Interview with MZ

Hey Everyone,



Time for another interview with a good friend of mine Mike Zappitelli.




Mike has walked the walk when it comes to being a personal trainer. He's a CSCS, a massage therapist, certified in Acupuncture, and on and on and on.


And as long as I've known him (going on 12 years now!), Mike has been in or near contest-shape.

He does not get "out of shape".




Mike's a champion natural bodybuilder (the best way to be), and he's recently helped a team of men and women from the Niagara Falls area dominate the scene. Let's find out how...


CB: Zaps, great success man! What's the secret to getting lean?




MZ:
No secret here Craig. It's really as simple as staying consistent!


In every thing that you do, you have to stick with it to obtain results. Eating, training, sleeping, working, etc.



You have to have a sound regime every day and if not, develop a plan. This is not only to achieve the results that you are looking for, but also to help you get back on track after those days when you fall off.


Everyone has those days when we tend to slack off a little (we can't be 100% all the time). So, when this happens, your body will be better able to respond to anything negative.


Nutrition has such a large impact on your body composition and yet many people still neglect this area. Changing your nutritional intake to that of a more unrefined approach is the first 3-4 steps of 5 to getting lean.


As for training, the same thing goes. You definitely have to have a higher lean mass percentage.



And, if you don't, developing a sound strength training and interval program is key. These two elements are key to both developing a higher metabolic rate (both working and at rest) and burning fat most efficiently.





CB: Mike, getting back to the basics for a second, and the approach of the masses to fat loss, we hear a lot about 'detox diets'. What's your opinion?




MZ:
I agree with you that 'detox's' are not necessary.




Now living a life that helps to limit the toxins going into you body is similar to a lifelong 'detox'. It is impossible to avoid certain toxins, air being a great example on your part.




A 'long-term' detox is better! Some people eat bad foods regularly. To limit, if not eliminate, them from your diet completely would be detoxing in itself.




What people have to remember about detox plans is that they are not supposed to be used for 'weight-loss'.




The intention is to decrease/eliminate the many metabolic wastes/toxins within the systems of your body. By doing this, you are trying to achieve a more efficient working system, which, in turn, will produce a better functioning unit/body as a whole...affecting metabolism and energy levels positively.









CB: Mike, what are some basics about fat loss that people still have a hard time with?

MZ:
People still have a hard time deciding what carbs are good and which ones are bad. They do exist!!!




Carbs coming from whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains are great carbs. Those carbs that have to be processed are the bad ones. These are often referred to as the 'refined' carbs. These are bad. You cannot find these types of carbs growing on any tree/plant anywhere on this planet.




Any time a food is changed or processed in any way, it will lose part of it's nutrient content bringing this food to a nutrient deficient level.



Foods that fall into this category usually involve cookies, crackers, breads, pastas, chips, candies, etc. These are all packaged goods in nice, flashy containers to market themselves for the consumer to buy.




You never see fresh fruits, veggies and meat/fish packaged and advertised like that. The only thing that might be flashy on these is the light reflecting on the plastic wrapping sealing the product (no fancy boxes with cartoons or whatever).




It is best to speak with a knowledgeable nutritionist to help you understand what's good and bad out there in this world of confusion (because there are some packaged foods that are definitely better choices).



Better education helps to make better decisions, which are ultimately in the end, your choice.



Hard work, not fat diets, lead to fat loss,