Posts Tagged ‘hormones’

A Child Can Ask Questions That a Wise Man Cannot Answer…

30 Oct

Tags: bodyfat, book, common sense, diet, experience, Fat Loss, fat loss troubleshoot, hormones, Hormones and fat loss, loose skin, metabolism repair, Nutrition, Nutritional, OPT, PCOS and weight loss, PCOS fat loss, pod, podcast, REST, right, troubleshoot, update, weight loss
Posted in fat loss podcast, q&A health and fitness, weight loss podcast | 15 Comments »

When I was little, until around 10 years old or so, I had nose bleeds almost everyday. I had a birth defect that made my nose do something strange. The truth is I never knew why, the doctors never knew why. I am not talking a little blood on the tip of a tissue here. I am talking massive soaking on multiple tissues. The docs said that I had to “let it come out”, that it was so much and that “something” was draining so I couldn’t “clog” it. So every day I would usually sit at a toilet for a hour and just let it drain, drip by drip, until done.

My teachers understood the “let it drain” aspect of it, however, every once in a while a “new adult” would come around and be in the presence of these gushers. They would proceed to try and tilt my head back to stop it from flowing out. I would fight them and tell them, while almost dying and choking, that “it has to drain!” They would never believe me until another adult came along and said that what I was saying was correct. By that time my Punky Brewster shoes were covered and I was a pissed off little kid.

I believe this was one of the beginning reasons as to why I grew up thinking that adults were stupid and that I was smarter than they were. It also instilled to me that authority and social proof were more important that the common sense teachings of a child. It was then I knew that I was on my own and left to fend for myself. When I would get a nose bleed around strangers I would take off running, not out of embarrassment like they must have thought, but out of protection of their stupidity.

Fast forward to now…

Now when I go to the doctor office for something (rare and only if really really needed) they hurt me, usually don’t know what they are doing, and still will not listen to the common sense of the person who “lacks a clear authority.” Let me state here and now, that this is why I am who I am and I do what I do. I do not like to think that I have to depend on uneducated person to help me help myself. When at all possible I try to answer my own questions. When at all possible I “run” from the stranger that is trying to fix a problem the wrong way that I know how to fix the right way. It is NOT being cocky, it is self preservation. It is NOT being paranoid, it is being educated. With that being said, not everyone has the time or the ability to do that.

No problem, allow me please.

I will do the best I can to be an “authority” that listens to what you have to say. I will do the best I can to be a “leader” that guides you to the answer and how to find it, not just expect you to believe me. I will do the best I can to not be that stupid substitute teacher that tried to hold my head upside down as I was telling her the answer to my problem. Keep sending in your questions, the “doctor” is in.

Episode 16: I Found Leigh On the Fitcast

1- Hila

Hi Leigh!

I had visited your website after hearing you on the FitCast podcasts, I love listening to you. You talk so clearly and to the point, and obviously know what you’re doing. You have a fan from Israel

I have a question for you, I’m a female, 23 years old, and after a ~100 pound lost. (If you want to check me out these are my progress pics: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Hilush/more.php?section=progresspics)
I’ve read Alan’s Girth Control, Tom’s Burn the fat, endless articles and forums and I’ve never read anything related to the hormonal aspect of weight loss for women, it has been mostly about deficits and other thermodynamics laws. My period has been very unstable since the weight loss, and tends to disappear for months then suddenly come back. According to my blood tests only, my doctor said I have PCOS (or PCO) and I should take birth control pills. She said this has nothing to do with my weight loss and that it is a born syndrome with no real cure. I am very concerned about this issue since I’m afraid I somehow messed up with my female hormones!

Do you know of any relation between PCO appearing after a big weight loss? Could the loss of period be caused by anything else besides PCO? I’m not a doctor but my blood test kind of seems alright to me and I suspect it is just the doctor’s default answer to period being irregular… My weight loss was done through a pretty drastic deficit, combined with resistance training and cardio.

