If you are trying to lose weight and become stronger, it would seem logical to cut calories and train harder, right? Well, as it turns out, that might end up causing you to gain more weight rather than losing it. Working your muscles too frequently for an extended period of time, as well as skipping days of rest, even skipping meals, may end up doing more harm then you may think.
Pairing a low calorie diet and overworking at the gym can lead to a disaster. Diets make up around 60 percent of your results in the gym. The other 40 percent can be split between workouts and resting.
When dropping too many calories from your diet you begin to put your body into starvation mode. When denying your body the proper amount of calories it needs, your body will end up losing strength and muscle and begin storing the fat that you are trying to get rid of. By restricting the calorie intake it will only show a quick result with serious health problems and malnutrition. It will not help you in the long run. Skipping meals slows down your metabolism and will increase your hunger.
Any type of intense exercise regimen will require more energy and fuel (calories). When you feed your body more frequently, it will slow down the storage of fat because more fuel is readily available to burn it off. This doesn't mean eating whatever you want whenever you want. Make sure you are consuming what your body needs to function with proper portions and keeping a healthy exercise flow. It is extremely important to keep your body properly fueled before a workout. If you are not eating enough beforehand, you don't have enough calories to fuel your body. Your metabolism begins to slow down and your body takes energy from your muscles instead of the fat. Since fat's main usage is to give you energy and help maintain your body temperature, your body will end up saving any fat. As it is trying to protect you.
Pushing your body into starvation mode slows the body's functions to conserve energy. Your heart begins to beat irregular. The heart muscles can become weak and thin and the chambers of the heart begin to decrease in size. As a result of this a heart attack may occur.
Also, digesting may become difficult when not eating enough calories. It will begin to slow down and try to conserve energy. Its function is to break down the food so that the body can use the nutrients from the food. The stomach begins to empty itself at a slower pace and the lining of the intestinal track may shrink. A person may experience diarrhea due to the fact that the pancreas begins to produce digestive enzymes slower then before. Having diarrhea only worsens the problem because it dehydrates and depletes the body of essential vitamins and nutrients.
You could also begin experiencing Anemia. Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells. The red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissue. Some of Anemia's signs and symptoms may include feeling fatigued, dizzy, weak, having pale skin, irritability, shortness of breath, cognitive problems, and having headaches. These symptoms may occur because the heart has to work harder to pump more oxygen throughout the body.
Try to avoid putting your body into harms way. Take a slower and steady route and make sure you are eating a healthy and nutritious diet along with your workouts. It will keep you healthy and stronger down the road. Anything under 1200 calories a day is considered dangerous. Every person is different, so it might be wise to visit a nutritionist to figure out exactly how many calories is right for you.
Remember to eat a nutritious breakfast. It fuels your body, keeps you motivated and provides a foundation for your metabolism for the rest of the day. Also try eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 huge meals a day. And most importantly, make sure your body stays hydrated!
Erin Elizabeth
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