I believe this was shot in mid 2011 out near Las Vegas. It’s one of my favorite images!
A Favorite Image From LHGFX In A Tight Red Dress
Tag exercise
Make Your Fitness Goals Tangible With Photos!
Whenever I do initial consultations with weight management patients, I make sure to ask them what their ultimate weight loss goals are. Invariably my patients will mention a friend or relative who has the type of physique they desire, or they will mention a time in their lives at which they considered their own bodies to be ideal for them. At the end of the evaluation, I instruct my patients to find at least one picture of that ideal body and post it in a prominent place, either on a desk, bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or car dashboard. The whole point is to create a visual representation of the patient’s goal so that it becomes more tangible over time.
When I first began competing in 2009, I quite randomly picked a couple of images of female competitors whom I really admired, printed them, and placed them on my bathroom mirror. I saw these images daily and was able to visualize my goal on a consistent basis. I did not remove these images from my mirror until I moved in October of 2012, and when I did so, I moved the images to bulletin boards in our trophy room. By that time, I had collected five First Place national titles, and now regard the two competitors in those photos as peers. I had achieved my goal of attaining a level of fitness and exposure which was right in step with these ladies.
Another tip which I give to weight management patients is to take weekly progress pics so that they can monitor the subtle changes in their bodies over an interval period of time. What they might not see from week to week can be very dramatic when they compare their baseline photos to photos taken many weeks or months later. Over time it becomes easier to take these progress pictures. Getting into the habit of taking photos regularly also works EXTREMELY well for people in the midst of contest prep. I require my contest prep clients to take weekly progress pictures, which reveal subtle changes week by week and provide information which I can use in order to make changes in a prep plan. To this day I still take weekly progress pictures myself because I know the ritual keeps me on track with my goals.
In summary, there are two things you can do to visualize your goal:
1. FIND AN IMAGE OF THE BODY YOU WANT AND POST IT IN A PROMINENT PLACE.
2. TAKE WEEKLY PROGRESS PICTURES OF YOURSELF.
Visualize and make your goal materialize!
FOOTNOTE: If you are looking for a supplement which will boost fat loss, consider trying SWAT Fuel’s 9mm or 9mm+P, both of which deliver sustained energy with no jitters or crash. These thermogenic capsules were formulated with military personnel and law enforcement offers in mind, who must remain razor sharp through long vigils and who must also wield weapons which require precision aim. A case of the jitters in these individuals could be disastrous, so it is reassuring to know that 9mm and 9mm+P deliver on their promise of steady and long lasting energy. The 9mm+P formula contains an appetite suppressant which is extremely effective in halting cravings and preventing overeating. Both of these products are also excellent for anyone who wants more energy, whether it be for a workout or for work.
The Fledgling: The Men’s Physique Division (Revised)
Originally published on mensphysique.com on Tuesday, 10 April 2012. In light of the fact that the Men’s Physique Division has now been around for four years, I have appended an extra section to the original article, but have made no changes to the body of the article which I wrote back in 2012.
http://www.rxmuscle.com/blogs/the-news-the-newest-in-mp/5364-the-fledgling.html
This weekend we are looking at only the second ever MP PRO show to hit the stage. The NPC and IFBB were quite wise to establish the Men’s Physique Division. However, it is the baby of the bunch amongst divisions (alongside Women’s Physique) and will endure growing pains for a period of time before standards are clearly defined. The newly minted IFBB Men’s Physique Pros have the opportunity to legitimize and strengthen the division not only by how they continue to condition their bodies, but also by how they conduct themselves within the IFBB and how they choose to brand themselves within the mainstream.
Every division has struggled to define standards in its early days and has also battled naysayers who have tried to undermine its rigors and distinguishing characteristics. Men’s Physique is no different. However, it is not constructive to balk at the direction in which the division is moving, or complain about which men are and are not attaining pro status. If there are suggestions which you would like to offer in order to shape or strengthen the division, make your voice heard as one filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. But don’t create friction and end up irritating the very officials who have made it possible for you to step on stage and compete.
It is true that it can be tricky to determine if one should come in leaner, beefier or softer for a show since judges from various regions may have ideals which may differ from one another. Remain consistent with what your genetics lean towards, but study the pros and see what it is about their physiques or presentation which set them apart from the rest of the competitors.