Do any of your books talk about hormones issues? I’d definitely buy a book that’d shed some light over this topic I really agree with your realistic approach to fat loss and how you emphasize the body & mind connection in the process, oh and your videos are priceless, you always make me laugh

Waiting to hear your advice,
Thanks!
Hila.

2- Fred

Hi,

I have been listening to the fitcast and you seem to be up on nutrition, duhh, I have a question that has been bugging me.

Although I am not vegetarian I have been interested in varying my protein sources but combining protein chains for veggie sources is perplexing me, as you will see below.

I am looking into combining grain/nut/legume into full branch chains for protein. I have found loads of combinations (lentils and oats is my favorite at the moment, ends up like a savory pottage). However vegetarian websites don’t seem to mention if you sum the protein from each source or divide. To clarify here’s an example:

Total Protein (read from nutritional info on packets):

(A)
100g lentils + 50g oats = 26g + 6g = 32g protein

(B)
100g lentils + 50g oats = 6 + 6 = 12g protein

(C)
100g lentils + 50g oats = 6/2 + 6/2 = 6g protein

As you can see option (A) assumes that the amino acids to combine to create a larger more complete chain so you get more protein. Option (B) assumes that since the Oats only have 6g protein only 6g of protein can be utilized from the lentils to create a larger chain. Option (C) assumes that rather summation the aminos “interweave” so in fact you only get 6g of “full” protein.

I am not a veggie. I normally have 1-2 scopes of whey, 1 fish, and 1 chicken/mince portion a day so I am getting full branch chains elsewhere. I was just wondering how to process vegetarian combinations.

Thanks

(Edit for Fred-Check out Lyle’s Protein Book Here, If Desire to Order Click on Book To Purchase)

3- Diana

Hi Leigh,

It’s possible I may need some modifications during the re-feed (diabetes). I can handle insulin adjustments and sugars just fine but would prefer to set it up in such a way as to avoid wild swings if possible as then I just feel like crap. Anyway I would love your thoughts on that rather than me just winging it myself. On the other hand it’s just one day so maybe just leave well enough alone. And I perfectly understand just fine if you don’t want to get into it being as this is a medical condition we’re talking about here.

Thanks
Diana

4- Hot Rox

Good Morning Leigh,

Just want to say first and foremost keep up the great work! I finally bought your book The Fat Loss Troubleshoot and have already skimmed over most of it An audio version would be a great compliment to it. It would be great for people such as myself who have the attention span of a circus monkey and would benefit from listening either on the job or at the gym. Your awesome personality during your audio works make it enjoyable to listen to, and learn a great deal at the same time, you sound like a person that would be fun to throw back some beers with.

But this message isn’t entirely intended to kiss your ass, but you do deserve some major kudos.

Quick update
Male
27 years
5′6″
130.8 lbs lost since 3/5/07
Currently about 174 lbs
Omron handheld bf% mid 16’s through October measured first thing in morning

Not happy with the way the skin situation looking.

Yes I feel great, and I’m doing all kinds of nifty little things I couldn’t do before such as a pull up and now 20 push ups! I really love the physical aspect, and new found confidence in my physical abilities and I look good in clothes

Alas…Seeing myself naked is something that happens on a daily basis, and it is something I think about every day, as I slowly run out of bodyfat to train off.

Frankly the thought of invasive surgery and anesthesia scare the shit out of me. I briefly recall heard something about the anti-aging crowd using HGH to look younger or something along those lines, maybe even Testosterone. Maybe you know someone via your connections that might have experience with this taboo subject?

I want to reinforce that I’m not looking for a quick fix. Diet and exercise has been my staple and I pride myself and transforming with hard work, and the couple uses of Hot Rox extreme. I’m just a pussy when it comes to having pieces of me cut off and removed

Will milk fat kill me? Are all saturated fats bad?

