The Lean Eating Method – 8 Lessons

Food & Nutrition | Motivation | Weight Loss

1. Measure what you want to improve.

In Lean Eating, we keep data on everything clients want to improve. Wanna lose weight? Step on the scale. Wanna be more precise and lose fat? Get out the calipers and measure body fat. Wanna fit into your skinny clothes? Try them on once in a while. Wanna feel better? Then every few weeks, actually ask yourself how you’re feeling, write it down, and review it every few months.

Basic stuff right? Bullshit. I work with professional athletes and teams, I consult with major gym chains on their personal training practices, I work one-on-one with clients from all walks of life from all over the world. And believe me: practically no one does this. In fact, sometimes I feel like we’re the only ones who really do this stuff, and the reason is because it works! There’s an old saying you’d be wise to follow: “What gets measured gets done.”

2. Take photos.

Admit it: you care — at least a little, and maybe a lot — about how you look. And that’s okay! In fact, it’s healthy and normal. Who doesn’t want to look great? Well, for the same way you’d measure weight loss if you want to lose weight, you better take photos if you want to look better. Read more…

The Yin and Yang of Intensity and Rest

Muscle Building | Recovery & Healing | Strength Training | Yoga

Mike Mentzer is a former Mr. Universe who had unique theories about strength training and bodybuilding.  He was an extreme proponent of “High Intensity Training,” meaning he recommended short, very intense bouts of exercise followed by lots and lots of rest. Many years ago, reading his books and articles completely transformed the way I looked at weight training (see “High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way”).   To this day, my workouts are typically very short and very intense based on Mentzer’s philosophy.

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of his training method is the belief in the value of rest. I remember in one of his books, he told the story of inviting several of the world’s top bodybuilders to his home for a “training camp.”  Although these were all elite athletes who had “maxed out” in size, he promised them that if they spent a few days with him, their muscles would grow even more.  Most accepted the invitation but were skeptical that they would see any results since they had already been training as hard as they possibly could and had all reached plateaus that they simply could not pass. Read more…

Mantras, Goals, and Emotions Summon the Power Within

Mind & Meditation | Motivation | Self-Cultivation

The idea for this post sprung to mind during the final grueling minutes of my boxing class. With ten minutes to go I had hit the point of no return. My muscles were screaming in utter exhaustion as sweat poured off my body. As I was gasping for breath I could hear my heart pounding out of my chest. At this moment I had two choices:

1. Give in, ease up on the intensity and take the easy road out or

2. Dig deep and suck it up because, “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”

So what made me choose the latter?

An array of thoughts raced through my mind as I was about to make my split second decision. So I closed my eyes and channeled my energies to visualize for a moment exactly what I wanted and needed to achieve out of this class. The vivid image of a ‘sexy six-pack’ was all I could see. With each punch and jab I repeated that phrase in my mind, just like a broken record, over and over again. And all of a sudden, there it was…my second wind; a wicked burst of energy that had the power to blast me down the home straight.

Do you have a mantra that fires you up?
Trigger words that can change your attitude in the blink of an eye?

‘Sexy six-pack’ has been my mantra for quite some time now. It is what pulls me through when I want to give up. It forces me to think of the end result and not the pain of the present moment. Because when I ask myself, “How bad do I want it?” There is only ever one answer… Real bad. Read more…

Increase Strength and Metabolism: Lift Heavier Weights for Fewer Repetitions

Muscle Building | Strength Training | Weight Loss

Many trainers and fitness coaches continue to focus on high repetition exercises to produce the appealing curves many men and women want their bodies to look like. However, current science has shown that lifting heavier weights for fewer repetitions is more effective at increasing strength and enhancing metabolism.

A 2002 study compared the metabolic profile of women lifting 85% of their maximum ability for 8 reps, versus 45% for 15 reps. The test subjects who were lifting the heavier load for fewer reps burned more energy and had a significantly larger metabolic boost after exercise.

Another study looked at 2 groups of women over a 6 year period who performed squats and military presses at different intensity levels. The women who worked at 70-80% of their maximal for 8 reps had greater weight and body fat loss than crossover groups. Read more…

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The Mindful Method: Meditation, Yoga, and Mindful Strength Training

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