One of the complaints I often hear from people when they start working out is how they have to get used to the soreness.  I used to have a love/hate relationship with the stiffness and soreness that comes from working out.  I am already attached to several dōTERRA Supplements, so I figured I should reach out and see what others around me were using.  

I kept hearing about two oils over and over. One was DDR Prime and the other was Copaiba.  I put both of these on my next LRP order and patiently waited. I wanted to see how they worked independently, so the first night I took 2 DDR before bed. What happened next was not what I was thinking. Within a half hour I was relaxed and ready for bed. That night I slept like a rock.  My body took those ingredients and my body melted. It makes complete sense considering DDR Prime includes frankincense and lemongrass, two oils known to help with pain and tension. I kept taking the DDR Prime before bed, and a few weeks later, I realized some of my joint pain in my knees had lessened, as well.  Having the tools to help my body recover from working out and exercise has been a god send.  If you aren't one to take pills, the DDR Prime also comes in an oil form. The oil for can be applied with fractionated coconut oil for easier distribution and for spot application.   

Shortly after, I added in Copaiba.  This has been a game changer.  I won't go into it all, but the properties outweigh the ever popular CBD oil.  I added in just one pill into my night time routine and really noticed a shortening of my recovery time.  Not only does it help with pain and inflammation, but it also is calming to the nervous system, so it just helps you get that strong sleep.  Sleep is one of the most over looked factors when dealing with muscle repair and recovery. Lack of sleep has also been shown to increase certain types of cancer, as well as contribute to obesity.  Anything I can do to keep those things at bay is a plus in my books. The great thing is you are not stuck taking a pill if you don't want to. dōTERRA also offers Copaiba in an oil form. If you want it to affect you quicker, a drop under the tongue will do the trick.  If you want to apply it topically to a certain area, you can apply it diluted with fractionated coconut oil to the area.

Now there are times when I need just a little extra help easing my mind and body before bed. On those days, I use the  Serenity Complex from dōTERRA.  Not only does it help me sleep, but it helps me not focus on the soreness or stiffness from whatever I did that day.  Of course one of the ingredients is lavender oil, and that alone is a fave of mine. The next ingredient you might be familiar with is L-Theanine.  While L-Theanine is known to help with relaxation, I like it because there is no linger to it. I never feel groggy or out of sorts the day after. I will usually only need one of these if I add it to my Copiaba and DDR Prime.

 I hope these tips help you on your health journey. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

It is that time again, the era of regret and new promises is upon us.  if you are like me, you have vowed to never do new year’s resolutions again. But the truth is, they are not all that bad. Sometimes we need a swift kick from reality to remind us that goals and aspirations are a good thing.  One of the most popular resolutions has to do with our body.  Some want to keep the body they have worked all year on, others want to have the body that escaped them 15 years ago.  I won’t lie, I wouldn't mind being in better shape. Since I am like most of you reading this, I figured I would get some tips from a pro.  Matt Inglese has been in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years. Besides being a Kinesiologist, he is also a personal trainer and lends his knowledge to various companies concerning supplement development.  Here’s what he had to say:
 
What is the first rule in New Year’s goals?
Set realistic and honest goals. Make sure you are honest with yourself and realize the process is a marathon not a sprint.  You can and will achieve goals if you are realistic and honest with yourself.
 
How soon after changing my eating habits will I see a change?
Well, it takes 21 days to build a habit and 45 days normally to see changes.  There are 3 easy ways to monitor these changes.  The obvious is to use a scale to track your progress as a first option.  The second way is to feel how your clothes feel on you.  The third and most telling way is to take pictures of yourself. Try to make a weekly routine of taking a picture of yourself in the same clothes.  Make it a Monday morning and monitor it week to week.  Remember, the camera never lies.
 
How soon after exercising will I see a change?
Incorporate an exercise plan that you will enjoy and you will see changes in 45 days.  I would still suggest tracking your progress so you can see the changes.
 
I know I should really be doing both. How long with combining a better diet and exercising will it be before I see changes?
Now the combination is going to be your best course of action.  With the combination of both you will see noticeable changes and results in 30 days.
 
What are some of the MUST DOs?
Drink water!  Water is one of the most important tools for a healthy body. The body NEEDS water.  Cut down on sugar consumption.  There are just so many ways this will help your body.
Eat. You must feed your body. Starving your body does more harm than good. Just remember to feed your body the good stuff. 
 
How do I get back on track if I mess up?
No one is perfect, so this will happen.  Just get back on track as soon as possible.  Just get back to what was working and keep pushing.
 
Should I workout with someone?
A workout partner will help keep you accountable and motivate you. A gym buddy will also push you on days that you are lagging or would otherwise skip the gym.   If you aren't familiar with a gym setting, you can always get a trainer.  They can help set you on the right track, but not everyone needs to go that route.
 
Any last bits of wisdom?
Pick a routine that is going to work for you.  When your workout is fun you will stick with it longer.  If you like Zumba, then do that.  If you like yoga, do that.  Same applies to weight lifting or whatever you decide to help you make those changes.

For inspiration and gym motivation, follow Matt on Instagram.