Nate's book, "Built for show"
Hi Nate, could you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Nate Green and I like long walks on the beach. Is that what you wanted to know? OK, kidding…
I’m a 25 year old writer and “hero in training.” Which means I live by a certain standard of “rules”, and pretty much do what I want to do when I want to do it. Oh, and I write about fitness, lifestyle, and other random things at my blog.
I’m the author of Built for Show and The Hero Handbook (which will be released on February 8th) and I’ve been published in Men’s Health, The LA Times, Men’s Fitness, and a bunch of other print and online magazines.
What is your training approach?
That’s a broad question but I guess I could boil it down to this:
1. Understand why you’re training *- Most guys go to the gym to look better. Accept that and figure out the best plan for you.
2. Build a solid base -* Don’t start with bench presses and curls or worry about your freakin’ biceps if you don’t know how to squat or deadlift properly. Most guys can gain 10-20 pounds of muscle and lose enough fat to look good by simply doing the basics.
3. Follow a training program and work your ass off -* Don’t wing it when you go to the gym. Have a plan and follow it. Also, no talking in between sets or goofing off while you’re in the gym. Get in, hit it hard, get out, and live the rest of your life.
4. Be consistent -* You’re not going to build a great body by going to the gym every now and then. Commit to a plan then follow it for a while. Being healthy is a lifestyle, not a four-week goal.
5. Use progressive overload – *This simply means using more weight, taking less rest, or somehow finding a way to make your next session better than your last. This is how you grow.
What is your diet approach?
I don’t really have an “approach.” Here are the rules I follow every day:
Mostly organic food
Protein with every meal
Little to no processed carbohydrates
Lots of vegetables
Lots of water
Indulge occasionally (I like beer and dessert)
Aside from blogging at www.thenategreenexperience.com what does a typical day for you look like?
1. Wake up next to my gorgeous girlfriend
2. Go for 15-minute walk around my neighborhood
3. Make a healthy breakfast egg scramble and coffee
4. Write for 2 hours
5. Work out
6. Shower, check e-mail
7. Late lunch with friends
8. Write for 1 more hour or so
9. Read, hang out, watch Hulu TV
10. Go out to dinner with my girlfriend or friends (or cook at home)
11. Catch a movie, take dance lessons, play ping-pong, watch live music, etc.
12. In bed by midnight on most nights.
13. Repeat.
What is the worst thing you see people doing? Keep it fitness related!
Not knowing how to properly do all the exercises they’re trying to do.
What have you learned from training that you apply to your lifestyle?
Life is a series of sprints and rest intervals. If you try to tackle too much at one time (or go too long) you’ll burn out and have a shitty performance. Instead, set intervals and kick ass for a short time. Then rest.
That’s why I normally write for an hour or so before getting up and doing something else. Even if it’s just to get a drink of water or call a friend for 10 minutes, it gets me out of the chair and helps clear my mind.
It seems from your blog that you’re quite the beer connoisseur, which is your favorite beer?
Go with the Rochefort 10. It’s made my trappist monks in Belgium. I’ve been there and it’s some of the best beer in the world. You can find it pretty much anywhere, too.
Been good talking with you Nate. .
Thanks!
-Nate