Monthly Archives: February 2016

World Record Holder is ProArgi-9+ Advocate

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World Record Holder is ProArgi-9+ Advocate

The heaviest giant log squat in recorded history is 1,000 lbs. The most concrete bricks broken at one time with a single strike is 60. The heaviest fire truck harness pull is 36,000 lbs.  What do these world records have in common? ProArgi-9+ advocate and 54-year-old Strongman competitor Randy Richey of Scottsville, Kentucky.

For 30 years, Randy has been defying seemingly impossible stunts of strength in various weight lifting competitions, but it wasn’t until his late 30s that he entered the Strongman realm.

Randy currently holds eight world records and performs with his Strongman group Omega Force Strength Team in 75-100 carnivals, fairs, church functions and other events up and down the East Coast every year. They bend steel, pull tractor trailers, pull stacks of massive tires, bench press cars, bench press people, and flip cars over.

In 2013, Omega Force appeared on America’s Got Talent and impressed the judges enough to earn a pass to the second round in Las Vegas. Their episode was the most viewed of the season and aired five times because of its popularity.

That same year, Randy survived an invasive surgery, and his doctors were sure he would never be able to lift even moderately heavy objects, let alone compete. However, his love of training pushed him to maintain a healthy lifestyle so he could get back in the gym. After giving himself ample recovery time, Randy squatted 805 lbs. for 10 reps. As proof of his doctor’s amazement, a photo of Randy pushing through these reps is hanging in their office.

“I’m doing everything I did in my 30s and 40s, including training and competing,” Randy said.
According to Randy, one of the keys to maintaining strength of any proportion, especially for lifters who are not in their 20s and 30s anymore, is to make sure blood is circulating optimally. Muscle recovery is highly dependent on blood reaching the muscles and helping to build them back up.

“I recommend ProArgi-9+ to everyone,” Randy said. “There is a 78-year-old gentleman on the Omega Force team who is excited to see what it can do for him.”

Last Week for Heart Health Savings!

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Last Week for Heart Health Savings!

blog-hhmonthNational Heart Health Month is coming to a close and we want to make sure you take advantage of the Heart Health Month Special before it’s too late!

You’ve been thinking about your heart all month, and we encourage you to continue making your heart a priority for months and years to come. Start by stocking up on heart healthy Synergy products!

Treat yourself to 25% off of this cardio combo!

Click Here to Purchase

About the Products:

hhspecial-mbCoQ10
• Supports energy production for the heart and other organs requiring high levels of ATP or energy
• Helps reduce oxidative stress in all cells throughout the body
• Supports the health of the heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas

Download the CoQ10 Fact Sheet

Omega-3
• Helps regulate the body’s ratio of HDLs to LDLs
• Supports health blood pressure
• Protects cell membranes

Download the Omega-3 Fact Sheet

ProArgi-9+
• Synergy’s flagship product
• Contains l-arginine, an amino acid that your body converts to nitric oxide which helps enhance your cardiovascular system
•  Contains l-citrulline, Vitamins D3, K, C, B6 and B12
•  Clinically proven to inhibit myeloperoxidase

Download the ProArgi-9+ Fact Sheet

Click Here to Purchase

SLMsmart Switch: Consider the Consequences

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SLMsmart Switch: Consider the Consequences

90daychallenge-jaromsmithIn the first month of the SLMsmart 90-day Challenge, we are already seeing the beginnings of incredible transformations taking shape. Perhaps even more important than the physical transformations underway are the mental transformations that need to take place first. The first few weeks of the Challenge require a substantial yet attainable shift in the way the Challenger thinks and acts. Many of our Challengers are already getting the hang of altering their thought processes and increasing their mental toughness in order to make healthy decisions. We can learn a lot from them!

SLMsmart Challenger
JAROM SMITH, ARIZONA

When it comes to losing weight, pain is a must, according to Jarom, a contender in this year’s SLMsmart 90-day Challenge.

His ability to endure through this discomfort and pain comes from thinking about the detailed effects that sugar-loaded and generally unhealthy foods have on his body. Putting junk food into his body alters his mood, energy, and overall wellbeing. Sometimes, it makes him sick. Remembering this unpleasant feeling keeps him on the narrow path to success.

“When I decided to lose weight, I went off of sugar cold turkey and had the worst headache of my life when I did,” Jarom said. “I’ve never consumed alcohol, but flushing the sugars out of my body was like having a hangover. It’s a difficult process.”

Drinking 4-6 liters of water per day, combined with taking the products in Synergy’s Weight Management Elite Pack, were Jarom’s answers to sugar detox. By eating nutritious meals, working in daily exercise, incorporating Synergy products, and downing plenty of H2O, Jarom’s excess weight has been falling off.

“I constantly think about how I felt previous to this Challenge and how hard I’ve worked to get where I am now,” Jarom said. “When I think about or look at sugar or a pizza, I’m reminded of the anxiety I felt being overweight and the mental state I was in. That is the biggest motivator to keep going.”

Jarom likes to think about the consequences of his positive choices as well, including how he will feel when he reaches his goal weight. Imagining this triumphant moment makes choosing a salad over pizza easier than Jarom ever thought possible.

Cooking Tips for Heart Healthy Meals

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Cooking Tips for Heart Healthy Meals

Cooking a heart healthy meal, or cooking in general, may seem like a frightening task to some, especially to those who tend to burn everything including toast. However, a study completed by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health states that the main ingredient in a healthier diet is cooking meals at home. By cooking at home you have control over your ingredients, your portion sizes, and the way that you cook your food.

A key to creating heart healthy meals is to cut down on cholesterol, fats, and salt found in many common ingredients. Create meals that keep your heart in mind by looking to these quick tips when dinnertime approaches.

Avoid Frying

Rather than deep frying or pan frying food, which causes ingredients to soak up unnecessary and unhealthy fats, look to these alternative options to keep the nutritional value of your ingredients intact:.

Stir-frying. High temperatures destroy some nutrients when cooking, so by stir-frying foods rapidly at high temperatures, food (especially vegetables) retain more of their nutrients, and since the cooking happens quickly, the foods don’t retain as much oil as they would with conventional deep frying techniques.

Broiling.  Broiling is a popular choice to prepare healthy meals since it uses direct heat to cook the food it require little to no oil in order to cook. Similarly, broiling methods melt the natural fat found in meat such as chicken or fish, and since most ovens have a broiling unit, it is a quick and reliable way to prepare meals.

Steaming. Unlike the options above, steaming is a form of cooking that requires no oil which makes it much better for your heart since it avoids adding unnecessary fats. Steaming is also great for keeping the original form and taste as well as most of the original nutrition, especially in vegetables. For example, steaming broccoli retains 81% of its vitamin C as opposed to only 30% when cooked in water.  And since preparation for steaming is minimal, you can create a healthy meal in very little time.

Quick Tip: Try to keep your meals simple. In many cases, simple recipes and ingredients lead to healthier, more natural meals while more complicated recipes that involve extra ingredients and specialized cooking methods could potentially be taking away from your meal’s nutrition and your time.

‘Tis the Season

Try to avoid prepackaged seasonings as they usually contain a lot of salt. Selecting fresh herbs and preparing hand-made seasonings may seem foreign to you now, but in the long-term, you’ll be saving money by doing the preparation yourself. Your heart will thank you for avoiding all the extra sodium found in store-bought packages.

Quick Tip: Use citrus juice, peppers, or vinegar to add an extra level of flavor to your dishes. But be sure to use these sparingly as to not overpower the overall flavor of the meal.

Make Substitutions

Using low or non-fat yogurt instead of Sour Cream cuts out unnecessary fats in your meal. In ½ a cup of yogurt, you’ll get double the calcium and cut out 4 grams of fat and 2 grams of saturated fat—a fat found in many store-bought foods that could be damaging to heart health over time.

Eliminating butter and replacing it with heart healthy olive oil can be incredibly beneficial to your arteries and overall heart health. Replacing one tablespoon of butter with one tablespoon of olive oil drops the fat content by 2 grams. Seven grams of unhealthy saturated fat will be replaced by 10 grams of heart healthy monounsaturated fats instead.

Make Extra

If you’re putting in the time and effort to prepare a heart healthy dish, don’t hesitate to go overboard. Making extra food gives you healthy snack options, as well as back-up meals in case you don’t feel like preparing something new after a long day. There’s nothing wrong with thinking ahead. This will help you create good habits that will keep your heart healthy and happy in the future.

Quick Tip: Making extra food is great, but just because you have extra food, doesn’t mean you need extra helpings. Set aside proper portions for snacks and meals by using small bags or plastic containers to stay organized and stay focused on eating until you are satisfied rather than eating until you are stuffed.

January 2016 Elite Honors Qualfiers

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January 2016 Elite Honors Qualfiers

elitehonors-club-blogheaderTeam Members are still charging full steam ahead in pursuit of becoming Elite Honors qualified for the first time or maintaining the Elite Honors title. The Elite Honors program is streamlining the way organizations do business with Synergy WordWide while maximizing each Team Member’s earning potential. Team Members following the program are seeing the extra rewards that are made possible through the Go Elite promotion as they continue doing what they’ve been doing all along—building their Synergy businesses.

