World Fitness Blog : Leading Global Bloggers

April 13, 2024

Archaeologists Uncover Mysterious Structure, Weaponry From Neolithic Era

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 8:00 pm

Archaeologists in France have uncovered a preserved settlement while investigating an area ahead of it being turned into a gravel pit. A horseshoe-shaped enclosure serves as the center of a number of settlements, burial grounds, and other structures stretching across 15 acres in Marliens.

The interlocking structures appear to make up a monument. Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives (INRAP) reported (via Ancient Origins) that a layer of gravel found indicates that there was once a stake fence on the property. The outlet noted that “this type of monument [is] unprecedented.”

Pauline Rostollan/INRAP

Pauline Rostollan/INRAP

Though the date of its construction has yet to be determined, experts posit it dates back to the Neolithic period, roughly 7,000 to 1,700 B.C.E. This is backed up by the presence of several other objects on the land, such as daggers and arrowheads.

A bundle of objects discovered under topsoil included seven flint arrowheads, two archer’s armbands, a flint lighter, and a dagger made of copper alloy.

Found on several of the armbands were traces of iron oxide which corresponded to pyrite, an essential material for starting fires during the Neolithic period. While experts confirmed that this combination of objects is usually present at a burial ceremony, their specific purpose hasn’t been determined.

Pauline Rostollan/INRAP

This is just the latest in a succession of major archaeological discoveries in 2024.

A “richly decorated Roman villa” was recently discovered at a site in England, while a sunken harbor town was uncovered at the bottom of the Black Sea. The latter discovery mirrors a similarly remarkable find made last month in the Mediterranean.

At the historical site of Pompeii, archaeologists recently located a 2,000-year-old, nearly intact fresco, in addition to well-preserved mythological paintings in a luxurious banquet hall.

Source

April 7, 2024

Study Reveals How Much McDonald’s Prices Have Risen Since 2014

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 2:00 pm

Amid talk that fast food prices have risen precipitously, Finance Buzz conducted a study to determine just how significantly prices have increased along with inflation.

To obtain the data, Finance Buzz compiled price points for the menus of a dozen separate fast-food chains from 2014 until 2024. It was then calculated how much the prices had increased in that period, compared to the inflation rate during the same timeframe.

The results determined that rising fast food prices have indeed outpaced inflation, with the restaurants in the study having raised prices anywhere from 39 to 100 percent over the decade. Since 2014, the cost of goods has only risen by 31 percent.

McDonald’s was found to be the chain which saw prices spike most significantly. The company has actually doubled the prices of some popular menu items since 2014, marking an increase of 100 percent. Some of the more common items have seen even higher increases.

McDouble and McChicken sandwiches, as well as medium-sized French fries, have seen increases approaching 200 percent. McDoubles now cost $3.19 on average, compared to $1.19 in 2014; and medium fries now cost $3.79 compared to a measly $1.59 a decade ago. At many locations, the McChicken sandwich—formerly a $1 staple on the chain’s value menu—has risen to $3.

Other significant price hikes on the McDonald’s menu include the Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal and the chain’s Chicken McNugget combo; both of which come with fries and a drink. While they cost just $5.39 and $5.99, respectively, in 2014; the meals now run $11.99 and $10.99 on average.

Finance Buzz

Popeyes came in just behind McDonald’s, with average price increases of 86 percent since 2014. The fried chicken chain was followed by Taco Bell (81 percent) and Chipotle (75 percent).

Still, some items at those restaurants have increased far more than the average. Back in 2014, you could get a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito for just $1.59 at Taco Bell. In 2024, that price has risen 132 percent to $3.69. Likewise, the price of a Cheesy Gordita Crunch has doubled from $2.49 to $4.99.

At Popeye’s, a four-piece chicken dinner that cost $6.99 in 2014 now totals $13.49, an astonishing increase of 97 percent.

Shubhranshu Singh, an associate professor of marketing at Johns Hopkins University, explained why fast food chains are seeing such a steep increase in prices. “Food prices are outpacing inflation. Wage rate is also rising faster than inflation. In other words, the cost of preparing and serving fast food is rising faster than the inflation rate.”

