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Questions for Brendan (essential fats, fitness)
Good day all:
So, my journey so far since finding Vega has been fun and interesting, and I am learning a ton...
Some background - I was the typical couch potato, and a few years back decided enough was enough. I had initially went the route of higher protein, less refined carbs and ended up losing 50 or 60 lbs and becoming a middle of the pack triathlete. Fast forward to 2006 when I crashed and burned (Adrenal Burnout) due to both training and some major life stresses, which I am still working through...
I am constantly reading and looking at the fitness and nutrition information out there, and when my wife stumbled upon Vega WFHO, I was... at the time... contemplating a full on Paleo regimen. For some reason, I went and did some research on Brendan and was intrigued. I ended up buying the Thrive book, and adopting some of the principles - a smoothie every morning, trying to work in the salad daily, and a mostly vegetarian menu. I dropped some weight, and read even more stuff - I am AMAZED at the distance between the "Paleo" theories and Brendan's books (as well as Esselstyn, China Study, etc). It is mind boggling.
Some questions though. And, please realize -- I am not looking to disagree on any level, just curious mostly... The China Study, Esselstyn, McDougall, RAVE Diet Book (which was recommended by a Naturopath friend of mine who is well known and also going to study with Colin Campbell, so Brendan you will probably meet him) -- all of these recommend NO oils. Curious why then Brendan recommends EFAs/oils in Thrive? Again, I enjoy cooking with and adding some of these oils, so curious on the differences in opinion).
Regarding fitness. I have always been a Phil Maffetone fan -- low intensity, aerobic training. I am picking up Thrive Fitness today and am curious to see Brendan's view of fitness training. I have been kind of burnt out on training, and am really hoping to ramp up my strength/aerobic training and possibly do some racing in 2010...
Any comments on fats/differences in the Thrive type of eating vs. what the Fuhrman/Esselstyn/McDougall camps preach would be helpful....
My plan is to continue with these 'baby steps' I have been working on, and possibly set a firm date to become more strict on my diet and become all vegan...
Thanks for your comments and great products!
ken
So, my journey so far since finding Vega has been fun and interesting, and I am learning a ton...
Some background - I was the typical couch potato, and a few years back decided enough was enough. I had initially went the route of higher protein, less refined carbs and ended up losing 50 or 60 lbs and becoming a middle of the pack triathlete. Fast forward to 2006 when I crashed and burned (Adrenal Burnout) due to both training and some major life stresses, which I am still working through...
I am constantly reading and looking at the fitness and nutrition information out there, and when my wife stumbled upon Vega WFHO, I was... at the time... contemplating a full on Paleo regimen. For some reason, I went and did some research on Brendan and was intrigued. I ended up buying the Thrive book, and adopting some of the principles - a smoothie every morning, trying to work in the salad daily, and a mostly vegetarian menu. I dropped some weight, and read even more stuff - I am AMAZED at the distance between the "Paleo" theories and Brendan's books (as well as Esselstyn, China Study, etc). It is mind boggling.
Some questions though. And, please realize -- I am not looking to disagree on any level, just curious mostly... The China Study, Esselstyn, McDougall, RAVE Diet Book (which was recommended by a Naturopath friend of mine who is well known and also going to study with Colin Campbell, so Brendan you will probably meet him) -- all of these recommend NO oils. Curious why then Brendan recommends EFAs/oils in Thrive? Again, I enjoy cooking with and adding some of these oils, so curious on the differences in opinion).
Regarding fitness. I have always been a Phil Maffetone fan -- low intensity, aerobic training. I am picking up Thrive Fitness today and am curious to see Brendan's view of fitness training. I have been kind of burnt out on training, and am really hoping to ramp up my strength/aerobic training and possibly do some racing in 2010...
Any comments on fats/differences in the Thrive type of eating vs. what the Fuhrman/Esselstyn/McDougall camps preach would be helpful....
My plan is to continue with these 'baby steps' I have been working on, and possibly set a firm date to become more strict on my diet and become all vegan...
Thanks for your comments and great products!
ken
Views: 27
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anthony Torres on -
Ken,
First, please read Tony Gonzalez's All Pro Diet. He is not a vegan athlete. But he attempted to follow the China Study, consulted with the author, and suffered as a result. China study is not meant for athletes. All Pro Diet is not for vegans.
You have to place thrive in it's proper context. It was written for athletes and reducing stress using a plant based diet. Brendan Brazier followed the advice he shares. It takes a while to unlearn the supplement hype ( watch Bigger Faster Stronger doc on Netflix on demand or DVD), but all the extracts don't amplify what's available in whole foods (meaning eat a whole carrot not a betacarotene pill.)
