Hello Fit Fam ..
It is the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is coming!! Which means it's time for another installment of my MERRY FITMAS GIFT GUIDE!!
Each year I put together some of my favorite fitness finds and products that I know the fitness lover in your life would love to see under the tree!
Make sure to watch my Instagram Story as we get closer to Santa coming! Many of these companies have great sales and I may or may not be doing a giveaway or two as well!
Happy Gifting :)
Stacy
#1 - Athletic Apparel (i.e. - Anything except jeans, lol! Gym clothes, cute lounge clothes, leggings, sweatshirts, tank tops, etc.)
There are endless brands out there. Of course there are the obvious ones like Nike, Athleta, Lululemon, etc. But I suggest that you branch out and support smaller businesses!
My favorite is FOXY ATHLETICS! They just released the brand new Carla II leggings in FOUR color combos! So whether you go with the classics or the new ones .. you can't lose! These are comfortable, pass the squat test and have pocket(s) that hold your cell phone (in case) snug and in place!
You can use my code STACY to get FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING!!! Perfect for all y'all that are waiting until the last moment! Sizes are true to size and compression style! If it helps .. I am an XS.
If your fitness lover is a fan of 1st Phorm they have TONS of great apparel including leggings that were designed by ..... FOXY ATHLETICS! For 1st Phorm you can use my link for FAST FREE SHIPPING! www.1stphorm.com/stacy
#2 - Supplements
This stuff can get expensive so I can guarantee that nobody is gonna complain about getting a nice supply of protein powder, pre-workout, etc.
My GO TO every single day "fitness supplements" are by 1st Phorm. I've been using this company for over 4 years because it not only tastes the best .. but QUALITY!! Most companies go whatever route is CHEAPEST. Not 1st Phorm. They use low temperature processing on their products and because of that you get what the label says but also you get a product that does not cause ANY stomach problems!!! My supplements change based on what phase of training I am in. But my supply consists mainly of ... Level 1 Protein, Phormula-1 Protein, Ignition, BCAAS, MicroFactor Vitamin Pack, MegaWatt, AlphaCre, Creatine, Glutamine, GDA and any of the sleep aids (C-21 and Night T are my faves.) But there are so many others!!! PLEASE EMAIL ME and let me help customize! What I need may not be what our loved one needs! Use www.1stphorm.com/stacy every time you order for no minimum FREE SHIPPING and 110% money back guarantee if for some reason you aren't happy with your purchase!!!!
The other company I use is VITAL PROTEINS. If you want to learn more about how I am becoming healthier and healing my gut with COLLAGEN products. Check out THIS blog!
I personally use the COLLAGEN BEEF GELATIN and COLLAGEN BONE BROTH POWDER the most (daily.) Then on occasion I'll have the Collagen Peptides, Collagen Whey, Collagen Creamers and Collagen Matcha! I also LOVE the Beauty Boost daily vitamin!
If you have heard your loved one say they have gut issues (bloat/gas/etc), that they want healthier skin, hair or nails, have bad joints, have issues recovering from workouts, or simply say they want to try VP products .. most people start with the Collagen Peptides because they are most versatile. But it really depends! Feel free to shoot me an email and I'll help you order! If you don't mind .. use my LINK to order! They are hyper linked! But if you ever need it just DM me on the gram or email me!
You do get FREE US Shipping when you use it
For digestive enzymes I use GAINS IN BULK
#3 - Mobility Tools
We can't afford to get massages or body work every day .. but THIS IS THE NEXT BEST THING!
These mobility tools have changed my life!!
They are called RAD ROLLER. Guys I'm telling you .. this IS NOT your standard roller, etc. This company has really thought about human anatomy and the way our body works to bring THE BEST mobility tools on the market (in my opinion and MANY others that have purchased/used.)
I suggest investing in the entire kit . But my favorites are the ATOM, Helix, Roller Original (blue) and ALL of the rad rounds. The "block" also comes in REALLY handy! Hit me up and I'll tell you how to use them and you can use code StacyM at checkout for a big discount!
Oh and did I mention everything is so small it fits in your gym bag?!? Yup .. I take these with me everywhere! Even when I travel!
Make this present extra special by adding a Gift Certificate for some real deal Body Work and/or a massage. Here are my favorite peeps in Las Vegas in case that is where you live!
Fixed By KG (body work)
Kinetic Bodywork - Kevin Buechter (massage)
#4 - Gym Bag Essentials (This is really like 10 things categorized under one)
My gym bag has a gym inside of it, lol. There are so many things that can make your gym experience better and often many things a gym-goer NEEDS in their gym bag.
Here are a few things I think are ESSENTIAL
Versa Grips - Can NOT do an upper body or deadlift day without these!
Weight Belt - (got mine on amazon but I'm hoping Santa brings me a Cardillo)
Bands - (The X Bands, Gains In Bulk, sling shot and Arsenal are my faves.)
Ankle Weights (the kind that wrap around your ankle. They even have them at TJ Maxx usually)
Ankle Straps - I ONLY use IPR Fitness. This brand is THE BEST! Get em on Amazon!
Squat Sponge - I got mine through Gains In Bulk. But IRP also has a great one that I'm getting next!
Jump Rope
Battle Ropes
Sliders
#5 - Meal/Gym Bag
6 pack, FitMark, etc. There are endless companies and endless styles.
I like the backpack and tote from 6 pack bags the best! I don't have a code buy lots of my FITFAM does. So hit me up if you can't find one and I'll get ya one!
#6 - Fitness Tracker/Smart Watch
I have an Apple Watch and love it! I had a FITBIT originally and loved it just as much! Style will depend on what type of workouts an lifestyle/needs your fitness lover has!
#7 - Meal Prep Company
Sometimes the most challenging part of living this lifestyle is .. meal prep. I enjoy making my own foods, but I'm not gonna lie, it would be helpful to AT LEAST have bulk meats sent to me in the mail! Some people would love to have ENTIRE meals. Whatever your fitness lover would prefer .. there is a meal prep company out there that offers it! Why not buy them 3 months, 6 months, 12 months of "meal prep". It's the gift that keeps giving .. especially someone who is pressed for time!
You can contact the meal prep companies to see about how you would go about this. Google for ones in YOUR town .. but here are a few popular ones that deliver nationwide. Feel free to search on Instagram for discount codes from athletes. If you can't find one hit me up and I'll get ya one!
#8 - Meal Prep Gadgets
Can't afford to buy people catered meals?! There are TONS of gadgets that will make meal prep easier! Here are a few of my favorites!!
- Quality Cookwear
- Waffle Maker (invest in a good one. I got mine on amazon)
- Ninja or other QUALITY blender/extractor (I just upgraded to the Vitamix 7500 and LOVE IT.)
- Spiralizer (don't get a cheapo one .. splurge for a nicer one .. it's Christmas.)
- Air Fryer (This has CHANGED MY LIFE. I got mine for 99 bucks on QVC.) That is a hyper link that takes you to the BRAND I purchased. This is just an UPGRADED one that looks to be even better than mine .. that they have on sale for 99 bucks right now!
- Crock Pot/Insta Pot (InstaPot is on my xmas list since it's both a slow cooker and pressure cooker.)
#9 - LuMee Phone Case
I bet your swolemate or fit friend loves taking selfies :) Then get them this case so they can always be in the best light!
#10 - Coach/Trainer/Gym or Class Membership
This is something they are gonna pay for anyway and it can be a big expense.
This is another "gift that keeps giving." But this is NOT just for competitors. SO MANY people are LOST when it comes to "getting started." I don't do this kind of coaching, but my coach and his team offers contest prep and LIFESTYLE clients! They are based in Arizona but have clients all over the world! The are called The Pro Physiques and you can check them out HERE. Make sure and tell them I sent you!
If you are in Vegas I suggest CITY ATHLETIC CLUB for a gym (If you need a trainer I can help you find one at City.)
For GROUP FITNESS in Vegas I suggest THE RIDE. I've discovered a new obsession... I actually LOVE spin class (well this one.) Hoping Santa gets me some classes!!!
I also recently discovered the phone app AAPTIV. For $99 bucks a year you literally get ENDLESS guided workouts, walks, runs, cardio, yoga, meditation, stretching - even training for marathons!
So far I've only used it for guided jogs, stretching and meditation. But I LOVE IT!! This would be GREAT for someone who just wants some new ideas or needs some help with structured workouts (many can be done at home with no equipment.)
#11- Fitness/Motivational Books or Magazines
I don''t really have any favorite books. But ANY of the fitnes magazines would be a great little stocking stuffer! Oh and your girl is gonna be featured in the Feb issue of FLEX MAGAZINE!!!
So isn't that reason alone to get a subscription, haha!
#12 - Home Gym Equipment
Got space? Your a fitness lover that is asking Santa for booty gains? It may be on the pricier end .. but trust me on this one. THE GLUTE BUILDER.
Email me if you are serious and I'll get you in contact with distribution!
If you have a cardio queen on your hands ... search wholesale gym equipment places, craigslist, sporting goods sales, etc. for a treadmill, arc trainer, eliptical, stepper, etc.
Space saving barbell/dumbbells
FULL set of Workout Bands - there are tons of PKG Deals on The X Bands site.
Kettlebells
Pull Up Bar
Yoga Mat
FULL Rad Kit (mentioned in detail above) *code: StacyM*
Any of the other "gym bag" items listed above (sliders, grips, ankle weights, jump rope, etc)
#13 - Competition Suits, Bling and POSING COACHING
If you have a competitor in your life you could take some of the stress away with a Gift Card for a new stage suit, shoes and/or bling!
My favorite is CJ's Elite and I get all my bling and shoes from GLAM Competition Jewelry . Keep an eye on their Instagram Pages. They always have holiday sales! In fact I just saw them post on 12/8 they are doing 50% OFF Gift Cards!
As for POSING COACHING - I offer this! If you are interested in my pricing just shoot me and email and I'll send it over! For a Christmas gift I'll email you a personal video you can email them that is personalized from ME telling them Merry Christmas and what they are getting!
#14 - The Gift of HEALTH
If you now me at all .. you know that CBD has changed my life. If not .. check out THIS blog I did called HEALED NOT HIGH.
Even if your special someone doesn't have any kind of auto-immune (or other condition) that CBD helps with ... CBD is wonderful for EVERYONE and especially athletes! Right now THIS is the company that I feel comfortable suggesting and that I PERSONALLY USE!
There are so many other things I could think of. But these are my Top picks for now!
Merry CHRISTmas
Stacy
**Some
products and links may be AFFILIATE links. Meaning I may or may not
recieve commission or product as part of a sponsorship or affiliation
with the company. But please know that any product I post about I use and stand by.**
Favorite Things
Showing posts with label Favorite Things. Show all posts
Friday, December 8, 2017
Thursday, November 23, 2017
My Favorite Things: BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY DEALS
Hey Fit Fam
Just wanted to give you all a little ONE STOP page to go to for any of my favorite companies that are having BLACK FRIDAY and/or CYBER MONDAY deals, coupons, NEW RELEASES, etc.
Many of these places you can use MY CODE or LINK for ADDITIONAL savings (such as Free Shipping, etc.) So make sure and use the code and use the HYPER LINKS in this post in order to make sure you are getting all the goods!
Every sale has a different start and end date! So pay attention when on their websites!
Happy Shopping :)
Stacy
Oh and stay tuned and make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the blog. I always do a Merry FITMAS Gift Guide! It will be coming out SOON!)
1st Phorm
My favorite supplement company and the only one I've used for over FOUR YEARS is having a pretty major WHILE SUPPLIES LAST Black Friday Sale (actually it started the Wednesday before Black Friday.)
I've mentioned a million times that the reason I stand behind and use 1st Phorm (and later became an Athlete) is because of QUALITY! It's the only brand I can use and have ZERO STOMACH PROBLEMS!!! Why?!? Because they don't fill their products with a ton of crap and use a process called LOW TEMPERATURE PROCESSING!!! There are literally less than a handful of companies that do this because it costs more. But the result means you are not only getting what the label says you are getting ... you get a quality product that won't give you stomach discomfort/bloat/gas, etc!
The BLACK FRIDAY DEALS they have going on are:
They also released a TON of new apparel and new products (new pre-workout, new Level 1 flavor, etc.)
I have SO MANY staples and my "regime" changes based on if I'm in off season or on prep, etc.
But a FEW things that I CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT. You can find them all on www.1stphorm.com/stacy .. just use the search bar! This link gets you FREE SHIPPING and 110% money back guarantee! Also any of the HYPER LINKS above should get you those deals as well. Just look for my name "Stacy" in the top right hand corer!
LEVEL ONE - I use this in all my baking, protein ice cream, smoothie bowls, etc.
MicroFactor - Every single vitamin, mineral, probiotic, greens, EFA, etc., that you need all in a single daily pouch! This makes life SO EASY!
Glutamine - Not only good for recovery but AMAZING for GUT HEALTH!!
Creatine - I either use this alone or use one of their PreWorkouts which already has Creatine in it.
Pre Workout -- Any or ALL! It depends on what you are looking for in a pre-workout. FULL product discriptions are under each product!
GDA - this is NOT a "carb blocker" ... there is no such thing. Go to the product page to read details but essentially it just helps MOVE the carbs where you WANT them to go. I take this at my highest carb meal of the day (except post workout)
Adrenal Restore -- I do this TWO times a year. About to start it next week! If you feel like caffeine or pre workouts no longer "work" for you .. chances are you just need to give your adrenal glands a little reset. THIS is the product that will help with that!
BCAAs - One scoop in my gallon water jug a day. Plus ONE scoop post workout (or pre workout if I'm not eating before for some reason. This is a MUST for anyone that does "fasted" cardio.)
Phormula-1/Ignition - This is my FAST ACTING post workout carb and protein. Take the second you are done training and then have your normal post workout meal about an hour later!
VITAL PROTEINS
One of my FAVORITE companies is GIVING AWAY a product with purchase! If you have always wanted to “Mix & Match” Vital Proteins collagen products like I do .... but didn’t really want to invest in more than one kind.. here is your chance!!
All you have to do is purchase $75 worth of VP products and you get a FREE 5oz container of Collagen Peptides FOR FREE. Also, If you want to purchase additional 5 oz. canisters of Collagen Peptides, they will be available for $15 on our website, while supplies last! SO basically .. STOCK UP!
I don’t blame you if you wanna keep the freebie for yourself .. but this would also be a great gift!
It even has a cute little “gift tag” :)
THIS DEAL IS ONLY GOOD FROM NOW UNTIL CYBER MONDAY and you need to use THIS LINK (or any that I've hyper linked in this blog or the one on my Instagram bio.)
These will take you straight to the 5oz Collagen Peptides that you get for FREE. Add this to your cart, pick your $75 worth of other products and then enter the code "PEACELOVECOLLAGEN” at check out!!
Confused on WHICH Vital Proteins Collagen products may be best for YOU?! Please check out THIS blog I did or EMAIL ME! I'll be checking emails all black friday weekend! I’ll help you decide. But you should aim to get in 20g of Collagen a day from whatever product you choose!
My favorite are: Beef Gelatin (green lid) - Unflavored Beef Bone Broth Powder (or ckn) - Chocolate Coconut Water Collagen Whey - ANY of the peptides (the one you get for free, the flavored ones, etc.) I also use the BEAUTY BOOST pills daily! I mix and match these to get in a minimum of 20g a day! My favorite way is in my FROTHY GUT HEALTH COFFEE ... SWEET EGGS .. or my SMOOTHIE BOWLS (more recipes for these coming soon)
So just to RECAP .. here are the GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
*Use THIS LINK or the one on Instagram (this also gets you free shipping in US)
*Fill your cart with at least $75 worth of Vital Proteins products (including your 5 oz. canister of Collagen Peptides) *Apply code "PEACELOVECOLLAGEN" at checkout. Code will deduct price of ONE 5 oz. Collagen Peptides in your cart.
*Add any additional Collagen Peptides for only $15 each while supplies last!
PREBIOTIN PREBIOTICS
Get a FREE box of Prebiotin Stick Packs with any order online (www.prebiotin.com)
Also I'm not sure if it will work with this promotion .. but it's worth a try!! You can use the code BODY17 for 25% off ANY day .. ANY time!
Check out my blog THE OTHER BIOTIC for why I use this product DAILY and how it works hand in hand with your PROBIOTICS (for probiotics I use the one in the MicroFactor pack by 1st Phorm)
FOXY ATHLETICS
MY FAVORITE APPAREL COMPANY just released the version two of their popular CARLA leggings! Of course they are called ... CARLA II :) I love these because they fit is PERFECT but also because of the CELL PHONE POCKET(s), the fact they are SQUAT APPROVED and just so dang comfy and flattering!!! They are having several deals ... free t-shirt with some purchases, up to 40% off some items and FREE SHIPPING .. but only if you use MY CODE (STACY) at checkout!
www.foxyathletics.com --- If you have questions hit me up. But they do fit true to size!
SALE goes LIVE 6pm eastern on Black Friday! Do NOT wait to order because sizes always sell out fast!!
Just wanted to give you all a little ONE STOP page to go to for any of my favorite companies that are having BLACK FRIDAY and/or CYBER MONDAY deals, coupons, NEW RELEASES, etc.
Many of these places you can use MY CODE or LINK for ADDITIONAL savings (such as Free Shipping, etc.) So make sure and use the code and use the HYPER LINKS in this post in order to make sure you are getting all the goods!
Every sale has a different start and end date! So pay attention when on their websites!
Happy Shopping :)
Stacy
Oh and stay tuned and make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the blog. I always do a Merry FITMAS Gift Guide! It will be coming out SOON!)
1st Phorm
My favorite supplement company and the only one I've used for over FOUR YEARS is having a pretty major WHILE SUPPLIES LAST Black Friday Sale (actually it started the Wednesday before Black Friday.)
I've mentioned a million times that the reason I stand behind and use 1st Phorm (and later became an Athlete) is because of QUALITY! It's the only brand I can use and have ZERO STOMACH PROBLEMS!!! Why?!? Because they don't fill their products with a ton of crap and use a process called LOW TEMPERATURE PROCESSING!!! There are literally less than a handful of companies that do this because it costs more. But the result means you are not only getting what the label says you are getting ... you get a quality product that won't give you stomach discomfort/bloat/gas, etc!
The BLACK FRIDAY DEALS they have going on are:
They also released a TON of new apparel and new products (new pre-workout, new Level 1 flavor, etc.)
I have SO MANY staples and my "regime" changes based on if I'm in off season or on prep, etc.
But a FEW things that I CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT. You can find them all on www.1stphorm.com/stacy .. just use the search bar! This link gets you FREE SHIPPING and 110% money back guarantee! Also any of the HYPER LINKS above should get you those deals as well. Just look for my name "Stacy" in the top right hand corer!
LEVEL ONE - I use this in all my baking, protein ice cream, smoothie bowls, etc.
MicroFactor - Every single vitamin, mineral, probiotic, greens, EFA, etc., that you need all in a single daily pouch! This makes life SO EASY!
Glutamine - Not only good for recovery but AMAZING for GUT HEALTH!!
Creatine - I either use this alone or use one of their PreWorkouts which already has Creatine in it.
Pre Workout -- Any or ALL! It depends on what you are looking for in a pre-workout. FULL product discriptions are under each product!
GDA - this is NOT a "carb blocker" ... there is no such thing. Go to the product page to read details but essentially it just helps MOVE the carbs where you WANT them to go. I take this at my highest carb meal of the day (except post workout)
Adrenal Restore -- I do this TWO times a year. About to start it next week! If you feel like caffeine or pre workouts no longer "work" for you .. chances are you just need to give your adrenal glands a little reset. THIS is the product that will help with that!
BCAAs - One scoop in my gallon water jug a day. Plus ONE scoop post workout (or pre workout if I'm not eating before for some reason. This is a MUST for anyone that does "fasted" cardio.)
Phormula-1/Ignition - This is my FAST ACTING post workout carb and protein. Take the second you are done training and then have your normal post workout meal about an hour later!
VITAL PROTEINS
All you have to do is purchase $75 worth of VP products and you get a FREE 5oz container of Collagen Peptides FOR FREE. Also, If you want to purchase additional 5 oz. canisters of Collagen Peptides, they will be available for $15 on our website, while supplies last! SO basically .. STOCK UP!
I don’t blame you if you wanna keep the freebie for yourself .. but this would also be a great gift!
It even has a cute little “gift tag” :)
THIS DEAL IS ONLY GOOD FROM NOW UNTIL CYBER MONDAY and you need to use THIS LINK (or any that I've hyper linked in this blog or the one on my Instagram bio.)
These will take you straight to the 5oz Collagen Peptides that you get for FREE. Add this to your cart, pick your $75 worth of other products and then enter the code "PEACELOVECOLLAGEN” at check out!!
Confused on WHICH Vital Proteins Collagen products may be best for YOU?! Please check out THIS blog I did or EMAIL ME! I'll be checking emails all black friday weekend! I’ll help you decide. But you should aim to get in 20g of Collagen a day from whatever product you choose!
