I Exercise a Lot, But How Do I Get the Diet to Work?

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Hello again, resolute reader! I want to answer a question I received today.

It reads:

“Hello, Ryan. How’re you doing? I was wondering if you could give me some effective diet tips. I do 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and run 3 miles each day, but I can’t seem to get a diet to work. I’ve done my own research, but I’d really appreciate your recommendations.” 

I’m super excited about this question, and I’d love to answer it to the benefit of everyone. But, we must understand that the question was sent in by a male. And so, I’ll be including increasing testosterone, which is mostly irrelevant to females, as part of my answer. 

The two main points that can’t be overemphasized are: increasing testosterone naturally and sticking to a caloric deficit.

Increasing Testosterone for Fat Loss:

Your body will begin to burn fat like crazy when you increase testosterone and quit consuming an estrogen-filled diet! You’ll be building muscle a lot faster this way, while also dealing with a key contributor to fat gain, especially around your mid-section.

Milk, cheese, yogurt and processed sugars (found in 80% of our common foods), are all chief sources of estrogen. Soybeans, which are widely known as a major source of estrogen, top that list. And there are several others. There’ll be another blog post discussing all the common foods containing estrogen and how to increase testosterone through your training style, mealtimes, bedtime, and diet.

Caloric Deficit for Fat Loss:

I believe strongly in the effectiveness of caloric deficits. You should follow a caloric deficit, whatever the diet you choose. It doesn’t matter if you are doing intermittent fasting, the ketogenic diet, or both, you’ll have to maintain a certain amount of calories per day or per week. 

Please click this link for info on the keto diet: https://ryankamanu.com/keto-diet-for-fat-loss/. 

Intermittent fasting simply entails skipping breakfast and eating dinner before 8pm. These 14-16 hour fasting periods are super beneficial in terms of increasing testosterone, boosting growth hormones, and losing inches of belly fat.

The key is to do your diet WHILE counting your calories, for better results, and to prevent putting on more weight than you can burn. The best way to establish a caloric deficit is to use this simple online TDEE calculator to get exactly how many calories you burn per day. 

Click this link: https://tdeecalculator.net/ for the online TDEE calculator.

You must consume 500 to 1000 calories less than the figure you get.For example, my TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) is 3323 calories. Next, I round this figure up or down to the nearest hundred, which would be 3300. Then, I subtract 800 calories from that to give me 2500. (-800 works great for me, but it’s not the same for everybody.) And so, I simply consume 2500 calories for about 8 weeks, while heavy lifting and doing my HIIT. 

Note that if you do 1500 calories, or more, below your TDEE, your body will actually begin to think it’s being starved. As a result, your metabolism will slow down in an effort to compensate for the reduced caloric intake. Now, you’ll be burning less calories, which means you’ll have to eat less food. And so, the maximum amount of calories I recommend to stay below your TDEE and still get effective fat loss is 1000. Any more than that and will be counterproductive.

I also consume 1g of protein per point of my lean body weight. Youcan calculate your lean body weight by subtracting the weight of just your fat from your entire body weight in pounds (mine is 190 lbs) and from it. 

For example, I have about 16% body fat. This gives: 190 x .16 = 30.4. 

Then, 190 – 30.4 = 159.6 grams of (protein I must consume each day to maintain my lean muscle mass while shedding body fat).

You can also create what I like to call “The Extreme Deficit.” This means burning more calories than you are consuming. This, however, is only for highly advanced and devoted individuals, and should be done while taking major precautions. You should consult your doctor about it. It entails following a 1000 caloric deficit while doing extreme weight training and cardio.

For example, if my TDEE is 3000 calories, subtracting 1000 restricts my daily caloric consumption to 2000 calories. I then do major heavy lifting combined with cardio on the ARC machine (a machine that burns high amounts of calories in a high knee motion) for a couple of hours. I normally burn about 1000 calories each hour I spend on the ARC machine, so two hours would be 2000 calories. This means that after two hours, I’ve done the equivalent of eating nothing at all for the entire day, because I’ve burned it all away. If I raise it a notch and do a third hour, I’ll be in the negative (-1000 calories). Just imagine how much weight you could lose with this method!

I trust that you found this in-depth article insightful, and that it can help you or someone you know get that diet to work and achieve those physique goals.

