3 signs your workout IS torching fat (instead of wasting time)

Did you know getting into "the fat burning zone" during exercise can actually make you fatter?

Or that pushing too HARD, too LONG, can backfire, unleashing a storm of inflammation that only ages you faster?

Or that millions are under the false belief that they are too old, too out of shape or too injured to take advantage of the powerful ability of exercise to turn back the clock?

Those are just a few of the mistakes made when it comes to getting visible results fast.

But the #1 worst mistake is that most people totally ignore the 3 proven signals that determine whether your efforts will WORK... of if they'll just be a WASTE of time.  And new research shows that when your take note of these 3 metabolic signals, you can optimize your efforts to produce the fat-burning, muscle-toning results that you want.

In as little as 15 minutes a day. At any age.  In fact, when you follow these 3 signs, you can stimulate your metabolism to burn fat at an accelerated rate for up to 72 hours AFTER.

Metabolic Sign #1 - Trigger the After-burn...

Here's the key to unleashing your metabolism's ability to burn fat and shape muscle: get breathless.  That means doing enough so your heart and lungs are sufficiently activated.  When you get breathless, a metabolic alarm bell is triggered that releases catecholamines.

They are known as your "gas pedal" hormones because they instruct your body to break apart stored body fat and burn it for energy -- pouring gas on your metabolic fire.

A 2002 study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology shows a special type of short, smart workout can get you breathless, elevating your metabolic rate for up to 21% in the 24-48 hours after.

That means an elevated level of fat burning for days -- so make sure you get breathless.

Metabolic Sign #2 -- Unleash the Metabolic Smoke Signal...

Scientists used to think the burning sensation experienced during workouts was a sign of waste products building up.

Instead, research out of the July 2009 British Journal of Sports Medicine shows this burning sensation is a metabolic smoke signal that triggers simultaneous fat loss AND muscle growth.

It does this by signaling your body to release HGH, your #1 youth-enhancing hormone responsible for wrinkle-free skin, limitless energy, strong bones and an attractive body shape.  Efficient workouts (if done right, they can be as short as 8-15 minutes/day) release plumes of this metabolic smoke, causing a surge in HGH and other anti-aging hormones that help turn back the clock.

So to stay young, full of energy and attractive, pay attention to the BURN.

Metabolic Sign #3 -- Boost Your Mood and Motivation...

This sign is something we ALL experience when you try to lift something heavy.  The straining, huffing and puffing are all signals that your activating type II muscle fibers.  And that's important because a May 2008 study by Hulmi et al. shows this triggers testosterone production -- important both for men AND women.

Testosterone helps women strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis, while also providing a big lift to mood by relieving stress and anxiety.

For men, testosterone boosts drive and motivation and builds nicely sculpted muscles and a powerful physique.

That's crucial because in men AND women testosterone plunges as we age.

So make sure you leverage the heavy effect -- you don't need any weights, just your own bodyweight works phenomenally well when using intelligent metabolic workouts (more below).

This 15 Minute Workout Optimizes all 3 Signals...

So if what everyone is doing isn't working to burn fat and get results... what does?

They key is to get breathless, get the burn and go heavy.

ALL at the same time.  All in the same workout.  In the LEAST amount of time possible.

Not in separate hour-long daily sessions that suck up all your play time.

And not in super-high intensity "infomercial" workouts that have you jumping around like a crazy person.

But instead in these super-fast 15 minute quick-hit sessions that combine a series of "intelligent" 45-second smart movements that torch fat and shape muscle VERY quickly.

Not only that, the powerful metabolic stimulus provided by these SMART movements can unleash a shockwave of fat-burning and muscle-shaping that lasts for 2-3 days AFTER the workout.  I've seen this type of smart metabolic training in action personally as I use various forms of it with fantastic results that show.

=> Do THIS for 15 Minutes to Spike Metabolism and Trigger Anti-aging Hormones Naturally

Studies show these efficient movements can burn up to 66% more calories, 900% more fat (that's NOT a misprint) and tone muscle at an 82% improved rate.  And this series of 45-second intelligent moves has seen an 80-90% success rate when it comes to burning off unwanted body fat.

