First… the good news:

YOU ARE NOT AS LAZY AS YOU THINK!

Now… bad news (based on fact, as in science-based fact, too!)

Here’s what this is all about:

YOUR BRAIN DOES NOT WANT YOU TO GET IN SHAPE

But ya better read that one carefully… because I did not say your “mind”, but rather, your BRAIN (and trust me, you have no idea what’s actually going on inside your brain, but neither do I… which is why I’ve taken a back seat here to the findings of Neuroscientists)

But I’ll make this brain-stuff a lil’ fun for ya… so ya don’t bail out of the topic, missing out on what this article can potentially provide, in relation to you, the body and life you want… and where you are right now.

Simply put, OUR BRAINS are hard-wired… not for “success”… but rather SURVIVAL (“getting by”, “living”)

I know, I know, you knew that already, right?

So what?

Knowing about something….. doesn’t walk the dog, as they say.

Nor does knowing something get you into action, notably new actions.... actions designed to cause “change”, “improvement”, and….unfortunately for all of us what we’re really talking about here is getting into, or attaining: “PEAK PERFORMANCE/HEALTH”.

Yupp, that means that even though the Neuroscientists know what you’re about to know…. they still can’t get their butts to the gym, to the track, or in front of a heavy bag or kickboxing class any better than you can, again, because knowing how the brain works has nothing to do with ALTERING how it works, so that it works…. FOR YOUR SUCCESS, not your survival! (Heck, according to their findings, it’s even a miracle that they even bothered to study or take an interest as to why we do, what we do.

Here’s the short hand of it all (in regards to “lazyness”)

This is from Eric Haseltine, Ph.D.

As hard at it may be to accept, evolution has hard wired laziness into our brains, and therefore into our basic natures. The reason is simple: as living organisms our only real function is to convert energy– in the form of food, into information–in the form of genes ,that spread (as offspring) as far and wide as possible. The less energy we expend, the more favorable the food-in-to-gene-out ratio, and the more successfully we’ll compete with other humans and other species trying to propagate their genes.

Psychologist Denny Proffitt of the University of Virginia calls this drive for energy efficiency “economy of action.” His research has shown that our brains automatically distort our perceptions to lead us towards economical actions. In one experiment, Proffitt found that test subjects who were tired from physical exertion perceived the slope of a hill to be steeper than the same hill appeared to subjects who were well rested. Believing the hill to be steeper than it actually was, the tired test subjects were prone to walk around the hill than to spend extra energy climbing over it.

A similar perceptual shift caused me to see three hundred yards of water as a much longer distance, motivating me to look for less “expensive” ways to get to my beach towel and diet coke.

So how bout you?

Can you see how your brain unwittingly looks for (as Dr. Haseltine puts it) “less expensive” ways to go about life?

Does this natural path of least resistance creep into every area of your life?

You bet it does… but you can actually thank your brain for doing so, because….again, according to discoveries in Neuroscience:

OUR BRAINS HAD NO IDEA… NO PREMONITION WHATSOEVER….  OF EXACTLY HOW MUCH NON-ACTION THE HUMAN RACE WOULD GET OURSELVES INTO BY THE YEAR 2011! (Actually, that’s not a finding in Neuroscience, that’s Scott Palangi’s opinion, after having studied the matter.)

Now, put yourself in my shoes for a minute…

Knowing all this… imagine me, I mean, here I am “committed to your health, fitness, and success” as it reads next to my signature on every single email that goes out to you, right? Yet… unbeknownst to me… Not only do I have  you (that is if you’re smart enough to train with me or be around me) to deal with, and all your rationale for doing what you do (or, uhm, don’t or won’t do, lol) but I also have your brains commitment to keep everything SURVIVING!! Yeah, in it’s “as-is-ness”, good, bad, or otherwise, your brain, at the level of hard-wiring, ain’t havin it! I have to contend with all that, all at once!

Jeez, no wonder right? lol! is explains why I often feel like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest! Cuz with all a my “know-how & experience”… teamed up with all a your “desire and commitment to get fit”…. even with all a that firmly in place… we STILL MUST BATTLE your brains programming to keep everything in a state of “hunky-dory”, lol!

Conversely, not to get all mushy on you… but when I learned about this hard-wiring stuff…. my already-big level of COMPASSION… opened up like the Grand Canyon! Why? Simply because there’s just more to it all (you getting and sustaining your FITNESS) than the “circumstances” that you declare are just so “difficult” (family, work, school, etc.)… and now with this brain information, if you will, it sorta opens up a huge space of patience-for-the-process, as in: patience from me to you… and for you-to-yourself so that you can finally GET… and OWN… the new habits…. and the correlate results.

