Living without a cell phone


I'm going to keep this short and sweet.  This blog isn't meant to be some mind blowing revelation that I experienced but more of a few little things that I learned.  

First off you may be asking, why do I not have my cell phone, especially this day in age.  I have a phone, I didn't drop it, I didn't fail to make payments, and in some ways the reason I was without it was not my fault at all.  Being an extremely impatient person I decided I had to have the developer version of ios7 after seeing my cousin have it.  For some reason I couldn't wait til it was released to the masses and I wanted it now.  

I downloaded the files and signed up to be a developer and began installing the software.  Midway through my installation Apple's developer site goes down, I later learned it was hacked.  In order for me to complete the installation my developer account has to be fully activated with my phone's ID number put in the system.  With their site down this can't happen.  So my phone is 'bricked' until their activation site is back online.   Ugg... what bad timing!

It's now been about 11 days and I have no idea how much longer this is going to take but here's what I've learned...

What I've Learned....

1.  I waste far too much time on my phone!  Standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for food, etc, these are times I am constantly on my phone checking if someone new 'liked' a facebook post of mine rather than talking to my friends, or even better making new ones!  Oh, and 95% of my new emails are junk emails anyways, do I really need to check my email every 30 minutes?  Is it really worth missing out on meeting someone new or hearing more about my friends lives to check on the next Groupon deal?

2.  If you don't have a phone, you notice other people always being on their phones!  Ok, so I don't have a phone and I'm walking around with some friends who are all zombied out looking down at their phones!  Maybe I need to work on being more entertaining, or maybe we need to learn to talk more with people, above an beyond the how was your day and what's new.  

3.  People need to learn to use their phone as a tool to help their life, not take away from it.  I'm guilty of this too.  But seriously, what did you do before you had a cell phone?  Life was probably less stressful.   I can't tell you how many times I've been stressing out over waiting for an email or some kind of reply.  We learned that watching a pot won't make the water boil any faster, same with your phone!  Learn to check it at only key moments in your day and you can reduce tons of stress!

4.  We are losing personal contact.  Sales people and checkout people seemed almost frightened when I looked them in the eye and said, 'Hi' or 'How are you."  Eye's up and enjoy your surroundings!  On your deathbed you're not going to wishing you had spent more time on your phone!    

5.  Don't have to worry about texting and driving.  I know I shouldn't be doing this anyways and most times when I check my phone I'm at a light but still, it's not worth it!

6.  I get lost!  I learned my sense of direction has severely diminished!  In LA this is a problem because one wrong turn can end up losing you a good hour!  But I've realized even when I know the way to a place you use my phone for reassurance.  Ohhh and the map I threw away in my back seat because why would I ever need that again!??  I need to now go buy another one!  And trust me, phone chargers in your cars are great for the times you run out of battery, but don't do sh** when your phone just doesn't work!

7.  I actually do call people more than I thought.  OMG I couldn't believe this one!  I would find myself telling people to call me, or that I would call them to discuss something!  Oh but wait I can't.  I was actually trying to maintain a personal connection and all I could do was email.  I actually had to drive 30 minutes to my friends house to use their phone!  

8.  I need it for people contact info!  Being in a business where networking is essential, I realized I put all my notes and thoughts in my phone.  I'll be carrying around more pens and paper now!

9.  You won't die!  I have posted multiple times on Facebook about my phone situation.  The number one response was, "I would die," or some variation.  No you won't!  Eye's up and enjoy the world around you.  The same people who want to go on a hike to, 'get away from it all,' are the same people who bring their phones.  Whatever you decide to do, work, grocery shop, go to a bar, take a class, stay in that moment and give it your full attention!    


Ok that's it for now! I'll let ya know when my phone comes back online but more importantly I'm going to really start working on the things I've listed above.  It's sucked missing I'm sure a bunch of texts, but I'm actually really happy about this experience and what it has taught me!






