Hey, great to have you here!
First of all, thanks for checking whether your question has already been answered. That saves both of us a bit of time.
Over the years, I've received plenty of questions through my website, at the gym and from people I know. And since the same ones keep popping up, I figured it was about time to collect them all in one place.
So here we are! I've put together the most frequently asked questions about nutrition, training, supplements, health and a few things about myself and this website.
Still can't find your answer? Feel free to contact me. Or give ManuBot, my virtual assistant, a try at the bottom of this page.
Nutrition & Body:
Question: Can I eat fewer calories than my basal metabolic rate while dieting?
Answer: Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy your body uses at rest to keep you alive. It isn't a magical calorie limit you must never cross. Your actual daily energy expenditure also includes movement, exercise and digestion. Eating below your estimated BMR doesn't damage your metabolism, but a very aggressive calorie deficit can make it harder to get enough nutrients, maintain muscle and feel good. I'd rather aim for a manageable deficit than turn every diet into a survival challenge.
Question: How large should my calorie deficit be?
Answer: For most people, starting with roughly 500 to 800 kcal below their estimated daily expenditure is a practical approach. Then watch your average weight over a few weeks and adjust if necessary. The right deficit depends on your body size, activity level and how lean you already are. Losing weight a little more slowly is perfectly fine if it makes the diet easier to maintain.
Question: Do I have to count calories to lose weight?
Answer: No. You need a calorie deficit, not necessarily a tracking app. Counting calories can teach you a lot about portion sizes and food choices, though, which is why I recommend trying it for a while. If you're not interested in tracking every meal, my free Easy Eating Guide offers a simpler alternative.
Question: Are there foods that burn more calories during digestion than they provide?
Answer: No, the famous "negative-calorie foods" are a myth. Your body does use energy to digest food, and protein has a relatively high thermic effect. But eating celery or cucumber won't somehow make calories disappear. They're simply low-calorie foods, which is already useful enough.
Question: Do carbs after 6 p.m. make you fat?
Answer: Nope. Your body doesn't suddenly start storing every carbohydrate as fat when the clock strikes six. What matters most for weight management is your overall calorie intake over time. If you enjoy rice, pasta or bread in the evening, go ahead. The same goes for eating shortly before bed, although a huge meal might not be great for your sleep or digestion.
Question: Does intermittent fasting automatically lead to weight loss?
Answer: No. Intermittent fasting can help you eat fewer calories by limiting your eating window, but you can still overeat during that window. If fasting fits your routine, great. If it just makes you ravenous in the evening, there's no reason to force it.
Question: Can my metabolism shut down or become damaged during a diet?
Answer: No, your metabolism doesn't simply switch off. As you lose weight, your body usually burns fewer calories because there's less of you to move around. You may also move less without noticing, and your energy expenditure can adapt somewhat beyond what the weight change alone would predict. These changes can slow progress, but they don't make fat loss physically impossible.
Question: Why has my weight stopped dropping even though I'm dieting?
Answer: First, make sure it's actually a plateau. Water retention, digestion and normal daily fluctuations can hide fat loss for a while. Compare average weights over several weeks rather than individual days. If your average weight and waist measurements aren't changing over a longer period, review your portions and activity level before making a small adjustment.
Question: How often should I weigh myself?
Answer: Weighing yourself in the morning under similar conditions makes comparisons easier. Daily weigh-ins can be useful if you look at the weekly average instead of panicking over every change. If daily weighing stresses you out, a few times per week is fine too. What matters is the trend, not what the scale says after last night's pizza.
Question: Why did I gain weight overnight even though I was in a calorie deficit?
Answer: Most likely water, food sitting in your digestive system or a change in glycogen stores. Salty meals, more carbohydrates, hard training and hormonal fluctuations can all affect scale weight. Gaining a kilogram overnight doesn't mean you've suddenly gained a kilogram of body fat. Give the scale a few days before drawing conclusions.
Question: Will I immediately regain everything after finishing my diet?
