Jeremy Ethier, a popular fitness YouTuber, recently embarked on an ambitious experiment to determine if it’s possible to lose stubborn belly fat three times faster and make months of progress in just one week. 

Over the next seven days, he followed an extreme diet plan designed to shred down for the summer. 

Here’s a detailed look at his journey, the challenges he faced, and the surprising results.

Why the Experiment?

Jeremy wanted to test the effectiveness of a highly restrictive diet in rapidly reducing belly fat. 

He aimed to see if such a plan could offer a quick solution for those looking to get leaner in a short amount of time.

Initial Measurements

To track his progress accurately, Jeremy went to the University of British Columbia for a Dexa scan, which revealed his body fat percentage at 15.6%. 

Additionally, he used an ultrasound to measure the thickness of his upper, middle, and lower belly fat. 

This data would be crucial in assessing the diet’s impact on his most stubborn fat areas.

Diet Details

Jeremy adopted the Protein-Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF), a diet focusing on high protein intake while severely restricting calories. 

He consumed just 1,200 calories per day, creating a daily deficit of 1,500 calories. His meal plan included:

Breakfast: Egg white omelet with celery.

Post-Workout: Protein shake.

Lunch: Two chicken breasts with light vegetables.

Dinner: More chicken and vegetables.

Dessert: Yet another chicken breast.

Alberto Nunes’ Advice

Jeremy consulted Alberto Nunes, a well-known figure in the natural bodybuilding community. 

Alberto emphasized the importance of consuming 1.5 to 1.75 grams of protein per pound of body weight to prevent muscle loss during such an extreme diet. 

For Jeremy, this meant eating at least 250 grams of protein daily within his limited calorie budget.

Workout Adjustments

To maintain his muscle mass, Jeremy adjusted his workout routine. 

Instead of his usual high-volume training, he reduced his weight training to just one hard set per exercise and avoided extensive cardio. 

Research suggests that maintaining muscle requires only about a third of the volume needed to build it, which guided his approach.

Initial Success

The first three days of the experiment went surprisingly well. Jeremy’s energy levels were high, and his strength remained solid. 

However, he experienced constant hunger and some unusual cravings, like drinking pickle juice to satisfy his body’s needs.

Struggles

By day four, the diet’s intensity began to take its toll. Jeremy felt physically and mentally exhausted, making even simple tasks challenging. 

Despite this, he persevered, relying on supplements like multivitamins, Omega-3s, and caffeine to fill nutritional gaps and maintain energy.

Final Measurements

After seven grueling days, Jeremy returned to the lab for his final measurements. His Dexa scan showed a reduction in body fat from 15.6% to 14.7%. 

The ultrasound revealed that his lower belly fat, the most stubborn area, had decreased significantly, with the fat thickness dropping by half a centimeter.

Personal Experience

Despite the impressive results, Jeremy concluded that such an extreme diet is not sustainable. The rapid fat loss came at the cost of severe exhaustion and mental fatigue. 

He acknowledged that while this approach can yield quick results, it is not a viable long-term solution and can lead to unhealthy eating habits and potential eating disorders.

Lessons Learned

Jeremy’s experiment highlighted the importance of patience and consistency in achieving sustainable fat loss. 

Quick fixes like extreme diets can offer temporary results but are not practical for maintaining long-term health and fitness.

Future Plans

Jeremy plans to continue his journey to lower body fat using a more balanced and sustainable approach. 

He intends to document and share his progress, providing insights and guidance for those looking to achieve similar goals.

Sustainable Fat Loss

For those seeking to lose belly fat and keep it off, Jeremy recommends adopting a healthy, maintainable diet. 

He offers personalized programs and meal plans to help individuals achieve their fitness goals without resorting to extreme measures.