Congrats to Kyle Olson of Layton, Utah! A great story at mensfitness.com about weight loss success becoming a family affair. Kyle was a starting center in high school, focused on power and bulk. When his football days ended, he found himself at 245 pounds. Through a combination of diet and exercise, Kyle transformed! Still powerful, but at a muscular and defined 163 pounds. Kyle’s parents also got on board, losing over 200 pounds together. A family tree has changed forever. Congrats, Kyle!
Weight Loss Success Sotry
November 26th, 2011Dangers of Sleep Aid reduced by a label change?
November 25th, 2011Yesterday, the FDA approved the sleep aid Intermezzo. It is intended for those who wake up during the night and have trouble falling back asleep. In an article posted in WebMD, we learn that the FDA had twice refused to approve the drug based on concerns about individuals getting up and driving after taking the drug and before the effects fully wear off.
In response, the manufacturer, Transcept Pharmaceuticals, changed the label to say it should only be taken if you have at least four hours to sleep and five hours until you drive when you take Intermezzo. What is odd to me is that the danger is still there– there’s just a labeling change. If everyone read and followed directions, then everything may be fine. But typically inserts and labels are thousands of words long. If the drug is taken too late in the night– problems can still arise.
Sleep is such an important part of our day and the suffering of those who have trouble sleeping is considerable. Insomniacs have a new tool at their disposal and if properly administered, it may help make the most of those precious hours of sleep. Personally, with three little kids around, days are so hectic that falling to sleep isn’t a problem. Although I’ve used our Sleep Tite now and again to encourage a deeper night’s sleep, especially when I know I really need the rejuvenation.
An Exceptional Omega 3 Supplement
February 13th, 2011When it comes to omega 3 supplements, there are a ton to choose from. One reason why there are so many out there is that omega 3 is an essential fatty acid, which means that our bodies need it, and we do not produce our own. But one of the problems is that there are many inferior products out there. We believe that Omega 3 Supplement from Wellness International Network, WinOmeg3complex, is the best. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons.
First, our supplement is one of the most concentrated fish oils available. Produced via a patented process, WinOmeg3 is a pharmaceutical grade oil with more than 85% omega3. Some of the other products out there have less than half of that concentration. Put another way, you will need more capsules of the competitors to get the same amount of Omega 3 you get from one capsule of WIN’s Omega 3 Supplement. Omeg3 also has a 3.3:1 ratio of EPA to DHA, which is great because most diets push this ratio out of balance.
Next, consider the source of our Omega 3 Supplement. The raw material is fish oil from fisheries in South America. The particular region is in the Humboldt Current fisheries, which is an area used for fishfeed production and is known to produce fish oil that is high in Omega 3 and low in pollutants. Speaking of pollution, the concentration process eliminates a tremendous amount of impurities. We have a guarantee of purity that is critical when so many marine products have pollution problems. Our Omega 3 Supplement processing is nitrogen based and results in peroxide levels that are six times lower than the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard limits.
Our supplier is one of only two producers qualified by the US FDA to production Omega 3 pharmaceuticals. We have routine audits of the manufacturing facilities and our Omega 3 is produced in accordance with GMP principals.
Visit our Omega 3 Supplement page for more detailed information.
P90X Post Workout Shake
January 8th, 2011It’s a new year and time for the annual start of the fitness commitment. At least, it seems that way to me. Every year, there is a commitment to get fit, to lose the weight, once and for all. Every year, I fizzle. But this year will be different. I’m working with My Natural Supplements to keep to a healthy diet, a good exercise program, and their supplements for energy and sports nutrition. I switched from the TRX to P90X recently, and am on day 2 of the 90 day Lean program. It’s a good workout. Exhausting, but good so far. The “before” pictures are taken (and locked in a triple encrypted folder that will melt the hard drive and burn out the users eye sockets if accessed improperly), and the program is simple– just do what they say.
