From “Skeptic” to “Sculpted”: Interview w/ AT-13 Winner Dave Johansen

July 28, 2014 by Allen Elliott

Here’s your latest interview with one of the winners from the 13th Adonis Golden Ratio Transformation Contest. Scroll down to read how David applied the Adonis Golden Ratio System to go from “Skeptic” to “Sculpted.”

But first, check out his AT13 Pictures:

David Johansen – AT13 – 10th Place – Front Before/After Photos

David Johansen – AT13 – 10th Place – Transformation Image

David Johansen – AT13 – 10th Place – Back Before/After Photos

David Johansen – AT13 – 10th Place – Side Before/After Photos

David’s Transformation Interview:

1. Have you ever attempted to lose weight/get in shape before? If so when? How long ago? What did you try? Were you successful? Did you lose weight? Did you put it back on?

When I started the Adonis Golden Ratio [AGR] program, I was already part way through a weight transformation that I had begun back in November 2012. For the first six months, all I did was try to eat more of the healthy food choices and exercise. The problem was that I didn’t also cut back on the unhealthy foods I was also consuming. My blood pressure, cholesterol and other blood markers improved, but my weight was staying exactly the same even though I was doing cardio 3-4 times a week.

In April 2013 I decided to get more serious about diet and excluded bread, sugar and most processed foods from my diet without having any direction from a particular program, only a few suggestions from my wife who was following the Venus Factor program. I was fairly strict about my eating then and lost about 60 pounds on my own over about a year’s time. My wife purchased AGR for me in July 2013, but I wasn’t ready and didn’t take it serious until the contest began in January 2014.

2. What if any exercise programs have you followed in the past?

Prior to doing the AGR program, I hadn’t lifted weights since high school. I had been active in my earlier adult life with a number of recreational sports, but gained weights as I aged and could no longer participate. The majority of my recent attempts at exercising involved solely cardio–mountain hiking, running bleachers and the stair mill in the gym. I was doing morning and evening cardio for up to two hours a day!

3. Any other diet/exercise philosophies you’ve attempted in the past?

The only philosophy I had previously adopted was the idea of just solely eating healthy food without regard to amount.

4. How did you find out about AGR?

My wife purchased it for me. When I wasn’t interested at first, my 21 year-old son used it successfully. Watching my wife with the Venus program, I noticed that she stuck with it longer than any other diet program she had ever tried in the past. Seeing her success in losing 100 pounds and keeping it off and winning the VT8 contest motivated me in seeing that I should look at the Adonis program because the Venus program was so successful.

5. What resonated with the Adonis message for you?

The first thing that struck me was how practical the Adonis program was. I liked the idea that I could eat anything, but just needed to control the amounts. I had always thought exercise was my number one priority to get into shape, but now I realize how big a part of the equation is the calorie counting. I suspected that if I stayed within the suggested calorie amounts, I would be successful and that is exactly what happened for me. Though it wasn’t always easy, I stayed within my deficit and maintenance calorie numbers and was able to take a significant amount of fat off my body. As I followed the weight loss/muscle building workouts to a “T”, I was pleased to see that I could actually build muscle at the age of 58! Even my adult sons commented on how buff I was getting!

6. What made you enter the contest?

I had stalled out and plateaued in my progress and it motivated me to actually start using the Adonis program and get into lifting weights and counting my calories. I wasn’t where I wanted to be at weight wise, but more importantly, even though I had already lost a lot of weight, I didn’t look like I wanted because I lacked muscle tone. It was also motivating to me mentally to have the contest deadline.

7. What was it like going through the contest? Explain challenges you faced that you didn’t expect.

It was a challenge for me to learn to be consistent and keep picking myself up when I would blow it and to have to then get back on the horse. I was very uncomfortable at first, being in the gym around people lifting weights. I didn’t even know how to use some of the machines. Over time, I watched the videos and learned the proper form and it became a lot easier and more comfortable. The worst part for me was taking the photos because it was something I had never done before and it was not my style to shave my chest, get a spray tan and get photographed with my shirt off.

