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THANK GOD FOR MY BIRTH DEFECT
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Thank God for my Birth Defect
Ray Salomone
Global Ambassador of Wellness
Ray@GrecoRomanWellness.com
Every morning before I do my push ups, (join the 100 a Day Club at www.GrecoRomanWellness.com)
I take a few moments to express my gratitude for my many blessings, among them, being born with a potentially debilitating birth defect.
Poland’s Syndrome ranges in severity and is traditionally identified with the absence of muscle and/or deformity. My case is classified as relatively mild. Nonetheless, I was born without 25% of my chest muscles. For most of my life I hid this condition as best I could, but now I realize that being born with this birth defect is a blessing and not a curse.
Since “coming out” about this several months ago, I’ve been contacted by countless people who feel liberated enough to tell me their stories. And please, feel free to tell me yours!
Being born with a birth defect has led me to my life’s work, my insatiable passion to help people get into shape.
When I was eight years old, a pediatrician told my father “Don’t expect much physically from the boy.” Thank God my father ignored his advice. Now I’m 44 and soon to be a father to a child of my own. I remain steadfastly committed to helping the world get strong and fit.
Thank God I was born with a birth defect.
Ray Salomone
Global Ambassador of Wellness
www.GrecoRomanWellness.com
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birth defect, poland's syndrome, exercise, doctors, parents
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by
Ray
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today
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0
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0.3
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Excuses
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"Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can." -Willis R. Whitney
I hear excuses regularly, whether it is why people don't have enough time to exercise, why they can't eat healthy, they cannot afford Juice Plus+, and why they can't accomplish a myriad of other tasks that would be beneficial to their journey on this planet. Although I am annoyed by these excuses, I do feel sorry for those who use them. They are cheating their body and soul out of an improved quality of life, longevity, and emotional wholeness.
I would love to be able to help them see the folly of their ways, but using a 2x4 upside the head probably is not the right way to approach them. In order to make an impact, I think that we need to raise our game, we need to not only work on our personal health, we need to work on the way we communicate and interact with people.
Here is a short list of things that I think can help us to reach out to people who use excuses:
1) Ask Questions. People zone and lose their ability to interact when they're given lectures, so why bother? Instead, ask them lots of good questions that are about them, people love to talk about themselves. Not only that, but people also like to solve their own problems, when you ask questions, you become a sounding board for them to figuring stuff out. Ask questions that lead people to find the "one" reason why they CAN make things work for them.
2) Be Enthusiastic. Denis Waitley said, "Enthusiasm is contagious. It's difficult to remain neutral or indifferent in the presence of a positive thinker." Maintain a positive attitude around those people whom you are attempting to help, and they just may catch the bug.
3) Make suggestions. Be careful not to tell people how to live their... read entire entry
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excuses, commitment
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by
n8ball
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today
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0
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0.5
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The Miracle of Wiggling Your Toes
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I need your help with this quick experiment.
Wiggle your toes. Shoes on is fine. Move them up and down or any way you can move them.
Now stop. Easy stuff, right?
Now, consider that your body is made up of over 100,000,000,000,000 (100 trillion) cells and through some miracle of nature those trillions of cells have developed and organized in such a way that all you need do is think and your toes instantly wiggle.
The operative word here is “miracle,” not amazing, interesting, impressive, cool or astonishing. The fact that you can wiggle, wriggle or move your toes is nothing short of a miracle.
Now, let’s take this experiment to the next level and further revel in this miracle. Think about and see yourself doing 10 pushups, 10 sit-ups and jogging for 10 minutes—then do it. Act on the thought—bring the thought into existence, aka manifest it.
All you need do is generate a thought and your body moves. It’s not painful, nor particularly stressful or draining. You mind suffers no cramps or lactic acid burn from thinking your body to move.
Exercise is really nothing more than advanced toe wiggling. It’s that simple.
Ironically, millions of people are, at this very moment, waiting for a miracle to get them moving—to motivate them to exercise their bodies wisely. When in fact the miracle is already present—but like all miracles it’s of no value if you don’t see it, appreciate, let it in.
Take a close look at a flower. Study it. Notice that you don’t have to paint it, color it, add perfume to it or do anything to make it miraculous—you needn’t even strain to see it.. The miracle is already there. Rather, you simply need to take a breath, get present and let it in.
