There is a significant balance in life that one needs to acknowledge. For the most part, do well and you’ll live well. If you do wrong, you can expect to eventually crash and burn. This is a pretty basic rule to life that most people adhere to. Hmm… I think that has something to do with that whole karma thing. I’ve long been a firm believer that all things happen for a reason. That reason may not always be clear to some, but I’ve had enough instances in my own life where I’ve been able to trace the cause and effect of those instances to know it to be true.
The important thing to remember is that even though all things may HAPPEN for a reason, it doesn’t mean that it necessarily happens on its own.
“If It’s Meant To Be, It’ll Happen…”
– Lazy, Delusional Fools
I’ve heard the above statement often, from a lot of different people. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen…” Mmm, no! Nope! Nada! No, it won’t. Most of the time, this is said by people who are afraid or unwilling to go out and make things happen for themselves. And that’s exactly what NEEDS to be done. You gotta go out and make things happen.
This is an important life lesson, and one that many people in today’s altered society don’t seem to comprehend. There seems to be an almost undeniable belief in today’s society that good things can and will happen for you if you simply sit back and wait Coupled with this is an aggravating sense of entitlement that the most recent generations seem to have developed, where they feel that they should have something coming to them despite barely ever having lifted a finger.
Life doesn’t care about your plan. Light knows, I’ve said that often enough. But life is also like a book. And every book has a start and an end. It’s the chapters in between that are up to you to fill. How full and complete those chapters may be is up to you. Although all things happen for a reason, there’s nothing stopping you from going out and making those reasons happen for yourself. In fact, life can/will be exponentially better if you do. ☯
Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy Star Wars Day… All my friends know that I’m a die-hard Star Wars fan, and I’ve had the benefit of enjoying every film and series put out by the brand (Even the horrendous Solo movie, which I can honestly say was terrible!).
The only exception to this has been the most recent release of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker. I didn’t make it in to the theatres to see it when it was released, and then the world turned to shit in a hot hurry. I’ve been watching prices for the DVD on the rare occasion I’ve had to venture out for groceries and necessities, but I’ve come to realize that I’m a cheapskate when it comes to non-essentials.
That being said, I recently subscribed to Disney+ for my household to enjoy. Streaming services are usually wonderful because you get access to content on your own schedule that you usually wouldn’t through traditional television services. So I was quite pleased to see that Star Wars Episode IX was released on Disney+ this morning in conjunction with Star Wars day. Guess what I’ll be doing tonight…
So, if you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to have a relaxing movie day on the couch. Hell, why not watch the entire 9-movie saga! If you start right now, you could be done by about 3 a.m. (local Saskatchewan time) Otherwise, Happy Star Wars Day!!! ☯
One of the best parts about being a father is having the ability to allow my child to indulge in the things that I can’t. Namely, food and sweets. Although I try to keep my son on the nutritional straight and narrow, a big part of me is often envious that he can make it through his day by consuming high-carb foods without worrying about his blood sugar levels. A good example would be a few days ago. I woke up and hadn’t gotten any coffee in me yet.
My son had eaten a light breakfast, but expressed his desire to have some eggs. I was taken aback by this, as he is usually opposed to anything that isn’t crackers, bread or wraps. I told him I’d immediately fry him up a couple of eggs, but he corrected me by showing me the small bag of Hershey’s Eggies I had sitting in my workout area from a low I had suffered the day before (BTW, chocolate is absolutely horrible and the worst choice when you’re having low blood sugar, but I’ll save that one for another post!) I ended up shrugging my shoulders and said, “Why not?” and let him consume the five or six eggies that were left in the pouch. It was nine o’clock in the morning. Meinh…
My son has that benefit and his immune system is showing no signs of attacking his beta cells, much to my relief. But what can those of us who suffer from Diabetes do? If you’re anything like me, just HEARING about a specific food will have me craving it. I’ve lost count of the number of times that my wife has spoken the words, “You know what would be good?” only to have me salivate and suffer in silence. Okay, who am I kidding? I never do ANYTHING silent…
Although I am currently on pump therapy and some “experts” may say that the use of insulin allows for the consumption of sugared goods if I so choose, piling on more insulin isn’t a great solution and it has its share of side effects. Depending on the routine of your day, constant infusions of insulin outside of your meal periods can lead to difficulties controlling your overall blood glucose levels. I also don’t need to remind anyone that people with Diabetes can have difficulties with managing body weight and increased insulin definitely doesn’t help with that.
