Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Be Willing To Try Different Bodybuilding Strategies

By Skip La Cour
Six-Time National Champion Bodybuilder
Success and Leadership Coach

Sometimes You'll Have to Take Some Chances to Get to the Next Level

I'm amazed by the number of bodybuilders who do the same old things week after week; month after month; and year after year (if they last that long)—but expect to produce superior results to the ones they've achieved in the past. Although they are familiar and comfortable with what they are doing, how much sense does this make? How can anyone realistically expect a significantly better outcome if the factors contributing to that outcome are the same?

I know there is a saying that goes “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.” But you'll never make the adjustments you'll need to make for improvement if you are not willing to try different strategies.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you try new strategies just for the sake of doing so. But if you are not completely satisfied with the results you are getting and you want to make improvements, you may need to modify your plan-of-attack to one or more aspects of your bodybuilding efforts such as training, cardiovascular training, nutrition, supplementation, or your mental approach.

I'm not talking about making wholesale changes to your entire approach to bodybuilding and training. Sometimes, all it takes to propel yourself to a higher level is making a few slight adjustments to one or two areas. Drastic changes are only needed if you are experiencing miserable results and are desperate for improvements. That probably isn't the case in your situation. You're probably doing quite well—but you want to do even better! Does that sound like you? That was certainly my situation during this past year.

I'm not suggesting that just because you try a different strategy you'll automatically see improvements. Unfortunately, there's nothing in life that guarantees success. But if you are committed to making gains, you are going to have to take some chances. The trick is to use intelligence and critical thinking when implementing those new strategies.

There will be times that you discover that the new strategy that you've adopted will not lead to the improvements you had hoped for. Unfortunately, that's just part of the learning process. There have been many times when I optimistically tried a new dieting or training strategy that only put me backwards. However, I have always learned some valuable lesson from my experiences. That's just part of the price you must pay to continually take your training and physique to higher levels of development.

Take Action and Do This NOW!

Doing things the way you've always been doing them will not get you to that next level you desire. Just because you are experiencing good results now doesn't mean you can't get even better results in less time and effort. The bottom line is that you'll have to keep an open mind to new information and try different strategies from time to time if you want better results.

===================================
Resources That Will Take Your Efforts to the Next Level!
===================================

Get the THE TOTAL PACKAGE!
Skip La Cour's ENTIRE COLLECTION for at a TREMENDOUS SAVINGS!

All of Skip La Cour's DVDs, EBooks (on CD), and Audio Seminar Courses (that you see below)

Regular Price: over $799.87

Special Price ONLY $499.97
You Save over $300!

Click Here and Order NOW!

=====================================

Complete DVD And Book Library Special
Over 20 Hours of Video Footage and Over 1,900 Pages of Powerful Information All for One Special LOW PRICE!

DVDs
*Packing On Muscle!
*Mass Machine II
*Mass Machine
*Success Is A Planned Event
*Live! Seminar
*Dare to Dream!
*Bodybuilding & Training
*BLUEPRINT Seminar DVD
PLUS 10 books on CD

FREE SHIPPING! FREE Signed 8x10 Photo! FREE Lifetime Members Only Website Access!

Regular Price for All Titles is $419.92 (Plus S&H)
SALE PRICE $299.99
You Save Over $120

Click Here and Order NOW!

=====================================

Learn to WIN from a Six-Time National Champion and Success Coach with
Skip La Cour's Audio Seminar Courses
Place your order NOW, get the mp3 sound files and PDF file Workbooks, and start your journey toward MASTERY today!

Bodybuilding & Training MASTERY: Step-By-Step
"The Mindset and Actions of a Champion"
(Over 13 hours plus Workbooks)
Learn How to WIN in Your Training, Nutrition, and Mental Habits and Earn the Body You Really Want with This Step-By-Step Course!

Everyday Low Price: $99.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

ULTIMATE Bodybuilding Contest Preparation
(Over 11 1/2 hours plus Workbooks)
Learn all of the SECRETS on How to Become a Bodybuilding Champion On Stage FROM a Bodybuilding Champion with This Step-By-Step Course!

Everyday Low Price: $149.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

MANformation's Alpha Male Leadership Skills
"The Mindset and Actions of a Powerful Alpha Male Leader"
(Over 11 1/2 hours plus Workbooks)
Start Leading and Stop Following! Learn How to Lead Your Own Life--and Lead Others!

Everyday Low Price: $99.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

The Business of Bodybuilding and Fitness: How to Earn Cash From Your Passion!
(10 hours plus Workbooks)
Specific Strategies That Will Teach How YOU Can Earn Cash from Your Passion for Bodybuilding and Fitness—No Matter What Level You Are At Now!

Everyday Low Price: $149.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

Copyright 2009 Skip La Cour Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Just Relax—and You'll Successfully Make It Through Any Bodybuilding Challenge

By Skip La Cour
Six-Time National Champion Bodybuilder
Success and Leadership Coach


Working past your setbacks with confidence is critical to your progress.

No matter what you've accomplished in the past, developing the certainty and confidence needed to take your past achievements and build upon them can be challenging. Believe me, everyone battles with self-doubt from time to time. This angst we feel inside can tempt you to settle for the level of development you've already achieved. In fear, you may want to "cash in you chips" so to speak and make yourself believe you're satisfied with where you are right now.

But settling isn't going to get you to that higher level. And, because you are a person who would even take the time to read this post, I don't believe you'll be satisfied until you make improvements—no matter how hard you try to convince yourself that what you've done in the past is "good enough."

In order to gain the certainty and confidence to take your efforts to a higher level, you must learn how to effectively deal with the angst going on inside your head.

Control your emotions.

First of all, you need to realize that you are not alone. Even the greatest champions question their abilities from time to time. Fear is an emotion even the people who are the best at what they do face on a continual basis. Being fearful from time to time comes with the territory when demanding yourself to constantly improve. As a matter of fact, fear most likely creeps into the mindset of highly successful people even more than it does for the average person because of the risks they are more willing to take to achieve success. So, if you are fearful to push yourself beyond what you might be capable of pulling off on occasion, join the club! You're in good company.

Courage is the character quality that will overcome fear and angst. Successful people instinctively and immediately exhibit the courage the instant fear creeps into their psyche. But courage is an acquired skill—just like strength in the gym and endurance while doing cardiovascular training. The only way to develop courage is by using it. The only way to make courage a prominent part of your character is by using it often.

Take Action and Do This NOW!

Whatever you do, resist the temptation to rationalize and make excuses when things don't happen the way you want. Don't let fear, angst and disappointment—instead of courage—dictate what you expect out of your life. Don't let rationalization—instead of courage—become what you call upon when fear presents itself.

We can become our own worst enemies when we experience stagnation and setbacks, can't we? Sometimes, you have to focus on what you want rather than worrying about what you don't want.

If you're determined to achieve great gains, you will undoubtedly face self-doubt along the way—and that's okay. Control your emotions. Deal with the angst inside. Face your fears head-on and muster up the courage to overcome them.

===================================
Resources That Will Take Your Efforts to the Next Level!
===================================

Get the THE TOTAL PACKAGE!
Skip La Cour's ENTIRE COLLECTION for at a TREMENDOUS SAVINGS!

All of Skip La Cour's DVDs, EBooks (on CD), and Audio Seminar Courses (that you see below)

Regular Price: over $799.87

Special Price ONLY $499.97
You Save over $300!

Click Here and Order NOW!

=====================================

Complete DVD And Book Library Special
Over 20 Hours of Video Footage and Over 1,900 Pages of Powerful Information All for One Special LOW PRICE!

DVDs
*Packing On Muscle!
*Mass Machine II
*Mass Machine
*Success Is A Planned Event
*Live! Seminar
*Dare to Dream!
*Bodybuilding & Training
*BLUEPRINT Seminar DVD
PLUS 10 books on CD

FREE SHIPPING! FREE Signed 8x10 Photo! FREE Lifetime Members Only Website Access!

Regular Price for All Titles is $419.92 (Plus S&H)
SALE PRICE $299.99
You Save Over $120

Click Here and Order NOW!

=====================================

Learn to WIN from a Six-Time National Champion and Success Coach with
Skip La Cour's Audio Seminar Courses
Place your order NOW, get the mp3 sound files and PDF file Workbooks, and start your journey toward MASTERY today!

Bodybuilding & Training MASTERY: Step-By-Step
"The Mindset and Actions of a Champion"
(Over 13 hours plus Workbooks)
Learn How to WIN in Your Training, Nutrition, and Mental Habits and Earn the Body You Really Want with This Step-By-Step Course!

