The Cutting Edge!

By Dexter "The Blade" Jackson

HUNGRY MAN TO THE RESCUE

Blade, you have to help me out, bro'. I've been training for a year now, and I'm just not making respectable gains. I've always been skinnier than shit. Even my sister has bigger legs than me! I've been reading about the importance of eating to get big, but I've never been a big eater. Moms is always telling me to clean my plate, but it's just beyond my ability. Is there any way I could increase my appetite? I'm tired of being a stick figure. You are my favorite bodybuilder and the true winner of the 2004 Mr. Olympia.

OK, rest easy young soldier. Hard gainers usually have trouble packing in the calories necessary for extreme size. Couple that with a fast metabolism and you have the exact opposite of the ideal combination for building massive muscles. But you're not helpless in your struggles. There are some simple, natural ways you can stimulate your appetite to get all the nutrients and calories you need. Plus, you get to eat most of the goodies people trying to lose weight have to run from. Remember, though, this is not a license to gorge on pizza and chips (at least not every day). You still have to eat a clean, bodybuilding diet.  Our real goal here is to increase that appetite, so you can eat enough nutrient- dense food for huge muscles.

Starchy carbs are an excellent way to get big in a hurry. I'm talking rice, pasta, potatoes, bread and cereal. You can totally bump up your daily caloric intake by eating these at every meal. In addition, the glycogen that gets stored in your muscles from these carbs pack in water and nutrients to the muscle cells, sparking growth. About 50 to 60 percent of your calories should come from carbs when you're in a mass phase. Since you don't have a problem with fat, I wouldn't worry about eating starches.

Drink fruit juice prior to a large meal to spike your blood sugar. This will kick start your appetite so you can eat more. Besides, most fruit juices carry their fair share of calories to bump up your total. Try to have the juice at least half an hour before your meals. Then surprise mom by finally cleaning your plate.

Eat at night. Yes, this is the cardinal sin for those looking to drop the fat.  But for you, this will be a plus. Whenever you eat a huge meal right before bedtime, you'll wake up starving for a lumberjack breakfast. The reason this happens is because of the rise in insulin. Remember that insulin is an appetite stimulant and it increases your metabolic rate. And again, it drives nutrients into your muscle stores. So, having a large meal before you sleep will make you even hungrier the following morning.

Use artificial sweeteners to further spike your insulin levels. Even though they're typically used in place of sugar because of their low caloric content, they still act in the same fashion by raising insulin levels. Because they are sweet, the body still releases insulin. Spices are another good way to stimulate the grub factor. Ever notice that spices can make you drool? It also opens the gate for other digestive juices, which further trigger hunger. So spice up your food to get your grub going.

You can also clear glucose from the blood to increase glycogen. This will help boost your appetite as the decline in blood sugar sends signals to the brain that it's chow time. Take 200 micrograms of chromium, 10 milligrams of vanadyl, 200 milligrams of alpha-lipoic acid and three to six grams of fish oil with your breakfast to further kick-start your appetite for the day. Follow these suggestions and I'm confident you'll be blowing your sister away with your tree trunk thighs in no time.

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

Dexter, what's the deal with nitric oxide? I'm totally confused and need a simple definition of NO and what it does. Can you give me the "NO for Dummies" version, please?   

Sure thing. Let me kick it for you. Nitric oxide is a molecule that aids in controlling nerve signals, immune system functions, dilation of blood vessels and muscle growth. Obviously, the last two concern bodybuilders the most, although the other aspects are important, too. The primary feature is increased blood flow. You know how mad important this is for bodybuilders. It means all the nutrients, oxygen and hormones your muscles need are transported more effectively.

NO is a compound created by the body. In order for this to happen, it needs the amino acid Arginine in conjunction with Nitric Oxide synthase. When taking supplements to increase NO, stick with products that contain Arginine, citrulline and apsartic acid. Be sure they are time-released, too. This way, the body is able to produce NO for longer periods, spelling better pumps through blood flow. MuscleTech's Pump-Tech has all the ingredients necessary to support the creation of NO. Just follow the directions on the label and you'll feel the difference in "NO" time.

RAW DEAL

I'm still fuming about you getting screwed out of your rightful third place at the Olympia. Actually, I think you should have been second, but you know politics. I wanted to kill the judges. It just goes to show how incompetent they are. Since it's under new management, hopefully they'll do something to correct this for next year. And please kick that Challenge Round to the gutter. Now for my question.  A friend said a lot of pro bodybuilders eat sushi as a regular part of their off-season diet. I just started dating an Asian girl and she wants to treat me to sushi. I've never had it and frankly, I'm a little scared. What do you think of it? Do you include sushi as part of your regular diet? Would you recommend it?  Thank you.  And I know you're gonna wipe them out at the Arnold.

            Thanks for the props. I'm still getting e-mails from the fans about the Challenge Round. What can I say? It's over and done with. The past is the past and it can't be changed. I'm just zoomed in on taking it all at the Arnold Classic.  I will be even better than ever, but as always, my physique will do the talking.

You know, I never even tried sushi until a couple of years ago. I know where you're coming from. Just the thought of eating raw fish made me want to hurl. Now, Chris Cormier, there's a dude who loves his sushi! He's got to get his sushi on regularly. He finally talked me into it and let me tell ya', I didn't know what I was missing all this time. You really couldn't ask for a more bodybuilder-friendly food. You've got a great low-fat protein combined with one of the best carbohydrate sources around, rice. Tuna and salmon are my favorites. I don't know the Japanese names for them, but Chris has it all down.  He even orders in Japanese. I just look at the menu and point at the ones I want.

One thing you want to watch is the soy sauce you dip it in. I use the low-sodium variety, which most restaurants carry. Also, be sure the sushi is fresh.  It shouldn't be slimy when you touch it. I got all this from Chris, he's the expert.  You can't be too picky when it comes to eating raw fish, so stick to reputable places to chow down.

Road to the Arnold Classic

Journal Entry: Mid-January, 2005

DEXTER DROPPING DEXTER

Lucky seven. Seven weeks out from the Arnold and I'm right on target at 235. And that's a lean 235. This is the leanest I've ever been. In seven weeks, I'm gonna accomplish something on that stage. I'll surpass my best conditioning to date, the 2003 GNC, where I beat Jay. The bar is set at 232 pounds. That'll be my heaviest. Yet, I'll be even more peeled than before.  Time's on my side. I'll pack on more grade A. I'd like to be 242. That would be off the charts. I go up in weight as I get closer. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm different from everybody else.

The GNC was my coming out party. That's when I arrived. I saw improvements I had never seen before. Even though I was in awesome condition for the Olympia, the GNC blew the Olympia Dexter out of the water.  Look at the pictures and you'll know what I'm talking about. And I'm gonna put that version of Dexter Jackson to shame at the upcoming Arnold.

I'm feeling strong and grounded. Since I don't do that low-carb nonsense, energy loss and fatigue are non-issues for me. I've started cardio, too. I usually don't burn the cardio this far out, but I'm gonna come in like never before. I hit the cardio first thing in the morning at seven. That keeps me revved for the rest of the day. I've had some of the best training sessions ever, too. Me and my training partner are in the zone. It's unreal. I'll show a physique with conditioning that's never been seen before. And need I remind you, I'm always good on my word? It's gonna be tight.

Of course, calves are always a priority. I nail those puppies twice a week.  They've come up some, too. Pounding the basics has brought them closer to where I want them to be. Not on the money, but getting there.

DEXTER'S MICKY

This is also the first time I've been able to work with Joe McNeil on a full- time basis. Usually, we team up at four weeks out. The transformation in four weeks is just ridiculous. Imagine what we're gonna unveil with us working full time with the diet and all. It's gonna be crazy!

Joe's just as focused as I am on bringing in more size and condition at the same time. He knows my body well enough to understand that I have the genetics to do this. That's probably why I'm the leanest I've ever been at this stage. We'll hit my GNC condition at four weeks out and then improve on that for the remaining time left.

THIS IS MINE

As far as the Arnold Classic competition goes, I feel it's mine to win.  Period. And no disrespect intended to all the other guys. As for Jay, it wouldn't have mattered if he was in the show or not. I don't think he would have been 100 percent. Besides, the big boy needs a rest. It was a smart move to skip this show and give his body time to regenerate for the Olympia. I know I'll come in better than ever and Jay at less than 100 percent would not get the drop on me.

BIG DAWG IN THE YARD

I can't tell you how excited I am for this show. I love the Arnold Classic.  It's such an awesome show. It's in a caliber all its own. Due to the controversy at the Olympia, I'd say the Arnold outclasses the "O." Not to say the Olympia has fallen from grace. A lot of people feel it can get back its former glory. But as of right now, with the Expo and all the added attractions, the Arnold is it! It's more like a festival or major circus has come to town. Everybody wants to go.  Lots of fans, friends and family will be there to witness the spectacle. This has a double impact for me, because I want this to be special for them.

PEEP IT FOR YOURSELF

My new video is available for all. Take a peep for yourself. You can go to DexterJacksonShredded.com and order the new DVD online in real time. It was filmed right before the Olympia, so the intensity is through the roof. Very, very hardcore and serious. I think you'll really like it!.

Until later, stay tight!