Diabetes, Needles, and Heart Attacks

First off, apologies for the lateness of this blog.  I write this currently with a dislocated Rib, put back in place, and I sit in pain.  But, I WILL OVERCOME!!  Anyways, as many of you have read on the first blog, my “why” has been stated and gives a deep reason for me to refer to if I even THINK of trying to quit.  But on the last blog I left off speaking about my life growing up and going back as far as 30 years.  If you understood this part of my life, maybe it will paint the bigger picture.  Read on fellow Fitness Warrior!

I WAS A FAT KID

I grew up in a household that saw heart attacks, Diabetes, Insulin shots every morning, decaying health, and a lifestyle not conducive to longevity.  It was this Island culture of laid back-ness, island lifestyle and diet, and family environment that created the mindset that my inevitable path was to inherit bad health due to the genes and the cards that I was dealt with.  Because of this, it has pushed me towards seeking a health profession degree in college so that I can make a difference.   But, time catches up on people.  I didn’t make an impact to those I love and because of that I lost both my father’s parents, my father had his first heart attack at age 49, an Angioplasty, and then finally a stroke that left the right side of his body paralyzed.  You would think that studying Physical Therapy in College, seeing the medical financial burden placed on my family, and the deaths and decaying health of family members would be enough to prompt me to get my act together.  After all, I was a fat kid growing up, and Cardiovascular Heart Disease runs in my family.

PISSED OFF, COMMITMENT, EXECUTION, and my BIG “WHY”!

So we are back to Orlando.  During the last presentor mentioned, I decided to walk out and call my wife.  I was mad!  I was pissed off.  I thought of my Baby, my Wife, my family, my business, clients, those that look to me for fitness education, thought of those famous words by Zach Even-Esh “LEAD FROM THE FRONT!!!”.

Talking to my wife, I said “Babe when I come home, we are taking a garbage bag through our refridgerator, cupboards, and making some serious drastic changes.  Now mind you we weren’t “that bad”.  But with my family history, mediocre is deadly.  I was sobbing on the phone as I told Amanda “I’ll be damned if Abrielle has to go through what I went through and see family members suffer.  That is NOT the world she needs to see or be exposed to!”  The thought of Abrielle not having a chance to know her grandfather (my Dad), watch the insulin shots, maybe even possibly experience her OWN Father go through a Heart Attack.  Nope, the time is NOW!  Your turn to get pissed off!

The Solution

An awesome strength coach said this “Everything Works, Nothing Works Forever”.  Keep that in mind because this (my protocol) worked for me and so don’t go berserk and start following a plan without some thought into it and then when your results don’t happen start looking for something or someone to blame.  Because you can always starve yourself, not eat, lose water weight, try another fad diet, blah blah blah.  Hey get some advice, guidance, or at least consult with me.   So let me get to the point.  Here’s my exact plan that I started Oct. 24th and by Nov. 19th I was down 25 lbs.

-  Mag Pulse Fast

THe link above leads directly to the site and some great info.  BUt let me sum it up directly from their site.

The MAG-10 Pulse Fast

“It’s really exciting… we’re seeing potent thermogenic effects combined with enhanced anabolic activity in muscle — all from a single strategy.

Fasting over a 36-hour period, while pulsing with doses of MAG-10, enhances insulin sensitivity in both muscle and fat cells. Due to the fasting state, the loaded MAG-10 formula hits the bloodstream super fast and sends what amounts to an anabolic shockwave right into the muscle. At the same time, fat cells are signaled to release their contents for fuel.

As the body responds to this pulse-fast strategy, muscle cells become increasingly sensitive to the anabolic formula of MAG-10, fat cells shrink, and the systemic urge to eat is reduced.

In essence, we’re reprogramming the body to function as an easy gainer — the physique begins to automatically morph into that muscular-lean look of a bodybuilder.”

So I pulsed two times a week with a three day separation time between the pulse.  I ONLY pulsed for 2 weeks straight then dropped to my last pulse on the third week.

Besides the Day of the Pulse itself I then went to a……….

-  THE VELOCITY DIET

Straight from the link above:

“Those who haven’t read much about the Velocity Diet often assume it’s just a “crazy starvation diet.” It’s a commonly held misconception. The truth is, the V-Diet:

• Provides five feedings per day. You’re eating a few hundred calories every three hours or so. That’s hardly “starving.”
• Provides more calories than most popular and widely accepted clinical diet plans, not to mention the canned-drink plans advertised on TV.
• Provides more than a gram of protein per pound of lean-body weight.
• Provides more healthy fats, especially omega-3s, than the average non-dieter consumes.
• Provides substantially more fiber per day than the average non-dieter consumes.”

This diet followed on the days I DIDN”T PULSE FAST.  So, I had this on the off days.  I exercised, modified some things, but for the most part followed the theory/template.

Lastly, I read the book from Robb Wolf called “The Paleo Solution” and that was my transition diet OFF the Pulse and Velocity.  I also bought Loren Cogdain’s books regarding Paleo Diet Nutrition.  Granted I ate like CRAP on the main holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving and Xmas, New Years, sometimes a day or after).  But, as you will read there is a huge carry over effect from these Pulses.

WHERE AM I NOW?

Today, from my Original weight of 206 I am 176 lbs.  I held off the supposed “weight gain” that occurs from losing weight fast.  Bah!  Some people scoffed when I told them I gained 10lbs in three days during Thanksgiving and lost ALL 10 lbs that I gained that following Monday!  One day later!!  So what’s in the FUTURE?

Well, I am looking at Intermittent Fasting, reading up some more on some other protocols, fine tuning the process, and then focusing on dropping into the 160s and stepping in the ring to fight.  I have also helped some others get started in the the program I have combined.  I did not create this mind you.  I read, researched and combined some great combos.  I modified a little here and there.  I got help from my business partner Rommel Acda.  As for those I have helped?  So far, one of my ladies has lost 10 pounds in less than 3 weeks (She DID NOT DO THE FAST, OR VELOCITY..Paleo Nutrition only yes!).  Another has gotten rid of that stubborn post-baby pooch and is fitting into clothes she hasn’t been in (PALEO only)!  One other JUST started the Mag pulse and velocity and lost 6lbs in ONE WEEK!  Two others are starting in February.  There’s about 3 others I can think of with awesome results.  SO far…hmm…that’s 100% success rate on all that has followed what I have helped laid out for them.  They are also attending Element 5 Fitness Bootcamps and getting their exercises done.

Here’s the deal guys….You can read this, run with it, succeed or fail.  Either way, the key to it all is having a very deep rooted base reason for wanting to do this.  BEcause when you are faced with temptations, and rough times as you go through this journey….you NEED to refer back to that reason.  I had my baby girl and my wife to look at EVERYDAY.  I imagined dying and not being around for them.  It hurt that bad.  If you cannot find that reason, don’t even bother.  The deeper the reason, the greater the results, the better execution, the stronger accountability.  Your lame ass shallow reason will produce lame ass results. Or not.

If you want help, feel free to email me…BUT leave a comment stating your reason FIRST or if it is too private then state that you already have one and then we can chat after you email me.  You must leave a comment!  After you do that, I will have known you read my blog, then email me at belton@element5fitness.com.

Everything works, but Nothing works forever…

Peace

Belton

THE BLOG

Ah the long awaited blog by Belton Lubas.  The Blog that answers many of your questions as to how my personal weight loss has occurred so rapidly and results happened so quickly.  Many of you have been bugging me to put out a blog, revealing the answers, the SECRET to fat loss.  I have to admit, this blog went through so many drafts.  It was long, it brought out personal emotions related my family and my life, and although I want to convey a message, my challenge was to convey a message to you without writing a book. (Hmmm….maybe a future project….Hehe)

You ready for the secret, the formula, the plan?  “SCREEEEECH!!”  Halt!  Put on the brakes first and let me explain a little bit as to why and how the results happened so quickly.  Yes, there were precise method(s) I followed, but more importantly there was a deeper reason behind all this.  There’s a bigger picture involved and it was this bigger picture that had the profound impact to my results.  It’s called The “Why”.  I have my “WHY”, do you?

During my results journey, I avoided giving away the “secrets” to success because peoples’ reasons for wanting to know them were shallow.  I did not want to share anything yet until I FULLY explain MY reasons, MY “WHY” for doing this program.  Once you understand why I did it…then hopefully it can help you find your “why” and create a deeper motivation to get through the program.   But first………

THE DISCLAIMER:

***Please read this section carefully!  Individual Results vary.  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are mine and mine alone.  I am sharing my experiences in a process that involved supplementation, exercise, diet, and blood work.  This program was self evaluated and NOT monitored by a medical professional.  Choosing to follow this program whether in part or in whole is solely your personal decision and not recommended by myself.  Please consult a physician before following any exercise or nutritional program.***

THE REASON and MY WHY

I’ll start off with the base foundation of the reason and build from there.   That reason initially started with the birth of my daughter Abrielle Carlyn Lubas.  On August 31^st 2010 my beautiful wife Amanda Lubas gave birth to our daughter.  I admire my wife for delivering a beautiful and healthy baby with no drugs and all natural.  It was the most beautiful experience ever.  When a life-changing event happens, perspectives change, priorities change, and you look at the world with different lenses.  But like every great Ah-HA moment, invention, or surge of inspiration, there was that epiphany.

For many people rolling into 2011 and with New Year Resolutions popping out like an acne breakout, my New Years started in Orlando the weekend of Oct. 24, 2010.  I sat in a room and had a breakdown.  I’m not going to bore you with the details but let me sum it up.  On stage, different presentors talked about their gyms and their business.  I will list what they had talked about and the culmination of topics that surmounted in an eruption of emotions that led me to walk out of the conference and call my wife.

Presentor 1 = Talked about being congruent in his life.  Teach others about fitness, lead from the front by eating well and working out, what he says and does are parallel and CONGRUENT.

Presentor 2 = Talked about his baby girl (this hit me hard as he showed a picture on stage).  How he needed to get his business at a point to where he can be a father and still provide fitness services for his people.

Presentors 3 = Two brothers got on stage and talked about training for 20+ years with the same schedule.  Wake up at 3am train, run the gym, take care of everyone else except themselves, all the while burning themselves out.

Presentor 4 = Talked about his “thriving” business but shared about the fragility of his marriage and re-evaluating what was important to him.

Presentor 5 = Talked about getting your “#$@%” together and how November was around the corner.  November was Stop Diabetes Month.

This was the straw the broke the camel’s back, Diabetes.  Which brings us back full circle to my growing up.  I’ll get back to this conference and the weeks after I came back with the secret to my results.  But for now, you must go back close to 30-something years.  You will get a glimpse of who I am and how I grew up.  Remember, you must understand my WHY so you can find yours.  If not, then there is no point in even writing this blog.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog as we dig into the WHY and the process!!

Belton

Element 5 Fitness

This last weekend was very physical and enlightening.  My martial arts group had the world-famous Grandmaster Richard Bustillo up here from L.A. for a seminar.  It was fun, physical, and a great learning experience.  I learned some things from Sifu Bustillo and from my teacher Mr. Kamara.  It’s funny how people think Martial Arts is all pounding fists and kicking things in.  It’s an outlook, a way of life, a dedication to something.  It shines with the warrior in us who fights the battles in life, that attacks us from all realms.  

Now most of you know who Bruce Lee is.  He was a phenomenal man.  He was a great martial artist, and a strong human being (and I’m not just talking about the physical sense).  Well, my teacher asked Sifu Ted Wong once a question that impacted him greatly.  He asked Mr. Wong ”Sifu, how do I achieve Bruce lee like moves?”  Sifu Ted Wong simply replied “If you want Bruce Lee-like-moves, you have to put in Bruce Lee-like-time and effort.” 

So many people want results quick, fast, with no real effort put into it.  This applies to business owners, clients, fat loss programs, trainers, our strong and sexy bootcampparticipants, or inquiries about them.  I get phone calls from people asking about our Bootcamps and training programs in Bellevue, Redmond, and Woodinville.  I get asked by trainers how to maximize their business and get more clients.  I get pre-qualification phone calls or evaluations from people who want to achieve certain goals.  On our website, we have pictures and testimonials of others who have achieved phenomenal results and people want them NOW NOW NOW!  Just last week, someone showed me a picture of a woman they WANT to LOOK like!

Reality check – You cannot get the results if you do not have the quality time put into it.  You think Bruce Lee showed up to train once a week?  You think he magically landed film roles and made millions accidentally?  Success didn’t fall from the sky and Bruce Lee just so happened to be there.  In the same way, Element 5 Fitness did not achieve a level of success without hard work.  Our clients with their tesimonials did not lose all that bodyfat without hardwork.  If you want to emulate their success, or anyone for that matter, well Success leaves clues.  Pick it up and be a student of the masters.  Learn from them and be diligent.  I never said achieving your goals was going to be easy.

Sifu Bustillo ended the seminar with a story about Bruce Lee (who was his teacher).  He said that Bruce Lee made a statement in 1969:

Here is the ultimate aim of Bruce Lee, as he stated in 1969:

I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid
Oriental super star in the United States. In
return I will give the most exciting
performances and render the best of quality in
the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will
achieve world fame and from then onward till
the end of 1980 I will have in my possession
$10,000,000. I will live the way I please and
achieve inner harmony and happiness.
- Bruce Lee
Jan. 1969

That all happened in about a year’s time. Wow……

So for those Eastside Trainers out there reading this who need more business, or the clients who want to reach their goals, or the business owner who is struggling, I have one last thing to share with you.

Yeah it’s tough out there.  I am pretty sure that you have a legitimate REASON why you can’t “invest” in your health, your business, your education in growing your business, your workouts, your nutrition, your dedication to self-growth, etc.

In my eyes, sometimes….and I say this cautiously sometimes, it’s just an EXCUSE.  So, because I believe you when you say that you have a legitimate reason why you can’t start today, I am renaming your reason to REXCUSE.

What’s your REXCUSE TODAY?

Belton Lubas

Co Founder Element5 Fitness

http://Element5fitness.com

This morning I was in a rush to head out to teach bootcamp and didn’t have time to make my normal breakfast of an omega-3 enriched egg omelette and oatmeal topped with almonds and dried fruit.  So I had to reach for my trusty shaker bottle, filled it up with water and threw in two scoops of Prograde Lean.  About two seconds into shaking it up I made a huge mess, because I forgot to secure the cap and about a fourth of my shake went splashing all over the kitchen floor – AARGH!!!

I was so pissed, but calmed myself quickly knowing that I had to get to the club asap.  I noticed as I was cleaning my mess up that I really wasn’t in the mood for a meal replacement shake and wanted my REAL breakfast.

Why am I telling you this story?  Well, I wanted – yet again – to stress the importance of breakfast to you and how crucial it is to achieving great results, especially in regards to positively changing your body composition (or, in the words of most of my clients “lose belly fat”).

On my drive over I was like, “Gosh, this shake is so boring right now!”  So I figured my blog title would express that in some way.  But do NOT take this message lightly.

“You have to eat breakfast!”  I know you’ve heard it a many times, and this message is nothing new.  But do you have any idea how many people I talk to on a daily basis that DO NOT eat breakfast?  It’s a lot!  And the worst thing is that at least 70% of these people that admit this to me are overweight.

Look, I know a lot of people either don’t have much time in the morning or are just not that hungry after waking up, but you’ve got to find alternatives to feeding your body some quality nutrients in the morning.

Consider this analogy – You go to work every day, because you need to earn a good income, provide for your family with a comfortable home, food to eat, and enjoy other luxuries.  You do this because you NEED the RESULT of this effort, right?

Well, Ok, then IF you want to burn fat, feel better and have more energy you NEED to eat breakfast every morning. Period. End of discussion.

Some things are boring, such as the shake I had this morning. Some things just have to be done to get the result you want. For those of you that want to burn fat all day long, breakfast is just one of those things.

Yours in health,

Rommel