Metabolic Masterpiece

Lose Fat and Get Jacked

Summer Shred Physique Update May 27th 2016

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Embracing progress not perfection brings
enjoyment and sustainability to the fat loss process.

Two weeks into this cutting phase and things are going well. Progress is being made and I’m still “living a little” as some like to call it.

As I mentioned in the initial post about my goals and challenges, sticking to the nutrition plan during the week is relatively easy. It’s the weekend that I struggle with. Especially this time of year where every weekend is filled with events and gatherings.

All in all, I’m really happy with how the first two weekends have gone. I’ve enjoyed some beers with friends and family, but I’ve kept my nutrition under control (for the most part).

In the past, any time I drank alcohol I would over consume food at the same time. So it pleases me to see the progress I’ve made so far. There is still work to be done, but I will continue to improve with each week.

I know I could cut back just a bit on the alcohol and could reduce the amount I indulge on the weekend. There was one point this past Saturday when I grabbed two more slices of pizza and I wasn’t even hungry. Why the heck would I do that to myself? Old habits I guess. But I’m aware of it and will improve upon it.

One thing that has been working for me is eating less during the day leading up to the events and gatherings. That way I have more calories to play with and people are less likely to question why I’m not enjoying some of the tasty foods (not that there questions or opinions have much of an impact on me).

Now here’s a quick physique update to check out the visual progress that’s been made;
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Multi Angle Extended Sets To Maximize Aesthetic Muscle Gains

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Targeting all aspects of every muscle is absolutely crucial
when the purpose of your training is aesthetics.

A workout program designed to achieve this goal will utilize multiple angles, grips, and stances with various exercises.

For example, to target every aspect of the chest a workout program would include the Bench Press, Incline Bench Press, and Decline Bench Press.

Although it’s common practice to perform three straightsets of each exercise, there are various muscle building tactics that you can use to maximize your growth potential.

One advanced muscle building tactic that we’ve included in our Aesthetic Muscle Plan training phase this month is Multi Angle Extended Sets, which target all aspects of the muscle.

It’s like a dropset without reducing the weight. You begin with the most challenging angle and finish with the least challenging angle.

Watch this video to see various multi angle extended sets in action;

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Optimal Training Tactics vs Maximized Aesthetic Muscle Strategies

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There’s never been a better time to be a bodybuilder. Research in regards to optimal training tactics is being pumped out more frequently than reps on a bench press on any given Monday.

What’s even more exciting is that you also have access to a variety of research review sites.

These bodybuilding geeks do some serious grunt work and heavy lifting by diving deep into the studies. Identifying the strengths and limitations while providing practical applications based on the findings.

Just in the past month alone there has been some eye opening research that has caused many bodybuilders to pause and reflect on how they design their workout programs.

For example, Brad Schoenfeld and James Krieger published an article Effects of Resistance Training Frequency on Measures of Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Based on their review of the current literature they arrived at the conclusion that training a muscle twice per week was optimal for muscle gains.

In another paper by Brad Schoenfeld et al. View Full Article… Click Here!

How To Deal With Fit Shamers and Saboteurs

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Summer shredding season is upon us!

It’s an exciting time when many of my physique coaching clients are in fat loss mode with the goal of looking their absolute best when they hit the beach.

As with any goal worthy of achieving, you can expect to face challenges along the way. It just so happens that many of my clients have been facing the exact same challenge during the past two weeks.

Fit Shaming!

Those closest to them have been knowingly or unknowingly saying things that have the potential to sabotage my clients fat loss journey.

One of my female clients has been questioned multiple times about why she wants to lose weight.

Some flat out telling her “You don’t need to lose weight”.

Others asking, “Are you anorexic?” Which is absolute nonsense considering she looks stunning, strong, and athletic.

I can’t say that I’m shocked though. In preparation for our last photo shoot (pics above the title) a family member gave my wife Angie the nickname “Ana”, which was meant to be short for anorexic. She seemed to do so in a jokingly way, but it’s just not funny at all.

Some of my clients have been asked, “Are you sick or are you intentionally trying to lose weight?”

Some have been told “Your face is going to look gaunt if you lose any more weight”.

Paul, who is one of my workout partners was just told “You look too skinny”.

This is a guy who at 52 years old is now in the best shape of his life. He’s lost 100 pounds and looks freak’n awesome! More important, he feels absolutely amazing!

I couldn’t be more proud of him. This is a guy who is high on life. The kind of person I really love having around me. Super positive and with what appears to be limitless energy.

I’ve had some intriguing conversations with Paul about the fit shaming he’s encountered. He told me,

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Physique and Training Updates – Goals and Challenges

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This physique update is long overdue. It’s time to fully commit to this Summer Shred!

I am currently sitting at 155 pounds and have been holding there for the past two months.

It’s been a very productive muscle building phase, which began just before Christmas on December 18th, 2015 when I weighed in at a very lean 146 pounds.

Note: I’m 5′ 6.5″ tall and 40 years old. View Full Article… Click Here!

5 Advanced Light Weight Muscle Building Tactics For Maximum Gains

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Using light weight to build a ripped and muscular physique has many advantages. Especially for us bro’s over the age of 40.

The one blessing of being cursed with crappy muscle building genetics is that I’ve been forced to train smarter. I can’t afford to leave any potential results on the gym floor.

It’s absolutely crucial to optimize my training in a manner that allows me to squeeze every last bit of anabolic benefit from every rep of every set of every exercise in every workout. A single muscle fiber can’t go untouched.

Because of this desperate need to maximize the full potential of each muscle, I’m constantly on high alert for advanced muscle building tactics that provide a unique stimulus to ignite aesthetic gains.

In recent years my attention has been drawn toward advanced training techniques that utilize light weights.

  • Maybe it’s because I’m older and wiser.
  • Maybe it’s because the novelty of hitting a 1RM has long disappeared with my naive youth.
  • Or maybe it’s simply because I’m a bro who loves chasing the PUMP.

But, I’ve got to tell ya… this light weight training freak’n ROCKS!

And don’t let the idea of lifting with light weight fool you. It ain’t for the faint of heart. This style of training satisfies my sadistic yearning for a crazy ass pump that sets my muscles on fire.
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