1. Your genes are your genes. Short, tall, wide hips, narrow shoulders, etc. There’s no changing them, and you sure can’t whine to the dealer for a better set of cards.
However, you’d be amazed how “bad genetics” seem to magically get better after a decade of hard work and no quitting.
I’ve known plenty of people who thought they had “shit genetics” in their teens and twenties, only to be labeled “genetically gifted” in their thirties and forties.
2. A client asked me just today, what’s more important for building muscle: hard work (effort) or quality of programming?
It’s hard work. Actually, it’s consistent hard work.
I do write good programs though.
3. During the final stretch of a fat loss diet you’ll deal with hunger, exhaustion, heavy legs, diminished strength, reduced sex drive, and insomnia.
Is it worth it? That’s up to you.
Just know what you’re signing up for. And watch for scammers that try to tell you otherwise.
4. The whole “toxic people” thing is a bit overstated. People aren’t toxic. I mean, they’re not made of sugar.
People are just people.
Everybody is an asshole sometimes. Some people are just more “assholey” than others.
I suppose it’s due to upbringing or insecurity. Though I’ve come to learn “toxicity” can be a survival mechanism to near-insurmountable life stress.
So as the saying goes, be kind. Everyone is fighting a war you know nothing about.
However, if someone keeps trying to jack up your diet or pressure you to do Jagermeister shots on a Tuesday, I think i’ts more on YOU to be firm in your goals.
And when people say “come on, live a little” it’s often because they find your resolve a little intimidating and seek to humanize you.
Rather than be angry or bitter, be sympathetic. Perhaps respond with an offer to help them reach their own goals?
5. Speaking of fat loss, here’s a life lesson.
Over the years I’d occasionally get busy or travel or lose focus and gain a bit of weight.
Fortunately my vanity is strong so things wouldn’t get too sloppy, and I’d just “clean up my diet” (i.e., lower calories) and bounce the fat off in a hurry.
I found myself in a similar place earlier this year but opted to do something different. Rather than just lower calories, I chose to re-comp.
a) bumped up protein, especially beef
b) removed snack foods and junk carbs while prioritizing carbs around training
c) worked on my sleep quality
d) established a 7 day eat-sleep-train rhythm. No off days from that.
e) cranked up my training to 5-6 days a week plus a lot of walking.
I’m not as as lean as I could’ve been had I just slashed calories and went hungry, though I’ve never this lean at this heavy a bodyweight.
Just a reminder that muscle solves problems.
I’ll write a blog or something about it soon.
Maybe one of them-there “free reports” that I can use to swipe your email address so maybe one day I can try to sell you shit. I dunno.