Category Archives: Diet And Food

Stephanie Gilmore shares how she stays in shape and exactly what fuels her for her days spent in the water - and out.

This article originally appeared on husskie.com and is published here with permission.

It was the sign of a good year to come when six-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore rode the wave to victory at the Roxy Pro on the weekend beating out American Lakey Peterson to take home the yellow jersey. Performing for the home crowd at Snapper Rocks, the win had fans eagerly anticipating what 2017 is set to bring for the Tweed Heads local.

Fresh from her race and in optimum physical shape, we chatted to Gilmore about the peaks and troughs of surfing as well as what food wed typically find on her plate.

Congratulations on your win on the weekend! What do you think has made you such a standout surfer?

Thank you! I think always knowing theres room for improvement and working hard to progress have been important. Also just smiling along the way.

Whats been your favourite surfing moment?

Any time I get barrelled. It never gets old.

Photo: Josie CloughSource:BodyAndSoul

And on the flipside, whats the scariest thing that has ever happened to you in the surf?

I was surfing Sunset Beach on Hawaiis north shore of Oahu. I was wearing a small bikini thinking it was a chill, fun afternoon in the surf, however, the swell was due to rise I just didnt realise how quickly it comes up. In the space of 30 mins, it turned from 5ft to 15ft and the daylight was quickly fading. I was caught out the back and a set broke on my head. My leg rope broke and I got washed across very shallow reef all whilst trying not to drown and keep my bikini on in the dark. Very scary. I lost my friends along the way and could only pray we all got in safely. Luckily we did.

That is scary, very glad to hear you all got out of there safely. Lets move on to a lighter note! Can you talk me through your usual day on a plate?

I start the day with a smoothie, greens, banana, coconut water, dates that kind of thing. Then after a surf, Ill have eggs and avocado on a sourdough or with quinoa. Lunch I try to have a salad with protein, something fresh and colourful. And dinner is sauted veggies, rice and a nice piece of freshly seasoned salmon. Something like this. I snack throughout the day with nuts and yoghurt, or crudits and hummus. I also love a small double shot cappuccino in the morning and a glass of red wine or dark chocolate at night. Always striving for balance.

Photo: Josie CloughSource:BodyAndSoul

When youre not in the water, what sort of things can we find you doing?

I travel a lot for events and surf trips, so when I get a chance to spend a couple of weeks in one location (home or elsewhere) I love to keep it minimal. Hang with friends, dine out, surf, play music, basic day-to-day stuff but hopefully with funny people around.

What are you hoping 2017 brings for you both life and career?

More good times, great waves, hopefully experience a place in the world I never have before, and good health. Id like to start doing yoga frequently too. Namaste.

Check out more from Stephanie Gilmore here and more from Roxy here.All images: Josie Clough from Its Now Cool for Roxy.

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What a six-time world champion surfer eats in a day - Body and Soul

I'm used to the shaming look I get from my peers when I crack open a can of sugar-free Red Bull. The questions and judgement never end. "That stuff will kill you," someone said to me the other day, shaking his head. "So many chemicals!" was what I heard last week.

Truth be told, Red Bull (at least the sugar-free kind) isn't all that terrible for you. Besides having only 10 calories and no sugar, it has only 80 milligrams of caffeine, about a third of the amount in a tall Starbucks drip coffee. As far as its other ingredients namely B vitamins and taurine go, scientific studies have found both to be safe.

But my favourite source of caffeine isn't the only harmless food or drink that gets a bad rap. Here are some of the rest, along with the science behind their safety.

The myth: As more and more of your friends go gluten-free, you may wonder: Is there something to this latest diet craze? Is gluten intolerance a thing? Is it getting more common? Why it's bogus: Only about 1% of people worldwide have celiac disease, the rare genetic disorder that makes people intolerant to gluten, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. For most of the rest of us, this doughy, chewy ingredient is simply how it tastes: delicious!

Eggs: high in cholesterol (Getty Images)

The myth: The massive amounts of cholesterol in eggs will translate to a massive amount of cholesterol in your veins. Why it's bogus: Even though eggs are high in cholesterol (a single egg packs roughly 185 mg), eating them likely won't translate into higher blood cholesterol for you. The first studies that suggested that were done with rabbits, as my colleague Kevin Loria reported. So go ahead, pop a perfectly poached egg on that avocado toast. You know you want to.

