I have been doing a Q and A on my Instagram the past few days, so here are the answers to the questions you have asked me...
1) How many meals do you have a day?
I tend to have 4 (very) large meals a day. It is more convent for me than eating 6/7 times a day, it means I don't have to constantly bring food with me and also means I get to eat 600/700 calorie meals which I love. When I ate fewer calories I preferred to eat more often as I was always hungry but not so much anymore.
2) Why do you count macros/calories?
I have a lot of reasons for doing so, many of which I mentioned in my iifym blog. My main reason is to make sure I eat enough to fuel my workouts.
3) What do you like to eat pre workout?
I almost always workout in the morning, so my breakfast is my pre workout. So this would usually be protein oatmeal, fruit, chocolate, nuts and yogurt! On the odd occasion I don't workout in the morning it would usually be in the afternoon after my meal 2, so this varies depending on the day. As long as its a good big meal I'm happy.
4) What do you like to eat post workout?
For post workout I'm happy as long as its a good big meal of plenty of protein, carbs and sometimes I have fats post workout. I like to eat butternut squash post workout as it has great natural sugars which I believe are beneficial post workout to recover your energy.
5) Do you watch your sugar or salt intake?
Tbh I really don't. I possibly should, but I find that fruits and squash sky rocket my sugar more than things like chocolate so I think its kinda inaccurate. The amount of sugar I consume doesn't seem to have any effect on me so I don't worry about it. In terms of salt I don't watch it, I use natural sea salt on my food because we all need salt and along with the amount of water I drink its no problem.
6) How often do you change up your workouts?
I am always looking to try new things. Im constantly researching new ideas, techniques and exercises. Whether its a few rep range or new exercise. Each workout I like to pick 1 or 2 things that Im really going to focus on that day; it really helps me to focus. I recommend doing the same workout for no more than 3 weeks as the body adjusts very quickly and will then plateau.
7) Do you find it hard to do cardio after leg day?
The first few minutes can be hard, but I just stick my headphones in and soon forget about it. Its actually very beneficial to loosen up those tight muscles, and I would defiantly recommend some cardio after leg day.
8) How many hours do you spend in the gym?
This is irrelevant - I have different goals, different body and eat a different amount to you so all I can say to this is really find what works for you in terms of what YOU are aiming for. If you need any help I can help you with a customised workout and meal plan ([email protected])
9) How long have you been into weight training for?
I began weight training about 1.5 years ago. Although I had a lot of knowledge on lifting, I wasted a lot of my time not getting the right nutrition. I have only seen very noticeable results in the past 6 months as Ive been eating more. Nutrition is just as important if not more important than the exercise.
10) Fav exercise/body part to exercise?
Okay so this changes all the time! Right now my fav exercise has to be pull ups, I love how they challenge the body, and gives me amazing back and bis DOMS. Fav body part to work at the moment is probably back. Im starting to see some great progress in my back which really motivates me.
11) What are your aspirations for the future?
I am hoping to go to university to study either sport and exercise science or food and nutrition. From there I will probably go on to be a sports nutritionalist, and also do some PT.
12) What is your stance on carb backloading?
Tbh its something I haven't looked much into. I don't know much about it but as far as I know it involves doing morning workouts fasted? Not something I would consider. Sorry I couldn't answer this better. I sometimes think people over complicate things, whats wrong with just eating 4/5 meals a day and exercising with fuel in your body?
13) Do you prefer structuring your carbs around your workouts?
This wouldn't be possible for me, I eat a lot of carbs so I have to spread them throughout the day. I do like to make sure that I eat a good, slow release carb source (oats) before my workout and always have carbs after.
14) Do you avoid combining a lot of fat along with your carbs?
No, I eat a lot of both carbs and fats so I just eat what I want, when I want! I don't but a lot of thought into what goes with what, I just eat the meals I love.
15) Opinions on different workout splits? (push/pull/legs etc)
When I started training I used the split chest/tris, back/bis, legs, shoulders/calves but then after a while I was advised (thanks man, you know who you are) to start training push/pull/legs. I found this very beneficial whilst only training 4/5 times a week as it allowed me to hit the muscle groups more frequently. However, when I started training more, my muscles were too sore to continue with that split so I changed back to chest/tris, back/bis, legs, shoulders/calves. Both have there advantages, it comes down to how many days you train and personal preference.
