#371; Luke Leaman 3; Cortisol, cardio & complexities of fat loss; The real reason you're not seeing results

This podcast dives deep into the truth behind fat loss, training, and why so many people struggle to see sustainable results. It debunks popular myths about cardio, cortisol, and quick fixes, explaining that these aren’t the root causes of your struggles—your own mindset and behaviors often are.ngle approach or ‘magic fix’ will solve everything.

- the importance of proper guidance, and the need to focus on the basics: sleep, recovery, protein, and progressive training. For those willing to truly commit and trust the process, the results will come—but only if they stay the course. The Root Cause of Fat Loss Struggles Many believe that hormonal imbalances, gut issues, or cortisol are the primary reasons they can’t lose weight. While these factors can contribute, the podcast underscores that the real obstacle is often self-sabotage. People skip workouts, abandon plans too quickly, and jump from one approach to another without giving anything sufficient time to work. This cycle of impatience and inconsistency leads to frustration and the illusion that they’ve “tried everything.” The Role of Stress and Cortisol Cortisol is frequently vilified in the fitness world, but the conversation repositions it as a misunderstood hormone. Cortisol plays a crucial role in energy regulation, inflammation control, and overall bodily functions. It becomes problematic only when stress is chronic and unmanaged, leading to poor recovery and stalled progress. Fear of food and chronic stress amplify these issues, creating a feedback loop of poor gut health, hormonal disruption, and impaired recovery. The podcast highlights how this cycle often begins in the mind, with self-doubt and fear driving unhealthy patterns. The Science of Fat Loss Fat loss is fundamentally about creating a calorie deficit, but the quality of that deficit matters. Extreme dieting leads to muscle loss, poor body composition, and a slower metabolism. The conversation emphasizes the difference between weight loss and fat loss, with the latter requiring sufficient protein, resistance training, and a moderate deficit that preserves muscle. Trendy approaches like GLP-1 drugs and overly aggressive calorie cuts are critiqued for their long-term consequences, such as muscle wasting and poor overall health. Instead, the podcast advocates for a sustainable approach, gradually increasing calories during non-dieting phases to build muscle, repair metabolism, and improve overall quality of life. Key takeaway: You can’t starve your way to a better physique. Sustainable fat loss requires fueling your body and focusing on building muscle. Training: The Foundation of Progress Resistance training is highlighted as the cornerstone of body composition improvement. Building muscle increases metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and provides a strong foundation for achieving a lean, toned look. Cardio must be programmed strategically. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is often misused or done incorrectly, leading to diminishing returns and unnecessary fatigue. Self-Sabotage and Mindset The podcast repeatedly emphasizes that the biggest obstacle to progress is often the person themselves. Fear of failure, perfectionism, and impatience lead to behaviors that undermine long-term success. Many people approach their goals with an all-or-nothing mindset, expecting rapid results and giving up when progress isn’t immediate. 5 tips Prioritize resistance training to build and maintain muscle. Manage stress to support recovery and avoid burnout. Eat a high-protein diet and balance calories to sustain energy and performance. Incorporate walking and moderate cardio to support fat loss and cardiovascular health. Focus on consistency over perfection, allowing time for the process to work.