So You Want To Change?
By Sandy Sommer RKC on in Dietary & Nutritional Planning, Featured Articles
So this gentleman approached me at the gym the other day. I was at the water fountain after doing some dead-lifts and he was interested in hearing what I do to be so strong and lean. He was about my age I’d say and looked pretty good.
I sensed right away that this guy was hoping to unlock some sort of workout secrets he could apply to his own sessions to lose weight and get stronger. I could also guess that when I told him that the secret was really much more about eating than working out that I would lose his interest. And I was right.
The first thing I told him was exactly what he didn’t want to hear and that was this. “90% of my body composition is based on what I do at home and not here at the gym.” He looked totally confused and asked for clarification.
I went on. I explained to him that to really see body change you have to change the way you eat. And here is where I lost the guy. He interrupted me and wanted to talk about my workout. See, for most people it is much easier to get to the gym and spend an hour there and then try to justify terrible eating habits then it is to change the way they fuel themselves.
Just last week I saw that one of my Facebook friends and a cheese steak sandwich for lunch and that he was going to burn off that with a run. Well a cheese steak averages about 690 calories according to Livestrong.com . Jogging burns off about 13 calories so he will have to run an hour to use that energy. But I digress. Bottom line is that you can’t outwork bad eating habits.
My business is helping people achieve their goals physically. I can’t help you very well if you won’t help yourself. Here’s how you can get started.
- Start purchasing good quality foods. Shop at your local Farmer’s Market. Especially if they are producer only.
- Go out and meet some farmers. Check out www.eatwild.com
- Buy The Primal Blueprint and the Primal Blueprint Cookbook. All you need to know is in these two volumes. Just do it. And follow it. Conventional wisdom is nothing of the sort.
- Stop eating processed food. Be particularly cautious if a product is labeled “lite” or “low fat.”
- Avoid grain at all costs. And I mean all. Wheat is the enemy. Not fat.
- Work out because you love it. Have fun. Get strong.
Train with purpose,
Sandy Sommer RKC
8 Comment(s)
By Josh Hanagarne on Jul 10, 2010 | Reply
Sandy, I was sure that your link to “secret” up there was going to go to that book The Secret
If you could go back to when you were 20, would you spend years 20-30 eating better? Would you apply these lessons to anyone at any age?
Begging someone to help themselves who simply can’t hear the answer they need to is a thankless task, that’s the truth.
By Sandy Sommer RKC on Jul 10, 2010 | Reply
Josh,
I think there are some great concepts in The Secret! Nothing new per se but some really great concepts.
Gosh and you ask about my eating habits back my twenties and thirties?
I ate all I saw and then went searching for more. Even at 48 my metabolism is astonishing to folks who don’t know me and happen to eat a meal with me. I eat a lot and it’s all I can do to maintain my bodyweight. I got comp tested today at 7.3% with BW of 188. I am not sure I have the time and inclination to eat more.
And I do wish I had chosen to eat quality food back in the day. All I was concerned with was calories. As an example, I’d eat breakfast, lunch, another meal, dinner, then a pizza and end the day (I’m not making this up) with 1/4 lber with cheese, double cheeseburger, fish sandwich, large fries, small fries and chocolate milkshake. And I weighed about 195 and had similar comp numbers. If I had been eating quality I think I may have been a true monster.
Train with purpose,
Sandy Sommer RKC
By Bill Bean on Jul 11, 2010 | Reply
Sandy,
Great post. Someone once said that people usually ask for advice in order to confirm that which they already believe [and are unwilling to let go of]. More proof!
By Gary Horn on Jul 11, 2010 | Reply
The truth is hard to hear and face. Human nature wants easy answers, wants to call the shots, wants to define reality. This is a good post. Thanks for it.
By Bill Bean on Jul 11, 2010 | Reply
Getting off stuff like wheat, sugar, etc. is a scary proposition. I have a wild idea to commit to it for 30 days just to see how difficult it can be – even for someone as health conscious as myself. I’m 50 years old, 5’10″ 179 lbs and 12.7% body fat. I’m going to keep the dairy because it is an easy source of protein and carbs for me.
By Sandy Sommer RKC on Jul 13, 2010 | Reply
Bill,
I take raw dairy if I can. I have a source for milk, butter and cheese so at least at my house I have control.
Train with purpose,
Sandy Sommer RKC
By cassie on Jan 14, 2011 | Reply
dear sandy, new to kettlebells and absolutely luv them.. prob; 5’2 110 lbs. the 26 lbr. is a bit too heavy for me at this time (i do workout 6 days per week w/ free weights) have been using 18lb kb to begin, 3days per wk. is it safe to work w/ kettlebells more often, say 5-6 days per wk?
By Sandy Sommer RKC on Jan 14, 2011 | Reply
Cassie,
Without knowing you it’s tough to say. I don’t know what routine you use etc. I can tell you that if you are new you may consider talking to an RKC in your area to make sure that you using them safely. I’ve used them myself as often as 6 days a week.
Train with purpose,
Sandy Sommer RKC