The Power of

Full Spectrum Herbal Remedies

By Bill Crimi

      The term ‘full spectrum’ with regard to herbs is used to describe an herbal product that retains all of its naturally occurring components. The benefit of full spectrum herbs is commonly believed to be better suited for purposes intended by purists and many alternative medicine practitioners. Their belief is that Mother Nature knows best with respect to developing a natural remedy, and they may be right.

     To extract a single component of an herb which has been identified as the primary beneficial substance, possibly may hinder absorption and utilization when administered alone. Whether standardized or not, such an extract lacks potentially needed co-components such as enzymes, trace elements etc. which may act as a catalyst in mechanism of action. In effect, using a non full-spectrum herbal product, may render it ineffective, or in the least…less effective.

     As an example, we certainly know of vitamins and minerals which have been shown to work in the system better (synergistically) when combined, especially when related, as in the B-vitamin family. The term ‘complex’ is usually used to describe such supplements. Vitamin C-Complex is for instance a combination of ascorbic-acid and bio-flavanoids. Also, we know of the many muscle building benefits when combining certain amino acids for optimal results. For this reason, taking a full-spectrum herbal remedy may be best.

     Though well-meaning herbalists attempt to formulate their compounds to match the balance found in nature, a slight deviation might occur. Being out of kilt in a small degree should normally not matter. As long as ‘all’ the components are present, the preparation should work as intended.

     So, if you have had little success with an herbal remedy in the past, you might want to try one that has not been overly processed in order to extract a single component, standardized or not…Don’t confuse standardization with full-spectrum, because there is a great difference. Standardized simply means that the product has a measured dose of a particular saponin. Products like these may only contain one element of the botanical which has been deemed the active component. A standardized herbal product is often touted as best, but this may not always be true…full-spectrum might be a better way to go.

    

     

You Are What You Think-Sometimes

by Bill Crimi

     There are many books, articles, tapes, etc. which touch upon the power of the mind and its ability to transform us into what we strongly desire. Great men and woman of every description can be found throughout history proclaiming to have achieved great feats, by believing in the possibilities. Often, they report having mastered the art of positive thinking, and have ‘seen’ themselves in a position of accomplishment, long before they actually arrived at their goal…You can too…You can change, by changing the way you think.

     In the health and fitness community, our ultimate goals are somewhat varied. Some of us may want to develop a huge, powerful, physique bulging with rippling, vascular mounds of muscle. Others may be seeking a more tamed, athletic look, pleased enough to look and feel fit. Then, there are some who desire power…great strength with the ability to move and lift eye-popping weight, and less concerned by esthetic, proportions. Whatever your goal, learn to harness the power of your mind to achieve it. Paint a clear, decisive image of yourself having obtained what you want in your mind. Plant it there and visit it every day. Know in your heart and soul that what it is you desire…is as possible for you to obtain, as it is for anyone else you may have been aspiring to be like.

     Gandhi, the great transformer of India once said, “We are products of our thoughts. What we think, we become.” How many times have you heard similar statements like, “What you can conceive, you can achieve…” and after hearing these up-lifting words, knowing that they are true…you soon forget the message. I have heard so many lifters for instance say that as they approach the weight, they have already, in their mind, seen themselves lifting the weight. They preach that even a fraction of self-doubt will usually kill a potential, record breaking lift. Successful power-lifters practice positive thinking all the time. They make it a part of their existence, their life force, their heart and mindset. At least the best-of-the-best do…

     Great achievers in sports, business, science, the arts and life in general can be found, all pointing to the importance of believing in self, as a key to unlocking the door to success. They say that action itself is not enough; neither is determination, or a plan. Though all these things contribute to success, the ones who know…those that have arrived all claim that self-doubt, not believing in the possibilities, will more than likely kill the effort. Anything short of positive thinking, is just riding on luck. Maybe you’ll get what you want, but not very likely. Certainly makes sense to me. Not hard to understand at all. How about you?

