Calories in, calories out.....
Discussion
The notion of weight gain or loss being governed by the balance of calories going in and out of the body makes sense on the surface, but what happens beyond that?
For example, the world's most inert couch potato might only consume, for sake of argument, 1,000 calories per day, but they might only burn 1,000 too, given that they never move from in front of the TV.
Compare our couch potato to someone on a polar expedition. They might well be consuming 10,000 calories per day, but also burning 10,000 calories as they go.
Both of the above have the same net zero gain in calories on a day to day basis, and I'd expect them to have very different physiques, but how would that vary over time?
Would the couch potato's lack of exercise see their body fat percentage increasing as their muscles waste away through lack of use whilst maintaining the same overall weight, since their calories in are balanced by the calories out? Likewise, would our polar explorer see his fat reserves depleted to feed increases in muscle bulk, whilst also maintaining the same overall weight?
For example, the world's most inert couch potato might only consume, for sake of argument, 1,000 calories per day, but they might only burn 1,000 too, given that they never move from in front of the TV.
Compare our couch potato to someone on a polar expedition. They might well be consuming 10,000 calories per day, but also burning 10,000 calories as they go.
Both of the above have the same net zero gain in calories on a day to day basis, and I'd expect them to have very different physiques, but how would that vary over time?
Would the couch potato's lack of exercise see their body fat percentage increasing as their muscles waste away through lack of use whilst maintaining the same overall weight, since their calories in are balanced by the calories out? Likewise, would our polar explorer see his fat reserves depleted to feed increases in muscle bulk, whilst also maintaining the same overall weight?
Good question, but I don't think it's going to be that simple.
1) What fuel are you putting into your body will impact the size/shape. Lots of fat, the body will store as fat and use as such, carbs and protein will help, but balance is the key.
2) The body gets used to it's intake and becomes more efficient, so the couch potato will become more efficient at sitting there thus in theory needing less calories. It does not work this was as some is stored, some is used, but it's like running, you become more efficient the more you practice.
Calories in vs Calories out is a good principle in my view, but taking health a little more seriously, it's about what are the calories? Your example could mean 5 pints a day for the couch potato would serve them well, and 50 for the polar explorer
Sorry, not really much help, but just a few more angles do discuss
T-J-K
1) What fuel are you putting into your body will impact the size/shape. Lots of fat, the body will store as fat and use as such, carbs and protein will help, but balance is the key.
2) The body gets used to it's intake and becomes more efficient, so the couch potato will become more efficient at sitting there thus in theory needing less calories. It does not work this was as some is stored, some is used, but it's like running, you become more efficient the more you practice.
Calories in vs Calories out is a good principle in my view, but taking health a little more seriously, it's about what are the calories? Your example could mean 5 pints a day for the couch potato would serve them well, and 50 for the polar explorer
Sorry, not really much help, but just a few more angles do discuss
T-J-K
A good point, but for the sake of argument, let's assume both extremes are eating a healthy, balanced diet, and it's only the quantities that change. The question I guess is more one of understanding what the relationship is between muscle to fat ratios and the amount of physical work done, once you remove the calories in & calories out part of the equation.
I don't have the science for this, but the answer has to be yes it will change. The development of the muscles will change in the Polar explorer as they use their body efficiently. They will also use their fat reserves as the body will not need to store fat and learn that carbs will be provided.
I cannot prove that the couch Potato will put on fat, but the body stores fat on low calorie intakes typically as it looks after it's future. This in turn makes the person typically more lethargic and requiring more sleep (not always). If you take a Bulemic (Sp.)the body is tricked into thinking it will get stores, but this is removed before it can be stored. The body then stores as much as it can as it panics and you'll see fat stored around the waist and thighs typically (depends on body type)
I hypothesise that the couch potato will continue with their body shape and the Polar explorer will tone up through use of muscles and the knowledge of further fuel. (The body can always use muscle as a fuel if necessary)
Sorry it's rambling and I might be totally wrong, but these are my observations
T-J-K
I cannot prove that the couch Potato will put on fat, but the body stores fat on low calorie intakes typically as it looks after it's future. This in turn makes the person typically more lethargic and requiring more sleep (not always). If you take a Bulemic (Sp.)the body is tricked into thinking it will get stores, but this is removed before it can be stored. The body then stores as much as it can as it panics and you'll see fat stored around the waist and thighs typically (depends on body type)
I hypothesise that the couch potato will continue with their body shape and the Polar explorer will tone up through use of muscles and the knowledge of further fuel. (The body can always use muscle as a fuel if necessary)
Sorry it's rambling and I might be totally wrong, but these are my observations
T-J-K
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