Why Should I Do Resistance Training?

Resistance training is quickly becoming one of the most popular and in-demand types of exercise in the world today. Many of us who exercise on a regular basis choose to only engage in cardiovascular exercise such as jogging, biking, and aerobics classes. Those who are in-the-know, however, will make time in their exercise schedule to pump some iron. Why? Resistance training will provide several benefits that cardiovascular exercise cannot.

Resistance training is a method to produce muscle growth. It also improves muscle strength and bone health, and it can drastically improve athletic performance. The value of resistance training is important for both men and women. It helps both stay healthy and offset the aging process, which can lead to problems such as loss of muscle mass and osteoporosis, and subsequent disability. 

Muscle growth is a very healthy and desirable process for both men AND women. Frequently, people (usually women) choose not to engage in a resistance training program because they are concerned that they will become “too big.” Unfortunately, this unfounded assumption can prevent them from obtaining the many benefits that pumping iron can provide them. For one thing, women have fewer muscle fibers than men, especially in the upper body. Additionally, the primary muscle building hormone (testosterone) is dramatically lower in women than in men. Therefore, it is very rare for a woman to develop muscles to a size that would be considered “manly.” The only way for this type of muscular development to occur in women would be with the help of anabolic steroids and/or growth hormone. What a woman WILL achieve with a well designed resistance training routine is a slight increase in muscle size with a corresponding decrease in body fat, with resulting smaller dimensions and significantly increased muscle definition and muscle tone. Yes, muscle growth is very sexy! 

In men, much more potential exists for increases in muscle size due to much greater amounts of testosterone and muscle fibers in the body. For the guys, proper training and nutrition are the other primary factors that we can control to increase muscle size. 

For both men and women, resistance training should be a staple in our exercise plan for many reasons. It is helpful in dealing with certain conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and diabetes. Under the eye of a trained professional, resistance training can be used for rehabilitation, recovery, and prevention of injury and correction of skeletal imbalances. 

Lifting weights can build, shape, and sculpt the body like nothing else in the world. The muscle gain it causes increases metabolic activity which plays an important role in fat loss. In combination with cardiovascular exercise and proper diet, it will help you create the body of your dreams!

Gregory T. Parker

Dear Joel,

Let me take the opportunity to formally thank you for the positive impact you have had on my life. Prior to the start of my training with you, I was a soft 228 pounds. I was lazy and didn’t like exercise in any form. Today, I am fit and don’t want to stop working out. You turned the entire fitness process into a fun and healthy lifestyle.

Not only did you change the shape and condition of my body, you impacted my mind. My self-confidence, drive and enthusiasm for life are at a high. I never though one person could have such an extreme impact on my life.

I consider you not only my trainer but also my friend. In life we have the rare opportunity to positively affect other people’s life. You have affected me deeply.

If you would ever like to use me as a reference for clients, please do not hesitate to ask. After speaking with me, they will have no doubt of the positive affect you can have on their body and mind.

Thanks again,
Gregory T. Parker

Joel’s book is coming soon!

Joel’s Fitness Book Is About to be Published!

In December 2008, Joel will be releasing his first book. Co-authored with human performance expert Billy Cox, the book will motivate, instruct, and inspire it’s readers to achieve the ultimate in mental and physical conditioning.

 You will learn:

• How to defy the odds(and genetics)!
• How to utilize the power of decision
• The simple “Rule of Thirds” eating strategy
• Ways to utilize the most underrated factor in achieving the best body possible!
• How to achieve balance in your life
• The real truth about weight training
• How to find a world class fitness coach for less than $50!
• The science of cardiovascular exercise and the number one reason to do it
• How to become a disciple of discipline
• The power of visualization and affirmations
• Surprising facts about flexibility training
• How the underdog in life really has the advantage!

AND MORE!

  We’ll post excerpts from time to time on our site so keep your eyes open for this great book!

Conquering the Beginning Stages of Your Weight Loss Journey

The first few weeks of a weight loss program are critical because that is the time when most people throw in the towel. Yes, the majority of people quit before they ever get started! One subject that always comes up is how much weight have I lost in the first few weeks. One must remember that they should use more than just the bathroom scale to determine progress being made. Body measurements, body fat, and energy level are other ways to determine how things are going in regards to their weight loss efforts. I have noticed that true frustration sets in when someone watches the scale and uses that as the ONLY benchmark to measure progress. Once the frustration sets in, look out! Here come the negative thoughts!

