Students Of Success

You have two main windows of opportunity when your training. One is 30 minutes before you train (pre-workout meal) and another comes about 30-60 minutes after your workout is over (post-workout meal). The pre-workout meal should consist of a starchy carb and lean protein. The starchy carb will supply the energy you need to get through an intense workout. The protein provides the much needed fuel for your muscles, so they keep a positive nitrogen balance. A great pre-workout meal would be consumed 30 minutes before your workout and would consist of 1 cup of natural oatmeal with one scoop of protein powder. Try to stick with whey protein. Mix it with some water and microwave the dish for about 2 minutes. Stir it up and eat it with a big glass of water.

Your post-workout meal should be consumed as quickly after your workout as possible. This should consist of a simple sugar to spike your insulin levels and rush glycogen back into your muscles which are screaming for fuel by now. Try to stick with either dextrose or maltodextrin as your main source of simple sugar. These can be found in your MRP (meal replacement powder). Also, add another supply of protein to the mix. If you are using a post-workout dextrose based drink, add another scoop of whey protein to it and shake it up. If your drinking an MRP, you should be perfectly fine. Shoot for around 20-30 grams of protein before your workout and 30-50 grams of protein after your workout.

Kris Bierek is a fitness specialist for the health and fitness site http://www.ShapeFit.com where you can find FREE fitness tools like fitness newsletters, dieting tips, weight loss help, exercise questions and a free fitness analysis to help you get into the best shape of your life!

Escrima is a popular Filipino martial art dating back to the 1500s, during the colonization of the Philippine Islands by the Spanish. Escrima is a very simplified but practical form of combat technique originally designed as a self-defense tool. Escrima is also known by many other names such as Eskrima, Arnis, Arnis de Mano, Kali and FMA (Filipino Martial Art). Because of its effectiveness, Escrima is also taught extensively in many Special Forces including the Navy Seals and Army Special Forces.

Brief History:

Many believe that Escrima or Filipino Martial Art originated from Chinese influenced Indonesian fighting tactics such as Kun Tao, Chuan Fa and Tai Chi double stick forms. Others believe the Escrima art form to be wholly developed by the Filipino people. However, the most plausible explanation seems to be rooted in the history of the Spanish colonization.

When the Spanish occupied the Philippine Islands, a form of art similar to Escrima had already existed but was only recreational. However, this art began to develop into a more martial discipline when the Spanish prohibited indigenous Filipino weapons such as the Bolo (machete), daggers and fighting sticks in the 1700s. It remained a clandestine art until the Americans took over in 1898. From then on, the Filipino Martial Art started to gain recognition and popularity.

In the West, Escrima was introduced and popularized by Filipino immigrants after the Second World War, particularly in the American states of Hawaii and California.

Weapons and Footwork in Escrima:

Unlike other forms of martial arts, the primary tool to learn the basic concepts of Escrima is focus on weaponry, which is followed by empty-hand techniques. The Rattan stick is the most common weapon used in Escrima training, which includes hand and head protection when sparring. Other weapons include burned and hardened stick made of hardwood, such as Molave or Kamagong (ebony). Modern versions may be made out of aluminum, other metals, or high-impact plastics. The Nunchaku (also known as Kung Fu sticks or Double sticks) weapon was popularized by actor Bruce Lee, an avid practitioner of Escrima.

Each range - the distance between opponents - in Escrima has its own characteristics and footwork techniques. Good footwork enables efficient control of these ranges. The footwork is demonstrated in terms of triangles with two feet occupying two corners of the triangle and the step to the third corner. The shape and size of the triangle is dependant on the particular situation.

Escrima Facts:

1. Escrima is mixture of hard (like Karate) and soft (like Tai Chi Ch’uan) styles.
2. Escrima is taught on ideal street-fighting settings without the need for uniforms.
3. Restraining techniques are not focused on but rather on offensive, combat styles.
4. There are no official rankings in Escrima except for titles to recognize seniority of instructors.
5. Most of the power in Escrima is derived from body movement and economy of motion, rather than strength.
6. Escrima is a complete martial art, focusing on weaponry and empty-hand techniques.
7. Escrima provides effective training in sparring against multiple opponents.

Martial Arts HQ martialarts-hq.com/ offers articles, tips and tricks about different martial arts.

It seems like the volume of email spam has doubled in the last month. Increasingly, we receive daily emails for better mortgage rates, pharmaceutical discounts, and offers to enlarge body parts we don’t even have.

The next generation of sophisticated tools is available to email spammers. Hidden code can be embedded into email allowing the sender to track it. A “spam beacon” lets the sender know that this is a valid, live, email address. The sender can also tell if you’ve opened the email before you tossed it. “Nearly half of all spam is bugged with so-called “spam beacons” for tracking users who open junk mail, said e-mail filtering firm MX.”

The latest email scams have also evolved. The newest scams are called phishing attacks. Spammers copy and paste web coding, making their email message appear to be official. They provide links to “look alike” websites where they try to trick you into revealing your personal financial information, by asking you to update an account such as Ebay, PayPal or CitiBank (or other well known entities). Phishing attacks are successful 5% of the time.

The primary motivation behind these emails is identity theft. Scammers are looking to get you to their website and get your information. If the authenticity of the sender is questionable, call the company that sent the email. Most business email will also contain a phone number.

Earthlink is trying to address this problem by releasing new software. Its latest anti-spam software is available to both members and non-members. The software installs with Internet Explorer and automatically downloads a list of known “scam” websites. If you surf over to a site on the list, you will receive a warning.

Given the large volume of unsolicited email that must be sorted through and deleted daily by businesses, do not rely on email as your primary vehicle of communication. If the information is time sensitive, it’s best to follow up with a phone call.

About The Author

MARKETING COORDINATOR and WEBSITE DESIGNER-Radha Khalsa, has extensive experience in the areas of marketing analysis, strategic planning and project management.

info@khalsaweb.com

We all want to please and impress that special someone in our lives with a romantic gift. Millions are spent every year trying to accomplish this feat. We may peruse the jewelry store and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on beautiful trinkets. Perhaps a night over at an elegant resort is a consideration for your romantic gift idea. But consider this…

A lasting impression can be imprinted on our special someone if he/she is treated to an unforgettable experience. For the price of a fine pair of earrings, you can treat your romantic partner with a dinner cruise along one of the waterways near your corner of the world. For the price of a necklace and earring set, you can book an elegant cruise of four to eight days aboard a magnificent cruise ship. How impressive is that for a romantic gift?

Consider your options here. An afternoon cruise near your home for less than the price of an elegant dinner can provide for a memory of romance and togetherness. For a few dollars more, an enchanted evening of romantic cruising with a lovely dinner and a bottle of fine wine will be lastingly remembered.

Romantic vacation gift cruises can cost as little as $500.00 per person. These romantic experiences can provide you with a lifetime of memories. Envision exotic ports of call, majestic landscapes, sipping a glass of vintage wine on your private balcony, enjoying an exquisite meal in an elegant dining room and dancing into the night… All of this can be yours each day of your cruise!

Would a fabulous gift cruise conjure up a vision of romance? Picture it… Is that a romantic gift idea? Of course it is! No matter what type of romantic gift cruise you choose – afternoon river cruise, evening dinner cruise, four day Caribbean vacation cruise, seven day Alaskan cruise, intriguing Mediterranean cruise or exotic South Seas cruise – you will not be disappointed!

Don’t consider yourself selfish if you’re thinking “with this romantic gift, I’ll get a gift vacation as well”. Your special someone will want you to be as happy as they will be. That’s part of the beauty of romance. Each partner wants the other partner to be happy and to enjoy each others’ company. What better way than to break away from the traditional romantic gifts than to offer your company aboard a floating resort with pampering service and elegant surroundings while visiting exotic, intriguing, majestic and exciting ports-of-call!

Romance is what we are all looking for here. Throughout the ages, the sea has been synonymous with romance. Cruise ships have become synonymous with romance as well since the television weekly “The Love Boat”. What better romantic gift idea is there than a romantic getaway aboard a magnificent cruise ship?

For more interesting articles related to romantic getaways, gift ideas, cruises, and cruising, visit a1-discount-cruises.com, your #1 source for cruise information and great cruise discounts! Don’t put it off. Check out some of the special deals from our merchants. Your romantic gift could cost less than you think. But you must act fast as cruises are very popular and do sell out. Get some quotes and compare. Then all that’s left to do is to book your romantic gift cruise on-line and get excited!

- Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of A1-Discount-Cruises.com your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit Romantic Getaways to book your fabulous romantic gift cruise vacation! For more interesting articles visit our Article Map pages. If you have any comments or questions regarding choosing the right cruise line for your romantic cruise vacation, contact us at info@a1-discount-cruises.com using the subject line “Cruises”.

Why do so many software systems fail? Corporate leaders often wonder what went wrong. Did they choose the wrong software? Should they have checked more references? Scheduled more demos?

Part of the process of introducing new software or new software use is “getting people on board” for the technology change. No one enjoys change and it is often feared. People are afraid that they will make mistakes, have a lack of understanding, have to do more work and quickly learn something new. People that are comfortable with their work habits know that change means putting forth more effort and energy, at least at the inception.

Leaders of the organization must take charge of the change. It’s easy to blame a failed system on “those people who refused to conform” or “bad software”. Ultimately though it is the responsibility of the manager to build a good user team and encourage proper use of the software. Without a team that is willing and taught to work together, any system is bound to fail.

System success is heavily reliant upon:

• Communication of benefits and how the system will be used
• Support from senior executives and managers illustrated by their own behavior
• A fostered learning environment to introduce the software into the corporate culture
• Provision of adequate training to all users
• Engagement of users with information sharing and exchange of success stories about the software

Communication is vital. It is extremely important to communicate to users what the benefits and expectations of the new system are, and how people will be able to use it. This must be championed from the top of the organization. It is also crucial to involve prospective users in some of the software decisions and choices. Everyone can be involved at some level for how the system will be used within the organization.

Motivating the team starts with a demonstration of what the software is capable of. Sometimes this alone is enough to get everyone excited about using it and can produce all sorts of ideas for software success. The use of the software must be designed around the workflow of the users. This is the part where technology meets needs. It’s always a good idea to review the specific challenges facing the organization. It could be economy, competitors, new products and services, market expansion, etc. This must be intertwined with opinions from the users on how the new system can help accommodate the challenges. Everyone must profit in some respect from the change.

All organizations operate differently. Users cannot be expected to adapt to system changes that directly conflict with the corporate culture as a whole. Senior executives and management need to provide as much support as possible, illustrated by how they use the system. Managers must also support the learning curve and adjust performance expectations for a given period. Everything may not go well day 1 even with exceptional planning and the best of software. Managers and users must be attune to this and be flexible. Corporate cultures with many bad habits may have a more difficult time adjusting to a new system. As a team, everyone must be committed to working better.

Change is not convenient. People are bound to make errors, but this is part of learning and managers need to recognize and support this. There must be some allowance for abandoning old ways and adapting to new ways but there has to be a cut-off. It is natural for things to fall apart in some way during this period. This is the only way that things will be able unite in a new way. It is important to be clear that the organization is moving forward with the plan and everyone should be encouraged to participate. If certain individuals refuse to participate, some action must be taken.

Adequate training must be provided so that users are comfortable with how to use the tools available. Training should include how the various people within the organization will be working together. There should be a change management team that keeps a pulse on the situation with plans for appropriate intervention where appropriate. Original goals should constantly be referred to, and modifications should be made when necessary.

Ways to involve the users can be periodic management chat sessions that encourage the exchange of ideas (small groups are best); a centralized master bulletin where ideas are posted; senior managers wandering through the organization asking questions and soliciting opinions; a reward system for positive behaviors regarding the system; a reinforcement that staying as is would be more of a threat than moving forward with the changes.

Make sure to publicize success stories within the organization related to the system. Have users profess how they were able to simplify processes and procedures with the help of the software. Illustrate how new concepts are bringing the organization together for one common goal.

Terri Roeslmeier is president of Automated Business Designs, Inc., software developer of Ultra-Staff, a full-featuered staffing software solution with components for front office, back office and the web. www.abd.net

Are you wanting to trade but worried that you cannot because you are unable to sit at your computer all day, ready to get in and out of trades at a moment’s notice? Well, I am going to tell you that you can be successful trading stocks or options even if you are only placing trades when the markets are closed (i.e. at night before you go to bed or in the morning before work). However, you must have the right system to allow this.

When I first started designing my own trading systems, I was in college and I knew I would not have time to sit and watch my trades during the day. I needed a way to make money trading while at the same time maintaining my peace of mind. I did not want to worry about what my trades were doing while I wasn’t able to watch them.