 


REVIEW: The One Day Arm Cure

Arm Workout

REVIEW: The One Day Arm Cure

Back in High School I opened up a muscle magazine to find an article titled, "The One Day Are Cure."  Next to this article and workout was the picture of a guy and his crazy ripped perfect arms.  The program claims results from 3/8" to 1" on your arms. Wow only one days worth of work huh???  I was very intrigued by the idea but lacked the commitment necessary to complete the workout, so the idea faded away.



I have no idea what brought it back to my mind but I figured I'd search this article out once again now that I'm more into nutrition and health.  Here's where I found it...

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_oneday_arm_cure

Ok, so now I have the time, the commitment, and I don't want to regret not doing this like I had in the past so let's go!  I'm assuming you don't care about my day or how it went but really just want to know, "did it work?"  Since people are asking me about results the day after PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK BACK FOR MORE UPDATES TO THIS REVIEW.  If you are the 1% who want to know about my day and what I thought please feel free to email me and I'll tell ya anything you want to know (jimmie.brenton@gmail.com)

To be fair, here's what I did and didn't do...

I DID
...follow the program.
...eat the meals.

I DID NOT
...follow the supplements to perfection but instead used what I already had.

 The Results (Started on 7/9/2013)

UPDATE (Day after)  Gained 1/4 inch flexed and unflexed.  Ok serious, why do most guys seem to only measure their arms flexed???  I walk around 99% of the time unflexed, so isn't that what I should care about more?  Anyways, my arms don't really hurt very bad.  I mean they're a little sore, but nothing really any different from the many other workouts I have done.  The increase in size could be from my muscles still swollen, let's hope they stay this way or continue to grow.  I'll report back more later...

UPDATE (2 Day's after)  Results have stayed and this is usually the day that I'm most sore but I'm actually feeling good.  Let's see if they remain!

UPDATE (Week after) Well I'm happy to report my results have stayed.  The one day arm cure added about 1/4 inch onto my arms, not as much as promised but I'm not going to complain!  I'm not going to lie I thought the results wouldn't stay.

Final Conclusion: Try it.  It takes time no doubt, but if you have the time WHY NOT?  If anything this routine may get your arms out of a fitness rut and change things up a bit.  Worst case scenario, you don't gain any size and you just spent the day burning calories and eating clean  :)


Quitting A Bad Thing?

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"Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit." - Vince Lombardi

I was reading this quote the other day and loved it, but I think for a different reason then Mr. Lombardi was saying.  In my opinion what he's trying to say is don't make a habit of quitting.  Keep trying, keep fighting, etc.  Ok so you may be asking yourself how did I read it differently.


I've recently been reading and writing/ blogging a lot more and most of what I read is on self development.  Right now I'm really focusing on staying on track and getting rid of the things in my life that are either weighing me down or wasting my time.  Something that was really wasting my time was this game called 'Candy Crush,' you may have heard of it.  Man this game is addicting, I even found myself paying a few bucks for extra lives!

I finally decided it was time to start quitting bad habits!  I deleted all the games off of my iPhone.  It was hard because I'm sure I lost all the work I had put into my scores but really who cares.  In a day/ month/ or year from now am I really going to care if I was on level 1 or 100.  Doubt it.  This action led me to also start reading more and watching less TV.  Which will hopefully continually inspire me to do something else.

I guess the point of this post is to say I agree with Vince Lombardi.  Quitting isn't bad, as long as what you're quitting is bad, in my case a bad habit!  



Education and Grades

Education and Grades


If you don't already know I am a part time college professor.  I teach '3d Rendering and Animation for Interior Architecture.'  It's a long title but I pretty much help students make visual reality of their, or their clients, designs and ideas.  We recently finished our Spring semester and I got to grade all of my students hard work for the semester (not my favorite thing to do by the way!)  After I was done with all my grading I came to a realization that I'm sure many have I came to before; I think grades are dumb and that the education system needs some serious help.  Let me dive a little deeper into my argument here...