01 Aug

Tags: cheese, dairy fats, egg fat, Frankeinfats, healthy fats, hormones, milk, milk fat, saturated fat, Stearic, unhealthy, weight loss
Posted in diet, fat, saturated fat | 7 Comments »

“when milk goes bad”

Question: Hi Leigh!

First off I loved your article on protein shakes, great info! My question is about saturated fats.

I find I don’t tolerate carbs well (bread, potatoes, etc.), anyhow I have been sticking to lean proteins, etc. When choosing cheeses and milk is it better to go higher fat? Or should i choose skim to keep fat down?? A bit confused?? I know fat doesn’t necessary cause you to get fat,but is it bad for my arteries??

-Tracey

Answer:

Tracey I’m going to answer your question in two parts. First I’ll tackle the question of “Are Saturated Fats Unhealthy”?

Not all Saturated Fats are created equal. Take your mentioning of dairy/cheese for instance. Most dairy and cheese saturated fats contain Stearic Acid. Stearic acids have been found to reduce blood clotting and could actually aid in preventing those arteries being blocked.

In general, if you’re going to stray from a fat or any other food stray from “Franken-fats” like trans fats. These are fats usually found in overly processed foods like those 1,000 calorie size-of-your-hand Cinnabuns.

In short just say “yes” to fat in milk (and an egg for that matter). Don’t be afraid of it.

That being said the second part is…

If you are trying to lose fat altogether you need to focus as much as you can on good carbs, protein, and a higher variety of fats. By all means you can get skim milks and light cheeses if it helps balance out your calories easier.

While you don’t have to be afraid of the fat, it still is double the calorie energy of protein and carbs, so if you need to cut some small corners that’s fine. Just makes sure you don’t cut too much because fats are key to the production of certain hormones.

Leigh, Do you even train people?

07 Jun

Tags: answers, bad personal, burn, clients, dieting, dieting down, fat, Fat Loss, Female Fat Loss, hormones, metabolism, Personal Training, results, Training
Posted in Fat Loss | 2 Comments »

Q: Dear Leigh,

I have been following some of your personal clients logs. Seems to me that you are anti- training, what is up with that? Do you even train people at all?

(Signed Jerk in Arizona…okay maybe they didn’t sign it that)

(edit: Oh and for the record they did sign it “being a jackass” and found the post funny.)

DON’T TAKE THIS ALL SO SERIOUS! My next article is “How a deficit takes away your funny bone.”

A: Dear Jerk in Arizona,

I do see where someone is coming from if they read the logs over at somewhere like JP.

First off, each training program is 100% unique to the other. So no two programs are the same. That doesn’t mean that sometimes they can’t follow the same kind of base. Why though (and this is a great question) are so many of my clients (online) not doing a lot of aggressive training.

The truth is that I have a kind of “following” and “type” of client that I generally work with. Usually, by the time you come to me, you have already been driving yourself into the ground or training so aggressively that the best thing I can do for YOU is to let you take a break!

Remember fat loss has nothing to do with training. That being said, I love muscle mass. I love increasing lean body mass.

That doesn’t mean that fat loss is always done at the right time.
That doesn’t mean that aggressive training fits your body look needs (IE: Actress/Model)
That doesn’t mean that training too much won’t make you more hungry or lead to binging.
That doesn’t mean that you have the right hormone system for lots of lifting AND lots of dieting down.

There are too many variables and it just so happens that a lot of my clients (those that you see, anyways) fall into some of those categories where training on an aggressive and sometimes ANY level is what they need.

Not all my clients have a public log, but some may just be in the public eye and DO training for athletics. The truth is, if you are seeing a client run a log, they are more my passion than my “clients.” I am not saying it’s free, I am just saying it’s a personal love to help them and it goes beyond just getting my technical duties done. It goes beyond just being a technical trainer. I love these people and I don’t do it for me, I do it for them and VICE VERSA. They are amazing people to me, and I am not going to let my need of implementing some new “technique” on them ruin their efforts because it doesn’t seem like that are “doing enough”.