     Sometimes we tend to either, accept BS with ease, or over analyze, with both hindering our success. Advertisers know this. They know that most of us will accept BS and get us to buy a worthless product as long as they package it right, use the right tantalizing images and words to fool us. On the other hand, when we over analyze something as simplistic as the benefit of not drinking soda (for instance) we not only waste our money by buying soft drinks, we hinder our health as well. With these thoughts in mind, it is easy for the average person to discard mind-power as BS. It is easy for the small minded to over analyze the benefits of positive thinking. But, chances are…you are not average if this article caught your eye, and you have read it this far. You are most likely a seeker…one with expansive possibilities…one who ultimately will rise above the average Joe.

     Now, let’s get back to the root of this article. You are what you think (sometimes) The reason I included the word (sometimes) is because I’m very much aware that we can at times become delusional. Some people are delusional all the time. You know the type; the little, pretty boy in the gym who can’t take his eyes off himself in the mirror. He stands there smiling at himself, flexing and flaring his small, skinny body obviously seeing something quite different in his reflection than those around him. He’s usually a bit cocky, and struts around the gym floor as if he’s a star of some sort. Usually, the only person you’ll ever see hanging with him is some poor, simple-minded, introverted soul who is clueless. The rest of us just shake our heads at the sight with a bit of sympathy, and try to avoid any interaction with the nut.

      I’ve been around a long time. In and out of many gyms in my life, and would be hard pressed to think of a single gym I’ve ever spent time in, where there was not at least ‘one’ basket case…usually there are a few, but that’s food for another article. My point here is to touch upon the real benefits of thinking in a new way about yourself, and your abilities, especially if your present way of thinking has not given you satisfactory results. Lets face it…most people seem to think pretty much the same. Our eyes and ears are intoned to accept, willingly or not, that which we have been repeatedly exposed to. We are all brain-washed to some extent. The more we discard false, negative, notions about our abilities, the more space we free up in our mind and life to replace with positive ideas and experiences.

     If you are searching for a new way, because the old way rarely seems to work out in your favor, than I encourage you to explore a new way of thinking. Continue to read books and articles about the power of the mind, and your ability to change. Self-help gurus write and speak endlessly on this phenomenon of human potential, yet few ever come to fully grasp and utilize such power. At times, it takes just the right person, saying something in just the right way for us to fully understand what we might have heard and missed in the past. It’s like that ‘ah-hah moment’ we hear about from others in self-fulfillment circles…This writing is not a tutorial on the subject of mind-power, it is merely a rehash of encouragement; a reminder of your personal possibilities…a reminder that we are what we think. It’s along the same vein as, “we are what we eat” eat crap, and you’ll look like crap, right? So, what’s difficult in not understanding that crappy thoughts form crappy results?

     Look…I’m over sixty years of age. I’ve been a winner and I’ve been a loser at things in life. Whenever I have lost at something worth gaining, it was due mostly to my own mind-set at the time. In some way shape or form, I lost, at least in part because I allowed hindering thoughts to cloud my mind. When I have succeeded, much of the success resulted from strong, self-assured thinking. I’m no different from the average person when I am thinking average thoughts…but, I am an exception to the rule when my mind is focused, clear and in order. When it comes to working out for instance, I have strayed from the gym for years at a time, regressing back to a weak frame of mind and body. If I allowed myself to believe I could not come back at my age, improve my health, make size and strength gains, then I would never have walked back into a gym. I would not have transformed 14 inch arms into 18 inch arms at sixty years of age. I would not be squatting with up to 400 lbs across my shoulders, and I would not be able to perform partial dead-lifts of over 550 pounds…but, I do. If I achieved these things at my age, you can too, with right thinking.

     One test I did recently to test the power of the mind, was on the power rack. With dead-lifts, on days when I would do partials and lock-outs, my best had been up till then about 455 lb partials. (below the knee start) I had been bothered by thoughts that I should have been able to go higher by now, and recognized that I approached my top weight with a little apprehension…on some days; I couldn’t even do a single with less than 400 lbs.

