Michael Gonzalez-Wallace's Blog, page 29

Is Love good for the brain? Love and Brain Chemistry

 

Happy Valentines-Heart-Michael Gonzalez-Wallace Author of Super Body, Super Brain writes about Heart, valentines and Neurotransmitters

Love is a phenomenal feeling, agree? If you are in love you feel the luckiest person in the world and when you are broken hearted you feel the most miserable. It is so fascinating though how when you feel in love you feel similar as working out at quite high intensity what we professionals call “Runners High”. However Love for oneself is extremely important since we need to appreciate more ourselves and love ourselves much more than we do. The more we love ourselves the more we will be able to share our love with others. What do you think?

Happy Valentine

So that is why  I was so excited when I had the chance of interviewing Michael R Liebowitz MD for my Book, Super Body, Super Brain. He is considered the Michael Jordan of Psychopharmacalogists. I just wanted to share this great quote that has to do with Valentines! He wrote this brilliant book, The Chemistry of Love where he discusses the physical effects of meeting someone you care deeply about and all the classic feelings of love attraction. This excitement has to do with the creation of a Neurotransmitter fortress. This feeling can be very similar to the one you are creating when you are exercising and creating a new you, That excitement is produced by increased levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated to novelty and excitement. CLICK HERE to browse and buy my Book SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN

Love chemistry 

Brain science has seen an increasing interest in the latest years but what about  love chemistry or the brain in love? Back into 1970s, the understanding of the function of endorphins in the body was improving. In my chapter 2″The Emotional Brain and Exercise” I talked extensively with a phenomenal psychiatrist Dr Michael Liebowitz. I still remember like if it was yesterday that when I was doing research about Dr Liebowitz,  it fascinated me  that he wrote a great book In  1983 called  The Chemistry of Love . Dr Michael Liebowitz broke the ice when he outlined the relationship between endorphins and love. Prior to him , no one had ever serious investigated the underlying biochemical or neurochemical basis of love. Liebowitz, for instance, states that, prior to the writing of his book, when “looking into the matter more closely I began to realize that no one had ever seriously tried to examine the biochemical basis for our romantic drives” to keep reading click here

Want more information? Read the latest issue of Body Smart where I write a weekly column called “The Move of the Week”. In this issue “Love Together, Lose Together”

 More News from Science Daily Mind & Brain news: 

Cut your Valentine some slack: Partner’s efforts at improving your relationship should not be ignored
Love, chocolate good for the heart, says cardiologist

Love, endorphins and biochemistry. Love releases endorphins, dopamine and excitement!

Winter Storm? Metabolic Winter Workouts: I have two great workouts for you

Snow is coming but it should not interfere with our workouts:) We are about to get smashed by a huge Winter storm leaving as much as almost 24 inches in Boston and one feet in New York. However I wanted to share a very challenging and phenomenal workouts  with you where you could be training at home without the need of leaving your home and also invite some friends over and lets get everyone exercise: Here you can check the latest of this devastating storm 

My workouts for you are based in high metabolic workouts where several muscles are working at once increasing the metabolism, strength and brain power since your brain needs to be active to be coordinating different movements at once.

Defining Metabolic Training

Generally speaking, metabolic training is an exercise program whereby you complete both compound and structural exercises one after another with a minimal amount of rest in between. The result of such a quick succession of metabolic exercises is that your metabolic rate, or metabolism, is accelerated and your body burns calories more efficiently. The effects are clear: not only you are targeting the muscle you are working (biceps) but also different muscles in your body and eventually your heart and your brain.

Super Body, Super Brain Advisory Board

BRAIN BODY FITNESS ADVISORY BOARD

PROFESSIONALS SUPERVISING SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN

EXERCISE PROGRAM
ADVISORY BOARD


JOHN MARTIN John Martin, Ph.D.Medical Professor Physiology and Pharmacology at City College New York
He received his Ph.D. in neurophysiology from Columbia University, where he studied somatic sensory mechanisms, and subsequently received postdoctoral training in motor control at the Rockefeller University and Columbia University. His laboratory in the Department of Neuroscience studies development of the motor systems and repair after brain and spinal cord injury. He also directs the medical neuroanatomy course for first year medical students at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

GREG LOMBARDO, MD, PH.D., is a child psychiatrist in private practice in Manhattan and Westchester County. He is board certified in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry and is a diplomate of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is highly trained and experienced in the treatment of children with bipolar disorder. His practice includes biological diagnosis, clinical psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy. He also collaborates closely with psychologists and other therapists in the treatment of children and adolescents with this disorder.

