Lifestyle, Fitness, Dating, and Money Redpills For Young Guys 18-21 From Your “Older Brother”: Iron Resilience…

Introduction

Hey guys, and maybe girls?, it’s Jon from Iron Resilience here, and I have to piss off some people some more to bring them back to reality. You see a lot of people think they got it all figured out, but they really don’t. Fortunately, if you’re young, but not dumb, I can save you some pain in the future. Here is a list of some redpills I wish I learned earlier in life. So here I am, the older brother you never had, to teach you some secrets that are not only obvious, but basically axiomatic.

Fitness Redpills

  1. You cannot out train, out roid, out supplement, or basically see the same level of results you will from a bad diet vs a good, and healthy balanced diet. That means no saturated fat, no refined sugars, and natural sugars in moderation. No binge eating. Fuel your body the right way, and the gains will follow.
  2. Real winners in fitness have patience, discipline, and only compare themselves to their past self. They are visualizing, and thinking positively about the future long term results. But more importantly they are working towards them. See consistent habits get results even when you only have 10-15 minutes. That goes for everything. A 25 minute workout isn’t as good as a 45 minute one, but it’s better than no workout. I don’t care about your excuses, or feelings: if you’re lazy or entitled you don’t deserve to succeed.
  3. Stick to the boring, but tried, proven, and tested methods. Compound lifts, calorie and macro tracking, and just focus on mastering the basics. Form, progressive overload, calorie deficit to lose weight and surplus to gain it. Everything else will fall into place.
  4. Less talking, more doing. Social media is flooded with people who just want attention, not solutions…
  5. Keep putting in work, respect others who put in the same amount of work, or more work, don’t judge newbies, and don’t focus on what others are doing or look like. Ignore the naysayers, the haters, the fatbrahs, stupid people, and pretty much every fitness influencer (except me).

Financial Redpills

  1. Never let anyone know how much you make, how much you spend, and how much you have saved. Success breeds envy. And anybody with a lot of money will be liberated from said money by anyone without money who is a parasite. People who don’t have any money to pay you back with, and break their promise to pay you back, are broke for a reason, and therefore bum for a reason. They need someone with money to spare to leech off. Therefore, from now on you’re broke — whether you are or not is irrelevant: if you are broke then you can’t afford to send people money for nothing, and if you aren’t broke you soon will be if you give money out like a charity.
  2. Bringing us to the second redpill: never give, or lend money to friends, strangers, or anyone outside of your immediate blood family. Unless you are okay with the possibility of taking a financial L and never being paid back. Cause c’mon we are friends right? Do me a favor….and then you’re in the boat they are in: broke. Except they are smart enough to not lend money…you weren’t.
  3. Stop wasting your time because time equals money. Learn skills, start a website, and treat your time as money. If you don’t work, then you don’t get paid. Simple as. That goes for even wageslavery. If you work a 40 hour job, then dedicate an additional 15-20 hours to becoming self employed, or financially stable. And if you can’t do either of these then study, or practice a skill or talent you can monetize. If you have no job, no talents, no hobbies, and no way at all to make money, then the first step is to become someone hirable, skilled, and with experience in life and with work. In short, use your free time to create different income streams, side gigs, freelancing, networking, practicing a skill, or learning more about it. Time is valuable, and time cannot be bought back.
  4. Don’t wait for opportunities, create them. You don’t need anyone’s permission to start an online business. If you haven’t started one yet then you’re behind.
  5. Real wealth comes from steady work and long-term vision. Your hustle is what builds the empire, not one lucky opportunity.

Dating Redpills

  1. No woman wants a broke, lazy, needy, insecure, and friendless man. Get your life together before worrying about women. You don’t need to be rich, you don’t need to be handsome, and you don’t need to even be tall. You do need to get your shit together, be well grounded, and stable mentally.
  2. Women want a man with options, and to have options you need to be in the top 20%. Again if you aren’t there yet, then don’t even think about dating, or hook ups. Use it as fuel to level up, because you can either cry about it or get stronger.
  3. Women respect strength, self-control, and your ability to lead.
  4. Say less than necessary.
  5. When she walks away from you, let her go, ghost her, forget her, and move on. Lesson learned. No hard feelings necessary. It’s just part of the game. Get used to rejection in general.

