WBFF Alberta Championships This Weekend!

If you want to truly see an amazing bodybuilding show, the way it should be done, then don't forget to check out the WBFF Alberta Championships this weekend in Calgary. Come see what Paul Dillett and his great team are doing for the sport we love.

www.wbffshows.com

Training Tips from Paul 'The Mauler' Lazenby.

As a guy who has competed at both weight training/strength sports and competitive fighting, I can say with authority that the two have some very important similarities that athletes in both arenas need to address if they want to attain success.

First of all, it is crucial that both the dedicated bodybuilder and the competitive fighter have an innate ability to push their own limits, or at least allow them to be pushed by a trainer. In bodybuilding, one is looking to force the body to carry muscle in a quantity and configuration that are not natural to it, while in fighting one is voluntarily placing themselves into a situation where a lack of performance can result in great bodily harm, or even death. In both cases, if the athlete does not have the willpower and ability to push themselves well beyond their normal, "God-given" limitations, then they are going to come up tragically short in the competitive arena, and end up being laughed off the platform or beaten down to the canvas. To put it bluntly, if you're going to wimp out in training then don't even bother trying to compete.

The second aspect (and probably the most tragically underemphasized) is DIET. I've met so many athletes who give minimal attention to what they're shovelling into their cake-holes, and yet they complain about not meeting their physique and/or performance goals. Your food is your fuel--if you pour grain alcohol into a Ferrari, it certainly isn't going to perform up to its potential, and your body is the same way. Whether you're looking to be a shredded beast or a killer in the ring, my advice is to have your diet professionally tailored. In every contest I ever competed in, no matter if it was strongman, powerlifting, MMA or Muay Thai, my performances were night-and-day different when my diet was on point.

And of course, there's the issue of supplementation. In different ways, both bodybuilders and pro fighters push their bodies to the absolute extreme and beyond. To both aid in the ability to do this and recover from the after-effects of training, a solid supplementation program is an absolute must. Sometimes there's one factor that separates winners from losers, and often that factor is the quality of the supplement line that the winner has added to a proper diet. That's why I've been a FUSION athlete for the past ten years, and that's why I've won three Canadian titles under the FUSION BODYBUILDING banner.

So follow those three simple rules--bust your ass, follow your diet and take your FUSION supps--and one day you too could find yourself standing atop the podium holding a trophy over your head, or wearing championship gold around your waist!

Train hard, good luck, and NEVER quit!!!



Paul "The Mauler" Lazenby
NFC Canadian Superheavyweight MMA Champion
3 time, Undisputed, Undefeated Canadian Superheavyweight Muay Thai Champion
Silver medalist, Canadian Jr. Powerlifting Championships
3rd Place, Canadian Strongman Championships
Stuntman/actor

FUSION Athlete Wins WBFF Hot Bod.

Wow, what a roll FUSION athlete Mark Wingson is on. After taking the second place trophy at the provinicals he rolled on up to the WBFF Hot Bod stage this past weekend and stole the show. Congratulations Mark!

Antioxidants & Food: Does it make a difference what you eat?

We all know that exercise triggers the generation and release of harmful oxidants that can damage your muscles, organs and DNA. It’s also well-known that eating itself generates harmful oxidants. But whereas the harmful oxidants generated from your normal diet are well-managed by your body, the harmful oxidants generated by exercise aren’t. Many experts think that the solution to exercise-generated harmful oxidants is eating.

To this end, many experts recommend consuming foods high in antioxidants – dark fruits, a wide variety of colored vegetables and more.

But does eating a lot of foods with a high total antioxidant capacity (TAC) really have any effect on traditional markers of antioxidant stress?

An Italian study found that it doesn’t matter much how high the level of antioxidants you consume is, but it does matter when you consume them and, most importantly, if your blood level is already sufficient when required.

So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: If you want to stop intra-workout muscle loss, make sure you’re armed to the gills with antioxidant-rich blood before you set foot in the gym. Coffee is a great source of antioxidants before working out, and it also gives you a major performance-enhancing boost, so take advantage of it. Finally, make sure you consume dark fruits and berries within four hours of your workout. This helps dramatically tone down inflammatory signals and helps speed you into the anabolic growth phase.

Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:1290–7.

The Big Screen is Getting Crowded.

Rumour has it that Roland Kickinger is going to be steeping into Arnold’s sandals as the next Conan the Barbarian. Though Arnold had garnered some critical acclaim from his roles before Conan, notably a Golden Globe for New Male Star Of The Year for his role in Stay Hungry, it was Conan that truly was his breakout role. It looks like the role is going to give Roland the same opportunity, the question seems to be is he being cast to be Conan, or is he being cast to be Arnold? The parallels between Arnold and Roland and unquestionable. They were both born in Austria, and obviously they’re both bodybuilders. Roland played a T-800 Terminator in the most recent movie, the same model that Arnold made famous. In fact, Roland actually played Arnold in the biographical move See Arnold Run. On the other hand there aren’t that many other actors out there with the physique, or inversely, bodybuilders with the acting experience, to pull off the title role in a feature film. Roland has been acting for years, and while he may not have a Golden Globe for his role as Chip Rommel on Sun of the Beach (check out this clip, he talks after the catfight – you’re welcome > link: http://bit.ly/TpwRJ%20 ) it is acting experience. What other choices are there? A CGI Conan? A Hollywood actor buffing up to wear the loincloth? It’s not as if Jay Cutler is going to be asked to tone down his muffin-top hairdo and pick up a sword. So it’ll be interesting to see if Roland is the barbarian of choice, and if so how the Conan reboot will be approached. Regardless, you know I’m going to go see it. The question is how am I going to sneak my cooler full of chicken into the theatre?

