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

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

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Jul 14, 2025 • 24min

How to Stop Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance Without Cutting Carbs | Ep 347

Get your free Nutrition 101 Guide at witsandweights.com/free to learn how to structure your nutrition (including carbs) for optimal health and body composition based on your goals.--Could everything you've been told about carbs, insulin, and managing prediabetes be completely backward?For the 96 million American adults living with prediabetes, the standard advice has been clear. Cut carbs, avoid bread, ditch fruit. But groundbreaking research reveals this approach might be keeping you stuck in a cycle of restriction without addressing the real problem.Insulin resistance isn't a carbohydrate problem. It's a muscle problem. Today we expose the real culprit behind insulin resistance and why upgrading your ability to use and dispose of glucose efficiently can stop prediabetes and insulin resistance WITHOUT cutting out carbs.Main Takeaways:Prediabetes isn't a carb problem; it's a muscle problemEvery 10% increase in muscle mass = 11% reduction in insulin resistance and 12% reduction in prediabetes riskJust 1 strength training session can increase glucose uptake by 40% and improve insulin sensitivity for up to 48 hoursStrategic carb inclusion around workouts reverses insulin resistanceMuscle tissue releases myokines during contractions that improve metabolic functionEpisodes Mentioned:Blood Sugar Spikes, Carb Myths, GLP-1s, and Fat Loss Tips from a Type 1 Diabetic (Ben Tzeel) or YouTubeStrength vs. Hypertrophy (The 65% Threshold for Lifters Chasing PRs vs. Muscle Size)The 2-Minute Walking Hack That Builds 47% More MuscleThe REAL Triggers of Chronic InflammationTimestamps:0:02 - The carb restriction myth for prediabetes 2:53 - What prediabetes really is (and standard medical advice) 4:13 - The muscle mass connection: 13,000-person study results 5:17 - How insulin resistance works at the cellular level 7:16 - GLUT4 transporters and glucose "doorways" 8:44 - How to engineer your glucose disposal machinery (training, walking, carbs, sleep, and stress) 17:18 - Myokines - how muscle acts as an endocrine organ 19:29 - Why this is a muscle disease, not a carb diseaseSupport 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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Jul 12, 2025 • 8min

Can Strategic Fasting Enhance Muscle Gain (Reduce Fat During a Bulk)? | Bonus

Join the new Wits & Weights Physique University at just $27/month (was $87) - get access to training templates, course library, private community, and so much more.Podcast listeners get a custom nutrition plan FREE (normally $47) when you join by the end of July using this special link: bit.ly/podcast-new-wwpu--Ever wondered if you could hack your bulking phase to gain more muscle and less fat?This episode answers a question from our free Facebook community that many data-driven "optimizers" are wondering about.John asked if strategic extreme deficit days during an otherwise surplus-focused bulking phase could help "clean up" fat gain.It seems logical on paper... create a weekly calorie surplus while periodically burning fat through protein-sparing modified fasts. But does your body respond to this the way you might expect?Learn how muscle building actually works and how to optimize your approach to building muscle with minimal fat gain.And if you want YOUR question answered with this level of detail, join our free Wits and Weights Facebook group and use the #AskPhilip monthly thread.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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Jul 11, 2025 • 53min

Organic, Grass-Fed, and Natural - What Food Labels DON'T Tell You (Natalie Kovarik) | Ep 346

