One all too common question that I get is, "What's a good fat burner?" My answer? A solid training and nutrition plan, first and foremost.
But yes, certain supplements can certainly help with your fat loss efforts. Supplements can work through a number of mechanisms to help your body burn more fat. To really maximize their effectiveness you want to combine ingredients that enhance fat burning through different processes and therefore work synergistically in the body to really speed up fat loss.
Most people don't want to do the work of adding all the right ingredients at the right doses together themselves, and instead look to commercial fat-burner products. The problem with this method, is few if any fat burners on the market, provide the proper doses of the right ingredients.
In fact, 99% of the fat burners sold today use a proprietary blend so you can't even determine what the doses are—and you know my message about proprietary blends: It simply means that the company doesn't want you to know how little of each ingredient is in the product.
The last thing you want to do is base a fat burner on how it "feels". Supplement companies have done the same thing with fat burners that they have done with pre-workouts—they have taken out the real ingredients and just focused on adding more stimulants so you "feel" it.
Feeling it does not mean that it's enhancing fat burning—it just feels like it is. But since none of the important ingredients are in there at the right doses, it's not actually doing much but getting you high. That's why I created Shred JYM. It's the only non-proprietary, properly dosed fat burner on the market.
How is Shred JYM DIfferent from Other Fat Burners?
Many companies have made all kinds of money in the billion-dollar "fat loss" supplement category. Unfortunately, consumers have never been advised on what is actually in these products, or more importantly what DOSES are in them and what the product will actually do. That's because companies are not going to educate you as I have, because if they did their products would not live up to the science of what actually works.
Shred JYM is different. It's the formula that I've recommended for years—yet no one product existed on the market containing all of these ingredients. Below, I’ll explain what makes Shred JYM so different, and which ingredients are in Shred JYM to make it so effective.
References
Supporting Research
Diepvens, K., et al. Obesity and thermogenesis related to the consumption of caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin, and green tea. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 292(1):R77-85, 2007.
Ryan, E. D., et al. Acute effects of a thermogenic nutritional supplement on energy expenditure and cardiovascular function at rest, during low-intensity exercise, and recovery from exercise. J Strength Cond Res. 23(3):807-17, 2009.
Sale, C., et al. Metabolic and physiological effects of ingesting extracts of bitter orange, green tea and guarana at rest and during treadmill walking in overweight males. International Journal of Obesity 1:10, 2006.
Seifert, J. G., et al. Effect of acute administration of an herbal preparation on blood pressure and heart rate in humans. International Journal of Medical Sciences 8(3):192-197, 2011.
Zenk, J. L., et al. Effect of multi-ingredient weight-loss product on metabolic rate and body composition. Nutrition 21:179-185, 2005.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
This amino-acid-like molecule is a critical component of the complex transporting system that brings fat into the mitochondria where it is finally burned away for good. The mitochondria are essentially all cells' power plants where the majority of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is derived for energy. Once the fatty acids pass into the mitochondria, they can be oxidized ("burned") to generate ATP. Without adequate carnitine, most dietary fats cannot get into the mitochondria and be burned for fuel.
Several research studies support the notion that supplementing with carnitine enhances fat burning, not just during exercise, but also at rest. Its ability to increase the amount of fat burned at rest means that this supplement has solid potential to aid fat loss and prevent fat gain during bulking periods.
Provided at a dose of 1.5g, this form of carnitine is absorbed better by the body than regular L-carnitine. The acetyl group also allows it to be taken up by the brain, which can promote better brain function and mood, as well as enhance energy levels. This can be particularly important when dieting.
References
Supporting Research
Buzzigoli, G. and Ferrannini, E. Effects of acute hypercarnitinemia during increased fatty substrate oxidation in man. Metabolism 42(5):594-600, 1993.
Cavallini, G., et al. Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging. Urology. 2004 Apr;63(4):641-6.
Malaguarnera, M., et al. L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.
Muller, D. M., et al. Effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on in vivo long-chain fatty acid oxidation in healthy adults. Metabolism 51(11):1389-91, 2002.
Stephens, F. B., et al. New insights concerning the role of carnitine in the regulation of fuel metabolism in skeletal muscle. The Journal of Physiology 581: 431-444, 2007.
Wutzke, K. D. and Lorenz, H. The effect of l-carnitine on fat oxidation, protein turnover, and body composition in slightly overweight subjects. Metabolism. 2004 Aug;53(8):1002-6.
L-Tyrosine
Provided at a dose of 500mg, this amino acid has a proven track record for increasing alertness, mental focus, mood, and energy—especially when combined with caffeine, as in Shred JYM.
