I Want To Look Like That Guy DVD
Film maker Stuart MacDonald asked himself the question thousands have wondered about: Just what would it take to change my body into that of the guy in the fitness advertisements? But MacDonald took it a step further, seeking out IFBB pro bodybuilder Jeff Willett, who is the guy in the ads and owns a gym. At 42 years old, with a 44-inch waist and a soft physique nearly 30% bodyfat, MacDonald must have appeared a daunting project. Nonetheless, Willett decided he'd teach Stuart how to train, set up meal plans for him, and otherwise guide him through the entire process. "I Want To Look Like That Guy" is an entertaining documentary of the roller coaster ride that ensued. MacDonald had no idea what he was getting into.
I appreciate that Willett's 18-week Phase One was about learning to workout, with minimal involvement in the nutritional end. This comes closest to what the average man-in-the-street thinks those ads are telling them: join a gym, or better yet, buy this piece of exercise equipment (can we all say Bowflex?), follow a simple workout program a few days a week, and bingo, soon you'll be shredded and muscular.
After one week, MacDonald was asking the camera why his body hadn't visibly changed. This sounds ridiculous to anyone in the industry, but remember, most people don't know any better! That's why the ads are successful. He began the experiment at 27% bodyfat, and a dozen weeks of workouts later was only down to 25%. Of course, a massive cookie binge that 12th week slowed progress down. Sounds bad, but what could be more typical of the average person?
Phase 2 adds the dieting component. Now things get interesting, and MacDonald begins to learn for the first time how involved what he's attempting to do is. Willett lays it all out for him, every meal of each day. As the meal plans change, they are discussed between the two of them, and the actual plan is displayed on the screen. I applaud Willett for providing this much detail.
"It's scary how hard it is to get lean enough for photo sessions. You have no idea, you may look great, but you'll have no life, no energy," said MacDonald into the camera, alone one evening in his home. He was hungry, tired of being tired, and feeling sorry for himself.
At another point, further into the project, co-producer Willett tell Stuart, "You have to feel real bad to look real good! I don't care if you fall down, I don't care if you feel faint... stick to the nutrition!" Willett was tremendous, at times boosting MacDonald's spirits, at other points strongly shaking him up and making it clear he had to stay in the game and be disciplined or nothing was going to happen. "I'm tired of hearing people make excuses!" he tells MacDonald later in the film when he's hearing excuses.
In a post on Rxmuscle, Willett pointed out "One of the primary points is to illustrate that for the ‘average' person with a job, family and normal life obligations, it is not functional or realistic to achieve and maintain single-digit bodyfat percentages. However, that is what would be required if you want to look like the guys in the ads. It takes intense personal sacrifice with your diet and lifestyle."
Stuart MacDonald struggles with the aspects of this project all of us deal with. It takes months and months to change the body this much (drug-free, keep in mind). Workouts come and go; one or two cardio sessions per day take priority in his life. Friends and family find themselves on the sidelines; he gets lonely. He's always hungry!
Stu bravely lives his life before the cameras; we see him shave his body, he poses for photos every week; he trains, he learns to pose. His doubts and failures play out before us, and didn't end up on the editing-room floor. Slowly, then more quickly as he dials in the nutrition and remains consistent, MacDonald's body begins to become that of a bodybuilder, right in front of the camera. It's fascinating to watch and listen to him confide in the camera, and to be the fly on the wall for countless meetings with Jeff Willett, who faithfully, consistently provides moral support, motivation, and all his workout and dietary programs.
By the time MacDonald has morphed into an under-6% bodyfat bodybuilder and is preparing to compete in an NPC contest, the viewer cannot help but be rooting for him to make it.
"I Want to Look Like That Guy" shows that a regular guy can look like the guy in the ad, but it takes a smart, disciplined plan outside the understanding of most "regular guys." Stuart MacDonald made dramatic changes to his physique, and they took many months. This movie clearly illustrates how difficult it is to get into true bodybuilding condition, and exposes the ads selling an image clearly unrealistic for most people to achieve.
"I Want To Look Like That Guy" is entertaining, truthful, and passionate. It's not about training, nor the world of bodybuilding; it's about the very real journey Stuart MacDonald took as he transformed himself.
$29.95 from www.jeffwillett.com
Never Let Go by Dan John
(A Philosophy of Lifting, Living and Learning)
Dan John is a middle-aged strength athlete and coach with a deep background in throwing events, track, Olympic lifting, Highland Games, and strength competition of all types. He's known for dispensing commonsense, cutting-through-the-crap advice. Having read many of his essays, thinking I knew a fair amount of what he was about, I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed "Never Let Go," and the ideas and lessons I took away from the book.
An experienced gym rat, I've been around clanking weights for 35 years, and lived as a bodybuilder, powerlifter, and competitive cyclist for years at a time. Dan John reminds me, and all who read his book, that there are no rules for getting stronger and more physically fit. He's fond of saying "Everything works for six weeks," and he's right.
"Never Let Go" isn't aimed at bodybuilders, though everyone hanging around gyms will learn from John. Athletes who are more motivated to be strong than to just look like they're strong, will learn even more. In other words, Dan John is motivated by real results in meets and lifts in the gym, not so much by mirrors.
He continually points out that there are really only three kinds of strength training. Those are putting weight overhead, picking it off the ground, and carrying it for time or distance. On some level, all workouts, protocols and programs work from this basic premise. Over the course of 407 entertaining and interesting pages, John talks about nutrition (he's high protein, moderate-to-low-carb, and high fish oil) and diet. He sprinkles topics such as fat-loss through the Tabata Method of training, big weights and short workouts, why front squats are such a useful lift, and dozens of other truths about weight-training, throughout the book.
Dan takes apart most of the bodybuilding workout plans published in the newsstand mags and exposes them for the step-by-step overtraining manuals they really are. He has a few things to say about guys curling in the squat rack with do-rags on their head, fingerless gloves, a weight belt, Spandex pants, a muscle shirt and an iPod. I'm not certain which strikes him as the greatest crime, the get-up of the poser or the fact he curls in a squat rack! I'll go with the curls.
Another "rule" of Dan John is that if an exercise is important, then perform it often, possibly each workout day. If it's not important, then drop it and don't do it at all any more. Stop and think about that for a while.
One of the real appeals of John is that he's gained much of his training wisdom through trial and error. The error stuff appeals to me, as I'm that way as well. He's lived through Nautilius gyms, HIT workouts, bodybuilding training, weird diets, entire workouts full of single-rep lifts, and every training fad of the last 25 years. Tried them all, but learned from them all, too. Remember, "everything works" for a while. Most people train "medium", which he dislikes. They should train hard, but you can't do it every day.
Here's some more Dan John advice I think is valuable:
"Fat loss is an all-out war. Attack it with all you have. It's not a lifestyle choice; it's a battle. Lose fat and then get back into moderation."
I could list high points of "Never Let Go" for another 1,000 words. Dan John is a master storyteller, and spins tales and anecdotes and weaves all his lifting lessons into great stories.
I find myself more impressed with "Never Let Go" just from thinking about it the last few days since finishing reading it. Lessons and stories continue to sink in and make an impression. Dan John wants his readers to stop being wrapped up in the complexities of programs that don't work, and get back to workout basics. And have a hell of a good time doing so
$24.95 and worth more, from www.davedraper.com
Muscle Gauge Nutrition
Pure Isolate Whey and Premium Blend Whey
Frankly, I don't know too much about this company, and their website doesn't deliver any insider information. Muscle Gauge is new to the supplement marketplace this year.
Anne and I have used a few packets of both their Pure Isolate Whey and the Premium Blend Whey and we're delighted with the product. Their chocolate tastes amazing, with a rich flavor, not watered-down at all. Shaken in our Blender bottles with water, this protein mixes easily and makes a smooth shake, with no chalky aftertaste.
Tonight I mixed a packet with a spoon, in a glass of water. This is typical of late-night snacking for me. Again, the protein mixed easily with very little residue on the glass. No finger-licking required. It's safe to say we love this protein.
Both Muscle Gauge Whey and Premium Blend Whey taste much better than is typical of whey proteins. These are aspartame and sugar free and low in lactose. The Isolate contains 25 grams of protein per scoop, and the Premium Blend 22 grams per scoop. Flavors available include Cake Batter (getting much attention on the boards), Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Cinnamon Bun, Ice Cream Sandwich, Rocky Road, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla.
If cost is important to you, I'd give Muscle Gauge some attention. A 5 lb jug is running about $37 on the Internet from reputable suppliers.
Talk to John Koenig at [email protected]
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