Psychosomatic Nutrition Part 1

I’ve talked about the mindset of diet and nutrition for ages. I’ve discussed the relevance of The French Paradox – and how the French adore and enjoy food but simply do not obsess over it. And the result is even though they eat substantially more “indulgent” food, and smoke far more on a person to person basis – they are in fact far healthier than their North American counterparts. Yes, I’ve discussed this in several of my books and Blogs. People read them with interest, give them a quick nod of ‘that’s interesting’ and then go right back to internet searches for the next wonder-diet or wonder-supplement.  

But the fact of the matter is that the way most of you think about diet and nutrition is what is causing the most trouble for you with your diet and nutrition. I mean it’s ridiculous when you think about it.

It’s like most people want to be sick. They want to be food restricted.

This is what they tell themselves. So, when they can find something with a completely general and vague symptomology – they latch on to it. Yes, “I’m gluten intolerant” or “I’m dairy-sensitive.” Whatever. Most people consider themselves both or even consider other food-sensitivities as well.

“Don’t you know that sweetener you are using causes cancer?” And on it goes. 

 People just don’t get it. Oh, but the nutrition and diet industry get it just fine. They want you to be afraid of food or food-stuffs. They want you to depend on them for your information for “what is ok to eat.” And this is ridiculous to the point of being farcical. That is to say, YOU, and the way you have allowed your mind to be manipulated by marketing – YOU have become ridiculous and farcical, in all your nonsense and obsession over anything and everything food or nutrition-related.

We are now a completely consumption-based society. On that front we “want.” And our “want” knows no ends. Ironically enough we also now consider that all answers to all issues are matters of “consumption” (there must be a pill for that) 

But our obsession with Body Image and nutrition, combined with food is a marketer’s paradise. Once you are told you can’t eat a certain thing, that is exactly when “want” kicks in and you can’t seem to go without it. But if you stand back and consider the absurdity of it all, the way the French do – does it make any sense? 

So, you have gluten-free pasta, gluten-free bread, flour-free bread, cocoa-free chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, dairy-free ice-cream, fat-free ice-cream, sugar-free ice-cream, caffeine-free coffee, sugar-free cookies and candies, fat-free everything, and yes of course even meat-free hot dogs and hamburgers. And don’t even get me started on low carb, carbs-foods and low-sodium everything. Can you not see how ridiculous and contradictory it all is? 

Your obsession with food is sick - hilarious, but sick. 

Oh people like to play down how important food is in their life. If I asked you to make a list of 10 things that really matter to you in your life, I doubt “food or diet” would make the list – Yet, if you are truly being honest with yourself, and listed what “matters” – as a statistical reflection of how many times per day you think or worry about it – then food/diet would be near the top of that list and for all the wrong reasons. 

It’s time people stopped walking around like zombie-lemmings. You need to get truly conscious about diet and food so you can let go of this psychosomatic hold it has on you. First you need to start observing how often you think about food, diet, and nutrition. Then observe and become aware of what goes on when you think about these things. Combine how often you think of food/diet/nutrition with how you feel when doing so. How are you when you are eating? How do you feel when you are eating food that you label as “good for you” vs. how you feel when eating food that you label as “bad for you.”  This begins acknowledging the psychosomatic hold this all has on you. 

After a while, can you even know which is the chicken and the egg in this equation? Maybe all this focus and tension on food and diet, maybe that is the problem. Maybe that is what makes you “feel” sick. Maybe that is what makes you think you can’t tolerate this or that food. One of the key indicators to eating disorders or potential ones are when people get more focused on “food limitations.” They like to focus on what they think they can’t or shouldn’t have, over what they can have and enjoy. But this is another paradox because our brains are wired to enjoy food. (see my book, Beyond Metabolism) Trying to pretend you can’t have or enjoy certain and a specific food is not going to work for long. Hence the industry steps in and gives you “faux” versions of anything and everything. 

Listen if you’re ill or prone to illness and you’ve got the diet-mentality then more than likely you think diet has something to do with it – whether it’s true or not. Then you end up with a gluten-free, meat-free, sugar-free, salt-free, dairy-free, calorie-free approach to diet which is anything but “FREE.” That my friends is imprisonment. It’s humour-free, it’s enjoyment-free, and yet it never seems to be guilt-free or shame-free, does it?  And yet, I’ve had many people hire me to write them diets that cater to the above limitations of gluten-free, sugar-free, carbs-free, meat-free, sodium-free blah, blah, blah. It’s ridiculous, and it’s sick and its part and parcel of psychosomatic nutrition. 

You live in fear of what this or that food may do to your body, internally and externally. Many people also use this as the backdrop to what is really going on. They want food restrictions. They want to be told certain foods make them sick – not because this is true – but because eliminating these foods, they think, will give them that better body. Oh, they never say or admit it – often even to themselves. But underlying all of this “food-intolerance” is really a body-image issue. But you seldom have a happy body by getting there with a mindset of denial and self-deprivation. (See my Phantom Menace project for more on this.)

So, along with the fear-based diet-mentality the result can only be “emotional tension.” The exact opposite of the French who cannot imagine or fathom the word “tension” associated with eating and food. But in the fear-based mindset you eat something indulgent and then feel guilty or sick – again, psychosomatic. If you think and tell yourself you can’t tolerate a certain food, then just the worry about “knowing” that means when you eat it, of course you are going to experience physical symptoms. 

The whole issue and problem of the western world is in making all of nutrition and diet such a big thing to begin with. I mean, really, consider the popular name “Weight Watchers.” What does that actually mean? It means people whose focus is on food and weight, weight and food, food and weight, weight and food. Well that certainly sounds worry-free, doesn’t it?

 And to answer all of this with “well yeah but it works” means you still live in the diet-mentality. No it doesn’t work! To create worry and concern over something as trite as food/eating and diet – shows how messed up the mindset must be to begin with.

Much of modern nutrition is mental or marketing manipulation producing a psychosomatic result. And of course my position is not the popular one. You can’t “sell” my position and you can’t “consume” it either. But with psychosomatic nutrition you can create pills, potions, magic water, cleanses, supplements, all the faux food categories mentioned above. Therefore everyone is happy and “free.” The product manufacturers are certainly happy – and as consumers, you get an answer to literally “consume” - for every single psychosomatic nutrition “issue” you think you have. And yet, are you more free and happy diet-wise? Is your food/eating/diet no long an issue- no longer a big deal- no longer something you think much about?

No, the French have the right idea. For all of you who think you have all these nutritionally related restrictions, good thing you don’t live in France. Oh, the sacrilege of waking up to a full baguette and block of cheese in the morning! Don’t they know that stuff is made with flour and with gluten, and with dairy? 

Ah yes, they know. And they are happier and healthier than YOU ARE.

Too bad psychosomatic nutrition in North America doesn’t lead to wellness but to all kinds of phantom ailments.

Some of you will get it – most of you will not.  To be continued.

Can We Get Real? Apparently Not !

Back in Toronto I once trained a fairly high-level local celebrity.(several actually, but that is not the point) One of the top female Fitness magazines wanted to do a big layout spread on her. But while she was a media celebrity she was not really in the Fitness Industry. We had about 6 weeks to do what we could and we did so. And when the magazine spread came out I was both shocked and disappointed – but not for the reasons you may think. We did what we could and she looked great: Apparently not “great” enough.

The layout feature on her must have photo-shopped at least 20 lbs off of her – in every single photo, especially in her “trouble area” glutes and hips. I was so disappointed. These magazines pretend to be “for and about women” – and yet they seem to betray them at every turn. What happened next disappointed me even more. With my name mentioned in the article and her “celebrity” status, I began getting requests from ladies, who of course wanted to be “trained” by the same person who trained her. They wanted to “look like her” and do what she did. Well how do I explain to people that even “she” doesn’t look like “her” - in the magazine layout. People say they know and realize all about photo-cropping, yet they still seem to marvel at the results of it as if it were “real.”