Are you overpaying for food that’s supposed to be healthier? Have food labels like “grass-fed,” “non-GMO,” and “all-natural” been misleading you? What if the truth behind your grocery cart was simpler and way less stressful?Natalie Kovarik, a fourth-generation cattle rancher and co-host of the Discover Ag podcast, joins me to clear up the confusion. We go behind the food labels to talk about what matters when it comes to nutrition, budgeting, and values, and what’s just clever marketing. Whether you're training hard, feeding your family, or just trying to make better choices, this will help you shop smarter without the overwhelm.Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – Intro2:18 – Why “non-GMO” frustrates farmers4:06 – What is greenwashing?5:39 – Organic vs all-natural vs grass-fed7:44 – Smarter ways to shop on a budget13:13 – The huge impact of food waste16:10 – Grain-fed vs grass-fed nutrition24:28 – How safe is your grocery store milk?32:31 – Glyphosate and the dirty dozen41:06 – Why fresh and local still matter45:05 – Safe vs healthy: important distinction48:10 – Debunking myths about factory farmsEpisode resources:Website: discoverag.com and kovarikcattleco.com Instagram: @nataliekovarik and @discoveragpodcast Tiktok: @discoveragpodcastPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discover-ag/id1615443750 Youtube: @Discoveragpodcast 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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Jul 9, 2025 • 24min

The PERMA Framework - 5 Pillars of Positive Psychology for Sustainable Fat Loss | Ep 345

Join my email list for exclusive content on the psychology of transformation that you won't find anywhere else. Go to witsandweights.com/email--Struggling with fat loss despite knowing exactly what to do? You're not alone.The answer isn't about knowledge, it's about psychology. Learn how the PERMA framework from positive psychology reveals the 5 psychological elements that separate people who sustain their transformation from those who remain stuck.Discover how to engineer your fat loss approach to work WITH your psychology instead of against it, creating conditions where healthy behaviors actually feel good to maintain.Main Takeaways:The intelligence paradox: Why smart people often struggle most with sustainable fat lossThe 5 PERMA elements: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and AccomplishmentHow to systematically engineer psychological momentum into your fat loss approachWhy traditional approaches focus on mechanics but miss the psychological infrastructureHow to audit yourself across the PERMA dimensions to identify your weakest areaTimestamps:0:01 - The intelligence paradox in fat loss 3:22 - Why smart people struggle with fat loss 5:06 - Introduction to the PERMA framework 6:17 - P: Positive Emotion and cognitive flexibility 8:31 - E: Engagement and finding flow states 10:50 - R: Relationships and social connection 13:07 - M: Meaning and purpose-driven goals 14:05 - A: Accomplishment and self-efficacy 17:24 - How to engineer YOUR psychologySupport 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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Jul 7, 2025 • 40min

7 Fat Loss Tips from 70 Years of Research | Ep 344

Grab your free Ultimate Macros Guide ebook to implement everything covered in today's episode with specific formulas and practical steps. Go to witsandweights.com/free--What really works for fat loss?After 70 years of scientific research spanning thousands of studies and millions of participants, the truth is both simpler and more nuanced than the fitness industry would have you believe.Forget the latest fat loss hack or magic supplement. After 70 years of rigorous research (thousands of studies spanning from NASA's bedrest experiments in the 1970s to today's landmark trials), science has identified 7 key principles that determine fat loss success.These aren't TikTok trends or new theories. They're evidence-based principles proven over and over again in controlled studies, meta-analyses, and real-world applications.Main Takeaways:A calorie deficit remains non-negotiable for fat loss, but the method to create it is highly flexibleProtein preserves muscle and controls hunger through multiple mechanismsResistance training beats cardio for body composition every single timeDiet adherence matters more than diet type when calories are controlledNEAT (non-exercise activity) can swing your daily calorie burn by up to 2,000 caloriesMuscle mass serves as your metabolic insurance policy for long-term successSustainable approaches always beat aggressive "quick fix" methodsEpisode Resources:Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTSDownload our popular ebook, Ultimate Macros GuideRelated episode: The 3+3 Optimal Model of Fat LossTimestamps:0:01 - 70 years of research distilled into 7 principles 3:28 - Principle #1: A calorie deficit is required 7:23 - Principle #2: Protein is king 11:13 - Principle #3: Resistance training is best for body composition 15:45 - Principle #4: Diet adherence beats diet type 19:56 - Principle #5: NEAT can make or break your deficit 25:09 - Principle #6: Muscle mass is your fat loss insurance policy 29:39 - Principle #7: Sustainability vs. speed 35:36 - How these principles work together for life optimizationSupport 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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Jul 5, 2025 • 1h 8min