Just go to this next page here for the full explanation of how this can work for anybody, at any age, regardless of what shape or health you are in.

Remember, harder isn't better, SMARTER is better.


Mike Geary
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer truthaboutabs

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9 Chemicals that are Killing Your Testosterone Levels and Stealing Your Manhood 

Note:  These chemicals are harmful to women too, even though this article focuses on the harm being done to men's Testosterone 

by Mike Geary, Certified Nutrition Specialist
& Dr. Richard Cohen, MD


Recent studies indicate that the testosterone level of the average male today is 25% less than it was in 1992 (Comparing males of the same ages).  Meanwhile, the average male estrogen level has increased an alarming 40% during the same time period. The studies also show that male sperm counts are down 40% in that same time period.

What this means is that the average male in today's stressed-out chemical-lade world is significantly less of a man (and has "feminized" a bit more with higher estrogen levels) than their counterparts of the same age just a couple decades ago.

Why is This Shocking "Feminization" of Men Happening with Lower Testosterone and Higher Estrogen?

Well, xenoestrogens (meaning foreign estrogens) are man-made chemicals that mimic the effects of natural estrogens in the body.   If you wondered why average testosterone levels are down 25%, male estrogen levels are up 40%, and sperm are counts less than 40% of what they were 20 years ago, you need not look any farther than the xenoestrogens.  By the way, phytoestrogens in our diet contributes to this too, but not nearly as much as xenoestrogens.

These chemicals are found virtually everywhere in the modern world, lurking in personal care products, food containers, our drinking water, air pollution, medical tubing, children’s toys, pesticides, and much more.

Our environment and food supply are fraught with hidden chemicals.  Herbicides and pesticides are sprayed regularly on farms, orchards, lawns and gardens.  Industries are dumping their waste products into the water supply, which pollutes the water you drink.  Tons of pharmaceutical and synthetic estrogens secreted by menopausal women pollute our streams and rivers, getting into our drinking water supplies.

And it doesn’t stop there...

The air you breathe is carrying estrogen mimicking chemicals in the form of smoke, soot and exhaust vapors.  The commercial meat and poultry you eat every day is pumped full of hormones and additives that are high in estrogen.

The foreign estrogens found in plastics and pesticides disrupt the natural hormonal cycles of both human and animal life.  The widespread use of genetically-modified foods has exacerbated the xenoestrogen problem.  Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup®, Monsanto’s™ widely-used pesticide) often leaves a residue on the genetically-modified crops it is used on.  And the artificial gene, which has been inserted into every genetically-modified seed, is absorbed and housed within your gastrointestinal tract if you eat GM foods.

During the course of your daily life, you are exposed to a variety of environmental chemicals. It is important to be aware of the most common and most toxic ones, which we'll describe below:

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) 

GMOs are foods that, in most simple terms, have had an insecticide gene implanted into their DNA, which in many cases is intended to allow them to be resistant to dying from pesticides, thereby allowing the farmers to use MORE pesticides without killing the crop.

The list of genetically-modified foods is growing but primarily includes corn, soy, canola, cottonseed oil, and sugar beets as the main offenders to watch out for.

The most common problem associated with the consumption of GMO foods is an increased incidence of both gastrointestinal and immune disorders.  The regular consumption of GMO foods has also been shown toxic to testicular cells and disruptive to testosterone synthesis.  Recent laboratory studies have proven that male rats fed a genetically-modified diet lose their ability to reproduce within just three generations.

Phthalates 

Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics, like polyvinyl chloride or PVC, more flexible and resilient. They are found in everything from vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, processed food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage bags, and intravenous medical tubing.

Phthalates are also one of the most pervasive of the endocrine disrupters.  Studies have shown that exposure to phthalates can lead to incomplete testicular descent, reduced sperm counts, testicular atrophy, and/or structural abnormality and inflammation in newborns.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) 

BPA is a common ingredient in many plastics including those in reusable water bottles and resins lining most food cans and dental sealants.  BPA is primarily used to prevent preserved or canned foods from developing a metallic or plastic taste.  In addition to being used as an inner lining in most canned foods, it can be found in many plastic baby bottles and food storage containers.  Almost all canned foods contain BPA.

