While modern bodybuilders and fitness trainers often suggest counting calories as the first thing that a lifter or an athlete needs to do to transform their physique, seven times Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger had a different perspective when it came to food. He did not believe in the concept of counting calories but depended on how he actually felt and looked in the mirror. Well, in all fairness, this does not even make the list of crazy training and nutrition methods that Arnold relied on. 

Despite his retirement from the sport decades ago, the bodybuilding veteran still remains in the hearts of countless individuals. Using his immense knowledge and experience to good use, Arnold often discusses nutrition and training-related points with his ‘villagers’ in Arnold’s Pump Club, his daily newsletter. As part of a Q&A recently, Schwarzenegger admitted what helped him achieve his physique goals despite not counting his calories.

Arnold Schwarzenegger sheds light on his methodologies

After a member of his fitness community enquired about the nutrition approach that Schwarzenegger took, Arnold made a candid confession in his newsletter, “Frank and Franco and all the other guys were much more into nutrition than me…I never tracked anything.”

He continued by pointing out that the bodybuilders from the Golden Era relied more on how they looked in the mirror and changed things accordingly compared to modern athletes who majorly chase weight and fat percentage using methods like counting calories. In a subtle way, ‘Arnie’ expressed that the concept of insane bulks and cuts while being on a prep is silly to him. “This is crazy that people think you have to get gigantic and fat and then lose a ton of weight. It makes no sense,” Schwarzenegger wrote.

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In the newsletter, Schwarzenegger also admitted that he had two advantages over other athletes when it came to nutrition. But what was it? Let’s take a look.

Austrian Oak is built different

While everybody differs from one another, what separates a great bodybuilder from the rest of the herd is their knowledge and experience about what works best for themselves. Arnold had a fast metabolism which helped him stay lean and eat much more calories than others. An additional benefit that he had was that he trained much more. “I trained more than anyone else. That meant my body was more forgiving with what I ate,” Arnold admits. 

“If I looked a little flat in the mirror, I’d turn my dial up a little bit. If I looked a little chubby, I’d turn my dial down. That way the mirror could guide me and l’d just make gradual changes instead of these huge cuts and bulks,” he further explained.

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What are your views on Schwarzenegger’s nutrition tips? Let us know in the comments.