Checked Out: Clueless Doctors And Others

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Recently it was advised I have minor outpatient surgery to correct a medical problem. As I sat in the operating room, the surgeon entered scowling. He did not acknowledge me or greet me. I wondered what was going on, if maybe he might be under the influence. To compound my doubts, he literally looked like a homeless person. His disheveled hair and ridiculously wrinkled clothes looked as if he had just been dragged out of bed. I stared in silent disbelief for about 7 seconds before saying “I would never let someone who looks like you cut into me,” and I walked out. I then arranged for a different surgeon even though he was located 200 miles away and I would be responsible for all travel expenses including airfare.

I am my own best advocate, and you should be too. 

Recently also, dressed for a workout afterward, I went to have my stitches removed. The overweight medical tech who took my vitals asked a number of health related questions, including “Do you engage in any exercise?” I replied, “Are you kidding me?” inferring, but not saying out loud, "Are you blind, lady?" The clueless idiot just sat there not concluding that literally no one my age - or even those younger - who she encounters day afterday in her job looks more fit than I do.

Some years ago when living in Los Angeles my primary care physician resigned and I interviewed a new one whose medical office was in the heart of West Hollywood, a town where the number of gym bodies is almost unequaled anywhere else in the world. On my first and only visit, sitting there in my tank top, muscles rippling and having a 7% body fat reading at that time, this moron looked at me with disdain and informed me I was 15 lbs. overweight. I laughed, thinking he was making a joke, but he was serious. “I’m concerned,” he said with fake concern. “According to the chart, a man your height should weigh no more than 170 lbs. You weigh 185. You’re going to have to go on a diet.”  I responded “‘The Chart?’ You’re going by some ‘chart’? Bye-bye.” I walked out. Not too long after I was told he had been diagnosed as bipolar and was under investigation by the California State Medical Board for a history of improprieties.

I keep on top of my health and fitness. I am not at all reticent about seeing a doctor, and I take advantage of every perk my health insurance offers. In the last two years I have encountered about 20 doctors and related medical staff: ophthalmologists, dermatologists, primary care, MRI techs, etc. I see what’s sitting out there in the waiting rooms, people of all ages, most in lousy physical shape, and not one, even people in their 20s, coming anywhere near my level of fitness. Yet of the 20 medical pros who I engaged with, only one ever made any comment as to my exceptional physical condition. One would think that of all people, doctors and medical staff would be most aware of the difference between people like me who do what doctors advise, and the majority who are non-compliant and uncaring of themselves, and that might make some positive reinforcement reference to that. Nope.

This is not a case of me seeking compliments or  acknowledgement for doing the right thing, but rather interpreting their non-reaction as a troubling lack of basic awareness on the part of these so-called "health professionals."

What this tells me is that most people are disconnected from their own bodies, not to mention those of others. They are as unaware as they are uncaring. While a minor segment of the population might fixate on Instagram fitness models and movie stars’ transformations, in truth the majority of people are totally disengaged and checked out. This should be obvious by visiting any Wal-Mart store. I don’t think this is due to denial of their terrible condition, as they don’t seem at all aware that they are in terrible condition fitness-wise, or of their obvious diminishing looks and strength, their increasing disabilities, aches and pains and all the rest.

Old people—especially those who are undeniably going downhill fast—have the bizarre ability to convince themselves that somehow everything will turn out just fine without their having to do what is obviously required to bring about that end.

For Best Results, Slow Down Those Reps

If you go to the gym you’ve seen certain people, even well-built people, performing their exercises as if they’re on speed. Often I see people on gym machines going at it as if it were some ride at Disneyland, zooming along, creating momentum to aid them, rather than utilizing the machine as it was designed to be utilized.

“Slow and steady wins the race,” it is said.

Part of the reason for their speed is just to get it over with. Some find working out so uncomfortable that their goal is to get to the 10th rep as fast as possible so they can stop. Is it more uncomfortable to perform your exercises slowly and deliberately than the opposite? YES.

In order to make progress at the gym, or swimming lengths, or running, or crossfit, you have to make peace with being uncomfortable.

Only a challenging workout, no matter what form it takes, one that requires us continually besting ourselves, provides results. Try slowing down your favorite exercises first, intentionally creating and feeling an increased level of resistance usung your “normal” weight. By doing so you are strengthening the mind-muscle connection essential for optimum progress and results.

Many people work out mindlessly. Leave the headphones at home and bring earplugs if you’re bothered by gym noise or the music they play. Thoroughly concentrate on each and every angle in each rep of each set. Yes, it’s hard. It’s uncomfortable. That’s what “challenging” means, for only a challenging workout is what will provide the results you’re seeking.

This Sad Sack Blames Working Out For Shitting Himself — Twice.

VICE has provided writer Graham Isador with a platform to complain about how his quest for 6 pack abs has ruined his life. The title alone is an eye-roller (Jeez-must we? Again?) but the content is an exercise in public self-humiliation by this poor schlub. His intent is, it seems, to go about doing everything the wrong way, from his original incentive to his overall attitude during and after his terrible ordeal.

The essay does make an interesting read however for the window it affords on a dysfunctional, clueless, self absorbed individual whose ignorance on the basic workings of his own body are appalling.

Nowhere in his essay does he mention having any health goal in his procuring a trainer and pursuing a fitness routine. By his admission it is all drudgery that takes a tragic toll on his personal relationships since he can’t eat / drink whatever he wants to whenever he goes out with friends. Also, he blames working out for shitting himself. Twice.

He expresses no interest in becoming a stronger man physically, of increasing lean muscle mass so that his immune system is enhanced and his metabolism increased. He mentions no improvement in his social interactions or his new attractiveness and the positive way others view and relate to him. The essay is all one big whiny Jerry Seinfeld/Woody Allen complaint-fest with no benefits achieved whatsoever.

Like so many idiots, his original impetus was movie stars like former schlub Chris Pratt and their body transformations which he somehow took personally to the extent that he decided he likewise must achieve six pack abs — not health, not increased stamina, sexually and otherwise, not improved balance, posture, enhanced feelings of well being, or any of the dozen or more immediate positive effects one derives from actually caring for the one and only body they will ever inhabit.

It is confounding how someone can stand up in public like this an reveal the extent of their embarrassing ignorance of things health and fitness.  But really VICE, what is the point of this messy essay? To demonize fitness? To justify stupidity, laziness and ridiculous expectations? To claim that foolish boys are so made to feel bad about themselves by the mere viewing photos of movie stars that they torture themselves mentally and physically in order to seek an attractive physique, and then go about it all wrong?

Your guess is as good as mine.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION #4: $20 For An At-Home Gym?

For those too self-conscious or unable to afford a gym membership, Fitness Bands are a life saver, literally. For years I mistakenly dismissed the effectiveness of Fitness Bands, also known as Resistance Bands. I thought they were silly—that is, until last year when a youtube video by a fellow trainer I respected demonstrated how challenging they could be even for the most advanced fitness advocates. Since then I have used them to great effect. Resistance Bands are awesome! All you need is 20 bucks, a door that shuts securely, and some room to move, and there you’ll have your COMPLETE at-home gym—whether you are a total novice or a hardcore gym addict.

YouTube has revolutionized fitness due to the enormous variety of exercise videos, all available 24/7 and for FREE. A set of Resistance Bands costs about $20 on Amazon. I cannot recommend any one particular brand, but rather I suggest you use the customers’ reviews as a guide.

All sorts of fitness/resistance band instruction can be had, for free, via Youtube by typing “Resistance Band Workout” and other similar phrases into the search field.

If Your Workout Bores You It’s Because Your Mind Is Somewhere Else.

People at the gym engage in every sort of Smartphone distraction—voice calls, Facebook, their playlist— then tend to bitch about their lack of progress, you know, like people eating everything in sight and then complaining they’re not losing weight. As I make my way around the gym I occasionally glance at what the Screen Zombies are being sidetracked by, and tellingly, it is NEVER a youtube video instructing them how to correctly perform an exercise. And their form, predictably, is always crap.

