Four Ways To Break A Weight Loss Plateau

"The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger." - Proverbs 24:5

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives good tips about breaking a weight loss plateau.

Weight loss plateaus are the bain of every dieter's existence. There is nothing more frustrating than doing everything that you are "supposed" to do but, for whatever reason, the weight loss just stops.

Before we get into how you can smash through your weight loss plateau, it is important to determine if you have plateaued OR perhaps you haven't actually been following your diet and/or training program.

The first step is to do a gut check and make sure your compliance to your diet program is where it needs to be. If you haven't been 90% compliant, then stop reading this article and get back to focusing on doing what you actually said you were going to do.

If you have been sticking to your program, but have stopped losing weight, then we have a problem.

Homeostasis.

The human body is constantly striving for homeostasis. What we need to do is shake things up and prevent our systems from staying in a homeostatic state. Here are four ways that you can disrupt homeostasis and blast through your weight loss plateau. You aren't meant to do all of them at the same time - instead just pick one at time.

1. Increase Calories for 7-10 Days
This doesn't mean go off your diet. Instead, increase your calories (no more than 500 calories per day), mainly from carbohydrates to give your system a "break" from calorie restriction. After the 7-10 day period, cut your calories back down and your weight loss will start back up. This strategy works well if you have been dieting for a long time.

2. Crank Up the Intensity
Often times, we find ourselves perpetually dieting and can just never seem to get those last 10 pounds off. In these situations, cranking up the intensity on all fronts (diet and training) for a set amount of time is a great way to blast through a weight loss plateau. With this method we are basically shocking your system out of homeostasis.

3. Change Your Training Program
Sticking to the same training program for too long used to be a very common problem. Now with all the training resources on the Internet, being on a program for too long isn't an issue for many people (but it may be for you). You need to be switching up your program (set, reps, exercises, how many days a week you train, etc) every 4-6 weeks.

4. Reduce Your Carbs
This tip is the opposite of the first one but works just as well. Dropping your carbs down to a ketogenic level will strongarm your system into using fat as its primary fuel source. This metabolic fuel switch works best if your carbs aren't too low already (>100g/d). To further enhance the effect of this technique, use the induction protocol where you eat 20g/d of carbs or less for 2 weeks.

Weight loss plateaus are frustrating, but don't let them discourage you or stop you from reaching your goal. If you have truly reached a plateau, pick one of the techniques above and put it into action. When you hit another plateau, pick another one. Continue doing this until you have reached your goal.

Remember that for the most part weight loss is not a linear process. Plateaus are a normal physiological occurrence, but using the strategies in this article you can beat temporary weight loss homeostasis and achieve the body you want.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast, visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.

Carbohydrates and Fat Loss: What's the Deal?

"All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power. I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables." - Genesis 9:2-3

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives good information about carbohydrates and fat loss. You'll see that many of the points he makes is similar to previous blogs I've written about following a low-carb diet - Warp Speed Fat Loss; Meal Frequency: Eat 4-6 Meals Per Day; Warp Speed Fat Loss Part 2; and Low-Carb and Mediterranean Diets are Both Winners for Fat Loss.

Carbohydrates play an important role in any fat loss diet. You need them to help you recover from your workouts, but you need to limit them so that they don't inhibit your fat loss.

So what is the right balance of carbohydrates in your diet?

When you eat carbs, and what kind of carbs you eat, depends on your body type and the time of day. Let's look at this idea a little more closely.

The degree in which your body does not "handle" carbohydrates well is known in science terms as insulin resistance. While there are many factors that impact insulin resistance, the most important is your body fat.

Too much Visceral body fat (the kind that sits inside your gut surrounding your organs) leads to increased insulin resistance. The greater your insulin resistance the worse your body is at processing carbohydrates.

The best way to deal with insulin resistance from a dietary standpoint is to use lower impact carbohydrates. The "impact" of a carbohydrate is the degree in which it affects your blood sugar levels.

This can be measured in terms of "glycemic load" (higher glycemic load leads to greater effect on your blood sugar levels. A good article about the difference between the glycemic index and the glycemic load can be found - HERE).

