health and fitness Archives - Uncommon Sense Physique

The first wealth is health

If you want to persuade someone that something is inherently good, you first have to help them understand it. And imparting understanding can be quite a challenge given the complex and emotive nature of some topics.

This is why I love the art of of analogy.

Analogies and metaphors work by harnessing the power of comparison and similarity to make complex problems and concepts inherently more approachable. They essentially help someone get to that “ah ha” moment without having to fully understand the scope of the original problem.

Top tips to help you reach your physique goals

by Paul Thiel

As those of you who follow me know, I am VERY passionate about health, fitness and in particular, bodybuilding. You’ll also be quick to note that I am no expert, and I am certainly not yoked (at least not by my own high standard).

However, I have learned a lot from working with and following some of the industry’s leading authorities (like Adam Bornstein and Bryan Krahn), and perhaps, most of all, through wide experimentation.

Are you balancing your fitness books?

I was inspired recently having read a great article by Bryan Krahn on having to earn the right to moderation. Gritty and well written, the article asserts that before you back-off on your next visit to the gym and simply go through the motions, be sure that you’ve earned the right to moderate your efforts.

Most interestingly, to help actualize the concept, Bryan uses the analogy of a bank account, with deposits and withdrawals. This mental model is useful, because it helps people understand the notion that just as with money, your fitness books need careful balancing. In his specific example, moderation–a withdrawal–can only be made if you have the funds in your fitness account. That is, you’ve been making regular deposits–hard workouts–to build a surplus.

The secret to your success?

Over the last six months, I’ve read more articles on diet and fitness than I can count. Unfortunately, most aren’t worth the pixels they’re painted on.

Why?

Because they are largely all written in such a way as to be absolute.

Do this in exactly this way to achieve this outcome. The one way, the specific thing, the exact protocol.

And it doesn’t seemingly matter if you want to be bigger, leaner, faster, smarter, better in bed, better at life… there’s always a secret, a shortcut, an easy path to whatever outcome you seek.

What do you want me to write about?

I have perhaps my biggest travel period for the year upcoming; a mixture of conferences, summer vacation and extended work travel. As always, part of me is thrilled at the prospect (who doesn’t love to travel!), and the other part of me is dreading it (transatlantic flights, loss of sleep, high stress and huge disruption to the exercise and nutrition program).

Why online coaching?

A few people have asked me why online coaching? They see that I have plenty of knowledge, experience and motivation of my own, so what am I getting from it? Given it’s not the first time I’ve been asked, I took an hour or two put down my thoughts.

Regular readers will know that I am currently working with Adam Bornstein, one of the industry’s leading authorities on all things health and fitness. What you likely don’t fully appreciate is the extent to which we are working together.

Weekly round-up #13

by Paul Thiel

When it comes to health and fitness, the Internet is a mixed blessing. Yes, there is great information out there, but unfortunately, the good (useful, accurate, valuable) material is outnumbered 1,000,000:1 by inaccurate, misleading BS.

If you are to truly make progress on your goals–be that getting healthy, improving strength or shifting visceral bellyfat–you’ll need to start following people that can actually help move you in the right direction. Here’s excerpts from just three of the people I follow on a regular basis.