Matt Furey - Zen Master of the Internet

Politically Incorrect Health and Fitness

Fall Off Wagon – Get Back On

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Have you ever met someone who fell off the wagon?

I have definitely met these people – and they are “I” as well as “them.”

There are many reasons people fall off the wagon – and I’ve perfected a number of them.

Along the way I’ve also become fairly proficient in getting back on my feet, dusting off my clothes and starting over.

So whenever a client complains to me, saying, “I fell off the wagon,” – my answer is as follows:

“You’re a member of a very big club. I’m a lifetime member. But I’m also a member of the “Get Started Again Club. Whenever you fall off the wagon, instead of pouting about it or feeling ashamed, just get back on.”

And now a word of caution when it comes to fitness:

We have a tendency to remember when we were at our peak, and attempt to regain that form as quickly as possible.

This is a mistake of epic proportion.

When you restart your fitness campaign, do so with “baby steps.” Start out slowly, the way you would if you’d never trained before in your life.

Set really small, daily goals for yourself. Goals that may make you laugh because you have no doubt you can accomplish them.

That’s how you build momentum. You build it with small steps.

Quantum leaps are accomplished one step at a time – or one jump at a time.

This past summer I taught my daughter how to jump rope. We began with one jump.

Just one jump.

Then we went to two in a row. Then three. And so on.

You may think this silly and unnecessary – but within six weeks she was knocking out 1,000 to 2,000 jumps per workout.

The alternative route is to NOT build on any small successes. It’s to jump until you miss, get upset at yourself for missing, then restart.

This method can work, but there’s not nearly as much fun involved. There’s no journey. There’s no “living in the moment.”

When you go until you miss or fail – you train your brain to forget about everything that came before the failure.

There’s no gratitude or appreciation – only frustration for missing.

Getting physically fit isn’t about being “over the top” or being a daredevil.

It’s about taking small steps that add up over time – and appear to be huge gains, quantum leaps and so on.

I’d love to help you take your next step forward. Just dip your big toe in the water and see how you feel. Then dip it a bit further – and reassess.

You can follow this procedure when you’re involved with the FureyFaithful.com membership site.

Go to the webpage and take a look for a minute or so, take a deep breath and ask yourself if you’re ready to take one small step forward.

If not, that’s fine. Just return to the page each day for a week and ask the same question. Or ask without looking at the page.

Either way, just asking this question will start catapulting you to greatness.

Matt Furey

Follow me on Instagram – @fureycatmatt

What is Qi?

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Some of you might be wondering what Qi is?

Years ago, after I penned my first book, The Martial Art of Wrestling, a man wrote to tell me he’d love to buy it, but wouldn’t do so because of the references to qi (chi).

The man went on to state that “qi” was of the devil, that it was a demonic spirit, and so on.

I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

Many people view the word “qi” the same as the word “breath.”

Oftentimes you’ll see qi compared to prana or ruach – the Hebrew word for spirit.

There are many ways that people refer to qi in Chinese society – but when it comes to Neck Qi Gong – we’re talking about enhanced blood flow through the brain/body.

As the blood flow increases, there is a latent energy running through it. You can call the energy that moves your blood or runs through your blood “nothing” – you can deny there’s electricity in your body – or you can call it qi, prana, ki or ruach.

Move the blood – move the qi, If no blood to move, then there’s no qi to move through it.

Simple as that.

Have a great weekend, y’all.

I’ll be in seminar but will be posting pics or videos to Instagram. Follow me there @fureycatmatt

Matt Furey

Bum Knees and Bone-on-Bone Hips

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Is jumping rope a good idea for those with orthopedic problems in their knees and hips?

I do not encourage it, especially when you’re dealing with a bone-on-bone situation.

You may be able to use a rebounder or mini-trampoline – but that’s something to discuss with your physician.

It’s important to know what is good for you to do and what isn’t.

As an example, I recently got on Instagram – (you can follow me @fureycatmatt) – and there’s a Cirque du Soleil performer who can contort her body in ways that defy the imagination.

As I watch her, I think to myself, wouldn’t that be cool to do that?

Then I return to reality. I could work on some of the twists and bends she does for 20 years and still not be even close to what
she’s doing.

There are elements of the flexibility training she undergoes that I could model, but not the whole shebang.