One of the world's top glycemic load researchers, David Ludwig, discovered in one of his research studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that people with insulin resistance lost more weight when they were on a low-glycemic load diet vs. a low-fat diet.

Low-glycemic load diets are typically lower in total carbohydrates and higher in protein and fat than a typical low-fat diet. This is the perfect kind of diet for weight loss. You can easily eat this way by switching out rice, pasta, potatoes, breads, and other starchy or processed carbs for spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, green beans, chick peas and a variety of other vegetables, legumes and fruit.

These are the kinds of carbs that you want to focus on eating throughout the day as they are low in total carbohydrates and sugars but higher in fiber.

While low "impact" carbs are important for controlling insulin levels and increasing your rate of fat loss, fast-acting carbs are also an important part of a fat-loss diet.

A 2006 study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology showed that when people drank a sugary shake during their workout over the course of 12 weeks, they lost just as much weight as the ones that did not drink anything.

Other studies have shown that those who use a mix of carbohydrates and protein during and after their workout lose as much fat as those who don't drink a shake and they gain more lean muscle mass!

Carbohydrates during your workout will allow you to train harder, burn more calories and lose more fat. Fast-acting carbs and protein during your workout will also allow you to recover from your workouts faster, allowing you to continue training hard and losing weight fast.

If you don't want to use a specially-formulated pre- or post-workout shake like Surge or Relentless, something as simple as chocolate milk has been proven to be just as effective and has the right amount of protein and carbs needed for recovery.

Just be sure not to overdo it if you are trying to lose fat. You can easily consume too many carbs and negate some of the fat-loss benefits. I recommend no more than 30-50 grams of carbs if you weigh less than 200lbs - and only use it after intense training workouts.

The final important point that needs to be made is that when low-carbohydrate diets are compared to low-fat diets, the people on low-carb diets consistently lose more weight after six months on the diet, and they do not need to focus on cutting calories - they eat as much as they want (the benefit of more protein and healthy fats in your diet is that they will also help you feel fuller faster and keep you satisfied longer).

People on low-fat diets need to focus on restricting calories, and they don't lose as much weight. Which diet would you rather be on?

If you are truly serious about losing weight as fast as possible then you need to adopt a low-carb approach during the day but allow for a fast-acting carb and protein workout shake when you train.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast, visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.

30 Power Foods for More Fat Loss!

"You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, He will bless you with food and water, and He will protect you from illness."

- Exodus 23:25

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives good information about power foods that you should be eating on a regular basis. You'll see that many of the points he makes goes along with previous blogs I've written about power foods - Power Foods; Power Foods - Part 2; and Four Foods for More Fat Loss.

Good food is an extremely important part of any fat loss diet. The food you eat is actually going to drive (or inhibit) your fat loss. I have put together a list of 30 Power Foods that are the kings of "healthy foods." They will get your body primed not only for rapid weight loss but greatly improved health.

These 30 Power Foods (if not all, then most) should be the center pieces of your nutrition as they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, essential fatty acids, fiber, essential amino acids and all kinds of other good stuff that we don’t fully understand (but we know they are good for us because God provided them as food).

I wanted to use this list to supercharge your nutrition - hopefully you're eating a lot of these already. They are separated into five groups:

1. Starches (faster acting carbs)
2. Fruits & Vegetables (and non-starchy carbohydrates)
3. Proteins
4. Fats
5. Powerfood Outsiders (these don’t really fit into any of the previous categories but that doesn’t take away from their nutritional power)

Starches

• Amaranth
• Quinoa
• Oats
• Yams

Fruits & Vegetables

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Onions
• Oranges
• Pomegranates
• Pumpkin
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Beans

Fats

• Avocado
• Coconut Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Flaxseed/Flaxseed Oil
• Walnuts/Almonds/Seeds

Proteins

• Lean Poultry
• Salmon
• Lean Red Meat
• Omega-3 Eggs
• Cottage Cheese (with Live Cultures)
• Milk Protein Powder Blend

Power Foods Outsiders

• Green Tea
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Hot Peppers

Which ones are you eating? Which ones aren't you eating? Make note of the ones you aren't eating and make sure you pick them up next time you go shopping.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast, visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.

