The Motivation Diet

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"Rather than anxiously and absentmindedly rushing to stave off imagined starvation, remember that “staying hungry” encourages you to achieve a goal."

Today’s ambitious male lives a fast-paced life in which time is at a premium, stress is high and adaptability is essential. Just like the athlete conditioning for physical success, the CEO or entrepreneur can adopt nutritional strategies to maximize his professional performance. Success in the business world requires a focused mind and tireless enthusiasm. Organizing projects, creativity, problem solving, group management and pushing to deadlines are just some of what’s required. The Motivation Diet capitalizes on the practices of intermittent fasting, Paleolithic diet and carbohydrate cycling to create a practical and flexible plan for your workday.

I recommend the Motivation Diet, especially to clients who have an aggressive schedule of tasks to accomplish with a high degree of mental acuity. In other words, busy people who don’t necessarily want to commit a great deal of thought to “diet” but can adjust some of their habits if there’s a reachable goal in mind.

Ernie, a professional photographer, and Ross, a computer systems security analyst, are two of my clients who have found great benefit in following the Motivation Diet.

“After I got over the idea that I needed breakfast to function, the morning fast has been great,” states Ross. “I’m alert and energetic and ready to get things done. I don’t fall apart because I get hungry. Instead, I focus more intently on my work and actually feel more relaxed. And since my work requires my brain to function at a high level, this has been a huge benefit.”

Ernie has also felt a tremendous difference from learning how to properly fuel his brain. “Salmon, steak and lots of veggies are now just as satisfying to me as bread and other convenient foods used to be. Focusing on foods that provide nutrition has made me much more aware of what makes me feel good when I eat it vs. those foods that only dull my hunger. Plus, I’ve always been a foodie, but now that I’m more discriminating, meals are more enjoyable and I’m more invigorated.”

As a side effect, each of these guys lost over 15 pounds of body fat, though the primary goal was feeling more motivated, not losing weight. Both men are able to relax and socialize without worrying about calories.

Breakfast is no longer necessarily the meal of champions. In fact, waking time is the perfect opportunity to transform yourself into a creative beast. Eating early will activate your parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body that regulates digestion and rest. If you’re ambitious, surely you don’t need to start your day by resting.

Instead, take advantage of your body’s natural inclination to get after it. Leaving breakfast aside will more thoroughly arouse your sympathetic nervous system, which produces all the neurotransmitters and hormones responsible for motivation. Increased levels of catecholamines will improve your attention and response.

Break the fast at a light lunch and learn not to be afraid of hunger. Rather than anxiously and absentmindedly rushing to stave off imagined starvation, remember that “staying hungry” encourages you to achieve a goal. Instead of food, make that goal accomplishment.

If you love your morning cup of Joe, then rejoice. Not only is coffee a potent antioxidant and cancer fighter, but it can further amplify sympathetic system arousal. Green and white teas are also renowned for their healthful and stimulating properties, and enjoying a cup provides the mood-boosting amino acid L-theanine. Next Page >>