Question 10 Does a set point for body fat percentage make being very

lean year round ill advised or are there ways around this?

Fat Loss Roundtable With The Experts

Layne Norton Does a set point for body fat percentage make being very lean year round ill

advised or are there ways around this?

“Well it depends on the individual's setpoint.

If you are someone who has a low bodyfat just by nature then it's probably ok to stay leaner, but if you are more endomorphic by nature it will probably be harder to stay lean and add muscle mass. ”

Alan AragonDoes a set point for body fat percentage make being very lean year round ill

advised or are there ways around this?

“This really boils down to personal preference.

In my observations, some folks don't mind being "normal" or even towards the "fluffy" side unless they're dieting for a competition, photo shoot, movie, or other specific event.

Those who want to stay lean year-round but don't have that natural tendency will have to work considerably harder than those who are natural greyhounds, metabolism-wise.

In my observations genetically average folks generally need to do about 25% more formal training volume, and/or consume about 25% less calories to come close to the leanness that metabolic greyhounds display for the majority of the time. That's just the reality of the matter. If the genetically average folks choose to put themselves through that stress, then that's on them. ”

“ I can pretty much "reprogram" someone to be able to stay lean year-round, but depending on initial fatness and how much energy you´re willing to spend on training (the great metabolic equalizer), there is bound to be some degree of portion control and conscious decision-making when you´re grocery shopping.

I think it´s a matter of how you approach it mentally most of all, even if you are somewhat screwed if your parents were obese and you were one of the "big-boned" kids.

If you consider it "dieting" it will be harder because you always feel like you are restricting yourself. It will be a lot easier for you if you consider it a lifestyle and learn how to make nutritious food choices taste great with various spices and natural flavourings (I put stevia on everything including meat dishes if I have a sweet tooth).”

Borge FagerliDoes a set point for body fat percentage make being very lean year round ill

advised or are there ways around this?

“As far as I know there is no empirical proof of a set point for body fat percentage, however I do think that individuals do have set points that there body ends up coming back to whether it is physiological or psychological I don't know.

What I do think is that you can recalibrate your set point however it requires maintaining your weight at your desired level for a period of time to adjust to your new set point.

eg. you may get lean for a show and once it is over let it all go and add more body fat as a release from having to diet so hard.

A bodybuilder may want to spend some time at least a month or 2 maintaining their weight if they wanted to be in good shape throughout the year.

If you are a fitness model you have to be able to do this otherwise you are not going to be able to work for big chunks of the year. Having said that you may want to hover around 6-8% body fat as a minimum, but you need to monitor your overall health and training responses if you are going to maintain at this level year round.”

Gavin AllinsonDoes a set point for body fat percentage make being very lean year round ill

advised or are there ways around this?

“I would keep to 3-4% off your peak body comp year round, this shouldn’t be too difficult. Or never be more than 6 weeks out of peak shape. If you are having to diet down for 3 months+ to get into peak condition you are probably over fat……”

Matt LovellDoes a set point for body fat percentage make being very lean year round ill

advised or are there ways around this?