Who Is Pantone?

Have you ever wondered who comes up with the colors trending in fashion, furniture, makeup, etc?  Well, there is a company who chooses the colors that will be trending but it is a company who started out as a color printing company in the 1950's.  The founder was quoted as saying that god created the world in seven days and this company was created on the eighth day to choose colors for the world. 

Back in the 1950's, Larry Herbert worked at a company called Pantone.  This company printed color orders but Larry grew frustrated when it came to trying to communicate colors with the clients.  A client might say sky blue but what did he mean by sky blue and what shade did he mean? At the time, the company made color cards for the people who manufactured cosmetics so all they needed to do was point to the proper color and it could be made.  This lead Larry to conclude these color cards could be used in just about any field dealing with color.  

At this time, there were no international or national color standards.  Larry recognized that standardized colors would work in so many different fields, so he began designing a comprehensive color system where every color was assigned a number. The original book had 40 colors. He reached a point where he bought out the printing company in 1962 and renamed it Pantone and marketed his system as the Pantone matching color system. These books were quite successful and by the 1970's he'd sold over 100,000 books he'd printed in New Jersey.  Although there are other color systems out there, Pantone is the most popular and most well known internationally.

This color system makes it easy to communicate with manufacturers, or even dealing with supply chains, a possibility where people can lose control of the color but with this standardized system, it is easy to get the exact color desired because you don't have to rely on samples that might change slightly over time.  

Due to the popularity of the color system, Pantone quit doing commercial printing and switched to only working with colors and at the same time their customer base expanded to people who printed things, worked in industrial design who needed plastic or metal in certain colors, or fashion people who want specific colors in their outfits.  

What is unique about Pantone is that they sell access to their intellectual property via a digital library, or physical catalog. Pantone has become more scientific in assigning their color labels over the years. It has gotten to the point of being able to use a color spectrophotometer to define the individual elements that make up a color.   This means that the red on the soda can is the exact same red found on the boxes they are shipped in and the same red that is on the billboard advertisement.

The Herbert family sold Pantone in 2007 for $180 million to X-rite a company who make spectrophotometers. Since then, the company uses color physiologists to help people understand how color can sway us and our emotions. This branch helps companies decide how to best use color in product lines or logos. Think of it this way, the Starbucks logo uses a specific shade of Pantone green and if anyone else uses the same tint in a competing brand, they will end up being sued.

Thus Pantone has created the language of color used by just about everyone in any industry that has color. One day on a lark back in 2000 or so, Pantone declared a certain color as color of the year and they have done it since them.  Although it does bring Pantone to the news media, many smaller companies use that color of the year in many of their produced items over the year.  

So every color you see in the store, in makeup, in a friends house, or in the hobby shop, have a number assigned to them by this company. One could almost say that Pantone is the god of color. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Mixing Weights With Combination Moves

 

Often times in our days, it is difficult to carve out time to schedule a long enough workout to meet all the needs of our bodies.  Unfortunately, when time grows shorter, workouts are often the first thing to go and it is difficult to start up again.  Although skipping a workout occasionally may actually benefit you, skipping it on a regular basis can lead to muscle and bone loss. 

If you find your self with less time to workout, the solution is to focus on combining weights and moves together.  This way you can do more in less time and if you do the correct moves, you actually work on the whole body, head to toe.

Combo movements mean that you are combining two separate moves into one.  You might combine curls with overhead presses using your weights so you are working several muscle groups at once.  Thus you get a lot of work done at once.

There are several advantages to using this type of workout.  First, it allows you to burn more calories which helps you either become lean or remain leaner. In addition, working on two or more different muscle groups puts an extra demand on your heart and lungs which increases your cardio fitness.  It also is a great alternative to other forms of exercise.

When you combine the correct exercises with the right weight and proper number of reps, you will develop muscles and it makes a great alternative to other exercises so you do not get into a training rut.  Furthermore, combining exercises with weights can help improve your coordination and your balance. This increases your sports ability, making your more athletic and agile. This enhanced workout can be done in less than 30 minutes while giving you the benefits of a longer one.

Not all exercises can be combined easily for the best benefits and they may not be as good for developing super strength.When looking at combining exercises, you want to choose movements that flow from one to the next and are a challenge for both exercises. When choosing the proper weight to use with the combined movements, choose the smaller amount of weight you can manage for either exercise.  If you can do a curl with 5 pounds and a press with 3 pounds, use the three pounds.  If the exercises are not combined properly, it can cause injury so make sure you don't just combine any together. Combining exercises is not for beginners because you have to be able to perform both exercises well in order to combine them effectively.

Here are a few examples of combined exercises which can easily be done at home. 

1. Lateral raise and lunge. This combines one upper and one lower body exercise and it helps with hip mobility, coordination, and balance.  Begin in a standing position with your feet next to each other and a weight in each hand.  Begin by raising your hands outwards at your side up to shoulder level.  As you are lowering your arms, move your leg forward into a lunge, then move the leg back and move forward on the other leg, lunge, and back into standing position. This makes one repetition.  Repeat the combination several times.

2. Dumbbell curl and press.  This combination works the upper body, specifically the biceps, deltoids, and triceps.  This can be done while either seated or in standing position.  You begin by holding a weight in each hand, with the hands resting at your side, arms relaxed.  Slowly raise the weights by bending the elbows until the weights reach your shoulder.  Then press the weights above your head as far up as you can go by straightening the arms.  Bring the weights back down to your shoulders, then down to your sides, to the position you started at.  

There are lots of suggestions for combining exercises on the internet but I rely on DVD's so I can watch and see the proper form while I'm doing it.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

It Finishes Here

 It finishes as a bottle of wine to enjoy as the sun sets.

It Starts Here

 They start on the vine.

What Is The Best Way To Walk For Your Health.

Just recently, I ran across an article that says you don't need to walk a full 10,000 steps a day to maintain your health but if you want to lose weight, you should  up your steps to 11,000 steps per day.  Then I've seen where they say just walk and in other places, they do talk about walking but they say you need to walk fast, or alternate strides, or so many other things.  Today, I'm looking at the best way to walk so you get maximum benefits for your health.

A good daily walk will help you maintain a healthy weight while helping you lose fat so you are leaner. It helps prevent certain diseases, improve cardio fitness, strengthen bones and muscles, improving muscle endurance, helps you sleep better, improve your mood, balance, and coordination, strengthens your immune system while reducing your stress levels.

In addition, it is important to maintain good form while walking.  Hold your head up so you are looking outward, not at the ground.  Relax your neck, shoulders, and back rather than holding them stiffly. Make sure you swing your slightly bent arms freely and tighten your stomach muscles slightly while your back is straight, not arched.  Finally, make sure your step is smooth so the weight rolls from heel to toe.

Wear shoes with proper arch supports, a firm heel, and thick flexible soles. Wear lose fitting clothings that is appropriate for the weather and think about layering so if it warms up, you can remove a layer or two or add them back on. Don't forget the sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses as part of your regular wear.  Remember, you can burn on cloudy days.

If you walk outdoors, choose your path carefully.  You want to avoid paths with cracked cement, pot holes, uneven ground, or low hanging tree limbs because you don't want to hurt yourself. Once you start walking, look at walking in an area with hills so you go up and down but not everyone has that ability.  You want to walk faster and further which comes about by walking regularly.  If you do not want to walk briskly all the time, think about alternating periods of brisk walking with sections of leisurely walking. This is a type of interval training which helps improve your cardiovascular health while helping you burn more calories than walking at one pace.

Try to walk at the same time everyday and aim for at least 30 minutes each time you walk.  You use the same amount of energy whether you walk in the early morning or late evening but try to be consistent.  Think about using a pedometer when you walk so you know how far you've gone.  This is important if you keep a log of your daily exercise.  I have exercise listed on my daily schedule and I list what I did and how long I spend doing it. Today, I did a 25 minute kettlebell workout followed by a 20 minute cardio dance.

In addition, set a goal for the distance you plan to walk.  The goal doesn't have to be 1.5 miles.  The goal could be as simple as walk to the gas station up the hill which for me is about 1.5 miles away.  I prefer setting places as my goal rather than miles because it works better with my mind.  Do not push your walk so fast you can't talk.  You want to go fast enough to talk but still feel a bit breathless.

To increase the intensity of your walk, you can go up hills, carry hand weights, increase the pace so you walk faster, or increase the distance you walk during the same time period, or make the time you walk further. When you start walking, walk slowly so you can warm your muscles up before increasing your speed.  At the end, slow down and stretch your muscles out while they are warm.

In addition, you want to change up your routes so you don't get bored.  Think about taking the dog with you when you walk, find a friend, or join a walking club. Take advantage of various parks, walking routes, and other public areas to walk at.  This way you see new things and when you walk, you notice so much more than you might when you drive.  Just remember, if you end up having to skip a day, don't berate yourself over it, things happen.  Start back in the next day. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Exercising In Bare Feet

 I am the first person to admit that when I work out at home, I do it in my bare feet because I hate wearing shoes.  If I go to the gym, I have my shoes but at home, I'm bare footed. The other day, I came across an article explaining why it is good to exercise in bare feet.  

Barefoot exercising is defined as exercising without a foot covering.  The idea is that when you exercise with nothing on your feet, it improves your training while building strength in your feet. If you do not want to exercise without footgear, look at buying a pair of barefoot shoes which allow you the same experience while protecting your feet.

When you exercise with bare feet, it improves your balance, your strength, and helps your coordination. In addition, it means your central nervous system is more active while activating your core and glutes.  It also improves the awareness of your body which in turn helps your balance. Finally, it strengthens your feet which leads to improved strength in the back, hips, knees, and ankles.

