The Mad Olive: A Men's Guide to Getting Social and Drink Hustling

With summer around the corner it’s time to bro up and show off that six pack.  For most guys, losing an extra 20lbs is the difference between washboard abs and carrying around a 12-pack.

First, let’s destroy one fitness myth before getting started:

No amount of exercise makes up for a shitty diet

You can crush weights 6 days a week, run 3 miles a day, or swim the English Channel – but if you eat Big Mac’s every day, you’re not going to lose the weight.  90% of weight loss is dieting and that’s life.

I recently read Tim Ferriss’s new book “The 4-Hour Body” – which is a body hack guide to weight loss, building muscle, incredible sex, and sound sleep.

Tim Ferriss is an animal.  He is not a doctor, just a highly methodical explorer who has run countless fitness experiments on his body.  In 28 days he gained 34lbs of muscle, lost 3lbs of fat, and reduced his body fat by 4.49% – an impressive feat by any man.

Over the next month I am putting Tim Ferriss’s “Slow Carb Diet” to the test.  Below I will explain my diet, my expected weight loss, and total gym time.

What is a Slow Carb Diet?

Honestly it’s not much of a shift from my normal diet.  I eat healthy (besides my love for choice hops and cheap vodka) – but there are a few tweaks to be made.  Here are acceptable foods I am eating for the next month:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Pork
• Fish
• Eggs
• Veggies (broccoli, corn, carrots, peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, etc)
• Red Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Navy Beans
• White Beans
• Black Beans
• Lentils
• Legumes

That’s it, for one month.  There are no counting calories.  No portion control.  Just stick to these foods, 4 meals per day, and every 4 hours.

In the first week, I’ve went from 193lbs to 189lbs which is a 4lb loss.  I haven’t been under 190 since high school (which was almost 10 years ago)!

What is NOT Included?

There are three big no-no’s with this diet:

• No Fruit
• No White Bread
• No Snacking Between Meals

Trust me your body doesn’t need the extra sugar.  The sugar spikes glucose levels which does not encourage fat loss.  That’s no fruit juice, no fruit, and no breads (even whole wheat).

All carbs are provided by “slow carb” foods like beans and legumes.  Beans take longer to digest keeping glucose spikes low.  Hence, there should be no feeling of hunger if you eat enough between meals.

Best Part of the Diet?

There are two AWESOME reward factors:

• One Day per Week – Eat ANYTHING you Want
• 2 Glasses of Red Wine per Day

Let’s face it, sticking to a diet sucks.  With this diet you can binge on food one day per week.  Eat an extra large pizza and wash it down with 15 Bear-claws followed by a gallon of milk.  It’s your cheat day, eat whatever you please.

I chose Saturdays to binge, and I ALSO drink HEAVILY on Saturdays (which isn’t much different from my normal Saturday).  The cheat day will keep you sane and less likely to backslide during the week.

The second perk is drinking red wine daily.  Tim Ferriss loves red wine and drinks 2 glasses daily.  It’s allowed on this diet.  Stay away from beer and white wines as they contain a higher sugar content.

FINALLY a diet that allows my inner booze hound to stay satisfied.  Most health fanatics/experts will tell you to avoid alcohol at all costs during dieting.  We are only human, and we love eating shitty food and drinking.  Enjoying two glasses of wine ensures you stay on track mentally.  This truly is a rewarding end to the day.

Expected Weight Loss and Gym Time

I plan on losing 20lbs and reaching my goal of 173lbs.  If it takes a bit longer than 4 weeks, I am fine with that.  Typically I bulk during the winter and lose weight going into summer, but I haven’t loss 20lbs since high school soccer.

I expect to spend 2 days in the gym per week, allowing 30 minutes for every workout.  My goal is to work out until failure and keep a minimalist approach.  The goal is to maintain my current muscle and keep cutting weight through dieting.  All my body measurements are being tracked.

 

Before I give away the whole book, I suggest you guys pick up a copy of Tim Ferriss’s “The 4-Hour Body.”  It’s truly an interesting read for anyone looking to lose weight or gain muscle.  He also takes a minimalist approach for those not interesting in spending hours in the gym.  Check it out and lose that weight!

Tags: dieting, four hour body, how to lose weight, lose 20 pounds, tim ferriss, weight loss

This entry was posted on at and is filed under Fitness, Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.