Interval Training - Revisited!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

- Hebrews 12:1

I've written about interval training and steady-state cardio in previous blogs including my most recent blog on how to combine interval training with steady-state cardio for the best fat loss results. However, I wanted to revisit the issue since it causes much confusion when someone is trying to lose fat or increase conditioning.

If you are limited in the amount of time you have to train, and you want to maximize your fat loss, then you will need to address your diet and resistance training program first.

As mentioned in the Hierarchy of Fat Loss, if you only have 3 hours to train each week, your diet and metabolic resistance training program will be the most important thing to address. However, if you have more time, you would want to include interval training and so on and so forth as described in the article.

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I've also used the Tabata method. Although Tabata's may not be ideal for fat loss (although there could be that benefit over time), they are good for anaerobic conditioning. That's one reason why I recommend using them as a finisher after a weight workout. Tabatas are short, but intense and won't interfere with your weight training or strength and hypertrophy goals.

If your goal is to gain strength or size while maintaining your body fat levels (or possibly losing some fat), then short conditioning workouts like Tabatas work well.

I have also used the various methods posted in the Metabolic Acceleration Training blog for conditioning benefits. These are the methods that Alwyn Cosgrove has used with phenomenal results with his clients. And when it comes to research vs. real-world results, the real-world results prove their effectiveness.

There are also countless studies showing the benefits of intervals for fat loss and conditioning over traditional steady-state aerobic exercise. In fact, Alwyn Cosgrove put many of those studies in his Real World Fat Loss manual and DVD (many of which are also posted on his blog).

The reality is that there are not as many studies proving the effectiveness of the various metabolic acceleration methods he (and others) has used - but again, real-world results trump what the research says. And if he is training more than 200 people each year at his facility and has been doing so for more than 10 years and has found those methods to be the most effective for the thousands of people he's trained, that says something!

Not only that, but from my own experience and experience training others, these various methods work far better than what I see the majority of people doing in the gym.

Putting It All Together
Designing a HIIT workout shouldn't be too difficult. You're going to alternate periods of high intensity with periods of moderate or low-intensity for your recovery. This, of course, will be dependent on your fitness level and is fully adjustable as needed.

For example, if you can't sprint for the time required, you could jog or perform a fast walk for your "intense" portion of the interval and then walk for your rest or recovery portion.

Another benefit to interval training is that it doesn't require a lot of time. Many people will start out with as few as three intervals for a total workout time of 9-10 minutes (after your 3-5 minute warm-up). As for how often to perform interval training, I recommend anywhere from 1-3 days each week depending on the time you have available and your goals.

You can use a variety of methods for interval training (sprinting or jogging, jumping rope, weight circuits, bodyweight exercises, stationary bike, stair climber, rower, etc.) and you can use different work-to-rest ratios to make them more or less intense.

Typical work-to-rest ratios will be 1:2, 1:1.5 or 1:1. Which one you use will depend on your level of conditioning and goals. It would be a good idea to start with a 1:2 work-to-rest ratio and progress over time to 1:1.

Some of the most common work-to-rest ratios include the following:

• 30 secs "hard" (8-9 out of 10) with 60 secs "easy" recovery (4-6 out of 10)
• 30 secs "hard" with 45 secs "easy" recovery
• 30 secs "hard" with 30 secs "easy" recovery
• 45 secs "hard" with 90 secs "easy" recovery
• 45 secs "hard" with 75 secs "easy" recovery
• 45 secs "hard" with 45 secs "easy" recovery
• 60 secs "hard" with 120 secs "easy" recovery
• 60 secs "hard" with 90 secs "easy" recovery
• 60 secs "hard" with 60 secs "easy" recovery
• 90 secs "hard" with 180 secs "easy" recovery
• 90 secs "hard" with 90 secs "easy" recovery
• 120 secs "hard" with 120 secs "easy" recovery

From what I've researched (Alwyn Cosgrove and Craig Ballantyne seem to have the most information), 60-second "hard" intervals seem to be the most effective for fat loss. But 30- and 45-second intervals are also effective. I've used intervals ranging from as little as 10 seconds (using a Tabata-type interval) up to 120 seconds.

A sample interval training program for someone new to this type of exercise would be as follows:

• Warm-up: 3-5 minutes (fast walk, jog, bike, bodyweight circuit, etc.)
• Interval 1: Perform 30-second "hard" (8-9 out of 10) interval
• Recovery 1: Perform 60-second low-to-moderate-intensity (4-6 out of 10) recovery period
• Interval 2: Perform 30-second "hard" interval
• Recovery 2: Perform 60-second low-to-moderate-intensity recovery period
• Interval 3: Perform 30-second "hard" interval
• Recovery 3: Perform 60-second low-to-moderate-intensity recovery period
• Cool down: Perform 3-minute walk, slow jog, bodyweight circuit or bike

That's just one way to start out using a 1:2 work-to-rest ratio and a 30-second "hard" interval with a 60-second "easy" recovery period. For more ideas, see my blog How to Perform Interval Training.

In addition, here's a good article that John Berardi posted on his blog today about the topic of interval training, steady-state cardio and how to progress: Exercise Progressions

If you have any questions, let me know!

Should You Exercise When Sick?

"The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health." - Psalm 41:3

Problem: You're all stuffed up - with a sore throat or sinus infection - and you want to work out. Should you?

Yes!

The question of whether you should train or not while sick comes up often, so here are a few tips to help you make the right decision and what to do so you don't spread germs to others.

If you have a head cold - the symptoms are above the neck - but don't have a fever, then it's okay to train as you normally would depending on how you feel and how much energy you have. In fact, many times, you will feel better after you train than if you had just skipped the session.

"It's important to stick to your regular exercise routine if you're feeling energetic enough," said Shazia Kahn, assistant professor at Loyola University Health System. Just don't push yourself too hard and be sure to take in more fluids than usual.

If you're achy, have a fever, vomiting or have diarrhea and chills, it's better to skip your workout and come back when you feel better or only have a head cold.

Which brings up another issue: If you're determined to bring your cold to the gym, at least be sure to disenfect the equipment when you're done and stay out of the pool. Droplets from a sneeze travel up to 3 feet; if your mucus hits fellow swimmers before landing in the water, it could give them a cold.

So the next time you have a head cold and want to train, go for it! But if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms, stay home and rest.

Nutritional Tips, Power Foods, Breakfast and Grocery Shopping Tips!

"Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding."

- Proverbs 2:2

Today's post is a link to other blogs I've written in the past year that give helpful tips on nutrition, power foods, breakfast and grocery shopping.

As I've looked back at previous blogs, I've realized that I have quite a few very good blogs with useful information. However, not having them all in one place isn't always convenient for someone looking for quick information. That's why I've put them all here for you to read, take notes and put into action.

Nutritional Tips

Nutrition Tips To Get Things Started

Lean For Life

Six Habits For A Six-Pack

Low-Carb And Mediterranean Diets Are Both Winners

Back-to-School Health Habits


Power Foods

Power Foods

Power Foods Part 2

Stay Healthy Super Foods

Five Ways To Boost Your Fiber Intake

Got Milk (And Other Dairy Products)?

Four More Foods For Fat Loss


Breakfast

Always Eat Breakfast

Eat Your Eggs (The Whole Egg!)

Benefits of Breakfast

Breakfast Ideas To Start Off The Day


Grocery Shopping Tips

Tips To Improve Grocery Shopping

Save Money On Groceries

There you go! These blog posts will give you the information you need to begin making changes in your life one step at a time and have an easy resource guide to come back to as needed.

Four Foods for More Fat Loss!

"Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food." - Isaiah 55:2

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives some good information on what foods to eat for fat loss. You'll see that many of the points he makes goes along with previous blogs I've written about power foods.

What foods should I eat for maximum fat loss? This is a common question that I get from clients and friends. There is so much new information out there everyday, "X food is now good for you but Y food is now bad."

