With the resurgence of the ever so popular Keto Diet in 2018, one would think that I would eventually address this growing trend to eliminate carbs from a diet. Well, if you scroll back through my weekly blogs from over the years, then you’ll find that I already did address the Keto Craze twice already. First back in 2015, and then again in 2017. And if you’re a client of mine who trains with me online or in person, then you will already know my thoughts and feelings on putting one’s body into a state of ketosis to assist in stimulating fat loss. And for those of you that don’t know my opinions on this particular fad diet, then let me be blunt:
– Does the Ketosis Diet help a person lose weight quickly? Short term yes. Long term no.
– Is the Ketosis Diet easy to follow? Short term yes. Long term no.
– Will the Ketosis Diet work? Short term yes. Long term, well, you get my point…..
But rather then rehash and try to resurrect a topic of which I have covered immensely over the years, it occurred to me that this week’s blog needs to be directed more towards as to why I don’t follow and/or incorporate popular dieting trends into my customized nutritional plans or allow my clients to fall victim to these fad diets that seem to have the ability to keep getting regurgitated every few years.
Living the Fitness Lifestyle
As I sit here writing this week’s blog, I am currently 4 days out from my next and last bodybuilding show for 2018. Anyone that follows me on Social Media knows that I take great pride in preparing and being stage ready for my competitions in a manner of a few short weeks rather then a few long and gruelling months. Now don’t get me wrong, I think it’s important and absolutely necessary for most people to set realistic time frames to achieve a goal. And when that goal is to take your body fat levels into single digits while preserving as much muscle as possible, taking a few months to accomplish this goal isn’t such a bad idea. In fact most of the competitors I work with with online usually work with me for 12-16 weeks when preparing for their fitness competitions. However, I’m not like most competitors. I don’t believe in “Offseasons” or having down time. Dieting and exercising is my life. Training is my career. My body therefore needs to be somewhat of a selling point to continue to allow both myself and my business to grow. After all, who’s going to hire a fat trainer or respect a coach who doesn’t even practice what he or she preaches on a daily basis? Therefore I feel that’s it’s my job to stay in shape year round. Not just for a few short weeks or months – 365 days a year!
So when it comes to getting ready for a competition, I see no reason as to why it would take me more then a few weeks to get my body into the condition where I need it to be for the stage. Sure, I might have to consume a bit less carbs, and yes I might have to do a few more minutes of cardio each day, but the reality is that my preparation for a competition really doesn’t change much from my regular day to day life.
Why Dieting is Bullshit
Let’s be honest – Dieting Sucks! Nobody looks forward to dieting and nobody enjoys dieting. And for these reasons and not to mention numerous others such as the unhealthy emotional and psychological effects that extreme dieting can cause to a person’s mental state and physical wellbeing, I don’t and won’t ever advise it to my clients. Therefore I refrain from using the word “Diet” in the Nutritional Plans that I design and create for my clients, as I believe that this word is associated with too many negative thoughts, feelings and restrictions. I don’t want my clients to count how many “points” they’re “allowed” to consume each day, nor do I want my clients consuming pizza and ice cream on a daily basis just because “it fits” their macros. My goal is to help my clients achieve their target weight loss goals while at the same time learning to develop a healthy relationship with food. No, carbs are not the enemy and no, fats won’t make you fat. Like anything in life, if you want to become successful with your nutritional plan, it takes time, effort and most importantly, consistency.
If It Ain’t Sustainable, Then You Won’t Be Successful
We all know or at least know of someone who has followed a popular weight loss program, lost a bunch of weight, then came off the diet to only put on all the weight they originally lost and in some cases, even add on a bit more. This trend is all too common and is famously known as “Yo-yo Dieting” which can actually lead to serious long term side effects to a person’s overall health, metabolism and thyroid function/production. And if all of this still doesn’t convince you from refraining from practicing extreme dieting and following generic fat loss programs that you find online, then perhaps this will:
THEY DON”T WORK!!!!!!
The Big Picture
Look, even if you’re goal is to lose just 5lbs or get in shape for an upcoming event or season, is it really worth risking your health over in the long run? Wouldn’t it make more sense to lose the weight in a safe and effective manner without having to give up all the foods that you enjoy or having to avoid social events just so that you can remain on track with your so-called “Diet”.
But is it actually possible to sustain the results you achieve from all of your hard work in the gym and discipline in the kitchen for life?
Ofcourse it is!
However to do this safely and effectively you’re going to require the necessary tools, guidance and resources needed to be successful. Whether that means taking a course on nutrition and weight loss, or working with a trained, trusted and reputable professional who specializes in assisting people transform their physiques through exercise and nutrition, you will not only learn how to achieve the results you desire, but more importantly you will learn on how to sustain them.
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance