What’s the best way to end a cut once you’ve reached your body fat goal? Should you slowly ramp up calories and reap the purported benefits of a reverse diet, or is that a waste of time or worse, potentially negative? Is it better to increase your calorie intake right to maintenance, or will that result in gaining back the fat you lost due to metabolic adaptation?

There’s been a bit of controversy in the fitness space in recent years over reverse dieting. In fact, it’s something I’ve changed my mind about over the years as the research panned out. In this interview, I chat with Cody McBroom about the science of reverse dieting and when it makes sense for everyday fitness folks.

Because while there’s no denying the usefulness of science and fitness research, real life isn’t a laboratory. Unscientific methods can still prove useful, and sometimes for surprising reasons. So what does the science say about reverse dieting, and how does that compare with the practical utility of slowly increasing calories after a cut?

Cody is a repeat-guest on my show, but in case you’re not familiar with him, he’s the CEO and founder of the Tailored Coaching Method, a lifestyle training and nutrition coaching company (that also coaches how to coach), and host of the Tailored Life podcast. In other words, Cody not only has a background in evidence-based fitness, but also years of in-the-trenches experience working with clients and figuring out what works and what doesn’t in the real world.

In this interview, Cody and I talk about . . .

- What reverse dieting is, the purported benefits, and what science says about it

- How a slow increase in calories can affect dietary compliance and self control when ending a cut

- How people respond differently to eating more food

- Who can benefit from a reverse diet, why, and whether you should do one

- Reverse diets versus recovery diets

- The negative effects of calorie deficits and how to know if it’s time to reverse diet

- And more . . .

So, if you want to learn what science says about reverse dieting, how reverse dieting pans out in the real world, whether you should reverse diet, and a lot more, don’t skip this episode!

Timestamps

(0:00) - Try Triton today! Go to https://buylegion.com/triton and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

(12:15) - What are your thoughts on reverse dieting?

(43:02) - How lean do you need to get before you start running into issues?

(51:58) - Have you worked with people that can slowly increase their maintenance calories over time and maintain their body composition?

Mentioned on the Show:

Try Triton today! Go to https://buylegion.com/triton and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

The Tailored Life Podcast: https://tailoredcoachingmethod.com/podcast/

Cody McBroom’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cody.boomboom/

Cody’s website: https://tailoredcoachingmethod.com/