All you trainers out there remember: your ego can kill your clients’ results.

End Point: Don’t assume so much, you make a ass out of…well in this case, U only.

Feature: Exploding Fat Loss Myths by Jamie Hale

28 May

Tags: article, book, calories, carbs, Exercise, fat, Fat Loss, food, hormones, Interview, results, Training
Posted in Fat Loss | 2 Comments »

I have talked with Jamie Hale in the past with a great interview that you can find here, but first a bit of an introduction for those who are new to the name.

Jamie Hale is one smart guy, sometimes he will say something and I think “man, when am I going to be able to think like that?” He recently gave me an article called “Exploding Fat Loss Myths” in which Jamie hits on some various fat loss topics. Well, you know me and how I love my fat loss, so what we are going to do is focus on one myth at a time and discuss some of the genius or, for some, downright decipher that is Hale. This might be a bit “heavy” for some, but I am going to lay it out in the following discussion. It should be fun!

(If you get lost just hang on till the end. It will all be explained.)

Exploding Fat Loss Myth #1

Jamie Hale-Claim: To remove body fat you need to use it as fuel. The muscle fibers that are fueled by fat (’slow twitch’ fibers) are the ones that produce easy movements.

Jamie Hale-Status: You don’t have to learn how to use fuel. Are you aware that you’re burning fuel 24 hours per day? When you’re sitting doing absolutely nothing you are burning fuel. Many tissues can use free fatty acids for fuel, not just slow twitch muscle fibers. Losing body fat relies on way more than just the activity of the slow twitch muscle fibers (how about cal deficit).

Using slow twitch muscle fibers nervous stimulation is required (CNS requires cals although not fat calories). High-intensity exercise often results in a lower RQ (indicating higher proportion of fat) than a low intensity exercise post-workout. Below is a brief description of what occurs during mobilization of stored fat and oxidation of fatty acids via an excerpt from Fat Burning How it Works by Jamie Hale. I also added a few additional comments to make the information more precise.

- Bodies have two major stores of fat that provide energy. Those are 1) adipose tissue 2) intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG).

- Adipose tissue stores fat in the form of triglyceride (triacylglycerols). TG is composed of a glycerol backbone with three FFA attached to it.

- IMTG are droplets of fat stored within the muscle fiber.

- IMTG are contained within the muscle and can be used directly, FFA from adipose tissue must be carried through the bloodstream to the muscles to be used for energy.

- Fats are broken down to fatty acids and glycerol. Glycerol enters the glycolytic/glucogenic pathway via glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate (can be used to from TAG in liver as well). The free fatty acids move through the cell membrane of adipocyte, and bind to albumin in plasma. They are then transported to tissue where they enter cells. Keep in mind regardless of FFA blood levels the brain (although the brain can use ketone bodies) and erythocytes cannot use free fatty acids for energy. Breakdown of TG is initiated by HSL (hormone sensitive lipase), which is primarily influenced by insulin, and the catecholamines. HSL removes a fatty acid from carbon 1 and or 3 of TAG. Additional lipases including Diacyclglycerol and Monoacylglycerol remove the remaining fatty acids (Harvey & Champe 2005).

Adrenaline and nor adrenaline bind to beta-adrenergic receptors in fat cells stimulating HSL causing FFA release

FFA is burned in the mitochondria to produce ATP and acetyl-CoA

Okay don’t freak out! He does this; it’s part of his charm.

What is the above explaining, what is it saying?

First the claim…

The claim says that it’s best to burn fat by usage of slow twitch muscle fibers. So the best way to understand why this is said is to look at the difference in muscle fibers.

Muscle fiber types are in two main types: slow twitch (Type I) and fast twitch (Type II). Fast twitch fibers can be further separated into Type II (a) and Type II(b). Each body is set up with certain amount of each of these fibers.

