Visit me anytime at:  www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp
 

The U.S. Olympic swimmer told ESPN that he eats roughly 8,000-10,000 calories a day, including "lots of pizza and pasta." In addition to stuffing down carbs, he's said that he routinely eats foods like fried egg sandwiches.

How to Get an Olympic Body
 
How can Michael Phelps eat 10,000 calories a day and still be so lean?
There is no doubt he packs away a ton of food, but it is unlikely that he actually eats that many calories a day, an expert believes. University of Pittsburgh Director of Sports Nutrition Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, says eating 10,000 calories a day is almost impossible. "To consume 10,000 calories a day, he would need to be eating all day long."

Bonci estimates that to support his 6-foot-4-inch, approximately 190-pound frame, Phelps' rigorous training regime requires roughly 1,000 calories per hour while he is racing or training; she suggests he probably eats closer to 6,000 calories per day.

What does Michael Phelps eat for breakfast?
NBC commentator Bob Costas rattled off Phelps' breakfast menu, which includes three sandwiches of fried eggs, cheese, lettuce, tomato, fried onions, mayonnaise, an omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast with powdered sugar, and three chocolate-chip pancakes.

Without knowing the exact details of the portions, recipes, and ingredients, this meal probably contains roughly 3,000 calories, about half from carbohydrates, a little less than half from fat, and 15% from protein. It's not a bad distribution of major nutrients for competition, according to dietary recommendations, assuming the breads are whole grain, the cheese is low fat, and the fats used to fry the eggs are healthy. The addition of fruit would improve the nutritional profile of this meal, Bonci says.

Is it bad to eat high-fat foods even if you don't gain weight?
Athletes need a diet rich in healthy carbohydrates and fats to provide the necessary energy to compete. "Athletes need fat but, they need to be selective about the type of fat and whenever possible choose unsaturated fats such as olive or canola oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds," says Bonci. Fried and greasy foods are generally not recommended for athletes -- or anyone else.

Wouldn't Phelps feel bloated during a race?
Managing food intake is a huge challenge to all athletes to be sure they have enough calories to fuel their event without being bloated. Bonci advises athletes to take advantage of nutrient-dense liquids like smoothies that empty from the stomach more quickly than solid foods. "We encourage athletes to eat foods that are high in calories and small in volume -- so granola with fruit and yogurt would be a better choice than flake cereal with milk." Timing of meals and snacks is an important issue for athletes to help them get the calories and nutrients they need without feeling stuffed and interfering with competition.

If you're not an Olympic athlete, how much should you eat?
Compared to Olympic athletes, most of us need to follow the general guidelines of approximately 2,000 calories per day, adjusted for age, sex, and physical activity levels. The average weekend athlete burns about 200-700 calories an hour running on the treadmill, whereas Phelps probably burns 3,000 calories a day swimming. Most athletes need three to four times as much as the rest of us to keep their bodies strong and energized for competition.

How does Phelps balance eating, sleeping, and recovering so he is ready for the next race?
It is a delicate balancing act, and sometimes Phelps has had only one hour to rest between races. Keeping muscles fueled and ready for record-breaking races requires a regime of eating enough to provide readily available energy, and then resting and repairing the stressed, overworked muscles to prepare for the next race. "Within 15 minutes of finishing a race, Phelps should eat a small meal of two-thirds carbs and one-third protein, with a little healthy fat to start and optimize the recovery process," says Bonci. Recovery is critical to repairing muscles and getting them ready for the next event. Bonci advises athletes to think of recovery as the appetizer -- followed by a meal within an hour or two -- and then rest. She warns that eating too much can interfere with the body's ability to sleep or get a good rest.
 

Woooh, barely made it but I lost 1.5 pounds, wooooohoooo!!!! This is my TOM week so I was all over the place with emotions. One day down and I don't care mood, next day sad wishing I had some friends to go places with like shopping, walking, etc.. another day happy, just crazy! Most days I was more hungry, which I heard your metabolism is higher that week sooo some days I didn't count at all and other days I ate around 2500 calories but I still lost! At my weight though I am used to eating on average over 4000 calories so anything is less.. :-) Plus I did do my walking/steps every day no matter how I felt!

So my goals for this next week are:
2000 calories
1 free day
6500 steps (treadmill 30 min T, Th, Sun) (Leslie 1 mile M, W, F) (steps 6 days)
1 rest day

Thank you so much everyone for your comments, they really help me alot...{hugs} You are all the greatest and I hope I can help you in some small way too.. :-)

 

I am down 2.5 pounds this week!!! I am so happy for my first real week getting back at it and overall doing great, not perfect. I did fight my nosebleeds some this week so 1 day I got down because I couldn't get my treadmill in and ended up going over calories that day. I got starbucks and taco bell, which would have been fine but went over my calories sooo I came home and at least stepped in place and raked up some steps that way.. :-) All the rest of the days I stayed right around my calorie goals and got in 30 min on the treadmill with an overall all day average of 5000 steps. Today is free day, woohoo, I am soooo happy!!!! Doing the Happy Dance!!! And I WILL be back next week with another loss, it will be TOM week.

P.S. I am staying inside this weekend, it has been running in the 100's with high humidity here in Oklahoma so I will stay in the AC with my treadmill and Leslie tapes.. :-)

Have a great weekend everyone!!

 

 am starting over for the last time. The reason I say this, is today from this day on my life is changing! It is becoming life or death like back when I smoked 4 packs a day and finally said enough I want to live. I was starting to feel the effects of smoking. Just like I am getting the effects of being obese. I know I was quiet this past week, I was doing some soul searching and getting my mind right, if you know what I mean. I had went to the doctor and she said I was 1 point away from type 2 diabetes, so right now I am classified as pre diabetic and she put me on blood sugar meds. No way do I want to get type 2 diabetes, my hubby has it and he has to prick his fingers all the time. I already have to give myself and allergy shot once per week and I take BP, Cholestol, Birth Control, Gerd, Vitamins, Viactiv, etc.. now BS pills. I am soooooooooo tired of meds, money wise and side effects. So, it stops today!!!! My weigh in today was 285. My doctor said for me to walk even on days I overeat on my calories. I know life is not perfect and I will still have days that I don't do perfect with my choices but I will forgive myself and go on and know it is what I do most of the time that matters not all the time. So be ready to see the new shrinking me!!!!

My goals for the week are:
Calories: 1800
1 free day
Steps: 6000
(treadmill, leslie, etc)
1 rest day

We can all do this together, thank you Sparkpeople and all my wonderful freinds!!!!   Visit me anytime at:  www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp
 

I am so excited! My first pound gone since I recommitted.. :-) Never to see that thing again..lol I think I would have lost even more but we didn't eat until 9:00 pm last night and then had chinease stuff, high sodium. But I love my 1 pound gone and even if I lost 1 pound every week I would be in heaven. That would be over 50 pounds gone in a year and so far the last 2 years I have gained 20 pounds every year. So I am thrilled to see it going in the right direction. I stayed overall within my calorie goals. Next week I need to up my steps some more.

My week in review:

Cal avg - 2000 cal burned - 200 steps - 4500
Treadmill - 30 min at 1.3 6 days
Sat - free day

My next week goals:

Cal - 2000
Steps - 6000
Treadmill - 30 min at 1.4 6 days
Free day Sat

I will add some of my Leslie tapes in a few weeks. Just adding things slowly.. :-)

Everyone have a great weekend!!! We might be going to see Hancock and eating out tonight.. :-)

Let's see where do I start..hmmmm Ok to be honest I was doing great for 1 week cutting back but I learned I really need the accountability of counting calories. No excuses this time, I will just do it!!!! I will be starting Monday, I know but I am having TOM right now, cramps, migraines, etc.. and want to start off fresh and strong Monday when that is behind me.. :-) So to get ready I have been talking to a wonderful friend that has lost over 100 pounds using Sparkpeople and she suggested I start over from day one and do fast break 1. A wonderful idea!! So I am doing that. Also I have heard several of you like using Spark and Fitday PC so I got it and am excited about using it on Monday. My daughter is going away to college and my hubby is a truck driver so gone alot plus busy with his job, the yard, etc.. It is time for me to start taking care of me again. One because my health just keeps getting worse, walking has been the only thing to keep me from getting even worse than I am. And I want to be that pretty strong girl again, I want it, I need it, and I am going to do it this time!!!! So please come visit me from time to time and watch me get healthier and smaller.. :-)

My goals next week are:
Calories: 2000
1 Free day
Walking as many steps as I can!!
Treadmill 30 min 6 days per week
Leslie tape 3 days per week and every wed doing Walk Strong for my strenth exercises
Logging my steps, calories eaten and calories burned

I got my very first pedicure last night, my mom took me and it was wonderful!!!! Now to try and go every couple of months. I really need it, one something for me and two I honestly can't even reach my feet right now.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!!!
 

WooHoo!!!  I am down 1 pound.  :-)  If I could do that every week I would be in heaven.. :-)  I did really good on my walking but not the greatest with my food, did go over my calories almost every day..grrr but not a giant amount.  Today is my free day so not worrying about a thing, except I do need to weigh in on wii fit and check my balance for the week.  Not sure what I am doing this weekend yet.  My hubby is taking my daughter to the city in a little bit to get her hair done.  Then today or tomorrow I might go into the city to the thrift store.  It depends on using all that gas or not.  Or I will just stay home. 

Everyone have a nice weekend!!!  :-) 

Well, not so good.  I gained I guess 4 pounds.  My daughter graduated and is now home for the summer, I was thinking it would be easier but forgot all the goodies she likes to have on hand.  Espically pizza every day for lunch, chips, etc.. She doesn't have to worry about losing weight, must be nice..lol  And she is a vegetarian soooo guess it is back to counting calories for me.  She is able to stop when she is full, not me.  I guess I have to have the accountabitlity.  I thought I could just cut back but noooo.  On a postive note, we did wii fit together every single day and are having a blast.  So I did get my yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance in with it plus the treadmill and my steps.  Now my steps right now are only averaging about 4500 but I will get back up there.  Even though I gained weight my blood pressure has dropped and is doing fantastic thanks to the exercise!!!!  This week I will be adding my Leslie tapes because I am starting her beach body challenge.  I can't handle the full workouts right now but she says if you are a beginner just cut it in half so that is what I am going to do.. :-)

Goals for week!

• Count calories 6 days per week - don't go over 2000
• 1 Free day.. :-)
• Exercise 6 days per week - Leslie, treadmill, wii fit, steps
• 1 rest day.. :-)

I can do this!!!!!  My daughter said she wants me to be around for aloooong time, me too.. :-)  We can all do it!  One day, one calorie, one step, one pound at a time!!

First I want to say I missed you all!  What a crazy month but I made it and Brandy graduated.. :-)  Next we will be doing college stuff but I get a break until the first week in July, then we will start more college stuff, beach vacation, etc.. So I will be enjoying and taking advantage of June.. :-)  Starting June 1st I will be starting Leslie Sansone's Beach Body challenge.  Plus I just started the Summer Long Distance Challenge on Road trip.  WooHoo!!!  I am pumped!!!  Especially with my latest toy!!!!......

Nintendo Wii Fit, it is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter and I spent hours on it last night.  My hubby even liked it and he said before we got it he wouldn't do it..rofl   Now it does have a weight limit of 330 so he needs to lose 10 pounds to really get to play and challenge us.  It weighed me and my Mii got huge, my daughters stayed skinny since she is normal weight.  She told me last night this is the first time she has ever wanted to excercise, I am so excited for all of us.  Between my treadmill, Leslie tapes, pedometer and now Wii Fit I will be dropping weight!!!  And be so much healthier... woohoo!!!!  It even has jogging for the aerobics and I just did stepping in place for fast walking and it worked perfect so great for joggers and walkers!!!!!  Can you tell I am excited!!  I want to go use it now..lol  I will but wanted to update you all and let you know I am back finally! 

Goals for week:

• Eat fish twice per week for my cholestrol
• Workout 6 days using treadmill, pedometer and Wii  ( I will add Leslie back June 1st when the challenge starts)

Everyone have a great OP day!!!!