How can you possibly sort through all the junk science and sensational reporting to truly find out which foods will help you lose weight and which foods won't?

Let me help. Here's a look at foods that you should eat to maximize fat loss. These foods are listed in no particular order because they are all important.

1. Salmon - While salmon was once demonized by the fitness community in the 90's because of its fat content (I actually saw it in an article about "Foods to Avoid for Fat Loss"), we now know that the long-chain omega-3 fats found in salmon are the best kind. Research has shown that these fats can actually help you burn more fat. Salmon also contains high levels of protein - it really is the perfect package! Look for wild Salmon (not farmed).
2. Almonds - Almonds are a great fat loss snack. Almonds are extremely convenient, portable and they have a long shelf life. You should keep a small bag of almonds at your desk, in your briefcase, or in your backpack as an emergency weight loss snack. Almonds contain fat, fiber and protein - all of which will help curb your hunger. They are also low in carbohydrates and provide your body with energy while keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Buy them raw not roasted, dry roasted or salted (usually in the baking aisle at the grocery store).
3. Broccoli - Broccoli is a true superfood. From a health perspective, it contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that have been shown to help fight cancer. There is also some evidence to suggest that other compounds found in broccoli (like Calcium D-glucarate) can bind excess estrogen in the body. It is a low-impact carb with a nice dose of fiber. You can buy it fresh or frozen (broccoli cuts or florets - go with the florets). The bottom line: Eat broccoli often!
4. Green Tea - Green tea is another powerful food, like broccoli, that will have a huge impact on your fat loss and health. Green tea can be an acquired taste for some people. If you let it steep too long (e.g. leave the tea bag in the water), it can be very bitter. You can drink it hot or cold (if you opt for cold you may need to add a little Splenda, Stevia or Xylitol). Green tea contains cancer-fighting compounds, not to mention antioxidants, caffeine and the fat-burning powerhouse - EGCG. Research has shown that the combination of caffeine and EGCG (which is naturally combined in green tea) can help burn extra fat. Drink 2-3 cups a day.

There you have it. Four time-tested and research-proven foods to help you burn more fat. If you aren't eating (or drinking) all of these foods daily (or at least every few days), then you are not doing everything possible to burn maximum fat. Add them to your diet, get healthier and leaner.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at the Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.

Fat Loss Basics!

"Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge." - Proverbs 23:12

This is an article originally written by Alwyn Cosgrove. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives good information on how to lose fat. You'll see that many of the points he makes go along with previous blogs I've written about effective ways to lose fat through a proper diet (lower carb) and exercise (higher intensity).

How do we actually lose fat? What do we mean by fat "burning?" Here's a very simple explanation of what actually goes on to create a fat-loss effect.

The key concept that trainers and physiologists have shoved down our throat for years is that it's all about calories in vs. calories out. This is true – for weight loss – but it's not the whole truth for fat loss. There are a number of protective mechanisms that the body has in place – called rate-limiting steps – to prevent fat from being lost or burned.

On a very basic level, Fat "burning" is essentially a two-step process.

The first step is mobilization.

How do we actually get fat out of the fat cells so that we can subsequently use it as a fuel source? Fat mobilization is governed essentially by levels of a hormone known as hormone-sensitive lipase or HSL (you can forget the name as there won't be a test). It's an oversimplification but basically the higher the HSL levels, the higher the fat mobilization.

How do we get higher HSL? Increase catecholamine levels (specifically adrenaline). How do we do that? Exercise. Particularly, high-intensity exercise.

But HSL is also limited by insulin.

High insulin levels = Low HSL levels = Low fat mobilization.

A great strategy for part one is low insulin levels (from diet and training), plus high catecholamines (through intense training).

Part two of the process is transport and oxidation.

If HSL levels are high, fat cells break down into free fatty acids (FFA) which circulate in the blood and eventually end up in a muscle (which needs energy) where they can be burned off in the mitochondria (this is the "powerhouse" of the cell that your high school biology teacher kept going on about).

But there's another rate-limiting step here: Transporting the FFA into the mitochondria where it can be burned off. That transport is controlled by carnitine levels.

