and doctors wonder why I argue with them...

Last week during my annual, routine physical checkup, with a doctor I'd not seen before, his nurse asked me about fish oil. She said, "I see you take fish oil." I confirmed this, then asked why she was noting it, why it was on my chart. Her response was along the lines of "If it's in the form of a gel cap we consider it a drug."

I was surprised, told her so. She didn't seem pleased to hear from me that I use varying amounts of fish oil daily, have experimented with different amounts of EPA and DHA. I'm sure she nearly went off the deep end when I suggested that as I'm currently using Stronger Faster Healthier Concentrated liquid fish oil, perhaps they should remove my use of omega-3 oil from my chart. On top of that, I told her that if she'd like a current list of all the vitamins, minerals and supplements coursing through my body, it would take a few minutes!

She got quiet. The exam proceeded as usual.

Adding early morning protein

Over my (many) years of bodybuilding, powerlifting, strength training, CrossFitting and bicycle racing, I've employed various breakfast protocols. Big meal, no meal, protein/fat only, carb-heavy, on and on. For most of my life I've awakened with significant hunger; I've never understood those who said they weren't hungry in the morning.

The last two months, the first few hours of my day has involved no food whatsoever, other than copious amounts of grass-fed butter and coconut oil in several cups of coffee. This has been the influence of Dave Asprey (The Bulletproof Exec) and John Keifer (Dangerously Hardcore). I've felt good, I certainly enjoy my coffee this way and will continue to add good fat to my brew. I don't even enjoy black coffee as much as I used to any more; my taste buds are convinced this is the way to go. 

My goal was a bit of bodyfat loss; for a while I lost some, and have kept the four or five pounds off that quickly melted away. But I'm a bit stuck now. Frankly, my diet has wavered. The wonderful food processor my wife gave me for Christmas has caused me to produce big batches of hummus, which I then had to eat! With rice crackers. For one reason or another (cabin fever, a long winter here in Wisconsin), my food intake has been a little erratic. 

Listening to Tim Ferris interviews on podcasts (WTF with Marc Maron, episode 355, and two different Joe Rogan Experience podcasts). I highly recommend reading and listening to anything Ferris says or writes, you'll be entertained and always learn something.  I'm reminded of his Slow Food Diet as laid out in the Four Hour Body. Ferris feels strongly that 30 or so grams of protein jammed into the body within a half hour of waking up is important. Robb Wolf advocates this practice as well, having spoken of it often on the Paleo Solution podcasts. 

Considering my whole life is a long, continuing N=1 experiment, beginning two days ago I'm enjoying two scoops of Gaspari MyoFusion whey protein, in water, within a half hour of getting out of bed. Usually I'll have had one or two cups of coffee, bulletproofed, by then. My hope is I'll gain a bit of muscle, feel good (which I always do, basically, but I'll look for differences or changes) and lose a bit more bodyfat. No other food or drink alterations are in order. Just protein early in the day.

Gary Taubes coming to Fat Burning Man podcast!

Abel James announced last night that Gary Taubes has agreed to be his guest on this week's coming episode of Fat Burning Man. Excellent news. Taubes, of course the author of Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat, is always outspoken and dynamic. Couple that with James' intelligent questioning and knack for cutting to the important points, and I anticipate a witty, entertaining an enlightening episode. Search YouTube for interviews and clips of Taubes; find him on Dr. Oz, then read Taubes' blog about what really happened.

Shame on you if somehow you aren't already a regular listener and follower of Abel James yet you're reading this blog. Get to iTunes and subscribe, or open your Podcast app. Pay attention!

Watch for YouTube updates from me next month

My one YouTube video, an interview with Rich Froning and Dan Bailey I conducted at the 2012 Arnold Classic CrossFit, has been viewed 75,936 times. I guess it's time for more from me on YouTube! Watch for a bunch of interviews from the worlds of CrossFit, bodybuilding, strength sports and supplements early in March after this year's Arnold Classic.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXEO0pfGYeM

Spartan Race and Reebok Team Up

A veteran of one Tough Mudder, anxious to participate in another, I've been paying a bit of attention to Spartan Race and wondering if this, seemingly greater challenge, makes any sense for me. Spartan Race videos are exciting, the events appear tough as hell, and I enjoy heaping long, abusive workouts upon myself. Probably I'm too old...but I have appreciation for Spartan Race.

Joe De Sena, Spartan Race founder and current CEO, sent out a press release last week annoucing Reebok as new title sponsor and partner with Spartan Race. Here are two lines from his essay:

"We both share the same ideals about the future of fitness and how it can transform people and communities forever."

"This is a sport for everyone, for all levels and all ages, from the elite athlete, to the first time participant."

Sounds a great deal like CrossFit, doesn't it? This appears to be a great move on the part of each company. Reebok clearly enjoys the adventure world, untraditional sports, and is unafraid to strike out into new territory. So far their investment in CrossFit appears to have been a sound decision; here's hoping title sponsorship of Spartan Race goes well. I've been very impressed with the reach of CrossFit, the activity, into the corporate mindset of Reebok, how employees and management staff participate and workout. I can't wait to see the same thing happening with Spartan Race. 

I'm hoping Don Hasselbeck asks me to be on his Spartan Race team!