8. What did you do for nutrition and how was our approach any different than anything else you’ve tried or heard of.

I had never in my life counted my calories or even knew what a deficit or maintenance number of calories for my body size was. It was eye opening to know that some of the things that I was eating that were healthy were also very calorically dense. During my Adonis transformation, I learned to eat foods that were high in volume but low in calorie density, keeping me in a deficit, but satisfied. Before I just guessed. With Adonis, I knew that if I stayed within certain numbers I would lose fat. I have learned to enjoy what I eat and don’t feel deprived when I am eating healthy and in moderation. In fact, I don’t feel well when I overindulge anymore. Plus, I have actually learned to enjoy many vegetables.

9. What did you think of the Adonis exercise program and how did it work for you?

My wife put my measurements in the calculator and it suggested I should start with Category 3: Muscle Building and Fat Loss. I thought it a very intelligently put together program and that it would be harder than it actually was. But I learned through doing that I could increase my intensity over time. I felt like the program I was on was just right for my starting capacity and, through the progression of the program, I had enough of a workout to get me where I needed to be to see my muscles progressing. For example, I had a shoulder injury in high school that was still bothering me when I began the program. I was able to work around that with lifting lighter weights in the beginning and progressing to heavier as my shoulders strengthened. My shoulders have now dramatically improved.

10. What advice do you have for new Adonis members who are sitting on the fence about a contest or are simply not sure if they can get to their goal?

Don’t be afraid to enter a contest regardless of your age. You can get in great shape and build muscle even when you are a 58-year-old man like me! Make focusing on the recommended calories and getting in the workouts a priority, but don’t freak out when life gives you setbacks. You will not be 100% perfect at it, even though we really try to be. Life is what it is. Get back on track right away and stay as consistent as you can! It really does become easier and a way of life. I still enjoy what I eat, but I eat in moderation now.

Editor’s Note:

Hey David,

Congrats on placing in this most recent contest. I distinctly remember getting your contest entry as it was under your wife’s name. Little did I know that you all would both later go on to earn Top 10 Placements in your respective Adonis/Venus transformation contests. A job very well done by you both.

I enjoyed reading your interview and was also pleased to know that even your son was able to benefit from the AGR program. Most importantly, I believe your transformation was just as much mental as it was physical.

You articulately explained the mental transformation you underwent as well as the challenges involved when it came to accepting the adherence to the calorie goal combined with learning your way around the gym. Overall, this was a family effort and I hope that you all continue on the journey towards your “Golden” ratios!

your brother in Iron,

Allen Elliott | Adonis Transformation Coach

Filed Under: body image, diet, exercise, Goals, Physique, Sage Advice, Transformation Tagged With: adonis index, Adonis Index Contest, Adonis Index Transformation, Adonis Physiques, AT 13 Contest Winners, AT13, David Johansen

The Hormetic Effect Of Exercise; Uncensored Podcast

July 23, 2014 by Allen Elliott

What is the correct balance or “sweet spot” for exercise?
What is too much, and what is too little?

The Hormetic Effect Of Exercise

What is “sweet spot” for the amount of stress or dosing workouts?

What are the various effects of exercise?

What about too little or two much exercise?

What happens when you do the right amount of exercise?

What about exercise performance?

What are the side effects?

What about health ramefications of exercise?

What is the concept of working out for being healthy and look good?

What is the right balance for exercise and nutrition?

How does exercise effect your digestion?

Listen to what John and Brad have to say about The Hormetic Effect of Exercise:

IMMERSION Clients May Login and Download Podcast Here

(If you are using Adonis Index Mobile, go to the left menu -> My products -> right menu -> Uncensored Season 3 -> enjoy, you can assign star to add it into Favorites for easier access next time, if you don’t have access to Uncensored Podcasts you can purchase Immersion Package inside the App Shop)

Not an Adonis Index IMMERSION client? Click here to find out more… and hear a weird story too

Filed Under: exercise, Fat Loss, Featured Articles, health, Uncensored Podcasts S03 Tagged With: adonis golden ratio, Brad Pilon, eat stop eat, exercise performance, hormetic effect, side effects

No Training = No Muscle: Coaches’ Corner w/ Jason Haynes

July 11, 2014 by Allen Elliott

Today’s post is our latest installment of a new series called the “Coaches Corner.” Our Adonis Transformation Coaches will share their knowledge, experience, and best practices to help ensure your successful transformation. To continue the series, our topic comes from none other than Adonis Legend and AGR Pioneer, Jason Haynes.

No Training = No Muscle

No Train No Gain!