First and foremost, sugar can be addicting. Yes, you read that right. When was the last time you heard of a white powder that WASN’T addicting? But seriously, craving sweets can be an addictive habit where your body seeks the release of dopamine through the consumption of something sugary or sweet. The idea is to try to find some way of curbing that craving without succumbing to it. I can easily admit that I’m a big fan of allowing the occasional indulgence. Doing so not only allows you the occasional treat, it makes it easier to stick to your meal plans and less likely to falter from a diet you may be on.
According to an article posted on HealthLine.com, there are a number of foods that you can consume that will help to curb those nasty sugar craving. Although I won’t list ALL the foods in this article, I’ll point out my favourites and which ones I feel have worked the best for me. Obviously, you want to be able to recognize the difference between a craving and genuine hunger. But here are some options…
Fruit: This is a great alternative since most fruits have a sweet taste. They do also contain sugar, so you want to know how much you’ll have to bolus in order to compensate. The difference is that it’s a much healthier option with fibre and other good stuff thrown into the mix;
Dark Chocolate: My wife and I are both fans of dark chocolate. And it usually refers to any chocolate that is higher than 70% cacao. Dark chocolate has a number of fantastic benefits, which I wrote about in my post Embrace Your Dark Side. But the higher the percentage of the chocolate, the less sugar is usually contained within. Chocolate is still pretty high in fat, however. So, that’s a consideration;
Chewing Gum: Yup, that’s right! Some studies have shown that chewing a piece of sugar-free gum can help to stave off sugar cravings, as well as help to control hunger. They’re sweetened with artificial sweeteners, of course, and not everyone likes that. But it’s certainly an easy way to stave off cravings.
These are just my top 3 and the ones I usually lean on. The chewing gum is actually my most-used method of staving off sugar cravings and/or controlling hunger throughout the day. The article includes 19 foods and does go on to say that if you find yourself constantly craving sugar, you should probably examine your diet and figure out what you’re lacking that might be causing it.
Last but not least, there are plenty of “Diabetes-friendly” desserts out there. Don’t be afraid to do some research and find some recipes, should your craving be for an actual dessert. The Diabetes Canada website has an entire section on recipes and can offer a variety of Diabetes-friendly recipes for not just desserts, but healthy meal options as well. The idea is not to try and go cold turkey, but to be smart about it and recognize the cravings for what they are. ☯
Does Chi exist? What is Chi? Chi can go by a number of different names: Chi, Ki or Qi, this energy is said to be the animating force behind all living things. In karate, we learn that our energy comes from the hara, or the belly area. This would be why ritual suicide in medieval japan was done by slicing open the belly as opposed to other “conventional” means.
But… Does it exist? This is the question that has been debated, especially in the Western world, for a very long time. Depending on what culture and/or background you may be referring to, Chi is what gives you the energy to keep going. We all have Chi and each person has the same amount throughout all of our lives. The use of that energy is simply allocated to different aspects as we get older. This would be one of the reasons why my 5-year old seems as though he has an endless pool of daddy-crushing energy while I wake up most mornings wondering if my body will actually get me out of bed.
It’s not magic or wild fantasy… I’ve seen some “scientists” speak about how Chi does not exist, there’s no evidence of it and there’s no way to prove its existence. Hmm. Perhaps they’re right, but some of the concepts behind Chi are also rooted in modern science. For example, the Law of Conservation of Energy teaches us that energy never ceases to exist; it is merely transformed or transferred. The amount of energy within a contained system remains constant.
