When
it comes to weight loss, one of the options people think about is to
stop eating for a while. Everyone knows that weight gain or loss is
simply a matter of math, calories in minus calories out equals weight
gain or loss. Your body burns 70 calories per hour even just sitting
idle on the couch. If you don’t eat any calories then your calculation
is simple and your weight loss should be fast, right? Well yes and no
and as simple as it sounds, that idea is fraught with potential
problems.
You
see, even though you might not be “burning” any calories your body’s
systems keep working. When you body is deprived of food it slow down its
metabolism. This means you burn calories more slowly. While a
no-calorie weight loss program might seem to work at the onset, within a
short time your metabolic rate slows down substantially and your weight
loss slows with it.
Your
body needs energy to stay alive, so at first, it goes after the
glycogen stored in your liver and converts it to glucose to burn for the
energy it needs. When that store of energy is used up (to a degree),
your body will begin to go after the energy stored in the bonds of
certain molecules in your fat cells. This process is called ketosis and
accounts for why your breath sometimes smells like fingernail polish
(made with ketones) after hard exercise.
So
far, your no eating weight loss program sounds good. You’re burning
calories, reducing body fat and losing weight. That’s what effective
weight loss plans are supposed to do, right? Well, yes, but
unfortunately this isn’t all your body is doing under these
circumstances.
One
result of your no eating program is that this method of ‘dieting’ will
cause your body to undergo a ‘rebound’ effect. In other words, this kind
of weight loss program will cause you to crave food like crazy. This
effect will cause you to put on more pounds than you lost. This is
because your body is compensating for a radical deficit.
Now
if gaining a little extra weight after being able to fit into a dress
for a wedding or looking good for a high school reunion was the only ill
effect of your no eating weight loss program then you might feel that
this option is the one to choose. The real problem is that there are
serious health risks to simply starving yourself or going on a long term
fast. This wacky weight loss eating plan causes a number of carefully
balanced nutrients to become unbalanced.
After
not eating for a period of time, your balance of insulin, sugar and a
variety of other essential compounds becomes upset. The danger here is
that, in addition to regulating your energy levels, they also influence
the hormones that regulate your brain and nervous systems.
Unless
you compensate with some sort of sports-style drink your concentrations
of potassium and sodium will also get out of balance. These can be even
more difficult to adjust in the absence of food. These minerals are
vital for regulating your heartbeat. They are also found in every cell
of your body and in fluids where they participate in an enormous variety
of critical tasks.
An
imbalance of these can cause fatigue, dizziness and difficulty
concentrating. Of course these are only three of the milder symptoms
that can result. Dehydration is very likely, since much of the fluid you
receive is not just from the liquids you drink but from your food. If
the weather is warm and you are even a little active this can easily
lead to heat stroke.
Your
kidneys will have a more difficult time filtering properly. Since they
clean the waste material from the blood they play a role in regulating
your blood pressure. They also stimulate your bone marrow to make red
blood cells.
In
addition, your odds of a heart attack are increased and your brain
function suffers. The list goes on and on. Even if the fast is ended
long before death, which is about 4 weeks for most people, serious long
term physical effects would occur.
So
of all the weight loss options you have to choose from the no eating
program is definitely not the one you should choose. Instead of fasting,
try eating a balanced, healthy diet with a limited number of calories.
When you combine this type of weight loss eating with a plan that
includes an age and circumstance-appropriate exercise program you are
not only setting yourself up for long term success but also maintaining a
healthy body. This is the surest way to lose pounds safely, a program
that keeps your short term and long term health in harmony. You can lose
the weight you desire, just do it in a healthy manner. You’ll be so
glad you did!
Wil
Dieck is the founder of Total Mind Therapy a combination of hypnosis
and NLP and a number of e-courses including a “Weight Loss Secrets”
program that you can have for no charge or obligation
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