One big thing they emphasize is the post-workout drink. For about an hour after you work out, the body is primed for fuel to rebuild and strengthen. One thing that is working great for me is the Biolean ProXtreme drink. Mix the protein powder with water or milk and you have a great tasting, low carb, protein shake. I usually mix mine with a banana for some potassium. Be aware that the banana adds carbs, but some carbohydrates are needed after a good workout.
So, the 90 day transformation is underway. I’ll post again as the changes happen. Bring it!
Weight Loss Journey Update
October 18th, 2010Well, it’s been about two weeks since I’ve started this journey with the Biolean weight loss system, and I’ve lost about 3 pounds. Not great, but not horrible either. What’s encouraging is that I’ve been able to work up to three days a week with the TRX suspension training system. It’s a good, but tough workout. After the workout, it’s been a treat to enjoy a ProXtreme shake. What I usually do, which probably isn’t the greatest, is chocolate milk with the vanilla mix. Skim milk with the chocolate mix would have less sugar, but since the chocolate mix is more popular in the family, I am using the vanilla. Besides, I heard somewhere recently that chocolate milk is good for you after a workout, so there you go.
I feel that I’ve lost a little size, although I didn’t measure myself until this weekend so I don’t have a good reference point. Those numbers were discouraging for sure. Neck: 17 inches; Chest: 52 inches; Waist: 51 inches; Hips: 52 inches. Size 48 pants. Sad, but honest. I’ll be updating those numbers as the journey continues. I did take a before picture, but that’s going to remain private until there is something more positive to show. I agreed to bare my soul to chronicle this experience, but my capacity for embarrassment only goes so far. It’s not The Biggest Loser.
7:10 am. Workout done. ProXtreme and BioLean in. Let’s roll.
TRX Workout Day 1- Introduction to DOMS
October 3rd, 2010So on Friday morning, I went through the real-time introductory workout for our newly set up TRX. I should say that setup was relatively simple, assuming that the lag screws into a 2×4 can hold the bracket we used downstairs. If not, well, it will hurt when I fall. The unit itself is easy to use and adjust, and so far lives up to its reputation in that respect.
So as I said, the workout began on Friday. There are twelve exercises and you are shown a series of what they call “progressions,” basically, harder versions of each exercise. For me, I started at the very beginning, even modifying the “easiest” progression so that I could finish. The workout is upper, lower, core and stretching, and I left for the workday feeling energized, having a great workout under my belt.
As the day wore on, I was feeling ok, but noticed a little twinge of soreness here and there, especially when going up and down stairs, as a had to do several times when we were at church for a First Friday mass and my kids wanted to see mom up in the choir loft. By the time Friday was over, I was definitely sore in the legs, specifically, the quads in the front of the legs. Saturday was rough. The legs hurt, stairs were a torture device, and moving from sitting to standing was a reminder of the workout the day before. Even now, on Sunday, it’s still slow going.
The feeling is familiar, that feeling of soreness after a workout called “Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness,” or DOMS. What surprised me is the “delayed” aspect. I felt great on Friday morning and crappy by Saturday morning. As it’s understood, the fibers of the muscles break down and as they are rebuilt, your body lets you know it protests this situation. It’s a necessary part of training, and you can train through it, but it is also a reminder that maybe you pushed yourself a bit too far.
I look forward to the next workout, hopefully with less pain, and I’ll be sure to drink my Biolean ProXtreme afterward for recovery.
Weight Loss Journey- A New Direction for our Blog
September 29th, 2010For the last few months, we’ve been experimenting to see the best way to use the blog here at My Natural Supplements. What we’ve decided upon is the personal weight loss journey of one of our customers, who is beginning a journey to fitness and health. The road may be long, and the trials difficult, but seeing how the combination of our products, healthy eating, and a new exercise program leads to success is something that we can all learn from.
