Break to Build Fitness

Cellucor Whey Protein Review

Coach Carter — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:15:20 +0000

I don’t tend to switch up the brand of my protein much but I can never pass up a deal (especially one to try a new product). Bodybuilding.com has/had been offering a package deal for Three 2lb bottles of Cellucor Whey and a tub of Cellucor C4 for a price which would equate to saving $8 on the protein and getting the C4 for free, how could I pass that up?

So I was able to mix and match the proteins so I chose three different ones: Strawberry Milkshake, Molten Chocolate, and Cookies N’ Cream. Without the deal the prices are reasonable at about 0.87 cents a serving. The best I have found is 0.60 cents/serving, so not to far off and not on the high end. Nutrient content breaks down well with low carbs/fats.

Mixability is fine, mixes well with water and mix in a regular bottle fine. Don’t think I’ve dealt with clumps at all. The strawberry shake flavor was great, not overly powerful and didn’t have that artificial strawberry flavor. Molten Chocolate was probably my least favorite, just didn’t do it for me. Not a milk chocolate flavor but more of a fudge or brownie batter flavor. The cookies n’ cream was great also, has bits of cookie crunch in it. Not heavily flavored but better than being over flavored.

Would recommend if you can get the deal or if you don’t usually find shakes that are flavored well.

*Disclaimer: While I write these reviews, they are intend for that purpose only (to inform). I am not sponsored by or affiliated with this company or product. Please read warnings and all facts from company’s website. Also these products affect each person differently so results and effects may vary.

What a Russian Gun Designer Can Teach You about Successful Weight Loss

Coach Carter — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:02:35 +0000

Great article by Armi Legge:

Georgy Shpagin probably never cared about weight loss in his entire life. Growing up during several Russian revolutions, he was probably more worried about starving than losing a few pounds.

As you’ll see, however, his struggles led him to a conclusion that can help any aspiring dieter lose weight.

Learn how a failing Russian weapons engineer can help you break through your weight loss plateau.

Born in 1897, Shpagin was drafted into the Russian Army at age 17 to fight the Germans in World War Ⅰ. After the war ended, he became a weapons designer for the Red Army.

He wasn’t very good.

Shpagin designed guns like a desperate dieter tries to lose weight. He made complicated and elaborate designs, hoping to create the next great gun. You probably know someone who takes a similar approach to weight loss — fad diets, supplements, and complex exercise plans in hopes of finding a magic formula that will make the pounds melt off.

For fifteen years, none of Shpagin’s work was noticed or mass produced. He failed, just as many dieters do.

After this dry spell, however, he changed his approach and created some of the most well known and effective weapons in the history of the world, several of which are still used today.

The secret? He changed his philosophy of weapon design — the same philosophy you should use to lose weight.

The Untold Truth about Weight Loss

“Complexity is easy; simplicity is difficult.”- Georgy Shpagin

That was his secret.

Most diet books, supplement manufacturers, and weight loss gurus complicate your weight loss efforts. They create problems that don’t really exist, and then offer solutions to those problems. For example:

Fake Problem: “Carbs and insulin make you fat.”

Fake Solution: “Don’t eat carbs.”

Fake Problem: “Your not losing weight because your body has too many toxins.”

Fake Solution: “Use this supplement, this diet, or avoid these foods to ‘detoxify’ your body.”

Fake Problem: “You have hormone imbalances that makes it impossible to lose body fat.”

Fake Solution: “Follow this diet, avoid these foods, use these supplements, and follow this exercise program to make your hormones help you lose weight.”

Fake Problem: “You need to reprogram your genes for weight loss.”

Fake Solution: “Follow this diet, avoid these foods, use these supplements, and follow this exercise program to use epigenetics to help you lose weight.”

In other cases, pseudo-solutions are created by people who aren’t trying to sell anything. They’re just wrong:

Fake Problem: “Eating late at night makes you gain more fat.”

Fake Solution: “Don’t eat after X o’clock to lose body fat.”

Fake Problem: “Waiting too long between meals puts your body into ‘starvation mode.’”

Fake Solution: “Eat many small meals throughout the day to stoke your metabolism.”

Fake Problem: “Fructose is toxic and makes you fat.”

Fake Solution: “Avoid high fructose corn syrup and other high fructose foods to help you lose weight.”

Fake Problem: “Gluten causes inflammation which makes you gain weight.”