Each kind of muscle fiber has a preferred fuel system. Short-twitch fibers are more oxygen-based and endurance-driven. The lower level of intensity, the more you are using your slow-twitch muscle fibers. Slow-twitch provides more energy per unit of fuel and allows the use of multiple types of fuel (fats, lactate,glucose). Mostly though, free fatty acids are the energy source for slow-twitch muscle fibers.

In the fast-twitch fibers the reverse is true with little to no oxygen and glycogen (stored carbohydrates) being the main source of fuel.

So in short, walking uses fat as fuel, fast running uses more glycogen (stored carbs) as fuel. Makes sense?

Now the claim is since this is the case, doesn’t this mean that we should only worry about training in a slow-twitch zone if fat loss is the goal?

This is the common myth that Jamie is, very technically, debunking. And let’s be clear, this is science, this isn’t Jamie’s opinion. He has explained it in the technically scientific way, and I am just translating the technical.

Moving on…

Question? If you are in a deficit and have nothing but stores to go to period, wouldn’t almost any training you do be a fat burning zone? If you said “yes,” you would be right. A deficit is the ultimate decider or fuel burning fate, or more so quantity of that fuel. Ideally, fast- and slow-twitch muscle work off of a preferred fuel source but, in the end, the body is going to take what it needs from where it can get it.

Doesn’t this by the way bring up a great scientific point of why it’s pretty dumb to continuously do high interval training on very low carb diets? Just wanted to throw that out there.

The last part of Jamie’s Input is simply him explaining how stored fat gets from point storage to point burn. If you want to look up the long words go right ahead, but I can make it really simple for you.

-When you stop using what is running through your system in food just eaten, when you have to go into storage, this process begins.

-Depending on what you are doing and how aggressive it is what gets “first dibs” as far as fuel usage goes.

-Glycogen (stored carbs) will deplete much faster than Fat (stored fat).

-At some point if training long enough or in enough of a deficit you will be burning into stored fat. The funny thing is, with no stored glycogen going on your intensity is going to be pretty low anyway. So keep that in mind.

-In the end it doesn’t matter what kind of training you are doing when it comes to fat loss, you have to hit negative to get to the fat. It doesn’t matter if that negative is in sleep or while walking your dog, the process of utilizing fuel from stored fat has to happen to use fat and it doesn’t require any type of muscle usage or zone to burn it if you’re in deficit.

–

To find out more information and to pick up the latest book by Coach Hale go here.

If you need someone to help you explain all this craziness and take out the bull swing by here! I think they’ll look good together.

Final Thought-Will Power and Education

11 May

Tags: calories, clients, education, family, Fat Loss, health, hormones, marketing, News, Research, Studies, Training, trust
Posted in News | 4 Comments »

Okay I lied. It was two days, not three. Sue me, you get it early.

To end this we are going to start where we began. Will power.

When it comes to will power, you either have it or you don’t. When it comes to wanting fat loss, you either want it or you don’t, period. That being said will power CAN be discouraged or helped by RESULTS. Results come best with Education.

Let me put it even better.

The heart has the will power, but fear can break it down. In that instance educated thought can be our only savior from defeat.

Education is will power’s best ally.

I see great examples of this in my clients everyday. Ready to throw in the towel and give in, I provide them why something is the way it is, and in an instant they feel better and they didn’t fold. That is not accountability, it’s being a walking and talking “ask jeeves”.

How good do you think that will power is going to stay when influenced by education if the people following you start losing respect for your word?

Can you think of some recent events in which you lost respect for someone after you had come to follow their education in something?

Some people can cut and separate character and knowledge as two separate things, but most can not. Instead, with most people if you suck as a person and aren’t to be trusted, ergo the same will be said for what you are teaching. This is why integrity is so important because ethics are a part of your everyday journey. It doesn’t matter, work, play, dating, family, even telling the cashier she rang something up wrong so at the end of the day she doesn’t get in trouble. It’s everywhere in everything you do.

I don’t care about people making money. You want to make money fine. Just keep it real.

