There is a debate currently going on between the “clean eating” people and the “IIFYM” people. What does IIFYM stand for? It stands for If It Fits Your Macros. The clean eating people have made the claim that the IIFYM people believe you can eat junk all the time and still lose fat. My thoughts on this are really simple.

Intellectual Honesty

To me being intellectually honest is extremely important when having a debate of this sort. Neither side should be allowed to make claims they know are untrue. If either side is allowed to get away with intellectual dishonesty then the entire debate is rendered useless.

Eating Anything You Want

It is simply not true that the IIFYM people preach eating anything you want at all times. There are guidelines. It is referred to as flexible eating for a reason–it provides flexibility. The guidelines say you should be eating healthy food 80% of the time. As discussed in a past episode of my Expose Podcast, a calorie really is a calorie, but in order to be healthy you must eat healthy a certain percentage of the time. If all you did was eat doughnuts all the time you would soon be feeling fairly ill.

Flexible Eating

The flexible eating approach is quite important to someone trying to lose fat. By allowing them to participate in normal activities like parties it helps them stay on the nutrition plan. It enables them to eat with their family as long as they watch their macros. It works. I've been using it for just 4 weeks and I have already lost 3% body fat. That's about the same as when I did strict clean eating, yet without the discomfort.

My Conclusions

I think everyone should be honest. Both ways get results. One way may just simply work better for some than the other way. That is all good. People should use the approach that is best for their situation. It is just like the answer to the age old question “At what time of day should I train?” The answer is “You train at the time you will get it done consistently.” Whether you use clean eating or IIFYM, the key is to use the system that you will stick to consistently.

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Sticking to a nutrition plan is something most people have tried to do and failed at. I had so much trouble with it when I first got started. The motivation to do so was there, but for some reason it was “too difficult” in my mind to stick to the plan. Over the years I have analyzed my own inability to stick to a plan. I have looked at what has changed for me now where I am sticking consistently to a plan and I have compiled the following points for others to learn from.

A Nutrition Plan that is Too Strict

When a nutrition plan is too strict we tend not to stick to it. At first we get on board because we are excited about our goals, but over time we lose interest. I strongly believe that anything that is too rigid is bound to fail for the majority of people. Yes, there are those who, with extreme discipline, can keep to a rigid plan, but that's not the majority. I wonder sometimes if this is because of our natural instinct to fight against authority, but I have definitely found this to be an issue with my own nutrition plan.

The Need for Flexibility

Most of us are not professional bodybuilders. We don't make money from our body being in phenomenal shape. As a result, we need some flexibility built into our nutrition plan. Life happens. There are going to be birthday parties and the such that will put us in a position where we either partake of some less than healthy food or we come off as distant to our friends and family. I have personally embraced the IIFYM (if it fits your macros) approach to this. It is a take off on flexible dieting that really works.

Changing Everything At Once

As with any major life change, I believe trying to change everything at once is a recipe for failure. If you want to be successful, make small, but consistent changes to your situation. If you never eat right, aim for eating well Monday through Friday. Once you see consistency in this area you can add another day. Eventually you will be up to all 7 days. The goal is to eat healthy at least 80% of the time. Take it easy. You didn't get to where you are overnight and you won't get to the new spot overnight either. Progress in the right direction is still positive progress. Stick it out.

Planning Ahead

Failing to plan is the same as planning to fail. Make sure to have a plan for what you are going to eat each day. Hit the grocery store and make sure to purchase good foods that fit your plan. By having these readily available you will change your entire life for the better.

Nothing feels better than sticking to your nutrition plan. It is mentally satisfying. It makes you feel strong. Give these tips a try and see what happens.

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Lying in the fitness industry is something that disgusts me. In today's Saturday Sharing I am going to do a rant on lying to make money because I have very strong feelings about the topic.

In my experience there are a number of ways people in the fitness industry are lying to make money. I am going to approach 3 of those ways and give you my opinion on them.

Lying About Steroid Use to Make Money

We have all seen the amazing physique transformations that blow the mind. We wonder how it was done. We know how hard it is to lose just 1% body fat yet there are people boasting 20% or more in just 12 weeks. While I am sure there are some who have actually managed to  do that (in a not-so-healthy manner), they are the exception rather than the rule. There is also the person who goes from lean and small to lean and huge in a short period of time. Without a doubt you see these people selling their workout plan and nutrition plan for $49.95 each to unsuspecting, desperate people.

People, if you are using steroids, if you've made that conscious decision, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I understand the stigma that is attached to it. I get it. However, using steroids to get massive and then selling a workout plan that is allegedly “all you need” to get there is reprehensible. Just tell everyone what you're up to. Let them know that your workout plan is good, but that you had some help. Not doing so is stealing.

Lying About Before and After Photos

Yes, there are those in the industry who lie about their before and after photos. They are in great shape and take a photo. They then purposely gain some fat and look out of shape. They take another photo. They then mislabel those photos. The one where they were in great shape (their true “before” picture) is labelled “after” and the one where they are out of shape (their true “after” picture) is labelled “before”. Trust me when I say that anyone in great shape is going to get noticed in the industry. People who are out of shape will see your pictures and want to be you. There is no need to lie about your progress pictures and go to all that work.

Lying About Supplements Helping

Another really big one (and at times it is coupled with the steroid use listed above) is coming out and stating that a certain product is why you gained so much lean body mass. People then rush to buy that supplement and fail to have any such transformation. It is simply done for the money, plain and simple.

Conclusion

It is time to call people out for these practices. I implore you to call them out when you discover any of these practices.

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