Burning body fat vs. dietary fat

[ariesdragon]

I was hoping some of the more experienced Atkins members would answer this for me:

How do I know whether I'm using my own body-fat for fuel vs my dietary intake of fat?

My ketostix are consistently dark pink and my diet is in the correct percentages - 65 fat, 5 carbs, 30 protein. My weight has been stuck for a week. I am consistently eating approx 1200 cals / day with my cals and carbs spread across 4 meals and am very satisfied (I'm only 5ft 2.5"). I weight train twice a week and have been doing that for a year. I also walk and ride a stationary bike 5 times a week. I am following Atkins to the letter. I am on extended induction. My measurements (inches and % bodyfat) have been the same for a week now. I only have another 14lbs to lose to reach my goal weight but I expected Atkins to work faster than this. I do enjoy this WOE as I'm never hungry and would choose it over all other weight loss methods for that reason alone. I used to diet at 1000-1200 cals using low fat methods and have had success before but the hunger killed me and I'd often go off plan!

If in ketosis, what % of what we're burning is body fat and what % is dietary fat? Also what is the metabolic advantage in terms of calories for Atkins vs. other diets? Some sources suggest 100 cals, some as much as 300 cals. I'm very familiar with the low carb literature, have read numerous books and articles but have never found an answer to my body fat vs. dietary fat question.

Thank you,

E

[Adena]

Re: Burning body fat vs. dietary fat

E -- I can't help you with the scientific explanation, but I can tell you that the ketostix confirm that you are indeed burning stored fat rather than dietary fat. As far as I know, the keto stick does NOT react to burning dietary fat. Think of it this way... if you ate a huge pile of french fries dipped in ranch dressing, you'd be consuming a great deal of fat. But, you would not be in fat-burning ketosis, therefore, I guarantee your stick would not turn pink.

Being at the same weight for a week is normal -- especially with only 14 more pounds to lose. You may want to consider moving on from extended induction... many find that introducing more carbs actually helps. The first rung is simply 5 more carbs of veggies -- that never hurt anyone!

Also, unless you have a very small frame, you're probably already pretty close to your ideal body weight. The choice to keep losing is yours, of course, but the scale will probably fight you....

Good luck!

[ariesdragon]

Re: Burning body fat vs. dietary fat

Adena,

I'm still not so sure about the burning body fat vs. dietary fat issue. Is there a scientific adviser on this board or someone with an endocrinology background that could answer for us?

Of course if I ate french fries dipped in ranch I would unlikely be burning body fat or showing pink on the ketostix because (unless I was eating minimal calories) french fries are a major carb. However, perhaps if all I was to eat in one day were those french fries dipped in ranch I would be burning some body fat for sure if I wasn't metabolically resistant! BUT...what if in one day I only ate a bucket of ranch containing anywhere from 1200 - 2000 cals? I'm sure my ketostix would be pink/purple BUT - How would I know I was burning bodyfat and not dietary fat? - that's the real question.

I notice in the "Fat fast" described in DANDR, Dr Atkins only prescribes 1000 cals - why not 1500 or 1800 or even 2000 cals?? How do we know its not the lower calorie intake that is the major factor in stimulating loss?
Of course adding carbs (as in your french fry example) switches on the glucosis fuel system ie. insulin release and subsequent prevention/slow down of fat loss from the fat cells.

I agree with you that my body will fight me on these 14 lbs because I'm not over-weight but I know I have weighed 115 before and that was my weight for many, many years up to only 2 years ago so I think it is possible for me to get down to that weight again (unless since then something happened to me!) I want to fit into my clothes again.

I will be patient for another week - and yes next week I'm moving to OWL rung 1 and will add 5g carbs. However, as clearly stated in DANDR, OWL means slower weight loss. It will be interesting to see what happens to me.

I clearly don't want to add more calories at this point - I will wait till maintenance to do that. I think Atkins will help me avoid regaining once I lose my pounds. I was definitely a sugar addict.

E