As a note, be careful if you ever run a blog on blogger. There is no trash bin, if you accidentally delete a post, it's gone.
I am going to try to recreate my myth 1# posting, so here we go.
What hip-hop abs probably won't tell you.
Okay. So here is the deal. If you stay up late enough you will see a few commercials from programs like HHA and other things like that belt that vibrates and "shocks" your abs strong. I have not personally used any of these programs so I can not attest to them working or failing. My point here is to expose a pretty big misconception "ab breakthrough" programs tend to take advantage of.
If you are in a rush, here it is: you can have very strong abs yet be a overweight man with a "beer belly". Now for those who wish to understand this, please read on. Six packs are look cool. Brad pitt has one. You want one. Yet, even if you are doing a 1000 crunches a day you may not get one. This is because most people simply do not understand that having strong ab muscles does not just destroy all the fat in the tummy area. This fat is not magically converted to muscle either. The closest thing that happens is that this fat can be burned off an give nutrients to the body that may help build ab muscles. Since burning excess fat is a pain, really it's best to start off pretty skinny, otherwise you need to rid yourself of that covering if you ever want to really see your abs. You probably won't be able to "burn off fat like crazy" while building abs alone-in 90 days.
So basically be realistic with yourself, if you have a real gut, don't aim for a six pack in 90 days. Luckily, there are some things you can work on much more easily while slimming down: legs, arms, shoulders, most things that aren't abs. Do some abs to keep them strong, but don't let that be your focus and whole plan to be skinny/slim. Just start, the real calorie burning strength training of tomorrow can lead to the six pack of tomorrow.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Ab myth 2# I need to work my:upper, lower, mid abs
This may surprise you, but were going to drive onto anatomy. There really is one. Your Rectus Abdominals IS your 6 pack muscles. There are also internal and external obliques that should be strengthened to add show to your 6 pack, but really that's it. So if you find yourself wishing the lower or upper part of your abs looked as good as the rest, it's not that the muscles are weaker. IT is still a good idea to have a mix of ab excises for best results, and to keep you from dying of boredom with crunches or leg lifts. If you want your lower abs to look better, you may have to strengthen your Rectus Abdominals all together, but more than likely you have more fatty tissue in that area which is causing this. Attention to diet and physical exercise, again, is important here. Woo, who knew a 6 pack was such a commitment?
A good rule is to just work as a whole. Sorry if this is bad news to anyone, but your body grows best as a whole. Sometimes the best way to push, say, your triceps and arm muscles to the next level is to work on your legs or some other area that is underloved. Same idea with abs, even more so because the abs are not their own section, they are apart of the core. Without doing a full break-down, your core is essentially your abs, obliques and lower back.
If I were to start building a brick house, and insisted on building a single wall that was 40 foot high, what would you say? Noooo David, build some of the other walls to keep it stable. The core can be viewed similarly. If you have seen someone with nice toned abs, chances are good they also have a well toned (lower) back. Work your core as a unit if you want lasting results.
A good rule is to just work as a whole. Sorry if this is bad news to anyone, but your body grows best as a whole. Sometimes the best way to push, say, your triceps and arm muscles to the next level is to work on your legs or some other area that is underloved. Same idea with abs, even more so because the abs are not their own section, they are apart of the core. Without doing a full break-down, your core is essentially your abs, obliques and lower back.
If I were to start building a brick house, and insisted on building a single wall that was 40 foot high, what would you say? Noooo David, build some of the other walls to keep it stable. The core can be viewed similarly. If you have seen someone with nice toned abs, chances are good they also have a well toned (lower) back. Work your core as a unit if you want lasting results.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The magical liquid
What is the magical liquid?
Water. I cannot stress enough how awesome water is. Have you ever had a real workout?
Like a workout that you started pushing yourself an hour or two ago, yet you are still at it?
What did you want at the end? A couch to pass out on? Maybe. What if I offered you a soda, or Gatorade? Gatorade you may have accepted, soda less likely. You may have even turned down the Gatorade, and take a cool water or 6. Why? Most people feel water is tasteless and a chore to drink, yet if you have every been truly thirsty, it tastes as smooth and creamy as milk.
