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

Obama, A Man Fit Enough to Run the Country

As we continue to bask in this new air of change that is taking place, I have to get back on my own  horse and keep galloping.  However, before I continue on with my bugle of professional lifestyle, health, and inspiration I must tie this in my transition.  I saw President Elect Obama on many different magazine covers, but the one that stood out to ME most was Men's Health Magazine.

I came across an article online that could not have said it better.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR 

President Elect Barrack Obama has definitely changed the face of America. Not only is Obama the first African-American President of the United States, he is also considered one of the most physically fit men to ever hold the office. 

President Elect Barrack Obama was also considered fit enough to grace the cover of Men's Health. He was featured in an article depicting him as a "Hero of Health and Fitness." In the Men's Health November 2008 feature article Obama stated, "Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. There's always a trade off between sleep and working out. The main reason I do it is just to clear my head and relieve me of stress." 

Regardless of your political or personal affiliation, you have to admire Barrack Obama's dedication to his personal health. Hours before it was determined that he would be the next President of the United States, what did he do? He exercised. He spent time playing basketball, working up a sweat, strengthening his cardiovascular and muscular systems. 

President Elect Barrack Obama is implementing the correct exercise mix of muscle building strength training to increase his metabolism, thereby burning more calories at a higher rate throughout the day and cardiovascular exercise to give him stamina while campaigning. 

In his Men's Health interview with Peter Moore, Obama described his fitness regimen. "Usually I get in about 45 minutes, 6 days a week. I'll lift one day and do cardio the next," said Obama. 

Imagine that, a United States President Elect lifting weights three days a week and doing aerobic exercise three days a week. Obama has kept this program up while being a senator and running a full-time presidential campaign. It makes the rest of us wonder why we fail to maintain a consistent program of health and fitness. Our meager excuses fall short in comparison. 

During my many years as a personal trainer and fitness professional, I have often sat across the table from someone, obviously in need of my services, who will debate with me why they do not have the time to take care of themselves -- even when I offer them fitness programs that take 30% less time than Obama's personal routine. 

Perhaps all Americans can truly look to our leadership as a role model. Together, with President Obama at the helm, we can fight some of the problems which plague our country such as obesity, diabetes, and high cost of health care. And when asked, “Can we change the health of our nation?” We will resound, "Yes, we can." 

David Wehrenberg 
Certified Athletic Trainer 
Waldorf, Md.

Can you tell me another president who has graced the cover of a health magazine?  That's a trick question.

As a fitness professional myself, I have to stand up for David and his view.

Stay Inspired,

Dominic

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/8701.shtml

Photo of the Week!

Moment of clarity...

Stay Truly Inspired,

Dominic

Special thanks to Sockjockey.com for an incredible photo

Today I Reflect

I was talking to a friend yesterday and had somewhat of a small reflection on part of my life.  

I have to say, God has allowed me to see some amazing things that I must be truly thankful.

I had a number of things to choose from when I began thinking about a post today, but I had to momentarily place those ideas to the side.

Some of you have your historical memories, but here's a few of mine;

I've seen Michael Jordan play in person.

I've seen Maya Angelou speak in person.

I watched the Jacksons Victory Tour from the 3rd at Arrowhead Stadium.

I've witnessed God show his face through my child when I called on him.

Earlier this year, I watched Barack Obama speak at a recreation center here in Las Vegas.

Today, I am alive to see that same charismatic black man, Barack Obama, become President of the United States of America.

Thank You Lord, I am truly grateful.

Dominic

Beautiful Kaos

Faith is really only defined when yours is tested...

Kaylah would like to thank all those who put out positive energy and strong prayers.

She's home now and doing very well.

God Bless,

Dominic