So, ask yourself an important question: What are you? Are you simply the sum of your physical body? Nothing but a mass of tissue, water and bone? If so, what about the essence that makes you, well… you? The person you are, the sentience, the awareness, your personality and the living being that has put in years of existence in this life… What happens to that after you die? Is it simply a light switch that flicks off, or do you believe that your energy will be transformed or transferred?
Thinking about some of these questions can be scary. After all, no one likes to conceive of their own death. But as my uncle always says, “We only do TWO things in life; pay taxes and die!” The joke is many people get away from paying taxes. But death comes for us all. And the question of what comes after can yield anxious results.
I am totally on board with the fact that Chi isn’t some “magic” energy that can be harnessed. When you see people claiming to be able to push over opponents from behind a wall and shatter stone with the power of their Chi and other wild things, I can understand why people would be reluctant to believe or understand Chi. But just because a few charlatans have demonstrated fraudulently aspects, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
That certain “something,” the unspoken quality that makes you sentient and self-aware, can’t be denied. It makes no difference whether or not you believe in gravity; it’ll still keep you firmly rooted to the ground. The same can be said about the energy that makes you who you are. Whether you choose to believe in its existence or not, won’t change the fact that you are still here. ☯
I think it was Ted Hughes who said, “Nothing is free. Everything has to be paid for.” In fact, I’ve been hearing some iteration of that saying all my life. My family and close influences have always told me that nothing in life is free. And in many ways, they’re quite right. All life is a balance, and usually that balance is maintained by taking from column “A” and dropping into column “B”.
This is why I’ve always been fascinated by the term “free time.” To be clear, this is the term used to define the period of time where one is not required to work, or has the time to spare to engage in leisure activities. In recents weeks, people have been finding themselves with loads of “free” time and have often found themselves at a loss as to how to fill it.
Despite the current state of things, your time is certainly not free. Whenever you surrender your time for one thing, it usually comes at the cost of another. Consider this: It’s Sunday afternoon. You’ve followed whatever routine and habits your household adheres to and perhaps you’ve enjoyed Sunday brunch or some pre-planned meal.
Now comes the decision as to what you’ll do with your afternoon. Will you do some household chores? If you’re a homeowner, that list is never complete. Perhaps you could have a workout. Maybe you need to assess your taxes, complete paperwork needed for work on Monday, play with your kids or call you mother. The chances are that whatever choice you make will take away from everything else. If you choose to assess your taxes or focus on paperwork for your job, you’ll be ignoring your kids and sitting on your rump as opposed to getting some exercise.
“Nothing Of Value Is Free. Even The Breath Of Life Is Purchased At Birth Only Through Gasping Effort And Pain.”
– Robert Heinlein, author of Stranger in a Strange Land
At the end of the day, it all comes down to proper time management. Being able to decide how to accomplish things through the course of your day in conjunction with keeping deadlines is invaluable, whether it’s for your home or your work. Believe it or not, there is no such thing as multitasking.
Don’t believe me? Think about it… No matter how many tasks you think you’re doing simultaneously, you’re only ever actively doing one thing at a time. Even when you have two things on the go, one of them is usually progressing on its own while you’re attending to the other.
My job uses a colourful term referred to as “task sequencing.” This follows on the coattails of what I mentioned above, where you aren’t so much doing two things at once but doing one thing after another respectively, based on their importance. I may be getting on a bit of a rant here, and being a bit too specific and/or technical. My only point is that even in the midst of all this “free” time, one should be mindful of how their time is put to use.
If you do find yourself with some of this so-called free time, be sure to use it constructively. After all, idle hands lead to idle minds. It may be the perfect time to get to that book you’ve been dying to read or try and learn that second language. Online learning and courses are become all the rage, especially as a semi-permanent after-effect of a self-isolated world. Either way, when one is not exercising the body, one should be exercising the mind. So be sure to fill your time constructively. Not only will it pass the time, you will be all the better for it. ☯
I’m sorry. That doesn’t seem difficult to say, does it? Yet, most people are reluctant, even hesitant, to say they’re sorry and apologize, even when the situation warrants it. And why is that? As reasonable, rational people, should apologizing be so difficult? For most people, it certainly is.
I found myself thinking about this recently, when I had a small confrontation with my 5-year old son. I had woken and got my first caffeine of the morning with the intention of sitting and enjoying it before having to deal with matters of the day. My son was playing nicely on the floor with his baby brother, Alex. When I came down to the floor to check on the baby, Nathan and I got into a playful wrestling match. Once it was done, I started to stand, but he was holding firmly to my leg.
When I finally convinced him to let go, I stood and took the first step towards my morning coffee. He grabbed my leg once again, shifting my balance and forcing me to bring my foot down hard to stabilize myself. I very nearly stepped on the baby’s leg. I was not impressed. I sternly told him never to grab someone’s leg when they were walking as he could have tripped me and harmed the baby.
He took direct offence to this, and started pouting. Without getting into unnecessary details, the interaction ended with Nathan being sent to his room for talking back and being the basic little brat he occasionally enjoys being (I blame his damned cartoons!) I instructed him not to move from there until he was ready to apologize and be good.
It took well over an hour before he finally emerged from his room and presented me with a scribbled piece of construction paper. The scribbling apparently was a written apology, which he delivered verbally as well. (Doesn’t it tug your heart strings?) I freed him from his imprisonment and as an afterthought, I apologized as well…
Did I do anything wrong? Did I need to apologize? Maybe not. But I got angry with my child. I raised my voice and I doled out punishment. And I was sorry for both of those things. So I voiced as much. We exchanged a hug and he carried on with his day. I’ll admit that I felt better for apologizing.
So, if it makes one feel better, why does it seem so hard to do? According to an article posted by PsychologyToday, people who fall under the category of “non-apologists” will avoid or refuse apologizing, even in the most required of circumstances. The reasons for this may include trying to separate actions from character, feeling shame from having to apologize, fear of further conflict and assuming full responsibility for the situation.
But even if you’re not a non-apologist, saying that you’re sorry, even when you may be responsible, can be difficult for most people. For some, apologizing can be difficult because it makes them feel vulnerable or humiliated. For others, it can be a matter of self-image as apologizing for something can make a person feel inadequate or lacking in something, since apologizing can often be interpreted as assuming fault or responsibility. Even if that’s not necessarily the case.
Saying that your sorry can be the easiest thing that is so hard to do. But there’s no denying that there would likely be less suffering in the world if we could all swallow our pride and simply say “I’m sorry” when it is asked of us. Whether wrong or not, sometimes it can mean all the difference. Maybe even to yourself. ☯
We had a warm, balmy afternoon of 20 degrees Celsius on Monday afternoon. This was a perfect time for me to take advantage and hit the road on the bike. I sold my black mountain bike a few days ago, as it no longer suited my needs and wasn’t allowing me to reap the full benefits due to improper sizing and tire issues. I have been using my wife’s bicycle for the past month, which is described as a “comfort” bike. This basically means that it’s mostly meant for riding on hard surfaces, such as pavement, and isn’t meant for gain on gravel and difficult surfaces.
We drove an hour up the highway to meet with my mother-in-law for a “social distancing” appropriate meeting, where we all stayed in our respective vehicles and chatted from several feet away. Once we travelled back home, I loaded up the bike and took off on a southern route to reach Wascana Lake, which is a man-made lake sitting near the Parliament building in Regina.
I pedalled down Broad Street and was remarkably surprised at people’s ignorance to a cyclist in clear view. I was almost struck repeatedly by passing vehicles, not least of which was a city bus that seemed to think it was a god idea to cut across my front to make a right-hand turn, despite my clear intention to go straight. Despite the many moving obstacles (or maybe I was the obstacle to them, depending on one’s perspective) I made it from my home to the lake in just under 20 minutes.
