The Complete Shredding Guide For Summer

THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
1779706924686
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png


Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png


Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned.
Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]

Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
1779707383890

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 2× per week atleast.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:




- A glycogen depleted Menas
 
Last edited:
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Mogger thread

Reta+Clen to 8%
 
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Hell yeah
Funny tho the leanest I've ever been was at 14 totally natty.

Boutta beat this level of conditioning this summer.
Screenshot 2026 05 23 at 104152AM
5A621698 7AD4 482C A433 1BD36524CD45 1 105 c B59C4FF5 163E 41F0 968E 9F6CE2382818 1 105 c

But with this amount of size (Imma get way bigger now that im on gear)
4F2DA881 928F 4D4C 88A3 BFF965C4260B 1 201 a
 
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AGGG WHY OTHER GUIDEE???
 
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Nice thread
This summer is gonna be peak
 
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BOTB :love:
 
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would you add a low-side muscle gain agent like ac-262 or on the harsher side ostarine to this? the thing I’d be worried about w these two though is test and libido on the cut.
 
what a beautiful thread 🥹
 
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4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.
i cant get most of these bc their prescription. is it ok if i skip this?
 
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i cant get most of these bc their prescription. is it ok if i skip this?
Most definitely, as long as you stick to the diet.
 
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Always banger
 
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mirin this thread brah :feelsahh:
 
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The best fat loss guide i have read (and trust me i read a lot:lul:)
 
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Please stop recommending caffeine edephrine it killed my nervous system is was doing it trying to get high
 
started my cut today so this thread is helpful
 
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You said it yourself significant cns load from ephedrine and caffeine it pretty much made me a vegetable
 
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You said it yourself significant cns load from ephedrine and caffeine it pretty much made me a vegetable
Try taking taurine and magnesium

also don't do epedhrine ed obviously
 
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Try taking taurine and magnesium

also don't do epedhrine ed obviously
Lol doubt it will help my body literally be going numb I tried telling doctors I took it but they didint say shit like they dont know but it is an obscure combination I hope in the future is more studied
 
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good thread
IMG 0967
this physique mogs bloated roidcel fizeeks btw..
 
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THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

INB4 BOTB
 
  • +1
Reactions: Askinov and Menas
THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

Nice thread, should teenagers do the diet for a very short period of time?

How bad is it?(to do this diet as a teen)
 
  • +1
Reactions: Askinov
you think I should do ts at 16 js to get abs rq for aesthetics
 
THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

next time put some hardstyle as the thread music brah
 
  • +1
Reactions: Menas
THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

dogshit thread lmao your dick won’t work anymore and you’ll be fatigued as fuck to even get past a day
 
This is okay. Not botb. Very okay information nothing groundbreaking and he didn’t mention Dnp.
 
  • +1
Reactions: Sayori
And I also assume this is for natural lifters. Why are the carbs so low? How will you have a good workout to maintain muscle mass? Also you will just go into ketogenesis on that low of carbs
 
  • Hmm...
  • +1
Reactions: Menas and Sayori
THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

Water, nice effort tho

Im disappointed there is no dnp or bam 15 on here😡
 
  • +1
Reactions: LTG
THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

dudes do anything but eat less and go for walks :lul: good thread either way
 
  • JFL
Reactions: Menas
Nice thread, should teenagers do the diet for a very short period of time?

How bad is it?(to do this diet as a teen)
you think I should do ts at 16 js to get abs rq for aesthetics
Depends on your current bf, how long you will do it for and your tanner stage I'd say

It's up to you but it would probably be better to eat maintenance and hit the gym since you're in a very anabolic state as a teenager anyway
 
  • +1
Reactions: eli2niche, Sayori, Navity and 2 others
Woah, freshly baked!
 
  • Love it
  • Ugh..
  • +1
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  • +1
Reactions: Diyorldar, Navity and Menas
@Menas what’s a good starting roid cycle? Going back on test next week. Lowkey fucked my hormones when I did roids incorrectly back in hs
 
  • JFL
Reactions: Menas and Ahmed88
I’m doing smth similar to this.

I just eat more carbs but still very similar low calorie high protein starvemaxxing
 
  • +1
Reactions: davidlaidisme67 and Menas
@Menas what’s a good starting roid cycle? Going back on test next week. Lowkey fucked my hormones when I did roids incorrectly back in hs
500 Test E,
4-5iu gh
500mg nac twice daily
5mg cialis daily
0.5mg dut daily
20mg isotret weekly
25mg eplerenone daily
12.5mg aromasin eod
10mg ezetimibe
(10mg rosuvostatin?) for hdl management but may be too much on 500mg
 
Last edited:
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How does one achieve botb so fast
 
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mirin botb
 
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THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

Great thread mirin
 
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Depends on your current bf, how long you will do it for and your tanner stage I'd say

It's up to you but it would probably be better to eat maintenance and hit the gym since you're in a very anabolic state as a teenager anyway
For my bf%, I can't really tell because my face has a lot of stored in it(baby fat), My torso is pretty thin but my thighs are pretty big

For tanner stage I'd say 3-4.

I do home gym, but nothing that intense just some dumbbells and barbells everyday, mostly arms or legs.(buying a new kit soon)

Planning on spending more time working out.
 
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Great thread, PSMF mogs. I'd honestly recommend adding sleeping pills on top of ones stack honestly – something like Zopiclone. At least for the first week, because falling asleep was super hard during that time, but everyone's different I guess

Ended the first cycle a few days ago. Gonna start another one tomorrow. I'm at 18% bf now. Wdyt how long I've to run until I'm lean?
 
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. Wdyt how long I've to run until I'm lean?
Depends on how much of it you're gonna apply

But for 18% you should be at 13% by a month or 2
 
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Depends on how much of it you're gonna apply

But for 18% you should be at 13% by a month or 2
Mogs

Btw another question, do u think the high salt intake will make you look trash on PSMF? I honestly didn't pay attention to it last cycle. On the other hand, you eat basically zero carbs. So hard to tell, not that it matters much tho, one's probably on the higher BF-range anyways...
 
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you're probably around 12-14% and have defined abs genetically
Btw here's a couple of pic (bear in mind my phone camera quality is ass and that I rounded up the bf estimated by the scale cause I don't trust it)
 

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Mirin but is crazy how people don't know this, low-key basic gym knowledge.

It's very good :feelsgood:
 
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THE COMPLETE SHREDDING GUIDE FOR SUMMER
(Get shredded in a fucking month)
q50sla.png
Table of contents:
0 – Introduction / Disclaimer
1 – Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
2 – Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
3 – Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
3.0 – Overview: Lipolysis & Beta‑Oxidation
3.1 – Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
3.2 – Maximizing Beta‑Oxidation (Fat Burning)
4 – Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
5 – Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6 – How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
7 – TL;DR
8 - Scientific Backup/ Sources:


Thread Music:



0 Introduction / Disclaimer
949w48.png

By no means is this medical advice. Even though the risks are relatively low, everyone is different and some people may respond to this differently than others (although as I said, the majority should be fine).​


This thread is mainly focused on PSMF, most of the other stuff isn't mandatory but still better to include. PSMF stands for protein sparing modified fast, It's a diet where you mainly eat protein, it allows cutting efficiently without losing almost any muscle mass during cutting.
My 3 Month PSMF transformation:
fyxzn2.png




1 Prerequisites (BF%, LBM & Protein Target)
1.0 – Estimate your body fat %
You can estimate body fat by eyeballing (Which is probably the most accurate tbh) or using calipers, DEXA, or a decent impedance scale.
Once you have a body fat estimate, calculate your lean body mass (LBM):

Lean Body Mass = Bodyweight × (1 − Body Fat %)

Example: 180 lbs at 15% body fat → 180 × 0.85 = 153 lbs LBM.

rkfdco.png
1.1 – Set your daily protein target
Aim for roughly 1 g of protein per lb of lean bodyweight (about 2.2–2.5 g/kg LBM). Higher protein intakes during a deficit preserve more lean mass and strength vs lower protein diets. [1]

So at 180 lbs with 15% body fat (153 lbs LBM), target around 150–160 g of protein per day.

Body Weight (kg)​
Body Fat %​
Fat Mass (kg)​
Lean Body Mass (kg)​
Daily Protein Target (g)​
60 kg​
10%​
6 kg​
54 kg​
~119 g​
60 kg​
15%​
9 kg​
51 kg​
~112 g​
60 kg​
20%​
12 kg​
48 kg​
~106 g​
70 kg​
10%​
7 kg​
63 kg​
~139 g​
70 kg​
15%​
10.5 kg​
59.5 kg​
~131 g​
70 kg​
20%​
14 kg​
56 kg​
~123 g​
80 kg​
10%​
8 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
80 kg​
15%​
12 kg​
68 kg​
~150 g​
80 kg​
20%​
16 kg​
64 kg​
~141 g​
90 kg​
15%​
13.5 kg​
76.5 kg​
~169 g​
90 kg​
20%​
18 kg​
72 kg​
~159 g​
90 kg​
25%​
22.5 kg​
67.5 kg​
~149 g​
100 kg​
20%​
20 kg​
80 kg​
~176 g​
100 kg​
25%​
25 kg​
75 kg​
~165 g​
100 kg​
30%​
30 kg​
70 kg​
~154 g​

1.2 – Start tracking your caloric intake
Download MyFitnessPal (or any decent tracker), weigh food on a kitchen scale, and log everything that goes into your mouth.
Specify raw vs cooked and pick accurate entries, you can't run a precise PSMF if you're eyeballing calories.



2 Diet (PSMF Setup & Food Choices)
ss4wcj.png
2.0 – Core diet rules
This is a PSMF, so:

Protein: set by LBM (usually 120–200 g/day for most).
Carbs: ~20 g/day or less (mostly from low‑cal veggies).
Fats: ~20 g/day or less (just what rides along with lean meats).
Total calories: generally 600–900 kcal/day in a classic PSMF setup

You're gonna be living on lean protein with trace fats/carbs. Everything else is flavor and damage control.


2.1 – Food choices
Food
Protein per 100g
Fat
Carbs
Chicken breast (raw)​
~23g​
~1g​
0g​
Turkey breast (raw)​
~22g​
~1g​
0g​
Cod/white fish​
~18g​
~0.5g​
0g​
Egg whites​
~11g​
0g​
~0.7g​
Low-fat cottage cheese​
~11g​
~1g​
~3g​
Whey isolate​
~90g​
~1g​
~1g​
A simple baseline day:
– 500 g chicken or turkey breast across the day.
– 1–2 scoops whey isolate to fill any protein gaps.
Solid meat is usually superior to shakes for satiety, but as long as you hit your protein target and keep fats/carbs low, you're doing it right.
Use:

– Zero‑cal seasonings, herbs, spices.
– Sugar‑free drinks, black coffee, tea.
– Low‑cal veggies (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli) in moderation

Because the calories are so low, official PSMF programs usually add a multivitamin and extra electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to prevent deficiencies. [2] Target ranges (e.g., ~3–5 g sodium, ~2–3 g potassium, 300–400 mg magnesium per day).


3 Maximizing Fat Loss Mechanisms
2xvu2d.png
j9j8og.png

3.0 Overview: Lipolysis & BetaOxidation
Fat loss happens in two major biochemical steps:

Lipolysis: breakdown of stored triglycerides in fat cells into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
Beta‑oxidation: transport of FFAs into mitochondria and burning them for ATP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/
You still need a calorie deficit, but how much of that deficit is filled by fat vs glycogen/glucose and muscle depends on how well you're mobilizing and oxidizing fat.

Keep in mind, we care about body composition and not just fat loss. [5]




3.1 Maximizing Lipolysis (Fat Breakdown)
2xvu2d.png

Lipolysis is controlled mainly by hormone‑sensitive lipase and related enzymes in adipose tissue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

Key drivers:

Catecholamines (adrenaline & noradrenaline):
Bind β‑adrenergic receptors (β1/β2/β3) on fat cells → ↑cAMP → activate hormone‑sensitive lipase → more FFAs released into the blood.

Glucagon:
Works alongside catecholamines in the fasted state, especially when liver glycogen is low, to support fat breakdown. [7]

Low insulin:
Insulin directly suppresses lipolysis, lowering insulin via fasting, low‑carb/ketogenic diets, or deep calorie restriction removes that, hence why PSMF mogs.