As a national level NPC Bikini Champion who has come deliciously close to attaining IFBB Pro Status at three pro-qualifiers, I understand how frustrating it can be to see competitors who may or may not deserve pro status beat you out of that spot. I have competed in the Bikini division since 2009 when the division was incepted and have seen a great deal of progression with respect to division standards. Bikini pros from 2009 look different from the 2010 pros. The pros from 2011 look different from those two groups as well. It seems the quest for a more well-muscled physique is generally more desirable in 2011 than it was in 2009. It is important to consider that the playing field has intensified significantly, and bikini competitors are training differently now than they did in 2009 when it was still a bit unclear as to what the judges were looking for.
I see the same thing happening with Men’s Physique. My belief is that 2012 will bring a higher level of conditioning to the national qualifying shows, mostly as the result of the judges having the good fortune and tough task of judging the IFBB Men’s Physique Pros. This occurred in the Bikini Division in 2010 when the IFBB Bikini Pros brought a higher level of conditioning to the stage.
The lesson here…just let the baby learn to walk and enjoy the progression.
EPILOGUE
Just as I had surmised, the Men’s Physique Division has definitely brought a higher level of conditioning to the IFBB stage. Delt caps have gotten inflated, and some Pro men have attained a degree of muscularity which has some people wondering if it’s time for them to cross over into the bodybuilding division. Here is an example of one prominent Men’s Physique Pro competitor, Sadik Hadzovic, who displays considerable growth in the delts and upper lats from 2012 to 2014:
This is Sadik Hadzovic at the 2012 Valenti Gold Cup where he took the First Place win.
Here’s Sadik again at the 2014 Wings Of Strength where he also took a First Place win.
Sadik has beaten the odds and remained at the top of the Pro game for three years now, because he has made changes to his physique which have been consistent with the ebb and flow of the IFBB judging ring. I have immense respect for him and for ALL the Pros out there who represent the division and the sport with integrity and dedication.
To The New Model On The Block
Originally published on mensphysique.com on Monday, 02 April 2012
Modeling for the first time can be a bit daunting, especially during fitness shoots in which your physique is being prominently displayed. However, there are some guidelines and tricks to make the experience a pleasant one and one in which you can maximize the chances of producing strong images. The single-most important thing is to follow the photographer’s lead with posing, since prominent fitness photographers have developed considerable skill in posing the human body in the most flattering manner possible. This doesn’t mean that your work isn’t cut out for you, but the following posing tips will become easier over time as you are asked to do more shoots. It’s actually a good idea to practice modeling poses in front of a mirror so that you can more clearly assess how your body looks in certain poses.
Generally speaking, a wide leg stance displays your muscularity in the best fashion since it makes your waist appear smaller and enhances the bulk of your quads. Make sure to stagger feet so one foot is a few inches more forward than the other. You will shift your weight onto this foot and flex your quads while bending knees slightly. To make your upper body look as wide as possible, widen your shoulders and keep your back straight in order to enhance your v-taper.
Once your pose is established, you will flex muscle groups one at a time, such as quads, then delts, then pecs, then arms and finally abs. Get used to holding a pose! You may need to hold a pose while fully flexed for a couple of minutes. Which brings me to facial expression…quite often you will be asked to relax your face and flash a genuine smile which belies all the tension you are employing in your muscles, which can definitely be tricky. Your face needs to be a calm and happy sea, while the rest of your body is a raging storm of muscle contraction. This may take longer for some men to learn than others, and those men may keep praying for those shoots in which their facial expression needs to be intense, grimacing and full of power. Successful fitness models have mastered this trick and know that is essential in order to land certain covers and ad campaigns.
Above all else, have fun with the shoot, ask for a short break if you are tiring out too quickly, and maintain a positive and pleasant attitude.
Selecting Board Shorts For The Stage
Originally published on mensphysique.com on Sunday, 16 October 2011. The text on the original post is all messed up, but I have repaired it here.
Many men aren’t exactly gifted with the ability to determine swhat looks best on them, especially when selecting board shorts to wear up on stage with glaring lights assaulting them from every angle. Here are a few tips to selecting a great pair for your competition.
1.Make sure to pay attention to proper fit. The shorts should hit low enough in the waistline to flatter your lat spread and make your waist appear nice and tapered. The shorts should also make your rear end look nice and lifted without any excess material creating a sagging or diaper effect. Make sure you don’t go too tight though! The shorts should not ride up your crotch or make the shape of your bait and tackle highly visible! Make sure the rise in the front lies flat and does not bunch up across your lower abdomen. Also make sure the rise isn’t so low that the shorts look like they are about to fall off.
2.Blues, greens, reds and orange tones tend to look nice on stage. Avoid khaki, brown, and dull gray as they tend to look very drab under stage lights. Be careful with white as it can become severely discolored by the spray tan solution.