If carnitine levels are high, fat transport is high. Think of carnitine like passport control officials.

If you get off a plane with 500 other passengers and there is one official at passport control, it'll take a long time to get through. If there are 500 officials, then you go through quickly and can leave the airport (leaving the airport is the equivalent of fat being burned off). The more officials (carnitine), the easier the process.

How do we ramp up carnitine levels? Well, again, we have a rate-limiting step. If muscle glycogen is high, then carnitine levels are low.

If we reduce muscle glycogen through metabolic work, we have the optimal fat-oxidation state. Therefore, high-intensity glycogen depleting exercise is the tool of choice here.

High levels of fat mobilization + High levels of fat oxidation = Accelerated fat loss.

If you figure out how to integrate all those steps, and circumvent each rate-limiting step, you’ll find that fat loss is simple.

So how do you put all of those steps into effect so that fat loss becomes simple? One way is to follow a proper training and nutrition program like Warp Speed Fat Loss.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Alwyn Cosgrove, M.S., C.S.C.S., is a nationally-renown fat loss expert whose work has appeared in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Men's Journal, Self, Oxygen, Muscle & Fitness HERS and Testosterone Nation. His Warp Speed Fat Loss system is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat and exactly what to do for exercise to lose weight in record time.

Combining Interval Training with Steady-State Aerobic Exercise for Fat Loss!

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

In previous blogs, I've spoken about the effectiveness of interval training for fat loss. For a summary, check out these blogs:

Nutrition Tips, Aerobic Exercise and High Intensity Interval Training

More on Interval Training for Fat Loss

Tabata Interval Training

Burn Fat and Increase Metabolism with Resistance and Interval Training

How to Perform Interval Training

Metabolic Acceleration Training - A Better Way!

Warp Speed Fat Loss (combines interval training and metabolic strength training)

It's been proven that interval training works - and works well - for fat loss. However, there are many people who still enjoy steady-state aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming and bicycling. Although steady-state aerobic exercise is on the lower end of effectiveness in the hierarchy of fat loss, it can still be used for cardiovascular benefits and fat loss if you have more time to train.

Another effective way to get the fat loss you desire is to combine interval training with steady-state aerobic exercise. Alwyn Cosgrove has used this with many of his clients and in some of his training programs including those listed in his book The New Rules of Lifting for Women and Warp Speed Fat Loss.

The best way to combine the two methods is as follows:

• Perform a five-minute warmup (bodyweight circuit, fast walk, jump rope, light jog, bike, etc.)
• Perform interval training (9-20 minutes total depending on the intervals chosen)
• Stop and rest for five minutes (this gives the body time to release the triglycerides into the bloodstream so you can burn them off with steady-state aerobic exercise)
• Perform 20-30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (fast walk, light jog, bicycling or perform on various aerobic exercise equipment - treadmill, stationary bike, stair stepper, rower, elliptical, etc.)

Using this combination of interval training and steady-state aerobic exercise seems to be the most effective way to accomplish your fat loss goals while also increasing your conditioning and fitness levels.

I would recommend using this method 2-3 times each week depending on your training experience in addition to 2-3 days per week of resistance training (see this blog on how to set up an effective metabolic resistance training program). Depending on how much time you have available to train, you could set it up like this:

Monday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time)
Tuesday - Intervals + Steady-State Aerobic Exercise (30-50 minutes total time)
Wednesday - Off or light activity, walk the dog, play with the kids
Thursday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time)
Friday - Intervals + Steady-State Aerobic Exercise (30-50 minutes total time)
Saturday and Sunday - Off or light activity, walk the dog, play with the kids

The above schedule requires four days and approximately 2-4 hours of exercise per week. That is not a huge time commitment and it also gets you very close to the five hours per week that is recommended by most fitness experts.

If four days per week is not possible, you can adjust the schedule so that you perform your interval training and steady-state aerobic exercise after your metabolic resistance training workouts. You could set it up for two days per week like this:

Monday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time) and Intervals + Steady-State Aerobic Exercise (30-50 minutes total time)

Thursday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time) and Intervals + Steady-State Aerobic Exercise (30-50 minutes total time)

The only negative to the above schedule is that you will need to devote approximately 1-2 hours each training session - and it can be hard to accomplish that much work in one session unless you are already well conditioned.

