Category Archives: Bodybuilding & Strength Training

Training Log – Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Posted on by
Reply

Training Log – Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Overview

I trained for 80 minutes today. Everything was rest-pause style, kept the intensity high. Walked to the gym (45 minutes), trained, then walked to work.

Session Details

  • Style: Rest-pause throughout
  • Focus: Legs + Core
  • Cardio: 30 minutes stationary bike post-workout
  • Condition: Low-carb, fully keto-adapted

Workout Summary

  • Barbell Squat
    4 sets × 2–15 reps
    Top set: 15 reps at a high load
  • Dumbbell Step-Ups
    3 sets × 3–6 reps each leg
  • Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift
    3 sets × 8–12 reps
  • Barbell Calf Raise
    3 sets × 12 reps
  • Leg Extension Machine
    4 sets × 12 reps
  • Seated Leg Curl Machine
    4 sets × 6–15 reps
    Top set: 6 reps at a heavy load
  • Hanging Leg Raise
    3 sets × 30 reps
  • Weighted Plank
    1 set × 1:06 duration
  • Weighted Crunch
    1 set × 40 reps
  • Stationary Bike
    30:00 steady-state

Nutrition

Estimated Intake:

  • Calories: ~4000 kcal
  • Protein: ~360g
  • Fat: ~328g
  • Carbohydrates: ~36g (trace)

Food Sources:

  • Pork roast, ground beef, bacon
  • Chicken thighs, pork chops, steak
  • Cheese, Greek yogurt, whey isolate
  • Sausages, cottage cheese
  • Avocado, almond milk, margarine
  • Pecans, flaxseed
  • Spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, onions
  • Keto desserts (homemade)

Reflection

The output was high, and recovery has been solid. With this kind of intake and training volume, body composition keeps shifting in the right direction. Enough protein to support muscle. Enough fat to stabilize hormones. Carbs low enough to stay fat-adapted and lean.

Nothing needs changing yet. But I’ll adjust if needed:

  • If fat loss stalls, I’ll trim fats slightly
  • If performance drops, I’ll add a small clean refeed
  • If sleep gets choppy, I’ll look at timing and micronutrients

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonstone.ironresilience?igsh=MWVyeDdmNjIyZzlzYg==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ironresilience91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iron.resilience
Website: https://ironresilience.net

How to Be Attractive to Women

Posted on by
Reply

How to Be Attractive to Women

By Jon Stone | Iron Resilience

Attraction isn’t a game. It’s not some trick. You don’t win it by pretending to be someone else. You become attractive by becoming better. Period.

This is for men who are done with the excuses. Men who are ready to take control, get disciplined, and build a presence that turns heads without even trying.

Let’s break it down.

1. Be Physically Imposing

You don’t need to be tall. You need to look like you can handle yourself. Broad shoulders, strong chest, narrow waist, and posture that says ‘I don’t fold under pressure.’

Women notice strength. Not the kind that shows off, but the kind that stands its ground. Silent power speaks loud.

2. Be Financially Self-Reliant

No one’s saying you need a yacht. You just need to be in control of your life. Pay your way, stack your wins, and walk like a man who knows where he’s going.

Money means freedom, and freedom is attractive.

3. Be Aesthetic and Intentional

Keep your face lean. Keep your style clean. Doesn’t mean designer gear, it means you look like you give a damn. Sharp haircut, clear skin, fitted clothes.

Look like a man who has standards.

4. Build a Warrior Physique

Muscle draws eyes because it screams discipline. Every inch you build is earned. Women pick up on that without you having to say a word.

A jacked body says ‘this man doesn’t quit.’

5. Lead With Quiet Confidence

Real confidence isn’t loud. It’s calm. It’s rooted in experience, in hours put in when nobody was watching. You don’t need to flex it, just live it.

When you know who you are, people feel it.

6. Don’t Supplicate or Chase

You’re not a beggar. Don’t orbit women. You are the mission, and she is a potential part of it — not the whole thing.

Never act like you’re lucky to be around her. She’s lucky to meet a man like you.