But Daniel Roccato, a professor of finance at the University of San Diego, says that “the worst is behind” us in terms of fast food price increases.

“Consumers have reached a tipping point,” he explained. “Fast-food operators have increased prices faster than the overall rate of inflation and that is especially hard on their core consumers. We won’t see prices drop, but we can expect a pause,” Roccato surmised.

The trend seems to be reversing, at least slightly. McDonald’s recently pledged to be more affordable in 2024 after the chain’s $18 Big Mac meal at a Connecticut restaurant caused an uproar after going viral.

Source

March 23, 2024

These Are the Wealthiest Retirement Cities in America

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 8:00 pm

GOBankingRates recently compiled a list of the 20 richest retirement towns in the United States. To obtain the results, the site studied American cities with a population of more than 15,000 where at least 25 percent of people are adults 65 and older. After isolating 131 cities, GOBankingRates determined each city’s median annual household income to find the 20 wealthiest locations.

The top spot on the list went to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. There, the median annual income is $166,747. Rounding out the top five were: Highland Park, IL ($159,567); Bainbridge Island, WA ($151,290); East Honolulu, HI ($151,224); and Melville, NY ($146,302).

In addition to claiming the wealthiest spot on the list, California was also to be home to the highest number of wealthy retirement towns, claiming five of the list’s 20 spots. In addition to Rancho Palos Verdes; Walnut Creek ($129,971); Laguna Beach ($141,875); Cerritos ($124,460); and Novato ($110,948) made the cut.

Florida had the second-highest number of rich retirement towns, with four locations listed. Naples ($135,657); Lakewood Ranch ($114,511); Palm City ($111,394); and Palm Valley ($118,245) are the richest retirement locations in the state.

Naples, in particular, was found to have the highest 65-and-over crowd of any city on the list, with seniors making up 54.6 percent of the city’s 19,315 residents. East Honolulu had the second-highest concentration, with residents in that age bracket comprising 27.4 percent of almost 50,000 residents.

You can peruse the full list below, and head over to GOBankingRates to check out the complete report.

GOBankingRates

Source

February 24, 2024

Buffalo Wild Wings Giving Away Free Wings, No Purchase Necessary, for One Day Only

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 3:00 pm

Buffalo Wild Wings is giving out completely free wings, no strings attached. All you have to do is be in the United States and able to get yourself to a Buffalo Wild Wings location on Monday, Feb. 26 from 2–5 p.m. local time.

Within that three-hour window on Monday, anyone in America can redeem six of the chain’s chicken wings in any of its 26 signature sauces and seasonings. The one caveat is that the deal is only available for dine-in or in-store pickup, so you won’t be able to take advantage of free wings from any delivery app or online service. There is a limit of one free order per customer.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is giving away free wings to America to commemorate the Super Bowl going into overtime. They first announced the deal in 2019, but this is the first time they’ve gotten to implement it.

The deal differs from most other fast food “freebies,” which require some level of purchase and usually make enrollment in the chain’s rewards program mandatory for redemption.

Buffalo Wild Wings is allowing customers to redeem their six free wings without any purchase. They also don’t require you to be enrolled in their Blazin’ Rewards program, but the company stresses that even more incredible offers are available to “B-Dubs” members.

Start getting excited for Monday and check out the full list of Buffalo Wild Wings’ 26 sauces and dry rubs.

Source

February 21, 2024

Aldi launches new Reformer Pilates machine in latest Special Buys offer

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: — admin @ 2:02 am

Aldi has launched its brand new fitness range in the supermarket’s latest Special Buys sale, hosting fitness equipment and apparel.

Hitting stores on Saturday, March 2, the new line features a reformer Pilates machine for just $299, significantly cheaper than that of its competitors.

Watch the video above. 

COMPETITION: Win a $15,000 cruise holiday to see the Northern Lights

The reformer Pilates machines offer adjustable resistance tubes and an introductory beginner guide exercise chart.

Aldi's new Special Buys range for fitness

The height of the machine is adjustable, recommended to sit at 150cm-190cm and has a maximum weight capacity of 125kg.

For compact storage, it folds away and also features transport wheels, weighing in at only 32kgs.

