Jim Cotta - Mens Health Workout War: Lose Pounds, Gain Muscle, Destroy Your Opponents

The editors and publisher advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and know their limits. Before practicing the exercises in this book, be sure that your equipment is well-maintained, and do not take risks beyond your level of experience, aptitude, training, and fitness. The exercise and dietary programs in this book are not intended as a substitute for any exercise routine or dietary regimen that may have been prescribed by your doctor. As with all exercise and dietary programs, you should get your doctors approval before beginning. Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher. 2015 by Rodale Inc. 2015 by Rodale Inc.

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Jones
Illustrations on part openers by Getty Images/PixelEmbargo Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data ISBN-13: 9781623364120 hardcover eISBN: 9781623364137 We inspire and enable people to improve their lives and the world around them. rodalebooks.com CONTENTS FOREWORD THE BIG SHAMROCK, BIG ARISTOTLE, BIG SHAQTUS, AND THE BIG DIESEL ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE NICKNAMES FROM MY NBA PLAYING CAREER. But when Charles Barkley called me the Big Fat-Ass while filming TNTs Inside the NBA, I got fired up! If he had called me that while on the court, I would have dunked on his ass like 100 times and had him watching the game from the bench. But were no longer NBA basketball players, so I had to find another way to inflict my Shaq Attack. At the time, I was in my first year of retirement and about to turn 40. Now dont get me wrong, Im still dead sexy. But I had put on a few pounds since the years I played for the Los Angeles Lakers and won three Finals MVP Awards.

So when Chuck called me out for being fat, I got pissed and said, Yeah, well youre fat, too, buddy, and I challenge you to a weight-loss competition. Better yet, lets take our shirts off on TV. I thought there was no way Charles would agree to take off his shirt and show off his jelly rolls. But he said, Its on. Lets do it! Now Im not one to ever back down on a challenge, and I have to win. Shoot, Ive got four NBA Championship rings; Chuck has zero.

There was no way I was gonna let this chump beat me. I knew I needed to call in the strength coach who kept me in shape during my playing days with the Lakers, Jim Cotta. Jim helped me win three straight NBA Championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002 and MVP in the NBA Finals all three of those seasons. Cotta helped keep my body lean and mean during those days in LA, when I averaged 27 points and 12 boards per game, and the years I led the league in field goal percentage for five straight seasons. During those days when training with Jim, I also held the regular season scoring title in 1999 and 2000 and was MVP of the regular season in 2000. I knew I needed to turn back the hands of time to those days when I was in much better shape.

So I got Jim Cotta on board to help me out. Jim is a really smart trainer who knows me all too well. His approach to fitness has always been pretty straightforward: work hard, eat right, and have some fun. Find types of exercise that you enjoy, act like a fool now and then to keep it entertaining, and work out with a purpose or goal. As Jim says, You need to find your why. My why? Beat Charles Barkley! For two months, Jim put me through tough workouts, and I stayed away from fast food and sugar.

I dropped 40 pounds; I looked and felt damn good. And the mirror doesnt lie. When I took off my shirt, I was the Big Sexy again. Jims workout routines and his philosophy of making fitness into a competition is exactly what men need to motivate them to get off the couch and lose some weight. I really enjoyed the daily trash talking with Charles and I know he did, too; its what kept us motivated. Hey, every dude on earth wants to look good for the ladies, but most dont have the drive to stick with a fitness plan.

This book will give you the tools to get that desire and motivation back while having fun beating up your friends and enemies in a competition. Can you dig it?! Shaquille ONeal INTRODUCTION IVE BEEN COMPETITIVE EVER SINCE I WAS A CHILD. I love to watch sports, play sports, bet on sports (and games), and enjoy every facet of a good competition. The game or bet doesnt matter. Whether its a round of golf with pals, a game of horse, or a quick game of badminton against my kids . -. -. if there is a winner and a loser, Im in! Competition gets the juices flowing, no matter the arena.

You picked up this book, so my guess is that youre pretty much the samesomeone who loves to go head-to-head. My love of competition is one of the main reasons I decided to become a strength and conditioning coach. After my high school and college football career came to an end, I wanted to help other competitive athletes achieve success on the field and court. Over the years, Ive had the pleasure of working with some extremely talented college athletes at the University of Texas and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. But the highlight of my career came when I joined the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff in 1997 as the head strength and conditioning coach. During my time training the Lakers, I got to work with some of the best basketball players in the world.

Under the incredible coaching philosophy of Phil Jackson, we made history a second time by winning our second three-peat (back-to-back-to-back) NBA World Championships (2000, 2001, and 2002). It was an amazing time in my life. Being part of the Lakers dynasty was incredible. I was constantly amazed by the wisdom of Coach Jackson. He could motivate guys in ways that no one else could, always keeping in mind that competition brings out the best effort in men. I did my best to follow his example by bringing that same kind of philosophy, work ethic, and respect to my weight room.