This Post Has 18 Comments

  1. Nadia Okafor

    I found your discussion on the importance of post-workout nutrition particularly enlightening! It’s fascinating how recovery really hinges on what we consume after exercising. Your insights on protein timing and incorporating healthy fats made a lot of sense, especially for someone putting in as much effort as that runner you mentioned. It’s all about fine-tuning that balance! fantasy football trade analyzer

  2. Vera Lindstrom

    I really liked how you emphasized the role of proper nutrition in complementing a solid workout routine. It’s fascinating that someone can do 50 push-ups and run 3 miles yet still struggle with their diet. Your focus on whole foods and possibly meal prepping definitely seems like a realistic way to make those healthy choices easier! YouTube transcript generator

  3. Rebecca Turnbull

    I appreciated your emphasis on how crucial it is to pair an active lifestyle with proper nutrition. The question from your reader about effective diet tips is so relatable! Your recommendation to focus on portion sizes and nutrient-dense foods really hits home, as it’s a game changer in optimizing workout results. It’s all about finding that balance! salary to hourly calculator

  4. Liam Sørensen

    I found your point about the need for a well-rounded diet to complement an exercise routine really enlightening! It’s easy to overlook how crucial nutrition is when you’re already putting in the effort with workouts like running and bodyweight exercises. Your emphasis on whole foods as a source of energy truly resonates, especially for those of us aiming to maximize our fitness results! hide and seek browser game

  5. Colette Mercier

    I really connected with your point about the necessity of proper nutrition to complement a solid workout routine. It’s key to remember that exercise alone isn’t enough if we’re not fueling our bodies with the right nutrients. Your idea of emphasizing whole foods as a foundation for success is something I’m definitely going to implement more seriously. It’s exciting to realize how much of a difference these dietary adjustments can make! silver melt value

  6. Rashid Karim

    I really liked your emphasis on the importance of nutrition in conjunction with a solid exercise regimen. It’s refreshing to see you highlight that doing 50 push-ups and 3 miles might not yield the best results without proper diet support. Your point about prioritizing nutrient-dense foods is so relevant for those looking to maximize their fitness progress! browser driving game guide

  7. Lukas Brenner

    I really liked how you highlighted the importance of pairing exercise with the right diet. It’s so true that doing 50 push-ups and running three miles won’t yield all the benefits if the diet isn’t on point! Your emphasis on whole foods as the foundation really spoke to me. It makes the concept of nutrition feel much more approachable. PDF translation tool

  8. Delia Okonkwo

    I really appreciated your discussion on the importance of fueling the body right alongside an intense workout routine. The connection between exercise and diet is so crucial! Your suggestion to focus on whole foods and balanced meals makes a lot of sense. It’s all about that synergy for optimal results! AI image generator

  9. Felix Amankwah

    I appreciated your focus on the synergy between diet and exercise! It’s fascinating how even the most rigorous workout routines can fall short without proper nutrition. Your suggestion about incorporating more protein to support those intense push-ups and running sessions really struck a chord with me. It’s all about fueling the effort! AI home makeover

  10. Dean Halloway

    I really appreciated how you highlighted the connection between exercise and nutrition! It’s inspiring to see someone doing so much physical activity, like 50 push-ups and a 3-mile run, but it’s clear that nailing the diet is crucial for maximizing those efforts. The idea of focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods is definitely something I plan to incorporate into my own routine! wire gauge chart

  11. Miguel Arrieta

    I really appreciated your take on the importance of portion control in the diet! It’s so easy to overlook how much we’re actually consuming, even when we’re working out hard. Your advice to focus on balanced meals while monitoring intake feels like a practical way to make improvements that complement a solid exercise routine! basketball card checklist

  12. Callum Doyle

    I really appreciated your point about the need for consistency in both diet and exercise! It’s so easy to focus on the physical workouts, especially with routines like running and doing push-ups, but without the right nutrition, it can feel like hitting a wall. Your suggestion to plan meals ahead of time is something I’ll definitely be trying out to ensure I’m fueling my body effectively! combine two emojis

  13. Owen Fitzgerald

    I found your tips on balancing macronutrients particularly helpful! It’s so true that even a dedicated exercise routine, like doing 50 push-ups and running, needs the right fuel to really see results. Your advice on incorporating more whole foods resonated with me, as it feels manageable for anyone looking to enhance their diet! spin the wheel

  14. Greg Halloran

    I found your insights on meal timing really interesting, especially how it can impact workout recovery. It’s great to see how a solid nutrition plan can enhance the efforts of someone who’s already putting in the hard work with their exercise routine! earbud translator reviews

  15. Claire Pemberton

    Jordan Fields OCTOBER 1, 2023 I’m really intrigued by your perspective on balancing exercise and diet. It’s striking how you highlighted the disconnect many face despite working out regularly, like the reader’s impressive regimen of push-ups and running. That connection between the right nutrition and performance is key! cross stitch chart generator

  16. Marcus Larkin

    Anna Richards OCTOBER 1, 2026 It’s so interesting to see how you addressed the common struggle of pairing diet with a solid fitness routine! Many people, including myself, often overlook the nutritional aspect despite our commitment to exercise like the reader’s impressive regimen. Your insights really highlight how vital it is to fine-tune our meals to fuel our active lifestyle. macro calculator

  17. Elise Harrington

    I love how you emphasized the importance of finding a diet that complements a regular exercise routine, especially for someone as dedicated as the reader with their 50 push-ups and running!

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