Why am I telling you this? Well I had a bit of a strange year last year (I turned down a lot of business and income) and it reminded me of all the phoniness this industry puts out as real. One situation bothered me on such a scale that I just can’t let it go. So I am going to write about it now.

I got a coaching request from a “competitor” who wanted to compete in the IDFA – a natural organization – and he wanted to get his pro card etc. Fine enough. We started exchanging emails. Well turns out this “National Champion” sends me a list of all the pharmaceuticals he was taking. There must have been at least a dozen different drugs, as well as finishing drugs like diuretics etc. He informed me I didn’t have to help him “beat the drug test or the polygraph” because he already has that down pat and has not been caught yet. Perplexed and disappointed (yet again) I told him I could not help him.

What a tremendous insult this is to my natural competitors or those striving after their best potential. See, it’s not even the obvious that bothers me so much in the above scenario. It is the “sub-text.” This person was so cavalier in his attitude toward using a boatload of drugs to compete “naturally” that it meant he just assumed that all my other “natural” competitors must use as well. And that is insulting to them, to me, and to the nature of competition – but it is insulting to you the consumer as well. When these people hold themselves out to be “natural” then what is achievable becomes fundamentally distorted.

This person advertises on his website that he is a “natural” competitor and “champion” and yadda, yadda. Not just misleading, but fraudulent.

But this is no isolated incident. Every year I see Figure competitors who become champions and they play the exact same game. They choose their words carefully and say “I compete in Figure because I don’t have to take the drugs like in bodybuilding.” They don’t say that they do not take any drugs. They just give that impression. Many will proudly say, “I refuse to take steroids.” Yet on the other side of that statement, they abuse thyroid medication, Growth Hormone, estrogen antagonists, clenbuterol, diuretics and other little pharmaceutical tricks of the trade. (Which I know far too much about) And while I consider them to be losers – it’s the consumers who lose.

You naïve consumers are led to believe that something is naturally achievable that is in fact not achievable. And there is a world of difference between high expectations and unreal expectations. And the fact that these people will lie to your face in order to secure your loyalty or your money just does not sit well with me. Why can’t we just be real? Oh, I know why. This way they can sell you supplements and fat burners that they claim helped them achieve that final “look” that they know full-well was only achievable with drugs.

In my small little city there is a “Natural” drug-tested show every year. Now, it’s been years since I followed any shows, but just a few years back, even at this tiny local show, I was shocked when someone wrote to inform me that of the 9 people tested, 7 tested positive! (to the best of my memory) But who of any of the audience members are going to find out about that, when it comes out several weeks or months later and only on-line where very few “in the know” find out about it.

Switching gears let me tell you about two people I do know by comparison.

My friend and colleague Coach Kevin Weiss is someone I marvel at, in terms of his involvement in this industry. 2 X’s National Champion, professional bodybuilder and now this year, World Raw Powerlifting Champion -  Coach Weiss is a performance machine. In fact we Abel Body peeps, have nicknamed him, “The Machine.” Coach Weiss has been natural his whole career. And his approach to competing is unique.

 You won’t find him posting on social media about his diet, or his training. Even after winning the World Championships this year, he didn’t take to the Twitterverse to seek any external validation. His competitive pursuits are obviously very personal and intimate to him as a form of self-expression. Even I can’t get him to talk about this stuff unless I bring it up. He just doesn’t need to share it all with anyone else. He seeks neither glory nor validation from his pursuits. Now, that is “Tao” in action.

So, I presented him with this scenario. I said, “Buddy, what if I told you of someone competing in IDFA – who is on as many or more drugs than most hard-core IFBB pros – and he can beat the drug test and polygraph?” The question itself seemed to puzzle Coach Weiss. He didn’t get angry or upset – he just looked at me puzzled and asked, “Why would anyone want to do such a thing?” Purists like Coach Weiss, see things in pure terms. We need more like him in the industry! But let’s not confuse being a purist with being naïve or being a prude. Once the “hypothetical” situation sunk in with him, he was as disgusted as I was.

