Motivation
I'm not getting any younger and sorting myself out now will be much easier than doing it later. Also as I mentioned before my girlfriend is in perfect shape. It's only fair that I offer her the same level of fitness that she offers me.
Being in top shape sets a good example to the students at the club, also going from being quite out of shape now to being ripped again, should help motivate those that are training to loose weight. Sticking any new tournament titles in the local papers would also help promote the club and generate interest.
+ all the obvious reasons such as health, etc...
Activities
Kickboxing twice a week
Not a lot of choice here being that I run the club :) Kickboxing is a great all round work out, and also come in very handy when you find yourself in a scrape. Doing more circuits in the class will help to loose fat.
Judo once a week.
Fills in most of the side of martials arts that I don't already know (Kickboxing is striking, Judo is grappling). After all a striking style isn't going to help you much if a fight goes to the ground.
Weights twice a week.
The only real way to improve muscle strength.
Running twice a week.
The two main forms of cardio are running and cycling. I've never like saddle sore myself.
Swimming once a week.
Great for improving lung capacity, all round muscle stamina, and also strength as the water provides resistance.
I'm not getting any younger and sorting myself out now will be much easier than doing it later. Also as I mentioned before my girlfriend is in perfect shape. It's only fair that I offer her the same level of fitness that she offers me.
Being in top shape sets a good example to the students at the club, also going from being quite out of shape now to being ripped again, should help motivate those that are training to loose weight. Sticking any new tournament titles in the local papers would also help promote the club and generate interest.
+ all the obvious reasons such as health, etc...
Activities
Kickboxing twice a week
Not a lot of choice here being that I run the club :) Kickboxing is a great all round work out, and also come in very handy when you find yourself in a scrape. Doing more circuits in the class will help to loose fat.
Judo once a week.
Fills in most of the side of martials arts that I don't already know (Kickboxing is striking, Judo is grappling). After all a striking style isn't going to help you much if a fight goes to the ground.
Weights twice a week.
The only real way to improve muscle strength.
Running twice a week.
The two main forms of cardio are running and cycling. I've never like saddle sore myself.
Swimming once a week.
Great for improving lung capacity, all round muscle stamina, and also strength as the water provides resistance.
Supplements
In the past I've tried all kinds of supplements, all the protein shakes, creatine, boosters, fat burners, etc. If it's legal I've probably tried it. I've never taken any illegal supplements such as steroids and I'm proud of it. I think one of the advantages of weight training at home rather than down a gym, is that you don't have any pressure to take steroids.
If you are looking at trying different supplements here is my advice:-
Avoid:-
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid). This is supposed to make you release more growth hormone. Last I heard it was being taken off the market because people really weren't sure whether it was harmful. You can still find it online being sold for anything from muscle growth to anti aging.
Testosterone boosters. There are plenty of legal herbal testosterone boosters. They help increase your levels of testosterone which is linked to helping you grow more muscle. In reality they are much more likely to make you spotty and your hair fall out.
Overpriced supplements. Remember that protein is protein, there isn't a great deal of difference. Most of the expensive ones aren't much more than a lot of hype and a few extra vitamins.
Weight gainers. Not all weight gainers a bad, but be careful! Some of these are loaded with really bad and unhealthy saturated fats. Always check the label.
Legal Steroids mimics. Not hormones themselves but generally get digested and turned into steroid like hormones by your body. Can be just as dangerous as the real thing.
Steroids. Avoid at all costs. When chatting to different body buildings it's often frightening to hear the missinformation that goes around some gyms. I met one guy who told me that weight training without steroids is dangerous, that the steroids strengthen your ligaments and tendons... This could not be further from the truth! Steroids do nothing to strengthen ligaments and tendons. In fact they cause a lot of irreparable damage to ligaments and tendons as they get the muscle lifting weights that it should not be capable of and has not built up to properly. At the end of the day do you really want to put on musle a bit quicker now, but have a heart attack before you are 40?
What I'm taking
Casin protein - Every night just before I go to bed. It's a slow digest protein to help ensure protein is available for muscle growth and repair during the night.
PhD Synergy ISO 7 - Once a day, usually evening or straight after weight training.
Protein bars - Imbetween meals.
Grabits Chicken on a stick - Great natural 17g of protein and only 0.5g saturated fat.
Sci Fit ecdysterone - Claims to help your body turn digested protein into muscle, and I think it just might.
Selinium with A, C & E - Every morining for the antioxidant boost. I'll probably write another post about anti oxidants at a later date.
Glucostamine and cod liver oil - High levels of exercise and particularly weight training can really give your joints a battering. I take these to help.
In the past I've tried all kinds of supplements, all the protein shakes, creatine, boosters, fat burners, etc. If it's legal I've probably tried it. I've never taken any illegal supplements such as steroids and I'm proud of it. I think one of the advantages of weight training at home rather than down a gym, is that you don't have any pressure to take steroids.
If you are looking at trying different supplements here is my advice:-
Avoid:-
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid). This is supposed to make you release more growth hormone. Last I heard it was being taken off the market because people really weren't sure whether it was harmful. You can still find it online being sold for anything from muscle growth to anti aging.
Testosterone boosters. There are plenty of legal herbal testosterone boosters. They help increase your levels of testosterone which is linked to helping you grow more muscle. In reality they are much more likely to make you spotty and your hair fall out.
Overpriced supplements. Remember that protein is protein, there isn't a great deal of difference. Most of the expensive ones aren't much more than a lot of hype and a few extra vitamins.
Weight gainers. Not all weight gainers a bad, but be careful! Some of these are loaded with really bad and unhealthy saturated fats. Always check the label.
Legal Steroids mimics. Not hormones themselves but generally get digested and turned into steroid like hormones by your body. Can be just as dangerous as the real thing.
Steroids. Avoid at all costs. When chatting to different body buildings it's often frightening to hear the missinformation that goes around some gyms. I met one guy who told me that weight training without steroids is dangerous, that the steroids strengthen your ligaments and tendons... This could not be further from the truth! Steroids do nothing to strengthen ligaments and tendons. In fact they cause a lot of irreparable damage to ligaments and tendons as they get the muscle lifting weights that it should not be capable of and has not built up to properly. At the end of the day do you really want to put on musle a bit quicker now, but have a heart attack before you are 40?
What I'm taking
Casin protein - Every night just before I go to bed. It's a slow digest protein to help ensure protein is available for muscle growth and repair during the night.
PhD Synergy ISO 7 - Once a day, usually evening or straight after weight training.
Protein bars - Imbetween meals.
Grabits Chicken on a stick - Great natural 17g of protein and only 0.5g saturated fat.
Sci Fit ecdysterone - Claims to help your body turn digested protein into muscle, and I think it just might.
Selinium with A, C & E - Every morining for the antioxidant boost. I'll probably write another post about anti oxidants at a later date.
Glucostamine and cod liver oil - High levels of exercise and particularly weight training can really give your joints a battering. I take these to help.
