Liquid Diets

Q: Have you heard anything bad about liquid diets to clean your system out?

A: A liquid diet incorporates either partial meal replacement or all fluid consumption, which may be in the form of teas and juices. Most liquid diets may not be suitable for long-term or excessive weight loss. They are, however, of benefit for certain types of procedures—both pre- and post-op—plus they are a type of regimen that is desired following bariatric surgeries.

When liquid diets are used - Bariatric Surgery
Most physicians do not recommend a liquid diet unless an individual is to undergo certain procedures that include colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. In pre-operative cases, a clear liquid diet serves many functions: It can flush the bowels while decreasing strain on the digestive system.

Allowed beverages include coffee, tea, sports drinks, and broth; some juices are also permitted, if strained first. Before beginning this type of liquid diet, a physician will provide a detailed fact sheet on how to proceed and for how long. Individuals who undergo bariatric surgery may be required to follow a fluid-only diet for up to ten days following the procedure. When liquid diets are used - extreme obesity.

In some cases, extreme obesity is treated with an all-liquid diet. This can be successful initially, but must be monitored by a physician for any negative side-effects. A general consensus, however, is that this type of approach will not teach individuals the necessary requirements of healthy eating to maintain the weight loss.

Liquid diets and health issues
A liquid diet may not provide the needed nutrients to maintain adequate energy levels in most individuals. Short-term weight loss can be achieved, but when liquids such as protein shakes are eventually eliminated from the diet, pounds tend to be regained. Those who embark on a juice fast—also categorized as a form of liquid dieting—may find it less than satisfactory. The lack of proteins and fiber is also at issue with many physicians. In most cases, the replacement of food with fluids, even if medically supervised, simply will not be practical in the long term for those who need to lose only a minimal amount of weight.

Some individuals believe that fluids will cleanse the system of impurities, including those that have built up in the liver. These beliefs are generally refuted, with the caveat that the elimination of most processed foods is always beneficial. The concern lies mainly with a fanatical approach to a liquid diet in which one ignores the essential vitamins, proteins, fibers, and other required sources for optimum health. Ultimately, nutrition and resistance to disease will suffer in the effort to achieve a more defined physique.

Incorporating a liquid meal replacement can be an acceptable way to reduce a limited amount of weight, but should be used in conjunction with regular meals. Without portion control, these diets may fail as well.

Oprah readily admits her being on a liquid diet was a huge mistake.

Take home message is liquid diets are generally reserved for broken jaws or related injuries, troubles with your gut, emptying GI tract prior to surgeries or colonoscopy. Never recommended for more than 10 days.

Not the answer to weight loss by any means.

Looking for a cleansing program? Search my archives for the Liver Cleanse.

Ball to Box Jumps

Want vertical?
The ball to box jump is a classic way to incorporate vertical jump training into your workout. The idea is to stimulate the muscles to fire quickly from a rest position and explode up sending your body soaring through the air. Granted this is only one aspect of jump training and doesn't elicit the plyometric or stretch-contract effect on the tendons for optimal use of kinetic energy (more videos displaying that in the future).


Lacey is one of my clients who likes to push herself in the aspect of being good at everything and her workout regime backs it up. In six months she has lost 17 pounds, gained strength by 200% pretty much across the board. Started by doing three days of strength training and three days of advanced dance classes. Now Lacey has evolved into a fitness diva and runs 2-3 miles two days a week, sprints on the treadmills another two days a week, advanced dance classes two days a week, strength trains three days a week and recently added boxing training one day a week, in addition she tries get up early and do some form of cardio (treadmill or elliptical) two days a week, and does my boot camp every other weekend. Add 'em up and that 10-13 workouts per week.

My experience is 2-3 workouts a week doesn't cut it in getting results but it's a starting point. The progression to numerous workouts per week is a lifestyle change. And the results can become addictively rewarding. And yes she does have an 8-5 job and just started her own marketing business and scrapbooks and knits. We all have time. It's what we do with it and prioritize things that matters.

Thank you Lacey for being a good sport and allowing me to show the "didn't quite make 35" video."

Training Around Injuries

Aw shoot it happened! A stupid injury! Now what?!

Hold up, the sky hasn't fallen. First assess the injury. Is it so bad that it inhibits you from doing specific motions or exercises? If so you better see a doc; if not maybe simply taking it easy for a few days will suffice while your body heals.

Better yet, work around it. If it is a leg injury, don't neglect your upper body workouts. And so on.

I have worked with the most difficult situations in helping people bounce back from injuries. While I am not a doctor, chiropractor or therapist- I have been instrumental as the bridge between surgeries, treatments, rehab sessions and that period of time where insurance runs out for therapy as well as what to do after doctor release dates. I know my limits and make sure to either talk with the doctor or therapist as to what the rehabilitation plan is or communicate through my clients to get all the information and make sure we are all on the same page.

Background experience includes: foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, arm, shoulder, rib, and neck injuries and surgeries. Stroke, various abdominal surgeries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, fibromyalgia, muscle strength or flexibility imbalances resulting in poor posture, running mechanics, joint misalignment and various odd pains. And lately, quadriplegia.

Seems like I always get the tough ones. But the many successful outcomes are so rewarding.

Remember the body heals itself when given an opportunity.

• Ice heals. Ice for 5-15 minutes multiple times for the first 72 hours of an injury.
• Heat loosens up muscles and facilitates blood flow. Use only before an activity. Caution heat can cause inflammation which is counter-productive for healing. Not recommended during the first 72 hours of an acute injury.
• Hot/ cold flush for intense exercise recovery. Great for multiple day intense camps, first week of practice and other grueling events. The idea is to use the muscles as pumps to flush out waste products from exercise that cause us to be so incredibly sore but not injured. Best way to do it is to have available two tubs. A hot tub and a cold tub. switch back and forth between tubs with 30 seconds to a few minutes in each. Don't just hang in the hot tub.
• Drink water, milk or other fluids that will replenish your body.
• Eat proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. These are healing foods.
• Move your body. The body needs to move. The more it moves about the better it works.
  

Yeah injuries are no fun, but smart training can accelerate the recovery process quicker than the "average" person's expectations. I can help.

ConsumerLab.com

As more friends, family and clients become educated about fitness, nutrition and inundated by supplement claims- the question comes up as to what is a good quality ____ supplement?

In the past five years I have been able to confidently suggest for or against certain products or brands. I have a secret source that I will reveal today. It is ConsumerLab.com.

This is a non-profit independent research group that basically goes around, buys products off the shelf or orders it in (if it is a direct selling product) and then performs a complete analysis without the scientists knowing which brand (blind testing). Their product selection process is stated as:

Products were selected to represent those commonly sold and/or available nationally in the U.S. and Canada. ConsumerLab.com purchased products on the open market through retail stores, on-line retailers, catalogues, or multi-level marketing companies. Products were not accepted directly from manufacturers.

They look for:

• Whether the supplement contain what it says on the label.
• Quantities and relationship to minimum recommended requirements through high dose toxicological warnings.
• Any contaminates or other products that aren’t suppose to be present.
• Quality of product (synthetic, natural sources, extracts, etc).
• Ability to disintegrate in solution.
• Nutrition content for shakes, bar, drinks.
• What products do or don’t pass the athletic banned substance list.
• As well as a separate recalls and warnings page.

They test everything from multi-vitamins, sports supplements, weight loss, memory enhancement, joint health products, herbals, cholesterol lowering, vision, prostate, menopause, probiotics and numerous special ingredient items.

My knowledge is only as good as my sources. And Muscle & Fiction magazines don’t make my reading list.

Fall Boot Camp

Have you enjoyed Monty's past boot camps? Or are you interested in joining a boot camp? Well Monty's boot camp is perfect for you! Each one hour boot camp is completely different and an intense, challenging, fun workout!

COST
$125 (for ALL 9 weeks)
$20 per Boot Camp Session

DATES
September 12, 2009
September 26, 2009
October 24, 2009
October 31, 2009
November 7, 2009
November 21, 2009
December 5, 2009
December 19, 2009
January 2, 2010

TIME
8:00 am

Locations will be announce one week prior to boot camp (due to weather and other activities going on in the area). All locations will be located in Fargo-Moorhead!

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING

• Wear layers for hot/ chilly mornings and rain/ snow gear
• Appropriate shoes (running shoes, cleats for agility, snow)
• Work/ workout gloves for tires and playground
• Water Bottle
• Sunglasses, sunblock, towel
• I’m notorious for changing things up so be flexible for change in plans
• Let’s have fun, and play hard
• A friend
  

Email Monty Moran for more information monty_moran@yahoo.com.

Check us out on Facebook (Cormax West)

The Marble Story

Here is a story I dug up from my vast archives. Interesting angle on priorities, work and enjoying life. Enjoy!

SATURDAYS
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:



I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and our family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's "dance recital" he continued. "Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.

It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays." "I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."

"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. "There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast" "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.

More About Cormax West Personal Training

Hello, Friends!

For most of us, summer vacation is over, kids are back in school, and focus is directed back to "getting back to business." For us, that's getting back to the business of fitness.... YOUR fitness, in fact, lol.

I heard a great quote this week - "Like anything else, with proper training, what was once hard becomes easy." Applies to fitness, too! Yes, it's hard to start. Yes, it's hard to stick with it. But it's so worth it! To reach your next level of fitness and health, no matter what your goals are, you need to constantly challenge yourself, and seek for consistency and professional advice. That's where we can help, of course!

So how well do you really know Cormax West Personal Training?!

Here are some interesting (or maybe not?) facts that most people DON'T know:

• Our first "studio" was a 1500 square feet room on Main Avenue in West Fargo, with 3 sets of the Cormax machines, an assist pull-up and dip machine and an adjustable slant board for abs. We painted the walls ourselves and the ceiling was only 9' 6". Now that space remains unoccupied. Obviously a poor location
  
• Some of our very first clients (from the Exercise Physiology Lab at Orthopaedic Associates) are still training with us to this day - 15 years later! (And look better and stronger now than the day we met them! We love you guys!)
• Back in those days Monty had three jobs.
  
• He worked in the Exercise Physiology Lab rehabilitating numerous ACL repairs and the like, as well as baseball hitting and throwing mechanics instruction, hockey treadmill training, running treadmill training, plyometrics training and strength training. The clientele ranged from youth to college to adult fitness to Olympic athletes and professional athletes.
  
• He worked directly under a Physical Therapist in rehabilitating nursing home residence. Two notable memories were how amazing it was to see 80+ year old individuals regain strength, balance and coordination in such a short period of time and meeting and rehabilitating a man who suffered a stroke whom was a veteran football player from Super Bowl III.
  
• He was also the Off Ice Director for Burggraf Skating Skills where he trained Mites through NHL players. He also expanded his program to figure skaters.
  
• About nine years ago Monty became the first trainer to experiment with the Cormax line of strength training equipment. And still remains the knowledgeable source in Cormax training beyond the inventor, David Karlstrom.
  
• We moved our training site to the West Acres Sports Center in October of 2008.
  
• We welcomed aboard Lacey Igo as our PR & Marketing Director soon after the move. I can't thank her enough for her creative help.
  
• We provide an innovative, results oriented and cost effective personal training service called Semi Private Training.
  
• This spring we incorporated boot camps for youth and adults. All of the related information is posted on Facebook pages.
  
• Monty at one time weighed 245 pounds in attempts to be a strongman competitor. Soon realized that weighing 60 pounds less is far more enjoyable.
  

Contract Pricing on All Semi Private Training Programs!

Lacey and I have researched our pricing in serving to help you, our local community, seek better fitness, health, and better quality of life! And we realized that we offer what people actually want at a discount -here are the facts:

We offer the most cutting-edge programs possible and constantly seek improvement in all we do; our clients get amazing results; and the training environment we create is positive, encouraging and FUN!