No Oils- In context as an athlete, your body needs the oils for reducing inflammation and mood. A bodybuilder (Fitness?) posted on the forums that the EFA oils kept her mood stable during cutting. If blood sugar makes your moods swing, EFA is a good idea. Use what you got, flax or hemp, or mix up the EFA recipe in the Thrive book. Alas, Thrive assumes you'd be working out and burning it for fuel (he advocates coconut oil for workouts, not prior to bedtime).
He answers a lot of these questions in the new book. I wondered why he covered the same ground, but this book will find a new audience so he expands more on justifications. BUT- oils and ground flaxseed are as simple as reducing inflammation and mood.
The studies miss the point that everything is connected. I've read the Cent. studies. Truth is, it's more genetics triggered by environment than lifestyle alone. Luck of the draw. Lifestyle gives you quality of life and some sense of control. So it's always nature AND nurture, genetics AND lifestyle. Mental, physical, and spiritual.
My favorite part of the Thrive Fitness is it's great section on willpower (having read everything to do with discipline and willpower, this is the kindest practical approach.) Follow the workouts if you haven't done any before. I started running based on his time approach. (rather than focusing on mileage at start).
With lifting, the new book has a proper routine. He gives a good guide at following what you like, versus what worked for someone else. But if you do take up lifting, take a yoga class a few times a week. It's a good counter balance to pushing weights. Yoga DVDs might work, but a class is better.
To drop weight, work out a few weeks and keep a food diary. Punch in the info after 2 weeks into Livestrong.com's daily plate (you have to set up an account but it's free).
See where you're at.
To drop weight, eat less calories than you expend. The smart ones advocate weights for all it's benefits (bone density, elevating metabolism, functional strength and balance, stronger muscles take pressure off joints). To burn fat stores, do a fast hard workout to release fight/flight hormones, then continue with cardio (it could be sprinting first mile then jogging remainder of time to burn up the hormones). If you like to eat, just be more active.
Best with your plans. Go vegan gradually. Everyone focuses on finding meat/milk/taste subtitutes. Find the nutritional substitutes (both Thrive books have that info) and transition slowly. And if you feel like crap, it may be "detox." It goes away in a week or two of clean eating.
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Permalink Reply by Brendan Brazier on
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Looks like Anthony covered this pretty thoroughly but one thing I will add is EFAs are even more important for endurance athletes since they stimulate fat metabolism during long workouts. This helps preserve glycogen (stored carbohydrate in muscles) by burning fat as fuel, which also helps get the athlete leaner. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Ken Wilkens on -
Thanks to Brendan and Anthony, much good information.
Brendan, enjoyed Thrive Fitness thoroughly, and going back to read both Thrive books again so I am rooted in the philosophies...
One additional question if I may (and this is coming from a guy who 3 years ago was racing sprint triathlons, but really has not been consistent) -- I have suffered from Adrenal Fatigue for the past 1-2 years. Should my workouts remain aerobic for a specific period of time, say 5 or 6 months before adding any VO2 stuff? I tend to walk a fine line that when I do stray above 80% MHR or so for a period of time, I can feel the burn out...
My thought is to mix in the Thrive strength workouts with lower HR biking, running and probably some swimming, with a (secondary to health) goal of racing in 2010...
Thoughts?
Thanks again for a great message and philosophy!
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Permalink Reply by Burton on -
Anthony Torres said:Ken,
No Oils- In context as an athlete, your body needs the oils for reducing inflammation and mood. A bodybuilder (Fitness?) posted on the forums that the EFA oils kept her mood stable during cutting. If blood sugar makes your moods swing, EFA is a good idea. Use what you got, flax or hemp, or mix up the EFA recipe in the Thrive book. Alas, Thrive assumes you'd be working out and burning it for fuel (he advocates coconut oil for workouts, not prior to bedtime).
I have recently come to find Brazier's resources and am too skeptical about the user of oil having also discovered Dr. Esselstyn's results years earlier. Dr. Esselstyn concludes any oil consumed will damage endothelial cells. Even if you consume oil before an activity or "burning it" the oil is still in your blood stream and will effect your endothelial cells.
I have not read Brazier's books yet because of this reason. Though I might give in and see if I can find alternatives to consuming the oils recommended. Being a rock climber I don't have activity every day. I will train, then take 24-48 hours to heal then train some more. The harder the training the more time it takes to heal, I found Brazier when trying to find better ways to recover and shorten the downtime now that I have increased the intensity of my training.
Through his web page and videos I have started to try some new things but am still wary of the use of any oil even in moderation. Are there other studies I should be reading which prove X amount of oil of a specific type is ok?
Currently I eat a lot of nuts, seeds, and seed meal to obtain my "oils" and omegas. If there are other alternatives or studies someone could link me to in contradiction to Dr. Esselstyn I am willing to read it and adjust my consumption of raw oils if warranted by the studies findings and acceptance within the scientific community.
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