When this happens, the chances of someone throwing in the towel are pretty high. Most people start thinking that what they are doing to lose weight isn’t working when actually it is their viewpoint that is not working. The way you see things has a tremendous impact on the outcome of whatever you have set out to do. People that fail in their weight loss efforts have specific thought patterns that cause them to revert back to their old lifestyle. I have worked with numerous individuals that lose weight the first few weeks, for example 5 pounds. Warning signs that they have stinkin thinkin is when they complain about losing ONLY 5 pounds in two weeks. It is almost as if they think they should have hit their goal weight in two weeks. As soon as that person displays disappointment that they ONLY lost 5 pounds in two weeks, I know that they are headed down the road to failure. The crash is coming!

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The Ultimate Underdog

(EXCERPT FROM JOEL’S UPCOMING BOOK!)

My story begins in the Fall of 1981 in my hometown of Luling, Louisiana. Luling was a great place to grow up; it was a quiet, friendly blue-collar community nestled in the heart of Cajun Country. While at a news stand in nearby New Orleans, I remember being awe-struck by this perfectly sculpted bodybuilder name Frank Zane on the cover of a bodybuilding magazine. WOW! How cool would it be to look like that! For me, that was the day that physical fitness became a big part of my life. I wanted to be a body builder and I wanted to compete. It was all I could think about; I went to bed with it on my mind and woke up with a passion in my gut.

Now, having a body like this may not be your dream. Having big muscles or winning a bodybuilding contest is not what this book is all about. Your desire may be climbing the corporate ladder or building a successful business. It may be losing weight or getting into top physical and mental shape. But, I can assure you that any goal or dream you have is achievable if you get the proper mindset.

I soon joined a local gym called Universal Health Spa to begin the quest towards the physique of my dreams. I was sophomore in high school at the time and being a part of the “popular crowd” was no problem. I was fairly strong with decent athleticism. However, I was on the thin side(145 pounds) and when it came to the bodybuilding crowd, I was definitely an underdog. So, it was my feeling, if I could build a physique half as good as Frank Zane’s I would be one happy young man.

I began to visualize myself looking like a Greek statue; I would imagine my name being called out as the winner of a bodybuilding contest. I would visualize the contest as if it were real and I saw myself taking my place atop the podium as I received my first place trophy.

This was a desire that I kept to myself until “Trey” entered the picture. Trey was a well built “stud-muffin” who was one grade ahead of me in school. He was a nice guy for the most part, but a bit cocky; he didn’t mind letting you know that he was “the stuff” and that you were not.

Our “old school” style gym had just a few machines and a lot of free weights. It looked like an indoor version of the outdoor Venice Beach gym that Arnold Schwarzenegger trained at during his reign as the world’s greatest body builder. At least, that is how I remember it. Every one there was very nice and supportive of each other, for the most part. There was a little competitive jealously among some of the guys, but the majority of people who worked out there were truly nice people who helped each other out and rooted each other on.

As I poured out blood, sweat, and tears towards the attainment of my dream. Trey enjoyed trying to burst my bubble. I remember one day specifically when he walked up and said, “Lucky, you are just wasting your time, bro.” You work out hard, but you just don’t have the right kind of body to build any muscle. You’re never going to get big.

No longer could I keep my dream a secret. I replied, “Trey, not only am I going to get big, one day I will enter a bodybuilding contest and win.” I thought to myself, “I’m going to make him eat his words.” I made a commitment to myself and to the world; in my mind I left myself no outs. I felt empowered and ready to kick some butt!

Trey started laughing and called some of his buddies over and shared my declaration with them. They thought it was just as funny, and they all had a good time at my expense. I thought, “That’s Ok, I know that I will succeed despite what these guys think.” That day I made a decision; that if I really wanted something, I was going to find a way to make it happen. Anything negative that was said to me from this day forward would only drive me more. I was never going to let anyone STEAL MY DREAM!

Fast forward to Savannah, Georgia, 1991. I had been working out hard for over ten years. During this time I had entered numerous bodybuilding competitions, but I had never placed first. I would probably have given up if it weren’t for the fact that each time I entered a contest, I placed a little higher that the time before. I also remembered those words that Trey said, “Lucky, you’re never going to get big.”

