July 11, 2008 - CAMP Fitness

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Fitness

As I said in my last column, Nick and I recently went to New York City to see the World's Strongest Man contest. The guys are hugealmost cartoonish. I'm sure their diets reflect their workout routines.

It was really the NYC residents that caught our attention. We noticed that many, if not most, of the men we saw were really thin! We were surprised. In the past, the big guys ruled Manhattan.

We were staying in the Chelsea section of New York not far from the Steel Gym. Our friend and host, Dominick, worked there and got us passes to work out. The day we were there working out, I asked some of the regulars what had happened to the big guy look. I was told that many guys were doing the fasting diet. OK, that made sense. You can't get big or remain big if you are on a fasting diet, that's for sure. Many weightlifters, power-lifters, and bodybuilders eat as many as 5000 calories a day, some more than that. That's a lot of food. That's part of the gamebig boys, big food bill.

So, the New York look can be achieved by fasting. I was fascinated by that. I was told that many guys do their regular work out routines, but change their eating habits drastically. Most fast for 24 hours, and some for 36 hours. Of course these guys didn't stop eating all at once, they had to get their bodies adjusted to the idea of skipping meals.

These guys were in really good shape, so anyone who is not into the healthy lifestyle should consult a physician before attempting any of this. Fasting affects your blood pressure so if you are on medication, you should seek professional advice.

A helpful tip was that these guys don't fast from dinner to dinner, but from breakfast to breakfast. They say it's much easier on the system. When they consume their meals, they eat small meals with protein, none that are carbohydrate heavy. Carbs can make you feel really stuffed and actually hungrier later on. These guys swear that they feel better and more alert during and after a fast.

Many who have tried this fasting say its part of their workout routine. They swear that they've dropped pounds and strengthened their immune systems. Some said that after their fasting regimen, food tastes better and they appreciate it more. They are also aware of the good and bad foods, with bad foods being fried, coated, and laden with salt. The surprising thing is that the guys said that this fasting trend is popular coast to coast. We haven't been to San Francisco or Los Angeles in a couple of years, but I tend to believe that it may be true.

So, if you are willing to give it a go and try fasting, then get checked out by a doctor to avoid any complications. I'm not advocating that everyone try thisit may not be for everyone, but it may work for some of you. Is it not the Europeans who call us "The Fat Americans"? They may be on to something...

Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates. Visit him at www.ricksfitness.net.

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 09 July 11, 2008