My favorite are: Beef Gelatin (green lid) - Unflavored Beef Bone Broth Powder (or ckn) - Chocolate Coconut Water Collagen Whey - ANY of the peptides (the one you get for free, the flavored ones, etc.) I also use the BEAUTY BOOST pills daily! I mix and match these to get in a minimum of 20g a day! My favorite way is in my FROTHY GUT HEALTH COFFEE ... SWEET EGGS .. or my SMOOTHIE BOWLS (more recipes for these coming soon)
So just to RECAP .. here are the GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
*Use THIS LINK or the one on Instagram (this also gets you free shipping in US)
*Fill your cart with at least $75 worth of Vital Proteins products (including your 5 oz. canister of Collagen Peptides) *Apply code "PEACELOVECOLLAGEN" at checkout. Code will deduct price of ONE 5 oz. Collagen Peptides in your cart.
*Add any additional Collagen Peptides for only $15 each while supplies last!
PREBIOTIN PREBIOTICS
Get a FREE box of Prebiotin Stick Packs with any order online (www.prebiotin.com)
Also I'm not sure if it will work with this promotion .. but it's worth a try!! You can use the code BODY17 for 25% off ANY day .. ANY time!
Check out my blog THE OTHER BIOTIC for why I use this product DAILY and how it works hand in hand with your PROBIOTICS (for probiotics I use the one in the MicroFactor pack by 1st Phorm)
FOXY ATHLETICS
MY FAVORITE APPAREL COMPANY just released the version two of their popular CARLA leggings! Of course they are called ... CARLA II :) I love these because they fit is PERFECT but also because of the CELL PHONE POCKET(s), the fact they are SQUAT APPROVED and just so dang comfy and flattering!!! They are having several deals ... free t-shirt with some purchases, up to 40% off some items and FREE SHIPPING .. but only if you use MY CODE (STACY) at checkout!
www.foxyathletics.com --- If you have questions hit me up. But they do fit true to size!
SALE goes LIVE 6pm eastern on Black Friday! Do NOT wait to order because sizes always sell out fast!!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Pot For Pets - How CBD Is Helping My Fur Family
CBD isn't only for humans.
CBD is also healing for our four legged friends
Okay ignore the title. DO NOT GIVE YOUR FUR BABIES POT!!! The journalist in me just makes me a sucker for a good play on words, ha!It's not really POT that is healing my senior cat at all. It's a chemical component within marijuana (well actually HEMP in this case) that is helping my fur child and may help yours too!
Of course I'm talking about CBD.
I did a very long blog with all the details explaining the difference in THC and CBD, the difference in CBD extracted from the HEMP PLANT .vs. the CANNABIS PLANT, etc. Please check it out if you want to know more in depth detail.
For those that don't want to read a long blog .. here are a few very brief bullet points to clarify A FEW of the biggest confusions when it comes to CBD, how it differs from THC, how Hemp is different than Marijuana, etc.
- BOTH plants (hemp and marijuana) can make/produce CBD products (like oils, drops, tinctures, balms, vapes, etc.)
- This is not a "one and done" type treatment. It's like a flower that needs watering daily. You can't try it once, use it here and there, or use it a short time and be like .. well forget it .. it didn't work. Or even more .. you can't use it ONE day and get benefits the next day. This is something you will need to take and keep taking to see the benefits. You also may need to play with your dosage and the WAY you use CBD (drops, vapes, etc.)
- CBD (short for cannabidiol) acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system, creating physical changes in the body, which can be beneficial in MANY ways.
- CBD is only ONE of the components of the Marijuana and Hemp Plant. There are actually 60+ compounds in the plants. But let's be clear..... CBD is not THC. THC is a separate component of the plant.
- Both Marijuana and Hemp plants actually have THC. But they differ in the levels of naturally occurring THC that they contain. Hemp pants are naturally high in CBD and VERY low in THC. The reverse is true of marijuana plants. The are HIGH in THC. Hemp plants contain only about 0.3% – 1.5% THC. Marijuana plants contain 5% – 10% or more THC.
This means that the levels of THC and CBD will be different in a CBD product pending if you get CBD produced from marijuana or hemp. If you get CBD from a marijuana plant it CAN have higher levels of THC (but you can get low thc/high cbd that is still derived from marijuana.) But if you get CBD from a HEMP plant it will have very low legal amounts (some even zero) levels of THC (making it legal in all 50 states) - THC (in higher doses) can make you high. But CBD DOES NOT MAKE YOU HIGH.
Even CBD sourced from cannabis that has very LOW levels of THC .. will not make you high. Interestingly, research has shown that CBD acts to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC, separating hemp further from marijuana. - You can only get Marijuana based CBD from a Medical Marijuana Dispensary in a state where it is LEGAL. But ... HEMP CBD is legal in all 50 states and available for purchase (and cab be shipped) from MANY companies! Please read more about this below because YOU MUST BE CAREFUL where you purchase hemp based CB!!! ALL CBD IS NOT EQUAL and many companies are BOGUS and dare I say even DANGEROUS!! This industry (just like the supplement industry) .. is NOT regulated! So you MUST USE CAUTION!
This is my senior cat Hildi (and an OLD pic of us.)She is 13 years old and has some unknown medical conditions.
Every "symptom" pointed to her thyroid but blood tests say she is all good in that department.
She is showing some very early signs of kidney disease and our vet also believes she has a gastro condition.
So for about 2 months now she has been on a VERY strict veterinary diet where she can ONLY have some rare proteins and very specific food(s).
With the diet alone, the only thing I noticed was she has seemed to gain weight and hasn't had any "flair ups" (she would get these every few months where she hid in the closet, wouldn't eat, was so frail and weak.)
But her vomiting and LOUD HOWLING (mainly post eating and all throughout the night) continued. What causes the howling? Not sure yet. It could be numerous things.. possibly high blood pressure or just the fact that she is old and may have dementia. We aren't sure yet.
I asked my vet about CBD. But because it's not "approved" by the FDA and not much research has been done when it comes to cats/dogs and CBD ... she could not recommend it.
However she said she wasn't opposed to me trying it either. So I decided to give it a go.
I discovered a company that has a line for pets. I did research, exchanged numerous emails and had numerous phone calls with the team (including the CEO.) I asked SO MANY questions and after a couple weeks I decided this company was a great fit for my fur family. The company that I CURRENTLY USE for ME doesn't have a pet line. But it's this one.
We started Hilid on THESE drops.
I give her 1/4 a dropper every morning when I take my drops (THIS is the one I've been taking.) After about a week ... I increased her dose to another 1/4 dropper about 5 hours later and on occasion I'll give her more before bed.
I'm happy to report that since using this CBD she has only vomited ONE TIME and her howling has been cut down by I'd say a good 80%!!
My dog Stella gets CBD treats almost every day too!
Stella is only 6 years old and doesn't have ANY medical conditions (thank you Jesus) .. but that doesn't mean that CBD isn't good for her!
She often suffers from a little anxiety (especially if we are going on car rides.) I tested this out when running errands on two different occasions and she had ZERO panting (what she usually does) and was calm and happy as can be!
If you are a skeptic .. just google "CBD and Pets" and you will see NUMEROUS heart wrenching stories from people who had dogs and cats with a wide range of health issues (including cancer) who claim their pet was much better (and some people even claim "cured") by using CBD!
CBD is natural and it has literally SAVED ME! So, as long as I TRUST THE SOURCE, then there is no reason NOT to give it to EVERY member of my family!
Key words there ... TRUST THE SOURCE. I've preached this time after time but the hemp industry is NOT regulated. With it's sudden popularity there are probably more BOGUS companies out there than LEGIT ones. If you don't choose to use the companies that I suggest below .. please do your own research. I give some tips on how to do that in THIS blog.
For now .. this is the only hemp based that I will recommend for my fur family. I know there are
A LOT more .. but if it's not broke?! Right?! haha! You can also check at your VET OFFICE. I've seen MANY carrying CBD products and I would trust that if THEY trust the brand you probably can too!
Urbal Activ
There is a Urbal Activ code that gets you 10% off EVERY SINGLE ORDER (not just your 1st order). It is CBD10 .. so use it at check out each time and save money!
As always .... feel free to EMAIL ME or comment here on this post with any questions. I'm happy to help you or if I can't .. I'm happy to point you to someone that can!
** I am not a doctor. I am not an expert. I am not licensed. All information in this blog is based on my PERSONAL opinion and PERSONAL experience using CBD. I am not responsible for anything you all choose to do when it comes to THC, CBD, etc.**
**Some products and links may be AFFILIATE links. Meaning I may or may not recieve commission or product as part of a sponsorship or affiliation with the company. But please know that any product I post about I use
and stand by.**
Monday, June 26, 2017
Healing My Gut: The OTHER Biotic
*25% active coupon code for product mentioned at end of blog*
Hey Friends,
Today I want to talk a little bit about an often ignored (but very important) "biotic". It's probably ignored because it's actually pretty new in the sense that the term wasn't coined until 1995.
Everyone seems to know about and/or take Probiotics, but what about Prebiotics? I never thought about taking Prebiotics until I stumbled upon some research a while back. Not only did research and science point out that we could ALL benefit from this form of soluble fiber, but it is ESPECIALLY beneficial for those of us with any kind of Gluten/Wheat intolerance! Because of that I have added a specific brand to my DAILY regime.
Before I tell you what brand I have found to be the best, let me explain a little bit about what role Prebiotics play in gut health (and overall health) and why I think we all need to be taking them!
Many people often group probiotics and prebiotics into the same category and while they do work together wonderfully... they are far from the same. In fact, they are VERY different!!
Probiotics are living bacteria and yeast that live in the intestinal track. This good bacteria helps balance out the bad bacteria in the digestive system. You can ingest probiotics from both foods and supplements. Some probiotic foods include: Yogurt, Kefir, Miso and fermented foods such as Sauerkraut, Tempeh and Kimchi.
BUT all by themselves, Probiotics have a limited effect because they are easily destroyed. In order to live, they need something to feed on. That is where PREBIOTICS come into play!
Prebiotics are not live. They are a form of fiber. Think of prebiotics as kind of like fertilizer for probiotics! They allow probiotics to do their work. So if you are taking Probiotics .. but NOT prebiotics .. you aren't really reaping all the digestive rewards! You can ingest prebiotics from both foods and supplements. Some prebiotic foods include: Chicory root, Wheat Products (like Jerusalem) Leeks, Garlic, Artichoke, Peas, Berries, Bananas, Kiwi.
Here is a much more in depth article I highly encourage you to read about the difference between the two and how they work together. It goes into so much detail and is very educational!
Little note on foods. Can you get a good dose of Probiotics and Prebiotics from food alone? The simple answer is yes: the foods mentioned (and many more) all contain various amounts of pre and probiotics. But unfortunately, most people find ingesting enough of these foods difficult, if not impossible, to get the beneficial daily requirements.
Another important note for those that "track" foods. The "fiber" count you see in apps like My Fitness Pal doesn't differentiate between soluble or insoluble fiber. It just lists it as "dietary fiber". So unless you know your foods REALLY well .. you don't really know if you are getting the right amounts of each! So, what is the difference in these two types of fibers? Read THIS article. It has every fiber explanation you could ever need!