Grades are dumb.
The reason I say this is because I think students are losing focus on what is most important; their education and growth.  Instead of students focusing on the material and their understanding of that material, they focus on the grade and what they need to do in order to improve that grade.  For example, in my class we have one major final project that accounts for most of the students grade.  Every semester I offer up extra credit, if they can go above and beyond I will give them extra points to help boost their grade.  Constantly I find the students spending more time trying to figure out how to get the extra credit rather than just focusing on getting a good grade on the final itself (which pretty much guarantees them a good grade in the class anyway.)  Maybe I should stop offering up extra credit?!?

I sometimes feel like if the grade wasn't in the students way then we could spend more time on enjoying their education and growth.  That it would also force a student to truly learn the material being presented.  I can't tell you how many times during my lectures a student will ask, "will this be on the test?"  If I say no they stop listening, if I say yes I could be lying.  Either way I want the student to learn because they want to be more knowledgeable, not because material may or may not be on a test.

Ok I could ramble on more about this topic, and my frustrations, but I want to keep this short...          

Education system needs some serious help.  
As I was writing this blog post I added in this part.  I've been doing a lot of self development and reflection lately and I've come to the conclusion that the education system needs a lot of help.  Specifically the curriculums of the degrees.  I received my Masters in Architecture from Texas Tech and I'm still not sure how economics or astronomy have ever improved my professional life.  I'm not saying they aren't important to some people, I'm just saying they haven't done a thing for me.  I took them simply because I had to. Because someone somewhere made a degree path said I should (oh and I couldn't get that degree without taking them).  I could have skipped both of those classes (I think I did for the most part) and my life wouldn't be any different.

Most colleges have a list of courses you have to take; mathematics, science, economics, public speaking, etc.  What if instead we replace some of these useless courses with what I'll call 'life improvement courses.'  Basic nutrition, time management, communication, self development, stress management, etc.  Courses that affect people's daily lives and improve their life and well being.  Ok I'm beginning to ramble I'm sure but  some of the most important lessons I've learned have come from a $10 book instead of a $500 class.

Conclusion
I may have gotten a bit off topic but I had to get some of these thoughts out of my head.  I guess in the end all I'm trying to say is let's focus on what is going to improve our lives the best way possible.  I have my students do this exercise and I suggest you do it to.  Find someone who has the job or life you want and ask them what they did to get there.  Once you have your answer focus on those same actions.  Maybe we should be taking more action and control of our lives, and learning from the people who have the lives we aspire to, and less from systems that have been in place for far too long.


 


Everything is a Savings Account

Everything is a Savings Account


I wanted to jot down some things I've been learning more and more lately and that's why I titled this post, "Everything is a Savings Account."  So what does this mean?  It means that everything (worth doing in my opinion) takes a little effort daily and only after a long time will those actions accumulate into something more grand.

Ever since I quit my job and started putting my efforts into my Beachbody business I've been looking for the next big thing.  What is going to just propel me to an olympian style fitness level?  Where can I find someone and help them make a crazy massive health change?  And of course, what can I do NOW to gain financial freedom?  I always said I understood that these things take time but now I'm realizing I didn't truly understand what that meant.  It was more of, 'ok cool it takes time, I'll wait it out and do a little work here and there.'  Instead I'm finding out it truly is working hard everyday day, day in and day out, until success finally comes.  

You may be saying to yourself (as I did) well duhh Jimmie of course!  But how many of you out there have a dream and can honestly say to yourself that you are working towards it 7 days a week, 365 days a year?  If you are then that's great!  But, if I'm being honest with myself I can't say that I am.  I have a dream, and I am working, but I'm not necessarily doing actions that are going to lead me to my goals.  I am sidestepping the actions that will truly lead me there.  Well not anymore, it's time to change!

I'm now making solid plans on what I need to do everyday to achieve my goals.  I'm not saying it's going to be perfect at first, I'm just saying I've started.  Hopefully after a few months my seemingly small daily choices will begin to amount to larger success'.  I'll let you know how it goes!

If you're like me I hope this post will help you to change your daily activities to help you more align with your goals and dreams!  If you have any questions for me please let me know at 'jimmie.brenton@gmail.com'




Calories vs. Nutrition: Keeping it simple.

Calorie Counting

Calories vs. Nutrition: Keeping it simple.

Before I start this article I want you to know that I AM NOT a nutritionist.  I'm writing about this topic because I have learned a lot and I want to alleviate some confusion about calories and nutrition for you.  There are tons of articles written on how many calories you need per day, how to calorie count, food apps, programs, etc.  But I feel no one asks the more important question of, "Do calories and nutrition even go hand in hand?"  This day in age it's so easy to get consumed by a topic that sometimes it's hard to step back and wonder if it's really important in the first place.

How are calories even calculated?  Ok here's the simple break down.

1g of Fat = 9 cal
1g of Carbs = 4 cal
1g of Protein = 4 cal
1g of Alcohol = 7 cal

EXAMPLE:  Assuming your food has..

3g of fat | 20g of carbs | 10g of protein
3 x 9(cal)  +  20 x 4(cal)  +  10 x 4(cal) = 
27 + 80 + 40 = 
147 calories

Calories are just a mathematical equation of the fats, carbs and proteins listed on the supplement facts.  

Ok great, the label did all the work for me, now can I just eat my 2000-ish calories a day and be on my way to a healthier life? No you can't because there a hundreds of different ways for food to have 147 calories but have way different ratios of fats/ carbs/ proteins in them!  We could just as easily had tons of fat, and then just a few carbs and proteins.  

 BUT, we're still missing a vital part of this entire equation!!!  So far all we've done is a little bit of math.

What are the ingredients in your food?  If I put a piece of plastic in a bag and told you it had no fat, no carbs, and 50g of protein would you eat it?  I hope not because it's made of plastic!  This is why I don't even look at the calories in food anymore.  For my current fitness level and lifestyle, it doesn't have as much of an impact on me as the other things do, I prioritize!  This is the reason nutritionists say to read all packaging the exact opposite way it was intended.  Instead of reading front (top to bottom) then back (top to bottom), read it the exact opposite!

CONCLUSION:
There are plenty of topics on calories, proteins, carbs, fats, ratios, counting, etc; but in my opinion ingredients always come first.  Make sure you know what you're putting in your body before worrying about how many calories it has.  Once you master healthier, single ingredients foods, then take it to the next level of worrying about how many fats/ carbs/ and proteins you need to be consuming for your lifestyle.  Remember this shouldn't be complicated so take it one step at a time!  Hope this helps!

Beach day with Tony Horton

My Beach day with my hero Tony Horton!


I apologize in advance, I'm going to nerd out quite a bit during this post.  A few Saturdays ago I was so excited to finally meet and hang out with my hero Tony Horton!  I had been waiting for this day for quite a long time, let me tell you the story...

Back when I first picked up my copy of P90X years ago I was fascinated with the trainer Tony Horton.  He actually made all the crazy moves people hate doing (pull ups in my case) fun and entertaining.  Not only that, but he was ripped as hell and goofy at the same time; he genuinely seemed to love what he did.  During the workouts he kept mentioning his Sunday workout group in Santa Monica.  Perfect for me I thought, I live near there.  After thinking about this for a while (6 months), I did some research and finally decided to head out there and see if they'd let me join their group.  I'll admit, I was more scared of this than almost anything I have ever done, not entirely sure why.  

I showed up nerding out in my P90X gear hoping someone would notice and come and talk to me.  Well, they didn't come talk to me but I did see some other guys with Beachbody gear so I went over and introduced myself.  To my surprise all the guys were really welcoming but no Tony Horton yet.  After about 15 minutes of warming up the workout was about to start and Tony was still a no show.  Later I found out due to the popularity of P90X Tony rarely showed up to the workout anymore, CRAP.  Buuuuutttt.... if you know me, rarely is just good enough.  Over the next 9 months or so I kept punishing myself during this brutal 3 hour workout that was similar to doing pull ups for 3 hours straight, hoping that Tony would be in town and I could meet him.  It never happened.  I actually started getting pretty good :)



I hadn't given up but my weekends began to fill up and my attendance to the beach workout I came to love started to dwindle.  I had all but given up until about 6 months later Tony posted on his Facebook page that he would be out at the beach doing a photoshoot and that he wanted his fans to join him!  In my head I figured hundreds of people would be clamoring for the same opportunity to meet him but I also wanted to support my hero so I had to go and show my support!  



