Workout / Diet Advice
Circa 1981. I'm in the base gym and I see some young female (A1C/E-3) working out, doing it all wrong. Soon, some guy is hitting on her and giving her advice. Not just the wrong advice, but bad advice. So, me being me, as soon as he gave her some space I made my way over, made a few jokes about the clown, and I offered up own version of advice. Actual advice, not words to get into her pants. Advice based on the previous 7 to 8 yeas of working out; good advice. Few months later I'm in the gym and I see a gal in the corner looking good, working out like a beast. Actually ... pretty hot. I soon realize this is the same girl from a few months previously that I'd given some direction to. She thanked me for all the help and guidance. She was making serious gains/progress. Good advice/mentoring; can save someone months .. years... meeting their goals.
Fast forward 10 years and I'm really into it. Folks are always coming up to me for advice. After a few years one becomes a lil' jaded to it all. You soon realize most folks are looking for the easy way out. The simple secret. Nobody really wants to put in the time, otherwise we'd all look like those we see in the magazines and the big screen with awesome physiques and in great shape. Only a few have what it really takes. Hell, as into it as I was, I remember back in '87 debating whether or not to 'take it to the next level.'. Long story short, I wasn't. I wasn't willing to put in the time that it would take. Wasn't willing to truly commit to a lifestyle that would allow me to achieve some goals I thought I had. I wasn't willing to do things (drugs, etc) that some were doing to get to the next level. By the end of my military career, I'd waned off my physical routines that I'd been focused on the previous two decades and was in a new phase of my life. I'd found myself behind a desk, working for a living, sort of like 'everyone' else.
That was almost 20 years ago. I've wrote about the 'trials and tribulations' of working out, diet, injuries over that time. It's been a journey in itself. But now I'm in a new phase. Discovering things I'd overlooked and passed up, for whatever reasons. I'm starting to understand new dimensions of nutrition that I hadn't understood ... or cared to know about.
As I'm going down this new path, I find myself reading material that I'd overlooked all these years. Watching documentaries that are giving me insight in areas I'd missed or didn't want to know about previously. I'm building up my knowledge basis further, debunking myths I'd come to believe and putting some of the info to use. Now, I'm finding myself on the other end of the spectrum getting advice on diet and nutrition from others that have succeeded for various reasons. But, is it all good advice? Valid advice? I'm kind of a dick when it comes to taking advice. I have a litmus test of sorts I put people through; sort of a validation. Just because someone has lost 10 or 20 pounds, doesn't make them an expert. Now, reach your target weight, maintain your target weight for a period of time ( year?) .. and now you have my attention. Won some contests (weight lifting/ bodybuilding/cross fit) .. okay .. you've got my attention. Had that six pack for a long length of time? Okay, you've got my attention. I've told people for decades " Diets don't Work" Why? Because most people put it all back on once they meet their target weight, since they don't make a lifestyle change. They go back to doing what they did before the diet. Simple as that. I'm a perfect example of that. When I was into amateur bodybuilding, I'd get ripped up once a year or so, losing on average 20 lbs, compete, then go right back to my previous weight after the contest. In all fairness, my 'off season' weight wasn't bad; I just wasn't sporting a six pack. But, how awesome would it have been to maintain that weight? One can't maintain that ripped looked 12 months a year and still make gains ( there are physiological reasons for that), but some folks do maintain a killer physique with low body fat levels. But to do this, ones' diet has to be spot on. And I'm convinced in today's world, there is a lil' pharmaceutical help in there somewhere.
So... "advice." I take it lightly, but take a lot of mental notes. A good friend of mine got me thinking/pursuing the regimen I'm on now. He's down 60 lbs and looks completely different. Now, he's working his way into the next phase; the maintenance phase. Keeping it off. Another Friend of mine has lost 100+ pounds but he took the surgical option. I've never agreed with that, but he looks and is, a totally different person. Could he have done it without the surgery? Of course.. but ... is what it is. But how can I take advice on diet in that situation, when that's not how it was achieved. I've got another buddy out west who has lost 30+ lbs , putting in the time; time in the gym. Lets' be honest, this is the best way; period. But, presently I'm not putting in the time. I want to. I should. I know exactly what to do and how to accomplish it. Just not there mentally yet.
So, do I take advice? Of course. But I don't know a single person close to me, that is the definitive expert in this area. So for now, I'm listening. Taking notes. Following through in many areas. Reading up and becoming more knowledgeable. Putting it all to use. Best part is, in this journey my better half is right there with me and has made some incredible changes and near her target weight. Target weight for me is an unknown. I'm down about 30 lbs from my max and realizing before I get to my first goal, I may only be 1/2 way there which has surprised me. But unlike most, body weight isn't a target. My waist size is and in there somewhere, is a six pack wanting to be freed. Problem is, that's a long way off. But Achievable
Fast forward 10 years and I'm really into it. Folks are always coming up to me for advice. After a few years one becomes a lil' jaded to it all. You soon realize most folks are looking for the easy way out. The simple secret. Nobody really wants to put in the time, otherwise we'd all look like those we see in the magazines and the big screen with awesome physiques and in great shape. Only a few have what it really takes. Hell, as into it as I was, I remember back in '87 debating whether or not to 'take it to the next level.'. Long story short, I wasn't. I wasn't willing to put in the time that it would take. Wasn't willing to truly commit to a lifestyle that would allow me to achieve some goals I thought I had. I wasn't willing to do things (drugs, etc) that some were doing to get to the next level. By the end of my military career, I'd waned off my physical routines that I'd been focused on the previous two decades and was in a new phase of my life. I'd found myself behind a desk, working for a living, sort of like 'everyone' else.
That was almost 20 years ago. I've wrote about the 'trials and tribulations' of working out, diet, injuries over that time. It's been a journey in itself. But now I'm in a new phase. Discovering things I'd overlooked and passed up, for whatever reasons. I'm starting to understand new dimensions of nutrition that I hadn't understood ... or cared to know about.
As I'm going down this new path, I find myself reading material that I'd overlooked all these years. Watching documentaries that are giving me insight in areas I'd missed or didn't want to know about previously. I'm building up my knowledge basis further, debunking myths I'd come to believe and putting some of the info to use. Now, I'm finding myself on the other end of the spectrum getting advice on diet and nutrition from others that have succeeded for various reasons. But, is it all good advice? Valid advice? I'm kind of a dick when it comes to taking advice. I have a litmus test of sorts I put people through; sort of a validation. Just because someone has lost 10 or 20 pounds, doesn't make them an expert. Now, reach your target weight, maintain your target weight for a period of time ( year?) .. and now you have my attention. Won some contests (weight lifting/ bodybuilding/cross fit) .. okay .. you've got my attention. Had that six pack for a long length of time? Okay, you've got my attention. I've told people for decades " Diets don't Work" Why? Because most people put it all back on once they meet their target weight, since they don't make a lifestyle change. They go back to doing what they did before the diet. Simple as that. I'm a perfect example of that. When I was into amateur bodybuilding, I'd get ripped up once a year or so, losing on average 20 lbs, compete, then go right back to my previous weight after the contest. In all fairness, my 'off season' weight wasn't bad; I just wasn't sporting a six pack. But, how awesome would it have been to maintain that weight? One can't maintain that ripped looked 12 months a year and still make gains ( there are physiological reasons for that), but some folks do maintain a killer physique with low body fat levels. But to do this, ones' diet has to be spot on. And I'm convinced in today's world, there is a lil' pharmaceutical help in there somewhere.
So... "advice." I take it lightly, but take a lot of mental notes. A good friend of mine got me thinking/pursuing the regimen I'm on now. He's down 60 lbs and looks completely different. Now, he's working his way into the next phase; the maintenance phase. Keeping it off. Another Friend of mine has lost 100+ pounds but he took the surgical option. I've never agreed with that, but he looks and is, a totally different person. Could he have done it without the surgery? Of course.. but ... is what it is. But how can I take advice on diet in that situation, when that's not how it was achieved. I've got another buddy out west who has lost 30+ lbs , putting in the time; time in the gym. Lets' be honest, this is the best way; period. But, presently I'm not putting in the time. I want to. I should. I know exactly what to do and how to accomplish it. Just not there mentally yet.
So, do I take advice? Of course. But I don't know a single person close to me, that is the definitive expert in this area. So for now, I'm listening. Taking notes. Following through in many areas. Reading up and becoming more knowledgeable. Putting it all to use. Best part is, in this journey my better half is right there with me and has made some incredible changes and near her target weight. Target weight for me is an unknown. I'm down about 30 lbs from my max and realizing before I get to my first goal, I may only be 1/2 way there which has surprised me. But unlike most, body weight isn't a target. My waist size is and in there somewhere, is a six pack wanting to be freed. Problem is, that's a long way off. But Achievable
Comments