The main way that tyrosine accomplishes all this is due to the fact that it is used in the body to produce several important hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine and thyroid hormones.
Increased levels of these hormones and neurotransmitters ramps you up, making you more alert and focused. This is important when dieting, as lowering your calorie intake can decrease your energy levels, mood and mental sharpness.
Maintaining higher epinephrine, norepinephrine and thyroid hormones also aids fat loss.
It is also suggested that during times of stress, such as when dieting and training hard, the body's ability to produce its own tyrosine from the amino acid phenylalanine is compromised. Taking L-tyrosine before workouts ensures that your body has adequate levels to produce the hormones and neurotransmitters discussed above.
References
Green Tea Extract
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains compounds called catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main catechin responsible for the thermogenic effect of green tea. Its major thermogenic effect comes from the ability of EGCG to inhibit an enzyme that normally breaks down norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter involved in regulating metabolic rate and fat-burning. By inhibiting the enzyme, you maintain higher levels of norepinephrine, which encourages greater calorie and fat burn.
Green tea has also been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity, which allows for better control of blood sugar levels throughout the day. This can further aid fat loss and prevent fat gain when following a mass gain diet.
In addition to aiding fat loss, green tea has been shown to have a laundry list of benefits. These include health benefits—such as a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes—as well as performance benefits, which include enhanced muscle and joint recovery.
While drinking green tea has become more popular lately, supplementing with green tea extract is far more beneficial. Research confirms that the catechins in green tea, such as EGCG, are absorbed better in supplement form than in tea form.
In fact, if we were putting together a “Supplement Hall of Fame”, there would be a few ingredients that would have to be inducted right away. Just off the top of my head: Whey protein, caffeine, creatine—and one of my all-time favorites: Green tea extract.
In addition to the many health benefits green tea provides, as explained above, it may also enhance brain function and lessen cognitive decline as we age, and provide antibacterial and antiviral protection. Of course, what I like best about it remains its ability to aid in fat loss.
When it comes to fat-burning, the main way green-tea extract works is by increasing the body's metabolic rate so that you burn more calories at rest. As I explained, this property is mainly due to its main active polyphenol component EGCG.
But new research from Poland shows that green-tea extract has another trick up its sleeve to aid fat loss: Blocking carbohydrate uptake by the body.
Researchers from Poznan University fed subjects a starchy meal of cornflakes with low-fat milk—about 50 grams of carbs, 7 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, and 250 calories—along with green-tea extract—providing about 250mg of EGCG—or a placebo.
They reported in a 2015 issue of the journal Scientific Reports that when the subjects consumed green-tea extract with the corn flakes, they absorbed 30% less carbohydrates from the meal than when they had the same meal with a placebo.
This appears to be due to the ability of EGCG to inhibit the enzymes alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, which normally break down starch into smaller units that can be absorbed by the intestines. The starch that doesn't get broken down into smaller sugar units can't be absorbed by the body and literally gets flushed down the drain.
By limiting the amount of starch from a meal that gets broken down into smaller sugar units, you’re absorbing and utilizing about 30% less starch than you’re actually eating. This can help to lower your carb intake and your overall daily calorie intake, which can further help with fat loss—along with the boost in metabolic rate and other fat-burning mechanisms through which green tea works. All of this makes green-tea extract a true get-lean juggernaut.
To take advantage of all these benefits, shoot for about 200mg-250mg of EGCG from green-tea extract taken right before or with meals. You can easily do this by taking one dose of my fat-burning product Shred JYM—which provides 500mg of green tea extract containing 250mg of EGCG per dose—before meals.
References
Supporting Research
Ahmed, S-U., et al. Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) differentially inhibits interleukin-1 beta-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -13 in human chondrocytes. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2004 Feb;308(2):767-73.
Berube-Parent. S., et al. Effects of encapsulated green tea and Guarana extracts containing a mixture of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and caffeine on 24 h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in men. Br J Nutr 94: 432–436, 2005.
Borchardt, R. T. and Huber, J. A. Catechol Omethyltransferase. Structure-activity relationships for inhibition by flavonoids. J Med Chem 18: 120–122, 1975.
Chantre, P. and Lairon, D. Recent findings of green tea extract AR25 (Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity. Phytomedicine 9: 3–8, 2002.
Choo, J. J. Green tea reduces body fat accretion caused by high-fat diet in rats through beta-adrenoceptor activation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. J Nutr Biochem 14: 671–676, 2003.
Diepvens, K., et al. Effect of green tea on resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during weight loss in overweight females. Br J Nutr 94: 1026–1034, 2005.