My northern view of the lake as I pedalled by…
Once I reached the lake, I noticed that the City of Regina had altered the travel path that circumvents the lake to be in one direction only. So everyone who was walking, jogging or cycling was doing so in a clockwise direction. I usually love driving around the lake, as the view and the wildlife is usually plentiful. Getting around the lake proved much more difficult on a bike, since nobody on the trail seemed particularly interested in making way for a passing bike.
The GPS mapping of my 20-kilometre route
But the lake was a sight, the weather was beautiful and I was getting my workout in, so it more than made up for all the little inconveniences. Between the people and vehicles in the way and the stop-and-go nature of the traffic lights on Broad Street, it took me just short over an hour to go down to the lake, make one full circuit and make my way home. Not my best time, but it was still a good sweat.
During these restricted times, it’s important to take advantage of some fresh air and get a workout outside. Whether it’s a jog, a walk or a bike ride… Even a back yard kicking a ball around with your children will do. Staying active and getting some fresh air will go a long way towards helping you get through quarantine/self-isolation. ☯
I’m not a fan of tea… In fact, anyone who knows me is well aware that I have a particular affinity to coffee and caffeine in general. But despite my personal preferences, tea in general does tend to have a reasonable amount of caffeine. In fact, a normal cup of pure green tea (without any additives) usually has almost 30 milligrams of caffeine, despite some sources claiming that green tea is “naturally” caffeine-free.
I learned this lesson the hard way last week, when I decided to enjoy a cup of green tea at about 7 o’clock in the evening and wound up being awake for most of the night. I spoke to my Sensei about it, who studies herbs and Chinese Medicine, only to be told not to consume tea after 5 p.m. for this very reason. I should have asked BEFORE trying it. Nothing like learning the hard way…
I wrote a post last year, outlining the benefits of green tea, called My Tea Is Green With Envy. In fact, I also wrote about the aspects of coffee called Sweet, Blessed Caffeine…, although it doesn’t necessarily cover the benefits of coffee so much as it discusses the appropriate levels of caffeine one can consume. Regardless, I won’t get into the benefits of Green Tea in this post, as you can easily read them in the linked article above.
As I said in the beginning, I’m not a fan of tea. I remember the first time I tried a cup. Although I don’t remember exactly when it was or how long ago, I had decided to try a cup in lieu of my constant stream of coffee. I remember wondering why in the hell I subjected myself to the brew as it reminded me of a cup of hot bath water (And no, I’m not speaking from experience. Before anyone asks…)
But I try and enjoy (and I use that term lightly) a cup of green tea at least once an afternoon. According to an article posted by the Pacific College Of Health And Science, “Green tea polyphenols and polysaccharides are effective in lowering blood sugars. […] The polyphenol group of green tea catechins has been shown to lower blood sugars, as well as the polysaccharides in green tea.”
Some other studies have explained that some blends of black tea can also have the same benefit, although I can’t seem to find my source so I’ll leave it to you to decide. But after my little insomnia “incident” with the green tea, I asked Sensei about some different teas that provided some, if any benefit. Here are some of the options he threw at me:
Ginger Tea: This is good for helping to stomach pains and nausea. It’s also been shown to help with muscle aches, making it ideal for post-workouts. A true herbal tea, this is a genuine caffeine-free alternative when compared to green or black teas;
Barley Tea: I honestly had never heard of barley tea until Sensei mentioned it. But it’s also good for helping with stomach issues and can help alleviate problems with your sleep patterns. Some also enjoy drinking it for it’s nutty flavour. Since barley tea is made from, well… barley, it falls under the same category as ginger tea and is said to be completely caffeine-free (I’m seeing a trend and I think Sensei is trying to tell me something!);
Dandelion Tea: Alright, this one sounds straight up disgusting! Sensei even suggested picking and drying my own dandelions to make this tea. But once I got to researching, dandelion tea has a significant number of benefits, according to an article posted by Healthline.com. These benefits include reducing water weight, helping with stomach issues, increasing liver health and preventing urinary tract infections. Sounds pretty good, although dandelion root can interact with some medications, so chat with your medical practitioner before drinking it in any serious way. Another caffeine-free alternative, some claim it tastes surprisingly similar to coffee;
Ginseng Tea: I’ve heard for decades that the consumption of Ginseng helps with increased brain function. Healthline.com also has a pretty decent article on this one. But some of the benefits include helping with erectile dysfunction, boosting the immune system and may increase energy levels. The interesting benefit to this one is that it could also help to lower blood sugar levels. Ginseng is actually on par with coffee on the caffeine front, which is likely how it “helps” with energy levels.
