Discipline and patience....

How many times do we stress over things that we have little control of? I know i am just as guilty(if not more,lol) than the next person. The irony in this is that it draws from our positive energy that could be allocated towards changing what we CAN control. In the context of getting/staying in shape, this brings up two concepts that are the backbone of the "fitness lifestyle"....discipline and patience.
Discipline is the adherence to a plan and it is what keeps us on the path to our goal. As long as one stays on that path, they can be assured they reach their destination provided they make the necessary sacrifices it takes to get there. For many with the desire to change, discipline is "easy" as its a series of habits that we replicate, day after day. The hard concept for many to grasp(myself included) is patience. Just as i already know i won't be a millionaire tomorrow(i know this because i've tried,lol) we also need to understand that it can take years of discipline and dedication to reach your ideal physique goals. It takes an understanding of the process and realizing that smaller, more easily attainable goals in succession are a better option for staying motivated. One thing i have seen in successful individuals, time and time again, is that goal setting is an integral part of their approach to attaining what they desire. They write down their goal and post it in prominent places to constantly remind them of what they are working towards. In this same context, i recommend to anyone wanting a better body, to post pictures of their ideal physique in these places; the kitchen, bathroom mirror, and in their car. The kitchen because this is where the battle is won or lost, the bathroom as its where most people start their day, and in their car as it will remind us every time we stop to get food at either the grocery store or restaurant. As crazy as this sounds, humor me and try it...you will likely be suprised at how well it reinforces your self discipline(and keep in mind that person in the picture had a LOT of patience to get to where they were).

Priorities....

They are what serve as the outline for our life. Whether consciously or not, the order of emphasis in which we live day to day is determined by what is deemed most important to us. I have always structured my life around priorities but on a LOOONG flight home today, i had plenty of time to ponder whether my energy was fully being devoted or proportioned according to what ultimately will make me happy. Anyone that has known me for awhile, knows i am never satisfied with the status quo....which is good attaining a given goal. However, i had to catch myself lately in that i have been overlooking the fact that some of the things i have been chasing are empty without the love and support of my friends and family. This has really hit home lately, due to the simple fact that i am at a point in life in which my family is moving to different parts of the country, my friends are getting married and settling down and i have not kept in contact with them as often as i should. When i think back to my best memories in life, they all involve those close to me, not a status, goal or financial gain....something i need to just keep reminding myself every day and i'm just hoping a few that are reading this will keep that in the back of their mind as well. take care, peace

What are you on?

An interesting topic of discussion came up today...one that has trailed me from the inception of my bodybuilding lifestyle; what supplements do i take? To give some background on the situation, I was selling my truck and the buyer was a 19 year old male. The first thing he said upon greeting him was "dude, you're f'in huge!". Lol, flattered, i thanked him for the compliment but commented that i was considerably smaller now than i used to be...and actually enjoy being "downsized". Immediately, the agenda for the conversation shifted from the truck, to fascination with what it took to get so big? Of course, steroids came up and i explained i was a competitive tested natural bodybuilder and offered to show the trophies and urinalysis sheets to prove it. Then, immediately he asked what supplements i was taking. First and foremost, i AM a proponent of intelligent supplementation with safe and effective natural adjuncts to one's diet, but i always downplay their significance as they are...for lack of a better term....supplemental to ones training and diet regimen. I would venture to say they comprise 10-15% of ones gains IF the proper ones are taken in the necessary amounts. I emphasize "if" because there is a lot of bunk miracle pills and powders floating around, all tying into the search for the "body in a bottle" so to speak. This mindset is particulary frustrating as it overlooks the obvious....if it were so easy to be in shape, then everyone WOULD be in shape. I am actually glad there is no easy way out. The attention a well sculpted physique draws is part of the reward for years of hard work in the gym and temperance at the table. I will go into my "supplement stack" in a new upcoming article section for paid members,fwiw, but for as little as that means, results truly come from diet, exercise and dedication.

New beginnings....

As the cliche goes, life is not a destination, rather, a journey. I am keeping this in the forefront of my mind as i am currently making the transition from my home of 23 years, to a place i have always dreamed of living. The only other time in my life i had felt such a wide array of emotions, was upon my graduation from high school. It was a time to leave the live i was comfortable and secure with, to one full of uncertainty. In the same regards, i am taking a chance and i know it will not be easy, but the risk is more than worth the reward. I have always dreamed of making a career of being a professional physique athlete(initially bodybuilding) and being able to help others enhance their quality of life, through the improvement of both their body and mind. As with all things, i already know it will not be easy and will require diligent work to get to where i want to be, but nonetheless, it WILL happen. All of my friends and family back home are happy for me and having their constant support really means a lot. By the same token, i am really looking forward to forming some new friendships in my new life out West....

Interesting discussion(on nutrition).....

Well, i just got off the phone with a good friend back home and the main topic of discussion was getting in shape, more specifically, nutrition. I have helped him along the way ever since i have known him. His fervor and enthusiasm to get in better physical shape and health is always encouraging for me as a friend....and now my goal is to help him STAY in shape,lol. He has "new year resolution" syndrome every couple months but inevitably reverts back to his normal ways. In his defense, i know it isnt easy incorporating the fitness lifestyle into a hectic schedule, but it IS done with regularity by those that make it their priority. Ask anyone that has dramatically changed their physique for the better and invariably, in every case, they will at least touch upon the fact that it was a change in their lifestyle that prompted the most change.
With that being said, i was overjoyed that he chose to call me from the frontlines of the battle of the bulge....the grocery store. The war against the waistline is won and lost in the harrowing aisles of the grocery store. All of the enticing foods you know you should not eat are always lurking around every corner. Furthermore, oftentimes we are confused about what is permissable and what is off limits. Without repeating our 45 minute phone consultation,verbatim, here are some key points we went over for those looking to lose fat and/or gain lean muscle without bodyfat accrual...
1. Avoid foods that combine high fat content(above 7g) with high carb content(above 20g) per serving. The reasoning and scientific basis will be covered in an upcoming article but for the time being, you will have to take my word for this THESE FOODS WILL INHIBIT YOUR PHYSIQUE GOALS
2. Avoid foods with high fructose corn syrup(HFCS) as one of the top three ingredients. HFCS is the bane of the american diet when it comes to both our physical shape and our health.
3. Stock up on high protein,low fat foods. These include skinless chicken breasts, lean steak, fish and eggs(egg whites). I specify LEAN versions as dietary fat will accompany most of the foods already to some degree and i also highly recommend supplementing with fish,flax and olive oils daily. These foods provide high satiety(fullness) and promote healthy lean muscle mass, a key in maintaining an optimal metabolic rate.
4. DO NOT buy "cheat meal foods". I do not subscribe to this theory, first and foremost, but even if you do follow such a diet, do not have the foods around the house. When it comes time for that cheat meal, go out and have that single portion size you have allotted yourself and then leave. Not having the "cheat foods" around the house curbs the temptation for the vast majority.
5. Stock up on vegetables. Vegetables should be a major food source in your diet. They are high in fiber, low glycemic, have a high satiety content, and are crucial to your long term health.
6. Go to the grocery store as soon as possible AFTER eating. I recommend this as it will help keep you honest. Most people on a weight loss diet will not give in to those "little voices" if they are already full and their blood sugar is stable.

Well, i think i will stop here as these are the major points we touched upon in our conversation....i will delve into our conversation further, but at a later time....time to hit up the kitchen for some egg whites and broccoli!

Getting Started!

Me, at the gym. More later!