October 7, 2011

If you do not fuel your body you body will fool you

Rant and Tip for October 7, 2011

Quote:  “If you do not fuel your body your body will fool you!” “Wesley Kipp”

I have been trying to come up with my own quotes and I find it difficult at times, however this one came to me very easily. You see I have a friend at the gym and she is working with a trainer to lose 15 pounds in 10 weeks. First of all this is very difficult to do and do it in a healthy way. How ever I digress. The issue that got me a little cranked was her trainer telling her to reduce her calories below 1000. This is while working out regularly with the trainer and doing her own cardio. Her body cannot sustain itself on such a low amount of calories while being as active as she is. The thing is that the brain is very high in fat and needs fats to sustain itself. When you reduce the calories as low as she is being told to the brain tells the body it is not getting enough fuel with all the exercise I am doing. Since the brain contains a lot of fat it will tell the body to try to retain as much fat as possible. Now since the body needs fuel it will get it from someplace and since muscle requires more fuel it will start to access it’s own muscle for that fuel. So you see your body is fooling you with the weight you lose in this case. Yes you are losing weight but it is not the fat you are losing. It is muscle and this is a catabolic state. You want your body in an anabolic state.


If you are working out regularly your body will need healthy fats and proteins to be able to lose fat and not muscle. You may feel some fatigue when you start reducing your simple carbohydrates and this is normal. However once you body converts to burning fats for fuel you will find that ultimately you will have more energy. Complex carbs while you are working out can be helpful, however if your main goal is to lose the body fat reduce those carbs and get to your goal weight. Have you body composition done at this time to determine you body fat% and then ad your complex carbs around your workouts. The complex carbs are best consumed an hour before your workout and a half and hour after your workout. When you have those complex carbs be sure to also have 20 to 30 grams of protein at the same time. I suggest you do your body composition because you can then watch and determine if you are putting fat back on or if you are putting on muscle.

Have a great workout!

Tip:
Exercise by lifting your fork to your mouth, however make sure it is the proper fuel for your body. A healthy bite is better than no bite at all.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Jim,
    I surely admire all the dedication and passion people like you put in workout regularly. I have always chosen to eat less even fast rather than exercising everyday. I need a boost for this, When I had a trainer I wen to the gym becuae he was there to push me.
    Although I was feeling great the 8 extra pounds are still there, stubborn.
    What would you recommend for "lazy" girls like me?What can I do easily to wake up my metabolism?
    Thanks!

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  2. Thanks Corrine!

    Patricia, start with a brisk walk first thing in the morning when you get up. Even before breakfast. Then have a healthy breakfast. The walk needs to be brisk enough that you become a little out of breath. As if you were walking with a friend and it was difficult to talk.

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