Also, for those of us that cannot eat wheat products (where you can get lots of prebiotics), practice a low fod-map diet, or maybe those simply trying to cut calories, supplementing with both pre and probiotis is PERFECT! For me, not only can I not eat wheat due to having Celiac Disease, I don't want to GUESS if I'm getting the RIGHT amount of Prebiotics and Probiotics each day. I'd rather take supplements and KNOW!
I talked on Instagram about the Probiotic I've been taking for about 4-5 months now. I've tried SO MANY brands in the past and 99% of them caused me way too much bloat and gas to even try to continue. The brand I mention in THIS post is the only Probiotic that has NOT caused me discomfort. One of the reasons I'm taking this brand is because it also is a digestive enzyme. So it saves me money because I don't have to buy them separately. That said, I want to add that I haven't really noticed any POSITIVE results from taking this particular brand. Nothing negative .. but nothing positive either. Now that I am in a little mini "off season" from any upcoming shows I am going to try a brand that my doctor has prescribed me. Yes, prescribed. This particular brand requires doctor supervision. It's VERY expensive so I am hesitant to try it, but now that I am almost out of the brand I've been using, I'm going to give it a go for a month or so. I'll do this without any digestive enzyme at first, then add in a digestive enzyme after 4 weeks. If I don't notice improvement (or things remain the same as they did when I took the Gains In Bulk brand) .. I'll just go back to that brand .. as it is much more cost effective! I'll keep you updated on my Instagram and on here!
Like Probiotics, there are so many brands/types of Prebiotics out there. I did a TON of research before I decided on using the Prebiotin brand. The BEST part about PreBiotin Prebiotics (aside from quality, source, etc.) is that it tastes like sugar/stevia!! So you can add it to food or beverages! If you follow me on Instagram and watch my Insta Stories, this is what you see on top of most my food that looks like "white powder". I add it to my breakfast, oatmeal, sweet potato, protein ice cream, coffee, etc. Another reason I like this brand is that other Prebiotic supplements on the market contain only the fibers that fertilize one side of the colon — not both. The Prebiotin brand is said to give your body the nutrients it needs to nourish all of the bacteria in your gut, not just part of it.
I ALWAYS stagger when I try new products. You should do this because starting ONE new thing at a time is the only way to really know what is working and what is NOT. I started taking the Prebiotin after I was already feeling better from taking CBD (you can read thad CBD blog HERE.) Because of that, I'm not sure how much the Prebiotin by itself is helping with bowel regularity, bloat, etc. But as I said in the CBD post .. CBD was NOT helping with my bowel movements (nor was it expected to.)
So, is the Prebiotin Prebiotic helping with the regularity aspect of my gut? Yes .. I do think it is! I've not been taking it very long and I'm still finding MY perfect dosage. Either way, after doing lots of research I'm certain THIS is the brand to use and it is worth taking not only for gut health, but Prebiotin is also great for strengthening your immune system, better absorption of calcium, weight management and many more scientifically validated structure/function claims.
So, like Probiotics, I'm NOT going to STOP taking Prebiotin Prebiotics. Especially since they work together to bring the BEST possible gut health support! Keep in mind that sometimes we don't really "notice" the positive effects supplements have on our bodies ... but that doesn't mean we don't need them!
I was taking 4g of Prebiotin a day. But since I do know that I get in a decent amount of both insoluble and soluble fiber in my diet each day (and like to keep my overall fiber number within a 5g range as this keeps me the most regular) .... I am testing out going back to 2g a day instead of 4g. As of now I think that somewhere between 2-3g may be MY perfect dose! You will need to start with 1g and slowly start adding 1g at a time to see what you tolerate. Like I said, I went up to 4g but then decided to back down to 2-3g. Each person will be different. The people at Preboitin told me some people actually benefit MOST from 8-16g of this prebiotic fiber a day!
What is the difference in all the Prebiotin products on the webpage? They have a section of the webpage that should answer that question for you, but they are also wonderful at replying to emails! So if you don't understand the descriptions just contact them! But if you look at INGREDIENTS you will see that many of the products just contain Oligofructose-Enriched-Inulin, or OEI. If that is the ONLY ingredient then the difference is simply marketing/dosage.
All that said, I personally decided to use the Prebiotin Prebiotic Fiber. I have the canister and just measure out 2g instead of 4g. But I also have the 2g single serving stick packs (easier to travel with.) If you find that 4g is your perfect dose they also sell 4g single serving stick packs! Since I am taking for regularity you may wonder why I didn't go with the one marketed for "Regularity". Well the number one reason is obvious .. it IS NOT gluten free because it contains Wheat Bran. But also because as I mentioned .. I get plenty of insoluble and dietary fiber from foods. I don't need any more! But I DO need the OEI (the primary active ingredient in the Prebiotin Prebiotics.)
Prebiotin gave my readers a coupon code to use that gets you 25% off (making it cheaper than Amazon, etc.) The coupon code is: Stacy - Just type it in at checkout!
I highly encourage you to read all the research for yourself and start incorporating Prebiotics into your daily supplement regime. and specifically THIS brand as I truly believe it is the best on the market!
Please DO NOT confuse this Prebiotic Fiber with things like "Citrucel" or "Benefiber" (which says it's a Prebiotic btw .. but it's ingredient is Wheat dextrin .. NOT Oligofructose-Enriched-Inulin, which is what is in Prebiotin.) They are NOT the same!
Happy Gut Healing,
Stacy
Disclaimer: I am not "affiliated" with this company... as in I do not get paid to post this. Just sharing what brand I believe is best and what I've been up to in healing my gut, bloating, constipation, etc.
In case you missed them .. here are a couple of other other ways I am "healing" or taking care of my gut!
Healed NOT High - CBD
Beef For Breakfast?! Recipe for my GUT HEALING Coffee!
Hey Friends,
Today I want to talk a little bit about an often ignored (but very important) "biotic". It's probably ignored because it's actually pretty new in the sense that the term wasn't coined until 1995.
Everyone seems to know about and/or take Probiotics, but what about Prebiotics? I never thought about taking Prebiotics until I stumbled upon some research a while back. Not only did research and science point out that we could ALL benefit from this form of soluble fiber, but it is ESPECIALLY beneficial for those of us with any kind of Gluten/Wheat intolerance! Because of that I have added a specific brand to my DAILY regime.
Before I tell you what brand I have found to be the best, let me explain a little bit about what role Prebiotics play in gut health (and overall health) and why I think we all need to be taking them!
Many people often group probiotics and prebiotics into the same category and while they do work together wonderfully... they are far from the same. In fact, they are VERY different!!
Probiotics are living bacteria and yeast that live in the intestinal track. This good bacteria helps balance out the bad bacteria in the digestive system. You can ingest probiotics from both foods and supplements. Some probiotic foods include: Yogurt, Kefir, Miso and fermented foods such as Sauerkraut, Tempeh and Kimchi.
BUT all by themselves, Probiotics have a limited effect because they are easily destroyed. In order to live, they need something to feed on. That is where PREBIOTICS come into play!
Prebiotics are not live. They are a form of fiber. Think of prebiotics as kind of like fertilizer for probiotics! They allow probiotics to do their work. So if you are taking Probiotics .. but NOT prebiotics .. you aren't really reaping all the digestive rewards! You can ingest prebiotics from both foods and supplements. Some prebiotic foods include: Chicory root, Wheat Products (like Jerusalem) Leeks, Garlic, Artichoke, Peas, Berries, Bananas, Kiwi.
Here is a much more in depth article I highly encourage you to read about the difference between the two and how they work together. It goes into so much detail and is very educational!
Little note on foods. Can you get a good dose of Probiotics and Prebiotics from food alone? The simple answer is yes: the foods mentioned (and many more) all contain various amounts of pre and probiotics. But unfortunately, most people find ingesting enough of these foods difficult, if not impossible, to get the beneficial daily requirements.
Another important note for those that "track" foods. The "fiber" count you see in apps like My Fitness Pal doesn't differentiate between soluble or insoluble fiber. It just lists it as "dietary fiber". So unless you know your foods REALLY well .. you don't really know if you are getting the right amounts of each! So, what is the difference in these two types of fibers? Read THIS article. It has every fiber explanation you could ever need!
Also, for those of us that cannot eat wheat products (where you can get lots of prebiotics), practice a low fod-map diet, or maybe those simply trying to cut calories, supplementing with both pre and probiotis is PERFECT! For me, not only can I not eat wheat due to having Celiac Disease, I don't want to GUESS if I'm getting the RIGHT amount of Prebiotics and Probiotics each day. I'd rather take supplements and KNOW!
I talked on Instagram about the Probiotic I've been taking for about 4-5 months now. I've tried SO MANY brands in the past and 99% of them caused me way too much bloat and gas to even try to continue. The brand I mention in THIS post is the only Probiotic that has NOT caused me discomfort. One of the reasons I'm taking this brand is because it also is a digestive enzyme. So it saves me money because I don't have to buy them separately. That said, I want to add that I haven't really noticed any POSITIVE results from taking this particular brand. Nothing negative .. but nothing positive either. Now that I am in a little mini "off season" from any upcoming shows I am going to try a brand that my doctor has prescribed me. Yes, prescribed. This particular brand requires doctor supervision. It's VERY expensive so I am hesitant to try it, but now that I am almost out of the brand I've been using, I'm going to give it a go for a month or so. I'll do this without any digestive enzyme at first, then add in a digestive enzyme after 4 weeks. If I don't notice improvement (or things remain the same as they did when I took the Gains In Bulk brand) .. I'll just go back to that brand .. as it is much more cost effective! I'll keep you updated on my Instagram and on here!
Like Probiotics, there are so many brands/types of Prebiotics out there. I did a TON of research before I decided on using the Prebiotin brand. The BEST part about PreBiotin Prebiotics (aside from quality, source, etc.) is that it tastes like sugar/stevia!! So you can add it to food or beverages! If you follow me on Instagram and watch my Insta Stories, this is what you see on top of most my food that looks like "white powder". I add it to my breakfast, oatmeal, sweet potato, protein ice cream, coffee, etc. Another reason I like this brand is that other Prebiotic supplements on the market contain only the fibers that fertilize one side of the colon — not both. The Prebiotin brand is said to give your body the nutrients it needs to nourish all of the bacteria in your gut, not just part of it.
I ALWAYS stagger when I try new products. You should do this because starting ONE new thing at a time is the only way to really know what is working and what is NOT. I started taking the Prebiotin after I was already feeling better from taking CBD (you can read thad CBD blog HERE.) Because of that, I'm not sure how much the Prebiotin by itself is helping with bowel regularity, bloat, etc. But as I said in the CBD post .. CBD was NOT helping with my bowel movements (nor was it expected to.)
So, is the Prebiotin Prebiotic helping with the regularity aspect of my gut? Yes .. I do think it is! I've not been taking it very long and I'm still finding MY perfect dosage. Either way, after doing lots of research I'm certain THIS is the brand to use and it is worth taking not only for gut health, but Prebiotin is also great for strengthening your immune system, better absorption of calcium, weight management and many more scientifically validated structure/function claims.
So, like Probiotics, I'm NOT going to STOP taking Prebiotin Prebiotics. Especially since they work together to bring the BEST possible gut health support! Keep in mind that sometimes we don't really "notice" the positive effects supplements have on our bodies ... but that doesn't mean we don't need them!
I was taking 4g of Prebiotin a day. But since I do know that I get in a decent amount of both insoluble and soluble fiber in my diet each day (and like to keep my overall fiber number within a 5g range as this keeps me the most regular) .... I am testing out going back to 2g a day instead of 4g. As of now I think that somewhere between 2-3g may be MY perfect dose! You will need to start with 1g and slowly start adding 1g at a time to see what you tolerate. Like I said, I went up to 4g but then decided to back down to 2-3g. Each person will be different. The people at Preboitin told me some people actually benefit MOST from 8-16g of this prebiotic fiber a day!What is the difference in all the Prebiotin products on the webpage? They have a section of the webpage that should answer that question for you, but they are also wonderful at replying to emails! So if you don't understand the descriptions just contact them! But if you look at INGREDIENTS you will see that many of the products just contain Oligofructose-Enriched-Inulin, or OEI. If that is the ONLY ingredient then the difference is simply marketing/dosage.
All that said, I personally decided to use the Prebiotin Prebiotic Fiber. I have the canister and just measure out 2g instead of 4g. But I also have the 2g single serving stick packs (easier to travel with.) If you find that 4g is your perfect dose they also sell 4g single serving stick packs! Since I am taking for regularity you may wonder why I didn't go with the one marketed for "Regularity". Well the number one reason is obvious .. it IS NOT gluten free because it contains Wheat Bran. But also because as I mentioned .. I get plenty of insoluble and dietary fiber from foods. I don't need any more! But I DO need the OEI (the primary active ingredient in the Prebiotin Prebiotics.)Prebiotin gave my readers a coupon code to use that gets you 25% off (making it cheaper than Amazon, etc.) The coupon code is: Stacy - Just type it in at checkout!
I highly encourage you to read all the research for yourself and start incorporating Prebiotics into your daily supplement regime. and specifically THIS brand as I truly believe it is the best on the market!
Please DO NOT confuse this Prebiotic Fiber with things like "Citrucel" or "Benefiber" (which says it's a Prebiotic btw .. but it's ingredient is Wheat dextrin .. NOT Oligofructose-Enriched-Inulin, which is what is in Prebiotin.) They are NOT the same!
Happy Gut Healing,
Stacy
Disclaimer: I am not "affiliated" with this company... as in I do not get paid to post this. Just sharing what brand I believe is best and what I've been up to in healing my gut, bloating, constipation, etc.
In case you missed them .. here are a couple of other other ways I am "healing" or taking care of my gut!
Healed NOT High - CBD
Beef For Breakfast?! Recipe for my GUT HEALING Coffee!
Friday, June 2, 2017
Healed Not High: How CBD Saved Me
I am HEALED not HIGH. How CBD has healed me of almost all of my digestion issues from Celiac Disease.
Disclaimer: I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM A CONSUMER AND A BELIEVER AND WROTE THIS BLOG TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE. PLEASE CLICK ON TEAL HYPERLINKS WITHIN ARTICLE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
If you are looking for the 100% THC Free Companies or THC/CBD blends I PERSONALLY standby they are all listed at the BOTTOM of this entry. Just skip to the bottom if you don't care about anything else!
Check out my other CBD blogs:
CONSUMER CONFUSION
POT FOR PETS
Hello Friends,
This is a long one!! So read it when you have some extra time!
In case you are new to the blog or my socials I should begin this post by telling you I have a TON of gastro problems. In 2006 I was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Celiac Disease (after being mis-diagnosed and very sick for 5 years.) I also have IBS-C and unknown issues that cause me stomach bloating and hit/miss constipation.
This is a video post I made on Instagram earlier this year about what an episode can look like. (FlashPlayer is being crazy on here. If it won't work just click on the hyperlink.)
I've been strictly gluten free since 2006 (when I was diagnosed with Celiac) but I still have unexplained and sometimes very severe bloating, pressure, fullness and constipation. I've tried a gazillion medications, powders, pills, diets, etc. Some have had a small success and other have had none. I have good months and bad months but overall the unexplained bloating and irregular bowel movement have made life pretty miserable.It especially makes competing as an IFBB Bikini Pro very hard. I could work my butt off and not be able to go to the bathroom or have an "episode" of bloating and my entire physique be RUINED in a matter of seconds!
For the past couple months I have been using something that has helped more than ANYTHING else ever has! Unless I eat something that would naturally cause bloating ... the bloating is pretty much GONE! I've also had ZERO pain and ZERO unexplained flair ups AT ALL (explained flair up would be the accidental ingestion of gluten. Which by the way ... did happen a few weeks after started this new treatment. I took a dose of one of my tinctures and within 15 min my pain went from a good 20 to maybe a 3.)
What is this "magic" that seems to be the ONLY thing giving me my life back?! There are many names for it .. pot, weed, cannabis, marijuana, lol. But no .. really it's none of the above. Well, not exactly. It's a non psychoactive COMPOUND that is in marijuana called ... CBD.
I didn't plan to announce to the world that I am a medical marijuana card holder last week .. but when a first of it's kind clinical trial was breaking news on all major news outlets I felt like I needed to go ahead and speak up!
To expand on my Instagram Post (which you can see here) my primary care doctor (who also specializes in medical marijuana) believed that CBD could benefit me due to my condition. I very hesitantly gave it a go. I think I had my card issued for like a month before I got the courage to go to a dispensary and get my "goods", haha! (Full transparency here. I'm not a pot smoker and never have been. I it back in like 1998/1999 and hadn't touched it since then.)
Since most people following my journey do so because they have similar STOMACH issues ... I want to make it VERY CLEAR that I use CBD for symptoms (inflammation/pain) related to having Celiac Disease. I DO NOT take it because of bloating that could be from food or poor diet. I have extreme internal inflammation from a MEDICAL condition. I don't want anyone with belly bloat to believe this is some magic solution for bloating. Bloating is often controllable by simply changing your diet, taking out or limiting certain foods (fodmaps, gluten, lactose, etc), increasing fiber, or even decreasing fiber, increasing water intake, taking probiotics, taking the Prebiotin brand of prebiotics, digestive enzymes, glutamine and even stomach massage. CBD is not going to fix a poor lifestyle or food related bloating! I can still get belly bloat if I over do it on fiber, eat too many fodmaps that affect me, too many gassy veggies, or slack on taking my other supplements mentioned above.
While the bloating and pain are essentially "cured" ... the CBD does NOT seem to be helping with the constipation aspect of my stomach issues. I saw a nurse the last time I went to the dispensary and she suggested a specific strain of CBD in VAPE form. Essentially if I feel like I "can't go" I take a couple of deep hits while sitting on the toilet and ... just wait. I've only tried it twice and neither time produced any results. That said .. constipation is NOT a condition that has shown to benefit from CBD so I wasn't expecting results.
I am so excited to share this journey with you all. I know there is a lot of confusion/ignorance surrounding "medical marijuana (which creates judgement and misconception) but I'm willing to make a few people uncomfortable in an effort to EDUCATE those willing to listen and more than ANYTHING hopefully help others that may have a medical condition in which CBD may help!
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| Photo Courtesy: Leafly |
WHAT IS CBD?
There are THREE active ingredients in Cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds in the cannabis (Marijuana) plant. Unlike the more famous and well known molecule THC, CBD is completely non-psychoactive.... meaning that it does not make you high.
THC = High (but not necessarily if it's in low doses. Many CBD oils contain trace amount of THC yet still have ZERO psychoactive affects) and pure CBD = NOT HIGH.
I'll say it another way .... THC is the stuff that gets you high; CBD (cannabidiol) is the stuff that makes you feel better. Depending where CBD is sourced will determine how much (if any) THC it has in it and if it will make you have any"high" or not.
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| Image Courtesy: upressonline.com |
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD?
Cannabinoids bind to special receptors on your cells called cannabinoid receptors. It acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system, creating physical changes in the body, which can be beneficial in many ways. Certain receptors are heavily concentrated in the central nervous system while others are found in almost every organ of the body. Cannabinoid receptors are found in the skin, digestive tract, and even in the reproductive organs! So you can see why/how CBD can help with a WIDE variety of ailments!!
Preclinical trials over the past four decades have found that the CBD shows promise as an:
anti-inflammatory
antioxidant
neuroprotectant
anxiolytic
antidepressant
analgesic
anti-tumoral agent
anti-psychotic
Patients with more chronic conditions such as cancer and epilepsy often use medical cannabis oil extracted from high-CBD varieties of cannabis.
Also as mentioned earlier in this post, A FIRST OF IT'S KIND actual CLINICAL trial was released this week that shows that CBD . The fact that a CLINICAL trial was finally done is HUGE!
Read about it HERE.
HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?
To buy CBD derived from Cannabis you must live in a state where medical or recreational cannabis is legal. For medical ... you will see a doctor licensed to recommend you receive your medical cards. If you have an approved condition and are approved by the state you get your card and then simply go to a local dispensary to get it. If you go to a good dispensary, the people there can help you decide which type/method is best for you/your condition! I go to Essence Vegas and they have been WONDERFUL! They even have a nurse on staff some days! However nobody in Vegas carries the THC/CBD blend that I love most! I have to go to California to get that. But I hear they are expanding soon (more on this company below.) If you live in a state where rec is legal .. lucky you .. just walk in, ha
WHAT IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN A STATE WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL or DON'T QUALIFY FOR A MED CARD? HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?
You can purchase it online. However it must be derived from HEMP, not cannabis. One manufacturer of hemp derived CBD created THIS state-by-state chart that breaks down CBD laws by state. As far as I know HEMP derived CBD is legal in all 50 states. However you MUST keep in mind that all of the hemp derived CBD on the market is effective or SAFE! Lots of scams out there, especially now that CBD is becoming so popular. WHAT IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN A STATE WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL or DON'T QUALIFY FOR A MED CARD? HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?
I have looked into a few hemp based brands that I feel safe recommending for those of you that can't go to a dispensary.. Here is the MAIN ONE I currently stand behind and USE MYSELF. I'll include links at the bottom of the blog with much more information! So keep reading!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN CBD THAT COMES FROM CANNABIS and CBD THAT COMES FROM HEMP?
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| Hemp Plant: Photo Courtesy Waking Times |
The CBD found in both of these plants is essentially the same, it’s the legal definition that is not.
The main difference when thinking of hemp CBD vs cannabis CBD are the differences in levels of CBD and THC the oil contains.
In short, hemp CBD oil and cannabis CBD oil are the same. CBD is CBD. The difference is that CBD derived from the hemp plant is federally legal, whereas CBD derived from cannabis is not.
Now .. there has been much debate if CBD derived from industrial hemp has the same properties as cannabis-derived CBD. People argue both sides. Personally I have tried CBD from both cannabis and hemp and WITH THE BRAND I AM USING I did not notice a difference! Meaning .. both worked just as well for me!
Those that believe it holds the same medicinal properties state the following as "facts" (ie - opinions.)
*Agricultural hemp and medical marijuana both come from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant.
((However as I showed you above. Keep in mind that medical marijuana can also come from the Indica plant ..which naturally has more THC.)
*Agricultural hemp, which is often referred to as “hemp stalk,” grows differently than THC-containing cannabis, and looks similar to bamboo.
*As long as agricultural hemp plants are pollinated by members of their own crop, the genetics will remain similar with low levels of THC.
The biggest concern I would personally have about CBD from Hemp is where you buy it! There are many things to consider when it comes to potency and safety. I certainly wouldn't be going to Ebay or Amazon that is for sure! Also be aware of Social Media. While it seems there are LOTS of legit companies selling CBD .. some look really shady to me! See the next section for more tips below on what questions to ask when purchasing online.
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| photo courtesy: Leaf Science |
HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD DERIVED FROM HEMP?
Online... but please be careful! If you do choose to order hemp derived CBD, you want to do your research and ASK A TON OF QUESTIONS before you order.
I would ask the following:
**Are your products and batches tested by third party companies for quality and purity? They should PROVIDE TEST RESULTS on their webpage. If not, ASK THEM for them! If they will not provide this ... MOVE ON!
**Where is your hemp grown (region/country, etc)
**Where are your products manufactured?
**What is the dosage of the actual ACTIVE CBD?
I thought THIS was a great article that explains a little more IN DEPTH why you should ask these questions as well as some others they suggest you ask before purchasing.
At first (when I wrote this article originally) I only used CBD derived from cannabis and got it at a medical dispensary in Vegas. However, I ran out a while back and it was out of stock EVERYWHERE because recreational cannabis went legal here and they couldn't keep up with supply/demand! That forced me to RESEARCH and try another company or two that was HEMP based (100% THC FREE.) I am so glad because not only can I have a SAFE company to suggest to ALL of you .. but due to their extraction methods and TYPE of CBD ... I actually PREFER using this 100% THC company I found - most of the time! *they do also have THC options if you live in an area where their brand is available*
WHICH HEMP DERIVED COMPANIES DO I STAND BEHIND?!
For both THC FREE CBD and my THC/CBD blends ... most recently I love/use a company called IGNITE CBD.
I've tried several (trusted ones) and seen great results with all of them. In the end, this one has just been my favorite after lots of trial and error. That is the thing about CBD .. you may have to play around with dosage, methods and even brands since they often offer different blends, etc.
There are MANY other Hemp Based THC Free CBD Companies and products out there and lots of them are legit and trustworthy! The issue is PURITY. The black market for Hemp CBD is really bad right now. So I suggest DOING YOUR RESEARCH, ASKING FOR LAB REPORTS and staying on top of doing so when you re-order ... to ensure you are using a QUALITY product. Otherwise you risk putting something into your body that is contaminated ... or contains no real CBD and is a waste of your money! This is why I would be cautions when possibly purchasing at a health store, gas station or drug store. Many legit companies are starting to launch at these locations but chances are the sales clerks at these stores won't be much help. It's always best to research the company before you buy it!
HOW DO I PERSONALLY TAKE CBD?
I touched on this above and there are many ways. You can smoke it, vape it, put it under the tongue in drop or liquid form (often called a tincture), eat it in edibles, take it in a capsule, drink it in beverages or sprinkle on food in pre-made spices that are on the market, rub it on your body using a balm/lotion, soak in an infused bath, etc.
How you use it should depend on WHY you are taking it. A good company that you purchase from should be able to guide you!
I prefer to MICRO-DOSE meaning I take several small(er) doses throughout the day in order to keep a steady stream of CBD in my body at all times.
I use a hemp oil under my tongue every morning when I first wake up. I will use a it again in the afternoon OR I'll hit a CBD or CBD/THC vape. Then before bed I take a pen that DOES have THC. I have found that a good 1:1 ration of thc/cbd is best for ME. Anything more (thc) and I often wake up after only 4 hours of sleep and CAN NOT go back to bed. But this is VERY INDIVIDUAL!! You will have to play around! That said .. HIGH doses of CBD have been known to create the same effect if you can't/don't want to use a product with THC in it!
By the way .. you can't overdose on CBD ... so don't worry about that, ha!
IS CBD SAFE?
When purchased from a Medical Dispensary I feel 110% confident in saying the answer is YES.
Cannabis (in general) is actually so safe that it's basically impossible for an adult human to ingest a fatal dose. Keep in mind CAUSATION and CORRELATION aren't the same!!! Over dose is how people directly die from using "drugs" (and CBD is not a quote/unquote drug.) They indirectly die from getting "high" (lots of THC) and having an accident of sorts .....BIG difference.
Additionally, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration drug sheet for marijuana (that means it has THC .. again very different than just CBD) reports that no deaths from marijuana (yes even with THC) overdose have ever even been recorded!! So if marijuana (with THC) is that "safe" obviously the compound CBD is VERY safe!
As far as HEMP derived CBD goes. As I stated above ... be cautious. There are indeed tons of scammers out there when it comes to the "hemp seed oil" market. I can only stand behind the couple of companies linked in this blog. However I'm sure with your own research you could find others that are safe/pure!
IS CBD LEGAL?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is complicated. Every country has its own cannabis laws, and CBD is more readily available in some regions than others. In the United Kingdom, for example, CBD was recently declared as medicine by the National Health Service (NHS).
In the United States the legality of CBD will depend on where it was sourced (as explained above.) Here is that chart again that breaks it down state-by-state.
WILL CBD MAKE ME HIGH?
I've already answered this but since this is the BIGGEST misconception about CBD I want to address it again. NO ... CBD (even CBD with low doses of THC) will NOT make you high.
Even when I used a tincture that was not THC free ( had a VERY low dose of THC since it' was derived from cannabis) it never made me high and did not impact me in ANY WAY as far as the way I "feel". I can drive, work, etc.
If you are still worried about this. Simply use CBD derived from HEMP. Such as the IGNITE brand I suggest above.
WHAT ABOUT MUNCHIES? I THOUGHT MARIJUANA MAKES YOU WANT TO EAT?
When it comes to CBD this is totally FALSE. I take it everyday and there is zero difference in appetite. The "hunger" you hear about is a sometimes a side effect of THC. Which is why many people (such as cancer patients) use a Medical Cannabis that CBD as well as higher amounts of THC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay friends .. there you have it. I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM A CONSUMER AND A BELIEVER and wrote this blog simply to help educate you on what I've learned about CBD. Also I am hoping to EDUCATE people that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET HIGH TO GET HEALED!!!! Please have an open mind and educate yourself from ignorance!
I found a webpage with a TON of more in-depth info and I highly recommend you check it out HERE. They cover many other questions you may have .. especially when it comes to Medical Marijuana with THC. Many medical conditions CAN greatly benefit from CBD with equal or even higher doses of THC (which would typically cause a "high" of SOME sort.) But I'll let you research all that on your own since this blog is mainly about CBD.
As mentioned above .. full transparency here ... I am also taking tinctures/vapes that contain both CBD and decent amounts of THC. I have one that I DO NOT use daily but "in case of emergency" or in "high stress" situations (which can cause Celiac flare ups.) It is a cbd/thc blend with still relatively low levels of THC compared to the CBD. It still does NOT make me high... but I wouldn't drive if I use it. As I showed you in the beginning of the blog ... I was exposed to some gluten and got very sick back in March. I had JUST started CBD that very week. I used the tincture that has CBD and THC and within a few moments I was almost most pain free! I couldn't believe it!
Also ... as mentioned above ... I suffer from Insomnia (I've had sleep issues since I as a child) and I have tested out a vape pen that is a CBD/THC blend. Within 5-10 min of a few puffs .. there is NO WAY I can keep my eyes open!!!! It also makes me stay asleep ALL NIGHT LONG!
I'm so grateful for Medical Cannabis...which led me to try Hemp based CBD. I often wondered about MY PLACE in our big cross country move from Tennessee to Nevada last year. I left my career, family and friends behind. I was happy to do it for my husband, but now I see that God had a plan for me in moving here as well. I would never have looked into CBD had I not moved to a place where cannabis was legal (and in return learned so much about 100% THC Free Hemp based CBD.)
I have no problem saying it has changed my life. #CBDSaves
XoXo
Stacy
Feel free to comment below with questions and your experience with CBD! You can also EMAIL ME. I am NOT an expert but I'm happy to share my experience with you!
CBD I USE -- IGNITE CBD THC FREE (oil and vapes)
CBD/THC Blends I use -- Vape Pens, etc.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Graston Technique: The benefits and how to achieve similar results at home
*update on most recent graston at bottom of post*
Hey Fit Fam,
Went in for an adjustment today. It always feels so good to be back aligned!
During my last visit, my chiro said I could benefit from some Graston work, so we added that into our session today.
I posted a little clip on Instagram .. but it was hard to get a video myself! Next time I'll try to bring my hubs with me so he can play cameraman :)
We mainly worked on my traps as well as my right arm/wrist (may be developing a littel carpal tunnel.)
Let me start off by saying it did not hurt. On a scale of 0-10 .. it was literally a 0-1.
My doctor explained that this SHOULD be the case for most areas of the body (espcially where he was working on me.) Other areas of the body may be more tender and that is normal as well (see update at end of this post for my most recent Graston sessions.)
Many times you see images on Instagram where people are horribly bruised after getting this done.
My doctor explained to me that is NOT the goal.
While you may have some redness, temporary swelling and even some minor bruising .. too much can actually CREATE scar tissue! The idea is to assist soft tissue mobilization .. so you obviously don't want to do that! Another thing to keep in mind when you see these images is that some people have more sensitive skin than others. Bottom line here .... GO TO SOMEONE CERTIFIED TO PRACTICE GRASTON! That way you KNOW that marks or not .. you are getting helped and not hurt.
Here is a little background on Graston Technique. It is a unique, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively address scar tissue, fascial restrictions, and range of motion. It was originally developed by athletes and is currently used by more than 24,500 clinicians worldwide - including physical and occupational therapists, hand therapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers.