JASON A. SMITH, PSY.D. Dr. Jason A. Smith has been working as a psychologist for thirteen years in a variety of settings including schools, clinical environments and mental health centers.  Dr. Smith has extensive knowledge in counseling and assessment in populations such as child/adolescent, culturally disparate, typical and disabled youth and adults with mental illness.  Dr. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from New York University in 1991; his Master’s degree in school psychology from Saint John’s University in May, 1996 and is a graduate of Yeshiva University’s Combined/Integrated doctoral program, May, 2006.  At the Albert Ellis Institute, Dr. Smith received a post doctoral certification in Rational Emotive Behavioral Training (REBT).  In addition, he participated in a project with the Harcourt Assessment Group for the re-norming of the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). Dr. Smith’s expertise is in assessment, crisis intervention, consultation and school psychology, with a cognitive behavior bent, and he sees young adult and adolescent patients in his private clinical practice.

OLINKA PODANY has completed her undergraduate degree at Columbia University and obtained her Masters of Science degree from New York University in clinical nutrition. She has twelve years of hospital experience at the upper-east side’s Lenox Hill Hospital. Having been responsible for the
cardiac units has motivated her to also obtain the American Heart Association certification in treatment of hyperlipidemia (high serum cholesterol). Early on in her career it became evident to her that most of the major diseases are linked to obesity. Helping individuals to loose unwanted pounds can significantly improve the quality of their lives.

REBECCA HAEUSLER, Ph.D., is a research fellow in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University, studying mechanisms of type 2 diabetes. As of 2008, the CDC estimates that 24 million Americans have diabetes, and an additional 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes. This disease is growing at an alarming rate, but it can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes.  Dr. Haeusler completed her undergraduate training at M.I.T. and received a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan.

MARIA DORFNER, An award-winning broadcast writer/producer, Maria began her career at NBC News in New York as an intern during college in 1984, Her work has earned her a Media Recognition Award from the American Heart Association, a Medical Reporting Scholarship from the American Medical Association She is a member of the National Association of Medical Communicators and the Association of Health Care Journalists. She is also on the Advisory Board of IllumAlliance International Humanitarian Group, a global organization that reaches out to children in crisis around the world

MICHAEL GONZALEZ WALLACE has been involved with athletic sports for over 20 years, which is almost half his age. Michael’s athletic career spans many years practicing semi-pro basketball in Spain. A graduate of the Universidad Autonoma (a top economics school in Madrid, Spain) he learned how to do research. In 2002 he earned a certification by the National Academy Sports of Medicine. For the last six years Michael Gonzalez-Wallace has developed the acclaimed fitness program: “The Brain Muscle Workout”. The program is presented to a vast audience of viewers and readers throughout USA. Several doctors have endorsed the Brain Muscle Workout program and Michael has received an award from a US Governor.
Currently he is implementing the program in schools to fight child obesity and improve motor skills. Several clinics have requested his program as well.

AVA DIAMOND, LCSW

In 1991, Ava Diamond began her psychotherapy career with adolescents and adults seeking recovery from addictions and traumas.  She combined her Masters degree education in Clinical Social Work at Columbia University with her naturally intuitive and creative approach to develop clinical and educational expertise that allowed her to witness success in over a thousand lives to date.  Currently, she is the Clinical Supervisor of a substance abuse treatment program developed by Yale Child Study Center.  Her thriving private practice in New Canaan, CT, offers a cutting edge concierge treatment model of service that integrates customized therapeutic plans that include individual and group therapies, education, medication management, nutritional counseling, and an expanded mind:body fitness program for those recovering from addiction and mood disorders.  With the merging of her two professions (psychotherapist and athlete),  Ms. Diamond has developed a nationally recognized mental prep coaching program and serves clients throughout the country.  Presently, she is on staff providing community education and patient psychotherapy support with InBalance Health in Manhattan, Hartsdale, Greenwich, and Wilton, CT.

www.avadiamondlcsw.com           www.inbalancehealth.net

What is Super Body, Super Brain?

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Editorial Reviews
Product Description

Brain workouts focused on memory are big business. Memory is located in only one part of the brain. It is movement that connects the intricate web of brain circuitry since different kinds of movement are managed by different areas of the brain. These critical brain circuits work with your muscles, tendons, and joints to dictate the quality of movement throughout the body. In “Super Body, Super Brain”, author Michael Gonzalez-Wallace combines specific movements, involving balance and coordination, creating an atmosphere of multi-tasking connecting the brain circuitry and providing the brain with a workout from front to back and left to right. These movements are combined into a powerful, full-body workout that keeps both your body and brain fit. The program only takes ten minutes per day and delivers maximum results in minimal time creating the ultimate in body and brain efficiency. The workout progresses in difficulty over time as both muscles and brain circuits need challenges in order to stay fit. The program can be done anywhere, by anyone regardless of their shape or level of athletic ability. The book will also include a nutrition progam with recommended ‘power brain foods’ and easy-to-follow recipes.