READ MORE: The budget ‘mistake’ most families make and how to fix it

If Pilates isn’t your thing, they have plenty of other fitness-related equipment and apparel to suit your goals.

For $50, they offer a boxer starting kit, featuring water-weight bags ($39.99) and affordable boxing accessories ($22.99).

Aldi's new Special Buys range for fitness

The accessories include gloves with a thumb-locking system, moulded foam for high levels of protection and secure hooks and loop closures for a comfortable fit.

Aldi’s boxing pads protect your hands, wrists and knuckles, made with a mesh backing for breathability and a pre-curved design.

READ MORE: ‘Counting down the days until we return’: Harry, Meghan’s new interview

The ‘Level up your workout’ range stocks a variety of fitness tops ($6.99), tights (from $14.99), shorts ($9.99) and joggers ($29.99).

There is an assorted fitness accessories line ($7.99) including an ab wheel, medium or heavy resistance grip trainers (2 pieces), push-up bars (2 pieces) and skipping ropes.

Aldi's new Special Buys range for fitness

Aldi also offers 2L water bottles in clear and ombré purple and blue, as well as slides in pink and blue.

To find out more about Aldi’s Special Buys and what else is dropping every Wednesday and Saturday, click here.

Due to shipping delays, sometimes products aren’t in-store on time, to their availability in your area, click here.

READ MORE: ‘Not going to cancel’: Proof Taylor Swift won’t pull plug on shows

Source

January 4, 2024

Laura Henshaw exposes mistakes newbie runners make every New Year

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: — admin @ 7:01 pm

Laura Henshaw, CEO and Co-Founder of KIC, is warning Australians to avoid newbie mistakes this New Year as millions take up running for fitness.

“There’s a lot of pressure (both internal and external) to set major resolutions for ourselves for the new year. Try not to get fixated on running Xkms or hitting a certain pace,” Henshaw tells 9Honey Coach.

It’s a mistake she made early in her own fitness journey, when she had a really negative relationship with food and exercise.

READ MORE: How to prevent stitches and other common pain points when running

Kic co-founder Laura Henshaw.

“It makes me sad thinking back to running in my early 20s. Every run was about burning a certain amount of calories or pushing myself to my limit,” she says.

“Flipping this mindset and relationship took time and was hard to work out, but coming out the other side has been the most liberating feeling.”

Now she runs at her own pace and is encouraging other Aussies to do the same as they work towards New Year fitness goals.

Keep reading for Henshaw’s guide to all the mistakes newbie runners make and how to avoid them.

Newbie mistake 1: Thinking taking a break means failure

Laura Henshaw at the beach.

“When you’re learning to run, a really common mistake is to head out the door and run as far and as fast as possible,” Henshaw says.

“Trust me, this will likely leave you feeling exhausted and defeated. I want you to remember it’s not a race, starting slow and learning to take breaks is so important.”

A great way to start is by running for 30 seconds, then walking for 90 seconds, then repeating the cycle to build your strength and stamina gradually.

For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

The KICRUN 0-5km program is designed to help newbies run 5km non-stop in eight weeks and the audio guide format makes it easy to follow on the go.

“Following a physio approved run program is the best way to tap into expert support without the personal trainer price tag,” Henshaw says.

Newbie mistake 2: Forgetting about strength training

Laura Henshaw at the gym.

“When you enter your running era it’s easy to get caught up in the runner’s high, and strength training can often get pushed aside, but resistance training is essential,” she says.

Every week she does at least one Pilates or strength training session to help strengthen her glutes, calves and core to get the most out of her runs and avoid injury.

“In order to get the most out of your training, you need to look after your body before, during and after each run,” she says.

READ MORE: The fastest ways to lose weight, build muscle and get fit

Newbie mistake 3: Running in the wrong shoes

Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw run in their New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13.

According to Henshaw and just about every professional runner, wearing old sneakers that aren’t made for running just isn’t worth the risk. 

“Your shoes are the one piece of equipment you need to invest in,” Henshaw notes.

“When I’m shopping for new runners, support and comfort are my non-negotiables. If they look cool, that’s an added bonus.”

The New Balance 1080v13 are her current go-to pair.