Lifestyle factors that boost lipolysis:

– Hard lifting / HIIT → big catecholamine spikes and acute increases in lipolysis. [8]

– Fasted cardio → with low insulin, catecholamine signalling on fat cells is more effective (though daily fat loss still depends on the total deficit).
– Cold exposure → cold showers / ice baths activate the sympathetic nervous system and brown fat, giving a modest increase in lipolysis and energy expenditure aswell though the effects are negligible. [7]

Common lipolysis‑oriented drugs:

– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– GLP‑1 agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): mainly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control; by lowering energy intake and postprandial insulin they indirectly support fat loss. [9]

– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release [10]
wkacpt.png

Also I must mention that on PSMF, you already have low insulin and frequent catecholamine spikes (training + big deficit), so you're naturally in a high‑lipolysis environment even without these.



3.2 Maximizing BetaOxidation (Fat Burning)
j9j8og.png

Once FFAs are in the bloodstream, they must get into mitochondria to be burned. Long‑chain fatty acids depend on the carnitine shuttle for entry into the mitochondrial matrix. [11]
Key drivers:

Carnitine & mitochondria:
Carnitine transports long‑chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane; deficiencies or transport defects impair fat oxidation and shift fuel use toward carbs. [12]

Endurance / Zone 2 training increases mitochondrial density and the ability of muscle to use fat as a primary fuel. [13]

Keto / fasting / PSMF upregulate enzymes involved in fat oxidation and ketone production.

Metabolic rate & AMPK:
Thyroid hormone (T3) increases metabolic rate and upregulates many genes involved in energy expenditure and fat oxidation. [9]
AMPK activation (via exercise, deficit, metformin/berberine) signals a low‑energy state and promotes fat oxidation while improving insulin sensitivity. [8]

Common beta‑oxidation‑oriented agents:

– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.




4 Ancillaries (Appetite, "Fat Burners", Peptides)
57qjwk.png

4.0 – Appetite control & GLP‑1s
Retatrutide, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), etc. are GLP‑1 / multi‑agonist drugs that strongly reduce appetite and improve glycemic control, making it easier to adhere to a long‑term calorie deficit. [9]

Makes PSMF 10 times easier to follow up.

4.1 – Stimulants
Caffeine, ephedrine, and prescription stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextro, Vyvanse etc.) suppress appetite and increase catecholamines, which can raise energy expenditure but also heart rate, blood pressure.

I must say they are very mogger for energy on cut to keep up with daily life, I'm probably going to post a thread about stims soon aswell.

4.2 – "Fat‑loss enhancers"
– Clenbuterol: β2‑agonist → ↑cAMP → ↑lipolysis; can cause tachycardia (High heart rate) though.
– A-Yohimbine: α2‑antagonist blocking anti‑lipolytic signalling; works best fasted (insulin blunts its effect) but can cause anxiety and blood pressure spikes.
– Ephedrine + caffeine: increases catecholamine release / β‑receptor activation → ↑thermogenesis and lipolysis; significant CNS and cardiovascular load.
– L‑Carnitine: Facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Best injected (oral absorption is kinda poor). [14]
– Berberine / Metformin: Activates AMPK → ↑fat oxidation. Also improves insulin sensitivity. [15]
– T3 (Cytomel): ramps metabolism and fat burning but can accelerate muscle loss, strain the heart, and suppress normal thyroid function if misused.
– Exogenous ketones / ketone esters: Forces body into ketosis → ↑fat oxidation. Useful for non-keto dieters. ( doesn't really matter when on PSMF)
– GW501516 (Cardarine): PPARδ agonist → ↑fat oxidation + endurance. called cancerine by some (although the evidence is mixed). Depletes carnitine—relies on sufficient carnitine for beta oxidation effects.
– Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates hormone‑sensitive lipase and increases FFA release;. [10]

4.3 – Metabolic aids & cortisol modulation
– MOTS‑c: mitochondrial‑derived peptide that mimics exercise‑/fasting‑like signals → ↑AMPK activity, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation; may help preserve muscle.

