If you want to tap into the true potential of your physique, having an open mind along with a keen sense of awareness will certainly serve you well.
You may have certain preferences when it comes to training and nutrition, but it really pays to explore other training and nutrition strategies throughout your ongoing transformation journey.
In my humble opinion it’s foolish to be dogmatic in your body sculpting approach.
There’s more than one way to get ripped abs.
The key is to follow a plan that suits your personality, lifestyle, and goals… and a plan that keeps you moving forward.
Open Minded About Training
Personally, I absolutely LOVE Classic Physique Training. In the words of Tupac Shakur, “Ain’t Nuttin’ Like The Old School”.
Supersets, dropsets, 8×8, 10×10, pyramids, etc… have been around for ages. They are time tested and proven to produce exceptional aesthetic results.
I think it’s funny to hear fitness gurus say that certain training methods are outdated… yet it’s trendy to eat like a caveman 😉
Most training methods will always be effective. They are timeless. Yet it would be foolish to ignore the emerging fitness trends.
For optimal results you need to embrace the old with the new.
For me personally, it means to learn new workout strategies that compliment the Classic Physique Training I love so much.
That’s exactly what I’m doing right now with TRX suspension training.
Suspension Training has been popular for a while… and frankly, I’ve kinda brushed it off. But this week I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and really explore some ways to incorporate suspension training into my workouts.
It only took one TRX abs circuit to get me hooked.
Now I’m eager to learn exercises for other body parts. Ideally, I’d like to add one Suspension Training exercise for each body part in my overall workout design.
As I mentioned in a previous podcast, Train Smarter: Conversation with IFBB Pro Ben Pakulski… I ignored B-Pak’s work for nearly 6 months because I had a closed mind.
I thought to myself, “What can this huge freak of nature possibly know about the struggles I’m going through?” I thought his work was just a bunch of hype.
Boy was I wrong! My physique has improved tremendously thanks to Ben’s advice… and as hard as it is to believe… I LOVE training even more.
Ben’s work is a perfect compliment to my training programs and I am forever grateful that I opened my mind and embraced Ben’s teachings.
I’ve always had an open mind when it comes to cardio. I tend to base my cardio on intuition… how I feel in the moment.
Sometimes I’m totally in the mood to get on the stairclimber to fry my calves and legs. Sometimes I enjoy doing HIIT on the stationary bike. I also enjoy sprinting. Sometimes I don’t want to do any cardio other than walking my dog.
Currently, in addition to walking my dog daily, I may hop on the stairclimber for 20 minutes after a workout or I may perform a 10-minute workout finisher put together by Mike Whitfield.
Keen Sense Of Awareness With Training
Having an open mind and exploring a variety of training methods is great… but it’s crucially important that you listen to your body when experimenting with new workouts.
How’s your recovery?
Is it producing the aesthetic results you desire?
Are you having fun?
Is it fitting into your lifestyle?
Just because a program may work for others… and even though it may be fun… doesn’t mean it’s best suited for you if it’s not producing the results you desire.
Open Minded About Nutrition
I really enjoy experimenting with a variety of nutrition practices. I have my preferences, but this is one area where I am VERY open minded.
After all, every day I witness men and women experiencing incredible results with my Physique Training programs, yet they are all following nutrition practices that best suit their personality and lifestyle.
Some are following my meal plans to a ‘T’ and loving it, while others are vegetarians, some are Paleo, some are gluten free, and some enjoy Intermittent Fasting.
Bottom line… They are all achieving great results and they feel great too.
I am definitely not one to force my nutrition beliefs and practices on you. It’s important to follow what resonates best with you.
I used to think that I would pass out if I didn’t eat every 3 hours. I have been known to faint on occasion, but it’s usually a result of my low blood pressure and other factors… not how frequently I eat.
If I had been closed minded I never would have experimented with Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat program for six weeks on two separate occasions.
This was a REAL education for me. I got to experience what real hunger felt like and I overcame my fears of going without food for extended periods of time.
Keen Sense Of Awareness With Nutrition
Even moreso than training, you REALLY need to have a keen sense of awareness when it comes to nutrition practices.
How are your energy levels?
Is it easy to maintain?
Are you enjoying it?
Does it gel with your lifestyle?
Is it producing the desired results?
Although I was pleasantly surprised I could fast for 24 hours and feel fine, I realized that it just doesn’t suit my personality.
I’m grateful for having gone through the experiment and I learned a great deal… but it’s just not for me… and that’s fine. Just because it doesn’t suit me, doesn’t mean it won’t be a great fit for you.
Another nutrition experiment I’ve gone through was creating a big surplus during a muscle building phase. It may have helped me add muscle, but the excess fat was a massive blow to my confidence.
…another lesson learned! From now on I’ll stay lean while I build muscle.
Concluding Thoughts
I have learned more about Physique Training and my body in the past year, then I have in the past 15 years combined.
Having an open mind allows you the opportunity to explore the large variety of training available at your finger tips.
It’s great to read up on the current fitness research… but I believe the best lab results come from your own self-experiments.
If a certain program catches your attention and appears to suit your personality, lifestyle, and goals… go for it! Give it your very best effort and track your results.
Recognize there is no single best program out there… yet many of them are VERY effective.
My fitness business is built around sharing what has worked for me and my clients. My programs are a combination of the most effective strategies I’ve used over the years.
Yet, some months I want to take a break from my workouts, so I follow a trusted colleagues program. If the experience is great and I believe my students will benefit from it… I share it.
I feel obligated and compelled to share what works and what will truly help others. If I keep it to myself, I feel I would be doing a disservice to you.
…and I expect the same from you. If something is working exceptionally well for you, I want to hear it.
We’re in this together. To learn from each other and support each other along the way.
If you feel like you’ve tried everything, yet nothing works… you haven’t… trust me, you haven’t tried everything.
This is a lifestyle… a process… a journey of self discovery. So even when you find something that works for you, does not mean you should stop seeking new frontiers.
Experiment with new training and nutrition strategies… have fun… learn about yourself… and share your experience with others.
There is so much to discover. It would be a shame to hold back and limit yourself.
Now go out there, kick some butt, and have some fun!
Scott Tousignant
About The Author
Scott Tousignant is a Certified Fitness Consultant and Elite Natural Bodybuilder with the UFE.
Scott specializes in helping regular guys get ripped abs insanely fast. With his careful attention to the finer details, you'll carve out a rock hard and jacked physique in no time flat!
When Scott needs to urgently strip away stubborn sacks of fat for a photo shoot or bodybuilding contest, he turns to his time-tested proven system… Elite Physique.
Now you too, can follow his easy-to-follow system to finally uncover your ripped abs and chiseled body! Get the full details by visiting Elite Physique today!