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What about Genetic Differences in Performance?

November 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
These are some of the very first Venus Transformation contest winners ever. They trusted John and Brad back in the day.

These are some of the very first Venus Transformation contest winners ever. They trusted John and Brad back in the day. They each have their own unique genetics and nothing stopped them from becoming their best.

 

You can achieve your best regardless of your genetics.

These are some of the very first Venus Transformation contest winners ever. They trusted John and Brad back in the day. They each have their own unique genetics and nothing stopped them from becoming their best.  John Barban and Brad Pilon learned from the trials and errors of these girls struggles to lose fat and build their best shape.

The experiences and data collected on these first contest winners, along with those of us in the subsequent transformation contests and other research enabled John to develop a new diet protocol called the “The 12 week Undulating Metabolic Override Program”.

The protocol included in the Venus Factor 12-week Fat Loss System is designed to help prevent “crashing” and allow your body some recovery from a calorie deficit, teach your body to become efficient at utilizing protein for muscle repair and recovery, and to teach your body to become more efficient at burning carbohydrates.

The secret to the Venus Factor is the magic of the support community along with hormone research and the experiences of those who succeeded and sustained their fitness level.

The secret to the Venus Factor is the magic of the support community along with hormone research and the experiences of those who succeeded and sustained their fitness level.

What about genetic differences in performance?

  • There is research to show genetic differences effect performance.
  • We constantly compare ourselves with others in the gym and watching sports events.
  • We can’t help doing that, but you should at least try and compare yourself to someone of very similar genetics.
  • Genetics play a huge role in success; it plays a bigger role than anyone ever wanted to admit.
  • It doesn’t mean you are not a good person or equally of value as a human if you don’t have specific genetic gifts.
  • It doesn’t seem fair. No matter how hard you practice you won’t be the same as someone who is truly gifted.  Life is not fair. 
  • If everything was equal the person who did the best hardest work wins.  This is not what happens. Genetics plays the bigger role.
  • We are all unique.
  • But at the same time genetics should not be a reason to not work hard to be your best.
  • It is not an excuse to not work hard to achieve your best.  As far as performances compare yourself to your own performance; improve yourself.
  • What you can achieve?
  • Knowing about genetics is great way to understand what other people have achieved.
  • John and Brad go into great detail into how genetics affect various sports. 
  • It does not always mean if you train harder you will get the same results as someone else.
  • It does not mean you should give up training.
  • Everyone is capable of change.
  • Don’t base any of your metrics on performance.
  • All that matters is your own results.
  • How you respond to exercise and diet is unique to you.   You can try things that others do, but it does not mean it will work for you. Also what works for you will change over time. You will have to experiment to find what works for you.

John gives a long explanation about how genetics affect certain sports – I almost spit out my coffee on my screen!

Oh my gosh I never knew! When John described specifically what on the body makes a good runner I almost spit my coffee out all over my screen.  Why?  Because I’ve spent over 30 years trying to be good runner and I am completely the opposite of what makes a good runner.  The good news is that it does not really matter.  I always concentrated on merely improving my own PR (Personal Record).

Once after my dear husband Randy was my “support team” for a 50 mile race he said it was funny to see me during various parts of the race.  I didn’t look like anyone else there, I was short and stocky, with thick limbs, totally the opposite of what John describes in the podcast, even for what makes a good runner in the hot climate.  It was so crazy to learn this today.

It makes me realize that I’ve always done well with running in spite of having the completely wrong genetics for good performance.  Even when I was slightly over weight I typically placed in most races in the top 1/3.  There were even a few times when I placed in the top three for my age group, and twice in my life I placed first overall (in smaller races).  I love running and I still do.  So having the completely wrong genetics didn’t stop me from achieving my best and enjoying a sport that I love.

Once I did the Venus workout system for awhile I found that it improved my running performance.  Earlier this year, at age 52, I completed my best PR for the half marathon and a then two months later I got a first place for my age group the Komen Rock The Race Sacramento 2013 5k.  I still very much enjoy the sport of running.

 

My own genetic experiment

Brad talks for a moment about the nature vs. nurture controversy.  Not by choice but I have had a chance to see a bit about what can happen a lot with nature vs. nurture in my own life.  I have an identical twin and we are both nearly 53 years old now.  I mentioned a bit about my upbringing and showed a picture of my twin and I when we were little girls in “Ten Thousand Ways that Won’t Work“.

