What's the right fat loss method for you?

I've used lots of different diet protocols to reduce body fat.

They all have upsides and drawbacks. From carbohydrate cycling to ketogenic, to Paleo, flexible dieting approaches, and the old school bodybuilding approach of chicken and broccoli, not forgetting the slow-release protein before bed.

What all of them had in common was their rate of progress, aiming for around 1 lb per week in weight loss for 12-16 weeks. The thinking is that "crash dieting" results in muscle loss and contributes to you looking "skinny fat" by the end of your goal. If you're a bodybuilder stepping on stage, then trying to keep every ounce of muscle intact seems plausible.

The trade-off for the average person is that their dieting period takes 2 to 3 times longer than quicker approaches.

My philosophy now is: embrace the suck and let it be your guide.

Most of my clients first use a more modest approach. But if they are able to demonstrate the discipline to withstand some hunger and still function at work, an aggressive fat loss phase is a viable option.

The benefits of aggressive fat loss are:

• Faster results
• Fewer weeks spent living with a calorie deficit
• No effect on muscle mass
• Longer periods building strength and performance
• Live life closer to your peak physique with short bursts of dieting

It's a challenge. But short lived.