Fake Solution: “Eat a gluten free diet to lose weight.”

This is noise. These fake problems are static that distract you from the things that actually help you lose weight and keep it off.

The truth is that weight loss is simple: You need to create and maintain a caloric deficit.

This is not always easy, but it’s the only way any human has ever lost weight or will ever lose weight (besides surgery).

Yes, protein intake is important.

Yes, as you get leaner it can be harder to lose fat (but it’s still only coming off if you’re in a caloric deficit).

Yes, you may have to increase your physical activity or keep decreasing your calorie intake once you lose a certain amount of weight to maintain a caloric deficit.

Yes, it can be hard to eat less.

Nevertheless, you are never going to lose weight unless you create a caloric deficit. In addition, if you set up your diet intelligently from the beginning, most of these nuances are still not going to be an issue.

The Only Guaranteed Way to Lose Weight

At the end of the day, every successful diet is based around one simple concept — creating and maintaing a caloric deficit until you reach your desired weight.

Georgy Shpagin was right — complexity is easy; simplicity is difficult.

It’s easy to waste years of your life trying to lose weight with pseudoscientific fad diets, avoiding certain foods, and only letting yourself eat at certain times. It can be difficult to commit to a lower calorie diet.

Over the long-term, however, would you rather spin your wheels, living in frustration from never losing weight, or finally see the number on your bathroom scale drop?

If you want option two, listen to Shpagin. If you’ve been struggling to lose weight, create and maintain a caloric deficit.

Forget supplements.

Stop buying diet books.

Eat what makes you happy.

Ignore blogs and websites that offer fake solutions to fake problems.

Keep an honest record. Track your progress, count calories if necessary, at least to learn portion control until you start to lose weight.

Learn from people who know what they’re talking about. Read the work of Alan Aragon,Lyle McDonald, James Krieger, Brad Schoenfeld, Jamie Hale, Anthony Colpo, and others like them. They’ll make your weight loss efforts easier.

Start practicing Imprüvism — ignore what doesn’t work, find what does, and spend your time and energy on the latter.

Eat less + move more = lose weight.

It’s that simple.

Disclosures: None.

Source

AllMax Hexapro and Promax Pro Series Reviews

Coach Carter — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:32:23 +0000

AllMax’s Hexapro protein came in this month’s Muscle and Fitness sample pack. Flavor was in the form of Cookies and Cream which was amazing to say the least. I don’t think I have ever had mini cookie crisp/chunks in my shakes but it was a delightful surprise. Mixed very well. Taste was great, not overly powerful but bland. Price seems a bit high for an after workout shake in my opinion at just over a $1/serving, but that being that I take two servings so I tend to opt for the cheaper stuff. Has a blend of 6 different proteins and a blend of 5 Amino Acids. Overall I would definitely purchase for an in between meal shake.

Also coming in this month’s sample pack was the Promax Pro Series protein bar in the peanut butter crisp. Flavor was phenomenal is you are a peanut butter lover. Remind me of the Met-Rx peanut butter pretzel bar but that had actual pretzels on it which would grind into my mouth (not the best feeling). This bar didn’t do that but had the same great taste. Great mix of macronutrients which makes for a great meal replacement or snack between meals. At just over $2/bar, it comes in right around with what other products are charging. Sweetened with Stevia and gluten-free for those that look for that. Solid product.

AllMax’s MusclePrime and Forward Foods’ Detour Review

Coach Carter — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:17:20 +0000

AllMax’s MusclePrime came in the January sample pack from Muscle and Fitness. White Raspberry was the flavor included which was honestly quite good, powerful sweet flavor. I was a fan that it only took 4-6oz to mix a serving and you only needed to take one serving. Mixed OK, there was some unmixed at the top but nothing that couldn’t be washed down with a quick rinse. Didn’t get a crazy tingly feeling that I get from some preworkouts. Hit chest and it kept me energized throughout the whole workout with little to no crash afterwards. They actually list out what amounts are in each blend which helps transparency (creates a sense that they aren’t trying to hide anything). Overall great product, and at little less than a $1 per serving you can’t go wrong.

Forward Foods’ Detour Low Sugar Protein bar came in the December sample pack from Muscle and Fitness. Tested this out and was surprised because I don’t usually enjoy strawberry flavored things. This was a good blend and the flavor was not over powerful. Solid mix of macronutrients which makes for a good mid-day or post workout snack. There are two size bars 43g and 80g both of which offer great prices for what they offer. Great product in my opinion.