And… lucky for both of us, is this:

I have already re-programmed MY BRAIN to approach the task called “YOUR PERSONAL FITNESS“, not like a brain-function…. but rather:

LIKE A FRIGGIN’ PIT BULL ON A STEAK BONE!

Intuitively almost, this explains why I’m so relentless, about EVERYTHING when it comes to our step-by-step, do-it-like-this-damn-it systems for getting and maintaing optimal body-fat levels.

It’s not because “relentless” is just the way I am, either. Being relentless about you and your fitness goals has nothing to do with my personality. I am actually a chill, laid back, laze fair Zen master, with some occasional strong opinions and my old brain would much rather shack up with your lazy brain, and together devour two pints of Ben n Jerry’s Half-Baked….(it now comes on a stick, canya beleive it?) Yeah, from a nice warm, even smelly couch, in a dimly-lit and well-heated room…. Cream soda in one hand, remote control in the other, in my favorite striped cotton boxers… video games in the background to boot. (I don’t play video games, but I’m fascinated with the apathy of people who do it regularly.)

But I can’t. Not because I don’t “want to”… but because my method has worked so well, on so many occasions, in spite of so many variables and odds, that I too am on “autopilot” when I’m coaching you from level-t0-next-level… So if you’ve gotten results in my program and found yourself biting your tongue along the way…. it’s okay, just acknowledge that my “Master Palangi” Brain, knows better, and outperforms the “Scotty-boy brain” who will put up with your malarkey, and all the stuff that comes along with that!

HENCE I’VE TRAINED MY BRAIN TO BE RELENTLESS IN GETTING YOURS TO BE RELENTLESS TOO.

Isn’t the brain awesome when you create a PRACTICE that re-programs?

I have successfully re-programmed my brain to deal with your lack-of-programming, that, like a samurai warrior, I can cut through the B.S. and force you to let the new software “run” a lil bit… to take hold.

And extra lucky for you… YOUR BRAIN WILL in fact, LET YOU RE-PROGRAM IT… (that is, if, you isnert the right software, so to speak; not just once, but let it run several times, over and over.) WITH MY PROGRAM!

Can you now see why:

Palangi Kickboxing is a FAT-BURNING and TOTAL FITNESS “PROGRAM”…  not just a “place” or an exercise “class” or a “thing” or a “gym”?

LOOK AT YOUR FITNESS, YOUR DIET, (and pretty much anything else you want to see in your life, that is currently missing) AS A METHOD OF PRACTICE!

You see, the know-it-all’s who study the brain ALSO ADMIT that we CAN actually alter what it means to “survive”, by virtue of (in their words “exposure”, in my words) PRACTICE!

Yep, PRACTICE.

That’s all your brain knows you to do.

Right now, if you are unfit, your brain has a proverbial conniption if it’s thrown a “new regimen”… but the converse is also true, if and when, you run the NEW PROGRAM.

Once re-trained…. your brain will also have a conniption of different style, one that will get you closer to your fitness goals!

How? Practice.

Like, yeah, your brain will get your mind and mouth to finally saying, “No, I’m not eating with you guys if we’re going to Cheesecake Factory”.... or “Hey, you guys need to get your homework done on time and work this problem out with your classmates because I MUST GO TO PALANGI KICKBOXING!” (Yes…. new programming folks…. has a cascading effect; first re-training your brain, lol, and then re-training all the people in your environment as well, so that “They” don’t jeopardize the brains new status quo (eating well, looking good, and feeling AWESOME physically and mentally!)

And I see it all the time, this seemingly selfish shift with so many of my clients (yes, sadly, this re-wiring to an outsider… may show up as “they no longer care” about such and such, or “they are self-centered”). For further example, I have about 40 or so clients who GET REALLY, REALLY, REALLY PISSED if they miss a class. Don’t get me wrong, they don’t flip coffee tables or kick chairs or people… but they’ll get LIVID if and when they become too busy to keep their current “survival mode” present. And they’ll get furious if lets say, they forget or get caught up in the moment …. and instead of preparing PALANGI APPROVED FOODS, wind up eating junk food, their new brain flips on them, causing a crappy feeling to ensue.

What is that so-called crappy feeling? Is it because we of let ourselves down? Giving in to the “old way”?

I believe it is our brains NEW AND BETTER SURVIVAL MECHANISMS!! And its sending an “aggravation signal” that we’re screwing around with the (new and better) current survival mechanism the one so many of us have worked so hard to create!

Yeah, it’s a newly formed and better “neuronal pattern”…. now in jeopardy! (Ins’t that great? Next time the people in your life think your being a jerk for missing a workout or a perfect Palangi Approved Meal, just say “I’m soooo soooo sooo sooo sorry that I’m acting this way… Why please forgive me, would you? See…. it’s not my fault… it’s just that my new and awesome neuronal patterns that I’ve worked so desperately to to  develop at Palangi Kickboxing, they’re being threatened.” : )

Trust me, your brain will assist you when the new (better) program is being run, and run often. You’ll do and say the right thing, at the right time, to the right people, places, and things that stand in between you and optimal fitness. You’ll become BOLDER. More clear in your speaking, too. And all of this…. has NOTHING to do with your “personality”, but rather, this new way of being literally lives along side of the new habits being upheld by the brains natural order of keeping whats happening – HAPPENING!

All this being said, armed with the above facts and insights…. instead of telling people you come to Palangi Kickboxing to get in shape, you could more accurately share that you come here TO GET YOUR BRAIN RE-WIRED!

Best,

From: Master Scott Palangi

Norwood, NJ

October 14th, 2011 5:34pm

Hi everyone! Master Palangi here with a quick, and inspiring/emotional testimonial… highlighting one woman’s inner-strength, as she transforms not ONLY her body, but her relationship to personal tragedy as well. I wanna also mention, this is THE difference between simply being a “member” at a garden-variety “gym”… and being a CLIENT, STUDENT, and heck, why don’t we throw in the word “DISCIPLE” too — seeing how what we DO is based from the DISCIPLINE — of Palangi Kickboxing.

I am proud of Laurie’s progress, and also humbled by here commitment to pick, and STICK, with us!

Here’s here B-n-A (before and after picture)… also click the video link too, k?

Best,

Master Scott Palangi

To be in the best shape, I believe you need TWO FUNDAMENTAL “PLANS”, 1)  a TRAINING PLAN… and 2) a FOOD PLAN.

Naturally, I’m always on the lookout for tricks, tools, and tips to support both “Plans”.

However… life doesn’t always go as “planned”, now does it?

Heck, I know as well as anyone because I am one of the busiest Kickboxing Class Trainers in Bergen and Rockland County; with classes SEVEN DAYS A WEEK… which, for my clients, hey, that’s great…. the thing is though, often times, because the hours are weird (class at 10 am.. privates in the middle of the day… then more classes til about 10pm most days), believe it or not… even though I “work at a gym” (mine, lol) not only do I miss my scheduled self-workouts (another reason I do NOT enjoy random, drop in visits…even if it means “new biz”; ask anyone, I’m fast to lock the door, and send people to our site… just to turn my “WORKOUT PLAN” into more than just “planning”) and even THEN…after be willing to say “NO” to random calls, walk-ins, and personal “Hey bro, what’s good?” phone calls… and risk my peers thinking I’m self-centered (thanks for noticing) still, often times,  my best-laid plans go kaput and probably, just like you….the next thing to go is my “FOOD PLAN”, too!

Days like that suck.

And when your committed to designing a life that works, and IS ALSO worth remembering (nobody ever went “postal” pursuing their dream, okay?), yes, you usually have to live around the workability of other people’s disorganized lives (and if the people your committed to btw, DO NOT have a physical routine established… trust me, you ARE DOOMED if you make THEM-in’s more important than YOU… that’s not my opinion, that’s the way it works, but I digress) it’s not uncommon to miss a session…. and man oh man… the very next thing to go… is ALWAYS… the promise you made to yourself to not eat junk.

At this point… having not kept either plan firmly in place…. your choices are “STARVE” or resort to “FAST FOOD!”

Here’s a commonly-overlooked asset, one that’s right in your own backyard, that can support the “FOOD PLAN”, when your too jammed up to workout, and you know darn well that because you’ve MISSED your workout… putting CRAP into your body will simply start the downward spiral.

Chinese Take-Out to the RESCUE!!

Now, typically, I don’t really like “Chinese Food”, and if I have my choice when eating out with a group of people (which annoys the crap outta me in the first place, but that’s another article, for another day) if the ‘gang’ wants to have Chinese Food, and I’m unable to strong-arm them into other menus… IF I do say “Okay, I’ll compromise, let’s meet up” …. I’m usually lying, and then I’ll purposely get lost, not show, and go eat elsewhere, solo, like that weird guy who brings a book to an Irish Pub on a Friday night, and enjoy some other non-Chinese cuisine.

My point with that data is to simply tell ya “Hey, I ain’t really into Chinese Food, but this works for me when I’m worried I’ll become a typical sappy, “too busy” to do anything but make excuses, fatso”, catch my drift? It’s then that the non-taste I have for Chinese Food is better than the dis-taste I have for my not-too-far, but very-predictable  future of looking like, and feeling like crap. All the sudden plain ole’ steamed chicken and broccoli quite pallet-able.

