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The weather has been great but we are in Mid-August, and the thoughts of Fall and Winter begin to creep in your mind. The number of people coughing and sneezing will continue to grow as the weather continues to change. Those people will congregate around your desk or in your living room to help “spread the wealth”. The cold, damp, and humid climate crowd more germs into your system that turn your nose into a double barreled germ spreading machine. It is time you got prepped for the flu season that is quickly approaching. It is better to pre-plan and prepare rather than having friends diagnose your sickness based on the symptoms.
The vitamin that may come into mind for fighting the flu is vitamin C. This vitamin has plenty of benefits to boost your immune system and is often the first suggestion for fighting the flu. While it is suggested that you continue your use of vitamin C, it is not the new Vita-Must. The second vitamin that may come to mind is Echinacea, as it is also shown to help fight the flu. Echinacea is also a solid choice for fighting the flu and in combination with vitamin C; it packs an even more potent punch. However, neither of those vitamins is the vitamin we are discussing.
The vitamin we are looking for is a hot topic, and the benefits of this vitamin continue to show in studies. This vitamin shall no longer remain in the dark, it is Vitamin D. I know what you are thinking, “Seriously, vitamin D, you couldn’t have said Zinc or some other vitamin?”
Yes, the new supplement that is aiding the fight against the flu is vitamin D. The reasons why vitamin D can help stave off the flu are still being studied and understood. Some feel that the reason vitamin D helps boost the immune system, which is the reason it can help fight the flu. This vitamin’s benefits continue to be shown, and some feel it can even aid in S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Our bodies crave vitamin D, and this vitamin, which can be provided by the sun, is void in the winter months. We tend to either stay inside or bundle up when we go outside, which can block the vitamin from entering our system.
The studies on this topic and this vitamin will continue. There are several vitamin D products available here at the DS Supplements store, visit: http://www.dssupplements.com/c/vitamins . There is not a current recommendation regarding proper dosing of this vitamin in ensuring you stave off the flu. It is always our recommendation that you seek the advice of your licensed physician. Be sure to keep your immune system firing on all cylinders!
Questions regarding this article can be directed towards our forum: http://www.dssupplements.com/forum/forum.php and specific questions can be emailed to Brandon@dssupplements.com

Copyright © BH

Why sitting may wreck your behind!

This is something we have all seen and yet simple remedies for it are overlooked. We are upright beings yet we choose to sit for extended periods of time. We are making our society just the “click of a button” away, and the side effects of it continue to show. As obesity runs rampant in our society we all decide to find a simple method to overcome this raging epidemic. It’s time to get rid of that business butt!

After reading the title, you may still be stuck on what a business butt actually entails. What is a business butt? In my terms, it is what occurs when people sit for lengthy periods of time and allows overstretching of the glutes and hip extensors. Meanwhile, it is simultaneously allowing the hip flexors and transverse abdominal to relax. With these occurrences, your body basically deactivates your glute muscles (to a point) due to the prolonged stretch that occurs while sitting. The issue is compounded by the fact that your hip flexors remain relaxed and allows the muscles to shorten. The chain reaction continues because you know have a shortened range of motion in the hips. The next issue is that the shortened hip flexors can create an exaggerated anterior pelvic tilt. Each person is born with either an anterior or posterior pelvic tilt, but anterior pelvic tilt being the most common.

It’s time to start moving to help remedy this issue. For some people, it is time to get active and start moving. Find activities that you enjoy and start doing them. For others, moving around may not be an option, especially sitting for extended periods at work. Standing up from time to time will allow your hip extensors to relax and allow your hip flexors to return to their normal position. An even better remedy is to not only stand up but do hip swings with each leg. Perform hip swings from front to back followed by side to side for better glute activation. If possible, aim to do these exercises a few times throughout the day and performing them each hour is highly encouraged. Some may fear looking goofy at work, however when compared to looking goofy at the gym or the beach, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Sitting is the latest trend and seems to be the biggest contributor to the obesity epidemic that is consuming our nation. DO NOT allow yourself or your friends to be added to this statistic. It is time to get moving and get that business butt in shape! Any questions regarding this article can be directed towards our forum http://www.dssupplements.com/forum/forum.php and specific questions can be emailed to Brandon@dssupplements.com

Copyright © BH

Forced Reps, Drop Sets, Supersets, Partials, Rest-Pause and other methods of progressive overload will continue to develop. Each method has its purpose and a potential place in your workout regimen. Most of these methods are often overused and without any specific goal in mind other than trashing muscles. The thoughts of getting huge, chiseled or whatever the goal in mind ends up getting lost in overtraining your muscles. The biggest key is to have a goal in mind and set a level of progress to help achieve that goal. We will touch on these common methods within this article, but it is your duty as a reader to figure out how these methods will help you achieve your goals.

Forced reps, these are a method of progressive overload by extending a given set by x number of reps with the assistance of a spotter. It is vital to have a spotter to perform this method of progressive overload, especially since this method is best utilized on higher intensity sets.

Drop Sets, these are another method of progressive overload and is a good tool for getting a great pump and extreme amounts of blood forced into the muscle. Drop sets are done by removing a certain percentage of weight after a set and then continuing on for another set or sets. Some research has indicated that around 25% of the weight should be removed when “dropping” the weight.

Supersets, there are many ways to perform supersets and there are plenty of benefits with each method of supersetting. For this article, we will touch on same muscle supersetting. Same muscle supersetting generally involves supersetting a compound exercise with an isolation exercise. The exercise choices should involve the same muscle group.

Partials, this method involves using a partial movement and generally has a focus on the sticking point of the movement. Each person is going to be different when it comes to using this method due to the varying sticking points people have in a given exercise. A lifter can use this as they choose to make sure their strength levels continue to rise and not suffer due to a weak area in your lift. I really enjoy using this method in a specific fashion, but that is beyond the scope of this article.

Rest-Pause, this method is newer to the weight training realms based on its current uses in DC training. The rest-pause method has actually been around for quite some time, but the phrasing has evolved into what is now rest-pause. A rest-pause set is a very good method for progressive overload but can easily be overused by lifters, especially those using high volume training. The main factor when using this method is the volume involved and the amount of volume it adds to your workout. Each time you rack and unrack that bar is normally considered a set. Most people do not see this rest-pause method as a multiple set method, but as a single set method. It sounds confusing, but a normal rest-pause set involves lifting a weight for a total of 11-15 total reps. People will lift a weight for a certain number of reps, rack that weight, and rest 15-20 seconds. They will repeat this protocol another two times and that is considered one rest-pause set. In reality, that is 3 sets, and that needs to be factored into the overall volume of your workout.

The focus with each method that is used is the overall volume it adds to your workout. Each time you use a method listed above you are adding volume to your overall workout. By adding extreme volume you are placing heavy demands on your body to recover and rebuild. This sounds awesome, but it is a powerful tool that requires even more responsibility. Aim to slowly progress in your workouts and factor in the amount of volume within each successive workout. This is just one portion of the Progressive Overload principle but it is the method that is most often overused and abused. Be smart when you train and set specific goals to progress to that higher level.

Questions regarding this article can be directed towards the DS Supplements forum www.dssupplements.com/forum/forum.php and any specific questions can be answered via email at Brandon@dssupplements.com

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“After reading through my magazine I decided to start this new diet plan where I eat nothing but meat for 7 days. At the end of the seven days, I switch to 7 days of fruits, and then finish with 7 days of raw vegetables. A few of my friends have tried the diet and after the first week they have seen amazing transformation already and they’ve all lost at least 7 pounds. I cannot wait to start this diet and see how well it works for me.”

The diet above sounds truly promising and people have already started thinking the diet listed sounds like a solid diet. I am not here to say the above diet won’t work, I am just here to tell you why that diet and similar diets won’t necessarily work for you. The listed plan looks quite promising, especially if you know nutrition and know how your body digests macronutrients. I am not a licensed dietician or a nutritionist so I cannot prescribe a diet or even say the above diet is for you. What I can say is that the above diet, based on articles and research will work for most people. The problem with the diet listed is that it is not a lifestyle, but a 6-12 weeks approach to INSANITY. Eating in cycles such as the one listed above will drive the average person insane. The problem with the above diet is that it sounds doable and to some it sounds very logical. I know what you are thinking; get to the point of this article so I can get started on the above diet. BAM, diet fails! The above diet is not a lifestyle change but a way to change your life in the short term. What will you do after the 12 week point? Will you go back to eating normal? What is normal eating?

