>I think the whole theory of "calories in < calories out" is BS-- people are different and some people are more sensitive to insulin the others.
You think the first law of thermodynamics is bullshit?
You think the first law of thermodynamics is bullshit?
Repeating it to a fatty as fat-loss advice is a lot like trying to teach someone to swim by continually telling them that water is wet. Absolutely true, but completely unhelpful.
The broken element in a fatty is a complex biochemical feedback system that ultimately does not send "start eating" and "stop eating" signals at appropriate times. The frontal cortex can consciously override it to some extent, by refusing to eat when the "start eating" signal is sent, but this is psychologically very stressful.
One of the great things about low-carb and keto diets is that the body's backup ketone-burning power system is usually not affected by the buggy firmware updates that have been applied to the carb-burning system over the years. Once you are adapted to it, you can consciously control your caloric intake as appropriate for your body-reform plan without getting bombarded by unsatiated appetite signals every waking moment of your day. You can eat a 1200 kcal diet without biting through the padlock on the fridge and gorging yourself on whatever is in there.
A fatty usually isn't fat because they want to be, or because they don't understand thermodynamic balance. They're fat because they have a little shoulder devil constantly whispering in their ear, that just won't shut up, ever.
DEVIL: Hey. I want a doughnut. I want a dozen doughnuts.
FATTY: No.
DEVIL: Get me a doughnut. Do it. Do it now. Gooey jelly doughnut.
FATTY: Those are like 300 Calories. Each. So, no.
DEVIL: Don't care. Ok, compromise. 3 beignets. C'est si bon.
FATTY: No!
DEVIL: Fine. Churros, por favor. Me gusta.
FATTY: No. No fried sugar-dough of any kind. Will french fries work?
DEVIL: Super size! Extra ketchup! Fountain drink!
FATTY: [om nom nom]
DEVIL: Now I want chocolate.
If you can demonstrate everywhere the energy comes from and everywhere it goes and where and how it's used in the body, I imagine there's a nobel prize in it for you. There's still a lot we don't know about where all that energy comes from and goes.
Weight loss...
>And the energy needed to convert complex carbs and protein into glycogen?
Energy out...
>The energy used converting glycogen to ATP?
Energy out...
The body is complex. Energy in - energy out = weight lost its not.
It is, however, the final word.
Thank you for that. Now if you'd like to adopt the assumption that your audience isn't brainless, let's talk about the interesting point that everyone wants to be talking about: that the 'calories out' number varies for the same 'calories in' number across people, diets, and behaviors.
A statement which is true, but brings almost no information, isn't useful.