Coffee: fine in moderation (Shutterstock)

The myth: Caffeine stunts your growth and messes with your health. Why it's bogus: According to the Mayo Clinic, the average adult can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine daily. Most standard cups of coffee contain between 90 and 120 mg. So if you're limiting yourself to under four cups of coffee a day, you should be relatively in the clear. Still, some coffee packs more of a punch than others. A 12-ounce "tall" cup of Starbucks drip coffee, for example, has about 260 mg of caffeine putting you well over the daily dose after two cups.

The myth: Fizzy water is all the rage these days, showing up in grocery-store aisles in flavours like coconut or watermelon. But many people worry the bubbles cause kidney stones, leach calcium from your bones, and even strip the enamel from your teeth. Why it's bogus: The bubbly stuff is just as good for you as plain water, Jennifer McDaniel, a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics, told my colleague Dina Spector.

"Carbonated or sparkling water is made by dissolving carbon dioxide in water, creating carbonic acid," Spector wrote. "This process just adds bubbles it does not add sugar, calories, or caffeine. Tonic water, club soda, and mineral water are all types of carbonated water, but these have added sodium, vitamins, or sweeteners, so it's important to read the label."

The myth: Fatty foods like avocados and olive oil will make you fat. Why it's bogus: Although it makes intuitive sense, this myth is not borne by scientific research. A recent look at the studies behind the dietary guidelines that suggested we cut back on fat found that there wasn't evidence to support those rules in the first place. In the book "Eat Fat, Get Thin," Mark Hyman, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine, talks about how he incorporated healthy fats from foods like fish and nuts in his diet to lose weight.

The myth: Some news outlets have reported that cheese "is like crack" because it's "as addictive as drugs." Why it's bogus: We tracked down the study that appears to lie at the root of these claims, and it found no such thing. Several University of Michigan researchers asked people to report which foods on a list they had the hardest time cutting out or eating moderately. Cheese ranked toward the middle. Nevertheless, since pizza, a cheesy food, ranked high on both lists, people speculated that cheese was the culprit, going as far to suggest something about the way one of its proteins breaks down in the body is addictive. There's little to no evidence to back this up.

The myth: Artificial sweeteners like Splenda and Equal have been found to cause cancer. Why it's bogus: The Food and Drug Administration has evaluated hundreds of studies on sucralose (Splenda), aspartame (Equal), saccharin (Sweet'N Low) and more. So far, it has deemed all of them safe.

That said, some preliminary research suggests artificial sweeteners may not satisfy your craving for sweets and therefore may not be effective at curbing your overall sugar intake.

The myth: Genetically modified organisms cause cancer and wreak havoc on the environment. Why it's bogus: GMO crops, which have been around since the 1980s, have been studied at length, and a recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that they aren't posing any greater risk to the environment than regular crops. It also found no evidence that they "are less safe to eat than conventional food," my colleague Lydia Ramsey reported.

The myth: Salt causes heart problems and weight gain. Why it's bogus: The science about whether eating salt in moderation has a net negative or positive effect on our health is somewhat unclear. However, a 2011 meta-analysis of seven studies involving more than 6,000 people published in the American Journal of Hypertension found no strong evidence that reducing salt decreased people's risk of heart attack, stroke, or death even in those who had high blood pressure.

"If the US does conquer salt, what will we gain? Bland french fries, for sure. But a healthy nation? Not necessarily," Melinda Wenner Moyer wrote in Scientific American.

The myth: Carbohydrates including rice, bread, cereal, and potatoes contribute to weight gain. Why it's bogus: While it's a good idea to limit your intake of processed carbs like white bread, white rice, and white pasta, not all carbs are bad for you. Some are healthy and a great source of energy. Take potatoes, for example.

"White potatoes are actually very good for you," Christian Henderson, a registered dietitian, told Health. Potatoes pack potassium and vitamin C, and they have almost 4 grams of fibre just cook them with the skins on.

The myth: Fish is high in mercury and will make you sick. Why it's bogus: While mercury can build up in larger, older predator fish like marlin and shark, it's not generally a problem in smaller fish. The FDA maintains a helpful list of guidelines for mercury in seafood salmon, trout, oysters, herring, sardines, and Atlantic and Pacific mackerel are all considered "good" or "best" choices, according to the FDA.

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11 things people think are terrible for your diet that actually aren't - Evening Standard

We can all take steps to reduce cancer through what we choose to eat, says University of Arizona researcher Cynthia Thomson.