Hope this helps guys! If you need any help with workout planning or nutritional guidance please email me at [email protected]
1) How many meals do you have a day?
I tend to have 4 (very) large meals a day. It is more convent for me than eating 6/7 times a day, it means I don't have to constantly bring food with me and also means I get to eat 600/700 calorie meals which I love. When I ate fewer calories I preferred to eat more often as I was always hungry but not so much anymore.
2) Why do you count macros/calories?
I have a lot of reasons for doing so, many of which I mentioned in my iifym blog. My main reason is to make sure I eat enough to fuel my workouts.
3) What do you like to eat pre workout?
I almost always workout in the morning, so my breakfast is my pre workout. So this would usually be protein oatmeal, fruit, chocolate, nuts and yogurt! On the odd occasion I don't workout in the morning it would usually be in the afternoon after my meal 2, so this varies depending on the day. As long as its a good big meal I'm happy.
4) What do you like to eat post workout?
For post workout I'm happy as long as its a good big meal of plenty of protein, carbs and sometimes I have fats post workout. I like to eat butternut squash post workout as it has great natural sugars which I believe are beneficial post workout to recover your energy.
5) Do you watch your sugar or salt intake?
Tbh I really don't. I possibly should, but I find that fruits and squash sky rocket my sugar more than things like chocolate so I think its kinda inaccurate. The amount of sugar I consume doesn't seem to have any effect on me so I don't worry about it. In terms of salt I don't watch it, I use natural sea salt on my food because we all need salt and along with the amount of water I drink its no problem.
6) How often do you change up your workouts?
I am always looking to try new things. Im constantly researching new ideas, techniques and exercises. Whether its a few rep range or new exercise. Each workout I like to pick 1 or 2 things that Im really going to focus on that day; it really helps me to focus. I recommend doing the same workout for no more than 3 weeks as the body adjusts very quickly and will then plateau.
7) Do you find it hard to do cardio after leg day?
The first few minutes can be hard, but I just stick my headphones in and soon forget about it. Its actually very beneficial to loosen up those tight muscles, and I would defiantly recommend some cardio after leg day.
8) How many hours do you spend in the gym?
This is irrelevant - I have different goals, different body and eat a different amount to you so all I can say to this is really find what works for you in terms of what YOU are aiming for. If you need any help I can help you with a customised workout and meal plan ([email protected])
9) How long have you been into weight training for?
I began weight training about 1.5 years ago. Although I had a lot of knowledge on lifting, I wasted a lot of my time not getting the right nutrition. I have only seen very noticeable results in the past 6 months as Ive been eating more. Nutrition is just as important if not more important than the exercise.
10) Fav exercise/body part to exercise?
Okay so this changes all the time! Right now my fav exercise has to be pull ups, I love how they challenge the body, and gives me amazing back and bis DOMS. Fav body part to work at the moment is probably back. Im starting to see some great progress in my back which really motivates me.
11) What are your aspirations for the future?
I am hoping to go to university to study either sport and exercise science or food and nutrition. From there I will probably go on to be a sports nutritionalist, and also do some PT.
12) What is your stance on carb backloading?
Tbh its something I haven't looked much into. I don't know much about it but as far as I know it involves doing morning workouts fasted? Not something I would consider. Sorry I couldn't answer this better. I sometimes think people over complicate things, whats wrong with just eating 4/5 meals a day and exercising with fuel in your body?
13) Do you prefer structuring your carbs around your workouts?
This wouldn't be possible for me, I eat a lot of carbs so I have to spread them throughout the day. I do like to make sure that I eat a good, slow release carb source (oats) before my workout and always have carbs after.
14) Do you avoid combining a lot of fat along with your carbs?
No, I eat a lot of both carbs and fats so I just eat what I want, when I want! I don't but a lot of thought into what goes with what, I just eat the meals I love.
15) Opinions on different workout splits? (push/pull/legs etc)
When I started training I used the split chest/tris, back/bis, legs, shoulders/calves but then after a while I was advised (thanks man, you know who you are) to start training push/pull/legs. I found this very beneficial whilst only training 4/5 times a week as it allowed me to hit the muscle groups more frequently. However, when I started training more, my muscles were too sore to continue with that split so I changed back to chest/tris, back/bis, legs, shoulders/calves. Both have there advantages, it comes down to how many days you train and personal preference.
Hope this helps guys! If you need any help with workout planning or nutritional guidance please email me at [email protected]