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harly
Question:
After carbohydrates, does the body burn protein or fat?
During endurance events (events lasting more than 90 minutes)the body initally uses carbohydrates as its source of energy. If it runs out of carbohydrates I understand it uses fat,as an energy source. However, I've read that protein is also used. In fact it is preferentially used ahead of fat. What gives? If I haven't fueled up enough do I use fat (from my love handles) or protein (from my leg muscles)?
Asked by harly - 1 answer - 13 weeks 1 day ago
defrayne
Fat is mostly used as an energy source when the body is exercising at below 70% max aerobically.
Carbs come into play with >70% max aerobically and also with anaerobic activity.
As far as I know, Protein is the predominant energy when glycogen stores have been depleted.
So... to remove love handles, low aerobic activity and the right diet is a good start, but never discount the caloric afterburn of up to 48 hours (some say 72) after an anaerobic workout of lets say 60 minutes. So the ideal is a healthy mixture of the two - one popular methodology is to perform an aerobic session after an anaerobic session to capitalise on the anaerobic afterburn.
One important rule of thumb... never underfuel yourself in order to get rid of your body fat - it will come off more effectively with a balanced caloric deficit of 500 calories. Know your body's required caloric intake, subtract your caloric output and make the difference equal 500 cals. Be consistent and say goodbye love handles!
Submitted 13 weeks 1 day ago by defrayne