Top 5 benefits of tracking your diet

Posted by Chad in Nutrition - (Comments Off)

When my clients are interested in losing weight I always recommend they track their diets. Here are the top 5 benefits of doing so.

1) Awareness – I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “My diet is fine, I just need help with exercise”. I would say 99% of the time this changes after the individual starts tracking their diet. If you aren’t aware of what you’re doing you have no idea that a change is even necessary.

2) Education – You would be surprised how much you learn from logging your food intake. It opens up a whole new world when it comes to nutritional content of food and food selection, especially when eating out. Plus, the education you get lasts forever. Should you happen to fall off the wagon you have the knowledge to get back on track. (more…)

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Should you track caloric expenditure of exercise?

Posted by Chad in Nutrition | Weight Loss - (Comments Off)

As part of my boot camp program, I recommend all my clients track their nutrition intake using an online tracker or mobile app. Aside from the obvious benefits of knowing how many calories you’re consuming etc., the knowledge and understanding of nutrition you gain from doing so is invaluable. It’s a tedious thing to do, no doubt. But it is well worth the effort.

So what about tracking caloric expenditure of exercise? (more…)

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Why you shouldn’t base caloric adjustments on absolute numbers.

Posted by Chad in Nutrition | Weight Loss - (Comments Off)

For the longest time I have seen trainers, RDs etc. recommend absolute changes in caloric intake. The most popular recommendation by far being to increase/decrease calories by 250 per day. However, 250 calories means different things for different people and I think it’s the wrong approach to take.

Suppose you have someone who weighs 250lbs and is consuming 2500 calories/day in order to lose weight. Reducing intake by 250 calories per day represents a 10% decrease in daily calories. What if the person weighs only 150lbs and is consuming 1500 calories per day in order to lose weight? Reducing calories by 250 per day would equal a 17% decrease in daily calories. This is a pretty sharp drop in intake at once and could have counterproductive results.

A better way to go about it would be to adjust caloric intake by percentage instead of absolute numbers. This way adjustments are relative to the individual and you avoid making adjustments that are too high for some or too low for others. Personally, I always start with a 10% change in calories, regardless of whether someone is looking to lose weight or gain muscle. It’s typically enough to get the person rolling again without any adverse effects that could result from too big a change.

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Quick and easy protein smoothie recipe

Posted by Chad in Nutrition - (Comments Off)

This is one of my all-time favorite smoothie recipes. It’s super simple and delicious!

Add to blender:

12oz skim milk
6 strawberries (frozen or fresh)
1 whole banana (frozen or fresh)
1 scoop of whey protein powder
5 ice cubes

Blend to your desired consistency. Makes for a great post-workout shake!

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Prioritizing dietary requirements for weight loss

Posted by Chad in Nutrition | Weight Loss - (Comments Off)

When it comes to dieting for weight loss you need to get your priorities in order. With so much attention given to carbs these days it’s easy to lose sight of what’s really important. So, here you go…dietary requirements prioritized.

1) Calories – If you’re consuming too many calories, it doesn’t matter how much protein, fat, or carbs you’re eating…you’re going to gain weight or at least not lose weight.

2) Protein – If you’re not consuming enough protein while on a calorie restricted diet, you’re going to lose muscle. If you lose muscle, your metabolism will drop. (more…)

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Nutrition for weight loss

Posted by Chad in Nutrition | Weight Loss - (Comments Off)

No surprise I get a lot of questions about proper nutrition for weight loss. Since many people are obsessed with numbers, here are the numbers I start with when recommending a diet conducive to weight loss:

1) Calories: Body weight x 10 calories
Why? You need to start somewhere and this is as good a place as any.

2) Protein: Body weight x 0.7g
Why? When calorie intake decreases, protein needs increase. Having enough protein in the diet will help maintain your strength and muscle mass. Although most people recommend 1g+ of protein per pound, I’ve found that 0.7g has worked well with my clients. (more…)

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