by Norris Tomlinsononly on LifeLube
In Body of Life.1, we discussed the importance of the balance, or better yet, the imbalance of “calories in and calories out” in order to achieve your personal best body. Let’s focus on the “out”. Exercise and daily activities help us to burn off the calories we take in; but, what about the portion of food---our major source of calories---that our bodies do not use?
When was the last time you “went” (aka “number two”, “dump”, “eliminate”)? Keeping a tab on how often you defecate is just as important in achieving and maintaining a body full of life. It is an indicator of how quickly your body processes all of the food and liquid you consume in terms of absorption of important nutrients and elimination of waste material. It is also an indicator of how your body is storing fat.
Fasting for a week before having to don your swimsuit; going on an extremely low calorie diet in preparation for strutting your stuff at the class reunion; or, just drinking water all day so that you will look smaller on your long-awaited date with Mr. Right--- all of these can totally backfire on your cause.
Such actions actually starve your body of much needed vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, good fat, and a plethora of other nutrients that it needs consistently. In starvation mode---not knowing when it will be provided the essentials (food) that it needs, your body reacts by actually holding on to whatever calories you do take in and stores them as fat for long term survival. When you decide to end the fast or discontinue the extreme diet, your body, still in starvation mode, holds on to everything you take in and the result is weight gain like never before.
Eat! Mom was right – breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It jump starts your metabolism for the day! Make sure it includes protein. (no, cum from your morning session does not count). Then, try eating several, e.g. four or five, small balanced meals during the day versus the traditional 3 big meals around which the traditional work day is structured. The result will be your body’s confidence to release. There will be an automatic, systematic cycle of you taking in the beneficial calories and elimination of the waste on a daily basis.
In general, if you do no “go” at least once a day, your rate of metabolism might need some adjustment. It could be as simple as changing your eating and exercise schedule, or, it might be something for which you need to seek medical advice. Slow metabolism can also be an indication of something more serious or a side effect of certain medications.
Stay tuned to the next installment of “Body of Life” for a discussion on proteins and good fats. Yes, some fats really are good for you.
In the meantime, check out these resources to learn more about metabolism:
www.chem4kids.com
(select biochemistry, then metabolism)
Your body of life for life is achieved by
striving to achieve your personal best.
Bio Norris Norris Tomlinson has been a professional in the fitness industry for 18 years. He is currently the Program Director and a master Pilates instructor for Cheetah Gym Chicago. He is the former Director of Fitness Services for Bally Total Fitness Corporation, responsible for fitness programming at approximately 400 clubs across
Have a question for Norris? E-mail him here.
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