     On this ‘test’ day, I relaxed my mind. Instead of fearing the weight, I envisioned myself easily lifting the bar. I committed my thinking to ‘knowing’ that I could lift whatever I chose to put on the bar. I didn’t count the plates, I just kept adding a little at a time. After reaching what seemed like a top single for the day, I then began to count the weight…it was 555 lbs (a hundred lbs more than my past best) This is similar to a test I have performed on others years ago, when I was a trainer. Usually I would do it with the bench press for those who told me they were stuck at the same weight for months. I would load the weight for them without them knowing how much was on the bar. Between lifts, I would have them just sit up on the bench and face away, so that they could not see how much I was adding each set. Without exception, every person I ever performed this exercise with managed a single with up to 30 lbs more than, their sticking point.

     In closing, I want to wish you success with your health and fitness goals. If you feel yourself slipping back into negative thinking, don’t accept it. Something triggered the regression…and as long as you have that negative thinking pull at you, it will keep robbing you of your energy, power and potential. Find a way to re-focus. If it is an injury to your body, baby the body part till it heals…it will. If it is an injury to your mind…change you’re thinking…and the mind will heal spontaneously.

The Garden of your Mind

The Garden of Your Mind

by Bill Crimi

     Deep inside of you, there is a powerful force waiting to be discovered. It lays as dormant as a massive oak on a winters day, yet full of life, ready to spring forth…to bloom and grow. The supernatural pathway towards your greatest achievement exists within your mind. Step off the mind-road of failure, and onto the path of success.

     It seems that most of our failures stem from a false sense of self. The thinking that we lack some required, basic, unobtainable ability. At times, this form of self-defeating thought has been planted in us by those around us. Sometimes, we sow the seeds of failure ourselves. We plant invasive mind-weeds instead of golden wheat. However those entangled weeds came into being, they must first be plucked and burned before you can grow and harvest a successful crop.

     In reality…you are no ‘less’ capable of great achievement than those you most admire. You can raise higher than the level obtained by your teacher, and a ‘good’ teacher would feel greatly rewarded when you do. Do you have a hero which you aspire to be like? What about aspiring to surpass the accomplishment of your hero? You can…

     The most potent motivator to find the powerful ‘you’ is to ‘know’ it exists. Finding the powerful truth within you, may be as easy as casting out the false, negative  beliefs you have come to accept about yourself. Imagine pulling out all the tall, bothersome weeds of your mind, and discovering beautiful flowers hidden in their midst…Your beautiful mind was there all along, obscured by unattended, ugly, overgrowth.  

     Now…in your beautiful, clear and fertile mind, you can grow into whatever it is you desire.

A Dose of Inspiration and Motivation

A Dose of Inspiration & Motivation

by Bill Crimi – July, 2010

Inspire: Inspirit; breathe; take in breath…

Motivate: To provide with a motive: Actuate

     If your training has resulted in little or no gain lately, you probably need a good dose of inspiration and motivation. Although these words are actually synonymous, they sometimes take on slightly different meaning in our culture. The word inspire has roots within the word, inspirit. It also means to breathe…to take in breath. In effect, when we have lost our inspiration, we have somehow become at least detached from our spirit,  limiting our breath, and weakening our life sustaining energy.

     It sounds kind of supernatural in a way, doesn’t it? Well… maybe it is. Most great achievers have made reference to a seemingly invisible force taking them over when they are in the so-called, zone, or groove. Athletes, artists, musicians all speak of “getting and staying in the zone.” This zone is the place they attribute to having accomplished their greatest feats. As a bodybuilder, or power-lifter, we also come to recognize this zone of inspirational, performance. There are times when in training or competing, we suddenly feel a sense of being ‘there’ seemingly in perfect harmony with ourselves, our environment and the weight at hand…Like a spirit taking over us…we are inspirit, inspired…and everything seems to go just right, smoother and easier. The weight in our hands seem somewhat lighter at times like this. Our mental focus is running at a hundred percent, and suddenly our rep range surpasses that which we have achieved in recent workouts. Often, it is in these moments of clarity and connection to spirit that we actually far exceed past performance.

