2012 Provincials - My Wife and I - East Coast Edition!

[DaveFinistauri]

Wow...really interesting point of view on dieting. Would you say that genetics play a role in allowing you to approach your diet with more "feel", or is it simply a bi-product of doing what it takes in the gym to ensure that you're fairly lean all year round?

[TT Eric]

Haha! Nice! I like!

Eric

[JMP]

I think your approach in doing this together both eating , your cardio "Dates" etc is very cool , looking forward to watching this progress , looking great guys !!

Steve is the most relaxed dieter for a bodybuilder I have ever met. When we first met I was weighing and measuring food while following a diet written on a piece of paper. This type of diet restriction lead to cravings and an inability to handle the transition back to "normal" eating post contest. Steve showed me how to diet in a better way by listening to my belly and body. He is not lying when he says he cheats a little almost every day....I see him raid the pantry before the gym on the weekends, lol. But, the only time he does this is pre gym.

An example of our relaxed diet: last night we met around 11pm by the glowing light of the fridge (our idea of romance these days, hehe) devouring steak, turkey, and proti powder. We hadn't eaten much in the evening (kids and stuff) so instead of suffering all night and not being able to sleep we went down and ate. No biggy, I'll just eat a little less this morning.

Steve is also a mathematical genius so even though he is relaxed in what and when he eats I am pretty sure his freaky brain is calculating all the cal's and nutrients, lol.

My fav part about Steve's dieting is that he is never the douche opening a stinky tupperware container filled with 4 hour old chicken and broccolli. When we have an event/party to go to we plan to eat what is there and incorporate that into our week. Or, if not ripped enough we just don't eat.

This is how we can handle both competing at the same time with kids. If I am having a really frustrating kid day I might eat a little more just to have a little more patience. Just means I eat less the next day. This is what works for us and no one can argue it doesn't work for us.

Cardio for us will start post Superbowl. Steve is busy turning a room in our basement into a cardio theater room, with 3D projector and all. At least the first few cardio sessions will be fun...we do cardio together before bed while catching up on TV shows and movies after the kids are in bed. It' s like a date for us, sad I know but it's fun for us.

[ange_d]

Wow...really interesting point of view on dieting. Would you say that genetics play a role in allowing you to approach your diet with more "feel", or is it simply a bi-product of doing what it takes in the gym to ensure that you're fairly lean all year round?

I don't think it has anything to with genetics, I think it's just experience. Steve and I have both been in this game a long time. We know our bodies and we know calories. Staying lean all year round definitely helps and allows these "cheats" here and there.[/I]

[steve_d]

I don't think it has anything to with genetics, I think it's just experience. Steve and I have both been in this game a long time. We know our bodies and we know calories. Staying lean all year round definitely helps and allows these "cheats" here and there.[/I]

I personally think genetics play a role in what you look like - but not so much how one responds to a diet - give or take a little. I too often here the saying "all our bodies are different" or "this diet didn't work for me, I need to do ____ instead". I don't know one person who started eating like me who didn't see results. I am not saying my way is the BEST way, but it does work. My motto is more use an approach that you find easiest. If that is keto, go for it, but if keto is too hard for you, then its not the way to do it. Bodybuilding is one thing - yes, we need to get ripped, and no its not easy...but the whole lifestyle thing of staying lean etc should be done in a way that you are comfortable and not suffering. There is a reason that most dieters are yo-yo dieters...while they are losing weight, they are depriving, and they aren't eating in a way that they can sustain long term. The way I eat is easier to sustain mentally (at least for me)....

Honestly, in a lot of ways its similar to the weight watchers approach! lol...(as bad as I hate to admit it)...You know, the point system? Ie - eat the cake, but thats alot of points, etc.... Yes, throughout my prep I probably will have consumed an extra 100 calories per day on average of something the normal person would be shocked to see on a bodybuilder diet. But again, keeps me sane. Telling yourself you can't have something only means you want it more. 12 years ago, when I first started competing I didn't allow myself ANYTHING on a no-no list. What happened after? I am sure I am not alone here, but I started making mental lists of things I craved during the diet that I could eat after it was over. Didn't take more than a week to go through that list, but after the week was done I looked worse than I did 12 weeks out. Live and learn....now I don't restrict foods (well, I still do - I mean, I am not getting lean eating pizza everyday!) ... but I don't take it to extremes anymore, and funny part is, I get leaner every show and have an easier time with the diet each time. And not only that, I stay leaner long after the show.

[ironwill]

Good stuff guys......It is fun reading your journals as a couple, as countrychic and i are in the lifestyle big time and together through it all as well....I find it rewarding, fun, and even exciting watching your partner and yourself improving and killing goals in the process...It is good to read from some folks that have that commonality that is fairly rare these days....
It gives a lot of conversations and thoughts and reaching goals together, all very healthy IMO...Plus there is nothing more relaxing than snuggling in watching some good shows or movies after a long week of working very hard together!! And partaking in a well deserved meal together...
We dont put our BB life in front of social activities either, we eat what is there, and just make up for it the next day as you say....Nothing more annoying than someone cringing, and turning up their nose because they think they are curing world disease, when all they are doing is dieting....lol....
Keep up the great work...
Countrychic and i may do a log for fall contest....except we are the extreme west coast as far as geography....lolol

[steve_d]

Good stuff guys......It is fun reading your journals as a couple, as countrychic and i are in the lifestyle big time and together through it all as well....I find it rewarding, fun, and even exciting watching your partner and yourself improving and killing goals in the process...It is good to read from some folks that have that commonality that is fairly rare these days....
It gives a lot of conversations and thoughts and reaching goals together, all very healthy IMO...Plus there is nothing more relaxing than snuggling in watching some good shows or movies after a long week of working very hard together!! And partaking in a well deserved meal together...
We dont put our BB life in front of social activities either, we eat what is there, and just make up for it the next day as you say....Nothing more annoying than someone cringing, and turning up their nose because they think they are curing world disease, when all they are doing is dieting....lol....
Keep up the great work...
Countrychic and i may do a log for fall contest....except we are the extreme west coast as far as geography....lolol

would be interested in that log for the same reasons...do it up! West coast edition!

[Hugheser]

I like your approach.

[steve_d]

Holy crap. I have the worst friggen luck.

I was walking my 70 pounds front speaker accross the room, and it sorta slipped under my hand and fell on my bare feet. corner of it landed straight across my big toe. I screamed like you wouldn't believe...pain lasted a good minute or so of non stop moaning. Blood dripping, the whole bit. Ange was right there when it happened. Finally able to make it to the tub to clean out some of the blood and see what was up.

Cracked right through at the base of my big toe. Only attached one 1 side by the looks of it, and it seems like i've exposed about 1/4 inch of nail at the base that i never knew existed....like the skin pulled back??? Not sure if broken...feels as though it is. Set back # 2 already?

Will obviously be taking a little more time from squatting. I hope to be back in the gym at least doing somwthing. Short term goal. Maybe sleep an hour tonight?

[TT Eric]

FFFFFUUUUU, that really sucks!!!!!!

Ice time + anti-pain pills, keep it higher then the rest of the body time, you already know that obviously.

When you'll get a bit better your head is not there obviously, I have a HIT training (I got from Arthur Jone's) I can share, that I did after my second competition, only 2 set, minimal of time, but extremely effective, no squats.

Eric