Congratulations to the January 2016 qualifiers!

Qualify for Elite Honors 1 out of 12 months and receive an Elite Honors pin, recognition letter, and online recognition. Qualify 3 out of 12 months and receive an Elite Honors Club Card, which can be used for a number of event perks, including VIP registration, special product promotions, and more!

8x Qualifiers
David Johnston
Dan Hammer
Steve & Roxanne Seely

7x Qualifiers
Mark Comer

6x Qualifiers
Dane Iorg
Lor Pace
K. Roger Carter

5x Qualifiers
Steve & Julie Russon
Gwen Brown

4x Qualifiers
Daniel Priem
Belva Snow
Sandra Kerner

3x Qualifiers
Judy Feldhausen

2x Qualifiers
Gerri Bingham
Melissa Holt
Sandy Klatt
Dwayne Loberg

1x Qualifiers
Pete Miller
Dwayne & Sandy Schmidek
Keith Hampton
David Hawthorne
Joy Matwyshen
Willa Holgate
Dr. Merlin Longaphee
Dr. Tom Wachtmann
Stephen Stolowski
Timothy Sanford
Sue Hossman
Robert Kenemer
Marion Sczesny
Pennie Christensen

To learn more about Elite Honors and the Go Elite Promotion, click here.

December is already off to a great start. Let’s keep the momentum going! Train your team on the importance of becoming Elite Honors qualified through the Synergy Opportunity Webinar as you achieve this highly sought after title yourself. Can’t wait to see the success that this month brings.

Congratulations to everyone who has achieved Elite Honors so far and a special congratulations to those who have achieved Elite Honors multiple times. We are impressed by your work ethic and belief, and we thank you for the examples you are to all those working toward building their Synergy businesses.

Oh My Omegas!

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Oh My Omegas!

omega3The word “omega-3” may sound like the name of a spaceship from an 80s sci-fi movie, but it’s actually the name of something far more important. Essential to human health, an omega-3 is a fatty acid many people are lacking in their diets. Thankfully, people are becoming more and more aware of this fatty-acid and the benefits it provides. As experts continue to study the power of omega-3 supplementation, Synergy Team Members are proud to offer pure, potent Omega-3 capsules to customers across the United States.

Omega-3 capsules are currently available at a discounted price in this month’s Heart Health Special ending February 29! Save 25% on three of Synergy’s heart healthy products for a limited time.

HEART HEALTH SPECIAL

Let’s take a closer look at what makes omega-3 supplementation a wise and healthy practice:

WHY OMEGA-3? THE BENEFITS.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be powerful tools for the human body to use. Most people know Omega-3s for their ability to support a healthy cardiovascular system. This is for good reason, as studies continue to showcase omega-3 fatty acid’s ability to support heart function, enhanced circulation, and other cardiovascular strength. Additionally, Omega-3s provide powerful protection for cell membranes throughout your cardiovascular system. Omega-3 supplementation can also help a person maintain blood-pressure levels and a good ratio between HDL and LDL cholesterol.

As more science emerges behind the importance of gut health, many experts are taking note of the role omega-3 fatty acids play in your digestive system. They can strengthen the mucosal cells of the gut wall (which could use the strengthening, as it is easily and often damaged), and may even play a role in decreasing gut inflammation. As a person builds the health of their gut, they will see benefits extending to various parts of their body, including the skeleton, the brain, and of course, the heart.

HEART HEALTH SPECIAL

WHY OMEGA-3? THE NEED.

Nutritionists have labeled omega-3’s as “essential” fatty acids, but we cannot get them without consuming them. In other words, omega-3s are not naturally produced by the body, so unless you are regularly eating healthy portions of certain fish, algae and oils, you may be lacking a beneficial dose of omega-3’s.

Of course, the majority of Americans adhere to the standard Western diet in which they rarely consume foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the typical American diet has been shown to affect the body in harmful ways exactly opposite to the benefits omega-3 fatty acids can promote.

There are countries outside of the United States where foods containing omega-3s are more regularly consumed. Those countries report fewer cases of specific health concerns, and many experts and nutritionists believe the link to be valid.

HEART HEALTH SPECIAL

WHAT ARE THEY?

Don’t be alarmed by the term “fatty acids.” Omega-3 fatty acids don’t make you obese, and they surely are not what circulating through the crowds of Woodstock.

