RFS on GMA:

Hormones, Fat Loss, and Media Attention for Roman

As most of you know, the relationship between hormones and fat loss is something I’ve been researching and writing about for a while now.

It’s also something I’ve been utilizting to great effect to help my clients lose fat radily and with great efficacy through both my coaching program, and my more mainstream programs, like FPFL.

Well, it seems that this cool topic is finally getting some of the attnetion it deserves…

And I’m happy to be a part of that.

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of appearing on Good Morning America Health, in a segment called, “Are Your Hormones Making You Fat?”

In the segment, hosted by Tanya Rivero, I discussed the three hormones most closely associated with regional fat storage: cortisol, insulin, and estrogen.

Check out the video:

As you can see, I had some fun, and the hair and make-up people at ABC made sure I was “well-coifed” and that my hairt didn’t move. So, thanks for that =)

More importantly: there is a LOT of information to cover about hormones, fat loss, and the training modalities used to make this happen…but there is only so much you can cover in a 7-minute segment. Consider also that, for the general audience of Good Morning America, this is all new information, a lot of this will seem a bit watered down to many of you.

Nevertheless, this was a great opportunity for me to share the kind of stuff I’ve been working on for well over three years now; plus it was cool to be on TV.

This was the first of many media appearances, if I have anything to say about it, so get used to more posts like these and more of my face on TV.

Special thanks to the folks over at Health Guru, upon whose behalf I was appearing on the show.
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What were your thoughts on the piece?

Leave me some love, guys!

Neal

John it is great to see you being recognized for the continued effort and enthusiasm you put into helping others
http://tidbitsfromtheweb.blogspot.com Kristofer McConnell

Very informative video about hormones Roman!…you definitely taught me a thing or two I didn't know…and all this time I thought my butt and thighs were my inheritance from my Mom…keep up the good work brother…
Fred

That was a great apprearance John; you delivered quality content, plus you have a groovy TV persona =) When's the next engagement coming up?
Susanne

Nice! You crammed a lot of information into a short amount of time there…ou kept it moving…well done!
Franz

Hey Roman,

Great video and congraz for the blog. I reckon it is the best on the web. But if you don't mind i would like to ask you one quick question. Namely, you mentioned insulin as a hormone responsible for the 'love handles'

and recommended dropping simple carbs. I have been bulking up for 5 months now and despite of the fact that my diet's been in 99% clean(wholemeal) I have grown both them as well as increased chest fat.What might have been the reason for that? Am i overinsulin sensitive? I want to add that when eating carbs i tended to spread them all over the whole day. Now what i do is i eat some after waking up, 1h before gym, and 2 meals after the workout. Also I am hoping the FPFL to deal with them bastards

Thanks,

Franz
Tom

John:

Haven't commented or blogged since our last email, but this was really awesome to see you give some scientific stuff behind what many folks out there are struggling with.

I know you and I don't agree on a few things, but I appreciate you posting something like this, especially on TV for the masses to showcase your well versed background surrounding issues with our hormone imbalances and how to get our bodies reset sort of speaking.

Thanks man. I will look into your blog from time to time.

Regards,

Tom
Steve

Great vid, very interesting

For the insulin reset, where do you stand on fruit? Cut that for 2 weeks too?

Thanks for all the info you put out…looking forward to your upcoming FFFL2!
Marc

Roman, where did you learn everything you know sciencey wise, and also performance wise? Also, any books you'd recommend on this kinda stuffz? Cheers, Marc
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

I'm actually putting together an entire blog post on books that helped me formulate ideas, recommended reading and all that.

So I'll answer that in full there.

Mainly, I just identified my 3 main areas of interest and just read every book I could, took every class I could, and talked to every expert I could.

In my case, those areas were hormones, performance enhancement, and fat loss.
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

Thanks so much for the kind words and support, Neal. I appreciate it!
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

Ha! Thanks, Kris. Unfortunately, we can only blame our mothers for so much. After that, we have to start blaming ourselves =)

Although Freud might say otherwise.
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

Was just on WPIX on behalf of Men's Health (posted that my facebook) and looking forward to hopefully doing more work with them.

