Wits & Weights | Fat Loss, Nutrition, & Strength Training for Lifters

Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert
  • 4.9 (226)
  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

For skeptics of the fitness industry who want to work smarter and more efficiently to build muscle and lose fat. Wits & Weights is one of the best fitness podcasts for evidence-based nutrition and fitness strategies. We cut through the noise and deconstruct health and fitness with an engineering mindset to help you develop a strong, lean physique without wasting time. Evidence-based nutrition coach Philip Pape explores efficient strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to optimize your body recomp and metabolism. Whether you're focused on weight loss, muscle building, or both, you'll get simple, science-based, and sustainable info from an engineer turned lifter (that's why they call him the Physique Engineer). This show serves both women's fitness and men's health goals, with special attention to strength training over 40 and hormone health. From restrictive fad diets to ineffective workouts and hyped-up supplements, there's no shortage of confusing information out there. Getting in the best shape of your life doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming! By using your WITS (mindset and systems!) and lifting weights efficiently, you can build muscle, lose stubborn fat, and achieve and maintain a lean physique through sustainable body recomp. We bring you smart and efficient strategies for movement, metabolism, muscle, and mindset. You'll learn: - Why fat loss is more important than weight loss for health and physique - Why all the macros (protein, fats, and yes even carbs) are critical to body composition - Why you don't need to spend more than 3 hours in the gym each week to get incredible results with proper hypertrophy training - Why muscle (not weight loss) is the key to medicine, obesity, and longevity - Why age and hormones (even in menopause) don't matter with the right lifestyle - How the "hidden" psychology of your mind can unlock more personal (and physical) growth than you ever thought possible, and how to tap into that mindset If you're ready to separate fact from fiction, learn what actually works with evidence-based training and nutrition, and put in the intelligent work, hit that "follow" button and let's engineer your best physique ever! Popular Guests Include: Mike Matthews (author of Bigger Leaner Stronger), Greg Nuckols (Stronger by Science), Alan Aragon (nutrition researcher), Eric Helms (3D Muscle Journey), Dr. Spencer Nadolsky (Doc Who Lifts), Eric Trexler (Stronger by Science), Bill Campbell (exercise science researcher), Jordan Feigenbaum (Barbell Medicine), Andy Morgan (Ripped Body), Karen Martel (hormone optimization expert), Steph Gaudreau (women's strength and nutrition), Bryan Boorstein (hypertrophy coach) Popular Topics Include: hormone health, metabolism optimization, hypertrophy training, longevity and healthy aging, body positivity, best protein powder selection, strength training over 40, women's fitness, men's health, muscle building, body recomp, macros and nutrition tracking

  1. 5 Nutrition Mistakes That Kill Body Recomp (Calories vs. Macros vs. Micronutrients) | Ep 413

    21H AGO

    5 Nutrition Mistakes That Kill Body Recomp (Calories vs. Macros vs. Micronutrients) | Ep 413

    Get 20% off Fitness Lab to receive AI-powered coaching that analyzes your meal patterns, identifies missing nutrient density, and adapts your training and nutrition based on biofeedback. Use this special link for 20% off: https://bit.ly/fitness-lab-pod20 -- Most people build their nutrition from the top down: calories first, macros second, micronutrients as an afterthought. That approach works from a pure energy balance and weight loss perspective but often collapses during body recomposition when you're trying to lose fat and build muscle. Discover why the traditional nutrition hierarchy is backward and the 5 specific mistakes that prevent successful body recomp. Learn the bottom-up framework that makes simultaneous fat loss and muscle gain actually work. You'll understand why micronutrients drive metabolism and energy production, how flexible dieting fails without nutrient anchors, the fiber sweet spot for body recomp, why perfect macros can't overcome poor training performance, and how to use biofeedback instead of just tracking calories. This episode gives you a practical system to optimize nutrition for strength training, muscle building, and sustainable fat loss without feeling hungry, weak, or stuck on a plateau. Timestamps: 0:00 - Flipping the nutrition pyramid for body recomposition 2:52 - Micronutrients and body recomp 7:12 - Constraint theory and metabolic bottlenecks 12:16 - Carbs, fat burning, and ATP 17:11 - Building nutrient-dense meal patterns for muscle gain 20:36 - Flexible dieting with nutrient anchors (not just IIFYM) 25:56 - The fiber "sweet spot" for digestion and metabolism 31:20 - Macro targets that support strength training performance 36:12 - Meal timing and tracking gym performance 40:10 - Using biofeedback over blind calorie tracking Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    45 min
  2. THYROID Markers Your Doctor Ignores That Stall Metabolism and Fat Loss (Eric Osansky) | Ep 412

