Archive for February 2012

Quick thought:  I try to encourage people to train for a specific goal.  Something tangible they can think about, envision, focus on while sacrificing and working hard.  It motivates us to have a short-term, reachable finish line.  Examples: a 5K race, a photo shoot, a bodybuilding show, a lifting competition, a vacation with family or friends.  The cool thing about training hard and eating right in preparation for something like that is you develop habits and you can keep that lifestyle going after the event.  Or, even better, put something else down on the calendar and take it to the next level...

Sometimes, however, we have to train for the unknown.  

That's where I find myself these days.  I feel like something is around the corner, something is coming which is gonna require me to be at my best.  I know my lifestyle is a little strange- example- yesterday, out of the blue,  my agent needed me to take a few digital photos in swim shorts for an audition.  Not a big deal, right?  But that's the kind of thing that would give me fits if I wasn't "training for the unknown!"  If I had been Stay-Puft Marshmallow, then taking pix like that would be a miserable experience.  No one enjoys that.  

Yesterday's "head shot" for the client (whom I will probably never hear from again... ha!):

Yes, silly job.  But that's just one example- we all could have something pop up in our lives which would be more easily accomplished- if at all- if we were feeling good and strong and fit.  The best you can be.     

Check back this week- I have had quite a few requests lately for my current training, nutrition, and supplementation plans.  I'll try to get on that in the next couple of days.

By the way: when I was that scrawny 15 year old who started lifting weights in my high school gym everyday after school, I would have NEVER guessed that someone would see fit to put me in Muscle And Fitness Magazine on the same page as Arnold himself.  Unbelievable- still a scrawny kid!  Hahah they got their facts a little wrong, as a magazine will do, but I am honored.  What a trip...  

Hey guys, if you'd like to check out photos, or to copy them, or email/facebook Jimmy for a higher-res version of one, please go here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.354722674562743.88800.153289428039403&type=1  Thanks Jimmy!!!!

I was asked to try out a couple of new products from GNC.  One of which is the "Re-Built Mass" from their Beyond Raw line:

I was a bit scared.  Last time I took a mass gainer was in college umpteen years ago.  A bazillion calories, carbs, even sugar and fat? YIKES!  

But, I committed to trying it, and although I make no claims on intelligence, I do try to claim integrity.  So I figured if I quickly ballooned up into the marshmallow man then I would have my answer about the usability of this product for guys in their thirties who are trying to stay lean. 

Disclaimer:  I am training a LOT these days.  And, my intake is pretty tight.  On the weekends, I allow myself a few beers or glasses of wine, some dark chocolate covered almonds, etc, but for the most part, I am intaking only good fuel.

Usage: The listed directions say take 3 scoops!  Here is the label: 

		Serving Size   3 level scoop(s) Servings Per Container  11 Amount Per Serving   % DV Calories    850.00     Calories from Fat    90.00     Total Fat    10.00 g   15%  Saturated Fat    5.00 g   25%  Cholesterol    80.00 mg   27%  Sodium    550.00 mg   23%  Total Carbohydrate    130.00 g   43%  Dietary Fiber    4.00 g   16%  Calcium    500.00 mg   50%  Potassium    1000.00 mg   29%  Sugars    10.00 g     Protein    60.00 g

Scary for a skinny guy, right??!  I think that's a bit much for a welterweight like me, so I've been taking 2 scoops, and using it immediately after my lifting session of the day.  The other protein shakes of the day are mainly GNC's Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 (review here: http://ironcrossfitness.com/2011/12/16/a-quick-protein-review/) 

Results: Honestly, I love it.  Some products you try and you know immediately that you will never use them again.  This one- what's not to love?  I have the Chocolate Brownie flavor, and it tastes delicious.  Of course it does- I'm used to many years force-feeding myself protein shakes without sugar, carbs, or fat!  This one spoils me- I look forward to it like the tigers at the zoo with their raw meat at feeding time.  The first couple days, of course, I felt very full after drinking it, my little belly adjusting to taking in the extras.  

Weight: You know how I feel about scales, but due to the unique nature of this product, I thought I would check what my weight is doing.  When I finished the Birthday Challenge a couple of weeks ago, I stepped on the scale before that photo shoot and was about 167.  Just now I am 172.  Not a big difference, but, I think it's pretty fair to say that I have gained a couple pounds of hard muscle in the last couple of weeks, and the only real change to my intake calorically is this Re-Built Mass.  Not bad!  I've managed to stay lean, since my intake and training are pretty dialed in.  I imagine that adding in another Re-Built Mass shake throughout the day would bump this up a little more, but may alter how lean I can stayas well?  

You know the obnoxious guy who take a photo of himself in the mirror?  Well, here is one of those from late last night, just so you know I'm not getting too squishy:  

Performance: For me- having the silly jobs that I do- looking a certain way is important, but so is performing a certain way.  I'm very happy to put on a few pounds of muscle- as long as my body supports it functionally.  I'm happy to say that I have pushed myself a few times in workouts over the last couple of weeks and I feel great, and my strength is easily supporting any growth my body is doing.

Here are a few tests of functionality that I tried recently:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n4Bh6Rneuo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygiq6lHqaO8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iZQLvWcGw

Conclusion: You know me, no illusions of grandeur- Jay Cutler isn't worried about me at the next Mr. O and I'm not gonna win any powerlifting competitions in 2012.  But, for guys like me- there are millions!- the golden egg has always been how to stay lean AND add muscle.  How to get bigger and stronger but not squishier!  Well, I think GNC' Re-Built Mass is a fantastic tool for this.  If you maintain your discipline in other areas, and add in one or two of these meals (I mean shakes!) I think you will be very happy with the results.  For a guy who has been trying to figure it out for 20 years now, I know I am.  And it's only been a couple of weeks!

I'm looking forward to pushing even harder.  Thanks guys.

As always, holler at me here, or on Twitter @andymcd23

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Guys, I had a great birthday weekend.  Surrounded by lots of dear friends and family- we all celebrated getting older instead of mourned it, like an Irish funeral...

I have learned a lot from the past couple of months.  I dialed in my intake and ramped up my training.  I confirmed the thinking that we create a habit after a few weeks, and then soon thereafter, that habit becomes a part of your lifestyle.  Habits are strong.  Good and bad.  The more good habits we take one, the better our lifestyle.

Habits are stronger than will power.  I feel my will power is probably up there with anyone's based on a lifetime of forcing myself to do what most won't, but habits are stronger.

Now, moving forward, the changes I made are now permanent.  I am looking forward to getting to another level.

Think about a couple of small changes you could make- either your training, your food, your drinks, sleep, water, etc.  Make one or two at a time- nothing crazy.  Make small, slow changes, and they will stick.  Before you know it, you are different, because your lifestyle is different.

Are you better than you were yesterday?  :)

Last thought: several folks have asked what happened with that last audition, since it had to do with fitness, etc.  Thanks for supporting the wannabe...  I was to be the host of a big commercial/infomercial for a "revolutionary new fitness and nutrition system." Well, good news: I got called back to do a screen test with the star and creator of the program.  More good news: I was told it went great and they really liked me.  BAD NEWS: they decided not to use me because I was too fit.  They didn't want me to stand next to the star and take away from him.  He is supposed to be the man.  I guess I understand, from a business perspective, but personally it's very disappointing.

But, you know what I've decided?  I'm going to push harder and get even more fit.  Something is around the corner, and I want to be more than ready...