People not only gab between sets, but they gab during sets. If you’re doing your set properly, with proper form and full intensity, you’ll be fighting a blackout during the set and struggling for breath between sets—you won't be physically capable of gabbing to your phone buddies or gym friends. You’ll be spent and dizzy as you struggle to complete rep number ten, then you’ll need a full minute or more to recover, feeling a bit sick for the duration, before you can tackle the next. That’s what working out productively feels like. Otherwise you’re just going through the motions, phoning it in, not challenging your muscles at all, and wondering, “why don’t I look like an Instagram fitness model? Those people must be taking steroids!”

So now every month it seems we have a trendy new workout being heavily promoted online for all those who made no headway with trusty and proven Old School. We have circus stunts carried out atop inflated balls, joint-grinding CrossFit moves, twenty year old experts coming out of the woodwork eager to share their months of experience. We have bored Millenials chasing the next trend so they can gloat about how ahead of the wave they are and new boutique gym-studios opening in vacant storefronts that cater to the newest craze and charge a hefty fee for the privilege.

Whatever ones’ choice, the old axiom will always hold true: You’ll get out of it only what you put into it.

New Year's Resolution #2: Understand That Weight Is Just A Number:

The same person can weigh exactly the same, yet have created a completely different body for him or her self, as exampled in these photos. This is why setting an arbitrary “goal weight” is self-defeating. When you diet, unless you strength train you will lose essential muscle along with fat. This is a bad thing because muscle burns fat—so losing muscle means slowing your metabolism which in turn causes people to quickly “gain back” the weight.

This Circus Stunt Is Not A Fitness Exercise.

Screw this idiot: I don’t much care if he kills himself (Darwin’s law usually wins) — but I do care that he’s a danger to all those around him. Clearly the old saying "wisdom comes with age" does not apply in his case.

According to the stupider subset of so-called trainers, this stunt is claimed to build core strength, you know, because the already existing, specifically-targeting on point 50 or 60 core-strengthening exercises simply aren’t good enough.

To position themselves as relevant, younger trainers feel the need to be continually running after the trendy and the “new,” even as ineffective and dangerous as the newest thing might prove to be.

Your New Year’s Resolution: Get Tested for Testosterone.

Cranky lethargic old men are cranky and lethargic because they have lost the ability to produce testosterone in the same quantities they once did naturally, which leads to all kinds of unhappy consequences, most egregious of all, depression.

A blood test at your doctor’s will determine if you are a candidate, medically speaking. Some doctors are inexplicably reticent, especially if your test levels are borderline, yet some of these same docs will happily prescribe Propecia for hair loss or Viagra for erectile dysfunction in a heartbeat. Go figure.

There are plenty of up-to-date educated, non-threatened doctors who understand the full value of robust testosterone levels in men who will be happy to make you happy, because that’s what doctors LIVE for — making their patients feel better.

If your doc discourages testosterone supplementation (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for reasons other than immediate medical concerns, research in your area for an HRT specialist or HRT-friendly doctor. Your testosterone levels should not have to be at rock bottom for you to qualify. Some family physicians and GPs are well behind the curve when it comes to HRT, which is why an HRT specialist is recommended. Every older man will benefit no matter what his current testosterone levels.

Most men will find the changes brought about by HRT nothing short of miraculous.

Ross Edgley Is The Real Deal

Being a life-long magazine contributor as writer and photographer and graphic designer, I keep a close eye on the medium. I love magazines—paper magazines and digital both. 

It’s interesting that various international versions of GQ will sometimes share some fascinating articles—but usually not. American GQ has a fitness contributor in a person named Jay Willis while British GQ has Ross Edgley. One difference is we never see proof of what Willis has accomplished for himself physically, to back up his qualifications to be advising anybody, while Edgley is pictured in all his physically-fit glory on a regular basis, as in the photos borrowed here from British GQ. American GQ relegates Fitness to the bottom of the splash page, revealing their lack of respect for self-care as well as not “getting” the number one rule of Men’s Fashion: Clothes only look their intended best on a fit body.

It's exhausting just reading about Ross Edgley’s challenging of himself, always upping the ante and finding unusual ways to push the fitness envelope to extremes. For me, Edgley is commendable for not just looking amazing—he’s built for himself the best body in the business— but for using the muscle he has built to test himself strength and endurance-wise. After all, building large and abundant muscle should be synonymous with strength, endurance and vitality, but somehow that equation has been minimized, or even lost, along the way.

Take a few minutes and have an inspiring read of the latest Edgley-authored piece describing his latest strength and endurance feat which led to an unintentional world record HERE in British GQ.

WHAT YOUR CHOICE OF PERSONAL TRAINER SAYS ABOUT YOU.

All PTs have at least one story of the odd reasoning behind a client’s choice to either hire them or move on to another alternative.

In my case I’ve had potential clients demur due to my being “too muscular,” “too serious,” and “too old.”

OK, let’s begin with “too muscular.” The inference here is that the client him/herself would be in imminent danger of becoming “too muscular” if they hired me, obviously believing that I possess the wizardry necessary to visit upon them such an unwanted outcome overnight, and that the condition is irreversible.

As far as “too serious,” the inference there is that our workouts would not be entertaining, or that I might dare to encourage them to challenge themselves.

Finally, “too old” makes perfect sense, because as we all know, everyone naturally loses all their accumulated knowledge, wisdom and experience once they hit 40. Undoubtedly, 22-year-olds have all the insider knowledge on the newest trendy moves and eating regimens, because long months of experience. And apps.

In a New York Times video published earlier in 2017 a middle aged woman who had been a contestant on Biggest Loser gained back all the original weight she had lost on the show and yet is now working as a 300 lb. personal trainer. Yep, you read that right. They showed her training a client of normal weight, and the first question that came to mind upon seeing that mismatch was, why would someone who’s already in fine shape hire a personal trainer who is in terrible shape?

A number of male friends of mine have hired female trainers because again, they were afraid a male trainer would work them too hard and act in a dominant manner. For men who want to start slow and whose primary goal is to lose weight and begin the process of getting in shape, this does make sense. But for others who have dreams of building a kick-ass beach body in 6 months time, nope.

I tend to think that many clients’ decisions are based on their fear of being pushed beyond their comfort zone. This explains the success of chatty and fun trainers who physically aid the client to move the weight on every rep, or trainers who themselves are in poor physical condition, usually dressed in head-to-toe baggy sweats to disguise that fact. Clients timid or apprehensive about what for them is uncomfortable uncharted territory do not equate a trainer’s ability with his or her own physical condition and achievements. These are often the people who utilize terms like “unattainable body standards” and the like to lay the groundwork for their upcoming failure. Their bizarre choice of personal trainer is akin to their turning over their investment portfolio to the guy begging for spare change outside the 7-11 store.

RETHINKING YOUR BELIEFS

Are you aware that “your” foundational beliefs are not yours at all?

All of us were born absolutely devoid of belief. For the first eight or ten years or more of our lives we were not sufficiently mature or capable or intellectual to form any of our own beliefs. Every belief we absorbed up until we had our own awakening originated with someone else—parents, teachers, religious leaders, older children.

We were programmed by others fearful that we might turn out different than they, frightened we might believe other than what they believed. An ongoing incessant unrelenting program of mind control was inflicted upon us from day one by every person we came into contact with. This, any thinking individual already knows.

Adults who justify themselves by reciting the deplorable phrase “that’s the way I was raised” are telling the rest of us they are too inept, fearful or both to think critically for themselves, to think as an individual with functioning brain cells, and the self respect to question rather than follow blindly.

Whoever said “Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re right.” hit the nail on the head.

Allowing fearful people into our lives who manipulate and control as a method of coping with ideas and ideals bigger than their own is personality suicide. So called “friends” and “loved ones” who are demanding you follow their lead are capable of neither friendship nor love. Staying silent to “keep the peace” in any gathering of loud-mouthed, angry, contrary individuals, whether it be your own family or society at large, will only end in the further breakdown of the situation.

Disallow people any place in your life who are out to discourage, mock or sabotage your fitness efforts, not just as a New Year’s Resolution, but as a rule—a law that goes into effect immediately. 

IT’S NOT A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION CHOICE: IT’S A LIFESTYLE CHOICE

Richard Sullivan @ age 52

Involuntary eyerolls are already beginning as they tend to do around this time of year with people, especially Facebook people, boasting that soon there will emerge a whole new person in place of the old them, because New Year’s Resolutions.

If you’re waiting until January 1st to change your ways it is well proven you will not change your ways. If you’re truly serious about NEW, you will start today.

