OK.....
I think you're a bad comparison to him. But regardless of the carb debate, aren't we really talking calories here. In the grand scheme of things thats what matters. Sufficient protein, carb, and fat can effect diets in their own specific ways, but calorie surplus when bulking or deficit when cutting is the main goal. I chose to up them for available energy during the day.
Semantics. It's pretty common knowledge that without the use of anabolics, it's almost impossible to gain muscle mass while dropping body fat at the same time, unless you are an obese beginner. I wasn't suggesting he was on a bulk.
From the studies I've read about, you couldn't be more wrong. There plenty of studies cited
here. I have never read that HIIT is any more catabolic than moderate cardio. And there are a lot of articles suggest anabolic properties of HIIT, however I have not seen specific studies done. I can tell you my legs and abs have never looked better, since I started HIIT. This is why I would suggested more slow digesting carbs and fat, which research shows, will cause him to burn carbohydrate and fat for fuel, while "saving" as much muscle as possible.
I calculated his maintenance at 2400 calories, medium level BMR plus activity for his weight. But I think when you look what I suggested compared to your suggestions, they're not that different.
He's at 2200 cal / day. Go with 4 workouts / week followed by 20 mins moderate cardio. I'm put the energy output at about 200 cal/ workout, 40 - 45 mins. So that's 15,400 calories in and 800 calories out via exercise, every week. Not counting BMR thats 14,600 calories / week.
I suggested 2400 cal / day. Go with 4 circuits / week followed by 15 mins HIIT. Let's say 250 cal / workout, 30-35 mins. With the 2 one hour walks that would be approx 700 calories. That's 16,800 calories in and 1,700 calories out. Grand total of about 15,100.
Our suggestions were off by 70 calories a day, and with the energy expenditure in mine, that extra won't go to waste. I do believe once he gets going on this program he would need to up the calories to 2800 - 3000 calories, due to an increase in BMR.
We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
There are certainly more people who cut the way you're stating, but I'm not fan. I personally worry about a decrease in metabolism when using big calorie deficits. I prefer a moderate, if any calorie deficit and intense, metabolism increasing workouts. Reason being, when I come of diets I easily keep gains and results.
I assumed he'd been doing this diet while losing the weight he mentioned. I was looking to give him a kick start geared to attack belly fat. If that's not the case and you're just starting your original plan, then give it a shot. It's definitely one way of going about things. Whichever way you chose, I wouldn't worry about a minimal loss of muscle. Your main goal is to lose the gut. So cut now, and clean bulk in the winter, as built suggested.
Train well!
and I must create a chicken farm as soon as possible 
