John Romaniello's 'Engineering the Alpha' is life-changing. Okay, at least it's body changing, but the first three chapters are a pep talk to psyche the reader into believing that both an inner and outer transformation can occur with his diet and exercise Man-i-festo.*
I have been eagerly awaiting the day I would submit my review, so happy I am with the results of his four-part, sixteen-week program. Clearly and cogently trailblazing the path to a hormone metamorphoses, he gives the reasoning and means to each phase of transformation. The diet and exercise are drawn into four programs (or phases): 1.) Prime, when insulin is utilized more efficiently. 2.) Adapt, when testosterone is boosted. 3.) Surge, when growth hormone is increased, and cortisol, the stress-induced hormone is diminished. The approach is methodical with a framework for diet and exercise that shuffles the deck for both in a systematic way.
In the motivational chapters and the supplementary elements of the program chapters, he makes it clear that his program has proven results, scientific backing, and great chances to improve a man's ability to reduce fat, increase muscle, power, and strength, and decrease estrogen (found in every man). He also elaborates that the antecedent effects will pay dividends at work, in relationships, in self-esteem, and in the bedroom.
Personally, I could see and feel the effects after each phase, and often feel a (distinctive) surge after every workout. During the Prime phase, I had to tighten my belt, saw a ripped physique, and lost about ten pounds. During the Adapt phase, I gained strength and noticed during my circuits, I did eight pull-ups for the first time in my life. (My previous best was three before this program!) During the Surge phase, I noticed a difference in my libido and my ability to add weight and my endurance to his physical routines. In the last portion, I faltered mostly. I still feel like a well-oiled machine, but, just like Roman's blog, I, too have difficulty avoiding a cold (In my case prolonged!) in October, so I stopped his 8 and 16 meal plan and ate a lot of what I wanted. Still, one of my photos shows progress (especially for someone who recently turned 51).
Now, 'Man 2.0...' is the third tier in my bodybuilding and diet education. Tom Venuto's '
Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle: Transform Your Body Forever Using the Secrets of the Leanest People in the World
' literally turned me around from spinning my wheels in the gym after nearly three decades. He showed me how quality calories and mixing up high carb and low carb days are essential for bodybuilding. Next, Jonathan Bailor's '
The Smarter Science of Slim: What the Actual Experts Have Proven About Weight Loss, Dieting, & Exercise
' taught me (He did much more of course.) to have vegetables at every sitting, and I discovered the breakthrough of stevia as a sweetner. Now all three authors have delved into the essential concept that reducing fat and becoming built or lean is highly dependent on manipulating and resetting key hormones through diet and exercise.
In all fairness to the two mentioned authors, I followed Roman's 'Alpha...' to the T. I kept a food diary with caloric, fat, carb, and protein content of everything I ate every day and all day. I brought my Kindle to the gym to ensure I'd follow his program faithfully every time. I bought a cheap $5.00 food scale to weigh all my food. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ALL BODYBUILDERS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING METHODICALLY SMART! BODYBUILDING IS A SCIENCE, AND FOR $16.00 (NOW $12.00) FAR LESS THAN ONE SESSION WITH A TRAINER, YOUR ENTIRE LIFE CAN CHANGE! THESE THREE BOOKS LITERALLY STOPPED ME SPINNING MY WHEELS AND GOT ME USING MY TIME AND RESOURCES FAR MORE EFFICIENTLY!
Not every issue is resolved now. Venuto had me eating 5-6 meals a day, and Roman has me eating three meals (or more, if you choose) on a sixteen-hour fast, eight-hour food cycle. Now, both worked effectively, and, although they both produce ample scientific evidence in their favor, I found both meal programs work well. I do prefer Roman's meal plan as more systematic (especially in how it lowers, then gradually adds, carbohydrates as you grow and get lean). (I don't have Venuto's 'Holy Grail...' so I don't know how much progress he has made with his plan.) Also, one of the most difficult aspects I found were his "Cheat Days" during Phase II. I loved to gorge, but the following fast day was demanding. Still, there was always method to his madness. I didn't consult a doctor for any of these programs, but you may want to, especially if you have special medical issues.
Thanks John Romaniello and Adam Bornstein for giving me the power tools to change my life and my appearance. I've never made a more valuable investment in my time and money for the pastime of weight training.
(P.S. I can understand many reviewers yen to post and publish their reviews right after publication of this work, but I do challenge one thing: How can you state that this diet and exercise program are inferior to others you have tried based on a hypothetical premise? I mean how do you really know if 'Man 2.0 Engineering the Alpha' is really more or less effective until you've actually tried it? I have a few examples, and while I haven't tried many of the programs mentioned by other reviewers, I do know how well this one works from experience.) Just sayin'.
* Word taken from
Brocabulary: The New Man-i-festo of Dude Talk
.
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Best book you'll ever pick up!
I'm not sure what everyone else is complaining about here. After finishing this book I was by far in the best shape of my life at age 27. I lost 14 lbs and went from 19% body fat to 12.5% in 4 months! Had abs for the first time ever!
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