Michael B. Jordan, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Creed, Black Panther, and Sinners, has captivated audiences not only with his acting prowess but also with his impressive physique. His transformation, particularly for Creed III, has inspired many to seek out the secrets to his success. Alongside Jordan's regimen, we'll also explore the dietary habits of another iconic Michael - Michael Jackson - as revealed in the media following his death, providing a contrasting look at celebrity diets.
Michael B. Jordan's Creed Diet Plan: A Path to Physical Excellence
To prepare for his role as Adonis Creed, Michael B. Jordan worked closely with personal trainer Corey Calliet, implementing a strict workout and diet regimen. This plan focused on building muscle and maintaining optimal digestive health and nutrition levels.
Nutritional Strategy
Jordan consumed up to six meals a day, emphasizing lean protein, whole grains, and fresh vegetables. Chicken and other lean proteins were central to his diet, complemented by whole grains for smooth digestion and fresh veggies for essential nutrients.
According to Men’s Journal, Jordan’s diet plan included:
- Lean Protein: Essential for muscle building and repair.
- Green Vegetables: Providing vital nutrients and fiber.
- Healthy Fats: Supporting overall health and energy levels.
- Nutritious Grains: Ensuring sustained energy and smooth digestion.
Jordan also supplemented with protein shakes, a pre-workout supplement, and a recovery supplement. He was allowed one cheat day per week, indulging in local Philly cheesesteaks. Calliet noted Jordan's fondness for cheesesteaks, highlighting the importance of balance and occasional indulgences in a strict diet.
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Expert Opinion
Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist, and Diabetes Educator Kate Save recommends aiming for a "perfect" diet 90% of the time, allowing room for "fun" foods without guilt. She suggests using the "compensation theory," which allows for make-up days through mild caloric restriction or intermittent fasting.
Michael B. Jordan's Workout Routine: Athletic Conditioning and Bodybuilding
Beyond his diet, Michael B. Jordan's physique was sculpted through a rigorous training regimen that combined athletic conditioning with bodybuilding techniques.
Training Program
Calliet employed a four-day program that included regular cardio and high-quality circuit training to trim fat and enhance muscular definition. Each muscle group was trained with volume to maximize results.
- Warm-up: Each session began with a moderate one-mile jog.
- Strength Training: Exercises were performed as straight sets with minimal rest.
- Circuit Training: On day three, exercises were completed as a circuit with three rounds of 25 reps each.
Sample Workouts
Muscle and Fitness magazine provided a detailed Michael B. Jordan Creed workout plan. Additionally, Men’s Journal shared specific exercises for shoulders and chest, along with a post-lift boxing HIIT circuit.
Shoulders and Chest Workout
Rest periods were 90 seconds between chest exercises and 60 seconds between shoulder exercises.
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Post-Lift Boxing HIIT Circuit
Shadow boxing exercises were incorporated during rest periods to keep the body engaged. The circuit included:
- Shadow Box (1 min with 3-5 lb dumbbells)
- Jumping Jacks (30 sec)
- Shadow Box (1 min)
- Mountain Climbers (30 sec)
- Shadow Box (1 min)
- Burpees (30 sec)
- Shadow Box (1 min)
This circuit was repeated for three rounds.
The Michael Jackson Diet: A Contrasting Perspective
Following Michael Jackson's death, media reports and testimonies from those close to him offered insights into his eating habits. These accounts present a contrasting picture compared to the disciplined approach of Michael B. Jordan.
Differing Accounts
Some sources indicated that Jackson maintained a healthy diet, while others suggested a more restrictive and potentially problematic eating regimen.
- Healthy Eating: Kevin McLin, a family friend and former publicist, stated that Jackson tried to eat healthy, consuming turkey burgers, Chinese food, and vegetables while avoiding red meat. Mike LaPerruque, a security specialist, echoed this, noting that Jackson consistently ate healthy meals like chicken, brown rice, and vegetables.
- Restrictive Eating: Randy Phillips, CEO of concert promoter AEG, mentioned that a concert director had to cut Jackson's chicken breast for him. Lou Ferrigno, who helped Jackson train for his tour, claimed that Jackson only ate once a day.
Speculation and Concerns
The conflicting reports and Jackson's gaunt appearance in his final rehearsals led to speculation about possible eating disorders. While there was no solid evidence to confirm this, the concerns raised highlight the potential dangers of extreme dieting and the importance of balanced nutrition.
