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GETTINGRIPPED.COM'S
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** As seen at www.gettingripped.com **
My Review of the SwoleGenix Shredding Program
For the past 4 weeks or so, I've been doing SwoleGenix, a new nutritional and
workout program structured by Chris Janusz aka "SwoleCat". I decided to approach
Chris due to an odd plateau I hit around the 220 pound mark that I couldn't shake
for about 3 or 4 weeks, so I figured I would give his program a go. My initial
research was fruitless, since most of his clients, along with himself, maintain
a certain level of confidentiality about the program, so only generalized info
was available. With that in mind, I'm going to try to make this as informative
a review as possible, without breaching that trust level regarding Chris' program.
Once I sent off the initial email requesting info, the communication between
Chris and myself flowed like water. There was not a single email I sent him that
didn't go unanswered, and rarely did he respond more than 2 or 3 hours after
I sent a message. Usually his responses were within 15 minutes, unless he was
unavailable. Even when he was on vacation in Vegas, he responded within the same
day to all of my emails and questions. How's that for service!
Chris had my program designed within 4 days of me supplying him my current weight,
bodyfat, current food intake, goals, etc. My website made it a bit easier for
Chris to understand my goals and progress to date, so that probably helped him
in designing a proper program that suited me. Once I was presented the program,
I immediately noticed it wasn't what I thought it would be... I was thinking
it was going to be a terribly strict, boring daily diet, with no room for error,
and no freedom to choose my own foods. I also thought that I would be just told
what to do, not why. This was key, not only did I want to get a program from
the Chris, but I wanted to learn from him... He proved me wrong! Chris provided
macronutrient ratios on a meal-by-meal basis, but I was given the freedom to
choose what I ate based on those ratios, and he also provided a sound understanding
as to why those ratios where listed. This was the hard part! Now I had the freedom
to choose the meats, carbs, fats, etc that I wanted to eat... And that took time.
I spent about a week constructing two daily diets, one for gym(lifting) days,
and one for non-gym(cardio-only) days. I sent these off to Chris, got a quick
response with some suggestions on foods to remove/add/adjust, and off I went!
The diet portion of SwoleGenix took some getting used to, simply because I was
eating a LOT more food(and more fats!!!) more frequently on his program than
I was for the first 4 months of my transformation project. This shocked me, and
for the first week, I was a disbeliever... I was proved wrong on my first weekly
weigh-in, plateau broken. I was happy, emailed Chris my results, and got a response
of "Don't use calipers, use your mirror. That's the only tool you need to judge
body fat % from now on. Don't go by a number, go by the visual that makes you
happy." Needless to say, I still use calipers, but that change of attitude regarding
my mirror as a tool is the truth! Chris' SGX diet was hard to stick to for the
first week or 10 days, simply because it required more scheduling of "feeding
times" which required an adjustment on my daily life, and it also required a
bit more pre-planning than I had been accustomed to during my first 4 months
of the transformation. Once you get used to the diet and how to properly prepare
for it, the rest comes naturally!
Also included in the SwoleGenix program is a weight-lifting routine that is used
in conjunction with the daily diet. The lifting routine was interesting in that
it provided more volume of lifting for some exercises, and also introduced some
new lifts to my workout, but didn't increase my frequency in the gym. No special
equipment is needed, I was fine using my 300 lb Olympic weight bench, power rack,
and flat/incline bench, along with hex dumbbells. That's it! It's a simple routine,
takes about 45 minutes per lifting day, and was a refreshing change of pace from
what I was accustomed to. I will say this, the Leg days are HELL, but I won't
say anymore!!!
Chris also advocates a weekly cheat DAY, not a cheat meal, to help keep the thyroid
in check, and to also keep you sane after a week of meticulous dieting and lifting.
The cheat day provided me a time to relax my intake, eat some Sesame Chicken
from my favorite Chinese restaurant, perhaps some pizza, and even cereal for
breakfast. The "damage" done during a cheat day is minimal because my calories
rarely exceeded 2200, but my frequency of eating was also less. The cheat days
also added something for me to look forward to at the end of a hectic week at
the office, and a way to unwind on a Saturday.
I give the SGX program two thumbs up, 5 stars, or whatever other wacky rating
types are out there. Why? Because it works... But it works differently for every
person on the diet. Some people have lost major fat while maintaining their lean
body mass, thus dropping their body weight significantly. Others have dropped
fat, increased muscle, and had their bodyweight fluctuate very little, while
their bodyfat % changes drastically, and they get ripped and "bigger". For me,
it was both. One week, I would lose fat, maintain muscle mass and lose bodyweight.
The next week, I would lose fat, gain mass, and barely budge on the scale. For
me, this was fine because I knew and could see the physical changes taking place
on my body. The program works, as long as you follow it.
But, aside from the fact the program works, the best part of the program is Chris.
Having a knowledgeable, trained, informative person available literally around-the-clock
and on your side is worth it. I'm more impressed with the service Chris provides,
the responses, the education, the knowledge, than the actual program itself.
The program is a vehicle to get to your destination, but I'll be damned if Chris
isn't your personal chauffeur, emailing you randomly and guiding you throughout
the week, checking your status, asking for feedback, and educating you on whatever
you need help with. Hear about a new supplement? Email Chris and expect a response.
Someone show you a knew lifting technique? Email Chris and get his take on it...
Whatever the case may be, Chris can and does help. He also serves as a motivator
of sorts in that his emails are always positive and upbeat, yet never candy coated.
For the dietary and other knowledge gained during my first 4 weeks on this program,
I am grateful. He helped dispel a few myths I thought to be true, and even proved
them over the course of my first 4 weeks with the diet itself.
Will I be continuing on SwoleGenix? I wasn't sure... I've been following the
diet, but slacking on the lifting the past 4 days as I re-evaluated what my plans
were. I have decided to continue on the SwoleGenix path for the foreseeable future,
simply because the program is now easier than ever to follow, and the physical
changes will start happening more rapidly. |
THECOIN