Fatty acids are, technically, a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain. What does that mean? It means that the right fatty acids are potentially building blocks for different bodily functions. Fatty acids are digested, absorbed into the blood and, in the case of Omega-3’s, form a molecule called a triglyceride.

The Synergy Omega-3 supplement is a natural triglyceride fish lipid concentrate that provides EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These particular acids are those being shown to produce the benefits listed above and more. Eating certain fish is the best natural way to consume EPA and DHA, but the overconsumption of fish is risky. Mercury and other toxins are becoming all-too present in many of today’s fish-heavy meals.

Because Synergy rigorously tests every batch of our Omega-3 product before it ever gets to your shelf, you can put this EPA+DHA supplement to the test with confidence. Most likely, your doctor is aware of the many benefits that come from omega-3 you supplementation. Feel free to ask him or her for more information about this fascinating triglyceride science. Additionally, omega-3s are recommended by nutritionists around the world and, of course, by the Synergy Medical and Scientific advisory board. We invite you to add Synergy’s Omega-3 to your diet and reap the rewards you may not even know you’ve been missing.

HEART HEALTH SPECIAL

SLMsmart Switch: Make-Ahead Meals

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SLMsmart Switch: Make-Ahead Meals

90daychallenge-mochaIn the first month of the SLMsmart 90-day Challenge we are already seeing the beginnings of incredible transformations taking shape. Perhaps even more important than the physical transformations underway are the mental transformations that need to take place first. The first few weeks of the Challenge require a substantial yet attainable shift in the way the Challenger thinks and acts. Many of our Challengers are already getting the hang of altering their thought processes and increasing their mental toughness in order to make healthy decisions. We can learn a lot from these individuals!

SLMsmart Challenger
MOCHA BUTKOVICH, COLORADO

Busy schedules are notorious for wreaking havoc on a healthy lifestyle, and Mocha is no stranger to this reality. Before joining the SLMsmart 90-day Challenge, Mocha’s demanding job often kept her from cooking healthy meals at home, and instead turning to convenient less healthy options.

Since day one of the 90-day Challenge, Mocha has been making healthy decisions before the week even begins by preparing meals ahead of time—a trick that the SLMsmart App recommends. The first meal prep session cost Mocha a few hours, but now that she has the hang of it, it’s becoming a simple routine that makes a huge difference in her food selections throughout the week. Mocha said that preparing food ahead of time has made establishing healthy habits easier, though the entire process is far from easy. Food prepping can help the forgetful eater, overeater, emotional eater, and anyone else with similar challenges, become more aware of what is and isn’t going into their bodies, she said.

Meal prep takes place over the weekend and begins by taking out different sized bags—small bags for snacks and slightly larger bags for meals. Mocha fills the bags with nutritious foods recommended by the SLMsmart App and her SLMsmart coach. These bags help her manage portion sizes and are easy to grab from the fridge before she leaves for the day.

Mocha’s mother is also participating in the Challenge and is a great support in the meal prep process. She has opened Mocha’s eyes to a number of tricks that make healthy eating something to look forward to. Simply cutting a vegetable differently or making a colorful meal can make healthy food choices more inviting. Also, learning how to cook and season vegetables to your liking can make a world of difference, Mocha said, and is something she discovered when her mother taught her a new way to prepare Brussels sprouts—one of the green things she normally avoids.

“Food prep makes a real difference in your decisions because you are an active participant in your health,” Mocha said. “If I spend the time to go grocery shopping and plan a week of meals, I’m more likely to stick to it because I’ve already taken the first step. I think a lot of us don’t actively make poor choices, but when we recognize our poor choices, it’s helpful to have a healthy alternative to turn to.”

Legacy Retreat 2017

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Legacy Retreat 2017

Synergy’s Legacy Retreat is taking qualifiers to a small, seaside country with big personality—a unique destination Synergy has never been before: Monaco!

We hope you are able to join us May 16-20, 2017, in this melting pot of European culture. Drawing off of Spanish, French and Italian heritage, Monaco has a rich history with something for everyone to enjoy—sightseeing, gambling, museums, gardens, and beaches.

Qualified Team Members will be immersed in the fairytale glamour of Monaco’s Hotel Hermitage. This extravagant hotel offers an elegance and charm fit for royalty, and is the perfect place to pamper Synergy’s elite Team Members.

Commit now to qualify for this event. It will be unlike any Legacy Retreat Synergy has hosted before. The qualification period is January 1 to December 31, 2016. Click the link below to learn how to qualify.

LEGACY RETREAT 2017 QUALIFICATIONS

Remember, you can track your Legacy Retreat points by logging into your Pulse account and viewing the information bar on the left-hand side of the screen.

