Should I go to a Nutritionist?

[T-Swazzy]

I am considering trying to go a nutritionist. I have a decent knowledge of diet but really what im looking for is for someone to make something that works for me, as far as my goals and my schedule of working. Would this be worth going to a nutrionist for??

 

[Captain FT]

I am considering trying to go a nutritionist. I have a decent knowledge of diet but really what im looking for is for someone to make something that works for me, as far as my goals and my schedule of working. Would this be worth going to a nutrionist for??

Back in 1997 I worked for Kevin Levrone at his World Gym in Severna Park Maryland. His nutritionist there, Todd Swinney (sp?) helped me tremendously. Now at the time I was only 20 years old, but what he put together for me was an excellent nutrition foundation to carry with me through life.

At the time he was doing all Parrillo Performance products like CapTri (which I still love) and their whey protein. Parrillo actually makes decent bars with very few additives and preservatives, especially back then (they still use brown rice syrup).

If you have the money I say go for it but find someone that is reputable and understands the needs for bodybuilding (if that's what you're doing).

 

[uamaverick]

If you have the money I say go for it but find someone that is reputable and understands the needs for bodybuilding (if that's what you're doing).

That's really what it's all about. I know several nutritionists who went to college with me, and they can tell you just about everything you would want to know about meal planning, food choices, RDAs, nutrition deficiencies, health risks of those deficiencies, and nutrition-related health conditions, but when I talk to them about what I eat, when I eat it, and why I eat it, they don't understand. They're all about following formulas, i.e. "OMG you have to take in 55-65% of your daily kcals from carbs!" Well, not for people looking to undergo body recomposition. We know that most of us use a 40-40-20 macro split, or somewhere around that. Right now, I'm around 50-35-15 (I love eating dead animals, what can I say). They say I don't need that much protein. My body says differently.

Now, I'm not saying they are bad nutritionists. All of them work with people that have issues with anorexia and bullemia, so obviously their approach to nutrition is going to be a much more well-rounded and typical healthy nutrition plan. They don't roll with the concept of keeping large portions of your macro intakes confined within certain meals (ex: carbs for post lift, then protein/fats during afternoon/evening)

I learned most of what I know from a guy I lifted with 4 years ago. I lifted for a year before knowing him and only gained a few lbs because I thought I was eating like a bodybuilder, and he took me a long, long way by showing me how important all the little things are that add up. It would be best to find somebody like that.

I would actually recommend getting Future or Omega right here at EF to train you. I know Omega offers online consultation, and I'm pretty sure Future does. Those are two guys who not only know what they're doing, but they're both genuinely nice people who will help you grow as a person. If you can find a local nutritionist like that, then go for it.

 

[T-Swazzy]

Thanks for the advice guys really good stuff, yeah I dont personally know any nutritionist around where I live I was just recommended one by my gym. Bodybuilding is not necessarily my goal currently, more so body recomp, leaner and muscular for my possible career needs. I may be getting into a governement agency so being huge wont cut it when i have to run a mile and a half in 10 minutes =). I really am looking for what I should eat when and how much to reach my goals. How would I look into Future and Omega possibly consulting me?

 

[joe d]

no one can plan your diet like you can. all you will get from them is a basic outline that you will need to learn how to adjust on your own. lay out your diet in detail with times and your goals with current stats. maybe we can save you your time and money here.

 

[T-Swazzy]

Thanks Joe D, here goes....

Stats: 25, 5'7, 141 lbs., BF ~12-15%. Im fairly lean in the arms just have flab in the cage and little on the pecs. I have been working out since age 20. Started at 126lbs with a belly

Goals: Leaning up and adding some muscle. I need to get my 1.5 mile time down because I may be getting an opportunity to be employed by a government agency so just straight bulking will not help me much. I do however need to maintain my strength obviously because im not the biggest guy in the world so the more muscle the better.

Workouts: Basic schedule is weights 3 days a week split into (Chest/Back, Legs, Shoulders/Arms) and 2 days of Cardio/Core work. I have been switching exercised every 30 days for a 90 day rotation of (Mostly Body Weight Exercises Light weight, Weights for 10+ reps, and Heavy Weights 6-8)...each for a 30 day period. May need advice on this as well....

Nutrition:
Diet hasnt been the best lately but I stay away from junk, I suffer from the problem of time and convenience like many of you because of work. Here is what I am thinking though...

Breakfast (7-8am)
Whey Shake
Oats with fresh bluberries

1030am
NEED IDEA

1pm
Lean Protein (Chicken, Tuna)
Vegtable

430pm
Oats N Whey by Optimum Nutrition

630pm - Workout
730pm - PWO shake, either Muscle Replenisher by N2BM or Monster Milk if I run out

830pm - Egg Sandwhich
Wheat Muffin
Pepperjack Cheese
Slice of Ham
3 whole eggs + 2-3 egg whites

1030pm - Casein Shake

I am open to suggestions on any of these meals, I love my egg sandwhiches =). I also like to snack on Almonds when I get hungry randomly and Im a big fan of Wheat Pasta as well. What are your thoughts guys? Im not real good with macros and counting, the problem is I know I will get busy and not stick with it like I should so I need something simple. Also, I know for breakfast I will not have enough time to cook a full meal, and realizing this im trying to set myself up for the easiest way I can reach my goals.

