Archive for August, 2009

Does Cheap Organic Food Exist?

By Vince On August 31, 2009 12 Comments

Before we address the question: “Does cheap organic food exist?” I would like to clarify what organic food really is because you can’t go anywhere without seeing someone selling “organic this” and “organic that.”

Like me, you’re probably wondering if these foods and products are worth your time and money?

Organic food means the food or product has been grown the way mother nature intended: without the use of chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. In other words, naturally!

Now it’s time to bring Isabel De Los Rios back on the hot seat to answer the question, “Does cheap organic food really exist?”  This article will help you understand exactly why organic food is all the rave these days and what you can do to make organic living easy, simple and cheaper.

Is there such a thing as Cheap Organic Food?

by Isabel De Los Rios                                                                                                                                                                                                       Author, The Diet Solution Plan

Are Organic foods really worth their, sometimes, high prices?  Is there any way to make organic eating affordable?

Many times people’s biggest resistance to buying organic is the higher price.  But there are ways to make organic eating cheaper and much more affordable for you and your family.

What exactly is Organic Food?

Organic food is food grown or raised without the use of synthetic (chemically formulated) pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers. This method of farming allows foods to grown in nature as they were intended. Consider that conventional farmers in the United States spray 2 billion pounds of pesticides a year on crops to compensate for poor farming practices. Do you know where those pesticides end up? In our food supply!

Aside from pesticide contamination, conventional produce tends to have fewer nutrients than organic produce. On average, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic produce. Studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and significantly less nitrates (a toxin) in organic crops.

When I first discovered that organic foods might be the missing link to my weight loss and health efforts (read Isabel’s story by clicking here), I had just graduated from college and was living in a miniature apartment in New York City which was quite pricey, that I could barely afford.

How in the world was I going to spend the big bucks on organic food?

Here is how I mastered the art of “going organic on a budget”:

I stopped buying crappy “non foods” (and, yes, crappy is a scientific term). Most protein shakes, “health” bars, and processed foods are actually pretty expensive and when you completely eliminate them from your grocery list, you will save hundreds of dollars.

Take a good look at the price of sugar cereals, packaged cookies and cakes, and frozen TV dinners. You will see how the prices of these foods quickly add up. That same amount of money can be better spent on a week’s worth of organic produce.

1. When I started eating reasonable portions, the food was not that expensive. When I really took a look at how much I was eating and how much I was supposed to be eating, I clearly had mistaken myself for a 200 lb sumo wrestler. I had portion distortion to say the least and eating less meant spending less

2. I sought out the local farmer’s markets. The prices were so much better and I always got fresh food in season. And, honestly, if the price of cherries was the equivalent of diamond earrings, I would choose a different fruit. Go for the apples, pears, or bananas. Variety is good anyway so choose the fruits and veggies without the diamond prices.

3. I transitioned my kitchen and my whole house slowly. I probably did not have a complete organic kitchen until 3 years later. Not the ideal, but I did the best I could. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was my organic palace. Do the best you can, start with a few items and then go from there.

4. Buy organic foods “selectively”. The following foods have been shown to have the highest levels of pesticide residue, so they should really always be purchased organic.

Fruits:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Strawberries
• Nectarines
• Pears
• Cherries
• Red Raspberries
• Imported Grapes

Vegetables:

• Spinach
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Hot Peppers

Animal products
*Always look for animal products (meats, poultry, and dairy) that have no added antibiotics and growth hormones. Ingesting meats that have been injected with these harmful substances is equivalent to eating the hormones and antibiotics themselves. Very dangerous!

These foods tend to be lower in pesticide levels so can be purchased conventional if necessary:

Fruits:

• Pineapples
• Plantains
• Mangoes
• Bananas
• Watermelon
• Plums
• Kiwi Fruit
• Blueberries
• Papaya
• Grapefruit
• Avocado

Vegetables:

• Cauliflower
• Brussels Sprouts
• Asparagus
• Radishes
• Broccoli
• Onions
• Okra
• Cabbage
• Eggplant

END OF ARTICLE

There’s no material item that comes close to matching “feeling good” about yourself. Take a look at where you’re spending your money now and figure out how to fit organic foods into your budget (even if it’s a slow transition). I promise that if it was doable for me, it’s doable for you too!

Learn how to incorporate organic living into your muscle building or fat loss program by reading Isabel’s Diet Solution Plan at:

http://www.AntiDietPlan.com

Vince
P.S. Between now and Thursday at midnight I’m giving away my exclusive “What To Eat For Maximum Muscle Growth Video Series with Isabel De Los Rios.” (Retail Value – $97) to anyone who purchases Isabel’s program as a personal Bonus Gift because I really believe in Isabel’s nutritional info for YOU.

here is what’s in the FREE bonus videos:

Just email your Clickbank receipt to vincedelmonte@yahoo.ca with the subject line, “Add Bonus…” to help us get your digital videos ASAP.

You can not purchase these digital videos ANYWHERE because they are only available when you join Isabel’s Diet Solution Plan as my way of applauding you for investing in this life-changing nutrition resource.

http://www.AntiDietPlan.com <- click here to read more on her book and get your f.r.e.e. bonuses.

How To Eat Healthy While You Travel

By Vince On August 30, 2009 5 Comments

Let’s face it.

Maintaining a healthy diet while traveling can be a pain and very frustrating.

At least that’s what I thought and the excuse I dished out until I chatted with my friend  Isabel De Los Rios, author of The Diet Solution Plan and probably the smartest nutritionist I know.

I am no stranger to traveling myself.

Since I have a mobile business and travel a few times a month I can relate to my readers asking me all the time:

“Vince, I am always on the go. How can I stick to my healthy eating plan and still live my life?”

I asked my friend Isabel if I could post an excellent article she recently wrote on this topic.  I love Isabel’s info because it’s so practical and easy to implement as you’ll see below.

So if your days really have you running around from work, to parties, to picking up kids all over the neighborhood, here are a few strategies that really do work compliments of Isabel De Los Rios from The Diet Solution Plan:

1. Make your trunk your refrigerator.

Ok, not literally, but I have known many people (including myself) to keep a small cooler in their trunk at all times. They fill it with healthy goodies at the beginning of the day (raw nuts, fresh fruits and veggies, even hard boiled eggs) along with some ice packs and extra tupperware (just in case) and they’re off for the day.

At the end of the day, they empty whatever is left and the ice packs go back in the freezer for the next day. This is also a great way to keep your water bottles nice and cold and not warm from the car heat.

Click here to continue reading

Cardio Program Q & A Bag

By Vince On August 25, 2009 12 Comments

You had a lot of questions yesterday and I have lots of answers.  Notice similar answers to many of the responses.

Question #1: “I have very toned arms legs & arms, but my belly stills holds the last bit of my fat that keeps me from having my perfect body. I do 2 x 20 interval runs a week (1 minute walk & 1 minute run) and then once a week I do a 6km jog. When is interval cardio the best? Should I be doing more endurance running instead?” – Heidi

I’m not going to change your program Heidi.  Refer to the two protocols from yesterday and I suggest you use a combination as you’re currently doing.

Increase the intensity until you hit your top goal pace for the 20 minute workouts.  And build up to 10 km on the long run.

Learn from doing Heidi. 

Questions #2: “Can sprinting be done instead of just jogging for 3×20 minutes? I’m training for basketball and I don’t want to lose my vertical leap by doing anything too long distance, plus sprinting is a great lower body workout. How would you suggest incorporating sprints into a workout plan?” – Alex

Alex, On your off days which means on the days you do not play basket ball or lift weights. Yes, trade in your jogging workouts for intervals if speed and power are your goals.  Start with 30 second sprints and 90 second rest periods.

