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

Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert

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Sep 8, 2025 • 24min

My 7 Favorite Food Logging Hacks with MacroFactor | Ep 371

Download my favorite nutrition app (use code WITSANDWEIGHTS for a FREE 2 week trial): https://bit.ly/philipmacrofactor--Food logging doesn't have to be tedious or time-consuming when you use the right tools and strategies.I'm revealing 7 of my favorite hacks to transform tracking from a daily struggle into a seamless 3-minute habit (cutting your time by 80%) while making your nutrition data more useful for reaching your goals.Episode Resources:Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (download from your phone's app store)Try our new 2-minute Metabolic Quiz to find out what's stalling your metabolism... and get a personalized roadmap to sustainable fat lossJoin Physique University for access to my Meal Planning Advisor GPT; this special link includes a free custom nutrition plan when you join: https://bit.ly/wwpu-free-planTimestamps:0:00 - The food logging friction problem 2:36 - MacroFactor vs. other apps 5:20 - Hack #1: Copy/paste 6:51 - Hack #2: Recipes from log 8:06 - Hack #3: Biggest contributors 9:20 - Hack #4: Pre-logging and planning 12:16 - Hack #5: Logging the "main" ingredients only 14:32 - Hack #6: Label scanning vs. barcodes 15:49 - Hack #7: Macro/micro trends 17:51 - Bonus Hack #1 19:19 - Bonus Hack #2Support 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
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Sep 7, 2025 • 3min

What PHYSIQUE Really Means (Beyond Six-Pack Abs) | Bonus

🔥 Try our new (free) 2-minute Metabolic Quiz to find out what's stalling your metabolism... and get a personalized roadmap to sustainable fat loss--What comes to mind when you hear the word "physique"?Six-pack abs? Bulging muscles? The perfect Instagram body? That's only scratching the surface of what your physique truly represents.Your physique isn't just how you look. It's the embodiment of your strength, function, health, and identity.When you train for these, you create a physique that serves your life in every dimension.Text this episode to a friend who might benefit from reframing their fitness journey!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
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Sep 5, 2025 • 59min

Why Women in Their 30s Should Learn About Menopause (Zora Benhamou) | Ep 370

Register for the Live Q&A with Zora on September 23, only in Physique U. Use this special link to join and get a free 6-month transformation plan: https://bit.ly/wwpu-free-plan--Could menopause be closer than you think? What if it’s already starting in your 30s without you knowing?I bring on gerontologist and biohacker Zora Benhamou, host of Hack My Age, to reveal the hidden hormonal shifts most women miss. Zora shares why progesterone quietly dips in your mid-30s, how strength and mobility become your best defense, and why baseline lab tests are game-changers before symptoms kick in. We also talk about practical biohacks that help you build energy, confidence, and resilience now and for decades to come. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or already approaching perimenopause, this conversation will show you how to prepare early so you don’t just get through menopause, you thrive.Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – Intro1:03 – Meet expert guest Zora Benhamou3:08 – Why most women aren’t informed5:11 – Common myths about modern menopause7:42 – Hormone timeline across the decades10:13 – Early signs of progesterone decline12:30 – Labs every woman should consider24:32 – Lifting weights for hormone support33:39 – Biohacks for your 20s and 30s42:06 – Flexibility, mobility, and healthy aging49:18 – Blood sugar hacks that workEpisode resources:Website: hackmyage.com Facebook: @HackMyAge Instagram: @HackMyAgeYoutube: @hackmyage 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
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Sep 3, 2025 • 21min

Ed Coan, 71 World Records and Still the GOAT of Powerlifting (Lifting Legends #2) | Ep 369