7. Be Sharp, Not Self-Deprecating

Making people laugh is great. Making yourself the punchline is not. Keep it tight. Keep it teasing. But never lower yourself for attention.

Respect yourself first.

8. Stay Focused on Your World

Be so locked into your grind that she has to catch up to you. You’ve got a body to build, a life to build, a name to build.

A man with momentum doesn’t chase — he attracts.

9. Be Genuinely Unavailable Sometimes

You’re not playing games. You’re just busy doing real things. Miss a message. Delay a reply. Let her wonder a bit.

You’re not ignoring her. You’re investing in your future.

10. Dress Like You Matter

Your appearance is a signal. Wear clothes that fit. Stay clean. Look like someone who values himself.

A man who respects his look is telling the world he respects everything else too.

11. Make the Damn Decision

She doesn’t want a committee. She wants a man who can make the call. Pick the place. Take the lead. Whether it’s dinner or direction, step up.

Masculine energy moves forward. Don’t hesitate.

12. Be a Gentleman in Public, a Savage in Private

Be respectful, be polite, hold the door — but don’t be soft. That primal, dominant side should show up where it counts. She wants both — protection and fire.

Balance matters.

13. Quit Porn, Cut Dopamine, Kill Weak Habits

Porn kills edge. So do junk food, scrolling, and other cheap dopamine. You don’t need fantasy. You need the real fight. The real build.

Keep your hunger sharp.

14. Speak. Say Hi. Take the Shot.

Stop freezing up. Stop building it up in your head. Just say something. Approach. Smile. Be cool. You’re a man — you don’t need permission to show up.

Fear fades. Regret doesn’t.

Final Word

You don’t try to be attractive. You become a man who is.

Build the body. Sharpen the mind. Own your world. And walk like someone who doesn’t need validation — because he’s already earned his own.

You don’t chase women.
You chase purpose — and women chase that.

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonstone.ironresilience?igsh=MWVyeDdmNjIyZzlzYg==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ironresilience91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iron.resilience
Website: https://ironresilience.net

Power Breakfast: Salmon and Liver for Bodybuilders

Posted on by
Reply

Power Breakfast: Salmon and Liver for Bodybuilders

If you’re serious about building a physique forged in iron and grit, your first meal sets the tone. Forget cereal and toast. At Iron Resilience, we start the day with something primal — salmon and liver.

@ironresilience

Why Salmon?

  • Complete Protein: 20–25g of high-quality protein per 100g to fuel muscle growth and repair.
  • Omega-3 Powerhouse: Reduces inflammation, enhances recovery, and supports fat metabolism.
  • Micronutrient-Rich: Loaded with B vitamins (especially B12), selenium, and potassium for energy and hormone support.

Why Liver?

  • Nature’s Multivitamin: Packed with vitamin A, iron, zinc, copper, and folate. Vital for testosterone and immune health.
  • Muscle Support: Contains 20g+ protein per 100g, depending on the source (beef, chicken, pork).
  • Mental Clarity & Drive: B12 and iron boost oxygen flow and brain performance.

Why Oats, Greek Yogurt, and “Fitness” Breakfasts Are Weak

  • Blood Sugar Spike: Oats and yogurt are carb-heavy and raise insulin, leading to energy crashes and hunger.
  • Low Nutrient Density: Compared to liver and fatty fish, they’re poor sources of bioavailable vitamins and minerals.
  • Poor Protein Quality: Yogurt protein is incomplete. Oats need pairing with other sources to even hit minimal anabolic thresholds.
  • Estrogenic Effects: Most “fitness yogurts” are processed, sweetened, and mimic dessert more than fuel — a metabolic trap.
  • Gut Disruption: Many people unknowingly react to oats or dairy, leading to bloating and suboptimal digestion.

Start your day with purpose. Not with corporate breakfast propaganda designed to keep you soft, sluggish, and dependent.

Perfect for Breakfast

  • High Satiety: Protein and fat combo keeps you full and focused for hours.
  • Zero Carb Spike: No insulin crash — perfect for keto, OMAD, or intermittent fasting protocols.
  • Nutrient Frontloading: Dominates your daily vitamin and mineral needs before 9 AM.

