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- 3 “Healthy” Fats That Might Be Slowing Your Gains
3 “Healthy” Fats That Might Be Slowing Your Gains
Plus, Lee Priest just got crowned the GOAT by Jay Cutler and Ed Connors, and Tia-Clair Toomey might be eyeing the exit door.
Not all fats marketed as “healthy” are helping your physique. While avocado, peanut butter, and vegetable oils often wear the wellness halo, an expert warns that their calorie density and misleading health claims can quietly sabotage fat loss and muscle-building goals. Mindless spoonfuls of peanut butter or heavy-handed salad dressing pours might be tipping the scale more than you think. If your progress has stalled, it might be time to give your pantry a reality check. [The Truth About Healthy Fats]
Terrick El Guindy has one message: if Andrew Jacked shows up full and peeled, the 2025 Mr. Olympia stage is his for the taking. According to the veteran judge, Jacked has all the physical gifts—height, shape, structure—and just needs to nail conditioning to become a nightmare for top contenders. But consistency has been his Achilles’ heel so far, making this prediction feel like a big “if.” Still, in a lineup stacked with talent, Jacked might be the biggest wildcard of them all. [Could Andrew Jacked Take It All?]
Gaspari isn’t here for fitness fairytales—he believes you can, in fact, gain lean muscle while losing fat, if you do it right. His strategy? Combine carb cycling, moderate caloric deficits, and intensity techniques like supersets and drop sets to make your body do double duty. The trick, Gaspari says, is keeping protein high and effort higher. It’s not magic—it’s metabolic manipulation. [Try Gaspari’s Double-Duty Strategy]
Cutler and Gold’s Gym legend Ed Connors just dropped a hot take in bodybuilding history: Lee Priest is the greatest of all time. Despite never winning the Olympia, Priest’s freaky arm development, undeniable charisma, and dominance at a young age left an imprint on fans and fellow competitors. Connors even suggested that Priest’s height worked against him politically, not physically. Sometimes, legacy outweighs trophies, and Priest may be the poster boy for that truth. [Lee Priest’s Legacy Just Got Louder]
If your workouts feel sluggish and your motivation’s MIA, low zinc might be to blame. This under-the-radar mineral is essential for testosterone production, and deficiency could mean more than just a weaker bench press—it could impact your mood, libido, and recovery. Experts argue that modern diets and stress levels are driving zinc intake dangerously low in men. Before blaming your training plan, it might be worth looking into your supplement stack. [Why Zinc Is a Must for Men]
No, your daily whey shake isn’t going to kill your kidneys—at least not according to Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian Oak weighed in on the long-standing myth, citing evidence that high-protein diets are actually linked to a lower risk of death in healthy individuals. Unless you’ve got preexisting kidney issues, there’s no reason to fear chicken breasts and protein powder. The Governator says eat up—just don’t skip leg day. [Arnold Puts the Protein Rumor to Rest]
The official lineup for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man is locked in, and the Finals events have been revealed—time to get hyped. With returning legends, rising stars, and a brutal final stretch of events that include the Atlas Stones and Loading Medley, this year’s competition is shaping up to be a war of attrition. Strategy, endurance, and raw power will collide on the biggest stage in strongman. Let the countdown to carnage begin. [See Who’s Battling for the Throne]
Pyramid training isn’t just old-school—it’s timeless. Whether you’re ramping weight up, down, or doing both (the double pyramid), this method maximizes time under tension and keeps your body guessing. Experts love it for hypertrophy, strength gains, and adding variety without overcomplicating things. Just don’t expect to climb this pyramid without breaking a serious sweat. [Climb the Pyramid to Gains]
Priest dropped some candid insights on whether training and diet should differ for natural athletes versus enhanced ones. Spoiler: they should. While the core principles remain the same, enhanced athletes recover faster and can push volume and frequency to levels that naturals simply can’t sustain. He also touched on Ozempic use, advising it should be a tool—not a shortcut—for those managing weight. [Natty or Not, Here’s What to Know]
At 60 years old, Kevin Levrone is living proof that age is just a number, with the right habits. The bodybuilding icon credits intermittent fasting, clean eating, and daily training as the pillars of his slow-aging lifestyle. He’s swapped stage prep for joint-friendly workouts and recovery-focused routines, showing that muscle and maturity can coexist. Want to age like Levrone? You might need to rethink your midnight snack habit. [Train Like You Mean It at 60]
Seven-time CrossFit Games champion Tia-Clair Toomey may be lacing up for her final season. Toomey opened up about the emotional toll of competing post-motherhood and hinted that the 2025 Torian Pro might mark the end of her elite run. While no firm decisions have been made, the Queen of CrossFit is clearly contemplating her next chapter. If she does walk away, it’ll be as one of the greatest ever. [Will 2025 Be Her Final Dance?]
You could guesstimate your macros… or you could use this simple calculator to know exactly how many calories you’re taking in per gram of protein, fat, carbs, and alcohol. Whether you’re cutting, bulking, or just keeping tabs on your food intake, it’s a quick way to make numbers work in your favor. Clean UI, no-nonsense functionality, and instant feedback? This thing’s the MyFitnessPal shortcut you didn’t know you needed. [Crack Your Calories by the Gram]
Recovery Tip of the Day: Try 4-7-8 Breathing Post-Workout
Next time you finish a brutal leg day and your heart’s still doing double-unders, try the 4-7-8 breathing method. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8—and repeat until you stop questioning your life choices. It’s not magic, but it does trigger your parasympathetic nervous system, helping lower cortisol, slow your heart rate, and shift your body from beast mode to recovery mode. Think of it as a cooldown for your nervous system, not just your quads.
The Strength Bulletin
A new study found that watching porn before lifting may boost your squat performance by temporarily spiking your testosterone and aggression. [Not your average pre-workout.]
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