Success stories from increasing fat intake

juliesummers

I'm working on increasing the amount of fat I'm taking in (specifically virgin coconut oil), I'm having a hard time watching my daily calories go up so quickly. Does anyone have success stories they can share about benefits they experienced from incorporating more [obviously healthy] fats into their diet? Thanks!

Lift_hard_eat_big

I upped my fat intake and the rate of shedding my beIIy fat seemed to increase
Not sure if it was placebo effect though

stayxtrue

Since upping my healthy fat intake I have noticed a much more rapid burning of the fat from my stomach as thats where the lot of my fat seems to be now. Fats are only bad if you are eating Saturated fats, I say up it and give it a few weeks and you will soon notice the difference

auctoritas

I went low carb (<20g/day) and high fat (65% of my daily calories). I really like it. I feel so much better and am losing plenty of weight. The great thing about upping fat intake is that it helps fill you up faster, which in turn helps you eat less and stay in a caloric deficit. Plus coconut oil is full of lauric acid, which helps with HDLs and possibly helps change LDLs from type b (the bad kind) to type a (which is good.)

jfluchere

I agree I eat more fat now than ever before and I have a crazy waist taper I've never had before.

Chadwick891

Increasing vital fats in the diet is very beneficial to the body. It aids the hormone productions in the body which allows the body to function at peak performance for longer.

A success story is Dorian Yates for one. He had a strict low fat, high carb, high protein diet and was 'happy' with his results. Then a year later, he put on about 15lb of lean muscle mass increasing his fats intake over his carbohydrate intake. He is an IFBB pro and 6-time olympia.

Have Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats in your diet, have naturally occurring fats too. Olive oil, coconut oil, fish oil etc. are all good fats to be taking in. Take 1 tspn of olive oil with 2 meals a day as a general guideline and have anywhere from 1-3 fish oil capsules with breakfast and you should notice better hormone function.

Grokette

I'm working on increasing the amount of fat I'm taking in (specifically virgin coconut oil), I'm having a hard time watching my daily calories go up so quickly. Does anyone have success stories they can share about benefits they experienced from incorporating more [obviously healthy] fats into their diet? Thanks!

Most of us that up our fat intake also decrease carb intake and are eating pretty natural, whole foods (proteins, fats, vegetables and minimal fruits) so we don't really count calories.

Grokette

I upped my fat intake and the rate of shedding my beIIy fat seemed to increase
Not sure if it was placebo effect though

No, it is not a placebo effect. In order to burn fat, it takes eating fat.

juliesummers

Thanks so much for the input!
I will be incorporating more, it's just a little scary for me. I'm worried about how my body will react initially. I feel like it's going to take the fat and store it right away since it hasn't had much for so long. Did any of you experience an initial gain? How long did it take you to experience the positive benefits? Has anyone also noticed an improvement in hair, skin and nail health?

jfluchere

Thanks so much for the input!
I will be incorporating more, it's just a little scary for me. I'm worried about how my body will react initially. I feel like it's going to take the fat and store it right away since it hasn't had much for so long. Did any of you experience an initial gain? How long did it take you to experience the positive benefits? Has anyone also noticed an improvement in hair, skin and nail health?

Yes everything us better, I don't need lotion for my skin, my hair is full and long and never looked better. Just keep your calories in in check and you won't gain weight. Drop carbs and sugar, eat fat.

Ral263

I've noticed benefits and drawbacks....for me, the positive aspect (like most others have mentioned) is that my waist "tapers" like it never has before. I finally have a defined waist! Which is obviously great. Also, my skin is never ashy or dry anymore, and my nails don't split and grow like weeds. No difference in hair though.


Drawbacks.... My *kitten* got huge. I used to ALWAYS pack on extra weight in my stomach; now, for the first time in my life, my thighs and butt are just huge. I truly do think that different macronutrient intake causes extra weight to distribute differently-- too many carbs = stomach, too much fat = butt. At least in my case.

The other drawback for me is that my increase of fat intake has been mostly from nuts or nut butters, for which it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to keep my portion control consistent. I will eat 1000s of cals in nuts in one sitting if I get ahold of them, so it's something I just can't have around, even if they are healthy fats.

For now, I'm drastically cutting my fat intake to jump start weight loss, but I think in general it's pretty helpful during maintenance. You need fat to absorb nutrients-- i just have to figure out which fats I can add without feeling like I will binge on them!

juliesummers

Ral - When you started eating more fats, did you also start eating more calories?
Personally, I wouldn't mind a bigger booty and a smaller waist :P

In terms of the people telling me to reduce my carbs/sugars -- currently my overall calorie intake is quite low (below the recommended minimum), so I do need to ultimately increase my calories to at least 1,200 so I won't be reducing my already low carb intake.

EthanJeremiahsMama

BUMP! would love to know this too!

Slavic_Spice

Bump... I have been interested in doing this as well and appreciate all who have contributed.

rebeccap13

Just be sure to get good fats from things like nuts, avocados, fish, olive oil. Like someone stated earlier certain vitamins aren't water soluble, they're fat soluble like vitamins A, D, E and K so fat is essential to proper nutrition.

snowbab

Bump. For later and in case of more opinions/experiences

_Amy_Budd

I would consider myself a success story when it comes to upping fat and lowering carbs...

And yes, tapering waist, healthy skin, nails and hair, I don't get sick or have any aches and pains. Here's some photographic evidence (taken a couple of weeks ago, and I've lost another 5 or so since then - the before photo was when I stopped eating grains and upping fat, not my ultimate before photo):

timadotcom

i did not even know you are allowed to eat more fat... can you guys let me know where you get your good fats from?

mae1020

Bump for later. Really interested in this.

jfluchere

I've noticed benefits and drawbacks....for me, the positive aspect (like most others have mentioned) is that my waist "tapers" like it never has before. I finally have a defined waist! Which is obviously great. Also, my skin is never ashy or dry anymore, and my nails don't split and grow like weeds. No difference in hair though.


Drawbacks.... My *kitten* got huge. I used to ALWAYS pack on extra weight in my stomach; now, for the first time in my life, my thighs and butt are just huge. I truly do think that different macronutrient intake causes extra weight to distribute differently-- too many carbs = stomach, too much fat = butt. At least in my case.

The other drawback for me is that my increase of fat intake has been mostly from nuts or nut butters, for which it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to keep my portion control consistent. I will eat 1000s of cals in nuts in one sitting if I get ahold of them, so it's something I just can't have around, even if they are healthy fats.

For now, I'm drastically cutting my fat intake to jump start weight loss, but I think in general it's pretty helpful during maintenance. You need fat to absorb nutrients-- i just have to figure out which fats I can add without feeling like I will binge on them!

I'm like that with pistachio nuts...I could eat a whole Costco bag in a week. So I stay away for now. I eat small avacados and that's my portion control, one egg yolk, etc easy to not go crazy. Give me a jar of peanut butter and its way harder to control if its in your diet

steffiejoe

I would consider myself a success story when it comes to upping fat and lowering carbs...

And yes, tapering waist, healthy skin, nails and hair, I don't get sick or have any aches and pains. Here's some photographic evidence (taken a couple of weeks ago, and I've lost another 5 or so since then - the before photo was when I stopped eating grains and upping fat, not my ultimate before photo):

OMG!! The proof is in the pudding!! Great job. Yes you are a success story !!!

sew1222

I would consider myself a success story when it comes to upping fat and lowering carbs...

And yes, tapering waist, healthy skin, nails and hair, I don't get sick or have any aches and pains. Here's some photographic evidence (taken a couple of weeks ago, and I've lost another 5 or so since then - the before photo was when I stopped eating grains and upping fat, not my ultimate before photo):

OMG!! The proof is in the pudding!! Great job. Yes you are a success story !!!

so what did and how did you cut out your grains and what kinds of fats did you add?? did you cut out all your grain?

Gabbahh

Better skin with more Omega 3. Allergy problems greatly decreased.

DopeItUp

Thanks so much for the input!
I will be incorporating more, it's just a little scary for me. I'm worried about how my body will react initially. I feel like it's going to take the fat and store it right away since it hasn't had much for so long. Did any of you experience an initial gain? How long did it take you to experience the positive benefits? Has anyone also noticed an improvement in hair, skin and nail health?

Dietary fat has no bearing on the fat deposits on your body. What matters is overall calorie intake.

_Amy_Budd

I would consider myself a success story when it comes to upping fat and lowering carbs...

And yes, tapering waist, healthy skin, nails and hair, I don't get sick or have any aches and pains. Here's some photographic evidence (taken a couple of weeks ago, and I've lost another 5 or so since then - the before photo was when I stopped eating grains and upping fat, not my ultimate before photo):

OMG!! The proof is in the pudding!! Great job. Yes you are a success story !!!

so what did and how did you cut out your grains and what kinds of fats did you add?? did you cut out all your grain?

I follow The Primal Blueprint - you can find all the info on it at marksdailyapple.com, or come check out the Primal/Paleo support group on here. Basically, it's clean eating - whole, unprocessed foods, organic/grass-fed/cage-free/wild whenever possible, lots of healthy fats, a healthy amount of protein, no grains, legumes, sugars or sugary fruits (although many fruits are okay), dairy in moderation (preferably whole fat, raw milk/cheese). I have never felt as healthy or as happy as I do living this way. I wrote about it here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/4milesat40/view/6-months-primal-179202


Amy

borys12

I follow Paleo as well. No sugar, no wheat ( grains ), no fruits and so on. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is my main fat source.
The sugar / carbs are the enemy, not fat. Like 4milesat I had no headache, joint / back pain for over the year, can run 10k,
do not get tired even after very busy day.

Firesign

Great information. Thanks

leenites

I follow Paleo as well. No sugar, no wheat ( grains ), no fruits and so on. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is my main fat source.
The sugar / carbs are the enemy, not fat. Like 4milesat I had no headache, joint / back pain for over the year, can run 10k,
do not get tired even after very busy day.

You sure you survive without no carbs? I feel so weak if I do not take carb before and after a weight lifting session. Banana helps so much after workout. Do you lift? I do not dare to go zero carb but if you can give me some good evidences that it would not make me feel super tired and lethargic, i would love to listen.

rebeccap13

I follow Paleo as well. No sugar, no wheat ( grains ), no fruits and so on. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is my main fat source.
The sugar / carbs are the enemy, not fat. Like 4milesat I had no headache, joint / back pain for over the year, can run 10k,
do not get tired even after very busy day.

What part of Paleo ever says you can't eat fruit?

I personally always eat a banana before my morning workouts then have eggs afterward. I don't agree with this carbs are the enemy mentality. Just my opinion. Maybe it's because I'm slowly developing a healthy relationship with carbs. I focus on hitting my protein and fat goals for the day and usually the carbs just fall into place.

debbylee22

How's everyone doing on Virgin Coconut oil ?

selfishshellfish

I'm working on increasing the amount of fat I'm taking in (specifically virgin coconut oil), I'm having a hard time watching my daily calories go up so quickly. Does anyone have success stories they can share about benefits they experienced from incorporating more [obviously healthy] fats into their diet? Thanks!

I think the general idea is that fat is the only macronutrient which does not stimulate the release of insulin upon its consumption. Therefore this helps to create a more favourable hormonal environment for ongoing fat burning, especially with respect to the dangerous visceral fat.

The fats I have been adding to my diet come mostly from eggs, butter, meat and poultry. I realise that this is controversial, but years of eating the 'healthy' way have not solved my health and appetite issues. So I'm trying this.

So far - six weeks on - my appetite is very much decreased. I haven't lost scale weight but my midsection has started to shrink; clothes which were tight round the middle have much more room in them. And my pre-menstrual week has been much less traumatic than usual.

During the early stages of the high-fat eating regime I was probably very much over my daily calorie allowance because I didn't log (I wanted to get used to the change before fussing about calories), but now my appetite has decreased and I am on average within calories. But I have set my allowance quite high, it should be noted. This might be tricky to do if you're set on eating 1200 a day.

The only way to find out if it suits you is to try it for yourself, I'd say.