Dulloo, A G., et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin-polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 70: 1040–1045, 1999.
Dulloo, A. G., et al. Green tea and thermogenesis: interactions between catechin-polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity. Int J Obes 24: 252–258, 2000.
Green, R. J., et al. Common tea formulations modulate in vitro digestive recovery of green tea catechins. Mol Nutr Food Res. 51(9):1152-62, 2007.
Harada, U., et al. Effects of the long-term ingestion of tea catechins on energy expenditure and dietary fat oxidation in healthy subjects. J Health Sci 51: 248 –252, 2005.
Hase, T., et al. Anti-obesity effects of tea catechins in humans. J Oleo Sci 50: 599–605, 2001.
Henning, S. M., et al. Bioavailability and antioxidant activity of tea flavanols after consumption of green tea, black tea, or a green tea extract supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 80(6):1558-64.
Hursel, R., et al. The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity 33, 956–961, 2009.
Kao, Y. H., et al. Modulation of endocrine systems and food intake by green tea epigallocatechin gallate. Endocrinology 141: 980 –987, 2000.
Lochocka, K. et al. Green tea extract decreases starch digestion and absorption from a test meal in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Sci. Rep 5:12015, 2015.
Maki, K. C., et al. Green tea catechin consumption enhances exercise-induced abdominal fat loss in overweight and obese adults. J Nutr. 2009 Feb;139(2):264-70.
Nagao, T., et al. Ingestion of a tea rich in catechins leads to a reduction in body fat and malondialdehyde-modified LDL in men. Am J Clin Nutr 81: 122–129, 2005.
Nagao, T., et al. Tea catechins suppress accumulation of body fat in humans. J Oleo Sci 50: 717–728, 2001.
Rasheed, Z., et al. Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits advanced glycation end product-induced expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-13 in human chondrocytes. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(3):R71.
Shimotoyodome, A., et al. Exercise and green tea extract stimulate fat oxidation and prevent obesity in mice. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 37(11):1884-92, 2005.
Shixian, Q., yet al. Green tea extract thermogenesis-induced weight loss by epigallocatechin gallate inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase. J Med Food. 2006 Winter;9(4):451-8.
Venables, M. C. Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 87(3):778-84, 2008.
Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine is recognized for its ability to enhance alertness and brain function. Caffeine is now credited with providing a multitude of health benefits, such as improved cognitive function, reduced risk of cognitive decline with aging, and reduced risk of diabetes—not to mention its numerous performance benefits.
When most people think of caffeine, however, they think of the “buzz” they get—its stimulant effect. Therefore, its role in fat loss is assumed to be due mainly to its ability to increase calorie burn.
While research confirms that caffeine does boost the number of calories burned, it also contributes to fat loss by helping to release more fat from the fat cells, and preventing fat storage in the fat cells.
Caffeine actually binds to receptors on your fat cells. Normally, adenosine binds to these receptors, and when it does it puts a halt on fat release from the adipocytes. With caffeine sitting on the receptors, adenosine can't attach—and fat release is maximized. This is particularly effective when taking caffeine before workouts, as several studies have confirmed. That’s why there’s 200mg of caffeine in every dose of Shred JYM.
References
Supporting Research
Acheson, K. J., et al. Caffeine and coffee: their influence on metabolic rate and substrate oxidation in normal weight and obese individuals. Am J Clin Nutr 33: 989–997, 1980.
Astrup, A. and Toubro, S. Thermogenic, metabolic, and cardiovascular responses to ephedrine and caffeine in man. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 17 Suppl 1: S41-S43, 1993.
Astrup, A., et al. Caffeine: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of its thermogenic, metabolic, and cardiovascular effects in healthy volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr 51: 759–767, 1990.
Beck, TW, Housh, TJ, Schmidt, R, et al. The acute effects of a caffeine-containing supplement on strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capabilities. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research , 2006, 20(3), 506–510.
Bracco, D., et al. Effects of caffeine on energy metabolism, heart rate, and methylxanthine metabolism in lean and obese women. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 269: E671–E678, 1995.
Costill, D. L., et al. Effects of caffeine ingestion on metabolism and exercise performance. Med Sci Sports 1978; 10: 155-158.
Del Coso J Caffeine-containing energy drink improves sprint performance during an international rugby sevens competition. Amino Acids. 2013 Jun;44(6):1511-9.
Del Coso, J., et al. Caffeine-containing energy drink improves physical performance of elite rugby players during a simulated match. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2013 Apr;38(4):368-74.
