Week 3: Sleep

December 15, 2014January 20, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON EXERCISE

I was totally surprised that 40% of those who took the poll said that they do all three components of fitness: cardio, weight bearing and flexibility exercises. That is really impressive and encourages me to put some flexibility exercises into my own program. Hopefully, the results of the poll will be also benefit you by either maintaining your current fitness program or adding to it.

CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONDAY’S POSTING

Next Monday’s posting will be on “Alcohol – Drink Responsibly, If at all”. If you have suggestions for an inspiring & entertaining joke, poll, quote, book or movie related to Alcohol, please send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

JOKE OF THE WEEK

A woman woke up and told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for our anniversary. What do you think it means?”

He said, “You’ll know tonight.”

That evening, he came home and gave a small package to his wife.

Thrilled, she opened the package and found a book entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

WEEK 3 : SLEEP – START YOUR DAY AFTER A GOOD NIGHT’S REST

It is wonderful to get an early start on the day instead of rushing because you are running behind. As important as it is to get a early start, it is also important to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. There has been research showing that adequate sleep promotes weight loss, keeps the memory sharp, your disposition more pleasant, and you are prone to less accidents.

For the majority of people, an adequate amount of sleep is said to be between 7 and 8 hours a night,

THIS WEEKS POLL

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Think in the morning.

Act in the noon.

Eat in the evening.

Sleep in the night.

Source: Wiliam Blake

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I wrote my book out of respect for the busy person who doesn’t have a lot of time for reading and also to reach out to people who aren’t really into reading. I wanted the book to not only be an easy read, but also entertaining so I didn’t go in-depth on the various traits.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

I want to use this blog to suggest other self-help books that do go into more detail about a particular trait that I have covered in my book. Cameron Diaz’s The Body Book, in Chapter 22 has some excellent information on the benefits of adequate sleep and the science behind those benefits.

Cameron Diaz shares her formula for becoming happier, healthier, and stronger in this positive, essential guide grounded in science and inspired by personal experience, now a #1 New York Times bestseller. [ Source: Amazon]

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Book-Science-Strength-Amazing/dp/0062252747

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Although I suggested a more recent movie in my book, this 1993 movie, Sleepless in Seattle is a classic. I thought it was particularly appropriate to mention it since the man’s son makes his request for a wife for his father on a Christmas Eve radio show.

A recently widowed man’s son calls a radio talk-show in an attempt to find his father a partner. [Source: IMDB]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160

CONCLUSION

I tried making this post valuable to you, if I have succeeded, please pass it on to your friends and people you care about. And if you have suggestions on how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you

Week 2: Exercise-The Components of Fitness: Cardiovascular, Strength, and Flexibility

December 8, 2014January 20, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL & FUTURE POLLS

Regarding last week’s poll, it is probably no surprise that none of us wanted to gain weight during 2015 and over half of us plan to lose weight through diet and exercise.

CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONDAY’S POSTING

Next Monday’s posting will be on “Sleep – Start Your Day Early After a Good Night’s Rest”. If you have suggestions for a related joke, poll, quote, book or movie please send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

JOKE OF THE WEEK

My exercise coach told me to touch my toes.

I replied, “I don’t have that kind of relationship with my feet. Can I just wave?”

WEEK 2: EXERCISE – THE COMPONENTS OF FITNESS: CARDIOVASCULAR, STRENGTH, AND FLEXIBILITY

You probably have heard the expression, “If you don’t have your health, nothing else matters.” And yet you also have probably heard or said it yourself, “I don’t have time to exercise.” I’m sure if you really wanted to make time for fitness, you could by cutting out some of your low value activities.

And even those of you who do exercise, have the tendency to only do one type of exercise, such as running, while doing very little weight bearing exercises for the upper body. Others of you may lift weights; but do little or no cardio or flexibility exercises. To be fit, one needs to do all three types of exercises on a regular basis.

THIS WEEKS POLL

On a regular basis

QUOTES

The medical literature tells us that the most effective ways to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many more problems are through healthy diet and exercise. Our bodies have evolved to move; yet we now use the energy in oil instead of muscles to do our work.

