Do
you
frequently
experience
leg
cramps?
 I
see
it
frequently
in
the
high
school
football
players
that
I
coach,
but
this
scenario
happens
to
non-athletes
as
well.
 Your
body
is
trying
to
tell
you
something!
 It
means
that
you
need
to
hydrate
better
and
consume
more
salt.
 Yes,
I
know
we
have
been
brainwashed
into
believing
that
salt
is
bad
for
you
but
that
is
complete
nonsense.
 According
to
Dr.
Joseph
Mercola,
low
salt
levels
in
the
body
can
actually
disrupt
the
heart's
electrical
rhythm.
 Himalayan
pink
salt
or
sea
salt
is
better
than
your
standard
table
salt,
but
do
your
own
research
when
it
comes
to
manufacturers
and
make
sure
it
contains
no
plastics.
 Avoid
highly
processed
foods
and
snacks
that
contain
a
lot
of
regular
salt.


 


Have
you
been
recently
diagnosed
with
osteopenia,
osteoporosis,
or
sarcopenia?
 If
so,
your
body
is
telling
you
that
you
need
strength
training.
 According
to
Gary
Null,
Ph.
D,
"Osteoporosis
happens
as
a
result
of
the
body
leaching
minerals
out
of
the
bones
when
minerals
are
lacking
in
the
blood."
 High-intensity
weight
training
is
the
most
effective
way
to
stimulate
bone
remodeling
(the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
was
refined
during
an
osteoporosis
study
that
took
place
between
1982-1986),
but
in
conjunction
with
weight
training
you
must
raise
Vitamin
D
levels
high
enough
to
allow
calcium
absorption
to
take
place.
 Sarcopenia
is
the
gradual
loss
of
muscle
that
occurs
with
aging.
 Regular
Total
Results
exercise
will
reverse
this,
provided
you
consume
an
adequate
amount
of
protein
in
your
diet
(1
gram
of
protein
per
kilogram
of
body
weight).
 


 


To
paraphrase
investor
and
speculator
Doug
Casey,
do
what
you
will
but
be
prepared
to
accept
the
consequences
of
your
actions
or
inactions.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Everyone Can and Should Benefit From Total Results</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=759</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=759</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
people
are
on
the
fence
about
the
idea
of
working
with
an
exercise
instructor.
 This
can
be
for
several
reasons.
 Certainly
cost
is
an
important
factor.
 This
is
completely
understandable,
as
today
it
seems
like
the
price
of
almost
everything
is
going
up.
 People
are
looking
for
ways
to
cut
expenses
wherever
they
can,
and
in
many
ways
this
is
a
fiscally
responsible
mindset.
 Another
reason
is
that
most
people
think
they
can
do
just
fine
on
their
own.
 Based
on
what
they
read
on
social
media
or
see
on
YouTube,
they
believe
they
have
what
it
takes
to
make
consistent
progress
by
themselves.
 Finally,
there
is
an
aversion
by
many
to
the
idea
of
hard
work.
 Left
to
their
own
devices,
many
people
will
simply
take
the
easy
way
out
and
accept
the
status
quo.
 "I'll
get
to
it
eventually",
is
what
they
tell
themselves.
 What
if
"eventually"
never
comes?


 


I
believe
that
everyone
can
and
should
participate
in
regular
Total
Results
exercise
sessions.
 It
is
no
secret
to
regular
readers
of
this
blog
that
I
am
a
part
owner
of
this
company
and
have
dedicated
over
25
years
of
my
life
to
teaching
and
inspiring
people
to
become
the
best
versions
of
themselves.
 Yes,
I
am
biased
in
favor
of
this
exercise
methodology,
but
I
practice
everything
that
I
preach.
 Without
these
weekly
workouts,
I
would
not
have
been
able
to
play
competitive
flag
football
injury-free
and
at
a
very
high
level
into
my
mid-40s.
 I
could
not
withstand
the
rigors
of
working
full-time
and
balancing
a
busy
football
coaching
schedule
if
I
did
not
exercise
with
a
maximum
effort
once
a
week
for
20
minutes.
 A
genetic
marvel
I
am
not;
I
simply
see
the
numerous
values
to
this
form
of
exercise.


 


So
why
should
you
exercise
at
Total
Results?


 


There
is
an
accountability
factor
that
comes
with
being
a
Total
Results
client.
 Having
an
appointment
(and
paying
for
it
ahead
of
time)
makes
most
people
less
likely
to
blow
off
a
workout
when
it's
cold
outside
or
they
don't
feel
like
getting
out
of
bed.
 Just
knowing
that
there
is
an
instructor
there
waiting
for
you
to
arrive
makes
people
take
ownership.
 A
knowledgeable
instructor
that
forges
a
personal
connection
with
a
client
will
push
that
client
to
a
greater
level
of
effort
and
performance
than
they
can
possibly
achieve
on
their
own.
 When
it
comes
to
exercise,
most
people
simply
don't
know
what
they
don't
know.
 Very
few
people
are
capable
of
training
with
the
requisite
effort
and
attention
to
detail
that
is
required
to
achieve
meaningful
and
lasting
physical
improvements.
 This
type
of
effort
is
uncomfortable
and
can
be
difficult
to
deal
with
emotionally
if
no
instructor
is
present
to
guide
you
through
the
process.
 While
this
level
of
intensity
is
unpleasant
and
definitely
not
fun,
it
is
a
biological
necessity
in
order
to
spur
the
body
to
make
positive
changes.
 Only
a
Total
Results
instructor
can
do
this.


 


People
who
attempt
to
exercise
on
their
own
are
at
a
far
greater
risk
for
injury
than
they
are
if
they
are
properly
supervised.
 Again,
most
people
don't
know
what
they
don't
know.
 Training
in
a
haphazard
fashion
in
a
distraction-filled
environment
(read:
a
commercial
gym)
is
a
bad
idea.
 You
are
likely
using
substandard
equipment
and
dealing
with
a
crowd,
which
is
not
conducive
to
a
meaningful
exercise
experience.
 You
need
someone
to
teach
you,
in
a
private
environment
which
will
foster
optimal
concentration.
 Exercise
instruction
involves
making
corrections
to
form
and
execution;
this
is
done
to
maximize
safety
as
well
as
efficiency
in
loading
and
inroading
the
target
muscles.
 Please
do
not
take
these
corrections
personally!
 Our
intention
is
not
to
injure
feelings,
but
rather
to
be
constructive.
 My
eventual
goal
is
to
say
as
little
as
possible
during
a
workout
-
this
means
that
there
is
very
little
to
correct.
 Our
recommendation
is
for
you
to
adopt
a
growth
mindset
rather
than
a
fixed
mindset;
this
means
that
you
approach
workouts
with
the
idea
that
there
is
always
room
for
improvement,
rather
than
believing
you
have
gone
as
far
as
you
can
go.
 Nobody
is
a
finished
product.
 We
have
clients
who
have
worked
with
us
for
over
a
decade
and
are
still
making
incremental
progress.


 


A
Total
Results
instructor
will
help
you
to
sort
through
misinformation,
particularly
with
regard
to
nutrition
as
well
as
additional
activity
outside
of
your
regular
workouts.
 We
don't
have
all
of
the
answers,
but
we
consistently
strive
to
learn
more
so
that
we
can
pass
along
what
we
have
learned
to
you.
 It
is
our
belief
that
learning
never
stops.
 We
will
help
you
to
sort
out
what
is
fact
and
what
is
fiction
with
regard
to
nutrition.


 


We
know
that
Total
Results
exercise
is
hard;
nothing
worthwhile
in
life
was
ever
achieved
without
effort.
 Encouragement
from
your
instructor
will
help
you
to
push
through
when
times
get
tough.
 You
can't
find
that
in
your
basement
or
in
a
commercial
gym.
 Sure,
our
services
aren't
cheap,
but
you
can
pay
now
or
pay
later
in
the
form
of
decreased
health
markers
and
a
loss
of
functional
independence.
 Be
empowered!
 Your
age
or
current
level
of
conditioning
should
not
deter
you.
Marcus
Aurelius,
the
Stoic
philosopher
and
Roman
emperor,
continued
to
take
philosophy
lessons
in
his
later
years
in
order
to
,"Learn
that
which
I
do
not
yet
know."
 What
better
way
is
there
to
take
control
of
your
life
than
to
bring
in
someone
to
teach
you
a
better
way?
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Power of Self-Belief</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=758</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=758</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most,
if
not
all
of
us,
will
experience
moments
or
periods
of
self-doubt.
 This
is
perfectly
natural;
if
you
are
doing
something
that
is
challenging
you
will
inevitably
ask
yourself,
"Can
I
really
do
this?"
 It
is
through
experience
and
overcoming
adversity
that
we
truly
learn
what
we
are
made
of.
 Hard
times
make
tough
people,
and
once
you
face
difficult
circumstances
you
learn
that
you
have
more
intestinal
fortitude
than
you
originally
thought.
 The
power
of
self-belief
isn't
innate;
it
is
something
that
can
be
developed
and
strengthened
over
time.


 


Negative
thoughts
can
be
very
powerful
and
difficult
to
defeat.
 I
am
often
reminded
of
the
old
Henry
Ford
quote:
 "If
you
think
you
can
do
a
thing
or
think
you
can't
do
a
thing,
you're
right."
 The
human
brain
is
hardwired
to
remember
negative
events
far
more
clearly
than
positive
events,
and
the
inevitable
mistakes
that
occur
when
learning
a
new
skill
are
often
interpreted
as
negative
events.
 I
see
these
mistakes
as
positive
opportunities
for
correction;
this
is
why
teaching
and
coaching
must
involve
encouragement
and
positive
reinforcement,
while
still
making
corrections
and
emphasizing
accountability.
 Success
breeds
confidence,
and
confidence
ensures
continued
success
as
long
as
you
focus
on
doing
the
little
things
right.
 Nothing
creates
more
confidence
than
doing
something
that
you
did
not
think
was
possible.


 


Once
you
finish
a
hard
workout,
shed
a
few
pounds,
or
complete
your
first
half
marathon
(as
one
Total
Results
recently
did),
that
accomplishment
can
never
be
erased.
 If
you
have
done
something
once,
you
can
do
it
again.
 Coaches
that
take
over
losing
programs
often
face
the
difficulty
of
getting
their
players
to
believe
they
can
win,
especially
if
they
start
the
season
by
losing
a
few
games.
 The
breakthrough
occurs
when
what
they
do
in
practice
transfers
into
a
real
game
scenario,
which
leads
to
a
win.
 That
first
taste
of
success
is
self-perpetuating,
which
leads
to
belief
in
yourself.
 It
is
no
different
in
the
field
of
exercise.


 


The
mind
controls
the
body.
 Sure,
there
will
be
some
days
when
you
don't
feel
like
exercising.
 You
might
be
tired,
stressed,
and
overscheduled,
but
don't
break
the
commitment
that
you
made
to
yourself.
 You
cannot
control
most
of
life's
circumstances,
but
you
can
always
control
your
effort,
attitude,
and
focus.
 Don't
take
the
easy
way
out!
 Positive
thinking
can
move
mountains.
 When
you
are
pushing
on
that
movement
arm
and
it
hardly
seems
like
it
will
budge,
continue
to
give
your
best
effort.
 Even
when
you
think
you
cannot
go
on,
always
believe
that
you
can.
 Take
pride
in
what
you
are
doing;
you
are
working
harder
than
most
of
the
people
on
this
planet.
 


 


Another
quote
from
the
esteemed
Henry
Ford:
 "Anyone
who
keeps
learning
stays
young."
 Not
only
do
we
want
to
help
you
develop
stronger
muscles
and
improved
conditioning,
we
also
want
to
develop
your
ability
to
believe
in
yourself.
 With
the
proper
mindset,
the
sky
is
the
limit.
 We
believe
in
you!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Inroad</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=757</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=757</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Long-term
Total
Results
clients
and
regular
readers
of
this
blog
know
that
I
put
very
little
stock
into
what
is
touted
by
the
mainstream
fitness
industry.
 What
they
constitute
as
exercise
is
recreation
at
best,
and
at
its
worst
it
borders
on
malfeasance.
 When
I
have
these
discussions
with
people
the
response
I
often
receive
is,
"Okay
Matt,
so
what
do
you
consider
exercise?"
 In
order
to
define
something,
you
have
to
clarify
what
it
is
not.
 An
all-inclusive
definition
accomplishes
nothing,
and
according
to
the
establishment
fitness
industry,
just
about
any
type
of
activity
fits
the
bill.
 The
best
(and
only,
to
date)
definition
of
exercise
comes
from
Ken
Hutchins.
 He
defines
exercise
as,

"A
process
whereby
the
body
performs
work
of
a
demanding
nature,
in
accordance
with
muscle
and
joint
function,
in
a
clinically-controlled
environment,
within
the
constraints
of
safety,
meaningfully
loading
the
muscular
structures
to
inroad
their
strength
levels
to
stimulate
a
growth
mechanism
within
minimum
time."
 You
will
notice
that
nowhere
in
that
definition
does
it
say
anything
about
aerobics,
or
stretching;
exercise
needs
to
be
demanding
(i.e.
-
hard),
it
needs
to
correspond
with
proper
body
function,
and
it
needs
to
be
controlled.
 It
is
not
haphazard
-
it
must
be
purposeful.


 


So
the
true
essence
of
exercise
is
inroad.
 But
what
does
inroad
mean?
 A
simple
explanation
describes
it
as
the
depth
of
muscular
fatigue
due
to
exercise
(high-intensity
weight
training).
 Let's
look
a
little
closer.
 Ken
gives
a
great
explanation
of
inroad
in


Super
Slow:
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol.
 Let's
say
that
you
have
a
starting
strength
of
120
pounds,
but
perform
a
barbell
curl
with
70
pounds
(since
you
are
utilizing
a
10/10
speed
and
will
not
have
the
aid
of
momentum).
 You
perform
several
repetitions
but
eventually
reach
momentary
muscular
failure,
meaning
that
your
muscles'
force
output
is
now
less
than
the
weight
of
the
barbell.
 This
means
that
you
have
inroaded
(fatigued)
your
strength
level
by
58
percent
(70/120
=
58.3%).
 If
you
are
using
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
(and
you
should),
this
would
only
take
between
one
and
three
minutes
to
achieve.


 


Why
is
this
important?
 Much
of
what
occurs
metabolically
as
a
result
of
exercise
remains
unknown,
but
we
do
know
a
few
things.
 We
know
that
the
human
body,
by
nature,
is
a
logical
entity.
 It
wants
to
maintain
homeostasis
and
conserve
resources
whenever
possible
(think
of
how
difficult
it
is
for
many
people
to
lose
weight
by
conventional
methods).
 We
must
give
the
body
a
significant
reason
to
mobilize
its
resources
and
make
physiological
changes;
there
must
be
some
sort
of
perceived
threat.
 High
intensity
weight
training
is
the
threat
that
spurs
the
body
into
action.
 If
we
inroad
the
muscles
deeply
enough
in
a
systemic
fashion
(i.e.
-
in
a
full
body
workout)
we
cross
over
a
metabolic
threshold
that
triggers
a
growth
mechanism.
 Muscle
tissue
is
broken
down
over
the
course
of
a
20
minute
workout,
and
over
the
course
of
the
next
three
to
seven
days
this
tissue
is
repaired
and
made
stronger,
along
with
replenishment
of
carbohydrate
stores
that
were
spent
as
a
result
of
glycogen
and
ATP
(adenosine
triphosphate)
being
burned.
 Bear
in
mind
that
these
changes
can
only
occur
in
the
presence
of
adequate
nutrition,
sleep,
hydration,
stress
management,
and
not
overdoing
it
with
additional
physical
activity
in
the
time
between
workouts.
 


 


How
can
you
maximize
your
ability
to
inroad?
 It
starts
with
having
the
correct
mental
approach.
 For
the
twenty
minutes
that
you
exercise,
you
should
be
100
percent
focused
on
your
workout.
 Put
aside
all
potential
distractions,
such
as
your
phone,
your
work
responsibilities,
and
any
other
of
life's
problems,
and
commit
yourself
completely
to
the
task
at
hand.
 Maintain
attention
to
detail
as
far
as
speed
of
movement,
pace,
turnarounds,
and
application
of
the
squeeze
technique
are
concerned.
 Be
willing
to
pay
the
price;
accept
that
for
the
next
twenty
minutes
you
will
experience
muscular
discomfort,
but
also
know
that
feeling
is
temporary.
 See
the
big
picture
and
do
not
allow
momentary
unpleasantness
to
derail
you
from
achieving
something
that
is
meaningful
and
lasting.
 After
the
workout
you
should
feel
fatigued
but
not
beaten
down.
 We
want
to
stimulate
physical
improvements
(which
should
leave
you
feeling
tired)
without
grinding
you
into
a
nub.
 If
you
feel
completely
spent
after
a
workout
it
means
one
of
two
things:
 you
are
either
an
Alpha
subject
(something
that
Ken
refers
to
in
his
book)
with
superior
neurological
efficiency,
or
you
are
not
satisfying
your
recovery
requirements
and
may
need
to
reduce
your
training
frequency
and/or
volume.
 Most
clients
that
exercise
in
the
morning
remark
that
it
gives
them
a
boost
of
energy
that
carries
them
for
several
hours
into
their
day.


 


There
is
often
a
debate
on
exercise
message
boards
about
which
is
more
important:
form
or
time
under
load
(TUL/repetitions).
 Ken
also
discusses
this
in


Super
Slow:
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol.
 This
brings
to
mind
the

assumed
versus
the
real
objective
of
exercise.
 Most
people
figure
that
they
should
try
to
complete
as
many
repetitions
as
possible
with
as
much
weight
as
they
can
handle.
 This
is
incorrect;
 not
only
does
this
mindset
lend
itself
to
unsafe
behavior
and
potential
injury,
it
completely
ignores
the
correlation
between
momentum
and
unloading
of
the
musculature.
 
The
real
objective
of
exercise
is
to
systematically
recruit
and
fatigue
the
muscle
fibers
deeply
enough
to
stimulate
an
adaptive
response.
 One
should
use
a
weight
that
they
can
safely
handle
at
a
10/10
speed
that
will
cause
them
to
reach
momentary
muscular
failure
somewhere
between
one
and
three
minutes
of
elapsed
time.
 This
time
frame
allows
us
to
involve
the
aerobic
and
anaerobic
metabolic
pathways
and
recruit
the
greatest
amount
of
muscle
fibers.
 Analytically-inclined
clients
love
to
look
at
their
progress
charts
to
see
how
they
are
doing,
but
their
weights
and
TUL
only
tell
part
of
the
story.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;No More Tears&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=756</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=756</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Gardiner
Harris
was
the
public
health
and
pharmaceutical
writer
for
the
New
York
Times,
and
before
that
he
wrote
for
The
Wall
Street
Journal.
 He
is
now
a
freelance
journalist.
 Harris
is
also
the
author
of
a
novel
called
"Hazard",
which
centers
around
the
toxic
effects
of
exposure
to
coal
dust.
 I
first
became
aware
of
the
author
through
a
documentary
called
"Painkiller:
 The
Tylenol
Murders",
and
he
was
a
contributor
to
that
project.
 "No
More
Tears"
was
published
in
2025.


 


This
book
is
a
comprehensive
examination
of
the
history
of
Johnson
&
Johnson.
 For
all
of
its
breakthroughs
and
positive
contributions
as
a
healthcare
conglomerate,
J&amp;J
also
has
a
very
dark
history
that
it
would
rather
you
not
know
about.
 The
company
was
founded
in
New
Brunswick,
New
Jersey
in
1887
by
three
brothers:
 Robert
Wood
Johnson,
Edward
Mead
Johnson,
and
James
Wood
Johnson.
 J&amp;J
initially
focused
on
mass
producing
cotton
and
gauze
bandages,
and
mostly
concentrated
on
selling
to
doctors
and
hospitals.
 The
company's
first
big
money-making
product
was
introduced
in
1894
-
Johnson's
Baby
Powder
-
which
contained
Italian
talc
(in
blocks
it
is
known
as
soapstone,
and
is
also
used
to
make
sinks,
stoves,
and
electric
switchboards).
 By
1967
there
was
concern
about
the
safety
of
talc,
and
an
internal
memo
acknowledged
that
it
contained
trace
quantities
of
two
kinds
of
asbestos,
which
is
known
to
cause
cancer.
 Rather
than
publicly
acknowledge
and
solve
the
problem,
company
executives
devised
a
plan
to
discredit
the
studies
that
confirmed
the
dangers.
 By
1989,
most
other
companies
had
switched
to
using
corn
starch
in
their
baby
powder;
J&amp;J
continued
to
use
talc
because
it
created
higher
profit
margins.
 A
class
action
lawsuit
ensued,
and
the
plaintiffs
were
awarded
a
total
of
$550
million
dollars
in
compensatory
damages.
 Punitive
damages
totaled
$2.5
billion
dollars.
 Years
later,
it
would
be
acknowledged
by
a
J&amp;J
representative
that
false
statements
were
made
under
oath
about
the
safety
of
Johnson's
Baby
Powder.


 


Tylenol
is
probably
the
most
well-known
over
the
counter
pain
reliever
on
the
planet.
 It
was
developed
by
McNeil
Laboratories
and
became
part
of
the
J&amp;J
line
of
consumer
products
when
J&amp;J
acquired
McNeil
in
1959.
 Most
people
who
were
alive
in
the
1980s
are
aware
of
the
Tylenol
Murders
case
of
1982,
where
several
people
died
after
ingesting
Tylenol
capsules
laced
with
cyanide.
 This
was
the
impetus
for
the
tamper-resistant
packaging
that
is
so
ubiquitous
today.
 Unfortunately,
these
are
not
the
only
deaths
connected
to
Tylenol.
 The
active
ingredient
in
Tylenol
is
acetaminophen;
according
to
the
author,
"More
than
a
century
after
its
discovery,
scientists
still
don't
know
how
acetaminophen
works."
 Anthony
Benedi,
a
former
staffer
for
president
George
H.W.
Bush
slipped
into
a
coma
and
sustained
brain
swelling
and
liver
failure
following
a
bout
with
the
flu
in
which
he
consumed
the
recommended
dosage
of
Extra
Strength
Tylenol.
 On
average,
Benedi
drank
between
two
and
three
glasses
of
wine
per
night,
which
is
the
average
alcohol
consumption
for
American
men.
 Following
a
liver
and
kidney
transplant,
Benedi
sued
J&amp;J
and
was
awarded
$9
million
dollars
in
damages.
 Harris
goes
on
to
say,
"Documents
revealed
in
Benedi's
case
showed
that
Johnson
&
Johnson
had
known
for
years
that
moderate
drinkers
-
a
description
that
applies
to
most
Americans
-
could
suffer
catastrophic
liver
damage
from
ordinary
doses
of
Tylenol."
 Finally,
the
author
says,
"Acetaminophen
has
for
decades
been
the
nation's
leading
cause
of
acute
liver
failure."


 


Erythropoietin
(EPO)
is
a
synthetic
form
of
a
protein
that
increases
the
body's
production
of
red
blood
cells.
 It
is
a
banned
substance
in
competitive
athletics;
many
of
us
remember
that
Lance
Armstrong
won
seven
Tour
de
France
titles
in
part
due
to
his
secret
use
of
the
drug,
and
he
was
subsequently
stripped
of
those
titles.
The
reason
it
is
a
banned
substance
is
because
the
stimulation
of
red
blood
cell
production
thickens
the
blood,
leading
to
an
increased
risk
for
heart
attacks,
strokes,
and
embolisms.
 Even
worse,
according
to
the
author,
"A
researcher
named
Athanasius
Anagnostou
from
Brown
University
added
EPO
to
a
petri
dish
filled
with
cancer
cells
and
found
that
the
drug
supercharged
the
cells'
growth
-
the
opposite
of
what
anyone
wanted
to
happen."
 Johnson
&
Johnson
developed
their
own
version
of
EPO
-
called
Procrit
-
and
by
1998
it
had
become
the
company's
most
profitable
product.
 The
problem
was
the
increased
risk
for
cancer
in
patients
that
took
the
drug.
 In
the
words
of
Dr.
Otis
Brawley,
the
longtime
chief
medical
officer
of
the
American
Cancer
Society,
"What
data
do
you
have
to
assure
me
that
this
is
not
Miracle-Gro
for
cancer?"
 J&amp;J
started
an
EPO
study
in
cervical
cancer
patients
in
2001,
with
109
patients
participating.
 Within
two
years
that
study
was
stopped
because
patients
given
EPO
were
dying
at
a
much
more
rapid
rate
than
in
the
control
group.
 J&amp;J
knew
this,
yet
the
results
of
the
study
were
never
published.


 


Johnson
and
Johnson
entered
the
medical
implant
business
in
1998
when
it
purchased
DePuy
Orthopaedics.
 Hip
implants
were
first
invented
in
the
1950s,
and
the
linings
between
the
steel
cups
and
balls
were
made
of
Teflon,
which
worked
well
for
a
while
but
eventually
wore
away
and
required
revision
surgeries.
 Eventually
the
linings
were
made
of
heavier
plastics,
but
in
the
1960s
two
surgeons
came
up
with
the
idea
of
using
metal
instead
of
plastic
so
that
the
implant
would
last
a
lifetime.
 Unfortunately,
friction
between
the
ball
and
the
cup
could
result
in
tiny
metal
shavings
that
"killed
surrounding
tissue,
loosened
the
joints,
and
released
toxic
ions
that
poisoned
patients'
hearts,
brains,
and
eyes."
 J&amp;J's
metal-on-metal
hip
implant
was
called
the
ASR
XL;
they
stopped
selling
it
in
2013
after
the
FDA
strengthened
hip
implant
regulations.
 According
to
the
author,
"Johnson
&
Johnson
settled
the
many
lawsuits
involving
problems
with
ASR
XL
implantations
for
$2.5
billion."


 


These
are
not
the
only
examples
of
unethical
behavior.
 In
the
early
1970s
J&amp;J
hired
Dr.
Albert
M.
Kligman
to
conduct
a
study
as
to
what
would
happen
to
humans
and
rabbits
if
they
were
injected
with
talc
and
asbestos.
 As
the
author
explains,
"Kligman
was
a
problematic
researcher,
to
say
the
least.
 For
many
years,
he
had
conducted
tests
of
Johnson's
Baby
Powder,
as
well
as
Band-Aids,
shampoos,
and
other
drugs,
on
African
American
prisoners
and
mentally
disabled
children.
 These
experiments
were
often
exquisitely
painful
for
his
vulnerable
subjects."
 Finally
in
2021,
J&amp;J
expressed
remorse
for
allowing
such
experimentation
to
be
conducted.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Working With Chronic Disease</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=755</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=755</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Diagnosis
of
chronic
disease
has
skyrocketed
over
the
last
40
years.
 According
to
the
National
Cancer
Institute,
this
is
defined
as
"a
disease
or
condition
that
usually
lasts
for
3
months
or
longer
and
may
get
worse
over
time."
 We
have
seen
many
medical
conditions
among
Total
Results
clients,
but
some
of
the
most
common
chronic
debilities
that
we
have
encountered
are
osteoarthritis,
heart
disease,
and
diabetes.
 These
chronic
conditions
certainly
bring
with
them
their
own
set
of
challenges,
such
as
obtaining
medical
clearance
from
a
physician
and
helping
the
client
to
overcome
their
underlying
fears
related
to
exercising
with
these
conditions,
but
we
have
been
very
successful
at
helping
clients
with
chronic
disease
to
improve
their
health
and
quality
of
life.
 As
we
will
discuss
further,
there
is
both
a
genetic
and
lifestyle
component
that
can
increase
your
risk
for
developing
a
chronic
disease.


 


Osteoarthritis
is
probably
the
most
common
chronic
condition
that
Total
Results
clients
encounter.
 This
can
be
characterized
by
pain,
stiffness,
and
swelling
in
the
joints.
 Osteoarthritis
is
more
common
in
people
who
have
performed
repetitive
movements
for
long
periods
of
time,
or
if
they
have
suffered
a
previous
injury
to
a
joint
(for
example,
if
you
have
sustained
knee
cartilage
or
ligament
damage
you
are
more
likely
to
experience
osteoarthritis
later
in
life).
 The
older
we
get,
the
greater
the
likelihood
that
we
will
experience
osteoarthritis
in
one
or
more
of
our
joints.
 In
your
Total
Results
workouts,
the
first
two
repetitions
of
each
exercise
serve
as
a
warm-up
to
lubricate
your
joints
and
reduce
pain
(it's
also
why
we
typically
perform
the
Leg
Curl
exercise
before
the
Leg
Press,
so
that
your
knees
are
limbered
up).
 It
is
our
job
as
instructors
to
find
the
client's
safe
and
pain-free
range
of
motion,
so
that
the
musculature
can
be
stimulated
while
minimizing
joint
pain.


 


Heart
disease
comes
in
many
different
forms;
in
fact,
two
of
our
current
clients
had
significant
heart
procedures
performed
prior
to
starting
at
Total
Results.
 Obviously,
the
heart
is
the
most
important
muscle
in
the
body;
however,
you
cannot
volitionally
control
the
contraction
of
your
cardiac
muscle.
 Skeletal
muscle
is
the
only
type
of
muscle
tissue
that
you
contract
at
will,
and
while
most
cardiologists
require
a
patient
to
perform
cardiac
rehabilitation
before
giving
them
clearance
to
begin
or
resume
exercise,
I
believe
that
strength
training
is
the
most
effective
form
of
cardiac
rehabilitation.
 Helping
doctors
to
understand
the
nature
of
our
program
has
always
been
a
big
challenge,
but
it
is
important
to
build
trust
with
the
client
and
communicate
effectively
with
their
doctor.
 We
will
work
with
the
cardiologist
to
formulate
the
best
course
of
action
and
ease
the
client
into
the
program.


 


Diabetes
can
take
on
two
forms:
Type
I
and
Type
II.
 Type
I
diabetes
is
typically
diagnosed
in
childhood
or
young
adulthood,
and
is
characterized
by
the
pancreas
producing
an
insufficient
amount
of
insulin.
 Type
II
diabetes
occurs
later
in
life,
and
usually
involves
the
body
being
unable
to
produce
enough
insulin
or
an
inability
to
use
the
insulin
it
produces.
 High
blood
sugar
is
a
corresponding
factor.
 Prediabetes
is
a
precursor
to
Type
II
diabetes,
and
many
clients
have
come
to
us
after
being
diagnosed
with
the
condition.
 The
good
news
is
that
Type
I
diabetes
can
be
managed
(although
not
completely
reversed),
and
Type
II
diabetes
can
be
completely
reversed
with
deliberate
action
and
lifestyle
changes.
 High
intensity
strength
training
is
important
from
a
standpoint
of
building
muscle
and
changing
your
body
composition,
but
also
going
to
muscular
failure
will
help
to
reduce
glycogen
(stored
form
of
carbohydrate)
stores
in
your
liver
and
muscle
cells.
 This
will
help
you
to
improve
your
insulin
sensitivity
and
level
out
your
blood
sugar.


 


We
have
also
worked
with
clients
that
have
autoimmune
conditions.
 This
is
when
the
body's
immune
system
mistakenly
attacks
its
own
healthy
cells.
 A
few
conditions
that
we
have
encountered
include
Multiple
Sclerosis,
Rheumatoid
Arthritis,
and
Celiac
Disease.
 When
clients
suffering
from
these
diseases
are
dealing
with
flare-ups,
it
can
greatly
impact
their
workouts.
 Sometimes
they
cannot
workout
at
all
during
a
flare-up,
while
other
times
their
strength
and
endurance
are
significantly
compromised.
 Communication
between
client
and
instructor
is
paramount,
and
we
must
treat
each
occurrence
individually.
 There
is
no
one-size-fits-all
plan
when
this
happens,
but
we
adapt
the
best
that
we
can.


 


There
is
plenty
that
we
can
recommend
to
help
you
if
you
are
battling
a
chronic
disease.
 You
must
realize
that
chronic
disease
doesn't
happen
overnight,
and
an
immediate
reversal
is
unrealistic.
 It
is
important
to
recognize
that
a
change
in
your
daily
habits
is
essential.
 This
involves
not
just
incorporating
high-intensity
exercise
into
your
life,
but
also
improving
your
sleep
habits,
managing
stress,
and
adding
in
low-level
movement
several
times
per
week.
 What
you
put
into
your
body
makes
all
the
difference
in
the
world;
avoid
inflammatory
foods
such
as
seed
oils,
processed
foods,
and
sugar.
 In
order
to
preserve
your
physical
independence
and
build
strength,
you
must
lift
heavy
things!
 Stay
educated
about
your
disease
and
other
chronic
diseases;
we
frequently
give
book
recommendations
that
you
will
find
helpful.


 


Together
we
can
reverse
your
chronic
disease!
 It
all
starts
with
a
single
step.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Reinforce the &quot;Why&quot;</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=754</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=754</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Life
is
more
than
just
a
series
of
consecutive
days
clocked
in
and
clocked
out.
 Without
some
larger
purpose,
life
loses
much
of
its
meaning
and
direction.
 You
can
see
it
in
some
people
that
retire
from
the
working
world.
 They
spend
the
majority
of
their
lives
in
pursuit
of
something,
and
once
they
retire
they
have
twenty-four
hours
to
fill
and
no
idea
what
to
do
with
themselves.
 One
must
have
a
reason
to
get
out
of
bed
in
the
morning
and
contribute
something
in
a
meaningful
way.
 I
believe
that
there
is
a
greater
feeling
of
achievement
and
accomplishment
when
you
are
doing
something
or
are
a
part
of
something
that
is
bigger
than
just
yourself.
 It
is
one
of
the
reasons
that
I
got
involved
in
coaching
football
a
few
years
ago
-
to
educate
and
mentor
young
people,
but
also
teach
some
of
the
life
lessons
that
I
learned
during
my
playing
career.
 


 


Simon
Sinek
is
a
bestselling
author,
business
consultant,
and
motivational
speaker
who
wrote
the
outstanding
book,
"Start
With
Why."
 He
notes
that
many
successful
people
and
organizations
can
articulate
what
they
do,
and
some
can
explain
how
they
are
better
or
different
from
their
competitors,
but
few
can
clearly
define
why
they
do
what
they
do.
 The
author
cites
examples
of
companies
that
have
clearly
communicated
their
"why",
such
as
Apple
and
Southwest
Airlines.
 Even
though
Apple's
products
may
not
be
significantly
better
than
comparable
devices,
the
company's
purpose
has
been
more
clearly
defined
than
that
of
its
competitors
and
has
resonated
with
Apple's
customers.
 It
is
one
reason
that
people
stand
in
line
for
hours
waiting
to
get
the
new
version
of
an
iPhone
when
it
is
released,
even
though
they
could
buy
it
a
couple
of
days
later
without
the
hassle.
 Southwest
Airlines's
low-cost
model
was
not
original;
it
was
copied
from
a
company
called
Pacific
Southwest
Airlines.
 However,
Southwest
Airlines
did
a
much
better
job
of
commuting
its
"why"
(cheap,
fun,
and
simple
air
travel)
to
their
customers.
 From
the
time
that
Herb
Kelleher
started
the
company
until
the
writing
of
Sinek's
book
(2011),
Southwest
Airlines
did
not
have
a
single
year
in
which
they
didn't
turn
a
profit
(including
the
oil
crises
of
the
1970s
and
early
2000s,
and
after
September
11th).


 


It
all
starts
with
"why."
What
is
your
greater
purpose?
 As
Sinek
says,
"WHY:
Very
few
people
or
companies
can
clearly
articulate
WHY
they
do
WHAT
they
do.
 When
I
say
WHY,
I
don't
mean
to
make
money
-
that's
a
result.
 By
WHY
I
mean
what
is
your
purpose,
cause
or
belief?
 WHY
does
your
company
exist?
 WHY
do
you
get
out
of
bed
every
morning?
 And
WHY
should
anyone
care?"
 Why
do
you
hit
the
ground
running
first
thing
in
the
morning?
 What
are
you
enthusiastic
about?
 Total
Results
was
created
by
Tim
Rankin
in
late
2001.
 He
was
an
engineer
who
had
worked
in
the
corporate
world
for
over
a
decade,
and
the
former
college
lacrosse
player
had
fallen
out
of
shape.
 Tim
was
able
to
regain
his
vitality
and
get
into
the
best
shape
of
his
life
by
using
what
would
become
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol.
 He
believed
in
it
so
much
that
he
quit
his
corporate
job
and
started
Total
Results
in
his
garage.
 Tim's
personal
"why"
for
starting
the
business
was
to
help
people
experience
the
same
benefits
that
he
was
able
to
attain
and
to
assist
them
in
creating
positive
lifestyle
change.
 Tim
did
this
for
20
years,
and
over
that
time
he
mentored
several
other
exercise
instructors,
including
me.


Since
Tim
and
his
wife
Pam
passed
the
torch
to
us
in
2021,
I
have
done
my
best
to
carry
on
what
he
started
so
many
years
ago.
 What
is
my
personal
"why"?
 I
love
instructing
exercise
and
educating
clients.
 I
want
to
help
them
to
achieve
what
they
cannot
do
on
their
own,
and
I
want
to
assist
them
in
maintaining
their
physical
independence
by
staying
out
of
the
medical
system.
 I
also
love
challenging
conventional
"wisdom"
and
being
outside
of
the
exercise
establishment.
 The
Total
Results
mission
is
to
provide
the
greatest
and
most
comprehensive
exercise
experience
possible.
 One
thing
that
I
am
most
proud
of
is
the
fact
that
we
have
held
true
to
our
founding
principles,
even
when
other
similar
studios
have
compromised
their
approach.
 One
must
evolve
and
adapt
with
changing
times,
but
if
you
don't
stand
for
something
you
will
fall
for
anything.


 


What
is
your
"why"?
 What
is
it
that
you
most
want
to
achieve
by
exercising
at
Total
Results?
 Getting
to
know
a
prospective
client
during
an
initial
consultation
helps
me
to
gain
an
understanding
of
their
goals,
how
they
define
success,
and
determining
their
"why".
 If
you
are
an
experienced
Total
Results
client,
you
will
eventually
experience
some
tough
times.
 Remember
your
"why",
and
the
reason
that
you
came
to
us
in
the
first
place.
 Together,
we
can
get
on
the
right
path.
 It
all
starts
with
"why".


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Strategies For Working With Shoulder Injuries</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=753</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=753</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

A
significant
number
of
Total
Results
clients
deal
with
joint
difficulties.
 This
becomes
more
common
as
we
age,
especially
if
we
have
been
active
in
participating
in
sports
or
other
activities
with
repetitive
motions.
 We
see
a
lot
of
lower
back
discomfort
(some
muscle
weakness,
and
some
structural
abnormalities),
knee
pain,
elbow
problems,
as
well
as
neck
weakness
that
can
cause
headaches.
 Many,
if
not
most
of
these
obstacles
can
be
overcome
with
regular
Total
Results
workouts
and
some
simple
lifestyle
modifications.
 One
of
the
biggest
and
most
rewarding
challenges
that
I
face
as
an
instructor
is
how
to
work
around
shoulder
maladies.
 Since
part
of
the
Total
Results
mission
is
to
help
people
to
improve
and
maintain
their
functional
independence
and
live
their
best
life,
keeping
the
shoulder
joints
healthy
is
an
absolute
must.
 Over
the
years
we
have
developed
a
comprehensive
toolbox
for
improving
the
function
of
the
shoulder
joints
and
minimizing
discomfort.


 


In
order
to
gain
a
better
understanding
of
the
shoulder
joint,
we
should
discuss
its
anatomy.
 The
shoulder
is
a
ball
and
socket
joint
(the
ball
is
the
greater
tubercle
of
the
humerus,
and
the
socket
is
the
glenoid
fossa
of
the
scapula),
and
the
bones
involved
include
the
humerus
(upper
arm),
scapula
(shoulder
blade),
clavicle
(collar
bone),
and
acromion
(the
small
part
of
the
scapula
that
connects
with
the
clavicle).
 The
major
muscles
that
produce
movement
about
the
shoulder
are
the
deltoid
(upper
arm),
trapezius
(a
kite-shaped
structure
that
spans
from
the
rear
part
of
the
neck,
across
the
top
of
the
shoulders
and
down
between
the
shoulder
blades),
latissimus
(major
upper
back
muscle),
pectoralis
major
(chest),
and
the
rotator
cuff.
 The
rotator
cuff
is
made
up
of
four
small
muscles
(supraspinatus,
infraspinatus,
teres
minor,
and
subscapularis)
that
help
to
stabilize
the
shoulder
joint,
but
also
work
to
perform
abduction
and
external
rotation
of
the
humerus.
 The
shoulder
is
a
very
mobile
joint;
as
you
have
probably
noticed,
you
can
move
your
upper
arm
in
a
number
of
different
ways.
 Unfortunately,
because
of
this
mobility
it
is
an
inherently
unstable
joint,
which
is
why
it
can
easily
be
injured.
 Common
maladies
include
rotator
cuff
impingement
or
tear,
biceps
tendinitis,
frozen
shoulder,
torn
labrum
(cartilage
deep
within
the
shoulder
joint),
instability
from
a
previous
injury,
or
simple
muscular
strain.


 


As
I
mentioned
earlier,
through
trial
and
error
over
the
past
two
decades
we
have
created
successful
strategies
for
improving
shoulder
function
and
reducing
pain.
 Bear
in
mind
that
I
did
not
invent
any
of
these
modalities;
I
am
simply
fortunate
enough
to
learn
from
some
very
smart
people.
 Timed
Static
Contraction
(TSC)
can
be
a
useful
tool
to
allow
clients
to
perform
certain
exercises
(such
as
the
Chest
Press
and
Overhead
Press)
in
a
portion
of
the
range
of
motion
where
they
do
not
feel
any
joint
pain.
 Regular
readers
of
this
blog
are
very
familiar
with
TSC,
so
I
won't
get
into
too
much
detail.
 We
can
also
substitute
the
MedX
Overhead
Press
for
the
Super
Slow
Systems
version;
the
two
machines
have
movement
arms
that
track
differently.
 The
MedX
version
moves
in
a
slightly
upward
arc,
which
often
feels
more
comfortable
for
people
with
shoulder
maladies,
and
it
is
why
we
have
both
options
at
our
disposal.
 In
some
cases
we
may
need
to
entirely
avoid
performing
any
vertical
pushing
and
pulling
movements,
as
clients
with
shoulder
difficulties
can
better
tolerate
horizontal
exercises.


 


The
External
Rotation
exercise
can
be
performed
in
order
to
strengthen
the
rotator
cuff.
 This
can
be
done
as
a
preventative
measure
or
as
a
means
of
rehabilitating
an
injury
and
avoiding
surgery.
 External
Rotation
can
be
applied
as
a
TSC
by
the
client,
and
resistance
is
provided
with
the
opposite
hand
for
90
seconds.
 As
a
former
quarterback
with
lots
of
wear
and
tear
on
my
shoulder,
I
find
this
exercise
to
be
extremely
valuable.
 We
can
also
do
what
is
called
"gapping
the
weight
stack"
when
performing
the
Chest
Press
exercise.
 In
this
scenario
we
move
the
movement
arm
one
or
two
pin
holes
forward
so
it
does
not
come
to
such
a
deep
position
when
the
weight
stack
bottoms
out.
 This
can
help
reduce
strain
on
the
shoulder
joint.
 Dr.
Doug
McGuff,
owner
of
Ultimate
Exercise,
has
a
very
helpful
video
on
his
website
(drmcguff.com)
that
illustrates
how
this
is
accomplished.
 Finally,
I
have
some
clients
perform
a
shoulder
hang
exercise
that
I
learned
from
Ken
Hutchins
and
has
been
recommended
by
retired
orthopedist
Dr.
John
M.
Kirsch.
 This
involves
the
use
of
the
Nautilus
Multi-Exercise
machine;
the
client
will
hang
from
the
top
bar
with
their
palms
facing
forward.
 First
they
will
hang
with
their
feet
supported
by
the
bottom
step
of
the
machine,
and
then
they
will
gradually
work
toward
hanging
with
their
feet
suspended
in
air.
 This
exercise
will
usually
last
between
30-60
seconds
and
has
been
wonderful
in
improving
frozen
shoulders.


 


In
a
perfect
world,
clients
would
perform
the
full
complement
of
exercises
on
all
of
the
machines
at
Total
Results
in
a
dynamic
fashion.
 We
like
to
have
a
balance
between
upper
body
and
lower
body
pushing
and
pulling
exercises
so
that
the
body
can
develop
symmetrically
and
without
any
muscular
imbalances.
 However,
life
is
rarely
perfect
and
sometimes
it
is
important
to
sacrifice
symmetry
in
order
to
avoid
further
joint
irritation.
 Ours
is
not
a
one-size-fits-all
program,
and
these
adjustments
may
be
for
either
the
short
or
long
term.
 Whatever
your
situation,
we
can
find
the
proper
solution
through
patience,
active
listening,
creative
thinking,
and
trial
and
error.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Beware of Conflicting Advice</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=752</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=752</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
is
a
ton
of
information
out
there.
 One
of
the
benefits
of
the
digital
age
in
which
we
live
is
that
it
is
relatively
easy
to
do
a
Google
search
to
find
just
about
any
information
that
we
want.
 This
is
a
far
cry
from
when
I
was
growing
up,
and
I
would
have
to
either
consult
an
encyclopedia
or
do
extensive
research
at
a
library
to
find
the
answers
to
questions
that
I
had.
 Yes,
I
realize
that
I
am
dating
myself.
 The
downside
to
having
a
plethora
of
information
at
our
fingertips
is
that
it
can
be
difficult
to
sort
through
what
is
truth
and
what
is
fiction.
 If
you
read
enough
about
nutrition,
health,
and
exercise
you
are
bound
to
come
across
conflicting
information.
 I
believe
it
is
important
to
question
everything
you
read
and
do
your
own
research,
so
that
you
can
formulate
an
educated
opinion
and
have
a
clear
strategy
going
forward.


 


Multiple
nutritional
philosophies
are
touted
as
"the
answer."
 Nutrition
is
a
hot-button
topic
on
podcasts,
in
YouTube
videos,
and
in
print.
 One
place
I
would
suggest
not
taking
nutritional
advice
from
is
the
medical
establishment.
 Most
American
medical
schools
devote
very
little
time
toward
discussing
nutrition,
and
even
then
the
prevailing
thought
is
that
"a
calorie
is
a
calorie."
 Even
highly
esteemed
endocrinologist
Dr.
Robert
Lustig
said
that
there
was
no
nutritional
curriculum
when
he
attended
Cornell
University
Medical
College.
 As
I
said
earlier,
there
are
a
multitude
of
nutritional
philosophies:
 the
Mediterranean
Diet,
Paleo,
Vegan,
and
the
Ketogenic
Diet
are
just
a
few
of
them.
 All
of
them
have
some
merit
and
can
work,
provided
you
eat
real
food
and
minimize
your
consumption
of
sugar
and
processed
food.
 My
own
personal
opinion
is
that
while
humans,
biologically
speaking,
are
omnivores
and
should
consume
some
meat,
every
individual
has
different
likes
and
dislikes.
 The
bottom
line
is
that
there
is
no
one
specific
diet
that
everyone
should
follow.
 You
have
to
experiment
and
find
what
works
best
for
you
within
those
parameters.


 


Are
fitness
trackers
useful
or
not?
 It
all
depends
on
what
you
want
to
do
and
what
type
of
person
you
are.
 Are
you
someone
who
is
very
numbers-oriented?
 Do
you
enjoy
tracking
how
many
calories
you
have
burned
through
activity,
your
sleep
patterns,
heart
rate,
and
many
other
things?
 The
analytics
movement
isn't
just
a
trend
in
team
sports;
fitness
trackers
have
exploded
in
popularity
over
the
last
fifteen
years,
and
it
wouldn't
be
happening
if
people
weren't
interested
in
what
they
can
do.
 There
is
no
question
that
these
devices
can
give
you
useful
information,
but
it
is
very
easy
to
get
bogged
down
in
minutiae
and
miss
the
big
picture.
 If
you
are
taking
care
of
yourself
properly
by
drinking
plenty
of
water,
eating
a
clean
diet,
strength
training
once
or
twice
per
week,
managing
stress,
sleeping
seven
to
nine
hours
per
night,
and
drinking
alcohol
in
moderation
(and
these
are
things
that
you
don't
need
a
fitness
tracker
to
judge),
then
you
will
optimize
your
health
regardless
of
what
a
fitness
tracker
tells
you.
 I
don't
need
a
device
that's
located
on
my
wrist
to
tell
me
when
I
stayed
up
too
late
or
made
poor
dietary
choices
over
the
weekend.
 My
body
will
be
the
first
to
let
me
know.
 You
will
hear
evidence
on
both
sides
of
the
fitness
tracker
question.
 I
recommend
you
do
some
research,
experiment,
and
see
what
fits
your
lifestyle.


Vaccines
are
obviously
a
controversial
issue,
given
the
events
of
the
last
five
years.
 I'm
not
just
talking
about
the
Covid
shots,
but
also
the
growing
number
of
immunizations
that
have
been
advertised
and
required
now
by
the
public
school
system.
 Public
opinion
is
very
divided
on
this,
but
the
majority
of
the
establishment
media
are
in
favor
of
them.
 In
my
estimation,
this
comes
down
to
a
personal
decision,
but
my
suggestion
is
to
not
take
what
the
pharmaceutical
companies
say
at
face
value
(especially
since
they
are
the
ones
usually
sponsoring
the
commercials).
 With
the
release
of
"The
Pfizer
Papers"
last
year,
I
believe
that
we
can
confidently
conclude
that
the
Covid
shots
provide
minimal
benefit
and
have
killed
and
seriously
injured
thousands
of
people
(maybe
even
more
than
have
been
reported).
 Ultimately
you
must
educate
yourself
and
decide
what
is
right
for
you
and
your
family;
don't
allow
someone
to
make
that
choice
for
you.


 


I
have
been
a
practitioner
of
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
for
over
two
decades,
and
I
wholeheartedly
believe
in
our
methodology.
 However,
there
are
many
exercise
regimens
out
there,
and
numerous
people
have
achieved
positive
results
by
doing
something
different
than
what
we
espouse.
 I
am
convinced
that
Total
Results
is
the
safest,
most
efficient,
and
most
comprehensive
exercise
protocol
available,
but
there
are
other
forms
of
high-intensity
weight
training.
 Some
instructors
spend
their
free
time
arguing
on
HIT
message
boards
about
why
their
philosophy
is
the
best.
 I
see
that
as
a
waste
of
time
and
effort;
I
would
rather
help
our
clients
achieve
great
things.
 There
is
a
mountain
of
evidence,
even
from
the
exercise
physiology
establishment
(which
was
reluctant
to
embrace
weight
training),
that
confirms
regular
strength
training
is
a
must
if
you
want
to
maintain
muscle
and
bone
health
and
remain
physically
independent.
 Give
Total
Results
a
try
and
see
if
we
are
a
good
fit,
then
go
from
there.


 


The
Internet
has
made
the
world
a
much
smaller
place,
but
you
still
have
to
do
your
homework.
 Whether
you
were
a
fan
of
former
president
Ronald
Reagan
or
not,
he
had
some
sound
advice:
 "Trust,
but
verify."
 Beware
of
sources
of
advice
and
information;
there
could
be
a
hidden
agenda,
but
if
there
is
a
lot
of
vague
language
or
misspelled
words
I
would
discredit
the
source.
 Every
individual
is
different,
and
life
is
not
a
one-size-fits-all
endeavor.
 My
hope
is
that
if
you
take
anything
away
from
this
article,
it
is
an
impetus
to
educate
yourself
and
act
as
your
own
advocate
for
everything
that
you
do.
 You
have
the
power!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don&#039;t Have a False Sense of Security</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=751</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=751</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Novice
Total
Results
clients
are
often
very
keen
to
heed
their
instructor's
cues
down
to
the
smallest
detail.
 People
who
genuinely
want
to
succeed,
especially
when
they
are
trying
to
learn
things
that
are
unfamiliar,
tend
to
focus
intently
and
work
to
execute
as
they
have
been
instructed
to
do.
 Mistakes
will
naturally
occur,
and
we
must
learn
from
every
failure
if
we
eventually
want
to
achieve
mastery.
 However,
human
nature
is
that
as
we
become
more
proficient
we
subtly
let
off
the
gas
pedal
and
ease
up
on
our
attention
to
detail.
 In
the
martial
arts
there
is
something
that
is
referred
to
as
"the
white
belt
mindset,"
in
which
one
displays
"a
mindset
of
humility,
eagerness
to
learn,
and
persistent
effort
characteristic
of
a
beginner."
 No
matter
what
you
have
accomplished
or
how
long
you
have
been
a
Total
Results
trainee,
it
is
important
to
not
develop
a
false
sense
of
security.


 


I
have
been
incredibly
fortunate
to
be
able
to
assist
hundreds
of
clients
over
the
years
in
their
pursuit
of
increased
strength,
robust
health,
and
an
improved
quality
of
life.
 Some
clients
have
made
improvements
that
I
didn't
even
believe
was
possible,
but
that
is
a
testament
to
their
drive,
desire,
and
attention
to
detail.
 Some
clients
have
made
excellent
initial
gains,
but
were
unable
to
sustain
those
improvements
over
the
long
term.
 As
Nick
Saban
says,
"It's
not
human
nature
to
be
great.
 It's
human
nature
to
survive,
to
be
average
and
do
what
you
have
to
do
to
get
by.
 That
is
normal."
 Some
clients
eventually
fall
off
track
with
their
nutritional
habits
and
choices,
but
think
that
if
they
just
continue
to
work
hard
in
their
Total
Results
workouts
and
add
in
some
additional
activity
elsewhere
that
this
will
make
up
for
it.
 Dr.
Robert
Lustig
told
us
in
the
book
"Metabolical"
that,
"You
can't
outrun
a
bad
diet."
 Don't
fall
into
this
trap!
 Remember
that
exercise
is
an
important
but
small
component
of
the
overall
health
equation.
 


 


One
can
develop
a
false
sense
of
security
when
it
comes
to
safety.
 During
a
Total
Results
initial
consultation
we
go
to
great
lengths
to
explain
how
client
safety
is
our
number
one
priority,
and
we
discuss
the
reasons
why
we
use
such
a
slow
speed
of
movement
in
each
exercise.
 Remember
from
physics
that
force
equals
mass
times
acceleration,
and
that
excessive
force
is
the
root
cause
of
any
injury.
 If
clients
follow
our
instructions
they
are
at
virtually
no
risk
for
injury;
as
Ken
Hutchins
is
fond
of
saying,
our
exercise
protocol
is
safer
than
stepping
off
of
a
curb.
 However,
committing
form
discrepancies
not
only
diminishes
muscular
loading,
it
also
significantly
increases
your
risk
for
injury.
 One
client
many
years
ago
injured
his
back
at
the
end
of
the
Leg
Press
exercise
by
lifting
his
butt
out
of
the
seat
and
firing
out
in
an
attempt
to
start
one
more
repetition.
 I
had
another
client
recently
injure
her
quadriceps
muscle
because
she
fired
out
of
the
stretch
position
to
start
the
exercise.
 Don't
let
this
happen
to
you!
 Bear
in
mind
that
committing
form
discrepancies
is
rarely
a
conscious
effort
on
the
part
of
the
client
to
do
the
wrong
thing;
they
are
typically
misguided
attempts
to
make
things
just
a
little
easier.
 On
the
other
hand,
jabbing
at
the
weight,
off/oning,
and
increasing
your
speed
put
you
at
greater
risk
for
injury.
 Once
we
achieve
a
certain
level
of
strength
and
conditioning,
the
idea
of
injury
often
fades
into
the
background.
 It
is
important
to
see
the
bigger
picture.
 Taking
liberties
with
your
form
to
achieve
one
more
repetition
in
the
short
term
can
lead
to
trouble
down
the
road,
even
if
the
immediate
result
isn't
injury.
 If
your
form
suffers
now,
it
is
harder
to
get
back
on
track.


 


Whether
I
am
instructing
exercise
or
coaching
high
school
football,
I
believe
it
always
comes
back
to
the
fundamentals.
 I
have
learned
over
the
years
that
it
is
okay
to
reduce
a
client's
weight
on
one
or
several
exercises
in
order
to
recapture
proper
form
and
protect
against
injury.
 This
is
where
attention
to
detail
becomes
critically
important,
and
we
should
understand
that
mastery
is
a
lengthy
process.
 Past
success
does
not
guarantee
future
prosperity;
don't
stray
from
the
habits
that
have
helped
you
to
achieve
great
things.
 It's
okay
to
be
bored
once
in
a
while.


 


Everyone
has
their
"why"
for
participating
in
high
intensity
exercise.
 Identifying
your
"why"
will
help
you
push
through
when
things
get
tough
or
when
you
don't
feel
like
working
out.
 It
is
harder
to
stay
at
the
top
than
it
is
to
get
to
the
top,
and
it's
important
to
not
rest
on
your
laurels
once
you
have
achieved
a
certain
level
of
fitness.
 There
are
always
other
mountains
to
climb.
 Approach
Total
Results
exercise
with
the
mindset
that
this
is
a
lifelong
endeavor,
and
recognize
that
mystery
is
a
continuous
process.
 Never
take
anything
for
granted!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Metabolical&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=750</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=750</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Robert
H.
Lustig,
MD,
MSL,
is
an
Emeritus
Professor
of
Pediatrics
in
the
Division
of
Endocrinology,
and
a
member
of
the
Institute
for
Health
Policy
Studies
at
the
University
of
California
at
San
Francisco.
 He
earned
his
undergraduate
degree
in
nutritional
biochemistry
from
Massachusetts
Institute
of
Technology
and
his
MD
from
Cornell
University,
and
he
has
practiced
medicine
for
over
40
years.
 Dr.
Lustig
has
written
several
books,
such
as
"Fat
Chance"
and
"The
Hacking
of
the
American
Mind."
 "Metabolical"
was
published
in
2021,
and
much
of
the
book
was
written
during
the
Coronavirus
lockdowns
of
2020.
 


 


The
main
theme
of
the
book
centers
around
the
dangers
of
processed
food,
and
how
the
American
diet
has
been
hijacked
over
the
past
six
decades
by
the
rise
of
the
Big
Food
corporations
as
well
as
a
seismic
shift
in
agricultural
practices.
 The
author
is
quite
candid
about
much
of
the
resistance
that
he
has
faced
from
the
medical
establishment
during
his
medical
career,
and
he
says
that
in
spite
of
all
of
the
attention
and
importance
placed
upon
exercise
and
being
active,
"You
can't
outrun
a
bad
diet."
 Nutrition
labels
and
calories
really
do
not
matter;
it
is
about
what
you're
eating
and
what
has
been
done
to
your
food
that
makes
the
difference.
 According
to
Dr.
Lusting,
there
are
only
two
precepts
that
you
need
to
know:
 1)
protect
the
liver,
2)
feed
the
gut.
 He
goes
on
to
say,
"Those
foods
that
satisfy
both
precepts
are
healthy;
those
that
do
neither
are
poison,
and
those
that
do
one
or
the
other
are
bad
(but
less
bad)-no
matter
what
the
USDA
and
FDA
allow
to
be
stated
on
the
package."


 


I
completely
agree
that
modern
medicine
is
a
large
part
of
the
problem.
 As
Dr.
Lustig
says,
"We
spend
97.5
percent
of
our
healthcare
budget
on
individual
treatment,
and
only
2.5
percent
on
prevention."
 I
believe
that
is
because
it
is
much
more
lucrative
for
Big
Pharma
and
the
insurance
companies
to
treat
a
disease
than
it
is
to
prevent
or
cure
it.
 The
author
believes
there
are
several
reasons
why
we
need
to
rethink
modern
medicine
(and
this
is
coming
from
someone
who
has
been
in
practice
for
over
four
decades).
 First,
is
it
better
to
be
cured
of
cancer
or
not
get
it
in
the
first
place?
 Second,
poor
cancer
cure
rates
come
with
a
hefty
price
tag.
 Third,
fewer
people
today
actually
die
from
heart
attacks,
but
more
people
suffer
from
one.
 In
addition,
a
smaller
percentage
of
baby
boomers
today
report
that
they
are
in
excellent
health,
as
compared
to
their
counterparts
of
the
late
80s
and
early
90s.
 Finally,
our
healthcare
system
is
collapsing
due
to
the
fact
that
there
are
more
people
to
treat
for
chronic
diseases,
and
treatment
often
does
not
result
in
a
cure.
 It
is
estimated
that
smoking
and
diet
are
the
leading
factors
for
approximately
half
of
all
cancers.
 Why
does
the
U.S.
rank
only
28th
among
developed
countries
in
life
expectancy?
 Rates
continue
to
drop.


 


Metabolic
dysfunction
occurs
as
a
result
of
eight
intracellular
processes
that
have
gone
awry.


The
first
is

glycation,
which
is
the
primary
process
of
aging
and
is
a
byproduct
of
how
we
live.
 Sugar
exacerbates
this
process.


Second
is

oxidative
stress.
 This
can
cause
cellular
dysfunction,
structural
damage
to
DNA,
and
cell
death.

 Third
is

mitochondrial
dysfunction.
 The
mitochondria
are
the
powerhouse
of
the
cell,
and
if
they
do
not
function
properly
you
cannot
process
energy
efficiently,
thus
leading
to
decreased
brain
and
organ
capability.


Fourth
is
insulin
resistance.
 This
means
that
what
you
consume
cannot
pass
through
the
membranes
of
your
cells,
and
can
lead
to
obesity,
chronic
stress,
and
diabetes.


Fifth
is

membrane
integrity.
 If
the
membranes
of
your
cells
become
damaged,
cell
dysfunction
and
death
can
ensue.

 Sixth
is

inflammation.
 A
poor
diet
and
high
percentage
of
body
fat
(particularly
visceral
fat)
will
increase
systemic
inflammation
and
can
lead
to
an
increased
risk
for
cancer,
heart
disease,
and
autoimmune
disorders.

 Seventh
is

epigenetics.
 Studies
say
that
only
about
15
percent
of
the
cause
of
metabolic
syndrome
is
genetic,
while
the
rest
is
environmental.
 However,
there
is
something
known
as
transgenerational
epigenetic
inheritance,
which
means
that
alterations
in
disease
can
affect
as
many
as
four
generations
going
into
the
future.


Lastly,
we
have

autophagy.
 This
is
the
way
that
the
body
clears
waste
products,
which
can
include
damaged
cells
and
other
debris.
 Not
getting
enough
sleep
interferes
with
this
process.


 


Dr.
Lustig
discusses
the
importance
of
insulin.
 So
much
of
the
time
we
hear
about
the
importance
of
keeping
down
one's
blood
sugar,
and
that
is
usually
tested
as
part
of
a
standard
blood
panel.
 However,
insulin
doesn't
garner
nearly
enough
attention.
 Insulin
is
the
hormone
secreted
by
the
pancreas
that
allows
glucose
to
travel
into
your
cells.
 If
you
consume
a
diet
that
is
high
in
sugar
and
other
processed
foods,
your
pancreas
must
secrete
greater
and
greater
levels
of
insulin
in
order
to
accomplish
this
task.
 This
eventually
results
in
obesity,
insulin
resistance
and
metabolic
syndrome,
or
even
diabetes.
 According
to
Dr.
Lustig,
"The
issue
is
that
doctors
are
still
targeting
obesity,
which
they
think
is
the
disease.
 Rather,
it's
just
another
symptom."
 Connected
to
insulin
resistance
are
two
other
important
hormones:
 leptin,
which
is
a
hormone
released
by
your
brain
that
tells
you
when
to
stop
eating,
and
ghrelin,
which
signals
that
you
are
hungry.
 When
you
are
insulin-resistant,
the
signals
for
these
hormones
do
not
function
properly.
 Any
type
of
metabolic
therapy
must
center
on
getting
your
insulin
levels
down.


 


There
are
two
chapters
in
particular
that
can
help
us
to
debunk
some
nutritional
myths
that
we
have
been
fed
over
the
years,
and
also
to
give
us
some
strategies
to
improve
and
maintain
our
metabolic
health
going
forward.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Things That Matter...and Things That Don&#039;t</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=749</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=749</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Collectively,
we
are
more
distracted
than
ever:
emails,
text
messages,
social
media
notifications,
and
YouTube
video
suggestions
pop
up
all
the
time.
 The
digital
world
presents
challenges
that
most
of
us
never
had
to
face
in
our
teens
and
twenties.
 These
days
it
is
very
easy
to
lose
perspective
on
what
is
truly
important,
and
to
give
more
weight
to
things
that
are
outside
of
our
control.
 It's
time
for
a
reality
check:
 there
are
things
in
life
that
truly
matter,
and
there
are
things
that
do
not.
 How
well
we
are
able
to
distinguish
between
the
two
will
have
a
tremendous
impact
on
our
success.


 


In
a
recent
viral
YouTube
video,
seven-time
Super
Bowl
winning
quarterback
Tom
Brady
demonstrated
the
proper
mechanics
of
throwing
a
football.
 The
video
wasn't
really
created
for
those
that
have
a
desire
to
play
the
position,
but
for
anyone
that
simply
wanted
to
learn.
 The
lesson
that
Brady
puts
across
is
that
in
order
to
learn
how
to
do
anything
the
right
way,
there
are
three
things
one
must
keep
in
mind.
 First,
start
from
the
ground
up.
 Second,
everything
is
connected.
 Finally,
don't
get
ahead
of
yourself.
 Brady
pointed
out
that
mechanically
speaking
and
in
terms
of
creating
torque,
throwing
a
football
is
very
similar
to
swinging
a
golf
club
or
hitting
a
hockey
slap
shot.
 Metaphorically,
the
three
things
Brady
says
to
keep
in
mind
can
also
apply
to
playing
a
musical
instrument,
running
a
business,
and
even
high
intensity
exercise.
 Again,
there
are
things
that
matter,
and
things
that
don't.


 


What
are
the
important
takeaways
for
exercise
and
what
should
we
emphasize?


 



Effort.
 I
describe
effort
as
a
commitment
to
a
task
and
using
every
ounce
of
your
momentary
capability
(such
as
reaching
muscular
failure).
 Effort
is
a
large
component
of
being
process-oriented
(as
I
have
mentioned
in
previous
articles),
and
it
is
something
that
everyone
can
improve.


 



Attitude.


How
do
you
approach
a
task?
 Are
you
dialed
in
and
positive
about
what
you
are
undertaking,
or
would
you
rather
be
somewhere
else?
 Having
a
positive
attitude
requires
no
special
ability
and
doesn't
cost
a
dime.


 



Focus.


I
mentioned
earlier
that
we
are
collectively
more
distracted
than
ever,
but
exercise
success
can
be
greatly
enhanced
by
shutting
everything
else
out
for
20
minutes
during
your
workout.
 Stay
present
(as
Brady
says,
don't
get
ahead
of
yourself).


 



Knowledge
of
results.


This
is
how
you
can
objectively
gauge
your
progress,
and
it
is
why
we
give
clients
access
to
their
exercise
spreadsheets
so
they
can
see
for
themselves
how
they
are
doing.
 It
affirms
if
you
are
doing
well
or
doing
poorly,
and
it
provides
feedback
for
making
changes
if
necessary.


 



Be
a
learner
and
a
listener.
 You
have
two
ears
and
one
mouth
for
a
reason,
as
the
old
saying
goes.
 We
often
think
of
listening
as
a
passive
skill,
but
it
is
really
quite
active
if
you
are
doing
it
correctly.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
a
new
concept
for
more
than
90
percent
of
people
who
walk
through
our
door
for
the
first
time,
and
in
order
to
learn
you
will
initially
make
mistakes.
 Nobody
gets
it
right
the
first
time.


 


Now
that
we
know
what
is
important
to
focus
on
in
order
to
achieve
success,
what
are
some
things
that
we
shouldn't
waste
our
time
worrying
about?


 



Time
under
load.


This
is
but
one
measurement
of
progress,
and
while
it
is
great
to
see
an
increase
in
TUL
from
one
workout
to
the
next,
it
only
tells
one
part
of
the
story.
 Many
of
our
clients
are
competitive,
and
if
they
don't
see
an
increase
in
either
weight
or
TUL
they
often
think
their
workout
wasn't
effective.
 Don't
fall
into
this
trap!
 Focus
on
the
process,
effort,
and
form
in
order
to
achieve
a
favorable
outcome.


 



Genetics.
 You
cannot
pick
your
parents.
 Some
of
us
were
born
with
certain
advantages,
while
others
were
not.
 Work
as
hard
as
you
can
and
play
the
hand
that
you
are
dealt.
 A
genetic
propensity
for
something
doesn't
guarantee
anything.
 Be
proud
of
and
accept
who
you
are!
 Don't
waste
time
and
emotional
resources
worrying
about
what
you
don't
have,
and
be
thankful
for
good
health
and
the
opportunity
you
have
to
maximize
your
genetic
blueprint.


 



Natural
ability
or
your
starting
fitness
level.
 Some
people
over
the
years
have
hesitated
in
starting
the
Total
Results
exercise
program
because
they
"wanted
to
get
in
shape
first."
 They
miss
the
point.
 It
doesn't
matter
where
you
start,
it's
where
you
finish.
 Talent
is
overrated,
and
you
do
not
have
to
have
an
elite
athletic
background
to
succeed
as
a
Total
Results
client.
 Taking
the
first
step
is
the
most
important
action.


 



Age.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>High Intensity Exercise = Adversity</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=748</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=748</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Few
people
live
a
truly
charmed
existence.
 All
of
us
will
have
to
face
and
overcome
difficult
circumstances
at
some
point
in
life.
 The
manner
in
which
we
handle
those
challenging
moments
will
determine
just
how
successful
we
are
in
our
chosen
endeavor.
 In
his
book
"How
Good
Do
You
Want
to
Be?",
former
Alabama
head
football
coach
Nick
Saban
says,
"In
life,
your
road
map
is
knowing
what
you
want
to
accomplish
then
committing
yourself
to
doing
the
things
necessary
to
reach
that
destination.
 You
cannot
get
there
without
hard
work
and
perseverance."
 Total
Results
clients
know
just
how
challenging
our
workouts
are,
but
this
is
the
price
they
are
willing
to
pay
in
order
to
achieve
good
health
and
continued
independence.
 The
adversity
that
they
conquer
during
their
workouts
fortifies
them
for
whatever
life
throws
their
way.


 


Many
regular
readers
of
this
blog
are
familiar
with
the
concept
of
voluntary
hardship.
 This
can
take
on
many
different
forms,
such
as
taking
a
cold
shower,
going
for
a
walk
outside
in
winter
without
wearing
a
jacket,
completing
a
twenty-four
hour
fast,
or
standing
for
long
periods
of
time
rather
than
sitting.
 The
key
word
here
is
voluntary;
these
are
not
things
that
are
being
forced
upon
you.
 The
idea
behind
voluntary
hardship
is
that
it
fortifies
you
both
mentally
and
physically;
to
experience
some
physical
discomfort
makes
you
more
resilient
and
also
gives
you
an
appreciation
for
the
relative
good
fortune
that
most
of
us
are
blessed
to
have.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
a
form
of
voluntary
hardship.
 No
one
is
forced
to
participate
in
our
program;
clients
willingly
come
to
us
to
learn
how
to
become
the
best
version
of
themselves.
 Our
workouts
are
brief,
infrequent,
and
intense,
and
no
rational
individual
would
consider
them
fun,
at
least
not
once
you
start
working
with
a
great
deal
of
effort.


 


The
mental
component
of
exercise
can
never
be
underestimated.
 In
order
to
give
your
best
physical
effort,
you
must
be
in
the
proper
mental
frame
of
mind.
 Eliminate
distractions!
 If
your
mental
focus
is
hampered
because
you
are
thinking
about
something
else,
you
cannot
come
to
grips
with
the
challenge
you
are
about
to
face.
 Visualize
the
workout
as
an
opportunity
to
overcome
some
adversity
and
accept
the
fact
that
the
next
twenty
minutes
will
likely
be
unpleasant
and
uncomfortable.
 Chase
after
that
discomfort,
rather
than
run
from
it.
 Facing
an
obstacle
head-on
makes
it
a
lot
less
scary.
 While
we
are
tricking
our
bodies
into
thinking
that
we
are
engaged
in
a
life-and-death
struggle,
in
reality
we
are
in
a
perfectly
safe
environment.
 Sometimes
clients
that
take
a
layoff
forget
about
the
amount
of
effort
and
focus
that
is
required
for
optimal
performance.
 Accept
the
fact
that
this
is
hard;
better
yet,
celebrate
it!
 Be
proud
of
yourself
for
doing
something
that
not
many
other
people
are
willing
to
do.


 


The
effort
that
you
give
when
you
are
not
at
your
best
shows
the
depth
of
your
character.
 There
are
going
to
be
circumstances
in
life
that
come
up:
work
deadlines,
family
emergencies,
life
stress,
and
even
self-inflicted
difficulties.
 We
are
all
human,
and
there
will
be
days
when
you
simply
"don't
feel
like
it."
 This
is
where
being
process-oriented
rather
than
outcome-oriented
is
really
beneficial.
 Your
best
effort
may
vary
from
one
workout
to
the
next
based
on
factors
such
as
sleep,
nutrition,
and
activity
level
but
there
is
great
honor
and
satisfaction
to
be
derived
from
simply
doing
the
best
you
can
on
a
given
day.
 Don't
just
try
to
"get
through
it",
but
rather
find
meaning
in
the
effort.
 Coach
Saban
says,
"When
an
opportunity
presents
itself,
approach
the
challenge
not
with
concern
about
the
outcome
but
with
courage
to
do
your
best.
 Find
honor
in
how
you
compete."


 


We
are
what
we
think
we
are,
for
better
or
worse.
 A
positive
attitude
goes
a
long
way.
 Nothing
worthwhile
is
ever
easy,
but
once
you
finish
a
Total
Results
workout
the
hardest
part
of
your
day
is
over.
 Relish
the
fact
that
you
have
the
opportunity
to
do
this,
and
be
proud
of
the
adversity
that
you
are
able
to
overcome.
 The
name
of
the
game
is
effort!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>A Different Perspective - By Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=747</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=747</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[
Last
month,
I
celebrated
my
82nd
birthday.
As
I
age,
I'm
curious
about
how
to
maintain
my
fitness
and
independence.
At
Total
Results,
I've
been
consistently
doing
a
20-minute
workout
every
week
since
2007.

Strength
training
is
paramount
for
maintaining
independence,
overall
health,
and
enhancing
quality
of
life.
Being
independent
is
my
top
priority,
and
the
experience
of
being
partially
or
totally
independent
can
be
life-changing.

To
better
understand
my
perspective,
I
recommend
visiting
a
nursing
home.
Observe
the
residents
coming
and
going
in
the
lobby.
It
was
eye-opening
for
me
to
realize
that
if
I
hadn't
been
strength
training
for
the
past
17
years,
I
might
be
in
a
similar
situation.
Losing
my
independence
is
my
driving
force
to
stay
consistent
with
my
workouts.

I
adhere
to
the
Total
Results
protocol,
which
emphasizes
proper
breathing,
form,
speed
of
movement,
and
thorough
inroad.
My
attitude
plays
a
crucial
role
in
achieving
these
results.
Understanding
the
instructions
and
executing
them
are
two
different
activities.
I
read
books
and
watch
instructional
videos
on
playing
golf,
but
it's
entirely
different
when
I'm
actually
on
the
course.
Without
the
right
attitude,
focus,
and
help,
I'm
in
trouble.
I
try
to
maintain
an
open
mind
and
concentrate
on
the
present
moment.

I
record
my
times,
but
only
to
track
my
progress
and
adjust
my
weights
accordingly.
I'm
not
overly
concerned
about
the
time
under
load
for
each
activity.
Instead,
I
focus
on
giving
my
all
and
giving
it
my
best
effort
during
each
exercise.

After
completing
my
workout,
I
can
honestly
say,
"I
did
the
best
I
could
today",
and
I
move
on.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Trust in the Process</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=746</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=746</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

When
it
comes
to
achieving
what
we
want
in
life,
it
is
human
nature
to
focus
on
the
outcome
rather
than
the
process
that
is
required
to
get
there.
 The
Philadelphia
76ers
are
a
storied
NBA
basketball
franchise,
with
three
world
championships
on
their
resume
and
such
luminaries
as
Wilt
Chamberlain,
Julius
Erving,
and
Allen
Iverson
counted
among
their
greatest
players.
 By
the
early
2010s,
the
franchise
had
fallen
on
hard
times
and
experienced
several
losing
seasons
in
a
row.
 Former
Sixers
general
manager
Sam
Hinkie
developed
a
mantra
that
he
called
"Trust
the
Process";
this
was
his
vision
for
how
to
turn
the
franchise
around,
and
it
involved
trading
away
their
most
valuable
players
(who
didn't
necessarily
buy
into
this
concept)
in
exchange
for
high
draft
picks.
Hinkie
was
widely
criticized
by
those
who
thought
the
Sixers
were
losing
games
on
purpose,
but
the
strategy
eventually
paid
off.
 Philadelphia
has
made
the
playoffs
every
year
since
2017-2018
and
has
won
more
than
50
games
four
times.


 


Lanny
Bassham
is
a
former
world
and
Olympic
champion
rifle
shooter
who
wrote
the
outstanding
book
"With
Winning
in
Mind."
 Lanny
has
taught
his
Mental
Management
®
system
to
Olympic
athletes,
professional
golfers,
Miss
USA
winners,
and
the
United
States
military,
and
he
teaches
his
students
to
become
process-oriented
instead
of
outcome-oriented.
 Bassham
believes
that
if
you
are
solely
focused
on
the
outcome
you
will
become
disappointed
and
discouraged
if
you
do
not
reach
it.
 In
addition,
over-trying
is
usually
the
result
when
you
focus
on
winning
instead
of
executing
the
process.
 The
1976
Olympic
champion
says,
"Put
out
high-quality
effort,
consistently
over
time,
and
you
can
do
anything
you
consistently
dream
of
doing."


 


You
are
far
more
likely
to
achieve
something
if
you
write
it
down
and
see
it
every
day
than
if
you
just
dream
about
it.
 In
his
book,
Bassham
details
an
entire
goal-setting
system
that
can
be
applied
to
any
endeavor,
whether
it
is
quitting
smoking,
succeeding
in
business,
or
becoming
a
champion
rifle
shooter.
 Some
of
the
most
important
components
include
determining
a
goal
worth
trading
your
life
for,
listing
the
pay-value
of
the
goal,
evaluating
the
potential
obstacles
in
your
way,
formulating
a
plan
for
how
to
achieve
your
goal,
and
starting
now.
 Remember
that
life
is
about
making
a
series
of
choices,
and
you
cannot
do
everything
that
you
want.
 Some
things
must
be
prioritized,
while
others
may
have
to
be
pushed
to
the
back
burner
or
even
eliminated
entirely.
 How
badly
do
you
want
to
achieve
this
goal,
and
what
are
you
willing
to
do
to
get
there?
 Do
you
want
immediate
gratification,
or
are
you
willing
to
play
the
long
game
by
making
incremental
improvements?
 Only
you
can
answer
these
questions,
but
being
honest
with
yourself,
formulating
a
plan,
and
marking
down
your
progress
are
positive
steps
to
take.


 


What
does
all
of
this
have
to
do
with
exercise?
 In
order
to
succeed
in
terms
of
gaining
strength,
reducing
body
fat,
building
bone
mineral
density,
improving
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning,
and
reducing
systemic
inflammation
you
need
to
have
a
plan
of
action.
 Otherwise,
you
will
likely
end
up
like
so
many
people
wandering
around
aimlessly
in
commercial
gyms
without
the
first
clue
of
what
you're
doing.
 Contacting
Total
Results
is
the
first
step.
 We
can
help
you
formulate
a
plan
of
action
and
educate
you
on
the
physiology
of
how
to
stimulate
positive
physical
change.
 Remember
that
the
main
exercise
objective
is
thorough
inroad,
and
this
is
the
stimulus
that
spurs
positive
physical
improvements.
 We
can
help
you
to
set
ambitious
but
achievable
goals,
and
we'll
do
check-ins
periodically
to
see
how
you're
doing.
 Are
you
facing
obstacles
in
your
process
because
you
aren't
a
morning
person?
 We
can
find
a
time
of
day
that
works
better
for
your
schedule
and
helps
you
stay
on
track.
 20
minutes,
once
or
twice
per
week,
combined
with
simple
lifestyle
changes
is
all
that
you
need.


 


Every
repetition
matters,
but
proper
form
trumps
everything
else.
 Concentrate
on
this
exercise,
this
repetition,
this
turnaround;
don't
worry
about
what
comes
next.
 Stay
in
the
now!
 Total
Results
is
the
accountability
partner
that
you
need
to
help
you
achieve
things
that
you
didn't
think
were
possible.
 Focus
on
the
process
and
the
end
result
will
take
care
of
itself.
 How
badly
do
you
want
it?
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Good Energy&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=745</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=745</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Casey
Means,
MD,
earned
both
her
undergraduate
and
medical
degrees
from
Stanford
University.
 She
completed
her
residency
as
a
head
and
neck
surgeon
at
Oregon
Health
and
Science
University
before
leaving
traditional
medicine
to
focus
on
the
root
causes
of
why
Americans
increasingly
suffer
from
chronic
diseases.
 "Good
Energy"
was
written
with
Dr.
Means's
brother
Calley
Means,
and
it
was
published
in
2024.


 


During
her
surgical
residency,
Dr.
Means
treated
patients
with
numerous
chronic
conditions,
such
as
migraines,
sinusitis,
tonsillitis,
and
various
other
ailments.
 Typically
she
would
prescribe
various
medications
to
treat
the
problem,
and
if
those
did
not
work
she
would
perform
surgery.
 Eventually
she
realized
that
she
was
treating
the
symptoms
rather
than
fixing
the
underlying
root
cause.
 This
prompted
her
to
leave
her
position
as
a
chief
resident
at
OHSU
and
open
her
own
practice.
 Establishment
medicine
tends
to
treat
every
condition
separately,
without
realizing
that
all
the
processes
in
the
body
are
interrelated.
 As
the
author
states,
"...inflammation-which
leads
to
disease,
pain,
and
suffering-takes
root
because
core
dysfunctions
occur
inside
our
cells,
impacting
how
they
function,
signal,
and
replicate
themselves."
 She
also
correctly
points
out
that,
"...every
institution
that
impacts
health-from
medical
schools
to
insurance
companies
to
hospitals
to
pharma
companies-makes
money
on
'managing'
disease,
not
curing
patients."


 


Dr.
Means
makes
the
distinction
between
"bad
energy"
and
"good
energy."
 "Bad
energy"
is
when
normal
metabolic
function
has
tipped
into
dysfunction,
and
is
largely
the
result
of
three
things:

mitochondrial
dysfunction

(in
which
the
powerhouse
of
the
cell
is
overburdened
and
cannot
produce
enough
ATP),

chronic
inflammation

(mitochondrial
dysfunction
is
perceived
as
a
threat
and
the
body
formulates
a
fighting
response),
and

oxidative
stress

(free
radicals
cause
damage
to
the
cells
and
lead
to
dysfunction).
 Mitochondrial
dysfunction
can
be
caused
by
many
things,
namely
chronic
overnutrition,
a
sedentary
lifestyle,
chronic
stress,
sleep
deprivation,
medications
and
drugs,
and
nutrient
deficiencies.
 When
mitochondria
do
not
function
properly,
they
cannot
convert
food
energy
into
cellular
energy,
which
can
lead
to
chronic
disease.
 On
the
other
hand,
"good
energy"
can
be
measured
by
looking
at
five
markers
that
are
typically
tested
during
an
annual
check-up.
 The
author
says
that
you
should
strive
for
a

triglyceride
level
of
less
than
80
mg/dL,
HDL
cholesterol
of
50-90
mg/DL,
a
fasting
glucose
level
of
70-85
mg/dL,
blood
pressure
of
120/80,
a
waist
circumference

(depending
on
your
ethnicity)

of
less
than
37
inches
for
men
and
31.5
inches
for
women,
and
a
triglyceride-to-HDL
ratio
of
1.
 This
would
indicate
that
your
cells
are
functioning
optimally
and
you
have
achieved
true
metabolic
health.


 


The
book
is
divided
into
three
sections.
 Part
1
is
"The
Truth
About
Energy",
Part
2
is
"Creating
Good
Energy",
and
Part
3
is
"The
Good
Energy
Plan."
 I
particularly
liked
chapter
five,
which
covers
some
principles
of
proper
nutrition.
 The
author
does
a
nice
job
of
explaining
the
inherent
dangers
of
the
contemporary
Western
diet
that
is
filled
with
processed
foods,
and
she
discusses
omega-3
and
omega-6
fats
and
their
respective
roles
in
biological
function.
 Dr.
Means
says
that
we
should
look
at
eating
as
a
means
of
matching
our
cells'
needs
with
our
oral
inputs,
and
that
food
is
how
we
communicate
with
our
cells.
 The
most
important
advice
that
the
author
gives
is
to
focus
on
eating
unprocessed
food
and
not
worry
about
diet
philosophy.
 Many
different
diets
will
work,
provided
you
eat
plenty
of
protein,
vegetables
and
fruits,
and
essential
fats,
while
avoiding
sugars
and
processed
foods.
 If
you
are
satisfying
your
vitamin,
mineral,
and
trace
element
requirements,
it
doesn't
really
matter
what
template
you
follow.
 


 


I
enjoyed
reading
this
book.
 Dr.
Means
includes
helpful
grids
for
each
micronutrient
and
food
sources
where
they
can
be
found.
 There
is
also
an
exhaustive
list
of
foods
to
avoid.
 The
author
provides
other
helpful
lifestyle
strategies,
such
as
how
to
incorporate
movement
into
your
daily
routine,
managing
stress,
optimizing
sleep
by
minimizing
exposure
to
artificial
light,
and
explaining
the
benefits
of
exposure
to
hot
and
cold
temperatures.
 In
the
back
of
the
book
there
are
recipes
that
you
can
follow
for
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner,
and
snacks
that
are
healthy
alternatives
to
fast
food
and
the
prepackaged
stuff
so
commonly
found
in
grocery
stores.
 My
only
point
of
contention
with
the
good
doctor
is
over
her
strength
training
recommendations.
 I
believe
that
a
frequency
of
three
times
per
week
is
too
much,
and
that
the
Total
Results
methodology
is
superior.
 However,
I
do
agree
with
the
author
that
strength
training
should
be
considered
an
essential
component
of
everyone's
life.
 


 


How
can
this
book
help
you?
 It
will
educate
you
about
the
real
reasons
why
the
number
of
people
suffering
from
chronic
(and
preventable)
diseases
has
skyrocketed
over
the
last
forty
years,
and
it
should
crystallize
for
you
how
the
medical
establishment,
pharmaceutical
companies,
and
big
agriculture
profit
by
keeping
you
sick.
 If
someone
as
accomplished
and
respected
as
Dr.
Means
walked
away
from
a
lucrative
specialty
practice,
that
should
tell
you
something.
 I
encourage
all
of
you
to
read
this
book
and
utilize
the
strategies
put
forth
to
optimize
your
health
and
independence.
 You
can
and
should
feel
amazing,
no
matter
your
age.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Factors That Affect Exercise Performance</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=744</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=744</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
are
many
different
ways
to
measure
and
track
exercise
performance.
 We
create
a
spreadsheet
(either
in
Microsoft
Excel
or
Google
Sheets)
for
each
client
and
record
the
order
and
selection
of
exercises,
their
machine
settings,
weight
(resistance),
time
under
load,
and
make
note
of
any
recurring
form
discrepancies
that
are
committed
for
each
workout.
 Our
exercise
philosophy
is
the
same
for
every
client,
but
every
individual
is
different;
this
is
why
we
tailor
each
exercise
routine
to
meet
the
needs
of
each
person
that
is
under
our
tutelage.
 Naturally,
every
client
wants
to
perform
at
his
or
her
best
in
every
workout
that
they
undertake,
but
different
factors
can
make
that
an
impossibility.
 There
are
physiological
and
mental
considerations
that
have
a
positive
or
negative
effect
on
one's
exercise
performance.
 How
you
approach
this
on
an
ongoing
basis
will
have
a
great
impact
on
your
level
of
sustained
success.


 


Some
of
these
factors
have
been
discussed
in
previous
articles,
but
I
thought
this
was
important
enough
to
merit
a
separate
article
on
the
topic.
 We
all
have
individual
differences,
which
I
believe
should
be
celebrated.
 Metabolically,
everyone
uses
energy
at
different
rates,
which
means
that
from
one
person
to
the
next
recovery
and
exercise
frequency
can
vary.
 This
is
why
some
Total
Results
clients
exercise
once
per
week,
while
others
come
twice
per
week.
 Some
train
more
intensely
than
others,
which
also
necessitates
a
reduced
volume
and
frequency
of
exercise.
 Some
clients,
if
they
have
genetic
advantages,
can
get
away
with
things
that
others
cannot.
 Since
I
have
a
genetic
propensity
for
leanness,
I
could
probably
still
make
decent
progress
while
making
poor
dietary
choices,
but
I
choose
not
to
do
that.
 It
would
likely
catch
up
to
me
sooner
or
later
in
any
event.
 Just
because
you
can
get
away
with
doing
certain
things
that
are
detrimental
to
your
progress
doesn't
mean
that
you
should.


 


Here
are
five
factors
that
can
significantly
impact
your
performance.


 



Mental
state.
 Attitude
is
everything!
 I
often
refer
to
the
old
Henry
Ford
quote:
"Whether
you
think
you
can
or
think
you
can't,
you're
right."
 A
positive
attitude
is
absolutely
necessary
when
you
are
dealing
with
the
adverse
circumstances
and
discomfort
that
a
Total
Results
workout
entails.
 If
you
are
distracted
(and
let's
face
it,
that
is
a
battle
that
most
of
us
have
to
fight
every
day),
you
will
struggle.
 Shut
everything
else
out
of
your
life
for
20
minutes
and
focus
on
completing
something
that
is
truly
tangible
and
meaningful.
 Show
no
fear!
 Accept
the
fact
that
what
you
are
about
to
do
will
be
difficult
and
uncomfortable,
but
the
realize
that
the
reward
comes
on
the
other
side
in
the
form
of
accomplishment,
empowerment,
and
independence
from
the
sick
care
system.


 



Proper
sleep.

 Matthew
Walker's
book
"Why
We
Sleep:
Unlocking
the
Power
of
Sleep
and
Dreams"
is
one
of
the
most
useful
books
that
I
have
read
in
the
last
decade,
and
I
have
recommended
it
to
scores
of
clients.
 Walker
recommends
getting
between
seven
to
nine
hours
of
sleep
per
night,
and
says
that
anyone
sleeping
for
less
than
seven
hours
per
night
on
a
consistent
basis
is
functioning
at
a
much
more
diminished
capacity
than
they
realize.
 Eventually,
it
catches
up
to
you
and
can
lead
to
a
whole
host
of
health
problems.
 Sleep
is
important
for
so
many
reasons,
but
especially
for
recharging
your
mental
batteries
and
helping
to
facilitate
tissue
repair
after
a
workout.
 Sleep
soundly
and
sufficiently
for
a
few
nights
in
a
row
prior
to
a
workout,
and
you
will
notice
a
tremendous
difference
in
your
performance.


 



Nutrition.
 You
wouldn't
put
low-octane
gas
into
a
sports
car,
so
why
eat
junk
food
before
a
workout?
 Do
not
pay
attention
to
government
guidelines,
their
food
pyramid,
or
most
of
the
commercials
that
you
see
on
TV.
 Just
like
a
car
needs
fuel
before
a
road
trip,
your
body
needs
to
be
properly
fueled
in
order
to
do
the
things
you
want
it
to
do.
 Consume
single-ingredient
whole
foods,
select
high
quality
sources
of
protein
(1
to
1.5
grams
per
kilogram
of
body
weight),
and
find
good
sources
of
saturated
fat.
 Fruits
and
vegetables
should
be
your
primary
source
of
carbohydrates.
 Avoid
processed
junk
and
minimize
sugars.
 Simply
put,
you
should
consume
the
foods
that
will
provide
the
vitamins,
minerals,
and
other
raw
materials
that
you
need
for
optimal
energy
and
recovery.


 



Protein
intake.
 Most
people
do
not
eat
enough
of
it!
 I
touched
on
this
in
the
previous
section,
but
you
should
strive
to
take
in
1
to
1.5
grams
of
protein
per
kilogram
of
body
weight.
 Simply
divide
your
body
weight
by
2.2
and
you
will
have
your
ideal
number.
 In
order
to
build
muscle
(which
should
be
a
goal
for
everyone),
you
need
protein
to
repair
the
tissue
that
has
been
broken
down
in
the
course
of
a
workout.
 Good
sources
of
protein
include
beef,
chicken,
pork,
fish,
and
eggs,
and
some
protein
should
be
consumed
with
every
meal.
 If
you
are
a
vegan
this
will
be
a
challenge,
but
there
are
alternative
sources
of
protein
that
you
can
consume
such
as
flaxseed,
lentils,
and
tofu.
 I
should
point
out
that
plant-based
sources
are
incomplete
proteins,
meaning
that
they
do
not
contain
all
of
the
essential
amino
acids,
so
variety
will
be
key.


 



Activity
level.
 Movement
is
important
for
our
health,
but
it
is
very
easy
to
overdo
it.
 I
believe
that
sitting
for
long
stretches
of
time
is
unhealthy
for
your
mind
and
body,
but
it
also
bears
noting
that
our
recovery
systems
can
be
somewhat
fragile.
 Less
is
often
more,
and
if
you
are
running
or
biking
three
or
more
times
per
week
your
Total
Results
workouts
can
suffer.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Deadlift, Non-Variation, and Other Random Musings</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=743</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=743</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

A
few
weeks
ago,
long-time
Total
Results
client
and
friend
Dr.
Matt
DiLorenzo
shared
with
me
a
YouTube
video
of
a
man
performing
a
bent-legged
barbell
deadlift
in
a
gym.
 There
were
a
few
flaws
in
his
form
in
terms
of
his
hip
positioning,
which
led
to
him
being
slightly
off-balance,
and
a
couple
of
subtle
cues
and
corrections
by
a
lifting
coach
helped
the
man
to
improve
his
execution
of
the
exercise.
 This
led
me
to
think
about
deadlift
exercises
in
general,
something
that
I
have
not
considered
and
have
not
performed
in
many
years.


 


The
bent-legged
(or
traditional)
deadlift,
in
simplistic
terms,
involves
squatting
over
a
barbell
that
is
on
the
floor
and
raising
it
until
your
knees
and
torso
are
straight.
 The
deadlift
involves
all
of
the
lower
body
musculature,
as
well
as
the
latissimus
dorsi
(large
back
muscles),
spinal
erectors,
abdominals,
and
forearms.
 It
is
a
very
large
exercise,
and
can
be
a
productive
option
for
those
of
you
that
only
have
access
to
free
weights.
 In
my
opinion,
using
a
hexagonal
or
trap
bar
is
superior
to
using
a
straight
barbell
because
it
is
easier
to
keep
your
back
straight
and
you
won't
have
to
worry
about
scraping
the
bar
against
your
shins.
 Unfortunately,
the
effectiveness
of
the
exercise
will
likely
be
limited
by
your
grip
strength
and
your
lower
back
muscles,
as
both
are
likely
to
give
out
before
the
targeted
muscles
are
thoroughly
inroaded.


