FEMALE MUSCLE

Q. What’s your opinion on low-fat versus low-carb dieting for pre-contest diets?

A. There’s been a lot of controversy about various competition prep methods. For my own prep, I’ve tried virtually every method out there and have a good sense for what works for me. And what works for me personally is moderate to high protein, moderate to low carbs, and lower fat. But that’s me. I like volume training, I love the gym, and I also like to use my weight workouts as a huge caloric burn (I leave the gym physically wasted!). So for me, and also with my size (I weigh 190–200 pounds), I need food, and usually quite a bit of it! I have some reservations about the long-term effects of excluding certain food groups from your diet, and I’m not a big fan of that approach for competition prep, or for general weight loss. Most people benefit long-term from a variety of foods eaten in a balanced way, with a moderate caloric deficit to instigate gradual weight loss. However—and here’s the caveat—some people, for whatever reason (genetics, lifestyle, energy level, training style), do better on certain diets, and I’ll be the last person to criticize them or say it won’t work for them. Results are results, and if you get ripped and feel moderately good on a zero-carb, high-protein, high-fat diet (Keto Diet), then the answer is “it works!” Dieting is a process of systematic and strategic change, and as athletes, we have to be constantly evolving our diets as our physiques develop (each season may require adjustments). My advice is to stay open to new knowledge, be critical of hype, and stay true to what makes you feel good.