Our customer doesn’t want any pictures taken at this time. We can understand that. But, we can say that his starting weight is about 325 lbs. He’s 5′ 10″ and 35 years old. An optional fitness evaluation at his employer (that comes with a $20 biweekly credit on health insurance) showed normal to slightly elevated BP, normal glucose, and good cholesterol numbers. Here’s a bit more in his own words:
Tomorrow, a new day dawns with the arrival of our TRX suspension training gear with a kettlebell training DVD. For some reason, I have a good feeling about this one. The TRX fits what I’ve learned I most agree with when it comes to fitness– I like the idea of functional fitness rather than isolation of muscle groups. I believe we are most successful when we train in as natural a manner as possible, using bodyweight rather than plates on a bar while lying flat on your back. It just makes sense to me. So, we bought the system and will be getting started tomorrow. I’ve been exercising for a few weeks at the YMCA, with some interval training on the treadmill. So hopefully it has given me enough of a base to start moving forward. The plan is to use the My Natural Supplement ProXtreme and Biolean, eventually adding in Sure2Endure and the Sugar Free Winrgy as I get used to taking the supplements. I’ll record progress here and, when there’s something worth showing, provide a picture as the journey continues.
Omega-3 Supplements May Improve Blood Lipid Levels
August 30th, 2010A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition has concluded that adding Omega-3 fatty acids to a low-fat, high-carb diet may improve the health of those with metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a catch-all phrase of sorts for a complex set of risk factors that indicate the potential to run into more serious problems down the road. Its frequently a precursor to type II diabetes. The study states that “Fish oil supplements correct many metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance, including reduced postprandial plasma triglyceride concentration.” See the full article and more information here.
Source: The Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.3945/jn.109.120816
“A Low-Fat, High-Complex Carbohydrate Diet Supplemented with
Long-Chain (n-3) Fatty Acids Alters the Postprandial Lipoprotein Profile
in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome”
Authors: Y. Jimenez-Gomez, C. Marin, P. Perez-Martinez, et al
Can Diet Soda Hurt Weight Loss?
August 27th, 2010This is a question that seems to come up every time we get serious about weight loss. The soda drinker will start to look at the calorie count in a typical 20oz bottle of soda and will realize that the 20 minute treadmill workout is just about balanced by that one soda. Knowing that most gurus say we shouldn’t drink our calories, we start to think about diet soda as a quick and easy alternative to shave calories but still get the soda fix. Some of them actually taste not too different from the real thing, and we think we’ve found a solution.
Then, we start to hear about all the negative effects of diet soda. Do they promote weight gain? Can they be more harmful that the regular soda? A quick online search leads to a spirited debate and we’re confused again.
I’m not going to give the definitive answer here, nor am I going to rehash the online debate. Just google “is diet soda bad” and go from there if you are interested. But here’s a common sense way to look at it. Do you want to drink what amounts to a carbonated chemical experiment? It’s perhaps a harsh way to look at it, but I think it’s true. Just take a look at the ingredients– water, caramel color, artificial sweetener, phosphoric acid, citric acid, potassium benzoate, natural flavor, and caffeine. So, colors, chemicals and acid dissolved in water. The body simply isn’t expecting to deal with this.
The doctors and other high-IQ types can debate the actual effects– whether getting the sweet without the calories causes your body to them crave sweets, the effect of the acid on your teeth, the long term effect of replacing some molecules in sugar with chlorine and calling it healthy, etc.. But, just a dose of common sense says this stuff can’t be good for us.
Biolean manufactured at A-Rating facilities
August 7th, 2010Supplement quality is a big newsmaker these days. In the USA, the freedom to produce products in the marketplace is always being balanced by the government’s need to ensure safety and quality. The government body that is charged with ensuring such safety is the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA established the requirement that supplement companies comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices a few years ago. These standards require that controls are in place to ensure supplements are processed “in a consistent manner, and meet quality standards.” There are a number of provisions related to the design of the manufacturing facilities, operations and quality control, product testing and record keeping.
My Natural Supplements welcomes the FDA in its role of ensuring safe, effective supplements. We’d like to repeat the statement offered by our main supplier: “The laboratories and manufacturing operations that formulate Wellness International Network’s products [such as Biolean, WinOmeg3Complex, and Sure2Endure] are registered and licensed with the FDA as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) “A Rating” facilities, which are recognized worldwide for the control and management of manufacturing and quality control testing of foods and pharmaceutical products. ” (WIN press kit)
