Strength for Life

The Opposite of DIET = TI < EDHow to eat more and weigh less

Dieting sucks! And yet, at this moment nearly half of the US population is engaged in an ongoing struggle with food.

You can flip dieting around and stop focusing on deprivation, on less and embrace the freedom to eat more and still weigh less.

For most, a diet is a period of suffering, deprivation and a moment to moment battle between willpower and desire. Certainly not a long term success strategy for life. As I share in my book, Strength for Life, you can free yourself from this battle with the “10-steps to Dieting Freedom” in chapter 11 but today I want to go farther and expose the major flaws of the dieting mindset.

You see, dieting as a strategy for losing weight is at best half the equation. It’s focus is on limiting your total intake (TI). It’s got nothing to do with the other half of the equation: the energy you use through exercise, movement or your metabolism (Energy Depletion ED).

Trying to get thinner with nutritional limbo—eating less and less—is like trying to budget your way to wealth. Controlling your expenses does not wealth create. Want more wealth, create more value, offer more, generate more. Just the same, want to enjoy eating more freely? Take real action and use more energy in your life.

Dieting works on the simple (and relatively if not entirely accurate) concept that losing weight has simply to do with consuming fewer calories than your body utilizes each day. Thus, if you eat less than you “burn” you will utilize energy reserves which is in some part body fat.

Like I say, this is a relative truth for not only are all calories NOT created equal but when using ONLY calories in (Total Intake in this equation) to regulate fat loss, it’s a slippery slope. Try a little too hard to encourage fat loss, drop the calories just a wee-bit too low and the body will freak out and start holding more fat.

The opposite of dieting—and the more sound, sensible and complete solution for weight loss is to emphasize Energy Depletion (ED). It’s simple, rather than simply trying to eat less than you burn each day, focus on burning more calories than you eat. For when you’re (TI) Total energy Intake is less than your (ED) Energy Depletion you’ll lose weight. And as bonus you will be gaining a leave of fitness, a stronger more energized body.

This may seem rather obvious as I point it out but be honest… how often have you been told and or wanted to believe that it’s ALL about the diet, it’s about intake? It’s not. Effective, sustainable fat loss requires that you manage both with some level of clarity and mastery.

The Man In Grey Loses A Few…

Enjoying some much needed downtime in a busy day the man in grey pinstripes picks up the phone to reconnect with an old and dear friend. On the third ring his friend answers, “Hello.”

“Alex. It’s Jim. How’s things with you?,” the man in grey says.

After a few minutes of small talk, Alex says, “I’m really going great. Thanks… and how about you? Things good for you?”

The man in grey answers, “You know, doing alright. Best thing is I’ve lost about 30 pounds in the last year and I’m really feeling great, physically.”

“Wow! Good for you… been dieting?,” asks Alex. 

“No diet—it’s actually been really easy. I’ve just been eating three very portion controlled meals every day, basically box-meals that I have same times every day. It’s no smorgasbord but I’ve learned to make the best of it all and the weight loss is a big upside.”

“Oh! You’re doing that meal ‘System’ thing?,” asks Alex.

“Oh no. Actually, I’m in federal prison,” replies the man in grey pinstripes just as a distant third voice comes over the phone saying, “This call is being made from a federal correctional institute…”

Moral is there are benefits to not being in control. Fact is some people need to hand over the power and control to another. For some it’s every aspect of their lives, for others it’s their nutrition.

As hard as it may be to believe, some people can’t handle freedom!

For those who can, there’s Full Strength.

When Your Body is Wiser Than Your Mind

We humans do value our minds—that higher capacity and intelligence which separates us from animals. Why not… it’s at once our ego, our sense of control, our superiority, our world.

So captivated by our codependent relationship with mind, many (if not most) people have long sense relegated their body to a second grade citizen—akin to the crazy aunt we park in the basement. It’s handy for utilitarian uses but otherwise we ignore it in favor of the mental-monologue.

