Phase Frame

Our bodies are built for a certain environment. We don’t live in that environment anymore. But in the ancient past, we did not have machines so we relied on our bodies to do work. Almost every day, every human being would be involved in some task that involved lifting heavy things.

Women lifted (and carried for long distances) babies and children and jugs of water.
Men lifted (and carried for long distances) animal carcasses, logs, big stones.

One of my friends wrote yesterday to tell me how she had to carry large mountain stone from one side of her yard to another. And that her body felt amazing from the experience. It had reminded her of conversations she and I had had in the past about the importance of lifting heavy things… for both men and women.

So here’s a wild idea. Find a source of heavy stones/rocks. What’s heavy is relative to your body and strength. It would be good to get some variety. Find a spot in your yard where you can leave the pile. A few times each week, spend 30 minutes moving the rocks from one spot to another that’s about 50ft away.

If you have the time, give it a shot and let me know how it works. A very natural workout that should make your body feel amazing.

Just watch out for snakes;)

One of our women PhaseFrame readers wrote to me asking for advice on how to target the waist and lower back. As a general rule, I don’t recommend spot targeting with fitness… I recommend whole body activity (hiking, lifting heavy things, etc.) and smart eating (meat, vegetables, fish, nuts, a little fruit).

Having said that, if you’re looking for that last second tweak before hitting the beach, here’s an exercise that I’ve found will tweak your waist pretty well. In case the video isn’t clear, you’re picking up a weight (20-40lbs) off the ground on one side of your body (left) and pretending to put it up on a shelf on the other side (right).

I’ve been involved sexually with my current partner for almost 18 years now. Her ass today is firmer and more attractive than it ever has been. I don’t say that to flatter her. It’s the objective truth, sworn by the hands that type this post.

For the women out there who read PhaseFrame (and more and more I’m convinced y’all outnumber the men), here’s what she does:

1) She borrows my P90X Legs & Back workout DVD and does it once a week (we also do it together for some shared activity bonding once a month)

2) She skips all the back exercises

3) She does all the leg exercises (besides the 1st one and then chair pose)
Hint: P90X Legs & Ass (my affectionate term) is all about squats and lunges

4) She does a yoga class once a week

I swear… when I do the Legs & Ass workout with my partner (about once a month) it burns like hell… but oh so good. It takes about 20-25 minutes and it tightens things up like nothing else.

So find someone who has P90X and borrow their “Legs & Back” DVD… and do it once a week. You’ll love the return on the investment.

So I’m in my mid 30′s and I’ve noticed my hair starting to thin and drop back a little (receding hairline). It’s not noticeable when my hair is cut short, but when it grows out a bit, it’s apparent to someone who looks closely. I feel like it’s still early enough to be addressed before fully succumbing to the inevitability …

To me, it’s not the end of the world to start balding or having thinner hair. I’d be content and attractive keeping my head shaved.

Nonetheless, this got me researching possible solutions to either prevent or slow down the thinning and balding process. Thought I’d share my findings with other guys out there, and I’m definitely happy to learn new things, so please be sure to comment if you have any good tips.

I talked to a few friends, including a family practice doctor, and here are the 4 products I’ve decided to try:

Emu Oil
This is the product I’ve heard the most good things about. Lots of testimonies about it’s ability to produce thicker hair. Some even claim that it regrows bald patches.

Tea Tree Oil
This is supposed to cleanse the pores and get rid of blockage that might be preventing hair growth

Toco-Sorb
Tocotrienols are widely reported to be important for hair growth and… some have reported this supplement to single handedly thicken up their hair. These are taken orally.

Red Palm Tree Oil
Instead of taking tocotrienols orally, you’re applying them directly to the scalp.

I just saw the movie Silver Linings Playbook. Excellent movie. Jennifer Lawrence is hot.

What struck me about the movie was how accurately it captured the human brain’s tendency to lock onto a goal obsessively and then miss other wonderful opportunities. This is something that every man with PhaseFrame needs to overcome. Here are 7 specific things you can learn from the movie Silver Linings Playbook…

1) Women are attracted to men who thrive independently of them
The main character in the movie is obsessed with his ex-wife. Everything he does centers on re-winning her. As his therapist points out at one point… ironically, the best way to become attractive to a woman is to thrive … with other women… with fitness… with passion… with accomplishments.

2) Never limit your options to one woman
Locking your brain onto just one woman paralyzes you and, paradoxically, lessens your chances with that woman. When you’re focused on just one woman… you’re chasing her. Everything feels risky… so you’re walking on eggshells. You’re worried about losing your one option. So you’re not able to be yourself.

3) Embrace your crazy
Don’t whitewash yourself. The most attractive women to this guy are the ones who know they’re fuckin’ crazy and know they’ve got fuckin’ problems. And everything I know about women says the same: they want just enough stability to feel safe, but they want plenty of crazy to keep things exciting. You find a woman or two who’s got the right mix of sanity and crazy, and the two of you will have what it takes to keep things interesting and magnetic over the long haul.

