July 27, 2020

Zone 2 Training

Lose weight without vigorous exercise

 

Sounds too good to be true. But there is a way and it’s not by vigorous exercise. In fact, quite the opposite.  It’s by reprogramming your mitochondria to utilise fat for energy. To achieve this we need to adopt zone 2 training 3 times per week.

Zone 2 training is exercise at an intensity that utilises the highest amount of fat oxidisation for energy (aerobic metabolism). It does this by stimulating all the slow-twitch muscle fibres to their fullest. If the exercise increases in intensity the body will start using fast-twitch muscle fibres and switch to glucose for fuel (Anaerobic metabolism). We want to stick to the fat-burning aerobic metabolism.

Zone 2 training is at a low intensity.

This low intensity will vary from person to person, athlete to athlete. But a good guide would be an intensity where one could carry on a conversation whilst exercise. Not getting out of breath.

This low-intensity workout increases our mitochondria and makes them more efficient in utilising fat for energy.

A well-trained athlete typically has 3-4 times the size and amount of mitochondria in the muscle compared to a normal person.

Zone 2 training is not training for fitness or muscle growth, though these are a by product. The primary goal is to re-programme the mitochondria to be more efficient in fat oxidisation for energy rather than switching to glucose.

People with type 2 diabetes have a poor ability to oxidise fuels. They use more glucose than fat at low intensity or even resting. These points to mitochondria dysfunction. In these cases, the mitochondria is just not efficient in using fat for fuel but instead opting for glucose. This is why many people struggle to lose weight no matter how hard they train. Hard training increases blood sugar levels but doesn’t burn fat.

The best treatment for Mitochondria functionality is zone 2 training. It has the biggest improvement in fat burning and lactose clearing capacity.

Exercise alone can work without diet in losing weight if you train the mitochondria to be more efficient.

Zone 2 training protocol

 

3 times 60-90 minutes per week at low intensity (being able to converse)

Or

40 mins cool down after the intense workout.

TRAINING ZONES 

 

ZONE 1 TRAINING

  • Minimum stimulation of muscle using fat for energy.
  • walking upstairs
  • Jog for fitter person
  • 7 minute mile for an athlete

ZONE 2 TRAINING

  • Exercise intensity that uses the highest amount of fat before utilising glucose.
  • Slow twitch muscle fibres only

ZONE 3 TRAINING

  • Transition zone
  • Fast twitch muscle fibres convert fuel into lactate for the slow twitch to use

ZONE 4 TRAINING 

  • Zero fat oxidation for energy
  • Lactate threshold before burning out
  • Max power for 60 mins

ZONE 5 TRAINING

  • Utilising lactate only as fuel
  • Zero oxygen muscle uptake
  • Short bursts of max heart rates

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon & Potatoes

June 12, 2025
Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon & Potatoes 2 servings | 35 minutes  INGREDIENTS 5 oz Potatoes (wedges) 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste) 2 tbsps Cream Cheese, Regular 2 tbsps Frozen Spinach (thawed, drained) 2 Garlic (clove, minced) 1/2 Lemon (juiced, zested) 12 ozs Salmon Fillet  METHOD Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet and toss with oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Using a sharp knife, slice down the middle of each piece of salmon, lengthwise. Make sure that your knife doesn't go all the way through. Stuff each fillet with the spinach mixture and season the fillets with salt and pepper. Place the salmon onto the same baking sheet as the potatoes. Place back in the oven and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through. Divide the salmon and potatoes between serving plates and enjoy!  NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is equal to one stuffed salmon and one cup potatoes. More Flavor: Add parsley to the spinach mixture. Dairy-Free: Use cashew cream cheese instead.  Nutrition Facts ​  ​ Amount per serving ​  563 calories  40gs protein  43gs carb  26gs fat

Chicken Chowder

June 4, 2025
Chicken Chowder 3 servings | 35 minutes  INGREDIENTS 2 slices Bacon (sliced) 2 Yellow Potato (medium, chopped) 1 Leek (large, sliced) 1 Carrot (medium, diced) 2 stalks Celery (sliced) 2 Garlic (clove, chopped) 1 tbsp Thyme (fresh) 4 cups Chicken Broth, Low Sodium 12 ozs Chicken Breast, Cooked (shredded) 1/2 cup Whipping Cream (at room temperature)  METHOD Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook for three to five minutes or until crisp. Set aside on paper towels, leaving the fat in the pot. Add the potatoes, leek, carrot, and the celery to the pan. Sauté over medium heat for five minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and add the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, half-covered, for 15 minutes. Add the chicken and cook for three more minutes. Stir in the cream and allow it to heat through. Serve topped with bacon. Enjoy!  NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is equal to approximately two cups. More Flavor: Add salt and pepper to taste. Use turkey breast instead of chicken. Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream instead of whipping cream.   Nutrition Facts ​  ​ Amount per serving ​  342 calories  11g fat  26g carbs  33g protein

Turkish Eggs

May 29, 2025
TURKISH EGGS 2 Servings | 10 minutes INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt 2 cloves garlic minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons vinegar 4 large eggs room temperature 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon sweet paprika METHOD Combine the yogurt, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix until combined. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and add the vinegar. Using a metallic spoon, give the water a stir in the center and, one at a time, break the eggs into them. Cook the eggs for 2-3 minutes, or until the whites are set. Using a large metal spoon, remove the eggs from the boiling water. In a small saucepan, add the butter and once melted, add the sweet paprika and whisk until combined. Divide the yogurt into two bowls, top with two eggs each, and drizzle the sweet paprika butter sauce over the top. NOTES TO STORE: I don’t recommend storing poached eggs as they’ll lose their runny yolks. Everything else can be stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to one week. TO REHEAT: The butter can be warmed on the stovetop or in the microwave. Eggs should be poached freshly to order. Nutrition (Per Serving) Calories: 347kcal Carbohydrates: 8g Protein: 29g Fat: 22g Sodium: 578mg Potassium: 392mg Fiber: 0.5g Vitamin A: 1390IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 236mg Iron: 2mg
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