The ONE Thing You Need to Know About Fat Loss Theory

If you wanted to take one point away from The Theory of Fat Loss and one point only, a concept that summarizes in it's entirety what fat loss theory is truly about in terms of exercise, then I would tell you one word... PROGRESSION.

In my previous post, Fat Loss Theory and the Hedgehog Concept, I discuss that there are two types of exercisers, those who are foxes, overwhelmed with the infinite means to the same end, and those who are hedgehogs. The hedgehogs know that to be successful long term with an exercise program, you only need to continue to get better. Simply put, once you stop progressing in the gym, you stop getting results!

In other words... you won't look like this:

... training like this:

The fact that some people still go to the gym and do the same thing they've always done and expect different results is insanity! Take the following example:

Fat Loss Theory: Running and Aerobics (Part 2)

Contrary to popular belief, running (or any type of steady state cardio or aerobic exercise, for that matter) is not at all necessary when it comes to fat loss. In fact, I would go as far as to say that aerobic exercise is just about as far down the usefulness totem pole as it gets when it comes to fat loss. Of course, the reason for this has already been covered in Part 1 of this series. When it comes to absolute intensity, the main determinant of how effective an exercise program will be for fat loss, aerobic exercise simply cannot keep up with other methods.

However, aerobic exercise isn't necessarily terrible either. The real problem, outside of a small absolute intensity (by definition), is with limiting factors.

Fat Loss Theory: Running and Aerobics (Part 1)

Part 2

It is a widespread belief that aerobic exercise, such as running, is necessary for fat loss. This all got started shortly after Dr. Kenneth Cooper's book Aerobics was published in 1968.

For some reason, aerobic exercise became a widespread phenomenon in the 1970s... and unlike other trends and fads, aerobics had staying power. Interestingly enough, the 1970s was also the time that bodybuilding went mainstream (thank you Arnold).

I could rant about how these two styles of training ruined fitness for decades (and will continue to do so)... however, I will instead take the objective road. Since I've already written about bodybuilding splits not being conducive to fat loss, this series of posts will analyze running/aerobics and their effectiveness as a fat loss tool.

Fasted Cardio (Part 3): The LAZY Man's Dieting Gimmick

Part 1
Part 2

This is the finale to the 3 part fasted cardio series. In Part 1, I introduced us to the concept of fasted cardio for selective fat loss. In Part 2, I compared the effectiveness of fasted cardio as a fat loss tool to the new paradigm from The Theory of Fat Loss: A New Paradigm for Exercise and reached the conclusion that it may be a useful tool... but only as an adjunct to training assuming that it doesn't interfere with recovery from a person's primary training program.

Interestingly, Eric Cressey just wrote an article about the problems associated with "adding" to weight training programs, and he hit on a great point about it. I suggest checking it out here.

But anyway... in this post I will simply reveal to you that fasted cardio is nothing more than an overblown and overpracticed manipulation of your DIET and not really anything special.

Fasted Cardio (Part 2): Intensity Theory In Question?

In Part 1 of this three part series, I set the stage for tackling a potential concern I knew I would be hearing about sooner or later, that is, the idea that fasted cardio somehow disproves or discredits the theory of absolute intensity and thus the theory of fat loss.

(Interestingly enough, a day after I posted that entry, a new article in favor of fasted cardio appeared on the T-Nation website... and also in favor of selling you a bunch of supplements.)

Anyway, like I said previously, this post is not designed to convince you whether fasted cardio works or doesn't work. I'm going to ignore that point entirely because you can read enough about that anywhere. You won't find what I'm about to say anywhere else on the Internet. No mindless rehashing of ideas in this post! Rather, we are going to assume that fasted cardio is effective and take it from there...

Fasted Cardio (Part 1): The Theory of Fat Loss Counter Point?

Sooner or later, someone was going to call me and my book out. Someone was going to challenge it. Someone was going to say, "Fasted cardio burns fat very effectively and is completed at a very low absolute intensity. Doesn't that contradict the theory of absolute intensity in your book?"

THE Theory of Fat Loss featured on Fit Business Insider

I just wanted to provide you all with a brief update. I have BIG news about the book. It was just featured on Pat Rigsby's website, Fit Business Insider. This is fantastic. If any of you have heard who Pat is or how much influence he has in the fitness industry, you'll know why I am so excited about this. Please, if you get a chance, check out the article.

http://fitbusinessinsider.com/get-started-as-a-fitness-professional/

Also, I'll be on WJOL radio tomorrow morning around 7:15 AM. That serves Joliet, IL, a city with about 150,000 people. If you aren't from Joliet, which I am guessing you aren't... you can listen to me online if you want at http://www.wjol.com/

One final note... I wanted to give some props to my DJ friend over at http://www.widb.net/wp/revolution/ They provide a different variety of music than mainstream radio. So, if you are a fan of new artists from the alternative, indie, metal, and underground hip hop genres, I'd recommend spending a few minutes checking them out. Maybe they'll have me on their show as well...




Have a great day!

...

And don't forget to pick up your copy of The Theory of Fat Loss for 15% off. Just visit the facebook page for details. http://facebook.com/thetheoryoffatloss.

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.

P90X (Part 1): The Absolute Intensity Argument

One of my readers, a young man who goes by Mr. Huntington, sent me a question about P90X a little while ago. He wondered if I would recommend P90X as a fat loss program because he personally felt that it was useless. He said that he knows a bunch of people who have tried it and quit because it was "too hard" or they got injured or that they just flat out didn't like it. I responded to him with a lengthy email. He subsequently mirrored some of my thoughts on an Internet forum and the response was enormous. Why was that?

You see, I am not a fan of P90X at all. However, I know that thousands upon thousands of people attempt the program. I also know that many of these same people are missionaries for the cause. You see, the marketing for P90X is amazing. What they have essentially done is created a tribe of people who will defend it to the death for no other reason than that they are convinced that "everybody is doing it."  Why do they think everybody is doing it? The advertising tells them it is so. The advertising also tells them that everybody gets ridiculously amazing results and that it is by far the best and most comprehensive fat loss program on the market. Let me tell you something. The marketing team for P90X did a FANTASTIC job. You can't avoid the commercials. You can't avoid the thousands of people that sell the product as part of Beach Body's multi-level marketing scheme. You can't type P90X into Google and find a bad review because they have flooded the Internet with hundreds and hundreds of pages telling everybody about how awesome it is.

So anyway, before I make a bunch of people mad at me, I want to say that this 3 part series will not mindlessly rant about how much I dislike P90X or anything like that. What I am going to do here is raise an intelligent argument based on sound training principles to hopefully open up a discussion about P90X as a fat loss program. Ready?

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.

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