Answer: Not automatically. Some initial weight gain is normal when you eat more, because glycogen, water and food volume increase. Actual fat regain happens when your calorie intake consistently exceeds your expenditure. The trick is to adjust your portions to your new maintenance needs instead of immediately returning to the habits that caused the original weight gain.
Question: Will I regain weight faster if I lose it quickly?
Answer: No. Whether you lose weight quickly or slowly doesn't determine how fast you'll regain it. What matters most is how you eat after your diet.
Remember, a lighter body generally burns fewer calories. So if you simply return to your old eating habits and consistently consume more calories than your body needs, you'll gain weight again. Adjust your calorie intake to your new maintenance needs, and you can maintain your weight regardless of how quickly you lost it.
Question: Are cheat days useful?
Answer: They can be fun, but an all-out cheat day can wipe out several days of calorie deficit. I'd rather make room for foods I enjoy throughout the week. A burger, pizza or dessert doesn't need to become some dramatic reward for surviving six days of chicken and broccoli.
Question: Can I eat fast food and sweets while losing weight?
Answer: Absolutely. A calorie deficit still works when pizza or chocolate is involved. Just remember that nutritious foods, sufficient protein and fiber make it easier to stay full and meet your nutritional needs. Enjoy the foods you like, but don't build your entire diet around them.
Question: Can I lose fat and build muscle at the same time?
Answer: Yes, especially if you're new to strength training, returning after a break or carrying more body fat. Consistent resistance training and enough protein are important. It gets harder once you're well trained and already relatively lean, but body recomposition isn't some impossible fitness myth.
Question: At what body fat percentage should I start cutting or bulking?
Answer: As a rough guideline, men can consider starting a diet at around 20% body fat and women at around 25-30%. If you want to switch back to bulking, around 10-15% for men and 18-23% for women are reasonable starting points.
Question: I'm "skinny fat". Should I diet or build muscle?
Answer: "Skinny fat" usually means having relatively little muscle despite not weighing very much. The first thing I'd recommend is starting a proper strength training routine. If you're fairly slim, eating around maintenance while building muscle can work well. If you also carry quite a lot of abdominal fat, a small calorie deficit may make more sense. And remember, poor posture can also change how your stomach looks. That doesn't necessarily mean you have too much body fat.
Question: Can I choose where my body loses fat first?
Answer: Unfortunately not. Doing hundreds of crunches won't specifically burn belly fat, and endless thigh exercises won't selectively remove thigh fat. Where fat comes off first depends heavily on genetics and your individual fat distribution.
Question: What's the best way to maintain my weight once I'm happy with it?
Answer: Keep the habits that got you there, just adjust portions until your weight is reasonably stable. You don't need to hit exactly the same number on the scale every morning. Think of maintenance as a range rather than a single perfect weight.
Question: How many extra calories should I eat when bulking?
Answer: I'd start with a small surplus, perhaps around 150 to 300 kcal per day, and watch how your average weight develops. The goal is to support muscle growth without gaining unnecessary fat. Bigger surpluses don't make your muscles grow infinitely faster. Adjust your intake based on training progress and the rate of weight gain. I think this is a good bulking strategy.
Question: Is a low-carb diet better than a low-fat diet for losing weight?
Answer: Neither is automatically superior. Both work if you maintain a calorie deficit and get enough protein and essential nutrients. Some people prefer eating more carbs, others enjoy a higher-fat diet. Pick the approach you can actually stick to instead of declaring war on an entire macronutrient.
Question: How much protein do I need for muscle building?
Answer: A useful general range for strength training is around 1.6 to 2.2 g per kilogram of body weight per day. In my own nutrition guidelines, I aim a little higher depending on the goal: Roughly 1.8 to 2.3 g/kg during bulking, 2.3 to 2.6 g/kg for maintenance and 2.3 to 2.8 g/kg during cutting. Those are practical targets, not strict minimums everyone must reach. My Nutrition Basics article explains the approach in more detail.
Question: Can my body absorb more than 30 g of protein in one meal?
