The Brightest Lights Shine During the Darkest Times

    During this lifetime, you will have your dark days. Sometimes those days may turn into weeks, or even months. Sometimes it may be a year or two before you finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, those brightest lights shine during the darkest of times. You are that bright light, you are the one shining, eroding away at the darkness. You may not even notice it, but you are changing the world around you. You are creating the world you are living in, and when you come to realize that, you can control any situation you come across.

    We don't realize it, but our thoughts shape our actions. Those actions shape our very life before us. Therefore if you consistently think negative thoughts, we consistently do negative things, all we will see is the negative in the world around us. We start to notice all the negative things, all the bad drivers, all the broken this and dead that. We shape our world with our thoughts. We think of the world in such a negative way, and we turn on the news and that's all that it is. Negative, and more negative. Too often, we live in this negative mindset, because of the negative self image we have. We see ourselves in a negative place, so in default we also see the world around us just as negatively.

    When we can go into a bad situation, and think positively about it, we can become that light shining in the dark. The world is not the bad place you see on the news, it is not the bad place you hear about from others. These people are stuck in negative self image and negative self mindsets. When you can kick this mindset and look at the world through the gaze of light, then you can begin to mold it for your betterment. You see, the kaleidoscope turns more than one way. One way may be dark, but the other brings in more light. Things aren't always as they seem at first, it is only when we look at it in a different perspective, we can finally see it for what it is. And what is it? It is simply, a situation to be molded.

    There are countless numbers of ways to mold one situation, so often we choose to mold it negatively. Instead, I encourage you to look at every situation and analyze it. Look at both the negative and the positive. Look at each situation and determine how your actions will mold it. Look at your life right now, and weight the positives with the negatives. Why are the negatives negative? Say you lost your job, that's probably a negative right? Or, is it an underlying positive? Turn that job loss, into following your dreams. Turn that job loss, as a kick in the ass to start your life back up. Maybe your girlfriend left you or wife divorced you. Or, vice versa for the ladies. Turn that breakup or that divorce into an underlying positive, what ended it? What part did you play in that? Can you change yourself? Of course you fucking can. So go do it, mold yourself from those negative perspectives you've shown everyone, into a positive for the next one. Or who knows, maybe she was just giving you a wake up call.

    The point I am trying to get across is this, nothing is as what it seems, until you make it what it is. You have the power to shape your own actions. When you think positively, your actions will reflect that. When your actions reflect that, you can mold your world around you. So, when you are faced with a decision in your life, or when you come to a situation. Stop and think, use your thoughts to manifest the reality you want. It's the power of positive thought people, be that bright light shining among the darkness around you. You have the ability to change the world.



Check out my book, How To Get Everything You Want:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609912

And the followup book, 86,400:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/610922

A few posts you may like:
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-do-you-identify-yourself.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-wolf-doesnt-concern-himself-with.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/live-in-now.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/feed-negative.html

In case you missed it, or you're new around here:
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-introduction-pt-1.html

I'm also selling custom made T-shirts, to which half of the proceeds will go towards testicular and prostate cancer charity.
https://teespring.com/liftwithyourbeard

The Meaning of Life.

I want to talk today about life in general. And, how you can make your life happier and better to the level you wish to achieve it. It is possible, to turn your life around and to be happier than you ever thought. While some of you sit there, you're depressed and upset. You cannot find a reason to even wake up anymore. And, to be 100% honest with you, I have been there before. A few years ago. I was at my low point. But, I turned it around. And now, while I am not 100% at the goals I have. I am on my way, on the path. And I am happy. Finally. You can be too, if you put the work and effort in. In this post, I will tell you some things that can help you achieve that next level, and some steps you can take to get there.

