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Question: Does the setpoint theory of fat loss work?

(Posted by: footballinmachine77 on 2010-01-15 06:44:15)

Just want to see if anyone here knows. I'm interested in trying it, but I don't know if it does or doesn't.

Posted by: Gourdman on 2010-01-15, 07:06:52

All such theories and special diets are based on the same, simple underlying principle: If you eat well and burn more calories than you ingest, you lose weight. I tend to place little credence in complicated weight loss formulas because there's a common thread in parts of the world where obesity is prevalent: Bad diet and lack of activity. When the Japanese start eating burgers, fries, and pizza, they get fat just like us, regardless of their set points. I think the exercises of turbulence training are great -- they're based on high intensity interval training, which definitely does burn more fat, but there's nothing fancy about weight loss. Clean up your diet, get rid of all the processed foods with man-made ingredients, and start moving. Do this and you will lose the weight. Recent studies have shown that there's little benefit from a metabolic afterburn following exercise. The weight loss value comes from the intensity of the exercise itself, where you exhaust glycogen stores and force the body to burn fat.

Posted by: Biological Robot on 2010-01-15, 06:52:15

Personally I believe the setpoint theory is just an expression for how most people find their equilibrium at some point. The effects of metabolism are somewhat exaggerated. At some point the body is forced to adjust to a lower caloric intake. Otherwise everyone who starves would die fat. For some people it's easier to increase exercise than to adjust their diet. Some only diet with no exercise (which is not good, you can still die skinny from heart failure etc.), and preferably: Both.