Vacation Workouts

Working out on vacation is a hot topic pretty much every July/August. It’s also a source of considerable anxiety. I've known people who stress so much about training on their summer holiday that they turn vacations upside down just to find a gym. Or worse, they just don't go at all. So, how do I approach this subject with clients? Well, I hate to say it but... "it depends." Here are some of the...

Two diet challenges for you

There are many diet and exercise “challenges" out there. Most are directed at attracting newbies, which might actually be counterproductive: isn’t the process (not to mention life) already challenging enough? Instead of simply railing against the concept of a challenge, however, I like to note that, for the committed folks, there are a couple challenges that can really make your life...

“I want to look exactly like [insert person]. Can you help?”

I had a question that was a bit disturbing that I’ll share today.  A prospective client — a nice, smart, fit guy — filled out my coaching application and then followed up with a series of questions. He included pics of a handsome physique model, saying he loved the guy’s look and wanted it to be his end result so he could pursue modelling, which to me read like he wanted to look like him—right...

You owe yourself this

The Pittsburgh Steelers were on defense in a comfortable 3rd and long. But Troy Polamalu whiffs on a tackle, resulting in a fresh set of downs for the opposition. Coach Cowher wasn't happy. The camera zoomed in on that famous snarl, but this time Cowher is pointing at Polamalu when he clearly yells, “YOU OWE ME.” "You owe me"? As in, owes him personally? I remember thinking, “Cowher, that's bad...

Confidence, the Weight Scale and Fat loss

Confidence is a big part of successful fat loss. While the basic physiological tenets, such as a sustained calorie deficit, HAVE to be in line, a So-So Plan that you believe in 100% will be more successful than The Perfect Plan that you just don’t think is good enough (or cutting-edge enough) to work. That’s one important reason so many people can get into shape following wildly different...

Losing Fat Is Simple, Just Not Easy

Losing fat is very simple. Just not easy. The mechanics of fat loss can be taught in under an hour (sustaining a calorie deficit, eating enough protein, regular weight training), and yet it's still so damn hard for most people to pull off consistently. The basics, like figuring out your diet numbers and planning some meals. aren't that tough. Nor is shopping, cooking, prepping, and especially...

Muscle Growth Incentive

Muscle needs “incentive” to grow. Asking it to do the same work it's successfully done before won’t cut it. You gotta ask for more — lift more weight, do more reps with a given weight, do more (productive) sets — for your muscles to wake up and lay down some new tissue. Adding weight/reps at the expense of technique isn't progression. Improving technique with no increase in weight/reps IS...