Group: General Diet & Nutrition

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 399, Messages: 16719

With such a topic so broad we truly try to cover the basics from all angles in this group. Nothing too big or too small. Nutrition is as significant if not more as exercise is to reaching your goals so learn all you can.

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Is my logic incorrect?

efrost
efrost
Posts: 99
Joined: 2003/09/28
United States
2004/03/26, 04:52 PM
If I understand correctly, the body will burn carbs and fats for energy, and if there is not enough, it will start to burn protein and muscles and go into a catabolic state.
Many want to lose a layer of fat, so, if you don't eat enough carbs and fats, wouldn't the body burn off all the fats that's stored thoughout the body before starting to break down muscle tissue? I know this is not correct in the real world, but I'm trying to understand why the body would start burning muscles before the fat that was stored for future energy.
anyone?
dfly411
dfly411
Posts: 1,352
Joined: 2004/03/04
United States
2004/03/26, 05:06 PM
I'm curious too e...because if what you say is correct, I am way off in left field somehwere!

I always thought your body burned carbs/cals for energy and what you didn't burn was turned into fat and stored....and that when you lowered your carb/cal, your body would pull from it's stored fat for energy instead. I never really understood where fat came into play other than the general knowledge that it was unhealthy to eat too much of it.

So, I'm pretty clueless right now....ahem, teacher? Could you tell us about the fat burning process again? :big_smile:
asimmer
asimmer
Posts: 8,201
Joined: 2003/01/07
United States
2004/03/26, 06:51 PM
The body will break down muscle first because it is hungry, active tissue. Fat takes half the energy requirement of protein, so it is kept and muscle is broken down for energy needs. This is why you will meet so many obese people who actually don't eat very much. They are in a state of starvation and preservation.

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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
asimmer
asimmer
Posts: 8,201
Joined: 2003/01/07
United States
2004/03/26, 06:57 PM
To burn bodyfat you need to supply sufficient fuel and create a slight deficit by burning more than you take in. First, though, your body has to be convinced that it is no longer in famine - that is why it can take a few months for your efforts to really start paying off - eating good fuel consistently will help assure your body that it is okay not to hold onto all that fat. Eating 6 small meals a day tells your body there is abundant food in the environment and raises your metabolism. Also, since muscle is more metabolically active, eating to spare/build muscle boosts your metabolism.
Does that answer your questions?

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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
efrost
efrost
Posts: 99
Joined: 2003/09/28
United States
2004/03/27, 09:09 AM
That makes more sense than what I was previously told.. thanks
ssminnow
ssminnow
Posts: 284
Joined: 2004/02/16
United States
2004/03/27, 09:27 AM
what about the whole controversy about doing cardio first thing in the am on an empty stomach? I know that many bodybuilders disagree with this because of being in a catabolic state and losing muscle. But it seems to me that people who have more fat to spare then bodybuilders can afford to lose a little muscle as long as they lose some fat too (if fat loss is your goal).

Would be jogging in the am be good with a little whey protein in the stomach and nothing else? Would this prevent the breakdown of muscle and also allow fat burning?

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Don't sweat what you have no control over... WILL IT MATTER IN A HUNDRED YEARS....
asimmer
asimmer
Posts: 8,201
Joined: 2003/01/07
United States
2004/03/27, 09:37 AM
There was a big discussion about this under the heading FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LOOSE FAT or something (look for it, it is all in caps and spelled wrong). I will try and find it and bump it. bbfit and everyone explained it pretty thoruoghly in that post.

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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
ssminnow
ssminnow
Posts: 284
Joined: 2004/02/16
United States
2004/03/27, 09:39 AM
thanks asimmer, i will look for it.

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Don't sweat what you have no control over... WILL IT MATTER IN A HUNDRED YEARS....
asimmer
asimmer
Posts: 8,201
Joined: 2003/01/07
United States
2004/03/27, 09:40 AM
Its in the diets and nutrtion, i just bumped it for you.