acrain’s BodyBlog

To follow up on my last science experiment blog regarding going on a 48 hour fast I will tell you all this, our bodies rock!  Not only do I believe that it’s important to mix up our workout routines but also our diets.  It’s important to keep the metabolism guessing, hence the reason why sometimes you will hear someone advise a client to eat a cheeseburger if they’ve hit a plateau.  Eating a "fatty" cheeseburger may be the last thing a client wants to do ~ it goes against all normal psyche, shouldn’t one eat less to lose more?  Shouldn’t one eat clean to lose?  It all depends…

Okay, so feedback from my fast.  Prior to fasting I have been focused on increasing my caloric intake in every area: carbs, fats, proteins with the goal of gaining muscle for my next show.  As much "fun" as this can be it can also be a bit mentally tough as well as digestively tough to get through.

The first full day of fasting my stomach felt better (it had less work to do) and all in all I didn’t feel that hungry.  My muscles seemed to be fine as far as fullness and even my workout went pretty well.  It was into the second 24 hours that I began to fear I was losing muscle and I definitely felt more fatigued through the next workout.

Mentally, fasting became a nice respite to not have to actually worry about what time it was, what’s my next meal, etc…  So that was a nice change of pace.

My verdict is honestly still out.  I can’t fathom nor would I recommend doing it any longer than 48 hours, I would fear too much muscle loss, weaker workouts and a slight risk to want to over indulge once you reintroduce food.  However, a short fast may be a good idea every once in awhile both mentally and physically.  But this is why I love this sport, it’s a science and just because one thing works for the other guy doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you…

Last night at dinner some friends of mine (who also compete) and I sat around discussing politics, the weather and of course working out.  The thing I love is that we all have our different theories, which supplements work the best, which routines work each body part the best etc…  

I have heard conflicting opinions on fasting.  Does it help or hinder bodybuilders?  I used to be all against it but the more I experiment the more I learn about what my body likes and doesn’t like.  My body reacts differently depending on what I do to it and that’s why I love this art, it’s a constant chance/attempt to sculpt and build and create…

So this is what I am going to attempt for the next 2 days.  I have been in my off-season gaining muscle phase and I want to make sure I keep my metabolism guessing.  Starting tomorrow I’m going to attempt a fast.  I’m still going to lift as hard as I possibly can ~ not do any cardio (which mentally might be a good test for me) and see what happens.  My hope is that not only will I trick my metabolism but once I reintroduce protein and carbs (food) back into the diet my body will want to absorb as much of it as possible.

I’ve always heard and even experienced that post contest is key time to make gains.  Perhaps this will be a mini-attempt of creating a post contest gain…  We shall see…

So…I had a client text me today to tell me that she has lost 10 lbs. in the last 3 weeks that we’ve been training together.  She told me that it was my motivation that has made it happen.  As good as that felt to hear it was bullshit.  

I have given her some tools, some guidance, some education to assist her reach her goals.  She has done the work.  I have encouraged but I have not held her hand - she has pushed.  I have sent her text and emails to help with keeping her focused but she has been the one to hit delete or truly read the message and absorb it.  It has been her.

Working out to me is like breathing, it’s something I have to do for myself.  It’s a hobby, it’s a passion, it’s an art form, it’s a love.  I know and understand that not everyone feels this way but if I can help in even a minor way someone feel better about themselves, live a healthier lifestyle, than that’s just icing on my protein powder cake.

When I got her text today about losing the 10 pounds, I smiled, I felt ecstatic for her.  It made the time and energy spent all worth it but she’s wrong when she says that it was me.  It was all her.  Perhaps she just finally looked into my eyes and saw how much I believe in her and started to believe it herself…

Kim Lyons had mentioned to some of us at the Olympia that she was working on a reality personal training tv series that would show her and other trainers going into peoples homes and show them how to transforms their unhealthy habits into happy and healthy lifestyle transformations.  The way she described it was much better than my own words, but I knew she had something and I was hoping to hear by now that it had been picked up by a network.  

Has anyone heard anything new regarding this?  And if not, heck perhaps it’s time that we contact our tv networks that bring us trashy tv and beg them to bring us something healthy and positive??  It’s beyond time…

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/OlympiaBlog

Hi fellow Hoosiers!

I now have a couple of vacancies for new personal training clients.  If you want to lose weight, do specific sport training, get ready for a contest or just want to be pushed to a new level I’m am ready to take you there.

If you’re near or in the Indianapolis area please feel free to email me: acrain101@hotmail.com

Looking forward to helping you reach your full potential!!

Yummy ~ Fall harvest delite as it is low in calories and so good for you!

1 apple cut in slices,1 tbsp natural peanut butter, pinch cinammon, 1 packet splenda, drizzle sf syrup, 1 low carb tortilla-small 50 calories

Take your tortilla and spread the peanut butter, cinammon, and splenda. Top with apples and drizzle sf syrup. I rolled it up like a wrap or you could cut it up and eat with a fork. SO YUMMY and only 240 calories!!

Try these pumpkin Pie Waffles next time you want something new.

4- egg whites
2 scoops Beverly ultra size vanilla protein powder
1/4 c oatmeal (more or less depending where you are with carb intake)
1/4 c can pumpkin
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Even add a dollap of FF Cool Whip and YUMMY!! 

So, life is good right?!  We all know that it comes with it’s own ups and downs but baby, hang on tight to the roller coaster ride of life because sometimes the journey is amazing!!

One of my newest Figure friends and I planned on going to the Olympia to support Julie Lohre in the Fitness competition.  We were looking forward to the Expo, the prejudging, the show and of course all the other things that Vegas has to offer.  And then she calls me to tell me that she’s won some contest for bodybuilding.com to blog her experience at the O!!  Say what?!?!  That’s ridiculously awesome!!  And I of course am more than happy to be her gopher or whatever else she might need.  Hey I swallowed my pride a long time ago.  

Now I’m more excited than ever to get out to Vegas, be around all the competitors, the smell of ProTan, the hype of it all!  I have no idea what’s in store; I have no idea what to expect but I know one thing is for sure ~ life is good!  And if I have anything to do with it, my friend and I will be reporting the O to you with the enthusiasm of a young child waking up on Christmas morning!!

Rock on Julie Lohre!  Baby, you’re freaking amazing and I’m honored to be there screaming and supporting you all the way girl!

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