A Few Fat Loss Questions

Nutrition
1

Hi everybody, I have a couple of questions I’ve been accumulating for a while, and I figure I’d sit down today and ask everybody to see if some of the more experienced people here could shed some light on them. I’ve been reading a lot about fat loss lately, so that’s the theme.

  1. How much, in the experience of anyone who cares to respond, does fat loss depend on calorie balance and how much on macronutrient ratio? In other words, if I want to lose fat, could I do it by eating more food but less carbohydrate?

From reading some of John Berardi’s stuff I get the impression that I could, but then in the article called “the last 10 lbs” published a few weeks ago, the one piece of dietary advice in there was to cut calories. I realize that that article explicitly said that it wouldn’t try and suggest specific dietary changes, but at the same time, the fact that it’s possible to do the exact polar opposite of what that article recommends and still accomplish the goal that it’s setting you up to accomplish suggests that calories aren’t the most important thing to worry about. So what’s up?

  1. I can see my abs but my gut extends beyond my chest. Is this all visceral fat? I eat pretty cleanly (no I’m not stupid; my diet is planned, I only drink water, don’t eat crap, etc.) lift 4 hours a week, and am 19, so I’m inclined to guess not, but I don’t know what else it would be so maybe I’m lying to myself. Any clarity on the issue would be welcome.
2

For #2, you might just need a bigger chest. If that’s the case then you probably shouldn’t be trying to cut anyways, but to each his own.

3

In terms of fat loss, you’re caloric intake/deficit is primary concern. Of course, this statement assumes that macro balance is already in place.

If your concerned about dissecting the article’s claims that caloric balance is more important than macro balance, don’t be.

Also, Berardi is making some key assumptions that go hand in hand with the answer to your question, namely…

"1. You’re between 10 to 12% bodyfat.

  1. You’re lifting heavy weights regularly.

  2. Your weight is currently at maintenance (i.e. you aren’t losing or gaining right now)."

To answer your question directly, YES, you can lose fat by eating more food with less carbohydrate. This statement assumes you have a working knowledge of your own BMR, activity level, BF% and are willing to work MORE.