Iron Resilience Pro Tips

  • Add a fat source like grass-fed butter, egg yolks, or avocado to hit your macros.
  • Rotate liver types to balance your nutrient intake and avoid vitamin A overload.
  • Use lemon juice or vinegar when cooking liver — it boosts flavor and nutrient absorption.

Final Word

This isn’t your average breakfast. This is a warrior’s meal. Salmon and liver fuel a mindset of discipline, strength, and dominance. Eat like a savage, train like a machine, and build your legacy.

Iron Resilience isn’t about comfort. It’s about command. And it starts with what’s on your plate.

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS

Don’t Confuse Getting Away With It for Being Healthy

Posted on by
Reply

Don’t Confuse Getting Away With It for Being Healthy

By Jon Stone | Iron Resilience

I’m not here to sugarcoat anything.

I vape. I use weed. I eat processed meat. I drink caffeine.
I’m not claiming any of that is healthy—but I don’t lie to myself about it either.
I own my vices. I own my choices. I take the hit and I keep moving forward.

What I won’t do is let this clown world pretend that obesity is healthy.
That sugar addiction is “just another lifestyle.”
That confidence can replace competence.

I’ve been obese—twice.
Once as a fat kid who got bullied and lived in shame.
Once as a grown man who slipped into weakness, comfort, and darkness.

276 pounds. Over 40% body fat.
Scared to swim. Scared to train. Scared to face myself.

But I did face myself. And now I live on the other side of that hell.

This fake freedom people talk about?
It’s an illusion.

How free are you if from age 5 to 18 you’re stuck in school,
Then pay out of pocket or through your parents for 2–4 more years of “education”
Just to get a 40+ hour/week job where you’re told when to eat, piss, and speak,
Where most people are just lucky to survive, drowning in debt from houses, cars, and bills?

And even then—if you do land a job—it might go to a diversity hire,
Or someone overseas who costs 1% as much.
And you’re expected to shut your mouth, smile, and play along
While mainstream media and fake experts dictate your thoughts.

Say the wrong thing? You’re censored, canceled, fired.
Vote? Sure. Between two handpicked puppets who both serve the same machine.
Democracy? More like two wolves and a sheep deciding what’s for dinner.

Meanwhile, the food you’re offered is trash.
High-carb, high-sugar, low-protein processed garbage.
Cheap meals, fake meat, fake health, fake freedom.
And when your body breaks down, they don’t fix it—they drug it.
More pills. More vaccines. More distractions.
More addiction to gaming, porn, social media, and dopamine.

And money? Not even real anymore.
Fiat currency backed by nothing, going digital so they can switch you off with one click.
You need a passport to travel. A license to drive. A permit to build. A mask to breathe.
You pay taxes, obey laws you didn’t write, and bow to speech codes enforced by people you’ll never meet.

That’s not freedom. That’s a padded cage.

Just Because You Can Eat It Doesn’t Mean It Works

People love to point at some jacked guy eating Pop-Tarts and say, “See? Carbs are fine!”
What they don’t tell you is:

  • That guy’s on gear.
  • That guy’s training like a savage.
  • That guy’s a genetic freak who could outlift you on pizza and beer.

You are not that guy. Neither am I.

Even with “clean carbs” like rice or oats, the question isn’t “Can I get away with this?”
It’s “Is this helping me dominate my goals?”

If the answer is no, then it’s weakness.
Disguised as balance.

You want fat loss? Mental clarity? Hunger control? Discipline?
You go very low carb.
You go high protein, high fat.
You go ketogenic. War mode.

Because keto isn’t just for sedentary dieters—it’s for warriors.
Keto athletes exist. They’re breaking records.
Outperforming sugar-junkies on half the fuel.
Because fat-fueled means focused. Fat-fueled means hard to kill.

I’m Not Here for Usain Bolt or Arnold

I’m here for the man working 10-hour shifts.
The man who’s fallen off and needs to claw his way back.
I’m not training Olympians. I’m training you.

You—the man who wants out of the herd.

Herd behavior is drive-thru dinners and cereal for breakfast.
Energy drinks. Candy. Weakness. Excuses.