Perhaps you too are waiting for a miracle to motivate you—so you will in turn think your body into sustained motion (aka exercise). Unfortunately most “miracles” in t... read entire entry
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motivation
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by
Analytixman
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today
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0
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0.2
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The Joy of a pool
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My girlfriend works at a gym that has a semi salt water heated olympic sized pool. I have gone to the gym a few times, but I really do not like it there. I do not like the crowd, I do not like the layout, and I hate that they barely have any equipment or machines.
That being said, yesterday I was really in the mood for a good swim. Jen arranged a free day pass for me, and I tried to workout there, but that did not last long. I did however, enjoy the pool.
I decided to try as many laps as I could do without stopping, and keeping a stready pace. I have not gone "real" swimming in a very long time. I have played around in pools, gone water skiing and stuff, but I can't remember the last time I did laps.
I am proud to say that while doing breast stroke, I managed 108 laps. Not only is it a great cardio workout, but my entire body benefited from this workout.
I bought a 2 month pool pass, and plan on swimming laps minimum twice a week from now on.
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by
ozipherus
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today
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0
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2.4
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Defeating Depression with a Dynamic Dog
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In the past couple of months, I began getting some help for my depression & anxiety with a trip to my new doctor. Now that I'm on a decent health insurance plan (best one ever in my life), I can afford to see the doctor for this, after battling both for the past several years, with major failures with other meds in the past.
I felt that now my life is more day-centered with my work, instead of all-around-the-clock-till-no-end, I should be able to get the depression/anxiety under a good hold of control.
What I've also done is adopt a dog, which I got for my new home after just a week in my new home. He's been with me for over a month now, and I've noticed even taking him for walks boosts my mood, as well as his own. Being single, its also nice to have something to come home to, instead of an empty home. A good little dog sure cures any loneliness around the home. I never knew how relaxing a pet could be to me.
Just thought I'd mention this.
KB27
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by
kettlebell27
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yesterday
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0
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1.7
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How To Stay Strong In A Weak Economy
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Are you feelin’ it?
You know, that impending sense of doom, the inner-dialogue that starts every time you look at a gas pump or turn on the news? You know, we’ve had it pretty good for a lot of years and perhaps we’ve taken the good life for granted.
While everyone else is focusing on how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h a dollar or what bus route will get you to Walmart, I’ve got a different bit of advice for you in these challenging times.
Rather than trying to manage your emotions go straight upstream to the control room and take control of your focus—your attention. Stop staring at the gruesome details that cause unrest and stay composed, focused and strong. Know what you are doing and where you are going.
The hidden truth that few realize is that your life is quite literally the manifestation of your belief system. What this means is that if you see the world as a scary place that going to bring you great challenges, then it will be just that.
Now hold that thought for a moment and consider what the news is feeding us. What’s the message that this ultimate “reality” program is rewarded for reporting? How is this enhanced information impacting your perception and ultimately the very “crisis” they are reporting on?
It’s hard to ignore that connection now, right? The hysteria that’s reported is fueling the system that it’s reporting on.
This timeless pearl of wisdom (that will change your life if you allow it in) is something I learned from my friend and mentor, Lou Tice, in a 3-day intensive at his ranch a few years ago. Lou’s been teaching hundreds of thousands of people all around the globe how to create a brilliant life for nearly four decades now. Lou’s a remarkably ordinary man with an amazing gift that he has dedicated his life to sharing. Should you ever see the opportunity to see him anywhere, take it.
I’ll add to this another powerful quote from my... read entire entry
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strength, economy
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by
Analytixman
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yesterday
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0
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3.4
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32 Million Examples of How... Awareness Changes Everything
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$32 million is a lot of money.
Imagine in your pocket you hold a winning Powerball lottery ticket ready to be redeemed for $32 million.
There’s just one catch, you don’t know it’s there. You have no (ZERO) idea whatsoever that in your pocket at this very moment is more wealth than you can imagine.
Will you reach in your pocket and discover it? Maybe something will spur you to remember you purchased this ticket. Or perhaps you’ll toss your pants in the wash and it will become just some meaningless scraps of paper in your laundry.
At this moment your life is as it was in the moment before. Nothing has changed. You’re facing the same struggles, battles, worries and challenges as five minutes ago and pretty much the same as yesterday, last week and even last month.
Yet, you and I know that this imaginary “you” is sitting on what may very well be the key to your freedom, joy and happiness. All you have to do is become aware of it.
Sure, this is a dramatic example but then again is it? What if we are all just one epiphany away from uncovering the key that will set us free. Perhaps it’s all really as simple as becoming aware of that which we don’t know we already have.
Could it be that the key to your fitness freedom, to your best body and more importantly to your best life—a life of happiness, joy, love and freedom is both as difficult and as easy as becoming aware of it.