And I have another natural client – Anthony Josse. Anthony is both young and naïve. (And believe me, being naïve when you are young is not a bad thing at all) But Anthony has one in a million genetics. Someday he will be a “go to” person and everyone will want to know how he trains this or that body part, and how he eats, and the rest of it. His genetics to compete naturally are off the charts. He just won a pro qualifier as well, and the rest of the field wasn’t even close to him. Like Coach Weiss, young Anthony also has mental genetics as well. He doesn’t just rely on his “gifts” he works them to exhaustion – which is as it should be.

And he will go very far indeed.

But here’s the thing. Against this guy above, he doesn’t stand a chance. Take two people of equal genetics, and one is lifetime natural and the other has been doing hard-core steroid stacks for years – there is no legitimate comparison or level playing field possible. It would be like comparing a Model-T Ford, to a modern Ferrari. And even if that Model-T was as well-kept and pristine as is humanly possible, it still couldn’t compete in any way, shape, or form with even the most poorly maintained Ferrari. And this is the sad truth. Young Anthony can make a real mark and name for himself in this industry. But not when people willing to cross a line in such a vulgar way, stand in his way.

As Coach Weiss asked, “Why would anyone want to do that?” Why indeed!

See, folks like Coach Weiss and young Anthony - they are not schemers. They don’t think or act like schemers. Therefore they cannot conjure an image of people willing to scheme so low to make a name for themselves or profit under false pretenses. But the industry is loaded with these types of people. The bottom line for them is the bottom line of $$$$. Integrity and principle have little to do with it. They just want to support their lifestyle, and they are willing to lie and scheme to do it.

Asking me to coach someone like that is, as I said on my Facebook page, asking me to be a “trainer of “Chumpions!” No thanks!

I have always known more about the internal workings of this industry than most people will ever know. I have not only been “behind the curtain” I was one of the ring masters for many, many years! I’ve been a part of it at the highest levels. But when it comes to competing in a Natural contest – and loading up on a boat load of drugs to do so – or when it comes to Figure competitors denying to their friends and families how they “really” got there then the most innocent question is actually the most prudent one as well. “Why would anyone want to do that?”

As the old saying goes, “just because you are willing to lie to your family, don’t lie to mine!”

I’m so tired of being made a villain for pointing out obvious vulgarities of this industry. Why is it so hard to speak and admit the truth? Why do we need to lead people on by fraudulently misrepresenting ourselves or what goes on in the industry? Who benefits from that? I know a lot of innocent people who are consequenced by it.

Good people like young Anthony Josse, and Coach Weiss. And you the consumer as well.

How?

Well you keep believing the fraudulent lies told to you because you want to. You want to believe that this person did it all naturally because it gives you hope in your own wish bias that you can achieve something even remotely close to that. But you are being lied to. Where is the honour in that?

Some of you will get it.

Some of you will not.

Some of you will attack me for this as well

So be it.

'Tis the Season

Tis the holiday season

But all up in your head

“How to stick to your diet”

Fills you with dread

There will be parties and gatherings

Festivities and such

Temptations too many

And pressures too much

And websites and media

Their articles abound -

“Be fearful this season

Lest you gain a few pounds!”

So you get out the scales

One for the kitchen and bath

You’ll be vigilant this year

No room for a gaff

You’ll weigh every morsal

And then yourself every morn

And if that scales moves slightly

You’ll meet it with scorn

Oh you’ll commit to the diet

But it won’t be a cinch

And you’ll do what you must

Becoming a Grinch

No egg nog for you

No drinks to good cheer

Not even hot chocolate

Not even light beer

You’ll skip the big feast

The trimmings and pie

You pretend you don’t want it

But you know that’s a lie

Just one more temptation

To add to the pile

But do you question the costs

Of such extreme self-denial?