Bodybuilding legend Vince Gironda used to advocate that bodybuilding was 80% nutrition and 20% training.

Granted, I am not a bodybuilder nor do I want to be one, but stay with me here.

This belief of “the Iron Guru” naturally leads to reason that without that 20% training you are not going to build any appreciative muscle.

Sorry, but that’s the way it is. You can eat all the raw fertilized eggs and Rocky Mountain oysters all you want…you can mix the eggs into as much heavy whipping cream as you want (which is what Gironda advocated for muscle gaining diets), but you are still not going to gain any muscle without training.

Fact is that muscle is not going to mystically pop up on your body without putting in time and effort in the gym.

Now here is where the “nutrition only” people will want to skin me alive: at the same time, guess what? If you don’t watch your nutrition…if you eat like crap in more amounts than you need, but you still consistently train intensely…you’re going to gain muscle.

Now sure, chances are you’re going to get fat in the process if you don’t monitor your caloric intake…but the basic fact is that we can eat whatever we want in whatever amounts and gain muscle IF WE TRAIN CONSISTENTLY!

Conversely, if you eat 99.9999% perfectly and you don’t train, you’re STILL GOING TO BE SKINNY AND WEAK! If your goal is to have an outstanding physique, you’re not going to even be remotely close to the physique that you desire if you’re not training consistently and with intensity.

On the contrary, I don’t care how perfect your diet is, without a properly designed training regimen that you follow consistently you will NOT…repeat: NOT…achieve an outstanding physique.

PERIOD.

We at Adonis Golden Ratio Systems do NOT encourage nor endorse “bulking up” (i.e. eating massive amounts of calories which only end up making one fat), but the simple fact is that fat can be dieted away. The muscle gained stays in a caloric deficit. Therefore, as I said, if one is training consistently but eating like crap, muscle is still gained.

However, focusing purely on nutrition without proper, consistent training will make you “healthier” (what is the exact definition of that anyway?), but will get you NO WHERE on your journey to a golden physique. I don’t care if you eat the most healthy (whatever that means) diet of perfectly measured protein, macro-and-micronutrients, and fruits and vegetables, but if you don’t train you’re still not going to gain one single gram of muscle whatsoever.

REMEMBER: Muscles are TORN in the gym, FED in the kitchen and BUILT in bed.

Look, I am all for eating healthy, clean, unprocessed, natural foods with no chemicals. I am still on the fence about GM (genetically modified) foods, although I am definitely more on the “No Way” side of that one. Yet, when it comes down to it, there are two parts of the equation: training for muscle mass and nutrition/diet for losing or controlling fat gain.

Takeaway: without worrying about nutrition, as long as you are training and challenging yourself, you’re still gaining muscle mass. You may look like crap shirtless…fat, bloated, whatever, but you’re still building up your muscles.

(Side note: strangely enough you don’t have to eat well to lose fat. Look at the “Convenience Store Diet”/”Twinkie Diet” experiment by Professor Mark Haub of Kansas State University as an example.)

Anyway, back on topic, about it: how many fat, bloated guys do you see in the gym? Now, taking “gear” (steroids) out of the equation because they just “change the rules of the game,” how many fat but strong guys with appreciative muscle mass (but with no “cuts”) do you see in the gym? They have muscle because they train for it. They have strength because they train for it. But they look like crap because they are paying no attention to calories in vs. calories expended.

However, if these same guys paid attention to just nutrition but didn’t go to the gym…at best they would just be skinny…or worse: skinny-fat…or just plain old fat.

Look, people say “well nutrition is 80% of the overall bodybuilding equation.” Yes, I’ll agree with that. But, that is: if you want to be a bodybuilder. And being a bodybuilder, by basic definition, means that you “build your body,” and that is done through using weights.

(Side note again: are you truly wanting to be a “bodybuilder?” Do you want to be on stage all oiled up and flexing? If not, then you might want to consider what you are doing NOW to get to your goals instead of using the methods for those who are not after the same goals as you.)

Fact is: Take away the work out…take away exercise…you can have the most perfect dialed in diet down to the .0001% of everything being perfect and correct…and you are STILL going to look like skinny, fat, or skinny- fat.

Build muscle at the gym. Lose or control fat gain through nutrition. Period.

End of story.

