Get Lean on Ultra Low Carbs
It's Tuna and Water Time

Dave Draper, Artie Zeller shot.

It's May. Warm and glowing. You want to lose some bodyfat and keep the muscle maybe gain some while you're at it. Why not? It's not an easy task yet you notice with further daydreaming that it's got a kind of ring to it, almost poetic. Lose some fat, gain some muscle. Cute. It's like a little jingle. Lose some fat, gain some muscle. Lose some fat — now you can't get it out of your head — gain some muscle. By late evening it becomes sort of a mantra. Whatever. A chant. You try to sleep lose some fat, gain some muscle.

It's ok. You're on the right track. I repeat — this is no easy task but one worth pursuing. Somehow you've found your way to this site and I presume others like it. You work out — YES — and are nutrition conscious — good — good — let's keep the ball rolling. As science has proven, a ball that ceases to roll mysteriously turns into a square and never rolls again. Sad.

The following technique is one I've strongly wanted to suggest in the past but hesitated because it's hard-core and doesn't follow the rules. Athletes, bodybuilders in particular, practice this protein exclusive principle to muscularize before competition. You are going to eat tuna and water for three days. You see, only the strong shall survive.

Psyche up. Starting Monday you will be consuming water by the jugs — 2-4 liters a day — and 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight in six equal servings throughout the day. Back this with your vitamins and minerals two times a day, branch chain aminos before and after your workouts and a nightly portion of Metamucil for fiber.

Forget what you want, what you feel like, what you read. You are in the trenches on the front lines where you will make the difference. Your energy may dip before it rises but your body chemistry will soon adapt. Be strong.

As needed, grumble to yourself but master your attitude. This harsh jumpstart never fails to kick in the metabolism and set the weight tumbling.

Later in the week bring in chicken, low fat cottage cheese and salad or your favorite steamed vegetable to elaborate your menu without expanding it significantly. You're feeding the muscle. Here's a delightful bedtime snack... tuna outta the can, scoop of cottage cheese and cool, clear water... Combine this with some nocturnally released GH and... Presto.

Exercise with moderate weights for clean reps to accommodate temporary low calorie strength loss. Press on as the body adapts and you become familiar and confident. This is a rigid practice to test your resolve, investigate your chemistry, break some troublesome habits, and narrow ever widening margins. It will bring you to the doorstep of the ketogenic diet where protein intake, exclusive of carbs, creates a ketone burning system for energy. Remember, certain aminos combine to form glucose for energy as well. See Lyle McDonald's comments HERE for more rich information.

Stay in touch, visit or email, I'll walk you through the summer's maze carefully and surely.

Two spots for expanded versions of Dave's thoughts on the Tuna and Water Diet, and he also writes of the tuna diet here.

Click here to learn about training on a low carb, ketogenic diet

What are the basics of ketogenic dieting?

What are the downfalls of ketogenic dieting?

Can I stay low-carb forever?

What can I expect on a keto diet?

Are supplements needed on a low carb diet?

Click here for more IronOnline nutrition posts

Click here to get yourself some low-carb Bomber Blend protein