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Lifting weights for aesthetics and strength

Strength, aesthetics, and overall improvement of quality of life.

That’s what a lot of gym goers are seeking.

The benefits of strength has been explored many times, but I’ll just say that it feels good to stronger.

He looks alright

He looks alright

We are going to talk about aesthetics. This is a complicated subject because everyone has these perceptions:

  • What do I think about my body?
  • What do I think that other people think about my body?
  • What do people actually think about my body?

What are the characteristics of an aesthetic physique?

It’s well known that men would prefer to have greater mass overall, whereas women say they would rather be attracted to a man with a slimmer more athletic physique. My overarching theme here is that first and foremost you should lift weights for whatever reasons you want to, and pursue goals relentlessly.

This, however, is a topic about aesthetics, so if you are interested read on.

Aesthetic physiques typically:

  • Fit, athletic, good muscle tone
  • Balanced, symmetrical
  • Move with ease, flexible yet strong, poise of a Greek God.
  • Healthy skin tone (from fruits/vegetables and sun exposure)
  • Look as if they are able to perform functionally (mass monsters need not apply)

So it seems like aesthetics are the underlying factors of physical attractiveness. It’s about looks, yet it’s about what it looks like that aesthetic person is capable of. It’s about what it looks like that person has in terms of personality traits and confidence.

If you had the body of a Greek God, wouldn’t you find confidence in those accomplishments.

How to Train for Aesthetics

Now I could tell you to squat, deadlift, and bench press and then see what happens. Some people will turn out great, while others will have obvious weak points that detract from their physique. In other words, everyone is built differently and requires unique modifications to their training based on limb length, torso size, prior injuries, etc.

And yet, I will still tell you to Deadlift, Squat, and Bench Press because this will help to build AND measure your overall strength. Some people hardly deadlift, except to see where their strength levels are at.

The major lifts are the foundation, then from there on all you have to do is hit the muscles from different angles and rep ranges. WITH INTENSITY.

Beast mode should definitely be activated during those crucial moments.

Natural vs unnatural

For people who choose to not use steroids/AAS, the gains will come differently and the training will be different as well. Just don’t expect to look big and shredded like the people in the magazines unless you’re willing to use the same chemicals they do.

A very famous strongman from the old days

Overall, I’d say that general population appreciates a natural physique in terms of aesthetics. There is more value to the strength because it is unassisted.

Eat clean, train hard, and sleep well.

Then do it consistently.

Physical Fitness by Dre
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Are you Inspired? How to Reach Goals by Growing from Others

Think of any lesson which you have ever learned.

Have you touched a hot stove or how quickly would you learn NOT to touch a hot stove?

That’s why they invented tools.

Consider the emotional experience resulting from flesh burning and physiological distress. Lessons are the representations of meaningful memories and experiences.

Lessons are powerful

The human experience contains rhythms of knowledge & discovery. Perhaps we should all seek to unlock deeper and more enriching realities. We must bring to light to those that matter.

It’s good to be a winner.

How to Find Value and Inspiration in other people

Pause for a second and think about a moment when you called upon your own strength to overcome a new challenge. You should  enjoy the memory of an experience which accompanies the feeling of accomplishment.

So look for that in people. Bring encouragement to the vulnerable part of a person who just wants their pain go away and for recovery to be achieved.

Believe in the Journey… Envision the Outcome.

You have to wake up every day and make choices. Those choices are not mere Yes or No’s… actually it becomes who you are. Life is a huge opportunity. Take pride in yourself, for the way you have experienced your fitness journey.

Take on challenges with open arms

Envision your perfect body despite imperfections. Maybe there’s a mole, or a wart, or something you wish you’d never seen… think about the way that your own thoughts can make you feel proud. Embrace that which you are most self-conscious about.

See your vision…

Feel your vision…

And,

Be your Vision.

Blog & Personality Power of the Mind
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Why do Most People Give Up on their Fitness Goals?

A valued reader emailed me:

Hey andre, i’ve been following your blogs for a long time now, honestly I want to get fit and all the health benefits of nutrition and exercising. But sadly I’m one of those people who has been inconsistent, but I made it a mission that this time onward I would stay consistent.

My regular work out right now (for 4 weeks), is doing P90X strength workout videos 3 times a week (every other day) with pull up bars, dumbbell up to 20 lb. And I would jog on the days I don’t work out. Even trying to keep my consistency, I still miss a work out or not jog on days i should during the week.

Getting started is easy… sticking with it isn’t.

We’ve all been there. We felt that we needed a change in our lives and for a week we do a really good job at it. But then slowly our bad habits start kicking in again and then we end up losing all that progress we made.

You need (the right kind) of Motivation.

Motivation can be described as the reason you do something and inspiration is the stimulation that compels you to become motivated.

Inspiration is motivational.

So the best way to get motivated is to focus on that which inspires you.

I am inspired by people who take it to the next level. Each video below demonstrates strength, discipline, and using goals for advancement.

You will notice that each competition is part of a greater movement relating to human ability. For example, whereas gymnastics and calisthenics are art forms which requires mastery over one’s body, strongman and powerlifting are more about brute strength over heavy objects. And in bodybuilding, you train only for aesthetics and appearance, but in crossfit you train in order to complete exercises against the clock.