Answer: Yes. Your digestive system doesn't throw everything above 30 g into the trash. A larger protein serving may not stimulate muscle protein synthesis proportionally more at that exact moment, but the protein can still be digested and used by your body. Spreading protein across several meals is practical, not a strict biological requirement.
Question: Do I need to spread my protein intake evenly throughout the day?
Answer: It's a good idea, especially if you're trying to build or maintain muscle. Three or four protein-rich meals are a practical setup, but you don't need to schedule your life around a protein alarm every three hours. Hitting your daily target consistently matters most.
Question: Do I need a protein shake immediately after training?
Answer: No, but consuming protein after training certainly makes sense. Muscle protein synthesis is elevated after exercise, and providing your body with protein helps support muscle growth and recovery. However, you don't need to rush to your shaker immediately after your last set. Having a protein-rich meal or shake within the next few hours is perfectly fine. What matters most is getting enough protein throughout the day.
Question: Can too much protein damage my kidneys?
Answer: Higher protein intakes within commonly used sports-nutrition ranges haven't been shown to damage healthy kidneys. That's different if you already have kidney disease or another medical reason to restrict protein. More isn't automatically better, so there's no need to force down ridiculous amounts once your needs are covered.
Question: Should I calculate my protein needs using body weight or lean body mass?
Answer: Using total body weight is convenient for people with a moderate body fat percentage. If you carry a lot of extra body fat, using your estimated lean mass.
Question: Are carbohydrates necessary for building muscle?
Answer: They're not what directly builds muscle, but they can make hard training easier by helping replenish muscle glycogen. Protein and sufficient total calories are the main nutritional priorities. Still, there's no need to be scared of rice, pasta, potatoes or bread.
Question: Is dietary fat bad for fat loss?
Answer: No. Fat is essential for normal body functions and helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins. It just contains more than twice as many calories per gram as protein or carbohydrate, so portions matter. Cutting out fats completely would be a pretty terrible dieting strategy.
Question: Does eating fat automatically make me gain body fat?
Answer: No. Gaining body fat depends mainly on sustained excess energy intake, not on a single macronutrient. You can gain weight on a low-fat diet and lose weight on a higher-fat diet. The overall calorie balance is what matters.
Question: Is sugar really as bad as everyone says?
Answer: Sugar isn't poison, and the sugar in a banana isn't something to panic about. Large amounts of added sugar can make it easier to overconsume calories and crowd out more nutritious foods, though. I'd pay attention to your overall diet instead of treating a few grams of sugar like a personal failure. You can find more on this in my article about Sugar Facts.
Question: Are artificial sweeteners worse than sugar?
Answer: Worse? I'd say they're one of the best inventions for anyone trying to manage their calorie intake! You get the sweet taste with practically no calories. Used wisely, sugar-free alternatives can easily save you several hundred calories a day, especially when replacing sugary drinks. And there's no reason to be afraid of approved sweeteners either. They're well studied and considered safe in normal amounts. If you want to learn more, check out my Sweeteners Facts article.
Question: Do I need to track vegetables, cooking oil and sauces when counting calories?
Answer: If you want to track your calories accurately, yes, they all count. Nobody needs to worry much about a few cucumber slices, but cooking oil, dressings, sauces and little snacks can add up quickly.
Question: Does eating "clean" guarantee that I'll lose weight?
Answer: No. You can easily overeat on nuts, avocado, olive oil, oatmeal and other nutritious foods. Food quality matters for health, but calorie balance still matters for weight management. You want both, not one at the expense of the other.
Question: Does alcohol affect muscle growth and recovery?
Answer: Yes, especially in larger amounts. Alcohol can interfere with sleep, recovery, muscle protein synthesis and training performance. An occasional drink won't magically destroy your gains, but getting drunk regularly certainly won't help.
Question: Is it okay to eat the same meals every day?
Answer: Of course! Having a few regular meals makes shopping, cooking and calorie tracking much easier. Just make sure your diet doesn't become too repetitive. You could keep your breakfast and a few other meals relatively consistent while switching things up for lunch or dinner. That way, you get the convenience of a routine without missing out on variety.
