Super Bipolar Brain & Body

Healthy Lifestyle Equals Healthy Brain

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:00:00 +0000

According to the National Institute of Mental Health: “Bipolar is a brain disorder causing unusual shifts or cycles in mood, focus, energy, and ability to function. Unlike the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are unpredictable and severe. Untreated these symptoms can wreak havoc in a person’s life resulting in damaged relationships, and poor job or school performance.

While medication to treat the disorder is important, there are also many Bipolars out there who opt to go med free. There is a great debate on what's the right thing to do. On one hand medications may give around 80% relief, but that's left 20% without relief. Medications also come with side effects. Not taking any medication often means that the Bipolar Disorder will worsen with time.

One thing that is not in debate is that the healthier your lifestyle the healthier you will feel. Eating properly, exercising regularly, and keeping on a tight sleeping schedule can create stability in an otherwise unstable life. It's something tangible to hold onto when the going gets rough. As mood shifts from mania to depression it's even more important to keep to a schedule of doing all you can to keep yourself healthy.

Here's an exercise that keeps me going. It strengthens both my mind and body. Doing it on days when you're out of sync can be rough, but if you persevere you will feel better both in body and spirit. For good nutrition ideas, visit Michael's Super Body, Super Brain Blog.

Stay healthy!

Exercise Eases Depression

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Bipolars experience different phases of mania, hypomania and depression. While it's easy to get up and move during mania and hypomania, it's harder to exercise when depressed. It's easier to stay in bed and keep your blinds closed, but it's even more important to get out there and exercise. Your endorphins need to kick in to help ease you out of your depression.

Depression can be hard to shake off. It takes over your body and one feels sluggish and tired. Thoughts of suicide often accompany my bouts of depression. I find myself wondering if it will ever end. But, I know that it will. I just have to get up and open my blinds and find the beauty in my life. Playing with my children helps me. They make me laugh and feel blessed.

I find that walking also helps to clear my head. I get out and try to notice the beauty around me. This time of year is perfect for that. The smell of the fresh air and noticing the changes in the plants and tree leaves helps me get out of the rut of depression. The wind in my hair as I walk reminds me that it's good to be alive.

Walk for NAMI

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:18:00 +0000

I joined in the Walk for NAMI this past weekend. The experience was great! It was so nice to see so many people joining in the fight for the cause. My group raised over $5,000. I was proud that we were able to raise so much money for such a worthy cause. NAMI, National Association of Mental Illness, raises awareness of mental illnesses and helps to combat stigma associated with mental illness.

I walked three miles for them that morning. I was surrounded by banners and signs. One particular sign caught my eye. It said that mental illness almost killed his daughter. It is a sad fact that mental illnesses take many lives each year. I think that it's mostly through ignorance of the diseases that does this. Hopefully the walk will help to bring to light illnesses that are mostly shunned and ignored. Mental illnesses are not made up. They are as real as heart disease and diabetes.

The walk left me a little sore, but I would do it again. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in my trek through my illness and it made me feel proud that I was able to contribute to such a worthy cause.

NAMIWalks for the Mind of America

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:28:00 +0000

I am writing you today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am participating in that is both very important and very exciting to me. It is NAMIWalks for the Mind of America, NAMI's signature walkathon event that is being held in Austin, TX at Auditorium Shores on October 10, 2009.

I would like to ask you to come and walk with me or to donate to support my participation in this great event. Donating online is fast and secure through PayPal, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those whose lives are touched by these illnesses. This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, the law enforcement community and policy makers. The NAMI organization is composed of approximately 1100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office.

The goals of the NAMIWalks program are: to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved, and to raise funds for NAMI so that they can continue their mission.

NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible. NAMI has been rated by Worth magazine as among the top 100 charities "most likely to save the world" and has been given an "A" rating by The American Institute of Philanthropy for efficient and effective use of charitable dollars.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,
Cristina Fender

My Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:50:00 +0000

When I was 23, I was finally diagnosed with Depression. My boyfriend had dumped me and I was overly distraught. That was the year that I sat down and held the pills from a bottle of vicodin in my hand and I was going to take them to commit suicide. I called my sister to tell her that she could have all my worldly possessions and she managed to talk me out of it. I called my father to tell him what I had almost done and he paid for my ticket to visit him in the Valley. The trip helped me through that tough time in my life, but it wasn't to be that last tough time in my life.

After seeing numerous doctors, and seeing numerous commercials on TV on Bipolar Disorder, I took a test and took it to my doctor. He glanced at the test and told me that he had thought that I had Bipolar Disorder for a while now. Although I knew the truth, I was in shock. I was 31 years old and pregnant with my second child. It was not the time to find out news such as this.

That next year was hell. The pregnancy had made my Bipolar worse and I experienced hallucinations and a wide range of emotions. I was manic, depressed and suicidal. It was the worst year of my life.