I subscribe to this oft quoted undeniable truth that awareness changes everything—and if you’re read my book, Strength for Life, you already know this.
The power of awareness to change your life and set you free—as I’ve spelled out in my book—became the central theme to a seminar I just did last night. Not everyone is able to grasp the depth and clarity if the tools to freedom and awareness that I’ve interwoven in Strength for Life at first glance. But my friend, the ... read entire entry
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strength for life, mental clarity
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by
Analytixman
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yesterday
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0
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0.8
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Thank you, thank you...THANK YOU!
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The feedback from my last post and email regarding my dad and his heart attack was nothing short of
overwhelming. The most effective way to answer all of the comments and questions, I feel, is to post
one more time as a follow up.
But first thing is first.
Thank you God for sparing my dad from death…once again!
Thank you to the outstanding and skillful doctors who fixed the problem and the nursing staff who
took unbelievable care of him.
Thank you to my friends on FitConnect, Facebook and my subcribers for your thoughts, comments
and prayers. From the United States to Scotland, Australia and inbetween I am humbled, amazed and so
blessed to have relayed all of your words of encouragement to my dad. I read to him from my blackberry
every one I could and it lifted him…big time.
What happened?
My dad arrived at the local hospital on Thursday “just not feeling right”. He also had just a bit of
back pain in between his shoulder blades. When the EKG reading came out - BAM! Major cardiac event and
the team from Medflight was rushing him to Boston Medical Center.
One of the six stents, placed three in each of two arteries 28 months ago, had clogged enough to induce a
second heart attack. This was due to stopping a medication called plavix which helps prevent such an
occurence.
The doctors fixed the problem and placed a 7th stent in the affected area to help
prevent further issues.
Today, 4 days later, I drove my dad home from the hospital. The extent of the damage to his heart was
significant. Time will tell how much tissue died and how much will come back.
The lesson here is two fold in terms of science, fitness and application.
1.) A person can show virtually no symptoms and be in deep trouble.
2.) Without eating well and maintaining a fitness regim... read entire entry
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heart attack, motivation, prevention
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by
davegleason
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yesterday
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0
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7.1
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Small accomplishments count for a lot!!!
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Most people base an accomplishment on something HUGE. Do you accomplish something when you win a race? When all the laundry is finally done? When the car is fixed? When you can bench your body weight? What defines a true accomplishment?
What is a true success for one, is just a regular day for another. For me to run for 45 minutes is no strange feat. However, if you just started jogging recently, when you hit minute # 45 it is an amazing accomplishment.
My favorite successes are in small form. Yes, it was great to get my company off the ground, but that small letter from a client thanking me was worth so much more. Yes, becoming a certified trainer was great, but helping somebody out was way more awesome.
Yesterday we had to go shopping. As a typical 2 year old, my son out grew his shoes, so we needed to go buy a new pair. At the same time, my girlfriend stepped into a wonderful store to buy a dress she needs for our friends wedding. I saw a beautiful pair of jeans, and they were on sale (bonus after you pay to much to buy tiny Nike Shox). I tried them on and my typical 34 were huge on me. I am back to a size 32. I knew all my pants were too big, but I figured 32 would be too small... I was wrong.
I decided to wear them out last night as I was going to watch wrestling with 2 good friends of mine. To keep in mind that I was probably going to have a beer, I decided to walk instead of accept a lift. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the walk is a 30 minute mostly uphill trek. I enjoyed every second of it.
Remember, sometimes it is the smallest, seemingly insignifigant things in life that make you feel great!
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journal, personal opinion, lifestyle
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by
ozipherus
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yesterday
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0
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4.4
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Debate on Vitamin Absorption !! ??
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If you have ever popped 500 mg of vitamin C or another vitamin and wondered if your body actually absorbs the full dose, you are not alone. It is a fact your body will absorb many more vitamins and mineral supplements in liquid form rather than pill form. The debate goes on though and liquid vitamins are flying off the shelf. Vitamin water, juices, capsules and powder are growing in popularity every day. Coffee has been documented to interfere with vitamin absorption as well as any beverage or food containing caffeine. Any beverage or food containing caffeine such as coffee, tea, chocolate and some sodas can inhibit the absorption of important vitamins and minerals and increase their excretion from the body.
Just fot the record I don't sell Vitamin Water or Juices, etc.
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vitamins, health, fitness, ideas
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by
OldeButGoode
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on 8/18/2008
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0
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7.6
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