Day One, Again

So today I started a new exercise campaign. Again. I started running again, after a brief hiatus. I had to focus on my bike training for a local MS ride. I also help the Fat Bottomed Girl with her training. This was her first real biking in many years so I was excited to help her get going.

Locally it is hot. Of course, this year that means in the continental US. That means getting up early to “beat” the heat. So, at early o'clock, when The Doctor told me “allons-y”, I was somewhat lacking enthusiasm for getting out of bed. Normally coffee would be the number one priority for the morning, but, caffeine is a vaso-constrictor and a diuretic, so that is right out. I also have a ridiculous tolerance to blood in my caffeine steam, so I get little energy from the stuff anyhow.

What to do, what to do. Bet you can't guess what the Vita-guru will suggest.

Right, I have a supplement for that! Today's morning came with a shot of SuperPump Max from Gaspari.  I have the orange flavor and must say it is about as enjoyable as Tang. A good pre-work out drink that focuses on delivering creatine and arginine for your workout. I find that the energy matrix of this pre-workout does not really affect me. To be fair to the supplement, remember my afore stated stimulant tolerance. I have chosen SuperPump for that very reason. If the energy from the pre-workout is to strong it will over-amp my heart and interfere with my run. I added 3 grams of AAKG to the mix and used about 10 oz of water to mix it.

FYI – For those of you who use a pre-workout to provide better vascularity during your workout, why do you only mix it in 4 to 6 oz of water? If you dilate up your blood vessels don't you need something to take up the space? Do you want your body to pull the fluid from you muscles? Food for thought.

On the whole I would say I like effects of SuperPump Max. Anyone looking for a pre-workout that successfully pumps up your muscles is going to like this drink. It is very good for the lifters that it was designed for. My only issue comes post-workout. The creatine still moves though my system rapidly causing a need for the restroom. When Rich brought out this product he assured me that the days of SuperDump were over. UMM not quite. If your workout will go over 1ish hours plan a break in the middle, cause you are gonna take it.

VG

Time to Get Back On the Horse

Hey I'm Back

I know it has been a while since I have regularly posted. It has been an interesting spring. But hey, summer is here. Time to get serious about play!

Over the next weeks I will discuss summer fun and the supplements that will help you get the most out of your summer. Today I just want to thank you all for coming back and reading along. If you have any questions for me just click the “Ask the Vita-Guru” button on the top right and I will get them.

Tune in next time. Same bat-time, same bat-channel.

VG

Failing Grades

Wow, been a while. It has been a tough year here at Vita-guru. One of me had a month long computer problem, then another of me lost a very dear friend suddenly. Combine all that with training and my other employment and team Vita-guru was not very prolific at the prose production.

Yesterday I was “discussing” various multivitamin/multiminerals in the market with a couple of friends out for lunch. One of the ladies was buying her supplements from some never-heard-of-before supplement company. She proudly boasted that they were “pharmaceutical grade”. The implication is superior quality that is rare to find in the industry.

Yep. Sure. Got it. OK then.

Here we go. Pharmaceutical grade is marketing bullcrap. I have found ONE supplement manufacturer that can back that up with a use claim as well. Ajinomoto makes amino acids with the pharma claim, then backs it up with having a pharmaceutical division and being the major supplier of free aminos to the medical industry for their various needs. They do not make multivitamins.

The tightly held secret of supplement companies is that most don't make their product in-house. They have teams of scientists looking at the data and determining what they want their supplement to include. Then they give the new supplement formula to a buyer who prices it out. Next, to some accountant. So, the scientists look at the data and start over. I assume that scientists drink heavily, largely due to the accountants. (maybe lawyers, too)

Eventually, the raw materials are bought and sent to a job shop that probably also encapsulates medicines and pet supplies. There is your pharmaceutical grade production. Big Fuckin' Deal. You want to impress me? Get rid of the “accountant” and let the good stuff out.

All this leads back to the lady and her friend. They came to me because she wanted to see what I was about. Her friend was allergy miserable. I suggested a simple nasal wash and an Olbas Inhaler. I use them and went from being a connoisseur of allergy meds to not having any real problems for 5 years.

Her friend was thrilled. She was trapped by marketing.

One last note. Annual medical checkups are a good thing. DO THEM FOR YOUR FRIENDS.

Lesson Learned

Recently, I learned that crossing a pretty but remarkable DUMB puppy and a laptop computer can result in a case of Blogus Interruptus. Very aggravating.