After we changed my medication to Lithium I finally began to feel better. It worked for me. The hallucinations began to go away and I wasn't so sad anymore. I finally began to feel like myself. The medication didn't take it all away. I still had small episodes here and there, but at least I had some relief.

Then we added the Geodon, an antipsychotic, and the episodes happened less and less. Today I continue to have small episodes of depression, but the manic episodes are a thing of the past. That's why I decided to try Michael's Super Body Super Brain workout. It is my hope that the work out will help dispel the rest of my episodes so I don't have to over medicate myself. I have hope for my future.

The Brain Muscle Workout is helping my Bipolar!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:59:00 +0000

My favorite exercise is laying on my back with my legs in the air and doing chest presses. I find it challenging and when I'm done I definitely feel like I've been working out.

I find the exercises in the ten minute workout to be sometimes challenging and my body always feels the after effects. I feel exhilarated and proud of myself for sticking to the simple regimen.

And, even though I'm going through a difficult time right now, I find that my bipolar has stayed in check and I account that to sticking to my exercises. That's not to say that I'm not having moments of sadness, because I am, but I'm able to control it and not let it take over my entire day.

My next test will be doing the 12-day workout.

In the meantime, Michael has told me that he's really excited about his new book that's coming out in the Spring. He just got done all his photographs for the book and he's built his new website that will be available soon.

Planting a Seed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Just like plants are nourished by sun and water, so are our bodies and brains nourished by diet and exercise.

This past couple of weeks I've been using the Brain Muscle Workout and I find that it works like a charm. The exercises were often easy, sometimes challenging, but they've been able to help keep my Bipolar symptoms at bay during a difficult time in my life.

I've been doing the 10 minute Brain Muscle Workout that was featured in Oprah's website. They take little time to do and I find them stimulating. My body feels a burn, but it's not overwhelming. Along with my thirty minute walk, I find that the exercises make me feel productive and proactive in my Bipolar recovery.

Sometimes the only ammunition in your pocket during difficult times is the medicine that Bipolars are prescribed and what you can do for yourself. Self talk is important as is exercise. Walking and doing the Brain Muscle Workout is also important as it kicks in endorphins and those endorphins help to keep the Bipolar Symptoms in check. Being proactive in the recovery process is so important. It keeps your brain stimulated and stimulation is what we need in times of need.

Diet and Exercise Recommended for the Tough Times

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

My father died over a week ago. I'm struggling to keep my sanity. I'm afraid that my bipolar will return with a vengence, so I'm trying to continue my exercise regimen. I feel that now it is even more important that I maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I started The Brain Muscle Workout before I went to see my father. I found it easy and doable. I used two half liter bottles of water to use on my workout. I felt energized and proud of myself for doing it. Since I've been back I've been focusing on my 30 minute walks. Even they seem tough right now, but I feel that my endorphins really need that kick right now. This week I will continue my Brain Muscle Workouts again.

I'm also going to be adding more Omega 3's to my diet. Omega 3's are important for Bipolars to add to their diet since they're brain food that help in Bipolar Disorder. Omega 3's can be found in fish like salmon and there's even eggs that contain them now. You can also find Omega 3's in nuts like almonds.

When you're going through a difficult time, it's best to use all the power in your arsenal. Right now that's all I can do to get through the day.

Why Bipolars Should Try the Brain Muscle Workout

noreply@blogger.com (SUPER BODY SUPER BRAIN) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 +0000

I have to say when Mike asked me to try the Brain Muscle Workout that I was a bit skeptical. Could it really help my Bipolar Disorder? What does exercise have to do with it?

I currently exercise by walking 30 minutes a day. It does make me feel better. I feel more energized right after I do it. But can the Brain Muscle Workout make more of a difference?

Exercise can help (according to McMannweb.com) :

By reducing the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to depression.
By restoring one's sleep and eating patterns, and raising energy levels, all critically important to feeling alive.
By releasing endorphins, which are associated with good mood.
By raising serotonin levels, according to one study.
Finally, getting in shape improves self-esteem.
By increasing brain cells in the hippocampus, according to a study done on rats.

So, I'm willing to try anything. My current medications only help so much. I still experience mania, depression and mixed states. I plan on including Mike's Brain Muscle Workout to my regimen and I will be reporting weekly on my progress.

To start I'll try out the 10 minute exercise that was featured in Oprah's magazine. If Oprah's interested in it, it's got to be good, right?

A Workout that Corrects the Hidden Parts of Bipolar Disorder by Dr. Gregory Lombardo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:06:00 +0000

The more I work with bipolar children the more I see difficulties which some of them face that have nothing to do with mood or behavior but profoundly influence both.

Bipolar disorder is a condition affecting the entire brain and most importantly the coordination of different parts of the brain.