This toxin is now so pervasive it can be detected in the umbilical cord blood of 90% of all newborn infants.  Once in the body, BPA mimics estrogen setting the stage for a wide variety of health-related problems that include—but are not limited to—early puberty, infertility, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Parabens 

Parabens are a class of chemicals commonly used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.  Like BPA, parabens have estrogen-like properties that lead to similar health and hormonal problems.

Metalloestrogens 

Metalloestrogens are a broad range of metals that also add to the estrogenic burden of the human body.  These metals are added to thousands of consumer products including vaccines.  Research indicates that they are capable of binding to cellular estrogen receptors, mimicking the effects of natural, physiological estrogens.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 

PFOA is a chemical that is makes things resistant to grease and water.  It is used to keep grease from leaking through fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, in non-stick coatings like Teflon, and in water-resistant fabrics like Gore-Tex®.  PFOA is a highly-estrogenic compound that can disrupt your hormones.
It has also been linked to thyroid disease, cancer, immune system problems, and increased LDL cholesterol levels. To make matters worse, PFOAs remain present in the body for many years.

If you use non-stick pots and pans on a daily basis, you may unknowingly be exposing yourself and your family to PFOAs.  In less than five minutes at high temperatures, the coating of non-stick cookware will also break down into a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) 

NPEs are known to be potent endocrine disrupters.  These chemicals affect gene expression by turning on or off certain genes.  They interfere with the way your glandular system works and mimic the actions of estrogen.  NPEs have been implicated as a key reason why some male marine species have become female.

Fluoride 

Flouride is an industrial waste product, yet it is routinely and purposely added to our water supply to supposedly make our teeth stronger and less prone to cavities.  While topical fluoride will protect teeth at risk, drinking fluoride is akin to swallowing sunscreen to protect our body from getting a burn.

Flouride exposure can lead to many health-related problems including bone and joint pain, immune disorders, lower fertility rates, hormonal imbalances, and low sperm counts.
Make sure you’re using a water filter that removes fluoride.

Bovine growth hormones (rBGH or rBST) 

Bovine growth hormones are genetically engineered and routinely given to industrially-raised cattle, pigs, poultry, and other livestock to increase their growth and fat content.  The concentration of bovine growth hormones is greatest in non-organic, pasteurized dairy products.  A causal link between their consumption and the onset of both premature adolescence and prostate cancer has been scientifically established.

MSG 

MSG is an excitoxin and food additive commonly used to enhance flavor.  MSG itself is not frequently found on food labels because it is often disguised as a “natural flavor”’ or a “spice;”’ as hydrolyzed yeast extract, or a number of other deceptive ingredient names.  The consumption of MSG has been linked to reduced fertility rates, brain disorders, and low testosterone levels.

Needless to say, if you want to protect your manhood and your Testosterone levels, you should do everything you possibly can to minimize your exposure to these 9 chemicals we talked about in this article.

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2 Exercise Tips to Increase Growth Hormone & Testosterone

Increase the "youth hormone", burn body fat faster, and build more lean muscle with these tips

by Mike Geary, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer
Author:  The Truth about Six-Pack Abs