Newbie mistake 4: Telling yourself you’re ‘not a runner’

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuL0yrSh6XK/?hl=en

“I’ve spoken with so many people who want to run but can’t get past the belief that they’re not a runner,” Henshaw says. 

It’s a common thought among newbies, but overcoming that mental barrier is one of the best things you can do when you start your running journey.

That’s one of Henshaw’s favourite parts of her role as Kic co-founder.

“What I’m most passionate and proud about with Kic is being able to guide and witness thousands of our community members as they flip their mindset to ‘hell yeah, I am a runner!'”

Source

December 23, 2023

These Are the Most Popular NFL Players of 2023 Based on Google Searches

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 9:00 pm

The NFL had another huge year, and a few star players stole the spotlight. Sports betting outlet Bettingtop10 Canada recently determined the most popular NFL players in America according to Google searches. The study ranked every position and compiled a list of America’s NFL “Dream Team” based on the most-searched-for players. The site analyzed Google data across 2023 for all 2,421 players in the NFL to reach their conclusions.

Of the quarterbacks, New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers was the most Googled in America, with an average of 2.5 million people searching his name each month. The study notes that a large number of those searches are due to ongoing interest in Rogers’ torn Achilles tendon, which he suffered during the opening game of the season against the Buffalo Bills.

Travis Kelce was crowned the most commonly searched-for tight end, with his name garnering more than 1 million dedicated searches per month. Of course, a high volume of this traffic comes from curiosity regarding his romance with Taylor Swift.

The swell of support for the Kelce family hardly stopped there. Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles, was the most-searched-for center in the country. More than 420,000 people search for him every month. Once again, a lot of this interest is thought to be due to Travis’s relationship with Taylor.

But coming out on top of the NFL was Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills. He was not only the most-searched-for defensive back in America, but his name garnered the most Google searches of any player in the NFL. Fans searched for Hamlin more than 7.1 million times each month. The 25-year-old just returned for his first regular season game after suffering a cardiac arrest during a January 2 match.

“America’s fascination with NFL players frequently extends beyond their on-field performance, with injuries, romances, and rumors of their personal life, influencing who the nation searches for the most,” a spokesperson for Bettingtop10 Canada shared in a statement.

The year’s most popular players were then drafted onto America’s hypothetical Dream Team. Hamlin, Rodgers, and Kelce were easily the most-searched-for players of the year. They were joined on the Dream Team by Odell Beckham Jr. (825,667), Ezekiel Elliot (587,500), and Chris Paul (575,917), amongst many others.

“The ‘NFL Dream Team’ aims to showcase the players who have captured the nation’s attention the most over the past year, in order to create the perfect team lineup,” Bettingtop10’s spokesperson explained.

You can find America’s full Dream Team roster of the most popular NFL players below.

Bettingtop10.ca

Source

November 16, 2023

New Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford Trains Back at Legendary Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 6:52 pm

Derek Lunsford etched his name in bodybuilding record books by becoming the first two-division champion in the 59-year history of the Mr. Olympia contest. Coming off that life-changing victory in Orlando, FL that earned him the most coveted title in the sport and a lucrative $400,000 prize, the 18th member of the exclusive Mr. Olympia club paid homage to some of the all-time greats by visiting one of the most well-known gyms in the country: the Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym.

Located in Syosset, NY, the 30,000-square-foot facility opened in 1987 and has served as a training ground for household names like four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and the legendary Ronnie Coleman. In a video posted on his YouTube page on Nov. 16, 2023, Lunsford shared highlights from his intense back workout at the iconic gym better known as the “East Coast Mecca.”

YouTube Video

Before he dove into his training session, Lunsford spent time with Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym owner and IFBB Pro League head judge Steve Weinberger. The 2021 212 Olympia winner signed a few autographs and discussed his mindset with Weinberger, who’s witnessed how former champions handle the post-victory phase differently.

“Your competition holds you accountable,” Lunsford explained. “These guys are hungry, so literally from the time I stepped off stage this past week, I’ve already been back at the gym training, talking to Hany [Rambod], making sure we’re versing out of this appropriately.”

After reminiscing about his first trip to Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in 2020 and reflecting upon how much his life has changed, Lunsford shifted his attention to training his lats and other back muscles. The workout begins at the 10:40 mark of the video.

