#1 - Why You Need to Lose Weight to Gain Weight (Yes, Really)

Hi again,

If you just finished the last post, my closing comment might have caught you off-guard:

"Lose weight first? Isn’t this supposed to be a newsletter about gaining weight?"

You’re absolutely right — it is. But let me explain why leaning out before bulking is the most powerful move we can make. This is Step 1 of the Holy Bulk for a reason.

1. The Leaner You Are, the Longer You Can Bulk

Most people end a bulk not because they hit their muscle limit — but because they start to look and feel too fat. If you begin your bulk already soft, your runway is short. But if you start lean, you’ve got months of progress ahead before fat gain becomes an issue.

Plus, staying lean during a bulk:

• Keeps the face sharp and waist tight

• Keeps motivation high (no “I hate how I look” syndrome)

• Lets me track muscle gain visually — a huge psychological edge

2. Leanness = Higher Insulin Sensitivity = Better Gains

Insulin sensitivity is one of the cornerstones of the Holy Bulk. It's what determines where your nutrients go — toward muscle or toward fat.

When you're insulin sensitive:

• Your body is better at shuttling carbs and protein into muscle cells

• You burn more glucose during training

• You gain more lean tissue and less fat per calorie surplus

Being lean is the most effective way to improve insulin sensitivity naturally — far more than any supplement could.

On the flip side, insulin resistance pushes nutrients into fat cells — even when you're training hard.

3. Less Body Fat = Less Inflammation = Better Recovery

Excess fat tissue, especially visceral fat, secretes inflammatory molecules like TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP. This chronic, low-grade inflammation:

• Limits muscle protein synthesis

• Increases cortisol (which breaks down muscle)

• Delays recovery between sessions

By contrast, a leaner body has a lower inflammatory baseline, making you more anabolic and resilient.

4. Lean = Optimal Hormones for Muscle Growth

Fat cells contain aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. More body fat = more aromatase = lower free testosterone and higher estrogen — not ideal for building muscle.

By reducing body fat before your bulk:

• You preserve higher testosterone levels

• You keep estrogen in check

• You set up a more anabolic internal environment for growth and libido

Moreover, lean people have more efficient mitochondria and better metabolic flexibility — the ability to switch smoothly between burning carbs and fats. That means:

• You can handle higher-carb meals without a crash

• You can train harder and recover faster

• You’re primed for high G-Flux (eating more and moving more) — a core strategy we’ll dive into soon

🔑 In Summary

Losing fat first isn’t a detour — it’s a necessity.

Start lean, and your bulk will be:

• Longer

• Leaner

• Smarter

• Stronger

As a rule of thumb, starting your bulk at around 11-12% body fat is a smart move. If you’re above that, I’d focus on cutting a bit until you reach that range. Below it? You’re already good to go. 

If you are unable to assess your BF%, try to start once you can see your abs. However, do not obsess over cutting more and more. The most important thing is to get started. Don’t let perfection be an obstacle!

Next up, we’ll talk about the diet we are going to follow — how to lose fat, improve insulin sensitivity and prepare for a bulk? The answer will surprise you.. 

(PS: It’s the Sugar Diet).

Sainté,