FIRST THING FIRST: 

  Stop being so hard on yourself, just stop. Quit downing yourself. "I'm so fat" "I'm ugly, no one will ever want me" "I'll never be happy". Guess what? You're exactly right. You know why? Because, you believe those things, so you project those thoughts through your expressions towards others. You are amazing the way you are. Okay? Sure, you have some excess fat, and sure, maybe your looks aren't that of the popular magazines and the TV/Movie stars. Guess what? They don't look that good either. They have photoshop and TONS of makeup, to make them look that way. In all reality, they are real people, with acne and blemishes. They have bad hair days, and feelings of always being bloated. But they put on that act, and trick you into thinking that they don't have a single care in the world. In all reality, they care more than each and every one of us. We care about going out in public looking how we do, but truth be told they get so much publicity that if they do have a single hint of some kind of blemish, all of a sudden their career is over. So stop comparing yourself to those you see on TV and in magazines. Because, you'll never be them. You are yourself. And, that is all you need to ask yourself to be. Don't expect to ever look like Marilyn Monroe. Or, Gerard Butler. It just won't happen. Love yourself, love your flaws. They make you beautiful, they make you human. They make you, real. Don't cover them up, don't let someone change you. If they don't like you for who you are, that is on them. Love yourself for who you are. And, if you don't like something, change it. But never let another persons opinion make you change. Don't lose the weight for them, to look better for them. Do it for your health. Quit standing in the mirror, sucking in your gut saying "I'm so fat and ugly I hate this". Instead look in there and say "I love myself, and if I change it will be for my health. Today will be a good day because I am alive". Because, ultimately, any day you wake up is a day to feel blessed.

SECOND:

  Get on a routine. And stick with it. Don't just sometimes do it. Do it every single day of your life. Don't make the excuse of "I'm tired" or things along that line. Just DO IT. It's that simple. You either do it differently than you usually do, or stay the same. It's a simple concept really. When you break it down to the simplest terminology. It is simply, change your routine and you change your life. Keep the same routine, you'll keep the same future.

THIRD:

  Meditate. Meditation every morning, daily. Can help your mind and body. It will help you to be less stressed. Will help your mind be sharper. Help your hunger, and your overall mood. You will find yourself to be more alert and help you be more "with it", If you may. You will feel an overall wellness. And an aura of happiness wash over you. You will he more relaxed and more at ease. Your whole body will feel good. It will help you get your motivation up.

FOURTH:

  Adapt the Primal lifestyle. Stop drinking soda. Drink only water, tea or coffee. Eat real foods. Fatty meats, fruits occasionally and vegetables. Lots of vegetables. And eat till you're full. Only eat when you're hungry. And do periodic fasting.

FIFTH:

  Be more positive. This is pretty self explanatory. Stop the stress. Stop being so negative, saying you cannot do anything. Or that it won't work. Just do it. And do it well. Give it your all. And never tell yourself you cannot do something.

SIXTH:

  Keep it up. And keep doing it well. You will fall into your routine and you won't even think about it. You will just do it. Keep it up and you will continue to see results. You will consistently see results. May it be, fat loss. Muscle gains. Getting more cut. Getting healthier. A happier mind. You will see more and more results. And, eventually your goals will be achieved.

  Just do what you do, and keep it consistent. You can achieve your results. Do your best, and don't let others get to you.

Check out my book, How To Get Everything You Want:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609912

I'm also selling custom made T-shirts, to which half of the proceeds will go towards testicular and prostate cancer charity.
https://teespring.com/liftwithyourbeard

A few posts you may like:
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-importance-of-routine.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-do-you-identify-yourself.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-wolf-doesnt-concern-himself-with.html

In case you missed it, or you're new around here:
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-introduction-pt-1.html

Until a future time,

Corey.

Fitness: Quit Over-Complicating It.

  We are all guilty of this in our lifetime. We over complicate things. We get so caught up in the lights and glamour of things. We have so many options. So many avenues, and they all claim to the be "right answer".

This place says, do high this and low that. This place says, the opposite. One says, heavy this, one says light that. Another says to follow this routine, another says that routine is bogus.

  It can be quite overwhelming. But, I am here to shed some light for you all. The truth is, there is no "right" or "wrong" way. But, there is effective and non-effective. Depending, on exactly what your end goal is.

  So you want to lose weight? But, not sure where to begin? Join the millions of other people who are researching along side you. Who are so overwhelmed with all the information.

