The Health Habits Diet

Like most personal trainers, my business has been built on word of mouth.

When my clients lose weight and get fit, their friends notice and I pick up a new client.

And, considering that most of my clients are interested in melting off body-fat, diet & weight loss has become a bit of an obsession for me.

So, when it comes to dietary recommendations, I need to get it right.

That’s why, at it’s core, the Health Habits Diet is a modified Paleo-style diet.

Apple Glazed Turkey Breast

Because based upon the scientific research and my first hand experience, there is no better way of eating for general health and gradual weight loss than Paleo.

You’re eating foods that are high in nutrients and relatively low in calories

And while, it’s always a big transition for new clients, the ones who buy into the concept and trust me (even for a month or so) always see great results….always.

But, we’re not done yet.

As much as I love the Paleo Diet, it’s not perfect. As much as some Paleos want to believe that everything Paleo is good and everything modern is bad, they’re wrong.

1. Certain foods enjoyed by some Paleo Dieters make weight loss difficult. For that reason, during a weight loss phase, they are eliminated.
2. And as I said in this post, it’s not only what you eat, it’s when you eat it, and the Health Habits Diet makes use of precise peri-workout nutrition to allow my clients to:

• Perform better during their workouts
• Maintain muscle mass while dieting
• Gain muscle mass if desired
• Boost their metabolism and
• Speed up fat loss

But, we’re still not done yet.

Depending upon the goals of my clients, nighttime eating and meal size must also addressed.

• Clients interested primarily in fat loss eat nothing for the 4 hours before sleep (except for a tbsp of fish oil)
• Clients interested in gaining muscle mass while losing fat will eat a solid meal before bed.

• As well, there are never any seconds on the Health Habits. One serving per meal…and don’t try getting around that by buying gigantic bowls or plates.

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So, to recap, these are the basics of my Health Habits Diet

1. A modified Paleo Diet makes up the majority of your meals
2. Peri-workout nutrition for better workouts and a metabolism boost
3. Nighttime eating geared to specific weight loss goals
4. Portion control

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So, where do you go from here?

In my next few post, I will outline the specific menus I recommend for the following “types” of Health Habits dieters.

If you don’t find yourself in one of these archetypes, shoot me an email and we can whip up something specific to your needs.

Dieter Archetypes

1. Rapid weight loss with no concern for muscle mass
2. Just wants to get healthy
3. Wants to gain muscle and/or get really strong without getting fat
4. Wants to maintain / gain muscle while losing as much body-fat as possible

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Just a reminder, tomorrow is my birthday, so I won’t be posting.

In the meantime, look through these archives to get a better idea of what to expect with Part 2.

• Diet Compliance Chart
  
• Caveman Diet
• Paleo Recipe Resource Page
  
• What Kind of Paleo are You?
• Is Paleo Eating the Cure for Diabetes?
• News Flash! Caveman Diet Good…Your Diet Bad
• Peri-Workout Nutrition

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Related posts:

1. The Making of the Health Habits Diet
2. The Taco Bell Drive-Thru Diet….weight loss miracle or a great big load of corporate bullsh*t?
3. What you DON’T want in a personal trainer
4. 2010: Get Fit, Lose Weight, Make More Friends and Revolutionize the Entire Health & Fitness Industry
5. The Atkins Diet for Vegans