Stan Newton explains the some basic exercise techniques one can use while on the road.  I thought this would be an appropriate link considering I am taking a trip to NYC tomorrow.  In this video we see the use of a few basic exercise tools you can purchase for a grand total of under $50.  The bands are used in replacement of weights and offer significant resistance.  I bought these at www.performancesports.com.   They come in various levels of resistance and they offer various sizes for multiple purposes.  Though I do recommend the use of weights in a regular workout routine,  I do think these serve a practical purpose.  Next,  Stan was using a jump rope that was purchased at Academy for under $5.  You can’t beat a good cardio workout for this price.  The most significant benefit I have noticed with jump roping is that it gets your heart rate up fast.  Many times individuals start a workout slow and never get to a fat burning heart rate.  As far as working out your abs, I would suggest strict dieting first.  Let’s be realistic, if you have over 2 inches of fat covering your abs crunches are only going to make your waist look bigger.  There is not such thing as target fat burning.  This was a myth of the 80′s and early 90′s.  

My Top 3 suggestions for getting Ripped:

1. Regular cardio program that fluctuates your heart rate through the entire workout.
2. Low-Carb and Eating Clean.  Lots of water and no carbs after 6pm.
3. Sticking with your diet and exercise.  Just like the fat did not appear over night nor will it disappear overnight.  There are lots of claims to losing fat fast but the only way to do it the right and healthy way is consistency over periods of time.  Remember,  this is a lifestyle not a quick fix.

What really has added some more desire of explorations is this video.  This video should be an inspiration to everyone.  What a way to live life.  It is critical to travel the world to be able to understand the different cultures.  Most arguments are nothing more than a lack of knowledge by either or both parties.  A deeper understanding of people is achieved at the level by which someone puts themselves in different environments.  Look carefully at all the countries that Matt visited.  What an awesome experience is must be to put yourself out there and learn from the world.  What could you learn from visiting a third world country?  How would you value where you live in comparison to the places you have visited?  All in all the experiences with people you meet will be what hold’s the highest value to yourself.  Money is great but wiser is the man who leverages money to help him experience the world.  What is the most unique experience you have had in a different country?

Lake Nicaragua

Nicaragua,  has not been credited enough.  This comes mainly because of the political unrest that has plagued this country in the past decades.  Though far from perfect, Nicaragua is due international respect. Here are a few facts about Nicaragua

• Nicaragua at one point supplied most of the meat to McDonald’s
• Nicaragua is considered the safest country in Latin America, check with homeland security if you have doubts.
• The cost of living is cheap.  It is a good experience to see and feel the culture.  
• The people of Nicaragua may be very poor but they will give the shirts off their back to any guest at their home.  Yes, I do consider this a fact.