Question: Do I really need supplements to make progress?
Answer: No. Training, nutrition and recovery do most of the heavy lifting. Supplements can be convenient or useful for specific needs, such as protein powder when you're short on protein, creatine for strength performance or vitamin B12 if you're vegan. The trick is knowing what you're taking and why, not collecting colorful tubs of powder.
Question: Do fat burners like L-carnitine actually work?
Answer: L-carnitine helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria, but taking extra doesn't mean your body suddenly burns unlimited fat. Some studies have found small weight-loss effects in certain groups, but nothing remotely comparable to what fat-burner advertisements promise. Think of it like sending more buses to a construction site: If the workers and the site are already at capacity, more buses won't magically finish the building faster. Most miracle fat burners mainly make one thing slimmer: Your wallet.
Question: Am I still natural if I take creatine?
Answer: Of course. Creatine is a substance your body already produces, and you also get some from foods such as meat and fish. Taking creatine monohydrate isn't the same thing as using anabolic steroids. This really shouldn't be controversial.
Question: Can creatine damage my kidneys?
Answer: Research generally finds no kidney damage from recommended creatine doses in healthy adults. Creatine can raise blood creatinine levels without necessarily indicating kidney damage, which is worth mentioning if you have blood tests. If you already have kidney disease, discuss supplementation with your doctor rather than assuming the same advice applies to you.
Question: Can I take creatine all year round?
Answer: Yes. For most healthy adults, 3 to 5 g of creatine monohydrate per day is a practical long-term approach. You don't need to cycle it on and off.
Question: When is the best time to take creatine?
Answer: Whenever you'll remember to take it. Daily consistency matters much more than whether you take it before or after training. Even on rest days, your muscles don't suddenly stop being interested in creatine.
Question: Do I need BCAAs if I already eat enough protein?
Answer: Usually not. If you get enough high-quality protein throughout the day, you're already consuming the essential amino acids your muscles need. BCAA products aren't a substitute for a proper protein intake, no matter how impressive the packaging looks.
Question: Should everyone take vitamin D3?
Answer: Not automatically. Vitamin D is important for bone health, normal muscle function and immune regulation, but the need for supplements depends on factors such as sun exposure, diet and personal circumstances. If you suspect low vitamin D levels, a suitable assessment can help. Taking massive doses "just in case" isn't a clever shortcut.
Question: Can legal testosterone boosters noticeably increase my testosterone?
Answer: For healthy men with normal hormone levels, most products sold as testosterone boosters don't deliver the dramatic results their labels promise. Correcting a genuine nutrient deficiency can help restore normal function, but that isn't the same as pushing testosterone above your natural range. Sleep, training, body composition and overall health deserve more attention than some exotic herb with a muscular guy on the bottle.
Training & Exercise:
Question: How often should I lift weights?
Answer: I'd recommend training each muscle group around two to three times per week. For beginners, two to three full-body workouts per week are usually a great starting point. More experienced trainees can spread their training across additional days using different workout splits. What matters most is getting enough training volume, making consistent progress and allowing your muscles sufficient time to recover.
Question: Is a full-body workout or a split routine better?
Answer: Both can work. A full-body routine is often convenient when you train two or three times a week. A split can make it easier to organize more training volume across additional sessions.
Question: Do I need to train to failure on every set?
Answer: No. Training close to failure is useful for muscle growth, but reaching absolute failure on every single set can create unnecessary fatigue. Leaving roughly one to three good reps in reserve often works very well, particularly on demanding compound exercises. You can push some smaller isolation exercises harder if it suits you.
Question: Are machines or free weights better for building muscle?
Answer: Both work. Free weights can be great for developing coordination and strength in certain movements, while machines make it easier to focus on particular muscles and keep the exercise stable.
Question: How long should I rest between sets?
Answer: For demanding compound exercises, two to three minutes or longer can be useful when you want to maintain performance. Smaller isolation exercises often need less rest.
Question: Do I need to change my workout plan regularly?
Answer: Not just for the sake of change. Constantly switching exercises makes it harder to track progress. Keep a solid routine long enough to improve your technique, reps and weights. If you enjoy some variety, I'd recommend occasionally switching isolation exercises rather than constantly changing your main lifts. For example, you could replace EZ-bar curls with hammer curls for a while. That way, you get some variety without unnecessarily changing your entire workout plan.
Question: Are squats, deadlifts, and bench presses necessary?
Answer: No exercise is absolutely necessary. Compound exercises like squats, deadlifts and bench presses are particularly efficient because they train several muscle groups at once. However, every exercise can be replaced with alternatives that train similar muscles. If you absolutely hate an exercise, there's no point in forcing yourself to do it. Find an alternative that works for you and that you actually enjoy doing.
Question: Do I need to stretch before lifting weights?
Answer: No, stretching before strength training isn't necessary. A few exercise-specific warm-up sets are usually enough. If some dynamic stretching helps you move more comfortably or improves your range of motion, go for it! Stretching after your workout won't noticeably improve recovery or prevent muscle soreness either. However, if you want to improve your overall flexibility, regular static stretching can definitely help. A few dedicated stretching sessions on your rest days are a great way to work on that.
Question: Will strength training make women excessively muscular?
Answer: Don't worry, you won't suddenly turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime just because you start lifting weights. Women naturally produce much less testosterone than men, making it considerably harder to build large amounts of muscle. Even most men couldn't achieve Arnold's former physique without exceptional genetics, years of intense training and performance-enhancing drugs. Building muscle takes time and effort, so there's really no reason to be afraid of becoming too muscular overnight.
Question: Can I turn body fat into muscle?
Answer: No. Fat tissue and muscle tissue are completely different. You can lose fat and build muscle over the same period, but one doesn't magically transform into the other.
Question: Does muscle soreness mean I had a good workout?
Answer: Not necessarily. Soreness is often stronger when you try unfamiliar exercises or return after a break. As your body adapts, you may become less sore even while making excellent progress.
Question: Do I need special ab workouts to get a six-pack?
Answer: Visible abs depend heavily on how much fat you carry around your stomach. Direct ab training can make the muscles stronger and thicker, but it won't selectively burn the fat covering them. You can train your abs like any other muscle if you want them to grow. Just don't expect crunches to replace a calorie deficit.
Question: What should I do if I can't increase the weight anymore?
Answer: Progress doesn't have to mean adding weight every session. You can improve reps, technique, range of motion or consistency before increasing the load. If performance has stalled for a while, check your sleep, food intake, training volume and whether a deload might help.
Question: What if I'm just not motivated to work out?
Answer: You won't be motivated every day. That's normal. Build a routine that fits your life and treat training like brushing your teeth: something you do because it's part of your day, not because you're constantly excited about it.
Question: How often should I do cardio?
Answer: For general cardiovascular health, I recommend around 2 to 3 cardio sessions per week, lasting 30 to 60 minutes each. For a shorter 30-minute session, aim for roughly 80% of your maximum heart rate. If you prefer a longer 60-minute session, around 60% is a good target.
Question: Is cardio on an empty stomach better for fat loss?
Answer: No. Your body may burn more fat for energy during cardio on an empty stomach, but that doesn't mean you'll actually lose more body fat overall. What matters is your total calorie deficit, regardless of whether you train on an empty stomach or have already had something to eat. So just do whatever feels better for you.
Question: Is cardio or strength training better for weight loss?
Answer: Cardio often burns more energy during the session, while strength training helps preserve or build muscle. Both have health benefits, so combining them is a great idea. And remember, it's usually easier to avoid eating an extra 500 kcal than to burn it off with exercise.
Question: Will cardio ruin my muscle gains?
Answer: Not if you manage it sensibly. Excessive endurance training combined with poor recovery or too little food can interfere with strength progress, but a reasonable amount of cardio is perfectly compatible with muscle growth. Your heart deserves some training too.
Question: Should I do cardio before or after lifting weights?
Answer: If strength or muscle growth is your main priority, I'd generally lift first and do cardio afterwards, or at another time of day. If you're training primarily for endurance, reverse that.
Question: Is walking enough cardio?
Answer: Brisk walking absolutely counts as physical activity and can improve your health. Whether it's enough for your specific cardiovascular goals depends on how hard you're working and your fitness level. A walk that gets one person breathing noticeably harder might be barely a warm-up for someone else.
Question: Do I need 10k steps every day?
Answer: No. 10k is a convenient round number, not a biological switch that turns health benefits on and off. More walking is generally helpful if you spend a lot of time sitting, but progress from your current activity level matters more than hitting a perfect number.
Question: Can I do cardio and strength training on the same day?
Answer: Of course! Ideally, I'd do them on separate days, especially if both workouts are demanding. But doing them on the same day works fine too. Just try to leave a few hours between them, for example strength training in the morning and cardio in the afternoon. If you have to do both in one session, I'd start with strength training if building muscle and strength is your main goal.
Rest & Recovery
Question: How much sleep do I need for proper recovery?
Answer: Most adults do well with roughly seven to nine hours of sleep, although individual needs vary. If you regularly feel exhausted, struggle to concentrate or rely on caffeine just to function, your sleep deserves attention.
Question: Should I always take a rest day after lifting weights?
Answer: Not necessarily. It depends on which muscles you train, how much work you do and how well you recover. You can train on consecutive days, and some people train almost daily by adjusting their sessions.
Question: How do I know if I'm overtraining?
Answer: True overtraining syndrome is uncommon and far more serious than feeling tired after a hard workout. Persistent performance decline, unusual fatigue, poor sleep and a lack of recovery can signal that your overall workload is too high. Before assuming you have overtraining syndrome, look at your recent training, stress, nutrition and sleep. Sometimes you simply need a few easier days.
Question: When should I take a deload week?
Answer: A deload can make sense when fatigue keeps accumulating, your performance has been slipping or hard sessions start feeling harder than they should. Reduce your training stress for a short period and then return to normal.
Question: When should I drink my last coffee before bed?
Answer: Caffeine can affect your sleep for hours, even if you don't feel particularly stimulated. As a practical starting point, avoid it for roughly eight hours before bedtime, and adjust based on your sensitivity.
Question: I keep waking up to use the bathroom. Should I stop drinking water in the evening?
Answer: Try drinking more of your fluids earlier in the day and cutting back on large drinks shortly before bedtime. You don't need to deliberately dehydrate yourself. If nighttime urination is frequent, new or persistent, it can have causes beyond your drinking habits and is worth checking.
Question: Can melatonin help me sleep?
Answer: Melatonin is a hormone your body naturally produces to regulate your sleep-wake cycle. As a supplement, it's generally considered safe and well tolerated. Unlike many conventional sleeping pills, melatonin doesn't appear to cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms, and developing tolerance doesn't seem to be a major issue either. So yes, it can help you fall asleep and sometimes stay asleep, particularly when your sleep schedule is disrupted, such as during jet lag. However, its effectiveness for chronic sleep problems is more limited.
Health & Immune System:
Question: What can I do to improve my chances of living a long, healthy life?
Answer: You can't control your genes or guarantee you'll live to 100, but you can improve your odds. Don't smoke, keep alcohol intake low, stay physically active, eat a nutrient-rich diet, get enough sleep and keep recommended vaccinations up to date. Sensible preventive healthcare matters too. It's not particularly glamorous advice, but that's usually how the useful stuff works.
Question: Does a hard workout weaken my immune system?
Answer: Not automatically. Regular physical activity supports normal immune function, and there's no good reason to fear every challenging workout. Very demanding training periods can become a problem when you combine them with too little sleep, poor nutrition and inadequate recovery.
Question: Can I work out when I have a cold?
Answer: I'd recommend taking a break from training when you're sick. Your muscles aren't going to disappear just because you miss a few workouts. Sure, if you only have a slightly runny nose and otherwise feel fine, some light activity is probably okay. But pushing through an infection isn't worth the risk, especially since certain viral infections can affect your heart and potentially cause myocarditis. If you have a fever, chest pain or unusual shortness of breath, definitely skip training and seek medical advice if you experience chest-related symptoms. Better safe than sorry!
Question: Do vaccines weaken your immune system?
Answer: No, quite the opposite! Vaccinations prepare your immune system to recognize specific pathogens by building antibodies and immune memory. This allows your body to react faster and more effectively if you encounter those pathogens later. Temporary side effects like a sore arm or mild fever don't mean your immune system has been weakened.
Question: Should I take a break from training after vaccination?
Answer: Normal everyday activity is usually fine if you feel well. I'd skip all-out workouts for the first couple of days and definitely rest if you have fever, aches or other noticeable side effects. Follow any specific advice for the vaccine you've received. Light movement doesn't suddenly make your immune system weaker after a shot.
Question: Do healthy young adults really need the flu shot?
Answer: Being young and fit lowers your risk of serious complications, but it doesn't make you immune to influenza. Vaccination can reduce your risk of getting ill and may help protect others, although its effectiveness varies by season. Follow the recommendations where you live and take your personal circumstances into account.
Question: Do vaccines cause autism?
Answer: No. Large studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. The claim was popularized by a fraudulent paper from 1998 that was later retracted.
Question: Can supplements prevent me from catching a cold?
Answer: If you're missing an important nutrient, correcting that deficiency can support normal immune function. But taking extra vitamin C, zinc or vitamin D doesn't turn you into an infection-proof superhero. Some supplements have limited evidence for specific uses, but they're not a replacement for sleep, basic hygiene or recommended vaccinations.
Question: Do I have to live as hygienically as possible to keep my immune system strong?
Answer: No. But that doesn't mean living like a pig will strengthen your immune system either. Basic hygiene is simply common sense. Wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating. A little extra attention also makes sense in places where lots of people touch the same surfaces, like the gym or supermarket. But there's no need to disinfect everything you touch or worry about every little germ.
Question: Do cold showers boost the immune system?
Answer: Cold showers can make you feel awake, and some people genuinely enjoy them. But there's no convincing evidence that taking them regularly reliably prevents infections. If you like them, go for it.
About the Website:
Question: When and why did you start your website?
Answer: I started blogging in an Austrian chat community called superchat.at back in 2003 and later posted English articles on Blogger. In 2006, I built my first website on a free platform. I've moved providers a few times since then, but the main reason for writing has never really changed: I enjoy it, and getting my thoughts down in one place has always been good for me.
Question: Why is the content of your website written in English?
Answer: Initially, I wanted to reach more people and improve my own English. Between 2010 and 2017, I was also active in several English-speaking fitness forums, so writing in English simply made sense. And by now, it's just part of the website.
Question: What's the difference between your articles and blog posts?
Answer: My articles are where I explain fitness, nutrition and health topics in a more structured, evidence-based way. I update them when important information changes. The blog is more personal and reflects my thoughts and experiences, although I still make sure the science is accurate. Unlike my articles, I don't go back and rewrite old blog posts (apart from spelling, grammar and major factual errors). I also tend to go off on tangents in my blog posts, so they can sometimes get pretty long.
Question: How often do you update the content on your website?
Answer: I regularly update my articles to reflect the latest scientific findings. The date of the last update is always indicated at the end of each article. Blog posts are not updated in terms of content, except for later-discovered spelling or grammatical errors. Occasionally, I also replace cover images if I find more suitable ones.
Question: Where do you get your scientific information?
Answer: I use resources such as PubMed and Google Scholar, read scientific articles and follow research-related newsletters and experts. I try to check what a study actually says rather than blindly repeating a headline.
Question: Can I submit a guest post or collaborate with you?
Answer: No, thanks. The articles on my website are written by me, and I don't accept guest posts or promotional collaborations. I especially avoid deals with supplement companies. I'd rather keep this little corner of the internet independent.
Question: How is your website funded?
Answer: Mostly by me, with some help from occasional tips from visitors. Those contributions more or less cover the running costs. The many hours I put into writing and building things are part of my hobby, not a bill I'm waiting to send someone.
Question: Are all the tools on this website really free?
Answer: Yes. The tools and the rest of the website are free to use, without ads or compulsory sign-ups. I know how annoying it is when you just want to calculate something quickly and a website throws pop-ups, registrations and a dozen banners at you. That's one reason I started making my own tools, including plenty that have nothing to do with fitness.
Question: What happens to information I send through the contact form?
Answer: I treat messages and personal information sent through the contact form confidentially. You can use the rest of my website without telling me who you are. For the details of how information is handled, please read my privacy policy.
Question: Are you planning more articles, tools or features?
Answer: Definitely! The website is one of my special interests, so I'm always working on something. Sometimes it's updating or expanding my fitness articles, sometimes I get hooked on a topic and just have to write a blog post about it, and sometimes I'm building a little tool I wish existed without all the usual nonsense. If there's something you'd like to see on my website, just send me a message!
About me:
Question: What are your personal fitness goals?
Answer: Building muscle used to be my main focus. These days, I'm more interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, looking fit, feeling good and taking care of my long-term health. I'm not chasing a bodybuilding stage. I just want training to remain a normal part of my life.
Question: What does your typical training day look like?
Answer: I usually start training at four in the morning, before work. My home gym is already set up, so I can get straight to it. About an hour later, I'm showered, awake and ready for the day. Sometimes I'll also squeeze in a cardio session in the afternoon, whether that's cycling, swimming or going for a run.
Question: Were you overweight or underweight in the past?
Answer: Not particularly. I was a normal-weight child with a relatively low body fat percentage. During my teenage years, my weight fluctuated a little, and sure, I had some belly fat that I wanted to get rid of. But I got into fitness mainly because I enjoyed it, not because I went through some dramatic before-and-after transformation.
Question: What's your personal approach to nutrition?
Answer: I keep it pretty simple: I pay attention to my overall calorie intake, get enough protein and make sure fruits and vegetables are part of my daily diet. After that, I'm flexible with carbohydrates and fats depending on my needs. My regular supplements include creatine, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3/K2.
Question: How do you balance work, family and fitness?
Answer: I do my strength training early in the morning while everyone else is still asleep. That way, my workouts don't take away any time from my family. I keep my afternoon cardio sessions flexible and sometimes even do them together with my family. Most of my reading and research happens on weekend evenings or whenever I find the time.
When it comes to nutrition, I keep things pretty simple too. Certain foods are already a regular part of my daily diet, making it easy to cover most of my protein, fiber, vitamin and mineral needs without constantly thinking about it. That leaves plenty of flexibility for our family meals. Whether we're having burgers, pizza or kebabs, I enjoy the same food as everyone else. And yes, sometimes that also means relaxing on the couch with some nachos in front of the TV.
This approach works perfectly well for me, and I find it a lot more enjoyable than the overly strict fitness lifestyle that gets pushed so hard on social media.
Question: What do you enjoy outside fitness?
Answer: Quite a lot, actually! My interests are pretty diverse and tend to change in phases. I'm fascinated by science, especially physics, chemistry and other natural sciences. I'm also interested in technology, web development, programming, finance, investing, economics and financial markets.
When something catches my interest, I tend to dive really deep into it. I can spend months learning everything I can about a particular subject, only to eventually move on to something completely different. At this point, I've probably forgotten more about certain topics than some people will ever learn about them.
I guess you could say that one of my biggest interests is learning itself. I simply love understanding how things work, discovering new things and writing about what I've learned.
Question: Why didn't you work in healthcare or become a fitness trainer?
Answer: I actually spent quite a few years volunteering as a paramedic, and I absolutely loved it! After starting a family, however, I wanted to spend more of my free time with them, so I stopped taking shifts. That didn't stop me from continuing my education through various courses, though. The same goes for fitness and nutrition, where I still enjoy learning new things and expanding my knowledge. But even with the necessary qualifications, I wouldn't want to make a career out of fitness training or nutrition coaching. I'm simply the type of person who prefers working independently and doing my own thing.
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