Right. I said that before too. I know you want to get it right, and that’s why–thinking back on it–I might have subconsciously acted a little jerky. You know, like a devil’s advocate. I apologize.
You wrote that you’re feeling good and you’re losing fat. You designed your own diet. There’s no problem. But I still think you should eat far more vegetables and a fruit here and there on a high-carb day and when you return to a lifestyle diet. This isn’t all about calories and macronutrients. Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) matter too! Check Dr. Berardi’s articles; he’s big on veggies and fruits.
I’m not the mayor of the nutrition forum. However, and I said before, too many people either a) freak out and micromanage to the point of not moving forward and driving themselves nuts (and maybe sometimes others) or b) come on here and ask questions that aren’t really quantifiable (I don’t even know if this is the right word, but I’m using it).
For example–and again, I’ve said this before–people come on here with questions like:
“I’m trying the ----- Diet. Is it OK if I switch up… and increase my…?”
“I just started the ---- Program. Is it OK if I just toss in some…?”
“Is this good?”
“Is this bad?”
“Is it OK if I eat pears and apples at the same time?”
How can someone answer these kinds of questions?
I say this (and so does Jim Wendler): “If it works, it’s good. If it doesn’t work, it’s bad” Maybe if people started thinking in this simple, yet profound manner, they’d save themselves a lot of emotional energy and in turn, maybe some physical energy. I think the more time that’s spent thinking of dumb shit and the minutia of dieting and training, the less emotional and physical momentum you have to go forward.
I personally don’t count calories anymore. I’m not concerned with getting huge anymore, I don’t want to compete (once had this aspiration), and I’m in a position in life where constantly thinking about every gram of food going in my mouth, my weight, and my poundages and routine will drive me fucking nuts! It almost did once. I give huge credit to the men in their late 20s or early 30s and beyond who still have the emotional and mental room to micromanage their diet and training while having a whole lot of other shit to do. I know I can’t do it anymore, at least not for now. Don’t get me wrong: I still work out religiously and seriously and adhere to a diet. It’s just not nearly as hardcore and extreme as it once was.
I lift three times per week, do intervals and low-intensity cardio and stretching and mobility drills. I count portions, not calories. All I do is this and it maintains my weight:
6 meals
40 to 60 grams of protein per meak
15 grams of fat per meal
Fist size portion of carbs at each meal except for the 6th-last meal
Veggies at most meals
3 fruits per day
Non-sexy peri-workout nutrition (whey powder and juice)
I do a Westside for Skinny Bastards type of template but do speed work for the upper body. I’m going to buy Joe Defranco’s Built Like a Badass this week. Granted I don’t use cookie cutter routines, but I want to see what this book is about.
Interval training is done with a 1:3 work-rest ratio.
This is as much detail for my diet and training as I’m willing to adhere to; anything else, any other nit-picking just drives me fucking nuts at this point of life. It allows me to have different foods everyday too. I don’t know what the total calories are, and I don’t give a shit. It’s maintaining my weight: 215 to 220#. I try to break PRs when I’m in the gym, but I have to admit, some of the workouts are just that: workouts. God, I never thought I’d be one of those guys that just shows up to “work out” or “fit” a workout in.
I’m not saying that there aren’t some people who should be shitting, living, breathing bodybuilding. There are! Those who want to be huge for the sake of it and those who compete might have to do that most of the time. If that’s you, then fucking do it! Count calories, take stats regularly, look in the mirror, etc. But don’t question what’s working.
Thanks for the friend add, Sar.