I'm also working on another piece which we (my PR people and Health Guru) will pitch to Good Morning America. This time about Cheat Days. Stay tuned!
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

I appreciate the compliment, but credit goes to the host, Tanya. She is 100% professional and kept me moving and the pace was thanks to her.

She was great and I'd love to work with her again!
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

I'd cut out fruit for 2 weeks, just to be on the safe side.

In general, though, fructose isn't really an issue, it's processed fructose that's the problem.

But, yes, better safe than sorry and best to cut it for 2 weeks!
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

Hey Tom,

Thanks so much for stopping by, I do appreciate you popping in from time to time.

And thank you for the kind words!
Jack

Great stuff as always! Keep them coming!
Carl

Hi Roman,

Very good explanation of hormones!

I am currently under chiropractic care and my chiropractor is part of maximized living which expounds on the same principles you have explained on GMA. Its amazing that the excess sugars and carbs we ingest every day shut parts of the body down or irritate them into not functioning properly. I would be most happy to send you the information from my chiropractor if you would like as it is in sync with your fat loss principles. Keep up the good work!!!

Thanks,

Carl
Alfonso

Hey man! It was about time you were recognized for your work! You are brilliant, keep up the good work Roman. I'm sure we will be seeing you on TV more often
rocky

Yo Roman, you are the man. Haha. Who would have known you would be on TV. Better get a shot at the Today show and any show that talks about health & fitness for that matter. If you had your own TV show guarenteeee people would watch it more than Dr. Oz lol. Just throwin that out there.
linda

John, excellent video.. very informative. i can see me doing more of these at the gym.. thanks for all the info you give us.. we really really appreciate it…!!
http://athleticgreens.com chris ashenden

Love the video mate. Great information.
krd

Hi Roman,

Wow! I love these exercises. Very accessible as well as interesting. Congrats on being on TV! I would definitely watch more.
Sean

Great interview John. You hit all of the key areas we all need to be aware of. Unfortunately, I had to do all 3 different approaches to kill my BF levels! They all worked in combo in each workout, or separate workouts, but the diet was the key.
Kath

You just don't stop, do you! More great information, and awesome it has been shared with the masses. So to speak. Very articulate, and fantastic stage presence. Kudos!
Bangkok Jay

Thanks from your international viewers who don't have US television access! Timely too as I've forwarded this post to several pregnant local women.
http://matchallenge.com Mathieu Duchesneau

Congrats for that exposure, Roman! That's great content you put on for everyone to

see.

I couldn't help but laugh when they put the subtle little music beat on when you guys started executing the exercises.

Keep on going man!

Mat
ramon

great job!
Chris

I thought the interview was great! You got to share a lot of important content in a short period of time AND had time to demonstrate each type. You look fantastic and speak very, very well on TV. A great role model for the fitness world. Oh, and I LOVE your hair. A really good look for you.
Alex

Fantastic! What a great segment – much better than the usual morning show fluff. Rock solid information, presented with charm and personality. Don't go getting all “rockstar ego” on us now…
Johnny

Man that was to the point and easy to follow. Thanks for getting up the courage to stand next to a beautiful co anchor & answer question after question cooly while she stared at you intently.

No all kidding aside, that was a powerful insight to helping anyone who has battled their mid section, love handle regions & thighs with little to no success. I would love to see other exercises people can do to stimulate their growth hormones and combat their own created problems. Do you plan to put together other compound movement exercises that people can do to off set these problems?

All the best brother,

Johnny Beliso
David

Fricken awesome Roman! I better get your autograph before you become too inaccessilbe to the general public with all these TV show exposures Congrats on a job well done.
Mike

Roman, hello!

The video as I understood, could not be long however, you managed in a short time and In few words to say so much. Well done!

Mike
Snejana

That was a great appearance Roman!

Very informative, easy to follow and it was awesomely backed up with the exercises. Good work for that and for everything else you do!

