Roman Fitness Systems

How to Lose Stubborn Fat

A Look at Estrogen, Insulin, and Cortisol--the Three Hormones You MUST Address for Fat Loss

 

You’ve probably experienced the frustrating fat loss phenomenon before.

You exercise, eat healthier and lose weight…and then suddenly your success stops.

Your solution? You exercise more, diet harder, or combine the two and expect to bust out of your plateau. Only nothing happens.

The reason: At some point, just thinking about “calories in versus calories out” isn’t enough.

Your better-body goals are dependent on the type of deficit you create. You see, once you’ve hit a fat loss plateau or when you’re trying to lose the last few pounds, fat loss becomes a game of hormonal balance. And if you’re not taking the right approach, your metabolism slows and it becomes harder for you to transform your body.

That’s why I created Final Phase Fat Loss. It’s an inside look at what really plagues “real” people’s bodies, while making sure you’re never on a diet that’s so severe that you halt your progress. (this is what typically happens)

Your hormones can cripple your physique. They don’t just determine IF you gain fat—they determine where you gain it and whether you’re able to lose if from those areas.

This is why “problem” areas exist. They are a result of your hormonal environment, and they can force your body into particular fat storage patterns.

Consider this your guide to understanding why you store fat in certain areas, and the hormones that are to blame.

THE PROBLEM: BELLY FAT

Without question, the most common type of regional fat storage is belly fat. Abdominal fat storage obviously has a lot to do with your diet and overall body fat level; but outside of that, it’s all hormones.

The villain: Cortisol—oftentimes referred to as the stress hormone. When your body is under any type of stress—whether emotional or physical—your body produces cortisol, which encourages the storage of belly fat. That means while drinking less or sleeping more can help, it’s not the end-all solution that crushes your belly fat.

What you really need is resistance training; but any type of exercise won’t do.

Remember: cortisol is produced by physical stress, and exercise is actually one of the primary means through which your body will produce this sneaky little hormone. More specifically, long-duration cardio and extended lifting sessions are what produces the most cortisol. It’s the reason why so many runners end up looking “skinny fat.” Sure they lose weight—but their cortisol remains elevated and they still look fat.

Instead, short, intense training sessions using a particular type of training modality will help to counteract the effects of cortisol; both the muscle-wasting effect and the cortisol related belly fat storage. The result: You’ll not only lose weight, but also melt body fat in record time.

THE PROBLEM: FAT IN YOUR LOWER BODY

One of the most common types of fat storage that we see in women is the “pear shape” – fairly thin on top but heavy on the bottom (and IN the bottom, if you know what I mean).This type of fat storage is also heavily dependent on the female sex hormone estrogen.

High levels of estrogen are awesome for enjoying the Vampire Diaries and makin’ babies, but terrible for fat loss, which is why women usually have more trouble losing fat than men. However, anyone—male or female—with high estrogen levels will have trouble losing fat, especially from the lower body. In essence, the higher your estrogen levels, the greater the likelihood you’ll store fat in your lower body; mainly in your hips and thighs.

And yes, it IS possible for men to have high estrogen levels. Unfortunately, outside of having to deal with a declined rate of fat loss and lower body fat, these guys ALSO have to deal with the ignominy of man-boobs.

Fortunately, you can offset the negative impact of estrogen with certain types of training. In addition to helping you lose fat stored in the lower body, these specifically designed workouts will also be great for fat loss in general. Essentially, they’re great for burning calories and for shedding lower body fat through estrogen management. Combine the two and the result is rapid fat loss, with a heavy concentration on lower body fat stores.

THE PROBLEM: LOVE HANDLES

Probably my least favorite incarnation of regional fat storage is love handles and lower back fat. Even when I am in lean condition – I’m talking shredded pretty much everywhere else – I store some fat in my love handles and lower back. It used to take me an extra 3 weeks to get rid of it!

The reason I tend to store fat this way is because of how my body reacts to certain hormones, and because of the effect those hormones have on fat storage. The degree to which you are able to process and respond to glucose (sugar) in your body is called insulin sensitivity. The higher this is, the easier and more efficiently your body utilizes carbohydrates for energy, and the less likely you are to store carbs as fat.

On the other hand, insulin resistance is the opposite; you don’t deal well with carbs. And anything other than a low carb diet pretty much means you’re going to store more fat.

The good news is that insulin resistance (and the resulting regional fatness) can be mitigated with certain types of training. For example, with careful planning and workout progressions, you can start to whittle away at your love handles and lower back fat while you increase insulin sensitivity.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

While this knowledge alone can arm you for combat and allow you to get incredible fat loss results, there are even more specific information that you can use to take your results to the next level.

These tactics and strategies are based in science so new and so radical that it may seem pretty “out there”–but it’s in fact is the kind of cutting edge science I live for. And I want to share it with you…if you’re ready.

That’s why I created the Final Phase Fat Loss system – because when this sciences is leveraged, you can address these hormonal issues, and lose fat from the specific areas they plague.

And, to help you combat these hormones, I’ve put FPFL on sale for over 50% off–because I love you like that.

I just want to mention that FPFL isn’t just a “workout routine” – it’s a complete system of 8 individual components, each addressing a specific part of your programming.  In addition to some of the best fat loss information ever, I’ve covered everything from training sheets to supplementation to videos of all the exercises.  All you have to do is follow the steps.

Remember, all my programs are backed my a super-ridiculously-awesome 60-day money back guarantee, so if by some crazy fluke you don’t get results you want, I give you some money, an apology, and my first born.  (Or 2 out of those 3.)

So, what are you waiting for?

Click here to pick it up for an all-time low price of 52% off.

Questions about the program?  Drop them here and I’ll give you all the help you need!

Already have FPFL?  Leave your feedback below and let anyone considering it know how awesome it is!

Here’s to your success in 2012!

-Roman

  • Jordan

    Hey Roman… the link to FPFL in your post doesn’t work…?

    • http://www.romanfitnesssystems.com John Romaniello

       Fixed!

  • Mark

    Roman,
    I think all of your programs are awesome.  I have FPFL, Superhero, and Body Comp Blitz.  FPFL definitely helps you get ripped.  I have trained all different kinds of ways: traditional weight lifting, MMA training (with professional MMA fighters), long steady-state cardio, HIIT, cross-fit.  You name it, and I’ve done it.  But I think that your training programs are more effective and efficient than all of these at body transformation (i.e., burning fat and building muscle).  I’m currently in week 3 of the Body Comp Blitz, and when I finish that I’m going to do the FPFL program again.  Keep creating these great workout programs.  They kick ass.
    Mark

  • http://www.facebook.com/andrew.edwards123 Andrew Edwards

    Hi Guys if you are looking to look freking awesome, I cant recommend this program enough.

    In 8 weeks I  17.5%BF TO 8%bf

    • Paul D

      Andrew, saw your facebook photos, 8% body fat, your shitting me right, I estimate I am at 13% and look a lot fucking leaner than you bro.

      • Tuco

        busted lol

      • http://www.romanfitnesssystems.com John Romaniello

        I’m not sure what FB pictures you’re looking at–perhaps they’re old–but Andrew is pretty damn lean right now. 

        Regarding being 8%, I rarely trust measurements that I don’t take myself, he’s MUCH leaner than when he started. 

        Also: watch your tone a bit. Critical is fine, being mean is not. And you’re toeing the line.

        Rules is rules =)

      • http://www.facebook.com/andrew.edwards123 Andrew Edwards

        Hey Paul, fair point, not by best pics on FB, but post FPFL where all in the mirror so they are all pretty douchy (even by Jersey Shore standards) 

        Also i was using a electronic measure so number were a ballpark rather than exact 

      • Paul D

        ok Andrew, i see a real difference there, congratulations and apologies. 

    • Paul D

      sorry dude, real difference is evident, eating a lot of crow, a lot

      • http://www.facebook.com/andrew.edwards123 Andrew Edwards

        No worries bro. like i said awesome program =)

  • Fondais

    How does this help a medically disabled person, if at all?

    • http://www.romanfitnesssystems.com John Romaniello

       Hi Fondais,

      It really wouldn’t and could perhaps be unsafe, depending on the disability. You’d need to check with your doctor.

  • Fondais

    The link worked for me

  • eric c.

    John please answer me this: By doing this program will i lose muscle weight as well?? or will just target fat? I work very hard to put on muscle and I dont want it to melt away like the last time i tryed to get ripped like a unicorn! please let me know.

    Cheers,

    • http://www.facebook.com/andrew.edwards123 Andrew Edwards

      Eric. I actually gained muscle as 1 day a week is devoted to heavy strength training to prevent muscle loss

      • eric c.

        How do you do a proper strength training for your whole body in just one day?

    • http://www.romanfitnesssystems.com John Romaniello

      For strength, it’s a full body circuit done with heavy weight – usually 5 exercises, all compound

  • Suneet_SFS

    Hey Roman….

    Is this your theory or does it have some scientific evidence to back it up?

    If so then please post it here

    • http://www.romanfitnesssystems.com John Romaniello

       Hi Suneet,

      It is my theory, formulated from looking at scientific evidence.  My single method–that is, the FPFL program–has not been tested in clinical settings, obviously. 

  • eric c.

    Roman, what about the diet aspect of the workout?? Do you address that anywhere?? Would this not be one of the most important part of this program?? I admit im very interested in what you offer but i need more clarity.

    • http://www.romanfitnesssystems.com John Romaniello

      Nutrition is addressed in some of the add ons.  But, this is a workout program, and can be done alongside any diet you like.

  • Butch

    Hey Roman,
    I need to ask a question you’ve likely answerned again and again.  Does FPFL work well for those with quite a bit of fat to lose as opposed to “those last 10-15 pounds”?  More specifically I’ve done a lot of popular workout programs (both at the gym and at home) and have no problem putting on mucle.  While my diet isnt always perfect, it is light years better than it used to be.  I have enough muscle to be a ripped 245 pounds (I’m 6’4″).  The problem is I am 290.  Despite having a solid muscle foundation I carry those extra 45 lbs of fatty nastiness on my chest and gut and I can’t seem to do anything about it.  Nothing ruins walking by the mirror more than the sight of man boobs!  My last hope is possibly some kind of hormone manipulation thru exercise.  What do you think? 

  • PTS, Ex Nutr Consultant

    You wrote: “The degree to which you are able to process and respond to glucose (sugar) in your body is called insulin sensitivity. The higher this is, the easier and more efficiently your body utilizes carbohydrates for energy, and the less likely you are to store carbs as fat.”  
    This is more or less false.Insulin is a “storage stimulating” hormone. When you become insulin resistant, more glucose stays in your blood and does not get stored as efficiently either as glycogen or fat. High blood sugar [chronic] leads to CVD and Diabetes. What causes Insulin resistance syndrome?  Being obese, hormone imbalances, aging, lack of exercise, high levels of inflammation[via diet or stress,etc] and a diet excessive in carbohydrates. 

  • http://www.thewallenway.com/ Daniel Wallen

    Loved the lactic acid and density training the most.  It was a fun program to do.  I recommend it.  I followed Roman’s suggested tweak–fast day plus lactic acid training.  Some of the most productive workouts I’ve had.  

    Now I’m doing Occam’s Protocol from the 4 Hour Body.  After the 5-workout-a-day of FPFL, working out twice a week is insanely weird.  The Lactic Acid training was nice preparation for the 5 up/5 down in Occam’s.  

  • Dustin

    Roman,
       Just read FPFL and plan on starting in about a week…Unless I missed something, I didn’t see anything on building a diet (other than BBD) and proper timing of recommended supplements…any advice on this?

  • JohnP

    Roman,

    Love all your stuff, I just finished a few weeks of BodyComp Blitz and am just starting week 2 of FPFL. It’s a fantastic program and I recommend it highly even though it’s kicking my ass! I have never seen myself get noticeably leaner in a weeks time  before now. 

    One quick question. In addition to FPFL, I have currently been experimenting with various IF protocols for my diet, based on studying all of the information out there from you and others. What I’m currently doing incorporates a Cheat Day with a 36-hour fast the following day, once a week (Sun/Mon). In FPFL, you have listed a 4-day a week “rotating” schedule as being “optimal”. Instead of sticking to the rotating schedule, I am doing each week’s Density Training session on my Cheat Day (Sun), with the corresponding Lactic Acid session the following day (Mon) during the fast. I then have the Dynamic session on Wed and Strength on Fri, with both days being a 16/8 IF (Wed is moderate carb, Fri is low carb). I’m still tweaking it, I am planning to get my HIIT (bike) session in on Monday evenings and (depending on how my joints hold up) a cardio-style barbell complex session on one of the off days.

    I know you mention in FPFL that having a dynamic/rotating schedule is optimal in your opinion, but I feel like scheduling the workouts to correspond optimally to the diet cycle is probably worth doing. I’d love to hear your thoughts on that. Thanks in advance!

  • Bjbeetlebabe

    I am also a trainer and have been working in the fitness field for 30 years. I am female, menopausal and “desperate” for something outside of what I have already been doing to help get rid of the 30+ lbs that have “overnight” attached themselves to my body. I am not taking any HRTs, just supplements, but stress level is high with work, 2 kids with college tuition, 1 more to go in another year, death of parents, etc etc etc. Let me know if you believe your program will work for me. THANKS!

  • 0732926664

    Heya Roman I wanted to know  if the FPFL could be used to help target
    weaker body parts to grow while eliminating fat from other  areas of the body , I am not sure if I should
    get as lean as possible (low body fat 6-8%) and then eat in surplus  and change programs to add some lean mass to
    weaker parts  while not going over 10 -13
    % body fat

  • http://www.howmuchdoesliposuctioncost.info/ Lazy Girl

    With me, massaging problems areas after workout helps. However, when you stop it the fat comes back. Will your program address this problem?

  • gloria

    I have our 20 year college get together coming up in 2 months and I have to look my absolute best.  I need this program right now….

John Romaniello

About Roman

“Author, coach, and self-professed pretty-boy John Romaniello runs Roman Fitness Systems with a tongue-in-cheek approach to fitness–and himself–that shows a genuine love/hate relationship with both. Equal parts narcissism and self-loathing, Roman writes with passion and humor, show-casing his belief that training doesn’t need to be the serious, stern, science-laden monotony that is pervasive in the industry.”