Tips to Improve Your Performance

If you want to increase your energy and endurance,  you need to work on your flexibility.  Whether you are an athlete, weekend warrior or simply want to have more stamina during your day at work, a limber body feels good and performs better. No, we are not suggesting everyone run out and join a yoga class (though of course this would certainly help).  But you do need to spend a few minutes a day increasing your range of motion.   You can even work on your flexibility sitting on a chair watching  TV at night. There is no excuse.  Check out this 10 minute workout: chair exercises.

Stiff or Sore Muscles?

This article is going to focus on what you need to put into your body to achieve better flexibility.  When muscles become tense, this creates an environment where nutrients are not able to flow freely.  If you have overworked your muscles they need nutritional support to recover.

How Magnesium Can Help Your Flexibility, Energy & Endurance

Most people are deficient in magnesium which is one of the most important nutrients for you body, including your muscles. Magnesium can be found in quite a few foods but unfortunately modern farming has almost destroyed most nutritional elements in the food chain.  The top 3 food sources for magnesium are dark, green leafy vegetables, nuts or seeds and fish.  Magnesium is depleted by stress, caffeine, poor diet, drugs, alcohol as well as excessive calcium.  This pretty well sums up modern day life. If you find yourself irritable, sleeping poorly, tense, prone to cramps or muscle spasms, moody, constipated or have difficulty with mental fogginess, start taking magnesium right away.  One of the top selling magnesium supplements in the entire world is Natural Calm  (link to 40% off  retail) It was developed over 30 years ago by Peter and has helped millions of people since that time.

Athletes have been using Natural Calm for many years.  Magnesium is very important for flexibility, energy and endurance. Have you ever run out of steam and had to stop your workout  very suddenly?  This was a sign that you just depleted your magnesium. Replenish your supply and you will recover almost immediately.

Super-fit People Need Pacemakers in Old Age

According to the dailymail.co.uk, studies show that super-fit people need pacemakers in old age.  Heavy exercise, especially something like long distance running or cycling , damages the heart and causes heart arrhythmia (irregular heart beat).   This is because exercise and sweating deplete magnesium and other nutrients.  If you keep up your magnesium intake, you will not damage your heart.

Oxygen

Another excellent way to increase your energy and endurance is increasing your oxygen supply into the body. One of the best ways to do this is using an oxygen supplement.  Here is one of our favorites:  Oxy Boost .  Oxygen improves circulation.  By doing so it increases energy and reduces fatigue.  In fact, oxygen supplementation can increase recovery from strenuous exercise by as much as 50% !

Other Helpful Nutrients

Organic sulfur or “methylsulfonylmethane”, better known as MSM, reduces inflammation and has many joint benefits.  MSM detoxifies the cells and helps the walls of the cells to become softer and more permeable so they are able to absorb nutrients and remove waste products.  Taking MSM on a regular basis can prevent your muscles and tendons from getting sore as well as help with flexibility.

For information on other supplements that can help improve your performance, check out our Sports Nutrition page.

Diet

Though we have left diet to the end, it is by far the most important factor in the health of your body and how it performs.  Whatever type of diet you subscribe to – paleo, raw, low carb, vegan or something in-between, make sure that you eat “clean” food.  By clean we mean it comes from nature, not a box or can and whenever possible, eat organic.  We cannot emphasize enough how important it is for your health to keep pesticides and other chemicals out of your body.

Fruits and vegetables have high antioxidant properties.  Antioxidants are anti-aging.  They help reduce inflammation, prevent disease and have many other benefits.  Eat them every day in large quantities.

To your Health!

Peter Gillham