Wits & Weights | Fat Loss, Nutrition, & Strength Training for Lifters

Love the podcast? Support the show (for as little as $3/mo) and keep it completely ad-free with no "hidden" episodes! Go to:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1870546/support--If you're struggling with fat loss that's slower than expected despite doing "everything right," this episode helps you figure out why.I discuss my personal experience in my recent 7-week mini-cut and how a seemingly minor change in daily habits became the limiting factor, resulting in slower fat loss than in the past.Text this episode to a friend who might be struggling with their progress!Learn to identify your own Critical Path... the one thing currently constraining your progress regardless of how well you execute everything else.Main Takeaways:The Critical Path concept identifies what's truly limiting your progressSmall changes in daily habits can significantly impact your resultsData tracking is essential for uncovering hidden roadblocksThe most effective intervention often requires less willpower than you thinkYour limiting factors shift over time as circumstances changeTimestamps:0:01 - What is critical path and how does it relate to fat loss?  6:50 - Philip's personal fat loss case study 11:59 - Why limiting factors change throughout your fitness journey 18:00 - Creating solutions for your specific situation 21:14 - How to identify your own Critical Path 24:51 - Working smarter and more efficiently for fat lossText this episode to a friend who might be enjoy it!Support the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod

Submit a question for the podcast (and get a personal reply plus a shoutout) at witsandweights.com/question--If you have back issues, you might think heavy lifting isn't for you. Millions of people struggling with back pain believe they should avoid challenging exercises - especially heavy lifting. But what if avoiding heavier weights is actually keeping you from building the strong, resilient body and back that you need? Today we're answering a listener question from Kristen (a 51-year old woman with chronic back problems) about strength training with back issues and challenging conventional wisdom about what's actually good for your back.Main Takeaways:Understanding the counterintuitive relationship between strength training and back healthWhy most people's approach to back problems may be making things worseThe critical mental shift needed for successful strength developmentHow to build confidence through proper technique and progressionThe surprising connection between rehabilitation and strength trainingTimestamps: 0:01 - Strength training with back problems 3:22 - Common back issues with age 4:47 - 3 key principles for training for a stronger back 12:30 - How to start training effectively 16:09 - Fears of re-injury22:18 - The surprising overlap between rehab and trainingSupport the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod

Join WWPU (Wits & Weights Physique University) to learn evidence-based approaches to building muscle and losing fat at any age. From strategies for women during peri/postmenopause to step-by-step systems for body composition... all designed to help you achieve your goals without confusion or misinformation. Learn more:https://witsandweights.com/physique--"You can't build muscle during perimenopause." How many women have heard this discouraging statement from doctors, trainers, or social media? Today's episode shatters this harmful myth through the journey of my client Cynthia, who not only lost over 100 pounds but is now successfully building quality muscle during perimenopause.If you've been told that hormonal changes during perimenopause mean you can't build muscle anymore or that muscle gain automatically means gaining excess body fat, this episode will change your perspective.Cynthia reveals exactly how she's avoiding excessive fat gain while increasing muscle mass, and why the common advice about hormones and muscle building after 40 is entirely wrong.Main Takeaways:Why building muscle is possible (and essential) during perimenopauseHow to distinguish between muscle gain and water weight fluctuationsThe mindset shift needed when transitioning from fat loss to muscle buildingWhy tracking measurements matters more than the number on the scaleHow strength training becomes your most powerful tool against hormonal changesTimestamps: 0:01 - Why muscle building during perimenopause matters2:50 - The multiple benefits of building muscle after weight loss8:49 - What finally worked for Cynthia's 100+ pound transformation12:17 - Key mindset shifts she learned in Physique University16:35 - Overcoming the fear of gaining weight during a bulk21:41 - The importance of strength training during hormonal changes28:53 - Optimal training frequency and exercise selection33:33 - Targeting specific muscle groups effectively45:04 - Pre-workout nutrition strategies that work49:33 - Tracking progress beyond the scale53:36 - The encouraging truth of muscle building at any ageJoin WWPU (Wits & Weights Physique University) free for 2 weeks!Support the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod

Discover the micro-cut strategy for rapid fat loss, designed to shed 3-7 pounds in just two weeks while preserving muscle mass. This calculated approach is particularly effective for those who are experienced with strength training and diet basics. Learn about the importance of timing and refeeding days to enhance your results. The hosts share personal success stories and detail how this method can help you break through weight loss plateaus. Plus, join a supportive community to kickstart your transformation!

Submit a question for the podcast (and get a personal reply plus a shoutout) at witsandweights.com/question--Ever feel like your strength training goals are slipping away because of nagging injuries or mobility limitations? That persistent shoulder pain during pressing, the foot injury that flares up when walking, or those mobility restrictions that make certain movements feel impossible can be incredibly frustrating. But what if these challenges aren't roadblocks but redirections?Today we're answering listener Tom's question about training with shoulder pain, foot issues, and mobility limitations. The truth is, everyone who lifts weights long enough will encounter physical limitations. The difference between those who continue making progress and those who stagnate isn't about genetic luck or perfect health—it's about mastering the art of training around limitations.Learn the powerful mindset principles that allow you to continue building muscle and strength despite injuries or limitations, and why the most successful lifters aren't those with perfect bodies, but those who master the art of training around their constraints.Main Takeaways:Why "adaptation, not abandonment" should be your fundamental training principleHow constraints can actually accelerate your progress by forcing smarter trainingThe expanded definition of progression beyond just adding weightWhy compensatory patterns matter and how to become aware of themThe importance of redefining what "progress" means when working around limitationsTimestamps:0:01 - The challenge of training with limitations 2:16 - Why this affects lifters of all ages and experience levels 4:34 - The adaptation mindset vs abandonment 6:30 - Constraint as a catalyst for better training 10:13 - The primacy of progression principle 12:52 - Holistic adaptation management 15:39 - Compensatory awareness 17:06 - Deliberate variability in exercise selection 22:49 - Redefining progress beyond PRs 27:26 - Why limitations are redirections, not roadblocksSubmit a question for the podcast (and get a personal reply plus a shoutout) at witsandweights.com/questionSupport the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod

Sarah Krieger, a registered dietitian and host of the Don't Call Me Skinny podcast, dives into the world of emotional eating. She shares how using data can uncover surprising patterns in your eating habits. The conversation emphasizes the significance of meal timing and structure in managing emotional relationships with food. Krieger introduces the powerful 'if-then' framework for better decision-making and highlights the critical balance between flexibility and structure. Get ready to conquer emotional eating with practical tips and insights!

Get the other part of this conversation on Anna’s podcast “Get Strong and Healthy” where Philip breaks down how to train for aesthetics without sacrificing your health.--Are you healthy just because you look the part? Strong from the outside but running on empty? Chasing steps, supplements, and skinny without feeling your best?If you’ve been chasing surface-level goals, it might be time to rethink what true vitality looks like.Today, Anna Clough, founder of Strong and Healthy and host of the “Get Strong and Healthy” podcast, unpacks what it means to pursue health and longevity. We’re talking about energy, vitality, muscle, metabolism, and how to build a strong body that lasts, without falling into diet culture extremes or burnout.Don’t miss part two of this special collab—head over to Anna’s podcast to hear Philip break down the aesthetics side of the conversation.Main Takeaways:Looking fit isn’t the same as being healthyStrength training is essential for longevity, bone density, and vitalityBuilding muscle supports hormones, insulin sensitivity, and metabolismCrash diets and restriction backfire on long-term healthYou can look and feel great without sacrificing your well-beingTimestamps:02:40 – Why you can’t chase every goal at once05:38 – Biohacking vs. basics: what actually matters09:31 – Muscle mass, injury prevention, and aging11:25 – The “bulky” myth and strength as empowerment14:47 – Bone health, lifting heavy, and real progress18:33 – Dumbbells, barbells, or machines?20:40 – Nutrition for health vs. diet culture extremes23:01 – The danger of crash dieting and rapid weight loss26:39 – Can you be too lean? What real health feels like30:09 – Using blood sugar tracking to improve vitality33:22 – Best ways to improve cardiovascular fitnessGet the other part of this conversation on Anna’s podcast “Get Strong and Healthy” where Philip breaks down how to train for aesthetics without sacrificing your health.Support the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod

Book your FREE 15-minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment (not a sales pitch) and have me personally audit your training and nutrition approach or go to witsandweights.com and click "Free Nutrition Audit"--Feeling stuck between competing fitness goals? Unsure whether to focus on fat loss, muscle building, or maintenance?In this episode, I share a real live recording of a 15-minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment with Sam, who wasn't sure which direction to take her fitness journey next despite already establishing solid nutrition and training habits.Sam has made impressive progress with her nutrition and training habits but struggles with competing goals: wanting to build muscle and improve bone density while maintaining the lean physique she worked hard to achieve. Having previously reached 14% body fat, she loved how she looked and felt, but found this difficult to maintain long-term. Now at 18%, she's hesitant about entering a building phase that might push her away from her aesthetic comfort zone.You'll discover why the choice between building muscle and staying lean doesn't have to be binary, and how finding the right balance can transform both your physique and long-term health.Main Takeaways:Why "aggressive maintenance" might be the perfect approach for building muscle without sacrificing leannessHow to increase training intensity to improve bone density and muscle growthThe importance of strength-focused training versus hypertrophy for overall health outcomesWhy adding just 50-100 calories can make a significant difference in your body's ability to build muscleTimestamps: 0:01 - Why you might be torn between competing fitness goals  4:11 - Bone density, muscle building, and training intensity  12:04 - Choosing between maintenance, fat loss, or muscle gain 15:44 - Why small calorie increases help with building muscle19:44 - What is true maintenance? 21:51 - Improving bone density Support the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod

Brad Kearns, a former world-ranked triathlete and bestselling author, discusses a game-changing approach to fat loss. He argues that building muscle should be prioritized over calorie counting for effective fat loss. Kearns explains how muscle acts as a 'glucose sink,' improving insulin sensitivity and leading to better hunger regulation. He emphasizes the importance of strength training not just for fitness, but for long-lasting metabolic health, debunking traditional dieting myths and advocating for a more balanced, sustainable approach to nutrition.

→ Join Physique University: https://physique.witsandweights.com/--The advice to "just put in the reps" sounds motivating, but does it always work?Today I'm sharing something interesting, something sad, and calling some people out.Support the show👩‍💻 Book a FREE 15-Minute Rapid Nutrition Assessment:https://witsandweights.com/free-call 🎓 Get your first challenge + 2 weeks FREE in Physique University:https://physique.witsandweights.com/ 👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs🫙 Get 20% off Legion supplements with code WITSpod