Category: Our Story

Any time the radio announcer says “hunker down” in our part of the country, it usually means we’re going to experience a severe tropical storm or small hurricane. Not so yesterday. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for most of the South. We last had one of those around here in 2008. Supposed to be severe weather for the next day or so. Roads/ bridges are supposed to ice over and some areas are supposed to see significant snowfall amounts.

Traveling will be difficult. Our state has more bridges than any other, and you know the saying on the road sign: “Bridge Freezes Before Road.” Thus, a lot of people have to stay put during times like these, including us. We have to cross over bridges to get just about anywhere. Thankfully, we don’t have to miss our workouts (nice having a ROM Machine in the house). The problem isn’t that we can’t handle the cold down here. It’s that we don’t see it very often. Makes little sense to invest in de-icing equipment when it’s hardly ever used. So for the next couple of days we’ll be staying close to home. Then it’s back up into the 70’s for the weekend. Isn’t it this kind of “back-and-forth” in the weather that makes people sick?

We’ve been fortunate…. Melissa and I have been healthy thus far. Maybe it’s the regular exercising we’ve been doing. No doubt that’s a least part of it. One other thing we’ve been doing is to drink a mixture of Vitamin C powder (1000 mg- Emergen-C brand), Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar- with the “Mother” ( 2tsp), and a little water. We try to drink this mixture at least two times per day. I highly recommend it.

Why raw Apple Cider Vinegar? There are several benefits (from Braggs website):
Internal-
– Rich in enzymes and potassium
– Supports a healthy immune system
– Helps control weight
– Promotes digestion and ph balance
– Helps sooth dry throats
– Helps remove body sludge toxins

External-
– Helps maintain healthy skin
– Soothes irritated skin
– Relieves muscle pain from exercise
– Helps promote youthful, healthy bodies

I was impressed by the testimonials on the website. I think it’s pretty clear that natural/ whole foods are key to healthy living. That, and exercise.

I’m a results-oriented person. I’ve been pretty pleased with the results of our lifestyle changes so far. I hate being sick or having anything that might slow me down. According to the local news, the flu has been pretty bad in our part of the world this year. And I’ve seen a lot of different people suffering from illness the last three months. It feels good to not be one of them.

To Good Health,

I realize this is kind of a long post but when I read about this I felt like it was important enough to share here. 

A well balanced diet is one that gives your body the nutrition it has to work effectively. In order to get genuinely balanced nourishment, you should acquire most of your daily calories from fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.

What Are Calories?
The number of calories in a meal is a measure of the quantity of energy saved in that food. Your body makes use of calories from food for strolling, thinking, breathing, and everything else it does. The typical person has to eat about 2,000 calories every day to preserve his or her weight.
An individual’s daily calorie consumption should be based upon age, gender, and exercise level. Men usually require more calories than women, and active people need more calories than sedentary (inactive) people. The following examples of calorie intake are based upon U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards:
-children ages 2 to 8: 1,000 to 1,400
-active ladies ages 14 to 30: 2,400
-inactive women ages 14 to 30: 1,800 to 2,000
-active men ages 14 to 30: 2,800 to 3,000
-sedentary men ages 14 to 30: 2,000 to 2,600
-active males and females over 30: 2,200 to 3,000
-sedentary men and women over 30: 1,800 to 2,200

The source of your day-to-day calories is just as essential as the number of calories you eat. You should restrict your usage of “vacant calories,” or those that provide little or no nutritional value. The USDA specifies empty calories as calories that come from sugars and solid fats, such as butter and shortening.
According to the USDA, Americans consume empty calories frequently in:
bacon and sausages
-cakes
-cheese
-cookies
-doughnuts
-energy beverages
-fruit beverages
-ice cream
-pizza
-sports drinks and sodas

Why a Balanced Diet Is Important.
A balanced diet plan is necessary due to the fact that your body’s organs and tissues need proper nutrition to work efficiently. Without great nutrition, your body is more susceptible to disease, infection, fatigue, and poor performance. Young children with a poor diet plan run the danger of growth and developmental issues. Bad eating habits can stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Rising levels of weight problems and diabetic issues in America are prime examples of the effects of bad diet and lack of exercise. The USDA reports that four of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States are directly affected by diet plan. 
These are:
-heart condition
-cancer cells
-stroke
-diabetes

The best ways to Achieve a Balanced Diet.
At the core of a balanced diet plan are foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and low in unneeded fats and sugars. The following are vital parts of a well balanced diet plan.

Fruits – Besides being a great source of nutrition, fruits make quick and tasty snacks. Select fruits that are in period in your area– they are fresher and supply the most nutrients.