I wish I had a coach like you.
Mateo

Great stuff John, I've been following you for a while I'm glad more people will be able to benefit from your expertise! You truly are an expert in your profession.
http://bodybyjanalyne.com/blog/ Janalyne

Great info in the video and congrats on the show!
Mark

Nice work Roman! Way more information than most would get from a seven minute segment. Keep up the great work and we are looking forward to FPFL2!
Tony Roe

I like this, Roman!

Solid, implementable strategies backed by equally solid scientific info – who could ask for more? I'm proud, to say the least.
Will

John – Thanks for reinforcing that insulin causes weight gain. I am a prime example and am trying to lose -Going through a 'diabetes cure' writtem by a doctor. I am not far enough along to start losing weight. Your talk was great and I know that I am on track. Thanks. Will
Per

Great that you keep on working with getting the message out there.

Now, get your workouts to include a pair of Zumba-sticks, and you'll have the whole female population persuaded… ;O)
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I love this article , Very good collection of informati on,thanks.
Rick Watkins

Your segment on ABC's GMA was the most informative segments I've seen. Your explanations and presentation were great and easy to understand! Heck I have all of your material and still learned more info!
Sebastian

Great vid, especially your hairstyle And really a lot of information crammed into that slot.

I immediatly felt guilty when you mentioned beer, because I've had a lot of it yesterday (start of carnival season over here in Germany). Obviously for a healthy lifestyle it'd be good to stop drinking alcohol at all, but how severe is it really in terms of hampering ones progress (muscle building, fat loss etc.)? I guess even you fitness pros hang out at a bar with a group of mates from time to time, not just drinking tea or coke?
IreneE

Nice! Both describing the problem and providing principals for solution in one segment. Impressing.
Julian

Hey Roman,

It's great to see you get some air time and recognition. It was also a great segment with a lot of valuable information and with contagious enthusiasm as always.

I have been following you for a while now and always look forward to reading your blogs, not only are the really informative but there always a good read.

Will now look forward to seeing you on the TV, I'm in the UK so if you could keep posting the links it would be a great help.

Keep up the great work, and big congratulations, long may it continue

Julian
Indy

Good lad. And I enjoyed the extended hand hold at the end of the interview. Hold it for just a little longer than she's expecting. Classic flirting.
Peter

Roman,

You are a natural in this media and you have made it simple and easy to understand. I wanted more; that segment went too fast!!
http://usichicago.com chris

Everything you're talking about is completely ripped off from Charles Poliquin. How bout giving some credit where it's due to be ethical.
Michelle

What a great piece, Roman! More than one message here along with your consistently great info: think about why you exercise, and make each effort count. Sent your link to a bunch of friends….

Thank you!!
Abha

Love the video……..congrats!!
Michael

Well done Roman! Presented the technical information in a very easy to understand manner (which isn't always easy). Good exercise choices as well. Hope to see you on there again.
Emma

JOHN!!! I would love to hear your thoughts on Tracy Anderson's “Method”. ALL of the female celebs work out with her. And ever since her latest infomercial a bunch of my silly friends have been following her program by lifting barbie weights, and doing chronic cardio. Ughhh… it almost brings me to tears. Sigh.
scott

Great video! Shared it with others. Really capsulizes all the key points. Finally we're getting to the science behind fat loss and past the smoke and mirrors. Thanks!
Alex A

great information, putting it all together is the trick i suppose, but that is why we are all here!

hope to see more of this soon…
http://www.malvs2walk.blogspot.com Maryann

Nice segment, John! Since I am just getting back to lifting again, it is nice to see the specific areas that will be addressed with different types of exercise.
Jason

Great job Roman. Some of the most substantive information provided on a major network morning show regarding fat loss an exercise. Been a long time follower of Final Phase Fat Loss and love the programs. Now, looking for more info about how to take a trim guy and make him super-ripped, and a great program for maintenance once your goals are reached. Keep on keepin on man!
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

Hey Chris!

Thanks for the comment.

I wouldn't say completely “ripped off” as I've certainly put my own spin on things, but yea, Charles and BioSig have been a huge influence on me.

This is something I've mentioned in nearly every interview I've done over the past 3 years and, in fact, something I touch on heavily in my book.

Unfortunately, when it comes to TV, the producers really decide what we'll touch on and what we won't–in this case, they didn't feel it was time effective to talk about the research or where stuff like this was being done.

I would have loved to have dropped CP's name, the guy is a legend.

I wasn't being “unethical” — just crammed for time. I've mentioned Charles countless times when talking about this stuff.

On the other hand, at some point, obviously this becomes public domain…at some point or another, you can talk about Paleo without mentioning Robb Wolf or Intermittent Fasting without mentioning Berkhand or Pilon.

I don't feel compelled to mention Newton every time I talk about gravity, right?

Just kinda how the industry works.

But, yeah, CP is a big influence and I'll try to drop his name next time =)
Cheryl

Loved this video, I got up from my desk at work and did the exercises with you. What a nice way to start the day. I get here early and could do any of these. Thank you, you're awesome.
JMJ

Just stumbled across your blog via Cosgrove. Great content here, I'll be sure to bookmark and check in
http://www.metabolicbalance.co.za Shania

Hi there!

I work in the same industry in South Africa and absolutely love all the tips etc I get from you guys in the States… keep them coming!!!
laurel-manette

really eye opening, roman!! I'M GONNA get your program! can't wait:) thanks for being amazing!
Pam -Training In Motion

Awesome information…!
Joe

EXCELLENT and INFORMATIVE!!!

That's all I have to say.
Dustin Mobley

Interesting. The only place I ever put on FAT is in my belly. Interesting thing is that I don't get a lot of good sleep, been stressed at work. Going to try to manage better and see what happens.

Great Vid…looking forward to more.
Pats

Awesome how you look so relaxed on TV!

Of course, FPFL users knew all of this but was very fun to watch

Congratz on your continuous success.
Seth

cool video man. keep up the good work.
lb

Excellent synopsis of how hormones affect fat storage and the type of exercise to best attack it. I look forward to hearing more about it from you. Keep up the good work!
Terra

how cool for you to be on TV!!! way to go, Roman! and thanks for all the great info and exercises–alot to think about. Here's hoping you will continue to get such good exposure, so everyone will know what we already know, that you're the best trainer ever!!

(PS cute hair!)
Ajay Sakaria

Hi John just began browsing your website and I am very impressed your tips, I was just wondering I am just beginning to lift weights and do a little kickboxing and just wondering if is possible as a vegetarian to get ripped?
Kim

Great Piece John! I saw you were going to be on and watched that day but it must have been delayed. Glad you put it on your site.

Just wondering is there a specific hormone that causes weight gain in the arms?
Naomi

I love you, John, but what the heck did you do to your hair that day?
Matt

Very impressive Roman, it was very informative and put together nicely. You do a great job of proving that fitness and intellectualism are not mutually exclusive characteristics.
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

ha! Alas, my hair was in the hands of the hair and make-up folks at ABC.

Mixed reviews, at best =)
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

Hey Ajay,

Welcome to the site!

It's absolutely possible for a veggie to get ripped. Between lifting and kickboxing, you'll really be able to get lean if you have a good diet.

What diet are you following?
Chris

Roman this is what people need to be educated on! Well done my friend – you totally deserve this exposure on abc.

This is valuable information and combined with people taking action we'd have a much healthier world.

Round of applause for all your efforts and outstanding work ethic!

Chris
http://www.RomanFitnessSystems.com John Romaniello

You guys are all so incredibly awesome beyond belief.

Thank you so much for your support, and I promise to keep giving you awesome stuff and to never let you down.