My twin and I have not lived together since we were eleven years old.  We have taken two very different paths in life.  Since we have identical genetics we can both look at each other and it’s like looking in the mirror and seeing what could have been if we each made different lifestyle choices.  It gives us each a very unique perspective.

My identical twin and I were 21 years old in this picture. Only about 50% of my friends are able to guess which is me.

My identical twin and I were 21 years old in this picture. Only about 50% of my friends are able to guess which is me.

 

You can change your shape.  You can achieve your dream.  You can affect many things that you have control over.  You can build muscle.  You can lose fat.  You do not have to accept where you are.  You do not have to accept being over weight or obesity, regardless of your age or the amount of body fat you have at the moment.  At some point you may have to accept certain genetic limitations, but you will never know until you try.

There are no athletes in my family.  There was no example for me to see what I could achieve for myself.  I always suspected I might have some athletic ability.  There were a couple of times when I was young when I came close, but no where near what I achieved after finding the Venus Factor at age 50.

It wasn’t until I strove for the Venus Ideal and learned the truth about my nutritional needs that I far surpassed what I ever dreamed possible for myself.  At almost 53 years old I believe I have now reached my genetic potential.  Now I’m working just to stay healthy, functional, have a good quality of life (as much as in my control), and to keep a shape that I feel good about in my every day life.  I am enjoying the Venus lifestyle very much and I have maintained my level of fitness for several years now.  I’m still pretty darn happy about that.

-Ro

 

Find out what John and Brad have to say about Genetic Differences in Performance:

IMMERSION Clients May Login and Download Podcast Here

Not a Venus Index IMMERSION client? Click here to find out more…

 

Filed Under: Muscle Growth, Podcast, Uncategorized, Uncensored Podcasts S03 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Having Trouble Getting Motivated or Started On Your Fitness Routine? Here’s How To Get Going.

October 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Here’s the next episode of the UNCENSORED Podcasts Season 3.

 

The contest winners didn't have all the answers. They still don't. They took steps moving forward and kept going, and they are still moving forward.

The contest winners didn’t have all the answers. They still don’t. They took steps moving forward and kept going, and they are still moving forward today.

Having trouble getting motivated or started on your fitness routine?

Whether you are just getting started, or getting back into your routine after a break, it’s hard to get started.

It feels overwhelming.

You can read online all day long about all the ways people did it successfully and it seems  overwhelming.  Sometimes it’s a case of fear of failure or just a case of analysis paralysis.

 

Some days it is a heroic act just to refuse the paralysis of fear and straighten up and step into another day.

Edward Albert

 

Not enough time?

Not motivated?

The goal is to just fit it in.  Do something.  Walk, pushups, chair squats.

Anything is better than nothing.  A little something is forward motion.

Does not have to be complicated.

John and Brad give you some ideas for getting started in today’s podcast.

 

IMMERSION Clients May Login and Download Podcast Here

Not a Venus Index IMMERSION client? Click here to find out more…

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Another Venus and Adonis Power Couple; Lourdes and James

October 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Today we are honored to listen to Lourdes Cota who placed thrid in the Eighth Venus Index Transformation Contest.

Lourdes got the fitness level she always wanted at age 47.

Lourdes got the fitness level she always wanted at age 47.

 

Lourdes before and after the contest.

Lourdes before and after the contest.

 

Changing your body composition at age 47 is no trivial task, especially for a female.

Changing your body composition at age 47 is no trivial task, especially for a female.

 

Lourdes health issues motivated her to get fit. And she did a phenomenal job!

Lourdes health issues motivated her to get fit. And she did a phenomenal job!

 

Read what Lourdes wrote about her experience with the Venus Factor:

 

A little about me, I am a 47 year old, single mother, with two wonderful kids. I work a full time job as a Quality control engineer and try to take life one day at a time. I started working out 4 years ago, but had a scary incident occur when I passed out during one of my workouts.

Opening my eyes and having strangers standing around me, with no understanding as to what had just happened was extremely frightening. Upon visiting my doctor, I was told that I had Bradycardia, or in layman’s terms, a slow heartbeat.

To combat the Bradycardia, I had to have surgery where a doctor surgically implanted a pacemaker under my skin, on the left side of my chest, just below the collarbone.

As you can imagine, having to have a pacemaker implanted in your body, connected to your heart, makes you think about life, your future, your health, your children and my list of concerns went on and on. Not to mention, the visible scar is a constant reminder. All of this was very overwhelming and I became very cautious in everything I did.

