Bodybuilder Victor Martinez admits to occasionally vomiting after eating cheat meals… is this a wider dangerous trend in the sport?
The Generation Iron Podcast, hosted by bodybuilding legends Victor Martinez, Ehsan Farahi, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin, offers a treasure trove of insights into the world of bodybuilding, fitness, and nutrition. In a recent episode, the hosts tackled various topics, ranging from fan questions about diet and competition prep to discussions about viral videos and gym culture. Most notably, Victor Martinez reveals vomiting or “purging” after eating an ill advised cheat meal during bodybuilding prep.
Victor Martinez and the GI crew cover a wide variety of bodybuilding topics this week. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect in this episode:
- Victor Martinez analyzes the specifics of a fan’s high protein, low carb diet.
- Do bodybuilders often vomit after over-eating?
- Are egg yolks good or bad for a bodybuilder during contest prep?
- Fried rats: a debate about unique sources of protein
- The importance of a motivating gym partner
As always, Victor Martinez holds nothing back in his opinions and analysis of these varied topics. Here’s a detailed recap of the key discussions from the episode.
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Fan Question #1: Low-Calorie, High-Protein Diet Concerns
A fan, standing 5’8″ and weighing 150 lbs, wrote in with concerns about his diet. He consumes 200g of protein and 87g of carbs daily, totaling 1450 calories across five meals. With a body fat percentage of 5%, he asked if his low-carb, high-protein diet was on the right path, and if his weekly cheat meal followed by 30 minutes of cardio was a sound approach.
Victor’s Response
Victor Martinez immediately identified a red flag in the fan’s caloric intake. He highlighted that 1450 calories per day is extremely low, especially for someone looking to build muscle. Victor questioned the need for so much cardio, given the fan’s already low body fat percentage.
Victor clarified that if the fan is young and still in high school, such a diet might be somewhat acceptable. However, for an adult bodybuilder, this caloric intake is insufficient and could lead to being “malnourished” by bodybuilding standards. He stressed the importance of increasing calorie intake to support muscle growth.
Ultimately, Victor’s main advice was for the fan to consume more calories to facilitate muscle gain, emphasizing that the current diet is too restrictive for effective bodybuilding.
Cheat Meals, Guilt, and Vomiting in Bodybuilding
Ehsan Farahi pointed out the fan’s cardio routine following cheat meals, suggesting it might indicate a problematic relationship with food. He noted that feeling guilty about eating could lead to unhealthy behaviors and mental stress.
Victor agreed, sharing his own experiences of struggling with guilt during contest prep, sometimes forcing himself to vomit after cheat meals to stay on track. He emphasized that while such practices are not common, they are not unheard of in the bodybuilding community.
Victor goes into detail about one particular experience, where he was on such a strict diet during contest prep, that he caved and ate an entire box of donuts. Knowing that this was completely off his rigorous diet plan – he ultimately forced himself to vomit the food. Allowing him to have enjoyed the cheat meal without suffering the dietary impact.
It should not noted that this kind of behavior, especially if consistent and shown as a pattern or habit, is considered an eating disorder and can have a severe impact on your physical and mental health.
If you or anyone you know seems to be suffering from what may be an eating disorder, it is important to seek medical help and get a professional assessment or diagnosis.
Fan Question #2: Eating Egg Yolks Pre-Competition
Another fan asked about the consumption of egg yolks one month out from a competition. Victor Martinez reassured that egg yolks are not inherently bad for a bodybuilding diet and are acceptable even a month before a show. He noted that egg yolks contain beneficial fats but cautioned against consuming too many in one meal, recommending around 3-4 yolks to avoid excessive cholesterol intake.
Victor also addressed the evolving views on dietary cholesterol, explaining that for individuals without pre-existing cholesterol issues, moderate egg yolk consumption is generally safe. However, those with heart conditions or high cholesterol should be more cautious.
Viral Video Discussion: Frying Rats for Food
Vlad Yudin introduced a viral video showing rats being fried with their fur still on. He posed a thought-provoking question: if food is prepared cleanly, does it matter whether it’s rat, pig, or cow?
Victor found the idea of eating rats repulsive, despite acknowledging the protein content. He was particularly disturbed by the fact that the rats in the video were fried with their fur still on, which he found disgusting.
The hosts shared their experiences with unconventional meats. Vlad had eaten horse and alligator, while Victor had tried ostrich. Victor emphasized that different cultures have different dietary norms, and while eating rat might be acceptable elsewhere, he couldn’t overcome his cultural aversion stemming from his NYC upbringing.
Joey Swoll’s Criticism of a Gym: Woman in Men’s Locker Room
The discussion shifted to Joey Swoll’s critique of a gym for not removing a woman from the men’s locker room.
Victor Martinez surprisingly defended the woman, asking if she was causing any issues in the locker room. He noted that unless there was a disturbance, there shouldn’t be a problem with her presence. He acknowledged the cultural double standard but pointed out that it’s a reality in many societies.
Vlad Yudin clarified that Joey Swoll mentioned a man had filed a complaint about the woman, indicating discomfort among some gym members. Victor recounted his own experiences growing up with gender-neutral bathrooms in NYC clubs, where such situations were commonplace and non-problematic.
The Importance of a Motivating Gym Partner
Finally, the hosts discussed whether having a gym partner stronger than oneself is crucial for progress.
Victor Martinez stressed that the key to a good gym partner is motivation, not necessarily strength. While a stronger partner might instill a competitive spirit, what’s more important is having someone who can push and motivate you consistently. He warned against partners who turn workout sessions into socializing events, as this can detract from training intensity.
He pointed out that while some couples and friends can effectively push each other to perform better, others might end up chatting more than working out, thus diminishing the benefits of having a gym partner.
Wrap Up
The Generation Iron Podcast continues to provide invaluable insights into the bodybuilding and fitness world, with hosts Victor Martinez, Ehsan Farahi, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin bringing their expertise and personal experiences to the forefront. Whether discussing fan questions, viral videos, or gym culture, their candid and informative conversations offer guidance and provoke thought among fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders alike.
You can watch the full episode above. And don’t forget to check back every week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
