[quote]IBMS wrote:
I can’t say I’m surprised that people are stealing the coaches advice and passing it off as their own.
But I am kinda surprised that people are actually calling the clinic fake or saying that pics are photoshopped or the timescale isn’t real. (i.e that you have already made this transformation over several months and then post up pics as if it occurred over 4 weeks)
What a load of shit. Well… I guess it stinks of jealousy, so I guess you’re doing something right![/quote]
I agree with what you’re saying here but just to play Devil’s Advocate for a minute; it’s understandable why some people would say those things being that we live in a world where things are hardly ever what they seem on the surface. The bodybuilding and supplement industry have been notorious for embellishing the truth to sell product.
I’m not saying that is what is going on here. I know what the V-diet can do for someone if followed strictly and I believe that Gus’s progress is due to hard work, focus, and discipline, so MAD PROPS to Gus. Having said that, we still have to see why some people would make the claims that they are.
Also, it’s a convenient excuse to not make progress on a certain plan if you (as the critic) can discredit the work that someone has done.
I think Chris has taken the right approach in taking these attacks as compliment to his and Gus’s work. Oh, we can’t forget Mr. Waterbury.
I just read what Shugs posted for cooking chicken and smashing it with the hammer first. It is true that it creates a faster cooking and more evening cooking meat with more surface for seasoning, but i just wanted to add some science in there too for all to know!
When you cook meat, the fibers contract and get tighter. So whats starts as a supper supple nice steak turns into hard and tough rubber if cooked improperly. By smashing the meat first you are separating and spreading out the fibers of the meat so when you cook it and the fibers contract they contract to a looser point then they would have otherwise, thus preserving and enhancing the natural tenderness! This I learned from my CIA trained neighbor chef! (culinary institute of america )
[quote]SamuraiWannaBe wrote:
I just read what Shugs posted for cooking chicken and smashing it with the hammer first. It is true that it creates a faster cooking and more evening cooking meat with more surface for seasoning, but i just wanted to add some science in there too for all to know!
When you cook meat, the fibers contract and get tighter. So whats starts as a supper supple nice steak turns into hard and tough rubber if cooked improperly. By smashing the meat first you are separating and spreading out the fibers of the meat so when you cook it and the fibers contract they contract to a looser point then they would have otherwise, thus preserving and enhancing the natural tenderness! This I learned from my CIA trained neighbor chef! (culinary institute of america )[/quote]
I did not know this. Very cool. Thanks!
(I will, of course, steal this info for future cooking articles.)
I hadn’t seen this thread until I got the T-Nation email yesterday. I’m blown away at your progress so far and really respect your dedication to making the Velocity Diet work you. Mad props to you, Gus. Keep up the great work and ignore the jealous nay-sayers.
Sorry I didn’t see this but are you going to continue this diet for a set time or until you get to a certain BF%?
And a note on pounding the chicken breasts, make sure to pound just the thick end to make sure it’s an even thickness with the thin end so that it cooks evenly.
Hey, that looks like a great thing to do with chicken breasts. I’m gonna try it!
Gus, I knew you’d make it! Looking great, man. FYI, I am a couple days short of a month off my V-Diet and still getting leaner. I think about 3-5 lbs from the 15 I lost came back the first two weeks, but they are now gone and I am a pound or two lighter than I was at Day #28.
My transition has been like a detox experiment. I find now I don’t really like or tolerate red meat like I used to. It tends to bloat me like a Macy’s parade float. But fish and chicken, no problem. I enjoy my lean protein, which is good because I have many, many pounds to go and will need it to keep up the fight until I can do the V-Diet again!
Anyway, with you being as athletic as you are, I’d bet you will sail through with minimal or no weight blowback. Have fun with the great food!
Your story inspired me to do this crazy diet that I said was stupid and gimmicky. You see all these folks in magazines and on the internet and I always figured, “yea, whatever…”. But when I read your background story and what you were saying before starting, I got hooked (plus I was feeling like an elephant from holiday binging).
I finish next Monday and have dropped almost 15 pounds and yea it was me, but you helped give me that mental edge! Keep posting and don’t go all “Hollywood” on us now! LOL
Thanks for being so transparent and sharing your story.
[quote]gustavopacho wrote:
(I’m on a picture posting mood if you haven’t noticed! Hope it gives you an ideal of what a great physique looks like)[/quote]
Gus I know what a great physique is, I have seen your after pics
Top photo of Zane though. He always appealed to me as a physique that is closer to realistic for most of us than the average massive pro.
[quote]MsFit wrote:
I hadn’t seen this thread until I got the T-Nation email yesterday. I’m blown away at your progress so far and really respect your dedication to making the Velocity Diet work you. Mad props to you, Gus. Keep up the great work and ignore the jealous nay-sayers.
Thanks for the compliment, very cool of you to say! You are right about ignoring the haters. Someone is always going to hate you for some dumb reason or another. No use for me getting upset at invisible internet critics.
Sorry I didn’t see this but are you going to continue this diet for a set time or until you get to a certain BF%?
I’m doing a strict two week transition from the V-Diet and then I’ll have to figure out a game plan on how to keep going to achieve that 8% BF.
And a note on pounding the chicken breasts, make sure to pound just the thick end to make sure it’s an even thickness with the thin end so that it cooks evenly.