Donelly K., and McNaughton L. The effects of two levels of caffeine ingestion on excess postexercise oxygen consumption in untrained women. Eur J Appl Physiol 1992; 65: 459-463.
Dulloo, A. G., et al. Normal caffeine consumption: influence on thermogenesis and daily energy expenditure in lean and postobese human volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr 49: 44 –50, 1989.
Duncan, M. J. and Hankey, J. The effect of a caffeinated energy drink on various psychological measures during submaximal cycling. Physiol Behav. 2013 May 27;116-117:60-5.
Echeverri, D., et al. Caffeine's vascular mechanisms of action. International Journal of Vascular Medicine, 2010
Engels, H.J., et al. Influence of caffeine on metabolic and cardiovascular functions during sustained light intensity cycling and at rest. Int J Sport Nutr 9: 361–370, 1999.
Flinn, S., et al. Caffeine ingestion prior to incremental cycling to exhaustion in recreational cyclists. Int J Sports Med 1990; 11: 188-193.
Hogervorst E, et al. Caffeine improves physical and cognitive performance during exhaustive exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008 Oct;40(10):1841-51.
Hudson, GM, Green, M, Bishop, P, et al. Effects of caffeine and aspirin on resistance training performance, RPE and pain perception. Poster presented at ACSM Annual Meeting, May 30–June 2, New Orleans, LA.
Koot, P and Deurenberg, P. Comparison of changes in energy expenditure and body temperatures after caffeine consumption. Ann Nutr Metab 39: 135–142, 1995.
Motl RW, O'Connor PJ, Dishman RK. Effect of caffeine on perceptions of leg muscle pain during moderate intensity cycling exercise. J Pain. 2003 Aug;4(6):316-21.
Powers S. K., and Dodd, S. Caffeine and endurance performance. Sports Med 1985; 2: 165-174.
Spence, A., et al. A Comparison of Caffeine versus Pseudoephedrine on Cycling Time-Trial Performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. In press, 2013.
Umemura, T., et al. Effects of acute administration of caffeine on vascular function. Am J Cardiol. 2006 Dec 1;98(11):1538-41.
Yoshida, T., et al. Relationship between basal metabolic rate, thermogenic response to caffeine, and body weight loss following combined low calorie and exercise treatment in obese women. Int J Obes 18: 345–350, 1994.
Capsimax Cayenne Pepper Extract
Capsaicin is the natural plant chemical that gives spicy peppers—like chilies—their heat. It also increases the amount of calories your body burns, thanks to its ability to raise epinephrine levels. It also reduces hunger and food intake so that you consume fewer calories, yet burn more.
One study from Japanese researchers found that consuming capsaicin with a meal raised calorie expenditure by over 30%. A study from the University of Oklahoma found that subjects who took a supplement that contained both capsaicin and caffeine burned more calories during exercise and after.
One problem with consuming hot red pepper extract is that it is extremely spicy. Many people cannot tolerate the "heat" from hot peppers, which irritates the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Capsimax® uses technology to avoid the irritation, but deliver the benefits of capsaicin, which is why I include 50mg of Capsimax in each dose of Shred JYM.
Capsimax® is a patented form of pepper extract that delivers 300,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It uses the OmniBead, a patented beadlet technology that encapsulates the pepper extract. The coating is designed to withstand the highly acidic, low pH levels of the stomach then release the capsaicin in the higher pH environment of the intestines.
References
Supporting Research
Bloomer, R. J., et al. Effect of oral intake of capsaicinoid beadlets on catecholamine secretion and blood markers of lipolysis in healthy adults: a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, cross-over study. Lipids Health Dis. 15;9:72, 2010.
Henry, C. J. and Emery, B. Effect of spiced food on metabolic rate. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr 40: 165–168, 1986.
Kawada, T., et al. Effects of capsaicin on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high fat diet. J Nutr 116: 1272–1278, 1986.
Kawada, T., et al. Capsaicin-induced beta-adrenergic action on energy metabolism in rats: influence of capsaicin on oxygen consumption, the respiratory quotient, and substrate utilization. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 183: 250–256, 1986.
Kawada, T., et al. Some pungent principles of spices cause the adrenal medulla to secrete catecholamine in anesthetized rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 188: 229–233, 1988.
Lejeune, M. P. G. M., et al. Effect of capsaicin on substrate oxidation and weight maintenance after modest body-weight loss in human subjects. Br J Nutr 90: 1–10, 2003.
Lim, K., et al. Dietary red pepper ingestion increases carbohydrate oxidation at rest and during exercise in runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29: 355–361, 1997.
Ludy, M. J., et al. The effects of capsaicin and capsiate on energy balance: critical review and meta-analyses of studies in humans. Chem Senses. 2012 Feb;37(2):103-21.
Osaka, T., et al. Thermogenesis mediated by a capsaicin-sensitive area in the ventrolateral medulla. Neuroreport 11: 2425–2428, 2000.
Watanabe, T., et al. Adrenal sympathetic efferent nerve and catecholamine secretion excitation caused by capsaicin in rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 255: E23–E27, 1988.
Watanabe, T., et al. Capsaicin, a pungent principle of hot red pepper, evokes catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medulla of anesthetized rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 142: 259–264, 1987.
Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S., et al. Sensory and gastrointestinal satiety effects of capsaicin on food intake. Int J Obes 29: 682–688, 2005.
Yoshida T., et al. Effects of capsaicin and isothiocyanate on thermogenesis of interscapular brown adipose tissue in rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 34: 587–594, 1988.
Yoshioka, M., et al. Effects of red pepper added to high-fat and high-carbohydrate meals on energy metabolism and substrate utilization in Japanese women. Br J Nutr 80: 503–510, 1998.
Yoshioka, M., et al. Effects of red pepper on appetite and energy intake. Br J Nutr 82: 115–123, 1999.
Yoshioka, M., et al. Combined effects of red pepper and caffeine consumption on 24 h energy balance in subjects given free access to foods. Br J Nutr 85: 203–211, 2001.
Yoshioka, M., et al. Effects of red-pepper diet on the energy metabolism in men. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 41: 647–656, 1995.
Synephrine
This herb from the plant Citrus aurantium, also known as bitter orange, stimulates receptors that increase the release of fat from fat cells, much like yohimbine. Yet it also decreases appetite and raises metabolic rate to boot. Chemically, synephrine is similar in some respects to ephedrine, but not quite as strong at boosting metabolic rate. However, on the positive side, it does not raise heart rate and blood pressure as ephedrine does
Several studies confirm that synephrine is both effective for fat loss and is very safe, with no negative effects on blood pressure or blood chemistry
Advantra Z® is a patented form of Citrus aurantium extract that delivers a precise and potent dose of synephrine, which is what I’ve put into Shred JYM at 20mg per dose.
References
Supporting Research
Gougeon, R., et al. Increase in the thermic effect of food by adrenergic amines extracted from Citrus aurantium. Obesity Research 13(7):1187-94, 2005.
Kaats, G.R. et al. A 60 day double-blind, placebo controlled safety study involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract. Food and Chemical Toxicology 55:358-362, 2013.
Preuss, H. G., et al. Citrus aurantium as a thermogenic, weight reduction replacement for ephedra: An overview. Journal of Medicine 33:1-4, 2002.
Stohs, S. J. and Preuss, H. G. Stereochemical and physiological differences between naturally occurring p-synephrine and synthetic p-synephrine. Journal of Functional Foods 4:2-5, 2012.
Stohs, S. J., et al. A review of the human clinical studies involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and its primary protoalkaloid p-synephrine. Int J Med Sci. 9(7):527-38, 2012.
Stohs, S. J., et al. Effects of p-synephrine alone and in combination with selected bioflavonoids on resting metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and self-reported mood changes. Int J Med Sci. 8(4):295-301, 2011.
Stohs, S. J., et al. A review of the receptor-binding properties of p-synephrine as related to its pharmacological effects. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity , 2001.
Stohs, S. J., et al. The safety of Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) and its primary protoalkaloid p-synephrine. Phytotherapy Research, 2011
Stacking Shred JYM and Pre JYM
The number one question that I get in regards to Shred JYM is how to stack it with Pre JYM. The main concern here is that both contain caffeine. Pre JYM provides 300 mg of caffeine per dose and Shred JYM provides 200 mg per dose. Obviously, you do not want to take Shred JYM and Pre JYM at the same time. You certainly could if you are not overly sensitive to caffeine and want one helluva jolt.
Below you will find a sample daily diet that shows how to incorporate Shred JYM along with Pre JYM and Post JYM into your schedule based on when you train. I broke the examples down into four different training windows for 1) those who train first thing in the morning; 2) those who train at their lunch break; 3) those who train after work/school but before dinner; and 4) those who train later at night after dinner.
When you look at the sample schedules you will notice that I recommend taking Shred JYM several hours either before or after Pre JYM. This will concern many who believe that they need to take the fat-burning ingredients in Shred JYM before they work out to maximize fat burning. In fact, many have asked if they should replace Pre JYM with Shred JYM before they train. My answer is no! There is really no reason to take the ingredients in Shred JYM before you train. You are far better off, and will get far better fat loss benefits, from taking Pre JYM before you train than Shred JYM. Let me explain.
