Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle by Tom Venuto

My Rating of “Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle” by Tom Venuto: 7 / 10

One of my favourite discoveries this year is the ability to share audio to multiple sets headphones (e.g. headphones). This meant that my wife and I can listen to the same audiobook at the same time. We are both passionate when it comes to health. She suggested listening to this book (it was the second time for her) given she learned so much from it the first time.

The clue is in the title. Tom Venuto provides an A-Z on all things related to losing fat and putting on muscle. It is a very long book and he provides multiple strategies on establishing the right routines, habits and systems in order to get to your goals. Venuto’s knowledge, experience and credibility is based on his success as a competition body builder.

It was an interesting book to read. My criticisms though is how many point plans and bullets he outlined throughout each chapter of the book. As a reader (in this case listener) there was just too many things to remember. Fortunately as a well read health reader I could keep up. Yet, for a beginner this could present some challengers. In my opinion it is way too long and detailed for most.

One could see this book as an encyclopaedic approach to body transformation. Whilst this is true I still believe it’s focus is on short-term body transformation versus long-term wellness. Furthermore given the age of the book keep in mind there are many updates, studies and guides on better eating, health and wellness.

Three key takeaways from the book:

1. Carb-cycling and re-feeding days is important ways of resetting your metabolism and pushing through the plateau.
2. Venuto’s terrific 12 foods / 6 food groups. You can look them up! 😉
3. When brainstorming and planning meals first identify the protein (e.g. chicken, beef). Second, a starchy carb such as rice, potato, sweet potato). Third, the fibrous carb (e.g. broccoli / salad).