That 3,500 calories = 1lb of fat thing

BerryH

MFP works on the well-established principle that if you eat 500 calories less a day you should lose 1lb a week, because 1lb of fat has 3,500 calories. Plateaus and wobbles aside, it works for me and many other people on here.

But what about that other well-established fact, that we don't only lose fat but also a proportion of lean muscle and water (there being less body to store it in)? At least 25% of the weight you drop can come from these non-fat sources, according to one source.

A gram of protein has 4 calories and a gram of fat has 9, so at that ratio a pound of protein only has 1,555 calories.

Does that mean we should actually be losing weight faster because a proportion of the lean tissue is also lost which takes a smaller calorie deficit per pound?

*brain explodes*

MrsSWW

You *kitten*-stirring Berry? :bigsmile:

UponThisRock

Lean tissue loss depends on genetics, diet, training, and how lean you are. It's impossible to try to quantify.

BerryH

You *kitten*-stirring Berry? :bigsmile:

No! I just read the 3,500 calories thing YET AGAIN and realised that though every single principle of dieting has been analysed to death by the MFP experts, I don't think this one has come up

MrsSWW

I see... *nods* It's a good question alright!

MrsSWW

Anyway, wouldn't the water ratio be different for everyone? I never drink 8 glasses in a day so would that affect the ratio?

hnsaunde

bump

BerryH

Anyway, wouldn't the water ratio be different for everyone? I never drink 8 glasses in a day so would that affect the ratio?

Yeah, we all know what you drink 8 glasses of :laugh:

Serious question, I did hard sums for this and want a serious answer!

Elzecat

MFP works on the well-established principle that if you eat 500 calories less a day you should lose 1lb a week, because 1lb of fat has 3,500 calories. Plateaus and wobbles aside, it works for me and many other people on here.

But what about that other well-established fact, that we don't only lose fat but also a proportion of lean muscle and water (there being less body to store it in)? At least 25% of the weight you drop can come from these non-fat sources, according to one source.

A gram of protein has 4 calories and a gram of fat has 9, so at that ratio a pound of protein only has 1,555 calories.

Does that mean we should actually be losing weight faster because a proportion of the lean tissue is also lost which takes a smaller calorie deficit per pound?

*brain explodes*

I wonder if you lose weight if your brain explodes? :bigsmile:

Sidesteal

Lean tissue loss depends on genetics, diet, training, and how lean you are. It's impossible to try to quantify.

You got a serious answer, located above.

cassidygrooms

I am not smart enough to comprehend anything you just said.... HA

fisherlassie

bump

Captain_Tightpants

The body metabolizes carbs and fat first because the process is so much easier. Your body is a very efficient machine - it automatically takes the easiest routes first. Protein catabolism requires more energy so the body saves it for last.

stormieweather

Oh it has come up before. Every subject has had it's moment in the spotlight on MFP at some point in time.

Here are some more numbers to make your head...err...just read it.

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_pound.php

XXXMinnieXXX

You *kitten*-stirring Berry? :bigsmile:

LMAO!

therapyruns

The body metabolizes carbs and fat first because the process is so much easier. Your body is a very efficient machine - it automatically takes the easiest routes first. Protein catabolism requires more energy so the body saves it for last.

THIS. And, water effects EVERYTHING.

BerryH

Lean tissue loss depends on genetics, diet, training, and how lean you are. It's impossible to try to quantify.

You got a serious answer, located above.

OK then, so given it's an arbitrary figure based on something that just doesn't happen in real life (i.e. that all the weight loss is fat), why hasn't someone come up with a more realistic figure based on an arbitrary ratio of fat/lean/water?

I mean some of us struggle to lose that 1lb of "whatever" on a 500 calorie deficit, as we should actually be losing more for the same calorie deficit, shouldn't scientists specialising in nutrition identify why?

In a world where people track the calories in their vitamin supplements, a little added accuracy can't hurt.

rainunrefined

MFP works on the well-established principle that if you eat 500 calories less a day you should lose 1lb a week, because 1lb of fat has 3,500 calories. Plateaus and wobbles aside, it works for me and many other people on here.

But what about that other well-established fact, that we don't only lose fat but also a proportion of lean muscle and water (there being less body to store it in)? At least 25% of the weight you drop can come from these non-fat sources, according to one source.

A gram of protein has 4 calories and a gram of fat has 9, so at that ratio a pound of protein only has 1,555 calories.

Does that mean we should actually be losing weight faster because a proportion of the lean tissue is also lost which takes a smaller calorie deficit per pound?

*brain explodes*

I wonder if you lose weight if your brain explodes? :bigsmile:

The human head is 8ish pounds... so, probably.

BerryH

I wonder if you lose weight if your brain explodes? :bigsmile:

The human head is 8ish pounds... so, probably.

Brain tissue's mostly lean, right? As I'm blonde, is a greater proportion water?

raiderrodney

You *kitten*-stirring Berry? :bigsmile:

With a big ole wooden spoon

MrsSWW

[/quote]



In a world where people track the calories in their vitamin supplements, a little added accuracy can't hurt.
[/quote]

Ach cr^p!! It's the glucosamine tablets that are making me plateau! I didn't even think about calories in them, grrr!!! :explode:

Captain_Tightpants

Because the "accuracy" could only be individualised. It would be impossible to apply generically across a group of different people. If you don't workout, or if you only do cardio, you're going to lose lean mass at a different rate to someone who intentionally adds lean mass via weight or strength training. If you eat excess protein, it will be consumed for energy before the protien tied up in structures.

rainunrefined

I wonder if you lose weight if your brain explodes? :bigsmile:

The human head is 8ish pounds... so, probably.

Brain tissue's mostly lean, right? As I'm blonde, is a greater proportion water?

It might just be air... so..... all your thinking and brain exploding may not create a loss. Gah, that sucks because your logic is spot on.

PinkEarthMama

I have officially fallen off the couch laughing.

............. thankfully? Not the wagon.

hope516

my head hurts :grumble: lol...but I agree good point!! I think 95% of what we """KNOW"""" is all a big crock of thoeries anyway :bigsmile:

kiesh82

Don't over think it.

BerryH

my head hurts :grumble: lol...but I agree good point!! I think 95% of what we """KNOW"""" is all a big crock of thoeries anyway :bigsmile:

I think maybe, basically, this was my point. MFP just gives numbers and accountability to the "eat less, move more" principle.

BerryH

Don't over think it.

This too.

nygiantschick

huh?

BerryH

Because the "accuracy" could only be individualised. It would be impossible to apply generically across a group of different people. If you don't workout, or if you only do cardio, you're going to lose lean mass at a different rate to someone who intentionally adds lean mass via weight or strength training. If you eat excess protein, it will be consumed for energy before the protien tied up in structures.

Nicely explained, thanks. I still think the 3,500 calorie deficit - 1lb of fat loss idea is a meme that's had it's day, though. The notion that people are only losing fat leads to "skinny fat" and OD'ing on cardio.

0RESET0

1 lb is 453.5924 grams. Each gram of fat is 9 calories. That makes 1 lb of fat equal 4082.3316 calories. Where does the 3500 come from? My Fish oil pills contain 1 gram of fat but are 15 calories each.