If you’re looking for something to help you get that golden physique, then check out the AGR systems, which has helped hundreds of men of different ages and sizes to achieve outstanding results…numerous of them jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring.

Finally, if you need some extra accountability or any extra help with your transformation, sign up for our premier coaching system. Each of our coaches (including myself) underwent their own personal transformations and have maintained their physiques for years. Frankly, even professional athletes have a coach to tell them what to do. Even the best of the best professional athletes don’t need to do it for themselves, and neither do you.

As always I welcome your comments via the AGR community forum.

Train hard. Train smart.

Jason

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ADONIS ORIGINS: Jason Haynes | Circa 2009-2010

Jason Haynes is one of the oldest members of the AGR community and has been around since he participated in the first and second AGR Transformation Competitions, of which he placed second and first, respectively. Having found a system that he is confident in and that works, he has faithfully stuck by it ever since. Now in his 40’s, Jason enjoys living the life of maintaining his physique easily and with little effort, thanks to the AGR system and tools provided. He is also a coach in the Adonis Premiere Coaching program and desires to help anyone to achieve their fitness goals.

ADONIS LEGEND: Jason Haynes: May 2014

Filed Under: body image, Contest, diet, exercise, Fat Loss, Sage Advice Tagged With: adonis, adonis golden ratio, Becoming Golden, coaches corner, jason haynes, muscle, train, transformation

You’re Fit For A Reason: Interview w/ AT-13 Winner Stuart Barton

July 7, 2014 by Allen Elliott

Here’s your latest interview with one of the winners from the 13th Adonis Golden Ratio Transformation Contest. Scroll down to read how the Adonis Golden Ratio System enabled Stuart to become “fit for a reason.”

But first, check out his AT13 Pictures:

Stuart Barton – AT13 – 1st Place – Front Before/After Photos

Stuart Barton – AT13 – 1st Place – Transformation Image

Stuart Barton – AT13 – 1st Place – Side Before/After Photos

Stuart Barton – AT13 – 1st Place – Back Before/After Photos

Stuart’s Transformation Interview:

1- What workout or nutrition routine did you do before Adonis Golden Ratio (AGR) System? What kind of results did you get?

I used to workout quite often and hardcore. My workouts were based in crossfit and kettle bell training. I had a trainer for a short while to help me master the 300 workout! Then life happens, girls happen and you question what’s it all for?

Nevertheless, it had been almost 3 years since I’ve gone to the gym. My job in construction is quite physical anyway, and I ate ‘healthy’ but I never new about how important calories were. So I was fit and strong for my size, I could perform amazing physical feats but never looked as lean as I always wanted to.

2- How did you find out about AGR?

I can’t really remember. I had joined up to Kyle Leon’s Muscle Maximizer program but had never really taken it on board. Found it wasn’t what I needed to really connect with me. So either through association with John Barban or searching the web, I came across AGR.

3- What was most appealing to you about AGR?

The fact that it used the scientific/mathematical approach of physical dimensions and a program catered to me and my dimensions personally. The AGR system was very progressive; as your dimensions changed regularly you were able to adjust using the nutrition calculator and set new calorie goals each week.

4- Were there any concepts or approaches you were skeptical about?

No not really! Everything was explained logically and backed by science. So it made sense. The only thing I really wondered about was the workouts’ choice of exercises.

They didn’t seem to focus on abs or chest as much. Especially abs. It was a well rounded routine that focused on everything so I wondered if I would actually get a six-pack. But what I read elsewhere on the site was to just trust them. The exercises and the order of them have been carefully chosen. They were right!

5- When did you decide to jump on board full fledge with AGR?

I bought the program in September 2013 but didn’t do anything until about 5-6 months later when contest AT13 was announced.

I had to make sure my life circumstances were best suited to focus on the 3 month program so I wouldn’t be taken away with trips and other distractions. I purchased my needed supplements, stored my AGR pdf printouts in a binder so I could read them and also take the workout with me to the gym.

6- When did you first decide to enter an Adonis Transformation (AT) contest?

I was getting ready to start the program and read about the contest and thought it was a great motivator for me to really get into it and nail it. An extra incentive to stick with it.

7- What was your experience going through the AT contest? Challenges that came up? Things you didn’t expect?

Oh boy! 🙂 It was harder than I imagined. The workout was fine, no problem. But the nutrition! It’s all about the food! I found I felt like I was starving sometimes.

