Wits & Weights | Strength Training & Fat Loss Over 40

Have you ever wondered why, despite all your efforts, you're not seeing the results you want in your fitness?

Today, we're exposing a sneaky little habit that's sabotaging your progress, whether you are aiming for fat loss, muscle gain or any other health goal.

What is this progress-killing behavior and, more importantly, how can you overcome it to finally achieve the results you're after?

Tune in to today's Quick Wits to find out the game-changing answer.

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“Quick Wits” are short mini-episodes between full episodes to give you an actionable strategy or hit of motivation.

If you enjoy these bonus episodes or have feedback on how to make them better, just send me a text message.

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Are seed oils really the evil villain they're made out to be? 😈

Let's dissect this heated debate and clear the air. I'm responding to a scathing one-star review accusing me of being "anti-science" and in cahoots with Big Food (seriously, where are my checks! 🤑💵).

Related episode about seed oils:
→ Quick Wits: Seed Oils Aren't the Problem

I stand firm on my evidence-based approach, explaining why seed oils are not inherently harmful and highlighting the limitations of observational studies that can't establish causality. As for the science, feel free to refer to the multiple meta-analyses (like this and this) that show no link between seed oils / omega-6 and health issues (and some seem to support the opposite, that higher linoleic acid is associated with LOWER heart disease and mortality risk).

We'll also shed light on how the real dietary culprits are often the excess calories, lack of nutrients, and high palatability in ultra-processed foods correlated with an unhealthy dietary pattern and overconsumption, rather than the seed oils themselves.

My message?

Focus on balanced nutrition and moderation within an 80/20 framework to truly prioritize your health. Shockingly "anti-science" isn't it? 😁🤯

Tune in to hear me go after the haters in a not-too-scathing-but-just-right way and if you want to drown out the negative reviews...

Click here to submit a 5-star review on Apple, one of the BEST ways to support the show! 🤩🙏

Last thing...

Did you like this episode? Not so much? How about the new music? Shoot me a text with your opinions (or questions!) 👇

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Are you feeling stuck in a fitness rut? Are you confused by conflicting fitness advice? Struggling to stay motivated when everyone on social media seems to have a perfect body?

Today, Philip (@witsandweights) welcomes Adam Poehlmann, host of The Poehlmann Fitness Show and a dedicated health, fitness, and nutrition coach at Poehlmann Fitness, to discuss how your inner voice can unlock physical achievements. This episode tackles the often-overlooked aspect of fitness: your mindset. Adam dives deep into the internal locus of control concept, empowering you to take ownership of your health journey. He also gets personal, sharing his fitness struggles and triumphs, from overcoming the temptation of alcohol to setting a positive example.

Philip and Adam explore the power of a growth mindset, where setbacks become growth opportunities. They also talk about navigating social media effectively, avoiding comparison traps, and harnessing its potential for inspiration and learning. Packed with actionable tips and real-life experiences, this episode equips you with the mental tools to finally conquer your fitness goals. 

Today, you’ll learn all about:

2:21 What's the first mental shift Adam recommends
9:16 (1) Developing an inner locus of control
15:31 (2) Mental contrasting visualization
18:04 (3) Implementation intentions ("if-then" planning)
20:48  Choosing fitness over alcohol
23:25 (4) Community and accountability
26:32 When Adam hit a wall in his fitness journey
33:30 (5) Self-awareness and reframing negative thoughts
41:35 Mindset on nutrition and exercise progression
43:45 (6) Building resilience and self-compassion
53:52 (7) Managing information "diet" and social media influences
59:22 Navigating social media and fitness trends
1:06:11 Where to find Adam
1:06:55 Outro


Episode resources:

• IG: @adampoehlmann 
• Podcast: spoti.fi/3W2kYBO 
• Threads: @adampoehlmann 
• FB Group: facebook.com/groups/thebodytransformationtribe 

Related episodes:

• Ep 177: How Anatomy Impacts Your Gut, Muscle Mass, Hormones, and Health with Justin Cottle

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Have you ever heard the concept that certain types of workouts might keep burning a ton more calories long after you've left the gym for many hours afterward?

Today we're tackling the "afterburner effect," the idea that you can keep burning calories long after your workout is over. And in scientific terms, we are talking about EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption).

Is this effect real? Can it significantly impact your fat loss and, if so, how can you maximize it in your training?

We separate fact from fiction in today's Quick Wits.

--

“Quick Wits” are short mini-episodes between full episodes to give you an actionable strategy or hit of motivation.

If you enjoy these bonus episodes or have feedback on how to make them better, just send me a text message.

