PETE the TRAINER: GET SANE IN THE MEM-BRAIN

This Is Your Brain On Exercise

The brain

like your muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, heart and lungs, all get

stronger with use

and can get even stronger with

ongoing rigorous challenges

and the

right environment

All things in life, especially humans respond to one crucial element very well, and actually become more alive with this one crucial element. This element that actually creates more life is something called Rigor, otherwise known as Positive Challenge. By using rigor you can raise your level of fitness and improve the quality of your life.

The human body is designed to run and perform dynamic movements. The human mind is designed to expand and grow to amazing proportions. A healthy, fit brain is more than able to handle the job. The human brain is a fantastic organ that does fantastically well under the pressure of Positive Challenge. It's extreemely important that the brain is supplied with a ample supply of quality blood. Performing The Complete breath TM exercise twice per day and drinking adequate water daily, will go a long way to 'making' high quality (volume and viscosity) blood. When it comes to thinking thoughts, you are said to be either Right Brained or Left Brain oriented. In other words the brain predominately fires from one side or the other depending on your genetic makeup and life experience.

If you feel predominantly most at home with complicated mathematics, computer programing and stamp collecting and/or could be described as nerdy, you are more than likely LEFT Brained. If you tend to be artistic, a dreamer and/or athletic, or drawn to team games and could be described as outgoing or 'a player' - you are more than likely, RIGHT Brained.

Of course, here at PETEtheTRAINER we are all about using your full potential, it's recommended that you attempt to get good at stuff, that you are NOT well versed in. (please refer to The 30 Rule, posted elsewhere on this blog).

Strive Creatively

By striving to become more skillful (at something that doesn't come 'naturally' to you) leads to growing more balanced, and more confident. The idea is to become more balanced and more skillful at using both the left AND right side of your brain.

This is accomplished by learned awareness, patience, relaxation and finite focus.

BALANCE IS KEY

...don't try this while texting

actually ...I DON'T RECOMMEND YOU TAKE THIS ROUTE PERIOD!

Brain-Boosting Drinks

The following drinks will all give your brain that extra boost it needs to start pumping.

Chai. This tea infused with a variety of spices and blended with milk or a non-dairy milk substitute will awaken your senses and your brain.
Kombucha. In addition to the multiple health benefits of this unusual drink, it is primarily a detoxifier for the body. It also gets your brain pumping pretty quickly.
Water. Staying hydrated benefits your body and brain by keeping you detoxified and oxygenated, so drink plenty of water for a brain boost.
Matcha. This stone-ground, powdered form of green tea is a super-concentrated version of the green tea that comes in tea bags and provides a super blast for your brain.
Caffeine. As this study indicates, a little caffeine may be beneficial to your brain, so have that cup of coffee when you brain feels a little sluggish.
Kava kava. Long used in the South Pacific, kava kava is reported to induce both brain stimulation and anxiety reduction.
Smoothies. A simple brain-boosting smoothie with fresh fruits and yogurt or a bit of protein powder will have your brain working again in no time.
Ginkgo biloba tea. Ginkgo biloba tea helps promote blood flow, memory, and mental alertness.
Ginseng tea. Tea made from the ginseng root provides better mental acuity as well as boosts blood circulation, reduces fatigue, and a host of other benefits.

Brain-Boosting Foods

From the instant benefit of cinnamon and peppermint to the longer-lasting benefits of blueberries, these foods are great ways to get the blood flowing in your brain.

Cinnamon and peppermint. Research shows that cinnamon and peppermint stimulates the brain. Have some gum or tea and give it a shot.
Fish oil. This nutrient, either obtained through eating fish or taking a good-quality supplement, not only increases overall physical health, it also helps boost your brain power.
Apples. Long associated with healthy nutrition, an apple a day can provide brain health benefits.
Salmon. Salmon is good for your body and your brain. This super food is high in omega-3 EFAs and protein, low in cholesterol and contains quite a few B vitamins, calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium.
Avocado. Avocados have monosaturated fat (the good fat), which increases blood flow, which gives your brain a boost.
Curry. Curry, and especially the turmeric in curry dishes, have been shown to boost cognition. The tantalizing taste will also help wake up your brain.
Antioxidants. Eating foods that are antioxidants can help improve focus, problem-solving, and memory.
Fruits and veggies. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great brain booster. Learn about the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables to your brain.
Whole grains. Two and a half servings of whole grains a day can significantly reduce your chance for a stroke and keeps your brain in top shape.
Olive oil. This healthy oil has been shown to break up clots in capillaries and generally help with blood flow.
Blueberries. These little berries really pack a punch when it comes to brain health. Pop a few when your blood sugar and brain function feel low.
Cocoa. Foods containing cocoa, like chocolate, may provide benefits for memory and learning, and the endorphins raised by eating chocolate will also provide a more immediate boost for your brain.