This is one of the reasons I believe the Neck Qi Gong I teach on the FureyFaithful.com membership site is so important.

It’s not difficult to do whatsoever (for almost all of those reading), and it helps to relax and adjust the rest of the body.

To put it in Taoist health parlance, your head/neck are the mountain peak, packed with ice and snow.

When you melt the ice and snow at the top, energy (blood and qi) flows downward benefiting the rest of the body.

Most people who exercise their necks do so in a way that adds tension (ice and snow). Their necks and traps may be huge
but without mobility and flexibility, they’re actually harming themselves long term.

One member of the FureyFaithful.com site is a baseball coach. He told me  recently that he goes to the site often just to do the Neck Qi Gong – especially at the end of a long, stressful day.

“It’s the perfect way to end the day,” he mentioned. “All the stress of the day fades away. It feels like I can see better after doing the exercises. And my thinking is definitely clearer and sharper.”

I’ll have more on working with your neck in the days ahead, but for now, you can really get a feel for what I’m talking about by doing the exercises on the member’s site.

Matt Furey

Exercising Body – Exercising Brain

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Three weeks ago, I returned from my most recent trip to China.

While there I trained extensively in Tai Chi, learning how to use a weapon known as Guan Dao or Da Dao. In the western world we call it a halberd.

Prior to this trip, I had no experience with a weapon of this sort. And shortly after the training commenced, I caught myself jokingly asking, “And you chose this?”

It turned out to be the most incredible training I have ever received, mostly because I had to learn to move my feet, my hands, my body and a weapon in ways I had absolutely no experience.

On top of that, all the instructions were in Chinese, sometimes in words I was not familiar with.

I found myself struggling to memorize the patterns and the forms because there was no existing software in my brain for them.

It appeared that all my training in memory and super learning was out the window.

Then one afternoon, at the apex of frustration, I took out my notes, both the Chinese and the English versions, along with my hand-written notes.

I grabbed a pen and began to come up with different associations and names for each movement.

Instead of going by the Chinese name for the move, or the translated equivalency, I gave them English names that I could remember.

“Michael Jackson Moonwalking,” became one of the movements.

Another, a combination of Chinese and English, “Mao Zedeng flashes the leather.”

Or this one, “White monkey turns the cloud upside down.”

Within what seemed to be minutes, I had the form memorized (in my head), which was a huge plus.

Every sequence of moves now had a file and to my surprise, all the sub-movements within the overall movement were accessible.

Essentially, all the movements didn’t have a file my brain recognized, so they were scattered and irretrievable – until I put
an easy-to-remember label on each file.

The above illustrates why learning news ways to exercise, to train, to move – is always a high priority for me.

The more ways you learn to move your body, the more neurons you’re creating and the sharper your mind will be.

I’ll be covering this in more detail in the future, especially for members of the FureyFaithful.com membership site.

You’re welcome to take a look at the promo on the site to see if you think it’s got the goods you’re looking for.

Matt Furey

When Clothes Don’t Fit – Holy Sh

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Let’s say you just tried your favorite pair of pants on – and you can no longer squeeze into them due to excess flabbage.

What to do?

Buy a new pair with more room?

Give them to someone else?

Shop for clothes with an elastic waistband so you can always find room?

Go on a crash diet and exercise program to regain your svelte sizing?

Here’s what I recommend:

Do none of the above, unless of course, you want to grow wider.

Stay off the scale. Avoid weighing yourself everyday. Disobey all conventional wis-dumb.

All I want you to do is place that embarrassing pair of pants in your bedroom, where you will see it quite often.

Each day, take a look at said pants and imagine fitting into them. Do this for about a minute.

At least once a week, or more often if you so choose, try the pants on.

Take note.

Categorize what you discover ass follows:

_____ Same-same

_____ Looser

_____ Tighter.

Continue implementing this suggestion until you fit into your clothes again.

At that point you can decide on whether you want to make additional changes.

This advice may not appear to be complete, but I can assure you, it works for almost everyone I’ve ever met who truly desires to regain his or her youthful physique or figure.

Yes, you may choose to follow a certain food program or exercise system – but this comes AFTER you put the pants where you see them often, as well as AFTER you begin to imagine the “former you” being the “new you” once again.

