Here is another segment from the series I wrote on Metabolic Typing in 2008, this one I wrote while travelling home from my last bodybuilding contest before competitive retirment. I was satisfied with my second place finish and my best poser award. 
When it come to fitness and weight loss there are some simple truths, if it isn’t working you have two options: give up or find a way. Every single person reading my column or anyone who has even thought about getting in better shape better be totally committed to the later. Losing weight is frustrating, especially when it doesn’t work.
Cabel at 149lbs and his last shot at the nationals. (A title Pat has won twice he's my hero.) Photo courtesy of Glen Grant.
Right now I am 40,000 feet in the air travelling at nearly 500km per hour heading for home. With Montreal nearly two hours behind us we’re returning from this year’s National Bodybuilding Championships. I thought I was done with this sport after a disappointing 7th place in 2000 but here I am sitting and reflecting on a journey just completed. Over the last few months I’ve pushed my body to lose more than 30lbs, quite an achievement when you don’t have above average body fat to begin with. September 6 marked my 11th attempt to master physical perfection on a competitive stage. This year I pushed it further than ever before and was a great step closer to achieving that “perfect look” that I have been striving for. I want to share with you what was different as I believe it is very important to your own weight loss endeavours.
In a previous column I introduced you to the concept of nutritional individuality and how oxidation can have a significant impact on the way you look, feel and respond to the consumption of certain foods. This was one of the focal points of my preparations for this year’s provincial and national events. In addition to very specific nutritional concepts there was also another method that I feel was critical to the final outcome, post meal evaluation. Post meal evaluation is a tool that will help you consider your own uniqueness further. It’s also shines further light on why nutrition may be so confusing. Our body not only responds differently based on the foods we eat but it can also vary further based on when we consume them during the day or sometimes when we allow ourselves deviation from our plan. This, in my opinion, is the biochemical relationship of food and emotions courtesy of our circadian rhythm.
Without going into too much depth, here is how post meal evaluation works. About 1-1 ½ hours after a meal record what you ate and how you are feeling. How you feel should reflect the following: do you feel full or satisfied, or are you craving something more? Do you feel an increase or decrease in energy levels? Do you feel more confident emotionally or do you feel depressed or uneasy at all? Does your stomach feel comfortable or is there any form of digestive distress?
It may seem strange to think you will even be able to discern all of these items, and initially you may not, but if you complete this diligently for a couple of weeks you will begin to notice certain patterns. These patterns can help to identify which foods make you feel the best at different times of day and even how to adjust the amounts of certain foods to produce the best result. At some point of following a regular plan you will begin to grow tired of the routine and if you are tracking your foods through post meal evaluation then you may even notice your physical feeling or response is deteriorating no matter what you eat. It may be time for a deviation. I’m convinced that at certain points it’s good both physically and emotionally to have an off day. Allow yourself to consume the foods you’ve been craving or the items you enjoy that are less than ideal for you. A big problem we face is that processed foods are designed to taste good in spite of how bad they are for us. By allowing ourselves limited exposure we can protect our bodies from their harmful effects but still attain the emotional satisfaction that will keep you committed to your final objective. The key to off days is to plan a frequency but not a specific day. I don’t recommend that it always be the same day but rather a “save for a rainy day” mentality. Personally I like to know I have an off day available for use when I need it for every 2-4 perfect weeks.
Now I know this sounds complicated but you can make it as difficult or as easy as you like. The biggest thing is try not to over analyze or justify. Choose foods that you like to eat and you know are good for you. If this is hard, seek out a personal trainer or nutritionist for help. Begin recording your meals and try to stay consistent with amounts. Focus on just one meal at a time for a few days and then the next until you are seeing some improvements. A change in feeling at one meal may affect them all which is why you can’t make a lot of changes all at once. If you are someone who has tried every popular method to no avail then these types of strategies are for you, forget general programs and think as an individual.
As a final note, my own outcome, well I moved nationally from previous finishes of 5th and 7th to a strong 2nd while being the lightest athlete in my class. I was named best poser for an entertaining performance for the second time this year, and after an 8 year hiatus from national competition I showed up in the best shape of my life affirming that my new concepts and research are heading in the right direction. I hope now that they can assist you in reaching your own goals.
May Ron Burgundy the Anchorman live on forever! Here is my award winning routine.
