State of mind matters

I've noticed there's been too much focus on physical health here. But how we live and how we interact with the rest of society, our loved ones is just as important to our overall well-being. Here are some articles that help illustrate this:

CNN's report.

Nicolas Kristoff's column.

I hope this provides you with a positive outlook.

Fountain of temporary youth?

Interesting article in the Sunday New York Times Magazine. It's a bit scary.

Supplements to get bigger, ha ha ha

Today's NY Times contained an article on men who love their whey protein and other jarred products you'll probably find at a GNC. Even around my office I heard stories of guys who might drink a protein shake after working out.

Sorry to say this, guys, but Wiserhealth thinks you are wasting your money. Most of what we need we can get from regular food. Most dudes eat a lot of protein everyday. Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson is quoted in the article as officially on our side of this issue.

Gym rats, go the grocery store and buy nutritious foods. If you want to get big, lift heavy and get lots of sleep. The principles behind lifting weights is simple: Force your muscles to adapt to heavier loads and they will break down and come back ready to take on its new challenge.

2010 is here!

Finally, the worst decade in my lifetime is over. It's a perfect time to refocus and challenge ourselves to achieve our best physical state. That way we can have the energy to accomplish what we need to do in other areas of our lives.

Personally, I'm overcoming a knee injury, a torn meniscus suffered from a basketball injury from the end of summer. I've been feeling better with a steady dose of glucosamine supplements, which help rebuild cartilage health. The knees have been holding up even with exercises like squats and dead-lifts, a great sign. The injury taught me caution and the value of warming up and I vow to return stronger and quicker, even as I get older.

My friend Jason has found salvation studying Brazilian jiujitsu with the renowned Gracie family here in New York. He's stoked on his training, which involves just a gym and mats and, of course, training from the best experts.

It's an oft repeated theme at Wiserhealth, but it cannot be stressed enough: Find a physical activity you love and embrace it. I've been digging the stronglifts.com program.

My single New Year's resolution is to eat more vegetables and so far it's been easy by adding frozen vegetables to the mix and embracing salads. Shore up your weak points this year.

Let's charge into this new decade with fire.

Kettlebells

There are lots of fitness fads that come and go. But Wiserhealth has joined the Russian kettlebell bandwagon. This device looks like a cannonball with a handle and allows you to exercise in a flowing pattern that is centered around the hips and leg muscles, i.e. the real core.

The basic movement is the swing. Grab the kettlebell by its handle with both hands and let it hang between your legs. Take a semi-squat stance and thrust your hips forward to raise the kettlebell up to eye level. Don't use you arms to lift, let them hang loose. Let the kettlebell fall back down between your legs like you're hiking a football to the quarterback. Raise it again, using your hips.

Try this basic movement for five to 12 minutes to get a vigorous full-body workout that also blasts your lungs and heart. An average man can start with a 35-lb. kettlebell, a woman can start with the 16-24 lbs.

Worst excuse for not trying

One of the lamest excuses I hear is when someone sees a fit celebrity and says, "Well if I had a personal trainer and full-time cook, I could look like that."

Don't hate. Get to library and teach yourself how to cook. Actually, the healthiest foods are simple to prepare because not much is actually done to the basic ingredients. Learn to love food in its most natural state.

As for the personal trainer excuse, search for a good exercise program, find some activity you like and get to it. Push yourself and keep an exercise journal if you need accountability. You may never look like Matthew McConaughey or Demi Moore, but that's mostly because of genes.

"Up In the Air" mini-review

You've heard the accolades from the press. "Up in the Air" stars George Clooney as a nomad corporate tool for mass layoffs. It will certainly stand up as one of the more entertainingly cerebral film experiences of the year.

It's 100 minutes of smart conversation, musings and sorrow that boldly explores whether settling down in one place with one person has any merit. Breezy and attention-grabbing, these are old-Hollywood-type characters that are well worth your cinematic dollar.