By now most of us have heard of the saying that when it comes to transforming your physique for the better it's 20% training and 80% diet. Many of us have also heard the expression that "abs are made in the kitchen" which essentially means that all the sit-ups in the world will not turn your keg into a six pack unless your diet is in check. And although I somewhat agree with these theories I have come to my own conclusion that when it comes to achieving results with one's physique it's 100% training, 100% diet and 110% preparation. Now I'm no mathematician however I'm fairly certain those numbers combined do not equal to 100%. And you know what? I don't care! Because in my opinion to get real results you have to put in real work which means absolutely nothing can be achieved properly with mediocre or satisfactory effort. So yes you need to give it 100% in the gym and you sure as hell need to give it 100% in the kitchen but more importantly you have to be ready to give it 100% in both areas to succeed and that's where the art of preparation comes into play.

Due to a recent tragedy that occurred within my own personal life last week I find myself discouraged and unmotivated to write a blog about health, fitness and nutrition this week. As much as I would like to believe that I'm a machine that can function on little to no sleep and push any feelings or emotions that I may have to the side, the fact remains that I am a human being living my life and that life just really sucks right now for me. Without divulging into too much detail as to what occurred last week to make me feel so utterly depressed and upset I will just say that I witnessed the loss of a life of someone who was a very genuine and kind person and whom I had the utmost respect and admiration for. Ofcourse the loss of a friend or loved one is never easy to overcome and even though it's been said that time heals all wounds, I do not think a day will pass within my own life where I will not think of this tragic event and mourn the loss of someone who was so special to so many people.

Over the years I've written a few articles and blogs pertaining to the side effects of severe dieting. You see I myself use to believe in order to have to lose weight and/or build muscle that I would have to suffer and starve in order to obtain the physique of my dreams. As an experienced dieter I've pretty much tried almost every single diet trend that's become popular over the past two decades. From low carbs to no carbs, from South Beach to Atkins, to even the standard Bro Science diet that's primarily made up of chicken, oatmeal, chicken, yams, chicken, rice and more chicken. Now while I cannot give you a blanket statement for the results that I have achieved while following each one of these particular diet plans, I can tell you this - They don't work! (so I guess I actually can give you a blanket statement then).

I know what you're thinking. There's no way that I would ever have the audacity to refer to myself as an "Academic Meathead". After all, I'm just some airbrain Personal Trainer who lives in the gym for the majority of my waking hours playing with dumbbells (both literally and figuratively). Hell, I don't even have a college degree! What gives me the right to call myself an academic anything? Meathead perhaps, but academic? No chance!

Well it just so happens that despite what many people may think or conceive of me, I'm more then just a snappy dresser with an amazing set of wheels. I mean seriously, have you seen my quads?!?! Even though I do spend a great deal of time working on my body, I spend an even greater deal of time working on my mind. In fact, believe it or not, I train my mind harder during my own workouts then I do training my body. As crazy as it may sound to the average gym goer, the greatest life lessons that I have ever learned when it comes to hard work, discipline and even relationships have been either in the gym or have been related to working out. Let me explain.