An update on my "Living Proof" nutrition experiences thus far - despite my initial jokes about struggles with chewing on food at 5am before spin class, things are really starting to fall into place. Here is my initial report on my blog.

I knew starting off my plan in Dec could have been a recipe for disaster...but not jumping in with both feet was not an option. My main reasons for dissecting and 'fixing' my nutrition were really tied to sustained energy, mental stammina/clarity/focus and keeping my immune system strong (that said, deep down I have my own personal body compostion goals - but I know they will be effortlessly reached if I keep my motivation as a big picture). I, (like many of you) put in very long, demanding days between work, relationships, sports, coaching, volunteering and trying to start up a charitable business) and have very little downtime. I had noticed my eating and sleeping habits had become a downward spiral - the more i did, the less energy i had, so I would fuel in excess to get over that tired sloggy feeling.

Everyone knows these days that diets are not the way to go...and although I have never felt I was dieting at any stage in my ;life, I have realized I had been in fact, a yo-yo'er all along - I just did not know it. My background in competitive sport actually dictated this cycle! I have put my body through some crazy things in the name of sport...and always going through chronic phases of conditioning and peaking and de-conditioning. My issue is that often the periods of conditioning and eating were so strict and focused, that my down times became big meltdowns and i'd just have to work harder and be more strict starting out the next time I started to train.

I am still in the first month of Andrews guidance (and albeit my adherence is about 80/20 through this festive time), we are working on getting the timing of what I eat and the types of things I eat to keep my energy high, my recovery times low and the effort minimal. I am happy to report that I am sleeping much better, don't need a coffee before spin as often ;) and I do not come home ravenous/eat on the fly anymore. Trips to the grocery store are easy and faster too! My big problem times of the day (driving home from spin tues/thurs mornings completely depleted from a late night workout/early morning bookend, afternoons at work and after 9pm at night) are now addressed adequately so I do not crash.

It has been difficult at times, but I feel soooo much better - and I am noticing changes in body comp too (only a couple of pounds, but defn in inches - who gets smaller over christmas? Me apparently!)

Anyways...there, consider yourself updated. I am pleased with the process so far, and Andrew has worked hard to make sure everything fits my lifestyle and metabolic make-up. I will dare say I recommend wholly! If you were thinking about exploring the possibility of having a better look at your nutrition in January, I urge you to start the assessment phase now so that when the new year comes, you will have a workable plan "ready-set-go" for you when the ball drops! I know you all work so hard at your fitness...but its only part of the process. It's not a miracle anything...just a rock-solid, nutritionally sound way to optimize your health through food and activity.

If you would like to get the ball rolling, or have some questions, please contact andrew_judd@hotmail.com - http://www.livingprooffitness.com/