Group: Specific Diets & Nutrition

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 104, Messages: 22775

With so many diets and nutritional plans out there, you can get lost. Find out what works best for others and share your experiences!

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Under eating = body fat?

CarolynLeigh
CarolynLeigh
Posts: 8
Joined: 2004/04/06
Canada
2004/04/08, 09:37 PM
After speaking with a couple of professionals about my diet, I have recently learned that I am not eating enough for the amount of exercise I do. In turn, my body is holding on to all of my fat...which by the way I am trying to lose. I don't GAIN anything, but I tend to maintain my current weight, even though I would like to lose (I don't necessarily want to lose weight, just the fat). I have been recommended to increase my daily caloric intake and I will begin to lose my fat. Is this true? Do you think I will benefit from this? If I *do* start eating more, will I gain weight first, because my body is going to want to store all of this extra food? Or will I automatically start losing the fat? Any help would be appreciated, I could use some other opinions.
agamble
agamble
Posts: 1,029
Joined: 2003/09/22
United States
2004/04/08, 11:43 PM
While I am no expert I will try to give you some answers to your quetsions. First off, it doesn't matter what you do, it comes down to this- calories in=calories out=maintain weight. As long as you burn the same calories as you take in you will maintain your weight. If you burn more than you take in, you will lose and the opposite is true as well.
Here is the kicker-if you build muscle in your body you burn more calories. Muscle is a fat burner. It doesn't take much. Engage in some muscle building exercises and keep a moderate diet and you will achieve some surprising results. I would not increase calories without increasisng activity unless I wanted to gain weight. Remember-calories in=calories out
asimmer
asimmer
Posts: 8,201
Joined: 2003/01/07
United States
2004/04/09, 08:43 AM
Carolyn,
Gradually incraese your calories.

Figure out the average amount of calories you were taking in daily and add 100 calories for a wek. Then the next week add a few more. See how your body responds.

Eating more is one of the biggest challenges for many people, especially women. I tell my clients they will have to trust in me, and they are always pleasantly suprised when they start to eat more and they drop bodyfat.

It takes a little time for your body to adjust, it is a survival system and sees fluctuations as a fluke unitil the new intake has been consistent for a while.

Divide your calories into six, small meals a day, this will also boost your metaboism. Don't skip breaKFAST, THAT LOWERS YOUR METABOLISM BY 15%. OOPS, CAPS LOCK.Sorry.

The whole calories in vs calories out is a little decieving because many people fail to calculate their basic metabolic needs and then add their daily activity needs, then subtract maybe 200-300 calories to figure out a weightloss calorie equation. Many peole just eat less, thinking they will lose weight. They will lose muscle and lower their metabolism.

Eat enough, build hungry muscle and remain positive that your efforts will work.

Good luck!:big_smile:

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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.