CB: What nutrition tips work best for you?
TT:
I'm no expert on nutrition, but my experience this past year is that I need a little
more carbohydrates than what a lot of the newer nutrition programs are recommended.
When I drop carbohydrates to a minimal level, it does seem to have an effect on
my energy levels. I think of carbohydrates as an energy provider, and on workout
days, I make sure I get enough carbohydrates to get my energy level where it needs
to be for my workout.
CB: So overall, what is your impression of strength training and interval training?
TT:
It keeps it from getting boring, and I have a bit of a creative streak in me. This
seems to keep things interesting. No matter what workout I'm doing, the strength
and interval program is the design I use.
There are three basic things I do, no matter whether or not the exact exercises
are called for:
1. Do 18-22 sets, emphasizing full body. Sometimes, I may emphasize certain muscle
groups for an entire workout, but that's rare. I usually make sure there is some
impact on every muscle group at each workout.
2. Do "superset" style without a rest period between sets within each
superset. Each superset is designed as a push-pull superset, or sometimes just the
use of opposing muscle groups. I like push-pull supersets best.
(CB note: Here's a tough push-pull superset that you can do in a crowded gym or
at home - DB Presses & DB Rows)
3. Every workout ends in an hour or less and is capped off with a very intense HIIT
session. I don't let myself feel guilty if I only have time to do a 12 to 15 minute
HIIT. The intensity is so great that I don't have to worry about whether I'm working
hard enough or not.
CB: Do you have a favorite part of the workout?
TT:
It's basically a flurry of non-stop activity, so I don't really think about favorite
parts. However, I think I enjoy the various forms of rows that I employ. Your program
calls for Seated Cable Rows and DB Rows, and I have gotten so much stronger in these
that I probably have to say I enjoy these most of all.
Truly, though, getting finished each day is what I like best. I always do a full
body assessment of how I feel after each workout.
Seldom do I walk away from a workout thinking I could have worked a little harder
on any one muscle group. When it's done, I'm spent. Maybe, it's just because I turn
50 years old this year, but I've talked to a lot of younger guys who are doing strength
and intervals as well, and they say the same thing.