Vinnie Tortorich is the author of the book Fitness Confidential – adventures in the weight loss game. *Quick heads up, the book does contain adult language and content.

He is the go to guy for celebrities and athletes who need to get fit fast. He hosts the Angriest Trainer Podcast and is an ultra-endurance cyclist. He has also battled Leukemia, a struggle he chronicles in the book.

Vinnie calls himself America’s angriest trainer but he’s actually a really nice guy. As a personal trainer he doesn’t scream “feel the burn!” when making his clients do push ups. He says that’s only what made-for-T.V. trainers do.

He is angry because of the misinformation that exists in the fitness industry -an industry he’s been working in since the 80s. Vinnie’s contention is that the calorie in calorie out weight loss model is a bunch of bull.

“Your good intentions have been stolen, and I’m here to help you get ‘em back!”

The book opens with a situation where movie execs from Disney need him to take 35 pounds off an actress in six weeks.

When you see an actress on the red carpet and you know she just had a baby three weeks ago but she looks fabulous; she either has me or someone like me working with her. -Vinnie Tortorich

He will be the first to tell you that these celebrities types are not genetically perfect. What works for them will work for us. The secret sauce of Fitness Confidential is called NSNG (no sugars no grains).

Vinnie never puts his clients on a diet. He doesn’t believe in counting calories or portion control. His simple rule is to cut out all sugars and grains. He claims that if you simply stay away from sugar and grains the weight will come flying off.

He contends that the obesity in the U.S. is due in large part to our government subsidizing grain. Grain is the base of the USDA food pyramid. Vinnie calls it a food “pryamid scheme”.

When he says cut out all grains he’s talking about wheat, corn, rice, and every food product derived from these sources -like bread, pasta, cereal, crackers, chips, and the list could go on indefinitely. Everything fun.

He also has no mercy on sugar. Sugary drinks, sugary snacks, sugary cereal, and *gasp* sugary energy bars, gels, and chews. Most endurance fueling products get axed at this juncture.

Well, what can we eat? -Vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, beef, pork, chicken, and dairy. Still a lot of good stuff here wouldn’t you say? And how much can we eat? As much as we freaking want!

Vinnie also works with athletes -marathoners, cyclists, triathletes. He points out the paradox that people who do high amounts of aerobic exercise (like running) can still be fat. If we are still eating sugars and grains the fat will stay on. If we are fueling with carbohydrates the fat will stay on.

Angie was most curious about Vinnie’s fueling philosophy. If you listen to the podcast you will hear her ask about the process of becoming fat adapted. But since Angie is not writing this blog post, we will turn now to a subject dear to my heart.

Mexican food.

One does not simply stop eating tortilla chips. I can give up bread and pasta but corn is my Achilles heel. Vinnie says he eats his guacamole with a spoon. My spoons are made out of corn. I never need to wash them.

I suppose that every person has their one sticking point when they stare down the barrel of a no grains no sugars diet. Angie can’t imagine living without chocolate. The question is, does this food taste as good as skinny feels?