Mainly late afternoon and at night. The hunger pain! I can’t sleep on an empty stomach so it was torture for me during those moments. I had just gotten used to eating whatever I wanted whenever I felt hungry. So I learned that EVERYONE is overeating. And I learned vegetables, vegetables, vegetables! We don’t need that much meat. Next time I will definitely incorporate “cheat” days.

8- How did people react to your transformation? Positives and negatives (if any).

Everyone thought I was fine and nothing wrong with me. Although they didn’t see me without a shirt. But when they saw the before and after pics they all were impressed. Blown away!

My cousin saw me without a shirt near the end of the contest and said I looked like a Marvel hero with all these veins and shredded muscles.

The guy behind the counter at the gym called me ‘Shredder’! A number of people noticed my arms and said that the veins looked crazy! A friend of mine, a married mother of 2 in her twenties really was striving for the “Female Fitness Model” look. She already was in great shape mind you! But she does a lot of cardio workouts and running and not really seeing the results she wanted. So she trusted my advice and now she’s hitting the Venus Factor program! My older sister though said I looked too skinny.

9- How do you react to the “Brand New” you? Have you noticed changes in your outlook and attitude in general.

I was very happy with the result but I thought I could be better. But I am a bit of a perfectionist. My view? I’m a lot more conscious of what I eat now and always will be. Veggies with a bit of meat. And now it’s my duty to inform people that what you eat and how much is SO important.

Because they don’t know. They try everything! But guaranteed it’s the diet letting them down. I had always sort of subconsciously evaluated myself and others by the condition their body was in. But without being too sure or vocal. Plus it’s a little shallow I know or just unfair/unkind. But now it has been set in concrete. Based on science: calories in=calories out. And having gone through it myself. My view is you can’t judge a book by its cover but you can judge a person by their body. We are a result of our choices. And those choices may be hard, or easy…

Eat what you want or eat what you should?

‘You’re fat for a reason’ or ‘You’re fit for a reason.’

Which one will you choose?

Editor’s Note:

Hey Stuart,

Glad to know that contest AT13 was able to help you re-define your motivation for working out.

I really liked your closing thoughts where you mentioned:

“You’re fat for a reason’ or ‘You’re fit for a reason.”

You also touched on a lot of key points which are the “Essence of Adonis.” For example, most people are looking for the magic pill when it comes to weight loss, when there is already a magic formula… Calories In = Calories Out. I appreciate your openness about how you suffered some occasional hunger pangs as your body began to transform.

That is something I believe others should know and expect along their transformational journey. Sounds like your body acclimated to the new caloric goals you set for yourself, but indeed there will always be resistance when striving for something greater.

Very happy to learn that you faithfully applied the principles and gained some amazing results!

your brother in Iron,

Allen Elliott | Adonis Transformation Coach

Victory or Regret?

June 27, 2014 by Allen Elliott

Victory or Regret?

Sweat drips down me as if I had just come out of a rainstorm. I write the last little tick mark on my workout sheet but the sweat blurs the ink into a blob. I look down at all the ink that is just this gelatinous-looking mess and I start to try to correct all the other marks that got smeared but they get even worse. I muse to myself how I’m going to have to let the sheet dry out due to the “sweat effect.”

Here I am trying to catch my breath while I dictate this post via a dictation app, as I feel inspired right and it seems easiest. I try to search for the words of accomplishment that are really coursing through my body and my mind right now.

I came to the gym not really wanting to be here, but I forced the body to move.

I arrived relatively uninspired.

I leave…well…I’m going to leave fully satisfied with the effort I gave today.

When I train…I just get better and better the warmer I get. The more sweat pours, the more satisfied I am and thus the harder I push beyond what I thought I could do.

What can I say? I am truly and thoroughly enjoying these new immersion tricep and chest Advanced Growth Series workouts. The density blocks that I have undergone and conquered are exactly right up my alley and what I truly enjoy doing.

You know, you really got to find a way to enjoy your workout. There are plenty of days when you don’t want to go to the gym. It’s easier to make an excuse:

“Oh it’s raining”

“ Oh it’s snowing”

“I just feel lazy”

“…but a re-run of <insert name of TV show here> is on…”

But, I’m going to tell ya: you don’t regret the work out that you accomplish. You don’t regret that workout that you forced yourself to go to and you actually do it.