Lifestyle Redpills

  1. No one cares about your sob story. Everyone’s got one. I got one. You got one. We all got one. It’s fine to have one, until it becomes your self identity. And your entire life is based around being a victim, tragedies, what ought to be but isn’t, and so forth. Life’s not fair, but that doesn’t mean you’re entitled to anything cause you had it rough. Trust me, people could give a shit about it. I was that guy.
  2. Never make impulsive decisions made on emotion, or without all the facts. Learn to rely on a mixture of instincts, intuition, a feel for the vibe itself, and take whatever amount of time you can to make a decision. Any decision you make should primarily benefit you, from a rational standpoint of ethical selfishness, and that allocates for a controlled amount of healthy risk. Although sometimes you have think faster than you should, and you have to make some pretty permanent unfavorable decisions either way. In either case always be flexible, but firm.
  3. Motivation is bullshit. Discipline, resilience, relentlessness, and habits that have become second nature takes precedence. Motivation comes and goes. Discipline shows up rain or shine.
  4. Most people are just biding their time, avoiding discomfort, and looking for easy ways out. Outwork them and leave them behind.
  5. If you want to succeed, you’ll have to fight tooth and nail for it, and no one will applaud you for doing it. The world rewards results, not struggles. A warrior’s deadliest weapon is his, or her mind.

In Sum

Stop looking for validation and start building your empire. The universe is vast, cold, and indifferent to your existence. You are entitled to jack, and shit in life — and jack just left town. With these tips kept in mind, maybe it’ll give you that extra boost you need to figure out the rest for yourself, and that’s something learned from the struggle itself. Unwilling to struggle? Unwilling to grow and learn.

Thanks for reading, until next time….

DISCIPLINE, NOT GENETICS

How To Burn Fat Like A Champ

Lift weights because building muscle and strength boosts metabolism, burns calories, and increases fat loss.

Do cardio, including both long steady sessions and short intense ones, and make sure to get your steps in.

Always choose the lowest calorie, lowest or zero sugar, lowest or leanest fat options with the highest amount of protein. Aim for at least 1 to 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day.

Make sure to go below your caloric requirements for the day or the week.

Try fasting for 12, 16, 18, 20, or 24 hours.

If you want something sweet, opt for whey protein, low-fat Greek yogurt with low sugar, low-fat peanut butter, bananas, or other fruits. For something like chips, try rice cakes, mini crisps, popcorn, or vegetable chips. If you crave chocolate or a granola bar, go for a protein bar or protein cookie. These can all be snacks in moderation.

Be mindful of how much oil, sugar, fat, lard, salt, cream, milk, cheese, spreads like peanut butter or Nutella, jams, salad dressings, and similar items you use when cooking, as these can add hidden calories. Aim to use whole grains, and consider almond milk instead of cream. Use stevia or Splenda instead of table sugar.

The Slave Diet vs the Master Diet



The modern Western diet is high in carbs from sugar, syrups, and other junk food. And it is also high in unhealthy fats from seed oils, fast food, and processed meats. It is also very low in protein. The foods that most people eat are nutrient poor, high calorie, and designed to be overeaten. This leads to obesity which can lead to heart problems, and diabetes.

Historically, a high protein diet was reserved for aristocrats, warriors, and royalty. The ruling caste prioritized meat, While slaves and peasants were fed grains and scraps to keep them functional but not thriving. Those who control their diet and prioritize real food stay stronger, leaner, and sharper.

Real elites should be defined by strength, wisdom, and merit, not by how many generations of their family hoarded wealth through usury, monopolies, and backroom deals.

So if you want to be a real elite, then eat like one. Prioritize meat, dairy, eggs, seafood, and having a diet high in protein, but maintaining a calorie deficit to stay lean. That is key.

Until next time dear readers….diet is key…

How To Never Be Bored Again

There was a time in the not too distant past where boredom was a luxury only afforded to the wealthy, or aristocratic caste. Our ancestors lives were entirely based upon survival, action and movement. But today thanks to modern technology, and our modern comforts in life we almost all have endless comfort. We all get to eat until full, and beyond. And we don’t have to worry much about our safety. That goes for the average person. Not the impoverished, or otherwise unfortunate. Yet the modern weak, and soft people all reliant on pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, weed, and technology like smart phones are more miserable, and bored than ever.

– You don’t have to hunt for food—it’s at the store. 
– You don’t have to build shelter—it’s pre-made for you. 
– You don’t have to walk miles—you sit in a car. 
– You don’t even have to talk to people—you scroll on a screen. 

People fill their lives with meaningless surrogate activities, consumerism/materialism, intoxication, and mindless hedonism then wonder why they are miserable, or bored. Because the struggle is gone. Man without struggle is man without purpose.

If you want to break free from boredom, depression, and anxiety, you have to live like an ancient, and primitive warrior. You have to bring struggle back into your life, and be a modern Spartan. Not artificial struggle: real struggle. The kind that makes you feel alive, and that life is worth living. Facing death if that’s what it takes.

– Build something with your hands. 
– Write something with your mind. 
– Train your body into something powerful. 

Don’t sit around all day like the average lazy fat ass with a beer, and a bag of Cheetos complaining that you got it so hard. Mindlessly consuming streaming services, video games, porn, and social media. All the while fueling such sessions with processed fats, or refined sugar.

Consumption breeds passivity. Passivity breeds boredom. Boredom breeds misery.

Porn, weed, booze, social media, video games—they’re designed to keep you weak and complacent. The more you consume, the more you rot. Cut it down, and then cut it out.

What do you have to fight for? What are you working toward? If the answer is nothing, then no wonder you’re miserable. Set goals that require effort. Train for something. Compete. Work toward mastery.

Depression and anxiety thrive on inaction. You think too much, so you do too little. The cure? Do more, think less.

– Instead of worrying about the gym, go lift. 
– Instead of debating your future, take action now. 
– Instead of waiting for motivation, just start. 

From now on:

– Walk 20,000 steps a day. 
– Lift heavy things. 
– Get outside in the sun and fresh air, or talk to/socialize with regular human beings — offline, no screen.

Boredom, depression, and anxiety are nothing more than diseases of luxury, and too much comfort. They are what happen when life is too easy. The cure is simple: Make life hard again.

Get strong. Get moving. Get uncomfortable.

You were not born to sit around and suffer in silence.

You were born to conquer.

Now go and do it.

Protein Powder Is Just A Tool

Powder’s not evil, but leaning on it as your main protein source is a loser move.

Protein powder drama has been heating up online I noticed. The amount of ignorance about protein powder never ceases to amaze me. Everyone’s got an opinion about protein powder that they preach like the holy gospel. Let’s cut the bullshit: whole food protein (not plant or vegan sources): meat, eggs, dairy — is better than whey powder every single time. It’s not even a fair fight. You get micronutrients and real satisfaction for your hunger. Coaches shoving it down your throat over real food? They’re either clueless or pocketing cash from some supplement brand. It’s for guys too lazy to grill a steak or crack an egg. Wake up.

Protein powder is a supplement, and that’s basically it. It’s meant to supplement what you don’t get enough of due to diet, or time constraints. Some days I’m running hard, and I don’t hit my protein with food alone. So I scoop some powder, mix it, drink it, move on. Doesn’t mean I’m building my meals around it like some rookie who can’t figure out a grocery store. The idea that you need it to win at lifting or life is a myth sold by guys with shaker bottles and bad tattoos. Most supplements don’t do jack anyway….

Sure, powder’s convenient. Toss it in a bag, drink it at the gym, whatever. But convenient doesn’t mean better. It’s a crutch, not a crown. If your gut hates it, you get bloated or gas from chugging shakes: man (or woman) up and eat real food.

You don’t need a PhD to figure it out. Eat meat, lift heavy, grow strong. Powder’s a tool, not a lifestyle. Pick one that doesn’t suck, use it when you’re short, and stop crying about it. I keep a tub around because I’m not perfect…yet.

If you can’t get your protein from a plate, fine, chug some shakes. Just never once kid yourself into thinking it’s some secret sauce. It’s not. Never will be. Eat like a man, not a marketing victim.

Discipline, Not Genetics.

Fairness Has No Place in Fitness

Being shredded, ripped, or jacked isn’t about fairness nor diversity, inclusion, or equality. Muscular hypertrophy does not magically occur out of fairness. 455 lbs of weight on the bar does not care about if you had it rough, or deserve a break. It’s not about what’s fair. Being strong, both mentally and physically, is about hard work. Not from your high sense of self entitlement. You’re entitled to nothing. Only what you have earned.

Those who are in shape didn’t get there by waiting for someone to give them the blueprint. They got there by taking the time, the pain, the sacrifice. They earned it. And so must you. There are no free rides. There is no fairness. There is only hard work.

You want a body like a warrior? A body like a champion? Then stop whining and start doing. Understand that the path to greatness is paved with sweat, pain, and sacrifice. There are no shortcuts. There’s no one coming to save you. It’s just you. So, make the decision now. Stop sitting around and start training.

The results will come. But only if you’re willing to do what it takes. Stop waiting for fairness. Start earning your strength.

The Get Huge & Stay Lean Program: For Guys Who Want to Look Like a Greek Statue

How to Get Lean and Muscular Naturally: Building a Defined Physique at 175-195 lbs

If you are just starting from scratch, or you’ve been spinning your wheels for years in the gym — making no progress — then this article is written for you. I am going to teach you how to build a lean physique which impresses men, and makes women crazy. With the right approach to your macros, calories, and training then you will achieve that goal body which makes other men red with envy.

Forget being some fat powerlifter with a beer belly or a skinny dude with abs but no muscle. Those types of physiques (if you can even call them that) impress nobody. Any woman who says she loves pencil arms, or beer guts is lying to make her fat or skinny boyfriend feel less insecure around gymrats. When you build a body most people only see in magazines you get a lot of envy.

And here we are talking broad shoulders, a massive chest, thick arms, and a shredded waist. The kind of body that makes a T-shirt look tight and has women wondering if you were carved out of stone.

But first — you have to train like an animal, and eat like a well oiled war machine.


The Power of a Lean Physique

Let me tell you fellas all something from personal experience. When you are absolutely shredded, and have been hitting the gym for years, then the results will show. They will show in a muscular physique with visible definition that looks good in a shirt. When you walk into a room you can expect heads to turn.

I remember a guy I used to know. He was absolutely shredded to the bone. Covered in veins like a road map of vascularity. His low bodyfat and definition was absolutely unreal. He only had simple advice to give: dedication to a proper training routine, proper nutrition and maintaining a calorie deficit.

It wasn’t some magic trick.


The Two Types of Guys

1. Skinnyfat, or Skinny:

The main problem of being skinnyfat is very poor nutrition, and very poor hormonal levels. You have high estrogen, and low testosterone. The fix is Vitamin D, Magnesium, bulk to builtfat/muscular fat, and then cut.

If you are skinnyfat, then it’s highly likely you eat a lot of garbage like microwaved pizzas, and hot dogs. The diet is basically built upon low protein or fatty/processed/plant sources of protein, processed carbs or sugar, and bad fats from fast food.

You need to get enough sunlight and sleep. No more late night gaming sessions eating pizza from the microwave and drinking mountain dew. Unless you want to look like shit still then be my guest.

