Just like with training, the reasons for changing your nutrition can differ widely from person to person. While weight loss is a common goal, it's just one of many reasons someone might choose to modify their diet.

Earlier this year, Michael joined the 8-week Nutrition Challenge with the goal of gaining weight to boost his strength and fuel his workouts more effectively.

Read on to find out more...

What’s your name and how long have you been a member at Blitz?

My name is Michael and I’ve been a member (albeit with a short Covid hiatus) since 2019.

Why did you originally get involved in the Blitz Nutrition challenge?

I’ve been on the skinny side all of my life! I have a huge appetite but never seem to put any weight on (yes - I can already hear people screaming at me for that statement!). I’ve always been fairly active which probably fuelled this issue.

What changes have you noticed in yourself since you first started making changes to your nutrition?

The main change that we identified was that I needed was to eat more - sounds simple when you say it! Tracking food was a game-changer to help me achieve this. Whilst it was a bit of a pain initially (plus my wife found weighing and measuring everything whilst cooking annoying), it really helped me understand what fuel I’d actually taken on vs what I thought. 

The main result being I’ve put on a few extra KG of muscle and I have more energy for evening classes (shout out to the 5:30pm crew!)

Has making changes to your nutrition helped in your training?

Most definitely. Having extra energy in evening classes has been by far the biggest difference. Whilst I’m still not beating everyone in the gym, I feel I’m more consistently awake and energised to give the workouts a good go!

Has the challenge helped you in your daily life?

Being aware and understanding the importance of protein has been such a game-changer. Not only does consuming more protein make me feel fuller for longer, but the reduction in regular DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) has been amazing.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about doing the Blitz Nutrition Challenge?

Give it a go! It was great to be part of a group taking on the challenge as a team (and at times quite amusing to hear heated debates on the WhatsApp group over which protein dessert options were best!) There were some pretty impressive results too across the board in my cohort.

Even if you don’t stick to it everyday, it’s helped me make more informed decisions that have now become part of my daily habits. It’s been interesting to start to learn about nutrition (plus a six-pack is apparently built in the kitchen!)