Gary Brecka’s Science-Backed Fat Loss Strategies that Don’t Require Dieting
23 Jun 2024 (3 months ago)
Intro
- Consistency is key for staying lean.
- Fat burns slowly over time, not intensely in short periods.
- Steady-state cardio every morning and weight training at least four times a week are recommended.
- The order of energy burn is glucose, then glycogen, then fat.
- Intensity matters for burning fat.
- Nutrition also matters for burning fat.
30/30/30 Method
- Tim Ferris's 30/30/30 method involves consuming 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking, followed by 30 minutes of steady-state cardiovascular exercise.
- This method is effective because most people don't have data on their glycemic profile and may be hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic, which can affect fat loss.
- Narrow feeding windows are recommended for people with elevated blood sugar, high hemoglobin A1c, and insulin resistance.
- Wider feeding windows are better for people who are more hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitive.
Get Glycemic Data
- Getting data on your glycemic profile is important for determining your feeding window and optimizing fat loss.
- This data can reveal whether you're insulin-resistant, insulin-sensitive, have high average blood sugar, or low average blood sugar.
EAAs + Workout Fasted
- Taking a perfect blend of the eight essential amino acids (EAAs) in a fasted state and working out in a fasted state can significantly improve your capacity to target fat loss.
- EAAs are the building blocks of protein and are essential for various bodily functions, including building muscle, red blood cells, white blood cells, and connective tissue.
- Protein powders are not necessary to get EAAs, as they can be obtained from whole proteins like steak or eggs.
50% off Create’s Creatine Gummies
- Creatine gummies are 50% off.
- Allulose sweetened gummies have 1.5 grams of creatine per gummy.
- Creatine helps preserve muscle mass and keep strength high even in a caloric deficit.
- Creatine gummies make it easy to micro-dose creatine throughout the day.
- Creatine gummies help avoid water retention compared to taking a large bolus of creatine at once.
- The gummies are Apple flavored with no added sugar.
- Sleep:
- Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Sleep deprivation can lead to increased hunger and cravings.
- Lack of sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism.
- Stress Management:
- Chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, leading to increased body fat storage.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.
- Prioritize self-care and set boundaries to manage stress.
- Protein Intake:
- Consume enough protein to support muscle mass and satiety.
- Aim for 0.8-1 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily.
- Protein can help reduce hunger and cravings.
- Fiber Intake:
- Include plenty of fiber-rich foods in your diet.
- Fiber can help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
- Fiber can also aid in digestion and gut health.
- Hydration:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Staying hydrated can help suppress hunger and cravings.
- Water can also boost metabolism and energy levels.
- Mindful Eating:
- Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues.
- Eat slowly and savor your food.
- Avoid distractions while eating.
- Strength Training:
- Incorporate strength training into your routine.
- Strength training can help build muscle mass and boost metabolism.
- Muscle mass can help burn fat and improve overall body composition.
30/30/30 Program
- Taking a full-spectrum amino acid supplement, like Perfect Amino, during intense fasted workouts can prevent muscle loss.
- For individuals with low blood sugar or insulin sensitivity, the 30-30-30 program can be effective for fat loss. This involves consuming 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking, followed by 30 minutes of steady-state cardio.
- Insulin-resistant individuals who are more hypoglycemic can achieve similar results to the 30-30-30 program by using a perfect amino acid supplement before fasted workouts.
- GLP-1 inhibitors like OIC, seatide, and tepati can cause significant loss of lean body mass along with fat loss, leading to a gaunt appearance known as "OIC face."
- Spot removal of fat is not possible, which is why people who lose a lot of weight often have sunken faces.
EAAs
- Gary Brecka used to be concerned about the insulin spike that comes with leucine.
- However, he realized that the insulin spike is countered by glucagon, so it does not cause a rise in blood sugar.
- He now believes that taking EAAs during a fast is beneficial and does not break the fast.
- EAAs may provide an energy boost and signal the body to push harder.
Fasted Exercise
- Intense exercise in a fasted state may lead to the burning of lean muscle instead of fat.
- Prolonged caloric deficits can slow down the metabolic rate and reduce thyroid hormones.
- Moderate-intensity exercise may be equally effective for fat loss as high-intensity exercise and may preserve muscle mass better.
- Intense exercise in a fasted state can cause increased hunger and cravings due to blood sugar fluctuations.
- Insulin spikes and drops can lead to overeating and cravings later in the day.
- A full-spectrum amino acid supplement with all eight essential amino acids in the right ratio can help prevent overeating and cravings.
- BCAAs alone have a reduced impact compared to taking the full spectrum of essential amino acids.
- Sipping on essential amino acids (EAAs) throughout the day may be beneficial, especially for lean individuals at risk of muscle loss.
Do This for 30 Days
- Nutrient quality and calorie intake are equally important for weight management. Nutrient-dense foods promote satiety and reduce overeating.
- Calorie labeling can have a 20% margin of error, especially for high-fat foods.
- GLP-1, stimulated by protein intake, regulates appetite and controls food intake.
- Studying compounds in isolation may not accurately predict their behavior in the body's complex environment.
- Large data pools can guide supplement use for large patient groups, but individual outliers exist.
- Absolute statements about fat loss strategies may not apply to everyone.
- Exercising in a fasted state with essential amino acids can be an effective starting point for fat loss.
- Weight loss studies are complex, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
- Simple tools and concrete strategies can significantly impact weight loss.
- Analyzing personal data can provide valuable insights and help individuals tailor their weight loss strategies.
Where to Find More of Gary's Content
- Gary Brecka can be found on Instagram as Gary Brea.
- He can also be found on the website theultimatehuman.com.
- The Ultimate Human podcast is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.