Fitness is not temporary. It’s not something you work at for a few months or weeks so you can look good for wedding pictures or a class reunion. Fitness is about not getting old, weak and destabilized long before your time. Fitness is every day, like brushing your teeth.

People who are bound and determined not to exercise or eat healthfully do not respond to the avalanche of information supporting the basic horse sense for doing such, but they will always ask for “prayers” on Facebook when the damage that never had to happen in the first place rears its ugly painful head.

Tick-tock.

MAN BOOBS: GYNECOMASTIA

Living in Hawaii with its year-round summer and flocks of tourists, we are daily subjected to cringe-worthy displays of droopy bouncy man boobs. The disconnect that so many people have with their own body is fascinating—obese women packed into skinny jeans or short-shorts, fat old guys wearing tiny speedos and proudly and shirtlessly displaying female breasts are an everyday sight here.

Man boobs primarily are due to a low level of the male hormone testosterone and an overabundance of the female hormone estrogen. One might think those who consider themselves to be “manly men” would be horrified to be producing estrogen in such copious quantities that they have literally grown female breasts, but apparently this is not the case.

A secondary culprit is, of course, diet—the food and drink choices these men make on a daily basis. Youthful muscle being replaced by fat is yet another intentional contributing factor.

Yes, I’m shaming these men, if only for the humorous way they’ve convinced themselves that their breasts are not womanly rather than just fixing the obvious problem. It’s the same level of denial that causes giant-bellied guys to appear on a public beach proudly wearing a speedo.

HRT is essential for the majority of older men and they should consult with their doctor as to their candidacy based on a simple blood test. This condition is known as gynecomastia and in most cases surgery, such a liposuction, is the only treatment. But unless the individual also changes his diet and begins a challenging workout routine, the feminine condition will return.

IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT!

The popular press sure knows where the money lies. It comes from those who, rather than thinking logically, acting responsibly and doing the right thing by themselves spend all their time and energy justifying their current state of inaction.

That’s why stories such as this one in Men’s Health are such a popular fixture. They draw eyes and rack up views on which to base advertisers’ rates.

No, it’s not the crap you’re eating, or the oversized portions that are making you fat. It's not your intentional ignorance of basic nutrition available to everyone within seconds simply by googling. Rather, it’s a gene—yeah—an unfortunate, unfair, insurmountable roll of the dice completely out of your control. Poor unlucky you.

There's No Truth In Broadcasting

Don’t fall for the lying bullshit contained in this video:

http://mashable.com/2017/11/17/david-harbour-hellboy-workout/?utm_cid=hp-n-2#GADA0te.OZqE

The images of the jacked Hellboy in the video make it appear they represent this David Harbour dude, when in fact they are of a laughably phony-looking rubber body-suited and CGI-enhanced Ron Perlman, not Harbour.

The video further misleads by claiming Harbour, who is in training for this role, “has abs for days” —which is embarrassing for him as the video clearly shows: this puffy dude has a LOOONG way to go to uncover whatever abs he might have under all his fat. Harbour - if he had any honor at all - should be livid over this amateur fabricating performed in his name. It’s a disservice to all the impressionable uninformed young fans who despair at their physiques not looking like the cheezy rubber-suited CGI Perlman creation seen here. The PR assholes behind this garbage need a good kick in the balls for stooping this low.

As someone who lived in LA for 35 years, let me say—fuck Hollywood.

POSTURE IS EVERYTHING

Nothing ruins all your workout effort than the easiest exercise of all: standing straight and tall, no matter what your height.

We all know the drill—stomach pulled in, abs tight, chest pushed high and forward, shoulders held down and back, knees flexed—but to keep all this in mind throughout the day is a true challenge, especially if sloppy posture has become a bad habit.

The older we get, the more our negative habits become ingrained. Young people are fresh and new, and great posture for many of them is just natural, with little effort of awareness required. Yet gravity is pulling ALL of us down, and the older we get the weaker our resolve to fight gravity and poor posture, and the more attention we need to pay to presenting ourselves in our best light.

Look at any photo of any man of any age that presents an impressive physique, and every last one will have something you may not notice right off: straight posture. Watch as people climb stairs: most pivot their upper body forward as they climb, rather than stand straight and tall. This needlessly and destructively puts pressure on the knees.

