Training idea for Lyle's Rapid Fat Loss

Patrick Poblocki · 03-22-2010, 05:10 AM

Hi all,

Background: 28 years old, m, 18% bf, goal: sub 10% bf

Quick question: I'm doing a phase of Lyle's Rapid Fat Loss program. It looks like this (170 grams of lean protein broken into three meals from fish, chicken breast and lean, grass-fed, ground beef; unlimited green stuff (for me--savoy cabbage, iceberg lettuce, spinach, and broccoli; 2 fish caps after each meal; supps include magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and a multi).

So, that said, I'm trying to figure out my programming. I'm coming from a crossfit background with a lot of white water kayaking. My diet before was 90% paleo, 130 grams of protein, 50% of calories coming from fat, the remainder carbs.

My assumption is that with such a significant drop in carbohydrate and calorie consumption, a lot of metcon will be counter productive. Instead, I'm thinking about doing a Starting Strength approach with one sprint day mixed in for 4 total days of exercising per week. Kayaking will depend on the rainfall (I live in CT).

I thought this was a good approach to preserve lean body mass will losing weight. What do you think?

Thanks for any input!

Patrick

Steven Low · 03-22-2010, 06:20 AM

Well, you're gonna have to cut some cals to lose weight in general...

The best way to keep the mass without overtaxing yourself given likely depletion of glycogen is heavy lifting.

Metabolic work and sprinting and such things will probably deplete your glycogen much faster and leave you feeling crappy.

Moran Bentzur · 03-22-2010, 07:27 AM

You might try to do a 5/3/1 two day / week variation (Deadlift+Press, SQuat+Bench). Don't go crazy with the extra reps on the last set. You are trying to maintain strength not build strength.
I would be against the metcon and sprinting. If you want to add more work, do some LSD at a very comfortable pace to increase your energy deficit.

Patrick Poblocki · 03-22-2010, 07:27 AM

Thanks Steven,

That's what I was thinking too. I was iffy about the sprints, but love them as part of my routine. I guess I'll scrap them for the next few weeks. I'm probably only going to do this for a month with 2 weeks on, 1 week off, then 1 week on.

It's recommended that you do a full break every two weeks. During that time would it be okay do bring back some sprints and other metcons?

During the diet, it'll look like SS would be three times per week of basic lifts: squat, deads, shoulder press, pull ups, and cleans.

If I keep each to under 45 minutes and focus on heavy loads with long breaks, would that make most sense?

Thanks,

Pat

Donald Lee · 03-22-2010, 08:07 AM

Patrick,

RFL is a starvation diet. If you're not on an EC stack, you should be lacking energy. The only reason you workout on the RFL diet is to maintain muscle mass. If you are thinking about doing SS, I would recommend you workout 2-3 days/week and possibly cut the volume to 2 sets of 5 reps. And, don't go for crazy linear progression. Keep in mind that the energy for lifting heavy weights comes primarily from glycogen and not fat.

Derek Weaver · 03-22-2010, 10:21 AM

Questions:
A) What is your bodyweight, none of this thread makes sense without knowing what your bodyweight is at that bodyfat percentage.
B) Why not just go to his forum and use the template he's got on there for the RFL protocol.
C) 170 grams of protein sounds really low for that particular diet. Hell, when I gave UD2.0 a run I was taking in ~1.25 grams of protein/lb, approx 210 grams/day.
D) Did you actually read the book? He's got a lot of recommendations for supplementation. Light salt, calcium etc.

Patrick Poblocki · 03-22-2010, 10:51 AM

Thanks Donald, I'll keep that in mind and resist the urge to add volume. What's an EC stack?

Derek,
A) my current bodyweight (as of last night is 170) I'm 5' 7". I've calculated my bf with calipers to be 18% (30 lbs of fat and 140 lbs lbm). So, it appears I'm taking in 1.2 grams protein per lb of lean body mass.

B) I've read/posted here in the past and have always been impressed by and grateful for the information I've received. I didn't know about Lyle's forum. I guess I figured I'd go where I knew I could find quality information.

C) It seems low to me too...but when figured by lean body mass instead of total weight, it doesn't seem "too" low. I hope. (I've never done a diet like this.)

D) Yup. I read the book and I'm taking the suggested supplementation (magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and a multi). I don't want to do any extra caffeine/ephedrine though.