 

     Once we have found this type of inspiration, it may be hard to fully grasp and hold onto. For most, it seems to come and go, remaining frustratingly elusive. But, if we recognize what triggers it within ourselves, we can be more successful in summoning up that inspiring power at will. Learning to tune into it makes the difference between a super-performer as apposed to a performer. It is what separates out the super-star athlete, from the average. Connecting with your inner power, brings you into a state of being outside the limiting confines of ego. Ego is simply the awareness of ‘self’, what you think you are, or think you look like to others…often enough…not what you are at all. With your attention to ego, you are immediately more vulnerable to self-doubt, anxiety and ultimate failure. When you tune out the loud, hindering voice of the ego, you are then able to hear the strong, encouraging whisper of your soul. It is then that you will be in-spirit, inspired…and free to accomplish or exceed your goal.

“Inspiration and genius—one and the same.” Victor Hugo

     As much as we need a steady dose of inspiration and motivation, so do we need a steady dose of nutritional supplements on a regular basis for peak performance. Motivation is the activating spark which ignites a flame within us. It can be a thought, a dream, something greeting our eyes, a sound, a word, or touch…many things. Most of us were first motivated to train for mass at the sight of a bodybuilder sporting massive, muscular proportions. Without that experience, how would we know such mass was humanly possible? What would there be to strive for physically? A lot less muscle, that’s for sure. So, to help motivate us towards our goal, it seems a wise thing to regularly pick up those bodybuilding magazines and remind ourselves of  the possibilities by gazing at photos of the pros. We should go to sites like bodybuilding.com on a regular basis, become a BodySpace member and delve into the vast resources available there to help us stay motivated.

     In my off time, I find it very motivating to watch a few workout videos, or interviews with professional, and advanced bodybuilders. YouTube is a great place to find such videos. Better yet, watch them at BodyBuilding.com, so that you can also read inspirational stories, ideas and articles from contributors. Track your progress on BodySpace pages, and share with other members as well. Join some interesting BodyGroups; enjoining with like minded people throughout the world. All of these things help.

     Another motivating and inspiring thing to practice is to review your past, when you are faltering. Remember what got you started, or re-started on a path towards ultimate health and fitness. Were you bullied as a young person then noticed how as your muscles grew, so did peoples respect for you? It certainly happened to me in my younger days. I seemed to be always battling someone for honor and respect with my skinny arms, but when the guns started growing…nobody picked fights with me anymore. Even as an adult, I have noticed that I get a lot more respect in the Spring and Summer, than I do in Fall and Winter when the heavy clothing hides my physique. The more muscle you have, showing, the more people will leave you at peace. Now, that’s motivating enough for me…especially living in the city. I don’t always have to be on point while walking the streets, and of course I’m more confident with any confrontations that might arise.

     Motivation can come from the most unexpected sources sometimes, completely separate from our specific path. When we are feeling down on ourselves, bemoaning everybody and everything, we might catch a glimpse of inspiration in the eye of a handicapped child, for instance. The child might have leg braces on both limbs, scurrying along, happily in flight on crutches with a twinkle in their eye. In such an instance, it might give pause to our own self-induced suffering, and self-pity enough to snap out of it, allowing us to re-capture a clearer frame of mind. With a cleared mind, we are then able to focus once again on our dream, bringing us a step closer to fulfillment.

     Inspiration and motivation can also be found by not just pursuing something simply for the benefit of ourselves. Unless you are psychotic, or super self-centered, attempting to achieve something of value only for yourself, can easily cumulate in empty, lonely failure. Imagine having great health, wealth and fame, but nobody to celebrate it with. That is when fame becomes infamous…it is when you are known, but not liked. It is when you will eventually become “that guy” in the “What ever happened to that guy…you know…the one who used to be…” the one nobody can remember your name. Doing for the sole purpose of self (ego) is not a very motivating factor, for most of us, when the ego is at work, inspiration becomes elusive.

     In closing, I encourage you to re-think who you think you are, and discover who you really are by tuning into the power of the universe…the grand, ultimate power which beckons for you to recognize and attach to. With ego, you are limited to mere, earthy, mortal accomplishments, but as ego dissipates…and you harness the power of your immortal spirit, you exist within a universe devoid of limitations.