This post is all about you.
Your wants, needs and desires – In one specific area.
My observation after many years of training clients just like you is that we very rarely get asked a questions about physical preparation, about training.
I believe that is because you trust us to take care of you while you are with us. You understand we are going to help you train in a safe and effective manner, that you are going to get a great workout and not have to worry about all the details – and that is just what we are aiming for.
On the other hand we get asked about a specific subject almost daily, and that’s a good thing.
I am sure you have guessed the #1 topic of discussion and the area we are most frequently asked about is…
Food!
When should I eat?
How much?
Is this good for me?
Can I have this?
What about_________?
So today we are turning the tables and asking you a couple questions, and I need your answers in the comment section below this post. I also want to compile a list of your most frequently asked questions, so fire away. Don’t be shy, you are not the only person who wants to know. The more responses we get the better, so let’s have it!
So here’s my question for you:
A “done for you” meal plan outlines exactly what to eat and when for a specific period of time in order to build good habits and jump start your fat loss. If we provided these plans, would you use them?
Would you attend nutrition classes if offered? If so, what are the topics you would like to see covered?
Now it’s your turn:
What are the three nutrition questions you would like to see answered that you think would make the biggest difference in you reaching your body composition goals?
Now I know it’s Monday, but please do me (and yourself 
a favor and respond below.
Make It Happen!
Dean
Dean,
I see you heat things up in the microwave may times a day. I always wonder what you are heating up…i'm sure it's different all the time. Personally for me, this would be a significant change in the way I have been eating my whole life. (three meals a day with a snack here and there)
It would help me to get a snapshot of your meal plans.
My three questions, not in order:
(1) Quantity of food per "feeding"
(2) Veggies, is there such a thing as too many? Are some far more beneficial than others? (carrots vs celery for example)
(3) Fats, calories, cholesterol, beef vs pork vs fish vs chicken/turkey…
Vitamins, fish oil, calcium, all the supplements
I would be interested in a nutrition class if offered. I would be interested in learning more about reading food labels.
I love the idea of prepared meal plans and nutrtion classes …. I think people get motivated in different ways …. Another competition or contest might get the stubborn ones going …. More discussion that requires answers by the entire class …
I like the idea of a meal plan to "jumpstart" things. I feel like I know the right things to eat, I read the labels, etc. but I don't always follow the rules, or have something planned and ready. Having to follow a preset schedule might be good to try. (Just might be hard next week as I'm on vacation!)
Jere,
Dean and I both planned and logged our food intake in April. You can take a look at it for some ideas. Both logs are on the side bar under Dean's food blog and Nancy's food blog. http://getfitnhbootcamp.com/category/food-blog-de…
We will plan and log our food in August in order to see some summer food items.
Nancy
Oh, so many questions for a Monday!
Ok, if a specific meal plan were provided I would likely use it as a guideline but not follow it to the T. I don't work well under specifics…too much free spirit I guess! haha. If nutrition classes were offered I would DEFINITELY want to attend. I'd like to learn about when to eat certain things, when to avoid certain things, how to eat for weight loss and still satisfy my family, Tips and tricks for planning ahead whether it be for a vacation or a dinner out, more of "this, not that" type of ideas. I'd love to see family nutrition classes as well, maybe some things that parents and kids can do together. I've been working with Jillian on nutrition and healthy lifestyles and she's having a great time with what we've been doing so far!
The top 3 nutrition questions probably are: alternative solutions to cravings; types of oils to use in cooking and the best way to do so; what to eat at night for snack.
I would love a sample meal plan that is tailored to what I like to eat and what is available (I am on the road twice a week for work, so alternatives would be welcomed; ie: what restaurant to visit etc)
I would definitely be interested in a nutrition class also.
My questions would be: what types of snacks are good to keep blood sugars level throughout the day, and what types of foods/snacks should be eaten before doing a sporting event (I currently play tennis and will be starting league matches this week.
What kinds of supplements are acceptable; is there a good "all around" one to take once a day?
I would definitely be interested in taking a nutrition class if you offered one because I think it's easy to get mixed messages over the years from all of the fad diets….no carbs, low carbs, low sugar, low fat, eat all the meat/cheese you want, eggs are bad, no, wait…eggs are good….I think you get the idea! I'm interested in learning about what my body needs to help perform optimally and also in learning strategies to "eat to live, not live to eat". So what are the right kinds of foods to eat, when to eat them, what portion sizes really look like, and how much flexibility can I really have in this and still either lose or maintain weight and so on. Since joining bootcamp, I want to make a lifestyle change not just for my own health but for the health of my entire family, kids included! I think there are too many processed "convenience" foods out there that we try to avoid, however, as a mother who works outside of the home full-time, it's sometimes a sanity-saver to fall back on these types of meals. My kids are not typically picky eaters but they are balking at dinners with 2 veggies and no carbs (mashed cauliflower was spit out and gagged at tonight..aghhhh!)
I would also be interested in a meal plan, especially to get started with this new lifestyle. For some reason if someone is telling me what to do, I can generally stay pretty disciplined…it's just when I'm left to my own devices that I tend to get in trouble! I think a specific mealplan would help me to learn the appropriate things and amounts to eat and when. I would also like suggestions for what to do when cravings hit…sweet, salty, doesn't matter, a craving is a craving! If you are going to satisfy a sweet tooth, what's the best possible food to indulge in moderation (e.g., a small piece of dark chocolate, some frozen yogurt or even just a spoonful of the really good stuff…ice cream)? Also, I guess another one of my BIG areas of need is doing things in moderation instead of the "all or nothing" motto (which has been more "all" than "nothing" lately!) Any good strategies for listening to my inner Jiminy Cricket when he tells me to put the Dt. Pepsi down????
I would LOVE the idea of having a pre-set meal planned out for me. I think it's the Army way. Have it in black and white and definitely have some quick to go ideas that we can swap out for. I am NOT a good, inventive cook and I tend to like to eat the same thing a lot. I think cause I am Virgo! I would also be interested in nutrition classes! Supplements and of course, for people on the go all the time like me, what I can always turn to to eat.
I like the idea of a meal plan for a couple of weeks but I am a picky eater so I often have trouble with them. I don't think I would attend a nutrition class more than one or two times. I would prefer a 1/2 day or 1 day thing instead of an hour a week. A class where you had healthy meals to try with recipes to take home would be awesome. Maybe even a demonstration, that I might go to every week. I see things with ingredients I don't normally use and don't want to spend the money to buy something like Tofu when I don't understand the terms in the recipes and don't know if I would like it. I think a chance to try things would be great.
Examples of a meal plan might be nice, but I probably would not use them to the letter. Instead, I would like to know how many servings of protein, carbs, fats, dairy, etc daily. Also what constitutes a serving size for each food group? What about healthy snacks-when to eat what to prevent cravings. For example, people say almonds are a healthy snack–so how many almonds are okay? Same for vegetables, is there a limit, etc.?
I might be interested in a few nutrition classes depending on the subject. I would probably not attend a half-day or whole day class.
I would love to see a nutrition class – or even just a Q&A session! I always have a few questions and don't get the chance during Bootcamp most of the time. I have emailed in a few questions, which are always promptly and thoroughly answered, but I'm betting that Dean & Nancy get a lot of the same questions from all of us all the time!
I also would also prefer a power session of 'nutrition instruction' for a few hours instead of short sessions to attend on several different days.
If given the choice to a) read Dean or Nancy's food log or b) receive a meal plan to follow, I choose A. I tend to follow by example (vs. following directions) and make a few alterations of my own to make it fit my lifestyle/schedule/pantry inventory!
New recipes are always welcome, of course.
Getting up at 4am to work out is all fine and good, but then if I'm not eating properly, am I really maximizing my workout?
YES! Absolutely I would attend nutrition classes. Concord Hospital offers them and I was thinking about going.
I am a Weight Watchers Lifetime Member. I am used to logging what I eat. I admit, I forget to log that the glass of wine or the cheese and crackers I munched on while I prepared dinner.
From a nutrition standpoint, I am interested in "WHAT BURNS WHAT?" and "WHAT SEQUENCE I SHOULD BE EATING CERTAIN FOODS IN?"
I love to cook and I am very creative when I do. I want to know how I can cook healthy… what substitutes should I be using to save calories?
Thank you!
~Brenda
I usually find it difficult to follow a set diet plan. When I'm told I can't have something, I crave it even more. Specific diets sometimes seem like a good idea but then seem controlling and I get resentful and cranky. We don't need more cranky
That being said, I could probably follow a diet plan for weekdays when I'm constrained by work and not influenced by other family members. It's especially the evenings and weekends that cause me trouble.
And I agree with Stacey – some construction suggestions about how to deal with cravings with moderation would be helpful. I find it difficult in the evening – especially if I've been "good" all day. I deserve a treat!
I know some nutrition basics but more information would definitely help. It's easy to talk myself into "just this one" when I ignore or gloss over the consequences.
Info about "why" can help me make changes. It makes it more difficult to justify bad choices. The "why" helps keep me on track. Nutrition classes could be very helpful.
Also, some suggestions for "unseen" changes for other family members would be great. I've made some stealthy changes but more is needed. And the easier the better. Some evenings, I just don't have the time or energy to deal with a big experiment.
I've found that either easing into the changes or sneaking them in at home is often the least stressful for all of us….and again… we don't need more cranky at home or at work!
I enjoy reading the food logs. Gives me an idea of what sort of things to focus on for meal planning. I have a bit of a challenge in trying to eat at regular times of the day due to my work schedule. I usually eat breakfast in the morning, but then I'm usually going to bed right after as I've worked all night. I just try to eat around the same time that my family is eating. I would like some ideas for what sort of snacks to eat while I'm on shift at night. I feel that I should be trying to eat a little something about every 2 hours at night. Any ideas would be helpful.
My issues I have is how to deal with cravings? And to make some meals that work for our family. That we all like and will eat. I do like the idear of a meal plan. If I can plan out a week of lunches and dinners I think it would help me. Im not that sure on how to read the labels on food. Reading over all the other suggestions people havea sound great.
Thanks Dean