Environment for Growth Part 2

Whether you're in the market for contest prep or not, this is a huge part of your success.

Part 1 discussed the physical location for your environment for growth. Part 2 is about everything else.

work.

home.

family.

friends.

I've talked before about social circle and it's importance. It's time to really drive that home.

You are who you hang around. The people at your gym will help, as will people with similar goals. The people who support you. The people that bring you down. They're all part of your environment, but YOU have to make it an environment for growth.

I like it when people think I can't do something, it fuels me. That's part of my growth. I hire phenomenal coaches to help me as well, I practice everything I preach.

A lot of this does weigh upon yourself to change. If friends around you are crushing you and not being supportive, maybe it's time to confront them. Are they jealous? Do they simply not understand your goal? Is it something more? There are tons of questions you should be asking yourself AND your friends.

Work I have found will be a bit tougher on multiple fronts. Some work places have very structured schedules and therefore eating on time and in the correct amounts is MUCH easier than those without those structures. Jobs like Nursing, serving, most oilfield jobs will be MUCH more challenging on this front.

Family will be something to consider too. If you're in a relationship, the other person should be on board with you or else you are in for a WORLD of pain. I've sadly seen it time and time again when one spouse is excited and very into the gym when the other is not. Even worse, sometimes the other spouse can even be resentful and damage the gym experience completely for a variety of reasons.

Kids shouldn't get in your way NUTRITIONALLY. Just because they're being treated here and there to ice cream/pizza/cake etc. doesn't mean you HAVE to eat with them every time. If anything, teaching your children healthy habits will make your life and theirs easier!

Keeping a set time for your gym will be a great thing to keep you on track and in the right mind frame. You'll get used to the people there, maybe even gain some friends and acquaintances! This will certainly add to your growth.

Here is something most don't talk about and I want to mention: Blood work. Is your BODY in an environment for growth? There could be things going on inside that you are unaware of. Your lipid profile could be off, testosterone, estrogen, blood pressure, cholesterol and many other things. Having regular (6 months or even more often) blood work can keep you in the know about your body and make sure the path you're on nutritionally is correct.

Training partners can be great, but should have the same goals in mind. Ground rules should be laid, aka. no talking about outside topics until after, what body parts are being trained, how long the workout will take etc. These should be all in fun and still keep the fun, energetic mood going and enhance it because someone else is there who understands.

Some of these will be hard to change, and others you will be able to do so easily!

As always, the contest prep red deer coach wishes you the best of luck in your goals!

Environment for Growth part 1

Want to know what the #1 reason is that people choose their gym?

Location.

People do not want to spend their time commuting any more than they have to, on top of work and everything else.

In my VERY firm opinion, this should not be a determining factor in your choice. UNLESS the gym you want to go to is 40+ minutes away.

Most of you know, Gyms are not created equal. Gym chains and commercial gyms are exactly that: Mass produced for the most part. Yes, you can find some really good chain gyms out there run by very inspirational people and therefore create a great environment for growth.

Let me tell you a little bit about the gym I work at.

It is locally owned by a husband and wife team who OOZE positivity, Inspiration, Motivation, and most of all, Fitness. (Hi Kathy and E-Bomb!)

The #1 thing people say about Bent Iron Gym is that it is an incredible environment for growth. encouraging, helpful, and always uplifting. THERE is where you should be driving. Especially if you're determined/serious about your goals.

I have been to "gyms" before, and it's your classic. Guys there working out just to impress girls. Girls hugging the treadmills wearing too much makeup. Skinny guys grunting louder than Gorillas attacking each other. You know what I mean.

I didn't like it. I would spend more time being uninspired than actually working out or progressing towards my goals.

When you're in an environment for growth, you'll feel it. The staff at the front desk will be knowledgeable and more than willing to help. The members will be friendly and focused on their goals. The Personal Trainers/Nutritionists will have a slew of clients whom are active in the gym and are very happy with their results and the gym itself (Shameless self plug!)

I cannot stress this enough. I have trained people from other gyms who will come in for one session and be simply blown away. whether it is the cleanliness, the atmosphere, the gym members, or something else, it will be something they wish they had at their gym. Most of them switch to it SIMPLY for that reason.

Bent Iron Gym has 20+ people competing in ABBA's Southerns June 2013. I don't think any other gym in Alberta can boast that kind of number for competitors.

If you're thinking your gym's equipment is limiting, or you feel the members "aren't your style" or even just want a change of pace, Look into it.

Remember, the brain leads the body. You always need to walking into a place you WANT to me, not somewhere you dread.

To me, and many others, the extra drive/commute is more than worth it.

As always, the contest prep red deer coach wishes you the best of luck in your goals.

Now What?

Now What?

You have hired a coach, you’ve seen results, your technique is decent, you have accomplished some goals… now what?

First off, what’s the goal now? Let’s say you’ve made it from point A to point B. Where you want to be is point C or beyond. What do you do now?

There are many things you can do, ONCE NUTRITION IS ON POINT.

So, you’re eating clean, and you’re doing it all yourself. Let’s give you some free help!

Now, all those supplements you see flashing their ads MIGHT hold some value!

I know people that talk about during/intra/around workout (weight training/resistance training) as if it is the end all be all. I believe it should be talked about a bit.

Before your workout, try some carbs. 30 mins or less? Nothing heavy. Hour or so before? Heavier can work aka oatmeal. Combine it with protein, and a bit of fat so that the insulin spike isn’t gigantic.

During the workout? This is tricky, due to where you’re at in terms of your goal. Are you trying to lean down for a contest? Maybe just water. Are you a fairly muscled person? Maybe you need some intra workout carbs/protein/aminos to fuel the brutal intensity. Are you in the offseason trying to throw on lean mass? Then you might consider adding in this intra protocol due to all the food you’re consuming during the day just seems overwhelming. Why not try having an extra meal during the workout?

Post workout – now here you can have some fun ONCE NUTRITION IS ON POINT. If you have been reading any of the “new school” authors, you can see cereal, low fat ice cream, candies being tossed around as if it’s no one’s business. It is delicious, and well deserved. The trick? It’s measured. It’s not just “grab some crap carbs and down em” it’s “let’s have 30 grams of carbs, coming from sugar, which is coming from gummy worms.” Then you measure out 30 grams worth of carbs from gummy worms.  Then you measure out protein to go along with it. Some coaches will use fat, some won’t. each have viable options DEPENDING ON WHEN YOU EAT THIS MEAL.

I’m not giving away everything here, I’m making it so it gets your wheels turning.

I personally prefer to make my own version of some of the supplements out there today. In other words, I buy bulk ingredients, measure them out, and mix them in a jug of about 2 liters and drink that a little before the workout and during. This way, I know what I’m getting is measured exactly. Yep, it becomes that silly once you’ve reached this point in your nutritional career per say.

I know this was quite a bit different from my other blogs, but I wanted to let everyone know just how to change their plan that might JUST push them over the edge to continue progress one way or the other.

Make sure you have ammo for your gun.

As always, the contest prep red deer coach wishes you the best of luck in your goals.

-Marty