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Poker Video: Misc/Other by Travis Steffen (Micro/Small Stakes)

Hi Travis. I've been reviewing the series again, and feel that, as you eluded to, a series on sports psychology( specifically NLP techniques, etc) would be welcome.

Some areas I have problems with myself are; patience(I know where I want to go, and I know what I need to do to get there, but as I'm doing the work I become restless, and begin looking at other video series, etc, and not finishing what I've started), leak finding (is what I'm looking at a leak, or is it infact self doubt) and resource management (trying to find time to effectively learn and utilise HEM, WIZ, stove, videos, forums, live play in a way effectively). I Only mention this because if I have these problems, then others must do too.

I'm actually working on a more in-depth sports psych course right now and am testing it with some private clients. I wouldn't be opposed to turning an abbreviated version of this into a video series fairly soon.

Is smart pasta (or bread) ok? It's supposed to have the same amount of fibre as the whole wheat versions.

I like sushi; should I be concerned with the rice's GI factor? The rolls I get are mostly yam or avocado, and only about 1/3-1/4 rice. Is there a minimum amount of calories needed to cause a meaningful spike in insulin?

I'm fairly certain that while smart pasta has additional fiber, the GI value is still the same, so it's likely you'll see an insulin spike. It's also difficult for me to really tell you the amount of high GI carbs it will take to effect you individually with absolute certainty. It's best to make this judgment yourself after a little experimentation. Also, remember that certain types of sushi can be made with brown rice, and that you can still eat high GI foods occasionally as long as you're not playing right afterward.

Thanks again Travis. I'm currently trying out the "slow-carb" diet from Tim Ferris' "The 4 Hour Body". I eat legumes for carbs plus protean and vegetables. It's not portion/calorie restricted, I just have to avoid eating lactose and starch and drinking calories, all of which I get to have in large quantities on my weekly cheat day. So far (it's been 2 weeks) I've really enjoyed the change and have no intention of re-introducing carbs or dairy in my weekday diet; although my results have been somewhat lack-luster so far (as far as losing weight) I feel awsome.

My question is: I make a whey protean shake for myself each morning, I add a tbs or so of almond butter and a tbs or so of udo's oil or coconut milk as well as some greens powder and some creatine powder and a cup or so of unsweetened almond milk, if I have some. Do I need to add some carbs to my mix or can I wait until I feel like eating? I'm sure I could put down 1/2 cup (or so) of lentils if I had to, but I would prefer to just drink my breakfast. Thanks again.

If you had to do a weekly binge day, how would you go about minimizing the negative mental aspects of the insulin spikes?

Though I loved The 4 Hour Workweek, I haven't read The 4 Hour Body, so I'm not familiar with the specifics of this particular diet. However - remember one thing:

There's a big difference between eating for appearance and eating for performance.

If you're on a particular diet that helps you lose some lbs, that's great, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's the ideal diet in terms of performance. Hopefully this helps you to evaluate whether a particular diet you read about is right for your situation.

I actually love shakes for breakfast, but I definitely think you need to introduce a decent amount of low GI carbs here. I love putting quick oats and fruit in my shake in the morning. They're fantastic, nutrient-rich options that encourage elevated cognitive function - and they taste great. As far as almond milk goes, I'm not a huge fan - not because it's bad for you (it's really not) but the brands that I've seen really don't have much to them nutrient-wise. You can get a much more utilizable form of protein with cow's milk.

If I had to do a weekly binge....first and foremost I wouldn't play poker. I'd also rather have my worst meal right after my workout as my metabolism is faster so it would do less damage than if I ate it, say, late at night. If you're having high GI carbs, there's really no way around those insulin spikes, so plan accordingly.