Value
I don’t believe in ‘cheap’ and ‘expensive’ based purely on price tag, I believe in looking at the VALUE a purchase will provide you.
A $500 course that’ll teach you to take charge of your life and keep you accountable once and for all is fantastic value. The initial outlay might be hefty to begin with but the return on investment is huge.
A 60” flat screen TV that’s on a half-price sale for $1499 in my eyes isn't good value because it adds nothing of value to your life. The opportunity cost and waste of precious time is horrendous.
A loser will flip the coin and see the other side of this, $500 for a course vs. a half price TV that they can slouch in front of for unproductive hours on end every evening…
That said, improving your life doesn't have to be expensive! The following 10 items are staples of mine and all cost less than $10 each.
Purchases To Improve Your Life
Dandelion Root Extract
Dandelion is a natural diuretic that’s often used to decrease water retention; I first discovered dandelion root extract capsules upon recommendation by a fellow gym-goer as a way to drop that last bit of water weight and bloating before a photoshoot. After seeing fantastic results taking 3 capsules per day I decided to start taking it year round – my physique now remains relatively ‘dry’ year round as a result.
There’s other (expensive) and dangerous diuretics out there that I haven’t and won’t touch because dandelion root works perfectly.
Black Nubian Soap
I first discovered African black Nubian soap via Chris’ article over at GoodLookingLoser.com, after many rave reviews on the black Nubian I decided to order a few bars from Amazon… this was one year ago now and I haven’t looked back since. Just like the bodybuilding supplement industry there’s a ton of unnecessary products out there and a plethora of false claims to go along with them.
Black Nubian soap is the real deal, using black Nubian from head to toe followed by coconut oil is the most cost efficient method I’ve discovered for drastically improved skin.
30 Days of Discipline
You can be talented and intelligent but if you don’t have discipline to take consistent action you’re not going to go very far. Victor Pride’s 30 Days of Discipline is the original no holds barred approach to build discipline and kick ass while dismissing the excuses you used to make.
30 Days of Discipline is tough, I've gone through the month long challenge several times and attribute several of the habits inside (such as cold showering) to my success.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil, being one of the common essential oils is extremely versatile and I normally carry around a small vial in my gym bag. Here’s a few of the ways I use peppermint oil:
I inhale a drop of peppermint oil before my workouts for a slight boost in energy I diffuse peppermint oil in a diffuser from time to time to increase my focus when writing or researching for extended periods of time (studies have shown peppermint oil to assist those with ADHD and similar conditions to concentrate).
On the odd occasion that I start to get a cold or bad sinuses inhaling a drop of peppermint oil also rids sinuses swiftly.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salt baths can improve your life in a number of different ways, you can check out my article on Epsom salt bath benefits here.
In short Epsom salts assist in reducing water retention (bloating) through a process known as reverse osmosis, this process also detoxifies the skin resulting in healthier skin too.
If you find yourself encountering delayed onset muscle soreness frequently then I also highly recommend the Epsom salt bath – aches, pains, strains and inflammation are all soothed by the high magnesium content in the Epsom salts, this magnesium also contributes to the reduction of stress and increased feeling of wellbeing as a result of the Epsom salts.
F.U. Fat
F.U. Fat is quite literally the only book you’ll ever need to learn how to shred unwanted body fat. Whether you’re 50% body fat or 15% body fat my book will show you exactly how to delve down into that ever so desirable single digit body fat range.
F.U. fat covers the techniques I've used and had massive success with over the past 5 years. With my experience and a number of published studies to reinforce any and all claims.
Covering diet, training, supplementation, mindset and measuring progress for once you receive all the information you need, not vague bits and pieces or ridiculous pseudo-science.
Speed Rope
Walking on a treadmill aimlessly is mind numbing and ineffective for burning fat. I'm a big advocate of jump rope and cardio circuits as the jump rope makes things fun, gives a great workout and improves your coordination at the same time.
You can spend a pretty penny on a name brand speed rope or a weighted jump rope but I find the cheaper alternative versions do just as good of a job at a fraction of the price. Travelling and can’t get to the treadmill/bike/piece of cardio equipment you normally use? No problem – pack your speed rope with your luggage (I’ve taken my rope all over Asia).
Resistance Band
You don’t realize how important mobility is until you lose your mobility or get injured (which often is a result of lack of stretching/poor mobility).
Before any upper body workout I perform several sets of shoulder dislocations with my resistance band. Using this band several times a week has increased the flexibility of my shoulders, range of motion and has eliminated the nagging pain I used to get in my left front deltoid from incline bench press and heavy military press.
Check out my guide to performing the shoulder dislocation (along with video) here.
Whiteboard
Read any guide to goal setting, productivity or self-improvement and I guarantee you one of the first (and most stressed) points you’ll uncover is the need to write down your goals and the things you wish to achieve each day.
“Without a plan you become part of the plan of someone else’s life”
I use a large whiteboard that houses my long term (year long) goals and a small whiteboard that I add and erase my daily to-do list on. Ticking the items off my whiteboard that I set out to do that day is a satisfying feels and it ensures I get exactly what I set out to do finished.
When following Victor’s 30 Days of Discipline I also utilize my small whiteboard for marking off the completion of each day.
Zinc
Sonny deemed zinc to be the most important mineral for men, and I don’t disagree. An increase in athletic performance (strength gains, metabolism and speed of recovery) boosted testosterone levels resulting in an increased sex drive, immune system health, feeling of well-being and vitality along with the detoxification of heavy metals from the brain are more than enough reasons for you to be supplementing with zinc daily.
Sure, you can obtain zinc from whole foods however the foods highest in zinc including oysters, mussels, crabs and shellfish are probably not something you eat daily.