Matt Furey

By the way, once you put this suggestion into play, you may want to take a gander at the FureyFaithful.com membership site.

Check-up from the Neck Up

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Years ago, I remember listening to Zig Ziglar say, “You need a check-up from the neck up.”

He was referring to an attitudinal adjustment, wherein you stop entertaining negative thoughts and become more positive.

Funny thing is, by moving and exercising your neck, it’s possible to elevate feelings of positivity, without even trying to do so.

In my international best-seller, Combat Conditioning, I taught a number of exercises involving the neck, including bridging.

But what if you don’t have access to a soft mat?

Or you don’t want to lie on the floor?

Or don’t want to bridge?

Can you still get a good neck workout that will make you feel recharged and revitalized?

Yes, you can.

I’ve put together an entire system of  slow-motion Neck Qi Gong (Chi Kung) exercises I learned in China, and these are actually better for you than positive thinking because you’re not forcing good feelings upon yourself.

You’re allowing positivity to bubble up from within by increasing blood flow to the brain.

I’m not sure how much negativity in the world is due to poor blood circulation, but I believe it is substantial.

I’m considering putting these neck exercises out on DVD, but for now, if you’re a member of the FureyFaithful.com membership site, you can watch and follow along with me.

Keep in mind the tortoise is revered in China as a symbol of longevity. When asked why the tortoise lives so long, the theory goes  as follows:

The Tortoise is…

1. always moving it’s neck
2. has a protective shell
3. never in a hurry

In a sense, when you do the Neck Qi Gong exercises I’m teaching you, you enhance blood flow and then you may start feeling so good it’s as though you have a field of protective energy around you, keeping you from self-inflicted negativity.

Do these exercises slowly and you’ll probably find yourself less frazzled and stressed.

And that’s probably a good frame of mind to be in during the holiday season, don’t you think?

Anyway, take a minute to tune into the FureyFaithful.com page and see what’s in store for you.

Matt Furey

Walking vs. Jumping Rope

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Yesterday I asked two men that I coach how many steps they walk on average per day.

Both are very tech savvy and have iPhones, yet neither had the answer nor knew how to find the answer without getting a pedometer or getting an app.

I showed both of them the answer was already in their hands.

Huh?

On an iPhone, there’s a “health app” with a red valentine image.

Upon pressing it you’ll find an activity button, showing miles and steps walked per day – all year long.

Both men are walking approximately 5,000 steps per day, which is the national average.

Without saying another word or giving any fitness advice, if these two men tune into this app each day, they’ll naturally start walking more.

Maybe they’ll walk 1,000 more steps a day. Or maybe they’ll double the national average and go for 10,000.

Either way, a bit more activity above and beyond the national average is probably a good thing, don’t you think?

There are many ways to increase your activity without tracking your steps, and some will get you fit much faster than walking or jogging.

Jumping rope may be the ultimate example. 10 minutes of rope skipping per day is equal to or better than 30 minutes of
jogging.

I say it’s better because the results are off the chain (er, rope).

This past Wednesday I helped a gentleman who once weighed 477 pounds (now 300), get started.

I’ll be putting up the routine he’s doing on the FureyFaithful.com membership site within a couple days.

But for now, let me tell you, this man is amazed.

Within 48 hours he could notice a difference in his body.

He’s followed my advice, walking 5 miles a day for a year now – and has made huge progress tracking his steps, but NOW, he’s
ready for the next level, and I’m going to help him get there.

By the way, I didn’t have him jumping rope until now for a reason. For this past year, walking was the ticket. But now, he’s ready to blast off.

If you’re not certain as to which person you are at the present, I can give you some live guidance. For all current or newly signed up members of the FureyFaithful.com members site, I’ll give you a 10-minute consultation on this matter, at no charge, until I “cry uncle” and cannot do so anymore, at which point this offer will expire.

Again, I’ll have some video on the exact, very easy, super simple, “get started now” routine I gave the formerly 477-pound man who is now 300.

Ultimately, whether you’re walking or skipping rope, track your steps or your jumps.

The more aware you are of what you’re doing, the more progress you’ll make, organically and naturally, without forcing anything upon yourself.

Have a wonder-filled Sunday.

Matt Furey

Short Workouts Better Than Long

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Suppose you had a choice to workout for 30 minutes a day – five times per week – or for 10 minutes – three times per day – for the same five days per week.

