Q: Why did you decide to begin nutrition coaching with Dr. Alli Cain?

I was looking to lean out while maintaining my strength. When I joined CrossFit Groundworx, I was watching what I ate and had an idea of how to eat correctly, but not what nutrition coaching offered. When I started working out with her other clients and seeing the results that they were getting I figured I should give it a shot. The guidance and structure that it offers is great. 

Q: What important things have you learned throughout the nutrition coaching program?
 Throughout the nutrition coaching i have learned how much I used to eat. I consistently over ate, I trained hard before coming to groundworx and ate healthy but the portions that I ate were completely random and I ate without direction or understanding what exactly my body needed to perform. 

Q: Was there anything about learning to count your macros that surprised you? 
What surprised me the most was just looking at how much carbs, proteins, fats and cals are in food. I was aware of it before, but not in the way that I am now. I didn't have a good idea as to how much I should be eating and in what proportions to each other. 


Q: How to you stay on track while balancing work, homelike, and other commitments? 
I stay on track by planning and being very aware of what I'm putting into my body. If I'm going to be eating out, I'll look at the menu, and try and figure out what will fit in my macros best. I allow myself some flexibility in this area as well- once and a while going over my calories or carbs or something isn't the end of the world. Going over protein is never a bad thing to me. So allowing myself a little bit of flexibility when I'm unable to plan makes hitting my macros easier and tracking macros in general allows quite a bit of flexibility already. Typically I try to plan my lunches and meal prep for a few days so that I already know what i'm going to be eating and it takes guessing and having to eat out out of the equation. 


Q: How has your performance been affect by macros tracking?  
My performance has stayed consistent while tracking macros. Now that I'm starting to really get into it more and my body is adjusting to how I'm fueling it and I'm finding that my performance is getting better. I'm putting better fuel in it, in the right amounts and the things that I want to happen with respect to my goals are starting to happen. 

Q: How has your approach to food changed since counting your macros?

I've started to plan my meals more in advance and i've started to keep them much more simple- protein-chicken, carbs- sweet potato, rice or  quinoa and veggies. And if i need to hit my fat macro i'll mix in some avacado, nuts, or any other high fat foods to help. I've found that at the end of the day if i still havent hit them it also allows for snacking post dinner. Mixing chocolate milk with cereal or toast and peanut butter or protein smoothies are always good to help hit them. 

Q: What advice do you have for others seeking guidance in their personal nutrition? 
 Since starting to count macros, i highly recommend it to people. Its easy, sustainable, allows variety and flexibility and you can make it as simple or tough as you want to hit them. People think i'm "dieting" and then i tell them i can eat donuts every day if i want and their reaction is always whattttt? so its not a diet its becoming aware and educating  yourself on what your body needs to perform for whatever goals you may have for yourself. Its sustainable and easy if its something  you want to make happen. 

Q: What has been the biggest change you've made in your lifestyle since joining?
​The biggest change ive made in my lifestyle since joining is cutting back on the bad foods that i eat, allowing my self treats every once and a while and finding healthy alternatives for foods when i'm craving them-mostly ice cream. Instead, bananas, ice, protein and cocoa powder in a blender. I've also just become much more aware of what i'm putting into my body and asking my self if i really want it or not. Most of the time i dont. I havent really had to make any significant lifestyle changes as counting macros doesnt require a monumental shift in your lifestyle, just a bit of planning and prep. 

Q: Why did you decide to begin nutrition coaching with Dr. Alli Cain?
 I had seen the results that my friend Lindsay had and wasn't happy with the coaches I had in the past so I wanted to give Dr. Alli a try. 


Q: What important things have you learned throughout the nutrition coaching program?
That I don't have to punish myself if I eat something that maybe wasn't the best choice.  I also have learned that I have more will power than I thought.  I have made better choices such as " do I want this chocolate bar, or would I rather have a substantial snack that will help with my goals?" sure sometimes I pick the chocolate bar but those times are getting less and less frequent.


Q: Was there anything about learning to count your macros that surprised you? How much fat I would consume on a daily basis.  Healthy fats but that is always the first macro that I go over.


Q: How to you stay on track while balancing work, homelike, and other commitments? I don't always as I had fallen off track since moving back to Canada from Scotland, but I don't stay off track for months like I used to. it's not just a vanity thing, I feel tired and bloated and run down and my chest/sinus infections come back, my skin and hair doesn't feel as good and i don't feel like myself when I fall off track.    When I am on track though , PLANNING ahead and prepping are the number 1 things that keep me on track. 

Q: How has your performance been affect by macros tracking?  I have more energy and don't feel as gross at the gym. The food I've been eating really is fuel. 


Q: What advice do you have for others seeking guidance in their personal nutrition? To " trust the process to get the progress"  that plays over and over in my head.  My results were faster with other coaches but they weren't realistic and obviously didn't stick.   This really has been a longer process than i thought but I 'd tell anyone to stick with it. this kinda stuff stays with you for life,

Q: What has been the biggest change you've made in your lifestyle since joining?  Not eating as high of portions of junk food and sticking to a regular routine of nutrition and work outs.   As I said, I usually quit after 2-3 months max but this has been the most committed I've been to myself in my life.