Friday, December 04, 2009

8 Reasons to remain concerned about Mad Cow Disease

Posted by Mickey Z on 12/04 at 06:47 AM
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  1. The crunch itself: Visualize your ribs moving toward your hips. Now, crunch your ribs toward your hips while exhaling. Return to the starting position while inhaling. Repeat.
    Note: There is no need to lift your torso up. No need for twisting or turning. The simple—almost minute—movement is to crunch your ribs toward your hips.
    Mickey how high is “no need to lift...” ?
    Thanks, B.

    Posted by Bob T from Archer, FL  on  12/04  at  07:21 AM

  2. Hey Bob. I’m cautious about giving advice via the Web but just get used to the feeling of “crunching” ribs toward hips and you’ll see how far up you need to lift.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/04  at  07:29 AM

  3. Funny timing.

    I recently got back to what I will call ‘uncovered’ abs (everyone has them but visibility depends on body fat)at age 36.

    Between 2002 and 2008 I did kung fu every week often three or four times and lots of it was movement that ripped up the abs. But they still didn’t stick out, so to speak.

    What led to the general loss of body fat that led to having a flat stomach was a sugar snack free vegetarian diet and going cycling for 90 minutes a time 3 times a week.

    The best way to look and feel good is to clean up (green up) your diet and walk/ride everywhere.

    I have to strongly agree with the article in that the idea of ‘spot loss’ is the biggest myth going. I know loads of people that think if you want to lose weight from your stomach, you should exercise your stomach muscles.

    It’s important to learn the basic science - any energy you put in that doesn’t get used is stored. That’s why it’s important to have an active lifestyle. No one should have to go down to eating a single stick of celery to lose wieght.

    Posted by Andy from shanghai  on  12/04  at  07:30 AM

  4. Ab-solutely, Andy. Having “cut” abs requires good eating habits and intense cardio training.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/04  at  08:00 AM

  5. Thanks Mickey. I know for everyone it’s different especially compared to you all. I’m 68 over 300lbs. and I walk 3 miles a day then do some weights and calisthenics (laps in warmer weather). My 50 crunches are a quick 10 count touchin’ about a third below my knees. Not lookin’ for washboards as much as bein’ able to get along healthily without too many creaks and pains.

    Posted by Bob T. from Archer, FL  on  12/04  at  10:58 AM

  6. That’s why I cant give you specific advice, Bob. Everyone has their own needs. If you can get some input from a local trainer about crunches, it could help. Good luck.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/04  at  11:03 AM

  7. It seems to work for me. I’m into findin’ my own ways without professionals. You’re an exception ‘cause you’re obviously not promotin’ a 3 yr. health plan sign up… Thanks again.

    Posted by Bob T. from Archer, FL  on  12/04  at  11:15 AM

  8. Thanks again, Bob. Always good to have you join in here.

    Btw, the only 3-year health plan I’d like to implement would be for the entire eco-system.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/04  at  11:17 AM

  9. We need to implement a system of equal justice.

    Let’s imagine that I - and I mean me specifically - got myself a big tub of arsenic or whatever and started to carry it in full view through a town.

    Then I walk to the back of a local elementary school to a stream full of fish and riverbank animal nests and proceed to empty the barrel in there.

    Now - what’s going to happen to me? I assume I’m going to get arrested for dumping and potentially charged further as it is poisonous. I will certainly be apprehended and put in the tank.

    If justice was equal - then all the businesses that do this everyday, and are all known to the gov, should all immediately be booked and taken to jail where they then await charges. All of them.

    In fact, why is it not happening right now?

    Posted by Andy from shanghai  on  12/04  at  12:17 PM

  10. Wanna work on your abs?  Hula hoop.  It ain’t just for little girls anymore.  I was hula hooping at a raw festival over the summer and I couldn’t believe how much of a workout that was for the abs.  I was really feeling it the next day. 

    Here’s a video where I’m hula hooping.  I’m right in the first couple seconds.  I know I look silly, but heck, it was fun.  I’m also hula hooping in the dark with a glow in the dark one around 5:41.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usATdhXhRhI

    Great article on plastic, by the way.  According to this link, this is the 100 year anniversary of the first truly synthetic plastic, originally called Bakelite.  http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/plastics.htm That’s a day that should go down in infamy.  Bet the poor sap had no idea how pervasive his invention would be.

    Posted by Charles from Jersey City  on  12/04  at  03:31 PM

  11. Possibly a silly question: Even when ‘visualising’ my ribs moving, my feet tend to rise off the floor, or at least the pressure on them lessens. Should I be pushing them down, or ignore them and concentrate on the abs?

    Posted by Mew from clophill  on  12/04  at  06:19 PM

  12. Charles, you always seem to be having an awful lot of fun. Good for you.

    Mew: I’m not sure why that would happen but I have to guess that perhaps you’re lifting your torso too high or keep your frame too tense (or both). The movement is short and subtle. Once you feel contraction of the ab muscles, it’s complete.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/04  at  07:51 PM

  13. Hi Mickey, Bob T. Andy, Charles and Mew - from a much cooler Daylesford (all of 68F today, the 5th day of summer down under). 

    Just read and voted for your piece on Mad Cow Disease - believe one of the countries which has lifted its ban on beef imports from the US is Australia.  After all, we are your closest ally - or are we?  Not much difference between the Howard (defeated in November 2007) and the present Rudd governments there. 

    And may I ask you one question, Mickey?  Is it still possible to send you an international draft over $4.95 plus a few dollars for postage and get an autographed copy from you?  If the answer is ‘Yes’, I’d send you the draft either at the end of December or early January 2010. 

    Have a good weekend, all of my fellow expendables!

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  12/04  at  07:52 PM

  14. Gotta have fun where I can, Mickey.  The world’s way too depressing a place.

    Posted by Charles from Jersey City  on  12/04  at  08:02 PM

  15. Yes, Helga, that works for me. Thanks.

    Again, Charles, good for you. I need to get myself back into that frame of mine. I was once very good at it but life has gotten the best of more often than not lately.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/04  at  08:19 PM

  16. Mickey, I relaxed a little and it was fine. Good general advice I guess. No-ones ever going to see my abs, unless they disembowel me with a spade, but its nice to know they’re there.

    Posted by Mew from clophill  on  12/04  at  09:22 PM

  17. Helga,
    I think my sorry-assed country (Canada) might have you beat for #1 ally, but it’s pretty close.  In fact, I just listened to John Pilger’s amazing speech at the Sydney Opera House and every time he said Australia, he could have easily changed it to Canada.  The video and transcript are available on his website and it’s worth a look.  I had tears swelling in my eyes. 

    Charles, sound advice on having fun and keeping a sense of humor.  It’s so easy to feel down and out when you have values and a conscience in the 21st century.

    What nation in their right mind would import beef from the U.S.?  I think I’d rather import dog shit.

    Posted by Mike from Cariboo  on  12/04  at  09:44 PM

  18. Hello again.

    Another full post is up. I hope you can all vote for the Planet Green stuff. Thanks in advance.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/05  at  07:23 AM

  19. Thanks for your reply, Mickey #15.  And Mike #17:  I’ll go ‘looking’ for John Pilger’s speech right now. Thanks for the tip.

    Ciao, Helga

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  12/05  at  03:28 PM

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