I can't tell you how much these comments really mean. I feel all warm and snuggly inside =)
Leanne

Such great content and such a cool, calm, and collected presentation of it! You sounded super-intelligent but explained everything in layman's terms for the everyday viewer that might not know what the hell this stuff is. You rocked it, and I would be SHOCKED if they didn't ask you back time and time again. And as for the hair, were you not going for the Richard Grieco look from “If Looks Could Kill”? Classic movie =)
Ajay Sakaria

In reply to your question John at the moment I am trying to stick to a diet of wholegrains, fresh veggies, raw dairy products, nuts and seeds. But I don't eat every 3 hours which you stated is a big requirement and I'm not taking any protein supplements at this minute. So you think being a veggie won't effect my power and strength at all?
http://QldOZ Dorothy

Hello John

Thankyou for the latest I have the pleasure on Foxtel each morning to view GMA .

Congratulations
Jon

Hey John. Awesome article. Just wanted to point out a typo. “lose fat radily” in the first paragraph sounds cool, but I'm pretty sure you meant 'radically'. Maaaaaybe 'readily'.

Cheers

Jon.
Teresa

Roman,

Great spot on GMA! I loved the info on hormones. Making it very site specific and easy to understand was great!
Gabe

ROMAN

Great job, great segment, great hair!
ashy

Roman!

That was a best ever news I got on health. I am on my way working out for the solutions. It solved a big puzzle in my life, even with healthy food with my irrgular food habit I was wondering what gives my love handles.

Thanks a lot man.

I am also spreading words to my friends who are inquisitive like me.
David

Roman,

I've been following your stuff for years now, and I was thinking about taking the plunge and ordering FPFL, but whenever I go to the site, I only get the link to download the “Fat Loss Fix” article. Where's the link to order, son?

I know you want to fix that!

David.
Amie

Awesome segment — really, I'm not even just saying that!

I had never heard of a real link between hormones and fat storage (aside from those cartoon supplement commercials..slimquick or something). Anyway, excellent info — very informative!!!

What's even cooler is that you gave options for combating the problem!!!

You rock! Thanks!!!
Paul

After watching I was going to ask you something similar to what Chris asked re: Poliquin, but I think you gave a great response Roman.

This line particularly struck a cord “I don't feel compelled to mention Newton every time I talk about gravity, right?”

You came across very well…don't get too busy though and go all Nate Green on us with one blog post every few weeks if we're lucky
Darren

Great piece Roman….thanks for posting since I have to unfortunately dedicate my 9-5 to working to afford all that healthy food I eat. Thus plus your fat loss tips came at the perfect time and I'll be investing in your program VERY soon….
pernell stoney

I am a fitness center director, trainer for the US Air Force. I am task with keep Airman FIT to FIGHT. There are so many of them that are having difficalty passing there fitness test,I believe this program will help me help them get into a better fighting condition. We have a very smart military, but we a little weak in eating heathy food and working out.. I have been looking for something like this to help me and my staff help the Airmen stay fit to protect us.
connie

Very informative. I always knew cortisol (stress) is my BIG problem and squats are great however, i am always set back by extreme knee pain when i do them. Thank you so much for all the info. Keep em coming.
connie

Very informative. I always knew cortisol (stress) is my BIG problem and squats are great however, i am always set back by extreme knee pain when i do them. Thank you so much for all the info. Keep em coming.
Julie Griffin

Hello Roman

Love your blogs ,your little videos and your tips on hormones and fitness. I am 63 and within 4 years have digressed to an unfit lady who has put on 10 kgs in 4 years. The more I worry about fitness and my weight the quicker the kgs creep on. You see worrying about my lack of energy and diet actually causes me to stress out a little more each day. So while I work away and cause myself actual physical pain trying to recapture the fitness and flexibility I enjoyed only 4 years ago. As I prepare only the right food stuffs my mind has become constantly consumed with the problems associated with menapause, hashimoto disease and insulin resistance this worrry has caused me high bloodpressure and high cholesterol goes with the hashimotos. Drs are very derogatory and have only one stock answer tp my problems which is stop eating walk more and lose weight. My legs are sore from all the walking my nursing job involves . Catch 22. I am delighted to read your entries on all of the above as I have put a lot of study myself into sport and fitness training for seniors .

