Articles  |  Reader Mail Q & A  |   Subscribe   |  Order Black Book of Secrets  |  Home 

     Free Resources | Fat Loss  | Dieting | Workouts | Ask A Question | "How To" Videos  

 

Join below and receive our Special Report The Dark Side of Dieting: 21 Mistakes to Avoid

for only $24.97   FREE! 

You'll also get a fat burning foods list with

calorie counter to download immediately

AND you'll get the newest articles from the Hottest Fat Loss Site On the Web! 

 

 

What part do calories play in building muscle?

..................................................................................

 

Christopher Warden:  A calorie is a unit of energy.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  Just as your car requires fuel in order to start, your body needs calories in order to function. 

 

The car’s fuel source?  Premium gasoline. 

 

Your source for calories?  Premium sources of protein, fats and carbohydrates.

 

So, what’s the role of calories in building muscle?  They are the energy that enable muscle building (and every other life process) to take place. 

 

Consume more calories than you expend in a hard day’s work, and that surplus energy provides the fuel to stoke the rebuilding of bigger, stronger muscle tissue – provided you’re supplying a sufficient training stimulus. 

 

On a side note, keep in mind that the total number of calories you consume is only part of the muscle building equation.  Quality of the calories you eat is equally important.  Not all calories are created equal, and you want to be sure that the nutritional value of the carbs, proteins and fats you eat is top notch. 

 

That way, you’ll not only have the energy to build the muscle you’re looking for, you’ll have the highest quality building materials as well.

 

Christopher “Doctor” Warden, CSCS traded in his lab coat, latex gloves and microscope in the late 90's as part of a transformation from pencil-necked geek to, well, freakishly strong not-so-pencil necked geek. 

 

His ability to understand and teach the technical aspects of fitness, coupled with his passion and intuitive sense -- hey, are we sure this guy's not Spiderman? -- have made him one of the most coveted trainers in NYC. 
 

When he’s not busy studying, writing or transforming client physiques, Christopher loves traveling, snowboarding and chillin’ with his family and friends.  You can learn more about him and his training insights by visiting his fitness and self-empowerment  blog.

 

      

 

 

Search MCNewsletters

   

Ask Us a Question

    

Should I Take Multi Vitamins?

 

Why does weight training cause muscle to grow?

 

I eat three meals a day but I keep hearing about eating more frequently. If I'm trying to lose weight, how will eating smaller meals more frequently benefit me?

 

What would be a good pre-workout meal to boost my energy for lifting?

 

I know I should be having some protein and carbs after a weights workout, but what about after cardio? I've heard that you should wait 2 hours before eating.

 

I heard about this fat-loss technique of not eating after 6:00 p.m, do you think it's a good option?

 

What exercises can I do to lose weight if I’m a diabetic?

 

Every night I wake up about 2 hours after I go to sleep and I'm starving.  I eat 6 small meals per day and right before I go to sleep I have a whey protein shake and a banana.  Should I eat more before going to sleep?

 

I like to have a beer or two once in a while. Should I cut it out completely?

 

I'm a personal trainer myself and would like to know if you, as a personal trainer, would you say there are differences in the way you train men and women?

 

What's more important for getting rid of stomach fat; exercise or diet?

 

How long will it take before I starting seeing results?

 

How long do I have to rest between workouts?

 

How do you get rid of stretch marks?

 

I've been playing sports all my life and I have a noticeable "stronger" and a "weaker" side in my chest and arms. Are there any exercises I can do to fix this?

 

What are your thoughts on using a weighted vest during my workouts? I've seen something called the X- Vest for sale and was thinking of getting it. 

 

I'm trying to gain muscle but it's coming along slowly. A friend of mine recommended I drink a protein shake in the middle of the night. What do you recommend? 

 

I've got fat located in the area of my body where my arm meets my shoulder, and I can’t get rid of it.  Are there any exercises in particular that would help improve that? Or what about any spot reducing supplements?

 

What's the best exercise for arms?

 

What role does heart rate (and using a heart rate monitor) play in doing cardio to lose weight?

 

What are some good snacks to have between meals when trying to lose weight?

 

I have a personal trainer I see at least twice a week. What do you recommend I do on the other days I don't see him? Cardio, weights or classes? I don't want to interfere with his program for me and didn't know which would be better, if not a little of all three. Thanks.

 

I got your book Black Book of Secrets last week and I'm loving it.  What would you say is the biggest benefit from using the techniques in the book?

 

Back in my marathon running days I used to use a few tricks like baking soda to increase my endurance a bit. It worked but it was rough on the stomach.  Are there any new 'inventions" on the endurance front?

 

You mentioned the benefits of scheduling a "cheat meal" into your eating program at least once per week.  Is there a best time to east a "cheat meal"?

 

As you've suggested, I'm starting to substitute more healthy foods into my diet. I'm already starting to see the results.  What would you suggest I can add to some foods to sweeten them up without adding calories?

 

I recently read that cinnamon helps you lose fat. Is this a joke?

 

If you could eat one thing to lose fat, what would it be?

 

I’ve always been told to get a six- pack you need to do a lot of abs work with high reps. Would you agree?

 

I'm just getting back into weight training.  I want to make fat loss my number one priority, so should I focus on cardio work to lose the fat and then start the weight training program?

 

My doctor says my blood pressure is too high and that I should exercise to lose weight.  Which exercises are best to help me lower my blood pressure?

 

 I've been watching celebrity fit club recently and it;s funny, but at the same time it's kind of motivating me.  What do you think of these shows?

 

I see commercials for juicers on TV all the time, and I'm thinking about getting one to help me lose weight.  Do you recommend getting a juicer?

 

Once in a while I like to have a diet coke or add a little Splenda to my coffee.  Are products containing artificial sweeteners ok?

 

What makes a person gain fat- is it dietary fat or too many calories?

 

What is the best way to train and stretch the rotator cuffs if they are extremely weak and atrophied?

 

During a 30 minute cardio session, which will burn more calories, treadmill or the exercise bike?

 

Do fat burners really work?

 

What is the "thermic effect" and how does it relate to building a better physique?

 

What do you consider the #1 mistake people make when trying to add muscle?

 

Eat More Berries, Lose More Fat: Antioxidants Explained

 

How To Video: Trunk Rotations

 

3 Key Trends of Long Term Weight Loss Success

 

The Little Things That Kill

(Your Fat Loss)

#1: Eat Your Damn Breakfast! 

 

Are You a Fat Loss PhD?  Take the MCNewsletters Quiz!

 

How To Video: The Squat Thrust

 

The Road to the "Ideal Body" Lies in Consistency, Not Perfection

 

Get Back in The Saddle: Eat To Recover and Get Your Ass Back in the Gym! 

 

How To Video: The Pushup

 

The 7 Deadly Sins That Shut Off Fat Burning – Immediately

 

How To Video: Lunge/ Split Squat

 

Working Out When There Is No Time in the World

 

How To Video:

The Bodyweight Squat

 

The Two Approaches to Weight Loss

 

"Can't I just Diet and Not Exercise to Lose Weight?"

 

Exercises You Can Do In The Safety Of Your Home ...Even If You’re Deathly Afraid Of Weights, Working Out, And Sweating

 

Eating Right Despite Your Busy Schedule

 

Insuring Weight Loss Success

 

Head for the Hills and Strip Off the Fat in 12 Minutes!

 

Carb Manipulation: Your Simple Guide to Looking Good Naked

(Part 2)

 

Speeding Up Your Time In The Weight Room For Maximum Fat Loss

 

6 Strategies To Help You Limit The Fat Gain From Summertime BBQs!

 

Carb Manipulation: Your Simple Guide to Looking Good Naked

 

The Dreaded Spiral of
"Yo-Yo Dieting"

 

7 Sure-Fire Strategies To Guarantee Failure in Your Fat Loss Program

 

Cortisol Blocking Supplements for weight loss?

 

The Foundations of Fat Loss

(Part 3): The Diet

 

The Forgotten Art of Food Journaling for Fat Loss

 

"How To" Video: The Jump Squat/ Jump Lunge Variation

 

The Foundations of Fat Loss

(Part 2): Cardio Basics

 

"What's the most important factor for weight loss?"

 

"How To" Exercise Video: Crossover Push Ups

 

Foundations of Fat Loss Pt. I: Weight Loss Basics

 

The Quickest and Easiest Way to Lose Fat From Your Waistline

 

Is Chocolate Healthy for You?

 

Warm Up for a Better Workout: 3 Reasons for a Proper Warm Up

 

Weight Loss for Swimsuit Season: How to Limit Calorie Intake When Eating Out

 

Could the Trans- Fat Ban Backfire and Make Us Fatter?

 

Down and Dirty High

Intensity Cardio Secrets II

 

The Beach Day Program:

Lose 10-20 pounds in 10 weeks

 

How to Turn Your Body

Into a Fat Burning Furnace

 

The Bodyweight Workout

 

Getting that Elusive "Six- Pack"

 

The Secret to Breaking the Dreaded Fat Loss Plateau

 

Lose weight and be healthy.. with Olive Oil

 

Geez, the Green Tea Phenomenon Has Really Taken Off, Huh?

 

Down and Dirty High Intensity Cardio Secrets Part I

 

The Green Apple (mini) Project

 

Healthy does not necessarily mean good for fat loss!

 

Tis’ the season… for some awful suggestions from the TV food police- stick this in your stockings!

 

What Do You Get When You Cross a Marketing Expert With a Pseudo- Scientist? A Fad Diet

 

The Body- Weight Squats Form Checklist

 

BTW, Turkey Does NOT Make You Sleepy

 

Should We Blame the Caveman for Our Love Handles?

 

Breaking Outdated Habits to Lose Body Fat

 

Following the Recipe: Using Minestrone as the Key to Weight Loss

 

The Fat Burning Magic of Fibrous Vegetables