We all know the battle – you put in the sweat and tears to shed those pounds, but it feels like a constant tug-of-war, right? Well, lean in. I’m about to spill some truth bombs on the realities of weight loss. Strap in!
The Metabolism Factor: You’ve heard the word. Here’s the real talk. When you drop weight, that metabolism? It decides to throw a little slowdown party. It is called metabolic adaptation and happens to everyone when you diet. Everyone’s metabolism is unique – affected by age, gender, and muscle-fat composition. The more you weigh, the more calories you burn by just existing. As you slim down, this calorie burn drops. It’s like Mother Nature’s own little seesaw. However, Here at Key Nutrition we keep this in mind the whole time we are dieting to try to ease these adaptations as much as possible.
The Lifelong Commitment: Dream of losing weight? Dream bigger – of maintaining it! It’s like mastering a sport; practice consistently or get ready to start from scratch. Why? Because your body’s like a loaded spring. Once you ease off your routine, it bounces back with a vengeance. I have done a whole Podcast on this topic recently if you want a deep dive into this subject. (Enter maintenance podcast here)
Hunger Games: The hunger after weight loss isn’t in your head – it’s in your hormones. The pesky one named leptin, produced by fat cells, basically rings the dinner bell in your brain. When you shed fat, leptin drops, making your brain scream, “Feed me, damnit!” So, if you’re feeling more famished than usual, know that it’s not a weakness. In fact, I have always said if you aren’t a little hungry, you probably are not in a sufficient enough calorie deficit to lose weight. Welcome the little bit of hunger but also, you should not be SO hungry you can not sustain the diet.
Food > Fitness for Weight Loss: Shocked? Stay with me. Shedding pounds is easier by saying no to that extra snack than by sweating it out. Exercise, though vital, often misleads folks into overeating as a ‘reward.’ Remember, exercise to get strong and healthy, not just to lose weight. Exercise obviously has unbeatable benefits that go way beyond the scale.
The Exercise Paradox: While eating reigns supreme in weight loss, when it comes to keeping that weight off, exercise enters the spotlight. People who’ve maintained their weight loss? They move their damn body daily. And it’s not all grueling marathons. Even a simple walk counts. Consistent movement is the magic key. 8-10k steps a day is a great goal to shoot for consistently.
To Sum it Up:
Navigating weight loss is like venturing into uncharted waters. And while the path might be laden with biological speed bumps, knowing the terrain helps. Whether you dive deep into weight loss or choose to coast, remember, it’s about feeling your best. Be patient, be consistent, and always, always keep it real. Losing fat is not easy or everyone would do it and be successful at it. I know you can do it, my friend! And if you need help, we always have your back. 🙂
