By fitlifemonthly 
If you’re trying to shed some pounds, you might think it’s all about counting calories and eating less. But actually, that’s not always the case, according to Terry Fairclough, a top personal trainer and co-founder of Your Body Programme. There’s a lot of confusion about the best way to lose weight. Should we be counting calories? Maybe eating low-fat, low-carb, or high-protein diets? What about fasting or eating small, regular meals?
While a big calorie deficit can lead to weight loss, it might not result in fat loss, which is usually the goal. Many people in the Western world eat more than they need, so some may benefit from a small calorie deficit to correct overeating. However, many mistakenly believe that eating too little is the best solution for losing weight, which isn’t true.
When you eat, your body turns carbohydrates into glucose, a vital fuel source. When you cut down on calories, you mainly lose stored carbohydrates and water, not fat. If your body is in long-term calorie deficit, it’ll start to conserve fat and use protein for energy instead, which isn’t ideal since protein helps burn fat when you’re at rest. It’s essential to consume enough calories that include fats, carbs, and protein because each plays a crucial role.
Contrary to popular belief, fat is your body’s most efficient and lasting energy source. It provides more energy per gram than carbs or protein. Cutting out fat completely can leave you without the energy needed for exercise and can even make it harder to lose the fat you don’t want. Over-restricting calories and nutrients can lead to deficiencies, affecting your immune system, liver, digestion, and overall health.
Under-eating can cause problems like fatigue, malnutrition, and hormone or fertility issues. Calorie deficits also stress the body, raising cortisol levels—a stress hormone. Although cortisol can help in short spurts, chronic high levels can slow metabolism, increase belly fat, and even lead to thyroid issues, making weight loss more difficult.
Long-term calorie cuts can also harm digestion, making it hard to absorb essential nutrients. This affects your exercise performance and results. Poor sleep due to low blood sugar can impact your body’s detox process, immunity, and weight management.
Even professional bodybuilders face issues when they improperly cut calories. Prolonged restrictions can lead the body into ‘famine mode,’ storing more fat with every exceeding calorie because it thinks resources are scarce. It’s crucial to eat the right amount of calories and nutrients tailored to your body type and lifestyle.
Terry Fairclough’s Your Body Programme helps people find what works for their specific body types without excessive calorie restriction. Increasing your caloric intake can actually promote fat loss. Incorporate lean proteins, healthy carbs, and fats into your diet, like lean meats, eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and sources of healthy fats such as avocados and nuts.
Terry, who co-founded Your Body Programme, is also passionate about fitness and nutrition. So, embrace healthy eating and nourish your body to keep your metabolism strong.