Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog

Get Strong, Get Lean, No Bullshit

by Grant Petersen

4.5(978 ratings)

9 min read

Brief overview

This book challenges the standard low-calorie approach by showing how restricting carbohydrates and embracing healthy fats helps you shed unwanted pounds and feel more energized. It also explores quick, intense workouts for strength-building, debunks lingering health myths, and offers a sustainable path toward improved health without constant hunger.

Introduction

Welcome to a book that flips conventional eating advice on its head. Instead of counting every calorie and slogging through endless cardio, you’ll learn why focusing on carbs can be misleading—and why fats might actually be your best friend for dropping weight.

Here, the emphasis is on fueling your body with nutrient-packed foods that balance your blood sugar, banish constant cravings, and keep your energy steady all day. There’s no need to rely on strict meal timing or tiny portions.

The idea is surprisingly simple: if you limit the carbohydrates that spike your insulin, your body will turn to a more efficient fuel source—stored fat. It might take a little time and a few mindset shifts, but the payoff can be life-changing.

This introduction invites you to question old beliefs about dieting and exercise. If you’re ready to explore a plan that feels sustainable—rather than punishing—read on and discover an approach that can truly make a difference.

Why Carbs Keep You Hungry

It’s common to blame excess calories for weight gain, but carbs play a larger part than you might realize. When you eat a bowl of cereal or a plate of pasta, your body converts those carbs into glucose, causing a spike in your blood sugar.

In response, your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone designed to clear glucose from your bloodstream. But insulin also encourages your body to store fat, especially when you’re eating more carbs than you use.

Once your blood sugar spikes and then drops, your hunger can quickly roar back—leading you to crave more carbs. It’s a vicious circle that leaves you feeling unsatisfied, tired, or even irritable throughout the day.

"I believed, as so many people do, that it is possible to exercise more and eat less and keep it up for a lifetime. That’s the biggest lie in health."

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What is Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog about?

"Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog: Get Strong, Get Lean, No Bullshit" by Grant Petersen represents a refreshing antidote to conventional dieting wisdom. By challenging mainstream approaches that emphasize calorie counting and exhausting cardio, Petersen advocates for a lifestyle shift centered around reducing carbohydrates and embracing healthy fats. The book articulates how this paradigm fosters natural weight loss, increased energy, and improved overall well-being.

This compelling narrative debunks persistent diet myths and empowers readers to harness fat as their primary fuel source, leading to enhanced physical strength and mental clarity. Readers will gain actionable insights into practical meal planning and targeted exercise routines designed to support sustainable health improvements without enduring constant hunger or restrictive meal plans. Consistently prioritizing what's best for the body over complex traditional frameworks, the insights shared in this book are primed to make a lasting impact on readers' lives.

Review of Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog

"Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog" emerges as a beacon of clarity in an era dominated by misleading dietary conventions. One of the book's standout features is its direct communication style, breaking down complex nutritional concepts into digestible truths without compromising depth or engagement. Author Grant Petersen expertly challenges rigid calorie-centric dieting, instead encouraging a shift towards carb reduction and fat inclusion for enhanced metabolic efficiency.

The text's persuasive arguments are backed by historical examples and scientific findings that illuminate the role of high-quality fats and short, intense workouts in fostering sustainable weight loss and strength building. Practical applications abound, enabling readers to revitalize their dietary habits, exercise plans, and ultimately reclaim vitality. With its emphasis on student-friendly language and tangible takeaways, this book dismantles nutritional confusion and empowers both newcomers and seasoned dieters to adopt healthier, more informed approaches.

In terms of accessibility, Petersen masterfully combines professional insights with a conversational tone, ensuring the content resonates across a broad audience spectrum. Readers navigating their health journey, whether due to past frustrations with traditional diets or curiosity about alternative fitness strategies, will find value here. All in all, this book's commitment to cutting through the noise makes it a commendable read for anyone serious about achieving lasting health benefits.

For anyone seeking a straightforward, impactful departure from conventional dieting norms, "Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog" is highly recommended. Dive into this dynamic exploration of modern nutrition and exercise strategies, and experience the freedom of a more efficient, satiating lifestyle.

Who should read Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog?

Nutrition Enthusiasts: Seeking fresh perspectives on integrating high-fat, low-carb strategies that align with holistic health goals.
Fitness Coaches: Looking for innovative, effective approaches to help clients achieve strength and leanness beyond conventional methods.
Health-Conscious Individuals: Frustrated with traditional diets and eager to explore sustainable ways to maintain long-term well-being.
Busy Professionals: Interested in optimizing energy and focus without exhaustive meal planning and long workout sessions.
Individuals Facing Weight Loss Challenges: Open to exploring uncommon dietary and exercise solutions that challenge the calorie-restrictive norm.

About the author

Grant Petersen is a bicycle designer, author, and founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works. He has extensive experience in the bicycle industry, having worked as the U.S. marketing director for Bridgestone Cycle, Inc. during the 1980s and 1990s, where he designed the XO series of bicycles. Petersen has written several books, including "Just Ride" and "Eat Bacon, Don't Jog," which challenges conventional health wisdom and offers a path to weight loss and fitness. He is known for promoting traditional bicycle technology and advocating for practical, enjoyable cycling experiences.