I was listening to a psychologist speak, and he mentioned how having stressful thoughts can actually make you sick…
You may have experienced that. Worrying about an upcoming doctor appointment or a pending visit from a weird Uncle Rico can release hormones which can lead to stomach distress and illness.
The psychologist also said that the opposite is true: Consistent positive, healing thoughts and mantras can create wellness.
He went so far as to say that by focusing your mind on a more healthy body and how your immune system is sweeping away disease, it’s possible to overcome illness.
What the heck does that have to do with building muscle? When I was the editor for Iron Man magazine, we had a column called Hardgainer. When another author took it over, I changed the name to Twig to Big…
That’s because one of our other writers, psychologist Randall Strossen, Ph.D., bent my ear a few times about discontinuing the Hardgainer title. He said that if trainees keep telling themselves they’re hardgainers, it can create a self-fulfilling prophecy—muscle will actually be harder to gain.
Head-shrinker voodoo? I’ll leave it up to you. I’m throwing it out there because I’m a big believer in “programming” your mind to attain goals, even in bodybuilding…
Call it manifesting muscle. Yes, I’m a realist about genetics, but I also know that more muscle size is possible for anyone—maybe not Olympian muscle size, but muscle size nonetheless. Try not to put mental limits on yourself…
And do what it takes to look forward to your workouts, even if it means doing an abbreviated version. When 2019 Drug-Free Mr. Universe Doug Brignole was on Ric’s Corner, he said to keep your workouts short. Ric asked how short. Doug said, “As short as you want—but don’t skip it.”
Also, think of each as an individual stepping stone to new growth, and convince yourself that mass is going to happen. Be positive…
Putting a positive spin on seeing Uncle Rico’s van pull into your driveway is a different mindset altogether.
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And you still get The Muscle-On, Belly-Gone “Diet” ebook FREE for a limited time when you add Old Man, Young Muscle to your mass-building library. Go HERE.
Till next time, train hard—and smart—for BIG results.
Steve Holman
Former Editor in Chief, Iron Man Magazine
X-Rep.com
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The “New” Perfect Physique
You’ve probably believed that women go crazy over huge muscles. You’ve probably even aspired to look like Arnold at some point.
The picture of the perfect physique seems to have changed over the years…
There were several years when it seemed women preferred a leaner and smaller physique like Brad Pitt’s in Fight Club.
Luckily, that seems to have just been a fad, and a more muscular look has become more desired again. Not pro bodybuilder big, but something in between with good muscularity and chiseled detail…
Alain Gonzales refers to it as the “Athletic-Aesthetic” physique, and women go wild over it.
Check out Alain’s 12-week program here: