The difference a year makes!

[Greg Newton]

Sometimes I get frustrated with various posters because I've followed this forum for over three years now, and I see the same questions asked by some of these same folks over and over again. If you are applying this stuff on a consistant and regular basis, you will, in time, see results.

That hit home for me today as I was looking for some pants. When I first started these methods I had to wear 38 pants. Last year this time I started out with 36 jeans. Over the summer I went down to 34. I started wearing 32's in September and now 32's are starting to feel loose.

The question one might ask is, are you not training your lower body? After all, if your legs and hips are big, you'll have to wear bigger pants. Absolutely not. If you check my photo gallery you'll see that my legs are very muscular. But, now that I've got a feel for the things that work best for me, and I am reshaping my body, whereas before, some of the exericses I was doing overbuilt my hips, thighs, and waist.

You see, in a years time you should see improvement. Whether it is more muscularity, more strength, a smaller waist, or greater flexibility or athleticism, you will see a difference. That is, if you have diligently applied yourself to these methods. There are always tricks such as pre-exhaustion, ladders, or GTG, but your main focus needs to be doing these exercises systematically and consistantly.

So, as it said in the old Charles Atlas commerical, if you do these things, like Charles Atlas, "You too can have a body like mIne!"

P.S. - I haven't got to Charles Atlas or John Peterson level yet, but I am working on it!

[farrout]

Hey Greg,

You are looking AWESOME!

Consistent persistence.

Take care,
Steve

[Greg Newton]

Hey Steve,

You are bouncing back from surgery. I cannot wait to see the changes you'll make, and you'll be better than you were before your health problems. Sometimes these life setbacks are a long term blessing. They give us a yardstick to measure from and they give us an impetus and momentum we might have not had if things had gone on as normal. Make sure you record this with pictures every stiep of the way. You will not regret it.

Your Friend,

Greg Newton

[John Peterson]

Hey Greg,


It's really uncanny how much you look like Charles Atlas. You are looking fantastic. But beyond having a beautiful, youthful, and symmetrical physique, there is something conveyed in your smile that is reminiscent of the Atlas Smile I saw in all those Charles Atlas Ads when I was a kid. Looking at your photos it's easy to believe that your strength to body weight ratio is at it's all time highest. I for one would not be surprised if that were true of your flexibility and all around athleticism as well. And believe it or not Greg, you will discover that you can continue to improve for many decades to come. This was something Noel Johnson proved beyond the shadow of a doubt having started all over again at age 70. By age 80 he was at his all time best as an athlete. One thing that he told me that I believe to be absolutely true in the achievement of lifelong strength and youthfulness is to control all of the information that is allowed into your mind whenever possible. He literally told me, that reading books that had been written by Paul Bragg, a man older than himself, that he himself admired greatly, had made all the difference in the world in believing that he (Noel Johnson) could become young again and then making it happen. He told me, "Johnny, more than anything else, reading Bragg taught me how to think right. And once you're thinking right, everything else can happen." Another thing that Noel told me was that when he first started reading Bragg he became acutely aware of the spiritual dimension of life that he had never really stopped to consider. He then saw Dr.Robert Schuller on television and Schuller's positive message resonated with him completely. So much so that Noel started attending Dr. Schuller's Chrystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove where my friend Linda Wilkinson met Noel and became close friends with him. In fact, it was through Linda that I met Noel. And interestingly enough it was Noel Johnson that got Dr. Robert Schuller into fitness and taking care of himself. I mention all of this Greg because Y-O-U are having that kind of an effect on others. Believe me, Y-O-U are an inspiration to many.

---John Peterson
P.S. I'm sure that many people wonder what on earth you having been doing to make your arms look like that. Question, have your arms ever had that kind of symmetrical development? Once again, a dead ringer for Charles Atlas.

[Greg Newton]

I'm sure that many people wonder what on earth you having been doing to make your arms look like that. Question, have your arms ever had that kind of symmetrical development? Once again, a dead ringer for Charles Atlas.

John,

The answer to that question is NO, my arms have NEVER had that kind of development. They've actually been slightly bigger at a heavier bodyweight when I lifted weights, 205 compared to 186 when that picture was taken in March, but they have never been that muscular. The key exercises have been medium distance Atlas pushups, 18 inches or less, and DSR Milo's. Since that picture was taken the Isometric Belt has also been a factor and the arms are up a half inch. Thank you and Steve for your complements and thank you for your books, your coaching and your encouragement. I would not have made these changes if it had not been for you.

P.S. - I am stronger than I have ever been, more flexible, have more endurance, and am more coordinated. I sought all those things first before I started working on the bodybuilding.

[JoeJustice]

Well, I think you have to be patient with getting the same questions over and over. First you have new users all the time and second so much of what is presented here and by John in his books flies in the face of the common knowledge developed over the past 30 years. Ever since Pumping Iron ignited the imagination of the population, leading to the fitness explosion of the 80's, people have just be berated with the idea that you have to heft iron to build muscle or run on a treadmill to lose fat. So someone comes along and says that isn't so and you're going to get a lot of questions.

Anyone who applies these methods for any period of time are going to see results. Anyone who doesn't apply the methods won't see results and will probably end up blaming the methods rather than their own lack of action.

Ah well, we have the proof right here for everyone to see, Greg. From John to you and all of our friends. People will eventually catch on as long as a positive image is presented, and you're definitely providing that!

-Joe

[farrout]

Hey Steve,

You are bouncing back from surgery. I cannot wait to see the changes you'll make, and you'll be better than you were before your health problems. Sometimes these life setbacks are a long term blessing. They give us a yardstick to measure from and they give us an impetus and momentum we might have not had if things had gone on as normal. Make sure you record this with pictures every stiep of the way. You will not regret it.

Your Friend,

Greg Newton

Hey Greg,

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words.

Physically, I'm doing ok even though I had to have an ECG last Friday for unexplained chest pains. The Nurse said that it looked normal, which is good & I see my new Doctor tomorrow to go over the results. To be perfectly honest, the real issues are in my head. I have a shorter fuse than I've ever had & that's saying something. I am going to talk with someone this week.

Take care my Friend,
Steve

[Greg Newton]

Hi Joe,

I agree that newcomers need to be treated with courtesy and respect. What I get frustrated with are those who are ever learning, but fail to apply and are always looking for the "secret." There is no secret but hard work and consistancy. You also have to be observant and get a feel for what works best for you, but that comes with TIME and EXPERIENCE, which you will not get without DOING.

Awhile back I asked John a very basic question that in truth, if I had thought about it, I already knew the answer to. He wasn't rude in his reply, but the tone of his reply was, "Why are you asking me this, when you have the answer already?"

That is when I decided it was time to ween off the bottle so to speak. This isn't about being led by the hand every step of the way. We have enough fitness gurus already doing that. This is about finding out what works for you and DOING IT. This is about breaking free from having to have someone give you all the answers and empowering yourself to DO and ACHIEVE. John can guide, coach and encourage, but when it comes down to it, it comes to the old Lou Thesz saying, "IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME."

[Max McKinley]

Anyone who applies these methods for any period of time are going to see results. Anyone who doesn't apply the methods won't see results and will probably end up blaming the methods rather than their own lack of action.

This statement alone applies to so much more than just the context of this thread. I have seen examples of this in every facet of life. It is absolutely true that people would prefer to blame and accuse rather than accept personal responsibility. Joe, you and Greg both took responsibility and applied the methods provided here with consistency and hard work. Now you are both by your own admissions, in the best shape of your lives. Regarding this thread and the points made, you and Greg are both correct in your approach and delivery of the posts you make daily. At some point we must all look in the mirror and realize that the only one who can be responsible for me is me. At the same time, being patient and gracious in answering the questions and concerns is imperative as in the point you made regarding the state of physical culture today and how society is inundated with conflicting information on a daily basis.

Great thread. Thanks Greg and Joe for your contributions and encouragement here.