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The NJ Diet: A Critical Review
The NJ Diet is a medically supervised weight loss program that claims to be based on nutrigenomics. It involves extensive testing, a strict supplement regimen, and an extremely low-calorie diet.
Program Overview
The NJ Diet promises significant weight loss by burning 2,000-7,000 calories of fat per day through a combination of individualized supplements and a low-calorie diet. The program guarantees at least 20 pounds (9 kg) of weight loss.
Process and Cost
The program begins with an initial consultation involving hair, saliva, and blood testing, along with a "bio-energetic balancing scan." Based on these results, a tailored supplement, diet, and exercise plan is created. The 40-day program, including testing, supplements, and check-ins, can cost between $900 and $2,100.
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite its claims, the NJ Diet has faced criticism for several reasons:
- Extremely Low Calorie Diet: The diet involves severe calorie restriction, which can lead to fatigue, muscle loss, and brain fog. Studies have shown that very low-calorie diets can result in more lean mass loss and a higher likelihood of weight regain.
- Unsubstantiated Claims: The claims that the diet can burn 2,000-7,000 calories per day and that supplements can significantly impact fat burning lack scientific evidence.
- Cost: The program is expensive, making it inaccessible to many people.
- Potential Health Risks: Supplements may have side effects or interact with medications.
Expert Recommendations
Due to these concerns, Healthline does not recommend the NJ Diet. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any weight loss program, especially one that involves extreme calorie restriction or supplements.
Ozempic Diet Plan:
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are used for weight loss and blood sugar control. It works by increasing insulin production, controlling liver's blood sugar production and slowing down digestion so one feels fuller for longer.
Guideline for eating on Ozempic
- Prioritize protein: poultry, fish, lean cuts of pork and beef, and plant sources like tofu, tempeh, beans, and lentils.
- Fill up on fiber: leafy greens, whole wheat and nuts and legumes.
- Add in healthy fats: olive oil, avocado, fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as nuts and seeds.
- Stay hydrated: plain water, coconut water, herbal teas, and infused water, and even by eating water-rich foods like watermelon, oranges, strawberries, cucumbers, and lettuce.
- Consume smaller meals more frequently: Smaller meals, as having too much food “sitting in your stomach” can make you queasy and bloated.
Foods to Limit or Avoid while taking Ozempic
- High-fat foods: Fried foods, fast food, and greasy food can take a long time to digest.
- Refined carbohydrates and sugary foods: white bread, French fries, donuts, cakes, and other high-sugar foods, soda, fruit juice, and sweet tea.
- Ultra-processed foods: fast foods, frozen foods like pizza and ready meals, condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauce, chips, pretzels, and candy.
- Alcohol: It can easily add extra calories to your diet.
Michael Jordan's Diet:
Michael Jordan's diet comprised of five to six frequent but small meals made up of 70 per cent carbs, 20 per cent fats and 10 per cent proteins.
- Breakfast: A large bowl of oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries and raisins; scrambled egg whites; glass of orange juice.
- Mid-morning protein shake: combination of Gatorade, protein powders and fresh fruit.
- Lunch: A lean protein like chicken breast or hamburger, along with a healthy carb such as whole-grain pasta or a baked potato and a green salad.
- Mid-afternoon: another protein shake
- Dinner: light dinner.
- Game nights: eat a big dinner instead of the afternoon shake, and then refuel with a lighter snack after the game.
Tim Grover's Diet Plan:
Grover only allows his athletes to eat low-glycemic foods - those that increase your blood sugar gradually. These include eggs, meat, vegetables, nuts and other low-carb foods.
- No sugar. Especially sugar that is artificially added to foods during processing.
- No dairy. Milk, cheese, yogurt, everything. Because the lactose in that food will lead to the spike and crash effect.
- No breads. The grains are processed into sugar by your body.
- No junk. Any sort of processed food will likely be high-glycemic due to high-fructose corn syrup.
- Yes lean proteins. This includes cuts of beef, poultry, pork, fish and free-range eggs.
- Yes nuts. Specifically those nuts that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, pecans and cashews.
- Yes vegetables. All vegetables will help build your long-term willpower, so choose your favorites!
- Yes fresh fruit. Fruits do have more sugar than others, but many fruits like berries and avocados are still low-glycemic - even though they have sugar. Fresh fruit is preferred over dried because dried fruits have a higher concentration of sugar in them.