– Metyrapone: cortisol‑synthesis inhibitor (blocks 11‑β‑hydroxylase) → lowers cortisol; used clinically in adrenal‑excess / Cushing‑related workups and mild autonomous cortisol secretion to improve metabolic markers.

Bottom line: if you aren't already sticking to your diet, ancillaries are not the bottleneck.


5 Exercise (Lifting, Cardio & Steps)
6d2ijo.png
5.0 – Lifting to keep muscle
On a PSMF, high protein plus resistance training is what tells your body "keep this muscle" while you're in a big deficit. [16]

– Train each muscle group 1–2× per week.
– Keep your main compounds in (bench, squat, deadlift, OHP, rows, pull‑ups), but don't chase PRs while aggressively dieting.
– Focus on maintaining strength and performance, not progressing; 2–4 hard sets per exercise is usually enough stimulus without murdering recovery.


5.1 – Cardio & steps
– Baseline: aim for around 10k steps per day to keep NEAT high.
– Avoid excessive added cardio at the start of a PSMF – it ramps hunger and fatigue and can speed up metabolic adaptation on very low calories.
– In the final days before a deadline, you can add more Zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill, cycling, etc.)


6 How to Prevent Failure (Mindset & Social Tactics)
– Don't say "I'm on a diet" to no. Just say you're not hungry or you already ate bro
– Learn to enjoy social events without eating; sip sugar‑free soda, water, tea, or black coffee and chill.
– No cheat meals, no "just one slice", no "I'll make up for it tomorrow".
– Remember that in normal day‑to‑day life, almost no situation actually forces you to eat junk – either stay fat or be shredded, make your choice.

Run this properly and, depending on your starting body fat, you can get noticeably lean in ~4–8 weeks,
which lines up with what clinical PSMF programs see under supervision. [17]


7 TL;DR & More material

TL;DR:
Track calories, Fats and Carbs < 20gr, Eat mainly protein, Supplement electrolytes, Eat Less than 1000calories, Train each muscle group 1-2 times a week, Keep your step count and daily activity high (<10.000 steps)

Trust the process.

Optionally:
Use GLP‑1 / multi‑agonists like Reta, Tirz or Cagr for apetite suppresion, Use Stimulants for energy and apetite suppresion, Use the "Fat Loss Enhancers" to maximise lipolysis and beta oxidation, Use Mots-c for metabolic markers, Use Metyrapone to inhibit cortisol, Introduce Zone 2 cardio after a while​




8 Scientific Backup/ Sources:
1. A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/

2. Protein sparing modified fast diet program.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-library/health-resources/treatments-and-procedures/protein-sparing-modified-fast-diet-program

3. The biochemistry and physiology of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and its genetic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5766985/

4. Fatty acid oxidation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560564/

5. Body recomposition: can trained individuals build muscle and lose fat at the same time?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5421125/

6. Lipolysis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipolysis

7. The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00554.2006

8. AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic master switch: possible roles in type 2 diabetes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276017301492

9. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10552824/

10. Effects of growth hormone on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism in human subjects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226059/

11. Carnitine transport and fatty acid oxidation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4967041/

12. Carnitine and fatty acid transport.
https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/lipidweb/lipidweb_html/lipids/simple/carnitin/index.htm

13. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899751/

14. Carnitine in human muscle bioenergetics: can carnitine supplementation improve physical exercise?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#B46-ijms-23-02717

15. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone for several metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5839379/

16. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724991/

17. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4784653/



How WE are gonna look like this summer:
View attachment 5105610




- A glycogen depleted Menas

Lets say it together, "we are gonna pull" :love: - W THREAD
 
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Mogs

Btw another question, do u think the high salt intake will make you look trash on PSMF? I honestly didn't pay attention to it last cycle. On the other hand, you eat basically zero carbs. So hard to tell, not that it matters much tho, one's probably on the higher BF-range anyways...
I doubt it will make any difference If you're supplementing electrolytes tbh
 
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Btw here's a couple of pic (bear in mind my phone camera quality is ass and that I rounded up the bf estimated by the scale cause I don't trust it)
you're probably around 10-12% maybe less but u could be storing fat on other areas tbh
 
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How to get abs to 30 minutes please :feelshah:
 
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