10/04/2008 06:09:44 AM EST

Cenk and Ana's Key to Fat Loss

posted by FightTheFascism

Do you want to burn fat or lose weight?  Here's a healthy way to do it.

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We've all heard Cenk and Ana lament about how they want to lose body fat but are having a tough time at it. So, what's the problem? The key is to understand how your physiology works. One common misconception is they're just not working out hard enough. The reality is you could run as fast as you can for a full hour and a half and not burn any body fat. Why? Because your body is programmed to burn blood sugar (carbs) when you work out too hard. With any workout, the best you can ever hope to do is burn 50% fat and 50% carbs. So, how do you program your body's metabolism to do this?

Using a scientific approach, technology was originally developed to help Olympic athletes obtain their optimal performance. Now this technology, called Active Metabolic Training (AMT), has hit the mainstream and is being used by consumers to lose weight and improve their overall fitness levels. I should know because I've lost 16 pounds with it and didn't need to count any calories or give up foods I like. I just did my workouts as prescribed. Granted, I also made sure not to pig out either.

Cenk is right to be skeptical about going on a vitamin program or some other quick weight loss scheme. Most people don't gain a bunch of weight overnight and it's not really healthy to lose it that quickly. With AMT, you lose weight gradually and naturally, like one pound per week, as you follow a custom exercise program, scientifically-designed for your unique physiology. On this program, when you workout, you don't care about how fast you're going or how far. The only thing that matters is whether you're hitting your target heart rate zones and the duration of each workout. This means you need to wear a heart rate monitor when you work out.

To get an assessment and a 12 week exercise program designed specifically for you, it costs less than $200. If you can afford it, I recommend signing up for this at least once, because it's quite educational and you'll really gain an understanding of how to make your metabolism and physiology work for you. A health club in your area probably offers this program. Many will let you sign up for this without being a health club member.  To find a club in your area, visit:

It's about working out smarter, not harder.

Addendum:

A couple points. In the past, we've heard Ana contemplating invasive procedures like liposuction and plastic surgery which cost thousands of dollars. So, I've presented a non-invasive option that costs a couple hundred bucks. It's like taking an educational workshop where your metabolism is diagnosed and you learn about your own physiology. As a Young Turks member, I would not blog about this topic unless I could back it up with my own experience. If you think this is a bunch of BS, that's your business.

Years ago, I went on the Atkins diet which also worked. But that isn't a healthy, long-term solution. Back then, my thinking was dieting seemed to be 75% effective and exercise 25% effective for losing weight. With this program, I learned that, done right, exercise can be 100% effective.

Thanks for your comments everyone.


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Cenk and Ana's Key to Fat Loss | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
Oh.....................my......................god (none / 0)

by EveningStarNM on 10/04/2008 10:07:15 AM EST

everyone's body is different (none / 0)
Every weight loss program doesn't work the same for everyone.  I've seen lots of people give advice, and it's good that this program starts off with an assessment. However, I think that Cenk is in better shape than people are giving him credit for.  He ran that mile race without losing pace, so his heart is probably in better shape than most skinny people's.  This whole weight loss thing is out of control, because skinny is still being conflated with healthy.  I'm not saying you are saying that, in fact this is one of the suggestion posts with the least amount of actual nutrition directions.  It's really bad when people who aren't nutritionists try to give people advice about their health.  Personally, I think live and let live, but that's because I eat what I want and excercise, and I don't have any image issues.  I think if people stopped obsessing about what we looked like, and focused on what we "feel" like, then everyone will be much healthier, because the body tells you what it needs, you just have to listen.

Chris

by chrisandyasemin on 10/04/2008 11:08:46 AM EST

Read it again, Chris (none / 0)

It's an infomercial of the worst sort,  the archetype for the stereotype.  It's even about a weight-loss program.

On second thought, don't read it again.

"Now, even you can get the scientific technology that used to be available only to the elite!  You're right to be skeptical -- but it's true!  You can lose weight without effort!  And it only costs $199.99 -- less that $200!

"It's about working out smarter, not harder."

Are people still taken in by this crap?

I recommend eating right -- we learned how to do that in middle school, but mostly stay away from window food -- and get some exercise, which we also learned how to do in middle school.  Set a schedule if you need it and stick to it.

Problem solved, and it cost you $0.

by EveningStarNM on 10/04/2008 11:36:39 AM EST

[ Parent ]
P.S. (none / 0)

If any ever again suggests that Ana needs to lose weight, I will find them and kill them.

Stay just like you are, Ana.  Don't change a thing.  You're stunningly perfect.

by EveningStarNM on 10/04/2008 11:41:24 AM EST

[ Parent ]
P.P.S. (none / 0)

Sorry, Cenk.  You're on your own.

by EveningStarNM on 10/04/2008 11:47:46 AM EST

[ Parent ]
i thought so too (none / 0)
but i didn't want to come off sounding too skeptical...i'm still not buyin it though...

Chris

by chrisandyasemin on 10/04/2008 11:45:59 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Scam (none / 0)
This is the oldest scam in the fitness industry.  Run some useless tests, put together a form program and cash the check.  At least they have copied weight watchers and many others by adopting an online progress monitoring system.  Donate the $200 to TYT.  Cenk can have a nice night on the town and feel better about his image.

by craigjjs on 10/04/2008 11:53:19 AM EST

[ Parent ]
The whole (none / 0)
burning carbs vs burning fat thing is greatly overblown, generally speaking.

Creating an energy deficit is what counts (i.e. eat less and or exercise more). While it's true that anaerobic exercise burns sugar rather than fat, it's also true that there is something called EPOC, or post exercise energy consumption.

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars, do a google search for HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training. Basically it just means you do short bursts of intense activity followed by short rest periods (repeat several times).

Your workout is easily cut in half (if that) and you burn just as many if not more calories. That's not an infomercial scam, that's based on repeated research which has been published in peer reviewed journals (medline is your friend).

B12 is BS. Yes, a lot of people eat crap and they are therefore lacking in various micro-nutrients, possibly including B12. Ideally you'd get everything you need from food but since that almost never happens (you need a lot of measuring cups and a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and lean protein sources) it's not crazy to consider supplementation in some cases.

The problem comes in when people overpay for some miracle product thinking that taking a pill will do all the work for them. Nope. It still comes down to eating healthy for 80-90% of the week (100% is unrealistic and unsustainable) and working out in a sensible, sustainable way.

Yes, HIIT and weight training kick ass. As we age we lose muscle mass which is a huge factor in metabolic slowdown (the last study I saw showed that every pound of muscle you add burns an extra 20-30 calories a day. Now add 5-10lbs of muscle over the course of several months or a year and you're doing well).

Jogging pretty much only burns calories *during* the activity while weight training burns calories during *and* every day after you build muscle. It's simple physiology, your body has to expend energy to sustain the new tissue you've built. Sadly, fat is very metabolically inexpensive so packing on the fat doesn't create the same effect.

I could go on forever but I'll leave at that. As for why you should listen to me, I used to be fat (and I spend years and years reading everything in sight on these topics, separating the well researched stuff from the get rich quick scams and unsupported urban legends).

And yes, having a basic understanding of human physiology helps.

by Tom Hanc on 10/04/2008 01:43:00 PM EST

poisoned by Hollywood (none / 0)
You both look wonderful.  Please don't worry too much about the weight thing.  Just keep exercising and do your best not to eat junk.

by desertpear on 10/04/2008 03:33:52 PM EST

Cenk and Ana's Key to Fat Loss | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
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