Even if You Have the Flu, Ignore This Much-Heralded Flu Remedy

Since 2009, Roche, the maker of Tamiflu, has refused to release data from eight of 10 clinical trials on the drug. To address the dangers inherent with withholding of clinical trial data, the Cochrane Collaboration group in collaboration with the British Medical Journal has created the BMJ Open Data Campaign

There is currently no scientific basis for the worldwide recommendation to use Tamiflu for the prevention or treatment of influenza. It is believed, however, that the missing trial data may reveal potential harms, and/or verify the drug’s ineffectiveness

Researchers are calling for an end to the “culture of haphazard publication and incomplete data disclosure,” the implementation of more robust regulation, and full access to the raw trial data to ensure transparency

For more information: Science Behind Tamiflu Recommendations “Missing in Action”

How To Get Six Pack Abs (Part 2)

If you have not read the first part to this article, do so here:  How To Get Six Pack Abs

Okay, after having everything in place that I mentioned from the last article, it’s time to build up your abs so you can see that shield of muscle you have built up.  There are lots of different abs exercises one can do, but you mainly just need to make sure you are working every section of your abs.  When you break it down, you basically have the top (the part people think of with a sixpack), the sides (obliques) and the lower abdominal area.  You want to work all three of these sections.

To work your upper abs, there is nothing better than the classic crunch.  You just need to be careful and not pull your own neck when performing these.  Your abs themselves should be handling moving your body.  You can see how to perform a proper crunch here:  How to do a perfect crunch  When you are a little more advanced, you can perform a crunch on a swiss ball or use weighted resistance as well (by holding a weight plate behind your head).

To work your obliques, you can do what is called a Side Bend.  For your lower abs, perform a Leg Raise  When you are more advanced with these you can switch to a hanging leg raise (same movement, you are simply hanging vertical from a pull up bar).

Follow what I gave you in the last article, along with these exercises and you will be on your way to a six pack in no time!

Mario Sperry Vale Tudo DVD I: Takedowns

Today I am going to review the first video in a series of six from Mario Sperry’s original Vale Tudo (MMA) series.  Though this series is pretty old at this point, it is one of the first places I learned some grappling technique and strategy from.  Mario Sperry is a legend from the grappling world and had a pretty solid MMA career as well (even though he was older).  He trained several MMA legends, including the Nogueira Brothers and Ricardo Arona.

This first video is actually the weakest in the series, not because it’s full of terrible information, it’s just dated at this point.  It’s focus is on securing the takedown.  While some of the strategies used in this video would never be used in today’s MMA world, it still has some good pointers and offers a few worthwhile techniques.  Again, this first video is the only one that doesn’t hold up that well over time, the rest of the series is better.

While some of it is dated, Mario Sperry does offer some great advice that will help anyone secure some takedowns.  Tips like putting your opponents back into a wall, cage, car, etc., so he can’t sprawl back, and using punches to set up your takedowns are still very worthwhile.  This video also ends with a segment on escaping from a standing guillotine (still one of my favorite escapes).

I wouldn’t recommend buying this video by itself, but as part of the series of six videos in the the Vale Tudo series, it’s okay to have.  I’d give this video 2 out of 5 stars.

Prepare for Emergencies!

Be prepared for emergencies!  1 out of 3 Americans can’t even cover a $5,000 emergency (this is even worse now because this stat came before the economic collapse).  Money management is a skill like any other and unfortunately most people in the U.S. have not been taught to develop that skill.  Everyone knows they are supposed to save money, but almost no one actually does it!

Just like our Government, most people are spending more money than they are actually bringing in.  Unlike our Government, you can’t take your neighbors money by force to keep paying for all of your wasteful spending.  You need to take control of your own situation and stop spending money you don’t have.  Stop piling on tons of credit card debt for things you don’t even really need.

Your basic plan is going to be a simple one, but one that will require you to start living a disciplined life.  You either do this now or you are going to end up old and broke in debt for the rest of your life.  Your intermediate goals are going to consist of:
1. Having an emergency fund
2.  Paying off your debt
3.  Saving for your future

I’m a big fan of the Dave Ramsey approach so I see no reason to change anything here.  Your first and only goal after reading this article is to save up $1,000 for an emergency fund.  This money is to never be touched, it is what it’s called, for emergencies only.  If something breaks in your house, your car breaks down, etc.  Start it in a different bank account if necessary, but never touch this money for any other reason.

Now, you might be thinking, how am I supposed to save up $1,000?!  Glad you asked, it’s easier than you think.  You can save up $1,000 by having a yard sale, getting a part time job, don’t eat out for the next month, whatever it takes!  This should only take you about a month to do.  This first step is an important one.  It will start you on your path to discipline and you can build from there.

Get this step finished quickly because next time we are going to start tackling debt.

New Goal – Financial Fitness

Physical fitness is a good thing to have on your side.  It will help you through your entire life and makes tackling the struggles of each day easier.  Just as important is your financial fitness.  If your finances are not in order your entire life will be thrown off because of it.  Divorce, stress, you name it, can all come from a lack of financial fitness.

Money management has been a hobby of mine for a number of years.  I’ve helped numerous people get their finances in order and just like with working out, it’s not as hard as one might think.  It does require putting in the effort though.  After a while you come to a point where you love it and couldn’t imagine your life without it.  Also, as with working out, you start modestly and work your way up over time.

On top of the free workout routines, health tips and product reviews you have come to expect I am also going to start writing articles on how to get your finances in order.  So I hope to see you soon and if you have any questions feel free to send them to me, I’d be happy to help you.  Happy Thanksgiving!

How To Get Six Pack Abs

Virtually everyone wants a six pack.  Six pack abs are probably the most common thing people will think of when they think of what it means to be in shape.  Before I get into any specific exercises one needs to do in order to get a six pack, I need to clear up some misunderstandings most people have.

1.  There is no such thing as spot reduction.  You can’t get rid of fat in a certain area by doing exercises for that area.  Most people still believe if you want to get rid of fat on your stomach, you have to do exercises for your stomach.  This is completely untrue.  Any exercise you do will remove fat from your entire body, but your body has certain areas where it stores the fat the most.  Simply doing crunches won’t target fat from that area.

2.  In order to lose weight to become lean enough to see your abdominal muscles you need to take in less calories.  You can do all the exercises in the world, but if you are taking in more calories than you need, you still won’t see your six pack because it will be covered in a layer of fat.  You have to reduce the amount of calories you are taking in everyday so you become more lean.  I don’t recommend drinking any at all, but just by cutting out 1 Pepsi a day, you can lose about 15lbs in a year.

3.  Working big muscle groups builds the most muscle, which in turn burns the most calories.  If you had to choose between doing squats or crunches to become lean, squats would win without question.  Doing compound exercises (squats, deadlift, bench press, pull ups, etc) will work multiple muscle groups at the same time and build the most muscle.  Muscle is a fat burning material, the more you have, the more fat you burn all day, even when you aren’t even exercising.

4.  Change your cardio.  Instead of doing low intensity exercise like walking on a treadmill for hours, switch to The Tabata Method.  This type of exercise will not only get you into better shape in much less time, but it’s not as boring and has other benefits like increasing your growth hormone production.

Next time I will get into specific exercises one can use to build up the muscles in the abdominal area.

Dr. Mercola’s Top 3 Recommended Supplements