Q&A

Let me start this entry by saying I am not a doctor, a nutritionist, a personal trainer, or an expert in the fitness field. All I can offer is the knowledge that I've gained over the course of my own weight loss journey and what has worked for me. What has worked for me might not necessarily work for you. Every single person's journey is different because every single person is different. You have to find what works for you, mostly though trial and error, and research. With that said let me address some of the questions I've received so far...


What is IIFYM?
 



     IIFYM stands for If It Fits Your Macros (Macros being short for macronutrients). The major macronutrients are protein, carbohydrates, and fat (fiber is also important). It is a far jump away from the normal "dieting" which involves majorly restricting your caloric intake. It's about fueling your body efficiently for fat loss. It is also called flexible dieting because as long as you're hitting your macronutrient goals (getting the right amount of protein, carbs, and HEALTHY fats) you can eat whatever you want within reason. By not forcing yourself to strict to a super strict diet you can really focus on something that's going to be sustainable long term and become that lifestyle change and not just a short term band wagon you're going to fall off of. The whole point is to fuel your muscles without damaging them, burn fat, and keep your daily energy at a good level (if you've ever majorly cut your carbs you know your energy level drops like a rock in a pond).
    I have done tons of different "diets" trying to lose weight (from Atkins, Weight Watchers, Paleo...) and while they certainly helped me to lose weight it ended up being something that was so restrictive for me that I couldn't sustain it long term. I'd follow it to the T but then that one time I'd have a "cheat meal" it would turn into a cheat day which turned into a cheat week which basically just amounted to me going back to my old ways. With tracking your macronutrients you can have that piece of pizza as long as you work it into your daily total without feeling guilty about it. The funny thing is you'll actually be eating more calories than you can imagine! My range (which is based on my specific current body fat % and my specific goals) goes from 1900-2650... that's a HUGEEEE difference from the 1600 I was trying to stay below (and My Fitness Pal told me I should be eating only 1200?!?!) I've only been doing this for a week so far but I am actually losing weight by eating more!!! It's just all about what you're eating. If you don't believe me do some research and see, it has worked for a ton of people looking to lean out and lose that fat without losing their lean muscle mass (which is what happens when you're body is in too severe of a caloric deficit. Your muscles will start to catabolize-eat themselves!!! And no one wants that!)
    Right now I'm eating every couple of hours and I've obviously added a lot more protein into my diet than I was eating. I try to get a mixture of protein, carbs, and healthy fats at every meal. Your protein can range from chicken, turkey, fish, beef, whey, to greek yogurt...eat things you like! Obviously you're going to want most of your carbs to come from fruits and vegetables but it's ok to have treats here and there (like a cookie or some goldfishies!) without feeling like you've completely sabotaged your entire diet. As long as you're hitting your daily goals it's all good! Lastly your healthy fats will be coming from nuts, eggs, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil... what have you.

For more information watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6H2edyPLU8 which goes into "clean dieting" vs IIFYM

One article I found that was superrrrr informative and based on someone's personal experience is http://corinanielsen.com/livefit/?p=362

And for more go to www.IIFYM.com which will give you a broader base to start at as well as containing a calculator that can help you determine your macronutrient needs for your goal. The most accurate way to calculate it is off of lean body mass (and the most accurate way to get that number is through a hydrostatic body fat test) but if you don't know your % and don't want to get the test there's also another option which is Mifflin-St Jeor-the difference being this one goes off of your total mass (your lean mass and fat mass) vs just your lean body mass.



 SUPPLEMENTS
   
    *Once again-not a doctor, nutritionist, personal trainer, or licensed anything lol these are products that I've started to take based on my own research and belief that they will help me achieve my goal*

 

 

 

 

1.) Creatine- The purpose of creatine is to build muscular growth and promote muscular endurance and recovery. It pulls water into your muscle's cells to hydrate and fill them. I take this in the morning before I do weight training.

 

2.) Glutamine- Glutamine is extremely important for your body's recovery. It promotes muscle growth, a healthy immune system, and helps reduce muscle breakdown. I take this in the morning after my workout and I take it at night before I go to bed.

 

3.) Digestive Enzymes- Digestive Enzymes help you break down food so that your body can most accurately obtain the nutrients from your food it needs. It supports a healthy immune system, helps with the digestion of protein and milk products, and helps keep you regular while inhibiting gas and bloating (which can occur when you're taking in a lot of protein or dairy, especially if your body isn't used to it). I take one capsule before every meal and I've definitely noticed I feel a lot better after my meals/throughout the day. 

 

 

If you've seen my posts on Facebook or Instagram you've seen I've developed an obsession with Cellucor products!!!

 

1.) Super HD- Super HD is a thermogenic that burns fat, boosts your metabolism, and gives you energy and increases your mental alertness. It comes in pill or powder form but through my research I've seen that it seems to go into effect a lot quicker in powder form. It's best to take this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

 

2.) C4- C4 is one of the most popular pre-workouts on the market. It's fast absorbing and gives you a powerful boost of energy to really help you annihilate your workout. I've been taking this before my cardio and HIIT sessions and I can definitely tell the difference! Just make sure you're taking in a lotttt of water!

 

3.) Alpha Aminos- Alpha Aminos is a supped up version of their BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids). It helps increase endurance, reduce muscle soreness, prevent muscle breakdown, and keep you super hydrated. You can drink this during/after your workout. It's 0 calories and sugar free and is a great replacement to other sports drinks. You can also just sip on it throughout the day, not gonna lie the Blue Raspberry tastes like a slurpee!!! and helps curb my sugar cravings during the day.

 

 

Last but not least PROTEIN POWDER!!! I've tasted alllll sorts of protein powders from About Time to Visalus to Herbalife to Optimum Nutrition and Cellucor's protein powders are without a doubt (in my opinion lol) THE BEST TASTING!!! Clearly I'm a little obsessed! I've tried Corfetti (which is like funfetti cake batter!), Cinnamon Swirl (loveee), Cookies n Cream, and Peanut Butter Marshmellow and I they're all delicious!!! They contain BCAAs that your body needs, digestive enzymes (so you don't get that yucky gassy feeling a lot of protein powders leave you with), and oh did I mention IT TASTES GREAT!!! It blends great with water or almond milk and you can mix it into anything (greek yogurt...cottage cheese...oatmeal) and you can even bake with it! I make protein packed French toast with the Cinnamon Swirl and protein packed cupcakes with the Cookies n Cream and they were soooooooo good <3

 

Thus ends my rant about the amazingness of Cellucor lol

If you want to try some of their products my Instagram friend @Brieraefit sent me some samples and if you ask her super nice I'm sure she'd send you some too! So go follow her on Instagram http://instagram.com/brieraefit (and me while you're at it- JBuckle87), tell her we're buddies, and ask her if she'd pretty please share some samples with you and what her discount code is for ordering from www.cellucor.com! She's also going to be starting an 8 week challenge on Monday with awesomeee prizes to give away to the winner so there's that too...although I'm hoping to win ; P

 

 

 

Well I hope that answered some questions. Again I'm no expert this is just stuff I've found through my own research and things I think will help me reach my goal, they may not be right for you or maybe they are, the only way you'll find out is through trial and error. As always, thanks for tuning in ; )