So you sneak a few shortbreads

Aware what you ate

And then wash them all down

With a big dose of self-hate

Then you redouble your efforts

Your commitment to self

But your willpower’s shrinking

To the size of an elf

So if that’s what it takes

You’ll try even harder

You become a slave to your diet

And serve as its martyr!

So pile on the guilt

And more contempt for the season

And who could blame you at all

Because you have ‘such a good reason’

You’ll go hungry tomorrow

Yes, that’s the trick

“Bah humbug” this season

That includes you, Ole Saint Nick!

So at the next party

You stick to all veggies - no dips

“A few moments in the mouth

But a lifetime on the hips”

That is your motto

You remind yourself harshly

You’ll stick to the veggies

The garnish, and parsley

So starving you go

While trying to be nice

Resisting visions of sugar plums

And any other food vice

But your heart is not full

Of goodwill toward men

Because your stomach is empty

And your cravings, X’s ten!

No chocolate at all

No candy canes either

Not even a lick

Or on your thighs it will gather

So, you’re sticking to diet

But you seem to have lost all the ‘Merry”

You’ll weigh in tomorrow

And even that is quite scary

“And the gym may be closed”

You hear someone say

“Say it ain’t so man

You’re supposed to workout on that day!”

So instead you start hoping

For a dumping of snow

You can burn lots of calories

In the shovelling, you know

Now you’ve lost all perspective

And something more dear

No glad tidings inside you

Less love and good cheer

To all of you out there

 Who want to surrender tradition,

I say - you lose something far more important

Than some lame diet mission.

The Good Book teaches

A time for all seasons

Don’t weigh yourself down

With lame diet reasons

Embrace the full season

And all that it brings

The food and the drink

And other such things

And on this diet of yours

What if you cheat?

I say, celebrating the season

Is not a defeat

And just put away for now

Your guilt-measuring scale

And if you want to, instead

Have another cider or ale

So I send you all out

This warm season’s greeting

And I suggest to you all

Just enjoy what you’re eating!

I say let go of the guilt

And stick a fork in your diet

And I’m sure you will like this

If you let yourself try it

The guilt and the worry

Will surely poison your mood

And all over what?

Some drink and some food?

There’s a time to make Merry

To be human as well

So why give this all up

For some dark diet hell?

We celebrate yearly

With food and with drink

Embrace them both fully

It’s time don’t you think?

Don’t you get tired

Of the same yearly game?

You crave and resist

And end up with shame

Forget all these experts

Who warn you of gain

They are part of the problem

And cause you more pain

They tell you “be worried”

Or you may end up fatter

They want to generate fear

So ignore all their chatter

You need not resist

And suffer in hiding

Get out there and share

In warm joyful tidings

There is a time and a place

And the holiday season’s not it

To think that your diet

Is something you “quit”

Raise a glass to good cheer

And fill your plate up as well

And embrace all the sentiment

From that first jingle bell

Because spiritual fitness

Is shaped in traditions

So, embrace them in full

Without these self-conscious restrictions

There can be food for the soul

And for the soul, can be food

And there’s meaning in that

And I don’t want to be rude

But there will always be time

For the battle of the bulge

But there should also be occasion

To most fully indulge

So here’s my idea

It’s not so contrary

It’s is far more important – in season

To Eat, Drink, and be Merry!

So hear me exclaim

As I sit here and write

Season’s Greetings to All

And To all

A Good Bite!

If the Holiday season is something important to you and yours, don’t rob yourself of all it can do for you by trying to divide your energies. I implore you, as a fitness and diet expert – let go the self-consciousness - let go the body-image - let go the diet-nonsense and the guilt attachments, just this season. And see what it does for your soul. Allow yourself and your heart to be fully wrapped up in the magic of the season again – even be hugged by it.  Remember what it was like as a kid. Embrace that. Your soul needs it. Your soul is nourished by it. It’s once a year. Let go, surrender the external stuff, for internal real stuff – the stuff of the stuff - that should matter.

Season’s Greetings to You All – and

God Bless