Skinny guys, and also skinnyfat guys have never trained hard enough to build serious muscle, or engaged in more endurance based high rep lifting with no progression. Or way, way too much cardio like running marathons and shit.

Solution? Get strong, eat real food, move fast, and dominate.

You have a fast metabolism, low body fat, and not much muscle. Your challenge? Eating enough calories to build size while keeping it clean. Your goal? Gain muscle mass without getting fat.


2. Muscular Fat, or Fat Fat:

If you’re fat (soft fat) or builtfat (muscular but still carrying extra weight), your biggest issue is insulin resistance and poor body composition. You’re probably stronger than skinnyfat guys, but you still suck.

The problems lay with again having too much estrogen, high insulin, and more than likely low testosterone levels. You are still making bad food choices even if you are meeting your protein requirements. Avoid junk, sugar, and bad fats. You also lack proper conditioning. You might be strong as a bear, but if you can’t do pull ups, run up a set of stairs, or jog for 12 minutes straight then something is wrong. Any healthy person can run a mile in under 10 minutes. It should ideally be under 6-8 mins. Cutting calories aggressively and doing only slow pace cardio like a pussy will also contribute. Walking the dog isn’t cardio.

You have size but too much body fat hiding the muscle underneath. Your challenge? Building muscle while slowly reducing fat. Your goal? Recomp: Lose fat while gaining lean mass.

No matter where you start, the goal is the same: build muscle and stay lean.

Stop training like a pussy, and eating like a pussy.


Eating BIG, But Clean

Muscle needs fuel. You need to eat enough calories to grow but not so much that you gain excess fat. You also need the right macronutrient balance:

Protein: Essential for muscle growth.

Carbs: Fuel your workouts and recovery.

Fats: Support hormone production and joint health.

. . . . . . .

Daily Calories:

Lean Bulk: ~3,000-3,500 calories (if trying to add lean size)

Recomp: ~2,500-3,000 calories (if trying to gain muscle & lose fat)

Macronutrient Breakdown:

Protein: 1g to 1.2g per pound of body weight (about 180-200g for most guys)

Carbs: 2-3g per pound of body weight (focus on whole food sources)

Fats: 0.4-0.6g per pound of body weight (from healthy sources)

To gain size while staying lean, you need:

High Protein (1-1.2g per lb of body weight)

Quality Carbs for Energy & Performance

Healthy Fats for Hormone Support

. . . . . . .

What to Eat for Lean Gains:


Protein (Build Muscle & Recover Faster)

✔️ Chicken breast, lean turkey
✔️ Egg whites + Whole eggs
✔️ Greek yogurt, low-fat cheese
✔️ Tuna
✔️ Lean beef (occasionally for variety)

Carbs (Fuel for Training & Recovery)

✔️ Whole grains (brown rice, oats, quinoa, whole wheat bread)
✔️ Potatoes (white & sweet)
✔️ Fruits (bananas, berries, apples, oranges, etc.)
✔️ Vegetables (broccoli, spinach, peppers, carrots, etc.)

Healthy Fats (Supports Hormones & Recovery)

✔️ Avocados
✔️ Egg yolks
✔️ Nuts & Nut Butters (in moderation)
✔️ Olive oil & Coconut oil
✔️ Cheese (adds protein and fats in moderation)

Sample Meal Plan (Lean Bulk/Recomp Edition)

Meal 1:

6 egg whites, 1 whole egg

1 cup oats with banana

1 tbsp peanut butter


Meal 2:

6 oz grilled chicken

1 cup cooked quinoa

Steamed broccoli


Meal 3 (Pre-Workout):

Greek yogurt

Handful of almonds

1 apple


Meal 4 (Post-Workout):

Protein shake with banana & oats


Meal 5:

6 oz lean turkey or tuna

1 baked potato

Green salad with olive oil


Meal 6 (Before Bed):

Cottage cheese or Greek yogurt

1 tbsp peanut butter


The “You’re Gonna Get So Many Chicks” Plan

Step 1: Get Huge Shoulders & a V-Taper

Women love broad shoulders and a tiny waist.

Hit heavy overhead presses, lateral raises, and pull-ups.


Step 2: Have a Thick Chest & Arms That Stretch Your Sleeves

Bench, dips, curls, and rows.

No skinny forearms or flat chests allowed.


Step 3: Never Be the Guy Who Looks Good in a Shirt but Soft When He Takes It Off

Stay under 12% body fat so you always look ripped, not just big.

That means steps, burpees, and sprints.


Step 4: Walk Like You Own the Place

A guy who trains hard, eats right, and doesn’t skip cardio moves like he’s a warrior.

Confidence = magnetism.


Training Like A Spartan Warrior:

There is three main points in any lifting routine:

1. Getting stronger over time (progressive overload)
2. High-volume muscle-building work for hypertrophy
3. Low reps for explosive & functional strength (power)

Key Lifts to Focus On:

✅ Squats (Back & Front)
✅ Deadlifts (Conventional, Romanian)
✅ Bench Press (Flat & Incline)
✅ Overhead Press
✅ Pull-ups & Chin-ups
✅ Barbell Rows & Dumbbell Rows
✅ Dips

Sample Weekly Routine (Powerbuilding Routine 5x a Week)

Monday – Chest/Back

. . . . . . .

Bench Press – 4×6-8

Incline Bench Press – 4×6-8

Weighted Dips – 3×8-12

Cable Flyes – 3×12-15

Deadlifts – 3×5-6

Barbell Rows – 4×6-8

Weighted Pull ups – 3×8-12

T Bar Rows – 3×8-12

. . . . . . .

Tuesday – Shoulders/Arms

. . . . . . .

Overhead Press – 4×6-8

Cable Lateral Raises – 3×12-15

Bent Over Lateral Raise or Face Pulls: 3×15-20

Dumbbell Shrugs: 4 x 8-12

Bicep Curls – 3×10-12

Hammer Curls – 3×10-12

Close-Grip Bench Press – 3×8-12

Triceps Extensions – 3×10-12

. . . . . . .

Wednesday – Legs

. . . . . . .

Squats – 4×6-8

Leg Press – 3×10-12

Romanian Deadlifts – 4×8-10

Lunges – 3×10-12

Calf Raises – 3×15-20

Hanging Leg Raises:  3 x 15-20

. . . . . . .

Thursday – Upper Body Strength & Power

. . . . . . .

Flat Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 3-5

Incline Dumbbell Press (Upper chest focus): 3 x 8-12

Shoulder Press or Lateral Raises: 3 x 6-8

Weighted Chin-ups: 3 x 3-5, 1 x AMRAP at Bodyweight

Barbell Row: 3-4 x 6-8

Barbell Shrugs: 3-4 x 6-8

Barbell Curls: 3 x 6-8

Overhead Triceps Extensions: 3 x 6-8

Face Pulls:  3 x 15-20 (Critical for shoulder health and posture)

. . . . . . .

Friday – Lower Body Power & Strength

. . . . . . .

Deadlift, or Low Bar Box or Bench Squat: 3 x 3-5

Zercher Squats: 3 x 8-12

Good Mornings:  3 x 8-12

Leg Press or Hack Squat: 3×8-12  (Quad-focused volume work)

Lying or Seated Hamstring Curls: 4 x 12-15

Standing Calf Raise:  4 x 12-15

Hanging Leg Raises:  3 x 15-20

. . . . . . .
Saturday/Sunday – Rest or Active Recovery

. . . . . . .

Walking, stretching, mobility work


Final Thoughts: How to Stay Lean While Gaining Size

1. Walk 30,000+ steps daily.

Passive calorie burn = less fat gain.


2. Train like an athlete.

Burpees, sprints, and farmer carries build elite work capacity.

Do cardio after lifting or on rest days. The point isn’t to be built like a bird legged marathon runner but to burn fat and keep it off.