When you exercise without foot gear, every single nerve on the bottom of your feet are used because they make contact with the ground.  This is important for your stability and control.  It also helps you increase the number of reps you do squats or lifts because you know how your feet are gripping the ground.  In other words, it adds a sensory experience you don't usually have when wearing shoes.

When dead lifting weights you have more power available because the cushioned soles of your workout shoes absorb some of the energy.  Without shoes, this energy is available to be used in the deadlift. When you completely use the force, you are using more muscle support and power.  In addition, when you workout barefoot, your brain is able to send information to your brain much faster which helps improve your movements and reduces workout related injuries.

Furthermore, exercising this way strengthens the connective tissues and muscles in your feet so your balance and stability improves.  It also helps your feet grip the ground better when using certain types of equipment such as kettlebells while activating your larger muscles in both the legs and the hips so you can use heavier weights.

Next question is focused on which exercises can you do when barefooted or can you do it all.  Although many exercises can be done barefooted, it is better to use shoes when performing exercises like broad jumps or box jumps because these plyometric moves put a strain on your foot tendons, and ligaments.  This being said you can jump rope, do deadlifts, squats, kettlebell swings, single-leg deadlifts, and staggered stance overhead press. 

Although it is relatively safe to go barefooted indoors, there is more risk when you exercise outside. Outside, you have to watch out for the ground being too hot, too cold, too rocky, or too prickly, or have too many sharp objects.  There are certain steps you can take to make your exercising inside safer.  Always use proper form and check it via a mirror, conduct a proper warmup so you warm your core in about 10 minutes. Perform the correct number of reps for your situation and stretch.  Stretch before the workout, between exercises, and afterwards to prevent muscle tightening and injury.  Be sure to spread your workouts over the week and take care of your body by eating and sleeping well.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

What To Look For In Work Shoes

 

Today, I'm looking at choosing a good pair of shoes for work.  When I talk about work shoes, I do not always mean boots worn by construction workers.  Today, I'm talking about shoes you wear all day at your job.  As a teacher, I spend a lot of time on my feet and I have friends who work at grocery stores who have to be on their feet all day. 

For some people, work shoes refers to high heels while for others it may refer to sneakers or boots.  It all depends but there are certain things you can look for when selecting a pair of shoes to use at work.

The first step in selecting a good pair of work shoes is to determine what type of shoes are best for your job. Is it heels, high or flats because you are a professional?  Boots because you work outside and do they need steel toes?  What kind of shoes?  It may sound like an obvious question but it is important.  

In addition, you need to think about the type of movement you'll be doing.  Will you spend most of your time behind a desk so you do not do much walking or will you be on your feet all day with only a chance to sit at break or lunch.  Will you be outside most of the time or dealing with wet floors?

Then determine what type of arch you have?  Is it a high arch?, medium or low arch? Do you have bunions or anything that could effect your choice of shoes.  I know my mother had bunions and her toes were squashed due to wearing high heels in her teens through her thirties.  The bunions came from wearing a pointed toe since when she was young, they didn't have heels with the wider toes.

If you have a super high arch, you might need to add in a higher arch since most shoes come with minimal arches built in.  You want the arch to provide support for your foot and make the shoe more comfortable. If you have planters warts, you might want an insert created for this foot issue.  

The big issue with any work shoe is to choose form over function.  For instance, in regard to choosing high heels, it has been found that wearing high heels is one of the leading causes of foot pain in women so when you buy a pair, there are certain things you want to look for so you have both comfort and the right look.  Look at heels that are no more than two inches tall at the most and look for shoes that have a box or wide toe area.  Ignore shoes with pointy nosed toes, super high heels, peep toed shoes, and those shoes with high wedges or platforms.

On the other hand, if your job requires you to drive or walk all day, you should look at shoes that are do not pinch your feet because if they are too narrow, or even too wide, your shoes will cause discomfort over time.  In addition, you'll want a shoe that breaths so if your feet sweat the moisture wicks away so they stay dry.  Make sure your toes are not pushing the toe end of the shoe, otherwise your feet feel cramped and the toes can wear through the edge.

Furthermore, make sure the shoes have enough room so if your feet swell, your shoes will still be comfortable.  When you try on your shoes, make sure you have a pair of socks or stockings similar to the ones you plan to wear with them so the fit is correct and when you are trying them on, walk around in them for several minutes to get a better idea of fit.

It is also important to be willing to invest in a pair of shoes that will go with all of your clothing be they dresses or slacks.  The more outfits the shoes go with the more wear you'll get out of them.  Some of the recommended colors are black, brown, blue, beige, or grey since these colors tend to go with more colors and shades.

Choose a shoe that is made of more durable material with a good soul and sturdy heels.  You want a material that is breathable so avoid leatherette because that doesn't breath. Be aware that you'll end up spending a decent chunk of money because you are making an investment and you do not want the cheapest shoe you can find.  Buying a good work shoe is an investment so budget it in since you want the best shoe you can afford.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.