Four years ago, I lost 50 pounds in four months. It was pretty easy; eat little and run often. I ran 2 to 3 miles a day and took up
tennis. Eventually, I got tired of being skinny. I started lifting weights seriously. However, the diet available to me didn’t provide much in the way of protein. I managed to put on about 10 pounds in 18 months without changing pant sizes.
My circumstances are different now, and so I wanted to experiment with a dramatic reversal of what I did for several years. I all but eliminated my cardio, running no more than one mile at a time, and that only occasionally, just so I wouldn’t get out of breath walking up the stairs. I also reduced the frequency of my workouts, from 5-6 a week to 3 to 4, and dramatically changed my approach. Instead of 60 to 90 minute sessions, I do about 45 minutes. Instead of 3 minute rests between sets, I do no more than 60 seconds, and I do 4 sets of 6-8 reps rather than 3 of 10 to 12.
I abandoned any attempt at restricting what I ate or drink, except to limit my intake between noon and 8pm. This is called “intermittent fasting“. I also leaned heavily towards paleo, usually eating meals consisting of meat and green vegetables. I didn’t always stop eating at 8pm, I didn’t always stick with the paleo diet, and I ate breakfast on … Read the rest