Our client niche is motivated, smart and hard working fitness enthusiast who don't need a trainer to hover them. Rather our clients want to know that when they walk in the gym they know exactly what they are doing that day with program in hand to log their progress and have an experienced trainer available to help set weights, modify routine and an be there as an extensive source of information to refer to for questions relating to health and fitness.

We are implementing contracts in order for the accountant to be able operate a budget and for us to have an idea as what time slots will be available at different times of the year to serve you better. EFT, monthly invoices and recurring credit card payments will also be offered for your convenience.

Additional programs such as boot camps are offered at discount to current clients in appreciation for your continued loyalty.

COOL STUFF CORMAX WEST PERSONAL TRAINING DOES AT THE SPORTS CENTER!

Many of you know that Doug Duran has purchased Cormax equipment last Christmas season for the gym. But in addition to Cormax, Monty implements bands training, rehabilitation, free weights, machines, his version of cardio training on treadmills, bikes and ellipticals. As well as tires of all sorts outside, speed training, jump training and other toys such as sledge hammer and tow ropes.

THANK YOU for your continued support, interest, and friendship. You're important to us!

Sincerely,

Monty and Lacey
Cormax West Personal Training

The following is an article we found from some friends of ours.

Knowledge can lead to better health.

The Deep Fried Disaster

I am often asked how to lose weight quickly and easily.

Of course no one wants to listen to a lecture on the importance of healthy eating coupled with a solid exercise routine. That would preclude the quick and easy part.

So in a world where two thirds of all adults are overweight or obese, and some doctors predict that we will soon see a generation with a lower life expectancy than their parents due to obesity related diseases, I've come up with a solution that is both quick and easy. (Drum roll, please.)

Stop eating fried foods. (Gasp!)

Fried foods, despite having little to no nutritional value and being loaded with fat and calories, have become an accepted indulgence in our society. So accepted that many restaurants serve fries or chips alongside every meal.

It's no wonder that fried foods are the number one thing that most people crave – they are salty, addictive and plentiful.

Are Fried Foods Really That Bad?

In a nutshell, yes, fried foods really are that bad for you.

Take an average potato, bake it and you have 110 calories and 0 grams of fat. Take that same potato, turn it into French fries and you have 380 calories and 18 grams of fat.

Frying food is the easiest way to dramatically increase the calorie and fat content. And you know that extra calories and fat end up as extra body fat.

Other disasters that fried foods put you at risk for include:

• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Clogged Arteries
• High Blood Pressure
• Obesity
• Acne

Fried foods have also been known to trigger Acid Reflux and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Need I say more?

Going Fried-Free

Giving up fried food may not be easy, though it will arguably be one of the best things you do for your health and appearance. You will lose weight and improve your health by eliminating fried food from your life.

Keep in mind that, like all habits, the first thirty days will be the toughest. Make things easier by staying away from situations that place you in front of a big basket of fries or plate of doughnuts.

New Foods to Love

Instead of fried foods, enjoy the following:

• Substitute a salad or fruit instead of fries
• Baked potato – but pass on the butter and sour cream
• Baked chicken instead of fried chicken
• Baked chips instead of fried chips
• Raw veggie pieces

You may be surprised how delicious these healthier options taste.

Help, I'm addicted!

If your diet has consistently included fried foods - multiple times a day or several times each week, then giving it up may take more work than simply trying healthier options.

You'll need to use some mental strategies as well.

To do this focus on all the negative things about eating fried foods:

• Think of how bloated and heavy you feel afterward
• Remember the heart burn you've experienced
• Focus on the extra pounds you want to lose – imagine doughnuts and French fries sticking to your belly and thighs
• Look at your acne
• Feel the discomfort of being out of breath doing normal activities

You didn't think I was really going to skip telling you how beneficial exercise is to achieving your health and weight loss goals did you?

The bottom line is that exercise plus healthy eating will give you the body that you want.

What are you waiting for? Drop that bag of chips and call me for a workout that will change your life!