Last but not least, is a blend of tea that I actually kind of enjoy. This would be mint tea. Sensei recommends having a cup of mint tea in the evenings as it helps you to relax. Peppermint tea is said to be caffeine free as it is an herbal tea, and has a significant number of benefits that include the ones listed above. Not least of which would be the fact that it also helps to freshen your breath.
Although you can easily obtain any of these teas at your local grocery store, it’s also important to know what you’re putting in your body. Take a close look at the ingredients listed on the package. Some commercially-made teas will include additives, preservatives and ingredients you may not want with your tea.
I stand by my preference of coffee over tea, but there’s no denying that the benefits make it worth having a cup. Whether enjoyed while reading a book, streaming your favourite show or simply because you like it, a cup of herbal tea can be a great idea. Although I admit that I won’t be harvesting my own dandelions from the back yard anytime soon… ☯
Back in December of 2019, I wrote a post called Here Comes The New Year. I wrote about the New Year’s resolution I was making and I maybe bragged a bit about the fact that I was starting my resolution a month early in order to get a leg up on my goals. I’ll admit that for the most part, things were going decently. Then the world went to hell and everyone had to stay home in self-isolation…
I know I promised I wouldn’t constantly be posting about my New Year’s resolution. But since we’ve already gotten through a third of the year, I felt it might be a good time to provide at least a rudimentary update. Especially since I’ve already identified my weak spots. See, people tend to need something to fill their time. No matter how much we usually think that some quiet, down time would be nice, humans become bored reasonably quick and will do whatever seems reasonable and safe in the moment, in order to entertain themselves.
Friends and associates who know me personally are aware that I experienced my first beer at the age of 23. Since then, I’ve allowed myself the occasional indulgence whenever time and location permits. Although never consuming in order to become intoxicated, some of the gut-swelling effects will take place even if you drink very little.
My Resolution spreadsheet at a glance
If you take a look at the image above, it isn’t hard to see where my problem spot may be. Granted, I didn’t exactly make the spreadsheet easy to adhere to. Perhaps if I’d made the spreadsheet a day-to-day checklist as opposed to a weekly one, there would be more green in the first column. But one drink at anytime during the week currently results in a red “X” as opposed to a green check mark.
Workouts are workouts. I make no excuses for the red in that column. One can clearly see some occasions where I’ve been ill or absent in some manner. Once in early February where I was down and out with a cold and the first week of March when I travelled to New Brunswick, limiting the number of times I was able to fit in a workout. I know, I know… But you always tell us that’s you can workout anywhere and there’s no excuses… As right as that statement may be, sometime life gets in the way.
And the soda in recent weeks is a result of deciding I wanted a little something different than water. I found cases of mini-cans of Diet Coke Xtra. This is a blend that has an extra hit of caffeine in it and, well… y’all know me and my caffeine. Definitely not a permanent issue, but I don’t allow for a green check mark unless I’ve had a full week without having any.
The obvious problem is that first column… Whether one random beer, or the indulgence of several days of quarantine, I’ve only had five green check marks out of eighteen weeks. Last Monday, I travelled to Saskatoon for my usual eye injections. I was upgraded to a jacuzzi suite at my hotel, which allowed for me to soak and relax my back, which has been bothering me lately.