There are actually some advantages to an after-the-close trading system if it is designed well. If you know that your only time for opening or closing positions is at the start of the trading day, it is easier to design a completely mechanical system based around opening prices. There are times when the recorded open price wouldn’t actually be your fill price but usually the difference is slight (especially on assets with high volume) and this is still much more accurate for mechanical system building then trying to exit or enter sometime during the middle of the trading day.

The next question you have to decide on is a problem common to all traders but particularly important if you’re going to place orders when the markets are closed: Do you want to use market or limit orders? We like market orders most of the time, but many traders are afraid of them and many experts will tell you not to use market orders because, supposedly it gives the market makers or brokers an excuse to “steal” a few cents from you on each trade. However, if this is true then it is also true that when you use a limit order you are telling them exactly how much they can steal from you.

Say for example, you want to buy an options contract that at the close of trading has a bid price of 0.85 and an ask price of 0.90. Most traders will put in limit order at 0.90 or perhaps a little higher even in case of a gap up at the open the next day. However, what if there is a down gap? If the contract happens to open at 0.50 and you have a limit order at 0.90, it’s possible that you’ll get filled at 0.90 where at the same time the guy with the market order will get filled at or near the 0.50. A 40% loss may be a bit of an extreme example but it is something to consider if you have a fear of market orders.

So therefore I want to reiterate that it is possible to make money by just placing trades when the markets are closed. This concept is one of the main philosophies of TimingResearch.com. All of our strategies are designed for the trader who is unable to “baby sit” their trades during the daytime but still want to have the security of using strategies that are 100% mechanical and carefully researched.

David J. Kosmider is the President and cofounder of TimingResearch.com which provides advice and recommendations to stock and options traders worldwide. View all of his articles and services here:
http://www.timingresearch.com/

Web Conferencing is, very simply, a meeting, conference or seminar that is held over the World Wide Web. Web conferencing can refer to audio, video or text-based conversations and are conducted in real-time.

Web conferencing is an incredibly useful resource for anyone who trades within a global market place. It literally allows you to be in two places at once - sitting at home or in your office whilst conducting a meeting with someone one the other side of the world.

In its simplest form web conferencing can take the form of free downloads such as Microsoft NetMeeting or Yahoo Messenger. Subscribers can participate in text-based ‘chats’, inviting others into their conversations and being able to communication in real-time. Add a simple digital camera to this equation and you have the beginnings of an elementary web conferencing application.

At the other end of the scale, the most sophisticated applications allow seminars and presentations to be made to hundreds of delegates at the same time. Meetings can be fully interactive, allowing question and answer sessions, the sharing of files and documents and slide show presentations to be broadcast.

What Can I Do With Web Conferencing?

How you choose to use web conferencing will very much depend upon your line of work. A webinar (an online seminar) is less interactive than a web meeting, but is a very effective means of presenting sales pitches, performance reviews and delivering staff training.

A web meeting on the other hand, can be fully interactive not only in terms of audio and video but also by allowing the sharing of documents and files and viewing them online.

What is Online Collaboration?

Online collaboration is an excellent resource for project management, especially when team members are located in different geographical locations. Online collaboration provides an advanced level of document management and file sharing. Documents and files can be viewed, modified and updated online and in real time.

What Are The Benefits Of Web Conferencing?

The main benefits of web conferencing are to be found in terms of time and money savings. The need for travel is greatly reduced, and therefore so are the associated costs of travel - tickets, accommodation, subsistence, to name but a few. Employees spend less time waiting for flights, travel or just generally being away from their desk and therefore have more time to spend productively.

Enhanced communication is another benefit of web conferencing. Where colleagues could perhaps only meet face to face a few times a year, for example, web conferencing allows them to meet on a daily basis, if required. With people talking more, work gets done more efficiently and more accurately.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of web conferencing depends on how sophisticated an application you need. Low-level, one-to-one systems can be set up these days for virtually nothing. The most advanced systems, unsurprisingly, can run into thousands of dollars. Careful research, however, and thoughtful analysis of what you need from a web conferencing system can allow you to budget accordingly and match a system to your needs. The chances are, if you are spending money on travel then you will recoup the cost of your web conferencing software over time.

Diane Parker is a web content writer who specializes in internet related topics. Her conferencing articles include: web conferencing software, choosing a web conferencing tool and internet conferencing.

Your choice of domain names is as wide and as fresh as your imagination or as near as your dog, your street, or your own name!

