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Shaun Stafford makes abs-building a science, with his cutting-edge

approach to macros and his chemistry-driven training plan

t’s about putting a bit more effort in,’ says Shaun Stafford, owner of City Athletic gym, a regular on the international fitnessmodel circuit and two-time WBFF Pro world bodybuilding champion. ‘Doing that extra workout, staying disciplined and having that extra meal instead of going, “OK, I’ve had three, I can skip one”. Because here’s the secret: once you put that extra 10% effort in for long enough, it becomes normal to do that. Then it gets easier.’

It helps, of course, when you know what you’re doing – and because he understands the principles behind fat loss and muscle gain, Stafford has faith in his plan. ‘ My workouts are based on using the body’s lactic acid pathways for fat loss,’ he says. ‘I do a lot of supersets with short rest periods. I hit the gym four days a week, and on other days I do a gentler activity, like playing football or walking the dog. A dog’s the best thing you can get for fat loss.’ Plus it’ll lower the fat-storing stress hormone cortisol. Win-win.