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.

The Do's and Do Not's of Fat Loss.

  We were all there once. Looking in the mirror, wanting to change. But not really knowing how. We over complicated it. And we stress our selves out. We hop on the scale, and frown when it says we actually GAINED weight. And we scream "HOW CAN THAT BE I HAVE BEEN ON KEY ALL WEEK". Well. In this article I will tell you a few key Do's and Do Not's for your fat loss journeys.

-DO: Eat Clean "Organic" Foods:

  I cannot stress this point enough. Just eat food, nothing processed. No grain infused frozen meals. Animals, and plants. That is all. No corn or grains. No starchy carbs like potatoes. Just eat an abundance of plants and some animals for protein.

-DO NOT: Over complicate things:

  Just do it, don't think too hard. Don't weigh yourself everyday. You'll only psych and stress yourself out. And stress, will make you retain and even gain weight. Just, do what you're suppose to and look in the mirror, measure your waist. And if they don't go down, change your diet. Train harder. Do something different. It's nice to see weight go down, but on any given day your weight can fluctuate 3-5lbs. It's usually water weight. So don't stress those few pounds heavier you are. Also, you have to factor in muscles, if you are strength training. As you can see, the scale can be your worst enemy on any fat loss venture.

-DO: Train hard:

  Give it your all, no matter what you're doing. Weather it is a lifting program, a body weight program. Or if you're just starting out and you're walking. Just give it your all. Don't give up. In the words of the late Master Yoda. "Do or Do Not, there is no Try/" And that is so true, you either do it, or you don't. There is no "trying to do" something. Because if you wanted it bad enough, you would just fucking do it. No complaints, no whining, no "I'll do it tomorrow," Or "I'll do it monday, it's good to start on the first of a week". Who the hell gave you that stupid ass idea? I don't care if it is, 3 a/m/ and you are sitting there and you get that twinge of something deep within you, you want to change. Don't say "I will do it in the morning" You want results, put in the fucking work. You get your ass up off the couch THAT NIGHT, and you go for a walk before bed. I don't care what time it is. If you want it done, do it/ Quit eating those foods, quit drinking that soda. I believe in each and every one of you. So believe in your damn self for once. Because I did it, I lost 115lbs. Not because I "did it on Monday" I looked in the mirror, and said "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO YOURSELF" and I made that change. I know you can too.

-DO NOT: Let people bring you down:

  Don't let someone bring you down. You're in a good mood, working out. You're eating better. Granted, maybe not as good as you should. But you dropped the soda, and got to walking and stuff. And BAM, you hear someone whisper "damn that guy/girl is so fat why are they even trying?" Or maybe someone isn't noticing your weight loss, or how good you're doing. So you go back to your comfort. You binge, you eat so much till you get to the point of being sick. You get depressed, and you don't want to move on. You go back to your old habits. NO, YOU DON'T. You look them in the eyes, and say "FUCK YOU" because you're doing what YOU know is right. What helps YOU in YOUR life. Not theirs. If you're doing it right. Putting in the hard work, and you are seeing even small changes. You KEEP DOING IT. Despite what anyone says. Because, they don't see your struggle. They don't even know you. They just speculate based on what they perceive. So be strong. Do not, let uneducated people bring down your mood. You're doing this for you, keep at it and one day you'll laugh in their face when they haven't achieved their goals, and you have.

-DO: Write it down:

  Everything, yes I said it right, EVERYTHING. Every little morsel you eat. Weather it is a 12oz porterhouse. Or one cookie. Every calorie counts. And you'll be able to see, on those days you "cheat" and have a brownie or a piece of pie. How many calories over your goal you've went. How, empty those sugary concoctions are for your health. They're sugar and carbs, and all sorts of additives. So, skip those if you're looking for fat loss. Write down all the food you eat, the drinks you consume. Your morning coffee or green tea. Your afternoon sweet tea, or un-sweet if you're like me. Your dinner, every oz of that chicken or fish or whatever you fancy. You're at work and someone offers you a piece of their food, say, fried chicken. And you haven't had any for a while, so  you think, sure why not? WRITE IT DOWN. That friend chicken leg, has many calories, probably over 100. So write it down. Those calories count. They all count. Also, write down your workouts. Log your reps and weight if you're strength or body weight training. If for 3 weeks, your weight hasn't increased or even decreased. Change something up. Don't idle in your workouts. Don't stall on your nutrition. Because those plateaus are hard to bust through. And you WILL hit one. Just don't be the cause of it. Do yourself a favor, and actually log every food item, every workout. And even your sleep schedule. It all effects your weight. Maybe something has been stressing you out lately? And your weight loss has stalled. BINGO, get rid of that stress. And just WRITE IT DOWN. Simple as that.

-DO NOT: Blame anyone but yourself:

  That's right. I will probably get A LOT of people mad at me with this one. I don't care. The truth hurts. But fact is, you caused all of this. No one forced you to eat like you did. No one forced anything on you. I blamed a lot of things for how I was. My feet, because I couldn't do the things I liked. My dad for leaving us. I blamed it on a lot. But it was all a sweet comforting lie, to help myself justify how I was. No one forced me to eat in abundance, or to not be active. I did that to myself. No one forced me to drink ever single day. Or pop pills. I chose that life. To ease the pain, when I could have as easily just got my ass up and did something about it. Instead I numbed myself, and I numbed the pain. It did't go away. No, I covered it up. That is the WRONG way to go about things. Don't blame your parents, your environment, your school, the other kids, don't blame the commercials, or Mc Donalds for being so bad for you. Just don't. No one forced your hand. It was you. And only YOU can change yourself. Only YOU can do what needs to be done. On your own time. Don't do it for anyone else, nor wait for anyone else. If you don't like something, change it. You might not be able to do it overnight, the change. Because it has been ongoing for YEARS. But, you CAN do it. You just have to get your mindset into it. And BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Because you are capable of doing it, You didn't get this way overnight. You've eaten like this for years. Small baby steps. And, eventually you'll look back at the person you WERE and see the person you're designed to be. Because you're strong, you're powerful, mind body and spirit. So don't even think you can't and don't ever think, it isn't your fault because, ultimately it is. So change it.

-DO: Believe it is possible:

  There are people worse off than you. There are people with various diseases and various different things wrong. Don't make the excuse that you "Can't" because you CAN. People do it everyday. People with so many problems do it. Physical and psychological diseases. They get it done. So you can too. No feat is too hard. No mountain too high. No path unable to be crossed. You can do what you set your mind to. If you give it your all, you'll get it all in return. Life works in mysterious ways. And sometimes it's hard. Sometimes, that light at the end of the tunnel seems SO far away. But, it's not. If you believe, you can achieve. You will never do anything, unless you can believe in yourself. Because, that is the ONE and ONLY person who matters in the end. Not the neighbor, not your significant other, not your parents or friends. Not that "guy/girl" you want to impress. You do this for YOU. You believe in YOU. It is possible, To quote the famous Spartacus, "Anything in this life is possible, if mind and heart are put towards it." Give it your all, your blood, your sweat, your tears, your mind and body. Your heart. Give it everything you got, and never give up. Never let life push you back harder than you can push it. Because, you're better than that. Better than someone so eager and willing to give up everything they've worked for. Believe it is possible, even when everyone and everything else tells you it isn't.

-DO NOT: Feel you have to compare yourself to others:

  Everyone is different. We all have different bodies. Different levels of health and such. So it is normal, that someone else, who is the same weight as you, for them to lose it faster/slower than you. Because, we all have different DNA. While, it is all pretty cut and dry. The basics are the same. Calories in VS Calories out. But, everyone is different. So don't ever compare yourself to someone else. To someone who loses it faster than you. It will only stress you out. It will only make you want to give up. You will compete with them, even if not on purpose, subconsciously, and you will attempt to train like them. And only injure yourself. You will only give up, when you cannot do what they can. So, never compare yourself to another person. Because, you will only be discouraged.