Armed with a basic understanding of the fundamentals of wellness and their value in living a long life, I always ate high quality nutritious foods, as such I was relatively thin. But, also knowing my cardiovascular system needed attention, especially now, I tried to push my fears aside and began exercising again.

To be honest, some days, just getting in to the car was a challenge, as I was fearful that I would have a repeat of the day I passed out.

For many years I went to the gym, only going through the motions, lifting the same (way too light) amount of weight, doing the same (non-challenging) exercises, the same (boring) cardio, all in the same order, day in and day out. UGH!!!!!

Upon meeting my boyfriend James Tonda, (who introduced me to the Venus Index) he observed my angst about the many things I listed previously.

After learning of my condition, he explained to me that Bradycardia is not considered dangerous and that quite often athletes have Bradycardia just from working out as hard as they do. He explained that the heart, much like the rest of our body can adapt to exercise stress and a fit persons heart doesn’t have to work as hard as say someone who is out of shape or not as fit, thus creating a lower pulse.

To say I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of me is an understatement. Finally, I was seeing a beacon of light that all of my panic was unwarranted and I could safely start living my life again!

Upon getting back to the gym, after the many years of redundant, non-challenging workouts, I expressed my frustration that my body just doesn’t seem to respond to exercise, even though I went to the gym regularly.

Well, interestingly enough, I was given the same example by James about the body’s ability to adapt to stress and since I had performed the same exercise regimen over and over with no increase or change in intensity, my body had adapted and as such, my body would not change unless my intensity did.

Enter Venus Index!!! James had been using the Adonis Index workouts and highly recommended I try out the women’s version, named Venus Index aka VI. The variety in the workouts and the level of intensity was incredible.

For the first time, I started noticing changes in my body that I liked very much. I even learned to appreciate the soreness that followed a grueling workout. (I included a picture of James and myself in my pictures)

Having the very user friendly and detailed Venus workout program, was like having a GPS to get from one destination to another, without having to worry about getting lost or taking unnecessary detours. I found myself feeling very empowered when going to the gym, versus the feeling of intimidation that I used to experience. Now I can confidently walk in to the free weight section of the gym and feel like I belong there!

I followed the VI workout exactly as it is presented. Not knowing a lot about nutrition, I leaned on James for his experience, but have paid close attention and understand much more than I ever have.

To make it easier as a couple, we both followed the same nutrition regimen with the only variation being our caloric intake. We both utilized the “Anything Goes Diet” by John Barban and fasting via “Eat Stop Eat” by Brad Pilon.

For example:

1. Monday thru Thursday, I followed the 16/8 fasting model, only eating 8 hours out of each day.

2. From Thursday at 7:00 PM to Friday at 7:00 PM I fasted for 24 hrs. eating dinner after working out Friday evening.

3. Saturday was Cheat Day, normally averaging 3000 calories, but a few of those days exceeded 4000 calories. Let me tell you that I am addicted to Gluten free Chicken Pesto Pizza followed by a slice of carrot cake? What an amazing feeling knowing that I can eat those weekly, with confidence that I will not get fat.

4. Sunday morning after breakfast at 7:00 AM, I fasted again for 24 hrs., starting the process all over Monday morning.

Supplementation wise: I use Muscle Milk “naturals” protein powder as a meal replacement when I’m at work, as my job does not always afford me the luxury of stopping to eat, BioTRUST “LeptiBurn” & “Pro-X10” and a generic Creatine – 5 grams two times/day. James used a pre-workout supplement (Extreme Rush) from Blue Star Nutraceuticals that he loved, but I did not because of my pacemaker and not knowing the effect it might have.

I purchased the Venus Index workout just as the 8th Venus Transformation contest aka VT8 was getting ready to start. Since James was entering the Adonis contest, I decided to take the plunge and go for it too!

What a blast this experience has been. From the amazing workouts, to learning about fasting, practicing posing and actually seeing muscles, shopping for and buying a Fitness posing suit, to actually posing for a professional photographer for my final pictures.

The Venus Lifestyle has given me the knowledge and confidence that I am now looking to compete in either the “physique” or “bikini” class at one of the local bodybuilding shows.

I am forever grateful and appreciative of everyone involved in the creation of the Venus & Adonis Index Lifestyles.

Regards
Lourdes “Candy” Cota

 

Lourdes and James; The Venus and Adonis power couple!

Lourdes and James; The Venus and Adonis power couple!

 

Lourdes interview with John is short and sweet, and it’s kind of nice to hear the voice of the winners in our community.  Please “like” it when you’re done:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Don’t Be Disappointed If You Can’t Live Your Daily Life at a Low Body Fat Level.

