Jeff Volek - Men’s Health TNT Diet: The Explosive New Plan to Blast Fat, Build Muscle, and Get Healthy

I could never properly thank all of the people who have contributed in some way to this book. But Im particularly grateful to:

Steve Murphy and the Rodale family, to whom I extend my deepest appreciation for this great opportunity.

David Zinczenko: Thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and support.

The entire Mens Health book team, including Liz Perl, Nancy Hancock, Joyce Shirer, Claudia Allen, Zachary Schisgal, Courtney Conroy, Karen Neely, Kevin Smith, Chris Rhoads, Mitch Mandel, and Marc Sirinsky.

David Black, my agent.

Steve Perrine, Bill Stump, Peter Moore, Bill Phillips, Matt Marion, Bill Stieg, Lou Schuler, Tom McGrath, Ted Spiker, and Mark Bricklin: You have influenced and inspired me beyond measure.

Jeff OConnell, Matt Bean, Scott Quill, Matt (Chef ) Goulding, David Schipper, Erin Hobday, Denny Watkins, Alison Granell, Heather Loeb, Eric Rinehimer, Christine Maxfield, Jaclyn Colletti, Rob Gerth, Julie Lubinsky, Jeanne Emery, Charlene Lutz, Mary Rinfret, and Alice Mudge. Im lucky to work with such a talented and hardworking group of people.

My friends and mentors: Alwyn Cosgrove, Bill Hartman, Michael Mejia, Robert dos Remedios, Craig Ballantyne, Chris Guinty, Jeff Simmons, Tim Stout, Craig Hope, Steve Hardin, and Pete The Murge Murges. Thank you for my continuing educationwhether it be in training or in life.

Randy Milka, without whom this book would have never been written.

My coauthor, Jeff Volek: I value your friendship as much as your expertise. Thanks for all the biochemistry lessons and your tireless efforts to keep me motivated.

Don and Mary Nagle: The best in-laws a guy could have.

My bro, Craig, and my sister-in-law, Lori: Thank you for (truly) understanding me!

My sister, Beth Sweeny: You are always close to my heart.

My parents, Ray and Jane Campbell: The depth of my gratitude for your kindness, generosity, and unconditional love cannot be expressed here. Nevertheless, thank you for everything.

And, of course, my wife, Jessica, who endured months of Sorry, honey, I have to work. You are my favorite.

A.C.

This book is very much a synthesis of the collective scientific work I have conducted over the last decade and my own personal experiences with diet and exercise. First and foremost, the ideas espoused in this book are firmly grounded in metabolic and physiologic principles, and represent the collective expertise of many individuals whom I have interacted with during my scientific career. Although based heavily in science, thanks to my brilliant coauthor, Adam Campbell, the TNT Diet has now been transformed to its simplest core elements and translated so that even the most nonscientific individuals can understand and implement the plan. Thanks, Adam, without your persistence and heroic effort in putting these ideas to paper, this book would not be possible.

I have been fortunate to have many close friends and colleagues much smarter than me who have been instrumental in fueling my passion for discovery and molding my scientific perspective. William J. Kraemer, PhD, deserves special recognition. He introduced me to science serving as my major advisor through graduate school, and we currently work together as colleagues conducting research together at the University of Connecticut. I would not be the person I am today if I had not met Dr. Kraemer. I have the utmost admiration and respect for his determination and passion for mentoring students and research. It is truly an honor to be able to work so closely with such a preeminent scientist and kind person. If Dr. Kraemer ignited my interest in the science of exercise and nutrition, then Richard Feinman, PhD, poured gasoline on the flame. He has one of the greatest scientific minds in nutrition, and our countless intellectual discussions have challenged almost everything I thought I knew about nutrition and science. Maria Luz Fernandez, PhD, has gone above and beyond as a friend and colleague supporting and enhancing all my current research and Stephen Phinney, MD, PhD, is a true genius who has provided invaluable guidance and support.

It is also necessary to acknowledge another critical person that had great vision, perseverance, and willingness to challenge the conventional dogma of the time at the expense of ridicule. That person is Dr. Robert C. Atkins. He was a tremendous person who had a remarkable and permanent impact on my life. His recognition of the importance of science to validate his diet approach and his generosity is a major reason I am in a position to write this book. The true impact of his visionary efforts will reach levels beyond even his expectations, as ongoing and future research continues to bring scientific support to the concepts for which he had such ingenious foresight so many years ago.

Last, and of course not least, I am forever grateful to my selfless mother, Nina, and my father, Jerry, for their unconditional love and support, and all the sacrifices they have made in order to make my life better. Finally, I need to thank my wonderful wife, Ana, who keeps me balanced and makes life infinitely more fun.

J.V.