Most everyone knows that to lost weight you must burn more calories than you take in. This is just plain physics. The key to burning these calories is metabolism. Now this can confuse the average Joe and this confusion can lead to bad end, (discussed later). We must look at the metabolism just like another living thing that has the same needs as the human body to survive:
Fire
Like the body, fire needs two primary things to survive: fuel and oxygen. Let's look at fuel first:
Fuel: What happens if you don't keep adding fuel to a fire? The flame goes out. The same is true with the body. It is human nature to drastically reduce our caloric intake in an effort to reduce weight, especially because we want big results quickly. This is the worst thing you can do. The brain is equiped with a survial switch known as the starvation mechanism.
When you dramatically cut down calories, then the metabolism slows way down to help the body survive. Sure, you still burn calories, (just like the embers of a fire), but it is very dangerous and as soon as you start eating normally again, the body begins to store a majority of calorie intake as fat. (Just like a fire starting back up again, it will burn slow). This is a trap that 90% of dieters fall into.
Oxygen: In other words, you must get active. If you build a fire in a enclosed space with no air intake or close the lid on your BBQ grill, the flame goes out. (See above). Exercising is much like using a bellows on a dying fire, the fire increases as the oxygen is applied. The same principle works with metabolism. We call this "getting thermal".
Sadly, a majority of Americans do not like to work out, so this is why the "super weight loss with no effort" pills on late night TV are making a killing. You don't have to work out like an Olympic weight lifter to stoke the fire, but living on the couch will yeild no results.
What about fuel type?
What happens if you throw a wet log on your fire? It smokes and the flame dies, right? The wet log represents ice cream and Big Macs. The fuel you choose is as important as how much fuel you use. A grilled chicken breast is just like a good pine log. It burns clean and long, unlike the wet log. Does this mean you cannot ever eat non-healthy food ever again? Of course not. If you add more oxygen (exercise), then a little mositure in the log will not derail you. Besides, you must reward yourself sometimes. .
What about accelerants?
There are tons of pills and drinks that will help speed up metabolism like Hydroxicut, Stackers, Rock Star Energy, etc. Picture these like gasoline or charcoal fluid. Yes, the fire will go up, BUT, the fuel gets spent more quickly. This is another trap. More accelerant, less calories= slowed metabolism.
The lesson here is that it is all about balance. Along with good rest, fuel and oxygen are the key to making a more efficient furnace. Good luck to you and your weight loss journey.
Fire
Like the body, fire needs two primary things to survive: fuel and oxygen. Let's look at fuel first:
Fuel: What happens if you don't keep adding fuel to a fire? The flame goes out. The same is true with the body. It is human nature to drastically reduce our caloric intake in an effort to reduce weight, especially because we want big results quickly. This is the worst thing you can do. The brain is equiped with a survial switch known as the starvation mechanism.
When you dramatically cut down calories, then the metabolism slows way down to help the body survive. Sure, you still burn calories, (just like the embers of a fire), but it is very dangerous and as soon as you start eating normally again, the body begins to store a majority of calorie intake as fat. (Just like a fire starting back up again, it will burn slow). This is a trap that 90% of dieters fall into.
Oxygen: In other words, you must get active. If you build a fire in a enclosed space with no air intake or close the lid on your BBQ grill, the flame goes out. (See above). Exercising is much like using a bellows on a dying fire, the fire increases as the oxygen is applied. The same principle works with metabolism. We call this "getting thermal".
Sadly, a majority of Americans do not like to work out, so this is why the "super weight loss with no effort" pills on late night TV are making a killing. You don't have to work out like an Olympic weight lifter to stoke the fire, but living on the couch will yeild no results.
What about fuel type?
What happens if you throw a wet log on your fire? It smokes and the flame dies, right? The wet log represents ice cream and Big Macs. The fuel you choose is as important as how much fuel you use. A grilled chicken breast is just like a good pine log. It burns clean and long, unlike the wet log. Does this mean you cannot ever eat non-healthy food ever again? Of course not. If you add more oxygen (exercise), then a little mositure in the log will not derail you. Besides, you must reward yourself sometimes. .
What about accelerants?
There are tons of pills and drinks that will help speed up metabolism like Hydroxicut, Stackers, Rock Star Energy, etc. Picture these like gasoline or charcoal fluid. Yes, the fire will go up, BUT, the fuel gets spent more quickly. This is another trap. More accelerant, less calories= slowed metabolism.
The lesson here is that it is all about balance. Along with good rest, fuel and oxygen are the key to making a more efficient furnace. Good luck to you and your weight loss journey.