Or you could divide it up over three days per week like this:

Monday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time) and Intervals + Steady-State Aerobic Exercise (30-50 minutes total time)

Wednesday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time)

Friday - Full-body Metabolic Resistance Training (30-60 minutes total time) and Intervals + Steady-State Aerobic Exercise (30-50 minutes total time)

There are other ways to adjust the schedule to fit your time constraints and availability. But you must make the time (turn off the TV, get off the computer, play less video games, eliminate time-wasting activities) and put in the effort and consistency to reap the benefits. And, of course, your nutrition program needs to complement your training to get the best results.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. I can always give you suggestions and sample programs to follow to help accomplish your fat loss goals no matter what your training experience may be or what equipment you have available.

How to Lose Weight (FAT)!

"Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!" - Isaiah 38:16

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives some good information on how to lose weight (fat) the right way. You'll see that many of the points he makes goes along with previous blogs I've written.

There are many different ways to lose weight (by "weight" we are referring to fat loss) – some ways are very good and some ways are very bad. In this article, we will look at four wrong ways to go about losing fat and then six effective fat loss strategies that you can use to increase not only your fat loss but the rate in which you lose weight.

First, let’s look at the wrong ways to go about losing weight:

1. Focus on Creating an Energy Deficit by Reducing Calories - You need to create an energy deficit - but reducing calories leads to the slowing of your metabolism. It is important to focus on increasing energy expenditure AND reducing calories (slightly).
2. Removal of Dietary Fat - Despite all the advances in science, many people still believe that absolute reduction of dietary fat is the key to losing body fat. This is not the case. You need fat in the diet for a variety of functions, including losing weight!
3. Relying on Weight Loss "Gimmicks" - Eating Cabbage or Grapefruit at every meal to lose body fat isn’t smart. These "diets" rely on absolute caloric restriction to elicit temporary fat loss - not some special characteristic of the "gimmick food."
4. Believing some Chinese Tea will make You Thin - These web sites are ALL OVER THE PLACE. People don’t make thousands of web sites selling a product unless people are buying the product. There is no magic tea from China that will help you lose weight. Green Tea can help (but you need to drink A LOT). Ignore the celebrity "endorsements" and skip the magic tea.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s look at six strategies that you can use to start losing weight right now. No fluff. This is what you need to do.

1. Limit Your Intake of Rice, Sugary Drinks, Potatoes, Bread, etc. Until after Your Workout. This takes advantage of a biochemical window in which your body is put in a state to better process these types of foods instead of having them lay the foundation for another layer of body fat.
2. Increase Your Intake of Green Leafy Vegetables (preferably at every meal). Green leafy vegetables have a "volume advantage," meaning that you get to eat lots of them without eating a lot of calories. This is a huge benefit when dieting as it will help curb your hunger.
3. Eat 5-6 Times Each and Every Day. Eating more often is a required habit if you want to lose a lot of weight. It will allow for better control over blood sugar levels, a constant flow of nutrients to your body throughout the day and it will help curb hunger cravings because you will constantly be eating.
4. Eat More Protein (every meal). Protein is your ace in the hole. It takes more energy to digest than other nutrients, supports the maintenance and protection of your lean body mass and is a good replacement for carbohydrates as it is not a large stimulator of insulin - which you need to control when dieting.
5. Participate in Metabolically Demanding Strength Training and Interval Training 3-5 Times a Week. Metabolic resistance training, categorized by short rest periods and sets of 8-12 reps, will help you melt off the fat. Don’t be afraid to lift heavy weights just because you are dieting. Interval training (short periods of intense exercise followed by short periods of rest) has been found to be very effective for fat loss over steady-state cardiovascular exercise.
6. Rinse and Repeat. Okay don’t "rinse," but repeat these steps everyday and watch your pants fall off your waist.

There you have it – Four ways to completely sabotage your fat loss and six strategies to burn maximum fat. Now listen to step 6 and put them into action!

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15, or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.