Here are some of the types of names being registered:

- Full names

- Family names

- Pet names

- Team or club names

- Names of books, poetry, music, movies, literature or art that people have created or plan to create

- Names that will be used for marketing a business in order to track advertising results. For example, a farmer named Joe can register an everyday domain name such as joefarmer.com. He can also register a special domain name, such as www.myfarmweb.com. When Joe buys print advertising, he can use “myfarmweb” as the contact web address in the ad and point this URL at his regular farm website. He can then track the number of “hits” to his website generated by that particular ad.

- Toll-free phone numbers (this is very popular in Asian countries, because Asian characters cannot be registered in the global data base)

- Names that protect a brand. People are registering the .com, .net, .org and .ca domain names for their companies, in order to stop cybersquatters from taking advantage of their success.

Shaun Cronrath is the President & CEO of DomainPurpose.com, a domain name registration company offering all the major domain extensions –.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .name, .ca, .us, .cn, .eu, .de, .pro and more.

If you’re considering using debt settlement to help you pay off your credit cards, here are 5 tips to help you decide on a company to help you.

Keep in mind that hiring a debt settlement company is no different than hiring any business to perform a service for you – so make sure you find the one that fits your needs the best. Not all debt settlement companies are the same. Like with any industry, there are good ones, and there are the rest.

Unfortunately, when it comes to settling credit card debts, you often hear more stories about people who complain than those who receive good service (and there are many).

How do you determine which settlement company will offer you the best service?

1) Shop around
When hiring a settlement company, you should contact at least 2-3 different businesses and compare the services and terms they offer. Not only will you find the best company to represent you, but you will learn a lot about how debt settlement works, and how it can help you.

2) Check with the BBB
While not everyone with a complaint contacts the Better Business Bureau (so a clean record may be misleading) if there are several unresolved complaints, that is a “red flag” to find out why there are unhappy customers. If the complaints have been resolved, that is a good sign that the debt settlement company offers good customer service. You can search for company records online at www.BBB.org.

3) Check references
While debt settlement is a confidential process, and therefore you may not find many companies willing to give out names of happy customers, it is worth asking. Talking to a former customer will tell you more about a company than any brochure or website.

4) Get all the details in writing first
This is an absolute MUST – you should never agree to anything, sign any paperwork, or send in any money until you get all the terms and conditions in writing. A written contract will help you understand what service you should receive, how much it will cost you, and protect you if an issue comes up.

5) Ask lots of questions
If you have any questions (and the more settlement companies you talk to, the more questions you will have) make sure to ask them – and get the answers you want. If a company is not willing to take the time to answer your questions now, how will they respond to you once you become a client and your money is at stake?

Bottom line, it is your responsibility to “do your homework” and research the best company to help you settle your debts.

If you take the time and effort to find the company that will fit your needs the best – just like you would when hiring any professional – you will greatly reduce the chances of a major problem occurring.

Settling your credit card debt is a big decision for anyone to make, so don’t make the decision lightly!

Kris Bickell is the owner of www.Debt-Tips.com. For more tips on getting out of debt using debt settlement and saving money, sign up for 5 Simple Tips For Getting Out Of Debt Much Faster & Saving A Bunch Of Money!

Pocket bikes, the minuscule versions of motorbikes, are a major craze nowadays. These bikes are small and light enough to carry under the arm, but big enough for a child to ride. One can find models for children as young as three or four years old. They are cheap, at just over $500, and accelerate quickly to speeds of 55 km/h and faster.

The pocket bikes are not “street legal,” as they do not have VIN numbers and do not have to meet the safety requirements of a motorcycle. As they are quite small in appearance, other motorists may not see them. The riders do not need to possess a license and generally do not wear the suitable protective gear. Mostly, these pocket bikes are run off road and in by lanes. A pocket bike can cause danger to the person who lacks the fine motor skills that are very essential for very precise throttle control.

The pocket bikes come with a forty to forty-nine-cc size engine, and they continue up to 110cc engine. The Honda CRF50 has become a standard in pocket bikes. The rate of speed possible on a pocket bike is breathtaking. There are strong chances of getting hurt if you are not careful while driving it. These bikes make a lot of noise and can be disturbing to neighbors and others. Many other brands of bikes are also available in the market.

An entire industry has sprouted around the modern-day pocket bikes. As a result, pocket bike owners have an array of choices available to them for customizing their pocket bikes with parts and accessories unique for each pocket bike.