Yes, research does show that taking several of the ingredients in Shred JYM will maximize the number of calories and fat you burn during your workout. However, what we are now realizing through research done in the lab and the gym is that it actually does not matter how many calories and fat grams you burn during your workouts. The real fat-burning benefits from training come the rest of the day when the workout is over. That is, if you are training properly. This why I promote HIIT (high-intensity interval training) like Tabatas, cardioacceleration and Power HIIT over the slow steady-pace cardio that most people do on a treadmill, elliptical, stair-climber, or stationary bike. You typically burn fewer calories and fat during the workout when you do HIIT verus slow and steady cardio. Yet you burn more calories and fat the rest of the day after the HIIT is over versus after doing slow and steady cardio.
In fact one study compared four to six bouts of 30-second sprints done three times per week to 30-60 minutes of slow and steady jogging done three times per week. 30-60 minutes of jogging burns FAR more calories and fat than a total of 2-3 minutes of sprinting. Yet, the sprinting group lost twice as much body fat as the slow and steady group. Twice as much!!! How is that possible? Again it gets back to the fact that the high-intensity nature of the sprinting allowed the subjects to burn far more calories and fat when they were not exercising and just going about their day.
So your best bet to maximize fat loss is to increase your intensity in the gym versus trying to burn more calories and fat. Taking Pre JYM is the best way to maximize your intensity in the JYM. So always use Pre JYM before workouts.
As you will see in the sample schedules below, I recommend taking Shred JYM at times of day when you are not exercising. This allows the ingredients in Shred JYM to further boost the amount of calories and fat you are burning the rest of the day when it really adds up and can enhance fat loss.
Stomach Issues
Some people are quite sensitive to green tea. When taken on an empty stomach without food, this can cause them to experience nausea, stomach aches/cramps, and other stomach issues. The easy solution for this is to take it with a meal. If you find that you are sensitive to the green tea in Shred JYM when you take it between meals, simply switch to taking it with meals instead of between meals, as shown in the diet samples below. To do this, simply take it with the meal either before or after the dose of Shred JYM is listed in the examples below.
Caffeine Concerns
Are you worried about talking 300 mg of caffeine in Pre JYM and then 200 mg of caffeine from Shred JYM once or twice a day for a total of 500-700 mg of caffeine per day? Don't be! Unfortunately, caffeine has received a bad rap from misinformed "experts". When you actually look at the mountains of research done on caffeine, you discover that it not only provides a host of performance benefits, but it also provides a laundry list of health benefits. Research shows that those who consume higher intakes of caffeine, either from coffee or other sources, have a reduced risk of diabetes, cognitive decline with aging, depression, heart disease, stroke, liver and colorectal cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Worried about adrenal fatigue from too much caffeine? Adrenal fatigue is not even a real medical condition. Caffeine will not induce adrenal fatigue. Trust me, your adrenal glands will be completely fine. And that advice is coming from a scientist who actually studied adrenal function in the lab, not from some "expert" who googled "caffeine and adrenal function.
References
Supporting Research
Macpherson, R. E. K., et al. Run sprint interval training improves aerobic performance but not maximal cardiac output. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 43(1):115-122, 2011.
Bhupathiraju, S., et al. Changes in coffee intake and subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes: Three large cohorts of US men and women. Diabetologia In press, 2014.
Zhang, Y., et al. Coffee consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in men and women with normal glucose tolerance: The Strong Heart Study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 21(6):418-423, 2011.
van Dieren, S., et al. Coffee and tea consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 52(12):2561-2569, 2009.
Odegaard, A. O., et al. Coffee, tea, and incident type 2 diabetes: the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr 88(4):979-985, 2008.
van Dam, R. M;, et al. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. A systematic review. JAMA 294(1):97-104, 2005.
Van Dam, R. M. and Feskens, E, J, M. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Lancet 360(9344):1477-1478, 2002.
Lucas, M., et al. Coffee, caffeine, and risk of depression among women. JAMA Inernal Medicine 171(17):1571-1578, 2011.
Kawachi, I., et al. A prospective study of coffee drinking and suicide in women. JAMA Internal Medicine 156(5):521-525, 1996.
Wu, J., et al. Coffee consumption and risk of coronary heart diseases: A meta-analysis of 21 prospective cohort studies. International Journal of Cardiology 137(3):216-225, 2009.
