Life Priority, Inc. Blog

When is the Best Time to Exercise?

One of the most controversial subjects in the fitness world is what time of day is the best time to exercise. Scientists have been going back and forth on this for years.  It is still inconclusive.  That was also a very common question from my clients as a personal trainer. The answer I would give them was that it doesn’t matter.  I would rather see you work out at any time as long as you get it in.  It’s whatever time works for you and whatever time you will stick with.  For me personally, exercise tends to wire me and give me energy, therefore I am not able to work out at night.

For my body, morning exercise works best for me but I am also a morning person. If you are a night owl or work nights, then it may be better for you to work out at night.  I also know people who get a second wind at noon or on their lunch hour.  I personally feel my best and have the most energy to work out between the hours of 9:00am and 1:00pm.  If you only have time to work out at 5:30 in the morning and you think you can stick to this routine, then by all means please get in a routine at 5:30 in the morning!  At the end of the day, what matters is that you did something, even if it is only being able to squeeze in a 15 minute walk at 8:00pm after dinner. If you are trying to lose weight, science is still science and it comes down to calories in and calories out.  The bottom line is that it doesn’t really matter what time of day you exercise as long as you get it in somewhere and you do what you know you can stick to.

A couple of products that I love and use myself to get me motivated to exercise are the Lift and Muscle Memory from Life Priority. The Lift can help you get in the mood to exercise if you are feeling a little unmotivated that day.  Also the Muscle Memory helps muscle recovery due to the Amino Acid L-Arginine.  I have found that these two products when used together, give me the best workouts and help my body recover for the next workout!

In the end, exercise should be fun and you should not dread it.  If this means that you need to wait until noon on your lunch hour to feel energetic to take a walk, then so be it.  At least you have done something and you are on your way to a healthier lifestyle!

Nicole May, PT and Fitness Instructor

Life Priority, established in 1994, offers supplements that are scientifically-formulated, results-oriented, and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are manufactured at USDA and FDA inspected facilities.

*The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

*Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

Guest Post by Nicole May, Personal Trainer and daily LIFT user

Do you ever make New Year’s resolutions regarding your exercise routine only to watch them go by the wayside within a few weeks?  As a personal trainer, this was the most common issue that I would encounter with my clients. It would be the actual sticking to an activity.

Why People Fail at Exercise Resolutions

The truth is that most people don’t stick to an exercise routine because we simply don’t enjoy it.  I would get asked time and again, “What is the best exercise?” Over the years I can only say this.  The BEST exercise for YOU is the exercise that you are going to stick with because you actually enjoy it!

What good is your gym membership if you simply don’t like going the gym?  What good is your treadmill if it has now become an apparatus to hang up your clothes?  I know, I have been there! I have had that elliptical machine in my home only to find myself staring at it every day but not actually getting on it.  The truth is that I did not enjoy it. I was bored.

Finding the Right Fitness Goals for You

Over the years I can say I have tried almost every exercise known to man as well as the latest fads or exercise gadgets.  At one point, I decided that I was going to become a runner, but I was over-training and ended up blowing out both knees and my back.

This is not to say that running is bad for everyone, but according to my doctor, it’s bad for me. Years of competitive gymnastics have left me with some injuries to body parts that scream at me to stop when I try to run long distances.  I have also tried Zumba, weight training, cycling, triathlons, boot camp, strange devices to put on the bottom of your shoes and jump around, etc.  You get the idea.

What I have found is this. Every body type is different making certain exercises enjoyable for some and not so enjoyable for others.  Why is it easy for some of my friends who, at the age of 45, have decided to run marathons while they fly through the air like a gazelle yet I find it boring and hard on my joints? Just because every body is different, and what may bore you to tears is fun and interesting to others.

Turn the Corner on New Year’s Resolutions

Folks, this year, I encourage you to do an activity that you enjoy so you are more inclined to stick with it.  The goal is to keep moving.  Whether you love to fast-walk through the mall for an hour every day, or you have a passion for extreme skiing, have at it (just be careful)! I happen to love to go to Boot Camp at 5:30am. Who knew?  Not me, for the longest time.  Pick something you actually like!  Exercise does not have to be boring or dreadful.

Some suggestions for you for you in the New Year:

•  Try some resistance training or lift something semi-heavy.  Resistance training is important to maintain bone health and muscle mass as we age.  Even if it’s just doing some push-ups, lunges or using some slightly heavy weights in your home in front of the TV!
• Try to break a sweat-every day.  Try to sweat for at least 30 minutes even if it’s just from gardening, dancing in your home or walking around your neighborhood!
• Take your Lift.  I personally LOVE the Lift powder.  I love mixing up my drink in the morning and afternoons before my meals to help curb my appetite. The Phenylalanine in Lift can be helpful with cravings and motivation.  Occasionally, I have issues with trying to stay motivated to exercise because of my injuries.  If I drink my Lift, my mood improves and I am out the door and to the gym within 30 minutes!

Here’s to a happy and active 2018.  Stick to it by doing something you love!

Life Priority, established in 1994, offers supplements that are scientifically-formulated, results-oriented, and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are manufactured at USDA and FDA inspected facilities.

*The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

*Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

“What Happens to MLB Players Now That The Season Is Over? by Greg Pryor

What a great World Series!  The great game of baseball and another Fall Classic showed the world why, in my opinion, baseball is the best team sport ever invented.  For most professional baseball players their “cherished” off season is here. A small percentage of players will go to play winter ball in Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic.  Most players will stay in the States and enjoy their families who they don’t get to see much during the season.

One of the bad things that happens to players on clubs that make the postseason, especially the Indians and the Cubs, is that they will have a much shorter off season. In just 4 short months (exactly 120 days), players on World Series teams will be reporting to spring training.  The “real” MLB ballplayers know that their 2017 season has already begun and they are not wasting time getting ready.

The story of the 2016 MLB World Champs began on the first day of spring training last March at their training site in Arizona.  In reality, the beginning of a baseball season for a “real” MLB player begins on the day that his season ends.  As one who participated in 16 seasons of pro baseball, the 7 month grind of no weekends off and an average of 28 games per month from March to October is not for the feeble minded or physically weak. No offense to the talented players in the NFL, NBA, and NHL who have their own tough grind, but I consider the “combined” mental and physical stress of a MLB season to be the toughest of all sports.  Proper off season preparation by individual players is one of the most important aspects of winning a World Championship.  The story of what George Brett did between the end of the 1984 and the beginning of the 1985 season is a good example.

In 1984, the Kansas City Royals won the American League West Division title but George had one of his worst seasons.  For him, hitting a paltry .284 and driving in only 69 runs was very disappointing and he was challenged by the then-owner, Avron Fogelman, to show people the real Brett in ’85.  George used the off-season to get ready and every Royals fan remembers what happened.  George added 50 points to his average, doubled his RBI output and the Royals went on their first World Series crown.  George put in the workout time during the off season and it paid off.

Next March, around 1,300 pro ballplayers, those on MLB rosters and invitees, will report to the MLB spring training sites of their team.  Older players will be trying to keep their jobs and younger players will be trying to take someone else’s job.  A few will report with jobs locked up because of the size of their contract or the high level of their ability.  Regardless of any of that though, the amount of physical work that they all will have put in over the previous 5 months (but just 4 months for the World Series teams) will determine what kind of season that they, and their teams, will have.

Most MLB players have their own winter workout regimen. The team trainer will give them suggestions and workout schedules to follow but most players will be on their own program.  Many MLB players hire personal trainers to oversee their grueling workouts and to hold them accountable for showing up and putting in the effort.

Being motivated to do effective offseason work is one thing, but the most difficult part of getting ready for another MLB season is to determine what exercises to do, what muscle groups to use, how often to exercise and how many hours or days to rest between exercises.  Every offseason I would try and put on 10-15 lbs of muscle by hiring a trainer to “punish” me during workouts.  I wanted to break my muscles down enough so that they would grow back stronger.  At age 21, I weighed 165 pounds when I signed my first pro contract.  Over my 10 yr. MLB career my weight was between 185-190 lbs. Had I not gotten stronger and quicker, I never would have earned a MLB job.

Another very important aspect of off season conditioning is the diet.  Although MLB players probably eat nutritious meals, I am confident that most use some dietary supplements to help them recover more quickly from workouts.  I did not know until after I was done playing that there are many nutrients not easily found in a decent diet that can have a wonderful effect on muscle recovery after workouts. Some are best used before workouts and some are best used afterwards.

In 1994, my wife and I formed a health and nutrition company called Life Priority, Inc. Life Priority can be located at www.lifepriority.com and offers a line of high quality, results-oriented, scientifically-formulated health supplements to the marketplace.  If you are interested in learning how to get better workouts as a pro player or a weekend warrior, please contact me at customerservice@lifepriority.com.  I will be glad to help evaluate your current regimen and offer time-tested solutions to help you get better results from your workouts.  In 1991, I became a customer of the Life Priority products and, because of my results and the results of others, I joined the health industry.  Make your decision now! The “off season” is shorter than you think!  Get ready for a great 2017!

Life Priority, established in 1994, offers supplements that are scientifically-formulated, results-oriented, and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are manufactured at USDA and FDA inspected facilities.

