Are stalls really stalls?

[joseph]

I would be interested in any evidence that this metabolic slowdown is inevitable. Where it always happens is in the people who forcibly calorie restrict and tank their metabolism. This is why you can’t brute force nature. You may get temporary results but nature will ALWAYS have the last laugh. You have to work with your body to gently lower your set point, and I see no reason why a weight-reduced obese person could not have normal metabolic function. But go Biggest Loser and for sure you will mess yourself up.

I agree that’s why I said on my first sentence that “if you’re metabolically healthy” and also in the formula preferring LCHF or KD as your energy consumption.

The main cause of the Biggest Loser fail was the Biggest Loser diet. The macro composition of that diet is 42 to 53 percent Carbohydrates, 35 to 46 percent Protein and only 16 to 12 percent of Fat. This kind of diet does not induce ketosis thus prevents the body free access to stored fat energy.

Here’s a study about Adaptive thermogenesis in humans

But there are ways that you can minimize the impact of metabolic adaptation like taking the right diet (LCHF or KD) and taking diet breaks (the matador study)

[KetoLikeaLady]

FWIW, I did a keto “cut” program where macros were reduced every week by about 50 cals. I measured my RMR in a lab at week 1 and end of week 7. I saw a marked decrease in RMR just from reducing calories for that period of time. I was eating between 77 and 81% fat with 10 total carbs. My fasting insulin is also extremely low (1.9). So, yes, it is possible to have metabolic adaption (reduction) even on a VERY ketogenic diet. This is why fasting is recommended - by fasting, you are reducing the average weekly calorie consumption but not damaging metabolic health (in fact, improving it). I’m currenty testing this and will take another RMR test in a month or so.

[joseph]

Yes IF does increase energy expenditure.

Intermittent fasting promotes adipose thermogenesis and metabolic homeostasis...

Please update us.

[crickette]

If you are following the macros in ketosis and are fat adapted and the weight is stalling, is it actually stalling?

This is such a great question, if we take it to the nth degree it suggests that once you are happy with your weight/health (and change nothing), are you just in a state of stalling unless you change your macros/activity… ? This is why I think the term stall is useless, until the process is fully understood it’s just a negative connotation that suggests failure by the person and their choices (even though nothing has changed) and ignores all else.

[joseph]

I agree. If you’re happy with your weight or health then you’re not stalling. Personally I still want to lose more weight as I’m still in the overweight category in my BMI so I would say I’m stalling lol.