I gained a friend recently that reminded me a lot of myself back in those days of my thirst for fitness knowledge.  Everyday Josh would ask me questions about fitness.  Like most people, Josh would ask questions but was hesitant to ask to much probably in fear that he was bugging me.  I know this to be true, one day Josh says to me “you can go ahead and charge me for a session if you want”.  Of coarse I charged him, I believe I charged him double…Just Kidding.   It has been about a year now that I have known Josh, and he is the reason that I have my website, and in particular writing this blog.   After a year, Josh never questioned anything that I threw at him.  Even when it came to his wife Claudia, they both took my guidance. Helped get her set in the right direction and she ran with and has had much success, as well as Josh…Both put in very hard work to reach their goals.  That’s all I can do is help guide, it takes all of you to put in the hard work, dedication, and commitment that makes me good at what I do.  So thank you to all of the people that I have merely set in the right direction.  With out you I don’t do what I do, thank you!

With that said, the one think that seems inconceivable to not only Josh, but millions of other people in this world, is that you can not decrease body fat and gain muscle simultaneously.  I have been preaching, teaching, that ever since I became a trainer going back almost 8 years now! 

So I set out to prove that I have been wrong for all of these years, and Josh along with millions of others are correct…

I first seek-ed input from many trainers that I have worked with and whom I have a great deal of respect.  Here are a few of the responses that I got, Clenbuterol and Test, I think I got you, Hmmmm, a reference to a suplement website,Looking for Muscle-Building Supplements but a bit confused? Make it easy and SAVE$$! Order a MUSCLE-BUILDING STACK at Bodybuilding.com. and a yes, however you would do a poor job of both with both nominal fat loss and nominal muscle gain.  That was actually the best answer that I got from my colleagues.

I found some online article’s that would support the theory, however none credible.  Those that support the fact that you can lose fat and gain muscle at the same time have absolutely no credible sources or scientific proof that supports their claims.  Their are many supplements claiming to help lose fat, gain muscle….However, supplements are not regulated by the FDA.  I highly recommend doing your homework before diving head first into a supplement, most feed off emotion.  The dream of being physically fit, and healthy is very powerful, especially to an individual that has battled weight problems for so many years.  The mere thought of not having that burden drive billions of dollars into supplement companies each and every year.

Facts are facts, and the facts are so overwhelmingly one sided in this debate.  It is not possible for one to gain muscle while losing fat!  Period!  This is the primary reason the success rate for getting into shape is so low, accompanied with the fact that people have difficulty eating healthy, and making healthy choices for many different reasons.  With that said and out of the way, lets look at some things that are true and we can all agree on and move forward in a positive fashion. 

1a.  You can build muscle, and you can lose body fat… Just not SIMULTANEOUSLY!   By the way supplements are not the devil, they can be very helpful in reaching your goal regardless of what that may be, just chose the right combination.Looking for Muscle-Building Supplements but a bit confused? Make it easy and SAVE$$! Order a MUSCLE-BUILDING STACK at Bodybuilding.com.

1b.  Almost everyone (99%) have muscle mass….For the majority of us they are just covered up by fat cells, or what I like to call stored energy.

2.  Lose the fat, you will look and feel like you have gained quite a bit of muscle.

3.  Once at you have reached your desired fat loss, then work on gaining lean mass.  You will look and feel like a million bucks, as you fine tune your physique.

4.  Remember, everyone has a six pack!  We just need to uncover them!

I more than welcome anyone with research that refutes what I have written in this blog, I would love to read it, please post in comments!

I know I said in part 2 that protein was the most misunderstood macro-nutrient, next to carbohydrates and fat.  I got to tell ya, not so sure about that.  After more research, I got to believe that all three are equally misunderstood.  Carbohydrates, we all know about them don’t we?  The evil one of the three, if you want to lose weight just cut carbs, right?  Or, if you want to lose weight just cut fat and go on a low fat diet, right?  Hmmm?  Hmmm?

I have a novel idea that just may win me the Nobel Peace Prize(not really). Lets eat a nice balanced nutritional diet no matter what our cosmetic goal would be.  If you want to lose weight, we are going to cut calories and still maintain a nice balance of carbs, proteins, and fats.

Nobody said that losing weight is easy, well someone probably said it, but I didn’t.  Its not easy, that’s the reason we are in an obesity epidemic in the U.S.,  terrible eating habits and our increasingly sedentary lifestyle making things more difficult.  Stay focused, committed, and consistent, not everyday is going to go according to plan.  It’s just a matter of  when you do fall off, don’t stay off, get right back on and keep going.