Here are just a few benefits as a patient of GT:
Decreases overall time of treatment
Fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery
Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
Provides an efficient way to maintain optimal range of motion
GT allows a clinician to get as deep into the tissue as necessary to invoke change, yet again, should be sensitive to patient pain and tolerance. As the instruments are moved over the affected area and come in contact with the adhesions, they help break up scar tissue and fascial restrictions. In time, this process will reduce or eliminate the adhered fibers, restoring range of motion and eliminating the associated pain. It will help transform your soft tissue injury into healthy functioning tissue.
Graston Technique is clinically proven to achieve faster and better patient outcomes in treating the following:
Achilles Tendinosis/itis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cervical Sprain/Strain (Neck Pain)
Fibromyalgia
Lateral Epicondylosis/itis (Tennis Elbow)
Lumbar Sprain/Strain (Back Pain)
Medial Epicondylosis/itis (Golfer's Elbow)
Patellofemoral Disorders (Knee Pain)
Plantar Fasciitis (Foot Pain)
Rotator Cuff Tendinosis/itis (Shoulder Pain)
Scar Tissue
Shin Splints
Trigger Finger
Women's Health (Post-Mastectomy and Caesarean Scarring)
Here is a great YouTube video with some more information!
Not ready for Graston? Or want to do some work on yourself at home? Good news for you! There is also a GREAT at home tool that you can use that sort of mimics the results from Graston. While you would NEVER want to do Graston on yourself and ONLY go to someone that is trained/licensed to do so ... this tool is made for self-myofascial release at home! It's called the RAD ROD. I have my husband use it on my traps (I can do it myself but get much better results if he does it for me), as well as my shins, quads, hamstrings, and forearms! It is A M A Z I N G!!
Check out THIS blog for more on Rad Roller products and the ones I love the most!
You can use the code StacyM at checkout for $$$$ off!!!
XoXo,
Stacy
UPDATE (1/9/2018)
Since this post, I have started seeing a Chiropractor that SPECIALIZES in ATHLETES!
He, of course, sees ALL kinds of patients, not only athletes, but the fact that he KNOWS an athletes body and works on some of the BEST of the BEST really made me want to see what he could offer that a "regular" chiropractor could not.
While there was nothing wrong with the first chiro I found when I moved to Vegas, he didn't really know an athletes body and didn't provide all the services that I felt like I needed. Which means I wasn't really getting the most "bang for my buck". Essentially I was only really getting an adjustment and some minor Graston on parts of my upper body only (that is all he would do.) As much as I train my lower body I KNEW that I would benefit from this technique on my quads, hamstrings and glutes.
I have since found Halo Chiropractic (Dr. O) -- the difference in my chiropractic sessions are night in day. In fact, I'm not even needing to get any additional body work at THIS time.
Dr. O is a big believer in Graston and I'm doing weekly sessions with him where (in addition to my adjustments) we are working on a different area of the body each week. My first couple of weeks with him we focused on all things neck and back. Today we spent a lot of time on my hamstrings and glutes. My back was a breeze. Like my first sessions, I had with my old chiro .. it as virtually pain-free. That was NOT the case at the base of my neck. It was pretty painful. As for my hamstrings and glutes, it was also pretty painful - but not unbearable. I also train legs A LOT and have lots of scar tissue from a car accident so that should be factored into the pain factor.
Check out the picture I posted on Instagram. I want to point out that it ONLY looked like this for an hour (or less.) The swelling is totally gone and now only slight redness remains (per comments above.)
If you live in Vegas I highly reccomend Dr. O. Not only is he a full service Chiro .. he offers monthly packages so that you can see him every single week at a great price! If you check him out tell him I sent ya and maybe he will hook you up with a little bit of a discount!
Hey Fit Fam,
Went in for an adjustment today. It always feels so good to be back aligned!
During my last visit, my chiro said I could benefit from some Graston work, so we added that into our session today.
I posted a little clip on Instagram .. but it was hard to get a video myself! Next time I'll try to bring my hubs with me so he can play cameraman :)
We mainly worked on my traps as well as my right arm/wrist (may be developing a littel carpal tunnel.)
Let me start off by saying it did not hurt. On a scale of 0-10 .. it was literally a 0-1.
My doctor explained that this SHOULD be the case for most areas of the body (espcially where he was working on me.) Other areas of the body may be more tender and that is normal as well (see update at end of this post for my most recent Graston sessions.)
Many times you see images on Instagram where people are horribly bruised after getting this done.
My doctor explained to me that is NOT the goal.
While you may have some redness, temporary swelling and even some minor bruising .. too much can actually CREATE scar tissue! The idea is to assist soft tissue mobilization .. so you obviously don't want to do that! Another thing to keep in mind when you see these images is that some people have more sensitive skin than others. Bottom line here .... GO TO SOMEONE CERTIFIED TO PRACTICE GRASTON! That way you KNOW that marks or not .. you are getting helped and not hurt.
Here is a little background on Graston Technique. It is a unique, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively address scar tissue, fascial restrictions, and range of motion. It was originally developed by athletes and is currently used by more than 24,500 clinicians worldwide - including physical and occupational therapists, hand therapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers.Here are just a few benefits as a patient of GT:
Decreases overall time of treatment
Fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery
Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
Provides an efficient way to maintain optimal range of motion
GT allows a clinician to get as deep into the tissue as necessary to invoke change, yet again, should be sensitive to patient pain and tolerance. As the instruments are moved over the affected area and come in contact with the adhesions, they help break up scar tissue and fascial restrictions. In time, this process will reduce or eliminate the adhered fibers, restoring range of motion and eliminating the associated pain. It will help transform your soft tissue injury into healthy functioning tissue.
Graston Technique is clinically proven to achieve faster and better patient outcomes in treating the following:
Achilles Tendinosis/itis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cervical Sprain/Strain (Neck Pain)
Fibromyalgia
Lateral Epicondylosis/itis (Tennis Elbow)
Lumbar Sprain/Strain (Back Pain)
Medial Epicondylosis/itis (Golfer's Elbow)
Patellofemoral Disorders (Knee Pain)
Plantar Fasciitis (Foot Pain)
Rotator Cuff Tendinosis/itis (Shoulder Pain)
Scar Tissue
Shin Splints
Trigger Finger
Women's Health (Post-Mastectomy and Caesarean Scarring)
Here is a great YouTube video with some more information!
Not ready for Graston? Or want to do some work on yourself at home? Good news for you! There is also a GREAT at home tool that you can use that sort of mimics the results from Graston. While you would NEVER want to do Graston on yourself and ONLY go to someone that is trained/licensed to do so ... this tool is made for self-myofascial release at home! It's called the RAD ROD. I have my husband use it on my traps (I can do it myself but get much better results if he does it for me), as well as my shins, quads, hamstrings, and forearms! It is A M A Z I N G!!Check out THIS blog for more on Rad Roller products and the ones I love the most!
You can use the code StacyM at checkout for $$$$ off!!!
XoXo,
Stacy
UPDATE (1/9/2018)
Since this post, I have started seeing a Chiropractor that SPECIALIZES in ATHLETES!
He, of course, sees ALL kinds of patients, not only athletes, but the fact that he KNOWS an athletes body and works on some of the BEST of the BEST really made me want to see what he could offer that a "regular" chiropractor could not.
While there was nothing wrong with the first chiro I found when I moved to Vegas, he didn't really know an athletes body and didn't provide all the services that I felt like I needed. Which means I wasn't really getting the most "bang for my buck". Essentially I was only really getting an adjustment and some minor Graston on parts of my upper body only (that is all he would do.) As much as I train my lower body I KNEW that I would benefit from this technique on my quads, hamstrings and glutes.
I have since found Halo Chiropractic (Dr. O) -- the difference in my chiropractic sessions are night in day. In fact, I'm not even needing to get any additional body work at THIS time.
Dr. O is a big believer in Graston and I'm doing weekly sessions with him where (in addition to my adjustments) we are working on a different area of the body each week. My first couple of weeks with him we focused on all things neck and back. Today we spent a lot of time on my hamstrings and glutes. My back was a breeze. Like my first sessions, I had with my old chiro .. it as virtually pain-free. That was NOT the case at the base of my neck. It was pretty painful. As for my hamstrings and glutes, it was also pretty painful - but not unbearable. I also train legs A LOT and have lots of scar tissue from a car accident so that should be factored into the pain factor.
Check out the picture I posted on Instagram. I want to point out that it ONLY looked like this for an hour (or less.) The swelling is totally gone and now only slight redness remains (per comments above.)
If you live in Vegas I highly reccomend Dr. O. Not only is he a full service Chiro .. he offers monthly packages so that you can see him every single week at a great price! If you check him out tell him I sent ya and maybe he will hook you up with a little bit of a discount!
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
My Biggest Fitness Regret
Hey Fit Fam,
You are spending time planning out your meals, prepping your food, hitting the weights and doing your cardio ... but are you putting any emphasis on RECOVERY?!
I bet the answer is NO for 9 out of 10 of you reading this blog.
I never put FOCUS on recovery (seeing a myofascial release specialist, self myofascial release and stretching) until last year. Annnnnnd if we are being honest even then I wasn't CONSISTENT.
I'd maybe roll once or twice a week and stretching didn't happen unless my therapist or chiro did it.
Slowly I started incorporating more "rolling" and recovery and now I start every single morning (with the occasional miss here and there) with a light "roll" followed by 5min of stretching and ALMOST every single post lift I do the same thing focusing on whatever body part I trained.
I always knew my body NEEDED it to recover but I'm amazed at how it's affected the ACTIVATION of my muscles!! The increased mobility is a nice little bonus too! In addition to feeling less "stiff"... I also notice the difference in how much more "freely" I can move when posing on stage!
I know that you can go to Amazon and pick up any ole "foam roller" or use the one at your gym and that is what I always did until I discovered a line called RAD ROLLER.
In short, the founders of RAD Roller saw a void in the "rolling" industry. Until the creation of the RAD Roller, no massage tool could create such remarkable muscular mobilization without putting damaging and painful pressure on the bones in the neck and back. This patent-pending design soon expanded to include three different densities, and before long, its success spurred the invention of an entire series of RAD mobility products. RAD is, quite literally, inspired by human movement, and people of all walks of life now use our tools to create relief in nearly every muscle of the body.
YOU WILL notice the difference in the HELIX compared to a typical ole roller!! As for the other products .. well there are just none others like them on the market. Sure you could use a tennis ball, or taped together tennis balls, or medicine balls and squat rack bars .. but those "substitutes" are not ideal, may not even really work and if used wrong could even cause damage. RAD was designed with our bodies in mind. The tools provide controlled, acute point release, move waste materials out of your soft tissue and encourage proper spinal alignment. And when used regularly, they help unlock your body’s true movement potential.
Another big perk is that EVERY ITEM can fit in my GYM BAG!!! That is right .. I put my Roller, Helix, Rod, Rounds and Atom ALL in my gym bag!! Because they are smaller and more compact they are also easy to travel with!!
I have a friends discount you can use! Just put StacyM in at checkout! Please let me know if you need any help ordering! Below I've listed my favorites and what I use them for and also some links to Rad Roller YouTube page where you can find some guidance of how exactly to use your Rad products once they arrive!
XoXo,
Stacy
DESCRIPTION OF EACH PRODUCT AND HOW I USE THEM
ATOM - I use this primarily on my glutes, hamstrings and chest. When you don’t need the hyper-precision of a point release tool (like the rounds) but you need some high-quality compression and circulation in larger muscle groups (like the glutes and hips) the RAD Atom will be your new best friend. Also if you purchase the the RAD Rod you can use them TOGETHER for crow-bar style control and deeper compression!!
HELIX - I use this on my lats, back, neck, hams, quads, calves and hips! This is what you would use in place of your regular old school "foam roller" -- RAD Helix has low back extension and three-dimensional muscular release down to a science. No joke, this baby puts traditional foam rollers to shame. The arched design replicates a double helix, the building blocks of the body. And for good reason too. This anatomical shape is almost human, relentlessly unlocking stiffness on two planes and flushing out toxins to promote healthy, open posture. The RAD Helix flushes out toxins and enhances your back’s range of motion with its anatomical shape that’s designed to protect the spine. Your foam roller definitely can’t do that.
ROD - I use this on my traps, quads, hamstrings, shins and forearms ... and it hurts so GOOD! YOU decide how much pressure you want to use. The RAD Rod is fully loaded with a steel core and soft outer shell that stick it to tension like nobody’s business. The slender design minimizes surface area so you can fine-tune your pressure without pain—even on bony areas like the shins. That means tight muscles and built-up toxins better watch their backs because this rod rocks concentrated release and maximum relief the way only RAD can.
ROUNDS - I use these for anything from headaches, to foot health, digging into my glutes like NOTHING else, elbow pain and MORE! RAD Rounds serve up two times the relief with firm density that busts up tension in sensitive spots like the neck, feet and hands. These balls are specifically designed for the body, not sports, which is lot more than a tennis ball or “whatever’s around the house” can claim. So when you want something that’s built for the job, choose from our two pressure-seeking sizes that comfortably fit where other tools can’t. And for those who crave even more control and focused release, pair these babies with the RAD Block.
ROLLER - There really isn't a place I don't use the RAD Roller. It works everywhere on you (precise enough to target almost every muscle in your body) and everywhere you go (it’s crazy compact and perfectly portable). When I flush this up and down my spine it literally feels like a MASSAGE. I also just let it rest under my neck (looking right to left, etc.) and it totally gets rid of any neck tension! I also use this on lats, triceps and more! I use the blue rad roller original and my husband uses the original xl.
**They just released a new product called RAD Centre. I can't review it yet because I don't have it yet. It just shipped out to me this week. BUT I CAN NOT WAIT TO USE THIS!!! If you know me .. you know I have ALL KINDS of gut issues. This guy is only ball designed for visceral release (aka breaking up tension in your insides), this inflatable tool gently mobilizes your organs through the abdominal wall—and it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to its soft touch, it can painlessly scan over your entire body to detect tender tight spots and flush out sore muscles without a single wince. **
HOW TO USE/WHEN TO USE/WHAT TO DO:
I know when you get stuff like this it can be REALLY confusing as to HOW to use it! HERE is the Rad Roller YOUTUBE page and they have TONS of video tutorials showing you ways to use the products! Also on the webpage .. each product has a downloadable PDF you can print off! As always you can EMAIL ME and I will try to help you as well.
I suggest following my protocol and getting in a light roll and then stretch to get your body moving in the morning if you have time. But most important ... roll BEFORE stretching ... POST LIFT!
There is lots of "mixed science" out there as to if you should roll and stretch BEFORE training. I'm not sure what I believe and have heard BOTH SIDES from pretty solid sources. Some research has said that massage and PROLONGED STRETCHING can reduce strength if done pre-training .. other studies proved however that the foam rolling did not impact strength.
It seems pretty across the board that PROLONGED STATIC STRETCHING during your warm-up can decrease performance in your workout. But that myofascial release with products like RAD Roller can dramatically increase your range of motion without any negative effects on strength!
SO ... to summarize. Do NOT stretch pre workout .. instead use some short compression techniques using RAD products PRE workout and/or in between sets for whatever body part you are working. Then POST lift spend more time doing the same .. plus add some stretching AFTER the myofascial release with RAD products.
Questions?? EMAIL ME!! simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com
You are spending time planning out your meals, prepping your food, hitting the weights and doing your cardio ... but are you putting any emphasis on RECOVERY?!
I bet the answer is NO for 9 out of 10 of you reading this blog.
I never put FOCUS on recovery (seeing a myofascial release specialist, self myofascial release and stretching) until last year. Annnnnnd if we are being honest even then I wasn't CONSISTENT.
I'd maybe roll once or twice a week and stretching didn't happen unless my therapist or chiro did it.
Slowly I started incorporating more "rolling" and recovery and now I start every single morning (with the occasional miss here and there) with a light "roll" followed by 5min of stretching and ALMOST every single post lift I do the same thing focusing on whatever body part I trained.
I always knew my body NEEDED it to recover but I'm amazed at how it's affected the ACTIVATION of my muscles!! The increased mobility is a nice little bonus too! In addition to feeling less "stiff"... I also notice the difference in how much more "freely" I can move when posing on stage!
I know that you can go to Amazon and pick up any ole "foam roller" or use the one at your gym and that is what I always did until I discovered a line called RAD ROLLER.
YOU WILL notice the difference in the HELIX compared to a typical ole roller!! As for the other products .. well there are just none others like them on the market. Sure you could use a tennis ball, or taped together tennis balls, or medicine balls and squat rack bars .. but those "substitutes" are not ideal, may not even really work and if used wrong could even cause damage. RAD was designed with our bodies in mind. The tools provide controlled, acute point release, move waste materials out of your soft tissue and encourage proper spinal alignment. And when used regularly, they help unlock your body’s true movement potential.Another big perk is that EVERY ITEM can fit in my GYM BAG!!! That is right .. I put my Roller, Helix, Rod, Rounds and Atom ALL in my gym bag!! Because they are smaller and more compact they are also easy to travel with!!
I have a friends discount you can use! Just put StacyM in at checkout! Please let me know if you need any help ordering! Below I've listed my favorites and what I use them for and also some links to Rad Roller YouTube page where you can find some guidance of how exactly to use your Rad products once they arrive!
XoXo,
Stacy
DESCRIPTION OF EACH PRODUCT AND HOW I USE THEM
ATOM - I use this primarily on my glutes, hamstrings and chest. When you don’t need the hyper-precision of a point release tool (like the rounds) but you need some high-quality compression and circulation in larger muscle groups (like the glutes and hips) the RAD Atom will be your new best friend. Also if you purchase the the RAD Rod you can use them TOGETHER for crow-bar style control and deeper compression!!
HELIX - I use this on my lats, back, neck, hams, quads, calves and hips! This is what you would use in place of your regular old school "foam roller" -- RAD Helix has low back extension and three-dimensional muscular release down to a science. No joke, this baby puts traditional foam rollers to shame. The arched design replicates a double helix, the building blocks of the body. And for good reason too. This anatomical shape is almost human, relentlessly unlocking stiffness on two planes and flushing out toxins to promote healthy, open posture. The RAD Helix flushes out toxins and enhances your back’s range of motion with its anatomical shape that’s designed to protect the spine. Your foam roller definitely can’t do that.
ROD - I use this on my traps, quads, hamstrings, shins and forearms ... and it hurts so GOOD! YOU decide how much pressure you want to use. The RAD Rod is fully loaded with a steel core and soft outer shell that stick it to tension like nobody’s business. The slender design minimizes surface area so you can fine-tune your pressure without pain—even on bony areas like the shins. That means tight muscles and built-up toxins better watch their backs because this rod rocks concentrated release and maximum relief the way only RAD can.
ROUNDS - I use these for anything from headaches, to foot health, digging into my glutes like NOTHING else, elbow pain and MORE! RAD Rounds serve up two times the relief with firm density that busts up tension in sensitive spots like the neck, feet and hands. These balls are specifically designed for the body, not sports, which is lot more than a tennis ball or “whatever’s around the house” can claim. So when you want something that’s built for the job, choose from our two pressure-seeking sizes that comfortably fit where other tools can’t. And for those who crave even more control and focused release, pair these babies with the RAD Block.
ROLLER - There really isn't a place I don't use the RAD Roller. It works everywhere on you (precise enough to target almost every muscle in your body) and everywhere you go (it’s crazy compact and perfectly portable). When I flush this up and down my spine it literally feels like a MASSAGE. I also just let it rest under my neck (looking right to left, etc.) and it totally gets rid of any neck tension! I also use this on lats, triceps and more! I use the blue rad roller original and my husband uses the original xl.
**They just released a new product called RAD Centre. I can't review it yet because I don't have it yet. It just shipped out to me this week. BUT I CAN NOT WAIT TO USE THIS!!! If you know me .. you know I have ALL KINDS of gut issues. This guy is only ball designed for visceral release (aka breaking up tension in your insides), this inflatable tool gently mobilizes your organs through the abdominal wall—and it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to its soft touch, it can painlessly scan over your entire body to detect tender tight spots and flush out sore muscles without a single wince. **
HOW TO USE/WHEN TO USE/WHAT TO DO:
I know when you get stuff like this it can be REALLY confusing as to HOW to use it! HERE is the Rad Roller YOUTUBE page and they have TONS of video tutorials showing you ways to use the products! Also on the webpage .. each product has a downloadable PDF you can print off! As always you can EMAIL ME and I will try to help you as well.
I suggest following my protocol and getting in a light roll and then stretch to get your body moving in the morning if you have time. But most important ... roll BEFORE stretching ... POST LIFT!
There is lots of "mixed science" out there as to if you should roll and stretch BEFORE training. I'm not sure what I believe and have heard BOTH SIDES from pretty solid sources. Some research has said that massage and PROLONGED STRETCHING can reduce strength if done pre-training .. other studies proved however that the foam rolling did not impact strength.
It seems pretty across the board that PROLONGED STATIC STRETCHING during your warm-up can decrease performance in your workout. But that myofascial release with products like RAD Roller can dramatically increase your range of motion without any negative effects on strength!
SO ... to summarize. Do NOT stretch pre workout .. instead use some short compression techniques using RAD products PRE workout and/or in between sets for whatever body part you are working. Then POST lift spend more time doing the same .. plus add some stretching AFTER the myofascial release with RAD products.
Questions?? EMAIL ME!! simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com