Gaining Inspiration.

By all accounts FUSION athlete Lauriston Maloney is a well accomplished bodybuilder...he is huge. But even he finds it inspiring to watch the likes of Branch Warren step onstage with the hulking mass of a t-rex. I was there to witness this larger than life Texan raise the roof on a packed house at the Provincials this past weekend. Branch gave the crowd exactly what they came to see; muscle, and plenty of it. But aside from his freakish display, Branch proved to be a gentleman and a true ambassador to the sport of bodybuilding.

So, if you're feeling a little uninspired as of late, try hitting your local bodybuilding show and I bet you'll leave refocused and ready to take on new goals.

Here's is a pic of Lauriston meeting one of his idols.

Updated pic of FUSION athlete Dave Naugler.

It's always cool to see how much difference a week of dieting makes. Here's Dave looking like he's fine tuning his prep...looking more polished.

A Great Weekend For FUSION Athletes.

I attended the 2009 Provincial Championships in London Ontario this past weekend and what a great event. I feel like there is a new found energy in bodybuilding and looking at the crowd and quality of competitors confirms that feeling. A packed house and a great line up of athletes set the backdrop for two of FUSION's athletes to show off their hard work. At the end of the day Shannon Anstey and Mark Wingson both came away with some hardware. Mark claimed the second place position in his tough weight class while Shannon won convincingly in the middleweight division. Congratulations guys...time to eat!

Shannon Anstey, pictured below, is the newest FUSION BODYBUILDING athlete. Welcome aboard!

Taking on the Provincials...

I'd like to wish FUSION BODYBUILDING athlete Mark Wingson the best of luck as he takes the stage at the Provincials this weekend in London, Ontario. I've known Mark for 6 years and he has really made some great strides in his bodybuilding career. Kick some ass Mark!

This is the transformation Mark did for us last year.

The Next IFBB Pro?

Well, August 22nd is fast approaching and FUSION athlete Dave Naugler is deep into his contest prep. I've been talking to him almost daily and he's super focused and has his eye on the prize. Will Dave be the newest IFBB Pro?

Breakfast: Don't Skip It!

I can't believe we have to talk about this; but time and time again we find that people are choosing to skip breakfast. What?!

Breakfast – the meal many people usually skip because of a lack of time – is the most important meal of the day for getting you lean because it not only gets you started off right, but also is a winner when it comes to BMI – your body mass index.

Recent research has examined the relationship between eating breakfast and BMI values by comparing the results of nine controlled studies on both children and adults. The researchers found a consistent correlation between eating breakfast and having lower BMI values. While bodybuilders don’t typically fall into the BMI classification, the study is nonetheless applicable because the study found another connection: those who didn’t eat breakfast had higher BMI values and higher overall percentages of body fat – something that bodybuilders will want to avoid.

So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: Not only does breakfast get you started and give your body the nutrients it needs, but it also revs your metabolism into gear, giving you all-day calorie burning and preventing a slow metabolism and resulting BMI increases and body fat gain.

Source: Ashwell M. et al. Are people who regularly eat breakfast cereals slimmer than those who don’t? A systematic review of the evidence. British Nutrition Foundation Nutrition Bulletin. 2007;32:118–128.

FUSION Athlete Dave Naugler - D I A L I N G...

WWW.DAVENAUGLER.COM

New FUSION Athlete Site: Danziccardi.com

Here is the new site for FUSION athlete Dan Ziccardi.

Danziccardi.com

Finally an "average" person gets it.

Bodybuilding can be wearisome sometimes. Not the hours in the gym or the endless chicken breasts, though we all know that gets tiresome, what can really grind you down some days is all the judgment. Let’s face it, often the average person just doesn’t get bodybuilding. Go to the beach and you almost guaranteed a ‘he’s gross’ look. They think we’re all on ‘roids and are about to go into a rage, and our junk has shrunk to nothing. And man when you pull out the cooler, forget it. So nothing makes me more happy than reading this article about Stuart MacDonald, average guy from Michigan who makes a documentary about trying to look like the guys in the bodybuilding ads. What he found is it isn’t easy. MacDonald explains, “No one realizes how much dedication it takes to look like those guys (in the fitness ads)” he said. But what impressed me the most is MacDonald’s “revelation” that most of the guys don’t look that way all time and the toll hard dieting really takes, something anyone who has competed already knows. He said in the film: “But it’s getting scary how hard it is to get as lean as I need to get for that photograph to show you how hard it is to look like those people in those photographs. It’s a lie. It’s a complete lie. Nobody can live like that and eat like this. Nobody can do it and function.” So check the full article yourself at http://bit.ly/C44Xp and be sure to watch the trailer below.

WBFF Hot Bod - June 26th.

Paul Dillett is hosting the WBFF Hot Bod on June 26th at C-Lounge in Toronto. These physique parties are always a ton of fun; hope you can make it.

VIEW EVITE

Bodybuilder Turned Strongman.

I’ve known Jimmy Michaud for about 10 years; he has participated in our transformation program and has always amazed me as a bodybuilder. He totally embodies what the sport is about. He is focused, energetic and trains like a mad man. I never thought I’d see the day when he’d hang up his trunks and move on; but, every dog has his day. Having accomplished what he set out to as a bodybuilder, Jimmy felt like taking on a great new challenge: strongman competitions. I've been following his strongman journey and it would appear than Jimmy has made the transition with ease. Of course it’s all the hard work and bodybuilder-like dedication that makes it look easy, but he is going full-tilt and taking the strongman world by storm.

Congrats on all your success Jimmy…we’re proud of you!



You can also check out some of his videos posted on our Facebook group: www.bodybuildingculture.com

Berries For A Better Workout?

Eating fruit is good for you, but many of us worry that eating sugary fruit will make us fat. We can rest easy because when consumed in moderation, fruit won’t make us fat – it will only power our workouts and build muscle. And how!

New research shows that eating a mix of dark fruit berries twice daily not only helps trigger muscle growth by combating and crushing workout-induced harmful oxidants but also dramatically enhances cardiovascular capacity and performance, enhances oxygen and nutrient circulation and delivery to muscles, and ultimately leads to better cardio workouts and performance under the iron. Ultimately, then, the research shows that eating mixed berries can get you bigger and stronger faster!

Berries are best consumed two hours prior to your workout and again just before you go to bed at night. Consuming them in this fashion will protect you during your workout from harmful oxidants and will help offset the inflammatory effects of catabolism that occur during the course of the night between meals.

So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: Berries won’t make you fat. By eating moderate amounts of dark berries twice daily at the right times, you can offset the harmful effects of your workouts while simultaneously increasing all aspects of your performance, ultimately producing a better workout and accelerating your recovery and muscle growth!

Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:323–31.

Dave Naugler...lookin' nasty!

FUSION athlete Dave Naugler is well on his way to coming in top form at this years Nationals in Vancouver. Here he is 10 weeks out...lookin' nasty!

Female Bodybuilder - Leah Wynne

I was in the gym this morning...taking care of business when I looked over and saw Leah Wynne performing cleans with the ferocity I’ve not seen on some of the most serious bodybuilders. For those of you who don’t know Leah, she’s a FUSION athlete who will be competing at the WBFF this season. She’ll be participating in a before and after shoot and will be featured on our transformation page.

This is a little of what to expect from her….totally impressive.

Dave Naugler...coming in strong!

Dave sent me this quick shot of his progression towards the Nationals in Vancouver.

Fat gain: Why it's so easy after leaning up.

As bodybuilders, we’ve all experienced rebound weight gain. After a long dieting-down phase or a contest, we “relax” a bit and take some much-needed rest, enjoying some of the foods that we’ve had to forgo for so long for the sake of our physiques. But have you ever wondered why it’s so easy – especially right after dieting down or a contest – to gain body fat back faster than ever before?

A study investigated this question by testing a group of male subjects and measured circulating hormone concentrations, including ketone bodies, free fatty acids (FFAs), insulin, leptin, glucose and cholecystokinin, as well as feelings of hunger. All measures were taken at the beginning and end of the clinical study.

Researchers found that after eight weeks on a weight-loss diet and one week on a weight-maintenance diet, subjects had changes in hormone signals that activate hunger. In other words, researchers found that the body ramps up its signals to the brain to eat. The body goes into “overdrive” mode, convincing the brain that it’s hungry. Additionally, researchers found that after a prolonged period of caloric deficit, the body ups its production and output of various fat-storing hormones.

So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: After dieting down or completing a contest, expect to be especially hungry, and expect to gain some body fat easily – it’s just how your body works. Just be sure to not overdo it: Don’t binge too much in the initial days following the end of the tough road. Realize that your hunger and body fat gain are the result of hormones that, with time, will normalize. Stay conscious and disciplined because, after all, whatever you eat, you’re going to have to go to the gym to burn it off. Be hungry for food, but even hungrier for results.

Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:1238 – 46.

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Always a fan...

I find it amazing that no matter how long I have been in the bodybuilding industry I still am a huge fan of the sport. I've been active in bodybuilding for almost 20 years and I still get jacked when my favourite athletes come to town. Everytime I see Paul Dillett I still get nostalgic, thinking of his posters on my bed room wall...wishing I could look like that. Bodybuilding is something that just gets into your bones...something that always seems to be on our minds...it's our life.

On the same note, FUSION athlete Lauriston Maloney is a very big dude...stand beside him and you'll see what I mean. Well, even he remains a huge fan of bodybuilding. Here he his getting a signed pic of the always popular Markus Ruhl.