The Classic Physique

I have always been impressed with classic physiques of old time bodybuilders. I should be because I come from a whole line of Old-time athletes and bodybuilders and I was fortunate enough to have my dad train me. Dad was Mr. Bombay (now Mumbai) back in 1960 and till today he trains...........hard and smart! (His brothers took suite soon after!)

No matter who it was who won the Olympia in the last 10 years, I was somehow drawn to those olden day athletes. They had a powerful, neat, strong look about them. Not only did they look that way, their athletic ability was tremendous and health was at their peak. As compared to the physiques of today that are bulked up and steroid induced, the olden day lifters trained to get stronger and improve their health - not pump up various parts of their anatomy just to strut around at parties. Their training was a commitment to their health and then second a sport. They knew what to eat. They didn't overdose on steroids and supplements.Steroids had not even been invented back then.  Training was serious business. They had only an hour three times a week. And man did they go at it!

Here is a picture of Eugene Sandow:

Sandow is considered the Father of Bodybuilding. The Sandow statue is the most prized trophy in the world of Bodybuilding. Its what Arnold, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and all other bodybuilding pros fought for in their day and the new competeitors are still fighting for every year.

Here is Prof. K.V Iyer from India. He had a gym right here in Bangalore! He trained a lot of people and also had students from Malaysia and Middle East. He also had correspondence courses by which he trained. He was a physician to the Maharaja of Mysore. By the way this pic was taken in 1935!

As far as I am concerned this man is my favorite builder by far. Steve Reeves was the man they called on to play the role of the Greek demi -god Hercules in his time. He was well built, strong, good looking, healthy and pioneered a lot in the bodybuilding game. 

John Grimek - Strength exploits, Bodybuilding exploits and an excellent gymnast. He just destroyed competition. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also said that he learnt a lot from the wisdom of this man. 

Marvin Eder was another old time trainer and here is his strength record.

Deep-knee bend squats, 300 lbs x 50 reps

Barbell curl, 210 lbs

Clean and pressed, 355 lbs

Crucifix, 2 x 100 lbs dumbbells

Lateral raises, 120 lbs

Deadlift, 665 lbs

Parallel bar dip, 434 lbs

Chins, 200 lbs x 8 reps

Bench Press, 515 lbs

Manohar Aich from India was a 1952 Mr. Universe. Known as the 'Pocket Hercules' at 4ft 11inches, he had a 52 inch chest and 23 inch waist! Aich recently celebrated his 100th birthday on 17th March and as you can see is still going strong!

Another Strength Coach and bodybuilder. I strongly recommend for building a classic Physique is Matt Marshall. I followed Matt Marshall's program and in 2 months I had reduced my waist line by 2 inches and came down from 28% body fat to 21% body fat. I also ended up more healthier and energetic than before. I can say this is one of the most HONEST, NO LIES program and definitely one of THE BEST programs that work. I have tried it for myself and seen results.  

To get the program click here. 

Discipline - The virtue that pulls me through.

Hey Everyone!

It's nearly the end of a hectic day for me. I have not been able to workout. However, I did learn a very valuable lesson. My discipline of healthy nutrition keeps me through today without having me miss a beat to my goal of fat loss. I can always make up throughout the week on the weight training. Today however it is just nutrition and rest.When it comes to fat loss my training priorities

1) Nutrition
2) Strength Training
3) Conditioning.

.........in that order.

 My body has been struggling to find the right energy level to do any sort of work or training. The right thing for me today is to just rest and watch my nutrition. If I had to drag myself into a heavy session today I could have run the risk of over training and injury which I do not need at this point. I was quite upset over the mental struggle and the tiredness in my body. Then I realised this -

Training sessions though intense should also be fun!

So there it is. I'm sure this post though small is really going to boost someone in some part of the world up. Remember Discipline - is what gets you through the tough days.

Beating Obesity

Yesterday, I read an article in the Times of India confirming yet again obesity is an epidemic in India. The sad part is my hometown of Bangalore ranks at the number 2 standing in the country. I really felt that I should write this post today knowing that I could possibly reach a lot more people who are struggling with obesity across the world.

What is Obesity?

According to the WHO obesity is defined as 'the abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individual's health.'

Are you Obese?

Sadly most people have a very wrong idea of obesity. Obesity doesn't necessarily mean you keep look like this:

Would you accept it if I said this could also be obese?

I know better because I battled the same thing and have a lot of clients who are not bursting at their seams but look very normal and are still obese. Did you know that under-nutrition and obesity can live side by side? There are countries facing that epidemic right now. How is it possible? Lets go back to the definition:

'the abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individual's health.'

That means in a body composition of a person if the number of fat cells are abnormally in excess that is obesity. Which is why most fad and weight loss programs just drop body weight and turn a huge fat person into a skinny fat person (read my post on Fat Loss made Simple if you don't understand). One of the first things that gets hit in the body once there are excessive fat cells is the immunity system and energy levels leaving you more prone to disease and lifestyle related diseases.This is why its important to have body compositions tracked. The BMI (Body Mass Index) might not always give you the right indication.

Obesity is caused by:

1. Unhealthy Eating Habits
2. Sedentary lifestyle
3. Negative Lifestyle habits ( this includes everything from irregular sleep and work stress to smoking and   hard drinking)

Risks of Obesity:

1. Coronary heart disease
2. Type 2 diabetes
3. Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
4. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
5. Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
6. Stroke
7. Liver and Gallbladder disease
8. Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
9. Osteoarthritis
10. Gynaecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)
11. Asthma

These conditions can cause or contribute to premature death and substantial disability.

Cardiovascular disease - mainly heart disease and stroke - is already the world's number one cause of death, killing 17 million people each year and diabetes has rapidly become a global epidemic - according to WHO projections diabetes deaths will increase by more than 50% worldwide in the next 10 years.

What do I do now?

1) First thing you do is locate yourself. Get your body composition checked. Get a body fat analyzer. If you don't have one go to my resources page and order one. 

2) Get professional help - go to a GOOD personal trainer and nutritionist. Get your diet on track, supplement if you need too and get some good exercise.

3) Track your progress regularly.

Obesity can be reversed and if detected early can avoid a lot of medical bills and lifestyle related diseases. Take care of your health, get the right information on what to eat and how to exercise and start living healthy.

'I Don't have Time' excuse busted!!

'I don't have the time.'

'I'm too busy.'

Call it what you want. A reason, a lie, an excuse. What ever it is that is the line that is responsible for killing most dreams, most opportunities and sadly, stealing, robbing and destroying most peoples lives.

If you are too busy to live, then you are really busy dying. Did you know living or dying is a choice and it is a choice YOU make? 

There is a passage where God Jehovah is talking to the Israelites and He says:

I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live.

In other words, God Himself gives us a choice and He also recommends- just in case the decision was really hard- that we choose to live. 

  

Everyone has 24 hours of the day and 7 days a week. Let's do some basic math.

24 x 7 = 168.

That is 168 hours. And you don't have 59 hours to take care of your health?

'Now Gideon, in a world of fast foods, instant mixes and 30 minute work outs why would I spend 59 hours in a week on health alone? 

Oh, I'm so sorry. Let me give you the breakup.

Assumptions:

I am assuming each meal takes 30 minutes and you eat 4 times a day, i.e. 2 hours/day. 

You sleep for 6 hours per day

You work out 3 hours a week even if that should mean 30 minute workouts for 6 days a week. 

Lets not forget that its 7 days a week. - not 8!

So per week:

Eating 7 x 2 = 14 hours

Sleep 7 x 6 = 42 hours

Exercise 6 x .5 = 3 hours

Total = 59 hours

 59 hours in a week to stay healthy - that isn't even half of 168

Have you ever noticed most people who don't have time have these in common?

1) Locked in a job that they don't like, with a boss who they don't like but want to please just so they get a handout (to which they might not live long enough to enjoy)
2) eat junk food and stuff themselves with sugar
3) gossip for hours on the phone
4) watch T.V
5) Stay on Facebook    

And then scream out that they don't have time. You have people who love you - a family, good friends, a wife, kids. but you are too busy - dying!

If you don't have time to stay healthy and live YOUR God-given  life and dream you might as well just die right now!

If you really love your family and enjoy your work those should be your primary motivators to staying alive, healthy and fit not your biggest excuses. You want to have time to spend quality time with your spouse and kids. You don't want to be tired, sick and dying while snapping at your spouse and kids. You also don't want to be a grumpy, snappy old boss or a pathetic under performing employee. You want to be at your best.

Studies and research have proved that exercise boosts daily productivity. You are healthier, alert, happier. The physical strength and mental health makes you a better spouse, parent, entrepreneur, employee, etc.  You are more productive when you exercise for the day. Take your regular meal breaks and eat the right foods. Get away from the computer, the phone and actually sit  somewhere else and leave the work at your desk.Staying healthy makes you more productive and a better human being - not human doing. When you go home, leave the work at the office.

I know this post is long but its something I am passionate about. For those of you who are married, remember who you are married to. In most cases its not your boss. Drop the Blackberry and enjoy the other berries - blueberry, raspberry, strawberry - they do  much more for you. Don't sit on your rear end the whole day in front of the laptop. Get off your butt and work it for 30 minutes then have your kids replace the laptop on your lap.

Get out and make time to stay healthy and enjoy life. After all if you are breathing you deserve it.    

Reclaiming your life

Hi All,

I was thinking about today's post and I thought I'd talk a bit on reclaiming your life. First lets answer a few questions?

• Are you living the life of freedom and true potential God created for you?
• Do you live life by design or life by default and chance?
• Are you heading to the destination you want or are you 'going where the wind blows'?
• Does someone else dictate or influence your decisions about your life or do you?
• Do you have plans for the future? If you do are they really your plans and your future or is it someone else's?

NEWSFLASH. If you don't design YOUR life someone else will do it for you. In short your life is being sold out and stolen by someone else for their dreams. You are going to be used and abused rather than being treated as a partner and team player. Lets take a common excuse as an example for keeping your body healthy. 'I dont have time.' If you don't MAKE time for you to stay healthy it is going to show up in your lifestyle. You will be overweight, you will be super skinny, you might not have the right energy levels or attitudes to deal with people ( especially your spouse and kids), your productivity at work will go down, sick leaves increase and there is endless horrible list that goes on and on. Why? Just because you couldn't make 10- 20 minutes a day to exercise, eat healthy during meals and get at least 6 hours of sleep at night. I have brought this up from a fitness aspect but we can apply this to anything.....family, career, finances, freedom..I am just going to leave you with a question....

If you spent all your time living under someone else's dictates, who's going to spend time being you? or is it better to wake up and reclaim your life? You decide.....

The 'Striker' has returned....

Hey Guys,

I am back on my blog once again. I did take a long time as I took a long time out and had a look at my life workouts and where I was headed. I have unlearned a lot and learnt a lot (and still learning!).
This break really made me take a long hard look at my life. My training mode has definitely changed.

A little bit on things that changed. I was out with a horrible shoulder injury (supraspinitis tendonitis). The good side to that was I was able to diagnose it on my own and start treating before I went for a second opinion to the doctor. He didn't tell me anything new but actually enjoyed talking it out with me (Also I got one of my relief gels free!) I started to learn how to rehab the shoulder. I thank God for the wisdom he gave me to do it.

Also I did get through my Nutrition exams. My certificates and license will be arriving shortly. So I have been looking at ways to clean up my diet and get some tasty recipes out and yes I will be starting out with recipes and pics of those soon!

The biggest change was a mental transition from just being into fitness to going back to study strength and conditioning for athletes to the business professional and home makers. Going forward I will be dealing with strength and conditioning and also physique training. I also broke my weight barrier and came out from a stagnated 92 kgs to 89kgs.

Guys, I can honestly say that whatever I put out here or do in training I have experimented on myself first. My blog aims to give firsthand information of something that is tried and tested so you can make the fastest gains to a healthier lifestyle.........