Some thoughts and discussions from me.

My Thoughts On...

It often astounds me over how much hoopla, dogma, and stress goes into the way we eat. Our diets.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on fad diets that elaborated on this, and why fad diets (sometimes) work. Today, however, I thought I’d answer a much more generic question I get asked fairly often:

“What are your thoughts on X Diet?”

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Sub ‘X’ for paleo, gluten-free, iifym, low-carb, you name it. I always have a tough time giving a 1-2 sentence answer here, but today, I thought I’d do my best to put it in a blog post.

Now, before I go on, I want you to know that I do have two different answers to this question:

Answer #1 is directed toward the general public, including friends and family

Answer #2 is directed to my clients, excluding those who simply ask for my advice. Why this exclusion? When someone – even a friend or family – comes to me simply asking advice, and not hiring me as their coach or trainer, 99% of the time there’s one of two outcomes:

  • Outcome A: Person asking for advice is only asking to re-affirm what they already believe. They’ll only listen if what I tell them is what they want to hear.
  • Outcome B: Person isn’t really ready to follow advice, so my hard work and energy that goes into trying to help is fruitless.

With that clarification out of the way, let’s get to it!

My Thoughts on Diet ‘X’ for the General Public

I mentioned it’s hard to write a 1-2 sentence answer to that question, but my answer toward the general public can actually be summed up in only 5 letters:

idgaf

Listen, yes, I’m saying this to make a point, but I’m not saying it to be insensitive. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I don’t give a crap how anyone eats who isn’t one of my clients because it’s simply not my business. It’d likely be wasted energy on both my and their part to make it my business.

I’ve mentioned before that I subscribe to Byron Katie’s belief that there are three types of business in this world:

1. Mine.

2. Yours.

3. God’s.

In my experience, the world is a much happier place when I stay in the business of #1. 

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My Thoughts on Diet ‘X’ for My Clients

Surprisingly, it’s not the complete opposite answer here. I never (ever) tell my clients what to eat or what not to eat, as I don’t prescribe “meal plans.” I’ve done that in the past, and have found MUCH more success in terms of clients’ sanity and results in a different method, which focuses more on overall nutrition and intake.

Instead, I subscribe to the belief that if my clients are getting adequate nutrition, and not doing themselves a disservice, whichever diet they choose is fine. That said, depending on which diet they choose, we make some changes and additions in order to get adequate nutrition.

I also give some words of caution:

  • be very careful with diets that eliminate food groups – this can throw off your micronutrients, and has the tendency to make folks a little batty after a while
  • make sure to get enough protein in diets that restrict major sources of it (or any macronutrient, for that matter)
  • it’s very important to eat for your activity level, and that includes overall intake and macronutrient ratios
  • veggies are super duper important

Of course, it’s more in depth than that, but you get my gist.

My Personal Diet

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I have been around (and around) the gamut when it comes to my diet. I’ve been a vegetarian, I’ve eaten low carb, I’ve eaten paleo and gluten-free, and after the entire go-around, have found that my happiest and healthiest self is just eating food. I don’t place anything on restriction. I eat meat, fruit, dairy, beans, grains, bread, veggies, and *gasp* even processed food and sugar sometimes.

I’ve found this to be the most freeing for me mentally and emotionally, and I actually feel I’m the healthiest when I eat like this – even during the times I’m focusing on fat loss.

There’s no food anxiety, there’s plenty of energy for my workouts and daily activities, there’s a present 28-day cycle, and sleep is (mostly) on point.

That said, I leave my personal diet there —>with me.

So, of course I want to know from you!

[Tweet “My Thoughts on Paleo/GlutenFree/Vegan/IIFYM/X Diet via @TrainerPaige”]

What are your thoughts on the different diets out there? Any thoughts on one specifically?