Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does it take to get started?
A: The easiest first step is to pick up the phone and give me a call on my cell: (408) 234-9414 and let's have a short conversation. I can answer all of you questions fastest that way, and give you a good idea of the process.
Q: OK, then after that what happens?
A: Then you go to PayPal and make payment and we will set an appointment for your initial one-hour phone consultation. During that phone call we will talk about what you want to achieve. I will ask you questions about your fitness level right now, your fitness and health history, and your eating patterns and preferences. That will give us a starting point from which I will construct a diet and eating plan that is tailored to your goals, preferences and abilities. You will be taking detailed notes during this phone call, so have your pencil and paper at the ready. By the end of this conversation, you will have the exact plan that will take you from pre-contest to contest ready. (or if you are not in a competition it will take you exactly to your goal that we have set.)
Q: What different kind of foods will I be eating on this program?
A: If you are a vegetarian, you will be given an eating plan that will make you lean on a vegitarian diet. If you are in a bulking phase, you will be eating a high protein diet (chicken, fish, lean beef) on a specific schedule, with selected carbohydrates. If you are getting lean for a contest, your protien will remain high, but the kind of carbohydrates you eat will be modified. All of my eating plans include vegetables throughout.
Q: Do your programs include a supplement regimen?
A: Yes, you will be taken step by step through a supplement regimen appropriate to the kind of goal we have set.
Q: Don't you need to see what I look like?
A: Yes, that is a must. If you have photographs (front, back, sides - in shorts for men, bathing suit for women) that you can e-mail to me before we start, it will make it easier to pin-point areas that we will need to focus on. If you don't have photographs, well, take some and e-mail them to me. One important way of evaluating your progress will be through photos e-mailed every week or two.
Q: What if I want to work with you face to face?
A: If you are local to the San Jose area, then let's do that. Consulting with you in person can be arranged. We will set up a schedule for initial and follow-on meetings. And it's all at no extra cost. Even if you happen to be traveling to the Silicon Valley area for vacation or business, meeting at least once in person will be beneficial.
Q: How long does your program take?
A: The programs are 12 weeks long. We will have a one per week regular (phone) meeting where we will evalutate you progress and adjust accordingly. However, when in a program with me, you are free to call anytime you need special advice or feedback. If you need to touch base with me every day, that's perfectly OK. During this process you will feel like you always have your trainer accessible to you, anytime you need him.
Q: OK, how long will it take before I see results?
A: Most people see results after a few weeks. How fast your results come depend on several factors: your initial conditioning, your intensity in following the program, and the final goals toward which you are working.
Q: How much weight can I expect to lose with your program?
A: You can lose up to 30 pounds in 12 weeks, depending on what your goal is. About two pounds per week is generally the safest rate of fat loss that doesn't also eat away at your muscle. However, I have had clients lose 30 pounds and more in the course of 12 weeks. This is a factor of what your body-fat percentage is when you begin the program.
Q: Do you work only with bodybuilding and figure competitors?
A: I work with ultra-conditioned competitive athletes preparing for a contest. I work with overweight individuals looking to achieve their ideal weight. I work with "average" active people who want to get trim and lean and achieve their best physique.
Q: Can you help me with my motivation?
A: Yes, of course, that is what a coach does. When you know you are going to get your goal, motivation comes more easily. I know you will reach your goal working with me, because I have helped so many people. I am very positive about the results that are possible, results that initially you might not think are possible. However, once we start to work together, you will see that my sense of certainty and my sense of enthusiasm are contagious.
Q: Do you work with children?
A: Yes, with children as young as 12, and they have experienced fantastic results. For children under 18, a parent's permission is necessary.
Q: Is your program all about diet and eating or is there an exercise component?
A: Exercise is crucial. If you are already a competitive athlete, then you know that, and I will give suggestions and directions for a training regimen that are quite specific. If your goal is more in the direction of general conditioning, then I will outline for you a program of both resistance (i.e. weight-training) and cardio exercises: when to do what and how hard and how long to do it for - on a week by week basis.
Q: Are you also a personal trainer?
A: Yes, I have been a personal trainer for over 10 years, getting clients in condition for every sort of competitive activity. Please give me a call, occasionally I have openings in my schedule where I can take on new clients. We can discuss the details of a personal training program.
Q: How can I be sure that you and your programs are any good?
A: Proven past results. I have taken more than a few beginners to the competitive level and had them win first or second place in competitions. My clients are demanding, and they would not stay with me unless they made consistent progress. Simply put, if you follow them, my programs work.
Q: Do you walk your talk?
A: Yes. I practice what I preach. I have competed personally and won a number of first place overall championships. I have rehabilitated myself from the devastating injury of a broken back. (See my About page.)