Clean Eating Menu Plan Question

[azcathefan]

Hello everyone!

I have been working out with Cathe and her crew for about 5 years (I have 30+ Cathe dvd's). I have mastered some of her most difficult routines, working out 6 days a week....and then I stopped being consistent and eventually took a month off..... Naturally, I was feeling a bit in-over-my-head when I tried to start back up with IMAX2 Well, I struggled with that for 6 months (trying advanced videos and not coming to terms with the fact that I wasn't there, therefore, getting no benefit and burning out), until the week before New Years. I have buckled down and am now following Cathe's beginner rotation as well as STRICTLY following the menu plans from Clean Eating magazine. I have lost about 5 pounds in appx 20 days!! Yahoo! I have my wedding coming up in November, so I am absolutely motivated!!!

........So, on to my question. Are the menu plans in Clean Eating magazine substantial enough to get me through a Cathe routine? Should I be adding more protein on my workout days? Because, to be honest, all I really want after a Cathe work out is a big STEAK!! I have the will power to fight off the urges, but I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something wrong here. One more question-Should I follow Cathe's beginner rotation for the suggested 3 months? My body feels like it wants to do intermediate and my mind get's lazy while doing the basic step video. Thanks for any advice that comes my way! I am the most active person out of all my friends, so answers are hard to come by

Have a great evening!!
Emily

 

[jazzi21]

Hi, I carb/calorie cycle and on the days that I do my strength training , I definitely eat more protein and calories so that I can complete all of the exercises without feeling drained.

Unless you are vegetarian, eating clean doesn't mean that you can't eat steak. However, you can always use whey protein to add more protein to your diet without eating beef. For energy, brown rice and other complex carbs/grains are also important when doing high intensity workouts like Cathes. Clean eating provides for quality complex carbs, it's just a matter of what and how you eat them.

You can always start off with Cathes beginner workouts and if you feel you want more of a challenge, switch it up... you'll want to have lower intensity days in your rotation anyway.

I hope I answered your question if not let me know. ~ Dee

 

[geomom]

Good for you for sticking to the plans from Clean Eating! I've tried this a couple of times and found it to be tough to only eat 1500-1700 calories a day. I'm constantly amazed to read around here and other places of folks only eating 1300 calories/day. But I digress.

I'm no nutritionist, but think the Clean Eating plans are very balanced. You should be getting enough protein, and if you are getting good results, then stick with what's working for you!

 

[MidgetDogg]

What's wrong with eating a big steak after a tough workout? I eat one once a week... though, it's grass fed buffalo sirloin. Much higher in protein and very lean. I also eat pork tenderloin and chicken.

You might want to check out quinoa, if you've never had it. Very nice alternative to rice.