Recomp Math

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Replies

  • NRBreit
    NRBreit Posts: 319 Member
    This is stuff we all know, we also know that one lb of fat =3500 cal but 453.6g x 9cal= 4082cal. So how can this be right the numbers just don't add up right. The problem is fat is not all "fat", fat is made up of cells, that are mostly made up of water, but they hold a large amount of oil in them. So a lb of fat is made up of about 86% oil so that would about 390g of fat and 63g of water. Ok so more math now.

    1lb=453g
    390g oil x 9= 3510
    63g water x0=0
    390g+63g= 453g=1 lb

    So now all the math works out that a lb of fat can both be 453g and only be 3500 cal.

    OP, I am genuinely trying to understand your logic here. It seems that you're trying to say that the composition of body fat is a combination of 'oil' or dietary fat (9 cals per gram) and water (0 cals per gram). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not think there is any direct correlation between dietary fat consumed and the composition of body fat. Trying to match the amount of energy needed to lose a lb. of body fat (3,500 cals) cannot be tied to number of grams of dietary fat x 9 cals. Body fat is not 'composed' of dietary fat. Any energy surplus created by any macro nutirent is converted to fat. Someone tell me different. I'm trying to learn from this post.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I am tagging this to read at a later time because I know nothing about recomp at all, and it's something I've been thinking about.

    Sam, I am so sorry, but I could not follow a bit of your original posting, probably because I am dyslexic and fail miserably at math, but I'm impressed that you've lost 118 pounds. That's quite an accomplishment! Congrats!

    Will come back at a later date to read.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I am tagging this to read at a later time because I know nothing about recomp at all, and it's something I've been thinking about.

    Sam, I am so sorry, but I could not follow a bit of your original posting, probably because I am dyslexic and fail miserably at math, but I'm impressed that you've lost 118 pounds. That's quite an accomplishment! Congrats!

    Will come back at a later date to read.
    Unfortunately the original posting won't enlighten you much about recomp - the mathematical meanderings are pretty pointless. I think it's mostly a rant against the all too common "it's impossible to lose weight and build muscle at the same time" or "you can't add muscle at a calorie deficit" comments seen on these forums. Some people don't seem to realise impossible is an absolute term.

    Recomp is simply body recomposition, reducing body fat percentage and increasing lean mass at the same time - most commonly while maintaining weight. It's what 99% of people used to do when I started training although don't think there was an actual name for it back in the 70's. In those days exercise/training and diet/calorie balance were mostly separate entities and only body builders would do cut/bulk cycles. In those days you simply went to the gym and got stronger, you kept on going to the gym and your muscles got bigger!

    The fundamentals of recomp are train well, eat well, stay the same weight by finding your calorie balance - plus patience.

    Recomp is regarded as slower to achieve results than cut/bulk cycles which is often the case but far from universal - it depends what your limiting factors for muscle growth are. I recomp as my limiting factors are age, training years and injuries so whatever I do I can't add muscle quickly. Plus I'm enjoying my current weight and training too much to either cut or bulk!
  • CrusaderSam
    CrusaderSam Posts: 180 Member
    OP, I am genuinely trying to understand your logic here. It seems that you're trying to say that the composition of body fat is a combination of 'oil' or dietary fat (9 cals per gram) and water (0 cals per gram). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not think there is any direct correlation between dietary fat consumed and the composition of body fat. Trying to match the amount of energy needed to lose a lb. of body fat (3,500 cals) cannot be tied to number of grams of dietary fat x 9 cals. Body fat is not 'composed' of dietary fat. Any energy surplus created by any macro nutirent is converted to fat. Someone tell me different. I'm trying to learn from this post.

    You are right. The only thing I have to add to it is the amount needed to both lose and gain are the same. Just the amount of cals needed to store 1lb of fat is much higher then the cals need for your body to synthesize the protein needed to gain a lb of muscle. I was just putting forth a hypothetical, I think that part got lost on most people.
    OP--what are the 'good' choices on how to best gain LBM and setting goals?
    You should know what your goal BMI at a given body fat % should be. Then you see if you are on target to meet your goals.
    Your end BMI shouldn't be in the obese range.
    Track your strength to weight ratio see if its getting better or worse.
    Most peoples goals will take about 3 years of training, are you being realistic in your time frames?

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