May 2009

Protein Reviews

As I stated earlier, I use At Large Nutrition's  Nitrean and Opticen for my protein supplementation. Let me say up front that they are supplements not replacements for real food protein. While I try to get the majority of my protein from real food sources, time and sometimes cost affect my real food sources. I have tried many protein powders, trying to go cost effective and to find a blend that contains both fast acting proteins and slow acting proteins. Since I am now loyal to AT LARGE , I will not be posting links to the other brands.

EAS Premium Protein. This was the first protein powder I ever tried. It is a great buy coming in at $27-$36 for a six pound bag, depending on which store you buy from. The vanilla was okay flavor wise, nothing to get excited about. Since it was the first I had tried, it took some getting used to. It mixed well in a shaker cup or blender but was awful to mix in a cup with a spoon. This is a simple whey protein. While it is a great buy, the zavascale only issues it a B-

ON Procomplex - A blend of multiple milk based proteins, this powder had one of the better flavors ( I like the Vanilla flavor). If you go to their website you can find all the macro information. Procomplex mixed well even with a spoon, with only minor clumping. On the zavascale Procomplex earns an A

Dymatize 12 hour Elite -This protein is also a winner on the price scale. It is a whey/cassein blend, which is what I prefer. I tried the Fudge Brownie flavor first. I opened the container to smell brownie mix type smells. I smelled great, my mouth watered, then I tasted it. The smell and taste did not match. It was ...well... one of the worst things I have ever tasted. I used it for a few weeks, not wanting to waste, but finally gave the remainder away. It gave me horrible protein gas and left the oddest after taste in my mouth, kind of like a metal taste. This earned a D on the zavascale.

Syntrax Nectar - My son has never been able to tolerate or like milk. He will eat some ice creams and cheese, but even those are limited. As an ectomorph, he is needs more protein in his diet as he is trying to gain. I am turning to the nectar line to help. We purchased the Roadside Lemonade flavor. Upon opening it the smell of a Lemon Cake or Icing comes out. Do not expect a lemonade look, remember this is a whey product. It is thicker and more opaque than lemonade. The taste is okay, mildly lemon and hardly any whey flavor. I would use it as a snack occasionally. Personally I would not use it for my primary protein, especially since I like blends. If you are looking for a flavor with less of a milk product taste, you should look into the Nectar line. On the zavascale Nectar earns an A-

I will do a full write up on Nitrean and Opticen in coming days. They have earned A+ on the zavascale and I want to be able to tell you why I like them so much. Look for this upcoming article.

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange

*Originally published in This Week Magazine. Later printed in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.

A great quote and a link

"When the Lord turns the light strong upon us, we soon see the spots in our raiment. How shall an unholy God send out unholy messengers? An unsanctified minister is an unsent minister. An unholy missionary is a pest to the tribe he visits. An unholy teacher is an injury rather than a blessing to his students."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

What is God seeing as He shines His light upon you?

Here is another article to check out. Staying Ripped 

Helps on various exercises

I am always trying to figure out how to train more effectively. Form is more important than weight, especially if you are wanting to avoid injury. Here are a couple of links.

Charles Staley on Squats 

Plank Progressions for Killer Abs 

Exercise Directory 

Planks

On of the most popular and seemingly easy exercises for the abs is the plank. I have to admit that I had little trouble starting this movement. As you will see in this ARTICLE , how little do I know.

Interesting Articles

Here are a few links to some interesting health related articles.

When building muscle, testosterone is an important subject. Here is an article by Dr. Jeff Volek 

Here is a link to the routine I have been using the past month. Baby Got Back 

For those of you doing NROL or NROLW, here is a link to a forum that is NROL Specific 

I recommend At Large Nutrition's  Nitrean for protein supplementation.

A pleasant Surprise

I ran my desire to get a personal trainer certification by my wife, expecting to get some questions, concerns and poo poos. I was surprised that she was not against it. She was concerned about where I would train folks and possible compromising situations. Not thrilled with the idea that I might work with "gym bunnies." Legitimate concerns.

My desire is not to work with the fit people, but with those who are not fit but want to be. After beginning my journey, I have become burdened for those who are over weight and needing help to get in shape. I think the greater challenge is to take lump of clay and mold it into a beautiful sculpture than to take a beautiful sculpture and tweak it up a bit. I want the satisfaction of being able to look at the smile on someone's face when they look in the mirror and say, "is that really me?" To me, that is a challenge I want to handle.

Ministry and Training

I have been thinking a lot lately about my training and ministry. I look out each Sunday and see scads of people suffering from all sorts of ailments, struggling with issues related to their weight. I see people wrestling with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic back pain, and a host of other issues. The Scriptures talk to us very clearly about our spiritual health but often seems cloudy when it comes to our phsyical health.

I have come to see an entirely new area of ministry I have never considered before. We talk about wholistic ministry, ministry dealing with the whole person, but often mean by that phrase, parenting skills or dating skills. What if we began "whole life" training? A focus on living out what Paul writes: 1Co 9:27* But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. Training God's people to take care of the Temple of God, that they might glorify Him and expand the Kingdom of God? I am not talking about "new age" techniques or "yoga" classes, but physical and nutritional training with a strong spiritual influence.... Just a thought.