Human performance trainer Michael Gonzalez Wallace has developed SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN a progressive exercise program that combines balance, coordination, and strength training with a super-quick circuit of multi-tasking movements that challenge and improve both your muscles and your brain in just 10 minutes a day.

Sperm Count and Physical Inactivity: If you exercise you are up 73% a new study says

As a man I worry about sperm count and age so that is why i was very happy with this study! Looks like if you don’t like to move  now you have a clear reason to do so. A new finding has just been released

If you are inactive you may have a  lower sperm count.

A new just released study found that Healthy young men who watch a lot of TV and those who skimp on exercise have lower concentrations of sperm in their semen than guys who watch less and move more

According to the USA Today The findings also may offer some reassurance to active guys who have heard that exercise might decrease sperm counts, says Jorge Chavarro, an assistant professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and a co-author of the study published Monday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

“Most of the previous research has focused on endurance athletes, such as marathon runners and professional cyclists,” whose bodies may be under unusual stresses, Chavarro says. Biking, in particular, might overheat or injure the scrotum, research suggests.

Results:

• Are you into TV? Those who watched the most TV, more than 20 hours a week, had sperm counts 44% lower than those who watched none.

• Those who exercised the most, more than 15 hours a week, had sperm counts 73% higher than those who exercised the least, less than five hours a week.

Chavarro says. He and his co-authors suggest that metabolic changes related to inactivity and that heating of the scrotum caused by prolonged sitting in front of the TV might play roles — though studies on sperm counts in office workers who sit all day have yielded mixed results

Chavarro says TV still may be linked to important dietary factors, including exposure to lots of junk food advertising. Several other recent studies have linked prolonged TV watching to heart disease, diabetes and early death.

Why dont you try this exercise to increase your Sperm count? or maybe you want to warn to increase physical activity in some men you may know

The Best Workouts To Stay Young: My Interview with Yahoo and how you can stay young with these workouts

best anti aging workouts yahoo

I am so extremely thrilled to have been interviewed by one of the most important websites, Yahoo! Yahoo Health Super Star Blogger Lisa Coolier Cool interviewed for her article “The Best Workouts to Stay Young”

I want to share with you an excerpt of this article that just went Live Today, Thanks for reading!

The Best Workouts To Stay Young
By Lisa Collier Cool

If you wear headphones or watch TV while you exercise, you could be missing out on one of the most valuable benefits of working out: the opportunity to boost your brain health. That’s also true if you stick to the same fitness routine until you can perform it on autopilot.

New scientific evidence shows that physical fitness is the key to staying mentally sharp as you age—but it’s crucial to pay attention to what your body is doing, says Michael Gonzalez-Wallace, author of Super Body, Super Brain and MedHelp’s brain and body fitness expert.

“There’s lots of research showing that at any age, physical movement boosts brain health and memory, but to get the best cognitive results, you need to be mentally focused and engaged during your workout,” reports Gonzalez-Wallace, who recommends exercises that use several muscles at once, requiring precision and coordination.  click here to read what are the best Anti-Aging workouts

General Mills Magazine “Que Rica Vida” Features Michael Gonzalez-Wallace Author of Super Body, Super Brain

General Mills Magazine one of the largest food companies features Michael Gonzalez-Wallace

General Mills Magazine Que Rica Vida features New York City Personal trainer Michael Gonzalez-Wallace

Just wanted to share really exciting news!

I was  featured in General Mills Magazine “Que Rica Vida” this last September to celebrate theHispanic heritage month.  “Que Rica Vida” has just published my article in English and Spanish “To Your Health”

What am I focusing in this article?

Our month has arrived! It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and the many festivities and celebrations of our culture can captivate us with their delicious food and delicias, and can allow us to forget about the importance of caring for ourselves. Special occasions come and go, but taking good care of our health should be a priority every day.

The good news is that you can improve your health by making a change in your lifestyle and taking care of your daily health. Plus, it’s not that hard and if you try, you can do it!

If you’re wondering what changes you should carry out in your daily life to help you stay healthy, this is what I recommend.

Keep reading my article at General Mills Magazine Que Rica Vida Website

Latino Adults, Obesity and Prevention

As a side  note The obesity rate among Latino adults and children is directly related to diet and lack of exercise. Remember that if you are overweight or obese, you have a greater risk of developing type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.

My book Super Body, Super Brain focuses in Mens sana in corpore sano (healthy mind in healthy body). The Latino community is living moments of spectacular growth but facing at the same time with a responsibility to improve the quality of life for our entire family. According to new statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 78 million adults and nearly 13 million children aged 2-19 were considered obese in 2009-10. The latest report shows that 39.1 percent of Hispanic adults are considered obese

If we neglect our way of eating and exercise have increased risk of cardiovascular diseases that plague our community as Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. The rate of obesity among Hispanic adults and children is largely due to diet and lack of exercise.

With obesity linked to hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, we can all improve our health through a change in lifestyle – that is, a healthy diet and physical activity scheduled – is not only advisable, but essential for Hispanics across the country.

That is why I was really honored to write this article for General Mills Magazine Que Rica Vida  that is available now

However……If you really can’t wait for some of my exercises, here is one that will help you burn as many calories as in treadmill challenging your balance, coordination, speed and agility!

Weekend Exercise Plan: One Leg Bridge plus Chest Press

 

Weekend Exercise Plan:
One Leg Bridge plus Chest Press

Bridges for greater core. Photo by Beth Bischoff

Try this challenging exercise . This week 1 leg bridges plus chest press, Check this exercise for increased core power, greater upper and lower body strength, stamina, cardiovascular and focus!

Superior bridge for a tighter core and toned legs- One Leg Bridge plus Chest Press
Bridges are a phenomenal core exercise. However Lets take it up a notch. One leg bridge combined with chest press is a great exercise to build a stronger core, firmer thighs, solid buttocks and resilient hamstrings besides a strong chest

From a lying down position with one leg bent, both feet  flat on the floor, the right  leg straight up tighten your core then perform a chest press at the same time your are pushing with your left buttock and back of the thighs lifting your body off the floor keeping the right leg off and straight at all times. Do it ten times then change legs. Advanced can use 10 lbs- 5 sets and Beginners 5lbs-3 sets

Check my book: SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN 

ONE LEG BRIDGE AND CHEST PRESS- GREATER CORE AND PERFORMANCE. TO WATCH THE VIDEO CLICK HERE

Tomorrow I start My 6 week- Class at the JCC “The Jewish Community Center”: 6 Fridays at Noon

JCC Wellness: Michael Gonzalez-Wallace 

 


 The Jewish Community Center presents Super Body,Super Brain by Michael Gonzalez-Wallace

Very excited with my upcoming Class Series at one of the best and most respected Health Centers in USA, the The JCC in Manhattan ! When? This coming Friday at noon. I will be conducting a series of classes and teach how  your brain works with specific and targeted movements. If you are around this Friday stop by here is the link

Results? Listen to Cathy who took my Class Super Body, Super Brain at Englewood Hospital:

Exercise makes you feel better, you probably have heard that before but why? One of the most incredible aspects that we tend to not pay too much attention is how our brain controls our body. There are specific areas that control movement, the more challenging the better. More brain areas are involved but also different neurotransmitters associated to those neurons.

Brain activity and movement

Hormones and Neurotransmitters are affected by exercise

Hormones are chemical messengers released by your endocrine glands to support the normal functioning of your body. These hormones regulate sexual development (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), digestion (insulin) and stress (the corticosteroids: cortisol and epinephrine)

Now lets talk how targeted physical movement and the brain. We know that movement does not happen in one part of the brain but in several of them: the more challenging the movement the more brain areas are integrated. The main areas of the brain in challenging movements we could summarize mainly in: prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, hippocampus. Why is this important for stress? really simple:  Chemical messengers or neurotransmitters are needed to transmit the information from one neuron to the next one. At the end the result is that if we use complex movement and incorporate thinking and coordinating a specific movement we may have several chemical messengers in different parts of the brain influencing positively the brain at the same time. lets say that exercise and physical movement helps to fire specific neurotransmitters such as dopamine (muscle movement, logical thinking),serotonin (emotional mood) or Acetyl-choline (cardiovascular) among others.  There are approximately 28-30 different neurotransmitters and several of them are affected by exercise.

Neurotransmitters and Physical Exercise From Super Body, Super Brain Book by Michael Gonzalez-Wallace 

“Exercise makes you feel better” You probably have heard this before but the reality is that we have such a wonderful cocktail of brain chemicals that helps us move, communicate, speak and more! One of the greatest ways of improving these brain chemicals is through exercise. Try this exercise to feel how these chemicals function in less than 10 seconds:

From a standing position start clapping and taping as fast as possible. how do you feel? Exactly your brain chemicals are functioning! Exercise improves our brain chemicals. Over hundred studies have shown the incredible benefits of moving.

Neurotransmitters refer to those spaces between nerve cells that different neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) need to leap across in order to transmit their information to other neurons.

We have billions of neurons does that mean that we have million of neurotransmitters? Absolutely not. Think of our alphabet how many letters do you know? 26? How many words exist? Billions (Robert Sapolsky, neurobiologist Stanford University). So we are looking at thirty neurotransmitters but would like to focus in those ones that are affected by exercise. By the way there are many more but will speak about the following ones:

-Dopamine

Dopamine is attracted by novelty, logical reasoning and muscle movement. Dopamine regulates processes that regulate movement, posture, blood pressure and more!

-Serotonin 

It is one of the most popular neurotransmitters since gets affects our emotional state. Exercise raises our serotonin levels improving its balance

-Norepinephrine

The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the heart, blood vessels, sweat glands, the large internal organs, and the adrenal medulla in the brain. Like dopamine, norepinephrine has a stimulating effect, fosters alertness, and plays an important regulatory role in long-term memory and learning

-Endorphins 

They are your brain built in chemical system that help us go through pain and also induce mild euphoria. Exercise it is the absolute best way for raising our endorphins levels and trigger that feeling of the ‘runners high”

To read my research and experience my Super Body, Super Brain Fitness Program click here

Biomechanics and physical movement

JCC Wellness

Take the SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN TEST!!

 

Super Body, Super Brain Test by Michael Gonzalez-Wallace

So here it is!!! I am so extremely excited that finally I am able to  share with all of you my SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN TESTING! WOW! This test has taken me almost six months!! and almost 8 years to really structure a specific test to help you quantify your brain body fitness results!

Please click in the following link and take the test (make sure to register at my site first www.superbodysuperbrain,com and go to the right and click in Take the SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN TEST ( will ask you to give your email) I really want to make sure that this doesn’t go out to everyone just a selected group of people. Once you register I will provide you the password that will allow you access the post and download the test and the scoring sheet

SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN TESTING

Super Body, Super Brain Testing

Super Body, Super Brain Test by Michael Gonzalez-Wallace

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS TESTING INVOLVES EXERCISE, BE APPROVED TO EXERCISE BY YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

Click here to download the:

SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN TESTING

SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN FITNESS TESTING-SCORING SHEET

Got any questions? email me at michael@superbodysuperbrain.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Super Body, Super Brain Testing?

Super Body, Super Brain testing is the quantitative measurement of my program Super Body, Super Brain. My program focuses in how physiologically the brain interacts with the body through movement.

What are the areas that Super Body, Super Brain will be testing?

Based on my experience I divided the testing areas:

TESTING AREAS


1.-LIFESTYLE2.-ENERGY3.-HEALTH MEASUREMENTS


4.-AEROBIC ENDURANCE


5.-STRENGTH


6.-BALANCE


7.-COORDINATION8. BODY FLEXIBILITY BALANCE-STRENGTH-MOTOR COORDINATION


9.-SENSORY/PROPRIOCEPTION


10.-FLEXIBILITY


11.- NUTRITION


12.-STRESS MANAGEMENT

What is the Super Body, Super Brain testing based on?

This test that I personally built is based uniquely in my personal experience of training individuals over 50,000 hours following my method. In addition I have been working extensively with Neuroscientists, Neurobiologists and Kinesiologists throughout the country especially two: John Martin PhD and Lice Ghilardi MD

Can anyone do this testing?

Yes and no. The testing involves physical activity so you should be aware that physical activity involves risk.

The testing should never be considered an alternate way of self-diagnosing any medical condition. You should ask your doctor before starting the test since it requires physical activity with the consequent of elevation of heart rate and blood pressure so please consult to your doctor or practitioner before starting my test

Should I do this test with or without weights?

It depends.

If you are a beginner you should do the testing with no weights

If you are advanced 5 lbs.

There would be exercises that dumbbells would not be required otherwise the presence it is optional. In other words you should have a test for a specific weight resistance.

How many times can I try the Super Body, Super Brain Testing?

You should try each part of the test a maximum of twice. Otherwise the measurement would be biased.

How do I find out my scoring?

For the Calculation and to find the exact number see the excel spreadsheet.