Tim Ferris, Author of the New York Times Bestseller “The Four Hour Body”, basically used his own body as a test subject since 2004 and recorded everything he did. From his workouts, to his food intake, his macronutrient levels, and his blood glucose levels – This guy did it all.
Although I haven’t been quite as extreme as Tim Ferris, I have been doing my own self experimentation for about 6 years now and just started recording my own data in late 2009.
Last year I kept a food journal for pretty much the entire year and it’s already continued into this year with new experiments in the works which I will be sure to share with you within the next few months.
Now the big question is WHY? Why do we test on ourselves? Why not just “Eat Well, and Exercise”? Well – Since I haven’t finished reading Tim’s reasons why, I can only tell you mine.
To become a great personal trainer is knowing exactly what it is that a client is going through when they are on particular eating plan or exercise regime. The emotions they go through, the challenges, the breakthroughs – How can you teach someone if you haven’t a clue of what it’s like to walk a mile in their shoes.
Everyone’s body is different and what works for me, may not necessarily work for you. I think they KEY factor is getting to know your own body and you can really only do that with self experimentation.
So what have I learned from my own experiments on my body?
- When I exceed more than 35% Protein in my diet my kidneys aren’t happy but my muscles are.
- Atkins DOES work but I don’t even WANT to know what that did to my cholesterol levels
- When I became a Vegan I gained about 10 pounds even though I was eating SUPER healthy and clean
- My muscles tend to have better growth when I feed them Whey (even though i’d prefer a vegan protein)
- 30g of Fiber is NOT enough for me personally
- At less than 1400 calories I am NOT a nice person
- I NEED 2 liters of water a day even though for my size that’s a lot
Now, Myself and Tim Ferris aren’t the only ones experimenting with our bodies.
Check out my friend Dave’s Blog – He’s trying the Occam’s Protocol which was featured in the “4 Hour Body”. Also, I teamed up with the MIGHTY FIT GRASSHOPPER again and he’s attempting a program which I built for him to try and Gain Lean Muscle without Gaining Excess Fat. Both of these blogs are worth a read and may inspire you to start trying to find your own solutions.
Lesson to be learned – Just because you haven’t found a solution to your fitness woes yet, don’t despair – There IS a solution for EVERYONE and you just have to keep trying until you find the right one!
