Philosophy:
Be honest with yourself. Eat a balance from all food groups. Eat often to maintain energy and blood sugar levels. NEVER under-eat! Plan meals ahead of time and prep for them. Listen to your body.
Eat a protein and a carbohydrate every snack or meal. The combo (outside of a few foods) creates what is called a 'complete protein'. Your body is able to digest it fully and does not convert it into useless sugar.
- Proteins include: lean meats, nuts, and dairy products.
- Carbohydrates include: most importantly vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for some.
You must take care of your body and put the most natural fuel into it that you are able. Your body will thank you with energy and a calm mental state. Make the choice everyday. It is important. This is your life.
My goals:
Setting goals is incredibly important when it comes to eating. Know your goals. 80% of your results come from what you put in your mouth. 80%! You cannot out exercise a bad diet. Not ever.
Are you looking to loose weight? Put on muscle mass? Control a health issue?
Currently my goal is to create a lean, strong, athletic physique year round. No specific event or race on the calendar.
My diet:
You may be expecting to read a typical day as follows: eating 5-6 meals at 2-3 hour intervals, drinking 4 litres of water (for energy and efficient body function), and trying to eat as many fresh organic foods as possible. Well, the later two are accurate, but my eating intervals actually come between 2-10:00pm, post workout, 3 meals. Breakfast is my favorite but I eat it later in the day. Please take the time to learn what works best for your own body! Just maintain the basic rules; eat clean, drink water, sleep.
Each meal includes a protein/carb combo. Always.
Personal notes: I eat a ton of protein. Vegetables and fruit are the main source of carbs (honestly, I eat as many veggies as I can, great source of fiber and vitamins). In the supplement department I use protein powder, BCAA's, Omegas, and lots of vitamins. I am a coffee drinker (or caffeine in some form) and it is the only time of day I include cream (most natural dairy source) in my diet. Peanut butter is a daily addiction and will never be replaced....unless you have nutella.....
Sugar:
My biggest personal goal and eating intention is to be as sugar free as possible. It is hard for me because I have a serious sweet tooth for candy! Sugar is deadly and it is in everything. The following are just a few terrors it carries:
- Sugar can suppress the immune system.
- Sugar can cause premature aging.
- Sugar can cause tooth decay.
- Sugar contributes to obesity.
- Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention, induces salt and water retention.
- Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement. Sugar causes constipation.
- Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine.
- Sugar can cause depression.
- High refined sugar diet reduces learning.
- Sugar feeds cancer.
- Sugar is an addictive substance.
- Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.
- Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.
- The body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.
- The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
Try to reduce and eliminate the useless, refined sugar from your diet everyday. You will notice the difference in how you feel in 24 hours! You will feel lighter, sleep better, feel calmer.
My tips:
- Ask for help with your eating plan and do your research.
- Learn how to read a food label and be aware of what you are eating.
- Do your very best to avoid emotional/boredom eating. Find an activity to do instead.
- If you have never had a nutrition consultation done, find a certified nutritionist to have one completed. This will teach you about what a calorie is and how many you should have, when you should eat, how much, and what.
- If you are going to venture into the world of supplements, please ask many many questions and do your research. Remember, what works for someone else may not work for you. We are not built the same.
- Eating for energy and eating for recovery is different. Again; ask, learn.
My role models:
- Tosca Reno - The 'Eat Clean' book series author.
- Jaime Easton - www.bodybuilding.com
