Showing posts with label support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label support. Show all posts

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Willpower - the ingredient of success

Every year we make a list of New Year's resolutions; things we want to do better, changes we want to make...many times we decide we will finally lose that weight, get in shape.  We go all gung ho.  We get that gym membership, go on a massive diet....and months later the diet is failed and the gym membership is just a drain on our bank accounts, and we are still in our fat pants.  We have failed and that puts us back in the cycle of increased weight gain, etc.  But, are we doomed to rinse and repeat this year?  Can we break the cycle?  Can we be "that guy", the one in the before and after pictures on those infomercials that actually dropped weight and looks like an underwear model?
WILLPOWER: these people plugged into a support system for motivation and stuck with it.  For support and motivation find me on facebook at the fitter Fitter or at teambeachbody.com as kashubian.

Being "that guy", the person you fantasize about seeing in the mirror doesn't come by wishing.  For me, turning the corner to successfully beginning my journey from wishing to being was facilitated by plugging into a network of people who wanted me to succeed.  The sad fact is there are those near and dear to me who still are not very happy that I'm making these positive changes, as silly as that sounds.  I needed to look beyond my present circle of friends to find a support system of those who would motivate and support me on my health and fitness journey.  For me it's not becoming an underwear model, it's about avoiding the medical issues obesity had laid out before me.  This is a fight for my life, so to speak: avoiding heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, knee replacements....on and on.  I have so many reasons to get healthy, no real good ones for staying obese.  So, what does willpower bring to the table?  Where does it come from and what difference will it make?  What scientific basis is there for willpower?

Pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of real-life experts, Willpower shares lessons on how to focus our strength, resist temptation, and redirect our lives. It shows readers how to be realistic when setting goals, monitor their progress, and how to keep faith when they falter. By blending practical wisdom with the best of recent research science, Willpower makes it clear that whatever we seek—from happiness to good health to financial security—we won’t reach our goals without first learning to harness self-control.
 The New York Times Bestseller about WILLPOWER; advise, insight, the science and how to make it work for you.

Reviews

An immensely rewarding book, filled with ingenious research, wise advice and insightful reflections on the human condition.” - (THE NEW YORK TIMES (Steven Pinker) )

An accessible, empirically grounded guide to willpower and how best to deploy it to overcome temptation.  ‘Willpower’ offers no shortage of helpful strategies to compensate for weakness of will” - (WALL STREET JOURNAL )

"Brilliant." - (THE DAILY BEAST )

Baumeister and Tierney use their appealingly upbeat voice to explain the intricate call-and-response between the failure of self-control and its problematical results.” - (KIRKUS REVIEWS )

 “Willpower (the thing) lies at the curious intersection of science and behavior. Willpower (the book) lies at the intersection of Roy Baumeister, an extraordinarily creative scientist, and John Tierney, a phenomenally perceptive journalist. Ignore it at your peril.”-
(Stephen J Dubner, author of FREAKONOMICS )

About the Authors

ROY F. BAUMEISTER directs the social psychology program at Florida State University. He has written more than 450 scientific publications and consistently ranks among the world’s most frequently cited psychologists.

JOHN TIERNEY writes the “Findings” science column for the New York Times. His writing has won awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Physics. This is his third book.

Learn how to be that guy, Go Get Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.




Resources:

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Kenneling the Puppies

Working out can be a real pain in the back for women, especially those who are well endowed.  A good sports bra can help.   I once read that a good sports bra should be just like the perfect boy friend: it should hug you close, get physical when you want and provide plenty of unconditional support.  If you are doing a lot of plyometric or explosive movement exercises, a good high impact sports bra is crucial.  Gone are the days where you must resign yourself the the uni-boob.  Today's options are much better for support with breathable materials for enhanced comfort.  If you ever broke a plastic fastener on your bra in the old days you know the definition of embarrassment.  Never again with a small investment in these undergarments, now you can focus on your workout, not on what the puppies are doing...or how your bra is holding up.