Muscle and Fitness Sample Pack: August

Coach Carter — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 02:32:56 +0000

About a month ago, I reach out to the Muscle and Fitness Sample Program to test out some new products. In the August pack I received all products that I had never tried before so I was pretty excited to test them out. The bulk of my review will come from the two new pre-workouts (PW) as those showed the most definitive results (tested them after a rest day).

First up was the MHP XFit trainer, which came with both Citrus Lime and Cranberry Orange flavor. Testing them out on two different weeks, I received similar results. Overall a good product, I have definitely had better results from other products, but I’ve definitely had worse also. Essentially, I break a PW into two factors, ability to get me pumped for the gym and the ability to sustain that energy throughout a workout. This did both. Mixes very well which seems to be an issue for some products. Tastes are great (Citrus Lime is not my thing but if you like that flavor it definite tastes that way). Price is a bit high for my taste but not outrageous, would like to see if last a few more days for it’s current price.

Next up was the Betancourt Bullnox in Fruit Punch. Taste was a bit strong but I often find that with the fruit punch flavors. I might go with Watermelon but again all preference. As far as the product effectiveness, definitely kept me pumped throughout the entire workout. I know people are more sensitive to Beta-Alanine than others but I don’t tend to be that way. That being said, my downfall with this might be the dose of Beta-Alanine as I was fairly tingly to start my workout. The other downfall would be the huge proprietary blend (though it doesn’t seem to have much filler). But you can’t really say what is working for you when 94% of the ingredients come under one value. Price however does come in right around where I like it ($1 per serving).

Up next is the Gaspari Nutrition Anavite, a multivitamin. While I have no opinions on how well it works, is quite tough in my opinion, I will speak on the actual ingredients. It does combine all the main vitamins for muscle growth, that I have read (Vitamin A,B,C,D,E,K, Biotin). Solid product, a bit high on price for my taste. My recommendation would be to pair this with a generic multivitamin and take a dose of each, each day to make it last.

There was also a weight loss complex in there but I don’t need to do that so I did not take it.

Review of Citedel Nutrition’s Tier 1

Coach Carter — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 03:02:49 +0000

I came across Citadel Nutrition from a Facebook post by a local fitness source; so I figured I’d do some snooping around and see what they were all about. If you have a minute definitely go over to their page (http://citadelnutrition.com) and check out their story. In short they are basically bringing pre-workout (soon to be protein and hopefully more) back to the basics. The no BS, bottom line ingredients that give you the boost you need. Tier 1 is the quality, proven ingredients you need with essentially total transparency of what is in the bottle.

Now let’s get down to how to the product itself. Mixes great, taste great and last but not least performs awesome. No lumps or clumps found in this lemon drink (lemon taste is not over powering or under flavored). Got home from work tired and exhausted but no fear, downed some Tier 1 and hit the weights. One scoop kept me energized, alert and lifting heavy throughout the entire workout.

So if you’re like me and always pondered what the million ingredients were in my pre-workout and if they even helped, Tier 1 is here to blow that smoke out the window. Quality ingredients that matter and at a cost of less than $1 per serving, you can’t go wrong.

Enough With the Bullshitting

Coach Carter — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:03:30 +0000

Great article by Tim Fleck, the owner and coach at CrossFit St. Cloud:

OK, I’ll put you on notice right now. You do have time to work out. For all of you out there that do workout – and by that I mean extended and vigorous physical exercise several times a week- regardless if it’s CrossFit or something else – I apologize, but I’m tired of hearing people, say that they “…are just too busy, I don’t have time to spare to work out!” This is usually accompanied with a long drawn-out breath an eye roll and a guilty smile. Apparently this is supposed to prevent one from thinking: You are full of shit.It’s an invitation to join with them in the delusion that these decisions don’t have consequences.

I heard this excuse the other day, something inside my head went, click and it came out; “That’s bullshit,” I said. “It’s a choice you’re making. You decided that something other than your health was more important.” That person doesn’t talk to me anymore.

And before you say it, yes, I did attempt to explain it in milder, gentler terms; this decision is an important life-effecting choice. You have to find time, the desire to change must come from within, not imposed from outside, I did the whole namaste thing on their ass.