The associate director for cancer prevention and control at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, Thomson will give a public talk next month about diet and cancer as part of the Bear Down. Beat Cancer lecture series that the UA Cancer Center is sponsoring in partnership with the Tucson Jewish Community Center.

This free lecture, open to the public, is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the community center, 3800 E. River Road.

Thomson is expected to talk about inconsistencies in cancer research studies, as well as give advice about things we can all do quickly to help reduce the risk of cancer.

The talk is the third in a four-part lecture series about trends in cancer research and clinical care. The final talk, about breast cancer, is scheduled for May 4.

The Star recently spoke with Thomson about preventing cancer. The following are excerpts from the interview:

What is new in the area of cancer prevention and diet that we may not have known 5-10 years ago?

We are learning more about what we call personalized nutrition. So, based on someones genetics for example, they may benefit from certain dietary practices differently than someone who has a different genetic background.

We are getting to the point now where were understanding more about food, metabolism, how its metabolized, and how that either protects us or increases our risks for various cancers.

There is a lot of work going on where we can collect peoples urine or their blood, and it can tell us a lot about what metabolites are in their circulation, and what is the relationship with cancer risk. It may not matter just what I eat, it may matter how my body metabolizes it.

What should we be eating?

There are no magic foods. I know we go through periods where people go, Oh, well broccoli reduces your risk of cancer, and that might be true that if you put broccoli in a dish and feed broccoli to rats that it can reduce cancer rates.

We may see that if you eat more broccoli, you have a lower cancer rate, but thats not causal. That doesnt mean that because you ate broccoli you dont get cancer, theres not a cause-and-effect association.

If I tell you dairy reduces your risk of cancer, because a big study comes out, well then you find out, guess what? That dairy in Ireland reduces cancer because the cows were fed a grass-fed diet, and they grazed freely and it was a lower fat cow. But in America when we did that study, we didnt see that These studies always have these caveats.

If your blood sugars are high, and you secrete a lot of insulin to try to bring them down. Insulin is a growth hormone and it does promote tumor growth. But, if you have a normal physiology, when you eat, your body releases just enough insulin to get your blood sugars back down in an hour or so.

If you have diabetes or are insulin-resistant, then youre in a lot more trouble because when you eat, especially if you eat simple sugars, those sugars are going to stay high longer, the insulin is going to be higher and tumors can grow.

What about grocery shopping?

Start in the produce section and fill up at least a third of your cart with vegetables and fruit. If you do that, and you eat those, I guarantee you that by the end of the week youve gotten all the fruit and vegetables you need to be cancer healthy.

When you buy cereal, make sure it has less than five grams of sugar and more than eight grams of fiber.

Think of diet as a really low dose of medicine that wards off cancer. Just like you might take a drug to reduce your cholesterol, you eat a healthy diet and all the variety in your diet combined add up to like a big anti-cancer pill that you take every day.

What about organic produce?

While I think organic is better and that obviously if we can avoid pesticides that would be better, in reality, most people dont eat organic vegetables and fruit.

Its really not going to matter. If you eat that organic orange, you are going to avoid pesticides, and youre going to get maybe two milligrams more of vitamin C than if you had bought a pesticide-treated orange. The nutritional value is just not enough to make it worth it. In terms of the pesticides, I say to people, wash your produce. We know that we can get about 98 percent of pesticides off produce by washing them.

What is the biggest message you want to get across?

We dont want to lose the enjoyment of food and meals. We want to be able to share meals with our friends and enjoy good times over food.

The American Cancer Society guidelines, the American State of Cancer Research guidelines, tell you to eat more vegetables, to get more fiber, to watch your body weight and keep it healthy and keep it active every day.

If we do all those things, then we know we can cut our cancer risk in half, if not more. ... We know that people who do have all those healthy habits have anywhere from about a 10 percent to a 60 percent lower risk of getting cancer compared to people who dont follow those guidelines.

Make half of your plate vegetables at every lunch and every dinner.

Brandi Walker is a University of Arizona journalism student who is an apprentice at the Star.

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University of Arizona researcher offers diet tips to help prevent cancer - Arizona Daily Star

The goal never was to be a gentle giant. But at the moment, Hassan Whiteside has no other choice.

So, yes, those are tempered, almost gentlemanly dunks you are seeing from the Miami Heat center, as he deals with the 13 stitches that remain in his lacerated right hand.

Whiteside said before Sunday night's game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden that the last thing he wants to do at the moment is apply force against the rim,

"It's a lot different," he said, "but it's something I'm going to have to deal with until it heals up. It is what it is. Nobody's going to feel sorry for me or our team."

Injured late in Tuesday's victory over the Phoenix Suns at AmericanAirlines Arena, Whiteside still made it out for the next game, Thursday's loss to the visiting Toronto Raptors. He appreciates that if he does not want to miss time, fans are going to have to live without some of his ferocity.

"When you've got 13 stitches, man, I don't think grabbing a rim and hanging on it when you weigh 270 is a good idea," he said. "I don't want to experience that.

"It's different. It's kind of hard. It makes things a little different. But I come out here and I get the two points. Two points is two points."

He said blocking shots with the injury to his dominant hand is not as much of a concern.

"Your adrenaline gets going," he said. "Blocking a shot with it is not going to hurt it as much as me probably hanging on the rim. I think that's why."

Whiteside twisted his left ankle at the end of the loss to the Raptors but said it is not a concern.

"It feels a lot better," he said.

iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman

For daily Heat mailbag go to sun-sentinel.com/askira

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Delicate dunks now part of Hassan Whiteside's daily diet - Sun Sentinel

Every week, theres a new miracle diet and every year you cant help but wonder: Is this the weight loss diet that will finally work, once and for all? There are weight loss programs that work, but there are many more fads out there that will temporarily drop your weight (or perhaps make you sick), only to have the pounds return in a few short weeks. Fad diets are tempting, but like eating a rich dessert when you already have a full stomach: resist, resist, resist. In the long run, you will be healthier and less frustrated.

Fad diets can be deceiving. They are usually described in detail by a book that has been written by an expert with a Ph.D., or a doctor who is an MD. There may be a list of scientific references that seem to back up the claims (that no one ever checks carefully to make sure they are true). And, tons of people (including all of your friends and family) seem to be following the diet and having great results.

Does this sound familiar? Here are some obvious clues that a diet is a fad rather than a recommended approach for permanent weight loss:

1. It sounds too good or easy to be true.

2. Promises rapid weight loss (5-10 pounds in a week) or miracle cures.

3. Allows only certain foods or food groups (cutting out others).

4. Promotes a product, special herb, vitamin or other compound.

5. Can only be followed temporarily, but its not supervised by a doctor.

6. Its hard to imagine or difficult to follow the diet forever.

7. It doesnt recommend a form of exercise or says that its unnecessary.

8. Warns that one food or food group will make you seriously ill or worse.

9. Makes recommendations based on published science that are not endorsed by credible organizations or peer reviewed by other scientists.

10. Cites research that is preliminary, based on animals or has very few subjects.

Kristin Bogdonas is the nutritionand wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark counties. To contact her about health and wellness programs, call 309-756-9978.

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Start the Week Off Right: How to spot a fad diet in 30 seconds or less - Quad City Times

If you've ever been out in the world, you've likely seen the word UNESCO and this weird square in a circle all over the place. UNESCO is tasked with identifying, protecting and preserving human heritage; buildings, landscapes, and monuments. But in 2013, they added something intangible: The "Mediterranean Diet."

You may have heard of the "Mediterranean" diet, it's a big fad in the United States as of late, and it's considered to be one of the healthiest in the world.But thanks to UNESCO, it's not just healthy, it's also a piece of human heritage.

The Mediterranean Diet includes plant-based foods, as well as "healthy" fats and so on. Plus, and this is serious, limiting the amount of red meat. Grilled fish is a popular item, as are other seafoods. It also offers an alcoholic component: a bit of red wine.

The problem is, if you look at U.S. magazines and blogs for the "Mediterranean Diet," as we see it, you'd find lists of restrictions and requirements of what to eat, what not to eat, and how to prepare your meals. Because that's how American's see a "diet," but they're getting it all wrong.

Special thanks to Blue Apron for sponsoring this video!First 100 viewers will get three meals off their Blue Apron order free! Clickhere

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The Healthiest Diet In The World Isn't Just About Food - Seeker

Why do I need fiber? Victority/ShutterstockVirtually every weight-loss program welcomes "good carbs" as part of a healthy, lean, long-term diet. "Good carbs" refers to complex carbohydrates, foods like whole grains, nuts, beans, and seeds that are composed largely of complex sugar molecules, requiring lots of time and energy to digest into the simple sugars your body needs for fuel. One of the biggest benefits of foods rich in complex carbs is that they also contain large amounts of fiber. Fiber, in basic terms, is the indigestible parts of plant foods. It is the husk on the grain of wheat, the thin strands in celery, the crunch in the apple, the casings on edible seeds. Fiber protects you from heart disease, cancer, and digestive problems. Depending on the type of fiber (there is more than one!), it lowers cholesterol, helps with weight control, and regulates blood sugar. Bottom line: This is one nutrient you don't want to miss. Yet the average American gets just 12-15 grams of fiber a dayfar below the recommended 25-30 grams. And that was before so many people started cutting carbs for weight loss, without realizing they were also cutting out healthy dietary fiber. Here's how to sneak "good carbs" and extra fiber into your daily diet with a minimum of effort. Keep a container of trail mixin your car and office for the munchies Mark Herreid/ShutterstockMix together peanuts, raisins, a high-fiber cereal, and some chocolate-covered soy nuts. Allow yourself one handful for a sweet, yet high-fiber, snack.

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30 Ways to Get More Fiber in Your Diet Without Even Trying - Reader's Digest

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The average American man is 5-feet-9-inches tall, weighs 195.5 pounds and has a waist size of nearly 40 inches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average femme fatale is 5-feet-4 inches, 166 pounds, with a waist slightly more than 37 inches. Clearly, the only weight-watching Americans are doing is watching it grow.

This means the small, front-wheel-drive cars the Environmental Protection Agency and their cronies would prefer you drive dont provide the space, comfort and utility to accommodate our bulk. If you weigh more than 200 pounds, finding comfort behind the wheel of a Chevy Spark or Kia Rio simply isnt going to happen. Besides, theres also the idea of proportion. If youre a larger person, stepping from a vehicle sized like a clown car makes you look like a, um, well, never mind.

So, if youre looking for a ride that wont make you look like Bozo, consider the 2017 Dodge Durango. The plenty-large SUV employs the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, which, developed in the dying days of the DaimlerChrysler Corp., is related to that of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

The Dodge Durango is powered by a 293-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 or a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Base SXT and volume-leader GT models get the V-6; sporty R/T and premium Citadel models get the V-8. All models come with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, but there are important differences: SXT and GT models get a single-speed, full-time system that lacks a low range, something addressed by the two-speed, active-on-demand system on R/T and Citadel trims. This means if you need a low range for off-road duties, you have to opt for a V-8.

And whats wrong with that? Absolutely nothing.

After all, with all of the extra weight Americans and their offspring now carry around, the extra power will come in useful, especially if you opt for the higher trim levels. Acceleration is effortless, as the Citadel test model quickly proved. The transmission furnished quick shifts, always keeping the engine speed just where it was needed. The steering seemed perfectly weighted with a trace of feel, making hustling this sizeable outbuilding on wheels much easier than it should be, while providing more than a little fun.

Yet the Citadel seems happier on paved surfaces than off, where the tires seemed to lack the grip needed to handle dirt roads although bump absorption was impressive, as the vehicle was rock-solid and free of flex and rattles.

Best of all, fuel economy was a budget-friendly 21 mpg. Thats very good for a 2-ton, V-8-powered, all-wheel-drive truck.

The Citadels interior had a premium feel that matched its premium price. In fact, it was better equipped than most homes. The front seats were wide, accommodating and comfortable during long stretches in the saddle. The second row bucket seats had heaters and were separated by a convenient console, with each seat possessing its own screen as part of the optional Premium Entertainment Group package, which also includes a Blu-ray DVD player and a Beats premium audio system.

In fact, there are any number of option packages, most of which lend the Durango a distinct look. And while some seem dubious would you really want the Brass Monkey Appearance Package? there are a couple well worth considering.

The first is the Technology Group, which adds important driver assistance safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with active braking, brake assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross path detection.

If you plan to tow with your Durango it can yank up to 7,400 pounds of your favorite plaything youll want the Trailer-tow Group IV, which adds a 220-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine oil cooler, Class IV hitch receiver, 4- and 7-pin wiring harness, rear load-leveling shocks and a full-size spare tire. It can be paired with the Skid Plate Group, which adds skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case and underbody, and a brush guard.

Regardless of how you equip the Durango, whether it two rows or three, V-6 or V-8, rear- or all-wheel drive, youll find its very much the accommodating family room.

And its large enough to accommodate your entire brood and a weeks worth of groceries. According to the CDC, that could be significant. Just keep in mind that vehicle payload is as little as 1,280 pounds and tops out at 1,420 pounds.

