Nutrition - Does One Size Really Fit All?

In the past 2 weeks I have done a complete overhaul on my diet. For breakfast I have a Odwalla Green Superfood shake, and once you get past the smell of artichokes and algae it's pretty good. Lunch is a lean protein, usually fish, and a veg, I have a Mix1 protein shake and my Joint Juice for a snack, an FRS low cal energy pre-workout and for dinner I will have a lean protein, veg, and a unrefined carb. I won't lie, the first few days I was sick. Not a little sick, but really sick. To be honest, part of it was because my daughter brought home her cold, but realistically, most of it was in part to my body ridding itself of toxins from diet coke, refined carbs, refined sugars, alcohols, and fats. I think I told Warren I was going to die about 10 times, and then something happened. It was Monday and I felt alright. Not 100%, but pretty good. All of this got me to thinking about all of the nutrition advice I have been given: some good, and some bad. The real question is: Why do a lot of people out there assume nutrition is "one size fits all?"

True story: I was in my spin class back in April. Now, my spin class is great. My coach leads the class and it's geared towards endurance athletes, but newbie friendly. People come back week after week for this class versus an typical class in which most new comers are so frightened they swear off spinning forever. One of the best parts about this class is the "conversations". You want to ask Coach Steve about cycling shoes, do it! You want to know about heart rate levels and monitors, then it's a class discussion. Trust me, this in no way impedes the quality of the class. It's all done during recovery. Well, one day we talked about nutrition. He told us this story about an athlete he coached that lost 40lbs over a season. That's when I tuned in because hey, I too have 40lbs to lose. I asked what she did beyond the training. Then he tells me she only consumes 1200 calories and eats 5-6 times a day. I was FLOORED! I asked how her recovery was assuming she had to be exhausted all the time. Nope, not so much. Then, after years of advice and testing everything, it hit me: Nutrition and workouts aren't a simple mathematical equation, nor is any of it one size fits all.

Yesterday, while working, I was listening to a past episode of Jillian Michaels on KFI 640 online. I won't lie, I'm a "Biggest Loser" junkie. What is more inspiring than watching these people get their lives back and have hope and obtain something they never thought they could? Well, she was explaining that she never went below 1200 calories with the women...ever! Then, she explained to this group of elite medical professionals that the women on her team had come to a complete halt in losing weight. They ran all the usual tests and come back and told her "800 calories for the women". She protested because it went against everything she every knew as a trainer and registered dietitian. The doctor explained to her that there have been case studies that the "magical" number for obese women to lose weight is 800. It's not for everyone and should never be done without the care of a medical professional and dietitian, but that the women would be fine. She put them on the lower calorie diet and not only did it work, but they had far more energy and when it came time to bump back up to the 1200 calories they didn't gain.

What does all this mean? I means that there is a reason why I was the only person I have ever known to gain weight on Weight Watchers (and I just wanted to lose 5-10lbs), why some people cannot eat gluten, why some cannot digest red meat, why if you have a deficiency in anything your metabolism could stall just because of your biology. So, here it is, the absolute basics that aren't "One Size Fits All" but can be tailored and advice on who to see for an overhaul:

1. YOU NEED FAT! I know, you are thinking "Hey fat lady, why are you telling me to eat fat?" Look, the fact of the matter is that I wasn't always at this weight. I have been a vegetarian, a full blown meat eater, and have comfortably landed somewhere in between. A semi-vegetarian if you will. I have ALWAYS been athlete. I too was shocked when I learned this lesson, and I learned it on my own in the most obscure place possible: The Colorado Spring Olympic Training Center. When my daughter was 2 months old I left my house at 6am to catch a flight to Colorado Springs for My USA Triathlon Coaching Certification weekend. Three planes later I was finally there. Now, I had just started running 2 weeks prior after getting the okay from my doctor and the final stitches removed from my c-section. I was at a snail's pace of a 13 minute mile....but I swam still pretty fast. I was terrified and when I checked into my room (that was up 5 flights of stairs) all I wanted to do was eat. I had never been more intimidated in my life. What the hell was I thinking? I had a baby with her first cold at home that was maybe 10 weeks old, I was in no shape to keep up with anyone....and I thought "well, at least everything will be steamed and it will be a no-fat weekend". I have no idea why I assumed this. I walked into the cafeteria and the familiar aroma of Thai food filled the place. I thought that soup would be a great choice, so I got the Beef Thai Noodle Soup...people, I kid you not, IT HAD FAT. I know it's silly, but it clicked: Olympians NEED fat to succeed as an elite athlete. I will say it just once: WE ALL NEED FAT! Now, the difference is we need fat from nuts, avocados, and lean meats. We do NOT need fat from fried foods, sauces, etc. That's it. Plain and simple. It's not brain surgery folks.