  The most important rule of any fatloss/nutritional/workout program, is to just do your best. That simple. Just give it your all. Don't be discouraged if someone else is more fit. Or if they are losing weight faster. Etc. Just do you. Don't compare yourself. Don't look in magazines, and say you want that body. Chances are, if/when, you get to that level of fitness, you will NOT look exactly like Arnold did when he did body building. Nor will you look like your favorite athlete. You will be you, but a stronger version of yourself. And that is what we all want to work for. To be stronger, fitter, faster, harder and all over healthier.

  Keep doing what you do, keep being strong. And. being yourself. Don't listen to others, let the critics do what they do. And you do what you do. Because, you CAN do it. If you put your mind to it.

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

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

Until a further time,

Corey.

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.

The Importance of Routine.

    All successful people have a routine. Weather it be to wake up at 5 A.M. and make coffee, go for a run, and begin their work day. Or, they wake up and they meditate, read, eat a bowl of oatmeal and read the newspaper. A routine is essential to getting what you want out of life. Habits, are a good thing to adopt. They say, it takes 21 days for something done repetitively to become habit forming, Meaning, that new routine you started yesterday that seems daunting, will become a habit 20 days from now. Don't give up just yet.

    The importance of ritual comes from times, well beyond our spectrum. Many years ago, our ancestors themselves partook in routine and rituals. Things we consider jobs or sport now days, they considered habit, routine. Foraging for food, scavenging for that little morsel to eat. Hunting, or being hunted sometimes. It was all a survival routine. Now, we go to the supermarket in our car and get a frozen dinner for less than or right at $1.00 and we are good to go. But, in fact, we are not good to go. We have lost, the routine to survive. We put all our success into prepackaged meals, automobiles and reality television.

    Instead of regular human interaction. Instead of hunting, daily for our food. Instead of looking for our means for survival, braving the elements. We live comfortably. I'm, for one, not complaining. I am sitting inside a house, that isn't 28 degrees. With wind, and I don't have to brave the elements. I bring you guys words through electronic devices. But, it deeply saddens me that we have lost our will to achieve a higher self. We pawn our time off onto television and video games. I know, I'm one to talk, I can be found on occasions playing video games.

    My point is, find a routine and follow it. I myself, have adopted a new morning routine. And, I quite enjoy it.

I wake up, and instantly drink at least 1 glass/bottle of water. Before my feet hit the floor.
Next step, foam rolling. All those tight and tense muscles. Getting them nice and loose.
Tai-Chi follows that.
Next up, this blog post.
After that, will come stretching/yoga.
Following that, will be meditation. 
And, lastly, I'll end it all with a nice cup of hot tea, and a semi cold shower.

Now, that will be my routine. That may vary slightly, I may skip the tea and opt for a workout if it's the day to workout.

Nightly routines, are also just as important as morning routines. We fall into this electronic trap, and it keeps us up at night. Television, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, ETC. It all becomes no monogamous, we forget what we are even doing. Instead of that television show you watch right before bed, opt for a chapter in a book. You don't like to read books? Try and audio book. I frequently listen to those. It's all about adopting healthy habits. Weather it be a workout routine, or weather it be simply a routine when choosing food.

    My new nightly routine, will be as follows:
A glass of sleepytime or another form of sleep tea. 
A half bottle or glass of water to follow.
A nightly Stretch/yoga session, short.
A hot shower/bath to release tensions.  
Meditation,

I always end my sessions with meditation, because meditation both frees the mind and the body. It can give you mental clarity as well as physical release of tensions.

  So go out, and map out a routine for yourself. Less electronics, more along the lines of natural, organic means. Pick up a book series, learn about meditation, deep breathing, bioenergetics, tantra, yoga, tai-chi, and adopt some healthy habits for the new year.

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