4) Get fit
Getting fit has so many benefits, physically, mentally, etc. that you have no excuse not to do it. It should be your number one priority in life because it will enable everything else. Fitness makes you attractive. Fitness creates more mental stability. Fitness creates strength. Fitness creates confidence. Stop thinking and just do it.

5) Don’t take stupid risks
Responsible men don’t put their family’s well-being on the line for ridiculous risks. Strong men don’t bet away their families wealth. Weak men do that.

6) There’s nothing like family… so give it the time it deserves
Sitting around doing nothing… or doing family rituals… in the presence of family… is priceless.

7) Real change is possible, but not likely
Most people get stuck in habitual ruts and stay in them their entire lives. But some people do change. I’ve personally witnessed this in my best friend over the last 6-9 months. As well as my father. It’s been a wonderful thing to see unfold. But these people are the exception, not the rule. Their change was rare enough that it surprised the hell out of me. I did not expect it.

Started with 7… thought of a lot more…

Bonus: Sometimes the rules fuck you up. Sometimes the categories you use to think about your relationships will hold you back.

Bonus 2: Be honest to reality. Be able to let a woman go if all the signs are there that you’re spinning your wheels. Move on to greener pastures.

Bonus 3: Accomplishment is attractive. The main character in this movie not only gets fit, but he acquires skill throughout the movie and becomes increasingly attractive.

Bonus 4: Women are naturally attracted to men who are hard to get. In this movie… the guy is hard to get because he’s obsessive about his ex-wife. It’s pretty clear that this motivates Jennifer Lawrence to invest. And when she invests, she’s chasing him. And that’s where you want to be in a relationship.

Bonus 5: Consistency. Practice. Discipline. In the service of something good. It’s always healthy for the soul.

Alright. I fuckin’ hate taking pictures like this of myself. I think it’s borderline sleazy. But one reader wrote in saying he was ready to try out the PhaseFrame workout and Paleo eating if I was willing to post proof of what my body looks like. So in the service of better health…

Here you go. 35 years old. Three 10-20 minute workouts per week. And this is the day after puking my brains out from a flu virus. Still LGN (looking good naked). Not a beach body, but that’s not what I’m after. I just want to be a fit human being. And that’s what I am.

Photo below the fold:
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This is the truth. Make sure your woman is doing squats. Hell, do them with her if that’s what it takes (chalk up to a bonding experience;-)

It’s old school. And because the word “liver” is in it, I’ve avoided it like the plague my entire life. But lately I’ve been reading too many references about its health benefits (from Vitamin A and D to omega 3 fatty acids) from people I respect.

There are going to be two psychological issues for most people when it comes to taking Cod Liver Oil:

1) “liver” so it must be nasty.
2) it’s relatively expensive, especially for a family.

I bit the bullet. I’m trying the stuff. And I can’t swear by it enough.

First off, the good quality stuff has a neutral, non-fishy taste. And when it comes to cost, I’ve made a life decision to invest heavily in my and my family’s health. It’s the number one priority in my life. Above everything else. Health first. I enjoy putting money to good use. So if stuff works, why not spend the money now to make ourselves thrive rather than spend it later when we’re in trouble and have something like cancer or diabetes.

For myself, I buy this stuff at 52 cents per ounce: Carlson Labs Norwegian Cod Liver Oil. It’s like an unsweetened lemon-flavored water flavor. Very neutral. No fishy taste.

For my kids, I’m buying this stuff at $2 per ounce: Child Life Essentials Cod Liver Oil

My kids didn’t really like the lemon flavored, but they are fine with the strawberry flavored. I tell them “it’s brain medicine” and will help strengthen their brain. They eat that idea up. And it’s true. The old people clearly saw that children raised on cod liver oil thrived in ways that other children didn’t. Now science tells us why: our bodies (and especially our brains and hearts) need a whole lot more omega 3 fatty acids than our modern diets provide.

Cod liver oil has been observed to help address ADHD, depression, and a whole slew of other mental and physical issues. It’s good for your skin, your eyes and your hair.

I can feel my body giving great positive feedback when I take it. I even get a minor high. I feel more decisive and expressive.

I have no doubt that this is good stuff providing my body with a high-end fuel that it thrives on. Get yourself some and try it out.

Finally an airline has waken up to the fact that sitting next to an obese person on a plane flight is not much different than sitting next to a smoker on a plane flight.

It’s getting really bad. I’d say that at least 33% of my flights (and I fly about 30 flights per year) are next to obese people. 75% next to overweight people.

It’s a miserable experience. And it’s a good thing that society is starting to move in the direction of shaming and penalizing obesity. Because obesity is not just something that affects you. It also affects the people you wrap up in your fat rolls.

Here’s a good 15 minute workout for the lower part of the body. It’s a good main routine for women. Has a small amount of cardio too.

I’d do this workout twice a week. Then I’d add 1 day of upper body strength (pushups + shoulder press + dips).

Then I’d just take a few walks each week.