 

[joe d]

Thanks Joe D, here goes....

Stats: 25, 5'7, 141 lbs., BF ~12-15%. Im fairly lean in the arms just have flab in the cage and little on the pecs. I have been working out since age 20. Started at 126lbs with a belly

Goals: Leaning up and adding some muscle. I need to get my 1.5 mile time down because I may be getting an opportunity to be employed by a government agency so just straight bulking will not help me much. I do however need to maintain my strength obviously because im not the biggest guy in the world so the more muscle the better.

Workouts: Basic schedule is weights 3 days a week split into (Chest/Back, Legs, Shoulders/Arms) and 2 days of Cardio/Core work. I have been switching exercised every 30 days for a 90 day rotation of (Mostly Body Weight Exercises Light weight, Weights for 10+ reps, and Heavy Weights 6-8)...each for a 30 day period. May need advice on this as well....

Nutrition:
Diet hasnt been the best lately but I stay away from junk, I suffer from the problem of time and convenience like many of you because of work. Here is what I am thinking though...

pre boil chicken and eggs and refridgerate them. pre make shakes to take with you along with the other 2. your pre made shakes should have skim milk, egg whites, oats, mixed berries, and whey protein. this way its still a real food meal with a little sup and you can keep it in a cooler and drink it whenever you want.

Breakfast (7-8am)
Whey Shake
Oats with fresh bluberries eat some of the pre cooked hard boiled eggs here and still eat the oats without the powder or at least less of it.


1030am
NEED IDEA use the quality pre made shake here

1pm
Lean Protein (Chicken, Tuna)
Vegtable make the veggie broccoli

430pm
Oats N Whey by Optimum Nutrition replace with the quality shake

630pm - Workout
730pm - PWO shake, either Muscle Replenisher by N2BM or Monster Milk if I run out
quality shake here again

830pm - Egg Sandwhich
Wheat Muffin
Pepperjack Cheese
Slice of Ham
3 whole eggs + 2-3 egg whites
replace this with the pre cooked chicken and some broccoli and a slice of ezekiel bread

1030pm - Casein Shake cut the shake down some and eat some egg whites and almonds

I am open to suggestions on any of these meals, I love my egg sandwhiches =). I also like to snack on Almonds when I get hungry randomly and Im a big fan of Wheat Pasta as well. What are your thoughts guys? Im not real good with macros and counting, the problem is I know I will get busy and not stick with it like I should so I need something simple. Also, I know for breakfast I will not have enough time to cook a full meal, and realizing this im trying to set myself up for the easiest way I can reach my goals.

some more easy travel food is sandwiches. use ezekiel bread for either tuna, chicken, or eggs topped with fresh spinach and a slight amount of something like mayo or mustart really wont hurt much once in a while.

you could also make salads to go or meat loaf

salad: fresh greens, ezekiel cereal(like crutons) chicken, hb eggs, peppers, onions, cucumbers, evoo, vinigar.

meat loaf:
1lb extra lean beef, 3 eggs, 1 pepper, 1 onion, 3 baby bella mushrooms, 1 cup oats all chopped and mixed together, formed into a loaf and baked at 350 intil done.

its really a do or dont thing. if your not going to doet and train for results you wont get them.


now the training. what you have from the detail you provided doesnt look bad.

run cardio 5 days per weak and do some heavier lifting. i think a routie centered around squats will suit you best. stretching is also verry important.

 

[T-Swazzy]

Joe D, thanks man I really appreciate the time you put into that reply and AWESOME info! Man I completely forgot about boiled eggs and I love them. I really think that home made shake idea will work well for me as well because I have a mini fridge at work just no real time for an actual meal but the shake is definately manageable. Two questions though, where can I get Ezekial Bread and what are its benefits? Also, is this the kind of diet I should expect to lean me up? Thanks again.

 

[joe d]

Joe D, thanks man I really appreciate the time you put into that reply and AWESOME info! Man I completely forgot about boiled eggs and I love them. I really think that home made shake idea will work well for me as well because I have a mini fridge at work just no real time for an actual meal but the shake is definately manageable. Two questions though, where can I get Ezekial Bread and what are its benefits? Also, is this the kind of diet I should expect to lean me up? Thanks again.

ezekiel bread is sold at most healthfood stores and also some supermarkets. some places keep it frozen. this may help you find it
Food For Life Baking Co., Inc. | Store Finder

the only way to know if the diet will help you get lean is to try it out. add or take away from the portions as needed. if it where me i would drastically lose weight including muscle. if my wife ate that she would get fat.

any time.

 

[T-Swazzy]

Just had one of those quality shakes you suggested, it was good, also I added a spoon of Natty PB, this ok?