Alternating moods are thought to be contributed to by poor integration of left and right hemispheres.
Problems with reading and handwriting have to do with poor integration of left and right visual motor activity.
Problems with peers can be aggravated by problems participating in activities other kids do without effort, activities requiring coordination and focus: baseball, basketball. (Such difficulties can subtly affect a child’s interest in such activities well before they realize that they are an important way of joining a peer group.)

These fundamentally neurological problems are not captured in current descriptions of bipolar disorder, and they are not remedied by competent use of medication and psychotherapy.

A NEW FORM OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT WORKS TO TREAT THESE PROBLEMS.

The program is called “The Brain Muscle Workout”

This is a from of physical training that combines balance and coordination in the same movement maximizing brain activity at the time of performing physical movements.

The program is designed to advance gradually so that a child imperceptibly learns to perform more and more complex exercises.

As integration of movement and balance improve powers of concentration and attention improve as well. The body leads the mind toward better coordination, focus and ability to attend complex tasks.

Such a resource is particularly valuable for children who cannot tolerate medicines used to treat ADD and for children whose awkwardness tends to isolate them from group activities. Children without these deficits also benefit from this training but usually begin at and proceed to a higher level of accomplishment.

However, the program is designed to focus on each child’s progress without comparison to other children.

The program is also designed and taught with humor encouraging the child to have fun while obtaining mastery.
A child should practice this program several times a week to gain full benefits. However anytime devoted to exercise will be beneficial, even as little as 10 minutes.

CHILDREN AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Our developing understanding of the brain includes two crucial findings that bear on the importance of this work for school aged children:

-At younger ages the brain has greater plasticity, so that the new learning is both easier, more exactly learned, and is more likely to have enduring effects on a Childs future function

-During adolescence a pruning process occurs in which those neurons that are not actively used are removed:
“ USE IT OR LOSE IT”

In my work, no matter what a child’s diagnosis accrued, developmental problems or such as relationships with peers, academic function, obesity, cardiovascular risk or deficits in self-esteem, are much harder to treat than problems with mood and anxiety

The results that can be expected are:

1. - Greater Physical strength and endurance
2. - Improved cardiovascular function and control of weight gain
3. - Improvement in balance and coordination
4. - An improvement in their perception of their body and their body related to space.
5. - An improvement in concentration and attention
6. - An improvement in self-esteem and mood

Michael Gonzalez-Wallace has founded the program “The Brain Muscle Workout”. He attended economics school in Madrid and earn a certification in sports medicine by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is in the process of implementing the program in New York City schools but teaches individuals and small groups privately.

I have been Michael’s student and I am impressed not only with subtlety of his teaching but also its patience and humor.

Contact Us

noreply@blogger.com (SUPER BODY SUPER BRAIN) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Please send us your questions, comments, feedbacks and more.

If your school or institution is interested in getting a personalized Brain Muscle-Workout program please email me as soon as possible at (national and international centers are welcome to apply)

michaelgonzalezwallace@gmail.com

Michael Gonzalez Wallace

or call me at + 1 646 251 4763

Cristina Fender can be contacted by email or at her personal blog.

About Us

noreply@blogger.com (SUPER BODY SUPER BRAIN) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:28:00 +0000

Michael Gonzalez Wallace has been involved with athletic sports for over 20 years, which is almost half his age. Michael’s athletic career spans many years practicing semi-pro basketball in Spain, where his team, Estudiantes won the Spanish National Competition (similar to NCAA in USA and he was named the MVP of the Final, May 1993).

In 1995 the Spanish basketball federation certified Michael as a strength trainer and basketball coach providing him the opportunity to develop his teaching skills. Being involved with basketball for more than 15 years, Michael learned the important concepts of teamwork, leadership, muscle coordination and physical strength training.

Although moving to NYC in 2002 to pursue a banking career Gonzalez-Wallace, become a personal trainer for New York sports Club and received a certification from the National Academy of sports Medicine. He was drawn to sports medicine as if fate had a different calling for him. Then his life went to a profound transformation moving from banking to the health sector. He says, “The reward of helping people to achieve their goals was the best thing it has ever happened to me” At the National Academy of Sports medicine he learned the significance of core strength, proper postural alignment and the neuromuscular system, the latter being essential to develop his program called neuromuscular progressive strength training.

Cristina C. Fender, 34, has been researching Bipolar Disorder and blogging about her own experiences for several years. At age 21 she was diagnosed with depression and saw psychiatrists for over ten years before she was correctly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I. Her vision for writing at Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar is to inform and educate the public about mental illness.

Her blog, Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar, was named Best of Bipolar Blogs at Psych Central.com in 2008 and Health.com in 2009. Health.com had this to say about her blog:

Cristina is the author of Life as a Bipolar Mom, a controversial and widely read article on the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, that was featured on Health.com, CNN.com and Glamour.com.

She's recently been accepted into NAMI's In Our Own Voice program and will begin training in September to speak about her own experiences with Bipolar and educate the public on mental illness.