Close-Grip Cable Lat Pulldown

Lunsford’s back session began with close-grip cable lat pulldowns. Leaning back slightly throughout the movement, he allowed the weight to completely stretch his lats on the way up before pulling down and squeezing at the bottom.

Rather than performing a high number of sets like he normally would, Lunsford took a different approach during his day at the East Coast Mecca. Between the impact of traveling and having so many machines at his disposal, he opted to do more exercises, capping the number of sets of close-grip lat pulldowns at four.

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine

Next, Lunsford attacked his lats from a wider angle on a plate-loaded pulldown machine. Grasping the handles with a pronated (palms-down) grip, he started with a warm-up set using a 45-pound (20.4-kilogram) plate per side. After completing 15 slow-and-controlled reps, he doubled the weight for his second set.

Inspired by the variety of gym equipment available in training facilities he’s used recently, Lunsford shared some insight about one of his personal goals.

“I went to Ronnie’s gym the other day and saw his gym and it just fires me up for me to have my own gym in Clearwater,” the Florida resident said. “Just have it right there 15 to 20 minutes from the house, and get to pick out all the best pieces of equipment that’s going to help me be my best. I just really can’t wait.”

Lunsford wrapped up this portion of the workout with a third set of wide-grip lat pulldowns using 115 pounds (52.1 kilograms) worth of plates on each side.

Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine

Sticking with the same machine, Lunsford simply switched his grip to get a different stimulus. After performing close- and wide-grip versions of lat pulldowns, he utilized a neutral grip to “light up” his lats without placing too much stress on his wrists.

Just as he did with the first two variations, Lunsford executed three sets of this exercise. Having achieved a noticeable pump that brought out the striations in his biceps, shoulders, and chest, the recently crowned champion moved on to the row-based portion of his back session.

[Related: Best Bodybuilding Supplements for Muscle Mass, Fat Loss, and More]

Chest-Supported Incline Row Machine

Lunsford chose a chest-supported incline row machine as his first method of attacking the upper part of his posterior chain. With his chest firmly against the pad, his feet anchored on the platform, and his body leaned slightly forward, Lunsford took hold of the handles and engaged his rhomboids, lats, and rear deltoids to perform the pull-based movement.

Before he hit his fourth set, the king of the Men’s Open division detailed how and why he changed his grip during this exercise.

“The first one I went a little bit wider and I tried to tuck my hands a little bit underneath,” Lunsford explained. “It wasn’t a complete reverse-grip row, but that was what I was trying to mimic. The last two sets we’re going to do a little bit closer with a neutral grip so they just hit a little bit different angles of the back.”

T-Bar Row

To get his core more involved, Lunsford left the chest-supported row machine behind for a back-day classic: the T-bar row. Starting with a pair of 45-pound plates, he maintained a slight bend in his knees and a neutral spine as he drove his elbows back and squeezed at the top of the movement.

Lunsford completed sets of 15 reps, noting the difference in intensity due to him being roughly two weeks removed from competing.

“Now is the time after a show that you don’t go too heavy and you really focus on the squeeze, the stretch, and the contraction,” he explained. “Just getting that good mind-muscle connection in all of your reps, all of your sets, all of your exercises.”

Lunsford said he plans to train in this manner in the short term to build up strength and keep his muscles healthy. However, he will ramp up the weight and go heavier in about two to three months.

Chest-Supported Seated Row Machine

After performing an angled chest-supported row earlier, Lunsford went with a vertical version. Seated with his chest against the pad, he worked with a 45-pound plate on each side to get a huge pump in his lats. This set the stage for another seated row variation.

Cable Seated Row

Lunsford’s penultimate exercise was a traditional cable seated row. He trained unilaterally by using independent handles, making sure to squeeze his shoulder blades together for the ultimate contraction. Looking every bit the part of a Mr. Olympia winner, Lunsford ramped up the weight for his final sets before he moved on to his final exercise.

Low Row Machine

A low-row machine allowed Lunsford to target his lats and rhomboids, as well as his middle and lower trapezius. He wrapped up his workout with several sets of this strength- and muscle-building movement, ensuring to maintain complete control of the weight to maximize time under tension.

