Coach JP's Journey, Training, Nutrition, Mindset
JP Siou
My Journey To Ultra - The Obstacle Is The Way

Kicking off the 2024 race season and the ultra training plan…and then getting COVID! Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face, as “Iron” Mike Tyson used to say. Here’s what I’m doing to keep moving forward.

My Journey To Ultra - The Obstacle Is The Way
Coach JP's Journey, Training, Nutrition, Mindset
JP Siou
My Journey To Ultra - Baseline (Day 1)

Embarking on a transformative journey in 2024, I'm taking on two monumental challenges: my first 50K mountain ultramarathon and my first Spartan Race Ultra on my 50th birthday. Despite recent health setbacks and injuries, I'm determined to reach peak physical condition. Join me as I document this journey of resilience and self-discovery - it won't be boring!

My Journey To Ultra - Baseline (Day 1)
Mindset, Nutrition, Training
JP Siou
Reality Check:  Do You Need To Lose Weight ...

One common thing people mention as a goal when we first talk about trying to eat better is weight loss.  For some, it's just "a couple of pounds" and for others, it's pretty significant.  The reasons behind wanting to lose weight may be to improve some health markers, to move better and feel less day-to-day aches and pains, to "look better naked" or for similar aesthetic reasons, or simply because of some preconceived notion of what they "should" weigh.  Some of those reasons also feed into emotional and mental well-being, and can affect our self-confidence, self-image and happiness.

The truth is, most people don't NEED to lose weight to be healthier, and with the right mindset, they don't NEED to lose weight to be happier or more self-confident either.

Read more…

Reality Check:  Do You Need To Lose Weight To Be Healthy And Happy?
Nutrition
JP Siou
Protein Price Guide - UPDATED 2022.11.09

One of the keys to maintaining a lean, healthy body is eating enough protein. In addition to the energy (calories) it provides, protein also provides essential amino acids that are needed by your body to rebuild and renew tissue, vitamins and minerals to support your body’s day-to-day functions, AND it can help rev up your metabolism because your body has to work harder to break it down than it does for carbs or fats.

Ideally, we should be getting most of our protein needs from whole foods, but sometimes it’s tough to know what to buy, especially if you’re on a budget. For that reason, every once in a while, I take a cruise through the local grocery store and update this protein price guide for the reference of our members at The BTG, and now I’ve decided to share it with all of you!

Protein Price Guide - UPDATED 2022.11.09

Diets

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What Does "Healthy Eating" Look Like FOR YOU?

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What Does "Healthy Eating" Look Like FOR YOU?

On a coaching call this past week, one of our members expressed her frustration with one of the lessons that asked her to “Imagine a really awesome, healthy, delicious meal.”

The problem was that what her brain told her a “really awesome, healthy meal” should be didn’t at all look like something delicious to her.

Achieving the health and physique outcomes you want and maintaining them is all about finding the balance that works for you between what you’re doing now and that unattainable “perfect” ideal diet.

Here’s how it works…

The Perfect Diet Part 1 - "The Keto Question"

The Perfect Diet Part 1 - "The Keto Question"

As a trainer and nutrition coach, people frequently ask me about the latest fad diets. These days, people are asking about ketogenic diets. A few years back, it was always about gluten-free or Paleo. Back when I started in the industry, the Zone diet and Atkins were the big ones. Pretty consistently throughout, people always ask about “cleanses” (which are total B.S., but I’ll get into those in another post).

Everyone wants to know what the “Perfect Diet” is for them. Will the latest fad work for them? After all, their friend Sally lost 20 pounds doing X, so it must be good, right?

My answer is almost always, “It depends.”

The most common thing I’m asked about these days is Keto, and whether folks should be avoiding carbs, so here is my answer to “The Keto Question”…