Why You’re Not Fat - You’re Just Inflamed, Undermuscled, and Under-recovered
Let me say it plainly
Most of the men I work with aren’t actually fat.
They’re inflamed.
They’ve lost muscle.
And their bodies are so burned out from stress and poor recovery that they’re stuck in a loop of “clean eating” and cardio that never delivers.
Here’s what’s really going on behind that stubborn belly fat and what to do about it.
1. Inflammation makes you look softer than you are
That puffy look around your midsection? It’s not just fat.
It’s inflammation from poor sleep, elevated cortisol, alcohol, and inconsistent nutrition.
Chronic low-grade inflammation makes it harder to build muscle, easier to store fat, and harder to shift it.
→ Sleep like a professional, not a college kid
→ Cut back on alcohol and late-night snacking
→ Manage stress with structure, not chaos
2. You don’t have enough muscle to look “lean”
You think you need to “lose weight.”
What you actually need is to build muscle.
Muscle gives you shape. It gives you posture. It burns more calories at rest.
Without it, you could lose 20 pounds and still look soft.
→ Focus on getting strong, not just sweaty
→ Train 2-3 times a week with intent
→ Don’t just chase soreness - chase progression
3. Your body is constantly under-recovered
You’re doing too much. Or you’re doing the wrong things. Or both.
When your nervous system is fried, your hormones are tanked, and your sleep is crap…
You’re not going to get leaner.
You’re going to feel tired, hungry, unmotivated and worse, you’ll think it’s your fault.
→ Recovery is a strategy, not a reward
→ Walk more, push less
→ Prioritise deep sleep and protein daily
4. You’re relying on effort, not systems
You’re not lazy. You’re just working hard in the wrong direction.
Most guys I speak to are grinding but they’re grinding through workouts with no structure and eating well Monday through Thursday before blowing it all on the weekend.
→ Results come from systems, not just discipline
→ If you don’t have a clear plan, your willpower will eventually break
→ When you build your routine around metabolism, strength, and recovery… You win
Here’s the truth:
You’re not fat.
You’re not broken.
You’re not lazy.
You just need a smarter approach - one that supports your body instead of fighting against it.
This is what I do with my clients every day.
We don’t chase scale weight.
We build systems that drive fat loss without wrecking your life.
If you’re done spinning your wheels, maybe it’s time to stop trying harder and start doing it properly.
P.S. If you’re not already subscribed to my free newsletter, I share weekly tips to help you lose weight without giving up your favourite foods or doing endless cardio. You can subscribe here.
You can build a strong, lean, focused body at any age. But you need the right tools. If you want help building a strategy that works with your life, not against it, you can start by booking a free call here.
