The process of fat loading derives its name from the term carbohydrate loading, a technique of consuming a very high carbohydrate diet in the days leading up to competition. Fat loading techniques that have been the topic of a significant amount of scientific research vary from carbohydrate loading in two major ways. One is that the diet is very high in fat instead of carbohydrate and the other is that a longer-term approach of eating the modified diet is required. Another difference is that carbohydrate loading is predicated on the notion of maximizing stores of carbohydrate energy within the body, while the metabolic goal of fat loading is to enhance the body’s ability to utilize fat for energy during competition, thereby sparing the stored carbohydrate energy and prolonging endurance.