I recently picked up a copy of The Uphill Athlete on the recommendation of someone else on this forum. Much of the first part of the book deals with the concept of being "fat-adapted." Does anyone have experience with becoming a "fat-adapted" endurance athlete?
Fat Adapt
In post 13 and 16 above, there is some information posted relating to this.
Fat Adapted is usually related to being on the Ketogenic Diet. It takes approximatly three days for your body to adjust to using ketones/fat as fuel.
Once that occurs, you body fuel preverence is fats/ketones rather than glucose. Individual are then Ketone/Fat Dependent.
Their body efficiently utiilize fats but not Glucose/Carbohydrates.
Ketogenic Diet Athletes
Some athlete on the Ketogenic Diet preform well.
While Endurance are more efficient at utilize ketones/body fat, there usually is some part of the race when glucose is needed.
Since Keto Fat Adapted Athlete they are unable to access glucose efficiently.
The information above in
Your Ultimate Guide to Metabolic Flexibility and Fat Adaption by Dr Mike T. Nelson explain that in more depth.
Metabolic Flexibility
In most sport and live in general, being Metabolic Flexiblity is more effective.
Your body, like a hybrid car, is able to utilze electricity/ketone or gas/glucose, dependent on the activity need.
The Uphill Athlete
Since I am not familiar with it, I can't comment.
If it recommends Intermittent Fasting as a mean of ensuring the body is available to utilize ketones and glucose, that makes sense.
If it recommends a Ketogenic Diet, it questionable if an optiamal training effect will be elicited.