With each contest my confidence grew as did my commitment, until I barely missed winning and wound up with a controversial 2^nd place. I was 25 years old and I had other dreams I wanted to accomplish. I started to wonder if I was ever going to win a bodybuilding contest. I began to feel a sense of urgency to win because I knew I was close to my “genetic ceiling” as far as bodybuilding was concerned. After yet another near miss, I gathered myself, utilized some positive “self-talk”, and made some slight changes in my routine. I also made a couple of nutritional adjustments that I felt would take me to the next level when I got on stage again.

Two weeks later on a cool March night in the Old South I walked out onto the stage confident and with a deep belief that I would win. That night I realized my dream and I actually won two bodybuilding titles in the same night; the Mr. Savannah and the Mr. Adonis. I didn’t care that these weren’t large, national competitions. What it represented to me was the culmination of a dream. I achieved the physical goals that I had been visualizing every day since I was 16 years old!

From that experience, I learned that with the right mindset and a relentless focus on achieving your goal, anything is possible. I also learned that just because something isn’t working for you today, doesn’t mean it is not achievable in the future. You just have to try harder and make slight adjustments to your approach until you get it right. Your past never has to equal your future unless you let it. The choice is yours. And, just in case you were wondering, Trey was notified! When told about my recent bodybuilding success, he did not believe it. A friend of mine had to show him the newspaper clipping and pictures of me at the top of the victory platform to prove he wasn’t lying. Trey was said to be speechless and simply walked away stunned.

AdvoCare Spark Comparison

The AdvoCare Spark Energy drink is a great way to boost your energy so you can get more done in less time!   Compared to coffee or other energy drinks, we’ve got a winner here! (Click image for larger view)

AdvoCare Meal Replacement Shake

AdvoCare offers a variety of meal replacement shakes that you can use to get that weight-loss edge, eliminating weight-gaining fat, calories and sugars. Use them in place of a normal meal and you’ll be sure to get the results you are after! (Click image for larger view)

• Available in Chocolate, Vanilla and Berry
• Offered in pouches
• 24 grams of protein
• 5-6 grams of fiber
• 26 vitamins and minerals and only 220 calories
• Contains 50% of the daily value of calcium
• Try it with a Metabolic Nutrition System (MNS®) for amazing results*

Servings: 14
Retail: $36.95

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AdvoCare vs Fast Food

We all know fast food can’t be healthy for you, yet, Americans consume a large portion of fast food as their daily diet. AdvoCare offers some great alternatives to that quick bite on the go! Check out the chart below for our comparison guide (click to view larger image):

AdvoCare Breakfast Bars

Curious how AdvoCare breakfast bars stack up against your usual breakfast meal?  Have a look at the table below for breakdown of the benefits (click the image for a larger view):

How to deal with setbacks

Let’s face it, we have all had setbacks and problems from time to time. What sets people apart is how they deal with that bump in the road. Do you spin out of control in despair when things don’t go your way? Or do you stay calm and work through the situation until you get back on the straight path? No matter what the project or goal, we all experience setbacks that knock us off of our feet. Just always keep in mind that a setback is a setup for a comeback.

It is very easy to quit and ignore the hard work you have put into something. So what if something bad happens? Always keep moving forward whether you feel like it or not. If you have your goals written down, then you will be reminded of where you want to go with your life. You’ve already built a solid foundation, hard work cannot be overlooked!

So how can you react when you hit that bump in the road? First, step back and look at the situation and take responsibility where it is due. Don’t blame others! Is your setback really that significant, or will it just require a little extra hard work? Be okay with where you are at and plan your next move. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People who have been successful have always had the help of others. Most people will be more than willing to give you a hand.

Revaluate your goals that you set at the beginning and find new resources to approach your goal if necessary. Make sure your goals are specific and realistic. Always view your project or effort as a success instead of looking at it as a disaster. Focus on the end result and how you will feel once you reach the finish line. Reward yourself for all that you have accomplished instead of focusing on the unsatisfactory performance.

Don’t live life with regrets. If it were easy, everybody would do it! It remains up to you whether you will persevere and fight the tough battles to earn whatever it is you want.

Keep moving forward and you will achieve the life you have always wanted. One minor setback is nothing if you really want to do something and are willing to roll up your sleeves and go to work.