I'm sure you know that two of the MOST important hormones for both burning body fat and also building lean muscle are growth hormone (GH) and testosterone (T)... and there are certain "tricks" that you can use during exercise to maximize production in your body.
And keep in mind that GH is also called the "youth hormone", so there are benefits besides just fat loss and lean muscle development.
Now let me clarify, this topic might seem to be more relevant to men (especially when it comes to Testosterone), but it's also important to the ladies for getting maximum results from training...
For the ladies reading this...don't worry about exercise-induced small increases in these hormones...the amount of T in the female body is so small compared to men that minor increases won't lead to any "masculinization" (I might have just made that word up)... instead it just helps get a leaner and more shapely body.
Ok, this topic could be long-winded, but I'm going to give just a couple really quick tips today for maximizing Growth Hormone and Testosterone response from exercise...
From a lot of the research I've done, there seems to be a couple distinct types of training that can either help increase Testosterone or help increase Growth Hormone, and they are totally different training methods.
In order to reduce your body fat as much as possible, as well as build lean muscle the easiest, you need to try to maximize BOTH!
Here's how...
First, for exercise-induced Testosterone increases...
From a lot of the various research I've read, one of the best methods to increase T is to do at least some portion of your training in very low rep ranges and very heavy weight.
This means training in the 2-5 rep range, with such heavy weights that you can't physically do more reps than that range.  Also, this only works with the biggest multi-joint exercises such as barbell squats, deadlifts, bench press and weighted pullups.  No silly side lateral raises or tricep extensions when you're trying to get a Testosterone response!
An example of this type of structure would be 5 sets of 3 reps on the barbell deadlift, squat, or bench.  Alternating sets of deadlifts and bench press (or squats alternated with weighted pullups) separated by at least 2 minutes of rest between sets works well to accomplish this super heavy lifting style and subsequent T increase.
It's basically the aspect of challenging your body with super heavy weights and low rep ranges, with 2-3 minutes rest between sets that helps to maximize T production.
From what I've observed at most gyms, almost NOBODY trains in this rep range (most people seem to always train in the 8-12 or higher rep ranges), so there are a TON of people that could see Testosterone improvements by incorporating this into their training at least once or twice a week.
Keep in mind that this super heavy style of training is ONLY for advanced trainees that have years of training experience with weights.

Now, let's talk about exercise induced Growth Hormone increases...
From the research I've read on this hormone, it appears that more explosive styles of training, and also higher rep training with shorter rest periods helps to increase GH response.
Wind sprints are one of the top exercises for inducing a GH increase. I like to do these as 60 to 100 yard all-out sprints across a local soccer field or football field.  Generally, I'll do about 8-12 total sprints with about 60 seconds rest time in between each one for a good 20 minute workout.  If you haven't done sprints in a long time or are out of shape, it's a good idea to not go to "all-out" intensity for the first couple weeks or you'll risk injury.  Also, just doing 3-4 sprints for the first couple of sprint workouts is a good idea to reduce injury risk.
Also, hill sprints are an exceptional exercise for GH response.  I like to sprint as fast and as hard as possible up a 30 yard hill and then walk down... and then keep repeating until I've done at least 10-20 hill sprints. Sometimes I'll mix in pushups in between hill sprints to maximize the full body effect.
As for weight training, from the research I've read, GH increase comes best from higher rep ranges with short rest periods between sets.  This means that supersets in the 8-15 rep range per exercise with no rest between might work well. The weight still needs to be heavy enough to challenge your muscles close to failure at those rep ranges.
Another type of training that seems to increase GH is more "explosive" types of exercises such as squat jumps, lunge jumps, or something like barbell power cleans or barbell clean and press.  Any exercise that works large muscle groups explosively or almost the entire body at once in an explosive fashion seems to stimulate GH (hence why I chose barbell clean and press as one of the best).
I also think double kettlebell snatches are one of the most intense exercises ever invented and probably have a huge effect on growth hormone due to their explosive and intense nature.
So with all of this said, it's important to keep in mind that for the best results with maximizing both T and GH, you want to incorporate BOTH of these styles of training.
One way to do this is to have 1 or 2 workouts per week that are designated low-rep "strength" days where you work those big multi joint lifts in low rep ranges.  And then on another 1-2 days per week you work on the explosive exercises, higher rep ranges and short rest periods, and/or the wind sprints or hill sprints.
And lastly, always remember to consciously think in your mind about how the exercises that you're doing are actually increasing your fat burning and muscle building hormones, making you feel younger, etc, etc... I've talked in several other articles about actual PROOF of how using the power of conscious thought in your mind can help bring about those changes in your body (aka placebo effect).
I hope you enjoyed this article... I really think if you incorporate these tips into your workout schedule, you can drastically improve your hormonal response to exercise and therefore see faster fat burning and muscle building effects!  If you're interested in an herbal method that's been shown to increase your T levels, check out these 6 natural ingredients that can boost your Testosterone levels.