95% of Diets Fail, Fitness Gurus, and Your Over 40 Muscle Retirement Plan | Bonus

What if everything you thought you knew about fitness was filtered through marketing hype rather than science?After experimenting with countless diet trends across my 20s and 30s, from Atkins to Paleo to keto and intermittent fasting, I've learned firsthand that what matters isn't finding the "one perfect approach" but building sustainable systems that work specifically for you.The fitness world has become saturated with influencers making bold but oversimplified claims. If someone tells you there's only "one true way" to achieve fitness goals, your skepticism radar should go on high alert.In this bonus episode from my recent appearance on the With Passion podcast hosted by Josh Taft, we discuss how to make sense of the barage of information from the fitness industry, why strength training is absolutely essential for longevity, and how to approach your health and fitness journey with a sustainable, evidence-based mindset.Discover why most fitness advice is wrong, how to navigate conflicting information, and why muscle truly is your retirement plan, especially after 40.Main Takeaways:Why being skeptical of fitness trends and guru claims can save your health and moneyThe shocking truth about why 95% of diets fail and what successful people do differentlyHow muscle mass is literally your insurance policy against aging and diseaseWhy strength training beats cardio for fat loss, longevity, and metabolic healthThe psychology behind sustainable goal setting and why most people try to change too much at onceHow to use "seasons" of focused effort followed by maintenance phases for long-term successWhy consistency with basics beats perfection with complex protocolsEpisode Resources:Check out Josh's podcast With PassionSupport 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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Jul 4, 2025 • 46min

Blood Sugar Spikes, Carb Myths, GLP-1s, and Fat Loss Tips from a Type 1 Diabetic (Ben Tzeel) | Ep 343

Grab your free Muscle-Building Nutrition Blueprint to learn how to eat for your training goals (even when managing blood sugar and eating carbs). Go to witsandweights.com/muscle–Are carbs really your enemy? Should you be training fasted? Can someone with diabetes actually build muscle and thrive?Registered dietitian and strength coach Ben Zeal, who’s been living with type 1 diabetes for over 25 years, joins me to break down some of the biggest myths in fitness and nutrition. We discuss carb fear, insulin misconceptions, and the truth about fasted training, CGMs, GLP-1s, and more. Ben also covers how blood sugar management isn't just for diabetics, but for anyone wanting consistent energy, better performance, and body composition goals that stick. Our discussion is packed with real talk and practical strategies to train smarter, eat with confidence, and stop fearing carbs.Today, you’ll learn all about:4:39 – Should non-diabetics track glucose?6:13 – Walks, workouts, and insulin sensitivity9:28 – Can movement replace medication?13:11 – How to overcome carb fear15:14 – Best training approach for blood sugar22:36 – Stress: the hidden blood sugar saboteur27:40 – GLP-1 drugs and smart strategy30:48 – What insulin pumps actually do36:32 – How to become a consistent lifter41:44 – Does fiber really matter for blood sugar?44:25 – Where to find Ben and free resourcesEpisode resources:Your Diabetes Insider PodcastWebsite: yourdiabetesinsider.com Instagram: @manoftzeel Youtube:  @yourdiabetesinsider 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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Jul 2, 2025 • 18min

The 2-Minute Walking Hack That Builds 47% More Muscle | Ep 342

Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS to see exactly how these walking breaks impact your daily calorie burn and support your muscle-building or fat loss goals or go to witsandweights.com/blog/macrofactor--Can you immediately increase muscle building by 47%?It's 3 PM on a Tuesday, and you've been glued to your desk since 8 AM. Your back is stiff, your energy is crashing, and you can feel that familiar tightness setting in from hours of sitting.But here's what you don't realize: that prolonged sitting isn't just making you uncomfortable. It's actively blocking your muscle protein synthesis, sabotaging your ability to build muscle from the food you eat.A groundbreaking 2022 study revealed a shocking truth: prolonged sitting can reduce your muscle protein synthesis by nearly 50%, effectively blocking your body's ability to build muscle from the protein you eat. This happens through multiple pathways we'll discuss, and there's a stupidly simple solution that can have the opposite effect and boost muscle building by 47%!Main Takeaways:Prolonged sitting creates "anabolic resistance" that can reduce muscle protein synthesis by up to 50%A simple walking hack can completely reverse this effect and boost muscle building by 47%The biological mechanisms: improved blood flow, enhanced amino acid delivery, reactivated mTOR signaling, and better insulin sensitivityCompound benefits beyond muscle building include stable energy, better blood sugar control, improved recoveryStudy Mentioned:Study by Moore et al. (2022) published in The Journal of PhysiologyTimestamps:0:01 - The hidden cost of prolonged sitting4:05 - Why sitting blocks muscle gains8:08 - How 2-minute breaks reverse the damage11:16 - Practical tips to implement TODAY14:15 - Compound effects beyond muscle buildingSupport 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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Jun 30, 2025 • 57min

Post-Bulk Body Image Struggles and Fat Loss with a Slower Metabolism | Ep 341

Try Wits & Weights Physique University free for 2 weeks at witsandweights.com/physique - get a custom nutrition plan, live coaching calls, workout programs, and join Allan and our supportive community tackling similar fat loss and body composition challenges--Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you were staring at a stranger... but in a good way?That's exactly where Allan finds himself after successfully building visible muscle mass and fundamentally changing his relationship with food.In this real-time coaching session, we get into the fascinating psychological phenomenon of mental lag that happens when your body transforms faster than your self-perception can keep up.Discover how to handle rising metabolism during cuts, manage post-bulk hunger, and process the psychological side of major physique transformation.Episode Mentions:Allan's previous episode: After Bariatric Surgery, He Found Optimal Health and Strength Over 60Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTSTimestamps:0:00 - Allan's physical and mental transformation since Episode 77 6:31 - "Feeling fat" is a fallacy 11:49 - Relationship with food and emotional eating 16:06 - Current training and what's working 19:03 - Live coaching on metabolism and hunger challenges 27:27 - Identifying the real cause of grazing behavior 34:32 - Family responsibilities and life balance 39:15 - Planning the next bulk 44:15 - The deeper "why" behind transformation 46:35 - Importance of proper warm-ups and injury prevention 52:40 - Biggest takeaways and next stepsSupport 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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Jun 27, 2025 • 56min

Lose Fat and Get Shredded with Less Effort and More Energy (Alex Feinberg) | Ep 340

Grab your FREE Ultimate Macros Guide, designed for those who are serious about optimizing their physique. It's not a quick fix; it's a playbook that teaches you how to make smart eating choices, track your biofeedback, and implement gradual changes for success.–Are you chasing success but running on empty? Do your workouts feel harder yet deliver fewer results? What if your energy, not your money, is the real currency of success?I sit down with Alex Feinberg, ex-pro athlete, former Google exec, and elite performance coach, to break down how high achievers can stay lean, energized, and efficient all year long. We explore why doubling your training volume might be hurting your progress, how to optimize your metabolism for maximum fat loss, and why treating energy like currency changes everything. Alex also reveals simple frameworks to track recovery, train smarter (not harder), and turn your body into a high-performance machine. Today, you’ll learn all about:2:35 – Why energy beats more money4:30 – How high performers get stuck6:58 – The kingpin habit that changes everything13:15 – The myth of the 3 PM crash18:39 – How carbs affect sleep and energy24:37 – Why your workouts aren’t working33:04 – High-intensity training, defined38:25 – How to stay shredded eating pizza44:39 – Processed food vs real food50:02 – Train what you usually ignore53:13 – Fitness is your wealth-building shortcutEpisode resources:Website:  feinbergsystems.com Instagram: @alexfeinbergofficial X: @alexfeinberg1 Facebook: @alexfeinbergofficial Youtube: @alexfeinberg1 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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