Posts by Craig Ballantyne
10 Exercise Substitutions for the Over 40 Crowd
I turned 40 a couple of months ago. And, probably just like you, it takes me a little longer to get out of bed in the morning. It’s nothing major, just an old high-school soccer injury (broke my ankle in Connecticut at age 13). It didn’t heal properly, because as a lazy teenager, I didn’t…
Read MoreMozart and Beethoven’s Secret Weapon
Poor Mozart. His frantic life, heavy with social and work burdens (teaching lessons and giving concerts), left him only a few hours each day for composition. Fortunately he had a secret weapon on his side, something available to all of us. Most of us fail to use it, let alone acknowledge it even exists. And the few who do know…
Read MoreHow to Heal Muscle Pain and Fix Aching Joints
This is what happens when you leave your dog at the kennel and go to Europe for 17 days…he ends up writing a hilarious – and helpful – email to YOU. Enjoy. – Craig *** Woof, woof, ol’ Bally the Dog here today with a special – and odd message. My doctors are worried about…
Read MorePostcards from Europe
Why do I go to Europe every summer for weeks at a time? Glad you asked. It all started the day after Joel & Lisa Marion got married. I woke up early (while Joel, Roman, Vinny & Siegel were still on the dance floor), had a quick swim in the Don Cesar pool, and hopped…
Read MoreThe Big Idea Formula (new story)
Big lesson today. A big IDEA lesson. It starts with the story going around the Internet these days about a young man who ate at Chipotle 150 days in a row. How this is “news” is beyond me, but there is a big marketing lesson buried in this tabloid journalism. One of the articles about this young…
Read MoreLast Chance: 3 Ways to Boost Metabolism
While I’ve been in Europe for the last 15 days I’ve accidentally lost weight. Yes, eating delicious food and soaking in the incredible history of Russia, Turkey, and England has actually left me lighter. Here’s how to lose weight and keep your fat-burning metabolism revved up while on vacation. Step #1 – Eat more protein…
Read MoreHealthy Cheat Meal Tips to TRIPLE your Metabolism
Wow. I just had another amazing morning in Istanbul. Just wait till you see what I had for breakfast. It was the healthiest, most delicious cheat day meal I’ve ever had. But first, I woke up early, got to work, finished a major project, did 15 minutes of meditation to calm myself down, and then…
Read MoreREPROGRAM your metabolism to burn fat first NOT last
Wow. What an incredible morning. I just returned from a tour of the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace here in Istanbul. These grounds are full of so much history and beauty. I’m really glad we hired a tour guide because she gave us the story behind the story, and helped us…
Read More#1 WORST exercise for your Heart, Thyroid, and Belly Fat (take a wild guess)
I had to laugh. On the weekend, while at the camp in Lithuania, an old friend of mine told me about his new workout that involved a particular machine. “I go really hard,” he said, “But my belly is still getting bigger. I’m having a harder time losing the fat as I get older”. That…
Read MoreStart This Daily Ritual Today
There I was, sitting at my kitchen table, and suffering from severe writer’s block. I had no idea what to say. The clean, white pages of my first moleskin notebook were too clean to spoil with any old random thought. You might feel the same way when you first open this book, stumped about what…
Read MoreLose 5, 10, or 20+ Pounds FAST
Back in my bodybuilding days in the 1990s’, I used to watch my fitness competitor girlfriends eat chicken, broccoli, and salads everyday. Sure it helped them slim down and lose weight, but they were miserable. (It made for boring dates, too!) Eventually it drove them to binge eating chocolate, candy, and even breakfast cereals for…
Read MoreFREE workouts: Perky Butt or Awesome Arms
“Privyet!” From Russia with love. I just started a 17-day European vacation (no, not with the Griswolds), starting in St. Petersburg followed by Moscow, Vilnius, Istanbul, and London. It’s all part of my 6th annual trip to Lithuania to teach at an entrepreneurship camp. Along the way I’ll be experimenting with hotel gym workouts and…
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