Source: David Suzuki

SELF-HELP BOOKS

As much as I would like everyone to read my self-help book,

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

Here is one below that contains not just a lot of information on exercise, but diet and health in general. I don’t people to agree with everything in any self-help book, but this book does contain a lot of things to consider if you want to be healthy. This particular book is oriented towards males, but I think much of the info is useful to either gender. If you want a female specific book, I would suggest,The Body Book by Cameron Diaz. And this book too, contains a lot of information that would be useful to either gender.

Back in 1998, Dr. Life was sixty years old and a stereotype of the aging man: he was overweight with a noticeable gut and little muscle tone. His low libido was ruining his self-esteem. He felt tired all the time, yet no amount of sleep made him feel well rested. It wasn’t until a cardiologist read him the riot act that he began to make the critical diet and lifestyle adjustments that led him to look and feel younger than ever. More important, he’s been able to maintain his physique and his health more than fourteen years later.

The Life Plan offers:

A multidisciplinary exercise plan designed to improve heart health and increase muscle mass.

[ ] Rules for dining out [ ].

A complete guide to nutrient supplements [ ].

Advice for getting the best possible care from your doctor

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Plan-Achieve-Lasting-Stronger/dp/1439194599

MOVIE SUGGESTION

I try to find other entertaining and thought provoking movies that are not in my book, but when it comes to movies related to exercise, I think this is the one (at least for me), but I think we would all like to hear your suggestions for other exercise movies, so please comment.

Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425413

CONCLUSION

Thank you

Week 1: Diet – Eat Healthy

December 1, 2014January 20, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL & FUTURE POLLS

Regarding last week’s poll, approximately 25% of the 19 of you that answered have wishes, but no specific goals and another 15% do not even bother with setting goals. However, the remainder of you (60%) set specific goals that are objectively measureable. In addition some of you in that 60% category also develop action plans to accomplish those specific goals and others even go so far as to monitor progress.

Next Monday’s posting will be on Exercise, so if you have ideas for a poll related to exercise, just leave a comment or send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

JOKE OF THE WEEK

A guy walks into a restaurant and asks, “How do you prepare your chickens?”

The cook says, “Nothing special. We just tell ’em they’re gonna die.”

WEEK 1: DIET – EAT HEALTHY

Most people put on extra weight starting from Thanksgiving through New Year’s and so one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is I’m going to lose some weight this year. It is also one of the most commonly unfulfilled resolutions.

Please don’t be one of those people who keep eating the same way each year and yet hopes for a different result. Another common mistake is to go on a crash diet. Oh sure, you may initially lose some weight, but more than likely you will gain it back, plus a few addition pounds. I would be skeptical of any diet that promises a loss of more than 1 or 2 pounds per week.

Remember, you are what you eat. I recall saying that to a friend of mine and she replied, “In that case I am coffee and wine.”

THIS WEEKS POLL

QUOTES

“Associated with this weight gain are increased risks in adulthood for joint problems, angina, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes and, ultimately, premature death.”

Source: Jeff Schweitzer
SELF-HELP BOOKS

As much as I would like everyone to read my self-help book,

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

Below is one that I am particularly fond of when it comes to food.

Though food is supposed to be one of life’s simple pleasures, few things cause more angst and confusion. Every day we are bombarded with come-ons for the latest diet, promises for “clinically proven” miracle ingredients, and warnings about contaminants in our favorite foods. It’s enough to give anybody indigestion.

Packed with useful-and surprising-information, Coffee Is Good for You cuts through the clutter to reveal what’s believable and what’s not in a fun and easily digestible way.

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Good-You-Low-Carb-Nutrition/dp/0399537252

If any of you have a favorite self-help book on Exercise, please let me know about it via a comment to this post or email me.

MOVIE SUGGESTION

A shallow man falls in love with a 300 pound woman because of her “inner beauty”.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256380/

If you have a favorite movie related to exercise, please let us all know about it via a comment to this post or email me.

CONCLUSION

I tried making this post valuable to you and hopefully if I have succeeded, you will pass it on to your friends and people you care about. And if you have suggestions on how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you

Goals

November 24, 2014January 20, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’s POLL

Last weeks post contained a poll asking what is your favorite Thanksgiving Day movie. Twenty-four of you voted and Planes, Trains and Automobiles was the clear winner with over 50% of the votes casted. Just click on “View Results” of last week’s posting to see the complete results.

