Kane Sumabat Interview (Part 1)
My Approach To Staying Lean & The Results of My High Intensity Training Experiment
Kenny: You were the first person I came across who was doing IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)
Kane: Yeah, I did flexible dieting in 2005 when it wasn't even called IIFYM. I think someone coined it ‘If It Fits Your Macros’ in 2009 or 2010.
Lenny: Where did you first learn about IIFYM?
Kane: I remember it was back in 2005. I was reading an article by Lyle McDonald and he was talking about eating clean. What does “clean eating” even mean? Is it clean because you washed your food? There was a KFC and Burger King near my house, so for four to six weeks I decided to try flexible dieting. I wanted to see if I can get really lean eating whatever foods I choose. I remember I did a six week cut eating junior double whoppers. I’m not advocating that everyone go do this, but it was an experiment. I wanted to know and prove that it can be done. After that I never looked back.
Kenny: Do you still track your macros?
Kane: Yes, except all I focus on now is tracking protein and calories.
Kenny: Okay, so you’re not tracking fats and carbs? Well, you are technically with the calories but what I mean is, you’re not concerned if one day you're eating higher carbs and one day you’re eating higher fats?
Kane: Exactly. I don’t care.
Kenny. Do you notice that your physique is looking pretty consistent, regardless of the macronutrient ratios?
Kane: Maybe on certain days I’m holding more water but it really just depends on the total amount of calories I’m consuming, for the most part. As I get older, I’ve been thinking about paying more attention to micronutrients. In my younger days I’ve gotten away with not paying as much attention to them, but now or maybe in the near future, I might have to focus on micronutrients more.
Kenny: Is that because you believe it will help you maintain the muscle mass you have, or is it more for health reasons?
Kane: It’s more for maintaining the muscle mass I have. That’s all I’m really focusing on right now. Performance and body composition.