subject: Can't I Go on a Fat Burning Diet by Just Cutting Out Calories? [print this page] This common question creates all sorts of conflict for those who believe in nutrition above weight loss. Clearly, a fat burning diet will involve more than just eating specific foods, no matter what you might see online. There is more to weight loss than simply not eating, and there is more to training your body to burn fat than not providing it with any carbohydrates.
Why Cutting Calories Can Be Counterproductive to a Fat Burning Diet
It may seem to go against common sense but if you decrease your caloric input too much, you are actually setting yourself up to gain weight. How is this possible?
Your brain is much more complex than we imagine. Even after decades of study, scientists still barely know a thing. What they do know is that your appetite, metabolism and diet are intricately connected and are inseparable.
The brain is finely tuned to deal with times of severe famine. During such times, people obviously eat less. When you reach a tipping point, your brain shuts down your metabolism to the degree possible. Suddenly the 1200 calories you were eating each day while losing weight don't result in burning more fat. You fee tired, grumpy and easily overwhelmed.
Your body has entered emergency mode. At this point, more exercise won't help as much as it normally would. You need to give your body enough calories to convince it that there is no danger. You will want to do that regularly to encourage good metabolic function and create a real fat burning diet.
How Can You Feed Your Body and Still Lose Weight?
What you eat is as important as how much you eat. You want foods that stimulate your metabolism. For example, coconut oil may seem like a bad choice on a fat burning diet, but the oils within coconut oil encourage the liver to quickly convert oils in to usable energy, just as available as carbohydrates and just as powerful.
Nuts, lean meats and plenty of fiber help do the same kind of work. Additionally fiber keeps you feeling full, so you eat less, without struggling. Eggs are loaded with many nutrients as well and are a great cheap source of protein that can go anywhere with you.
Whole grains and organic produce reduces the number of carbohydrates you ingest, while providing you with plenty more fiber. One essential part of a fat burning diet is that it doesn't leave you feeling hungry!
Why Exercise is an Important Compliment to a Fat Burning Diet
One of the things that a lot of people forget when they are trying to burn fat is their exercise regime. No one will argue that cardiovascular exercise is good for your heart but it isn't very good when you are trying to burn fat. In fact, it can be counter productive.
Long, low impact work outs encourage your body to store fat more efficiently for future long work outs. What you need instead is short, intense work outs that encourage your body to build more muscle. After all, muscle burns fat better than fat does.
Make sure to include some resistance work in your exercise routine--bands, nautilus machines or free weights can all be part of the plan. High intensity sprints, step ups or stair climbing all work well to get the heart pumping without slowing down your metabolism.
If you aren't sure how to recreate your exercise routine, hire a trainer. It's important that you develop a healthy exercise routine to compliment your fat burning diet.
Can't I Go on a Fat Burning Diet by Just Cutting Out Calories?