It finally happened!  Only about 35 people showed up and I was able to meet and take a photo with my hero!  Not only that but we got to be in his photo shoot and possibly our photo will be on his App when it comes out!  This was more than I could have hoped for until he said, "well, we're all out here let's get  workout in," to all the people who had hung around a bit longer.  


For the next 3-4 hours about seven of us completed that brutal beach workout.  I had finally got to do the workout I was waiting over a year for.  Not only that but I got to sit there and chat with my hero Tony Horton while we all worked out!    



Fixing the problem, not just putting a band-aid over it.

OMG I don't know what to think about this. For some people I think this is actually necessary, but it's sad we need things like this. 

I understand what the inventor is doing, he's trying to help people from gaining unnecessary weight and not feel so full.  Can't really argue that, it's a helpful invention.  This is only one of these types of inventions out there.  My argument is that we need to start putting our time into fixing and curing our problems, not just temporarily alternating them.  What's next after the fork?  A plate that only dispenses food at a certain rate!  Or I say if we really want this fork to work don't just have it vibrate when you eat too fast; have it shock the hell out of you and then yell, "stop eating so fast fat ass!"  Maybe that last part is a little harsh but hopefully you get what I'm trying to say here.

 Help yourself by fixing the underlying problem.  The problem is our eating habits.  To me it seems like we've created a nation based on 'if it can make you rich, do it!  No matter the cost to others.'  Will my methods take a little more work.  YES.  But they will set you up for a lifestyle or health and happiness.  And guess what, they're free!  So stop spending money on the latest scale, or exercise band, or pills and get to the root of the problem!

Here are some SIMPLE & FREE ways to stop eating so much and to lose weight!

1. Drink a glass of water 15 min before your meal.  This will prepare your body for the meal and it will make you feel fuller faster!

2. Use smaller plates, instead of large ones.  Sometimes we can perceive being full by seeing the amount we are eating.  This will also help eliminate waste of food and money.  

3. Remember it takes your brain 20 min to realize its full.  Before going up for seconds wait for a little bit, or try chewing more.  We've all heard this one before but at the very least it will help you enjoy the flavor of your food for longer.  You don't need 10 bites of food, take 5 and chew them twice as long!  

4. Eat more veggies! In case you can't do the other 3, well at least you're just jamming vegetables into your system, can't do as much harm there. :)

I'm not trying to discredit this invention or any others that help people lose weight   If it works for you then that's really all that matters.  But while this is helping you please also concentrate on the real underlying problems and be working on those as well.  Solving those problems is what will lead you to a healthier longer lasting life.

How We Treat Ourselves


WARNING:  This is going to be a rant.
I saw this image the other day and really wanted to share it.  You know how some quotes, some images, or some ideas reach you more then others?  This image did it for me.  It's amazing at how badly we treat ourselves.   

Now I'm not going to pretend that I'm some saint when it comes to eating healthy.  I mess up all the time.  I give into urges, I'll have a few too many drinks, and I eat the entire bag of chips pretending like it didn't count because most of it was air anyway!  The important thing is that I'm trying every day, every week, and every month to better myself!

I think the main reason this image gets to me so much is because of all the people I see doing this; treating their bodies like a waste basket.  Shoveling junk into their mouths everyday and then complaining that they're tired, over weight, and not happy.  Look, it's your body and your choice to do whatever you want with it, but please don't treat it badly then act surprised when you have to call out sick or start sweating going up a flight of stairs.  Most of us have been given the privilege of being able to choose what we put in our mouths and sadly enough, this is too much responsibility for most people.

