Precision Nutrition Program?

SirenSongWoman

Cathlete
I've been reading a lot of John Bernardi's articles at FigureAthlete.com and T-Nation.com so I checked out his site, PrecisionNutrition.com. The 3rd version of the PN system is selling for a fat discount until Dec. 31 and I was wondering if anyone here has ever had any experience with previous Precision Nutrition systems(?). It sounds like exactly what I need because I really have no clue how to pull together meals with the proper nutrients that are more advanced than tuna and brown rice, chicken breasts, lots of veggies.... and I'm fairly clueless about timing my nutrients based on my workouts. Thus, I've been freestyling it and probably getting 50% of it wrong. I certainly can't afford a nutritionist to tailor a program specifically for my needs and this program sounds like the perfect compromise. Still, though I've read enough Bernardi to know he really knows his stuff, anything with a price tag these days has me narrowing my eyes in suspicion.

Anyone?
 
Stacey - I keep pondering the PN system. Several people on here have had great success and if you search, you will see some good info on here. BTW - that sale is always $97 so no hurry if you aren't sure. They also have a second cookbook available for another $40 - both are supposed to be very good. I'll be anxious to see if you try it.
 
Hi Stacey
Have you checked out skwiggs blog? She wrote about PN and a lot of other programs recently. Let me know if you need the link.
 
Stacey - I keep pondering the PN system. Several people on here have had great success and if you search, you will see some good info on here. BTW - that sale is always $97 so no hurry if you aren't sure. They also have a second cookbook available for another $40 - both are supposed to be very good. I'll be anxious to see if you try it.


I just got the revised Precision Nutrition cookbook. Very sleek, wide pages, great photos and breakdowns of the nutritional value, calories, etc., and how to make it for just one person or several. That is very helpful for someone who may only be cooking for one. The receipe list is extensive and I'm impressed at how simple most are to make, I haven't found anything overtly difficult but I haven't read through the whole thing yet. Ingredients are pretty easy to find too, I think this is a winner.
 
Girl - now I know I need to be your neighbor :) Did you get PN Gourmet 2 Cookbook or whatever it is? (Not the one that comes with the program?)
 
I couldn't be here for a few days so I haven't been able to respond until now. I am very happy to read the positive responses to my question because I really needed unbiased thoughts.

I've felt for a long time that my nutrition is hurting my results, even as hard as I'm trying to get it right. I'm at a point now where I need very specific guidance if I'm ever to get this nutrition timing thing down and get the results I'm really after. Precision Nutrition sounds like exactly what I need. Still, when money's tight, you want to be absolutely certain and I felt I could count on Catheites to tell me the absolute truth. All I know, is brown rice and chicken breasts will only do for so long before you have to have REAL food that has ingredients, seasonings... and that has to actually be cooked on a stovetop or in an oven!

Pretty funny about the system always being "on sale" :p. I had been thinking I would get it later and had hopes it would be on sale when I could swing it, for real.

I'm going to check out that blog so thanks for the heads-up. Unless I read something really negative I think I'll order it before the night's up. Really want that other cookbook but that really is going to have to wait, I think ;).
 
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Did you end up ordering the PN kit?
It looks really good and I may order it as well. I want the V2 cook book
but think that having the entire plan might be better. Otherwise I won't
know what I am doing to improve my eating.
 
I only wanted the cookbook, which I'm really impressed with so far. I wanted a tangible book for the kitchen, no more e-books for me. I've read Berardi for years and have followed his advice with really good results in the muscle-building category. I sent an e-mail to him once about protein powder in milk, and he advised me to skip the milk and choose water instead. That odd little bit of advice knocked off a couple of pounds, and you'd think I needed the calcium, but there are other sources of calcium that are better. I need to lose 5 pounds of fat, which I believe can be solved through diet alone. Honestly though, I'm pretty happy with my body right now.
 