Resolve to be aware of your posture both standing and sitting, and walk proud: our body language reveals more than people realize.

WHAT OUR FOOD INTAKE SAYS ABOUT US

Are you eating recreationally rather than nutritionally? In other words, are you choosing to eat foods that benefit your body and health—or choosing foods that degrade your body and health?

Everything we choose to eat throughout the day does one thing or the other. It is possible to have the best of both worlds by making a list of all the foods you love that are actually nutritious and healthy. Go online and search for the most complete compilation of foods with calories, fats, and/or carbohydrates listed. Especially valuable would be one that lists brand names, such as Snickers, McDonald’s, California Pizza Kitchen, etc.

You will find all kinds of foods will fit your “tastes great” nutrition vs. calorie-fat-carbs criteria. Delicious non-nutritious foods might include crunchy salty potato chips, for example, while delicious nutritious foods might include a ripe juicy mango.

The greater percentage of nutritious favorites we take in, the quicker we will see improvements in our bodies, our energy levels, and our mood. The more junk and fast foods we take in, the quicker we will see and feel a degradation in these same things.

Make your list of all the healthful nutritious foods that you personally love and take it to the supermarket so that the majority of your food purchases include these great-tasting choices.

Monday Inspiration

Get Out Of Your Own Way

Humans have always hopelessly complicated simple things as a strategy to avoid dealing with the obvious.

Fat? “Stop eating so much” is the simple solution, but wait! Pretending one knows nothing about portion control, or has no inkling what a calorie is, or is under a lot of stress right now, etc., etc., are just a few of the many ways to avoid the obvious, simple uncomplicated solution: If you’re overweight you have to change your relationship with food. Simple.

Wishing to be fit and attractive rather than simply taking charge over one’s current situation and habits is self-defeating. We all have 168 hours in our week. Don’t balk at devoting just 5 of those 168 hours to a challenging workout routine of choice. 

Abe Boshes, President Woodrow Wilson's Personal Trainer.

Bodybuilder Abe Boshes: This is what a personal trainer looked like 100 years ago.

HRT Risk Vs. Obesity and Smoking Risks

Does Age Erase A Lifetime Of Wisdom and Experience?

That’s what people believe overall, and not just the young. Older people buy into this belittling mindset even more strongly, as evidenced by their willful self-destruction and numerous “what’s-the-use?” justifications for their doing nothing to remain vital.

When the olds work toward their own diminishment so enthusiastically, as they certainly do, who’s to blame young people from judging? After all, the image of the old man sitting in front of the blaring TV smoking and drinking for hours on end isn’t just some made-up unfair caricature. I’ve know quite a few of those people.

Because the overwhelming majority of older people—more than 90%—do nothing to preserve their health and strength, much less improve their health and strength, it would follow in people’s minds that the generation that intentionally goes to pot and declines physically would decline mentally as well. 

Young people seem genuinely surprised when older people express wise words of advice or well-founded words of caution, as if that is wholly unexpected—when the exact opposite should be true. Old people have themselves to blame for their image and for how society treats them by the negative way they conduct themselves. Giving up on life is nothing to be admired, much less supported. But as a society, support it we do. And it’s costing us a fortune.

Sandow

In His Mid-Fifties: Dean Colfax

Very impressive Dean Colfax works out in his very impressive  home gym. Visit YouTube to see all his videos.

A Dose Of Inspiration:

HGH: FACTS RATHER THAN RUMORS

I’m personally troubled by the number of people who buy drugs off the street, what with so much news out of India and China about counterfeit pharmaceuticals even making their way onto US hospital pharmacy shelves—never mind into the hands of body building teens.

Nothing dissuades people from getting their muscle building substances from illicit suppliers, which is a primary argument for the legalization of drugs. The illegal status of muscle building drugs is absurd to begin with since these drugs do not get anyone high and people do not OD on muscle building pharmaceuticals.

