Miscellaneous Miscellany Monday: 1/31/2011
My girlfriend has been away for the past ten days doing some consulting work down in Colombia, and while it was nice to have some free time to hang out with the boys, leave the toilet seat up, burp out loud, and chew food with my mouth open, I can’t wait to see her in a few short hours. So, since I’m going to have to leave to pick her up at the airport shortly, I’m just going to leave you with a few random thoughts today.
1. I got a message on Facebook the other day from an old friend, asking this:
What do you think about that new 17 day diet? Is it hogwash?
B to the U……….llshit. This is hands down, the epitome of what a fad-diet looks like. Just look at the cover and your answers are right there smacking you in the face.
– A doctor’s plan for rapid results.
– 17 days, is all you need. Giving people the illusion that that is all it takes – 17 days.
– All that’s missing are dancing elephants, fireworks, and midgets. Can’t forget the midgets.
Does it get results? Sure. Are they going to last? Not a chance.
The basic premise of the diet is to change your caloric load every 17 days (why not 16? Hell, why not 22?) to keep your metabolism “guessing.” In short, you’re expected to cycle your calories every few days or weeks, changing the combination of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein that you eat.
And therein, lies the problem. People don’t want to have to think when they eat. Sure, someone will be able to follow this plan in the short-term, and probably see some results. But lets be honest – who’s going to want to have to count calories, adjust macronutrients, and let food ALWAYS be on their mind for the indefinate future?
You need to change HABITS in order for results to stick. Following some “cleansing” diet that has you pissing out your ass by day eight, isn’t going to change anything. Except maybe your wardrobe.**
This isn’t a complete waste, however. From what I can tell, there are good things about the diet. I mean, he streses the notion of eating “clean” foods, and that it’s okay to indulge. But in the long-haul, this diet falls short of helping people make behavioral changes towards their eating habits, and more specifically, it’s un-realistic.
It’s like $8 and will take you 25 minutes to read, and will do a great job at introducing the concept of behavorial changes that MUST take place in order to see long-term results.
2. If I had to guess, I write anywhere from 25-30 (sometimes upwards of 40 depending on the time of year) programs per week. It stands to reason, then, that writing MY programs is the last thing I want to do. I don’t want to have to think.
Starting next week, both myself and Eric Cressey are going to be following Lean Hybrid Muscle by Mike Westerdal and Elliot Hulse. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy last week, and after looking through it, I can’t wait to get started! Eric already has a head start on me – hitting one of the workouts outs over the weekend – and based off of the feedback he’s given me, it’s going to be badass!
3. I don’t watch the show, but I watched this clip which was posted on Bret Contreras’ wall on Facebook, and I have to say, I haven’t teared up that much since Travis shot Old Yeller:
But, what’s up with Steven Tyler? Dude is taking the creepiness to a whole new level:
4. My new obession are sun-dried tomatoes. I can’t get enough of them lately. I’ve been rocking them in my omeletes lately and they’re delicious!
5. I’ve decided that I really, really, really want to hit a 600 lb deadlift this year. As it stands now, I’m going through a bit of a bulking phase (210 lbs and counting, thank you very much) and then I’m going to get my sexification on and diet down in the Spring. After that, it’s game on. The last time I tested, I hit 570 lbs and it went up fairly easily. I figure I can follow another deadlift specialization routine similar to what EC and I did about a year and half ago, take an ample deload, and I can hit 600 like a G6.
Or, I can just wait until Nia Shanks actually comes to Boston for our deadlift-off. Which ever comes first……
6. Okay, time to go train. Training at a commercial gym today. God help me.
** Naaaaaaaaaiiiiiled it.
Comments for This Entry
Smitty
Damn, brought out the Old Yeller reference,....you good....you really good.January 31, 2011 at 6:47 am |
Nia Shanks
Oh, don't worry. Some day we'll have that deadlift-off. I'm working on bringing mine up right now. I want it BIGGER so as to not disappoint when I finally make it to Boston, and so I can kick your ass. ; )January 31, 2011 at 7:31 am |
nock
Good luck on the Deadlift PR. BTW.......for some reason my Google Reader doesn't recognize your new website when I try to subscribe to it. I don't know if you heard that from anyone yet or not.January 31, 2011 at 8:32 am |
Jaime Rodriguez
My wife watched the whole 17 day diet on Dr. Phil. Just another reason why that show is a garbage. There is no easy way to success. If that was the case America wouldn't have such a obesity epidemic.January 31, 2011 at 9:08 am |
Kellie
I am a HUGE fan of Michael Pollan and can't believe I haven't read that book yet. Thanks for the reference. I can't wait to hear about your experience with Lean Muscle Hybrid.January 31, 2011 at 9:25 am |
Kellie
Oh, and your Idol video was very moving... until Tyler mauled the fiance. That was little creepy. But awesome story!January 31, 2011 at 9:34 am |
Tony Gentilcore
@ Smitty: I try, I try.....;o) @ Nia: Can't wait to have you come up here and train with our crew for a few days. It will be EPIC, followed by copious amounts of dead animal flesh at Sunset Grill (my favorite place to eat in Boston). @ Nock: Yeah, I've had several people inform me; hopefully Jason can figure it out soon! Thanks! @ J-Rod: it absolutely dumbfounds me the garbage that people will fall prey to. And, of course, the fact that it was on Dr. Phil means it's worthwhile. @ Kellie: Welcome! Good to have you stop by. Will be starting LHM shortly. Can't wait to get into beast mode.January 31, 2011 at 10:38 am |
Tony Gentilcore
BTW - Kellie, how were you able to get a picture in your avatar?January 31, 2011 at 10:39 am |
Kellie
Okay, to get your photo in your avatar for commenting on other blogs, create one at Gravatar.com. If you use a Wordpress format for your blog, then upload this plugin for your site: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/user-photo/ Once you install it, go to the User menu and edit your user profile. You can upload your photo there. Let me know if you need more explanation. If you don't use WP, then let me know what platform you use and I will find the plugin. BTW, I sent you an email using your contact for and got an error message after sending it. So, if you don't receive it, then you may want to check the configuration of your contact form.January 31, 2011 at 12:34 pm |
Bret Contreras
Dude, you're 210 right now?! Holy crap. When you get your 600 lb deadlift on Youtube, I can promise you that I'll match Steven Tyler's creepy leer.January 31, 2011 at 12:34 pm |
Tony Gentilcore
@ Kellie - Thanks! Unfortunately, I don't use WordPress. I use Jason's "software," and I'm not really sure what it's called. Will see if he can hool me up, soon! @ Bret: Well, maybe just a shade under 210. Still have abs, though. WHEW!!!January 31, 2011 at 12:48 pm |
Greg R
I knocked out 50 one leg push ups after watching that american idol video...is that an odd reaction?January 31, 2011 at 2:16 pm |
Brent
Tony, just FYI, the link to Pollan's Food Rules doesn't work.February 1, 2011 at 3:08 am |
Tony Gentilcore
Brent, thank you! Fixed.February 1, 2011 at 5:36 am |