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Body Part Isolation vs. Complex Movements in Strength Training

What you need to know about Weight Training for a strong lean body that both looks good and is injury resistant
by Mike Geary - Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer

Working as a personal trainer & fitness professional, there is one type of question I get all the time that shows that many people are missing the big picture regarding the benefits of strength training. This popular question usually goes something like this:
“What exercise can I do to isolate my _______ (insert your muscle of choice – abs, quads, biceps, triceps, etc)?”
It doesn’t matter which muscle someone is asking about, they always seem to be asking how to ‘isolate’ it. My first response to this question is always – “Why in the world would you want to isolate it?”
The first thing I try to teach my clients is that the body does not work well in muscle isolation. Rather, it works better in movements along a kinetic chain; that is, large portions of the body assist other portions of the body in completing a complex movement. In fact, there really is no such thing as true muscle isolation. There is almost always a nearby muscle group that will assist in some way with whatever movement you are doing. However, this article compares attempting to ‘isolate’ body parts via single-joint exercises to the much more effective strategy of performing multi-joint complex movements.
When you attempt to ‘isolate’ muscles by performing single-joint exercises, you are actually creating a body that is non-functional and will be more prone to injury. Essentially, you are creating a body that is a compilation of body parts, instead of a powerful, functional unit that works together.
Now if you really want to end up hobbling around in a body bandaged up with joint problems, tendonitis, and excess body fat, then by all means, continue trying to ‘isolate’ body parts. On the other hand, if you would rather have a lean, muscular, injury-free, functional body that works as a complete powerful unit to perform complex movements (in athletics or even everyday tasks), then you need to shift your focus away from muscle isolation.
Believe me, focusing on how well your body functions will give you the side effect of a body that looks even better than it would have if you focused on muscle isolation. For example, take a look at the physiques of any NFL running backs, wide receivers, or even world class sprinters. Trust me when I say that these guys pretty much NEVER train for muscle isolation (their strength coaches wouldn’t be crazy enough to let them), yet they are absolutely ripped to shreds! Just look at guys like Maurice Green or Terrell Owens and tell me who wouldn’t want a physique like those guys.
Another benefit to moving away from the ‘muscle isolation’ mindset in weight training to a more ‘complex movement’ mindset is that you will find it much easier to lose body fat. The reason is that by focusing more on multi-joint complex movements as opposed to single-joint muscle isolation lifts, you not only burn a lot more calories during each workout, but you also increase your metabolic rate, and stimulate production of more fat burning and muscle building hormones such as growth hormone and testosterone.
Let’s look at an example. The machine leg extension is a single joint exercise that works mainly the quadriceps, can potentially cause knee joint instability in the long run, and doesn’t even burn that many calories. On the other hand, exercises like squats, lunges, step-ups, and deadlifts are all multi-joint complex movements that work hundreds of muscles in the body (including the quadriceps) as a functional unit, create more stable and strong joints in the long run (when done properly), and also burn massive quantities of calories compared to the single-joint exercises. 
Now although I do feel that multi-joint exercises should comprise the majority of your weight training workouts, I also think that there can be some benefits with just minor inclusions of single-joint exercises for variety, etc.  I choose to build my training programs with about 90-95% multi-joint exercises and about 5-10% single-joint exercises at most.

If you’re interested in discovering more ways to create a body that looks as good as it functions, pick up a copy of my innovative book The Truth About Six Pack Abs

If you liked today's article please feel free to share with friends and family below.

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Health Warning: Can a Cell Phone Carried Regularly in Your Pocket Damage Your _____?

A correlation between cell phone use and testicular cancer, reduced Testosterone levels, lowered seminal volume and sperm count?  Read on to see...
by Mike Geary - Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer
Author of best-selling program:  The Truth about 6-Pack Abs

You've probably started hearing in the media about emerging studies showing possible correlations between heavy cell phone use and brain tumors.  But what not many people are talking about is the risk of carrying cell phones in our pockets for hours each day.  This is where it gets even more interesting and a little scary too!
First of all, to both guys and gals... read this article carefully, as it contains some potentially scary health issues related to cell phone use.  And although the examples are geared towards men's issues, I wouldn't trust that it's only men that can experience health issues from heavy cell phone use.
You're also going to want to pass this page on to your friends and family to help them protect their health, and the health of their "crotch"... sounds funny, I know...but this is serious business.