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Is rapid weight loss worth the risk? Can you really build muscle while losing fat? How important is nutrition tracking for your fitness journey?

Today, Philip (@witsandweights) welcomes back Jeff Hoehn for another co-hosted Q&A episode. This time, they discuss nutrition strategies to lose fat aggressively, the benefits of higher protein intake, how lifting weights changes the equation, and overcoming menopause-related hurdles. They dive into the controversial topic of rapid weight loss, the importance of structured diet breaks, and the real deal about slow metabolism.

Philip and Jeff also compare powerlifting and bodybuilding during fat loss phases, emphasizing the role of heavy compound lifts and hypertrophy training. They also talk about nutrition tracking, low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, and fiber intake.

Today, you’ll learn all about:

3:24 - What are your views on rapid fat loss and the frequency of aggressive cuts? Also, how do you feel about protein-sparing modified fasting in a 5:2 diet for general weight loss?
12:10 - Does consuming more protein than recommended have any benefits?
19:35 - How can I effectively lose fat and reveal muscle definition despite increasing my calorie intake, exercising regularly, and maintaining a high-protein diet?
32:38 - How feasible is it to build muscle in a deficit?
44:15 - Heavier weight or more reps for an older guy looking to build a base for longevity?
54:09 - In fat loss, does counting veggies affect the macros? Should I log them?

Episode resources:

• The Mind Muscle Connection podcast
• Jeff’s IG: @jeffhoehn_

Related episodes:

• Ep 169: Q&A w/Jeff Hoehn – Menopause Weight Loss, Bulking Without Getting Fat, & Cutting on Low Sleep
• Ep 178: Sleep Science - Doing THIS in the Bedroom is Killing Your Fat Loss, Gains, Hormones, & Metabolism
• Ep 180: The New Over 50 Roadmap to Lifelong Strength, Health, Muscle, and Longevity

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

GOMAD, or "Gallon of Milk a Day," was a protocol popularized by strength coach Mark Rippetoe (of Starting Strength), to ensure rapid weight gain and muscle growth. The idea is to bulk up quickly. You just chug a gallon of milk a day. Easy right?

But before you start doing that, I want you to tune in to today's Quick Wits for my take on this sometimes controversial protocol and why it might not be the best approach for everyone, especially if you're not a skinny 20-something-year-old male.

GOMAD was originally intended for a very specific demographic - skinny, underweight guys in their late teens and early 20s who struggle to put on any weight at all. For these folks, the massive calorie boost from a gallon of milk a day can kickstart muscle gain and help them get out of the "hardgainer" zone.

But if you're not in that category, then GOMAD might not be the best fit. If you're older, or if you're not significantly underweight, drinking that much milk every day is more likely to lead to excessive fat gain than lean muscle growth. Not to mention, it can be pretty tough on your digestive system, especially if you're not used to processing that much lactose.

But I'm not against using milk as a calorie-dense, macro-balanced tool as part of your nutrition plan. Tune in to hear my thoughts on this.

--

“Quick Wits” are short mini-episodes between full episodes to give you an actionable strategy or hit of motivation.

If you enjoy these bonus episodes or have feedback on how to make them better, just send me a text message.

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Can you transform your physique without the traditional bulk and cut cycles? Or is this possible with body recomposition at maintenance calories?

Today we have a question from from Wyatt about whether you can only make progress with your physique while bulking and cutting rather than attempt body recomposition. He also asks whether there is a difference between staying at maintenance calories and body recomp.

In this episode, we explore how new or detrained lifters might benefit from this approach and the limitations of its effectiveness. We also hit on food tracking, protein intake, and training intensity, while considering the emotional and social implications of constantly oscillating between bulking and cutting phases.

We then tackle the pros and cons of the bulking and cutting method for physique development, establishing healthy habits during a maintenance phase, obsessive behaviors and stress, especially for those susceptible to yo-yo dieting, and time-efficient muscle gains.

These questions are from the Friday LIVE Q&A in the free Wits & Weights Facebook community. Just post a specific question relevant to your unique, individual situation and have it answered in these live Q&As.

👉 Experience it yourself by joining the FREE Wits & Weights Facebook group.

Episode resources

• Ep 136: How to Maintain a Lean Physique Year-Round (Without Cuts or Bulks)

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Diet myths got you stuck? Struggling to lose weight NO MATTER WHAT you try? GLP-1 drugs: Magic bullet or risky business?

Today, Philip (@witsandweights) brings on Amy Wilson, a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, a certified fitness professional, and a certified nutrition coach, for an engaging conversion on GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Amy's mission is to empower her clients to take control of their bodies and minds without feeling tied down by the scale.