This isn’t about anti-guru. I like a lot of them.

This is about going that extra mile to make sure that people understand sometimes certain programs and training methods aren’t for everyone. That all “new studies” aren’t always good studies or valid ones. That there is a difference between FAT LOSS and a PROGRAM.

Oh, I am saying “that” again.

Fat loss is a scientific process that occurs due to a caloric deficit.

A training program is a METHOD to achieve that.

Any program, good or bad, is just that, a Method.

Low carb, cycling, stubborn, warped, whatever there is a new one everyday. They are all methods.

However, some METHODS of approaching fat loss may not work for you the same way. Not everyone can do the same things and get the same results. Some methods are bad for people to do who have a more sensitive hormone system. Now don’t read into that, I didn’t say you wouldn’t loss fat in a caloric deficit, did I?

No, I didn’t. So don’t even go there.

You can, though, do a program that messes you up enough that your hormones, NEAT, and general desire for living alter so much that what was once was an 800-calorie deficit becomes 200 and you’re taking a month to lose 1 pound. Yeah THAT can happen.

Everyday I get emails because ^^that^^ happened.

Will power is no longer an issue, your education source is blown because there is no trust there, and next thing you know it’s 5 years later and you’re being told that you can’t lose fat because you don’t have the will power to do so.

BULL.

I am not saying that can’t be the case. I am not saying people don’t stuff themselves.

But sometimes, SOMETIMES, the people just need a voice of reason and integrity, to hear the truth. Sometimes they don’t need hype, they just need the education.

Now here comes the twist…

YOU (the ones that lack “will power”) think our style, my style of teaching education is boring.

Apparently, if it doesn’t come with flash and a yellow highlight it doesn’t do the trick.

It’s an interesting argument that has been going on for a while now.

What marketing method is best? What is the most trustworthy? Does it matter how you target your audience as long as the product is good?

I say let’s have some fun and find out.

In the mean time, enjoy these words from our sponsors.

Interview-Jamie Hale

12 Jan

Tags: answers, BodyBuilding, book, carbs, clients, dieting, eating, Exercise, hormones, Interview, Interviews, Logic, motivation, News, Random, Research, Reviews, Studies, Training, truth, workouts
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

When I first spoke with Jamie Hale I was instantly at ease. It could have been his welcoming nature or perhaps it was that darn southern accent that made me feel right at home. Regardless I was excited to have some swapping of words on various subjects. We talked about perspective, skepticism, and the importance of solid research. That conversation left me wanting more, so what follows is just that.

Leigh Peele-Today I got hit in the face with the ridiculous guidelines that are being given by the new Physic Clinic by T-nation “no tomatoes and better be scared of the 2 carbs in a piece of sugar free gum”. Why do you think it has gotten to this point Coach Hale? And what is the best way to tell someone who has been lead down this road of being obsessed over the carbs in a tomato that are trying to get back on a sane eating path?

Jamie Hale-People do not like to think for themselves. If they actually thought for themselves the majority of fitness and nutrition gurus would be out of business. Many people have been taught what to think but not how to think.

I would hope the best way to cure this problem would be to show them evidence that indicates facts. But it does not seem to be that simple. We still have to keep striving to produce fact based information and destroy the dogmatism.

Leigh Peele-Agreed. When it comes to fact based information the majority of fitness professionals don’t even realize what that is. It’s just picking a cert, take a course, read a book, oh and get that CPR course done. Let’s say there is a professional out there that just didn’t know any better, that like most didn’t really think there was anything to challenge. Where would you suggest them to start to help improve their knowledge and outlooks?

Jamie Hale-I would suggest they contact other professionals they admire in the field. This can be a double-edged sword if you begin to rely on their suggestions too much (appeal to authority) without seeing the evidence. Only after checking the statements of the authority numerous times should you begin to consider their word as fact without actually seeing the evidence (still questionable).