The Trans-Fat-Free Decoy

You've probably heard that many restaurants and food manufacturers have stopped using trans-fats. Don't get too excited. While trans fats aren't as bad as other fats, fried items are is still loaded with fat, calories, and sodium – all things that you want to avoid when trying to lose weight.

Before you eat a trans-fat-free item check the overall nutritional content. Does it contain saturated fat? What is the total fat and calorie count? What about sugar and sodium? Don't let a trans-fat-free label distract you from the overall nutritional content of the food.

Video: Wall Push-Ups

Wall Push-Ups

Shoulder workout for those of us who get bored quickly.

First the horizontal position: The Trick here is to think about pushing the floor forward with your hands so that you stay planted against the wall to prevent the feet from slipping down.

The diagonal position: Seems to be the easiest.

The vertical position: Tends to have limited range of motion because your head is in the way.

Wall shuffles: These are great for coordination and actually easier than they look.

The "Best" Test

The "Best" Test by Chris Widener
Some time ago, I spoke to a group of salespeople in Kansas City as they kicked off their new team. It was exciting to see them get excited about making a difference through their work.

The topic they assigned me was "Simply the Best." So as I prepared, I asked myself, "What characteristics would help someone pass the "Best" test? That is, what are the characteristics of those who become the "best" at what they do? Here are the thoughts I shared with them:

The Best are Optimists. You can't get to the top if you don't think that there is a top or if you think you can't make it. One characteristic of those who reach the peak is that they always believe that things can get better or be done better. This pushes them on to be their best.

The Best have Vision. They can see ahead of the pack. Their eyes aren't locked into the here and now. They see the bright future and what things will look like when they reach their destiny. While working hard for today, they live for the future! They do what Stephen Covey calls begin with the end in mind.

The Best Relentlessly Pursue Excellence. The status quo is not for them. They want to be the best and experience the best. And that means giving their best. They go the extra mile so that in everything they do, in everything they say and think, they are striving for excellence.

The Best have a Life Long Habit of Personal Growth. They don't want to stay at the level they are at. They want to grow in their work, their intellect, their spirituality, their relationships, and in every area of their life. And they discipline themselves to put themselves in situations wherein they grow. Personal growth doesn't "just happen." You choose to grow. I always suggest what Zig Ziglar does and that is to enroll in "Automobile University." Whenever you are driving around, listen to a personal or professional growth tape or CD. Over the long run you will grow. Also, read more. The old saying is true: Leaders are readers. So are those who pass the "Best" test.

The Best Understand that They will be Pushed by the Competition - and They Welcome It. Like the lead runner in the race who has someone on his heels, the best know that the competition is right behind them. They love it though because they know that the competition keeps them from becoming lazy and resting on their laurels. Instead, the competition pushes them to go faster and to achieve more - to remain the best by forging ahead.

The Best have a Quest for Leadership. Someone has to lead - it may as well be the best! Those who attain it get there because they want to. They want to lead and help make a difference. And they want to be equipped with the skills necessary to lead others on to a better place.

The Best Leave a Legacy. They aren't in it just for themselves, though they will surely reap the rewards of being the best. Rather, the build things that last beyond themselves, things that can be enjoyed by others as well.

The Best are Adept at the Two Most Important Pieces of Time and Personal Management: Prioritize and Execute. Just like weight loss boils down to eat right and exercise, personal management boils down to prioritize and execute. First, prioritize your activities. The important stuff goes on the top. Then, execute: do them. The best have habits and discipline that get them to the top by doing the best things and doing them first.

The Best Focus on Building Relationships. Success does not come alone. Everyone who achieves much does it with the help of countless others. How do the Best get others to help them? They treat them right. They embrace them and help them. People become the best because they help other people, and people like them.

The Best Make no Excuses. When they fail they admit it and move on. They get back up and do it right the next time. They let their actions speak loader than their words. They stand tall and do the right thing the next time. No excuses, just results.

The Best Understand that the Good is the Enemy of the Best. Yes, they could say, "this is good." But that would mean they have settled for less than the best. Many people think that good is good. Good is not good. Good is the enemy because it keeps us from the best. Choose your side: the good or the best. The Best choose, you guessed it, the Best.

