Note to self….DO NOT DRINK ESPRESSO PAST 2 PM!!! So here I am, 10 minutes shy of 1 am, and totally unable to fall asleep. (I’m hoping writing this blog will inspire me to PASS OUT). I sorted through some client folders, making notes for follow up, assessed diets and progress pictures, and then re-read some Precision Nutrition suggestions against some Traditional Foods and Paleo diets I’m also a big fan of. One thing that is clear to me is that there is a real need for diet and training advice specifically for women, (I almost want to say, by women as well, but not all women are created alike). For example, I was reviewing some websites earlier in the evening broadcasting all sorts of information: fat-blasting recipes, secret training techniques, blah-blah-blah, advertised by women who CAN’T KEEP IT TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR! Women who I’ve seen put on 20+ pounds after a show, and eating tilapia and boiled broccoli at 25% bodyfat. They absolutely have not figured anything out but how to destroy their metabolism…And they’re publishing books on healthy eating? ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS, FOLKS…Sheesh…no wonder so many people hold the fitness industry in high disregard. Anyway, it’s more impetus for me to get my own butt in gear and change this blog over to wordpress and start putting out more info, more articles, and more videos, integrating my core beliefs: nutrition, yoga, weight-lifting. Hopefully some of you will find it useful and be able to apply what I’ve learned to your own health! You know me, if I haven’t tried a technique out and truly believe it’s WORTH WHILE, I’m not going to promote it. I stand by empirical, doable protocols that deliver RESULTS! If something doesn’t work, I’ll let you know. This is my way of saying, women BEWARE of the ton of worthless, false information out there. Just because someone has been published, or has a ton of airbrushed photos from the 1-day-a-year they actually manage to look “in shape” does NOT MAKE THEM AN EXPERT on anything but fat-burners and catabolic overdrive. And that’s the closest you’ll get to a rant from me. Ahem..
(not feeling sleepy, yet, damn!)
On to a positive note, another thing that I’ve really noticed this summer is a BIG CHANGE in my physiology – muscle retention and definition, metabolism, moods, skin quality, energy levels, periods, etc. I originally wrote down just metabolism, but I feel like the changes encompass more than that. I’ve always had a pretty good metabolism, but over the last year and especially since the spring, it’s like my body naturally wants to stay show-ready. Mark Sisson calls it “optimal gene expression”, and that’s exactly how I feel about the changes I’m seeing now. This is especially since Jean-Jacques and I removed grains from my nutrition and switched me to a Kris Gethin, DTP-style of programming. It was hard to really gauge progress last year because I was deep in competition diet mode, so of course I was looking lean and solid, but now, 4 weeks post-show, with my training almost halved, and no access to a yoga studio, it seems odd that I am staying super pumped and defined, especially as I’m no spring chicken. I’m still holding on to carb-cycling, as I just don’t want to put those grains back into my diet on a regular bases. I’d much rather have a wide variety of fats than a slice of bread or baked potato. I feel like I run “cleaner” that way. I am not “Paleo” though. I want to make that clear. I do still eat a slice of toast, some rice here-and-there, and other grain products, but only on my higher-carb days, which happen once or twice a week. I’m eating a TON of veggies, raw in salads, and cooked as well, and a lot of fresh fruit: pineapple, banana, mango, papaya, apples, you name it. If it’s juicy and sweet, I’ll eat it! I”m even able to enjoy my favorite post workout meal: full-fat yogurt with fresh fruit and nuts, (with some toasted quinoa and amaranth thrown in). I’m also still drinking over 3 liters of water daily, and sometimes much more, not including the green and peppermint teas that I love. So yes, I do feel that I’m on to something with this combo of diet and training. Though I’ve cut way back on the volume of training, the outline remains the same. Though I’ve doubled my calories (I’m guessing here, but it seems accurate), I’m sticking to the same frame-work as well…and…it’s….working! This has to be the easiest, most healthy and balanced post-show strategy I’ve ever tried….and that’s coming from a 41-year old who just finished eating a 2 egg-omelette stuffed with smoked gouda cheese! AT 1 IN THE MORNING…
Alright, so you heard it here first…I am going to continue experimenting with a few more ideas over the next several months, and see if my techniques will work as well for others, (I realize it may take a year or so of working with others to really see results, but I’m game if they’re game), but if so, I’ll be one verr-r-r-ry excited coach!..and finally, I’m ready to pass out…! A good thing, as it’s a leg day tomorrow…
I love your article and the truth of it. Not just the ladies but every one is miss informed on nutrition and we all can use good advice and that’s hard to find with the ton of miss information out there. Thanks
I adore your blog, and am curious, how would I go about discussing a food plan with you? I couldn’t find anywhere on your site that offered information on this, or prices, etc. Do you still take on new clients?
Hi Anthony, thanks for your comment. I agree that there is so much dis-information out there, and it’s like everyone is drinking the same kool-aid. A heck of a lot of people are saying one thing and doing another, and I hope my small contributions can make a difference!
Hi Alilstrange!
🙂
I am actually full with clients at the moment, but I’ll be able to take on new clients in January, (if you can wait that long!). My new website will be online in a few weeks with pricelists!!
xo
I love this Michelle! You inspire me and I am so excited to be working with you. So far week one is going good. It’s nice to see you working with your clients from your own personal experiences. Great job on not rebounded like so many competitors out there myself included in the past. Lifestyle not a 12 week prep then out the window!
– Megan J
I agree with Anthony: your blog is also insîring for some of us guys. Your posts, your facebook updates, everything screams “health” 🙂
It’s absolutely refreshing in this industry that is not attractive to me anymore. That’s why I prefer to consider you as outside of it.
Thanks again for the inspiration and energy. You’d make a very good model for a sculpture, who knows maybe we will co-create art to inspire the world in a different way someday.
Take good care.
Seb
Awesome! I am intrigued and want to hear more about your nutrition and training protocol!
Well, I’m always experimenting with new things, and right now I’ve come up with something that combines Intermittent fasting with carb/calorie cycling…
I was just reading about that on one of your other posts. Do you think this is helpful for your gains? I have a very small build and have been using the same basic protocol for a long time but I don’t feel like I’m making gains where I want them.
Hi Jenn, I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “this is helpful”? I’m not rely prescribing any protocol here except being wary of following the hype out there on the internet…I have honestly gained about 2 lbs of lean muscle per year. My first year I competed at 106 lbs, and now 4 years later I expect to be on stage at 114 lbs…it’s hard work gaining, and it’s a long slow process too…but it’s worth it!
Awesome to hear from you Megan! Your progress these last 3 weeks has been phenomenal, and I can’t wait to see how you will respond to DTP sessions…Enjoy the new Tamarind Prawn recipe. 🙂
Thanks for your comments Seb, I think the Fitness Industry has gotten so lost due to poor research, greed, and lack of imagination, lol! My next big goal will be announced in the summer…Nothing I’ve done so far will compare! 🙂
Appreciate the honesty, it always puzzles me when you see people preaching at others to be healthy, when clearly they yo-yo themselves, then they dump a pile of fat burners and other inexplainable products in their body the get skinny, and then claim they are healthy !! So thanks for sharing your thoughts !
You bet Gabrielle!!! Thanks for your comment. 🙂 I 100% agree with that! I start steaming out of my ears when I read some of the ridiculous comments presented as TRUTH out there…I think if you follow someone with a physique you respect, who posts real-time progress photos throughout the year, and who train a variety of clients who transform in a healthy way, then it’s a positive sign that they MIGHT be on the right track…still no guarentee though! 😛