3.Prints are okay, but don’t go too busy! You can select shorts which have a color blocking on them, or which have a print on them, but don’t go for a very wild pattern. You want the judges to look at your physique, not at the distracting graffiti print splashed across your shorts!
4.Try to find a pair that is distinctive so that you don’t end up wearing the same board shorts as another. In fact, it is always a good idea to have an extra pair on hand at a show in case this occurs.
Picture Perfect With The Ladies: How To Model With A Female
Originally published on Tuesday, 29 November 2011
You may have modeled alone numerous times and are comfortable with your poses. This may lead you to think that posing with a woman is no different. However, there are numerous points to keep in mind any time you are at a shoot in which you are expected to pose with a lady.
First of all, don’t allow nerves to distract you from performing as expected. What helps tremendously with getting over any nervousness is to chat with the woman before the shoot in order to establish a comfort level. You don’t have to discuss anything in particular, but at least get an idea of her personality.
Be aware of the goal of the shoot. If the goal is to shoot a cover or an ad, you will most likely be the center of focus since many covers showcase the man while using the woman as a type of accessory. Fitness photographers are typically excellent at posing their models, which means you need to be able to follow direction without offering commentary on the poses you are being asked to do. If the photographer tells you to open your shoulders, or turn your head slightly more to the right, then just do it. Sometimes these microadjustments may be challenging since you have to hold a pose while also flexing and looking like you are having the time of your life. But all these elements are key in conveying the proper energy and mood through the images.
Move slowly between each pose and give the lady time to adjust as well. Remember that she needs to be in the proper pose as well. If you are asked to touch each other, perhaps with your hand around her waist and her hands on your chest or shoulder, be respectful of her. That being said, make sure that when you are both in a pose in which you are touching, you both look like you actually like each other, even if you can’t stand each other. Your poses and your facial expressions need to be genuine and believable.
Remember to carry yourself in a professional manner during the shoot. It doesn’t matter if you have the hots for your modeling partner remain a professional. If you must, you can ask for a date WELL after the shoot is over!
Shaving Basics
Original Post can be found by clicking on this link:
http://www.rxmuscle.com/blogs/the-look-skin-attitude-attire-and-persona/3995-shaving-basics.html
Published on MensPhysique.com on Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Shaving is the cheapest hair removal method, especially for morerazor hirsute individuals who want to don the stage with a minimal amount of body hair. Keep in mind, though, that this method can result in uncomfortable itchiness as the hair grows back. If this is something you feel you can handle, then let’s discuss the best approach to this method.
A good way to prep for a massive assault on body hair is to clip the hair either with a small pair of scissors or an electric clipper. Some men will often abandon shaving after completing this step, but others will carry through with removing the remainder with a razor. Once this is done, it is always best to hop in the shower and allow the water and steam to soften the hair and open up the hair follicles for easiest shaving.
Make sure to use a blade that is fresh and sharp, and shave with the direction of hair growth. If you are NOT prone to ingrown hairs you MAY wish to shave against the grain after shaving with the grain. Use a glycerin or aloe based shaving gel to allow the razor to glide more easily along the surface of the skin.
If you happen to get any irritation from the razor you may use hydrocortisone cream to soothe the afflicted area.
Get Revved Up For The New Year!
Every year we have the opportunity to start fresh with a brand new set of days to change our attitudes and tackle our goals. Many people start the new year with resolutions to embark on diet and fitness programs in an effort to get into the best shape of their lives, improve their health, or perhaps enter a bodybuilding contest. I am bracing myself for the influx of new gym members this month because I know they will pack my local gym, but I am also well aware of the attrition rate which also occurs each year. I applaud anyone who makes the effort to change old habits and who truly commits to a regular exercise program and clean meal plan, and believe it is important to implement supplements which can boost energy levels and hasten fat loss and weight loss efforts.
Two of my favorite fat burner supplements are SWAT Fuel’s 9mm and 9mm+P, both of which deliver sustained energy with no jitters or crash. These thermogenic capsules were formulated with military personnel and law enforcement offers in mind, who must remain razor sharp through long vigils and who must also wield weapons which require precision aim. A case of the jitters in these individuals could be disastrous, so it is reassuring to know that 9mm and 9mm+P deliver on their promise of steady and long lasting energy. The 9mm+P formula contains an appetite suppressant which is extremely effective in halting cravings and preventing overeating. Both of these products are also excellent for anyone who wants more energy, whether it be for a workout or for work.
Be sure to check out SWATFuel.com and order directly from them!
Leg Shot From Zoltan Vegh Photography, September 2014
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