Body Transformation Blog 4: Mike Chang

Mike Chang has had an amazing transformation over the years and is very well known for his youtube channel sixpackshortcuts which has millions of views and subscribers. Mike lost a lot of fat and put on a lot of muscle and he encourages others to do the same via youtube videos. On his youtube channel he has motivational videos about how he lost weight and how anyone can do it, he also posts hundreds of videos about different exercise for different muscles and nutritional videos. Mike Chang is a great inspiration to all who aspire to get a better physique and if you are looking to lose a bit of fat or maybe put some muscle on i would definitely recommend you have a look at his youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshortcuts?feature=watch or his website: sixpackshortcuts.com

Mike woke up one day and wasnt happy with his body so he decided to change it and has not only made a great change but also a great career out of working hard in the gym, if he can do it why not us?

Patrick Jabbour

Supplements Blog 3: Protein

 Protein is a nutrient that is essential for growth and development. Our muscles are made of protein and some of our most important anabolic hormones are made of protein including insulin and growth hormone. In terms of sport, protein is the primary essential nutrient capable of building new muscle and repairing damaged muscle. Protein is found in both animal and plant sources, with animal sources being the best source of complete protein due to high availability of all amino acids. Consuming our protein through supplements is an easy way to maintain increased protein needs as a result of exercise without consuming bulky and often calorie high foods and meals. There is a huge variety of protein powders and formulas in the market.

The protein supplements can be broken down to either mass-gainers, lean-gainers, or weight loss protein to suit ones particular goal 

Mass-Gainers 
Gaining weight requires that you increase the amount of calories you eat. Specifically you must consume more calories in diet, than you expend in energy. Doing this with regular foods quickly becomes monotonous, expensive, and difficult after a couple of days if not sooner. So a great healthy way to gain weight is to supplement your regular diet with a Mass Gainer. The top 3 weight gainers are: 

                      

Weight Loss Protein
The prime goal for any strength trainer is to gain muscle weight without gaining dreaded body fat. Integrating Protein into your regular diet ensures that you can build muscle, increase strength, & gain lean muscle weight, whilst preventing excess body fat from creeping in. The only problem is that protein alone cannot sustain a healthy body. So, most protein formulas contain Carbohydrates, which can easily convert to fat if not managed correctly. The top 3 Fat loss proteins are: 

                                    


Andrew De Silva

Diet Tips for a Healthy Life Blog 2: Low Carbohydrate Diets for Losing Weight

Most people these days want to be lean and shredded and your diet is the best way in order to achieve this want. In this blog I will show you the most effective way in order to lose fat while at the same time ensure you keep your lean muscle mass. This is through the "Low Carbohydrate Diet". This diet comes in many shapes and forms you may have heard about such as the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet, however some of these can be unsafe and even unhealthy. I will show you the best way to undertake a low carb diet.

The basic principle of the low carb diet is to significantly reduce your carbohydrate intake to reduce the amount of glycogen that your body recieves in your blood. Remember, glycogen is what carbohydrates break down to in the blood and is your bodies preferred energy source. Basically, when your body is depleted of glycogen it will look other forms of energy such as fats. This is where you can lose those stored kilos on your body! However, the problem with many low carb diets is they reduce carbs way too much and  do not include enough emphasis on nutrition. My low carb diet plan ensures carbs aren't reduced to dangerous levels (after all your body does need them) and vitamins and minerals are not sacrificed.

Breakfast

• 4 eggs cooked to your liking with olive oil (scrambles, fried, boiled etc.)
• 1/8 medium melon, such as rockmelon or 50g of blueberries
• 30 grams almonds – either slivered on cereal, or whole – can save as a mid-morning snack if preferred

Lunch

• Throw It Together Salad: Bag of salad greens – about 6.5 oz or 4 cups, tossed together with half a sliced avocado, 2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds, 150g of whatever protein you like (I used deli turkey for the analysis, but egg, beef, chicken, fish, or tofu would be fine), and 2 Tablespoons of balsamic dressing and olive oil.

Snack

• Swiss and Ham Roll-Up: 50g sliced ham and 25g sliced Swiss cheese, with sugar-free mustard if desired, rolled around a medium dill pickle 

Dinner

• Basil Chicken with Vegetables
• Dessert: ½ cup ricotta cheese with desired flavorings, such as Sugar Free falvoured syrpus, coffee and sweetener, unsweetened cocoa and sweetener (check carbs), or mixed berries

Nutritional Analysis: This menu provides 49 grams effective carbohydrate plus 36 grams fiber, 101 grams protein, and 1569 calories. It contains at least the minimum requirements of all essential vitamins and minerals.

Following a plan like the one above is the perfect way to lose those extra kilos while at the same time remaining healthy and storing that lean muscle.

James Hallab

Motivation - Muhammad Ali

Each week i will be discussing the different role models. This week i will be discussing the arguable greatest american boxer that has ever been alive that is Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., January 17, 1942) is an American former professional  philanthropis and social activist.

Motivation is key to the effort we put into fitness aswell as our daily lives. Without motivation we do not have a wick, a fire to ignite our energy and step forward into attempting assignments daily. We all need motivation, it has surge the upward in mankind, the most successful people alive have the greatest motivation. Fitness role models such as the Mohammed Ali himself have delivered famous quotes through advice for people around the world. some of his famous quotes are as followed

- "Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision. they have to have last minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will has to be stronger then the skill"

- "I hated every minute of training, but i said dont quit, duffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion"

- "i am the greatest, i said that even before i knew i was"

- "He who is not courageous to take risks will not accomplish anything in life"

By just saying, reading this quotes as a daily ritual will inject stimulus to your motivation. In regards to fitness, without motivation we are not physical fit enough to have the will to achieve our fitness goals. Either it be from losing weight to becoming more leaner and meaner, motivation is the absolute key to our success. The road may be long, nothing happens over night but delivering such momentum through these quotes motivation is uplifted, ignited and we are able to achieve them. "Success is not a destination, Its a journey" and motivation must be carried throughout this journey

In conclusion, Muhammed Alis reenforcement of motivation through his journey of success has created such a significant impact on the success in todays world. I myself have Muhammed Ali posters all around my room, he is my absolute idol. I can not stress the importance of motivation, when it comes to fitness. Please enjoy these quotes and make them become a ritual to your everyday activities. Why try something if your not going to put in 110%, these quotes will reenforce stimulus into your energy to get up and go to the gym

Body Transformation Blog 1: Lara from the Biggest Loser

Lara

Over the next few weeks I will be blogging about body transformations with pictures of people who have made amazing progress towards achieving their goal physique, this can include both losing weight or putting on muscle.  This is the first of four instalments, I hope you all enjoy.

This is a before and after photo of Lara from the biggest loser. She has made an amazing transformation from starting weight of 107.1kg to 70.4kg, that's over 35kgs! Lara is an inspiration to all who aspire to lose a some weight, Lara is looking amazing at the moments and probably feels better than she has ever felt before. Her dedication and hard work has definitely paid off and her body looks great. Lara had to overcome some adversities throughout the show but she was able to overcome them through perseverance and hard work. The biggest and most well known issue was her well publicised break up with Leigh, her boyfriend and teammate on the biggest loser who she spoke about marrying and were planning on getting engaged at the end of the show, after (rumours say he cheated on her after he got evicted) they broke up she didn't give up and just pig out on food like she used to she only worked harder to lose more weight and it has definately shown. I applaud Lara and all others who aspire to lose weight and become healther and wish her the best with the rest of her life which I'm sure will be a full and exciting one.

Patrick Jabbour.