Detox

It's after the Lunar New Year celebrations and after having enjoyed lots of alcohol and sinfully delicious/unhealthy food since before Christmas (that's almost 1.5 months of joy and happiness!), I'm feeling sluggish, lazy and bloated. I think my stomach and liver need a break from all the "good" stuff so I've decided to give detox a shot.

I was first introduced to this concept over 15 years ago but have never tried it. I guess I've been way too busy enjoying myself (chuckle)! However, I'm not getting any younger and my systems have somewhat slowed down so detox sounds like a good idea.

There are many ways to detox your body.

I like the idea of consuming freshly pressed fruit + vegetable juices and snack on fresh fruits and vegetables but the former will be a challenge especially during weekdays when you don't have such equipment with you in the office. You can't press the fruits + vegetables at home and bring the juice to work to consume throughout the day as the enzymes and nutritional value will deteriorate over time- best to consume immediately after pressing the fruits + vegetables.

The other more convenient but less desirable option is to use detox shakes + pills and snack on fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Being a busy man and a corporate manager, I favour the second detox option.

I spent some time and searched iHerb for some detox products. After reviewing a few detox products, I've decided to order the Natural Factors 7 Day Total Nutritional Cleanse. It's currently being shipped to Malaysia and I plan to post my daily experience using this detox product throughout the 7 days. I hope I'll survive! (LOL!)

Benefits of training with resistance machines

I've previously blogged on benefits of free weights training and it's only apt I also share my views on the benefits of training with resistance machines.

Everyone knows what resistance machines are. If you are not too sure, they are those massive looking machines that you see at the gym. These machines are specially designed to help you train your specific target muscles by ensuring they move in the right motion and with the right technique. Some single exercise resistance machines are the incline chest press machine, flye machine, preacher curl machine etc.

Use resistance machines whenever you want to train isolated muscle groups and when you are cutting. Resistance machines are good as they work only the targeted muscle groups and restrain you from using your other muscles to compensate and assist the movement. You also won't be able to make any swinging movements to generate momentum and aid your training, resulting in a better workout for that specific target muscle groups. Resistance machines are also safer to use especially for novices thus can prevent accidents in the gym. If you have an injury or recovering from an injury,  resistance machines can help strengthen the injured muscles and ensure you don’t strain yourself while working out. Finally, resistance machines can also function as foundation before moving on to more difficult free weights.

My final words before signing off...

 

Resistance machines are not for sissies! Serious bodybuilders use them too! :-)

Bodegas, Centenarias, Sauvignon Blanc, 2011

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Bodegas, Centenarias, Sauvignon Blanc, 2011

This wine has a pale straw hue and has a refreshing floral peach scent. It has fresh lemon zest taste with a hint of lime. Overall, this is a pretty decent wine with refreshing aftertaste. It's cheap too at below RM40 a pop. At this price, it can't really go wrong. Don't mind buying more of this for parties. Had this wine with my baked pasta.

Attempting a max

Have you ever wondered what your max lifting weight is for your compound movements such as deadlift, barbell bench press, military press and squat?

If you are eager to find out, you should attempt a max for your compound movements. 

When you attempt a max, you'll need to first change your mindset as attempting a max is different from your normal working out sessions. Always remember to warm-up and prepare your target muscles with a lower weight before you increase load.  

This is what you do...

Warm-Up Set #1: 40% of max load, 8 reps

Warm-Up Set #2: 50% of max loan, 6 reps

Warm-Up Set #3: 60% of max loan, 4 reps

Working Set #1:  75% of max load, 3 reps

Working Set #2:  80% of max load, 3 reps

Working Set #3:  85% of max load, 1 rep

Working Set #4:  90% of max load, 1 rep

Working Set #5:  95% of max load, 1 rep

Working Set #6:  Try to set a new max by at least 10-20 lbs.

For safety reasons, you'll need to train with a buddy so that he/she can spot you when the need arises. His/her role is also to provide motivation and moral support for you to lift your new max.

Once you achieve a new max, trust me you'll feel victorious!

La Fleur De Bouard, 2006, Lalande De Pomerol, Bordeaux

Property of Mr Flabby Less

La Fleur De Bouard, 2006, Lalande De Pomerol, Bordeaux

This is quite a full bodied wine and is a blend of 80% merlot, 15% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. I enjoy the finishing as I find it rich, rounded and refined. It tastes of delicious dark plums, dark chocolate, licorice, soil/graphite, toasted oak and spices. Nose wise, it exudes a mild hint of truffle and berry perfume. The tannins are balanced and lingers elegantly in the mouth after every sip. Nice alluring dark purple too. This wine is really drinking well now. 

This is my very first taste of Hubert De Bouard's wine and I thoroughly enjoyed every sip of it!I can foresee myself buying more of this wine-maker's wines...

Training to failure

In order to achieve maximum benefit from your weight training, you'll need to train to failure.

So what's training to failure?

When you train to failure, your target muscles will no longer be effective in the movement you are trying to train them in. For example, if you are doing barbell squats with a heavy weight for many reps. After a certain number of sets, your quads will be severely worn and fatigued, leaving your legs all weak and you won't be able to perform any more reps. This is what training to failure is all about. It represents a good benchmark of 'intensity' in your weight training. When you train your muscles to failure, you are essentially putting in 100% effort and so that your muscles can fully benefit from your training.  

If you have the desire to build muscle fast and/or have quality/dense muscles, then you'll need to constantly train to failure. Some serious bodybuilders may even train past failure to ensure that you fully utilise and wear out each and every muscle fibre. Training past failure involves finding a way to cheat and/or to get help from elsewhere once you reach failure to complete your last few reps. This involves mild swinging of barbell/dumbbell for added momentum, using a friend to give a nudge, your other arm to help support and guide the movement etc. Training past failure ensures you train your muscles 110% for maximum result!

No pain, no gain!
 

Les Charmes de Kirwan, 2000, Margaux, Bordeaux

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Les Charmes de Kirwan, 2000, Margaux, Bordeaux

This second wine of Chateau Kirwan is drinking beautifully now and I find it highly enjoyable.It has good floral nose of dark berries and is velvety and smooth. Finishing is good and taste lingers nicely in the mouth. I find it rich and full bodied and with round tannins, just the way I enjoy my wines.