You crave it. Your mind puts it in the foremost part of your mind and you just know what you need. Things like Gatorade often work as well because it replenishes certain elements like salt, and has water in it. Water is essential to feeling good and performing. Whether tea, or flavoring, water is a winner. This is not just for the health nuts and vegans, many pros such as Vince Delmonte drink water around the clock to make sure their body can handle it's function at a peak performance. Bottom line is: If you are eating more, taking a new multivitamin or creatine, or doing more physical exercise, or anything that requires your bodt (or mind) to do more, water only increases in importance.
If you want to get more from your body, give it what it needs to succeed.
What is the magical liquid?
Water. I cannot stress enough how awesome water is. Have you ever had a real workout?
Like a workout that you started pushing yourself an hour or two ago, yet you are still at it?
What did you want at the end? A couch to pass out on? Maybe. What if I offered you a soda, or Gatorade? Gatorade you may have accepted, soda less likely. You may have even turned down the Gatorade, and take a cool water or 6. Why? Most people feel water is tasteless and a chore to drink, yet if you have every been truly thirsty, it tastes as smooth and creamy as milk.
You crave it. Your mind puts it in the foremost part of your mind and you just know what you need. Things like Gatorade often work as well because it replenishes certain elements like salt, and has water in it. Water is essential to feeling good and performing. Whether tea, or flavoring, water is a winner. This is not just for the health nuts and vegans, many pros such as Vince Delmonte drink water around the clock to make sure their body can handle it's function at a peak performance. Bottom line is: If you are eating more, taking a new multivitamin or creatine, or doing more physical exercise, or anything that requires your bodt (or mind) to do more, water only increases in importance.
If you want to get more from your body, give it what it needs to succeed.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Choose leanness.
Today I was talking to my friend Greg. He discovered that I have been bodybuilding and strength training lately. He even saw my collage of some pictures of myself without a shirt and some former skinny guys who shared their stories on the internet and I happened to read. He gave me a warning that I have thought about and will write about now. Greg told me that it will be hard to expand until I get older and/or my matablism slows down. He went onto say that it is true that with enough calories I could gain, but he knew some people who did that in college and as soon as they stopped lifted they turned fat. Finally he said, "just get ripped".
Did you see what happened there?
I thought it over and think this is important. Many people who transform they're body eat a lot. Big help when you are trying to pack on pounds, especially when you're an ectomorph. What I am trying to point out is that weight really has little indication into how fit or well off you are. If you are eating 4000 calories a day, and getting 100+ grams of protein, you're likely to gain weight. The point to ponder is that how much of those calories really become lean muscle? If someone is depending mainly on the food to pack on pounds and not really burning the majority of it (not enough working out to the high calorie ratio), you're also gonna get some fat.
And Fat begets more ____. Fat.
That is why I believe most those men gained more fat as soon as they stopped working out. It was like stop taking the medication and the virus spreads. It is important to have some fat, and some may be gained (temporarily or long term), but body comp is important, know how you really get those pounds. On the flip side, with lean meats and foods in controlled portions and working out hard in the gym may take longer generally, but it should be all lean muscle. This decreases the risk of gaining to much fatty tissue. The lean muscular type is more loved and convenient to maintain anyway. So don't worry so much about going from 120's to 160's as much just maximizing muscle while taking on a little fat as needed.
If you are strong as an ox and keep pushing yourself, even if you were just 140, it will show in time.
Today I was talking to my friend Greg. He discovered that I have been bodybuilding and strength training lately. He even saw my collage of some pictures of myself without a shirt and some former skinny guys who shared their stories on the internet and I happened to read. He gave me a warning that I have thought about and will write about now. Greg told me that it will be hard to expand until I get older and/or my matablism slows down. He went onto say that it is true that with enough calories I could gain, but he knew some people who did that in college and as soon as they stopped lifted they turned fat. Finally he said, "just get ripped".
Did you see what happened there?
I thought it over and think this is important. Many people who transform they're body eat a lot. Big help when you are trying to pack on pounds, especially when you're an ectomorph. What I am trying to point out is that weight really has little indication into how fit or well off you are. If you are eating 4000 calories a day, and getting 100+ grams of protein, you're likely to gain weight. The point to ponder is that how much of those calories really become lean muscle? If someone is depending mainly on the food to pack on pounds and not really burning the majority of it (not enough working out to the high calorie ratio), you're also gonna get some fat.
And Fat begets more ____. Fat.
That is why I believe most those men gained more fat as soon as they stopped working out. It was like stop taking the medication and the virus spreads. It is important to have some fat, and some may be gained (temporarily or long term), but body comp is important, know how you really get those pounds. On the flip side, with lean meats and foods in controlled portions and working out hard in the gym may take longer generally, but it should be all lean muscle. This decreases the risk of gaining to much fatty tissue. The lean muscular type is more loved and convenient to maintain anyway. So don't worry so much about going from 120's to 160's as much just maximizing muscle while taking on a little fat as needed.
If you are strong as an ox and keep pushing yourself, even if you were just 140, it will show in time.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Safeway value meal of Angel and banana.
Woo! Can't stop this man!
According to my computer it is 12:59 A.M. Today is Tuesday, this is about the second night this has happened and I will need to be up by 7. It's those mornings that make the other mornings sweeter. I am really just getting home, I am very tired but wanted to put in my post for today.
So I'll tell you about my dinner. I was at the office. Tummy growling, about 8 dollars with me. I walk out and take a sharp left. The golden arches are there, and I consider it. A nice Mcchicken could be tasty...or even a Cesar side salad. They may not be quality but they're cheap and tasty right? Well I chose to walk on by. I walked into a safeway in the same parking lot and made my own value meal. Angel cake and Bananas. Less than five bucks and I had dinner and a office snack for the week. Also, the angel cake had zero fat and no cholesterol and just 16 grams of sugar for 1/8th of the cake, ditto for the bananas. Now what would you guess was in my mcdolanld's choices? Right.
So I think it is a understatement to say that if you are willing to look and be a little unconventional, you can get value, taste, and health with no cooking time needed still. Creativity helps some too. I got my Creatine in yesterday, I will probably be writing more on that tomorrow. Until then, feel free to gaze at my custom value meal.
Woo! Can't stop this man!
According to my computer it is 12:59 A.M. Today is Tuesday, this is about the second night this has happened and I will need to be up by 7. It's those mornings that make the other mornings sweeter. I am really just getting home, I am very tired but wanted to put in my post for today.
So I'll tell you about my dinner. I was at the office. Tummy growling, about 8 dollars with me. I walk out and take a sharp left. The golden arches are there, and I consider it. A nice Mcchicken could be tasty...or even a Cesar side salad. They may not be quality but they're cheap and tasty right? Well I chose to walk on by. I walked into a safeway in the same parking lot and made my own value meal. Angel cake and Bananas. Less than five bucks and I had dinner and a office snack for the week. Also, the angel cake had zero fat and no cholesterol and just 16 grams of sugar for 1/8th of the cake, ditto for the bananas. Now what would you guess was in my mcdolanld's choices? Right.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Brief look into supplements for bodybuilding.
Some people may not know this, what supplements are a high grossing market. What most of them do is find ripped guys and pay them to flex and stand by they're product. "Buy this powder and take it just 4 times a day and build lean muscle fast!" Hmm. I wish to warn people here. Especially my fellow skinny guys who are tempted to believing that after all those hard nights in the gym the only thing missing was powder or tablet X.
Are all supplements bad?
Not at all. I have a friend who is a assistant instructor at a BJJ school, tries to eat mostly organic, and not too long ago took several multivitamins to ensure prime health. He is taking a certain brand of supplement because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals, about as much as all his vitamins. Good for him. The point here is that some supplements have good stuff in them, but they supplement things like vitamin__ not transforms people overnight from urkel to some body building werewolf. They can never supplement proper nutrition or hard work. Know why you are taking it if you are taking one.
