Eddie Baran's Body Sculpting Blog

Today I am writing you from beautiful Finland.
I have been traveling for the past week so I
apologize for my neglect in writing you lately
but have lots to report, especially about
Finnish Fitness.

I will be telling you more about my travels
through this great Scandic land but as of the
moment I gotta run.

Anyway, I just wanted to drop you a quick note
and let you know that stay tuned for some
exciting info on health, fitness and nutrition.

I also wanted to say "kiitos paljon" (Finnish
for thank you very much) to all who have purchased
my revolutionary Gymnastic Abs program http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html
You will soon discover what training your midsection
in the best way can do for you.

Nahdaan,

Eddie Baran

P.S. I'm getting fantastic feedback on my Gymnastic Abs course -
http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html Everyone who has done the course as instructed agrees that it is by far the best abs course they've ever done. They absolutely LOVE the program. Try it for yourself and see what they're experiencing.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 09:12 AM | Permalink

Every once in a while you stumble across something that
can change you for the better. Something that makes you
jump for joy. Or maybe it makes you shout for joy. And if
it's your abs screaming for joy then you know you're onto
something special.

Here's a letter I got from a man in his 40's:

Eddie,
I have never written back after buying anyone's product.
But I have to with you and Andy. I got your Gymnastic Abs
program - http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html
yesterday. Words can not express how much I loved it. The
exercises are great. The DVD's are great. And, the book with
pictures along with the programs are so well written and
thought out.

And, the price is a bargain considering what you get. It is
worth every penny.

I can take your manual when I do your exercises and not
only read exactly how to do the exercises, but you even
have pictures to refresh my memory from your DVD to
make sure my form is perfect.

Again, I can not tell you in words what a great job you and
Andy did on this project. I will be buying more from you
knowing the quality and information is second to none. I
did a workout Saturday night and this morning. And, yes my
abs are screaming as I write this and I am starting with your
1st beginner exercises. I look forward to progressing from
level 1 to level 12.

You could not have put it together better with the end user
in mind. You have a breakthrough success.

I should thank Andy for showing the before and after pictures.
That is a strong testimonial. I am in my 40's like Andy and
really related to him.

Thank you,
Bill R.

Bill,
Thanks for your note. I'm really happy that you totally "get"
what we are trying to do with the program. We designed
it the same way I was taught and teach others, the best
way to ensure everyone would succeed. With your attitude
you will no doubt progress to the top level.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S If you're interested in getting your abs into phenomenal
shape in only 5-20 minutes a few times each week, then you
can't miss this opportunity to do so. Get the abs of a gymnast.
Get over to here now http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html

Posted by Eddie Baran at 08:01 AM | Permalink

Well, no, not really. But there is more evidence on how
deadly second-hand fat is to your health.

A year ago I wrote you about how second-hand fat was
more deadly than second-hand smoke. There was an article
in the parodical periodical The Weekly World News warning
us of the dangers of second-hand fat. The claim was that fat
molecules can travel from one person to another, infecting
said victim with obesity. Although the article was a funny joke,
I wrote that there is in fact such a thing as second-hand fat,
which I define as hanging around people with fat behaviors.

Now all the media is reporting this very thing I wrote: If your
friends or family are fat, there's a good chance you're fat or
become fat, too.

It's the whole "Birds of a feather..." thing. If your friends are
all going out to Pizza Hut for dinner everyday, you will too. If
they'resitting at home in front of the TV hours each night, you
might be doing that too in lieu of exercising.

However, if they're exercising each day, you will be more
inclined to do so, too. Peer pressure? No. It's that you tend to
hang around people with like values or similar interests.

I'm not saying get rid of your fat friends. What I am saying
is you and your friends can find healthful activities to do
together. Form a fitness pact and stick to it. You're more likely
to succeed if you have others working with you toward the
same goal.

That way you and your friends not only will support each
other but are also accountable to each other. This way you
will never quit and your body will get into incredible shape.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Form a fitness club with your friends and family. Use my
bodysculpting bodyweight exercise program
http://www.eddiebaran.com/body_sculpting_women.html
and my abs course http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html
as your material. Combine that with a good friend to get in
shape with and you are certain to get into great shape.

Posted by Eddie Baran at 06:05 AM | Permalink

What do flexibility and ab strength have to do with each
other? A martial artists wants to know if he can do both
at once. Read on:

Hello Eddie,
I was wanting to know if your Gymnastic Abs program
http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html has exercises
to assist with flexibility. I've been working on the splits,
gymnastic bridge, handstand for 2 years but haven't got
there yet, along with strengthening the lower abs. I'm a
martial artist of JKD/BJJ and I've just started back training
due to rotator cuff surgery so I was looking to get back to
class with better over all, core, and flexibilty strength.
Thanks,
Larry

Larry,
Yes, most of the exercises in the program do help increase
flexibility in one or more areas - hips, hamstrings, lower back,
shoulders. What's so effective about these exercises is that
they tie the ab strength with the flexibility, so you've got real
functional working strength in these positions.

So, if your body is stretched to it's max, it will still be strong in
this position, be it your legs or shoulders. And your abdominal
strength and awareness connects the body together as one unit.

These are truly multitasking exercises in that they will build
core strength and flexibility at the same time. Why? Well, first
off, they prepare the gymnast's body for the powerful positions
he'll be in; second, a gymnast doesn't have time to segment his
training. Which leads me to this very important point:

Segment, or separate, your training and you have a segmented
body that's not acting as One with all the muscles working in
unison. Your flexibility and strength need to communicate
together as a team.

Martial artists and other athletes need the same speedy,
multi-tasking exercises. If you can get flexibility and core
strength in one shot, then that's what you need to do.

In fact, for my hamstring flexibility, I mostly do certain
ab exercises I feature in the course. That way I get two birds
with one stone. You'll know exactly what I mean until you
experience it for yourself.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. The days of segmenting your training and your body
are over. Get flexibility and strength in one shot. Go here
now http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html

Posted by Eddie Baran at 02:49 PM | Permalink

You might be asking yourself (or me) how can a program
build strength, sculpt your body and give you a cardio
workout, and all in 15 minutes? Well, it's all in the exercises
and how you do them.

What you've been taught to do either doesn't work or is too
much to do:

- Weight train in the gym for an hour.
- Run or do cardio for another hour.
- Yoga for an hour.

That's a waste of energy and time. Weight training doesn't
give you strength, body toning or cardio that bodyweight
exercises can give you.

Cardio or running won't tone and strengthen your body,
and it won't give you the aerobic benefits that bodyweight
exercises can.

Here's a letter I got from a runner who's been on the program
a short while but sees the beauty of it:

Eddie,
I just wanted to say that a few weeks ago I purchased your
Body Sculpting Bodyweight Exercises for Women program
http://www.eddiebaran.com/body_sculpting_women.html
and it's fantastic. I'm a runner, yet I always felt flabby and
out of shape in certain areas. But after only 3 weeks of doing
these exercises I'm already noticing a difference in my body
tone and posture.

I've also actually enjoyed the exercises... which is very unusual
for me. I like the challenge it brings me and after only 15
minutes of doing these, I feel like I've been for a long run!

Thanks again for a great program.

All the best,
Mila Sidman

Mila, good on you for doing the program. And you're right
on all counts: the the program is fun to do, gives you a
great cardio and tones you up in a jiffy.

If you haven't yet gotten with the program, time to do it now.
Go here and see what it's all about
http://www.eddiebaran.com/body_sculpting_women.html

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. Want to supplement your body sculpting regimen with
the strongest abs on the planet? Then you need to train like
the athletes who have the strongest abs: gymnasts. Go here now
http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html

Posted by Eddie Baran at 06:58 AM | Permalink

Here's a letter from a woman who just turned 55 and is
looking for some answers.

Eddie,
You say that your bodyweight body sculpting program
http://www.eddiebaran.com/body_sculpting_women.html
is for anyone at any age. I am 55 (today!) years old. I'm not
in good shape. I've lost a little weight but need to lose at
least 60 lbs.

I also wanted to know about your ab program
http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html . Is that just for
men? I have actually weighed more in my life but now that
I am at this age, my "middle section" really bothers me and
gets in the way. I think I felt better years ago even when I
weighed more. I didn't have as much proplem in the stomach area.

Thank you for helping me understand.
Denise

Denise,
Happy Birthday. 55 is a great age. Yes, my body sculpting
program is for anyone at any age. How you use the program,
however, will be different than someone already in decent
shape. You'll have to adjust things a bit to match your level,
but this is what we all have to do.

My abs program is for man, woman, child, any level. I taught
these exercises to women your age and ability, as well as 7-17
year old gymnasts. Your stomach muscles have deteriorated as
you've aged due to inactivity. That's why it's bothersome and
you feel worse, even though you weigh less. Without a strong
body, especially a strong tummy, you'll feel weak, unbalanced
and lethargic

Here's what you do:

1. Start off with the program doing only those exercises you
can handle. If this means doing half a rep of one exercise
then that's fine. Keep doing sets of half reps of that once
exercise until you can do 3/4 of a rep. Soon you will be able
to do a full rep, then 2 reps, then 10, then 20. Get the idea?
You've got to start somewhere and build up from there.

2. Follow the eating plan that comes with the program.
This will help shed the pounds and feed your body properly.

3. Walk. Walk a few times a week, at least. Walk instead of
drive, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get used to
moving your body.

4. Give yourself a break. What I mean is that stop beating
yourself up. If something bothers you, acknowledge it, let it
go, let it roll off you, and just start moving and doing what
needs to be done. Don't overdo it. Do what feels comfortable
and makes you feel good.

You'll get there but you've got to start doing it.

Remember, anyone can do it, as long as they do it.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. It's simple, find what works and do it. Here are the links
to what works that you can do

http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html

http://www.eddiebaran.com/body_sculpting_women.html

Posted by Eddie Baran at 07:35 AM | Permalink

A little over 6 years ago I walked into my first gymnastics
class. It was an adult class made up entirely of ex-gymnasts
who were in the class just to play around, keep up their chops,
maybe break a sweat. They were graceful and powerful.
Impressive to watch them move.

I, on the other hand, was the only pure beginner - awkward
and clumsy to say the least. It was a rather embarrassing,
and at times humiliating, ordeal. I'm not an natural athlete
by any stretch so it was extremely hard for me - physically,
mentally and emotionally.

But I was there to learn and tried not to let the frustration
or embarrassment bother me. Naturally I wanted to be good
like the other students but I was so far off from that it wasn't
even funny.

It's a natural thing to size yourself up with others - who's got
the better handstand, or back handspring, who was stronger,
more flexible, etc. So comparing myself to the others, i.e.
competing against them, was out of the question. I'd lose that
contest hands down each time.

Once in a while we'd get a newbie like me in the class,
someone with no training or experience at all. Now here
was someone I could compete against, I thought. But these
guys turned out to be naturals, and invariably they'd far
surpass my level. Thus, I lost that competition as well. (Of
course these blokes would ultimately quit in a month or
so because it got too hard.)

So, no one was left to compete against other than myself.
This I had heard, was what you're supposed to do. "Don't
compete against others, rather only against yourself."

Sounded like good advice. This I would do. Here was
competition I could handle. Besides, I should only concern
myself with my own self, and no one else.

Of course that turned out to be bad as well. I competed
against myself and lost. I was attacking myself and each
time suffered. I was getting nowhere.

Then one day it hit me. Why not cooperate with myself
instead of competing against myself. This way I would be
working with myself toward a common goal, not fighting
at it. No forcing the issue, just all the parts of me working
together for one goal.

My words to myself would be only positive and encouraging;
I'd be happy training instead of anxious even if I were having
a bad day; I'd be at peace no matter what happened.

This put me in a state of calm and tranquility which only from
there could I progress in the sport. I've done this in other parts
of my life and it's worked wonders.

Would you fight against a teammate or a coworker? No. You
cooperate with them to get the job done. This is imperative
for you to do. This is the problem I see in so many people trying
to get fit. They don't cooperate with themselves. If you're against
yourself then you will lose every time.

Wishing you the best,

Eddie Baran

P.S. In German, the word for cooperation is Zusammenarbeit,
which literally translates as "together work." Exactly. Work
together, with yourself, to get your fittest physique fastest.
Here are your tools:

http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html

http://www.eddiebaran.com/body_sculpting_women.html

Posted by Eddie Baran at 06:17 AM | Permalink