  First off, forget all you have ever been taught. Forget all the health and fitness magazines. It's all just for show, to sell their supplements. Those big jacked guys, are simply on steroids. And you won't get those results without them.

  Okay, so, you're looking for a plan to help lose that fat.

First thing's first: WALK.

Just go for a walk, 30 minutes a day. That isn't such a big commitment, is it? You can walk around your neighborhood, get some sunlight. Anything, just walk for 30 minutes a day. It will get your fat loss jump started. Help your cardiovascular system. Help your bone structure. Your posture will improve. It will help your health seven fold.

  That is your first step, just to walk, make the commitment, and promise to yourself.

 Second step, is to find a program. Now, a lot of programs well quite frankly, suck. They give you all these complicated exercises, with all these crazy machines that twist your body into unnatural positions.

The ONLY exercises you will need, to build muscle and lose fat:

-Deadlift.

-Squat.(front and back)

-Bench Press.

-Overhead Press.

-Lunges.

-Power Cleans(and press)

-Bent over row

-Pull ups.

That's it. Those are all full body movements, all of them shock your CNS(central nervous system), enough to promote either fat loss or muscle gain. (depending on your level of nutrition)

Now, starting out, you can also use body weight movements.

-Body squats.

-Body lunges.

-Pull-ups.

-Push-ups.

-Bear Crawls.

-Planks (for core stability)

-Plyometrics(depends on your fitness level)

And you don't need a gym membership or fancy equipment, if you cannot afford it. Simply find heavy things to lift around the house. Anything to jump start your metabolism. Just get active.

-Barbells.

-Dumbbells.

-Kettlebells.

Those are the three major items you can buy, to use.

There are also different ways, such as tire flips/sledge hammer slams (like the UFC fighters use).

Those movements can be sort of advanced though.

Don't buy into the hype of all the items you see on tv, all the advertisements. All the information saying you need to do biceps and triceps and all that to make them look good.

You can do full body movements, and it can help grow all your secondary muscles. Like your biceps and triceps.

  Don't complicate yourself. And do what works for you. A good starting routine for strength and muscle gains (also fat loss):

(this follows the 5X5 aspects (5 sets of 5 reps each, as heavy as you can go)

Monday:

-Squat(back)

 5 sets of 5 reps each

-Pullups

5 sets till failure.

-standing barbell press

5 sets 5 reps each

-bench press

5 sets 5 reps each

Tuesday:Do your walking.

Wednesday:

-Dead lift

5 sets 5 reps each

-bent over barbell row

5 sets 5 reps each

-upright row

5 sets 5 reps each.

-push ups

5 sets till failure

Thursday: Do your walking.

Friday:

-Squat(front) (until you can do power cleans)

5 sets 5 reps each.

-Shrugs(dumbbell is better, but barbell works)

5 sets 5 reps each

-Front raises (barbell is better, but dumbbell is more versatile)

5 sets 5 reps each

-Dumbbell inclined bench press

5 sets 5 reps each

Saturday/Sunday:Do your walking.

That's it.

Age old workouts, that Arnold himself used. They're effective for muscle and strength gains. And fat loss.

These full body movements, such as dead lifts, power cleans, and squats. Tax your CNS, and send your body into a fat burning machine stage. Or a muscle building machine. Depending on your desired results. As long as you're getting stronger. It's working.

Do that, for 2-3 weeks. And if your strength gains aren't going up, change your diet up. Revise what you're doing inside the kitchen over all.

There you have it, the simplistic way of fitness. No glamour, no lights, no bullshit. Just simple, effective exercises.

Stop making it so complicated, thinking you have to follow some routine that makes you stay in the gym for 3 hours, doing all these "toning" exercises.

Now, long gym times aren't necessarily "bad" but, those are for different types of people. Such as strength athletes, training for strong man, and what not. That is a completely different world, for a different time.

Keep strong, keep healthy, keep active. And most importantly, STAY OFF THE SCALE.

Judge your fitness efforts by what your mirror says.

