P90X (Part 3): THE Theory of Fat Loss Argument

Part 1
Part 2

The Theory of Fat Loss is made up of two unique constructs that, when integrated, become a powerful fat loss tool. The theory of absolute intensity tells us that the greater the absolute intensity one can achieve with training, the greater the fat loss result will be. The limiting factor theory tells us that within any fat loss program exist multiple potential limits than can inhibit one's ability to achieve success.

In parts 1 and 2 of this critique series, I go into great detail explaining why I believe P90X is less than adequate with respect to these two constructs. In this long overdue Part 3, I will critique P90X in terms of the unified theory as a whole. Let's see where that takes us.

Theory of Fat Loss Book Update

Update: 1/2/2011
Apparently the google search term for The Theory of Fat Loss brings people to this page before the home page. So, I've decided to update this entry. The book was released on 12/15/2010, and you can learn more about the book (and get a 15% discount) by visiting its official facebook page: http://facebook.com/thetheoryoffatloss ... and don't forget to click on the bonuses tab at the top of this page after you invest in your copy... there is a TON of free stuff for you.


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I received the final edit of my book back from my editor, Harvard graduate David D. Aguilar, and I am just about ready to publish. I am just waiting on the foreword to be completed by one of my book contributors, and then I should be good to go. I also need to design a cover for the book. I'm thinking just a straight up black cover with text. Sleek and simple. I hate those books with pictures of thin and shapely people because they are models that likely didn't even follow the methods described in the book. It's a little too fake for me. I'll let the jet black void draw people in. After all, wearing black makes you look thin. Of course my other option is putting this guy on the cover:

That is one fat monkey. I didn't know anything could eat that many bananas. Anyway, if everything goes according to plan with the publishing and there are no unexpected delays or other snafus... the book should be out by mid-December. Cheers!

One final note: I just finished up creating all the "Bonuses" that you can get access to for free after you purchase the book. There are 6 program templates, a 6 month (5 phase) training program that one of my clients actually followed exactly, an assessment and programming form, and a sample "done-for-you" 3x per week hypertrophy program. Typically, I charge 50 dollars for an assessment and a training program, and you get 12 all for free (with your book purchase of course). Anyway, that's all I have for you today. Look out for a post soon about P90X.

Low Back Pain (Part 1): Injury Limits to Fat Loss

If you have been following this blog for a while, you have undoubtedly read the anterior pelvic tilt post, my most popular page to this date. Anterior pelvic tilt is a prevalent posture that is a common cause of low back pain in anybody that sits for long periods of time throughout the day. Today, I am sharing with you my knowledge about low back pain in general.

Having a strong, healthy lower back is essential for just about every aspect of life. Unfortunately, an estimated 80% of all Americans have suffered, at one time or another, from lower back pain. Sometimes it is as simple as a an acute episode that lasts only a couple of hours. Other times, low back pain can be chronic and debilitating. Either way, low back pain will be a major hindrance to your fat loss exercise program. If you can't train, you can't optimally burn fat! Even more importantly is that low back pain might leave you out of commission for a long period of time. Any positive exercise adaptations you may have gained from exercise might be lost when you aren't training, AND inactivity is probably going to cause you to put on fat... which is probably the opposite of what you want to do!

So, what you might want to know is if there is anything you can do about preventing or self-treating low back pain without having to spend thousands of dollars on a doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor.

Can you Eat Out and Still Lose Weight?

Many people think that when it comes time to changing their diets to burn more fat that they have to stop eating out. Oftentimes this is the deal breaker. People do not like having to give up eating at their favorite restaurants. Those that understand what fat loss dieting is really about, however, realize that eating out is not the enemy and that it can be done intelligently and effectively. Jake "Sausage Link" Skrabacz is one of those people. So today I bring you a guest post (and another small book excerpt) from him with some helpful suggestions for how to manage eating at restaurants when you are dieting.

Cheeseburger, nuggets, and fries pizza

Probably not the most intelligent fat loss diet decision
 

The Theory of Fat Loss Update

I just spent 4 hours today finishing up a really good chapter on aerobics and energy system training for fat loss instead of spending that time watching my alma mater Notre Dame play football. Now that's dedication. I have about 5 chapters left to write (out of about 30 total), so if I stay as highly motivated as I have been recently, I'll be done very shortly. Enjoy this excerpt from the book as a preview.

This is my friend Mike George who is currently a junior and

is serving as one of the ND Leprechauns

Is it Simpler for Men to Cut Fat?

I recently addressed the topic "Is it harder for women to burn fat?" The conclusion was that, yes, it is more difficult because women are simply not as strong as men in an untrained state. So, if it is harder for women to burn fat, that should make it "easier" for men, right? That is true... at least to an extent. What types of limits do men have that they need to work on to look like the guys from Jersey Shore? (Just kidding).

 

Maybe Fat Loss, Exercise, and Getting In Shape aren't for you...

If you don't want to put forth any effort to look really good, you don't have to. In fact, there are many ways to look good without any effort. So, why would you bother following a fat loss blog or reading a fat loss book when you don't have to? What I am about to reveal to you just might be the answer you are looking for.

The Limiting Factor Theory of Fat Loss

The Theory of Fat Loss is comprised of two separate constructs, the theory of absolute intensity and the limiting factor theory. The limiting factor theory states- within any fat loss program exist multiple potential limits that can inhibit one's ability to achieve success, and a limit is defined as anything that negatively impacts one's ability to achieve or maintain a great(er) absolute intensity.

Is Body Mass Correlated With Fat Loss Potential?

When it comes to fat loss, it is important to realize that certain people are better equipped for it than others. Even if we ignore genetics and physiology completely (which I often like to do because few people want me to get that scientific), this is entirely true. One of the main themes in The Theory of Fat Loss is that the more athletic you are and the better in shape you are, the easier it is for you to cut fat (see Strength for one example of this).

On the other side of that spectrum are the people who are not athletic and not in shape... the people who haven't been to a gym in years and who sit around at their computers or at their TV screens and like to eat... in other words, people who, for lack of a better term, are morbidly obese. You will be interested to know that these people will also find it easy to cut fat! In fact, it might be even easier for them than for anyone else!

Built For Show Product Review

When I first started training people, I was very good at teaching exercises and writing personalized warm ups. One of the most important factors in fat loss training is keeping people healthy. I knew that, and that is what I was good at. Without good mechanics and without the proper warmup, any exercise program can go downhill fast.

My very first body transformation client had a few major issues when it came to exercise. First, he was afraid to do lower body exercises. He had always heard that squats and deadlifts were bad for your back and knees. Second, he had very poor posture. His upper back was hunched over, as were his shoulders. He couldn't completely reach overhead. His hips were a disaster. His pelvis was tilted so far forward that he could not properly use his glutes. Third, he didn't trust me.

When I got to working with him to correct these issues, it dawned on me that what I was doing wasn't going to help him achieve his physique goals. In fact, I freely admit that I had no idea how to program for him! So, rather than make something up, I decided to use a proven system. That system was found in the book Built For Show.

Built For Show, written by Nate Green, ended up being the perfect book for my client. I was able to control all the aspects of his warmup, and at the same time, I was able to coach him through the programming from the book without worrying about whether it would be effective. I taught. He executed. What I liked best about Built For Show is that the program lasted an entire year. It is broken down into 4 separate seasons, with two phases per season. This made for a total of 8 different individual programs. Each phase and season built upon what was developed in the previous phase or season.

I believe that the entire program, when viewed as a whole product, is a powerful testimony to the main theme of The Theory of Fat Loss. In fact, Built For Show provided me with key insights when I chose to write my book. It was an inspiration. The results speak for themselves. Below is the transformation picture of my client from when I first met him to when he finished his program. He doesn't even look like the same person! I promise you that he is.

That being said, I would highly recommend the book Built For Show for any man willing to put forth the effort to make a change in his life.

Up and Running

This is the official web page for the soon to be released book, The Theory of Fat Loss. If you would like a free excerpt from the book and want to be the first to know when this book will officially be released, enter your first name and email address in the box in the top right corner. Thank you for your interest in The Theory of Fat Loss!