Metabolism question.

[chrisobrien54]

Google has failed me on this, although I suspect it a bit of a dumb question.

So I work out, eat right and generally look after myself as best I can. I'll cycle and run loads, which presumably ups my metabolism slightly.

My question is this: if I stuff a couple KFC down my neck, followed by ice cream and a few bars of chocolate - how quickly does the body process that and turn it into fat?

I mean, how long does it take for that intake to turn into wobbly pink flesh around my waist?

Any input appreciated : )

[Hoofy]

About the same time it takes to process the same amount of "healthy" home-made food with the same calorific value.

[daz3210]

Took me about 5 years of eating that kinda diet every work day for lunch, before I realised I was getting porky.

[Hoofy]

daz3210 said:

Took me about 5 years of eating that kinda diet every work day for lunch, before I realised I was getting porky.

Eat less of it and no "healthy" food and you'd still be lean...

One ground hog day issue on MyFitnessPal is that people sign up looking to lose weight and think they have to force themselves to eat just 3 lettuce leaves and make that last all day.

Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 17th July 11:50

[daz3210]

Hoofy said:

daz3210 said:

Took me about 5 years of eating that kinda diet every work day for lunch, before I realised I was getting porky.

Eat less of it and no "healthy" food and you'd still be lean...

One ground hog day issue on MyFitnessPal is that people sign up looking to lose weight and think they have to force themselves to eat just 3 lettuce leaves and make that last all day.

Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 17th July 11:50

I heard something similar, basically that you can eat too little and your body goes into like a protection mode where it stores everything it can.

[Hoofy]

daz3210 said:

I heard something similar, basically that you can eat too little and your body goes into like a protection mode where it stores everything it can.

Yes, been there, done that. Ate about 1000 calories a day for a few weeks - fairly easy to do if you choose the right foods. The "magical" zone appears to be around 1400-1900 for healthy, relaxed weight loss. Not difficult to eat within that range.

[daz3210]

Hoofy said:

daz3210 said:

I heard something similar, basically that you can eat too little and your body goes into like a protection mode where it stores everything it can.

Yes, been there, done that. Ate about 1000 calories a day for a few weeks - fairly easy to do if you choose the right foods. The "magical" zone appears to be around 1400-1900 for healthy, relaxed weight loss. Not difficult to eat within that range.

I've been trying that.

The problem is I feel hungry at certain times.

[Hoofy]

daz3210 said:

I've been trying that.

The problem is I feel hungry at certain times.

Tell me more and I'll have a think about ways round it. You could try eating slightly smaller portions at meal times, giving you more leeway for snacks.

I tend to eat about once every 1.5 hours with obviously smaller portions at meal times, mainly vegetables and meat/fish.

[dangerousB]

chrisobrien54 said:

My question is this: if I stuff a couple KFC down my neck, followed by ice cream and a few bars of chocolate - how quickly does the body process that and turn it into fat?

Well, it may not actually do that. Whilst that's not the best of dietary input, it doesn't automatically mean it'll end up as stored body fat. Depends on a great deal of other factors.

To (kind of) answer your question, the nutrient order in terms of digestion is carbohydrate then protein and then fat, but transit times can vary hugely from person to person and even vary wildly for yourself - again it'll vary dependent upon a whole host of factors.

Me personally? If I had a huge pig-out and did nothing physically, my body would give me away in 3 days.

That's why I don't do it.

[chrisobrien54]

daz3210 said:

I heard something similar, basically that you can eat too little and your body goes into like a protection mode where it stores everything it can.

By all accounts, you really have to be going some to induce this reaction. Like eating nothing for months.

[chrisobrien54]

dangerousB said:

Well, it may not actually do that. Whilst that's not the best of dietary input, it doesn't automatically mean it'll end up as stored body fat. Depends on a great deal of other factors.

To (kind of) answer your question, the nutrient order in terms of digestion is carbohydrate then protein and then fat, but transit times can vary hugely from person to person and even vary wildly for yourself - again it'll vary dependent upon a whole host of factors.

Me personally? If I had a huge pig-out and did nothing physically, my body would give me away in 3 days.

That's why I don't do it.

So you reckon three days for you? I've kind of banked on a week for me - any weight loss, or gain, usually takes a week but I've never been sure if this has been psychological. I rarely jump on the scales, only work on appearance.

[daz3210]

Hoofy said:

daz3210 said:

I've been trying that.

The problem is I feel hungry at certain times.

Tell me more and I'll have a think about ways round it. You could try eating slightly smaller portions at meal times, giving you more leeway for snacks.

I tend to eat about once every 1.5 hours with obviously smaller portions at meal times, mainly vegetables and meat/fish.

What do you need to know?

Basically I have for a good few years had a pretty poor attitude towards healthy eating, preferring to eat what I like, rather than what I should. Willpower has been lacking to alter this.

Typical meals have been lunchtime fish and chips, teatime quite often stuff like pizza, or something quick with chips. Then late on at night if I get peckish I used to think nothing of ordering a curry delivery.

Now I have got a body that I may die for (as in large, not buff), I have decided to do something about it. So, now I try to have something like a wholemeal sandwich, something like chicken with salad for tea/dinner, and try to avoid the curry. But come 9 or 10 at night, particularly after a gym session I get the munchies. I have difficulty eating a lot first thing on a morning, I end up feeling nauseous if I eat anything more than something like a banana on a morning.

One other thing I have done is started using myfitnesspal, and that has opened my eyes to what is in some of the stuff I have eaten in the past.

One suggestion that has been made is that I look at something like a protein shake, but is that wise?

[Hoofy]

MFP is good for checking your food intake. Aim for about 1700-1900 calories a day. It's not difficult to keep within that range.

Nothing wrong with eating a light breakfast (mine's usually a couple of slices of bread or toast with some chicken breast (300 calories total) and it lasts until lunchtime/1pm). Go easy on the chips (don't have a large portion if you're used to that) and have a smaller pizza. This will give you room for eating something else later on.

Protein shakes - they won't help you lose weight; they're good for building muscle. And speaking of fluids, watch your calorie intake when having a drink. Five cups of tea with milk and two sugars throughout the day does add up in the calorie stakes.

Edit: of course, we haven't considered your exercise routine (CV+weights+diet=weight loss).

[daz3210]

Hoofy said:

MFP is good for checking your food intake. Aim for about 1700-1900 calories a day. It's not difficult to keep within that range.

Nothing wrong with eating a light breakfast (mine's usually a couple of slices of bread or toast with some chicken breast (300 calories total) and it lasts until lunchtime/1pm). Go easy on the chips (don't have a large portion if you're used to that) and have a smaller pizza. This will give you room for eating something else later on.

Protein shakes - they won't help you lose weight. And speaking of fluids, watch your calorie intake when having a drink. Five cups of tea with milk and two sugars throughout the day does add up in the calorie stakes.

I'm lucky in that respect, I can't stand either sugar or milk in tea