The Fat Loss Coach

High Fructose Corn Syrup – Is it really the Devil?

mikehoward1 — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:14:57 +0000

Between media reports decreeing the dangers of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and experts pinning the obesity epidemic on its prolific consumption, it’s easy to see why many avoid it altogether.

On the other side of the spectrum we have the corn refiners association fighting back and telling anyone who will listen that their product is “natural” and “fine in moderation”.

As usual, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

Continued…

Random Rants II: Wolverine workouts, Badass Swedes, Fat-burning Supplement dangers

mikehoward1 — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:01:52 +0000

I’m going to start with a quick movie review. Saw X-Men Origins this weekend…. Had its moments but overall disappointing. I would be remiss though if I didn’t provide a physique review, too. Hugh Jackman looked…well, “Jacked”. Waking up at 4am to eat egg whites and training like a fiend for 15 months will do that, though. Heavy weights, intense cardio and 7 high protein and veggie meals. Don’t try this at home, folks.
Fat-burning supplement Dangers: Just when you thought banning Ephedra (Ma Huang) would make “thermogenic enhancers” safe, people are developing major liver issues including severe jaundice and failure. A 19-year-old’s death is being linked to the use of “Hydroxycut” – a popular fat burning supplement. It’s a safe bet that most adverse reactions occur because of misuse and overuse, however it’s enough to raise an eyebrow. Nothing trumps hard work and sensible diet – start there and keep going.
Gym Observations: This is sort of a good news/bad news scenario. The bad news? Nobody uses the squat rack at the community center where I lift. This is a shame as everybody should be incorporating some squatting and deadlifting into their programs. The good news? I don’t have to wait – except for the occasional jackass who uses the rack to do bicep curls with 2.5lbs weights on each side.
“Low carb Taliban” up in arms: If you think Dolph Lundgrun and Niklas Lidstom are tough Swedes, meet Martin Berkhan, a nutritional consultant and intermittent fasting proponent. Berkhan pointed out some flawed logic of extreme low carb supporters and nearly caused a riot on his site and popular low carb forum, Active Low Carber. It’s actually a pretty funny to see extreme groups get riled up about their nutritional views. Bottom line: Shoot for a sensible middle.
Defining dietary extremism: The above probably requires some further explanation/definition. A dietary extremist can be defined as; believing that your way is the only way or the best way. This is by no means a “low carb” thing. There’s the “vegan Taliban” (read: Animal products are bad and you are a bad person if you consume them), “yoga Taliban” (Yoga is the best and only form of exercise you will ever need/flexibility = health… I am spiritually-grounded and thumb my nose at your crappy yoga mat), “Raw Food Taliban” (cooking is evil – you will destroy enzymes and ruin your health). To be sure, I’m not anti-low carb. I think certain people under certain circumstances benefit greatly from a carb-controlled nutritional approach.
What we can learn from kids: My super-human 1-and-a-half year old daughter performed a chin-up today. The funny part was that she got PO’d that I tried to help her – which was as amusing as it was cute. In that same park visit my 3 year-old son shot his first basket on an 8 foot hoop. The best thing about it was not the accomplishment but the attempts. I’m sure he fired about 80+ shots at that net – a shooting percentage that would make Tracy McGrady cringe. It taught me a lot about a) children’s innate desire to be active – whether it’s climbing, running or jumping. And b) Where do we go wrong when we move into adulthood?
Dose of Inspiration: If you’re having a bad day or “just don’t feel like” working out, watch this and be inspired. (Note: This isn’t a Susan Boyle youtube clip. I will withhold all accolades until I have proof that she and Blues Traveler’s John Popper are not the same person).

Until next time!

Random Rants Part I

mikehoward1 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:57:53 +0000

The “random thoughts” idea came to me from 2 of the industry’s top people, Eric Cressey and Tony Gentilcore. I have decided to steal borrow the idea. You’ll note that I replaced the word “thoughts” with rants to make it look like I wasn’t actually biting from them. Pretty clever, huh?

My random rants will range in topics from health, training and nutrition to, well… random stuff; from film to culture to anything else that comes to mind. I hope to make this a weekly instalment. Here goes the inaugural episode.

While nutrition is a vastly complicated and intricate science, the practicing of it shouldn’t be. Don’t ask me about intermittent fasting, calorie zig-zagging, ketosis or re-feeds if you only eat veggies as pizza toppings.
Recently completed Eric Cressey’s 16 week “Maximum Strength” program. First off, it was refreshing to follow someone else’s program after years of designing my own programs and a couple of years worth of hap-hazard gym sessions. Let me tell you this is by far the most effective program I’ve come across. Here are the results;

Max box squat before: 255. After 315 (+60lbs)

Max deadlift before: 275. After 315 (+40lbs)

Max bench press before: 205. After, 235 (+30)

Gained 8lbs of muscle (not bad for a “hardgainer”)

This too after a 2 week layoff from getting sick. Overall, it’s a kick-bottom program – highly recommend it. You can order the book here.
Pertaining to the above, after kicking and screaming, I finally integrated front squats into my training arsenal. They are uncomfortable at first, but they are worth it once you “man up” and get used to them. They promote better spinal alignment and better core activation amongst other benefits.
Another training revelation for me? Barefoot squats and deadlifts. Aside from not having to go down as far (for deadlifting), doing your closed chain leg work barefooted helps activate the smaller accessory muscles in the foot/ankle, helps with balance and the ability to spread the toes. Plus, it looks badass.
Keep “Toto”, “Dead or Alive” and “Soft Cell” in the 80’s where they belong. These remakes of old songs make me want to vomit in my mouth. Oh, and please… it’s called “stealing”, not “sampling”. Note to self: Re-charge Ipod.
I love an underdog story. And while I would rather watch an “all Rosie O’donell, all the time” channel than watch unscripted TV, I was alerted to this youtube clip (thank you, Tony Robins via Twitter). Witness an unassuming, nervous chap who evidently lacks self-esteem on “Britain’s Got Talent”. His performance is nothing short of magnificent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
Just watched the Boston Bruins take a 5-1 lead on my Habs. I want to down a bottle of pills right about now.
Celebrity weight loss/weight gain update: I can’t believe I’m going to bite on these stories but here goes. Jessica Simpson; I really don’t care that she put on a few pounds. What I am concerned about, is how she broke into my mothers house and stole her jeans from 1986.
Scarlett Johansson’s weight loss. She dropped 14 pounds off of her voluptuous frame. That’s like 7 pounds per… nevermind – what’s more important is that she was rumoured to be taking advice from skeletor err Madonna and her nitwit bestie Gwyneth Paltrow’s braindead trainer Tracy Anderson. Massive fail to Scarlett if that is true. Why not go with your hubby’s trainer instead?
In this corner: Fat Loss Troubleshooter Leigh Peele, in the other corner, “The Biggest Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels. In a fight, Jillian looks like she may be able to crush Leigh like a grape, but in the intellect and pure knowledge department, Leigh wins hands down. Read Leigh’s brutally honest review of JM’s book “Master your Metabolism”. Lucky for Jillian, Leigh was only critiquing her dietary ramblings and not her kettlebell and lunge form.

Until next time!