The good thing about most diets is that they can and will work as long as they are based around a few simple rules. The problem with dieting is people get lost in the amount of time they diet. People begin to think, “I’ve only got 3 weeks left of eating like this” and “I’ve lost x amount of weight so I guess a few more weeks won’t hurt”. Dieting should not be for 4 weeks or 12 weeks unless you have a specific end result such as a bodybuilding competition, triathalon, or similar. Everyone has the opportunity and choice to diet, but the problems people run into during the diet or after the diet are of issue. Find what foods you enjoy that are considered healthy and see where they fit within your daily caloric allowance. Do not completely overhaul your diet like dad’s old car as the end result is pieces in every corner of the garage. When completing a lifestyle change, it should come in phases. Slowly adapt to your healthy meal choices by getting used to each one in phases. Start with a meal and slowly build up from that point into two meals, then three, and so on until you have a complete lifestyle change. If you look at any success strategy whether it be drug detox or rehab, everything comes in phases (or steps).

To complete this mission of health you need helpers onboard and those that share similar goals. Create a supporting cast that will help you on your journey. If you are eating raw broccoli while someone else is eating pizza you will soon crumble. This is not a test of wills, it is a journey to a better you. Similar to those suffering from addiction it is time to get others on your path or move forward (This is not the way to end a relationship, so do not take it that way. I do not want to have your boyfriend or girlfriend emailing me they just got dumped for eating pizza). Other people do not want to feel dragged into a new diet plan that you are following. People need to understand that you are eating better, because eating better makes you feel better (and everything else that comes with feeling better). It may not be something that people want to follow along with at first, but once the results start showing people will follow.

Any questions regarding this article can be emailed to: Brandon@dssupplements.com and/or the DS Supplement forum www.dssupplements.com/forum/forum.php
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Copyright © BH

Well, you have made it to the site and are sifting through all of the supplements we have to offer. Everyday I hear; “I want this”, “this looks good”, “I’ve read about that”, and “I gotta have this”. Now, before you empty your cart and think I am telling you not to buy, listen up.

Each day a new supplement ad comes out with for a new product or a revamped product. This ad promises everything from steroid-like gains to a freakishly ripped physique. Immediately you hop on to DS Supplements and find that supplement and buy it. Boom, you get the supplement and starting poppin’ those pills or downing the powder. Four to Six weeks later, you are on the forum upset at the world for not telling you the supplement was bunk. You nearly decide to launch a campaign against this product due to the lack of results from the product. This is understandable if you follow the proper steps of supplementing.

Supplementing is the act of aiding or adding to what is deficient or is not fully complete. When looking for a supplement, you need to decide what your purpose is for that supplement and when to supplement it. This still means that you can take the latest and greatest bulking or cutting agent, but you need to factor in when it will best supplement your goals. For example, there is a new bulking product on the market, and you want to use it now. Perfect, so before you pop the top on that supplement let’s look at some other factors. First, what does your diet look like? Is it geared towards bulking or is it geared towards cutting? Second, what does your training look like? What are your goals with the training routine you are employing? Third, what events are coming up that may interrupt your supplementation protocols? All of these questions and more, should be answered before you start taking this supplement. Some people may disagree and say that if a supplement does what it says, then you can use it whenever. Well, this is partially true. If the supplement promises size gains, then you should see some size. If it promises fat loss, you should lose fat. What the product promises should be seen in some degree, however things are not always this clear cut. I’ve seen countless people on forums talk so badly about a supplement simply because the scale did not move. If you want to worry about scale weight, I hope you need to qualify for some type of contest. Why would you sacrifice hard earned muscle just to see the number on the scale drop? We can dive into that on the forums and discuss it a little deeper (www.dssupplements.com/forum/forum.php). Whatever It is that the supplement promotes, you will want to put forth the efforts you have to aid in making sure those results happen. This does not mean lie and promote a supplement that did not work for you. This means that your diet needs to be setup and not a constant rollercoaster ride of fried chicken then plain chicken. You need to make sure your training is done when scheduled and without missed days or interruption. Proper sleep is also key to making sure you are making progress. Far too often, products fail based on lack of preparation by the user. Not all people reading this will fall into that category and if you start having hurt feelings, then it’s time to analyze your protocols prior to supplementation.

The key is making sure you don’t blame a product for its ineffectiveness if you have no organization or planning prior to supplementing. These things go beyond general supplementation because if you want to see any progress you will need some type of organization. Be sure that when you are browsing through supplements on your next order you look at each product and decide when it’s best to use that product. Why you are supplementing with that product should also play a role in your choice as well. It may seem a little odd that a supplement distributor such as DS Supplements is writing up this article, but we honestly do care. If you aren’t satisfied with your supplements, you won’t be happy. Happy customers make good spokespeople and that attitude helps you as well as the team at DS. We want you to come back here for your supplement needs and we want you to be satisfied with your purchase.

We’ll see you on the forums!

-Team DS Supplements