Fitness Exposé

Bodybuilding Secrets Exposed

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Training
    • Diet & Fat Loss
    • Supplements
    • Experiment
    • News
    • Resources
    • Reviews
    • Contest Prep
  • Podcast
    • Fitness Freedom
  • Coming!
You are here: Home / Blog

Post Delayed

June 14, 2008 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

As mentioned, I am travelling today. The hotel has very unreliable internet so I can't connect to my blog. I am sending this via my cell phone. I will post tomorrow afternoon when I arrive home. Look for a great post about hormones.

Related Posts:

  • No Related Posts

Filed Under: Fitness, Old Blog Entries

M3:D31 Visualization and Drawing the Result Near

June 13, 2008 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment


What's on my mind today?

A common issue during a physique transformation is lacking a destination.  As I've mentioned before, it is important to know where you are going in order to get there.  Would you go to the kitchen to cook “whatever”?  Would you grab a pot, boil some water and then throw chicken in the pot, then some veggies, then some bread and just keep throwing in whatever you see?  It is the same thing with a physique transformation.

If you want to reach your dream body you have to start by visualizing yourself with that body right now.  If you make the mistake of visualizing what you will look like in the future you may never get there.  It may always be in the future for you.  The key is to visualize yourself there now.

After you decide upon the steps you need to follow to get that visualization to be drawn to you, get to work doing it.  Draw that dream body to yourself.  Make sure that all your actions are framed around that visualization.  Remember that if you decide to eat the wrong thing, that future person is being hurt.  If you choose to skip a workout, that future person is in jeapordy.  Your job is to protect that person you visualize yourself to be.

With a program of nutrtion and exercise that is executed consistently you will draw that visualization to yourself.

I travel to Seattle tomorrow and return on Saturday.  If I have good internet access I will be able to post my pictures, if not I will post my regular blog post and post the pictures later.

Week Begins 6/8/2008
  Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Cycle spot HC LC LC LC HC LC LC
M1 * 5:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 5:30 a.m.
M2 * 8:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
M3 * 11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
M4 * 2:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
M5 * 5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
M6 * 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Weights * N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A
Cardio * N/A N/A AM N/A AM N/A AM
Abs * N/A FYA FYA N/A FYA N/A FYA
Water * 264 oz 264 oz 264 oz 264 oz 240 oz    
Post-workout nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pre-sleep nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vitamins/Supplements * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accountability * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cals within 5% (+/-) * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Target Cals 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800
Cals 2750 2910 2721 2895 2750    
Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30    
Target Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30
Total Completed 15 15 15 15 15    
Total Possible 15 15 15 15 15    
Mission 3 Total Complete 329 344 359 374 389    
Mission 3 Total Possible 330 345 360 375 390    
* = Counts towards total
Success!
Failed
Not Counted!

 
Find out what I'm doing to my body!

Today was a cardio only day.  I did another 20 minute steady state session.  I was very sweaty, having increased both my speed and my incline this time around.

 
Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!

Ask yourself, “will this bring my end result closer to me or will this push it further away from me?” The answer to that question should determine the action that I take.

 
Get a discussion started by answering the question!

What can you do to avoid undoing what you've already done?  Comment this post to answer the question.

 

 
 

Mission 1, Day 31: A new phase in time

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

Related Posts:

  • No Related Posts

Filed Under: Fitness, Old Blog Entries

M3:D30 Ketogenic Diets

June 12, 2008 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment


What's on my mind today?

About a month ago I completed a nutritonal experiment that was talked about on this blog.  I experimented with a modification to the Velocity
Diet.  This involved me taking in mostly protein shakes for 28 straight days.  I ate one regular meal (anything I wanted) each week.  It was a very difficult task, but I got great results due to my body liking the low carb lifestyle.  I gave a full review here in the post Mission 2, Day 99: Nutritional Secret Unveiled. 

The Velocity Diet is a form of a ketogenic diet.  This type of diet is high fat, high protein and low carb.  They use it in epileptic children to control seizures.  So what is a ketogenic diet?

Normally the body generates glucose as fuel.  When you restrict your carbs to a very low level (in this case about 5%) your liver will convert the fat into fatty acids and ketones.  The ketones go through to the brain for energy there.

When on a ketogenic diet, not only are carbs limited, starchy veggetables are also eliminated.  The idea is to force your body to use the fat for fuel.  The ketones go to your brain for energy and the fatty acids are used by your body for energy.  Some say it is possible to actually teach your body to use the fat for fuel long term.

There have been several books written that talk about keto diets.  One very popular in the body building world is Better Than Steroids by Dr. Warren Willey.  Dr. Willey discusses a very strict keto diet and recommends limiting its use to a 2 week period every so often.  Dr. Willey states that a keto diet is quite efficient in taking fat off.  The concern is in keeping off the fat.  The Anabolic Diet by Dr. Mauro G. DiPasquale also touts a keto diet, but goes much further with the program.  Dr. DiPasquale recommends this as a way of life.  The Anabolic Diet is a modified version of a keto diet in that it permits a carb up period every 5 days.  The concept is to spend the weekdays low carb and then to eat whatever you want on the weekends.  The amazing claim with The Anabolic Diet is that your body becomes a fat burning machine, extremely adept at using fat for fuel, so the extra fat intake (while is needs to be reasonable) isn't a huge problem–the body handles it.

Both books (Better Than Steroids and The Anabolic Diet) make the case that food can cause the same physical responses as anabolic steroids can, but without the dangers.  The increase in fat will also cause an increase in testosterone and GH production within your body. This is obviously good for muscle building.  It is important to note that we are not talking about getting massive, we are merely talking about adding some nice muscle to your frame.

Now beware, the Adtkins Diet was also a keto diet, but it emphasized heavy proteins and fat.  This is the downfall of that diet.  It can be the cause of some very severe health issues as a result.

Better Than Steroids and The Anabolic Diet present some solutions that avoid the problems of Adtkins.  The main issue is that both BTS and TAD recommend using lean proteins, getting your fats from EFAs (including nuts) with just a small amount of animal fat, and keeping your carbs very low.  TAD recommends carbing up on weekends.  Both BTS and TAD recommend high calories to gain muscle, but TAD claims your body can actually burn fat and build muscle at the same time if you train it properly.

I wanted to share this research with you because it is all part of what I am doing right now.  I am really into the nutritional research.  I want to understand why something works.  It isn't enough for an expert to recommend something to me anymore.  I want to understand what I am doing to my body. 

This mindset comes from my interview with Marc David.  During our chat afterwards he made the point that he likes to teach people about what exercises work what area of the body because it enables them to go it on their own at the gym.  If they are supposed to do squats today and the squat rack is being dominated by some knucklehead doing curls, they can walk over and do leg presses because they understand the two exercises work the same area of the body. 

I feel the same about what I am doing.  I want to know the basics and beyond so that I can make changes as needed.  All too often I read on Burn the Fat Inner Circle questions that should be answerable by the person asking the question.  I am amazed at how little some people know about their own body. 

Week Begins 6/8/2008
  Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Cycle spot HC LC LC LC HC LC LC
M1 * 5:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 5:30 a.m.
M2 * 8:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
M3 * 11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
M4 * 2:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
M5 * 5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
M6 * 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Weights * N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A
Cardio * N/A N/A AM N/A AM N/A AM
Abs * N/A FYA FYA N/A FYA N/A FYA
Water * 264 oz 264 oz 264 oz 264 oz      
Post-workout nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pre-sleep nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vitamins/Supplements * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accountability * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cals within 5% (+/-) * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Target Cals 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800
Cals 2750 2910 2721 2895      
Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30      
Target Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30
Total Completed 15 15 15 15      
Total Possible 15 15 15 15      
Mission 3 Total Complete 329 344 359 374      
Mission 3 Total Possible 330 345 360 375      
* = Counts towards total
Success!
Failed
Not Counted!

 
Find out what I'm doing to my body!

Intensity.  That's all I can say.  I am so on fire to build more muscle and get big that I am putting it all out there and then some.  My workouts have been insanely hard.  Alot of the time I get tempted to skip this or that exercise because I hate it, but then I realize that the fact that I hate it proves I need it, so I bite the bullet and do as I am supposed to do.  I've learned that even though I've hit 9 pull ups and think I'm done, I can crank out 6 or 7 more really good ones if I give it a complete effort.  I still feel like vomitting when I'm done with my workouts, but I'm getting used to that.  There are definitely metabolic changes going on in my body during the workouts.
 
Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!

Our body is our place of residence so why would we ever blindly trust it to the advice of someone else?  Check out what you are told to be sure it is true.
 
Get a discussion started by answering the question!

How do you experiment with your nutrition?  Comment this blog post to answer the question.
 

 
 

Mission 1, Day 30: Forward march

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

Related Posts:

  • No Related Posts

Filed Under: Fitness, Old Blog Entries

M3:D29 Process

June 11, 2008 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment


What's on my mind today?

Today I spent another 20 minutes on steady state
cardio.  That's my cardio focus right now.

I wanted to share some thoughts about process vs. goals.  We are always told how important it is to set goals and then achieve them.  I've been guilty of it myself.  At this point, after some discussions with others and some journaling and thinking on my own, I have come to a slightly different conclusion overall.

I believe it is extremely important to have goals.  However, I don't believe it is our job to chase the goals.  Instead, I think we need to consider how we approach the entire process.  What the heck do I mean, right?

Well, the goal is your desired end result.  It needs to be clearly identified by you before you start.  You then need to determine how you must prepare yourself to reach this desired result.  What thinking must change?  What approaches must change?  Next you need to determine how to bring the end result to yourself.  This is alot like the powerful reason why in that it is the very thing that is going to bring the end result you desire to you.  What actions must you take to bring the end result to you?  Is there something specific you need to do for that to happen?  The next thing you focus on is avoiding undoing what you just did.  If you workout in the morning, avoid undoing that hard work by eating bad things–always eat healthy.  As you do all these things (the process) the end result will draw nearer and nearer to you.

Think about it because I think you'll agree that it makes sense.  You have to want it or it won't draw nearer to you.

Week Begins 6/8/2008
  Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Cycle spot HC LC LC LC HC LC LC
M1 * 5:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 5:30 a.m.
M2 * 8:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
M3 * 11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
M4 * 2:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
M5 * 5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
M6 * 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Weights * N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A
Cardio * N/A N/A AM N/A AM N/A AM
Abs * N/A FYA FYA N/A FYA N/A FYA
Water * 264 oz 264 oz 264 oz        
Post-workout nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pre-sleep nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vitamins/Supplements * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accountability * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cals within 5% (+/-) * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Target Cals 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800
Cals 2750 2910 2721        
Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30        
Target Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30
Total Completed 15 15 15        
Total Possible 15 15 15        
Mission 3 Total Complete 329 344 359        
Mission 3 Total Possible 330 345 360        
* = Counts towards total
Success!
Failed
Not Counted!

 
Find out what I'm doing to my body!

Today I did a nice jog for 20 minutes.  It is just enough to keep my heart rate in a good range (129-152).  I contnue to do steady state cardio through the bulk phase of M3.  It worked quite well last week, but let's see how this week pans out.
 
Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!

Work hard now because you might not get a second chance later in life.
 
Get a discussion started by answering the question!

Would you change your eating plan if you could get the anabolic effect from a new plan?  Comment this blog to answer the question

 

 
 

Mission 1, Day 29: Getting Inside the Head

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

Related Posts:

  • No Related Posts

Filed Under: Fitness, Old Blog Entries

M3:D28 Over the edge

June 10, 2008 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment


What's on my mind today?

Today began week 2 of my bulk phase.  As I conducted yet another brutal workout, several realizations hit me.

I realized today that the process is more important to me than the goal.  By sticking to the process I am drawing the goal in to me rather than chasing the goal like a rabbit chases a carrot.  I stick to strict form on my exercises and I push myself further and further every time I hit the gym. Why do I do this? Because I can–that's the only answer I have come up with.

There is something about the pain that comes from hitting 8 reps on an exercise, muscles on fire, and managing 7 more reps that really gets me going.  It isn't even about the challenge, it is about the conquest.  I enjoy competing with myself. 

At the same time, I have discovered something that is amazing.  I can put my body into an anabolic (muscle-building state) and a fat burning state while avoid catabolism (muscle destruction) all through how I eat.  The idea is that you force your body to approximate through the use of food what can happen when you use anabolic steroids.  The difference is that eating the right foods will help your body naturally boost testosterone and GH, causing muscle growth and fat burning while using anabolic steroids will achieve the same effect, but will also cause the body to stop naturally producing those necessary hormones.  This is a huge risk to take and one I personally would never risk.

The example given is that of a candy factory.  If everyone in town buys their candy from your factory, you will produce more and more candy.  However, if everyone suddenly buys their candy from an outside factory, having it imported into town, your factory will eventually shut down.  The body reacts the same way.  If you eat right, you encourage your body to produce testosterone and GH.  It will produce more and more the better you eat.  However, if you were to use steroids to accomplish the same effect, your body would eventually stop producing the necessary hormones on its own.  This is the cause of shrinking testicles in men who take steroids–their body has stopped producing testosterone.

The key here is to eat in a way that will cause anabolism to happen within your body.  I have discovered an interesting way of eating.  It started with my original nutritional experiment and has continued during the final stages of my Phase 1 cut and into my Phase 2 bulk stage.  The fact is that during the past week I lost close to 2% body fat while gaining 3 pounds overall on the scale. If you do the math you will see that this is a large gain in LBM and a large loss of fat. All of this while gaining size in every single important circumference measurement. I will share more details over time. I want to continue to work the experiment (like before) prior to revealing all the details. Unlike last time, I will be revealing relevant parts as we go along, so stay tuned!

Week Begins 6/8/2008
  Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Cycle spot HC LC LC LC HC LC LC
M1 * 5:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 5:30 a.m.
M2 * 8:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
M3 * 11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
M4 * 2:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
M5 * 5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
M6 * 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Weights * N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A
Cardio * N/A N/A AM N/A AM N/A AM
Abs * N/A FYA FYA N/A FYA N/A FYA
Water * 264 oz 264 oz          
Post-workout nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pre-sleep nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vitamins/Supplements * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accountability * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cals within 5% (+/-) * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Target Cals 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800
Cals 2750 2910          
Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30          
Target Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30
Total Completed 15 15          
Total Possible 15 15          
Mission 3 Total Complete 329 344          
Mission 3 Total Possible 330 345          
* = Counts towards total
Success!
Failed
Not Counted!

 
Find out what I'm doing to my body!

Today was the first repeat workout of my current cycle and I was determined to decimate my previous workout of this type.  This workout today began with a superset as follows (30 seconds rest):

A1  Squats  205 x 15 x 3 sets
A2  Stiff Legged Dead Lifts  135 x 15 x 3 sets (full stretch)

When I was done I immediately broke out the Quad Blaster.  Holding a 10 pound dumbbell, I managed 10 x 15 on the first set.  My legs were quivering so badly that I had a hard time getting out of the Blaster.  On the second set I managed 10 x 14 before literally collapsing to the floor.  My legs were shaking and quivering.  On the third set I maanged 10 x 12 which was complete failure for my legs.  I got up from the floor and I was shaking.  The rest of the workout was extremely intense.

I could literally see my muscles change size from pump I was getting.  My calves were pulsing as the blood flowed to the muscles.  My quads looked huge as I completed other exercises.  All of this from the pump I got from today's workout.

Again, I push myself to the extremes because I can.  At the same time, I think I've found a spot where I can really push myself and spur on growth in the muscles.  It is a crazy but beautiful thing.

 
Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!

Use the natural abilities of your God-created body and you will reap more benefits than the most expensive supplement on the market.
 
Get a discussion started by answering the question!

What supplements are you using and why?  Comment this post to answer today's question.
 

 
 

Mission 1, Day 28: Emtpy the tanks

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

Related Posts:

  • No Related Posts

Filed Under: Fitness, Old Blog Entries

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 207
  • 208
  • 209
  • 210
  • 211
  • …
  • 287
  • Next Page »

News

Toronto Pro Supershow 2016

June 12, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

IFBB Arnold Africa 2016

June 9, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

IFBB California Pro 2016

June 5, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

Coming Soon!

Featured Video

Regaining Focus!

Find out what I am doing to regain my focus.

We Recommend

Increase the internal rotation of your shoulder with the Rotater

New eBook!

Copyright © 2025 by Fitness Expose