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Real SOLUTIONS Readers Speak Out
Happy New Year… Here's to a New Me!
I just got an email from all of you kind people, and I wanted to say thank you and many happy returns! I appreciate your devotion to your customers and to me specifically through contacts with product orders and your thorough customer service. Your magazine Real SOLUTIONS is aptly named because it comes from the hard work and dedication of real people, like Stephen, Linda, Chris, Shawn, et al.
I'd certainly like to help your magazine by providing a picture of a completely remodeled self, mostly in a physique transformation format, for 2004. With your help, reliable products, and overall association, I know it can be done. Looking forward to future contact in 2004. Please pass my regards on to others there, though I know you have many customers who want to do the same. Cheers!
Regards,
Robert Hathaway - Robert,
Thank you for your kind email and many happy returns too! We aim to provide as much information as possible, through our Customer Support Center as well as this newsletter and our magazine. We realize how confusing it can be with all of the information on the many supplements available, and we like to give our honest opinions and, hopefully, save people some hard-earned money by pointing them in the right direction to help them reach their fitness goals, as well as providing motivation.
We'll take you up on your offer of your pictures and transformation story for 2004 and look forward to seeing them soon. In fact, we're going to kick-off a contest whereby you can win prizes, cash, and an endorsement contract from us! If you (or anyone else for that matter) is interested, please email us at success@RealSOLUTIONSmag.com. Again, all the best for 2004 and a happy & healthy New Year!
Time's No Excuse to Miss a Workout!
Dear Stephen,
I just read your recent roadblock answer (#3) concerning managing your time. I usually love your articles but was a bit disappointed this time because it had all the same "generic" stuff you learn from a typical "Time Management" book. So, I would like to offer you some detailed suggestions on how to make time specifically for working out.
The fact is that it takes less time to work out when you do so at home than if you go to a gym. Especially if you live in a cosmopolitan area (with lots of traffic) because the commute to a gym even close by can eat up time. And you always risk having to share or wait for equipment. For the early morning cardio fat-burning days, I wake up 22 minutes earlier than usual—that's right, I said 22 minutes, and I do HIIT cardio on my elliptical machine for 20 minutes. There is no excuse to not make time for 22 minutes.
For small muscle groups, like arms and shoulders, I need only a few dumbbells and plates, and I can get a great workout in less than one hour. This too, I do at home in the morning (two days per week—one for arms and another for shoulders). After that, I manage to find two days per week where I can go to a gym to do legs, chest, and back in various splits. Three days would be optimal, but for now, two is all I can do. In fact, I use the weekends to go to the gym, when my schedule is more flexible—no work, child's school, etc. Again, there should be no excuses for making time on your days off to work out.
I think my schedule could work for many people. Of course, everybody has different obligations, but the main concepts of working "simple" things at home for short periods of time and the harder, more time-consuming stuff on your day off is doable for virtually anyone. I am happy to share my ideas, and thank you for listening.
Debbie, via email - Debbie,
Thank you for your feedback on Roadblock #3. I appreciate your taking the time to write me. It means a lot. I really like your comments about "saving time" for working out. I agree with you completely... in fact, I often work out at home or in the gym at our office, simply to avoid the time it takes to go to a nearby gym.
I tried to construct my roadblock answers to address the many global obstacles people face, every day, not just when it comes to working out. So, I included strategies I felt were important to helping them in all aspects of their busy lives. Obviously, you are very good at "creating" time. Thank you for your insights, and I am glad to hear you don't use time as an excuse to not workout! :-)
Drugs Are Everywhere... Not Just in the Pharmacy
In my opinion, drugs are NOT just things provided by the medical profession. Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate, tea. Pretty much anything that can alter your physiology in any manner is a drug. Supplements should do just that—SUPPLEMENT. Vital amines (vitamins), some essential amino acids such as glutamine, creatine, etc. Some BCAA's such as HMB and essential fats like CLA. These are supplements.
Things like steroids and some "pro-hormones" don't just supplement, they act as drugs and have immediate ramifications. By the way, I think your newsletters are great. - You are not alone in your feelings. In fact, we feel as strongly as you do. That is, in the end, people should view supplements as just that—a supplement to their diet and training, and supplements can pose a certain level of risk if not used properly.
Goodbye GNC
Your obvious bias toward GNC is a poor choice. They are an overpriced company that tries to dictate the consumer's choices by only carrying the products they want to push. The local GNC closed its doors for good in my area for one reason: a local independent merchant provided what the public wanted at a price that was comparable with prices on the internet. The corporate giants can't shove things down our throats anymore because there is too much information available, and comparison shopping is there for anyone with enough energy to take advantage of the internet. GOOD RIDDENCE to GNC.
Beau Grant, via email Beau,
In my opinion, GNC serves as a great point of reference to hundreds of thousands of people who may be less educated than some others (like you and me) about supplements. Simply put, GNC gives them a recognizable, "comfortable" place where they can purchase their supplements. It's akin to buying your coffee at Starbucks... Hey, I'm no fool, I know I can buy a cup of gourmet coffee at other local coffee shops, but when I see that Starbucks logo on a building on the corner, I head straight for it... because it gives me that sense of confidence. I know what I'm getting.
On the flipside, I'm also a small business owner, and I'm all for being competitive and providing extreme value to customers. And, in my opinion, competition brings out the best in business. So, on one hand I agree with you here... although, I believe the sales of supplements is large enough to find a place for every type of retailer.
Thanks for your opinion.
Reaching for a Worthy Goal
I have to say that even though I'm 56 years old, The Muscle System Program is working for me! At this time, I am not interested in the contest aspect but will continue the program until I have reached my goal. It's a simple one: to wear a pair of shorts this summer. I weigh 135 lbs and have weight trained for seven years. I even competed in 1999, but my lower body was not toned the way I wanted it to be. Of course, with me being the only female in my age bracket, I won.
I was in the process of creating a continuation program and decided to go on the internet for more help. Your new program looks challenging, and I am beginning today. My only concern is that the menus you give are geared for men's bodies at 175 lbs.
Thank you for your program. I feel I am on my way to the body I deserve.
Diane Johnson, via email - Diane,
Congratulations on completing the first four weeks of the program. We hope you'll send us your results for the 8-Week Continuation Program... you never know, your success story could just end up here in Real SOLUTIONS!
Excellent Information
Education is the KEY ingredient in every sense when it comes to training and
diet, and I try to surround myself with people who are more knowledgeable
in areas that I'm not and learn from them. Since many of us don't have
Ph.D.'s in chemistry or biology, having someone "on our side" is a big
bonus. Thanks, and keep the great info coming.
J. Sims, via email
Practical, immediately applicable info—especially articles on training delts & working out when sick/supplements to enhance immune function. Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Charles Fialkin, via email - Thank you... you can count on us to continue to provide the information you need—as long as you continue to give us your feedback. Only with you around to help us shape our newsletter (and magazine) will we become the one resource you can count on for trusted expert guidance on how to build your absolute best body.
Shoulder Solutions
The shoulder article was great with practical hints! I've been noticing the same problems in myself and have started addressing the areas you mentioned, but your strategies were helpful and practical, and I look forward to seeing externally rotated palms very soon!
Vince Campbell, via email - Vince,
Don't miss this issue's article on chest training. It's a great tie-in to the shoulder training article and gives even more innovative tips and training techniques to improve not only chest development but pain-free shoulders as well.
What you liked, what you didn't like, what we could improve, etc. Or, send us your questions and ideas that you'd like us to write about.
What you liked, what you didn't like, what we could improve, etc. Or, send us your questions and ideas that you'd like us to write about. It's your opinion that matters most. Give us your two cents (and then some!), just follow the link below...
If we choose to share your comments with other readers, they may be edited for length and clarity.
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