Check out the 2016 Legacy Retreat recap video and get a taste of what you have to look forward to.

CANADA: 25% SAVINGS FOR HEART HEALTH MONTH

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CANADA: 25% SAVINGS FOR HEART HEALTH MONTH

blog-hhmonth-caDid you know that February is National Heart Health Month in the U.S.? And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, everyone’s thinking about little hearts and showing love. You have until February 29 to take advantage of this great value!

Treat yourself (and your Valentine) to some TLC with 25% off of this cardio combo!

Click Here to Purchase

About the Products:

Mistica
Mistica is a rich source of antioxidants that protect the body from free-radical damage. Free radicals occur everywhere in our environment, including our food and in the air we breathe. The acai berry and the other fruits found in Mistica are natural sources of anthocyanins – a potent type of antioxidants. Anthocyanins are the pigments found in berries, red grapes, and other healthful foods. The compounds offer numerous health benefits, including the ability to support circulatory and cardiovascular health.

Download the Mistica Fact Sheet

Vitamin D3
Synergy’s Vitamin D3 chewable tablets benefit the body’s numerous biological functions to promote a greater state of overall health. This essential vitamin is one of the most useful nutritional tools we have at our disposal.

Of the many roles Vitamin D3 fulfills in the body, one of the most important is to enable calcium absorption. The body is unable to digest calcium without adequate levels of D3. Insufficient levels of calcium can then lead to osteoporosis and eventually bone loss.

Download the Vitamin D3 Fact Sheet

ProArgi-9+
ProArgi-9+ is Synergy’s top-selling product and the cornerstone of any nutritional regimen. One serving contains 6,000 mg (6 grams) of elemental pharmaceutical grade l-arginine. Often referred to as the “miracle molecule,” l-arginine provides powerful cardiovascular support.

Download the ProArgi-9+ Fact Sheet

Click Here to Purchase

Strengthening the Most Important Muscle

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Strengthening the Most Important Muscle

 fitgirl1Like all muscles, your heart has to be trained in order to maintain its strength and conditioning. Whether it’s a quick run in the morning, half an hour on the stationary bike, or a leisurely walk around the neighborhood with the family dog, a few minutes of cardio each day can be a huge help to your hearts overall health.

Having a strong heart boosts your cardiovascular system, helps your body utilize oxygen more efficiently, lowers the risk for heart disease, and even allows the heart to better repair itself when damaged. There are four basic components to fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Cardiovascular endurance is vital because it directly coincides with how effectively you can increase the other fitness elements.

Follow these tips to effectively train your heart to become stronger:

Engage Your Muscles
The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate/vigorous aerobic exercise on 4-5 days per week. To get the most out of aerobics, focus on engaging the largest muscle groups (chest, legs, back, and abs) in a continuous, rhythmic manner. By doing this, your heart has to work harder to deliver oxygen-rich blood to muscle tissue, which results in a mini workout that supports and promotes your heart’s cardiovascular strength.

Cardio Intervals
If you’re looking to increase your heart health quickly, interval training is the way to go. Intervals work by incorporating high-intensity cardio with periods of lower, relaxed cardio. This results in an extremely effective and efficient workout. Studies have shown that doing 15 minutes of interval training has been linked to preventing heart disease as well as improving your overall fitness.
Bonus: Interval training burns more calories per minute than simply jogging on a treadmill.

Weight Training
Similar to interval training, weight training is an effective way to strengthen all the muscles in your body, especially your heart. The key to having a productive weight training session is limiting the rest period between sets. Most gym goers will rest for approximately 30-90 seconds between sets. However, if your goal is greater endurance (and a stronger heart) you’ll have to surrender some break time. But trust us, your heart will thank you.

Know When to Slow Down
Just as important as an performing an intense cardio session, is knowing when to slow down. Too much adrenaline in the system can be harmful to your heart’s health. If your heart rate is jumping up too high or you feel pain, lower the intensity of your workout to let your heart slow down, then once your heart has relaxed, up the intensity to a moderate pace, but don’t overexert yourself. Be sure to drink water during “cool down” periods since the heart tends to beat faster when the cells in your body are dehydrated.

Get Enough Sleep
According to studies, young and middle-aged adults who sleep for approximately 7 hours per night have less calcium build-up in their arteries than those who sleep less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours. Similarly, those who sleep more soundly during the night tend to have healthier arteries than those who don’t. Remember that the quality of your sleep is directly reflected in the quality of your training and ultimately influences how strong your heart is, or how strong it can become.

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