Posts Tagged ‘Nutrition’

The worst (and best) magazines to read for a healthy lifestyle


03 Feb

What surrounds you on a daily basis helps shapes who you are. From the check out counter to the doctor’s office, what you read influences what you believe. Should you be selective in the magazine you pick up? Yes.

A recent UK study found that food and food ads in magazines are made up mostly of  foods high in sugar, fat and salt. Magazines that are more desperate and less selective of the type of advertising and articles they run are going to be more likely to land you toward higher calorie and less nutrient rich foods. They also lead you to bad information and dogmatic beliefs about “scientific” information. This encourages unhealthy lifestyle activity, eating, and training practices.

From all of the data and with the selection of magazines available at this time I have gathered the best (and worst) magazines to read to achieve a healthy lifestyle and encourage weight loss.

The Best:

*These magazines were chosen based on content and ease of availability and purchase cost.*

1. Eating Well

I don’t always agree with everything they say when it comes to why to eat the things they list. However, they provide great recipes and ideas on how to put together healthy, tasty, and sensible caloric meals.

2.  National Geographic Adventure

While the original is great, this one provides a map and explanation to different places you can explore, and how to do that with ease. Even if you aren’t ready for travel yet, warm yourself up to it with the thought of fun and adventure that can await.

3. Men’s/Women’s Health

They aren’t perfect, but among all of mainstream diet and health magazines they are leagues ahead of the rest. There are fantastic authors and contributors, and the material is entertaining. The only mainstream fitness/health magazine I read and respect.

4. Science News

It is a fun magazine that explores everything from robots to psychology. Sure to entertain, but in ways that make you think and get amazed by the simple things we see everyday.

5. Art in America

A life is about more than just the jeans you can fit in. Art, music, and the people that make up our world of beauty and emotion can help you tap into something that can break the mundane, and enlighten untapped creativity.

The Worst:

1. People Magazine

I find it to be the worst because for some reason readers still think that the magazine carries integrity. I can say for certain it doesn’t. Month after month it delivers the worst in diet, nutrition, and training information.

2. Us Weekly

While it is just another of many in the gossip magazine pile, it seems to go that extra step to put horrible “facts” out on what to do to achieve a fit and beautiful body. Please stick  to paying stalkers okay US Weekly?

3. Flex

The number one magazine for trying to hide the massive amount of steroid usage, ever.

4. Southern Living

I live in the south, you don’t want to eat and live like us. We are the fattest people there is in the world.

5. National Enquirer

If you actually take the information in there seriously, you should check if something is rattling in your brain. They also aren’t nearly funny enough to take down Weekly World News.

Socio-economic and gender differences in nutritional content of foods advertised in popular UK weekly magazines.

Adams J, White M. Eur J Public Health. 2009 Jan 18. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19151418 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Breaking News: America’s Next Oprah Trainer


10 Dec

Flooding an inbox near you is going to be the pleas, the cries, the challenges, the problem solvers, the blamers, and the money hungry fame wanting “gurus” that know the Willy Wonka golden ticket lies in the hands of one woman. It is sad that almost 99% of them get it wrong, and will take her down the exact same path as good ole Bob Greene.

5 Reasons why the next Oprah trainer will fail

Reason #1-The Thyroid Effect
None of the trainers understand the effects of the thyroid on metabolic behavior and how to manipulate it to burn fat. When you are metabolically challenged the game changes. That doesn’t mean you define laws, it means your speed limits are different. I see trainers and nutritionists, even good ones, work with those with thyroid problems, and they still don’t get it. You can’t do the same things, the normal tricks don’t work. You have to play a different game. You aren’t just dealing with the physical either, it is also the mental that comes along side of it.

Reason #2-The Apathy Effect
They don’t really care. All they want is the fame and money, which isn’t even that intense. There are actually easier ways to make money than to toy with the hearts and minds of a talk show host and not to mention leagues of women who watch it all across America.

Reason #3-They Don’t Get Fat Loss
Even if you look beyond the thyroid issue, there is still the issue of the fact that the majority of trainers don’t understand the first thing about training and nutrition for normal fat loss. They ignore the science because it doesn’t help their sales, they ignore their clients because people leaving hurts their pockets, and they teach the “do as I say, not as I teach” principle making the ones who do succeed, feel tied and trapped to them, for life.

Reason #4-They Don’t Get Women
Sorry, hate to break it to you, but they are a different creature to train. The average women is different than the average man. Sure there are exceptions, but Oprah is very much your average woman. You can’t train them the same and anyone who says otherwise only works with athlete women or never trains them. That doesn’t mean they are bad or better, they are just different.

Reason # 5-She will not trust you
Your fault or not she, like many other women, don’t have much more trust left to give. They have been duped, toyed with, and tricked for so long that everything, even the good is just another scam. The only way that you will get through, the only way to stand apart is to be the one that really does. If you are any of the reasons 1-4, then you will not win because she will not trust you.

I for one am not entering the race, I am merely just a spectator. At the end of the day if the “winner” happens to catch this blog post then I have a message for you.

Do your homework, because the weight of millions of women could rest in your hands.

Don’t be boring or get fat this Turkey Day


21 Nov

Thanksgiving has arrived and so has the decision you have to make every year.

You are trying to either A) lose fat over the holidays or B) at least not gain it.

It’s funny because Thanksgiving and Christmas are just two days. Their destruction of eats however haunts and temps us for weeks! What do we do? How do we best navigate through this sea of gravy temptation? I am going to cover all these things and more for you right now but broken down into two categories.

The visitors and the home team!

The Visitors Team

Every year you will find yourself either being the visitor or the host. This is what to do if you visit.

Bring your food with you.

My mama always said “bring a gift.” No, I am not talking about being preachy and handing over the low carb/low fat/ dry organic free range stuffing. I said bring a gift! There are some foods that on their own are healthy and taste quite good. Bring safe items with you that you can fill up own so that you won’t have as much room for the bad and that also goes nicely with the spread. If you can’t cook or don’t care too then these ideas work for that as well.

• Veggie or Fruit Plates-Fill up on fruit and veg, lower calories.
• Hummus for dipping-Most is only 30-50 calories a serving. Goes great with those veggies too.
Tea Biscuits and Coffee (you can find these in most grocery store in the kosher/specialty section. 2 yummy biscuits for 32 calories!)

Don’t be a boring lump.

The majority of thanksgiving visitors sit like a lump waiting for instructions on how to best stuff their face. CHANGE IT UP! Since you don’t have to prepare the food do a favor by helping entertain. Spend time with your family, it is why you are there.

Have another plate.

I know right, I am nuts! Here are the rules though, the first plate I want to be all the good stuff, (lean meat, veggies, fruit,) basically low calories. Next grab another plate, but this time load up on the items you have been salivating over since you have arrived. The catch is because you already filled up on the good stuff you will be more moderate with the bad. This will limit the actual amount of the bad you can take in and save you some calories right there alone, PLUS you don’t look the “dieter.” Dieters don’t have another plate.

Help clean up.

Not only does it help out the stressed out mom/dad, you burn a few extra calories. Remember the majority of your daily calories are burned in small activities, not large training.

The Home Team

Cook!

Look you have the home field advantage; you get to do the cooking!! That doesn’t mean to serve tasteless guck either, just make smart choices. Get a bigger turkey and serve the white meat only. Where you find the space try and substitute some items with lower calories. For example, you can use skim milk and light butter in your potatoes. This makes very little difference in taste but saves loads on calories.

Pick Your Battles.

Look you can’t make a low calorie pecan pie, it is what it is. You can however make a healthy and low calorie pumpkin pie or better yet, a pumpkin cheesecake that is to die for.

If you have to go to town on the calories then at least make them more nutritious calories. For example, instead of a “canned cranberry sauce” you could whip up cranberry nut bread.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the cranberries and walnuts, and stir to coat with flour. Mix together the egg, oil, orange juice, and orange zest. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until just blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack, and cool completely.

Nutrition Facts  Calories 163  Fat 3g   Carbohydrate 31g  Protein 3g

Want deviled eggs? Great but stuff them with something different like some roasted garlic hummus and turkey meat. Have all the flavor you want, just choose good things to make your flavor form. Remember healthy items are apart of some of the best tasting foods.

Have activities.

Don’t just make the visit to your house all about the food, be a good example. Have sack races for the kids, or spoon races. Play sports, or even have a Turkey Bootcamp (see below). I assure you the less awkward the visit, the more fun that is being had just hanging out, the less food becomes the star! Don’t let the TV rule the house anymore of Turkey Day.

Cook for only those you need to.

Don’t get carried away. This isn’t the last meal and this isn’t the send off to fight the British War. You don’t need 2 turkeys, 1 chicken, 3 pies, and 10 sides. Less is more. Pick solid dishes and let their flavors be the star. This will also lower the stress and you will be less likely to eat more because of being upset.

Now that you have those few tips down it is time to take your holiday to the next level with…

Turkey BootCamp!

Want a fun fitness game to play with the young ones? Welcome to the Ultimate Turkey BootCamp.

Objective: Complete all challenges in teams of two. Whoever wins gets the ultimate prize of “Turkey Bootcamp Champion” and prize of your choice (trophy, jersey, make it fun, even for friends).

Items Need: Good Attitude, stuff to use as course markers, lemons, bean bag/ball (something small you can toss) and stopwatch or clock.

Rules: Best of 5-No cheating-Keep it fun, and keep it clean.

Challenge 1- Wheel Barrow Race

Challenge 2-Plank Wars

The two of you try to hold a plank for as long as you can. Whichever team has the longest time wins!

Challenge 3-Wall Sits

The two of you try to hold wall sits for as long as you can. Whichever team has the longest time wins!

Challenge 4-Lemon Roll Relay

Each team has to relay from one marker to the other pushing the lemon only using their nose. First team done wins!

Challenge 5-Bulls Eye

Setup a target with points, stand 2-3 yards away depending on the challenge you want and toss into the target area. Best team points win!

Last but not least let me leave you with one of my favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes.

INGREDIENTS

1 Pound turkey breast, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 Medium red bell pepper, seeded & cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 Medium yellow bell pepper, seeded & cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 Pound Swiss chard, stalks removed & coarsely chopped
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons sugar

DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium bowl, toss turkey strips with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 2-teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Sauté turkey in hot oil for 4 to 5 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink in the center. Do not over cook. Remove turkey from the pan and set aside.
3. Add remaining 1-teaspoon oil to pan and sauté peppers for 2 minutes. Gently fold in Swiss chard.
4. In a small bowl, combine vinegar and sugar; stir into vegetable mixture. Reduce heat to medium and stir-fry mixture 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
5. Return turkey to pan and heat well. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts  Calories 220  Fat 4g  Total Carbohydrate 15g  Protein 31g

Good luck this holiday! No matter what the goal is remember that this is a time to celebrate love and give thanks no matter who and how many you are with.

Dieting and Training: Did you Yes or Do you No?


18 Nov

It is so frustrating for you as a trainee to not even realize if you are screwing things up. Truth is that you can give your heart to a training program but still fail if you didn’t involve your mind. The key to staying ahead of the game is through a system of tracking your diet and training compliance.

With a lot of my clients I do the Yes/No program.

The truth is with any dieting down program you should be as compliant as possible, period. Follow the program, and do what you are supposed to do best possible. In my opinion, the more of a “cheat” policy that is allowed in the program, the less you are going to be happy with the results.

That being said, who does that right?

So, the next best thing is to be realistic about what you have and have not done, don’t “sugar” coat your failures or try and rationalize, that just means living in denial. Best method to do this is to list out the following:

Nutrition
Training
Rest/Sleep
Recovery/Flex

Everyday you should have a goal or plan set for what it is you are going to do. For example:

Nutrition-1400 calories and 120g of Protein
Training-Upper Day
Rest/Sleep-8 hours
Recovery/Flex-2×10 mins program

Now, list out if you did what you were supposed to do and keep it to a simple yes or no. Not an almost yes, maybe no, almost perfect, 80%, etc. That is bull, don’t do that. Write a “Yes” or “No.”