October 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment

When you reach your fitness goals you still go through a maturing process

It sounds odd but once you hit your fitness goals, especially if you’ve exceeded your expectations, you will still go through a maturing process.  You learn to adjust to a shape and size that you have to be happy with.  Usually most of us want to be back to our leanest.  That is the benchmark we all compare ourselves to.

I don’t use a scale anymore, or even a tape measure.  I might get on a scale a couple times a year, and an occasional DXA scan (which is the only method I trust for true body fat %).  After a couple of years now I base my “range” on three sets of clothes – mainly determined by pants/waist sizes as that is mainly where the fat fluctuates.

I exceeded my own goal when I got down to 10% body fat. Once we do this this is our benchmark, but we can't live our day to day life there.

I exceeded my own goal when I got down to 10% body fat. Once we do this it is our benchmark, but we can’t live our day to day life there. The Venus Factor system IS what got me to exceed my wildest expectations for myself.

Why we need periodic refeeds

Leigh Peele’s Starve Mode book and recent podcast are helping me learn to mature in my journey. Leigh’s explanations and research are helping me to learn why we can’t live our day to day lives at a super lean body fat level.  It’s helping me understand why we need breaks from the deficit (sometimes called a refeed).

I will admit, all along I’ve always hated the term refeed and I didn’t believe that we needed them.  I saw too many people using a refeed as an excuse to eat too much. I just wasn’t willing to go there.  I was afraid of getting fat again.  To be perfectly honest that seemed like my worst nightmare after how hard I worked to achieve my goal.

Now I know that a refeed is not meant to be a free for all – eating as much as you want – for as long as you want – binge.  It just means eat at maintenance.  Yes, it’s that simple.  Eat at maintenance, and if you’ve been doing the reverse taper (it’s built into our nutrition calculator) then that is probably not much higher than your slight deficit anyway.

We have some refeed days built into our Venus Factor 12 week Fat Loss manual, but based on how you feel you might need extended periods of eating at maintenance.

Relax, the slight calorie deficit still works

The first time I hit this higher range over a year ago I almost had a meltdown.  It’s hard when you have worked so hard to lose body fat; you still have a fear of gaining it all back.  For the most part, if you are paying attention that is just not going to happen. 

Give yourself a month or two of doing exactly what you already know how to do and you will be back to being comfortable again. 

It probably won’t be the last time.

Relax. Take a deep breath.  Work on the deficit when you can, then take a break from the deficit and be patient.  It does still take a calorie deficit to lose fat.  But take it slow.  Easy does it.  Trust the process.  Trust your body.  It will be a delayed reaction. 

What you do now can take up to three weeks to show results.  The first week is the hardest, the next week gets better, then you find your groove, and each week gets better.  You keep plugging along and it’s not very exciting, but you know what to do.

After a while your clothes change how they fit and you start seeing more muscle definition again.  Once you start seeing small changes like this it keeps you motivated to keep going. 

Women are meant to have a higher body fat compared to men

Women are meant to have a certain level of healthy body fat, more than men.  It is nature’s way of survival for us.  We are not really meant to manipulate our bodies to be super lean, but some of us do it anyway and we have to learn how to manage this in a healthy manner.

If we are not careful we can actually develop eating disorders, so we must learn to stay healthy and take care of ourselves.  I have never had an eating disorder and I don’t intend to start down that path, ever.

I'm learning to accept that this level is very healthy and livable, and I'm fine right as long as I want or need to stay here.

I’m still convincing myself that the higher end is okay.  I can shoot for slightly lower if I want, or I can stay where I am as long as I want to or need to.  It’s okay either way.  Whatever is livable, sustainable, or fits with my life and stress level at the moment in time, or the season in my life.

 

So probably the biggest struggle for me is accepting that I’m okay even at my highest end of the range, shown in the collage, all very recent pictures from the last several months up to a few days ago.  Learning to accept this is a normal part of the maturing process.

First of all body fat level does not matter.  Finding the shape and look you like matters more.  Once you find that it might be good to know what the level is, but it’s not entirely necessary.

My body fat percentage tends to be on the very low side mainly because my lean body mass (LBM) is on the very high side.  At 5’1 my LBM (per DXA) is 105 lbs., for most women my height this is 98 lbs. or under.  Comparison is not a good idea, for me or for anyone else.

We are all different.  I have to accept that this is me; this is how I’m designed.  I love lifting heavy and I love feeling strong.  I love my gym time.  I wouldn’t be happy without it.  So yeah I’m big for my height and that’s just how it is. In general I’m still a tiny person, I am only 5’1″ after all.

It doesn’t help me to know my scale weight or my body fat percentage anymore

Recently someone asked me what my weight and body fat percentage is right now.  I had to answer that I don’t know, and I don’t want to know.  I don’t think it does me any good to know.  I’d rather just learn to be happy with my shape and whatever clothes I decide to wear. I know how to eat at a slight deficit and that’s all I need to know.  I either decide to do it or not.  If I have too much stress or I am not getting enough sleep then a deficit for me is not sustainable.

I know which clothes fit and I know this is my high end.  All I know is I want to learn to accept and love where I’m at right now, while at the same time trying to get just slightly slimmer when I can.  I’ll know once I’m there by which clothes fit. 

I know how to get there; just a slight calorie deficit, taking breaks as needed, constantly listening to my body at various cycles of hunger and stress, sleep and energy level, and strength at the gym.  It’s all about energy balance and being tuned into your own body.

Learning to love your body right where you are at; It takes constant work.  It’s hard.

I’m still convincing myself that the higher end is okay.  I can shoot for slightly lower if I want, or I can stay where I am as long as I want to or need to.  It’s okay either way.  Whatever is livable, sustainable, or fits with my life and stress level at the moment in time, or the season in my life.

Just as Nicola explains in the podcast with John, learning to love your body takes constant effort and it’s not easy.  It does not matter where you are in your weight loss journey.  It takes work even after you achieve your goal.  It’s constant work.

The best time to start on that mental work is now, right where you are at.  Whatever level you are at, it is training for maintaining.

-Ro

Filed Under: Bodyfat, change, fat loss, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ask Nicola; Overcoming Inertia

October 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
April is one of our contest winners who knows how to overcome inertia.

April is one of our contest winners who knows how to overcome inertia.

How do you get yourself off the ground starting this fitness program?

How do you get yourself to the gym every day?

How do you get started again after a break?

How do you keep from being frozen in place?

How do you stop the negative thoughts that it’s too hard?

How do you get back into your healthy eating routine?

None of us is immune to having a hard time getting back into the healthy routine

Sometimes you have to pay attention to the negative and turn it into an emotional reward. Turn it into a positive.

Link the positives to your exercise and nutrition routine.

We can break the inertia if we don’t focus on the effort, focus on the reward and benefit.

Exercise feels good.

Eating healthy feels good.

Today Nicola and John talk about how to overcome inertia.

 

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Health, psychology, Sage Advice Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fourteen Years in the Gym and It Was Finally Venus That Gave Jessica the Shape She Always Wanted

October 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Today we are honored to listen to Jessica Young Carbonel who placed sixth in the Eighth Venus Index Transformation Contest.

She is the happiest and most comfortable with herself than she has ever been.

She is the happiest and most comfortable with herself than she has ever been.

 

When she saw her before pictures she knew she was going to have to work at this. She is very happy with the results.

When she saw her before pictures she knew she was going to have to work at this. She is very happy with the results.

 

Jessica found Venus changed her body and she felt the difference in the exercises.

Jessica found Venus changed her body and she felt the difference in the exercises.

 

Read what Jessica wrote about her experience with the Venus Factor:

My name is Jessica Young Carbonel. I am 27 years old and have worked/ been in a gym since I was 13 years old. For  the first time in 14 years that I’ve been able to say with confidence that I am happy with my lifestyle. Not just my  weight, my sizes, the way I feel but my entire life. My workouts have helped me and made a total difference in my  physique. Family have referenced my husband and I as “Models” and my jaw dropped!

I have adapted and stuck with the Adonis Workout program since January of 2013. I started with my husband who would  not stop playing podcasts and reading books called “Eat Stop Eat. ” Once I started I only stopped once when I  pinched a nerve from lack of stretching… (my fault I TOTALLY know better!)

My family has commented the most on my physique. For the first time I am buying sizes 0-4 when I have consistently  bought 8-12 ALL MY LIFE. I feel fantastic and am so motivated to keep up my work outs and my new lifestyle. I did  not utilize much of the forum/ community this time around but my husband and I are already planning on participating  in the next contest! Thank you for the introduction and the commitment for this new relationship. I am a devoted and  loyal follower!

 

The Venus Systems gave Jessica a complete lifestyle change, and she loves it.

