Tag Archives: Mental Strength

The Intermittent Fasting Wars Pt. 2 (Written)

March 17, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Building, diet, Fitness, Intermittent Fasting, lose weight, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, Muscle, NLP for weight loss, paleo, Plateau, Pounds, psychological, success, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

If you really want to lose weight, you need to eat 6 small meals a day. And you never want to skip breakfast! Right? Well, that is what I was told my whole life. In fact, fairly recently I did a review (audio) on Chris Powell’s book, Choose to Lose: The Seven Day Carb Cycle Solution. In that book, he advocates six small meals a day. I followed it for a while and I lost weight!

Well the truth is I lost a little weight. And the reason I lost it was not because the diet was so great. Rather it was due to the fact that I was on a plateau and it changed things up enough to get my metabolism working again.

The six meal a day plan can work for some of the people some of the time. For example, if you take someone who is eating a bowl of granola in the morning and/ or a bagel, and switch them to 4 egg whites and half a banana, you will see results. Out of the two, the former is way worse for your blood sugar. So the six meal a day diet can work, but it does not work nearly as well as intermittent fasting (IF).

Why IF Works

There is lots of science regarding IF. I do not have the time to go into all of it here. However, I will quickly mention that the reason it works is that it allows your body to tap into your fat reserves. Your body only runs on two types of fuel–sugar and fat. When you eat 3 or 6 times a day you are fueling your body with sugar and training your body to prefer to run on sugar.

However, when you go without food for a significant period of time, you use up all your sugar. The only fuel left for your body to run on is fat. And in fact, your body runs better on fat than sugar. And the more often you run on fat, the more your body wants to run on fat preferentially.

There are lots of big words I could have used to explain the above paragraphs, but it really is that simple. If you do not have sugar in your body, you will run on fat.

Starvation Mode

But what about starvation mode? If you have been led to believe that 3-6 meals is the way to go, and that you should never skip breakfast, you may have also heard of the dreaded “starvation mode.” This is the belief that if you do not keep feeding your body every 2 hours or so you will store fat instead of burn it. Why? Because (they say) your body thinks it is going though a famine and will want to hang onto fat.

The fact of the matter is that this is simply not true. In order for your body to go into “starvation mode,” you have to go without food for a few days. But even then, you will eventually start losing weight. So do not fear. Going without breakfast, or even going without food for a day, will not not make you gain weight!

IF Programs

There are many IF programs to choose from. In the next article, I will list them and let you know which protocol I chose to lose nearly 20 pounds in about a month!

The Intermittent Fasting Wars PT. 1(Written)

March 14, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Body IO, Cravings, Dave Aspery, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, food, Food Addiction, health, healthy eating, inspiration, Jimmy Moore, Keto, Ketogenic, Kiefer, lose weight, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, Muscle, NLP for weight loss, paleo, Plateau, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

I recently did a podcast on different intermittent fasting protocols. In light of that, I thought I would write this blog based on that podcast. I’m doing this because I want to get the information out there and realize that not everyone listens to podcasts. That is to say that some people like to read more than they like to listen.

This will not be a word for word transcript of the podcast (that would just be too lengthy). What I wanted to do was talk about the different kinds of intermittent fasting plans available and which one is right for you. However, before I do that, I wanted to write a little on why I have taken up this topic.

Last October I had a shocking eye opener. Over the course of the summer, I had re-gained about 15 pounds. While I was no where near 300 pounds (the estimated weight I was at when I started to take my health seriously), I was still very depressed to have gained that amount of weight back.

How did I re-gain the weight. Well quite honestly it was just though neglect. One too many cheat meals, eating too often, not pushing myself as hard as I could have in the gym…the list goes on. And also, the fact that I was not near my original 300 pounds made it easy to over look the “relatively” small amount of weight I was gaining back.

At the first of the year, I once again got serious about my health. In about 5 weeks, I had lost the 15 pounds plus a few extra. I started giving it my all in the gym, making sure I was counting my carbs. I was also eating clean. But the big factor was tighting down on my intermittent fasting.