 


Another
deadlift
option
is
the
stiff-legged
deadlift,
which
mostly
targets
the
hamstring
muscles
for
the
lower
body.
 In
many
instances
this
exercise
is
performed
with
a
straight
barbell
and
a
box
or
platform
is
used
so
that
the
attached
weights
do
not
hit
the
floor
and
impede
your
range
of
motion.
 The
knees
are
to
be
kept
with
a
slight
bend
so
that
they
do
not
pop
backward,
and
your
lower
back
should
be
straight.
 You
will
lower
the
bar
until
you
feel
a
slightly
uncomfortable
stretch
in
your
hamstrings,
and
then
raise
the
bar
until
your
body
is
back
in
a
vertical
position.
 Just
like
with
the
traditional
deadlift,
however,
you
will
probably
find
that
your
hands
and
lower
back
will
fatigue
more
quickly
than
the
intended
musculature.


 


Fortunately,
Total
Results
has
machines
that
will
target
and
develop
those
muscle
groups
in
a
safer
and
more
effective
way
than
performing
either
of
the
deadlift
options.
 The
Leg
Press,
Lumbar
Extension,
Pulldown,
and
Compound
Row
exercises
will
do
a
far
better
job
of
inroading
the
lower
body,
spinal
erectors,
and
latissimus
muscles,
and
the
movement
arm
is
much
easier
to
control
than
a
barbell.
 These
machines
also
naturally
lend
themselves
to
using
a
slow
speed
of
movement
because
that
is
how
they
were
engineered.
 The
Seated
Leg
Curl
is
a
better
choice
than
the
stiff-legged
deadlift,
because
the
nature
of
the
machine's
design
eliminates
lower
back
fatigue
as
a
limiting
factor.
 Additionally,
all
of
our
machines
are
manufactured
with
a
cam
that
varies
the
resistance
throughout
the
range
of
motion
based
on
leverage
and
your
muscles'
natural
strength
curve.
 You
are
stronger
in
some
positions
and
weaker
in
others,
so
the
cam
allows
strength
to
match
resistance.
 A
barbell
will
always
provide
the
same
resistance
no
matter
where
you
are
in
the
range
of
motion,
and
our
machines
made
by
MedX
and
Super
Slow
Systems
will
give
you
a
more
complete
workout.


Another
consequence
of
watching
that
deadlift
video
is
that
it
caused
me
to
ponder
some
typical
gym
behavior.
 I
have
not
worked
out
in
a
commercial
gym
in
over
twenty
years,
but
some
of
the
behavior
that
I
witnessed
is
indelibly
seared
in
my
memory.
 I
suspect
much
of
it
still
goes
on
at
gyms
all
over
the
country.
 Many
gym
enthusiasts
who
weight
train
will
do
something
different
every
time
they
workout.
 No
doubt
they
are
buying
into
fitness
lore
and
myths
that
have
been
perpetuated
for
decades.
 When
I
first
got
into
the
exercise
business
it
was
the
stuff
that
you
found
in
the
muscle
magazines;
now
it's
typically
stuff
that
is
put
out
on
social
media.
 The
more
things
change,
the
more
they
stay
the
same.
 You
often
hear
about
the
need
for
variety
in
exercise
routines,
as
a
way
to
"shock"
the
body
into
growth.
 In
reality,
exercise
variety
is
quite
overrated
and
not
really
necessary
in
order
to
produce
tangible
physical
benefits.
 Ken
Hutchins,
the
originator
of
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol,
even
devoted
an
entire
chapter
about
this
in
his
book
"Super
Slow:
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol",
titled
"The
Need
for
Non-Variation
in
Exercise."
 Hutchins
believes
that
too
much
variation
is
an
obstacle
to
becoming
more
neurologically
efficient,
which
means
that
you
will
not
perform
each
exercise
as
effectively
as
you
should
and
will
diminish
both
the
exercise
stimulus
and
your
progress.
 I
believe
that
a
little
variety
is
useful;
at
Total
Results
we
make
sure
to
incorporate
vertical
and
horizontal
pushing
and
pulling
exercises
for
both
the
upper
and
lower
body
in
order
to
develop
symmetrically
and
minimize
any
muscular
imbalances.
 In
fact,
most
of
our
twice
per
week
clients
will
perform
an
A
and
a
B
routine
each
week,
although
this
isn't
done
explicitly
for
the
sake
of
variety.
 These
clients
are
still
at
the
point
where
they
benefit
more
from
coming
twice
per
week
instead
of
once,
but
performing
the
Leg
Press
and
some
other
exercises
every
time
can
overtax
their
recovery
ability.
 Performing
an
A
routine
(which
typically
contains
the
Leg
Press
and
Lumbar
Extension
exercises)
and
a
slightly
less
demanding
B
routine
allows
us
to
incorporate
some
smaller
but
very
important
exercises
like
the
Calf
Raise
and
Cervical
Extension,
while
facilitating
steady
progress.
 Physiologically,
you
do
not
need
variety;
it
is
actually
possible
to
do
the
same
routine
each
time
and
still
make
improvements.
 Too
much
variety
can
also
lead
to
haphazard
record
keeping
and
inadequate
exercise
intensity.


 


Now
for
a
few
random
musings!
 I
spent
some
time
with
former
Total
Results
owner
Tim
Rankin
a
few
weeks
ago
at
former
client
Paul
Logan's
house.
 Many
of
you
know
that
Tim
and
his
wife
Pam
moved
to
Florida
nearly
four
years
ago,
and
they
are
doing
great.
 We
talked
a
little
about
exercise,
and
he
shared
a
few
stories
about
the
headaches
of
working
out
at
Planet
Fitness
(he
definitely
got
spoiled
by
owning
a
private
exercise
facility
for
twenty
years).
 One
thing
that
he
has
grown
to
appreciate
and
misses
the
most
about
Total
Results
is
all
the
movement
that
he
performed
every
day
when
he
was
an
instructor.
 We
are
up
on
our
feet
quite
a
bit
throughout
the
day
as
we
instruct
clients,
and
there
is
a
lot
of
bending,
turning,
and
twisting
in
multiple
planes
of
motion
when
we
set
up
machines
before
workouts.
 Yes,
we
do
sit
at
our
desks
but
it
is
usually
for
very
short
stretches.
 Tim
has
successfully
found
other
ways
to
incorporate
low-level
movement
into
his
daily
routine,
but
I
think
it
underscores
how
important
it
is
for
us
to
get
up
and
move
during
the
day,
especially
if
your
work
involves
being
at
a
desk
and
in
front
of
a
computer
for
long
periods
of
time.
 The
human
body
was
designed
to
move,
and
if
you
are
fortunate
enough
to
be
in
good
health
it
seems
like
a
crime
to
not
take
advantage
of
it.
 Don't
sit
still.
 Time
waits
for
no
one!


 


You
have
the
power
to
take
control
of
your
life
and
your
health.
 Do
not
allow
someone
or
something
to
stand
in
the
way
of
having
the
body
and
the
life
that
you
have
always
wanted.
 Total
Results
can
provide
safer
and
more
effective
alternatives
to
the
exercises
available
at
the
gym.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Master the Fundamentals</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=742</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=742</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

We
are
often
enamored
with
things
that
are
flashy
and
catch
our
attention,
while
at
the
same
time
we
fail
to
realize
how
much
effort
goes
into
making
something
that
is
very
difficult
look
easy.
 No
matter
how
naturally
gifted
a
person
is
in
a
certain
endeavor,
everyone
starts
with
the
basics.
 Michael
Jordan,
in
my
opinion,
is
the
greatest
basketball
player
that
ever
lived,
and
while
he
had
a
well-earned
reputation
for
being
a
clutch
scorer,
he
was
also
a
tremendous
defensive
player.
 He
learned
from
his
college
coach,
Dean
Smith,
that
you
play
defense
with
your
feet
rather
than
your
hands,
you
must
be
able
to
see
both
your
man
and
the
ball,
and
you
must
stay
between
your
man
and
the
basket.
 In
short,
he
learned
the
fundamentals
of
being
an
all-around
player.
 In
the
Super
Bowl
last
weekend,
the
Philadelphia
Eagles
reminded
everyone
(especially
the
Kansas
City
Chiefs)
that
while
spread
offenses
and
throwing
the
ball
all
over
the
field
attract
high
ratings,
football
still
comes
down
to
the
fundamentals
of
blocking,
tackling,
and
forcing/avoiding
turnovers.
 In
short,
success
in
any
field,
whether
it
is
in
sports,
academics,
or
business,
depends
on
mastering
the
fundamentals.



 


People
who
desire
to
achieve
great
things
never
get
bored
with
the
fundamentals.
 If
you
do
not
master
the
fundamentals,
you
cannot
take
the
next
step
in
your
development.
 John
Wooden
won
ten
NCAA
men's
basketball
titles,
yet
every
season
during
the
first
practice
he
meticulously
went
over
with
his
players
how
to
properly
put
on
their
socks
and
shoes
so
that
they
could
avoid
blisters.
 That
seems
extreme,
but
it
reinforced
Coach
Wooden's
commitment
to
teaching
the
fundamentals
that
contributed
to
their
success.
 Mastering
the
fundamentals
is
a
critical
element
to
the
teaching
that
goes
on
at
Total
Results.
 Very
few
"trainers"
or
exercise
enthusiasts
understand
the
concepts
that
make
up
proper
exercise,
nor
do
they
realize
that
these
teaching
points
must
be
emphasized
over
and
over
again.
 


 


What
are
these
exercise
fundamentals
that
must
be
mastered
in
order
to
optimize
success?
 The
first
fundamental
is
proper
breathing.
 That
seems
a
little
silly
at
first
glance,
since
everyone
knows
how
to
breathe,
but
there
is
a
certain
way
that
we
want
you
to
breathe
during
your
workout.
 You
should
breathe
exclusively
through
your
mouth,
in
a
shallow
and
repetitive
fashion,
with
a
relaxed
jaw
and
no
lip
pursing.
 We
want
you
to
breathe
freely,
but
also
avoid
overbreathing
too
early
in
the
exercise
so
that
you
don't
prematurely
fatigue.
 This
will
help
you
to
get
oxygen
to
the
working
muscles,
blow
off
carbon
dioxide,
and
also
prevent
the
pH
levels
in
the
muscles
from
becoming
too
acidic
(this
can
also
cause
premature
fatigue).
 This
requires
much
prompting
and
cueing
on
the
part
of
the
instructor
to
establish
good
habits
in
the
first
few
sessions,
and
while
most
clients
get
the
hang
of
it
fairly
quickly,
everyone
needs
a
reminder
now
and
again.


 


Another
fundamental
element
to
proper
Total
Results
exercise
is
having
the
right
mindset.
 Why
exactly
are
we
doing
this?
 It
is
important
to
understand
the
main
objective
of
exercise:
thorough
inroad.
 Some
clients
struggle
with
this
either
initially
or
once
they
start
to
encounter
meaningful
resistance.
 Most
people
assume
their
purpose
is
to
perform
as
many
repetitions
as
they
can
with
as
much
weight
as
possible,
but
that
is
incorrect.
 What
we
really
want
to
do
is
fatigue
the
muscles
safely
and
deeply
enough
to
elicit
an
adaptive
response.
 If
you
are
too
focused
on
squeezing
out
more
repetitions,
you
are
far
more
likely
to
take
liberties
with
your
form
and
enter
unsafe
territory.
 This
defeats
the
true
exercise
objective.
 Keep
your
mind
in
the
right
space
and
realize
that
when
you
are
struggling
and
the
movement
arm
is
difficult
to
move,
this
is
the
most
effective
part
of
the
entire
exercise.


 


Our
ideal
speed
of
movement
is
ten
seconds
raising
the
weight
and
ten
seconds
lowering
the
weight.
 Bear
in
mind
that
while
this
is
what
we
strive
for,
no
client
is
perfect
in
terms
of
speed.
 Anything
between
eight
and
twelve
seconds
in
each
direction
will
meet
our
standard,
so
you
have
some
leeway.
 We
want
to
minimize
potentially
dangerous
forces
and
maximize
muscular
loading,
so
ten
seconds
is
the
sweet
spot.
 Pace
goes
along
with
speed.
 An
evenly
paced
movement
is
preferable
to
one
that
is
inconsistent,
so
I
instruct
clients
to
shoot
for
a
rate
of
acceleration
of
about
one
inch
per
second.
 Even
though
each
exercise
has
a
slightly
different
stroke
(distance
between
start
point
and
end
point
in
the
range
of
motion),
that
seems
to
do
the
trick.
 Clients
can
help
themselves
by
counting
in
their
head
or
using
the
clocks
that
are
situated
on
or
near
most
of
our
machines
in
order
to
develop
pace.


 


Our
turnaround
technique
involves
smoothly
and
carefully
changing
directions
at
the
end
of
each
positive
and
negative
excursion.
 When
Ken
Hutchins
first
developed
our
protocol,
he
was
unsure
if
this
speed
of
movement
could
even
be
applied
to
compound
exercises
(movements
that
involve
multiple
joints
and
muscle
groups).
 That
dilemma
was
solved
when
he
developed
the
turnaround
technique.
 When
changing
directions
at
the
lower
turnaround,
you
want
to
let
off
the
force
just
enough
to
bottom
out
the
weight
stack
without
unloading
the
musculature,
and
then
push
or
pull
just
hard
enough
to
begin
the
next
repetition.
 This
ensures
a
smooth
and
continuous
movement.
 Naturally
this
becomes
more
challenging
and
fatigue
increases,
but
attention
to
this
small
detail
makes
a
huge
difference.
 


 


These
fundamental
elements
of
exercise
are
introduced
during
both
the
preliminary
considerations
and
sample
workout
portions
of
the
initial
consultation,
and
are
reinforced
during
almost
every
workout
going
forward.
 If
I
see
that
a
client
is
struggling
with
form,
I
will
not
hesitate
to
lower
the
weights
to
help
them
reacquaint
themselves
with
proper
fundamentals.
 Some
of
our
most
successful
long-term
clients
are
the
ones
that
strive
for
mastery
and
realize
that
it
is
a
life-long
pursuit.
 Even
when
you
master
the
fundamentals,
you
will
always
return
to
them,
as
they
are
the
bedrock
on
which
to
build
success.



 


If
you're
going
to
do
something,
you
might
as
well
strive
to
be
the
very
best
you
can
be.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Single Sets Versus Multiple Sets of Exercise</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=741</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=741</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

An
initial
consultation
with
a
prospective
Total
Results
client
is
very
comprehensive
and
information-dense.
 The
most
important
aspects
of
that
hour-long
meeting
are
to
connect
with
and
better
understand
the
prospective
client's
needs,
but
also
to
learn
about
their
medical
history
and
to
explain
areas
of
preliminary
consideration
(which
covers
safety
and
expectations).
 Those
are
non-negotiable
and
must
be
discussed
before
we
even
go
into
the
workout
room.
 I
also
will
give
a
general
overview
of
our
exercise
philosophy
and
briefly
touch
on
the
fact
that
our
workouts
are
brief,
infrequent,
and
intense.
 Most
people
initially
have
a
difficult
time
wrapping
their
minds
around
the
fact
that
our
sessions
typically
entail
six
or
seven
exercises
and
last
about
twenty
minutes.
 Even
in
2025
this
concept
runs
counter
to
what
most
people
in
the
exercise
field
are
doing
-
traditional
weight
training
workouts
take
longer
to
complete
and
are
performed
more
frequently.
 Why
do
we
use
only
one
set
of
each
exercise,
and
is
it
wrong
to
perform
multiple
sets?


 


Essentially,
there
are
two
philosophies
in
weight
training:
the
volume
approach
and
the
inroad
theory
of
exercise.
 The
volume
approach
has
its
origins
in
the
bodybuilding
world,
where
trainees
lift
weights
anywhere
from
three
to
six
times
per
week
and
split
up
their
routines
by
body
parts
(back
and
biceps
on
one
day,
legs
on
another
day,
chest
and
triceps
on
a
third,
etc.).
Typically,
multiple
sets
of
each
exercise
are
performed,
sometimes
going
to
the
point
of
muscular
failure,
but
other
times
completing
an
arbitrary
number
of
repetitions
per
set.
 Workouts
can
last
beyond
90
minutes,
but
the
thinking
is
that
a
high
volume
of
exercise
will
stimulate
muscular
growth.
 This
excessively
high
volume
approach
has
only
gained
popularity
within
the
last
half
century;
old-time
bodybuilders
of
yesteryear
used
much
lower
volume
than
the
enthusiasts
of
today.
 To
be
fair,
a
couple
of
well-known
bodybuilders
actually
bucked
the
trend
of
the
industry
and
trained
with
much
lower
volume
and
frequency.
 Dorian
Yates
won
six
consecutive
Mr.
Olympia
competitions
in
the
1990s
by
using
a
more
high-intensity
approach.
 Mike
Mentzer
developed
a
low-volume
and
high
intensity
approach
that
he
called
Heavy
Duty,
and
he
was
very
successful
in
the
1970s
(most
observers
believed
he
should
have
beaten
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
in
the
1980
Mr.
Olympia
contest).



 


The
problems
with
the
volume
approach
to
weight
training
are
multifold.
 Most
of
these
workouts
are
performed
without
a
regard
for
speed
of
movement,
and
faster
speeds
lead
to
greater
force,
which
is
the
root
cause
of
any
acute
injury.
 Consequently,
a
greater
volume
of
exercise
will
overtax
the
already
finite
recovery
ability
that
most
people
have,
thus
increasing
the
risk
of
overtraining,
stagnation
(or
reversal)
of
progress,
illness,
and
overuse
injury.
 Professional
bodybuilders
and
competitive
athletes
that
look
muscular
and
fit
when
training
in
this
fashion
usually
do
so
as
a
result
of
having
favorable
genetics
and/or
taking
performance-enhancing
drugs.
 Finally,
this
approach
requires
more
time
spent
in
the
gym
in
one
week
than
most
people
can
spare.
 Ask
yourself:
is
it
realistic
to
spend
90
minutes
in
the
gym
3-5
times
per
week
and
still
have
a
meaningful
life?
 


The
inroad
theory
of
exercise
(which
is
what
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
built
upon)
has
its
roots
in
the
classic
sciences
of
biology,
chemistry,
physics,
muscle
physiology,
and
concepts
of
motor
learning.
 It
starts
with
the
understanding
that
the
body
wants
to
do
whatever
it
can
to
maintain
the
status
quo,
so
if
you
want
to
create
significant
and
lasting
physical
change
you
must
give
the
body
a
very
good
reason
to
adapt.
 This
is
the
very
point
of
training
in
a
high-intensity
fashion;
by
utilizing
a
slow
speed
of
movement
we
eliminate
momentum
and
force
the
muscles
to
contract
with
a
greater
amount
of
effort.
 Intensity
can
be
defined
as
inroad
(depth
of
the
fatigue
of
a
fresh
muscle's
strength)
divided
by
time.
 We
take
each
exercise
to
the
point
of
and
beyond
muscular
failure,
which
ensures
that
we
have
done
everything
in
our
power
to
deeply
fatigue
the
group
of
muscles
involved
in
a
given
exercise.
 This
is
the
stimulus
that
we
seek,
and
it
is
what
the
body
interprets
as
an
existential
threat
to
mobilize
its
resources
to
make
physical
improvements.
 


 


Why
do
we
only
use
one
set
per
exercise?
 Dr.
Doug
McGuff,
an
emergency
room
physician,
owner
of
Ultimate
Exercise
exercise
studio,
and
author
of
"Body
by
Science"
and
Ultimate
Exercise
Volume
1"
discusses
how
exercise
has
a
narrow
therapeutic
window.
 This
is
really
the
same
principle
as
is
used
(or
should
be
used)
in
prescribing
medication.
 Not
enough
of
the
drug
will
not
produce
any
positive
effect,
while
too
much
of
a
drug
will
cause
a
toxic
reaction.
 Most
people
require
a
lot
less
exercise
than
they
realize,
and
often
sacrifice
meaningful
effort
for
a
high-volume
approach.
 We
should
strive
for
the
minimum
dose
of
exercise
necessary
to
elicit
the
adaptive
response,
which
lends
credence
to
the
idea
of
performing
shorter
and
more
intense
workouts
less
frequently.
Further,
performing
multiple
sets
of
an
exercise
is
redundant,
especially
if
you
train
to
failure.
Going
to
failure
is
the
stimulus
that
was
needed,
but
completing
two
more
sets
does
not
go
beyond
the
initial
stimulus;
it
simply
reintroduces
the
same
stimulus
(and
likely
less
effectively)
multiple
times.
 Lastly,
we
want
to
keep
cortisol
levels
from
becoming
elevated.
 Cortisol
is
a
stress
hormone,
and
elevated
levels
can
result
in
anxiety
or
depression,
high
blood
pressure,
weight
gain,
and
poor
sleep.
 The
high-volume
approach
can
lead
to
these
negative
changes.
 On
a
lighter
note,
Arthur
Jones
(founder
of
Nautilus
and
the
father
of
high-intensity
training)
told
a
story
in
his
autobiography
about
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
visiting
the
Nautilus
headquarters
sometime
during
the
1970s
when
he
was
at
the
peak
of
his
bodybuilding
career.
 It
was
not
uncommon
for
several
of
the
top
competitors
of
the
era
to
workout
at
Nautilus
from
time
to
time,
but
Jones
recounted
that
Schwarzenegger
left
the
compound
very
abruptly
because
the
workouts
were
too
demanding
for
him.
I
guess
he
preferred
his
old
high-volume
approach.


 


Multiple
research
studies
support
the
idea
that
single
sets
of
exercise
are
preferable
to
multiple
sets.
 A
study
performed
in
2024
by
Brad
Schoenfeld
concludes
that
one
set
of
exercise
taken
to
failure
can
produce
better
muscular
growth
compared
to
two
submaximal-effort
sets.
 Two
30-minute
sessions
was
all
that
it
took.
 The
link
to
the
study
can
be
found
here:


https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/484/1032.
 Wayne
Westcott
and
Richard
Wientt
conducted
two
studies
in
2001
that
examined
the
difference
between
training
with
a
faster
speed
of
movement
versus
a
slower
speed.
 In
both
cases,
the
slower-speed
group
produced
better
results.
 This
study
can
be
found
here:



https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11894824_Effects_of_regular_and_slow_speed_resistance_training_on_muscle_strength.


 


Most
people
in
the
gym
simply
do
not
work
that
hard,
because
it
is
much
easier
to
perform
multiple
sets
of
an
exercise
than
one,
intense,
and
properly
executed
set.
 It
requires
more
effort,
focus,
and
discipline
to
give
your
all
for
twenty
minutes,
and
then
get
out
of
the
way
and
allow
the
body
to
do
what
it
needs
to
do.
 Time
is
a
factor
as
well,
and
while
intense
workouts
are
psychologically
and
physically
challenging,
they
are
also
shorter
and
more
sustainable
over
the
long
term.
 After
all,
isn't
uninterrupted
meaningful
progress
what
you
really
want?
 Let
Total
Results
show
you
the
way.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Perfect Workout - An Elusive Postulation</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=737</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=737</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
thing
that
I
have
learned
from
coaching
football
over
the
last
two
years
is
that
things
rarely
go
exactly
according
to
plan.
 When
you
draw
up
a
play
on
a
whiteboard
it
may
look
great,
but
when
it
is
executed
in
a
game
(or
even
in
practice)
it
seldom
looks
just
like
it
was
drawn
up.
 Sure,
you
have
a
philosophy
and
a
game
plan
to
prepare
for
an
opponent,
but
successful
coaches
know
how
to
go
off
script
and
adjust
as
the
game
goes
along.
 In
a
sense,
the
same
holds
true
in
exercise.
 Both
the
client
and
the
instructor
may
have
a
vision
in
the
days
or
moments
leading
up
to
the
workout
of
how
the
things
will
unfold,
but
we
all
know
that
there
are
variables
in
life
that
will
impact
your
preparation
and
focus.
 In
theory
we
may
strive
for
perfection,
but
we
must
understand
that
it
will
remain
just
beyond
our
grasp.
 



 


"Life
is
difficult."
 That
is
the
first
sentence
of
the
book
"The
Road
Less
Traveled",
written
by
M.
Scott
Peck.
 I
started
reading
the
book
after
hearing
former
Alabama
football
coach
Nick
Saban
talk
about
it
in
a
lecture
that
he
gave
several
years
ago.
 The
author,
who
passed
away
in
2005,
was
a
psychiatrist
who
wrote
extensively
about
personal
and
spiritual
development,
and
the
first
line
of
this
well-known
book
perfectly
encapsulates
what
we
need
to
understand
about
the
nature
of
life
or
undertaking
any
meaningful
or
worthwhile
endeavor.
 Life

is

difficult,
and
it
is
not
meant
to
be
easy.
 Any
significant
accomplishment
in
your
life
was
likely
the
product
of
effort,
focus,
and
a
drive
to
succeed.
 Dr.
Peck
goes
on
to
say
that,
"When
we
extend
ourselves,
when
we
take
an
extra
step
or
walk
an
extra
mile,
we
do
so
in
opposition
to
the
inertia
of
laziness
or
the
resistance
of
fear.
 Extension
of
ourselves
or
moving
out
against
the
inertia
of
laziness
we
call
work.
 Moving
out
in
the
face
of
fear
we
call
courage.
 Love,
then,
is
a
form
of
work
or
a
form
of
courage."
 Interestingly
enough,
he
also
makes
reference
to
exercise
in
the
book,
stating,
"No
matter
how
dedicated
we
are
to
spiritual
development,
we
also
need
rest
and
relaxation,
exercise
and
distraction."


 


If
we
expect
to
find
perfection
in
a
workout
and
do
not
achieve
it,
we
will
become
discouraged.
 One
question
I
often
pose
to
new
clients
is,
"How
do
you
define
success?"
 The
answer
to
that
question
will
help
me
to
understand
a
client's
mindset
and
how
best
to
instruct
them.
 I
believe
one
should
focus
more
on
the
process
than
the
outcome
of
an
exercise
or
a
workout.
 The
process
is
something
that
is
more
within
your
control,
while
the
outcome
may
or
may
not
be.
 Hall
of
Fame
basketball
coach
John
Wooden,
who
led
UCLA
to
ten
national
championships
in
twelve
years,
never
talked
to
his
players
about
the
score
or
about
winning
the
game.
 Rather,
he
focused
on
teaching
and
preparing
his
players
to
be
the
best
that
they
could
be.
 He
was
never
obsessed
with
winning
or
losing;
instead,
he
would
be
happy
if
the
team
played
well
and
would
be
upset
if
he
felt
they
did
not
play
as
well
as
they
were
capable.
 The
score
was
not
important,
and
Wooden's
mindset
was
process-driven,
not
results-driven.
 Wooden
was
way
ahead
of
his
time
in
terms
of
praising
effort,
when
most
of
his
colleagues
suffered
the
highs
and
lows
of
worrying
about
wins
and
losses.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
really
no
different.
 Confidence
is
built,
and
achievement
occurs
as
a
result
of
putting
in
great
effort
and
doing
the
right
things
session
by
session,
week
after
week,
and
month
after
month.
 A
workout
is
as
much
a
mental
experience
as
it
is
a
physical
undertaking.
 If
you
focus
on
the
process,
the
end
result
will
take
care
of
itself.


 


How
you
handle
adversity
speaks
volumes.
 Life
will
throw
challenges
at
you
that
you
may
or
may
not
be
ready
for,
and
how
you
respond
to
those
challenges
will
tell
the
tale.
 Very
rarely
in
life
are
we
going
to
feel
100
percent,
and
you
can't
just
show
up
for
workouts
when
you
feel
inspired.
 I
will
share
a
personal
anecdote
about
my
workout
on
January
8th,
2025.
 I
was
physically
prepared:
 I
had
slept
well
the
previous
few
nights,
my
nutrition
was
good,
and
I
had
not
consumed
any
alcohol
in
over
a
week.
 Mentally,
I
was
great,
except
I
forgot
to
bring
my
workout
clothes
to
the
office!
 This
has
only
happened
to
me
one
time
that
I
can
recall
in
25
years
in
the
business.
 As
a
result,
I
worked
out
in
dress
slacks,
a
t-shirt,
and
wing-tip
shoes;
far
from
optimal,
but
I
still
managed
to
achieve
something
meaningful.
 In
this
case,
the
stage
was
not
set
for
a
perfect
workout,
but
the
outcome
was
still
positive.
 Sometimes,
you
just
have
to
grind
it
out.


 


We
strive
for
perfection
knowing
that
it
is
unattainable,
but
we
hope
to
fall
short
of
perfection
and
achieve
excellence.
 Seldom
will
a
client
go
up
in
time
under
load
or
weight
on
every
single
exercise
of
a
given
workout,
but
that
certainly
doesn't
detract
from
the
effort
that
they
put
forth.
 Sure,
I
have
had
conversations
with
clients
after
workouts
when
they
tell
me
they
felt
like
they
were
totally
locked
in
and
hit
all
the
right
notes,
so
to
speak.
 More
often
than
not,
they
simply
buckle
down
and
give
everything
they
have,
regardless
of
the
outcome.
 That
is
all
that
anyone
can
ask
of
themselves.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Why Can&#039;t I Move the Leg Press?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=736</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=736</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
Total
Results
clients
can
relate
to
the
following
scenario.
 You
have
just
completed
the
first
exercise
of
your
workout,
which
is
usually
either
the
Seated
Leg
Curl
or
the
Abduction/Adduction
combination.
 Your
hip
and
knee
joints
are
sufficiently
warmed
up
(which
is
largely
why
we
perform
these
exercises
first
in
the
routine),
and
now
you
position
yourself
to
start
the
Leg
Press.
 When
given
the
cue
from
your
instructor
to
begin
the
exercise,
you
start
to
gradually
apply
pressure
to
the
foot
board
to
overcome
inertia
and
get
the
movement
arm
into
motion.
 However,
something
happens.
 In
spite
of
your
best
effort,
you
find
that
you
cannot
budge
the
carriage
of
the
machine.
 How
could
this
be?


 


This
has
happened
to
me
a
few
times
over
the
years,
and
I
can
assure
you
that
there
is
nothing
wrong
with
you
if
you
experience
this
unfortunate
circumstance.
 No,
you
didn't
lose
muscle
since
your
previous
workout.
 This
is
not
an
altogether
uncommon
situation,
and
there
are
a
few
possible
explanations
for
why
it
takes
place.
 The
Leg
Press
is
the
largest,
most
challenging,
and
probably
most
important
exercise
that
you
will
ever
perform,
and
it
has
the
greatest
overall
effect
on
your
metabolism.
 We
perform
this
exercise
near
the
beginning
of
the
workout,
simply
because
we
want
to
exercise
the
lower
body
muscles
when
your
body
is
relatively
fresh.
 If
your
body
is
not
properly
recovered
due
to
excessive
physical
activity,
poor
sleep,
or
insufficient
nutrition,
this
can
leave
you
at
less
than
full
strength
for
your
workout.
 Consequently,
you
might
have
trouble
moving
out
of
the
bottom
out
position.


 


What
is
another
reason
you
can't
move
the
Leg
Press?
 In
my
experience,
it
is
largely
a
mental
phenomenon.
 I
have
said
many
times
that
the
mental
component
of
exercise
should
never
be
underestimated,
and
you
need
to
have
a
sharpened
intellectual
focus
in
order
to
optimize
your
workout
experience.
 If
your
mind
is
not
in
the
right
place,
then
you
will
not
be
prepared
to
grasp
how
much
effort
is
required
to
overcome
inertia.
 There
can
sometimes
be
a
slight
delay
between
when
your
brain
sends
the
impulse
to
the
muscles
to
fire
(contract)
and
when
movement
of
the
movement
arm
actually
begins.
 In
reality,
this
all
takes
place
in
fractions
of
a
second,
but
in
your
perception
it
feels
like
it
takes
much
longer.
 When
movement
doesn't
happen
instantaneously
it
can
become
a
self-perpetuating
scenario,
and
once
you
think
you
can't
do
something,
you
can't
do
it.
 This
is
why
it
is
important
to
always
believe
in
yourself,
and
one
of
the
most
important
aspects
of
my
job
as
an
instructor
is
to
provide
encouragement
to
the
clients
that
I
supervise.
 Additionally,
this
scenario
is
one
reason
why
I
will
rarely
tell
clients
in
advance
when
I
have
raised
their
weight,
as
I
do
not
want
to
cause
them
to
have
a
mental
block.


 


How
can
we
work
around
this?
 In
a
pinch
I
can
have
the
client
start
the
exercise
from
the
endpoint
rather
than
the
starting
point
by
pulling
the
carriage
all
the
way
out
and
handing
it
off
to
them.
 If
that
doesn't
work,
we
can
utilize
a
Timed
Static
Contraction
for
that
workout.
 More
often
than
not,
this
is
a
one-time
thing
and
it
is
not
an
ongoing
issue.
 If
this
happens
for
several
workouts
in
a
row,
the
next
option
is
to
slightly
reduce
the
weight.
 More
than
anything
else,
it
helps
the
trainee
to
regain
their
confidence
in
performing
the
movement.
I
would
rather
a
client
use
less
weight
but
start
the
exercise
from
the
bottom
out
position
than
start
at
the
end
point
and
use
a
higher
poundage.
 


 


I
believe
that
one
of
the
greatest
privileges
of
life
is
having
a
challenge
to
overcome.
 Once
the
challenge
of
life
is
gone,
things
tend
to
go
downhill.
 You
have
a
tremendous
opportunity
at
Total
Results
to
rise
to
the
occasion.
 Doing
hard
mental
and
physical
things
sharpens
your
fortitude
and
your
ability
to
overcome
adversity;
you
get
the
best
of
both
worlds
in
our
facility.
 Mentally
prepare
in
advance
of
your
workout,
and
accept
the
fact
that
while
it
will
be
uncomfortable,
you
will
come
out
of
it
better
on
the
other
side.
 The
Leg
Press
is
the
biggest
challenge
that
we
face
at
Total
Results,
but
it
is
not
insurmountable.
 You
can
do
this!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Lessons Learned Over 25 Years in Exercise</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=735</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=735</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Knowledge
is
important,
but
people
don't
care
how
much
you
know
until
they
know
how
much
you
care.
 That
is
just
one
of
the
many
important
lessons
that
I
have
learned
over
the
course
of
my
25
years
in
the
exercise
business.
 There
is
no
greater
teacher
in
this
world
than
experience,
and
I
have
made
more
mistakes
than
I
care
to
admit.
 I
have
tried
my
best
to
learn
from
those
mistakes
so
that
I
do
not
repeat
them,
and
I
truly
believe
that
if
you
have
not
failed
at
something,
then
you
haven't
tried.
 It
has
been
an
interesting
and
fulfilling
journey,
and
it
is
one
that
I
believe
is
just
getting
started.


 


When
I
began
my
career
as
an
instructor
I
was
fresh
out
of
college,
quite
green,
and
knew
very
little
about
what
constituted
proper
exercise.
 Fortunately,
I
had
a
couple
things
working
in
my
favor:
a
natural
curiosity
and
a
desire
to
learn.
 This
is
how
I
came
across
the
Super
Slow
Exercise
Protocol,
which
is
what
the
Total
Results
methodology
is
based
upon.
 I
worked
in
commercial
gyms
for
several
years
attempting
to
apply
this
philosophy
to
the
clients
I
was
working
with,
and
what
I
came
to
realize
is
that
equipment
and
the
studio
environment
matter.
 The
exercise
equipment
should
be
made
with
the
protocol
in
mind,
and
while
you
can
perform
the
Total
Results
protocol
with
a
variety
of
different
equipment,
the
exercise
experience
is
not
the
same
if
you
are
using
machines
with
backward
cams
and
poorly
designed
movement
arms.
Working
with
Super
Slow
Systems
and
MedX
equipment
changed
everything.
The
same
holds
true
for
the
exercise
environment.
 I
struggled
for
years
in
trying
to
get
clients
to
focus
while
dealing
with
distractions
like
mirrors,
crowds,
music,
and
warm
temperatures.
 A
private
and
clinically-controlled
environment
is
necessary
so
that
the
client
and
the
instructor
can
completely
focus
on
the
task
at
hand.
 I
developed
a
much
greater
appreciation
for
these
aspects
of
the
exercise
experience
when
I
went
to
work
at
Fairfax
Racquet
Club
and
Total
Results,
and
have
come
to
view
them
as
non-negotiables.


 


After
completing
a
few
lower-level
exercise
certifications,
I
earned
my
first
Super
Slow
Exercise
Instructor
certification
in
2004.
 This
involved
six
months
of
study
and
an
internship
at
Exercise
Defined
in
Georgetown
under
the
tutelage
of
a
Master
Instructor,
and
I
was
an
idealistic
new
instructor
who
did
things
exactly
as
Ken
Hutchins
did
them.
 In
fact,
I
can
still
remember
the
instructional
scripts
that
I
had
to
memorize
for
my
practical
exam.
 Over
time,
I
learned
to
adopt
my
own
teaching
style
and
verbiage
to
best
fit
my
personality.
 I
am
grateful
that
my
former
boss
Tim
Rankin
gave
me
a
lot
of
independence
and
plenty
of
room
to
make
mistakes.
 Long
and
drawn
out
explanations,
while
appreciated
by
some
clients,
can
often
seem
boring
and
overwhelming
to
others,
so
a
balance
must
be
struck.
 This
has
helped
me
to
still
be
thorough
while
also
more
efficient
when
performing
initial
consultations.
 


 


It
is
important
to
be
a
good
listener;
this
is
something
that
we
often
think
of
as
a
passive
activity,
but
it
is
really
quite
the
opposite.
 Over
the
last
few
years
I
have
worked
to
become
a
better
listener,
to
simply
hear
what
a
client
has
to
say
rather
than
rush
in
with
a
response.
 Clients
need
to
feel
that
their
concerns
are
being
heard,
and
listening
is
the
best
way
to
learn.
 There
were
times
when
I
wasn't
such
a
great
listener,
when
I
felt
that
what
I
had
to
say
was
more
important.
 Consequently,
I
have
lost
clients
over
the
years
because
of
poor
listening.
 Asking
clients
periodically
for
feedback
gives
them
a
feeling
of
investment,
and
we
want
them
to
know
that
they
have
some
say
in
the
direction
of
their
workouts.
 I
have
learned
that
conducting
regular
check-ins
and
holding
brief
conversations
now
can
stave
off
potential
problems
down
the
road.
 There
is
still
a
need
to
occasionally
have
some
tough
conversations,
but
if
there
is
an
environment
of
openness
and
honesty,
clients
are
much
more
likely
to
take
on
a
mindset
of
ownership
and
accountability.


 


Less
is
more
when
it
comes
to
exercise
instruction.
 I
often
tell
clients
that
one
of
their
goals
should
be
to
get
me
to
shut
up,
because
it
means
that
they
are
executing
better
and
there
are
fewer
form
discrepancies
for
me
to
correct.
 In
turn,
this
allows
me
to
conserve
energy
over
the
course
of
a
long
day.
 When
I
prepared
to
take
my
practical
exam
I
had
the
tendency
to
overcorrect
and
talk
too
much;
in
fact,
my
Master
Instructor
had
to
tell
me
to
stop
babbling
and
say
less.
 She
was
100
percent
right.
 I
have
learned
to
correct
only
when
necessary,
and
that
sometimes
pre-emptive
corrections
go
a
long
way.
 One
of
the
most
challenging
concepts
that
I
had
to
understand
is
that
not
everyone
is
as
enthusiastic
about
exercise
as
I
am.
 Some
clients
are
very
excited
about
the
possibilities
of
what
Total
Results
can
do
for
them,
while
most
trainees
see
this
simply
as
a
means
to
an
end.
 I
used
to
grow
frustrated
when
I
perceived
that
some
of
the
people
that
I
instructed
simply
didn't
seem
to
have
the
same
sense
of
urgency
about
exercise
that
I
did.
 Over
time
I
have
come
to
recognize
that
every
client
has
their
own
personality
and
their
own
values.
 It
is
my
job
to
adapt
my
approach
to
best
meet
their
needs,
while
at
the
same
time
staying
true
to
our
guiding
philosophy.
 


 


I
am
still
just
as
passionate
about
exercise
as
I
was
when
my
journey
began
over
25
years
ago.
 If
anything,
the
passage
of
time
has
helped
me
to
become
more
appreciative
and
realize
how
fortunate
I
am
to
be
able
to
do
this
for
a
living.
 There
is
less
rigidity
in
my
instructional
mindset
and
I
am
far
more
adaptable
than
I
was
earlier
in
my
career,
which
has
probably
gone
a
long
way
toward
preserving
my
sanity.
 At
the
same
time
I
must
continue
to
learn
and
grow,
and
never
be
satisfied
enough
to
rest
on
my
laurels.
 Thank
you
to
all
the
people
who
have
helped
me
along
the
way,
and
thank
you
to
all
the
clients
that
I
have
had
the
privilege
to
work
with
over
the
years.
 The
best
is
yet
to
come!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Mistakes That I Have Made as a Trainee</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=734</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=734</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Hall
of
Fame
basketball
coach
Pat
Riley
says
that
life
is
a
continuous
learning
process.
 If
you
don't
strive
to
get
better,
you
are
bound
to
get
worse.
 I
approach
exercise
with
a
similar
mindset.
 There
is
no
greater
teacher
than
experience,
and
while
everything
that
I
have
learned
over
the
years
has
come
from
somewhere
else,
some
lessons
have
been
learned
the
hard
way.
 After
talking
with
other
exercise
instructors
over
the
years
I
have
discovered
that
my
early
interest
in
weight
training
was
similar
to
others
that
have
gone
on
to
work
in
this
profession.
 The
many
mistakes
that
I
have
made
over
the
years
as
far
as
my
exercise
routine
is
concerned
have
hopefully
made
me
a
little
wiser,
and
have
enabled
me
to
pass
along
what
I
have
learned.


 


My
first
exposure
to
weight
training
was
in
8th
grade
PE
class,
when
we
did
a
unit
on
circuit
training.
 It
was
nothing
too
in-depth,
just
some
rudimentary
explanation
about
a
series
of
basic
exercises
on
a
Universal
machine,
but
it
spurred
my
interest
enough
to
continue
training
that
summer
in
preparation
for
9th
grade
football.
 As
I
progressed
through
high
school
I
continued
to
weight
train
year-round
in
the
PE
class
that
football
players
were
expected
to
take.
 We
were
supervised
by
one
of
our
football
coaches,
but
there
was
no
real
scientific
teaching
or
much
in
the
way
of
structure.
 Even
though
there
was
very
little
record
keeping,
we
managed
to
become
stronger
as
a
by-product
of
being
teenagers
going
through
puberty
and
having
some
exposure
to
weight
training.
 The
biggest
mistake
that
I
made
during
this
time
period
was
in
not
having
a
better
understanding
of
nutrition
and
hydration.
 Looking
back,
I
definitely
did
not
drink
enough
water
(this
was
before
I
knew
how
bad
soft
drinks
are
for
you),
nor
did
I
consume
enough
of
the
quality
protein
that
is
necessary
for
building
muscle.
 


 


My
football
career
continued
for
a
few
years
in
college,
as
did
my
weight
training.
 I
was
still
as
skinny
as
a
rail
-
maybe
170
pounds
-
but
I
did
have
access
to
decent
food
in
the
dining
hall.
 Once
I
stopped
playing
football
my
weight
training
became
intermittent;
some
weeks
I
would
workout
and
others
I
would
not.
 There
were
weeks
with
no
activity
at
all,
and
I
definitely
was
not
getting
the
full
benefit
of
the
gym
membership
that
I
was
paying
for.
 This
was
my
big
mistake
at
the
time
-
not
having
a
plan,
the
drive,
or
the
understanding
of
the
benefits
I
was
missing
out
on.
 After
I
finished
college
I
took
a
job
as
a
personal
trainer
at
Washington
Sports
Club.


 


Here
I
had
access
to
a
large
facility
and
what
I
thought
was
excellent
equipment
(it
was
in
short
order
that
I
learned
otherwise).
 This
was
where
I
crafted
an
exercise
routine
straight
out
of
the
glossy
pages
of
Muscle
and
Fitness
magazine:
 four
to
five
days
a
week
of
weight
training
with
a
split
routine
and
different
body
parts
on
each
day.
 Multiple
sets
of
each
movement
and
multiple
movements
for
the
same
muscle
groups.
 Sheer
madness!
 There
were
so
many
mistakes
during
this
period
of
my
training
life
that
it
may
be
difficult
to
point
them
all
out.
 I
will
do
my
best,
though.
 For
one,
I
am
embarrassed
at
my
inability
to
think
critically
during
this
period.
 I
should
have
known
better
than
to
follow
the
examples
of
genetically
gifted
people
who
did
not
know
the
first
thing
about
the
way
the
body
adapts
to
imposed
stress.
 Along
those
lines,
I
had
a
poor
understanding
of
the
role
that
genetics
plays
in
physical
adaptations.
 I
was
training
with
way
too
much
volume
of
exercise
and
not
nearly
enough
intensity.
 The
speed
of
movement
that
I
used
with
each
exercise
was
the
standard
Nautilus
protocol
of
two
seconds
lifting
the
weight
and
four
seconds
lowering
it.
 This
was
better
than
most
of
the
gym
rats
that
were
around
me
but
was
still
entirely
too
fast,
and
I
am
fortunate
that
I
did
not
suffer
any
serious
injuries.
 Because
of
the
insane
frequency
with
which
I
trained,
I
found
myself
getting
sick
with
colds
and
flu
more
frequently;
I
was
overtrained
and
under-recovered,
thus
stretching
the
limits
of
my
immune
system.
 Too
much
variety
in
exercise
leads
to
an
inability
to
master
anything
significant.
 As
a
result
of
all
of
these
mistakes
I
wasted
what
could
have
been
several
productive
years
in
my
20s
by
barking
up
the
wrong
tree.
 Fortunately,
fate
intervened.


 


I
was
introduced
to
Ken
Hutchins'
Super
Slow
Exercise
Protocol
by
a
good
friend
of
mine,
and
almost
immediately
I
knew
that
I
had
stumbled
onto
something
big.
 This
required
some
unlearning
of
a
lot
of
the
misguided
ideas
that
I
mistook
for
exercise
truths.
 I
made
better
physical
improvements
more
quickly
and
in
less
time
per
week
than
I
did
by
using
conventional
bodybuilding
dogma.
 Most
importantly
I
was
not
overtraining,
so
I
rarely
got
sick,
and
because
I
was
using
a
10/10
speed
there
was
virtually
no
risk
for
injury.
 Still,
there
were
a
few
mistakes
that
I
made
during
this
period.
 The
first
was
not
learning
about
this
methodology
sooner!
 Second,
it
took
me
longer
than
it
should
have
to
recognize
the
importance
that
equipment
design
makes
in
terms
of
the
exercise
experience,
but
once
I
did
my
first
workout
with
MedX
and
Super
Slow
Systems
equipment
I
could
not
go
back
to
using
regular
gym
equipment.
 Lastly,
even
after
I
embraced
a
slow-speed,
high-intensity
exercise
philosophy,
it
took
me
a
while
to
come
to
grips
with
the
mental
components
of
exercise:
focus,
demeanor,
and
attitude.
 These
are
things
that
I
still
work
on
to
this
very
day.


 


Just
because
I
instruct
exercise
for
a
living
doesn't
mean
that
I
haven't
made
mistakes
along
the
way
when
it
comes
to
my
own
training
routine.
 Mistakes
can
perhaps
be
better
classified
as
learning
experiences,
and
I
am
certainly
a
work
in
progress.
 We
grow
by
learning
from
mistakes
and
by
working
to
not
repeat
them.
 Learning
never
stops.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The One-Minute Cure&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=733</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=733</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Madison
Cavanaugh
is
an
author
and
researcher
with
over
40
years
of
experience
as
a
journalist
in
the
health
and
wellness
genre.
 Most
of
her
work
is
written
under
a
pseudonym
in
order
to
protect
her
privacy
and
guard
against
attacks
coming
from
the
medical
establishment.
 She
has
published
eight
books,
including
"The
One-Minute
Cure"
which
was
first
published
in
2008.
 The
second
edition
was
released
in
2021,
right
in
the
middle
of
the
Covid
hysteria.
 


 


The
central
focus
of
the
book
is
hydrogen
peroxide
therapy,
which
has
been
used
by
15,000
European
doctors,
has
been
in
existence
for
180
years,
and
is
backed
by
over
91,000
studies
that
are
currently
in
circulation.
 Hydrogen
peroxide
therapy
has
healed
millions
of
patients
suffering
from
a
multitude
of
diseases,
yet
the
American
medical
establishment
minimizes,
mocks,
and
even
prohibits
the
administration
of
this
therapy
with
the
threat
of
license
revocation.
 This
is
because
the
medical
cartel
(including
insurance
companies,
hospitals,
pharmaceutical
companies,
and
doctors)
see
hydrogen
peroxide
therapy
as
something
that
can
disrupt
their
gravy
train,
and
more
money
can
be
made
by
treating
patients
rather
than
curing
them
or
promoting
preventative
measures.
 As
Ms.
Cavanaugh
states
in
the
very
first
chapter,
"It
simply
points
to
an
ineffective
medical
system
that
is
focused
on
illness
rather
than
wellness,
that
promotes
expensive
(i.e.,
profit-driven),
invasive,
and
potentially
dangerous
(or
even
deadly)
medical
procedures,
drugs
or
treatments
rather
than
simple,
natural,
inexpensive,
effective
treatments
or
therapies
that
have
no
side
effects."
 It
is
also
important
to
note
that
over
100,000
people
die
every
year
as
a
result
of
taking
"properly
prescribed"
medications
in
hospitals.


 


What
is
hydrogen
peroxide
therapy
and
how
does
it
work?
 First,
it
is
critical
that
we
understand
the
importance
of
oxygen
in
the
human
body.
 The
author
says
that,
"...oxygen
comprises
62%
to
71%
of
the
body,
and
is
the
body's
most
abundant
and
essential
element."
 Furthermore,
"Ninety
(90%)
percent
of
all
our
biological
energy
comes
from
oxygen."
 We
can
survive
for
weeks
without
food
and
days
without
water,
but
we
will
die
in
just
a
few
minutes
with
insufficient
oxygen.
 This
therapy
involves
either
ingesting
or
inhaling

a
diluted
amount
of
35%
food-grade
hydrogen
peroxide


daily.
Ms.
Cavanaugh
explains:
"...hydrogen
peroxide
stimulates
the
movement
of
oxygen
atoms
from
the
bloodstream
to
the
cells
to
a
dramatically
greater
degree
than
is
usually
reached
by
other
means.
 It
does
this
by
increasing
oxygen
and
hemoglobin
dissociation,
thereby

maximizing
the
delivery
of
oxygen
from
the
blood
to
the
cells.
 This
delivery
of
the
oxygen
to
the
cells
and
tissues
is
essential
for
creating
the
oxygen
boost
necessary
to
maintaining
a
healthy
environment
that
is
inhospitable
to
disease
(author's
emphasis)."
 Dr.
Christian
Barnard,
who
completed
the
first
successful
heart
transplant
surgery
in
1986,
recommended
hydrogen
peroxide
therapy
to
his
patients
in
order
to
treat
arthritis
and
other
conditions
related
to
aging.
 This
therapy
has
been
used
successfully
in
treating
COPD,
cardiovascular
disease,
cancer,
and
Type
II
diabetes.


 


How
can
you
use
this
therapy
at
home?
 One
of
the
best
things
about
it
is
that
you
don't
have
to
go
to
a
doctor's
office
or
a
hospital
in
order
to
receive
treatment.
 If
you
plan
to
ingest
the
hydrogen
peroxide
orally,
the
book
provides
a
helpful
dosage
chart
that
you
can
use
to
reach
therapeutic
levels
in
your
body,
and
then
a
maintenance
dose
to
use
thereafter.
 Add
a
few
drops
to
distilled
water
as
prescribed.
 If
the
taste
is
a
problem,
you
can
instead
inhale
the
diluted
hydrogen
peroxide
through
a
portable
nebulizer.
 This
is
the
favored
intervention
of
Dr.
Joseph
Mercola
for
acute
viral
illnesses,
and
is
an
extremely
effective
treatment
for
Covid-19.
 Dr.
Mercola
recommends
adding
in
a
pinch
of
Himalayan
sea
salt
to
add
electrolytes
and
protect
against
any
potential
lung
damage.
 Hydrogen
peroxide
can
also
be
administered
intravenously,
but
that
is
probably
not
logistically
feasible
for
most
people
to
do
at
home.


 


Is
hydrogen
peroxide
therapy
too
good
to
be
true?
 Like
many
of
you
I
have
become
skeptical
about
many
things,
but
I
pride
myself
on
being
able
to
keep
an
open
mind.
 However,
I
have
to
admit
that
when
I
saw
the
words
"The
world's
greatest
healing
miracle
of
all
time"
on
the
book
cover,
I
was
a
little
put
off.
 Still,
the
fact
that
the
book
was
recommended
to
me
by
a
friend
who
shares
with
me
a
disdain
for
the
medical
establishment
and
whose
opinion
I
trust
was
enough
for
me
to
read
it.
 I
found
that
Ms.
Cavanaugh's
work
is
thoroughly
engaging
and
thought
provoking,
and
I
think
we
could
be
onto
something.
 There
is
an
extensive
bibliography
as
well
as
a
list
of
resources
and
providers
by
state.
 I
would
like
to
do
more
research
before
I
start
utilizing
the
therapy
myself,
and
have
purchased
two
other
books
on
the
subject.
 Naturally,
I
will
share
my
findings
with
all
of
you,
but
for
now
I
think
"The
One-Minute
Cure"
is
definitely
worth
reading.





Finally,
I
will
leave
you
with
a
quote
from
Ms.
Cavanaugh
that
is
sure
to
at
least
make
you
think
critically.
 She
says,
"The
irony
of
it
all
is
that

more
people
have
died
from
preventable
diseases
than
all
the
wars
of
the
world
combined

as
a
direct
result
of
the
pharmaceutical
business.
 These
deaths
were
not
just
from
the
use
of
drugs
but
from
the
industry's

suppression
of
information
about
non-drug
health
alternatives

that
could
have
kept
people
from
dying
(author's
emphasis)."
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>There Is a Price To Be Paid</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=732</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=732</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

You
have
probably
heard
me
say
this
numerous
times
in
the
Total
Results
blog,
but
nothing
in
life
is
free,
and
nothing
that
is
worthwhile
has
ever
been
achieved
without
real
effort.
 That
sounds
like
an
obvious
statement,
but
I
believe
that
many
people
achieve
some
level
of
success
in
terms
of
their
health
but
for
whatever
reason
are
unable
to
sustain
it.
 Functional
independence,
staying
out
of
the
medical
system,
resistance
to
injury,
and
increased
vitality
all
come
with
a
cost.
 How
important
is
it
to
you
to
remain
in
control
of
your
own
destiny?
 How
badly
do
you
want
it?
 Before
you
answer
those
questions,
you
must
understand
that
there
is
a
price
to
be
paid.


 


Some
people
look
at
high-intensity
strength
training
as
a
chore.
 In
some
respect,
that
viewpoint
is
understandable;
I
would
never
classify
a
Total
Results
workout
as
fun,
and
I
have
never
tried
to
sell
that
bill
of
goods
to
a
prospective
client.
 Even
though
a
properly
performed
workout
is
intense
and
uncomfortable,
one
should
look
at
it
as
an
opportunity
rather
than
drudgery.
 Every
workout
is
a
chance
to
accomplish
something
meaningful
that
will
pay
both
immediate
and
future
dividends.
 Realize
how
fortunate
you
are
to
be
able
to
exercise
once
or
twice
per
week,
and
remember
that
there
are
people
with
degenerative
and
debilitating
conditions
who
would
trade
places
with
you
in
an
instant.


 


Skeletal
muscle
is
the
engine
of
the
body.
 It
is
the
only
type
of
muscle
tissue
over
which
you
have
volitional
control
(cardiac
muscle
and
smooth
muscle
fibers
contract
automatically),
and
along
with
your
bones,
skeletal
muscle
does
the
most
to
determine
your
body's
shape.
 Working
to
build
muscle
also
has
a
profound
impact
on
your
mitochondria.
 Mitochondria
are
found
in
each
of
our
body's
cells,
and
they
play
an
essential
role
by
creating
the
necessary
energy
to
drive
cellular
function
and
all
of
our
body's
processes.
 According
to
a
study
published
in
2016
by
Porter,
Reidy,
Bhattarai,
Sidossis,
and
Rasmussen,
"Collectively,
12
weeks
of
resistance
exercise
training
resulted
in
qualitative
and
quantitative
changes
in
skeletal
muscle
mitochondrial
respiration.
 Resistance
exercise
training
appears
to
be
a
means
to
augment
the
respiratory
capacity
and
intrinsic
function
of
skeletal
muscle
mitochondria."
 


 


A
member
of
my
family,
who
is
in
her
late
70s,
recently
suffered
a
fall
and
fractured
her
femur,
three
vertebrae,
and
lacerated
her
scalp.
 Accidents
do
happen,
but
I
believe
this
one
could
have
been
prevented,
or
at
least
the
damage
could
have
been
minimized
if
she
had
not
stopped
strength
training
over
two
years
ago.
 As
a
result,
she
required
surgery
to
repair
her
femur,
a
hospital
stay,
and
is
now
undergoing
a
lengthy
rehabilitation.
 I
can
tell
you
that
inside
the
American
medical
system
is
not
where
you
want
to
be.
 Doctors
and
nurses
are
overworked,
the
standard
of
care
is
iffy,
and
the
conditions
are
not
always
great.
 Effective
communication
is
hard
to
come
by.
 Establishment
medicine
rarely
looks
at
preventative
care,
and
if
you
suffer
from
chronic
disease
and
have
to
be
in
the
belly
of
the
beast,
it
is
difficult
to
get
out.
 The
best
thing
you
can
do
is
to
take
care
of
yourself
and
not
be
in
there
in
the
first
place.


 


Yes,
there
is
a
price
to
be
paid
for
robust
health.
 You
can
pay
now
or
pay
later,
but
one
way
or
another
that
bill
eventually
comes
due.
 That
price
is
less
than
one
hour
of
your
time
each
week,
but
it
requires
focus,
dedication,
and
a
willingness
to
learn.
 Accept
the
fact
that
this
is
what
it
takes,
and
that
in
the
grand
scheme
of
things
it
is
a
small
price
to
pay.
 Do
you
want
to
spend
your
middle
and
later
years
in
and
out
of
hospitals,
doctor's
offices,
and
rehabilitation
centers,
relying
on
mobility
aids
to
get
around?
 Or,
would
you
rather
have
the
ability
to
call
your
own
shots?
 Don't
be
plagued
by
chronic
diseases
and
injuries
that
could
have
been
avoided.
 You
only
get
one
body;
treasure
it
and
treat
it
well.
 Total
Results
can
help.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Strength and Endurance Go Hand in Hand</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=731</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=731</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
is
a
common
misconception
in
the
fitness
world
that
building
strength
and
improving
endurance
are
two
separate
things.
Traditional
gym
logic
says
to
use
high
weights
and
low
repetitions
to
build
strength,
and
to
use
lighter
weights
and
high
repetitions
for
endurance.
You
may
or
may
not
be
surprised
to
hear
me
say
this,
but
it's
all
utter
nonsense.
The
fact
of
the
matter
is
that
strength
and
endurance
are
not
diametrically
opposed
when
it
comes
to
exercise,
but
rather
two
sides
of
the
same
coin.
Strength
and
endurance
go
hand
in
hand.

 


Most
of
us
are
familiar
with
the
aerobic
and
anaerobic
metabolic
pathways
from
high
school
biology
class.
The
aerobic
pathway
depends
on
the
presence
of
oxygen
to
generate
ATP
(the
main
energy
currency),
while
the
anaerobic
pathway
does
not
need
oxygen
to
produce
energy.
The
aerobic
pathway
is
used
to
a
greater
degree
in
lower-intensity
activities
such
as
jogging,
walking,
or
biking,
while
the
anerobic
pathway
comes
more
into
play
with
activities
such
as
short
distance
sprinting
or
throwing
the
shot
put.
It
is
important
to
understand
that
no
matter
what
activity
you
perform,
you
cannot
completely
separate
the
two
metabolic
pathways.
Yes,
you
will
use
one
pathway
to
a
greater
degree
than
the
other,
depending
on
the
nature
of
the
physical
task,
but
you
will
not
be
able
to
turn
one
off
at
the
expense
of
the
other.
There
is
what
is
known
in
physiology
as
the
size
principle
of
muscle
recruitment.
Your
slow-twitch
muscle
fibers
(primarily
effective
in
lower
intensity
activities)
will
be
recruited
first.
If
the
task
is
more
than
the
slow-twitch
fibers
can
handle,
the
next
fibers
recruited
will
be
the
intermediate-twitch
fibers.
Only
if
the
intensity
of
the
activity
is
high
will
the
fast-twitch
fibers
(which
are
capable
of
producing
greater
force)
be
recruited.
This
is
where
the
Olympic-style
weightlifting
proponents
get
it
wrong;
they
hold
the
misguided
belief
that
by
lifting
explosively
they
can
target
just
the
fast-twitch
fibers,
which
have
the
greatest
capacity
for
growth.
Muscle
fibers
are
ALWAYS
recruited
sequentially
in
this
order,
no
matter
how
you
train
with
weights.
The
most
effective
way
to
recruit
and
fatigue
all
of
your
muscle
fibers
is
to
use
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol.

 


Speaking
of
Total
Results
exercise,
how
does
the
preceding
information
apply?
Clients
come
to
us
for
a
variety
of
reasons:
some
want
to
get
stronger,
while
others
hope
to
ward
off
chronic
disease
and
reduce
their
dependence
on
medications.
There
are
a
multitude
of
reasons
why
everybody
should
strength
train,
but
what
motivates
you
to
start
is
a
matter
of
personal
preference.
In
order
to
stimulate
optimal
gains
in
strength,
endurance
or
any
other
positive
physical
change,
you
must
train
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure.
To
ensure
that
we
are
properly
incorporating
the
anaerobic
and
aerobic
metabolic
pathways,
failure
needs
to
occur
somewhere
between
one
and
three
minutes
of
time
under
load
(TUL).
Anything
greater
than
three
minutes
and
it
becomes
more
of
a
steady-state
activity,
and
the
load
isn't
sufficient
enough
to
merit
the
requisite
level
of
effort.
We
keep
detailed
records
of
every
workout,
and
we
know
that
if
we
have
increased
your
resistance
on
a
given
exercise
relative
to
your
previous
session,
you
have
increased
your
strength.
Consequently,
If
your
TUL
increases
by
20
seconds
at
the
same
weight
as
your
previous
workout,
you
have
increased
your
muscular
endurance.
Record
keeping
is
very
important,
as
a
critical
component
of
improved
client
performance
is
knowledge
of
results.
No
matter
what,
strict
form
is
a
non-negotiable
requirement.

 


These
are
some
things
that
the
"fitness
gurus"
rarely
take
into
account.
Strength
and
endurance
are
key
components
to
a
long
and
productive
life.
Just
think
of
all
the
things
that
you
will
be
able
to
do
every
day
with
less
effort
and
energy
expended.
All
of
this
can
be
achieved
in
less
than
one
hour
per
week.
Get
Total
Results
today.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How Can You Maximize Your Gains?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=730</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=730</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
is
an
old
saying
in
the
investment
world
that,
"Past
success
does
not
guarantee
future
results."
 Most
people
know
someone
who
has
made
a
little
money
in
the
stock
or
bond
market,
but
ended
up
losing
it
because
they
either
held
onto
that
stock
or
bond
for
a
little
too
long,
or
did
not
have
the
wherewithal
to
do
their
research
and
stay
ahead
of
the
game.
 I
have
seen
this
same
type
of
scenario
play
out
many
times
over
the
years
at
Total
Results.
 Some
clients
start
out
very
enthusiastically
and
experience
some
positive
initial
results,
only
to
fall
off
track
due
to
boredom,
life
circumstances,
or
an
inability
to
mentally
deal
with
the
intensity
of
effort
necessary
for
long-term
success.
 Human
beings
have
an
innate
desire
for
comfort;
that
is
why
our
first
instinct
is
to
stay
in
a
warm
bed
on
a
cold
morning
rather
than
get
up
and
attack
the
day.
 If
you
want
to
achieve
special
things
in
life,
you
must
come
to
grips
with
and
prepare
to
experience
discomfort.
 When
it
comes
to
exercise,
there
are
strategies
that
you
can
implement
to
maximize
your
short-term
and
long-term
success.


 


Former
Alabama
head
football
coach
Nick
Saban
often
talks
about
five
choices
that
we
have
in
life.
 We
can
be
bad
at
what
we
do,
we
can
be
average,
or
we
can
be
pretty
good.
 Most
people
will
probably
fall
into
one
of
those
three
categories.
 In
order
to
be
excellent
or
elite,
one
must
have
an
uncommon
amount
of
drive,
attention
to
detail,
determination,
and
mental
toughness.
 He
believes
that
regardless
of
which
of
the
five
choices
that
you
make,
natural
ability
has
very
little
to
do
with
it.
 Coach
Saban
also
places
an
emphasis
upon
focusing
on
the
process
rather
than
the
end
result.
 Very
rarely
does
he
talk
to
his
players
about
winning
and
losing
or
national
championships;
instead
he
spotlights
the
importance
of
doing
the
little
things
right
and
giving
a
high
level
of
effort
in
everything
that
you
do.
 All
of
this
has
made
him
a
highly
sought-after
speaker
in
the
coaching
and
business
community.
 Focus
too
much
on
the
end
result,
and
you
can
become
discouraged
if
you
do
not
achieve
it.
 The
end
result
is
largely
outside
your
control,
but
the
process
and
the
effort
that
you
give
are
within
your
power.
 Remember
that
you
can
positively
influence
the
end
result
with
your
actions.


 


What
can
you
do
to
ensure
sustained
success
and
maximize
the
gains
that
you
develop
from
your
Total
Results
workouts?
 A
good
portion
of
it
is
situated
between
your
ears.
 Do
you
have
a
vision
of
what
it
is
that
you
would
like
to
achieve?
 In
order
to
succeed,
your
actions
(or
your
process,
as
Saban
discusses)
must
align
with
your
vision.
 Do
you
stick
with
your
process
even
when
you
encounter
adversity,
or
do
you
allow
external
circumstances
to
dictate
your
thinking
and
actions?
 The
nature
of
life
is
that
we
will
all
encounter
bumps
along
the
road,
and
if
we
want
to
be
successful
we
must
be
able
to
overcome
obstacles.
 Coach
Saban
defines
mental
toughness
as,
"What
does
it
take
to
break
you?"
 Don't
give
in
simply
because
you
didn't
sleep
well
the
night
before,
or
you
have
a
deadline
to
meet
at
work,
or
the
workout
is
uncomfortable.
 Persevere!
 How
is
your
attitude?
Is
it
positive
or
negative?
 When
you
arrive
for
your
workout,
are
you
"glad
to
be
here"
or
do
you
look
upon
the
workout
as
drudgery?
 How
you
answer
those
questions
will
go
a
long
way
toward
determining
your
degree
of
success.


Another
important
point
to
consider
is,
how
important
are
your
workouts
to
you?
 Is
this
a
priority
for
you,
or
does
it
fall
far
down
on
the
list?
 There
is
no
question
that,
for
most
of
us,
there
are
a
great
many
things
competing
for
our
time
and
attention.
 I
am
not
suggesting
for
one
second
that
high-intensity
exercise
should
come
before
family
or
your
occupation,
but
if
this
falls
low
on
the
priority
totem
pole
you
are
setting
yourself
up
for
failure.
 In
my
many
years
at
Total
Results
I
have
learned
how
to
detect
patterns.
 When
clients
start
frequently
canceling
and/or
rescheduling
their
appointments,
it
usually
means
that
the
writing
is
on
the
wall
for
them
to
quit.
 Please
remember
that
this
is
a
voluntary
undertaking,
and
that
you
get
out
of
it
exactly
what
you
put
into
it.
 Our
most
successful
long-term
clients
show
up
consistently
and
give
great
effort,
and
they
realize
that
every
workout
counts.
 They
see
themselves
as
relentless
competitors,
but
they
aren't
competing
against
other
people.
 Rather,
they
compete
against
themselves,
and
instead
of
feeling
dread
at
the
thought
of
a
demanding
workout
they
look
at
it
as
a
challenge
to
overcome.
 You
only
need
to
be
mentally
locked
in
for
20
minutes;
if
you
are
focused
on
the
task
at
hand
rather
than
distracted,
you
will
execute
each
exercise
more
effectively
and
create
a
powerful
muscular
and
metabolic
stimulus.


 


You
must
meet
the
needs
for
proper
recovery
if
you
want
to
experience
sustained
positive
physical
changes.
 This
means
achieving
7
to
9
hours
of
sleep
on
a
consistent
basis,
eating
a
diet
that
largely
consists
of
single-ingredient
whole
foods
with
plenty
of
quality
protein,
managing
stress
by
minimizing
screen
time
before
bed
and
taking
quiet
moments
for
yourself,
and
drinking
plenty
of
water
throughout
the
day.
 It
is
also
important
to
not
overdo
it
with
additional
activity
between
workouts.
 You
can
still
make
progress
in
the
short
term
if
you
fall
short
in
one
or
more
of
these
areas,
but
sustained
success
requires
diligence
and
sacrifice.
 


 


It
is
much
easier
to
reach
the
top
than
it
is
to
stay
at
the
top.
 Complacency
is
a
part
of
human
nature,
and
once
we
achieve
some
level
of
success
there
is
a
part
of
us
that
wants
to
take
things
easy
and
enjoy
it.
 Remember
that
success
is
not
guaranteed,
and
neither
is
sustained
success.
 It
is
either
earned
or
squandered
by
the
choices
that
we
make
every
day.
 There
is
a
standard
that
we
hold
ourselves
to,
and
at
Total
Results
we
see
ourselves
as
the
standard
bearer
for
excellence
in
exercise.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Prepare For a Struggle</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=729</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=729</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Performing
proper
exercise
is
hard.
 If
it
wasn't
difficult,
then
it
would
not
be
effective.
 This
is
one
reason
that
I
believe
so
many
people
avoid
doing
it
altogether.
 They
choose
an
easier
(and
less
effective)
route,
preferring
a
haphazard
approach
rather
than
accepting
the
temporary
discomfort
that
comes
with
creating
enduring
physical
change.
 Life
will
present
challenges
to
even
the
most
disciplined
individuals,
and
you
must
do
what
is
necessary
to
embrace
and
overcome
obstacles
if
you
want
to
succeed
in
any
endeavor.
 You
must
mentally
and
physically
prepare
yourself
for
a
struggle.


 


Exercise
is
a
physical
undertaking,
but
there
is
a
mental
component
that
can
never
be
underestimated.
 Your
mind
controls
your
body,
and
if
your
mind
is
not
in
the
right
place
your
body
will
not
respond
in
the
appropriate
fashion.
 Even
Total
Results
clients,
who
are
intelligent,
driven,
and
successful
people,
occasionally
lose
sight
of
how
demanding
our
workouts
are
if
they
have
been
away
for
even
a
few
weeks
or
if
they
are
not
in
the
right
frame
of
mind.
 Starting
the
first
repetition
of
an
exercise
is
difficult
for
two
primary
reasons.
 First,
you
are
overcoming
inertia,
which
is
defined
as,
"A
property
of
matter
by
which
it
remains
at
rest
or
in
unchanging
motion
unless
acted
upon
by
some
external
force."
 You
are
that
external
force,
and
that
means
if
there
is
100
pounds
on
the
weight
stack,
you
must
produce
at
least
101
pounds
of
force
to
produce
movement.
The
second
reason
the
start
of
the
first
repetition
is
difficult
is
that
our
machines
are
cammed,
which
means
there
is
variable
resistance
through
the
range
of
motion.
 In
most
cases,
you
are
strongest
in
the
beginning
part
of
the
movement,
thus
that
is
where
the
resistance
is
heaviest.
 If
you
understand
this
ahead
of
time,
you
won't
have
as
much
of
a
mental
hang-up
in
starting
the
exercise.
 Also
keep
in
mind
that
in
most
cases,
the
amount
of
weight
that
you
are
using
is
either
the
same
or
only
slightly
heavier
than
what
you
did
in
your
previous
workout.
 This
is
why
I
typically
do
not
inform
clients
that
I
raised
their
weight
until
after
that
particular
exercise
has
been
completed.


 


Exertional
discomfort,
or
that
burning
sensation
that
you
experience
in
your
muscles
during
an
exercise,
is
not
an
indication
of
an
injury.
 Instead,
it
is
a
natural
by-product
of
an
intense
metabolic
event.
 Properly
applied
effort
will
trigger
the
body's
growth
mechanism
and
will
set
the
wheels
in
motion
for
positive
physical
adaptations.
 Do
not
be
fearful!
 It
is
temporary
and
also
perfectly
normal.
 As
my
friend
Al
Coleman
used
to
say,
"Don't
run
from
the
discomfort,
chase
after
it."
 People
suffer
from
all
kinds
of
phobias,
whether
it
involves
public
speaking,
having
difficult
conversations,
or
going
to
the
dentist.
 What
you
create
in
your
mind
is
usually
far
worse
than
what
is
true
in
reality,
and
temporary
discomfort
is
no
different.
 You
are
far
more
resilient
than
you
realize.
 Prepare
your
mind
in
advance
of
your
workout.
 It
will
be
hard.
 It
will
be
a
struggle.
 Understand
that
your
workout
will
require
focus
and
labor,
but
that
it
only
lasts
for
twenty
minutes.
 


 


Other
weight
training
philosophies
involve
some
form
of
periodization,
in
which
the
intensity
of
effort
and
volume
vary
for
certain
time
frames.
 I
have
heard
collegiate
and
professional
strength
coaches
talk
about
this,
and
even
lay
out
their
plan
for
how
they
achieve
this
periodization.
 I
think
that
many
of
them
have
bet
on
the
wrong
horse.
 What
they
fail
to
understand
is
that
in
order
to
stimulate
physical
change,
intensity
of
effort
must
be
high,
and
you
cannot
make
up
for
a
lack
of
intensity
with
greater
volume
or
more
repetitions
with
less
weight.
 If
a
person's
progress
has
stalled
or
gone
backwards,
it
is
far
more
likely
due
to
insufficient
recovery
or
excessive
activity.
 The
workout
itself
must
be
a
struggle
or
a
perceived
threat,
as
the
human
body
wants
to
maintain
homeostasis
and
will
only
adapt
if
given
a
very
good
reason.
 This
means
that
in
order
to
have
sustained
progress,
you
must
balance
the
factors
of
intensity,
frequency,
and
volume.
 If
you
are
working
with
the
requisite
intensity,
then
one
or
two
brief
workouts
per
week
is
all
that
you
will
need.


 


We
never
said
this
would
be
easy!
 You
are
far
better
off
mentally
and
physically
by
looking
at
Total
Results
exercise
as
a
personal
challenge
rather
than
an
obstacle,
by
accepting
that
this
is
what
it
takes
rather
than
living
in
denial.
 No,
this
is
not
the
only
way
to
achieve
lasting
physical
change,
but
it
makes
the
most
physiological
sense.
 In
many
ways,
the
daily
grind
of
life
is
a
struggle,
and
it
requires
discipline
to
do
the
things
you
don't
necessarily
want
to
do
to
get
to
where
you
want
to
go,
while
avoiding
the
things
you
want
to
do
that
will
impede
your
progress.
 The
best
way
that
you
can
prepare
yourself
for
the
struggles
of
life
is
to
strengthen
your
mind
and
body
with
regular
Total
Results
workouts.
 Your
future
self
will
thank
you.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Everything Happens For a Reason</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=728</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=728</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
are
many
variables
in
life,
but
when
it
comes
to
exercise
we
want
to
leave
as
little
to
chance
as
possible.
 No
aspect
of
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
random;
we
have
a
philosophy
that
is
predicated
on
principles
of
biology,
chemistry,
physics,
and
concepts
of
motor
learning.
 There
is
a
method
to
everything
that
we
do,
whether
it
is
the
equipment
that
we
use,
the
mannerisms
with
which
we
instruct,
or
our
studio
environment.
 In
short,
everything
happens
for
a
reason.


 


Let
us
first
discuss
our
studio
environment.
 You
will
notice
that
we
don't
have
anything
on
the
walls,
and
that
the
office
is
painted
in
a
light
gray
color.
 Ours
is
a
clinically
controlled
environment,
which
means
we
want
to
eliminate
any
distractions
that
might
interfere
with
your
workout
(as
bright
colors
can
do).
 There
is
only
one
client
and
one
instructor
present
during
your
workout,
so
you
should
be
able
to
fully
concentrate
on
the
task
at
hand.
 You
will
also
notice
that
we
keep
our
exercise
room
cool,
dry,
and
well-ventilated.
 This
is
because
becoming
overheated
can
adversely
affect
your
workout
performance
and
cause
premature
fatigue.
 When
Ken
Hutchins
supervised
the
Nautilus
Osteoporosis
Project,
there
was
a
mishap
with
the
air
conditioning
that
caused
the
workout
facility
to
become
unusually
chilly.
 In
a
serendipitous
occurrence,
he
found
that
the
exercise
subjects
actually
performed
better
as
a
result
of
the
colder
conditions.
Intense
exercise
produces
a
large
amount
of
heat,
and
the
colder
temperatures
prevent
early
fatigue.
 This
is
why
we
keep
the
thermostat
near
68
degrees,
with
humidity
around
50
percent
and
have
fans
blowing
to
keep
things
properly
ventilated.
 


 


Everyone
knows
how
to
breathe,
but
many
times
we
revert
back
to
our
instincts
when
things
get
tough.
 Holding
your
breath,
or
performing
a
Valsalva
maneuver,
is
a
natural
thing,
but
is
also
dangerous.
 It
can
spike
your
blood
pressure,
prevent
venous
return
(return
of
blood
back
to
the
right
side
of
the
heart),
and
in
a
small
number
of
cases
it
can
lead
to
a
stroke.
 In
order
to
avoid
this,
we
teach
clients
to
breathe
freely
and
continuously
through
the
mouth
during
exercise.
 Many
of
you
may
have
read
James
Nestor's
book
"Breath"
that
came
out
a
few
years
ago,
which
espouses
the
importance
of
nasal
breathing
over
mouth
breathing.
 I
read
that
book
also,
and
fundamentally
I
agree
with
most
of
the
points
made.
 I
tried
breathing
through
my
nose
during
my
Total
Results
workouts,
and
it
just
didn't
work.
 Once
you
cross
a
certain
intensity
threshold,
nasal
breathing
becomes
nearly
impossible.
 We
must
breathe
freely
and
continuously
through
the
mouth
during
exercise
so
that
we
can
get
oxygen
to
the
working
muscles
and
blow
off
carbon
dioxide.
 Releasing
carbon
dioxide
will
help
to
keep
the
pH
levels
in
the
muscles
from
becoming
too
acidic,
which
results
in
premature
fatigue.
 


 


We
select
the
exercises
that
clients
perform
in
the
workouts
based
on
muscle
and
joint
function,
but
also
based
on
the
beginning
client's
ability
to
learn
and
master
them.
 Most
exercises
are
compound
movements,
which
involve
multiple
joints
and
muscle
groups
and
allow
us
to
cover
more
ground
in
less
time.
 In
the
vast
majority
of
cases
we
perform
the
lower
body
exercises
first
before
moving
on
to
the
upper
body,
spinal,
and
smaller
auxiliary
exercises.
 We
do
this
because
the
lower
body
exercises
encompass
more
muscle
and
are
more
demanding,
so
we
want
to
do
this
in
the
beginning
when
the
client
is
fresh.
 There
are
exceptions,
particularly
when
a
client
deals
with
recurring
exercise-induced
headache.
 In
cases
like
this,
we
often
perform
a
neck
exercise
in
the
beginning
of
the
workout
to
lessen
neck
and
shoulder
tension
and
save
the
exercises
that
are
most
likely
to
trigger
a
headache
for
the
end
of
the
workout.
 In
all
cases,
trial
and
error
help
us
to
find
the
right
formula
for
success.


 


During
each
exercise
we
strive
to
complete
each
positive
and
negative
excursion
in
ten
seconds,
but
will
accept
a
range
of
eight
to
twelve
seconds.
 The
purpose
of
this
is
to
ensure
proper
loading
of
the
muscles,
while
minimizing
the
potentially
dangerous
forces
that
can
lead
to
injury.
 Anything
faster
than
eight
seconds
introduces
too
much
momentum,
while
anything
slower
than
twelve
seconds
leads
to
a
choppy,
segmented
movement.
 Many
years
ago
Dr.
Doug
McGuff,
an
emergency
room
physician
and
owner
of
the
Ultimate
Exercise
studio
in
Seneca,
South
Carolina,
conducted
an
experiment
after
injuring
his
foot
in
a
BMX
race.
 He
tried
performing
the
Leg
Press
exercise
with
varying
speeds
of
movement
to
see
what
pain
level
his
foot
could
tolerate.
 What
he
found
was
that
if
he
went
faster
than
six
seconds
or
as
slow
as
fifteen
seconds,
he
encountered
severe
foot
pain.
 When
he
utilized
a
speed
within
those
parameters
he
encountered
no
pain
at
all.
 This
is
only
one
man's
experience,
of
course,
but
it
lends
significant
credence
to
our
repetition
cadence.


 


Achieving
muscular
failure
on
each
exercise
is
very
necessary.
 We
must
ensure
that
we
have
done
everything
possible
to
stimulate
maximum
muscular
and
metabolic
benefit,
and
the
only
way
to
do
that
is
to
push
or
pull
against
the
movement
arm
until
forward
movement
is
no
longer
possible
in
good
form.
 We
are
not
masochists
(contrary
to
popular
opinion),
and
we
do
realize
that
this
results
in
significant
exertional
discomfort.
 However,
this
discomfort
is
temporary,
and
your
tolerance
for
it
will
increase
with
time
and
experience.
 We
still
do
not
know
what
the
ideal
percentage
of
effort
is
that
will
trigger
the
body's
growth
mechanism;
it
could
be
87
percent,
or
something
less.
 There
are
only
two
true
measurements
of
effort;
zero
and
100
percent.
 Zero
effort
will
produce
zero
benefit,
but
if
we
go
to
muscular
failure
we
have
given
every
single
ounce
of
effort
that
we
are
capable
of
giving.
 Please
keep
that
in
mind
near
the
end
of
the
exercise
when
movement
becomes
a
struggle
and
the
urge
to
quit
increases.


 


Proper
entry
of
the
machinery
may
seem
trivial,
but
it
takes
far
less
to
produce
injury
than
many
people
realize.
 There
is
a
certain
way
that
we
would
like
it
to
be
executed,
particularly
on
exercises
like
the
Lumbar
Extension
and
Leg
Press.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Truth About Drug Companies&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=727</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=727</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Dr.
Marcia
Angell
is
a
physician
trained
in
internal
medicine
and
pathology.
 She
is
the
former
editor-in-chief
of
The
New
England
Journal
of
Medicine,
and
was
named
by
Time
magazine
as
one
of
the
twenty-five
most
influential
people
in
America.
 In
addition
to
writing
"Science
on
Trial"
in
1996,
she
published
"The
Truth
About
Drug
Companies"
in
2004.


 


This
book
takes
a
good
look
at
the
pharmaceutical
industry
from
the
perspective
of
someone
who
not
only
worked
at
a
prestigious
medical
journal
that
published
drug
studies,
but
who
also
prescribed
medications
and
treated
patients.
 Much
of
the
information
that
is
discussed
in
this
book
is
stuff
that
you
won't
find
mentioned
by
the
establishment
media
or
in
the
ubiquitous
commercials
on
TV.
 Yes
this
book
is
twenty
years
old,
but
the
drug
companies
operate
the
same
way
now
that
they
did
back
then
(if
anything,
they
are
less
scrupulous
now).
 Chapter
4
poses
the
question,
"Just
how
innovative
is
this
industry?"
 The
drug
companies
often
complain
about
the
hurdles
they
must
clear
in
order
to
receive
Food
and
Drug
Administration
(FDA)
approval
for
innovative
drugs
that
save
lives,
but
on
closer
inspection
these
companies
are
not
as
inventive
as
they
would
have
us
believe.
 According
to
Dr.
Angell,
"At
least
a
third
of
big
pharma's
drugs
are
now
licensed
or
otherwise
acquired
from
outside
sources
-
including
smaller
companies
all
over
the
world."
 That
doesn't
sound
all
that
innovative.
 On
this
topic,
she
goes
on
to
say
that,
"Researchers
supported
by
the
National
Institutes
of
Health
(NIH)
usually
do
the
initial
work
of
drug
discovery.
 Then
the
drug
companies
keep
stringing
out
and
exploiting
those
discoveries."


 


Chapter
5
sheds
some
light
on
what
are
called
"me-too"
drugs.
 These
are
drugs
that
are
classified
by
the
FDA
as
being
no
better
than
existing
drugs
that
are
already
on
the
market
to
treat
the
same
conditions.
 "Me-too"
drugs
are
often
introduced
just
as
an
existing
drug
is
scheduled
to
go
off
patent,
and
she
gives
the
example
of
Nexium
(a
popular
heartburn
drug)
and
its
predecessor
Prilosec.
 This
was
in
spite
of
the
fact
that
Nexium
was
only
a
marginal
improvement
over
Prilosec
in
just
two
of
the
four
clinical
trials
that
were
conducted.
 "Me-too"
drugs
usually
target
very
common
and
long-term
conditions,
such
as
high
blood
pressure,
depression,
and
arthritis.
 There
is
more
money
to
be
made
by
treating
the
condition
than
by
curing
it
with
lifestyle
modifications.
 According
to
the
author,
"Once
upon
a
time,
drug
companies
promoted
drugs
to
treat
diseases.
 Now
it
is
often
the
opposite.
 They
promote
diseases
to
fit
their
drugs.
 Nearly
everyone
experiences
heartburn
from
time
to
time.
 The
remedy
used
to
be
a
glass
of
milk
or
an
over-the-counter
antacid
to
relieve
the
symptoms.
 But
now
heartburn
is
called
'acid
reflux
disease'
or
'gastroesophageal
reflux
disease
disease
(GERD)'
and
marketed,
along
with
the
drugs
to
treat
it,
as
a
harbinger
of
serious
esophageal
disease
-
which
it
usually
is
not."


 


Stretching
out
the
length
of
patents
is
another
tactic
that
the
drug
companies
use
to
extend
exclusivity
and
enhance
their
profits.
 Patents
are
usually
granted
for
twenty
years,
but
it
can
take
several
years
for
a
drug
to
go
through
clinical
trials
and
gain
FDA
approval.
 This
impacts
the
profitability
of
a
drug,
so
the
drug
companies
will
go
to
great
lengths
to
extend
their
patents.
 The
Hatch-Waxman
Act
extended
drug
patents
for
up
to
five
years
if
FDA
approval
was
delayed
due
to
clinical
testing.
 Additionally,
the
Food
and
Drug
Modernization
Act
of
1997
provided
an
additional
six
months
of
patent
protection
if
companies
test
their
drugs
on
children.
 Brand-name
companies
may
also
collude
with
generic
companies
to
keep
prices
high
or
delay
their
entry
into
the
market.
 And,
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
drug
companies
will
launch
virtually
identical
drugs
with
new
names
just
as
the
patents
are
set
to
expire.
 This
was
the
case
with
well
known
drugs
such
as
Prilosec,
Claritin,
and
Prozac.
 The
fact
that
our
federal
government
has
created
these
giant
loopholes
for
drug
companies
to
exploit
should
illustrate
to
you
that
meaningful
positive
change
to
the
system
isn't
likely
to
come
anytime
soon.


 


While
I
was
disappointed
that
there
is
not
more
of
an
emphasis
in
this
book
about
the
importance
of
lifestyle
modification
as
an
alternative
to
taking
potentially
harmful
medications,
there
is
very
useful
advice
in
the
afterword
section.
 Dr.
Angell
provides
several
questions
to
ask
your
doctor
if
he
or
she
wants
to
prescribe
you
a
drug.
 


 




What
is
the
evidence
that
this
drug
is
better
than
an
alternative
drug
or
some
other
approach
to
treatment?




Has
the
evidence
ever
been
published
in
a
peer-reviewed
medical
journal?




Or
are
you
relying
on
information
from
drug
company
representatives?




Do
you
have
any
financial
ties
with
the
company
that
makes
this
drug?




 


Polypharmacy
is
a
real
concern
in
a
medical
industry
that
simply
prescribes
a
drug
for
every
little
malady.
 The
author
mentions
the
tale
of
a
50
year
old
woman
who
was
on
eighteen
different
medications
for
a
variety
of
ailments,
and
as
a
result
could
barely
get
around,
was
constantly
dizzy,
and
could
hardly
stand
up.
 This
is
a
problem!
 According
to
the
author,
"What
she
probably
needed
was
less
medication
and
more
medical
attention.
 Experienced
specialists
are
familiar
with
this
phenomenon
of
overmedication
and
often
start
their
evaluation
of
a
patient
who
is
not
doing
well
on
multiple
drugs
by
eliminating
most
of
the
medications.
 Frequently,
the
patient
improves."


 


You
are
being
lied
to
by
the
drug
companies.
 They
are
not
honest
and
they
do
not
care
about
you.
 They
aren't
even
innovative!
 As
Dr.
Angell
explains,
"Over
the
four
years
beginning
in
2000,
there
were
just
32
innovative
drugs
out
of
a
total
of
314
approved
drugs."
 This
is
not
the
first
book
about
the
pharmaceutical
industry
that
I
have
reviewed
for
this
blog;
in
fact,
I
have
reviewed
several.
 Every
book
highlights
something
new
for
me,
and
I
appreciate
the
perspective
of
someone
who
has
both
treated
patients
and
reviewed
clinical
trial
data
for
a
prestigious
medical
journal.
 This
book
is
worth
reading,
and
I
encourage
you
to
draw
your
own
conclusions.


 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Preconceived Ideas About Exercise</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=726</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=726</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
am
often
hesitant
to
tell
people
that
I
meet
exactly
what
it
is
that
I
do
for
a
living.
 That
is
not
because
I
am
embarrassed
about
my
work;
in
fact,
it
is
quite
the
opposite.
 I
am
proud
of
everything
that
we
have
accomplished
at
Total
Results
over
the
past
23
years
and
I
believe
wholeheartedly
in
our
philosophy
and
everything
that
we
stand
for.
 The
reason
I
say
this
is
because
discussing
exercise
with
most
people
can
be
a
tricky
proposition.
 For
one
thing,
many
people
hold
their
exercise
ideals
as
tightly
as
they
do
with
their
views
on
religion
and
politics.
 Most
individuals
have
been
grossly
misinformed
by
what
they
see
in
gyms
and
in
the
media,
and
as
a
result
they
have
virtually
no
idea
how
proper
weight
training
works
in
terms
of
how
physical
improvements
are
made.
 Talking
to
people
about
this
subject
and
helping
them
to
understand
can
be
like
running
into
a
brick
wall.
 Some
people
are
willing
to
learn,
and
those
individuals
often
eventually
become
Total
Results
clients.
 Others
hold
onto
their
preconceived
notions
about
exercise
and
cannot
make
the
intellectual
leap
to
the
next
level.


 


"More
exercise
must
be
better."


This
mantra
is
usually
touted
by
people
who
don't
like
to
work
intensely.
 They
would
much
rather
perform
more
exercises
and
spend
more
time
in
the
gym
(much
of
it
spent
socializing)
then
work
with
the
requisite
effort
and
focus
that
will
bring
optimal
results.
 One
of
our
clients,
who
has
been
working
with
us
for
several
years,
recently
had
a
conversation
with
a
friend
of
his
who
is
a
bodybuilder.
 Our
client,
who
is
tall
and
very
lean,
was
told
by
his
friend
that
if
he
wanted
to
add
more
muscle
he
just
needed
to
"add
more
weight"
to
what
he
was
lifting.
 Yes,
there
are
people
out
there
that
still
think
this
way.
 They
believe
that
if
some
is
good,
more
is
better.
 You
can
see
how
this
could
develop
into
a
slippery
slope
very
quickly.
 At
what
point
is
it
enough?
 One's
safety
can
very
easily
become
compromised
with
too
heavy
of
a
mechanical
load,
and
overuse
injury
and
overtraining
can
quickly
happen
with
too
high
a
volume
of
training
as
well
as
training
too
often.


 


"You
have
to
train
fast
to
be
fast."
 This
is
still
the
foundation
of
the
Olympic
lifting
crowd,
and
unfortunately
it
is
still
pervasive
in
organized
team
sports
at
the
high
school,
college,
and
professional
levels.
 These
individuals
mistakenly
believe
that
in
order
to
train
the
fast-twitch
muscle
fibers
(which
have
the
greatest
capacity
for
power,
explosiveness,
and
growth),
you
must
lift
weights
fast.
 This
is
pure
nonsense,
and
it
is
a
display
of
ignorance
because
they
likely
have
never
heard
of
the
size
principle
of
recruitment.
 This
means
that
when
a
mechanical
load
is
placed
on
the
body,
muscle
fibers
are
recruited
in
sequential
order
based
on
size.
 Slow-twitch
fibers
are
recruited
first,
followed
by
intermediate-twitch
fibers,
and
then
fast-twitch
fibers.
 You
cannot
go
out
of
order!
 Fast
twitch
fibers
are
only
recruited
if
the
intensity
of
effort
exhausts
the
slow-twitch
and
intermediate-twitch
fibers
first.
 Lifting
weights
in
an
explosive
fashion
only
increases
the
risk
of
injury.


 


"Split
routines
are
the
way
to
go."
 Don't
go
by
what
you
read
in
fitness
magazines
or
bodybuilding
forums.
 Most
people
that
spend
time
in
these
forums
(even
in
high-intensity
forums)
have
entirely
too
much
time
on
their
hands,
and
their
views
are
severely
misguided.
 Split
routines,
in
which
you
divide
your
workouts
up
each
week
based
on
training
certain
body
parts,
are
a
surefire
way
to
grind
your
progress
to
a
halt
by
overtraining.
 Your
body
is
more
than
just
a
collection
of
parts.
 It
functions
as
a
unit,
and
should
be
trained
as
such;
that
is
why
we
perform
whole-body
workouts
at
Total
Results.
 If
you
train
with
the
proper
amount
of
focus
and
effort,
one
or
two
workouts
per
week
consisting
of
five
to
seven
exercises
will
stimulate
optimal
gains
while
not
tapping
out
your
body's
fragile
recovery
ability.
 


 


"20
minutes
can't
possibly
be
enough."

You
are
paying
for
results,
not
simply
just
trying
to
rack
up
as
much
time
in
the
gym
as
possible.
 The
human
body
is
resistant
to
change;
it
wants
to
maintain
the
status
quo
as
much
as
it
can.
 You
must
give
the
body
a
very
good
reason
to
adapt,
and
that
is
where
intensity
of
effort
becomes
critical.
 The
body
perceives
a
high-intensity
weight
training
workout
(particularly
when
you
use
a
slow
speed
of
movement
and
go
to
muscular
failure)
as
an
existential
threat,
so
it
must
mobilize
its
resources
to
make
physical
improvements
to
guard
against
this
"threat."
 If
you
are
working
with
the
proper
amount
of
effort,
a
20
minute
workout
is
not
simply
something
we
can
get
away
with,
it
becomes
a
necessity
to
keep
the
workout
brief.
 Your
genetics
play
a
significant
role
in
determining
what
type
of
visual
physical
improvements
you
make
from
Total
Results
workouts,
but
regardless
of
your
genetics
you
can
become
stronger,
better
conditioned,
more
resistant
to
injury,
and
more
fit
if
you
put
forth
the
effort
on
a
consistent
basis.


 


Exercise
must
be
purposeful,
not
haphazard
or
instinctive.
 It's
not
about
trends
or
fads,
or
what
happens
to
be
currently
popular.
 Most
people
are
not
particularly
sophisticated
when
it
comes
to
understanding
exercise.
 The
media
must
carry
much
of
the
blame
for
this,
but
the
individual
should
also
bear
responsibility.
 The
correct
information
is
out
there,
it
just
takes
effort
to
uncover
it.
 The
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
is
built
on
tried
and
true
principles
that
go
back
over
a
half
century.
 Time
is
the
most
precious
commodity
that
we
have;
don't
waste
it
by
pursuing
ineffective
mediums.
 Choose
Total
Results.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Commitment to Excellence</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=725</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=725</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

While
I
am
not
a
fan
of
the
Las
Vegas
(formerly
Oakland)
Raiders,
I
have
always
admired
the
slogan
that
former
owner
Al
Davis
used
to
capture
the
franchise's
philosophy
-
"Commitment
to
Excellence."
 A
sign
was
prominently
displayed
inside
their
old
stadium
and
is
featured
at
their
training
facility,
and
this
statement
reflects
the
team's
dedication
to
maintaining
a
high
standard
both
on
and
off
the
field.
 This
is
one
reason
that
the
Raiders
were
one
of
the
winningest
teams
of
the
1960s,
1970s,
and
1980s,
and
they
earned
three
Super
Bowl
trophies.


 


A
commitment
to
excellence
has
nothing
to
do
with
natural
talent
and
ability,
but
rather
a
willingness
to
do
the
things
that
are
required
in
order
to
achieve
success.
 Jerry
Rice
is
the
greatest
receiver
to
ever
play
in
the
NFL,
but
he
was
neither
the
fastest
nor
the
most
supremely
gifted
player
that
we
have
ever
seen.
 However,
nobody
worked
harder.
 
A
quote
attributed
to
Rice
is
written
on
the
wall
at
Dominion
High
School
(where
I
coach
football)
that
says,
"Today
I
will
do
what
others
won't,
so
that
tomorrow
I
can
do
what
others
can't."
 Sure,
one
must
have
significant
genetic
gifts
in
order
to
play
in
the
NFL,
but
this
philosophy
is
not
limited
to
athletic
endeavors.
 It
is
about
developing
the
mindset
that
anything
worth
doing
is
worth
doing
right,
going
for
what
you
want
in
life,
but
also
making
some
sacrifices
and
sticking
to
a
plan
every
day.
 


 


Total
Results
has
had
a
commitment
to
excellence
for
over
20
years.
 Day
in
and
day
out
we
seek
to
provide
the
best
exercise
experience
possible
for
our
clients
by
utilizing
a
philosophy
with
a
proven
track
record.
 We
strive
to
keep
learning
and
improving,
never
being
satisfied
with
where
we
are
or
what
we
know.
 One
great
thing
is
that
we
tend
to
attract
clients
who
have
the
same
mindset.
 One
of
our
longest
tenured
clients
is
a
successful
attorney
who
is
in
his
early
60s
and
travels
quite
frequently
for
work.
 Because
of
his
hectic
travel
schedule,
he
makes
sure
to
book
his
appointments
a
couple
weeks
in
advance
and
very
rarely
misses
a
workout,
even
if
he
has
just
returned
from
overseas.
 He
recently
went
on
a
fishing
trip
with
some
friends,
and
at
the
end
of
the
trip
they
took
a
group
picture
to
commemorate
the
experience.
 They
are
all
roughly
the
same
age,
but
our
client
looks
considerably
younger
and
fitter
than
his
peers,
due
in
no
small
part
to
the
consistent
work
that
he
has
put
in
over
the
last
two
decades.


 


We
have
a
husband
and
wife
in
their
early
60s
that
have
been
Total
Results
clients
for
a
little
over
three
years,
and
both
have
exercised
twice
per
week
consistently
in
that
time.
 They
were
recently
on
vacation
and
decided
to
water
ski,
which
neither
had
done
very
recently.
 Accompanying
them
on
the
trip
was
their
nephew,
who
I
believe
is
in
his
late
20s.
 Our
clients
had
no
trouble
at
all,
while
their
nephew
did
not
fare
nearly
as
well.
 When
asked
how
it
was
that
they
were
able
to
ski
so
well,
our
clients
told
their
nephew
about
the
work
they
had
put
in
at
Total
Results.
 Our
oldest
client
is
93
years
old
and
has
been
exercising
at
Total
Results
since
2003,
yet
she
was
introduced
to
high-intensity
weight
training
by
her
son
in
the
1980s.
 While
she
uses
a
cane
to
walk
much
of
the
time,
she
does
not
use
one
during
her
workout,
and
she
rarely
misses
a
session.
That
is
a
commitment
to
excellence.
I
can
think
of
countless
other
examples
of
our
clients
being
able
to
do
more
in
life
while
exerting
less
effort.
 This
is
a
product
of
consistent
hard
work
and
having
a
mindset
of,
"I
can."


 


Total
Results
is
an
investment
in
yourself.
 Sure,
you
are
making
a
financial
commitment,
but
you
are
also
making
a
decision
to
focus
on
what
is
important
so
that
you
can
reap
the
benefits
of
the
work
you
are
putting
in.
 We
at
Total
Results
have
a
commitment
to
excellence
and
a
standard
that
we
set
for
ourselves
that
must
be
met
or
exceeded
every
time.
 We
have
a
relentless
enthusiasm,
which
we
believe
is
contagious,
and
it
is
that
drive
that
keeps
us
going
every
day.
 How
committed
are
you?
 How
badly
do
you
want
to
succeed?
 It
is
all
within
your
control.
 Together,
we
can't
lose!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don&#039;t Get Stuck in Your Own Head</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=724</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=724</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
should
always
take
their
mental
health
seriously.
 We
live
in
a
complicated
age
in
which
we
are
more
accessible
than
ever,
and
we
find
ourselves
subjected
to
distractions
in
the
form
of
24
hour
news,
the
Internet,
social
media,
video
streaming
services,
and
communication
platforms.
 The
near-constant
exposure
to
technology
can
hijack
our
sleep
schedule
and
darken
our
mood.
 Let's
face
it,
who
wouldn't
be
in
a
bad
disposition
much
of
the
time
if
they
constantly
followed
the
2024
presidential
election?
 Mental
health
awareness
has
garnered
an
increasing
amount
of
attention
over
the
last
few
years,
and
rightfully
so.
 One
positive
outcome
of
our
current
environment
is
that
someone
who
is
dealing
with
mental
health
difficulties
is
not
branded
with
the
same
stigma
that
they
once
were.
 We
all
face
challenges
every
day,
and
there
is
a
good
chance
that
someone
you
know
is
dealing
with
adverse
circumstances,
whether
they
show
it
or
not.
 While
actions
matter
more
than
words,
people
deserve
compassion
and
understanding
rather
than
a
rush
to
judgment.


 


The
mental
component
of
exercise
can
never
be
underestimated.
 Remember
that
your
brain
controls
your
body,
and
that
skeletal
muscle
is
the
only
type
of
muscle
tissue
in
the
human
body
over
which
you
have
volitional
control.
 Smooth
muscle
helps
with
digestion,
nutrient
collection,
and
removal
of
toxins,
while
cardiac
muscle
controls
the
beating
of
your
heart.
 All
of
these
are
important
actions
but
they
are
involuntary.
 Contraction
of
skeletal
muscle
occurs
as
a
result
of
conscious
effort
that
originates
in
the
brain;
it
does
not
happen
on
its
own.
 In
order
to
get
the
most
out
of
proper
exercise,
we
need
to
focus
as
much
of
our
brain's
capacity
on
the
task
at
hand.
 Don't
get
stuck
in
your
own
head!


 


What
do
I
mean
by
that
statement?
 Getting
stuck
in
your
own
head
can
take
on
several
different
forms.
 One
scenario
often
happens
when
clients
return
after
a
couple
weeks
off,
either
because
of
a
vacation
or
some
other
absence.
 They
will
often
struggle
in
their
first
workout
back,
in
part
because
I
think
they
lose
sight
of
the
amount
of
effort
that
is
required
during
a
Total
Results
workout.
 I
saw
a
phrase
that
I
really
liked
in
an
article
I
read
this
morning
that
said,
"Prepare
for
a
high
level
of
discomfort."
 The
article
had
nothing
whatsoever
to
do
with
exercise,
but
I
thought
it
was
appropriate
for
what
a
Total
Results
workout
entails.
 Clients
sometimes
forget
the
manner
in
which
our
machines
are
designed,
where
the
resistance
is
typically
heaviest
in
the
beginning
of
the
movement
and
becomes
easier
once
the
cam
falls
off.
 I
see
this
often
on
the
Chest
Press
exercise;
it's
not
that
they
are
unable
to
move
the
weight,
it's
just
that
they
are
seemingly
unprepared
for
the
amount
of
effort
that
is
necessary
to
overcome
inertia
at
the
start.
 This
is
a
mental
hang-up,
not
a
physical
problem.
 While
you
may
lose
some
cardiovascular
and
metabolic
conditioning
if
you
take
a
few
weeks
off,
you
are
very
unlikely
to
lose
muscle
or
strength
during
that
time.
 The
same
scenario
can
present
itself
on
the
Leg
Press.
 At
the
start
of
the
exercise
there
can
be
a
slight
delay
between
the
brain
sending
the
message
to
your
muscles
to
contract
and
when
movement
actually
occurs.
 It
is
only
fractions
of
a
second,
but
in
your
perception
it
seems
like
you
are
suspended
in
time.
 Exercise
some
patience.
 If
you
contract
your
muscles,
the
weight
will
eventually
move.
 


 


Fear
and
negative
thoughts
are
also
examples
of
getting
stuck
in
your
own
head.
 Fear
of
what,
exactly?
 It
could
be
fear
of
exertional
discomfort,
fear
of
not
performing
well,
or
fear
of
being
injured.
 Don't
give
in
to
fear;
no
matter
how
uncomfortable
a
Total
Results
workout
is
(and
it
is
uncomfortable
-
making
lasting
physical
improvements
is
not
easy),
it
only
lasts
for
twenty
minutes.
 I
believe
that
many
people
don't
start
with
Total
Results
out
of
fear,
or
because
they
feel
that
they
"need
to
get
in
shape
first."
 They
are
missing
the
point.
 Putting
the
work
in
at
Total
Results
is
what
will
make
the
difference,
not
trying
some
less
effective
method
first.
 Do
not
be
fearful
of
injury;
that
is
the
main
reason
we
go
to
great
lengths
to
teach
our
protocol
in
the
first
few
sessions
and
make
sure
all
of
your
exercise
settings
are
correct.
 It
is
why
we
painstakingly
explain
the
preliminary
considerations
during
an
initial
consultation.
 Yes,
it
may
feel
like
we
are
throwing
a
lot
of
information
at
you
at
first,
but
it
is
necessary
in
order
to
optimize
your
safety.
 Our
exercise
protocol
is
safer
than
stepping
off
a
curb,
as
long
as
you
follow
our
instructions.
 Get
out
of
your
own
head!
 You
are
capable
of
far
more
than
you
give
yourself
credit
for.


 


In
the
last
year
or
so
I
have
started
giving
clients
access
to
their
workout
spreadsheets
so
that
they
can
track
their
progress
over
time.
 This
is
important
because
I
believe
that
knowledge
of
results
is
a
vital
factor
for
keeping
clients
motivated,
but
also
in
terms
of
celebrating
their
successes.
 Sometimes,
however,
this
can
backfire
because
some
clients
will
obsessively
pore
over
each
workout
and
fret
if
they
don't
add
weight
or
increase
their
time
under
load
(TUL)
every
time.
 Sure,
you
will
likely
experience
rapid
progress
in
the
first
several
weeks,
but
part
of
that
is
because
we
estimate
your
beginning
poundages
conservatively
at
first
in
order
to
teach
proper
form.
 After
four
to
six
weeks
any
increases
in
weight
and
TUL
are
more
the
result
of
physical
adaptations
than
they
are
the
learning
effect.
 Progress
should
be
steady
but
change
does
not
happen
overnight,
and
it
is
also
important
to
note
that
as
a
client
becomes
more
experienced
they
will
come
across
the
law
of
diminishing
returns.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Spark&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=723</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=723</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

John
J.
Ratey,
MD,
is
an
associate
clinical
professor
of
psychiatry
at
Harvard
Medical
School,
and
has
co-written
several
books
over
his
long
career
in
medicine.
 Eric
Hagerman
is
a
former
editor
at
Popular
Science
and
Outside
magazines,
and
his
articles
have
also
appeared
in
The
Best
American
Sports
Writing
2004,
Men's
Journal,
and
PLAY.
 In
2008,
Ratey
and
Hagerman
teamed
up
to
release
"Spark",
which
discusses
the
relationship
between
physical
activity,
exercise,
and
the
brain.
 I
took
an
interest
in
this
book
after
having
a
conversation
with
the
Head
Freshman
Football
Coach
at
Dominion
High
School,
Carlos
Hercules.
 He
and
I
attended
a
sports
expo
for
rising
9th
graders
at
the
school
that
took
place
before
the
high
school
day
typically
starts.
 I
had
noticed
that
there
was
activity
going
on
in
the
main
gym,
which
I
then
learned
was
called
Zero
Block.
 I
had
heard
of
Zero
Block
before
(it
is
called
Zero
Block
because
it
takes
place
before
the
traditional
First
Block
period),
but
I
assumed
it
was
some
sort
of
punishment.
 In
fact,
kids
voluntarily
sign
up
for
Zero
Block
because
evidence
shows
that
performing
physical
activity
early
in
the
morning
helps
people
of
all
ages
to
be
more
alert,
focused,
and
have
more
energy
for
the
first
several
hours
of
the
day.


 


The
first
chapter
(after
the
introduction)
details
the
radical
and
experimental
program
that
took
place
at
Naperville
Central
High
School,
which
is
located
just
west
of
Chicago.
 Here
is
where
the
concept
of
Zero
Hour
P.E.
was
first
implemented,
and
it
was
spearheaded
by
physical
education
teachers
Neil
Duncan,
Phil
Lawler,
and
former
high
school
football
coach
Paul
Zientarski.
 In
Zero
Hour
P.E.
the
students
did
not
participate
in
just
the
traditional
team
sports
and
games
that
you
would
expect
to
see
in
your
standard
gym
class,
but
they
had
a
menu
of
options
that
included
kayaking,
dance,
rock
climbing,
as
well
as
running
the
mile.
 Students
were
graded
on
effort
rather
than
performance,
which
encouraged
them
to
stick
with
it
and
not
give
up,
and
they
had
targets
to
shoot
for
in
terms
of
heart
rate,
blood
pressure,
and
body
fat,
which
motivated
them
to
take
ownership
of
their
fitness.
 Even
better
was
the
fact
that
Zero
Hour
P.E.
had
a
positive
impact
on
standardized
test
scores
and
graduation
rate.
 According
to
the
authors,
the
two
high
schools
in
the
Naperville
district
"...boast
a
97
percent
graduation
rate."
 At
Naperville
Central
High
in
particular
the
"...composite
ACT
score
for
the
graduating
class
of
2005
was
24.8,
well
above
the
state
average
of
20.1."
 Pretty
impressive.


 


The
second
chapter
discusses
learning,
and
right
off
the
bat
Ratey
and
Hagerman
tell
us
that,
"In
addition
to
priming
our
state
of
mind,
exercise
influences
learning
directly,
at
the
cellular
level,
improving
the
brain's
potential
to
log
in
and
process
new
information."
 Exercise
can
strengthen
the
affinity
between
the
brain's
neurons,
thus
making
the
connection
easier
and
the
new
information
that
is
processed
is
more
likely
to
stick
in
your
memory.
 VEGF
(vascular
endothelial
growth
factor)
is
a
hormone
produced
during
exercise
that
can
push
through
the
blood-brain
barrier
and
help
stimulate
the
machinery
of
learning.
 The
authors
note
that,
"When
our
body's
cells
run
short
of
oxygen,
as
they
can
when
our
muscles
contract
during
exercise,
VEGF
gets
to
work
building
more
capillaries
in
the
body
and
the
brain."
 Just
learning
how
to
properly
perform
Total
Results
exercise
challenges
your
brain,
and
perfecting
your
form
shows
that
you
have
strengthened
the
circuits
linking
different
parts
of
your
brain
such
as
the
cerebellum,
prefrontal
cortex,
and
basal
ganglia.
 


 


Most
of
us
are
aware
that
exercise
helps
improve
depression,
but
many
of
us
probably
don't
know
that
it
can
be
just
as
effective
as
taking
antidepressant
medication.
 Researchers
at
Duke
University
undertook
a
study
in
1999
in
which
156
people
participated.
 They
were
split
up
into
three
groups:
one
took
Zoloft,
one
group
exercised,
and
the
third
group
did
a
combination
of
the
two.
 The
exercise
group,
it
should
be
noted,
walked
or
jogged
for
30
minutes,
three
times
a
week,
at
70
to
85
percent
of
their
aerobic
capacity
(although
how
they
measured
that
was
not
discussed
in
the
chapter).
 At
the
end
of
the
study,
all
three
groups
showed
a
significant
drop
in
their
depression,
which
led
the
chief
researcher
to
conclude
that
exercise
is
as
effective
at
improving
depression
as
medication.
 While
those
results
are
certainly
encouraging
(I
know
that
I
would
rather
walk
than
take
medication
with
nasty
side
effects),
I
have
worked
in
the
field
of
exercise
for
long
enough
to
have
some
skepticism
with
how
exercise
related
studies
are
often
conducted.
 Certainly
this
would
merit
further
examination.


 


I
have
a
few
concerns
about
this
book,
even
though
I
did
enjoy
reading
it.
 One
question
I
have
is,
why
is
there
so
much
reverence
for
Kenneth
Cooper?
 Sure,
he's
a
notable
figure
in
the
world
of
running,
but
in
my
opinion
he
did
far
more
to
wreck
people's
knees
than
improve
their
hearts
with
his
"Aerobics
revolution"
that
began
in
the
late
1960s.
 According
to
Ken
Hutchins,
Cooper
was
far
more
of
an
evangelist
than
a
scientist,
and
we
have
come
to
learn
of
the
extreme
muscle-wasting
that
comes
from
developing
a
running
habit,
not
to
mention
the
overuse
injuries.
 Second,
there
is
no
real
definition
of
exercise
in
this
book.
 It
seems
to
me
that
any
type
of
movement
or
activity
would
qualify
in
the
authors'
eyes.
 One
must
also
understand
that
a
truly
clinical
definition
of
exercise
has
only
been
developed
by
the
aforementioned
Hutchins.
 He
defines
exercise
as,
"A
process
by
which
the
body
performs
work
of
a
demanding
nature,
in
accordance
with
muscle
and
joint
function,
in
a
clinically
controlled
environment,
within
the
constraints
of
safety,
meaningfully
loading
the
muscular
structures
to
inroad
their
strength
levels
to
stimulate
a
growth
mechanism
in
minimum
time."
 Sure,
I
believe
that
movement
is
good
for
you,
and
that
as
human
beings
we
were
not
designed
to
sit
still,
but
some
activities
are
higher
risk
than
others.
 Extreme
activities
may
alleviate
depression
and
improve
mood,
but
what
if
you
get
injured
in
the
process?
 That
could
also
cause
depression,
and
that
other
side
of
the
coin
seems
to
be
ignored.
 Improved
body
image,
confidence,
and
mood
elevation
can
result
from
one
or
two
Total
Results
workouts
each
week.
 I
have
not
conducted
any
studies
on
the
matter,
but
I
have
enough
anecdotal
evidence
over
the
past
25
years
to
realize
that
I
am
onto
something.


 


Although
"Spark"
is
slow-moving
at
times,
I
thought
it
was
beneficial
to
read
in
order
to
comprehend
a
different
point
of
view.
 Dr.
Ratey
and
Mr.
Hagerman
write
well
together
and
give
a
lot
of
good
information.
 I
encourage
you
to
give
the
book
a
read
and
draw
your
own
conclusions.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Time is of the Essence</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=722</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=722</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Time
is
the
one
commodity
that
always
seems
to
be
in
short
supply.
 We
always
think
we
have
more
of
it,
that
the
future
lies
far
off
in
the
distance,
but
then
you
wake
up
one
day
and
realize
that
you
are
much
closer
to
the
end
of
your
life
than
you
are
to
the
beginning.
 Time
is
precious,
and
as
we
come
to
grips
with
the
fact
that
life
doesn't
last
forever,
most
of
us
can
feel
a
sense
of
urgency
that
we
want
to
be
able
to
make
the
most
out
of
the
time
that
we
have
on
earth.
 We
want
to
have
meaningful
experiences,
make
a
positive
impact
on
others,
and
do
the
things
in
life
that
we
are
passionate
about.
 Nothing
in
life
is
worse
than
regret,
and
if
we
do
not
take
the
initiative
to
focus
on
the
things
in
this
world
that
we
can
control
we
can
find
ourselves
looking
back
on
our
lives
with
disappointment.


 


Time
is
an
important
factor
in
exercise,
in
several
ways.
 Most
of
us
do
not
have
hours
each
week
to
spend
working
out,
so
an
exercise
philosophy
that
involves
brief
and
infrequent
workouts
is
very
appealing.
 Establishing
good
habits
entails
implementing
a
regimen
that
is
not
overly
time
consuming,
because
a
large
time
commitment
will
provide
an
obstacle
and
excuse
for
many.
 It
is
no
surprise
that
most
people
who
start
traditional
"gym"
workouts
with
a
high
frequency
and
many
hours
to
invest
generally
flame
out
pretty
quickly.
 Brief
workouts
are
not
only
important
from
a
scheduling
standpoint,
but
also
from
a
biological
perspective.
 Cortisol
is
a
steroid
hormone
that
is
released
by
the
adrenal
glands
during
times
of
stress
and
physical
activity.
 If
your
workout
proceeds
for
too
long,
too
much
cortisol
is
released
and
can
have
harmful
repercussions.
 20
minute,
high-intensity
sessions
will
properly
stimulate
physical
improvements
while
not
resulting
in
excessive
cortisol
production.


 


Time
under
load
(TUL)
is
another
way
in
which
time
plays
a
role
in
exercise.
 Rather
than
count
and
record
the
number
of
repetitions
that
are
completed
in
an
exercise,
we
make
note
of
the
total
TUL
that
was
achieved.
 This
is
advantageous
for
a
couple
of
reasons.
 First,
counting
repetitions
is
merely
a
step
function.
 Let's
say
that
you
complete
six
repetitions
and
get
halfway
through
a
seventh
before
reaching
failure.
 If
we
merely
recorded
repetitions
you
would
not
credit
for
the
partial
repetition
that
you
attempted,
but
if
we
record
TUL
you
will
get
credit
for
that
additional
ten
to
fifteen
seconds
that
you
continued
to
push
or
pull
while
your
muscles
were
still
under
tension.
 Second,
an
additional
fifteen
seconds
means
more
stress
for
the
musculature,
which
will
result
in
a
measurement
of
progress
and
a
higher
quality
of
stimulus.
 If
we
increase
our
TUL
on
an
exercise
compared
to
a
previous
workout
(assuming
standardized
form)
while
using
the
same
weight,
we
know
that
we
have
increased
our
muscular
endurance.
Bear
in
mind,
however,
that
TUL
is
just
one
measurement
of
our
progress.
 Never
sacrifice
form
for
an
increased
TUL.


 


The
amount
of
time
between
exercises
is
important
as
well.
 We
set
up
all
the
machines
for
your
workout
in
advance
for
a
reason.
 That
is
because
we
want
to
move
as
quickly
and
efficiently
between
exercises
as
possible.
 Minimizing
time
between
exercises
is
critical
for
making
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
improvements.
 In
order
to
improve
the
cardiovascular
system,
we
need
to
perform
quality
work
with
the
skeletal
muscles,
and
working
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure
ensures
that
we
have
given
a
maximum
effort.
 However,
if
we
rest
between
exercises
we
give
our
circulatory
and
metabolic
systems
a
chance
to
recover,
and
that
defeats
the
purpose
of
what
we
are
trying
to
achieve.
 Stalling
only
drags
out
the
workout
and
shortchanges
you
of
benefit.
 We
don't
want
you
to
rush
through
your
workout,
but
we
do
want
you
to
be
as
efficient
as
possible.
 


 


The
most
important
factor
in
your
body's
ability
to
recover
and
stimulate
physical
improvements
is
time.
 Sure,
proper
sleep
is
necessary
to
aid
in
tissue
repair,
and
nutrition
is
critical
to
have
the
raw
materials
and
essential
fuel,
but
you
can
satisfy
those
requirements
while
still
not
giving
the
body
enough
time
to
build
upon
its
previous
levels
of
strength
and
conditioning.
 There
is
an
inverse
relationship
between
intensity
of
effort
and
the
time
it
takes
to
recuperate.
 We
want
the
minimum
dosage
of
exercise
that
is
necessary
to
stimulate
physical
improvements,
because
exercise
has
a
narrow
therapeutic
window.
 Too
much
exercise
creates
a
toxic
effect,
while
not
enough
exercise
provides
little
benefit.
 It
takes
between
48
and
72
hours
for
the
body
to
replenish
glycogen
stores
(your
primary
fuel
source
during
intense
exercise),
which
is
why
our
clients
exercise
no
more
than
twice
per
week
with
at
least
three
days
between
sessions.
 This
is
not
just
something
that
we
can
get
away
with,
but
rather
a
physical
necessity.
 You
must
give
the
body
adequate
time
to
repair
itself
and
not
interfere
with
the
process
by
overexerting
yourself
between
sessions.


 


As
former
Navy
SEAL
Mark
Divine
notes
in
his
book
"The
Way
of
the
SEAL",
it
is
important
to
understand
your
purpose.
 Are
you
truly
interested
in
accomplishing
meaningful
change,
or
are
you
just
marking
time?
 Most
people
spend
a
lot
of
time
in
the
gym
but
perform
very
little
(if
any)
exercise.
 There
should
be
a
sense
of
urgency
when
it
comes
to
your
health.
 The
Total
Results
philosophy
saves
you
time
so
that
you
can
focus
on
what
is
important
to
you,
and
every
session
is
an
opportunity
for
tangible
improvement.
 Do
not
put
it
off
until
tomorrow,
for
we
do
not
know
what
tomorrow
holds
or
if
it
will
come
at
all.
 Start
today.
 Time
is
of
the
essence.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Same Actions Will Yield the Same Results</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=721</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=721</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
people
are
resistant
to
change.
 Once
you
have
achieved
a
certain
level
of
success
or
risen
to
a
particular
station
in
life,
it
is
very
easy
to
fall
into
a
trap
of
becoming
comfortable.
 Let's
face
it,
change
can
be
a
scary
proposition,
but
sometimes
we
must
endure
short-term
pain
in
order
to
experience
long-term
gain.
 Accomplishing
significant
positive
growth,
whether
it
is
in
business,
a
relationship,
or
in
academics
means
that
you
must
get
comfortable
with
being
uncomfortable.
 Developing
habits
is
great,
and
I
am
a
firm
believer
in
establishing
a
routine,
but
not
if
it
isn't
producing
desirable
results.
 While
I
am
not
advocating
change
simply
for
the
sake
of
change,
if
you
are
stuck
in
a
rut
or
not
satisfied
with
your
rate
of
progress,
the
same
actions
will
yield
the
same
results.


 


When
I
worked
in
commercial
gyms
early
in
my
career,
I
would
often
see
the
same
people
in
the
gym
every
day
doing
the
same
things.
 Obviously
they
were
grossly
overtrained,
but
that
did
not
seem
to
dawn
on
them.
 In
fact,
they
would
usually
say
something
to
the
effect
of
"this
works
for
me",
even
though
over
time
their
physiques
changed
for
the
worse.
 I
am
certainly
not
advocating
ridiculous
bodybuilding
"strategies"
of
doing
"instinctive"
 training
or
something
different
every
day
in
order
to
"shock"
muscular
growth.
 That
would
be
an
absolute
joke.
 You
do,
however,
need
to
have
an
honest
conversation
with
yourself
and
determine
exactly
what
it
is
that
you
want
to
achieve
and
how
you
can
tangibly
measure
your
progress.
 If
you
are
lifting
the
same
amount
of
weight
that
you
used
six
months
ago,
are
seeing
no
positive
change
in
your
energy
levels,
and
experience
no
discernible
difference
in
how
your
clothes
fit,
it
is
clear
that
your
exercise
regimen
is
not
working
for
you.
 It
is
a
sign
of
courage
and
strength
to
ask
for
help,
not
a
weakness.


 


The
concept
of
accountability
receives
much
attention
these
days,
but
I
think
the
term
is
slightly
misunderstood.
 In
business
or
team
settings,
there
is
an
emphasis
on
"holding
each
other
accountable",
and
I
do
believe
that
there
should
be
a
standard
that
is
upheld
if
one
wants
to
achieve
success.
 However,
it
is
easy
to
confuse
accountability
with
consequences.
 In
the
book
"The
12
Week
Year",
authors
Brian
P.
Moran
and
Michael
Lennington
remark,
"Accountability
is
not
consequences,
but

ownership

(author's
emphasis).
It
is
a
character
trait,
a
life
stance,
a
willingness
to
own
your
actions
and
results

regardless
of
the
circumstances

(author's
emphasis)."
 They
go
on
to
say
that,
"Accountability
is
the
realization
that
you
always
have
a
choice;
that,
in
fact,
there
are
no

have-to's

in
life
(author's
emphasis)."
 We
are
the
product
of
our
choices,
and
sometimes
we
make
poor
choices.
 Accountability
dictates
that
the
individual
is
responsible
for
the
choices
they
make,
whether
the
results
are
good
or
bad.
 It
is
no
one
else's
fault
if
one
does
not
achieve
the
results
they
seek.
 I
believe
that
if
one
develops
a
mindset
of
responsibility
and
is
accountable
for
themselves,
they
are
far
more
likely
to
succeed
rather
than
fail.


 


What
you
need
is
an
educated
instructor
to
guide
you
through
the
process.
 That
is
where
Total
Results
comes
in.
 Our
role
is
that
of
an
educator,
teaching
concepts
that
are
very
new
for
most
people
who
come
through
our
door.
 We
want
you
to
understand
the
hows
and
whys
of
what
we
do,
and
we
encourage
you
to
adopt
the
proper
mindset
during
each
exercise
so
that
you
can
achieve
optimal
results.
 Our
teaching
is
not
limited
to
what
goes
on
during
workouts.
 We
explain
the
dangers
of
the
traditional
Western
diet,
and
the
importance
of
limiting
sugars
and
processed
foods,
in
addition
to
explaining
intermittent
fasting.
 Clients
must
also
be
aware
of
what
they
should
and
should
not
do
between
workouts
in
order
to
optimize
recovery.
 You
need
a
sensible
plan
with
structure
and
a
willingness
to
commit
to
it
for
the
long
term.
 Total
Results
can
provide
that
framework.


 


Change
requires
courage,
but
it
is
important
to
remember
that
the
only
constant
in
this
world
is
change.
 In
order
to
survive
as
a
species,
man
has
had
to
adapt
to
his
environment,
and
the
best
way
to
prepare
yourself
for
the
uncertainties
of
life
is
to
be
as
strong
and
as
fit
as
possible.
 If
you
continue
to
plug
away,
show
up
consistently,
and
give
your
best
effort
in
your
workouts,
you
will
reap
the
benefits
of
increased
strength,
improved
conditioning,
reduced
stress,
increased
injury
resistance,
and
robust
health.
 Don't
be
satisfied
with
the
same
old,
same
old.
 Be
prepared
for
what
life
throws
your
way
and
have
the
fortitude
to
face
it
head
on!
 Let
Total
Results
show
you
the
way.






]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What&#039;s Important Now</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=720</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=720</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
believe
that
if
you
want
to
be
successful,
you
should
observe
and
learn
from
successful
people
and
try
to
adopt
some
of
their
strategies.
 Succeeding
in
sports,
business,
or
academics
follows
a
similar
formula
-
establishing
and
maintaining
good
habits!
 Relentless
enthusiasm,
positivity,
and
a
mindset
of
accountability
will
go
a
lot
further
than
pessimism
and
blaming
others.
 I
recently
read
Lou
Holtz's
leadership
and
success-themed
book
"Winning
Every
Day."
 Coach
Holtz,
as
many
of
you
know,
is
a
retired
College
Football
Hall
of
Fame
coach
who
successfully
turned
around
several
programs
and
won
the
1988
National
Championship
at
Notre
Dame.
 Since
his
retirement
he
has
worked
in
broadcasting
and
has
been
a
highly
sought-after
motivational
speaker
who
has
given
presentations
to
many
Fortune
500
companies.
 Although
his
book
was
published
in
1998,
the
tenets
of
Holtz's
WIN
philosophy
(What's
Important
Now)
are
just
as
relevant
today
as
they
were
a
quarter
century
ago.


 


Coach
Holtz
was
successful
in
spite
of
his
shortcomings.
 He
was
born
with
a
profound
lisp,
so
he
is
not
the
most
charismatic
speaker.
 As
a
player,
he
was
5'10"
and
150
pounds,
so
he
was
not
considered
a
star
athlete
(although
he
did
play
college
football
at
Kent
State).
 He
was
an
average
student,
so
he
did
not
ease
his
family's
financial
burdens
by
qualifying
for
any
academic
scholarships.
 As
a
coach
he
was
not
considered
an
offensive
or
defensive
mastermind,
yet
he
was
successful
wherever
he
coached
in
college
football.
 Notwithstanding
Holtz's
genetic
limitations,
he
maximized
his
abilities
by
being
disciplined,
focused,
having
purpose,
and
setting
goals.
 He
notes,
"You
can't
solve
your
personal
issues
until
you
define
your
purpose.
 What
are
you
trying
to
accomplish?
 What
have
you
done
today
to
bring
you
closer
to
your
goals?
 The
moment
we
lose
sight
of
our
objectives,
we
founder."
 If
you
have
a
purpose
and
set
a
goal,
you
then
have
something
to
shoot
for.
 Some
things
happen
by
chance,
but
our
success
(or
lack
thereof)
in
any
endeavor
is
a
product
of
our
choices.
 


 


WIN
is
applicable
in
the
realm
of
exercise,
not
just
in
terms
of
achieving
some
general,
specific,
and
measurable
goals,
but
also
during
the
workout
itself.
 What's
Important
Now
can
be
phrased
in
the
form
of
a
question,
or
it
can
be
a
declarative
statement.
 Let's
say
that
you
have
a
workout
scheduled
for
7
AM
the
next
day.
 Is
it
more
important
to
go
out
for
a
few
beers
in
the
evening
with
your
friends,
or
get
to
bed
at
a
reasonable
hour
so
that
you
can
be
well-rested,
focused
and
energized
for
your
early
morning
workout?
 Only
you
can
make
that
decision,
based
on
what
is
important
to
you.
 Your
primary
goal
is
to
lose
body
fat.
 Does
it
make
sense
to
stick
with
single-ingredient
whole
foods
and
continue
with
intermittent
fasting,
or
splurge
on
bad
food
choices?
 The
more
you
think
WIN,
the
more
it
becomes
a
declarative
statement
and
less
of
a
question.


 


During
a
Total
Results
workout,
is
it
more
important
to
focus
on
your
time
under
load
(TUL),
or
does
greater
value
lie
in
simply
giving
your
greatest
muscular
effort?
 Think
about
the
assumed
versus
the
real
objective
of
exercise.
 Most
people
assume
that
we
want
to
perform
as
many
repetitions
with
as
much
weight
as
we
possibly
can.
 In
fact,
the
real
objective
is
to
thoroughly
inroad
the
musculature
and
create
an
effective
stimulus,
and
often
those
two
objectives
are
at
cross
purposes.
 If
you
compromise
your
form
simply
to
finish
more
repetitions
you
will
not
only
risk
injury,
but
will
diminish
the
exercise
stimulus.
 When
movement
slows
to
a
crawl
or
even
stops,
think
WIN!
 Effort
is
the
name
of
the
game.
 If
you
push
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure,
regardless
of
TUL,
you
will
have
achieved
your
exercise
objective.
 The
ability
to
think
WIN
is
what
separates
Total
Results
clients
from
everyone
else.


 


Creating
sustainable
habits
and
developing
the
right
mindset
will
breed
success,
and
it
fits
in
perfectly
with
Lou
Holtz's
WIN
philosophy.
 Do
not
waste
time
on
the
trivial,
or
the
things
that
are
at
odds
with
your
purpose.
 This
will
impede
your
ability
to
reach
your
goal.
 You
can
be
the
best
version
of
yourself
if
you
identify
your
purpose,
write
out
your
goals,
and
focus
on
WIN!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Explaining the Squeeze Technique</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=719</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=719</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

We
do
not
use
repetition-assist
techniques
at
Total
Results.
Some
of
the
more
popular
approaches
that
bodybuilders
use
include
forced
repetitions,
applied
negatives,
breakdowns,
and
pyramid
schemes.
These
often
give
the
illusion
that
the
trainee
is
working
hard,
but
much
of
it
is
for
show.
In
my
opinion,
the
aforementioned
strategies
provide
questionable
benefits
and
can
compromise
safety.
It
is
vitally
important
to
regulate
one's
dose
of
exercise,
as
well
as
frequency
and
intensity.
The
body
has
finite
recovery
ability,
and
it
is
very
easy
to
overtrain
or
cause
injury.

 


Most
readers
of
this
blog
know
that
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
involves
using
a
very
slow
speed
of
movement
(10
seconds
on
the
positive
and
10
seconds
on
the
negative),
deliberate
turnaround
technique,
and
pushing
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure.
Our
main
exercise
objective
is
a
thorough
inroad
of
all
of
the
body's
muscular
structures
so
that
we
can
create
a
stimulus
that
the
body
needs
to
make
physical
improvements.
One
method
that
we
do
apply
to
certain
exercises
in
order
to
enhance
exercise
intensity
and
depth
of
inroad
is
called
the
squeeze
technique.
This
is
something
that
we
typically
introduce
to
new
clients
in
their
second
or
third
workout.
Keep
in
mind
that
the
word
"squeeze"
is
just
a
metaphor.
Clients
often
ask
about
this
and
wonder
what
it
is
they
are
supposed
to
squeeze,
and
we
have
to
explain
to
them
that
they
are
not
actually
squeezing
anything.
However,
we
use
the
word
squeeze
because
it
effectively
represents
the
feeling
that
they
should
experience
when
they
properly
apply
the
technique.
This
requires
good
teaching
and
effective
word
selection
on
the
part
of
the
instructor,
as
well
as
a
learning
mindset
on
the
part
of
the
exercise
subject.

 


The
squeeze
technique
is
used
starting
with
the
third
repetition
of
an
exercise,
and
is
applied
to
all
the
remaining
repetitions
of
that
particular
exercise.
This
is
done
for
two
reasons.
One,
the
first
two
repetitions
of
any
exercise
carry
the
highest
risk
of
injury,
as
your
muscles
are
fresh
and
can
produce
the
amount
of
force
necessary
to
cause
injury.
By
weakening
the
musculature
to
a
degree
with
the
first
two
repetitions,
we
can
feel
confident
in
your
safety
going
forward.
Second,
the
first
two
repetitions
serve
as
a
thorough
and
specific
warm-up
for
the
involved
muscles
and
joints.
Synovial
fluid
is
released,
thus
lubricating
the
joints
and
making
things
work
more
smoothly.
Applying
the
squeeze
technique
should
last
between
three
and
five
seconds
when
you
reach
the
most
contracted
position
in
an
exercise.
A
great
example
takes
place
on
the
Seated
Leg
Curl
exercise,
which
primarily
targets
the
hamstrings
and
involves
the
function
of
knee
flexion.
When
your
knees
are
in
their
most
flexed
position
(with
your
toes
pointed
up),
you
will
gradually
add
as
much
tension
to
your
hamstrings
as
possible
and
contract
them
with
maximum
effort.
You
must
remember
to
breathe
freely
while
performing
the
squeeze
technique;
do
not
breath
hold
or
perform
a
Val
Salva.
Try
to
really
focus
on
your
targeted
muscle
during
this
time.
After
three
to
five
seconds
of
that
contraction,
you
will
gradually
ease
out
of
that
position
and
continue
with
the
negative
excursion.
This
sequence
will
be
repeated
until
muscular
failure
is
reached
and
a
thorough
inroad
is
performed.


We
utilize
the
squeeze
technique
on
pulling
exercises
like
the
Pulldown,
or
any
movement
where
the
musculature
is
still
significantly
loaded
in
the
most
contracted
position.
It
is
generally
not
used
on
most
pushing
exercises,
as
force
vectors
are
such
that
staying
in
a
lockout
position
can
unload
the
musculature
briefly.
Think
of
the
Leg
Press
exercise.
The
end
point
is
usually
set
to
a
position
just
short
of
full
extension
of
the
knees.
Even
with
the
end
stop
back
there,
if
you
tried
hard
enough
to
push
on
it,
eventually
your
knees
would
lock
and
could
result
in
serious
injury.
The
Lumbar
Extension
exercise
is
another
great
example
of
how
to
use
the
squeeze
technique.
The
cam
fall-off
on
that
exercise
is
significant,
but
you
are
still
loaded
in
the
most
extended
position.
To
apply
the
squeeze,
you
will
gradually
(never
abruptly
or
suddenly)
press
the
movement
arm
down
on
the
rubber
stopper
that
marks
the
end
point.
In
your
mind,
think
about
trying
to
advance
the
movement
arm
further,
even
though
the
mechanics
of
the
machine
prevent
you
from
doing
so.
Focus
on
your
lower
back
musculature;
that
is
the
prime
mover
of
the
exercise.
After
three
to
five
seconds
of
maximum
effort,
gently
ease
out
of
the
squeeze
and
continue
with
the
negative
excursion.
Other
exercises
that
can
accommodate
the
squeeze
technique
include
Row,
Calf
Raise,
Cervical
Extension,
and
Linear
Spine
Flexion.

 


You
do
not
need
to
perform
all
those
rep-assist
techniques
that
you
see
in
gyms
in
order
to
create
a
thorough
exercise
stimulus.
I
believe
those
practices
are
actually
impediments
to
progress.
The
squeeze
technique
can
enhance
the
connection
between
your
mind
and
the
targeted
musculature.
After
you
become
more
proficient
in
using
it,
you
might
find
that
your
time
under
load
will
slightly
decrease.
If
so,
that's
okay;
we
are
looking
for
quality
rather
than
quantity.
Remember,
the
main
objective
of
exercise
is
thorough
inroad.
Mastery
of
this
advanced
strategy
can
help
you
achieve
that
goal.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Truth About Statins&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=718</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=718</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Barbara
H.
Roberts,
M.D.,
is
the
Director
of
The
Women's
Cardiac
Center
at
the
Miriam
Hospital
in
Providence,
Rhode
Island.
Before
that,
she
spent
two
years
at
the
National
Heart.
Lung,
and
Blood
Institute
at
the
National
Institutes
of
Health.
During
her
time
at
N.I.H.,
she
studied
the
beneficial
effect
of
lowering
cholesterol
and
the
occurrence
of
heart
disease.
Dr.
Roberts
earned
her
undergraduate
degree
from
Barnard
College
of
Columbia
University,
and
obtained
her
medical
degree
from
the
Case
Western
Reserve
University
School
of
Medicine.
The
author
published
"The
Truth
About
Statins"
in
2012.
Regular
readers
of
this
blog
will
note
that
last
summer
I
read
and
reviewed
a
book
called
"The
Statin
Damage
Crisis",
and
a
lot
of
the
information
in
this
book
is
similar,
but
I
learned
a
few
things
in
this
book
that
I
did
not
already
know.
I
think
the
additional
details
in
this
book
are
useful
for
the
reader,
in
the
event
that
their
doctor
wants
to
put
them
on
a
statin
drug,
plus
going
over
the
same
concepts
again
helps
with
absorption
of
facts.

 


Statin
drugs
were
first
approved
to
lower
cholesterol
in
1987.
The
way
that
these
drugs
work
is
by
inhibiting
an
enzyme
that
is
integral
for
the
manufacturing
of
cholesterol
by
the
body,
and
statins
also
increase
the
uptake
of
LDL
(low-density
lipoprotein,
the
so-called
"bad"
cholesterol)
by
the
liver.
Unfortunately,
statins
also
inhibit
the
production
of
HDL
(high-density
lipoprotein,
the
so-called
"good"
cholesterol).
Many
different
statins
have
hit
the
market
over
the
last
three-plus
decades,
such
as
Crestor,
Zocor,
and
Lipitor,
and
all
of
them
have
the
same
properties.
However,
cholesterol
is
a
naturally
occurring
substance
in
our
bodies,
and
it
serves
many
important
functions.
As
the
author
says,
"It's
an
integral
part
of
the
cell
membrane
that
surrounds
every
cell
in
our
bodies,
keeping
all
the
structures
inside
the
cell
from
leaking
out.
It
is
a
building
block
of
other
molecules
that
our
bodies
need
to
function,
such
as
vitamin
D,
and
many
hormones.
Cholesterol
is
used
to
make
bile
acids,
which
assist
in
digestion."
Dr.
Roberts
goes
further,
saying,
"But
cholesterol,
far
from
being
the
villain
it's
said
to
be,
is
a
vital
part
of
every
cell
in
our
bodies.
This
waxy
fat,
primarily
produced
by
the
liver,
is
absolutely
crucial
for
the
normal
functioning
of
muscles,
nerve
cells,
and
the
brain-and
it's
also
the
building
block
that
our
bodies
use
to
manufacture
many
hormones,
including
the
reproductive
hormones
estrogen
and
testosterone."
These
are
facts
that
are
rarely
discussed
by
the
pharmaceutical
companies.

 


Statin
drugs
also
carry
some
pretty
significant
side
effects.
Reported
side
effects
from
statins
include
muscle
pain
and
muscle
damage,
nerve
damage,
cognitive
dysfunction,
tendonitis
and
tendon
rupture,
joint
pain
and
stiffness,
liver
damage,
mitochondrial
dysfunction,
ALS,
diabetes,
and
congenital
defects
in
children
of
women
who
took
statins
during
pregnancy.
Sounds
pretty
nasty,
right?
Myopathy
is
the
most
common
side
effect,
which
can
result
in
mild
muscle
pain
and
progress
to
cramps,
tenderness,
weakness,
and
even
a
life-threatening
condition
called
rhabdomyolysis.
Unfortunately,
all
of
these
risks
do
not
even
translate
into
much
benefit
if
you
take
a
statin.
According
to
Dr.
Roberts,
"So
even
though
statins
do
not
decrease
the
risk
of
dying
when
given
to
people
without
vascular
disease,
they
do
lower
the
risk
of
dying
in
people
with
vascular
disease,
albeit
by
only
a
few
percentage
points."
It
doesn't
sound
like
the
juice
is
worth
the
squeeze.

 


If
your
doctor
notes
that
your
cholesterol
is
elevated
and
wants
to
prescribe
a
statin,
Dr.
Roberts
lists
a
series
of
questions
that
you
should
ask
your
physician.
The
first
thing
she
suggests
is
to
advocate
for
dietary
changes
to
see
if
it
improves
the
cholesterol
numbers.
Another
recommendation
is
to
ask
for
an
explanation
from
your
doctor
about
what
the
numbers
mean
and,
based
on
the
current
guidelines,
why
they
think
it
is
the
right
course
of
action
to
take.
The
author
describes
in
detail
during
chapter
four
the
differences
between
women
and
men
with
statin
use.
Statins
are
far
less
effective
in
women
than
they
are
for
men,
in
large
part
because
elevated
LDL
cholesterol
is
much
less
harmful
for
women
than
it
is
for
men.
The
good
doctor
concludes
the
chapter
by
stating,
"In
women
under
the
age
of
sixty-five
who
don't
have
established
vascular
disease,
we
have

zero

evidence
(her
emphasis)
that
statin
treatment
lowers
their
risk
of
having
a
cardiac
event...And
women
experience
more
side
effects
from
statins
than
men
do."

 


Dr.
Roberts
shares
some
patient
experiences
of
being
on
statins,
and
she
offers
several
alternatives
to
taking
these
drugs.
There
is
a
drug
that
she
has
prescribed
called
Questran,
which
is
part
of
a
family
of
drugs
that
are
bile
acid
sequestrants,
and
she
has
also
recommended
Niaspan,
which
is
a
B
vitamin
that
in
high
doses
lowers
LDL
cholesterol
and
triglycerides
and
raises
HDL
cholesterol.
Neither
of
these
options
have
the
awful
side
effects
of
statins.
There
is
also
an
entire
section
of
the
book
that
deals
with
dietary
recommendations,
rare
counsel
for
most
doctors.
The
author
espouses
a
variation
of
the
Mediterranean
Diet,
and
suggests
hearty
consumption
of
olive
oil,
vegetables,
fruit,
seafood,
beans,
nuts,
and
whole
grains.
She
even
includes
several
recipes
in
the
last
section
of
the
book.
Dr.
Roberts
warns
us
of
the
dangers
of
the
traditional
Western
diet
and
cautions
us
to
avoid
processed
foods
and
sugar.

 


Overall,
I
enjoyed
this
book.
Some
of
the
information
was
a
little
repetitive
for
me,
but
that
is
only
because
I
have
read
about
the
subject
before.
The
doctor's
writing
style
is
engaging,
and
I
liked
the
alternative
treatment
suggestions
that
I
mentioned
in
the
previous
paragraph.
She
does
an
excellent
job
of
exposing
the
limitations
of
clinical
trials
and
shining
a
light
on
how
the
pharmaceutical
companies
not
only
pay
for
the
studies,
but
also
manipulate
how
the
results
of
the
trials
are
released
to
the
public.
This
has
been
going
on
for
years,
and
not
just
with
statin
medications.
Particularly
useful
is
the
discussion
of
metabolic
syndrome
risk
factors,
which
are
rarely
mentioned
by
most
mainstream
outlets
and
are
far
more
problematic
than
high
levels
of
LDL
cholesterol
for
people
with
atherosclerosis.
My
only
disappointment
with
the
book
is
that
there
was
no
mention
of
intermittent
fasting
as
an
alternative
strategy/treatment.
It
could
be
that
the
doctor
is
(or
was)
not
familiar
with
the
concept,
or
that
because
this
book
was
published
in
2012
it
did
not
garner
as
much
attention
then
as
it
does
today.

 


Books
like
"The
Truth
About
Statins"
give
you
more
information
to
act
as
your
own
health
advocate.
You
cannot
rely
solely
upon
your
doctor
to
help
you,
and
you
do
not
want
to
be
under
the
thumb
of
Big
Pharma.
Use
this
opportunity
to
take
control
of
your
own
destiny.
Knowledge
is
power.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Find Beauty in Simplicity</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=717</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=717</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
is
that
old
and
clever
maxim
that
declares
beauty
to
be
in
the
eye
of
the
beholder.
 Many
things
in
life
that
are
beautiful,
are
in
fact
very
simple.
 I
have
never
been
much
of
an
art
enthusiast,
but
I
can
appreciate
talent
when
I
see
it.
 Several
years
ago
on
a
visit
to
Philadelphia,
I
decided
to
check
out
the
Philadelphia
Museum
of
Art,
in
no
small
part
because
I
wanted
to
run
up
the
steps
that
were
an
iconic
part
of
the
Rocky
movie
franchise.
 Many
of
the
works
of
art
inside
the
museum
were
way
over
my
head,
but
I
found
that
I
liked
the
pieces
that
were
the
most
simple
and
did
not
require
a
curator
to
understand.
 One
does
not
often
think
of
classic
rock
music
as
beautiful,
but
give
me
AC/DC
all
day
long.
 Critics
of
the
band
often
say
that
many
of
their
songs
sound
the
same,
but
they
have
created
a
signature
sound
that
has
endured
for
50
years.
 I
would
much
rather
hear
a
song
with
a
simple
and
powerful
backbeat
and
Angus
Young's
blues-based
guitar
work
over
the
latest
complicated
techno-sampled
poly-rhythm
any
day
of
the
week.


 


Exercise
does
not
need
to
be
complicated,
contrary
to
what
the
last
fitness
"experts"
might
have
you
believe.
 You
can
try
to
jazz
up
an
exercise
philosophy
that
is
poorly-rooted
in
the
classical
sciences,
but
that
is
just
putting
lipstick
on
a
pig.
 Don't
overthink
it,
and
don't
listen
to
the
purported
exercise
gurus
who
tell
you
all
kinds
of
nonsense.
A
simple,
straightforward,
and
balanced
exercise
regimen
will
be
far
more
productive
than
the
latest
split
routine
found
in
bodybuilder
magazines.
 You
do
not
need
or
want
the
complicated
(and
dangerous)
movements
that
are
a
part
of
participating
in
CrossFit.
 It
is
far
better
to
keep
things
simple.
 Learn
a
handful
of
exercises
but
perform
them
correctly
and
with
great
effort.
 Variety
may
help
stave
off
boredom
for
some
people,
but
from
a
physiological
perspective
it
is
overrated
and
unnecessary.


 


Because
I
instruct
exercise
for
a
living,
I
see
beauty
in
everything
that
it
entails.
 Our
machines
are
so
meticulously
engineered
that
my
appreciation
for
their
design
grows
by
the
year.
 The
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
can
be
performed
on
many
types
of
equipment,
but
it
is
most
effective
when
Super
Slow
Systems
and
MedX
equipment
are
used
in
a
clinically
controlled
environment.
 I
find
beauty
in
a
properly
paced
ten
second
positive
and
ten
second
negative,
with
a
carefully
executed
turnaround.
 That
is
the
creation
of
a
work
of
art.
 It
is
the
culmination
of
a
desire
to
learn
on
the
part
of
the
client
and
solid
teaching
by
the
instructor.
 That
is
my
reward.


 


Some
clients
will
have
difficulty
mastering
the
particulars
of
proper
form,
and
that's
perfectly
normal.
Mastery
takes
a
lifetime,
and
consistently
applied
effort
will
pay
dividends.
Our
workouts
are
not
easy,
and
they
require
patience,
diligence,
effort,
and
a
learning
mindset
in
order
to
maximize
results.
 Find
beauty
and
satisfaction
in
performing
the
process,
as
this
is
a
journey
rather
than
a
destination.
 See
the
benefit
in
giving
your
best
possible
effort
for
20
minutes,
once
or
twice
per
week.
 Experience
the
satisfaction
of
squeezing
out
one
more
repetition
or
pushing
on
the
movement
arm
for
just
a
few
more
seconds
when
you
didn't
think
you
were
capable.
 It
is
about
quality
over
quantity.
 A
few
compound
exercises
(which
are
more
simple
to
learn
and
perform)
will
cover
more
ground.
 Again,
do
a
few
things,
but
do
them
well.


 


If
you
want
to
achieve
excellence,
you
must
be
prepared
to
sacrifice
comfort.
 Even
though
our
workouts
involve
twenty
minutes
of
consistent
hard
work,
there
is
a
certain
inherent
beauty
in
their
simplicity.
 When
your
mind
and
body
are
working
in
concert
and
you
are
giving
100
percent
of
your
focus,
it
is
a
beautiful
thing
to
watch.
 Think
of
each
exercise
as
your
blank
canvas,
and
believe
that
you
are
creating
a
work
of
art
with
every
repetition
that
you
perform.
 The
reward
comes
at
the
very
end
when
you
know
that
you
have
given
everything
you
have
in
order
to
accomplish
something
meaningful.
 That
is
a
special
gift.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Most Common Mistakes That People Make When Training On Their Own</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=716</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=716</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

We
have
had
many
long-term
success
stories
here
at
Total
Results.
Off
the
top
of
my
head,
I
can
think
of
at
least
three
current
clients
who
have
been
with
us
for
over
20
years.
I
believe
that
is
a
testament
to
the
dedication
and
determination
of
these
clients
to
incorporate
our
exercise
philosophy
into
their
lifestyle
for
such
a
long
period
of
time.
We
would
love
to
have
all
of
our
clients
stay
with
us
for
that
long,
but
we
understand
that
life
happens
and
sometimes
priorities
and
situations
can
change.
There
can
be
many
reasons
why
clients
leave
us:
they
move,
their
financial
situation
takes
a
turn,
or
they
simply
get
bored
and
want
to
try
something
else.
I
have
had
several
clients
over
the
years
decide
that
they
would
like
to
take
what
they
have
learned
at
Total
Results
and
attempt
to
apply
it
in
a
different
exercise
setting
(either
in
a
traditional
gym
environment
or
at
home).
Sometimes
these
clients
return
to
us
and
sometimes
they
do
not.
Through
talking
with
the
clients
who
have
left
and
then
later
returned,
I
have
compiled
a
list
of
the
most
common
mistakes
that
people
make
when
working
out
on
their
own.
Some
of
these
might
surprise
you,
while
others
may
not.

 


They
do
not
exercise
with
a
high
enough
level
of
intensity.
I
discuss
the
concept
of
intensity
during
an
initial
consultation
with
a
prospective
client.
Intensity
can
be
defined
as
muscular
inroad/time.
Since
the
body
is
fairly
resistant
to
change,
you
must
provide
a
strong
stimulus
to
induce
positive
physical
improvements.
Working
out
intensely
is
uncomfortable,
and
most
people
simply
will
not
put
forth
the
requisite
effort
without
someone
to
teach
them,
monitor
them,
or
hold
them
accountable.
Left
to
their
own
devices,
most
people
are
satisfied
with
"just
good
enough."
Don't
be
okay
with
just
being
okay!
Pushing
(or
pulling)
to
muscular
failure
and
then
performing
a
thorough
inroad
is
the
best
way
to
ensure
you
have
given
the
optimal
level
of
effort.

 


Trainees
use
too
fast
a
movement
speed
during
exercises.
If
you
have
ever
walked
into
a
gym,
you
have
likely
seen
what
amounts
to
throwing
and
catching
of
the
weights.
Even
standard
Nautilus
protocol
(
two
seconds
lifting
and
four
seconds
lowering)
would
be
a
vast
improvement
over
typical
gym
behavior.
Most
people
will
move
much
faster
than
they
should,
even
if
they
have
been
a
Total
Results
client
in
the
past.
It
is
very
difficult
to
self-monitor
speed
of
movement,
pace,
and
turnaround
technique
on
your
own,
especially
if
you
are
trying
to
have
a
meaningful
workout
in
a
place
fraught
with
numerous
distractions.

 


Not
moving
quickly
enough
between
exercises.
Most
people
will
sit
around
for
several
minutes
between
exercises,
look
in
the
mirror,
chat,
play
on
their
phone,
or
stall
in
a
multitude
of
ways.
Even
those
with
good
intentions
can
be
thwarted
by
having
to
wait
several
minutes
for
a
machine
to
become
available.
This
will
diminish
not
only
your
systemic
inroad,
but
also
impede
a
quality
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
experience.

 


All
that
is
available
is
poorly
engineered
equipment.
I
have
talked
about
this
at
length
in
the
past,
but
most
equipment
found
in
commercial
and
home
gyms
is
utter
garbage.
It
is
poorly
designed
and
inherently
dangerous,
especially
if
it
contains
independent
movement
arms.
Strength
training
equipment
should
be
designed
to
conform
to
the
exercise
protocol,
and
most
commercial
equipment
has
poorly
engineered
cams
(or
none
at
all),
which
translate
into
a
less
than
ideal
stimulus.
Barbells
and
dumbbells
are
difficult
to
control
and
use
safely.
MedX
and
Super
Slow
Systems
equipment
(which
we
have
at
Total
Results)
help
you
to
achieve
a
safe
and
effective
stimulus.

 


Most
people
overtrain.
This
ties
in
nicely
with
my
first
point
about
intensity
of
effort.
Since
most
people
are
simply
not
willing
to
put
in
the
degree
of
effort
on
their
own
that
is
necessary
to
maximize
results,
they
try
to
compensate
with
a
greater
volume
of
activity.
They
would
much
rather
perform
a
greater
number
of
exercises
more
frequently
to
feel
good
about
themselves
and
avoid
the
temporary
discomfort
that
is
associated
with
intelligent
exercise.
The
false
reasoning
is,
"If
some
is
good,
more
is
better."
I
would
also
suggest
that
a
mistake
people
make
is
to
try
and
incorporate
too
much
additional
activity
into
their
lifestyles.
We
must
understand
that
our
bodies'
recovery
ability
is
much
more
fragile
than
people
realize,
and
if
you
try
to
do
too
much
you
can,
at
best,
short-circuit
your
progress,
and
at
worst,
encounter
injury
and
illness.
Don't
fall
into
the
bodybuilder
or
exercise
enthusiast
mentality.
Nothing
beats
high-intensity
strength
training
in
a
clinically-controlled
environment
on
specially
engineered
equipment.

 


Not
listening
to
your
body.
I
just
finished
discussing
overtraining,
and
overtraining
is
a
likely
recipe
for
an
overuse
or
acute
injury.
The
human
body
is
a
wonderfully
intuitive
and
logical
organism,
and
nothing
happens
without
a
reason.
If
you
feel
sharp
and/or
sudden
pain,
there
is
a
good
chance
you
are
experiencing
an
injury.
However,
it
is
important
to
differentiate
that
from
the
dull
ache
that
is
representative
of
normal
exertional
discomfort.
If
a
sharp
pain
continues
for
a
few
days,
a
layoff
from
training
is
likely
in
order,
so
do
not
try
to
be
a
hero.
At
Total
Results
we
make
modifications
when
necessary
to
work
around
joint
problems
or
injuries.

 


Not
accurately
tracking
progress
or
machine
settings.
For
people
who
train
without
an
instructor,
I
have
found
that
progression
is
mostly
guesswork
or
done
"by
feel."
What
is
the
point
of
putting
in
meaningful
effort
if
you
have
no
idea
what
you
have
accomplished?
Early
in
my
career,
I
worked
for
a
man
who
kept
no
charts
on
his
clients
and
made
things
up
as
he
went
along.
He
claimed
that
it
was
all
in
his
head,
but
that
was
a
joke.
Knowledge
of
results
is
the
only
way
that
one
can
progress
and
improve,
as
it
provides
reinforcement.
On
top
of
that,
if
you
don't
write
down
your
machine
settings
you
could
set
yourself
up
for
injury
and
waste
valuable
time.

 


Total
Results
takes
the
guesswork
out
of
exercise.
I
believe
that
exercise
instruction
is
as
much
an
art
as
it
is
a
science,
and
in
order
to
make
your
exercise
experience
meaningful
you
need
to
be
a
learner,
focus
on
giving
your
best
effort,
and
allow
your
instructor
to
handle
everything
else.
Don't
fall
into
the
traps
that
have
derailed
the
casual
exercise
enthusiast.
Get
it
right
the
first
time
with
Total
Results.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Be Present</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=715</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=715</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Life
is
full
of
distractions.
 We
are
constantly
bombarded
with
emails
that
need
to
be
read,
flooded
with
social
media
posts
and
advertisements,
and
have
family
and
professional
responsibilities
that
must
be
met.
 With
all
of
these
different
stimuli
floating
about,
it
is
enough
to
make
your
head
spin.
 This
makes
time
management
and
defining
your
values
incredibly
important,
especially
if
you
have
exercise
goals
that
you
want
to
achieve.
 Most
people
want
to
achieve
great
things,
but
are
they
truly
willing
to
do
what
is
necessary
to
accomplish
these
goals?
 Striving
for
and
attaining
excellence
means
that
we
must
sacrifice
some
comfort.
 Sure,
a
warm
bed
on
a
cold
February
morning
feels
comfortable,
but
is
that
extra
half
hour
of
sleep
worth
canceling
your
workout?
 Sometimes
you
need
to
step
outside
of
yourself
and
see
the
big
picture.
 Time
is
the
commodity
that
seems
to
always
be
in
short
supply,
and
in
order
to
maximize
not
just
our
workouts
but
all
the
wonderful
things
that
life
brings
us,
we
need
to
be
present.


 


What
does
that
mean?
 I
can't
remember
the
famous
quote
verbatim,
but
it
is
often
said
that
a
large
part
of
success
in
life
is
about
just
showing
up.
 I
believe
that
to
be
true,
but
I
also
think
it
goes
beyond
that.
 If
you
simply
show
up
and
don't
give
great
effort,
or
if
you
show
up
but
your
mind
is
elsewhere,
are
you
really
striving
for
excellence?
 Sometimes
people
are
physically
present,
but
they
simply
go
through
the
motions.
 If
that
is
the
case,
you
are
really
cheating
yourself.
I
am
amazed
at
how
many
people
float
through
life
without
a
sense
of
urgency.
Complacency
is
the
enemy
of
excellence!
 Nobody
ever
said
a
Total
Results
workout
was
either
easy
or
comfortable,
because
it
is
not.
 Sure,
there
are
other
places
that
you
might
want
to
be
other
than
a
chilly
exercise
studio,
and
you
might
even
have
some
fun
activities
planned
for
after
your
workout.
 Part
of
being
an
adult
means
delaying
gratification.
 You
have
control
over
the
choices
that
you
make,
and
what
matters
is
right
now.
 Nothing
can
be
done
to
change
the
past
and
while
the
future
is
important,
if
you
do
not
take
care
of
business
right
now
the
future
will
hold
far
less
significance.
 All
that
will
eventually
happen
is
directly
affected
by
what
you
do
at
this
moment.
 


 


What
are
some
strategies
you
can
implement
in
order
to
be
present
in
mind,
body
and
spirit?




Arrive
a
few
minutes
early
for
your
workout.
 It
is
very
difficult
to
be
present
and
focused
on
the
task
at
hand
if
you
are
running
late.
 Leave
early
for
your
workout.
 Think
about
what
you
are
about
to
undertake,
and
try
to
shut
the
rest
of
the
world
out
for
the
next
half
hour.
 Visualize
success.
 This
can
be
done
in
your
car
or
even
in
our
lobby.




Silence
your
phone.
 A
ringing
phone
is
the
perfect
instrument
to
break
your
concentration
and
lose
positive
momentum
during
a
workout.
 It
is
also
a
distraction
for
your
instructor.
 Please
silence
your
phone
before
entering
the
workout
area.
 The
only
audible
sounds
should
be
the
breathing
of
the
client
and
the
cues
of
the
instructor.




Focus
on
the
main
exercise
objective.
 Contrary
to
what
most
exercise
enthusiasts
believe,
exercise
is
not
about
lifting
as
much
weight
as
possible
for
as
many
repetitions
as
you
can
complete.
 It
is
about
inroad
-
fatiguing
the
musculature
deeply
enough
to
bring
about
a
stimulus.
 Proper
form
is
the
key
to
every
exercise.




Embrace
discomfort.
 Yes,
high-intensity
exercise
is
challenging
and
does
involve
both
localized
and
systemic
discomfort.
 Remember,
positive
change
is
never
comfortable!
 The
fear
of
the
discomfort
is
far
worse
than
what
it
really
is.
 As
uncomfortable
as
workouts
are,
they
are
also
brief
and
infrequent.
 Do
not
lose
sight
of
the
significance
that
the
discomfort
is
a
sign
that
you
are
achieving
something
meaningful.
 




 


Shut
out
the
rest
of
the
world
for
15-20
minutes
once
or
twice
per
week
so
that
you
can
focus
on
yourself
and
what
is
important
to
you.
 Do
not
worry
about
the
next
exercise,
the
next
workout,
or
even
the
previous
workout.
 All
that
matters
is
right
now
-
this
exercise,
this
repetition,
this
positive
or
negative
excursion.
 Break
time
down
to
its
smallest
element;
every
second
counts
and
you
don't
want
to
waste
a
moment.
 Develop
this
mindset
and
it
will
pay
dividends
not
only
in
your
workout,
but
in
other
aspects
of
your
life.
 The
ancient
Greek
philosopher
Aristotle
once
said,
"We
are
what
we
repeatedly
do.
 Excellence
then
is
not
an
act,
but
a
habit."
 Those
are
words
to
live
by.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Forever Strong&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=714</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=714</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Dr.
Gabrielle
Lyons
is
a
board-certified
family
physician
who
earned
her
undergraduate
degree
in
nutritional
sciences
from
the
University
of
Illinois.
She
completed
a
research
and
clinical
fellowship
in
geriatrics
and
nutritional
sciences
from
Washington
University
in
St.
Louis.
Her
first
book,
"Forever
Strong",
was
published
in
2023.
It
is
a
significant
departure
from
the
typical
health
advice
and
information
that
you
will
hear
from
the
mainstream
medical
establishment.
The
main
thrust
of
her
approach
is
something
that
she
calls
Muscle-Centric
Medicine,
which
stresses
treating
the
skeletal
muscle
as
an
organ.
She
believes
that,
"Your
ability
to
survive
and
thrive
-
no
matter
your
age
-
is
directly
related
to
muscle
tissue
health."

 


In
the
very
first
chapter,
Dr.
Lyons
sets
the
table
for
the
rest
of
the
book
by
discussing
the
need
to
shift
from
a
fat-focused
paradigm
to
one
centered
around
building
muscle.
She
notes
all
of
the
conditions
that
poor
muscle
health
can
influence,
from
cancer
to
sarcopenia
and
even
Alzheimer's.
The
author
highlights
the
importance
of
skeletal
muscle
and
its
role
in
your
immune
system,
saying,
"Training
also
boosts
your
immune
function
via
peptides
-
small
molecules
composed
of
amino
acids
-
released
during
muscle
contraction.
Key
peptides
can
send
signals
in
the
body
that
help
fight
off
germs
and
reduce
inflammation."
Later
in
the
same
chapter,
she
discusses
myokines,
which
are
hormone-like
proteins
released
by
the
skeletal
muscles
that
circulate
in
the
bloodstream
and
help
regulate
other
body
functions,
particularly
glucose
metabolism.
One
myokine
in
particular,
BDNF
(brain-derived
neurotrophic
factor),
boosts
the
formation
of
new
brain
neurons,
which
can
facilitate
learning
and
memory.

 


When
discussing
disease,
Dr.
Lyon
correctly
points
out
the
limitations
of
traditional
Western
medicine,
saying
that
it,
"...Skews
its
emphasis
toward
what's
making
us
sick
while
overlooking
prevention.
This
tendency
leads
many
doctors
to
focus
on
fat
and
glucose
while
disregarding
the
skeletal
muscle
that
could
correct
the
imbalance."
The
author
is
right;
when
is
the
last
time
your
family
physician
ever
talked
about
lifestyle
changes,
weight
training,
or
nutrition?
I
would
add
the
over-reliance
on
pharmacology
to
the
doctor's
assessment.
She
goes
on
in
chapter
four
to
discuss
nutritional
science
and
is
quite
critical
of
the
government's
recommended
guidelines.
Dr.
Lyons
says,
"To
repeat,
it's
critical
to
recognize
that
the
goal
of
government-funded
nutritional
guidelines
was

never

(her
emphasis)
to
help
individuals
achieve
exceptional
health.
Instead,
setting
forth

minimum

(her
emphasis)
intake
values
was
intended
to
prevent
deficiencies."
Ignore
the
RDA;
it
won't
help
you
to
live
your
best
life
and
be
disease-free.
The
author
believes
that
most
people
do
not
consume
enough
protein,
which
makes
it
hard
for
them
to
maximize
muscle
growth
even
if
they
regularly
strength
train.
Eating
one
gram
of
protein
per
pound
of
body
weight
is
the
starting
point
that
she
recommends.

 


There
is
a
lot
of
good
information
in
this
book,
and
it
speaks
to
the
overall
attitude
that
each
one
of
us
controls
our
own
destiny.
Dr.
Lyons
details
five
fundamental
attributes
that
all
of
us
have
inside
of
us,
which
are
courage,
perseverance,
self-discipline,
adaptability,
and
resilience.
We
will
all
face
adversity
at
some
point
in
life,
and
developing
these
qualities
will
help
us
to
succeed
when
the
going
gets
tough.
Building
muscle
is
your
best
ally
in
the
larger
plan
of
fighting
off
chronic
disease,
and
the
author
does
a
commendable
job
in
emphasizing
the
importance
of
weight
training.
The
good
doctor
lists
all
of
the
essential
amino
acids,
the
ones
that
our
bodies
cannot
make
and
must
be
obtained
through
our
diet.
I
won't
go
through
all
of
them,
but
she
mentions
that
leucine
is
the
most
important
amino
acid
for
muscle
health.
There
is
a
terrific
understanding
of
nutrition
(as
one
would
expect
from
someone
who
earned
a
degree
in
nutritional
sciences,
but
not
generally
common
in
the
medical
field),
and
I
was
pleased
to
see
that
she
dismissed
the
myth
of
the
connection
between
dietary
fat
and
body
fat.
Again,
her
anti-establishment
approach
was
wonderful
to
see.

 


Unfortunately,
I
was
disappointed
by
the
exercise
advice
given
in
this
book.
Much
of
what
is
prescribed
here
constitutes
overtraining
in
my
opinion,
and
there
are
references
to
steady-state
activities
that
are
high-force
in
nature
and
can
lead
to
overuse
injuries.
The
author
has
a
poor
understanding
of
several
concepts
that
are
quite
relevant
to
proper
exercise,
namely
the
dose-response
relationship
of
exercise,
which
explains
that
just
like
in
pharmacology,
you
want
the
minimum
dose
necessary
to
stimulate
optimum
benefit.
She
seems
to
be
unaware
that
you
cannot
segregate
the
aerobic
metabolic
pathway
from
the
anaerobic
pathway,
and
that
while
you
may
use
more
of
one
pathway
than
another
in
a
given
activity,
both
are
always
in
play.
Dr.
Lyons
recommends
exercises
that
involve
the
use
of
dumbbells
as
well
as
unilateral
and
alternating
movements,
which
leads
me
to
believe
she
doesn't
appreciate
the
dangers
they
pose
to
the
pelvis
and
spine.
There
is
no
mention
of
speed
of
movement,
so
I
can
only
infer
that
she
doesn't
fully
acknowledge
the
dangers
of
excessive
force
on
joints
and
connective
tissue.
Finally,
when
Dr.
Lyons
talks
about
"cardio
training"
she
makes
reference
to
VO2
Max,
which
most
regular
readers
of
this
blog
know
doesn't
actually
measure
anything,
and
has
been
called
"the
Monopoly
money
of
exercise"
by
Dr.
Doug
McGuff.
The
scientific
stuff
in
this
book
is
great;
the
exercise
advice,
not
so
much.

 


In
spite
of
my
criticisms,
I
enjoyed
this
book.
As
I
mentioned
before,
very
few
medical
doctors
really
go
to
these
lengths
to
espouse
the
importance
of
skeletal
muscle
and
the
benefits
of
regular
strength
training.
In
my
own
experience,
I
can
now
include
Dr.
Lyons
with
Dr.
McGuff,
Dr,
Carol
Currier,
and
Dr.
Michael
Hasz
as
physicians
who
"really
get
it
".
There
is
a
positive
message
in
the
book
and
an
underlying
theme
of
self-empowerment
that
can
serve
as
a
convincing
inspiration
to
spring
into
action.
I
encourage
you
to
read
the
book
and
decide
for
yourself.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>It is About Making You Better</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=713</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=713</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Self-improvement
is
a
continuous
process.
 Mastery
takes
a
lifetime.
 Those
are
just
a
couple
of
the
maxims
that
I
often
come
across
when
I
read
self-help,
philosophy,
and
leadership
books.
 It
is
a
noble
endeavor
to
want
to
improve
yourself
and
not
be
content
with
who
you
are
at
this
very
moment.
 Constructive
criticism
can
be
difficult
for
some
people
to
accept,
because
sometimes
the
truth
hurts.
 It
is
not
what
we
want
to
hear,
but
it
is
what
we
need
to
hear
if
we
want
to
build
on
who
we
are
because
no
matter
how
self-aware
we
think
we
are,
we
all
have
blind
spots.
 If
you
are
not
progressing
as
a
Total
Results
client
as
you
hoped
you
would,
we
should
examine
why
that
is
the
case.
 Accountability
is
important
but
it
is
not
about
taking
you
to
task.
 Everything
that
we
do
at
our
facility
is
about
making
you
better.


 


The
nature
of
exercise
instruction
is
to
be
critical,
to
point
out
and
correct
mistakes
so
that
we
can
maximize
your
performance.
 As
an
instructor,
it
is
important
to
me
to
balance
being
critical
with
providing
positive
reinforcement
and
encouragement.
 I
am
up
front
and
honest
with
potential
clients
when
discussing
expectations
during
an
initial
consultation.
 I
explain
the
importance
of
proper
form,
exercise
intensity,
and
mastery
of
speed
of
movement
and
turnarounds,
but
I
also
am
very
careful
to
mention
that
this
program
is
not
a
cure-all,
and
that
their
degree
of
success
is
largely
predicated
on
what
they
do
when
they
are
not
here.
Naturally
we
don't
want
to
scare
anyone
off,
but
I
don't
want
there
to
be
any
illusions
about
what
our
philosophy
entails.
 Sometimes
people
decide
that
this
isn't
the
program
for
them,
and
that's
okay.
 I
would
rather
learn
that
right
off
the
bat
rather
than
a
couple
months
down
the
road.


 


Correcting
form
discrepancies
is
the
most
important
aspect
of
being
an
exercise
instructor.
 Proper
form
is
not
just
something
that
we
give
lip
service
to;
it
is
the
very
essence
of
our
exercise
philosophy.
 These
discrepancies
are
not
conscious
decisions
by
the
client
to
do
the
wrong
thing,
but
rather
instinctive
acts
to
try
to
make
things
just
a
little
bit
easier.
 These
form
discrepancies
must
be
corrected
immediately
and
repeatedly
until
they
no
longer
occur,
but
please
remember
that
these
criticisms
should
never
be
taken
personally.
 Many
other
instructors
in
our
industry
are
not
as
strict
about
form
as
I
am,
but
it
is
not
because
I
enjoy
being
critical.
 It
takes
courage
to
want
to
teach
and
correct
behavior,
especially
when
you
know
it
might
not
be
well-received.
 I
have
a
responsibility
to
uphold
the
high
standards
that
we
have
had
at
Total
Results
for
over
20
years,
and
I
would
do
the
client
and
myself
a
disservice
if
I
let
certain
things
slide.
 If
I
let
one
thing
go,
it
can
very
easily
become
a
slippery
slope,
and
it
is
important
to
be
consistent
across
the
board.
 Praise
and
positive
reinforcement
are
also
important,
because
that
helps
to
solidify
proper
behavior
and
execution.
 Consistent
and
honest
feedback
is
the
key
to
improvement
in
any
aspect
of
life,
especially
in
exercise.


 


Discomfort
is
a
natural
part
of
high-intensity
exercise.
 In
order
to
stimulate
true
positive
change
in
the
human
body,
you
must
do
something
intense
and
significant
to
induce
the
body
to
adapt,
and
that
feeling
is
not
pleasant.
 I
would
not
sell
anyone
a
bill
of
goods
that
our
workouts
are
fun,
but
they
are
critical
for
building
and
maintaining
skeletal
muscle
mass.
 I
am
certainly
not
a
masochist,
and
I
don't
enjoy
seeing
people
in
pain,
but
the
dull
ache
and
intense
fatigue
that
you
experience
during
a
workout
is
brief
and
is
not
indicative
of
injury.
 As
my
friend
Al
Coleman
used
to
say,
"Don't
run
from
the
discomfort,
chase
after
it."
 Also
unpleasant
to
some
is
the
cold
temperature
and
fans
that
we
have
in
our
exercise
studio.
 This
is
necessary
in
order
to
keep
you
from
overheating
during
your
workout.
 High-intensity
exercise
causes
your
muscles
to
produce
a
tremendous
amount
of
heat,
and
if
the
workout
space
isn't
properly
chilled
or
ventilated
you
can
overheat
sufficiently
to
short-circuit
your
performance.
 No,
it
isn't
particularly
enjoyable
to
be
in
a
cold
environment
with
fans
blowing
on
you,
but
this
is
what
is
necessary
to
optimize
your
workout
experience.
 You
will
warm
up
within
the
first
two
exercises.
 I
also
must
maintain
a
clinical
demeanor
during
your
session.
 Sometimes
this
throws
people
off
initially,
but
I
can
assure
you
that
I
am
not
trying
to
seem
distant
or
unfriendly.
 Exercise
is
a
serious
endeavor
that
requires
focus,
and
chatting
mindlessly
during
your
workout
can
increase
your
risk
for
injury
as
well
as
diminish
your
performance.
 I
enjoy
talking
with
clients
before
and
after
sessions,
but
proper
perspective
must
be
maintained.
 Our
studio
environment
and
my
instructional
style
are
all
carefully
cultivated
to
give
you
the
best
opportunity
for
success.


 


All
we
want
is
for
you
to
prosper.
 No
one
ever
said
our
workouts
are
easy,
but
the
reward
comes
when
you
start
to
see
and
experience
the
fruits
of
your
labor.
 Understanding
why
we
do
certain
things
will
help
you
to
focus
on
what
is
important
and
keep
things
in
proper
perspective.
 Not
every
workout
will
be
record-setting,
of
course.
 You
will
have
some
days
where
you
feel
great
and
others
that
are
a
struggle.
 Be
emotionally
mature
and
take
responsibility
for
your
success
as
well
as
your
failures.
 We
are
your
health
partners,
and
everything
that
we
do
is
geared
toward
making
you
better.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Three Pillars of Health:  Weight Training, Intermittent Fasting, and Nutrition</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=712</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=712</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Total
Results
is
not
simply
an
instructional
exercise
facility.
 Yes,
exercise
is
critically
important,
and
in
order
to
achieve
a
top
notch
workout
experience
you
need
a
clinically-controlled
environment
with
proper
temperature
controls,
specially
engineered
equipment,
and
a
knowledgeable
instructor
to
regulate
safety
and
push
you
to
the
requisite
level
of
effort.
 I
see
myself
as
a
teacher,
and
that
goes
well
beyond
what
happens
during
the
20
minutes
of
your
workout.
 In
my
estimation,
there
are
three
pillars
of
health
that
will
optimize
your
results.
 Those
pillars
are
intermittent
fasting,
proper
nutrition,
and
high-intensity
weight
training.
 I
discuss
these
three
concepts
with
clients
on
a
regular
basis.


 


Intermittent
fasting
involves
waiting
at
least
12
hours
between
your
last
meal
of
one
day
and
your
first
meal
of
the
next
day.
 That
description
is
a
bit
simplistic,
but
it's
not
really
that
complicated
to
understand
once
you
dive
in
a
little
deeper.
 Most
recommendations
call
for
fasting
between
14
and
18
hours
per
day,
but
other
sources
have
suggested
fasting
for
24
hours
a
couple
of
times
per
week.
 A
16
hour
fast
and
8
hour
feeding
window
(time
between
your
first
and
last
meal
of
the
day)
is
what
I
generally
stick
to,
and
it's
not
as
difficult
to
follow
as
you
might
think.
 The
benefits
of
fasting
include
hormone
regulation,
blood
sugar
control
(avoiding
spikes
and
crashes),
lowering
blood
pressure,
fat
loss,
reducing
systemic
inflammation,
maintaining
insulin
sensitivity,
and
enhancing
your
body's
ability
to
use
body
fat
as
a
primary
fuel
source.
 There
are
a
lot
of
different
ways
you
can
practice
intermittent
fasting;
through
experimentation
you
can
find
the
strategy
that
best
fits
your
lifestyle.
 It's
a
bit
of
a
challenge
at
first,
but
after
a
few
days
or
a
week
you
find
it's
not
that
difficult,
especially
since
you
should
be
asleep
through
a
large
portion
of
the
fasting
period.
 If
you
eat
a
proper
diet,
fasting
comes
much
easier,
which
smoothly
brings
me
to
the
next
pillar
of
health.


 


Nutrition
is
the
means
of
giving
your
body
the
raw
materials
it
needs
to
not
only
achieve
and
maintain
homeostasis,
but
also
make
physical
improvements.
 If
you
don't
put
the
right
fuel
into
your
car,
it
won't
go
anywhere.
 You
need
all
three
macronutrients:
 protein,
carbohydrates,
and
fat,
although
carbohydrates
are
the
least
important
to
consume.
 This
is
because
the
body
can
create
glucose
out
of
other
substances
through
a
process
called
gluconeogenesis.
 There
are
essential
fatty
acids,
and
essential
amino
acids,
but
no
such
thing
as
an
essential
carbohydrate.
 This
is
why
ketogenic
diets
are
quite
successful.
 I'm
not
suggesting
that
you
need
to
get
on
a
ketogenic
diet
(although
I
wouldn't
discourage
you
if
you
did),
but
I
do
recommend
a
single-ingredient,
whole
foods
approach.
 Limit
sugars
and
processed
foods,
and
if
you
see
ingredients
on
food
packaging
that
you
cannot
pronounce,
you
don't
need
them.
 Try
to
get
your
carbohydrates
largely
through
fruits
and
vegetables,
but
minimize
the
fruits
with
high
glycemic
indexes
(like
bananas).
 You
need
protein
that
comes
from
quality
sources:
chicken,
fish,
beef,
eggs.
 Eat
plenty
of
good
saturated
fat;
this
will
come
from
the
aforementioned
protein
sources,
but
also
through
butter,
nuts,
and
some
other
dairy
like
full-fat
yogurt.
 If
there
were
a
fourth
pillar
of
health
I
would
include
supplementation
with
vitamins
and
minerals,
but
it
makes
sense
to
include
that
here.
 At
minimum,
take
a
vitamin
D
supplement,
but
also
consider
fish
oil,
magnesium,
vitamin
C,
and
zinc.
 These
will
help
fill
in
any
nutritional
gaps
you
may
have,
and
also
enhance
your
immune
system.


 


Weight
training
is
the
X
factor.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
essential
for
building
and
maintaining
lean
muscle,
improving
bone
mineral
density,
strengthening
connective
tissue,
improving
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning,
increasing
your
resistance
to
injury,
and
helping
you
to
maintain
your
functional
independence.
 That
is
a
lot
to
accomplish
in
one
or
two
20-minute
sessions
per
week!
 Our
exercise
protocol
can
also
help
with
things
you
probably
haven't
even
considered,
like
contributing
to
better
sleep,
stress
management,
and
improved
focus.
 Your
skeletal
muscle
is
the
only
type
of
muscle
tissue
over
which
you
have
volitional
control,
and
it
is
the
single
most
important
contributing
factor
to
your
overall
body
shape
and
appearance.
 No
other
form
of
physical
activity
can
do
more
for
your
body
or
your
mind
than
strength
training,
and
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
the
safest
of
them
all.
 Five
to
seven
exercises
encompassing
the
entire
body,
performed
once
or
twice
per
week
in
proper
form
and
with
great
effort,
is
all
that
you
need.
 It's
certainly
not
easy,
but
it
is
simple.


 


All
three
pillars
of
health
must
be
practiced
in
order
to
optimize
results.
 As
I
have
said
before,
exercise
is
not
a
panacea.
 It
is
an
extremely
important
component,
but
only
one
cog
in
the
wheel.
 If
you
weight
train
without
intermittent
fasting
or
proper
nutrition,
you
will
get
stronger
but
may
carry
excess
body
fat,
have
blood
sugar
fluctuations,
unregulated
hormone
levels,
and
be
deficient
in
several
key
vitamins
and
nutrients.
 Although
intermittent
fasting
can
make
up
for
some
holes
in
your
diet,
without
weight
training
you
won't
speed
up
your
metabolism,
combat
sarcopenia,
or
reverse
osteoporosis.
 On
top
of
that,
consuming
a
traditional
western
diet
with
lots
of
sugars
and
processed
foods
will
make
it
virtually
impossible
to
get
into
ketosis
or
fast
comfortably.
 Proper
nutrition
will
not
yield
maximum
results
without
the
other
two
pillars.
 


 


You
must
incorporate
all
three
health
pillars
in
order
to
optimize
not
only
your
physical
improvements,
but
your
overall
health.
 Combining
all
three
is
not
as
difficult
as
it
seems,
but
it
does
require
a
true
desire
to
change
and
a
willingness
to
be
honest
with
yourself
in
order
to
make
lifestyle
changes.
 If
you
create
good
habits
that
are
simple,
they
will
be
easier
to
follow.
 Making
an
appointment
at
Total
Results
will
not
only
instill
a
sense
of
accountability,
it
will
help
you
get
into
a
sustainable
routine.
 Schedule
a
consultation
and
start
practicing
the
three
pillars
of
health
today!


 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Progress - Don&#039;t Get Mired in Minutiae</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=711</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=711</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Some
of
our
clients
are
very
attentive
to
detail
and
numbers-oriented
when
it
comes
to
tracking
their
workout
progress.
 They
are
very
interested
to
know
how
much
weight
they
use
on
a
given
exercise,
what
their
time
under
load
was,
and
how
it
compares
to
previous
workouts.
 Other
clients
care
very
little
about
those
things.
 These
trainees
often
just
want
to
come
in,
perform
their
workout,
schedule
their
next
session,
and
go
home.
 There
is
certainly
nothing
wrong
with
either
mindset,
and
part
of
what
makes
my
work
so
stimulating
is
that
each
client
brings
something
different
to
the
table.
 I
do
believe
it
is
important
to
periodically
talk
with
clients
about
their
progress
and
offer
different
strategies
to
help
them
achieve
optimum
results,
and
for
those
clients
that
are
interested
I
send
them
a
link
to
their
workout
spreadsheet
so
that
they
can
keep
up
to
date
on
their
progress.
 Knowledge
of
results
is
definitely
important,
but
I
think
you
can
drive
yourself
crazy
if
you
focus
too
much
on
minutiae.


 


I
certainly
respect
detail-oriented
people,
for
I
am
one
of
them.
 However,
over
the
years
I
have
learned
that
although
small
things
matter,
it
is
important
(and
probably
healthier)
to
see
the
big
picture.
 This
is
certainly
true
when
it
comes
to
common
goals
that
people
often
come
to
Total
Results
to
achieve:
strength
gains
and
fat
loss.
 An
appropriate
pace
for
losing
fat
is
one
to
two
pounds
per
week;
this
way
we
ensure
that
we
hold
onto
muscle
and
all
the
other
important
tissues
while
just
losing
fat.
 Nonetheless,
we
must
realize
that
fat
loss
is
not
going
to
be
completely
linear;
it
will
likely
look
like
a
line
graph
that
rises
and
falls
at
times.
 This
is
because
we
are
human
beings
who
are
not
perfect,
and
it
is
unrealistic
to
think
that
life
won't
occasionally
get
in
the
way
of
maintaining
the
right
habits.
 A
healthier
approach
is
to
take
a
long
view
and
look
at
the
trend
rather
than
obsess
daily.
 This
is
why
I
don't
recommend
weighing
yourself
every
day
or
after
every
meal
-
your
fat
loss
goal
can
very
easily
turn
into
an
unhealthy
obsession!
 Look
at
where
you
are
on
a
given
day
and
compare
it
to
where
you
were
when
your
journey
began.
 Chances
are
great
that
you
have
made
significant
progress
worth
celebrating.


 


The
same
view
holds
true
for
increasing
your
strength.
 When
novice
clients
start
at
Total
Results,
they
usually
increase
their
poundages
quickly
over
the
first
few
weeks.
 This
is
due
to
a
couple
of
factors.
 One
is
the
learning
effect;
clients
are
learning
new
movement
patterns
and
acquiring
skill,
and
your
central
nervous
system
adapts
to
the
new
demands.
 The
second
reason
is
that
beginning
poundages
are
typically
conservative,
in
order
to
optimize
proper
form,
speed
of
movement,
and
turnaround
technique.
 Once
you
reach
muscular
failure
consistently
on
all
the
exercises,
the
law
of
diminishing
returns
enters
the
equation.
 You
will
not
continue
to
add
weight
or
increase
time
under
load
(TUL)
on
every
exercise
for
every
workout;
it
doesn't
work
that
way.
 Yes,
we
will
continue
to
increase
the
load
by
a
couple
of
pounds
or
improve
TUL
every
few
sessions
or
so,
but
do
not
get
discouraged
when
it
doesn't
happen
every
time.
 That
is
in
no
way
a
reflection
of
your
workout
performance.
 I
also
recommend
not
putting
an
emphasis
on
achieving
an
arbitrary
TUL;
some
people
seem
to
think
that
two
minutes
is
a
magical
number.
 It
isn't.
 The
real
objective
of
exercise
is
thorough
inroad,
and
if
that
happens
in
1:40
rather
than
two
minutes,
so
be
it.
 If
you
do
the
right
things
between
workouts
(proper
sleep,
nutrition,
hydration,
supplementation,
managing
stress)
and
give
your
best
effort
during
each
session,
you
will
succeed.


 


While
looking
at
your
workout
spreadsheet
and
weighing
in
are
very
specific
measurements
of
progress,
there
are
also
general
ways
to
get
a
feel
for
how
you
are
doing.
 Taking
both
the
general
and
specific
viewpoints
together
paints
a
clear
picture
of
your
progress.
 How
do
you
feel?
 On
the
whole,
are
your
energy
levels
higher
and
more
stabilized
than
before
you
started
working
out?
 Minimizing
processed
foods,
sugars,
and
eating
a
whole-food,
nutrient-rich
diet
will
level
out
your
blood
sugar
and
regulate
hormone
secretion,
making
it
much
easier
to
avoid
spikes
and
crashes.
 How
do
your
clothes
fit
you
now
compared
to
when
you
started?
 If
they
are
looser,
that
indicates
that
you
have
lost
inches
(and
body
fat)
while
gaining
muscle.
 On
the
whole,
are
you
less
susceptible
to
minor
colds
and
other
infections?
 Do
you
have
fewer
aches
and
pains,
are
you
more
participatory
in
life,
and
are
you
still
functionally
independent?
 Increasing
your
strength
makes
you
more
injury-resistant,
less
reliant
on
mobility
devices,
and
more
energetic,
which
will
enable
you
to
perform
tasks
with
less
effort.
 These
are
qualitative
measures
of
progress.
 Small
victories
add
up
to
big
results
over
time.


 


Bill
Walsh,
the
Hall
of
Fame
football
coach
and
three-time
Super
Bowl
winner,
often
said
that
the
score
takes
care
of
itself.
This
meant
that
if
his
teams
executed
correctly
and
did
the
things
they
needed
to
do
instead
of
worrying
about
the
other
team,
the
outcome
would
be
in
the
San
Francisco
49ers'
favor.
 Another
of
Walsh's
maxims
was,
"Concentrate
on
what
will
produce
results,
the
process
rather
than
the
prize."
 To
that
end,
I
would
add
that
you
are
better
off
obsessing
about
proper
form
rather
than
the
result
of
each
exercise.
 Great
form
leads
to
an
exceptional
stimulus,
which
is
what
the
body
needs
to
make
physical
improvements.
 Remember
that
learning
is
a
continuous
process,
and
mastery
takes
a
lifetime.
 Treat
each
workout
as
an
opportunity
to
achieve
something
meaningful,
and
you
will
be
amazed
at
what
you
can
accomplish.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Treat Ailments With Aggressive Therapy</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=710</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=710</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

If
you
are
a
regular
reader
of
this
blog
or
a
Total
Results
client,
you
probably
know
that
I
am
not
a
big
fan
of
traditional
physical
therapy.
 I
believe
that
conventional
orthodoxy
is
centered
around
outdated
modalities
that
do
little
more
than
check
off
a
box
and
satisfy
an
insurance
company,
but
in
reality
offer
little
to
no
benefit.
 Here
is
the
familiar
scenario:
you
experience
some
lower
back
pain
that
doesn't
seem
to
go
away
in
a
few
days
or
a
couple
of
weeks.
 You
decide
to
schedule
an
appointment
with
your
regular
doctor,
who
then
refers
you
to
an
orthopedist.
 Naturally,
appointments
with
a
specialist
are
harder
to
come
by,
so
you
have
to
wait
a
couple
of
weeks.
 In
the
meantime,
your
back
pain
is
no
better.
 After
being
examined
by
the
orthopedist,
you
are
prescribed
six
weeks
of
physical
therapy.
 The
therapist
has
you
undergo
electrical
stimulation
(in
the
misguided
attempt
to
trigger
muscular
growth),
ice
the
area,
as
well
as
perform
a
series
of
random
exercises
with
no
consideration
for
safety
and
very
little
supervision
or
instruction
(in
fact,
you
probably
could
have
done
them
just
as
effectively
in
your
living
room).
 After
six
weeks
of
this,
there
is
little
to
no
improvement;
sounds
like
a
big
waste
of
time,
doesn't
it?


 


If
this
story
has
happened
to
you,
you
are
not
alone.
 I
have
instructed
exercise
for
nearly
25
years,
and
in
the
course
of
working
with
clients
and
injuries,
the
above
scenario
is
what
my
clients
have
experienced
approximately
90
percent
of
the
time.
 Not
only
is
traditional
physical
therapy
largely
a
waste
of
effort
and
resources,
there
is
a
solid
chance
that
these
misguided
practices
could
make
you
worse
off
than
before
you
started!
 I
saw
this
first
hand
when
I
worked
at
Fairfax
Racquet
Club;
our
studio
was
across
the
hall
from
a
physical
therapy
clinic.
 I
would
see
therapists
juggling
multiple
patients
at
a
time
and
offering
little
to
nothing
in
the
way
of
instruction
or
guidance.
 It
was
no
surprise
that
the
patients
didn't
get
much
better,
at
least
until
they
started
strength
training
with
me
once
or
twice
per
week.
 That
is
because
high-intensity,
slow
speed
weight
training
is
the
embodiment
of
what
physical
therapy
should
be.
 The
trigger
that
reduces
pain
and
restores
function
is
working
to
build
strength
in
the
injured
or
affected
area.
 If
you
do
not
work
aggressively
(but
safely)
to
treat
the
ailment,
it
will
not
improve
in
a
timely
fashion.


 


As
a
former
competitive
athlete
approaching
50
(still
hard
for
me
to
believe)
and
with
a
lot
of
miles
on
my
odometer,
I
occasionally
experience
some
discomfort
in
my
knees,
hips,
and
lower
back.
 I
recently
had
a
bout
with
some
significant
right
lower
back
pain
from
an
unknown
source.
 I
have
a
very
active
job
that
involves
a
lot
of
crouching,
bending,
and
standing,
and
this
proved
to
be
difficult
in
some
planes
of
motion.
 Over
the
years
I
have
learned
that
the
natural
tendency
for
most
of
us
in
this
situation
is
to
do
nothing,
to
just
simply
let
the
area
rest.
 That
may
be
good
for
a
day
or
two,
but
you
need
to
keep
moving.
 If
you
don't,
it
gets
easier
to
become
averse
to
the
discomfort,
but
a
certain
amount
of
discomfort
is
a
part
of
living
a
useful
life.
 You
can
choose
to
fight
through
it
or
accept
it;
I
chose
the
former.
 Rather
than
skip
my
weekly
workout,
I
resolved
to
do
my
very
best
even
though
I
was
not
100
percent.
 I
performed
the
Lumbar
Extension
exercise,
and
even
though
I
didn't
set
any
records
my
back
felt
better
afterward.
 The
next
day
as
an
experiment,
I
decided
to
perform
a
very
low
intensity
set
of
the
Linear
Spine
Flexion
exercise.
 This
exercise
is
not
part
of
my
normal
routine,
largely
because
it
is
challenging
to
use
without
assistance
in
setting
the
timing
crank.
 The
Linear
Spine
Flexion
helped
me
to
work
out
the
kinks,
and
it
felt
like
getting
an
adjustment.
 I
performed
this
exercise
one
more
time
on
the
following
day,
and
after
that
my
back
pain
was
gone.
 This
recipe
should
be
used
in
the
future.


 


Weight
training
is
therapy.
 You
can
just
as
easily
substitute
knee,
shoulder,
elbow,
hip,
or
ankle
pain
for
back
pain,
and
our
approach
in
treating
it
will
be
the
same.
 Simply
avoiding
that
injured
area
makes
sense
on
an
emotional
or
psychological
level
but
if
you
do
nothing
the
muscles
surrounding
that
joint
will
eventually
atrophy,
thus
compounding
the
problem.
 I
can
treat
shoulder
pain
by
modifying
movement
arm
positioning
or
substituting
upper
body
exercises,
and
also
incorporate
a
hanging
exercise
to
relieve
impingement
in
the
shoulder
joint.
 Hip
pain
can
be
addressed
by
performing
variations
of
the
Leg
Press
exercise.
 Knee
pain
can
be
improved
by
strengthening
the
quadriceps
and
hamstrings;
the
Calf
Raise
exercise
helps
to
rehabilitate
ankle
injuries.
 I
have
accumulated
a
lot
of
tools
to
treat
different
ailments,
it's
just
a
matter
of
finding
the
right
combination.
 No,
exercise
is
not
a
cure-all,
but
it
is
our
best
weapon
to
improve
health
and
improve
orthopedic
ailments.


 


Don't
let
pain
make
you
fearful
and
keep
you
on
the
sidelines.
 Working
through
the
discomfort
will
give
you
a
feeling
of
active
participation,
or
being
in
charge
rather
than
passive.
 Exercise
is
both
a
remedy
and
a
preventative
measure;
building
and
maintaining
strength
lessens
your
risk
for
injury
and
also
minimizes
any
injuries
or
ailments
that
you
do
incur.
 Therapy
should
be
about
restoring
strength,
function,
and
range
of
motion
while
working
to
reduce
pain.
 Traditional
therapy
leaves
a
lot
to
be
desired.
 Take
charge
today
with
Total
Results!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Force, not Weight</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=709</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=709</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
major
concern
that
many
people
have
about
starting
an
exercise
program
is
the
risk
of
injury.
 Some
have
experienced
injuries
in
the
distant
past,
may
be
just
coming
off
of
an
injury,
or
have
been
told
by
someone
(often
a
doctor)
that
they
need
to
avoid
injury.
 Injuries
should
be
a
major
concern;
after
all,
you
cannot
reap
the
benefits
of
an
exercise
regimen
if
you
are
hurt.
 In
many
cases
injuries
are
completely
unnecessary
and
can
easily
be
avoided
if
you
exhibit
the
proper
behavior.
 Unfortunately,
many
people
are
mistaken
as
to
what
the
root
cause
of
injury
is
when
it
comes
to
weight
training,
and
they
think
the
risk
of
injury
is
commensurate
with
the
amount
of
weight
they
use
on
a
given
exercise.
 The
primary
cause
of
any
injury
is
the
amount
of
force
produced
and
incurred
by
the
body,
not
the
amount
of
weight
that
is
lifted.


 


Force
is
equal
to
mass
times
acceleration
(f=ma).
 How
you
move
is
far
more
important
than
how
much
weight
you
move.
 It
is
possible
to
lift
a
relatively
light
weight
unsafely;
in
fact,
some
injuries
that
people
incur
involve
no
additional
weight
at
all
(think
about
a
person
who
is
distracted
by
their
phone,
steps
off
a
curb,
and
sprains
an
ankle).
 It
is
also
possible
to
lift
a
fairly
heavy
weight
in
a
completely
safe
manner.
 We
have
several
clients
at
Total
Results
that
use
over
400
pounds
on
the
Leg
Press
exercise,
and
perform
that
exercise
very
safely.
 The
major
consideration
is
the
client's
behavior
(read:
form);
this
dictates
whether
an
exercise
is
safe
or
unsafe.
 All
of
our
machines
are
designed
to
track
muscle
and
joint
function
properly,
so
they
should
not
inherently
pose
any
biomechanical
problems.
 Proper
form
is
paramount
in
terms
of
keeping
the
potentially
dangerous
forces
to
a
minimum.
 Abrupt
acceleration,
ratcheting,
off/oning,
firing
out
of
the
stretch,
and
wiggling
or
adjusting
during
an
exercise
will
exponentially
increase
the
risk
for
injury.
 It
is
important
to
maintain
the
correct
mentality
and
mindset,
while
understanding
the
true
objective
of
exercise:
inroading
the
muscular
structures
rather
than
achieving
an
arbitrary
number
of
completed
repetitions.


 


It
is
important
to
understand
the
distinction
between
weight
lifting
and
weight
training.
 Some
people
think
the
terms
are
interchangeable,
which
is
a
source
of
the
problem.
 Weight
lifting
involves
violently
and
explosively
throwing
and
catching
weights
in
a
misguided
attempt
to
build
strength.
 It
is
very
much
skill-based
and
often
involves
free
weights,
such
as
you
would
see
in
Olympic
events
like
the
clean-and-jerk
and
the
snatch.
 Much
of
what
you
see
in
commercial
gyms
amounts
to
some
variation
of
weight
lifting,
and
there
is
very
little
understanding
about
the
dangers
of
high
force.
 This
is
why
so
many
people
experience
injuries
performing
CrossFit
and
Orange
Theory;
unfortunately
most
people
just
accept
this
as
a
price
that
must
be
paid.
 Total
Results
feels
differently.
 Weight
training
involves
raising
and
lowering
the
resistance
in
a
smooth,
slow,
and
controlled
fashion
until
another
repetition
cannot
be
completed
in
proper
form.
 It
is
pursued
for
the
purpose
of
building
strength,
not
demonstrating
it.
 The
volume
of
exercise
is
low
and
it
is
performed
infrequently,
in
accordance
with
principles
of
biology,
chemistry,
physics,
and
concepts
of
motor
learning.
 While
weight
training
and
weight
lifting
may
sound
similar,
the
two
entities
could
not
be
more
different.


When
we
talk
about
sports
and
athletes,
it's
important
to
understand
that
injuries
are
a
part
of
any
sport.
 Generating
a
high
amount
of
force
in
the
course
of
running,
jumping,
and
changing
directions
can
and
often
does
involve
either
a
sudden
or
overuse
injury
of
some
sort.
 The
main
reason
that
any
athlete
should
strength
train,
aside
from
improving
their
level
of
performance,
is
to
protect
against
injury.
 No
matter
how
strong
and
well-conditioned
you
are,
injuries
can
happen,
but
you
give
yourself
the
best
chance
for
success
by
pursuing
an
intelligent
exercise
regimen
like
Total
Results.
 Most
Total
Results
clients
are
not
competitive
athletes,
although
many
participate
vigorously
in
recreation
activities
of
a
physical
nature.
 Clients
coming
off
an
injury
or
experiencing
joint
discomfort
often
ask
me
to
lower
the
weight
on
a
given
exercise.
 There
is
often
not
a
physical
need
to
do
so,
since
they
haven't
lost
any
strength,
but
using
a
slightly
lower
weight
makes
them
feel
better
and
helps
to
rebuild
confidence.
 


 


The
major
thing
to
remember
is
that
when
it
comes
to
injury,
force
is
a
far
larger
consideration
than
weight.
 Certain
activities
carry
with
them
an
inherent
risk
and
higher
amounts
of
force,
but
weight
training
is
an
undertaking
that
should
place
a
high
priority
on
safety.
 You
cannot
reap
the
benefits
of
an
exercise
program
if
it
injures
you.
 If
you
follow
the
directions
of
your
Total
Results
instructor
and
do
what
is
asked
of
you,
the
chances
of
you
getting
injured
are
virtually
zero.
 Our
exercise
program
is
safer
than
stepping
off
a
curb.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Exercise is Not a Panacea</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=708</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=708</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Exercise
can
do
a
great
many
things
for
you,
if
you
put
in
the
effort.
 The
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
is
based
upon
the
classic
sciences
of
biology,
chemistry,
physics,
and
principles
of
motor
learning,
and
it
has
been
greatly
successful
over
the
past
22
years
in
helping
people
to
become
stronger,
fitter,
better
conditioned,
and
more
resistant
to
injury
in
less
than
one
hour
per
week.
 Exercise
has
limits,
however.
 It
cannot
make
up
for
bad
personal
habits,
lack
of
dedication,
or
a
poor
mental
attitude.
 In
spite
of
what
we
might
be
led
to
believe,
exercise
cannot
fix
everything.


 


People
experience
low
back
pain
for
a
variety
of
reasons:
genetic
structure,
too
much
sitting,
injuries,
poor
habits,
poor
diet,
and
weak
back
musculature
as
a
result
of
insufficient
exercise.
 Low
back
pain
is
still
the
number
one
cause
of
missed
days
at
work,
even
with
standing
desks,
ergonomically
designed
chairs,
and
expensive
mattresses.
 Perhaps
a
low
back
problem
may
be
the
result
of
a
car
accident.
 It's
unfortunate
that
bad
things
that
are
outside
of
their
control
happen
to
good
people,
but
that's
life.
 For
someone
in
that
situation
that
is
considering
having
back
surgery,
I
would
advise
them
to
think
very
carefully
before
proceeding.
 Surgery
is
not
guaranteed
to
work,
and
the
rehabilitation
process
can
be
lengthy.
 Exhaust
all
other
possibilities
before
scheduling
yourself
for
surgery.
 Strengthening
the
lower
back
musculature
(and
in
the
process
reducing
compression
in
the
spinal
column)
with
low-force,
high-intensity
exercise
will
go
quite
a
way
toward
regaining
mobility,
restoring
function,
and
reducing
pain,
but
it
is
not
a
panacea.
 


 


Aches
and
pains
are
a
part
of
growing
older,
especially
if
you
have
been
active
for
much
of
your
life.
 That
is
something
I've
learned
from
personal
experience
over
the
last
few
years.
 According
to
the
CDC
(take
it
for
what
it's
worth),
over
21
percent
of
American
adults
have
some
form
of
arthritis.
 Between
the
ages
of
45
and
65,
that
number
goes
up
to
26
percent.
 I
suspect
those
figures
are
low,
as
many
people
have
symptoms
but
either
have
not
reported
them
or
have
not
been
diagnosed.
 Total
Results
won't
prevent
arthritis,
but
we
can
make
it
better.
 We
can
help
improve
your
quality
of
life
but
some
aches
and
pains
as
a
result
of
aging
are
inevitable.
 If
you
are
stronger
and
better
conditioned,
those
maladies
are
less
likely
to
keep
you
down.
 Even
Ken
Hutchins,
who
developed
our
exercise
protocol
and
is
in
his
early
70s,
battles
a
rare
inflammatory
condition
known
as
Still's
disease.
 Its
origin
is
unclear,
but
Ken
believes
he
would
be
in
much
worse
shape
today
if
he
had
not
been
strength
training
for
all
of
his
adult
life.
 


 


Exercise
cannot
fix
a
poor
lifestyle.
 If
you
sleep
four
hours
a
night,
have
constant
conflict
in
your
life
and
cannot
manage
stress
effectively,
or
if
you
don't
apply
yourself
properly
during
your
workouts,
you
will
likely
have
trouble
achieving
meaningful
progress.
 Remember,
you
only
get
out
of
our
program
what
you
put
into
it,
and
responsibility
must
be
taken
if
things
are
not
going
as
you
want
them
to.
 The
Total
Results
philosophy
doesn't
work
like
magic,
it
is
very
much
a
process.
 The
human
body
is
a
logical
entity,
and
if
you
do
the
things
you
need
to
do
and
allow
the
body
to
do
its
thing,
positive
results
will
happen.
 We
can
help
you
gain
muscle,
improve
bone
mineral
density,
increase
your
metabolic
rate,
and
feel
more
energetic,
but
much
of
it
hinges
upon
what
you
do
when
you
are
not
at
Total
Results.
 Making
good
decisions
is
absolutely
critical.
 By
the
same
token,
intermittent
fasting
is
not
a
panacea,
although
it
can
make
up
for
some
poor
nutritional
choices
in
the
short
term.
 In
addition,
vitamin
and
mineral
supplementation
will
not
make
up
for
getting
enough
nutrients
in
your
diet.
 The
key
is
to
combine
all
of
these
things
and
make
them
a
part
of
your
lifestyle.
 If
you
change
your
habits,
you
can
change
your
life.
 This
will
give
you
the
best
chance
for
success.


 


Death
is
an
inevitability
for
all
of
us,
and
none
of
us
knows
how
long
we
will
live
when
we
are
born.
 We
can
choose
to
live
well
in
the
time
that
we
are
given,
or
we
can
squander
our
opportunity
and
make
excuses.
 If
you
decide
to
make
the
commitment
and
start
your
exercise
journey,
it
can
keep
you
viable
later
in
life,
just
as
it
has
for
our
two
92
year
old
clients
who
still
strength
train
regularly.
 No,
exercise
cannot
cure
all
your
ills,
but
it
can
give
you
the
strength
to
remain
an
independent
and
active
force
for
good
in
the
world.
 The
choice
is
yours!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>You Have Reached Muscular Failure...Now the Real Work Begins</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=706</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=706</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

New
Total
Results
clients
experience
a
learning
curve
when
they
begin
their
exercise
journey
at
our
facility.
For
over
90
percent
of
the
people
that
walk
through
our
door,
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
is
a
completely
new
concept.
We
explain
to
them
that
the
first
several
sessions
are
not
about
intensity
of
effort,
but
are
more
geared
toward
learning
proper
form,
acquiring
a
feel
for
appropriate
speed
of
movement,
executing
precise
turnaround
technique,
breathing
correctly,
and
also
making
sure
that
the
settings
in
each
machine
fit
their
dimensions.
 Once
these
tasks
have
been
addressed,
we
can
then
start
to
make
the
resistance
more
meaningful
and
work
with
a
greater
level
of
intensity.
 This
will
happen
over
the
course
of
a
few
more
sessions,
since
we
want
to
maintain
proper
form
while
the
weights
become
heavier.
 The
purpose
is
to
better
prepare
the
client
mentally
and
physically
for
the
discomfort
that
accompanies
great
muscular
effort.
 Through
the
client's
hard
work
and
the
instructor's
teaching,
muscular
failure
and
thorough
inroad
are
achieved.
 Congratulations!
 Now
the
real
work
begins.


 


Arthur
Jones
once
said
that
exercise
begins
at
failure.
 This
can
be
interpreted
in
multiple
ways,
but
I
take
it
to
mean
that
reaching
muscular
failure
and
pushing
(or
pulling)
for
an
additional
five
to
ten
seconds
is
the
most
effective
part
of
each
exercise
because
this
is
what
the
body
interprets
as
an
existential
threat
to
its
survival.
 This
is
the
stimulus
that
we
seek,
and
with
enough
time,
nutritional
resources,
proper
sleep
and
hydration,
the
body
will
make
physical
improvements.
 Yes,
you
can
still
make
gains
if
you
don't
go
to
failure,
but
pushing
until
you
cannot
complete
another
repetition
in
good
form
is
the
only
way
to
ensure
you
have
given
a
maximum
effort.
We
still
do
not
know
what
the
ideal
percentage
of
effort
is,
but
there
are
only
two
objective
measurements:
zero
and
100
percent.
 Achieving
muscular
failure
indicates
that
you
have
given
every
ounce
of
effort
that
is
possible.
 
I
have
talked
about
this
before,
but
it
can
do
a
psychological
number
on
you
the
first
time
you
push
with
all
of
your
might
and
the
weight
stack
won't
budge.
 Once
you
go
through
this
a
few
times
it
becomes
easier
to
deal
with
because
you
know
what
to
expect.
 Keep
a
calm
demeanor,
realize
that
you
are
in
a
completely
safe
environment,
and
know
that
your
instructor
would
never
put
you
into
an
unsafe
position.
 Muscular
failure
is
uncomfortable,
but
it
lasts
only
for
a
brief
time.


 


As
the
old
saying
goes,
it's
easier
to
get
to
the
top
than
it
is
to
stay
on
top.
 Let's
say
that
you
have
achieved
your
initial
weight
loss
goal.
 That's
awesome,
but
it's
not
time
to
rest
on
your
laurels.
 I
have
seen
many
clients
experience
initial
success,
but
then
fall
off
the
wagon.
 Don't
subconsciously
lose
your
hunger
(so
to
speak)
or
let
down
your
guard.
 Remember
the
mindset
and
focus
that
allowed
you
to
achieve
your
initial
success.
 The
will
to
win
means
nothing
without
the
will
to
prepare
to
win.
 You
must
bring
a
consistent
level
of
focus
and
effort
if
you
want
to
have
sustained
progress.
 The
most
successful
long
term
Total
Results
clients
find
a
way
to
accept
the
challenge.
 Rather
than
make
excuses
or
complain
about
how
demanding
the
workouts
are,
they
understand
how
important
exercise
is
in
their
lives
and
they
shut
out
all
of
life's
other
distractions
while
they
are
here.
 You
can
always
set
new
goals
once
you
have
achieved
your
initial
objective.
 There
are
many
things
to
accomplish
in
life,
and
being
strong
and
well-conditioned
is
a
great
way
to
put
your
best
foot
forward
as
you
go
on
your
journey.


 


Your
rate
of
progress
will
slow
down
as
you
become
a
more
experienced
trainee.
 This
is
due
to
the
law
of
diminishing
returns.
 It
is
perfectly
normal
to
expect
that
you
won't
continue
to
add
five
pounds
to
the
weight
stack
on
every
single
workout.
 Most
people
see
significant
gains
in
strength
in
short
order,
but
that
is
largely
due
to
neural
adaptation,
or
a
learning
effect.
 Once
you
start
to
train
with
significant
effort,
we
will
still
continue
to
be
progressive
and
add
weight
to
the
stack,
but
the
increments
will
be
smaller
and
added
less
frequently.
 The
good
news
is
that
the
gains
at
this
point
are
due
to
adding
muscle
to
your
frame.
 If
you
continue
to
work
hard
during
your
sessions
and
do
the
necessary
things
between
workouts,
there
is
no
reason
that
your
progress
can't
continue
for
many
years
to
come.
 Our
two
longest
tenured
Total
Results
clients
have
been
with
us
for
20
years,
and
they
still
continue
to
get
stronger.


 


Consistent
great
effort
over
time
is
what
produces
sustained
results.
 Strive
for
excellence,
not
mediocrity.
 There
is
a
cost
for
everything
in
life;
you
can
either
pay
now
(and
reap
the
benefits
of
good
health
and
functional
independence)
or
you
can
pay
later
(by
suffering
from
a
loss
of
mobility
and
increased
risk
of
chronic
disease).
 Many
things
in
life
that
are
necessary
are
not
fun
-
think
mowing
the
grass,
brushing
your
teeth,
and
cleaning
the
house.
 Remember,
you
don't
have
to
love
exercise,
but
you
do
need
to
see
the
value
of
it
and
be
mentally
tough
and
mature
enough
to
do
what
needs
to
be
done.
 Life
doesn't
stop,
and
neither
should
your
commitment
to
exercise.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don&#039;t Wait</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=705</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=705</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Even
the
most
motivated
self-starters
can
tend
toward
procrastination
if
the
conditions
are
ripe.
 If
you
try
hard
enough,
you
can
find
reasons
not
to
do
the
things
that
you
know
need
to
get
done,
such
as
cleaning
out
your
garage,
mowing
the
grass,
or
getting
the
brakes
replaced
on
your
car.
 It
is
also
easy
to
put
off
getting
started
on
an
exercise
regimen.
 You
might
say
to
yourself,
"I'm
really
busy
and
have
a
lot
on
my
plate
right
now.
 When
things
calm
down,
I'll
begin
exercising."
 This
is
flawed
thinking,
because
tomorrow
is
not
guaranteed.
 I
don't
want
to
sound
morbid,
but
each
day
brings
us
closer
to
our
eventual
end
and
there
is
nothing
worse
than
regret.
 Each
one
of
us
is
given
a
death
sentence
the
day
we
are
born,
and
we
never
know
when
that
day
will
come.
 Proper
exercise
is
something
that
will
add
value
to
your
life,
and
there
is
no
better
time
to
start
than
right
now.


 


Habits,
both
good
and
bad,
become
self-perpetuating.
 Every
day
that
you
wait
to
start
exercising
makes
it
that
much
easier
to
simply
kick
the
can
down
the
road.
 Nick
Saban
has
won
seven
national
championships
and
is
widely
considered
to
be
the
greatest
college
football
coach
of
all
time.
 He
believes
that,
"We
have
to
compete
within
ourselves
relative
to
the
determination
it
takes
to
be
successful."
 Saban
also
talks
at
length
about
how
we
have
the
power
to
control
our
own
destiny,
and
I
believe
that
goes
hand
in
hand
with
maintaining
a
sense
of
urgency.
 That
doesn't
mean
that
every
situation
should
reach
critical
mass,
but
it
means
that
we
should
not
take
life
for
granted
and
always
assume
things
will
just
work
out
on
their
own.
 We
need
to
be
participants,
not
spectators.
 Beginning
the
Total
Results
exercise
program
is
one
of
the
best
ways
to
control
your
own
destiny
and
enable
yourself
to
be
an
active
participant
in
all
the
things
that
life
has
to
offer.


 


Every
day
that
you
wait
to
exercise
increases
your
risk
for
osteoporosis,
sarcopenia,
lower
back
pain,
and
other
diseases
of
modern
civilization,
thus
putting
your
functional
independence
in
jeopardy.
 There
seems
to
be
a
common
characteristic
between
heart
disease,
autoimmune
disorders,
diabetes,
and
certain
types
of
cancer:
muscle
loss
that
occurs
with
improper
aging.
 Dr.
Doug
McGuff
has
talked
at
length
about
the
concept
of
physiological
headroom,
which
is
the
difference
between
the
most
you
can
physically
do
and
the
least
that
you
can
physically
do.
 When
there
is
no
difference
between
the
two,
death
is
the
result.
 If
you
do
what
you
need
to
do
in
order
to
maintain
your
health
(through
strength
training
and
lifestyle
choices),
you
can
actually
increase
your
physiological
headroom.
 I
have
seen
it
happen
many
times.
 If
you
are
over
the
age
of
70,
do
not
think
that
it
is
too
late
for
you
to
start
strength
training.
 Clients
in
this
demographic
have
made
some
of
the
most
impressive
gains
in
strength
and
functionality
over
the
years.
 Just
one
or
two
20
minute
sessions
per
week
is
all
that
it
takes.


 


Don't
put
off
until
tomorrow
what
you
can
start
today.
 The
sooner
you
begin,
the
sooner
you
can
reap
the
benefits
of
the
work
you
put
in.
 Invest
in
yourself
and
your
future,
and
move
forward
rather
than
backward.
 Don't
wait.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Exercise-Induced Headache</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=704</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=704</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
unusual
circumstance
that
we
do
occasionally
experience
at
Total
Results
is
what
is
called
an
exercise-induced
headache
(EIH).
 This
type
of
headache
only
comes
about
through
high-intensity
weight
training,
and
can
occur
either
gradually
or
suddenly.
 While
it
is
unpleasant
and
often
scary
to
experience,
I
must
emphasize
that
it
is
not
a
dangerous
or
medically
threatening
condition,
and
it
is
more
of
a
hindrance
than
anything
else.
 An
exercise-induced
headache
is
also
quite
rare;
I
would
say
that
I
see
it
in
approximately
ten
percent
of
the
clients
that
I
have
worked
with.
 If
we
take
the
time
to
understand
the
nature
of
this
type
of
headache
and
what
causes
it,
we
can
minimize
the
severity
of
the
headache
and
prevent
it
from
happening
in
the
future.
 


 


What
exactly
is
an
EIH?
 In
my
experience
it
occurs
suddenly,
first
manifesting
as
a
dull,
achy
discomfort
that
starts
in
the
back
of
the
head
and
intensifies
as
it
moves
up
and
forward.
It
often
occurs
with
beginning
clients,
even
when
the
intensity
of
effort
is
not
that
high.
 
If
not
addressed
immediately,
it
can
present
very
similarly
to
a
migraine
and
be
accompanied
by
difficulty
with
vision.
 In
very
serious
cases,
this
headache
can
persist
even
once
the
exercise
has
been
terminated
and
lasts
for
a
couple
of
days.
 In
really
extreme
cases
that
I
have
read
about,
it
can
last
for
up
to
two
weeks.
 Once
you
have
experienced
an
EIH,
the
chances
are
greater
that
it
will
happen
again
unless
proper
measures
are
taken.
 There
is
no
question
that
this
is
an
unpleasant
scenario
to
have
to
go
through.
 Allow
me
to
say
again
that
as
scary
as
this
situation
sounds,
it
does
not
mean
that
you
have
a
brain
tumor
or
aneurysm.
 Nevertheless,
it
is
something
that
needs
to
be
 discussed
with
the
prospective
client
during
the
preliminary
considerations
portion
of
an
initial
consultation.
 


 


What
causes
an
EIH?
 There
are
certain
types
of
form
discrepancies
that
can
predispose
an
exercise
subject
to
experience
an
EIH,
namely
facial
grimacing,
Valsalva,
neck
extension,
and
excessive
gripping.
 Ken
Hutchins,
in
his
book
"Super
Slow
-
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol",
talks
about
working
with
a
client
that
experienced
recurring
EIH
at
Nautilus
as
far
back
as
1980.
 Since
this
client
exhibited
excellent
form
and
performed
none
of
these
form
discrepancies,
he
suspected
that
there
had
to
be
another
cause.
 Unfortunately,
for
many
years
this
other
cause
remained
an
enigma,
and
most
of
the
emphasis
was
on
prevention
and
treatment
of
EIH.
 It
was
only
with
Dr.
Doug
McGuff's
insight
that
we
were
able
to
get
a
better
understanding
of
this
strange
phenomena.
 He
explained
that
EIH
was
the
result
of
stretching
of
the
dura,
the
outer
covering
of
the
brain,
that
occurred
due
to
a
bottleneck
of
venous
blood
working
its
way
back
to
the
heart.
 As
Hutchins
explains,
"And
when
the
venous
return
exceeds
the
compliance
of
the
upper
body,
it
accumulates
in
the
head
and
stretches
the
dura
or
covering
of
the
brain,
emitting
a
classic
thunderclap-type
pain.
 Our
collective
hypothesis
is
that
this
is
the
root
cause
of
most
EIH
presentations."
 I
also
suspect
that
weak
neck
musculature
may
be
a
factor,
but
I
cannot
prove
this.
 The
silver
lining,
of
course,
is
that
because
EIH
happens
as
a
result
of
venous
return
of
the
blood
back
to
the
right
side
of
the
heart,
it
confirms
our
long-held
belief
that
Total
Results
high-intensity
strength
training
is
the
most
effective
way
to
improve
cardiovascular
conditioning.


 


How
do
we
treat
EIH?
 The
first
emphasis
should
be
placed
on
prevention.
 Clients
must
maintain
proper
neutral
head
position
at
all
times
during
each
exercise
and
avoid
the
aforementioned
behaviors
such
as
Valsalva,
facial
grimacing,
tensing
the
neck
muscles
(except
when
performing
cervical
extension
and
flexion
exercises),
and
excessive
gripping.
 Breathing
should
be
done
freely
and
continuously
throughout
each
exercise.
 Following
these
protocols
should
significantly
reduce
your
risk
for
encountering
an
EIH.
 In
the
event
that
an
EIH
does
occur,
there
are
responsibilities
that
need
to
be
met
on
the
part
of
both
the
instructor
and
the
client.
 The
client
must

immediately

notify
the
instructor
if
any
head
pain
arises
that
was
not
there
prior
to
the
beginning
of
the
workout
(also
tell
your
instructor
if
you
have
a
headache
when
you
arrive
for
your
workout).
 Do
not
wait
until
after
the
exercise
has
been
completed;
time
is
absolutely
of
the
essence.
 This
must
be
taken
seriously,
and
the
"no
pain,
no
gain"
approach
does
not
apply.
 Once
notified,
the
instructor
will
terminate
that
particular
exercise
and
have
the
client
safely
unload
from
the
resistance.
 The
instructor
will
have
the
client
sit
quietly
with
their
eyes
closed
(do
not
talk)
for
up
to
five
minutes.
 If
the
head
pain
does
not
subside
completely
after
five
minutes,
the
workout
will
be
terminated.
 It
is
important
to
make
this
distinction,
because
it
is
not
enough
to
say
that
the
pain
is
"better."
 The
pain
must
vanish
completely
in
order
to
continue
the
workout,
because
the
likelihood
of
the
head
pain
worsening
increases
significantly.
 Usually,
if
the
headache
is
caught
and
treated
in
time
it
will
go
away
and
never
again
become
an
issue.
 If
an
EIH
recurs,
there
are
strategies
that
we
can
use
going
forward
to
avoid
this
problem
from
becoming
ongoing.
 Often
we
will
change
the
order
of
the
exercises
in
a
workout
(performing
upper
body
exercises
first
before
the
lower
body,
as
EIH
often
happens
on
the
Leg
Press),
perform
a
neck
extension
exercise
at
the
beginning
of
the
workout
(to
strengthen
and
also
relax
the
neck
muscles
for
the
remainder
of
the
workout),
or
simply
redefine
the
point
of
muscular
failure
as
that
point
just
before
head
pain
starts
(at
least
for
a
few
workouts).
 These
measures
have
been
quite
successful
at
rehabilitating
clients
from
a
recurring
EIH;
in
fact,
I
can
only
think
of
one
client
in
over
twenty
years
that
we
were
not
able
to
successfully
cure
of
EIH.


 


An
exercise-induced
headache
is
certainly
an
unpleasant
and
scary
experience
to
have
to
go
through,
but
being
prepared
by
your
instructor
for
this
possible
occurrence
means
it
won't
be
completely
unexpected
if
it
does
happen.
 Prevention
is
the
key
to
avoiding
it,
and
efficient
communication
between
the
client
and
the
instructor
will
help
rectify
the
situation
quickly.
 Experiencing
a
headache
doesn't
have
to
mean
quitting
high-intensity
exercise,
and
if
you
look
at
the
silver
lining
it
means
you
are
truly
involved
in
something
that
stimulates
meaningful
physical
change.
 These
headaches
are
rare
events,
and
my
hope
is
that
most
of
you
reading
this
article
have
never
and
will
never
experience
this
situation.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Just Do It</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=703</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=703</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
am
a
Nike
guy;
I
love
most
of
the
designs
of
their
shoes
and
apparel.
 Founder
Phil
Knight's
memoir
"Shoe
Dog"
is
a
captivating
read
that
I
would
recommend
to
anyone,
even
if
they
aren't
a
fan
of
the
brand.
 One
of
the
most
enduring
ad
campaigns
that
Nike
has
ever
produced
was
the
"Just
Do
It"
slogan
that
was
created
in
1988.
 The
reason
that
it
still
resonates
today
is
that
you
can
come
up
with
all
kinds
of
excuses
not
to
pursue
certain
endeavors.
 Don't
give
yourself
an
out;
just
do
it,
even
when
other
forces
are
pulling
at
you,
and
even
when
you
don't
feel
that
you're
at
your
best.


 


Total
Results
exercise
is
hard.
 It
is
supposed
to
be
hard
because
making
physical
improvements
requires
the
body
to
divert
resources
that
are
metabolically
expensive.
 The
human
body
is
quite
resistant
to
change,
so
it
needs
a
significant
reason
to
adapt.
 High
intensity
weight
training
is
interpreted
as
an
existential
threat
to
its
safety
(even
though
it
is
perfectly
safe
if
performed
properly),
and
when
the
body
is
faced
with
this
threat
it
will
make
the
desired
improvements
if
requirements
are
met
in
the
form
of
nutrition,
sleep,
hydration,
stress
management,
and
time.
 Pushing
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure
and
moving
quickly
to
the
next
exercise
is
uncomfortable,
unpleasant,
and
not
fun,
but
it
is
a
biological
necessity
to
achieve
optimal
results.
 While
we
regularly
talk
about
this
with
clients,
it's
natural
that
there
are
some
days
when
one
might
not
be
particularly
enthusiastic
about
going
through
this
process
for
20
minutes.
 This
is
when
you
need
to
tell
yourself
to
just
do
it.


 


There
are
always
pressures
and
stressors
in
life;
that
is
part
of
being
a
responsible
and
productive
adult.
 The
vast
majority
of
work
in
this
world
is
performed
by
people
who
don't
feel
100
percent.
 I
tell
my
football
players
the
same
thing
when
they
tell
me
they're
tired
or
have
a
minor
nick
from
a
drill
at
practice
or
in
a
game.
 There
is
a
difference
between
being
hurt
(experiencing
some
minor
discomfort)
 and
being
injured
(severe
pain).
 From
a
workout
perspective,
there
are
lots
of
reasons
for
not
being
perfectly
recovered
-
less
than
optimal
sleep,
poor
diet,
feeling
stressed,
etc.
 It's
important
to
push
through
even
on
those
days
when
your
energy
level
isn't
sky
high;
once
you
make
one
excuse
for
missing
a
workout
it
becomes
easier
to
do
it
again.
 Even
if
your
strength
performance
isn't
the
greatest,
you
will
still
reap
significant
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
benefits
if
you
push
to
failure
and
move
quickly
between
exercises.
 Physiologically,
there
is
really
no
optimal
time
of
day
to
workout;
you
just
have
to
do
it.


 


I
will
admit
that
early
morning
workouts
are
typically
not
ideal
for
me.
 When
I
arrive
at
the
office
I
do
a
number
of
things
to
prepare
for
my
day:
look
at
my
schedule,
go
over
clients'
charts,
and
get
the
office
up
and
running.
 My
preference
is
to
workout
in
the
afternoon
on
Tuesdays,
but
I
have
had
to
shift
my
workout
days
and
times
around
due
to
a
condensed
schedule
from
coaching
football.
 I
understand
the
importance
of
keeping
up
with
my
weekly
workouts,
and
I
push
myself
to
complete
my
sessions
(even
if
it's
at
6
AM)
because
I
am
aware
of
the
repercussions
if
I
allow
myself
to
skip.
 It's
also
important
that
I
set
an
example;
if
I
slack
off,
how
can
I
possibly
admonish
clients
that
do
the
same
thing?
 Having
a
sense
of
urgency
is
a
positive
thing.


 


Too
many
people
float
through
life
without
any
real
purpose;
don't
be
one
of
those
people.
 I
encourage
you
to
take
your
health
seriously
and
control
your
own
destiny.
 Do
everything
that
you
can
to
avoid
the
medical
bureaucracy,
and
that
starts
with
establishing
and
maintaining
good
habits.
 Yes,
you
want
to
do
the
little
things
every
day
to
ensure
success
in
your
workouts,
but
even
when
you
don't
feel
you're
at
your
best,
just
do
it
anyway.
 You
will
be
proud
of
yourself
for
overcoming
adversity.
 Embrace
the
challenge
that
you
can
achieve
something
meaningful
even
when
you're
tired,
stressed,
or
just
plain
don't
feel
like
it.
 Don't
be
content
with
mediocrity.
 You
have
complete
control
over
what
happens
to
you,
and
it
only
takes
less
than
one
hour
per
week.
 Just
do
it!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Ten Requirements for Full Range Exercise Explained</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=702</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=702</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Arthur
Jones
was
an
exercise
pioneer
who
created
Nautilus
and
MedX
strength
training
equipment.
These
machines
were,
and
still
are,
light
years
ahead
of
what
preceded
them
and
what
has
come
along
since
(the
lone
exception
being
Super
Slow
Systems
equipment).
Ken
Hutchins,
who
created
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol,
has
said
that
exercise
as
we
know
it
would
not
have
been
possible
without
Jones's
initial
concepts
on
machine
design
and
exercise
philosophy,
and
every
person
who
pursues
meaningful
exercise
owes
Jones
a
debt
of
gratitude.
Jones
was
an
interesting
character
who
unfortunately
passed
away
in
2007.
He
was
a
self-educated
man
born
in
Arkansas
and
grew
up
in
a
family
of
physicians
in
Oklahoma,
and
outside
of
exercise
he
worked
as
a
writer,
producer,
and
television
director,
and
also
owned
and
operated
a
zoo
in
Louisiana
after
World
War
II.
I
am
not
certain
of
the
date
that
Jones
developed
the
Ten
Requirements
for
Full
Range
Exercise,
but
I
believe
it
was
not
long
after
the
first
Nautilus
machines
hit
the
market
in
1970.

 


These
are
the
Ten
Requirements
for
Full
Range
Exercise:

 




Rotary
resistance.
This
means
that
the
involved
joint
of
the
body
in
a
given
exercise
must
have
resistance
rotating
on
a
common
axis.




Direct
resistance.
Resistance
must
be
directly
encountered
by
the
involved
body
part.




Variable
resistance.
Your
muscles
are
stronger
in
some
positions
and
weaker
in
others,
so
the
resistance
must
be
varied
in
order
to
target
the
muscles
properly.




Balanced
resistance.
This
goes
along
with
the
third
requirement.




Positive
work.
There
must
be
resistance
applied
to
the
musculature
during
the
concentric
(muscle
fibers
shorten)
phase
of
the
movement.




Negative
work.
Resistance
must
also
be
applied
during
the
eccentric
(muscle
fibers
lengthen)
portion
of
the
exercise.




Stretching.
Resistance
should
be
provided
in
a
range
of
motion
that
exceeds
the
limits
of
the
user.




Pre-stretching.
This
involves
a
slightly
greater
range
of
motion
just
prior
to
the
start
of
the
positive
phase
of
the
movement.
More
on
this
later.




Resistance
in
a
position
of
full
muscular
contraction.
There
must
be
resistance
in
the
finishing
portion
of
the
movement,
so
that
the
musculature
is
not
unloaded
at
any
time.




Unrestricted
speed
of
movement.
The
mechanics
of
the
machine
should
not
limit
how
fast
or
slow
you
move.



 


It
must
be
understood
that
Arthur
Jones
created
Nautilus
machines
back
in
the
late
1960s
because
he
recognized
the
inherent
limitations
in
free
weights
and
Universal
machines,
which
were
the
only
strength
training
equipment
available
at
the
time.
Nautilus
machines
were
an
intellectual
and
mechanical
quantum
leap
forward,
and
while
they
were
revolutionary,
Jones's
equipment
had
some
design
flaws
in
the
form
of
friction,
backward
cams
(the
mechanism
that
varies
the
resistance
through
the
range
of
motion),
and
independent
movement
arms
on
a
few
machines.
Some
of
these
flaws
he
worked
to
improve,
while
others
he
steadfastly
refused
to
change.
Nautilus
protocol
involved
a
two
second
positive
phase
and
a
four
second
negative
phase,
so
some
of
the
meaningful
effects
of
the
cam
were
obviated
by
a
faster
than
acceptable
movement
speed.
The
Ten
Requirements
for
Full
Range
Exercise
should
be
taken
into
context
with
what
was
known
more
than
fifty
years
ago.
We
have
learned
much
since
then.

 


Which
of
the
requirements
have
been
invalidated?
The
first
is
rotary
resistance;
in
reality,
Jones
uses
an
incorrect
term
here.
As
Ken
Hutchins
points
out,
"Technically,
there
is
no
such
thing
as
a
rotary
resistance.
Resistance
is
force.
And
force
always
exists
in
a
straight
line.
What
we
are
really
talking
about
is

torque.
Torque
is
often
imagined
as
a

twisting
force,
but
actually
it
is
merely
a

product

of
straight-line
force
and
lever
length"
(his
emphasis).
Pre-stretching
is
very
dangerous
and
is
thus
invalidated.
Pre-stretching
involves
a
sudden
and
violent
jerk
at
the
end
of
the
negative
just
prior
to
the
next
positive
repetition.
This
can
only
be
accomplished
with
a
machine
setting
that
exceeds
a
safe
and
pain-free
range
of
motion.
This
concept
came
into
being
as
a
result
of
a
misguided
emphasis
on
flexibility,
but
is
far
more
likely
to
result
in
injury
than
it
is
to
bring
about
benefit.
It
is
incumbent
upon
the
exercise
instructor
to
determine
proper
machine
settings
for
each
client.
Finally,
an
unrestricted
speed
of
movement
is
also
likely
invalidated,
because
it
implies
that
one
should
be
able
to
move
faster
during
exercise
rather
than
slower.
An
exercise
subject
should
always
move
more
slowly
during
strength
training
rather
than
faster,
and
as
I
mentioned
above
Jones
advocated
a
much
faster
speed
of
movement
than
I
would
consider
safe.
I
should
also
point
out
that
since
Nautilus
machines
often
had
high
amounts
of
friction
in
the
weight
stacks,
it
was
very
difficult
to
move
at
an
appropriately
slow
speed
without
the
movement
arm
getting
hung
up
during
the
negative
excursion.

 


The
rest
of
the
requirements
remain
valid,
although
further
clarification
is
needed
for
a
few
of
them.
A
properly
designed
exercise
machine
must
provide
direct,
variable,
and
balanced
resistance.
The
need
for
variable
resistance
was
mentioned
above,
and
is
a
primary
reason
why
Jones
designed
the
Nautilus
cam
in
the
first
place.
Barbells
and
dumbbells
do
not
allow
for
variable
resistance,
and
a
50
pound
barbell
will
have
the
same
resistance
no
matter
what
position
of
the
range
of
motion
you
are
in.
This
is
a
limiting
factor,
because
the
resistance
can
be
too
heavy
in
some
portions
of
the
range
of
motion
and
too
light
in
others.
Only
a
machine
with
a
cam
can
appropriately
match
strength
with
resistance
based
on
leverage
factors.
At
Total
Results
we
do
use
a
barbell
to
perform
the
bicep
curl
exercise,
but
that's
only
because
we
do
not
have
a
machine
(or
the
space
it
would
require)
to
address
that
exercise.
Positive
and
negative
work
remain
valid,
as
both
the
concentric
and
eccentric
phases
of
the
movement
are
equally
important
for
achieving
an
exercise
stimulus.
Stretching
remains
valid,
but
far
too
much
emphasis
has
been
placed
on
flexibility,
in
my
opinion.
We
make
sure
each
client
is
able
to
utilize
a
safe,
but
pain-free
range
of
motion
on
every
exercise,
and
that
will
enable
them
to
maintain
and
improve
functionality.
Lastly,
resistance
in
the
position
of
full
muscular
contraction,
at
least
in
theory,
remains
valid,
but
it's
more
correct
to
use
the
term
"most
contracted
position"
instead.
To
say
that
a
muscle
is
fully
contracted
in
any
position
is
misleading.

 


Many
of
the
Ten
Requirements
of
Full
Range
Exercise
are
the
foundation
for
equipment
design.
Ken
Hutchins
was
able
to
take
these
requirements
to
another
level
when
he
designed
Super
Slow
Systems
equipment,
as
these
are
a
quantum
leap
beyond
the
initial
designs
for
both
Nautilus
and
MedX
machines.
All
of
the
machines
at
Total
Results
meet
the
requirements
put
forth.
This
is
just
one
way
that
we
separate
ourselves
from
our
competition,
as
most
other
commercially-available
equipment
is
poorly
engineered.
The
fact
that
a
few
of
the
requirements
have
been
invalidated
over
the
years
should
not
in
any
way
diminish
Jones's
accomplishments
or
ideas.
Many
scientific
discoveries
throughout
history
can
seem
less
significant
as
more
knowledge
has
been
gained
and
time
has
passed.
An
understanding
of
the
Ten
Requirements
for
Full
Range
Exercise
gives
us
a
greater
appreciation
for
the
Total
Results
philosophy,
and
we
would
not
be
where
we
are
today
without
the
contributions
of
Arthur
Jones.






]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Essence of Exercise</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=701</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=701</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Fitness
people
often
overcomplicate
things
with
stuff
that
truly
doesn't
matter.
 This
is
typically
because
they
lack
knowledge
and
will
do
anything
for
pure
financial
gain.
 I
have
said
this
before,
but
the
commercial
exercise
world
is
very
much
centered
on
trends
and
what
is
popular
this
year.
 When
one
craze
eventually
burns
out,
it
is
usually
recycled
in
a
slightly
different
fashion
a
few
years
later
and
repackaged
as
some
"revolutionary"
idea.
 I'm
all
for
trying
to
improve
and
do
things
better,
but
for
the
most
part
when
it
comes
to
exercise
there
isn't
much
new
under
the
sun.
 Forget
all
of
this
nonsense
about
"core-strengthening",
"fat-burning",
or
getting
into
a
target
heart
rate
zone.
 This
stuff
is
just
window
dressing
put
forth
by
people
who
are
trying
to
sound
like
innovators
when
they
really
are
not.
 The
true
essence
of
exercise
is
muscular
inroad.


 


Ken
Hutchins,
the
creator
of
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
and
builder
of
most
of
the
machines
in
our
studio,
was
the
first
person
to
truly
define
the
term
exercise.
 He
defines
exercise
as,
"...A
process
whereby
the
body
performs
work
of
a
demanding
nature,
in
accordance
with
muscle
and
joint
function,
in
a
clinically-controlled
environment,
within
the
constraints
of
safety,
meaningfully
loading
the
muscular
structures
to
inroad
their
strength
levels
within
minimum
time."
 There
must
be
a
sound
and
logical
system
in
place
in
order
to
achieve
optimum
physical
improvements.
 The
human
body
is
a
logical
entity,
and
all
body
processes
occur
as
a
result
of
specific
actions.
 Just
performing
any
type
of
nondescript
activity
on
a
whim
is
not
going
to
get
it
done.
 Contrary
to
what
the
muscle
magazines
tell
you,
"muscle
confusion",
"instinctive
training",
and
"changing
it
up"
are
not
successful
long-term
strategies.
 Exercise
should
be
a
logical
process
rather
than
instinctive.
 Most
of
us,
left
simply
to
our
instincts,
would
not
perform
on
our
own
something
as
demanding
as
a
Total
Results
workout.
 Arbitrary
activity
is
insufficient.


 


Exercise,
simply
put,
is
about
muscular
strengthening.
 Other
meaningful
physical
improvements
such
as
flexibility,
cardiovascular
and
metabolic
conditioning,
and
resistance
to
injury
occur
as
a
result
of
working
to
increase
your
strength.
 The
skeletal
muscles
are
the
"engines"
of
the
body;
if
we
happen
to
feel
cold,
what
is
the
quickest
way
to
get
warm?
 The
answer
is
to
perform
some
type
of
movement,
and
our
skeletal
muscles
control
our
volitional
movements.
 Skeletal
muscle
is
the
one
type
of
tissue
that
plays
the
greatest
role
in
determining
our
body
shape.
 While
the
heart
is
certainly
an
important
muscle,
the
only
way
to
improve
cardiovascular
conditioning
is
to
perform
mechanical
work
with
the
skeletal
muscles.
 This
happens
to
a
slight
degree
when
we
perform
steady-state
activity
(jogging,
biking,
etc.),
but
those
activities
require
a
low
level
of
effort,
hence
the
ability
to
engage
in
those
activities
for
lengthy
periods
of
time.
 People
often
spend
hours
every
week
slaving
away
on
a
bike
or
an
elliptical
trainer,
and
for
what?
 Sure,
it
might
be
a
form
of
recreation
for
some,
but
will
likely
produce
very
little
lasting
positive
change
and
will
put
you
at
risk
for
an
overuse
injury.
 If
you
are
serious
about
creating
significant
physical
improvements,
you
need
to
strength
train.


 


Many
people
pursue
all
kinds
of
different
activities
for
the
sake
of
fat
loss.
 It
must
be
understood
that
no
form
of
activity,
whether
it's
a
Total
Result
workout
or
anything
else,
burns
a
significant
amount
of
calories
when
you
consider
what
you
can
consume
in
a
very
short
period
of
time.
 Exercise
is
not
simply
about
burning
calories,
so
why
waste
time
and
effort
on
an
activity
that
provides
very
little
return
on
your
investment?
 Fat
loss
is
almost
exclusively
a
dietary
issue,
not
just
in
terms
of
how
much
you
eat
but
what
types
of
foods
you
eat
and
their
hormonal
impact.
 Total
Results
exercise
in
and
of
itself
is
not
a
fat
loss
program,
but
working
to
build
muscle
aids
greatly
in
terms
of
reducing
body
fat.
 The
more
muscle
you
have,
the
higher
your
basal
metabolic
rate,
which
results
in
greater
caloric
expenditure
even
when
you
aren't
doing
anything
other
than
being
alive!
 The
body,
by
nature,
is
resistant
to
change
(homeostasis)
and
wishes
to
conserve
its
resources
whenever
possible.
 It
needs
a
powerful
reason,
something
that
is
interpreted
as
an
existential
threat
(reaching
muscular
failure)
in
order
to
create
positive
and
lasting
physical
changes.
 A
Total
Results
workout
is
just
the
stimulus
you
need
to
make
physical
adaptations.
 If
you
consistently
put
forth
a
great
effort
you
will
make
changes
you
did
not
think
were
possible,
provided
you
meet
your
body's
requirements
for
sleep,
food,
nutrition,
stress
management,
and
do
not
overtax
yourself
with
too
much
additional
activity.


 


The
essence
of
exercise
is
muscular
inroad:
fatiguing
the
musculature
deeply
and
efficiently
enough
to
stimulate
a
growth
mechanism.
 Arbitrary
and
haphazard
activity
isn't
enough
to
accomplish
this;
you
need
a
systematic
plan.
 Keep
in
mind
that
exercise
is
not
a
cure-all;
it
will
not
be
enough
to
overcome
poor
personal
habits.
 It
won't
eliminate
every
single
ache
or
pain
that
you
have;
some
physical
discomfort
occurs
as
a
result
of
aging
with
even
the
most
disciplined
people.
 What
it
can
do
for
you
is
to
enable
you
to
live
your
life
with
more
energy,
less
pain,
and
will
help
you
to
steer
clear
of
the
medical
establishment.
 Total
Results
exercise,
along
with
sound
personal
and
dietary
habits,
can
help
you
get
more
out
of
life
than
you
can
imagine.
 It's
not
complicated,
but
it
works.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Statin Damage Crisis&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=700</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=700</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Duane
Graveline,
M.D.,
M.P.H,
was
a
NASA
physician
and
former
astronaut
who
unfortunately
passed
away
in
2016.
 He
wrote
a
series
of
books
about
the
dangers
of
statin
drugs,
and
some
of
his
own
harrowing
experiences
are
included
in
his
work.
 Dr.
Graveline
was
first
prescribed
statins
in
1999
at
the
strong
recommendation
of
the
doctors
at
NASA,
purportedly
due
to
having
high
cholesterol.
 After
two
serious
adverse
events,
both
of
which
had
long-lasting
repercussions,
he
took
himself
off
statins
for
good.
 In
large
part
due
to
his
own
experiences,
Dr.
Graveline
began
meticulously
researching
statin
drugs
and
their
side
effects
so
that
others
might
benefit
from
his
knowledge.
 "The
Statin
Damage
Crisis"
was
self-published
in
2012.


 


Dr.
Malcolm
Kendrick,
author
of
the
book
"The
Great
Cholesterol
Con",
set
the
tone
for
this
book
in
the
introduction
that
he
wrote.
 According
to
Dr.
Kendrick,
"If
you
took
a
statin
for
thirty
years,
you
could
expect
five
to
six
months
of
increased
life
expectancy.
 And
that's
it.
 And
that
is
only
for
men,
with
pre-existing
heart
disease.
 For
women,
forget
it.
 These
drugs
are
pointless,
and
cannot
extend
your
life
by
one
day."
 If
the
drugs
were
merely
ineffective
that
would
be
one
thing,
but
as
Dr.
Graveline
goes
on
to
explain
these
drugs
are
actually
quite
harmful.
 It's
important
to
understand
the
origin
for
the
rise
of
statin
drugs
as
well
as
how
they
work.
 Ancel
Keys,
a
physiologist,
conducted
his
Seven
Countries
study
in
1958
in
order
to
learn
about
the
relationship
between
dietary
consumption
and
heart
disease.
 Unfortunately,
the
study
was
flawed.
 As
Dr.
Graveline
explains,
"None
of
us
realized
that
Keys
had
consciously
manipulated
the
data
to
include
only
those
studies
that
agreed
with
his
preconceived
idea.
 None
of
us
was
scientist
enough
to
know
the
difference
between
natural
cholesterol
of
angelic
disposition
and
its
devilish
oxy-cholesterol
brother
that
blocked
rabbit
arteries
with
such
ease."
 Statin
drugs
work
largely
by
inhibiting
the
enzyme
HMG-CoA
reductase,
which
is
essential
for
the
production
of
cholesterol.
 They
also
inhibit
the
production
of
vital
intermediary
products
such
as
ubiquinone
(coenzyme
Q10)
and
dolichols,
which
can
have
harmful
repercussions
for
many
people.
 It
appears
that
the
cholesterol-inhibiting
function
of
statins
is
completely
unnecessary.
 As
the
author
states,
"Unfortunately
we
are
now
learning
that
this
cholesterol
manipulation
is
irrelevant
to
atherosclerosis
and
increased
cardiovascular
risk."
 In
addition,
ubiquinone
inhibition
negatively
impacts
energy
production,
and
dolichol
inhibition
can
have
a
wide
range
of
possible
behavioral
manifestations.


 


Side
effects
of
statins
include
congestive
heart
failure,
chronic
fatigue,
hepatitis,
rhabdomyolysis
(muscle
damage
which
results
in
the
release
of
protein
and
electrolytes
into
the
blood),
peripheral
neuropathy,
depression,
mood
swings,
memory
loss,
and
cognitive
impairment.
 Dr.
Graveline
details
the
tragic
story
of
the
father
of
Steve
Sparks,
a
well-known
statin
activist.
 Mr.
Sparks
was
a
self-sufficient,
seemingly
healthy
octogenarian
who
led
a
very
active
life.
 He
was
prescribed
Baycol
(a
statin
that
was
later
taken
off
the
market)
and
within
24
days
was
hospitalized
with
complete
renal
failure.
 Less
than
two
months
after
being
prescribed
the
drug,
Steve
Sparks's
father
was
dead.
 Dr.
Graveline
discusses
his
own
personal
experience
with
statins,
which
included
two
separate
bouts
of
transient
global
amnesia
(defined
as,
"the
sudden
inability
to
formulate
new
memory,
known
as
anterograde
amnesia,
combined
with
varying
degrees
of
retrograde
memory
loss,
sometimes
for
decades
into
the
past").
 The
author
also
suffered
from
extreme
weakness
and
easy
fatigability
in
his
legs
and
lower
back,
peripheral
neuropathy,
lateral
sclerosis,
and
could
no
longer
walk
without
assistance.
 This
degeneration
took
place
after
only
three
and
a
half
months
of
being
on
a
10
mg
or
less
dosage
of
Lipitor.
 After
his
second
time
on
the
drug,
Dr.
Graveline
unilaterally
decided
to
take
himself
off
the
medication
and
embarked
on
an
aggressive
course
of
nutritional
therapy
that
included
liberal
doses
of
CoQ10,
vitamin
E,
vitamin
C,
vitamin
D,
and
PQQ,
which
is
an
antioxidant
mitochondrial
enhancer.
 He
also
incorporated
barefoot
walking.
 After
four
years
of
progressive
decline
prior
to
starting
this
course
of
therapy,
the
author
was
able
to
regain
some
of
his
physical
and
cognitive
abilities,
but
some
of
the
damage
from
statins
was
permanent.


 


Cholesterol
is
an
essential
substance
produced
by
the
body,
and
is
a
constituent
of
the
membrane
that
surrounds
every
cell.
 Contrary
to
what
we
have
been
led
to
believe
over
the
past
half
century,
cholesterol
is
not
an
inherently
evil
entity.
 As
the
author
says,
"This
same
substance
that
society
has
been
taught
to
fear
happens
to
be
our
sole
source
for
androgen,
estrogen,
and
progesterone."
 He
goes
on
to
say
that,
"...Alzheimer's
disease
is
characterized
by
a
progressive
and
irreversible
loss
of
neurons
and
synapses
associated
with
cholesterol
deficit."
 The
real
danger
in
terms
of
heart
disease
is
not
cholesterol
build-up
in
the
arteries,
but
rather
inflammation.
 Dr.
Graveline
says,
"We
now
have
evidence
that
atherosclerosis
is
the
result
of
inflammatory
factors
such
as
homocysteine,
secondary
to
genetic
or
acquired
deficiencies
of
vitamin
B6,
B12,
and
folic
acid.
 Homocysteine
has
been
shown
to
be
a
major
player
in
atherosclerotic
change,
with
coagulation
defects,
platelet
factors
and
selected
anti-oxidant
deficiencies
responsible
for
most
of
the
rest.
 Cholesterol
no
longer
is
deserving
of
even
a
place
in
the
lineup
of
usual
suspects."
 The
truth
is
that
almost
all
major
intervention
studies
have
failed
to
show
a
significant
correlation
between
cardiovascular
disease
and
serum
cholesterol
levels.
 Unfortunately
the
pharmaceutical
companies
have
been
very
successful
at
driving
home
their
message
on
the
supposed
benefits
of
statins.


 


What
are
some
safer
and
more
effective
alternatives
to
taking
a
statin?
 For
the
person
at
average
risk,
Dr.
Graveline
believes
the
focus
should
be
on
reducing
inflammation;
this
is
best
accomplished
by
achieving
a
2
to
1
ratio
between
your
omega-6
and
omega-3
fatty
acids.
 Eat
plenty
of
animal-based
proteins
like
fish,
eggs,
yogurt,
meat,
and
cheese,
and
supplement
with
vitamins
B6,
B12,
folic
acid,
tocotrienol,
CoQ10,
and
buffered
aspirin.
 People
at
higher
risk
should
also
add
in
vitamin
D,
low
doses
of
Red
Yeast
Rice
and
Aged
Garlic
Extract.
 All
of
these
will
provide
the
anti-inflammatory
benefits
without
the
potentially
lethal
side
effects
of
statins.


 


Dr.
Graveline's
belief
is
that,
"Statin
drugs
cause
effects
on
our
mitochondria
identical
to
those
that
accumulate
with
age.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Seek Out Muscular Failure, Don&#039;t Avoid It</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=699</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=699</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Exercise,
when
it
is
performed
properly,
is
supposed
to
be
hard.
 Let's
think
for
a
second
about
what
we
are
doing
when
we
perform
a
slow-speed,
high
intensity
weight
training
workout.
 We
are
loading
the
muscular
structures
with
a
resistance
that
the
exercise
subject
can
safely
handle
at
a
10/10
speed
until
they
reach
muscular
failure
in
a
window
of
one
to
three
minutes
of
time
under
load.
 This
sequence
is
performed
for
five
to
seven
exercises
that
encompass
the
entirety
of
the
body's
musculature,
both
upper
and
lower
body.
 The
client
will
move
quickly
between
exercises
so
that
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning
are
optimized
(both
are
diminished
if
you
rest
between
exercises).
 This
is
all
done
in
order
to
provide
the
body
with
a
good
reason
to
mobilize
its
resources
to
make
physical
improvements.
 Although
our
natural
instincts
might
tell
us
otherwise,
we
need
to
have
a
mindset
where
we
seek
out
muscular
failure
rather
than
avoid
it.


 


It
is
human
to
want
to
avoid
discomfort.
 Pain
and
discomfort
are
the
human
body's
mechanism
for
getting
us
to
pay
attention
to
what's
going
on.
 However,
it's
important
to
be
able
to
make
the
distinction
between
exertional
discomfort
(which
is
harmless)
and
injurious
pain
(which
is
bad).
 The
essence
of
true
exercise
is
inroad.
 This
means
that
we
are
systematically
fatiguing
our
musculature,
one
repetition
at
a
time,
until
we
are
no
longer
capable
of
completing
another
repetition
in
proper
form.
 We
still
do
not
know
what
exact
percentage
of
effort
is
optimal
for
stimulating
maximum
physical
improvements.
 It
might
be
85
percent,
but
there
is
no
real
way
to
measure
that.
 As
it
currently
stands,
there
are
only
two
measurements
of
effort:
 zero
percent
and
100
percent.
 We
know
for
sure
that
giving
no
effort
will
not
stimulate
anything,
and
by
going
to
muscular
failure
we
have
given
as
much
effort
as
we
can
possibly
give,
i.e,
100
percent.
 Most
people
are
not
accustomed
to
exertional
discomfort,
but
one's
ability
to
mentally
and
physically
deal
with
it
will
increase
over
time.
 This
is
how
we
become
more
resilient.


 


Form
discrepancies
are
instinctive
behaviors
that
try
to
make
things
just
a
little
bit
easier.
 A
brief
unload
at
bottom
out
or
a
slight
off/on
can
give
you
just
a
momentary
respite
during
an
exercise.
 Even
experienced
clients
with
excellent
form
and
motor
control
will
occasionally
commit
form
discrepancies,
and
it
doesn't
mean
that
you
have
any
sinister
motives.
 The
problem
is
that
in
addition
to
posing
safety
hazards,
form
discrepancies
unload
the
musculature
and
defeat
the
real
objective
that
we
are
trying
to
accomplish.
 They
make
our
exercise
experience
less
efficient.
 When
your
muscles
ache
and
your
lungs
burn,
do
you
want
to
prolong
the
exercise?
 Form
discrepancies
can
only
serve
to
artificially
extend
the
exercise
by
unloading
the
musculature
and
diminishing
the
stimulus.
 The
idea
is
not
to
prolong
the
exercise,
but
rather
to
put
an
end
to
it.
 If
you
narrow
your
focus
on
proper
form
and
speed
at
the
moment
things
start
to
become
challenging,
you
will
finish
the
exercise
more
efficiently
and
achieve
a
higher
quality
of
stimulus.
 


 


Don't
succumb
to
your
instincts!
 There
is
always
a
challenge
to
be
met.
 The
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
may
seem
easy
at
first,
because
we
conservatively
estimate
the
weights
we
use
for
the
initial
consultation.
 Teaching
proper
form
is
paramount,
but
we
also
want
to
mentally
prepare
you
to
deal
with
approaching
muscular
failure
when
that
time
comes.
 If
we
don't
seek
out
and
achieve
muscular
failure,
then
we
don't
create
the
greatest
possible
stimulus,
which
is
the
key
to
obtaining
positive
physical
change.
 A
workout
only
lasts
twenty
minutes;
don't
allow
the
physical
and
temporary
discomfort
of
fatigue
to
stray
you
from
your
path.
 


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Everybody Needs a Purpose</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=698</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=698</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Napoleon
Hill,
author
of
the
seminal
books
"Think
and
Grow
Rich"
and
"Law
of
Success",
spoke
at
length
about
the
importance
of
having
a
definite
chief
aim
in
life.
 This
is
the
idea
of
knowing
what
it
is
that
you
want
out
of
life,
and
knowing
how
to
best
achieve
it.
 These
two
books
were
originally
written
during
the
Great
Depression,
but
the
ideas
contained
in
Hill's
writings
are
just
as
applicable
today
as
they
were
during
the
Hoover
and
Roosevelt
administrations.
 There
has
to
be
some
reason
to
get
out
of
bed
in
the
morning,
no
matter
your
age.
 Without
purpose,
there
is
no
motivation
to
keep
getting
better
in
some
capacity,
and
life
is
about
pushing
forward,
taking
on
challenges,
and
making
the
most
out
of
each
day.
 


 


One's
definite
chief
aim
in
life
may
be
their
work.
 Whether
you
are
a
business
owner
or
employee,
finding
a
line
of
work
that
interests
you
and
that
you
enjoy
will
give
you
purpose.
 I
believe
that
in
order
to
truly
excel
at
something,
you
have
to
love
it,
or
at
least
find
a
way
to
derive
pleasure
from
it.
 I
consider
myself
very
fortunate
to
be
able
to
instruct
exercise
for
a
living.
 Being
able
to
work
with
the
amazing
clients
at
Total
Results
gives
me
purpose
and
makes
me
happy
to
get
out
of
bed
in
the
morning,
plus
it
spurs
me
to
continue
to
improve.
However,
if
and
when
one
retires
from
their
primary
career
it
can
be
a
difficult
task
to
figure
out
what
comes
next.
 Professional
athletes
face
a
slightly
greater
challenge
when
this
happens,
because
their
retirement
comes
at
a
much
younger
age
than
the
average
accountant,
but
also
because
their
lives
are
often
even
more
structured
and
centered
around
playing
their
sport.
 I
think
it's
important
at
that
point
to
find
a
new
definite
chief
aim.
 Many
Total
Results
clients
are
retired
but
still
live
fulfilling
and
active
lives
that
involve
travel,
volunteering,
grandchildren,
learning
new
skills,
and
making
the
most
out
of
each
day.
 Exercise
is
a
tool
to
help
them
accomplish
this.


 


Regular
Total
Results
exercise
will
help
you
to
become
stronger,
fitter,
better
conditioned,
more
resistant
to
injury,
and
more
functionally
independent.
 Taking
proactive
health
measures,
such
as
participating
in
consistent
exercise
sessions,
will
mean
less
reliance
on
medication,
fewer
doctor
visits,
more
energy,
and
less
fatigue.
 You
will
be
able
to
perform
the
activities
of
daily
living
with
less
effort,
which
will
enable
you
to
pursue
what
you
want
out
of
life
with
more
vigor.
 All
of
this
can
be
achieved
in
less
than
one
hour
per
week.
 As
clients
become
stronger
and
better
conditioned,
they
often
find
themselves
wanting
to
be
more
active.
 If
you
want
to
participate
in
a
specific
event
or
take
up
a
new
sport
(run
a
5K,
play
pickleball,
Tough
Mudder,
etc.),
it's
important
to
understand
the
principle
of
specificity.
 You
must
train
to
learn
and
master
the
skills
that
are
required
for
that
activity;
you
can
become
better
at
hiking
only
by
hiking,
and
you
must
gradually
increase
your
running
distance
and
pace
to
prepare
for
a
5K
race.
 I
have
begun
coaching
football
at
Dominion
High
School,
so
I
witness
the
principle
of
specificity
on
a
daily
basis.
 We
teach
the
players
the
specific
skills
that
their
sport
and
position
require
to
enable
them
to
become
the
best
players
they
can
be.
 


 


There
are
many
ways
to
find
purpose
and
meaning
in
life.
 Choose
a
path
that
best
suits
your
temperament
and
drive,
and
give
it
your
all.
 Use
the
sensible
and
comprehensive
Total
Results
exercise
approach
to
help
you
achieve
your
goals!
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Pain Management Workbook&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=697</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=697</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Rachel
Zoffness,
MS,
PhD,
is
a
Health
and
Pain
Psychologist,
and
is
a
member
of
the
faculty
at
the
University
of
California
San
Francisco.
 She
has
lectured
at
Stanford
University
and
is
a
Mayday
Fellow,
a
prestigious
position
that
provides
pain
care
leaders
with
the
skills
necessary
to
advocate
for
effective
pain
management.
 Dr.
Zoffness
published
"The
Pain
Management
Workbook"
in
2020
to
assist
those
living
with
chronic
pain
to
reduce
their
pain
intensity
and
frequency,
limit
reliance
on
pain
medications,
help
them
to
regain
control
of
their
brain
and
body,
and
improve
their
quality
of
life.
 She
believes
that
cognitive
behavioral
therapy
can
significantly
reduce
chronic
pain
and
improve
one's
mental
outlook,
and
several
of
the
strategies
discussed
in
the
book
are
simple
and
easy
to
follow.
 I
picked
up
a
copy
of
this
book
after
skimming
through
a
transcript
of
a
recent
podcast
interview
with
Dr.
Zoffness
that
was
provided
by
Total
Results
client
Kathy
Jenkins
(thank
you
Kathy!)


 


We
often
think
about
pain
as
being
a
purely
physical
sensation,
but
according
to
the
author,
"When
it
comes
to
pain,
'physical'
and
'emotional'
are
inextricably
intertwined."
 It
is
necessary
to
target
not
just
biological
factors,
but
also
consider
emotional,
cognitive,
social,
behavioral,
and
environmental
factors
as
well.
 It's
important
to
define
what
pain
is,
and
according
to
the
International
Association
for
the
Study
of
Pain
it
is,
"an
unpleasant
sensory
and
emotional
experience."
 The
book
differentiates
between
acute
pain
and
chronic
pain.
 Pain
that
comes
and
goes
fairly
quickly
(think
of
stubbing
your
toe)
is
acute
pain,
while
chronic
pain
typically
lasts
longer
than
three
months
and
goes
beyond
the
expected
healing
time.
 This
is
important
to
understand,
and
it
makes
me
think
about
conversations
that
I
often
have
with
Total
Results
clients
about
the
difference
between
injurious
pain
(something
sharp
and/or
sudden)
and
exertional
discomfort
(a
dull
ache
that
is
often
present
toward
the
end
of
an
intense
exercise).
 While
many
of
us
will
experience
both
acute
and
chronic
pain
as
we
age,
it
is
interesting
to
learn
that
pain
may
or
may
not
be
associated
with
structural
degeneration.
 According
to
Dr.
Zoffness,
"Similarly,
studies
on
back
pain
reveal
that
there's
little
to
no
correlation
between
back
scan
'abnormalities'
and
pain.
 In
one
study,
disk
degeneration
and
bulges
were
found
in
80%
of
elderly
patients
who
had

no
symptoms
or
pain

(her
emphasis).
 In
another,
MRI
'abnormalities'
were
found
to
be
completely
unrelated
to
the
degree
of
disability
or
pain
intensity
reported
by
patients:
some
people
with
lumps
and
bumps
had
pain,
and
others
with
similar
back
scans
had
none."


 


Neuroplasticity
is
a
term
that
has
garnered
much
attention
in
recent
years;
in
the
context
of
this
discussion
it
means
that
you
can
retrain
your
brain
and
body
to
better
deal
with
chronic
pain.
 By
gradually
exposing
yourself
to
small
doses
of
potentially
triggering
stimuli
(think
of
being
in
a
dark
room
while
your
eyes
slowly
adjust
to
the
lack
of
light),
you
can
reprogram
your
brain
to
understand
that
hurt
and
harm
are
not
the
same
thing.
 The
idea
is
to
weaken
your
brain
and
body's
association
with
pain
and
danger.
 Start
by
doing
low
level
activities
for
just
a
few
minutes
per
bout,
stimulating
your
body
and
brain
and
then
increasing
over
time
while
making
sure
to
still
get
a
proper
amount
of
rest.
 While
it
seems
counterintuitive
(much
like
when
I
tell
clients
the
best
thing
to
do
is
exercise
again
if
they
experience
adverse
muscular
soreness),
this
is
the
way
to
go.
 As
Dr.
Zoffness
says,
"But
staying
home
and
not
moving
when
you
have
chronic,
long-term
pain
is
a

trap

(her
emphasis).
 Being
sedentary
and
missing
out
on
life
for
long
stretches
of
time
makes
pain
worse
because
your
nervous
system
stays
sensitized
to,
and
focused
on,
the
pain.
 The
false-alarm
system
keeps
shrieking
loudly
with
nothing
to
control
its
volume.
 In
fact,
the
longer
you
stay
home
avoiding
activity,
the
longer
your
brain
will
stay
in
this
sensitive,
protective
state,
and
the
longer
your
pain
will
last."
 


 


Cognitive
behavioral
therapy
(CBT)
is
a
very
effective
strategy
for
treating
chronic
pain.
 We
have
been
taught
that
our
mind
and
our
body
are
two
separate
entities,
but
nothing
could
be
further
from
the
truth.
 As
the
author
states,
"Mind
and
body
are

always

connected,
each
constantly
affecting
the
other
(her
emphasis)."
 Our
thoughts,
beliefs,
emotions,
and
behaviors
affect
how
our
bodies
respond
to
physical
sensations.
 CBT
involves
recognizing
these
thoughts
and
emotions
and
understanding
them,
rather
than
trying
to
suppress
them,
but
also
acknowledging
and
anticipating
triggers,
which
are
difficult
situations
or
events.
 People
who
suffer
from
chronic
pain
can
experience
devastating
pain
flares
as
a
result
of
a
triggering
event
(such
as
receiving
an
unexpected
income
tax
bill).
 CBT
teaches
us
to
become
more
self-aware,
to
process
negative
events
without
going
into
fight-or-flight
mode,
and
to
come
up
with
healthy
coping
strategies
to
reduce
chronic
pain.


 


In
addition
to
CBT
and
a
gradual
incorporation
of
movement
and
lifestyle
tasks,
Dr.
Zoffness
discusses
the
importance
of
regulating
your
sleep
cycle
as
a
way
of
improving
chronic
pain.
 Proper
sleep
hygiene
is
critically
important
for
all
of
us,
but
especially
for
people
living
with
chronic
pain.
 Some
of
the
helpful
tips
she
provides
include
limiting
screen
time
before
bed,
avoiding
naps,
getting
exposure
to
sunlight,
establishing
a
relaxing
pre-bedtime
routine,
and
setting
a
consistent
sleep
and
wake
time
(our
brains
love
routine).
 I
was
very
pleased
to
see
that
the
author
strongly
recommends
exercise,
particularly
strength
training.
 Building
muscle
will
reduce
fatigue,
boost
immune
function,
reduce
depression,
and
decrease
stress
and
anxiety.
 According
to
the
author,
"...Exercise
also
eats
up
stress
hormones
like
adrenaline
and
cortisol
that
are
released
during
fight-or-flight,
thereby
promoting
relaxation
and
healing."
 She
also
recommends
Tai
Chi
and
walking
outdoors.


 


Just
because
you
live
with
chronic
pain
doesn't
mean
you
have
to
be
miserable
and
miss
out
on
life.
 You
can
take
charge
of
your
life
and
not
be
a
slave
to
pain.
 There
is
plenty
of
room
inside
this
workbook
to
write
out
your
thoughts,
feelings,
and
plan
of
action
to
improve
your
mental
and
physical
well-being.
 Even
if
you
do
not
suffer
from
chronic
pain,
chances
are
that
you
know
somebody
that
does,
and
this
can
help
to
give
you
a
better
understanding.
 Dr.
Zoffness
has
given
us
a
wonderful
resource;
it's
up
to
you
to
follow
it.
 


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don&#039;t Lose Positive Momentum</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=696</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=696</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
word
momentum
has
both
negative
and
positive
connotations
when
it
comes
to
Total
Results
exercise.
 On
the
one
hand,
we
want
to
avoid
the
use
of
momentum
during
the
performance
of
the
repetitions
in
each
individual
exercise.
 If
we
are
moving
at
an
improperly
fast
speed
(anything
faster
than
eight
seconds)
during
the
Pulldown
(or
any
other
exercise),
then
the
movement
arm
starts
to
operate
under
its
own
momentum,
thus
obviating
meaningful
muscular
loading,
diminishing
the
effectiveness
of
the
exercise,
and
greatly
increasing
the
risk
of
injury.
 On
the
other
hand,
we
can
say
that
moving
purposefully
between
exercises
helps
to
build
positive
momentum
toward
a
thorough
exercise
stimulus
(inroad),
which
in
turn
will
improve
strength
as
well
as
cardiovascular
and
metabolic
conditioning.
 As
we
will
see,
the
emphasis
on
building
and
maintaining
positive
momentum
can
apply
not
just
during
a
workout,
but
also
in
your
everyday
life.


 


It's
important
to
remember
that
a
Total
Results
workout
is
not
a
social
event.
 Most
of
what
passes
for
exercise
instruction
at
commercial
gyms
is
really
nothing
more
than
a
gabfest
with
a
few
nondescript
movements
thrown
in
for
optics.
 Our
clients
are
interesting
and
well-educated
people
who
have
a
wealth
of
life
experiences,
and
I
very
much
enjoy
talking
with
and
learning
from
them.
 However,
I
try
at
all
costs
to
restrict
those
discussions
to
either
before
or
after
their
workouts.
 During
an
exercise
session,
verbal
communication
should
be
largely
one-way
-
the
instructor
gives
cues
and
prompts
at
just
the
right
time,
while
the
client
works
to
implement
those
instructions.
 If
you
talk
during
your
workout
(outside
of
essential
communication
about
some
aspect
of
the
workout
itself)
you
will
lose
focus
on
the
task
at
hand,
and
it
will
take
time
and
effort
to
regain
the
proper
level
of
concentration.
 Please
try
to
save
any
questions
or
comments
that
don't
require
immediate
attention
until
after
the
session
has
been
completed.
 I'm
always
happy
to
chat
for
a
few
minutes
before
I
need
to
get
ready
for
the
next
appointment.


 


Speaking
of
concentration,
an
effective
workout
requires
all
of
your
mental
resources
to
be
directed
toward
what
lies
in
front
of
you.
 For
the
time
we
have
blocked
out
for
your
session,
we
would
like
you
to
shut
everything
else
out
of
your
mind
and
give
your
best
effort
on
the
six
or
seven
exercises
that
we
have
set
up
for
you.
 Forget
about
work,
home,
or
any
of
the
million
other
things
that
require
your
attention
throughout
the
day;
don't
allow
your
mind
to
stray
from
your
exercise
session.
 I
realize
that
sounds
very
difficult
to
do,
and
it
is
a
challenge,
but
it's
not
as
tough
as
it
sounds.
 We
strive
to
achieve
a
"flow
state",
which
"captures
the
positive
mental
state
of
being
completely
absorbed,
focused,
and
involved
in
your
activities
at
a
certain
point
in
time..."
 Remember
that
while
the
workouts
are
intense,
they
are
also
infrequent
and
brief.
 We
block
out
half
an
hour
for
your
sessions
but
they
should
take
no
longer
than
twenty
minutes
to
complete,
and
advanced
clients
who
work
efficiently
will
often
finish
in
fifteen
minutes
or
less.


 


One
way
to
keep
positive
momentum
going
during
a
workout
is
to
move
quickly
and
purposefully
between
exercises.
 That
can
be
difficult
to
do
at
times,
especially
after
the
Leg
Press
when
your
entire
lower
body
musculature
is
severely
fatigued,
but
it
is
important
to
travel
in
an
orderly
fashion
to
the
next
exercise.
 Our
machines
are
stationed
in
close
proximity
to
each
other,
so
you
won't
have
very
far
to
go.
 Think
about
how
you
are
instructed
to
move
during
a
fire
drill;
do
not
run,
but
do
move
briskly.
 Be
on
a
mission!
 Over
the
years
I
have
seen
clients
come
up
with
all
kinds
of
creative
stall
tactics
when
they
get
tired:
retying
shoelaces,
fumbling
with
clothing,
fiddling
with
hair
accessories,
etc.
 Don't
do
this;
it
will
actually
extend
your
workout
and
impede
you
from
achieving
an
optimal
exercise
stimulus.
 You
should
be
breathing
heavily,
as
that
is
a
sign
of
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
demand.
 Yes,
you
could
probably
lift
more
weight
for
a
longer
time
under
load
if
you
rested
between
exercises
but
that
isn't
the
point.
 Your
best
path
to
a
thorough
systemic
inroad
and
optimal
physical
improvements
is
to
start
the
next
exercise
as
soon
as
you
are
seat
belted
and
properly
positioned
in
the
machine.


 


Developing
good
habits
takes
time
and
effort,
and
while
sustainable
progress
doesn't
happen
overnight,
it
will
happen
if
you
continue
to
do
the
right
things
every
day.
 How
you
perform
during
your
workouts
is
certainly
important,
but
that's
only
twenty
to
forty
minutes
out
of
your
entire
week.
 How
are
you
doing
as
far
as
proper
sleep,
nutrition,
hydration,
supplementation,
managing
stress,
and
practicing
mindfulness?
 Don't
be
your
own
worst
enemy!
 I
have
seen
many
clients
over
the
years
start
out
really
well,
but
once
they
achieve
a
certain
level
of
success
they
seem
to
forget
the
strategies
that
helped
them
to
achieve
that
success
in
the
first
place.
 Try
to
remember
how
you
got
to
the
point
that
you
decided
you
needed
to
start
at
Total
Results,
but
also
remember
how
you
got
to
that
level
of
improvement.
 The
key
to
sustainable
progress
is
just
that:
it's
sustainable!
 If
you
make
a
positive
habit
too
difficult
to
practice
every
day,
it's
not
going
to
work.
 One
great
thing
about
our
workouts
is
that
there
is
an
appointment
that
you
can
put
into
your
calendar
to
make
you
accountable.
 Keep
coming
every
week,
even
on
days
when
you
don't
feel
you're
at
your
physical
peak,
because
there
is
value
in
doing
your
best.
 If
you
happen
to
have
a
minor
injury
you
can
still
exercise
the
unaffected
areas,
and
I
have
a
lot
of
rehabilitation
tools
in
my
tool
box.
 If
you
happen
to
miss
a
workout
or
fail
to
perform
a
part
of
your
daily
routine,
make
sure
it
is
a
small
blip
rather
than
a
developing
trend.


 


It's
important
to
celebrate
the
small
victories,
but
don't
rest
on
your
laurels.
 From
one
day
to
the
next
we
often
don't
know
what
life
has
in
store
for
us,
and
sometimes
things
don't
go
as
we
planned.
 There
are
going
to
be
times
when
we
don't
feel
we're
mentally
at
our
best
or
physically
strong,
but
part
of
maximizing
every
day
we
are
given
is
to
push
through
and
push
forward
when
the
easier
thing
to
do
would
be
to
stay
in
bed.
 Don't
give
in
to
temptation!
 Keep
positive
momentum
going
and
build
upon
what
you
have
achieved.
 Small
accomplishments
add
up
to
big
victories
down
the
road.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Be Coachable</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=695</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=695</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
have
mentioned
this
in
previous
articles
and
in
conversations
with
clients,
but
Total
Results
exercise
is
a
new
concept
for
ninety
percent
of
people
who
come
through
our
doors
for
the
first
time.
 Our
protocol
flies
in
the
face
of
conventional
exercise
orthodoxy,
runs
counter
to
what
you
see
in
fitness
magazines,
and
is
inherently
an
intellectual
pursuit
in
addition
to
being
the
most
comprehensive
program
you
can
undertake
to
stimulate
physical
improvements.
 No
client
gets
it
right
the
first
time;
mastery
takes
time,
patience,
effort,
and
a
willingness
to
learn.
 I
see
myself
as
a
teacher,
just
not
in
a
traditional
classroom
setting.
 It
is
incumbent
upon
me
to
communicate
clearly,
concisely,
and
in
language
that
is
easily
understood.
 Many
points
must
be
addressed
repeatedly
(such
as
proper
breathing,
head
position,
etc.)
to
ensure
safety,
but
also
to
give
the
client
their
best
chance
to
succeed.
 Instructors
must
hold
themselves
to
the
highest
standard
and
be
accountable
for
their
performance.
 This
is
just
one
side
of
the
coin,
however.
 Exercise
subjects
must
hold
up
their
end
of
the
teacher-student
pact
and
do
the
things
necessary
to
optimize
performance.
 In
short,
it
helps
greatly
to
be
coachable.


 


What
does
it
mean
to
be
coachable?
 This
is
a
term
that
we
often
hear
about
in
athletics,
but
I
believe
it
can
apply
to
any
endeavor,
whether
it's
playing
a
sport,
learning
a
language,
mastering
a
musical
instrument,
or
becoming
a
method
actor.
 There
are
certain
things
you
can
do
to
maximize
your
chance
for
a
positive
outcome,
and
none
of
them
have
anything
to
do
with
genetics,
innate
intelligence,
or
natural
talent.
 It
all
starts
with
attitude.
 There
are
many
things
in
life
that
are
outside
of
your
control,
but
the
one
thing
you
have
complete
control
over
is
your
attitude.
 No
matter
how
external
factors
may
affect
you,
how
you
see
the
world
is
entirely
up
to
you.
 If
you
choose
to
be
an
optimist,
maintain
a
positive
mindset,
and
keep
an
open
mind
while
you
are
being
instructed
during
exercise,
you
will
absorb
information
more
effectively.
 This
will
enable
you
to
process
and
implement
the
instructions
your
instructor
gives
you,
thus
making
your
workout
safer
and
more
efficient.


 


This
leads
us
to
the
next
part
of
being
coachable:
be
an
active
listener.
 We
often
think
of
listening
as
being
a
passive
endeavor,
just
making
eye
contact
with
whomever
is
talking
and
hearing
what
they
have
to
say.
 There
is
a
distinct
difference
between
hearing
and
listening.
 Hearing
generally
means
that
what
was
said
goes
in
one
ear
and
out
the
other,
while
listening
involves
really
absorbing
and
clarifying
what
is
being
communicated.
 You
can't
be
a
good
listener
if
you
are
thinking
about
meeting
a
deadline
at
the
office
or
fretting
over
your
son's
missing
school
assignment.
 Tune
out
all
other
distractions
and
focus
on
giving
your
full
attention
to
your
instructor
for
twenty
minutes
once
or
twice
per
week;
anyone
can
do
that.
 Repeat
your
instructor's
cues
internally
to
yourself;
that
will
help
you
soak
up
the
information
you
are
given
and
will
enable
you
to
tap
into
the
mind/muscle
connection.
 We
will
break
down
our
teaching
points
into
easily
digestible
chunks
for
better
retention.


 


Part
of
being
coachable
means
having
a
sincere
desire
to
do
well
at
the
exercise
regimen
you
have
undertaken.
 If
you
frequently
arrive
late,
cancel
sessions
at
the
last
minute,
and
do
not
focus
on
the
task
at
hand
you
will
make
it
harder
to
achieve
success.
 This
is
something
that
needs
to
be
important
to
you,
and
just
showing
up
is
not
enough.
 You
need
to
put
your
all
into
it,
and
while
there
are
many
variables
in
life
that
may
impact
how
stressed
or
well-rested
you
are,
it
is
important
to
give
your
best
effort
every
time.
 Does
that
mean
that
each
workout
will
be
a
record-setting
performance?
 No,
but
you
should
strive
to
get
just
a
little
bit
better
each
time.
 Another
important
quality
to
have
is
to
be
receptive
to
constructive
criticism.
 The
instructor's
job
is
to
advise
but
also
to
correct
mistakes.
 We
learn
by
making
mistakes,
and
nobody
is
perfect.
 Correcting
mistakes
is
part
of
the
teaching
process,
and
it
not
only
helps
you
to
maximize
skill
but
also
ensures
your
safety.
 Don't
take
corrections
personally,
but
rather
learn
from
them
so
that
you
can
improve
on
the
next
exercise
or
in
the
next
workout.
 We
are
not
trying
to
put
you
down,
we're
trying
to
help
you
get
better.
 It's
also
important
to
praise
just
as
often,
if
not
more,
than
we
criticize.
 Positive
reinforcement
and
criticism
go
hand
in
hand.


 


Finally,
it's
important
to
stay
humble.
 Don't
get
overconfident
when
you
achieve
some
success.
 No
matter
how
far
you
have
come,
there
is
always
more
work
to
do.
 Over
the
years
many
clients
have
achieved
some
initial
physical
improvements
but
have
not
been
able
to
sustain
that
level
of
achievement
because
they
stray
from
the
habits
that
they
developed
to
get
them
there.
 Those
that
experience
long-term
success
stick
with
practices
that
are
repeatable
day
after
day,
month
after
month,
and
year
after
year.
 They
don't
take
their
eyes
off
the
prize
and
set
new
goals
going
forward.
 At
the
same
time,
don't
get
down
on
yourself
if
you
should
happen
to
fall
off
track.
 Try
to
maintain
an
even
keel,
and
never
get
too
high
or
too
low.
 Life
has
peaks
and
valleys,
but
if
you
stay
humble
and
grateful
for
what
you
have
you
can
navigate
this
crazy
world
pretty
smoothly.


 


If
you
adopt
the
mindset
of
a
perpetual
student,
always
seek
to
learn
and
always
look
to
challenge
yourself,
you
will
succeed
as
a
Total
Results
client.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Make it Look Easy (Even Though it Isn&#039;t)</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=694</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=694</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
am
often
impressed
when
I
observe
people
in
different
industries
who
are
elite
at
what
they
do.
 Athletes
and
musicians
come
to
mind,
especially
for
me,
because
I
enjoy
music
and
sports
as
forms
of
art.
 A
few
years
before
he
passed
away,
I
was
privileged
to
see
Edward
Van
Halen
perform
intricate
guitar
solos
that
no
one
else
before
or
since
could
possibly
match,
and
in
my
youth
I
watched
Patrick
Ewing
effortlessly
cover
both
ends
of
a
basketball
court
at
the
peak
of
his
powers
at
Georgetown.
 This
can
even
apply
to
the
field
of
broadcasting.
 As
a
regular
viewer
of
Baltimore
Orioles
baseball
games,
I
marvel
at
how
smooth
and
polished
play-by-play
announcer
Jim
Palmer
is
at
providing
analysis
and
reciting
statistics
of
even
the
most
obscure
player.
It
isn't
easy
to
make
a
baseball
game
sound
conversational,
but
Palmer
has
been
doing
just
that
since
he
retired
as
a
player.
 Have
you
ever
seen
a
public
speaker
that
is
so
poised
and
fluid
in
his
or
her
delivery
that
they
look
like
a
natural?
 Chances
are
that
they
worked
extremely
hard
to
make
it
look
that
way.
 Through
my
years
of
work
at
Total
Results,
I
consider
myself
lucky
to
know
many
attorneys,
realtors,
IT
professionals,
and
mortgage
lenders
who
are
elite
in
their
chosen
fields.
 One
thing
I
have
learned
is
that
when
an
individual
has
the
ability
to
make
something
that
is
difficult
look
easy,
a
tremendous
amount
of
time,
effort,
and
focus
have
been
invested.


 


We
have
had
many
clients
at
Total
Results
who
make
their
workouts
look
easy,
even
though
they
are
working
at
an
intense
level
of
effort.
 Our
protocol
is
different
from
others
because
we
place
an
emphasis
on
uniformity
in
speed
of
movement,
form,
and
turnaround
technique.
 While
we
know
that
each
excursion
is
its
own
separate
entity,
our
desire
is
for
each
repetition
to
look
the
same
regardless
of
one's
level
of
fatigue.
 The
first
repetition
should
look
the
same
as
the
sixth
repetition,
as
long
as
you
are
focused
on
what
is
important.
 The
main
objective
of
each
exercise
is
thorough
inroad;
fatiguing
the
musculature
to
the
point
of
failure
is
the
stimulus
that
we
seek,
and
the
best
way
to
do
that
is
to
maintain
impeccable
form
even
when
things
become
challenging
and
uncomfortable.
 This
requires
a
calm
demeanor,
presence
of
mind,
and
a
knowledge
that
no
matter
how
unpleasant
the
situation
is,
it
only
lasts
a
short
time.
 If
you
focus
on
the
process
and
execute
properly,
the
results
will
take
care
of
themselves.
 


 


Difficulty
in
controlling
your
emotions
and
losing
sight
of
the
real
exercise
objective
can
lead
to
form
discrepancies
and
a
lack
of
proper
focus.
 If
you
worry
too
much
about
achieving
an
arbitrary
time
under
load
you
are
more
likely
to
take
liberties
with
proper
form.
 This
leads
to
unloading
of
the
musculature
and
can
result
in
a
greater
risk
of
injury.
 Sometimes
clients
will
instinctively
hold
their
breath,
overbreathe,
grimace,
or
clench
their
jaw
in
an
attempt
to
demonstrate
how
hard
they
are
working.
 Don't
do
that;
we
already
know
how
hard
you
are
working,
and
such
behaviors
can
cause
a
spike
in
blood
pressure.
 If
you
have
the
correct
frame
of
mind
and
practice
emotional
control,
a
casual
onlooker
should
not
be
able
to
decipher
how
many
repetitions
you
have
completed
based
on
your
body
language.
 Just
like
an
athlete
or
a
broadcaster,
it's
important
for
you
to
do
your
prep
work
in
advance
of
your
session.
 Get
7-9
hours
of
sleep,
eat
well,
hydrate,
and
minimize
activity
that
will
have
a
negative
impact
on
your
recovery
resources.
 Failure
to
do
this
will
typically
result
in
a
decreased
performance.


The
word
poise
is
often
defined
as
having
grace
under
pressure.
 Maintaining
the
right
emotional
mindset
and
preparing
yourself
physically
for
a
challenging
Total
Results
workout
are
what
is
required
to
maximize
your
physical
improvements.
 Fans
of
Ernest
Hemingway's
sparse
and
efficient
prose
know
that
what
he
made
look
effortless
was
not
effortless
at
all.
 He
removed
far
more
from
his
initial
drafts
than
he
added,
and
this
took
time,
patience,
and
grit.
 If
you
watch
a
duck
glide
across
a
pond,
it
looks
fluid
and
easy.
 Their
bodies
are
very
still
above
the
surface,
but
below
the
water
their
feet
are
kicking
like
crazy.
 We
know
that
our
workouts
are
difficult
and
that
you
may
experience
some
inner
turmoil
as
you
go
through
them,
but
if
you
adopt
the
right
frame
of
mind
and
put
in
the
work
you
can
make
something
challenging
look
easy.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>There is More to Exercise Than Meets the Eye</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=693</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=693</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
well-intentioned
people
begin
an
exercise
regimen
because
they
want
to
achieve
the
visual
benefits
that
a
properly
structured
program
will
bring
them.
 They
desire
to
gain
muscle,
lose
fat,
reduce
inches
in
their
waistline,
and
look
younger.
 Sometimes
a
specific
upcoming
event
is
the
catalyst
in
making
the
decision
to
start
working
out:
 a
class
reunion,
a
wedding,
or
even
a
vacation.
 Appearance
is
certainly
important,
and
most
of
us
want
to
look
our
very
best
(myself
included).
 Seeing
physical
improvements
builds
a
feeling
of
confidence
that
can
give
you
a
real
boost
as
you
go
through
your
day.
 However,
I
think
it's
important
to
realize
that
a
comprehensive
weight
training
program
can
do
far
more
for
you
than
just
stimulate
visual
physical
improvements.
 The
changes
in
body
shape
merely
scratch
the
surface,
as
there
is
far
more
to
Total
Results
exercise
than
meets
the
eye.


 


There
are
numerous
published
studies
that
show
exercise
has
a
positive
impact
on
those
struggling
with
depression.
 Mental
health
has
received
a
growing
amount
of
attention
in
recent
years,
and
we
are
certainly
much
more
aware
of
the
triggers
that
can
lead
to
negative
mental
health
events.
 Let's
face
it,
most
people
go
through
something
at
one
point
or
another
in
their
lives,
and
anything
that
can
help
reduce
depression
in
those
that
have
been
clinically
diagnosed
is
a
good
thing.
 Even
people
who
suffer
from
the
occasional
"down
in
the
dumps"
moods
can
benefit.
 The
feeling
of
accomplishment
that
one
experiences
after
finishing
an
extremely
demanding
Total
Results
workout
can
do
wonders
for
your
mood
and
should
not
be
underestimated.
 Even
though
our
clients
are
fatigued
and
out
of
breath
at
the
end
of
a
session,
I
often
tell
them
I
want
them
to
feel
better
when
they
leave
than
they
did
when
they
came
in
the
front
door.
 If
you
are
feeling
stressed
(who
isn't?)
and
anxious,
a
Total
Results
session
can
be
the
perfect
antidote.


 


The
twenty
minutes
that
our
workouts
last
is
an
opportunity
for
you
to
take
time
just
for
yourself.
 If
you're
a
busy
parent,
professional,
or
just
someone
who
typically
has
a
packed
schedule,
you
are
likely
being
pulled
in
many
different
directions
throughout
the
course
of
a
given
day.
 Some
of
us
need
to
block
out
time
in
our
calendars
just
to
catch
up
on
emails
or
read
a
few
pages
of
a
book.
 An
exercise
session
is
an
appointment
just
for
you;
it
is
a
chance
to
shut
out
the
outside
world
just
for
a
little
while
and
focus
on
doing
something
beneficial
for
your
mind
and
body.
 If
you're
like
me,
these
opportunities
don't
come
around
very
often
during
the
hectic
work
week,
so
savor
the
one
or
two
times
a
week
that
you
can
do
it.
 If
you
really
focus
on
your
workout,
it
can
be
an
incredibly
introspective
experience
that
has
a
positive
impact
on
the
rest
of
your
day.
 As
Rocky
Balboa
quipped
in
the
film
"Rocky
Balboa",
it's
a
chance
to
"get
some
stuff
outta
the
basement."


 


In
order
to
keep
ourselves
mentally
and
physically
sharp,
we
need
to
regularly
do
things
that
are
difficult.
 There
is
a
concept
known
as
voluntary
hardship,
where
we
put
ourselves
in
uncomfortable,
albeit
safe,
circumstances
every
so
often
in
order
to
remind
ourselves
how
fortunate
we
are,
but
also
help
us
to
avoid
becoming
complacent.
 Voluntary
hardship
can
take
on
many
forms,
from
taking
a
cold
shower,
to
sleeping
on
a
floor,
reading
a
laborious
book
(think
Dostoevsky
or
Gibbon),
or
even
going
outside
in
the
winter
for
a
walk
without
wearing
a
jacket.
 These
actions
toughen
our
minds
and
fortify
our
bodies.
 A
Total
Results
exercise
session
falls
perfectly
into
this
category.
 It
is
a
chance
to
face
a
challenge
and
come
out
stronger
on
the
other
side.
 Workouts
are
uncomfortable,
often
unpleasant,
require
intense
mental
focus,
and
are
most
definitely
not
fun.
 A
twenty
minute
workout
that
involves
pushing
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure
and
moving
quickly
between
exercises
will
improve
your
mental
toughness
and
increase
your
tolerance
for
discomfort.
 This
will
help
prepare
you
to
mentally
and
physically
handle
life's
moments
of
adversity.


 


Making
an
appointment
with
a
Total
Results
instructor
will
help
to
instill
a
sense
of
accountability,
but
also
provide
some
structure
to
your
day
and
week.
 Some
people
require
more
structure,
others
require
less.
 Individuals
can
certainly
be
over-regimented
(I
sometimes
fall
into
this
category),
but
on
the
whole,
one
needs
to
have
a
plan
in
place
for
how
they
expect
to
achieve
what
they
want
in
life.
 I
believe
that
structure
and
accountability
go
hand
in
hand;
if
you're
not
getting
the
results
you
want
in
life,
ask
yourself
why.
 Scheduling
an
appointment
is
the
first
step;
if
you
don't
make
it
to
your
session
there
is
no
one
else
to
blame
but
yourself.
 Having
a
regularly
scheduled
appointment
means
you
need
to
prepare
to
be
at
your
mental
and
physical
best
so
that
you
can
have
an
effective
workout.
 That
means
you
need
to
eat
correctly
and
get
proper
sleep
in
the
days
leading
up
to
your
session.
 If
you
have
a
solid
framework
established,
everything
else
generally
falls
into
place.
 Once
good
habits
are
developed,
they
are
easier
to
sustain.
 Most
people
tend
to
sleep
more
soundly
when
they
are
on
an
exercise
regimen,
and
I
have
counseled
many
clients
on
developing
a
routine
to
help
them
improve
their
sleep
habits.


 


As
you
can
see,
there
is
far
more
to
exercise
than
just
achieving
noticeable
physical
improvements.
 Clients
can
establish
a
sense
of
purpose,
take
control
of
their
health,
become
better
educated,
and
focus
on
being
an
active
rather
than
a
passive
participant
in
their
lives.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
an
opportunity
to
practice
self-mastery,
and
your
instructor
will
be
your
guide.
 This
is
all
within
your
power,
and
it
takes
less
than
one
hour
per
week.
 Mental
and
physical
breakthroughs
happen
all
the
time
here,
and
you
can
achieve
things
that
you
didn't
think
were
even
possible.
 


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Ravenous&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=692</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=692</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Author
Sam
Apple
received
an
undergraduate
degree
from
the
University
of
Michigan
and
studied
writing
at
Columbia
University.
 He
has
written
articles
that
have
appeared
in
such
diverse
publications
as
The
Los
Angeles
Times,
The
Financial
Times,
and
ESPN
The
Magazine.
 In
2021
he
wrote
"Ravenous:
Otto
Warburg,
the
Nazis,
and
the
Search
for
the
Cancer-Diet
Connection."
 It
is
a
compelling
read
and
a
real
page-turner;
a
non-fiction
book
that
reads
like
fiction.
 Even
if
you
are
not
normally
a
fan
of
science
writing,
you
probably
have
had
a
friend
or
family
member
affected
by
cancer.
 If
you
value
your
health
and
you
value
learning,
the
information
presented
in
this
book
should
be
of
interest
to
you.


 


"Ravenous"
covers
the
history
of
cancer
research
and
experimentation
in
four
parts,
starting
with
the
late
19th
century
and
working
up
to
the
present.
 A
central
figure
of
the
book
is
Otto
Warburg,
considered
by
many
to
be
one
of
the
preeminent
German
scientists
of
the
first
half
of
the
20th
century.
 He
was
a
contemporary
of
Albert
Einstein,
and
in
many
ways
Warburg
was
just
as
influential
in
his
field
of
physiology
as
Einstein
was
in
physics.
 By
most
accounts
Warburg
was
stubborn,
arrogant,
and
insufferable
to
be
around;
he
expected
those
who
worked
in
his
lab
to
have
his
same
drive
and
to
keep
the
same
round-the-clock
schedule
as
he
did.
 However
flawed
he
may
have
been
in
dealing
with
others,
this
insatiable
intellectual
curiosity
led
to
some
amazing
discoveries,
as
well
as
the
Nobel
Prize
for
Physiology
or
Medicine
in
1931.
 Warburg's
decision
to
study
cancer
was
largely
due
to
two
factors:
rising
rates
of
cancer
diagnoses
in
the
western
world
(and
Germany
in
particular),
and
also
the
curious
case
of
Crown
Prince
Friedrich,
heir
to
the
throne
of
Germany.
 Friedrich
was
beloved
by
the
German
people,
yet
was
diagnosed
with
and
succumbed
to
cancer
after
merely
four
months
on
the
throne.
 As
an
interesting
footnote,
history
may
have
changed
significantly
if
not
for
this
unfortunate
occurrence.
 The
Crown
Prince
was
said
to
detest
war,
favored
democratic
reforms,
and
was
quite
sympathetic
to
German
Jews.
 Had
he
survived,
Kaiser
Wilhelm
would
not
have
come
to
power,
World
War
I
might
not
have
occurred,
and
the
world
could
have
been
spared
the
evil
atrocities
of
Adolf
Hitler
and
World
War
II.


 


Warburg's
key
discovery
was
that
cancer
cells,
"Produce
energy
not
through
the
usual
citric
acid
cycle
and
oxidative
phosphorylation
in
the
mitochondria
as
observed
in
normal
cells,
but
through
a
less
efficient
process
of
'aerobic
glycolysis'
consisting
of
a
high
level
of
glucose
uptake
and
glycolysis
followed
by
lactic
acid
fermentation
taking
place
in
the
cytosol,
not
in
the
mitochondria,
even
in
the
presence
of
abundant
oxygen."
 This
was
a
startling
revelation,
and
it
gave
credence
to
the
idea
that
cancer
was
largely
a
metabolic
disease,
not
a
genetic
condition.
 The
'Warburg
Effect'
went
a
long
way
toward
explaining
not
only
how
cancer
cells
multiply
so
rapidly
in
many
cases,
but
it
also
shed
light
on
why
cancer
rates
started
skyrocketing
in
the
western
world
in
the
late
19th
and
early
20th
century:
increased
sugar
consumption.
 What
was
different
in
the
more
affluent
western
world,
compared
to
most
of
the
developing
world,
was
that
sugar
was
much
more
available
and
present
in
the
foods
people
ate.
 Where
it
was
more
expensive
and
harder
to
produce,
cancer
rates
remained
relatively
low.
 Once
sugar
became
easier
to
produce,
cancer
rates
in
those
areas
climbed.
 Unfortunately,
with
the
rise
of
Hitler
and
the
Nazis,
Warburg's
progress
stalled
and
his
work
began
to
suffer.
 He
was
constantly
harassed
for
his
Jewish
heritage
and
rumors
circulated
about
his
homosexuality,
so
he
found
it
extremely
difficult
to
keep
a
staff
together
and
have
enough
funding
to
continue
his
research.
 Yet
he
stubbornly
refused
to
leave
Germany
as
many
other
prominent
scientists
did
during
this
time,
and
many
of
his
colleagues
harbored
resentment
toward
him
and
his
theories.
 Some
of
this
was
due
to
jealousy
and
Warburg's
notoriously
abrasive
personality
(he
rarely
admitted
to
being
wrong),
but
he
was
also
unfairly
branded
as
a
Nazi
sympathizer.
 Unfortunately,
much
of
Warburg's
work
was
largely
forgotten
in
the
scientific
community
once
James
Watson
and
Francis
Crick
discovered
DNA
in
1953.
 At
that
point,
cancer
research
shifted
toward
a
genetic
mindset
rather
than
a
metabolic
inclination,
and
that
was
where
the
focus
stayed
for
most
of
the
next
half
century.


 


In
the
last
twenty
years
or
so,
Otto
Warburg's
reputation
has
been
rejuvenated
as
we
have
gained
a
greater
understanding
of
the
links
between
cancer
and
diabetes,
the
dangers
of
sugar
and
how
diet
can
cause
genetic
predispositions
to
be
expressed,
and
the
role
of
insulin.
 Diabetes
can
either
be
type
1
(insulin
dependent)
or
type
2
(insulin
resistant);
insulin
is
the
hormone
that
is
secreted
by
the
pancreas
to
help
the
cells
absorb
the
nutrients
from
the
food
we
consume.
 If
you
consume
a
large
percentage
of
your
calories
from
carbohydrates
(especially
sugar),
more
insulin
needs
to
be
secreted
in
order
to
help
the
cells
absorb
nutrients.
 At
a
certain
point
one
becomes
insulin
resistant,
thus
leading
to
type
2
diabetes.
 According
to
the
author,
"Since
1960
the
diabetes
rate
in
the
United
States
has
increased
by
800
percent,
and
half
of
American
adults
are
now
estimated
to
have
either
diabetes
or
prediabetes."
 Further,
a
consensus
report
by
the
American
Diabetes
Association
and
the
American
Cancer
Society
states
that,
"Epidemiologic
evidence
suggests
that
people
with
diabetes
are
at
significantly
higher
risk
for
many
forms
of
cancer."
 Fortunately,
many
younger
scientists
have
taken
up
the
mantle
of
Warburg's
work
and
continue
to
explore
the
metabolic
aspect
of
the
disease,
rather
than
simply
tow
the
establishment
line
about
it
being
simply
genetic
or
environmental.


 


This
book
has
many
interesting
components.
 There
is
certainly
a
historical
and
political
angle
that
covers
world
events,
but
it
also
discloses
the
fun
fact
that
Hitler
was
a
sugar
addict
and
that
most
of
his
teeth
had
fallen
out
near
the
end
of
his
life.
 I
also
enjoyed
the
profile
of
Warburg's
courage
in
standing
up
to
the
Nazis,
and
the
price
he
paid
for
his
bravery.
 Apple
gives
excellent
examples
of
the
modern
impact
of
Warburg's
work
and
how
cancer
treatments
have
changed
over
the
years,
but
also
what
the
future
might
hold.
 In
this
book
we
also
learn
that
the
first
chemotherapy
drugs
originated
from
the
emerging
German
chemical
dye
industry
of
the
late
19th
century.
 Paul
Ehrlich
is
mentioned
as
a
pioneer
in
the
development
of
so-called
"magic
bullets"
designed
to
target
tumors
while
sparing
healthy
tissue.
 Unfortunately,
as
we
know,
this
did
not
happen;
as
the
author
states,
"Firing
a
bullet
at
cancer
was
like
turning
a
gun
on
yourself."


 


"Ravenous"
is
a
compelling
book
that
I
would
recommend
to
anyone
with
an
interest
in
history,
cancer
research,
or
science
in
general.
 Apple
does
a
wonderful
job
of
documenting
the
timeline
of
research,
its
origins,
and
where
we
may
head
in
the
future.
 His
praise
and
his
criticisms
of
Otto
Warburg
are
accurate;
he
was
right
about
many
things,
wrong
about
others,
arrogant,
but
also
brilliant.
 The
author
writes
extremely
well,
as
you
might
expect
from
someone
who
is
on
the
MA
in
Science
Writing
at
Johns
Hopkins,
and
his
prose
makes
you
want
to
turn
the
page
and
see
what's
going
to
happen
next.
 Pick
up
a
copy
and
experience
it
for
yourself.
 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>If You Keep Doing the Same Things, You Will Get the Same Results</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=691</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=691</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

This
is
pure
conjecture,
but
I
believe
if
you
asked
100
people
why
they
undertake
an
exercise
regimen,
a
large
number
of
those
polled
would
say
they
want
to
be
stronger,
fitter,
healthier,
and
have
more
energy.
 These
are
perfectly
legitimate
and
noble
reasons
to
exercise,
and
I
think
most
of
us
also,
at
least
abstractly,
recognize
the
need
to
maintain
functional
independence
as
we
age.
 However,
how
many
of
us
have
a
measurable
and
sustainable
plan
in
place
that
can
safely
stimulate
tangible
results
without
a
huge
time
commitment?
 What
is
the
percentage
of
the
population
that
has
a
grasp
of
what
proper
exercise
physiologically
can
and
cannot
do?
 Once
we
enter
those
two
questions
into
the
equation,
I
think
you'll
see
that
number
shrink
considerably.
 


 


If
you
keep
doing
the
same
things
you
have
been
doing,
you
will
get
the
same
results.
 This
is
true
in
many
facts
of
life,
for
both
negative
behaviors
as
well
as
positive
actions.
 We
can
define
the
word
insanity
as
doing
the
same
thing
over
and
over
again
and
expecting
a
different
result.
 There
are
people
who
perform
the
same
fitness
routine
without
any
noticeable
positive
physical
change,
and
when
you
ask
them
why
they
continue
to
do
it
they'll
say,
"it
works
for
me."
 I
used
to
see
it
quite
frequently
when
I
worked
in
commercial
gyms;
the
same
members
would
show
up
day
after
day,
pounding
the
treadmill
and
performing
a
haphazard
weight
training
sequence
for
weeks
or
months
on
end.
 Some
would
give
up,
while
others
would
get
injured
or
ill
due
to
overtraining
and
have
to
stop.
 I
see
people
in
my
neighborhood
jogging
on
a
regular
basis,
but
over
time
their
paces
rarely
get
any
faster
and
their
physiques
look
the
same.
 Is
this
a
good
return
on
their
time
investment?
 Pursuing
such
a
regimen
provides
very
little
cardiovascular
and
metabolic
improvement,
is
time-consuming,
and
sooner
or
later
will
likely
lead
to
an
injury.
 Intuitively,
most
reasonable
thinking
people
realize
there
has
to
be
a
better
way.


 


Most
of
us
are
familiar
with
the
law
of
diminishing
returns.
 To
paraphrase,
it
states
that
the
gain
on
your
investment
lessens
as
you
put
more
time
and
energy
into
the
activity.
 This
is
true
in
business,
investing,
and
in
exercise.
 Many
people
begin
an
exercise
program
with
high
hopes
and
a
great
deal
of
enthusiasm.
 Sometimes
we
see
the
"six
week
syndrome",
where
people
have
unrealistic
expectations
of
the
time
frame
in
which
they
expect
to
see
positive
results
and
stop
before
they
have
given
their
program
a
real
chance
to
work.
 Other
times
they
quit
because
the
path
they
have
chosen
is
not
sustainable,
or
they
overtrain
and
tax
their
body
beyond
its
capability
to
recover.
 Unfortunately,
most
people
who
work
in
the
fitness
industry
don't
understand
this
concept
any
better
than
the
average
gym
member.
 Commercial
health
clubs
are
ripe
for
this
type
of
ignorance,
and
it's
why
I
refuse
to
go
within
100
yards
of
such
a
circus.


 


There
is
also
what
is
known
as
the
law
of
compound
interest.
 It
states
that,
"When
you
let
money
accumulate
at
compound
interest
over
a
long
enough
period
of
time,
it
increases
more
than
you
can
imagine."
 This
isn't
the
forum
for
discussing
the
fractional
reserve
bank
system
or
the
recent
large
bank
failures,
so
I
will
refrain
from
going
down
that
rabbit
hole.
 When
we
hear
the
term
interest
we
tend
to
associate
it
with
money,
but
interest
can
pertain
to
any
habit
or
action,
particularly
a
positive
action.
 If
you
produce
more
than
you
consume
and
save
the
difference,
your
purchasing
power
and
independence
will
increase
over
time.
 If
you
read
a
little
bit
each
day,
you
will
gain
greater
knowledge
and
insight
over
your
lifespan.
 If
you
strength
train
properly
once
or
twice
per
week,
you
will
incrementally
get
stronger.
 Adding
a
pound
or
two
to
the
weight
stack
every
few
workouts
may
not
seem
like
much
from
one
day
to
the
next,
but
over
the
span
of
several
months
that
will
translate
into
a
significant
gain
in
strength,
functionality,
and
resistance
to
injury.
 It
won't
happen
overnight,
but
if
you
give
your
body
the
resources
it
needs
the
changes
will
occur.
 Fasting
intermittently
a
couple
of
times
per
week
will
not
result
in
a
great
reduction
of
calories
in
a
single
day,
but
over
time
this
can
lead
to
significant
fat
loss
as
well
as
an
improvement
in
hormonal
health.
 When
you're
doing
the
right
things,
you
need
to
keep
doing
them;
don't
be
your
own
worst
enemy!


 


Master
yourself
before
you
master
anything
else.
If
your
current
exercise
program
isn't
stimulating
the
changes
you
want,
be
mature
enough
to
look
inward
and
realize
that
your
present
course
of
action
is
not
working.
 If
what
you're
doing
is
helping
you
to
stay
fit,
healthy,
and
strong
(particularly
if
you
are
a
Total
Results
client),
don't
try
to
fix
what
isn't
broken.
 When
you
have
found
a
formula
that
works,
the
key
is
to
stay
the
course.
 If
you
have
created
habits
that
are
sustainable
it
will
be
much
easier
to
maintain
those
habits.
 The
desire
to
succeed
has
to
come
from
inside
you,
and
we
will
provide
the
educational
resources
to
help
you
get
on
and
stay
on
the
right
path.
 Control
your
own
destiny!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>A Plan to Enhance Spinal Health</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=690</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=690</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Managing
spinal
health
becomes
even
more
important
as
we
age.
 Damage
to
the
vertebrae
can
be
the
result
of
many
things:
 a
car
accident,
poor
sitting
and
standing
posture,
years
of
participation
in
sports,
and
lack
of
proper
exercise.
 We
can
buck
this
trend
for
a
while,
but
eventually
if
we
don't
do
anything
about
it,
pain
and
loss
of
function
are
the
result.
 Spinal
surgeries
are
a
risky
endeavor.
 Procedures
can
be
costly,
invasive,
usually
require
follow
up
appointments
and
physical
therapy,
and
in
many
cases
the
success
rate
of
surgery
is
less
than
stellar.
 Lower
back
pain
is
not
always
indicative
of
structural
damage;
sometimes
it
is
simply
the
result
of
weak
musculature.
 A
significant
percentage
of
people
will
experience
some
disc
or
vertebral
degeneration
after
the
age
of
40;
some
individuals
experience
pain
while
others
do
not.
 What
if
there
was
a
way
that
you
could
improve
functionality
and
mobility,
reduce
pain,
and
protect
yourself
against
injury
in
less
than
one
hour
per
week?
 If
you
think
this
sounds
too
good
to
be
true,
keep
reading.


 


Gaining
a
basic
knowledge
of
the
structure
of
the
spinal
column
will
enable
us
to
understand
how
we
can
best
improve
posture
and
reduce
pain
so
that
we
can
live
an
active
lifestyle.
 There
are
five
vertebral
regions:
 cervical,
thoracic,
lumbar,
sacrum,
and
coccyx.
 Only
the
top
twenty-four
vertebrae
can
move;
the
sacrum
and
coccyx
are
fused.
 A
search
of
Mayfield
Brain
and
Spine,
National
Institutes
of
Health,
and
the
Cleveland
Clinic
yielded
the
function
of
each
of
the
vertebral
regions.
 The
cervical
vertebrae
include
C-1
through
C-7,
and
their
purpose
is
to
support
the
head,
protect
the
spinal
cord,
and
allow
for
a
range
of
head
movements.
 The
vertebrae
of
the
thoracic
region
are
T-1
through
T-12,
the
most
numerous
of
any
of
the
five
regions.
 These
vertebrae
also
protect
the
spinal
cord
and
provide
attachment
points
for
many
large
muscles,
such
as
the
latissimus
dorsi
and
erector
spinae.
 The
lumbar
vertebrae,
L-1
through
L-5,
bear
most
of
the
weight
of
the
body,
provide
back
stability,
and
assist
with
balance.
 Along
with
the
cervical
vertebrae,
the
lumbar
vertebrae
are
the
structures
most
susceptible
to
damage.
 The
sacrum
consists
of
the
vertebrae
known
as
S1
through
S5,
and
as
I
mentioned
above
these
are
fused
and
cannot
move.
 Their
primary
function
is
to
connect
the
spine
with
the
hip
bones.
 Finally
we
have
the
coccyx,
colloquially
known
as
the
tailbone.
 This
vertebrae
is
also
fused
and
provides
attachments
for
the
ligaments
and
muscles
of
the
pelvic
floor.
 


 


The
foramen
is
defined
as,
"the
bony
hollow
archway
created
by
pedicles
of
adjacent
vertebrae,
creating
a
passageway
through
which
all
spinal
nerve
roots
run."

 Age,
disuse,
and
trauma
can
lead
to
a
gradual
narrowing
of
this
opening,
and
is
often
associated
with
stenosis,
disc
herniation,
bone
spurs,
and
arthritis.
 Osteoporosis
is
also
something
to
be
concerned
about
as
we
age,
as
thinner
bones
are
more
likely
to
break.
 In
order
to
maintain
optimal
spinal
health,
you
should
certainly
be
conscious
of
how
you
sit
and
stand,
but
you
must
also
strengthen
the
muscles
that
surround
and
attach
to
the
vertebrae.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
the
safest
and
most
comprehensive
way
to
train
the
muscles
that
have
the
greatest
impact
on
spinal
health.
 First
of
all,
you
must
strengthen
the
body
as
an
entire
unit;
it
is
far
more
than
just
a
collection
of
different
body
parts.
 Everything
is
interconnected,
and
if
you
strengthen
some
areas
but
neglect
others,
there
will
be
muscular
imbalances
that
can
and
usually
do
increase
your
risk
for
injury.
There
are
four
exercises
that
really
highlight
the
Total
Results
plan
for
enhancing
your
spinal
health.
 The
Cervical
Extension
exercise,
performed
on
our
MedX
Four
Way
Neck
machine,
targets
the
muscles
which
are
responsible
for
cervical
extension.
 These
muscles
include
the
levator
scapulae,
splenius,
and
trapezius,
and
they
work
to
extend
your
head
down
toward
your
butt.
 The
horseshoe
shaped
head
pad
swivels
for
comfort,
and
your
seat
should
be
set
so
that
the
base
of
your
neck
is
aligned
with
the
axis
of
rotation.
 Handlebars
should
be
pressed
with
your
hands
to
enable
trunk
stability.
 The
thoracic
vertebrae
can
be
best
addressed
by
performing
both
the
Row
(on
either
the
MedX
or
Super
Slow
Systems
machines)
and
the
Pulldown
exercises.
 The
muscles
surrounding
and
attaching
to
these
vertebrae
include
the
rhomboids,
latissimus
and
trapezius
muscles.
 The
Pulldown,
which
is
a
vertical
movement,
has
three
separate
cam
positions
based
on
arm
length,
and
the
thigh
restraints
are
adjustable.
 It
is
such
a
comprehensive
exercise
that
it
encompasses
the
entire
musculature
of
the
upper
body.
 The
Row
machine
is
a
horizontal
pulling
movement,
and
is
also
adjustable
by
arm
length.
 I
should
note
that
the
MedX
Row
has
articulating
handles
that
can
be
a
little
more
forgiving
for
clients
with
elbow
issues,
but
both
machines
work
exceptionally
well.
 Finally,
the
MedX
Lumbar
Extension
exercise
is
unlike
any
purported
low
back
exercise
that
you
find
in
commercial
gyms.
 Most
traditional
low
back
machines
enable
you
to
get
a
great
deal
of
assistance
from
your
lower
body
muscles;
our
machine
employs
a
restraint
system
and
seat
belt
to
place
as
much
emphasis
on
the
spinal
erectors
as
possible.
 The
muscles
we
are
specifically
targeting
are
the
erector
spinae
and
multifidus
muscles,
but
you
will
also
find
some
involvement
in
the
glutes
and
hamstrings.
 
Based
on
the
recommendations
of
the
late
physical
therapist
and
Super
Slow
instructor
Gary
Lindahl,
normal
range
of
motion
is
typically
set
at
50
degrees,
but
we
can
customize
this
distance
by
either
altering
your
start
or
end
point.
 Even
if
you
suffer
from
injuries
in
these
lumbar
vertebrae
(a
good
number
of
our
clients
do),
going
to
muscular
failure
is
perfectly
safe
provided
proper
speed
and
form
are
practiced.
 Finally,
performing
cervical
and
lumbar
extension
open
up
the
space
between
vertebrae;
this
helps
to
provide
relief
for
those
suffering
from
impingement
and
disc
herniation.


 


Performing
numerous
sets
of
abdominal
crunches
won't
strengthen
your
back;
it
will
likely
do
more
harm
than
good.
 One
or
two
twenty-minute
high-intensity
sessions
per
week
is
all
that
you
need
to
optimize
spinal
health.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Controlling Your Emotions</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=689</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=689</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

A
Total
Results
exercise
session
is
a
physically
and
mentally
stressful
event.
 Because
our
workouts
are
so
demanding,
this
is
one
reason
why
they
are
so
brief
and
relatively
infrequent.
 We
often
talk
about
the
dose-response
relationship
of
exercise
as
being
similar
to
that
of
taking
medication;
we
want
the
minimum
dose
necessary
to
elicit
the
proper
adaptive
response.
 If
you
look
at
it
from
another
perspective,
we
are,
in
a
sense,
fooling
our
bodies
into
believing
that
we
are
involved
in
a
life-and-death
struggle
in
performing
this
workout.
 This
is
because
the
human
body
wants
to
maintain
homeostasis
whenever
possible,
and
needs
a
very
good
reason
to
mobilize
precious
resources
in
order
to
make
physical
improvements.
 In
reality,
we
are
in
a
perfectly
safe
and
clinically
controlled
environment
where
the
variables
of
exercise
frequency,
intensity,
and
duration
are
carefully
monitored
and
potentially
dangerous
forces
are
kept
to
a
minimum.
 However,
to
the
body,
the
workout
is
interpreted
as
an
existential
threat,
and
one
can
only
work
at
a
high
level
of
intensity
for
so
long;
20
minutes
is
not
just
something
we
can
get
away
with,
it
is
a
biological
necessity.


 


High
intensity
exercise
can
often
be
accompanied
by
a
wide
range
of
emotions,
particularly
with
inexperienced
trainees
that
are
not
accustomed
to
intense
weight
training
or
physical
discomfort.
 Clients
often
exhibit
fear,
panic,
and
frustration
as
they
grapple
with
this
new
undertaking
and
work
on
learning
something
that
is
relatively
unfamiliar
to
them.
 All
of
this
is
perfectly
normal.
 The
ancient
Stoic
philosophers
never
said
that
you
should
bury
your
emotions
or
pretend
that
they
don't
exist.
 What
they
teach
us
are
strategies
that
can
be
implemented
to
help
us
control
our
emotions
so
that
they
don't
get
the
better
of
us.
 This
certainly
can
pay
dividends
in
everyday
life,
but
also
in
an
exercise
setting.
 Allowing
your
emotions
to
influence
you
during
a
workout
can
lead
to
form
discrepancies
that
significantly
increase
the
risk
of
injury.
 As
always,
the
primary
focus
of
an
instructor
is
client
safety.


 


Reaching
momentary
muscular
failure
for
the
first
time
can
throw
you
for
a
mental
loop.
 If
you
have
never
experienced
this
before,
it
is
difficult
to
prepare
for
the
feeling
that
comes
along
with
pushing
as
hard
as
you
can
against
a
movement
arm
and
not
seeing
it
move.
 In
boxing,
it
has
been
said
that
one
of
the
most
difficult
things
to
deal
with
psychologically
is
to
hit
the
other
guy
with
your
best
punch
and
watch
it
have
no
effect.
 This
is
similar
to
what
happens
the
initial
time
you
reach
muscular
failure.
 You're
pushing
as
hard
as
you
can
(even
though
the
musculature
is
quite
feeble
at
this
point)
and
it's
still
not
moving.
 Sometimes
clients
take
on
an
incorrect
mentality
and
confuse
the
assumed
and
the
real
objectives
of
exercise.
 The
real
objective
of
each
exercise
is
to
inroad
(fatigue)
the
musculature
as
thoroughly
and
safely
as
we
possibly
can,
as
this
is
the
necessary
stimulus
that
spurs
the
body
into
action.
 However,
clients
at
first
will
often
believe
it
is
about
performing
as
many
repetitions
with
as
much
weight
as
possible.
 This
can
lead
to
taking
liberties
with
form
and
an
increased
risk
of
injury,
so
it
should
be
avoided.
 As
movement
bogs
down
and
failure
approaches,
remind
yourself
that
this
is
the
most
effective
part
of
the
exercise,
and
that
this
is
the
ultimate
goal.
 It
will
help
you
to
maintain
the
correct
frame
of
mind.
 Grace
under
pressure
can
be
defined
as
keeping
your
composure
in
times
of
turmoil.


 


Fear
is
a
common
emotion
that
we
experience,
whether
it's
fear
of
muscular
failure
or
fear
of
the
accompanying
exertional
discomfort.
 Sometimes
clients
will
simply
remark
that,
"It
hurts,"
although
in
the
heat
of
the
moment
they
usually
can't
provide
more
specific
information.
 Once
they
are
out
of
the
machine
and
in
a
less
stressful
place,
I
ask
them
if
what
they
experienced
was
sharp
and
sudden
(usually
indicating
an
injury),
or
just
a
dull
ache
that
intensified
as
the
exercise
progressed.
 Nine
times
out
of
ten,
it's
the
latter.
 In
most
cases
fear
of
something,
whether
it's
a
fear
of
heights,
snakes,
or
crowds,
is
far
worse
in
our
minds
than
what
is
true
in
reality.
 In
the
book
"How
to
Think
Like
a
Roman
Emperor",
author
Donald
Robertson,
who
is
a
cognitive-behavioral
psychotherapist,
talks
about
the
concept
of
emotional
habituation.
 One
definition
I
found
online
for
this
notion
is,
"a
psychological
learning
process
wherein
there
is
a
decrease
in
response
to
a
stimulus
after
being
repeatedly
exposed
to
it."
 After
you
experience
a
few
times
the
dull
ache
of
fatigued
muscles
accompanied
by
muscular
failure,
it
becomes
a
lot
less
scary
to
deal
with.
 When
this
happens,
fear
is
far
less
likely
to
lead
to
panic.
 We
want
to
avoid
that
fight/flight
response
that
prevents
us
from
being
able
to
process
and
execute
the
cues
given
by
the
instructor.
 Repeated
exposure
to
something
leaves
us
far
less
sensitive
to
the
experience.
 Remember,
it's
only
exercise,
not
a
true
life-and-death
event.
 Simply
accept
the
fact
that
you
will
eventually
reach
the
point
where
the
weight
will
no
longer
move,
and
understand
that
this
is
physiologically
very
positive.
 Do
not
be
frustrated
if
your
time
under
load
is
not
what
you
expected
it
to
be.
 If
you
have
given
your
very
best
effort,
you
have
done
all
that
you
could.


 


What
are
some
things
you
can
focus
on
in
order
to
control
your
emotions?
 One
strategy
is
to
remain
almost
detached,
as
if
you
are
observing
your
workout
from
outside
your
body.
 This
way
you
are
not
so
emotionally
invested
in
the
minutiae
of
each
repetition,
but
are
really
looking
at
it
from
an
intellectual
point
of
view.
 A
sense
of
inevitability
is
also
helpful.
 If
you
say
to
yourself,
"I
know
this
will
be
difficult,
but
it's
only
20
minutes,"
that
makes
it
far
less
mentally
stressful.
 Relish
the
opportunity
to
accomplish
something
challenging
and
meaningful.
 Relax
your
face
and
jaw;
many
clients
carry
a
lot
of
unnecessary
tension
this
way
and
can
prematurely
fatigue
themselves
in
this
fashion.
 This
can
also
lead
to
Val
Salva
and
elevated
blood
pressure,
which
are
both
contraindicated.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What to Focus On Between Workouts</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=688</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=688</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

At
Total
Results,
one
of
our
main
goals
is
to
provide
value
to
our
clients
by
maintaining
a
position
as
an
educational
resource.
 I
believe
that
no
individual
has
the
market
cornered
on
knowledge,
so
I
strive
to
learn
from
a
variety
of
sources
with
the
hope
that
I
might
be
able
to
share
some
of
what
I
have
learned
with
the
amazing
clients
that
I
work
with
every
day.
 I
am
often
asked
by
clients
about
a
great
many
things
that
pertain
to
exercise,
nutrition,
and
general
health.
 This
might
include
the
latest
nutritional
supplement
(don't
waste
your
money),
what
to
eat,
what
type
of
mattress
to
buy,
or
something
related
to
sports
performance.
 I
generally
give
the
most
educated
answer
I
am
able
to
provide,
but
if
it's
something
that's
outside
of
my
knowledge
or
scope
of
practice
I'm
happy
to
either
research
further
or
point
the
client
in
another
direction.
 One
common
question
that
I
am
asked,
particularly
by
newer
clients,
is,
"What
should
I
be
doing
in
between
workouts?"
 While
on
the
surface
this
may
seem
like
a
pretty
simple
question
to
answer,
there
are
several
factors
that
I
must
consider
before
I
give
my
answer.
 Every
individual
has
different
goals
and
lifestyles,
and
there
is
no
one-size-fits-all
response.
 Sure,
I
can
give
general
advice
that
will
work
for
most
people,
but
in
order
to
optimize
success
I
need
to
find
out
about
the
client's
daily
habits
and
what
they
ultimately
want
to
achieve.


 


Based
on
the
vast
number
of
different
diet/nutritional
books
available
on
Amazon,
I
think
we
can
safely
say
that
there
is
no
single
best
way
to
eat
that
will
work
equally
well
for
everybody.
 Each
individual
has
their
own
genetic
makeup,
as
well
as
their
own
food
likes,
dislikes,
and
allergies.
 You
can
see
differences
in
the
paleolithic/ketogenic
styles
of
eating,
and
there
are
even
some
contradictions
between
the
two.
 Having
said
that,
I
think
most
reasoned
people
that
have
studied
nutrition
(and
aren't
trying
to
sell
you
anything)
will
agree
that
minimizing
processed
foods
and
sugar
is
probably
a
wise
decision.
 We
know
enough
about
how
Big
Agriculture
has
changed
the
nutritional
content
of
commercially
available
food
(and
the
corresponding
rise
in
chronic
disease)
to
understand
that
it
has
not
been
a
positive
trend.
 You
really
can't
go
wrong
consuming
a
largely
single-ingredient,
whole-food
diet,
because
it
will
give
you
the
biggest
bang
for
your
nutritional
buck.
 Inflation
and
the
corresponding
recent
trend
of
higher
food
prices
is
really
unfortunate,
because
it
seems
like
the
food
with
the
highest
nutritional
value
costs
the
most,
but
look
at
it
as
an
investment
in
your
health.
 Don't
worry
about
counting
calories,
or
figuring
out
a
percentage
of
which
macronutrients
to
consume;
this
is
more
likely
to
be
time-consuming
and
cause
frustration.
 Eat
until
you
are
no
longer
hungry
and
then
step
away
from
the
table.
 Avoid
stressing
out
over
food;
eating
a
meal
should
be
an
enjoyable
experience,
not
one
filled
with
anxiety.


 


I
have
talked
a
lot
recently
about
intermittent
fasting,
and
have
read
and
reviewed
two
excellent
books
on
the
subject.
 Simply
put,
it
is
one
of
the
best
things
that
you
can
do
to
improve
your
health
and
produce
benefits
that
are
both
seen
and
unseen.
 Fasting
is
a
perfect
complement
to
the
strength
training
that
you
do
at
Total
Results,
because
your
body
needs
a
reason
to
continue
to
build
and
maintain
muscle
while
you
slightly
reduce
your
caloric
intake
with
very
little
effort.
 It
is
really
not
as
difficult
to
do
as
most
people
think;
it
only
involves
not
eating
for
slightly
longer
stretches
of
time
than
you
are
generally
accustomed.
 Just
because
you
are
fasting
more
doesn't
mean
you
have
to
deny
yourself
certain
foods;
this
is
why
restrictive
diets
don't
work
over
the
long
term.
 Intermittent
fasting
is
not
a
diet,
it
is
a
lifestyle
modification.
 Everyone's
lifestyle
and
schedule
is
a
little
different,
but
you
can
adapt
your
approach
to
fit
your
life.
 That
will
give
you
the
best
chance
to
succeed.


 


Physical
movement
in
between
sessions
is
a
good
thing.
 We
are
human
beings,
and
I
don't
believe
we
were
meant
to
sit
around
all
day.
 How
active
you
should
be
between
Total
Results
workouts
is
dependent
on
a
few
factors:
 whether
you
perform
one
or
two
sessions
per
week,
what
additional
activities
you
pursue,
how
well
you
sleep
(more
on
this
to
come),
and
what
it
is
that
you
ultimately
hope
to
achieve.
 Total
Results
clients
may
come
once
per
week
due
to
cost,
distance
traveled,
schedule
limitations,
or
because
they
were
not
properly
recovering
with
two
sessions
per
week.
 Those
that
exercise
more
intensely
will
require
a
longer
recovery
period,
especially
if
they
are
more
active
between
sessions.
 A
client
that
pursues
Total
Results
strength
training
in
order
to
improve
their
golf
game
or
to
optimize
sports
performance
will
likely
have
more
finite
recovery
ability,
due
to
increased
activity.
 Charting
workout
performance
by
the
instructor
is
critical,
but
this
also
requires
the
client
to
listen
to
their
body.
 As
one
gets
stronger
and
fitter,
they
will
become
more
in
tune
when
something
feels
off.
 Don't
ignore
this
signal!
 Also,
forget
about
the
idea
of
getting
10,000
steps
in
per
day.
 It
may
be
fun
to
track,
but
that
number
is
completely
arbitrary
and
won't
translate
into
any
meaningful
physiological
change.
 Remember,
there
is
a
fine
line
between
being
active
and
overdoing
it.


 


Proper
restful
sleep
is
essential,
in
fact
you
can't
have
any
sustained
period
of
progress
without
it.
 You
can
buck
the
trend
for
a
while
with
caffeine,
but
sooner
or
later
your
workout
performance
will
grind
to
a
halt
if
you
don't
get
enough
sleep.
 I
have
mentioned
this
in
previous
articles,
but
setting
a
consistent
bedtime
and
wake
time
is
just
as
important
for
adults
as
it
is
for
teenagers.
 If
your
body
clock
is
all
over
the
place,
or
if
you're
exposing
yourself
to
too
much
artificial
light
(in
the
form
of
electronics)
in
the
evening
hours
just
before
bed,
your
body
will
not
produce
the
necessary
melatonin
required
for
falling
asleep.
 Strive
to
get
between
7
and
9
hours
of
sleep
consistently
throughout
the
week.
 I
find
that
meditating
in
the
evening
hours
helps
me
not
only
to
"power
down",
but
also
to
manage
stress,
and
it
does
not
require
a
huge
time
commitment.
 Practicing
mindfulness
at
some
point
throughout
the
day
will
help
you
to
become
more
self-aware,
which
is
always
a
good
thing.
 Finally,
try
to
read
and
learn
new
things;
this
will
help
you
to
keep
an
open
mind
and
will
make
you
a
more
effective
learner
at
Total
Results.
 Our
workouts
are
an
educational
experience,
but
they
don't
take
place
in
a
traditional
classroom
setting.


 


These
are
some
suggestions
to
focus
on
in
between
workouts.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Eat Stop Eat&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=687</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=687</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Author
Brad
Pilon
holds
a
graduate
degree
in
Human
Biology
and
Nutritional
Sciences,
and
he
performed
research
at
the
University
of
Guelph
in
Ontario,
Canada.
Prior
to
writing
the
book
"Eat
Stop
Eat",
Pilon
worked
for
six
years
in
the
supplement
industry
before
leaving
due
to
disillusionment
with
the
field.
The
author's
feelings
about
so-called
weight
loss
products
and
the
mindset
involved
with
selling
them
can
be
summed
up
as
follows:
"I
started
to
think
that
the
weight
loss
industry
was
full
of
nothing
but
confusing
and
constantly
recycled
misinformation."
Pilon
started
writing
"Eat
Stop
Eat"
upon
his
departure
from
the
supplement
industry.
The
first
edition
was
printed
in
2007,
and
the
expanded
edition
was
released
in
2017.

 


"Eat
Stop
Eat"
focuses
on
the
concept
of
intermittent
fasting,
which
is
where
one
typically
condenses
their
feeding
window
(the
time
between
their
first
and
last
meals
of
the
day)
to
anywhere
from
4-10
hours
per
day,
in
order
to
allow
the
body
to
get
into
a
fasted
state.
Among
other
health
benefits
that
will
be
covered
shortly,
intermittent
fasting
allows
the
body
to
more
effectively
use
fat
as
a
fuel
source.
Many
of
the
principles
discussed
in
"Eat
Stop
Eat"
are
similar
to
the
information
given
in
"The
Complete
Guide
to
Fasting"
by
Dr.
Jason
Fung,
a
book
I
reviewed
a
few
months
ago.
One
difference
between
the
two
books
is
that
Pilon
makes
it
quite
clear
that
he
is
not
a
doctor,
and
as
such,
he
is
adamant
that
these
principles
be
followed
only
by
healthy
adults.
He
also
recommends
fasting
for
no
longer
than
24
hours
at
a
time,
one
or
two
times
per
week,
as
he
believes
that
fasting
more
frequently
or
for
longer
periods
of
time
yields
diminishing
returns
and
complicates
one's
lifestyle.
Dr.
Fung,
on
the
other
hand,
does
advocate
longer
fasting
periods
and
regularly
supervises
patients
dealing
with
chronic
disease.
Regardless
of
whatever
small
differences
of
opinion
the
two
authors
may
have,
I
believe
both
books
can
be
a
valuable
part
of
your
professional
or
personal
library.

 


Intermittent
fasting
has
numerous
health
benefits,
some
of
which
were
covered
in
my
previous
book
review.
I'll
mention
just
a
few
others
here.
One
benefit
that
I
was
unaware
of
is
increased
uncoupling
protein-3
mRNA.
According
to
the
author,
"Uncoupling
protein-3
mRNA
is
a
very
important
protein
found
in
our
muscles
that
is
associated
with
fat
burning.
When
fat
burning
increases,
so
does
the
amount
of
uncoupling
protein-3
mRNA
in
our
muscles."
This
can
increase
fivefold
as
little
as
15
hours
into
a
fast.
Another
positive
benefit
to
be
derived
from
fasting
is
an
increase
in
Epinephrine
and
Norepinephrine
levels.
These
are
the
fight-or-flight
hormones
that
are
released
in
times
of
stress,
particularly
during
exercise
or
when
food
is
scarce.
As
Pilon
notes,
"Fasting
increases
the
amounts
of
both
of
these
hormones
in
your
blood.
This
is
your
body's
way
of
maintaining
your
blood
sugar
levels
and
increasing
your
fuel
supply
by
helping
to
release
fatty
acids
from
your
fat
stores."
Finally,
regular
fasting
helps
to
decrease
inflammation.
Chronic
systemic
inflammation
has
been
linked
to
heart
disease,
autoimmune
disorders,
and
certain
types
of
cancer.
Two
main
causes
of
inflammation
are
excess
body
fat
and
overeating;
adopting
the
Eat
Stop
Eat
lifestyle
helps
to
reduce
both.

 


Fasting
works
very
well
with
exercise,
particularly
intense
exercise
like
Total
Results
weight
training.
One
of
the
common
misconceptions
that
has
been
perpetuated
over
the
years
is
that
fasting
can
cause
one
to
lose
muscle.
Nothing
could
be
further
from
the
truth.
Building
muscle
requires
significant
effort
and
resources
from
the
body,
and
it
will
not
just
jettison
muscle
for
no
good
reason.
Pilon
cites
an
English
study
from
1987
that
examined
the
impact
of
fasting
on
exercise
performance.
As
the
author
says,
"In
plain
English,
they
found
that
a
3
day
fast
had
no
negative
effects
on
how
strongly
your
muscles
can
contract,
your
ability
to
do
short-term
high
intensity
exercises,
or
your
ability
to
exercise
at
moderate
intensity
for
a
long
duration."
I
have
personally
found
a
greater
metabolic
effect
when
performing
my
workouts
in
a
fasted
state
as
compared
to
a
normal
fed
state.
I
especially
like
Pilon's
emphasis
on
the
importance
of
consistent
weight
training.
He
says,
"You
have
to
be
involved
in
some
sort
of
resistance
exercise,
such
as
lifting
weights

(his
emphasis).
Now,
to
be
clear,
you
do
not
have
to
weight
train
at
the
exact
same
time
you
are
fasting,
but
resistance
training
must
be
occurring
at
some
point
for
your
muscle
mass
to
be
preserved
in
the
face
of
a
caloric
deficit."
There
is
a
chapter
in
the
book
titled
"Designing
Your
Own
Workout
Program";
if
you
are
a
regular
Total
Results
client
you
already
have
that
covered
and
can
skim
over
it,
but
I
do
respect
his
acknowledgement
of
the
need
to
weight
train
in
order
to
maintain
body
shape.

 


Women
have
much
to
gain
from
incorporating
fasting
into
their
lifestyle;
in
some
cases
they
can
benefit
even
more
than
men.
Pilon
mentions
the
differences
between
women
and
men
in
terms
of
muscle
mass,
but
also
from
a
metabolic
and
physiological
standpoint.
During
prolonged
periods
of
low-calorie
intake,
men
can
see
a
significant
decrease
in
testosterone
production.
On
the
other
hand,
women
have
lower
levels
of
testosterone
than
men
in
any
case,
but
these
levels
remain
largely
unchanged
during
these
same
prolonged
periods.
The
good
news
for
women,
as
the
author
points
out,
is
that,
"Women
release
more
of
their
body
fat
into
their
blood
than
men
do
during
fasting",
and
he
goes
on
to
say
that,
"Women
also
have
more
fat-burning
enzymes
than
men,
and
thus
an
increased
capacity
to
burn
their
body
fat
as
a
fuel."
This
is
significant,
because
although
women
necessarily
carry
a
higher
percentage
of
body
fat
than
men,
they
also
do
have
some
physiological
advantages
over
men
and
can
use
them
to
great
effect
by
fasting
regularly.

 


As
you
can
probably
guess,
I
am
a
big
fan
of
this
book.
This
is
written
for
the
layperson,
not
the
professional,
so
the
concepts
are
simple
to
understand
without
being
dumbed
down
or
insulting
to
the
reader.
It
is
researched
well,
which
is
no
surprise
considering
the
author's
research
background,
and
you
can
look
up
the
references
and
verify
them
for
yourself.
There
are
only
a
few
typos,
which
is
better
than
other
self-published
books
that
I
have
read.
The
Frequently
Asked
Questions
section
in
the
expanded
edition
is
extremely
helpful,
as
it
reinforces
some
concepts
discussed
in
the
original
text
and
answers
some
questions
that
aid
in
providing
further
clarification.
Finally,
I
really
enjoy
Pilon's
writing
style.
A
little
humor
helps
to
liven
up
some
topics
that
may
not
thrill
the
average
reader.
As
someone
who
grew
up
reading
muscle
magazines
and
is
obsessed
with
weight
training
and
physical
conditioning,
I
found
the
author's
point
of
view
very
relatable.

 


There
is
one
thing
to
consider
about
eating,
fasting,
and
how
our
minds
have
become
conditioned
to
think
about
food.
The
author
notes,
"Most
likely,
what
we
call
hunger
is
really
a
learned
reaction
to
a
combination
of
metabolic,
social,
and
environmental
cues
to
eat.
Remember
how
I
mentioned
that
the
food
industry
spends
10
billion
U.S.
dollars
per
year
advertising
food?
Well,
it
turns
out
this
advertising
is
very
effective."
The
Eat
Stop
Eat
philosophy
in
particular,
and
intermittent
fasting
in
general,
is
easy
to
incorporate
into
your
lifestyle
and
can
be
adjusted
as
needed
to
ensure
short-term
and
long-term
success.
Stop
stressing
about
food!
I
encourage
you
to
pick
up
a
copy
of
this
book
and
adopt
these
principles
as
soon
as
possible.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Fused Versus Independent Movement Arms</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=686</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=686</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Exercise
equipment
is
typically
engineered
to
either
have
fused
or
independent
movement
arms.
 Just
to
clarify,
the
movement
arm
is
what
the
exercise
subject
pushes
or
pulls
in
order
to
perform
each
exercise,
as
most
movements
fall
into
one
of
those
two
categories.
 With
independent
movement
arms,
both
limbs
are
operating
separately
lifting
and
lowering
the
resistance
provided
by
the
weight
stack.
 A
fused
movement
arm
allows
both
limbs
to
work
together
to
move
the
resistance
and
perform
the
muscular
function
targeted
in
the
exercise.
 Both
fused
and
independent
movement
arm-based
machines
can
be
used
effectively
in
a
comprehensive
strength
training
program,
provided
there
is
properly
regulated
frequency,
intensity,
and
volume,
and
that
sleep
and
nutritional
requirements
are
met.


 


There
are
many
inherent
problems
with
using
independent
movement
arms.
 Even
in
exercise
subjects
who
are
not
injured,
there
is
often
a
strength
discrepancy
between
one's
dominant
and
non-dominant
limbs,
and
this
can
complicate
matters.
 In
addition,
from
a
motor
learning
standpoint
it
is
far
more
difficult
to
control
two
movement
arms
than
it
is
to
control
one,
which
usually
means
there
will
be
a
significant
loss
of
focus
on
the
targeted
musculature.
 This
will
also
result
in
a
lack
of
trunk
and/or
neck
stability,
which
makes
it
extremely
difficult
to
achieve
a
meaningful
muscular
inroad.
 Accompanying
these
challenges
is
the
danger
of
unilateral
loading
of
the
pelvis
and
spine.
 This
happens
when
an
exercise
subject
works
only
one
side
of
the
body
at
a
time
and
should
be
avoided
whenever
possible,
particularly
when
entering
or
exiting
a
piece
of
equipment.
 Safety
must
be
priority
number
one.
 Dumbbells
are
another
example
of
independent
movement
arms,
and
I
try
to
avoid
using
them
whenever
possible.
 Inevitably,
most
clients
have
a
difficult
time
controlling
them
safely
and
navigating
proper
speed
and
turnaround
technique,
but
I
do
occasionally
use
them
for
the
Bicep
Curl
exercise
if
elbow
or
wrist
problems
prevent
the
use
of
a
barbell.


 


Most
of
the
commercially
available
equipment
brands
manufacture
machines
with
independent
movement
arms,
even
Nautilus
and
Hammer
Strength,
whom
I
hold
in
higher
esteem
than
most.
 Many
years
ago
at
a
commercial
gym
where
I
worked,
I
used
a
Hammer
Strength
Leg
Press
that
had
independent
movement
arms,
and
I
could
not
understand
why
I
lifted
significantly
less
weight
on
that
machine
than
on
a
similar
machine
that
had
a
fused
movement
arm.
 This
was
well
before
I
knew
anything
about
motor
learning.
 The
movement
I
produced
was
choppy
and
awkward,
and
I
had
to
think
far
more
about
controlling
the
movement
arms
when
I
should
have
been
focused
on
fatiguing
my
glutes,
quadriceps,
and
hamstrings.
 A
few
years
later
when
I
worked
at
Fairfax
Racquet
Club,
there
was
a
MedX
Pulldown
machine
that
had
independent
movement
arms.
 It
was
a
great
piece
of
equipment
that
had
articulating
handles,
but
it
was
difficult
to
focus
on
getting
a
proper
inroad
when
pulling
two
different
movement
arms.
 I
solved
this
problem
by
placing
a
straight
bar
attachment
across
the
handles,
thus
rendering
it
a
fused
movement
arm.


 


There
is
a
hierarchy
of
learning
difficulty
in
exercise
that
Ken
Hutchins
discusses
in
the
book
"Super
Slow:
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol."
 Independent
movements
fall
into
the
more
difficult
to
learn
category,
along
with
blind
movements
(where
movement
takes
place
behind
you),
alternating
movements
(such
as
doing
a
Bicep
Curl
one
arm
at
a
time),
and
simple
movements
(rotating
around
a
single
joint).
 Exercises
like
Hip
Abduction
and
Adduction
(which
we
perform
at
Total
Results,
but
only
as
a
Timed
Static
Contraction)
may
seem
like
independent
movements
when
utilizing
a
machine
since
they
involve
the
legs
moving
away
and
together,
but
are
in
fact
contracting
against
a
fused
movement
arm.
 Safe
and
productive
exercise
should
be
an
intellectual
endeavor,
but
should
not
be
overly
complicated
by
having
to
move
one
limb
at
a
time
or
two
limbs
in
different
directions
at
the
same
time.
There
are
only
two
exercises
that
I
can
think
of
that
must
be
performed
unilaterally.
 One
is
Torso
Rotation
(MedX
manufactures
an
excellent
machine),
but
I
believe
it
is
a
largely
unnecessary
exercise
for
most
people.
 The
other
is
External
Rotation
for
the
rotator
cuff
muscles
of
the
shoulder.
 To
my
knowledge,
the
only
way
this
can
be
done
is
unilaterally,
and
we
perform
it
as
a
Timed
Static
Contraction.



 


All
of
the
machines
at
Total
Results
have
fused
movement
arms.
 Our
exercise
protocol
is
already
challenging
enough
without
needlessly
complicating
things
by
using
independent
movement
arms.
 An
exercise
like
the
Leg
Press
already
has
a
bit
of
inherent
danger
to
it,
in
that
most
people
have
one
leg
slightly
shorter
than
the
other.
 The
shorter
leg
can
lock
first,
twist
the
pelvis,
and
injure
the
lower
back,
so
it
is
very
important
for
the
instructor
to
properly
set
the
machine's
end
point
in
order
to
avoid
this
scenario.
 When
rehabilitating
clients
following
surgery,
we
occasionally
perform
unilateral
movements
in
the
very
earliest
stages,
but
most
of
our
clients
have
gotten
strong
enough
prior
to
surgery
that
this
is
not
necessary.
 Whatever
discrepancy
there
is
in
strength
between
the
affected
and
non-affected
limbs
will
usually
even
out
over
time
as
both
limbs
get
stronger
by
pushing
or
pulling
against
a
fused
movement
arm.
 In
addition
to
all
of
that,
using
a
fused
movement
arm
is
simply
more
efficient
for
achieving
a
proper
exercise
stimulus
in
minimum
time
without
consuming
too
many
recovery
resources
along
the
way.
 It
takes
far
less
time
to
train
both
sides
of
the
body
at
once.


 


Don't
be
fooled
by
typical
fitness
industry
misinformation
and
terms
like
"muscle
confusion"
or
the
need
to
"shock
the
body"
in
order
to
produce
results.
 If
all
you
have
at
your
disposal
is
dumbbells
or
machines
with
independent
movement
arms,
do
your
best
to
move
slowly
and
carefully,
but
it
will
be
much
more
difficult
from
a
motor
learning
perspective.
 People
have
gotten
stronger
in
this
fashion,
but
there
is
a
better
way.
 This
is
why
the
machines
at
Total
Results
are
so
valuable
in
enhancing
safety
as
well
as
the
overall
exercise
stimulus.
 Experience
the
difference
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Specific Instructions, Not Empty Platitudes</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=685</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=685</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Fortunately,
I
have
not
had
to
set
foot
in
a
commercial
gym
in
nearly
twenty
years,
but
the
more
things
change
the
more
they
typically
stay
the
same.
 Technology
may
be
more
advanced
and
interactive,
but
the
atmosphere
in
health
clubs/fitness
centers
is
still
a
noisy
circus.
 People
who
refer
to
themselves
as
"trainers"
still
typically
dress
as
though
they
are
the
ones
going
through
a
workout,
and
the
facility
is
filled
with
poorly-designed
(and
often
dangerous)
equipment
that
serves
very
little
productive
purpose.
 Most
of
what
passes
for
"instruction"
or
"personal
training"
at
gyms
is
glorified
cheerleading;
essentially,
the
"trainer"
is
just
a
workout
caddy
that
carries
a
tablet
and
hangs
out
with
the
client
while
they
go
through
the
motions.
 For
this
privilege,
many
people
pay
between
$60
and
$70
per
hour
a
few
times
per
week.


 


Exercise
is
a
serious
endeavor
and
should
be
treated
as
such.
 In
order
to
stimulate
the
body
to
safely
and
efficiently
make
physical
improvements,
a
clinically
controlled
and
distraction-free
environment
is
the
optimal
setting,
not
a
social
club
filled
with
noise,
mirrors,
and
crowds.
 In
order
to
optimize
performance
and
results,
one
needs
a
specific
plan
of
action
and
someone
to
teach
them
how
to
tap
into
physical
and
mental
resources
they
didn't
even
know
they
had.
 You
need
a
real
exercise
instructor,
not
someone
who
passed
a
multiple
choice
test
on
a
weekend
fitness
course.
 You
need
a
teacher
who
will
provide
you
with
specific
instructions,
not
a
part-timer
who
will
spout
empty
platitudes.


 


A
Total
Results
instructor
considers
himself
a
teacher
first.
 It's
no
different
than
teachers
in
other
settings;
the
idea
is
to
convey
information
in
a
way
that
is
easily
understood
and
to
give
the
client
(student)
the
tools
necessary
to
optimize
their
chance
for
long-term
success.
 I
suspect
that
if
you
look
back
on
your
years
of
formal
schooling,
the
teachers
that
had
lasting
impressions
on
you
were
the
ones
that
really
made
you
think,
and
made
the
material
the
easiest
to
absorb.
 We
are
teaching
concepts
that
are
new
for
most
people,
and
it
should
be
understood
that
there
is
a
learning
curve.
 Clients
learn
and
progress
at
different
paces,
but
we
have
structured
how
we
teach
our
protocol
so
that
you
can
absorb
the
information
and
not
be
overloaded.
 There
is
a
particular
purpose
and
reason
for
everything
that
we
say,
starting
with
the
initial
consultation
where
we
give
a
general
overview
of
our
philosophy
and
explain
preliminary
considerations
before
we
even
put
a
prospective
client
on
a
piece
of
equipment.
 Our
expectation
is
to
instill
in
the
client
a
sense
of
purpose,
and
a
solid
understanding
of
the
primary
exercise
objective
of
thorough
muscular
and
metabolic
inroad.


 


There
are
two
exercise
examples
that
really
display
our
commitment
to
detail
in
instruction.
 The
first
is
the
Leg
Press,
the
most
important
of
exercises
and
the
first
movement
that
we
introduce
in
an
initial
consultation.
 We
go
over
the
repetition
cycle
schematic,
discuss
speed,
pace,
and
turnarounds,
entry/exit
of
the
machine,
and
customize
your
machine
settings
before
even
performing
a
single
repetition.
 This
is
information
that
serves
you
well
not
just
on
the
Leg
Press
exercise,
but
as
you
move
forward
and
learn
additional
exercises.
 The
second
example
involves
the
Calf
Raise
exercise,
which
is
a
smaller
movement
typically
introduced
a
few
weeks
down
the
road
for
most
clients.
 This
exercise
does
not
have
a
significant
metabolic
impact
on
the
rest
of
the
body,
but
is
a
very
important
movement
that
helps
improve
lower
body
circulation
and
has
a
notable
influence
on
foot
and
ankle
stability.
 Your
instructor
will
go
into
painstaking
detail
about
proper
loading
of
the
musculature,
knee
stability,
foot
placement,
and
gradually
increasing
the
stretch
for
the
calf
muscles
as
well
as
the
Achilles
tendon.
 These
details
may
seem
to
be
unnecessary,
but
we
go
to
these
lengths
to
ensure
safety.


 


Clients
look
to
their
instructor
for
guidance,
and
it
is
our
job
to
lead.
 We
are
detailed
in
our
instructions
by
necessity,
but
not
overly
technical
in
order
to
avoid
confusion.
 There
is
a
fine
line
between
spouting
off
highly
technical
jargon
and
not
purposely
dumbing
things
down.
 Specific
instructions
must
be
given
at
the
precise
right
moment,
along
with
gentle
corrections
that
will
assist
the
client
to
perform
better
and
inch
closer
to
achieve
the
ultimate
objective.
 It
is
the
instructor's
duty
to
know
what
they're
saying
and
why
they're
saying
it,
and
less
is
often
more.
 Exercise
sessions
are
purposeful
and
meaningful
undertakings,
and
it
should
be
acknowledged
that
a
Total
Results
workout
is
not
a
social
event.
 I
certainly
enjoy
chatting
and
connecting
with
clients
before
and
after
sessions,
but
in
the
workout
room
it
is
strictly
business.
 We
value
your
time
and
your
safety,
and
would
never
do
anything
to
compromise
your
focus.


 


Someone
who
simply
holds
an
iPad
and
periodically
says
"good
job"
is
not
an
instructor.
 They
are
probably
well-intentioned,
but
could
be
more
appropriately
categorized
as
a
workout
buddy.
 Frankly,
you
could
probably
find
a
friend
that
would
do
that
for
free,
not
$70
per
hour.
 That
might
motivate
some
people,
and
motivation
is
certainly
important,
but
the
best
motivation
is
internal
rather
than
external.
 A
drive
to
succeed
is
enhanced
by
positive
reinforcement,
correction
of
mistakes,
proper
teaching,
and
accumulation
of
knowledge.
 If
you're
serious
about
achieving
positive
physical
change
safely
and
in
minimum
time
per
week,
you
need
Total
Results.
 Call
us
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Is It Really Safe to Go to Muscular Failure?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=684</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=684</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Many
new
Total
Results
clients
initially
have
some
trepidation
about
the
intensity
of
our
workouts.
For
those
of
you
who
might
be
reading
this
blog
for
the
first
time,
I
should
define
what
is
meant
by
intensity,
at
least
in
the
framework
of
exercise.
Intensity
equals
muscular
inroad
(fatigue)
divided
by
time.
Some
new
clients
have
never
weight
trained
before,
while
others
may
not
have
done
so
in
many
years,
and
even
when
they
did
it
was
something
very
different
from
the
Total
Results
philosophy.
Still
others
may
have
only
been
exposed
to
weight
training
as
part
of
a
sport
they
played
in
high
school
or
college,
in
which
case
there
was
likely
very
little
scientific
teaching
involved.
In
any
event,
this
initial
concern
that
new
clients
sometimes
have
could
be
a
product
of
poor
advice
they
have
gotten
from
the
commercial
fitness
industry,
or
it
may
be
due
to
the
fact
that
they
have
never
worked
with
the
high
level
of
effort
and
concentration
that
is
the
hallmark
of
our
exercise
protocol.

 


Fear
is
a
powerful
motivator,
but
it
also
causes
us
to
think
irrationally.
The
fear
of
something,
whether
it's
a
fear
of
heights,
snakes,
or
airplanes,
is
often
worse
in
one's
mind
than
it
is
in
reality.
In
our
current
context,
a
new
client
might
be
fearful
of
injury,
failure,
discomfort,
or
afraid
of
the
unknown.
All
of
these
concerns
are
perfectly
normal,
especially
fear
of
the
unknown,
since
our
exercise
protocol
is
a
completely
new
concept
for
most
people
that
walk
through
our
front
door
for
the
first
time.
Please
allow
me
to
alleviate
your
concerns
right
now:
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
the
safest
methodology
that
has
ever
been
invented.
As
we
often
like
to
say,
this
workout
is
safer
than
stepping
off
of
a
curb.

 


The
most
important
component
of
our
philosophy,
certainly
on
the
cellular
level,
is
that
we
take
each
exercise
to
and
beyond
the
point
of
momentary
muscular
failure.
This
means
that
each
movement
will
last
until
you
are
not
capable
of
completing
another
repetition
in
proper
form
(somewhere
between
one
and
three
minutes
of
elapsed
time),
and
then
you
will
push
against
the
movement
arm
for
an
additional
five
to
ten
seconds
before
exiting
the
machine
and
moving
on
to
the
next
exercise.
The
word
failure
has
a
negative
connotation
in
most
other
aspects
of
life,
but
here
it
is
quite
a
positive
event.
This
"failure"
is
actually
the
stimulus
that
we
seek
to
trigger
the
body's
growth
mechanism
that
stimulates
physical
improvements.
These
improvements
will
happen
as
a
result
of
this
stimulus,
provided
you
meet
the
body's
requirements
for
sleep,
nutrition,
hydration,
and
stress
management.
You
must
also
allow
enough
time
between
workouts
and
not
overload
your
body
by
performing
too
much
additional
physical
activity
(this
can
vary
depending
on
the
individual).

 


You
might
say
to
yourself,
"That's
all
well
and
good,
but
is
it
actually
safe
to
train
that
intensely?"
The
answer
is
yes,
and
I
will
explain
why.
The
primary
cause
of
any
injury
is
excessive
force.
From
physics,
we
know
that
force
is
equal
to
mass
times
acceleration
(F=MA),
and
it
is
possible
to
cause
an
injury
even
when
lifting
a
seemingly
light
object
in
a
violent
or
ballistic
manner.
We
don't
really
know
what
the
tensile
limit
is
for
a
muscle,
tendon,
or
ligament,
but
what
we
do
know
is
that
the
risk
of
injury
rises
significantly
as
one
moves
faster.
The
first
two
repetitions
of
each
exercise
carry
the
highest
risk
of
injury,
largely
because
our
muscles
are
fresh
and
at
that
point
they
are
capable
of
producing
the
necessary
force
to
put
us
in
jeopardy.
Care
must
be
taken
to
avoid
undue
acceleration,
bouncing,
jerking,
or
adjusting
while
under
load.
Ironically,
it
is
near
the
end
of
the
exercise,
when
muscular
failure
looms
near,
that
the
exercise
is
safest.
This
is
because
the
musculature
has
been
weakened
to
the
point
where
it
cannot
produce
that
same
type
of
injurious
force
that
it
could
at
the
beginning
of
the
exercise.
While
these
repetitions
are
certainly
the
most
challenging
and
uncomfortable,
you
are
far
less
likely
to
get
injured
at
this
point.
Arthur
Jones,
the
exercise
pioneer
who
developed
Nautilus
and
MedX
exercise
machines,
had
a
phrase
that
described
this
phenomena
-
"The
harder
it
seems,
the
easier
it
is."
The
reality
is
that
one
is
far
more
likely
to
get
injured
entering
or
exiting
the
machines
in
a
haphazard
manner
(often
unilaterally
loading
the
pelvis
and
spine,
never
a
good
idea)
than
they
are
by
going
to
muscular
failure.

 


With
novice
clients,
we
do
not
push
them
to
muscular
failure
right
away.
I
explain
this
to
people
during
initial
consultations,
and
that
helps
to
ease
their
concerns.
Our
main
objective,
certainly
from
a
teaching
standpoint,
is
to
use
the
first
few
sessions
to
develop
proper
form,
speed
of
movement,
turnaround
technique,
pace,
and
proper
breathing
as
the
building
blocks
for
success.
It
is
also
critical
to
customize
exercise
machine
settings
to
optimize
joint
comfort
and
proper
positioning.
The
same
is
true
for
clients
that
return
after
an
injury
or
significant
layoff
from
exercise.
It's
important
to
ease
them
back
into
it,
not
only
to
develop
confidence
but
also
to
reacquire
skill.
In
such
cases,
the
weights
would
be
slightly
(or
significantly)
reduced,
based
on
the
duration
of
the
layoff.
Client
safety
is
priority
number
one,
and
we
make
sure
to
emphasize
that
not
just
during
an
initial
consultation,
but
on
an
ongoing
basis
as
we
build
relationships
with
our
exercise
trainees.

 


Yes,
Total
Results
exercise
sessions
are
brief,
infrequent,
and
intense.
Working
at
a
high
level
of
effort
will
result
in
some
burning
exertional
discomfort
in
your
muscles.
While
this
is
not
necessarily
pleasant
to
experience,
it
is
temporary
and
not
indicative
of
an
injury.
We
find
that
most
clients'
tolerance
for
discomfort
improves
significantly
over
time
as
they
get
physically
and
mentally
stronger.

 


The
bottom
line
is
that
achieving
muscular
failure
is
the
most
direct
route
to
stimulating
positive
muscular,
metabolic,
and
cardiovascular
change,
and
it
is
perfectly
safe
to
do
so.
Having
an
instructor
supervise
your
workout
enhances
safety
and
will
prompt
you
to
work
at
a
higher
level
of
effort
and
focus
than
you
likely
would
experience
on
your
own.
Schedule
an
initial
consultation
today!

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Root For the Underdog</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=683</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=683</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Everybody
loves
underdog
stories.
 Some
of
the
most
successful
and
enduring
films
involve
an
underdog
character:
 Rocky,
The
Bad
News
Bears,
and
Rudy
come
to
mind.
 You
can
even
consider
Jaws
to
be
an
underdog
story,
as
there
was
seemingly
no
way
that
Chief
Brody
was
going
to
survive
against
that
shark
after
the
boat
capsized.
 Many
people
in
a
variety
of
industries
have
succeeded
beyond
imagination
after
overcoming
incredible
odds
or
dealing
with
significant
hardships.


 


I
recently
heard
a
radio
commercial
for
a
heating
and
air
conditioning
company
that
resonated
with
me.
 Unfortunately
I
can't
remember
the
name
of
the
company,
but
the
owner
made
some
really
astute
points
and
the
story
that
he
told
in
that
brief
commercial
made
me
think.
 There
are
probably
hundreds
of
HVAC
companies
in
the
Washington
DC
area,
many
of
whom
have
large
advertising
budgets
and
scores
of
employees
(most
of
us
are
familiar
with
Len
the
Plumber
and
F.H.
Furr).
 In
contrast,
this
gentleman
is
the
owner
of
a
small
company
who
does
much
of
the
work
himself.
 He
spoke
about
taking
pride
in
being
on
time,
doing
the
work
right
the
first
time,
and
charging
competitive
prices.
 Every
day
he
competes
against
the
titans
of
his
industry,
and
he
says
he
takes
pride
in
considering
himself
the
underdog.
 Think
about
that
for
a
second;
he
didn't
shy
away
from
the
label,
he
embraced
it.
 


 


That
is
exactly
the
mindset
that
we
have
at
Total
Results
-
we
are
the
underdog!
 According
to
Lending
Tree,
nearly
twenty
percent
of
businesses
fail
in
the
first
year
of
existence,
so
Total
Results
founder
and
former
owner
Tim
Rankin
had
a
lot
to
overcome
when
he
started
the
company
in
his
garage.
 We
compete
for
clients
with
much
larger
companies
(Gold's
Gym,
Orange
Theory,
etc.)
that
have
bigger
overhead
costs,
more
employees,
and
spend
far
more
on
advertising.
 You
don't
see
or
hear
Total
Results
commercials;
our
best
form
of
advertising
is
word
of
mouth
referrals
from
our
amazing
clients
and
professional
partners,
as
well
as
in-person
networking.
 We
have
no
interest
in
competing
with
the
big
gyms
at
their
own
game;
frankly,
we
don't
even
see
ourselves
as
being
in
the
same
industry
as
the
big
health
clubs
because
we
have
a
vision
and
a
philosophy
that
we
refuse
to
compromise.
 Sure,
we
could
probably
make
more
money
if
we
didn't
have
such
strict
ethics,
but
there
are
a
lot
of
things
in
life
more
important
than
money.


 


The
Total
Results
exercise
methodology
has
always
been
at
odds
with
the
commercial
fitness
industry.
 Even
before
I
came
to
Total
Results
in
2006,
I
taught
this
exercise
protocol
when
I
worked
in
commercial
gyms
throughout
the
area.
 I
got
plenty
of
strange
looks
from
people,
not
only
for
how
I
dressed
(because
I
didn't
look
like
a
gym
rat),
but
for
how
I
instructed
my
clients.
 I
have
faced
obstacles
in
this
industry
from
the
beginning
of
my
career,
but
as
philosopher
and
author
Ryan
Holiday
says,
the
obstacle
is
the
way.
 Our
underdog
status
was
cemented
in
2020
when
we
nearly
had
to
close
for
good
during
the
Covid
lockdowns.
 The
deck
was
certainly
stacked
against
not
just
us,
but
many
small
businesses,
and
many
of
them
had
to
close.
 We
have
our
amazing
clients
to
thank
for
being
able
to
reopen
and
stay
open.


 


Being
an
underdog
means
you
have
to
work
hard
for
everything
you
get
and
nothing
is
handed
to
you.
 I
am
proud
to
say
that
we
have
done
just
that,
and
I
am
grateful
to
be
a
part
of
this
great
company
for
over
16
years.
 Since
we
are
a
small
business
that
is
independently
owned,
our
philosophy
can
remain
untainted
by
outside
interests,
and
we
can
stay
free
of
the
medical
and
fitness
establishment.
 We
will
just
keep
chugging
along,
working
to
get
better
every
day
and
continuing
to
give
you
the
best
exercise
experience
possible,
because
that
is
what
you
deserve.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Make Total Results Part of Your &quot;Winning Formula&quot;</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=682</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=682</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
was
fortunate
to
play
football
for
legendary
Seneca
Valley
High
School
football
coach
Terry
Changuris.
 Although
I
graduated
from
high
school
nearly
30
years
ago,
he
and
I
still
talk
frequently
and
visit
when
we
can.
 I
have
asked
him
many
questions
over
the
years
about
strategy
and
how
he
was
able
to
have
such
sustained
success,
which
included
a
158-31
record
and
7
state
championships
over
16
seasons.
 Coach
Changuris
also
knows
what
it's
like
to
inherit
a
successful
operation
(just
as
I
do),
as
he
took
over
the
program
from
the
late,
great
Al
Thomas,
who
won
5
state
championships
in
14
years.


 


Coach
Chang
(as
his
former
players
call
him)
often
talks
about
finding
the
"winning
formula",
which
came
about
through
trial
and
error.
 He
adopted
principles
that
he
learned
from
his
coaching
mentors,
but
he
also
had
his
own
ideas
and
experimented
with
them.
 Some
of
them
were
extremely
effective,
while
others
were
less
successful
and
were
scrapped.
 He
crafted
a
philosophy
that
included
sound
special
teams,
a
swarming,
disciplined
defense,
and
an
explosive
offense
featuring
a
passing
game
that
was
twenty
years
ahead
of
its
time
(we
utilized
concepts
that
you
see
many
current
NFL
teams
execute).
 The
winning
formula,
as
I
see
it,
is
as
much
about
having
the
proper
mindset
and
attention
to
detail
as
it
is
about
doing
the
right
things
every
day.
 Discipline
is
key,
and
each
day
is
an
opportunity
to
be
seized.
 It's
not
about
the
latest
trends,
and
it's
not
necessarily
glamorous
and
exciting,
but
it
works
if
you
put
in
the
time
and
effort.


 


A
winning
formula
for
your
overall
health
includes
proper
sleep,
stress
management,
nutrition,
time-restricted
eating,
and
effective
supplementation.
 Strive
for
7-9
hours
of
sleep
per
night,
avoid
sugar
and
processed
foods,
and
find
worthwhile
hobbies
or
practice
mindfulness
to
help
deal
with
the
stresses
of
life.
 This
will
allow
you
to
make
the
most
of
the
genetic
hand
of
cards
you
have
been
dealt,
and
will
go
a
long
way
toward
staving
off
chronic
disease.
 A
crucial
component
of
your
game
plan
should
be
Total
Results
exercise.
 By
now
it's
no
secret
that
strength
training
is
vital
to
help
you
maintain
functional
independence,
bone
health,
and
muscle
mass,
and
there
is
no
safer
exercise
protocol
than
ours.
 Our
methodology
requires
a
small
time
investment
(less
than
one
hour
per
week),
and
the
metabolic
return
on
that
investment
is
exponential.
 One
or
two
sessions
per
week
consisting
of
5-7
exercises
is
not
just
something
that
we
can
get
away
with,
but
is
a
biological
necessity
in
order
to
stimulate
physical
improvements
without
overtraining.


 


I
mentioned
above
about
having
the
proper
mindset
and
attention
to
detail.
 This
is
where
an
experienced
exercise
instructor
plays
a
critical
role.
 Not
only
are
we
looking
out
for
your
safety
during
each
exercise,
we
are
preparing
you
for
what
to
expect
once
the
exercise
becomes
more
demanding.
 This
helps
to
ease
the
anxiety
that
can
occur
when
one
gives
a
great
degree
of
effort.
 Every
repetition
is
scrutinized,
so
that
you
can
achieve
maximum
benefit.
 We
help
you
to
develop
the
right
frame
of
mind
so
that
you
can
achieve
your
goals
and
get
the
most
out
of
life.
The
mental
aspect
of
exercise
can
never
be
underestimated.


 


Lasting
success
is
achieved
through
a
process
that
is
sustainable
day
after
day
and
year
after
year.
 It
is
gratifying
that
we
have
so
many
special
clients
who
have
been
with
us
for
a
decade
or
more,
and
it
says
even
more
about
them
than
it
does
about
Total
Results.
 Find
a
process
that
works
for
you
and
give
yourself
your
best
chance
to
achieve
the
level
of
health
and
vitality
that
you
always
wanted.
 Come
up
with
your
own
"winning
formula"
and
get
started
with
Total
Results
exercise
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Complete Guide to Fasting&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=680</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=680</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Jason
Fung,
MD,
is
a
graduate
of
the
University
of
Toronto
medical
school
and
he
completed
a
fellowship
in
nephrology
at
UCLA.
 Dr.
Fung
runs
the
Intensive
Dietary
Management
Program
in
Toronto,
where
he
works
with
patients
suffering
from
obesity,
insulin
resistance,
and
diabetes.
 Jimmy
Moore
is
a
blogger,
author,
and
host
of
several
low-carb
podcasts
who
achieved
a
stunning
180
pound
weight
loss
due
to
a
combination
of
dietary
change,
exercise,
and
fasting.
 These
two
gentlemen
teamed
up
in
2016
to
write
"The
Complete
Guide
to
Fasting."
 I
was
recently
asked
by
a
client
if
I
had
any
book
recommendations
on
intermittent
fasting.
 I
had
read
many
articles
on
the
subject
and
learned
about
the
concept
as
part
of
several
medical
and
nutritionally-themed
books,
but
had
not
come
across
a
book
specifically
dedicated
to
fasting.
 A
quick
search
on
Amazon
brought
me
to
this
title,
so
I
went
ahead
and
purchased
the
book.


 


Fasting,
very
simply,
is
what
happens
when
we
are
not
eating.
 Much
of
what
passes
for
modern
dietary
advice
is
flat-out
wrong,
and
over
the
last
50
years
or
so
we
have
been
conditioned
to
believe
that
eating
smaller
meals
spread
out
throughout
the
day
is
the
healthy
way
to
go.
 Nothing
could
be
further
from
the
truth.
 Fasting
is
something
that
has
been
around
for
thousands
of
years,
and
it
has
its
place
in
many
cultures
and
religions
all
over
the
world.
 Dr.
Fung
gives
a
very
concise
explanation
of
what
happens
when
we
fast.
 He
says,
"Insulin
levels
drop,
signaling
the
body
to
start
burning
stored
energy.
 Glycogen
(the
glucose
that's
stored
in
the
liver)
is
the
most
easily
accessible
energy
source,
and
the
liver
stores
enough
to
provide
energy
for
twenty-four
hours
or
so.
 After
that,
the
body
starts
to
break
down
stored
fat
for
energy."
 So
the
idea
is
that
we
want
to
tap
into
our
reserves
of
body
fat
to
use
as
our
primary
energy
source,
which
can
only
happen
efficiently
when
we
are
in
a
fasted
state.
 Insulin
is
the
key
hormone;
its
purpose
is
to
help
nutrients
get
into
our
cells.
 Lower
insulin
levels
mean
you
are
maintaining
insulin
sensitivity,
which
is
a
good
thing.
 Higher
insulin
levels
can
be
dangerous
to
your
health,
and
are
often
associated
with
heart
disease,
stroke,
obstructive
sleep
apnea,
cancer,
Alzheimer's
disease,
and
many
other
diseases
of
modern
civilization.
 Chronic
high
insulin
can
also
lead
to
Type
2
diabetes.
 Fasting
forces
your
body
to
use
fat
as
its
primary
fuel
source.
 If
you
temporarily
deprive
yourself
of
food,
the
body
will
use
the
resources
it
already
has.


 


What
are
the
benefits
of
fasting?
 I
believe
there
are
some
psychological
improvements
that
can
be
achieved
through
fasting
(especially
a
feeling
of
accomplishment
after
an
extended
fast),
but
Dr.
Fung
discusses
six
key
physical
improvements
that
can
be
obtained
through
regular
fasting.


 




Stimulate
growth
hormone.
 This
is
key
for
tissue
repair,
as
well
as
building
and
maintenance
of
lean
muscle
mass.






Regulate
insulin,
other
hormones,
and
blood
sugar.
 Energy
levels
will
be
kept
relatively
stable,
thus
avoiding
peaks
and
valleys
at
various
times
throughout
the
day




Apoptosis,
or
programmed
cell
death.
 This
is
a
normal
part
of
an
organism's
growth
and
development,
and
can
help
you
avoid
certain
types
of
cancers.
 




Autophagy.
 Similar
in
nature
to
apoptosis,
but
this
is
a
regular
form
of
cellular
cleansing
that
can
only
occur
when
you
are
in
a
fasted
state.




Increased
alertness.
 Think
about
what
happens
after
a
large
meal
(certainly
topical,
with
Thanksgiving
just
around
the
corner).
 We've
all
heard
the
term
"food
coma",
but
you're
usually
groggy,
and
it's
not
only
because
of
the
tryptophan.
 Being
in
a
fasted
state
means
that
blood
is
not
concentrated
in
your
gut,
helping
you
to
digest
a
large
meal.
 You
feel
more
awake,
and
your
thinking
is
more
clear
when
you
fast.




Lowers
cholesterol.
 Cholesterol,
in
and
of
itself
is
not
a
bad
thing,
since
every
cell
membrane
in
your
body
contains
this
substance.
 According
to
Dr.
Fung,
"...Since
excess
carbohydrates
are
converted
to
triglycerides,
the
absence
of
carbohydrates
means
fewer
triglycerides.
 Remember
that
triglycerides
are
released
from
the
liver
as
VLDL
(very
low
density
lipoprotein),
which
is
the
precursor
of
LDL
(low
density
lipoprotein).
 Therefore,
reduced
VLDL
eventually
results
in
lowered
LDL."




 


One
particularly
interesting
chapter
of
the
book
deals
with
some
of
the
myths
about
fasting.
 Here,
Dr.
Fung
does
a
wonderful
job
of
exploding
these
myths,
and
hopefully
this
educates
people
who
have
been
misinformed.
 One
commonly
expressed
reservation
that
people
have
about
fasting
is
that
they
think
it
will
cause
them
to
burn
muscle.
 As
the
author
explains,
"Muscle,
on
the
other
hand,
is
preserved
until
body
fat
becomes
so
low
that
the
body
has
no
choice
but
to
turn
to
muscle.
 This
will
only
happen
when
body
fat
is
at
less
than
4
percent.
(For
comparison,
elite
male
marathon
runners
carry
approximately
8
percent
body
fat
and
female
marathoners
slightly
more.)"
Most
of
us
carry
around
more
body
fat
than
that,
so
the
risk
of
losing
muscle
is
practically
nonexistent.
 Another
myth
that
has
become
accepted
as
fact
is
that
fasting
causes
low
blood
sugar.
 Not
true.
 According
to
Dr.
Fung,
"If
you
fast
for
longer
than
twenty-four
to
thirty-six
hours,
glycogen
stores
become
depleted.
 The
liver
now
can
manufacture
new
glucose
in
a
process
called
gluconeogenesis,
using
the
glycerol
that's
a
by-product
of
the
breakdown
of
fat.
 This
means
that
we
do
not
need
to
eat
glucose
for
our
blood
glucose
levels
to
remain
normal."
 The
popular
version
of
what
we
have
been
told
about
fasting,
from
both
the
mainstream
media
and
establishment
medicine
is
wildly
inaccurate.


 


How
should
you
go
about
fasting?
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Simple Solutions to Chronic Health Problems</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=679</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=679</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

According
to
Wikipedia,

Occam's
Razor
is,
"the
idea
that,
in
trying
to
understand
something,
getting
unnecessary
information
out
of
the
way
is
the
fastest
way
to
the
truth
or
to
the
best
explanation."


Please
keep
this
in
mind
as
you
read
on.


 


A
friend
recently
recommended
that
I
check
out
a
blogger/writer
that
calls
himself
Raw
Egg
Nationalist.
 The
name
itself
was
enough
to
make
me
curious,
so
I
looked
into
it.
 What
I
found
refreshing
was
that
he
believes
in
very
straightforward
solutions
to
simple,
but
chronic
health
problems,
and
I
believe
that
he
sees
the
world
through
a
very
rational
lens.
 I
watched
a
podcast
interview
that
Raw
Egg
Nationalist
did
with
Lauren
Southern
where
he
explained
his
viewpoints
and
gave
simple
advice
on
how
to
improve
one's
health.


 


This
gentleman
encourages
people
to
educate
themselves
about
their
health
as
well
as
the
world
they
live
in.
 If
you
are
constantly
looking
down
at
your
phone,
or
you
routinely
have
earbuds
in
your
ears
you
are
missing
out
on
what's
going
on
around
you.
 Knowledge
truly
is
power,
and
striving
to
learn
more
will
also
keep
your
mind
sharp
even
as
the
years
advance.
 This
will
also
bring
about
a
sense
of
empowerment
and
a
feeling
of
taking
charge.
 REN
(as
his
name
is
often
abbreviated)
correctly
points
out
the
failures
of
big
agriculture
to
make
us
healthier
over
the
past
60
years,
which
is
illustrated
in
the
skyrocketing
rates
of
diabetes,
heart
disease,
cancer,
and
autoimmune
disorders
during
that
time
frame.
 The
quality
of
our
food
has
steadily
gone
downhill
compared
to
previous
generations.
 In
order
to
combat
this,
REN
recommends
that
you
be
in
control
of
what
you
put
into
your
body;
stick
with
single-ingredient
whole
foods
that
give
you
the
greatest
nutritional
value,
and
don't
fall
for
clever
advertising.
 He
also
believes
(and
I
concur)
that
big
food
companies
don't
really
care
about
your
best
interests;
they
simply
want
to
make
as
much
money
as
possible.
 The
same
goes
for
the
big
pharmaceutical
companies;
they
see
you
as
a
milk
cow
and
a
customer
for
life.
 Since
the
CDC
and
FDA
are
essentially
shills
for
the
drug
industry,
don't
expect
their
help
either.
 You
have
to
put
in
your
own
work
and
do
your
own
research
in
order
to
optimize
your
health.


 


Chronic
health
problems
are
largely
the
result
of
poor
lifestyle
decisions,
but
environmental
factors
also
play
a
role.
 If
you
live
in
an
industrial
area
with
heavy
pollution,
this
can
have
a
negative
impact
on
the
air
quality
as
well
as
the
water
supply
(think
Flint,
Michigan),
which
in
turn
isn't
particularly
good
for
your
health.
 Respiratory
infections,
heart
disease,
and
lung
cancer
can
result,
and
are
much
likely
to
occur
in
people
who
are
already
chronically
ill.
 It
may
not
be
easy
for
everyone
to
just
pick
up
and
move
to
an
area
with
less
pollution,
but
sometimes
"voting
with
your
feet"
is
the
answer.
 
In
the
book
"Diagnosis:
Mercury",
Dr.
Jane
Hightower
chronicles
her
work
with
patients
in
the
Bay
Area
of
California
that
had
elevated
mercury
levels
in
their
blood.
 This
caused
many
patients
to
suffer
from
memory
loss,
mood
swings,
skin
rashes,
and
muscle
weakness.
 Dr.
Hightower
cautions
us
to
avoid
or
severely
restrict
consumption
of
large
predatory
fish
such
as
tuna,
swordfish,
and
shark,
as
these
contain
the
highest
levels
of
mercury.
 This
neatly
ties
in
with
what
I
mentioned
above
about
the
CDC
and
FDA
being
essentially
worthless.
 Throughout
the
book
the
author
discusses
how
these
two
organizations
can't
even
agree
upon
what
a
safe
level
of
mercury
is
for
humans.
 It's
a
good
idea
to
look
into
where
your
food
comes
from.
 When
it
comes
to
fish,
sometimes
responsibly
farm-raised
is
better
than
wild-caught.


 


Many
health
problems
can
be
reversed
or
greatly
improved
by
taking
simple,
proactive
measures,
but
it
has
to
start
from
inside
you.
 Perhaps
you
find
yourself
constantly
in
a
fog
and
tired
much
of
the
time.
 Start
by
regulating
your
bed
and
wake
time.
 The
term
"body
clock"
is
very
accurate,
and
our
release
of
hormones
(which
have
an
impact
on
our
sleep)
still
coincide
with
the
rise
and
setting
of
the
sun.
 You
may
also
want
to
take
a
look
at
what
you're
putting
into
your
body,
namely
the
foods
you
eat.
 A
typical
western
diet
contains
too
many
processed
foods,
carbohydrates,
and
sugars,
and
will
lead
to
wild
spikes
in
insulin
and
energy
levels,
as
well
as
systemic
inflammation.
 Take
REN's
advice
(and
ours)
by
consuming
single-ingredient
whole
foods
with
plenty
of
protein
and
essential
fats.
 If
you
are
mineral-deficient,
start
supplementing.
 Get
outside
and
expose
yourself
to
the
sun,
so
that
you
can
elevate
your
Vitamin
D
levels
(also
supplement).
 If
you
feel
weak
or
are
constantly
injured,
you
need
Total
Results
exercise.
 Prepare
your
body
for
the
rigors
of
life
and
make
everyday
tasks
easier
by
making
yourself
as
strong
as
possible.
 If
you
want
to
lose
fat,
start
incorporating
intermittent
fasting
into
your
lifestyle.
 Fasting
requires
discipline,
but
start
out
slow
and
work
your
way
into
it
(more
on
this
in
a
future
article),
but
the
best
thing
about
it
is
that
it
costs
no
money.
Finally,
realize
that
all
prescription
(and
over
the
counter)
medications
have
side
effects,
many
of
them
quite
severe
or
even
deadly.
 I
recommend
getting
off
medications
as
soon
as
possible.
 Have
a
frank
discussion
with
your
doctor
before
doing
so,
but
don't
back
down.
 You
are
in
charge,
not
your
doctor;
he
or
she
works
for
you.


 


Chronic
diseases
aren't
the
mysteries
they
once
were.
 We
know
exactly
what
causes
many
of
them,
especially
heart
disease
and
diabetes.
 Genetics
play
a
role,
but
just
because
you
have
a
family
history
of
a
disease
doesn't
guarantee
it
will
happen
to
you.
 Life
is
often
not
as
complicated
as
it
seems,
but
education
is
the
real
key.
 You
have
the
power
to
take
charge
of
your
health,
but
your
body
is
your
responsibility
alone.
 It
all
starts
with
desire
and
a
plan
of
action.
Above
all
else,
keep
it
simple!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scapular Depression - A Critical Muscular Function</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=678</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=678</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
human
body
is
far
more
than
just
a
collection
of
different
parts.
 While
there
are
206
bones,
over
600
muscles,
and
an
estimated
37.2
trillion
cells
in
each
of
us,
each
one
plays
a
specific
role
in
helping
us
to
function
optimally.
 Much
like
an
automobile,
if
one
of
those
parts
is
damaged
or
compromised,
we
don't
perform
like
we
should.
 However,
depending
on
the
nature
of
the
damage,
an
organ,
muscle,
or
limb
can
help
to
pick
up
the
slack
until
homeostasis
is
restored.
 I
see
the
body
as
a
wonderfully
adaptive
piece
of
machinery,
and
often
marvel
at
how
smaller
muscles
can
support
larger
muscles
to
enable
movement
(think
of
how
the
tiny
rotator
cuff
muscles
help
the
much
larger
deltoid
to
perform
movement
about
the
shoulder
joint).
 Regular
exercise
helps
us
to
become
more
in
tune
with
our
bodies
and
to
better
understand
muscle
function
and
how
everything
works
together.


 


Scapular
depression
is
the
act
of
driving
your
shoulder
blades
downward.
 This
is
an
important
muscular
function
that
has
an
impact
not
only
on
your
exercise
performance,
but
also
on
your
general
posture,
and
failure
to
properly
perform
this
function
can
result
in
neck,
shoulder,
and
back
pain
down
the
road.
 To
get
a
better
understanding,
we
can
piggy-back
on
the
anatomical
discussion
from
the
"Shoulder
Pain"
book
review
that
I
did
a
few
weeks
ago.
 The
scapulae
are
your
shoulder
blades,
and
they
are
wing-shaped
structures
that
you
can
feel
if
you
press
slightly
into
your
upper
back.
 They
are
the
central
figure
in
your
shoulder
joint,
and
they
connect
to
your
clavicle
(collar
bone)
as
well
as
your
humerus
(upper
arm).
 The
function
of
scapular
depression
is
performed
by
several
different
muscle
groups:
latissimus
dorsi
(large
back
muscle),
pectoralis
minor
and
major
(chest),
serratus
anterior
(just
below
your
chest),
and
trapezius
(kite-shaped
muscle
that
goes
across
your
upper
back
and
tapers
down).
 The
scapular
elevation
(shrugging
of
the
shoulders)
that
often
occurs
due
to
stress,
incorrect
seat/computer
height,
and
bad
posture
can
lead
to
neck
tension/pain,
shoulder
pain,
and
headaches.
 It
is
also
the
most
common
form
discrepancy
that
we
see
in
compound
upper
body
exercises.


 


Most
of
the
exercises
that
we
perform
in
a
Total
Results
workout
are
compound
movements,
meaning
that
we
incorporate
multiple
joints
and
muscle
groups
in
each
exercise.
 This
enables
us
to
cover
more
ground
and
systemically
fatigue
the
body
in
a
shorter
period
of
time,
which
leads
to
a
more
effective
exercise
stimulus.
 Three
of
the
compound
upper
body
exercises
that
we
do
at
Total
Results
really
incorporate
scapular
depression:
 Chest
Press,
Row,
and
Pulldown.
 On
the
Chest
Press,
scapular
depression
maximizes
involvement
of
the
pectoralis
major
and
minor,
which
are
the
primary
movers
of
the
exercise.
 Failure
to
perform
this
function
results
in
greater
involvement
of
the
triceps
muscles,
which
can
cause
early
fatigue.
 Every
compound
movement
has
a
weak
link,
which
is
typically
the
smallest
muscle
group
in
the
chain.
 If
you
place
a
greater
demand
on
the
smaller
and
weaker
muscles
(the
triceps,
in
this
case)
you
do
so
at
the
expense
of
the
larger
muscles
(the
chest
muscles).
 Proper
performance
of
scapular
depression
ensures
that
you
effectively
inroad
the
muscles
with
the
greatest
overall
metabolic
impact.



 


On
the
Pulldown
and
Row
exercises,
the
primary
movers
are
the
latissimus
dorsi
muscles,
in
addition
to
the
medial
and
lower
trapezius
as
well
as
the
rhomboids.
 Since
both
exercises
involve
elbow
flexion,
that
means
that
the
biceps
muscles
will
play
a
secondary
role.
 Scapular
elevation
on
these
two
exercises
leads
to
a
similar
outcome
as
it
does
on
the
Chest
Press,
only
we're
talking
about
the
biceps
instead
of
the
triceps.
 Here,
your
biceps
will
fatigue
more
quickly
at
the
expense
of
the
larger
back
muscles.
 The
larger
muscles
are
more
powerful,
and
efficiently
inroading
them
leads
to
a
better
exercise
stimulus.
 


 


There
is
a
teaching
point
that
I
often
use
with
novice
clients
to
illustrate
how
to
properly
depress
the
scapulae
during
these
exercises.
 I
have
the
client
face
me
with
their
elbows
bent
at
90
degrees.
 They
will
then
shrug
their
shoulders
toward
their
ears
as
if
they're
saying,
"I
don't
know."
 At
that
point,
I
will
place
my
hands
under
their
elbows
with
my
palms
up,
and
instruct
them
to
press
their
elbows
down
into
my
palms.
 Driving
their
shoulders
downward
in
this
fashion
helps
them
to
engage
and
really
feel
the
muscles
responsible
for
scapular
depression,
and
they
are
now
able
to
make
the
connection
and
understand
the
importance
that
this
plays
in
the
preceding
exercises.
 I
ask
them
to
go
home
and
practice
this
exercise
in
the
mirror
in
order
to
reinforce
what
they
have
learned,
and
I
have
found
that
it
works
rather
well.
 


 


Having
a
basic
understanding
of
anatomy
pays
dividends,
and
allows
clients
to
become
more
in
tune
with
their
bodies
as
they
start
to
work
with
a
greater
degree
of
intensity.
 Knowing
which
muscles
are
primary
and
secondary
movers,
and
recognizing
how
to
achieve
significant
activation
of
these
structures
makes
all
the
difference
in
the
world
as
far
as
your
workout
is
concerned.
 Learning
is
a
continuous
process,
and
your
Total
Results
instructor
is
here
to
guide
you
every
step
of
the
way.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Distractions Are the Enemy</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=677</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=677</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Our
current
culture
places
an
emphasis
on
multitasking,
accessibility,
and
near-constant
stimulation.
 In
spite
of
rising
inflation
and
an
uncertain
economy,
we
live
in
a
period
of
relative
abundance
compared
to
a
few
generations
ago.
 Pretty
much
anything
you
need
(or
really
don't
need)
is
available
with
just
the
click
of
a
button
on
a
smartphone
or
other
electronic
device.
 Text
messages,
video
conferencing,
email,
and
the
ability
to
work
from
home
mean
that
we
are
available
24
hours
a
day.
 If
we
allow
it,
the
temptations
and
constant
accessibility
can
get
in
the
way
of
accomplishing
meaningful
tasks.
 The
repeated
ping
of
our
phone
makes
finishing
that
school
assignment,
business
proposal,
or
blog
article
much
more
difficult
and
time
consuming,
since
our
attention
and
focus
are
going
in
several
different
directions.
 Simply
put,
distractions
are
the
enemy
of
a
meaningful
experience!


 


I
have
talked
at
length
in
previous
articles
about
the
commercial
gym
as
a
pernicious
environment
with
lots
of
nonsensical
behavior
being
passed
off
as
exercise.
 It
can
be
great
for
entertainment
value
but
harmful
to
anyone
looking
to
participate
in
a
quality
metabolic
experience.
 There
is
a
stark
contrast
between
the
commercial
gym
environment
and
the
setting
at
Total
Results.
 Commercial
gyms
are
a
zoo;
Total
Results
is
the
ideal
exercise
environment.
 Our
studio
is
quiet,
private,
and
clinically
controlled,
while
gyms
are
chaotic.
 Only
one
client
is
in
our
exercise
room
at
a
time,
so
you
don't
have
to
worry
about
crowds
or
having
to
wait
for
a
certain
machine.
There
are
no
mirrors,
music,
or
bright
lights
to
distract
your
attention;
our
clinical
surroundings
enable
you
to
achieve
a
Zen-like
focus
on
what
is
important
-
your
workout.
 What
truly
matters
is
for
us
to
help
you
to
achieve
a
safe
and
effective
exercise
stimulus
so
that
you
can
achieve
the
best
results
in
the
least
amount
of
time.
 


 


That
being
said,
even
in
spite
of
our
best
efforts
at
eliminating
external
sources
of
impediment,
distractions
can
arise
from
within
you.
 Things
happen
in
life,
and
we
understand
that
curveballs
can
be
thrown
your
way
from
time
to
time,
but
there
are
a
few
proactive
ways
that
you
can
work
to
keep
potential
sources
of
distraction
at
bay.


 



Silence
your
phone.
 Nothing
can
break
your
concentration
like
a
ringing
phone
during
a
workout.
 It
is
distracting
for
both
the
client
and
for
the
instructor.
 Once
that
focus
is
taken
away,
it
is
difficult
to
regain.
 Not
only
does
it
impede
the
effectiveness
of
the
workout,
it
is
also
a
safety
consideration.
 Please
put
your
phone
on
mute
before
entering
the
workout
area.


 



Don't
confuse
the
assumed
objective
with
the
real
objective.
 This
is
a
common
mistake
made
by
novice
clients,
who
erroneously
believe
that
the
goal
of
exercise
is
to
complete
as
many
repetitions
as
possible
with
the
heaviest
weight
one
can
handle.
 It
is
an
incorrect
mindset
 and
can
cause
you
to
take
liberties
with
form,
which
is
never
a
good
idea.
 The
main
objective
of
proper
exercise
is
thorough
inroad,
not
achieving
a
certain
time
under
load
(TUL).
 Concentrate
on
form
and
effort,
which
will
lead
to
the
ideal
outcome.



Minimize
talking.
 I
realize
that
this
may
sound
rude
or
harsh,
but
exercise
is
not
a
social
event.
 You
cannot
concentrate
on
your
workout
if
you
are
talking,
and
talking
increases
the
risk
for
injury.
 In
addition,
this
will
decrease
the
effectiveness
of
your
workout
due
to
a
lack
of
focus
on
what's
important.
 When
I
was
a
kid,
I
tried
to
convince
my
mother
that
I
could
do
my
homework
properly
while
the
TV
was
on.
 She
was
right,
I
couldn't.
 I
am
always
happy
to
chat
with
clients
before
and/or
after
a
workout,
but
during
a
workout
the
talking
should
pertain
strictly
to
exercise
and
be
largely
one-sided.


 



Don't
worry
about
the
weight
stack.
 Clients
often
get
too
wrapped
up
in
how
much
weight
they
are
lifting,
which
is
common
on
the
Leg
Press
because
it's
the
heaviest
weight
most
people
will
use.
 This
can
cause
a
mental
block,
but
on
certain
exercises
like
the
Lumbar
Extension
and
Leg
Curl
(where
the
weight
stack
is
located
on
the
side
of
the
machine)
looking
at
the
stack
violates
neutral
head
position.
 Don't
focus
on
what
you're
lifting,
but
rather
how
you're
lifting
it.
 I
will
typically
wait
until
after
the
workout
is
finished
to
tell
a
client
if
I
have
raised
their
weight
on
a
particular
movement.


 



Use
just
enough
instruction.
 This
is
more
directed
toward
the
instructor
that
is
supervising
the
workout,
but
it
has
bearing
on
the
client.
 Giving
cues
or
commands
too
frequently
during
an
exercise
can
be
a
distraction
too.
 I
have
been
guilty
of
this
in
the
past;
in
fact,
when
I
was
preparing
for
my
practical
examination
many
years
ago,
my
master
instructor
had
to
tell
me
several
times
to
"stop
babbling."
 I
regularly
remind
myself
to
be
economical
with
my
instructions.
 These
teaching
points
need
to
be
timely
and
used
sparingly;
in
an
ideal
scenario
I
would
say
very
little,
or
only
what
is
necessary
to
guide
the
client
through
the
exercise
process.
 The
client's
goal
should
be
to
get
me
to
shut
up,
because
the
less
I
talk
the
better
the
client's
performance.


 


What
separates
Total
Results
from
other
facilities
is
our
respect
for
your
privacy,
and
also
a
thorough
understanding
of
the
need
for
total
concentration
and
focus
on
the
task
at
hand.
 The
instructor
and
the
client
must
work
together
to
achieve
this,
and
both
parties
play
a
critical
role
in
the
process.
 Walk
in
for
your
session
with
the
mindset
that
you
are
prepared
to
give
100
percent
effort
and
attention
to
your
workout,
and
that
nothing
else
matters
for
the
next
20
minutes
of
your
day.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Shoulder Pain? The Solution and Prevention&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=676</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=676</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

John
M.
Kirsch,
M.D.,
has
practiced
medicine
for
over
40
years
and
is
a
board-certified
orthopedic
surgeon.
He
served
as
a
flight
surgeon
in
Vietnam,
and
also
worked
with
the
Louisville
Hand
Institute.
After
a
few
years
of
using
conventional
surgical
and
rehabilitative
techniques
to
correct
shoulder
injuries,
Dr.
Kirsch
(accidentally)
found
a
very
simple
solution
that
helps
restore
joint
function,
reduces
and
often
eliminates
pain,
and
restores
quality
of
life.
He
has
used
this
technique
for
nearly
40
years
on
himself
and
his
patients
to
often
avoid
the
need
for
risky
surgery.
The
third
edition
of
this
book
was
written
by
Dr.
Kirsch
in
2012;
I
believe
it
was
updated
in
2019,
but
this
was
the
only
copy
of
the
book
that
I
was
able
to
locate.
What
you'll
find
is
a
book
full
of
useful
information
that
is
easy
to
grasp,
along
with
anatomical
pictures
and
illustrations
that
help
us
to
better
understand
a
very
complicated
joint.

 


We
learn
that
the
shoulder
joint
is
primarily
a
ball
and
socket
joint,
or
what
is
more
specifically
known
as
the
glenohumeral
joint.
This
is
where
the
head
of
the
humerus
(upper
arm)
connects
to
the
glenoid
fossa
(indentation)
of
the
scapula
(shoulder
blade).
However,
the
shoulder
also
includes
acromioclavicular
(AC)
joint,
which
is
where
the
scapula
and
clavicle
(collar
bone)
meet.
When
football
quarterbacks
get
diagnosed
with
a
separated
shoulder
as
a
result
of
a
hit,
this
is
usually
where
it
occurs.
The
acromion
process,
a
part
of
the
scapula,
is
a
component
of
what
is
called
the
coracoacromial
arch
(CA
arch),
which
rises
over
the
shoulder
joint
and
sits
just
above
the
rotator
cuff
muscles
and
the
coracoacromial
ligament
(CAL).
The
artists'
renditions
and
computed
tomography
(CT)
scans
show
this
beautifully.
Due
to
the
effects
of
time
and
gravity,
the
space
below
the
CA
arch
can
narrow,
causing
impingement,
pain,
and
fraying
of
the
rotator
cuff
muscles
and
tendon,
as
well
as
the
condition
known
as
frozen
shoulder.

 


Dr.
Kirsch
recommends
hanging
suspended
from
a
straight
bar
with
your
palms
facing
forward.
This
helps
to
reverse
the
effects
of
aging
and
gravity
by
opening
up
the
space
below
the
CA
arch,
and
now
that
we
know
more
about
shoulder
anatomy
this
makes
perfect
sense.
The
author
notes
that
when
we
were
children
we
did
things
like
climb
trees,
swing,
and
hang
with
our
arms
overhead,
but
that
we
do
less
of
that
as
we
get
older.
Regularly
hanging
suspended
from
a
high
bar
can
help
to
relieve
many
shoulder
issues,
even
if
you
have
a
rotator
cuff
tear.
As
the
author
explains,
"95
percent
of
rotator
cuff
tears
are
caused
by
the
subacromial
impingement
syndrome
(SIS).
This
condition
is
caused
by
tightness
or
contracture
of
the
arch
of
ligament
and
bone
that
covers
the
upper
arm
and
rotator
cuff
tendons
that
lift
the
arm.
The
tightness
or
contracture
of
the
CA
arch
causes
painful
and
destructive
'pinching'
of
the
rotator
cuff.
The
cause
of
the
contracture
of
the
CA
arch
is
unknown,
but
most
likely
related
to
disuse
and
gravity."
CT
scans
and
illustrations
in
the
book
show
the
difference
in
the
CA
arch
when
at
anatomically
neutral
and
hanging
positions.

 


How
can
we
implement
this
hanging
exercise
into
our
routine?
Any
secure
straight
bar
will
work,
even
the
portable
ones
that
you
can
hang
in
a
doorway.
The
Nautilus
Multi-Exercise
machine
that
we
have
at
Total
Results
works
perfectly,
but
there
are
several
less
cumbersome
options
you
can
use
at
home.
Dr.
Kirsch
recommends
starting
off
by
hanging
for
about
30
seconds
a
few
times
a
day,
depending
on
the
severity
of
your
shoulder
infirmity.
I
must
warn
you
that
you
will
experience
shoulder
discomfort
as
you
perform
the
exercise,
but
that
is
not
indicative
of
further
injury.
As
improvement
occurs,
you
can
decrease
frequency.
It's
a
good
idea
to
start
out
with
part
of
your
body
weight
supported,
and
then
gradually
work
up
to
where
you
are
hanging
completely
suspended.
Getting
safely
loaded
into
and
unloaded
out
of
the
exercise
is
absolutely
critical.
Never
jump
to
reach
the
bar
or
load
yourself
abruptly
-
this
will
significantly
increase
the
risk
of
injury.
Depending
upon
the
height
of
the
bar,
use
a
step
stool
or
ladder
to
load
and
unload.
Try
to
avoid
excessive
swinging,
although
a
little
rocking
should
pose
no
problem.
If
you
have
trouble
maintaining
your
grip,
I
would
advise
investing
in
a
set
of
lifting
hooks.
Finally,
maintain
proper
neutral
position
of
the
head
and
neck
during
the
exercise.

 


This
book
is
written
for
the
layman,
not
the
professional,
and
Dr.
Kirsch
does
a
good
job
of
keeping
things
simple
and
not
getting
overly
technical.
If
you're
not
interested
in
the
anatomical
descriptions,
you
can
simply
skip
ahead
to
how
to
perform
the
hanging
technique.
I
am
typically
against
stretching
as
a
means
to
prevent
injury,
and
I
maintain
that
belief
in
most
instances
due
to
concerns
over
joint
laxity,
but
as
we
see
in
the
book
many
shoulder
problems
are
a
result
of
excessive
tightness,
so
I
believe
the
reasoning
here
is
sound.
Contraindications
for
performing
this
technique
are
if
you
have
unstable
or
frequently
dislocating
shoulders,
or
are
suffering
from
osteoporosis.
Another
thing
I
like
about
this
book
is
that
Dr.
Kirsch
goes
to
great
lengths
to
avoid
having
to
perform
surgery,
and
that
he
is
honest
about
its
efficacy.
That
means
a
lot,
considering
he
is
a
surgeon
by
trade.
Where
the
author
and
I
part
company
has
to
do
with
the
strength
exercises
he
has
chosen.
I
am
not
a
proponent
of
using
dumbbells
in
most
cases,
since
it
is
much
more
difficult
to
control
independent
movement
arms
and
impossible
to
increase
weight
in
small
increments.
Dr.
Kirsch
does
not
understand
the
exercise
principle
of
inroad,
instead
recommending
an
arbitrary
amount
of
repetitions.
Furthermore,
there
is
nothing
discussed
about
speed
of
movement
or
the
dangers
of
excessive
force.
This
is
the
primary
cause
of
injury
during
exercise,
and
it
is
ignored
by
the
author.
Aside
from
that,
I
agree
with
the
basic
premise
of
the
book.

 


Whether
your
shoulder
problems
are
recent
and
due
to
a
singular
event,
or
are
chronic
and
a
result
of
overuse,
I
believe
that
this
hanging
technique
can
make
significant
improvements
in
shoulder
function,
pain,
and
quality
of
life.
This
is
a
passive
exercise
that
requires
very
little
effort
or
time
on
your
part,
and
can
pay
significant
dividends
in
short
order.
It
is
certainly
a
more
desirable
alternative
to
surgery
and
lengthy
rehabilitation.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Value of Regularly Testing Yourself</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=675</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=675</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

We
live
in
a
world
of
relative
abundance
compared
to
our
ancestors
of
just
a
couple
of
generations
ago.
 Even
though
we
face
some
uncertainty
in
regard
to
inflation,
our
energy
resources,
and
supply
chain,
in
contrast
to
what
Thomas
Hobbes
said
in

Leviathan,
life
is
no
longer
necessarily
"solitary,
poor,
nasty,
brutish,
and
short."
 Our
life
expectancy,
in
spite
of
skyrocketing
rates
of
chronic
disease,
is
also
higher
than
a
couple
of
generations
ago,
although
it
has
dipped
slightly
since
Covid.
 People
are
living
longer
and
have
more
leisure
time
than
ever
before.
 Life
is
not
nearly
as
difficult
for
us
as
it
was
for
those
of
the
G.I.
generation.
 Modern
conveniences
are
great;
believe
me,
I
wouldn't
want
to
live
in
a
world
without
air
conditioning
and
indoor
plumbing.
 However,
this
easier
life
has
dulled
us
and
made
us
less
resilient.
 Now
all
that
we
have
to
do
is
press
a
button
on
our
phone
and
whatever
we
want
(especially
food)
shows
up
on
our
doorstep
in
mere
moments.
 This
can
do
a
number
on
us
psychologically,
much
like
what
happens
to
lottery
winners
with
sudden
unearned
wealth.


 


How
can
we
maintain
proper
perspective,
enjoy
the
good
things
in
life,
and
still
maintain
mental
toughness?
 Test
yourself.
 Many
of
us
don't
challenge
ourselves
on
a
regular
basis;
we're
just
trying
to
get
through
life
the
best
we
can.
 I
suspect
that
a
good
number
of
Americans
are
content
with
their
current
capabilities
and
don't
regularly
do
difficult
things
to
find
out
exactly
what
they're
made
of.
 I
believe
this
is
a
huge
mistake.
 Each
one
of
us
is
capable
of
accomplishing
great
things
if
we
have
the
right
attitude
and
mindset.
 Performing
tasks
that
are
demanding
will
help
you
to
stay
mentally
and
physically
tough,
and
will
also
create
a
huge
sense
of
accomplishment
when
they
are
completed.
 Nobody
wants
to
find
themselves
in
dangerous
or
truly
adverse
circumstances,
but
if
you
do
hard
things
when
the
stakes
are
low,
you
will
build
up
the
ability
to
deal
with
difficulty
if
that
time
eventually
comes.


 


What
are
some
ways
that
you
can
test
yourself?


 


Practice
intermittent
fasting.
 Many
of
us
think
we'll
starve
if
we
don't
eat
every
few
hours.
 This
is
utter
nonsense.
 Older
generations
ate
very
sporadically,
due
to
a
multitude
of
factors,
and
managed
to
not
only
survive,
but
thrive.
 Try
a
24
hour
fast
just
for
the
challenge.
 I
guarantee
you
will
learn
something
about
yourself
and
you'll
come
out
better
on
the
other
side.
Stay
metaphorically
hungry.


 


Read
a
challenging
book.
 Step
out
of
your
comfort
zone
a
little
bit.
 Sometimes
a
book's
genre
or
subject
might
not
initially
be
attractive
to
you,
but
as
you
read
further
you
end
up
being
pleasantly
surprised.
 Other
times,
it
was
just
as
bad
as
you
initially
thought,
but
there
is
value
in
sticking
it
out
until
the
very
end.
 Either
way,
it
might
just
open
up
your
mind
to
something
new.


 


Exercise.
 Pursuing
a
meaningful
metabolic
experience
is
not
designed
to
be
fun.
 It
is
hard
work
that
involves
discomfort
and
occasional
mental
anguish.
 How
you
mentally
approach
a
Total
Results
workout
makes
all
the
difference
in
the
world.
 If
you
go
into
it
with
fear
and
anxiety,
it
will
be
a
big
hurdle
to
overcome.
 If
you
embrace
the
challenge,
realize
that
the
workout
will
be
brief,
and
give
your
best
effort,
it
will
be
incredibly
rewarding.
 I
have
not
experienced
too
many
greater
feelings
of
accomplishment
than
the
one
that
occurs
after
an
outstanding
workout.
 Doing
this
every
week
maintains
good
habits
and
keeps
you
mentally
tough.


 


Take
a
cold
shower.
 I
learned
this
from
reading
former
Navy
SEAL
Dan
Crenshaw's
book

Fortitude.
 It
sounds
like
a
crazy
idea,
but
if
you
have
ever
taken
a
cold
shower
in
the
middle
of
January,
you
know
it's
typically
an
unpleasant
experience.
 When
you
get
up
early
in
the
morning
and
you're
still
shaking
off
the
cobwebs
of
sleep,
the
cold
water
hits
you
like
a
ton
of
bricks.
 After
the
first
few
minutes,
it
gets
easier.
 The
way
I
look
at
it,
you're
starting
the
day
off
by
overcoming
some
adversity.
 You
can
then
face
the
rest
of
your
day
with
confidence.


 


Sharpen
your
focus
on
an
important
task.
 Focus
seems
to
be
in
short
supply
these
days,
with
the
multitude
of
electronic
screens
we
stare
into
and
the
general
approval
of
the
concept
of
multitasking.
 It's
much
harder
to
focus
on
one
thing
and
do
it
well
rather
than
have
pots
going
on
multiple
burners
at
the
same
time.
 Anything
worth
doing
is
worth
doing
right.
 Concentrate
on
completing
one
task
to
the
best
of
your
ability
and
don't
worry
about
anything
else
until
that
is
done.
 Lock
your
phone
in
a
separate
drawer
or
room
until
you
have
finished
what
you
started.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Six Factors of Functional Ability</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=674</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=674</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
of
the
logical
goals
of
pursuing
a
comprehensive
exercise
program
should
be
to
be
able
to
perform
daily
activities
(and
other
physical
tasks)
safely
and
with
greater
ease
of
effort.
 Dr.
Doug
McGuff
has
talked
about
something
called
maximum
physiological
headroom,
which
is
essentially
the
difference
between
the
most
that
one
is
capable
of
doing
and
the
least
one
is
capable
of
doing.
 When
the
most
and
the
least
are
equal,
death
is
the
result.
 There
are
six
factors
of
functional
ability
that
determine
how
well
we
perform
physical
tasks
of
varying
degrees
of
intensity.
 Two
of
these
factors
are
genetically
predetermined,
four
are
within
your
power
to
improve,
and
one
is
specific
to
the
nature
of
the
activity
you
are
pursuing.
 Ken
Hutchins
discusses
these
six
factors
in
"The
Renaissance
of
Exercise",
a
2011
updated
version
of
the
original
Super
Slow
Technical
Manual,
and
I
have
found
that
most
exercise
enthusiasts
and
"trainers"
are
either
grossly
unaware
of
these
factors,
or
lack
the
ability
to
articulate
them.
 I
mention
the
factors
here
because
they
provide
some
context
to
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy.


 



Neurological
Efficiency.
 This
is
the
percentage
of
muscle
that
can
be
contracted
in
a
maximum
effort,
and
usually
falls
somewhere
between
ten
and
forty
percent.
 This
is
genetically
predetermined
by
birth
and
cannot
be
changed
by
exercise.
 If
an
exercise
subject
has
difficulty
maintaining
a
smooth
movement
and
performing
subtle
turnarounds,
it
is
likely
that
they
are
neurologically
inefficient.
 Such
clients
can
still
make
considerable
physical
improvements
but
may
progress
more
slowly.


 



Bodily
Proportions.


These
include
bone
length,
muscle
belly
length
(between
tendons)
and
tendon
insertion
angle.
 One's
body
proportions
often
play
a
big
role
in
what
sports
or
activities
a
person
decides
to
pursue.
 Think
about
former
Olympian
Michael
Phelps:
 he
has
long
arms,
long
legs,
big
hands,
and
wide
shoulders.
 You
probably
couldn't
pick
a
better
prototype
for
an
elite
swimmer.
 There
are
numerous
other
examples
of
top-echelon
athletes,
but
his
example
really
sticks
out.
 Bodily
proportions
are
also
genetically
predetermined.


 



Cardiovascular
Efficiency.


This
describes
how
effectively
the
heart,
lungs,
and
blood
vessels
transport
nutrients
to
the
working
muscles
and
remove
waste
products
from
them.
Steady
state
(largely
aerobic)
activity
is
relatively
inefficient
for
accomplishing
this,
and
carries
with
it
a
high
risk
of
repetitive
stress
injury.
 Improving
cardiovascular
efficiency
is
best
accomplished
by
performing
intense
exercise
for
the
skeletal
muscles
(a
Total
Results
workout).
 Remember
that
the
cardiovascular
system
can
accomplish
nothing
on
its
own;
it
needs
mechanical
loading
of
the
skeletal
muscles.
 If
there
is
a
greater
demand
placed
upon
the
muscles,
then
the
aforementioned
structures
will
have
to
work
harder
in
order
to
keep
up,
thus
creating
a
reason
to
adapt.
 


 



Skill
Proficiency.


Improving
your
ability
to
perform
certain
skills
or
tasks
requires
regular
repetitive
practice
of
those
specific
movement
patterns.
 If
you
want
to
get
better
at
tennis,
practice
the
shots
that
the
sport
requires
in
conditions
that
are
as
close
to
or
identical
to
a
competitive
match.
 The
same
is
true
for
playing
a
musical
instrument.
 If
you
are
giving
a
piano
performance
on
a
Steinway
baby
grand
piano,
it
doesn't
make
sense
to
practice
on
a
Casio
portable
keyboard.
 This
allows
your
muscles
to
function
as
efficiently
as
possible
when
performing
these
skills.


 



Flexibility.
 I
believe
that
too
much
importance
is
placed
on
this
factor.
 Flexibility
can
be
improved
to
a
certain
degree,
but
it
is
highly
overrated
in
my
opinion.
 Many
people
do
unsafe
things
to
improve
flexibility
and
often
get
injured
in
the
process.
 Things
like
ballistic
stretching,
PNF
(proprioceptive
neuromuscular
facilitation)
stretching,
and
other
types
of
flexibility
training
needlessly
raise
the
risk
of
injury
with
very
little
reward.
 Hockey
goaltenders
 and
ballerinas
use
extreme
degrees
of
flexibility,
but
this
is
something
that
is
required
to
excel
at
their
endeavors.
 This
is
not
recommended
for
regular
people;
all
one
needs
is
a
functional
range
of
motion
for
everyday
living.
 For
my
money,
flexibility
is
most
safely
enhanced
by
performing
proper
strength
training
through
a
safe
and
pain-free
range
of
motion
on
our
Super
Slow
Systems
and
Med-X
machines.


 



Muscular
Strength.
 Skeletal
muscle
is
the
one
type
of
muscle
tissue
in
our
body
over
which
we
have
volitional
control.
 Muscles
produce
force
to
enable
movement.
 It
should
surprise
nobody
that
the
main
reason
for
a
loss
of
independence
by
the
elderly
and
infirmed
is
a
decrease
in
muscular
strength
that
comes
with
age.
 Working
to
increase
strength
has
both
a
direct
and
indirect
effect
on
other
physical
improvements
(fat
loss,
insulin
sensitivity,
resistance
to
injury,
etc.)
because
all
of
the
body's
other
subsystems
are
subservient
to
the
skeletal
muscles.
 Total
Results
exercise
is
the
safest
and
most
efficient
way
to
improve
one's
muscular
strength.


 


When
we
talk
about
functional
ability,
please
do
not
confuse
that
with
so-called
"functional"
training.
 Functional
training
involves
performing
a
series
of
everyday
movements
with
added
resistance.
 Not
only
is
this
practice
extremely
dangerous
due
to
high
forces,
it
completely
violates
principles
of
motor
learning.
 It's
also
important
to
differentiate
neurological
efficiency
from
neuromuscular
adaptation.
 As
Ken
Hutchins
says,
"This
(neuromuscular
adaptation)
is
not
in
the
sense
of
the
all-out
effort,
but
in
the
recruitment
of
motor
units
as
the
muscle
progresses
through
a
set
of
multiple
repetitions."
 While
your
distribution
of
muscle
fiber
type
is
genetically
predetermined,
you
can
improve
how
efficiently
each
fiber
type
is
recruited
during
the
course
of
exercise.


 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don&#039;t Expect Miracles, Expect Your Very Best</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=673</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=673</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

People
undertake
an
exercise
regimen
for
a
variety
of
different
reasons.
 Some
may
have
recently
had
a
health
scare,
and
are
urged
by
their
physician
to
become
more
physically
active
in
order
to
avoid
a
repeat
performance.
 Other
people
do
it
for
purely
cosmetic
reasons.
 There
may
be
a
class
reunion
or
a
wedding
coming
up,
and
a
fitness
regimen
is
a
means
of
(ostensibly)
shedding
those
unwanted
pounds
or
fitting
into
that
dress.
 Another
class
of
individuals
begin
exercising
simply
because
they
want
to
get
more
out
of
life.
 This
may
entail
being
healthy
enough
to
play
with
their
kids/grandkids,
travel,
and
be
more
of
a
participant
in
life.
 No
matter
what
the
reason
is
for
taking
an
interest
in
exercise,
unfortunately
most
people
lack
the
knowledge
or
the
fortitude
to
make
sustained
meaningful
progress.


 


As
the
wise
philosopher
Ozzy
Osbourne
once
said
(back
when
he
was
still
capable
of
putting
a
sentence
together),
good
intentions
pave
the
way
to
hell.
 Many
believe
that
they
are
doing
this
for
all
the
right
reasons,
but
don't
truly
understand
how
challenging
it
is
to
make
meaningful
physical
change
happen.
 It
could
be
that
they
have
a
low
tolerance
for
physical
discomfort,
have
been
given
bad
advice,
or
a
combination
of
both.
 They
may
not
be
willing
to
make
the
necessary
lifestyle
adaptations
or
devote
the
proper
focus
that
creates
good
habits.
 Consequently,
when
they
don't
see
immediate
results
they
either
take
shortcuts
or
give
up
altogether.
 Take
a
look
at
a
Planet
Fitness
parking
lot
in
early
January,
and
then
go
back
in
early
March;
you'll
likely
see
a
stark
contrast.
 Some
will
resort
to
gimmick
diets
that
do
the
work
for
them,
but
once
they
get
off
the
diet
they
are
typically
right
back
where
they
started.
 Gastric
bypass
and/or
other
forms
of
elective
or
cosmetic
surgery
are
popular,
but
they
carry
an
inherent
risk,
are
quite
restrictive,
and
often
lead
to
a
lapse
in
one's
lifestyle.


 


There
is
no
such
thing
as
a
magic
pill
or
a
magic
cure.
 If
something
seems
too
good
to
be
true,
it
probably
is.
 The
commercial
fitness
industry
is
full
of
the
latest
hot
trends
that
ultimately
prove
to
be
a
waste
of
time
and
money.
 What
most
traditional
doctors
won't
tell
you
is
that
the
majority
of
chronic
disease
occurs
as
a
result
of
poor
lifestyle
choices.
 Yes,
some
people
have
genetic
predispositions
to
conditions
like
cancer,
heart
disease,
and
obesity,
but
a
predisposition
is
not
a
guarantee.
 You
have
no
control
over
your
genetic
makeup;
after
all,
you
can't
pick
your
parents.
 However,
you
can
play
the
hand
of
cards
that
you
are
dealt
and
achieve
your
very
best
self
within
the
constraints
of
your
genetic
blueprint.


 


It
all
starts
with
the
self,
and
sometimes
this
requires
some
introspection
and
a
tough
personal
assessment.
 What
is
it
that
you
want
to
accomplish
and
how
hard
are
you
willing
to
work
to
achieve
it?
 Identify
the
things
in
life
that
are
within
your
control,
as
well
as
the
things
that
you
cannot
control.
 It
is
within
your
power
to
set
regular
bed
and
wake
up
times,
to
incorporate
stress
management
techniques,
and
to
eat
a
nutrient-dense
diet
consisting
largely
of
single-ingredient
whole
foods.
 Do
you
have
any
control
over
the
traffic
during
your
daily
commute?
 No,
but
you
can
control
how
you
react
to
it,
and
you
can
also
leave
a
little
earlier
so
that
you
have
more
of
a
margin
for
error.
 Are
you
willing
to
commit
your
time
and
resources
to
starting
a
comprehensive
exercise
program
and
giving
your
best
effort
every
time
out?
 If
so,
then
Total
Results
is
the
place
for
you.


 


Our
program
is
not
predicated
upon
fads
or
gimmicks,
it's
based
on
science
that
goes
back
more
than
four
decades.
 It's
not
a
social
club,
and
we
don't
have
bright
lights,
mirrors,
music,
or
any
of
the
other
distractions
that
you
see
in
commercial
gyms.
 What
we
have
is
a
clinically
controlled
environment
with
the
finest
equipment
in
the
industry,
and
over
twenty
years
of
instructional
experience
in
working
with
a
variety
of
different
populations.
 Regardless
of
your
physical
limitations
(if
any),
we
will
help
you
to
increase
your
strength,
flexibility,
and
cardiovascular
and
metabolic
conditioning,
as
well
as
resistance
to
injury.
 Fat
loss
is
greatly
aided
by
regular
strength
training,
but
is
largely
a
dietary
issue.
 We
can
teach
you
to
make
better
food
choices
as
well
as
incorporate
time-restricted
eating,
which
is
a
great
asset
in
warding
off
chronic
disease.
 Not
everyone
who
exercises
at
Total
Results
will
look
the
same,
but
everyone
has
the
potential
and
the
ability
to
be
their
best
self.
 Every
client
has
access
to
the
same
quality
of
instruction
and
equipment
at
our
facility,
but
the
best
results
occur
when
you
make
this
a
priority,
focus,
and
work
as
intensely
as
you
can
in
each
workout.
 Don't
put
any
undue
pressure
on
yourself,
but
giving
your
best
effort
should
be
important
to
you.
 It
all
starts
inside
you.


 


Don't
expect
to
look
like
the
celebrities
or
athletes
you
see
on
TV
or
the
internet.
 Chances
are,
they
have
been
surgically
or
chemically
altered.
 In
fact,
does
anyone
else
find
it
strange
that
Dwayne
(The
Rock)
Johnson
is
physically
larger
and
leaner
at
the
age
of
50
than
he
was
when
he
was
a
professional
wrestler
over
20
years
ago?
 Something
doesn't
add
up.
 Have
realistic
expectations
and
celebrate
the
victories
of
doing
the
right
things
every
single
day.
 Small
wins
add
up
to
big
results
over
time,
just
like
the
law
of
compounding
interest.
 You
should
not
expect
miracles,
but
expect
to
do
your
very
best,
because
that's
all
you
can
do.
 Anything
worth
doing
is
worth
doing
right.
 Let
Total
Results
show
you
how.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Lethal Dose&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=672</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=672</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Dr.
Jennifer
Daniels
is
a
former
board-certified
family
practice
physician
originally
from
upstate
New
York.
She
received
her
undergraduate
degree
from
Harvard,
and
then
earned
both
her
medical
degree
and
an
MBA
from
the
University
of
Pennsylvania.
Dr.
Daniels
first
experienced
some
misgivings
with
traditional
medicine
as
early
as
medical
school,
but
pushed
forward
to
complete
her
education
and
transition
into
residency.
After
practicing
medicine
for
a
decade,
she
eventually
became
disillusioned
with
the
establishment
medical
system
and
started
using
unorthodox
methods
of
patient
care.
Subsequently,
her
license
to
practice
was
lifted
by
the
medical
board
for
refusing
to
prescribe
what
she
believed
were
unnecessary
and
dangerous
medications.
Amazingly
enough,
she
was
also
placed
on
the
"Do
Not
Employ"
list,
meaning
that
she
could
not
get
a
job
in
the
U.S.,
and
the
federal
government
put
her
on
the
Terror
Watch
List.
Dr.
Daniels
was
forced
to
flee
to
Panama,
simply
because
she
had
reservations
about
prescribing
lethal
medications.
In
order
to
educate
the
public
and
tell
her
story,
the
good
doctor
published
"The
Lethal
Dose"
in
2013.

 


The
term
lethal
dose
is
defined
as,
"the
amount
of
something,
usually
a
medication
or
a
chemical
that
causes
death."
Something
called
LD
50
is
the
dose
of
a
drug
that
kills
half
of
those
that
take
it.
Dr.
Daniels
first
learned
about
these
terms
in
medical
school
and
asked
if
there
was
such
a
thing
as
LD
0,
meaning
that
the
dosage
of
that
particular
drug
didn't
kill
anybody.
She
was
told
that
no
such
thing
exists.
A
sobering
thought.
What
I
find
infuriating
is
the
fact
that

over
100,000
people
die
each
year
taking
the
prescribed
dosage
of
medication.
Yes,
you
read
that
correctly.
These
are
people
that
die
simply
following
the
instructions
of
their
physician,
someone
they
think
they
can
trust.
The
author
details
a
personal
experience
when
she
was
a
resident
where
a
patient
had
been
overdosed
on
heparin,
which
is
a
blood
thinner.
The
nurse
had
made
a
mistake
and
given
the
patient
eight
times
the
drug
at
four
times
the
rate,
which
caused
the
patient
to
start
bleeding
out
everywhere.
After
the
mistake
was
caught,
Dr.
Daniels
stopped
administering
the
drug
immediately,
but
was
overridden
by
the
senior
doctor
and
told
never
to
stop
administering
a
drug,
ever.
Consequently,
the
patient
needed

a
transfusion
of
26
units
of
blood
and
bled
into
his
eyeballs,
causing
him
to
lose
his
eyesight,
and
with
it,
a
promising
dental
career.

 


If
there
is
one
thing
that
provides
details
as
to
the
fundamental
problems
with
mainstream
medicine,
look
no
further
than
the
term
standard
of
care.
This
is
defined
as
"treatment
that
is
accepted
by
medical
experts
as
a
proper
treatment
for
a
certain
type
of
disease
and
that
is
widely
used
by
healthcare
professionals."
Dr.
Daniels
tells
us
that
doctors
cannot
ignore
the
standard
of
care,
for
fear
of
losing
hospital
privileges,
the
loss
of
income,
and
also
malpractice
lawsuits.
Ironically,
there
are
only
three
entities
that
can
write
the
standard
of
care.
These
consist
of
drug
companies,
insurance
companies,
and
hospitals.
Not
coincidentally,
these
are
the
three
entities
that
profit
the
most
from
the
way
the
system
is
currently
constructed.
The
worst
part
is
that
the
two
groups
that
should
have
the
most
input
as
to
standard
of
care,
do
not
have
a
say
in
the
matter.
These
are
doctors
and
patients.
Notice
a
problem
here?

 


Dr.
Daniels
describes
her
residency
training
as
a
tremendously
difficult
period,
working
90
hour
weeks
and
being
sleep-deprived
much
of
the
time.
She
was
not
allowed
to
use
the
word
"cure"
when
working
with
a
patient,
but
rather
"treat."
The
author
goes
on
to
say,
"We
were
not
allowed
to
offer
any
solution
or
thought
that
was
outside
of
something
that
would
profit
the
drug
company
or
hospitals."
That
means
natural
therapies
or
non-drug
alternatives
were
out
of
the
question,
and
it
is
far
more
lucrative
to
treat
a
patient
indefinitely
with
some
drug
which
may
or
may
not
be
effective
than
it
is
to
cure
them
without
side
effects.
I
also
found
Dr.
Daniels'
thoughts
on
antibiotics
very
interesting.
It
has
long
been
my
belief
that
modern
internal
medicine
has
devolved
into
asking
for
a
prescription
for
an
antibiotic
to
cure
a
sniffle.
With
regard
to
antibiotics,
Dr.
Daniels
offers
these
thoughts:
"So
did
antibiotics
ever
save
a
life?
After
20
years
of
prescribing
and
witnessing
the
use
of
antibiotics,
I
have
observed

no
evidence
of
that

(her
emphasis).
I
have
to
be
honest,
and
the
truth
is
that
antibiotics
account
for
as
many
as
63,000
deaths
per
year.
The
deaths
from
bacterial
infections
are
almost
always
from
the
organisms
created
by
antibiotic
use.
So
there's
no
question
in
my
mind
that
antibiotics
are
not
lifesaving.
A
lot
of
those
deaths
are
from
pneumonia
infections

caused
by
these
resistant
bacteria

(her
emphasis)."
Considering
the
establishment
viewpoint
on
drugs,
an
alternate
opinion
should
at
least
be
discussed.

 


Even
during
her
family
practice
days,
Dr.
Daniels
would
prescribe
natural
remedies
and
see
patients
respond
rapidly.
These
remedies
included
alternative
natural
herbs,
ointments,
and
even
writing
out
diet
suggestions
on
her
prescription
pad
for
patients
to
implement.
These
natural
remedies
can
work
for
a
variety
of
ailments,
including
digestive
difficulty
and
hot
flashes.
The
good
doctor
stresses
the
importance
of
drinking
more
water,
eating
more
"live"
food
(food
picked
out
of
the
ground),
and
incorporating
movement
and
exercise
into
your
lifestyle.
Even
though
she
technically
doesn't
practice
medicine
any
more,
she
has
helped
many
people
in
Panama
with
some
simple
strategies
and
hasn't
charged
anyone
a
dime.

 


I
found
the
book
to
be
riveting,
and
tore
through
it
in
a
couple
of
days.
It
is
only
85
pages,
including
endnotes,
but
a
lot
of
information
is
packed
into
those
pages.
Dr.
Daniels
writes
in
an
engaging
style,
and
having
seen
a
couple
of
her
videos
I
can
tell
that
she
writes
like
she
talks.
My
only
complaint
is
a
couple
of
typos
that
I
found,
but
that's
typical
in
a
self-published
book.
Frankly,
I
doubt
this
book
would
have
come
out
through
any
of
the
establishment
publishing
houses,
given
the
subject
matter.
I
believe
that
Dr.
Daniels
is
a
hero
worthy
of
our
everlasting
respect
and
gratitude
for
sharing
her
story
and
having
the
courage
to
walk
away
from
medicine
rather
than
sacrifice
patients
by
practicing
in
a
corrupt
bureaucratic
system.
We
all
owe
her
a
debt
of
thanks.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What If You Fall Off Track?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=671</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=671</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Nobody
is
perfect.
Although
most
of
us
have
sincere
intentions
about
wanting
to
maintain
good
habits
and
continue
to
get
better,
sometimes
life
conspires
against
us
and
throws
us
a
curveball.
It's
important
to
remember
that
it
takes
longer
to
acquire
a
good
habit
than
it
does
to
lose
one.
Rare
is
the
person
who
does
not
have
at
least
an
occasional
lull
in
their
habits,
particularly
in
their
exercise
or
dietary
compliance.
There
can
be
that
fire
that
needs
to
be
extinguished
at
work,
temporary
financial
difficulty,
or
a
series
of
graduation
parties
when
you
are
surrounded
by
culinary
temptation.
Even
the
best
of
us
can
fall
off
track
once
in
a
while.
It's
what
you
do
to
get
back
on
track
that
makes
the
difference.

 


As
many
of
you
know,
I
have
taken
an
interest
in
the
ancient
Greek
and
Roman
Stoic
philosophers
over
the
past
couple
of
years,
and
I
have
talked
about
them
in
previous
articles.
Part
of
my
study
entails
receiving
and
reading
daily
emails
from
author
Ryan
Holiday
("The
Obstacle
is
the
Way")
with
insights
on
how
the
Stoic
philosophy
can
be
put
into
practice
in
daily
living.
A
recent
Daily
Stoic
email
discussed
how
to
break
free
from
a
slump
and
make
progress.
The
suggestion
was
to,
"Go
return
to
something
that
has
spoken
to
you
in
the
past."
This
can
apply
to
exercise,
nutrition,
education,
or
any
other
type
of
ongoing
habit.
Another
quote
that
I
found
illuminating
was,
"Go
back
to
the
things
that
worked
for
you
in
the
past
and
re-engage
with
them.
Think
of
it
as
a
switchback
on
the
path
to
wisdom."
If
a
routine
or
a
habit
has
been
successful
in
the
past,
it
will
work
again
in
the
future.

 


It
all
starts
with
your
attitude;
that
is
one
of
the
few
things
in
life
that
we
have
absolute
control
over.
Another
important
factor
is
desire;
how
badly
do
you
want
to
be
successful?
Are
you
willing
to
do
what
it
takes
to
get
there,
or
are
you
content
to
just
be
"good
enough"?
How
important
is
this
to
you?
It
takes
less
time
to
reacquire
a
positive
habit
than
it
took
to
get
there
in
the
first
place.
You
won't
be
starting
from
scratch,
although
it
may
initially
feel
that
way,
depending
on
how
long
you
have
been
off
track.
While
it's
important
to
not
beat
yourself
up
too
badly
for
missteps,
you
do
want
to
have
an
accountability
mindset.
Objectively
analyze
how
you
got
off
track,
and
come
up
with
a
plan
of
action
to
avoid
a
repeat
performance.
Humans
can
rationalize
almost
anything
if
they
try
hard
enough;
we've
all
done
this
and
it's
not
a
good
trap
to
fall
into.
Reassess
your
food
choices
and
how
you
eat,
and
try
to
recognize
triggers
that
can
cause
you
to
backslide.
Prioritize
tasks.
Look
at
your
schedule
and
see
what
needs
to
be
adjusted
so
that
you
can
more
consistently
make
it
to
your
workouts.
In
other
words,
go
back
to
the
things
(and
the
mindset)
that
made
you
successful
in
the
beginning.
If
it
worked
once,
it
will
work
again.
You
can
do
it,
and
Total
Results
can
help.

 


I
practice
meditation
and
have
done
so
regularly
for
over
five
years.
Occasionally
I
will
miss
a
session
due
to
another
commitment
or
event.
I'm
usually
disappointed
in
myself
when
this
happens
because
I
see
the
value
of
regular
meditation,
but
sometimes
one
has
to
be
able
to
adjust
to
the
circumstances
of
life.
When
this
happens,
I
tell
myself
that
this
is
a
one-off
occurrence,
not
the
start
of
a
streak.
I
find
enough
value
in
what
I'm
doing
to
refocus
my
efforts
the
next
day.
It's
important
to
not
beat
yourself
up
over
small
missteps.

 


Many
people
confuse
knowledge
with
wisdom.
The
difference
between
the
two
is
that,
"Knowledge,
gained
through
the
study
of
new
information,
consists
of
a
rich
storage
of
information.
Wisdom,
on
the
other
hand,
has
more
to
do
with
insight,
understanding
and
accepting
the
fundamental
'nature'
of
things
in
life."
It's
not
what
or
how
much
you
know,
it's
how
well
you
understand
it
and
can
apply
it
to
real-life
situations.
Life
has
a
way
of
humbling
us
all.
The
best
thing
we
can
do
is
to
keep
learning
and
growing
so
that
we
don't
repeat
our
mistakes.
I
think
the
Stoic
philosophers
would
agree.






]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Are Submaximal Workouts Beneficial?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=669</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=669</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most
regular
readers
of
this
blog
know
that
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
predicated
upon
the
inroad
theory
of
exercise.
 This
means
that
we
want
to
fatigue
the
musculature
deeply
enough
to
stimulate
the
growth
mechanism
that
prompts
the
body
to
mobilize
its
resources
to
make
physical
improvements.
 The
intensity
of
effort
is
a
byproduct
of
strict
form,
proper
speed
of
movement,
and
careful
change
of
direction.
 For
the
sake
of
simplicity,
we
will
define
intensity
as
inroad/time.
 Inroad
can
be
explained
as
the
depth
of
fatigue
of
one's
fresh
level
of
strength.
 If
you
perform
a
bicep
curl
exercise,
and
you
start
with
the
ability
to
move
100
pounds,
but
after
five
repetitions
you
can
only
move
80
pounds,
you
have
inroaded
your
biceps
muscles
by
20
percent.
 Our
goal
is
to
reach
the
point
of
momentary
muscular
failure
within
a
time
frame
of
1
to
3
minutes
per
exercise.
 This
ensures
that
we
are
using
both
the
aerobic
and
anaerobic
metabolic
pathways,
and
are
not
merely
performing
steady-state
activity
that
will
provide
little
benefit.


 


It
should
be
noted
that
some
advanced
clients
will
have
a
slightly
shorter
time
under
load
(TUL).
 These
clients
may
reach
muscular
failure
in
1:15
to
1:30,
and
there
is
certainly
nothing
wrong
with
that.
 Some
clients'
performances
are
very
consistent,
and
some
vary
wildly
from
workout
to
workout
(there
are
many
factors
involved).
 A
slightly
shorter
TUL
can
mean
that
you're
a
bit
less
recovered
from
your
previous
workout
than
usual,
but
it
can
also
mean
that
you
have
inroaded
slightly
more
efficiently
as
well.
 I
should
also
add
that
one
additional
reason
it
is
important
to
push
to
muscular
failure
is
that
it
is
the
only
way
to
effectively
recruit
and
fatigue
the
fast-twitch
muscle
fibers
that
have
the
greatest
capacity
for
growth.


 


Since
intensity
of
effort
is
very
important
for
achieving
optimal
results,
I
am
occasionally
asked
if
there
are
any
benefits
to
performing
submaximal
workouts.
 The
vast
majority
of
the
time,
I
prefer
clients
to
push
the
limits
of
their
capabilities,
but
the
answer
is
yes,
there
are
some
situations
that
call
precisely
for
a
submaximal
workout.
 Here
are
a
few
examples.


 


Injury
rehabilitation.
 If
a
client
has
just
had
surgery
or
is
returning
from
being
injured,
the
prescription
often
calls
for
an
initial
lower
intensity
of
effort.
 This
could
be
for
certain
exercises,
particularly
for
the
involved
body
part/joint,
or
it
could
be
for
the
entire
workout.
 Regaining
confidence
is
a
very
important
part
of
injury
rehabilitation,
and
we
train
the
mind
as
well
as
the
body
at
Total
Results.
 Above
anything,
we
want
to
avoid
injurious
pain
and
find
a
safe
range
of
motion,
so
the
first
couple
of
sessions
of
a
client's
return
are
geared
toward
that.
 Also,
depending
upon
the
nature
of
the
injury
and
how
long
the
client
has
been
out
of
action,
there
could
be
a
significant
loss
of
strength
involved,
so
the
weights
are
often
greatly
reduced
initially.


 


Novice
clients.
 It
is
neither
desirable
nor
realistic
to
initially
expect
a
beginning
client
to
work
with
a
high
level
of
intensity.
 In
fact,
trying
to
do
so
is
usually
a
recipe
for
disaster.
 During
the
first
few
sessions
of
a
client's
tenure,
my
focus
is
on
teaching
the
protocol.
 This
entails
helping
the
trainee
to
get
a
feel
for
speed
of
movement,
pace,
turnarounds,
and
proper
breathing.
 We
also
take
the
time
to
ensure
that
the
seat
settings
for
each
machine
are
correct,
based
on
axial
alignment
and
positioning.
 We
cannot
expect
an
exercise
subject
to
train
full-tilt
right
away,
as
many
clients
would
not
come
back
for
a
second
workout.
 Bad
habits
can
be
acquired
very
quickly,
so
the
first
four
to
five
sessions
(for
most
clients)
are
geared
toward
learning
proper
fundamentals
using
conservative
poundages.


 


Returning
from
illness.
 I
have
had
a
few
clients
recently
return
from
bouts
with
Covid.
 Every
person's
experience
is
slightly
different,
of
course,
but
a
handful
of
people
were
pretty
sick
and
were
out
for
a
couple
of
weeks.
 Some
lost
more
in
terms
of
strength
and
conditioning
than
others.
 In
these
cases,
I
significantly
reduced
their
resistance
on
all
the
exercises
and
had
them
stop
at
a
designated
point
just
short
of
muscular
failure.
 This
was
only
necessary
for
a
workout
or
two.
 Remember,
one's
recovery
ability
can
be
fragile,
especially
in
the
case
of
illness,
so
we
don't
want
to
overload
the
immune
system.
 


 


Reacquiring
good
habits
and
form.
 The
right
exercise
mindset
is
quite
important.
 We
must
remember
that
it's
not
about
how
much
weight
you
are
lifting
or
how
long
your
TUL
is,
it
is
about
proper
form
and
a
thorough
stimulus.
 Sometimes
people
acquire
the
wrong
mindset
and
their
form
becomes
suboptimal.
 This
increases
the
risk
of
injury
and
lessens
muscular
loading.
 Check
your
ego
at
the
door!
 There
is
nothing
wrong
with
reducing
the
weight
on
certain
exercises
and
lessening
the
intensity
of
effort
to
re-establish
proper
form.
 Your
joints
will
thank
you
and
you
will
be
rewarded
with
a
much
more
thorough
exercise
stimulus
when
the
workout
is
finished.


 


Rehabilitating
Exercise-Induced
Headache.
 This
is
a
topic
that
is
covered
in
great
detail
during
the
preliminary
considerations
portion
of
an
initial
consultation.
 While
an
exercise-induced
headache
is
an
unpleasant
experience,
it
is
not
typically
indicative
of
a
medical
problem.
 Sometimes
it
can
be
brought
on
by
form
discrepancies
such
as
excessive
gripping,
facial
grimacing,
clenching
of
the
jaw,
and
movement
of
the
head
and
neck
during
exercise.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;It&#039;s Too Hard&quot;</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=668</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=668</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
recently
taught
a
continuing
education
course
for
other
exercise
instructors;
this
is
something
that
I
do
a
few
times
a
year,
because
I
think
that
knowledge
is
useless
if
you
don't
share
it
with
others.
 This
most
recent
course
was
titled,
"It's
Too
Hard",
and
the
class
discussed
some
strategies
to
use
when
working
with
clients
that
have
difficulty
giving
a
maximum
in
their
workouts,
and
how
to
deal
with
trainees
that
are
on
the
verge
of
quitting
because
they
believe
that
exercise
is
too
hard
for
them.
 The
scenarios
that
I
just
described
will
happen
to
every
instructor
at
some
point
in
their
career,
and
it
is
important
from
the
very
beginning
of
the
relationship
to
work
to
gain
the
respect
and
trust
of
the
client.
 An
open
line
of
communication
is
paramount,
and
it
falls
upon
the
instructor
to
clearly
and
carefully
explain
the
hows
and
whys
of
our
exercise
philosophy
so
that
this
type
of
situation
can
be
addressed
properly.


 


Exercise
is
supposed
to
be
hard.
 We
are
trying
to
make
physiological
changes
that
do
not
come
easily.
 The
human
body's
desire
is
to
maintain
homeostasis,
so
it
needs
a
very
significant
reason
to
mobilize
its
hard-earned
resources
in
order
to
make
physical
improvements
(building
muscle
and
bone,
improving
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning,
etc.).
 We
do
not
yet
know
what
the
exact
percentage
of
effort
is
that
is
necessary
to
stimulate
these
changes.
 However,
we
do
know
that
there
are
only
two
true
mathematical
measurements
of
effort:
zero
and
100
percent.
 Naturally,
zero
effort
is
not
going
to
do
anything
for
us,
but
giving
100
percent
effort
ensures
that
we
have
done
everything
we
can
to
give
a
reason
for
the
body
to
adapt.
 In
one
regard,
we
are
fooling
our
bodies
into
thinking
that
the
workout
is
some
sort
of
life-and-death
struggle.
 Your
muscles
don't
know
or
care
that
you
are
lifting
and
lowering
the
movement
arm
of
an
exercise
machine;
for
all
they
know,
you're
wrestling
with
a
grizzly
bear.
 The
reality,
of
course,
is
that
you
are
in
a
completely
safe
and
clinical
environment,
and
that
your
instructor
is
carefully
regulating
the
variables
of
exercise
frequency,
intensity,
and
duration
to
get
the
proper
dosage.
 


 


In
my
conversations
with
other
instructors,
I
have
learned
that
many
of
them
face
the
same
challenges
that
I
occasionally
face,
in
terms
of
persuading
clients
not
to
quit
or
inspiring
them
to
work
more
intensely.
 Some
clients
will
stop
themselves
short
of
pushing
to
and
beyond
momentary
muscular
failure.
 They
have
it
stuck
in
their
mind
that
they
are
only
willing
to
work
so
hard
and
have
difficulty
controlling
their
emotions
and
handling
the
exertional
discomfort
that
comes
from
intense
metabolic
work.
 I
am
proud
to
say
that
this
phenomenon
is
quite
rare
at
Total
Results;
our
clients
are
extremely
disciplined
and
work
very
hard.
 Some
of
that
is
due
to
the
fact
that
they
know
what
to
expect
right
from
the
very
beginning.
 I
explain
very
thoroughly
during
the
initial
consultation
what
our
exercise
philosophy
entails,
and
I
define
what
the
expectations
are
on
the
part
of
the
client
and
the
instructor
so
that
there
is
no
confusion.
 On
a
few
occasions,
people
have
said
that
this
is
not
for
them
and
do
not
wish
to
pursue
things
further,
but
by
and
large
our
clients
do
their
homework
ahead
of
time.
 It
is
for
this
reason
(and
others)
that
I
believe
that
Total
Results
clients
are
much
more
intelligent
than
the
average
fitness
enthusiast.


The
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
is
built
around
the
inroad
theory.
 This
means
that
if
we
want
to
make
physical
improvements,
we
need
to
fatigue
the
musculature
beyond
a
certain
depth.
 Crossing
over
this
threshold
stimulates
a
growth
mechanism
(the
release
of
human
growth
hormone)
which
spurs
the
body
to
make
changes.
 Pushing
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure
ensures
that
we
trigger
the
growth
mechanism
and
have
used
as
much
of
our
momentary
capability
as
possible,
but
it
also
helps
us
to
maintain
our
insulin
sensitivity
by
emptying
the
glycogen
(
the
stored
form
of
carbohydrate,
our
body's
primary
fuel
source
during
intense
exercise)
from
our
muscle
cells.
 This
is
the
stimulus
that
we
seek.
 Bear
in
mind
that
not
every
client's
maximum
effort
is
the
same.
 There
are
genetic
variables
which
play
a
role,
such
as
neurological
efficiency,
muscle
belly
length,
age,
tolerance
for
discomfort,
and
a
few
others.
 An
80
year
old
grandmother
is
not
likely
to
generate
the
same
depth
of
inroad
as
a
30
year
old
triathlete,
but
everyone
is
capable
of
giving
their
best
effort
relative
to
themselves.
 It's
important
to
note
that
you
can
still
derive
benefit
from
Total
Results
exercise
even
if
you
stop
short
of
muscular
failure,
but
the
rewards
will
not
be
as
great
as
they
are
when
you
"empty
your
tank."
 This
is
a
topic
that
will
be
discussed
in
a
future
article.


 


Remember,
exercise
is
supposed
to
be
hard.
 If
it
wasn't,
it
wouldn't
be
nearly
as
worthwhile
as
it
is.
 There
are
physiological
reasons
why
our
workouts
are
brief
(20
minutes
or
less)
and
infrequent
(one
or
two
sessions
per
week).
 This
isn't
just
something
we
can
get
away
with,
it
is
a
biological
necessity.
 We
want
to
stimulate
improvements
without
wearing
you
down
to
a
nub,
so
that
you
can
enjoy
the
fruits
of
your
labor.
 If
you
put
your
mind
to
it,
you
can
do
anything
for
20
minutes.
 Anything
in
life
that
you
want
to
achieve
that
has
true
meaning
is
going
to
be
difficult.
 Don't
give
up,
embrace
the
challenge!


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Keys to Productivity</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=665</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=665</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

We
all
want
to
get
more
out
of
each
day.
 Everybody
gets
the
same
24
hours,
but
what
you
do
with
that
time
is
up
to
you.
 Over
the
last
year
I
have
learned
much
about
time
management
and
prioritizing,
and
I
try
to
take
a
few
minutes
of
the
free
time
that
I
have
each
day
to
think
about
what
I
want
out
of
life
and
what
is
important
to
me.
 I
try
to
talk
with
and
read
books
that
are
written
by
people
who
are
a
lot
smarter
than
I
am,
in
the
hope
that
I
can
take
away
something
useful
to
implement
in
my
own
life.
 There
is
nothing
wrong
with
borrowing
ideas;
after
all,
what
good
is
information
if
it
isn't
shared?
 While
I
am
certainly
no
guru,
and
I
view
my
life
as
a
work
in
progress,
through
study
and
thought
I
have
come
across
a
few
ideas
that
can
be
helpful
for
living
a
productive
and
meaningful
life.


 



Learning
mindset.
 There
is
always
something
new
that
can
challenge
you
and
stimulate
your
mind.
 The
old
saying,
"If
you
don't
use
it,
you
lose
it",
is
true.
 Some
people
retire
from
working
and
don't
know
what
to
do
with
themselves;
for
many,
the
daily
challenge
is
gone
and
can
be
difficult
to
replace.
 I
know
lots
of
seniors
that
live
very
active
lives,
whether
it's
through
travel,
volunteering,
taking
courses
online,
or
doing
other
projects
that
they
put
off
while
they
were
working.
 Crossword
puzzles,
tackling
a
difficult
book,
learning
a
new
language,
and
other
intellectual
pursuits
are
great
ways
to
keep
your
brain
engaged.
 One
Total
Results
client
who
started
with
us
very
recently
is
85
years
old,
yet
still
runs
multiple
businesses,
travels
frequently,
and
participates
regularly
in
ice
dancing
and
fox
hunting.
 I
think
that
is
incredibly
inspiring.


 



Establish
and
cultivate
relationships.
 It
sounds
almost
corny
to
say,
but
everything
good
in
life
comes
about
through
relationships.
 Some
of
them
are
small,
such
as
with
your
mechanic
or
dry
cleaner,
and
some
of
them
are
big,
such
as
family
and
friends.
 No
man
or
woman
is
an
island,
and
isolation
can
trigger
depression
(the
spike
of
which
is
one
of
the
most
shameful
results
of
the
Covid
lockdowns).
 No
matter
how
far
you
have
come
in
life,
you
didn't
get
there
all
by
yourself.
 We
live
in
a
very
divided
time,
and
surrounding
yourself
with
like-minded
people
who
genuinely
care
about
your
well-being
is
good
for
your
mind
and
spirit.


 



Find
meaning
in
your
work.
 Not
everyone
is
fortunate
enough
to
do
for
a
living
something
that
they
truly
love
and
are
passionate
about,
but
that
doesn't
automatically
have
to
make
your
work
sheer
drudgery.
 There
is
significance
in
simply
completing
a
task
to
the
best
of
your
ability.
 Even
if
you
dislike
your
job,
you
can
take
pride
in
knowing
that
you
gave
it
everything
you
had
and
left
nothing
on
the
table.
 This
can
go
for
anything,
including
household
chores.
 I
don't
particularly
enjoy
house
cleaning,
but
I
do
get
a
feeling
of
satisfaction
when
the
job
is
completed.
 Daily
challenges
come
big
and
small,
and
anything
worth
doing
is
worth
doing
right.


 



Worry
about
what
you
can
control.


While
it
may
seem
so
at
times,
the
weight
of
the
world
is
actually
not
on
your
shoulders.
 The
ancient
Stoic
philosophers
divided
things
into
three
categories:
 things
you
can
control,
things
you
have
some
control
over,
and
things
you
have
absolutely
no
control
over.
 Focus
on
the
things
that
are
within
your
sphere
of
influence,
such
as
your
attitude,
work
ethic,
and
the
things
you
value
most.
 While
the
policies
of
the
Federal
Reserve
definitely
affect
us,
we
have
no
control
over
them
(nor
does
the
government,
for
that
matter).
 You
can
only
solve
your
own
problems,
not
those
of
the
rest
of
the
world,
and
undue
stress,
anxiety,
and
worry
rarely
make
things
better.


 



Exercise.


Regular
high
intensity
strength
training
is
an
essential
requirement
for
life.
 Functional
independence
cannot
be
maintained
without
working
to
build
strength,
and
metabolic
as
well
as
cardiovascular
conditioning
are
achieved
most
efficiently
through
proper
weight
training.
 Without
it,
you
will
be
more
susceptible
to
developing
osteoporosis
(thinning
of
bones)
and
sarcopenia
(loss
of
muscle).
 While
a
Total
Results
workout
can't
be
classified
as
fun,
it
is
something
that
we
simply
must
do
if
we
are
to
continue
living
a
productive
and
healthy
life.
 Find
value
in
doing
things
that
are
demanding.


 



Leisure
activities.
 Everyone
needs
diversion
from
the
trials
and
turbulences
of
life.
 Recreation
can
take
on
many
forms,
such
as
going
to
a
movie,
pursuing
a
hobby,
or
playing
a
sport.
 These
activities
help
you
relax,
decompress,
and
are
good
for
your
soul.
 


 


Take
from
this
list
what
you
will,
and
find
what
works
for
you.
 We
all
want
to
be
better
and
get
more
out
of
life,
and
successful
people
share
many
of
the
same
qualities
and
strategies.
 Take
the
time
to
celebrate
your
successes,
but
don't
get
complacent
and
never
stop
growing!
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>All You Have to Do is Nothing</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=664</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=664</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
recently
watched
a
lecture
from
several
years
ago
given
by
Dr.
Doug
McGuff,
who
is
the
co-author
of
 "Body
by
Science"
and
"The
Primal
Prescription."
 Both
books
are
must-reads,
in
my
opinion,
for
anyone
that
wants
to
learn
the
nuts
and
bolts
of
exercise
as
well
as
the
paleolithic
nutritional
philosophy.
 Dr.
McGuff
is
an
emergency
room
physician
and
the
owner
of
Ultimate
Exercise
(a
studio
with
the
same
philosophy
as
Total
Results)
in
Seneca,
South
Carolina,
and
is
a
highly
sought-after
speaker.
 In
the
above-mentioned
lecture,
Dr.
McGuff
spoke
about
the
pitfalls
of
the
current
U.S.
medical
and
insurance
systems,
and
the
picture
that
he
painted
was
not
a
pretty
one.
 


 


Dr.
McGuff
gave
an
interesting
history
lesson
on
how
the
system
got
to
this
point,
and
detailed
the
origins
of
medical
insurance
going
back
to
the
Great
Depression
(much
of
this
was
talked
about
in
"The
Primal
Prescription").
 The
good
doctor's
advice
is
to
stay
out
of
the
medical
system
at
all
costs,
because
it
is
a
chaotic
mess
as
it's
currently
constructed.
 This
is
unlikely
to
change
anytime
soon;
in
fact,
it's
likely
to
get
worse.
 He
treats
an
increasing
number
of
patients
that
are
suffering
from
chronic,
rather
than
acute
conditions,
and
he
describes
his
emergency
room
as
crowded
and
short-staffed.
 Frankly,
it
doesn't
sound
like
somewhere
I
would
want
to
be.
 During
the
question
and
answer
period
at
the
end
of
the
lecture,
someone
from
the
crowd
asked
how
Americans
became
so
collectively
unhealthy.
 The
doctor's
answer
was
pretty
simple:
 all
you
have
to
do
to
become
chronically
diseased
is
nothing.


 


Physiologic
headroom
can
be
defined
as
the
difference
between
the
most
that
you
can
physically
do
and
the
least
you
can
physically
do.
 When
those
two
points
overlap,
death
occurs.
 Dr.
McGuff
also
pointed
out
that,
"The
essence
of
life
is
fighting
entropy."
 Entropy
can
be
defined
as,
"Lack
of
order
or
predictability;
gradual
decline
into
disorder."
 The
sad
truth
is
that
an
increasing
number
of
Americans
are
suffering
from
chronic
disease,
which
in
turn
increases
everyone's
medical
and
insurance
costs.
 If
you
go
to
any
place
where
a
large
number
of
people
gather
(stadium,
amusement
park,
airport,
or
even
the
grocery
store),
you
will
likely
see
a
startling
number
of
people
who
are
obese,
look
generally
unhealthy,
or
use
some
form
of
assistance
to
get
around.
 From
my
office
front
door,
I
see
diseased
people
walking
in
and
out
of
Quest
Diagnostics
every
day.
 Many
of
them
have
canes,
walkers,
wheelchairs,
and
oxygen
tanks.
 This
is
sad
to
see,
and
even
more
disappointing
to
know
that
it
was
preventable.
 The
infirmities
that
these
people
suffer
from
didn't
happen
by
accident;
it
is
a
product
of
one's
lifestyle.


 


If
you
regularly
consume
processed
foods
and
refined
sugars,
cook
with
vegetable
oils,
take
prescription
medications,
smoke,
drink
excessively,
and
do
nothing
to
improve
your
strength,
functionality,
and
immune
system,
this
can
happen
to
you!
 Remember,
to
become
diseased,
all
you
have
to
do
is
nothing.


Over
100,000
people
in
the
U.S.
die
each
year
from
taking
the
prescribed
dosage

of
medication
as
instructed
by
their
physician.
 Yes,
you
read
that
correctly:
 the
prescribed
amount.
 Why
is
there
no
outrage
from
our
elected
officials
or
the
FDA,
and
why
is
there
little
to
no
accountability
from
the
pharmaceutical
companies?
 Dr.
Jennifer
Daniels,
a
board-certified
physician,
posted
two
videos
on
YouTube,
titled
"Murder
by
Medicine",
that
detail
how
this
happens.
 They
are
worth
watching.
 While
we're
on
the
subject
of
medicine
and
bureaucrats,
Dr.
Anthony
Fauci
has
been
considered
(at
least
by
the
establishment)
as
"America's
Medical
Authority"
for
nearly
40
years.
 During
that
time,
the
rate
of
chronic
disease
in
this
country
has
skyrocketed,
yet
he
has
kept
his
job.
 During
the
height
of
the
Covid
insanity
two
years
ago,
did
Fauci
ever
talk
about
preventative
measures?
 No,
it
was
largely
about
quarantining
the
healthy
and
waiting
for
FDA
approval
for
a
"vaccine."
 Not
once
did
I
hear
Fauci
talk
about
the
importance
of
proper
nutrition,
exposure
to
sunlight,
supplementing
with
Vitamin
D,
exercise,
or
anything
that
might
boost
one's
immune
system
against
Covid,
which
is
a
virus
that
disproportionately
affected
the
diseased
and
the
elderly.
 This
just
underscores
the
fact
that
you
cannot
sit
around
and
wait
for
your
government
or
establishment
medicine
to
take
care
of
you.


 


How
do
we
keep
this
from
happening
to
us?
 Educate
yourself
and
be
your
own
advocate.
 There
is
a
wealth
of
information
out
there
from
numerous
reputable,
non-establishment
sources.
 Modern
medicine
has
devolved
into
doctors
examining
a
patient
for
less
than
five
minutes
before
writing
a
prescription.
 Do
not
blindly
follow
what
your
doctor
says,
simply
because
he
or
she
wears
a
white
coat!
 Challenge
your
doctor
to
consider
alternative
therapies
and
natural
treatments.
 If
they
are
not
comfortable
with
being
questioned
or
open
to
a
discussion,
consider
finding
a
new
doctor.
 Consume
a
diet
largely
consisting
of
single-ingredient
whole
foods.
 This
will
give
you
the
most
bang
for
your
buck,
and
help
you
to
meet
all
of
your
body's
nutritional
requirements.
 What
you
put
into
your
body
is
going
to
have
the
greatest
impact
on
your
outward
appearance.
 When
you
shop
for
groceries,
stick
to
the
perimeter
of
the
store.
 The
most
nutritional
food
(meats,
produce,
dairy,
etc.)
is
on
the
outer
edge,
and
the
junk
you
don't
want
is
typically
in
the
middle
aisles.
 Proper
supplementation
will
help
to
fill
in
any
nutritional
gaps
and
boost
your
immune
system.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Brain&#039;s Way of Healing&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=663</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=663</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Norman
Doidge,
M.D.,
is
a
psychiatrist
and
psychoanalyst
at
the
Toronto
Institute
of
Psychoanalysis.
He
has
written
over
170
articles,
many
of
which
are
academic
papers
on
neuroplasticity,
so
he
has
extensive
knowledge
and
experience
on
the
subject.
Dr.
Doidge
first
wrote
"The
Brain
That
Changes
Itself"
in
2007
(which,
in
the
interest
of
full
disclosure,
I
have
not
read),
and
he
followed
that
up
with
"The
Brain's
Way
of
Healing"
in
2015.
This
book
takes
up
the
mantle
where
the
previous
book
left
off,
and
the
central
concept
is
that
of
the
aforementioned
neuroplasticity,
which
is
"the
ability
of
neural
networks
in
the
brain
to
change
through
growth
and
reorganization."
Neuroplasticity
is
a
relatively
new
theory
in
the
study
of
how
the
brain
works,
and
for
many
years
scientists
believed
that
the
brain's
abilities
were
static,
particularly
in
the
case
of
traumatic
brain
injury
and
genetic
disorders.
While
this
field
is
still
evolving,
there
is
a
significant
amount
of
scientific
and
anecdotal
evidence
presented
in
this
book
that
supports
Dr.
Doidge's
(and
many
other
scientists')
theories,
and
gives
hope
to
people
suffering
from
numerous
brain
difficulties.

 


I
think
it
is
important
to
briefly
discuss
what
Dr.
Doidge
calls
"the
stages
of
neuroplastic
healing."
The
first
stage
is

neurostimulation.
In
this
stage
dormant
circuits
in
the
injured
brain
are
revived,
so
that
homeostasis
can
be
achieved.
Next
is

neuromodulation.
This
is
where
the
balance
between
neural
excitation
and
inhibition
is
restored,
and
the
noisy
brain
is
quieted.
The
brain
cannot
heal
if
it
is
stuck
in
a
hyper-anxious
state.
The
third
stage
is

neurorelaxation,
and
here
is
where
toxic
buildups
and
waste
products
can
be
discharged
from
the
brain
through
the
cerebral
spinal
fluid.
It
also
leads
to
more
restful
sleep.
Finally,

neurodifferentiation
and
learning

occur.
The
brain
is
now
rested
and
the
circuits
can
regulate
themselves.

 


The
first
chapter
of
the
book
discusses
the
nature
of
chronic
pain
and
contrasts
it
with
acute
pain.
Dr.
Doidge
talks
with
Michael
Moskowitz,
M.D.,
who
is
a
psychiatrist-turned-pain-specialist
who
has
had
his
own
experiences
dealing
with
chronic
pain
(he
once
suffered
a
broken
femur).
The
author
sums
up
the
difference
between
acute
and
chronic
pain
by
saying,
"Acute
pain
is
a
sensation
we
feel,
an
'input'
that
comes
into
the
brain
from
the
bottom
up,
from
our
sense
receptors.
But
chronic
pain
is
more
complex
and
more
a
top-down
process."
Dr.
Moskowitz
believes
that
a
person
suffers
from
chronic
pain
because
the
cause
of
the
acute
pain
has
never
truly
been
remedied,
which
causes
damage
to
the
central
nervous
system.
He
is
convinced
that,
"The
body's
alarm
system
is
stuck
in
the
'on'
position."
Our
brain
has
"maps"
for
pain
that
get
damaged
and
continuously
send
false
alarms;
we
think
that
the
problem
is
in
our
body,
when
it's
really
in
our
brain.
Dr.
Moskowitz
has
his
patients
work
to
rewire
and
repair
those
maps
by
simply
performing
those
activities
that
are
painful,
as
a
way
of
counter
stimulating
the
brain
and
weakening
the
pain
circuits.
He
also
uses
visualization
techniques
in
order
to
stimulate
neurons
and
activate
portions
of
the
brain
that
have
been
underutilized.
Slowly
but
surely,
the
majority
of
his
patients
have
seen
their
chronic
pain
decrease
and
even
disappear.
This
is
a
far
more
effective
and
safer
strategy
than
using
opioid
drugs
to
simply
treat
the
symptoms.
As
Dr.
Moskowitz
says,
"I
don't
believe
in
pain
management
anymore.
I
believe
in
trying
to
cure
persistent
pain."

 


Dr.
Doidge
profiles
a
South
African
man
named
John
Pepper,
who
was
diagnosed
with
Parkinson's
disease
in
the
mid
1990's,
although
he
had
first
started
showing
symptoms
in
the
late
1960s.
Medications
that
he
was
given
to
treat
the
symptoms
of
the
disease
had
started
to
wear
off
after
about
five
years,
and
his
abilities
had
slowly
started
to
diminish.
The
cognitive
and
physical
decline
in
Parkinson's
patients
is
often
self-fulfilling.
As
their
abilities
recede,
there
can
be
less
incentive
to
try
and
use
what
they
have,
which
often
sends
them
spiraling
further
downhill.
As
the
author
says,
"...Our
brains
are
more
likely
to
waste
away
from
underuse
than
to
wear
away
from
overuse."
The
same
is
likely
true
for
our
physical
capabilities.
Pepper
decided
to
start
a
regular
walking
program,
beginning
slowly
and
covering
short
distances
(with
days
in
between
for
recovery)
before
working
his
way
up
to
greater
intensity
and
mileage.
Because
the
effects
of
Parkinson's
had
done
damage
to
his
basal
ganglia
(the
brain's
subcortical
nuclei
that
control
motor
learning
and
executive
functions),
Pepper
had
to
do
this
very
consciously
and
deliberately,
in
order
to
avoid
injury
and
maximize
the
benefit.
This
regimen
has
worked
wonders
for
him,
arresting
his
Parkinson's
symptoms
and
giving
him
a
freedom
of
life
that
many
sufferers
of
the
disease
could
only
hope
to
attain.
In
order
to
stimulate
his
brain,
he
also
does
crossword
puzzles,
plays
chess,
and
learns
French.
He
finds
that
when
he
decreases
his
activity
his
symptoms
increase,
so
he
stays
as
consistent
as
possible.
Movement
has
been
shown
to
be
an
effective
treatment
for
other
degenerative
diseases,
such
as
Huntington's
and
Alzheimer's.
As
Dr.
Doidge
puts
it,
"Perhaps
the
worst
thing
a
patient
can
do,
on
getting
the
diagnosis,
is
to
decrease
their
activity."

 


Light
therapy
and
music
therapy
are
emerging
treatments
that
are
discussed
in
detail.
Low-level
lasers
help
the
body
to
harness
its
own
energy,
improve
circulation,
trigger
the
development
of
collagen
tissue
(which
makes
bone,
tendons,
ligaments,
and
even
skin),
and
promote
healing
in
a
variety
of
conditions,
such
as
fibromyalgia,
joint
injuries,
traumatic
brain
injury,
and
some
psychiatric
disorders.
Better
still,
there
are
no
side
effects.
The
positive
effects
of
low-intensity
lasers
have
been
known
to
scientists
since
1965,
yet
sadly,
the
FDA
did
not
approve
its
use
in
the
United
States
until
2002.
Just
think
of
how
many
lives
could
have
been
improved
in
that
time
frame!
Music
therapy
has
also
been
shown
to
be
an
effective
treatment
for
children
with
dyslexia
and
autism.
Dr.
Doidge
details
the
work
of
Alfred
Tomatis
and
Paul
Madaule,
who
have
made
great
strides
in
the
arena
of
music
therapy.
According
to
the
author,
this
therapy
works
because,
"The
music
in
sound
therapy
turns
on
and
enhances
the
connection
between
brain
areas
that
process
positive
reward
(which
gives
us
a
feeling
of
pleasure
when
we
accomplish
something)
and
the
insula,
a
cortical
area
of
the
brain
that
is
involved
in
paying
attention."
He
adds
that,
"Since
neurons
fire
in
unison
to
music,
music
is
a
way
to
change
the
rhythms
of
the
brain."
Music
therapy
has
been
shown
to
improve
the
cognitive
and
social
abilities
of
children
with
Down's
Syndrome
as
well.

 


Exercise
and
lifestyle
are
also
mentioned
in
the
book,
which
was
refreshing
to
see.
Dr.
Doidge
lists
five
factors
that
will
promote
the
general
health
of
neurons.
These
include
exercise
(which
is,
"...the
most
powerful
contributor
to
decreased
risk
of
both
general
cognitive
decline
and
dementia."),
a
healthy
diet,
normal
body
weight
(defined
as
a
BMI
of
between
18
and
25),
low
alcohol
intake,
and
no
smoking.
These
are
the
things
that
we
should
be
doing
every
day.
Dr.
Doidge
appropriately
quotes
late
author
Norman
Mailer,
"Every
moment
of
one's
existence
one
is
growing
into
more
or
retreating
into
less.
One
is
always
living
a
little
more
or
dying
a
little
bit."
If
we
don't
use
it,
we
lose
it.

 


This
book
is
pretty
heavy
reading
at
times.
It
took
me
a
while
to
finish,
and
even
now
I'm
not
sure
that
I
absorbed
all
the
information,
but
"The
Brain's
Way
of
Healing"
solidifies
my
belief
in
exploring
ideas
outside
of
the
traditional
viewpoint
of
the
medical
establishment.
Dr.
Doidge
writes
very
well;
he
takes
a
complex
subject
and
makes
it
interesting
by
relating
stories
of
real
people
and
their
astonishing
recoveries
that
traditional
medicine
did
not
think
were
possible.
I
see
some
distinct
parallels
between
the
growth
mindset
(the
viewpoint
that
intelligence
and
achievement
are
not
simply
fixed
by
genetics)
and
neuroplasticity
(where
the
brain
can
improve
and
heal
itself
in
spite
of
injury
or
genetic
defect).
The
information
contained
in
this
book
can
change
the
way
we
think
about
what
the
brain
can
do
and
how
it
can
recover
from
physical
and
emotional
trauma,
and
it
shows
that
great
things
can
be
achieved
with
a
combination
of
technology
and
grit.
It
is
worth
reading
and
just
may
provide
you
with
some
inspiration.






]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What Does It All Mean?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=662</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=662</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
desired
outcome
of
any
exercise
session
is
to
achieve
a
meaningful
stimulus
that
provides
the
body
with
a
good
reason
to
make
physical
improvements.
 A
clinically
controlled
environment
and
private
setting
within
the
Total
Results
studio
enable
us
to
eliminate
the
distractions
that
can
interfere
with
achieving
the
best
exercise
experience
possible.
 Specially
engineered
equipment
combined
with
our
unique
exercise
protocol
form
a
combination
that
cannot
be
replicated
or
matched
in
a
traditional
gym
setting
or
group
exercise
environment.
 As
important
as
all
of
those
elements
are,
none
of
them
matter
very
much
without
a
willingness
on
the
part
of
the
exercise
subject
to
learn
and
give
their
best
physical
and
mental
effort.
 An
experienced,
conscientious,
and
diligent
instructor
is
just
what
is
needed
to
ensure
this
level
of
performance.


 


My
friend
and
fellow
instructor
Al
Coleman
has
said
that
exercise
instruction
is
as
much
art
as
it
is
science,
and
I
believe
he's
right.
 Sure,
knowledge
of
anatomy
and
physiology,
chemistry,
and
biology
are
important,
but
I
think
having
an
understanding
of
people
is
just
as
critical.
 Life
is
about
relationships,
and
the
instructor
and
client
must
be
able
to
connect
before
they
can
truly
form
a
partnership.
 When
a
personal
connection
is
made,
that
is
when
the
pupil
and
teacher
can
bring
out
the
best
in
each
other.
 There
should
be
a
clear
understanding
between
both
parties
from
the
very
beginning
as
to
what
the
expectations
are,
so
that
there
is
no
confusion.
 Communication
is
paramount
and
must
be
a
two-way
street.


 


Exercise
instruction
is
not
a
physically
demanding
occupation,
but
it
does
require
stamina,
patience,
attention
to
detail,
and
a
willingness
to
be
critical.
 The
last
part
scares
some
people
off
from
the
profession,
because
it
isn't
everybody's
cup
of
tea.
However,
a
part
of
the
job
entails
telling
people
(who
are
paying
for
your
services)
things
that
they
may
not
want
to
hear.
 The
exercise
instructor
critiques
performance,
makes
corrections,
and
provides
the
information
that
the
client
needs
in
order
to
optimize
the
exercise
stimulus
on
every
exercise
of
every
workout.
 Some
clients
will
get
frustrated
by
being
repeatedly
corrected,
but
this
goes
with
the
territory.
 Being
an
instructor
looks
much
easier
than
it
is.
 There
is
a
lot
to
observe,
and
it
entails
keeping
track
of
weights,
settings,
and
time
under
load,
in
addition
to
ensuring
the
safety
of
the
client
above
anything
else.
 When
instructions
are
given,
they
should
be
concise;
 what
I
say
is
just
as
important
as
what
I
don't
say,
and
it's
about
giving
the
right
instruction
at
the
right
moment.
 I
must
avoid
overloading
the
subject
with
too
much
information
at
once,
so
it's
best
to
keep
things
as
simple
as
possible.
 If
multiple
form
discrepancies
are
being
committed
at
once,
I
will
correct
the
mistake
I
believe
to
be
the
most
egregious.
 


 


There
should
be
very
little
(if
any)
talking
done
by
the
client
once
the
workout
is
under
way.
 It's
not
that
we
don't
enjoy
conversing
with
our
clients;
we
chat
with
them
before
and
after
a
session.
 It's
just
that
our
studio
is
not
a
social
setting,
and
we
want
to
eliminate
any
potential
distractions.
 Every
so
often
I
may
have
to
ask
a
client
a
direct
question
pertaining
specifically
to
their
workout.
 In
this
case,
a
brief
response
is
all
that
is
required.
 I
also
don't
consider
myself
to
be
a
motivator,
even
though
I
do
help
to
push
clients
beyond
a
level
of
effort
that
they
would
be
able
to
produce
on
their
own.
The
best
motivation,
after
all,
is
intrinsic
rather
than
extrinsic.
 
My
function
is
to
communicate
specific
information
in
order
to
achieve
a
certain
outcome,
not
talk
as
much
as
possible.
 Many
"personal
trainers"
babble
incessantly,
shout,
or
simply
offer
nonsensical
platitudes
and
cliches.
 That
may
be
acceptable
for
social
media
videos
and
marketing,
but
I
don't
believe
that
is
instruction.
 I
also
consider
myself
to
be
a
teacher,
but
teaching
and
instructing
are
two
different
things.
 Instruction
is
what
goes
on
during
a
session,
while
teaching
happens
outside
the
heat
of
the
moment.
 When
an
exercise
subject
is
experiencing
labored
breathing,
extreme
muscular
discomfort,
and
is
mentally
coming
to
grips
with
the
onset
of
momentary
muscular
failure,
intellectual
information
simply
will
not
get
through.
 Any
teaching
that
will
take
place
needs
to
happen
outside
of
the
exercise
room.
 Whether
teaching
or
instructing,
I
believe
it's
important
to
vary
my
verbiage
and
not
say
the
same
things
all
the
time
in
order
to
keep
things
fresh.


 


Achieving
an
optimal
exercise
stimulus
requires
focus
and
concentration
on
the
part
of
the
client.
 While
the
workouts
only
last
about
twenty
minutes,
they
require
tremendous
mental
and
physical
effort.
 The
elimination
of
mental
distractions
is
paramount,
not
only
for
efficiency
of
form
but
also
to
maximize
safety.
 I
have
seen
many
clients
over
the
years
lose
focus
and
take
liberties
with
their
form,
and
they
have
injured
themselves
due
to
their
own
behavior.
 For
the
duration
of
the
workout,
the
client
needs
to
be
100
percent
present
and
not
thinking
about
something
else
during
that
time.
 This
may
sound
very
difficult,
and
it
is,
but
it
is
something
that
can
be
improved
over
time.


 


The
exercise
subject
should
strive
for
as
smooth
a
movement
as
possible,
in
order
to
maximize
muscular
loading.
 When
we
say
that
the
muscles
are
"loaded",
it
means
that
they
are
under
meaningful
tension.
 We
don't
want
the
musculature
to
get
even
a
momentary
respite
during
an
exercise,
because
this
runs
counter
to
our
main
objective
of
inroading
the
skeletal
muscles.
 The
more
effectively
the
muscles
are
loaded,
the
better
the
eventual
exercise
stimulus.
 Moving
slowly
is
important,
but
it
isn't
enough.
 Going
too
slowly
(more
than
12
seconds
in
each
direction)
encourages
segmentation
of
the
movement,
which
alternately
loads
and
unloads
the
musculature
and
thwarts
the
stimulus
that
we
seek.
 Novice
clients
often
have
some
difficulties
with
pacing
and
segmentation
early
on,
which
is
to
be
expected
when
learning
something
that
is
new.
 This
usually
will
improve
over
time,
as
one
builds
skill
and
works
toward
a
more
meaningful
level
of
resistance.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Adaptive Stress</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=661</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=661</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
human
body
is
a
wonderfully
adaptive
organism.
 Given
the
proper
resources
(nutrients,
water,
sleep,
and
time),
it
can
heal
itself
from
disease,
repair
injuries,
and
grow
stronger
as
well
as
more
resilient.
 When
one
follows
a
ketogenic
diet
(in
which
few,
if
any,
carbohydrates
are
consumed),
the
body
can
manufacture
the
glucose
necessary
for
intense
exercise
out
of
protein,
fats,
or
ketone
bodies.
 Most
of
us
are
aware
that
the
body's
main
desire
is
to
maintain
homeostasis,
and
whether
the
current
state
of
the
body
is
good
or
bad,
it
wants
to
conserve
resources
whenever
possible.
 In
order
to
elicit
change
in
the
organism,
the
body
needs
a
good
reason
to
spring
into
action.
 This
change
usually
occurs
as
a
result
of
an
external
factor,
such
as
when
exposure
to
sunlight
spurs
the
body
to
produce
Vitamin
D
and
causes
the
skin
to
darken.
 If
you
want
to
stimulate
an
adaptation,
then
the
body
must
be
periodically
exposed
to
manageable
amounts
of
stress.
 


 


Think
of
the
above
example.
 If
you
go
out
into
the
sun
once
over
the
course
of
a
summer
for
just
a
few
minutes,
but
do
not
go
outdoors
again
for
the
rest
of
the
season,
you
won't
develop
a
suntan
(and
you'll
likely
have
suboptimal
levels
of
Vitamin
D
in
your
system).
 There
is
a
balance
to
how
much
stress
one
should
experience
without
going
overdoing
it,
and
some
people
are
more
physically
and
mentally
sturdy
than
others.
 Your
immune
system
is
a
microcosm
of
this
concept.
 How
resistant
you
are
to
illness
is
due
to
a
combination
of
factors,
both
genetic
and
in
terms
of
your
lifestyle.
 One
thing,
however,
is
certain:
 you
cannot
live
in
a
completely
sterile
environment.
 We
regularly
see
commercials
for
antibacterial
soaps
and
cleaning
products
that
claim
to
"kill
99.9%
of
viruses
and
bacteria."
 The
germ
theory
of
disease
is
part
of
the
foundation
on
which
establishment
medicine
(and
the
pharmaceutical
industry)
was
built,
but
a
lot
of
holes
have
been
poked
in
Pasteur's
hypothesis
as
of
late.
 While
I
don't
propose
that
we
live
in
unsanitary
conditions
or
surround
ourselves
with
Asbestos,
I
believe
it
is
important
to
strategically
expose
your
immune
system
to
pathogens.
 This
is
another
form
of
stress,
and
it
can
be
as
simple
as
being
around
other
people,
getting
fresh
air,
and
not
wearing
masks
in
public
places.
 Your
immune
system
needs
exposure
to
different
pathogens,
so
that
it
can
recognize
them,
fight
them,
and
kill
them
if
they
try
to
invade
your
body.
 An
unintended
consequence
of
the
draconian
Covid
lockdowns
is
that
kids
were
forced
to
stay
home
instead
of
being
in
school,
and
they
were
no
longer
routinely
exposed
to
other
kids,
so
many
ended
up
getting
sick
because
their
immune
systems
were
thrown
into
flux.
 By
all
means
we
should
use
common
sense,
wash
our
hands,
and
practice
responsible
hygiene,
but
let's
not
think
that
a
paper
or
cloth
mask
is
going
to
protect
us.
 In
most
cases,
they
do
far
more
harm
than
good.


 


Our
emotional
health
and
mental
well-being
are
also
optimized
by
periodic
exposure
to
stress.
 I
believe
this
to
be
absolutely
critical
during
childhood,
when
the
brain
is
most
malleable,
and
it
sets
the
course
for
how
we
deal
with
life
as
we
journey
into
adulthood.
 Overprotective,
but
well-intentioned
parents
often
try
to
shield
their
children
from
stress
or
adversity
in
the
hope
of
sparing
them
from
potentially
damaging
trauma.
 This
is
completely
understandable,
but
as
we
know,
the
world
does
not
work
that
way.
 Somewhere
along
the
way
adversity
will
make
its
presence
known,
and
how
we
deal
with
it
and
learn
from
it
determines
our
character.
 Daniel
Goleman
talks
about
this
in
his
2006
book
"Social
Intelligence."
 Goleman
discusses
a
study
performed
at
the
University
of
Wisconsin
that
involved
about
ten
thousand
high
school
seniors
from
the
class
of
1957,
and
they
were
interviewed
when
they
were
in
their
teens,
at
the
age
of
40,
and
again
as
they
approached
age
65.
 The
researchers
also
studied
activity
in
the
frontal
lobe
of
their
brains,
and
found
that
those
with
higher
activity
in
the
right
prefrontal
area
relative
to
their
left
more
often
had
intense
distress
and
recovered
more
slowly
from
emotional
setbacks.
 According
to
Goleman,
"But
those
people
who
had
been
exposed
to
manageable
levels
of
stress
during
childhood
were
most
likely
as
adults
to
have
the
better
prefrontal
ratio."
 This
means
that
they
dealt
with
adversity
better
and
bounced
back
more
quickly.
 My
take
on
this
is
that
too
much
low
level,
constant
stress
leads
to
anxiety
and
maladaptation,
while
not
enough
stress
can
lead
to
a
false
sense
of
security
and
fragility
when
things
eventually
don't
go
right.
 It
appears
that
if
we
experience
just
the
right
amount
of
occasional
emotional
stress
(while
in
a
safe
and
nurturing
environment)
it
is
essential
for
building
robust
emotional
health.
 The
ability
to
bounce
back
quickly
after
a
setback
is
a
key
component
of
life
success,
and
it
drives
performance
and
achievement.
 There
are
strategies
and
exercises
that
one
can
do
to
improve
mental
toughness.
 Two
good
books
that
I
recommend
are
"Fortitude:
American
Resilience
in
the
Era
of
Outrage"
by
Dan
Crenshaw,
and
"Antifragile:
Things
That
Gain
From
Disorder"
by
Nassim
Nicholas
Taleb.


 


Stress
is
a
key
component
of
Total
Results
exercise.
 Take
a
moment
and
really
consider
what
it
is
that
we
are
doing
during
the
course
of
a
workout.
 We
are
putting
the
body
through
a
brief,
but
intensely
stressful
experience
once
or
twice
per
week
for
twenty
minutes
or
less.
 Exercise
sessions
are
physically
and
psychologically
stressful,
which
is
why
the
workouts
are
so
brief
and
infrequent.
 What
we
desire
is
a
physical
adaptation,
i.e.,
to
grow
stronger
muscles,
improve
cardiovascular
and
metabolic
conditioning,
and
protect
against
injury.
 The
best
way
to
do
that
is
to
expose
the
muscles,
bones,
and
connective
tissues
to
safe
and
appropriate
levels
of
stress,
and
since
the
body
needs
a
good
reason
to
adapt,
the
intensity
of
effort
needs
to
be
very
high.
 This
allows
us
to
stimulate
the
growth
mechanism,
which
spurs
the
body
to
make
an
adaptation.
 Exercise,
like
medication,
has
a
narrow
therapeutic
window,
meaning
that
there
is
a
fine
line
between
too
much
and
not
enough.
 Not
exposing
the
body
to
any
stress
accomplishes
nothing,
while
too
much
stress
(in
the
form
of
too
much
force
or
too
frequent
bouts
of
exercise)
will
lead
at
minimum
to
a
stagnation
of
progress,
and
in
the
worst
case
scenario
will
lead
to
illness
and/or
injury.
 We
want
the
minimum
dosage
of
stress
(the
workout)
necessary
to
achieve
optimal
results,
and
while
pushing
each
exercise
to
and
beyond
muscular
failure
is
no
doubt
stressful,
it
is
perfectly
safe
if
done
properly
under
the
watchful
eye
of
an
instructor.
 


 


We
know
that
the
human
body
is
a
wonderfully
resilient
and
adaptive
organism,
and
it
can
often
achieve
amazing
things
even
in
spite
of
bad
habits
(many
professional
athletes
are
living
proof).
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;How We Learn to Move&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=657</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=657</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Rob
Gray,
PhD,
is
a
professor
at
Arizona
State
University
and
has
worked
in
the
field
of
movement,
specifically
perceptual-motor
skill,
for
over
a
quarter
century.
 Gray
has
worked
as
a
consultant
for
several
sports
teams,
Nissan,
and
the
United
States
Air
Force,
and
in
2021
he
self-published
the
book
"How
We
Learn
to
Move."
 This
book
discusses
new
information
in
the
field
of
motor
learning
and
puts
forth
some
alternative
ideas
to
consider.
 Upon
reading
this
book,
it
may
just
cause
us
to
reevaluate
how
we
learn
and
teach
movement
skills,
as
well
as
open
our
eyes
to
suggestions
of
how
the
youth
sport
experience
can
be
improved.


 


Dr.
Gray
starts
the
book
by
discussing
former
Soviet
scientist
Nikolai
Bernstein's
study
of
blacksmiths
cutting
sheet
metal.
 This
may
seem
like
a
strange
topic
to
cover
in
a
book
about
sports
movement
skill,
but
it
has
far-reaching
implications
throughout
the
text.
 Bernstein
discovered
a
subtle
difference
between
novice
and
experienced
blacksmiths.
 The
novices
did
not
hit
the
head
of
the
chisel
with
the
hammer
on
the
same
spot
each
time
when
cutting
sheet
metal,
so
their
results
varied.
 In
contrast,
the
experienced
blacksmiths
hit
the
same
spot
each
time,
but
without
repeating
the
exact
same
movement
on
each
strike.
 As
the
author
says,
"Skilled
performance
did
not
involve
one
correct
movement
technique.
 Instead,
it
involved
using
a
slightly
different
technique
with
every
execution.
 The
key
to
becoming
skillful
was
not
strict
repetition.
 Instead,
it
was
repetition
without
repetition
-
learning
to
produce
the
same
outcome
by
using
different
movements."
 This
idea
flies
in
the
face
of
conventional
wisdom,
in
that
we
have
been
taught
for
years
that
maximizing
skill
involves
practicing
the
same
exact
movement
over
and
over
until
we
get
it
perfect.
 The
idea
of
using
slightly
different
movements
and
being
adaptable
to
one's
environment
is
the
theme
around
which
this
book
is
written,
and
there
is
significant
scientific
evidence
to
support
the
thesis.


 


Anyone
who
has
played,
coached,
or
had
their
child
participate
in
youth
soccer
is
no
doubt
familiar
with
drills
that
involve
dribbling
the
ball
around
cones
set
at
predetermined
distances
in
the
hope
of
improving
ball
handling
ability
and
coordination.
 Since
these
drills
have
been
used
for
years
they
seem
logical,
but
the
truth
is
that
soccer
is
not
played
in
anything
close
to
a
static
environment.
 Worse
yet,
these
drills
involve
a
couple
of
kids
moving,
while
the
rest
of
the
team
stands
and
waits
for
their
turn.
 In
a
real
game,
conditions
are
always
changing
and
you
have
defenders
that
block
your
path
or
try
to
steal
the
ball
from
you.
 An
athlete
needs
to
be
adaptable
to
the
environment
around
them,
and
if
a
player
simply
follows
a
prescription
plan
in
practice
he
or
she
will
be
totally
lost
once
the
game
starts.
 Dr.
Gray
believes
that
a
practice
environment
should
be
set
up
as
close
to
game
conditions
as
possible,
and
he
believes
in
the
concepts
of
variability
and
imposing
constraints.
 By
utilizing
something
called
a
"small-sided
game"
(where
the
size
of
the
field
and
the
number
of
players
are
reduced)
soccer
players
can
work
on
adaptability
by
adjusting
to
changing
conditions
(having
to
dribble
and
pass
in
a
smaller
space)
just
as
may
happen
in
an
actual
game.
 Tennis
gives
us
another
insight.
 Legendary
player
Rafael
Nadal
has
hit
millions
of
shots
in
his
life,
and
perhaps
to
the
untrained
eye
these
shots
look
similar
if
not
identical,
but
he
says
this
is
not
so.
 According
to
Nadal,
"The
differences
might
be
minute,
microscopic,
but
so
are
the
variations
your
body
makes
-
shoulders,
elbows,
wrists,
hips,
ankles,
knees
-
in
every
shot.
 And
there
are
so
many
other
factors
-
the
weather,
the
surface,
the
rival.
 No
ball
arrives
the
same
as
another;
no
shot
is
identical."
 This
means
that
Nadal
has
to
constantly
practice
a
variety
of
shots,
and
if
he
wants
to
produce
the
same
outcome
(a
successfully
placed
shot),
under
constantly
changing
conditions,
he
will
have
to
use
a
slightly
different
movement
each
time.


 


Chapter
eleven
discusses
coaching
youth
sports
and
the
problems
with
the
traditional
models
that
have
been
used
for
years.
 Many
of
the
things
that
are
practiced
in
sports,
such
as
running
through
agility
ladders
in
football,
hitting
off
tees
in
baseball,
and
doing
passing
lanes
in
basketball
are
based
on
flawed
assumptions.
 We
have
been
taught
that
we
need
to
learn
proper
fundamentals
before
moving
on
to
more
complex
skills,
but
these
drills
that
I
just
mentioned
have
very
little
to
do
with
how
each
of
these
games
are
actually
played.
 Dr.
Gray
brings
up
a
good
point
near
the
end
of
the
chapter.
 "What
exactly
is
a
'fundamental'
anyways?
The
concept
comes
from
the
long-accepted
assumption
that
there
are
basic
building
blocks
that
we
must
put
together
to
become
skillful,
like
the
example
shown
in
Figure
11.3.
 But
this
idea
suffers
from
the
same
problems
that
we
have
been
discussing
throughout
this
book.
 It
assumes
a
linear,
deterministic
relationship
between
fundamental
movement
skills
(if
we
want
Skill
1
we
just
add
Fundamentals
A,
B,
and
C)
that
is
not
consistent
with
what
we
have
seen
in
an
adaptive
complex
system
like
an
athlete."
 Skills
are
highly
specific
to
a
game-like
environment,
and
nobody
hits
off
a
tee
in
a
baseball
game.
 In
order
to
maximize
skill,
the
athlete
needs
to
be
able
to
adapt
to
the
information
available
to
them
in
a
game
environment,
so
coaches
should
structure
practices
to
be
as
close
to
the
game
experience
as
possible.
 This
will
enable
players
to
make
the
right
decisions
in
real
time
and
be
able
to
"think
on
their
feet."


 


Injury
prevention
and
adaptation
are
talked
about
at
length
in
Chapter
14,
and
there
are
multiple
references
to
baseball
pitchers
having
Tommy
John
surgery
(replacement
of
the
Ulnar
Collateral
Ligament
in
the
elbow).
 I
have
often
wondered
why
this
injury
is
so
common,
but
Dr.
Gray
explains
the
flaws
in
pitching
mechanics
that
lead
to
this
injury.
 Injuries
are
going
to
happen
in
sports;
that
is
just
the
nature
of
the
business.
 However,
anything
that
can
be
done
to
lessen
the
frequency
and
severity
of
injuries
only
serves
to
help
the
competitive
athlete.
 It
begs
the
question:
 with
advancements
in
training
techniques,
nutrition,
and
recovery,
how
does
one
account
for
the
rise
in
ACL
(Anterior
Cruciate
Ligament)
and
UCL
injuries?
 According
to
Dr.
Gray,
"An
overemphasis
on
planned
movements
creates
patterns
(greater
angles,
rotations,
and
energy
absorption)
that
are
likely
to
cause
overuse
injuries."
 The
author
suggests,
"Adding
more
unplanned
and
unpredictable
movements
in
practice
is
not
only
more
representative
of
what
a
performer
is
going
to
actually
face
in
competition,
but
is
also
likely
to
give
more
opportunity
for
them
to
develop
this
injury
reducing
adaptive
variability."
 Keeping
things
fresh
and
not
using
the
same
movement
patterns
over
and
over
will
reduce
the
likelihood
of
an
overuse
injury,
it
will
pay
greater
dividends
in
a
game
and
help
to
prevent
boredom
and
mental
burnout
as
well.
 


 


I
believe
there
are
some
takeaways
from
this
book
that
have
relevance
to
Total
Results
exercise.
 
Think
about
what
is
happening
with
the
exercise
subject
and
the
instructor
during
a
workout:
there
is
regular
feedback
given
by
the
instructor,
and
the
client
needs
to
be
able
to
process
the
information
that
is
provided
and
execute
the
instructions.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nutrition Myths</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=656</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=656</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

The
establishment
media
doesn't
just
feed
us
misinformation
in
the
political
realm.
 One
of
the
most
difficult
subjects
on
which
to
get
straight
answers
from
our
purported
bastions
of
truth
is
nutrition.
 There
are
so
many
conflicting
viewpoints
out
there
that
it
is
no
wonder
many
Americans
don't
know
where
to
turn
for
the
real
facts
on
healthy
eating
habits.
 Proper
nutrition
is
a
subject
I
have
worked
hard
to
learn
more
about,
so
that
I
can
pass
that
knowledge
along
to
my
clients
and
help
them
to
capitalize
on
the
hard
work
they
put
in
during
their
workouts.
 It's
interesting
to
see
just
how
wrong
many
of
our
supposedly
"trusted
sources"
(mainly
connected
to
government
and
establishment
medicine)
are
about
the
inner
workings
of
food
and
the
human
body,
and
it
underscores
the
need
to
verify
your
sources
of
information
and
due
your
own
due
diligence
when
making
choices
about
what
to
put
in
your
body.
 Here
are
some
nutrition
myths
that
I
have
dealt
with
over
the
years.


 


Myth
#1
-
It's
about
calories
in
versus
calories
out.
 Not
all
calories
are
created
equal,
and
some
foods
have
a
greater
nutritional
component
than
others.
 While
it
is
true
that
one
gram
of
carbohydrate
contains
4
calories,
one
gram
of
protein
has
4
calories,
and
one
gram
of
fat
equals
9
calories,
the
effect
they
have
on
your
body
depends
wildly
on
the
source.
 Refined
carbohydrates
(and
sugars)
will
have
a
more
inflammatory
consequence
for
your
body,
as
well
as
create
a
higher
glycemic
effect
(meaning
that
they
cause
your
blood
sugar
to
rise).
 Organic
sources
of
meat
and
produce
are
far
less
likely
to
be
tainted
with
antibiotics
or
pesticides
that
can
put
you
at
greater
risk
for
developing
the
diseases
of
modern
civilization
(autoimmune
disorders,
certain
types
of
cancer,
heart
disease,
etc).
 Fat
calories
that
contain
high
amounts
of
Omega-6
fatty
acids
(found
in
many
vegetable
oils
and
fried
foods)
can
also
have
a
harmful
inflammatory
effect
on
your
body.
 I
will
talk
more
about
fats
a
little
later
on.
 If
fat
loss
is
a
goal,
there
is
no
question
that
you
want
to
create
a
slight
caloric
deficit,
but
it's
far
more
than
simple
addition
and
subtraction.
 My
advice
is
to
focus
more
attention
on
what
you
consume
than
to
stress
yourself
out
by
simply
counting
calories.
 Remember,
the
human
body
is
a
wonderfully
adaptive
organism
and
will
adjust
accordingly
to
what
you
put
into
it.


 



Myth
#2
-
Cholesterol
is
a
dangerous
substance.


This
is
incorrect.
 Cholesterol
is
not
inherently
dangerous;
 it
is
a
necessary
substance
that
is
naturally
found
in
your
body,
especially
in
your
brain.
 So
how
can
it
possibly
be
a
danger
to
you?
 This
is
a
myth
that
has
been
perpetuated
by
the
medical
establishment
(often
due
to
ignorance)
as
well
as
the
pharmaceutical
companies
(in
order
to
sell
you
statin
drugs
that
increase
their
bottom
line).
 According
to
a
study
published
at
the
National
Institutes
of
Health,
the
main
function
of
cholesterol
is
to,
"Maintain
the
integrity
and
fluidity
of
cell
membranes
and
to
serve
as
a
precursor
for
the
synthesis
of
substances
that
are
vital
for
the
organism,
including
steroid
hormones,
bile
acids,
and
Vitamin
D."
 Sounds
pretty
important,
right?
 Don't
get
too
worked
up
over
your
total
cholesterol
level;
frankly,
the
medical/pharmaceutical
cabal
has
been
moving
the
goal
posts
for
years
about
what
is
considered
borderline
or
high.
 Do
pay
attention
to
your
HDL
(high-density
lipoprotein,
or
"good"cholesterol),
as
high
levels
of
HDL
can
lower
your
risk
for
heart
disease
and
stroke.
 Strive
to
keep
that
number
above
60
mg/dL.
 Read
the
book
"The
Great
Cholesterol
Con"
by
Dr.
Malcolm
Kendrick
to
get
the
real
facts
about
cholesterol.


 



Myth
#3
-
Salt
is
bad
for
you
and
should
be
avoided.
 False.
 Salt
has
been
given
a
bad
rap
over
the
years,
and
misinformation
has
led
many
wives
to
severely
restrict
or
altogether
forbid
their
husbands
from
eating
salt
for
fear
of
creating
or
exacerbating
high
blood
pressure
or
heart
disease.
 In
reality,
a
far
bigger
culprit
contributing
to
those
two
conditions
is
the
consumption
of
sugars
and
refined
carbohydrates,
but
I
digress.
 Salt,
or
sodium
chloride,
is
a
substance
your
body
likes
and
needs,
which
is
why
most
of
us
enjoy
it
in
our
food.
 Salt
helps
you
to
stay
hydrated,
promotes
vascular
health,
improves
sleep,
and
supports
a
healthy
nervous
system.
 Low
levels
of
sodium
in
the
body
can
lead
to
cramping,
dizziness,
and
nausea.
 Salt
your
food
to
taste;
your
body
will
tell
you
when
you
have
had
enough.


 



Myth
#4
-
Red
meat
is
unhealthy.


I
don't
have
proof,
but
this
myth
might
have
been
propagated
by
the
poultry
industry.
 It
would
seem
to
make
sense;
in
most
cases
ask
yourself,
"who
benefits?"
 This
myth,
of
course,
is
false,
and
I
think
people
are
smarter
about
this
now
than
they
used
to
be.
 Who
doesn't
love
a
burger
or
a
perfectly
seasoned
steak?
 I
couldn't
imagine
not
eating
those
two
things,
which
is
probably
why
I
could
never
be
a
vegetarian.
 In
addition
to
tasting
great,
red
meat
is
incredibly
nutritious
and
is
a
fantastic
source
of
iron.
 According
to
WebMD,
"Red
meat
supplies
Vitamin
B12,
which
helps
make
DNA
and
keeps
nerve
and
red
blood
cells
healthy,
and
zinc,
which
keeps
the
immune
system
working
properly."
 Red
meat
also
provides
cholesterol
(see
Myth
#2)
and
supplies
muscles
with
protein,
which
it
needs
for
repair
(particularly
if
you
strength
train).
 Just
be
careful
not
to
overcook
it,
as
that
can
diminish
some
of
the
nutritional
content.


 



Myth
#5
-
Eating
dietary
fat
makes
you
fat.


Nonsense!
 I
mentioned
above
that
not
all
calories
are
created
equal,
and
while
there
are
more
calories
in
a
gram
of
fat
than
in
either
of
the
other
two
macronutrients,
this
does
not
automatically
cause
you
to
gain
fat.
 It
is
actually
the
consumption
of
refined
sugars
and
processed
carbohydrates
that
stimulates
a
higher
glycemic
response
and
causes
the
pancreas
to
release
more
insulin
in
order
to
get
energy
into
the
cells.
 This,
in
turn,
decreases
your
insulin
sensitivity
and
triggers
the
body
to
store
fat.
 Good
sources
of
saturated
fat
(such
as
eggs,
meat,
fish,
and
olive
oil)
actually
have
a
very
neutral
effect
on
your
blood
sugar
levels.
 In
fact,
ketogenic
diets
(in
which
a
majority
of
your
total
calories
come
from
fat)
have
been
shown
to
be
effective
in
terms
of
fat
loss
and
in
treating
traumatic
brain
injuries.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>My 35 Year Exercise Journey</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=654</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=654</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

How
did
I
become
an
exercise
instructor?


 


This
is
a
question
I
have
been
asked
numerous
times.
 To
be
sure,
many
people
take
different
routes
in
order
to
reach
their
desired
destination,
and
each
person
has
unique
experiences
along
the
way.
 Some
people
decide
very
early
in
life
what
career
path
they
want
to
take,
while
others
go
from
one
occupation
to
the
next
and
try
to
find
their
niche.
 Neither
of
those
situations
would
accurately
describe
my
story,
and
I
certainly
did
not
see
myself
at
a
young
age
eventually
owning
a
private
exercise
studio.
 I
was
always
active
in
playing
sports
as
a
kid
and
took
an
interest
in
physical
culture
(probably
from
watching
the
Rocky
franchise
entirely
too
many
times),
but
instructing
exercise
was
not
something
I
envisioned
as
a
career.
 In
fact,
exercise
instruction
as
an
entity
was
not
something
I
knew
existed
until
I
was
in
college,
and
even
then
I
had
no
illusions
of
considering
it
as
an
occupation.
 In
order
to
put
my
exercise
journey
into
proper
perspective,
we
need
to
go
back
a
little
further.


 


My
first
exposure
to
weight
training
took
place
in
seventh
grade.
 We
did
a
circuit
training
unit
in
physical
education
class
that
lasted
a
few
weeks,
and
it
was
the
first
time
I
had
ever
seen
selectorized
Universal
exercise
equipment.
 These
exercise
pieces
were
gargantuan
in
size,
and
contained
the
capacity
to
do
a
multitude
of
different
exercises
without
having
to
strip
or
add
on
free
weight
plates.
 I
now
know
that
these
machines
were
very
crudely
(and
incorrectly)
designed,
but
it
all
looked
pretty
impressive
to
a
twelve
year
old
kid.
 This
first
foray
into
weight
training
was
enough
to
pique
my
interest,
and
even
though
we
did
not
do
another
weight
training
unit
in
eighth
grade,
I
spent
much
of
my
thirteenth
year
doing
a
variety
of
push-ups,
sit-ups,
and
some
bench
presses
on
a
makeshift
barbell
and
bench
set
my
brother
managed
to
find.


 


I
started
a
more
structured
and
rigorous
exercise
approach
in
the
summer
before
I
entered
ninth
grade.
 The
weight
room
at
Quince
Orchard
High
School
was
open
three
evenings
a
week
for
football
players,
and
I
knew
that
I
needed
to
get
bigger
and
stronger
in
order
to
compete
at
the
high
school
level.
 The
coaches
were
present
to
supervise
us,
but
there
was
very
little
guidance
or
instruction
provided.
 When
my
family
moved
to
Germantown,
Maryland
prior
to
tenth
grade
I
transferred
to
Seneca
Valley
High
School
(the
school
of
champions),
and
the
football
weight
program
had
a
stellar
reputation
throughout
the
Washington
area.
 I
steadily
gained
strength
during
the
rest
of
my
high
school
years,
but
my
workouts
were
largely
self-guided;
I
mostly
copied
what
some
of
my
teammates
were
doing
or
tried
to
do
some
of
the
things
I
saw
in
the
muscle
magazines.
 Naturally,
it
didn't
dawn
on
me
that
the
guys
I
saw
in
those
publications
were
genetic
abnormalities
that
used
chemical
enhancement.


 


Towson
University
was
my
next
stop,
and
I
played
football
there
for
two
years
while
majoring
in
Kinesiology
(with
a
concentration
on
Teacher
Education).
 Towson
is
a
perennial
FCS
contender
now,
but
that
was
not
the
case
during
my
time
there.
 Consequently,
our
strength
and
conditioning
program
was
supervised
by
an
assistant
coach
who
knew
very
little
about
the
classic
sciences.
 There
was
no
structure
or
any
guiding
philosophy,
and
even
though
I
didn't
know
much
back
then,
I
knew
there
was
a
lot
inherently
wrong
with
what
we
were
doing.
 Performing
power
cleans
and
other
explosive
lifts
just
seemed
counterproductive
and
dangerous,
so
I
chose
not
to
do
them.
 After
I
finished
playing
football
I
worked
out
on
my
own
in
the
student
weight
room,
and
even
joined
a
commercial
gym
for
a
time.
 Once
I
finished
with
school
it
was
time
to
start
my
professional
life,
but
all
I
knew
was
that
I
did
not
want
to
be
a
public
school
physical
education
teacher.
 My
mother
suggested
that
I
look
into
working
in
the
field
of
exercise.
 It
sounded
like
it
could
be
a
good
fit.


 


One
of
my
best
friends
and
former
high
school
football
teammates,
Geoff
Yammarino,
hired
me
to
work
for
him
on
the
fitness
staff
at
Washington
Sports
Club
in
Germantown,
Maryland.
 The
job
was
pretty
easy;
it
entailed
cleaning
and
maintaining
the
equipment,
chatting
with
club
members,
answering
questions,
giving
occasional
assistance,
and
periodically
training
clients
(even
though
I
was
extremely
green).
 During
my
time
at
WSC
I
obtained
two
exercise
instructor
certifications:
 one
through
the
American
Council
on
Exercise
and
another
from
the
National
Strength
Professionals
Association.
 I
look
back
on
both
of
these
certifications
as
being
largely
inadequate
and
full
of
much
misinformation,
but
they
at
least
got
me
started.
 The
atmosphere
at
WSC
was
ridiculous:
 mirrors,
crowds,
loud
music,
group
exercise
classes,
and
bizarre
personalities
were
all
on
display.
 I
survived
in
this
insane
asylum
for
a
little
over
a
year,
but
I
did
get
to
meet
my
friend
and
future
co-worker
Al
Coleman,
who
first
introduced
me
to
this
strange
exercise
concept
called
Super
Slow.
 This
was
when
I
first
realized
that
I
could
possibly
make
a
career
out
of
something
that
I
had
previously
considered
a
hobby.


 


I
left
WSC
to
take
a
job
at
The
Fitness
Company
in
Georgetown.
 Al
had
left
WSC
a
couple
of
months
earlier,
and
he
let
me
know
that
a
position
would
be
opening
up,
so
I
jumped
at
the
opportunity
to
work
in
the
Nation's
Capital.
 This
was
a
chance
to
grow
and
learn
how
to
become
a
full-time
instructor,
and
it
was
in
Georgetown
that
I
started
to
implement
the
principles
that
Al
had
first
explained
to
me
the
previous
year.
 During
this
time,
I
bought
a
copy
of
"Super
Slow
-
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol"
by
Ken
Hutchins,
and
read
it
cover
to
cover.
 The
proverbial
light
bulb
went
off
over
my
head,
and
from
there
I
used
a
lot
of
company
paper
and
ink
to
print
out
copies
of
the
writings
of
Arthur
Jones,
Dr.
Doug
McGuff,
and
several
others.
 Unfortunately,
 management
at
The
Fitness
Company
was
not
as
enthusiastic
about
my
philosophical
growth
as
I
was,
and
I
frequently
butted
heads
with
them.
 They
didn't
appreciate
that
I
was
truthful
with
my
clients
by
telling
them
that
traditional
steady-state
activities
like
biking,
jogging,
and
group
exercise
classes
were
an
injury
risk
and
a
waste
of
time.
 The
atmosphere
eventually
became
contentious,
and
I
decided
to
pursue
some
other
options.


 


My
next
professional
stop
was
at
Sport
and
Health
in
Annandale,
Virginia;
now
I
could
say
that
I
had
obtained
gainful
employment
in
Maryland,
DC,
and
Virginia.
 Yes,
this
was
yet
another
commercial
health
club,
but
the
atmosphere
was
better
than
at
WSC
or
The
Fitness
Company.
 The
equipment
was
substandard
and
there
was
still
endorsement
of
steady-state
activity,
but
both
my
fitness
director
and
the
club's
general
manager
were
much
more
hands-off.
 I
was
able
to
get
out
of
working
regular
floor
hours
pretty
quickly
and
exclusively
instruct
clients
one
on
one,
although
the
noisy
atmosphere
made
it
a
challenge.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Mastery and the White Belt Mindset</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=653</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=653</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
am
skeptical
of
anyone
that
refers
to
themselves
as
an
expert,
regardless
of
what
field
they
are
in.
 In
my
opinion,
if
someone
considers
themselves
an
expert
they
are
sending
a
message
that
they
know
all
there
is
to
know
about
a
certain
subject;
they
have
reached
their
capacity
to
gain
any
further
insight
and
are
content
where
they
are.
 This
is
faulty
thinking
and
smacks
of
arrogance.
 I
believe
that
the
only
subject
in
which
one
can
truly
consider
themselves
an
expert
is
knowledge
of
self,
and
even
that
should
be
an
ongoing
process.
 While
no
one
truly
knows
you
better
than
you
know
yourself,
it
is
my
belief
that
self-analysis
and
discovery
should
be
a
lifelong
process,
and
it
is
a
sign
of
personal
growth.


 


The
same
can
be
said
about
the
concept
of
mastery.
 Mastery
of
anything,
whether
it's
a
musical
instrument
or
complex
mathematics,
is
something
that
requires
patience,
practice,
desire,
and
humility.
 It
means
never
being
content
with
one's
knowledge;
in
order
to
succeed
one
must
strive
to
learn
more
and
to
get
better.
 Patience
is
required
because
the
true
nature
of
learning
entails
making
mistakes.
 Practice
is
necessary
to
hone
one's
skills
and
improve
technique.
 An
individual
must
have
the
drive
and
the
burning
desire
to
improve
in
order
to
achieve
mastery.
 This
is
what
makes
the
time
and
effort
worth
it.
 Finally,
a
humble
attitude
helps
to
remind
you
that
no
matter
how
much
you
think
you
know,
there
is
always
someone
out
there
that
knows
more.
 Knowledge
can
come
from
a
variety
of
sources,
and
experience
is
the
best
teacher.
 He
who
knows
will
always
work
for
he
who
knows
why.


 


In
martial
arts,
there
is
what
is
known
as
the
"White
Belt
Mindset."
 A
white
belt
is
given
to
beginner
students
of
the
discipline,
and
it
signifies
that
they
are
the
least
knowledgeable
practitioners
of
the
art
in
the
dojo.
 As
students
progress
they
earn
belts
of
different
colors
to
indicate
their
change
in
skill
level,
and
in
most
disciplines
a
black
belt
is
considered
the
highest
honor,
although
there
are
different
degrees
of
black
belt.
 Many
martial
arts
instructors
espouse
(and
they
themselves
practice)
the
"White
Belt
Mindset,"
which
means
that
no
matter
what
proficiency
level
they
achieve,
they
still
continue
to
learn
and
grow,
both
mentally
and
physically.
 They
are
not
content
with
their
current
level
of
knowledge
and
skill,
and
have
the
beginner's
mentality
that
dictates
there
is
still
much
more
to
learn.
 Practitioners
of
the
"White
Belt
Mindset"
know
that
learning
is
a
lifelong
journey,
and
they
believe
that
this
is
an
important
lesson
to
demonstrate
to
people
of
all
experience
levels.


 


Over
90
percent
of
Total
Results
clients
have
never
used
our
exercise
methodology
before
they
walk
into
our
studio.
 They
are
truly
beginners,
and
we
metaphorically
give
them
a
"white
belt"
when
they
go
through
an
initial
consultation
and
a
sample
workout.
 In
many
cases,
working
with
someone
who
has
never
exercised
before
is
easier
than
trying
to
teach
someone
who
has
a
preconceived
notion
of
what
they
think
exercise
is.
 A
new
client
is
often
a
blank
canvas
and
is
someone
more
receptive
to
teaching,
as
opposed
to
someone
who
needs
to
unlearn
bad
habits.
 We
start
new
clients
with
a
basic,
generic
routine
which
consists
of
compound
exercises
that
are
the
easiest
to
learn.
 This
enables
the
client
to
develop
a
proper
feel
for
speed
of
movement,
turnarounds,
pace
and
correct
breathing,
while
it
helps
the
instructor
to
effectively
gauge
strength
and
skill
levels,
get
proper
machine
settings,
and
help
the
client
to
gradually
reach
a
more
meaningful
level
of
resistance
and
effort.
 This
process
also
helps
the
instructor
to
troubleshoot
or
make
adjustments
or
substitute
exercises
in
the
case
of
joint
problems.
 In
many
cases,
the
concept
of
Occam's
Razor
applies;
the
simplest
solution/explanation
is
often
the
correct
one.
 Once
the
client
reaches
an
appropriate
level
of
proficiency,
we
will
often
introduce
some
new
exercises
that
are
commensurate
with
their
ability
to
process
and
execute
instructions
that
they
are
given.
 Many
twice-per-week
clients
will
perform
two
completely
separate
exercise
routines
each
week,
an
A
routine
and
a
B
routine.
 No
matter
how
advanced
a
client
becomes
or
how
intensely
they
exercise,
we
always
return
to
fundamentals:
 proper
breathing,
trunk
and
neck
stabilization,
and
smoothness
of
movement.
 There
are
several
Total
Results
clients
that
have
been
with
us
for
over
fifteen
years,
and
they
continue
to
make
progress
toward
their
goals
while
still
being
extremely
receptive
to
instructions.
 These
long-tenured
clients
are
excellent
examples
of
the
"White
Belt
Mindset."


 


I
have
worked
as
an
exercise
instructor
for
over
twenty
years,
and
I
could
(and
likely
will)
spend
a
lifetime
attempting
to
master
the
nuances
of
my
art
and
never
feel
satisfied
with
my
level
of
knowledge.
 I
see
mastery
as
most
people
visualize
the
concept
of
perfection;
it
is
something
to
constantly
shoot
for
but
is
always
just
outside
of
my
grasp.
 This
is
what
gets
me
up
in
the
morning
at
a
ridiculously
early
hour.
 It
is
the
pursuit
of
mastery
that
matters,
not
the
achievement
of
it.
 I
constantly
review
my
performance,
critique
myself,
question
what
I
know,
and
look
to
see
if
there
is
truly
a
better
way.
 In
the
end,
I
find
myself
going
back
to
fundamentals
of
instruction
such
as
where
I
stand
during
a
session,
voice
volume
and
inflection,
word/phrase
choices,
and
being
able
to
see
the
complete
picture.
 It
never
hurts
to
have
a
refresher
now
and
again,
and
periodic
reflection
is
a
healthy
habit.


 


Think
of
this
as
a
journey
rather
than
a
destination.
 People
are
individuals,
and
everyone
has
different
goals
they
want
to
accomplish.
 When
one
goal
has
been
reached,
set
another
goal.
 Even
though
exercise
is
a
means
to
an
end
for
many
of
you,
striving
for
mastery
and
maintaining
a
"White
Belt
Mindset"
will
keep
you
mentally
and
physically
sharp
and
help
you
to
achieve
excellence
along
the
way.



 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Equipment Design, Function, and Protocol - Requirements for Success</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=652</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=652</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
is
far
more
to
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
than
simply
going
to
muscular
failure
while
using
a
specific
speed
of
movement.
 The
philosophy
encompasses
numerous
elements
and
has
many
requirements
that
must
be
satisfied,
otherwise
the
end
result
will
be
less
than
optimal.
 Most
readers
have
been
inside
a
traditional
gym
or
health
club
before
and
have
seen
the
ridiculous
behavior
in
such
an
environment;
there
is
no
cohesive
exercise
philosophy
among
the
patrons
or
owners
of
the
establishment,
and
the
equipment
is
generally
terrible.
 A
reasoned
exercise
philosophy
should
have
a
foundation
rooted
in
the
classic
sciences,
as
well
as
an
understanding
of
human
behavior
and
psychology.
 The
studio
environment
is
just
as
important
as
the
instructor's
use
of
language
or
the
exercise
equipment
that
is
used.
 Finally,
a
clear
and
concise
communication
of
expectations
and
objectives
must
be
understood
by
both
the
instructor
and
the
client.
 In
short,
all
of
these
ingredients
must
be
in
place
in
order
to
achieve
success.
 These
are
the
pillars
of
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy.


 


The
first
element
is
the
studio
environment.
 As
I
mentioned
earlier,
most
commercial
gyms
are
a
haven
of
distractions
and
ridiculous
behavior.
 Simply
put,
nobody
that
is
interested
in
a
deep
and
meaningful
exercise
experience
can
achieve
much
benefit
amid
such
a
circus.
 Gyms
are
generally
too
hot,
crowded
and
full
of
people
who
know
less
than
nothing
about
proper
exercise.
 A
proper
studio
environment
should
be
clean,
cool,
properly
ventilated,
and
most
of
all
private.
 Meaningful
exercise
requires
deep
focus
and
concentration,
and
it
must
be
quiet
enough
to
be
able
to
listen
to
and
process
instructions
from
your
instructor.
 At
Total
Results,
we
keep
the
temperature
around
68
degrees,
with
humidity
between
40
and
60
percent
(the
optimal
range)
and
fans
are
stationed
near
each
machine.
 This
enables
the
client
to
work
intensely
without
overheating,
and
a
workout
should
be
completed
without
a
drop
of
sweat.
 The
best
part
of
all
is
that
there
is
no
one
else
in
the
studio
besides
the
instructor
and
the
client.
 Distractions
are
all
but
eliminated
and
privacy
is
assured.


 


There
must
be
a
clear
and
concise
communication
between
the
instructor
and
client
about
what
is
to
be
expected
from
both
parties,
as
well
as
the
objectives
of
exercise.
 These
should
be
re-emphasized
periodically.
 Safety
and
efficiency
are
paramount.
 It
should
be
clearly
understood
that
working
at
a
high
level
of
intensity
in
order
to
stimulate
positive
change
is
not
a
social
activity
and
is
most
definitely
not
fun,
and
that
to
achieve
optimum
metabolic
benefit
requires
focus,
attention
to
detail,
and
a
willingness
to
learn
something
that
is
very
new
for
most
people.
 There
should
be
a
desire
to
want
to
improve,
and
I
believe
that
the
best
motivation
is
intrinsic.
 Ralph
Weinstein
said
it
best
in
his
most
recent
article
when
he
quoted
former
Notre
Dame
football
coach
Lou
Holtz:
 "Ability
is
what
you
are
capable
of
doing.
 Motivation
determines
what
you
do.
 But
attitude
determines
how
well
you
do
it."


 


A
foundation
in
the
classic
sciences
is
the
backbone
of
the
Total
Results
philosophy,
and
it
sets
us
apart
from
the
traditional
weight
training
and
steady-state
aerobics
that
most
people
have
been
brainwashed
into
believing
in
over
the
last
40
years.
 We
call
upon
principles
derived
from
biology,
chemistry,
physics,
motor
learning,
biomechanics,
and
anatomy
and
physiology.
 From
physics
we
understand
that
force
=
mass
x
acceleration,
and
that
excessive
force
is
the
root
cause
of
injury.
 Avoiding
abrupt
acceleration
is
paramount
to
maximizing
safety
and
optimizing
muscular
loading,
which
is
a
requirement
to
stimulate
muscle
growth
and
other
physical
improvements.
 Biology
teaches
us
how
the
body
utilizes
energy,
not
just
in
everyday
life,
but
what
fuel
is
used
for
a
high
intensity
workout.
 It
teaches
us
that
we
use
both
the
aerobic
and
anaerobic
metabolic
pathways
during
our
brief
and
infrequent
exercise
sessions,
and
it
guides
the
instructor's
decision
about
exercise
frequency,
intensity,
and
duration.
 An
understanding
of
anatomy
and
physiology
enables
us
to
know
muscle
and
joint
function,
which
guides
us
in
determining
exercise
selection
and
settings,
and
knowing
the
structure
of
joints
allows
us
to
anticipate
making
adjustments
in
the
case
of
injury.
 Knowledge
of
motor
learning
and
biomechanics
principles
enables
us
to
help
clients
learn
proper
form.
 We
perform
gross
motor
movements
that
are
not
based
on
anything
other
than
proper
muscle
and
joint
function.
 The
problem
with
so-called
"functional
training"
is
that
it
is
too
rooted
in
performing
or
mimicking
a
specific
skill.
 Every
time
you
try
to
mimic
a
sport-specific
skill
or
other
types
of
movements
in
weight
training,
the
risk
of
injury
exponentially
increases
due
to
high
levels
of
force.
 Finally,
a
basic
understanding
of
chemistry
helps
us
to
provide
nutritional
and
supplementation
guidance
to
our
clients
so
that
they
can
maximize
their
genetic
blueprint
and
get
the
most
out
of
the
exercise
stimulus
that
we
create
during
workouts.


 


An
exercise
protocol
is
only
as
good
as
the
equipment
that
is
being
used,
and
muscular
function
should
dictate
equipment
design.
 If
a
machine
does
not
properly
track
muscle
and
joint
function,
then
optimal
loading
of
the
muscular
structures
cannot
occur.
 Simply
put,
terrible
equipment
equals
a
terrible
exercise
experience.
 Most
exercise
machines
that
you
see
in
commercial
facilities
are
poorly
engineered.
 They
are
often
laden
with
friction,
utilize
independent
movement
arms
(which
are
dangerous
and
far
more
difficult
to
control),
and
have
cams
(which
vary
the
resistance
based
on
leverage)
that
are
incorrect
and
backwards
because
they
are
based
on
a
speed
of
movement
that
is
way
too
fast.
 Arthur
Jones
created
Nautilus
machines
in
order
to
improve
upon
the
only
tool
that
was
largely
available
at
that
time:
the
barbell.
 Jones
created
his
"Ten
Requirements
for
Full
Range
Exercise''
as
a
guideline
for
equipment
design,
but
also
as
a
sub-philosophy
for
training,
and
although
many
of
his
requirements
have
been
rendered
moot,
a
couple
of
them
still
have
great
value,
such
as
the
need
for
direct
and
variable
resistance.
 Jones's
machines
were
a
quantum
leap
forward
for
weight
training
safety
and
efficiency,
but
even
vintage
Nautilus
equipment
was
far
from
perfect.
 Ken
Hutchins
encountered
problems
with
friction,
independent
movement
arms,
and
backward
cams
when
he
utilized
slower
movement
speeds
during
the
Nautilus
Osteoporosis
Study,
and
it
prompted
him
to
first
retrofit
many
of
the
Nautilus
machines,
then
to
start
designing
his
own
equipment
to
his
specifications.
 Hutchins
understood
that
a
machine
must
have
minimal
friction
in
order
to
accommodate
a
proper
slow
speed
of
movement,
and
the
equipment
that
we
have
at
Total
Results
was
built
by
Ken
in
order
to
improve
upon
machines
made
by
Nautilus
and
MedX
(also
started
by
Arthur
Jones).
 


 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>My Workout, by Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=651</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=651</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

We
only
have
one
body
and
it's
loaded
with
bones
(206),
muscles
(640+),
tissues,
and
cartilage,
just
to
mention
a
few
parts.
We
are
responsible
for
maintaining
our
bodies.
You
can
get
help,
but
the
responsibility
is
still
yours
and
you
only
get
one
chance.
There
are
no
benefits
to
waiting.
We
age
and
you
can't
go
back
to
the
earlier
years.



If
you
take
care
of
yourself,
as
you
age,
you
will
be
able
to
maintain
your
independence
and
mobility.
The
best
way
to
do
this
is
through
strength
training.
I
started
strength
training
at
the
ripe
age
of
64
and
15
years
later,
I'm
still
working
at
it
and
enjoy
it.



As
you
go
through
each
decade
your
body
slows
down
and
wears
out,
and
exercise
becomes
more
challenging.
I
still
do
the
activities
that
I
have
done
in
the
past
but
with
less
frequency
because
I
need
more
recovery
time.



My
strength
training
workout
is
by
far
the
most
important
to
me.
At
all
costs,
I
will
be
there.
There
are
times
the
night
before
I
don't
feel
so
good
and
think
maybe
I
shouldn't
go
tomorrow
but
I
go
and
I'm
never
disappointed.
Doing
anything
is
better
than
doing
nothing
at
all.


When
I'm
ready
to
begin
my
workout,
I
clear
my
head.
My
wife
Debby
says,"
You
shouldn't
have
any
trouble
doing
that."
My
concerns
are
proper
breathing
and
proper
form.
Correct
breathing
improves
thoracic
mobility
and
reduces
shoulder
impingement.
Maintaining
a
neutral
head
position
in
alignment
with
your
spine
will
help
avoid
neck
injuries.
Above
all,
breathe
freely
without
forced
or
excessive
ventilation
and
do
not
hold
your
breath
at
any
time.
Holding
your
breath
(Valsalva)
blocks
venous
return
(the
return
of
blood
from
the
extremities
back
to
the
heart)
and
drives
blood
pressure
to
dangerously
high
levels.



Maintaining
good
form
during
strength
training
is
important
because
it
helps
ensure
correct
muscular
targeting.
 The
good
form
ensures
that
the
joints
of
the
body
are
in
the
most
ideal
position
to
accept
forces.
 Performing
resistance
exercise
when
our
joints
are
not
in
proper
alignment
can
lead
to
increased
stress
and
wear
and
tear
to
the
joints
and
other
surrounding
tissues
that
can
lead
to
injury.


The
instructor
monitors
your
breathing
and
helps
you
maintain
proper
body
alignment
throughout
the
exercise.
In
addition,
he
is
responsible
for
adjusting
your
weights
and
keeping
the
time
for
each
exercise.
I
do
not
concern
myself
with
the
time
for
each
exercise.
I
will
explain
how
I
evaluate
it
later.



I
start
each
exercise
under
our
slow
protocol
doing
a
10
second
positive
and
10-
second
negative
repetition.
It
is
important
to
maintain
a
slow
pace.
As
I
progress
the
resistance
builds.
I
will
reach
a
point
where
I
can't
move
the
weight
anymore.
I
hold
it
for
six
to
ten
seconds
and
then
slowly
lower
the
weight.
During
that
time,
I
have
created
momentary
muscular
failure
or
"thorough
inroad."



During
those
few
seconds,
I
have
created
microscopic
tears
in
the
targeted
muscles.
It
will
take
approximately
48
to
72
hours
for
those
tears
to
heal
and
become
stronger
and
possibly
larger.
My
goal
for
each
exercise
is
to
reach
a
"thorough
inroad."


I
do
not
concern
myself
with
the
amount
of
weight
or
the
time
it
takes
to
complete
the
exercise
although
both
have
been
recorded.
 I
regularly
check
my
chart
to
see
if
it
is
necessary
to
raise
or
lower
the
weights
based
on
the
times.
Under
our
protocol,
we
strive
for
one
minute
fifty
seconds
as
ideal.
I
would
adjust
the
weight
accordingly
if
I
was
constantly
over
or
under
the
preferred
time.


I
generally
finish
my
work
out
on
the
abmat
and
say
to
myself
"I
did
the
best
I
could
today."
 That
is
a
statement
that
I
have
applied
to
myself
throughout
my
career.
Whatever
happens,
 if
I
can
honestly
say,
"I
did
the
best
I
could
today,"
then
no
one
can
be
critical
of
my
results,
and
I
move
on.



In
a
few
weeks,
I
will
celebrate
my
79th

birthday.
Age
is
just
a
number.
It
is
how
you
feel
and
what
you
can
do
every
day.


I
want
to
close
with
a
quote
from
a
very
outstanding
football
coach
and
motivational
speaker,
Lou
Holtz:


Ability
is
what
you
are
capable
of
doing.


Motivation
determines
what
you
do.


But
attitude
determines
how
well
you
do
it.



 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>A Deeper Meaning</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=650</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=650</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

One
of
the
best
books
I
have
ever
read
is
"Man's
Search
for
Meaning"
by
Viktor
Frankl.
It
is
a
famous
book,
one
that
many
of
you
have
probably
read
at
some
point,
and
is
a
literary
work
that
should
be
considered
required
reading
for
anyone
that
wants
to
learn
something
about
themselves.
Frankl
details
his
experiences
as
a
prisoner
in
several
Nazi
concentration
camps
during
World
War
II,
and
even
in
the
most
terrible
circumstances
he
was
able
to
find
the
joy
and
meaning
necessary
to
sustain
himself
until
he
was
liberated
by
the
Allies.
Certainly
none
of
us
will
experience
in
our
lifetime
the
horrors
that
Frankl
was
forced
to
endure,
but
reading
this
masterpiece
prompted
me
to
do
some
thinking
about
my
own
search
for
a
deeper
meaning.
The
questions
I
hope
to
answer
are,
how
does
this
relate
to
the
work
that
I
do
and
the
people
I
interact
with
in
the
course
of
that
work
on
a
daily
basis?
What
exactly
is
it
that
I
hope
to
achieve?
This
is
what
I
ponder.

 


Naturally,
we
hope
to
achieve
success
and
find
meaning
along
the
way.
Some
might
attach
meaning
with
only
the
end
result,
but
I
think
it's
important
to
value
the
process
just
as
much,
if
not
more,
than
the
outcome.
There
is
joy
and
meaning
to
be
found
in
putting
in
the
work,
in
simply
giving
the
effort
necessary
to
achieve
something
great.
I
believe
this
is
true
no
matter
what
your
occupation
is
or
what
it
is
you
are
trying
to
accomplish.
Many
athletes,
when
they
look
back
on
a
championship
season,
are
likely
to
talk
just
as
much
about
the
practices
and
experiences
in
the
locker
room
as
they
are
about
the
penultimate
game.
If
you
are
an
artist,
there
is
meaning
to
be
found
in
the
creative
process,
of
actually
painting
or
sculpting
something
from
scratch.
I
would
imagine
that
most
musicians
and
songwriters
derive
immense
pleasure
from
realizing
a
vision
they
have
in
their
head
and
writing
a
piece
of
music
or
a
song
that
only
they
could
write.
While
great
works
of
art
and
memorable
songs
certainly
bring
pleasure
to
others,
I
believe
that
creative
people
need
to
satisfy
themselves
before
they
can
bring
happiness
or
value
to
others.
In
other
words,
they
need
to
find
meaning
in
their
work
first,
otherwise
the
effect
will
not
be
the
same.
As
Frankl
says,
"Don't
aim
at
success.
The
more
you
aim
at
it
and
make
it
a
target,
the
more
you
are
going
to
miss
it.
For
success,
like
happiness,
cannot
be
pursued;
it
must
ensue,
and
it
only
does
so
as
the
unintended
side
effect
of
one's
personal
dedication
to
a
cause
greater
than
oneself."

 


How
does
this
relate
to
exercise?
I
can
speak
about
my
own
experiences
as
an
instructor
and
in
my
own
workouts,
and
while
most
people
are
probably
not
as
enthusiastic
about
exercise
as
I
am,
I
think
that
both
former
and
current
Total
Results
clients
can
understand
my
perspective.
I
look
at
each
workout
as
a
chance
to
accomplish
something
meaningful,
not
only
physically
but
mentally
as
well.
I
often
talk
about
a
Total
Results
workout
as
being
a
metabolic
event,
and
on
the
cellular
level
that
is
exactly
what
we
set
out
to
accomplish,
but
it's
more
than
that.
We
all
know
that
these
workouts
are
not
fun,
but
each
session
is
an
opportunity
to
prove
your
mettle
and
improve
your
mental
focus
and
toughness.
Your
instructor
will
push
you
to
test
your
resolve
and
go
beyond
muscular
failure,
but
it
is
also
a
way
to
expand
your
intellectual
ability.
Learning
how
to
think
through
the
process,
and
execute
instructions
will
help
you
to
sharpen
your
intellectual
capabilities.
The
mental
component
of
this
workout
can
never
be
underestimated.
If
you
can
maintain
your
focus
while
pushing
through
intense
muscular
discomfort,
you
have
won
a
very
important
mental
battle.
Clients
are
able
to
adapt
mentally
to
the
demands
that
are
placed
upon
them,
and
the
most
successful
trainees
are
able
to
tell
themselves
that
they
will
work
as
hard
as
they
possibly
can
for
a
very
finite
period
of
time.
This
is
something
that
anyone
can
do
with
the
right
mindset
and
proper
instruction.
It
is
far
more
than
just
a
workout;
it
is
a
chance
to
incorporate
something
meaningful
into
your
life.

 


My
goal
is
to
broaden
the
concept
of
the
meaning
of
exercise
to
the
individual,
both
from
a
physical
and
a
mental
standpoint.
Ken
Hutchins
gives
a
very
specific
definition
of
what
exercise
is
in
his
landmark
book
"Super
Slow
-
The
Ultimate
Exercise
Protocol",
but
I
want
to
approach
it
on
a
deeper
level.
In
my
opinion,
high
intensity
exercise
is
not
merely
a
physical
activity,
although
the
primary
purpose
is
to
stimulate
tangible
physical
changes
in
the
body
through
meaningful
loading
of
the
muscular
structures.
I
believe
we
also
cross
an
intellectual
and
spiritual
threshold
during
a
workout,
since
understanding
and
attention
to
detail
are
required
in
order
to
optimize
the
exercise
stimulus.
One
gets
the
sense
and
feeling
that
they
have
done
all
that
they
can
possibly
do
with
their
mind
and
body
to
achieve
the
desired
effect.
That
is
a
victory.
In
our
clinically
controlled
environment,
the
instructor
and
client
work
in
concert
to
achieve
something
truly
special
-
the
greatest
metabolic
experience
possible.
This
requires
patience
and
understanding
on
the
part
of
both
parties,
and
can
only
occur
as
a
result
of
developing
great
trust
that
each
person
will
hold
up
his
or
her
end
of
the
bargain.
Many
former
clients
have
tried
to
replicate
this
experience
in
a
commercial
gym
setting,
but
typically
fall
short.
It
is
nearly
impossible
to
get
the
same
experience
without
the
privacy,
attention
to
detail,
equipment,
and
knowledge
that
one
has
come
to
expect
at
Total
Results.
Simply
put,
it
is
very
difficult
to
achieve
that
deep
level
of
meaning
anywhere
else.

 


There
is
a
deep
feeling
of
satisfaction
and
accomplishment
that
I
get
in
the
succeeding
minutes
following
a
superb
workout.
These
feelings
are
fleeting,
but
I
wish
I
could
hold
onto
them
forever;
that
is
what
keeps
me
coming
back
every
week
and
makes
me
exercise
even
when
there
are
times
that
I
don't
want
to.
I
get
a
similar
feeling
of
pride
each
time
a
client
completes
a
workout
under
my
supervision.
There
is
the
sense
that
I
have
achieved
something
meaningful,
in
that
I
have
helped
someone
else
achieve
something
meaningful
in
their
own
lives.
This
helps
me
to
know
that
I
am
on
the
right
track.

 


The
search
for
a
deeper
meaning
is
what
gets
us
out
of
bed
in
the
morning
even
when
we
would
rather
go
back
to
sleep.
It's
what
makes
us
work
harder
to
get
better
at
the
things
in
life
that
we
find
important.
A
deeper
meaning
is
what
makes
me
enthusiastic
every
day
about
the
concept
of
exercise
and
instructing
our
amazing
clients
at
Total
Results.
A
quote
from
Ken
Hutchins
says
it
perfectly:
"Throughout
the
excursion,
constantly
strive
to
find
meaningful
resistance.
Be
on
the
search,
the
lookout,
the
quest,
the
hunt
for
meaningful
resistance!
If
exercise
has
meaning
in
your
life,
then
the
essence
of
the
meaning
is
the
resistance
-
not
the
weight,
not
the
movement,
not
the
power,
not
the
work,
not
the
repetitions."

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>A Plan of Action for 2022</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=649</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=649</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

A
new
year
often
brings
an
opportunity
for
optimism
and
a
fresh
start.
 Considering
all
the
turmoil
and
insanity
of
the
last
two
years,
I
think
most
of
us
would
welcome
a
chance
to
wipe
the
slate
clean
and
start
anew.
 I
generally
don't
put
much
stock
into
New
Year's
resolutions;
for
most
people,
they
don't
last
very
long.
 A
perfect
example
is
the
commercial
fitness
industry.
 Take
a
look
at
the
parking
lots
of
most
gyms
right
after
New
Year's
Day.
 They
are
usually
packed
in
early
January,
and
then
much
less
so
by
the
middle
of
February.
 That
is
because
the
novelty
of
the
resolution
has
worn
off,
and
the
real
work
that
is
necessary
to
achieve
something
meaningful
and
tangible
becomes
a
reality.
 Many
people
that
set
goals
or
come
up
with
New
Year's
resolutions
are
well-intentioned,
but
don't
have
a
method
for
how
they
intend
to
accomplish
what
they
want
to
achieve.
 What
separates
the
successful
from
the
unsuccessful
in
many
walks
of
life
is
a
plan
of
action
and
a
willingness
to
implement
that
plan
faithfully,
day
after
day
and
month
after
month.


 


One
needs
structure,
discipline,
and
a
plan
in
order
to
achieve
success;
it
doesn't
just
happen
by
accident.
 Ernest
Hemingway
is
revered
by
fans
of
literature
nearly
as
much
for
his
novels
as
for
his
extracurricular
activities,
but
the
fact
is
that
during
the
most
productive
periods
of
his
life,
he
was
an
incredibly
disciplined
writer.
 He
would
write
faithfully
every
morning
from
6
AM
until
noon
(a
productive
session
might
entail
his
using
as
many
as
seven
pencils),
even
if
it
only
produced
a
few
completed
pages.
 This
formula
helped
him
to
become
one
of
the
most
accomplished
literary
figures
of
the
20th
century.
 Mick
Jagger
of
The
Rolling
Stones
still
performs
in
front
of
sold-out
crowds
at
the
age
of
78
(and
after
heart
valve
replacement
surgery
a
couple
of
years
ago)
and
has
lost
none
of
his
ability
to
sing
and
dance
for
two
hours
per
concert
after
nearly
60
years
in
the
business.
 Jagger
maintains
a
very
rigorous
pre
and
post-show
routine,
practices
meditation,
eats
an
organic
diet,
and
drinks
very
little
alcohol
(a
far
cry
from
the
Stones'
touring
days
of
the
late
60s
and
70s).
 Sir
Mick's
routine
seems
to
be
working,
as
I
can
attest
from
having
seen
the
Stones
perform
in
Nashville
in
October
of
2021.


 


You
don't
need
to
wait
for
the
turn
of
a
calendar
year
to
develop
a
plan
of
action,
although
now
is
as
good
a
time
as
any
to
do
so.
 If
you
are
looking
to
take
charge
of
your
health,
improve
your
physical
conditioning,
change
the
way
you
look
and
feel,
and
get
more
out
of
life,
then
Total
Results
is
the
place
for
you.
 There
is
a
method
to
our
madness,
but
the
structure
of
our
workouts
is
only
one
part
of
the
equation.
 We
can
help
you
prioritize
what
you
want
to
accomplish,
and
then
develop
a
specific
plan
to
help
you
get
there.
 In
order
to
maximize
your
potential,
you
need
to
be
willing
to
make
changes
to
your
lifestyle,
specifically
diet,
sleep
habits,
and
stress
management.
 These
changes
don't
need
to
be
a
major
overhaul,
but
you
need
to
be
able
to
be
honest
with
yourself
and
understand
that
the
current
course
isn't
working.
 This
is
not
a
sign
of
weakness,
but
rather
a
sign
of
strength
and
of
maturity


 


It
all
starts
with
the
workout.
 Do
your
best
to
be
on
time
and
attend
every
session
that
you
have
scheduled.
 As
the
old
saying
goes,
showing
up
is
80
percent
of
life.
 Be
focused
and
give
a
maximum
effort
in
every
workout.
 The
workout
is
the
stimulus
that
sets
all
of
the
desired
metabolic
changes
into
motion;
without
a
proper
stimulus,
positive
changes
do
not
occur.
 Strive
to
buy
the
highest
quality
food
that
you
can
find,
preferably
organic.
 These
are
the
raw
materials
that
your
body
needs
for
fuel.
 I
know
that
this
can
be
a
challenge
in
our
current
environment,
with
supply
chain
issues
affecting
grocery
stores,
but
a
little
extra
legwork
and
preparation
will
go
a
long
way.
 Start
adding
in
time
restricted
eating,
such
as
intermittent
fasting,
to
help
regulate
hormone
and
blood
sugar
levels,
as
well
as
optimize
gene
expression.
 Dedicate
yourself
to
getting
a
consistent
seven
to
nine
hours
of
sleep
per
night.
 Many
Americans
carry
a
significant
sleep
debt
that
can
be
very
easily
corrected,
if
one
sets
a
consistent
bed
and
wake
up
time
and
limits
exposure
to
artificial
light
just
before
sleep.
 Incorporate
stress
management
techniques
into
your
plan,
such
as
mindfulness
or
meditation,
and
take
the
time
to
slow
down
and
breathe.
 It's
amazing
how
well
this
works.
 Finally,
find
ways
to
move
throughout
the
day.
 The
human
body
was
designed
to
move,
not
stand
or
sit
still.


 


I
also
recommend
keeping
a
journal
and
recording
changes
in
how
you
feel
as
you
follow
your
plan
of
action.
 It's
important
to
have
a
spirit
and
a
mindset
of
accountability.
 This
can
help
you
to
analyze
how
well
you're
doing.
 Don't
be
afraid
to
review
your
plan
and
make
changes
if
you
fall
off
track;
remember,
nobody
is
perfect.
 What
works
for
one
person
may
not
work
for
another,
so
that's
why
we
customize
your
workout
to
meet
your
individual
needs.
 You
are
capable
of
so
much
more
than
you
realize;
it's
time
to
start
getting
everything
you
want
out
of
life.
 Create
your
plan
of
action
and
start
on
the
right
path
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Another Insurance Policy</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=647</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=647</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

An
objective
look
at
what
is
going
on
in
our
current
world
will
tell
you
that
there
are
rising
costs
everywhere.
 This
is
happening
at
the
grocery
store,
the
gas
pump,
and
even
in
the
housing
and
rental
markets.
 While
costs
are
rising
worldwide,
it
is
especially
true
in
the
United
States;
certain
parts
of
the
country
are
being
hit
harder
than
others.
 I
don't
want
to
turn
this
into
an
economics
discussion,
but
inflation
(adding
more
dollars
to
those
already
in
circulation)
is
a
hidden
tax
on
the
consumer,
and
it
lowers
the
purchasing
power
of
every
dollar
that
you
have.
 This
can
affect
you
in
a
multitude
of
ways,
but
it
certainly
means
that
insurance
premiums,
doctor
visits,
trips
to
the
emergency
room,
and
prescription
(as
well
as
over
the
counter)
medications
will
also
be
more
expensive.
 Pharmaceutical
commercials
are
seemingly
ubiquitous,
but
I
routinely
see
an
ad
for
a
man
picking
up
his
prescription
at
a
pharmacy
who
is
surprised
by
the
soaring
cost
of
his
medication.
 I
suspect
that
many
people
in
recent
months
have
found
themselves
in
a
similar
situation,
and
certainly
the
best
way
to
avoid
that
predicament
is
to
find
a
way
to
get
off
medications
in
the
first
place.
 I
recommend
taking
out
an
insurance
policy
on
yourself
in
the
form
of
lifestyle
modification
that
includes
regular
Total
Results
exercise.


 


I
consider
our
exercise
philosophy
to
be
an
essential
part
of
being
on
the
preventative
side
of
the
health
industry,
as
opposed
to
the
medical
establishment,
which
is
more
interested
in
keeping
you
sick
and
dependent.
 I
have
said
this
before,
but
current
American
medicine
does
a
very
good
job
in
emergency
situations.
 If
you
break
your
arm
and
have
to
go
to
the
emergency
room,
you
can
feel
confident
that
your
medical
care
will
be
sound.
 The
medical
establishment,
however,
falls
woefully
short
when
it
comes
to
dealing
with
chronic
disease.
 In
my
opinion,
traditional
American
medicine
is
beholden
to
political
interests
and
to
the
pharmaceutical
industry;
it
is
far
more
lucrative
to
treat
the
symptoms
of
an
illness
or
condition,
rather
than
fix
the
underlying
problem.
 I
believe
this
is
evident
in
the
establishment's
treatment
of
Covid
and
its
variants:
pushing
an
experimental
gene
therapy
with
no
knowledge
of
the
long
term
effects,
rather
than
using
common
sense
methods
(such
as
Vitamins
C
and
D)
and
drugs
like
Hydroxychloroquine
and
Ivermectin,
which
have
been
effective
for
years
and
have
no
negative
side
effects.
 In
terms
of
dealing
not
just
with
Covid,
but
with
any
kind
of
chronic
disease
or
condition,
it
is
important
to
be
proactive.


 


Total
Results
is
your
one-stop
shop
for
stimulating
physical
improvements.
 Consider
us
another
form
of
an
insurance
policy
for
your
health,
and
we
are
your
best
layer
of
protection
against
chronic
disease,
injury,
and
many
of
the
things
that
start
happening
to
us
as
we
age.
 You're
worried
about
osteoporosis?
 Our
exercise
protocol
was
refined
during
an
osteoporosis
study
and
is
the
most
effective
way
to
stimulate
bone
remodeling.
 You've
been
diagnosed
as
pre-diabetic?
 High-intensity
Total
Results
exercise
(which
involves
going
to
muscular
failure)
is
the
only
effective
way
to
empty
the
glycogen
that
is
stored
in
your
muscle
cells,
which
will
help
to
restore
your
insulin
sensitivity.
 You're
concerned
that
regular
daily
tasks
are
requiring
greater
effort
than
they
used
to?
 The
metabolic
and
cardiovascular
conditioning
that
is
stimulated
by
a
Total
Results
workout
cannot
be
matched
by
any
other
form
of
activity.
 It
is
truly
"a
metabolic
experience",
as
long
time
Total
Results
client
Dr.
Matt
DiLorenzo
is
fond
of
saying.
 Staying
strong
and
fit
will
help
to
keep
your
immune
system
functioning
at
peak
capacity,
as
long
as
you
make
the
right
lifestyle
choices.
 You'll
be
less
likely
to
succumb
to
the
garden
variety
cold
or
flu
(or
Covid)
if
you
exercise
consistently.
 Finally,
exercise
has
been
shown
by
multiple
studies
to
be
effective
at
warding
off
depression.
 


 


If
you
concentrate
on
lifestyle
modifications
(including
managing
stress
and
getting
a
proper
amount
of
sleep),
incorporate
regular
exercise,
 and
work
to
fix
the
underlying
cellular
problems
(which
are
indicative
of
chronic
disease)
that
you
have
by
changing
what
you
put
into
your
body,
you
won't
need
to
take
expensive
medications
that
often
have
nasty
side
effects.
 Remember,
medications
only
treat
symptoms;
they
don't
fix
the
root
problems
that
cause
disease.
 The
pharmaceutical
companies
are
already
too
rich
and
too
powerful,
so
don't
put
more
money
into
their
pockets.
 By
making
positive
changes
in
your
life
and
taking
charge
of
your
health,
you
will
save
money
in
the
long
run
by
going
to
the
doctor
less
frequently,
and
you
can
purchase
a
less
expensive
medical
insurance
policy.
 No,
the
cost
of
the
service
that
we
provide
at
Total
Results
is
not
cheap,
but
it
is
an
investment
in
your
health.
 It
could
be
the
best
insurance
policy
that
you
ever
buy.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;The Wahls Protocol&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=645</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=645</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Terry
Wahls,
M.D.,
is
a
clinical
professor
of
medicine
at
the
University
of
Iowa
Career
College
of
Medicine,
and
is
an
internal
medicine
specialist.
She
was
diagnosed
with
multiple
sclerosis
(an
autoimmune
disease
in
which
the
immune
system
attacks
myelin,
which
is
the
protective
covering
of
the
nerves)
in
her
mid
40s,
and
within
a
few
years
was
confined
to
a
wheelchair.
Because
Dr.
Wahls
is
a
conventionally
trained
physician,
she
naturally
used
traditional
treatments
and
drug
therapies;
these
slowed
her
symptoms
for
a
while,
but
her
physical
decline
became
more
evident.
This
is
a
woman
who
had
been
athletic
and
active
her
entire
life,
and
at
that
point
she
needed
a
wheelchair
just
to
function
every
day.
Dr.
Wahls
was
determined
to
try
anything
that
she
could,
even
if
it
meant
working
outside
of
mainstream
medical
parameters,
in
order
to
restore
function
and
regain
control
of
her
life.
Through
dietary
and
lifestyle
changes,
Dr.
Wahls
was
able
to
miraculously
reverse
her
condition
and
resume
a
normal
life.
The
forward-thinking
strategies
that
she
used
are
what
became
known
as
The
Wahls
Protocol.

 


Although
Dr.
Wahls
suffers
from
multiple
sclerosis,
she
believes
that
all
autoimmune
conditions
(such
as
rheumatoid
arthritis
and
lupus)
and
other
chronic
diseases
exhibit
the
same
characteristics.
According
to
Dr.
Wahls,
"The
truth
is
that
diagnoses
are
simply
names
that
we
put
on
conditions,
based
on
the
parts
we
can
actually
quantify,
like
symptoms,
test
results,
and
which
medications
improve
or
worsen
symptoms,
as
well
as
through
process
of
elimination."
All
of
these
conditions
are
the
result
of
mitochondrial
dysfunction;
mitochondria
are
the
part
of
the
human
cell
where
energy
is
produced
for
cell
function.
If
your
cells
are
not
functioning
properly,
you
will
not
function
properly.
Conventional
medicine
and
functional
medicine
have
different
viewpoints
on
autoimmune
diseases.
Dr.
Wahls
says,
"The
conventional
medicine
view
of
autoimmune
disease
says
that
the
body
has
lost
the
ability
to
recognize
its
own
internal
protein
components
as
native
components
of
itself,
but
that
we
don't
know
why."
Treatments
usually
involve
prescription
of
immune-suppressing
drugs,
which
treat
symptoms
but
do
not
fix
the
underlying
problem.
Worse
yet,
these
drugs
can
have
nasty
side
effects.
On
the
other
hand,
functional
medicine,
"...Looks
more
deeply
at
the
reasons
why
the
body
has
lost
its
tolerance
to
its
own
proteins
in
the
first
place."
The
functional
medicine
treatment
approach
involves
implementing
lifestyle
changes,
such
as
diet,
exercise
and
stress
management,
and
also
addresses
things
like
food
intolerances,
exposure
to
toxins,
hormone
levels,
and
the
ratio
of
omega-3
and
omega-6
fatty
acids
in
the
body.
Prescription
medications
can
be
used
in
conjunction
with
the
functional
medicine
approach
and
are
not
eliminated
before
cellular
healing
has
taken
place,
but
they
are
often
greatly
reduced
over
time.

 


The
main
thrust
of
the
Wahls
Protocol
is
dietary
modification.
As
Dr.
Wahls
points
out,
"It
is
the
one
most
influential
element
about
your
environment
that
you
can
control."
I
still
find
it
utterly
incomprehensible
that
most
medical
schools
offer
very
little
in
the
way
of
nutritional
instruction;
in
fact,
you
can
get
a
degree
from
Harvard
Medical
School
and
not
take
a
single
course
on
nutrition.
Even
Dr.
Wahls
had
to
educate
herself
about
proper
nutrition
in
order
to
develop
her
protocol.
She
recommends
following
a
Paleolithic
diet
consisting
of
single-ingredient
and
nutrient-dense
foods,
along
with
a
high
level
of
fat
consumption.
The
reasoning
behind
this
is
that,
"The
brain
is
60
to
70
percent
fat.
We
need
healthy
fats
to
make
the
myelin
insulation
for
the
wiring
in
your
brain."
The
author's
dietary
recommendations
have
three
levels:
The
Wahls
Diet,
Wahls
Paleo,
and
Wahls
Paleo
Plus.
The
first
level
stipulates
that
you
should
consume
nine
cups
of
fruits
and
vegetables
per
day,
avoid
dairy
and
gluten,
and
to
eat
organic,
grass-fed,
and
wild-caught
sources
of
meat.
Gluten
is
the
protein
found
in
wheat,
rye,
and
barley,
and
casein
is
the
protein
found
in
dairy
products
like
milk.
Those
with
autoimmune
disorders
are
likely
to
have
a
leaky
gut
that
can
be
further
aggravated
by
these
proteins,
so
she
recommends
that
they
be
avoided.
The
Wahls
Paleo
diet
follows
all
the
same
guidelines
of
the
Wahls
Diet,
but
encourages
a
reduction
of
grains,
legumes,
and
potatoes
to
two
servings
per
week.
In
addition,
more
seeds,
nuts,
and
raw
fruits
and
vegetables
can
be
incorporated.
Finally,
the
Wahls
Paleo
Plus
ups
the
ante
by
eliminating
all
grains,
legumes,
and
potatoes,
while
still
consuming
at
least
six
cups
of
vegetables
(especially
those
rich
in
sulfur)
each
day,
and
adding
in
coconut
oil
and
full-fat
coconut
milk
to
the
menu.
This
is
more
akin
to
a
ketogenic
diet,
which
has
been
proven
to
be
effective
for
patients
with
traumatic
brain
injuries,
epilepsy,
and
those
suffering
from
migraines.
Further,
she
recommends
eating
just
two
times
per
day
and
practicing
intermittent
fasting
for
12-16
hours
per
night.
Dr.
Wahls
recommends
starting
with
the
Wahls
Diet
and
progressing
to
the
other
two
as
needed,
or
depending
on
your
personal
circumstance.

 


The
author
believes
it
is
important
for
those
suffering
from
autoimmune/chronic
diseases
to
incorporate
stress
management
techniques
on
a
regular
basis.
Our
brains
need
stress
periodically
in
order
to
learn
and
adapt
so
that
we
can
change
and
grow,
but
chronic
stress
is
not
healthy.
According
to
Dr.
Wahls,
"Stress,
however,
is
meant
to
be
acute,
not
chronic.
Chronic
high
stress
without
that
important
recovery
period
is
maladaptive,
damaging
the
body
and
the
brain."
In
order
to
relieve
stress
and
recharge
one's
batteries,
she
recommends
spending
time
outdoors
(a
good
way
to
get
Vitamin
D),
meditation,
journaling,
and
periodically
getting
a
massage.
The
good
doctor
also
highlights
how
crucial
it
is
to
incorporate
regular
movement,
especially
when
one
is
orthopedically
impaired.
Find
some
type
of
movement
to
do;
even
if
it
doesn't
seem
like
you
are
doing
much,
it
is
better
than
doing
nothing.
To
quote
Dr.
Wahls,
"Lack
of
mobility
only
leads
to
immobility."
She
correctly
points
out
that
strength
training
works
to
build
muscles
and
has
the
greatest
impact
on
nerve
growth
factors.
While
she
does
not
talk
about
muscular
failure
or
specify
a
level
of
intensity
while
weight
training,
she
does
mention
working
to
exhaustion,
which
I
found
refreshing.

 


I
only
have
a
few
points
of
contention
with
Dr.
Wahls's
recommendations
in
this
book.
The
first
is
with
her
lack
of
understanding
of
recovery
as
it
pertains
to
strength
training.
She
is
under
the
impression
that
the
body
can
adapt
and
recover
within
a
24
hour
period,
and
recommends
strength
training
every
other
day.
This
is
incorrect,
and
would
lead
to
an
overuse
injury,
illness,
and/or
overtraining
in
fairly
short
order.
Exercise
has
a
narrow
therapeutic
window,
and
the
dosage
and
frequency
of
exercise
should
be
treated
as
you
would
with
administering
any
medication:
the
minimum
dose
necessary
to
elicit
the
adaptive
response.
I
mildly
disagree
with
some
of
what
she
says
in
regard
to
intermittent
fasting.
She
states
that
it
is
controversial;
however,
humans
have
been
practicing
fasting
in
some
fashion
for
thousands
of
years.
The
author
doesn't
recommend
long
fasting
periods,
but
doesn't
specify
what
constitutes
a
"long"
period.
16
hours
seems
to
be
the
longest
period
she
recommends,
but
my
experience
has
been
that
you
can
fast
for
longer
than
that
without
harm,
and
certainly
reap
tremendous
metabolic
and
hormonal
benefits.
In
general,
however,
Dr.
Wahls
and
I
agree
on
the
importance
of
regular
fasting
and
how
it
can
really
improve
mitochondrial
function.
Finally,
Dr.
Wahls
does
not
recommend
the
consumption
of
eggs
in
any
of
the
three
levels
of
her
diet.
While
it
makes
sense
to
avoid
eggs
if
you
have
an
allergy
or
a
significant
sensitivity
to
them,
it
cannot
be
denied
that
organic
eggs
from
free-range
chickens
contain
all
the
essential
amino
acids
that
the
body
requires.
They
are
a
tremendous
source
of
fat,
protein,
and
cholesterol,
and
I
believe
they
should
be
incorporated
whenever
possible.

 


The
miraculous
return
to
health
that
Dr.
Wahls
made
after
being
diagnosed
with
multiple
sclerosis
and
confined
to
a
wheelchair
is
an
amazing
story
from
which
everyone
can
learn.
Better
still,
her
recovery
was
due
to
the
strategies
practiced
in
this
book,
and
she
has
done
a
public
service
by
sharing
them
with
us.
Whether
you
suffer
from
an
autoimmune
condition,
another
form
of
chronic
disease,
or
you
simply
want
to
have
more
energy
and
be
healthier,
"The
Wahls
Protocol"
can
provide
encouragement
and
guidance
to
help
you
take
control
of
your
life.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How Can You Maximize Your Potential?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=643</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=643</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

All
of
us
are
dealt
a
genetic
hand
of
cards
at
birth.
 There
are
some
things
that
you
cannot
change,
such
as
height,
eye
color,
or
the
sex
you
were
born
to
be.
 Some
people
have
a
genetic
predisposition
to
certain
diseases
of
modern
civilization,
like
heart
disease,
obesity,
and
cancer.
 Unfortunately,
many
people
use
that
as
an
excuse.
 Just
because
your
mother
suffered
from
osteoporosis
(which
is
completely
preventable)
doesn't
mean
that
you
have
to
follow
the
same
path.
 Even
if
you
are
predisposed
to
a
condition,
that
doesn't
make
it
inevitable.
 Lifestyle
and
personal
choices
will
go
further
toward
determining
your
physical
appearance
and
health
(or
lack
of
health)
than
your
genetic
predispositions.
 Everyone
has
the
potential
to
be
strong,
healthy,
and
free
from
chronic
disease;
the
question
is,
what
are
you
going
to
do
about
it?


 


I
am
a
firm
believer
in
being
in
charge
of
your
own
destiny.
 All
of
us
have
the
capacity
to
accomplish
great
things,
based
on
the
gifts
we
have
been
given.
 In
the
realm
of
learning,
there
is
what
is
referred
to
as
the
fixed
and
the
growth
mindset.
 The
fixed
mindset
states
that
our
abilities
are
essentially
set
in
stone,
while
adopting
the
growth
mindset
means
that
you
believe
anything
is
possible
with
the
right
attitude,
desire,
and
work
ethic.
 In
order
to
maximize
your
physical
and
intellectual
potential,
one
must
adopt
the
growth
mindset
and
maintain
it
going
forward.
 Not
all
of
us
can
be
astrophysicists
or
Olympic
athletes,
but
if
we
think
positively,
live
with
purpose,
and
strive
to
challenge
ourselves
mentally
and
physically,
we
can
be
the
best
possible
versions
of
ourselves
and
reach
heights
that
we
thought
were
impossible.


 


How
can
you
maximize
your
potential?


 



Keep
an
open
mind
and
a
learner's
(beginner's)
mindset.
 Don't
be
satisfied
with
what
you
think
you
know,
or
with
your
current
level
of
achievement.
 Celebrate
your
accomplishments,
but
don't
rest
on
your
laurels.
 In
the
martial
arts,
even
those
who
acquire
high
level
black
belts
speak
of
having
a
"white
belt
mentality."
 Always
try
to
learn
something
new,
and
find
a
way
to
relate
it
to
your
everyday
life.
 This
will
stimulate
your
brain
and
keep
you
sharp.
 In
order
for
life
to
continue
to
have
meaning
and
for
us
to
be
at
our
best,
we
need
new
challenges
to
face,
even
when
we
reach
retirement
age.


 



Eat
a
diet
consisting
of
single-ingredient
whole
foods.
 Go
organic,
whenever
it
is
possible.
 Contrary
to
what
we've
been
told
by
the
big
food
industry
(and
a
lot
of
clueless
doctors),
consuming
refined
and
processed
carbohydrates,
rather
than
saturated
fat,
is
what
makes
us
fat
and
causes
chronic
disease.
 Here
is
a
little-known
fact:
our
brains
are
made
up
of
about
70
percent
fat,
so
consume
plenty
of
fat
from
quality
sources
(animal
meat,
eggs,
coconut
oil,
olive
oil,
butter,
nuts).
 Eat
lots
of
colorful
fruits
and
vegetables,
drink
alcohol
in
moderation,
stay
hydrated,
and
avoid
sugar
as
much
as
possible.


 



Perform
regular
Total
Results
workouts
once
or
twice
per
week.
 No
other
form
of
activity
can
match
the
metabolic
effect
of
a
high
intensity,
slow
speed
weight
training
workout.
 Muscle
tissue
has
the
greatest
impact
on
determining
your
body's
shape
(within
your
genetic
blueprint),
and
working
at
a
significant
level
of
effort
is
what
is
required
to
stimulate
the
growth
mechanism.
 This
will
also
enable
you
to
build
healthy
bones,
stabilize
connective
tissue,
and
keep
your
joints
properly
lubricated.
 This
will
make
the
performance
of
everyday
tasks
that
much
easier,
in
addition
to
protecting
you
against
injury
(it's
hard
to
reach
your
potential
if
you
are
regularly
injured
or
sick).
 Every
workout
is
an
opportunity
to
meet
a
challenge
head-on
and
set
a
new
goal
for
yourself.


 


Incorporate
supplementation
into
your
lifestyle.
 Eating
a
diet
similar
to
our
paleolithic
ancestors
is
certainly
more
nutritious
than
the
typical
modern
Western
diet,
but
not
all
of
us
are
perfect,
and
some
deficiencies
can
occur
(particularly
if
you
suffer
from
chronic
disease).
 I
recommend
supplementing
with
Vitamins
C
and
D,
fish
oil,
magnesium,
and
zinc.
 If
you
are
over
the
age
of
50,
I
would
also
recommend
taking
Coenzyme
Q10
(CoQ10),
which
will
enable
your
body
to
effectively
manufacture
cholesterol,
another
substance
your
body
needs
in
order
to
optimize
cell
and
brain
function.
 This
is
critically
important
if
you
are
taking
a
statin
drug,
which
brings
me
smoothly
to
my
final
recommendation.


 


Get
off
medications!

Unfortunately,
modern
conventional
medicine
has
devolved
into
simply
handing
out
prescriptions
to
patients.
 I
could
go
on
and
on
about
the
pharmaceutical
industry,
but
space
is
limited.
 Suffice
to
say,

ALL

prescription
medications
merely
treat
symptoms
rather
than
correct
the
underlying
problem
at
the
cellular
level.
 In
addition
to
only
treating
symptoms,
prescription
medications
(and
many
over
the
counter
drugs)
carry
with
them
nasty
side
effects
that
create
other
problems
in
your
body.
 Be
your
own
advocate,
do
your
own
research,
and
have
a
frank
conversation
with
your
physician
about
taking
charge
of
your
health.


 


Anything
in
life
that
is
worth
dreaming
is
worth
doing.
 If
there
is
something
that
you
want,
you
can
do
it
if
you
want
it
badly
enough
and
are
willing
to
pay
the
price
to
get
there.
 The
price
does
not
have
to
be
that
steep,
but
it
does
require
patience
and
dedication.
 Take
charge
and
get
started
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Speed of Movement and Pacing - Two Sides of the Same Coin</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=640</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=640</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most
of
our
clients
and
regular
readers
of
this
blog
understand
that
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
is
inherently
unique.
No
other
type
of
exercise
methodology
places
as
great
an
emphasis
on
the
little
details:
instructional
verbiage,
entry
and
exit
of
the
equipment,
and
recognizing
and
correcting
form
discrepancies.
Our
protocol
utilizes
a
10/10
speed
of
movement
(on
both
the
positive
and
negative
phases
of
the
movement),
but
8-12
seconds
in
each
direction
meets
an
acceptable
standard.
This
is
done
to
maximize
muscular
loading,
minimize
momentum,
optimize
safety,
and
also
to
allow
for
the
full
benefit
of
our
machines'
cam
effect.
A
kevlar
belt
is
attached
to
the
machine's
weight
stack,
and
the
belt
goes
around
the
perimeter
of
an
eccentric-shaped
lobe
(cam)
that
is
connected
to
a
pulley;
this
mechanism
is
what
varies
the
resistance
based
on
leverage
factors
throughout
the
range
of
motion
of
the
exercise.
Proper
variable
resistance
is
an
essential
part
of
obtaining
the
optimal
exercise
stimulus,
and
it's
one
reason
that
duplicating
the
Total
Results
exercise
experience
in
a
commercial
gym
is
virtually
impossible.

 


Total
Results
exercise
founder
Ken
Hutchins
talks
about
cams
and
speed
of
movement
in
his
recent
book
"Cams
Within
Cams."
According
to
Hutchins,
"Speed
is
the
most
important
factor
affecting
the
resistance
curve
of
an
exercise.
This
remains
the
most
important
factor
regardless
of
the
tool
-
barbell,
bodyweight,
gymnastic
tool,
exercise
machine."
Clearly
a
standardized
and
appropriately
slow
speed
of
movement
is
necessary
from
an
equipment
(cam)
design
standpoint.
Ken
goes
on
to
discuss
this
point
a
little
further,
saying
that,
"...A
defined
speed
is
the
only
way
to
obtain
a
reliable
resistance
curve.
And
specifying
speed
is
also
the
only
way
to
avoid
confusion
with
exercise
subjects."
This
is
why
most
of
the
equipment
that
you
see
in
home
and
commercial
gyms
is
poorly
manufactured;
the
engineers
that
designed
these
machines
have
not
standardized
their
speed
of
movement
and
go
way
too
fast.
In
such
equipment,
any
cam
effect
is
purely
coincidental;
take
a
look
at
most
gym
rats,
and
you
will
see
what
amounts
to
throwing
and
catching
of
the
movement
arm
on
an
exercise
machine.
Incidentally,
many
of
these
same
engineering
flaws
were
present
even
in
vintage
Nautilus
equipment
of
the
1970s
and
1980s.
Nautilus
protocol
recommended
2/4
speed
(2
seconds
on
the
positive
and
4
seconds
on
the
negative),
and
many
of
the
old
guard
at
Nautilus
moved
even
faster
than
that
during
their
workouts.
In
addition,
the
cams
were
often
backward,
with
the
resistance
being
too
heavy
in
the
most
contracted
position
and
too
light
in
the
start
position.
Utilizing
a
10/10
speed
also
allows
the
instructor
to
recognize
and
correct
form
discrepancies
during
each
exercise;
only
a
standardized
and
creepy
slow
movement
makes
this
possible.

 


But
what
about
pacing?
How
important
is
it,
and
how
do
we
define
it?
Acceleration
is
defined
as
the
rate
of
change
of
velocity
of
an
object
with
respect
to
time.
The
Khan
Academy
says
that,
"Velocity
describes
how
position
changes;
acceleration
describes
how
velocity
changes."
This
gives
us
some
perspective.
I
would
use
the
word
pace
to
describe
how
consistent
one's
speed
of
movement
is
during
an
exercise,
and
I
believe
that
pacing
is
an
incredibly
important
factor
in
obtaining
an
optimal
exercise
stimulus.
When
judging
pace,
you
want
to
determine
if
there
is
a
uniformly
smooth
movement
or
if
there
are
significant
jumps
in
the
movement,
whether
it
speeds
up
or
slows
down.
Certainly,
we
have
an
ideal
standard
in
mind
that
we
measure
against,
and
not
all
ten
second
excursions
are
created
equal.
For
example,
you
could
take
two
seconds
to
perform
the
first
half
of
the
positive
phase,
and
the
second
half
in
eight.
In
theory,
your
speed
would
be
acceptable
but
your
pace
would
not.
In
my
judgment
as
an
instructor,
that
repetition
would
be
counted,
but
would
probably
not
qualify
for
a
graduation
to
a
higher
weight
for
the
next
workout.
By
the
same
token,
you
could
take
six
seconds
to
complete
the
negative
with
a
relatively
consistent
pace,
but
your
speed
would
be
too
fast.
Form
discrepancies
such
as
segmentation
(which
is
often
due
to
less
than
optimal
neurological
efficiency
and
motor
control),
off/oning,
and
ratcheting
will
have
an
impact
on
both
speed
and
pace,
but
more
often
poor
pacing
is
a
result
of
a
lack
of
concentration
and
spatial
awareness.

 


If
you
struggle
with
proper
pace
and
speed,
what
can
you
do
to
improve
it?
The
first
key
is
to
focus!
Shut
everything
else
out
of
your
mind
for
the
twenty
minutes
of
your
workout
and
think
about
the
task
at
hand.
If
your
mind
is
allowed
to
drift
elsewhere,
it
will
be
difficult
to
have
good
speed
of
movement
and
pace.
Second,
be
an
active
listener!
Intellectually
process
the
instructions
you
are
given.
Your
instructor
will
periodically
utilize
a
cadence
count
to
give
you
a
reference
point
for
speed
and
pace;
use
that
to
help
develop
a
better
feel
for
the
stroke
(distance
from
start
point
to
end
point)
of
each
exercise.
Some
exercises
have
a
greater
range
of
motion
than
others,
but
ten
seconds
works
well
on
all
of
them.
Finally,
you
can
silently
count
to
yourself
now
and
again
as
you
go
through
the
positive
and
negative
excursions
of
the
repetitions.
For
many
years
I
discouraged
clients
from
this
practice,
as
I
thought
it
led
to
segmentation
of
the
movement,
but
I
no
longer
believe
that
is
the
case.
In
fact,
we
have
timers
on
many
of
our
machines
that
clients
can
see
in
order
to
help
pace
themselves.
One
of
the
most
important
factors
in
motor
learning
is
knowledge
of
results,
and
this
practice
of
counting
(or
seeing
the
seconds
tick
off)
provides
immediate
feedback
of
performance.

 


A
slow
speed
of
movement
is
a
critical
factor
in
exercise,
but
as
we
can
see,
pace
is
very
important
as
well.
Certainly,
intensity
of
effort
and
getting
to
muscular
failure
are
essential
for
spurring
the
body
to
make
improvements,
but
just
getting
there
isn't
enough.
It's
how
you
get
there
that
makes
all
the
difference
in
the
world.
In
reality,
speed
and
pace
go
hand
in
hand,
and
a
proper
command
of
both
are
needed
to
achieve
optimal
form,
and
in
turn,
a
quality
exercise
stimulus.

 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What Can We Learn From the Stoic Philosophers?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=639</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=639</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

A
couple
of
weeks
ago
I
finished
reading
the
book
"A
Guide
to
the
Good
Life"
by
William
B.
Irvine.
 This
is
a
book
that
I
purchased
over
a
year
ago
at
the
recommendation
of
my
friend
Al
Coleman,
who
studied
philosophy
in
college.
 I
kept
meaning
to
read
it,
but
it
sat
on
my
coffee
table
as
I
pursued
other
books
in
the
interim.
 Eventually,
I
decided
to
stop
procrastinating
and
cracked
it
open,
and
I'm
glad
that
I
did.
 I
have
read
other
philosophical-themed
books
over
the
years,
but
this
excellent
work
not
only
gives
a
historical
account
on
the
beginnings
of
the
Stoic
school
of
philosophy,
the
author
also
details
some
strategies
to
incorporate
its
teachings
into
your
lifestyle.


 


The
Stoic
school
of
philosophy
was
founded
in
ancient
Greece
by
Zeno
of
Centium.
 Stoicism
made
its
way
to
Rome
in
the
early
parts
of
the
3rd
century
B.C.,
and
Roman
Stoicism
differed
slightly
from
Greek
Stoicism.
 The
Greeks
were
primarily
focused
on
the
attainment
of
virtue,
while
the
Romans
largely
sought
tranquility,
which
is
the
absence
of
negative
emotions
and
presence
of
positive
emotions.
 Stoic
philosophy
was
one
of
several
philosophies
that
was
popular
during
this
time
period,
and
the
most
recognizable
Stoic
teachers
were
Seneca,
Gaius
Musonius
Rufus,
Epictetus,
and
Marcus
Aurelius,
who
later
became
known
as
the
last
of
the
Five
Good
Emperors
of
Rome.
 Stoicism
became
popular
because
its
tenets
were
easy
to
follow,
and
unlike
its
philosophical
predecessor,
Cynicism,
did
not
require
you
to
live
in
squalor.
 Unfortunately,
Stoicism
declined
in
popularity
after
Marcus'
death,
in
part
due
to
there
being
no
charismatic
teachers
around
to
take
up
the
mantle,
but
also
because
of
the
rise
of
Christianity.
 Fortunately,
many
of
the
writings
of
these
philosophers
have
survived
and
are
available
for
us
to
learn
from.



 


How
do
the
Stoics
expect
to
achieve
tranquility?
 One
method
that
they
use
is
what
is
called
the
trichotomy
of
control.
 This
means
they
put
everything
in
life
into
one
of
three
categories:
things
over
which
we
have
complete
control,
things
over
which
we
have
no
control
at
all,
and
things
over
which
we
have
some
but
not
complete
control.
 The
Stoics
believe
it
is
foolish
to
waste
precious
time
and
energy
worrying
about
things
in
which
we
cannot
control,
such
as
whether
there
will
be
heavy
traffic
on
our
daily
commute
to
work
(although
you
can
prepare
for
such
an
event
by
giving
yourself
extra
time).
 Instead,
it
is
better
to
focus
our
efforts
on
the
things
which
our
actions
can
have
a
direct
impact
on
the
outcome,
since
those
are
things
that
are
within
your
power
to
change.
 If
you
look
at
it
from
an
exercise
perspective,
you
have
no
control
over
the
genetic
hand
you
have
been
dealt;
as
the
saying
goes,
you
cannot
pick
your
parents.
 However,
you
do
have
a
say
in
how
your
genes
are
expressed,
and
your
actions
can
either
optimize
or
diminish
your
genetic
potential.
 You
can
maximize
your
physical
potential
by
making
good
dietary
choices
(something
well
within
your
control)
and
by
giving
your
best
effort
in
your
Total
Results
workouts.
 A
good
strategy
is
to
set
internal
rather
than
external
goals;
instead
of
trying
to
complete
a
certain
number
of
repetitions
on
a
given
exercise,
focus
instead
on
working
at
a
high
level
of
intensity
using
perfect
form
throughout.
 Don't
try
to
compare
your
performance
to
that
of
someone
else
you
know,
just
concentrate
on
doing
your
absolute
best.
 If
you
do
that,
you
will
not
be
disappointed.
 


 


The
Stoics
also
practice
something
that
is
known
as
negative
visualization.
 This
technique
"...Teaches
us
to
embrace
whatever
life
we
happen
to
be
living
and
to
extract
every
bit
of
delight
we
can
from
it."
 This
helps
us
to
enjoy
what
we
have,
but
also
reminds
us
that
things
can
be
taken
away
from
us
at
a
moment's
notice.
 As
Seneca
said,
"All
things
human
are
short-lived
and
perishable."
 If
you
visualize
(but
don't
obsess
about)
the
worst
thing
that
can
happen
to
you,
it
takes
the
sting
out
of
it
and
helps
you
to
prepare
for
a
worst-case
scenario
if
and
when
that
time
comes.
 For
example,
what
is
the
worst
thing
that
can
happen
during
a
Total
Results
workout?
 You
will
likely
experience
temporary
exertional
discomfort,
you
could
have
a
less
than
optimal
performance,
and
if
you
exhibit
poor
form
you
could
experience
injury.
 Certainly
our
goal
is
to
avoid
injury,
but
even
a
minor
injury
is
not
the
end
of
the
world,
and
muscular
discomfort
and
a
suboptimal
workout
will
fade
over
time.
 In
the
end,
you
will
be
stronger
mentally
and
physically
for
the
experience,
and
you
will
learn
not
to
repeat
those
mistakes
in
the
future.
 