Get your free Progressive Overload Guide to apply these principles to improve your training: witsandweights.com/free--Ed Cohn, nicknamed the "Mozart of Strength," set 71 world records in powerlifting and became the lightest man to total over 2,400 pounds through his mastery of progressive overload and passion-driven consistency.His approach contrasts sharply with today's overcomplicated fitness culture, proving that simplicity and fundamentals still build champions.Ed is still considered the greatest powerlifter of all time, so what can we as modern lifters learn from his timeless approach to building strength?Learn how Ed went from a bullied 155-pound teenager training in his basement to becoming the lightest man to total over 2,400 pounds, and why his simple, passion-driven methods still outperform today's complicated training programs.Main Takeaways:Ed Coan set 71 world records using 3 simple principlesHis 1991 total of 2,402 pounds at 218 bodyweight represented a 14.5% improvement over previous world recordsModern fitness culture has more information than ever but less wisdomPassion endures where motivation failsTrue champions elevate others instead of just dominating themPrevious Lifting Legend Episodes:5 Rules of Ronnie Coleman, King of Bodybuilding (Lifting Legends #1) | Ep 353Timestamps:0:00 - Why Ed Coan is still the GOAT of powerlifting 2:22 - From bullied kid to basement training legend 3:26 - The systematic approach that built a champion 5:17 - 71 world records and seemingly impossible strength-to-weight ratio 10:27 - Simple principles vs. complicated programming 13:05 - The human behind the machine 16:24 - Passion vs. motivation and overcoming setbacks 20:00 - Ed's legacySupport 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
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Sep 1, 2025 • 29min

Is 800 Calories a Day Unsafe? | Ep 368

Join Physique University to get a personalized nutrition plan to look and feel better and stop guessing about your calorie needs: bit.ly/wwpu-free-plan--Why do some people thrive on far fewer calories than others (who might be miserable eating at that level)?When we talk about whether 800 calories a day is "unsafe," we're asking the wrong question. After all, your size, training, activity level, and energy needs are unique to you and can vary widely among the population.Learn why there's no universal unsafe calorie number, how to determine your own metabolic limits using biofeedback, and the critical trade-offs between aggressive deficits and sustainability. Main Takeaways:There's no universal "unsafe" calorie numberMetabolic adaptation is real but reversible, not permanent "damage"Use biofeedback (energy, sleep, strength, mood) as your personalized guide rather than arbitrary rulesThe trade-offs between speed, sustainability, and metabolic preservation require intentionalityEpisode Resources:Wits & Weights Facebook Community - Connect with others who understand nutrition isn't about universal rulesTimestamps:0:50 - The obsession with 800, 1200, and 1500 calories 5:18 - The reality of individual energy needs 8:50 - Very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) in clinical settings 10:30 - The Optavia problem 16:14 - Metabolic adaptation vs "metabolic damage" 19:28 - Speed vs. sustainability vs. metabolism 20:44 - Using biofeedback as your personalized compass 24:23 - The non-negotiables 25:29 - Context vs. absolutesSupport 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
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Aug 31, 2025 • 5min

Weight Loss Meds Do NOT Cause Muscle Loss | Bonus

Want to learn more about starting, managing, or transitioning off GLP-1 medications? Join Physique U to attend this Tuesday's live Q&A with GLP-1 expert Justin Silver (and get the replay plus a free custom nutrition plan): bit.ly/wwpu-free-plan--Are GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro stealing your hard-earned muscle?The short answer is no, but the reality is more nuanced than many realize.Learn why people experience muscle loss while taking weight loss medications. Weight loss medications can be incredible tools when used properly, but like any tool, they work best when combined with fundamental lifestyle strategies that optimize body composition.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
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Aug 29, 2025 • 53min

Can Your Phone Replace a $100K DEXA for Body Fat and Physique Tracking? (Jason Moore) | Ep 367

Want to build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter? ⁠⁠⁠Join the new Physique University for just $27/month⁠⁠⁠ and get your custom nutrition plan FREE (limited time).—Can your smartphone really rival a $100,000 DEXA scan? What if the same device you use to scroll Instagram could also reveal your body fat percentage, fat distribution, and even your HRV?I sit down with Jason Moore, founder and CEO of Spren, a company turning your phone into a precision biometric tool. We talk about how Spren compares to gold-standard lab equipment, why body composition tells you more than scale weight ever could, and why tracking trends is often more important than chasing perfect numbers. This conversation will show you how technology can bring lab-grade insights straight to your pocket.Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – Intro2:36 – Why body composition matters6:56 – How a phone measures fat10:55 – Accuracy versus precision explained14:38 – Lean mass and muscle changes20:15 – Why fat distribution is key29:56 – Apple versus pear body shapes33:20 – How often should you measure40:15 – Using your phone for HRV45:34 – Predicting VO₂ max with data48:32 – Turning numbers into outcomesEpisode resources:Website: spren.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thehumanjason Instagram: @thehumanjason 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
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Aug 27, 2025 • 32min

Do You Know Your FFMI? (The Muscle Metric That Ignores Body Fat) | Ep 366

Get your FFMI calculated automatically with the Physique & Biofeedback Tracker in Physique University to track your actual muscle development over time and understand exactly what phase of training you should focus on next. This special link also gets you a FREE custom nutrition plan:bit.ly/wwpu-free-plan--Is your strength training actually building muscle?Scale weight fluctuates, body fat measurements are inconsistent, and progress photos depend on lighting and angles.There's one metric that cuts through all this noise:Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI)It shows your actual muscle development regardless of whether you're carrying extra fat or feeling bloated, and once you understand yours, it changes everything about setting goals and how to focus your training.Most lifters have never heard of FFMI. Unlike body weight or even body fat percentage, FFMI isolates your actual muscular development from everything else, giving you clarity about your progress that no other measurement can.Main Takeaways:FFMI measures your muscularity independent of body fat percentageTwo people with the same training experience can have vastly different FFMI numbers, requiring completely different approachesBuilding muscle takes years, while losing fat takes months, so you need a more precise way to track thisYour FFMI determines whether you should prioritize muscle building or fat loss (vs. your feelings or the mirror)Episode Resources:Chef's Foundry non-toxic ceramic cookware (50% off): witsandweights.com/chefsfoundryBody Recomp Workshop replay and bonuses at live.witsandweights.com (includes free custom nutrition plan)Timestamps:0:00 - What is FFMI and why it's a game changer 5:06 - 2 scenarios that reveal everything about your training focus 8:16 - FFMI values explained (what your number actually means) 11:15 - How FFMI determines whether you should cut vs. bulk 17:12 - Natural vs. enhanced FFMI limit 19:45 - Why low FFMI means muscle building is your priority 22:14 - How the fitness industry gets muscle vs. fat loss backward 25:29 - Tracking FFMI over time to validate objective progress 27:03 - Muscle development vs. body compositionSupport 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
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Aug 25, 2025 • 27min

5 Ways to Reverse Menopause Belly Fat (New Science) | Ep 365

Build muscle and lose fat (no dieting or bulking) with the 90-Day Body Recomp Workshop replay + bonuses (90-day week-by-week plan, custom nutrition plan, and training programs for 3, 4, and 5 days per week):live.witsandweights.com--You've been told that belly fat gain during midlife is inevitable... just part of aging and declining hormones that you have to accept.Recent research from the landmark SWAN study that followed 308 women for 12 years reveals the truth: "menopause belly" isn't random aging.It's a specific, predictable hormonal reshaping of where your body stores fat that begins 3 years before menopause and can be prevented and reversed.Discover the exact timing windows when intervention works best, why some women don't experience this shift at all, and the science-backed strategies that can help you take control of your body composition during this transition... no matter where you are in the process.Main Takeaways:Menopause belly is a measurable shift from protective fat storage (hips/thighs) to dangerous visceral fat around organs (not just general weight gain)Fat redistribution accelerates dramatically during the menopause transition but begins up to 3 years earlierYou can prevent and reverse this fat redistributionEpisode Resources:90-Day Body Recomp Workshop with replay and bonuses: live.witsandweights.comChef's Foundry non-toxic ceramic cookware (50% off): witsandweights.com/chefsfoundryTimestamps:0:00 - The research on menopause belly fat 5:41 - Visceral vs. android vs. gynoid fat patterns 7:50 - When fat redistribution actually begins 9:33 - Biological mechanisms 12:59 - Individual differences 14:40 - 5 ways to reverse menopause belly fat 24:23 - Why this research is empowering for all womenSupport 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
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Aug 24, 2025 • 4min

The Bulletproof Diet (Eat More Food, Not More Calories) | Bonus

This week in my Instagram feed, I shared 2 critical principles that determine if your nutrition plan will actually work for fat loss and muscle building in real life, such as:When life is at its messiest, not just when everything is perfectDealing with social events, travel, and celebrations (birthday cake!)Eating more but not eating more caloriesMaking fat loss easier and more sustainableFollow me on Instagram @witsandweights to read more pithy, nerdy, out-of-the-blue, but ultimately helpful (i.e., practical!) thoughts on fat loss, nutrition, training, diets, behavior, psychology, and more.Send me a DM letting me know which principles resonate with you and how you plan to implement them!Just go to instagram.com/witsandweightsSupport 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

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