Everything You've Been Told Is Wrong, Part 1
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- Created on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 16:06
- Written by Tim Staggs CPT National Level NPC MP Competitor
Ever since
I starting bodybuilding over 12 years ago, I have heard the same bodybuilding myths and advice over and over again. Things like; you have to do hours of low intensity, fasted cardio, don’t eat carbs 3 hours before bed, no fruit during contest prep, and my favorite……no water day of show. I thought I would touch on some of these myths and get to the truth.
Natural Breath Fresheners That Won’t Bust Your Contest Prep
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- Created on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 20:07
- Written by Dr. Stacey Naito, ACOFP & National Bikini Champion
Competitors
often deal with changes in their meal plans which may result in breath that isn’t always the freshest. The problem is that the most readily available commercial breath freshening mints have sugar or artificial sweeteners which can cause bloating and potentially jeopardize a contest prep plan if consumed frequently. Luckily, there are a number of natural food substances which are very effective at freshening the breath and which are also safe to consume during contest prep. Try any of the following in place of mints or mouthwashes.
Running On Excitement!
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- Created on Wednesday, 24 April 2013 23:02
- Written by Derek Trombetta CPT, MP Competitor
Here
we are again in the full swing of competition season, the winter months are over and it’s time to show or begin to prepare to show all of the hard work that’s been going on in the off season! With this comes different demands and many who have competed before know that at times you may question why you are doing it or just can’t understand why you feel a bit drained as your competition draws near. There is however one thing that above all will always guarantee you an unlimited supply of energy: EXCITEMENT!
Keep Positive Company
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- Created on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 20:50
- Written by Tom Cinzori NPC MP Competitor
Do
you have anyone in your circle of friends or family who are constantly harping about the negative? These are the people who don't understand why you are doing something and talk about all the things wrong with what you are trying to accomplish. I have certainly had my share over the years. When I was in endurance sports for so long and decided to train for my first marathon...many people asked "why in the world would you want to put yourself through that?" They would make fun of the long hours of running I needed to do to get ready for the race. When I decided then to do my first Ironman, the negative responses grew even louder. "You want to do WHAT...for a 140.6 miles?!??" They question my sanity, why I focused so much time and effort into the sport. Why I would do century rides on Saturday mornings, or 13 mile runs on Sundays. In time, I just had to reject the negativity and move forward. It would have been much easier if they all felt the need to give me some positive feedback, but I understand that some people will never change.
"Staying Afloat" What Does Putting on the Board Shorts Mean to Me?
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- Created on Thursday, 21 March 2013 17:31
- Written by Johnny Johnson MP Competitor
Why 
do I compete if it’s not to “WIN” or turn PRO?
The way I live my life is my statement to the world, representing by living values, beliefs, and aspirations. I’m defined by three core values FAMILY, COUNTRY & HONOR.
Many things are within control, and some things are out of my control. Knowing the difference gives two options: Surrender or die trying.
One and a half months out from the Governor’s Cup my knee gives way during a lateral movement. An MRI and Ultra Sound Reveals a meniscus tear and ACL Tear.
Destiny
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- Created on Saturday, 09 March 2013 16:39
- Written by Andrew Bukowski MP Competitor & Canadian Correspondent
Most 
days have a sunrise and a sunset, but play no significant role in our lives. There are those few days however, that have such a profound impact on us that we are not likely to ever forget any moment of that day. These days can be drastically different for each and every one of us, whether it is a wedding day, the birth of a child, or stepping on stage for a fitness competition. What we need to make sure of is that we cherish each and every one of these moments.
Tips to Sticking to a Weight Loss Plan
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- Created on Sunday, 24 February 2013 20:00
- Written by Chris White, MP Competitor & Fitness Model
Now 
that we are a good ways into the New Year, I hope everyone is still going strong with their resolutions and sticking to their plans. As many people tend to fall off as the months progress, I’d like to share a few ways you can stay committed and or get started to getting that body you have always wanted.
I hate using the word “diet” because those never last and people tend to think they are boring. To be successful with anything you must have a plan, so I like using the terms “weight loss plan” or “lifestyle change” when talking about getting into shape. Here a few tips to help you stick to your plan and new lifestyle:
Training After 35
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- Created on Saturday, 23 February 2013 14:32
- Written by Tom Cinzori, Master's Men's Physique Competitor
Let's
face it, nothing can be so cruel as time. When you are young you are filled with energy, on the go and in constant motion. It is awesome! You play hard and you crash hard. Your metabolism is on fire and you can eat like crap day in and day out without bearing any of the consequences. You can go to the gym and see results almost immediately as your muscles and hormones are primed for growth. However as you get older you get hit with multiple obstacles that take a collective whack at your fitness and health. Not only does your body naturally start dialing back developing human growth hormone and testosterone, but your bodies become more prone to injury and your ability to build lean muscle becomes more difficult. Add to that the demands of life as you get older like managing a career, going to school, spending time with your spouse or significant other, taking your kids to practice, and your weekend runs to Home Depot. No wonder so many people just give up and say the hell with it. They say, "I don't have the time and my body just does not respond.”