You want to stand out? Live different. Eat different. Train different.

My Life? It’s Not Pretty. It’s Powerful.

I average 30,000 steps a day.
I train 7 days a week. Rain, shine, pre-work, post-work, doesn’t matter.

Sessions are 45 to 75 minutes of pain—weights, cardio, masochism.
I don’t train for fun. I train to dominate.

I run a 500 to 1,000+ calorie deficit daily—even when I binge.
If I slip, I punish myself. Fasted training. Fasting. Mental resets.

I fall. I bleed. I adapt.
I don’t stay down.

That’s the Iron Resilience Way.
No excuses. No crying. Just cold truth and hard action.

You want comfort? Stay soft.
You want freedom? Start suffering.
Because real freedom doesn’t come from voting, carbs, or Netflix.
It comes from mastering your body, your mind, and your pain.

Resilience is forged in fire.
And I’m still burning.

Jon Stone
Founder: https://ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS

Disclaimer:
I do not promote violence, extremism, terrorism, crime, or hate.
This is social commentary—raw, personal, and based on lived experience.
It’s about discipline, self-reliance, and rejecting the excuses that keep you weak.

Why People Give Me Advice at the Gym—Even When I’m 205 lbs with Abs

Posted on by
Reply

Why People Give Me Advice at the Gym—Even When I’m 205 lbs with Abs

By Jon Stone | Iron Resilience

You ever notice how the most out-of-shape guys are the first to dish out training and diet advice?

You’re mid-set, headphones in, sweat dripping, muscles pumped. You’re 205 pounds with abs. Disciplined. Dialed in. Focused. And here comes some guy with a soft belly and soft mind telling you what he thinks you should be doing.

Why does this happen?

Because discipline exposes weakness.

Most people don’t want to get better—they want to feel better about not getting better. When they see someone like you—no shortcuts, no excuses, no fads—your results remind them of what they’ve been avoiding: pain, effort, structure, consistency.

So they project.
They advise.
They critique.
They poke holes in your routine, your diet, your methods—not because they want to help, but because they need to protect their ego.

It’s not about you.
It’s about them.

You’re a walking contradiction to their excuses.

You didn’t crash diet or hop on some influencer’s plan. You carved it out over years. You eat steak and eggs while they chase macro-balanced smoothies. You train like a masochist while they scroll through mobility reels. You walk 26,000 steps a day and lift like it matters. You live it.

And that terrifies people who only talk about it.

When you walk into a gym with purpose, the room shifts. People notice. Not just the results—but the energy. The no-bullshit presence. The eyes that say: I came here to suffer. That level of intensity reveals the frauds. It makes them uncomfortable.

So they try to shrink you back down.
With words.
With “tips.”
With passive-aggressive comments.

Let them.

You’re not here to be liked.
You’re here to be forged.

This is Iron Resilience.
Not plastic approval.
Not rubber-band advice.
Iron. Unbending. Unshaken.

And when someone smaller, softer, or lazier comes up to give you “advice,” just remember:
You’ve already won.
They just haven’t figured it out yet.

The Legal Alternative to Meth and Adderall: How to Get Focus and Appetite Suppression Without the Risks

Posted on by
Reply

The Legal Alternative to Meth and Adderall: How to Get Focus and Appetite Suppression Without the Risks

If you’ve ever seen what Adderall or meth can do to your focus and appetite, you know it’s like flipping a switch. Suddenly distractions vanish, hunger dies, and your brain locks in. But those drugs aren’t gifts — they’re traps. Addiction, heart strain, mental breakdowns, and crashes that wreck your life.

Most guys chasing that edge don’t need to destroy themselves to get results. There’s a legal, safer way to get razor-sharp focus and curb your appetite — and stay standing.

Here’s the real deal on the legal stimulant stack that works.

Caffeine — The Classic Powerhouse

Caffeine is the foundation. Between 200 and 400 mg a day wakes your mind and helps shut off hunger. But go over 400 mg and you risk anxiety, jitters, and heart issues. It’s a fine line.

Pair caffeine with L-theanine, an amino acid from tea, to smooth out the buzz and lock in calm focus that lasts.

Nicotine Pouches or Gum — The Underrated Weapon

Nicotine, used right, is one of the strongest legal appetite suppressants and focus boosters out there. Low doses around 1 to 6 mg can kill hunger and sharpen your alertness.

But nicotine’s addictive. Treat it like a tool — not a habit. Use sparingly.

Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine — The Old School Boost

These are legal but regulated stimulants that have been around for ages. Ephedrine can crank up your energy and suppress appetite hard, but it comes with risks — heart strain, jitters, and tolerance build-up fast. Pseudoephedrine is milder and found in some cold meds, but it can still give a mild stimulant effect.

If you’re thinking about these, be smart, cycle them carefully, and don’t push too far. They’re closer to the effects of Adderall than caffeine or nicotine alone, but not without downsides.

Adaptogens and Nootropics — The Mental Armor

Supplements like Rhodiola Rosea, Theacrine, and Bacopa Monnieri don’t hit hard instantly, but they help reduce fatigue, improve mood, and sharpen cognition over time. They build steady energy without crashing or burning you out.

How to Stack Them for Maximum Effect

Here’s a no-bullshit routine to get serious focus and appetite control:

  • Morning: 200 mg caffeine (coffee or strong tea) plus 200 mg L-theanine
  • Midday: 1–3 mg nicotine pouch if appetite or focus drops
  • Afternoon: Optional 100–200 mg caffeine with L-theanine for another push
  • Daily: Adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea or Theacrine for steady mental resilience
  • Ephedrine cycles only if you know what you’re doing, sparingly and carefully

This stack is strong, legal, and sustainable. It won’t blast you off like Adderall or meth, but it will get you locked in without wrecking your body.

Final Warning: Don’t Chase Speed

Chasing the rush of meth or Adderall will burn you down. There is no legal substitute that gives you that exact fire — and that’s good. Use these legal stimulants smartly, respect their limits, and build your focus and appetite control over time.

If you want a customized legal stack to dominate your day and control hunger without risking your health, I’m here to help.

Stay sharp, stay disciplined, and keep your edge on your terms.

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonstone.ironresilience?igsh=MWVyeDdmNjIyZzlzYg==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ironresilience91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iron.resilience
Website: https://ironresilience.net

Shredded Over Size: The Iron Resilience Standard

Posted on by
Reply

Shredded Over Size: The Iron Resilience Standard

By Jon Stone
Founder of ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

There’s a weird thing that happens when you get lean.

You drop 50 or more pounds of fat, veins start showing up, your jawline comes back, and your pants go from XL to medium. And yet, someone still points at a dude with a beer gut and says ‘he’s stronger than you’.

It’s not hate. It’s just the mindset out there. Big equals strong to most people. Even if that guy’s out of breath walking to the fridge.

The Powerlifter Bubble

Some guys live in this world where lifting is everything. Westside, chalk, five plates, bar bends, and chicken wings after the gym. They call it powerbuilding. They say shredded guys are weak. They love to joke about abs being ‘earned in the kitchen but lost in the squat rack.’

Alright, fair. They lift heavy. But lifting isn’t the same thing as building a body. And most of the time, they’re hiding behind strength numbers so they can keep eating garbage and call it ‘fuel.’

Not all of them, sure. But enough.

Two Different Roads

Let’s break it down. There are two types of lifters.

One trains for discipline, shape, performance, and confidence. He looks like he was carved out of stone.

The other trains to get strong and eat a lot. He’s proud of his lifts but hasn’t seen his jaw since high school.

Both work hard. Only one lives hard.

Why Size Matters to Some Women More Than Leanness

Here’s an important detail that often gets overlooked: many women, especially those raised around big, strong, stocky men—like construction workers, tradesmen, or heavy laborers—actually find bigger, more solid guys more attractive. They see size and bulk as real strength, not just muscle definition.

For them, an 18-inch “fatcep” might feel stronger and more impressive than a 16.5-inch shredded bicep. It’s what they grew up around. Even women who carry extra weight themselves tend to prefer partners who look solid and powerful over lean and shredded.

Skinnyfat guys usually get lost in the middle—neither lean nor truly strong-looking—and that often leaves them invisible in this dynamic.

The Shredded Aesthetic Protocol

Calories: around 2000 a day
Macros: 250g protein, 120-140g fat, under 20g carbs
Meals: OMAD (one meal a day) on work days, two meals on rest days
Style: Ketogenic, fasted training, high volume, dry and shredded

Sample Meals

Workday OMAD:
– 8 oz ribeye
– 3 eggs fried in butter
– Spinach and flaxseed
– Keto chai with almond milk

Rest day meals:
Meal 1: Greek yogurt, whey, almond butter
Meal 2: Bacon, eggs, avocado, sardines

Training: Push Pull Legs – 6 days per week

Day 1 – Push:
Incline DB Press 4×10
DB Shoulder Press 4×12
Lateral Raises 4×20
Dips 3 sets to failure
Overhead Triceps Extensions 3×15

Day 2 – Pull:
Pullups 4×8
Barbell Rows 4×10
Face Pulls 3×20
EZ Bar Curl 4×12
Hammer Curls 3×10

Day 3 – Legs:
Front Squat 4×8
Romanian Deadlift 4×10
Walking Lunges 3×15
Hamstring Curls 3×20
Calf Raises 4×20

Days 4-6: Repeat with variation
Add incline bench, Arnold press, rack pulls, hack squats etc.

Cardio: 45-60 minutes fasted walking daily
Optional: 2x per week HIIT (20 mins)

The Dirty Bulk Big Boy Setup

He’s not lazy. He’s in the gym. He moves weight. But he also eats like he’s bulking year-round. And yeah, he’s strong. But he’s tired all the time. Says cardio kills gains. And the only lines he has are in his forehead.

Calories: 3500 to 4000
Macros: 220g protein, 250-300g fat, under 20g carbs
Meals: 6 to 8 meals a day
Style: Dirty keto, strongman fuel, always eating

Sample Meals

Meal 1: 4 eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, butter coffee
Meal 2: Ground beef, margarine, cheddar, bell peppers
Meal 3: Whey shake with almond butter
Meal 4: Chicken thighs, mayo, broccoli with melted cheese
Snacks: Hot dogs, pork rinds, cottage cheese, keto pudding

Training: 4-Day Westside Split

Day 1 – Upper Max Effort:
Barbell Bench 5×5
Weighted Dips 4×10
DB Rows 4×10
Seated Overhead Press 3×10
Rope Extensions 3×15

Day 2 – Lower Max Effort:
Deadlifts 5×3
Box Squats 4×6
Step-Ups 3×10
Hamstring Curls 3×15
Calf Raises 4×20

Day 3 – Upper Speed:
Speed Bench 8×3
Chin-Ups 4×10
Incline DB Press 3×12
Lateral Raises 4×20
Close-Grip Press 3×10

Day 4 – Lower Speed:
Speed Squats 8×2
Power Cleans 3×5
RDLs 4×10
Glute Ham Raises 3×8
Tibialis Raises 3×20

Cardio: 15k steps minimum on active days

What Do You Want to Be?

You can be big. You can be strong. You can even be both. But if you’re not shredded, you’re not finished.

You don’t have to do it like everyone else. But if you want the body, the clarity, and the power that doesn’t fade when the barbell is gone, you’ve got to take the harder road.

Get lean. Get dry. Get real.

That’s Iron Resilience.

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ironresilience91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iron.resilience
Website: https://ironresilience.net

Why I Swapped Greek Yogurt for Cottage Cheese and Peanut Butter for Butter on Keto

Posted on by
Reply

Why I Swapped Greek Yogurt for Cottage Cheese and Peanut Butter for Butter on Keto

by Jon Stone

In ketogenic bodybuilding, the small things add up. You might think you’re doing everything right, but some foods that look clean on the surface can quietly hold you back. I’m not here to preach or sell a one-size-fits-all plan. This is just what I’ve learned through trial, error, and real-world discipline. If you’re running a strict keto system for physique and performance, these are the swaps that made a real difference for me.

Greek Yogurt vs Cottage Cheese

Greek yogurt is popular for a reason. It’s high in protein and easy to find. But even the plain, unsweetened versions still have a surprising amount of carbs from lactose. I found it spiked my cravings and left me feeling less sharp over time. For someone doing standard low-carb, it might be fine. But for strict keto with a focus on body comp and mental clarity, it’s not ideal.

I swapped in full-fat cottage cheese instead. It’s lower in carbs, higher in protein per calorie, and easier on my digestion. It also holds me over longer and doesn’t trigger the same hunger rebounds. It’s not fancy, but it does the job.

Peanut Butter vs Butter

Peanut butter is another food that gets overhyped. Yeah, it has fat and protein. But it also comes with omega-6s, lectins, and just enough carbs to mess with insulin and fat adaptation. On paper it looks keto, but for me, it always led to overeating and loss of discipline. It’s also one of those foods that’s way too easy to binge.

I replaced it with butter. Just butter. No sugar, no plant toxins, no hidden macros. It’s pure fuel. I’ll use it in coffee, cook with it, or just melt it over meat and eggs. It’s helped me stay deeper in ketosis and dialed in with less effort. Butter doesn’t lie to you.

Why These Swaps Matter

I’m not saying everyone needs to follow this exactly. Do what works for your body and goals. But if you’re running a tight keto approach for strength, aesthetics, and clarity, these swaps are more than just upgrades — they’re optimal.

You don’t need to overthink it. Just stay consistent, cut out what doesn’t serve you, and fuel up on clean, simple foods that support the mission.

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonstone.ironresilience
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ironresilience91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iron.resilience
Website: https://ironresilience.net

How a Top Dog Eats: Fueling High Physical Output

Posted on by
Reply

How a Top Dog Eats: Fueling High Physical Output

Eating well is about matching your food to your effort. When you train hard and move a lot, your body demands quality fuel. Here’s a snapshot of what I ate today after a heavy workout and a day packed with walking. I’ll also share lower calorie options for cutting and lean bulking phases to fit different needs.

Meals and Foods

Lunch
4 extra lean turkey burger patties
4 slices Kraft mozzarella singles
2 lobster tails

Snack before supper
2 bags (140g total) pork rinds

Supper
~250g skinless roast chicken breast
1 piece KFC-style fried chicken rib (breaded, skin-on)
220g sliced mushrooms and onions with lime juice
4 butter packets melted into the meal

In coffee
6 butter packets

Total Estimated Macros (High Physical Output)
Calories: ~3,525–3,550 kcal
Protein: ~310g
Fat: ~230g
Carbs: ~23–26g

Today I walked about 36,000 steps at a brisk 3.0 mph pace. Earlier I worked out shoulders, biceps, and legs, so I earned this meal. It’s about matching fuel to effort.

Cutting ~1850 kcal
Lunch:
3 extra lean turkey patties
4 boiled eggs or a lean steak or pork chop (instead of lobster)
Snack:
1 bag pork rinds (70g) or a smaller portion of lean pork chop
Supper:
~150g skinless roast chicken breast
No fried chicken rib
110g sliced mushrooms and onions with lime juice
2 butter packets melted into the meal
In coffee:
3 butter packets
Estimated Macros:
Calories: ~1,850 kcal
Protein: ~160g
Fat: ~110g
Carbs: ~12–15g

Lean Bulking ~2,500 kcal
Lunch:
3 extra lean turkey patties
2 boiled eggs or lean steak or pork chop (instead of lobster)
Snack:
1.5 bags pork rinds (105g) or lean pork chop alternative
Supper:
~200g skinless roast chicken breast
No fried chicken rib
165g sliced mushrooms and onions with lime juice
3 butter packets melted into the meal
In coffee:
4 butter packets
Estimated Macros:
Calories: ~2,500 kcal
Protein: ~230g
Fat: ~160g
Carbs: ~18–20g

Keep in mind, even when cutting I have a high caloric demand due to my activity levels and training volume. Adjust accordingly but don’t starve yourself.

Marcus Aurelius said, ‘You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.’ Every meal is a choice, a small battle won or lost.

The Bushido code teaches that discipline and respect for your craft is everything. Eating this way isn’t just nutrition, it’s honor to the work done in the gym and the goals ahead.

Mike Mentzer reminded us that intensity and quality beat quantity. This isn’t about stuffing yourself but fueling for maximum effect. Precise protein, solid fats, and low carbs — all for a precise mission.

No fluff, no excuses. Just fuel, discipline, and results.

Jon Stone
Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonstone.ironresilience?igsh=MWVyeDdmNjIyZzlzYg==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ironresilience91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iron.resilience
Website: https://ironresilience.net

IRON RESILIENCE TRAINING LOG — MAY 17, 2025

Posted on by
Reply

IRON RESILIENCE TRAINING LOG — MAY 17, 2025

by Jon Stone

Woke up beat up. Legs were still wrecked from earlier this week. Knees stiff. Elbows sore from trying to rack a barbell in a squat rack that just doesn’t fit right. I had every reason to take it easy today, but I didn’t. I kept the promise. I showed up. Moved weight. Got it done.

I’m running a push, pull, legs routine. Yesterday was rushed, so I only got to hit my pull session. Today I made up what I missed from the last push day. Some shoulder and bicep volume, and even tossed in a bit of leg work. Nothing intense, just enough to keep things moving and stay in rhythm. If my joints calm down, I’ll aim for a proper leg session tomorrow.

Trained fasted this morning. Ate a lot yesterday, so I had the fuel in me. After the session, I’ll have one clean meal — shredded chicken breast, lobster, turkey burgers with cheese. That’s it. Then fasting the rest of the day. Clean food, no garbage. I always feel sharper when I keep it simple.

TODAY’S WORKOUT – PUSH / BICEPS / LEGS (CATCH-UP DAY)

Kept the pace steady. Didn’t chase numbers, just chased effort.

  • Seated Barbell Press: 15, 12, 2, 13
  • Barbell Curl: 12, 12, 12, 2
  • Lateral Dumbbell Raise: 15, 6, 12
  • Dumbbell Hammer Curl: 12, 5, 12, 12
  • Dumbbell Concentration Curl: 15, 8, 12
  • Hack Squat Machine: 12, 12
  • Leg Extension Machine: 12, 12, 12, 12
  • Seated Leg Curl Machine: 15, 15, 15, 15
  • Rear Delt Machine Fly: 10, 10, 10
  • Hanging Leg Raise: 20, 20, 20, 20

Nothing fancy. Just work.

YESTERDAY’S PULL DAY

Didn’t have much time so I focused on quality and volume.

  • Barbell Row: 8, 9, 6, 12
  • Barbell Shrug: 5, 5, 12
  • Pull Up: 12, 12, 12
  • Lat Pulldown: 12, 12, 12
  • Close-Grip Underhand Lat Pulldown: 12, 12, 12
  • Seated Cable Row: 10, 10, 10, 10
  • Straight-Arm Cable Pushdown: 12, 12, 12

THURSDAY’S PUSH DAY

Solid pressing session. Just ran out of gas and missed a few shoulder sets.

  • Flat Barbell Bench Press: 12, 5, 6, 12
  • Close Grip Barbell Bench Press: 8, 8, 8
  • Incline Dumbbell Bench to Flyes: 12, 12, 12, 12
  • Barbell Overhead Tricep Extensions: 12, 12, 12
  • Cable Pushdowns: 12, 12, 12, 12
  • Cable Flyes: 12, 12, 12, 12
  • Lateral Dumbbell Raise: 12, 12, 12
  • Dumbbell Shrugs: 12, 12, 12

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m not here to impress anyone. I just don’t want to let myself down.

Some days feel heavy. Some days hurt. But showing up means something.

I’m not perfect — just consistent.

Trained fasted, ate clean, kept my mind clear.

Not chasing greatness. Just trying to live with discipline, one session at a time.

Not every day is about being a beast. Some days are about showing up when it’s hard. That’s what builds resilience.

— Jon Stone

Founder, ironresilience.net
Discipline, Not Genetics

IRON RESILIENCE LINKS