Humor Me!

Not only is it great to have a healthy body, but it's great to have healthy credit as well.  If your in the hunt for a top of the line credit card, Visa now offers their new blackcard. (Centurion and American Express were first to offer this card)

A carbon graphite card that comes with a 24-hour concierge.  The annual fee is $495.

According to AdSavvy, the major perk is the concierge service:

For the ultra-rich, buying whatever you want can get boring; they need the ability to actually do something that other people can’t. A good concierge can do that. You need 12 Arabian horses for your daughters wedding? Call up the concierge, he’ll have them flown in from Dubai…The ability to get difficult things done is what sets these cards apart from just a card with a very high limit. Just the knowledge that cardholders have that ability, 24-hours a day, keeps them happy.

Now, if you have to ask what your limit would be, this isn't for you. LOL!!!!!!!!

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

What does commitment look like?

As we finish up this last piece of 2008 and ease into 2009, be very careful what resolution you set for yourself, if any. For some of us, we'll just "keep on keepin' on," on the other hand, for some it may be time for an adjustment.  Oddly enough, as I write this I feel like I'm speaking to myself just as much as I am speaking to anyone out there reading.  

Well, before making any new rushed ideas, or saying the same things you did the last 3 years, take a serious look at yourself.  Clear your mind and get focused, where are you going?  Where do you want to be? What type of commitment will you make to get there?  Will you step out of your comfort zone?  Just the basic routine questions to help you get started.

While doing my routine net surfing, looking for interesting articles on health & exercise, I came across something that moved me.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy...The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events raising in one's favor...unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

--W.H. Murray, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

I'm starting to get a better idea of what commitment looks like.

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

The Movement, Impressive

Ok, so I'm not one for going out much these days, but my buddy Rodney (at the far right) talked me into attending one of their functions.  It was just what I needed.  (Pictured is me left, my friend LaMonte in the center, and Big Rod at right)

Big shout out to those 5 guys over at the The Movement putting it down in a really savvy professional way.  If you wanna see what their about stop by the site, check out a few pics from their events, and definitely put away some time to attend their next function. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.

www.movementlv.com

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Got'em Coach!!

Oh My Goodness!!!  I really tried to pass this one up, I feel like a news anchor, "This just in!"  We've all seen the commercials with this guy in them, well I don't think we'll see him anymore.  Ole smiling Bob's been fibbing a little about the super product Enzyte.  Click on the link below to read why Bob is gonna do some time.   

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/Historic-verdict-slaps-Smiling-Bob-with-25-year-jail-sentence

On the other hand, will the Male Enhancement industry slow? Hell NAW!!! 

Well, at least my first order for 30 days was FREE!!  LOL!!!!!

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Christmas Music "MUST HAVE" Classics

Since most of us are in the spirit, instead of throwing a bunch of health advice at you lets have a little fun.  Music has a way of shifting a mood or two for everyone, so while your getting dressed to hit the gym pull out a few of these classics.

1. Donny Hathaway - This Christmas

2. James Brown - Santa Clause , Go Straight To The Ghetto

3. Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means To Me

4. The Emotions - What Do The Lonely Do at Christmas

5. Alexander O'neal - My Gift To You

6. Jackson 5 - I Saw Mommy ...

7. New Edition - Christmas All Over The World (Album)

8. Boyz II Men - Christmas Interpretations (Album)

"Santa Claaaaaauuse, Go Straight To the Ghetto, Tell'em Dominic sent you"

Wii Ready!

It is official, the world of video games, or lets say the Nintendo Wii, can be an avenue for great exercise.  If you haven't been exposed already, the Wii is the first video game system that you do not sit down to play, you must be up on your feet!  

I knew this was coming, from an healthy standpoint, the year Wii hit the shelves.  It just so happens that now American Council on Exercise (ACE) has decided to take notice as well.  Since the Wii offers a cool video game Sports Package (tennis, golf, baseball, boxing, bowling), ACE did a study on how many calories this game was actually helping people burn.

The games allows you to mimic the movements of the sports in real life, so your getting some serious work done.  Boxing was the particular sport that came in first for burning the most calories.  7.2 calories a minute punching and swinging was rigorous enough to improve cardiorespiratory endurance according to the standards defined be American College of Sports Medicine.

Mimicking the boxing movement was extremely close to the real thing, the Wii boxing only burned 3.0 calories a minute less than real life boxing!  WOW!!  

Well parents, if your lucky enough to find a Wii in stock anywhere, would this be a better reason to purchase a video game?

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Exercise Money?

In 2007, sales of sports, diet and bodybuilding supplements, energy/sports drinks and specialty diet foods  -topped $19.6 billion. OMG!  I really thought this was a joke!!  Maybe that b is really suppose to be an m?

I will be the first to say I made a contribution to this figure, however, I'm doing a lot more research these days before making my purchases.

With that being said, there is absolutely no drug, supplement, or surgery that can take the place of pure work ethic!

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Affordable Wings

So I'm going to assume wings are a status symbol these days? If Bentley can do it, why can't Hyundai do it too?  

Hell, let's even make it affordable!!! LOL!

Hyundai makes a really nice statement with its new luxury sports sedan, the 2009 Genesis.  I saw one on the street a few months ago and had no idea what it was, but it was so sexy.  Once I found out what it was, "HYUNDAI??!! Your kidding right?"

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Ladies, Please Stand up!!!

I normally write about items dealing with males, however, since I know that women do read this blog, and the majority of my exercise clientele are female as well, I have something for you.  I sent out an email about this quite some time back, but now I have a better platform to get my point across.

Women & Weight Training!!!!  Before that woman bodybuilder runs through your mind in that magazine with Pam sprayed on her body, and she looks like she's one hormone shot away from being a man, lets talk.

Here is a huge Myth you need to take into consideration before turning your workout into nothing but cardio.

Weight training makes you bulky and masculine!

Lets look at the science behind this idea first.  Unlike males, women do not produce enough testosterone in their bodies to gain huge amounts of muscle lifting weights.  NO MATTER HOW HEAVY THE WEIGHTS ARE IT WON'T HAPPEN! Testosterone is the number one hormone responsible for increasing muscle size.  On the other hand, what the professional female bodybuilder does is put synthetic testosterone (steroids) in their bodies, along with other supplements, to produce that look of superior masculinity.  However, I cannot say this enough, just because they take steroids does not mean they don’t train extremely hard!  By no means are the drugs just a “short cut” so to speak.  Their work ethic for that level of the sport is still completely over the top. Women who weight train without the use of steroids get the firm and fit cellulite-free looking body that you see in most fitness/figure shows these days.  

According to William P. Ebben, MS, MSSW, CSCS & Randall L. Jensen, PhD, THE PHYSICIAN AND SPORTSMEDICINE  www.physsportsmed.com, here is a detailed breakdown.

The truth is, strength training helps reduce body fat and increase lean weight. These changes may result in a slight increase in overall weight, since lean body mass weighs more than fat. However, strength training results in significant increases in strength, no change or a decrease in lower-body girths, and a very small increase in upper-extremity girth. Only women with a genetic predisposition for hypertrophy who participate in high-volume, high-intensity training will see substantial increases in limb circumference.

Fox E, Bowers R, Foss M: The Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport, Madison, WI, Brown and Benchmark, 19932. 

7 GOOD REASONS WHY WOMEN SHOULD LIFT WEIGHTS!

1. YOU WILL REDUCE BODY FAT

2. YOU WILL BE PHYSICALLY STRONGER

3. REDUCE YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE

4. REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BACK PAIN AND ARTHRITIS

5. IMPROVE THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF

6. ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO BENEFIT

7. GAIN STRENGTH WITHOUT BULKING UP

Ladies Stay Inspired,

Dominic

The above photos are Lenda Murray, 8-Time Ms Olympia Winner, the best to ever do it!

Thinker

To all that apply

"If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done."

                                                     Anonymous

                                                                                         

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

When do you workout?

In my recent research of supplement products I came across this article that I found simple, but still interesting. Dealing with supplements on a regular basis you learn a whole lot through trial and error.  What works for some may not work for others.  Also, spending less money on a supplement may not always give you that quality your looking for.  "You get what you pay for," COMPRENDE?

Ok, so with that being said I'd like to mention one of my favorite supplement companies, Optimum Nutrition(ON).  One word describes them best in my opinion, quality.  I swear they make the best protein out there, and obviously from sells I'm not the only one that holds them up to this standard.  I discovered not only do they make good product, they do decent research following the genre of their industry.

So I'm reading some information on there web site, www.optimumnutrition.com, and I run across this article.

MORNING OR EVENING WORKOUTS

"Your development into a morning or an evening person occurs during adolescence and early adulthood. This predisposition toward favoring either time frame is a biological as well as social phenomenon. Now what happens when a morning person only has time for evening workouts, or vice versa? 

As it turns out, NSCA scientists were also curious. So they examined the performance of 8 male and 8 female college-level rowers who engaged in almost daily early morning and late afternoon training. First, these students were classified into types: morning, evening or neutral. While the night crawlers rowed no better during morning or evening sessions, the early risers rowed significantly faster in the morning. Researchers theorized that the absence of an evening performance boost among those predisposed to favor late afternoon training was negated by regularly scheduled morning training.  

The Bigger Picture: This study suggests that if you can’t get to the gym at the time of day you’d prefer, you can force your body clock to adapt by establishing a regular time for training. It also shows that you can get more out of your workout if you’re able to train when you’re mentally and physically on top of your game. Whatever position you find yourself in, this science provides a road map for making it work to your advantage."

ON Optimum Nutrition News

They say you have the most energy in the morning when you first wake up, but some folks have kids, jobs, blah blah blah... The most important thing is that you do it!

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Hip-Hop Smells Good Too

Let's go back a little ways, but not too far.  Camron was first to really get noticed for introducing his own men's cologne "Oh Boy" to the world.  He had a song to go with the product, a video, and the attitude.  However, being that the idea and the time just didn't match the culture for some reason, I don't even think it smelled too hot.  

Let's lump Jordan in there too, even though he was basketball, Michael is still a major part of the hip-hop culture.  Out of all the colognes he released with his name on them, its been about 6 at least, none of them were ever quite on the mark.  

Russell Simmons even put out Phat Farm Cologne, and once again all sparks but no flame. Don't get me wrong, the scents mentioned above are affordable, but they just don't smell good. Should I give them the benefit of the doubt, because fragrance is not what they specialize in? HEll NO!!  No excuses, you either put out quality product or keep that BS to yourself,  stick to what you do best!

Well, I'm sure Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has learned quite a bit about fragrances from those who came before him.  Lesson numero UNO, THIS IS WHAT YOUR COLOGNE SHOULD SHOULD NOT SMELL LIKE!!

Diddy is the absolute first from our hip-hop culture to release a fragrance to compete with the exquisite market.  His first cologne "Unforgivable" not only sells in Macy's and Walmart, the stuff smell good too.  

Fast forward to the present, Sean John releases the follow up to the successful Unforgivable, I Am King.  Sounds like a tall order to fill, but trust me I'll have either a new bottle to add to my collection, or a sub par review with a sample to wear. LOL! 

Honorable Scent Mentions:

Usher for Women is really good

Rocawear 9IX  (I'll let you know about this one too, I've only smelled the magazine add so far)

Research Organize Execute Achieve,

Dominic

All ABS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!

So how important is a 6-pack, or how ever many packs you may have,  abdominal core to you? Do you have to have them?  What would you do to get them?  

Before you answer any of the above, be absolutely honest with yourself!!  Are you saying you don't care about great abdominals because your not up for that type of commitment?  Or do you have some other excuse that you yourself don't really believe?

As my boy buddy at Preracejitters.com would say, "If you could, would you?????"  LOL!!!!

Well, here's the real about whats out there.  There are cosmetically enhanced 6-8 pack abdominals, surgically enhanced abs, God given genetically sculpted abs, and hard work abs meaning straight up proper eating & exercise!!!  Where do yours fit in?

Here is a few things that stay constant no matter who you are, we all have abdominal muscles, and we all could make them look a little better. Yes, they are under the fat! On the other hand, every ones abs will look different when in tip top shape.  For example, Arnold has a long torso and as you can see his abs DID look great, but he never had the 6-8 pack. Although, he had a nice 4-pack.  All genetics, plus a few other unmentionable tricks.

1. Plan

2. Exercise

3. Rest & recovery

4. DO NOT DIET!  CHANGE THE WAY YOU EAT PERIOD!!! 

     (Less Carbs, less sugar, more protein, treats in moderation, etc)

Don't try this at home, or any where else for that matter.  GOOFY!

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

New Suit Era

Rarely do I pay close attention to any particular designer when it comes to suits.  If I like the material of the suit, the make contours my physique properly, and the color compliments me we have a deal.  

Written down my demands for professional attire seem pretty simple, however, when your 6'4 200+ lbs with an athletic build, minus a thick waist line, things get frustrating.  Picking up a suit off the rack and moving right along is not an option.  Custom tailored is a normal thing in my world.

Now, that has changed!  I have come across 2 collections that I am very impressed.  Steve Harvey makes a very nice suit, and designer Montee Holland makes an impeccable line of suits called the Tayion Collection.  

These two lines give men a complete since of style without looking like every other guy that shops at Mens Warehouse.  These lines don't look like anything else out there bottom line!!  In all honesty, suits will never be the same after the Tayion Collection. 

With the Tayion slogan being "The Future of Fashion," he's for real.

http://www.tayionclothing.com

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Music & Health

I'm checking out this new vitamin store the other day, and I glance at the magazine rack on the way out the door.  I see Wynton Marsalis on one of the covers but I really think anything of it.  I look back again at that same magazine cover and ask myself, "I'm in a health store, why is a musician on the cover of a magazine in a place like this?"

I pick up a copy, cause its free, and the magazine is called ENERGY TIMES: Enhancing Your Vitality Through Nutrition, Health & Harmony.  This particular issue, Music & Health.  Well, to some of you this may be blah blah blah, but it actually blew me away.  I'm a huge lover of both worlds (music & health) so a magazine to cover both, my glasses must have been smudged!

So I had to dive in and see what this American Jazz Master had to say about the correlation of music and health.

The overall article turned out very well.  The core of the interview was music, but what do you expect from the only jazz musician who won a Pulitzer Prize.  However, he didn't talk above the average persons head when it came to life through music.  He discussed chords, improvisation, vitality, and emotions all in the context of music which turned out to be quite interesting.

Nothing was discussed about his blueprint for a healthy lifestyle, but more on mental well being.  "Your mental state affects your physical health. The blues is optimism, the optimism is not naive," says Marsalis, which pretty much set the tone for the rest of the interview.

Although, he did make one statement about today's music that I had to agree with totally! Marsalis says, "I believe the direction of popular music has taken is regressive, form high levels of musicianship, to non-musicians in 60 years.  That's not an achievement.  It's like if you went to amateur doctors."  I had to clap when I read that statement. LOL!! 

Aside from composing symphonies for orchestras, hosting children and teens at seminars, and speaking before business groups Marsalis found time to release a book this year in September.  Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change your Life.  I may go pick up a copy of this one.

By the way, he's always dressed to the nine!  Suited 4 Success

Stay Inspired,

Dominic 

www.energytimes.com

Snacks Anyone?

Well, we're in the part of the year where weight gain is extremely common.  Its cold outside, well not in Vegas, but the Midwest to the Northeast can make you grow fur. Being born in the Midwest, when it gets cold you eat more and move less.  The result, weight gain. Don't ask me why, but chilly temperatures have this way of making you sit down.  We won't even get into what happens after the age of 30, it's all uphill from there.

So the trick is to do the opposite of what I mentioned above.  Lets move more, and eat less JUNK!  DO NOT SKIP MEALS!!  Skipping meals work against you by slowing your metabolism down.  

I'm going to assume that we all eat 3 square meals a day.  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!  RIGHT, LOL!!!!!!  Don't laugh at that last assumption to hard because I want you to finish reading this with a straight face.  Ok, for those of you that don't eat like this you just learned something new, you should.

Now, read this carefully!  The trick to not overeating those main meals throughout the day is to have 1-2 snacks in between!  Sounds simple huh?  Well, it actually is, the challenge is what you choose to snack on.  Snacking on junk food such as candy, pretzels, or chips are empty calories and will have you even more hungry after you finish them.

What are some good choices for snacking?

Fruits, vegetables, baby carrots, non-fat yogurt, unsalted nuts, low fat string cheese just to name a few.

This is what your eating schedule should look like;

Breakfast

1-2 snacks

Lunch

1-2 snacks

Dinner

Studies have shown that people who snack when they are hungry consume less calories overall than those who don't. People who snack are more satisfied and have more energy.  Remember, it's not about a diet, it's about creating better eating habits to compliment a healthier lifestyle.

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Who was first?

Ladies Love Cool James (LL Cool J) aka Todd Smith has become hip-hop's poster child when it comes to capturing the optimal physique.  

I've heard him say in an interview,"It's all about being the best YOU you can be..."  Those words have rang out for quite some time since I heard them.  

When it comes to pushing for that ultimate physique we all have a visual, or someone we may aspire to in mind.  However, because God made us all different, what your body does at its max potential will be different than the next person.  Have you failed because your stomach didn't look like the picture on the magazine, even though you did everything right in your power for 6 months straight?  Absolutely NOT!

We all have heard the phrase, "YOU DO YOU, I'LL DO ME."

When it comes to this health and fitness stuff, you can really get a chance to find out who you are inside/out.  I've said this before and I'll continue to say it, you must find out what works best for YOU.  Know that on your journey to being the best YOU you can be that you did absolutely everything in your power to give yourself a chance to succeed.  Doesn't mean you have to look like LL, or any other fitness freak for that matter, but you do have to look like the best you.

Anyway, now that I've stumbled off my soap box, let me get to my point for writing this post.  Do you know who the first hip-hop artist was to strive for the ultimate physique?  I'll give you a hint, it was not Todd Smith.

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Attractive Water Bottle??

Can a water bottle be sexy?

H20 Check

We all have seen the check engine light on at some point in our vehicles.  My question to you is, how do we check the engine light on our bodies?  How do you know if your getting enough water in your system?

Check the color of your urine.  

Your urine should be clear like water, with a hint of yellow.  The darker yellow your urine, with a stronger odor, the more dehydrated you likely are.

Evaluate your body's hydration.

You can do this by monitoring changes in body weight, due to sweat loss.  Extreme water loss will result in a drop in body weight.

Pay close attention to how much you sweat throughout your workout, or just walking from A to B.  Any decline in the rate of sweating during an intense workout usually indicates dehydration.

Other signs of dehydration can be cramps and muscle fatigue.

Those are just a few simple things to look out for when assessing yourself.

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

Invest

The best investment that you can make is in yourself.

Chris Gardner said it best, "Invest your time before you invest your money."

Stay Inspired,

Dominic