training a brainwhased busy actor- help!

[MichaelS]

Hey guys,
Im about to start training this guy this saturday, and lets just say he is totally brainwashed. He is an actor, a leading man type, whos first goal is to lose 5-15 lbs in the next few weeks(you know- the gut), and then having a program he could do during the school year (he is a very busy man, currently trying to climb the academia world , im guessing he doesnt sleep much.) He is 5' 10, and based on his goals, it sounds like I am looking at eventually plugging him into a low intensity thing like leangains for maintenance. the problem is, he is totally brainwashed by circuit-training stupid media!

He thinks P90x is the solution (when it truth it would tire him out). he thinks the only way he can be 170-180 and lean is the be dancing all day every day (sigh). Frankly, Im afraid that if I start him with something like starting strength he will
a. get bored
b. burn out with 3 heavy leg sessions a week.
c. Not lose fat as fast as he expects and quit.

I am a member of the cast, and I definitely want this guy to see results so this is super duper important to me. Some of my ideas have been

a. plug the big movements into circuits for starters, adding weight each time. He used to be in shape, so I figure he can get away with adding weight for the first few weeks, and he'll get some extra fat loss from doing it circuit style.
b. Do something with 1 or two heavy movements to start, then steadily pick up the pace so he can have his circuit fun. Move it more and more to the strength as the weeks go on and he believes in me more and more.
c. Start him on a 5x5 (extra volume for more fat burning) and just let it do its job, and hope he sticks around long enough watch the magic.
d. start him on something like greyskull, so he can have more fun, and push through the strength training so he can do 15 minutes of circuits at the end

I did 5x5 for a bulk- if I start him at 80-90% of 5rpmmax for the program, you guys really think he will lose bodyfat fast enough for him to notice? he is built for squats- 5'10, kind like mark bell proportions

I AM SO SORRY THAT THIS IS SO LONG! I got my nasm cpt a few months ago, and frankly, it taught me nothing compared to what I have learned from you guys. I look up to you guys like you're superstars.
p.s.- I am going to also post this in training, b/c Im not sure where it would go- operator feel free to delete either!

p.p.s- squats are going alot better now and I use my hips on deadlifts . thankyou SS!
p.p.p.s- I have read ss and I know that most meso endos lose weight or maintain in the first few weeks- I just dont know if it will be enough to satisfy this guy.

[John Hanley]

First, you need to master fitness psyops. Learn to subtly reverse-brainwash. This doesn't mean yammering endlessly about maximal strength, bioenergetic systems, motor pathways, etc...just one or two well placed comments can undermine a whole shit-ton of unfounded pre-conceived notions.

Moving on. My recommendation is a compromise. But here it is..

I would:
1. Warm-up (just get literally warm...as in light sweat)
2. Big Strength (one lower, one upper...LP)
3. Bw circuit (i like l-sit chins, unilateral squat, unilateral dl, etc)
4. Conditioning hell -- something like 20-25sec on/80-90sec off...prowler, rower, heavy bag, hill sprints...just gotta be max effort. 6-8 rounds to start, depending on this dude's fitness level.