4 Minute Fridays: Why We Should Avoid Tap Water, The Secret Benefits Of Creatine & Why Some People Can't Have Six Packs
Aug 25, 2023
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This one is a little hard to write.
Last week a wildfire started in our hometown of Kelowna. It was right across the lake from us and it was one of the most devastating things I've ever seen in my life.
The fire started at the top of the mountain and in 2 hours spread across the entire landscape destroying entire communities.
I was watching the fire from my patio and was in awe of what was happening.
As I was there, I looked down and saw someone from below us frantically running over to their neighbors. After talking to them they looked up at me and told me that a fire had jumped across the lake over into a town that was 10 minutes away.
After seeing how fast the fire spread I quickly ran into my home. Passports, wallets, diapers...you name it. I couldn't think so I grabbed anything I felt was necessary and packed them.
I woke up my kids and mother-in-law and rushed them into the car. My friend Nick and his wife were calling me as well as a couple of other friends in the community to make sure I was evacuating.
I took my family well away from the fire and had us stay in a hotel.
For the next few days afterward we were on high alert. At one point, we saw the fire come right beside our home through our security cameras but the firefighters fought it off.
Now the worst is over and I've been reminded of a few things...
The first thing is that community is critical. We have a small but powerful crew here in Kelowna and we've all been keeping check on each other. I'm thankful that my friend Todd Herman and his family have opened their home to us and allowed us to stay here while we've been evacuated.
I cannot stress how important having a community is.
The other lesson is knowing what is most important in life. As the fire was spreading there was a possibility our home would be lost but the only thing that mattered was that my family was safe. We had our health and each other.
We could lose a house but we would never lose our home. Our home is when we're together.
There are a few more lessons but those are the most important ones.
It's been almost a week since we've been evacuated from our homes and things are starting to get back to normal (whatever normal is).
Wherever you are I hope you cherish what you have. You never know what can happen.
That being said...
Here is your 4 Minute Friday:
1. The dangers of drinking tap water
A new study found that 45% of tap water samples in the US are loaded with persistent organic pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals known as forever chemicals.
These are the same chemicals found in flame retardants, Goretex, plastics, and other industrial manufacturing.
The contaminants detected in public drinking water have been linked to things like cancer, thyroid conditions, bone disease, and reproductive problems in pregnant women.
One thing I should mention is that this is location-dependent. There are some areas with passable drinking water and some that don't have it.
The best way to fight this is to have a water filtration system in your home for your drinking water and the water you use for your showers.
The one my family uses for drinking water is called a Berkey water filter.
Here's the filtered shower head we use for the bathroom.
2. The hidden benefits of Creatine
I have talked at length about creatine and how it's one of the most researched supplements on the planet.
Aside from taking a multivitamin, I believe creatine is one supplement 99.9% of people should be taking on a regular basis.
When people think about creatine they usually think about the fact that it helps you build muscle.
But there are some benefits that are starting to come out that may surprise you. Studies have shown that it may boost cognitive performance and protect against neurological disease. Other studies show that it can lower blood pressure and fight type 2 diabetes.
Lastly, researchers have found that it may have the ability to protect against fatigue and tiredness.
The last benefit is that it's been proven safe and easy to use.
The best type of creatine is one without all the fillers and extras. All you need is creatine and that's it.
Here's the brand of creatine my clients and I use.
3. Why some people can't have six packs
There's this pervading belief that having a six-pack means you're a healthy individual.
What most don't know is that some people don't have the genetics to have a six-pack in the first place.
Your ab muscles have bands of connective tissue called fascia that cross horizontally. These bands give you the appearance of "packs" stacked on top of each other on either side of your abdomen.
You're born with a set number of these bands and you can't build more of them. Your genetics determine their symmetry, length, and size.
A person with an eight-pack has four bands. A person with a six-pack has three bands. A person with a four-pack has two bands.
Having more bands or less doesn’t mean you’re stronger or weaker. It’s just your genes. Some of the fittest people in the world don't have a six-pack, the most famous one being Arnold Schwarzenegger:
As you can see he has 2 sets of packs at the top and none at the bottom
I should add that seeing your abs depends on how low your body fat percentage is and how much muscle your abs have.
This is all to say that if you lean down to very low body fat levels, don't feel bad if you don't have a full six-pack. Often it comes down to genetics.
Lastly, I want to re-iterate something I've been saying for years...
You don't need to have a six-pack to be in shape. Just get your body to a level where it'll avoid preventable diseases.
Client of the week - Jane, Entrepreneur
Jane is an entrepreneur who struggled with her weight for most of her life. Her goal was to drop the weight and feel confident in her body.
In one year, we've dropped 74 lbs and got her feeling the most confident she's ever felt in her entire life.
Our strategy was starting with small habits she could manage and ramping up over time. We began with getting rid of all empty calories in the form of sugary drinks. This was followed by walking every day.
Then we got her on a routine of working out with weights 3x a week. Finally, we changed how she ate. She put her meals on a schedule and got 80% of her calories from whole nutrient-dense food sources. She did this while still eating her favorite foods.
It wasn't easy. There were obstacles. But with the right plan, coaching, and accountability results are practically guaranteed.
One Quote to Finish Your Week Strong
“I live to enjoy life by the littlest things, feeling the grass between my toes, breathing fresh air, watching the wind sway the trees, enjoying the company of loved ones, a deep conversation, getting lost in a good book, going for a walk in nature, watching my kids grow up.
If you have your health, your family, a roof over your head, and food on the table guess what?
You're blessed.
- Dan
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