Bodybuilding has three seasons: Bulking, Cutting, and Contest. I'm entering the cutting season rather late this year thanks to my lovely back injury, but we do what we can. For those of you starting on the heavier end of the scale and trying to make your way downwards, here are three methods for burning off the winter weight. Note that this just covers the nutrition, not adjustments to training. If you find you have a hard time loosing body fat, certainly put in cardio on the days you don't lif
I rented a video through Netflix that was described as being a talk on bodybuilding techniques and tricks by former classic bodybuilder Mike Mentzer. Turns out it wasn't quite what I expected. It was basically someone's video taping of a lecture he gave in Ontario back in '98 on High-Intensity Training. The quality of the video was so poor it might as well have been on YouTube. That aside, the video was my first exposure to what is apparently another major controversy within bodybuilding: the
At long last, it seems as though my back has begun to steadily heal itself. So far this week, I've had no major halts on my progress to recovery. No unexplained back twinges or soreness, that sorta thing. One of the main things you learn to cultivate when you're a hard-gainer like moi is persistence. Wolves are nothing if not stubborn, after all. We were hanging onto the jugulars of our prey before there were such things as bulldogs. The point is, persistence is one of those tools in the bodybui
Haven't written much in the last few days cause da big wolf got a nasty cold bug...AGAIN. Sinus headache and pressure, body aches, minor sore throat, with a bit of vertigo for flavor. Needless to say, I haven't lifted much. Damn thing's being persistent, too. Seems like I can never get over these things faster than 4-5 days and this is only day 3. If there's anything I can't stand more than being injured, it's being sick. I almost never get sick, yet it seems like I've gotten this same cold bu
If you've read enough bodybuilding lore, you've probably heard mention of this. Experienced bodybuilders talk about the link between your mind and your muscles, and about how establishing that link is important if you want to grow. Well, I may not be growing right now, but I can attest to that connection. Yes, my fellow muscleheads, it does exist and can be cultivated. Let me wax nerdish for a moment. While this mind-muscle connection might sound like so much Jedi voodoo, all it's really talkin
Hey, muscleheads. I've used these vids on YouTube to help motivate me to go the gym. Hope they work for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp6nZ0Rgx_s Also, they have the entire classic "Pumping Iron" on there. Used to have "Standing Tall," too, but then the bastards took it off. Sorry, big Lou Ferrigno fan.
You may ask why a big bad wolf like me would be taking things so cautiously when it comes to strengthening my back after its injury two months ago. I'll tell you - because I take no chances. If I go macho and my back isn't ready for that level of intensity, I'll just re-injure it and be set back even longer. So right now I'm making like a pup first outta the den - little baby steps towards eventual full-blown muscle building glory once again. To give you an idea of just HOW easy I'm taking it, h
Happy Easter, muscleheads! Be sure to eat those colored eggs, they're full of good protein and vitamins! And if you wanna indulge in a liiitle dark chocolate, feel free to nom away. Dark chocolate's got anti-oxidants to keep your most important muscle pumping like a well-oiled machine. I spent my Easter down at my dear old grandmother's, and no, she wasn't eaten up by the big bad wolf. Ew, why would I eat my own grandma? Anyway, it's finally warm enough for me to break out my sleeveless tees! A
Hmm, let's see... Good workout form, check. Animal intensity, check (at least I know HOW even if I can't do it right now. More's the pity.) Plan of attack for daily training, check. Proper nutrition, and enough bodybuilding lore to last me probably another five years of training. Training partner...oh, THAT'S what's missing! Make no mistake, pups, all the lore says the same thing - a good workout partner is worth their weight in gold when it comes to helping you make your goals. I've got a coup
I sprained or strained by middle back muscle on the right side last month. The pain's mild, but like some tough old piece of gristle, it just won't give up and go away. I've taken to alternately icing and heating it for ten minutes every hour, as consistently as I can manage. I've got an electric body massage pad that I use as well. Whenever I hit the gym, I take some time afterward to soak for a good ten minutes in the hot tub. But in the meantime, I'm having to figure out which exercises are