Mr. Olympia-Level Back Workout

Although the 2023 Mr. Olympia winner didn’t go heavy on any of his exercises, he certainly put in some serious work at one of the most iconic training grounds. Between three lat pulldown variations and five rowing movements, Lunsford’s back workout will surely leave you feeling like you’re ready to walk across the stage.

  • Close-Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
  • Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine
  • Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine
  • Chest-Supported Incline Row Machine
  • T-Bar Row
  • Chest-Supported Seated Row Machine
  • Cable Seated Row
  • Low Row Machine

Derek Lunsford clearly has an appreciation for how far he’s come during his journey as a pro bodybuilder. Humble yet still ultra-competitive, the first two-division champion in Olympia history has the physique and mindset needed to remain at the top of the Men’s Open division for the foreseeable future.

Featured Image: Derek Lunsford / YouTube

The post New Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford Trains Back at Legendary Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Source

Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 12:41 pm

After winning the first of two scored rounds in her division, Missy Truscott appeared well on her way to securing her third Fitness Olympia title at the 2023 Olympia.

Then the nightmare began.

Truscott’s dream of becoming a three-time champion dissipated during the performance round due to a devastating set of injuries that left her in a tremendous amount of pain and unable to complete her routine. On Nov. 11, 2023, the decorated Fitness competitor discussed the extent of the damage in a video posted on her YouTube page, revealing she suffered not only a torn ACL but also meniscus tears on both sides of her left knee.

YouTube Video

In the aftermath of her heartbreaking experience in Orlando, FL, Truscott admitted to dealing with “excruciating” pain in her left quadriceps and left knee. Worried that she may have also torn her quad on stage, she was able to breathe a small sigh of relief after receiving her MRI results.

Although Truscott’s surgeon informed her that she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus on both the outside and inside of the same knee, the two-time Fitness Olympia winner avoided the worst-case scenario.

“The quad is intact, so I’m extremely happy about that,” Truscott explained. “I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel here. My surgeon is very confident that I will make a full recovery. It’s just going to take some time.”

With her prehab and post-op rehab already scheduled, Truscott will have surgery “in the near future” to fix her damaged knee ligaments. Facing a tough road to recovery that should take several months, she expressed gratitude for all the support she’s received in the wake of her significant setback.

[Related: 5 Exercises to Help Athletes (Possibly) Prevent Injury]

Although she seemed optimistic about the future, Truscott didn’t have quite the same cheery attitude about a controversial move made by one of her peers.

During her fitness routine, 2021 Fitness Olympia champion Whitney Jones threw a shark prop off a pole — an act Truscott deemed “petty” and “beneath a champion.” Considering Truscott’s Team Apex Training logo includes a great white shark, it certainly seems Jones made a conscious decision to incorporate the reigning champion’s signature animal in a degrading manner.

“You wouldn’t see Chris Bumstead bring a dinosaur to the press conference, or Derek Lunsford bring a wolf to the press conference,” Truscott said. “I think she tried to take a shot at me and totally missed.”

Ultimately, though, the well-respected former champion took a bigger-picture approach when speaking about the future of the sport.

“I’ve made a career out of bodybuilding and I’m so excited to see that the IFBB Fitness division is growing,” Truscott said. “We have a lot of talented women coming into the sport and I’m super excited to see this year how much it’s going to grow.”

Vowing to return better than ever, Truscott does not have to worry about qualifying for the 2024 Olympia thanks to her former champion status. However, it will be interesting to see if the apparent rivalry between her and Jones continues whenever the two Fitness competitors share the stage again.

Featured Image: Missy Truscott / YouTube

The post Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Source

November 10, 2023

Larry Wheels Gained 53 Pounds in 5 Days After Finishing Second at 2023 Amateur Olympia

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 4:13 pm

Larry Wheels may have looked leaner than ever in the leadup to the 2023 Amateur Olympia, but it didn’t take long for him to move the needle in the opposite direction after falling short of securing his IFBB Pro League card.

Coming off an impressive performance at the 2023 NPC Ultimate Warriors in which he won his Classic Physique debut, the uber-popular powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder still had to trim a few inches off his sizable frame. Unfortunately for Wheels, his peak week efforts to go from 240 to 232 pounds didn’t result in a first-place finish in Orlando, FL, as Ejike Enwereuzor Jr. captured the Amateur Olympia Classic Physique championship on Nov. 2, 2023.

Less than a week later, however, Wheels’ body appeared vastly different than it did when he stood on stage at the Orange County Convention Center. On Nov. 5, 2023, a noticeably larger version of the versatile strength athlete shared a video on his YouTube video detailing how he gained 53 pounds in five days after competing in the Amateur Olympia. Not only did Wheels discuss his use of diuretics, but he also delivered a complete breakdown of the cheat meals he consumed that contributed to such a substantial jump.

YouTube Video

Having last stepped on stage at around 265 pounds, Wheels went on a serious cut to get contest-ready for the Classic Physique category. Besides severely reducing his calories and essentially eliminating carbohydrates from his diet for several weeks, his weight-loss process also involved the use of diuretics, which bodybuilders often use during peak week to reduce muscle water retention, increase urine output, and excrete sodium to present a more aesthetic physique. (1)

“This was my first time getting fully depleted for a show,” Wheels explained. “I did use diuretics to make weight and to have that dry, hard look on stage.”

Despite falling short of his goal of earning his IFBB Pro League card, the record-setting powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder certainly proved how powerful combining diuretics with a calorie-restrictive diet can be for quickly transforming your physique. Yet after tipping the scales at 231.4 pounds during weigh-ins on Oct. 30, 2023, and competing in the Amateur Olympia at 238 pounds two days later, Wheels surprised himself by ballooning up to 284 pounds by Nov. 4, 2023.

“I don’t think I’ve consumed enough fluid and solid food to add up to 40 pounds,” he said. “I don’t understand where all the weight came from.”

[Related: Walking for Weight Loss: A Guide to Drop the Pounds]

While Wheels’ massive weight gain may seem shocking, it shouldn’t be based on both his diuretic use and his post-contest diet. After utilizing diuretics twice within three days to make weight for both shows, it would only be natural for his body to begin retaining fluids instead of shedding them. Plus, when you stop taking diuretics and start binge eating like Wheels did, you’re bound to see the number on the scale go up as you replenish your muscle glycogen stores.

In a classic example of the effects of a post-contest cheat meal spree, here’s what the social media star ate that left him 53 pounds heavier.

Larry Wheels’ Full Cheat Meal Lineup

After abstaining from any type of comfort food for quite some time, Wheels went all-in over two days with nine calorie-dense cheat meals:

Day One

  • Cheat Meal One: Two bacon double cheeseburgers and one large fry (Five Guys)
  • Cheat Meal Two: 16-pounce ribeye steak and sweet potato mash (Ruth’s Chris Steak House)
  • Cheat Meal Three: One bag of Pop-Tarts
  • Cheat Meal Four: Two cups of noodles

Day Two

  • Cheat Meal Five: Cinnamon roll pancakes, hash browns, and sunny-side-up eggs
  • Cheat Meal Six: Cinnamon roll bagel with cream cheese, orange juice, and a bowl of cereal
  • Cheat Meal Seven: Bacon double cheeseburger with French fries and lemon cookies
  • Cheat Meal Eight: Fried chicken sandwich, six bone-in wings, three chicken tenders, and French fries — plus chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert (Buffalo Wild Wings)
  • Cheat Meal Nine: 14-inch margherita pizza, garlic knots, and a salad

Ultimately, Wheels estimated that he consumed about 20,000 calories within the first 24 hours after stepping on the Amateur Olympia stage. But after taking a no-holds-barred approach to eating and seeing the number on the scale shoot up by more than 50 pounds in such a short amount of time, he sounded ready to get back to a more disciplined lifestyle.

“It’s time to screw my head back on straight and eat clean,” he said.

Featured Image: Larry Wheels / YouTube

References

  1. Escalante, G., Stevenson, S.W., Barakat, C. et al. Peak week recommendations for bodybuilders: an evidence-based approach. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 13, 68 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00296-y

The post Larry Wheels Gained 53 Pounds in 5 Days After Finishing Second at 2023 Amateur Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Source

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress