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The Lord Is My Strength | psalm 28:7

Archive for January, 2007

Core Strength Training For COPD – The Edge You Need Part 1

Posted by webmaster On January - 31 - 2007

I am not a doctor. I do not even play one on the Internet. So, it is always with a certain amount of apprehension that I write columns such as the one you are about to read.

One of the primary functions of TotalPhysiqueOnline.com is to help people with COPD be as healthy as possible. Another purpose of this site is to encourage everyone to take better care of their bodies.

Some of the suggestions passed along in the pages of this web site are based on my own experiences in managing COPD for 44 years. I cannot, nor would I ever, try to tell anyone what will and will not work for them in terms of their health. All I can do is pass on my personal insights and let you, the reader, consider the merits of what I propose.
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Popularity: 5% [?]

(Workout A) Shoulders (rehab), mid/upper Back, Biceps

  • DB Hammer Push-Press: 25 lbs x 10(10) x 4 (the perfect shoulder girdle exercise!)
  • DB Lateral Raise: 20 lbs x 8, 6, 6 (first time I have done these in over a year. Controlled reps, but felt weak to be honest.)
  • DB Towel Uprights: 20, 30 lbs x 10 (warm sets) 40 lbs x 12 (awesome burn – shoulders and traps), 12, 12
  • DB Pullovers/sset/Parallel Chins: 65 lbs x 11 (pauses), 9 /sset/ BW x 5, 5 reps (pauses at top)
  • DB Hammer Curls/sset/DB Seated Incline: 20 lbs x 15, 10 (pauses), 9 /sset/ 20 x 8, 3 reps (pauses at top, shot on second sset)
  • DB Preacher: 20 lbs x 7 x 2 (pumped and ready to pop)

Observations:

Weight increases all the way around. Endurance way up. Breathing good. Blood flow excellent. Shoulder is getting better and better. Not to mention stronger. The Hammer-Push-Press is an astonishingly good exercise for the shoulder joint. The movement is fairly intense too. It has to be the single best overall exercise I have discovered for the rotator cuff.

My Metabolic Diet products are making what appears to me a huge difference in my training and recovery. I am recovering in two days, whereas prior to the products I was needed 3 and 4 days. Oddly enough, my finger nails are growing at twice the rate they were (toenails as well), and my hair is growing faster.

Pre-Workout Nutrition/Diet

Post Workout Nutrition/Diet

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Guest Column – Dr. Mauro G. Di Pasquale On Antioxidants

Posted by webmaster On January - 30 - 2007

 

Editors Note: these articles are written by Mauro G. Di Pasquale and represent his findings based on years of research. Always consult a physician before undertaking any strength training program or using any supplements.

Dr. Mauro G. Di Pasquale: Antioxidants
Reprinted with kind permission from Dr. Mauro G. Di Pasquale
From MetabolicDiet.com

Antioxidants form a front line defense against cell damage caused by free radicals, which are involved in damage to all systems in the body and in the aging process.

It’s always been my view that ONE of the effective means of protecting ourselves from various endogenous and exogenous insults (including stress, free radicals, poor diet, and environmental chemicals and pollutants, including mercury and other heavy metals) is by using a complimentary combination of antioxidants.


© 2005 Metabolicdiet.com Inc. and Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale, MD. For more information about MD+ Supplements please visit www.mdplusstore.com and www.metabolicdiet.com .


In a recently published review the author found that antioxidant vitamin and trace element intakes have been shown to be particularly important in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, age related ocular diseases and in aging. In animal models, targeted interventions have been associated with reduction of tissue destruction is brain and myocardium ischemia-reperfusion models. In the critically ill antioxidant supplements have resulted in reduction of organ failure and of infectious complications.1

Antioxidants, such as beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, reduced glutathione, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), L-Cysteine, Coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, ginkgo biloba, burdock, silymarin, and turmeric, all present in ReNew, can play an important role in reducing inflammation, and decreasing tissue and organ damage.

As such, along with other support such as decreasing inflammation and glycation in the body, the use of antioxidants should increase health and longevity. Up until now there’s been little direct evidence of the usefulness of antioxidants in slowing the aging process.

However, a study in press by and to be published soon in Science, shows that increasing the amount of antioxidants naturally produced in the body and directing those molecules to where they’re needed can dramatically slow the aging process.2

In this study, mice genetically engineered to produce a human antioxidant enzyme lived longer than normal mice. This provides us with the best proof to date that antioxidants can counteract the effects of aging and disease.

While this study is not about the use of antioxidant supplements, I feel it’s only a matter of time until we show that taking a variety of antioxidants will also increase health and lifespan. Prevention at this point, rather than waiting until we have definitive proof and losing the benefits, is definitely the way to go.

I stress using a variety of antioxidants since dozens of studies have shown that antioxidants, while uniquely different from one another, have a synergistic effect when used together. By combining these various lipid-and water soluble nutrients you can achieve multiple levels of protection.

Various inflammatory diseases are helped by the use of combinations of antioxidants. For example asthma, and particularly exercise induced asthma, in which exercise in increasing oxidative stress impacts further on the preexisting oxidative and inflammatory phenotype of those prone to asthma, have been shown to respond favorably to a number of antioxidants.

Acute episodes of asthma, regardless of cause, are associated with increased oxidative stress,3 , 4 and have been shown to respond favorably to alpha-lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, and selenium, as well as other anti-inflammatory ingredients such as DHA and EPA. 5,6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11

But there’s more to the story. In order to improve health, decrease disease, and increase lifespan you have to look at more than just the antioxidants. You also have to look at the underlying causes that drive many diseases and age us before out times.

And that’s what ReNew does. It’s formulated to reduce stress related abnormalities and dysfunction, including depression, over-training and physical/mental burnout, normalize the metabolic processes in the body and support the central nervous, hormonal and immune systems.

As such, ReNew plays an important role in increasing health and longevity, and decreasing physical and mental stress, disease and the effects of aging.

References:

  1. Berger MM. Can oxidative damage be treated nutritionally? Clin Nutr. 2005; 24(2):172-83.
  2. Schriner, S.E. . . . and P.S. Rabinovitch. In press. Extension of murine lifespan by an overexpression of catalase targeted to mitochondria. Science 2005.
  3. Bowler RP. Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of asthma. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2004; 4(2):116-22.
  4. Nadeem A, Raj HG, Chhabra SK. Increased oxidative stress in acute exacerbations of asthma. Journal Asthma. 2005; 42(1):45-50.
  5. Cho YS, Lee J, Lee TH, Lee EY, Lee KU, Park JY, Moon HB. alpha-Lipoic acid inhibits airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004; 114(2):429-35.
  6. Pearson PJ, Lewis SA, Britton J, Fogarty A. Vitamin E supplements in asthma: a parallel group randomised placebo controlled trial. Thorax. 2004; 59(8):652-6.
  7. Romieu I, Sienra-Monge JJ, Ramirez-Aguilar M, et al. Antioxidant supplementation and lung functions among children with asthma exposed to high levels of air pollutants. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002; 166(5):703-9.
  8. Banerjee AK, Mandal A, Chanda D, Chakraborti S. Oxidant, antioxidant and physical exercise. Mol Cell Biochem. 2003; 253(1-2):307-12.
  9. Allam MF, Lucane RA. Selenium supplementation for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(2):CD003538.
  10. Nagel G, Linseisen J. Dietary intake of fatty acids, antioxidants and selected food groups and asthma in adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005; 59(1):8-15.
  11. Wong KW. Clinical efficacy of n-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with asthma. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005; 105(1):98-105.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Important Notice To Readers: The Ironmaster Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System is simply the best adjustable dumbbell system on the market. Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbells outperform Powerblock and all other similar systems. Total Physique Online has used this system extensively and it receives our highest recommendation. However, Total Physique Online is no longer officially endorsing Ironmaster LLC. This is not a decision that was made lightly. It was arrived at after much discussion and consideration.

For the time being, I have decided to allow my Ironmaster posts to remain public. I am doing this for informational purposes only, primarily due to requests from several readers. In addition, as a courtesy to my all readers I am leaving the comments for Ironmaster products in place. These comments are very valuable and serve to help folks make a good choice regarding their purchases. Additionally, my reviews of Ironmaster products will also remain unchanged. It should be noted that at some point in the near future, these pages may be removed or replaced.

For the record, I enjoy the flagship Ironmaster products. I have considered it a privilege to recommend them to you, my readers, for the past three years. Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells are superb. So is the Superbench produced by Ironmaster. In my view, these two products are in a class of their own.

It is my sincere hope that in time certain concerns will be addressed. If and when that happens, then I will be able to revisit this decision. However, until such a point in time, Total Physique Online will not be reconsidering its position regarding this matter.

Again, it should be noted that these recent changes have nothing to do with the quality of the Ironmaster product line whatsoever. Rather, certain other concerns came to light over the course of a six month period and, as a result of these concerns, a change of direction was decided upon. During the next few weeks I will be introducing new products of superb quality, so stay tuned. I truly wish Ironmaster nothing but the best. – Webmaster

The Ironmaster Quicklock Dumbbell is a superb adjustable dumbbell system that is vastly superior to the PowerBlocks, not to mention the fragile SelectTech’s and all the rest, in just about every way. If you are in the market for the best adjustable dumbbell set available, and you do not mind saving a few dollars in the process, then Ironmaster Quicklock adjustable dumbbells are for you. I hope this review will help you make the right choice.

Related Pages:
Quick-Lock Dumbbell Stand Assembly

Ironmaster Quicklock adjustable dumbbells have been around for several years, and I had been eying them for a good while prior to this post. The looked tough as nails, functional and designed by people who understood what strength training is all about. I recently obtained my own personal set, and I am using this review to share my experiences.
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Popularity: 100% [?]

Traditional Strength Training; Week2Session1; Sunday 3:30PM-4:30PM

Posted by webmaster On January - 28 - 2007

Just did my MRI today. Finally taking a much closer look at the shoulder.

They told me to move the shoulder around afterwards, to work the die out of the shoulder joint and into the body. So, hitting some light chest today.

Legs, Calves, Abs, Neck, Forearms

  • Hip Belt Squats 60lbs x 20 x 3; 60 x 30 (conditioning, ass to floor squats with dumbbell hooked to Hip Belt. Photo’s coming soon. Incredible pump and cardio.)
  • 1 Leg Standing Calf Raise: 60lbs x 20, 15, 15, 10
  • Obliques 60lbs x 15 x 3 per side (legs like noodles – high reps for quads are so killer)
  • Crunches: 22.5lbs x 20 x 3 (good difficulty – legs shaking like an dog in a cold rain)
  • Neck 22.5lbs x 20, 20, 15
  • Rev Forearms 15lbs x 20 x 3
  • Bloc Pinch Grip 22.5lbs x 15-20 sec x 3

Observations:

This is the first time I have done hip belt squats in over 8 months. Maybe more. The last time I did them, I used a barbell. Having just used the Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbell as my resistance, I would never go back.

The dumbbell stays more within your center of gravity, placing less stress around the knee joint and more around the hips and mid-quad. The knee gets some good action, but not so much that it is unhealthy. My legs are fried. And I only used a wimpy 60 lbs.

I can’t wait until next leg day when I use 90lbs or more. I can easily see going 240 at some point. This will require using 2 dumbbells side by side from the floor somehow. The 60lbs I used today was in some ways just far too light. Still, I got winded and a good pump. I suppose it was more like jazzersize than anything else. But it bodes well for future leg workouts.

Lungs felt OK. I was congested to begin with, but the high rep squats had me breathing like a locomotive, and helped clear my lungs well. I decided to skip rope work as I am spent.

Pre-Workout Nutrition/Diet

  • Muscle Milk/MLO Apple Breakfast
  • Two Coffees (may have congested me) and two Power Bars 1 hour prior to workout

Post Workout Nutrition/Diet

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Traditional Strength Training; Week1Session3; Friday 3:30PM-4:30PM

Posted by webmaster On January - 26 - 2007

Just did my MRI today. Finally taking a much closer look at the shoulder.

They told me to move the shoulder around afterwards, to work the die out of the shoulder joint and into the body. So, hitting some light chest today.

Chest, tricpeps, Rope Work

  • Dumbbell Bench: 30, 40 x 15 reps x 2 for a warmup
  • DB Bench: 55lbs x 4, 3, 3
  • DB Flys: 25lbs x 15, 15, 10 (nice pump, nothing too brutal here)
  • Seated DB Tricep-Ext: 25lbs x 15 x 3 (easy)
  • Lying DB French-Press (to ears): 15lbs x 15 x 2 (Good, excellent pump; take 40 min break)
  • Rope 1010 rotations, into sets of 100; 20 minutes

Observations:

The Quick-Lock Dumbbell knurling is deep, and means business. No chance of dumbbells slipping from your grip with these. Very aggressive knurling.

Chest surprisingly strong, no pain in shoulders. None whatsoever. First weighted press for chest in over 6 months.

My goal of Flat DB Presses with 120lb monsters also seems like an eternity away. At 55lbs for 4-5 reps, I was not feeling bad, but I now have an idea of what 120 will feel like.

Lungs felt fine. I decided to save rope work until later tonight or maybe even tomorrow. We shall see.

Pre-Workout Nutrition/Diet

Post Workout Nutrition/Diet

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Popularity: 3% [?]

A) Rope Work, Quads and Glutes

  • Heavy Rope Work 200, 100rev x 8 (Whew….fast pace, lungs clean, feeling good, a feeling of euphoria has enveloped me, feels nice. take a short break. Drop some Metabolic Diet, and then hit the iron.)
  • Dumbbell Squats: 20, 30, 40lbs x 15 reps for a warmup
  • DB Squats: 60lbs x 15, 15 (to the floor)
    Pullovers: 60lbs x 10, 10 (very good, breathing like a freight train)
  • DB Stepups High Bench: 15lbs x 15 per leg

B) Forearms, Traps 930PM

  • DB Shruggs 80 x 15 x 2
  • Dumbbell Wrist Curls 35 x 10 x 3 per arm
  • Reverse 15 x 10 x 3

Observations:

The Quick-Lock Dumbbells are simply awesome. I love them. I have not found a single flaw in the concept or design. They are simply incredible.

The DB squats are a great exercise, especially if done to the floor. Coupled with breathing pullovers, and you have a seriously good workout. Finished with one set of stepups. That is enough for now. I am still getting use to the stress again. I do not want to over stimulate too soon.

My goal of DB Squats with 120lb monsters seems like an eternity away. At 60lbs and 15 reps, I was feeling it big time. I also think that my lungs just lack the conditioning they need. It is abundantly clear to me that my life and well-being depends on exercise more than it does for the average person.

Pre-Workout Nutrition/Diet

Post Workout Nutrition/Diet

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Leonid Taranenko 265.5 WR Clean and Jerk

Posted by webmaster On January - 25 - 2007

This is unbelieveable. I mean, I believe it, but it is unbelievable. Know what I mean?

In fact, a year later, Taranenko nailed 266! That’s kilograms folks. 585+lbs.


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Popularity: 9% [?]