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Friday, 06 February 2009

  • Pop it Like it's Hot

    neck-pain

    I'm a cracker, and it's not just because I'm white.

    I crack my neck...my back....my knuckles and my crack. OK, just my neck and knuckles - sorry, I got caught up in a little Khia. I used to pop my back, but about a year ago, I made a conscious effort to never do it again, and so far I've noticed less back pains. I still pop my neck and knuckles, though, and it's strictly become a nervous habit. A lot of it also has to do with the amount of time I'm sitting at a computer.

    You wouldn't think clicking and sitting would cause so much strain, but it does. And I'm only 22, so I just can't wait to see what I'm going to be like when I'm 40.

    I do have neck pains every now and then, and when I turn my head left, I can hear a little pop when I turn it back. It's not as horrible and painful as it sounds, just annoying, kind of like a clicking jaw.

    Do you pop a lot of stuff on your body?

Thursday, 08 January 2009

  • Chicken Leg Syndrome: Can it Be Stopped?

    gym

    Ever notice how guys tend to focus solely on building muscle in their chest and shoulders? I guess it's so that when a potential mate comes along, they can puff out their chests like an exotic bird. Unfortunately, men lack the colorful plumage, so most of the time they come off as just looking like unproportioned douches.

    Excuses I've heard regarding this issue tend to be along the lines of, "People notice your upper body more than your lower body."

    I suppose this is true, in the sense that people tend to be drawn more towards your upper body since that's where your face is. But it doesn't take long for them to take note of the whole package, and when you've got a couple of toothpicks supporting you, they notice. And they probably laugh.

    I used to avoid lower body workouts altogether, but then I starting seeing how I basically had no calves and no butt. It just looked funny, since I had a well-defined upper body. Now I dedicate entire workouts to my lower body, and I could tell a difference almost immediately. Muscles I never knew existed are showing themselves.

    Is there a certain body part you tend to focus on more at the gym?

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

  • Work Food: What Do You Eat?

    work lunch

    It's hard for me to get too excited about my lunch break at work. My choices are either a sub-par frozen meal, or grabbing something quick at the drive-thru. I've yet to pack my own healthy meal at home and bring it to work.

    That's the odd part - I eat healthy at home, but when I'm at work, I'm grabbing cookies in the break room and getting nachos or a burger if I go out. I'm just looking for instant gratification without really thinking about the fact that what I'm eating tends to be empty calories. Plus, with the holidays, we've been having snacks and sandwiches catered to the office.

    As for fast food, there are only a few choices that are within a reasonable driving distance, so those are the ones I frequent most often. And we're talking Panera, Burger King and Taco Bell - nothing to be proud of when it comes to healthy eating. However, I've been getting on their web sites and looking at their lower-calorie choices. So for instance, I'll do a half-order of salad and a cup of soup at Panera, or a grilled chicken sandwich at Burger King. (Um, Taco Bell has no healthier alternatives, but I usually go with the bean burrito...protein maybe? Ha, OK, I got nothin'.)

    Frozen meals are alright every now and then, but they can't be THAT good for you. since there's usually a ton of sodium and other preservatives in them.

    So what do you eat at work? What kind of routine do you have for lunch usually? Is your lunch always at noon, or do you tend to work later shifts?

Monday, 08 December 2008

  • The Sunday Detox: Getting Rid of a Hangover

    hangover-main_Full

    Sunday is usually my day to rid my body of the alcoholic toxins I've exposed it to throughout the weekend. I typically spend 30-40 minutes sweating on the treadmill along with drinking many, many glasses of water and orange juice.

    Running really makes me feel better after a night of partying. Sweating out all that crud really refreshes me. A lot of people tend to sleep off their hangover, but I like to speed up the process by getting my butt on the treadmill.

    How do you rid yourself of a hangover? Do you have a routine? I've never tried a hangover pill but would definitely be willing to give it a whirl.

Wednesday, 19 November 2008

  • Gym Boosters

    noxplode

    For over a year now, I've been taking a weight training supplement called N.O. Xplode. I can definitely tell a difference when I work out; I have more energy and can lift heavier weights. The problem is that most supplements, including N.O. Xplode have not been FDA approved, so there's a chance I'm hurting myself more in the long run. Whenever I take it, I pretty much have to work out, because I have so much pent-up energy, and I can feel my blood pumping.

    There have been some side effects. One is the occasional severe headache. The drink contains a lot of caffeine, and I'm just assuming my body is suffering from withdrawal, because I only get them on days I don't work out. Also, as soon as I take it, it's like an instant laxative, which in a way is nice, because it cleans my system out before I work out.

    Do you take any supplements like this? Some people I know drink coffee or an energy drink before going to the gym. I feel like I've become too reliant on this stuff, which is $60 a bottle and could be causing damage to my heart and liver.

    But at least I have biceps!

sam

  • Visit sam's Healthkicker Site
    • Member Since: 11/5/2008

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