Brad’s Q & A BodyBlog

For those who have missed the first few articles in the series you can find them here:

          http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/target_training_series.htm

New articles are coming soon!

Be well,

Brad

Q:

Hey Brad, how are you.

I just wanted to say hello and tell you that everything is going great with the ab routine and thanks again for all the help with the questions. I think I am getting of to a good start. If its ok I would like to ask you about some of the stupid stigmas that a lot of
people face with natural bodybuilding.

I absolutely hate and despise steroid use and would never ever engage in their use in my life but I just want to talk about your point of view with natural pros v.s. untested ones. To me I feel like the use of steroids is kind of like being told that you are getting the greatest Christmas present of your life, that present being a symbol of a great body and if you open it before Christmas, which symbolizes not doing the long work for it of waiting and you can only enjoy it a few days before it gets taken away.

Steroid use seems pointless to me. I am always going to make the choice to be natural and stay that way so don’t worry brad I would die before considering steroids. I just want to talk to you about it because there are some people that I know that use it and there
is a bunch of stupid stigmas that you see with untested pros that you know are using.

Usually pro bodybuilders these days that kids rave about are the untested ones and it makes you think..oh, I can only achieve that body through steriods and I don’t think that is true because I think natural guys can get that body too with work. I don’t care how much time it takes I just want to have the best body I can, I just think that people base instant gratification on steriod use. I hate the fact that natural pros get pushed away when they are the ones who are the pure ones, even though the untested ones do work hard they still cheat by putting that stuff in their body.

How do you feel about this? Because I know I don’t ever need it to be a great bodybuilder? Thanks a lot for helping, not to kiss up to ya or anything like that but I just want to let you know that you are the biggest body building outlet, influence and friend to me for listening me talk a bunch!

God bless you man

A:

Hi Bryan,
 
I am glad you are having great success with my routines! It really is nice to know others are taking my advice and reaping the results they are after.
 
Well, I can see by reading your email that you are very passionate about being natural and seem true to your word and beliefs which I appreciate. Yes, it can be a bit frustrating when others are using steroids or other illegal drugs to get the body of their dreams. It seems as if they decided to take the easy road and we - as natural athletes - feel a little slighted in the process. We toil away in the gym just to see only a few pounds of muscle gained and only a few pounds of fat burned. We are so strict with our diets, we turn down invitations for social events, we pack our food wherever we go and we still feel like we are way behind those big "steroid freaks." Bottom line: we feel cheated.
 
Well, I say we must stop! Natural bodybuilding is a great sport and is growing by leaps and bounds each and every year. We must stop looking at others in jealousy and look at ourselves as ambassadors. We must be the link to others who are seeking a drug-free way of life to show them the way and be a role model of success. Do you think someone would gravitate toward someone with a jealous, bad attitude about others in the gym that may be taking steroids or gravitate toward someone with a positive attitude toward being drug-free? 
 
In other words, we MUST look past those who are clouding our vision of bodybuilding and look to ourselves to promote a drug-free lifestyle and help others along the way. That is their choice and they must live with it. Be the example! Those other guys on drugs will come and go - you will always stay true to your word and the sport. If you practice it, other will see it. Rise above.
 
Great luck!
Brad

Q:

Hello Brad,I love your “Mass Confusion” article.  I was wondering if you could assist me on an issue.  I am not gaining weight (stopped growing in size) and I purchased Cytogainer.  Is the high cholesterol content dangerous? Have I thrown my money away?  

A:

Hi Roy,
 
Thanks for the kind words regarding my article. To answer your question: Yes, 150mg which is 51% of your daily value is a bit much. If you find yourself a little worried about your cholesterol I would either find another protein to buy or consult your doctor. Even though there is new research surrounding eggs (in moderation) and how they have little effect on your blood cholesterol levels I would still be cautious.
 
On the subject of creatine, 3 grams is actually not a high amount. Most research currently suggests that 3-5 grams pre and post training is what is usually required to have an effect.
 
Good luck,
 
Brad

Q:

I read your biography on bodybuilding.com. I noticed you lost 30 pounds of muscle in an 8 month period because of the lymphoma. First of all, let me say I am sorry you suffered through cancer and I respect you so much more for coming back to the sport after. This last year, I attended Purdue University as a freshman and hated it. For some reason I lost about 31 pounds of good muscle I had gained. I am from California and so I attribute this weight loss to the sudden change in my climate as well as just depression I would guess from not liking the school much. I also wasn’t lifting while at Purdue. Either way, I am looking to gain that muscle back FAST. So far I have been just doing the same lifts I used to do before going to Purdue but I am seeing negligible results. Do you know of any specific workouts from experience that trigger muscle memory growth?

–
-Chad Centofante

A:

Hi Chad,
 
Well, it sounds like you are struggling with gains and you seem to be in your OWN way. Depression, no matter how mild, can stop gains in their tracks and sometimes reverse them! It is solely up to us to turn ourselves around and take it day by day. We sometimes may not like the situation we are in, but just think of it only as temporary. Like the old saying, “This too shall pass.”
 
It is these times of difficulty that really shape us into who we become. If we decide to roll over and curl up, it will become a part of us. But if we decide to stand up and press on no matter how many times we fall, well, that is who we become!
 
Real courage is keeping it together when everyone around you would understand if you fell apart. See this new environment, school, schedule, etc as a challenge set in front of you. You will learn so much about what you are made of and who you will become. Just think, if everything in life were easy, it wouldn’t be worth having.
 
Once you start down the road of better thinking and the correct mindset - trust me - the gains will come back like wildfire. Rekindle your passion! Isn’t that what bodybuilding is all about? Fighting through adversity to one day triumph despite the road ahead.
 
Keep a journal of your thoughts and do one thing each day to counter your depression. Once others see this new, positive you they will gravitate toward you and lift you even higher. 
 
Great luck!
Brad