The Telegraph's Gareth A. Davies Embarks on The Dolce Diet

Tough guys can diet, too – or at least I hope so

The Telegraph’s boxing and mixed martial arts correspondent wants to lose his flab, so, fittingly, has embarked on a tough regime used by top fighters

mike-dolce-gareth-a-davies
telegraph_logoWe’ve all seen the ads: get a fighter’s physique in 12 weeks, with bulging biceps, sculpted abs and tiny waist. But I’m not interested in attaining the chiselled, muscular look – just in getting rid of my sizeable paunch.
None the less, as The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent on boxing and mixed martial arts, I’m embarking on the Dolce Diet, the tough weight-loss regime used by world-class professional fighters.
Why? I’ve seen the results. Mixed martial arts is the fastest-growing sport in the world, one in which participants are allowed to kick, punch, knee, wrestle and grapple each other on the floor. World champion fighters – men such as Johnny Hendricks from Texas or Britain’s Michael Bisping – typically walk around at 220lb (16 stone) but are, incredibly, able to “boil down” by about 50lb (3.6 stone) in the three months leading up to a bout, to reach their fighting weight.

It’s a tough challenge – and many rely on fitness guru Mike Dolce, to help them. Dolce, 37, is a former wrestler, professional fighter and, at one point in his twenties, a muscle-bound powerlifter who bulked up to a massive 282lb (20 stone).

“Now I’m healthy and happy at 195lb [14 stone] – the perfect weight for my frame,” he tells me when we meet. “I can run 10 miles today, squat double my body weight for multiple repetitions, and do 100 push-ups at the drop of a hat.”
Dolce has agreed to oversee my weight-loss programme. Six foot tall and weighing 210lb (15 stone), I’m aiming to lose 30lb (2 stone) in 12 weeks. At 48, I’m up against not a champion fighter, but a typical journalist’s lifestyle, including constant travel and bad eating habits.
So far, I’ve followed Dolce’s instructions to the letter: all the “normal” food has been cleared from the fridge and kitchen cupboards, to be stored in boxes or given away. Thankfully there are no family meals to worry about: both my daughters are at university and my wife Andrea, a qualified yoga instructor, is joining me on the diet.
Armed with a 137-page manual, a shopping list, recipes and 12 DVDs, I’m ready to tackle the Dolce regime. I’ll be committing to an hour of intense plyometric exercise – in which muscles exert maximum force in as short a time as possible – which means that, each day, I’ll be attacking thin air with my fists, knees and feet, and lifting light weights while doing so.
I am permitted four meals and two snacks daily. But there’s no worries about calorie counting – as long as I stick to the recipes in Dolce’s book.

On the menu are foods such as almond milk (lactose and cholesterol-free), organic agave nectar, chickpeas, broccoli, quinoa, buckwheat, tofu and wild salmon; those more associated with high-end diet mags than fight culture. Andrea is delighted: there are oats and berry smoothies for breakfast, dates and pecans for a mid-morning snack, Waldorf “warrior” salad and a skinny “sumo” stir-fry for dinner.

Like a fighter pursuing the world title belt, the success of this experiment could come down to how much I want this. I’ll be travelling to fights for five of the next 12 weeks, so the real test will be sticking to the Dolce plan while on the move.
The man himself is encouraging. “There’s no reward without the pain,” he tells me. But, he promises that the programme, if I stick to it, will transform me into “the person you deserve to be”.
More information can be found at ufcfit.com
Article originally posted here at Telegraph.co.uk

March 17, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW – Ep. 74 How to Get Big Calves & Your Questions Answered


Mike answers your questions and makes a couple of surprise phone calls to listeners!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PODCAST APP & SUBSCRIBE TODAY!


mike-dolce-show-app-download-itunes

January 25, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW: Ep. 73 Wedding Weight Loss & Your Questions Answered


Mike answers your questions and makes a couple of surprise phone calls to listeners!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PODCAST APP & SUBSCRIBE TODAY!


mike-dolce-show-app-download-itunes

January 20, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW – Ep. 72 Be Your Own Leader & Your Questions Answered


Mike answers your questions and makes a couple of surprise phone calls to listeners!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PODCAST APP & SUBSCRIBE TODAY!


mike-dolce-show-app-download-itunes

January 13, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW: Ep. 71 The Protein Myth & Your Questions Answered


Mike Dolce answers your questions! Topics include hemp seed consumption in the military; water and the weight cut; post-workout meals, and more!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PODCAST APP & SUBSCRIBE TODAY!


mike-dolce-show-app-download-itunes

January 11, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW: Ep. 70 Don't Lick Toads & Your Questions Answered


Mike Dolce answers your questions! Topics include hemp seed consumption in the military; water and the weight cut; post-workout meals, and more!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PODCAST APP & SUBSCRIBE TODAY!


mike-dolce-show-app-download-itunes

January 10, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW: Ep. 69 The 20-Minute Morning & Your Questions Answered


Mike Dolce answers your questions! Topics include post weigh-in rehydration; healthy snacks; how to be lineman-large and still be healthy and more!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

January 7, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW – Ep. 68 Justin’s 175-Pound Weight Loss & Your Questions Answered


JUSTIN-AWe welcome Justin Boyarski who tells us how he lost 175 lbs. using The Dolce Diet books 3 Weeks to Shredded & Living Lean! Plus, Mike Dolce answers your questions! Topics include Ronda Rousey; Why choose organic?; Dealing with negative people; Increasing cardio endurance; World MMA Awards, Where to find calcium besides milk, and more!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

January 4, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW: Ep. 67 Baby Sauce & Your Questions Answered


Mike Dolce answers your questions!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

December 23, 2013

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW: Ep. 66 The Holiday Bagel Ritual & Your Questions Answered


Mike Dolce answers your questions!
The founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves, Chael Sonnen, Nik Lentz, Jake Ellenberger and more!
His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, & The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com & TheMikeDolceShow.com & UFCFIT.com.

December 22, 2013