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Hey guys!
I decided to start this thread to discuss members first dieting experiences. Now what I mean by this is a real diet that you were consistent with and saw results from over an extended period of time. Whether you used the diet for fatloss, or muscle gain, I want to know your strategy and the highs and lows of its execution.
I'll start with my own story. I have been a martial artist for the last 19 years (i'm 37now) my core disciplibne was shaolin kung fu. some 9 years ago I caught a knee injury and was forced to have a scope that got me out of the kwoon and into the gym. I had always lifted before, since i was a teenager, but I had no clue what I was doing..You know wjhat I mean, those 4 hour workouts, to many reps, etc etc... It wasnt until I was injured and forced into rehab after surgery that I began to take the iron game seriously.
Flash forward 5 years and im some 60lbs heavier, feeling big, but at the same time feeling sluggish with bodyfat close to the 20% mark. It was around this time that I realised I was a fat fu@k and decided to do something about it.
I immediately sought the advice of a pro-body builder who reworked my diet to a stable, clean schedule and the pounds started peeling off.... starting at 223lbs i cut down to 198lbs over 10 weeks, but still found that I was holding to much bodyfat. While felt lighter, stronger faster than i had ever been, I was still perhaps, a little obsessed with seeing a clear defined six pack of abs.
With this goal in mind I began to diet again, only thing was my results werent coming thru anymore, weightloss had stalled and I was frustrated. So I tried to find my pro-guru, unfortunately, he was no where to be found. So i went into my local hardcore gym and met with the ownwe fo an assessment. He was absolutely useless and put me on a pro-bb'er diet that included the most tasteless, bland forms of food ever... theres only so many cold fish fillets a man van eat before he just cant even look at the stuff anymore.
So after failing miserably there, after a mere 2 weeks with no progress, I decided to teach myself a life skill that still benefits me today, some near 10 years later....what was it you ask? a secret strategy from a pro? A special diet from a doctor?....no, sorry to dissapoint, it was at this stage that I TAUGHT MYSELF nutrition. I spemnt hours each day going over sites, forums, diet logs and discovered that the mystifying world of food, isnt actually that esoteric as I thought it was.
I learned about my metabolic function and how metabolic rates slow down in long periods of caloric deficit, I learn about ketosis, and why it doesnt work for me, I learned that carbs arent the devil, I learned that good fats are critical and most important I began to undestand the value of each and everything that passes my neck to my stomach each day has a repercussion, an effect...be it good or bad.
When i found what worked for me, it wa s nothing short of miraculous, the weight started peeling off and some 24 weeks later i was under 4% BF with a sub 30 inch waistline and abs cut to the bone.
Sure, that didnt last long as I splurged on the post-diet window and not before long, i was back over 10%. This made me think about sustainability and consistency over the long term and I switched my approach to include foods I liked, rather than foods i dislike but am forced to eat... cold fish anyone? Today I eat a balanced diet, a bit on the carb heavy side, because its what my body likes... but i eat whatever I like, I just stay within my macros and calories for the day... tough in the beginning, but over time, your habits will reshape themselves as your body does the same.
A friend of mine, you may know him; Emmanuel 'El Matador' Sanchez said something to me just yesterday when we were talking about this. "Those that say they dont have the time or the money to eat right now, will regret their decision later in life." This really hit home with me, dieting really is a lifelong mission, whether its fat loss or for bulking, its the most underrated part of the game for many simply because they do not take the time to study it, Isnt a couple of hours a week worth building a skill that lasts a lifetime and you can teach your children?...anyway food for thought...pardon the pun
Please leave your own experience or question below, I would really love to hear from all the martial artists here.
I decided to start this thread to discuss members first dieting experiences. Now what I mean by this is a real diet that you were consistent with and saw results from over an extended period of time. Whether you used the diet for fatloss, or muscle gain, I want to know your strategy and the highs and lows of its execution.
I'll start with my own story. I have been a martial artist for the last 19 years (i'm 37now) my core disciplibne was shaolin kung fu. some 9 years ago I caught a knee injury and was forced to have a scope that got me out of the kwoon and into the gym. I had always lifted before, since i was a teenager, but I had no clue what I was doing..You know wjhat I mean, those 4 hour workouts, to many reps, etc etc... It wasnt until I was injured and forced into rehab after surgery that I began to take the iron game seriously.
Flash forward 5 years and im some 60lbs heavier, feeling big, but at the same time feeling sluggish with bodyfat close to the 20% mark. It was around this time that I realised I was a fat fu@k and decided to do something about it.
I immediately sought the advice of a pro-body builder who reworked my diet to a stable, clean schedule and the pounds started peeling off.... starting at 223lbs i cut down to 198lbs over 10 weeks, but still found that I was holding to much bodyfat. While felt lighter, stronger faster than i had ever been, I was still perhaps, a little obsessed with seeing a clear defined six pack of abs.
With this goal in mind I began to diet again, only thing was my results werent coming thru anymore, weightloss had stalled and I was frustrated. So I tried to find my pro-guru, unfortunately, he was no where to be found. So i went into my local hardcore gym and met with the ownwe fo an assessment. He was absolutely useless and put me on a pro-bb'er diet that included the most tasteless, bland forms of food ever... theres only so many cold fish fillets a man van eat before he just cant even look at the stuff anymore.
So after failing miserably there, after a mere 2 weeks with no progress, I decided to teach myself a life skill that still benefits me today, some near 10 years later....what was it you ask? a secret strategy from a pro? A special diet from a doctor?....no, sorry to dissapoint, it was at this stage that I TAUGHT MYSELF nutrition. I spemnt hours each day going over sites, forums, diet logs and discovered that the mystifying world of food, isnt actually that esoteric as I thought it was.
I learned about my metabolic function and how metabolic rates slow down in long periods of caloric deficit, I learn about ketosis, and why it doesnt work for me, I learned that carbs arent the devil, I learned that good fats are critical and most important I began to undestand the value of each and everything that passes my neck to my stomach each day has a repercussion, an effect...be it good or bad.
When i found what worked for me, it wa s nothing short of miraculous, the weight started peeling off and some 24 weeks later i was under 4% BF with a sub 30 inch waistline and abs cut to the bone.
Sure, that didnt last long as I splurged on the post-diet window and not before long, i was back over 10%. This made me think about sustainability and consistency over the long term and I switched my approach to include foods I liked, rather than foods i dislike but am forced to eat... cold fish anyone? Today I eat a balanced diet, a bit on the carb heavy side, because its what my body likes... but i eat whatever I like, I just stay within my macros and calories for the day... tough in the beginning, but over time, your habits will reshape themselves as your body does the same.
A friend of mine, you may know him; Emmanuel 'El Matador' Sanchez said something to me just yesterday when we were talking about this. "Those that say they dont have the time or the money to eat right now, will regret their decision later in life." This really hit home with me, dieting really is a lifelong mission, whether its fat loss or for bulking, its the most underrated part of the game for many simply because they do not take the time to study it, Isnt a couple of hours a week worth building a skill that lasts a lifetime and you can teach your children?...anyway food for thought...pardon the pun
Please leave your own experience or question below, I would really love to hear from all the martial artists here.