To start, I realize that some people simply don't believe that something as small as a cell phone can give off any radiation levels that could harm your health over time. But we're not talking about immediate harm... we're talking about long term harm from chronic use, which most of us in this day and age use cell phones or have them in our pockets daily.   According to a recent article published on Yahoo Health, and a large health study conducted, the 2010 Interphone study...  "People who chatted via cell for just 30 minutes a day for 10 years saw their risk of glioma (the type of brain tumor that killed Ted Kennedy) rise 40 percent".
I feel like we are all currently in an inadvertent giant human guinea pig study right now with cell phone use.  Not purposely, but simply because cell phones (and another dangerous new phenomenon, our constant exposure to radiation from "wifi" and other wireless technologies) moved onto the scene so fast and infiltrated the entire population over the last 10 years.
Think about it... most of the population has only been using cell phones and wifi heavily for less than 10 years now... that's not a long enough time to know long term consequences (such as 15-30 year cancer risks) and most studies that supposedly "prove" the safety of cell phones have been funded by the telecom industry and have ridiculously low usage levels that they study.
We're definitely finding that the average person has a cell phone either strapped to their ear or carried in a pocket for more hours per day than any studies have any definitive long-term safety data on.
As Tim Ferriss points out in his fascinating new book,  
The 4-Hour Body ..(link to your right)"Most of the studies performed in the US that conclude no negative effect are funded either directly or indirectly (as with many IEEE studies) by cell phone manufacturers and carriers.  Does this prove malfeasance?  No, but it should raise a red flag."
One of the things that scares me about the possible harmful long term effects of carrying a cell phone in my pockets is potential testicular cancer.  I honestly feel that as the years go on, and we get to a level of chronic cell phone use where people have been carrying these things in their pockets for 10 or 15 years or more, we're going to see testicular cancer rates skyrocket.
But cancer risks are long term, and we may not have enough data from studies yet to prove definitive cancer risks such as testicular cancer.  So let's look at more current measurements that can prove health problems associated with cell phone use...
According to Tim Ferriss in his book,  
The 4-Hour Body ... "Lo and behold, jumping from article to article on Medline, there were more than a handful of studies that showed significant decreases in serum testosterone in rats following even moderate exposure (30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks) to 900 megahertz radio frequency electro-magnetic fields (EMF), which is what most GSM cell phones produce."
Beyond lowering testosterone, can cell phones hurt your "swimmers"?
Tim did some more digging, but this time switched gears from just cell phone effects on lowering testosterone levels, and he began researching cell phone effects on sperm count and function.
Tim continues, "Of the dozens of studies that I found, most done in Europe, more than 70% concluded the same thing: cell phone radiation impairs sperm function."
In The 4-Hour Body, Tim also presents the results of a study he read about male Wistar rats that were exposed to a mobile phone for 1 hour continuously per day for 28 days... the end result of the study was that the mobile phone exposure to the rats significantly reduced the % of motile sperm.  The conclusion was that mobile phones negatively affect semen quality and may impair male fertility.
Think about this... they were only exposed to the mobile phone radiation for 1 hour per day for 28 days, and showed negative effects on sperm count and function.... how many of us out there carry a cell phone in our pocket for like 8-10 hours every day!!!!
Doesn't look good for our "boys", does it?
Now it gets even more interesting... It turns out that Tim first started researching the correlation between low sperm count and cell phone use because he went and got a sperm count test, and found out that his numbers were surprisingly low.
In Tim's words... "the lab results, which were available the afternoon after my session, put my sperm count on the low range of normal, borderline problematic. I couldn't believe it.  Assuming it was a lab mistake, I repeated the drill 3 weeks later and came back with an even lower count. The more tests I did over the next 12 months, the lower the results."
After Tim started researching the effects of cell phone use on sperm count, he realized that for years, he'd been carrying a cell phone in his pocket for about 12 hours per day, most days of the week.
So he decided to do a test...
For 11 weeks, Tim decided that he would no longer carry his cell phone in his pocket... or as he puts it "my phone was no longer allowed to cuddle with my testicles".
Instead, he kept the phone on the other side of the room if working at home, or if he had to go somewhere, he kept his phone either strapped to his arm with an ipod armband, or in a backpack pocket.  If he had to carry it in his pocket, he turned it off, and only turned it back on occasionally to check messages.
He actually performed this test for 11 weeks for a specific reason... sperm production takes an estimated 64 days in humans... so he wanted to wait that long, plus an extra 2 weeks for buffer.
The results of the 11 week "no-cell-phone-in-the-pocket" test:
The numbers are shocking...

• Ejaculate volume:  44% increase
• Motile sperm per milliliter:  100% increase
• Motile sperm per ejaculate:  185% increase

Now Tim admits that his study wasn't perfect, as there may have been other influences that weren't accounted for, such as his diet not being exactly the same during each time period.  However, he feels confident enough that these results speak for themselves.... after all, the results are pretty significant!
Personally, cell phone health issues is also a topic I've been reading a good deal about in the last couple of years.  Whether there's any conclusive evidence of cancer risk from cell phones, perhaps that's still to be determined... but I think we have significant evidence that cell phone use (and particularly carrying it in the pocket) can reduce both Testosterone levels (not good!) and also reduce sperm count and function (also scary!).
And please guys... don't start carrying around 2 cell phones in each pocket as a form of birth control!  All jokes aside, remember that there are possible bigger implications to this than just reduced sperm count... we're talking lower testosterone levels, possible increased cancer risk, etc.
What about women?  Please ladies, I wouldn't trust that health issues are only happening to men... I'm sure there are complications that can happen to women too...so beware ladies!
In fact, on the recent Yahoo Health article, according to David Carpenter, M.D., director of the Institute for Health and Environment at the University at Albany (regarding carrying cell phones near the pelvis, or using laptops on the lap), "For women, the studies aren't quite there yet, but I think we can say that anything that might cause cancer almost always causes birth defects, so pregnant women—or those wanting to become pregnant soon—should take extra precautions."
What I've done to help protect myself from these risks is this:
1. When I'm at home, I keep my cell phone on the other side of my home office, or in another room.  I try not to keep it anywhere near me most of the day.  If I get a call, I simply get up and answer it, the same way that we used to have to walk across the room to answer a phone before the days of mobile phones!
2. In my car, I keep my phone off of my body and put it in the front console or the passenger seat if I don't have a passenger.  The farther away from your body, the better.
3. When I go to the gym, go hiking, biking, etc... I leave that sucker in the car!  I don't want it on my body any longer than it has to be.  After all, I think a LOT of us need to learn how to not be a slave to our cell phones.  The texts and voicemails will be waiting when you're done your hike or your gym workout...don't be a slave to your phone!
4. If I absolutely must carry my cell phone on me, such as if I'm meeting friends out and need to be able to contact them... well, in that case, I simply try to keep the phone out of my pocket as much as possible... if we're at a restaurant, I put the phone on the edge of the table instead of in my pocket, or I just turn it off if I no longer need to get in touch with friends.
5.  Remember that EMF dangers aren't only with cell phones...it also occurs with Wifi, and other wireless devices.  So I also try to never use my laptop on my lap... If I'm at an airport, I usually try to find a table to sit at, so the laptop isn't actually sitting on my "junk".  Also, if possible, I try to use a wired internet connection (ethernet) instead of Wifi or mobile broadband.  In my house, I've also switched to a wired internet connection and gotten rid of the wireless router altogether.
With all of this said, will I ever give up my cell phone?
Well, let's be realistic...the cell phone has become an important part of our lives, and most of us aren't willing to give it up.  However, I plan to take the 5 steps that I listed above to minimize my risk.
I hope you take this issue as seriously as it should be taken.  It's time most of us wake up and realize that we are all inadvertently involving ourselves in a giant human guinea pig study on the risks of chronic cell phone and wifi use.
Thanks to Tim Ferriss and his new 4-Hour Body book (link to your right in blog) for providing some of the tests and info in this article!

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