Pills

The three elements of physical fitness are exercise, diet, and supplementation. I have opted to focus on exercise and diet only. I'll leave the supplements to those who have a lot more disposable income. (Disclaimer: I do take glucosamine to support joint health, and vitamin C because I don't eat much fruit right now.) I believe 80% of my fitness results depend on what I eat.

But as far as bulking pills or fat burners, I steer clear and get my results the old-fashioned - albeit slower - way.  Besides, pills feel a little too much like 'cheating' to me. That's not to say that I am totally opposed to implementing that strategy at some point.

Four years ago if you would have told me the eating habits I'd have adopted at this point, I may not have believed you. I used to look at people that eat this way as a little fanatical.

Yet, here I find myself eating like a fanatic! It really does just get to be a way of life, and the old cravings subside. The upside is that I feel great and I am progressing toward my fitness goals (see earlier posts). Though, when I hear myself telling someone my eating routine it does sound a little far-out, or at least unconventional. I have been following the "Slow Carb Diet" (as described in the book: The 4-Hour Body - see link at right) which you can easily find by Googling "Slow Carb Diet".

Basically, it is a high protein, high fiber, and "only good carb" regimen. I would say I have had good results with it so far. In eight weeks I have gained four pounds of muscle (in combination with Occam's Protocol weight training routine), and had a small reduction in body fat. Slower results than I had hoped for, but I'm in this for the long-haul.

I don't anticipate making any changes to this eating routine anytime soon. It is a healthy diet, and I don't feel deprived (except, maybe wanting a bowl of my Honey Nut Cheerios, which I have to wait until 'free day' to eat), really getting to eat about as much as I want, as long as it is on my approved food list.

The changes I have been making are to the weight training and running routines. I have been putting off the urge to train more (the book describes why less is more), but I am really feeling like I need to ramp up a little at a time now. The fact that I have seen gains while backing off so much is interesting, and as I ratchet up, it will be deliberate and metered, constantly evaluating, and measuring as I go.