Prep

Ingredients of a Champion: These are some staples that helped clients win competitions, belts, and other accolades.

Broccoli, Yams, Eggplant, Spinach, Cabbage, Cauliflower, beans, pita, Zucchini, Potatoes, Oranges, Cod, Beef,Onion, Garlic,Ginger, Canola oil, Apple cider vinegar, Salt, Pepper.

Boring, I know. My staples are simple and I rotate meats and bread carbs, eggnoodles, and I enjoy them. I pack Danos lunch because he needs certain things for sustainable health at our age. Here are some common excuses, I've heard thousands of times:

• 'I don't have time.' #1 #excuse & it's the number one killer of results.. let me put it down, I hate to tell you this, but I wouldn't be who I am if I wasn't honest about this. How much time did you spend #scrolling, #gaming, or #streaming? Guessing it's a lot.

• 'Eating healthy is expensive.' Ok, how much did you spend at the #bar, #restaurants, and #coffee shop? I guarantee it's more than fresh food.

• 'I have a life.' You won't for long if you follow these patterns and the temporary happiness that comes with it, says so. Google it, if you don't believe me.

• 'I can't cook.' Well, cooking takes practice, so start small. Everyone can make a #healthy sandwich, but I wouldn't touch a lean cuisine if I was to feed it to the dog. Now there are 1/2 decent meal prep services that offer help. Those get pricey too & may contain too many additives. (If you put a C between the I and the T it spells addictives, just saying)

Plainly put, food, bar and electronics are addictive. I always hear; I don't drink much, then the person drinks a 12 pack.. I don't eat bad, then they eat out everyday or go on crash diets which are worse than just eating bad. Moderation doesn't make sales, so marketing companies are not going to tell you to slow down.

I find it ironic that the body positive ones always ask how to lose weight too, and they are some of the first to say 'you don't have a booty.' Well, darlin, I really don't care! Having a huge butt is not on my list of priorities. Being lightning fast at my martial arts, aerial, and other sports come first. I ain't no hater, though if you want curves I got diets for that too, honey, so LES GO!

Was I always perfect? No. No way and anyone is a fool to think it based on how I look.. I too stuggled with alcohol and binge eating. I have chronic pain. This, though, is another post for another day and I'll tell you all about it cause it's part of my health journey. The good, the bad, the ugly.

At some point you have to boil an egg, peel an orange or steam some fish, maybe grill some chicken. I love old Kung-fu movies that show the Sensei making food because it shows his discipline and sacrifice for health. Waiting around for someone to cook for you is like saying; Can you lift for me too? C'mon man, this is fitness & it takes more than a magic pill, shot or crash diet. We're all consistent at something, don't make that excuses.

A real trainer will tell you straight, especially if you ask.

Do you know how to #cleanse your palatte? I would read up on it, and try. Too many Preservatives contain Bio-Engineered food ingredients that make you want certain flavors & they make natural food taste too bland. Oh no! A carrot tastes like a carrot and broccoli should have a mild taste, but pungent smell..fish does smell and taste like fish, and did you know we ourselves program our own children by saying things like; 'you don't like vegetables.' It's the same as programming yourself with 'I can't cook.' A lot of males experience ED, and gastro-intestinal problems as a result of a poor diet. Again, google it.

Buffet is still my fav. I don't go every week though the last time was about 6 months ago. Gimme a cheeseburger and fries, but I'm a snob, I won't go just anywhere for it. My ninja Turtle diet of pizza all day, is not realistic at all.

Sometimes Dano & I be cruising down the street looking for a meal at 10pm! This is usually after we've lifted or climbed for more than a few hrs.

I always look at a MD, Coach & Trainer. Do they live in daily practice? They get to tell you what to do all day long, but are they the #example? They tell you to lose weight but they too are overweight. Hypocrites are a dime a doz in my field & I've seen it all. From the Yogi who has a bottle of wine instead of dinner, to the gymnastics coach who has doughnuts laid out all over the #equipment we're supposed to use to train on. Eww, people's butts and feet go there-NO THANK YOU!

What I'm really talking about is cooking and preparing meals you can enjoy. Make it fun and do it with family, friends who have same goals, or by yourself with some music and know you're doing this for the long game, cause you're a WINNER!