I used to board a flight hoping not to get put next to a crying baby.  Now I'd happily take the baby over an overweight person who's going to take up half of my seat making my entire trip very uncomfortable.  I mean what I can I say to them?

Seeing this image just re-affirms how important my job is to help educate and inspire people to live happier healthier lives. I'm not claiming to be an expert in health, fitness or nutrition, or have all the answers, but I feel we must try and help our family, friends and people around us because ultimately they will affect the generations below us who are learning from our bad habits.

If you agree then please take some time to help someone around you. Or better yet, make sure you are taking care of yourself first and hopefully your actions will inspire others to do so as well.

ON EXERCISE: I want to I just don't have enough time!




I DON'T HAVE THE TIME:  This is probably one of the most widely used reasons/ excuses that I come across.  Now I call it a reason/ excuse because we often refer to it as a reason, but in most cases it's just an excuse.  Be honest with yourself, it's an excuse because you don't want to give up a block of time to get in a workout!

If you're willing to admit that this is the case, or that you need help finding a block of time to get in a workout then I want to help!  If you have given up all hope and swear up and down that you absolutely do not even have 10-15 minutes in your day then I want you to read these two quotes real quick.  

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein." - H. Jackson Brown

"Columbus traveled the world in a sailboat... and you don't have time to get to the gym?" - unknown

If you're still with me let's start.  The biggest mistake people make when starting to workout is they make it a chore, or they build it up to be a bigger deal then it is.  Please please please don't fall into this trap!

Another mistake I see is that people believe working out has to be a bigger time commitment then it is.  Now let's be clear, I'm talking about someone who wants to maintain their health, not a fitness model or a professional athlete.  For the average person who wants to maintain a healthy weight, they can easily get away with 10 minutes a day of exercise.  10 minutes that's it!  Now tell me you don't have 10 minutes to workout.

I realize 10 minutes may not sound like a lot of time, or you may be wondering how effective 10 minutes can be.  Well, it's not going to get you a 6 pack tomorrow but it will compound its effectiveness over time, similar to a savings account.  Not to mention 10 minutes a day is always better then doing nothing!  So where do you find this time?

Let's get creative!
I'm busy with the kid(s):  Instead of watching your children play video games, join them outside or in an area where they can run around and play tag or freeze!  Not only will you both be getting exercise but you will be bonding with them!  Okay your child is too young, use them as a weight and do exercises with them!

I have to watch my TV show(s):  Fine I'm not going to judge this one!  Everyone hates commercials.  Pick an exercise move and do it during the commercials.  Jumping Jacks, Squats, Push Ups, Pull Ups, Sit Ups, Running in place, Burp E's, etc!  Trust me doing push ups for 2-3 minutes straight is not easy!

I'm way to out of shape:  I get it, push ups and running 5 miles just aren't in your circle yet.  Modify the movements above.  Instead of push ups on the floor, do them against a wall.  Instead of running, walk.  The idea here is to move.  You got the way your are by not moving enough, you'll have to do the opposite to get back out of it!

I have an injury:  I'm not a doctor and you shouldn't do anything that will hurt yourself but there is always something you can do (I'm assuming you're not in a full body cast).  Knees hurt, do upper body.  The point here is to get creative and do what you can, don't focus on what you can't.

I really and truly don't have any time, I'm busier then Albert Einstein!:  Ok fine, I see I'm not going to win this battle!  I know you have time to eat!  Eat healthy and lower your caloric intake by 100 calories every day.  Do both of these things and you will see weight lose.  Try Shakeology to help with eating healthier and for lowering your caloric intake!

Looking for a program that will keep you on schedule and give you the nutrition you need?  Try this...


10 Minute Trainer Challenge Pack GET IT HERE
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Conclusion
Okay I'm done.  The point here is to do something EVERYDAY for at least 10 minutes.  You owe it yourself and you will be happy you did.  You will lose weight, have more energy, and even increase you brain function and happiness level!  In the end of the day you have to make the decision to change your life.  No one can make it for you!  So go, make a change!
  









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