You may have heard that muscle burns more calories at rest than fat does. It's true. Three times as much. You may have also heard that when you build more muscle, you'll increase your metabolism. Technically that's also true. You may have even heard the specific claim that each pound of muscle you add to your body burns 50 more calories per day. That is absolutely not true. It's a big myth.
Ever been curious if any fat burners are really backed by science. If so, and if you could only read one research paper to get the answer, it would be this one: “Comparing the effectiveness of fat burners and thermogenic supplements to diet and exercise for weight loss and cardiometabolic health.” This study was published in the scientific journal Nutrition And Health. (Clark et al 2021). I'll summarize it for you in 3 minutes...
Does fasted cardio burn more fat? 20 or 30 years ago, almost everyone in fitness and bodybuilding thought so. You can count me in that group. I was a 1990s and 2000s era competition bodybuilder and I did a lot of fasted cardio first thing in the morning. Back then I also recommended cardio on an empty stomach to my training clients for burning more fat. Today the research is clear: Fasted cardio works, but it doesn't work better than fed cardio. Read the blog to learn why
After 35 years in the fitness business, “How to get abs” is still by far the most frequently asked question I receive out of hundreds of emails that come into my office every month. No doubt, it's because abs are the one body part that most people are the most frustrated with. Although their questions are often phrased differently and each person’s situation seems unique, my answer to “what's the real secret to getting six pack abs” is almost always the same… and you’re about to hear it...
Losing weight is hard, but keeping it off is even harder. Research shows most people regain what they lose. This article explains how successful long-term maintainers beat the odds, using 10 proven strategies based on National Weight Control Registry research and decades of real-world coaching experience.
For several years now, there has been a theory that when you exercise more, some of the increased calorie burn is "cancelled" because your basal metabolic rate decreases. An internationally publicized study now appears to confirm this, showing 27.7% "energy compensation." This has caused a number of fitness influencers to start claiming exercise doesn't work for weight loss and that "Weight loss is all diet." But what does a closer look at this research really say? Tom Venuto digs deep into the science and clears up the controversy...
I first read about the hierarchy of fat loss over a decade ago, and lately there's been a big resurgence of interest in the topic. Both coaches and athletes alike are keenly interested because so many people are still confused and overwhelmed about nutrition and failing to get results. The hierarchy of fat loss is all about priorities. Get your priorities right and results are guaranteed and overwhelm is gone
Despite doing regular cardio for weeks, and even increasing the duration, you might still see no added weight loss and start wondering what you’re doing wrong. You may even begin to question whether cardio for weight loss works at all. You hear that claim everywhere – from trainers and even PhDs. The truth is, cardio does work. And when it doesn’t, there are specific reasons why. This post explains one of them…
High-protein junk food is booming - from protein donuts and chips to bars and even pop-tarts. These snacks are marketed as healthier indulgences, but do they really help with weight loss, or are they still just ultra-processed foods in disguise? In this article, I break down the latest research, including new metabolic ward studies, and share whether protein-fortified junk food belongs in your diet, and in what amount
Struggling with food cravings? Learn 12 smart, science-backed strategies to take back control, without extreme restriction or guilt. From managing triggers and stress to using smarter swaps, these practical tips make cravings easier to handle and keep you on track with your goals.