Nevertheless, since millions purchase muscle building substances off the street, it’s best to acquire an education in the form of even-keeled science-based information about them. Australian Men’s Fitness has just such an article that makes for an interesting read even if you have no personal interest in pharmaceutical muscle builders. The subject is HGH, or human growth hormone, in which is revealed HGH’s storage and handling requirements, in short, refrigeration and protection from shaking or jostling, two things a drug dealer might not give a damn about, which render the HGH useless.

The article can be found (HERE)

MATURE INSPIRATION

THE ART OF DEFLECTING

Have you ever wondered why certain people get so wrapped up in inconsequential subjects? They do this as a way of deflecting from what is really important so that they don’t have to confront and deal with those other important things. People for example rage over supplements, their convoluted claim being their use is “cheating” or “unfair.” This despite supplements being a billion-dollars-a-year industry and the majority of westerners taking at least one supplement. The critics present know-it-all disinformation gleaned from the internet in which they pick and choose only those sources that support their favored views and avoiding those that disprove their beliefs.

In many other areas of life as well, deflecting allows people comfort from having to recognize, and then FIX, what is truly wrong. In the USA one reliable deflection surfaces reliably every few years—flag burning. People get all emotional and enraged about the propriety of burning the American flag because they can get away with it. Opposing flag burning for them is a safe issue for which they believe they will not be shamed or appear foolish (except by those who see through their deflection). It is human nature to not want to deal with that which makes us uncomfortable, but pressure nevertheless builds up as we avoid dealing, and ”safe” issues like flag burning allow people to let off steam safely with few if any negative blowback.

An interesting article appears in Australian Men’s Fitness HERE that dismantles the history of criticism pertaining to creatine supplementation, and how even when disinformation is proven wrong, the need-to-believers continue disseminating the same falsehoods over and again as this provides them comfort and a feeling of control amid the tumult and chaos of their lives.

Indeed this is the whole explanation behind trolling: uneducated, willfully ignorant, insecure and emotionally unstable personalities lashing out at others rather than fixing themselves. Trolls never see themselves as the problem or as being at fault, much less in need of education, which in itself is a mental disorder.

It’s up to the individual to research any fitness method that appears promising, whether it be a novel workout technique, foods promoted as “muscle-building,” so-called “dangerous” exercises, supplements, hormone therapy, anabolics, and the like. Keep in mind that people only scream and get angry when they are frightened, so the next rant you see online filled with caps and exclamation points, understand that for what is.     

The True Psychology Behind “Steroid” Trolling.

It’s interesting how many online fitness comments are freak-outs by people emotionally opposing “steroids.”

The word steroids is in quotes here because so many of the ignorant wrongly believe that substances like 516, testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH) and the like are also “steroids.” They are not.

Beside the fact they don’t know what they’re talking about, or maybe because they don’t know what they are talking about, we have the question of why they are so emotionally invested in this subject. 

Any YouTube video featuring a well-built man will always be followed by a flurry of freak-outs and put-downs by people too dumb to realize what the rest of us are laughing at them about: their obsession with watching endless videos featuring beautiful men entirely cancels out their “no homo” disclaimers. It is understandable that those who have failed to achieve a desired level of physical perfection are angry at themselves yet unwilling to blame themselves for their lack of effort. Rather than take any personal responsibility, insecure humans who fail cope by searching out scapegoats. In this case their rule of thumb is, “anybody who looks better than me must be on steroids,” because none of these underachievers want to admit they just don’t have the impetus, willpower or dedication to carry through with their own dream of creating for themselves an awesome physique. Yet there they are, day after day watching hours of videos featuring beautiful men. Hmm.

The reason why one’s physical failings with regard to attractiveness is such an emotional hot-button issue in our society is because no one but ourselves stands in the way of maintaining a healthy weight or achieving a physical transformation for the better. Our failures in business or relationships can always be scapegoated as being the fault of others, but since we alone decide our level of physical activity and food intake, the results of those personal choices are entirely on us. The trolls disagree, claiming they have no say in the matter. Their way of coping with their refusing to take responsibility for their own failures is to deny proper respect and due credit to others for their success, usually by claiming some “unfair advantage.” They fail to learn that putting others down not only never elevates the critic, but instead exposes the critic to scorn and ridicule.

That’s just how society’s biggest failures have always operated.