    3D AGO

    THYROID Markers Your Doctor Ignores That Stall Metabolism and Fat Loss (Eric Osansky) | Ep 412

    Get Fitness Lab, the #1 coaching app that adapts to YOUR recovery, YOUR schedule, and YOUR body. Build muscle, lose fat, and get stronger with daily personalized guidance. Special link for podcast listeners (20% off): https://bit.ly/fitness-lab-pod20 — Why does body recomp stall even when you lift weights, track macros, and eat for nutrition and fitness? What if your thyroid is slowing metabolism, limiting muscle building, and making it harder to lose fat?  Dr. Eric Osansky breaks down the real markers lifters should watch, why lifters may see unique symptoms, and how autoimmune issues like Hashimoto’s and Graves develop. We talk hormone health, stress, overtraining, environmental toxins, and what actually supports strength training, longevity, and nutrition and fitness goals.  Eric also shares natural strategies that align with evidence-based training so you can make smarter decisions for your metabolism and body composition. If you want to optimize your thyroid and unlock better body recomp results, tune in to learn more. Today, you’ll learn all about: 0:00 – Hidden thyroid factors in weight loss 2:43 – Why Eric pursued thyroid health 3:36 – Thyroid basics for lifters 8:01 – Eric’s Graves diagnosis story 14:02 – Lifestyle stress vs true dysfunction 20:42 – What labs actually matter 24:17 – Autoimmune triggers explained 29:33 – Top environmental toxins to avoid 39:25 – Treatment options and natural support Episode resources: Save My Thyroid PodcastBook: Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' DiseaseHealing Graves' Naturally Community: savemythyroid.com/healgravesdisease Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Newsletter: savemythyroid.com/newsletter YouTube:  @NaturalThyroidDoctor Instagram: @drericosansky Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    55 min
  3. 2 Psychological SKILLS That Determine If You'll Stick to Lifting and Nutrition | Ep 411

    5D AGO

    2 Psychological SKILLS That Determine If You'll Stick to Lifting and Nutrition | Ep 411

    Join the 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge to build self-efficacy and self-regulation through the hardest 3 weeks of the year. Get coaching, accountability, custom nutrition plans, and strength training templates to end the year strong: https://live.witsandweights.com -- Even if you know what to do for nutrition and strength training, you keep stopping, falling off, and starting over.  Discover why this has nothing to do with discipline, willpower, or motivation, and everything to do with two trainable psychological skills that predict whether you'll follow through or quit. Episode Resources: Try Fitness Lab for an AI coaching app that gives you microactivities and psychological wins. Special link for podcast listeners to get 20% off.Timestamps: 0:00 - Why you keep starting over with strength training and nutrition 8:36 - Skill #1: Self-efficacy (believing you can execute the next step) 13:58 - Small wins and progressive overload for confidence 14:40 - Join the 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge 15:55 - Skill #2: Self-regulation (following through when life gets messy) 20:22 - 4 tactics to build self-regulation 24:04 - Related psychological models explained 26:18 - Practical steps and identity shift for lifters Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    28 min
  4. How to Lose Fat Without Giving Up Foods You Enjoy (The 20% "Eat Anything" Rule) | Ep 410

