Bad Idea: Starving Yourself To Lose Weight
By: Marci_Lall | Posted: 10th June 2007
Many women have suffered from this myth in order to get thin, look sexy and even become healthier from starvation. In terms of weight loss, this is a load of crap, and instead of becoming thin you’ll actually see the opposite – weight gain!
Let’s first take a look at why we need to eat.
On a smaller scale, the foods we eat end up being, carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
When we eat carbohydrates it’s stored in the liver and muscles in clumps of glucose molecules known as glycogen. What’s very important is that the liver supply is a reserve that helps to maintain the blood glucose level, which is the essential source for the brain and nervous tissue. In addition we use that same muscle glycogen to fuel high intensity contractions.
Once the carbs are used up our body relies on fat as the next form of fuel. You store fat under your skin, around your organs and in your muscles. The fat in your muscle is used for lower–intensity, long-duration activities. Another important fact about fat is that the fat underneath your skin (adipose tissue) can be transported to working muscles and be used as fuel.
Proteins help reconstruct damaged tissue. When exercising you only use about 5-10% of protein for energy.
So if foods that we eat are made up of these elements, would starving yourself be beneficial?
…I don’t think so.
So what happens to your body from starving yourself?
From reading the above you now know that your body stores fat. When you don’t eat your body goes into “starvation mode” and holds on to every single piece of energy it can get to allow you body to function.
So if you don’t eat consistently your body will store the fat.
Can you see where this will lead?
If your body is always in “starvation mode” you will gain weight and your body will not be able to function properly. It’s a viscous cycle of starving your self and gaining weight and ultimately you will end up doing more harm than good.
BOTTOM LINE: Eat to lose weight.
About the Author
Occupation: Weight Loss & Body Scultping Specialist
Marci Lall is a Weight Loss and Body Sculpting Specialist for women. Visit his website at www.lallpt.com to get his FREE special report "How to Get Maximum Weight Loss & Fitness Results in Minimum Time"
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Tags: myth, bottom line, organs, muscles, fats, glycogen, starvation mode, carbs, weight gain, liver, gaining weight, contractions, clumps, proteins, high intensity, blood glucose level