This is Ian Lauer and me in Malibu from a couple of years ago, shot by the amazing George Kontaxis. I think you can tell that Ian and I were very much a couple then, but we are now just very good friends. He remains one of the most important and special people in my life and I am blessed to know him.
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!
Orignally published on mensphysique.com on Saturday, 01 October 2011
Perhaps you have already competed in risk-bookshelf-board-game-2one or more shows, or you are thinking of entering your first competition in men’s physique. The last thing you should do is enter a show with no forethought as to which shows might be better for you than others. If you want to get your feet wet, you may want to avoid the bigger shows right out of the gate because they can be intimidating and downright discouraging.
If you are selecting your first show, choose one that is local to you, a national qualifier, and one that is scheduled far enough out so that you have enough time to prep. I have seen many male and female competitors jump into a show at the last minute with little to no prep. If you are a seasoned competitor who always looks show ready, that’s one thing, but if you are not yet stage-worthy, you could damage your chances of placing high at future shows in the same region.
Remember that there are countless shows all over the United States throughout the year, so don’t rush into it. Plan things out and take your time. If you get a national qualification, great! But don’t rush onto that national stage just yet. The national circuit is quite different from the local and regional ones, and you could end up being a very small fish in a huge pond. This can be quite deflating, especially if you have done well at the local level. Keep in mind that the national shows gather the best of the best from all over the country (and Canada and Mexico for the North American), so don’t be surprised if your jaw drops when you see the caliber of competitors at national events.
While NPC USA and NPC Nationals are outstanding shows, they are huge shows and perhaps not the best ones to select for your national debut. If possible, ease into one of the other events. If you are in the south, consider Jr. USA. If you are near Chicago, consider Jr. Nationals. East coast residents could target Team Universe, while Canadian and Mexican citizens will have IFBB North American as their only national option.
Whichever competitions you select, make sure you bring your best physique possible onto that stage, and above all else, have fun up there!
Originally published on RxGirl on Wednesday, 15 August 2012. The original post was published with white text on white background, so the only way to read it on the site is to highlight the text. To make things easier for everyone, I have copied and pasted the article here for you to read.
http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/6311-booty-building-superset-routine.html
Booty Building Superset Routine
If I had given into my natural genetic setpoint which gave me a relatively flat booty due to my Japanese ancestry, I would never have transformed my posterior into what it is today. In recent years the quest for a round butt has been one of the most highly coveted physical attributes for women. In keeping with this highly sought goal, I am providing readers with a superset routine which will create the full and curvaceous look which fills out a pair of jeans nicely and turns heads in a good way!
THE ROUTINE
Make sure to move from one exercise within a superset to the next quickly, without rest. Once you have completed a superset, rest for 30 seconds then begin your next superset. Complete all sets in Superset 1, then complete all sets in Superset 2, etc.
Superset 1 –
5 sets of the following:
25 jump squats
20 stiff-legged deadlifts with dumbbells
15 stride jump crossovers How to do: Using a bench or plyo box, place one foot up on bench with that leg almost parallel to floor. Jump explosively over bench, springing off bench and landing with your other foot on the opposite side of the bench. Repeat on other side.
Superset 2 –
5 sets of the following:
15 walking dumbbell lunges
20 Butt Blaster
15 prone leg curls
Superset 3 –
4 sets of the following:
20 one-legged dumbbell deadlifts
20 one-legged cable kickbacks
Superset 4 –
20 one-legged leg press (lying on your side and pushing through your heel)
20 plie dumbbell squats holding dumbbell between legs with wide stance and squatting LOW
12 barbell good mornings
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.
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!
http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/5936-excusitis-and-how-to-banish-it.html
The original post was published on Tuesday, 26 June 2012 on RxGirl.com. It is difficult to read on the site, so I have copied and pasted the article here for you to read.
As a physician and fitness professional I constantly encounter people who suffer from something I like to call “excusitis”. It is not uncommon for a patient to lament over her excess weight, using the fact that she has had children as an excuse for refusing to take charge over her life. Another common scenario is the man who is just entering middle age and is despondent over his growing belly, yet has no intention of giving up his preference for daily treks to fast food establishments. The list goes on and on, but every rationalization I have heard has been based on skewed logic and entrenched in a basic refusal to take ownership in a person’s own responsibility for not being in shape.
I understand that making a decision to be healthy and fit can be very challenging because it requires a person to be held accountable for unhealthy patterns and behaviors. This is complicated by the fact that the American diet is so heavily reliant on processed foods that most people have trained their brains and bodies to hold onto fat and function at a suboptimal level. To be truly fit, a mental shift must occur which motivates oneself to obliterate the old patterns which have served as a blockade to attaining better health. Initially these lifestyle changes can be daunting since they are in opposition to how the person has become accustomed to living. However, if one persists in adopting healthy behaviors, cravings for unhealthy foods will dissipate and a transformation of mind will occur, with the body soon following along.
Excuses are an easy way out and are reflective of the pervasive message which society sends out. What do I mean by this? If you think about all the fad diets, diet pills, and other weight loss gimmicks which are on the market, it is no surprise that many individuals are threatened by the idea of being proactive about their own health and fitness. Without sugar-coating it, lifelong fitness and wellness rely on a foundation which takes time to establish and which require commitment on the part of the individual.
I find that by sharing before and after photos and transformation stories of individuals who have lost a tremendous amount of weight or battled cancer only to stand later as a beacon of optimal health and fitness, I can often impact patients and clients in a very powerful way. The stories I share are of ordinary people who were often in horrific shape prior to deciding to take a proactive stance on their own health, many of whom are now fitness professionals who serve as incredible inspiration for others. Once I share transformation stories with a patient or client, I set specific goals and monitor their progress within a program. For those who cannot afford to see a physician, dietitian, trainer or coach, there are a multitude of resources available now, from online training and food logs to online support groups which will help a person to stay on track.
If you have been vacillating between taking charge of your life and wallowing in self-pity, it is time to stop making excuses and choose the former. You will be rewarded with better health, greater vitality, a more fit body and a boost in self-confidence. It’s a win-win situation.
http://www.rxmuscle.com/contibutors/3032-stacey-naito-do-aobfp-mensphysiquecom-blogger.html
Though Dr. Stacey Naito (D.O., AOBFP) is a physician and published medical researcher who is board-certified family medicine and is also highly experienced with all non-surgical aspects of aesthetic medicine, her biggest passion is fitness. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Occidental College and began working as a fitness trainer immediately after obtaining her degree. Weight training became an integral part of Dr. Naito’s daily routine, even during her post-doctoral residency training which at times had her working up to 120 hours per week. As a result of her determination to continue training during the most rigorous of schedules, she is committed to sending a strong message to people that anything is possible as long as it is made into a priority.
Dr. Naito started competed in the NPC in 2009 and earned her IFBB Pro card and immediately began competing in the pro league in 2013. While in the NPC, she quickly moved up the ranks at the NPC level and earned seven national first place finishes in the NPC. Stacey has also done very well on the IFBB stage. Through her experiences she has learned a great deal about every aspect of competing, and she makes every effort to pass this valuable information on to those who are new to the contest stage. When not working as a physician, training or attending or competing at an NPC/IFBB event, Dr. Naito spends her time working modeling gigs and writing articles.
Dr. Naito’s involvement in fitness, coupled with her medical expertise, has provided her with a powerful platform by which she can inspire patients and clients to reach their ultimate fitness and wellness goals through optimal exercise and nutrition.
Follow Dr. Naito on Facebook or visit her websites:
dr. stacey naito's blog 