Healthy BALANCE

[Fit Freak]

OK...after some serious considerations I think this needs to be said:

Many of us here at IM have different goals. As consultants I think we need to tailor our suggestions and recommendations more towards what people want to achieve.

What I am trying to say is that some poeple are just looking to eat more healthier. They may not want to eat like a BBer or the like. So.....I think we need to teach people moreso how to make healthier choices...not be so all or nothing thinkers.

For example...we preach slow burning carbs but to a general persona looking to eat cleaner they may be making a positive step by eating peas, carrots, corn, squash, etc. instead of potato, minute rice and pasta. Understand

You see balance is important...I for one want to tell people that the goal should be to make healthier choices. If you eat white bread...start eating whole wheat. If you eat potasto...start to try adding sweet potato to your diet. Maybe you eat Froot Loops for breakfast...satrt to eat Bran Flakes, then maybe miute oats...then maybe you'll finally start to eat slow cooking oats.

If you eat at McDonalds maybe switch to Subway...then eventually start taking chicken and a salad to work....I could go on but I think you can see what I'm trying to say...can you?

You see it's all about progression. You can't change it all overnight!

I hope we can all take something from this post....

 

[Jodi]

You are right. We are all different and with different goals and proper nutrition is key, no doubt about it. But I notice alot of people just come in and say I want to be thin, give me a plan! IMO that's not how it should be done. We should be teaching these people to teach themselves. You could tell people what to eat over and over again but they don't know WHY they are eating it. They should be posting what there currently eating and when we make suggestion they should be understanding why we suggest the things we suggest. Not just saying to them, here eat this. They will never learn that way.

I like to point people in the direction of learning how to eat properly and if they are serious, they will ask more questions and we are happy to answer. Too many people are looking for the easy way out or a fad diet. If they don't learn, then once they reach their goal then their diet goes to shit and their back to square one. Somone with the knowledge of proper nutrition is less likely to eat like crap again.

I think learning is just as important as doing. JMHO!

 

[Fit Freak]

I think learning is just as important as doing

Exactly

 

[Fit Freak]

What I am hoping people will take from this is ... for example...while an apple may be a better choice than a banana...a banana is still a very healthy and nutritous food. A banana is better than say a bagel and cream cheese...and certainly better than a Tim's muffin.

Likewise...if someone goes to a restaurant I want them to be able to look at a menu and say...ok...nothing wrong with having a chicken breast with rice ... definately better than the pasta with a cream sauce. OR if they like pasta I want them to understand...ok...I'll have pasta but instead of the cream sauce I'll have marinara sauce and skip the bread!

 

[DaMayor]

I can't believe this thread didn't stay on top longer......

I agree FF...and Jodi. While I'm sure many would argue that the diet(s) here are befitting of the site name, or the style of training it implies, the majority of people who come here are novice to intermediate lifters at best. (Not to show any disrespect for the experienced, or pros on board)
Maybe it would be a good idea to implement a sub-forum, or two indiviual forums that address the diet of Bodybuilders and those more interested in General Fitness separately.

 

[Jenny]

Very good post FF!

 

[Fit Freak]

Thx...no one seems to be commenting though...what's up with that

Balance, balance, balance....out with the all or nothing and in with the...one more time...BALANCE

 

[Fit Freak]

This needs to be bumped and read by more of you

 

[CourtQueen]

aaahhhh Balance is over rated..... j/k

I completely agree FF! Some people really need to just learn and slowly progress by making small gradual changes. Some people are just too lazy to read and they just want someone to tell them what to do (usually this type of person doesn't succeed very well). I know there are some anti-BFL people here but I truly believe that BFL explains it in a way the people do get it and is a great stepping stone in the right direction. I think there are probably some members that don't post their diet because of some of the super clean only diet members that might come across with too much of an all or nothing attitude..... But then again someone will argue that this is a BB forum and that it should be BB all the way..... sometimes you can't win.

I'm babbling too much, think it is time for bed.

 

[JerseyPunk]

I think what FF said is very true. I have been doing pretty much what he said for about 6 months and the change in my physical appearance and energy level has increased drastically. People shouldn't use the "feast or famine" approach, because most of the people will quit, and I know that because ive seen it happen to a number of people. Believe what FF said, he knows what he's talking about

 

[Fit Freak]

thx JP....and I agree with CQ...a lot of people likely don't post diet info b/c the feedback ...at time...is so rigid. We need to make sure we lead people in the right direction...smallincremental improvements will lead to a lifelong journey of healthy living...at least I hope so

 

[Fit Freak]

This also needs to be said...a BBing diet with the goal of getting lean is VERY different from what I would recommend to a typical person concerned with maintaining or achieving their goal to be healthier and more fit.

Also...many people need to eat for performance...such as athletes...and these people shouldn't be following a low carb or carb-free approach...IMO of course. BBers are concerned with the way they look...athletes are judged on how they perform...just something extra to ponder.

 

[DIVINITUS]

Very good info here FF. I totally agree with the last post about athletes. I'm running into that problem now where I am trying to juggle performance in sport(s) versus building my physique.

Good stuff...

 

[DIVINITUS]

Bump...(sorry Jodi)

 

[Jodi]

Why you say sorry?

I agree with this, the only thing this people need to understand, and as FF touched upon, people with different goals need different diets. If someone is cutting then, no I think they need a stricter diet than just healthier foods.

 

[Fit Freak]

OK...I need to intervene for a moment...wisjing it hadn't come to this though

This thread was not meant to undermine anyone elses thoughts or opinions...it was simply to make people aware that different people have different goals and there are many different ways to achieve health/fitness...as well as the ideal physique for "you"

Please keep in mind that a sever cutting diet in a BBing se4nse is often done so without a "healthy balance".....which means you will need to stick to the typical carb sources such as oats, brown rice SP, apples, berries, and of course lots of greens. In terms of the amount of carbs and fat as well as protein that agin will depend on your metabolism and conditioning. You don't have to go low carb...that is just one of the strategies to cut up.

Please take this thread as something to keep in mind in your daily life...it was never meant to go against the recommendations of other moderators. Please understand we are all individuals with our own opinions...I was just giving you mine. If someone else provides different opinions it doesn't make that person more "right or wrong"...it simply means they have a different opinon...that's all.

Rant complete

 

[bludevil]

Great Info FF.
Yes I agree that balance is key. Once I decided I needed to lose weight and become more fit, I bought the Body For Life book and followed it. Basically this book teaches Balance regarding nutrition. It was a very helpful and taught me how to eat better. Then I found this website and have become even more stricter with more diet. I guess what I'm saying is, just don't jump into something with both guns loaded, try easing into something. By doing it this way your less likely to fail.

 

[Malachor]

i'm glad i saw this thread. this website has helped me a lot in the short time i've been here. it has helped me eat better and to also bring me down a level. i thought i knew quite a bit about lifting and such and it turns out i have a lot to learn still.

there is times i do wonder who i should be paying attention to or who knows more than the other person. i've always understood that it's different strokes for different folks, but sometimes it's hard to decipher who can help me the best, or more important what information i'm getting is going to help me the best. the only way you can find out what's best for you is by trying it out youself. obviously, sometime things just don't work for some people and sometimes it does. overall, like you've mentioned FF if you start to help people make healthier decisions rather than just specific choices, and you use Jodi's advice on teaching them how to help themselves, a lot more people are going to be walking around here with healthy and goal-orientated bodies.

 

[ZECH]

I like fruit loops!!!

 

[J'Bo]

This thread is great! I agree with FF completely...balance is key. The only changes that last are slow progressing modifications to your diet. The reason why i dont post my off season diet is because i dont want people to No one should cut out their fav foods completely unless you have a competition or specific goal in mind. So i will take a step...here is what i ate last night at the fare... you said balance so here it is:
-french fries (carb/fat)
-mini donuts (carb/fat)
-corn dog (protein, fat, carb)
-cotton candy (????)
-carmel candy apple w/ peanuts (fruit/fat/carb/protein)

Now how much better can you get?

 

[bludevil]

Originally posted by J'Bo

-french fries (carb/fat)
-mini donuts (carb/fat)
-corn dog (protein, fat, carb)
-cotton candy (????)
-carmel candy apple w/ peanuts (fruit/fat/carb/protein)

Now how much better can you get?

Is this you pre-contest diet

 

[J'Bo]

You dont even want to know what i am eating right now. these damn meds "increase appetite" BTW its post 3 comps diet....take a look at my journal if you wanta
FF inspired me to be honest and post all my food regardless if everyone upchucks by reading it.

 

[JerrymeMorales]

Fit Freak...

I like your approach.

What you said was really motivating and inspiring.

I hope you dont mind but I am going to copy what you said to one of my friends who is trying to change his eating habits...

Now, if I could only get him to become a member to this board. He would learn a lot if he did that.

 

[J'Bo]

Originally posted by JerrymeMorales
Fit Freak...

I like your approach.

What you said was really motivating and inspiring.

I hope you dont mind but I am going to copy what you said to one of my friends who is trying to change his eating habits...

Now, if I could only get him to become a member to this board. He would learn a lot if he did that.

Please tell your friend to stay away from my journal til July 5th.

 

[JerrymeMorales]

why? I think you look good....

 

[J'Bo]

i may look good from the outside (for now) however if i keep eating this bad my heart is gonna get really mad at me.
it already said once "what are you trying to give me a coronary with all this greese and crap".........we have a funny relationship that way

i meant that he shouldnt follow my diet.

however i just got word that another photoshoot opportunity is coming up VERY soon so i gotta do one of those REALLY unhealthy super cuts for 2 weeks. Kinda like those though

 

[Robboe]

Originally posted by J'Bo
-cotton candy (????)

It's called candy floss over here.

It's just table sugar, usually coloured pink, heated spun really fast so it becomes like a spider's web. It's very much carbs alone.

So you're unbalanced there. Naughty, naughty.

 

[Jodi]

It's called candy floss over here.

We call candy floss a thong

 

[Robboe]

In Australia, they call flip-flops thongs.

It's a funny ol' world.

 

[JerrymeMorales]

lets not talk about thongs and g-strings....remember...Im a sex starved man..you guys are making it hard for me right now!!