While this common approach to living from the shoulders up can fail us in many ways, none may be more readily visible and serious than in our eating. For the mind is tricky thing—it’s smart and it learns and when our sole relationship with life is via our mind we’re extremely vulnerable to its trickery.

When it comes to eating—fueling your life energy—my advice is to take a step towards freedom and tune in to your body and out of our mind when eating for your body craves nutrition, your mind stimulation.

When the Scale is an Altar

Amidst the busyness of December, the holiday season offers a chance to reflect, and pay homage, to all that is good and meaningful in our lives.

Come January, it’s back to high-gear as we take control of the wheel of life again—and toss in a few well intentioned resolutions for improvement. And for most you can expect at least one of those resolutions to reference fitness—or to “get back in shape.”

That’s great! Really. Any focus on self improvement is helpful. What concerns me is the way in which it seems millions of people choose to measure their progress: the scale.

A Day of Thanks and Freedom

If you’re planning a showdown between your willpower and a Thanksgiving feast…please, do not read this.

On the other hand...If you’re up for enjoying the abundance of Thanksgiving to the fullest, guilt free, DO read on ...

Isn’t food just the best thing some times? Sure, I’ve been let down by it, left feeling like hell but still I do so enjoy great food and there is something particularly comforting about the traditional home-cooked, holiday feasts.

There is no other holiday more appropriately focused on food than Thanksgiving; the annual celebration of a bountiful harvest. And what better way to “give thanks” than to share in the abundance, freely.

With Thanksgiving only a few days away you’ve probably received ample advice from well-intentioned experts on how to “survive” the holiday as if the turkey’s are planning to retaliate.

I’ve already received at least a dozen tips on how to "play it safe" and resist the temptation of excess. And if this is what you want to do, great. Go for it. But personally, I’m for enjoying the holiday and taking the day off from resistance (click here to see my day here).

This year, like so many others, has 365 days – only ONE of which is Thanksgiving. Only one time this year will you gather with friends and family to celebrate this traditional American holiday.

My advice to you: Don’t make this day a test of your willpower.

Be kind to yourself, let your guard down and be thankful. We have so much.

I believe in you. And I know that as capable adult you are free to enjoy a holiday celebration and if you so choose to eat what you like and to do so without needless guilt.

How does that sound? A day of absolute freedom for you. Enjoy!

Now, if you’re up for pushing the limits of this holiday feast, click here for my 4 Simple Secrets for Eating Your Bodyweight in turkey, dressing, potatoes and pie.

Have a terrific holiday and do enjoy! 

How I Plan to Eat Everything I Want and Still Feel Great!

First let me say, I don’t plan on losing one single pound this Thursday and I sincerely hope you don’t either. Your body, as is your life, is a reflection of what you do consistently, day in and day out, not the exceptions.

For me, the idea of testing my strength and willpower against a holiday of such abundance as Thanksgiving is nonsensical. It’s like wrestling a tiger - should one live, it’s a great story to tell your grandchild but let’s face it, the odds are with the tiger.

My Thanksgiving Day Schedule

~ 6:30 am ~
First thing I’m going to do after I awake is workout. I know many people like to take holidays off but I find them the best days to train. This is especially true for Thanksgiving. It's a great day for energizing your body and mind with exercise as it invariably turns into a long day with a lot of eating and sitting. It helps to be clear and focused for the day ahead.

If you train at a gym you may not be so eager to take the drive – I understand that. Although when I was growing up the holidays were the best because so few people would come to the gym we felt like we owned it. It was nice. But that was then. If you can’t make the gym, then start with a brisk walk… just get at least 20 minutes of movement in. Do some pushups, sit-ups, deep knee bends or even some yoga to get your body moving.

~  7:30 am ~
After training I’ll set my day up for success and start strong with my favorite breakfast, a nutritious delicious Full Strength. This is my insurance policy for the day. Rather than pretend I’m going to be on a diet or even worry about what I will or won’t eat, I’ll have a Full Strength first thing in the morning. As a result, I’ll enjoy total freedom and still eat less without effort.

I know when I start with a Full Strength I effortlessly eat less all day. Maybe it’s the satiating power of the ultra-premium proteins, the lasting energy of the sustained release carbs, the cognitive boost or the full spectrum of nutrients or most likely the perfect synergy of all the above but what I know is that it delivers a new level of freedom. After starting my day with one Full Strength I simply don’t eat as much throughout the day nor do I crave sweets.

When I start my day with a Full Strength I can actually eat ALL I WANT freely because I simply want less. I eat from a rational place and feel in control. If you've tried it, you know. I not, you've got to feel the difference.

There’s ample science that explains how the premium blend of nutrients provides a boost of energy and such phenomenal lasting satiety but what’s even more amazing to me is the feedback I just received from a few hundred regular Full Strength’ers. When asked “What food did Full Strength replace in your day?” the #1 answer was:

“None… I simply eat less of everything when I have a Full Strength every day.”

I know this is absolutely true for me. And if you’ve never experienced the remarkable lift and sustained energy Full Strength provides, now is your chance. We’ve just received a new vintage and that means we have FREE trial samples in again.

~ 8:00 am and Beyond... ~
With my workout in, my energy high and fully fueled with a Full Strength, I’m ready for a terrific Thanksgiving. From this point out it’s no-holds-barred holiday. At this point I refer back to my opening post about how to enjoy the holiday, A Day of Thanks and Freedom. Having set myself up for success, I won’t worry about trying to control or limit myself – I can fully and freely enjoy the holiday, food, family and all.

However you choose to enjoy your Thanksgiving may you have a warm, wonderful and memorable holiday with your family and friends.

Low Carb Diets Deprive Heart of Energy

I recall very vividly a particular sunny Saturday afternoon enjoying a healthy lunch with my brother, Bill at a sidewalk cafe on Sunset Blvd a number of years back. It was during the peak of the Atkins diet craze and we were discussing it’s obvious and inevitable demise – it was plain as day to us both, how the pendulum would swing back to balance.

I am not now nor have I ever been a fan of the low-carb approach to dieting. I’ve made my well supported views known in many circles, although not in great detail here. And now is not the time for a full-blown rant on the subject – one that does tend to get me on my soapbox.

I will say that one of my issues with Atkins has been it’s negative impact on natural flow of energy in the body and mind. Simply stated, stop energy in and energy-out stops too. I believe that an Atkins diet tends to encourage and promote lower physical activity which is really the problem in the first place.

Well, now here comes more proof that low-carb can have an even more serious impact on your energy – in this case the energy of your heart muscle. And needless to say, this is one muscle even the most avid couch potato wants to keep strong and highly energized.

11/15/2005- High fat-low carb diets, such as the once-trendy Atkins diet, appear to negatively impact the heart’s energy stores, shows new research presented in the US this week.

While many nutritionists have attacked the Atkin’s weight loss regime for its high fat content, putting dieters at risk of clogged arteries and heart attack in the long-term, the small study carried out at the University of Oxford is one of the first to demonstrate a direct effect on the heart after following the diet for a short period.

The results found that after restricting carbohydrate intake and instead consuming much more fat and protein, the energy stores in the hearts of 19 participants were reduced by an average of 16 per cent.

"The heart requires energy for contractions," explained another of the authors, Dr Damien Tyler

He added: "You do see similar patterns in a more severe form in patients with heart failure, and type 2 diabetics also suffer from lower energy stores.”

In my view this is nothing to be panicked about but simply more support for a rational approach to a balanced diet – meals that comprise a balance of quality proteins and carbohydrates along with a source of essential, healthy fats. Extreme approaches like removing carbs help people gain awareness and can actually people gain some control over their carb addictions but they are not lasting, lifestyle solutions.

I know it makes a good story to point the finger at carbs, proteins or fats in a “who dunnit” style but there no real mystery in people continuously eating too calories and getting too little physical activity. Time to stop avoiding the obvious and still smoking gun.