Caloric Deficit & Weight Loss
Countless individuals take on many different approaches to losing weight and many are taught that a caloric deficit is king. A caloric deficit refers to eating fewer calories than you are burning per day and this method has been proven to produce great weight loss results for many however, it is important to note that under-eating can inversely result in weight gains and plateaus. Perhaps, you have even experienced this firsthand? You set out a goal to lose weight so, you significantly decreased your caloric intake and increased your daily exercise but instead, you found no weight loss at all and maybe even weight gain.
The reason for this is that under eating can actually slow down and damage your metabolism . Your body utilizes your calories for exercise, sleep, walking, as well as for all of your other daily living functions. By cutting off or reducing that supply, you may force your body into a panic. Your body needs an adequate amount of calories to survive and it is very cognizant of that, when you lower your calorie intake by too much your body will begin to store food it now feels it needs to survive. When your body is in survival mode, it will hold onto the fats it believes your can not afford to burn off regardless of amount of exercise.
Undereating & Weight Gain
Too few calories can can also throw off your hormonal balance by affecting your thyroid which is responsible for regulating this. Your hormones help regulate your mood and appetite and thus, negatively altering these can result in poor outcomes all around. If you find yourself starving, moody, and not losing any weight, it may be time to alter you weight loss plan. Consult a nutritionist and agree upon a daily calorie intake that is best for you and your daily routine. If you have been underating, you may find that this amount is much higher than what you’re accustomed to and this may scare you. The goal is to retrain your body and restore your metabolism which can actually help the body lose weight properly again. Plus you will likely also find you are no longer starving and have more energy for your workouts too!
The goal is to listen to your body and set realistic goals for yourself too. If you are starving eat! Fuel your body with the calories it needs to flourish. A great tip is to make sure you caloric distribution is balanced and full of whole foods and protein as opposed to processed and fatty foods. Believe it or not, these healthier foods will actually leave your feeling fuller and more fueled for longer.
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