But one of the decisions I had to make was choosing an intermittent fasting (IF) protocol. This caused me to study which IF programs were available. So which ones are available, and which one did I choose to lose about 20 pounds? And which one should you choose? These questions will be addressed in our next post.

The Intermittent Fasting Wars (Podcast)

March 10, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossAble James, Bio Hack, Bulletproof Coffee, Dave Aspery, diet, exercise, Fitness, food, Greg O'Gallagher, health, healthy eating, inspiration, Jimmy Moore, Keno Body, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, NLP for weight loss, Wild Diet, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

On this episode of A mind For Fitness Podcast, Ean Carlin talks about intermittent fasting. Also, a lot of time is spent on evaluating the different kinds of intermittent fasting protocols. Enjoy!

Why Traditional Diets Work For Some People

February 9, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Building, Chris Powell, coach, coaching, Cravings, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, Food Addiction, health, healthy eating, inspiration, Keto, Ketogenic, lose weight, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, NLP for weight loss, paleo, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

In this episode, Ean gives the straight scoop on why low calorie, Low fat diets work for some people some of the time. As well as why it does not work for others and why you should never make it your lifestyle.

Five Factors That Will Either Make or Break Your Weight Loss

February 1, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Cravings, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, food, Food Addiction, health, healthy eating, inspiration, Keto, Ketogenic, lose weight, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, NLP for weight loss, paleo, psychological, shred, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

Another episode of A Mind For Fitness podcast is now available. In this episode I talk about the difference between those who succeed at weight loss and those who fail. Which camp are you in? Listen and find out.

Why We Hit Plateaus In Weight Loss

January 24, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Building, coach, coaching, Cravings, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, food, Food Addiction, health, Inches, inspiration, Keto, Ketogenic, Mental Strength, Motivation, NLP for weight loss, paleo, Plateau, Pounds, psychological, shred, success, Supplement, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

I recently did a podcast where I addressed the issue of hitting plateaus in weight loss. I talked about why we hit them and what we can do to get past them. This blog post will address the first half of the issue. Namely, why we hit them. In the next post, I will talk about what not to do and why. After that, I will talk about the active things you can do to get past them and get back on the road to burning fat.

Two Main Causes

The truth is there is only two reasons why your weight loss progress stops. The first is you are just not sticking to your diet correctly. The second is your body has simply adjusted to your dietary and/or workout regiment.

Not Sticking To Your Diet

Sometimes your not sticking to your diet simply because you are cheating too often. If this is the case, the truth is you need to do the diet correctly.

However, there are times when you really think you are sticking to your diet, but in reality you are unknowingly are consuming too many carbs and too many processed foods. For example that salad you had for lunch may have had many more carbs than you thought.

On one occasion I was happily eating a salad when I noticed that it was slightly sweeter than I thought it should be. The reason for this is that there were craisins in the salad. When I finally looked up the carb count in craisins, I realized that my salad contained my daily allotment of carbs. I was shocked.

If this kind of thing happens too often, you will certainly stop losing weight.

Body Adjustment

However, for many, you are sticking to your diet and you have still hit a plateau. The reason for this is that your body has adjusted to your diet and/or workout plan. One thing to keep in mind is that your body is always looking to establish an equal balance within itself. Losing wight is an imbalance within the body. And an imbalance is a shock and perceived as a treat to survival. Even though there are great benefits to losing excess fat, your body is still seeking to establish equilibrium as a survival tool.

Next Post

So there are your two reasons why you will stop losing weight. The next post will deal with what not to do about it.

If you liked this, please share this post on your favorite social media.