Vegetables – Vegetables are primary sources of vital minerals and vitamins. Dark, leafy green veggies usually consist of the most nourishment and can be consumed at every meal. Examples consist of spinach, kale, green beans, broccoli, and collard greens.

Grains – In the United States, we eat refined white flour more than any other grain. During the refining process, the hull of the grain– the external shell– is tossed out. Unfortunately, the hull is where most of the grain’s nutrition lies. Whole grains, which are prepared utilizing the whole grain, consisting of the hull, offer a lot more nourishment. Go ahead and make the switch from white to whole-grain breads and pastas. You won’t regret it.

Proteins – Meats and beans are primary sources of protein, which is vital for proper muscle and brain development. Lean, low-fat meats such as chicken, fish, and certain cuts of beef and pork are the very best choice. Getting rid of the skin and cutting off any visible fat are simple methods to decrease the amount of fat and cholesterol in meats.
Nuts and beans, such as lentils, peas, almonds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts, are likewise good sources of protein. Tofu, tempeh, and other soy-based products are exceptional sources of protein and are healthy alternatives to meat.

Dairy – Dairy products provide calcium, vitamin D, and other necessary nutrients. Nonetheless, they are likewise major sources of fat, so it is best to choose reduced-fat or fat-free cheeses, milk, and yogurt.

Oils – Oils ought to be used moderately. Choose low-fat variations of items which contain oil, such as salad dressing and mayonnaise. Excellent oils, such as olive oil, can replace fattier grease in your diet. Avoid foods that have actually been deep-fried in oil due to the fact that they consist of a multitude of empty calories.

If you’ll change your eating habits and give the ROM Machine a try, your chances for a long healthy life will dramatically increase.

To healthy eating and ROMming!

Marco & Melissa

I can relate to this testimonial I read from a fellow ROM owner. His name is Tom Caputo and he has been a ROM owner since 2003. I wanted to share this with you because it touches on things that all of us seem to go through as we age. His story speaks to situations many of us can relate to; the effects of aging and the increased risk of injury/ longer time for healing as we get older. Tom’s story struck a nerve with me because last week I heard an owner of a Cross-Fit center (somewhere in Florida) say in a news interview that there is “absolutely no exercise that you can do that is completely safe.” He was trying to defend Cross-Fit training and the (seemingly) higher rates of injury among it’s participants. I wondered…. Has this guy ever heard of the ROM Machine? I don’t know how you could injure yourself on the ROM…. assuming you operate it according to the inventors instructions. Melissa and I have used this exercise equipment for over three months now and neither of us has ever felt like there was a potential to be injured while using it. It is very easy and completely safe to operate. Using the ROM Machine does not have hard “impact” effects on the body (like running, jumping, lifting). As the following testimonial alludes to, exercise should heal….. not injure.

Tom’s Testimonial:

[…] It wasn’t until I reached my forty fourth birthday that the concept of aging had slapped me in the face. […] Even though my body was dropping subtle hints all along the way, it wasn’t until a freak surfing accident that reality set in. That day, I tore my left rotator cuff, something I never even knew I had. The prognosis was this; a 50% mobility loss in the damaged arm/shoulder combined with painful sleep deprivation. The orthopedic suggested immediate surgery to alleviate the pain. Being the type of person that doesn’t take well to the idea of surgery, my question was simple; Could I attempt recovery solely through physical therapy and then, should that fail, have the surgery without risking the success of the surgical outcome because of the time that had lapsed. The doctor was brutally honest. He said I could postpone the surgery without any anatomical risks but physical therapy would be a painful ordeal that he wouldn’t recommend or put himself through.

Fast forward through two years of religious gym visits focusing on the rotator cuff injury. My arm/shoulder was restored to 90% mobility; the remaining 10% gets awarded to some dull pain, minor sleep position issues and joint creaking/clicking. […] So back to the orthopedic I went and guess what he recommended, right, surgery. […] Frankly, I was angry! Forty four was not the point in my life I imagined beginning minor surgeries or a regiment of pills. Furthermore, I received mixed reviews on arthroscopic surgery from some close friends who had the procedure and were not fully satisfied.

Enter the infamous ROM ad. […] Well, long story short, I got the gold and my happy ending. Three years of ROMing later, my status = NSR (no surgery required). I get to workout with my thirteen year old son, kicking a heavy bag with both legs AND my arm/shoulder mobility is back 100%. Sure, I can give you all the infomercial rhetoric; all my friends can’t believe how good I look, I’m back to the weight I was in college, I look very different in the same clothes, but that’s all petty compared to being surgery free, prescription free and anatomically fully functional, approaching my fiftieth birthday (October 2007).

I like happy endings, don’t you?

To Good Health
Marco