Some of the best advice I have ever received was from a friend of mine that told me one day to stop looking for all of the short term answers, because their are none.  So I pass his advice on to you my friends, oh, I almost forgot.  That’s his advice to you, and here is mine!

MOVE MORE, EAT LESS!

MOVE MORE, EAT LESS!

MOVE MORE, EAT LESS!

MOVE MORE, EAT LESS!

PS:

MOVE MORE, EAT LESS!

This phrase doesn’t always hold true to form, especially in the fitness industry. 

 Let me retract that, they will come!

  They just don’t stay long. 

I have been a in the fitness business for about eight years now, and the hardest thing for people to due is stay in exercise program.  Every client that I have ever had has either failed or succeeded by simply sticking or not sticking to a regular exercise and nutrition program.

So what are some ways that you can stick to your exercise program, you say? 

#1 has to be results, if you are seeing some great results from your workouts then you are going to continue to strive for more.  On the other hand, if your working your butt off and seeing minimal or zero results than you get discouraged and quite…PERIOD!  I believe the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

#1b is convenience, don’t go join some fancy health club clear across town from your home and work just because they have a hair salon, and rock wall you’ll never climb.(You know what health club I’m talking about, every city has at least one!)  If its not convenient then your not going to utilize it(unless you are getting your hair did) enough for you to get the results that you so deserve. 

I am a strong believer that everyone needs to join some type of health club.  If possible go ahead and sign up long term that way you will be held financially accountable to stick to your exercise program.  In time when you fall off the wagon(everyone does at some point) you will still be paying for the membership, forcing you to get your butt back in the gym.(By the way, I sell contracts for a living…lol)

Be sure to check out the personal trainers in the health club or gym that you join.  Personal Training is a great way for you to be held accountable, and for you to see some awesome results.

Even though personal training is becoming more and more affordable, in today’s economy, or any economy, personal training may not be an option for you.  That’s why we get ourselves a workout partner.  If possible, make sure that your workout partner is about the same fitness level as you are.  Your ability to push each other to the next level is going to be paramount, meaning of the utmost importance.  You like that word didn’t you Jesse.

Another great way of sticking to your plan is to write everything down, or log everything on your computer.  This means your workout and the things that you are eating, also if your not seeing the results that you should.  Logging is a great way for a professional to take a look at what you have been doing or not doing, and make the correct adjustments to maximize your results.

Make room for your exercise plan in your busy schedule.  WRITE IT IN YOUR BLACKBERRY, or whatever personal device that you may be using, I can’t keep up.  If its not a priority in your life, and you feel as if you could be doing something else, then in all likely hood you will be! 

P.S.  Make sure that you can afford($$$$) whatever exercise program you start.  Even if its just getting some sneakers and going for a run!  Whatever you start will usually work if you stick to your plan!  Isn’t that right Josh!

Right?

Yeah, if your Mexican.

What?

I capitalized it!

I would be better off blogging about cheeseburgers and snacky cakes, who doesn’t love a good deep fried snack cake.  Unless your my girlfriend, who works out just so that she can eat cheesecake, just kidding baby.

Man, if I keep this up it could be my first, and last blog.  I’m just saying, when did it become so socially acceptable for society to be so fat and lazy.  It seems like the bigger a person gets, the more invisible they become.  Who needs fitness anyway?  Just get the newest virtual video game and pretend to beat up Mike Tyson, or tee off with Tiger.  Whatever you do for Pete sake don’t leave the friendly confines of your living room.  Plus, you can even get some great food delivered straight to your door without taking a single unnecessary step.

We can just take our favorite diet pill and shake till the fat comes off, right?  You know who you are, your steady intake of diet pills, coffee, and cigarettes have been working for years to suppressyour appetite.  Some people need a good smack across the face just to wake up in the mornings, and some get up on their own without any alarm what so  ever.  What’s your alarm?  Is it that little boy in the gas station that looked at his daddy, pointed at you and said “look how big that man is daddy!”  It may be that possible realization that you now have to take insulin shots on a regular basis for your diabetes.  I have never been accused of being a nice personal trainer, nice doesn’t work.

Now for those of you that are still reading, and I have not offended you officially, or maybe I have and you just want to tell me off.  At any rate, theirs a means to an end, my out of shape friend.  Now lets see what we can get accomplished, put down the fork and go!