However, before I tell you exactly what I order, and exactly how I get it “My Way”, I wanna quickly share with you 2 misconceptions that are easily lived out by common folk regarding Chinese Food…and then I’magivya’ FOUR HUGE REASONS WHY…. when it comes to “eating on the run”, Chinese Take-Out can in fact, be, the way to go (That is if you wanna lose disgusting BELLY FAT, anyways…. and I’m even gonna share what I use, and where I get it, as my “Secret Sauce”.)

Misconception #1:

CHINESE FOOD IS HIGH IN SODIUM: Yes, it is by default, but so is everything else in the fast-food gamut, unless you voice exactly HOW you want your food to come out. (a.k.a., grow a sack and SPEAK UP, and not worry about being a pain in anyone’s butt, see?)

Misconception #2:

CHINESE FOOD MAKES YOU HUNGRIER: No it doesn’t, you make you hungrier by putting too much crap on your Chinese Food, and by not having it cooked “Al dente”, thereby not initiating satiety, which otherwise could be had… if your food wasn’t soggy. (Again, the “Al dente” factor is a whole nuther topic.) Onward.

FIVE REASONS IT’S GREAT AS A FAST-FOOD CHOICE

#1: SPEED! Need I say more? Nowhere else in America can you get fresh veggies and chicken, cooked FASTER than at Chinese take out joint! (These folks don’t screw around… you’ll barely have time to make a text message and they’ve got it wrapped up for you.)

#2: FLEXIBILITY! Over the past 15 years, I’ve noticed that as a culture, the Chinese are speaking EXCELLENT English, and they’ve even got a sense of humor that’s authentically matched… and not only can (most) places CLEARLY “get you”, but…. because they aren’t “corporate”, they can pretty much CUSTOM-MAKE you your meal! This is truly awesome for guys like me who demand what I want, when I want it, or else.

#3: GREAT HOURS! I teach and work and train between 10:00a.m. and 10:00pm… yeah…. go try and get food in your town past 10 pm…. and I wish you good luck. (Seems restaurants haven’t considered the entrepreneur’s lifestyle here in the suburbs.) Oh… and even when you CAN find a restaurant with kitchen hours past 11pm… I wish you even GREATER LUCK finding “healthy options”. Starting to see this now? This one probably falls under the Flexibility category, but, I respect the hours that most Chinese Restauranteurs keep, and I envy the work ethic, too! America truly is the greatest place to live when you get related to those who make up the Melting Pot, ya dig?

#4: VISIBILITY: I don’t know about you…. but me personally, my certainty about getting my food the way I want is held-hostage by virtue of the swinging doors that separate “customers” from “kitchen”. And I bet most chefs want you watching them make your food as much as a mechanic want’s you to watch them replace your brake pads, or fix your engine. Not the Chinese Take Out though!… No way man, they are transparent… most places I go to, I can, and I DO, watch them make my food. And….. you could probably guess this last one..

#5: THEY DELIVER!!!!

And, piggybacking my previous point, they deliver “late” too!!!; works great when I’m we are just too friggin’ tired to cook, lol!)

Here’s the catch however:

YOU HAVE TO ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT…. AND HOW YOU WANT IT!

So here is my (currently) #1 “Eat-It-At-Any-Hour-To-Lose-Belly-Fat” Chinese Food:

STEAMAED CHICKEN & BROCCOLI… NO MSG… and NO “FLAVOR”

When ordering this, I always ask for EXTRA CHICKEN (they usually ask you “How many dollars of extra chicken would you like” and I usually say “Two Dollars Extra Please”, and they just pile it up into one big heap of steamy green and white!

That’s it! Turns out to like a HUGE amount of food, prepared as a 50/50 mix of perfectly-cooked broccoli (which, when steamed slightly, is popping with flavor and nutrients your body can actually absorb) and a WHOLE BUNCH OF CHICKEN!

Now, it’s also good to request “No Corn Starch” please?”, and let them know you are perfectly “Okay” of leaving there with “bland food” and that if it’s super-bland, you’ll even come back someday. Tell em.

And here’s what I put on mine to kill the blandness (sometimes I like it plain though), it’s called WIZARDS HOT SAUCE.

Please know, I am NOT a fan of hot sauces, so get over yourself if you’re not either…. it’s not that hot, and it tastes great on lots of things, especially soups.

Best part is, “Wizards” brand, is Organic, and I buy mine at Organica in Northvale, NJ.

Here’s a picture of it

When you go to Organica, tell them I sent you, they don’t like me particularly, but many “organic” type people don’t…. and that’s cool with me… but they certainly enjoy the income we send their way for sure.

All the best,

Master Scott Palangi

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