There are a few basics (always are) that may help you build and achieve prime health. I will quote Mr. Vince Delmonte dubbed "the skinny guy savior" for this one. If there are any things you really want to get in there, Vince says they're,"a high quality multi-vitamin, fish oil capsules, powdered creatine and a protein powder. These products will cover your nutritional basis for health, healthy body composition, strength and muscle mass."
Honestly you may not even need all that, things like Creatine, according to one study, have greater effects on some rather than others. Still Creatine is good in the right portions and naturally found in the body, some studies even suggest it is good for your bones and heart.
The point is to start a program or plan, and stick to it. Work on nutrition, get some sleep. Tweak some throughout, just keep going and don't look for the way out on week 2.5.
Some people may not know this, what supplements are a high grossing market. What most of them do is find ripped guys and pay them to flex and stand by they're product. "Buy this powder and take it just 4 times a day and build lean muscle fast!" Hmm. I wish to warn people here. Especially my fellow skinny guys who are tempted to believing that after all those hard nights in the gym the only thing missing was powder or tablet X.
Are all supplements bad?
Not at all. I have a friend who is a assistant instructor at a BJJ school, tries to eat mostly organic, and not too long ago took several multivitamins to ensure prime health. He is taking a certain brand of supplement because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals, about as much as all his vitamins. Good for him. The point here is that some supplements have good stuff in them, but they supplement things like vitamin__ not transforms people overnight from urkel to some body building werewolf. They can never supplement proper nutrition or hard work. Know why you are taking it if you are taking one.
There are a few basics (always are) that may help you build and achieve prime health. I will quote Mr. Vince Delmonte dubbed "the skinny guy savior" for this one. If there are any things you really want to get in there, Vince says they're,"a high quality multi-vitamin, fish oil capsules, powdered creatine and a protein powder. These products will cover your nutritional basis for health, healthy body composition, strength and muscle mass."
Honestly you may not even need all that, things like Creatine, according to one study, have greater effects on some rather than others. Still Creatine is good in the right portions and naturally found in the body, some studies even suggest it is good for your bones and heart.
The point is to start a program or plan, and stick to it. Work on nutrition, get some sleep. Tweak some throughout, just keep going and don't look for the way out on week 2.5.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
It's beautiful day.
Welcome to Baltimore. It is a stunning 78 degrees, few clouds and little wind, low humidity today with a high of 80 something. After being trapped inside and in long sleeves and coats for the last week of rain and chilly days, only one question persists.
What should I do today?
There are many possibilities, so instead of doing them all, I decided to blog about them. Just kidding, I have already been outside a few hours and will probably be back for more vitamin D soon.
So here are some things I suggest to enjoy a day like today. Besides making a list of your own you can:
Welcome to Baltimore. It is a stunning 78 degrees, few clouds and little wind, low humidity today with a high of 80 something. After being trapped inside and in long sleeves and coats for the last week of rain and chilly days, only one question persists.
What should I do today?
There are many possibilities, so instead of doing them all, I decided to blog about them. Just kidding, I have already been outside a few hours and will probably be back for more vitamin D soon.
So here are some things I suggest to enjoy a day like today. Besides making a list of your own you can:
- Go fishing. Around here for 20 or 25 dollars and 15 minutes or less at a Walmart and you have the licensee to catch.
- Ride a bike or take a long walk or jog. Parks, trails, whatever.
- Go swimming. Or buy some supersoakers. There will be more days to come where you'll be glad you did.
- Fly a R/C helicopter. If you haven't done this, it is worth it. Even when you crash land into the neighbors begonias.
- Go to a farm or local (flea or farmer's market) and pick up some organic yummy food.
- Cross off those errands. You most likely will feel best and the most energy to tackle that do-to list today.
- Do something artful. Go be a photographer or painter for today. Go to a park or field and have at it.
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