*The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

*Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

By Greg Pryor

Although I played baseball on a professional level for over 16 seasons, I sometimes I wish I had played professional golf.  Both sports are difficult to master and a very small percentage of men and women are able to make their living at either sport.

The cover of the latest Southwest Airlines magazine showed a picture of a man who decided to put 10,000 hours of practice time into becoming the best golfer that he could be.  His goal was to play professional golf.

Regardless of your athletic goal, your success will be determined, in large part, by the way that you think during practice time and during competition.  If you want to improve your “game,” here are a few simple suggestions!

Mental Strength

Having the mental strength to deal with failure in sports is crucial to improvement.  By mental strength, I mean specifically the ability to focus and concentrate to allow your muscle memory to take over your physical actions.

Your brain contains ten billion neurons (brain cells).  Between each neuron are neurotransmitters that are natural substances that help transmit your every memory, thought, and emotion.

The three most important neurotransmitters that support brain function are:

• Noradrenaline is nature’s “natural speed” and your “get up and go.” This is what you want an adequate amount of in your brain as you compete in sports or when you head off to work.
• Dopamine is a special neurotransmitter which helps with focus and concentration.  If dopamine levels are low we can have focus issues such as daydreaming or not remembering where we put our keys or not being able to stay on task.  Dopamine is responsible for our motivation.
• Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that helps you with memory and organization–the way you order things in your mind, the way you retrieve them in an orderly manner. It’s also involved in focus and concentration. Your body manufactures acetylcholine from a diet that contains the essential nutrients B5 and choline.

The ability to think more clearly and effectively and the drive to succeed are all tied directly to your brain’s ability to create adequate neurotransmitters.  If you provide your body and brain with the proper nutrients to make neurotransmitters, it could be the determining factor in your level of persistence and even your success or failure.

One time I made a 50 ft. putt in a charity golf tournament in front of about 200 onlookers. When I made the putt, I was simply thinking of how to make the proper putt and was able to cleanse my brain of all unnecessary thoughts.

Physical Support

Golf puts a strain on virtually every major joint in the body. The shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and back are in motion during every golf swing. It is difficult to repeat a good swing if one or more of those areas are misfiring or are experiencing joint pain.  Taking dozens of golf swings can put a stress on the cartilage, tendons, and muscles and lead to joint inflammation or osteoarthritis.  Having healthy cartilage is crucial to all athletic moves in any sport.

In 1996, I was experiencing severe pain in my right hand. The pain would not let me swing my golf clubs.  I began using glucosamine HCl and, after three weeks, the pain disappeared and my flexibility returned.  I have been using glucosamine HCl ever since.

Glucosamine HCl is a simple amino sugar made by the food that we eat and is one of the main building blocks for healthy cartilage.  As a retired pro athlete and owner of a health and nutrition company, Life Priority, I advocate the use of nutritional formulas for your health and the health of your golf game.

The Life Priority products, Joint Decision (glucosamine HCl) – a dietary supplement for joint pain, and my Mind, Lift and Muscle Memory products can help support the mental strength needed in all sports.

Life Priority, established in 1994, offers supplements that are scientifically-formulated, results-oriented, and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are manufactured at USDA and FDA inspected facilities.

*The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

*Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

I wanted to thank you for continuing to provide Total Joint Complex™ to those interested in optimal joint health.

I have used this product personally and professionally since 1994.

My first exposure to your Total Joint Complex™  product was actually through the mother of a massage therapist who worked in my office.  She reported her mother had suffered for years with a damaged knee and had been told repeatedly that replacement surgery was necessary for any quality of life.  While she was desperate enough to finally consider surgery, she first wanted to try one last natural option.  That option was Total Joint Complex™.

After only a few short months of use as recommended, this woman was functioning without pain with increased mobility.  That is when I decided the product deserved a personal look.

I have used Total Joint Complex™ for years and my knees thank me.  Anyone who has experienced either knee or shoulder pain knows these two pains are extremely intense.  The times I have slacked on my personal supplement regimen I always jump right back on as my knees feel years older without Total Joint Complex™.

Everyone I have on Total Joint Complex™ reports not being able to imagine managing the nature effects of aging or the consequences of prior sports injuries or the residual damage from auto accidents without the help of Total Joint Complex™.

For the scientist in all of us, if you haven’t tried this product, why not experiment to see what benefits you may enjoy?

Life Priority, thank you for making this high quality product Total joint Complex. I appreciate your dedication to excellence.

Jill Young, D.C. Winfield, KS

Life Priority, established in 1994, offers supplements that are scientifically-formulated, results-oriented, and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are manufactured at USDA and FDA inspected facilities.

*The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

*Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.