Stop Locking Your Knees

Photo courtesy Therapydia, Kona Hawaii

Locking your knees is killing them.
During a leg workout is the most destructive time to make this mistake: people doing heavy leg presses, hack squats, and standing calf raises tend to lock their knees at the top of the exercise. Considering the heavy poundages used for these gym exercises, it is crucial to be aware of knee-locking.
Everyday people, especially those who spend a lot of time on their feet, stand with knees locked because their leg muscles are so weak and depleted that the muscles can’t do their rightful job of holding them upright. Muscles can be strengthened and enlarged to counteract this misuse of the knees, but the knees themselves cannot be strengthened. Knees are not designed to bear weight: that’s what the surrounding muscles, and to a lesser degree tendons, are for. Knees are nothing more than hinges: this is their one and only function.

Locking your knees is destroying them. When performing weighted leg exercises at the gym, keep a slight bend in the knees at the top of the exercise. Others who stand should do so with knees slightly bent and unlocked. This alone will force the muscles to do their job and strengthen somewhat. But building new muscle in the quads, hamstrings, butt and calves is the only real solution.

You’re not weak because you’re old, you’re old because you’re weak. Strength training: it’s the only way to counteract aging. Tick-tock.

Just Don't Do It.

Why bother? For all those who resent the high profile in the media given over to exercising and staying fit, especially as we get older, ESQUIRE staffers ask, "What is the point of exercising past the age of 40?" and thus generously provide us the perfect counterpoint to the Nike slogan: Just Don't Do It.

Read their brilliant justifications HERE.

Crossfit Is Far More About Ego Than Being “Fit”

What are people trying to prove anyway, with crossfit and similar injury-plagued, low-reward activities?

An injury is not a reward. An injury is not some badge of honor. In the fitness world, an Injury is the painful physical manifestation of a very poor decision to do something you are not physically capable of while using very poor form.

People struggling to flip a massive truck tire are saying “Look at me,” while people methodically pumping out bodyweight pull-ups week after week go unheralded—until their shirt comes off. People attempting a clean and press over their head with far more weight than they can handle find themselves over their head and in a world of hurts when the loaded barbell crashes down atop them. Watch “crossfit fails” videos on YouTube for many painful examples of what not to do.

Amateurs are often told “leave your ego at the door,” but even pro bodybuilders sustain stupid injuries in their attempt to showboat. The best crazy example is Callum Von Moger, who has initiated a series of preposterously stupid circus stunts that have decimated his once-spectacular physique.

Von Moger story HERE

 Proper form takes a hit when the chosen weight exceeds one’s ability to bear it, sending even seasoned pro bodybuilders to the hospital and ending their dream of coming out on top.

You can challenge yourself without putting yourself in danger. If your workout is performed more to show off to others rather than make personal progress, your results will be minimal—with injuries almost guaranteed.

A recent article on GQ’s website is a not-so-stealthy advertisement for Optimum Nutrition.

In a piece written by Mick Rouse he explains the importance of protein and the relative bargain that protein powder represents, it being cheaper than foods high in protein like meat, and more convenient to prepare and ingest, since a protein shake requires about one minute of prep time compared to a meat source such as chicken or beef.

The writer, and by association, Conde Nast’s GQ magazine, recommends just one single product, going on and on for two long paragraphs about it’s estimable qualities. Any newbie only recently being made aware of the importance of protein reading this might conclude that this writer or magazine did its due diligence and after much research rated Optimal Nutrition Gold Standard Protein as the best, when nothing could be further from the truth. Quality is the most important factor in protein powders, not taste or mixability. 

www.labdoor.com is an independent laboratory that tests all major brands of proteins, vitamins and other supplements, rating them in order of quality and cost. Visit their website to see where your current supplements stand in this regard.

Currently Labdoor rates the GQ-recommended ON Protein at #22. That means that 21 other products rated higher. Classic bodyuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger-branded Muscle Pharm brand comes in way down the list at #43, and 1980s phenomenon Rich Gaspari’s brand is currently being sued by UFC Fighter Lyman Good for its Anavite supplement surreptitiously containing a pharmaceutical steroid resulting in Good being banned from competition for 6 months. This ingredient was not listed in the ingredients section of the label and Good unknowingly and unintentionally consumed it.

The video related to this is HERE.