[/quote]
Good tip Msfit! Take care and thanks again for those kind words.
I know Shugs mentioned it at some point, but I think you are really going to be impressed with how MASSIVE you will look when you start to put carbs back in your system.
Not to mention how quickly you’ll regain your strength.
You’re progress has been amazing - your ethic inspiring. [/quote]
I’m looking to get in some carbs in a week or two but I seemed to have filled out a little with just protein and veggies from my HSM. Didn’t expect that.
[quote]blabber wrote:
Hey, that looks like a great thing to do with chicken breasts. I’m gonna try it!
Gus, I knew you’d make it! Looking great, man. FYI, I am a couple days short of a month off my V-Diet and still getting leaner. I think about 3-5 lbs from the 15 I lost came back the first two weeks, but they are now gone and I am a pound or two lighter than I was at Day #28.
Scott[/quote]
I like that result a lot Scott. It shows that there is minimal chance of a rebound weight gain effect. Plus you are two pounds or so lighter since the end of the program. Very nice! Thanks again Scott and take care buddy.
Your story inspired me to do this crazy diet that I said was stupid and gimmicky. You see all these folks in magazines and on the internet and I always figured, “yea, whatever…”. But when I read your background story and what you were saying before starting, I got hooked (plus I was feeling like an elephant from holiday binging).
I said the same thing when I used to read about the EAS contests or the ones for Max Muscle and such. I guess I just wished I could have done one of those. Then I got my chance here and I just wanted to give it everything I had. Opportunities like this only come once in a lifetime and the best thing to do is just go for it with all your effort.
I finish next Monday and have dropped almost 15 pounds and yea it was me, but you helped give me that mental edge! Keep posting and don’t go all “Hollywood” on us now! LOL
15 lbs is great Bro! Congratulations Devo! I’m glad I helped out in a little way and don’t worry man, No Hollywood Hogan here ha ha!
Thanks for being so transparent and sharing your story. [/quote]
Gus I know what a great physique is, I have seen your after pics
Right on Crucial!
Top photo of Zane though. He always appealed to me as a physique that is closer to realistic for most of us than the average massive pro.
[/quote]
Zane is one of my favorite BB. That pic is the kind that will keep me training for years. I know I will never be a massive bodybuilder and that is ok. But I know down the line that I can be a complete one with a lot of time and effort put in!
I can’t believe some people out there would try to rob you of everything you have accomplished I have been following your progress since you started and let me tell you that you have been a huge inspiration to me. Great job
[quote]d_frappier wrote:
I can’t believe some people out there would try to rob you of everything you have accomplished I have been following your progress since you started and let me tell you that you have been a huge inspiration to me. Great job
Stay Strong
Dan[/quote]
Hey Dan, thanks man! Very cool of you to say that. It is no use for me to be upset with internet critics. They will always hate and try to put someone’s honest efforts in the gutter. But that is just their way of life.
I remember being like one of those fools before too. I went to a local bodybuilding show with my friend Cito. Someone young dude was in the novice show and really didn’t come in as good a shape that he should have. I was a little bigger than he was and started to clown his condition to justify how much better I was for my stupid ego. Cito, turns to me and said “At least that kid has the guts to step on stage and he is still pretty ripped. I give him a lot of respect and credit just for that, even if he comes in last.”
That humbled me and made me really think about how that kid dieted down for months and trained his ass off for this one local show. I learned my lesson on not crapping away at someone’s efforts. Who am I to judge someone anyway.
You just gotta give credit where credit is due if someone steps up and really improve themselves. They worked for it and deserve it. Heck, I give credit to everybody in the gym training cause at least they are there doing something to better themselves. It is hard for most ordinary people just to make it to the gym.
[quote]SamuraiWannaBe wrote:
So do you think you will enter a show???[/quote]
I just want to get shredded for my own personal goal. No show for me. I have many weak points that will take a lot of time to bring up and right now getting ripped is enough work with my current schedule.
[quote]gustavopacho wrote:
SamuraiWannaBe wrote:
So do you think you will enter a show???
I just want to get shredded for my own personal goal. No show for me. I have many weak points that will take a lot of time to bring up and right now getting ripped is enough work with my current schedule.[/quote]
I hear ya! School can be rough, but its worth it in the end… at least thats what they tell me Keep up the great work!
Hey Gus, haven’t posted in the clinic threads before but I have been following all of you guys since the start. Congrats on your progress so far.
One thing I’d like to add is just wait till you are able to “normal” with other carbs besides veggies. Fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, and frozen berries are going to taste like freakin candy to you!!
CONGRATS on your success! I have to say that the weekend I discovered your ‘prescription’, I immediately jumped into a similar plan-- used your prescribed exercises (as mentioned before we had similar age, weights, measurements, etc.), only difference being that I’ve eaten 1 solid meal per day (described here: http://www.T-Nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=546503&pageNo=14 )
I’m just finishing out week 3 and down 13 lbs. I expect to hit 15 in all…
Just a friendly tip to you and others doing this diet-- SPLENDA now makes ‘flavored singles’ which are mocha, hazelnut, caramel, and vanilla flavored splenda packets for coffee but flavor up the protein shakes quite nicely!
Also, for added fiber or just different texture, I add 2 Tbs of pure psyllium husk to my shakes-- it really thickens them up and makes the bland tasting psyllium much easier to tolerate.
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