The Best Dare to Dream. While others live the mundane and settle into a life they never bargained for, a rut, the Best dream of a better life. And then they take the risks necessary to achieve their dreams. They live by Teddy Roosevelt's quote: Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs though checkered by failure, then to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilit that knows neither victory nor defeat.

Want to be the best at what you do? Take inventory on the above characteristics and then start moving to bring your life in line with the characteristics of the "best." Then when you get to the top you will know that you have passed the "Best" test.

You are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

How To Get Sick

1. Stay out of the sun- In addition to the benefits of Vitamin D production, we also tend to be happier or less depressed.
2. Go to bed after midnight- 1 hour of sleep before midnight = 4 hours after midnight according to Elmer Josephson. It has also been proven that we can die from lack of sleep before lack of water or food.
3. Never let them see you sweat- Could talk forever about this but I’ll sum it up with benefits of exercise and detoxification.
4. Take Mega Vitamins- the angle here is the cheap synthetic vitamins and excessive quantities. Think quality not quantity.
5. Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash and drink fluoridated water. Do a web search on fluoride or type in fluoride on mercola.com, the history of how fluoride and human consumption is disturbing.
6. Use artificial sweeteners and avoid sugars - Backing off on sugars is a good idea but there is a reason why we need to consume carbohydrates (sugars). Another blog on artificial sugars is the works. One tidbit would be that artificial sugars are classified as neurotoxins. Ah I don’t know if I want to knowingly and willingly put neurotoxins in my body.
7. Shower every day, but don’t take a bath - Depletes hair oils, alters body pH and the shower head aerates the chlorine in tap water causing inhalation of chlorine in small frequent doses.
8. Swim in chlorinated pools.
9. Don’t breastfeed your baby.
10. Get tattoos.
11. Get all of your immunization shots - The preservatives they contain have been linked to autism and Crohn’s disease.
12. Travel in airplane often - The cabins recirculation of air also recirculates all those little cold and flu bugs as well as disturb inner ear pressure regulation.
13. Expose yourself to electromagnetic energy. Power lines, large generators, frequent talking on cell phone directly to ear have all been shown to increase free radicals (the stuff antioxidants clean up).
14. Use a lot of skin care products, cosmetics, hair care products, nail care products, shampoos, soaps, perfumes, shaving cream, suntan lotion, and antibacterial soaps

• Brown and black hair products increase: hodgkins lymphoma (20% of all cases), mult. myeloma -Tea tree and DEA are carcinogenic.
  
• Toluene is associated with asthma which is found in every fragrance since 1991.
  
• Shampoos break down to formaldehyde.
  
• Antibacterial products have triclosan - absorbed through skin and pose a liver threat.

15. Take lots of medications - antibiotics, oral contraceptives and corticosteroids may cause major problems with GI tract, damage the immune system, cause liver problems and alter enzyme function.
16. Get your cavities filled with mercury (silver amalgam, silver fillings, amalgam fillings) - vapor releases continuously and is linked to neurological and psychiatric problems.
17. Do excessive aerobic exercise - lower immune system, creates more oxidation stress, chronic ligament and joint problems with repetitive motion. Dr. Al Sears has an interesting perspective on how we should exercise.
18. Wear contact lenses and receive implants of other foreign objects - risk to immune system.
19. Live in a toxic home - toxic paint, new carpet, mold, paraffin candles, etc.
20. Wear synthetic fabrics
21. Breathe with shallow breaths - infants are instinctively belly breathers. You can actually increase your metabolism just by breathing in more air by belly breathing.
22. Swallow your food without chewing well (or at all)

• Chewing produces saliva
  
• Saliva breaks down carbohydrates
  
• Chewing action stimulates parotid gland behind the ears which signals thymus gland to produce T cells in case food contains toxins or pathogens.
  
• Best to deliver food to stomach in a near liquid state.
  
• Optimally chew food 35-50 times.
  
• Proposed that simply chewing your food can prevent Crohn’s disease and Addison’s.