I would advise beginning trainers and coaches to look into the Primary Research Data and listen to sources that are able to provide evidence and logic for their explanations. With that being said, it is a myth that we can be skeptical all the time as this simply would require too much time. If trainers would learn the basics of logic and rhetoric they would save themselves much time and money.

Another issue to consider when in attempt to gain knowledge is why do you seek knowledge? If you seek knowledge to make yourself a better personal trainer or if you are interested in becoming a better science writer, the knowledge required is significantly different. The everyday approach to knowledge acquisition is quite different than the scientific approach. This is just as a quasi-experiment is different than a true experiment. One of the key aspects to being a successful personal trainer is to possess good communication and motivational skills.

Leigh Peele-Very true what you say, it’s all about the want feeding the need and going with your desires. What drives you most Coach? What about this field and your place in it get you out of that bed every morning?

Jamie Hale-At the moment I am really excited about a new cd I received from Dan Moore containing 200 full studies. Actually some of the data are reviews, minibooks etc.. I get up each morning and look at my forums (MaxCondition, Practical Scientist, Knowledge and Nonsense) and answer my e-mails. I also look through information I collected on the previous day (highlighted section). I spent the majority of my day investigating, and discussing Primary Research Data. Currently I am also spending a great deal of time looking at different types of logic. I am also working on some information that will help people in the fitness industry learn how to construct valid arguments and identify logical fallacies.

Below I have included the basic system I use for learning. Let’s assume that you have already decided the data has proven valid. Discussing the sources of the information and whether they are valid or not is a different discussion. Let’s stick to discussing what strategies are used to retain and understand the correct data you are investigating.

My general Learning method:

-Read the information and highlight key points.
-Look at references provided in the paper
-Look up the definitions of any words that I am unsure of their meanings (abbreviated notes on the paper concerning definitions, discussing with colleagues)
-2nd reading involves reviewing and analyzing highlighted points and definitions
-3rd reading, before the third reading I put the info away for 2-3 days and review highlights again
-At this point I have formed a mental picture (similar to concept map) and I review the concepts randomly through out the day
-If I am having problems understanding the concepts or quickly recalling what I have learned I will read again and look further into more studies regarding similar or the same subject matter.
-Once I feel like my comprehension of the material is adequate I began writing on the topic if I am really interested (I have learned a great deal through writing)

Once every few months I pick some material at random that I have collected and read the highlights and highlighted references again. If I have a hard time recalling the information presented in the paper the process begins again. Sometimes I will read the entire paper again, but most of the time I start with the strategy I mentioned involving the 2nd reading.

I think in order to fully understand and be able to apply the newly attained information to various situations it is important to have visual cues. I like concept maps written on paper as well as concept maps I form in my mind. For me Rote style of learning does not really enhance long term memory or apply to new-problem solving situations.

My biggest drive comes from the passion to further enhance my knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Leigh Peele-Talk about a map for learning! I have to say I might even start to use that approach in my research, I somewhat lack that organized manner and it can leave me jumping from analyzing joint inflammation issues to the effects of casein post workout. I sit back and go�how the hell did I get here?

Of all that you wrote there is one thing that really jumped out at me when you stated “you learned a great deal from writing”. I have to agree 100% it is one of the reasons I love writing because the research I put in always leads me to new knowledge. Since you recently released the book “Knowledge and Nonsense” I can assume a lot of new finds came out of that. Can you give a run down of what the book is about?

Jamie Hale-There was a great deal of things I discovered when writing Knowledge and Nonsense. I looked into subjects that I had not really considered investigating before. It also took a while to write the introduction to the book (advise from Alan Aragon). The introduction to the book gives readers my suggestions on navigating the book. It’s not everyday you purchase a Fitness book that is almost 500 pages long. The instructions in the introduction make the book relatively easy to navigate. The table of contents and index also make the book user friendly. This book provides something for everyone. To demonstrate the wide diversity of the book consider the two indexes: Biochemistry and Genetics and Vertical Jump Enhancement. After reading this book you will be armed with the proper artillery to argue with anyone about Exercise and Nutrition. Below is an abbreviated table of contents (table of contents in the book much larger).

Ch 1- Basic Nutrition
Ch 2- Popular Diets: the science (approximately 43 diets reviewed)
Ch 3- Bodybuilder Nutrition Roundtable (features 8 nutrition advisors)
Ch 4- Hormones
Ch 5- Nutrition: Fact or Fiction
Ch 6- Muscular Bioenergetic Pathways & Muscle Fiber Types
Ch 7- Kinesiology and Biomechanics
Ch 8- Training for Skeletal Muscle Growth
Ch 9- Exercise: Fact or Fiction

This book destroys much of the popular bodybuilding and fitness dogma. In the chapters that discuss Exercise and Nutrition: Fact or Fiction, 114 topics are discussed.

Leigh Peele-Not only no nonsense book but jesus a book chalk full of page after page of no nonsense. You certainly aren’t lacking volume of material.

Jamie, a lot of my readers teeter on that edge of really going after the science of things. These aren’t just the weekend warriors either; these are some fitness professionals as well. What can you tell someone on that edge of the truth and great knowledge to get him or her to dive in? How can understanding WHY you do something make you better at it in your mind when it comes to training?

Jamie Hale-It’s fun to discover the truth. It’s fun to be able to shoot down the Type 2 SS (supplement salesman) or the gym guru who tells everyone in the gym what to do. With a basic knowledge of the Primary Research Data this is possible. With a basic understanding of logic (science of reasoning, thinking, proof or inference) you will be able to see through the rhetoric often used by the fitness industry.

I don’t think that understanding a particular exercise will necessarily make you better at it. But it will probably help with the overall training regimen. If you understand the mechanics and different modes of training you can tailor the movements (and the placement of movements in the workout) to meet your specific needs. Although I don’t think most trainees are really interested in why they do things they just want someone to tell them what to do. On the other end some athletes may be too analytical and this can be detrimental. I think this was one of my biggest problems as an athlete. I was speaking with one of my old baseball coaches a few days ago and he told me I was the fastest person on the bases he had seen, but I was uncoachable. My Boxing and Olympic Weightlifting coaches told me the same thing.

Leigh Peele-It would seem Jamie that you are just too smart for your own good then. I am sure this is a phrase you will hear often in your life.

I am starting a new section that I am adding on to the end of my interviews titled “The Pro and the Case Client”. I give you the case and you give me what you would do in a training aspect to help them with their problem.

Case Client #002-”Training A.D.D Guy”

Client #002 has a problem with making advances in his training because each week he reads some new technique, method, or program that he just must try. He also gets highly bored with training routines in general and is a classic case gym floater. Because of all this sketchy training he has really no true ability in strength or core function and should really no go beyond the basis of bodyweight movement. He also has a desire to do various show moves like pistols and one arm push ups. How would you guide Client #002? What would you say to him to get him on track and to keep him on a program and how much of a problem is A.D.D training? Is it a problem at all?

Jamie Hale-I would ask the client for his/her preference of movements. I would suggest the client follow a training regimen that emphasizes various motor qualities and targets the particular qualities they are most concerned with. If the client really loves variety and becomes bored easily I would suggest we stick to some core movements for a specified period, but change the accessory movements often. This allows some consistency while at the same time allowing variety to deal with the boredom factor. With most of my training programs there is a fair amount of variety but yet enough consistency that we can track specific increases in strength and total work (per movement). I don’t think it is unusual to run into a client who is always looking for change. I must admit I have fallen victim to this myself lately.

Leigh Peele-Excellent coach, I think we have all fallen victim of this but making sure to track change and progress is obviously the key to actual progress. I can’t thank you enough for the time you have taken and in my mind this is just a part 1. With your book being so filled with information I can assure you there will be a part 2 coming up.

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To find out more about Coach Hale check out his site here at http://www.maxcondition.com