From left, Michael Lowe and Ryan Carlton
What happens when two guys take on one serious fitness challenge? We’re going to find out. From April 1—April30, 2011, Ryan and Michael, both 31, are going to use The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal (PPFFJ) to track their food intake and activity levels.
The goal: To get into the best shape of their lives.
On the eve of the The 30-Day Positive Portions Challenge (30-PPC), I sat down with Ryan and Michael and talked about where they are now and the month ahead.
So tell me, have either one of you guys ever had a weight problem?
Ryan: Never. People are going to hate me when I say this, but I’ve always had the luxury of being able to eat anything I wanted, as much of it as I wanted, and never gain weight. It’s still true today. In fact, I’ve even struggled at times with keeping weight on. I know. Sorry.
Michael: I’m going to have to agree with Ryan. I have the same issue. If anything, I’ve always struggled with being too skinny and it’s actually been hard for me to build muscle. I hope you don’t get hate mail.
Would you say you’re in good shape now?
Ryan: I am in what most people would consider to be top shape. Last year I did a triathlon and I lift weights and bike or run at least five days a week.
Michael: Same for me. I’m already in good shape and work out consistently. Last November I did a full Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico, and I just started an intense program with a personal trainer. My trainer puts me through these grueling workouts and she’s actually pretty mean about it. It’s my sister.
How are your eating habits?
Ryan: So this is where I need help. I don’t eat as healthy as I could and I definitely don’t eat right-sized portions. I have a serious sweet tooth. My weakness is anything with sugar in it. Cookies, chocolate—I’m all over it. I also tend to eat when I’m bored. I’d say my worst habit is snacking at night after the kids go to bed. My wife’s nickname for me is “Snackaroni.”
Michael: My food intake is also—let’s just say—less than desirable. I don’t eat enough vegetables and I eat way too many carbs like pasta and garlic bread. I’ve also been known to eat almost an entire bag of chips with salsa by myself. I’d say I don’t have as much of a sweet tooth as I do a “salt tooth.”
What are some of your health-related goals?
Ryan: I’m already really active so my goal is to maximize my physical potential by adding more effective eating. I want to experience a boost in energy and strength and possibly even a slight change in body composition.
Michael: I’ve realized I can work out as much as I want but I’ll never see the results I want until my eating habits are in alignment with my fitness goals. My ultimate goal is to lean out any body fat and create as much body definition as possible.
What are you hoping to accomplish in the 30-PPC?
Ryan: Accountability. I know that my bad eating habits are the missing link to where I want to go physically. When I found out that Michael was going to start using a food journal, I jumped on the bandwagon. It’s so much easier to stay on track when you work with someone else as a team.
Michael: My sister was actually the one who told me that I needed to start tracking my food and activity levels. As a personal trainer, she sees the results people get when they write down exactly what they’re eating and she has all her clients do it. I’ve never used a food/fitness journal before and I’ve always had a stigma about journalizing or calorie counting. This challenge will truly be a stretch for me but I’m up for it.
Why did you choose the PPFFJ?
Ryan: I like the book because it combines inspirational quotes, and food and exercise records all in one place. For me it’s never been just about food or just exercise. I’m really looking for synthesis in my lifestyle and PPFFJ gives me the holistic view that I need to achieve this.
Michael: To consistently work out and stay accountable to my routine is hard enough and I know that writing down what I eat every day will help me stay on track. Yes, the PPFFJ is a food journal but it also has daily motivational quotes and readings, which will help keep me motivated.
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get weekly updates on Ryan and Michael’s progress. Good luck, guys!