What's a good sports bra?  Here are a few options.  How do you know what support level will be enough?  
What's your intensity?
Low Impact - cross-country skiing, hiking (easy terrain), inline skating, meditation, Tai Chi, walking, weight training and yoga fall into this class.
Medium Impact - cycling, downhill skiing, elliptical training, golf, hiking (rough terrain), most martial arts, rowing, snowboarding, spinning, stair climbing and tennis fit the bill.
High Impact - basketball, boxing, horseback riding, mountain biking, racketball, running, soccer and volley ball.
This list isn't the end-all-to-be-all, but it is a good guideline to follow.  Of coarse the exact intensity of your particular workout depends on you.  Read on for 8 handy rules of sports bras.

Moving Comfort Women's Fiona Bra

Two female runners founded Moving Comfort in 1977 before there were women's workout clothes. In the 30-plus years since the founding, the company hasn't strayed from its original purpose. 
Moving Comfort follows the following guidelines in constructing high-performance athletic wear for women:
Moving means moving: The how doesn't matter--running, walking, weight training, yoga, martial arts, skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding, golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, inline skating...Moving Comfort naturally understands and designs clothes for a woman's body, whatever that body was meant to do.
Quality comes first: Moving Comfort understands the kind of support and freedom needed in clothing, and how that clothing should feel against the skin. The company knows what keeps women warm and dry when it's cold and cool and dry when it's hot. Knowledge, expertise and high standards shape the fit, fabric and function of every garment Moving Comfort designs.
Fit affects everything: Keeping fit improves every aspect of a woman's life--reducing the incidence of heart disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and drug and alcohol abuse. If a girl or woman is more comfortable when she's working out, she's more likely to keep at it. That's why Moving Comfort views its technical garments--and the great fit of each piece--as a means to encourage women to get fit and stay fit.
Click here to read more about the Moving Comfort Women's Fiona Bra 


Shock Absorber Women's Extreme Support Sports Bra Top #4490


"You can have big breasts and a high impact workout"
Machine washable and designed for a wide range of cup sizes D through G and ideal for high impact sports. Racer back style gives the look of a traditional sports bra. Straps are shaped and padded for extra comfort and support at pressure point. Structural seaming with inner support sling for a closer fit shapes and supports each breast individually. Meryl Actisystem allows the transport of moisture away from the skin and increases the drying speed of fabric.  Read more about the Shock Absorber Women's Extreme Support Sports Bra Top #4490 here. 


Champion Women's Powerback Under Wire Sports Bra
The Champion® Powerback women's underwire sports bra has got your back during your workout. A patented back stabilizer provides controlled stretch while allowing a free range of motion, while the cushioned back hook closure provides additional comfort.  We've got your back our most supportive bra with patented back stabilizer provides controlled stretch while allowing a free range of motion.
Click here to browse the Champion Women's Powerback Under Wire Sports Bra or other options from the Champion store.

Good base layers and the support they offer can free you to concentrate on your workout, not on how your undergarment supports you.  These 8 Rules of Sports Bras (from Susan Nethero, founder of My Intimacy stores) will help you in your hunt.  Happy hunting.

8 Rules of Sports Bras
1. Look for bras that encapsulate each breast in a separate chamber; they reduce bounce and support better than simple shelf bras.
2. Try to find sports bras that come in cup and band sizes rather than just small, medium and large; the usually fit more precisely.
3. Look for strategically placed seams and stitching, which help cushion the breast.  [Hate bumpy ridges under a fitted tee?  Companies like Isis, Asics and Champion make seamless bras.]
4.  Pick high-performance fabrics that wick away sweat to minimize chafing (look for CoolMax or Double Dry).
5. Own a variety of sports bras, and when in doubt, choose a higher-impact bra for a lower-impact sport - never the other way around.
6. Get fitted by an expert.  You can find bra fitters in most department stores or lingerie shops.
7. Before buying, jump, swing your arms and move around.  If a bra pokes, rubs, slips, jiggles, constricts your breathing or bulges, put it back.  Also, it should fit on the first hook; as it loses elasticity over time, you'll need room to tighten it.
8. Rotate your bras and wash them regularly so you can get at least a year's use out of each one.
(with some info from the April 2008 issue of women's Health, pg 78)