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. "I'm in a Calorie Deficit and Can't Lose Weight" Is NEVER True (What's Really Happening) | Ep 416

    1D AGO

    "I'm in a Calorie Deficit and Can't Lose Weight" Is NEVER True (What's Really Happening) | Ep 416

    Get personalized AI-powered coaching that identifies your exact fat loss plateau and gives you the specific fix you need. Try Fitness Lab (20% off through January 2nd) at: https://witsandweights.com/app -- You cannot be in a true calorie deficit and still not lose weight. It's physiologically impossible. If you're eating less than you're burning but fat loss is not happening, something's disconnected between what you think is true and what's actually happening in your body. Discover the 3 possible reasons behind every "I can't lose weight" plateau and how to identify which one you're in. Plus, get a simple calorie strategy that lets you enjoy weekends without sabotaging your fat loss. Stop guessing and finally understand what's really holding you back so you can make consistent progress toward your body composition goals. Episode Resources: Try Fitness Lab (20% off through January 2nd)Episode mentioned: How the "Weekend Diet" Accelerates Fat Loss and Preserves More Muscle (Strategic Refeeds)Timestamps: 0:00 - Why being in a deficit but not losing weight is impossible 4:31 - Reason #1: Tracking accuracy and measurement errors 14:00 - Reason #2: Water retention and body recomp masking fat loss 21:00 - Reason #3: Your deficit disappears after metabolic adaptation 24:28 - Bonus: The simple calorie strategy for weekend flexibility 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

  2. 2D AGO · BONUS

    Q&A - 15 Questions On Strength Training Over 40, Body Recomp, Nutrition, Muscle Building, Fat Loss

    Get 20% off Fitness Lab through January 2nd. Take the free 2-minute quiz to see your complete custom plan before you pay anything: https://witsandweights.com/app -- Since launching Fitness Lab in November, I've gotten dozens of questions about how it works, who it's for, and how it fits with your existing tools and routines. So I chose the 15 of the most common to answer in this episode! I'm already tracking macros in MacroFactor/Cronometer/MyFitnessPal. Do I need to stop using that?How does meal photo analysis actually work without counting calories?Should I join Physique University or just use the app? Or both?Can I follow my own training program or do I have to use the app's?I'm 52 with a bum shoulder (or other limitation). Will this actually work for me?How does it handle my marathon/endurance training on top of lifting?Does this replace working with you 1-on-1?What if I have a question about something specific, like I'm stuck on a plateau or confused about what to do next?I'm on TRT and my wife's dealing with perimenopause. Does the app account for hormones?What happens when I travel or life implodes and I miss a week?How long until I see actual results? Be honest.Can I build muscle and lose fat simultaneously?How does the app actually help me stick with this long-term? I know what to do, I just can't seem to stay consistent.I've failed every diet. Why would this be different?What happens after the 4-phase program? Is this a temporary thing?Ready to see your personalized plan? Take the FREE onboarding quiz and get 20% off through January 2nd if you decide to try the app: https://witsandweights.com/app 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

    26 min
  3. Training Through Injury and Adversity Without Losing Progress (Anthony Bryan) | Ep 415

    4D AGO

    Training Through Injury and Adversity Without Losing Progress (Anthony Bryan) | Ep 415

    Get Fitness Lab (20% off through January 2), the #1 fitness app that adapts to YOUR recovery, YOUR schedule, and YOUR body. Now available for iPhone (with Apple Health integration!) and Android. Build muscle, lose fat, and get stronger with daily personalized guidance. — Are injuries holding back your body recomp goals? How do you keep lifting weights when strength training never feels perfect? I sat down with Anthony Bryan, a Guinness World Record holder and double world champion in para athletics, to unpack what nutrition and fitness look like when you are never at 100%.  Anthony trained his entire life with left-side paralysis after a childhood stroke, and his approach to strength training, recovery, and mindset applies to anyone dealing with injury, aging, fatigue, or stalled weight loss.  We discussed auto-regulation, unilateral training, and why evidence-based fitness matters more than chasing perfect workouts. Anthony shares how to adapt lifting weights, manage recovery, and stay consistent when motivation dips. This conversation connects strength training, metabolism, and long-term muscle building in a way that supports longevity and sustainable progress. This is Wits and Weights at its core. Evidence-based training that works in the real world. Tune in to learn more. Today, you’ll learn all about: 0:00 – Training when not at 100% 2:46 – Do limitations build resilience? 3:51 – Proving doctors wrong 10:46 – Support systems and belief 12:39 – Reframing no pain, no gain 20:22 – Adapting lifts with injuries 27:36 – Unilateral training benefits 33:37 – Auto-regulation and recovery 39:31 – Sleep, hydration, performance Episode resources: Anthony Bryan on Instagram: @thenolimitsathlete YouTube: @antbryanfitness 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
  4. How to Adjust Strength Training for Fat Loss (Build Muscle While Losing Weight) | Ep 414

    6D AGO

    How to Adjust Strength Training for Fat Loss (Build Muscle While Losing Weight) | Ep 414

    Get 20% off Fitness Lab from December 17 to January 2. Take the 2-minute quiz to see if AI-powered coaching can help you adjust your strength training during fat loss, preserve muscle while losing weight, and make smarter decisions about volume, intensity, and recovery—all personalized to your data and goals: https://witsandweights.com/app -- How do you train for fat loss? Most people screw this up by making disastrous training adjustments like switching to high reps, dropping intensity, or adding excessive cardio. Then they wonder why their muscle and strength drop. Discover how to preserve every bit of hard-earned muscle while losing fat by keeping load/intensity high, reducing volume (strategically and if necessary), and using auto-regulation to manage recovery when it's your most limited resource. Learn why lighter weights and high-rep "fat burning" workouts destroy body recomp results, how to time carbs for better performance during a deficit, and why HIIT could be sabotaging your strength training and muscle preservation. This evidence-based approach to strength training during fat loss will help you lose fat without sacrificing muscle, maintain lifting performance in a calorie deficit, and come out of your cut looking lean, strong, and ready to build muscle again. Episode Resources: Fitness Lab AI Coaching App - 20% off December 17-January 2, available on iPhone (with Apple Health integration!) and now on Android too!Timestamps: 0:00 - Training for fat loss (not fat burning workouts) 2:52 - The myth of high reps for fat loss 5:20 - Understanding strength vs. muscle during a deficit 9:32 - Intensity (weight/load, % of 1RM) and volume 13:12 - Auto-regulation strategies that work during cuts 20:24 - Recovery is your limiting factor 24:10 - How Fitness Lab helps adjust training for fat loss 26:43 - Carb timing strategies for better performance 30:00 - Too much cardio? 33:12 - Simplifying assistance (accessory) work 36:00 - Exercise selection and joint care during cuts 39:20 - Realistic expectations and mindset during fat loss 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

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

    DEC 15

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

    DEC 12

    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
  7. 2 Psychological SKILLS That Determine If You'll Stick to Lifting and Nutrition | Ep 411

    DEC 10

    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
  8. 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
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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

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