When it comes to the “big picture” in dieting, true success is not only meeting your goals but maintaining it by being able to navigate your way around food choices and knowing your body.

For maintenance, I like to keep an 80/20 to 70/30 rule of being on plan. If you understand your body and your body’s nutritional needs and high intensity weight training is your weapon of choice for your fitness activities, there is no problem eating things that aren’t on your plan. If my pants are getting too tight or if I don’t like what’s going on in the mirror, go back closer to plan for a few weeks and lean back out. There’s my maintenance.

Because I’m dearly missing Las Vegas and the Mr.Olympia this weekend, I wanted to share what my first ritual when I land in Sin City before checking into my hotel. In N’Out Burger – Double Cheeseburger (Animal Style) and Fries. 

Lift weights, do HIIT, and train hard. Ditch the long cardio too. During the week, keep the majority of your nutrition program on plan and you’re good to go with eating other foods. 

No salad? No problem. Give me a burger and fries. No guilt either.