Until next time,

Corey.

I will be discussing stretching, and how it can help you in your fitness and healthy life goals.


Check out my book, How To Get Everything You Want:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609912

I'm also selling custom made T-shirts, to which half of the proceeds will go towards testicular and prostate cancer charity.
https://teespring.com/liftwithyourbeard

In case you missed it, or you're new around here: http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-introduction-pt-1.html

If you need help with the food part: 

http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-basics-calories-carbs-fats-proteins.html

How to calculate calories:
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/so-you-want-to-lose-weight.html

The Basics: Calories, Carbs, Fats & Proteins.

  As you sit there, you find yourself wanting to lose weight. More so, lose fat. You've tried everything. Every weightloss and fatloss pill known to man. The atkins diet, every diet you've heard of. You even went as far as to making yourself not eat for weeks at a time, because, well let's face it. No food=No Fat, right?

  Nothing could be further from the truth. Your body needs a certain amount of calories to survive.

Now, that isn't saying that fasting, isn't useful. Even Intermittent Fasting, (fasting for certain hours/eating for certain said hours).

We will touch on that in a different post.

  Today I want to highlight the basics:

-Calories

-Fats

-Carbohydrates

-Proteins

These are all key factors in determining your body composition, and exactly how your body functions.

Now, just a disclaimer. I take a different approach to this than most. Because I have different beliefs, the research is all there. Most call this "low carb" Some call it "paleo dieting" It is simply known as, going primal. Being in touch with your primal instincts and primal ancestors.

With that being said, here is how I break it down.

  So, protein is a major role. It helps build muscle, and regulate your body. Helps you recover and get stronger. It released the anabolic hormones inside your body. Protein is the key to either fat loss or muscle gains.

  Our ancestors ate a lot of protein, but also they ate it when they could get it. Sometimes days at a time without a bite. We of course, go to the stores and buy frozen packaged meats. That are so pumped with chemicals, it is hardly meat anymore. Our ancestors, of course hunted for their food daily. That is how they stayed active. It was either, hunt or be hunted. Needless to say, when they got meat they gorged. Protein is one of the building blocks of a nutritious and healthy life.

  You want to get grass fed meats, such as: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Bison, Venison, etc. Turkey too, but fatty meat is where you should look, I will explain why later. 

You don't want too much protein, but don't want too little. I usually have a big helping of meat, and some nuts and what not. It usually gives me enough protein to sustain my body. You don't exactly NEED 300 grams of protein, save that for the ones injecting the steroids (not saying I am against that).

Your body will do just fine with 100-150 grams. 

  Now fats, well fats are essential for life. Good fats and bad fats. You want quality fats, animal fats. Or fats like coconut oil, and olive oil, or advacadoes, anything but processed junk. The fats you get from a box of food, has no nutritional values. Anything packaged and riddled with chemicals, and preservatives is simply, not food anymore it is so altered. Buy whole foods. "organic foods"

 I quote that term, because it aggravates me.

"organic" like it is suppose to be different.

"organic food" is what our parents and parents parents and those before them called, real food.

Just food. That is what they ate daily. Because, the chemicals just weren't there.

Look for grass fed "organic". They must put a label on the shit that is good for you. So look for those labels, is it a little more? Sure, but cancer is expensive too. So is heart disease, diabetes, and multiple medications from multiple doctors.

  What path do you want? choose wisely. Because you only get this one life. 

Anyways, back on topic.

Carbohydrates:

Ah, these things are tricky. We have simple and complex carbs. Some that are fast and some that are slow.

They all turn to glucose in the blood and the body. Yet, the type, depends on how your body reacts.

If you eat, a whole bowl of potatoes and some sugar cookies. Sure you'll get the same amount of carbs as say, two or three bags of broccoli. But, broccoli effects the body in a different way. Not only does it have a whole host of other nutrients, your body can absorb the carbs better. The potatoes and cookies(which are riddled with additives and chemicals) will turn to glucose, or sugar faster. Not to mention those pesky grains, (there they are again)

Those things, that man ate for, tens of thousands of years before us. And, they were healthy. They lived, virtually disease free.  

