Menu
Sign In Search Podcasts Charts Entities Add Podcast API Pricing
Podcast Image

Habits and Hustle

Episode 492: Sal Di Stefano: The Morning Meal That Reduces Anxiety & Why Fasting Backfires

10 Oct 2025

Description

Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/6jLhl8Zaznw?si=jaBuMbIWQApYpeEv  Why does starting your day with protein reduce anxiety for the rest of the day? In this Fitness Friday episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Sal Di Stefano joins me to break down the science of blood sugar control, why intermittent fasting is "a terrible way to lose weight," and the shocking truth about cardio versus strength training for fat loss. We also unpack the biggest mistake women make when tracking progress: obsessing over the scale instead of body composition. Sal explains why 40% of weight lost through cardio comes from muscle, shares a study where strength training alone beat cardio AND strength training combined for fat loss, and reveals why psychologists now prescribe high-protein breakfasts to anxious patients. Sal Di Stefano is a fitness expert with over 20 years of personal training experience and co-host of the Mind Pump podcast, one of the top-rated fitness shows in the world. What we discuss: How protein at breakfast controls blood sugar and reduces anxiety throughout the day The two-question filter for any fitness advice: "Will I do it?" and "Is it realistic?" Intermittent fasting's original purpose and why it fails for weight loss Cortisol addiction and the binge-restrict cycle fasting creates When cold plunges hurt more than help for overstressed people Cardio vs strength training: why 40% of cardio weight loss comes from muscle The study where strength training alone beat cardio for fat loss Ditching the scale: better metrics for tracking body transformation Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Sal:  Instagram: @mindpumpdistefano   Podcast: https://mindpumppodcast.com/ X: https://x.com/mindpumpsal  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

Audio
Featured in this Episode

No persons identified in this episode.

Transcription

No transcription available yet

Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.

0 upvotes
🗳️ Sign in to Upvote

Popular episodes get transcribed faster

Comments

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.