FUTURE POLLS

If you have ideas for future polls, just leave a comment or send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

GOALS/RESOLUTIONS

This week is Thanksgiving and before we know it 2015 will be here and so I thought it was time to start thinking about New Years resolutions or goals. I realize many ordinary people don’t believe in making New Years resolutions or setting goals and they may even be ok with not accomplishing anything particularly extraordinary in 2015. Still, it is likely that some of these ordinary people will do a few extraordinary things during 2015.

However, I suspect that if you want more from life than just being an ordinary person, you are going to have to set some concrete goals and there is no better time than now.

By concrete, I mean they need to be objectively measurable in terms of quantity, quality and time. For instance, I want to write a book, is not a concrete goal, merely a wish. However, I will write and have a book published, which will sell 100 copies by December 31, 2014 is a concrete goal. To achieve concerete goals, you need to have action plans and periodically monitor your progress towards the goal.

I would start developing my 2015 goals now, since it is likely you will want to refine them, so that come January 1, 2015 you are ready to go.

Since we are speaking of New Year’s goals or resolutions, I have to tell you about this girl I know. She told me that she made a New Year’s resolution to eat better. I thought that is a good start. Then, she added, “From now on, I’m only going to date guys who can afford to take me to expensive restaurants.”

THIS WEEKS POLL

SELF-HELP BOOKS

As much as I would like everyone to read my self-help book,

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

there are some great self-help books available that you must read.

One of the best and also one that changed my life was Steven Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I am very proud that I got to speak one-on-one with the great Steven Covey and he autographed his book for me.

If any of you have a favorite self-help book, I hope you will let us all know about it via a comment to this post.

MOVIE SUGGESTION

I really liked this movie and I think you will also; not only is it very entertaining, it contains a number of great messages, which is what being extraordinary is all about.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/

If you have a favorite movie related to goals/resolutions, pleasee let us all know about it via a comment to this post.

CONCLUSION

Thank you

Celebrate

November 17, 2014January 20, 2015 Wm. Allen6 Comments

We have a few weeks before Thanksgiving, but I thought you may find it interesting to see the various Thanksgiving Day films people like. I listed a few, but if your favorite isn’t there, you can mention it in the comments. It is easy to comment, just click on the line below the survey that says “November 17, 2014 – Leave A Comment – Edit

Trust

November 10, 2014January 20, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

Bill was talking to his neighbor Fred and says, “I really trust my wife, and I think she has always been faithful to me. But there’s always that doubt.”

Fred says, “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

Bill adds, “I’m going on a business trip for a few days, would you mind watching my house? I mean, I trust my wife but there’s always that doubt.”

Fred agrees and when Bill returns, Fred says, “I have some bad news for you. The day after you left I saw a car pull up in front of your house. Your wife ran out and got into the car and they drove away. Later, after dark, the car came back. I saw your wife and a strange man get out. They went into the house and I saw a light go on, so I ran over and looked in the window. Your wife was kissing the man. Then he took off his shirt and then… they turned off the light.”

“Then what happened?” says Bill.

Fred replies, “I don’t know. It was too dark to see.”

Bill says, “You see what I mean? There’s always that doubt.”

You should be cautious in your business affairs, but in general, you should trust people because most people are trustworthy most of the time. After all, what does your words say about you, if you say you believe everyone is a cheat. Extraordinary people believe most people are trustworthy, at least until people demonstrate otherwise.

So trust, but not to the point of being foolish. For instance, if a deal seems to be too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. In your business dealings, you should try to pay a fair price for goods & services rendered. If you drive too hard for a bargain or take advantage of someone in a difficult situation, it could come back to bite you in other ways, such as through shoddy work.

As for trusting too little or trusting too much, it is better to be too trusting and occasionally be disappointed than it is to always be on guard to the point of missing interesting experiences and knowing many wonderful people.

And always remember that you cannot be extraordinary if you aren’t trustworthy yourself, since others will not want to do business with you or be your friend.

He always believed that people live up or down to the amount of trust you put in them.”
Source: Hillary Duff, Elixir

Risk Film: American Hustle

A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive partner Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso, who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia. (Source: IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1800241/)