Sylvester Stallone??????????

I love the Japanese, they say some of the most delightful and yet oddest things. For example; the other morning at the K-Fit gym, there was a small group waiting for the workout area to open and one gal that I converse with regularly (she speaks some English) and her friend started a conversation. They were describing how I entered the building; sunglasses down, chest up, strutting, very A-typical American. Then the friend stared at me for a few moments and then said something in Japanese. When I asked what she had said, there were a couple of giggles then………..“my friend thinks you look like Sylvester Stallone”. WOW! I guess it was a compliment (?), I think it was anyway. I was flattered and bowed sincerely. I’m glad to see that even with a damaged foot; I’m still getting noticed while in pursuit of that Last 10 Pounds.

A Comment on Normal…………….

As a follow up to my last post, a review of Your Muscular Potential by Casey Butt, PhD, I am going to continue the discussion on what one should considered normal. Take a moment and do a ‘Google’ search on the word ‘fitness’, then select ‘Images’. As you scan through the pictures, you will see a litany of ‘hard bodies’; guys and gals that are 1) professional fitness models or 2) worked very hard to get very, very lean. Folks, this ain’t normal, these are fantasy bodies and are not reasonably achievable for the vast majority of us. These are the 1%er’s. Yet these are the bodies that the media is presenting as normal.

When we discuss normal in a realistic sense, we are looking at what is healthy and achievable. By achievable, I’m talking about watching what you eat, NOT a diet, and routine exercise, e.g. something fairly intense and structured three to four days a week. And no, walking 20 minutes a day doesn’t count. For men, a healthy and achievable Body Fat level is 17 to 24% and for women, 24 to 34%. And as described in my last blog entry, depending on your skeletal frame and your gender, you may carry that mass in various upper body and lower body proportions.

At 17 to 24% BF for men or 24 to 34% BF for women you will not be seen as a hard body super fit model but, you shouldn’t be considered obese either. At these levels, you should look normal and you most likely will be in excellent health. The ARMY accepts this as healthy and normal, so should you.

And as a last thought before we leave this subject; to get below these normal BF levels, to even come close to the hard body images that you Google’d up under the term ‘fitness’, you really, really have to put in some hard, hard, hard effort; your diet and exercise regimen will to become a living priority. So once you’ve reached normal and decide to start chasing that Last 10 Pounds, going after a more fit or athletic look, your efforts increase exponentially, e.g. you’ve reached that level of diminishing returns. To get there you will work your ass off.

My advice, strive for normal and then if you have time and ambition, go after that better you.

More Book Reports………….

Evolution by Joe Manganiello is yet another ‘cookie cutter’ diet and exercise book. This was a Men’s Health must read a year ago. In fact the author was on the cover of Men’s Health a year ago. The best part of this book is the introduction penned by Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m still a big fan, that’s why I picked up a copy. The next few chapters of this book are motivational; details how the author became motivated and made his personnel lifestyle changes. It’s not too bad but is really geared to the emerging actor or a fitness model. As far as diet, I am glad the author stayed away from recipes, he gives you a shopping list targeting healthy whole foods. And instead of the daily 6X meal plan, the author recommends three squares a day plus some advice as far meal timing. Also refreshing, Mr. Manganiello isn’t a carb hater. The exercise section borders on cross-fit; high intensity, high rep, short rest, plyometric, etc… Kind of like a HIIT for weight training. Like I stated, the best part of this book is Arnold’s introduction.

Man 2.0, Engineering the Alpha by John Romaniello and Adam Bornstein is another book I finished up this month. It also has an introduction by Arnold and again, why I picked up this book. In fact, the introduction is the only part worth reading. It should also be noted that the coauthor, Adam Bornstein, at one time was an editor for Men’s Health. His motivational ‘spew’ is largely based on a very negative view of the commercial fitness industry, more of a rant than anything. Like Evolution, this book is still just a ‘cookie cutter’, a rehash of the same old diet and exercise regimes that most experienced ‘gym rats’ already know. The problem I really have with this book; the author(s) have stepped over the line in the motivational sections. They really abuse their audience with profanity; with a womanizing (more like predator) attitude and just plain being ‘low brow’ trolls.

• My opinion on printed profanity; the ‘f’ word is used when you smash you finger with a hammer, walk away from an accident that should have been fatal or you’re an 18 year old sailor cleaning the engine room bilges with your toothbrush. It should never be published outside of the porn industry.

• My opinion on attracting women; yes we all want to be attractive to the opposite sex but you don’t put in print “I just want to look good so I can f..k women”, that’s NOT motivational or even acceptable. That’s creepy. That’s irresponsible to your audience.

•  My opinion on ‘Low Brows’; it’s pretty obvious the author(s) borrowed and repackaged quite a bit of information from Lyle McDonald (bodyrecoposition.com) and Martin Berkhan (leangains.com). However, they never acknowledge the sources. It’s nice to repackage but it’s never nice to steal and say it’s yours. Can you spell; “LOOSER!!!!”

• My opinion on ‘Trolls’; according to our author(s), all commercial gyms and their trainers are unqualified dweebs. That may be true but their customer base encourages this……….to a certain extent. Most trainers are helping the beginner, the newb. Their training and certification is based on getting that 60 year old man or woman off of their butts and moving. Their job has nothing to do with bodybuilding specificity; they are not bodybuilding coaches. So don’t go bashing a business enterprise for being a ‘business enterprise’. Some people get value from commercial gyms, some don’t. It’s the customer’s decision and his responsibility to be informed. Trolls don’t inform, they bully and that’s what the author(s) come across as.

This book is NOT motivational and even if there were any great fitness or bodybuilding tips, they were lost in the crudeness of the authors. I’m sorry, the book really ‘SUCKS’.   

The Foot…………

WOW! I made my first run on that broken foot. It feels OK but sloooooooooow is the order of business here. On the 28^th of July, I did seven 1 minute jogs and 1 minute rests plus 10 minutes of ‘power’ walking on the front end and back end. Gosh, a whole mile and third. The good news; there was no pain. Is it healed? Close but not completely. I will continue this routine 2 or 3 times a week over the next few weeks and report back on the outcome.

So in pursuit of that Last 10 Pounds, read, learn and form your own opinions. If you are just starting out, a commercial gym and their trainers may be your best resource. And as you expand your interest in the different areas of fitness and need more help, look for an experience coach, go to a professional. Don’t allow yourself to be badgered or bullied into a certain point of view. Life is too short to be angry.