In this episode, they explore the root causes of obesity and weight gain, why nutrition and body recomp strategies should come first, and the origins and current use of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and others for people looking to lose fat.

Tune in to learn about the pros and cons of these drugs and discover practical lifestyle perspectives for managing these conditions. They also share the secret sauce to achieving your health goals, providing you with actionable steps to take control of your health.

Today, you’ll learn all about:

2:19 Amy's journey from pharmacist to fitness and nutrition coach
5:53 The rising obesity, its root causes, and weight gain
10:05 Debunking dieting myths and the concept of body fat set points
12:56 Reversing the effects of dieting at any age
14:04  Introduction to GLP-1 drugs: a new approach to weight management
20:25 Long-term impact of GLP-1 drugs and the importance of maintaining muscle mass
22:11 A safe way to use GLP-1 drugs for weight management
28:01 Discussion on the impact of lifting weights and proper nutrition on weight loss
32:16 Effective dosage and the varying responses to weight loss drugs
36:19 Initial steps for starting a health journey
42:33 How to be metabolic flexible or a fat burner
44:54 Walk after meals to manage your blood sugar
47:02 What questions did Amy wish Philip had asked
49:10 Where to find Amy
50:07 Outro

Episode resources:

•  Website: amykwilson.com– send a message that says “witsandweights” to get the free 5-Day Fat Loss Blueprint (recipes)
• IG: @thenutritioncoachpharmacist  

Related episode:

• Ep 171: Big Butts, Strong Butts, We Love Them All! How to Train Your Glutes with Sue Bush

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Creatine is not just for lifters and bodybuilders anymore.

Join me on today's Quick Wits as I dive into the incredible benefits of this very powerful supplement and reveal why it should be a staple in just about everyone's supplement cabinet, from athletes to aging adults and everyone in between.

While it's true that creatine has long been a staple in the muscle-building world, thanks to its ability to boost strength, power output, and lean mass gains, the benefits of creatine go way beyond just building bigger muscles.

In fact, the more research that comes out on this incredible compound, the more it becomes clear that creatine is something that pretty much everyone should be taking, regardless of their age, gender, or fitness goals.

Find out why on today's Quick Wits.

--

“Quick Wits” are short mini-episodes between full episodes to give you an actionable strategy or hit of motivation.

If you enjoy these bonus episodes or have feedback on how to make them better, just send me a text message.

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏

Is your meal plan optimized for your fitness goals? Are you struggling to follow your diet plan because it is too restrictive? Are you looking to maximize your muscle growth and boost your energy?

In this episode, Philip (@witsandweights) provides an evidence-based, comprehensive guide that cuts through conflicting information about meal planning and macro setting. He shares a blueprint that covers the essential aspects of setting up your meal plan for success. By following his recommendations, you will recover faster from your workouts, see changes in the mirror and on the scale, and optimize fat loss, muscle gain, performance, and overall health. Whether you are cutting, bulking, or maintaining, this episode will equip you with the necessary knowledge to structure your nutrition and achieve your fitness goals.

Today, you’ll learn all about:

4:35 Energy balance essentials
7:48 Calculating maintenance calories
11:55 Protein and 1,200 cal meal planning tips
14:55 How much fat and carbs you need in your diet
17:45 Nutrient-dense 1,200 cal breakdown
20:04 Sample 1,200 cal day meal plan
26:21 Macro management on a 1,200-cal diet
28:15 Transitioning to and sustaining a 2,000-cal plan
36:27 3,000 cal plan for muscle building
43:03 Hunger management at higher calories
44:48 Episode takeaways
48:12 Outro

Episode resources:

• Join my email list and tell me you want my free meal planning guide (with foods by macro, sample meal plans, and foods sorted by protein density)
• Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS. It's the only food-logging app that adjusts to your metabolism!

💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - a 26-week evidence-based strength training for men and women over 40 and fat loss program to build muscle after 40, lose fat, and maintain your results (even in perimenopause and menopause)

📱 Get Fitness Lab - AI-powered coaching app for strength training after 40, body recomposition, and evidence-based nutrition. Daily coaching that adjusts to your energy, recovery, and schedule. No calorie counting, no guesswork.

👥 Join our Facebook community - Build muscle after 40, improve body composition, and lose fat with evidence-based nutrition. Support for lifting weights, hypertrophy, fat loss, and hormones.

👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape (strength training & fat loss nutrition coach) on Instagram & thanks for making us one of the best fat loss podcasts for men & women over 40! 🙏