I believe that anyone interested in a healthy, balanced lifestyle can gain value from every physical discipline. When you feel inspired by another person or a way of movement, consider the type of effort and training required for that person to get to such a point of accomplishment.

1. POWERLIFTING

2. STRONGMAN

3. BODYBUILDING

4. OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING

5. FREE RUNNING

6. GYMNASTICS

7. CROSSFIT

8. CALISTHENICS

GOAL SETTING

Have clear goals: it is the #1 form of empowerment.

The Fun is in the Training itself.

Eventually you realize that getting a six pack abs for the sake of having six pack abs is unsatisfying and boring.

However, when you are able to look forward to the time you spend training, you know you’ve reached a good spot in your goal setting. You should have fun while lifting weights and exercising… and if you’re not having fun, then you’re not doing it right.

Focus on realistic goals. Then set mini-goals, and then set mini-mini-mini goals. For example, a very minor goal might be “I will eat 1 cup of broccoli today” and that’s all you focus on. At the very moment that you consume 1 cup of broccoli, you will have attained a level of success, which will lead to greater levels of success. It will open the doors for whatever you want to achieve in your fitness goals.

When you are inspired, You become inspirational.

I know it because I see it.

People who glow of inspiration are the very people who inspire others, without even trying. The reason I blog is because you inspire me. I am dedicated because my gut feeling has me moving forward more days than not. I hope that you find the inspiration that has meaning for you, and to GO WITH IT!

If you want it, go out and get it.

You just gotta know WHAT you want!

Physical Fitness by Dre Weightloss Now
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Know How You can Make Time for Health & Fitness

Life is busy.

Jobs and schools, loans and pleasures.

Borrowing time has meaning in both gain and sacrifice.

Borrowing time for You

People need the support.

It was a Monday night when I greeted a customer who arrived three minutes before closing.

It’s 9:10 PM, and I’m serving the customer.

Bart suffers from severe anxiety.

For him, panic attacks are triggered by people and noises. I feel empathy knowing the power of the mind.

Can you think of a moment when your heart truly raced?

If its because you’re near a charming fellow, have no worries reader.

But the trouble comes when someone gets over-stimulated by common situations.

I worked beyond the schedule that night because Bart was a person in need. He was not disrespecting me by staying late — he was simply trying to cope.

Bart needed to borrow time from me, on that night.

For nearly twenty minutes, even after the doors were locked I gave him my full attention.

While some may feel a loss in time, I feel better knowing that integrity and character come more in giving than in receiving.

Hopefully everyone can experience the power of both.

THE SECRET TO FITNESS:

Make lots of health meals or…

…know a person who makes health appreciate more than butter on a pancake.

Extra points if they are cuter than butter on a pancake.

Make time for health, give time to others

The same goes for rocking fitness into the schedule.

Start small and own it.

You are the master of your own fitness.

The Big POWERFUL Nutrients for Lasting Results

  • High Fiber
  • High Protein
  • High Complex Carbs
  • High in Essential Fatty Acids and other beneficial fatty acids
  • Different color fruits and veggies as antioxidant-powerhouses

…and more!

Keep ya’ posted, friends.

Power of the Mind
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How does Family Lifestyle become YOUR Decision?

Family depends on Our behaviors.

Most of us are on auto-pilot when it comes to neglecting our true motivation.

We don’t usually think about deeper aspects of personality until some drastic event happens to us. Like, why did it happen to me?

Do you realize what you’re doing?

I would pause for a moment and consider, the true magnitude of time spent with family.

It could be a parent, sibling, and significant other. Family time is influential no matter what.

Be passionate about a healthy lifestyle.

This is a proud statement of who you are.

A person who loves to live. Life empowers you only if you empower it.

In other words, to gain physical, mental, and emotional strength, you must feel like this…

Responsibility...

Have the responsibility for how you are, for what you do, and for who you do it with.

We eat vegetables. What do you do?

Nutrient-dense food that empowers us to empower ourselves.

Fresh food.

You aren’t what you eat;You’re what you digest.

Improve your digestive health by understanding it.

Sure, you can learn great nutrition tips from EllisonFitness, but the truth is that you’re already well equipped.

With body and mind, all you need is a little inspiration.

Inspire Family…

Role models are great to have. I gain respect when witnessing character, knowledge, and passion that that is virtuous to me.

Even though I may try, some traits are not for me to master. We are too unique, and I am what I am. Our benefit, though is our positive alliance.

My oldest brother inspires me, and the best part is that it’s mutual. I inspire him with this blog…unless I get too busy to write new posts!

He said this great truth about Lifestyle that I had to share:

Health testimonial:

Making physical fitness a lifestyle choice is one of the best decisions I’ve made and has changed the quality of my life for the better.

I strongly believe consistency is the most important factor for determining success. Exercise and eating healthy requires dedication, discipline, and educating yourself on how to best achieve these goals. That’s why approaching physical fitness as a “lifestyle” makes so much more sense. It becomes something permanent rather than a fleeting vague goal.

Way to go, brother! Success is built upon consistency and successful behaviors.

How to get an amazing body, with family.

You are you, and I am me.

We evolve habits that promote health.

Imagine if eating vegetables was your habit — eating healthy is easy then.

Therefore, being lean with me is the right thing to do.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Power of the Mind Weightloss Now