What Happened to My Body After Losing 16kg + Melbourne Marathon Week + Portugal Running Experience

In this episode, I announce the next Globe Runners Portugal Running Experience in Monte Gordo, share the results of my latest DEXA scan after dropping from 86kg to around 70kg, and discuss what I learned about weight loss, bone health and nutrition along the way. I also share a remarkable 2:07 marathon performance off less than 100km per week and give my final update before racing the Melbourne Marathon this Sunday.

LINKS

Portugal Running Experience - January 9-17, 2027:
thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027

1:1 Running Coaching:
sweatelite.co/coaching/personalized-1-1

Running + Nutrition Coaching:
sweatelite.co/coaching/run-nutrition

Nutrition Coaching:
sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition

Personalised Nutrition Meal Plan:
sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans

Instagram:
instagram.com/mattinglisfox

Strava:
strava.com/athletes/6248359

Eastbound Running (Dynafish):
eastboundrunning.com

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

I start this episode with something I’m really excited about - the next Globe Runners Portugal Running Experience, taking place in Monte Gordo from January 9-17, 2027.

I explain why I’ve become increasingly interested in putting my energy into coaching, nutrition and creating running experiences rather than promoting products. A lot of that thinking developed during the months I spent detained in Japan, where I had a huge amount of time to read, write and think about what I actually wanted to work on.

The Portugal experience will bring a small group of runners together for eight nights in Monte Gordo in the Algarve. We’ll train together, eat together and explore southern Portugal, with optional day trips around the Algarve and to Seville in Spain. The €1,250 price includes four-star accommodation, three meals per day, airport transfers from Faro and transport for the organised excursions. There are only 16 places available.

I then get into the results of my latest DEXA scan. In April I weighed 86kg at 22.5% body fat. Around five and a half months later, I’m approximately 70kg and my DEXA measured me at 8.5% body fat.

One of the most interesting findings was my bone density. Despite losing roughly 16kg while returning to high-volume marathon training, my measured bone density improved between the two scans. I discuss the things I focused on throughout the process, including calcium-rich foods, vitamin K, vitamin D, sunlight exposure and consistent heavy strength training.

I also talk more broadly about weight loss for runners, the genuine risks of low energy availability and RED-S, and why I think the conversation needs more nuance. Losing weight is not appropriate for every runner, but for athletes with excess body fat who want to reduce it, I believe it can be approached carefully while closely monitoring health, recovery and performance.

I share an example from one of my nutrition athletes whose weight began dropping faster than planned. When his training performance started declining, we increased his energy intake and quickly got things moving in the right direction again.

Then there’s a shoutout to Adam Lipschitz, who just ran an incredible 2:07:20 marathon after averaging only around 96km per week over the previous 12 weeks. It’s a fascinating example of just how individual marathon training can be and how more mileage isn’t automatically better.

Finally, it’s Melbourne Marathon race week. I talk about where I think my fitness is compared with when I ran 2:18:41, the potential advantage I’m getting from the Puma Fast-R, the weather forecast, and why I believe a significant PB is possible if everything comes together.

I also briefly discuss what comes next, including moving to Portugal, racing in Europe and potential starts at Alicante and Valencia later this year.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Welcome and Melbourne Marathon taper
00:29 - Reflections from my time in Japan
02:21 - Why I want to focus on running experiences
04:14 - Portugal Running Experience 2027
06:31 - Getting to Monte Gordo and travel logistics
07:18 - The community created through running camps
09:18 - Portugal pricing, accommodation and booking
12:26 - My new DEXA scan results
17:15 - Calcium, vitamin K, vitamin D and strength training
21:35 - Weight loss for runners, RED-S and managing risk
25:55 - Adam Lipschitz runs 2:07 off less than 100km/week
27:24 - Melbourne Marathon fitness and race goals
29:49 - Portugal move, Alicante, Valencia and what’s next