Let's talk - Natural Mr Olympia gives advice

[Natural_O]

Hey John nice to see the thread turned into a sticky since my last post.
I noticed you take glutamine. I feel this supp works, however I'm finding difficulty locating any empirical evidence to back up its effectiveness. I am told by the nay sayers that I am experiencing the placebo effect. However, after 18 years of training I know my body and am convinced I am not thinking myself into glutamine working.
What is your perspective on this supp?
Furthermore, some old school supps that I take or plan on taking have received some flak as well. I take GABA (helps me sleep, gives me a little buzz before bed, and increases Gh production (I hope)). What's your take on GABA?
Is apple cider vinegar (tabs, not liquid) good for a natural diuretic?
The show I'm looking to enter is run by FAME and allows ephedrine. I have a decent amount of knowledge and experience with this supp but again, I'm curious as to your opinion?
Lastly, I gave MCT oil a try a few years back, got a gut ache for the entire time and quit taking it. Is this supp worth re-visiting?
Thank-you in advance!

I always liked taking glutamine when I am dieting and/or under a lot of stress. Glutamine is stored in the muscle cells and is depleted under high stress conditions (such as dieting and cardio) so I'll take it as much as 4x a day when I am in hard training.

I never tried GABA, let me know how you like it and maybe I'll give it a shot. I tried the apple cider vinegar liquid before for a diuretic effect and didn't notice any difference. I never tried the tablets. I think asparagus has a good diuretic impact on the body.

I didn't know you could get ephedrine anymore and I'm surprised FAME allows it. Ephedrine definitely gets the heart racing so I'm sure it will help you to get more cut. I used to take Hydroxycut years ago when ephedrine was still available.

I never tried MCT oil but I've heard lots of people complain about stomach and digestive problems using this supplement. I just talked to a friend of mine who actually went to see a doctor because her stomach was so upset. After talking to her, we finally figured out that it was probably the MCT oil that caused the problems. I do, however, believe in flaxseed oil. I have at least 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil every day.

[Ravish]

Thank you for that Defiant! I appreciate the post and I'm glad you liked the book so much. I put a lot of work into it and I tried to make it as comprehensive as I could to supply the information that would be helpful to anyone who read the book.

Thanks again!

Whats your book called and where can we buy it from?

[Lowdown5]

I think you need the right body structure to be a great bench presser. Guys with short arms and a big ribcage are usually good benchers. I always feel like my triceps are giving out when I am doing the exercise. Plus, I grab the bar pretty wide to target my chest and I think this cuts back on the strength a little. As long as you are feeling the exercise in the chest, that's all that counts.

Thanks John!

[Natural_O]

Whats your book called and where can we buy it from?

It's called "Natural Bodybuilding" and the publisher is Human Kinetics (2005). It's available at all Barnes and Noble, Borders and Books a Millions bookstores or at Amazon.com. You can also purchase it (and get it autographed) directly from me at my website, www.naturalolympia.com.

OK guys, I'm off to L.A. for a couple days. I'm doing a photo shoot with Mike Neveux of IronMan Magazine tomorrow and I'll be back on Thursday. If you have any questions, keep 'em coming and I'll answer them when I get back.

[Lowdown5]

Have a good trip!

[percussion8903]

another question: Are calipers accurate? I had a 2 hour talk with a certified personal trainer who knew what he was talking about and estimated my bodyfat at 15% when I was on the last day of my bulk phase (5'10 246lbs) and said something about calipers not being right. I checked with a caliper one more time and tried my strictest bodyfat measurements possible and ended up with 11.7% reading

[Juic3]

It's called "Natural Bodybuilding" and the publisher is Human Kinetics (2005). It's available at all Barnes and Noble, Borders and Books a Millions bookstores or at Amazon.com. You can also purchase it (and get it autographed) directly from me at my website, www.naturalolympia.com.

OK guys, I'm off to L.A. for a couple days. I'm doing a photo shoot with Mike Neveux of IronMan Magazine tomorrow and I'll be back on Thursday. If you have any questions, keep 'em coming and I'll answer them when I get back.

Have fun on your trip, glad to have you on our forum!

[bbcom_developer]

This thread is currently being featured on Bodybuilders.com.

http://www.bodybuilders.com/

(Scroll down to the "Community Section" to see it.) Kudos! =)

[lionelxxl]

Have fun on your trip, glad to have you on our forum!

I agree.

Very nice to see you around john and thanks for taking time with my questions. Hope to see you back soon!

[Nep2une]

IMHO this is the best thread here !!! NICE !

[chenko]

IMHO this is the best thread here !!! NICE !

Stop being so humble. It is the best thread here! (closely followed by Serge's)

[MassIsAhead]

Stop being so humble. It is the best thread here! (closely followed by Serge's)

Apart from the whole lying about his drug use, yes, Serge's thread is very informative.

I appreciate honesty though, and John Hansen is full of it

Kudos.

[chenko]

John Hansen is full of it

Thats a bit rough.

[MassIsAhead]

Thats a bit rough.

Full of thruth and honesty?

I don't know how rough that is.. I think it's pretty virtuous!!

[chenko]

Full of thruth and honesty?

I don't know how rough that is.. I think it's pretty virtuous!!

I agree. Was just using your quote out of context, being a smart arse and unnecessarily polluting this fine thread. I will go find a corner to stand in.

[MassIsAhead]

I agree. Was just using your quote out of context, being a smart arse and unnecessarily polluting this fine thread. I will go find a corner to stand in.

Haha I got your joke dude...

Im just glad to have Hansen here to answer our (many) questions.

[Lowdown5]

I agree. Was just using your quote out of context, being a smart arse and unnecessarily polluting this fine thread. I will go find a corner to stand in.

I understood you chenko, but maybe you should stand in the corner for a bit anyway.

[chenko]

Haha I got your joke dude...

Im just glad to have Hansen here to answer our (many) questions.

Ok, it seems yours went sailing over my head

I understood you chenko, but maybe you should stand in the corner for a bit anyway.

Your giving me the lowdown!


In all seriousness though, it is very good to have a natural pro and thus someone naturals can relate to more responding to our questions.

[Lowdown5]

In all seriousness though, it is very good to have a natural pro and thus someone naturals can relate to more responding to our questions.

Agree 100%

[farzamk]

Hey John, may I ask what you ate for your breakfast, always love to know what athletes/bb's/powerlifters/wutever eat for meals, especially breakfast.

[jonny62]

John, could i ask you what u think of this please?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lnLfyxat9_k

[spirit3530]

Apart from the whole lying about his drug use, yes, Serge's thread is very informative.

I appreciate honesty though, and John Hansen is full of it

Kudos.

[Natural_O]

another question: Are calipers accurate? I had a 2 hour talk with a certified personal trainer who knew what he was talking about and estimated my bodyfat at 15% when I was on the last day of my bulk phase (5'10 246lbs) and said something about calipers not being right. I checked with a caliper one more time and tried my strictest bodyfat measurements possible and ended up with 11.7% reading

I'm in L.A. waiting for my photo shoot (it's tonight) and I found a computer in the hotel.

Calipers are fairly accurate but they are more useful in determining if you are losing or gaining fat as opposed to being 100% accurate in your actual bodyfat percentage. It helps to have the same person doing the testing or if you do it yourself. If you are only 11-15% bodyfat at the end of your bulking phase, that's pretty good. That's definitely not fat.

[Natural_O]

Hey John, may I ask what you ate for your breakfast, always love to know what athletes/bb's/powerlifters/wutever eat for meals, especially breakfast.

I usually eat 1 egg, 9 egg whites, 1 cup oatmeal and 1/2 cup blueberries for breakfast. This gives me my protein and complex carbs. When I was bulking up, I would eat a 6-7 egg omlette (whole eggs, not egg whites) with muenster cheese and 3 slices of whole wheat toast with butter and honey along with 1-2 glasses of orange or pineapple juice. That breakfast was obviously much higher in fat which is what I needed because I wanted the extra calories to put on weight.

[Lowdown5]

Hey John!

Received the package you sent today, looking forward to reading the book and watching the dvd, thanks!!

[Natural_O]

John, could i ask you what u think of this please?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lnLfyxat9_k

That's great! I smiled when the video started because it reminded me of myself when I was 15 and posing in front of my parent's fireplace and my brother taking pictures of me. The video is obviously much better than just pictures. You look great for only 15 years old. Your main goal at this time is to put on more size but that's because you are still young and just getting started. Keep training heavy (6-8 reps per set) with the basic exercises (squats, deadlifts, bent-over rows, bench presses, incline presses, etc) and limit your training to only 4 days week. Nutrition is the big thing, make sure you are eating at least 6x a day with 1-2 of those meals being protein drinks made of milk, protein powder, bananas and flaxseed oil. Eat protein foods that also have some fat in them like eggs, cheese, beef, steak, turkey and salmon. Don't forget to eat lots of carbs like oatmeal, whole wheat bread and pasta, potatoes and rice. Good Luck and keep it up!! You are on your way!

[jonny62]

That's great! I smiled when the video started because it reminded me of myself when I was 15 and posing in front of my parent's fireplace and my brother taking pictures of me. The video is obviously much better than just pictures. You look great for only 15 years old. Your main goal at this time is to put on more size but that's because you are still young and just getting started. Keep training heavy (6-8 reps per set) with the basic exercises (squats, deadlifts, bent-over rows, bench presses, incline presses, etc) and limit your training to only 4 days week. Nutrition is the big thing, make sure you are eating at least 6x a day with 1-2 of those meals being protein drinks made of milk, protein powder, bananas and flaxseed oil. Eat protein foods that also have some fat in them like eggs, cheese, beef, steak, turkey and salmon. Don't forget to eat lots of carbs like oatmeal, whole wheat bread and pasta, potatoes and rice. Good Luck and keep it up!! You are on your way!

thank you so much John for answering like you did john

yep i eat/drink 8 meals a day

do all the majour lifts...traning 5 days a week

and yeah...my goal is to become Natural mr Olympia...multiple times

[glwanabe]

Thank you John!!,

I will be ordering your book soon.

I really like your idea of how you work your body. Go heavy with the basics then attend to the details. That, is bodybuilding to me. Work with what you where born with and let the chips fall.

No question for you right now, just a big thanks for your time.

[chenko]

[QUOTE=Natural_O;45301061]and limit your training to only 4 days week. QUOTE]

do all the majour lifts...traning 5 days a week

Something to consider Jonny62. You only grow when you are fully rested.

[Lowdown5]

Just watched Johns dvd and have to say it was very motivating! I am pretty motivated to hit the gym right now!!