Serious ass dedication...
Is what's called for here. 14 days ago I decided to destroy all the fat on my body. I want to get down to like 7% body fat. So I've cleaned up my diet, following a huge amount of the information Todd provides here, free of charge. I hit the gym three days, recover 1. I've been running 30 miles a week (I had been running 2 miles a night and just really increased the distances gradually. 2 nights ago I did a 10 mile run and I don't think I'll be doing that again, more on that later). In 2 weeks time I've dropped 25 pounds, and have been diligently hydrating so I believe the majority of that is fat. Plus it shows. The hardest part is the diet. Yeah running 30 miles a week can really get boring but the hardest part is preparing healthy foods. I devote much more time in my day to meal preparation then ever before. Todd, I gotta say, all the info you've posted over the years is really helpful and inspirational. Thank you. You are truly hardcore. As for the ten miles, I set out to run five but I had good wind and wanted to try a ten mile blast. It took forever and now my knee is a little tight. At first I was pissed because I thought that it was going to extend my recovery and actually set me back, but I gotta say, for the first time since embarking on this, I noticed a physical change in my body after that ten miles. However, it was way too time and joint intensive. I think I'll keep it to five mile runs from now on. Anyway, to hit my goals, I figure I've got another 50 pounds of fat to go. I will post before and after pics!

"Destroy all the fat on my body." AWESOME! 7% bodyfat is very low, but not unrealistic. You will definitely be ripped @ 7%. I'm guessing you gained some weight since TF4? Here you are Aug. 2004, about 3 1/2 years ago: http://www.outpost31.com/todd/TF4/davidtheater.jpg.jpg So you dropped 25 lbs in the past two weeks?? (And by the sounds of it, it is bodyfat...) That is insane. That's comig off fast man, maybe even a bit too fast. And, you want to drop another 50 lbs? 75 total pounds?? How tall are you and what is your starting and current weight? Looking forward to the pics. At the rate you are dropping weight you better post your before pics asap! :P Running burns calories like a forest fire burns trees but 10 mile runs are too much. That's 16kms... If you can do 5 with no ill effects on the knees, or anywhere else, then run. Are you running outdoors or in the gym on a treadmill? Are you doing weights as well? Train Hard, T

I put on about 25 lbs since Thingfest. That put me at 265 lbs. I'm 6'2 and now weigh 240. My goal weight is down to 185 or so. At that point I can make a major assessment as to what it will take to reach my goal of getting cut to 7% body fat--in terms of diet and workout. I'm hitting the weights 3 days on, one day off. I try to mix up my cardio with straight running (outdoors) or stationary bike. Or I'll mix it up with some racquet ball or what not. My approach is that AT THE BARE MINIMUM, I have to get an hour of quality cardio in.

Since you are training with weights 5-6 days/week you will be putting on muscle, which is heavier than fat. So use photos and the mirror as a measure of your progress versus the scale. Get on the scale no more than once a week or every two. Again, watch how fast that weight is coming off. Dropping weight fast like that can lead quickly to illness, injury, overtraining, and rebound. Slow and steady is best. You may likely burn BF faster and more efficiently by using cardio equipment in the gym rather than straight running. It would add some variety as well and give knees a break if they are feeling the running: Arc Trainer, Treadmill, Elliptical, Gauntlet (StepMill), Bike... (I love the Gauntlet, and unfortunately the gym I a training at right now does not have one.) T

Thanks for the advice, I followed it and my knees are feeling fine today after switching to the eliptical (I simply cannot use the dang treadmill, never could). I'm going to change tack here. I'm going to start hitting the weights FIRST, and THEN do cardio. Also, I'm going to try really hammering on my legs (Squats, Hack squats and leg extensions) to really get that heavy metabolic demand and blow away fat cells. Also calf raises. Godamn those kill.

YES, do your weights first, then cardio work. Hammering your legs won't really blow away fat cells: cardio & a clean diet will do that, but hitting legs hard forces your whole body to respond and grow, triggers GH and -*test*-('")osterone release and puts lean tissue on fast, which in turn burns more calories at rest - essentially it is a WIN-WIN situation. So smack them wheels! Leg training also separates the men from the boys in the gym. Train Hard, T

The reason I was reasoning that leg work was burning fat was because I get in that zone where my heart is just pounding in my chest, especially with squats and it led me to believe that I was in an aerobic state. I am very strict with my technique and I take it slow and deliberate unless I'm pulsing my quads.

Well, it's been 9 months and I'm still here. I'm currently plateaued at 200 lbs. I'm still running every other day or so, 2-10 miles depending on what my body is telling me. Specifically, if my quads are sore, I reduce the number of miles. However, I increase the intensity if I reduce the mileage. I switched up my resistance training to whole body routines for a few weeks here. I've also been concentrating on chins, pushups and handstand presses. I will be posting pics soon, I just need a new camera. My body fat is hovering around 8-10%. I'm going to redefine my goals over the next week and probably do a push for another fat burn. Still keeping the diet clean. Cheat meals twice a week, otherwise very clean. 9 months, man... Yay, me.

Nice work man. Sticking with an exercise program/diet for that period of time and reaching those goals puts you in an elite group. 8-10% BF is low, you should be able to see your abs... looking forward to pics. Never, ever, ever stop. T

Thanks bro! I noticed some new veins today and I think I hit a new level for size. I felt like the hulk walking around the gym today (even though there are dudes in there that are ginormous). I never do wanna stop.

In my eyes your biggest advantage and luxury is your location. To be able to live and train in a year-round warm climate. If I was granted that freedom.................. I found it very cool here today (64F) and I had to do a longer warm-up at the gym. I don't like anything below 70F and I have trouble maintaining my core temperature. I am finally going to see a specialist in October. On the flip-side I function fine at 100F+. South Florida or Northern Australia will be my final destination. T

It is true. I do love living in this climate. It just makes things that much easier. I remember in Michigan, I used to go for runs and I'd come back with ice all over my back and in my hair...