Rewind: What to do FIRST – Lose Fat, Build Muscle, or Body Recomposition?

(This is a re-run of Ep 69. Originally aired on May 12, 2023.)

Today, I answer a common question many people have when starting their fitness journey: What should you do first to get results on your body recomposition? Should you focus on losing fat, building muscle, or doing both at the same time?

I discuss seven common scenarios and share a 6-12 month plan for each scenario. You can choose the best approach based on your goals, starting point, and personal preferences. Plus, I'll share some common mistakes people make when pursuing their fitness goals, so you can avoid them and stay on track. I also recommend an app that is particularly helpful for tracking your macros, making it easier to manage your nutrition goals.

Today you’ll learn all about:

• Six to ten weeks maintenance phase, establishing your habits
• Common mistakes
• Scenario 1: You need to lose 10-20 Lbs
• Scenario 2: You need to lose 20-40 Lbs
• Scenario 3: You need to lose 40-50-60 Lbs or more
• Scenario 4: You're at the lower end of skinny-fat
• Scenario 5: You're untrained and lean
• Scenario 6: You're trained and lean
• Scenario 7: You're trained and hitting the upper limit of your body fat

Episode resources:

• Ep 25: Lose 30 Pounds (or More) the Right Way and Keep it Off
• Download the MacroFactor app to stay on track with your diet and achieve your fitness goals. Extend your free trial using the code WITSANDWEIGHTS.

Support the show

📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork.

🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN).

👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram