Are you getting fat because you are eating too little?
When most people think of weight loss, the first instinct is to eat less or go on a reduced calorie diet. Well after all, weight loss is really about taking in less calories than the calories burnt. Many people often think that if they want to lose the weight fast, they just have to drastically reduce their calorie intake. However, doing so may actually sabotage their efforts!
Metabolism dips
Your body is a very smart machine. When your calorie intake dips too low, your body will go into starvation mode, start to store fat instead because it thinks it is not going to get any more food. This is when your metabolism will slow to a crawl, burning calories as slowly as possible to conserve energy stores. In this state, you will not lose any weight and in fact, may actually gain weight!
Undereating will also sabotage your weight loss goals because it takes an incredible amount of willpower to stay off food. And because your body is made to think fat is good for you (since the beginning of mankind), after long periods of deprivation you will often fall victim to binging on fatty foods to curb your hunger. The result is “yo-yo” dieting, having periods of extreme starvation followed by periods of binge eating, which leads to weight gain because your metabolism has already slowed down and will hang on to excess calories during the overeating period to prepare for the next starvation period.
Other Problems with too little calories*
• Abnormally low blood pressure and slow heart rate
• Heart rhythm abnormalities
• Electrolyte imbalances, especially potassium deficiency
• Gallstones
• Hair loss
• Brittle fingernails
• Loss of menstrual periods in women
• Soft hair growth over entire body
• Dizziness
• Trouble concentrating
• Anemia
• Swelling in your joints
• Brittle bones
• Depression
Do it healthily
In short, to lose weight healthily, you should work with your metabolism, not against it. You should be taking your ideal daily caloric intake and have an exercise program that fits your goals. Combining the two will help burn off more calories than you consume in a day. Over time, the result will be a sustainable healthy lifestyle and effective weight management. Contact us at Fuelfit for a plan for yourself now!
*http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/fewer-calories-stalls-metabolism.aspx