Kokubo, Y., et al. The impact of green tea and coffee consumption on the reduced risk of stroke incidence in Japanese population. Stroke 44(5):1369-1374, 2013.
Larsson, S. C. and Orsini, N. Coffee consumption and risk of stroke: A dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. American Journal of Epidemiology. 174(9):993-1001, 2011.
Larsson, S. C. and Wolk, A. Coffee consumption and risk of liver cancer: A meta-analysis. Gastroenterology 132(5):1740-1745, 2007.
Shimazu, T., et al. Coffee consumption and the risk of primary liver cancer: Pooled analysis of two prospective studies in Japan. International Journal of Cancer 116(1):150-154, 2005.
Sinha, R., et al. Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and tea intakes and risk of colorectal cancer in a large prospective study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2012.
Eskelinen, M. H. and Kivipelto, M. Caffeine as a protective factor in dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 20(suppl. 1), 2010.
Maia, L. and De Mendonca, A. Does caffeine intake protect from Alzheimer's disease? European Journal of Neurology 9(4):377-382, 2002.
Prediger, R. D. S. Effects of caffeine in Parkinson's disease: From neuroprotection to the management of motor and non-motor symptoms. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 20(Suppl. 1), 2010.
Ascherio, A., et al. Coffee consumption, gender, and Parkinson's disease mortality in the cancer prevention study II cohort: The modifying effects of estrogen. Americna Journal of Epidemiology 160(10):977-984, 2004.
Hernan, M. A., et al. A meta-analysis of coffee drinking, cigarette smoking and the risk of Parkinson's disease. Annals of Neurology 52(3):276-284, 2002.
Ascherio, A., et al. Prospective study of caffeine consumption and risk of Parkinson's disease in men and women. Annals of Neurology 50(1):56-63, 2001.
Sample Schedule For Taking Shred JYM
The sample meal plans below are for a 200-pound athlete who is consuming about 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight (300 grams of protein total); 1 gram of carbs per pound of body weight (200 grams of carbs total); 0.5 grams of fat per pound of body weight (100 grams of fat total); and 14 calories per pound of body weight (2800 kcal per day total).
For Those Who Train in the Morning:
Preworkout (As soon as you wake/15-45 minutes before workout)
- 1 scoop Pre JYM preworkout
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Pre JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
- 1 medium-large apple
Postworkout (within 30 minutes after workout)
- 1 scoop Post JYM active matrix
- 1 scoop Post JYM fast carbs
- 1-2 scoops Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Post JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
Breakfast
- 3 whole eggs
- 3 egg whites
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- (scramble eggs cook in olive oil or even butter)
- 2 cups cooked oatmeal (1 cup dry oats before cooking)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- (mix honey in oatmeal)
Fat burner supplements (take between breakfast and late-morning snack)
Late morning snack
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup sliced pineapple
- (mix pineapple in cottage cheese)
Lunch
- 1 can albacore tuna
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- 1 Tbsp light mayonnaise
- (make tuna sandwich)
- 1 large piece of fruit (apple, orange, banana, etc.)
Fat burner supplements (take between lunch and afternoon snack)
Afternoon Snack
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 1 Tbsp Peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp Jam
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- (make PB sandwich to eat with shake)
Dinner
- 8 oz. New York Strip Steak (or salmon or other fish, or chicken or other poultry, or pork)
- 1 medium sweet potato (or cup of brown rice or cup of beans)
- 2 cups mixed green Salad
- 2 Tbsp salad dressing (olive oil and vinegar)
Nighttime Supplements (1 hour before bed)
Before Bed Snack (immediately before bed)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- or 1 cup Greek yogurt (with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 Tbsp peanut butter)
- or 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
For Those Who Train at Lunch:
Fat burner supplements (take as soon as you wake up)
Breakfast
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 3 whole eggs
- 3 egg whites
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 slice low-fat/reduced fat cheese
- (scramble eggs cook in olive oil or even butter and add cheese to melt)
- 2 cups cooked oatmeal (1 cup dry oats before cooking)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- (mix honey in oatmeal)
Late morning snack
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup sliced pineapple
- (mix pineapple in cottage cheese)
Preworkout (15-45 minutes before workout)
- 1 scoop Pre JYM preworkout
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Pre JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
- 1 medium-large apple
Postworkout (within 30 minutes after workout)
- 1 scoop Post JYM active matrix
- 1 1 scoop Post JYM fast carbs
- 1-2 scoops Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Post JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
Lunch
- 1 can albacore tuna
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- 1 Tbsp light mayonnaise
- (make tuna sandwich)
- 1 large piece of fruit (apple, orange, banana, etc.)