Because I have no sense of temperature and I enjoy making myself suffer, I made the water in the jacuzzi tub far too hot. As a result, I occasionally had to sit on the edge of the tub and allow myself to cool. I unfortunately caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrors that make up the wall behind the tub. I did NOT like what I saw. It seems that months of isolation and beer have had a noticeable effect on the “life-preserver” area of my torso. We are not impressed…
I only have myself to blame, considering the fact that I KNOW full well that people with Diabetes have difficulties with weight fluctuations. Adding beer into the mix has obviously had a negative effect. And even though I’m fully on board with the fact that a person’s value has to do with more than one’s physical appearance, there’s also something to be said about being happy with the person you see in the mirror.
Now, I’m not seriously suggesting that I’m obese. Simply that, for lack of a better term, I’ve pudged up in all the wrong places. As I’ve often written before, weight loss HAS to include a combination of fitness AND proper nutrition. So even though I work out consistently (for the most part, but I did work out 6 days in a row last week), my body will still pack on some pounds unless I cut out the bad and maintain the good.
Hence why I’ve decided to knuckle down and cut out the beer for the next while. I already knew going in that I would have some squares with a red “X” on the sheet. After all, one is more prone to failure if an indulgence isn’t permitted on occasion. But sometimes we need a swift kick in the keister; a wake-up call, if you will. It will be interesting to see what the spreadsheet looks like in September. ☯
Not a month goes by where I don’t read or hear about some new fad, diet or gimmick that’s meant to help a person get into shape faster and/or easier. For the most part, these things are usually a passing thing and don’t hold much sway in the actual progress of your fitness.
I’ve never been one for the purchase of expensive name-brand apparel. In fact, I’m usually happier wearing whatever generic brand I can find at my local retail chain. But I would be lying if I said that I don’t derive some guilty pleasure in the purchase of FITNESS apparel. I’m talking certain popular name-brands such as Under Armour and LuluLemon. And yes, before all the guys in my following start commenting about the Lulu reference, their outlets have a LOT of guy clothes.
The specific aspect of this apparel is that it is generally some form of compression clothing. Just to be clear, compression clothing doesn’t simply mean tight clothing. It usually refers to an elastic garment composed of spandex or lycra and mixed with either cotton or polyester, depending on the quality and type of garment. There has to be a certain amount of give. If it’s cutting off your circulation or feels uncomfortable, it’s kind of defeating the purpose.
Working out in compression gear
So, do compression fitness garments serve any beneficial purpose? Well, besides making my biceps look rockin’… Sorry, I took a minute to flex. My apologies. What was I saying? Right, compression garments are said to increase blood circulation and stabilize the muscle groups, allowing for a more efficient workout and less recovery time. Most importantly, compression garments can be helpful in wicking away sweat in order to keep you warm and dry while working out.
Compression garments, such as socks, have been used by hospitals for years as a post-operative way to prevent blood clots and increase blood circulation. Considering that some Diabetics have pretty bad blood circulation, this can be extremely helpful. So if it’s good enough for the medical world, it should be adequate for the fitness world as well, right? Maybe not.
According to an online article posted by Men’s Health, some studies have shown no ACTUAL or MEASURABLE effect from wearing compression garments during a workout. Any effect is attributed to something called the “Placebo Effect,” which is basically where you believe that the garment is having an effect so it causes you to work harder and produce a greater result. The Placebo Effect is a real thing, and there have been a number of studies that support it.
Dri-fit but not compression
The jury is out, since some studies say yay, some studies say nay. At the end of the day, the moisture wicking aspect is definitely real and is a great benefit. Nothing messes with my immune system like getting cold from a heavy sweat while working out. You can take advantage of that benefit by wearing a dri-fit garment that isn’t necessarily a compression garment.
At the end of the day, using what’s comfortable and best for you is what will produce genuine results. I use dri-fit and compression garments frequently, depending on the workout and what I’m trying to accomplish. And you don’t have to pay a fortune for them. It’s about the composition, not the name brand. I can concede that some popular name brands may be of a higher quality and might, key word MIGHT, last a bit longer, but if you’re working out and sweating constantly into it, how long will it last, really? ☯
The Blogging Buddhist 