OLYMPIC (PRO)PORTIONS

So how do you win eight gold medals? If you're Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps you put just about everything in your life on hold, train six to eight hours a day and eat, then eat, then eat some more - to the tune of 12,000 calories. Holy appetite!

In case you missed it, a camera crew followed Phelps during a day of training and when he wasn't swimming laps or lifting weights, the 23-year-old swimming sensation was well ... eating.

"Eat, sleep, swim. That's all I can do," the aquaman told NBC news.

The New York Post served up a story on his caloric intake with this headline: "Phelps' Pig Secret: He's Boy Gorge."

But nutritionist Keri Glassman told CBS news that the 6-foot-4, 195 pound Olympian has so much muscle mass that he needs all that food.

But she's quick to toss in this warning: Don't try this super-sizing at home. The recommended number of calories for most men is between 2,500 and 3,000 calories per day, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that amount is determined based on age and activity level.

Glassman points out that Phelps probably swims about five hours a day and burns at least 1,000 calories for each hour he spends in the pool. And by his own admission, the athlete works out so much he has trouble keeping weight on.

So here it is, a typical day of fuel for Phelps:

BREAKFAST

• Three fried egg sandwiches with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayo
• One five-egg omelette
• A bowl of grits
• Three slices of French toast with powdered sugar
• Three chocolate chip pancakes
• Two cups of coffee

LUNCH

• 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks
• A pound of pasta with tomato sauce
• Two large ham, cheese and mayo sandwiches on white bread

DINNER

• Six to eight slices of pizza
• Another pound of pasta with tomato sauce
• 1,000 calories of energy drinks

HOW DO YOU STACK UP?

One-hour cross country skiing            160 calories

One-hour vigorous walk                      170 calories

One-hour walking your dog                 240 calories

One-hour playing golf                         318 calories

One-hour mowing the grass                389 calories

One-hour playing tennis                      560 calories

One-hour biking                                 730 calories

One-hour running 6-minute miles         1,126 calories

Will MacDonald writes for The Gaston Gazette in Gastonia, NC. E-mail him at wmacdonald@gastongazette.com.