You’ve been given the diet and exercise components of the program. You know that if you follow both components, you will lose weight—a phenomenal amount of weight—in the next 12 weeks. Let’s address some commonly asked questions we hear about the Cut program:
Q: You mentioned that on the beginner exercise program, you won’t burn as many calories as on the intermediate or advanced program. Can I still lose weight on the beginner exercise program?
A: Certainly. The diet you follow is based on your starting weight, and will ensure that you lose weight on The Cut. Because you’re exercising only three times a week—not four or five times a week—though, you won’t burn as many calories through exercise as people who are working out more. Anyone who follows The Cut needs to stick to the diet plan, but it’s especially critical for beginners who want optimal results.
Q: Can I drink coffee before I do my cardio?
A: While research suggests that caffeine before exercise can improve the quality of your workout, it’s better to have coffee before you lift weights, not before cardio. The reason? Caffeine can contribute to dehydration, and people sweat more doing cardio than lifting weights. If you like to drink coffee before working out, make sure you drink plenty of water to maintain hydration and prevent muscle cramps.
Q: How much weight can I expect to lose on The Cut?
A: Follow the plan to the letter and you will likely lose a minimum of 1 to 2 pounds per week. Most people who do The Cut lose much more than that, especially during the first four weeks on the program. Your weight loss average may drop after the first 4 weeks or so, but you should continue to lose weight steadily for the entire 12 weeks!
Q: I’m in my 60s. Can I do The Cut?
A: Yes! Any person of any age can follow this program; that’s why we have programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. If you haven’t exercised in years, though, or if you’re over the age of 40, it’s smart to get your doctor’s okay before you start exercising. The same goes if you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to work out.
Q: You’re both guys. Is this program really for both men and women?
A: Of course! We wanted to create a program that both sexes could do. If you’re part of a couple and you both want to get in shape, why not do it together? Remember that men will lose body fat and build lean muscle and women will lose body fat and develop toned, lean bodies as a result of this program. Working out together and eating healthy meals together is a great way to strengthen your bond as you get healthier.
Q: How long will it take me to see results on The Cut?
A: You should see results on the scale in the first week; in fact, your biggest weight loss will probably occur in the first four weeks on the program. You should also see a difference in energy level and overall mood within a week or so.
Q: My time to work out in the morning is limited. Can I break up the workout into two parts?
A: Yes, if that works better for your schedule. Do the strength-training component of the program first to produce the most EPOC response and to save your energy for the rest of your day. It’s easier to do cardio at the end of the day, as it takes less mental focus. If you do split up the workouts, drink your protein shake after your strength-training workout.
Q: I notice we’re supposed to take fish oil every morning with breakfast. What’s the deal with that?
A: Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for good health. Most people don’t consume enough omega-3 fats, so we include them on The Cut to help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health conditions. These fats also help lubricate your joints, which makes them a smart supplement for when you’re exercising regularly.
Q: I’m never hungry in the morning. Do I have to eat breakfast?
A: Yup. Eating breakfast gives you energy for the morning. If you don’t want to eat when you first wake up, that’s fine—but make it your goal to eat a morning meal within two hours of waking.
Q: The diet looks great, but I’m not a big exercise person. You said diet is more important than exercise for weight loss, so can’t I skip the workout part of the program and just diet instead?
A: Not if you want optimal results! Diet and exercise are both equally important for your overall weight loss. Exercising throughout the 12 weeks does several important things. First, it burns calories and gets you in the habit (a very healthy habit!) of making workouts part of your weekly routine. Even more important, the workouts you do will help you build and retain the lean muscle that is metabolically active—and that means you won’t hit a weight loss plateau. The Cut is based on the research that proves that for maximum weight loss, you want to combine a healthy, calorically reduced diet and exercise. The formula is simple:
Healthy, lower-calorie diet + cardio exercise + weight training = maximum weight loss!
Q: I blew it! I’m five weeks into the program and went off the diet for several days. I feel like I’ve ruined all my hard work. What should I do?
A: Don’t worry about it—this happens sometimes! A couple of days being off the diet will not destroy your five weeks of hard work. You just have to make sure that this doesn’t become a habit and doesn’t derail your progress and motivation. You can still be successful on this program even with a couple of off days, so long as you get back on track with the diet and exercise plan!
Q: My son is 16 years old and wants to lose weight. Can he follow The Cut?
A: Yes, but we would be careful in putting a 16-year-old growing boy on a low-calorie diet. Kids and teens need as many nutrients as possible; talk to your son’s doctor about the appropriate calories he should consume each day if he wants to lose weight.
Q: I’m a vegetarian. Can I do The Cut?
A: Of course. You’ll just have to use vegetarian options for protein instead of things like chicken, turkey, steak, and fish. Tofu, nonfat Greek yogurt, and low-fat cottage cheese are all good vegetarian protein options.
Q: I couldn’t finish the first couple of workouts. What should I do?
A: Listen to your body; do as much as you can, but stop when you’re extremely uncomfortable, feel like you can’t continue, or start to have pain. You don’t have to kill yourself to get in good shape on The Cut! Everyone who does the program has a different level of fitness, so focus on what you’re able to do and try to continually improve; within a few weeks, you should notice a significant increase in your strength and cardio fitness level.
Q: I was so sore after my first workout! What’s the deal?
A: When you first do a challenging workout that you’ve never done before, it’s normal to have some soreness the first couple of days. As your body gets used to training, you should notice less soreness.
Q: Can I use alcohol as one of my cheat meals?
Q: I overdid it during one of my workouts and strained my shoulder. What should I do?
A: Take a couple of days of rest from working out if you believe you strained your shoulder or have any other injury. If it’s continuing to bother you five to seven days later, have your doctor check it out.