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Archive for hard work

Results Are Not Guaranteed…They Are Earned!

By Chris Grayson
Friday, June 17th, 2011

It seems as if many people think they’re just going to get off the couch, start on a new quest to get in shape, and then poof…success. Didn’t they know they’d have to change some lifestyle habits? Perhaps take some supplements that they might not be getting an adequate supply from their current diet? Stop drinking soda and alcohol? Improve their sleep hygiene?

I could go on an on but I’ll spare you the boredom and just give it to you straight. Whatever you want out of life is your responsibility. If you don’t make an effort to read, take action, make changes, have a plan, work hard. Then you are the only one to blame.

When it comes to exercise, myself, and anyone else, can only be a good resource. I can control what goes on here at USI, but once you walk out the door, I have no control. It’s up to you to apply any advice and guidance you’ve received and strive to become your best.

If you’re ready to work hard, make some changes, take accountability, USI would love to help. Getting into the best shape of your life is just like everything else in life. Results are not guaranteed…they are earned. I don’t take credit for anyone in here that’s gotten results. And I certainly don’t take responsibility for those that don’t. Instead, I tip my hat to those that show up, bust their ass, and make changes to their diet and lifestyle when what they were doing wasn’t cutting it.

Check out this short training compilation of some USI’s athletes and clients getting after it, along with some testimonials of some people that rock (and make me love my job).

Three months after having my second child, I had the privilege of training with Chris Grayson at USI. He definitely knows what he is doing!

After two months of training with him three times a week i saw results i was never able to achieve on my own at the neighborhood gym in years! I mean, i never imagined having a six pack 5 months after having a baby!!!!
He is a great person, very knowledgeable and has amazing nutrition advice that if you follow,  will help you keep those pounds off even after you stop training with him. He  guides you during the work outs, he gives you nutrition advice, but at the end of the day, like I read on one of his videos; Results are not guaranteed…  They are earned!!!   It gives me great satisfaction to contemplate my reflection on the mirror and to know that what i see is the result of my dedication, hard work and the great advice of Chris Grayson.

Veronica Haggerman – Mother and Jiu Jitsu athlete

 

Bottom Line: Results Don’t Lie. For intelligently designed, individually tailored workouts that deliver real results, USI is the place to be. Chris Grayson is an anomaly of sorts. He’s an expert with a beginner’s mindset. Due to his scientific approach to fitness and years of experience in the field, he has seen and done enough to know what works and what doesn’t. However, not only does he remain open to the possibility of finding more effective ways to produce results, he spends a considerable amount of time in academia in the active pursuit of just that. To put it simply, Chris is a smart dude. His passion for what he does reveals itself in just a short conversation. I’m able to speak so highly of Chris’ methods because I am personally reaping the benefits of applying them. So far, I’m 61 pounds lighter (and counting) and have had to buy new pants because the ones from only 8 months ago, even after getting to the last hole on my belt, kept falling. To add, I’m now much better conditioned and able to lift more weight than I ever could before. Most important to me is that I’ve seen a marked improvement in my triglyceride and hormone profiles. I can’t recommend USI highly enough! Again, the bottom line is that results don’t lie. If you want to experience improved performance and see your body change before your eyes, head down to USI.

Kevin Tate

(Kevin has now lost 85 pounds at this point).

I have been training with Chris @ USI since 2009 and he has taken my strength, fitness, and my own knowledge of my body farther than anyone has before. Not only does Chris have the knowledge but he has the experience of 15 years of training people professionally. Chris not only will guide you with the exercises portion of your workout, but he will consult you on your nutrition (which is the #1 component of being fit and healthy), diet, supplements, and living a healthy lifestyle.
It’s kind of hard to express in a review the kind of knowledge Chris has, but he’s kind of like a mad scientist when it comes to helping you achieve your goals. Some of my questions he has answered, advice he has given, and results I have seen him create has blown me away over the years. It is very evident that Chris has spent years and years doing research and working with and training under some of the very best people related to his field, including world renowned strength coach, Charles Poliquin (who Chris is certified under). Chris’ personality, knowledge, and desire to help people get in shape makes it a pleasure to work with him.

Matt Cebulak
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt
Tae Kwon Do 2nd Degree Black Belt

 

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The Velazquez Project

By Chris Grayson
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Roughly three months ago I get a call from a kid who tells me he wants to be an mma fighter and wants to come into USI to get in shape for it. I get these calls occasionally but have learned not to pay them much mind until the person actually walks thru my doors. I’m sure you know that often times what someone’s intentions are doesn’t always match up with their actions.

So in walks Rafael Velazquez, an out of shape young man. Soft, pretty weak, with quite a bit of body fat. Now I’m not the type of guy to ever scorn a mans dreams, but to put it lightly, I really didn’t see it happening.

The general consensus on exercise is totally inaccurate. Most people think they’ll start an exercise program and the fat will just melt right off. NOT TRUE. What you do once you leave the gym (your diet and lifestyle) has more of an impact than anything. Because of this I’d be doing a disservice to my clients and athletes if I didn’t address this. One little problem though. Just about everyone will take your advice but not everyone will apply it.

Rafael was not that guy. He applied it to a T, and has lost a significant amount of weight. Weight of which came from fat and not muscle. I know this because he gained a considerable amount of strength as well. You can’t loss muscle and get stronger. He went from around 220 pounds down to 185 pounds. That’s thirty five pounds. And if he gained muscle at the same time then he obviously lost more than just what the numbers show.

Check out the video below. At the end of the video Rafael explains how he lost the weight.

Anyone reading this that trains at USI knows what hard work is. Everyone here trains hard. But what you do once you walk out those doors is very important.

Now it might not sound like he said much but lets actually break down what he said and analyze it.

  1. He only ate carbs post workout. When he’s referring to carbs he’s not referring to vegetables. More so the complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, couscous, brown rice, etc (those are all good choices). The rest of the time he was on a paleolithic diet (he ate like a caveman).
  2. He ate mainly protein (fish, chicken, red meat, etc.)
  3. He drank only water expect during his training sessions, then he drank G2, the new Gatorade that doesn’t use high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener (HFCS is one of the biggest attributers to obesity and it’s in everything).
  4. HE WAS CONSISTENT IN HIS TRAINING! This is a must. If you can’t have consistency and be accountable to yourself, forget about your goals.
  5. He was prepared to suffer a little. Fat loss is an all out war. You must attack it with tenacity. If you’re getting your entertainment from eating, work on getting that from something else.
  6. He took some key supplements. There isn’t a magic bullet for fat loss but there are things that help. A good chelated multi-vitamin and fish oil should be staple in everyone’s diet.
  7. Rafael had specific goals. He didn’t just say “I want to get in shape”. What does that mean? That’s a relative term that might not mean the same to me as it does to you. Your goals must be specific and measurable. If you’re not achieving them then you change the plan. Essentially you’re a problem solver.

I think it’s human nature to want a quick fix and the easy way out, but it all comes down to hard work. There is no quick fix, but if you’re sincerely looking to achieve results, listen to Rafael’s 7 tips.

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