Getting fat.  That's the last thing anyone wants to hear over the off season, especially during the holidays.  The simple fact is that the holidays are notorious for being able to pack the pounds onto a cyclist.  There are parties aplenty, goodies in the office (usually in the form of high-calorie desserts), feasts with family and the ever-present alcoholic beverage, just begging for you to imbibe.

It's easy to overdo it during the off season and find yourself in a hole come January. But there is a way to start melting off those excess inches that doesn't involve giving up tasty meals of spending hours per day on the trainer. And that simple way involves putting a little more fat in your gullet.

What?!

You heard me right. If you understand the physiology of how our body processes the fuel it is given, you'll be able to make some smart dietary choices.  And if you stick with some of those changes for the long term, you'll realize some performance benefits as well.

In this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast, I'll get into some of the science behind nutrition and exercise adaptation.  You'll find the following information discussed in this episode:

Butter and MCT Coffee@9:45 Mauro santambrogio positive for testosterone – faces lifetime ban

The effects of testosterone doping on long-term physical ability (actual paper HERE)

Planning your season podcast and worksheet

@19:14 – Myths about fat, discussion of carbohydrate and fat metabolism (and how “low-fat diets” have caused spikes in mortality rates, diabetes and coronary disease.)

Biohacking Your Energy Systems

@38:41 – How a high fat diet increases fat burning.

@48:49 – Description of and optimal high fat diet, ketogenic diet, where in the threshold “scale” you burn fat or carbs, what bonking is, how to use fasted training to increase fat burning.

If you enjoyed this episode, click through to the Tailwind Coaching Podcast on iTunes and rate it 5 stars; it helps me move up the ratings, reach more listeners, and help more people get stronger, faster and fitter.  Don't forget to post any questions to the Tailwind Coaching Facebook page, and don't forget to support our sponsors and help to keep this podcast free, help me to get this information to more people and help grow the cycling community.

With the (not so) off season in full swing, you should think about planning your next season and getting your training started!  If you're not following a training plan, why not check out my modular training plans in my online store and think about building some “Raw Strength” with my new 8 week strength training plan.  And keep a look out for my new Advanced Base Module, available soon!

Don't forget the discount code mentioned in this episode.