training when unable to choose diet

[Alex rosen]

Im wondering if you have any thoughts on how to structure training and diet with the current schedule that im on.  I work 6 weeks on 6 weeks off in West Africa, and fly back to Utah during my 6 weeks off. The gym that we have over there is not amazing but i am able to do most of the lifts/workouts.  However when i am over there i dont get to choose what i eat, it just comes down to whatever is being served, (cafeteria style) which is usually fairly high in carbs, close to no fruit and not great vegetables if any.

I have been following program builder. and working out usually 5-6 days a week, and have been seeing results although not keeping body fat as low as i would like, but wondering if i should tailor my programming differently for when i’m there on that type of diet as compared to when i’m back in the states?

[Anonymous]

Does the diet you follow there affect on how you are able to recover from workouts?

Can you still get enough calories, protein etc?

[Alex rosen]

No my recovery times are actually pretty good, i feel like i can usually give 100% again about 48-60 hours after workout.

Calories i can get, but good calories is harder. the only way i’m able to hit my protein numbers is by taking about 3 protein shakes a day on top of what we are being fed.   I haven’t tried it yet, but some of the other guys that i work with have started taking super greens or reds supplements as well trying to make up for lack nutrients in the diet over there. Not sure if that would help or not.

While in Africa i also do not have the ability to store anything that needs to be refrigerated either, so has to be dry supplement or consumed once made.

[Anonymous]

Personally I don’t see any specific reason to why you should alter your training program if all the other things you need to support that is pretty good but perhaps not absolutely perfect.  Unfortunately sometimes in life we might get into situations were not everything is optimal for building muscle and then it just becomes a matter of making the most out of what you have access to.  As long as you can cover the basic macronutrient needs I wouldn’t be too worried about certain micronutrients although they are definitely important too. But Yes, by all means, if you can get your hands on some of those green powder supplements, use them.

[Joe]

Alex rosen wrote:

Im wondering if you have any thoughts on how to structure training and diet with the current schedule that im on.  I work 6 weeks on 6 weeks off in West Africa, and fly back to Utah during my 6 weeks off. The gym that we have over there is not amazing but i am able to do most of the lifts/workouts.  However when i am over there i dont get to choose what i eat, it just comes down to whatever is being served, (cafeteria style) which is usually fairly high in carbs, close to no fruit and not great vegetables if any.

I have been following program builder. and working out usually 5-6 days a week, and have been seeing results although not keeping body fat as low as i would like, but wondering if i should tailor my programming differently for when i’m there on that type of diet as compared to when i’m back in the states?

If you make any changes…just keep them small. Adding in a couple working sets per sessions. And/or more rounds of pump work. If you’re recovering well, then maybe can just create a bit more output with more volume. Although if the only negative is not staying super lean, but you’re still making progress, you might not really need to change anything

[Author]

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