These things (grains) lead to so many problems, 

digestive problems, stomach problems, they're hard on our bodies. On our organs, and on our  brains (yes, they fog our brains).

Plus, they leave you hungry for more.

Try and eat a whole meal loaded with carbs,

fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn (yes, corn is a grain, funny right?), and some pie for desert (I quite enjoy some apple pie though, well use to)

And tell me, if you aren't hungry an hour or so later, if not sooner. (go on, report back to me, if you aren't.. congratulations) most people will keep scarfing their faces till they almost puke.

Candy, chips, bread, corn, potatoes, pre packaged meals, breaded foods, friend foods.

They all are haphazardly eaten and thrown into the mouths of people. They don't see the negative effects until it's too late.

  You could eat a whole bag of candy and still be hungry, They are empty calories.

Sugar and carbs. They do nothing for your body, when you shovel in a three musketeers, or a milky way. Why do you think they have the chips and candy at every register?

It's a marketing ploy to sell more, "oh I will get a quick snack for the road" You eat it and 15 minutes later, you're hungry.

AND WORSE OFF, they actually advertise some on the tv, (not saying names *cough* Snickers *cough*) As curbing your hunger. It's asinine.

Okay, Rant over.

As I was saying, Grains= BAD, avoid them.

Eat a diet rich in  animal fat and protein, nuts, fruit and berries (sparingly) lots of veggies (green is best) but a variety of colored veggies is key.

Drink plenty of water (but don't over drink, just when you're thirsty) and just keep active.

Calories: before I forget, a calorie isn't just a calorie.

They effect the body differently, 100 calories of spinach, will greatly be treated differently by the body than 100 calories of bread or of those "100 calorie snacks"

It's all marketing.

Speaking of marketing, tune in tomorrow, Where I pick apart the supplement companies. Bit by bit.

Check out my book, How To Get Everything You Want:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609912

I'm also selling custom made T-shirts, to which half of the proceeds will go towards testicular and prostate cancer charity.
https://teespring.com/liftwithyourbeard

Yesterday's post, in case you missed it!  http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/so-you-want-to-lose-weight.html

In case you missed it, or you're new around here: http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-introduction-pt-1.html

Until a later time,

Corey.

Speak Your Mind, Don't Mind Your Speak.

    Fear of repercussion, fear of hurting feelings, fear of being opinionated. We mute ourselves, out of fear. We mute ourselves out of being scared, scared to be ourselves in a world where everyone wants to be the same. Everyone wants to be the next this or that, instead of being themselves. We look up to people, who talk a lot of shit. Yet, we won't do what those people do. The world is full of shit talkers, who speak their minds, and they make money doing it. They speak about what they want, without fear of repercussion, without fear of what others will think. What good is a life, if you have no voice? What good is freedom of speech, without exercising it?

    Why do we censor ourselves for someone else's ignorant fucking mind? I do my best not to swear a lot, sure, just out of respect. That's my own reserve, not yours. Say what you want, when you want. People lose their voice, and let others talk for them. I know I have in the past. I let people dictate my life, my family and friends. I never listened to myself, my inner voice screaming at me to tell everyone to fuck off and shut up. I was scared, I was in fear of my life crumbling away because of my outspokenness. That, in fact hasn't happened. It's gotten so much, much, much better since I decided to push away the people who dictate the negativity in my mind. Those who plant the seeds of distrust and fear into my consciousness. I decided when enough was enough. Now it's your turn, tell those people who try to plant the negativity in your life and make you speak and live a life that you don't WANT to live, to go to hell. Live your life. Live it well. Live it like YOU want to live it. Live it with no reserve, with no fear of who's feelings you'll hurt. Never apologize for being yourself, for having your own opinion.

    That being said, speaking your mind does come with some guidelines. 

