Its Not About Losing WEIGHT Its About Losing FAT!!!
I just had a debate in another topic about caloric intake and it occurred to me that we as a group are focused on losing weight. In reality we should be focused on losing fat. It is not the same thing. If you do not consume enough of the right nutritional composition you will end up weighing less but could still have considerable fat. Why is this?
Our doctors tell us to focus on protein. This is to prevent our bodies from using proteins from our muscles to burn fat. If you do not consume enough protein your body will still get it but it will cost you muscle mass in the long run. Muscles help to burn fat, so it is critical to at a minimum maintain muscle mass or better yet to increase lean muscle mass.
300 calories of protein is not the same to our weight loss journey as 300 calories of carbohydrates or even fats for that matter. In the way our bodies handle intake a calorie is not a calorie.
How do we make sure we are losing fat weight and not muscle weight? Make sure to eat enough proteins. Additionally our bodies work harder to burn the proteins we consume than carbohydrates we consume so we are getting some benefit in eating a high protein diet in that our bodies burn calories just digesting and processing our food.
Wow REALLY! I don't think anyone here ever heard of a protein heavy....lower carb....lower fat (good fats) low calorie eating plan! Thanks for this wealth of NEW information! Lol! The aforementioned topic you referenced was specifically about increasing OVERALL calories by introducing (good fats) Too much of even a "good" thing ....can be bad! ( as I said in the other post.) It still boils down to simple math period! If your body utilizes 1,000 cals a day....you intake 500 extra calories....protein...healthy fats whatever....you WILL gain a pound in 7 days easy peasy! Obviously this is a simplification....many variables make it a bit more tricky....but calories taken in EXCEEDING ......calories used/burned WILL lead to stalls or gain!
JIMBO... 350lbs! lost!..... TRIPLE CENTURY CLUB!! HELL ...YEAH!
MY VSG......KICKS ASS! 
I am 6' 2" 
There's a lot to say on this topic, and I mean a LOT! Many of the responses consist of partial truths and apply in certain situations and to certain people...
I feel so incredibly blessed to have one source of information that I trust based on results, experience and personal observation. I know that there are times when my doctor increases peoples calorie counts. This almost always happens when that person becomes a true athlete. I don't mean an hour or so in the gym, I am talking about 3 or more hours every day of strenuous exercise toward a particular goal. He makes sure that they understand that they are eating this way to power their performance not to increase weight loss. Other than this, we are all told to eat under 800 calories until goal with a set amount of protein as a base for health. Eating less calories is encouraged and considered a good thing as long as you are meeting your protein goals and taking your vitamins. If you find a different path, and it works for you, follow that. I chose my path, you must choose yours.
