You're Not That Smart...
Gettin' Ready for Summer!
It’s Spring Break. You’re starting to consider getting into shape so you can afford to let it loose this summer. You’d like to get to the point where you actually want to take off your clothes and show off your lean body. What do you do?
Unfortunately, in an honest effort to get build lean physique so many good people fail miserably, get discouraged and never try again.
The real problem is that you’re not that smart.
Unfortunately, in an honest effort to get build lean physique so many good people fail miserably, get discouraged and never try again.
The real problem is that you’re not that smart.
You focus too much on calorie expenditure which leads you to believe that simply reducing calories will lead to weight loss. The truth is that it will, but only at first! This leads you on a roller coaster that is only fun at the beginning!
The reason this roller coaster sucks is because your body is smarter than you. Much smarter. Your DNA has survived generations by passing down traits and processes that kept it alive. These include your consciousness for one, but for the sake of fat loss your cells also know when you are in a famine or feast situation!
When you’re supplying your body with an abundance of calories each day it reacts by boosting metabolism as it expects that tomorrow there will again be plenty of food.
The opposite is true when there is a famine situation. Just like you conserve your cash when you’re broke, your cells recognize that they’re not getting as much energy as they would like and begin to slow down to preserve the energy they do get.
Fat loss stops immediately and you become a mess at that point. You feel like crap and you aren’t even losing weight. At that point, it’s no wonder so many people end up quitting; why starve yourself when you can get the same results eating Chick-Fil-A?
The reason this roller coaster sucks is because your body is smarter than you. Much smarter. Your DNA has survived generations by passing down traits and processes that kept it alive. These include your consciousness for one, but for the sake of fat loss your cells also know when you are in a famine or feast situation!
When you’re supplying your body with an abundance of calories each day it reacts by boosting metabolism as it expects that tomorrow there will again be plenty of food.
The opposite is true when there is a famine situation. Just like you conserve your cash when you’re broke, your cells recognize that they’re not getting as much energy as they would like and begin to slow down to preserve the energy they do get.
Fat loss stops immediately and you become a mess at that point. You feel like crap and you aren’t even losing weight. At that point, it’s no wonder so many people end up quitting; why starve yourself when you can get the same results eating Chick-Fil-A?
Outsmart Those Ancient Cells | Re-Feed
Paleo Refeed | Eating Your Way to Fat Loss
It’s true that calorie reduction is the biggest factor in weight loss. The problem is that it only works for about 5-7 days before your cells turn on you (for turning on them!).
The hormone leptin is to blame for this. Leptin ensures you don’t starve and helps regulate appetite and fat levels. When you restrict calories for an extended period (5-7 days) leptin levels drop as much as 50% which turns you into a slug (or feel like one anyway).
The good news is that you can trick your body. This trick will not only help you lose weight but will also allow you to live a more enjoyable life.
I say this because the trick is a simple refeed. You’ve probably heard it called a cheat meal but I don’t like that term.
A cheat meal implies you are doing something bad which can lead to other bad situations. Situations like “Hey, I already had Burger King for lunch; I might as well have McDonald’s for dinner since it’s my cheat day”.
A refeed is simply an increase in healthy calories. The keyword here is healthy. The point of a refeed is to trick your body into thinking you are in a food surplus which turns your metabolism back into hyper speed like your first week of dieting (Remember?).
Following a refeed your body will be flowing with leptin until you’re ready for your next refeed (5-7 days later).
The hormone leptin is to blame for this. Leptin ensures you don’t starve and helps regulate appetite and fat levels. When you restrict calories for an extended period (5-7 days) leptin levels drop as much as 50% which turns you into a slug (or feel like one anyway).
The good news is that you can trick your body. This trick will not only help you lose weight but will also allow you to live a more enjoyable life.
I say this because the trick is a simple refeed. You’ve probably heard it called a cheat meal but I don’t like that term.
A cheat meal implies you are doing something bad which can lead to other bad situations. Situations like “Hey, I already had Burger King for lunch; I might as well have McDonald’s for dinner since it’s my cheat day”.
A refeed is simply an increase in healthy calories. The keyword here is healthy. The point of a refeed is to trick your body into thinking you are in a food surplus which turns your metabolism back into hyper speed like your first week of dieting (Remember?).
Following a refeed your body will be flowing with leptin until you’re ready for your next refeed (5-7 days later).
Better Social Life You Say?
Ever go out with friends and have to skip out on dinner because it didn’t fit in with your Paleo Diet? The great thing about a refeed is that it works perfectly with the typical Monday-Friday schedule.
The weekends are the times we’re most likely to cheat and they happen to land every 5-7 days. A refeed allows you to be more open with your dietary choices when out with your friends or family.
Don’t be afraid to stray a little bit from your usual Paleo food list. If you are dieting the way you should be during the week, your body will enjoy the extra calories, even if they aren’t perfect Paleo foods!
The weekends are the times we’re most likely to cheat and they happen to land every 5-7 days. A refeed allows you to be more open with your dietary choices when out with your friends or family.
Don’t be afraid to stray a little bit from your usual Paleo food list. If you are dieting the way you should be during the week, your body will enjoy the extra calories, even if they aren’t perfect Paleo foods!
Bonus Weight Loss Tip
| Can’t put the fork down? Ever find yourself eating too much? A good way to ensure you don’t overeat during the weak is to drink a quick protein shake prior to your meal. The water alone will fill your stomach and the healthy protein is a great fuel source which will also work to burn fat! A favorite of mine, Biotrust Protein, is in my opinion the best protein on the market right now. It’s made from milk from healthy cows and has ingredients you can trust. Plus it’s endorsed by one of my mentors John Romaniello and he’s the man. |  |
Favorite Re-Feed
My favorite refeed meal is definitely a Paleo style pizza! That or Mongolian Grill?
What’s your favorite refeed meal?
What’s your favorite refeed meal?