Being an Australian with little travel experience outside of Australia I am now enjoying the hospitality of my son here in the South Of France I left all my prescribed meds and vitamins at home. I push myself up and down the mountainous walk to the super market. I am eating all of the delightful french food offered to me which includes all the cheeses and bread and wines indicative of this area. My meal times are set around around the new babys daily routine and I eat only when the need is there. My son has had me out in his speed boat zooming me up and down the coast from Monaco to St Tropez in freezing cold weather. Having only read about these places in glossy mags I am in total awe of my experiences. The bottom line is….fuck the diets the pills and anyone who doesnt like me cos I am fat. Change of lifestyle, enjoy my food, give my liver a rest from all the crap meds, the only ab and butt excercises I do are all about staying on the seat of the boat keeping my balance and walking up and down hills to buy a loaf of bread. My retained fluid is less and I feel 10 years younger. Is this what you have been advising ..Oh and my lengthy blonde locks feel fantastic totally windblown by the sea wind. I am finally in destress mode.. Cortisol down you go..
sido

Love your straughtforward NYC humour, it's a relief from the usual..

What I REALLY appreciated about this video, short and sweet as it was is that I've come from watching it with CONCRETE and use-able infomation (no italics so you're getting lotsa caps..)which is wonderful and yes, you're making me a fan in as short a time. Cortisol is clearly my story and delighted to finally understand from what angle to get my body working again. I know about the sleep, etc –but was wondering and wondering about what kind or exercise to do and not do. Lactic acid (the growth hormone info is fascinating…) ok.

Many thanks! SPQR. sono pretty questi Romani!
sido

Love your straughtforward NYC humour, it's a relief from the usual..

What I REALLY appreciated about this video, short and sweet as it was is that I've come from watching it with CONCRETE and use-able infomation (no italics so you're getting lotsa caps..)which is wonderful and yes, you're making me a fan in as short a time. Cortisol is clearly my story and delighted to finally understand from what angle to get my body working again. I know about the sleep, etc –but was wondering and wondering about what kind or exercise to do and not do. Lactic acid (the growth hormone info is fascinating…) ok.

Many thanks! SPQR. sono pretty questi Romani!
deb katz

wow thanks John that was sooo impressive, I am so ready to begin my fat loss program with your help ofcourse
http://www.vibrancecoaching.com Kimberly Frazier

Fantastic, job, Roman! So glad I finally got to see this. Way to get the message out there to the masses.
TJ Carrell

Hey, I have a question about workout length. I understand how hormones and fat loss in general, but I am confused about how long I should exercise. One guy I bought some stuff from on the net says I should drop everything and leave at the ONE hour mark. He stated the body shifts from anabolic mode into catabolic mode after 1 hour of work and you are really not doing yourself any good if you work out for more than an hour. Well, I may be old and slow (56), but I can't do your dynamic workout, or probably any of the others in just an hour. It takes me at least an hour and a half to go through a whole workout. It this hurting me? Does it really matter if you work out for more than an hour? Or is this guy mistaken? I would really love to know, as I want to get the entire benefit of your FPL2 workouts, but I don't want to lose muscle attempting it. How about this catabolic/anabolic barrier.. any truth to it? Do longer workouts really reduce the benefit I am trying for? I want to do this right, but I do not want to reduce the benefits I am gaining by staying in the gym too long. Thanks.
TJ Carrell

Let me try this again. My post did not show up the first time I tried it. I have a question about workout length. I was told by another fitness guru on the web that you should drop everything and leave after one hour working out. He said that the body crosses the line between anabolic state and the catabolic state after 60 minutes and that you are only hurting yourself, possibly losing muscle, if you stay past this point. I want to do the workouts in your final phase fat loss, but I can't get them done in an hour.Guess I am too old and slow(56). I want to get all the benefits of the workouts but I don't want to lose muscle in the attempt. What do you think? Does it negate all my effort to work out more than an hour? Or should I keep it at an hour or less?
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