What Did I Just Eat?
Ever eat something and not know the amount of fat, carbs, protein and calories? Of course! Who hasn't? But when you're working out for a purpose, this can feel like you just shot yourself in the foot.
Let it go. Seriously, be like Elsa and let it go.
No one gets their diet absolutely perfect. I don't know of a single bodybuilder who doesn't allow themselves a cheat meal from time to time. Sure, it may not be during the last few weeks of contest prep, but unless you're saying this to yourself every day, you're still on track. Give yourself a break.
And for those people who are reading this article and saying to themselves "what are you talking about, I never track my macros and calories!" Well, maybe it's time you try. Use an app/site like MyFitnessPal.com (owned by Under Armour, not a sponsor of this site). That's the one I use.
To make you feel better, I'll go first. I'm bulking right now, which for anyone who is serious about competing in bodybuilding knows it's the BEST part of the season because you can eat absolutely anything you want! Well, provided that it's relatively low-fat, moderate carbs, moderate to high protein, non-processed, low-to-no-sugar, and fits within your calorie-allowance.
Sound like fun? Hmmm.
All right, Muscle-Nation: I weighed in at 210lbs this morning. This is still a good bit low for me but since I was three weeks out from a contest at 194lbs just before the global pandemic hit, it means I've done a really good job moderating my weight-gain. During the first six weeks of the lock-down I allowed myself to drink beer and wine. Mistake. Not only was my sleep disrupted but my super-shredded abs (which my son called my eight-pack) is now a four-pack. We all get off track, but I had a will and a way and I was able to get myself back on.
I've been working out a bit harder lately, although it's not nearly at the intensity or the exercises that I was able to do in the gym before. And because everything is limited I've been trying to keep tight tabs on what I'm ingesting.
This week I started my bulk again. I've been eating roughly 4,500 - 5,000 calories a day. The ratio of macros is approximately 40% protein, 45% carbs and 15% fat.
It's around 1pm and so far today I've eaten:
- 16oz eggwhite omlette with a slice of multigrain Dave's Killer Bread (not a sponsor)
- Branch Chain and Essential Amino Acid shake
- A banana
- Two beef-protein isolate protein shakes (not a sponsor)
- 16oz of Gatorade
- 9oz of 93% lean turkey, 1-1/2 cups of cooked jasmine rice with mustard
- 1/3lbs 85% lean hamburger
And looking at this now, I have a feeling my fat will come in a little higher than I wanted so I'll adjust the rest of the meals I have for the rest of the day.
Exact science? Not right now. I'm getting back into the swing of things as our state slowly moves out of stay-at-home mode. I'll get there.
And while I do so I'm going to stay positive and focused. Soon enough I'll be back to eating 99% lean ground turkey and rice for 5 out of 8 meals a day. Until then, I'm not getting down on myself.
And you shouldn't either.
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