And is a good way?
I have been doing amazingly on the Ryan Reynolds diet. I have to say, I’m very excited. I’m never hungry, I’m never full, and I have energy all day long. I have my banana and oatmeal in the morning, salad and chicken/fish/protein for lunch, salad and chicken/fish/protein for dinner, and a couple of snacks (carrots, protein bar/shake) in between. I never feel like “this is bland” or “I can’t believe I’m eating this” anymore because I’ve finally weeded out all of the crap I think is gross!
Only one day since I’ve started can I really say I didn’t stick to the diet part of my program. And that was this past Sunday night at Drew’s where we all ate “bangers and mash”. It was some sort of sausage and mashed potatoes. It was good, and I didn’t take that much of the potatoes, but Ryan Reynolds would have approved of me eating carbs past 8pm.
It’s funny because as Drew was whipping up the potatoes I said to him, “I don’t want that much of those.” He looked up at me and said, “Oh, yes, Ryan Reynolds would not like these.” HAHA When my friends start understanding your newly restrictive eating habits in terms of a hot actor, you just have to laugh.
So, yes, the diet is going well. I feel like I’ve lost some body fat while gaining a good deal of body mass. The back fat, of course, is still stickin’ around like annoying inlaws but slowly going away.
The workout part of my routine is also going well. Tonight at the gym I managed to do 7 sets of situps. 130 eat set. 7 x 130 = 910. Oh. My. Gosh. I’m already close to my 1,000 mark.
BUT…I have a slight concern.
While I do notice a dramatic difference in my abs - muscles are popping out that were never there before - I’m concerned that they are going to get too big. I mean, is that even possible? They are like any other muscle so I’m sure if I work them out every day they are going to get bigger, but I want them to get bigger in the Ryan Reynolds way. I don’t want to look in the mirror and see a ripped set of abs looking back at me and protruding like an Ethiopian during a famine!
You know what that would be?…So. Not. Cute.
I would appreciate any expertise on this. I want to know if overworking your abs will cause them to get “too big”.
OK - he are the new pics. Click on any to see the past few days as well. Yes, I have been taking them [almost] regularly!
OH OH…OMG - I almost forgot - Cliff has come out with a new protein bar called “Builders” and they are SO FLIPPIN’ GOOD.
Well, I’ve only had the mint chocolate one but it was so good I went out and bought six more the day I tried them. They are all natural, they’ve 20g of protein, and…um…they are DELICIOUS. I felt like I was eating a real dessert. Seriously.
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A protein bar that tastes good? Will have to try that out. Thanks for sharing.
I would not be concerned with your abs getting “too big.” Genetics have a way of keeping natural muscle building in check.
I would point out that many men do not balance their muscle training. Whatever you are doing to strengthen your abs should be balanced with another exercise designed to strengthen your lower back.
It is common to see men whose shoulders appear to be curled, as if they are slightly hunched over. Their chests and arms are huge, but they have failed to work as much on the muscles that they cannot see when they stand in front of the mirror. It is often these same men who have hightly developed upper bodies that are the ones walking around on chicken legs.
It really is about balance. If you are working your biceps then you should also remember to equally work your triceps. If you’re working your quads then don’t forget your hamstrings. Don’t get hung up on any one thing. I read once that to have the visible abs you see on people like Ryan Reynolds you must have a body fat % of something like 6 or 8.
I admire your ambition and the fact that you are putting yourself out there like this. I wish you all the success you have your sights set on, but keep in mind that the only successful diet is one that you will be able to stick with for the rest of your life. A healthy diet and lifestyle really is a life long commitment.
Sorry for the marathon comment. Keep up the good work!
David’s epistle is wonderful. Many great things to consider and remember.
Justin, I went to the local Trader Joe’s and found the Cliff’s Builder protein bars. And yes, they do taste good.
I, too, went out to get a batch of the Cliff’s Builder bars… They’re good! Thanks for the tip.
And I echo what David said (especially the part about balancing work between paired muscles groups like the chest/back, etc., AND about the muscle queens who have toothpicks for legs!).
AND, let me say that it’s pretty inspiring to see you in the gym working your routine all the time. You’re a machine!
Any diet with a name sounds scary to me.
You don’t have to worry about the Ethiopian belly as long as you eat. A starving person’s serum protein levels are so low from the malnutrition the osmotic pressure pushes the fluid out of the vascular system into the abdominal cavity . In other words, hypoalbuminemia and reduced plasma oncotic pressure favor the extravasation of fluid from the plasma to the cavity. XOXO
hot hot hot
I don’t know about the rest of the readers out there - but where have you disappeared to?! I’m going through withdrawl! I need to have daily updates on your RRD as well as get my fix of your humorous incites into the world around us. I feel so betrayed.
Hey Justin
I love your blog! Would love to trade links with you.
-Nick
I have been reading your RRD action and all I have to say is… don’t stop… don’t let me down… I want to know if this is going to work. So far it’s promising.
Hey mate, well it seems we have things in common - I was actually browsing the net as I watched Blade 3 last night and as a gym instructor could not help admiring Ryan Reynolds body…AMAZING! Also, I am at University studying a politics and philosophy based course…so maybe we could compare / chat about both if your ever free!?
Anyway, will endeavour to keep checking how your diet is going, and take inspiration from it as such.
Wayne.