The Venus Systems gave Jessica a complete lifestyle change, and she loves it.

 

Listen to Jessica’s interview here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Interview, Shape, transformation, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Should You Eat to Lose Fat? You Have the Answer within You

October 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Denise is a Venus who knows her own body. When it comes to diet and fitness she has been around the block a time or two.

Denise is a Venus who knows her own body. When it comes to diet and fitness she has been around the block a time or two.

We get asked a lot of these questions:

  • How much do I eat?
  • What do I eat?
  • How many calories should I eat?
  • When should I eat?
  • Should I be fasting?
  • Should I skip breakfast?
  • How long should I fast?
  • What should I eat to break the fast?
  • Can I have cream in my coffee?

Really for the most part the answer is within your own body.  All anyone can give you is a starting point.  The starting point is an approximation; it’s within a close range.  Your body has the exact answer.

It’s based on your lifestyle, how you feel, what your preferences are, and your health issues.

No one can really tell you exactly.  If someone tells you to eat a certain amount and you gain weight; it’s pretty simple logic that it is too much food for you.

Your body is the end game.  It tells you the right amount.

The tools we have are pretty close, but the real answer is in your own body.

Many things about your body will give you a clue:

  • How do you feel?
  • How do you sleep?
  • How do you perform at the gym?
  • Are you ready to take on the world most days, even after your gym workout?
  • How well are you able to perform your normal daily responsibilities?

Eating at a calorie deficit is not fun.  Some days you just can’t do it.  That is okay. How you eat and how you workout should be determined how you feel, not following the exact rules of any program.

Over time are you inching toward your goals? If no, then readjust.  If you are trying to lose fat but gain fat instead or don’t lose fat then you need to take a closer look what you are doing and possibly readjust. 

You can get a lot of ideas from others in the Venus community.  You can read their blogs and see what they have done.  But in the end what works for them may or may not work for you.  It will take just a little trial and error to find exactly what works for you. 

We all learn from our mistakes.

What works for you in one season of your life may not work in another season.  It constantly evolves.  That’s why this is a lifestyle, not just a place of 12 week contests.

If you want to lose fat the calorie deficit needs to be there.  

Brad Pilon defines a calorie deficit, eating at maintenance, and eating at a surplus:

  • The loss of mass is what defines a deficit.
  • Lack of a loss of body mass and absence of a gain of body fat defines eating at maintenance
  • The accumulation of body fat defines an eating a surplus amount of food.

Leigh Peele wrote a similar description in her article “The Deficit – How We Lose Fat”

It’s hard for me to trust anyone when it comes to fat loss and maintaining fitness.  I trust John and Brad more than anything, but Leigh’s article on how we lose fat endeared me to her.  It matches Brad’s article and what Brad and John have taught us, so now I’m getting ready to read her latest “Starve Mode”.

I will report back later on what I think but I have a feeling it’s going to be good.  I have many friends who have been helped by her work and I really like the article.

Get to know your own body – the body is the end game, not the calculator.

When it comes to knowing her body Denise is a lady I highly respect. She’s been there and done that.  If you are in the Venus community I highly encourage you to pay attention to Denise’s answers in the forum.  She has done about every workout imaginable since before most of you were born (and maybe a little before I was born!)

She has a no nonsense approach to questions.  I could just see her rolling her eyes and saying “News flash! Just eat what you normally eat, just eat a lot less”, or “Go with how you feel. If you are not hungry then do not eat up because as you have found out life happens and you will eat up unexpectedly. :rolleyes:”.

Denise has a common sense, no nonsense approach to our questions.

Denise has a no nonsense approach to our questions. She tells the truth and makes us laugh.

 

Denise tells the truth and makes us laugh.  She is the goto in our community on how to do exercises correctly or find workarounds.  If you ever want to see some of her answers simply go to her profile and click on “Find latest posts” under her awesome profile picture.

By the way, check out more awesomeness about Denise in her contest interview with John.  And this video shows how awesome she moves and looks.

 

Sometimes you have to keep adjusting

I find I constantly have to adjust my workouts and my eating patterns according to how I feel or how much stress is in my life.  This year has been a rough one for me due to hormone issues.  But its okay, I’m adjusting.  I have much to be thankful for and none of it is the end of the world.  I’m adjusting and moving forward, because that’s what a Venus does.

So next time you are in doubt, remember to listen to your own body.  Take a deep breath and the answer is really right there inside you.

