Here is another way to spike your fat storing hormone insulin…and get fat fast; Feed your face 4-6 times daily (graze).  This myth grew from the erroneous idea that eating boosts metabolism.  And it does.  But after three meals per day, this metabolic effect diminishes.  It’s like watering a plant all day rather than once a day.  Eventually it dies.  We’re not that fortunate.  If we eat too often, we are forced to waddle our way through life, just like "eat small meals, all the time, advocate" Dr. Weil; man-boobs fully intact. 

Note:  Dr. Weil states, "I have never eaten a McDonald’s hamburger. I think I am one of the few Americans who can say that.  However, I have, when on the road, gone into a McDonald’s to get a Coca Cola." No doubt he is telling the truth.

Restricting feeding times to three meals per day is crucial because during the five hours between meals, the body produces anti-aging and muscle building hormones courtesy of hormone intelligence.  Disrupt this timing and you produce fat inflating and age-accelerating ones - courtesy of hormone ignorance. 

Grazing is for cows.  If you like mimicking fat farm animals (or Dr. Weil) go for it.

Note: A select few "eat all day" advocates offset the fat building effect with an exercise addiction that takes them to the gym every day.  This isn’t practical for everyone, and excess exercise wrinkles your face fast.

Check back for Stupid diet Myth #3 and #4!

It was hard writing this blog. My frustration over stupid diet myths and those who perpetuate them almost prevented me from writing cogently. But in the name of America’s gaping eye-candy deficiency, I was able to push past my frustrations to expose four stupid diet myths.  Here is the first of four.

Oprah’s personal trainer Bob Greene insists that, "To curb that sweet craving, have a cup of fruit juice." It’s no wonder his celebrity client continues to pack on the pounds at record breaking speeds: Green pushes what’s good for his sponsors (the food industry), not what’s good for your health.

Juice spikes insulin, blood sugar and our "feel good" neurotransmitters. If you don’t want to be an honorary member of The Fat Cow Hall of Fame, don’t drink it. All three of these biological effects lead to obesity and sugar addiction. This warning also goes for the "Super Fruit" juice drinks sold via the infomercial pitch that insists they are a great antioxidant. FYI: A healthy body is fully protected from free radicals thanks to the natural production of the antioxidant glutathione.

Congratulations to Lea-Ann for winning the Bodybuilding.com Amateur Fitness Competitor of the Week.  Click below to see her two week bulking secrets: 

http://www.bodybuilders.com/fitness.htm

This came right after a rigid 8 weeks on The AM-PM Fat Loss Discovery.  The important note here is that she went into this cycle VERY lean and while on it, was supplementing with natural insulin mimics and lifting heavy weights.  Without these supporting variables, such an eating frequency can in fact lead to fat gain.  Note that it didnt here, and I was monitoring her habits 24/7 to make sure of it.  It works for men too.   

By Lea-Ann Ellison
Copyright 2009 www.thepeopleschemist.com

I love the gym, the beauty industry and competition. Put all three together and you have the perfect recipe for the sport of Figure. That’s why I chose it and have been competing in it for the last year. I’ve won first in all of my shows to date, while keeping my health intact. My recent win at The Arnold Classic has taught me more lessons about health and fitness than any single certification or degree could teach. Hopefully, by passing them on to you, they’ll get you past the BS that lurks within the fitness industry.

Lea-Ann kissing The People’s Chemist (We are married)

Lea-Ann with UFC Fighter Anthony Johnson at UFC 96 (after winning the Arnold)

Learned Lesson #1: Avoid BS Diet Myths

More important than winning any athletic event is being healthy. Health should never be sacrificed. Yet, this has become the norm in many sports courtesy of sham marketing and self proclaimed health gurus who can’t tell the difference between science and marketing. Be wary. Watch out. And always go for the win, but keep your health intact.

There are a lot of things to be grateful for in life. A great career, family, a good friend or two, a nice house, a slick car and vacations are usually at the top. But gleaming far above any one of these is great health. This fact hit Stan hard when his doctor told him his triglycerides were too high. With high triglycerides, Stan risks obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix that doesn’t require a pharmacy.

Sticking to the plan, Stan’s triglyceride levels dropped from 556 to 172 mg/dL in a matter of 43 days! Side effects included 8 lbs of fat loss (from 173 to 165lbs), a gain in 5 lbs of muscle mass and skyrocketing energy. His wife started looking at him more often too. I suspect there are a few more welcome side effects to come, like increased longevity, which translates into more time with family and friends as well as enjoying an exotic vacation or two.

These were taken at The Arnold Classic:  1st Place!

She wondered if she could win the largest Figure competition in the world…Now she knows.

Me:  1st Place Masters Men, 180lbs

Scott:  3rd Place 160lb Adult No-gi and gi.

Yes, still living young! 

Bring up the word “Muscle” and the first thoughts may trigger mention of biceps or abs. Rarely will the heart come to mind right off the bat. Fitness Clubs often, (unknowingly) draw us into a routine that may tone and build skeletal muscle but not always one that develops the most important muscle “the heart”.

Understanding proper aerobic minimums will be the first step as we attempt to integrate our goal of both outward physical improvements in shape and size, while also improving cardiovascular efficiency.

Many feel a need to devise a system that allows for a specific time at the end of their routine for a session on a stationary bike or elliptical machine. If aerobic training in this fashion is not your cup of tea, read on.

By understanding the difference between aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, we can combine the two and eliminate the need for a boring session of cycling, etc. at the end of a day at the gym.
It’s called, “Circuit Training” by some.

As each muscle group is put through its paces, be it biceps curls, thigh extensions, etc., reduce rest periods to a time frame that allows the heart to maintain a safely elevated BPM  (Beats per minute).

This shortening of rest will vary according to age, condition, weight and the exercise in question. The formula for accurately achieving dual benefit is as follows: Subtract your age
from the number 220. Example: Let’s say you are 40, so the number would be 180. This would represent your target (or maximum safe heart rate for a very short period of several seconds). Now we use 80% of the target number and we come up with 144.

As you proceed through the various exercises, attempt to elevate the BPM to this level by adjusting the weight used and the number of repetitions in a given set. Strive for a drop of no less than 20 BPM between sets. Obviously a watch with a built in heart monitor and highly visible face will help.

By maintaining an elevated BPM between 144 and roughly 124 (Formulated for forty years of age) for 15 to 20 minutes of total gym time, three days per week, you will allow enough aerobic activity to turn a conventional, external toning session or strength building routine into a dual purpose activity that allows you to leave the club knowing you’ve achieved maximum benefit from a highly efficient program without the boring end.

In effect, this is one of the most beneficial ways assuring more Birthday celebrations down the road.

- Bob Shaefer   Feb 24, 2009