You poor people have all heard me blather on about getting into a pattern when it comes to eating, i.e., trying to eat the same stuff every day. Yeah, I know it's boring. That's why it works! The body thrives in a pattern, and consistency and discipline are closely linked. Just ask any bodybuilder whose ever gotten super lean -- there ain't a lot of winging it. Not to mention it's much easier...

Few things are more frustrating than an injury, especially one that prevents working out altogether. They're also basically inevitable. While powerlifters and contact sports athletes are at a much greater risk of suffering a big "career ender" versus someone who just trains to look good, at some point even recreational lifters will find themselves hobbled by a tweaked lower back, stiff neck,...

Many moons ago I worked for a bodybuilding/muscle magazine. One of my jobs was to spot content that would resonate with their "base," which was largely 18-35 year-old men. I quickly learned that the overwhelming majority of readers felt they were "advanced" lifters, or at least high-level intermediates. Very few would self-select the "beginner" box. As such, basic training or nutrition programs...

Back in 1996 I remember telling a bodybuilding mentor about this new diet I was following. You eat zero carbs and lots of fat and trick your body into surrendering bodyfat while sparing muscle. But my mentor wasn't too impressed. "Oh yeah, THAT diet. Again." I protested. No this diet is NEW and totally cutting edge. You get to carb up on weekends, do "tension" and "depletion" workouts, take...

People love milestones. Especially fitness people. Monday is huge. Fat loss starts on Monday, right? And Sunday is monumental because hey, that’s “cheat day” whether you need or deserve (or even want) a cheat. But in my opinion, Friday is the biggest day. Not only are most folks ready for a break by the time Friday rolls around, they’re also about to be cut loose from their work-week rhythm. So...

It's a hot, muggy August afternoon. The gym is DEAD. All but the truly hardcore or eternally guilty have checked out in favor of crowded patios and rooftop bars, replacing sets and reps with sugary cocktails and overpriced appies. These warm weather temptations pose a problem for someone trying to lose fat. Sure, they can still participate... sorta. Just not often and certainly not “all the...

Another birthday came and went. Not with a bang, but a whimper. I would’ve completely missed it were it not for the wonderful Facebook. (And my lovely wife and mother of course). I used to think that people who said they “forgot” about their birthday were attention-seeking douchebags.  Then I grew up and got busy and skipped my 43rd birthday entirely, and almost forgot about the big 44 Magnum....