While this approach may help you drop a few pounds in the beginning, you’ll end up literally doing more harm than good over the long-term. When it comes down to it, eating too little for your body’s needs puts it into starvation mode, which wreaks havoc on your body. Fortunately, there is a better, more effective way to losing weight than just starving yourself.
What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Too Little?
Most people view eating too much as the grievous sin that causes all of their weight woes, but the truth is that eating too little can be just as detrimental to the body. When you go long periods without eating and/or eat significantly less than your recommended caloric intake, the lack of regular fuel signals your body to put up its defenses. And the result is that your body essentially believes that you are starving, which triggers a number of responses:
• Hunger – During the initial stages, you’ll still feel hungry. If you continue to deprive your body, it will begin using its stores of blood glucose, body fat, and eventually muscle mass for energy.
• Irritability – Over the course of several days, your attitude will change from that of motivation and energy to fatigue and irritability, or even depression. At this point, your body will primarily use muscle mass for energy, and you’ll begin to notice that you’re feeling more sluggish because your body is actually lacking nutrients.
• Obsession – The longer you continue to abstain from eating, the more obsessed with food you’ll become. Even 3 to 4 weeks into your new “diet plan,” you’ll likely find that your life has begun to revolve around your next small meal. You will also continue to feel a decrease in energy.
• Plateau – Within 6 to 8 weeks of starting your new approach, you’ll likely hit a wall. Not only will you be frustrated with the effort it takes to stick to eating so little, but you will likely experience a number of other consequences that are a direct result of not fueling your body effectively: weight loss plateau, mood swings, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disorders…
Why Do You Have to Eat to Lose Weight?
There is a more effective and sustainable to lose weight than not eating. And that way is to eat! In fact, you need to eat to lose weight. Food is your body’s primary source of fuel. Just like your car needs gas to get from Point A to Point B, your body needs food to keep it moving. Not only that, when you eat regularly you keep your body out of starvation mode, rev up your metabolism, and avoid plateaus.
Eating regular, balanced, nutritious meals will also help your body process food more efficiently, so it won’t hang on to its energy stores of excess fat, and you’ll naturally lose weight more easily. If you’re ready to develop a healthier relationship with food and want to learn how to eat to actually lose weight, then Contact Slim4Life today. We’ll help you develop a balanced approach to weight loss that will not only help you lose weight and keep it off but also feel great while you’re doing it! SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY.
