Reaching Fat-Adapted Status When Not Fully Compliant

[gibbsaf]

Can you still start burning fat as fuel when you are not 100% compliant? For instance, I have been eating a little oatmeal in the AM b/c I cannot stomach sweet potatoes and haven't had time to fix them to where I wouldn't mind eating them. I've also slipped up a little with food from our salad bar at work for lunch (i.e. quinoa, buffalo chicken - eek!). I know I should probably cook my own chicken at home and bring it in, but I just haven't had time for that yet. Maybe next week with some avocado.  

 

I have a few social situations over the new few weeks (NASCAR race, sister's baby shower, a wedding (I'm a bridesmaid and it's out of town), camping) where I have a feeling I will want a drink or two. I'm thinking a glass of wine is best if you end up partaking - beer is a big no-no. 

 

Also, I'm training for a half marathon and we have quite a few long runs over the course of the next few weeks. I can't really stomach coconut water for electrolytes and really want to use my PowerBar mix. I'm already a really slow runner and am scared to death of being even slower b/c I'm sluggish. Ugh. 

 

Anyways, I was just curious if your body can start burning fat when not 100% compliant. Aside from the possible running/electrolyte drink, I'm avoiding sugar completely. 

 

Thanks! 

[Tom Denham]

Just so we are clear, you are not doing a Whole30. You are not even close. I looked into your history and saw that you announced a September 1 start date. The Whole30 demands complete adherence to the program. Eating close to the Whole30 menu may improve your health, but it remains miles away from what you can experience by following the program 100 percent. 

 

The more you remove processed carbs and sugar from your diet and eat  real meats, fats, and veggies, the better fat adapted you may become. 

[gibbsaf]

Yes, you are correct. I am technically not following the Whole30 program when I'm eating things off of the program. I sort of wanted to dabble in it first knowing that this would be a tough month to be 100% compliant. 

 

I have significantly changed my meals/eating since starting this a few days ago. I used to pick up dinner every night (typically not that healthy) and have instead been cooking Whole30 compliant meals. I'm not eating anything with sugar and avoiding dairy. I know you said "I'm not even close" but I feel like this is a HUGE step in the right direction for me personally! Much better than continuing in my old ways. 

 

My health is in really great shape - all of my blood numbers are wonderful, so that's not my main motivator for doing this. My first reason is to try to lose some fat. I am a triathlete who trains pretty intensely for most of the year and as a result, I've consumed a TON of carbs and have steadily gained body fat. I am really curious to see if adapting my diet in this way can help start to burn some body fat, which is the reason for my post. I feel like since I'm eliminating sugar and a LOT of extra carbs from my previous super-carby diet, that it has to help. 

 

As I'm dabbling in it now to try to change my "cooking" behaviors, I am hoping to start a real Whole30 in the coming month or two when there aren't as many plans. 

[LisaLulu]

For me I know it's grains that prevent me from being fat adapted because I am eating lots fruit and potatoes with my meals and I still switched over to fat burning mode around day 9 both times. If you can't stomach sweet potatoes for breakfast can't you make hash browns with regular potatoes now that they are allowed? Personally I think oatmeal is far more gag worthy than potatoes in the morning!

[gibbsaf]

Thanks, Lisa! Very helpful. I will look up some good potato breakfast recipes. I made some sweet potato hash with ghee, salt and pepper and it turned me off. I'm not used to eating so much oil with my food! It's actually making me feel disgusted when I think about eating it haha. My tummy has definitely been acting wonky. 

 

I LOVE eating oatmeal for breakfast, so that's one habit I need to work on changing. I figured gluten free steel cut oatmeal couldn't be but so bad... ;-) I'm sure it is, though! 

[LisaLulu]

I feel sick when I eat ghee too. I know you're not supposed to use it for cooking, but I like making my potatoes with olive oil, it doesn't bother my stomach and tastes better. I also like eating homemade soup for breakfast, I was getting nauseous at breakfast on my first whole 30 and someone suggested it instead of eating meat and vegetables on their own. I make vegetable soup and throw in some cooked chicken and have a peach or something on the side.

[MeadowLily]

The Whole 30 program belongs to Melissa and Dallas Hartwig.   

 

You can always make up your own diet if you find this too difficult or disgusting.  

 

I'm grateful for their forums, all of the information they've freely given out to the world.  I wouldn't change a thing about a Whole 30, but that's just me.  I'm compliant without complaints.

[GoJo09]

I don't think easing in to it is a bad idea, in order to get the hang of template meals and the like,if you know it would be very difficult for you to be compliant at the moment.

But why do you feel you have to have sweet potato/potato for breakfast instead of porridge? Couldn't you switch to something protein based so it's completely different and breaking that link? There's no rule saying you have to have starch for breakfast.

There's a really good explanation on mark's daily apple explaining how fast adaptation occurs that you should check out (can't link on my phone) that might help you pinpoint what you can/should do to become fat adapted.