NUTRITION

I provide the best nutrition coaching plan to help women with fat loss while building muscle.

NUTRITION GOALS & VISION

The first thing I want to share with you is this:
I was once as confused about weight loss and nutrition as you may be.

 We are absolutely flooded with information and it changes almost daily! The best plan is the one that works for you AND is sustainable long term. My approach with every client is to help them discover what works best them. It’s not my job (I don’t feel it should be anyone’s job) to tell you specifically what to eat or judge you for your food choices. I ate 100% plant-based for 10 years until recently. I’d been feeling “off” for many months. I finally listened to what my body needed. I switched some foods out of my diet and incorporated foods like fish and eggs a few days a week. The change has made a big difference in the way I feel. So even though I was vegan for so many years, I made the decision to let go of labeling myself anything. Instead I focus on careful, humane food sourcing and shopping local when purchasing fish or eggs. I continue eating plant-based the rest of the time. I want you to find the foods the make you feel awesome! For the last 10 years I’ve helped many of my clients uncover food intolerance issues. If that’s something you are dealing with, let me know during your assessment. When it comes to bodyweight, how much you eat is FAR more important than what you eat. I had a hard time wrapping my head around this years ago. You can, and will, gain or lose weight whether you’re eating the same calories in healthy foods or junk foods.

On any Given Day...

If you eat more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight.

If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you’ll lose weight.

If you eat around the same amount of calories as you burn, you’ll maintain your weight.

That being said, I recommend eating more green veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Total body health is important. Just remember: for weight loss you must be in a calorie deficit no matter what the food choice. What drives weight loss and gain is energy balance, the relationship between the calories you eat and the calories you burn. When it comes to nutrition guidelines, I recommend a flexible dieting approach. This is based on the idea that around 85% of your calories come from whole, minimally processed foods and the other 15% are discretionary. The discretionary part is important! It allows you to have foods you crave without guilt. By having small amounts of foods you crave, you don’t feel deprived. You’re much less likely to mindlessly binge and quit all together. Flexible dieting increases your adherence and allows you to stay on track!

Healthy yogurt and fruit cup
Healthy green smoothie
Healthy plant-based spring rolls
Healthy green salad bowl
Shawn Middaugh at the gym
Healthy Spring rolls
Healthy green salad bowl
Shawn Middaugh at a bodybuilding competition
Black Background
Black Background
a bowl of healthy vegan food on a table

In Flexible Dieting...

you are given macros. Macros are how the calories you eat are broken down into protein, carbohydrate and dietary fat. Each play a different role toward your goal, and it’s important to understand how they relate toward your calories. In order to reach YOUR goal physique you need a good macronutrient balance.

  • 1g of protein = 4 calories
  • 1g of carbohydrate = 4 calories
  • 1g of fat = 9 calories

First we will determine an appropriate macro balance for your goals. Then you will track what you are eating and how that matches to your macro targets. Once you are doing that consistently, we make further adjustments to the target macros to really dial in your optimum food intake.

Why Track Your Macros?

Whether you want to lose, gain or maintain your weight, the great thing about tracking is that it allows you to have a diet full of variety with no limitation. You’ll also get a much better idea of which macro you should eat (this mainly ensures you’re getting enough protein.) The process also brings a better sense of awareness to the quality of food you’re eating! Not all calories are created equal. We’re surrounded by temptations and foods that are easy to overeat. In most cases people overeat without even knowing it! Tracking should be a balance of learning how much you should eat based on your goals, and not getting overly obsessed where it creates anxiety. You should be able to go out for a nice dinner, enjoy it and not worry about deviating from your plan. And you should be able to get to a baseline without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

As your coach your health is my priority. I’ll guide you week by week in the Strong by Shawn Fitness Program to not only learn but succeed in flexible dieting. You’ll also discover tools to reduce your stress and more valuable weight loss suggestions.

Shawn power lifting in the gym

MY BEST TIP FOR ANYONE STRUGGLING

I’ve always had a schedule that I stick to religiously. I find that consistency is huge to being successful long term. There will be days you don’t feel like training; those are the days you have to fight through and do your workout. They make you mentally stronger!

Whatever I’ve gone through in my life, good times or bad, I’ve been able to rely on one thing: lifting weights for quality of life. It centers me when I feel anxious so it’s good for my mental health. And I know I’m doing everything possible to be independent and not living my later years in a nursing home. This is my retirement and insurance plan in one!

CHOOSE TO START YOUR STRONG FITNESS JOURNEY TODAY

1. Fill out the Contact Form
2. Schedule a Consultation
3. Customize a Plan
4. Begin Your Strong Transformation

"Best trainer you'll ever have!"

Testimonial for Strong by Shawn Fitness
Testimonial for Strong by Shawn Fitness
Testimonial for Strong by Shawn Fitness
Testimonial for Strong by Shawn Fitness
Testimonial for Strong by Shawn Fitness

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