Amanda Ennett Military Fitness 360: Nutrition

Amanda Ennett, our 2011 Military Challenge Winner, knows what it takes to connect nutrition and exercise for incredible results.

She knows what her body needs, when it can handle stress, and when to give it a little pick-me-up. When she needs a boost, she reaches for dark chocolate (Dove or Giardelli) and fat-free frozen yogurt with fruit and whip cream. That is her "10-percent fun," but 90 percent of the time, her meals are as strict as her instructors at boot.

Military Winner Amanda Ennett Fitness 360

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"You can't eat strict all the time and maintain it," Ennett says. "Some girls say they do, but I don't think that they do. I don't know where I'd be without some dark chocolate every once in a while, or some ice cream. We all want those things."

Balance

Amanda wants to work with heart and lung patients who need exercise and wholesome nutrition. She believes in whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Yes, fruit: Amanda eats a piece before and after her workouts. She eats clean protein and has cut back on grains. She's even eliminated dairy, because she didn't like the way it affected her.

"My diet doesn't really change throughout the year, because I consider it more of a lifestyle than a diet," Ennett says. "I think we use the word "dieting" too often. It was difficult in Iraq. We were there during the holidays and all the grandmas and moms were sending cookies. We were constantly surrounded by sugar and chocolate and treats."

Sometimes care packages can be too caring.

Amanda doesn't count calories unless she's prepping for competitions. Still, she knows which foods to eat and knows roughly how much to eat and when. In Iraq, she said the chow hall took good care of her, offering egg-white omelets, chicken and broccoli -- solid bodybuilder food.

She likes her cheat sweets, but refuses to let them take control of her nutrition. She's put off by the insinuation that clean eating for 5 or 6 days is enough to counteract a weekend binge.

"People don't realize that if they have a big enough cheat, it can cancel out all the hard work, all the calorie deprivation," Ennett says. "Instead of eating a big Saturday meal, you should have one thing, if you want it, but not enough that you undo all your hard work."

Amanda's Nutrition Philosophy

My views on nutrition seem to be ever-changing. They are always based around the same basic foods: vegetables, healthy fats, lean meats, fruits and whole grains. Also, I revel in the sayings: "You are what you eat," "Food is fuel," and my favorite, "You can't out train a bad diet."

My nutrition varies most around which proteins and which carbs I will eat, and how much. Lately, I have made a move toward less hormone- and antibiotic-laden chicken and beef to more organic eggs and wild-caught fish. If only grass-fed beef and free-range chicken was cheaper!

With the decrease in the amount of meat I have been eating, I have been upping my carb intake with amino-rich grains such as quinoa, plus also protein-rich beans and lentils. I have also been upping my fats with avocados, coconut and flax. I have also decided, for health and convenience, to make the move toward a more raw diet: raw veggies, raw nuts, seeds and fresh fruits.

Tomorrow, ask me again and this may change!

Amanda's Nutrition Schedule