|
|
Wells credits diet plan for weight loss
Jays outfielder pays $6,000 to nutritionist
Blood analysis key to choosing right foods
MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER
DUNEDIN, FLA.—Vernon Wells did relatively little in the way of training this winter and reported to camp 20 pounds lighter and feeling better than ever.
So what's his secret?
It's all in the blood.
Wells took part in a diet plan where food intake is determined according to a laboratory analysis of the blood.
"It tells you what's best for your body, what foods make you gain weight and what foods are bad for, say, your cardio or upper respiratory systems," a svelte Wells said here yesterday.
"The big difference I notice is that I can run around all day here, in the heat, or whatever, and I didn't do much in the off-season. I've tried other diets, I've tried running and lifting, but I've never got results like this."
Wells and his wife took the advice of his agent and forked over the $6,000 fee to enter the plan, administered by nutritionist Sari Mellman of Miami, and currently being used by members of the Dallas Cowboys.
"Arnold Palmer uses it and he told me if he'd of known about this 30 years ago, he'd still be playing on the main tour (PGA)," Wells said.
Wells said he lost the 20 pounds in about a month and a half, and has no trouble maintaining his weight at 225.
The Jays have asked their training and medical staff to research performance training and weight management, with an eye towards injury prevention. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi approached third baseman Eric Hinske last fall in a frank discussion about weight and optimum performance.
Weight reduction exploded into a controversial issue in pro baseball and football the past two seasons, with deaths of players in both sports being linked to the now-banned ephedrine.
While players continue to work out and lose weight using traditional methods — weightlifting, running — some like Wells are discovering new techniques.
Some pro athletes are turning to traditional Chinese medicine like acupuncture to help promote blood flow, and herbalism to detoxify the body.
Wells said he tried one of the popular, high protein-low carb plans, but failed to reach his goals even though he was eating turkey and chicken, both considered excellent sources of protein.
"Here on this plan, beef works for me ... chicken didn't, it made me gain weight," Wells said about the information provided through his blood samples.
"At first I didn't believe the doctor. She said if you eat right, you won't snore, and other things like that. Turkey is a good food, but not for me. Salt, of course, is bad, but I used to eat salt all the time. And black pepper will put weight on you no matter who you are."
Wells said he can still consume his favourite fast foods, but he eliminates the bun sometimes since bread is unacceptable under his new diet plan.
Unfortunately, Wells said, the diet can put a strain on personal life.
"At first my wife wasn't too happy about it," he said. "We really cherish our dinners together because I don't see her as much during the season. But it got to the point where I couldn't eat some of our favourite foods. So I'd just cook up a separate meal for myself and we'd still be able to eat together.
"It was funny," Wells added. "I had to abstain from alcohol and sex for the first 15 days of the diet. I said 15 days ... but she (Mellman) said don't be afraid to cheat (on the diet), so I kind of took that liberally. We found a way to work around the sex part."
Return to News Headlines |
|
|
|
|