SirenSongWoman,

Something else you might consider trying is the Tosca Reno Eat Clean Diet program. I've had the book for awhile, and read it a couple of times. It just didn't seem like much to me - I've always tried to eat fairly well, and I thought I was already doing what she suggested. Then I jumped on her forum sight, re-read the book, and really paid attention. I totally misjudged it the first time! She lays out specific plans depending on your goal. The "Cooler 1" plan is for quick weight loss, busting a platuea, etc., and should only be used for about 2 weeks at a time. The "Cooler 2" plan is more of a lifestyle eating plan, but it really cuts out the crap most of us eat because we work out and think we can get by with it.

Like you, I was feeling that I needed to fine tune my nutrition to get the ultimate results I wanted. I followed the cooler 1 plan for 2 weeks, and wow! Wasn't hungry, didn't miss the crap food (not that I even ate a lot of it before), dropped a few pounds, lost a few inches...all in 2 weeks!

The book is a lot cheaper than the PN, and it's do-able. Only thing is you have to bring food with you to work, unless you have access to lots of lean protein and veggies.
 
SirenSongWoman,

Something else you might consider trying is the Tosca Reno Eat Clean Diet program. I've had the book for awhile, and read it a couple of times. It just didn't seem like much to me - I've always tried to eat fairly well, and I thought I was already doing what she suggested. Then I jumped on her forum sight, re-read the book, and really paid attention. I totally misjudged it the first time! She lays out specific plans depending on your goal. The "Cooler 1" plan is for quick weight loss, busting a platuea, etc., and should only be used for about 2 weeks at a time. The "Cooler 2" plan is more of a lifestyle eating plan, but it really cuts out the crap most of us eat because we work out and think we can get by with it.

Like you, I was feeling that I needed to fine tune my nutrition to get the ultimate results I wanted. I followed the cooler 1 plan for 2 weeks, and wow! Wasn't hungry, didn't miss the crap food (not that I even ate a lot of it before), dropped a few pounds, lost a few inches...all in 2 weeks!

The book is a lot cheaper than the PN, and it's do-able. Only thing is you have to bring food with you to work, unless you have access to lots of lean protein and veggies.
To everyone who asked, no I haven't gotten the PN program yet. But, after reading Berardi's Seven Habits of Highly Effective Nutritional Programs article over at T-Nation.com, I've decided to get those down first (See excerpt below, because I don't know how to create a link!), then take it from there. I can't even swing a cookbook right now so it's good I ran across this article. I'm not as educated about this stuff as I thought, so the article leaves me with some questions (which is one of many reasons I really want that system) but here's a taste:

"The 7 Habits

1) Eat every 2-3 hours, no matter what. You should eat between 5-8 meals per day.
2) Eat complete (containing all the essential amino acids), lean protein with each meal.
3) Eat fruits and/or vegetables with each food meal.
4) Ensure that your carbohydrate intake comes from fruits and vegetables. Exception: workout and post-workout drinks and meals.
5) Ensure that 25-35% of your energy intake comes from fat, with your fat intake split equally between saturates (e.g., animal fat), monounsaturates (e.g., olive oil), and polyunsaturates (e.g., flax oil, salmon oil).
6) Drink only non-calorie containing beverages, the best choices being water and green tea.
7) Eat mostly whole foods (except workout and post-workout drinks).

So what about calories, or macronutrient ratios, or any number of other things that I've covered in other articles? The short answer is that if you aren't already practicing the above-mentioned habits, and by practicing them I mean putting them to use over 90% of the time (i.e., no more than 4 meals out of an average 42 meals per week violate any of those rules), everything else is pretty pointless.

Moreover, many people can achieve the health and the body composition they desire using the 7 habits alone. No kidding! In fact, with some of my clients I spend the first few months just supervising their adherence to these 7 rules - an effective but costly way to learn them."


So yea, I'm going to take his advice and make the 7 Rules habit, first :p.
 
Stacey,

I have the PN program and the 7 habits is the foundation of the program. It's a very simple way to ensure good nutrition. Take the time to read all his articles on his website. He's not a supplement pusher. He recommends 6grams of fish oil daily for women, green tea, greens+, and protein powder.


If you every want to splurge on the program, it's worth the money having access to John's forum. He gives away a lot of great information and advice. There are several coaches on the forum to answer questions and troubleshoot problems. Also, several workout programs to follow in the gym.;)
 

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