Did you eat roughly 1300 calories and hit your protein amount? Did you? If you did, then nutrition gets a “Yes.”

Did you eat 1500 calories and only 90 grams of protein? Did you? Then your nutrition section gets a “No.” This way when 2 months roll around and progress isn’t what you want it to be, you can turn to YOURSELF and say one of the following:

“Everything was yes, I really did what I need to do so that lets me know that X amount of calories isn’t right for me and I need to change something.”

or

“There are a lot of “No’s” so obviously I need to be more compliant to the dieting program”

It can also help you highlight what might be causing a nutritional “No.” Was sleep bad? Was training too aggressive? Are you focusing on recovery? At the end of the day your lists should look like this:

Day 1-
Nutrition-Yes
Training-Yes
Rest/Sleep-No
Recovery/Flex
-Yes

Day 2-
Nutrition-No
Training-Yes

Rest/Sleep-No

Recovery/Flex-No

Day 3-
Nutrition-Yes
Training-Yes
Rest/Sleep-Yes
Recovery/Flex
-Yes

No graphs, no overly complicated system of measuring, and no 90% rule. Just a one simple question:

Did you do what you need to do, Yes or No?

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


30 Oct

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 :)

Action Assignments For New Life and Body: The Challenge


17 Oct

We have covered the importance of setting a goal and asking yourself important questions. We then covered that the act of that is pointless, that the act of trying to change your life and achieve goals are pointless if you don’t to one thing – change. Now we have come to the point where goal setting and the call for change meets with action in form of – The Challenge.

Challenges are an extremely important aspect in changing your life. People, by large, lack inspiration in their lives towards physical change. This isn’t about family or religion either. Your spiritual adviser loves you regardless of your excess body fat, and hopefully so does your children, spouse, and friends. People also do not like to be reminded that they are lazy or unoriginal so stepping outside the activity or lifestyle box is often looked down upon. However, when faced with a challenge, to be forced and rewarded specifically to conquer fears and hardships, we as people will gather and cheer for you.

A fantastic example of this is the Biggest Loser. Granted, I do not necessarily agree with the method of the show, but that isn’t what this discussion is about. All these people have gathered for a specific challenge during a specific period of time. It is a nationally known challenge. To compete in this challenge is seen as noble, brave, and demanding of character. These people put their bodies and their lives in front of millions of people to make their declaration of change. We, the viewers, support and cheer them on. We see who we want to be, never want to be, hope to be, long for others to become, and in some way find a way to relate these strangers lives to our own world.

Now, fast forward to the time in between seasons of the shows and take a look in offices and households around the country.

Mom is trying to lose 35 pounds. She has been dying to get off for years. She sets her goals, she makes her call to change, she starts putting into actions her goals. A few weeks down the road though she is beaten and bombarded with the insecurities and the complaints of other annoying people in her life, Yes your children and spouse can be these people too.  To them it isn’t as if you are doing this for a real purpose or challenge. It isn’t as if there is a real and justified reason that Linda Lou has to feel insecure about her big ass or that Frank, your dear husband, has to make his own dinner because you really are trying hard to not be tempted by the fact that he is still eating globs of pasta and pizza. How dare you try and change without a challenge? How dare you not try to change your life and happiness without a specific meaning or purpose.

Well, readers, I am going to make the next 30 Days for you an easy win in that aspect. I am assigning you a challenge.

Starting tomorrow, on a Friday not a Monday, you have 30 Days to make the biggest transformation that you can. That is 4 weeks, that is it. Don’t think that I don’t expect big things in 30 days. In fact, I am expecting some of the most dramatic changes that have ever been seen online in 30 days.

The one thing we left out about the Biggest Loser, and why it works so well though is perhaps the most important thing. Reward. Prize.

FREE STUFF. We LOVE free stuff. We LOVE prizes.

I am going to get to the prizes.

For now I want you to meet your running mates. These are your 6 running mates. 3 Guys and 3 Gals. Say hello, but don’t get used to their mugs, they will be changing. I do want to note that apparently some of them “prepped” for the event by packing it in so already they are going to be nothing but trouble!

Meet Pauline

Stats:
Age: 49

Height: 5’2”
Weight: 108.25 lbs

Measurements
Neck: 11.5”
Arm: 9”
Chest: 27” under bust, 32” bust
Waist: 27”
Stomach: 30”
Hip: 36”
Thigh: 21”
Calf: 12.5”

Pauline is a wife, a mother, a worker for her local church, and a teacher to her kids. That isn’t a resume of work, that is a resume of love.

Pauline comes to me after already losing some weight and working on gaining some mass utilizing the NROL program. She has a nice set up already and we are going to go in and tweak things a little. Pauline is going to shed that last layer of fat she has while doing some corrective muscle work. There should also be small levels of strength and LBM gains. One of Pauline’s special assignments is Push Ups. Pauline has just completed her first 3 ever, and we are going to up that anty.

Grow old along with me!”-Robert Browning

Meet Karen

Stats:

Age: 33
Height: 64 in
Weight: 129.0

Measurements
Neck: 14”
Arm: 10.5” (L) 11.0” (R )
Chest: 33” under bust, 37” bust
Waist: 32” at belly button
Stomach:
Hip: top of hipbone 34”, widest part at top of thighs 36”
Thigh: 21” (L) 21.5” (R )
Calf: 13” (L) 13.5” (R )

Karen has already shown fantastic results with the OPT program. Losing lots of fat already, Karen is now moving into that next phase. She is taking it to that level that few ever go. The majority women see her as an “after” already. For Karen this just isn’t good enough. She wants it all, so we are going to give it all.

Karen’s program is going to be largely base on body recomp with fat loss and slight corrections of muscle imbalances in the body. Rest and relaxation are going to be tough for Karen, so this will be a tough focus.

“As a former P.E. almost-flunkee, I just want to show that I CAN be athletic and be the best me I can be.”-Karen

Meet Jim

Stats:

Age: 45
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 241

Measurements
Neck: 17.5”
Arm: 15.5” resting
Chest: 47.5 “
Waist: 40”
Stomach: 41”
Hip: 44”
Thigh: 22.5”
Calf: 15.75”

Jim is the husband any woman would want to have. His reason for the challenge are built out of being around and being there for a family that is obviously the world to him. Jim has a league of people from co-workers to family and friends cheering him on right now. How about that for accountability!

The goal with Jim is to take fat loss to that next level and really see what we can do in the next 30 days to get him as close to that goal as possible. 30 days is a long time, I plan on putting some lean meat on this boys bones, and chopping some fat off. It will be tough, but he is a tough guy and can take it.

Jim wanted Pipes, he is going to get him.
Jim hates a leg day, likely because of the kind he was doing wasn’t right for his body and balance needs. He had the passion, now we are just going to give him those tools.
Meet Mike

Stats:

Age: 32
Height: 5′-10”
Weight: 224

Measurements
Neck: 14.5”
Arm: 15”
Chest: 44”
Waist: 41”
Stomach: 46”
Hip: 45”
Thigh: 27”
Calf: 17”

Mike is a biggest loser already, no really check this out!

Mike decided to make a change in his life after being inspired by a close friend. It is funny how one person’s step in the right direction can send another running isn’t it?

Mike runs into a few problems because of the fact that he works out of home and his job requires him to sit a lot. However, when he hits the gym, he hits it hard. What does a guy do who wants out of the chair and into the gym? He gets a CPT certification that is what! That is Mikes, dream, that is apart of his goals, to help others. He says “I dream of an elite level of fitness and looking smokin’ hot while doing it! :)

Mike has such a fantastic attitude towards life, and already is awesome to work with.

Meet Annelle

Stats:

Age: 34
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 151.0

Measurements
Neck: 12 3/8
Arm: 12 ½ not flexed, 12 5/8 flexed
Chest: 34 ½
Waist: 30
Stomach: 34 ¾
Hip: 40 ½
Thigh: 25 ¾
Calf: 15 1/8

This girl makes me laugh. She is a mother with the spirit of Youth, it is such a beautiful combination. A former model, Annelle popped out those kids without a 2nd thought to that figure but now, she wants it back. How could you say no to a declaration to change like this…

With tears rolling down my cheeks, my stomach turns as I realize just how desperate I am! Wow, reading that post was difficult for me because I am at a point in my life where I am desperate for some major change! So desperate I found myself in a plastic surgeon’s office getting an estimate of the cost to “fix” my problems. I decided against the lipo and decided to give this a go the healthy way with diet and exercise. I am not obese, at least not for the past 4 years, I have dropped 16 sizes… but for 4 years I have been stuck and I still need to loose more fat, it is so frustrating!

Meet Aleksandar

Stats:

Age:      39
Height: 5’ 11.5”
Weight:    230lbs

Neck: 16 ¾ “
Arm: 12 ¾ “
Chest: 44 ¾ “
Waist: 44”
Stomach: 46.5”
Hip: 43 ¾ “
Thigh: 44
Calf: 17 ¼ “

Aleksandar came to me a bit ago for training during a time when I could not take anyone on.  I told myself that the moment I could take someone else on that he was my guy. He has enough heart and courage in his pinky to walk all over this. I asked everyone for a dream statement, I think this says it all…

“On a winding road to Greatness, to truly master your own physique is just but one of life skills you need to learn. Just one big rock. A darn hard one though…
…Being brought to this most wonderful and most horrible part of Universe, I am finding my purpose to realize myself as best, be the sense Physical, Intellectual, Spiritual or Mental. My call is to offer my shoulders to ones I touch the same way I was offered to stand on shoulders of my Giants. All are invited, only few join.”

These are your new inspirations.

For the next 30 days they will be following a training and nutrition program laid out by me. Not only that I will be holding them accountable every week via phone call, picture check-ins, the works. It doesn’t stop there either. There is going to be questions, quizzes, assignments, and things that even they have no idea about. I bet you they are getting nervous now.

Prizes, what about the prizes!

First, for every pound lost by the whole group 1 dollar will be donated to St Jude’s Charity Fund.

Now that may not seem like much, but how big will this group get by the end is the question…

All of them will also receive all products, ever, released by me for free. Any teleseminar, any whatever, you will have VIP access too. If you don’t need it anymore then you can gift it to someone who might. Basically you can pay it forward.

At the end of the program, the person with the most progress and change will receive the following…

The Winner:

Collection of Great Works: The Best of Training and Nutrition on the Net (Value:$490!)

Gift Certificate to Vitamin Shoppe for $50

Myself to continue to guide and give them phone consults for the next 3 months or the person of their choice. (Um..priceless)

No gimmicks, nothing to buy, and no catch.

This is not supposed to be some huge, grand challenge of tons of money. It isn’t about that. This is about 30 days to a new life. The goal of this is not just to get these people to lose fat, no. The goal is much bigger than that. The goal is to help change these peoples lives by helping them help YOU change your life. What these people didn’t realize when they agreed to this is that they were going to be leading a pack of inspiration. Jim has no idea how much he is going to help some lucky bastard out there who is in his exact same position. Annelle doesn’t realize that somewhere in a state far away she was that final click in making someones thoughts come together for a new life.

I am not just giving them fat loss, I am giving them power. Now, I need you to continue to pay that power forward. You the readers who weren’t chosen need to show that the challenge doesn’t stop there. I need to see what you can achieve in 30 days. Don’t worry, I will be helping along the way, but only if you tell me it is worth doing.

So, tell me, is it worth my effort? Do you want to play? Or do I just help these lucky bastards out only? Are you, the watchers, the readers, up for the challenge?

Stay Tuned and Let the Games Begin!

EDIT: Response is getting crazy, I love it! Guess what, Midnight tonight I am going to post you, the readers, challenge details. You will have a day to make up!

The Fat Loss Troubleshooter – Leigh Peele

Common Sense Meets Advanced Knowledge