 

Filed Under: calories, Diet, fat loss, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ask Nicola; Learn to Love Your Body

October 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
We all deal with insecurities with our bodies; even after we achieve our goals. This picture was a real turning point for me.

We all deal with insecurities with our bodies; even after we achieve our goals. This picture taken last Friday night was a real turning point for me.

 

We all deal with insecurities with our bodies; even after we achieve our goals

This podcast with John and Nicola was extremely helpful to me regarding emotional issues that I’m currently dealing with.

Sometimes I have a huge disconnect between how I see myself and how others see me. My husband Randy says I look perfect right now, but I tend to see myself as bigger than I once was, even though I lost 60 pounds!

 

Your body is your power house

Randy sees me as a whole person. When he sees my shape, he sees the whole shape and he does not nitpick at the parts like I do. When he hears me talk about my body he gets frustrated and tells me that I’m not looking at the whole picture or that my overall shape is beautiful.

He also sees how I work and use my body as the power house in all that I do.

 

Comparison is the thief of joy

I am constantly comparing myself to when I was at my leanest which was immediately after I’d achieved my Venus goals. My leanest is not a realistic body fat level to live my life especially as a female. At my leanest (10% body fat) I was able to create some great fitness model looking pictures.

But this is sometimes a drawback for me as I tend to compare myself to them. I am almost 53 years old and I don’t live my life prancing around in a bikini and high heels, at 10% body fat, and water manipulated!  It’s just not a practical comparison.

It’s as bad as any of us who compare ourselves to all the fitness model pictures of girls who were ripped for a few nano seconds in time AND had their pictures enhanced with photoshop, AND we have NO IDEA what methods were taken to get their bodies in that kind of shape.

Even my own pictures were only a moment in time that took weeks to prepare for.

 

I did not see anything special in the picture

I took this silly locker room picture because I was happy that the new jeans and T-shirt felt good and brought back fun memories of my recent vacation with my dear friend Carla. We had gone clothes shopping together and she helped me pick these out.

The reactions I got from the picture were a turning point for me.  I  did not see anything special in this picture.  In fact what I saw were arms that are too bulky,  a torso that is too thick, and in my mind I pictured the fat on my legs and butt that I don’t like.  You are supposed to have some fat on your body!

I wasn’t wearing makeup so I didn’t take off my prescription sunglasses that I had worn for work outside.  I just wanted to take the picture so I could post it for Carla and let her know I was thinking of her and the fun we had going shopping the day I’d purchased these clothes.

 

Sometimes you need to listen to the truthful positive feedback

After I posted the picture on Facebook and MyFitnessPal I was brought to tears by the comments and compliments. It was a turning point.

Even though we can’t base our happiness on compliments and what others think, it is nice to get positive attention on occasion. I’m only human and this makes me feel good sometimes.

Not only was it nice, but it spoke to me on a deep level about how I was viewing myself. Something was wrong and I needed to take action.

 

You can have fitness goals and still decide to feel good about your body

Even if I have a short term goal of getting back to my pre-summer vacation shape I can feel good about my shape now. I can focus on the strength and health improvements that I’ve already achieved. I can focus on feeling good about the actions I am taking today to achieve my short term goals.

My goal is not to get back to 10% body fat and that is okay too. I can decide to be happy anywhere in my healthy body fat range and it does not matter what anyone else thinks.

 

What can you do about it?

You can tend to analyze your parts, not the whole.

You can tend to look at your body parts as something that is an object, not part of you.

  1. There is social pressure for a variety of reasons.
  2. You can develop insecurities early on.  Then your body becomes a rejection point. You start nit picking.

How can I like my body when I have a lot of weight to lose?

It’s not easy.  It takes work.

Your body is not just a visual object.  It is a practical power house.  It is you.

Today Nicola will give you something to start doing to help learning to appreciate yourself and your current efforts.

 

I am taking Nicola’s advice and I’m feeling better already!
-Ro

 

Dr. Nicola Bird

Nicola’s Online Program

Listen to John’s interview with Dr. Nicola Bird here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Bodyfat, psychology, Sage Advice, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Personal Trainer Becomes “The Girl with the Muscles”; Carlie Akerman

October 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Today we are honored to listen to Carlie Akerman who placed second in the Eighth Venus Index Transformation Contest.

Carlie is an inspiration to her friends.

Carlie is an inspiration to her friends.

 

Carlie said Venus taught her to properly lift weights. At first she was afraid lifting weights would make her too muscled, but now she is happy with her look and shape.

Carlie said Venus taught her to properly lift weights. At first she was afraid lifting weights would make her too muscled, but now she is happy with her look and shape.

 

Carlie's metrics before and after the 12 week contest.

Carlie’s metrics before and after the 12 week contest.

 

Read what Carlie wrote about her experience with the Venus Factor:

My name is Carlie Ackerman and I am 29 years old. I discovered and began the Venus at the end of March this year. Health and fitness has been an enormous part of my life for many years now. I’ve been training in many different ways and experimenting with diet and methods of reaching my goals to the best of my ability.

However I was never quite satisfied with the results and felt that physically I could push myself harder with the correct help and advice.

I found Venus through ‘Eat Stop Eat’ where I began to use fasting as part of my weight loss programme.

When I begin the Venus workouts, I found it not only exciting and educating but also it made me feel great! The high intensity, variety of exercises and change in my body made it addictive and I wanted to succeed. It was when I began to get results that I decided to compete. I have always been a healthy and conscious eater but that was something I also stepped up with Venus. I found that I became hungrier the more I trained but I continued to eat sensibly and appropriately in order to gain the best results with my training.

I did not look at my before pictures until just this week. When I saw them I couldn’t quite believe how I had changed.

The Venus has become a huge part of my life. For the first time in my life I have felt happy and comfortable in my own body and even more passionate about fitness then ever. Thanks to The Venus Index I am happy being me and very proud of my achievements.

Many Thanks,
Carlie Ackerman

 

"Lately someone referred to me as 'The girl with the muscles' and that made me smile"

“Lately someone referred to me as ‘The girl with the muscles’
and that made me smile”

 

Listen to Carlie’s interview here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Exercise, fat loss, Interview, Muscle Growth, Uncategorized, Weight training Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Kerry Takes Venus Workouts and the Community on the Road for Success

September 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Today we are honored to listen to Kerry Zeilinger who placed fourth in the Eighth Venus Index Transformation Contest.

 

I don't think Kerry realized that her true shape was an incredibly beautiful hour glass shape.

I don’t think Kerry realized that her true shape was an incredibly beautiful hour glass shape.

 

"I knew I was gaining weight but I didn't realize it was up to that level."

“I knew I was gaining weight but I didn’t realize it was up to that level.”
For most of us the 12 week contest is only a small window or one stop at a train station while en route to the rest of our life in our total transformation.

 

"I knew I had to either get a different career, or I had to find a way to take my fitness process on the road with me."

“I knew I had to either get a different career, or I had to find a way to take my fitness process on the road with me.”

 

Kerry got exactly to her Venus Ideal metrics at the end of the 12 week contest.

Kerry got down to her Venus Ideal metrics at the end of the 12 week contest.

 

Since Kerry was alone on the road with her job she relied on the Venus Community to be her family and support.

Since Kerry was alone on the road with her job she relied on the Venus Community to be her family and support.

 

Read what Kerry wrote about her experience with the Venus Factor:

In 2006, I took a position as a traveling consultant.  For the first year I was in the position, I  ate my meals like I was on a permanent vacation.  I gained 40 pounds in 1 year.  I was miserable at  that weight and knew I had to change how I travel.  I was still traveling so it was my attitude and  perception that had to change.

I made progress by the time I came to Venus but I was not doing the amount of strength training that  I needed to really scorch and sculpt my body.  My progress was extremely slow over the course of  years.  I was happy the weight was coming off but unhappy with the shape of my body.  I would always  say ‘Well I travel for a living’.  This is just once more excuse to add to the millions we hear every  day.

I decided that I was tired of making travel my excuse to getting to my desired body.  I really wasn’t  sure I would be able to speed up the process but I was going to give it my all.  Now that I have been  through the transformation, I realize traveling has advantages and disadvantages.

I love the Circuits and I think they actually fit my workout personality.  This meant I would stick  with strength training longer than I ever have.  I combined the Circuits with High Interval Intensity Training and Steady State cardio.  I  really think this was MY answer.  Part of it was having the deadline.  But, I also think my  perceptions have changed quite a bit since learning of Venus Index, Eat Stop Eat, and Anything Goes Diet.  The support on the  community is spectacular.  I don’t post as often as I like but I always know there will be support  and truly honest opinions when I need the truth.

 

Kerry's slick new shape now matches her slick car. I am partial to this particular car myself.

Now Kerry’s slick fun new shape matches her slick fun car. I am partial to this particular model car myself.

 

Listen to Kerry’s interview here, and please “like” it when you’re done:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: calories, Contest, transformation, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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