What I Eat Every Single Day

When people see me take down a whole pizza and still have a six pack, they assume that I have great genetics. I wish that was the case, but it isn’t. My genetics are awful, so what’s my secret? The secret to me staying in shape all year long is consistency. You might see me eat some pretty epic cheat meals on social media, but I make sure to walk our dogs twice a day, garden every day, go to the gym at least five days a week, and most importantly, eat clean about 95% of the time. For me, that combination is a very healthy lifestyle.

Sep232019

The Only Supplement That I Use

Hi there, Hungry here. In 2007, I started using supplements. I was an 155 pound Division I college athlete that needed to gain weight and strength. I used Muscle Milk’s protein and Muscle Tech’s pre-workout. 2007 was also the year that I became a fitness professional, as a personal trainer. I’ve been in the industry for about 12 years. During that time, there was a five or so year period where I tried every product by every brand. It was the same period where I wanted every certification. I was hungry for growth and knowledge. Now, with the atmospheric growth of the fitness industry, that isn’t possible. It also isn’t worth it.

Sep022019

The Best Drink Ever?

For many of you, New Year’s Resolutions are constructed during the beginning of January. You’re wrapping up the calendar year, unwrapping the last of your holiday presents and thinking about ways to improve your life. New year, new you… right?

For some of us, however, the concept of a year is much different. When we leave high school, or college, our live change dramatically. Growing up, before we ever come near the strenuous weight of adulthood, the year is based on school. Most schools run from August/September until May/June. The summer is that vacation which we all yearn for throughout the nonstop hustle and bustle of the year. As a former physical education teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District, I know that feeling all too well.

Apr152019

Why We Eat A Lot of Fish!

The most consumed primary protein source in our home is probably seafood. We eat a lot of tuna. Salmon is also one of our go-to meals. Canned mackerel, sardines and even anchovies are staples in our pantry. You might even find a variety of frozen, wild caught fish in our freezer… in case of emergencies. (For anyone wondering, Morningstar, Tofurkey, Beyond Meat and other “fake meat” products are our second most common primary protein source.) We eat fish because it is, in our opinions, more humane and sustainable than consuming other animals such as cows, pigs and chickens. It can also be healthier, if done properly. Even though I am not a vegetarian, I was a pescatarian for nearly a year when we lived in Boulder. If you manage your macronutrient and overall caloric intake properly, and supplement micronutrients such as vitamins/minerals properly, you can most likely live a healthy lifestyle without certain sources of protein.

Mar112019

Do Health Hacks Actually Work?

There are so many products that are available in just about every market imaginable. It takes days, weeks and sometimes even months of research before you decide which TV or car to buy. In Los Angeles, there are thousands of fitness facilities, which means there are so many hairs to split when figuring out which one is the best for you. You can just look at price or location, or take other factors into consideration as well. With the increase of visibility from social media, especially Facebook, you’re being bombarded with targeted ads and marketing every moment that you’re awake.

Almost everyone, especially here in Los Angeles, has to work two or three jobs to pay rent. Unless you inherited money or are supported by your parents (or the few true success stories) you rarely have enough time to take care of yourself. You might eat poorly or skip workouts because you’re so broke or exhausted from having to work so much, that you’re always looking for shortcuts to help. Whether that means holistic medicine to avoid expensive doctor trips (read about my $6,000 an hour ER visit at Cedars) or magical pills that burn fat off your body while you’re sleeping, there are many temptations available just one click away, thanks to Amazon.

The question is: are they worth it?

Mar012019

Fuel Up Like Gronk: Chris Gronkowski’s Guide to Protein Shakes

[Please enjoy a guest article from former NFL player, Chris Gronkowski!]

Why Should You Drink Protein Shakes?

No matter your workout goals, protein shakes are beneficial to your diet and your exercise routine. If you’re looking to build more muscle, upping your protein intake stimulates your muscle growth. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are essential to building muscles, so drinking protein shakes throughout the day will amp up this process.

For those looking to lose weight, protein shakes can be a healthy meal replacement that will ensure you get enough protein while decreasing your calorie intake. Losing weight involves eating a healthy diet and burning off more calories than you consume. Replacing your breakfast with a protein shake is an excellent way to fuel up for the day during a diet.

Nov302018

The Optimal Holiday Season

Thanksgiving is over and you’ve probably just stopped feeling full from what was surely a gluttonous night. Preparing for the madness and chaos between Christmas and New Year’s, we are all trying to stay in the best physical and mental state possible. After all, we need to hit some of our 2018 resolutions and prepare ourselves for 2019. Instead of just giving up entirely and letting yourself go, give December your absolute best effort. We already threw some tips out for Black Friday shopping, which are still somewhat useful now. Even if you missed out on all of the sales, focus your mind and be an absolute beast this last month of the year.

In order to keep your mind in the best possible place and minimize the stress that is associated with this time of year, we need to keep our bodies in great shape. We need to stay healthy and fight off colds or flus that notoriously wreck us at the worst time possible. (I remember having a 106 degree fever while recovering from Bells Palsy a few years ago, at our family Christmas celebration… it was the worst!) Regularly exercising and eating well will put you in a good place and set you up for success, but everyone can use some help. Fortunately for all of us, one of our absolute favorite companies in the health and wellness space just came out with some new products and after trying them for a few weeks, we have to share!

Nov292018

A High Protein Diet Plan To Lose Weight And Improve Health

In the present era, everyone is keen to maintain a healthy life with a perfectly balanced diet that contains an appropriate amount of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Sometimes, in the excitement of losing weight faster, we lose sight of the important components and, as a result, we have to quit that dietary plan. So for a healthy diet plan, we should keep in mind a few things such as:

Sep202018

Why Casein Protein Deserves More Love

Casein is one of the main types of protein supplements available on the market, however, one could argue that it’s actually underrated.

Many of us are so infatuated with the quick gains and short-term muscle building potential of whey protein that sometimes we just don’t give casein the love it deserves, and the fact that casein is also a bit more costly doesn’t help, but it’s certainly worth those few extra dollars.

Apr112018

Protein Powder Recommendations

The only thing that makes me cringe more than people who don’t squat properly is ridiculous recommendations when it comes to supplements. We’ve talked about this, mostly through social media, time and time again but it seems to be an endless cycle that might only be getting worse. Why? Because more people are using it.