A Vegetarian BBQ?

I think I’m becoming more moderate.

Maybe I’m growing up.

I’m certainly less ignorant.

When my buddy, Big Fat Brown, invited my family over for a BBQ, I was always gonna say yes. He’s a cool guy, his wife is lovely and our children, born just a week apart, play really well together. He even said I should bring my BBQ.

I mean, what sort of prick brings a BBQ to a BBQ?! He’s a veggie. I like meat. That doesn’t mean I don’t like vegetarian food. And I think this is what I find kind of interesting about fitness, nutrition and life in general.

When it comes to dieting, because my clients change shape, people often think I’m really strict with them. Yes, I get them to be quite restrictive with food in the early days. It’s important. I NEED them to feel what eating real food feels like, I NEED them to get great results so they feel motivated to continue, and I NEED their friends to notice them changing shape so they ask for my details and sign up. It’s cheaper than advertising. But do I need to plant my flag in the sand and say this is what I am? No.

“MY NAME IS STEVE AND I EAT MEAT”

Honestly, I guess it comes from that need to belong. I know it goes the other way, most vegetarians have strong opinions on everything too (no matter how unfounded...), but I guess the new moderate me is not phased. I guess if I thought it would help my clients get better results I’d encourage them to do what they needed to do. Even Zumba.

I clearly have my preference with regards to exercise and nutrition. I do think eating good quality meat is important. I have seen my clients get better results eating reduced carb diets. I feel most people could do with a little bit more strength training, BUT (and this is a big BUT) typically my clients resolution to change is infinitely more important than mine. And more often than not, they know what they need to do too.

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE THEM DRINK.

Clearly, I guide them on this. They don’t pay me thousands of pounds to get them to do what they already know (I’m not a life coach ...pahahahhaha [hat tip for the cheeky dig at life coaches...]) BUT for the most part my job is to help sculpt their thoughts, behaviours and ultimately get the results they want.

I’M NOT A RELIGIOUS ZEALOT. 

I do pilates. I do Zumba. I do Boot camp. I lift weights. I’m low carb. I’m a veggie. I smoke crack. I like Take That. I like Boyzone.... The path to optimum fitness is like discovering religion. When someone does something they like, they generally think everyone should do it too. It’s like religious brain washing. Aside from the final two, the rest is fine. Some are clearly more effective than other. 

For example a carefully planned stretching and strengthening program using a combination of bodyweight exercise and external resistance (think barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells...) combined with whole unprocessed food and a couple of early nights will most likely be the best course of action for most, but if you’d prefer to do something different I’m sure there’s another way.

CHILL OUT, BITCH.

I loved the vegetarian BBQ. And I’ll totally be hooking up with Big Fat Brown again. 

Now, wheres my Davina DVD....

Note: Big Fat Brown isn’t big or fat or brown. He’s actually average size, pretty lean and a bit pasty.