Question #3: “I usually do cardio on my days off studying martial arts. But i sometimes wonder if it’s too much cardio. Sessions typically last between 1:2 – 2 hours a time. I have the typical skinny fat guy sydrome, podge belly with small arms and shoulders. My muscles are very stubborn and i find it hard getting enough calories. Is this cardio too much, not enough, wrong type or about right?” – Dan Bull

Hey Dan. Prioritize three weight training workouts, using my No Nonsense Muscle program, every 48 hours to take care of your muscle goals.

Do your martial arts on their own days.

Perform 10-20 minutes of interval cardio after your weight training days.

Put that plan into action for 6-weeks and record everything you learn.

Question #4: “hey vince I can’t run so well cause it just makes my knees worse, so I swim. When i swim though i swim every day for 30 minutes before my workout. Then I workout for an hour and a half, so all together it ends up being 2 hrs. But I want to lose my gut and gain arm mass. So should I cut down on my workout to make my cardio longer? like swim for an hr? and maybe instead of doing 3 or 4 different workouts for each muscle do maybe two instead? to make the time less? just wondering…” – Charles Badger

Hi Charles. Swimming before your weights is fine.  You may want to try it switched around just to double check which one allows a better weight training workout.

You’re confused right now with too many options.  Make ONE plan and ride it out for 4-6 weeks and learn all you can.  I suggest 1 day of just swimming and 1 day of just weights. Three 1 hour swims and three 1 hour weight workouts.

Join a swim team so you start swimming harder.  Find a workout partner or trainer to push you on your weight days.  Sounds like you’re intensity needs to be cranked.

Question #5: “I do 30mins CV training 2/3 times weekly on non weight training days. Am I just wasting my time and should I ditch these in favour of this interval training post workout? Is this interval training post weights workout more affective at burning more body fat?” – Phil

Yo Phil. You’re never wasting your time if you have reasons for doing something.  Even if it’s too watch Oprah while you do your cardio.  If you’re getting results, you’re never wasting your time.

You’ll only know if interval cardio works until you try it. Yes, you’ll burn more overall calories with interval training if done properly.  Start doing 30 minutes of interval cardio 2x a week and 1 easy 30 minute cardio workout.  If you’ve never done interval cardio, you’ll see some rapid results.

Question #6: “Whens the best time to do cardio before or after a workout ? Or on a separate day all together?” – Carl

I prefer to do my cardio program early in the morning to take advantage of depleted glycogen stores and more fat mobilization.

I like weights in the evening because I’m more alert and have a few meals in me and since I’m a hardgainer this gives me an edge to build more muscle.

Performing your weights as far away from your cardio is the best plan for muscle building but not necessary for fat loss.

I prefer cardio after a workout because I prefer more energy for more weights.  It’s personal preference and the best way to bust a plateau is to do the opposite of what you’re currently doing.

Question #7: “It is an interesting video. Is it better to do cardio 4 times a week for a shorter time, or 2 times a week for a longer period of time?” – Natalia

Only you can answer that Natalia.  Test both methods and let us know what you learn about yourself.  I would say it’s better to go more frequently for a shorter time so your intensity is higher and you get more metabolic boosts throughout the week.

Question #8: “I just want to know that can we do cardio at separate time in a day.like i use to work out in the evening.so what if i do cardio(specially running) in the morning. I use to hit gym 5 days a week,so i have to do cardio haw many days.” – Akshay

This is fine Aksahy.  You’ll have to test it and learn from doing, not asking about it.  If you hit the gym 5 days a week you could do interval cardio after your weight 3 of those times and long, slow cardio 2 of those times.

If you can do all your cardio in the am and weights in the pm, you’ve got a great schedule and if this amount of training does not burn you out, go for it.  Your body is smarter than anyone else so listen to it for feedback and make changes up or down based on it.

END OF THE CARDIO PROGRAM Q & A BAG

If you want to see the exact cardio workouts and ab workouts I did for the last 10-weeks before the World Fitness Model Championships last year, make sure to grab my book: Your Six Pack Quest: 6 Pack In 6 Months Guaranteed.

I shed 23 pounds of fat and gained 8 pounds of muscle in the last 10-weeks before my shot – the most amazing results I’ve ever experienced and it had a lot to do with my unique and never-before seen cardio methods in this book.

Grab a copy to ensure you’re ripped for New Years 2010 this year, it’s only 4 months away!

Vince DelMonte

Cardio Blueprints to BUILD Muscle, Not Lose It

By Vince On August 24, 2009 46 Comments

After I train, this happens every time I’m in the locker room getting ready for a shower.

I hear two scrawny, confused dudes (SCD’s) discussing the pro’s and con’s of doing cardio apart of their muscle program.

The conversation usually goes like this:

SCD #1: I hate cardio. I don’t do any since I’m trying to bulk up.

SCD #2: Me too but you should do at least 20 minutes of HIIT (high intensity interval training) cardio after your weights to keep the fat low.

SCD #1: But won’t that burn up my muscle?  I heard long, slow cardio is better for preserving muscle…

SCD #2: Maybe you should do your cardio on your off days but I’m not sure if that’s good because it might effect your muscle gains too…

Ugh.

Another cardio debate that is making me lose IQ points by being in the same room as these guys.

I will admit, it’s a confusing subject so I’m proving a simple solution today.

Click here to continue reading

7 Secrets To Gain Weight Fast Without Getting Fat

By Vince On August 18, 2009 60 Comments

We all can agree that to gain weight you have to eat, right?

I hope so or else you’re on the wrong website.

If you’re training drug free you won’t be able to gain weight or add an impressive amount of muscle mass if you’re not consuming enough clean calories to promote hypertrophy i.e. muscle growth.

On the contrary, if you don’t eat enough, chances are that you’ll lose muscle no matter how hard you train.

Sherlock Holmes would be the first to acknowledge a ’see food diet’ as the logical answer to gain weight and mass because the more you eat, the more you grow, correct?

Not exactly.

It is very true that you’ll be putting the breaks on gaining weight if you’re nutrition intake is impaired. However, there is a clear difference in getting bigger and getting more muscular.  We’re talking about gaining weight without getting fat which will make you more muscular, not just bigger.

Which leads me to my pet peeve…

Guys who justify eating too much junk food to gain weight and accept an excessive amount of fat gain (more than I endorse in my book) in hope of stimulating extra muscle growth.

It does not work that way.

Your body has a limited capacity to gain muscle.  Unfortunately it does not have a limited capacity to how much weight we can gain (we would be a much more attractive society).

Each person has a different ability to manufacture muscle based on how much protein their body can synthesize which is based on your Testosterone levels, your Testosterone to cortisol levels, your insulin sensitivity, your genetic muscle fiber make up and many other variables.

Lets look at 7 secrets to help you eat more food so you can gain weight that does not turn into body fat.

1. Double It Up.

This is the easiest and fastest route to go. Turn one chicken breast into two. Down a second slice of bread instead of just one. Inhale a second handful of nuts. Drop in two scoops of protein powder. Most likely you are only a few dozen meals short of filling out your underdeveloped body parts so take advantage of already having the food out. You body will have no other option but to surrender and start gaining weight if you double it up.

Click here to continue reading

Build The Body Women Want

By Vince On August 10, 2009 82 Comments

Am I right or wrong? Men are obsessed with sex and looking good to women. 

A recent study I read said that sex was central to a man’s happiness.

Money came a close second, but sexual activity was the strongest predictor of happiness – the more sex, the greater the happiness.

I have noticed that many successful men are extremely methodical about their careers and personal finances but not so much “on the ball” when it comes to improving their sexual attractiveness to women.

I think men have a general idea, like we discovered in the last post, but not as sure as they would prefer.

We know that women like fit and athletic-looking men and shun guys “too big” or who are fat slobs, but that’s about it. I’ve seen some pretty attractive women with guys who look like skinny marathon runners and others with guys who would be classified in the “Mr Olympia” category.

As I shared in my last post, I believe men need at least 20-30 pounds of new muscle mass to attract women.

But in reality, we don’t know 100%.

Until today… we are bridging the gap.

Click here to continue reading

What Does A Woman REALLY Want?

By Vince On August 3, 2009 158 Comments

As a man, can you imagine what it could be like to actually know what a woman wants in terms of physical attraction?

I’ll admit it first, and I bet you can relate that it’s next to impossible to figure out what kind of a physique woman are REALLY attracted too.

Do I sound frustrated?  Yep.

I’ve dated girls, when I was 170 pounds 5% body fat and I’ve dated girls when I was 205 pounds 5% body fat and both groups of girls said, “I was perfect!”

Were they afraid to hurt my feeling?

Which group of girls were fudging the truth?

I will never TRULY know but I think I’m pretty darn close to knowing…

Just like you, I want the right look that every one of my buddies respects and that every woman finds attractive, especially my girlfriend

We all KNOW it exists but the question remains:

How Much Muscle Do You Need To Be
More Appealing Than Others?

To date, I have not figured out the exact number but I’m starting to see that “bigger” is not definitely better.

I do know that staying skinny is not the answer either, no girl wants to be with a guy who can’t protect her or is skinner than she is…

In fact, a recent Harvard study down in 2000 revealed that most men overestimate the amount of muscle that they think is necessary to peak attraction in a woman by an jaw dropping 30 pounds!

What Does That Mean To You?

Consider this good news!

The widespread “bigger is better” mantra spread in bodybuilding magazines is false information.  Don’t get the wrong impression here but check this out…

FACT: Studies show that Playgirl models
display MORE muscle mass and lower body
fat levels than in years past!

So don’t use this post as an excuse for slacking at the gym or becoming content.

You will drive girls more crazy or get more action from your significant other by having a top-notch physique.

Make NO mistake about that.

Without looking at you I’m guessing you could start hooking up with the hottest girl (assuming you’re not a douche bag) by adding at least 20-30 pounds of muscle mass to your current frame.

If you answer YES to at least one of these question below then I’m confident in saying you should shoot for an extra 20-30 pounds of muscle.

• Are you really satisfied with being a total “average Joe”?

• Are you embarrassed of taking off your shirt in public?

• Are you intimidated by men who are in better shape than you?

• Would an attractive woman be turned on by your body, or just laugh?

• Are you the type of “man” who just “dreams” about achieving something great?

If you answered “yes” then you’re not alone and it’s not too late.

How Did I Arrive At The Number?

Simple.  As soon as I added my first 21.5 pounds of muscle in the first 30 days, that’s when I started getting dates.

I should clarify – hot dates - for the first time in my life!

That is YOUR goal: 20-30 pounds of rock-hard mass in the next 4-6 months.  That will require you to gain at least 5 pounds of muscle a month which I am prepared to teach you in my book:

http://www.VinceDelMonteFitness.com

Since I wrote, No Nonsense Muscle Building, there is no need to dream of a muscular body that turns heads…today is the time to make it happen.

There is no need to be skeptical, my system will work better than any creatine or muscle-gain product you could try instead (for the same price).

My book is better than anything short of “the juice.”

Imagine how good you will feel about yourself when you finally have the confidence to approach any woman you spot in your class, on a night out, in the grocery store or in the gym (although I don’t recommend approaching girls in the gym).

And just think… you could be dating the girl of your dreams in the next 30 days (or re-energizing your current relationship)!

Within the first 30 days of using No Nonsense Muscle Building, you’re embarrassingly small body parts will be replaced with rock-solid muscle making your body look like an Armour suit.