On leg days or rest days for recovery you can do slow steady state cardio. 45 minutes to 90 minutes total depending on your body composition. Leaner or skinny brahs do less cardio. Fat brahs do more.

How to Get It In:

AM Fasted Walks (Optional): If you wanna be next-level shredded

Post-Lift Sprints (2x a week): If you want speed & power like an athlete

Burpees on Rest Days: If you want elite endurance and fat loss

Farmer Carries at the End of Workouts: If you want huge traps & gorilla strength

You don’t have to do ALL of it every week, but the more you stack this routine, the faster you’ll look like a superhuman.

3. Track Progress, Prioritize Strength & Progressive Overload.

Strength gains = more muscle mass.

The stronger you get on compound lifts, the more muscle you build.

Track Progress Weekly

If gaining too much fat, slightly reduce carbs.

If not gaining muscle, slightly increase food intake.

Use MyFitnessPal, a step tracker, and FitNotes. Pen and paper. Measure your body parts and waist with a tape measure and record it. Track everything you eat and every workout you do. And your daily steps.

4. Stay Consistent for 6-12 Months.

You won’t get there in 4 weeks. Trust the process.

5. Eat for Performance, Not Just Size. Manage Stress, & Sleep Properly

Lean proteins, whole carbs, and healthy fats fuel results.

Focus on whole foods first. Whey protein is fine, but real food wins.

7-9 hours of sleep per night is essential for muscle growth.

Stick to the basics, eat smart, and train hard. The results will come.


Summary

This plan turns you into the kind of guy who walks into a room and owns it. All without saying a word…

✅ Big, shredded, and athletic
✅ More endurance, and strength than 99% of guys at the gym
✅ Women notice, guys respect it

All you have to do? Show up, lift heavy, move fast, eat smart, and don’t quit.

Iron Resilience: The Truth About Weight Loss & Macros

Introduction

The typical Western diet. High fat, high carb, high calorie and low in protein and micronutrients.
The typical balanced diet with high protein macros for bodybuilding.

Weight loss boils down to calories burned vs calories consumed. You cannot violate the laws of thermodynamics as much as you wish you could. Consume way too much of anything and you’ll gain weight. Which is a layman’s way of saying: eat more calories than you burn and you gain weight. Eat less than you burn and you lose weight. You can lose weight eating lard, ice cream, sugar and candy bars. But that wouldn’t be smart and I’ll explain further below.

CICO: Calories In, Calories Out

Eat fewer calories than you burn → You lose weight

Eat more calories than you burn → You gain weight

That’s all there is to understand about weight loss.

Macros matter for body composition

Protein: Builds & retains muscle

Carbs: Fuel workouts & recovery

Fats: Support hormones & brain function

If you ignore macros, then you’ll lose muscle, have no energy, or just generally feel awful. You can eat junk and still lose weight if it fits your macros, but it’s not ideal. Focus on whole foods and hitting your protein goal.

My ideal macros that I recommend for natural bodybuilding especially those wanting to be lean or maintain leanness are as follows:

  • 40-45% of total calories for protein.
  • 20-25% of total calories for fat.
  • 35-40% of total calories for carbs.

You can break this down into meals. One small meal before the gym (mix of complex and quick carbs and proteins), one small or medium meal after the gym, one medium or large meal at dinnertime, and a light or small meal with slow digesting proteins and complex carbs before bed.

Can you eat junk and still lose weight? Yes.

Should you? Not if you care about muscle, strength, and performance.

Recommendations for Cutting

I have only simple, and easy to follow instructions for cutting. They are hard because they require discipline, and good habits.

  • Eat high protein to keep muscle. Higher than maintaining, or for bulking.
  • Time carbs around workouts. Do not cut carbs. You need them to fuel your workouts.
  • Get enough fats for hormones. Do not cut out fat entirely. Your nervous system, and brain is almost entirely fat, or insulated in fat.
  • Avoid extreme deficits. Never aim to lose more than 1-2 lbs a week (.5 kg to 1 kg). That is usually only a deficit of 250-500 calories. Sustainable deficit = no crash dieting.

Summary

Losing weight is about being in a calorie deficit primarily. Macros are crucial for muscle maintenance, energy, and hormonal balance. While junk foods can fit into your diet, the priority should be on eating a high protein balanced diet with carbs timed around your workouts. A crash diet isn’t sustainable long term, and therefore always focus on a slow cut.

You are what you eat…

The Iron Resilience Strength-Hypertrophy Hybrid Program

Introduction

The following program is designed to be powerbuilding focused and for natural lifters. It is my current routine, and utilizes proven methods from both modern and old school bodybuilding. It focuses on compound lifts and intensity. It is designed to build both strength and hypertrophy. I would not recommend it for novice lifters.

Research shows that strength gains are optimized in the 4-6 rep range (Schoenfeld, 2010), while hypertrophy thrives in the 8-15 rep range with controlled tempo and time under tension (TUT). This routine utilizes high intensity techniques, shorter rest periods, and focuses upon form over weight.

Routine

Progression: Gradually add weight while maintaining deep, controlled reps.

Monday – Upper Body Power & Strength

Flat Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 3-5

Incline Dumbbell Press (Upper chest focus): 3 x 8-12

Shoulder Press or Lateral Raises: 3 x 6-8

Weighted Chin-ups: 3 x 3-5, 1 x AMRAP at Bodyweight

Barbell Row: 3-4 x 6-8

Barbell Shrugs: 3-4 x 6-8

Barbell Curls: 3 x 6-8

Overhead Triceps Extensions: 3 x 6-8

Face Pulls:  3 x 15-20 (Critical for shoulder health and posture)

Tuesday – Lower Body Power & Strength

Deadlift, or Low Bar Box or Bench Squat: 3 x 3-5 

Zercher Squats: 3 x 8-12

Good Mornings:  3 x 8-12

Leg Press or Hack Squat: 3×8-12  (Quad-focused volume work)

Lying or Seated Hamstring Curls: 4 x 12-15

Standing Calf Raise:  4 x 12-15

Hanging Leg Raises:  3 x 15-20 

Wednesday – Rest

Thursday – Chest & Back Hypertrophy

Incline Barbell Bench Press:  4×8-12

Flat Bench Dumbbell Press: 3×10-12

Cable Chest Flyes – 4×12-15

Pull-Ups (Weighted with a wide grip): 4×8-12

T-Bar Row: 3×10-12

Lat Pulldown (Wide or Close Grip): 4×12-15  (Back hypertrophy focus)

Seated Cable Rows: 3×12-15

Bent Over Lateral Raises: 3×15-20

Shorter rest periods (30-45s) for hypertrophy.

Friday – Shoulders & Arms Hypertrophy

Seated Barbell Shoulder Press: 4 x 8-12

Lateral Raises: 3 x 12-15

Reverse Cable Flyes: 3 x 12-15

Barbell Curl + Preacher Curl: 3 x 10-12

Skull Crushers or Overhead Tricep Extensions: 3 x 10-12

Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 3 x 12-15

Rope Triceps Pushdowns: 3 x 12-15

Reverse Cable Curls: 3 x 15-20

Dumbbell Shrugs: 4 x 8-12

Incorporate drop sets and supersets for additional volume.

Saturday – Leg Hypertrophy

Hack Squat or Zercher Squat: 4 x 8-12

Leg Press: 3 x 12-15

Seated or Lying Hamstring Curls: 3 x 12-15

Leg Extensions: 3 x 12-15

Standing Calf Raises: 4 x 12-15

Seated Calf Raises: 4 x 12-15

Hanging Leg Raises + Cable Crunches: 3 x 15-20

Sunday – Rest

Final Thoughts

This training program is built on scientific principles and classic bodybuilding wisdom. If you follow this plan with precision, strength and hypertrophy gains are inevitable.

Current Physique