In 2009 I wrote a blog post about How I stay fit and healthy.
So, what am I doing 11 years later?
I'm actually spending LESS time in the gym, yet by doing so I've put on muscle and gotten stronger.
Physical activity
I maintain a daily goal of 10 000 steps per day which I easily accomplish through walking.
Training; since August 2018, my workouts have consisted of a full body completed once per week.
I gained muscle and got stronger by doing LESS exercises while being in and out of the gym under 25 minutes.
I had been aware of the science stating it takes very little to get substantial benefits.
My actual training time per week is around 15 minutes consisting of the following exercises:
NOTE: I do exercises that I enjoy and work best for me.
Chest: Incline Cable Bench Presses -Click to view a demonstration-
Back (Lat focus): Reverse Grip Lat Pulldown -Click to view a demonstration-
Back (mid back and traps focus): Cable Rows
Shoulders: Cable Lateral Raises
Abdominals: Cable Crunches
Triceps: Cable Pressdowns
Biceps: Cable Curls
Calves: Calf Presses
Legs: Leg Presses -Click to view a demonstration-
Each exercise consists of 1 set of 15 repetitions. It is important to do the repetitions slowly and in a controlled manner.
Each repetition take me approximately 6-8 seconds (eg. 3 sec. going up, 3 sec. going down). One exercise takes about 90 seconds to complete.
The key is that EVERY exercise must be taken to positive failure - meaning that I go on until I am unable to complete one more repetition.
--Click on the linked exercises above to view a demonstration of failure--
This might seem like very little, but in reality, a person doing 8 sets of 8 reps for a body part is doing the same amount of work I do.
This might seem like very little, but in reality, a person doing 8 sets of 8 reps for a body part is doing the same amount of work I do.
The typical repetition speed people use, is on average 1.5 seconds per rep., 64 reps multiplied by 1.5 = 96 seconds of ACTUAL work.
If a person takes 1 minute between sets, those 64 reps will take them a total of 9 minutes and 36 seconds. I go all out and do it all in 90 seconds.
People spend MUCH more time resting when weight training than actually “training”. They also do many unnecessary sets thinking more is better.
People spend MUCH more time resting when weight training than actually “training”. They also do many unnecessary sets thinking more is better.
People also tend not to work hard enough. When you do, you really only need around 90 seconds.
You can read more on the science via this short article: Less Is More Than Enough
You can read more on the science via this short article: Less Is More Than Enough
You can buy the book Body by Science mentioned in the article.
Or listen this 1 hour interview with Doug McGuff who co-authored the book Body by Science.
For those wondering about my cardio health, this type of training doubles your heart rate.
Studies have shown that doing high intensity training of this type has tremendous cardiovascular benefits.
Even with just one intense workout per week and walks that increase my heart rate, I cover my cardio.
Nutrition
Even with just one intense workout per week and walks that increase my heart rate, I cover my cardio.
Nutrition
I eat a balanced diet of healthy foods. No keto, low/high carb, low/high protein, carnivore, vegan, vegetarian or whatever the current fad may be.
The best diet ANYONE can do is the one that involves healthy foods, reasonable portions (quantity is key) AND one that you will be able to keep as a lifestyle.
What it does require though, is discipline. The way I make it easier is by looking at it from the following perspective:
What it does require though, is discipline. The way I make it easier is by looking at it from the following perspective:
I prefer to be healthy and happy with my physique 24/7 instead of not being happy just so I can indulge in junk food or extra calories.
The good feeling from junk or extra calories only lasts a few minutes and is not worth the negative impact on my health or how I will later feel about my physique.
That’s what I think about when I say no to junk food or extra calories.
Do I ever have junk food? Yes - once or twice a week I’ll have desert. It’s all about balance and again, portions.
Nutrition is that simple; discipline and healthy foods. NOTE: Simple does not mean EASY.
Supplements
Do I ever have junk food? Yes - once or twice a week I’ll have desert. It’s all about balance and again, portions.
Nutrition is that simple; discipline and healthy foods. NOTE: Simple does not mean EASY.
Supplements
I do take some supplements, just the basics:
- Vitamin D 5 000 IU (except for May, June, July, August & September as I get plenty of Sun)
- Multivitamin
- Probiotic (www.seed.com)
- Magnesium
- Omega 3
- Melatonin
That’s it. It really takes VERY little to maintain good health and a lean physique:
- Walking;
- Brief, infrequent strength training at a high intensity; and
- Disciplined nutrition
My results are the following
Weight was 155 pounds @ 49 years of age
Weight was 142 pounds @ 36 years of age.
Actual training time was under 40 minutes per week for the 17 years.
Actual training time was under 40 minutes per week for the 17 years.