Just because you think something is right, does not MAKE it right. You reserve the right, to believe it is. As does the other person who thinks their way is right. You may speak your mind, as may someone else. This does not mean you resort to cussing them out, and belittling them. With great power comes great responsibility. Such as, with speaking your mind comes the ability to see others opinions and points of view. Does that mean you must accept it as truth? No, you can call bullshit all day. I am saying, from my experience, it is better to stay humble and to just agree to disagree. 

    What good does it do, yourself, that person and the world if you are screaming and hollering and cussing at each other about your opinions? It brings the very negativity that you were trying to get away from. So what someone else disagrees with you? Fuck it, that's their right. As it is yours to disagree with me, or anyone else. Shit, I disagree with half the shit I say sometimes. I'm just talking shit, and expressing my mind through my experiences. What I have read, what I have seen, experienced first hand, things I have learned in my studies, things I have been told and shown. It's all my point of view. Maybe, I might say something about life or religion, maybe something about health that you don't disagree with. You reserve the right to tell me I'm wrong. Maybe you'll even show me some evidence that proves me wrong. I will thank you, and move on. 

    It's humbling when you decide to just let things go. Don't be a push over, and let people disrespect you on and dictate your life. But, if someone disagrees with you let it be. Speak your mind. Speak it well. Be yourself in this world, where everyone wants to be the same. Follow your own path, not the path society has paved for us. Look at the path in front of you, and ask yourself these questions:

1. Who's path is this I am following at this very moment?

2. Do I speak my mind?

3. If #2 was yes, do people often dictate to me how to speak or that I shouldn't talk about the things I do?

4. If #3 was a yes, how do I react? Do I tell them it's my opinion that I am entitled to? Or, do I change myself to better their lives?

Look over your answers, and change your life to better yourself not someone else. You only get one life, you only get one shot at the moment you're living right now. Don't waste it answering to anyone else. Mostly, follow in the foot steps of all those successful people. Follow every comedian who was told they would never make it. Every actor or actress who was told Hollywood wasn't achievable. All the musicians who were on the grind with no money, making $15 a show or sometimes nothing. All those athletes who said they'd never make it. Follow in their foot steps, and not give a single fuck what anyone says about you and your dreams. Go out, follow that shit, and take your life back from the hands of those who would see you fail at what you love to do what they want for your agenda. Take your life back, before it is suffocated.

Until next time,

Corey.

Check out my book, How To Get Everything You Want:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609912

I'm also selling custom made T-shirts, to which half of the proceeds will go towards testicular and prostate cancer charity.
https://teespring.com/liftwithyourbeard

In case you missed it, or you're new around here: http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-introduction-pt-1.html

A few posts you may like:
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-do-you-identify-yourself.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-wolf-doesnt-concern-himself-with.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/live-in-now.html
http://coreysperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/feed-negative.html

Misdirection.

  Many people, don't know which direction they travel. They let the GPS work for them. Never learning the world.  You see technology has made us dumber.  No longer, can we tell the time by the sun.  The season by the birds.  Most people don't know the Moss theory.
  Most people don't know about the persimmon seed. Or how to read the weather by the atmosphere.  It's sad really, we are so blind and dumb to life. We mosey on throughout our day, and don't notice anything.  Faces stuck to phones, not paying attention to the surroundings. We miss life by trying to capture it. 
  Relationships crumble, families grow apart,  dinner consists of phones and tablets. If not, it's in front of the TV.  Family time doesn't exist anymore. And it's alarming.  When you think about it,  most of us are headed in the wrong direction. Life gives us a detour, and we lose our way.  We can't let that happen though.
  We have to look at life, as a giant roadway. With different turns and different turn offs. I encourage you to look for the obstacles,  look for the road blocks. And find a way through, around, or over them. Do not look for the easy path,  the path with no obstacles. That is the wrong path to follow. That,  is the path that will give you the least outcome.  The road to success is paved with obstacle after obstacle.
  Only when you are faced with adversity are you truly tested and strengthened.

  Go chase adversity,  and watch yourself grow.

Check out my book, How To Get Everything You Want:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609912

I'm also selling custom made T-shirts, to which half of the proceeds will go towards testicular and prostate cancer charity.
https://teespring.com/liftwithyourbeard