I can promise that you will no longer feel embarrassed to take your shirt off in public. Imagine the sense of pride you will have as everyone at the local swimming pool turns to look as you take off your shirt, revealing your new, ripped, muscular physique.

Of course, if you’re happy with a weak, baby-soft body, go ahead and don’t do anything now and continue attracting average looking woman that you’ll never really be happy with.

Click the link below to grab your copy today:
http://www.VinceDelMonteFitness.com

See you at the beach

Vince DelMonte,

P.S. What would be SUPER awesome is if all the ladies could speak up!  If you’re a male, get your girlfriend or wife to post her comments below.  What do you ladies like?  How much muscle?  Favorite body parts?  Lets hear from you

P.P.S. Check out this recent success story…

“For the lousy $100 that I gave you in exchange for your program,
I have received so much! I will even compete in the Cypriot Fitness
Nationals at the end of this year.

I also have the guts to offer my own fitness advice to all my friends
since I finally have the body to back it all up. I am now the man at
the gym and I am being CHASED BY ALL THE GALS.

Your program will change the life of everyone that purchases it.”

Marios Prodromou
Larnaca Cyprus

Avoid The Freshman 15 & Gain 15 Pounds Of Muscle Instead

By Vince On August 2, 2009 3 Comments

If you’re a college or University student, you could easily become the victim of the Freshman 15, even if you’re a skinny guy! The Freshman 15 is the popular phenomenon that refers to weight gain that’s a direct result of college life.

And it’s not JUST common to females, so listen up if you’re a male.

As a Personal Trainer near a local University and college I consulted with dozens of frustrated guys destroying their freshmen year by packing on dozens of pounds of fat – instead of muscle!

In a moment I’ll share the EXACT 6 REASONS you have NO EXCUSE to gain muscle, instead of fat while in college (or even high school).

Avoid The Freshmen 15

I have witnessed dozens of skinny guys develop the “Skinny-Fat Syndrome” which is a instant turn off to all the gorgeous girls on campus. And I’ve witnessed dozens of fat guys LITERALLY became the wide student body which is equally bad!

I know how University is from personal experience.

Click here to continue reading

I Need Your Help…

By Vince On August 1, 2009 33 Comments

You may have  received my Free Insane Muscle Gain E-Report, read my Muscle Building Mini-Email Course, watched my You Tube videos or ordered my muscle building program.    Let’s call all this stuff my Hardgainers Success Kit.

I hope you have found it useful and extremely helpful in attaining your muscle building goals.

Now, I’d like to ask a favor of you.

I’d like to get your feedback about my Hardgainers Success Kit, whether positive or negative. Your answers will help me better plan and execute future products, videos, newsletters and blog posts.

Would you take a moment to give me your opinions by answering a few simple questions?

I look forward to hearing what you liked about my Hardgainers Success Kit, but I also welcome any suggestions or criticisms, too.

Thanks so much for your time.

Try to keep your answers clear and concise and to the point.  It will make it easier to organize your feedback.

Vince DelMonte’s
Hardgainer’s Success Kit Questionnaire

1. What training and/or nutrition issues are you most interested in learning further about?

2. What are the biggest muscle building obstacles you face in your current training and nutrition?

3. What web sites (other than mine) do you regularly visit or read?

4. Please provide any comments, success stories, or results you’ve obtained from using the Success Kit (or if you haven’t  used any yet, how you plan it). Criticisms and suggestions are also welcome:

5. What was your overall impression of my Success Kit? Was it useful? Worth your time? Biggest benefit so far?

6. What is the one thing I could have done to improve it?

7. Are you a current customer?  If Yes, why did you take action?  If No, what questions do you have before you do join?

May I use your comments in my marketing?

If you agree I will only use your name and the information  you provide below.

Full Name:

City:

State (or Province):

Country:

Thank you!

Vince Del Monte