Fat burner supplements (take between lunch and afternoon snack)
Afternoon Snack
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 1 Tbsp Peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp Jam
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- (make PB sandwich to eat with shake)
Dinner
- 8 oz. New York Strip Steak (or salmon or other fish, or chicken or other poultry, or pork)
- 1 medium sweet potato (or cup of brown rice or cup of beans)
- 2 cups mixed green Salad
- 2 Tbsp salad dressing (olive oil and vinegar)
Nighttime Supplements (1 hour before bed)
Before Bed Snack (immediately before bed)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- or 1 cup Greek yogurt (with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 Tbsp peanut butter)
- or 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
For Those Who Train in the Evening After Work or School:
Fat burner supplements (take as soon as you wake up)
Breakfast
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 3 whole eggs
- 3 egg whites
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 slice low-fat/reduced fat cheese
- (scramble eggs cook in olive oil or even butter and add cheese to melt)
- 2 cups cooked oatmeal (1 cup dry oats before cooking)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- (mix honey in oatmeal)
Late morning snack
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup sliced pineapple
- (mix pineapple in cottage cheese)
Lunch
- 1 can albacore tuna
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- 1 Tbsp light mayonnaise
- (make tuna sandwich)
- 1 large piece of fruit (apple, orange, banana, etc.)
Fat burner supplements (take between lunch and afternoon snack)
Afternoon Snack
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 1 Tbsp Peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp Jam
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- (make PB sandwich to eat with shake)
Preworkout (15-45 minutes before workout)
- 1 scoop Pre JYM preworkout
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Pre JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
- 1 medium-large apple
Postworkout (within 30 minutes after workout)
- 1 scoop Post JYM active matrix
- 1 scoop Post JYM fast carbs
- 1-2 scoops Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Post JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
Dinner
- 8 oz. New York Strip Steak (or salmon or other fish, or chicken or other poultry, or pork)
- 1 medium sweet potato (or cup of brown rice or cup of beans)
- 2 cups mixed green Salad
- 2 Tbsp salad dressing (olive oil and vinegar)
Nighttime Supplements (1 hour before bed)
Before Bed Snack (immediately before bed)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- or 1 cup Greek yogurt (with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 Tbsp peanut butter)
- or 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
For Those Who Train at Night After Dinner:
Fat burner supplements (take as soon as you wake up)
Breakfast
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 3 whole eggs
- 3 egg whites
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 slice low-fat/reduced fat cheese
- (scramble eggs cook in olive oil or even butter and add cheese to melt)
- 2 cups cooked oatmeal (1 cup dry oats before cooking)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- (mix honey in oatmeal)
Late morning snack
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup sliced pineapple
- (mix pineapple in cottage cheese)
Lunch
- 1 can albacore tuna
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- 1 Tbsp light mayonnaise
- (make tuna sandwich)
- 1 large piece of fruit (apple, orange, banana, etc.)
Fat burner supplements (take between lunch and afternoon snack)
Afternoon Snack
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- 1 Tbsp Peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp Jam
- 2 slices whole-wheat (or Ezekiel) bread
- (make PB sandwich to eat with shake)
Dinner
- 8 oz. New York Strip Steak (or salmon or other fish, or chicken or other poultry, or pork)
- 1 medium sweet potato (or cup of brown rice or cup of beans)
- 2 cups mixed green Salad
- 2 Tbsp salad dressing (olive oil and vinegar)
Preworkout (15-45 minutes before workout)
- 1 scoop Pre JYM preworkout
- 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Pre JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
- 1 medium-large apple
Postworkout (within 30 minutes after workout)
- 1 scoop Post JYM active matrix
- 1 scoop Post JYM fast carbs
- 1-2 scoops Pro JYM protein powder
- (you can have Post JYM and Pro JYM in any order or drink together)
Nighttime Supplements (1 hour before bed)
Before Bed Snack (immediately before bed)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- or 1 cup Greek yogurt (with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 Tbsp peanut butter)
- or 1 scoop Pro JYM protein powder
Promote Better Fat Loss with Shred JYM
Now you know not only which ingredients I’ve included in my fat-burner, Shred JYM, but why they’re there—as well as how they work. And they do work—as the research on each ingredient has shown.
As a consumer, you must find out what others do to trick you into thinking a product does what they claim it does. I know, this is the science jargon that bores many people, but if you're truly serious about burning fat and building muscle, then this is the information that matters.
Becoming educated empowers you as a consumer, and enables you to make educated decisions, rather than trusting what the marketers says about fat loss. Trust science, not advertisements—and for promoting better fat loss? Trust Shred JYM.
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