
Seth Walsh
The man in the mirror is my only threat
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Here it is.
Science backed. Low decision fatigue. Sustainable. Bookmark this thread. Follow it as if it is your bible. 100 likes and I'll post the Haircare Bible
Follow all the nodes. Do not deviate.
Science backed. Low decision fatigue. Sustainable. Bookmark this thread. Follow it as if it is your bible. 100 likes and I'll post the Haircare Bible
Follow all the nodes. Do not deviate.



1. The Foundation: Calorie Control + High Protein
Calorie Deficit
- Why it works: Weight change is ultimately driven by energy balance (Hall et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2012). You must eat fewer calories than you burn.
- How to do it without crashing: Aim for a moderate deficit (e.g., ~15–20% below maintenance) so you don’t annihilate your metabolism or lose muscle mass.
High Protein Intake
- Why it works: Higher protein diets help preserve muscle mass, increase satiety, and have a higher thermic effect (Layman et al., J Nutr, 2003).
- How to do it: Consume ~1 g of protein per pound of body weight (2.2 g/kg). If you weigh 150 lbs, aim for ~150 g of protein daily.
Quick Protein Sources
- Lean Meats (chicken breast, turkey, fish)
- Low-Fat Dairy (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese)
- Plant Proteins (lentils, tofu, tempeh)
- Protein Supplements (whey, casein, pea protein)
2. Training for Muscle Preservation
Resistance Training
- Why it works: Resistance exercise signals your body to retain—and potentially build—muscle even in a calorie deficit (Morton et al., Br J Sports Med, 2018).
- How to do it:
- Progressive Overload (track your weights/reps and try to improve gradually).
- 2–4 Sessions/Week (enough volume to maintain/gain strength).
- Focus on Compound Lifts (squats, deadlifts, presses, rows) to maximize efficiency.
NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)
- Why it works: Daily movement outside the gym can make a huge difference (Levine, Science, 2005). This is all the non-gym stuff—walking, fidgeting, standing.
- How to do it:
- Walk as much as possible (take the stairs, park far away).
- Get a standing desk or stand up every hour.
3. Tools & Apps to Track Everything (Minimal Decision Fatigue)
- Calories & Macros
- MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, or Lose It!
- Tip: Pre-enter and save frequently eaten meals for 1-tap logging.
- Workouts
- Strong or Fitbod (log sets, reps, progressive overload).
- Tip: Set your workouts on a schedule so there’s no day-of decision needed.
- Steps & General Activity
- Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, or a basic Pedometer app on your phone (Steps app on iOS).
- Tip: Make a daily step goal (e.g., 8k–10k) and try to beat it every day.
4. Eating Hacks to Cut Calories Without Feeling Miserable
- High-Volume, Low-Cal Foods
- Veggies & Fruits (pears instead of bread, berries, salads).
- Reference: Rolls et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2004—volumetrics approach.
- Zero-Calorie Drinks
- Diet Soda/Pepsimax—helps curb sweet cravings without calories.
- Water, Coffee, Tea (limit added sugars/creamers).
- Simple Swaps
- Pears or apples instead of bread or pastry.
- Cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
- Zero-cal sweeteners for sugar.
- Meal Prepping
- Cook large batches of protein and veggies. Divide into containers.
- Reduces decision fatigue because meals are already planned.
- Use Smaller Plates & Bowls
- Why: It tricks you psychologically to feel you’re eating a full plate (Wansink, Am J Prev Med, 2007).
- Front-Load Protein Early in the Day
- Why: High-protein breakfasts improve satiety for the entire day (Leidy et al., Obesity, 2011).
5. Pharmacological Options (Under Proper Medical Supervision)
- Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
- Why it helps: Stimulants can suppress appetite, increase focus.
- Considerations: Potential side effects (elevated heart rate, blood pressure, insomnia). Only use if prescribed/monitored.
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) or Other GLP-1 Agonists (e.g., Semaglutide)
- Why it helps: GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce appetite, increase satiety, and can lead to meaningful fat loss (Wilding et al., Lancet, 2021).
- Considerations: Potential GI side effects (nausea), must be prescribed, expensive for some, and you still need proper diet/exercise.
6. Sleep & Stress Management
- 8 Hours of Quality Sleep
- Why: Sleep deprivation disrupts hunger hormones (ghrelin/leptin) and increases cravings (Taheri et al., PLoS Med, 2004).
- How: Pre-bed routine (no screens 30–60 min before, cool and dark room).
- Manage Stress
- Why: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can promote fat storage (Adam & Epel, Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes, 2007).
- How: Meditation, walk breaks, journaling, or any technique that helps you relax.
7. Low Decision Fatigue: Make the Process Automatic
- Set Specific Times to Eat
- Plan your meals around the same schedule each day—less chance to ‘wing it.’
- Keep Healthy Foods Visible, Hide Junk
- Put fruit and protein snacks at eye level; stash candy and ultra-processed snacks out of sight.
- Same Breakfast & Lunch(or a small rotation)
- Example: Oats + egg whites for breakfast, chicken + veggies for lunch.
- This removes the mental drag of endless meal choices.
8. Putting It All Together
- Eat in a ~15–20% Deficit (track macros/calories in MyFitnessPal).
- Hit ~1 g Protein per Pound of Body Weight daily (lean meats, dairy, etc.).
- Lift Weights 2–4x/Week (track progress in Strong or Fitbod).
- Aim for 8k–10k Steps/Day (track with a wearable or phone).
- Use Simple Food Hacks (pears, veggies, zero-cal sodas).
- Sleep 7–9 Hours/ Night and manage stress.
- Consider GLP-1 Agonists or Stimulants only under qualified supervision.
- Minimize Decision Fatigue (meal prep, consistent eating times, easy defaults).
References (Key Studies & Reviews)
- Hall KD et al. (2012). “Energy balance and its components: implications for body weight regulation.” Am J Clin Nutr.
- Layman DK et al. (2003). “Defining meal requirements for protein to optimize metabolic roles of amino acids.” J Nutr.
- Morton RW et al. (2018). “A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength.” Br J Sports Med.
- Levine JA. (2005). “Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).” Science.
- Rolls BJ et al. (2004). “Volume of food consumed affects satiety in men.” Am J Clin Nutr.
- Wansink B, van Ittersum K. (2007). “Portion size me: Plate-size induced consumption norms and win-win solutions for reducing food intake and waste.” Am J Prev Med.
- Leidy HJ et al. (2011). “Beneficial effects of a higher-protein breakfast on the appetitive, hormonal, and neural signals controlling energy intake regulation in overweight/obese, ‘breakfast-skipping,’ late-adolescent girls.” Obesity.
- Wilding JPH et al. (2021). “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.” Lancet.
- Taheri S et al. (2004). “Short Sleep Duration Is Associated with Reduced Leptin, Elevated Ghrelin, and Increased Body Mass Index.” PLoS Med.
- Adam TC, Epel ES. (2007). “Stress, eating and the reward system.” Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes.
The Bottom Line
- Energy Deficit + High Protein + Resistance Training + NEAT + Adequate Sleep is the core.
- Appetite Management can include pharmacological aids if medically appropriate.
- Keep your systems simple (meal prep, minimal variety for breakfast/lunch, consistent workout schedule, track steps).
- This blueprint—done consistently—will help you actually get lean, stay lean, and maintain your muscle without tanking your hormones or sanity.