Your family might need to go on a diet.

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2017 Dodge Durango throws its weight around - WatertownDailyTimes.com

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ANN ARBOR An online project created by students at the University of Michigan aims to make life easier for people with food allergies and special diets.

Co-founders Ish Baid and Michael Copley developed the Edible Project app to help people with diet restrictions find cuisine they can enjoy without worrying about allergies or ingredients, MLive reported.

Mr. Copleys severe dairy allergies inspired the idea.

The free app focuses on the Ann Arbor area and allows users to search by item, diet, or price using criteria such as milk allergies or vegetarian and vegan diets.

Edible Project shows restaurant hours and menu item reviews. Mr. Baid and Mr. Copley, who are software students at the University of Michigan, launched the product about a month ago.

We want to really see how we can take this app and create something thats helpful for our target audience, Mr. Baid said. If we can do it in Ann Arbor, we can do it anywhere.

The app is available through the Apple and Google Play stores.

As part of a marketing effort, the Edible team delivered more than 1,000 care packages across the University of Michigans campus, outside of dormitory entrances and near businesses. Mr. Baid said about 100 care packages were hidden throughout the Diag, the main pedestrian walkway through the central campus.

We figured it would just get people talking and more aware of the issue and familiar with the product, Mr. Baid said. They got snatched up very quickly.

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UM students develop app for diet issues - Toledo Blade

Professional athletes dont get to the top by accident. It takes superhuman levels of time, dedication, and focusand that includes paying attention to what they put in their bellies. In this series, GQ takes a look at what athletes in different sports eat on a daily basis to perform at their best. Heres a look at the daily diet of Jacob Manning, Instagram yoga star.

Before I got into my yoga practice I did heroin and cocaine, says yoga teacher Jacob Manning. I was homeless in San Francisco in the Tenderloin district, I lived in homeless shelters back to back to back, I even spent a little time in jail charged with a felony that was later expunged. That was basically my life.

If this doesnt mesh with your impression of yoga teachers as zenned out moms or Portlandia extras, you may need to reconsider the kind of people who are actually drawn to something that takes so much dedication. People dont go to yoga on a winning streak, says the 25-year-old Manning. You dont seek out a spiritual life unless youve kinda gone through hell.

Manning actually had his first yoga class at 19, at a treatment center, but despite feeling a draw, he still struggled with yogas less-than-masculine reputation, and it took an aunt dragging him to more classes later for him to fully embraced it. I lifted weights most of my life, mostly out of fear of what people thought about me and to compensate for things about myself that I didnt like. The yoga practice opened that up to where thats not the most important thing.

Yoga is one of those things that you never really masterthere are always new poses, variations on old ones, dealing with those old poses as your body agesbut theres still a point you get to where you realize, Oh, shit, I can do this. For Manning that was finally mastering the press handstand, a tricky pose where you move from a seated position to a full handstand without using your legs for support. It took me nine months of dedicating all of my time, outside of working at Taco Bell, to doing the press handstandstaying hours after class, practicing in my room before sleep. But then once I mastered that it was more, Well, whats the next thing?

Now an instructor in Southern California, Manning started using Instagram as a yoga journal to chart his progress and improve poses (its surprisingly hard to know what your bodys doing when you cant see yourself). But its also a way for people to follow as he improves and keeps trying out whatever the next thing is. It lets me see where Im at at that time in my life, the physical transformation, what I was going through, and using that as a reflection to see my growth and progress and to be as authentic as I can. Ive been really fortunate with how people respond.

To stay photo-ready, Manning, whos tried everything from vegan to meats-only, sticks to a protein-heavy diet, aiming for one gram per pound of target weight. His largest meal of the day is dinner, and hes got a natural edge for staying fit in that he, like Fabio, hates sweets. He supplements yoga with snowboarding weekly with his girlfriend, surfing daily in the spring and summer, and the sporadic 7-10 mile jog with pull-ups and dips when running through parks. Doing yoga, sometimes its hard to get your body sore and dig deep into the muscle tissues, he adds. We have a hard time relating to that.

Breakfast Six scrambled eggs spinach, whole mushrooms, cheese Unflavored yogurt as a sour cream-y topping

Lunch Protein shake with serving of fruits and vegetables Vitamins including fish oil, chondroitin and glucosamine, iron, B12

Dinner Asparagus, baked salmon with turmeric and potatoes, brown rice

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The Real-Life Diet of a Yoga Bro - GQ Magazine