Everyday Low Price: $99.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

ULTIMATE Bodybuilding Contest Preparation
(Over 11 1/2 hours plus Workbooks)
Learn all of the SECRETS on How to Become a Bodybuilding Champion On Stage FROM a Bodybuilding Champion with This Step-By-Step Course!

Everyday Low Price: $149.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

MANformation's Alpha Male Leadership Skills
"The Mindset and Actions of a Powerful Alpha Male Leader"
(Over 11 1/2 hours plus Workbooks)
Start Leading and Stop Following! Learn How to Lead Your Own Life--and Lead Others!

Everyday Low Price: $99.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

The Business of Bodybuilding and Fitness: How to Earn Cash From Your Passion!
(10 hours plus Workbooks)
Specific Strategies That Will Teach How YOU Can Earn Cash from Your Passion for Bodybuilding and Fitness—No Matter What Level You Are At Now!

Everyday Low Price: $149.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

Copyright 2009 Skip La Cour Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

You May Not Be Doing Yourself Any Favors With That Low Carb Diet!

By Skip La Cour
Six-Time National Champion Bodybuilder
Success and Leadership Coach


Many Bodybuilders Don't Eat the Carbohydrates Their Bodies Need And Mistakenly Believe They Are Doing Themselves a Favor

This challenge happens when bodybuilders go overboard eliminating carbohydrates that will help the muscle-building process.

Here's the challenge:

“I'm trying to lose body fat so I'm restricting my carbohydrates down to almost zero. The only problems is that I think I'm losing a lot of muscle”

Many bodybuilders who are trying to lose body fat choose to go on extremely low carbohydrate diets. Low-carbohydrate diets can help you shed body fat. There's no doubt about it. They are effective because low-carb diets can create a deficit between the calories you eat versus the calories you burn every day. That's the key to losing body weight.

Unfortunately, some of the weight you lose on a low-carbohydrate diet will include some of the muscle you've worked so hard to put on—and not only unwanted body fat. You may not be satisfied with how much muscle you need to sacrifice on your way to dumping your fat. You can improve your muscle loss to fat loss ratio simply by making a few minor adjustments to your nutritional habits.

In the past, I too was a big advocate of low-carbohydrate diets. They helped me get ripped--but they didn't help me protect the muscle I had and you can forget about them helping me effectively build more muscle. A more efficient approach to dieting could have helped me get just as lean and assist in preserving and building muscle at the same time.

Drastically reducing the amount of carbohydrates you eat may not be as critical to losing body fat as you might think. In fact, eliminating carbohydrates at important times of the day may prevent you from putting on as much muscle as you are capable of packing-on.

Carbohydrates serve as an essential part in the muscle-building process. Instead of trying to eliminate carbohydrates altogether, you should make sure you are eating the right types of carbohydrates at the right times of day.

I never realized how important eating the right carbohydrates at the right times of the day was to my muscle-building and muscle-preserving efforts. However, I evolved into an “efficient” eater. I learned to eat the right foods at the right times.

Take Action and Do This NOW!

As I previously mentioned, when I started consuming high-glycemic carbohydrates before and immediately after my workouts, I began to build and preserve more muscle. I didn't avoid the fat-burning glucose type of carbohydrates like I did in the past. “Sugary” or glucose types of carbohydrates are supposed to be bad for you as a bodybuilder, right? That's what I've read. How about you?

Those high-glycemic, glucose carbohydrates were in my pre-workout and post-workout meals. Eating this type of carbohydrate at these times spiked my insulin levels and helped to force the much-needed protein I ate with them into the muscles.

When you are outside of a three-hour period of time outside your workouts, the you want to limit your carbohydrates to the ones that fall into the low glycemic index.

Vegetables are a great source of these types of carbohydrates. The great thing is that you can eat as much as you want. If I had anything close to resembling a “secret weapon” that I could offer in terms of nutritional practices, it would be to eat as many vegetables as humanly possible every day.

Besides providing an excellent, sustained source of energy, these fibrous carbohydrates allow me to eat a larger amount of food by volume than starchy carbohydrates (such as rice, pasta, potatoes, etc.) and do so with a fewer number of calories.

Eating vegetables gives me more "bang for my buck" so to speak. I can practically eat as many vegetables as I wish during a meal and easily stay within my allowed daily caloric intake. The ability to eat more food by volume is a huge mental benefit when I'm forced to restrict my daily calorie consumption in an effort to lose excess body fat. Just about all the calories in the vegetables you eat are negated by the work it takes your body to digest them. The opposite is true when eating starchy carbohydrates. A person must be very careful not to include too many calories in starchy carbohydrates in his or her diet—which is not hard to do.

Because of the low glycemic value in vegetables, my insulin levels are managed much more efficiently than when I eat starchy carbohydrates. That means fewer "up and downs" in my energy levels, fewer mood swings, and less chance for excess calories I may eat to be stored as unwanted body fat.

Eating vegetables also slows down the digestive process. Slowing down the digestive process will ensure that my body efficiently utilizes the precious protein I eat and depend on to repair and build muscle tissue.

I'll be the first one to admit that eating vegetables is not nearly as satisfying as eating a delicious bowl of rice or oatmeal. But after taking the time to wean myself off those starchy carbohydrates, I hardly notice the difference.

Although some people believe fresh vegetables are best for you, don't be afraid to take advantage of the convenience of frozen vegetables. There is only a slight difference in the nutritional values of frozen vegetables versus fresh ones. They are definitely easier to prepare and are relatively inexpensive. Busy people just don't have time to clean and cut fresh vegetables. Instead of excluding these important foods, just take them out of the freezer and put them into your food container before you leave for work. By the time of your mid-morning meal, they should be thawed. If you have access to a microwave, delicious hot veggies will be ready to eat in only a few minutes.

===================================
Resources That Will Take Your Efforts to the Next Level!
===================================

Get the THE TOTAL PACKAGE!
Skip La Cour's ENTIRE COLLECTION for at a TREMENDOUS SAVINGS!

All of Skip La Cour's DVDs, EBooks (on CD), and Audio Seminar Courses (that you see below)

Regular Price: over $799.87

Special Price ONLY $499.97
You Save over $300!

Click Here and Order NOW!

=====================================

Complete DVD And Book Library Special
Over 20 Hours of Video Footage and Over 1,900 Pages of Powerful Information All for One Special LOW PRICE!

DVDs
*Packing On Muscle!
*Mass Machine II
*Mass Machine
*Success Is A Planned Event
*Live! Seminar
*Dare to Dream!
*Bodybuilding & Training
*BLUEPRINT Seminar DVD
PLUS 10 books on CD

FREE SHIPPING! FREE Signed 8x10 Photo! FREE Lifetime Members Only Website Access!

Regular Price for All Titles is $419.92 (Plus S&H)
SALE PRICE $299.99
You Save Over $120

Click Here and Order NOW!

=====================================

Learn to WIN from a Six-Time National Champion and Success Coach with
Skip La Cour's Audio Seminar Courses
Place your order NOW, get the mp3 sound files and PDF file Workbooks, and start your journey toward MASTERY today!

Bodybuilding & Training MASTERY: Step-By-Step
"The Mindset and Actions of a Champion"
(Over 13 hours plus Workbooks)
Learn How to WIN in Your Training, Nutrition, and Mental Habits and Earn the Body You Really Want with This Step-By-Step Course!

Everyday Low Price: $99.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

ULTIMATE Bodybuilding Contest Preparation
(Over 11 1/2 hours plus Workbooks)
Learn all of the SECRETS on How to Become a Bodybuilding Champion On Stage FROM a Bodybuilding Champion with This Step-By-Step Course!

Everyday Low Price: $149.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

MANformation's Alpha Male Leadership Skills
"The Mindset and Actions of a Powerful Alpha Male Leader"
(Over 11 1/2 hours plus Workbooks)
Start Leading and Stop Following! Learn How to Lead Your Own Life--and Lead Others!

Everyday Low Price: $99.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

The Business of Bodybuilding and Fitness: How to Earn Cash From Your Passion!
(10 hours plus Workbooks)
Specific Strategies That Will Teach How YOU Can Earn Cash from Your Passion for Bodybuilding and Fitness—No Matter What Level You Are At Now!

Everyday Low Price: $149.97
Click Here NOW for More Information

=====================================

Copyright 2009 Skip La Cour Consulting. All Rights Reserved.