    DEC 8

    How to Lose Fat Without Giving Up Foods You Enjoy (The 20% "Eat Anything" Rule) | Ep 410

    Join the 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge to end the year stronger while everyone else backslides. Get coaching, accountability, custom nutrition plans, and strength training templates to maintain progress through the holidays. Kickoff call Monday, December 8 at 5pm Eastern, challenge starts Wednesday, December 10: https://live.witsandweights.com -- If your fat loss strategy involves eating "perfectly clean" and you find yourself swinging between strict dieting and weekend blow-outs, you're stuck in the perfection trap. Discover why chasing 100% compliance is sabotaging your fat loss progress, how the 20% "eat anything" rule creates sustainable flexibility while still driving body composition changes, and why this middle ground beats both extremes of all-junk and all-clean eating. Learn the psychology and physics behind why rigid dieting fails, how to define your 80-20 split in practical terms (daily vs weekly), and the crucial guardrails that keep flexibility from becoming chaos.  This evidence-based approach to nutrition helps you lose fat, build muscle, and maintain strength without guilt, restriction, or the all-or-nothing mindset that derails most people during fat loss phases, especially around the holidays! Episode Resources: Join the 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge - Kickoff today, starts Wed Dec 10: http://live.witsandweights.com/Try my AI coaching app Fitness Lab for personalized nutrition tracking and coaching. Special 20% off link for podcast listeners.Timestamps: 0:00 - Why you're struggling to lose fat 2:50 - A more flexible (and sustainable) approach 6:30 - What to include in your 20% flexible eating 10:38 - Why this works for fat loss (psychology and physics) 16:26 - The 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge 21:35 - Guardrails for flexible eating (protein, calories, intent, etc.) 27:48 - How to apply to fat loss, maintenance, and muscle building phases 32:37 - Travel, holidays, and weekends 36:24 - 4 common mistakes to avoid with flexible nutrition 40:44 - Identity, mindset, and next steps Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    40 min

  5. DEC 7 · BONUS

    The Last 3 Weeks to Lose Fat and Build Muscle in 2025

    Join the 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge and get direct coaching to lose fat and build muscle through Christmas and New Year's while everyone else backslides: http://live.witsandweights.com/ -- You have 3 weeks left in 2025. Are you going to waste them "surviving" or actually make progress, lose fat, and build muscle? Most people treat the final 3 weeks of the year like a throwaway, needlessly gaining weight, losing strength, and restarting in January.  But if you've been working hard all year and still don't look like you lift, you don't want to waste this crucial moment. Discover why these final three weeks are actually your BIGGEST opportunity of the year to make real progress on body recomposition while everyone else has already quit. Challenge Details: Kickoff Call: Monday, December 8th at 5pm ET (setup and strategy) - replay available if you can't make it live (but you must register)Challenge Dates: Wednesday, December 10th - Tuesday, December 30thWhat You Get: Direct access to 2 coaches (Philip and Carol) for personalized supportPersonalized nutrition setup to lose fat and build muscle (macros, protein, meal strategies)Complete strength training programs for any situation (home, travel, bodyweight)Resource library for every holiday scenario (restaurants, family meals, travel)Weekly accountability and coaching feedback on your progress👉 Register HERE for the Strong Finish Challenge Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    8 min
  6. Why Lifters Over 40 Should Focus on Bone Health, Not Just Muscle (Dr. Doug Lucas) | Ep 409

    DEC 5

    Why Lifters Over 40 Should Focus on Bone Health, Not Just Muscle (Dr. Doug Lucas) | Ep 409

    Get Fitness Lab (20% off for listeners), the #1 coaching app that adapts to YOUR recovery, YOUR schedule, and YOUR body. Build muscle, lose fat, and get stronger with daily personalized guidance: https://bit.ly/fitness-lab-pod20 — Have you ever wondered if your skeleton can actually support the muscles you work so hard to build? Or how bone density affects the way you lift weights, lose fat, and build muscle for long-term strength? This conversation with orthopedic surgeon and bone health expert Dr. Doug Lucas completely reframed how I think about body recomp, strength training, and longevity. We break down why bone health is the real foundation of nutrition and fitness, what happens to bone metabolism as you age, and how lifting weights, optimizing macros, and supporting hormone health directly impact bone density and muscle building.  Dr. Doug also shares why women’s fitness, men’s health, and strength training over 40 all depend on resilient bones that respond to training stress. If you want evidence-based fitness strategies that support metabolism, weight loss, and long-term performance, this one is packed with takeaways. Today, you’ll learn all about: 0:00 – Why bone health shapes long-term strength 4:13 – How bone metabolism really works 7:19 – Why Dr. Doug left surgery for prevention 10:25 – At-risk groups and early bone loss 14:07 – What lifting heavy means for bone strength 16:33 – Bone density vs bone quality 21:19 – Lifestyle factors that build stronger bones 23:30 – When to use impact training 29:30 – Medications, risks, and limitations 32:55 – Hormone health and skeletal strength 40:42 – The 4R Method for reversing bone loss 46:39 – A real success story of reversing osteoporosis 53:39 – Lifting safely when you have osteoporosis Episode resources: The Dr Doug Show (YouTube): @Dr_DougLucas The OsteoCollective: osteocollective.com Instagram: @dr_douglucas Facebook: @dr_douglucas Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    55 min
  7. Why NOT Lifting Weights Is the WORST for Your Health (Especially in Weight Loss) | Ep 408

    DEC 3

    Why NOT Lifting Weights Is the WORST for Your Health (Especially in Weight Loss) | Ep 408

    Join the 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge to build strength training momentum and end 2025 strong instead of waiting until January. Kickoff call December 8th at 5pm Eastern. Get direct coaching, the flexible framework, holiday nutrition strategies, and travel workout templates you need to protect your metabolism through the holidays: https://live.witsandweights.com -- If you're trying to lose weight by focusing on diet, cardio, and steps but skipping the weight room, you're not just leaving results on the table. You're actively suppressing your metabolism, wrecking your body composition, and almost guaranteeing weight regain with more body fat. Discover why strength training isn't optional during fat loss... it's the primary metabolic lever that determines whether you end up lean and strong or skinny, weak, and fighting your metabolism.  Learn why up to 30% of weight loss without lifting comes from muscle (not fat), how muscle acts as your metabolic engine for insulin sensitivity and longevity, and the minimum effective dose of lifting that protects everything you're working for.  You'll understand the hormonal consequences of diet-only weight loss, why building muscle is your retirement fund for healthy aging, and how resistance training transforms your identity from "someone on a diet" to "someone who trains." This evidence-based approach shows you exactly how to build muscle, lose fat, and create sustainable body recomp, even if you're over 40 and starting from scratch. Episode Resources: 3-Week Strong Finish Challenge - Kickoff December 8th at 5pm Eastern: https://live.witsandweights.comTimestamps: 0:00 - Why skipping strength training during weight loss is terrible 2:50 - How losing muscle creates the weight regain trap 6:30 - The body composition truth: looking lighter but weaker without lifting 10:24 - Hormonal consequences and metabolic adaptation during fat loss 14:26 - Minimum effective dose for building muscle and preserving strength 21:17 - Strength training for longevity (not just vanity) 24:52 - Why muscle compounds like retirement savings 28:42 - Becoming someone who trains is a permanent identity shift Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    29 min
  8. Stop Making These 3 Weight Loss Mistakes if You Want FAT Loss | Ep 407

    DEC 1

    Stop Making These 3 Weight Loss Mistakes if You Want FAT Loss | Ep 407

    Get your free 14-Day Rapid Start Fat Loss Guide to set up your nutrition and strength training for effective fat loss without extreme restriction or guesswork: https://witsandweights.com/fatloss -- If you're tracking food, stepping on the scale, pushing hard in the gym, but hitting a wall with fat loss, this episode is for you.  Maybe scale isn't moving, or you're making panicked decisions like slashing calories or adding more cardio, and nothing's working. Discover the 3 weight loss traps that derail motivated people trying to finish 2025 strong, and learn exactly what to do instead to build a leaner, stronger physique heading into 2026.  Learn to use evidence-based strategies that work with your body's adaptive system, not against it, so you can lose fat while building muscle and maintaining your metabolism. Episode Resources: Free 14-Day Rapid Start Fat Loss GuideFitness Lab App - AI-powered coaching for tracking signal weight and progressive training. Exclusive 20% off link for podcast listeners.Timestamps: 0:00 - Hitting a wall with fat loss despite tracking and training 2:09 - Trap 1: Reacting emotionally to daily scale fluctuations 9:29 - Trap 2: Overcorrecting with extreme calorie cuts and restriction 20:13 - Trap 3: Thinking strength training is not required 24:52 - How muscle building transforms metabolism and body recomp 28:52 - Debunking "bulky" fears and "waiting to lift" myths Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

    31 min
See All (570)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
226 Ratings

About

For skeptics of the fitness industry who want to work smarter and more efficiently to build muscle and lose fat. Wits & Weights is one of the best fitness podcasts for evidence-based nutrition and fitness strategies. We cut through the noise and deconstruct health and fitness with an engineering mindset to help you develop a strong, lean physique without wasting time. Evidence-based nutrition coach Philip Pape explores efficient strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to optimize your body recomp and metabolism. Whether you're focused on weight loss, muscle building, or both, you'll get simple, science-based, and sustainable info from an engineer turned lifter (that's why they call him the Physique Engineer). This show serves both women's fitness and men's health goals, with special attention to strength training over 40 and hormone health. From restrictive fad diets to ineffective workouts and hyped-up supplements, there's no shortage of confusing information out there. Getting in the best shape of your life doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming! By using your WITS (mindset and systems!) and lifting weights efficiently, you can build muscle, lose stubborn fat, and achieve and maintain a lean physique through sustainable body recomp. We bring you smart and efficient strategies for movement, metabolism, muscle, and mindset. You'll learn: - Why fat loss is more important than weight loss for health and physique - Why all the macros (protein, fats, and yes even carbs) are critical to body composition - Why you don't need to spend more than 3 hours in the gym each week to get incredible results with proper hypertrophy training - Why muscle (not weight loss) is the key to medicine, obesity, and longevity - Why age and hormones (even in menopause) don't matter with the right lifestyle - How the "hidden" psychology of your mind can unlock more personal (and physical) growth than you ever thought possible, and how to tap into that mindset If you're ready to separate fact from fiction, learn what actually works with evidence-based training and nutrition, and put in the intelligent work, hit that "follow" button and let's engineer your best physique ever! Popular Guests Include: Mike Matthews (author of Bigger Leaner Stronger), Greg Nuckols (Stronger by Science), Alan Aragon (nutrition researcher), Eric Helms (3D Muscle Journey), Dr. Spencer Nadolsky (Doc Who Lifts), Eric Trexler (Stronger by Science), Bill Campbell (exercise science researcher), Jordan Feigenbaum (Barbell Medicine), Andy Morgan (Ripped Body), Karen Martel (hormone optimization expert), Steph Gaudreau (women's strength and nutrition), Bryan Boorstein (hypertrophy coach) Popular Topics Include: hormone health, metabolism optimization, hypertrophy training, longevity and healthy aging, body positivity, best protein powder selection, strength training over 40, women's fitness, men's health, muscle building, body recomp, macros and nutrition tracking

Information

You Might Also Like