Which do you think would get you into better condition?

Answer: 10 minutes by three.

Now, how about this? Suppose you haven’t gotten off the sofa in years.

10 minutes of training is out of the question.

Where do you begin?

Answer: With one Hindu squat, one Hindu pushup and one standing back bend.

If you thisk this is too simplistic, consider the immortal words of  Lao Zi, who wrote, “The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”

Take your first step today, my friend. And another tomorrow and another the next day.

Before you know it you’ll have a daily habit that sticks.

Tiny steps that last are much more valuable than big steps that end quickly.

To get started easily, take a moment to consider the FureyFaithful.com memberships site.

Take one step forward and the next will be easier.

Onward.

Matt Furey

Train Your Brain to Lose Weight

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This evening I was helping my daughter in the skill of rope skipping – or jumping rope – whichever you prefer.

One of my hallmark teachings was encouraging her to continually add new techniques to the arsenal, not so much to make it PHYSICALLY harder, but to cause new neural pathways to open up in your brain and nervous system.

“At least once a week you want to add a DIFFERENT spin to your routine,” I coached.

“If you always jump rope the same way, your brain doesn’t get enough STIMULATION. And the more stimulation you give your brain, the faster your results.”

That’s correct. The more you stimulate your brain – the faster your results. This means the same-ole-same-ole approach to fitness is out.

Even when you’re doing the same basic exercises, there is always a way to challenge your brain and nervous system, causing an adaptation that lends itself to improved metabolic function.

For example, even if you already know every rope skipping technique ever devised, you can up the stakes by changing how your breathe, how fast or slow you go, or the ways the exercises are organized.

The same goes for the other exercises I teach in Combat Conditioning.

In fact, you could stick with nothing more than the three Royal Court exercises for the rest of your life, and gain non-stop benefits, provided you alter when you breathe and how often, as well as the speed and tempo and angles of the exercises.

With each and every adjustment you’re playing in a whole new ballgame, as far as your brain is concerned.

Even so, you are also wise to add exercises you’ve never done before.

You’ve heard the saying, “Variety is the spice of life.”

When it comes to your brain-body, variety is the key to staying mentally and physically sharp, to hormone and neurotransmitter production.

Keep it interesting and you’ll be amazed with the changes that continuously transpire.

I go into more depth on jumping rope – and so much more, on the FureyFaithful.com Member’s site.

Enroll NOW and change your brain-body for the better.

YES, it’s high time for me to say it the way I was known for saying it, so long ago…

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey

 

Two Mega Fat-Burning Exercises

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Yesterday a man asked, “Do you still do Hindu squats, Hindu pushups and bridging?”

“I most certainly do,” I replied. “But if I were to rewrite my international best-seller, Combat Conditioning, I would make a couple changes.”

“Really,” the man said, raising his eyebrows. “And what changes would those be?”

“If I were to rewrite my book,” I exclaimed, “I would emphasize jumping rope even more than I did. It wouldn’t be in the back of the book. It would be much closer to the front. Additionally, I would add an exercise with a piece of equipment.”

“Are you serious?” he quipped.

“Most definitely,” I smiled. “Without a doubt. In fact, when you combine jumping rope with this item, you may feel as though excess fat literally cannot stay on your body.”

You’re probably wondering what equipment I’m talking about.

The tool I’m referring to is the mace.

I first learned to swing the mace in 1999 from Karl Gotch, but I never got into it fully until a couple years ago, and I’ve definitely upped the stacks this year.

In fact, if I were to write my book all over again, I might make the entire publication about those two pieces of equipment and how to use them to build muscle, burn fat, increase testosterone and growth hormone, thereby helping you look and feel younger.

Well, the good news is that I go into elaborate detail on mace swinging on my Member’s site – affectionately known as the Furey Faithful. I break it down in a way that virtually anyone can begin learning with ease.

And this alone is HUGE.

Over the next month, I’ll start putting up more content on jumping rope as well – and how to combine the two in a way that will astonish your relatives, bring jaw-dropping expressions to the faces of friends and cause excessive envy to your enemies.

You can start learning immediately by becoming a member NOW.

Yes, it’s time to become the fantastically fit person you’ve always wanted to be.

Be it, Do it, Have it,

Matt Furey

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