Ways to Optimize, Nutrition for the Optimal You!
  • Ways to Optimize
    • Nutritionist
    • Nutritional Approach
    • Referral Benefits
    • Forms >
      • Intake Form
      • Client Agreement and Release
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Nutrition Services Pricing
    • Blood Test for Nutrient Status
    • Food Relationship Reset
    • Detox Programs
    • Speaking
  • Resources
    • Nutrition eBooks
    • Supplements
    • Essential Oils
  • Blog
  • Successes

Amanda's Musings

Things we want you to know and other cool stuff!

Debunking the "Calories In Versus Calories Out" Myth

9/29/2014

0 Comments

 
This issue comes up time and time again in my practice and I was reminded of it again this week.  I have had many clients, particularly but not exclusively women, who are afraid to eat because they think they are going to get fat.  They have entirely bought into the story we have been told for decades, that the way to lose weight is by restricting calories below what we expend through our daily activity.  Not only this, but the more calories we restrict, the faster we will lose weight.  They eat less and sometimes exercise more and expect results.  The fact is that 95% of diets fail and so clearly the advice we have been receiving is not working! 

Here’s the truth about calorie restriction:

​When you restrict calories your body will compensate by slowing down your metabolism.  In other words it will start burning less calories and that’s entirely counter productive.

This is a survival mode that is programed into us because in times of famine we needed to be able to survive and preserve resources.  We might know that the fridge and the pantry in the kitchen are well stocked and that the store is just 5 mins away, but our body doesn’t receive that signal.  What it hears when food is in limited supply is that we are in danger of starving and we need to hang on to fat as much as it can and expend less energy.

Ummm, yes, I did say HANG ON TO FAT!!!  Not what most people are shooting for by restricting calories is it?

Often people will see initial weight loss in a calorie restriction situation but much of the weight loss will be muscle and not the body fat that they are trying to reduce.

As time goes by, the calorie restriction becomes unsustainable.  If you have ever been on a diet or met anyone that has, you know!!  Dieters are typically hungry, tired and in a very, bad mood.  Eventually they can’t keep it up any longer and they just go ahead and eat (and usually they don’t blow it on salad greens and roasted beets!).  Remember, their metabolism is slowed, so any additional calories are mostly going to be stored.  Most dieters will regain the weight they lost and then some.  And here’s the kicker…most of the weight regained is fat!!

That loss of muscle mass followed by regain of fat might mean the same initial number on the scale because muscle is denser than fat, but the body composition with a higher proportion of body fat is not only unlikely to be what the dieter wanted aesthetically but is also a less healthy outcome.  In terms of metabolic rate, fat tissue burns fewer calories than muscle tissue and so the metabolism is slowed further.

Many people feel that they are to blame for not being disciplined enough and so will go back on a diet, maybe consuming even fewer calories than the last one, and so the yo-yo diet cycle begins.

At Ways to Optimize our passion is to get people off diets for good and get them living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle where they feel healthy and happy with their bodies.  Get in touch if you want to learn more.  We believe in education to empower you with your health.
0 Comments

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    RSS Feed

New from Amanda's Musings Blog

How do I know if I have poor blood sugar control?
Is sugar running the show in your food relationship?
when intermittent fasting is not for you

Connect with us:

720 296 9185
[email protected]


Nutrition Services
Ways To Optimize  •  Copyright 2013-2023  •  All Rights Reserved
  • Ways to Optimize
    • Nutritionist
    • Nutritional Approach
    • Referral Benefits
    • Forms >
      • Intake Form
      • Client Agreement and Release
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Nutrition Services Pricing
    • Blood Test for Nutrient Status
    • Food Relationship Reset
    • Detox Programs
    • Speaking
  • Resources
    • Nutrition eBooks
    • Supplements
    • Essential Oils
  • Blog
  • Successes