RIGHT! Change of pace,

...here's the first of OUR LATEST NEW FEATURE, it's called:

Hey! ..GOT A MINUTE?

- quick questions,

precise answers

Q. I was wondering how often, should a healthy and fit person
go to the bathroom ...once a day ...or would once a week be best?

A. OK ...I take it you mean 'number two'?

The precise answer is, twice per day.

I also recommend you do a Complete Body Cleanse TM

(approx. $18 Wholefoods Market) ...this is one of the first things that I recommend a new Client do. It takes 2 weeks, and is a twice per day capsule taking water drinking process. This will help balance your body, and clean and tone your inner workings, so you can be regular. This is great for clearer thinking, flattening your tummy and increasing your energy. Even when you are not doing a cleanse, it's important to start each day with 16 oz of cold water. This will greatly help with your daily regularity. Bathroom visits are just as important to a fit and healthy body as toning muscles, strengthening lungs or practicing correct exercise performance.

The The Yin/Yang Thang

Enlightening facts, oddities and Aha moments that I have learned from variousMartial Art masters during my many travels learning and teaching around the world.

#2 YOU HAVE TWO MINDS -

...This refers to the fact that each person has a Conscious Mind and a Sub-Conscious Mind ...these are the two (co-existing) ways that you process all information, based on how you are wired. It's important to be aware of your two minds if your quest is to create balance in your goals, your relationships, your martial art, and life in general. Like your body, your mind can be trained to be more efficient. To train 'each' mind requires it's own kind of training ...just like your body needs specific training for strength, flexibility, endurance etc.

Your Sub-Conscious mind is also known as your Reactive Mind or your Neanderthal Mind...it's your body/mind foundational workings. It's the part of your brain that takes care of pulling your finger instantly away from the hotplate. It's this important element that is extensively trained in the martial arts.

Your Sub-Conscious Mind is designed to be aware by collecting emotions, it's hard-wired to optimistically handle two responsibilities:

1) Keep you alive to propagated 'the species'.

2) Be right via taking notes, and acting on them at the earliest opportunity.

Your sub-conscious mind doesn't have a sense of humor, cannot make future plans, cannot operate conceptually and does't naturally feel sad, suspicious or shameful unless instructed to to so by the conscious mind via learned experiences.

Your Sub-Conscious Mind simply reacts to any information, positive or negative. Think of SCM as the 'village idiot' that follows you around, taking notes and literally acting on everything you say and think. This is how affirmations and Negative Self-Talk work to create an effect. Have you ever seen a professional athlete talking out loud? ...they are talking to their Sub-Conscious Mind to reinforce an action desired.

Your Conscious Mind is designed to become more creatively aware, and oversees your present and future needs, wants and desires.

Your Conscious Mind can develop a sense of humor, can operate conceptually, can expand creatively, can operate conceptually and make plans.

By knowing HOW your brain/ mind works, you can become more empowered to make the fastest progress toward accomplishing your wants, needs, and desires,

whether it's learning something completely new to you

or refining an already 'learned' skill.

If you would like more 'mind-full' info, just let us know.

Here's your TOOLBOX Tip for today...

The TOOLBOX Tip

#7 COUNT TO 3 IF YOU WANT WORLD CLASS ABS

...Don't waste time doing exercises that give mediocre results for your efforts.

Here are the 3 BEST EXERCISES to build your BEST ABS in the SHORTEST TIME. You'll need to train these sets of muscles two or three times per week. Perform sets of 12 to 15 repetitions. Emphasize the 3 parts of Classic Body Building" Contract (Concentric) Pause (Isotonic) Control (Eccentric) at a tempo of 2-1-4. Use the principle of Progressive Resistance where possible. This means, strengthen your midsection by using more weight from set to set, workout to workout.