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Why work with a coach?  You hire a coach for their expertise, you stay for their support.  A good coach can set up your training and nutrition plans so they add to your life, not take away from it.  Once a plan is set up, your coach can help walk you through the process of changing your life by educating you, helping you avoid pitfalls, providing daily accountability and helping you develop skills that can benefit you in every aspect of life.  You might just find that you want to keep me in your life year round to provide accountability and to continue learning how to make fitness a lifestyle.

Why should I hire Blue Forge Nutrition?  Because I take a different approach than most coaches.  I keep things simple and easy to understand.  My priority is not to tell you what to do, it's to educate you.  I will always explain in detail why I have asked you to do something.  I want to leave you with a basis of knowledge you can carry with you for the rest of your life, even if it means you don't need to hire me again.

What should I expect from one of your plans?  You should expect to eat 4-6 high protein meals per day, you will have to weigh your food portions, learn how to manage your time and prep your own meals.  You will also learn the nutritional value of different foods, how to properly time them and also expect real results and the skills you need to keep them.  You should expect your plan to be simple, straightforward and easy to follow.  Note:  That does not mean less work on your part.

What should I not expect from one of your plans? You should not expect a magic pill or magic shortcut for getting in shape.  You should also not expect me to change your plan to accommodate your bad habits, alcohol use or lack of effort.  You should also not expect to be given snacks.  Snacks are for kids.

Is Eating Healthy Expensive?  Taking care of your body is an investment.  You might be surprised how inexpensive it actually is compared to takeout food, alcohol, all of the extra food you waste and the potential future medical bills associated with living an unhealthy lifestyle.

I do shift work and I can't figure out how to stay in shape.  Can you help me? Absolutely!  If there's one thing that two decades of shift work has taught me, it's how to make fitness work despite your schedule.

Do I get to eat carbohydrates? YES!  I don't eliminate any macronutrient group.  I am firmly against it.  My plans are typically low(er) carb 6 days per week with 1 high carb day.  I use foods that are nutritious and easy to digest.  I use strategic carb loads (cheat meals) with clients who are working out regularly.

Do you use cheat meals in your plans?  Yes.  Clients typically get one cheat meal per week if they are exercising regularly.  In some cases, clients require more but that is on an individual basis.

What is the benefit of cheat meals (strategic carb loads)?  There are multiple benefits to carb loading.  First of all, they provide a much needed mental break from dieting.  They also allow you to keep your carbs low all week while still performing at the highest level in the gym.  Keeping your carbs low 6 days per week also improves insulin sensitivity.  This way your body knows how to process carbs, instead of storing them as body fat.  In addition, carb loading also keeps your metabolism running hot while you are in a caloric deficit all week.  It's the best of both worlds: Great workouts, insulin sensitivity, a fast metabolism and multiple cheat meals per week!

Do I need to meal prep on your plan?  Yes.  It's necessary IF you want to get into the best shape of your life.  Trying to get into shape while eating endless amounts of takeout doesn't work.  Takeout food is loaded with hidden carbs and fats.  You won't know what you are really taking in that way.  It's also very expensive compared to making your own food.  There are meal prep services out there where you can buy pre cooked meat by the pound if you don't want to cook.  It's reasonably priced and relatively clean.

Do I need to buy a food scale?  Yes, you will need a digital food scale if you want to get into the best shape possible.  Do you know what a tablespoon of peanut butter actually looks like? I bet it's half of what you think it is.   Most people have no idea how to properly portion their food, therefore they either under eat or over eat.  Both can ruin your progress.  If you aren't using a scale, I won't have a clue how much you're really eating.  When I need to make an adjustment to your plan I can't make an accurate one if I don't know exactly what you're taking in every day.  

Do I need to workout to get in shape?  No, but I highly recommend it.  You can get lean with diet alone (and we can certainly do that).  If you want to build muscle though, you need the proper stimulus (lifting weights).

Do I need to do cardio to get in shape? I do not rely heavily on cardio to get clients into shape.  It's a tool in my tool box but I don't revolve my plans around it.  In my opinion, cardio is over rated as a fat burner.  It's real benefit is digestion, recovery and cardio vascular health.  With that being said, I typically recommend clients start with (3)  30 minute cardio sessions per week of their choice.  Cardio should not be limited to walking on a treadmill.  Take a ten minute walk around the block after each meal, go for a hike, swim, take a martial arts class, play basketball, etc.  Cardio should be as enjoyable as possible.  Sometimes all it takes is getting in more steps every day.  Take the long way through the office, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to the store, etc.

What kind of client do you specialize in?  I don't specialize.  I work with men and women of all ages.  I have worked with clients between the ages of 9 and 75 years old.  My clients have included First Responders, Businessmen/women, Stay At Home Parents, Senior Citizens, College Students, Doctors, Lawyers, Athletes, Children and everything in between.  Note: If you have any serious underlying health conditions, you should seek approval from your doctor before starting one of my plans.

Are there any kind of diets you do not specialize in?  I don't specialize in vegan or vegetarian diets.  I highly recommend you hire a coach who specializes in those type of diets.

How much progress can I expect to make in 3-6 months?  The amount of progress you can make is individual.  It's based on a lot of factors including your age, hormones, health, lifestyle, genetics, work ethic, and ability to execute a plan.  What I can promise you is the best results you are capable of.  I can also guarantee that we will be doing everything the right way.  Forget what you see on infomercials.  This is how you really get in shape and sustain it for life.

There's a ton of free info online.  Why can't I just use a free plan?  You can!  Good luck with it!!!

I know someone who hired you.  Can't I just use their plan?  Of course you can.  Do you know what to do next when that plan stops working for YOU?  Can you honestly assess your own progress photos?  Do you know how to make proper adjustments and when not to make any at all?  When you have a bad day, can you get right back on track and keep going or will you go off the rails and stay there?  Do you have the skills to get in shape on your own?

What is the most important thing a new/potential client can do? HIRE ME, PUT IN THE WORK EVERY DAY AND DON'T QUIT.  Quitting guarantees defeat.  Not quitting guarantees success.  Even if it takes longer than you planned (and it always does), stay with it.  It WILL pay off.  

Should I wait until after the holidays to hire a coach?  If you are going to hire a coach, don't wait until the perfect time.  It's not coming.  In fact, hire one when you are busy so you can learn how to get in shape when you are short on time.  If you wait until life slows down, you will be waiting forever.