The M.E. Program FAQ
I am not an endurance athlete. Can I still take the class and will I still get a benefit from it?
YES! Many people will benefit from changing their diet to a more "ketogenic diet," especially those with an autoimmune disease (Hashimotos Disease, MS, ALS, etc). There is plenty of scientific research to show that eating less sugar and more good, healthy fats will improve your over-all health. The information provided during the program can be applied to anyone, endurance athlete or not. However, there will be significant discuss that takes place around how to reach peak performance while eating a lower carbohydrate diet and the tremendous benefits one gets from making these dietary changes to improve athletic performance.
I have heard that eating a ketogentic style diet is unhealthy.
It is, if you don't do it right. Many people hear the benefits of eating a high fat, low carb (HFLC) diet and start making dietary changes away from nutrient dense whole foods. This can be unhealthy. Eating cream cheese on a pork rind is not my idea of a nutrient rich snack! That is one of the main reasons I decided to build this program. I believe there is a way you can reach metabolic efficiency and peak athletic performance without eating copious amounts of sugar, or "naked" caloric foods (food that have been stripped of their natural vitamins and minerals and are therefore considered "naked") and still obtain optimal health. In the M.E. Program, participants are encouraged to eat nutrient dense whole foods from plants and animals. Eating a ketogentic diet in this way is very healthy!
What type of training can I still do while participating in the M.E. Program?
Short (less than 2 hours) and light (aerobic) exercise is encouraged while participating in the M.E. Program. Exercise like strength based workouts, yoga, pilates, walking, swimming, and cycling are all encouraged. Small "bursts" of power can still be used during workouts while on the M.E. Program. For example, a 1 hour aerobic bike ride with 5-10 thirty second high rpm sprints would be fine. It is not encouraged to do long (more than 2 hours), hard (anaerobic) athletic workouts during the first few weeks of the program. As we progress through the program, it is more likely that you will be able to increase your length and/or intensity of your workouts, but the time in which that can happen safely is very unique to you. I do NOT encourage anyone to push the limits of athletic endeavors for a minimum of the first 3 weeks on the program. You'll be risking injury and frustration. Use this time to work on all the stuff you "don't have time to work on" during your racing season (mobility, body work, etc).
YES! Many people will benefit from changing their diet to a more "ketogenic diet," especially those with an autoimmune disease (Hashimotos Disease, MS, ALS, etc). There is plenty of scientific research to show that eating less sugar and more good, healthy fats will improve your over-all health. The information provided during the program can be applied to anyone, endurance athlete or not. However, there will be significant discuss that takes place around how to reach peak performance while eating a lower carbohydrate diet and the tremendous benefits one gets from making these dietary changes to improve athletic performance.
I have heard that eating a ketogentic style diet is unhealthy.
It is, if you don't do it right. Many people hear the benefits of eating a high fat, low carb (HFLC) diet and start making dietary changes away from nutrient dense whole foods. This can be unhealthy. Eating cream cheese on a pork rind is not my idea of a nutrient rich snack! That is one of the main reasons I decided to build this program. I believe there is a way you can reach metabolic efficiency and peak athletic performance without eating copious amounts of sugar, or "naked" caloric foods (food that have been stripped of their natural vitamins and minerals and are therefore considered "naked") and still obtain optimal health. In the M.E. Program, participants are encouraged to eat nutrient dense whole foods from plants and animals. Eating a ketogentic diet in this way is very healthy!
What type of training can I still do while participating in the M.E. Program?
Short (less than 2 hours) and light (aerobic) exercise is encouraged while participating in the M.E. Program. Exercise like strength based workouts, yoga, pilates, walking, swimming, and cycling are all encouraged. Small "bursts" of power can still be used during workouts while on the M.E. Program. For example, a 1 hour aerobic bike ride with 5-10 thirty second high rpm sprints would be fine. It is not encouraged to do long (more than 2 hours), hard (anaerobic) athletic workouts during the first few weeks of the program. As we progress through the program, it is more likely that you will be able to increase your length and/or intensity of your workouts, but the time in which that can happen safely is very unique to you. I do NOT encourage anyone to push the limits of athletic endeavors for a minimum of the first 3 weeks on the program. You'll be risking injury and frustration. Use this time to work on all the stuff you "don't have time to work on" during your racing season (mobility, body work, etc).