You regret the workout that you skipped because you were lazy. That’s the one that we beat ourselves over.

(Side note: if this isn’t your way of thinking, then may I suggest that you might well not be as dedicated into your training as you think you are, especially if your physique isn’t at least showing some of the changes you want. You might willfully be deceiving yourself.

It might be time to have a reality check…are you dedicated to your training or are you ho-hum about it?)

LOL…If you think I need to prove what I’ve written in the blog…this was from my thursday workout.

Inspiration comes from within and I find it in the gym when I’m sitting here doing my stuff with no one else around to get in my way. After all these years it just comes naturally. It’s like a motor reflex. Many days I force myself against the inertia of laziness and procrastination and train. As the workout goes on I get more into it and work harder. As I then work harder, I push it more. The harder and harder and harder I work out the more sweat I work up, the more I push it and the more satisfaction comes.

Now, we’re not always inspired. We’re not always gung-ho to go to the gym and train, but like I said, we don’t regret the workout that we accomplished even if it was not the best effort ever. Even if it was not the most intense workout that we’ve ever accomplished we still went there we did it we did the best we could considering the situation on that particular day in that particular season of life.

The workout we do regret, however…the workout that makes us just beat ourselves up is the workout where we wussed out and didn’t even make the attempt. We let that old mindset…our old mindset rooted in failure, no ambition, and no desire to really push ourselves. We let that rule us and that hurts afterward.

And it should!

That’s what we regret.

That’s what we beat ourselves up over.

(Again, if you skip workouts for no good, real, legitimate reason and don’t feel the way I’m describing (even slightly), then it might be time to re-assess yourself. How dedicated are you to training? How badly do you want that golden physique?)

However, when we overcome that lazy flesh and we’re sitting in the gym after the work out like a victorious warrior…yeah the iron beat us again…yeah it will always beat us, and we’re ok with that.

Yet we report for duty each and every time.

Every time we come into the gym we report for battle and we’re bigger and stronger mentally and physically every single time that we don’t skip this battle.

Gentlemen, do not neglect the battle. Do not shy away and do not wuss out from the challenge of improving yourself mentally and physically. Your body will reap the rewards, and your mind will become stronger…just as your body does.

NO REGRETS! Sweat is my fat crying.

We don’t regret the work out that we forced ourselves to go to. We don’t regret that we conquered our flesh and got it done.

But, we do regret the one that we wussed out on.

If you are looking for an outstanding battle plan for attacking your physique goals, check out the AGR Systems that has helped hundreds of men to conquer themselves and achieve their best physiques.

If you are looking for brother-in-arms who have fought the battle, achieved the golden physique, and have maintained it for years, check out our Premiere Coaching Program, where experienced coaches who have successfully underwent their own transformations will help you through the minefields that come up with training and nutrition.

Train Hard, Train Smart,

Jason

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ADONIS ORIGINS: Jason Haynes | Circa 2009-2010

ADONIS LEGEND: Jason Haynes: May 2014

Filed Under: body image, Contest, diet, exercise, Fat Loss, Featured Articles, Muscle Building, weight loss Tagged With: adonis golden ratio, Becoming Golden, coaches corner, Regret, transformation, Victory, Weight Loss

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Coaches’ Corner w/ Jason Haynes

June 20, 2014 by Allen Elliott

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

It never fails to happen at least once a week at work. I thank God nowadays for my attitude when it happens, as I am a LOT better now than I used to be. The scenario varies slightly from week to week, but it goes something like this (and this is a specific example that really happened) :

Co-worker walks up to me to show me something on his cell phone…it’s a comic strip of two guys. One is buff and ripped and busting tail doing a workout. He is shown in obvious exertion and strain. The other guy is fat and eating a box of some kind of donuts (I would guess jelly filled) and he is wearing a totally satisfied and tranquil expression. The “punchline” to this comic, as shown in the last panel of the strip, is the donut-eating character looking smug saying “who looks happier?”

Now, the man who showed me this cartoon is overweight and obviously out of shape. He’s a great guy and I consider him a good friend, but facts are facts. I look over to him after reading the comic and he has this kind of smug look (strangely the same look as the comic character), and I reply: “the guy lifting weights is way happier.”

I hand his phone back to him and my friend nods and wordlessly walks away. Guess I didn’t play into his game, so I suppose that I was no fun.

This was the best answer I could have given, in my opinion. Sure, my ego kicks in after some retrospective time and I think better retorts that “should” have followed my initial one. Thing like: “And who do you think is happier when he looks into a mirror while shirtless? And which one avoids the mirror like the plague? Or pool parties or beaches, for that matter?”

Perhaps that would have been taken personally, so like I said, I am thankful to God that I handle things differently nowadays.

Anyway, this week I had a pair of happenings, this time both with women I work with. I’ve had several instances like this with both of them in the past, but again with slightly different topics although they all revolve around my lifestyle of training at the gym during my lunch break. Yes, it’s true that I <gasp!!> don’t go to lunch with any of my co-workers because I choose to train during lunch break and then scarf down a quick egg and cheese sandwich before getting back to work.

It is, of course, nothing personal against them but personally I like having full run of the gym (no one but me is there during lunchtime), and I would prefer to go home to my beautiful wife and daughter after work instead of going to the gym at its busiest hours.

Anyway, so I’m walking down the stairs and another co-worker sees me on the first floor as I approach the bottom. She stops and takes a long pause as I finish descending. When I am at the bottom of the stairs, this simple scene unfolds:

“Oh, off to exercise again?”

“Yup.”

We head out the double doors at my work and just before we go separate ways, she adds:

“Well, you go exercise, and I am doing my exercise of walking to lunch. See, I exercise too.”

(Which, in my opinion, is akin to telling a holocaust survivor that you understand the depths of horrors of what he has been through because you know a person of Israeli descent…as if that is common ground and puts you on equal footing with them.)

“People notice the fruit of our actions more-so than our words.” – Jason Haynes

The other one from this week was with a different woman. I had a run in with her previously when she told me that I don’t need to exercise because I “am in good shape,” to which I said “how do you think I stay this way?”

Anyway, I was walking to the parking lot and we were going the same direction so she started talking about how she knows she should exercise but she is lazy. Yes, she said that word, which kind of surprised me. At least she is honest about it.

I simply told her “That’s ok, there is nothing morally wrong with that…you just don’t want it badly enough to take action. There is nothing inherently wrong with that.” (Yes, my blog about “Wishing vs. Wanting” was ringing in my ears at this point. Ha!)

Now, if you have read to this point you may well be wondering: “What in the world is Jason rambling about? Is there a point to this?”

And rightly so, I must say, so let me get to the point:

See, simply having a lifestyle of training says a lot to people even without us saying a word to them about it. We don’t have to stand on a soapbox and preach to the masses about their need to embrace the concepts of responsible nutrition and consistent exercise. We don’t have to quote studies and journals or anything.

People notice the fruit of our actions more-so than our words. As with many things in life, our actions and our lives speak louder than any words we may have to say…ESPECIALLY if our lives (and thus, in the context of this post, physiques) are a physical representation of what we preach!

If you have the lifestyle of training and nutrition, but WITHOUT the physique to back it up (or at least an appreciative amount of work showing in your physique), you are simply pretending to be something that you are not.

Sorry, but it’s true.

Sure, you may have the head knowledge, but you lack the experiential knowledge and understanding that only comes with having done (or in the process of doing) it!

Preaching one thing but not doing it is hypocrisy, whether from a spiritual standpoint or a physical one.

Practice what you preach, fellas…and preach only what you practice, if it is beneficial and works.

And if you would like a road map to achieving the goal of an outstanding physique, check out the Adonis Golden Ratio System. It’s worked for hundreds of men of all ages and physical conditions.

If you are looking for additional accountability, assistance, and coaching from guys who actually have been in your shoes (undergoing their own transformations and maintaining their results over the course of several years), then check out our Premiere Coaching Program.

Lots of guys still talk about “living the lifestyle,” but in fact are only deceiving themselves and others. Don’t be one of them.

Train Hard, Train Smart.

Jason

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ADONIS ORIGINS: Jason Haynes | Circa 2009-2010

ADONIS LEGEND: Jason Haynes: May 2014

Filed Under: body image, Contest, diet, exercise, Fat Loss Tagged With: actions, adonis golden ratio, Becoming Golden, coaches corner, louder, speak, than, transformation, Weight Loss, words

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