But let’s be honest, it’s just pure bullshit. Would you drive around in your car with the check engine light on for months? Do you take a 6 week hiatus from brushing your teeth because it’s “The Holidays” and you’re so “stressed out”? Well maybe you do. I hope you don’t. The thing is, it will catch up to you. Do you have time in your busy life to get sick? How about a debilitating illness? Diabetes perhaps? Heart disease? Not living to see your kids grow up?

Busy at work? Based on personal experience with the dying, and this report, those people on their death beds never say “”Gee, I wish I had spent more time at the office.” Did you watch TV last night? How long? Thirty minutes? Sixty? Was that episode of How I Met Your Mother worth a chance to improve your health? You had time. Did you text with friends for 15 or 20 minutes several times today? You had time. Hell, you could have invited them over for a workout together and like, talked to each other face to face. Wow. Gaming? The Internet? Please, God make me stop before I launch into a real rant.

Guess what? If you don’t make time for fitness and healthy living, a lack or fitness, injury, sickness or disease will force an outcome upon you not to your liking or perhaps not one that you survive. The good thing is, this is mainly a choice within your conscious control. Your genetics (good and bad) are your potential, not a definite outcome.

This aforementioned individual got defensive and said I had a “superiority complex” and that I thought I was better than they were. Issues of human value aside I said, that by empirical standards, I was superior; I’m stronger, more flexible, more powerful, I have a higher vertical jump. my VO2 max is definitely better (this person smokes) I’m more resilient to injury, I have a stronger immune system, more lean muscle mass and lower body fat. My blood pressure is lower than it was in my late 20′s and I sleep like a baby. Statistically my chances of needing long-term or emergency medical care are substantially lower, which impacts costs to everyone. My insurance premium costs are lower too. After that, this person couldn’t think of anything to counter my slightly ticked-off logic with, they called me a name I won’t mention here and walked away.

Full disclosure here. This is a hot button issue for me. My dad died a needless early death at age 70 from Type II diabetes-related causes because he choose not to take care of himself. It required him to modify his diet, lose weight and exercise so he could stick around to love his wife, travel, tell his great stories and watch his grandkids grow up. In not doing so he managed to die in the early morning hours of my 36th birthday. See, decisions do have consequences.

I don’t hold any illusions about getting everyone to workout, eat right, live healthier, I know the truth is this shit is hard. It requires real effort. Discipline, commitment and drive. Most people are not willing to do it; there are too many cop-outs available, too many ways to slack off. But it doesn’t mean that youdear reader, have to be one of them.

So enough with the bullshit excuses: Sickness, injury, diminished lifespan - or vigorous health, fitness and longevity?

It’s your choice. I’m on my way into the gym to train people who want to live. Meet me there today.

You have the time.

Source: CrossFit St. Cloud

Review of BSN’s N.O. Xplode 2.0

Coach Carter — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:43:42 +0000

I have tried a few different pre-workout supplements all of which had their ups and downs. This is a fairly new formula of this product which has been around for quite some time. As far as doing what it is supposed to do with getting you pumped and mental focused for the gym, I would say that it does just that. I come home from work (tired) and take this and am ready get in a good solid workout. This feeling last throughout the time I am at the gym, roughly 60 minutes. I have definitely seen an increase in vascularity since taking this product also. I am always skeptical about what products actually do and what is just in my mind, but in the end this is a solid product. Combined with a solid routine this product will leave you happy with the purchase.

*Great Taste (I’ve tried Watermelon and Orange)
*Mixes Well
*Gets you focused and pumped up
*No significant crash
*Decently priced

*Again everyone’s body handles supplements differently, if you are unsure order smaller sizes to test it out. Also your body will become used to products such as these, so it is always a good idea to switch it up every now and then.

Check out more here: http://www.bsnonline.net/details/noxplode.html
and http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bsn/xplode.html

YouTube Channel

Coach Carter — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:39:16 +0000

Currently in the works but mostly using this as a source of gathering good videos form the depths of youtube. Will feature video playlists of motivational content to training videos (mostly volleyball as that is what I am coaching currently). Is a work in progress, more to come.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BreakToBuildFitness/videos

Keeping the Fire Alive

Coach Carter — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:08:17 +0000

America’s Top Fitness Model Greg Plitt Explodes Onto SimplyShredded Via 5 Part Video Interview. This is Part 5 on keeping your fire alive:

Highly recommend watching the 4 other parts of this interview.

Source: Simply Shredded