Like what you see? You bet! And what if I told you that this killer body was actually forged in the kitchen. That is not to say I got fit by cooking and doing dishes all day (nope!), but the critical part of what makes (or breaks) a killer body is actually the diet.
A lot of people looking to tone their body for the summer season think they can just show up in the gym, hit the weights, do some cardio, breathe in a protein shake and that'll do it. You can even reward yourself with a nice box of Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets before going to sleep, because you're just soooo hungry after a workout, right?
Be real with me – how'd this technique work last time you tried it? I bet it ended up after a few weeks of sweating to death in the gym, with you standing in front of the mirror saying, 'Dude, what the f..?' I know, right? For, believe it or not, but I've been there too!
You are What You Eat
The hard truth is – if you want to get lean (and mean!), you'll need to put just as much effort in your diet as you're putting in your workouts. If not more:
– It's not just about calories! You also need to keep the right balance of proteins, carbs and fats. Your body can't build muscle tissue out of Doritos and Mountain Dew!
– Keep tabs: speaking of calories, are you sure you're counting them right? Pro tip: that 'diet' coke you had? It has calories in it too! I know, not fair, right?
– Build a snack discipline: timing is important. You need to cut on spontaneous snacks and time your meals properly. This allows your body to cycle between burning fat, building muscles and other important routines. Chaotically chewing on something (even a gum) or sipping sugary drinks every now and then throws your body off schedule!
And Please Don't Starve!
I know what you're thinking. ‘Well, summer is close, maybe I can just stop eating for a while and one morning I'll just wake up all ripped. The less I eat, the sooner I can get results, right?’ SO WRONG!
As a martial artist, I know what it's like to lose weight rapidly. I know what it's like to give up your favorite food and spend hours busting your butt in the gym only to trade colossal effort for a result that is marginal at best.
It's just not worth it! Strict low-calorie diets that border on starvation, combined with intensive workouts, is a harrowing experience that drains your stamina, and does significant damage to your health, your psyche, and your overall quality of life. And what's life without quality, am I right?
Trust me, there is a better way – and I'm the living (and killing!) proof of that.
It Doesn't Have to Suck!
Hey, let's take a break from reading, plus I know you're mostly here for the pics. So here's a photo of me smiling and living the life:
You think I get all that joy from surviving on lean chicken breasts washed down with warm still water? Think again!
Here's yet another picture of me eating a massive burger like there's no payback in the gym tomorrow:
And there really is no payback! You won't believe what minor recipe tweaks can do to turn your favorite meal from an express ticket to diabetes into a healthy meal that gets your body into shape. All the extra goodies without any sacrifice to the taste.
Let's Get You There!
Wanna eat good, look good and ultimately – feel good? McKinley has got you covered! Just sign up for my nutrition program for exclusive access to:
– Tips on how to build a healthy dietary habit;
– Eat Like a Champ recipe book: My personal collection of awesome recipes for healthy food collected from professional athletes (including UFC stars) from all over the world;
– Pro techniques on how to lose weight, burn fat and build muscle without any damage to your health or quality of life. The way pro athletes do it!
– Some pics and vids of me cooking and (mostly) eating – if you're interested for some reason lol
As a bonus, I will personally put everyone who doesn't follow my diet tips into a mean armbar. So you don't have much choice left on whether or not to get lean this time!
It's all part of the premium subscription, no extra charges required. So what's your excuse then? Let's eat our way to being lean!