Food: The Final Changes

In these last few days my food has changed quite dramatically in an attempt to present the leanest physique I am capable of next week. Before I share my daily food intake I want to stress that this is not a sustainable long term food plan and I want to highlight that I am pushing myself for a specific purpose (to look like a fitness model in a magazine) and I am finding it hard and challenging but very aware that it is not ideal, nor do I want this diet plan to be what my daily food consumption looks like for eternity! In no way am I advocating the last few eating days as a plausible solution to long term weight loss. I have calculated what my body needs based on the amount of energy I use up each day. This takes into consideration my long working hours, the number of sessions I am delivering in a row, the workouts I have planned for that day, what is safe and will keep me focused in my work environment and other daily commitments.

What is different?
-I am eating fewer calories
-I am eating less carbs and the sources I am choosing are low calorie options
-My fat intake is coming from almonds/walnuts and egg yolks
-My protein sources are eggs, white fish (mainly cod) both easy on the digestive system, complete protein sources, and the high protein/no sugar combination I am after these last two weeks as well as protein shakes post training
-I am eating lots of (water dense) salad such as tomatoes, cucumber, iceberg lettuce and celery
-My vegetables are solely spinach and asparagus- both of which are diuretics, low in salt, low in calorie and high in fibre

These food choices are the final stage of making my goal a reality and will result in my body looking like it belongs in a fitness magazine and I will have the satisfaction of knowing I have gotten into the best shape possible. It is in these last two weeks when I am following a restrictive food plan that I naturally expect to see the final tightening up of my physique with all measurements decreasing significantly and I will then be looking forward to reintroducing my favourite food back into my diet.

SUNDAY 22nd APRIL
8am: dbl espresso, 1/3 cup of oats made with water and 2 egg whites
9am: gym session- legs and cardio
10.30am: protein shake and apple
2pm: grilled swordfish and salad,
4.45pm: 2 rice cakes (KALLO brand- no sugar and no salt, 18kcal per cake) with 2 eggs
7.30pm: small cod fillet (Baked in spices) and asparagus
3 green teas and 2 black coffees, 3 litres water

MONDAY 23 APRIL
5.15am: dbl espresso
5.45am: bike hill sprints and ABS (Sipping BCAAs)
7am: apple, 3 rice cakes and 2 hardboiled eggs
10am: Yakult + 10g almonds 12pm: 10g almonds + celery
2.15pm: Baked cod and asparagus with mixed salad (cucumber, celery, plum tomatoes)
4pm: Full body fast weights sessions
5pm: post training shake
7pm: small cod and cucumber and celery stalks

TUESDAY 24TH APRIL
5.15am: dbl espresso
5.45am: 30mins incline walking
7am: 3 rice thins, 2 eggs + raw salad 9am: 20g walnuts
11.45am: baked cod and salad
2pm: Yakult
3pm: 3 egg whites with 2 rice cakes
6.20pm: veg and backed cod
Couple teaspoons of coconut manna to finish off the day when I was struggling, had very low energy all afternoon.

WEDNESDAY 25th APRIL
5.45am: Double espresso
7am: 2 hard boiled eggs, 3 rice thins and 20g walnuts
9am: Yakult
10am: Full Body Fast weight session
11am: post training protein shake
1.15pm: Baked cod and salad, 10g almonds
3pm: 30mins steady cardio and abs
5pm: 3 egg whites, 3 rice thins with cucumber and celery
7pm: 10g almonds

On a positive note, tomorrow (Thursday) is a high carb day where I will be having oats in the morning and sweet potato at lunch time so I felt much better by the end of today knowing that I would have more energy by tomorrow. I just want to reiterate that the food times and choices are personal preferences to my lifestyle and specific to me but I hope it gives you an idea of what calorie reducing and leaning out in the final stages looks like.

By Rebecca Maslin