On another note. In the last two days several people have remarked on the use of cinnamon for blood pressure support. That was a new one for me. I new that cinnamon help maintain blood sugar levels by mimicking insulin in the body. No that is not an excuse to eat a dozen snickerdoodles. (Who needs an excuse for that anyhow! Come on people priorities!) It appears that it is that very same activity that is causing the blood pressure support. In a 2006 study in diabetics adding about 1 gram of cinnamon had a positive impact on both BP and glucose levels.

And just briefly, a word about the news out today. If you are reading only the headlines today you will probably dump your EFA supps in the trash. A meta-study released showed no help from cardiovascular disease re-occurrence from fish oil supplements. You only found out it was a meta-study if you read the article looking for an explanation. The study authors even tell you that the had to ignore data to support their findings. This is why the concept of meta-studies has little value in the real world.

Sorry for the gap in posts. Watch out for puppies.

Don't Train for the Scale

I have said many times that if your goal is to either lose some weight or get in shape, you will get frustrated and fail. You will then blame the supplements, the gym, the trainer, or ME. Screw That! Seriously, I fluctuate 3-5 pounds every day or so, and some days I can't run around the block. If my goals were that vague, I would still be out of breath playing with the dogs.

I suggest that you pick an event that you would like to do and train for that. Conveniently, the MS Society has the perfect opportunity for you! I started my wellness journey with an MS Ride 4 years ago and have signed up for my fifth ride this summer.

Let me tell you: THIS IS THE MOST REWARDING THING I DO ALL YEAR!

The ride is fun and easy. Cycling is low impact, so it is easy on the joints. I have had team members who have spanned ages and weights, so everyone can do this. The money you raise stays in the community to help people with MS and their families cope with the trials it brings them. If that is not enough of a reason, you feel like a hero at every rest stop!

Need more? Damn you're needy, you are the one that wants to change your body! This is perfect for the beginner through the fully fit!

I have a team of my own and conduct training rides in the spring when the weather breaks. If you are interested in joining my team click the “ask the guru” link and let me know. I will contact you with the info. Those who are not local to me click here: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/raceMap.aspx

Now like Freddie said: Get On Your Bikes and Ride!

Product Review: N.O. Xplode

With the summer months coming up, this time of year brings me questions from people who want to get in shape for the warm weather. Referred to as “cutting” or “getting cut up”, people are really saying the want to lose fat and keep or build more muscle. They are hitting the gym and exercising regularly. It is not uncommon, while in the gym, to hear people talking about the supplements they are using.

Pre-workout drinks are one of the most commonly used workout supplements. They are meant to provide your body with the tools it needs to get a better workout. Over the next few weeks, I will review the products I have tried, in an effort to give you an idea of what to look for and how to make your own selection.

One of the top selling pre-workout drinks in the market place is N.O. Xplode. Around for several years, BSN has recently updated the formula to version 2.0 adding beta alanine to the formula. I would only recommend this product to someone just starting out. It uses a combination of caffeine and sugar to deliver a sense of energy for your workout. I call this product the “training wheels” of the pre-workout world. It gives the user a sense of what a pre-workout should deliver.

My tolerance to stimulants is well known by the people asking me for help, and I personally do not feel any effect from this product. I would compare it to drinking a cup of coffee before you hit the gym. Keep in mind, that was what a pre-workout was just a few years ago. I did not notice a pump or increased vascularity from the product. Nor did I feel an increase in focus.

If you are very new to the world of stimulants or pre-workouts, using N.O. Xplode will work for you, however, there are much better pre-workouts in the market place for less money.

One note on my reviews: I am not paid by any supplement company, so I have no reason for anything less than an honest representation of the effects a product has on me.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

It seems like I get asked every day, by someone new, about sleep. Frankly, most of them are so stressed about not sleeping, I cannot imagine how they could fall asleep anyway. There are plenty of sleep aid sites on the net, I like this one. It puts me to sleep every time.  That may not help everyone, however.

Many people recommend exercise to help with sleep. This really does work, but do not exercise late in the day. This works best if you can work out early in the day. This is also a great way to stimulate the metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day. Exercise also works to reduce your stress load, which may be impacting your ability to sleep.

In the past, I have also suggested you try ZMA. Again, this has worked well with me. It promotes good restorative sleep. It also does not leave me groggy in the morning after. Be warned, the dreams it promotes are just plain strange.

Most people try melatonin first. I suggest trying about 3 mg to start. You can safely go up from there, but most have success there. Like ZMA, most do not feel groggy the next day. Unlike ZMA, I did not have the dreams. If you do use melatonin, once you have a solid sleep pattern established it is time to back down the dosage. By slowly reducing the amount you use, you will teach your body to produce your needs itself.

Nighty night!