2. What works for you is not going to work for me. Let me tell you, anyone can become a nutritionist. Really. If you send me an email I will send you no less than 5 links for places that will take your money and BAM! you are now a certified nutritionist all from the comfort of your own home. Everyone thinks they are an expert and wants to tell you what you MUST do to lose weight. Nothing drives me more insane. Here's the deal: never, ever in my life have I had to lose more than 5-10 lbs until after I had my daughter. On the bright side, I haven't gained weight, but I sure as hell haven't lost much either. Why? I'm hypothyroid and have very minor issues with gluten (which aggravates my allergies). However, I am totally serious when I tell you I have lost track of how many people who think they hold the key to the shackles of my 35-40lbs weight loss and refuse to acknowledge that I have circumstances that will not let me fit in their "mold". I guarantee you, nobody reads a label like I do. I refuse to consume high fructose corn syrup (with the exception of my diet coke, but that's all behind me now). When you get someone who is an "expert" and tells you to try product xyz and it's got added refined sugars, you run. With all that said, if you get someone that is giving you a cookie cutter nutritional plan, then run far, far away. If they aren't a registered dietitian that works with whatever type of athlete you are then don't hand over money. A great RD that deals with sports nutrition for endurance athletes will go a long way.

3. Really do eat 4-6 times a day. That's it. Just do it. Otherwise, you aren't burning fat and are dipping into your muscle.

4. Booze. Alcohol. Hooch.....be it one drink, or you really tied one on last night. It's no good for losing weight. Now, here's the deal: If you do not need to lose weight and are happy with how you are preforming the occasional drink or two isn't going to hurt, as long as it's just that: A DRINK OR TWO! Now, for the rest of us slow fat asses, it's bad. Hold on, I'll repeat that: BAD! B-A-D! Alcohol doesn't just slow the metabolism. It does it for 48 hours! So, that drink or drinks you had last night will stick with you for the next 2 days and your metabolism will pay for it. You will never ever lose weight that way. So, until you reach your goals, or it's a family meal during a holiday, skip the booze.

5. You cannot do it alone. You really can't. You need a support group and you need support at home. You could have all the support in the world, but if none of it comes from home then the odds will be stacked against you.

6. Be accountable for your actions, and be proud. I registered for 4 marathons, 3 half marathons, 3 10ks, a few 5ks, a couple of triathlons and a dualthon. I didn't finish some of them because of poor training and lack of mental preparation. I know now what to expect and be prepared for in my 2009-2010 season. I will not lie, I am addicted to racing. I'm not shy about it. Anyone who knows me knows this. If I don't cross the finish line I am not a failure, I am under prepared, but know when to stop before injury. If I do not show up, and it's not because of family obligations, then I have failed. There is a HUGE difference. Not showing up in life is like failing in life for me. I get this now. I struggled with this for so long. Not showing up to the gym, eating healthy, being healthy and setting an example for my daughter and everyone around me is failing. Do the best that I can and then taking it one step further to safely push my boundaries is winning.....I want to win!

Just remember, everyone in the world can offer you advice, but it doesn't mean it will work for you. That doesn't mean you should ignore it. What I do in my life it a collaboration of advice and concepts: a little from here, a little from there. Just make sure you don't do anything blindly!