Bruce Krahn is the author of The Fat Fighter Diet (Wiley, 2007) and is the president of eBodi.com, an online fitness and nutrition educational resource with members throughout North America and abroad. He is the co-founder of Bodizone Personal Fitness Studios, a personal training company and acts as a consultant with some of the largest fitness equipment retailers. Bruce has worked extensively in the corporate sector conducting fitness and nutrition seminars for companies including Purolator, General Electric and TD Bank. He is also the co-founder of Bodizone Recreation Management which is responsible for designing and staffing some of the most prestigious condominium fitness centers. Believing that one should practice what they preach, Bruce has also appeared in several fitness magazines, television programs, radio broadcasts and publications throughout North America.
Bruce has been a personal trainer for more than 15 years and has a university education in psychology and sport studies. He has trained hundreds of people from all walks of life from children to celebrities including Nelly Furtado, Criss Angel and Tom Cochrane. Bruce takes a holistic, mind/body approach to exercise, health & fitness and is an avid endorser (and user) of Genuine Health supplements.
For more information please visit www.thefatfighterdiet.com
Naturally Savvy Guide, Andrea Donsky: What inspired you to become a bodybuilder?
Bruce Krahn: First off, I think it is important to define exactly what a “bodybuilder” is. For many people the term conjures up images of guys wearing very little posing trunks standing on a stage and being judged by the size of their…muscles! However, this is actually very misleading. You see, to me a “bodybuilder” is anyone who is setting goals and working towards improving their overall health, fitness and appearance through exercise, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. That being said, I think I was first inspired to pick up the weights by my older brother and later on by one of the most inspiring and interesting people of our time: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today, I draw much of my inspiration from health researchers such as Sam Graci, strength coaches like Charles Poliquin and various spiritual leaders.
Andrea Donsky: Can you tell us a little bit about your book The Fat-Fighter Diet?
Bruce Krahn: The Fat Fighter Diet is a book that encompasses all aspects of a healthy lifestyle including the psychology of goal setting, stress management and success as well as personalized nutrition and exercise programming. It is not a “one size fits all approach” like most other books on the subject but rather a “one size fits you.” I describe it as being the intersection where health and fat loss meet. The other very important distinction is that this is NOT a book about weight loss. The Fat Fighter Diet is a book about FAT loss. There is a big difference between the two. Simply focusing on weight loss can lead to a whole host of problems including sarcopenia (the loss of muscle) and other health issues.
Andrea Donsky: I heard that EGCG and CLA can help to fight fat. Can you tell us a little bit more about the research behind it?
Bruce Krahn: EGCG (Epigallocatchen gallate) and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) are two very interesting compounds. EGCG is a polyphenol that has been shown to increase thermogenesis or the loss of energy (calories) as heat. It is a naturally occurring compound and can be found in green tea, for example. The EGCG has a synergistic effect when combined with caffeine. A recent 3 month trial showed that green tea extract (standardized to contain 25% EGCG) reduced waist circumference by 4.5%. CLA is a naturally occurring derivative of the essential fatty acid- linoleic acid. CLA has been shown to increase metabolic rate while improving glucose tolerance- an important part of the fat loss equation. The cool thing is that when you combine these ingredients you get a very potent fat burning effect.
Andrea Donsky: What supplements, if any, would you recommend as a support for someone who is trying to lose weight?
Bruce Krahn: I believe that there are certain foundational supplements that should be a part of everybody’s program. These include: omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils), a green drink (like greens+ to help make the body more alkaline), and a multivitamin/multi-mineral. For increased fat loss I also recommend: CLA + EGCG (as found in abs+), HCA (hydroxycitric acid) and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid.
Andrea Donsky: How do you maintain balance in your life?
Bruce Krahn: Good question. Things are pretty hectic right now. We are opening 2 new Bodizone Personal Fitness Studios this year in addition to promoting The Fat Fighter Diet and my other company- www.ebodi.com. For me the best way to stay balanced is to spend time with those we love, be thankful for what we have, eat healthy, exercise daily, set goals, meditate and always keep in mind that we are here for a good time-not a long time!