Getting Past Your Plateau (Podcast)

January 18, 2016UncategorizedBio Hack, Building, coach, coaching, Cravings, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, food, Food Addiction, health, healthy eating, Inches, inspiration, Keto, lose weight, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, Muscle, NLP, NLP for weight loss, paleo, Plateau, Pounds, psychological, shred, success, take action, Weight, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

A new episode of A Mind For Fitness Podcast is now available. In this episode, Ean talks about why we hit plateaus. And what we should and should not do about it. Enjoy!

Dealing With Resoltioners (Audio)

January 10, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Building, coach, coaching, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, food, health, healthy eating, Inches, inspiration, Keto, Mental Strength, Motivation, N. L. P., NLP, NLP for weight loss, paleo, shred, success, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

In this episode of A Mind For Fitness Podcast, Ean Carlin talks about how to deal with those new years resolutioners who are at your gym.

Dealing With Resolutionars at the Gym

January 7, 2016Exercise, Fitness, Health, Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, Motivation, NLP, Paleo, weight lossBio Hack, Building, coach, coaching, diet, dieting, exercise, Fitness, health, Keto, Low Carb, Mental Strength, Motivation, N. L. P., NLP, NLP for weight loss, shred, success, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

Yes it is that time of year again. It is that time when everyone is trying to get into shape and make all kinds of goals regarding health and weight loss. For many, one of those goals is to hit the gym and hit it hard! What this means is that the gym will be swarming with new people. For us long times, us people who already go to the gym on a consistent basis we, we call these new people “resolutionars”! And they can be annoying at the least and completely your workout at worst.

Don’t Be A Hater

Dealing with resolutionars can be bothersome. Often they are in the way and many of them don’t seem to understand proper gym etiquette.

That said, don’t be a hater. Keep in mind the fact that these people are just trying to better themselves by improving their health. This type of behavior should be encouraged.

In practical terms, smile at the new people instead of glaring at them hatefully. Introduce your self. Let them know that you have been coming to this gym for a long time and tell them everything you like about the place. Just think: it may be your kind words that makes a resolutionar a regular.

Don’t Worry

Next thing to do is not worry about all the new people. Statistics show that 95% of people who make resolutions for the new year will break those commitments by January 15th. Just wait it out a week or two and those who are not serious will be gone and out of your way. And if you followed the above recommendation, those who decided to really make a commitment, will now be your friends.

Take Time Off

If you really just cannot handle being around resolutionars, then one of the best things you can do is to take some time off. I know for us regulars, taking time off is difficult. We love working out and we love going to the gym. However, most workout regiments require taking time off. And if you are anything like me, you workout hard during the holidays and could use a break. Remember, for optimal health, recovery is just as important as working out.

Home Gym

So maybe you did take the holidays off and you need to workout. The home gym is always an option. You may not have every piece of equipment they have at a traditional gym, but you can do push ups, squats, lunges, and all sorts of things that will keep you in good health.

Go in The Morning

If you just cannot stay away from the gym, then your best bet is to go in the morning. This will not keep you from resolutionars altogether, but it will minimize your encounters with them. Generally speaking, most of them are not dedicated enough to go in the morning. And those who are willing to make the commitment to go in the morning are more likely to become regulars.

Switch Your Routine

The last thing you can do is to change your routine. Instead of doing chest on Monday, do biceps. Or simply do what is available. Make the best of what you have and do what you can do. This will always make a great workout.

P. S.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. I hope it helped you. If it did, please do me the favor of sharing it on your favorite social media. Have a great new year!

5 Easy Ways to Lose Weight For the New Year (Audio)

January 4, 2016Ketogenic Diet, Low Carb Meals, NLP, weight lossBio Hack, Building, Bulletproof Coffee, coach, coaching, Cravings, diet, Fitness, Keto, Ketogenic, lose weight, Low Carb, Mental Strength, paleo, Plateau, Pounds, psychological, success, take action, Weight Loss, workoutadvancedweightlossresources

A new episode of A Mind For Fitness Podcast is now available! In this episode, Ean talks about five ways to lose weight for the new year and the new you!

Advanced Weight Loss Resources

Cutting Edge Health and Motivation