 


Voluntary
discomfort
is
something
that
the
Stoic
philosophers
embraced
and
recommended
to
their
followers.
 Their
thinking
was
that
man
was
destined
to
encounter
hardship
at
some
point
in
life,
and
that
if
they
periodically
undertook
some
self-inflicted
discomfort
it
would
harden
them
against
the
inevitable
hardship
that
life
was
destined
to
throw
their
way.
 This
can
be
done
by
simply
undergoing
a
periodic
fast,
walking
shoeless,
or
taking
a
cold
shower
rather
than
a
hot
one.
 According
to
William
B.
Irvine,
"Alternatively,
voluntary
discomfort
can
be
thought
of
as
an
insurance
premium
which,
if
paid,
makes
us
eligible
for
benefits:
Should
we
later
fall
victim
to
a
misfortune,
the
discomfort
we
experience
then
will
be
substantially
less
than
it
otherwise
would
have
been."
 This
ties
in
nicely
to
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy.
 Think
about
it:
 our
workouts,
while
brief
and
relatively
infrequent,
can
hardly
be
considered
fun.
 They
require
focus,
discipline,
and
patience,
and
during
the
entire
twenty
minute
duration
of
the
workout,
you
experience
significant
muscular
discomfort.
 It
is
all
done
voluntarily.
 The
physical
benefits
you
derive
from
our
workouts
are
your
insurance
policy
against
injury
and
chronic
disease,
and
at
the
same
time
the
experience
makes
you
mentally
and
physically
more
resilient.
 


 


Lastly,
the
Stoics
talk
about
the
importance
of
preparing
for
old
age.
 They
caution
us
not
to
take
things
for
granted
when
we
are
young
and
in
good
health.
 It
is
important
to
value
health
even
as
we
age,
and
to
do
the
things
necessary
to
prolong
your
health
as
the
years
advance.
 Performing
regular
weekly
Total
Results
workouts,
in
addition
to
being
both
physically
and
mentally
active,
will
help
senior
citizens
to
lower
medical
costs,
maintain
independence,
and
enjoy
the
golden
years.


 


Some
aspects
of
Stoic
philosophy
are
not
really
relevant
to
the
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy,
such
as
how
to
deal
with
grief
and
anger,
or
the
perils
of
seeking
adulation
and
fame,
but
as
you
can
see,
a
few
of
the
Stoic
principles
tie
in
nicely
to
our
concepts.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don&#039;t Take Your Accomplishments for Granted</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=638</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=638</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

There
is
a
tendency
for
many
of
us,
in
the
course
of
our
daily
lives,
to
always
look
forward
and
think
about
what
lies
ahead.
 This
is
a
healthy
mindset
to
have,
and
it
is
the
breeding
ground
for
personal
growth.
 It's
important
to
know
where
you
want
to
go,
and
to
have
a
plan
in
place
for
how
you
want
to
get
there.
 That
being
said,
I
also
believe
there
is
value
in
looking
back
at
previous
experiences,
because
learning
from
past
successes
(and
especially
failures)
can
help
you
to
plot
a
steadier
course
ahead
in
the
future.
 Our
experiences
shape
the
people
that
we
are
today,
and
you
can
look
back
on
different
periods
in
your
life
and
track
your
emotional,
intellectual,
and
physical
progress.
 The
progress
that
you
have
made
over
the
years
should
be
celebrated,
and
it's
important
to
not
take
for
granted
all
the
things
that
you
have
accomplished.


 


Total
Results
clients
have
achieved
some
amazing
results
over
the
20
years
we
have
been
in
business.
 Some
clients
have
simply
improved
their
ability
to
perform
activities
of
daily
living
with
greater
ease
and
less
effort,
while
others
have
been
able
to
run
5K
races
in
a
faster
time.
 Still
others
are
able
to
participate
in
recreational
sports
at
a
higher
level
and
with
reduced
risk
of
injury,
while
other
clients
can
enjoy
their
children
and
grandchildren
without
getting
fatigued
as
easily.
 As
people
get
stronger
and
achieve
better
conditioning,
sometimes
there
is
a
tendency
to
forget
what
brought
them
to
Total
Results
in
the
first
place.
 Many
novice
clients
are
initially
weak,
deconditioned,
and
suffering
from
joint
ailments.
 Most
trainees
can
see
some
incremental
improvements
in
these
conditions
within
weeks
or
a
couple
of
months.
 Once
you
have
incorporated
some
lifestyle
changes
in
addition
to
your
regular
workouts,
such
as
modifying
your
diet
and
supplementing
intelligently,
the
aches,
pains,
and
inflammation
that
plagued
you
are
often
easily
forgotten.


 


Our
exercise
methodology
can
be
applied
to
any
equipment
at
your
disposal,
but
our
specially
engineered
machines,
clinically
controlled
environment,
and
detailed
instruction
cannot
be
replicated
in
a
gym
or
at
home.
 Many
times
over
the
years,
clients
have
worked
with
us
for
a
period
of
months
or
even
years,
and
then
decide
that
they
want
to
try
doing
this
on
their
own
in
a
different
setting.
 More
often
than
not,
they
return
to
Total
Results
because
they
soon
realize
just
how
unique
our
experience
is.
 Progress
is
measured
both
quantitatively
and
qualitatively,
through
keeping
detailed
records
of
every
workout.
 Total
Results
workouts
only
require
20
minutes
of
your
time,
once
or
twice
per
week,
but
you
are
expending
tremendous
effort
for
all
of
that
time,
both
mentally
and
physically.
 Don't
take
for
granted
that
you
will
be
able
to
achieve
that
level
of
effort
and
focus
in
another
setting
without
an
instructor
to
guide
you.
 Some
have
been
able
to,
but
most
have
not.


 


Once
you
have
achieved
an
improved
level
of
strength
and
conditioning,
it's
easy
to
forget
where
you
initially
were.
 Maintaining
and
increasing
your
physical
improvements
requires
consistent
effort
every
week.
 Take
the
time
to
celebrate
and
enjoy
what
you
have
accomplished,
but
realize
that
staying
on
top
is
more
difficult
than
getting
there.
 Remember
where
you
were
when
you
started
your
journey,
and
keep
in
the
forefront
of
your
mind
where
you
want
to
go
in
the
future.
 There
is
always
another
mountain
to
climb.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Good to Go&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=637</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=637</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

What
is
recovery?
 It
comes
across
as
a
vague,
all-encompassing,
and
slightly
non-specific
term,
at
least
as
it
pertains
to
exercise
and
other
forms
of
physical
activity.
 The
Webster
dictionary
defines
recovery
(in
this
context)
as,
"The
process
of
becoming
healthy
after
illness
or
injury."
 In
an
athletic
or
exercise
sense,
we
could
go
a
little
further
and
say
that
it's
the
body's
way
of
compensating
after
dealing
with
a
stressor
(a
single
bout)
and
improving
upon
its
previous
levels
of
strength
and/or
conditioning;
it's
not
just
a
return
to
the
status
quo.
 Award-winning
journalist
and
former
professional
cyclist
Christie
Aschwanden
published
the
best-selling
book
"Good
to
Go"
in
2019,
which
discusses
the
science
of
recovery.
 The
book
also
takes
a
close
examination
of
many
of
the
popular
modalities
currently
being
used
by
elite
athletes
and
weekend
warriors
alike,
ostensibly
to
promote
healing
and
optimize
performance.


 


Before
becoming
a
science
journalist,
Aschwanden
studied
biology
at
the
University
of
Colorado
and
worked
as
a
research
assistant
in
a
lab.
 In
addition
to
being
a
professional
cyclist
in
the
early
1990s,
she
has
participated
in
a
variety
of
other
sporting
endeavors
at
a
high
level,
such
as
skiing
and
running,
well
into
her
40s.
 I
think
that
all
of
those
things
come
through
in
her
writing
and
give
her
a
unique
perspective
to
share.
 The
author
examines
some
of
the
practices
of
professional
athletes
such
as
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers
quarterback
Tom
Brady,
high
level
triathletes,
and
also
participates
in
a
study
with
several
other
weekend
runners
to
see
if
beer
is
a
suitable
post-run
recovery
drink.
 One
theme
that
resonates
throughout
the
book
is
the
idea
that
whether
you're
talking
about
weekend
warriors,
average
Joes,
or
elite
athletes
at
the
top
of
their
game,
everybody
wants
a
magic
bullet.
 People
who
have
a
competitive
nature
want
to
get
an
edge,
whether
it's
real
or
perceived.
 This
is
why
the
"recovery
industry"
has
become
so
lucrative,
and
it's
the
reason
that
people
are
willing
to
invest
a
significant
amount
of
time
and
money
in
the
pursuit
of
performance
optimization.


 


Aschwanden
examines
the
use
of
ice
and
cryotherapy
as
a
recovery
modality.
 RICE
protocol
(rest,
ice,
compression,
and
elevation)
has
been
standard
operating
procedure
in
athletic
and
sports
training
since
the
late
1970s,
and
is
especially
popular
in
the
treatment
of
injuries.
 The
thinking
is
that
ice
slows
blood
flow
and
reduces
inflammation
in
the
injured
area,
in
addition
to
relieving
pain.
 The
problem
is
that
this
may
actually
delay
the
healing
process,
as
inflammation
is
a
necessary
component
for
the
body
to
mobilize
resources
to
repair
injured
tissue.
 As
Gabe
Mirkin,
MD,
who
was
once
a
proponent
of
icing
but
has
recently
reversed
course,
says,
"Anything
that
reduces
your
immune
response
will
also
delay
muscle
healing.
 The
message
is
that
the
cytokines
of
inflammation
are
blocked
by
icing-that's
been
shown
in
several
studies."
 Indeed,
Gary
Reinl,
a
rehabilitation
specialist
who
has
consulted
for
several
professional
sports
teams
echoes
Mirkin's
sentiment.
 According
to
the
author,
Reinl
believes
that
"...Icing
merely
slows
blood
flow
to
the
area,
it
doesn't
halt
it
indefinitely.
 Once
the
icing
stops
and
the
blood
flow
returns
to
normal,
whatever
process
you
were
trying
to
hinder
will
proceed
again.
 The
swelling
will
continue
and
the
inflammation
will
start.
 The
only
thing
you
did
was
delay
things."
 This
is
a
far
cry
from
what
has
become
the
accepted
mainstream
viewpoint.
 Cryotherapy,
in
which
the
participant
enters
a
chamber
filled
with
refrigerated
air
or
liquid
nitrogen
that
can
reach
temperatures
as
low
as
-250â„‰,
has
also
become
popular
of
late.
 While
many
athletes
swear
by
it,
cryotherapy
has
not
been
shown
to
be
very
effective
at
treating
the
conditions
for
which
it
is
being
promoted.
 The
existing
studies
were
all
of
low
quality
and
there
was
no
convincing
placebo
to
meet
the
gold
standard
of
a
randomized,
double-blind
study.
 Keep
those
thoughts
in
mind
the
next
time
you
see
an
athlete
jump
into
a
cold
tub
or
a
cryogenic
chamber
after
a
rigorous
practice.


 


Sports
drink
commercials,
particularly
for
Gatorade,
are
ubiquitous
during
any
televised
sporting
event.
 Most
people
are
aware
of
how
Gatorade
was
invented,
which
was
during
the
mid-1960's
at
the
University
of
Florida.
 It
was
a
rather
simple
beverage
composed
of
sodium,
sugar,
monopotassium
phosphate,
and
water.
 Since
the
original
concoction
was
not
particularly
tasty,
some
lemon
flavoring
was
added.
 The
Gator
football
team
figured
it
now
had
a
secret
weapon,
and
they
believed
that
consumption
of
the
drink
contributed
to
their
1967
Orange
Bowl
win
over
Georgia
Tech.
 Other
teams
took
notice,
and
soon
thereafter
Gatorade
became
available
commercially.
 Gatorade
was
acquired
by
the
Quaker
Oats
company
in
1983,
and
then
the
NFL
signed
a
deal
to
make
it
the
league's
official
sports
drink.
 Does
that
mean
that
Gatorade
(or
any
of
its
competitors)
helps
to
improve
performance
or
recovery?
 According
to
Carl
Heneghan
of
the
University
of
Oxford's
Centre
for
Evidence-Based
Medicine,
the
answer
is
no.
 Heneghan
says,
"Worryingly,
most
performance
tests
used
to
assess
sports
drinks
have
never
been
validated."
 Author
Aschwanden
elaborates:
 "When
Heneghan's
team
gathered
and
examined
all
of
the
available
evidence
on
sports
drinks
(they
even
consulted
sports
drink
manufacturers
to
ask
them
for
their
supporting
studies,
though
not
all
complied),
they
found
what
amounted
to
a
bunch
of
preliminary
or
inconclusive
evidence
packaged
as
more
definitive
proof."
 The
so-called
research
being
performed
at
the
Gatorade
Sports
Science
Institute
appears
to
be
little
more
than
clever
marketing,
and
can
hardly
be
considered
objective
science,
since
the
sample
sizes
are
typically
very
small.
 It
doesn't
exactly
make
you
want
to
"Be
Like
Mike",
a
reference
to
the
old
Michael
Jordan
Gatorade
ad
campaign
of
the
1990s.


 


Aschwanden
also
examines
the
concept
of
a
so-called
"anabolic
window"
that
exists
after
exercise
or
sports
performance,
something
that
has
become
an
accepted
tenet
in
fitness
lore.
 We
often
hear
that
following
exercise
there
is
a
certain
period
of
time
when
the
body
is
most
receptive
to
nutrients,
in
order
to
facilitate
recovery
and
stimulate
growth,
and
that
if
we
miss
this
opportunity
to
replenish
the
resources
that
we
have
used
during
exercise,
our
progress
can
be
negatively
impacted.
 Does
such
a
window
exist?
 According
to
Brad
Schoenfeld,
the
director
of
the
Human
Performance
Lab
at
CUNY
Lehman
College
in
the
Bronx,
"...It's
not
so
much
an
anabolic
window,
it's
an
anabolic
barn
door."
 Aschwanden
continues:
"As
long
as
you
eat
breakfast,
lunch,
and
dinner,
it's
almost
impossible
not
to
get
through.
 The
barn
door
doesn't
slam
shut
45
minutes
after
exercise.
 Instead,
it
stays
open
for
four
or
five
hours,
maybe
more."
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Why I Love Exercise Instruction</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=635</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=635</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

I
have
been
in
the
field
of
exercise
for
over
twenty
years,
and
I
still
get
just
as
excited
talking
about
it,
learning
about
it,
and
instructing
it
as
I
did
on
my
first
day
on
the
job
back
in
July
of
1999.
 There
is
always
something
new
to
learn,
some
insight
to
glean,
or
someone
to
show
me
an
aspect
of
the
field
that
I
did
not
know.
 The
challenge
is
constant,
and
that's
why
things
never
get
boring
for
me.
 The
technical
aspect
of
being
an
instructor
is
what
really
moves
me;
understanding
the
ins
and
outs
of
our
equipment,
how
it
works,
and
what
makes
it
so
unique
and
effective.
 I
really
enjoy
being
able
to
share
what
I've
learned
with
clients
and
prospective
clients
when
they
come
through
the
doors
at
Total
Results.



 


I
recently
finished
reading
Ken
Hutchins'
new
book
"Big
Arthur,
Little
Me."
 Ken,
as
many
of
you
are
aware,
is
the
founder
of
our
exercise
protocol,
and
this
book
is
a
memoir
that
largely
covers
his
time
working
for
Nautilus
founder
Arthur
Jones.
 Hutchins
has
had
some
health
problems
recently,
and
has
had
to
reduce
his
overall
workload,
but
still
remains
a
prolific
and
insightful
writer
on
the
subject
of
exercise.
 I
am
always
inspired
and
reinforced
when
I
read
new
stuff
from
Ken;
it
makes
me
want
to
keep
learning.
 Here
is
a
man
in
his
early
70s,
with
nearly
a
half
century
in
the
industry,
yet
he
continues
to
write
and
innovate.
 I
can
only
hope
my
drive
is
that
strong
if
I
am
fortunate
enough
to
reach
that
age.



 


Many
people
are
aware
that
the
Total
Results
exercise
protocol
was
developed
during
the
Nautilus
Osteoporosis
Study
at
the
University
of
Florida
from
1982-1986.
 While
many
positive
things
did
come
out
of
that
study,
the
environment
was
extremely
chaotic
and
the
data
that
was
compiled
was
ultimately
worthless,
according
to
Hutchins
(who,
along
with
his
wife
Brenda,
were
Nautilus'
chief
employees
present
during
the
study).
 This
was
due
to
three
reasons.
 One,
the
bone
densitometry
tools
(to
measure
bone
density)
were
inaccurate.
 Two,
the
test
subjects'
blood
samples
were
not
immediately
processed.
 Finally,
the
exercise
physiologist
connected
to
the
study
insisted
on
using
the
VO2
Max
test,
which
isn't
a
valid
test
of
anything.
 The
real
value
of
the
study
was
the
refinement
of
the
exercise
protocol,
the
establishment
of
the
clinically
controlled
exercise
environment,
a
refinement
of
detailed
instructional
language,
and
the
first
established
definition
of
exercise.
 If
not
for
all
of
this
Total
Results
would
not
be
possible,
so
a
great
debt
of
gratitude
is
owed
to
Ken
Hutchins.



 


This
book
in
particular
reinforces
to
me
what
I
love
about
exercise
instruction.
 I
enjoy
the
intellectual
challenge
of
assisting
people
to
get
more
out
of
themselves
than
they
thought
possible.
 There
is
a
creative
aspect
to
my
work;
I
can
craft
different
routines
to
meet
individual
needs,
and
everybody
that
walks
through
our
doors
is
different.
 Some
may
have
orthopedic
issues/injuries,
while
others
are
dealing
with
chronic
disease.
 I
am
constantly
experimenting
with
different
approaches
on
how
to
instruct,
while
staying
within
the
framework
of
our
exercise
philosophy
that
guides
everything
that
I
do.
 I
regularly
look
for
the
right
verbiage,
and
anticipate
the
right
time
and
circumstance
to
use
it.
 It
is
about
knowing
when
to
make
a
correction
and
when
to
say
nothing;
timing
is
everything.
 Sometimes,
what
I
don't
say
is
just
as
important
as
what
I
do
say,
and
all
of
the
instructions
that
I
issue
are
for
the
purpose
of
getting
the
safest,
and
most
effective
workout
experience
possible.
 I
strive
to
be
a
"looming
presence"
during
the
exercise
session,
but
never
be
a
distraction
to
the
client.
 My
work
at
Total
Results
gives
me
an
opportunity
to
meet
many
interesting
and
successful
people
from
a
variety
of
industries,
but
it
also
allows
me
to
connect
with
them
on
a
level
that
goes
beyond
just
exercise.
 This
gives
me
a
chance
to
explore
what
makes
them
tick,
and
it
helps
me
to
learn
how
to
best
instruct
and
motivate
each
individual,
because
one
size
does
not
fit
all.
 I
am
very
fortunate
that
I
was
able
to
turn
into
a
lifelong
vocation,
something
that
started
out
as
a
hobby
when
I
was
thirteen
years
old.
 The
new
challenges
each
day
brings
helps
keep
things
exciting
and
fresh.
 The
end
result
of
the
exercise
is
certainly
important,
but
I
think
the
process
is
what
means
the
most
to
me.



 


Finally,
a
new
quote
from
Ken
Hutchins
really
gives
us
something
to
think
about,
and
certainly
encapsulates
what
exercise
means
to
me:
 "Throughout
the
excursion,
constantly
strive
to
find
meaningful
resistance.
 Be
on
the
search,
the
lookout,
the
quest,
the
hunt
for
meaningful
resistance!
 If
exercise
has
meaning
in
your
life,
then
the
essence
of
the
meaning
is
the
resistance-not
the
weight,
not
the
movement,
not
the
power,
not
the
work,
not
the
repetitions."
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Immune System - By Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=636</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=636</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Immune
System



 


The
immune
system
is
the
body's
biological
defense
system.
The
main
purpose
of
your
immune
system
is
to
protect
your
body
from
viruses
and
bacteria.
Viruses
and
bacteria
would
have
free
reign
and
you'd
be
constantly
falling
ill.
Your
immune
system
works
by
recognizing
the
difference
between
your
body's
cells
and
alien
cells,
allowing
it
to
destroy
any
that
could
be
potentially
harmful.
This
usually
works
well
but
can
cause
problems
if
your
immune
system
wrongly
classifies
some
of
your
cells
and
attacks
them
instead,
resulting
in
autoimmune
disorders.



The
Innate
vs.
Adaptive
Immune
Response



 


The
innate
immune
system
is
the
body's
first
line
of
defense
against
germs
entering
the
body.
It
responds
in
the
same
way
to
all
germs
and
foreign
substances,
which
is
why
it
is
sometimes
referred
to
as
the
"nonspecific"
immune
system.
The
main
purpose
of
the
innate
immune
response
is
to
immediately
prevent
the
spread
and
movement
of
foreign
pathogens
throughout
the
body.
Therefore,
it
acts
very
quickly.
For
instance,
it
makes
sure
that

bacteria
that
have
entered
the
skin
through
a
small
wound
are
detected
and
destroyed
on
the
spot
within
a
few
hours.
The
innate
immune
system
has
only
limited
power
to
stop
germs
from
spreading,
though.




 


The
second
line
of
defense
is
called
the
adaptive
immune
system.
It
takes
over
if
the
innate
immune
system
is
not
able
to
destroy
the
germs.
It
specifically
targets
the
type
of
germ
that
is
causing
the
infection.
But
to
do
that
it
first
needs
to
identify
the
germ.
This
means
that
it
is
slower
to
respond
than
the
innate
immune
system,
but
when
it
does
it
is
more
accurate.
It
also
has
the
advantage
of
being
able
to
"remember"
germs,
so
the
next
time
a
known
germ
is
encountered,
the
adaptive
immune
system
can
respond
faster.



 


A
strong
immune
system
equates
to
a
healthy
body.
Here
are
some
ways
to
help
boost
your
body's
natural
defenses
and
fight
harmful
pathogens
or
disease-causing
organisms.





Get
sufficient
sleep.
Sleep
and
immunity
are
closely
tied.
Inadequate
sleep
may
increase
your
risk
of
getting
sick.
Inadequate
or
poor
sleep
is
linked
to
a
higher
susceptibility
to
sickness.
Most
adults
should
get
at
least
7
hours
of
sleep
per
night.




Eat
more
whole
plant
foods.
Fruits,
vegetables,
nuts,
seeds,
and
legumes
are
rich
in
nutrients
and
antioxidants.
The
antioxidants
in
these
foods
help
decrease
inflammation
by
combatting
unstable
compounds
called
free
radicals
which
can
cause
inflammation
when
they
build
up
in
your
body.





Eat
more
healthy
fats.

Healthy
fats
like
olive
oil
and
omega-3s
found
in
salmon
are
highly
anti-inflammatory.
Since
chronic
inflammation
can
suppress
your
immune
system,
these
fats
may
naturally
combat
illnesses.




Eat
more
fermented
foods
or
take
a
probiotic
supplement.
Fermented
foods
are
rich
in
beneficial
bacteria
called
probiotics,
which
populate
your
digestive
tract.
These
foods
include
yogurt,
sauerkraut,
kimchi,
kefir,
and
natto.
Fermented
foods
and
probiotics
may
bolster
your
immune
system
by
helping
it
identify
and
target
harmful
pathogens.




Limit
added
sugars.
Added
sugars
contribute
significantly
to
obesity,
type
2
diabetes,
and
heart
disease,
all
of
which
can
suppress
your
immune
system.
Lowering
your
sugar
intake
may
decrease
inflammation
and
your
risk
of
these
conditions.





 


Immunosenescence
is
the
age-related
decline
of
the
immune
system
and
is
generally
associated
with
increased
susceptibility
to

infection
and
reduced
responses
to
vaccination.
This
decline
in
immune
function
affects
both
innate
and
adaptive
immune
systems.
 Elderly
are
less
likely
to
benefit
from
vaccinations
as
preventative
measures
against
infectious
diseases
due
to
the
inability
of
the
immune
system
to
mount
a
successful
defense.




 


The
greatest
harm
to
immune
function
is
training/working
out
exhaustively
without
giving
your
body
time
to
recover.
There
is
a
cumulative
effect
whereby
an
exhaustive
workout
followed
closely
by
another
exhaustive
workout
compounds
the
negative
impact
training
heavily
has
on
the
immune
system.
 At
Total
Results,
we
do
one
or
two
20-minute
workouts
per
week
which
result
in
ample
time
for
recovery,
generally
48
to
72
hours.

]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Mental Focus</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=634</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=634</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Improving
one's
ability
to
focus
is
a
critical
life
skill
that
can
pay
dividends
in
terms
of
education,
job
performance,
reading
comprehension,
and
in
a
whole
host
of
other
endeavors.
 In
our
current
fast-paced
world,
it
seems
as
though
we
are
continuously
overwhelmed
with
stimuli,
making
it
difficult
to
maintain
concentration
on
any
one
thing
for
more
than
a
few
seconds.
 Sometimes,
in
order
to
sharpen
mental
focus
one
must
change
their
mindset
and
reassess
their
priorities.
This
requires
maturity,
honesty,
and
discipline,
and
while
it
is
not
easy,
it
can
be
done.
 
When
it
comes
to
exercise,
proper
mental
focus
can
be
the
difference
between
safety
and
injury,
and
it
can
also
be
the
difference
between
an
average
workout
and
an
exceptional
workout.
 



 


Many
novice
Total
Results
clients
come
to
us
after
having
performed
several
different
workout
regimens
over
the
years.
 Sometimes
a
change
in
thinking
is
required,
and
they
must
unlearn
certain
things
that
they
have
accepted
as
truths.
 It
is
often
difficult
for
new
clients
to
initially
grasp
the
real
objective
of
exercise,
which
is
muscular
inroad
(fatigue).
 Most
of
us
will
tend
to
base
our
progress
on
how
much
weight
we
lift
or
how
many
repetitions
we
complete,
as
our
society
has
a
habit
of
equating
"more"
with
"better."
 This
is
not
the
case.
 The
true
measurement
of
how
well
one
performed
on
an
exercise
is
how
thoroughly
the
muscular
structures
(and
the
entire
body)
have
been
inroaded,
because
that
is
the
stimulus
that
the
body
requires
in
order
to
stimulate
physical
improvements.
 This
is
where
mental
focus
becomes
very
important.
 Excellent
form
is
the
key
to
maximizing
muscular
loading,
and
patiently
executed
turnarounds,
proper
speed
and
pace,
and
minimizing
form
discrepancies
requires
attention
to
detail,
which
can
only
come
with
good
mental
focus.



 


How
can
you
improve
your
mental
focus?
 First,
it
is
important
to
understand
that
the
fear
of
muscular
discomfort
is
actually
far
worse
than
what
is
truly
experienced
at
muscular
failure.
 We
often
make
a
mountain
out
of
a
molehill.
 Yes,
a
Total
Results
workout
is
often
uncomfortable
and
not
fun,
particularly
if
you
train
very
intensely,
but
there
are
many
things
in
life
that
you
have
or
likely
will
experience
that
are
far
more
unpleasant
(helping
a
friend
or
family
member
move
comes
to
mind).
 Try
shutting
everything
else
out
of
your
mind
for
the
next
twenty
minutes,
and
remind
yourself
while
you
are
likely
to
experience
muscular
discomfort,
it
is
completely
different
from
injurious
pain,
and
you
are
in
a
completely
safe
environment.
 Remind
yourself
of
what
you
are
here
to
accomplish
(systemic
inroad);
take
pride
in
the
journey,
and
in
knowing
that
you
are
about
to
undertake
something
that
most
people
are
not
even
aware
of.
 Make
it
a
point
to
perfect
each
individual
repetition;
do
not
allow
fatigue
or
exertional
discomfort
alter
your
form
or
diminish
attention
to
detail.
 When
the
burning
of
your
muscles
reaches
its
apex,
concentrate
on
your
breathing.
 This
will
encourage
you
to
stay
in
the
game
long
after
most
people
would
quit,
and
it
helps
to
take
your
mind
off
of
the
muscular
discomfort.
 Finally,
celebrate
the
accomplishment
of
completing
a
demanding
task,
and
know
in
your
mind
that
you
have
achieved
victory.


If
you
visualize
success
ahead
of
time,
it
will
be
that
much
easier
to
achieve.
 Every
workout
cannot
be
a
personal
best,
but
each
time
you
walk
out
of
our
studio
you
are
taking
another
step
toward
something
great.
 There
will
be
days
when
you
feel
that
your
performance
was
subpar,
but
if
you
give
the
best
effort
you
are
capable
of
giving,
you
always
win.
 Follow
the
blueprint;
it
all
starts
between
the
ears.
 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How Important is the Calf Muscle Pump? By Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=633</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=633</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Most
muscles
in
the
leg
are
considered
long
muscles,
in
that
they
stretch
great
distances.
As
these
muscles
contract
and
relax,
they
move
skeletal
bones
to
create
movement
of
the
body.
Smaller
muscles
help
the
larger
muscles,
stabilize
joints,
help
rotate
joints,
and
facilitate
other
fine-tuned
movements


There
are
three
muscle
groups
that
make
up
your
calf.
The
gastrocnemius
muscle
is
responsible
for
giving
your
calf
a
rounded
shape.

The
soleus
muscle
is
a
longer,
flatter
muscles
beneath
the
gastrocnemius
which
stretches
down
your
leg.

The
tibialis
anterior
is
activated
when
you
do
activities
when
your
toe
is
higher
than
your
heel,
such
as
walking
up
a
hill


The
scientific
term
for
a

muscle
pump
is
known
as
"hyperemia"
which
is

an
increased
amount

of
blood
in
the

vessels
of
an
organ
or
tissue

in

the
body.

Your
blood
vessels
widen
to
increase
the
supply
of
blood
flowing
in.


There
are
two
types
of
hyperemia:


Active
hyperemia
happens
when
there
is
an
increase
in
the
blood
supply
to
an
organ.
This
is
usually
in
response
to
a
greater
demand
for
blood
-
for
example,
if
you
are
exercising.


Passive
hyperemia
is
when
blood
cannot
properly
exit
an
organ,
so
it
builds
up
in
the
blood
vessels.
This
type
of
hyperemia
is
also
known
as
congestion.


There
are
several
muscle
pumps
in
our
body
that
are
needed
to
transport
or
pump
venous
blood
back
to
the
heart.

The
muscle
pump
in
the
calves
ensures
that
the
venous
return
to
the
heart
works
properly.
Every
time
the

calf

muscles

contract,

they

compress
the
veins
within
the
muscles
and
force
the
blood
to
flow
upward
and
toward
the
heart.
When
your
calf
muscles
relax,
the
veins
in
the
muscles
refill
with
blood
from
surrounding
veins.

Here
too,
the
venous
valves
determine
the
direction
of
flow
and
stop
the
blood
flowing
backwards.


However,
the
muscle
pump
only
springs
into
action
when
we
use
our
muscles,
i.e.,
while
walking
or
running

or
exercising.

The
calf
raise
exercise
involves
the
basic
up-down
movement
for
strengthening
calves.




The
main

type

of
calf
raises
include
the
standing
and
seated
positions.

The
standing
position

involves
standing
on
a
block

and
let
your
heels
hang
off
the
edge
of
the
block.

Raise
your
heels
so
your
body
weight
shifts

to
the
balls
of
your
feet.

Hold
this
position

for
a
few
seconds
before
lowering
your
heels.

Perform
5-10
repetitions.

At
Total
Results
we
use
the
seated
calf
raise.

The
seated
calf
raise
enable

you
to
isolate
the
movement
to
your
ankles

and
reduce
the
stress
on
your
back.




 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=632</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=632</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

Esther
Gokhale
is
an
acupuncturist
and
yoga
instructor
who
studied
biochemistry
at
Harvard
and
Princeton
Universities,
and
also
learned
acupuncture
at
the
San
Francisco
School
of
Oriental
Medicine.
 She
grew
up
in
India,
and
during
her
youth
she
helped
her
mother,
who
was
a
nurse,
treat
abandoned
babies
that
were
waiting
to
be
adopted.
 Gokhale
published
"8
Steps
to
a
Pain-Free
Back
in
2008,
as
a
way
to
put
into
book
form
the
postural
teachings
that
she
has
been
using
with
clients
for
many
years,
many
of
whom
work
in
Silicon
Valley.
 We
have
had
a
copy
of
this
book
sitting
in
our
office
bookshelf
for
many
years,
but
only
recently
did
I
decide
to
read
it
cover
to
cover.
 This
book
will
change
the
way
you
think
about
and
approach
how
you
sit,
stand,
walk,
and
even
lie
in
bed.



 


The
beginning
part
of
the
book
lays
the
foundation
for
the
lessons
that
come
later.
 There
is
a
great
description
of
how
a
healthy
spinal
column
should
look.
 The
vertebrae
should
be
"stacked"
upon
one
another
with
a
minimal
curvature,
rather
than
the
S-shape
we
have
come
to
accept.
 In
fact,
there
is
an
illustration
that
contrasts
a
spinal
column
as
detailed
from
a
1911
anatomy
book
with
a
spine
taken
from
a
book
published
in
1990.
 The
difference
is
striking;
the
more
recent
illustration
has
a
much
more
elaborate
curve
than
the
illustration
from
the
early
20th
century.
 In
a
healthy
spine,
the
pelvis
should
be
anteverted
(tilted
slightly
forward)
in
order
to
maintain
the
proper
wedge
shape
of
the
disc
between
L5
and
S1.
 As
Gokhale
says,
"The
ideal
shape
of
the
spine
is
a
gentle,
elongated
curve,
not
an
exaggerated
"S"
curve.
 Pronounced
curvature
should
only
occur
at
L5-S1
at
the
base
of
the
spine."
 Exaggerated
spinal
curvature
can
distort
and
compress
vertebral
discs,
which
may
lead
to
numbness,
pain,
and
injury.
 One
interesting
element
that
I
had
not
considered
was
how
cultural
norms
affect
the
construct
of
what
is
considered
good
posture.
 This
can
be
understood
by
looking
at
pictures
in
the
book
showing
models
and
advertisements,
clothing,
shoes,
and
even
how
modern
furniture
is
designed.
 You
can
see
the
difference
when
you
look
at
images
from
indigenous
cultures
or
even
pictures
of
Americans
from
the
late
19th
or
early
20th
century.
 A
great
number
of
these
photos
show
far
better
posture
than
many
of
us
currently
display.



 


The
first
of
the
author's
lessons
details
what
is
called
stretchsitting.
 During
this
lesson,
we
learn
the
proper
way
to
sit,
how
to
lengthen
your
spine
(which
eases
compression
of
the
vertebral
discs),
and
how
to
perform
shoulder
rolls
in
order
to
remedy
hunching.
 This
involves
shrugging
your
shoulders
and
then
rolling
them
comfortably
backward
and
forward.
 As
Gokhale
describes,
"Shoulder
rolls
influence
the
architecture
of
the
area
just
beneath
the
pectoral
muscles.
 This
area,
called
the
brachial
plexus,
is
a
major
thoroughfare
for
nerves
and
blood
vessels
supplying
the
arms.
 Hunching
the
shoulders
compromises
the
architecture
of
this
area,
affecting
blood
supply
to
and
from
the
arms,
and
nerve
functions
in
the
arms."
 If
you
suffer
from
strange
arm
pain
or
frequently
have
cold
hands,
this
can
remedy
the
problem.
 The
good
news
is
that
practicing
stretchsitting,
as
with
the
other
lessons
in
the
book,
requires
little
more
than
a
folded
towel
and
chair.


Another
important
lesson
covered
in
this
book
is
stacksitting.
 Once
again,
we
learn
about
the
significance
of
pelvic
positioning,
and
why
it
is
critical
to
tilt
the
pelvis
slightly
forward.
 People
that
slouch
have
a
tendency
to
tuck
the
pelvis,
and
as
a
result,
the
surrounding
structures
become
accustomed
to
this.
 As
Gokhale
says,
"The
muscles
and
ligaments
in
the
groin
area
as
well
as
the
hamstring
muscles,
tend
to
be
short
and
tight,
while
the
muscles
in
the
buttocks
tend
to
be
weak
and
underdeveloped."
 The
author
details
the
differences
in
the
shape
of
the
low
back,
from
swayed
(a
lordotic
curve
in
which
the
low
back
muscles
are
tight),
to
rounded
(a
kyphotic
curve
that
causes
the
discs
to
bulge),
and
finally
a
straight
(ideal)
shape
where
the
muscles
are
relaxed
and
the
discs
are
decompressed.
 Stacksitting
involves
some
of
the
same
concepts
that
were
discussed
in
stretchsitting,
and
requires
a
folded
towel
(to
help
antevert
the
pelvis),
sitting
back
deeply
in
a
chair,
and
working
to
sit
tall
so
that
the
vertebrae
stack
on
top
of
one
another
to
alleviate
disc
compression.
 Gokhale
shows
how
to
take
stock
of
your
posture
in
the
mirror
before
performing
the
lesson
(with
reference
pictures
to
guide
you),
and
also
how
to
assess
the
spinal
groove
in
your
lower
back.
 At
the
end
of
the
lesson,
she
describes
how
you
can
gauge
improvement
and
what
you
can
do
if
you
feel
pain
or
soreness
in
the
lower
back
while
you
perform
the
exercises.



 


Tallstanding
is
one
more
lesson
that
I
found
valuable.
 Standing
in
an
anatomically
correct
and
comfortable
position
involves
not
just
the
alignment
of
your
spine
and
pelvis,
but
also
the
positioning
of
your
knees
and
feet.
 People
who
are
uncomfortable
standing
for
reasonable
lengths
of
time
often
have
problems
with
their
knees
and
feet
as
well
as
their
lower
back.
 When
standing,
the
knees
should
remain
soft
rather
than
locked;
this
prevents
wear
and
tear
on
the
knee,
hip,
ankle,
and
foot
joints.
 Gokhale
also
talks
about
restoring
the
natural
"kidney
bean"
shape
to
the
foot.
 Fallen
foot
arches
result
from
weak
tibialis
anterior
muscles
(the
muscles
on
the
front
of
the
shin),
as
well
as
muscles
of
the
foot.
 There
is
a
great
section
in
this
chapter
about
foot
anatomy,
and
if
you
look
at
the
bones
of
the
foot
you
can
see
that
most
of
the
weight
when
we
stand
is
designed
to
be
born
by
the
heel
bone.
 The
heel
is
the
largest
bone
of
the
foot,
and
the
bones
toward
the
front
of
the
foot
are
smaller
and
more
delicate.
The
highlights
of
tallstanding
involve
shifting
most
of
your
weight
onto
your
heels,
keeping
your
knees
soft
(not
locked,
and
not
bent),
maintaining
an
anteverted
pelvis,
and
allowing
your
vertebrae
to
stack
on
top
of
one
another.
 The
use
of
a
mirror
in
this
particular
lesson
is
very
helpful.



 


I
like
the
fact
that
each
one
of
these
lessons
builds
upon
what
is
learned
in
the
previous
lesson.
 Gokhale
says
that
if
extreme
pain
or
discomfort
is
experienced,
then
certain
lessons
can
be
skipped
for
the
time
being
until
the
subject
becomes
a
bit
stronger
or
the
pain
subsides.
 Also
encouraging
is
that
the
author
makes
repeated
reference
to
the
importance
of
neutral
head
position.
 As
most
of
you
know,
this
is
something
that
is
emphasized
during
Total
Results
workouts,
and
is
absolutely
critical
for
the
safety
of
the
neck
structures.
 If
there
is
a
point
of
contention
I
have,
it
is
with
many
of
the
exercises
detailed
in
the
appendix
section
of
the
book.
 Several
of
the
exercises
involve
unilateral
movement
which
unevenly
load
the
pelvis
and
spine;
these
I
would
avoid.
 Some
of
these
exercises
might
provide
minimal
benefit
to
a
person
that
is
extremely
deconditioned,
but
they
are
neither
desirable
nor
necessary
if
you
strength
train
regularly.



 


The
lessons
and
strategies
discussed
in
"8
Steps
to
a
Pain-Free
Back"
are
a
useful
adjunct
to
regular
Total
Results
workouts,
especially
if
you
suffer
from
regular
or
even
intermittent
lower
back
pain.
 ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Linear Spine Flexion Machine</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=631</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=631</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

In
my
opinion,
the
Linear
Spine
Flexion
Machine
found
here
at
Total
Results
is
one
of
the
most
innovative
exercise
machines
ever
designed.
 You
cannot
find
anything
in
a
commercial
gym
that
is
even
a
reasonable
facsimile.
 While
the
original
Nautilus
Pullover
(early
1970's)
was
revolutionary
and
ushered
in
a
new
era
in
the
field
of
exercise,
the
Linear
Spine
Flexion
is
unlike
anything
we
have
seen
before
or
since
its
invention.
 Both
the
Linear
Spine
Flexion
and
its
companion
piece
the
Linear
Spine
Extension
(which
we
do
not
own
at
Total
Results)
were
designed
by
Ken
Hutchins
to
target
the
trunk
musculature
in
a
way
that
had
never
before
been
possible.



 


The
Linear
Spine
Flexion
primarily
targets
the
abdominal
muscles,
but
also
significantly
engages
the
hamstrings
and
buttocks.
 Since
most
traditional
abdominal
exercises
(whether
using
a
machine
or
doing
floor
crunches)
are
rotational
movements,
they
greatly
involve
the
hip
flexor
muscles
at
the
expense
of
the
abdominals.
 The
Linear
Spine
Flexion,
as
the
name
suggests,
is
a
linear
movement
rather
than
a
rotational
movement,
so
hip
flexor
involvement
is
minimal
and
more
direct
attention
can
be
given
to
the
abdominal
muscles.
 The
subject
will
enter
the
machine
facing
the
weight
stack,
and
the
seat
height
should
be
set
so
that
the
movement
arm
plunger
is
in
contact
with
the
back
equidistant
between
the
shoulder
and
hip
joints.
 Once
seated,
the
knees
are
usually
placed
between
the
second
and
third
roller
pads
(or
in
a
position
so
that
the
thighs
are
roughly
parallel
to
the
floor),
with
the
shins
in
contact
with
the
remaining
pads,
and
the
feet
and
ankles
should
be
relaxed.
 A
timing
crank
customizes
the
cam
fall-off;
the
crank
should
be
adjusted
by
the
instructor
so
that
the
trunk
is
extended
and
the
arms
are
mostly
(if
not
completely)
straight
at
bottom
out.
 The
heels
of
the
hands
should
be
in
contact
with
the
rung
appropriate
for
one's
arm
length.
 A
neutral
head
position
should
be
maintained
throughout
the
exercise.



 


The
exercise
will
commence
when
the
subject
applies
enough
force
to
barely
create
movement
of
the
plunger.
 In
addition
to
pressing
the
back
into
the
plunger,
pressure
should
be
applied
on
the
rungs
through
the
heels
of
the
hands,
and
both
shins
should
be
pressed
into
the
diagonal
row
of
roller
pads.
 The
subject
should
strive
to
sink
their
butt
down
into
the
seat
as
they
flex
their
trunk.
 To
illustrate
this
trunk
flexion,
I
often
tell
the
client
to
"pretend
they're
trying
to
fold
themselves
in
half,
like
a
piece
of
paper."
 Once
the
greatest
amount
of
flexion
has
been
achieved,
smoothly
change
directions
to
begin
the
negative
phase
of
the
movement.
 The
chest
should
rise
and
the
trunk
should
extend
as
you
approach
bottom
out.
 Softly
touch
the
plates
together
and
begin
the
next
repetition.
 There
is
a
range
of
motion
indicator
attached
to
the
shaft
of
the
plunger.
 Once
the
client
is
no
longer
able
to
achieve
their
greatest
range
of
motion,
we
have
determined
that
they
have
reached
momentary
muscular
failure,
and
they
will
push
for
an
additional
five
to
ten
seconds
to
achieve
a
thorough
inroad.
 The
instructor
will
release
the
timing
crank
so
that
the
subject
can
step
safely
off
the
machine
deck
and
onto
the
floor.



 


This
is
a
very
demanding
and
technically
challenging
exercise,
and
 it
can
take
several
sessions
to
perform
it
proficiently.
 It
can
be
incorporated
in
the
beginning
of
a
workout,
as
in
a
pre-exhaust
for
the
buttocks
prior
to
the
Leg
Press,
or
it
can
be
done
at
the
end
of
a
workout
as
a
finishing
movement.
 Most
of
my
twice
per
week
clients
perform
two
different
workout
routines
each
week
(an
"A"
and
a
"B"
routine);
I
like
to
have
the
Linear
Spine
Flexion
in
the
workout
that
does
not
contain
the
Leg
Press
and
Leg
Curl,
because
of
how
heavily
involved
the
hamstrings
and
buttocks
are
in
this
exercise.
 As
a
bonus,
according
to
Ken
Hutchins
this
exercise
"is
also
known
for
relieving
even
the
most
debilitating
menstrual
cramps
within
3-5
repetitions."



 


Simply
put,
the
Linear
Spine
Flexion
is
a
machine
unlike
any
other
that
you'll
find
in
Northern
Virginia,
and
we
are
very
fortunate
to
offer
its
benefits
to
our
clients.
 Schedule
an
appointment
and
experience
it
for
yourself
today!
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>A Blueprint For Success</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=630</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=630</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[

In
order
to
succeed
in
any
endeavor,
you
need
to
have
a
system
in
place
that
you
can
utilize
for
the
long
term.
 This
is
true
in
business,
the
pursuit
of
an
education,
and
even
in
raising
children.
 It's
great
to
know
what
you
want
to
achieve,
but
if
you
don't
have
a
plan
in
place
to
get
you
to
where
you
want
to
go,
all
the
good
intentions
in
the
world
will
not
help
you.
 This
scenario
happens
to
many
people
who
join
gyms
or
start
fitness
regimens
in
January.
 They
start
out
with
all
kinds
of
enthusiasm
and
positive
energy,
and
many
of
them
have
an
idea
(realistic
or
not)
of
what
they
want
to
accomplish.
 The
trouble
is,
they
have
no
idea
how
to
get
there
and
no
system
in
place;
consequently,
they
often
flounder
and
stop
what
they're
doing
by
mid
February.



 


At
Total
Results,
we
explain
to
our
clients
that
their
success
is
mostly
dependent
upon
them,
which
means
they
are
firmly
in
control
of
their
own
destiny.
 The
first
important
step
taken
toward
achieving
something
meaningful
is
having
the
desire
to
do
so,
but
that
isn't
enough.
 We
give
you
the
tools
(in
terms
of
knowledge)
and
the
guidance
necessary
to
maximize
your
genetic
potential.
 The
Total
Results
exercise
philosophy
originated
as
an
outgrowth
of
the
old
Nautilus
philosophy
of
the
1970s,
and
has
been
refined
and
improved
through
trial
and
error
and
continuous
study
since
we
first
opened
our
doors
twenty
years
ago.
 Our
blueprint
for
success
is
made
up
of
four
critical
elements:
 exercise
instruction,
nutritional
education,
regulation
of
additional
activities,
and
supplement
recommendations.



 



Exercise
instruction.


Our
exercise
protocol
is
based
on
the
classical
sciences
of
biology,
chemistry,
and
physics,
as
well
as
motor
learning.
 We
utilize
a
slow
and
controlled
speed
of
movement
(ten
seconds
lifting
and
lowering
the
weight)
with
an
emphasis
on
precise
change
of
direction.
 Exercises
are
selected
that
will
provide
the
greatest
benefit
in
the
shortest
amount
of
time,
with
careful
consideration
given
to
any
joint
problems
the
client
may
be
dealing
with.
 Workouts
are
performed
using
specially
engineered
equipment
made
exclusively
for
our
exercise
protocol,
and
that
combined
with
our
clinically
controlled
environment
enable
the
client
to
give
their
workout
the
proper
amount
of
focus
and
intensity
necessary
to
stimulate
positive
physical
change.
 Total
Results
instructors
are
required
to
pass
an
extremely
rigorous
written,
practical,
and
oral
exam
in
order
to
certify,
and
must
continue
to
learn
and
hone
their
craft
going
forward.



 



Nutritional
guidance.


We
encourage
clients
to
adopt
a
whole
foods/evolutionary
approach
to
nutrition
in
order
to
maximize
their
genetic
blueprint
and
avoid
chronic
disease.
 The
word
accountability
is
stressed,
and
we
talk
about
the
importance
of
proper
hydration,
consuming
plenty
of
healthy
fats,
protein,
and
fruits
and
vegetables,
and
avoiding
the
pitfalls
of
the
traditional
modern
Western
diet.
 Intermittent
fasting
(when
you
condense
your
time
between
first
and
last
meals
of
the
day)
and
all
of
its
physiological
benefits
are
regularly
discussed.



 



Supplement
education.
 If
you
are
on
one
or
more
prescription
medications
for
chronic
conditions,
our
goal
is
to
help
you
get
off
as
many
of
them
(or
all
of
them)
as
soon
as
possible!
 Stay
out
of
the
health
care
(more
appropriately,
sick
care)
system
by
taking
control
of
what
you
put
into
your
body.
 Consume
supplements
such
as
Vitamins
C
and
D,
zinc,
magnesium,
fish
oil,
and
(if
you
suffer
from
joint
pain/arthritis)
glucosamine
and
chondroitin.
 These
supplements
provide
amazing
benefits
and
have
little
or
no
side
effects,
unlike
prescription
medications.



 



Regulation
of
additional
activities.
 We
encourage
clients
to
be
active
between
sessions,
but
also
to
exercise
sound
judgement
regarding
intensity,
frequency,
and
duration
of
extracurricular
activities.
 The
human
body
was
designed
to
move,
not
sit
still
in
one
place
all
day
long.
 That
being
said,
no
other
form
of
activity
is
going
to
have
the
same
systemic
effect
as
a
Total
Results
workout,
and
the
human
body
has
finite
recovery
resources.
 We
want
our
clients
to
be
active
and
get
the
most
out
of
life,
but
also
to
experience
continued
progress
and
avoid
unnecessary
injuries.



 


The
Total
Results
blueprint
for
success
has
been
developed
and
refined
after
performing
tens
of
thousands
of
one
on
one
exercise
sessions
over
the
course
of
twenty
years,
and
we
continue
to
improve
our
knowledge
so
that
we
can
get
better
and
continue
to
provide
you
with
the
best
exercise
experience
in
the
mid-Atlantic
region.
 You
can
develop
your
own
blueprint
or
system
at
home
when
it
comes
to
managing
stress
and
getting
proper
sleep,
and
this
is
something
that
we
can
help
you
with
as
well.
 Total
Results
instructors
and
clients
form
a
combination
that
is
both
powerful
and
meaningful.
 If
you
would
like
to
get
started
on
your
own
blueprint
for
success,
please
contact
us
today.


 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>When Was the Last Time You Failed at Something?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=627</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=627</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In our society, the word failure has been given a negative connotation.  One definition I looked up stated that failure is "lack of success."  I believe that is a rather simplistic explanation of the word, and that an accurate examination requires context.  What exactly were you trying ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How Important is Cadence Counting During Your Workout?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=625</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=625</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Total Results exercise protocol is predicated upon a slow and controlled speed of movement, with an additional emphasis on a precise change of direction on each repetition.  This is done to maximize muscular loading, which will result in a more effective exercise stimulus.  We aim to have ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>&quot;Evil Medicine&quot; - A Book Review</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=624</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=624</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A trusted colleague recently recommended that I read the book "Evil Medicine" by Richard Dennis.  The book was originally published in 2005 and it covers a lot of ground in 109 pages, particularly about the pharmaceutical industry, prescription (and over the counter) medications, and the potentially negative effect they ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Is Fitness Testing Really Necessary?, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=622</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=622</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As a part of my efforts to further my education, I recently finished taking an exercise science course online at Maryville University.  The course covered a wide variety of subjects, from athletic training to sports and exercise psychology, and while I disagreed with most of the other students as ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>My Experience at DiLorenzo Chiropractic, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=621</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=621</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I am currently taking an exercise science course online, and one of the course requirements is to complete ten observation hours in an exercise science-related professional setting.  I completed my hours at DiLorenzo Chiropractic, which is located just up the street from my house in Leesburg.  Dr. Matt ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Lessons Learned From Twenty Years Owning A Gym</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=620</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=620</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I have owned a small gym for 20 years. I estimate I have personally performed 50,000 one-on-one training sessions in that time, and my employees have performed tens of thousands more. I have talked with hundreds of clients, friends and family about diet. I have read thousands of articles and ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Physical Conditioning versus Athletic Skill Training, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=619</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=619</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Programming is at the very heart of what we do as exercise professionals.  An exercise program is a plan of action for helping the client to achieve their goal, and should be tailored to meet the needs of the individual, albeit while working within a guiding philosophy.  This ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>High Expectations, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=618</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=618</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[At my core, I am an optimist and believe in the power of positive thinking.  Generally speaking, most successful people don't become that way by accident.  If you visualize it, you can achieve it.  Unfortunately, many people wittingly or unwittingly limit themselves by being fearful or thinking ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Accountability Partners, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=616</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=616</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In order to achieve great things, one must have accountability to perfect the process or system and stay on track.  As James Clear says in the book Atomic Habits, "Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress."  If you work every day ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Are You Prepared, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=615</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=615</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A new year has officially arrived, and I sincerely hope that 2021 brings prosperity and stability to all of us.  There are reasons for optimism, but I believe there is also some uncertainty ahead.  As the time of this writing there is still the matter of the unresolved ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Farewell to 2020 - Here&#039;s to Prosperity Ahead, By Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=614</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=614</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[December is winding down, and we are in the last few days of 2020.  This has been an interesting and challenging year, to say the least. I find it useful to look back on the past year, as well as look ahead to what's in store for the upcoming ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>It&#039;s Supposed To Be Hard, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=613</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=613</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[People are often skeptical when they find out that a Total Results workout only lasts about twenty minutes, and they think that very little benefit can occur in such a short time. Many clients who come to Total Results after participating in a variety of other fitness regimens are somewhat ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Should We Strive For A Signature Time Under Load? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=612</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=612</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most Total Results clients and regular readers of our blog posts know that for every exercise of every workout (except for negative-only or manually resisted exercises) we record a client's time under load (TUL).  TUL is a measure of how long your muscles are under tension and contracting against ... ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Reacquiring Workout Proficiency Levels After A Layoff, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=611</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=611</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Several Total Results clients over the years have jokingly asked us just before they go on vacation for a week or two if they will be back at square one when they return.  We make sure to tell them that while they may feel slightly deconditioned from a cardiovascular ... ]]></description>
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<title>How Important Is Supplementation, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=610</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=610</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I have been asked many times over the years by clients, friends, and acquaintances what supplements I recommend that they take to improve their health or improve their exercise or sports performance. Much of the time, when people think or talk about supplements they are referring to products that they ... ]]></description>
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<title>Fresh Air Is Critical For Your Health, By Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=609</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=609</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We are in late November, and based on the temperature outside when I leave for work in the morning, I'd say that cooler weather is finally upon us.  It's been a fairly mild fall, which has probably encouraged people to pursue outdoor activities, but there is no reason that ... ]]></description>
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<title>What Are You Doing For Your Low Back? </title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=608</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=608</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[At Total Results, we perform full body workouts each session.  These workouts include all major muscle groups of the body, but also include many critical smaller muscle groups. Strengthening these smaller muscle groups is essential for pain free living, injury resistance and, if you have already experienced an injury, ... ]]></description>
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<title>Little Things Matter, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=607</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=607</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ 
People often wonder why we are so particular when it comes to exercise instruction; many of our clients occasionally kid us about how obsessive we are when it comes to certain aspects of their workouts. Several years ago, Ken Hutchins (the founder of our exercise protocol) was actually described ... ]]></description>
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<title>It&#039;s Probably Not Your Exercise Routine, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=606</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=606</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is normal that as we age, we tend to experience some aches and pains in our bodies, particularly in places like the hips, knees, and lower back.  I think that living an active life (within reason) is preferable to living one that is sedentary, and I believe it ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Vitamin D Solution, a book review, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=605</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=605</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2009 by researchers from Harvard University and the University of Colorado showed that 70 percent of whites, 90 percent of Hispanics, and 97 percent of African Americans have insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D.  Insufficient Vitamin D has been ... ]]></description>
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<title>Finding Balance, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=604</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=604</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We often hear about the importance of finding balance in life.  This is often discussed in the context of juggling work and family responsibilities, school, extracurricular activities, and all the other things that life throws at us.  It's not easy to achieve balance in life, and sometimes certain ... ]]></description>
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<title>Incremental Improvements Add Up to Big Success, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=603</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=603</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people talk about the idea of thinking big.  In fact, one of the best personal development books I've ever read was "The Magic of Thinking Big", by David J. Schwartz.  In that book, the author talks about having a creative mindset, keeping a positive attitude, believing in ... ]]></description>
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<title>In-Season Weight Training for Competitive Athletes, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=602</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=602</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Regular weight training is critical for any athlete, regardless of what sport you play.  Some athletes enjoy weight training, while others simply see it as a means to an end.  Regardless of which of these categories an athlete falls under, the primary reasons an athlete should exercise are ... ]]></description>
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<title>Understanding Form Discrepancies, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=601</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=601</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One of the things that sets the Total Results exercise methodology apart from all other types of weight training is a clear distinction between the assumed exercise objective and the real exercise objective.  We have talked about this in previous articles, but it bears repeating.  The assumed objective ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Importance of Strengthening Your Neck, By Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=600</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=600</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The muscles that make up the neck are incredibly important but are often overlooked and neglected by most exercise enthusiasts.  While the neck musculature is fairly small in comparison to some of the muscles of the torso and legs, these muscles play a critical role in one's posture and ... ]]></description>
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<title>A Closer Look at Muscular Failure, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=599</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=599</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you are a Total Results client or regular reader of our blog articles, you know that a major tenet of our philosophy is to take each exercise to the point of momentary muscular failure.  This is the stimulus point that the body requires in order to make physical ... ]]></description>
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<title>Atomic Habits - a book review, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=595</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=595</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[James Clear is an author and speaker whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Time, Entrepreneur, and on CBS News This Morning. In 2018 he wrote the book "Atomic Habits", which discusses what habits are and how they are created, and also how to build good habits ... ]]></description>
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<title>Are You Breathing Properly?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=596</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=596</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I have been working my breathing a lot recently, both at rest and during exercise and other physical activity.  Breathing is the single most fundamental function which sustains life. We cannot survive more than a few minutes without breathing. Breathing provides a constant flow of Oxygen to our cells ... ]]></description>
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<title>Knowledge of Results - A Key Component of Success, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=594</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=594</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA["When feedback is immediate, clear, and concrete, people learn quickly.  When feedback is delayed, abstract, and opaque, people rarely learn." - James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
Giving feedback is a large part of what a Total Results instructor does when he supervises a workout.  The feedback we give ... ]]></description>
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<title>Stimulate, Don&#039;t Annihilate, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=593</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=593</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Total Results exercise philosophy is based on the principle of muscular inroad.  We want to fatigue the muscular structures deeply enough to elicit a stimulus.  A stimulus is necessary to give the body a reason to make adaptations, such as increases in muscular strength, thicker bones, improved ... ]]></description>
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<title>What do you want from your Exercise Program? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=590</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=590</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is important when deciding to undertake an exercise program to determine exactly what you want to get out of it, and to have an idea of how you expect to achieve your goals.  Many people have different reasons for starting a workout regimen, based on age and a ... ]]></description>
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<title>How to Avoid Chronic Systemic Inflammation, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=589</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=589</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One phrase that has gotten a lot of attention in recent years is chronic systemic inflammation.  Inflammation is a normal response by the body in an attempt to ward off an invader, whether the invader is a virus, a food you are allergic to, or a mosquito that bites ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Stages of Learning Proper Exercise, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=588</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=588</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Total Results exercise philosophy is something that is very new for most people who start exercising with us. Our methodology is more detailed than any other exercise protocol in the industry, so new clients should not be discouraged if they do not master the technique immediately. Everyone learns and ... ]]></description>
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<title>&quot;Plague of Corruption&quot; , a book review by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=587</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=587</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Dr. Judy Mikovits, together with attorney and science teacher Kent Heckenlively, have written a fascinating new book called "Plague of Corruption."  The authors give their take on the current state of scientific research, and what its relationship with both the government and the pharmaceutical industry mean for us. 
Dr. ... ]]></description>
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<title>Personal Trainers vs Health and Fitness Teachers, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=586</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=586</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Think back to your days of formal schooling.  I bet you can remember the name of at least one teacher whose class you really enjoyed, or a teacher that had a significant impact on you.  I was fortunate to have several coaches and teachers (particularly in English and ... ]]></description>
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<title>Pre and Post Exhaustion Techniques in Strength Training:  Pros and Cons,  By Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=584</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=584</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Intelligent effort and safety are the most important considerations when trying to stimulate positive physical change.  The human body, left to its own devices, is very resistant to change and will usually do what it can to maintain the status quo, unless a significant stimulus is introduced.  Many ... ]]></description>
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<title>Total Results is The Best Therapy, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=582</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=582</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When an injury, inflammation, or physical ailment occurs in the human body, most people's first instinct is to rest or do nothing, in hope that the problem gets better on its own.  Most family physicians will probably give the same advice, and may even prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication.  ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Original Social Distancing Exercise Experience, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=580</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=580</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most people are aware of the restrictions that have been placed on business owners as a result of the Covid-19 situation.  Our facility was forced to shut down for two months, due to fear over the spread of the virus.  Unfortunately, our facility (with its unique exercise philosophy) ... ]]></description>
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<title>A global health crisis much worse than SARS-COV2 is coming.  What can you do?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=581</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=581</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[SARS-COV2 has been a tragedy for a small and specific portion of both the global and local population. People at risk include those over 80 years old (80% of SARS-COV2 deaths in my county have been people over 80 years old), people in Nursing Home facilities (almost 2/3 of SARS-COV2 ... ]]></description>
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<title>Nutrient Density - Your Key to Health! by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=578</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=578</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you are a Total Results client or have previously read our blog posts, you know that our exercise program is an important aid in fat loss, but that nutritional selection and portion control are the most critical factors. Watch television for five minutes, and after the obligatory commercials for ... ]]></description>
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<title>Expressing Your &ldquo;Human-ness&rdquo;</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=576</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=576</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How can we best express our "Human-ness"? What does this mean? How can this improve our health and fitness and even our longevity?
Last week, I listened to Joe Rogan's podcast #1478 with Joel Salatin. If you have never heard of Joel Salatin, he is the owner of Polyface Farms in ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Hacking of the American Mind - a Book Review by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=574</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=574</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The current Covid-19 situation has given many working people a lot more free time recently, and I'm certainly no exception.  I've tried to put my extra time to some good use, and I've managed to read a few books.  One book I recently finished is "The Hacking of ... ]]></description>
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<title>Is stretching necessary? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=573</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=573</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One of the most common topics that we discuss with both new and long-term Total Results clients is stretching.  That's probably because it is something that is regularly promoted as important by the fitness industry, yet it is often misunderstood and much misinformation has been put forth.  We ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Importance of Strength Training in your 70&#039;s and Beyond, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=571</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=571</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We have written at length about the many benefits of strength training for people of all ages.  Regular Total Results exercise can help children and teens can get on the right path to a healthy and active lifestyle, help athletes and weekend warriors improve their performance and reduce their ... ]]></description>
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<title>Embrace the Challenge, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=570</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=570</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We face many challenges during the course of our daily lives.  These can include raising children, excelling at one's occupation, or learning to speak a new language.  If you have a growth mindset, life will always present challenges; only those with a fixed mindset are content the way ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Importance of Standardization in Exercise, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=569</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=569</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In any endeavor, there needs to be a certain uniformity in terms of language and methodology, otherwise confusion can occur and best practices cannot be achieved.  That is the case in the medical field, computer programming, and in criminal law. Standardization helps to ensure that everybody involved is on ... ]]></description>
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<title>Time to get in The Best Shape of your Life!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=567</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=567</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Due to the COVID-19 Crisis, many more of us are working from home. Others, like me, are unable to work now due to State or local orders. Still others are just staying put out of concern for their health or that of a loved one. We are not traveling for ... ]]></description>
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<title>What is the Best Way to Improve Core Strength? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=566</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=566</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A very popular concept that has been bandied about in the mainstream fitness world over the past couple of decades is that of the importance of core strength.  What exactly is your core, and why is strengthening it considered so important? According to the Mayo Clinic, the core muscles ... ]]></description>
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<title>Get a Grip, by Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=565</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=565</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The strength of your body starts with your hands so grip strength is very important. It affects most muscle groups you use and most exercises you do. There are 35 muscles involved in movement of the forearm and hand, with many of these involved in gripping activities. During gripping activities, ... ]]></description>
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<title>Local vs Systemic Exercise Effect, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=564</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=564</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The ostensible purpose of performing regular Total Results exercise is to increase muscular strength.  As we have learned, building strength leads to a number of other physical improvements, such as increased insulin sensitivity, improved metabolic and cardiovascular conditioning, resistance to injury, and even facilitation of fat loss.  Each ... ]]></description>
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<title>Total Results Temporary Closure - COVID-19</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=563</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=563</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Total Results Clients,
Due to concerns about the COVID-19 Virus, On March 23rd Virginia Governor Northam issued Executive Order 53 which calls for certain businesses to close down from midnight March 24th until April 23rd. Total Results is included in the list of closures under the category "Indoor Exercise Facilities".
Links:
Executive Order ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Importance of the Leg Curl for Knee Health, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=562</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=562</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The knee joint is an essential joint for humans.  When that joint is compromised, we cannot easily walk, run, climb stairs, stand, or support our own body weight.  When most people think about strengthening the knee joint, they tend to think about the quadriceps muscles, which primarily function ... ]]></description>
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<title>Thoughts on the Wuhan Virus (COVID-19) and hand sanitizing</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=561</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=561</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Andre' Maginot was a French politician in between World Wars I and II. He was rightly distrustful of the Germans and lobbied for a series of obstacles, bunkers, and other fortifications to be built along France's border with Germany to halt any invasion.
This "line" of defensive works was built in ... ]]></description>
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<title>Muscle Is The Key, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=560</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=560</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We have been bludgeoned over the head by the medical and exercise establishment since the late 1960s about the importance of the heart and the cardiovascular system.  We're often told how we need to perform activities that raise our heart rates and that we need to "do cardio." In ... ]]></description>
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<title>Would you rather look like a Sprinter or a Marathon Runner? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=559</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=559</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Our modern society often uses pictures of athletes to depict how the ideal physique should look.  "ESPN the Magazine" dedicates one issue per year (called "The Body Issue") to showing pictures of semi-nude athletes striking various athletic poses.  Whether this is done in good or poor taste is ... ]]></description>
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<title>Manage Your Emotions to Maximize Your Results, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=558</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=558</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Proper exercise can bring about a wide range of emotions in people.  I've seen clients exhibit everything including fear, panic, anger, and frustration, sometimes all within the same workout!  All of these are normal human emotions, but succumbing to them can make it incredibly difficult to maintain your ... ]]></description>
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<title>Common Obstacles to Sustained Exercise Progress, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=556</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=556</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you ask your friends, family, and coworkers whether they want to be stronger, fitter, and more resistant to injury and chronic disease, they will undoubtedly say yes.  The question is whether they are willing to take the actions necessary to achieve these goals. Some are, but many are ... ]]></description>
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<title>Lifespan - a book review by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=555</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=555</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[An interesting book came out in 2019 called Lifespan: Why We Age - and Why We Don't Have To.  The co-authors are David A. Sinclair, PhD, and Matthew D. LaPlante.  Sinclair is a tenured professor of genetics at the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, and is also ... ]]></description>
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<title>Is your Exercise Program Safe? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=554</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=554</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There are a lot of things to take into account when deciding to start an exercise program.  Most people place a great deal of importance on location, time investment, expectation of results, and financial cost.  Some will also seek the advice of their doctor before starting a regimen. ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Price of Optimal Health, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=553</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=553</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA["There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. "
 
This is a popular phrase that has existed for decades, but where it originated is unknown.  I first heard the phrase attributed to former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz when he was on the lecture circuit, but I ... ]]></description>
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<title>Top 10 Actions (with some twists) to dramatically improve your health and fitness!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=552</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=552</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most of these are well known recommendations for being healthy and strong; however, by tweaking these just a little you can accelerate your progress to being your best self!

1. Lift weights -  intensely, but slowly and just once or twice per week.

Strength training is THE number one thing you ... ]]></description>
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<title>Beware of the Six Week Syndrome! by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=551</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=551</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[New Year's resolutions generally begin in earnest at the beginning of January.  Many people, filled with good intentions, resolve to start making significant changes in their lives.  Resolutions can take on many forms, such as quitting smoking, spending more time with family, going on a diet, watching less ... ]]></description>
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<title>Strive For Impossble Perfection, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=550</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=550</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Nobody is perfect.  This is what we have been told, probably since a very young age.  To describe someone as a perfectionist has a slightly pejorative connotation.  We tend to think of a perfectionist as someone that is never satisfied, unhappy, and generally difficult to be around. ... ]]></description>
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<title>&ldquo;Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience&rdquo; - A Book Review, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=548</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=548</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I recently read the fairly well-known (at least in the field of psychology) book "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, which was originally published in 1990.  The author is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Management at Claremont Graduate University, and he is the former head ... ]]></description>
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<title>Go Vegan? Or Not?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=549</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=549</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There is a lot of positive press right now promoting veganism.  The Netflix production Game Changers is one of several recent programs singing the praises of vegan dieting. After viewing and reading many of these programs, articles, and podcasts both pro and con, there are several points that I ... ]]></description>
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<title>Overcoming Your Fear - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=545</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=545</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There are a great many reasons why people decide not to undertake a comprehensive exercise program.  Cost may be a consideration, as well as work/travel, family, or it could be that you're just not interested in exercise.  While we certainly believe that Total Results exercise is extremely beneficial ... ]]></description>
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<title>Intermittent Fasting, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=543</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=543</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Much recent attention has been given to the concept of intermittent fasting, even by the traditional media.  Jillian Michaels, the fitness personality and former host of The Biggest Loser, recently discussed intermittent fasting in a video post.  While some of her points were inaccurate, her overall favorable opinions ... ]]></description>
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<title>Recovery Factors in Exercise, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=542</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=542</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is not uncommon for us as exercise instructors to encounter new clients that are accustomed to participating in various forms of physical activity in addition to weight training. More often than not, we get a surprised response when we tell them that we recommend against performing other types of ... ]]></description>
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<title>Customizing Your Workout by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=540</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=540</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Total Results exercise philosophy is based on the classical sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as concepts of motor learning and biomechanics) and involves brief, infrequent, and high intensity weight training workouts that use a slow and deliberate speed of movement.  While we have a sound and ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Power to Change, By Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=539</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=539</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Dr. Martin Seligman is a psychologist and author, and is one of the most respected people in his field. I recently read his book "What You Can Change, and What You Can't," and he discusses various aspects of one's life that can be changed and those that are fixed, particularly ... ]]></description>
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<title>Inroading vs Outroading - The most important aspect of your workout - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=538</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=538</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most of my friends, family, and business acquaintances know (or think they know) what I do for a living, so the topic of exercise regularly comes up even when I am not in the office.  I talk about exercise at networking events, social functions, and even at the dentist's ... ]]></description>
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<title>Check Your Ego at the Door, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=536</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=536</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I recently read a book titled "Ego is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday.  The author discusses personal experiences and historical examples of how ego can get in the way of learning and growth, blind us to our faults, and lead us to be our own worst enemy.  This ... ]]></description>
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<title>No Excuses, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=535</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=535</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If is very easy to think of reasons not to do things that can benefit you.  The book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" is a riveting and important historical account that we can all learn from, but how many people do you know that have actually ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Perfect Day</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=534</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=534</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How can you have The Perfect Day? I am not talking about the day when you meet your soul mate, or win the lottery, or get a new puppy, although those would be good days. I am talking about any day when you feel great physically, have lazer focus for ... ]]></description>
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<title>Exercise: A Requirement for Life! by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=533</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=533</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most of us desire to live a long, productive, and prosperous life filled with rich experiences.  We want to be able to enjoy our kids, grandkids, and maintain our health and vigor as our years advance.  Unfortunately, many of us are not living that way. As of 2015, ... ]]></description>
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<title>Arthritis and Weight Training, by Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=532</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=532</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Arthritis is a broad term referring to greater than 100 rheumatic diseases. The two most prevalent types of arthritis are: Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis affects over 21 million people in the United States. Approximately 2.1 million people in the United States have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most ... ]]></description>
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<title>Is Stretching Necessary, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=531</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=531</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[College and professional sports teams and individual world-class athletes are notorious for engaging in behavior that is both superstitious and nonsensical.  Baseball players still use a weighted "donut" on their bat when swinging it in the on-deck circle prior to an at-bat. Basketball players often go through an extensive ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Compound Row by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=529</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=529</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Compound Row is a staple of the Total Results exercise philosophy, and is one that encompasses a large amount of muscle.  This exercise primarily involves the latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, posterior deltoids and trapezius muscles, with assistance provided by the biceps and the triceps.  While the biceps and ... ]]></description>
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<title>Dynamic Movements and Timed Static Contractions</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=528</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=528</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The relationship in exercise between dynamic movements and Timed Static Contractions (TSC) is something that is often discussed and debated. Is performing a dynamic movement a more effective way to inroad the musculature? Is TSC a safer and more efficient way to achieve maximum benefit? As Total Results instructors, we ... ]]></description>
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<title>Abdominal Muscles and the Myth of Spot Reduction by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=526</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=526</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The mainstream fitness industry is famous for peddling all kinds of worthless products, pills, and drinks.  If you're above a certain age, most of the following inventions should sound familiar from late night infomercials: Shake Weight, 8 Minute Abs, Ab Rocket, Vibration Belts, and the Thigh Master (which was ... ]]></description>
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<title>Neurological Efficiency and Skill Acquisition in Exercise, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=525</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=525</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When a new client begins the Total Results exercise regimen, we use the first few sessions to determine proper machine settings, gauge beginning strength and conditioning levels, identify any joint issues, and teach the exercise protocol. Teaching the protocol is an ongoing process, of course, but the first few sessions ... ]]></description>
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<title>Attitude is Everything, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=524</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=524</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I borrowed the title phrase of this post, "Attitude is Everything", from Total Results client Judd Swift. Judd often says this phrase as he walks into our exercise room to start his workout.  Attitude is a reflection of one's state of mind, and a positive attitude is a key ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Rotator Cuff, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=521</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=521</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles deep within the shoulder joint and below the major muscle of the shoulder joint, the deltoid.  The supraspinatus holds the humerus (upper arm bone) in place.  It originates above the spine of the scapula (shoulder blade) and inserts ... ]]></description>
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<title>Death by Food Pyramid - a book recommendation</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=522</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=522</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Note: This review was originally sent out in our In Shape For Life newsletter in January of 2014
Denise Minger is a nutrition blogger (www.deniseminger.com) who first gained notoriety when she critiqued The China Study, a popular book by T. Colin Campbell which advocates a plant based diet. Minger took the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Is Distance Running good for you?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=523</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=523</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2014 Issue of In Shape for Life, our e-newsletter
In the March 2014 issue of In Shape for Life, I wrote about the three pillars of the Superslow training philosophy: Safety, Efficiency, and Effectiveness.  I compared Superslow to a host of other ... ]]></description>
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<title>Understanding the Cam Effect - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=520</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=520</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In previous blog posts I have written about some of the exercise machines we have in our Total Results studio.  If you take a closer look at these machines, you will likely see an oddly-shaped plastic or aluminum structure over which a kevlar belt runs around its perimeter and ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Neck Machines and Exercises at Total Results - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=519</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=519</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[An often overlooked and under-addressed group of muscles in the human body is that of the neck.  Your neck muscles are responsible for holding up your head (which weighs ten to eleven pounds), and greatly influence your posture.  Weak neck musculature (combined with excessive sitting and looking down ... ]]></description>
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<title>Strength Training and Adolescents - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=518</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=518</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There has been a lot of debate over the years among doctors and fitness enthusiasts about strength training and members of the younger population.  To my knowledge, no true consensus has been reached. In a way, I suppose that's a good thing; often when a consensus is reached, debate ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Chest Press - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=517</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=517</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Chest Press is a staple of the Total Results exercise experience, and is usually one of the first two exercises that we teach to prospective clients during an initial consultation (the other being the Leg Press).  We incorporate it very early on because it is one of the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Why I Strength Train - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=513</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=513</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There are a multitude of reasons why every person on earth, at least from adolescence on up, should regularly perform high-intensity strength training.  Everybody has their own good reasons to want to get stronger and healthier: to protect against or rehabilitate an injury, prepare for the rigors of sport, ... ]]></description>
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<title>4 Steps to Reduce Your Healthcare Costs Today!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=514</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=514</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[You have the right to care for your own health and wellness. You do not, however, have the right to neglect your health then force others to pay for your medical care. Some bureaucrats from the state or federal government may force others to subsidize your medical expenses, and the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Overcoming The Mental Hurdle of Muscular Failure - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=512</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=512</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The word "failure" naturally has a negative connotation.  In most other walks of life, failure is synonymous with not getting the job done, coming up short, or simply not being good enough.  All of us have experienced failure in one form or another in our lives, and even ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Lumbar Extension - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=511</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=511</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The leading cause of missed days from work is lower back pain. This can occur as a result of a traumatic injury, overuse injury, genetic abnormality, or most often simple muscular weakness. One of the most unique and vital machines we have at Total Results is the MedX Lumbar Extension, ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Vegetarian Myth, a book review by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=510</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=510</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A few weeks ago a colleague sent me a video interview with Lierre Keith, who is a writer, small farmer, and radical feminist activist. The interview covered a wide variety of subjects, but discussed at length was the vegan lifestyle and philosophy, as well as modern agriculture. I have to ... ]]></description>
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<title>Your Right to Healthcare</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=508</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=508</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There has been an increasing call over the last few decades in the United States for universal healthcare. Certain groups say healthcare is a basic human right.  What they are actually referring to is not healthcare per se, but rather free medical care, run directly or indirectly through the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Learning is a Continuous Process - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=507</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=507</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA["It ain't what you don't know that gets you in trouble.  It's what you think you know for sure that just ain't so."
 
The above quote has been credited to both Mark Twain and Will Rogers, among others.  No one can say for sure who came up with ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Pulldown - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=506</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=506</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Pulldown is the most comprehensive of the upper body exercises that we perform at Total Results.  It involves all of the musculature of the torso and the arms, and while Arthur Jones (inventor of Nautilus and MedX exercise equipment) colloquially referred to the Nautilus Pullover as the "upper ... ]]></description>
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<title>What is happening when your workout performance declines? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=505</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=505</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Here is the scenario:  Everything seems ridiculously hard in today's workout.  You feel like you just don't "have it" today. It feels as though the weights on every exercise were raised by twenty pounds.  You struggle to maintain focus and proper form, and you feel more fatigued ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Best Exercise Experience Money Can Buy - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=504</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=504</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Not all exercise experiences are created equal.  Few people in the mainstream fitness industry actually know what true exercise is; they usually mistake activity for exercise. At Total Results, we provide the best exercise experience money can buy.
 
If you go into a commercial gym, you will probably find ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Leg Press</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=503</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=503</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Leg Press is the most important and most demanding exercise that is performed in a Total Results workout. It involves all of the musculature of the lower body, most specifically the quadriceps (responsible for extension of the knee), the hamstrings (responsible for knee flexion), and the buttocks (which perform ... ]]></description>
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<title>Common Exercise Myths - Part Two, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=502</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=502</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In an earlier blog post, I wrote about some of the common exercise myths that have been perpetuated by the mainstream fitness industry. Some of those myths have been around since the late 1960's (especially in the case of the "cardio" myth), while subcultures and certification programs have been built ... ]]></description>
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<title>Exercise Variety - Is it necessary? - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=501</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=501</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I've written in previous posts about the fads, trends, and buzzwords that are prevalent in the mainstream fitness industry.  One subject that is endlessly debated, particularly in the bodybuilding subculture, is exercise variety. Do we really need variety in our strength training routine?  Will our muscles get stale ... ]]></description>
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<title>Beware of Gimmicks - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=500</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=500</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most of us are familiar with the phrases "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" and "let the buyer beware."  People selling and marketing products in a variety of industries have been stretching the limits of truth since the invention of advertising (e.g.-the cigarette industry). ... ]]></description>
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<title>Should you workout when injured?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=499</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=499</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most doctors recommend against any exercise when you are injured.  Doctors are afraid of lawsuits, and I don't blame them. We live in a hyper-litigious society.  However, it is critical to keep your body strong and functional at all times.  If you don't stress your skeletal muscles ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Journey of Success by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=498</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=498</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[At Total Results, our primary purpose is to educate our clients about proper exercise and nutrition, and to give them the tools to unlock their body's potential.  As most of our readers know, our exercise philosophy is built on principles learned from classic biology, chemistry, and physics, and we ... ]]></description>
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<title>Discover Your Superpowers</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=497</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=497</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I recently watched The Incredibles 2 with my family. For those of you unfamiliar with this movie, it is a Disney animated film about a family with various superpowers. The family tries to fit into normal society while saving the world from evil doers in their spare time. Their powers ... ]]></description>
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<title>Common Exercise Myths by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=496</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=496</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The mainstream exercise industry has peddled half-truths and outright falsehoods for years, probably going back to the beginning of the Aerobics craze of the late 1960s. Some of the people perpetuating these myths are well-intentioned but ignorant, while others have more sinister motives (taking your money). With so much information ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Ignorance of the Medical Community about Exercise and Nutrition by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=494</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=494</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Regardless of what your personal stance is on what role (if any) the government should play in medical care/health insurance, I think most of us can agree that the system is currently in turmoil.  It can be a challenge to get in touch with your primary doctor, you may ... ]]></description>
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<title>Persistence Pays Off - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=493</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=493</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[For the most part, I generally don't broach the subject of exercise outside of work or professional networking events.  The reason I say this is because most people have a preconceived (and usually incorrect) idea of what they think exercise is, based on the misinformation that is put forth ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Golden Years - by Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=492</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=492</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The golden years are only golden if we are healthy enough to enjoy them. Decreased mobility as a result of an injury or illness can lead to a loss of independence. For more than 20 years my wife provided pet therapy for senior citizen with our Pug dogs. She visited ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Crazy Practices of Professional Athletes - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=491</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=491</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Annual National Football League Scouting Combine takes place next week, and as a former college player and self-admitted football junkie, I usually tune in and watch for an hour or so.  If you have never watched the Combine before, it's essentially a job interview for prospective football draftees ... ]]></description>
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<title>Machines, Free Weights, or Body Weight Exercises? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=490</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=490</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One of the oldest topics of debate in the field of exercise and on website message boards centers around which is the most effective tool to use to get stronger and fitter. Are free weights better than machines, or vice versa? Can you benefit from simply doing body weight exercises? ... ]]></description>
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<title>How frequently should you workout?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=489</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=489</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How frequently should you workout? The good news is that you don't have to workout frequently to get in great shape or to stay fit. In fact, you definitely should NOT workout more than twice per week, or for more than 30 minutes per workout, or else you may well ... ]]></description>
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<title>A Magic Pill for Strength and Fitness?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=488</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=488</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Is there a magic pill for strength and fitness? Unfortunately, not in 2019. I wish there was. I would close up shop, pop a few of those pills, and open a food truck selling bacon-cheese fries. Probably the closest we have come so far to understanding how to regulate muscle ... ]]></description>
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<title>Are antibiotics harming more than helping us? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=487</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=487</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I recently read a book called "Missing Microbes" by Martin J. Blaser, MD, which was written in 2014. Dr. Blaser is the director of the Human Microbiome Project at New York University. He previously served as president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and has studied the role of ... ]]></description>
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<title>Physical changes due to aging and how to overcome them - Ralph Weinstein and Tim Rankin</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=486</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=486</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The privilege of growing old comes with a number of physical changes. How we confront these changes plays a huge roll in our health, fitness, and functional abilities as we age.
As we get older and our bones and musculature change, our joints become stiffer and less flexible. It is common ... ]]></description>
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<title>Why we wave our arms when we talk on the phone; Ancient bodies in a modern world</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=485</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=485</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In many ways, human behavior and biology is discordant with the modern world. We spend the majority of our time in air-conditioned buildings and vehicles instead of allowing our bodies to adjust to colder or warmer temperatures. We move in vehicles at speeds our brains never evolved to process (hence ... ]]></description>
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<title>Simple versus Compound Exercises - by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=481</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=481</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There are two types of exercises that are performed in high-intensity strength training: simple and compound exercises.  Simple exercises involve movement around one particular joint (example - a bicep curl with rotation around the elbow). Compound exercises involve movement around multiple joints (example - chest press with rotation of ... ]]></description>
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<title>Better, Stronger, Faster, Smarter!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=482</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=482</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What if I told you doing just this one thing could make you stronger, better looking, smarter, and actually younger! And it only required 30 minutes per week of your time! You probably wouldn't believe me. You might say is sounds too good to be true . You would think ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Superior Benefits of High Intensity Strength Training</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=480</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=480</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The holidays are coming to a close and January is right around the corner.  That means that we will be inundated with New Year's resolutions, commercials advertising gym membership specials and fitness equipment, and the latest miracle diet.  Don't be fooled by clever advertising; most of this is ... ]]></description>
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<title>Want to be an Environmentalist?  Eat more beef!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=479</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=479</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Regardless of your position on global warming and the level of influence humans have on the environment, it is certainly in the interest of each individual to improve the environment around us. One important way we can help the environment and improve our health simultaneously is to eat more grass ... ]]></description>
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<title>Dietary Calculus</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=478</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=478</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Suppose you purchased four gallons of gasoline for the virtually empty gas tank of your car on Monday, and used three of those gallons to drive to work and back. That leaves you with one gallon remaining. Tuesday, you purchase another four gallons and again use three gallons for your ... ]]></description>
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<title>Problems With Traditional Physical Therapy?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=477</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=477</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As we age, especially if we live an active lifestyle, we find ourselves a bit more susceptible to aches, pains, and even injuries, than we were in our twenties and thirties.  Play a few rounds of golf in the course of a week, and you may feel a twinge ... ]]></description>
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<title>Healthy Food at Great Prices</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=475</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=475</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[My family shops primarily at Food Lion and Walmart for food. In an effort to get the best food for our family (five of us when the boys aren't off at college) and at the best prices, we have shopped at almost every grocery store within a 10 mile radius ... ]]></description>
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<title>Maximum Sports performance, Minimum Time, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=473</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=473</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Whether you are a competitive elite athlete, or a former athlete-turned weekend warrior like me, it is important to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the rigors of that activity. Most of what is performed by athletes in the manner of weight training and conditioning is an absolute joke; for ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Truth about Statin Drugs by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=471</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=471</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We live in an increasingly pharmacratic society, where it seems like it's becoming easier and easier to obtain medication for ailments such as pain, depression, attention-deficit disorder, and a whole host of other real or imagined maladies. Just turn on your television for an hour and I'll bet that you ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Dirty on Soap</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=470</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=470</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Is it as healthy and necessary as most assume to lather up every day in the shower? Or, have we gone overboard trying to maintain health, promote hygiene, and limit body odor? I would argue we don't need nearly as much soap and shampoo and it is not nearly as ... ]]></description>
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<title>You don&#039;t move enough! Look to Stonehenge for clues</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=469</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=469</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Do you think you could walk 100 miles? How about 200 or more? Could you do that carrying clothes, food, and shelter? How about doing this in the middle of winter? Could you even walk 20 miles without serious physical repercussions? Our ancestors were not only capable of this, but ... ]]></description>
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<title>So you are thinking of starting to weight train at Total Results but have concerns</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=465</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=465</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Earlier this month, I tried out a sport I had never done before. I was a complete novice. I felt nervous, awkward, and incompetent. Luckily, I sought professional instruction. I took a course from an expert in the field. I learned a lot and was encouraged to continue with further ... ]]></description>
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<title>Performing difficult tasks (can be rewarding!), by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=464</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=464</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most of us are familiar with the phrase "nothing worthwhile is easy." Think about anything of value you have accomplished in your life: None of it could be classified as easy, but it was probably worth the effort that you put into it. There are many things in life that ... ]]></description>
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<title>Optimize your genetics with high intensity workouts - by Ralph Weinstein</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=459</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=459</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Genetics influences can be found throughout the body. Lung capacity, maximum strength levels, flexibility, muscle fiber make-up, endurance and anaerobic threshold are just a few of your physiological attributes determined by your genetics. Genetic make-up will help you to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses in the physical abilities of your ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Right Dosage of Exercise, by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=453</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=453</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When many people make the decision to begin a strength training program, they are often confused as to how frequently they should work out, how many exercises they should perform, and how long each session should last. The biggest mistake most trainees make is performing too many exercises too frequently, ... ]]></description>
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<title>How to Protect and Optimize Your Evolutionary Code</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=449</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=449</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Today, February 12th, is "Darwin Day". Darwin Day celebrates birth date of Charles Darwin (born 1809). Darwin was a naturalist and biologist and is known as a pioneer of the science of evolution. Evolution states that species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection. Incremental mutations and adaptations ... ]]></description>
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<title>If your fitness coach recommends any of these activities, run far away!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=446</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=446</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is a new year. You have every intention of getting in better shape. The challenge is, which fitness program do you undertake? Every gym, personal trainer, yoga instructor and well meaning neighbor has their ideas for what you should be doing. Everyone wants to be your "fitness coach", whether ... ]]></description>
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<title>Alzheimer&#039;s Antidote - a book review by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=445</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=445</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people have loved ones or friends with loved ones that are suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, or some other form of cognitive decline. Most of us are at least familiar with some of the outward symptoms of the disease: memory loss, personality change, depression, and decline ... ]]></description>
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<title>Three Simple Steps to Feeling Great this Holiday Season!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=444</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=444</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The holiday season is here! December is a great time to get together with friends and family, sample delicious holiday fare and enjoy breaks from work and school. We celebrate the winter solstice (days finally start getting longer!), New Year's Eve and Day, and a host of religious traditions. Unfortunately, ... ]]></description>
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<title>Book Review by Matthew Romans - &quot;Undoctored&quot; by Dr. William Davis</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=443</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=443</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Prescription medication and insurance costs are skyrocketing, yet the bureaucracy and quality of health care seems to be worse than ever, and the prevalence of diseases of modern civilization (such as diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions) is increasing. What is happening?
Is it possible that the traditional western diet, the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Most of what you eat is corn, soy and wheat!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=442</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=442</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The quintessential American meal is a cheesburger with fries and a soda. Every fast food restaurant serves this, as does every bar, pub, and casual restaurant. You can also find it at many backyard cookouts. What is this classic combo meal really made of? I will deconstruct this meal down ... ]]></description>
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<title>Fitness Trackers - Are they a worthwhile investment? by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=441</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=441</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Fitness trackers have become an increasingly popular product on the market.  In the past, I would see people wearing them while they were performing some type of physical activity or competing in an event/race, but now I even see people in business clothes wearing them.  According to one ... ]]></description>
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<title>Are you really in shape?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=440</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=440</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many of you jog or bike or go to the gym a couple times per week in pursuit of fitness. But are you actually in shape? How can you tell if you are truly fit inside and out? Just because a person can run 5 miles or bench press 300 ... ]]></description>
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<title>Is Jogging worth it?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=439</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=439</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 14 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Now that cooler weather has arrived in the mid-atlantic region, I see more and more neighbors out jogging around the neighborhood. Presumably most are doing this to improve their fitness levels. Unfortunately for them, that is not the case. Let's look at what really happens when you jog at a ... ]]></description>
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<title>The Dangers of Too Much Sitting</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=438</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=438</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Over the past century, the American economy and work force have shifted dramatically.  What was once a largely agrarian economy gave way to a manufacturing economy, and now we are truly in the middle of the information age.  With an internet connection, it is possible for Americans to ... ]]></description>
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<title>What can we learn from the Italians?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=437</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=437</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I just returned from a wonderful vacation to Italy. We spent time in Rome and throughout Tuscany. One thing that struck me as we spent time in Rome, Florence, Siena, Cortona and many smaller cities and towns was that there were very few overweight people. I did some research to ... ]]></description>
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<title>Tips for a long and healthy life</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=436</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=436</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I have mentioned The Blue Zones many times in past articles. The Blue Zones is a book about the most long lived (and mostly healthy) population centers on earth. Researchers have tried to discover what lifestyle practices these elderly people have followed to enable them to live for 100 years ... ]]></description>
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<title>A new way to look at Cancer? A Book Review by Matthew Romans</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=435</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=435</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Almost all of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another.  You probably have a friend or family member that has battled the disease, or maybe you have personally been afflicted with the illness.  Statistics now show that one in two men and one in ... ]]></description>
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<title>Fountain of Youth - Turn back the clock and look younger, feel stronger, and be healthier!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=433</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=433</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Is this you?
You have reached age 40, or 50, or 60. The "inevitable" signs of aging are starting to manifest themselves. You carry fifteen or twenty-five extra pounds you just can't seem to shed. The muscle definition you had when you were twenty years old is long gone. Your back ... ]]></description>
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<title>Truth and Ethics in Exercise</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=430</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=430</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Fads in the commercial fitness industry tend to be short-lived. Since its inception in the late 1970s/early 1980s, the commercial fitness industry has seen many fads come and go, such as dance aerobics classes, functional training, and cross-training (those of us that are old enough can remember Nike's cross-training ad ... ]]></description>
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<title>Vacation Thoughts</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=429</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=429</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I just returned from a Spring break trip with my family to the beach. The weather was near perfect.  I even went in the water a few times, which is highly unusual for me in April. Below are a few observations from my trip.
Fast Food:
On the long drive down ... ]]></description>
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<title>It&#039;s not the gluten! There are many issues with grains that are making us sick</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=426</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=426</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[An increasing number of Americans are sensitive to wheat and other grains. Symptoms of these grain sensitivities range from a variety of gastro intestinal issues to headaches, brain fog and fatigue to muscle soreness and more. Because of this, a $10+ billion industry has grown up promoting "gluten free" products. ... ]]></description>
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<title>Great Workout, Great Results!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=427</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=427</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is not often in life that we find a perfect fit. Whether it is a relationship that is seamless and easy, or just the right diet combination that makes you feel focused and energetic, or an exercise program that perfectly fits your lifestyle and rewards you with lifelong benefits. ... ]]></description>
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<title>&quot;The Black Swan&quot; - How Does it Relate to Exercise?</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=428</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=428</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most of our clients at Total Results know that Tim and I are avid readers (in fact, Tim often juggles multiple books at the same time). While I'm not usually quite that ambitious, I have enough of an adventurer's spirit to tackle some subjects that are a little out of ... ]]></description>
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<title>Red Wine helps prevent heart attacks!  Now we know how.</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=425</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=425</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[For years, we have heard that red wine may be good for our heart health. Specifically, Resveratrol, a component found in grapes was thought to have protective effects. Now, science has shed more light on this. Recent studies have shown that resveratrol reduces the production of TMAO, a compound which ... ]]></description>
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<title>Welcome to Total Results&#039; blog space!</title>
<link>https://totalresults.net/blog/index.php?id=424</link>
<guid>http://totalresults.net/blog/?id=424</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our blog.  We hope to use this forum to keep you up to date with our latest insights into exercise, nutrition and health, as well as share items of interest we find in our research and readings.  
Total Results started in my garage in 2001, and ... ]]></description>
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