Put Visualization Into Action!
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- Created on Tuesday, 19 February 2013 13:51
- Written by Derek Trombetta, CPT & National Level MP Competitor
Most
everyone understands that they need to put in work to experience results, however what few understand and even fewer practice is what comes before the work! Newton described action with his Principle of Inertia, in that “an object will continue moving at its current velocity until some force causes its speed or direction to change.” How does this apply to our fitness? Well, read on…
Off-Season to In/On-Season
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- Created on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 17:46
- Written by Andrew Bukowski MP Competitor & Canadian Correspondent
If you
are a competitor in bodybuilding or fitness competitions, you are likely familiar with the change from off season to in/on season. This may be your first time starting on season preparation, but for many of us, we already know this is not an easy adjustment. When you talk about “off season”, many people take this to mean it’s time to let themselves go and consume any and all foods placed in front of them. I highly recommend avoiding this approach. Instead, stay focused on eating clean, but ensure you are maintaining an appropriate caloric surplus.
A Beginners Guide to Muscle Building: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
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- Created on Wednesday, 06 February 2013 21:25
- Written by Tyson Downs CPT, MP Competitor
If 
you are just getting started with weight training, it can be confusing. You don’t know exactly who you to listen to, everybody seems to have the answers. If you are a complete novice it can be totally over whelming. Do you do straight sets or supersets or giant sets? Do you need post workout carbs? Should you do a split or full body routine? What about high reps to ‘tone’? If you do a Google search on ‘weightlifting for beginners’ there are over 568k results. That is one variation of one term. Everybody has an opinion, from your fat co-worker who thinks they know the best way to get ripped, to Dr. Oz who seems put his name on anything and everything under the sun, provided they pay him for it. Just a word of advice, the vast majority of information you need to transform your body is available online for free. Browse this website and you’ll get more information than you know what to do with, all without paying a penny.
Success in Failure
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- Created on Sunday, 27 January 2013 16:50
- Written by Tom Cinzori, Master's Men's Physique Competitor
We
hit the gym, the track, pool, or cycling circuit with limitations and established parameters of strength and conditioning based on our current fitness levels. In order to improve conditioning and strength, we MUST push our bodies beyond failure. When we go down to do a push-up for example and stop at 20 reps when we might have been able to do 25, we are not doing ourselves justice towards reaching our full potential!
Progress NOT Perfection!
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- Created on Wednesday, 09 January 2013 23:30
- Written by Derek Trombetta, CPT & National Level MP Competitor
With
the onset of the New Year and so many people beginning their resolutions it is very important to talk about the idea of “perfection” that many of us hold or rather, society holds. You see, we live in an imperfect world so to expect and even aim for perfection does nothing but set us up for failure in the long run. The true skill is recognizing that life truly is a journey with many twists and turns and if through it all we strive for Progress and NOT Perfection we are able to make continual long-term improvements. The beauty is finding that it is our imperfections that make us unique, if we all were perfect, we all would be the same and what a boring place that would be!
New Year's Gym Rush Survival Guide
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- Created on Sunday, 06 January 2013 20:19
- Written by Reginald Simmons NPC MP Competitor
Ladies 
and gentlemen the darkness is upon us. It descends upon our gyms, fitness centers and health clubs like a plague. The plague cares not for gym etiquette, has zero appreciation for proper form, and will hog a piece of cardio equipment like nobody’s business.
The plague is known by many names including newbie, beginner or worst still: resolutionist. (Note: resolutionists are those people that make New Year’s Resolutions.)
According to a study conducted by the University of Scranton, 45% of American’s will make a New Year’s Resolutions in 2012 and 38% of those will be weight-related. So, what that means is that the first couple months of 2013 are going to be extremely busy.
Fret not because all is not lost as the contagion can be contained and short lived.
Here are a few tips for surviving the early part of 2013:
Sharing Knowledge is Powerful
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- Created on Wednesday, 02 January 2013 21:43
- Written by Andrew Bukowski MP Competitor & Canadian Correspondent
Recently, 
I have learned some new techniques and exercises from fellow trainers and others in the gym that have helped me make drastic improvements in my muscular development and overall physique. I am reminded of when I first started working with my trainer, I quickly realized I had previously only gained minimal knowledge of training. I knew the basics of common exercises and an understanding of training techniques, but I was struggling to make consistent improvements. Limited as my experience was, I would not think to ask others in the gym for advice. Once I started working with my trainer, he taught me how to eat properly and train effectively. Literally ten weeks from the day I started training, I was able to shed over thirty pounds and had the opportunity to do my first photo shoot. It scares me to think if I had not been open to receiving this guidance, I would likely still be fighting the same weight loss battle today.
A Men's Physique Competitor's Problem
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- Created on Saturday, 29 December 2012 21:57
- Written by Tyson Downs CPT, MP Competitor
We, 
as Men’s Physique Competitors, have a problem. A serious problem. Let me explain. We enjoy pain. We enjoy discomfort. We enjoy getting up at 4:30 in the morning because others don’t do it. We don’t like to be normal. We push ourselves outside of our comfort zone. We push ourselves to a point that we didn’t know we could. We eat peculiarly, or as my kids say ‘food for our muscles’. We cook our food for a week at a time. We eat almonds out of a plastic bag, and drink protein shakes at family barbeques.
The problem? Our desire to succeed and build the best body possible can become an obsession and take away from other, more important parts of our life, namely our family, our religion, our job, etc.. So, how do we build a balanced life, while still having that same dedication and inner strength we strive for?
Let me share a couple things that I have done that has helped me to remain focused & committed, but helped me achieve balance in my life.
Pursue Your Passion
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- Created on Wednesday, 26 December 2012 20:55
- Written by Andrew Bukowski MP Competitor & Canadian Correspondent
There 
comes a time in our lives, when many of us find ourselves to be in somewhat of a “rut”. There are many reasons and/or circumstances for this, unique to every person and situation. I recently found myself in this position, before making a major change in my life, to finally pursue the career that I am truly passionate about. Ever since I was fourteen years old, I have been working in the restaurant industry, the last eighteen years of which was in management. For the longest time, I believed that this was my calling in life. I really enjoyed being able to welcome people into “my home” and provide them with the highest level of hospitality.
Why Did You Start?
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- Created on Monday, 24 December 2012 16:45
- Written by Derek Trombetta, CPT & National Level MP Competitor
No 
matter what we accomplish or what we are going through, we all at times will go through moments where we question what we are doing or just want to give up all together. These are the times that truly define someone who has the Warrior Spirit, you see, it is easy for anyone to give thanks, be excited, and have endless energy when things are going great and everything seems to just be happening in our favor. The times when the chips are down are the times we really have three choices to make; just stay where we are at, give in to the urge to quit, or realize why we started in the first place and snap out of it and make it happen! You see, to say that we all do not experience trying times would simply be naive, but in the grand scheme of this life and there being literally millions of things that go into what is happening at our present moments, we are also very naive to not realize that things are just as they should be! This is a concept that is very easy to say, but also very difficult to master; it takes the realization that our reactions and attitudes ultimately dictate our outcomes. It takes the realization that with millions of things coming into play to make a single moment, that there are far many factors other than just what we are currently doing. Above all, it takes the realization that people, things, and events do not in themselves cause emotions or dictate whether something is “good” or “bad,” but rather how we perceive them and if we treat life as a learning experience, rather than just something to mindlessly discount as if it isn’t our fault. Let me tell you, with the utmost conviction, that everything that we feel and experience is ultimately by our own doing, our greatest secret lies deep within ourselves, where we already have the answers!
The Final Weeks Leading into The Excalibur 2012
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- Created on Saturday, 15 December 2012 19:23
- Written by John Franco, CPT & MP Competitor
Well 
the Excalibur contest has come and gone, what seemed like a long 24-week prep came and went quickly.
So many lessons learned from that journey I feel I must share with you today.
In my previous article I wrote about trusting those we have entrusted to coach us; however what I did not prepare for was what if your coach isn’t available or unable to see you within that final 48-hour pre contest window?
Fit at ANY Age
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- Created on Thursday, 13 December 2012 23:43
- Written by Guest Contributor: Tom Cinzori
You
have that moment when you look in the mirror and the person staring back at you is old? Yikes! What happened? The face once free of wrinkles now has crow’s feet around the eyes, the perfect hair is thinning or grey or both, and the bright eyes are now drawn and tired. Perhaps all a bit dramatic, but nonetheless, there is no doubt, we are all facing the effects of aging. I look at many of my peers who are in their late 30′s and 40′s…who have accepted age…and with it a sedentary lifestyle. They have accepted the low energy, the beer gut, the fatigue, the soreness, the loss of agility. Although we can’t waive the magic wand and push off the aging process for good, we can certainly make huge strides to ensure we can stay super fit and active while we age! I’m 41 and in the best shape of my life…and I hope to continue to make great strides towards my health and fitness. I know I can’t stop time, but I am determined to make sure that as I age, I look great, feel great, and have the energy I need to live a full life.
